SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 1/26/2021 Detroit Red Wings 1200498 Hampus Lindholm doing some heavy lifting for Ducks’ 1200527 Detroit Red Wings' Anthony Mantha rips his own defense corps performance in 5 of 6 games 1200528 Some glitches, $100,000-plus losses in first weekend of Michigan online sports betting 1200499 Former Coyotes GM John Chayka suspended from NHL 1200529 'I can redeem myself': Red Wings' Anthony Mantha through 2021, reports say fighting to crawl out of early-season slump 1200530 Red Wings’ Anthony Mantha: ‘I need to get my game going’ 1200500 Bruins’ David Pastrnak hits the ice for full contact, may return to action by this weekend Oilers 1200501 Bruins Notebook: David Pastrnak inching closer to return 1200531 Oil Spills: In Mikko the Oilers have to trust 1200502 Pastrnak close to returning? Bruins coach gives promising 1200532 Puljujarvi and Oilers need a repeat performance against update the Jets 1200503 Pastrnak Closing On Bruins’ Return, ‘Itching To Get Out 1200533 JONES: Puljujarvi stepping up as Oilers still looking for There” back-to-back wins 1200504 Time For Boston Bruins-Style Mea Culpa From Ritchie 1200534 'Jesse has all the tools': Oilers' Puljujarvi a force against Critics the Jets 1200505 David Pastrnak, surgery behind him, relishes pain-free play: ‘It’s wonderful’ Florida Panthers 1200506 Pain, prayer, peace: Former Bruin Adam McQuaid feels 1200535 Florida Panthers would ‘rather play than practice.’ They’re fulfilled upon retirement about to start playing a lot 1200536 Florida Panthers 2021 NHL schedule changes — again 1200537 Former Blue Jackets return to Columbus as Florida 1200507 Rasmus Ristolainen, Jake McCabe an 'outstanding,' Panthers hit the road shutdown pair for Sabres 1200508 What the Sabres’ first six games have shown about their still-forming identity 1200538 Anze Kopitar continues hot start: Five takeaways from Kings’ win over Blues Flames 1200539 Kings look forward to rematch with Wild after 2 1200509 Report: Stockton Heat moving to Calgary for season disappointing losses to open season 1200510 Tkachuk, Flames deny ill-intent over play involving Leafs 1200540 Kings notes: Finding the best lineup, Anze Kopitar’s goalie Campbell scoring, Quinton Byfield’s injury and more 1200541 Why the Los Angeles Kings made CalHOPE their helmet sticker sponsor 1200511 Carolina Hurricanes home game vs. 1200542 CATCHING UP WITH KINGS ALUM MORRIS on Tuesday postponed by NHL LUKOWICH 1200512 Hurricanes lineup predictions ahead of possible return to 1200543 ANGELES ANALYSIS – SERIES 3 @ ST. LOUIS game action Blackhawks 1200544 Wild-Los Angeles game preview 1200513 Alex DeBrincat and added to NHL’s 1200545 Minnesota and Los Angeles meet for division battle COVID-19 protocol list and won’t be available for the 1200546 Wild is still up-and-down in competitive West Division Chicago B 1200547 Wild-San Jose game recap 1200514 Blackhawks’ Alex DeBrincat, Adam Boqvist put on NHL’s 1200548 Wild winger Jordan Greenway talked the talk. Now he’s COVID-19 protocol list walking the walk. 1200515 Connor Murphy, Nikita Zadorov show they can be 1200549 Another sloppy start, another comeback, but this time a shutdown pair for Blackhawks loss for the Wild 1200516 Inside Kevin Lankinen’s journey from tireless playoff observer to Blackhawks’ starting goalie 1200517 Blackhawks' DeBrincat, Boqvist placed in COVID-19 1200550 Stu Cowan: What a difference a year makes for the protocol Canadiens 1200518 Hawks' Murphy shows a bit of scoring touch 1200551 What the Puck: Canadiens centre Phillip Danault 1200519 Former Blackhawks goalie Darling signs tryout deal with overpricing himself Rockford 1200552 Jake Evans is the Canadiens’ first development success 1200520 Scott Darling signs PTO with Blackhawks' AHL affiliate story under Joël Bouchard 1200521 Why the wear their numbers, 2021 edition 1200553 Predators' postponed game against Hurricanes rescheduled for early March 1200522 5 takeaways from the Avalanche’s 3-1 loss at Anaheim 1200554 Nashville Predators goalie Connor Ingram enters player 1200523 Greg Pateryn put on waivers assistance program 1200555 New season music to Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene's ears 1200524 Meet the new guys: Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic give 1200556 Wheeler’s 2021 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 17 the Blue Jackets more scoring punch Nashville Predators 1200525 A dream come true for Jack Roslovic, and Blue Jackets have big plans for him 1200526 Why the Stars’ power play is sizzling early, and how Ty Dellandrea earned Dallas’ trust 1200557 5 observations from Devils’ win over Islanders: Scott 1200592 San Jose Sharks can return to SAP Center, but how soon Wedgewood’s winding road back, Ty Smith’s historic start might they move back? 1200558 Devils’ Scott Wedgewood blanks Islanders for 3rd career 1200593 Takeaways: Brent Burns provides San Jose Sharks with shutout much-needed boost 1200559 Former Coyotes GM John Chayka suspended by NHL 1200594 Sharks hope to come home 'as soon as possible' after CA through 2021 orders 1200560 Scott Wedgewood’s special night helps Devils to 1200595 Winning Play: Besides “Disgusting” , How Did Burns promising season start Dominate Game? 1200596 Sharks Almost Home? County Says Pro Sports Can Resume in San Jose 1200561 Barry Trotz expects to make some changes designed to 1200597 Quick Thoughts: Forgot About Burns, Sharks Win 5-3 generate offense for Islanders 1200562 Josh Ho-Sang's future with the Islanders' organization St Louis Blues remains open-ended 1200598 Blues hope games with Vegas will help them find their 1200563 Chris Lamoriello: ‘We’re Not Ruling Anything Out’ When it games Comes to Josh Ho-Sang 1200599 Preview: Blues at Golden Knights 1200564 Anthony Beauvillier Injury Could Lead to More Lineup 1200600 Hochman: Ryan O'Reilly and the Blues must Tinkering by IslandersPublished 11 hours ago on January readjust after coach Berube questions team's attitude 2 1200601 Pietrangelo getting comfortable in Las Vegas, on and off 1200565 NEW YORK ISLANDERSIlya Sorokin Was Not the the ice Problem in the Islanders Loss to New Jersey 1200602 ‘I understand both sides of it’: Alex Pietrangelo prepares to 1200566 NYHN Daily: Islanders Fall to Devils, Dobson Making face the Blues Strides & More Tampa Bay Lightning 1200603 Lightning relishing Bucs’ Super Bowl berth 1200567 Igor Shesterkin ‘dejected’ as Rangers pressure mounts 1200604 Lightning’s game at Carolina Tuesday rescheduled 1200568 Rangers’ Filip Chytil sent home with upper body injury 1200605 Lightning announce Reverse Retro jersey schedule after brutal hit 1200569 Filip Chytil out with upper-body injury: How will the NY Maple Leafs Rangers replace him? 1200606 The Maple Leafs are getting even more out of Mitch 1200570 Postgame takeaways: NY Rangers' top six continues to Marner since he learned to fly struggle in loss to Penguins 1200607 Frederik Andersen vs. Jack Campbell. The Maple Leafs, 1200571 Injured Filip Chytil returns to NY for medical exam at full strength, might have an advantage in net 1200608 Toronto plays Calgary for division matchup Senators 1200609 Leafs try to keep win streak, lineup intact 1200572 Stuetzle's return adds spark for Senators against 1200610 Monday Morning Leafs Report: Auston Matthews’ injury Vancouver concern and a trade thought 1200573 Mendes: 10 thoughts on the Senators this week — Steaks for babies, a losing streak and more Vancouver Canucks 1200629 Canucks 7, Senators 1: Demko finally finds form, Sutter Flyers nets neat hat trick 1200574 Flyers’ Shayne Gostisbehere, recovered from COVID-19, 1200630 Canucks notebook: Zack MacEwen is measuring up as could replace Erik Gutsfasson willing, grinding winger 1200575 Flyers center making progress but still not 1200631 Canucks: Did Thomas Chabot's deal set a standard for ready to return Quinn Hughes' extension? 1200576 , Bernie Parent, and Punxsutawney Phil are all 1200632 Canucks Game Night: Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes are offering personalized video messages. One is charging key to unlocking victory door $50 1200633 The Armies: Brandon Sutter has Baton Rouge on speed 1200577 The Flyers’ Shayne Gostisbehere may be ready for Devils, dial and injured Sean Couturier is skating 1200578 Flyers' Gostisbehere back from COVID-19 and ready to go; Couturier skating again 1200611 Pete DeBoer takes blame for Alex Tuch’s fluctuating ice 1200579 On road to return, Shayne Gostisbehere looks to put time COVID, injuries behind him 1200612 Pietrangelo ready to get past first meeting with former 1200580 Opportunity quickly arrives for Gostisbehere following his team bout with COVID-19 1200613 Young third defensive pair emerges for Golden Knights 1200581 Two relieving sights at the center of attention for Flyers 1200614 Golden Knights’ Big Off-Season Acquisition Plays Against 1200582 must look inward to find fixes for early Former St. Louis Mates Tuesday problems 1200615 On Sports Betting: Vegas Golden Knights Streak Ends, But They Recover Quickly 1200583 Penguins forward prospect Drew O’Connor could make his NHL debut 1200616 A ‘happy kid’ at heart, Jakub Vrana is growing up with the 1200584 Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin off to slow start Capitals 1200585 Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues sidelined indefinitely 1200617 Capitals unveil blue third jerseys, will wear them seven 1200586 Penguins-Bruins: Game time, TV information and notes times this season 1200587 Penguins notes: Keeping taxi squad fresh a new challenge 1200618 'He's been unreal': Vitek Vanecek is making the most of for coaching staff his opportunity in goal 1200588 ‘He creates havoc out there’: Brandon Tanev, the 1200619 2021 NHL Power Rankings: Golden Knights stand atop Penguins’ unlikely engine talented West Division 1200589 Lafferty, O’Connor Could Draw Into Penguins Lineup In 1200620 Wilson's status for Tuesday's game vs. Isles remains Boston uncertain 1200590 LINKSDan’ Daily: Fleury Stuffs Kessel, Several Teams 1200621 Connor McMichael's journey from World Junior Look for D-Man Trade Championship to the NHL 1200591 Penguins Report Card: Electrified Lines, but Hobbled 1200622 See it: Capitals reveal blue third jersey Defense | Published 22 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Da Websites 1200634 The Athletic / DGB weekend power rankings: We have a trade to announce… 1200635 The Athletic / Pronman: NHL prospects I was wrong about, 2021 edition 1200636 .ca / Canucks' quiet leader Sutter makes presence known in steadying performance 1200637 Sportsnet.ca / Flames, Matthew Tkachuk shrug off contrived fury over Campbell 'incident' 1200638 Sportsnet.ca / NHL suspends John Chayka for rest of year after dispute with Coyotes 1200639 Sportsnet.ca / A view from the ice as the NWHL bubble season begins 1200640 Sportsnet.ca / NHL Weekend Takeaways: Hughes' sophomore surge a sight to behold 1200641 Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' Puljujarvi finally in right place at right time to realize potential 1200642 TSN.CA / Motivated Marner off to a flying start 1200643 TSN.CA / Canucks vs Senators gameday preview 1200644 TSN.CA / There’s plenty to like from Toffoli and the Habs early 1200645 USA TODAY / NHL postpones another Carolina Hurricanes game, shuffles schedule Winnipeg Jets 1200623 Dubois boosts Jets' strength down the middle 1200624 Nobody knows newest Jet better than Moose assistant coach 1200625 Lowry chipping in on the attack 1200626 Special time for Moose assistant coach Eric Dubois, with his son joining Jets organization 1200627 JETS SNAPSHOTS: Stastny fine with giving it a go on the wing 1200628 Confident Ehlers playing his best hockey for Jets in early going SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1200498 Anaheim Ducks there. On any given night, we know we have a chance to win with him in there.”

Tyler Toffoli of Montreal and Joe Pavelski of Dallas were named the first Hampus Lindholm doing some heavy lifting for Ducks’ defense corps two stars.

EXHIBITION CHANGES

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | PUBLISHED: January 25, 2021 at 11:44 a.m. | The Gulls canceled exhibitions Monday and Wednesday against the UPDATED: January 25, 2021 at 2:39 p.m. Stockton Heat “due to logistical issues,” the Ducks’ minor league team announced on its website. The Gulls also said they added an exhibition Sunday at Bakersfield. The AHL’s regular season begins Feb. 5. Hampus Lindholm was only 20 at the time of the collision, a man-child who had stepped into a key role in the Ducks’ defense corps in 2013-14. Orange County Register: LOADED: 01.26.2021 Jeff Carter of the Kings was fully grown when he muscled past Lindholm and scored a breakaway goal in Game 7 of their second-round series.

Nearly seven years have passed and it’s difficult to imagine a repeat of that play happening now.

Lindholm, 27, is no longer the kid who was so easily shouldered aside at a critical moment in a pivotal game. He is the forceful player the Ducks hoped he would become when they drafted him sixth overall in 2012, and then groomed him patiently to be their top overall defenseman.

He’s 6-foot-3, as he was in 2013-14, but he’s added 10 pounds of muscle, weighing in at 208.

Six games into this season, his eighth in the NHL, Lindholm has emerged as one of their best and most improved players, according to coach Dallas Eakins. Lindholm leads the Ducks’ defensemen with two goals and 11 shots on net and is second in average ice time at 24:14.

“It started over this long break,” Eakins said, referring to the Ducks’ extended March-to-January layoff because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Hampus wasn’t fooling around. This kid was training super hard and very efficiently and it rolled right into his camp.

“I see him warming up in the hallway before the games. His warmup would be just an incredibly hard workout for most of us. I think that’s just leading into his mindset. We talked about it a few days ago, about not settling into your career, and Hampus is one of those guys.

“He wants to get better every day.”

Eakins paired Lindholm with Kevin Shattenkirk, asking them to form the Ducks’ No. 1 tandem. Like everyone else on the roster, Lindholm has had his share of struggles to start the season, but his play was especially impactful during a just-completed four-game homestand.

Lindholm scored goals in each of his past two games, his first goal streak since Feb. 15-16, 2016.

“He has been really, really good the last few games, just excellent,” Eakins said. “It’s great when you see a young man like that have such confidence. He’s anticipating where the puck is going and he’s already there to shut the plays down. He just looks so powerful on the ice right now.”

NHL HONORS GIBSON

The raw numbers look bleak to start this season, with the Ducks averaging 1.83 goals through six games and ranking 30th in the 31-team NHL. They scored three goals in a game for the first time when they took a 3-1 victory Sunday from the Colorado Avalanche at Honda Center.

The figures are considerably better at the other end of the ice, where they have given up 2.33 goals per game, eighth-fewest in the league. That’s why they have been competitive in each of their games and have a 2-2-2 record going into a two-game set against the Coyotes at Glendale, Arizona.

John Gibson has been stellar in goal, going 2-0-1 with a 1.33 goals- against average and stopping 95 of 99 shots for a .960 save percentage in his past three games and earning the NHL’s Third Star of the Week. Overall, he is 2-1-2 with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.

He also has one shutout, the 20th of his career in a 1-0 win Jan. 18 over the Minnesota Wild.

“He’s the cornerstone of the team,” Ducks center Adam Henrique said. “We need to produce offensively to take heat off him but also to be solid defensively in front of him. … He just calms things down for us back 1200499 Arizona Coyotes Update: The Ducks are coming off a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday night Anaheim (2-2-2) has had one two-goal lead in six games this season. Forward Carter Rowney is the Ducks' points leader with four, while forward Max Comtois leads in goals with three. Former Coyotes GM John Chayka suspended from NHL through 2021, The Ducks are 17 for 19 on the kill this season, and have scored reports say three goals in a game just once this season so far, compared to three times for the Coyotes.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 01.26.2021 Jose M. Romero

Former Coyotes general manager John Chayka has been suspended by the NHL through Dec. 31 of this year, according to a Sportsnet report out of .

Chayka, who left the team last summer after terminating his contract just before the start of the postseason, was suspended for conduct detrimental to the league and game, and cannot be involved in NHL business through this year, TSN reported.

The Coyotes confirmed Monday afternoon that they received a memo from the league informing them of Chayka's suspension. Sportsnet reported that the suspension was part of its ruling on a dispute over Chayka's sudden departure from the Coyotes.

The Coyotes had no further comment on the ruling. Current GM Bill Armstrong was hired in September and the team parted ways with many front office personnel from Chayka's tenure.

There was also no further comment from the league.

Chayka was named Coyotes general manager in 2016, at age 26 at the time. He was the youngest general manager in NHL history when hired.

On July 26, 2020, the Coyotes released a scathing statement on the matter, saying Chayka "quit" on the team and they were disappointed in the timing of his decision.

Moving on from controversial ending

Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet decided to make Monday's practice optional for the players, a day after the team lost in controversial fashion to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Coyotes sought an icing call from officials with inside of a minute to play that would have stopped the game for a faceoff, and Vegas scored the game-winning goal with 42.7 seconds left when play was allowed to continue.

A video session and an off-ice workout were the order of the day as the team prepared to face the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night at home.

"We just talked about a few things. I'm a big believer that little things matter, and they win games," Tocchet said. "We've moved by what happened at the end. The conclusion is you've got to play to the whistle, if you play to the whistle, they don't score.

"There's a lot of what-ifs. To me, it's a learning experience. I don't think skating (Monday) was the right thing to do," Tocchet added.

Center Johan Larsson said it was probably a close call, but that it was unfortunate that it went against the Coyotes.

Ice chips

— Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was walking well Monday, Tocchet said, as the Coyotes captain continues to work his way back from a lower body injury suffered in the second game of the season. Tocchet hopes to take Ekman-Larsson on the team's next road trip, if not to play then to be around the team.

— Defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin has arrived in Arizona from Russia after dealing with international visa matters, and after a week of quarantine will be eligible to join the Coyotes for workouts. Tocchet said he sent some video to Lyubushkin for him to go over, and the coach said he wants to get Lyubushkin into action when he's ready. "We need that heavy guy back there, right-handed shot, he fits all the needs for us," Tocchet said.

Coyotes Gameday

Anaheim Ducks at Coyotes, Tuesday, 7 p.m.

TV/Radio: FOX Sports Arizona, Fox Sports 910 AM 1200500 Boston Bruins the hardest part for me was definitely the first two months where I really couldn’t do anything and just [had] to believe in the process.”

When Pastrnak returns, he’ll be back on the top line with Patrice Bruins’ David Pastrnak hits the ice for full contact, may return to action by Bergeron and Brad Marchand. After scoring 48 goals a year ago, he had this weekend his eyes set on 50. That bar will be harder to reach in a shortened season and Pastrnak said it wasn’t as much of a priority as simply returning to the ice.

By Julian Benbow Globe Staff,Updated January 25, 2021, 7:10 p.m. “That’s my least problem right now,” he said. “Obviously, going through long recovery, so my main focus is just to get back out there and get

back to the games ASAP. Really not thinking about scoring goals right For the first time in four months, Bruins right wing David Pastrnak put on now, just pretty much to get back out there.” a white jersey and practiced with full contact. Zboril stepping up on blue line Before that, he would come to the and go through When Cassidy looked at the strides Jakub Zboril has made this season, individual workouts as he continued to recover from offseason hip he saw two things working in his favor. First, with Zdeno Chara in surgery. He was working on timing and rhythm. Washington, the Bruins aren’t as crowded with defensemen as they were But he realized when he stepped on the ice Monday, nothing replicates when Zboril arrived in 2018. Second, being on a one-way contract gave live action. Zboril some assurance that there was a place for him.

“It’s not fun getting hit for the first time after four months,” he joked. “So, “So there’s two things right away, he feels, ‘OK I’m part of this. They obviously, need to get used to that.” believe in me. Now it’s up to me to seize the opportunity,’” Cassidy said. “Which is entirely on him and he’s done it. He’s done it. He’s moved the How quickly Pastrnak adjusts to the contact will determine how soon he puck, he’s gone in, showed courage going back on pucks. He’s makes his debut this season. The Bruins initially set mid-February as the defending hard. target for his return, but after practicing Monday, he could play his first game as early as Saturday against the Washington Capitals. “He’s still got a ways to go here. It’s only five games in, [but] we’re very pleased with the games we’ve got out of him, the minutes, and the ask so “Definitely, a lot of excitement,” Pastrnak said. “It’s been a long road, and far.” it has been a long time. So I’m always itching to get out there. It has been a good day today. Obviously, full practice with the boys and practice with In 19:45 average of ice time, Zboril is plus-1 with an assist in Saturday’s somebody besides myself. So, really excited. Hopefully, get more good win over Philadelphia. He said carving out a role coming into the season days like today upcoming.” allowed him to get comfortable quickly.

The Bruins have played their first five games without their top-line right “It helped quite a bit,” he said. “I knew my position, I knew what I was wing, posting a 3-1-1 record. As much as Pastrnak looked forward to supposed to do. So since the first game, I grabbed the chance and I did playing his first game since last year’s playoffs, it was just as satisfying what I was told to do — be clean with the puck, defend hard and the practicing with the team for the first time. offense will come by itself. So I’m just doing what I’m told and having a blast right now.” “This is always the hardest part for the athlete always, being hurt and not be able to play, especially when the season’s going,” he said. “It’s hard to Maintenance day for Bergeron watch the games, obviously, as a player, because you just want to get Bergeron took a maintenance day Monday after an awkward collision out there and play, right? But at the same time, I believed in the process with the post on Saturday. He’s expected to play Tuesday against the and following the process for the last four months. Penguins ... Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is improving after slamming into “Always the closer you get always the harder [it gets]. But at the same the boards and suffering a lower-body injury last Thursday against the time, it’s been a long time. So you need to get your timing and speed Flyers. Cassidy said he will determine Grzelcyk’s availability after back to the level that you’ll be comfortable and you’ll be able to help the Tuesday’s morning skate. team.” Boston Globe LOADED: 01.26.2021 Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy will monitor how Pastrnak responds as he continues to practice with full contact during the week. The Bruins play games Tuesday and Thursday vs. Pittsburgh at TD Garden before hitting the road for D.C.

“Obviously, if it goes well, and he wakes up tomorrow or the next day — depending on how much contact he needs — and doesn’t feel any after effects, then we’ll consider putting him in the lineup,” Cassidy said. “So I don’t suspect he’ll play any of these home games, but probably travel with us and we’ll see from there. So good news on him. But let’s see how he does [Tuesday].”

While Pastrnak has missed time before in his career — as a rookie because of a shoulder injury, and in 2019 when he broke his thumb — this was his first major operation.

“I haven’t gone through something like this my whole career,” he said.

Pastrnak had to alter his offseason training. Typically, he said, he mixes in sports such as tennis and soccer with his hockey workouts instead of standard running routines. But because of the injury, he had to follow a more regimented plan.

“The first two months was really hard,” he said. “Obviously, couldn’t do anything, had to follow some program and really work myself every single week just step by step. That was really difficult for me. I had to totally change pretty much the preparation for the season.

“I always look on the positive sides. I got to know my body really, really well. And, you know, also did a lot of body weight workouts and preparation. So I like it on this part that I got to know my body better, but 1200501 Boston Bruins past couple of years. Pastrnak will go right back with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, said Cassidy.

And if he does make it back into the lineup Saturday, he’ll see another Bruins Notebook: David Pastrnak inching closer to return old friend — except one wearing a different uniform. The B’s face long- time captain Chara in a Caps’ uniform — not the easiest way to get back on the horse for a first-line right wing.

By STEVE CONROY PUBLISHED: January 25, 2021 at 5:08 p.m. | “It’ll be weird you know. I don’t know what to say about battling against Z. UPDATED: January 25, 2021 at 5:25 p.m. It’s going to be weird,” said Pastrnak. “But at the same time, Zdeno was such a big leader here and helped me personally so much to grow as a

person and as a player. I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s After a 10-goal outburst over the last two games, the Bruins’ frustration done for me. Obviously it’s sad (he gone), but on the other side, it’s the and desperation to find offense the first three road games has subsided business of hockey we live in. It’s definitely going to be weird but I’m so — for now. appreciative that I was able to be on his team and learn from him every single day. I can’t thank him enough.” Just the same, it was a welcome sight to see David Pastrnak on Monday donning the white practice jersey of the healthy for the first time this Grzelcyk possible for Tuesday’s game season, shedding the red non-contact shirt he wore last week. Matt Grzelcyk, who missed Saturday’s game with a lower body injury Exactly when he gets into the lineup remains to be seen. Coach Bruce after crashing feet-first into the boards last Thursday, did not skate on Cassidy said that he doesn’t expect him to play in either of the two home Monday, though Cassidy did not rule him out for Tuesday’s game against games against the Penguins on Tuesday or Thursday, but his progress in the Penguins. these last days of rehab from offseason hip surgery will be reassessed The right-shot Connor Clifton played in Grzelcyk’s spot with Brandon going into the weekend when the B’s face former teammate Zdeno Chara Carlo on Saturday, sliding over to the left side. It wasn’t an easy ask, but and the Washington Capitals for the first time on Saturday. Cassidy thought he hung in there. Pastrnak’s trademark exuberance was on full display at practice, even if “I thought he was fine,” said Cassidy. “He skated a couple of pucks onto the realities hit him in the face like the January chill. his backhand where you can get into trouble, especially against the 1-2-2 “It was the first contact day today and it’s obviously not fun getting hit for forecheck that Philly does and Pittsburgh will do the same. That’s the first time after four months. I obviously have to get used to that,” said something you have to be mindful of, that you have to roll away from the Pastrnak. “This is the worst part for professional athletes always, with the boards and into the middle on that off-side. It’s a little backwards thinking, injuries. It’s always tough to see your friends playing and you just can’t. so to speak. Usually you roll outside and stay on your forehand. In order I’m happy that I can finally practice with the guys. It’s been a long road for him to stay on his forehand, he’s going to have to roll to the middle. and I really can’t wait.” We’ve talked about him and Brandon. Brandon would have to roll under him so instead of looking for a D-to-D pass, you’re looking more for a D- Pastrnak suffered a shoulder injury in his first pro season and two to-D drop. It can work against certain types of forechecks. So that’s seasons ago broke his thumb in an off-ice mishap. But this is his first something we’ll talk to him about. It’s not natural but certainly something major surgery that profoundly affected his offseason. he can work on. Otherwise, he played hard. That’s his game. He plays hard, he’ll get the puck to the net when he can. He’s going to finish An example to be followed by more youth athletes, Pastrnak loves to checks, defend hard. That’s what we want out of him.” compete and will do so in sports other than hockey in the offseason. That was out, and in was a more careful, methodical rehab that has put him on After crashing into a post on Saturday, Bergeron was given an extra the cusp of returning to game action ahead of the original mid-February maintenance day but Cassidy said he expects him to play on Tuesday. target. Boston Herald LOADED: 01.26.2021 It still wasn’t as fun as kicking the soccer ball around.

“The hardest part was obviously the first two months. As you guys know, I’m an outgoing kid and every offseason I mix everything in with the workouts and the and with certain sports like tennis and soccer, which I take as my preparation for the season instead of running around in circles. I go play soccer and stuff. I’m very, very outgoing and a very (sports-oriented) person,” said Pastrnak. “Those first two months were really hard. Obviously, I couldn’t do anything, had to follow a program and really work myself every single week just step by step. That was really difficult for me. I had to change my preparation for the season. But I always look on the positive side so I got to know my body really, really well.”

Being on the outside looking in is not a place Pastrnak likes to be. But he said he needs to see his recovery through to the end.

“It’s hard to watch games because you want to get out there and play,” said Pastrnak. “But I believe in the process and following the process for the last four months. The closer you get the harder it is, but it’s been a long time so you have to work on your timing and get your speed back to the level to where you’re comfortable and you can help the team.”

Pastrnak didn’t want to use the discomfort he was experiencing during the bubble playoffs as any excuse for not lighting it up, but said the difference in how he feels between now and then is encouraging.

“It’s wonderful skating on the ice now pain-free,” said Pastrnak. “I’m so excited about coming back and joining the guys, being around every day and help the team to win. … I had a decision to make in the offseason and I couldn’t be happier that I’ve done it. Skating pain-free now is wonderful.”

In Monday’s practice, Pastrnak split time with Jack Studnicka on David Krejci‘s right wing, but when asked about it, Cassidy made it clear that he wasn’t messing with what has been arguably the best line in hockey the 1200502 Boston Bruins

Pastrnak close to returning? Bruins coach gives promising update

by Nick Goss

The Boston Bruins have been without their best offensive player for the first five games of the 2020-21 NHL season, but he could return to the lineup as soon as the weekend.

David Pastrnak underwent hip surgery over the offseason with an expected return date of mid-February. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy has said a few times in recent weeks that the star right winger is ahead of schedule, and he provided another promising injury update Monday.

"He skated in a normal jersey today, so he took contact, which was the next step in his progression," Cassidy said in a Zoom call. "This week we'll see how he handles that, and then if it goes well and he wakes up tomorrow or the next day -- depending on how much contact he needs -- and doesn't feel any after effects, then we'll consider putting him in the lineup.

"I don't suspect he'll play in any of these home games, but he will probably travel with us and we'll see from there. Good news on him, but let's see how he does tomorrow."

Getting out of the red non-contact jersey is a great sign in Pastrnak's recovery.

The Bruins will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday and Thursday at TD Garden before going on the road for four games, beginning with a Saturday matchup versus Zdeno Chara and the Washington Capitals.

If Pastrnak does travel with the team to Washington, it's possible he could make his debut versus the Capitals either Saturday or Monday.

The Bruins offense struggled to begin the season, but the team has bounced back in a major way with 10 goals scored over its last two games -- both wins against the Philadelphia Flyers. Pastrnak's return, whenever it comes, will be a huge boost for the B's after he led the team with 48 goals and 95 points last season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200503 Boston Bruins

Pastrnak Closing On Bruins’ Return, ‘Itching To Get Out There”

Published 14 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Joe Haggerty

BRIGHTON, Mass – The Boston Bruins return for leading game-breaker David Pastrnak has become imminent as he practiced with the group for the first time without a no-contact sweater on Monday morning.

The 23-year-old right wing has been ruled out from playing in either of this week’s home games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but Pastrnak hasn’t been ruled out from potentially playing this weekend against Zdeno Chara and the Washington Capitals.

“He skated in a normal jersey today, so he took contact. It’s the next step in his progression. We’ll see how he handles that,” said Cassidy, who has had Pastrnak skating in a no-contact jersey for the last couple of weeks. “I don’t suspect he’ll play in any of these home games, but he’ll probably travel with us and we’ll see from there. It’s good news on him, but we’ll see how he’s doing [on Tuesday].”

Pastrnak skated without any restrictions on Monday morning at Warrior Ice Arena while going through line rushes with Brad Marchand and Par Lindholm (Patrice Bergeron took a maintenance day) and is expected to reclaim his rightful spot on the Perfection Line when he does return to game action. Needless to say, the NHL’s leading scorer is excited to be healthy and poised for a return to the lineup after a lengthy five-month rehab, and the league is a much more exciting place with him.

“A lot of excitement. It’s been a long road. I’m obviously itching to get out there,” said Pastrnak, who had an NHL-leading 48 goals and 95 points in 70 games for the Bruins last season. “Hopefully I get some more good days like this upcoming. I hadn’t been through anything like this in my career before, so it was something new. But I did learn a lot about my body. It’s the worst part for a professional athlete is obviously the injuries.

“It was really exciting to be out there practicing with the guys. I’m feeling great on the ice and I really, really can’t wait to get back out there. It’s wonderful skating on the ice pain-free, so I’m excited to be back. I’m really, really happy that I [had the surgery].”

The Boston Bruins have done a solid job without him and actually enjoyed their best offensive output over the weekend when they posted six goals against the Philadelphia Flyers, and 10 goals over the last four periods of hockey against Philly.

Otherwise, both Bergeron (slammed into the post last weekend) and Matt Grzelcyk (lower body) were missing from Monday’s practice (along with Ondrej Kase, who is out with a concussion) with the Bruins defensemen’s lower body injury “feeling better” while shooting for a return vs. the Penguins this week.

Here are the line combos and D-pairings from Bruins practice on Monday with Bergeron and Grzelcyk both missing:

Marchand-Lindholm-DeBrusk

Ritchie-Krejci-Pastrnak/Studnicka

Frederic-Coyle-Smith

Bjork-Kuraly-Wagner

McKegg

Lauzon-McAvoy

Clifton-Carlo

Zboril-Miller

Vaakanainen

Rask

Halak

Vladar

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200504 Boston Bruins to maintain his level of play to keep his spot in the lineup with competition about to get fierce when Pastrnak returns to play.

“He’s really good down around the net where he’s strong on pucks he Time For Boston Bruins-Style Mea Culpa From Ritchie Critics makes quick, little plays. We’re starting to build that chemistry. It’s great to have him there. He’s another guy working hard right now to step his game up and he is,” said Marchand. “He’s been really good so far this year and we need that. We need guys stepping up every night. We need Published 18 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Joe Haggerty everybody to be consistent. That’s the hardest thing with this league.

“A lot of guys can come in and have a few good games but bringing it It’s about time that some of Boston Bruins forward Nick Ritchie’s more every night with the schedule and the travel is hard to do. That’s what vocal critics should start eating some crow. separates the very best players in the league. So far he’s been very good this year.” There was a healthy of naysayers at last season’s trade deadline when the Bruins acquired the hulking Ritchie in a deal with the Ducks Ritchie never scored more than 14 goals or 31 points in a season during where they sent underachieving winger Danton Heinen back to Anaheim. his five years with the Ducks, but he also never played before with skill The 25-year-old Ritchie didn’t exactly silence the peanut gallery when he guys like Marchand, Bergeron, David Pastrnak and David Krejci. So, it arrived, either, with just a goal and two points in seven games along with will be interesting to see what the talented winger can do over the course a minus-2 rating prior to the season going on COVID-19 pause for of a full season in Boston, and it will be interesting to see what the big- months. bodied presence of Ritchie and Trent Frederic can do to make the B’s lineup a bit bigger and badder than last year. Then Ritchie managed just a single point in eight playoff games played inside the Toronto bubble and averaged two penalty minutes a game Get BHN+ during the postseason. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder looked exactly like But one thing is certain: There should be a massive mea culpa from the what he was at the time: A talented new player on a new team that didn’t fancy stats enthusiasts that barbequed Don Sweeney a year ago after quite understand where he fit and didn’t enjoy the normal amount of time dealing for Ritchie, and a little more appreciation for things that can’t be needed to figure things out. measured when it comes to the overall game of a 6-foot-2, 230-pound Ritchie was written off as a big, slow winger that appeared out-of-shape bruiser with an excellent pair of hands. during his Boston Bruins stints, but a funny thing happened when the Winning battles in front of the net with size, strength and a little snarl former first round pick was finally given a full offseason and training camp can’t really be measured in bar graphs and pie charts. to get used to his surroundings. The B’s power forward discovered his niche as a middle-6 winger and a massive net-front presence on the top Ritchie is showing this season he’s going to be able to help the Boston power play unit, and he has two goals and five points in five games for Bruins, and maybe that shouldn’t be such a big surprise based on the the Boston Bruins this season. circumstances.

Meanwhile, Heinen has one point in six games for the Ducks this season Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 01.26.2021 and is back to being mostly invisible in Anaheim just as he was for long stretches of time with the Boston Bruins. In hindsight, this trade was a no-brainer and exposed some hockey media folks as biased against Ritchie because he isn’t a sleek, greyhound kind of player.

“Nick Ritchie has the ability to make some plays,” said Bruce Cassidy of the big winger, who has moved up to second line left wing with David Krejci after skating on the third line with Charlie Coyle and Craig Smith throughout training camp. “We knew that all along. It didn’t work out the way anybody wanted it to at the end of last year. It’s a new year and that’s a guy that can contribute. He had at least one or two seasons [in Anaheim] where he looked like an offensive guy, but how high up he’d go is hard to say with a young player. When he came to us, we were trying to get bigger with [strong] guys that can play.

“We were told when we got him that there was some work to be done to get him up higher in our lineup, so we knew that going in. All the elements last year just didn’t go his way, so we gave him a fresh start. We weren’t going to judge based on two weeks after we got him [in a trade] and in the bubble. But we also set expectations and told him ‘this is the way we do things in Boston.’ We talked about what his role would be, being a team player and discipline and what we expected out of him in practice. One of those things [we talked about] was the net-front spot on the power play and that’s something that really appealed to him.”

It’s clearly suiting him on the ice as well.

Four of the five points, and both of his goals, have come on the power play working with the top unit of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Matt Grzelcyk. Ritchie’s ability to manhandle defensemen in front of the net, win battles on puck retrieval and harass the goalie with screens has been integral to the power play’s early season success, and has allowed the big winger to pile up points in the early going.

He also fed Marchand a slick cross-ice pass for a power play goal in Saturday night’s win over the Flyers that showed the hands and offensive instincts that go along with the brute force.

“You just want to go out and play hockey and some of those physical strengths that I do have I use to my advantage,” said Ritchie. “But it’s also about making plays, going to the net and shooting the puck, so it’s just about playing hockey along with using those [attributes].”

The one question is the consistency piece as the compacted 56-game schedule gets more challenging, of course. It will be important for Ritchie 1200505 Boston Bruins Cassidy expects Bergeron to play on Tuesday. The No. 1 center retreated briefly to the tunnel on Saturday after a collision with the post, but did not miss a shift.

David Pastrnak, surgery behind him, relishes pain-free play: ‘It’s Matt Grzelcyk did not practice. But Cassidy said he was feeling better wonderful’ and has a chance to play on Tuesday. The left-shot defenseman missed Saturday’s 6-1 rout of the Flyers after falling into the boards the previous game.

By Fluto Shinzawa Jan 25, 2021 Monday’s practice lineup

Brad Marchand-Par Lindholm-Jake DeBrusk

The stop sign is no longer on David Pastrnak’s back. On Monday at Nick Ritchie-David Krejci-Jack Studnicka/David Pastrnak Warrior Ice Arena, a week after skating in a non-contact jersey, Pastrnak practiced in his usual white uniform. Bruins teammates had the green Trent Frederic-Charlie Coyle-Craig Smith light to jostle No. 88. Anders Bjork-Sean Kuraly-Chris Wagner In one way, he didn’t like it. Greg McKegg “It’s not fun getting hit for the first time after four months,” Pastrnak said Jeremy Lauzon-Charlie McAvoy with a smile. “I need to get used to that.” Connor Clifton-Brandon Carlo In another way, bumps are what Pastrnak needs. It is all well and good to accelerate and dangle and snipe, which is what Pastrnak has been doing Jakub Zboril-Kevan Miller without encumbrances during previous practices. But the No. 1 right wing needs to battle with NHL strongmen, put the puck in the net while doing Urho Vaakanainen so and wake up the next morning without pulleys to peel himself out of Tuukka Rask bed. Jaroslav Halak Only time and repeated abuse from teammates will determine when Pastrnak receives clearance to play. It’s unlikely Pastrnak will play in Dan Vladar either of the upcoming home games against Pittsburgh. The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 But he could make his season debut on Saturday against Zdeno Chara and the Capitals. Even if they were teammates for six seasons, Chara will not pull any punches when Pastrnak streaks into his end.

“This week, we’ll see how he handles that,” Bruce Cassidy said. “If it goes well, if he wakes up tomorrow or the next day, depending on how much contact he needs and doesn’t feel any aftereffects, then we’ll consider putting him in the lineup. I don’t suspect he’ll play any of these home games. But will probably travel with us, and we’ll see from there. Good news on him. But let’s see how he does tomorrow.”

Pastrnak practiced as the fourth forward on a line with Nick Ritchie, David Krejci and Jack Studnicka, partly because Patrice Bergeron was given the day off after jamming his left hand into the post on Saturday. Assuming his linemates are healthy, Pastrnak will make his debut alongside Bergeron and Brad Marchand. The days of even considering Pastrnak elsewhere are over.

There was a time, however, that the NHL’s best three-zone line was at risk of disassembly until mid-February. This was the original target date for Pastrnak’s return. It reflected the severity of the hip surgery Pastrnak required on Sept. 16. It was the most serious operation of Pastrnak’s life.

For the first two months post-surgery, life was anything but normal for the lively 24-year-old. Soccer and tennis, which he enjoys playing as part of his offseason training, were forbidden. Caution was required to promote healing and recovery.

“Instead of running around in circles, I go play soccer and stuff,” Pastrnak said. “I’m a very outgoing and very sporty person. The first two months were really hard. Obviously I couldn’t do anything. I had to follow some programs and really work myself each week step by step. That was really difficult for me. I had to totally change my preparation for the season.”

To this point, perhaps Pastrnak’s most significant physical challenge was in building himself out from an 18-year-old rookie into the 6-foot, 194- pound presence he is today. Strengthening his body from hip surgery was completely new.

“The worst part for a professional athlete is with the injuries,” Pastrnak said. “It’s always tough to see your friends playing and you just can’t. I’m really excited I could practice with the guys today. It’s been a long road. So I really can’t wait. The closer I get, the harder it gets, usually.”

The procedure, however, was required. His movements are no longer compromised. Recovery is ahead of schedule.

“I’m skating pain-free now,” Pastrnak said. “It’s wonderful.”

Bergeron expected to play 1200506 Boston Bruins “Great teammate,” Cassidy said. “Hard-working. Student of the game. Always came to the rink wanting to get better. He was one of my favorite guys to coach in Providence.”

Pain, prayer, peace: Former Bruin Adam McQuaid feels fulfilled upon McQuaid claimed the when he was 24, with that 2010-11 retirement Bruins squad. In 2013, McQuaid was two wins away from adding another title to his dossier.

He appeared in 462 games for the Bruins, scoring 13 goals and 53 By Fluto Shinzawa Jan 25, 2021 assists. These totals would have been higher had it not been for the injuries: the neck sliced open by a David Backes skate, the leg broken by

a Ben Hutton shot, the rib and neck muscle extracted following thoracic Some parts of hockey came easily for Adam McQuaid. outlet syndrome surgery, the thumb broken by a Kevin Shattenkirk shot, to name just a few. He sprang in front of fast-moving pucks. The swiftness with which he shook off his gloves, locked out his combatant with a steel-fingered grab Each time, McQuaid shook off his ailments. He returned to fulfill his role and swung a hammer of a right made every opponent wary of No. 54 in as shutdown presence, hard-rock defender and jaw-cracking security Black and Gold. McQuaid answered the injuries he accumulated with detail. recoveries that often defied science and common sense. Later, that threshold proved difficult to reach. But by the end of McQuaid’s career, whether it was in Boston or New High expectations York or Columbus, the nightly ask he made of his body did not produce the answers he expected. His physical shortcomings compromised his By the 2017-18 season, McQuaid’s spot in the lineup was not mental wellness. guaranteed. He came back from his broken leg. But he was competing for shifts with Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo and Kevan Miller. “It weighed on me,” McQuaid said. “Going into games, I would get more anxious. I really leaned on my faith at that time. I was just constantly Things were iffier heading into the 2018-19 campaign. McQuaid was praying and trying to focus on small things. Really taking things one shift behind all three right-shot defensemen. Connor Clifton was pushing from at a time, one day at a time. It definitely took its toll, all the different below. injuries. But toward the end, I would say I was tired. I was tired of it. But through it all, I think I still had a pretty positive outlook on things. I still On Sept. 11, 2018, the day the Bruins were scheduled to leave for China made sure I reminded myself to be grateful and to be thankful for getting for their preseason games, McQuaid was traded to the Rangers for Steve to play and everything that comes with getting to play. That helped me Kampfer. Five months later, the Rangers flipped McQuaid to Columbus. push through a lot of it.” “I wouldn’t say I was ever in a state where I was depressed or anything of McQuaid took nearly two years between playing his final game and that sort,” McQuaid said. “But I did bring a little bit of anxiety, knowing announcing his retirement — the official word coming through an under- that I just wasn’t feeling quite right and knowing what might be expected the-radar Jan. 16 mention to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. of me going into a game, the expectations I had for myself. When your McQuaid, 34, is thoughtful, methodical and purposeful. Even though his game’s built around being physical, those were some of the most difficult body screamed “no” at the prospect of one final comeback, McQuaid things to do at the end.” explored all options before making a decision that has left him fulfilled The neck injury compromised McQuaid’s condition to the point where he with his choice and his accomplishments. worried about daily life after hockey. He visited multiple doctors. They “When I played, I wanted, every day, to feel like I had given my best and told him it was not safe for him to play. left it all out there,” said McQuaid. “Whenever I’d be done playing, I’d be On occasion, this left him frustrated with the sport and how it took its toll. at peace with being done playing. Because I would know that.” But time and treatments allowed McQuaid to heal. The career-ending injury was to his neck. On March 28, 2019, while “I’m very happy with how I feel,” McQuaid said. “I kind of went from playing for Columbus, Montreal’s Andrew Shaw sideswiped McQuaid. having few and far between good days. Now it’s few and far between bad Headaches and nerve pain became part of life. days. Thinking back of how I felt and where I’m at, I really am super “I definitely wasn’t in a good place physically,” McQuaid said. “Then it thankful I feel as good as I do.” weighed on me mentally. I wasn’t feeling like myself. I had many injuries Lasting legacy throughout my career, unfortunately. That became part of my story. I look at it more as having overcome different injuries, come back, try to play The adjectives McQuaid’s former coaches and teammates use to the same way and not have it affect my outlook on playing. But I was describe him include dedicated, competitive, principled and kind. Their probably at a point where I had the most going on. I had so many words are universally positive. Negative reviews are impossible to different things that were really nagging me. I felt like I wanted to give uncover. more. But you hear guys say that they’re asking their bodies to do things and just not getting the response they want.” “The way he competed, the way he played defensively, I learned a lot of things on the defensive side of the puck,” McAvoy said. “Just the way he Punishing player carried himself in the room. He was someone you were excited to see every day. He always had a smile on his face. He was little more of a The conclusion to McQuaid’s career was probably written in advance. quieter guy. But when he spoke, he got excited. He had a lot of passion McQuaid knew no other style than one that would leave him chasing ice for the game and for his teammates. Always checking in on guys. bags. Overall, a great guy. Very lucky to have played with him.” “Punishing hitter,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, who had McQuaid in Images of McQuaid’s goals and assists do not spring to the front of mind. Providence for two seasons. “Tough as nails.” Those were not what defined him. Instead, he put his team first by By 2011, McQuaid grew into an NHL dark-alley man on a blue line with blocking a shot, speed-bagging an adversary who offended a teammate, no shortage of belligerence. The 6-foot-4 McQuaid stood shoulder to dumping a forward who got too close to his goalie. shoulder with Dennis Seidenberg, Johnny Boychuk, Andrew Ference and He likes it that way. Zdeno Chara. Confrontation was their oxygen. “I think it’s important, when you’re going through the process, to think of At the same time, McQuaid developed into an NHL defenseman who how you want to be remembered and what’s important to you,” McQuaid could keep pace with Tomas Kaberle, his smooth-moving postseason said. “That goes in all different areas of life. But when you look back and partner. In later seasons, McQuaid served as right-side running mate for say what you want to be proud of, I always wanted to be a good Torey Krug. teammate. I wanted to be someone guys could feel like they could rely In retrospect, the time McQuaid spent improving his hands in Providence, on. That goes for on the ice and off the ice.” where he shared shifts with former first-rounder Matt Lashoff, helped him become a dependable first-pass defender. It pleased McQuaid to bring joy to others. He liked leaving tickets, for acquaintances and strangers, and greeting them after games. It gave McQuaid purpose.

But what he most enjoyed was the feeling of brotherhood. In such instances, pain didn’t seem so bothersome. When shared with friends, the consequences of sacrifice can influence lives.

“There’s this feeling that’s hard to explain and also hard to replicate after a game when you’ve really laid it all out there,” McQuaid said. “You’ve won and you feel like you brought something to the table. It’s such a good feeling.”

Sleep is his ambition now. On Jan. 3, wife Stephanie gave birth to Roman, their first child. It may be that stay-at-home dad is McQuaid’s next title.

Stephanie is a nurse in the oncology department at Massachusetts General Hospital. At some point, she would like to resume some of her shifts.

McQuaid, meanwhile, is in no rush to explore his next move, within hockey or elsewhere. Fatherhood calls.

“This next chapter will be the most important part of my life,” McQuaid said. “It will be the most important thing that I’ve done.”

McQuaid and his wife are natives of Prince Edward Island. The province may eventually pull the family back home.

For now, McQuaid remains a stroll from TD Garden, the workplace that welcomed his in-your-face approach. He is happy and healthy here, which makes the city a very nice place to be.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200507 Buffalo Sabres receive the outlet pass and start the breakout. Opponents also have trouble parking in front of the Sabres’ net when McCabe and Ristolainen are on the ice.

Rasmus Ristolainen, Jake McCabe an 'outstanding,' shutdown pair for The pair played more than 500 minutes at 5 on 5 together in 2019-20. Sabres Among 56 defense pairs to play at least 300 minutes together, Ristolainen and McCabe had the 15th-lowest on-ice shot quality against. But a more passive approach in the neutral zone resulted in fewer scoring chances, as illustrated by their posting the fourth-worst on-ice Lance Lysowski Jan 25, 2021 Updated 6 hrs ago 0 shot quality for.

Although Ristolainen’s inconsistent play has been maddening to fans Rasmus Ristolainen leads the Buffalo Sabres in average time on ice across his seven-plus seasons in Buffalo, it appears McCabe has brought out the best in the former eighth overall draft pick. When Rasmus Ristolainen and Jake McCabe are on the ice, chasing a loose puck behind the Buffalo Sabres’ net isn’t for the faint of heart. “Whatever McCabe has done, he is playing at the top of his game,” Krueger said. “He’s solid defensively but adding a nice touch offensively Even entering the Sabres’ zone can be difficult, as Jakub Voracek of the and gives us, really, another tool. We’re pleased with him. … So really, Philadelphia Flyers discovered last Monday in Wells Fargo Center. As really, been an outstanding pair for us and very reliable in both directions. soon as the six-time 20-goal scorer chipped the puck into his offensive Just a pleasure to see them start the season this way.” zone, he was leveled by Ristolainen on a body check at the blue line. McCabe, who has appeared in 346 games since 2014, led all Sabres “Risto has been excellent also in leading our physicality,” Sabres coach defensemen in on-ice shot quality against at 5 on 5 last season. He ranks Ralph Krueger said of Ristolainen, a 26-year-old defenseman. “If a player 11th among all NHL defensemen in the metric this season and seventh in on the other team does anything, he will feel it the next game.” 5-on-5 shot-quality share. The former second-round draft pick is in his second consecutive year as an alternate captain and is scheduled to be The same goes for anyone challenging McCabe, a 27-year-old who was an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. arguably the team’s best all-around defenseman at 5 on 5 last season. Last Tuesday, Flyers defenseman Phil Myers suffered a fractured rib Ristolainen, meanwhile, has sharpened some details in his game. The when attempting to hit McCabe at the red line, and Philadelphia center misfired, rushed breakout passes are becoming more infrequent. The Morgan Frost dislocated a shoulder on a clean check by McCabe behind nuances of his defensive game – wall play, boxing out in front of the net, the Sabres’ net. breakouts, etc. – merit high minutes and the responsibility of playing against top opponents. Buffalo’s top defense tandem has contributed more than physical play during the Sabres’ 2-3-1 start to the season. Entering Monday, among all Yet, Ristolainen isn’t receiving as heavy a workload. His 22:17 ice time pairings in the , Ristolainen and McCabe had per game leads all Sabres, but it ranks 51st among NHL defensemen allowed the second lowest on-ice shot quality at 5 on 5, according to and is four fewer minutes than his total from 2017-18 when he totaled a Evolving-Hockey.com. minus-25 rating. By no means has his game been flawless – Ristolainen’s play in the offensive zone could be better, particularly when Aggressive play in the neutral zone and a lighter workload have allowed deciding whether to pass or shoot – but aggressive play, mixed with Ristolainen and McCabe to limit opponents’ time in the Sabres’ zone, and sound reads without the puck, has made this pairing the backbone of the in turn, providing Buffalo’s offensive firepower with more opportunities to Sabres’ defensive game. score goals. “I think the biggest thing, first of all, was to recover, forget hockey, refresh “Me and Risto, we’ve played a lot of hockey over the years together, so mind, and then start working out,” Ristolainen said of his 10 months of there’s a lot of familiarity,” said McCabe. “I love playing with him. He’s training. “This offseason I probably skated the most I have during the one of the best physical defensemen in this league and playing with a summer, so working on my skating, fitness on the ice, skating, shooting, guy like that, we haven’t been spending too much time in our own end so puck handling. Probably off the ice the main thing was speed and I think we’ve done a really good job of killing plays and getting the puck explosiveness.” moving in transition to spend more time in their end, which has been a good stretch for us.” Roster moves

The Sabres’ truncated schedule – including 10 games in 18 days during The Sabres returned goalie Jonas Johansson to the taxi squad Monday, January – has caused Krueger to spread the minutes for his defense and assigned forward Rasmus Asplund and goalie Dustin Tokarski to pairs. Through six games, Ristolainen and McCabe have skated together Rochester. at 5 on 5 for 81:04, according to NaturalStatTrick.com. After the first six games of the 2019-20 season, the pair was on the ice together for Johansson, 26, stopped eight of nine shots last Tuesday while filling in 101:52. for Carter Hutton, who left the game in Philadelphia after taking an elbow to the head. Hutton did not go on the trip with the Sabres to Washington, The results are markedly different. Among 31 defense pairs to play at and he was expected to be evaluated Monday. least 60 minutes together this season, McCabe and Ristolainen rank fourth in 5-on-5 shot-attempt differential. When the pair is on the ice Stempniak hired together at 5 on 5, the Sabres have a plus-5 goal differential with 16 Former NHL forward Lee Stempniak, a West Seneca native, was hired high-danger chances for compared to 5 against. by the Arizona Coyotes as the team’s hockey data strategist. The 37- Their shot quality share at 5 on 5 ranks fifth among all defense pairs in year-old will apply his knowledge from 14 NHL seasons and an education the NHL. from Dartmouth College to serve as a liaison between the Coyotes hockey operations/analytics department and the team’s coaching staff. “I think our gaps have been really solid through the neutral zone and we’ve made it really hard on whoever we’re playing against,” McCabe Across 911 regular-season games, Stempniak totaled 203 goals and 266 said. “So, just need to continue to talk out there. Our communication’s assists while playing for 10 different teams. He has not played since been great. Just need to continue building.” appearing in two games for the Boston Bruins in 2018-19.

The difference is simple: McCabe and Ristolainen have exemplified the Schedule aggressive defense Krueger wants in the neutral zone. Both are quick to The Sabres did not practice Monday and will hold a morning skate challenge the puck carrier at the Buffalo blue line and red line, which Tuesday in preparation for their game against the New York Rangers in often rushes the opposing forward into a decision. This has led to KeyBank Center. This will be the first NHL game in Buffalo for Rangers neutral-zone turnovers and, in turn, rush chances for the Sabres’ offense. winger Alexis Lafreniere, the first overall draft pick in October. Teams aren’t entering the Sabres’ zone with ease and a dump-and- Buffalo News LOADED: 01.26.2021 chase approach hasn’t been effective against the defense pair. As McCabe noted, communication has allowed them to avoid significant blunders down low. The defenseman retrieving the loose puck behind the Buffalo net has support, meaning the other is positioned nearby to 1200508 Buffalo Sabres That’s especially true when pucks are entering the Sabres’ net at high rate. Buffalo is allowing the ninth-fewest shots per game at 27.3 but Linus Ullmark, Carter Hutton and Jonas Johansson have a combined save percentage of .901. What the Sabres’ first six games have shown about their still-forming identity It hasn’t been easy for Ullmark and Hutton. Ullmark missed two games in Philadelphia following the death of his father. Hutton exited Tuesday’s game against the Flyers with a probable concussion after getting elbowed in the head. He hasn’t rejoined his teammates. By John Vogl Jan 25, 2021 “It’s been rough, definitely,” Ullmark said. “There’s a lot of emotions and

thoughts that had to be processed. Trying to take it day by day. Try to be With the flick of Patrick Mahomes’ wrist, the Buffalo sports spotlight has happy when I’m happy, try to be sad when I’m sad.” flipped to the Sabres. The good news for the Sabres and their goalies is they’ve allowed only Are they ready for it? three power-play goals after being historically bad last season. But there’s bad news attached. They’ve cut down the goal total by being “I’m pretty happy with the way our team’s trending right now,” captain amazingly disciplined. Buffalo leads the NHL in fewest penalty minutes, a said. paltry 4:10 per game as 26 teams average seven minutes or more.

The Sabres’ opening six games, more than 10 percent of the 56-game The penalty-kill unit ranks tied for 28th with just a 66.7 percent success schedule, have provided a glimpse into their still-forming identity: rate. That number has to increase or the Sabres need to continue to stay out of the box at all costs. Eichel and can dominate together, as expected. The power play, meanwhile, has gotten blanked in three games and The goaltending remains shaky. exploded in others. The Sabres went 3 for 5 against the Capitals on Coach Ralph Krueger is going to do it his way. Sunday, which accounted for all of their goals in a 4-3 shootout win. They rank 10th in the league at 27.3 percent. Rasmus Ristolainen is playing better than Rasmus Dahlin. “It’s going to be a big weapon for us,” Eichel said. The power play and penalty kill are a rollercoaster. It could become more effective if Dahlin discovers his game. The 20- The East Division is living up to the hype. year-old has had a forgettable start, which includes getting benched for It has resulted in a 2-3-1 record that puts Buffalo in the bottom third of the half a game in Washington. Dahlin has no points and is a team-worst NHL despite being competitive most nights. minus-5 in even-strength scoring despite starting in the offensive zone 70 percent of the time. “In a 56-game season, unfortunately we’re going to have to rely on results maybe a bit more than the process,” Hall said. “We’re not going to Dahlin has had several meetings with assistant coach Steve Smith. be able to settle for too many moral victories throughout this year, so it’s “We’re showing him the good things and what needs to be established,” important for us to get results and hopefully pretty soon.” Krueger said.

Hall and Eichel have combined for 13 points in the opening six games. The tape of good things would feature clips of Ristolainen. He leads Amazingly, they have just one goal. Eichel has no goals and seven Buffalo defensemen with three points and tops the team with a plus-4 assists while Hall has one goal and five helpers. even-strength goal differential. His Corsi is 56.7 after being at 44.4 during “I’m on a little bit of schneid right now, trying to get off of it,” Eichel said. his first seven seasons. Ristolainen is also tied for sixth in the league with “As soon as one goes in, they’ll all start coming.” 25 hits.

The Sabres’ stars have certainly had their chances, as Natural Stat Trick “I love playing with him,” blueline mate Jake McCabe said. “We haven’t illustrates. been spending too much time in our own end. We’ve done a really good job of killing plays and getting the puck moving in transition to spend Corsi more time in their end.”

91 McCabe and Ristolainen are the only defense pair to stay intact. Krueger has shuffled Dahlin, Brandon Montour, and Colin Miller 58 with varying degrees of success.

Scoring chances Some of the coach’s other lineup decisions have been … interesting. 39 Dylan Cozens scored his first NHL goal Friday and watched the next game from the press box, no doubt dampening his buzz. Skinner is 15th 20 on the Sabres in even-strength ice time at just 12:12 per game.

High-danger chances But Krueger hasn’t been wed to his choices. He started Tage Thompson on the first line but bumped him down then scratched him twice when it 13 didn’t work. The coach has moved around Victor Olofsson and Cozens to 3 find more offense. He even split up Eichel and Hall for part of Sunday’s victory. Goals It’s clear the Sabres need to keep winning. They sit seventh out of eight 3 teams in the East Division, ahead of only their next opponent, the New York Rangers. They are the only two East teams with a losing record. 4 Washington, New Jersey, Boston and Pittsburgh rank in the top 10 in Eichel ranks 10th in the league with 23 shots but is obviously last with a points percentage while the Islanders and Flyers are in the top 16. shooting percentage of zero. It’s part of a team-wide trend. The Sabres The Sabres’ shooting and save percentages will have to trend up for are second in the NHL with 34.8 shots per game but are tied for 26th with Buffalo to stay afloat and move up. a shooting percentage of 8.1 percent. “We can clean up some things,” Eichel said. “The five-on-five scoring will Other Sabres with abnormally low shooting percentages include Jeff start to come more. But, as a group, I think we’re happy with our game. Skinner (no goals on 18 shots) and Hall (one goal, 19 shots, 5.3 percent). The results haven’t necessarily been there in terms of wins and losses, “The goal, obviously, is how many goals you have at the end of the night but we think we’re trending in the right direction in terms of establishing and how many they have,” Hall said. “It doesn’t matter how many shots an identity as a group.” you have or how many Grade A chances.” The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200509

Report: Stockton Heat moving to Calgary for season

Daniel Austin

Publishing date:Jan 26, 2021 • 4 hours ago

The AHL’s Stockton Heat were set to kick off their season on Feb. 5.

The Calgary Flames could have their AHL affiliate awfully close by this season.

According to a report by Scott Linesburgh, a sports writer at the Record newspaper in Stockton, Calif.,, the Stockton Heat will be relocating to Calgary for the season due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Heat are the Flames’ AHL affiliate, have played in the city since 2015 and were expected to continue playing in Stockton as recently as last Friday when the AHL released its schedule for the season. The Heat were set to kick off their year in Colorado on Feb. 5.

Neither the Flames or the AHL could comment on the potential move.

Moving to Calgary would see the Heat playing in an all-Canadian division including the , , and .

The move would also make it less complicated to call up players to the NHL roster without needing them to go through a two-week quarantine after crossing the U.S.-Canada border.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200510 Calgary Flames “I didn’t take it as anything, really,” the Leafs head coach said. “I haven’t thought about it or discussed it. It’s a non-issue for me.”

Will it be a non-issue in Tuesday’s game? Nobody on either team has Tkachuk, Flames deny ill-intent over play involving Leafs goalie Campbell made it sound like it will be, and it’s quite possible that this will all wind up being little more than a timely reminder that judging anything based on the way it’s perceived on Twitter is a bad idea.

Daniel Austin “I get very surprised at some of the things that come out of people’s mouths these days, but it’s a good thing I don’t listen to it. I just get asked Publishing date:Jan 26, 2021 • 4 hours ago it from other people,” Tkachuk said. “Thank god I don’t go on my phone too much after games, otherwise I’d drive myself crazy. I know my parents do, it drives them crazy, but it’s just classic. It’s classic.” A shot by the Calgary Flames’ Matthew Tkachuk is saved by Jack Campbell during the third period at the Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.26.2021 Saddledome in Calgary on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021.

It’s been slowed down, chopped up and dissected from every possibly angle.

Depending on who is watching, you might see Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk get tangled up with Toronto Maple Leafs defender TJ Brodie and fall on top of goaltender Jack Campbell as he fights to put a loose puck in the back of the net to tie the game in the final minute of Sunday’s game, which the Leafs won 3-2.

Alternatively, you watched the play and convinced yourself Tkachuk make a malicious split-second decision to try to viciously injure the Leafs goalie by driving his knees into the back of Campbell’s neck. Leafs fans, in particular, seem to be inclined toward seeing the play this way.

On Monday, Leafs head coach called it a non-issue.

Flames head coach described it as a “play that happened in the flow of the hockey game.”

For his part, Tkachuk explained that there was no ill-intent on the play.

“It was just a battle in front, I actually thought my tip-in went in, 6-on-5 situation, just bang away at the puck and I live in that crease area throughout the games,” Tkachuk said.

“I was just digging for the puck, I was battling with (Brodie) there, guys sort of coming in. I just got knocked over, I obviously didn’t (have any) intention of falling into him or anything. It’s just a complete, a classic thing to try to accuse me of there, but just trying to battle for the puck, find the loose puck and try to pot home the game-tying (goal) and unfortunately that didn’t happen.”

Unsurprisingly, Tkachuk’s explanation wasn’t enough to placate the social media horde that had convinced itself the Flames winger had been trying to injure Campbell.

Tkachuk’s reputation likely means that no explanation was going to clear his name in some people’s eyes. That’s the reality of playing the way Tkachuk does. Fans outside Calgary aren’t eager to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Ward, though, was quick to defend his player.

“Are we really talking about this? Seriously?” Ward said. “If people are wondering did Matthew hurt the goaltender, he didn’t get hurt on that play. He got hurt earlier and he stood in there tough the rest of the game, which is a credit to him.

“On that play, Juuso (Valimaki) threw the puck in the pads and the puck is not covered, it’s loose. Matthew, off the deflection, was trying to track the loose puck down and, you know, Brods comes in behind him and actually puts his leg between his skates and cuts under him. I think he loses his balance and kind of falls into him with Brods. To me, it’s a play that happened in the flow of the hockey game. You know what? To be honest with you, if that’s anybody else we’re not even talking about it. Because it’s Matthew Tkachuk, now it’s an issue. If that’s Johnny Gaudreau or somebody else falling on the goaltender we’re not even talking about it. There was not intent there to injure him, there was no nothing.”

Campbell didn’t skate with the Leafs on Monday and won’t be available for Tuesday’s rematch at the (7 p.m. MT, Sportsnet One/Sportsnet 960 The Fan), although the Leafs did not reveal why and the goaltender did appear to be struggling through an injury prior to the incident with Tkachuk.

When he was asked directly about it, Keefe had little to say. 1200511 Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes home game vs. Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday postponed by NHL

BY CHIP ALEXANDER

JANUARY 25, 2021 10:42 AM,

The Carolina Hurricanes will have to wait a few more days — at least — to play again.

The NHL announced Monday that the Canes’ home game Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning had been postponed because of Carolina’s COVID-19 protocol issues. It’s the fourth straight Carolina game postponed, causing the league to readjust six games on its schedule.

The Hurricanes on Sunday had six players on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list: Defenseman Jaccob Slavin and forwards Jordan Staal, Teuvo Teravainen, Jordan Martinook, Warren Foegele and Jesper Fast, who was added to the list Saturday.

The Canes are scheduled to host the Lightning, the 2020 Stanley Cup champion, on Thursday at PNC Arena, and that game remains on the schedule. The Hurricanes, who worked out in small groups Monday, said they would have a full team practice Tuesday and remained hopeful of playing the Lightning on Thursday.

The Canes have not been together as a team on the ice since topping the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Jan. 18. The next day, the league announced the Canes-Preds game set for Jan. 19 had been postponed. The Canes have since had two home games against the Florida Panthers postponed.

The NHL, after reworking the schedule, announced Monday that Tuesday’s game with the Lightning now will be played Feb. 22. The two postponed Florida games at PNC Arena will be played Feb. 17 and March 5. The game at Nashville that was postponed has been reset for March 2.

Other changes: Columbus at Carolina, scheduled for Feb. 16, will be played Feb. 15; Carolina at Tampa Bay, scheduled Feb. 22, was reset to Feb. 24.

The Canes were able to conduct some team work on Monday, breaking up into four small groups. With 53 games scheduled in the next 100 days, practice time will be limited.

CANES SCHEDULE CHANGES

▪ Carolina at Nashville, from Jan. 19 to March 2 (8 pm).

▪ Florida at Carolina, from Jan. 21 to Feb. 17 (5 pm).

▪ Florida at Carolina, from Jan. 23 to March 7 (5 pm).

▪ Tampa Bay at Carolina, from Jan. 26 to Feb. 22 (7 pm).

▪ Columbus at Carolina, from Feb. 16 to Feb. 15 (7 pm).

▪ Carolina at Tampa Bay, from Feb. 22 to Feb. 24 (5 pm).

News Observer LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200512 Carolina Hurricanes Canes will play Thursday, and it’s more likely than not at least Foegele, Martinook, Fast, Teravainen and Slavin will be sitting out, with Staal’s status up in the air. But it would be silly to state any of this with 100 percent certainty. With the understanding that we’re operating from a Hurricanes lineup predictions ahead of possible return to game action position of likelihood, we can attempt to predict the Hurricanes lines for Thursday. Let’s start with remembering who we’re working with from last

game’s lines. By Sara Civian Jan 25, 2021 Niederreiter–Aho-X

X-Trocheck–Necas While the NHL announced Monday that the Hurricanes-Lightning game Svechnikov-X-X Tuesday would be postponed due to the Hurricanes’ COVID-19 situation, the Canes returned to practice in small groups Monday, plan to hold a full Dzingel–Geekie (taxi squad)-McGinn practice Tuesday and expect to return to play Thursday against Tampa Bay after 10 days and four postponed games. X-Hamilton

Now, Jordan Staal, Jesper Fast, Warren Foegele, Jordan Martinook, Skjei-Pesce Jaccob Slavin and Teuvo Teravainen are still on the NHL’s COVID Gardiner-Fleury Protocol Related Absences list. Best case scenario? Only Staal is cleared for Thursday. Potentially back: Staal

Head coach Rod Brind’Amour knew he had to prepare for a situation like Now, we’ll assume Staal is good to go. this before the season even started. Niederreiter–Aho-X “We have beat this around a lot already and nobody really has a for sure way to do it because of the uncertainty of everything,” he said, when I Svechnikov-Staal-Necas asked him Jan. 7 if the Hurricanes’ strategy will favor NHL experience or X-Trocheck-X prospect potential. “Normally you’d say ‘We’re not going to have five injuries,’ but with COVID going on you don’t know if five guys get taken Dzingel–Geekie (taxi squad)-McGinn out, right? So you gotta have five guys ready, then you don’t want your top prospects not playing. So is it better to have them down, playing in X-Hamilton the AHL, getting better? What do you think?” Skjei-Pesce

Three games deep and this exact scenario has already unfolded for the Gardiner-Fleury Canes. They went with a mixture of experience and potential on their taxi squad with defensemen Jake Bean and Joakim Ryan, forwards Morgan Svechnikov-Staal-Necas has been a go-to for Brind’Amour a few times Geekie, Max McCormick and Steve Lorentz and goaltender Alex already this season, and as unpopular as it has been among the crowd Nedeljkovic. that wants to let Svechnikov fly, you saw how brutal the team’s faceoff performance was in Staal’s absence. And Svechnikov is off to an But who might get a look at NHL action? Where will players fit into this offensively productive start no matter where you put him. This is a line makeshift lineup? And what strategies might the Canes implement in the that can eat big minutes, and that should be the main priority in this coming days? situation.

Strategies that maximize (or minimize?) NHL regulars Where do the new guys fit in?

There are going to be a few fascinating developments Thursday beyond If the Canes roll out traditional lines, this is how I’d draw them up who is playing. assuming Staal is ready and we’re pulling from the taxi squad (Keeping Will the Canes go all out in maximizing playing time for their NHL in mind that in-game adjustments are encouraged): regulars in the spirit of winning now, or will they opt for load management Svechnikov-Aho-Necas (Come on, just do it!) in the spirit of not risking injury with at least 53 games in 100 days on deck? Common sense says something in-between the two extremes. Niederreiter-Staal-McGinn

The famously defense-happy Hurricanes have played around with an 11 Dzingel-Trocheck-McCormick forwards-7 defensemen scheme before. It isn’t always ideal — especially for the seventh defenseman that usually ends up playing a handful of Lorentz-Geekie-The friends we made along the way/Nedeljkovic does shifts at most — but it could make sense here where only one NHL have an offensive flair … regular defenseman is out. Skjei-Hamilton

We also might see some full-game rendition of the Brind’Amour Gardiner-Pesce Blendorama that typically occurs during the last five minutes of any loss. Brind’Amour and the rest of the coaching staff have shown us they aren’t Fleury-Bean afraid to get creative with in-game adjustments, so the comfort with Ryan flexibility we’ve seen in the Brind’Amour era might pay off in a situation like this. If you’re trying to roll out the best players you can in the most palpable way, you might need to grin and bear an 11-7 stint. There’s a solid Despite the unfortunate circumstances that brought us here, I’m excited chance the Canes could call up the likes of Sheldon Rempal or Jeremy to see which strategies the Canes implement to respond to roster Bracco from the Wolves if they’re seeking a more traditional lineup. But adversity. we’ve seen Brind’Amour toy with an 11-7 lineup before, and we’ve heard Who gets in, and where? him lament that the Canes (like any other team this season) have looked sloppy at times to begin the season. The 11-7 configuration might give To clarify, players don’t have to go through the taxi squad before joining the forwards a better opportunity to get into midseason form, so long as it the NHL team in certain situations. Some teams have their AHL affiliate isn’t implemented for too long in a season now jam-packed with games. following the NHL-level protocol, so players will be ready for an immediate call-up. The Hurricanes have known about their situation for a The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 week or so now — if they wanted to call up an AHL player for Thursday’s game, they could. But considering they’ve got the players most likely to crack the lineup already on the taxi squad, there’s a good chance most if not all replacement players Thursday come from there.

And yet another disclaimer: We’ve already seen how fluid situations like this are, and it’ll stay that way all season. It’s more likely than not the 1200513 Chicago Blackhawks

Alex DeBrincat and Adam Boqvist added to NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list and won’t be available for the Chicago Blackhawks until cleared

By CHICAGO TRIBUNE STAFF

JAN 25, 2021 AT 4:47 PM

Chicago Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat and defenseman Adam Boqvist were added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list Monday, making the duo unavailable for games, practice or travel until removed from the list.

According to a Hawks statement, a player can be added to the list for an initial positive test that remains unconfirmed, isolation for a symptomatic individual, quarantine for a high-risk close contact, isolation for a confirmed positive test or quarantine for travel.

The Hawks are scheduled to play back-to-back games against the Predators on Tuesday and Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn. They return to the United Center for games Friday and Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

DeBrincat and Boqvist have played in all six games this season, with DeBrincat ranking second on the team in scoring behind Patrick Kane with six points (two goals, four assists). Boqvist has three assists.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200514 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks’ Alex DeBrincat, Adam Boqvist put on NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list

By Ben Pope Jan 25, 2021, 4:58pm CST

The Blackhawks’ roster is no longer untouched by COVID-19.

Forward Alex DeBrincat and defenseman Adam Boqvist were put on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list Monday, the league announced.

No additional information was immediately available. Players can end up on the protocol list by testing positive, showing symptoms and isolating or coming in contact with someone who tested positive.

DeBrincat and Boqvist are close friends off the ice, so the contact-tracing situation might apply here. If one or both did test positive, they’d be required to isolate for at least 10 days and would miss the Hawks’ next six games at the minimum as currently scheduled.

The rest of the Hawks traveled to Nashville on Monday and are scheduled to play a back-to-back against the Predators on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Teams can, and often do, play games even with some players absent and on the COVID-19 list. The Red Wings were missing five players for that reason Friday and Sunday against the Hawks.

Not since Corey Crawford during the pre-playoff training camp in July has a Hawk publicly acknowledged or missed any in-season time because of the coronavirus, but the team has been more fortunate than many others in that regard.

The absences of DeBrincat and Boqvist will create big holes in the lineup. DeBrincat — with six points through six games — has been playing on the first line alongside Pius Suter and Patrick Kane, while Boqvist was paired with Duncan Keith on Sunday.

Matthew Highmore, Lucas Wallmark or Brandon Pirri could replace DeBrincat. Lucas Carlsson, Wyatt Kalynuk or could step in for Boqvist.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200515 Chicago Blackhawks Keith is probably most beneficial for Boqvist as he goes through his current growing pains. Calvin de Haan and Ian Mitchell, meanwhile, are fast developing a similarly fruitful relationship.

Connor Murphy, Nikita Zadorov show they can be shutdown pair for If Murphy and Zadorov can translate their breakout game into a Blackhawks consistent run of shutdown defense — something the Hawks haven’t experienced much in recent seasons — the Hawks will benefit and young Boqvist and Mitchell will, too.

By Ben Pope Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.26.2021 CST Jan 25, 2021, 1:53pm CST

Connor Murphy and Nikita Zadorov were dominant together Sunday against the Red Wings.

In the first period of the Blackhawks’ first game against the Red Wings, Connor Murphy’s pairing with Nikita Zadorov looked completely dysfunctional.

By the third period of the second game, Murphy and Zadorov were wrapping up a dominant performance.

The equally dysfunctional opponent means their transformation should be taken with a grain of salt, but Murphy’s near-perfect game with Zadorov on Sunday nonetheless revealed the potential for that duo to evolve into the Hawks’ shutdown defensive pair.

“Just two bigger guys that are going to take pride in defending,” Murphy, 27, said after the 6-2 victory. “Tonight we seemed to do a better job of closing guys down on whoever’s side of the ice it was, and then being close to support each other to try to make good plays out of our zone.”

The Hawks had more attempts than the Wings (14-7) and more chances (8-5) during the pair’s ice time.

That possession advantage translated into zero Wings goals and three Hawks goals, including Murphy’s second-period top-shelf snipe that shifted the momentum.

Murphy, in particular, was in optimal form.

He maintained excellent gap control and positioning in his own zone and also won the puck back numerous times, made clean plays to jump-start transition attacks and jumped into the play himself at the right times.

The goal extended his point streak to four games, the longest of his career. Previously never much of an offensive threat, Murphy ranks fifth in points among all NHL defensemen this season.

“[Murphy is] so strong in battles and getting on the right side and [being] physical,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “He helps us get out of the D- zone. His puck play has continued to improve. He’s making a lot more clean plays on the breakout once he does get the puck back, and that helps. He’s also willing to join as a fourth or fifth guy on the attack.”

Sunday’s excellence demonstrated how much Murphy and Zadorov, who didn’t know each other until roughly a month ago, have jelled since first being put together Jan. 19 in Florida (three games ago).

Their first two outings together were subpar, with opponents generating more attempts than the Hawks (29-25) and more chances (15-11) during their ice time. And in the aforementioned first period Friday against the Wings, Murphy had to motion to or yell at Zadorov several times to get in the right position.

After spending more time together, though, their communication improved dramatically Sunday.

“That’s always going to happen when it’s someone that’s new on a team, and then especially new as a pair,” Murphy said. “You seem to develop chemistry on certain plays, whether it’s neutral zones or even off draws or in the O-zone. You know where a guy’s going to be at a certain spot on the ice.

“I didn’t even know that I was completely open on a couple of ‘D’-to-‘D’ [passes], and he’s got a good view on his peripheral . . . to be able to see me and snap it over.”

Their rapid improvement together is especially encouraging because of how nicely their unity allows the rest of the defensive pairs to sort out.

Duncan Keith and Adam Boqvist possess strong chemistry after spending much of 2019-20 together, and an ultra-veteran partner like 1200516 Chicago Blackhawks challenged shooters aggressively, relying on his athleticism. Both had great success.

Lankinen took mental notes all the while, then integrated the small details Inside Kevin Lankinen’s journey from tireless playoff observer to he liked most into his own approach after leaving the bubble and Blackhawks’ starting goalie resuming his training this fall.

‘‘There’s always something to learn from every goalie, but you don’t want to be like this guy or that guy,’’ he said. ‘‘You want to take the best things By Ben Pope Jan 25, 2021, 6:30am CST out of here and there and adapt what suits you best.’’

It turned out his offseason training provided an opportunity to study another playoff hero. Under new goalie coach Marko Torenius, Lankinen For 18 days in the NHL’s playoff bubble last summer, Blackhawks goalie practiced alongside Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo, whose absurd Kevin Lankinen observed, analyzed and learned. .941 save percentage in the 2020 postseason led the league. The Hawks’ fourth-string goalie at the time, he knew he never would hit Together, Lankinen and Korpisalo prioritized two skills: reading plays and the ice himself. So he made the experience into a once-in-a-lifetime footwork — Lankinen’s biggest playoff takeaways. Lankinen also asked opportunity to watch many of the best goalies in the world play, one after Korpisalo, a close friend since age 15, all about the NHL. another. ‘‘You get that guy who’s been there and who has gone through the same ‘‘Not just one game, not just your team, but all the teams — and on TV path and can tell you mental stuff,’’ Lankinen said. ‘‘Just being [someone] and at the arena,’’ Lankinen said. ‘‘That was a huge learning lesson for you can talk to is one thing, but . . . when you’re skating [with] a guy day me.’’ in and day out, you see all of his habits. You pick the best habits he has Five months later, Lankinen has risen from fourth-stringer to starter. He and try to implement that to your game.’’ made his NHL debut last week and earned his first two victories Friday When Lankinen reported to training camp this winter, he did so as a far and Sunday, saving 55 of 58 shots against the Red Wings. more refined, knowledgeable goalie than the one the Hawks knew His bright personality, steadfast self-belief and well-rounded skills have previously. made him an instant hit on a team desperately searching for a spark at It took only two weeks of camp battles and three games of backup duties the position. until Lankinen’s evolution into an NHL-ready goalie came to light. And ‘‘He has a quiet confidence to him that you love to see in a goaltender,’’ that was no surprise to the man himself. coach Jeremy Colliton said. ‘‘He plays under control, but he is athletic, as ‘‘I feel confident,’’ he said Friday. ‘‘I feel calm. And I feel like my game is well. right there where it needs to be.’’ Lankinen, a 25-year-old Finn who made the jump to North America in Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.26.2021 2018 and played the last two seasons primarily in Rockford, might not have had such confidence if he was put in this role last January.

But 2020, a horrible year for most people, was a good one for Lankinen.

‘‘It’s been crazy, but...I always like to think about, ‘OK, what can you learn from this?’ ’’ he said. ‘‘And there has been so much to learn from everything.’’

From the lockdowns and quarantines, Lankinen learned to maximize his workouts — he says he’s stronger, faster and more agile than ever — and refresh his mindset.

And from three weeks trapped in the bubble in Edmonton, Alberta, Lankinen learned from a laundry list of NHL goalies. Corey Crawford, Marc-Andre Fleury, Robin Lehner, Mikko Koskinen, Mike Smith and Philipp Grubauer all came to mind.

‘‘I wanted to see, [for] certain goalies, how they play every single night and how they do warmups and what their habits are like,’’ Lankinen said. ‘‘On TV, you always see what’s happening when the situation is on your end; you see the guys following the puck.

‘‘But I wanted to see what happens off the puck, too. How [do] they track and how do they read the play? What’s their demeanor like when the puck is not in their end?’’

So every day, Lankinen and a contingent of fellow prospects made the pilgrimage to Rogers Place to observe the wall-to-wall schedule of games from the Hawks’ team suite.

Despite 154 games of pro experience, Lankinen never had played a minute in the NHL, so his dedicated postseason viewing opened his eyes to a new level.

‘‘One thing that stuck with me is that the NHL is so fast that you have to be a really good skater as a goalie,’’ he said. ‘‘You have to be able to beat passes on your feet and move around. It’s not just about being a big body on the puck because the puck is going all over the place, so you have to make reads. . . . That all comes out of the footwork.’’

Lankinen worked to improve his footwork and play-reading this offseason. Getty

He noticed, for example, how different Lehner and Fleury managed their respective starts for the Knights. Lehner sat deep in his crease, relying on his positioning and ‘‘just waiting for guys to come at him.’’ Fleury 1200517 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks' DeBrincat, Boqvist placed in COVID-19 protocol

John Dietz

Updated1/25/2021 4:57 PM

After three weeks with no COVID-19 issues, the Blackhawks were hit with bad news Monday when they were forced to place forward Alex DeBrincat and defenseman Adam Boqvist in COVID-19 protocol.

Because they are unable to travel, they will both miss the Hawks' games at Nashville on Tuesday and Wednesday. Their absence could be because:

• Of an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed.

• A confirmed positive test.

• They must quarantine as a high-risk close contact.

• They must isolate due to being symptomatic.

The NHL's policy is to release names of players who are in COVID protocol but not to give the reason or provide a timeline for the absense.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200518 Chicago Blackhawks "A lot of times from the top in the zone, it's not so much about going bar down on point shots. It's finding the net, getting it past the first block.

"Typically a lot of good things happen after that. He's defending really Hawks' Murphy shows a bit of scoring touch well, so when you do that, the guys you're with have the puck and you have the opportunity to chip in a little more offensively."

By the numbers John Dietz Connor Murphy's career statsSeason, team GP G A Pts. SOG TOI Updated1/25/2021 4:57 PM 2013-14, Coyotes 30 1 7 8 1.0 17:59

2014-15, Coyotes 73 4 3 7 0.99 16:48 Connor Murphy knows his job description on the Blackhawks. 2015-16, Coyotes 78 6 11 17 1.3 20:30 It's to shut down the opponent's top players. To get out of the defensive zone as quickly and efficiently as possible. And to be a relentless, shot- 2016-17, Coyotes 77 2 15 17 1.05 19:11 blocking machine on the penalty kill. 2017-18, HAWKS 76 2 12 14 1.43 16:22 If Murphy excels in these areas, it bodes well for the Hawks and gives 2018-19, HAWKS 52 5 8 13 1.62 19:29 them a chance to win every night. 2019-20, HAWKS 58 5 14 19 2.02 21:15 But that doesn't mean the veteran defenseman is going to pass up scoring chances when they present themselves. 2020-21, HAWKS 6 2 3 5 1.83 22:27

"Everyone can get used to scoring, yes," Murphy said after the Hawks' 6- GP: Games played; SOG: Shots on goal per game; TOI: Average time on 2 victory Sunday over Detroit at the United Center. "It's always something ice you have fun with." Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.26.2021 Which is exactly what Murphy did after pounding home his second goal of the season after a puck slithered to him in the second period. After the shot found its mark -- giving the Hawks a 3-1 lead -- Murphy turned to the stands and gave an awkward-looking arm pump.

Normally, he would have been met by a sea of excited fans -- all screaming their lungs out -- as he approached the glass.

But that obviously won't be happening anytime soon.

"There's definitely a lot of emotion that goes into scoring with the fans and especially at home with our building and the goal song," Murphy said. "That's something that everyone misses. I imagine the guys that score a lot, like Kaner, miss that even more than when I get my here- and-there (goal)."

Those here-and-there goals are happening with a bit more regularity of late. During Murphy's first five seasons, he scored just 15 times in 334 games. That works out to 3.7 goals per season.

Over his last two-plus campaigns, though, Murphy has scored 12 times in 116 contests -- or 8.5 per 82 games.

While no one will ever mistake him for Roman Josi, Alex Pietrangelo, Brent Burns or Dougie Hamilton, Murphy has nonetheless made a concerted effort to fine-tune his craft.

This off-season, for example, Murphy did plenty of on-ice work with Brian Keane, the founder of the locally-based Prodigy Hockey. They worked on producing consistent, flat passes up to the forwards out of the defensive zone and also tried to make him more dangerous while skating with the puck.

"You're always trying to add things or even just fine-tune things," Murphy said. "You hear about top players working a lot of basics. Try to follow that model to make sure you're keeping up with those things. If you don't have those things down, your game isn't going to grow."

Which it most certainly has since Murphy arrived in Chicago after general manager Stan Bowman acquired him from Arizona for Niklas Hjalmarsson in 2017. That first season was definitely a tough one, especially early on when Murphy was scratched three times in the first 12 games. He sat out three more times as well and ended up averaging a career-low 16 minutes, 22 seconds of ice time.

Although the injury bug has bit him a few times since, Murphy has done a nice job evolving his game to fit the frenetic pace of today's NHL.

An avid golfer, he's happy to tee up more and more shots on the ice in recent years as well. After averaging 1.1 shots on goal during his first four campaigns, Murphy has thrown 1.43, 1.62 and 2.02 shots on net over the past three seasons.

"He's put some work into it," coach Jeremy Colliton said. "He's grown a lot more comfortable being active, jumping in off the rush as the fourth guy, finding a way to get pucks through (on shots). 1200519 Chicago Blackhawks

Former Blackhawks goalie Darling signs tryout deal with Rockford

John Dietz

Updated1/25/2021 2:08 PM

Former Blackhawks goaltender and Lemont native Scott Darling signed a Professional Tryout deal with the Rockford IceHogs.

Darling, who was also on a PTO with the Florida Panthers during training camp, played in Austria for Innsbruck HC last season. He posted an .898 save percentage and 3.34 goals-against average in 33 games.

Darling last played in the NHL in 2018-19 when he made 8 appearances for Carolina. He was traded to the Hurricanes for a third-round pick after the 2016-17 campaign and quickly signed a four-year, $16.6 million deal.

Darling spent this off-season living in Chicago with his wife.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200520 Chicago Blackhawks

Scott Darling signs PTO with Blackhawks' AHL affiliate

BY CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS

Scott Darling is returning to the Blackhawks organization after the Rockford IceHogs announced Monday that they have signed the 2015 Stanley Cup champion to a professional tryout agreement.

Darling, 32, had a 64-39-17 record with a 2.37 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and four shutouts across three seasons with the Blackhawks from 2014-17. He also went 3-1 in the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs and had a .936 save percentage in five appearances.

Darling's negotiating rights were traded by the Blackhawks on April 28, 2017 to the Carolina Hurricanes, where he spent the next two seasons. He most recently spent the 2019-20 campaign overseas.

Darling joins an IceHogs goaltending group that includes Tom Auburn, Cale Morris and Matt Tomkins, who's the only one of the four on an NHL contract. The IceHogs are scheduled to open their season on Feb. 5.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200521 Chicago Blackhawks 40 when I was rookie. I kind of kept it when I was in Vegas. This is really the first time in the NHL I got to pick my number, so went back to my old college number.

Why the Chicago Blackhawks wear their numbers, 2021 edition Philipp Kurashev, 23: I always wore it when it was available since I was a real young kid. It was like the first number I chose when we were able to pick. So, I try to keep it if it’s available.

By Scott Powers Jan 25, 2021 Pius Suter, 24: I’m born 24th May. I used to have it. My number 44 was taken, so 24 was the next thing I would take.

Adam Boqvist, 27: I just got it when I was drafted and signed. I had 27 Blackhawks equipment manager Troy Parchman has been busier in when I was younger. I’m not going to change — only if Jeremy Roenick recent years. gets mad or something. I can play with that. The Blackhawks have made some changes, which means Parchman’s Malcolm Subban, 30: (Martin) Brodeur. I watched Brodeur a lot. I liked been handing out new numbers. Some players get the number they him. I liked (Henrik) Lundqvist. I liked (Marc-Andre) Fleury also (who want. Others have to be flexible. As Parchman previously explained, wears 29), but Brodeur and Lundqvist, two in one. If I could be 29 1/2, I there is a process to it and some rules he follows. would have. But those two guys growing up I liked to watch a lot. That’s So let’s dive into the 2021 Blackhawks and why wear their numbers: why I wear 30.

Duncan Keith, 2: That was the number I got when I had it in my stall in Kevin Lankinen, 32: I’ve been liking 32 a whole lot. I kind of waited for a Norfolk when I got sent down (to the AHL) when I was 20. Stuck with me chance to wear it. I’ve been wearing 30 for awhile. But this year I wanted ever since. No idea. to come up with something new. One of my favorite goalies, like Kari Lehtonen and Niklas Backstrom, and those guys wear 32. I kind of want Connor Murphy, 5: There’s a couple. Nick Lidstrom was always my to keep that Finnish legacy going, too. favorite player. And then my dad (Gord Murphy) wore No. 5. He played 14 years in the NHL and always wore it, so I followed that. Carl Soderberg, 34: Thirty-four was my first number as a junior player and it has been my number during my career as an NHL player. I still Brent Seabrook, 7: I wore it as a kid. I always liked the No. 7. I was 77 have my first stick, a green Cooper wooden stick with 34 on. and 27 in summer hockey. I always liked 7 and I was lucky enough to have it. I always just sort of stuck with it. It was the jersey they gave me Matthew Highmore, 36: Honestly, I didn’t choose it, but I kind of like it. in juniors, which I was pretty pumped about, and the jersey that they The guys who have kind of come before me, a guy like Dave Bolland. It’s gave me here. It’s pretty cool. cool to be able to wear the same number that he did. No reason behind it, but it’s cool to wear it. Dominik Kubalik, 8: My number? It’s tough to say. I was using 18 since I was young. Then I moved to Switzerland, but 18 was taken, so I just Brandon Hagel, 38: I have no idea. It’s the number I was given. switched numbers to 81. Right now, I got 8. Obviously I wanted 18, but Calvin de Haan, 44: It’s funny. Actually, I was playing I think it was my 18 (Denis Savard) is in the rafters. And 81, you know, Marian Hossa. It first season in Bridgeport, I was assigned No. 3. Like right when I got would probably be really, really tough to have that pressure on my back. drafted, I had No. 3, wore that for a few training camps. Then Travis So, I picked No. 8. Hamonic took it that season when I was in Bridgeport. Then I got it Alex DeBrincat, 12: When I went to Erie (OHL), I didn’t have many changed to No. 24 and then Steve Staios ended up making the Isles and numbers to choose from. I just kind of got 12. It’s been working out well he took 24. So, then I got assigned 44. That’s pretty much it. I’ve been for me, so I stuck with it. I like it, but whatever number doesn’t really fortunate enough that I haven’t run into a guy like Chris Pronger, who matter to me. I have numbers I like, but it doesn’t really matter. Just kind wore 44. I’ve been lucky enough to keep it so far. of stick with whatever they give me. Lucas Carlsson, 46: The first time I got (23) was when I was 15. I had a Mattias Janmark, 13: It was open when I got to pick in Dallas. There were couple numbers to choose between and I chose 23. I really like it, so I fun numbers open. I actually wore it one year in juniors back home and kept it (and was wearing it in Rockford). But, 46, I just got it at training we won that year, so that’s why I kind of chose it in Dallas because I camp. I wasn’t allowed to choose, but it’s fine. It works. wore it once and had a good result. Now I feel I don’t need to change Ian Mitchell, 51: Fifteen was my number and Zack Smith had it when I that. It’s been good for me here in the NHL, so just want to roll on with it. was getting to choose. Troy Parchman, our equipment manager, said, Nikita Zadorov, 16: My dad’s favorite player was Vladimir Petrov. He was what about 51? That’s Brian Campbell’s old number. When they said in a line with (Boris) Mikhailov and (Valeri) Kharlamov. My dad was that, I think that was really great for me because he was kind of a guy I growing up watching him play, and it was his favorite player. I guess looked up to growing up. To be able to wear it on the Hawks too is pretty when he brought me to hockey they picked that number for me. cool, so I like it a lot.

Dylan Strome has been No. 17 since he joined the Blackhawks. (Dennis Collin Delia, 60: It’s the number Troy Parchman gave me when I came Wierzbicki / USA Today) here. Growing up, I was No. 61. Last year, I was 1. I’ve been 1 for probably six years now. I was like, well, 61 minus 1, 60. I don’t know. It Dylan Strome, 17: I was 16 all the way growing up. That’s because my just worked out. I like it. I like that it’s a nice round number, I guess. I dad was always 16. His favorite player was . So, that’s why don’t know, it looks good on the jersey. I’m not really too picky about that. (my brother Ryan and I) wore 16 up to junior. Then my brother was 17 It’s just kind of a nuisance really. Sixty is just a cool number. Crow is 50. I and 18 in the OHL. When I went to Erie, 16 was retired by Brad Boyes, think Parchy gave him that too at training camp. Maybe it’s kind of a so I chose 19. I just love 19. I don’t know why, for who, (Joe) Thornton running theme with the goalies now just take whatever you’re given, don’t maybe. I just like 19. And then went to Arizona and obviously 19’s a complain. pretty good player there (Shane Doan), so I couldn’t wear that. So they just gave me 20. I was always OK on 20. Obviously I got here, and they David Kampf, 64: It was just given to me. I had No. 10 and 11 back said, well, you can’t use 19, we got a 20, 9 was taken obviously, so 17 home. I like 64, it’s the number 10, six and four, so it’s good. was just there. No real reason. I don’t mind 17. It’s OK. I actually do like Andrew Shaw, 65: It was one given to me at camp and just stuck with it. it. It’s grown on me a lot. I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but I like it. It was the one they gave me my first game. I had a good first game, so I Jonathan Toews, 19: I always joke with Troy Murray that he’s the reason, might as well keep the number and it’s become who I am. There’s not a you know? But obviously, it’s been a special number to me growing up. lot of 65s out there. It was pretty much easy to get when I went to Some of my favorite players wore it. I always loved wearing No. 9. When Montreal and obviously they still had it when I came back. It’s a number I came here, it wasn’t an option, unfortunately. It’s obviously retired with I’ve had a lot of success and it’s become a part of me. Bobby (Hull). No. 19 was the classic number that I thought fit me pretty Lucas Wallmark, 71: I got that number when I came over from , well, so it just worked out great when I came here. and I like it, so have used that number since then. Nothing special. Ryan Carpenter, 22: I was 22 in college, then I made Twitter name Brandon Pirri, 73: Quoting Sheldon Cooper, 73 is the 21st prime number. CarpyDeuces. When I was in pro, my first year in Worcester I was 22, Its mirror, 37, is the 12th, and its mirror, 21, is the product of multiplying and then I was in San Jose, they just kind of give you 40. They gave me seven and three … and in binary, 73 is a palindrome, 1001001, which backwards is 1001001.

Kirby Dach, 77: I used to wear 7 all the time as a kid. I got to Saskatoon and the number was retired (for Gerry Pinder). They kind of offered up 77. Double the luck kind of thing, stuck with it like that. Obviously when I got drafted to the NHL, didn’t really know where I was going to end up, kind of pondered going back to 7. Ended up here in Chicago and Seabs has been here so long, I mean didn’t really feel like asking him to step aside for the number 7. I was happy with 77. It’s brought me nothing but good fortune and I like the number.

Patrick Kane, 88: I guess it’s my birth year, 1988. When I signed in London there, I wanted 89. For some reason I liked that number, probably because of (Alexander) Mogilny. I wanted to wear 89. Sam Gagne actually signed a couple weeks previous, so he took 89 because he was an ’89 birth year. A kid by the name of Phil McCrae took 90. He was a ’90 birth year. And they had an ’87 on the team who wore an 87. So, they thought it’d be cool if I wore 88. Yeah, just kind of fell in love with the number, really liked it. My buddies and I will joke around that 88 makes me look bigger out there because it’s a bigger number and that’s why I wore it. But probably goes back to the birth year.

Alex Nylander, 92: Obviously I like it a lot because my dad (Michael Nylander) wore it. I got to keep it in the family business, got it to keep going. I wore it when I was younger too. I really like the number too. When I get to choose my number, I always choose 92. I was lucky and fortunate to be able to carry this number here. The last person who had (No. 92 with the Blackhawks) was my dad too. That’s awesome.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200522 Colorado Avalanche 5) Hot seats. Forwards J.T. Compher, Valeri Nishushkin and Joonas Donskoi each failed to produce a shot Sunday. Donskoi played a team- low 9:05 and Nishushkin only logged 11:26.

5 takeaways from the Avalanche’s 3-1 loss at Anaheim Colorado’s depth scoring is almost non-existent. Compher and Nishushkin don’t have a goal, along with fourth-liners Tyson Jost, Matt Calvert and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. Nishushkin, Jost and Bellemare don’t even have a point. By MIKE CHAMBERS | PUBLISHED: January 25, 2021 at 5:45 a.m. | UPDATED: January 25, 2021 at 12:16 p.m. Why are the Avs 3-3 and tied for fourth in the West Division? They haven’t had depth scoring and they rank 24th in even-strength goals with

just eight. The Avalanche outshot Anaheim 33-14 — including 10-1 in the third Denver Post: LOADED: 01.26.2021 period — but lost to the Ducks 3-1 at Honda Center Sunday evening.

Five takeaways

Bo knows hockey. Rookie defenseman Bo Byram, 19, is a keeper. He seemingly gets better by the game, and he’s played the last three for the Avs. Byram can play three more NHL games before a decision is made on whether he remains on the Avalanche roster for the entire season or goes back to his junior team in Vancouver.

Byram, I believe, could also be reassigned to the Avs’ taxi squad and practice with the team until the begins its season. But the teenager is outstanding and he logged a career-high 18:32 in Colorado’s sixth game of the year. He partnered with Sam Girard on the second pairing, played a little on the second power-play unit, and was sent out when the Avs pulled goalie Philipp Grubauer to create a 6-on-5 attack in the final minutes.

Byram was also on the ice when Gabe Landeskog scored in on Friday in Anaheim.

Sure, the Avs are absolutely loaded on the blue line but this kid, so far, has proved he belongs in this league. Injuries happen and keeping Byram simply makes the safety net bigger.

“I think he fits right in there really well. He has great poise with the puck,” Avs defenseman Cale Makar, 22, the reigning Calder Trophy winner as NHL rookie of the year, said. “His skating is at a very elite level and that’s kind of the identity of our back end. We like to think the game fast and move it up to our forwards quick. Any guy that can do that is welcome. I’m excited to see what he can do this year. He’s a pretty special kid.”

2) Ryan Graves. The Avs defenseman didn’t play Sunday. He was a healthy scratch. Graves, who led the NHL with a plus-40 rating last season, is minus-5 and was probably Colorado’s worst player in Friday’s 3-2 overtime win. So Conor Timmins stepped in for Graves on Sunday and logged 11:28. No glaring mistakes.

Graves is among eight highly capable defensemen, plus Dennis Gilbert, and to earn a spot in the top-six is a challenge. This is a good problem to have.

“Trying to hold him to the standard of play that he had during the regular season last year which was excellent. It was very consistent. It was simple but effective,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said pregame of Graves, 25. “We’re just not seeing the same Gravey so far throughout training camp and through the start of the season so he’s going to get a break tonight. he’ll see some video again and we’ll keep going. We got lots of healthy D right now so it’s going to get very competitive back there.”

3) One shot. How bad is a 3-1 loss when the opponent is basically held shotless in the third period? The Avs held Anaheim to one shot in the third period. And it was Hampus Lindholm’s 180-footer that went down as an empty-net goal in the final minutes.

The Avs are six games into the season. In a normal season, they would have just finished the preseason. This is a highly capable team that just needs to come together.

Patience, people.

4) Kadri and Saad. Nazem Kadri and Brandon Saad are Colorado’s biggest passengers right now. The second-line forwards are both minus- 8 — although Kadri got there with Anaheim’s empty-net goal.

Postgame Sunday, I asked Bednar if Kadri and Saad are the “sore spot” of the team.

“It should be a sore spot for them. It’s beginning to be a sore spot for me,” Bednar said. “They’ll get better. I don’t have any doubts about it.”

Avalanche blows 2-0 lead as Kings salvage split of two-game series 1200523 Colorado Avalanche

Greg Pateryn put on waivers

Published 15 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Adrian Dater

LOS ANGELES – The Avs just put defenseman Greg Pateryn on waivers. If no NHL team claims him in the next 24 hours, he likely will either go to the taxi squad or, more remotely as a possibility, the .

Pateryn had a pretty good first game with the Avs, but didn’t look as good in others, including Sunday’s game in Anaheim. This move likely means Erik Johnson will return soon. There is a chance a veteran such as Pateryn will get claimed. With the NHL experience he has, it might be attractive enough for some team to bite.

We’ll see.

The Avs, surprisingly I thought, are taking the day off. They just had a day off Saturday and are coming off a loss, but that’s the deal.

The Avs will resume their schedule Tuesday night against the San Jose Sharks at Ball Arena.

Colorado hockey now LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200524 Columbus Blue Jackets “(Kekalainen) was excited to get me on board and trade a big-time player like Dubois for me, so obviously that’s a big thing for me, that a team wants me and wants me bad,” Laine said. “Hopefully that’s going to be a spot where I’m enjoying life and enjoying playing hockey. Meet the new guys: Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic give the Blue Jackets more scoring punch "They have a good, young team and hopefully I can bring my playmaking abilities and my shooting abilities into the team and work as hard as I can and hopefully build something good.”

Brian Hedger The Columbus kid

Roslovic also wanted out of Winnipeg (trend alert) and didn’t report to the Jets’ training camp there this season. It was another blockbuster trade involving the Blue Jackets. Instead, the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets alum has lived in Columbus the past Eight years into Jarmo Kekalainen’s tenure as general manager, those three weeks — staying sharp by working with his former AAA program. words should look familiar by now. Finding ways to swing for the fences It’s putting it mildly to say the 23-year old forward is excited to play for the is one of his biggest strengths as a hockey executive, if not the biggest, team he cheered as a kid and the opportunity he likely will get with the and this time the Jackets’ GM might have outdone himself. Blue Jackets is even more enticing. Acquiring forwards Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic on Saturday in Trading Dubois leaves a gaping hole at center on the top line, which Max exchange for disgruntled center Pierre-Luc Dubois and the Jackets’ 2022 Domi will get the first chance to fill. That leaves a vacancy in the middle third-round pick immediately rose to the top echelon of Kekalainen’s of the second forward line, and either Roslovic or Alexandre Texier are biggest deals — a list that seemingly keeps growing with every trade he the most likely candidates for that role. completes. Roslovic, 6 feet 1, 187 pounds, with right-hand shot, had 12 goals, 17 Time will tell whether this one matches his swap of center Ryan assists and 29 points in 71 games for the Jets last season, and Johansen for defenseman Seth Jones in January 2016, or whether it Kekalainen thinks there is untapped potential left in his game, which works out more like his June 2017 acquisition of left wing Artemi Panarin includes swift skating and good hands. — who left after two years as a free agent — but it’s already in the ballpark with those moves. “I’m super motivated,” said Roslovic, who signed a two-year contract with the Blue Jackets worth $3.8 million. “That’s what I’ve always wanted and “I think he’s very good at it,” coach John Tortorella said Saturday of I’m going to take on a role here, hopefully, that I’ve been waiting for. I’m Kekalainen's deal-making skills, after the Jackets’ 5-2 victory against the going to make the most of it and I’m going to do it for not only myself but Tampa Bay Lightning. “You know, he got put in a hell of a spot (with for our team and this city.” Dubois) and that’s what bothers me the most, the spot that he was put in. He stood right in there.” Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.26.2021 And now the Blue Jackets have two new faces headed to their locker room soon, including an elite goal-scorer in Laine and a locally produced talent in Roslovic.

Here’s a look at each:

The Finnisher

Laine, 22, is the same age as Dubois and was taken one spot higher in the 2016 NHL draft.

Laine went second overall behind Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, and Kekalainen took Dubois third to the surprise of many draft experts, who were sure he would pick high-scoring Finnish forward Jesse Puljujarvi.

Kekalainen took a lot of heat for selecting Dubois, but Laine was the Finnish forward that he wanted. Dubois also was a great pick and was the key to getting Laine four years later.

What kind of talent does Laine have? Elite talent.

At 6 feet 4 and 201 pounds, the right-hand shot has topped 30 goals in three of his first four seasons, including a career-high 44 in 2017-18, and he was on his way to passing 30 again last year before the COVID-19 pandemic shortened the NHL’s regular season in March. The left wing has a booming shot and his success with it overshadows a passing acumen that also is top-notch.

His arrival date is unclear because he needs to obtain a U.S. work visa, has a nagging injury and must undergo COVID-19 protocols when he gets to Columbus — but the payoff for the Jackets should be well worth the wait.

“Patrik Laine is just a pure goal-scorer,” Kekalainen said. “I think he’s an excellent power-play player and often people think of him as a shooter, which he is a great shooter, but he’s also a great passer — and those things excite me a lot. We have a weapon for (our) power play that we may have not had before.”

Will the Jackets be able to sign him to a long-term deal at some point?

The Jets weren’t. Laine wanted out of Winnipeg, much like Dubois in Columbus, and now he’s a Blue Jacket with a one-year contract worth $4.995 million and two more years before he can enter unrestricted free agency. 1200525 Columbus Blue Jackets Powell’s Carson Meyer play for the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate in Cleveland.

But Roslovic will be the first to draw a regular shift, and the Blue Jackets A dream come true for Jack Roslovic, and Blue Jackets have big plans think he can be an impact player. for him Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen made it clear that insisting Roslovic be included in the trade wasn’t a public relations stunt.

By Aaron Portzline Jan 25, 2021 “It’s an added bonus (that he’s from Columbus),” Kekäläinen said. “We don’t make trades based on where guys are from or what their hometown is, but when we like the player and he’s from here, that’s an added bonus. COLUMBUS, Ohio — Word began to leak late Friday that the Blue Jackets were on the cusp of a blockbuster trade with the Winnipeg Jets, “I’m sure Jack’s the first guy to appreciate what Columbus is all about a deal that would bring an end to the Pierre-Luc Dubois tank-for-a-trade and what a great city this is, how great our fans are. When I talked to saga and deliver superstar goal scorer Patrik Laine to the Jackets. Patrik Laine, he told me that Jack has always been a big advocate of the city of Columbus and the Blue Jackets, that he’s spoken very highly of Within the small, tight-knit Columbus hockey community, the impending both of them.” trade was celebrated for a different reason. Text messages were shooting all over town among the players. Tears of joy were streaming The Blue Jackets have pursued Roslovic since all the way back in the down the faces of parents. Celebratory beers were cracked by coaches. 2015 draft.

To those who have made Columbus hockey one of the NHL’s grassroots The Jackets drafted defenseman Zach Werenski at No. 8 (too high for success stories, it was Jack Roslovic who was the headliner in the trade, Roslovic, it was deemed) and spent the rest of that first round trying to not Dubois or Laine. acquire another pick to use on Roslovic.

Roslovic is the first born-and-raised central Ohio player to be a first-round Kekäläinen traded a second- and third-round pick to Toronto for the No. NHL draft pick, and he’s one of three local players currently in the 29 overall selection, but Roslovic was gone to Winnipeg at No. 25. league. Chicago’s Connor Murphy and Boston’s Sean Kuraly are the others. It didn’t end there.

Now, the Columbus Kid — or do you prefer Kid Columbus? — would be Kekäläinen and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff have spoken frequently in coming home to fulfill a childhood dream. recent seasons, and Roslovic’s name — often bandied about in trade speculation in Canada — was a frequent topic. “The first person I called was my mom (Jane), of course,” Roslovic said. “She wanted to know about it first, and I think I could give her that “We think he can play center in the NHL,” Kekäläinen said of Roslovic, courtesy. who has played mostly on the left wing in Winnipeg. “He’s got tremendous speed and skill and hockey sense. “But, yeah, I’ve gotten endless … a lot of text messages, from kids I went to high school with, kids I grew up with and just friends in the community “I think Jack Roslovic’s going to be a huge part of this whole trade.” that have been very supportive of me wherever I’ve been. It kind of stinks Roslovic instantly becomes one of the top five skaters on the Blue that there aren’t any fans in the stands (because of the pandemic), but I Jackets roster, joining two other young burners — Liam Foudy and Eric think this will hopefully get some people on their toes and watching the Robinson — who could blossom into impact players. games.” The Blue Jackets will give Roslovic a chance to earn something he could Roslovic had remained in Columbus through training camp and into the never quite nail down with the Jets: a top-six spot at center. That’s a start of the 2020-21 season because he didn’t have a contract with the tough top-six to crack in Winnipeg, which has a bounty of heavy, skilled Jets and had requested a trade. players. Jack Roslovic playing for the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets in 2010, left, and “I don’t think there was ever frustration with the Jets or with Winnipeg,” 2011. (Courtesy of Jack Roslovic) Roslovic said. “I have nothing but good things to say about them. I talked He spent the last three-plus weeks training and skating with the Ohio to my peers around the league, and when you’re on a team that’s that AAA Blue Jackets, the local elite junior club he played with growing up. good, there are sacrifices you need to make, and when you’re winning Program director Ed Gingher even let him run one of the practices. that many games, you’re usually willing.

The Roslovic family has had Blue Jackets season tickets from the dawn “That’s the way I felt. Nothing bad to say. I don’t think there was ever not of the franchise in 2000 — four seats a few rows up from the visitor’s an opportunity. There are so many good players on that team.” bench — but they may need to move a few sections over now. With the departure of Dubois, the Blue Jackets currently have an opening Roslovic will not make his Blue Jackets debut on Tuesday against Florida — a gaping hole, that is — at center ice. at Nationwide Arena — coach John Tortorella said Monday he needs a Max Domi will see more ice time and likely get a chance to roll with Laine few more practices after missing all of training camp — but he could do on the No. 1 line. That’s a big role for Domi, and it might be a little rich, so Thursday at home. And when he does, he’ll be wearing a new sweater but line combinations are an inexact science, to be sure. number: 96. Yep, that’s the number he wore as a kid. Beyond Domi, there is a big question mark on the No. 2 line. Roslovic will “I’m really just excited about the opportunity,” Roslovic said. “It just get a chance to answer it, but he could have competition from Alexandre makes it that much sweeter that it’s in Columbus. I’m super happy to be Texier, who has played at center ice early this season and opened some here. eyes in that spot. “Obviously I grew up here, living here and watching the team play. It’s Mikko Koivu, expected to debut for Columbus on Tuesday, will hold down definitely just an extra cherry on top.” the third- or fourth-line spot, with Riley Nash able to play center or wing in It’s not unusual at all in Canada for home-grown players to dress for the the bottom six. NHL club in their city. You could easily build an all-Toronto lineup of “Roslovic is where the trade hinges for Columbus,” one Western Maple Leafs and an all-Montreal lineup of Canadiens. Conference executive told The Athletic. “Laine and Dubois are different But in the U.S. it’s pretty rare, especially outside the long-time hockey pieces — they’re elite-level players — but you give the edge to Dubois hotbeds. Mike Modano ended his career with his hometown Detroit Red because he’s a centerman, and he’s going to impact the game on both Wings, Chris Chelios was a long-time Chicago Blackhawk and Zach ends. Parise skates today for the Minnesota Wild. “But if the Blue Jackets can get Roslovic going — most think he’s a ‘3’, Roslovic isn’t the first Columbus native to play for the Blue Jackets. New but we have guys who think he can be a ‘2’ — then they’re getting all Albany’s Kole Sherwood reached the NHL in 2018-19, and he and they could ask and more out of this (trade).” Roslovic had career highs last season in almost every major category: goals (12), assists (17), points (29), ice time per game (14:54), shots on goal (117) and more.

He’ll get a chance to blow past all of those numbers with the Blue Jackets.

“Yeah, I’m super motivated. That’s what I’ve wanted. That’s what I’ve always wanted,” Roslovic said. “I’m going to make the most of it, and I’m going to do it for not only myself but for our team and this city.

“It’s really important and I’ve done it before. I’m not gonna shy away from anything.”

Roslovic knows the people will be watching, and he knows he’s in a position now to not only launch his own career but to further launch Columbus as one of the United States’ grassroots hockey hotbeds.

There are currently three NHL players (Roslovic, Kuraly and Murphy), six players (Cole Cassels, Carson Meyer, Justin Richards, Jerad Rosburg, Kiefer Sherwood, Kole Sherwood) and a slew of players with junior clubs and in college programs from the Columbus area.

Roslovic is buddies with most of them, so Friday was a momentous occasion among the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets alums.

But Roslovic’s passion is the kids who are coming up today, the kids who are full of hopes and passion who dream someday of being in the NHL.

When Roslovic was young, Blue Jackets players like Cam Atkinson, , Nick Foligno and others would come by the rink to give the kids pointers and pep talks.

Roslovic made his NHL debut for the Jets on April 6, 2017. Cheveldayoff went out of his way to arrange Roslovic’s debut to be in Columbus, knowing how much that would mean to the player and the denizens of Nationwide Arena.

Who could have imagined, just three years later, that Roslovic would get a chance to play regularly in the same arena?

“That’s what a lot of these kids (in the city) are going to dream about, and to be able to do it … it’s awesome,” Roslovic said. “Like I said, I’m Columbus faithful and I love the fact that Kole is paving the way and Carson is paving the way, all the guys that are here that we skate with on a daily basis in the summer … just the relationships that we’ve formed.

“We couldn’t have done it without this city and without the (AAA) program, and without a lot of the things that are grassrooted here. I really do hope these kids genuinely love the game as much as we do, and I think they do. It’s great to see, and I’d just love to be a part of it and love to be there and be a figure for them.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200526 Dallas Stars This is a simple concept, absolutely, but one that allows bounces to go the Stars’ way.

In two games, the Stars have attempted 39 shots on the power play, Why the Stars’ power play is sizzling early, and how Ty Dellandrea which translates to 129.04 shot attempts per 60 minutes on the power earned Dallas’ trust play, the most in the NHL. Of course, not all of them got through (13 were blocked) and others missed the net (eight), but challenging the penalty kill makes opponents work more, and distorts their coverage scheme.

By Matthew DeFranks4:52 PM on Jan 25, 2021 CST Getting pucks to the net allows skill to take over, like Radulov’s between- the-legs tip or Gurianov’s deflection. It gives Pavelski a chance to make a

savvy play by presenting his skate for a bank pass. It also gives Kiviranta The Stars had to wait longer than any other team for their season to start, a chance for a fluky goal that bounced in off him. but they’ve wasted no time in rocketing up the leaguewide leaderboards Those plays won’t always result in goals, and especially not at the rate after sweeping a two-game series with Nashville over the weekend. the Stars scored over the weekend. But it’s nonetheless a sign of a Dallas has already jumped to fourth place in the Central Division thanks healthy power play that’s dictating the action. to 7-0 and 3-2 wins over the Predators. Its power play leads the league “Right now, they’re feeling it,” Stars coach Rick Bowness said. “With the by scoring on two-thirds of its chances. The Stars have two players with skill level that we’re putting out there, when they’re feeling, they’re at least five points already, and Anton Khudobin carries a .961 save making great plays, clearly. percentage. “And the puck’s going in, which is certainly beneficial. Right now, you can It’s a picture-perfect start on the ice for the Stars — other than injuries to just feel the confidence that they have. They’re moving for each other.” Jamie Benn and Joel Kiviranta, and ’s inclusion on the COVID-19 protocol list. The opening weekend allowed one main thing to Here’s how the eight power play goals broke down by type: jump out: the potency of the power play. Category Goals The Stars have scored eight power play goals through the first two games of the season, a remarkable achievement for a team that was Tip or deflection 4 missing for both games, and Benn for one. In the first two One-timer 3 games, Dallas was twice as likely to score on the power play (eight goals) than it was to come away empty-handed (four times). Rush 1

There are a number of factors that went into the success, but here are a 3. Options entering the offensive zone few. The Stars would like to win the faceoff to begin the power play, but they The power play have been just as successful in entering the zone even after losing the faceoff and retrieving a cleared puck. Klingberg is a big reason why, 1. Player movement within the zone along with Hintz and Gurianov. Power play units often have defined roles for players: This player stands When the Stars collect the puck behind their own net, it’s Klingberg and here and shoots, this player parks in front of the net to bury rebounds. Hintz back there. They play a two-man game of catch before Hintz skates The Stars do have a structure that they try to work within, but the first two up the left wing for a pass as he enters the zone with speed. It’s a play games have proved that player movement within the offensive zone has Hintz and Miro Heiskanen ran often last year, and something that been key in getting different looks. Klingberg now dictates. Joe Pavelski is the greatest example. In the first two games on the power But Hintz is not the only option, not by a long shot. play, he has three goals and three primary assists. Pavelski is one of the best puck-tippers and finishers around the net in the NHL, so surely all of As Hintz is skating up the left side, Gurianov is cutting to the middle at his scoring came from that area, right? the blue line. If the defender goes to Hintz, Klingberg has Gurianov open in the middle of the ice. Sometimes, it even works out that Gurianov is Here’s a map of where his production has come from. fast enough to corral a loose puck that slips past him. A map showing Joe Pavelski's power-play goals and assists in the first “They’re both coming up on their forehands, so I have two options to give two games of the 2020-21 season, with goals in green and primary it to,” Klingberg said. “I’m just trying to read off what their first forechecker assists in blue. is doing, if he’s trying to cut away to Roope or Denis. Eventually, he’s A map showing Joe Pavelski's power-play goals and assists in the first going to have to make a decision there, and he’s going to be standing a two games of the 2020-21 season, with goals in green and primary little bit still. I’m going to try to see who’s more open than the other. If that assists in blue.(Matthew DeFranks) doesn’t work, we have other options too, and drop plays and all that.”

That’s one assist from behind the net, one from the point and one from Okay, but what if the other team picks up Hintz way up ice and doesn’t the neutral zone. He’s scored twice on one-timers from the left circle and even let him get the puck from Klingberg initially — as Erik Haula does in once on a deflection off his skate in front of the crease. this clip? Well, Klingberg has Radulov as an option on a long stretch pass. “I think it always enhances the power play when you have moving parts and you aren’t glued to a spot,” Pavelski said. “We have that Sure, but what if they shadow Hintz and Gurianov through the neutral understanding that sometimes, you’ve just got to get the puck back. We zone, taking away Klingberg’s primary options as he approaches the blue have a lot of guys that have played different spots and you try to get to line? Pavelski is waiting at the boards for an easy entrance. your spots when you can and your sets, but there’s going to be times Even when Nashville packed it in and ceded open ice to Klingberg, he where it’s broken.” took it and carried the puck in himself and allowed the Stars space to set Moving players in the zone helps teams recover loose pucks and retain up their attack. possession, and Dallas is helped by the fact that Pavelski (net-front, The Stars have armed Klingberg with bullets in Hintz and Gurianov, bumper, left circle, point), Alexander Radulov (net-front, right circle) and guaranteed an open man somewhere on the ice, and allowed him to read John Klingberg (point, left circle) are so versatile in their placement in the the play and be the triggerman. Klingberg is one of the best offensive zone. defensemen in the league, and skilled at finding passing lanes, so giving Perhaps Roope Hintz and Denis Gurianov will be one day as well, but him options on the power play has been a smart move by power play Gurianov is a one-timer weapon in the right circle, while Hintz roams the coach Derek Laxdal. left wing to find seam passes. Ty Dellandrea’s first two NHL games 2. Getting traffic and pucks to the net Dellandrea has become a familiar name to Stars fans in the last three years: he was the team’s first-round pick in 2018 at the draft in Dallas, tore up the OHL in his final year there, won gold with Canada at the World Juniors, and is one of the franchise’s top prospects.

He’d played in preseason games, and in the exhibition game in the Edmonton bubble, but made his NHL debut Friday night against Nashville. A natural right-handed, two-way center, Dellandrea shifted to right wing on a line with and Radek Faksa, filling in for Comeau.

“He understands the game, he makes good reads and he skates very, very well,” Bowness said. “He competes very hard. You throw those things together, and you’ve got a pretty disciplined player who’s going to grow and become a very big part of this team moving forward.”

Bowness showed both Friday and Sunday that he trusts Dellandrea an awful lot for a 20-year-old rookie playing in his first NHL regular-season games. Dellandrea was on the penalty kill both games, on the second power play unit Sunday night, took key right-handed faceoffs late in the game, and was on the ice for the final minutes when Nashville pulled its goalie.

On Sunday, in a one-goal game, Dellandrea logged 16:16 of ice time, including four shifts in the final eight minutes. His usage demonstrates that the Stars coaches trust him to be responsible defensively and help close out a win. (For comparison, offensive-minded rookie winger Jason Robertson was on the bench for the last 10:54 of Sunday’s game.)

How did Dellandrea earn trust so quickly?

It started even before his debut this season, as Bowness pointed out that Dellandrea played this role on Team Canada at the WJC in 2019. It carried into training camp, when players credited Dellandrea with ratcheting up the intensity.

And it continues with reading off his teammates to make responsible decisions. In these next clips, Dellandrea notices defensemen Jamie Oleksiak and Miro Heiskanen activating on defense and replaces them at the point.

It’s something that happens tens of times during NHL games, but it still remains important for the style of game the Stars want to play, and it is a small thing that coaches notice when they think about who to trust defensively on the ice. Coaches often talk about players not cheating for offense, and this is an example that allows the Stars to maintain possession and protect against odd-man rushes the other way.

“It’s definitely more thinking, more to prepare and that’s fun,” Dellandrea said. “I’ve noticed being here how there’s a lot of thinking, a lot of tight detail and it’s fun that way. You’re trying to figure out a game and win mentally, physically. There’s a lot more read and react and adjusting, and I like that.”

There are a few other instances of Dellandrea doing this over the weekend, but those clips would be redundant.

Dellandrea has become a regular part of the Stars penalty kill with Seguin and Comeau out (both right-handed forwards who can take faceoffs). When Pavleski needs a breather, Bowness doesn’t hesitate to put Dellandrea at the dot in his own zone.

Blocking shots like this on the penalty kill also draws coaches’ attention.

Dellandrea has also been able to sneak out of his own zone to generate scoring chances on the rush, both at even strength and shorthanded. Not many of the chances were Grade-A ones, but it still shows an ability and awareness to read the play correctly and time his zone exit well.

“The thing with Ty is I think he’s a really conscientious kid,” Cogliano said. “I think he’s a guy that’s accepting of information, and you can tell he has really strong character. When you have a player and a person like that, he’s just going to want to get better. He’s going to learn things very quickly.”

It hasn’t been perfect for Dellandrea in two games, though. At times, the 6-1, 190-pound rookie has been pushed around in front of the net and along the boards. Bowness and the Stars also realize that sometimes, even with the right decision, Dellandrea will get beat simply because of the size, skill and speed of NHL players.

But for a 20-year-old making his NHL debut, it’s been quite the start to the season.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200527 Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings right wing Anthony Mantha checks Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov during the second period Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit Red Wings' Anthony Mantha rips his own performance in 5 of 6 Getting Mantha to play at a high level on a consistent basis has been an games ongoing challenge for several seasons running. At 6-foot-5 and 234 pounds, and with a powerful stride that can back down opponents, Mantha can be a beast. Will he set himself up for a passing grade in Dallas? Helene St. James “I’m someone that’s hard on myself,” Mantha said. “I want to get better.

That’s the mentality I’m going in with. Anthony Mantha’s self-evaluation process is not complicated. It also has "I just need to get my game going and doing what I do best." given him a passing grade this season. The game goes on As the Detroit Red Wings seek to redeem themselves in a two-game series at Dallas after two stinkers in Chicago, Mantha is trying to figure The Wings have five players in the NHL's COVID protocol: Forwards out how he can lead the effort. It could be argued that, at 26 and flush Adam Erne, Robby Fabbri, and Filip Zadina and with a new contract, he should not be ihaving to answer for having just defenseman Jon Merrill. That’s the same number of players out which one goal and a minus-5 rating in six games. But he is after a particularly triggered the original postponement of three games for the Carolina uninspired outing in the second game against the Blackhawks. With two Hurricanes — the Canes have since had a sixth player enter protocol and top-six forwards among their five players in COVID-19 protocol, the had a Tuesday's game also postponed. But so far there has not been a Wings need Mantha playing like the power forward he can be, not disruption to the Wings’ schedule. Blashill said team personnel were in wondering why he is not. touch with the NHL and the Players Association when the group grew to five Jan. 22, and that part of what factors into making a decision on The Detroit Red Wings would like to see more celebrating from Anthony games is containing outbreaks. Mantha (right) and less defensive lapses. “It leads to some inequity, certainly, with some teams playing without a “If I had the answer I would put it in the back of my bag and always be number of players and some teams getting games postponed,” he said. 100% and be the best player I can be,” Mantha said Monday. “I don’t “I’ve not been told exactly how that is determined. There were have an answer.” conversations how to best handle the situation.” He did have an answer, though, when asked how he judges if he has Blashill estimated players will miss 18-21 days. Fabbri and Erne were put played well: “If I am skating, if I am having good shifts in the o-zone, if I in protocol Jan. 18. am not spending too much time in my d-zone, I think it ends up being a good game." Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.26.2021 And how many of those has he had this season? “One,” he said. “The one we won in OT.”

That game, on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Little Caesars Arena, featured a power play goal from Mantha as part of a three-game point streak. Signed during the offseason to a four-year, $22.8 million deal that demonstrates how the Wings value Mantha as part of the rebuild, he is needed for more victory celebrations, and fewer egregious defensive lapses like the one Sunday when he sent a puck to a Blackhawks player, leading to a goal, and failed to engage another 'Hawk at Detroit’s net, resulting in a 4-1 Chicago lead. That goal wasn't entirely on Mantha, though. Vladislav Namestnikov also failed to pressure Patrick Kane.

It’s not like Mantha and Namestnikov don’t know better, so what does a coach do in such cases?

“The way I’ve always looked at it from a coaching perspective is, you want to look out and see your team look like they know what they are doing, look like they are organized, look like they know how to react in different situations,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “There is chaos in games that goes beyond every particular system structure — you can’t say, this is going to happen. That’s where hockey smarts play a big factor.

“Ultimately I thought we were as porous defensively as we have been all season. We gave up too much easy ice. How can I handle that? The best way is to work to correct it and that’s what we worked on – through videos, through meetings individually, and through going on the ice and practicing.”

Namestnikov was brought in to help with secondary scoring, but he has yet to tally a point, despite having chances. Blashill met with both Mantha and Namestnikov in Dallas on Monday and emphasized good habits.

“They both need to produce and certainly a guy like Mantha is relied upon to produce a lot, but I don’t think he should judge his game on a nightly basis solely on points,” Blashill said. “In both cases, we’ve focused more on their play away from the puck being where it needed to be. At times it has been, at times it hasn’t been.

“There are other guys as well to make sure they understand let’s focus on play away from the puck. If you check well, you have the puck way more and you can utilize your skill set. That’s been the message to really the whole team, but certainly those two guys.” 1200528 Detroit Red Wings Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.26.2021

Some glitches, $100,000-plus losses in first weekend of Michigan online sports betting

JC Reindl

The opening weekend for legal online sports betting in Michigan saw many bonus offer redemptions, a few technical glitches and at least a couple $100,000-plus losing bets.

Online sports betting officially went live Friday with 10 different app platforms, each partnered with a Detroit casino or tribal casino within Michigan.

Soon after launch, users reported malfunctions with the BetMGM app belonging to MGM Grand Detroit.

A MGM Grand Detroit representative said Monday that high user traffic resulted in technical issues Friday that were fixed later that day.

American Betting Experts, a New Jersey-based analyst for the sports betting market, reported that because of the glitches, BetMGM users initially had trouble redeeming the app's $200 special offers for free bets.

Yet, overall, a survey of 100 Michigan sports betting players by American Betting Experts found that 81% of respondents found their experiences over the weekend to be "mostly positive."

Large amounts lost

The weekend also saw some losing six-figure bets.

David Portnoy, founder of the popular Barstool Sports website and a University of Michigan alumnus, visited Detroit's Greektown Casino for the launch of the Barstool Sportsbook app in partnership with the casino. Portnoy shared on Twitter that he bet $100,000 on the Pistons winning their game Friday with the Houston Rockets.

He also apparently bet on the Red Wings beating the Chicago Blackhawks.

"I got caught up in the moment. (Keep in mind I'm rich. Always bet responsibly)" he tweeted.

Sadly, the Pistons lost 103-102 and the Red Wings lost 4-1.

"I'm never betting on the Pistons or Wings ever again," Portnoy later tweeted.

An ever bigger loss befell the owners of the Oak Park-based Ooze cannabis accessory supplier and lifestyle brand.

George Sinishtaj, a partner in the business, made a $420,420 bet through Barstool Sportsbook on behalf of the business on the Buffalo Bills beating the Kansas City Chiefs.

George Sinishtaj of Ooze made a $420,420 losing bet on behalf of the cannabis accessory supplier.

The bet also was intended as a philanthropic gesture because the owner of Greektown Casino, Penn National Gaming, has an ownership stake in Barstool Sports and as part of the launch weekend celebration, pledged to match Michigan players' first-time deposits on the Sportsbook app with an equal donation to The Barstool Fund, which gives COVID-19 assistance to small businesses.

The Chiefs ended up beating the Bills 38-24. So even though Ooze lost $420,420 in the bet, the casino's philanthropic match triggered a $420,420 donation to the relief fund. All matched donations from Michigan players are to go toward helping Michigan businesses.

"We made this huge wager because it is truly a win-win situation for us," Sinishtaj, a former professional gambler, said.

“We were astounded when George approached us about coming in to make the bet,” John Drake, general manager of Greektown Casino-Hotel, said in a statement. “His desire to help local Detroit and Michigan business owners who haven’t fared well during this time is admirable and we jumped at the chance to support his bet.” 1200529 Detroit Red Wings Blashill mentioned skating was one reason Mantha began last season so well.

“When he skates he closes ground on people, he forechecks well, he 'I can redeem myself': Red Wings' Anthony Mantha fighting to crawl out tracks well, all those things create situations where he has the puck a lot of early-season slump and when he has the puck, he’s an excellent hockey player,” Blashill said.

“Anthony cares a bunch. He wants to be a great player. It doesn’t always Ted Kulfan manifest itself on the ice, and he’s really big so when he’s not skating he’s an easy target, but he cares a bunch and he wants to be great and I

know he wants to win and wants to play better than this.” Anthony Mantha has a mental checklist of things he needs to do on the Blashill broke apart the Mantha, Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi line in ice, and for Mantha, that checklist determines if he’s had a good game or an effort to spark all three. It has worked with Larkin and Bertuzzi, who not. could be skating together again Tuesday against Dallas. The Wings have had six games this season. How many of those games "I just have to work my way back," Mantha said. "He put us three on has Mantha felt, coming off the ice, he’s had a good game? three different lines and then Bert started playing better and Larks is “One,” said Mantha, during Monday’s Zoom chat with the media. “The playing better and they're back together. So, hopefully, I'll start playing afternoon game against Columbus (Jan. 18), the one we won in better." overtime.” Mantha admits he might be thinking too much on the ice right now. The He has a power-play goal in the 3-2 OT win at Little Caesars Arena. goal is to simplify things to get back to where he was much of last That, in itself, goes a long way to show how much of a frustrating start to season, and in the past. this season it’s been for Mantha. "If I bring it back to simple battles and shots and being involved in plays, “Oh yeah,” Mantha said. “It’s not something that I like, to not be involved things are going to line up for me," Mantha said. and help the team. I’m someone that’s hard on myself and I want to get Red Wings at Dallas Stars better and that’s the mentality I’m going in with. Faceoff: 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, American Airlines Center, Dallas “Today was a good day at practice and it’s fun when we play every other night, so I can redeem myself as quick as (Tuesday) night.” TV/radio: FSD/97.1

In a sluggish start to this season, Sunday’s loss in Chicago was a Outlook: The Red Wings (2-4) visit the Stanley Cup finalist Stars (2-0) personal low point for Mantha. for a two-game series...Dallas got a late start to the season after COVID protocol delays but swept Nashville last weekend...The Wings will An attempted clearing pass landed right on the stick of Chicago continue to be without F's Darren Helm, Sam Gagner, Filip Zadina, defenseman Connor Murphy, who promptly scored late in the second Robby Fabbri, Adam Erne and D Jon Merrill. period. Detroit News LOADED: 01.26.2021 Then in the opening seconds of the third period, Mattias Janmark got inside position on Mantha near the position and converted Patrick Kane’s set up for an easy goal.

From there, Mantha only played one more shift the remaining 19 minutes.

“We’re not going to hide from it, it wasn’t a good game,” said Mantha, who felt many different emotions while sitting and watching. “A little bit of everything. Obviously, I could sit back and be disappointed in myself, but today is a new day and I have to get better on the ice and tomorrow is a new game. I’ll make everything possible in my power not to be sat again this year or in the future.

“I just have to get my game going and do what I do best.”

Mantha has one goal and two assists through six games, with a minus-5 plus-minus rating. The offense hasn’t been there, the impact on games has been limited, and the consistent hard, forceful skating has been largely missing.

“I wish I had the answer,” Mantha said. “I watched clips the last couple of days and I had a meeting with Blash (coach Jeff Blashill). It’s just a matter of getting my feet moving and being intense in battles and everything will line up from there.”

Mantha met with Blashill before Monday’s practice in Dallas.

“He wants to see the Anthony that was playing last year at the start of the season and I want to see that guy come back ASAP,” Mantha said. “It was just to be a little more physical, stopping on pucks and winning those one-on-one battles, and like we said, skating during the game.”

Blashill has been steadfast in saying Mantha needs to consistently skate and keep moving his feet.

But this time, Blashill made a point of telling Mantha (and Vladislav Namestinikov, who is also struggling offensively) not to look at points so much.

Blashill wants both players to focus on their games away from the puck, and many times offense comes from being in the right spots defensively and doing the correct things on the defensive end. 1200530 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings’ Anthony Mantha: ‘I need to get my game going’

Updated 7:08 PM; Today 7:05 PM

By Ansar Khan

Detroit Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha had a lot of time to think while watching nearly the entire third period Sunday from the bench following a pair of mistakes that led to goals for Chicago.

It has been a rough start for Mantha. By his own admission, he has played well in only one of six games. He hasn’t resembled the player that got off to a strong start in 2019-20, the player the team expected to see after signing to a four-year, $22.8 million contract in November.

“I could sit back and be disappointed in myself, (but) today is a new day,” Mantha said Monday, after practice in Dallas. “I have to get better on the ice, and tomorrow is a new game, so I’ll (do) everything in my power not to be sat again this year or in the future. I just need to get my game going and doing what I do best.”

What he does best is score goals. He had six goals and 10 points through seven games a season ago. This year, he has one goal and two assists in six games.

But it’s not just about stats. Mantha has not been as engaged, physically or mentally, and has not been moving his feet like he should.

“Mantha is relied upon to produce a lot, but I don’t think he should judge his game on a nightly basis just on points because I think you can get points and not be a winning hockey player and you can not get points and be a winning hockey player,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “We’ve focused on their play away from the puck being where it needed it to be. If you check well, you have the puck way more. That’s been the message.”

Mantha said he watched clips of his play the past couple of days and met with Blashill.

“I think it’s just a matter of getting my feet moving again, being intense in battles, and everything is going to line-up from there,” Mantha said.

“If I’m skating, if I’m having good shifts in the O-zone, if I’m not spending too much time in the D-zone, it ends up being a good game. Be a little bit more physical, stopping on pucks a little more, winning those one-on-one battles.”

Mantha said he has spoken with teammates Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi and Frans Nielsen.

“I’m someone that’s hard on myself. I want to get better,” Mantha said. “Today was a good day at practice. We play every other night, so I can redeem myself as quick as tomorrow night.”

Coming off two disappointing efforts in losses at Chicago, the Red Wings (2-4-0) face a tough set of games in Dallas (2-0-0) Tuesday and Thursday.

Mantha scored all four goals in the Red Wings’ 4-3 victory over the Stars in last season’s home-opener.

“I thought Anthony a year ago started the year really skating and when he skates and he stops he’s a great player,” Blashill said. “When he skates, he closes ground on people, he forechecks well, he tracks well. All those things create situations where he has the puck a lot. And when he has the puck a lot, he’s an excellent player. He’s 6-foot-5, he can move well, he’s got good hands, he can pass, he can shoot.

“He was able to play a long time and have great success without having to move a lot. He could basically stand still and dominate the Quebec Major Junior League. Over a period of years, he’s worked hard to break those habits and replace them with new ones.

“He’s really big, so when he’s not skating, he’s an easy target, but I think he cares a bunch, he wants to be great, and I know he wants to win, and he wants to play better than this. I believe he will play better than this starting tomorrow night.”

Michigan Live LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200531

Oil Spills: In Mikko the Oilers have to trust

Craig Ellingson

Publishing date:Jan 23, 2021 • 9 hours ago •

Mikko Koskinen is the Edmonton Oilers’ one and only No. 1 goalie — and probably the only one who’ll log playing time short of injury or a blowout — for the time being.

That wasn’t the plan coming out of the team’s short training camp at the start of January. Mike Smith was put on long-term injury reserve with an undisclosed ailment on the eve of puck-drop. He’s out of the Oilers lineup until early February at best.

And the man tagged to be their No. 3 ‘tender, Alex Forsberg, in this pandemic-shortened campaign was plucked off waivers. In his place comes Troy Groesnick, who was claimed off waivers by the Oilers but who now has to clear COVID-19 protocol. He has two NHL games to his credit.

Prospects Stuart Skinner and Oliver Rodrigue have yet to darken the net in a regular-season NHL game.

So it’s not really a question of can Koskien shoulder the load. He has to.

In this video, I talk to NHL beat writers Jim Matheson and Derek Van Diest about Koskinen and the Oilers’ goaltending situation sans Smith.

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200532 Edmonton Oilers “I’ve seen it go both ways,” said McDavid. “I’ve seen it generate momentum and I’ve seen letdowns afterward. We want to make sure we’re building off it. I think we can expect a much more energized Jets team. They’re going to bring their A game and we have to match that.” Puljujarvi and Oilers need a repeat performance against the Jets GOOD CATCH

Can you give an assist on an opposition goal that gets taken off the Robert Tychkowski board? If so, goalie Mikko Koskinen gets one for pushing for a challenge on what would have been Winnipeg’s second goal Sunday. Publishing date:Jan 26, 2021 • 8 hours ago • “I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to count,” he said of a goal made

possible by Andrew Copp tapping Koskinen’s hand. “But you never The difference between a good golfer and somebody who can hit a good know, sometimes the (replay) angle might not be the best or they make golf shot is simple: The good golfer can do it again. the wrong call, but I was sure that they were not going to count that.

And again, and again, and again … “It was a huge call, 2-0 (and being shorthanded) would be a lot worse than 1-0 at the end of the first period.” Being able to lock in the muscle memory and deliver consistent results is going to be a key to survival for both Jesse Puljujarvi and the Edmonton Tuesday against the Jets makes eight-straight games for Koskinen, who Oilers as they look to build on Sunday’s clutch performance against the seems to be holding up to a schedule that was thrust upon him at the last Winnipeg Jets. minute by Mike Smith’s injury in the first week.

For Puljujarvi, it’s about showing that Sunday’s breakout effort is going to “He’s been really solid in there,” said Tippett. “We’re going to try and get be the norm, not the exception. him as much rest as we can between games but he’s our guy right now. He’s taken the ball and run with it. We just need him to give us a chance In his first full game on the first line, the 22-year-old winger responded by to win ever night and he’s done that.” pulling more than his share of the load in a dramatic last-second victory. He forechecked hard, battled in front of the net, drew a key penalty, Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.26.2021 chipped in an assist and gave everyone reason to believe he might really be a different player than the one who couldn’t seem to make anything break his way the first time around.

“He’s definitely different,” said new linemate Connor McDavid. “He’s adapted a little more of a grind in his game, cutting to the inside and not waiting on the outside to get the puck.

“His forechecking has been unbelievable. He’s moving great. I really liked his game; it was probably one of the best games I’ve ever seen him play. I really liked what he was doing out there, hopefully he can grow on that.”

That’s the key. The difference between being a good player and someone who can play a good game is being able to deliver another 45 or so just like it.

But Puljujarvi needed something good to happen early and, to his credit, he went out and made sure it did.

“Confidence is huge, especially for him,” said McDavid. “I’ve seen him play with confidence and I’ve seen him play without it and he’s so much better when he’s got it going on.

“It would be nice to see him bang one in, that would help with his confidence even further, but I’ve liked what he’s done overall.”

Head coach Dave Tippett is crossing his fingers we are watching the birth and growth of a future impact player.

Trying to find the right linemates in the top six has been an ongoing challenge in Edmonton. You can’t put Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with Leon Draisiaitl and Kailer Yamamoto without leaving McDavid hung out to dry. If Puljujarvi can fit into a top-six role over the long haul, providing the same kind of unexpected spark Yamamoto did midway through last season, it would be an enormous weapon.

Finally, it seems like he’s in the right place at the right time.

“On loose pucks, around the puck a lot, there are some similarities for sure,” said Tippett. “He played a strong game because he was relentless on the pucks, doing a lot of the same things we talk about Yamamoto doing all the time, creating loose pucks and giving the line a real workmanlike attitude.

“If (his linenates) can come up with pucks, they can make things happen around the offensive net. It was a strong game, let’s hope he can continue to push up there.”

Same goes for the Oilers as a whole. Heading into the eighth game of the season looking to win two in a row for the first time, they, like Puljujarvi, need to show the consistency and muscle memory of a good team, not just a team that can play good games.

Scoring the tying and winning goals at 16:55 and 19:97 of the third period to beat Winnipeg is a big boost. Whether they can carry that into the rematch Tuesday remains to be seen. You never know with the Oilers. 1200533 Edmonton Oilers So, no declarations ought to be made about this team until they at least win two games in a row for the first time this season, or win one of these two-game series for the first time.

JONES: Puljujarvi stepping up as Oilers still looking for back-to-back It may have been a two-thirds-of-one-night illusion, but there were a lot of wins up arrows involved with Dave Tippett’s team as they took their three-win, four-loss record back to the hotel for another two days of portable bubble quarantine existence before heading home.

Terry Jones And, yes, you can remain unconvinced about the goaltending, the defence and the bottom six to varying degrees as certain young players Publishing date:Jan 25, 2021 • 13 hours ago • develop and recently acquired veteran players embrace their roles.

Watching Draisaitl and McDavid combine in the clutch is nothing new, of The suspicion is this could be The Game. course. And they have moved themselves back near the top of the NHL scoring race. The suspicion is this could be the night the Edmonton Oilers made the commitment to move forward to compete at the top of this once-in-a- The way Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kailer Yamamoto are performing as lifetime group of seven north-of-the-border teams playing against each supporting stars is not to be understated, even if it will always be other every single time through a 56-game schedule. understated until this team starts being an annual contender.

But read the words. But the thing about Sunday night was Jesse Puljujarvi’s name could be added to that of Nugent-Hopkins and Yamamoto. ‘Suspicion’. And ‘could’. We’ll wait and watch on that. But the player who looked like he had a 10- The Oilers have won one in a row. They have yet to win a two-game cent head to go with his million-dollar talent when he left town after his series. first tour as an Oiler, this night, definitely looked like he’d grabbed a brain on his self-imposed exile back in . What will be remembered from Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets was a team coming together after a failure to fire in the first period, to If Sunday turns out to have been a key win for this team this season, let have a dominant second period followed by a fabulous finish. the record show that Puljujarvi played a significant part in producing it.

Leon Draisaitl’s winner at 59:59.56 — the latest goal to win a game in Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.26.2021 franchise history — set up by Connor McDavid with Jesse Puljuvarvi not insignificantly parked in front of the net, was historic.

But it says here what should be remembered as well was the Oilers left Bell MTS Place looking up instead of down.

You see, one thing doesn’t change with this shortened season in this so- far wonderful Canadian division.

Four teams from each division still make the playoffs. And this year, in the newly constructed Scotia North, three teams will miss the playoffs.

So, Job 1, 2 and 3 is to finish ahead of three teams.

A dozen days into the season, you can start to identify the teams to target to make sure to keep behind you in order to survive and go on to play a Canadian team in the first round of the playoffs with a chance to advance against another Canadian team in the second round.

When they turned the cameras off Saturday night, following losses, two of the teams to target were the seriously struggling Vancouver Canucks and the predictably powerless .

If the Oilers had lost Sunday, Edmonton would have joined them as the third team for the other four Canadian franchises to keep in their rearview mirrors to preserve playoff positioning.

The Oilers, if they can return to duplicate Sunday’s result Tuesday in Winnipeg and then return to Rogers Place and replicate it again in a second two-game set against the Toronto Maple Leafs, will have avoided the early season crisis the Canucks are dealing with in Vancouver. And four of Edmonton’s following five games are against Ottawa.

But it was only one game, albeit one wonderful game with the way the Oilers showed their stuff in the sandwich session and the way they refused to concede even an overtime loser point as the clock clicked down.

The Oilers were playing a team that was missing traded-away star Patrik Laine and/or cross-border quarantined replacement star Pierre-Luc Dubois, depending on how you view the trade with Columbus. The Jets were also a team playing the second game of a back-to-back set and their third game in four days.

The Jets battled back from a second period dominated by the Oilers to turn a 2-1 game into what looked like a 3-2 win, and ended up as a 4-3 loss with 0:04 left.

Fans in Edmonton could very easily have woken up Monday morning commiserating with fans in Vancouver, where the Canucks have opened by chasing this significant season with a 2-5 record. 1200534 Edmonton Oilers Yamamoto got one past Brossoit with three minutes left off a McDavid pass for his sixth point in seven games to tie it 3-3 in a wild last six minutes, and would have had a second goal but Nathan Beaulieu cleared one off the line in the middle period. 'Jesse has all the tools': Oilers' Puljujarvi a force against the Jets Oilers coach Dave Tippett had Zack Kassian, who set up Turris for his first-ever Oilers goal, on the right side with McDavid but late in Friday’s loss to Toronto, he slipped Puljujarvi there. And he kept him there for 17 Jim Matheson • Publishing date:Jan 25, 2021 • 16 hours ago ½ minutes.

“Real good start for Jesse on that line,” said Tippett. On Saturday, we had reams of newspaper copy, TV diatribe and Twitter He wants to see more like all coaches, but there was a smile under his analysis when the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NHL draft Patrick Laine was mask. swapped for the No. 3 Pierre-Luc Dubois. “Big strong guy and he wants the puck, battles in front of the net. He On Sunday, the No. 4 kid Jesse Puljujarvi spoke up. played the same way he’d been playing with Turris. But I’ve been really, “Hey, what about me?” really pleased with Jesse since the first day of camp. His work ethic and how he’s hounding puck, that’s what we’re hoping to see. He wants to be Yeah, how about Puljujarvi? a really good player,” said Tippett.

In possibly his best-ever Edmonton Oilers game, after so many struggles, “And he’s moving in that direction in a hurry.” Puljujarvi found himself on right-wing on the No. 1 line with Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in Winnipeg and he was good to the ‘I’m just trying to work hard’ very last drop. After the first six games with Kyle Turris on the third line, Puljujarvi has been in the slow NHL lane compared to Laine and Dubois, where he dug in, went up and down his wing, stopping, starting, playing a but maybe this was his coming-out party. In the past, he didn’t seem that North-American game, Puljujarvi was a huge part of the Oilers stirring 4-3 strong on his skates and people knocked him over. Not this year, so far. win over the Winnipeg Jets Sunday. He carved his way to the blue-paint, shift after shift, with Brossoit looking He didn’t just stand around and watch the big names on the marquee. at his face.

He was more than just a supporting actor. He stole some of the scenes. “You get older, you get the power you need to play with. You play with Connor and Nuge, somebody has to go to the net,” said Puljujarvi. He helped set up Nugent-Hopkins’ goal early in the second, appearing to bang the back of RNH’s stick as he swept it past Laurent Brossoit to get “I’m just trying to work hard and help them…really nice to play with the Oilers back in the game after Turris said “we played like crap in the them.” first.” Then, there he was in the last seconds, with McDavid, Leon “Pretty happy to play in the best league in the world.” Draisaitl, and Nugent-Hopkins, as Draisaitl beat Brossoit with 7/10ths of second left. In Finland, when you would see Puljujarvi score last season, the goals seem to be coming from shots off the wing, where he had time and, as Puljujarvi, with a team-high six shots, was in the crease as Drasaitl’s shot they say, space. In his early days this season, he’s always around the skipped by Brossoit. He didn’t get an assist on the play but he was blue-paint. Playing different. “Smaller ice here, not much room. I’m a big providing heavy shade. guy, you have to change your game.” ‘The sky’s the limit with Jesse’ The last-second goal came just after the powerplay expired after Jets We’ll have to see this Tuesday in the rematch, and this weekend when Dylan DeMelo was called for high-sticking Puljujarvi. Darnell the Maple Leafs are at Rogers Place and next month before we are Nurse was on the point rather than Tyson Barrie, a wrinkle that started on completely sold, but maybe, just maybe, this is what everybody saw in the first one they had in the second period where they had five shots on Puljujarvi, now 22, when he was a junior in Finland. The big chassis, the the first unit, even if they didn’t score. long strides, the ability to intersect puck with net for good results. “Wanted to put a left-hander there instead of a right (newcomer Barrie) to “You don’t get drafted fourth overall in a pretty solid draft if you don’t see if we could come up with some stuff,” said Tippett, who had Oscar have skill and you can’t play. That doesn’t happen, or usually it doesn’t,” Klefbom running things from the back last year. said Draisaitl, who was picked third in 2014 and wasn’t an overnight This ‘n that: Tippett said Mike Smith (long-term injury), out with a leg success, going back to junior in Kelowna, and then getting faster after a issue is skating back home but won’t be back for another few summer of retraining his body from strength work to quickness. weeks…Gaetan Haas (COVID protocol) is skating hard but Tippett says “Jesse has all the tools. Sometimes guys take longer, guys aren’t ready he won’t play this upcoming week. at 18 or 19 or 20. Takes them longer and that’s OK. Everybody goes their Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.26.2021 own way. He’s really starting to understand how he needs to play and to be productive,” said Draisaitl.

“To be honest with you, the sky’s the limit with Jesse. He’s big and he’s strong and he can make plays. I can go on and on. We’re pretty happy to have him back.’”

He certainly looks like a different kid from the one who returned to Finland in 2019, bummed at his play and how he was being used. He’s coming back more diligent, with better English so he fits in better with his teammates, a stronger mindset and a tougher hide. He hasn’t scored yet, with the team now 3-4. But along with Kailer Yamamoto, he’s giving the organization hope that it’s just not McDavid and Draisaitl and Nugent- Hopkins, and where’s the rest of the cavalry?

"His work ethic & hounding pucks was what we were hoping to see. That's a real good start for him on that line."

“It’s maturity, strength, confidence, it’s everything with Jesse,” said Draisaitl.

“Good teams have (young) guys pushing for spots (Jesse and Yamamoto), pushing players up or down the lineup. We’re fortunate to have them both.” 1200535 Florida Panthers games after dropping its first two in regulation against the Nashville Predators.

The Blue Jackets also sent ripples around the NHL with the first Florida Panthers would ‘rather play than practice.’ They’re about to start blockbuster trade of the season, sending center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the playing a lot Winnipeg Jets for Patrik Laine.

Laine, 22, is quickly becoming one of the NHL’s top young forwards. He already has 250 career points (140 goals, 110 assists) in four seasons. BY JORDAN MCPHERSON It’s uncertain if Laine will play Tuesday, however, since he needs to get a working visa to play in the United States and will need to clear the JANUARY 25, 2021 12:01 PM, COVID protocol.

Even if the Panthers don’t see Laine in this set with Columbus, there’s They spent another hour on the ice, another practice to pass the time as still six more matchups this season with the Blue Jackets. they wait to return to their regularly scheduled season that was paused “Laine can score with the best of them in the game,” Quenneville said. due to no fault of their own. “We look forward to the challenge of trying to prevent him. He’s kind of But not long after they finished at the BB&T Center on Monday, the one of those key guys on the power play they look to set up and has one Florida Panthers were on their way to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood of the elite shots like [Alex] Ovechkin. We’ll look forward to that challenge International Airport. and we’ll see how it all plays out.”

Game action is once again on the horizon. THIS AND THAT

After going six days without a game due to the latest round of ▪ Sergei Bobrovsky will start in net Tuesday for the Panthers. postponements, the Panthers (2-0-0) resume their season Tuesday ▪ Defenseman Markus Nutivaara, who still holds a nonroster designation, against the Columbus Blue Jackets (2-2-2) at Nationwide Arena. is traveling with the team and is questionable for Tuesday. It is expected “They’d rather play than practice,” Panthers coach Joel Quenneville said. that he will be added to the Panthers’ active roster before Tuesday.

And the Panthers will play. A lot. Miami Herald LOADED: 01.26.2021

Their already jam-packed schedule got even more condensed when the NHL rescheduled their two postponed games against the Carolina Hurricanes from last week for Feb. 17 and March 7. Their road game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 16 was moved up one day to Feb. 15.

Because of early season postponements due to opponent COVID-19 issues — first the Dallas Stars, then the Carolina Hurricanes — the Panthers are set to play 54 games within 103 days after playing just two games in the first 13 days of the regular season.

It starts with four games on the road over the next six days — two against Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday and Thursday and then a back-to- back against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday and Sunday.

The Panthers’ schedule in February: 14 games in a 24-day stretch.

Just six times will they have more than one day off between games. They also have eight back-to-backs. This includes two with travel involved: The Panthers play at the Nashville Predators on March 6 and at Carolina on March 7 in the middle of a five-game, three-city road trip and also host the Chicago Blackhawks on March 15 before traveling to play the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 16 to split up what was originally a four-game homestand.

“Days off are going to be at a premium as we go along, as will being rested and keeping ourselves as fresh as possible,” Quenneville said. “Morning skates might be going away as you go along in the year as well, so there’s a lot of different things we can do to stay fresh.”

But don’t look to the Panthers to make any excuses as they embark on this schedule. They knew changes would likely come as the NHL plays its season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Ask veteran defenseman Aaron Ekblad: “It’s adapt and be successful or die. That’s the way it goes. We don’t want to die as a team here, we want to be malleable in situations like this and really just find a way to succeed no matter what.”

Or defenseman Anton Stralman: “It is what it is. It’s out of our control and we just have to deal with it on a day-to-day basis. That’s really all you can do. You can’t put a lot of focus on it. You just have to move on and have fun. I think everybody’s excited to be back playing hockey and if a few games here and there are going to be postponed or whatever, so be it.”

Or winger Patric Hornqvist: “We can’t really control it, so why spend energy on it? That’s my approach to life. If you can’t control it, don’t worry about it. Just focus on the next day.”

The next day brings the Panthers to Columbus for two games against the Blue Jackets. Columbus has picked up points in each of its past four 1200536 Florida Panthers March 7: At Carolina, 5 March 9: At Columbus, 7

March 11: At Columbus, 7 Florida Panthers 2021 NHL schedule changes — again March 13: Chicago, 7

March 15: Chicago, 7 Published 16 hours ago on January 25, 2021By George Richards March 16: At Tampa Bay, 7

March 18: Nashville, 7 The Florida Panthers’ ever-changing 2021 schedule got tweaked a bit once more on Monday as the NHL made three changes to accommodate March 20: Nashville, 7 two games against Carolina which had to be postponed because of a COVID-19 breakout among the Hurricanes. March 27: At Dallas, 8

Florida already had two other games changed because its opening series March 28: At Dallas, 6 against Dallas was postponed. March 30: Detroit, 7

On Monday, the league announced that the two games against Carolina April 1: Detroit, 7 — which were to be played last week — will be made up and force he Panthers to make an additional trip to Raleigh. April 3: Columbus, 7

The game originally scheduled for Jan. 21 will now be played at PNC April 4: Columbus, 5 Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 17. April 6: At Carolina, 7 The game which was to be played this past Saturday will now be held on Sunday, March 7. April 8: At Carolina, 7

Get an all-access pass to the Florida Panthers with a subscription to April 10: At Dallas, 2 Florida Hockey Now today! April 13: At Dallas, 8:30

Because the Panthers will now be going to Carolina on Feb. 17, their April 15: At Tampa Bay, 7 game at Tampa Bay which was to be held on Feb. 16 will be moved up a day to Feb. 15. April 17: At Tampa Bay, 7

The Panthers, which have only played two games thus far, continue their April 19: Columbus, 7 2021 schedule Tuesday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. April 20: Columbus, 7 They hope. April 22: Carolina, 7 Florida Panthers 2021 revised schedule April 24: Carolina, 7 Games in italics have been modified by the NHL April 26: At Nashville, 8 Jan. 17 : Chicago, 7 (5-2 win) April 27: At Nashville, 8 Jan. 19: Chicago, 7 (5-4 OT win) April 29: At Chicago, 8 Jan. 26: At Columbus, 7 May 1: At Chicago, 8 Jan. 28: At Columbus, 7 May 3: Dallas, 7 Jan. 30: At Detroit, 7 May 6: Tampa Bay, 7 Jan. 31: At Detroit, 5 May 8: Tampa Bay, 7 Feb. 4: Nashville, 7 Florida Hockey NowLOADED: 01.26.2021 Feb. 5: Nashville, 7

Feb. 7: Detroit, 3

Feb. 9: Detroit, 7

Feb. 11: Tampa Bay, 7

Feb. 13: Tampa Bay, 7

Feb. 15: At Tampa Bay, 7

Feb. 17: At Carolina, 5

Feb. 19: At Detroit, 7

Feb. 20: At Detroit, 5

Feb. 22: Dallas, 7

Feb. 24: Dallas, 5

Feb. 25: Dallas, 7

Feb. 27: Carolina, 7

March 1: Carolina, 7

March 4: At Nashville, 8

March 6: At Nashville, 2 1200537 Florida Panthers

Former Blue Jackets return to Columbus as Florida Panthers hit the road

Published 21 hours ago on January 25, 2021By George Richards

Bill Zito did not mean to turn the Florida Panthers into the Columbus Blue Jackets South, it just sort of worked out that way.

Tuesday night, the Panthers are scheduled to play in Columbus for the first time this season.

For two new members of the Panthers — not including Zito — it will be their first time inside Nationwide Arena since leaving the Blue Jackets.

Two others, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and right wing Anthony Duclair, have already had their Columbus homecoming.

Florida Hockey NowLOADED: 01.26.2021 1200538 Los Angeles Kings “He just carries himself a little bit different,” McLellan said of Kempe, 24. “Maybe going from a young man to an older man and accepting some leadership has been a good thing for him.”

Anze Kopitar continues hot start: Five takeaways from Kings’ win over As a result, Kempe was the first player McLellan turned to last week Blues when he decided to shake up his top line, sticking the left winger next to Kopitar and Alex Iafallo. In the three games since, the trio has been on the ice for six of the Kings’ last 10 goals (excluding empty-netters) with Kempe either scoring or assisting on five of them. By JACK HARRIS “Last year I’m not sure he was ready to play there full time,” McLellan JAN. 25, 20218 AM said Saturday of putting Kempe with the first line. “This year we were a little hesitant to move him there just because of that fact, but ... I think he’s ready to accept that responsibility a little bit more than maybe he No matter how often he gets asked about Anze Kopitar, Kings coach had in the past.” Todd McLellan doubts his answer will ever fundamentally change. Echoed Kopitar: “He’s got the hot hand. He’s been like that in the past, “I can basically tell you tonight what I’m probably going to tell you where he went into spurts where he was one of the best, if not the best, tomorrow, and then the next game and the next game,” McLellan said of player on the ice. Now we’re trying to get him the puck as much as we the Kings captain, who tallied a goal and two assists in a 6-3 win Sunday can and hopefully he can stay consistent.” night against the St. Louis Blues. Quick continues strong start “Kopi is so consistent in the things that he does.” Before the Kings surged in front Sunday night, they allowed a succession Six games into the season, Kopitar’s 10 points (one goal, nine assists) of odd-man rushes against goalie Jonathan Quick over the first 15 are tied with Toronto’s Mitchell Marner and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid minutes. Quick, however, only allowed one to get past him, at one point for the NHL scoring lead. Averaging more than 23 minutes of ice time per even denying the Blues on a four-on-one break to help keep the Kings in night, he’s been the main catalyst behind the Kings’ 2-2-2 start. the game.

“He commits to both ends of the rink,” McLellan said. “I think there’s “Quickie was there for us again,” said McLellan, whose squad went on to some great offensive players that cheat to get their offense and, as a score five unanswered goals after Quick’s early heroics. “We needed result, it hurts the team. That’s never the way Kopi’s played and I don’t that.” think he’ll ever finish his career cheating.” Three days removed from his 35th birthday, Quick’s .898 save Case in point: Kopitar cemented the Kings’ victory Sunday by setting up percentage and 3.15 goals against average belies the quality of his first their fifth goal from his own zone. After helping kill off a four games — all of which have seen the Kings earn at least one point. penalty, the 33-year-old center won a puck battle in the corner and fired a long stretch to Andersson as he came out of the box, springing a “I’m seeing the same old Johnny,” Kopitar said. “I do think maybe the breakaway goal that helped the team earn an impressive series split extended [off-season] gave him time to kind of get all those little teeny- against the Blues. tiny injuries out of the way and really get prepared for the season. He’s looked great so far.” “He sets the tone,” McLellan said, “and when you play the right way, you often get rewarded.” Maatta scratched twice

So far, the Kings have been reaping the benefits of Kopitar’s strong start Olli Maatta’s introduction to the Kings hasn’t gone to plan, as the former too. Here are five more takeaways from their trip to St. Louis: back-to-back Stanley Cup champion became a back-to-back healthy scratch in both games against the Blues this weekend. Kopitar an ‘extension of staff’ “He’s going to be a very good player for us moving forward,” McLellan Kopitar deflected the praise when asked about his early season spot atop said Saturday of Maatta, an eight-year NHL veteran the Kings acquired in the NHL’s points leaderboard. an offseason trade. “He’s had a bit of a tough time adjusting to a new partner, new environment, new system. It’s never easy coming over as a “Of course it’s nice to see,” he said, “but let’s rack up some wins and then new player, especially in this type of season or circumstances, so we’ve we’ll focus on the individual stuff.” got to get him reset and up and running so that he’s playing to his It was the type of quiet leadership McLellan referenced Saturday night, capabilities.” after Kopitar recorded two points in the Kings’ 4-2 loss to the Blues: “For Playing primarily with Drew Doughty in the opening week, Maatta me, he’s an extension of the [coaching] staff. He understands how we recorded a minus-one with no points in the season’s first four games and want to play. He attempts to play the right way all the time. … He appeared to be partially at fault on several defensive zone breakdowns provides great leadership for the group. There’s a lot of nights we can that led to opponents’ goals. In his absence, rookie Mikey Anderson count on him.” joined Doughty on the top defense pairing while Kurtis MacDermid was TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 8: Former Leafs Captain George reinserted on the third pair. Armstrong waves to the crowd beside. First road trip Kopitar has multiple points in four of the first six games and finally Despite stringent social distancing protocols and a mostly empty registered his first goal Sunday, deflecting the eventual game-winner into Enterprise Center in St. Louis, the Kings said their first road trip of this the net off an Adrian Kempe wrist shot in the second period. This year is pandemic-altered season wasn’t too much of an adjustment. only the third time in his career Kopitar has reached double-digit points in the opening half-dozen games of a season. McLellan thought it helped that Los Angeles County is already one of the strictest places in the country when it comes to COVID-19 restrictions, “I feel good on the ice,” Kopitar said. “I’m seeing the ice pretty well. I still making some of the NHL’s travel rules — which include guidelines for think there’s room for improvement in certain areas. So keep on working everything from seating arrangements on flights to limitations on activities on it and hopefully get better.” outside team hotels — seem almost routine. Kempe making a leap “We’re being as careful as we can,” McLellan said. “The players have all The Kings’ extended 10-month off-season gave each of their players been informed. We had one big long meeting one day, we were probably extra time to hone in on specific areas of their game. on Zoom calls for an hour, hour and 10 minutes, going through all of this. And then they get reminders prior to road trips of what’s acceptable, what In Kempe’s case, the improvements were twofold. He worked on his isn’t.” shot, developing a quicker release that has paid off with three early- season goals. He also matured mentally, quickly proving to McLellan that The experience of playing as the away team wasn’t altered in the he was ready to become a bigger factor in the Kings lineup in his fifth extreme either. NHL season. “Obviously the momentum of the fans and the energy in the building isn’t there,” McLellan said. “The [line] matches and the ability for last change, that certainly still works into the home team’s favor. But other than that, I don’t know if there’ll be a big swing one way or the other.”

LA Times: LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200539 Los Angeles Kings

Kings look forward to rematch with Wild after 2 disappointing losses to open season

By ANDREW KNOLL |PUBLISHED: January 25, 2021 at 2:39 p.m. | UPDATED: January 25, 2021 at 2:46 p.m.

In a season filled with rematches, it seems fitting that the Kings’ first would be against the Minnesota Wild, to whom they lost a pair of deflating overtime games in which the Kings had led by two goals.

They will visit Minnesota Tuesday and Thursday, meeting for the first time since their season-opening OT losses.

Since then, both teams have gone 2-2-0, splitting their two subsequent series. The Kings turned in a mostly stellar performance Sunday, battering the St. Louis Blues 6-3. It was a major step forward for the Kings, who have gone from 30th in the league in goals per game last season to being tied for seventh in 2021.

“It’s hard to score in the NHL, but I think we have a little more depth. I also think that we are more familiar with the tactics or the structure that we want to play with,” Kings Coach Todd McLellan said.

Forward Adrian Kempe has factored into that success. He had a three- game goal streak that could easily stand at six games if not for some puck luck and the scrutiny of the official scorers. In each of the three games he did not record a goal, he had one taken away by a scoring change.

“He’s got the hot hand. He’s been like that in the past where he went into spurts where he was one of the best if not the best players on the ice,” team captain Anze Kopitar said. “Now, we’re trying to get him the puck as much as we can and hopefully, he can stay consistent for us.”

Few have had a hotter hand than Kopitar, who entered Monday’s games tied with Edmonton center Connor McDavid and Toronto forward Mitch Marner for the NHL lead in points.

“He commits to both ends of the rink and that allows him to be good at both,” McLellan said. “There’s some great offensive players that cheat to get their offense and as a result, it hurts the team. That’s never the way Kopi has played “

In net, Jonathan Quick has earned points in each of his past 10 starts dating back to last season, posting a 7-0-3 mark. He has shown the lower-body power and athleticism that have been his trademarks for more than a decade.

“I’m seeing the same old Johnny. I do think maybe this extended period of time gave him time to get all those little teeny tiny injuries out of the way and really get prepared for the season. He’s looked great so far.”

On defense, rookie Mikey Anderson seems to have firmly entrenched himself on the Kings’ top pairing, while Olli Maatta has been a healthy scratch for the past two games.

Minnesota features its own impact rookie, winger Kirill Kaprizov. He leads the Wild in points and was tied for the rookie lead in both points and assists entering Monday’s games. He eviscerated the Kings in their opener, notching three points and netting the overtime game-winner. He added an assist in the second game. The checking line of Marcus Foligno, Jordan Greenway and Joel Eriksson Ek has provided a physical presence and combined for 12 points, more than either of the Wild’s top two lines.

Kings at Minnesota

When: 5 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday

Where: Xcel Energy Center (no in-person attendance).

TV/Radio: Fox Sports West/iHeartRadio

Orange County Register: LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200540 Los Angeles Kings (Toronto) for the NHL’s scoring lead, with 10 points, and is the league- leader with nine assists, two more than 24-year-old Jack Eichel (Buffalo). Kopitar, who had a goal and two assists Sunday, has played six games, one fewer than Marner and McDavid. Kings notes: Finding the best lineup, Anze Kopitar’s scoring, Quinton Byfield’s injury and more Think about it:

Kopitar is nine years older than McDavid and Eichel and 10 years older than Marner. Naturally, he was his typical low-key self about an individual By Lisa Dillman Jan 25, 2021 accolade, saying: “Of course it’s nice to see, but let’s rack up some wins and then we’ll see and focus on the individual stuff.”

In six games, Kopitar has been held without a point just once, against the When it comes to roster management, oftentimes the best move is no Minnesota Wild on Jan. 16. Now he didn’t exactly get off to a slow start move at all. last season — eight points in his first six games — but Kopitar looks as After Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Blues, there were a variety of possible though he has benefited from the extended break and the ability to take changes sitting in front of head coach Todd McLellan for another game in more time to train. St. Louis less than 24 hours later. The easiest thing in the world would What Kings coaches — from Marc Crawford to McLellan and everyone in have been to tweak the lines or make someone an example as a healthy between — appreciate is Kopitar’s consistency and commitment to a scratch, especially in this season with a hard-working taxi squad giving 200-foot game. him more options than ever. “I could basically tell you tonight what I’m probably going to tell you This time, status quo was the answer. tomorrow and the next game and the next game, because Kopi is so McLellan stood pat with his lineup up front, even putting a line he hadn’t consistent in the things he does,” McLellan said. “He commits to both been pleased with Saturday — center Blake Lizotte and wingers Andreas ends of the rink, and that allows him to be good at both. There are some Athanasiou and Jeff Carter — out for the opening faceoff, and the Kings great offensive players that cheat to get their offense, and as a result, it defeated the Blues 6-3 in the second game. It was their highest offensive hurts the team. output since scoring seven against Minnesota on March 7. “That’s never the way Kopi has played, and I don’t think he’ll finish his “We weren’t particularly happy with Lizotte’s line last night. And we were career cheating. He sets the tone.” very honest with them. We told them that,” McLellan said Sunday. “We update(s) started them, and they gave us a great first shift and a very aggressive first shift.” A few of us had the chance to speak with new Ontario coach John Wroblewski on Friday night after the Reign finally were able to play a While goaltender Jonathan Quick got the nod (Cal Petersen started on preseason AHL game. Saturday) that had always been the advance plan because of games on back-to-back nights. They beat the , 3-2, in a shootout and then followed up with a 5-3 win against the . Top prospect Quinton “This year, it’s been hard on our staff, because it’s hard to tell individuals Byfield scored in the first period against San Jose but left that game in they’re not playing,” McLellan said. “And we’ve got a lot of extra people the second period and is considered day-to-day. around.” It has been a strange journey for the Reign so far — as it has been for McLellan pointed at taxi-squad forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan as one most teams. The previous weekend, their preseason game against the example of a player who could draw in. “He has worked his butt off in was called off in Irvine — after taking the pregame practice,” McLellan said. “He’s been one of the best practice players.” warmup — because of COVID-19-related concerns. It is believed those The coach didn’t hesitate to tweak the lineup during the Kings’ opening concerns were not with the Reign. four-game homestand, moving Adrian Kempe up to the top line with Anze The Reign could end up losing more games from the regular-season Kopitar and Alex Iafallo and dropping Dustin Brown to the third line. The schedule if Calgary’s AHL team, the Stockton Heat, winds up playing in defensive pairs were shuffled after the first period against Colorado on Calgary this season. It appears as though San Joaquin County — Thursday, and Olli Maatta was made a healthy scratch for both Blues specifically, health officials — won’t permit the Heat to play there. The games. Flames are still trying to work out the details for the Heat to play in Not everything is going to work so efficiently over the course of a season. Calgary, a source said. It’s early, but so far the moves (and the non-moves) have played out well The numerous stops and starts could end up aiding the young Reign for McLellan. team, at least in terms of dealing with odd circumstances and “We just feel that the lineup we’re putting on the ice gives us the best unexpected adversity. chance right now,” McLellan said. “That doesn’t mean that (Anderson- “Everyone understands they’ve got to be flexible this year,” Wroblewski Dolan) or anybody on the taxi squad or Olli Maatta or (forward) Austin said. “I think that might be something that proves to be pivotal for this Wagner, who didn’t play tonight, aren’t capable of playing in the league. group as they mature, to be ready for the unexpected and to kind of We’re looking for combinations, and when individuals play well, we don’t embrace the idea that not everything is going to go perfect. want to take them out of the lineup. “That will be the calling card for a lot of teams but maybe it will be extra “We’re not just going to take fourth-liners out because they’re fourth-line beneficial for our youth.” players and give somebody else a chance. If they’re playing well, we’re going to keep them alive. It’s hard on the staff. It’s really hard on the The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 players, too, because they look around and they see six, seven extra guys here and they’re probably wondering, ‘When the hell am I going to get my opportunity?’

“But that’s the type of year we’re in, and that’s how we’re going to have to deal with things.”

Anze Kopitar, Mitchell Marner and Connor McDavid

One of the narratives we were embracing during training camp was how the long offseason could help veterans such as Carter and Brown bounce back in 2021.

Anze Kopitar, though three years younger, at 33, should have been placed on that list, too. On Monday morning, Kopitar is tied with 24-year- old Connor McDavid (Edmonton) and 23-year-old Mitchell Marner 1200541 Los Angeles Kings CalHOPE continues to provide varying levels of support, starting with a website that shares self-help techniques and resources.

“For some people that may be enough, but if not, there is the CalHOPE Why the Los Angeles Kings made CalHOPE their helmet sticker sponsor warm line,” Kooler said. “Which they can call and talk to a person with live experience, who can listen to them and help connect them to resource them to that are appropriate for them. If that single call isn’t enough, we have CalHOPE support, which allows someone to do up to By Sean Shapiro Jan 25, 2021 six sessions with someone to find the resources that are needed.”

That number is (833) 317-4673, and Kooler said all of these sessions are When the NHL greenlit helmet sticker sponsorship, or “entitlement pre-clinical. partnerships,” it was about making and retaining money. “None of this is treating a diagnosable issue, it’s assisting people with the Most teams used it as a make-good to keep a larger partner happy to general anxiety and stress, and if they need more clinical services, it’s avoid owing back unfulfilled sponsorship deals because of truncated handing them off to those (who) have licenses and certifications to seasons, while others opened it up a little bit to create a slight bidding provide that kind of support for them.” war for the real estate on the player’s heads. There is also an arm of CalHOPE that works directly with schools, putting Unsurprisingly it turned helmet stickers into a sea of large corporate resources and voices in the right place to connect with younger people. sponsors and naming rights holders for at least this season. Of the 31 “We are trying to get through this all together, and this current public NHL teams, the Los Angeles Kings are seemingly the only franchise that health disaster isn’t over yet,” Kooler said. “It may have started back in left money on the table by partnering with CalHOPE, which is now getting March, but the general timelines that we would see in a natural disaster side-by-side screen time with Enterprise or SAP whenever the camera are not being followed by COVID. It has no respect for any traditions we zooms in on a faceoff. have used to try and help contain a disaster.” “The hope was that this was the first time we have this (helmet stickers), In addition to the helmet sticker, CalHOPE is also prominently featured and there is going to be a spotlight on every team and what they are on Kings’ broadcasts with digital ads on the ice and other prime doing with it, and this is a direction that we think is unique,” said Josh placement. Kooler said the partnership is allowing CalHOPE to reach an Veilleux, senior vice president, global partnerships at AEG. “Our hope audience they, “never would have dreamed,” of reaching without the that would be we want to do the right thing with this and do something Kings as a vehicle. special. … It wasn’t just about the money, it was about using this to tell a story and a very important story that we all believe in here.” “The fanbase and the reach of the Kings in Southern California reaches a population we could never reach on our own,” Kooler said. “The ability to To be clear, the Kings are still making a profit on the deal, make no have trusted ambassadors championing a public health message for their mistake that money is still changing hands. The Kings are also getting a constituents, or fans, is a wonderful unique role of a sports team.” nice dose of publicity because of the deal, but the partnership with CalHOPE is unique in the helmet sticker landscape and one that raises “I get the goosebumps thinking that the message of hope is on the some eyebrows when the prime real estate didn’t go to a larger corporate helmet of every Kings’ player every game this season,” Kooler added. partner like McDonald’s, which has space on the practice jerseys. “They forewent a much higher value than they could have gotten by going corporate, by choosing us as a community, state-level, partner to “Their messaging around it, even during a break in the game, talking raise awareness for the health and mental-wellness of Southern about CalHOPE and talking about their commitment to mental wellness, California.” that doesn’t happen often in sports,” said Jim Kooler, assistant deputy director of behavioral health with the California Department of Health CalHOPE had reached out to the Kings before helmet stickers were ever Care Services. “We are really breaking the mold that certain athletes a possibility, they have also partnered with the in made back (in) ’93 when they said they aren’t role models. The reality is Northern California, those early conversations planted the seed for the they are role models, and the Kings have taken that on in their hearts Kings who started to look at CalHOPE as their ideal helmet partner that the value of this is worthy of foregoing some income for the benefit of internally before they ever told CalHOPE it would be a possibility. their fans. That’s impressive.” “It’s something we had brought up with them kind of casually (about CalHOPE is a crisis counseling program that focuses on mental health helmet decals), and then we had those conversations internally of do we and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic that is funded by the want to go a traditional way and talk to current partners we have or do we Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and run by the want to go this direction?” Veilleux said. “And I think that the amount of California Department of Health Care Services. It is an initiative that people internally that thought this is really important, this is a great focuses on communities impacted by national disaster and in the past it’s message, great story, it was just almost a no-brainer at that point.” been more localized, but the pandemic impacts the entire state, and the world. Kooler said the role of the Kings will evolve as the battle with COVID evolves. Right now he looks at the positive example the Kings can help “With specific disasters such as fires or earthquakes, that was more set with mask-wearing and social distancing, while eventually, he’s regionalized to one part of the stage,” Kooler said. “In light of the public looking forward to discussions of vaccines and the importance of getting health emergency around COVID-19, this is the first time we’ve seen a vaccinated when it’s widely available. statewide response that addresses everyone in California, and something where people aren’t just affected by a physical disaster.” “That’s great coming from us in state government, but nobody is gonna listen to us,” Kooler said. “But if we have these trusted ambassadors that Kooler said CalHOPE’s approach is different with COVID and the most these fans look up to, well now the message actually means something important goal is to remind everyone that, “what they are experiencing and there is a better chance that population will follow.” now with layers of different disasters on top of each other is stressful. And it would be normal to feel anxious and stressed.” Kooler pointed out that Kings captain Anze Kopitar speaking publicly about the virus and being safe and following precautions, as he did It boils down to this key message: If you are feeling stressed or anxious, before opening night, can have impacts beyond California. Residually it that’s OK and you aren’t alone. has gained national appeal, getting into markets outside of California on opposing broadcasts or the NHL TV package, while Kooler said it can From this message, Kooler said CalHOPE works to help people with also provide a reminder that there are similar FEMA-funded programs different levels of stress and anxiety. like CalHOPE in other states. “The first thing is to normalize that stress and anxiety is common and “I also hope this also a little bit of a challenge to the rest of the NHL,” normalize that it’s OK to ask for help,” Kooler said. “So that is where our Kooler said. “It asks, ‘What are you gonna do about the wellness of your first level of public education comes in.” community?’ I think the Kings have dropped the sticks and dropped the For some people, Kooler said, just understanding they aren’t alone in gloves and are challenging the rest of the NHL with this to ask others by their anxiety is enough to calm nerves. For those that need more help, their actions of ‘What are you gonna do to improve quality of life in your community?'” The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200542 Los Angeles Kings Ray Bourque got the puck in his own zone and started out of the Bruins end up the middle of the ice. I decided to do a “Gretzky” and follow up the play and look for a fast break pass. Someone put pressure on Bourque at the center red line from the side and he lost control of the puck and it CATCHING UP WITH KINGS ALUM MORRIS LUKOWICH went directly to Jimmy Carson.

I got really excited as I was behind everybody and all I required was the puck and I was gone on a breakaway!. I was going to scream for a pass LA KINGS INSIDERJANUARY 25, 20210 yet that can attract coverage so I waited a moment and sure enough Jimmy saw me. Jimmy was an incredible goal scorer (born in Detroit) and he was even a better passer. He threw me a perfect pass just in front of Morris Lukowich enjoyed an eight-year career in the NHL playing for four the Bruins blueline and I was gone on a breakaway. clubs. He played two seasons, his final two in the League, with the Kings and netted 25 goals from 1985-87. Something incredible happened then…time slowed down and the next few moments happened in minutes and in extreme slow motion for me. LA Kings Insider caught up with Morris on several things, as the Kings Quite incredible! alum gave us many, many thoughts to share! As I skated in, it was almost like I was watching myself from above and HERE AND NOW viewing the play happening as it happened. I knew Billy Ranford, as he was a Bruin Rookie when I was with the Bruins in 1985. Billy is an LAKI – How would you describe your life after hockey? amazing goalie, fantastic and quick glove and blocker yet every goalie ML – Life after hockey has many challenges, many interesting learning has a weakness and Billy’s one weakness was to give him a little “fake experiences and lots of fun. When I am asked “how is life?” I answer it is shot” and then deke and he would open up his legs and I could drive a an adventure and a miracle, and it is! I have not found anything that semi-trailer through that 5-hole between his pads! replaces the thrill of scoring an NHL goal and the excitement and fun that I faked the shot, went slightly to my left and fired a perfect forehand wrist goes with it. Life after hockey has had many challenges, finding a new shot through his 5-hole! What an explosive and exciting moment to purpose, actually experiencing the simple emotion of feeling good. celebrate! LAKI – What have you been up to? I turned to my left and our entire Kings Team was coming over the ML – I have loved coaching hockey and I had my Maximum Goal Scoring boards. Centreman Bob Bourne was the first to “hit” me (like a truck) and business run from 1995 to 2015, super fun teaching goal-scoring to kids kaboom I was suddenly at the bottom of a huge LA Kings dogpile, which and adults, men and women. I have moved into sales with a couple of for as much fun as it is can be quite suffocating. It is an amazing feeling different companies…one is called Livebarn, unmanned camera systems to get congratulations, hugs, high fives, helmet bumps from an entire for minor hockey arenas. I handle Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba team. installations. It is enjoyable and leaves arenas in better shape than I Our Kings photographer took these photos of the sequence leading up to found them! the goal and then the celebration afterwards. He said it was one of the LAKI – On the personal side, how is your family, and what do you do best Kings pictures he had ever photographed as he caught my outside of work? excitement, the goalie completely blocked out and the puck rolling out of the net on its side. A Dad took his daughter (in the white pants above the ML – Being a Dad, we have a beautiful daughter Zoe who is now 16. She left goal post) and threw her into the air and she is still three feet up in loves singing and dancing and staying up late on school nights! I play lots the air to this day in the picture. The Kings photographer put the pictures of sports – hockey, tennis, squash, badminton, pickleball, golf, biking, in a frame and gave it to me for a keepsake. The picture hangs in my cross country skiing, some strength training. I love my sports and I love basement in Calgary, right beside my Gordie Howe picture! the competition and winning a pickleball game can be fun and exciting and comes close to scoring an NHL goal……well not that close. After the game, we went for a Kings New Year’s celebration to the home of the first Tarzan, Johnny Weissmuller, (then staged as a rental party I enjoy public speaking and tell many stories of my time with Gordie home) and had a tremendous party. Winning is so much fun – That was Howe, Bobby Hull, Tiger Williams and Luc Robitaille. My story with Luc is my favorite moment as an LA King!! how he (as a Kings Rookie) taught me (an 11-year veteran) how to catch a pass the right way and how to shoot it quickly. I was very blessed to be MY TEAMMATES – able to play in the NHL and I am now very blessed to live a fun and Bernie Nicholls: Classy, big stick blade, good hands, opportunist, fun to challenging life after hockey. be with, super golfer…and a bad loser! MY FAVORITE MEMORY – December 31, 1986, Bruins vs Kings Marcel Dionne: Quiet and focused before a game, incredibly determined, In November of 1985, I had been released on waivers by the Boston a general, amazing smile, loves a good joke, incredibly talented! Bruins and the LA Kings had picked me up, so on December 31, 1986 I Dave Taylor: A Thoroughbred (fast) when skating, team player bigtime, was very motivated to play a good game and beat the Big Bad Bruins! incredible corner man, really loves a good joke, trustworthy. was our Head Coach and at the start of the season Coach Pat Tiger Williams: Incredibly. incredibly determined, a “Man’s Man”, had asked me to work with Jimmy Carson (a very talented rookie opinionated, comes to anyone’s rescue, makes things happen, centreman) and teach Jimmy about how to play defensive hockey as well dangerous to play against! as being an offensive scoring threat. We were blessed with three amazing rookies that year, with Luc Robitaille (left wing rookie scoring Jim Fox: Very shifty, super shot, legs like tree trunks, calculating and machine) and Steve Duchesne (outstanding rookie d-man) being the smart. Loves to stir the pot and then watch the fireworks. Good tennis others. player too!

Jimmy and I were having good offensive years and we were also the two Luc Robitaille: Best laugh in pro sports. in top 5 best quick wrists shots in top plus/minus players on the Kings at the time of this game (I was very hockey history (Bossy, Sakic, Hedberg, Selanne). A scoring happy with this as Jimmy cared far more about scoring than defense so intellect/smarts, always get to a loose puck first a natural goal our positive plus/minus showed that Pat’s faith in me as a mentor to scorer…Why would anyone want to trade this guy? Jimmy was paying off!) Jimmy Carson: Linemate, great smile, innocent, a thinker, coachable and After 60 minutes of tough hockey we were tied at 1-1 and going into OT. a good listener, incredible passer, extremely fast on a breakaway, loved Billy Ranford was the Bruin goalie and Rollie Melanson was our Kings to eat supper together. I loved Jimmy! goalie, both playing terrific in goal. Playing in an NHL overtime game is one of the most exciting things in hockey for me, every moment counts A special aside from from Luc Robitaille on “Luke and Lucky Luc” because any small mistake can result in the game being over, and there “While we had a lot of young guys back when I was breaking in, we also is the opportunity to be the hero! had veteran guys, and they were each very memorable. Dave “Tiger” Williams was the one who have me the nickname of Lucky. I was always scared of him as I heard that he did not like French guys. He must have seen something in me, though as he always treated me great. The reason why he gave me my nickname is that we had a guy on our team named Morris Lukowich and everyone called him Luke. So, every time I heard someone say Luke, I’d turn around. I think it was after Opening Night the next day when Tiger came in the dressing room and called my Lucky. Lukowich asked, ‘Why are you calling him Lucky?’ Tiger said “Geez, he comes from the biggest house on the team – I was living with Marcel – he comes to practice in a Mercedes – I was driving with Marcel – and he comes on the ice and sore his first shot on his first shift. That is Lucky to me!’ The nickname just stuck. Bernie Nicholls, who always treated me great, from the get go, wanted to play with me and always took care of me on and off the ice. He kept calling me Lucky because it was easier for the guys. One was Luke and one was Lucky, and Lucky Luc just stayed forever.”

Special Thanks – Gabe Gelbard

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200543 Los Angeles Kings impactful, especially in the first period, and rewarded with a really nice individual effort. Grundstrom pulled a move out of the NHL 21 video game to dance around a defenseman before he beat Ville Husso shortside for what was the go-ahead goal. ANGELES ANALYSIS – SERIES 3 @ ST. LOUIS Forward Lias Andersson got his first goal as a member of the Kings late in the second period, as he took a breakaway feed from Kopitar immediately after he exited the penalty box and though his backhand-to- BY ZACH DOOLEY forehand deke hit the post, he whacked home the second effort for the JANUARY 25, 20210 goal.

Both players started the season outside of the lineup, and in their opportunities since, both players have done their part to show that they In the words of Head Coach Todd McLellan, last night’s win in St. Louis deserve to remain in. McLellan has said twice in recent days that the was the first time this season the Kings took the game to their opponent, Kings are not the kind of team that can have just two lines or 12 guys right off the start, instead of receiving it. going and still find success. He emphasized that the Kings need to have four lines, three defensive pairs and two going every night to The first 40 minutes of yesterday’s 6-3 victory are an example of what be successful as a group. In Sunday’s convincing victory, everyone was this Kings team can look like when playing their best hockey. They were pulling the rope, and you saw what the outcome was when that happens. solid in their own end and broke out pucks quickly and cleanly, which allowed them to establish the forecheck and create turnovers at the other Offense never comes easy in the NHL, but the Kings have looked the end of the rink. part of a more potent team at putting the puck in the net. Through six games, they’ve averaged 3.33 goals per game – In the West Division, That was the main difference between what we saw on Saturday versus each team has played six games, and no team has scored more goals Sunday. Take two plays as specific examples. On Saturday, David than the Kings’ 20. Perron forced a turnover in the Kings defensive zone, off of a missed pass and receive between Matt Roy and Gabriel Vilardi, and turned it into McLellan has continually stated that he believes the Kings need to score the Blues’ third goal, the eventual game-winning goal. 24 hours later, it at least three goals on a given night to have a chance to win the game. was Dustin Brown using his hand-eye coordination to knock a puck out of He attributed the early-season offensive improvements to a variety of the air in the offensive zone, before showing the poise to find Vilardi reasons after Sunday’s victory, including a deeper group overall, better entering the zone, and Vilardi finishing the play on the backhand. familiarity with the structure and each other, as well as an improved power-play. It was just an isolated play on both nights, but it serves as a good representation of how much better the Kings managed the puck on night “I think we have a little more depth and we are more familiar with the two. Brown’s play was on the individual side, but as a group, the Kings tactics and the structure that we want to play with, so we’re a little bit were noticeably better on the forecheck, creating turnovers that allowed more predictable,” McLellan said. “Let’s face it, our power play is further them to play in the offensive zone. ahead than it was last year at this time, I think we’ve scored a goal or come close to scoring every game on the power play, which definitely “We were much better in our end, which allowed us to get on the helps us and gives us some confidence offensively. We’ve scored goals forecheck,” McLellan said after last night. “The pieces were all working on faceoff plays that we never had in place last year, at least in the first together and our forecheck, where maybe the night before was only 1 to half of the season, so a lot of it is just being around each other for a year 3 pieces, tonight it was able to be 4 or 5, and the extra piece helped us and a bit now.” keep a lot of pucks alive and play in their end in the first two periods anyhow.” From my vantage point, the Kings have yet to look out of place over the course of 60 minutes in any of their six games, and that right there is a Over the last four games, the Kings have matched up against two of the sign of progress. There were certainly stretches of play over the last two three favorites in the West Division this season, and have come away seasons where you couldn’t say that, and the way that certain players, with two wins, two losses, and a +1 goal differential. In none of those four and the team as a whole, have started the season is a real positive. games were the Kings not, at the very least, within one goal in the third period. I mentioned it two games ago, that .500 hockey probably doesn’t get you into the playoffs, but it without a doubt keeps you in the hunt. The Kings While Los Angeles has conceded the first goal in all six games so far this currently sit one point behind the Blues for fourth place in the standings, season, they started both games in St. Louis better than they did against and with a shortened season, it’s going to be important to stay in the mix Colorado. On Saturday, they created several chances early, including an to set up meaningful hockey games, and a chance to earn a spot, down Adrian Kempe shot off the post that may have been the best look in the the stretch. opening 20. Sunday was an even better example of what the Kings can do when they play the opening period they set out to. Looking ahead, the Kings will now get another crack at the Minnesota Wild. In the opening two games of the season, the Kings probably “I thought we came out with a little bit more authority,” Anze Kopitar said. deserved to have at least three points but were unable to hold onto leads “That first period, even though we didn’t score a whole lot of goals, I in the third period. thought it was one of the best periods we’ve played. Being aggressive, being on top of pucks and shooting the puck too.” Since those first meetings, the Kings have shored up some things on the defensive side of the puck and will look to put those improvements into Speaking of Kopitar, through the first six games of the season, he has action at Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday night. been Kopitar, and then some. The Kings captain leads all players in the NHL with nine assists and is tied with Toronto forward Mitch Marner for The Kings have a full team off day today, following the back-to-back in the league lead in points (10). Kopitar’s linemates have been solid as St. Louis, and will return to action with a morning skate on Tuesday well, with Adrian Kempe (3-2-5) and Alex Iafallo (1-3-4) producing morning, in advance of the first of two games against Minnesota. Puck alongside him. Iafallo has carried perhaps less of the fanfare so far, but drop is slated for 5 PM Pacific time tomorrow evening. at .67 points per game, he’s exactly where you expect him to be. Kempe has been especially noticeable and has points in four straight games LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 01.26.2021 after he had a goal taken off the board in each of the first two games of the season. Kempe lost another goal last night, though he retained a point on the play with the primary assist. Had two of the three goals stood as his tally, he’d be leading the league in goals.

“He’s got the hot hand,” Kopitar said of Kempe. “He’s been like that in the past, where he went into spurts where he was one of, if not the, best players on the ice. Now, we’re trying to get him the puck as much as he can and hopefully he can stay consistent for us.”

While the big line was productive in both games, it was the depth scoring that helped to set the Kings apart on Sunday. Carl Grundstrom was 1200544 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Los Angeles game preview

JANUARY 25, 2021 — 9:07PM Randy Johnson

7 p.m. vs. Los Angeles • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM

Kings getting a quick rematch

Preview: The Wild (4-2) sits in second place in the West Division, two points behind Vegas and one ahead of St. Louis. Minnesota will face Los Angeles (2-2-2) on Tuesday and Thursday in the middle two games of a six-game homestand. The Wild opened the season with back-to-back 4-3 overtime wins against the Kings in which rookie LW Kirill Kaprizov first scored the winner, then set up Marcus Johansson's winner. The Wild rallied from two goals down in both of those games.

Players to WATCH: Kaprizov leads the Wild with six points (1-5-6). LW's Zach Parise and Kevin Fiala each scored their first two goals of the season in the series vs. San Jose. … C Anze Kopitar leads the NHL with nine assists and is tied for the scoring lead with 10 points. He has 41 points (13-28-41) in 50 career games against Minnesota. C Adrian Kempe, C Gabriel Vilardi and LW Andreas Anthanasiou share the Kings' goal-scoring lead with three each.

Numbers: The Wild's power play (2-for-27, 7.4%) ranks 29th in the NHL, while its penalty kill (18-for-20, 90%) ranks second. … L.A. goalie Jonathan Quick is 14-8-7 with a 2.66 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 29 career starts vs. Minnesota.

Injuries: Wild G Cam Talbot (lower body) is day to day. G Alex Stalock (upper body) and F (arm) are out. … Kings LW Matt Luff (undisclosed) is day to day. C Alex Turcotte (lower body) and RW Martin Frk (lower body) are out.

Star Tribune LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200545 Minnesota Wild

Minnesota and Los Angeles meet for division battle

By The Associated Press JANUARY 25, 2021 — 2:05AM

Los Angeles Kings (2-2-2, fifth in the West Division) vs. Minnesota Wild (4-2-0, second in the West Division)

St. Paul, Minnesota; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles visits Minnesota in a matchup of West Division teams.

Minnesota went 35-27-7 overall and 8-10-1 in division games during the 2019-20 season. The Wild were called for 247 penalties last season averaging 3.6 penalties and 8.1 penalty minutes per game.

Los Angeles went 10-13-1 in division action and 10-22-4 on the road during the 2019-20 season. The Kings scored 177 total goals last season, 33 on power plays and five shorthanded.

In their last meeting on Jan. 16, Minnesota won 4-3. Mathew Dumba scored a team-high two goals for the Wild in the victory.

INJURIES: Wild: Alex Stalock: out (health protocols).

Kings: None listed.

Star Tribune LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200546 Minnesota Wild And that might be one of the ways the Wild can iron out the inconsistencies in its play and start to climb the West leaderboard, by growing these early leads the team has a knack for and steering clear of rally mode. Wild is still up-and-down in competitive West Division "We sit here snakebitten, and the puck's in our net on some weird plays, stuff we'll try to address," Bonino said. "But [we need to] play a little bit more desperate, play a little bit more simple, and get to the net." By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune JANUARY 25, 2021 — 10:35PM Star Tribune LOADED: 01.26.2021

The Wild's solid start to the season is reflected in the West Division standings, where the team ranks second after a 4-2 debut. But its missteps are also on display.

By splitting most of its two-game series, the Wild has struggled to gain ground on its competition, a neutralizing effect of division-only play that has created a logjam among the eight squads.

"Obviously, we'd love to sweep our little sets as much as we can," center Nick Bonino said. "It's nice to get the first one. It puts you in a good position to do that, but there's a ton of parity in this league. I don't think there's a runaway favorite in any division and you see it around the league, especially when you play the same team twice.

"Teams are too good now. The scouting is too good. There's adjustments that are made quickly."

Through three doubleheaders, the Wild has swept only one, winning both times at Los Angeles in its first two outings of the season.

But because each victory came in overtime, the Wild banked just two points on the Kings in the standings, with Los Angeles nabbing a pair to split the difference.

Since then, the Wild has gone 1-1 against Anaheim and most recently San Jose after a 5-3 loss Sunday at Xcel Energy Center. That homestand continues Tuesday with another two in a row vs. the Kings.

Overall, the Wild's eight points trail only Vegas (10), but just three points separate the team from eighth-place Arizona.

"Every game is a division game, so it's huge," winger Kevin Fiala said. "You can take the points away from them, and [Sunday] they took the points from us."

This one step forward, one step back rhythm isn't just indicative of the Wild's movement in the West Division. The team is also seesawing its way through games.

"We play in spurts right now," Bonino said.

Take the effort Sunday.

Despite opening the scoring for the fifth time in six games, the Wild was outplayed throughout the first period and for much of the second.

"It just kind of got away from us," coach Dean Evason said. "They obviously had a lot more shots and attempts and I think they outchanced us a couple more in that first period. We thought we were fortunate and we thought we'd come in and we thought maybe second period we were going to be real good and come out and throw it in there, and we didn't."

Not until the team was dropped into a two-goal hole did the Wild finally skate with the urgency needed to start chipping away at its deficit, which the team did on goals from Nick Bjugstad and Fiala.

That resilience, however, was sabotaged by a meltdown late in the third, with San Jose's Brent Burns skating through all five Wild players to lift a shot over Kaapo Kahkonen and break a 3-3 tie with 1 minute, 48 seconds to play; Matt Nieto tacked on an empty-net goal.

"It seems like when we do get down, we play with a little bit more desperation and we play a little bit simpler," Bonino said. "Goals against so far this year have been a little bit self-inflicted, guys trying to make plays, and there's nothing wrong with that. But other than that, I feel like we're defending well. We're just missing offensively, especially our line."

Evason did scramble the top two lines after the second period to try to ignite a spark, pairing Bonino and winger Marcus Johansson with rookie Kirill Kaprizov and putting Fiala with Bjugstad and winger Zach Parise.

He said he would have to watch the game back to see if there was any chemistry with the changes, acknowledging that now might be an opportunity to get a new look with the lines. 1200547 Minnesota Wild

Wild-San Jose game recap

JANUARY 24, 2021 — 11:26PM

SARAH McLELLAN

STAR TRIBUNE'S THREE STARS

1. Brent Burns, Sharks: The ex-Wild defenseman broke a 3-3 tie with 1 minute, 48 seconds to go in the third period.

2. Zach Parise, Wild: The winger had a goal and assist.

3. Nick Bjugstad, Wild: The Blaine native scored his first goal with the Wild after having a goal disallowed.

BY THE NUMBERS

1 Successful coach's challenge by the Sharks.

2 Assists for Ryan Suter.

4 Goals for Parise and Kevin Fiala over the past two games.

Star Tribune LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200548 Minnesota Wild

Wild winger Jordan Greenway talked the talk. Now he’s walking the walk.

By DANE MIZUTANI | PUBLISHED: January 25, 2021 at 12:54 p.m. | UPDATED: January 25, 2021 at 12:55 p.m.

Wild winger Jordan Greenway talked all offseason about taking the next step as a player. No doubt seeing Team USA buddy Luke Kunin get traded during the 2020 NHL draft got Greenway’s undivided attention.

With general manager Bill Guerin giving the Wild roster a facelift, and clearly showing he is unafraid to shake things up, Greenway knew if he wanted to stick with the Wild long term, he had to elevate his game.

Which is exactly what he has done through the first six games of this season. He has produced five points (one goal, four assists), trailing only star rookie Kirill Kaprizov for the team lead, and has helped the Wild get off to a 4-2-0 start.

Maybe more importantly, Greenway, 23, looks like a thoroughbred on the ice, using his massive 6-foot-6, 240-pound frame to dominate in both zones. His work throughout the offseason appears to be making a difference so far.

“Whether I’m on the scoresheet or not, I’ve been moving a lot better,” Greenway said. “It is nice knowing all the preparation that was put in has paid off.”

Still, Greenway acknowledges this has been a very small sample size. He knows he has gone through hot streaks like this in the past, only to follow them up by vanishing into thin air.

“There’s still work to be done,” he said. “It’s nice to get off to a good start and have confidence. I know I can do it. Now it’s about continuing to grow.”

That mentality exemplifies Greenway’s growth as a player. While there were stretches early in his career when he would rest on his laurels after a few good games, he wants to be more than a flash in the pan in this his third full season with the Wild.

It’s a shift in focus that coach Dean Evason has noticed since Greenway arrived at training camp. He truly wants to be the best player he can possibly be, according to Evason, and that is obvious to anyone who watches him on a daily basis.

“I think his step forward is off the ice as much as it is on the ice,” Evason said. “Just his maturity level and his professionalism, coming to work ready to play every night. That has translated into his play on the ice. He’s been a horse. He’s been big and strong, and he’s played the game the proper way.”

Asked about the key to his stellar play this season, Greenway points to the fact that he gets to play alongside Joel Eriksson Ek and opposite Marcus Foligno. All three players boast the size and strength to control the game, and that’s exactly what they have done.

“That’s our mindset,” Foligno said. “We are a line that’s been here for a bit and has that chemistry. It’s been good. We just want to keep it going.”

As for Greenway, he said he’s thrilled with the play of his line, and wants to continue to find ways to keep improving his own game.

That explains why he stayed late after practice on Saturday, working on skills with Kaprizov, who has one goal and five assists — and nearly pulled off the best goal the franchise has ever seen the night before.

“I like to talk to him and see what he does out there and how he thinks,” Greenway said of Kaprizov. “There are obviously things I can learn from him.”

Any chance Greenway tries some of Kaprizov’s moves in a game?

“I don’t plan to bring that out in my game any time soon,” Greenway said with a a laugh. “I’ll stay in my lane and shoot it.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200549 Minnesota Wild There was no attempt to check whatsoever. We were just basically in block mode and fade mode.”

It’s also a concern that the Wild got off to yet another bad start. Another sloppy start, another comeback, but this time a loss for the Wild They were outshot 12-3 in the first period and were fortunate to gain a 1- 0 lead when Kaprizov made a tremendous play off a neutral-zone draw by getting the puck, driving through a defender, then flying into the By Michael Russo Jan 24, 2021 offensive zone for a two-on-one, passing basically through and to Zach Parise for a partial breakaway.

Parise nearly toe-picked and stumbled but recovered to score his second The Wild obviously would prefer two points in the standings rather than a goal in two games. waning-minute regulation defeat. But perhaps what transpired Sunday night and the sting they felt by getting nothing out of a 5-3 loss to the San But the Wild looked as bad as we’ve seen them this early season and Jose Sharks will prove more useful. ultimately gave up the tying goal in the last minute to Donato.

Sometimes the best lessons learned are the most painful. At the midway point of the game for the second consecutive home game, the Wild had generated a measly nine shots on goal. And as exciting as another come-from-behind win would have been, it would have only continued to mask an alarming early-season trend that The Wild were playing with fire throughout the first and second periods, must be remedied if the Wild have any prayer of achieving something and things finally caught ablaze in the middle frame on what had been during this weird, wacky NHL season. one of their biggest strengths so far: the penalty kill. They entered with the league’s second-best percentage on the kill, but after Fiala’s swinging The Wild keep starting games sloppy and sleepy. of his stick for a high-sticking penalty, Marcus Foligno made an extremely For the third time in six games, the Wild fell behind 3-1. And for the third uncharacteristic mistake at center ice that led to a goal. time, the Wild managed to rally from that 3-1 deficit. After making a solid play to intercept a pass along the blue line, all The first two times in Los Angeles, the Wild clawed back in the third Foligno needed to do was send the puck the length of the ice and go for period, forced overtime and snagged a pair of wins courtesy of Kirill a change. Instead, he got too fancy and tried to drop a pass to Eriksson Kaprizov and Marcus Johansson winners. Ek in the neutral zone. The puck was turned over and the Wild quickly paid for the gaffe with an Evander Kane power-play goal. This time inside Xcel Energy Center, they weren’t so fortunate. A minute later, the Wild thought they had tied the score at 2-2 on After getting a second-period goal from Nick Bjugstad and a third-period Bjugstad’s first goal with the Wild. But Sharks coach Bob Boughner goal from Kevin Fiala to tie the score at 3-3, the Wild failed to escape challenged goalie interference, and the officials indeed erased the goal with even a point, thanks to Brent Burns reminding us all exactly what the when video review confirmed that Bjugstad pushed Martin Jones’ pads Wild gave up 9 1/2 years ago when they traded him in this exact building and thus caused the puck to go into the net. when they hosted the NHL Draft: a thoroughbred on skates. Just 41 seconds later, it was 3-1 when Kaapo Kähkönen, starting in place Nick Bonino, the Wild’s only go-to faceoff specialist, had been munching of injured Cam Talbot, gave up a softie to Noah Gregor on what should on Tomas Hertl in the circle all game. This time, Bonino lost, then have been a harmless shot from the right circle. blocked Burns’ initial shot. The puck caromed back to Burns, who reacted by instantly cutting from the right-wing boards to the net past a But Bjugstad, the hometown man, would get his first goal with his favorite bunch of stick-checking, reaching defenders — Bonino, Joel Eriksson Ek, team as a kid when he redirected Jared Spurgeon’s point shot on a four- Johansson, Ian Cole and Carson Soucy. on-four. Then, in the third, the Wild’s 1-for-26 power play scored three seconds after a faceoff win when Fiala one-timed Ryan Suter’s perfect He looked like a bull. And after making everybody olé, Burns, the gap- feed from way up top for a whistler of a tying goal. toothed, tatted-up, fully-bearded Sasquatch of a man, roofed a shot right under the crossbar for the tiebreaking goal with 1 minute, 48 seconds After that, the Wild had a pile of chances. But Jones, who entered the remaining in the third. game with three straight shutouts in St. Paul, was terrific. He robbed Parise a handful of times and Bonino late. And right before Burns’ “That was disgusting, for lack of a better term,” said former Wild left wing winner, Burns staved off Eriksson Ek from scoring the go-ahead goal. Ryan Donato, who also scored in the first period. “That was a very highly skilled play by a guy that can score goals. At that point in the game, to do Maybe in the end the Wild deserved better. But there’s no doubt that the that, it’s unbelievable. You just want a goal at the end of the day, but Wild have to figure out a way to start games better. when it happens like that, you can’t help but laugh because it’s so “We play in spurts right now,” Bonino said. outrageous.” One clear concern is Evason must find a way to get the second line That quote will especially wound the Wild fans who still feel the young going and find another trusted centerman other than Bonino to take scorer didn’t get a fair shot in Minnesota last season after spending most draws. If he continues to be the only guy trusted late in games, there’s of his shifts on the fourth line. It’ll also hurt the Wild fans who may not the fear of him wearing down or not winning the late ones he needs to. realize that Donato is kinda, sorta the last piece the Wild had from that For instance, while he was 6-for-6 on defensive-zone draws on the 2011 Burns trade to the Sharks. OK, OK, maybe the Wild will draft penalty kill, he lost three of six on defensive-zone draws at five-on-five. something special with the 2021 third-rounder they got for him, but remember, Donato was originally acquired in Minnesota from the Boston Bonino’s basically all the Wild have in the middle when it comes to Bruins in a deal that included Charlie Coyle. And Burns was traded for somebody who can be relied upon to take a big draw. He has won 57.6 Coyle, and a first-round pick that the Wild turned into percent of his faceoffs, winning the third most in the NHL (76) and taking eventual bust Zack Phillips. the fourth most (132). He has taken 33.7 percent of the Wild’s draws, which ranked ninth in the NHL. “These guys have blocked so many shots, and it was another one that they blocked,” Burns, the 2017 Norris Trophy winner, said on the Sharks’ And for a team that doesn’t have a true No. 1 center, Bonino, more of a telecast. “Luckily, it kind of stayed there. I don’t know what happened checking-line center who can still score 15 goals or so, seems miscast on after that. I kind of blacked out a little bit, I think. I felt like a weirdo. I think a second line with Fiala. What’s more, Johansson, other than the I was the only one in the building screaming there.” overtime winner the second game of the season, has had a very meh start to his Wild career. It was an ugly ending to an exciting period for the Wild, who in the future may want to go with one of their top two defense pairs and somebody Evason and the coaches switched things up in the third period by flipping besides Johansson in that situation. Fiala and Kaprizov. Fiala skated with Parise and Bjugstad, Kaprizov with Johansson and Bonino. “Obviously Burns made a great play, great shot. He’s a special player, but we didn’t confront him,” Wild coach Dean Evason said. “We talk “We thought we needed to shake up something, obviously, after the about stick on puck all the time and competing, and we just faded out. second period,” Evason said. “We’ll have to go back and watch the tape to see if there’s some chemistry. I’ve talked here about trying some different things, and we haven’t flipped a lot of the lines. There’s been a couple little tweaks here and there. But, it might be an opportunity now for us to have a different look for a few different lines, and we’ll see what after we chat tonight and tomorrow.”

The Wild hope to get Mats Zuccarello back at some point from offseason arm surgery, and his return could add a scoring threat on the wing. But the concern at center is paramount, and it’ll be interesting to see if general manager Bill Guerin finds a way to address the issue or if the Wild can figure out internal changes by perhaps moving Johansson to center or recalling Luke Johnson from the taxi squad.

So, in the end, a painful loss to snap a six-game winning streak against San Jose.

The Wild have won one and lost one in the past two two-game miniseries. One step forward, one step back, but maybe they’ll have learned their lesson when the Kings come to town for a two-game set starting Tuesday. The Wild canceled practice Monday and will use it as a rest-and-recovery day before Tuesday’s morning skate.

Hunt rewarded for attitude

Evason could have used the reigning AHL MVP, Gerry Mayhew, at fourth-line left wing with Nico Sturm missing his second game in a row because of illness, but defenseman Brad Hunt was inserted in that spot for the second game in a row in large part because he has been such a good soldier.

In fact, even though he was scratched the first four games, Hunt, 32, was asked by Evason to take part in pregame warmups because of the energy he brings to the locker room.

“I’ve been in a position before where I hadn’t played many games,” Hunt said. “And you kind of get out of routine if you’re not taking warmups. You’re sleeping a little longer than you need to if you’re having a nap, especially on the road. If you’re in the hotel, you sleep through different times. Then when you’re asked to play, your routine’s kind of all out of whack.

“But when you’re taking warmups, I just came to the game like I was preparing to play every night, even if I wasn’t. It just helps you stay in that game-day routine. And it helps you have the mentality like you’re coming to the rink to play. And I think that helps you when you are called upon. And you might not know that you’re playing but you’re preparing like you are anyway.”

Hunt’s attitude is always refreshing and infectious whether he’s a healthy scratch, playing every night or, in this case, playing a different position.

“I mean, somebody has to be in this position,” Hunt said. “It’s not that it’s always the funnest to be in this position. But you’ve got to be here for your teammates and be positive. … And when you do get inserted in the lineup, it kind of makes your teammates happy for you that you’re in the lineup and it helps keep the team together, I think.”

Still, Hunt logged five minutes Friday night and less than four Sunday. He also wasn’t used on the power play, which is where he could have used his biggest weapon, his blistering slap shot.

Goalie shuffle

Hunter Jones, the anticipated opening-night goalie for the on Feb. 5, was recalled Sunday to serve as the Wild’s third goalie. Andrew Hammond was promoted from the taxi squad to back up Kahkonen.

Jones was expected to drive back to Iowa after the game to open training camp Monday with the Baby Wild. Depending on Talbot’s health the rest of the week (he’s day to day with a lower-body injury), with the Wild having games Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and all NHL teams having to carry three goalies this season, Jones — or conceivably Dereck Baribeau — could be a yo-yo between St. Paul and Des Moines this week.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200550 Montreal Canadiens Josh Anderson has 3-1-4 totals in his first six games with the Canadiens, already matching his point total from last season when he had 1-3-4 totals in 26 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Then, he was playing with a bad shoulder that eventually required season-ending surgery. The Stu Cowan: What a difference a year makes for the Canadiens 6-foot-3, 226-pound right-winger looks healthy now and is hoping to regain the form that saw him post 27-20-47 totals two seasons ago with

Columbus Stu Cowan • Publishing date:Jan 26, 2021 • 8 hours ago • Defenceman Joel Edmundson has 1-1-2 totals and is plus-8 while averaging 18:13 of ice time. The 6-foot-4, 227-pounder also dropped the gloves and put a beating on the Canucks’ Tyler Myers Saturday night as TSN hockey analyst Dave Poulin has one of the brightest minds in the payback for the vicious hit Myers put on Armia the previous game. game and is a man I really respect. Montreal Canadiens centre Phillip Danault and Edmonton Oilers After playing four seasons at the University of Notre Dame and never defencemen Adam Larssen battle for position during the second period being selected at the NHL Draft, Poulin went on to play 13 seasons in the at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Jan. 18, 2021. league with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals. He won the Selke Trophy as NHL’s top defensive forward for Rookie defenceman Alexander Romanov has 1-1-2 totals and is plus-5 the 1986-87 season, earned the King Clancy Trophy in 1992-93 for while averaging 19:05 of ice time. leadership and humanitarian contribution and is a member of the Flyers Backup goalie Jake Allen has a 2-0-0 record with a 2.01 goals-against Hall of Fame. average and a .907 save percentage. After hanging up his skates, Poulin spent 10 years as head coach at One player who hasn’t had a great start is Carey Price, with a 3.14 goals- Notre Dame, before becoming vice-president of hockey operations with against average and a .893 save percentage. But Price has a 2-0-2 the Toronto Maple Leafs and then joining TSN in 2014. record because the Canadiens have scored 19 goals in those four Poulin started writing a weekly hockey column for the Toronto Star this games. season, which is outstanding. In his latest column, Poulin gave his early In previous seasons, a slow start by Price would have doomed the impressions of the seven Canadian teams “through the eyes of a player.” Canadiens. Not now. It’s not a surprise Poulin has been impressed by the Canadiens’ 4-0-2 This has indeed been fun to watch. start — who isn’t? — noting that they look “very different.” Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.26.2021 He added: “You even like watching them play!”

Bingo!

After too many years of the Canadiens playing an incredibly boring brand of hockey, they are finally fun to watch. The Canadiens have scored 29 goals — seven more than any other team heading into Monday night’s games, including the Maple Leafs, who had 22 goals in seven games. The Canadiens were also tied for first place in the NHL’s overall standings with the Vegas Golden Knights (5-1-0) and the Leafs (5-2-0).

The last time the Canadiens finished a season leading the NHL in goals was 2007-08. They also finished first in the Eastern Conference that season with a 47-25-10 record with Guy Carbonneau as head coach before losing to the Philadelphia Flyers in the conference semifinals. In one of Bob Gainey’s most puzzling decisions as GM, he fired Carbonneau the next season when the Canadiens had a 35-24-7 record. With Gainey taking over behind the bench, the Canadiens would get swept by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs.

Since then, the Canadiens have only finished near the top of the NHL in goals once, in 2012-13, when they ranked third. They have never ranked higher than 12th in any other season. Their worst ranking was 29th in 2017-18, and last season they ranked 19th.

It’s only six games into this 56-game season, but the Canadiens have already provided a lot of entertainment for Montreal fans locked in their homes because of the COVID-19 curfew. It’s a shame there won’t be any fans at the Bell Centre when the Canadiens play their home opener Thursday against the Calgary Flames (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

Again, it’s only six games and you have to remember the Canadiens started last season with an 11-5-3 record before falling apart after long- term injuries to Jonathan Drouin and Paul Byron. But this new-look team has much more depth, as Corey Perry showed when he scored in a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks Saturday night while taking the place of Joel Armia, who is sidelined with a concussion. Victor Mete has gone from being a first-pairing defenceman last season to a healthy scratch. Jordan Weal was a regular on the power play last season, now he’s with the AHL’s Laval Rocket.

So far, every off-season addition GM Marc Bergevin made has worked.

Tyler Toffoli was named the NHL’s Player of the Week on Monday and his five goals were tied for the league lead through Sunday’s games. Toffoli also ranked eighth in the NHL scoring race with 5-3-8 totals. The last Canadiens player to finish a season ranked in the top 10 in NHL scoring was Mats Naslund, when he finished eighth in 1985-86 with 43- 67-110 totals. 1200551 Montreal Canadiens failing to give any supplementary discipline to Tyler Myers for his ugly, dangerous hit on Joel Armia Thursday in Vancouver. Edmundson told Myers during the warmup that they’d need to go and so they did. Edmundson destroyed Myers in the fight and Myers didn’t even look What the Puck: Canadiens centre Phillip Danault overpricing himself angry. He knew it was coming.

Corey Perry: Did you see his goal Saturday night? Did you see his moves? Is he the best taxi squad dude in the league? Brendan Kelly • Publishing date:Jan 25, 2021 • 11 hours ago • Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.26.2021

People are talking about Phillip Danault for all the wrong reasons.

Six games into this surprising season, Canadiens fans are excitedly talking about the team being tied for first overall in the NHL and about the gang that used to not be able to score leading the league in goals scored. And we’re raving about Josh Anderson, Tyler Toffoli, Slick Nick Suzuki, new sheriff in town Joel Edmundson and star-in-the-making Alexander Romanov.

Few are talking about Danault’s on-ice performance so far. Not that the 27-year-old veteran has been bad. He’s been perfectly okay, but you can’t deny that the spotlight has been stolen by the new kids on the block. It doesn’t help that six games in, Danault has yet to find the back of the net. Meanwhile his two longtime wingers, and Tomas Tatar, have two and three goals respectively.

People are talking about Danault because of his contract status rather than his play. Late last week, La Presse’s Mathias Brunet and Le Journal de Montréal’s Jean-François Chaumont reported that Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin had offered Danault a generous offer last fall. Brunet wrote that his sources told him the CH offered US$30 million over six years, while Chaumont said the offer was US$30 million for six years or US$25 million for five years.

The Canadiens never comment on negotiations with players, and Don Meehan, Danault’s agent, hadn’t returned a call seeking comment. But Brunet and Chaumont are seasoned, credible journalists and if they both say this happened, I tend to believe it must be close to the truth.

And if it’s true, oh my God, Danault just made a huge mistake. In these COVID times, US$30 million for six seasons is a great deal for a player of Danault’s calibre. I like the guy, though I’ve never bought into the hype in the local media that Danault is Patrice Bergeron 2.0. That’s absurd.

He’s a solid second-line centre or, if you prefer, a very good third-line pivot, whose claim-to-fame is his defensive smarts. He indeed was amazing in the series last summer vs. the Penguins, helping to shut down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. But he does not have the offensive ability to be considered an A-list, first-line centre.

He’s never scored more than 13 goals in a season. And it’s pretty clear that by next season, it’ll be official that he is this team’s No. 3 guy, in line behind the two kids, Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. But the sense is that Danault feels he’s better than that.

In the Return To Play tournament this summer, Danault lost his job to Suzuki and the older guy wasn’t happy about that.

“I saw my role change in the playoffs, but with what I’ve already proven the last few years, my role shouldn’t change in Montreal because I’ve proven I can perform offensively and defensively,” Danault said in August.

That comment sounds like it’s coming from a guy who thinks he’s worth more than US$5 million per season. Hopefully he’ll come to his senses by the time this season’s over and his contract ends.

Dubois redux: Last Monday in this space, I said Pierre-Luc Dubois wasn’t coming to Montreal because Bergevin didn’t have enough to offer and that’s exactly what happened. And that’s just fine. You don’t mess with the chemistry of this team and you most certainly don’t give up Suzuki for Dubois.

Like everyone else, I didn’t like the way Dubois played in that last game with the Blue Jackets. John Tortorella was right to bench him after just 3:55 of ice time because the 22-year-old centre from Ste-Agathe-des- Monts was playing like he had contempt for his team and you don’t ever do that. But if the stories from Columbus are true, and the gist of them surely are, someone in the Blue Jackets organization needs to tell Torts that it’s wrong to bully people. No exceptions.

Edmundson: I don’t like fighting in hockey, but Big Eddie did what he had to do after the NHL once again proved it was a Mickey Mouse league by 1200552 Montreal Canadiens the young defenceman’s promotion was based more on the Canadiens’ needs than his actual readiness.

Whereas Evans wasn’t rushed. He arrived when the team deemed him Jake Evans is the Canadiens’ first development success story under Joël ready. Bouchard was able to take his time with him and in his eyes, that Bouchard makes all the difference. He’s had two years to get to know him, shape him, and reprogram him. Evans had grown into a productive player in college, but he was also a finalist for the Big-Ten Defensive Player of the Year in his senior year. By Marc Antoine Godin Jan 25, 2021 Bouchard insisted to Evans that it was this aspect of his game that would

open the doors to the NHL. Sometimes, when we ask around to learn more about a player, whether it “I have never seen a player transform that much to become like the way be former coaches or others who helped during their formative years, you he has become,” Bouchard said. might hear the same attributes and positive qualities mentioned. The same themes may overlap. If this is how well Evans was able to progress in Laval, it begs the question of what Bouchard and the Rocket could do with prospects like In the case of Jake Evans, for example, whether it’s his former coach at Jesse Ylönen or Cam Hillis who are arriving in the AHL at a starting point the University of Notre Dame, Jeff Jackson, his Laval Rocket coach Joël that is seemingly higher than Evans’ was? And if Trevor Timmins has Bouchard or even Claude Julien with the Canadiens, everyone seems to been diligent in drafting character players who want to learn and improve, agree on one thing: Evans’ hockey sense and intelligence are the there is no reason to believe other prospects can’t develop and reach attributes that allow him to progress, and the young man shows a deep their full potential as well as Evans did. commitment to learning. The Canadiens have selected a ton of players at the last few drafts, but That is an excellent foundation for any player. they need to be able to convert more of them into NHL players than they Each coach, however, also made some seemingly contradictory have in the past. statements about Evans. But we’re not here to see who’s right or wrong. Players entering the NHL often need time to find their identity at this Instead, let’s focus on the impact these men had on Evans’ development. level, and that’s what Bouchard focused on with Evans. He arrives Once you do that, what first appears as a contradiction could in fact be knowing full well he will likely be a bottom-six forward. seen as a way of explaining a progression. But even if his meal ticket is his responsible defensive play, Julien sees Take Evans’ skating, for example. him as a player capable of creating chances on offence through his “He’s always been criticized a little bit for his skating, but I think he relentless forechecking. Jackson, for his part, believes that if given the improved a lot in his four years here,” said Jackson, who has coached opportunity, Evans’ instincts and willingness to get his nose dirty could the men’s hockey team at Notre Dame since 2005. “His quickness and allow him to produce points in the NHL as well. his stride have improved. He’s always had pretty good agility and ability Evans has taken his time every step of the way – four years in college, to change directions, but I think he’s made himself into a much better two years in the AHL – and he’s an NHL rookie at 24. He’s more of a player with the time and effort he put into the weight room and all the tortoise than a hare, that’s clear, but given his progression curve, that development stuff that we do here with our players.” doesn’t necessarily mean we’re looking at a finished product. Evans has had to come a long way. There’s a reason why he was drafted Before the free-agent market opened, when asked about the possibility of in the seventh round; there had to be some kind of manufacturing defect. getting his hands on an experienced centre to replace Nate Thompson, His four years of progress in South Bend, however, wouldn’t be enough general manager Marc Bergevin said the time had come to show some once he arrived in Laval. confidence in his young players. While there was some element of risk in that strategy, the Canadiens were in a position where they had to “You look at Jake Evans right now, and Jake Evans when he first came gamble. with us,” Bouchard said. “His pace – and when I talk about pace, I mean his engagement into the game, his pop, the way he would jump – was “Centreman is the toughest position in hockey, so it’s not an easy place way low. For that reason, it was tough for me at the beginning to put him to jump in,” Lehkonen said. “(Evans) has taken a lot of own zone faceoffs too much on the ice.” too, so he’s got a lot of trust from the coaches. And he’s really making it count too. He’s playing great right now.” A pace that was too slow for the American Hockey League? Imagine that. It meant Evans was given a mandate usually reserved for more established players. Julien has no choice but to turn to him, you might But what was Julien saying in training camp about the unit that had say, but he sincerely believes in him. Evans, Paul Byron, and Artturi Lehkonen? “I think Jake may surprise a lot of people this season if his confidence “That line looks extremely fast.” continues to go in the right direction,” Julien said during training camp.

Oh, yeah? We’ve now touched on a recurring theme with Evans. Over the years, his coaches may have had different opinions of his skating, or the role they “We got three really fast guys and I don’t think I’ve ever been on a line envisioned for him, but they all found that his self-confidence was an where I feel I’m the slowest one,” Lehkonen said last week. issue. See? It’s not so much that all these coaches contradict each other. It is During his early AHL days, when points were hard to come by, Evans that their experience of Jake Evans is timestamped. Taken one after the started making mistakes and doing things he wouldn’t normally do. He other, they tell a story, that of a young man who listened to what he was was on the verge of being scratched for a game in November 2019, until taught, who struggled but never stopped improving. Bouchard had a change of heart and put him in the lineup. Evans has come a long way. There’s a reason why he was drafted in the If you heard Evans speak about his first few games in Montreal last year, seventh round. Those initial defects took a lot of work in the factory to you’d notice he was hard on himself. Evans didn’t like his first game this erase. year either, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, apart from him Player development was a major flaw for the Canadiens when Sylvain being nervous, Julien had no problems with Evans on opening night. Lefebvre was running the . The scouting department received “He’s always been a guy that was hard on himself,” Jackson said. “But as its fair share of criticism over the years, but several highly-touted and long as they don’t let it pull them down, it really creates a situation where intriguing prospects seemed to wither while making their way up the they learn from their adversity, they learn from their mistakes. Over his Canadiens ranks. time here, he got stronger in that area and became a lot more mentally As such, we can already say of Evans that he is the first real tough.” development success for the Rocket under Joël Bouchard. There was Cale Fleury, who was rushed to Montreal for half a season last year, but In the Canadiens’ first six games, Lehkonen saw Evans as a player growing in confidence with every game. He might have something to do with that, as Evans thanked him and Byron for encouraging him and remaining positive with him the day after the Toronto game.

But Evans is aware that all of this is a necessary step, a barrier he must overcome in order to go further.

“In terms of development, young players must go through experiences,” Bouchard said a few days ago.

“There are things I can teach, and there are things they have to experience.”

Evans was always willing to learn. He always committed himself to be better and was open to fixing his mistakes. But now, it’s time for him to go through his trial by fire. It might be a bit dizzying for a player to be his own harshest critic, but at least it shows a deep desire to be the best version of himself.

And he won’t stop working to make it happen.

We often talk about the value of contracts by thinking in terms of dollars and cents, but in Evans’ case, it feels there is some moral value in the two-year contract he signed last fall. A commitment. He never forgot the fact the team took a chance on him when they selected him in the seventh round of the 2014 draft and he needed to live up to the trust placed in him.

Same thing with the University of Notre Dame. Jackson texts him when something big happens, but Evans does the same when something noteworthy takes place at his alma mater.

He is loyal to the program he once captained, Jackson says.

“He’s that type of a kid. If you work for him, he’s going to work for you. And that’s one of his character strengths.”

Jackson watched Evans score his first goal of the year, shorthanded, against the Edmonton Oilers. After all those years of encouraging Evans to shoot and focus a little less on passing, he must have been ecstatic to see him shoot on a 2-on-1 and score on his own rebound to beat goaltender Mikko Koskinen.

But it’s not just that.

The goal came after a turnover in the defensive zone that Evans created when he intercepted a pass from Connor McDavid. He took off the other way with the puck and McDavid wasn’t able to catch up to him to erase his mistake.

McDavid wasn’t able to catch up to him.

All that work on his skating has paid off. First, it was Jackson, then Bouchard and now Julien is benefiting from the end result.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200553 Nashville Predators

Predators' postponed game against Hurricanes rescheduled for early March

Paul Skrbina

The Nashville Predators' game scheduled for Jan. 19, which was put on hold after four Hurricanes players were put on the league's COVID-19 reserve list, has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2 at Bridgestone Arena.

The announcement from the NHL onMonday included a total of six games rescheduled for the Hurricanes, who had a sixth player added to the COVID-19 list Sunday and have had four consecutive games postponed.

Defenseman Jaccob Slavin and forwards Jordan Staal, Teuvo Teravainen, Jordan Martinook, Warren Foegele and Jesper Fast all are on the COVID-19 list for Carolina.

"It's an unfortunate situation but we've all tried to do the best jobs we can to wear masks, to socially distance, to made sure when we're away from the rink we're doing the right things as far as not going to restaurants and trying to make sure your circle of people you're with is close," Predators coach John Hynes said after his team's game against Carolina was postponed.

Tennessean LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200554 Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators goalie Connor Ingram enters player assistance program

Paul Skrbina

Predators goalie Connor Ingram will be away from the team for an undetermined amount of time after he voluntarily entered the league's player assistance program, the league announced Monday morning.

The program is confidential and provides assistance, through the NHL and NHLPA, for players and their families for mental health and substance abuse.

Ingram had been on the Predators' taxi squad as the mandatory third goalie. The 23-year-old has not appeared in an NHL game. He signed a three-year contract with Nashville in March 2020 after he was acquired in a trade from the Lightning for a seventh-round pick in the 2021 draft.

He is a two-time AHL All-Star selection who had some issues with the Lightning.

"As a young kid maybe you get stuck in a rut, or the maturity part of it," Predators director of player personnel Scott Nichol said last year. "Maybe you say something you can't get back. ... Everybody needs sometimes a second chance. He didn’t have to come to development camp. He wanted to show what he had. I'm excited for him. It was a really good, off- the-radar trade for us.

"He’s got great pedigree. … He’s a young goalie to help in our stable of goalies."

The Predators recalled Kasimir Kaskisuo from the of the AHL to take Ingram's roster spot on the taxi squad. The 27-year-old has one game of NHL experience and is 46-32-10 with a 2.65 goals-against average in 95 career AHL games.

Tennessean LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200555 Nashville Predators

New season music to Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene's ears

Paul Skrbina

Turns out Matt Duchene had to wait for the weight to be lifted.

The Nashville Predators center said last year's COVID-19-abbreviated season consisted of a lot of mind games, games he usually lost while trying to live up to the weighty expectations attached to a seven-year, $56 million contract.

Moving to Music City began with the Predators presenting Duchene a guitar during his first meeting with the press before what turned out to be "the weirdest year of my career."

He wasn't expecting another musical instrument to be key in the experience, though.

"It was mostly mental," he said. "I'm someone who puts a ton of pressure on myself. I felt at times last year I was kind of carrying a piano around on my back. ... When you sign a big contract you expect yourself to live up to it."

This year is another chance to do that.

The wait of the long offseason helped some of that weight disappear. He's looking forward to hockey every day, he said. Can't wait to go to work every day to prove he's worth such a paycheck.

"I almost can't sleep at night I'm so excited to get back to the rink," he said before Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Stars in Dallas. "I'm trying to come in with a grateful heart every day ... as corny and cheesy as that sounds."

What would sound even better, Duchene said, is if those numbers on the stat sheet began to match the ones on his contract. He's confident those will come.

He's not unhappy about his start to this season, which consists of zero goals and two assists through five games.

This in wake of 13 goals and 29 assists in 66 regular-season games during his first year with the team.

"I'm not even close to satisfied (so far this season)," he said. "I want to keep doing whatever I can to help the team win, whether it's little things or big things. So far, the little things have been there. Hopefully the big stuff starts coming back.

"I know the numbers will come. I'm as happy as I've been with my game since I've been in the league."

Duchene has been the only constant so far on a musical chairs second line. He began the season with three new linemates — Erik Haula, Nick Cousins and Luke Kunin.

He recently was reunited with a familiar face when Mikael Granlund rejoined the team for Friday's 7-0 loss to the Stars. Duchene said that while sometimes such uncertainty with linemates can cause distress, that isn't the case now.

"The chemistry has been pretty instant," Duchene said. "Granlund came back, didn't miss a beat; he was right back doing his thing.

"Sometimes it's a hurdle and you don't find that, but we've been lucky enough to. ... We've played a ton of offense and we just keep staying with the process ... so we're doing things that's going to (work) for us. We're not worried. It's early in the season and you see guys all over the league that are cold. There's guys that are hot. I think we're somewhere in the middle."

Poile said the Predators' "second line just didn't get it done" last season and called it "a weak point of our team," referring to now-departed Kyle Turris, Duchene and Granlund.

Duchene and his linemates, new and old, are trying to turn that weakness into a strength, which could be easier considering the weight is gone and the wait is over.

Tennessean LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200556 Nashville Predators puckhandling ability has progressed from good to great over time, helping him problem-solve and create one-on-one when he decides to attack. And his shot, which he has used more confidently in the year and a half, comes off of his blade hard. His defensive game doesn’t have the Wheeler’s 2021 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 17 Nashville Predators same quality to it and some of his offence can come at the expense of positioning and support, but he’s not a liability in his own zone either and

he should be able to hold his own defensively while driving results with By Scott Wheeler Jan 25, 2021 the puck.

4. Eeli Tolvanen, RW/LW, 21 (/Nashville Predators)

Welcome to Scott Wheeler’s 2021 rankings of every NHL organization’s It’s hard to believe that Tolvanen is only 21, because it feels like he has prospects. You can find the complete ranking and more information on been around forever — and not just around forever, but on the cusp of the criteria here, as we count down daily from No. 31 to No. 1. The the NHL forever. But a slow progression since his brilliant post-draft series, which includes my own evaluations and commentary from season has raised question marks about what kind of player he is. Inside coaches and staff on more than 500 prospects, runs from Jan. 11 to Feb. the offensive zone, he’s a threat, with a powerful in-motion snapshot that 9. releases quickly…

The Predators’ prospect pool is in a good spot after a strong 2020 draft … and one-touch skill that helps him take bad passes and shoot from a helped bring a below-average system closer to the middle of the pack. variety of stances: Five of Nashville’s seven draft picks in 2020 appear here, just two But a heavy stride for a player his size has limited his ability to take his players who were on last year’s list have since graduated, and several of game from impact mid-level pro to unstoppable mid-level who is an easy their late-round picks from 2019 have made real progress. NHL call-up as a top-nine scorer and power-play option. His hands and On the whole, the Predators’ farm system now has the strongest goalie shot would give him standout one-on-one ability if he were a little quicker, prospect depth in the NHL, with an A-level goalie prospect, a B-level but he can drift to the perimeter and struggle to take the puck goalie prospect, and a C-level goalie prospect each ranked in different aggressively to the slot, which results in too many shots off of the flank. tiers within the system. And while they may not have a top-10 forward or And while he’s stronger than he looks along the wall, he can get caught a top-10 defence prospect, they’ve got depth at both positions. standing still in those engagements, limiting his ability to win back possession so that his skill can take over. There’s still probably a middle- The Predators are also just the second team to appear in the ranking six complementary scorer and power-play creator in there somewhere, thus far with the maximum of 20 prospects listed (joining the 24th-ranked but it hasn’t been a linear progression. Blackhawks), with players ranked into the teens who intrigue me. 5. Egor Afanasyev, LW/RW, 19 (CSKA Moskva/) 2020 prospect pool rank: No. 22 (change: +5) My big takeaway from Afanasyev’s play so far this season in Russia and 1. Yaroslav Askarov, G, 18 (SKA St. Petersburg) then in Edmonton at the world juniors is threefold: He’s shooting the puck more, he’s looking really effective on lifts and steals, and he’s looking Askarov’s raw talent level is higher than any goalie’s outside the NHL faster. These are the latest in a series of elements Afansyev has added (and many within it). His ability to change directions in the net, stay on to his game over the years. He’s constantly working at his craft, evolving top of shooters, track their hands, and make reactionary saves is elite. his game, and finding new ways to make things happen on the ice. For a His athleticism is elite. He makes second- and third-chance saves long time, he fascinated scouts with his ability to play a finesse game at holding firm in his positioning even when he’s laying on the ice. But there 6-foot-4, with a light touch as a passer, deceptive hands, and threatening are tools in his game that still need some refinement in ways that at least rush skill (on top of the cycle puck protection talent you’d expect out of a one other goalie prospect (hello, Jesper Wallstedt) doesn’t. There are still player his size). The development in his skating, which I’ve always times where he gets frozen over his glove hand, something NHL teams argued was actually pretty impressive through the neutral zone even if he will exploit. He still looks jittery in the net, bouncing on his toes (instead of wasn’t particularly quick from a standstill, has helped him adjust quickly holding his edges) to keep himself focused and make some of those to a recent KHL call-up. Watch the way No. 76 joins the rush after quick- saves I talked about. But his agility and reads are so starting it, before setting up a point shot that leads to a goal here: impressive that he’s got an ability to steal games when he’s at his best, and make the difficult saves that others just can’t get to or stick with. His numbers have never screamed NHLer but his skill set does. Given his age, and the level he’s already at, there’s good reason to believe he’ll be a bonafide No. 1 goalie. 6. Luke Evangelista, RW, 18 ()

2. Philip Tomasino, C/RW, 19 (Nashville Predators/) Evangelista was one of the most improved players in major junior hockey last season, scoring at a point per game rate without prominent usage on The beauty of Philip Tomasino’s game is that he’s got all the skill in the either power-play unit. Some scouts argue he’s not built to play a depth world in flashes, but he’s not a player who needs touches to impact a role at the NHL level and may not quite develop his skill set to the level game. Some kids need to be involved or play a specific role at the top of needed to be a top-nine player. I see a kid who never plays a bad game, a lineup to be successful. Some players come and go in games, making has more O-zone skill than we’ve seen to date, is poised for another leap things happen in spurts rather than entire games. At this year’s world forward finally in a top-of-the-lineup role when (or if) the OHL season juniors, Tomasino proved — not for the first time — that he was going to starts up, and is just scratching the surface athletically. He’s a detail- play the same way regardless of his minutes, or his usage, or his oriented two-way player who can be trusted to support the play and stay linemates. He showed that he could play off of his linemates, play the above the puck, but he’s also got some underrated craftiness to his game wing, and create chances without being the driver on his line (the role he with and without the puck offensively, with a deceptive release, quiet typically plays), because he processes the game at a high level, gets power through his stride, and impressive heel, toe and backhand puck open with his speed, and doesn’t try to do too much when there’s a control skill. It’s a shame he’s lost most of this season because it was chance in front of him. Tomasino’s a threat off the rush, both out wide going to be a real showcase opportunity for him, but I know he has with his release but also through the middle with his hands. He’s a multi- worked diligently to get stronger so there has been a benefit there. faceted play-driver who dictates tempo with his skating and skill. I see clear top-six upside at this point. 7. Connor Ingram, G, 23 (IF Björklöven/Chicago Wolves/Nashville Predators) 3. David Farrance, LHD, 21 () I understand why the Predators drafted Askarov (it’s because the gap I’ve watched a ton of Farrance over the last few years (both in-person between him and Ingram/Juuse Saros could still be significant!) but it’s at and on tape) and he has consistently impressed me and improved, to the least a little ironic that the organization that took the best goalie prospect point where he was one of the best players in college hockey last season in years already had two standout 25-and-under goalies. Ingram is legit. and he has somehow found a new level as a senior early on this year. He could play in the NHL as a backup right now. In fact, this year’s weird He’s a plus-level skater with a powerful and smooth stride (a rare experience with Björklöven in Sweden’s second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan combination) in transition, helping him to push past forecheckers and was the first time his numbers haven’t stood out among his age group lead rushes with his feet. He’s a plus-level passer and power-play and league since he entered the WHL seven seasons ago. Ingram is an quarterback, dissecting offensive-zone sequences with pinpoint passes impressive lateral and low-to-high goalie who plays an aggressive, and an increasingly-aggressive approach off of the blue line. His challenging style. He’s quick in the net while limiting how often his Nobody has ever questioned Campbell’s speed, or quickness, or ability scrambles with a compact technique. And while he’s 6-foot-2 and things to handle the puck and make plays at pace. But after a coming out party didn’t play out like he would have hoped for with the Lightning pre- alongside Alex Newhook with the Victoria Grizzlies in his draft year, there Predators, Ingram’s blend of power and control should make him a were questions about whether he would be able to dictate play on his decent NHL goalie, even if he doesn’t become a starter. own as he progressed up levels and he didn’t immediately make the jump to college as a result. But his play since his draft year has helped 8. Marc Del Gaizo, LHD, 21 (UMass) eliminate some of those concerns. He was one of the USHL’s more fun Del Gaizo is just so darn interesting because he’s 5-foot-9 and his to watch playmakers last season and that has continued this year at defensive game is more impressive than his offensive one. He has been, Clarkson, where he leads the team in points (15 in 15 games) and for three years now, one of college hockey’s most effective players and assists (11) as a freshman. He’s a speedy transition carrier who can lead drivers of defensive results. He plays huge minutes for UMass, the transitions, transport the puck through the neutral zone, create entries, Minutemen win those times when he’s on the ice, and he’s just as and then pull up to facilitate or change directions once he crosses the effective in zone play as he is in transition. He’s a plus-level skater blue line. His light, airy stride (I wouldn’t say it’s powerful per se) is also (though not an explosive one for his size), he can make plays as a complemented by impressive touch on saucer passes off of his forehand shooter and passer offensively, and he can play a variety of styles to or backhand, hitting linemates in stride and putting pucks into space. His shape-shift to different defence partners and coaching asks. And most of shot doesn’t pop, Campbell’s skating keeps him involved when he all, when he’s on the ice he manages the game. That’s what you want in doesn’t have the puck to get to the front of the net for chances. And while a defenceman. With the right belief internally with the Predators, I think he’s not a physical player, his skating also helps him apply pressure and Del Gaizo can become a modern No. 4-6 defenceman. jump into lanes on steals and interceptions. Is that enough to eventually build into an NHL game? It might be after three or four years at college, 9. Patrick Harper, C/LW, 22 (Chicago Wolves/) but patience is going to be key.

After looking like one of the most consistently dangerous players in 13. Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, LW, 20 () college hockey as a junior last season, Harper has made the ECHL look easy while he awaits his first season in the AHL with the Chicago Fontaine is a multi-dimensional offensive player who is an equal threat to Wolves, who will serve as the Predators’ AHL affiliate for this year. The score or make a play to a linemate without being particularly dynamic or will take the season off because of COVID-19 reliant on either skill. He takes what’s given to him, and plays with concerns. Harper’s a dangerous offensive-zone player who can score in patience and calm under pressure. Those tools have served him well as a variety of ways from a variety of spots. He’s got a threatening one-timer a late-blooming freshman in college this season, working in concert with and a hard wrist shot, which blends with agile lateral footwork, an up- an engaged off-puck approach to become an impact player inside the tempo energy, and sneaky off-puck pathing. But he’s also 5-foot-8 and Huskies’ top nine, playing primarily with the Jackson brothers. He’s at his while I think he’s always going to be able to get open without the puck best when he’s using fakes to create space for himself with the puck and because of his routes and timing, it’s going to be harder for him to create keeping his feet moving when he doesn’t have it, but his effort level can for himself and distribute at pace as he climbs up rungs. I suspect he’ll mask his average speed relative to his 5-foot-10 frame. quickly become a top AHL contributor. He’s going to have to immediately 14. Adam Wilsby, LHD, 20 (Skellefteå AIK) show well in any NHL audition to avoid becoming a bit of a tweener though. Wilsby is a tremendous skater, especially with his edgework. He rotates in and out of space beautifully, adjusting to pressure or building speed 10. Juuso Pärssinen, C/LW, 19 (TPS) through his crossovers. After an excellent year on loan in the second-tier Parssinen has taken a big step forward this year, wearing a letter in HockeyAllsvenskan, he has looked good with his SHL club team this Finland’s top professional league and producing near the top of his team year, averaging 15:31 a game (more of late) and excelling in transition. as a teenager. He looked good in the second-line centre role for the He’s not a particularly dynamic shooter, but he’s creative as a carrier and bronze medal-winning Finns at the world juniors, too. Pärssinen has a handler. His defensive game has also progressively improved, to the smooth (though not explosive) stride and good balance. He uses point where he’s more than capable of handling his own, particularly excellent hands in tight to his body to complement that wide base, pulling because of his feet and spatial awareness. But the strength of Wilsby’s pucks through his feet to cut past and around defenders one-on-one or game is always going to be his footwork and posture. Watch the way he delay on goalies and finish with an accurate (though again, not explosive) curls up ice from his own zone, outlets the puck to start the rush, and shot. And it’s all built on a 6-foot-3 frame, making his ability to dodge then activates to join and maneuver away from pressure to set up this pressure and play with the puck on his stick that much more impressive. goal: Watch for those hands below after Parssinen trails the play into the zone, 15. Spencer Stastney, LHD, 21 (University of Notre Dame) gets a shot off, and then quickly knifes around the opposing player to pull the puck out of traffic and tuck it five-hole (he makes plays like this a lot): Stastney is a good though uninspiring player who plays an efficient, careful game but doesn’t have the skill you’d hope for out of a smaller And here’s some of that patience with the puck: defenceman. He plays a simple, no fuss game predicated on advancing If he can add a pull-away element to his game (not an easy thing to do), the puck and making quick decisions all over the ice. But his skating he’s got real NHL upside. stride and shot lack power, and he’s poised without being aggressive with the puck, limiting his above-average passing ability from cracking 11. Semyon Chistyakov, LHD, 19 (Omskie Yastreby) open shifts. I like the way he defends. He’s got a good stick and he positions himself well against opposing carriers to take away their time Chistyakov had some tough moments at this year’s world juniors but he and space. I expect him to have a decent career at the pro level. But it’s got better as the games went on and emerged with a strong tournament hard to see him becoming more than a good AHLer who tops out as a overall on a disappointing Russian team. Chistyakov is a good-at- second or third call-up who might someday be able to play a quiet 14-15 everything smallish defender who defends in zone better than he defends minutes at the very top of his ceiling. There’s nothing to really dislike the rush (it’s normally the opposite for 5-foot-11 defencemen, especially about his game but there isn’t a lot to get excited about either. one who has grown a couple of inches in the last two years). With the puck, he stretches the ice as an excellent heads-up outlet passer, and 16. Jachym Kondelik, C, 21 (University of Connecticut) impacts the game inside the offensive zone through calculated decisions on distribution. The concern with Chistyakov is that he doesn’t have the Kondelik’s a towering prospect with decent skill and standout playmaking dynamic four-way mobility needed to pick teams apart inside the instincts who is comfortable as a handler and facilitator who reads and offensive zone, his shot isn’t powerful enough to be a major threat, and breaks down the play at a high level. I like the way he stops up in he’s not particularly creative as a playmaker and handler, preferring to possession, which can be harder for bigger players to do while make the first aggressive play rather than looking to delay and fake his maintaining possession in their feet. But it’s also difficult to make the way into better spots. He’s going to have to use a reliable two-way game jump at his height and he’s better on the perimeter than at the front of the to play his way into a third-pairing role at the NHL level. It’s no small feat net, so he’s not what you expect. Plus his skating is predictably a little that he’s already an everyday player in the KHL as a teenager, though, sluggish, so he can be prone to reaching in and relying on his length and he doesn’t shy away from physical engagements or a quick close rather than keeping his feet moving. He’s a project and a worthwhile one, through neutral ice to step up and surprise opposing carriers. the kind of player the Predators should eagerly sign when he’s ready to turn pro even if his odds are long because if he can become an exception 12. Alexander Campbell, LW, 19 (Clarkson University) to the rule there will be real value there. 17. Grant Mismash, C/LW, 21 (University of North Dakota)

Mismash isn’t going to be more than a depth player if he’s ever to make it (the odds of which are thin) but he’s a coach’s favourite who plays hard, finishes his checks, works the inside lane, stays on top of the play, and can be relied upon as an above-puck defensive player. Within his give- and-go style with the puck he’s also got decent though unspectacular skill across the board, with enough talent to get off the wall to the slot and make the odd play around the slot. His point-per-game rate this season is driven in part by his role on the team’s top line with stars Collin Adams and Jordan Kawaguchi, though, and he probably tops out as an reliable AHL and depth call-up.

18. Tomas Vomacka, G, 21 (University of Connecticut)

Vomacka’s that third goalie prospect I hinted at. He has played well as a junior at UConn this season, bouncing back from a bit of a down year last season. Vomacka has above average size, technical ability, play-reading skill, and a fighter’s mentality in the net to find the puck through lanes and stay on the puck in scrambles. He’s not a particularly explosive or quick goalie, though, so while he excels when he faces chances head on, he doesn’t make a ton of stretch saves when the play starts moving side- to-side. He might provide some good AHL depth, though.

19. Vladislav Yeryomenko, RHD, 21 (Dinamo Minsk)

Yeryomenko remains unsigned and may never come back over to play in the AHL and give it a run with the Predators, but he plays a straight forward game built around pro physical tools, a heavy point shot, and a smart defensive style that has earned him significant KHL minutes earlier in his career than most. He plays a mature game for his age and he’s a serviceable five-on-five defender in a top pro league. But that may be it for his career.

20. Luke Prokop, RHD, 18 ()

Prokhop is a mobile, right-shot, 6-foot-4 defender who defends the rush well, snuffs out a lot of plays in the neutral zone, gaps well, and covers a lot of territory in his own zone. He’s sloppy with the puck when the play collapses in on him, though, and he’ll have to make significant strides with his touch to warrant the third-round pick.

The Tiers

Each of my prospect pool rankings will be broken down into team-specific tiers to give you a better sense of the talent proximity from one player to the next (a gap which is sometimes minute and in other cases quite pronounced).

Any time a prospect pool runs into double digits with notable prospects, it’s a decent pool overall. The Predators’ group runs 13, maybe 14 players deep in that way, with kids who’d rank on just about any list in the league. But outside of the top two and maybe Farrance, there are no players in their group that you can confidently stake a projection to.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200557 New Jersey Devils “We missed some really good opportunities,” Ruff said. “I felt there were a couple situations where we were on the flanks and we threw some pucks back towards our defenseman where, in those situations, I’d like to see the puck start going to the net. Funnel some pucks there, get some 5 observations from Devils’ win over Islanders: Scott Wedgewood’s people there. So on a whole it was better. I just think we have a ways to winding road back, Ty Smith’s historic start, more go yet.”

Ty Smith continues historic start to NHL career

Updated Jan 25, 2021; Posted Jan 25, 2021 Only one defenseman in NHL history has started his career with a longer point streak that Ty Smith. By Chris Ryan Smith’s two assists on Sunday gave him points in five consecutive

games to open his pro career, making him only the sixth blue liner to ever The Devils got back in the win column with a 2-0 victory over the New pull off that feat. Marek Zidlicky of the Nashville Predators is the only York Islanders on Sunday at Prudential Center in Newark, backed by defenseman to ever record points in his first six games, doing so in 2003- Scott Wedgewood’s 28-save shutout. 04. The only other active defenseman to start his career with a five-game point streak is Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche. First-period goals by Jack Hughes and Pavel Zacha provided enough offense to support the goalie’s effort, and the Devils improved to 3-1-1 on Smith set up Jack Hughes’ power-play goal to open the scoring on the young season. Sunday, and he added a secondary assist on Pavel Zacha’s goal two minutes later for his first career multi-point game. Sign up for Devils Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers The offensive side of Smith’s game was always expected to be his biggest strength when he reached the NHL. His puck movement and Here are some takeaways from their win: vision were touted as his best assets when the Devils selected him 17th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. Scott Wedgewood’s triumphant NHL return Smith was bumped up to the top power-play unit for Sunday’s game, Prior to Sunday, it had been nearly since Wedgewood’s last NHL win — which paid off immediately with Hughes’ goal. Smith’s play in training a 2-1 victory on Feb. 13, 2018 over the San Jose Sharks while he was a camp was the main reason Will Butcher hasn’t earned a shot in the member of the Arizona Coyotes. lineup yet this season, and Smith hasn’t shown any reason the Devils to The goalie has been part of five different NHL organizations since that pull him back. win. He was traded to the Los Angeles Kings later during the 2017-18 “It helps to get those points and help us create offense,” Smith said. “But season. He played in the AHL for the Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate in 2018-19 at the same time I think I need to continue to improve defensively and before playing in the AHL again with the Tampa Bay Lightning’s minor- continue to get stronger to handle these men that I play against, that we league team in 2019-20. play against every night. That’s kind of the goal right now, to keep Wedgewood returned to the team that drafted him by signing with the contributing as much as possible offensively, continue to work on Devils during the offseason, giving the Devils some goalie depth. He was defensiveness.” expected to serve as the third-string net minder — an insurance policy for Special teams served as the main difference in the Devils’ loss to the any unexpected twists during a season being played during a pandemic. Islanders on Thursday. The Devils didn’t convert on their lone power When Corey Crawford retired during training camp and Mackenzie play, while the Islanders scored on back-to-back power plays in the third Blackwood went on the COVID-19 list one week into the regular season, period to put the game away. Wedgewood’s role drastically changed. He was suddenly the man at the The Devils flipped that script on Sunday. top of the depth chart. Hughes scored on the first power-play chance of the night, and while the “You don’t anticipate a guy retiring or another guy getting COVID,” Devils didn’t score off the only other Islanders penalty, they successfully Wedgewood said. “It’s just rolling with the situations, but I’ve done a good killed two Islanders power plays. job preparing myself to be ready if this opportunity came.” Wedgewood played a big role on the first penalty kill in the first period, Wedgewood didn’t have much time to think when he learned he was making six saves to fend off an Islanders push in a still scoreless game. starting on Thursday against the Islanders, marking his first NHL But in the third period, Wedgewood wasn’t tested. The Devils didn’t a appearance since 2018. He had a couple more days of preparation shot during that successful fill while protecting the two-goal lead. ahead of Sunday’s game, and he rewarded the faith Devils coaches and management put in him during the preseason. “When you’ve gone through the stretch we’ve gone through and given up the number of goals we have, your confidence is lacking a little bit, you He stopped all 28 shots he faced for his third career shutout, and it tend to sit back a little bit, you’re not quite as aggressive,” Ruff said. “But happened to fall on his mom’s birthday. I think the confidence we got from the first one — we didn’t get scored Wedgewood said it was easier to settle into his second game compared against — allowed us to really create a lot of pressure in that second to his first, and the result helped show the work he put in over the past one.” few years to get back to the NHL made a difference. Andy Greene played his first game at Prudential Center since being “It was nice to kind of get the comfortability. First period the other night, traded to the Islanders last season, while looked on as a there’s a lot of nerves, a lot of different emotions,” Wedgewood said. healthy scratch after being bought out by the Devils during the offseason. “Obviously happy and things like that, but the heart rate was a little high. Their return to The Rock didn’t feature any fans, but it didn’t stop the But tonight it was nice to get myself back on to a situation that I can Devils from paying tribute to their former defenseman and goalie. control, an even-keel heart rate and be out there and feel comfortable, so just looking to keep that going.” During the first TV stoppage during the first period, the Devils played a video montage featuring both Greene and Schneider on the big screen Devils take a step in ’s mandate to shoot more above center ice. Before Sunday’s game, head coach Lindy Ruff said the Devils were Greene skated out onto the ice and gave a quick acknowledgement to passing up too many opportunities to shoot the puck. Whether they were the stick taps from his current and former teammates, while Schneider trying to make an extra pass or simply hesitating, Ruff said the first four waved on the video board. games featured too many instances of poor decision making when a shot would have done the trick. Star Ledger LOADED: 01.26.2021 The Devils finished with 24 shots on goal on Sunday, and they haven’t topped 31 yet this season, hitting that mark twice in five games. Ruff saw progress in that mandate against the Islanders, though he said there’s still plenty of room for improvement. 1200558 New Jersey Devils

Devils’ Scott Wedgewood blanks Islanders for 3rd career shutout

Updated Jan 24, 9:34 PM; Posted Jan 24, 9:33 PM

By Chris Ryan

Scott Wedgewood had a little more notice that he would be starting against the New York Islanders this time. With Mackenzie Blackwood still on the NHL’s COVID-19 list, the Devils turned to Wedgewood in goal for a second straight game.

This time, Wedgewood got back in the win column for the first time since 2018.

The goalie made 28 saves and posted his third career shutout, blanking the Islanders in a 2-0 Devils victory on Sunday at Prudential Center in Newark.

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Ironically, Wedgewood’s last shutout came against the Devils on Dec. 2, 2017, after New Jersey traded him to the Arizona Coyotes in October of that year.

The Devils provided all the support Wedgewood needed when they jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first period. During that scoring run, defenseman Ty Smith extended his point streak to five games to start his NHL career and picked up his first multi-point game.

Smith assisted on both first-period goals, starting with a power-play strike from Jack Hughes. The center took a pass from Smith in the left circle and snapped a shot over Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin at 17:00 of the first period.

The lead doubled exactly two minutes later when Pavel Zacha picked up his first goal and point of the season. Nikita Gusev took a pass from Smith and stepped into the slot, where he fired a shot on goal. Sorokin made the save, but Zacha scooped the rebound and popped it into net at 19:00.

Next up

The Devils will move on to two more sets of consecutive games against the same team in the coming week. They will host the Flyers for two straight home games on Tuesday and Thursday.

They will then hit the road for back-to-back games against Taylor Hall and the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday and Sunday.

If Jesper Bratt finishes his travel quarantine without any issues, he will be eligible to be activated off the COVID-19 list and practice with the team as early as Wednesday.

Star Ledger LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200559 New Jersey Devils

Former Coyotes GM John Chayka suspended by NHL through 2021

By Greg JoyceJanuary 25, 2021 | 5:26pm | Updated

When John Chayka resigned as general manager of the Coyotes in July, reports emerged that the ugly divorce stemmed from him lying about having a job interview with the Devils.

Now Chayka will be out of any NHL job for at least a year.

The NHL on Monday suspended Chayka through the end of 2021 for conduct detrimental to the league, according to multiple reports. The league ruled he was terminated properly “after overtly trying to force his way out of his contract,” The Athletic reported.

Chayka, 31, had three years left on his contract in July when he suddenly resigned, just as the Coyotes were set to restart play in the Edmonton postseason bubble. The Coyotes blasted him on the way out with a searing statement that accused him of quitting on the team.

“John Chayka has quit as the General Manager and President of Hockey Operations of the Arizona Coyotes. The Club is disappointed in his actions and his timing as the Coyotes prepare to enter the NHL’s hub city of Edmonton, where the team will begin post-season play for the first time since 2012,” the team said in a statement. “Chayka has chosen to quit on a strong and competitive team, a dedicated staff, and the Arizona Coyotes fans, the greatest fans in the NHL.”

According to ESPN, the former GM’s relationship with new owner Alex Meruelo had soured when Chayka lied about having a job interview with the Devils, who then became uninterested in hiring him.

Chayka, meanwhile, pinned his resignation on Coyotes ownership.

“I love our players, coaches, staff and fans and I very much wish I could be with the team in Edmonton. Sadly, the situation created by ownership made that an impossibility,” Chayka said in a statement at the time. “That’s all I intend to say on this matter for now. A fuller, more detailed explanation may be necessary in the near future.”

New York Post LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200560 New Jersey Devils 3. New Jersey spent all of its special teams time at Saturday’s practice on the penalty kill and still debuted new power-play units. Ty Smith replaced P.K. Subban as the PP1 quarterback while Travis Zajac moved into the designated faceoff man/bumper role. Jack Hughes and Kyle Scott Wedgewood’s special night helps Devils to promising season start Palmieri were on the flanks and Miles Wood was in front of the net. The second unit included Subban, Damon Severson, Andreas Johnsson,

Nikita Gusev and Pavel Zacha. By Corey Masisak Jan 25, 2021 4. After starting the season 1-for-11 on the power play, the Devils authored a nearly perfect sequence with the extra man to take a 1-0 lead. It’s an early “power play of the year” candidate. The Devils might not put Six points in every five games is a simple mantra for coaches looking to together 36 better seconds of hockey than they did here. set short-term goals and help their teams through a grueling NHL season. It started with a faceoff win. The Devils are still last in the league in power-play faceoff wins at 35.0 percent, but Wood helped Zajac win it by In a normal 82-game season, collecting six points per five games puts pushing it back to the point. From there, it was a lethal combination of you on a 98-point pace. That’s enough to secure a playoff berth in most crisp, accurate passing and firing away at the goaltender. years, or leave a team with one or two more points needed to complete the task. The Devils had five shot attempts in 36 seconds. They only got credit for four, but it looks like Palmieri’s second attempt didn’t get logged. Of course, the best teams have much loftier regular-season goals. But for teams like the Devils, who are just trying to claw their way into the The Devils completed 11 of 12 passes. The only one that didn’t connect playoffs or remain in the mix for as long as possible, that’s a good goal to was when Hughes tried to hit Wood near the far post, just as he did set for each five-game segment. against the Rangers. The Islanders never touched the puck; New Jersey hunted down every loose puck and zipped it around like an elite power- The Devils defeated the Islanders in their fifth game of the season and play unit. now have seven points. New Jersey is 3-1-1 despite losing Corey Crawford during training camp and Mackenzie Blackwood for the past One of the Islanders’ players ended up with a broken stick, which gave two games. The Devils have collected seven points in five games despite Hughes more time to pick his corner. nary a goal from Kyle Palmier, Nikita Gusev, Andreas Johnsson, Nico Wood also was planted in front of the goalie on four of the five attempts, Hischier and Jesper Bratt, who make up five-sixths of New Jersey’s and the fifth was a point-blank chance for him. protected top two lines. When New Jersey’s power play was rolling near the end of the 2017-18 Hischier, Bratt, late signee Sami Vatanen and two goaltenders claimed season, it looked very similar to the PP1 the Devils went with on Sunday on waivers — Aaron Dell and Eric Comrie — have combined to play zero night. Will Butcher was the quarterback at the time, and his style on the games because of an injury and four immigration/COVID-19 quarantine PP is very similar to Smith’s. Zajac was the in the bumper role, which he protocol delays. Blackwood became the team’s first player to land on the hasn’t assumed very often on PP1 in the past two years. Taylor Hall and NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list for a non-quarantine reason after looking Palmieri were on the flanks; now Hughes is the playmaker in place of like a Vezina Trophy candidate for three games. Hall. And Patrick Maroon was parked at the top of the crease. Wood is New Jersey hasn’t dealt with the most adversity in the league; Dallas and the closest player to Maroon on the roster. Carolina, for example, have had more COVID-19 absences so far. But If Smith can move the puck like he did Sunday consistently, and if Wood the Devils are missing both of the goalies they planned to lean on heavily is better at screening the goalie while not getting hit by shots like he has this season, not only to start the 56 games but also to help a young team in the past, this might be the right group, at least until Hischier returns. survive in a division stacked with deeper, more veteran-laden teams. Palmieri has always liked being on the right flank in this 1-3-1. Zajac But here they are, having more than survived through the first segment. doesn’t seem suited for PP1, but he can win faceoffs and he helps win loose puck battles. Hall used to love having the option to shoot it off “We’ve talked about no excuses,” coach Lindy Ruff said. “We play hard Zajac’s stick for a redirection, and the Devils still don’t have many other from man to man and we play hard for each other. But you take it one right-handed options who can fill that role. game at a time, and I thought our answer to the way we played on (Long Island) was excellent. Our guys did a great job.” Watch the Devils’ two power-play goals this season.

The Devils started the 2017-18 season 9-2-0 and kept rolling through the Notice the similarity between the two? On each play, Hughes and end of December. That hot start fueled the franchise’s lone playoff berth Palmieri start close to the blue line and push toward the circles. When in the past eight seasons. New Jersey started last season 0-4-2 and the 1-3-1 power play gets too stagnant or predictable, the players on the never recovered. flanks often stand still and try to make the puck move fast enough to open up space. They’ve played only five games and have a very difficult schedule remaining. The Devils need to get better in some areas or their success Getting them away from the penalty killers and driving toward the net will be fleeting. But if the goal is to hang around the playoff hunt, that puts a different kind of pressure on defenders who are generally trying to becomes more attainable with every positive five-game segment. stay in formation and not offer up openings. If the Devils continue to do that, they could create more space in the middle. Let’s get to some observations from Scott Wedgewood’s first NHL win in 35 months. 5. Subban made a crafty play during the second power play when he snapped a quick pass to Johnsson in the bumper spot. He moved it to 1. This is the second time in two tries the Devils have outplayed a good Gusev, who then sent a cross-ice pass to Severson for what would have team in the second of a two-game set. Both the Bruins and Islanders been a beautiful goal, but he missed wide. The carom off the end boards were the better team on the second night. Ruff pointed to adjustments went to Zacha and he nearly scored anyway. If the Devils can get both made by the coaching staff, particularly on special teams, as a key units creating chances, the power play could go from a negative to a Sunday night. positive rather quickly.

It’s something to monitor moving forward with so many two-game series 6. The Devils killed two penalties in completely different fashions. The on the schedule. They even have a four-game set with the Rangers at first one was largely a credit to Wedgewood. The Islanders won all three one point. Making those types of adjustments could be critical to fending faceoffs in the Devils’ end, and the one time they needed to enter the off losing streaks. zone, they did with ease. The result was seven shot attempts, including six on goal. That amounts to 210 shot attempts per 60 minutes. The 2. The Devils won the special teams battle for the first time this season. worst team in the league last year game up 111 per 60. They allowed two power-play goals in three of their first four games and yielded a shorthanded tally in the other game. This doesn’t look like a The second kill was much better and came at a critical time, with the team that will win games consistently by claiming the puck possession Devils holding a 2-0 lead in the third period. New Jersey won the faceoff battle at even strength. They’re going to need nights like this one, in and cleared the puck, then denied the first entry attempt, mucked up the which the power play produces a key goal and the penalty kill keeps a second one enough to prevent any chances off the rush and forced a clean sheet. turnover on the third one. The Islanders messed up on their own on the Wedgewood gave them a chance to win Thursday on Long Island and fourth try. The result was one shot attempt and none on Wedgewood. was a key to the win Sunday in Newark.

7. Gusev picked up his first point of the season with a great move to get “It’s something I’ve been waiting for for a long time,” Wedgewood said. “I himself open. Zacha snapped home the rebound for a 2-0 lead. Gusev felt like I’ve traveled the world before coming back here to get back in the still finished ninth among forwards in even-strength ice time — Nathan net in the National Hockey League, so it’s definitely nice to get a win.” Bastian played 100 seconds more. Now that Gusev has started slowly for two coaching staffs, I do wonder if part of the reason is that it takes He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Devils in 2017 after his longer for a new coach to trust him. His game is untraditional and it entry-level deal expired, but New Jersey traded him to Arizona for a fifth- doesn’t always appeal to the eye test. round pick (which the Devils used to draft Akira Schmid) early in the season. Wedgewood signed a one-year, two-way contract with Buffalo in 8. This was Dmitry Kulikov’s best game for the Devils. He led the team in 2018. And a one-year, two-way deal with Tampa Bay in 2019. And ice time (24:06), and he and Severson, along with the top line, thrived in another one with New Jersey this offseason. puck possession (data from Natural Stat Trick). His game isn’t flashy, but he isn’t making as many noticeable mistakes with the puck as Matt The Devils signed him to be the No. 3 goaltender, likely with the intention Tennyson is. They’re both bigger, physical players, and one will likely of him spending more time in Binghamton than Newark. Then the NHL need to sit once Vatanen is ready. mandated every team carry three goalies during this pandemic season, so it looked like Wedgewood was destined for the taxi squad, at least to 9. Severson has just one point in five games — the overtime pass to start the year. Then more unpredictable events unfolded. Yegor Sharangovich against the Bruins. He has been playing well this season, even if the doesn’t have the points to show for it. He and Kulikov “You don’t anticipate a guy retiring or another guy getting COVID,” are pushing 55 percent in Corsi for percentage and his expected goals Wedgewood said. “I think it’s just a whirlwind of situations, but I’ve done numbers are even better. While Severson is known for his offense, and a good job preparing myself to be ready if this opportunity came.” sometimes criticized for his work at the defensive end, he made three 18. Wedgewood’s reference to Blackwood caught people’s attention. He significant plays without the puck in this game. Two of them came in the also referenced his partner in net during the MSG postgame interview first period against Mathew Barzal, who killed the Devils the previous with Erika Wachter. game. The third one was picking off a pass in the neutral zone and nearly scoring an empty-net goal because Ilya Sorokin had started to head for “We’re missing some key parts, and you obviously feel for (Blackwood) the Islanders bench. and the situation he’s going through,” Wedgewood said. “But take care of his health and hopefully we can take care of his (absence) here for a little 10. Smith had two more points against the Islanders and now has six in bit and get him back.” five games. He played a season-low 11:48 because Ruff leaned on his top four defensemen a lot. Smith’s low in minutes before that came That’s not an official conformation that Blackwood has tested positive for against the Rangers; in both games, the Devils were trying to protect a COVID-19. The NHL and the teams won’t say why a player is on the third-period lead. There were two instances where Smith gave the puck COVID-19 protocol list, whether it is because of a positive test, contact to Tennyson in open space and he didn’t connect with a forward on the tracing or a travel-related quarantine. next pass. He admitted his defensive-zone play needs to get better, If a player does test positive, a confirmatory test follows. If that test is which would help his case for more consistent ice time. negative, further tests are administered 24 hours later and 48 hours later. 11. There were only 28 hits in this game, 16 of which were for the If those tests are negative, the original is considered a false positive and Islanders. Nassau Coliseum is notorious for being an arena that over- the player can be cleared to return. If any of those three subsequent tests counts hits, but I’d bet Barry Trotz references those totals before his are positive, then the player is considered a confirmed positive. team’s next game. The Islanders have four players who rank among the Isolation for a confirmed positive lasts for at least 10 days, and the top 25 in the league in hits per 60 minutes. Ross Johnston and Cal protocols to return are different for asymptomatic versus symptomatic Clutterbuck combined for nine, but Matt Martin didn’t get credited with cases. any and Keiffer Bellows didn’t play. The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 12. Hughes got his first 5-on-6 shift of the season after the Islanders pulled Sorokin. Ruff said he will continue to put Hughes in “uncomfortable” positions, such as on the PK or when they’re protecting late leads. The Devils used Sharangovich, Palmieri and Bastian for a 5- on-6 shift against the Rangers, but Hughes took his normal place with that line Sunday night. His quickness to loose pucks could create extra empty-net opportunities.

13. Andreas Johnsson had the least amount of even-strength ice time on the team (10:14) and no shot attempts overall. The Devils had just two when he was on the ice, though the Islanders had only three in that same span.

14. Nick Merkley made his season debut and had three shots on goal in the first period. Ruff wanted his team to attack the net more, and Merkley had more shots in one period than had in four games. But shots on goal aren’t the only barometer of success. Merkley didn’t make much of an impact in the final two periods. I think both players can do enough without the puck to help their line succeed, but the lineup is going to get crowded when Bratt and Hischier return.

15. The video tribute for Andy Greene and Cory Schneider was heartwarming. If you didn’t catch it on the broadcast, Greene winked toward the Devils’ bench as both teams gave him the stick tap treatment.

16. The two leading scorers in the league who have not reached their 21st birthday are Hughes (seven points) and Smith (six).

17. No, we did not forget about Wedgewood. He collected his first NHL win since Feb. 13, 2018 and his first shutout since Dec. 2, 2017. That came against the Devils when he was a member of the Coyotes.

The Devils need Wedgwood (and Comrie, and maybe Aaron Dell, depending on how long Blackwood is out) to keep the team competitive. The opening stretch of the schedule was tough and it’ll only get tougher. 1200561 New York Islanders

Barry Trotz expects to make some changes designed to generate offense for Islanders

By Laura Albanese

Updated January 25, 2021 10:51 PM

Whether or not Anthony Beauvillier is in the rotation in the next few days, Islanders coach Barry Trotz expects some major changes.

Beauvillier, who left Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury, is day-to- day, Trotz said, and though his potential absence will make line changes a matter of course, there’s every reason to expect further modifications as the Islanders continue to struggle offensively.

After losing to the Devils, 2-0, the Islanders are last in the league in scoring, averaging 1.80 goals per game in their first five. All but one of the team’s nine goals have been scored by the first two lines, with another coming from Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

What’s kept them afloat is their defense and goalie Semyon Varlamov, who allowed a total of only one goal in his three games, all victories.

Varlamov was made available to the media after practice Monday and seems likely to start against the Capitals on Tuesday.

Are changes to be expected? "Yeah, absolutely," Trotz said. "Obviously, we might have to do gymnastics in terms of our roster, but there’s no question. There’s a lot of parts of our game that we do pretty well defensively and right now . . . we’re looking for an odd goal or two. We’re OK if we win 1-0. I just don’t like losing 1-0."

For one thing, he’ll need to figure out what to do with that third line, which Sunday included Michael Dal Colle, Pageau and Ross Johnston. Kieffer Bellows, who had played on the third line before Sunday, was relegated to the taxi squad.

Trotz noted that teams just aren’t giving up much anywhere, and when they do, it’s on special teams. That’s been the name of the game in a shortened season in which teams are putting defense at a premium, and goaltenders seem especially prepared for the challenge. Going into Monday, 161 of the 597 goals scored in the NHL this season were man- up goals (27%).

Either way, the Islanders need to capitalize on any chance they get, and they can’t do that if only the first two lines are contributing offensively.

"I’ll say our top two lines are carrying the load and we’re not getting that complete contribution through the lineup right now," Trotz said. "When we’re most successful, it’s the fourth line [contributing one night], the next night it’s the third. It’s three of the four lines are contributing. Lately, we’ve just had one of the four lines that seems to have an effect on the game."

The Islanders have some measure of flexibility, thanks to the taxi squad, and it’s clear that Trotz isn’t shy about using whatever he has at his disposal.

"They have to contribute," he said. "They can’t just put on the jersey and be part of the team. They’ve got to find ways to contribute . . . Whatever you bring to the table, you better bring it. If you don’t, we have extra people."

Lee on faceoffs. Anders Lee is continuing to develop in the faceoff circle, winning 10 of 12 faceoffs against the Devils. The winger has seen increased responsibility in the role since 2018, taking 199 faceoffs last season. He already has taken 35 in five games this season and has won 48.6% of them.

Pageau has been instrumental in the growth process, Trotz said.

"Our last practice at home, I was dropping pucks and Anders was having trouble with a certain centerman that we played and he says, ‘He does this to me all the time’ and [he and Pageau] were talking counter-moves for that," Trotz said. "That’s how you grow, and Anders has taken that extra piece. If you’re not getting better, you’re getting passed."

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Josh Ho-Sang's future with the Islanders' organization remains open- ended

By Andrew Gross

Updated January 25, 2021 4:46 PM

Chris Lamoriello is not ruling out Josh Ho-Sang returning to the Islanders’ organization this season, despite the offensively gifted skater being loaned to Orebro of the after not receiving an invite to training camp.

The general manager of the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, and son of Islanders president and GM , described the loan as "open-ended" and agreed to by Ho-Sang, the 28th overall pick in 2014. The Sound Tigers start an abridged, 24-game season on Feb. 5 played solely against the Rangers’ affiliate in Hartford and the Bruins’ affiliate in Providence.

"Josh is extremely talented and very lucky early in his career to play in a number of NHL games," Chris Lamoriello said on Monday via Zoom.

"We felt with our schedule only being 24 games, he gets a chance to get in the lineup quicker in a greater volume of games in a shorter period of time," Lamoriello added. "We spoke to him about it. He agreed. This isn’t something that will determine his future for this season. There’s an open end to this."

Ho-Sang was loaned to the Blues’ organization last season after requesting a trade when he did not make the Islanders’ roster out of training camp. He agreed this offseason to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000 NHL / $225,000 AHL as a restricted free agent after electing salary arbitration. He has seven goals and 17 assists in 53 career NHL games.

"The communication with Josh has been excellent," Lamoriello said. "That’s been ongoing. That’s been consistent."

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Chris Lamoriello: ‘We’re Not Ruling Anything Out’ When it Comes to Josh Ho-Sang

Published 11 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Christian Arnold

Could we see Josh Ho-Sang back in North America in the near future? Don’t rule it out.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers general manager and New York Islanders Islanders assistant general manager Chris Lamoriello indicated that a Ho-Sang return was on the table despite the team loaning him overseas. Ho-Sang is currently playing for Orebro HK in the Swedish Hockey League.

The Islanders announced they had loaned the talented forward to the Swedish hockey team earlier this month.

“Josh is extremely talented, very lucky early in his career to play a number of NHL games,” Lamoriello said during a Zoom call with local media. “At this point, we looked at a number of different options to put him in the best position. … We felt that with our schedule only being 24 games at the American League level, that he would get the chance to get in the lineup quicker and a greater volume of games in a shorter period of time.

“We thought this made a lot of sense. We spoke to him about it and he agreed, and this open-ended too. This isn’t something that will determine his future for this season.”

The Islanders had placed four players overseas with clubs while the NHL had worked to determine how or even if they would conduct a 2022-21 season. Ho-Sang’s situation played out differently, Lamoriello said, because those four players had citizenship in the countries that they played in.

The fact that placement for Josh Ho-Sang materialized later wasn’t out of the ordinary, Lamoriello said.

The Islanders shocked many when it was revealed that he would not be invited to training camp after he signed a 1-year, two-way contract extension this past offseason. Ho-Sang made it known to the organization that he would report to AHL Bridgeport if that’s where they wanted him.

Instead, the Islanders loaned Josh Ho-Sang to Orebro HK after he cleared waivers.

Despite the ups and downs, Lamoriello said that the communication with Ho-Sang had been “excellent.”

“That’s been ongoing, that’s been consistent,” Lamoriello said. “I feel very good about the direction in this type of transaction. Not only with us as an organization, but him as a player. I think it’s been extremely important, as you said, communication that has been had.”

And when asked to clarify about the potential for Ho-Sang to return, Lamoriello again indicated that it could be in the cards.

“We’re not ruling anything out,” Lamoriello said. “That’s why I mentioned it was open-ended. We’re just going to go game to game.”

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200564 New York Islanders "I think as you get older, the more experience you get, the more responsibility you put on yourself to help the team win and get better every day."

Anthony Beauvillier Injury Could Lead to More Lineup Tinkering by The Islanders have a pair of more offensively minded forward in IslandersPublished 11 hours ago on January 25, 2021 youngsters Bellows and Oliver Wahlstrom. The aforementioned Wahlstrom has yet to play this season, but he could be an option with the Islanders’ scoring falling on the top-six of the lineup.

By Christian Arnold The injury to Anthony Beauvillier could make it harder to adjust that issue. Anthony Beauvillier “I think what you’re finding most of our games one or the other of our top

two lines are carrying the load and we’re not getting that complete The situation with Anthony Beauvillier is fluid. contribution through the lineup right now,” Trotz said. “When we’re most successful we’re getting, one night it’s the fourth line. The next night it’s The Islanders forward was injured in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to the New the third, but three of the four lines are contributing. Lately, we’ve just Jersey Devils and is currently day-to-day with a lower-body injury. That’s had one of the four lines that have had an effect on the game.” about as detailed as head coach Barry Trotz was willing to get with the media on Monday afternoon. NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 01.26.2021

The Isles are in Washington preparing for their first meeting of the year with the Capitals at Capital One Arena. It will be the first of two games that they’ll see the Caps this week and their first chance to rebound from their second shutout loss of the year.

That task will be made harder, however, when you factor in that Beauvillier may not be in the lineup on Tuesday. The Islanders have been inconsistent offensively, scoring four goals twice this young season and then being shutout in both losses they’ve suffered.

Now they’ll have to piece together a lineup that can help curb some of the team’s offensive struggles.

“Obviously we might have to do some gymnastics in terms of our roster,” head coach Barry Trotz said. “There’s a lot of parts of our game we do really well. … Teams are locking it down defensively. Goaltenders seem to be sharp. Yeah, we’re looking for an odd goal or two. We’re OK if we can win 1-0. Just don’t like losing 1-0.”

Anthony Beauvillier is the first injury situation that the Islanders have really had to deal with early on this season. The team had a COVID scare last week when Josh Bailey briefly appeared on the COVID protocol list, but he did not miss any games.

Trotz had already tinkered with the Islanders lineup on Sunday, playing Michael Dal Colle in place of the more offensive-minded Kieffer Bellows. Depending on Beauvillier’s status there could be more changes to the lineup, which highlights the importance for everyone to be ready.

“We have success as a group when everyone contributes,” Trotz said. “That’s our top-six. That’s our bottom-six. So when guys come into the lineup, they have to contribute. They just can’t put on the jersey and be part of the team. They’ve got to find ways to contribute. Some guys have to contribute offensively because that’s more of their skill set.

“Some guys have to do it with the physical play or the checking prowess. … Whatever you bring to the table you better bring it.”

"We have success as a group when everybody contributes. Some guys have to contribute offensively and some guys will have to do it with the physical play, the checking prowess, those type of things. Whatever you bring to the table, you better bring it.”

Sunday’s appearance was Dal Colle’s first this season for the Islanders. The more seasoned forward had established himself as somewhat of a regular in the lineup, appearing 53 games last season.

Dal Colles said he felt he learned a lot from his year with the Islanders last season, not only during the regular season, but in the playoff bubble as well.

The 24-year-old was happy with the way he and his linemates played against New Jersey, albeit, he admitted they could have gotten off to a faster start. Dal Colle is also very aware of hight tight the competition is for roster spots on a day to day basis.

“Everyone knows every day you’re battling for spots,” Dal Colle said. “Everyone wants to be in the lineup. We have a tone of bodies all with NHL experience. I think we know every day we come to the rink we’re going to need to work hard and push each other. I think (Trotz) is going to put the best lineup he thinks can win. We know that and it starts in practice.” 1200565 New York Islanders

NEW YORK ISLANDERSIlya Sorokin Was Not the Problem in the Islanders Loss to New Jersey

Published 16 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Christian Arnold

When the final buzzer sounded on Sunday and the New York Islanders second loss of the season was a done deal, there was a lot to not like about their game against New Jersey. One item that should not be too high on that list was the play of Ilya Sorokin.

The rookie netminder started in just his second career NHL game on Sunday in the Islanders 2-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils. While the effort wasn’t perfect, he did what you’d expect out of any goaltender on any given night. He gave them a chance to win.

Ilya Sorokin finished the night with 22 saves and a .917 save percentage, which was not a bad effort in only his second game in North America. It was by far a big improvement over his first start the weekend prior.

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NYHN Daily: Islanders Fall to Devils, Dobson Making Strides & More

Published 19 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Stefen Rosner

The New York Islanders looked to continue their two-game winning streak when they battled the New Jersey Devils Sunday Night. However, the Devils shut them down, winning 2-0 in their second of eight meetings this year. Second-year defenseman Noah Dobson has taken strides this season. These stories and more on today’s daily links!

In the loss to the New Jersey Devils, the New York Islanders were held off the scoreboard. Rookie Ilya Sorokin got his second career NHL start, while Anthony Beauivllier left with an injury. (NYI Hockey Now)

Defenseman Noah Dobson looked to take another step this season after a rocky rookie campaign. The 21-year old has taken strides so far in his bigger role. (NYI Hockey Now)

Off the record, NBA players are not the only athletes that can demand trades. Just look at Pierre-Luc Dubois. (NYI Hockey Now)

Islanders’ netminder Ilya Sorokin performed better in his second NHL start last night. But his team failed to score for him. (Newday)

The Boston Bruins had many holes heading into the season that needed to be filled. Their young players are off to a promising start. (Boston Hockey Now)

The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the New York Rangers last night by a score of 3-2. In his latest, Dan Kingerski wrote about the game’s turning points. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Hockey Hall of Famer and Toronto Maple Leafs legend George Armstrong dies at age 90. (ESPN)

Recently trade Pierre-Luc Dubois states he does not blame former head coach John Tortorella for trade. (NHL.com)

Chicago Blackhawks’ forward Pius Suter scores his first, second, and third career NHL goal in win over Detroit Red Wings. (NHL.com)

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200567 New York Rangers

Igor Shesterkin ‘dejected’ as Rangers pressure mounts

By Mollie WalkerJanuary 25, 2021 | 6:34pm | Updated

During training camp this month, Igor Shesterkin said he wouldn’t consider himself the No. 1 goalie on the Rangers. But the rookie netminder expressed his insatiable desire to earn that title.

Fast-forward to the morning after his third start of the season, a 3-2 loss to the Penguins that dropped his record to 0-2-1, and, according to his coach, the 25-year-old seems discouraged.

“I talked to him today, he was frustrated,” head coach David Quinn said Monday. “You can see he was a little bit dejected after the last two games. It’s a long season. The circumstances are a little different than they were last year.”

Since the Rangers drafted him in the fourth round in 2014, Shesterkin was primed to sit on the throne everyone knew Henrik Lundqvist would eventually vacate. But it was much easier to distance himself from the responsibilities that came with that last season when Lundqvist was still around.

Now, with the Rangers all but handing him an actual crown, Shesterkin has yet to reach out and take it.

Shesterkin started last season with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford and posted a 17-4-3 record with a .934 save percentage, earning an invitation to the AHL All-Star Game. When he was called up on Jan. 6, Shesterkin seamlessly carried over his elite play into the NHL.

Igor Shesterkin

He won 10 of his 12 regular-season starts, while owning a 2.52 goals- against average and a .932 save percentage, before the coronavirus pandemic suspended the season in March. After suffering a groin injury during an exhibition match against the Islanders at the start of the summer playoff bubble, Shesterkin got only one start against the Hurricanes, but the Rangers’ heads were already out of the series and there wasn’t much he could do to fend off the sweep by Carolina.

Still, the regular-season sample was enough to solidify the organization’s faith in Shesterkin, which ultimately led to the buyout of the final season on Lundqvist’ contract.

“Obviously, it would be quite an experience to be the face of the franchise,’’ Shesterkin said through a translator during training camp. “I take it very seriously. But much work has to be done in order to get there.’’

Through four appearances (three starts) this season, Shesterkin has allowed 10 goals on 88 shots for an .886 save percentage. For context, he has never finished a season in his entire hockey career with a save percentage lower than .903.

It may be early, but losing is not something Shesterkin is accustomed to. Over 158 career games in the Kontinental Hockey League, the AHL and the NHL, he has just 27 losses to his name. Shesterkin has simply never experienced a stretch of losses and it could be a difficult adjustment mentally.

Before the season started, Shesterkin was still riding high off his strong performance in his 12-game cameo last season.

“Catch the puck, and you will stay on the team,’’ he joked with a smile.

That was a lot easier said than done before the start of his first full season with the starting job staring him in the face.

New York Post LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200568 New York Rangers

Rangers’ Filip Chytil sent home with upper body injury after brutal hit

By Mollie WalkerJanuary 25, 2021 | 3:44pm | Updated

Filip Chytil returned to New York first thing Monday morning to see doctors after suffering an upper-body injury from a hard collision halfway through the Rangers’ 3-2 loss in Pittsburgh the night before.

Head coach David Quinn didn’t elaborate on the severity of the 21-year- old center’s injury, but it’s more than likely he will miss at least the next two games in Buffalo.

“If we do lose him for an extended period of time it is going to be a blow,” Quinn said. “But every team in the league is suffering injuries and we’re no different. I mean, that’s pro sports, certainly it’s the National Hockey League.

“We’ve got to have guys pick up the slack if he is out for an extended period of time.”

With the Rangers up 1-0 in the second period Sunday, Chytil carried the puck into the Penguins’ zone before he crashed into Pittsburgh forward Evan Rodrigues. Both players went down hard and were slow to get up. Chytil remained on the bench for a bit, but was clearly shaken up. He ultimately went to the locker room and did not return.

Chytil, who is in his fourth season with the Rangers, has been the backbone of the team’s offensive production, with two goals and an assist through the first five games of the season. He seemingly took the largest developmental step compared to some of the other young players on the team, and was just beginning to find a rhythm with his linemates in Phil Di Giuseppe and Kaapo Kakko.

Filip Chytil

“We’re talking about doing a lot of different [lineup combinations]…we’ll see [Tuesday] what it’s going to look like,” Quinn said. “It’s going to look different obviously without Fil.”

Asked about the possibility of getting taxi squad defensemen Anthony Bitetto and Libor Hajek into the lineup anytime soon, Quinn admitted it’s been a topic of conversation.

“It is challenging, we certainly do talk about getting those guys in,” Quinn said. “It’s five games into it, we’ve got to continue to find a way to keep these guys sharp and in great shape.

“We love Libor, I think very highly of Libor. They’re here, the good news is under these unique circumstances these guys can stay here. Get in games when need be. I’m sure at some point they will get in.”

Hajek would likely be the first defenseman from the taxi squad to get into a game this season. He appeared in 28 games for the Rangers in 2019- 20, accumulating five assists. Hajek, the Lightning’s second-round pick in 2016, was loaned to the ’s HC Kometa Brno in November before he was recalled to join the Rangers at training camp earlier this month.

New York Post LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200569 New York Rangers Sunday's loss was his most discouraging performance yet. He faced only 19 shots and allowed goals on three of them, including two deciding goals in the third period that he didn't appear to see very well.

Filip Chytil out with upper-body injury: How will the NY Rangers replace That dropped his save percentage on .886 the season and led to Quinn's him? decision to go back to Georgiev Tuesday, who is 1-1 with a .907 SV% in his two starts.

"It's five games into it," Quinn said. "Those guys certainly want to play Vincent Z. Mercogliano better — and I'm very confident that they will."

What's the plan for Libor Hájek?

The New York Rangers will be without Filip Chytil for at least one game, While the Rangers have been encouraged by their top-four defensemen, coach David Quinn confirmed Monday. particularly an all-star caliber start from Adam Fox and a seamless transition from rookie K'Andre Miller, their bottom pair has been an issue. The 21-year-old center left Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins with an upper-body injury after receiving an open-ice hit from Evan Tony DeAngelo was scratched for two games and has yet to post a point Rodrigues. He was sent back to New York to be examined by team after tying for fourth among all NHL defensemen with 53 last season. doctors and will not be available for Tuesday's 7 p.m. game in Buffalo He's also struggled defensively with a negative-five rating in three against the Sabres, at the very least. games.

"We'll have a lot more (information) after he sees the doctors," Quinn It hasn't helped that the search for an effective partner is ongoing. Jack said. Johnson was scratched Sunday due to early season struggles, and while Brendan Smith played well in his first appearance on Jan. 16, his past Chytil has arguably been the Rangers' best forward so far this season. two games haven't inspired much confidence. He had registered a point in three consecutive games prior to Sunday, The Rangers have other options. Veteran Anthony Bitetto and 22-year- including scoring a goal in each of the previous two games. His 63.81% old Libor Hájek remain on the taxi squad, available for a call-up at any Corsi For and 69.32% Expected Goals For rates are the best among time. Rangers' forwards who have appeared in all five games, according to Evolving Hockey. Hájek, in particular, is an intriguing case. He made the Rangers' opening- night lineup for the 2019-20 season before being demoted to AHL "If we do lose him for an extended period of time, it is going to be a Hartford after 28 subpar games and an injury. His development appears blow," Quinn said. "But every team in the league has suffered injuries, to have stalled, but Quinn insisted his opportunity will come. and we're no different. That's pro sports — certainly, it's the National Hockey League — and we've got to have guys pick up the slack." "It is challenging," Quinn said. "We certainly do talk about getting those guys in. It's five games in. We've got to continue to find a way to keep Chytil was playing well enough to earn an opportunity with the top-six these guys sharp and in great shape. We love Libor. I think very highly of forwards, who have mostly struggled early on. But he's also displayed Libor." noteworthy chemistry with Kaapo Kakko and Phil Di Giuseppe, which had become the Rangers' most effective line. "The good news is, under these unique circumstances, these guys can stay here and get in games when when need be," he added. "I'm sure at That led Quinn to keep them together for multiple games, but now he some point they will get in." won't have that option. Bergen Record LOADED: 01.26.2021 With Chytil out for Tuesday, expect 22-year-old center Brett Howden to bump up to the third line. He registered his first assist of the season Sunday and leads the Rangers with a 52.4% face-off win rate.

It's likely Howden will play in between Kakko and Di Giuseppe, but it's also possible Quinn will get creative in an attempt to spark some of the forwards who have struggled to produce.

Could Kakko get a look in the top six? The line of Artemi Panarin, Ryan Strome and Pavel Buchnevich led the team with a total of 23 scoring chances generated while on-ice together in the last two games, according to Natural Stat Trick, which might convince Quinn to keep them together. But the top line of Chris Kreider, and rookie Alexis Lafrenière has still yet to post a point together.

This is pure guesswork, but perhaps it makes sense to give Kakko a look as the right winger on the top line and let Kreider shift back to his natural left-wing position. Then Lafrenière, who is still searching his first NHL point, could slide down to the third line to take some of the pressure off.

Three of the four remaining forwards — Colin Blackwell, Julien Gauthier, Brendan Lemieux and Kevin Rooney — will be used on the fourth line. Gauthier was a healthy scratch the past two games.

"We're talking about doing a lot of different things," Quinn said. "It's going to look different, obviously."

Alexandar Georgiev to start Tuesday

After a disappointing start to the season for Igor Shesterkin, Quinn checked in on the rookie goalie Monday.

"I talked to him today and he was frustrated," Quinn said. "You can see he's a little bit dejected after the last two games, but it's a long season. Circumstances are a little different than they were last year and he's adapting to that, as is (Alexandar Georgiev)."

After going 10-2 last season, Shesterkin is win-less through his first three starts of 2021. 1200570 New York Rangers that area with 1:30 to go. You have to have an urgency. You’ve got to know who's dangerous. It’s just really disappointing."

Filip Chytil leaves game with injury Postgame takeaways: NY Rangers' top six continues to struggle in loss The Rangers' best line in recent games has been their third, but they lost to Penguins a key member in the second period.

Filip Chytil was floored by an open-ice hit from Evan Rodrigues and Vincent Z. Mercogliano eventually ruled out with an upper-body injury.

The 21-year-old center has been one of the biggest bright spots early in the season, with three points and a goal in each of the previous two The New York Rangers' top-six forwards have yet to find their stride games. An extended absence would be a major loss for the Rangers, through five games in the 2021 season — an issue that needs to be with Quinn saying Chytil would be evaluated Monday. resolved soon if the Blueshirts intend to make the playoffs in the NHL's toughest division. "Just a real maturity — a growth," Quinn said when asked to assess what he's seen from Chytil. "For the first two years we were here together, he There have been fleeting signs of improvement, but not enough to avoid was kind of — I don't want to say, ‘Happy to be here' — but kind of their third straight loss. They took a lead into the third period Sunday in feeling his way. The thing I really like is he knows he belongs. I think he's Pittsburgh, but goals from Jared McCann and Jake Guentzel resulted in ready to take an important role on this team. He’s showing more emotion. a 3-2 loss to the Penguins. There's just a different swagger to him that we hadn't seen. It’s disappointing that what happened tonight, and we'll see what the end "We know our roles and responsibilities," top-line center Mika Zibanejad result is tomorrow." said. "We just haven't been able to get there, but you can't just lie down and feel sorry for yourself. We just have to work through it and get Young players like Chytil have carried the Rangers through the first five going." games. Not only have he and 19-year-old Kaapo Kakko impressed, but their 22-and-younger defensemen have often looked like the best players With points hard to come by for the Rangers' skill players, they're on the ice. searching for any way to contribute. Fox continued his run of logging heavy minutes, leading the team with "I think a little bit of simplicity, to be honest," forward Ryan Strome said 24:44 time on ice while looking poised with the puck and smart without it. before the game. "I think sometimes you’re trying to make plays too The Rangers generated 12 shots on goal while he was on ice and much — almost like you’re trying too hard or you care too much, in the allowed only five. sense that you’re trying to force it a little bit and making plays that probably aren’t there, versus relying on your skill and your instincts." Rookie K'Andre Miller also had another strong game, eclipsing 21 minutes for the second consecutive night while showing his defensive The 27-year-old center was already feeling the heat from being held fortitude when matched up against Penguins stars Sidney Crosby and without a point in the first four games. But late in the second period, he Evgeni Malkin, who were held to no goals and three points combined in snapped the drought by following his own advice. the two games. Strome fought his way in front of the Penguins' net and was well- It was also a strong night for Ryan Lindgren, who made a couple of goal- positioned to slap at a rebound from a Jacob Trouba shot, which broke a saving plays after his own goal directly resulted in the Rangers' loss 1-1 tie. Friday. He and Fox were the only defensive pair who weren't on ice for The Rangers (1-3-1) had opportunities to pad their lead — and later take any Penguins goals Sunday. the lead after McCann tied it — but their top line of Zibanejad, Chris "The good news is our young players continue to develop, and they're Kreider and rookie Alexis Lafrenière is still searching for chemistry and playing good hockey against real good players," Quinn said. "It's early, consistent offensive-zone time. but it's disappointing that we sit here with the record we have, feeling like Zibanejad, who missed most of training camp due to a bout with COVID- we've played pretty well and maybe deserve a little bit better. But end of 19, denied that the virus was having any lingering effects on his play. the day, you get what you get — you get what you deserve — and we've got to find a way to get through this." "I don’t feel anything like that," he said. "Just a straight answer: No." Igor Shesterkin winless in three starts Meanwhile, on top of Strome's struggles, his linemate Artemi Panarin — who, it should be noted, leads the team with five points (two goals and Despite the struggles of the top forwards, the Rangers would probably three assists) — hasn't been as dynamic and opportunistic as the have another win or two if they were getting better play from their goalies. Rangers' grew accustomed to last season. When asked if the Rangers are missing the presence — and safety net "Our veterans know they’ve got to be better," coach David Quinn said. — of longtime goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Quinn recalled a conversation "There's just no doubt about it. We've talked to them privately and they've with the veteran from late last season. admitted that. They know that. The good news is, these are guys that are "He hadn’t played and we were just talking about the situation, and then established players in this league and are good players." we started talking about our team and our young goaltending, and that’s While the Rangers are looking for production from their top-six forwards, exactly what we touched on," Quinn said. "Now when you’re staring the the bottom six has more than done their part. job in the face, it is a different feeling."

The first goal of the night came from arguably the last player you'd It's impossible to tell if Igor Shesterkin (or Alexandar Georgiev) is feeling expect. the pressure of replacing a legend, but the 25-year-old rookie hasn't been as effective as he was in his 12-game debut last season. Colin Blackwell was recalled from the taxi squad before the game, and less than one full period into his Rangers debut, the 27-year-old made an He's allowed at least three goals in all three starts this season, posting a impact. He skillfully redirected a shot from Adam Fox with 4:24 remaining lackluster .886 save percentage, and does not have a win. He didn't lose in the period to put the Rangers up 1-0. three games in total last season.

The Penguins (4-2) would tie the score on a breakaway goal from Bryan Shesterkin only faced 19 shots Sunday and seemed to be caught by Rust at the 11:24 mark in the second period, with Strome scoring his goal surprise — or get screened and have trouble finding the puck — on both less than six minutes later to put the Rangers ahead 2-1. But McCann the tying and winning goals. tied it early in the third period, with Guentzel netting the winner with just "We're talking about an elite goalie here," Quinn said. "I haven’t talked to 1:31 remaining. him or looked at him, but I'm pretty sure he's frustrated." "You can sit here and talk about some of the good things we did and the Don't be surprised to see Georgiev — who posted a shutout in his first chances we had in the third period, but you’ve got to win hockey games," start but was pulled before the third period in his second — start Tuesday Quinn said. "You’ve got to find a way to win. A guy can't get a shot from night in Buffalo. Bergen Record LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200571 New York Rangers

Injured Filip Chytil returns to NY for medical exam

By Colin Stephenson

Updated January 25, 2021 11:40 PM

The Rangers are in Buffalo to play a two-game set with the Sabres on Tuesday and Thursday, but center Filip Chytil returned to New York on Monday to be examined by doctors after leaving Sunday’s game following an open-ice collision with Pittsburgh winger Evan Rodrigues, coach David Quinn said.

Chytil, the third-line center, will not play in Tuesday’s game, Quinn said. He didn’t provide any more information than that but promised to have an update on Chytil’s status on Tuesday.

Chytil, 21, was off to a fast start, recording two goals and an assist in the first five games. He was by far the Rangers’ best center and the driving force on the Rangers’ best line, with wingers Kaapo Kakko and Phillip DiGiuseppe. If the injury causes him to be out for a while, it will create a huge hole.

"If we do lose him for an extended period of time, it is going to be a blow,’’ Quinn said. "But every team in the league is suffering injuries and we’re no different. That’s pro sports. Certainly, it’s the National Hockey League. And we’ve got to have guys pick up the slack if he is out for an extended period of time.’’

Chytil was injured when he was checked by Rodrigues with 10:49 remaining in the second period Sunday, a collision that knocked both players out of the game.

Rodrigues came up limping and went directly to the Penguins’ locker room. He did not return. Chytil stayed on the bench, received treatment and played one more shift before leaving.

Quinn would not say how the Rangers will replace Chytil in the lineup Tuesday. Fourth-line center Brett Howden took Chytil’s place between DiGiuseppe and Kakko on Sunday and would seem the most likely choice to fill that spot Tuesday. But Quinn would not say if losing Chytil might cause some other lines to be reconfigured.

If Chytil is out for a while, the Rangers could dip down to their Hartford farm team to call up a replacement such as Morgan Barron, who was assigned to Hartford from the Rangers’ practice squad last Thursday.

The injury to Chytil comes with the Rangers (1-3-1) in last place in the East Division. Their top two lines — with the exception of right wing Pavel Buchnevich — have underperformed.

No. 1 center Mika Zibanejad, who missed most of training camp because of the coronavirus and missed the end of the game against the Devils after an awkward crash into the boards late in the third period, is seventh on the team in scoring with one goal and one assist.

No. 2 center Ryan Strome scored his first goal (and first point) of the season Sunday. Wing Chris Kreider has a power-play goal and nothing else. No. 1 overall draft pick Alexis Lafreniere is scoreless through the first five games of his NHL career.

Among the top six forwards, only Artemi Panarin (two goals, four assists and a team-leading six points) and Buchnevich (2-2-4) have been productive.

Georgiev to start. Alexandar Georgiev will start in goal Tuesday, Quinn said. Igor Shesterkin started both games in Pittsburgh, losing one in a shootout and one in regulation. Shesterkin, who is facing major expectations after taking over from franchise icon Henrik Lundqvist as the team’s No. 1 goaltender, is 0-2-1 with a 2.98 goals-against average and an .886 save percentage in three starts and one relief appearance. Quinn said the 25-year-old is "frustrated’’ after allowing two stoppable goals in the third period of Sunday’s 3-2 loss.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200572 Ottawa Senators different, so it’s all about getting ready for Vancouver”…Stuetzle is no stranger to western Canada, having turned heads while playing for Germany at the world junior championships at Edmonton in late December, but he’s embracing his first NHL road trip. “You get close Stuetzle's return adds spark for Senators against Vancouver together, you are with everybody for 24 hours nearly, except sleeping, so we played cards, poker…so we’re having a lot of fun.”

Just to be clear for anyone comparing the situation to the Washington Ken Warren Capitals breaking protocol last week, the poker playing was in a Publishing date:Jan 26, 2021 • 8 hours ago designated lounge area, where the players also watched the NFL playoff games Sunday.

STAYING CONFIDENT AND CALM The players surrounding Tim Stuetzle are buying into the enthusiasm and hype of his presence. The Senators were in a good position to win two of the three games against Winnipeg, prompting plenty of internal discussion on how the Stuetzle returned from a three-game injury absence to play his third NHL games got away from them. “When you’ve got a young team, it’s one game late Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. thing to have the skill level and the ability to stay in every game and that’s what we have on this team,” said Brown. “The next step is just “Me and (Chris) Tierney won the Timmy sweepstakes,” said winger learning to win and learning how to play with the lead. We can’t be sitting Connor Brown of the new-look like that took the ice for the Senators. on our heels with a one-goal lead in this league, especially with these top “He’s a real talent. We’ll try to do things the right way and open up some guys. We’ve addressed that.” space for him. He loves the game. It’s nice to play with a young guy who WAITING … AND WAITING is that enthusiastic. It’s really fun.” Logan Brown, Erik Brannstrom, Alex Formenton and the other members The Senators went into Vancouver in search of a spark, losing four of the AHL’s Binghamton consecutive games following their opening night victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. On Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets, they blew a 3-2 Senators remain in limbo, going through makeshift practices in Ottawa, third period lead, en route to what eventually became a 6-3 defeat. unsure when or even if they will see game action. “It’s all in the hands of government officials,” said Belleville coach Troy Mann. “We’re just It’s too much to ask a fresh-faced 19-year-old to make all the difference waiting (for an update). It could be today, it could be tomorrow…” for a team that has spent far too much time it its own zone and made too many ill-timed mistakes all over the ice early on. Last week, the AHL announced the 2020-21 season would restart in early February and U.S.-based teams have already played exhibition However, being in the lineup is a fan engagement exercise because he’s games. With Ontario officially in a stay-at-home emergency situation, a — perhaps the — vital piece in the organization’s rebuilding program. though, the B-Sens at the Toronto Marlies have not yet received In keeping with that theme, Senators coach D.J. Smith also once again clearance to play games in what would be an all-Canadian division that started the game against the Canucks with The Kid Line of Brady also includes the Manitoba Moose and the Laval Rocket. Tkachuk, Josh Norris and Drake Batherson remaining intact. If the restrictions are lifted, it’s believed the Senators will play their games Veteran tough guy Michael Haley, whose most notable contribution at Canadian Tire Centre. Saturday was an early fight, was sent back to the taxi squad to clear “The protocols are identical to NHL teams. The only way we can play is if room for Stuetzle’s return to the roster. it’s an extension of the NHL, with the same testing,” said Mann. also played Monday, taking the spot of Cedric Due to quarantine restrictions, Mann is currently coaching a group of only Paquette, who left Saturday’s game with an injury. 16 players, including four defencemen. Artem Anisimov, guilty of a costly neutral zone turnover Saturday, “The guys are really positive, under difficult circumstances,” said Mann. remained in the lineup. There had been some thought 22-year-old centre “The first year guys … we can’t get them off the ice.” Colin White, who has played only two games so far, would replace him in the lineup. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 01.26.2021 Yet if there was only one reason to stay up late to watch the Senators play against a Canucks team that is also feeling considerable heat following a slow start and a shoddy defensive showing so far, it was to see how Stuetzle would follow up after scoring his first goal in his previous game, Jan. 16 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“He brings a lot of speed and skill,” said Tierney. “He’s got that game breaking speed.”

On a team with so many new bodies, and without the luxury of exhibition games, the line juggling will no doubt continue for some time.

Smith, however, has had the idea for the Stuetzle-Tierney-Brown trio in his back pocket for months.

“In the summertime, when we looked at Tim coming over, that was one of the lines we thought he could play with, be with, guys that have been in the league that aren’t overbearing, that will work with him out there,” Smith said.

Stuetzle returned the compliments, saying that Tierney and Brown are “two great players and two great guys in the locker room.”

WATCHING FROM ABOVE

As an injured player, Stuetzle had an eye in the sky — watching from high in the seats — as the Senators lost all three games to Winnipeg.

His takeaway? “Small things decide games in this league,” he said. “You always need be 100 per cent focussed. We did a lot of video, as well, and I was watching it. For sure, you can learn from watching hockey, but in the end, (Monday), it’s a totally different game and every team is 1200573 Ottawa Senators And considering we’re hurtling toward an expansion draft in just a few months, the Senators had better have a very good idea of which young players they want to protect — and which ones they might be willing to expose to Seattle. Mendes: 10 thoughts on the Senators this week — Steaks for babies, a losing streak and more While it might lead to more growing pains with players like White, Wolanin, Brown, Erik Brannstrom and Alex Formenton in the mix, they will be much better off in the long run.

By Ian Mendes Jan 25, 2021 In explaining his reluctance to play younger players a couple of years ago, Guy Boucher famously quipped, “You don’t give steak to a baby.”

At this stage of the rebuild, however, it’s time D.J. Smith and the Ottawa was plunged into this winter’s first true cold snap over the Senators started serving up some prime (rib) minutes to the young weekend, with morning temperatures hovering around minus-30 with the prospects. windchill. What it means for the week ahead: A lot of Sens fans were disappointed The arctic conditions perfectly mirrored the fortunes of the hometown to only see White and Wolanin appear in one game each last week hockey club, who have suddenly gone into a deep freeze in losing four against Winnipeg. We’ll keep an eye on their deployment, but it would be consecutive games after an opening night win. rather shocking if they only made a single appearance again this week. In an unintended tribute to Guy Boucher, the Senators have now started Also, the club should try to squeeze Filip Chlapik into a game at some the season with a 1-3-1 record. point in Vancouver.

And as I hit on the 10 things I learned about the Senators, you’ll see the 2. The centre position remains wide open former Ottawa head coach makes an appearance right off the top. As the Senators struggled in the third period on Saturday, I can only 1. It’s time to start feeding steak to the babies imagine what was going through the minds of Colin White and Logan Brown. Let’s start this week’s column by just focusing on Saturday’s loss against the Jets, where the Senators squandered a 3-2 lead in the third period. But the Senators could have room down the middle when you consider Consider the sequence of events that led to Ottawa losing 6-3: Cedric Paquette — who dressed as a centre on Saturday — sustained a lower body injury against Winnipeg. The head coach has already made On the Jets’ tying goal, the Sens initially turned the puck over in the Anisimov a healthy scratch this season, so the door is open for that to neutral zone when a Josh Brown to Nick Paul pass failed to connect. The happen again after a subpar performance by him on Saturday. Jets brought the puck back into the Ottawa zone, where Paul Statsny easily went around Artem Anisimov — whose method of defending on In another interesting twist, Chris Tierney skated as a left winger on this play was a one-armed stick check. Three seconds later, Andrew Saturday. In explaining his decision for the switch, D.J. Smith said, “It Copp scored on the doorstep, as he was allowed two uncontested allows me to have a right-draw guy and a left-draw guy on that line. It whacks at the puck without a single Senators player touching him. allows us to always have someone come back to play centre. It’s tough for a winger sometimes to come back and fill that role.” The Jets scored their go-ahead, power-play goal thanks to a needless puck-over-the-glass penalty taken by Derek Stepan with under six Part of that switch was also a function of not having Tim Stützle in the minutes to go in regulation. “I’m a veteran guy brought in here to be a lineup, but Tierney as a winger could open the door for a younger centre. leader and I can’t take a penalty like that,” Stepan acknowledged after As it stands, it feels like Josh Norris and Derek Stepan are the only the game. “That lands on me and I feel like I let the group down.” It’s the locked in centres — and everything else can be negotiated. Tierney is second time this season Stepan has taken that delay of game penalty, an locked into the top nine on this team, but he could potentially be used as infraction he also committed on opening night against Toronto. a winger from time to time. On Winnipeg’s insurance goal to make it a 5-3 game, the Senators What it means for the week ahead: Again, I would expect to see Colin turned the puck over again in the neutral zone with Anisimov being the White back in the lineup as early as Monday against Vancouver. Tierney prime culprit. could be moved back to centre once Stützle returns, but the fact we’ve If the Senators are preaching accountability and playing time is seen him as a winger could open up some options for the head coach. determined in a meritocracy, then what should happen to the veterans As for Logan Brown, he’s not with the taxi squad on this trip, so his return after Saturday’s third period collapse? If those mistakes were made by to the lineup is at least a few weeks away. young prospects, it would be chalked up to a combination of youthful 3. Nikita Zaitsev has been terrific exuberance and inexperience. And they would probably pay the price by being a healthy scratch in the next game. Forgive me for sounding like every Maple Leafs beat reporter from 2016, but Nikita Zaitsev is playing really well. We’ve certainly seen those types of consequences fall on the shoulders of younger players such as Colin White and Christian Wolanin in the first He’s rocking positive possession metrics (52.9 CF%) and is currently two weeks of the season. Logan Brown has certainly felt that wrath in leading the team in scoring with five points. Zaitsev is the only prior seasons as well. defenceman in the NHL with five even-strength assists so far this season — and four of those are primary helpers. Wolanin was responsible for turning the puck over that led directly to the Jets’ go-ahead goal when the game was tied 1-1 midway through the “I feel pretty good,” Zaitsev said about his fast start. “I just got more second period. Mark Scheifele intercepted a Wolanin pass inside the opportunities and more time in the O-zone this year. Ottawa zone and then after a tic-tac-toe sequence involving Scheifele, Wheeler and Connor, the puck was inside the Ottawa net. D.J. Smith — who was behind the Toronto bench when Zaitsev had his breakout year in Toronto in 2016-17 — believes he is now getting some Outside of that one mistake, Wolanin was pretty solid on Saturday night more offensive touches in Ottawa. With the Maple Leafs, for example, he — the only Ottawa defenceman with at least a 50 CF% in the game. was behind more offensively minded defencemen like and Jake Gardiner. As Wolanin accurately noted before Saturday’s game, “As you can see, my leash is a little bit short. And that’s kind of been the theme for my time “(Zaitsev) has always had it in him,” said Smith. “He’s an unbelievable in Ottawa.” defender who is getting a few more opportunities to start in the offensive zone and he’s doing well with it.” But after three straight seasons of finishing no higher than 30th in the overall standings, the leash should be short on every Senators player on What it means for this week: Zaitsev played more than 16 minutes this roster not named Tkachuk or Chabot. Nobody in this market is under alongside Thomas Chabot on Saturday in Winnipeg. Smith has tinkered the illusion that this could or should be a playoff team this season. Every quite a bit with his defensive pairings, trying to find some consistency and decision should be about trying to ice the best team possible for next stability with the groupings. season, when there will be legitimate playoff expectations. 4. Artyom Zub is closing in on his NHL debut There’s nothing I love more than a mysterious European prospect who “He makes it easy for me to go just kind of go to my spot on the power nobody has really seen play. (I’m still kind of obsessed with Roman play,” Norris said of Tkachuk taking the faceoffs. “He’s like a Swiss Army Wick). knife he can do a lot of different things.”

So when the Sens signed Artyom Zub to a free agent contract last spring, We saw Tkachuk take more faceoffs last season than any non-centre on I was very intrigued by the addition. And all signs seemed to indicate he the team and he finished with a 46.2 percent success rate in just over would have a legitimate chance to crack the top six here. But after he 300 draws. signed his contract, the Sens added two veteran right-shot defencemen in Erik Gudbranson and Josh Brown — which muddied the waters for This season he’s enjoying a little more success — a 50 percent win rate Zub. — albeit in a far smaller sample.

The 25-year-old defenceman has been mostly working out on the taxi “I’ve been working on it for the last couple of years and I’ve learned a lot squad with Shean Donovan and Jesse Winchester leading those from the other centremen,” said Tkachuk. “It’s another part of your game sessions. But on Friday, Zub had a chance to skate in a full practice with you can add to your arsenal.” Thomas Chabot as his partner — a step that Smith believes was crucial What it means for the week ahead: I would imagine Tkachuk will still take before he makes his NHL debut. the majority of faceoffs if the No. 1 power play unit continues as currently “It’s tough if you don’t get the reps with the everyday guys,” explained constructed. But the Senators did not score a power play goal in their last Smith. “Everything has been positive and when he gets a chance, I have two games against Winnipeg (0-for-5 combined), so there is always a no doubt he’ll be ready.” chance things could be shaken up.

What it means for the week ahead; I would be shocked if Zub doesn’t 7. We really miss Tim Stützle play a game at some point this week. The back-to-back games in Who knew so much of our enjoyment of watching hockey would be tied Vancouver on Wednesday/Thursday seems like a natural spot to to a German teenager? parachute him into the lineup. And if he ever is paired with Nikita Zaitsev, be prepared to be inundated with my ZZ Top (pairing) jokes. But this week’s games really lacked some sizzle and the absence of Tim Stützle certainly played a role. It’s worth wondering how much of the 5. Alex Galchenyuk’s usage has been … interesting “play the kids” narrative would be going this week if our attention was Speaking of intriguing offseason additions, I was also really curious to focused on the 19-year-old. see how the Senators would use Alex Galchenyuk. Stützle brings a dynamic element of speed, which the Senators And so far, only one word summarizes his usage: sparingly. desperately need injected into their lineup. While some were worried when the club officially placed him on IR over the weekend, he is After he scored a lethal one-timer goal on the power play in his Senators technically eligible to return as early as Monday. debut Tuesday night, it felt like maybe Galchenyuk could carve out a niche on this team as a second unit power play specialist. Stützle revealed he initially suffered the injury during the world juniors in Edmonton a few weeks ago and it’s been hampering him to start the NHL But after scoring that goal in the second period Tuesday, here is how the season. To think that Stützle scored his first NHL goal and looked rest of the week went for Galchenyuk: dynamic against Toronto in his last game — while being less than 100 percent — is enough to make every Sens fan salivate at the notion of Tuesday: Did not play a shift in the final 14 minutes of the third period what Stützle might look like when he’s fully healthy. with the Senators nursing a 3-2 lead. What it means for the week ahead: We’re still waiting for Stützle to cross Thursday: He played just 11:24 and received less than a minute of time the magical seven-game threshold, so he can burn the first year off his on the power play (55 seconds). entry-level contract and we know that he’ll be with the NHL club for the Saturday: He was a healthy scratch. duration of the season. If Stützle comes back to the lineup on Monday in Vancouver and can stay healthy, the new target date for his seventh On the weekend, I asked D.J. Smith if his lineup doesn’t have room for a game would be Tuesday, Feb. 2, in Edmonton. power play specialist at this point — because he’s still actively searching for which forwards he can deploy in all situations. 8. The penalty killing continues to be a roller coaster

“I think that’s fair,” Smith responded. “If you had eight exhibition games, I I have tended to focus on the power play in this space, but I should really think a lot of this stuff that you’re juggling and the lines could get worked take a moment to analyze the Senators’ penalty killing. out. After being off for 10 months and not having any exhibition games After surrendering three power play goals to the Maple Leafs on opening you’re trying different things on the fly here.” weekend, the Senators penalty killing unit called a meeting.

The head coach added that he was inserting Micheal Haley into “They had a little meeting to talk about having a little more urgency and Saturday’s lineup — presumably ahead of Galchenyuk — because he having some pride in our penalty kill,” explained Smith. was a “structured winger, who can come in and take honest shifts.” “We have to be able to put them on their heels and put them in awkward What it means for this week: Expect the juggling to continue and for positions on the ice,” added Erik Gudbranson. “That was the theme of the Galchenyuk to be shuffled in and out of the lineup as injuries and meeting — putting some pressure on them and making their plays a lot performance dictates. Earlier this year, I anticipated Galchenyuk could be more difficult.” this year’s version of Tyler Ennis, but so far that looks to be a faulty comparison. In his first month under Smith last season, Ennis averaged The immediate result? 15:35 of ice time per game and was one of the nine forwards the head coach trusted immediately. Galchenyuk, it seems, has a long way to go Killing off 11 of 12 power play opportunities for Winnipeg on Tuesday and before he reaches that status with Smith. Thursday.

6. Brady Tkachuk is helping Josh Norris ease into the power play But the problems reappeared Saturday, as they allowed two power play goals to the Jets in just three opportunities. And when the Jets scored the While Smith admits he doesn’t have space for a power play specialist in game-winning goal, it came after a Globetrotters-esque sequence where his lineup right now, he is using Brady Tkachuk in a unique way on the they seamlessly moved the puck around the Ottawa zone. man advantage. The Sens have slipped back into the bottom-third of the league in penalty Despite being a left winger, Tkachuk continues to be player who takes killing, sitting tied for 22nd with a 75 percent success rate. For a little the majority of faceoffs in the offensive zone with the first unit power play. perspective, that’s a worse rate of success than they had last season, Right now, the only natural centre on the first unit power play is Josh when they finished 28th overall with a 76.1 PK rate. Norris, but the club would rather try to get him into a prime shooting position. Considering Norris has only played eight NHL games, the What it means for the week ahead: Through Saturday’s games, the Senators want to reduce the mental stress for the youngster on the Vancouver Canucks had received more power play opportunities (29) power play by assigning those faceoff duties to Tkachuk. than any team in the NHL. The good news for Ottawa is the Canucks power play hasn’t exactly been clicking so far — with just four goals scored. But three consecutive games against Ottawa’s inconsistent PK might be exactly the catalyst to jumpstart an anemic Vancouver power The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 play.

9. The goaltending has been below average

We saw our first in-game goalie switch last week, as Matt Murray was pulled in the third period of Thursday’s loss to Winnipeg in favour of Marcus Hogberg.

Give full credit to Murray for owning his pedestrian performance, which included allowing an opening goal that appeared to be stoppable. “That’s unacceptable — that’s on me,” he acknowledged after the game.

When you’re less than two weeks into the season, everything comes with the small sample caveat. After Saturday’s games, the Senators ranked 29th in team save percentage, as Murray and Hogberg had given them just a .873 save percentage through five games. Only Vancouver (.871) and Pittsburgh (.838) were worse.

Murray’s even-strength save percentage is a metric we need to keep our eye on this season.

It took a worrisome dip last season and we’re not seeing a rebound just yet:

First four seasons combined:

Shots faced: 3,979

Goals allowed: 296

Even-strength save percentage: .926

Last season:

Shots faced: 891

Goals allowed: 88

Even-strength save percentage: .901

This season:

Shots faced: 78

Goals allowed: 10

Even-strength save percentage: .872

If the Senators want a return to relevancy, Murray’s even-strength save percentage is going to need to be closer to .920.

What it means for the week ahead: We could be looking at some high- scoring games between Ottawa and Vancouver this week if their rock- bottom save percentages continue. Hogberg got his first start in Winnipeg on Saturday and considering the Senators lost, a safe bet would see a return to Murray on Monday in Vancouver. Considering there are a set of back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday, logic would dictate the two goalies split those starts. For now, this will be Murray’s crease to lose.

10. Nick Paul continues his dominant play

Let’s end this week’s column with some positivity. Nick Paul has been the Senators’ most consistent forward to start the season.

And after scoring again on Saturday, it’s clear he has joined Connor Brown in D.J. Smith’s club of forwards he would trust with his life. Through five games, Paul has more even-strength ice time than any other left winger on the team, including Tkachuk.

Last week I suggested that Paul could start getting time on the second unit power play and that’s exactly what transpired against Winnipeg. He saw 1:58 of PP time on Thursday and another 1:31 with the man advantage on Saturday.

As I mentioned the expansion draft earlier in this column, it’s now worth looking at Paul through that lens. Is there any way the Senators would leave Paul unprotected in the expansion draft?

The answer at this stage is an unequivocal and emphatic no.

What it means for the week ahead: The return of Stützle will probably mean Paul won’t be able to play higher than the third line, with both Tkachuk and Stützle ahead of him on the left wing depth chart. But if D.J. Smith is looking to send messages to anybody on the roster, using Paul as a positive example is probably the way to go. 1200574 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers’ Shayne Gostisbehere, recovered from COVID-19, could replace Erik Gutsfasson

by Sam Carchidi,

Flyers’ Shayne Gostisbehere, recovered from COVID-19, could replace Erik Gutsfasson

When the Flyers play the surprising New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night in Newark, there’s a good chance defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere will be in the lineup after missing the first six games because he contracted the coronavirus.

Gostisbehere practiced with the team Monday in Voorhees for the first time since he recovered from the virus.

“I feel really good, actually,” Gostisbehere said after practice. “I’m very thankful it didn’t hit me too hard. … I’m more happy it didn’t affect other people and it was just myself.”

Coach said that player known as Ghost has no remaining effects from COVID-19 and that it was just a matter of him getting his conditioning and timing back.

Gostisbehere skated three times last week and said that “hopefully I can be good to go” on Tuesday.

At practice, Gostisbehere was on the top pairing, alongside Ivan Provorov. He was also on the second power-play unit.

“I think him coming back will be big,” said goalie Brian Elliott, who will get the start Tuesday against the 3-1-1 Devils. “He brings experience on the back end and his presence on the power play, too. It’ll be good to have him back there.”

Gostisbehere, 27, said the mental aspect of his COVID-19 battle was more difficult than anything else.

“Thankfully I’ve got a great fiancée to take care of me and didn’t have to go through quarantine alone,” he said. “The mental part of that quarantine was more hard than the physical part for me. Thankfully my symptoms didn’t hit me too hard. But to deal with it mentally for two weeks and you’re stuck in your house [is tough].”

On Tuesday, the Flyers (3-2-1) will try to regroup after being swept by the host Bruins in two games, 5-4 in a shootout and 6-1.

Assuming Gostisbehere is ready and is partnered with Provorov, the other pairings Tuesday will have Travis Sanheim with Mark Friedman and Robert Hagg with Justin Braun, based on Monday’s practice.

In that scenario, Erik Gustafsson, who has struggled in the early going, would be benched.

Coach Alain Vigneault said Gustafsson, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, has “not quite found his game yet” and that “coming into a new environment, players need a little bit of time to adjust. Defensively, I don’t expect him to be over-physical, but I do expect him to have a good stick and stop plays when the opportunity is there. He’s aware of it; he believes he can play much better than he has so far.”

Gostisbehere, coming off a disappointing season that was plagued by knee injuries, had a solid training camp before his COVID-19 diagnosis.

“The last couple years I’ve dealt with some adversity off the ice with injuries and other crap,” said Gostisbehere, now in his sixth season with the Flyers. “I think for myself, [this] was a little more salt in the wound. I was dealing with a little more than the hockey aspect. During the time I was quarantining and watching your team play, seeing them win, seeing them lose, it [stinks]. You want to be out there. I had a good camp and knew I was going to get a great opportunity. Hopefully I can get to where I was and get back in the swing of things.”

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200575 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers center Sean Couturier making progress but still not ready to return

by Sam Carchidi,

Sean Couturier, the Flyers’ top-line center, is making strides as he recovers from a rib injury suffered Jan. 15 against Pittsburgh.

For the first time since he was injured, Couturier skated Monday and did some drills with skills coach Angelo Ricci. Nolan Patrick, who had a maintenance day and did not practice with the team, and injured defenseman Phil Myers also skated with Ricci. The session was held on a sheet of ice opposite the one used mostly by the regulars during practice.

Couturier, the team’s MVP the previous two seasons, said he was feeling a lot better, but no date was set for his return. When he was injured, Flyers general manager said Couturier would miss a minimum of two weeks.

“Today was s step forward by skating and trying to get my game shape back together,” Couturier said.

Couturier said the check by Pittsburgh’s Jarred McCann “was one of those hits I take every game. I’ve probably taken 1,000 of those hits in my career and probably have gotten hit a lot harder and nothing happened. I just didn’t feel right coming bench to the bench and it kind of got pretty sore afterward.”

He said there was a lot of pain the first few nights, but he is now able to do “normal things, like skating today. Hopefully it gets better and better.”

Couturier said he had to “be careful pushing it too much. I feel I can do a lot of stuff on the ice, but I can’t really push. I have to let it heal.”

The Flyers are 1-2-1 without Couturier in the lineup.

“It’s tough watching when you can’t help your team,” he said. “Obviously we’re not playing that good. There’s some things we need to clean up in our game, but it’s early in the year and we’re going to make sure we fix those things moving forward.”

Elliott in nets

Brian Elliott will get the start Tuesday in New Jersey. In his only start this season, Elliott blanked Buffalo, 3-0, and made 40 saves.

Carter Hart has allowed a total of 10 goals in the last two games, losses in Boston.

Razzing Hart

Hart’s uncharacteristic Ron Hextall impersonation caused some good- natured comments in the locker room Monday. At the end of Saturday’s 6-1 loss in Boston, Hart slammed his stick several times against his goal until it broke and he heaved it across the ice.

Elliott said teammates were asking Hart if he had any sticks left.

Claude Giroux took a different approach.

“I almost joined him and smashed my stick,” he said about Saturday’s blowout.

Breakaways

New Jersey is tied for third in the NHL, allowing 2.00 goals per game; the Flyers are allowing 3.50 goals per game, tied for 25th in the league. … The Flyers will not have a morning skate Tuesday. Instead, they will bus to Newark.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200576 Philadelphia Flyers

Gritty, Bernie Parent, and Punxsutawney Phil are all offering personalized video messages. One is charging $500

by Stephanie Farr,

If candy Conversation Hearts just aren’t intense enough for the message you’d like to send your love on Valentine’s Day this year, Gritty’s got your back.

As long as you’ve got $500, that is.

On Monday, the Youth Hockey Foundation announced a new fund-raiser through which fans can purchase 30-second personalized video clips of Gritty as well as videos from other notable players and broadcasters associated with the Flyers, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Gritty’s fee is more than double that of former goalie and beloved fan favorite Bernie Parent, who will cut you a 30-second personalized video for $200 (it was once said ”Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent.” Perhaps he can save your love life, too?). Others offering personalized videos include former Flyers Danny Briere ($100) and Scott Hartnell ($100), Flyers public address announcer Lou Nolan ($50), NBC Sports Philadelphia host and reporter Taryn Hatcher ($50), and Flyers in- arena and TV host Andrea Helfrich ($50).

All proceeds from the fund-raiser, which will run until the end of the Flyers season, benefit the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. While video clips are available for all events and occasions (including “anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, proposals, bar and bat mitzvahs,” according to a news release) those who wish to purchase a video in time for Valentine’s Day must do so online by Friday at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/hochol/event/825852/.

Given that Gritty is the strong, silent, and slightly unhinged type, what can fans expect to see from him in video messages?

According to Katy Hsieh, Snider Hockey’s director of development, a Gritty Valentine message will consist of two-to-three Gritty signs (think Bob Dylan in Subterranean Homesick Blues) and the usual Gritty fanfare and gestures.

“Snider Hockey would like to thank the Flyers and Gritty for helping us on this mission,” Hsieh said.

Over on Cameo, the leading site for personalized celebrity video messages, $500 will get you videos from celebs like Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, Chevy Chase, and Marlon Wayans.

But for $85 on Cameo, you can get a message from Pennsylvania’s second-most famous anthropomorphized celebrity — Punxsutawney Phil — just in time for Groundhog’s Day.

A member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle known as "The Rainmaker" holds Phil for a picture after he makes his weather prediction on Groundhog Day in 2019.

A member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle known as "The Rainmaker" holds Phil for a picture after he makes his weather prediction on Groundhog Day in 2019.

Billing himself as “The Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators, the only true weather-predicting groundhog,” Phil appears in his videos in the arms of his handler, a man in a top hat who calls himself “The Rainmaker.”

Out of nine reviews of their videos so far, Phil and The Rainmaker have five stars, including one from a person who used their video to motivate a sales team.

So whether it’s a mushy message of love from a maniacal mascot or motivational missive from a giant marmot, Pennsylvania is bringing its own brand of weird to the personalized video messaging marketplace.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200577 Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers’ Shayne Gostisbehere may be ready for Devils, and injured Sean Couturier is skating

by Sam Carchidi,

Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere skated with his teammates Monday for the first time since he contracted the coronavirus, and there’s a chance he will return to the lineup Tuesday in New Jersey.

If he is ready — and there are indications he will be — he will replace the struggling Erik Gustafsson. Gostisbehere has missed the first six games.

“I feel really good and I’m thankful it didn’t hit me too hard,” Gostisbehere said after practice in Voorhees. “Hopefully, I’ll be good to go [Tuesday].”

After a solid training camp, Gostisbehere was diagnosed with COVID-19. He said that he was thankful he didn’t give the virus to anyone, and that he had a “great fiancee” who took care of him.

“For the last couple years, I’ve dealt with some adversity on and off the ice with injuries. ... It [stinks]; you want to be out there,” he said. “Hopefully I can just get back in the swing of things.”

At practice Monday, Gostisbehere was with Ivan Provorov on the top pairing.

In another development, top-line center Sean Couturier, who suffered a rib injury against Pittsburgh on Jan. 15 and is expected to be sidelined for a minimum two weeks, skated and did some drills Monday with skills coach Angelo Ricci.

Couturier said he was feeling better and trying to stay in shape. He said he has not set a timetable for his return.

“It was one of those hits I’ve taken probably 1,000 times [and not been injured],” Couturier said. “It just didn’t feel right.”

Couturier, the Flyers’ MVP the last two seasons, said he is able to “do normal things, like skating.”

“I feel like I can do a lot of stuff on the ice, but I can’t push it and have to let it heal,” he added.

The Flyers are 3-2-1 and have been badly outshot in each game.

Couturier said “we’re not playing that good. There are things we have to clean up in our game, but it’s early in the year and we’re going to make sure we fix those things.”

Brian Elliott will start in goal Tuesday against the Devils. He made 40 saves and blanked Buffalo, 3-0, in his last appearance.

Carter Hart has played the last two games, allowing 10 goals in that span.

Claude Giroux will surpass Bobby Clarke on Tuesday for most games played (611) in franchise history as the Flyers’ captain.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200578 Philadelphia Flyers “I haven’t really set a timetable but I’m feeling better,’’ Couturier said. “I’m just trying to stay in as good shape as I can. Today was a step forward by skating and trying to get my game shape back together.’’

Flyers' Gostisbehere back from COVID-19 and ready to go; Couturier Couturier doesn’t have a problem with the hit from McCann. skating again “It’s probably one of those hits I’ve taken a thousand (times) in my career,’’ he said. “And probably got hit a lot harder. I’m not too sure exactly how it happened –maybe not even from the hit but taking the hit Wayne Fish into the board and the glass and absorbing it.’’

The Flyers’ center said the first few days were rough.

Absorbing a board check from a 6-foot-4, 225-pound forward in a corner “Pretty painful,’’ he said. “It wasn’t easy sleeping the first few nights. But collision might seem rather traumatic for a defenseman. I’m feeling a lot better (now).’’

But dealing with something really serious like COVID-19 as Shayne Giroux set to break record Gostisbehere just experienced might prove even more daunting. Claude Giroux is scheduled to play in his 611th game as Flyers’ captain The Flyers’ backliner has missed the team’s first six games after on Tuesday night and that will move him past Hall of Famer Bob Clarke contracting the coronavirus earlier this month and was only able to into the top spot on the franchise’s all-time list. practice for the first time on Monday at the Skate Zone. Giroux indicated it’s an honor to be in such company. The good news is he’s feeling much better now after several negative tests and might even be ready to play when the Flyers visit the New “It’s very special,’’ he said. “Clarkie is probably the best player to ever Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. play in this organization. He’s been great for me in my career. He’s helped me a lot. It (the record) feels great.’’ Thankfully, Gostisbehere’s case of COVID wasn’t too severe. He has been skating on his own since the middle of last week and says he didn’t Vigneault said: “The captain is the player that sets the tone, sets the lose too much conditioning-wise. proper example. When the coach is not around, he’s an extension of the coaching staff to (implement) the right culture, attitude and that’s “I feel really good actually,’’ Gostisbehere said after the workout. “I’m everywhere. I believe Claude is a very strong captain with a strong desire thankful it didn’t hit me too hard. Again, you have to take all the to win, to push himself and his teammates.’’ precautions. Short shots “I’m just happy I’m feeling good, I’m more happy I didn’t infect other people, it was just myself.’’ Brian Elliott will start in goal on Tuesday night. In his only other start, he shut out Buffalo, 3-0. Meanwhile, Carter Hart has given up at least four As for the Devils game, “Ghost’’ hasn’t ruled it out as a possibility, goals in each of his last three starts. depending on coach Alain Vigneault’s final decision. Burlington County Times LOADED: 01.26.2021 “Yeah, just getting a couple skates in,’’ Gostisbehere said. “Feeling good, hopefully I can be good to go tomorrow.’’

Gostisbehere’s case can serve as a reminder to his teammates that every precaution must be taken. Things were different last summer when the Flyers competed in the playoffs in the controlled environment of the Toronto bubble.

“Obviously we were in our own bubble there,’’ he said. “You felt a little safer (and) had a little bit of a safety net. It’s different (now) ... we have to take all precautions. Be safe as a team, keep our season going.’’

Gostisbehere already had been dealing with recovery from a pair of knee surgeries plus nagging trade rumors before the COVID hit. These couple years have been a true test of the 27-year-old Florida native’s character.

“I think for the last couple years I’ve dealt with some adversity,’’ Gostisbehere said, “on and off the ice, with injuries and other (stuff).

“For myself, (COVID) is just a little more salt in the wound. I was dealing with a little more than just the hockey aspect, dealing with the quarantine and whatnot.’’

Gostisbehere had been paired on the No. 1 unit with Ivan Provorov when the illness hit.

“I had a really good camp and I was going to get a great opportunity,’’ Gostisbehere said. “Hopefully I can pick up where I was and get back in the swing of things.’’

Vigneault didn’t rule out Gostisbehere returning as early as Tuesday.

“I had a chat with him prior to practice,’’ the coach said. “He’s got no remaining effects from COVID, so it’s just a matter of him feeling his conditioning and his timing will permit him to play.

“He told me before practice not to rule him out.’’

Couturier still on the mend

Sean Couturier, who’s been sidelined since suffering a severe rib cage injury in a collision with Pittsburgh’s Jared McCann, skated on Monday and said he’s making progress in his recovery.

There’s still no timeframe on when he might be able to play again. He’s about 10 days into a projected 14-day down time. 1200579 Philadelphia Flyers to put Gostisbehere in the lineup ahead of Gustafsson if he seems physically ready for the assignment.

"He did tell me not to rule him out," Vigneault said. On road to return, Shayne Gostisbehere looks to put COVID, injuries That's a lesson the past couple of weeks, and past couple of years, has behind him taught Gostisbehere.

"It definitely is real, I'll tell you that," he said of his bout with the By Rob Parent 3 hrs ago coronavirus. "If we can just follow the rules, like anything in this world, hopefully we can get through this and we can stop talking about it and help the people who have to deal with it. There's health care workers out there who battle it every day and for us to do our part and just put a mask VOORHEES, N.J. — Shayne Gostisbehere said he's ready, willing and on, I don't think it's too hard." perhaps even able to join his teammates on the Prudential Center ice Tuesday night as the Flyers pay the Devils a two-game visit in lovely Sean Couturier, whose absence has been felt at both ends of the ice, downtown North Jersey. skated informally Monday but still faces at least several more days of healing a rib cartilage tear. While it was left vague as to whether Gostisbehere would be green- lighted to play or not, he's happy to be back in the mix at all. "I haven't really set a timetable, but I'm feeling better," said Couturier, who was injured 96 seconds into the Flyers' second game when It's been nearly three weeks since Gostisbehere went from possible Pittsburgh's Jared McCann popped him. "I'm just trying to stay in as good starter on the Flyers' top defensive pair to isolated loner in his home after a shape as I can. Today was a step forward by skating and trying to get onset of COVID-19. He was about five days into the Flyers' short training my game shape back together." camp when he was flagged as positive and entered a two-week quarantine a few days before his team entered a 56-game regular Couturier still hasn't put it together how the injury happened. season on Jan. 13. "It was one of those hits I take every game," he said. "I probably have But at least he wasn't completely alone. taken over 1,000 of those hits in my career and I've gotten hit a lot harder before and nothing happened." "I didn't really do much for two weeks, to be honest," Gostisbehere said Monday after his first full practice since Jan. 8. "I was in my house the NOTES >> Claude Giroux will play his 611th game as Flyers captain whole time, and thankfully, I've got a great fiancee to take care of me. ... Tuesday, breaking Bob Clarke's franchise mark for most games as captain. "It's very special," Giroux said. "Clarkie is obviously one of the "The mental part of the quarantine was harder than the physical part for best, probably THE best player that's ever played in this organization." ... myself; thankfully, the symptoms didn't hit me too hard. I was (down) for One game after Carter Hart ended a brutal loss in Boston by shattering three or four days with cold-like symptoms and other things, but just his stick before walking off the ice, he will man the bench in New Jersey dealing with it mentally for two weeks ... you know, you're stuck in your as Brian Elliott gets the starting nod Tuesday. house." Delaware County Times LOADED: 01.26.2021 That hit Gostisbehere perhaps harder than it might some of his teammates, if only because he's felt a bit stuck over the past couple of seasons from injury and performance standpoints. Gostisbehere went from playing at a premier level in the 2017-18 season to slowly losing his top-pair status and top-unit power play role over the next year-plus, before two arthroscopic knee procedures knocked him out of the lineup altogether for long stretches last season.

All the while, he was well-known trade bait on the GM hotlines across the league.

Finally, when the league called a mid-January start to a 56-game season, "Ghost" came out flying for pre-camp skates and pronounced himself healthy for the first time in a long time. It didn't last long.

"For the last couple of years I've dealt with some adversity on and off the ice, with injuries and other crap," Gostisbehere said. "I think for myself it's just a little more salt in the wound. I was dealing with a little more than the hockey aspect during the time I was quarantining, watching your team play, seeing them win and seeing them lose; it sucks. You want to be out there.

"I'd had a really good camp and I was going to get a great opportunity. Now, hopefully I can just leave off where I was and get back in the swing of things."

Gostisbehere does have a window for a return, since the pairing of Justin Braun and top defender Ivan Provorov has had mixed results, and top-4 defenseman Phil Myers is out with a fractured rib.

As it turns out, free-agent pickup Erik Gustafsson has had some rough outings over the team's slower-than-it-appears 3-2-1 start, and might need to sit for a game to think things over.

"It's a new environment for him, a new group of players; you always need a little bit of time to adjust," Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said of Gustafsson. "I don't think he's quite found his game yet, that puck- moving, steady defenseman that can help us spend a little less time in our zone.

"He believes he can play much better than he has so far."

Until then, though, there is a 27-year-old former team star itching to show what he knows about himself, too. Vigneault indicated he might choose 1200580 Philadelphia Flyers

Opportunity quickly arrives for Gostisbehere following his bout with COVID-19

BY JORDAN HALL

As hockey returned and the Flyers opened their 2020-21 season with four games at the Wells Fargo Center, Shayne Gostisbehere didn't leave his house. He couldn't do much for the Flyers other than watch them on television just like the eager fans following along from home.

Gostisbehere was at standstill after testing positive for COVID-19. With the help of his fiancee Gina Valentine, the 27-year-old defenseman recovered at home. He had to miss the Flyers' first six games before rejoining his teammates in practice Monday for the first time since Jan. 8.

"Thankfully I’ve got a great fiancee to take care of me and go through the quarantine, I didn’t have to go through it alone," Gostisbehere said. "I think the mental part of the quarantine is more hard than the physical part. For me, thankfully my symptoms didn’t hit me too hard, I was probably out for three or four days, cold-like symptoms and other things. Dealing with it mentally for two weeks, you’re stuck in your house, I’m just thankful it didn’t hit me too hard.

“I feel really good actually. ... You’ve got to take all the precautions. I’m just happy I’m feeling good and I’m more happy it didn’t affect other people and it was just myself.”

Gostisbehere has gone from being housebound to quickly needed on the ice by the Flyers, who are struggling to create shots and prevent them. Gostisbehere has the makeup to help in both of those areas. The Flyers entered Monday putting up the NHL's fewest shots per game (23.7) while allowing the third most (35.5). Without Philippe Myers (fractured rib), the Flyers are shorthanded on the back end and missing some of that offense-is-the-best defense mantra from the position.

Gostisbehere, who last Wednesday started skating again on his own, was paired with No. 1 defenseman Ivan Provorov in Monday's practice and also took reps on the power play. Meanwhile, Erik Gustafsson skated with taxi-squad defenseman Nate Prosser.

All of the above signal Gostisbehere making his season debut Tuesday against the Devils in Newark, New Jersey (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP). Gostisbehere said he felt good and was hoping to play Tuesday. With the door open for Gostisbehere, he likely wants to jump on the opportunity now and not miss any more games. It's difficult to simulate game shape, but a player can build it up by playing.

"He skated three times last week, the last two times hard," Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said after Monday's practice. "He’s got no remaining effects from COVID as far his health, so it’s just a matter of him feeling that his conditioning and his timing will permit him to play. I have not spoken to him post-practice, I will here once I’m done. But he did tell me prior to practice not to rule him out, that he considered himself a possibility depending on how he would feel today at practice.”

Following the Flyers' 6-1 loss to the Bruins last Saturday, Gustafsson seems to be the obvious choice to come out of the lineup. The offseason acquisition hasn't shown much of his offensive strengths since the season opener and has had lapses in the defensive zone. The Flyers are not asking for shutdown qualities from Gustafsson, but they simply need more from him in the defensive zone if he's not transitioning the puck as well as he can.

“I believe Erik coming into a new environment, a new group of players, you always need a little bit of time to adjust. I’ve talked to him a little bit lately, I don’t think that he’s quite found his game yet, that puck-moving, steady defenseman that can help us spend a little less time in our zone," Vigneault said. "Defensively, I don’t expect him to be over-physical, but I do expect him to have a good stick and kill plays and stop plays when the opportunity is there. I don’t quite think that he has found his game, he’s aware of it, he knows and believes that he can play much better than he has so far.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200581 Philadelphia Flyers

Two relieving sights at the center of attention for Flyers

BY JORDAN HALL

The Flyers' outlook down the middle of the ice appeared grimmer when Monday's practice began in Voorhees, New Jersey.

It ended up looking much better by the end of practice.

With the Flyers already down two centers because of injuries to Sean Couturier and Morgan Frost, Nolan Patrick didn't come out for practice.

But the 22-year-old center became a part of a promising sight on the opposite ice at Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone. Alongside Couturier and Philippe Myers, Patrick worked out with skills coach Angelo Ricci.

Myers, who celebrated his birthday Monday, is out with a fractured rib.

Head coach Alain Vigneault said Patrick didn't practice for maintenance reasons and is expected to play Tuesday against the Devils in Newark, New Jersey (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

That was one good piece of news for the Flyers at center. The other piece was Couturier skating, as well.

Sean Couturier, Philippe Myers and Nolan Patrick getting in skill work on opposite ice. pic.twitter.com/7QFMlq7tNa— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) January 25, 2021

The Flyers on Jan. 16 announced that Couturier would be out a minimum of two weeks with a costochondral separation, which is when one of the ribs comes apart from the sternum.

"Today was a step forward by skating and trying to get my game shape back together," Couturier said Monday.

The 2019-20 Frank J. Selke Trophy winner suffered the injury on sort of a run-of-the-mill check he absorbed early on in the Flyers' second game of the season.

"It was one of those hits that I take every game," Couturier said. "I've probably taken over 1,000 of those hits in my career and probably have gotten hit a lot harder before and nothing happened.

"The first few days were pretty painful when you'd like sneeze or sleeping wasn't easy the first few nights. Now I'm feeling a lot better, I'm able to do a lot of normal things like skating today and hopefully it just gets better and better."

Couturier said he hasn't set a strict timetable for his return. This upcoming Saturday would mark two weeks since the announcement of his diagnosis.

“Sean is slowly but surely progressing, permitting him to skate with our skill coach," Vigneault said. "But he’s not at the point yet where he can come back and skate with the team, so I’m still foreseeing a little bit of time here before he can join our group."

Without Couturier, the Flyers have gone 1-2-1, a stretch in which they've been outscored 16-9 and have allowed 36.5 shots per game. The Flyers did essentially win their second game without Couturier as he was injured in the opening two minutes and did not return.

"There are some things that we need to clean up in our game," Couturier said. "It's early in the year and we're going to make sure we fix those things, and moving forward we're going to become a pretty good team."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200582 Philadelphia Flyers The long-term solution is clearly to add another above-average defenseman. But in the short term, the current players are going to have to fix this. Forwards need to provide more support on breakouts. The offensive zone forecheck has to be more effective. Five-man units need Philadelphia Flyers must look inward to find fixes for early problems to make better decisions with the puck in the offensive zone to extend possession time and further shelter the defense via a keep-away style.

These are all do-able tasks for the Flyers; they just haven’t been done By Charlie O'Connor Jan 25, 2021 yet.

2. Have the Flyers played this poorly before under Vigneault?

O’Connor’s Observations is a weekly column of Flyers reporting and While comparing the Flyers to the 2019-20 Red Wings is certainly analysis. attention-grabbing, it’s also a bit misleading. After all, over the course of a long season, every team goes through bad stretches. In reality, a six- Well, the Philadelphia Flyers’ two-game sweep of the Pittsburgh game stretch to start the year and a six-game stretch in the middle of Penguins to start the season now seems like it happened months ago. March aren’t all that different — the one at the beginning of the season just seems more meaningful because it stands alone and not in the midst Entering Saturday night’s rematch with the Boston Bruins, the perception of a season-long sample. of the Flyers’ week was in limbo. A 1-1-1 record through three games — a split of the two-game set with the Buffalo Sabres and a shootout loss to So have the Flyers delivered six-game runs as underwhelming as this in the Bruins — meant that a big win would have sent the team back to the recent past? Have they struggled this much before and still shaken it Philadelphia capable of calling the week a success, while a bad loss off? would illuminate the issues that led to those two losses in the first place. Following a 6-1 shellacking that Kevin Hayes called “unacceptable,” it’s As it turns out, yes. clear the Flyers begin Week 3 of their season in need of dramatic The last time the Flyers were beaten this badly by advanced metrics over improvements. six games was in December of last season (Dec. 5, 2019 – Dec. 17, 1. Flyers have to fix this from within 2019). But that was a unique situation — it included the road trip when the club found out Oskar Lindblom had been diagnosed with cancer. A It wasn’t difficult to see Saturday night’s game coming. more comparable stretch came earlier, in November 2019, when they were hovering around a 40 percent expected goals share for the better Sure, the Flyers had earned three of four available points in their part of two weeks. After a strong start to the season in terms of previous two games, but the cracks were easy to see. It took a 40-save controlling play, the floor fell out from under the Flyers beginning with a gem from Brian Elliott to even the two-game slate with Buffalo, and on 5-3 defeat to the New York Islanders that could have easily been 7-1, Thursday against the Bruins, one solid period (the second) and a clicking and a loss two days later to the Penguins that did result in a 7-1 power play were all that pushed a game largely controlled by Boston to scoreline. overtime. The Flyers weren’t controlling the neutral zone. They were struggling to get out of the defensive zone. And entering Saturday, they In Year 2 of Vigneault’s tenure, the Flyers hoped they’d be able to avoid were getting crushed by basic stats (37.4 shots allowed per game to just stretches like this. They obviously haven’t. But the good news is that just 25 shots for) and advanced stats (43.35 percent Corsi for and 43.71 a few weeks after that last awful stretch, they were again controlling play percent expected goals for at five-on-five). This wasn’t a team “figuring it and looking like a dangerous club. It’s now on the players and the coach out.” It was a team standing dangerously close to the edge of a cliff. to do it again.

On Saturday, they fell off. 3. Addressing the defense

After the Flyers’ first two wins, everyone from Alain Vigneault to Travis The forwards can do a much better job of making life easier for their Konecny couldn’t stop talking about how the team wasn’t actually playing defensemen. But that doesn’t change the fact that the blue-line corps is a great hockey. In the wake of last Monday’s 6-1 loss to Buffalo, it’s what major problem, especially with Philippe Myers out of the lineup. led James van Riemsdyk to say, “It’s going to catch up with you Philadelphia entered the season with three clear top-four-quality eventually.” The self-awareness was obvious. But heading into Saturday, defensemen (Provorov, Sanheim, Myers) and then a bunch of “hopefully- Flyers players still seemed confident that they were trending in the right they’ll-be-good-enough” options to slot in as the No. 4. So far, none of direction. Claude Giroux noted after the 3-0 win against Buffalo that they them have been, and now the Flyers are down one of the (relatively) sure “played like we did last year before COVID”; Jakub Voracek called the things as well. It’s no shock the defense is in shambles. Flyers “a tough team to play against” after the shootout loss to Boston. In other words, this 6-1 defeat should serve as a serious reality check, proof So how will they go about addressing it? that they’re still far from figuring all of this out. It appears their first move is to hope Shayne Gostisbehere’s return But can they figure it out? Sean Couturier is a huge loss, and aside from stabilizes the top four. Based on his usage at training camp, Ivan Provorov and Travis Sanheim, the defense is bereft of reliable puck- Gostisbehere was the original “first choice” to play with Provorov on the movers. People who came into the season perceiving serious roster top pair, a nod to their success as a duo in 2017-18. Unfortunately for the flaws — the absence of a true Matt Niskanen replacement, a supposed Flyers, Gostisbehere missed the last few days of camp and was on the lack of physicality, the philosophical decision to build a forward corps COVID-19 protocol list through last Thursday, when he was removed. around extreme depth rather than a few true game-breaking talents — Vigneault strongly implied on Friday that Gostisbehere had contracted are feeling vindicated, and many are advocating for immediate changes the virus, and that the timing of his return to game action was unclear as to address them. a result. That said, Gostisbehere is expected to practice with his teammates on Monday — he skated in Voorhees, N.J., this weekend Not to be the bearer of bad news, but don’t hold your breath on that front. alone while they were in Boston — and he’ll likely be in the lineup again soon. My understanding is that the Flyers aren’t about to rush into a big trade to “fix” things. For starters, it’s two weeks into the season, and the only “He’s going to need a little bit of time here to get himself back into players “on the market” are those who are demanding trades or have condition,” Vigneault said. “I don’t know when he’s going to feel right to been available for months because of bad contracts on poor fits with their be able to come back and help us play. It might take one practice. It clubs. Second, as poor as the process has been for the Flyers, they still might take a week. I’m not at liberty to say right now. I haven’t really hold a 3-2-1 record. If they were 0-5-1 and the season was slipping spoken to him and I haven’t seen him on the ice.” away, the front office would be more motivated to make a shake-up trade. And finally, as ugly as their play has been, there’s still internal (Courtesy of Zack Hill / Philadelphia Flyers) confidence that the Flyers can dramatically improve their on-ice process. If Gostisbehere can return soon and play at a serviceable level — which Given their injuries, this isn’t a great lineup, but it’s also far from the is no guarantee, considering his poor 2019-20 season — suddenly the 2019-20 Detroit Red Wings, who actually posted better five-on-five blue-line rotation doesn’t look so dire. If a Provorov-Gostisbehere top metrics than the Flyers have right now. There’s next-to-no chance a team pairing works, then Sanheim could be reunited with Braun — a duo that with Giroux, Hayes, Voracek, Konecny, Provorov and Sanheim could played well last season (53.53 percent expected goals share, 53.29 possibly be as bad as the team that posted the NHL’s worst record since percent actual goals share) — and the Flyers could form a workable third the 1999-2000 Atlanta Thrashers. pair from some combination of Erik Gustafsson, Robert Hägg and Mark But I think guys have managed to stay busy. The hotels do a great job for Friedman. us. We have team lounges to play cards and all that.”

If Gostisbehere can’t hang in the top four, however, the Flyers have little As the Washington Capitals reminded the hockey world last week, the choice but to simply wait for Myers’ return and hope the season doesn’t days of a group of players even just hanging out in a hotel room have fall apart before then. Myers’ recovery timeline for his fractured rib was been temporarily put on hold. Now, if the players want to see each other announced as “week to week,” but the team is hopeful he won’t be out for away from the rink on the road, it’s basically limited to socially-distanced too long. It’s possible he could be back in a couple of weeks, and if so, hotel lounges, with tables and couches scattered across a large space the Flyers might not have to deal with this worst-case scenario for much and masks required. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than getting sick or longer. having four star players have to sit out games because of COVID-19 protocols. Just like everyone else, Flyers players are trying to make the 4. PK a mess as well best of a bad situation.

The Flyers are having enough problems at even strength; they can’t “Yeah, I think a few guys brought their Xboxes on the road to play in their afford for their special teams to flounder as well. But through six games, room, so that’s something,” Joel Farabee said. the penalty kill has been ineffective, succeeding in just 14 of 22 opportunities — a ghastly 63.6 percent efficiency rate. And while there 7. Gustafsson’s zone exit issues have been some goals against that weren’t the PK’s fault — Hart’s turnover to Sidney Crosby in Game 1, the relatively weak goal he allowed (Eric Hartline / USA Today) to Brad Marchand short-side on Saturday — there has been a One doesn’t need stats to see that Gustafsson has struggled with concerning, recurring issue. See if you can pinpoint it. turnovers in his own zone so far as a Flyer. But it’s important to know that If you guessed “letting opponents around the net outmuscle you or losing even though Gustafsson has always been a high-risk, high-reward player coverage on them entirely,” congratulations! On multiple goals, the who constantly looks to make stretch passes and spring big plays, he’s Flyers’ penalty killers have lost track of forwards stationed in the most usually not this inefficient. dangerous area of the ice, or they allowed them to set up shop with little Last season, 27 percent of Gustafsson’s defensive zone exit attempts in the way of pushback. ended in failure, according to Corey Sznajder’s tracking data. That’s a Some of these are just coverage breakdowns, likely a byproduct of the higher-than-average rate — by comparison, Niskanen posted a 17.2 short camp and minimal practice time. But when Taylor Hall is allowed to percent failure rate last season, and only Hägg cleared 20 percent (25.7 drive between two Flyers players to get into the crease area and send a percent) among the regular Philadelphia defensemen. But through five puck to a wide-open teammate, or when Sanheim is allowing Nick Ritchie games this season, Gustafsson’s exit fail rate was an eye-popping 39.5 to completely box him out from a leverage standpoint, that’s a different percent. To look at it another way, Gustafsson generated more failed problem entirely — the opposite of “difficult to play against.” Entering exits (15) than every other Flyers defenseman not named Ivan Provorov Sunday, only three teams (Devils, Panthers, Jets) had been more leaky (16) has controlled zone exits. Yikes. No wonder fans have been so in chances allowed than Philadelphia. A unit that experienced a frustrated with him. resurgence under assistant coach Mike Yeo last season has been a low- 8. Giroux’s strange start key disappointment early on. (Eric Hartline / USA Today) “I’m not sure,” Hayes said when asked on Saturday what the PK has been missing. “Gotta watch some film and figure it out though, quickly.” Unsurprisingly, Giroux has taken heat from the more critical portions of the fan base for the team’s poor process. But interestingly enough, it’s 5. Any positives? Well, maybe Giroux who has been the most immune to the Flyers’ tendency to get As ugly as Saturday’s loss was, as much as it felt like a culmination of all bulldozed at five-on-five this season. With Giroux on the ice, they have the team’s issues from the first five games, there were actually a few outscored the opposition 3-1, and it’s not just good fortune driving those reasons for optimism about the Flyers’ ability to pull themselves out of results: He has a team-high 63.52 percent expected goals for as well, this early season funk. which would be impressive at any point in the season, but especially when the rest of the team is struggling to get the puck out of its end of For starters, their defensive play at five-on-five. There were still the ice. breakdowns — namely, Gustafsson being outworked in the low slot by Patrice Bergeron on Marchand’s first goal of the night. But after allowing So Giroux is driving the Flyers to positive outcomes then, right? Well, 10, nine, 11 and 11 high-danger chances at five-on-five in the four maybe. What is especially interesting about his start is that even though preceding games, holding Boston to a four does hint that they’re good things have tended to happen with him on the ice, Giroux hasn’t tightening up. That’s important, seeing as the Flyers entered the game as been the one directly creating them — at least on offense. Entering the third-worst defensive team in the league in the situation, according to Saturday’s game, Giroux had just two scoring chances and two passes Evolving-Hockey’s xG. They desperately needed to address this issue. that directly led to a scoring chance for a teammate at five-on-five; after controlling for ice time, he sits at 5.11 scoring chances created per 60 Second, the Flyers had their best forechecking night of the season, minutes, a significant decline from his 7.12 mark in 2019-20. regaining possession on 41.5 percent of their dump-ins. Is that a fantastic rate? Nah. But since they failed to crack 38 percent in four of their first The charitable way to view this disconnect is that Giroux is doing lots of five games, every bit helps — especially because if the Flyers are going little things right to make the jobs of his linemates easier, opening up to overcome their holes on defense, it will likely be driven by space for them to create offense. The unkind way? Giroux isn’t being forechecking opponents to death to limit the time that other teams can do assertive enough on offense, and his shiny advanced stats aren’t going the same to them. to hold up for much longer unless he steps up. It’ll be fascinating to see which direction Giroux goes. Were either of these positives enough to make up for the awful passing and poor shot selection? Of course not. But offense hadn’t been a 9. Samuel Morin, taxi squad jumper? problem for the Flyers before Saturday, so it’s possible it was just a one- For anyone who pays close attention to the NHL transactions list — or night aberration. The ineffective forecheck and defensive lapses at even simply follows the Flyers’ official Twitter account — Samuel Morin’s name strength had become a recurring issue, however, and the ugly final score is popping up quite a bit. On Thursday, the Flyers promoted Morin from masked the fact that they made progress in those areas. the taxi squad to their 23-man roster. On Friday, he went back to the taxi 6. Road trips, 2020-21 style squad. Saturday, back with the main roster. Sunday, back to the taxi squad. Why are the Flyers moving him up and down so often? The Flyers had the luxury of beginning the season on home ice, and more importantly, at home, so they didn’t have to deal with all of the There are two reasons for the roster gymnastics. COVID-19 restrictions that road trips now entail. First, the realities of the moment. With Couturier and Morgan Frost In Boston, they got their first taste of road life in 2020-21. injured, the Flyers had just 12 healthy forwards for the games on Thursday and Saturday. A team needs only 12 forwards for a lineup, “Yeah, it’s definitely a change,” Scott Laughton said. “I think some of your though, right? Yes, but there’s a reason teams keep 13 or 14 forwards — favorite times are going on the road and going out to dinner with guys. just in case a last-minute player availability disaster strikes. In normal times, this is usually limited to pregame skate injuries. But these aren’t normal times. The Flyers, like all teams, utilize a daily COVID-19 testing model, but they aren’t rapid tests that produce immediate results. Sometimes, the results from the day before aren’t available until just before puck drop. That’s why the presence of a 13th forward (and a seventh defenseman) gains added importance this season. Say the Flyers found out at 6:15 p.m. that Giroux tested positive and won’t be available to play. The deadline to activate players from the taxi squad to be eligible to play in a game that night is 5 p.m. If the Flyers didn’t have a 13th forward called up from their taxi squad before then, they’d simply have to go with 11 forwards. That’s why Morin keeps getting recalled on game days.

But this doesn’t explain why the Flyers are reassigning him to the taxi squad on non-game days. The reason: cap space. While most people think of the $81.5 million cap ceiling as a hard limit on the cap hits a team can carry, that’s not how it works. In reality, the cap is calculated on a daily basis — on Day 1 of the 116-day season, teams are not allowed to exceed $702,586 of cap spend ($81.5 million divided by 116 days) on their players.

But what if they spend less than $702,586 on a given day? Well, that extra space can be “banked” for future use. So if the Flyers technically spent just $650,000 on player salaries on Day 1, they can spread out the saved $52,586 over the next 115 days, boosting their effective daily cap space to about $703,000. One day of “banking” doesn’t move the needle much. But if a team is under the cap and banking space for months, it adds up. It’s how a team can add a $5 million player at the trade deadline even though the sum of its raw cap hits exceed the $81.5 million “ceiling.” They can do it because of that banked space.

That’s what general manager Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers are doing when they send Morin back to the taxi squad on non-game days. It gives them the ability to bank just a bit more daily space, which over time could prove to be the difference between being able to trade for a rental defenseman with a large cap hit and being forced to go bargain hunting.

10. Expect many more internal transactions

Morin’s game of musical chairs last week was just the beginning of what should become a daily rite for the Flyers over the next few months. With training camp scheduled to begin this week, the Flyers again have a functioning AHL team where their prospects can develop. But because of the threat of a COVID-19 outbreak with the big club, they’ll still want to have players in waiting on the taxi squad. So expect lots of movement between the AHL and taxi squad for developmental purposes, the taxi squad and the NHL for cap purposes, and even the occasional promotion/demotion from the NHL straight to the AHL (and vice versa).

Because of the Phantoms’ close proximity to Philadelphia — and the fact that they will be doing daily COVID-19 testing for players who could be taxi squad or NHL call-up candidates — a source told The Athletic that they don’t envision a quarantine process will be required for a player who is recalled from the Phantoms to the big club or taxi squad. In other words, as long as an AHL player is being tested daily in the minors and drives to Philadelphia instead of flying or using public transportation, he’d be able to join the taxi squad or play for the Flyers as soon as he arrives. Some teams won’t have that luxury — because their AHL affiliate is located far from their NHL club, necessitating a plane trip, or because local restrictions require some sort of quarantine — but the Flyers should be able to avoid that complication. Expect the Flyers to take full advantage of their flexibility.

— All statistics courtesy of Evolving-Hockey, Natural Stat Trick or Corey Sznajder.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200583 Pittsburgh Penguins number (10) instead of a “training camp” number more befitting an offensive lineman.

On Jan. 11, O’Connor was assigned to the taxi squad. He will need a Penguins forward prospect Drew O’Connor could make his NHL debut formal recall to the NHL roster to play in Tuesday’s game and realize his goal.

“We’ll see what happens,” O’Connor said. “But it’s definitely an exciting SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, January 25, 2021 7:04 p.m. thought to think about, potentially playing in a game. We’ll see how it goes on this (road) trip. Just excitement.”

“I’m sure it will be a little bit of nerves if that does happen.” Drew O’Connor had some pretty modest goals as he headed to college. Tribune Review LOADED: 01.26.2021 Almost four years ago, O’Connor was hoping to attend Hobart in New York and walk on to the school’s Division III hockey team.

If that didn’t work out, he could play club hockey.

But things changed.

Like “play in the NHL” changed.

Those recalibrated goals could manifest themselves Tuesday if O’Connor is in the lineup for the Penguins’ road game against the Boston Bruins.

With forward Evan Rodrigues sidelined indefinitely by an undisclosed injury, O’Connor, a 22-year-old power forward whom the Penguins signed 10 months ago, skated on the team’s fourth line during practice Monday in Cranberry and even spent some time with the second power- play unit.

That’s quite a jump from being a potential walk-on.

“It’s been kind of a long journey,” O’Connor said during a video conference. “There was a point in time when I was kind of just battling to just get on a college team. To be in this position, I’m very thankful. It’s all the work that I’ve put in paying of potentially. It’s definitely a cool spot to be in now.”

So what changed for O’Connor?

Well, he did. Physically.

Upon graduating high school in 2016, the Chatham, N.J., native was a modest 5-foot-9. A growth spurt sprouted him to a stout 6-foot-3 and prompted Dartmouth to extend a scholarship offer in 2018.

As a sophomore last season, O’Connor led Dartmouth with 32 points (21 goals, 11 assists) in 30 games. His goal total was the fifth best in all of NCAA Division I.

His blend of strength and skating at 200 pounds, as well as his obvious scoring touch, led the Penguins to make a furious push to sign him to a two-year entry-level deal in March.

In less than a year, he has become one of the organization’s top prospects, admittedly in a very shallow pool of candidates.

“Our hockey (operations) department did their homework on Drew,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He was a sought-after guy coming out of Dartmouth. We knew he was a good player coming (into training camp). You can see his physical stature. He’s a big kid. He’s strong on the puck. He’s a good skater. He has good poise. He has a lot of the attributes that I think can potentially translate into being a real good pro.”

With the pandemic halting most hockey leagues in North America throughout the fall, O’Connor got his first taste of the pros in when the Penguins loaned him to Manglerud Star of that country’s league in late October.

In seven games with Manglerud, O’Connor was scored 10 points (six goals, four assists), albeit against a relatively low level of competition.

Regardless, O’Connor saw benefit.

“Just kind of the professional lifestyle,” O’Connor said. “Going to the rink every day, trying to get better every day. Working out, skating, doing extra things to just kind of work on my game. Being ready to play every game. That was super helpful for me to get a little taste of that pro hockey life for sure.”

After his loan was terminated in December, O’Connor was invited to the Penguins’ training camp earlier this month and primarily practiced with the main roster instead of other prospects and minor leaguers vying for a spot on the taxi squad. He was even given a relatively normal roster 1200584 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin off to slow start

SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, January 25, 2021 5:08 p.m.

Evgeni Malkin’s performance in Sunday’s 3-2 win against the New York Rangers was historic.

And not for anything resembling a positive footnote.

Clocking in at 14 minutes, 23 seconds of ice time on 23 shifts, the Penguins’ star center recorded the third lowest time on ice total of his career, absent any games he left early because of injury.

Granted, part of that limited deployment was due to the fact the Penguins did not have a single opportunity on the power play, a realm where Malkin is certainly vital.

Regardless, he was rather ineffective in the minutes he was afforded Sunday as he failed to even record a single shot attempt.

It might have been Malkin’s worst game of a season that has been underwhelming to this juncture. In six games, he has one power-play goal and one secondary assist.

As he usually does for any player mired in a rough patch, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan offered nothing but public encouragement for Malkin.

“(Malkin has) has moments where he’s been real good,” Sullivan said via video conference. “And he’s had others where he hasn’t been at his best. I think it’s a matter of time here before (Malkin) finds his game consistently. This guy is a proven talent in this league. He had a great year last year. One of the leading points-per-game guys in the league (in 2019-20). We know what he’s capable of. We’re just trying to encourage him and help through the process. We’re also trying to surround him with the right people that can help him capture his very best game.

”Obviously, the expectations on (Malkin) are so high. We all have them because of how he’s performed for a decade-plus with the Penguins. And no one has higher expectations of (Malkin) than himself. He knows what he’s capable of. We’re just trying to encourage him, help him through the process. But I feel very confident that (Malkin) is going to find his game.”

Poulin on the move

Forward prospect Sam Poulin was traded within the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) from the Sherbrooke Phoenix to the Val-d’Or Foreurs.

The Penguins’ first-round pick in 2019, Poulin will join their third-round pick from that same draft class, forward Nathan Legare, with Val-d’Or. Each player participated in the Penguins’ training camp earlier this month but were returned to their respective junior teams Jan. 11.

Poulin’s 2020-21 season has hardly gone as hoped. While most leagues in North America remained on hiatus through the fall because of the pandemic, the QMJHL has tried to power through but with irregular stoppages throughout the season. Furthermore, he was one of the final cuts from Canada’s entry into the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) World Junior Championship tournament in December.

As a result, Poulin has not played a game since Nov. 7.

In five games this season, the 19-year-old Poulin has six points (three goals, three assists).

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton camp postponed

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, American Hockey League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, had the first day of their training camp Monday postponed due to what a team spokesperson termed as “out of caution and in accordance” with the AHL’s protocols regarding covid-19.

There was no word on how the remainder of camp would progress.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is scheduled to play a road preseason game against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday and open the regular season with a home game against the on Feb. 6.

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200585 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues sidelined indefinitely

SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, January 25, 2021 3:45 p.m.

Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues will be sidelined indefinitely because of an undisclosed injury.

Coach Mike Sullivan announced Rodrigues’ status following practice in Cranberry on Monday. Sullivan did not offer many specifics beyond describing the ailment as “longer term” and “lower body.”

Rodrigues appeared to injure the right knee portion of his lower body during Sunday’s 3-2 home win against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena. At 9:11 of the second period, Rodrigues slammed Rangers forward Filip Chytil with a hit inside the Penguins’ blue line.

On the sequence, each players’ right knee collided with with one another. Neither player finished the game.

Primarily deployed on the right wing of the top line, Rodrigues has appeared in six games this season and has one goal.

In his place during Monday’s practice, Bryan Rust skated on the top line.

The team’s lines and defensive pairings during practice were:

59 Jake Guentzel – 87 Sidney Crosby – 17 Bryan Rust

16 Jason Zucker – 71 Evgeni Malkin – 42 Kasperi Kapanen

19 Jared McCann – 53 Teddy Blueger – 13 Brandon Tanev

10 Drew O’Connor – 14 – 7 Colton Sceviour/18 Sam Lafferty

8 Brian Dumoulin – 58 Kris Letang

6 John Marino – 4

73 P.O Joseph – 2 Chad Ruhwedel

27 Kevin Czuczman

Czcuzman, Lafferty and O’Connor are each still assigned to the taxi squad and would need a formal recall to the NHL roster to play in Tuesday’s road game against the Boston Bruins.

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200586 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins-Bruins: Game time, TV information and notes

January 25, 2021 10:24 PM STAFF

Scouting report

Who: Penguins vs. Boston Bruins.

When, where: 7 p.m. Tuesday, TD Garden, Boston.

Look, listen: AT&T SportsNet; WXDX-FM (105.9), PittsburghPenguins.com

Noteworthy: The Penguins have won four games in a row, rallying from behind in all four. … Both Bryan Rust and Jared McCann have goals in back-to-back games. … Brad Marchand leads the Bruins with seven points. … John Marino, who is from the Boston area, has a minus-6 rating through six games. … Bruins goalies Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak have allowed only 10 goals in five games. … Tristan Jarry stopped 55 of 60 shots in back-to-back wins over the New York Rangers. … The Bruins started 3-1-1 despite being without sniper David Pastrnak.

Did you know? Kris Letang has scored 25 shootout goals in his career. No other defenseman in NHL history has more than 14 shootout goals.

Post Gazette LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200587 Pittsburgh Penguins After Rodrigues went down Sunday, Bryan Rust moved up to play with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel, and that line scored twice to spark the team’s latest comeback. Sullivan kept those three together at Monday’s practice. Penguins notes: Keeping taxi squad fresh a new challenge for coaching staff Jason Zucker was back with Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen on the second line after Zucker started Sunday’s game on a line centered by Teddy Blueger.

January 25, 2021 12:50 PM With Rodrigues out, either O’Connor or Lafferty will suit up against the Bruins. If it’s O’Connor, the Dartmouth product would be making his NHL By Matt Vensel debut.

“We’ll see what happens,” O’Connor said. “But it’s definitely an exciting It’s kind of hard to simulate 5-on-5 play when you’ve only got three guys. thought to think about potentially getting in a game. We’ll see how it goes on this trip.” That’s the challenge the Penguins and skills development coach Ty Hennes face as they help their taxi-squad players continue growing while Who needs a stick? also trying to keep them as game-ready as one could hope in case In the first period Sunday, the shaft of Tristan Jarry’s stick broke just another NHLer goes down. above the paddle, leaving the goalie without a stick. The Rangers nearly With rookie defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph recalled to the NHL roster capitalized, but Jarry sprawled with his blocker to deny Alexis Lafreniere on an emergency basis due to all of the injuries on the blue line, the on the doorstep. Penguins currently have only five players on their taxi squad — and two It was the second time this season that Jarry snapped his twig in a game. of them are goalies. During the Jan. 25 loss in Philadelphia, he held onto his broken stick and Coach Mike Sullivan praised Hennes for making it work like Tim Gunn, watched Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov snap a shot where his shaft saying Hennes has shown creativity by developing fun but productive might have been. practices. “I just think it’s something that’s unlucky. It happens when they’re cutting “It’s not an easy circumstance when you’re on the taxi squad and you’re the net that tightly,” he said. “Last time I held my stick and I got scored practicing with four or five guys on a given day. You’re not playing ‘real on, so I was maybe trying to think of doing something a little different. hockey,’” he said Sunday. “Ty does a great job of creating a real good Letting go of it, I just played more free and was able to get over there and environment for these guys. It’s engaging. It’s fun. And they’re ... getting pick it up with my hand.” better at the same time.” Jarry has also had multiple sticks break in practice over the past month. The NHL added taxi squads this season to provide its teams with added Around the boards depth during the pandemic. Each team has to carry four to six players, one of whom must be a goalie. The players practice in Pittsburgh Sullivan did not make any changes to his three defensive pairs prior to separately from the 23-man roster and travel with the team in case an Monday’s practice. ... Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s training camp did not start emergency recall is necessary. as expected Monday after a player tested positive for COVID-19, per the Citizens’ Voice newspaper in Wilkes-Barre. … Top forward prospect Because they remain in the building, they would not need to quarantine Samuel Poulin has a new junior team after he was traded to Val-d’Or before entering the lineup. However, waiver rules are in effect for eligible Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He is reunited with players. childhood friend and fellow 2019 draft pick Nathan Legare. The five players currently on the taxi squad are forwards Drew O’Connor Post Gazette LOADED: 01.26.2021 and Sam Lafferty, defenseman Kevin Czuczman and goalies Maxime Lagace and Alex D’Orio.

The Penguins look for opportunities to get taxi-squad players into a full- squad practice. O’Connor, Lafferty and Czuczman joined the big group Monday.

But they mostly stick to their little clique at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. With all that open ice, the Penguins prioritize skating and fast- paced, tight-area drills to try to keep their conditioning levels high and their skills sharp.

“Ty is great to be with on the ice and the group of guys that we have on the taxi squad is really fun,” Joseph said. “It’s fun to come to the rink and practice with these guys. It’s stuff that you don’t usually do a lot during the season.”

For youngsters such as Joseph and O’Connor, who were kept on the taxi squad instead of being sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the American Hockey League club’s training camp, their player development remains paramount.

That’s where Hennes’ unique background comes into play. After winning a NCAA title at Boston College in 2001 and before getting into coaching, Hennes earned a doctorate from Parker College of Chiropractic Medicine in Dallas.

“[Hennes has] got a great understanding of the game,” Sullivan said. “He’s got a great understanding of physiology and how development takes place. And he maximizes the opportunity that he has with these guys on the ice.”

Rodrigues sidelined

Evan Rodrigues, who suffered a lower-body injury in Sunday’s 3-2 win over the New York Rangers, will be sidelined “longer term,” Sullivan said. The forward was hurt in a post-whistle collision with New York’s Filip Chytil. 1200588 Pittsburgh Penguins created turnovers, was an excellent penalty killer, drew a substantial amount of penalties, brought a physical element despite being undersized and was capable of being effective on any line.

‘He creates havoc out there’: Brandon Tanev, the Penguins’ unlikely Sound familiar? engine “I don’t think we gave Tanev too much money or too many years at all,” Rutherford said. “If you don’t give players like that a certain amount of money or a certain amount of term on July 1, they’re going to play By Josh Yohe Jan 25, 2021 somewhere else. Just the way it is. You can’t pay everybody that you like, but I just felt like he was such a need that we decided to do it.”

Sullivan has been pleased with Tanev from Day 1. The Penguins are a bit of a mystery right now, their four-game winning streak entering Tuesday’s game in Boston about as unimpressive to the In 74 games with the Penguins, Tanev has scored 13 goals and eye test as a four-game winning streak can be. Some of the Penguins managed 28 points while arguably being the Penguins’ best penalty have found their groove, but many of them are dealing with the impact of killer. Despite his somewhat combative nature on the ice, he’s taken only a week-long training camp. eight penalties in those 74 games.

Suffice to say, Mike Sullivan isn’t sure what to expect from many of his As far as the Penguins are concerned, he’s been worth the investment. players on a night to night basis. “His physical play makes us harder to play against,” Sullivan said. “He’s a And then, there is Brandon Tanev. good penalty killer. He does a lot of things to help us win hockey games.”

The Penguins need some consistency these days and, in Tanev, they Tanev also is becoming a player the coaching staff wants young players have found it every game. to emulate. Take Sam Lafferty. On the surface, Lafferty possesses many of Tanev’s attributes. He’s exceptionally fast, fearless and willing to play “We just love the energy he brings every game,” Sullivan said. “We love any role despite not having the greatest of hands. Lafferty, though, is how the guy plays.” struggling to remain a regular in the lineup while Tanev has become No one appreciates him more than Jim Rutherford. The Penguins exceedingly important. general manager took considerable heat from some in the fan base and Sullivan has instructed Lafferty to do as Tanev does. around the hockey world for offering Tanev a six-year contract worth $21 million on July 1, 2019. While Tanev was widely regarded as an above- “Tans is a guy who knows how to leverage his strengths,” Sullivan said. average bottom-six player, many believed Rutherford had fallen in love with a player who wasn’t worth a six-year deal. Sullivan then made it clear what Tanev’s greatest strength is.

About 19 months later, Rutherford laughs at the notion that he overpaid “He creates havoc out there,” Sullivan said. for Tanev. It’s been a bizarre start to the season for the Penguins. Many of their “Oh, I’m aware of it,” Rutherford said of the criticism. “I just think that most important players, especially Malkin, have appeared to be people need to understand the way free agency works, the way July 1 completely out of sorts. Given that NHL players only were able to partake works. If you want a certain player, you’re going to have to pay a certain in a one-week training camp, so many players around the league are price. That’s just the way it is, and if you don’t pay that price, guess struggling to find their legs. what? You’re not going to get that player. The fact of the matter is, I Tanev, a workout machine, always has his legs. He boasts a pretty nice didn’t want him playing somewhere else for the next six years. I didn’t paycheck, too. want the Penguins to have to play against him for the next six years. That’s just the way free agency works sometimes. So, we gave him a Rutherford doesn’t mind. The general manager can’t imagine his team long contract. So far, it’s worked out great and he’s still a pretty young without its engine. guy (29). He’s in exceptional condition. He’ll be good for a long time.” “You notice that a line always looks better when he’s on it,” Rutherford Tanev has been one of the Penguins’ most reliable players in the early said. “Well, he’s a big part of why. We all know that. He drives pretty going. He has scored two goals in six games and leads the NHL with 38 much whatever line he plays on. And quite honestly, there are some hits. The next closest player has delivered 29 hits and, while that figure is nights when he drives the entire team. He has this special ability to open sometimes mocked for being an indication that a player never has the things up for his linemates. There’s just something about this guy. We puck, that’s not necessarily true in Tanev’s case. like him a great deal.”

Consider this: The Penguins’ best line during the first two games of the The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 season was a makeshift third line, developed only a couple of days earlier, that included Tanev, Mark Jankowski and Jared McCann. When Evgeni Malkin finally started to show some life against the Capitals in the season’s fourth game, it happened after Sullivan put Tanev on his left wing.

For that matter, the Penguins’ most consistent line last season was the fourth line that included Teddy Blueger, Zach Aston-Reese and … Tanev.

“Funny how that works,” Rutherford said.

Tanev is indisputably the Penguins’ most physical player and also likely their fastest. The Penguins want to have team speed and an exceptionally fast winger on each line. They also badly need some physicality, an area of weakness for this team.

Tanev delivers both.

“I decided to bring him onto the team for a lot of reasons,” Rutherford said. “More than anything, I just think we needed someone like him. We needed a spark plug, you know? Someone who could just provide speed and energy night in, night out.”

In essence, Tanev was brought to Pittsburgh to replace Carl Hagelin. While Hagelin didn’t score many goals during his time with the Penguins, he was invaluable in so many ways. He produced exceptional speed, 1200589 Pittsburgh Penguins Sullivan, as he did following Sunday’s win over the Rangers, endorsed Malkin as a proven player who is expected to recapture his elite level of play, and added, “We’re trying to surround him with the right people that can help him capture his very best game.” Lafferty, O’Connor Could Draw Into Penguins Lineup In Boston Here is how the Penguins lined up in practice:

Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust Published 13 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Shelly Anderson Jason Zucker-Evgeni Malkin-Kasperi Kapanen

Jared McCann-Teddy Blueger-Brandon Tanev The Pittsburgh Penguins’ practice had a couple different looks Monday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, and at least a couple of those could Drew O’Connor-Mark Jankowski-Colton Sceviour/Sam Lafferty carry over to Tuesday’s game in Boston. Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang Teams don’t always like to make notable changes when things are going John Marino-Cody Ceci well, but the Penguins, riding a four-game winning streak, have a couple issues to address. P.O. Joseph-Chad Ruhwedel

One is the latest injury. Winger Evan Rodrigues, who left Sunday’s game (Kevin Czuczman) against the New York Rangers after a collision with Filip Chytil, is out “longer term” because of a lower-body injury, coach Mike Sullivan said. Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 01.26.2021 Rodrigues was heavily favoring his right leg.

So, in stepped forwards Sam Lafferty and Drew O’Connor at practice Monday. They are on the taxi squad, but it seems likely that one or both could join the main roster and play at least one of the consecutive games against the Bruins.

Defenseman Kevin Czuczman, another taxi squad member, also joined practice.

Lafferty, a fourth-round draft pick in 2014, broke into the NHL last season, getting six goals, 13 points in 50 games. He re-signed with the Penguins during the offseason and seemed poised to make the team for the start of this season.

But, well, competition happens.

Lafferty is far from down about his situation.

“I think I know what I need to do,” he said. “The blueprint for me is pretty simple. It’s just a matter of going out and executing. To be honest, I feel good about my game. Whenever I get another chance, I feel good about it, like I know I’m going to go out and play to my strengths and help the team.”

Lafferty brings speed and tenacity. In fact, Sullivan likened Lafferty to Penguins winger Brandon Tanev.

Sullivan and Lafferty both mentioned consistency as something Lafferty needs to conquer.

O’Connor, who went undrafted and signed as a free agent out of Dartmouth, is looking to make his NHL as well as North American pro debut after he had a strong training camp.

“It’s been kind of a long journey,” O’Connor, 22, said. “There was a point in time where I was just battling to get onto a college team. To be in this position, I’m very thankful. All the work I’ve put in is paying off potentially. It’s a cool spot to be in now.”

Sullivan said O’Connor’s lack of experience won’t keep the Penguins from giving him a shot.

“We believe in giving players opportunities to help this team win and get better,” Sullivan said. “Whether they’re young, whether they’re inexperienced really doesn’t matter. It’s more about who’s going to help us win.”

O’Connor, who practiced with the second power-play unit Monday, seems ready if called upon.

“We’ll see what happens, but it’s definitely an exciting thought to think about, actually playing in a game,” he said. “We’ll see how it goes on this trip, but just (expecting to feel) excitement. I’m sure there will be a little bit of nerves if that does happen.”

Also at practice Monday, the second line featured Evgeni Malkin, who has struggled through six games, centering Kasperi Kapanen and Jason Zucker. That’s notable because Kapanen, who missed training camp, had been penciled in to play on the top line when his conditioning and feel for the Penguins’ style got up to snuff. 1200590 Pittsburgh Penguins

LINKSDan’ Daily: Fleury Stuffs Kessel, Several Teams Look for D-Man Trade

Published 20 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Dan Kingerski

You can almost hear Marc-Andre Fleury chirping Phil Kessel after Fleury stoned him on a third-period breakaway in a 1-0 game. A Kessel goal would have changed the game, and Fleury smiled big in the postgame when asked about staring down his former Stanley Cup teammate. Also in the Daily, Bobby Ryan is succeeding, Montreal is trying to hide an extra defenseman from the NHL trade market, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are among the East Division teams looking for defensemen on that NHL trade block.

Here’s the new Turning Point feature — when did the game turn for the Penguins? (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Here’s a feature story I want you to read, and not nearly enough people did. Mario Lemieux retired 15 years ago Sunday. Shelly Anderson talked with teammates and recounted the end of Super Mario (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Brooks Orpik was a GREAT addition to the piece. As always, he was blunt and honest. Seriously, read it!

Also, here’s the New & Improved Report Card from the Penguins regulation WIN over the New York Rangers (PHN+)

If you’d like to join PHN+, but you’re on the fence about this brand new outlet that’s been making waves for a couple of years, hop on board with a $19.99 introductory offer (Subscribe to PHN)

You could hear Marc-Andre Fleury’s smile when he was asked about stopping Phil Kessel. A pair of Penguins Stanley Cup winners had the game on their stick in Vegas. Fleury prevailed and laughed about it (Vegas Hockey Now)

One more national story–Bobby Ryan is tearing up the score sheet in Detroit. After overcoming his personal demons and getting back to it…Go Bobby (NBCsn)

Ryan will eventually be on the NHL trade block, but that’s a good thing for him and Detroit. There’s a lot of teams who could have snagged him.

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets went all-in on Saturday as they swapped their unhappy stars. They’re both crossing their fingers it works out (TSN)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are hunting for forward help, and the Montreal Canadiens are trying to keep 22-year-old defenseman Victor Mete off the NHL trade block. It may not work. They like him too much to trade him, but not enough to play him, yet (Sportsnet)

National Hockey Now

With all of the “Erik Karlsson is back” stories, you forgot about Brent Burns? He showed up in a big way this weekend (San Jose Hockey Now)

I know a lot of you still follow Vegas. Here’s the report card, including Marc-Andre Fleury’s A (Vegas Hockey Now)

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200591 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Report Card: Electrified Lines, but Hobbled Defense | Published 22 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Dan Kingerski

It’s report card time for the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 regulation win over the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday night. It was the Penguins’ first regulation win this season, so take the glass as half full but the Penguins are obviously still jelling and obviously have some personnel issues especially with the patchwork blueline.

Our new, and perhaps temporary Report Card format will be less formal, a bit shorter, and more focused on the grades. Let me know what you think.

The Penguins’ first-period effort was at best ho-hum, but they limited the Grade A chances against. Call it a slow but cautious start. The team made sure not to lose the game before they were ready. That’s a step forward.

“I thought the encouraging part of tonight — and it wasn’t by any stretch a perfect game — I thought we cut down on the quality of chances versus some of the previous games,” Penguins head coach Sullivan said. “(In previous games), we’ve given up such high-quality chances, the conversion rates tend to be pretty high. I thought we were more conscious of being on the right side of the puck and people.”

The Penguins are still a bit of a jumbled mess as they integrate new players, and a few players like John Marino, who is playing left side defense, are out of their natural position.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200592 San Jose Sharks community is safer now than when we left, and that’s the most important thing.

“But yeah, selfishly, we’re crossing our fingers and we’re sort of hanging San Jose Sharks can return to SAP Center, but how soon might they on every word and trying to figure out if we can come home or not, move back? because it has been a long haul and guys want nothing more.”

Earlier Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom, citing a decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout California, recinded a stay-at-home order By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: January 25, 2021 at 3:29 p.m. | that had been in effect throughout the state for much of the last two UPDATED: January 25, 2021 at 6:56 p.m. months. While the stay-at-home order was in effect, collegiate and professional athletic programs in Santa Clara County were only allowed

to operate outdoors, and only if individuals could stay at least six feet The door is open for the San Jose Sharks to play games at SAP Center away from one another. again but it remains unclear when exactly the team will come home. County officials first issued the contact sports ban in late November as a The Santa Clara County Department of Health on Monday announced response to rising cases of the coronavirus in the area, forcing the 49ers that professional and collegiate sports, given that they closely follow and the Stanford and San Jose State football teams to relocate their mandatory directives, may resume in the county, potentially giving the games and practices. Sharks players who were in the Bay Area had to Sharks an opportunity to return to San Jose in the near future. find places other than their San Jose practice facility to skate and train for the upcoming season. The Sharks, the only currently active U.S.-based professional sports team that has not been allowed to play inside their own stadium or arena, The new rules were to be in effect for the first three weeks of December, have been away from San Jose since late December. But Santa Clara but on Dec. 18, the contact sports ban was extended to at least Jan. 8 County counsel James R. Williams said Monday the Sharks can now and brought in line with state restrictions, forcing the Sharks to relocate play games at SAP Center, “if they’re adhering to the new directive.” their training camp to Scottsdale, Arizona.

The mandatory directives include having no spectators at games ot As ICU bed capacity in the Bay Area continued to shrink in early January, practices at any time and face covering requirements for anyone who is the state of California’s stay-at-home order was extended, with regional not actively engaged in athletic activity. restrictions in place until bed capacity rose to above 15 percent. However, counties are now returning to their appropriate tier under the Additionally, all athletes, coaches, staff, trainers, volunteers, and other state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Santa Clara County is in the most- individuals interacting with athletes must receive polymerase chain restrictive purple tier. reaction, or PCR, testing on at least three non-consecutive days per week. Staff writer Elliott Almond contributed to this story.

Also, when in the county, athletes must remain either at home or at San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 01.26.2021 facilities used for professional activities, except as necessary to seek medical care or other emergency services. Athletes may engage in necessary travel between their place of residence and facilities used for professional activities.

Williams told this news organization the county became comfortable with allowing collegiate and professional sports to take place because of the amount of testing that is being done at both levels.

Further, Williams said county health officials feel — through their conversations with college athletic departments and pro sports organizations — that the athletes will conduct themselves as if they are in mini-bubbles. They would be leaving their homes only to go to their place of employment to play or to practice, but not to go out in the community.

The Sharks, in a statement, said, “we were encouraged to see new health directives issued today, which provide a roadmap to allow contact sports to resume in Santa Clara County. We are reviewing the directive in hope that we can bring our players and staff home as soon as possible. Furthermore, we will continue to offer our support to the County in their efforts against the pandemic.”

The county’s mandatory 10-day quarantine would remain in effect for most people who travel into the area from more than 150 miles away. However, work-related travel would be allowed, according to a county spokesman, giving NHL teams an opportunity to fly in and out of San Jose to play and practice in the area.

Because of what was the county’s ban on contact sports, the Sharks announced Saturday the relocation of its first two scheduled home games against the Vegas Golden Knights on Feb. 1 and 3 from SAP Center to Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

With several details to be worked out, it remains unclear if the Sharks would instead come back to San Jose for those games. The team had hoped to be able to return to San Jose on Feb. 13 for its next scheduled home games against the Anaheim Ducks.

The Sharks are nearing the end of their eight-game road trip to that concludes with games against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Tuesday and Thursday.

“It’s a little bit of a buzz around our team right now,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said Monday afternoon of the county’s decision. “We don’t know what that means for us of course, but first and foremost, it’s just nice to hear that things are going the right way back home, and our 1200593 San Jose Sharks Burns logged a game-high 27 minutes and 32 seconds of ice time and was solid in his own end with Marc-Edouard Vlasic on his left side. He had seven shot attempts and blocked two shots of his own.

Takeaways: Brent Burns provides San Jose Sharks with much-needed The goal, though, is what everyone was talking about later. boost “It’s tough because you just want a goal at the end of the day, but when it happens like that you just, you can’t help but laugh because it’s just so outrageous,” said Sharks forward Ryan Donato, who had a goal and an By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: January 25, 2021 at 5:01 a.m. | assist Sunday. UPDATED: January 25, 2021 at 9:25 a.m. “I think we just wanted any chance to finish the game, and to have a guy do it in style like that, it picks us up and hopefully creates momentum.”

Putting aside all of the uncertainly they’re facing as far as when they’ll be COMING TOGETHER: The Sharks have talked for a few weeks now finally able to return to San Jose, the Sharks are about to enter another about how being on the road together all this time will help build team difficult part of their schedule. chemistry, and there’s probably some validity to that. After all, as a team without a real home base at the moment, they have no choice but to turn The Sharks on Tuesday and Thursday face the Colorado Avalanche, the to each other. championship-ready team picked by many to finish atop the West Division this season. Then they’ll set up shop in Glendale, Arizona and Ultimately, though, the way the Sharks are going to become a little more play as the home team against the first place Vegas Golden Knights at tight-knit is by staring down adversity together and competing for one Gila River Arena on Feb. 1 and 3. another.

At least the Sharks will entering this string of games with a little bit of That’s what happened Sunday. After having already blown a two-goal momentum. lead, the Sharks needed a moment to rally around, and it came in the form of Jordan Greenway perhaps taking a few liberties with Tomas Brent Burns made sure of that. Hertl. Burns scored a dazzling go-ahead goal with 1:48 left in the third period to Hertl was down on the ice, having absorbed a puck shot into the back of help give the Sharks a 5-3 win over the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy his leg. The puck was underneath Hertl when Greenway tried to poke it Center. free, also poking Hertl’s midsection in the process. The Sharks After a faceoff win by Tomas Hertl, Burns had his first shot attempt centerman didn’t take too kindly to it, got up and quickly lunged at the blocked by Nick Bonino. But he kept control of the puck, skated toward hulking Wild forward before a scrum ensued. the net, dangled around Ian Cole, went back to his forehand to elude a Burns got in the middle of it to stand up for Hertl, who was still smarting stick check from Marcus Johannson, then again to his backhand to roof a from being hit by the puck. shot past Wild goalie Kaapo Kahkonen for a 4-3 Sharks lead. “Those kind of plays happen,” Burns said. “I just thought he was kind of “Guys like that, elite players, they find ways to make huge differences in taking some liberties with Hertl there. It’s just a battle. I mean the game and that’s exactly what it was,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner Greenway’s a big, strong guy there. Battles every shift. I think we’re said. “We needed that.” trying to match that.” “It kind of looked like he was losing the park a couple of times, but pretty Boughner was glad to see guys stick up for each other, especially after fancy how he dangled around and put it in the back of the net,” said Greenway tussled with the much smaller Mario Ferraro on Friday and Sharks forward Timo Meier, who was right beside the Wild net when the there wasn’t much of a response. goal happened. “It’s a huge goal for us.” “Sometimes those things fire up guys and bring teams together, and I No question. The Sharks needed the boost after it found out Saturday thought that we did a good job of getting five guys in there and sending that it would not be able to return home to play games in San Jose later the message and sticking up for ourselves,” Boughner said. “I wasn’t this week because of Santa Clara County’s ongoing ban on contact overly happy about how we responded last game when it happened to sports. Mario. The soonest the Sharks would now be allowed to come home is for their “So that brings the team closer together and good things happen when Feb. 13 game against the Anaheim Ducks and by that time, some San you do stick together. I thought it was a good message and I loved the Jose players will have been on the road for eight weeks. It’s a been a way we responded after that.” grind, and moments like Sunday’s help everyone to push forward. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 01.26.2021 “Proud of the guys. It’s never easy winning on the road,” Boughner said. “We’ve been on the road together for a long time and it’s really important we collect some points at the beginning of the season and we found a way to win.

“That’s huge because last year, a lot of times we found a way to lose. So it’s important for the team for their confidence.”

Takeaways from Sunday night.

THERE’S ONLY ONE 88: Amid all of the changes the Sharks have undergone in recent seasons, from acquiring Erik Karlsson and Evander Kane via trade to losing icons like Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton to free agency, to a change behind the bench, the one constant has been the unique and special talent of Burns.

Burns leads the Sharks in point production over the last five-plus seasons, and it’s not even close. The 2017 Norris Trophy winner has 350 points since the start of the 2015-16 season, with Pavelski (276) and Logan Couture (262) second and third, respectively.

No has spent more time on the ice. No one has been more important to their power play, and, without question, no shoots the puck as often.

Even at 35 years old, in his 18th NHL season, Burns can be a difference- maker when he’s on his game like was Sunday night. 1200594 San Jose Sharks

Sharks hope to come home 'as soon as possible' after CA orders

BY ALEX DIDION

The Sharks could be returning to San Jose sooner than initially believed.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that the state would be lifting the regional stay-at-home order, in effect since Dec. 3, which could allow for contact sports to resume in Santa Clara County. The state's decision comes as projections for ICU capacity in the Bay Area will reach above 15 percent in four weeks, the threshold previously established for lifting the order.

The Sharks released a statement Monday afternoon, indicating that the team is "encouraged" by the decision.

“We were encouraged to see new health directives issued today, which provide a roadmap to allow contact sports to resume in Santa Clara County. We are reviewing the directive in hope that we can bring our players and staff home as soon as possible. Furthermore, we will continue to offer our support to the County in their efforts against the pandemic.”

Santa Clara County's ban on contact sports forced the Sharks to hold training camp in Scottsdale, Ariz., and the team announced over the weekend that the Sharks would be playing the first two "home" games on the schedule at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., the home of the Arizona Coyotes.

Sharks coach Bob Boughner told reporters Monday that the team remains unsure how the schedule will be impacted by the announcement, but that his players are "buzzing."

#SJSharks Bob Boughner on SCC news: "It's a little bit of a buzz around our team right now. We don't know what that means for us of course, but first and foremost, it's just nice to hear that things are going the right way and back home our community safer now than when we left."— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) January 25, 2021

Santa Clara County counsel told The Bay Area News Group's Curtis Pashelka on Monday that the Sharks potentially could return to play games at SAP Center "if they're adhering to the new directive."

The NHL front-loaded the Sharks' schedule with road games in the hopes that the team would be able to eventually play in San Jose, as the team's first scheduled home game of the season won't be until Feb. 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

If the Sharks end up sticking with the plan to play on Feb. 1 and Feb. 3 in Arizona against Vegas, the team's next chance to make their season debut at SAP Center would be Feb. 13, when the Anaheim Ducks are scheduled to play back-to-back games against the Sharks.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200595 San Jose Sharks

Winning Play: Besides “Disgusting” Goal, How Did Burns Dominate Game?

Published 2 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Sheng Peng

It’s not just about the goal.

And for Brent Burns, it’s not just about the offense.

Every season, it’s the same rumblings: Burns can’t play defense. The San Jose Sharks should move him back to forward.

Safe to say, the team disagrees.

“I thought he’s had a real good start to the season,” Bob Boughner said yesterday. “His defensive game doesn’t get enough credit. It really doesn’t. People talk about his defensive gaps. I think he’s playing great defensive hockey right now.”

So what are the Sharks seeing?

I re-watched all of Burns’s shifts in yesterday’s 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild to highlight the good and the bad.

Sheng: How would you assess your season so far?

Burns: I don't really assess it. Don't you do that, Sheng?

SP: Yes, I do actually.

BB: There you go.

SP: I did think you had a really good game tonight!

My conclusion: Burns was a high-impact defenseman last night. And there’s no reason whatsoever to move him up front if he can keep it up.

San Jose Hockey NowLOADED: 01.26.2021 1200596 San Jose Sharks

Sharks Almost Home? County Says Pro Sports Can Resume in San Jose

Published 10 hours ago on January 25, 2021By Sheng Peng

The San Jose Sharks are back in San Jose!

Well, almost.

On the heels of Governor Gavin Newsom rescinding California’s stay-at- home order, Santa Clara County has returned to the Purple Tier of the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

What does that mean for the Sharks?

“Collegiate and professional sports can resume in Santa Clara County,” James R. Williams, Santa Clara County County Counsel, said this afternoon.

The devil, however, is in the details. For example, at the moment, there’s still a mandatory travel quarantine in place that requires a 10-day quarantine for “most people” coming in from more than 150 miles away. This would seemingly apply to any visiting sports team.

There is hope though that the county might make an exception here.

“Consistent with the directive, the directive requires across-the-board testing,” Williams said. “Also requires that each of these teams ensures that their athletes and personnel are limiting their exposure to the broader community.”

The NHL, as opposed to the average person traveling into Santa Clara County, has had across-the-board testing of its players and team staff since the beginning of training camp on New Year’s Eve.

Point is, there are still hurdles to jump before the San Jose Sharks can play their 30th anniversary season at SAP Center. The announcement today might be cutting it too close to return to SAP Center by Feb. 1 or 3, scheduled now for Gila River Arena, but the Sharks’ next home dates, Feb. 13 and 15 against the Anaheim Ducks, could be a realistic target.

Whatever happens, it’s just the Sharks coming back to SAP Center. It’ll be a while yet before fans are allowed back in.

“We were encouraged to see new health directives issued today, which provide a roadmap to allow contact sports to resume in Santa Clara County,” the San Jose Sharks said in a statement. “We are reviewing the directive in hope that we can bring our players and staff home as soon as possible. Furthermore, we will continue to offer our support to the County in their efforts against the pandemic.”

At least now, there’s light at the end of the tunnel for the Sharks, now on Day 27 of their road trip which started in Arizona for training camp, and has taken them through St. Louis, St. Paul, and now, Denver.

In the big picture, this also means there’s light at the end of the tunnel for the County of Santa Clara. But there’s still a lot of darkness to go.

“While we have made progress since the beginning of January,” Williams noted, “we are still nowhere out of the woods. We still have a much higher level of hospitalizations and cases in Santa Clara County than we did going into the Thanksgiving break.

“We still have seriously-impacted hospitals and ICU capacity.

“This is not a time for our community to be less vigilant.”

San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200597 San Jose Sharks It might’ve been bad for Meier, but it was good for the San Jose Sharks’ overall attack. Halfway through the game, play-by-play announcer Randy Hahn exclaimed, “That third line looking good for Boughner.”

Quick Thoughts: Forgot About Burns, Sharks Win 5-3 That’s not something we’ve heard much about San Jose’s third line so far this year.

“He was a beast out there,” Boughner said of Meier. “He was taking Published 1 day ago on January 25, 2021By Sheng Peng pucks to the net, dragging people on his back. He was finishing on the forecheck.”

Per SPORTLOGiQ, Meier led all skaters with 00:58 in Offensive Zone Since the start of the season, San Jose Sharks media coverage has Possession Time, All Situations. He also paced everybody with seven been pretty much 24/7 “As Erik Karlsson’s World Turns”. Controlled Entries. San Jose Hockey Now has been as guilty of that as anybody: Karlsson is But we know, whatever line that he’s on, that Meier is a true talent. More the team’s highest-paid and most-polarizing player, and his season, promising for the Sharks was Gambrell’s continued strong play and through six games, has been a genuine rollercoaster. Gregor’s emergence. Somehow, we’ve forgotten a bit about the 6-foot-5 man mountain who Among San Jose Sharks forwards, Gambrell tied Evander Kane for was a Norris Trophy finalist just two years ago. second-most shifts in the third period with nine apiece, trailing only Logan Brent Burns reminded us all of the potential two-headed monster lurking Couture and Tomas Hertl’s 10. It was Gambrell’s third-straight quality along the San Jose blueline in the Sharks’ 5-3 victory over Minnesota. effort, a good sign for a San Jose squad that desperately needs someone to take command of the third-line center role. That game-winner was just one great play in a game-leading 27:31 of good plays — on both sides of the ice. Burns, by the way, currently leads I still have questions about Gambrell’s long-term efficacy as 3C, but he’s all NHL defensemen with a 28:07 Average Time on Ice, followed only by been Boughner’s best solution so far. Karlsson’s 27:59. It's just 3 games, but Gambrell does look like a different player than last We saw the offense; here’s some defense. year, not as easy to knock off puck. Long-term, I think he'll need more offensive creativity to be true top-9 forward. Burns’s defensive game is much-maligned, and to be honest, I’ve had arguments with even NHL scouts about it. Let’s just say he has some big But actually, it wasn’t the decison to demote Meier or elevate Gambrell fans and some huge detractors. that intrigued me most. Instead, it was inserting Gregor for Stefan Noesen. I’ve always thought there’s a ton that Burns does well defensively. If he manages his mistakes, his overall impact makes him one of the top This was after Boughner, unprompted, complimented Noesen (and his defensemen in the league. team’s game) on Friday.

Bob Boughner agreed: “His defensive game doesn’t get enough credit. It “It made us faster in the bottom-six,” offered Boughner. really doesn’t. People talk about his defensive gaps. I think he’s playing It wasn’t just the fact that Gregor scored — the line was a constant great defensive hockey right now.” offensive threat. Burns, like Karlsson, suffered an uncharacteristic 2019-20. Both are live They obviously have some things to iron out defensively — and Gregor by the sword, die by the sword blueliners. When they’re off, safe to say played a team-low 8:01 at even strength — but I like Boughner and his it’s bloody teal. But when they’re on? coaching staff not standing pat with the safe play in Noesen. They’re high-risk but more importantly high-impact. Both can “I talked to Stef about that. He wasn’t coming out because I thought he singlehandedly swing the pendulum for the San Jose Sharks either way. didn’t play well,” Boughner said. “There’s going to be adjustments every On Wednesday, Karlsson reminded us how great he can be; tonight, night, especially in this format.” Burns did the same. Boughner gambled on Gregor’s higher ceiling — his ability to push play THE SWITCH the other way and greater offensive potential — and it paid off.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic had been paired with Karlsson, while Mario Ferraro It won’t every night, but Boughner can’t afford to play it safe if he wants to had been skating with Burns. They were flip-flopped tonight, Vlasic with maximize the San Jose Sharks’ potential: He must unleash Karlsson and Burns and Ferraro with Karlsson. Burns, get more offense from his third line.

Boughner explained: “We felt that we need a little more jump and Since the beginning of training camp, Boughner has more or less said all aggressiveness down low on each of those pairings. It worked tonight.” the right things about what the Sharks need to squeeze out of themselves to succeed. This was in line with what Boughner pointed out about Vlasic earlier: Tonight, Boughner’s faith was rewarded. Game Preview/Lines #6: Boughner Says Vlasic Has “Another Level”, Inside PK’s Success San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 01.26.2021

“I’d like to see a little more aggressiveness down low, jumping the check and ending more plays,” Boughner said of Vlasic.

Meanwhile, Boughner remarked of Burns tonight: “In the system here, there’s a lot of onus on defense for a little more decision-making.

“With Burnzie, he’s sorting that out. You can tell he’s getting more confident and aggressive down low. He’s just been real aggressive, which has been great.”

So there’s a potential balance between Vlasic and Burns. We’ll see if the pairings last.

THE DECISION

Speaking of balance, Timo Meier was demoted to the third line with Dylan Gambrell and Noah Gregor. 1200598 St Louis Blues

Blues hope games with Vegas will help them find their games

Tom Timmermann 4 hrs ago

For a team that’s been inconsistent like the Blues, two games against Vegas, one of the best teams, if not the best so far this season might not be the best thing. Forward Brayden Schenn sees it otherwise.

“Maybe that’s what we need,” the Blues forward said. “We know it’s going to be a tough two-game series there. They’re a good team, they have a deep group. I think we’re looking forward to the challenge and it could be good for our hockey team.”

Certainly there won’t be any instances of the team feeling too good about itself, which has been cited as a factor in the team's every other game struggles, at least not on Tuesday as the team comes off a 6-3 drubbing by the Kings on Sunday. (Anything goes on Thursday.)

After back-to-back games on the weekend, the Blues didn’t practice Monday before flying to Las Vegas. The team is now fully into its busiest stretch of the season. The game Tuesday will be their third in four days, the first time they’ve done that this season.

“It’s going to be a really good challenge for us,” said captain Ryan O’Reilly. “That’s a very good team over there. … We need to get back, get our minds fresh and come out with that hunger and trust each other. Vegas is a great team, we know it’s always going to be competitive with them.”

And the Blues played probably their best game this season against the best team they have faced, Colorado, on opening night. The second game with the Avs wasn’t so good.

Monday was the start of training camp for Blues minor-leaguers, who will be playing in Utica, New York, this season, instead of Springfield, Massachusetts, which was supposed to be the Blues’ new AHL affiliate. Because of COVID-19, Springfield opted to sit out this season, so the Blues made an agreement with the Vancouver Canucks to share their Utica affiliate.

Fourteen players from the Blues organization have reported to Utica and will take the ice for camp for the first time on Tuesday. The Blues actually have two more players in Utica than the Canucks do. Because of the restrictions on crossing the U.S.-Canada border, the Canucks have stashed some of their top minor-leaguers who they can’t fit on their six- player taxi squad with Winnipeg’s AHL farm team, the Manitoba Moose, to facilitate callups.

In camp in Utica are: forwards Sam Anas, Robby Jackson, Dakota Joshua, Tanner Kaspick, Hugh McGing, Curtis McKenzie, Nolan Stevens and Nathan Walker; defensemen Mitch Reinke, Steve Santini, Tyler Tucker and Josh Wesley; and goalies Evan Fitzpatrick and , who projects as the No. 3 goalie in the organization right now if anything should happen to Jordan Binnington or Ville Husso. (Joel Hofer is the taxi squad goalie.) Scott Perunovich, who has been assigned to Utica, is in St. Louis rehabbing an upper-body injury and will join the Comets when healthy. Forward Evan Polei is on loan to the .

Among those in camp from Vancouver is John Stevens, the brother of Nolan Stevens.

The Comets will play an exhibition game against Syracuse on Saturday.

Springfield coach Drew Bannister and assistant Daniel Tkaczuk, will also be in Utica this season; Bannister has the title of associate head coach for the Comets. There are three other familiar names linked with Utica: former Blue Ryan Johnson, Vancouver’s director of player development, serves as the Comets’ general manager; former Blues goalie Curtis Sanford is the Canucks’ player development goaltending consultant; and former Blues assistant Gary Agnew is in his fourth season as an assistant on the Utica staff.

Meanwhile, Lee Stempniak, drafted by the Blues in 2003 and who then went on to play for 10 different NHL teams, has joined Arizona as the team’s hockey data strategist.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200599 St Louis Blues

Preview: Blues at Golden Knights

Jim Thomas 5 hrs ago

When, where: 8 p.m. Tuesday, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

TV, radio: FSM, WXOS (101.1 FM)

The night the goalies brawled in St. Louis

Another good series start for Blues with win over Kings

A shootout setback for Blues against the Sharks

Same sour second note: Kings roll over Blues, who again lose a series- ending contest

Busy Blues face a hectic schedule over next 3½ weeks

About the Golden Knights

Now in its fourth year of existence, Vegas has yet to earn a regulation victory over the Blues in the regular season. But things are definitely turning Vegas’ way. The Golden Knights earned a pair of overtime wins during the Blues’ last two trips here: 6-5 on Feb. 13 and 5-4 on Jan. 4 of 2020. And they beat the Blues in regulation in postseason play, 6-4 last Aug. 6 in round-robin play in the Edmonton bubble.

Vegas (5-1, 10 points) leads the West Division and is tied for the overall lead in the NHL. The Knights have been stingy defensively, allowing only 2.00 goals per game, which is third-best in the league. Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner have been splitting time in goal, each getting three starts. Fleury has been almost unbeatable, with a 1.00 GAA and .951 save percentage. Max Pacioretty and are the top goal scorers with three apiece.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200600 St Louis Blues wedged in there before the season started — it was shorter than in other years and didn’t include exhibition games. So the Blues, you could argue, are behind. Though, so are all the other teams. But the Blues have new faces in key places — such as Torey Krug and Mike Hoffman on the Hochman: Captain Ryan O'Reilly and the Blues must readjust after coach power play, and variety of fellows on the penalty kill. And while we expect Berube questions team's attitude the power play to ultimately be as good as last year (No. 3 in the NHL), it might take some time.

As forward David Perron suggested in a Zoom session with reporters, 5 hrs ago “It’s early in the year so we can’t worry too much about some things. I Colter Peterson always find it funny when you start seeing stuff pop up, like ‘this guy hasn’t scored’ or about the power play. We’re going through different Benjamin Hochman times right now where we have played some hockey over the summer, but most of the league hasn’t played that much since March last year.

And now we’re getting into a 10-day training camp with new faces and Acouple times this nascent season, the cameras caught Ryan O’Reilly we’re supposed to just go out and click? thwacking his stick against the boards in frustration. “And our team structure is probably the biggest thing for us as a team. He’s also already been called for three penalties — so that’s six penalty And so, I think as we go here, we’re hoping that all those details will minutes in six games, after 10 penalty minutes all last season. come around. I honestly think our coaching staff has done a really good job of showing us some of the little things that we can do better every And in postgame press conferences, he sounds embarrassed of his single time — and we’re going to keep improving.” Blues and himself. They have a dynamic roster on paper, but when it’s on ice, they It’s not so easy being a captain. This isn’t to knock O’Reilly — here’s sometimes freeze up. Dunn has been the worst so far of the Blues, but thinking he’ll come out of it fine — but it’s a reminder that there’s a weight Zach Sanford (one point, minus-two) is in the conversation. Tyler Bozak that comes with the “C” on your sweater. He is the leader of the Blues, and Hoffman could contribute more offensively. Again, it’s only been six and his boys sure don’t look like Stanley Cup contenders right now. You games. But it’s all we have to evaluate as of now. know who does? The Golden Knights. They’re 5-1-0, and that’s who the Blues play in their next two games. And wearing No. 7 in steel grey and It’ll sure be nice to see “Petro” out there on Tuesday. And Thursday. He’s gold is Alex Pietrangelo. He knows the pressures of being a new captain a St. Louis sports legend, the only captain wearing the Bluenote to lift — and he epitomized the grace under pressure in his third year, when Lord Stanley’s Cup. But let’s not forget that it wasn’t always easy for fans were calling for his “C” as the Blues were falling apart. He navigated Pietrangelo. I sometimes think back to a column from late November in it all brilliantly and led St. Louis to its first Stanley Cup. 2018: “Leave the ‘C’ alone — switching captains won’t solve Blues’ problems.” You want to think that O’Reilly will be the first guy to lift the Blues’ second Cup. Still could be this season. But O’Reilly’s team cannot continue to That was during the same season the Blues won the Cup. play this way. This is the first test of his captaincy. The Blues are fourth- So, O’Reilly has new challenges in his career here. New responsibilities. worst in penalties and fifth-worst in goals allowed. Vince Dunn is like a He’s not just one of the team leaders anymore — he’s the chosen leader. liability in skates. The defenseman looks like he did in the bubble last So he’ll adjust. He’ll galvanize. He’ll grind. He’ll put in extra work, extra summer. Come to think of it, there are a lot of comparisons right now with thought, extra effort, because these are the qualities that define O’Reilly. the Blues and the “bubbled” Blues, who somehow took playing for a These are the qualities that earned him the captaincy in the first place. Stanley Cup for granted. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.26.2021 Really, not since the season-opening game have the Blues played a complete game this year. And when they’re bad, it’s conspicuous and despicable. They lost 8-0 at Colorado. In the 2-1 shootout loss to San Jose, coach Craig Berube said the team wasn’t “competing hard enough.” And Sunday against the Kings, at one point the Blues were down 5-1 in the second period.

After that one — 6-3 Kings — Berube said the Blues need an attitude adjustment.

Not what you want to hear.

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And not what you want happening on your watch as captain.

Especially in your first month as captain.

Blues fans should hope that O’Reilly has a good talk with his friend Pietrangelo about leadership during this Vegas jaunt. Then again, that’s got to be weird for “Petro,” knowing that any help or guidance he gives the Blues’ captain will directly help a division rival. Though, knowing the nature of sports and sportsmen, Pietrangelo will be caring and sharing and all the stuff that defines his character.

Now, one reason the Blues (2-3-1) might be inconsistent this season is due to the weird training camp. If you recall, camp was just sort of 1200601 St Louis Blues adjusted faster than most players. I thought last game was arguably his best so far. World-class player. I think that the most impressive part for me has been how open he is to coaching and, and learning our new system and some of the things that that maybe haven’t been familiar to Pietrangelo getting comfortable in Las Vegas, on and off the ice him over his time in St. Louis. It’s all new. He’s open-minded and coachable to everything we’re talking about, which is the most impressive

thing when you have a guy with his pedigree and that’s contagious in Tom Timmermann 5 hrs ago your group. When you can coach a guy like that, and he wants to be coached, I think that it’s a great role model for the other guys that are in that defensive corps.”

It snowed in Las Vegas on Monday. A year ago, Pietrangelo would have gotten together at a time like this with a bunch of the Blues for dinner, but under COVID-19 protocols, that So maybe the change hasn’t been quite as drastic as one would think for can’t happen. And there are things to talk about with Blues who weren’t Alex Pietrangelo. his teammates. Defenseman Torey Krug, who the Blues signed as a free The former Blues captain, Stanley Cup lifter and longtime defensive agent when they realized they weren’t going to come to terms with stalwart is settling in in his new home in the desert, and on Tuesday night Pietrangelo, bought Pietrangelo’s house. “It was kind of an easy thing for goes up against his former team for the first time. But it won’t be the last. us both to organize,” he said. The Blues and Golden Knights will see each other eight times this And while he’s looking forward to getting this game behind him — as he season, so it shouldn’t take long for all the nostalgia to be drained from likely will feel when the Golden Knights make their first trip to St. Louis on the moment. March 12 — he’s also looking forward to it. “I guess if you’re going to do it, just do it eight times in one year and get “They’re trying to win the game and so am I,” he said. “There will be past it,” Pietrangelo said Monday. some good battles, I’m looking forward to it. It’s more before the game, It might not be that easy, of course, considering what St. Louis meant to after the game, but when you’re on the ice, everyone has the same Pietrangelo and Pietrangelo meant to the Blues. It was here that he objective. I don’t think they’re going to let up on me and I think it will be played 13 seasons, 758 games, won a Stanley Cup, met his wife, started the same thing back to them. It will be a fun thing to battle. Sometimes his family and made a bunch of friends, many of whom will be on the whether it’s in international play or regular season or playoffs, I think other team on Tuesday and Thursday. It was in Las Vegas that he got a some of the most fun I’ve had is battling against my former teammates.” seven-year, $61.6 million contract and all the financial and personal St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.26.2021 security, in the form of guaranteed money and no movement clauses, that anyone could want.

And on the ice, it’s gone pretty well too. Vegas is tied for the best record in the league, at 5-1, and Pietrangelo, now wearing No. 7 because No. 27 already belonged to teammate Shea Theodore, has a goal and two assists and he, predictably, leads the team in ice time at 25:04 per game, more than two minutes more than any other Golden Knight.

There have been two levels of adjustment for Pietrangelo, one off the ice, one on the ice.

“Yeah, it’s a little bit different,” said Pietrangelo, who bought a four- bedroom, six-bathroom, 8,321 square foot house in Summerlin, near the team’s practice rink. “My wife’s from St. Louis, so it’s a whole different ballgame for us. We had some family come visit us, which has been nice. I think once you get the kids in school and kind of get a routine, you start feeling more comfortable. It’s been a couple of months, so we feel comfortable where we’re at as a family and getting ready.”

And on the ice? The Golden Knights have played six games after a brief training camp, so that adjustment is ongoing. For that one, he’s still going to school.

“I’ve certainly felt more comfortable the last few games,” Pietrangelo said. “Anytime you’re in a system for 750 games it becomes habit, so I think for me moving forward here, continuing to work on Pete (DeBoer)’s system, I’m starting to feel more comfortable, starting to find my way starting to find ways to create more opportunities, which is part of my game. Pete’s only been here for what, 40 games? 30 games? So we’re all trying to adjust to get to that game he wants to play, but for me specifically it’s continuing each day to pay attention because you’ve got to kind of erase the old habits. You want to play to your strength but at the same time you want to make sure you fit in to what the coaches want to be successful.

“The breakouts, the way you want to operate on those, those are a little bit different than the set standards that we had in previous years for myself. The way we want to get up in the rush, the way we want to handle the rush, those are all things that when you’ve done so many repetitions one way, they almost become second nature to you. So I’m continuing to adjust to that as I continue to think about it and that comes with playing games. Without any preseason, it’s like learning on the fly. I’m not worried about it. I started to feel more comfortable. The more reps and practices you get in games, the more second nature it will be.”

That willingness to learn and change is something that has stood out to DeBoer.

“I think anytime you come to a new team, new language, new teammates, there’s an adjustment period,” DeBoer said. “I think he’s 1200602 St Louis Blues “We laughed about it, and I chirped him. I’m not going to say what I said, but we had some good giggles about it. I told him that I’m not mad that he’s on my side now.”

‘I understand both sides of it’: Alex Pietrangelo prepares to face the They’re now wearing the same sweater, which for Pietrangelo features Blues the No. 7, not the No. 27 he wore in St. Louis, and doesn’t have the captain’s letter. The team recently gave Mark Stone the “C” and Pietrangelo an “A.”

By Jeremy Rutherford 6h ago “I have the ‘A’ on my jersey, so I’m still in those meetings,” he said. “You’ve got a lot of guys with experience. It’s a tight group. It was like

that in our room in St. Louis, so it’s similar in terms of that, and it’s a Alex Pietrangelo couldn’t help himself. vocal room, which is good because you want to have those voices. I’m certainly one of those guys that’s willing to share his thoughts, but I’m After his agonizing decision last summer to sign with the Vegas Golden just here to help Stoney.” Knights, the NHL realigned its divisions for this season and put the Blues, the franchise he captained to the Stanley Cup two years ago, in the West The family is getting used to the color scheme, but it might take some Division with the Golden Knights. time with the kids.

“I laughed,” Pietrangelo said Monday. “I was like, ‘Of course, of course “This morning, I woke up and one of my boys wanted to wear my jersey they’re in our division.'” to school, so that part to me is pretty cool,” Pietrangelo said. “But we had (NHL) highlights on the other day and St. Louis came on and they said, In a normal season, the Blues and Golden Knights would face each other ‘Dada.’ I think they’re still trying to get their head wrapped around it. The in three head-to-head matchups, but this one-year, COVID-19-driven funny part is, they remember pictures. I showed them pictures the other arrangement means that Pietrangelo’s new and old clubs will see each day of them sitting in the Stanley Cup, and they remembered it.” other eight times. After a trip to St. Louis, the kids returned to Vegas in time to see dad’s The first two will be Tuesday and Thursday at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas. first goal with the Golden Knights, which came in a 5-2 win over Arizona on Wednesday. It’s been a busy couple of months for Pietrangelo since he agreed to a seven-year, $61.6 million deal with the Golden Knights, so he hasn’t had “It was nice to get that first one,” Pietrangelo said. “They’re letting the much time to think about the nights coming this week. He made the move families come to the games, and my first game with my kids in the stands in early December, a week before his wife, Jayne, triplets Theodore, I scored, so that’s pretty special for me.” Oliver and Evelyn, and newborn Julia arrived. The couple spent the holidays getting familiar with their new surroundings, including a home to Through six games, in which Vegas has gone 5-1, Pietrangelo has one replace the one in St. Louis they sold to new Blues defenseman Torey goal and two assists, and he’s leading the team in ice time, with 25:04 Krug. per game. DeBoer called his performance in a 1-0 win over Arizona on Sunday his best of the season. “It was a big ordeal for us, obviously, with four kids,” Pietrangelo said. “It was difficult. It still is. When you’re somewhere for so long, everything is “The last couple of games I found my groove and started to feel more so easy, so getting outside our comfort zone was definitely different for comfortable,” Pietrangelo said. us. Jayne’s mom has been in town a few times, and my brother-in-law, That’s the stage for Pietrangelo’s first meeting with the Blues. so it’s been nice to at least have the family. (But) we’re still adjusting.” He’s had months to prepare for this, including a meeting with general Vegas’ training camp opened on Jan. 3, and Pietrangelo was also manager Doug Armstrong over the summer to put their futile contract introduced to a different system with the Golden Knights. The negotiations behind them. defenseman discovered that the breakouts and rushes he could skate in his sleep in St. Louis were done differently. He didn’t have much time to “We had good dialogue,” Pietrangelo said. “No one is blaming anybody. learn them before the regular season began. The decision was made on both sides to do what they had to do, and we just moved on. There’s no hard feelings, at least not on my side. It’s just “When you’ve done something for so long, you still have those habits, so the decision that was made. If there was an opportunity to clear the air, it’s just a matter of getting acclimated to the new system,” Pietrangelo we wanted to sit down and go through it, and I’m glad that we did.” said. “It was a little bit difficult with training camp being shorter and no exhibition games, but every game you just feel like you’re getting more There was also a couple of weeks of practice with the Blues before comfortable.” Pietrangelo left St. Louis, during which he got dressed in the visitor’s locker room at Centene Community Ice Center, erasing some of the Vegas coach Peter DeBoer, a major proponent of the signing of shock. Pietrangelo, said his new defenseman has adjusted faster than most players. “At first, it was different when I was skating with them, but now that I’ve done that and gotten through training camp …” Pietrangelo said. “A lot of “World-class player,” DeBoer said. “I think the most impressive part for people have asked me if I’m nervous, but I made the decision. I think if it me has been how open he is to coaching and learning our new system was like a trade in the middle of the season, and I wasn’t expecting it, and some of the things that maybe haven’t been familiar to him over his maybe it would be a little more difficult. But going into the process, we time in St. Louis. He’s open-minded and coachable with everything we’re kind of wrapped our heads around it once it actually happened, so we’re talking about, which is the most impressive thing when you have a guy comfortable with it. I’m sure it will be a little bit strange (Tuesday), but I with his pedigree.” said to the guys that have asked me, ‘Listen, eventually I’ve got to play There were new teammates to meet, such as Golden Knights forward them, I might as well just do it eight times in one year and get over it.'” Alex Tuch, who said of Pietrangelo, “He comes in here and right away is Typically in the NHL, on the night before a reunion like this, Pietrangelo a leader in the locker room. He’s a great guy to be around, really would host the Blues for dinner at his home. But because of the league’s easygoing, and you want to win for guys like that.” COVID-19 protocol, players can’t leave their hotel in Vegas, so they’ll One of those new teammates, Ryan Reaves, spent seven years with have to wait to break bread together. Pietrangelo in St. Louis, but the two developed quite the feud after “I’d probably have the entire team over,” he said. “I was saying to Jayne Reaves joined Vegas. A year ago, in fact, they wound up on top of each last night, I was kind of disappointed that that’s not going to be possible. other on the ice, and after the game, it was revealed that Reaves Hopefully, things open up sooner rather than later and we have an scratched Pietrangelo in the eye area. opportunity to do that because it would be a nice thing for me to share “Yeah, it wasn’t very friendly,” Pietrangelo said. “I wasn’t overly pleased, that with these guys. Maybe it’s not bad for the first game, though, so I but you know what, I respect Reavo for playing hard. His job was to get can cut the cord instead of having everybody over.” under my skin, and he did that every single game. Blues forward David Perron echoed that disappointment. “We texted a little bit, but it would have been nice to go over and see his neighborhood,” said Perron, who played in Vegas in 2017-18. “I kind of have an idea where he lives, and it’s extremely beautiful. I’m happy for him and his family that everything is over, and I think on both sides of the situation, we’re trying to move on. I think we got our own situation that we’re excited about as well, with the guys that we have here. But I want to see him have success there, and I wish him the best.”

There’s probably another benefit for Pietrangelo, though, in not having his ex-teammates over.

“They’d probably just go after all the fancy wine as a joke,” Pietrangelo said. “I’d probably have to hide all the good stuff.”

That got a chuckle out of Perron.

“We probably would have done that!” he said.

The two also joked that with eight games against each other this season, there soon might be no love lost.

“I might hate them as much as they hate me, so …” Pietrangelo said.

“Who knows how things are when we start to see him the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth time, whatever,” Perron said. “Hopefully things will loosen up and we get more fans in St. Louis to give him the warm welcome that he deserves.”

How warm would it be?

Many fans wish Pietrangelo well after he helped bring St. Louis its first Stanley Cup, and some believe that one day he should have a statue in front of Enterprise Center or his No. 27 hanging in the rafters. There are others, he knows, who say “good riddance.”

“That’s obviously the difficult part of making a decision like we did, right, as a family,” Pietrangelo said. “Even the people that maybe don’t understand it, or don’t agree with it, no one really will understand except for me and my wife because it was our decision to make. (But) people know how important the city of St. Louis is to me. Look, my kids were born there. There’s a lot of things that are special to me in that city, and it will always be that way, right?

“I understand both sides of it. It’s just people should know how important the city is to me and how important it will always be. But when push comes to shove, when it’s work, I’m going to have to push those feelings aside.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200603 Tampa Bay Lightning celebrating this with all the great fans here in Tampa. That would be quite a run of sports here in the city. It’s been amazing to watch and obviously to be part of.

Lightning relishing Bucs’ Super Bowl berth “This city is very deserving of that. We have really loyal fan bases, and it’s a great sports town. We’ve seen really everything come together this year with four major sports teams making it to the finals, so it’s really fun to be part of that. Hopefully the Bucs can win one more and we can By Eduardo A. Encina celebrate again.” Published Yesterday Lightning wing Blake Coleman grew up in football-mad Texas rooting for Updated Yesterday the Dallas Cowboys. But he said he’s hopped on the Bucs bandwagon this season, especially with Tom Brady in town.

“When it’s in your home city, it’s a lot of fun,” Coleman said. “Obviously, TAMPA — The Lightning set the bar in establishing Tampa Bay as the you’re watching one of the greatest players to ever play the game of new home of sports champions. football, so we’ve really enjoyed it. My whole family’s enjoyed it. It’s cool how just a connection to a city can bring all that joy and entertainment to Now, as the Bucs prepare to play in the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup you, and we’ve all been pulling for them in the locker room, so it’ll be champions find themselves rooting alongside the rest of the area’s sports exciting to watch them here in a couple of weeks.” fans. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 01.26.2021 “At the end of the day, we’re all sports fans,” said Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who has rooted for the Bucs (and Rays) on social media throughout the postseason. “I grew up playing all those sports, as a kid and you kind of dream that you could be a professional athlete in a different sport, too.

“So I watch those guys, I admire them. They’re inspiring for us as athletes, too, to watch what they have to go through in order to achieve their dreams.”

After the Bucs’ win over the Packers in the NFC Championship Game, Stamkos tweeted that a Super Bowl win would be a great birthday present. He turns 31 on Feb. 7, Super Bowl Sunday.

Head coach Jon Cooper joked that he hoped one of the Lightning’s rescheduled games — they’ve had three postponed and five moved due to opponents’ coronavirus issues — involved the series Feb. 8-9 in Nashville. Because of that series, Super Bowl Sunday will be a travel day for the Lightning.

“It’s too bad,” Cooper said, “because if there was ever supposed to be a scheduling change in our season ...”

Cooper said a camaraderie has been forged over the years between the area’s teams. The Lightning felt support from the Bucs and Rays during their Cup run, and they have rooted for their counterparts during their postseasons. In addition to the Bucs, the Rays played in the World Series and the Rowdies advanced to the USL Championship final.

Cooper said it’s more than that, though. The area’s sports teams share a special bond with the Tampa Bay community, as well.

“It just seems, especially in the community here, like we’re all in this together,” Cooper said. “It’s so much fun to watch. I feel sick for the fans that they haven’t been able to watch actually in person the three teams rise to the top. But there’s a sense of pride being from Tampa, and when the team is representing your city so well, it’s great in so many different ways, just for morale, especially in a time like this.”

One of the Lightning’s first stops after returning to Tampa with the Stanley Cup was the first Bucs game open to fans on Oct. 4 at Raymond James Stadium.

Lightning players decked out in Bucs jerseys celebrate with the Stanley Cup in a luxury box during the Bucs' game against the Oct. 4 at Raymond James Stadium.

Lightning players decked out in Bucs jerseys celebrate with the Stanley Cup in a luxury box during the Bucs' game against the Los Angeles Chargers Oct. 4 at Raymond James Stadium. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

“It’s been great to see the support that everyone’s giving each other,” Stamkos said. “And it’s a great time for this community and all the people here with everything that’s gone on this year to have something to kind of distract them from that in a positive way and bring everyone together. It’s been really fun to be part of.”

Stamkos got a taste of the area’s sports scene during his first season with the Lightning, when the Rays went to their first World Series in 2008 and Tampa hosted the Super Bowl in 2009.

“It’s coming full cycle now, and it’s been it’s been really cool to be a part of,” Stamkos said. “It’s really exciting. I really wish we could be 1200604 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning’s game at Carolina Tuesday rescheduled

By Eduardo A. Encina

Published Yesterday

Updated Yesterday

BRANDON — The Lightning’s game scheduled for Tuesday at Carolina has been postponed to Feb. 22, the league announced Monday.

As of now, Tampa Bay will play just four games over the first 15 days of the season. It will pay for it later with more games on consecutive days and fewer practice sessions.

As a result of the schedule changes, the Lightning will play three games in four days from Feb. 22 to 25. In addition, they will play 10 games in an 18-day stretch in February that will include two sets of back-to-backs.

“It’s probably not ideal, but it gives you a little practice time up front when you need it,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “The key is, let’s make sure we get our game down pat so we get to February and March, when we can’t practice, we know what we’re doing.”

Tampa Bay was slated to host the Hurricanes on Feb. 22, but that game has been moved to Feb. 24. The Lightning’s Feb. 16 home game against the Florida Panthers has been moved up a day to Feb. 15.

The league has not made any announcement regarding the Lightning’s game Thursday at Carolina. The Hurricanes had three games canceled previously after five players landed on the league’s COVID-19 protocol list. A sixth player went on the list Saturday.

With the status of their series in Carolina uncertain, the Lightning returned home from their series in Columbus instead of traveling to Raleigh, N.C., and returned to practice Monday at the TGH Ice Plex in Brandon.

Two games against the Dallas Stars previously had been rescheduled, extending the length of the Lightning’s regular season by two days by moving games to May 4 and 10.

Injury updates

Neither center Mitchell Stephens or defenseman Erik Cernak practiced Monday after leaving Saturday’s loss in Columbus with injuries.

The Lightning said Stephens, whose right ankle bent awkwardly as he became entangled with Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard, is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.

Cernak is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Cernak came out of the game after a hard hit into the boards in the first period.

Mathieu Joseph practiced at Stephens’ spot on the fourth line during Monday’s practice, flanked by Pat Maroon and Alex Volkov.

Cooper said Joseph has played center in juniors and compared the situation to when Carter Verhaeghe played the position last year in a situation of need.

“It’s just, you need to find your way, your game to help your team win,” Cooper said.

Tons of jump

Cooper was pleased with the intensity the team practiced with Monday in its first day back on the ice following Saturday’s ugly loss in Columbus.

“You have three pretty decent games and then you play a dud,” Cooper said. “And then we come back to work two days later, then usually we have the guys’ attention after that. It was unfortunate, but I’m glad we’ve got these few days here. We had an outstanding practice today. There was tons of jump. The guys were alert.”

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200605 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning announce Reverse Retro jersey schedule

By Mari Faiello

Published Yesterday

Updated Yesterday

The Lightning are adding to their closet this season with the introduction of a Reverse Retro jersey.

The jersey, based off the one the team wore when it won its first Stanley Cup in 2003-2004, will be worn on these dates: Feb. 5 vs. Detroit, Feb. 25 vs. Carolina and March 18 vs. Chicago. Adidas released the design in November, along with those for the NHL’s other 30 teams.

In addition, the Lightning will wear their black alternate “Disrupt the Night” jerseys, introduced in February 2019, six times this season. Like last season, the team will wear them for Saturday home games.

Those dates are: Jan. 30 vs. Nashville, Feb. 27 vs. Dallas, March 13 vs. Nashville, March 20 vs. Chicago, April 3 vs. Detroit and April 17 vs. Florida.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200606 Toronto Maple Leafs run another half-dozen 100-metre sprints, during which Noble wasn’t only observing the time on his stopwatch but the body language of his athletes.

The Maple Leafs are getting even more out of Mitch Marner since he “It’s about learning to work tired. And not only to work tired, but to work learned to fly well tired. Being mindful of your mechanics,” Noble said. “But every time they come back from that 10-minute run, our athletes were more dialed in for the second set of 100s. I think it’s that sense: ‘I came this far. I’m not going to stop now.’ And so that fuel tank continues to get expanded.” Dave Feschuk Noble said that among his group of elite players, “emotions were high Mon., Jan. 25, 2021 this off-season.” There was the maddening uncertainty about when the season would begin, if it would begin at all. And Noble had his own headaches, having opened his Grit Athletics gym in Leaside during the It’s been a mantra of star NHL players through the generations: The summer, only to see COVID-related restrictions shut him down not long more you play, the better you perform. after his fledgling business got started.

So shush for a moment the science-based arguments on the merits of “But it was almost the perfect scenario for a groundbreaking off-season. careful load management of prized franchise assets. And consider for a Everyone was on edge and pushing and competing and fighting at the moment that it might not be a coincidence that Maple Leafs forward Mitch same time,” Noble said. Marner was leading the NHL in a couple of important statistical categories. Heading into Monday’s games, Marner led all forwards in On top of all that, Marner was emerging from the fog of a difficult season total time on ice. He was also leading the league in total points. that was largely defined by the contentious contract talks with the Leafs that netted him a six-year contract with an annual average of $10.9 “It just looks like he’s flying,” Morgan Rielly, Marner’s longtime teammate, million (U.S.) at the outset of training camp. As much as Marner put up was saying on Monday. elite numbers, racking up 67 points in 59 games, a ho-hum performance in a play-in loss to the Blue Jackets was hardly a satisfying result. If Marner’s workload has been surprisingly high to some eyes — his 24:03 a game does raise an eyebrow considering he averaged 21:33 last The stress that accompanied the deal and the criticism that surrounded season — let’s just say it’s hardly unexpected. Marner, for one, knew the it, Noble said, “took a toll.” heavy minutes were coming. When the player sat down with longtime strength and conditioning coach Dan Noble to plan his off-season training “And I understand that no one’s empathetic to someone who just signed this past summer, Noble said Marner had already been informed by the a life-changing contract,” Noble said. “But stress is stress, whether you’re Leafs brain trust that they were pencilling him in for something in the a millionaire or you’re a guy working a minimum-wage job, stress affects ballpark of “26 minutes a night.” all of us … So for him to have that stress gone, it really allowed him to be dialed in on a different level and get back to being who he is. The bottom To which Noble replied with a frank assessment: “I told him, ‘This is line is Mitch loves hockey. And he’s a guy who wants to be counted on.” going to be one of the hardest off-seasons of your life. And there’s going to be a lot of times you’re going to want to kill me.’” More than ever, the Leafs are counting on him. Asked about Marner’s early-season performance on Monday in Calgary, where the Leafs were The training sessions, done among a regular training group that included preparing for Tuesday’s game against the Flames, head coach Sheldon fellow NHLer Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning, were certainly Keefe sounded like a man who expects big things from Toronto’s No. 16. murderously long. They generally began with a 30- to 40-minute “warmup” that most people would consider a full-body workout in itself, “I don’t know if anything in particular is standing out that hasn’t in including drills to improve co-ordination, not to mention the range of previous years,” said Keefe. “He’s a very good player. He’s capable of motion in Marner’s hips — a common area of tightness in hockey players playing big minutes, and he’s capable of putting up big points and that’s a frequent flashpoint of injury. producing at a high rate. So I wouldn’t say I’m surprised by anything.”

“When you get fatigued, range of motion reduces. And when range of Keefe’s not surprised. And neither is Rielly, the Leafs defenceman who motion reduces, you become more susceptible to soft-tissue injuries,” was leading all NHL skaters in total time on ice heading into Monday’s Noble said. games. If the depth-challenged, top-heavy Leafs are going to arrive at their intended destination this season, it’s hardly a secret that they’ll need From there, the group hit the weight room for a strength workout, their best players to pull the bulk of the weight. As any star player will tell maintaining and building muscle to keep them robust enough to weather you: The more you play, the better you perform. The Leafs can only hope an NHL season: Again — a formidable workout in itself for mere mortals. there’s enough fuel in the important tanks to chase down the success that’s long eluded them. Then came the hardest part: A day-capping conditioning stint designed to enhance what Noble calls “speed endurance” — the ability to go fast, and “I think (Marner’s) just got a lot of jump. He likes being out there as much the keep going fast, for longer than seems humanly wise. It was this part as he can,” Rielly said. “I know he’s pretty motivated and he’s in a good of Marner’s training that was geared toward improving his ability to look place right now, so he’s just having fun with it. It’s great to be around him like he’s flying no matter how many minutes he’s logged. at the rink when he’s feeling like that. It’s great to see it and you just want him to keep going.” “In overtime last year, there were a couple of times (Marner) was chasing guys down on breakaways and he just couldn’t get there,” Noble said. Toronto Star LOADED: 01.26.2021 “And we looked at that and we said, ‘We don’t want that to ever happen again.’”

With that in mind, a typical training segment began with Marner and his partners running 100-metre sprints in 15 seconds or less, then repeating the exercise six times with a mere 45 seconds to recover in between. Then came an aspect of Noble’s regimen that frustrated athletes, albeit by design. Sometimes those half-dozen 100-metre sprints marked the end of the workout. Sometimes there was more to come. Noble generally kept the agenda secret.

“I think there’s a lot of value in throwing some chaos at these guys. So they’d think we were done and I’d say, ‘OK, now we’re going to go for a 10-minute all-out run,’” Noble said. “And they’d have to cover as much distance as possible in that time.”

Noble said that by the end of the off-season, Marner was using those 10 minutes to cover nearly four kilometres — a brisk pace, to be sure. And sometimes those 10 minutes didn’t conclude the day. Speaking of overtime, more than once Noble demanded Marner and his colleagues 1200607 Toronto Maple Leafs one-goal win over the Flames in obvious pain after the collision with Tkachuk.

His 2-0-0 record comes with a 13th-ranked save percentage of .923 and Frederik Andersen vs. Jack Campbell. The Maple Leafs, at full strength, a 2.00 GAA, ninth-best among goalies with two or more appearances in might have an advantage in net the young season.

He has only faced 26 shots per game — eight fewest — and his slot shots against (15) are the same as Andersen’s. He owns the 26th-lowest Mark Zwolinski expected goals-against average per game (2.85), and that’s reflected in a 0.85 goals saved mark, which is better than Andersen’s and ranks Mon., Jan. 25, 2021 seventh in the league.

While Andersen has shown improvement in preventing goals through the Jack Campbell has begun to make things interesting in the Maple Leafs’ five hole — an area where he ranked worst in the NHL last season — he net. has allowed seven goals high to his blocker side. Campbell, albeit in just two games, has yet to be scored on through the five hole or to the The backup goalie, stellar in winning both of his starts so far this season, blocker side, high or low. has looked as comfortable as No. 1 netminder Frederik Andersen in the early going. Toronto Star LOADED: 01.26.2021

While there’s no suggestion of a goalie controversy, Campbell’s performance will have an impact on how playing time is split the rest of the way, and which direction the club goes beyond this season.

First, however, he’ll have to recover from an injury, believed to be to his left leg, that kept him out of Monday’s practice in Calgary — the result of a collision with the Flames’ Matthew Tkachuk in Sunday’s 3-2 win by the Leafs.

“We’ll let things settle down there to see what (Campbell’s) condition is going forward,” said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe, who has third-stringer Michael Hutchinson available on the taxi squad if needed for Tuesday night’s rematch.

At full strength, Keefe has said Campbell will start in more than just the second of back-to-back games. With a condensed 56-game schedule and up to five games per week, having a solid backup to share the load can be a significant advantage.

As for Andersen, his game has never faced more scrutiny since he arrived in a trade with Anaheim five years ago. At 31, he’s in the final season of a five-year contract and still looking for his first playoff series win.

For now, when Campbell is back to health, the Leafs appear to have a goalie tandem they can rely on, a formula that has worked well for league powerhouses such as the Bruins, Lightning and Golden Knights.

Here’s a closer look at the case for each of the Leafs’ netminders to carry the load:

Frederik Andersen

The Leafs’ No. 1 netminder has consistently been among the NHL leaders in shots and high-danger chances faced, and general manager gave Andersen a vote of confidence before the season. His stats, however, have been mercurial throughout his time in Toronto.

While he has set career highs in wins and saves in a Leafs uniform, he has always struggled in the first and last months of the season. He’s 3-2- 0 heading into Tuesday’s game and his save percentage (.898) ranks just 32nd among 47 goalies with at least 100 minutes played, while his goals-against average (2.81) ranks 29th.

It’s a small sample, but Andersen is working behind a Leafs defence that has shown marked improvements, especially in the last four games. Normally one of the most overworked goalies in the league, Andersen has faced 29.5 shots per game, 14th-fewest in the league. Slot shots against are down to 15 per game, which ranks 35th.

Andersen’s expected goals against per game — 3.01 (32nd lowest in the league) — reflect the fact that he has faced a greater percentage of dangerous scoring chances than Campbell. Andersen remains better than average in terms of goals saved per game (the difference between expected goals against and the number he has allowed). His metric there — 0.20 — ranks 19th.

If the playoffs were to start tomorrow, Andersen would have the net. His challenge for the rest of the regular season will be to block out the distractions of a contract year and contribute at a high level to the stat that matters most: wins.

The 29-year-old backup netminder has put up better numbers than Andersen in his two starts, and earned more fans by finishing Sunday’s 1200608 Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto plays Calgary for division matchup

By The Associated Press

Mon., Jan. 25, 2021

Toronto Maple Leafs (5-2-0, second in the North Division) vs. Calgary Flames (2-1-1, fifth in the North Division)

Calgary, Alberta; Tuesday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Calgary takes on Toronto in a matchup of North Division teams.

Calgary went 36-27-7 overall and 13-10-1 in division play a season ago. Goalies for the Flames allowed 2.9 goals on 32.3 shots per game last season.

Toronto went 36-25-9 overall and 12-8-2 in division action during the 2019-20 season. The Maple Leafs scored 237 total goals last season while collecting 395 assists.

The teams square off for the second straight game.

INJURIES: Flames: Dillon Dube: day to day (lower body).

Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews: day to day (upper body).

Toronto Star LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200609 Toronto Maple Leafs “It’s an area of our game that we have to take pride in,” said Rielly “Watching tape, it looks a little sloppy to me and I think we can improve.

We take ownership of that.” Leafs try to keep win streak, lineup intact Marner noted it was a good sign that a bad short-handed goal against by Edmonton last week was quickly answered by the second unit, before the power play elapsed. Lance Hornby MITCH SWITCHED TO ‘ON’ Publishing date:Jan 26, 2021 • 7 hours ago • Again, it’s early in the season, but Marner was tied for the league points lead before Monday evening with Connor McDavid of Edmonton and Anze Kopitar of the Kings, all with 10. With Matthews missing a game, The Maple Leafs aren’t sitting around, whether it’s brandishing sticks for Marner is also prominent in ice time. goals or Sheldon Keefe wielding a pen with his lineup. “Our team, our line has been working together, we’re getting some And because they’re ahead in the win column and second in division bounces which is great,” Marner said. “When that goes well, stuff’s going offence, despite seven games in 12 days so far and 10 matches in two to happen.” and half weeks by this Saturday, they won’t likely be staying with the same script. Though Marner insisted he’s no more motivated than at any time of the year, Rielly opined “he’s flying. He likes being on the PK, too. He’s in a For Tuesday’s rematch in Calgary, 37-year-old Jason Spezza is getting a good place right now, having fun with it and when that happens, he’s fun rest day, winger Joey Anderson could be on deck while Jack Campbell to be around.” might not be available for back-up duties after a lower-body injury in Sunday’s 3-2 victory. LOOSE LEAFS

“With Jack, we’re just letting things get settled down there, getting him Keefe shrugged off a question of the Leafs seeking retribution for evaluated,” said Keefe, who has already lost forwards Joe Thornton and Matthew Tkachuk landing on Campbell in a crease pile up as the Flames Nick Robertson until at least late February. pressed for the tying goal on Sunday. “I didn’t take it as anything. It’s a non-issue for me. We haven’t had any discussions other than how to Michael Hutchinson is on the trip as the third goalie and the Leafs were beat Calgary” … The coach was also asked if there’d be a Rasmus likely going back to No. 1 Frederik Andersen on Tuesday. Spezza, Sandin sighting soon, acknowledging there has been little reason to meanwhile, was with the taxi squad practice group on Monday, while swap out a healthy defence. “We just need patience, that’s the big thing. Anderson, acquired in the Andreas Johnsson trade with New Jersey, was One of the really difficult parts of the way this camp with a non-exhibition moving up the charts to the fourth line. season has gone, is that players such as Rasmus — younger players, “We’re going to keep (Spezza) out,” the coach confirmed. “Our schedule depth players — don’t get nearly the regular opportunities in a regular has been busy. We want to give him tomorrow off, then we have a day camp with exhibition. It’s hard to keep them fresh. We’re mindful of it” … off after that. We want to give other guys a chance. This is the Leafs first long road trip under the COVID protocols, which meant no card-playing on their charter jet, usually a favourite player past “(Anderson) has good energy, good legs, really good attitude and time. “It’s nice to give some people a chance to read a book,” cracked situational awareness. He had a really good camp, but is just one of Rielly. those guys in a very tough spot, who didn’t get a chance with (no) exhibitions. In scrimmages, inter-squad games and practices, he’s looked Toronto Sun LOADED: 01.26.2021 good. He’d be excited to go in and he’s definitely one of those guys we want to give a look to.”

WAYNE IS PUCK STRUCK

No touchy-feely moments for with his mom, dad or partner getting his Toronto goal puck.

“I’m gonna to keep that one,” declared the Scarborough native of Sunday’s power play goal. “That’s my first as a Leaf, 500th (NHL) point and 100 on the power play, so maybe I’ll put it on the wall. I have other pucks, probably all in storage in New Jersey (where he began last season) because of COVID-19. I’ll have to decide if mom or dad gets the rest of them.”

Simmonds knew the Leafs were looking for not only some size and snark for a perceived timid team in the off-season, but his net presence with the man-advantage.

“Power play was brought up by both Sheldon and (general manager Kyle Dubas). They didn’t promise me anything, what unit I’d be on, but it excited me.”

Who wouldn’t want to be in the mix with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander? And the fluid second group at times had Thornton, Spezza and Zach Hyman. Simmonds was on with most of the first group and defenceman Morgan Rielly on Sunday when he scored.

“This part of my career, coming off a down year, I was looking forward to this opportunity and continuing it as the year goes on.”

POWER BACK FOR LEAFS

The 9-for-22 Toronto power play is running just under 42%, best in the North Division at the start of this week, third in the league.

All four of Tavares’ goals have come in man-advantage situations. The team’s gaudy numbers will eventually come down as opposing clubs adjust, but after its failure contributed to the playoff loss to Columbus last season, the power play staff are certainly encouraged. 1200610 Toronto Maple Leafs That’s too much to ask of Simmonds, in particular, over an extended period.

Simmonds did what he usually does (or did), scoring a power-play goal Monday Morning Leafs Report: Auston Matthews’ injury concern and a on Sunday night, but he’s looked limited at 5-on-5. He’s totalled five trade thought shots there so far this season, with no points and an expected goals mark just under 37 percent. Foot speed is an issue, and here and there against the Flames, Keefe slid the speedier Pierre Engvall into his place onto that new-look third line with Alexander Kerfoot and . By Jonas Siegel Jan 25, 2021 That may have to be the way forward for now.

Nick Robertson might have been the answer had he remained healthy. Peruse the box score and it looked like a typical Auston Matthews night. The good news is the 19-year-old didn’t require surgery for his injured In other words, a night when Matthews did what he always seems to do: knee, but he was still pegged to miss at least four weeks, which puts his He scored a goal, his third in seven games this season. possible return in the middle of February. And though he looked a step faster and puck-hungry over the two minutes and 20 seconds he played But Matthews did not look like himself over 22 minutes in Calgary on in his NHL regular season debut earlier this month, it’s possible he’s not Sunday afternoon. ready to be an impact contributor in the NHL just yet.

Most notable were the zero shots Matthews had through 40 minutes. The Which is why the Leafs will likely need to find another option for the top NHL’s shot attempts leader had only one attempt. He did score a goal in nine, ideally someone who can play centre when called upon. the third period but it wasn’t really a vintage Matthews goal. In fact, he’s probably never scored a more innocuous goal in the NHL. Does that mean dealing from the apparent surplus on the back end? Perhaps. Travis Dermott feels like the likeliest candidate to move. He’s Morgan Rielly’s shot attempt pinged off Matthews’ skate and was averaged just over 11 minutes per game so far this season with no power redirected again by Flames defenceman before it play or penalty killing opportunity. Rasmus Sandin could slide easily into crossed the goal line. It turned out to be the game winner. Overall, those minutes. Maybe Mikko Lehtonen can as well. Matthews’ line was a rare negative, rarely mustering anything of substance. On the other hand, one injury in the top four and Dermott is likely to move up. In other words, the Leafs may need the 24-year-old at some point a This comes after Matthews exited a practice last week moments before it lot more than they do now. There’s also the expansion draft to consider. started and sat out Friday night’s game with “upper body soreness.” Deal Dermott and someone else is getting exposed and claimed, maybe another defenceman. Matthews wasn’t skating like his usual self against the Flames. He lacked burst and the puck wasn’t glued to his tape. He looked limited, and It’s all part of the tricky balance Kyle Dubas has to strike. It’s also one finished the night with a season-low in shots (two) and shot attempts side effect of the roster balancing the Leafs GM attempted in the (four). offseason when he dealt Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson for futures and the cap space needed to sign T.J. Brodie. “I felt like I made some good progress over the couple of days,” Matthews said of his health after the Leafs beat the Flames. “I just had Now, the Leafs GM may need tilt the balance back slightly in the other some issues here with my hand that I was going through. I’m not really direction. gonna go any further than that. Obviously if I could’ve skated (at practice) or if I could’ve played (on Friday) and felt comfortable I would’ve done Cap space and quarantine rules won’t make it easy, but it’s something that, but it feels fine now.” the Leafs will, and obviously do, want to consider.

Of the hand injury, he added: “I’m gonna have to obviously take care of it Quiet Nylander here the next couple weeks. But it feels a lot better. I feel more than good Something the Leafs will want to see more of this season: The William enough to play and good enough to go out there and contribute to the Nylander of last season, particularly at 5-on-5. Nylander had a career- team.” high 19 5-on-5 goals last year. He hasn’t been much of a threat to score (Candice Ward / USA Today) at all in that respect so far. His shooting numbers have all dropped.

Sheldon Keefe said the sluggishness was team-wide, a reality of flying William Nylander 5-on-5 across the country amid a hectic schedule. “His situation (is) probably TOI/GP even more difficult,” the Leafs coach said. “I don’t know how many days it’s been since he’s really skated here.” 13:04

That would be the 24-plus minutes Matthews logged against the Oilers 14:25 last Wednesday night. G/60 The Leafs have to hope it’s no lingering concern, that it was just a hand issue and not anything related to the repeated cross-checks Matthews 0.7 took to the back opening night against Montreal. That he can quickly 1.2 return to playing like an MVP candidate who was driving the domination of opposing top lines early in the season. S/60

Matthews had 40(!) shot attempts in the first four games. 5.9

To win the Canadian division, to win a playoff series, to compete for the 9.2 Cup, the Leafs need Matthews healthy. iCF/60 A trade the Leafs may need to make 11.8 Elliotte Friedman reported over the weekend that the Leafs were looking to upgrade their forward group and it’s pretty evident why: With Joe 13.5 Thornton out, the Leafs suddenly look like a team that’s a forward short. iHDCF/60 (Even with Thornton healthy, that may be the case.) 4.6 That the absence of a 41-year-old, who fractured a rib and will miss at least a month, could have such an impact on the rest of the lineup had to 5.1 be alarming. Without Thornton, Keefe had no better option but to move Wayne Simmonds onto the third line, and also temporarily promote ixG/60 Jimmy Vesey onto a line with Matthews and Mitch Marner. 0.8

0.9 The shot map below came before Nylander fired three shots 5-on-5 Marlies. He knows them. Engvall, especially, still might be able to carve against the Flames, none of which were all that dangerous. out a fourth-line role.

Faceoffs 2) The Leafs clearly want to give Barabanov an opportunity. The organization spent a lot of time and resources to get him here as a free Is it a coincidence that Manny Malhotra joins the coaching staff and the agent. They need to give him a reasonable look, and more importantly, Leafs emerge as the No. 1 faceoff team in the NHL at 57.3 percent? It’s let future free agents know that they too will get a shot. not that they weren’t elite before. Last season, with former assistant Paul McFarland in Malhotra’s place, the Leafs were No. 3 overall, winning All that said, when is enough enough? Barabanov has two shots in four 52.5 percent. games and an expected goals mark of 20 percent. He’s playing under six minutes a night. Barabanov made his only noticeable dent on Sunday But with Malholtra around, most of the centres have taken a fairly large when he took an Engvall feed in behind the defence and drew a penalty. step Other than that, he’s been silent. It’s entirely possible he’s not an NHL Leafs in the circle player. At a certain point, the Leafs will need to move on and give Boyd or Anderson a look. Maybe that jolts the fourth line. Jason Spezza And finally … 65.6 Leafs brass talked a lot in the offseason about the need for an infusion of 54.0 veteran leadership.

John Tavares Here’s one example of what it looks like: Last week, after Tavares led the final team stretch at practice, Zach Bogosian shuffled around from player 64.1 to player, giving each a stick tap on the back and word of 55.3 encouragement. Just a little pick-me-up from the team’s most experienced defenceman and very recent Stanley Cup winner. Auston Matthews The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 54.9

55.0

Alex Kerfoot

52.6

46.9

Malhotra was a faceoff monster during his NHL career (991 games), right there among the best there was. In fact, over his last 500 or so games (from the start of 2007-08 until the end of 2014-15), Malhotra was No. 1 at 59.7 percent.

(Sidenote: The Leafs may be forced to alter Jason Spezza’s faceoff role on the PK. He’s cooled off there after a hot start. It’s great when he wins it. It’s not so great when he doesn’t and is stuck on the ice chasing around opponents.)

Pace

Keefe has mentioned the word pace quite a bit this season.

He explains why: “I think mainly what we’ve been talking about is our offensive pace. That’s been an area that we’ve really tried to improve here since Day 1 of training camp is improving our offensive pace. Basically, having the puck move a lot quicker, trying to strike before the opposition structures are in place. We’ve had a lot of puck control and puck possession and stuff last season, and at times didn’t generate enough from those opportunities. We’re trying to find a greater balance in that area in improving our pace with how we attack the net and how we can find the opposition a little disorganized at different times, rather than allowing them time to get their structure set.”

(Candice Ward / USA Today)

Mo’ Freddy

Credit to Frederik Andersen for turning things around after a worrying start to the season. Andersen has stopped 76-of-81 shots in his last three starts (.938 save percentage) after yielding nine goals in his first two starts. He’s going to have to keep it up. Jack Campbell politely dismissed any questions about the apparent injury he suffered late in the win over the Flames. But it didn’t look good. Campbell was using his stick just to prop himself back up. An absence from the 29-year-old would mean the return of you-know-who (Michael Hutchinson) in the No. 2 chair.

The other guys

It seems at least notable that Keefe has yet to turn to Travis Boyd or Joey Anderson for a spin on the fourth line. Both newcomers to the Leafs played games in the NHL last season, for the Capitals and Devils, respectively. But here’s what might be going on:

1) The Leafs coach is giving his guys the first look. That’s Engvall and Brooks really, two players who helped win him a with the 1200611 Vegas Golden Knights LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.26.2021

Pete DeBoer takes blame for Alex Tuch’s fluctuating ice time

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal January 25, 2021 - 4:12 PM

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) in the second period during an NHL hockey game a ...

Alex Tuch’s ice time has fluctuated wildly through six games, with Sunday’s victory at Arizona marking the third time the Golden Knights winger has logged fewer than 15 minutes of action.

Coach Pete DeBoer said the blame falls on him, not Tuch.

“I’d like to get him on the ice a little more than I have. That’s on me,” DeBoer said Monday. “I think he’s done a great job.”

Tuch is off to a strong start with five points in six games, including the secondary assist on William Karlsson’s winning goal with 42.7 seconds left Sunday.

Arizona coach Rick Tocchet said after the game he thought Tuch iced the puck when he dumped it into the Coyotes’ zone ahead of the goal.

Tuch was asked about the play after practice at City National Arena and believes he gained the red line.

“At that point in the game, that close of a call I don’t think they’re going to make,” Tuch said.

Tuch played 14:10 Sunday, just off his season low of 14:06 in the season opener, despite the Knights producing 84.6 percent of the shot attempts when the third line was on the ice.

Maybe not coincidentally, his best games have come when the Knights lineup includes 12 forwards and six defensemen. Tuch played 17:59 and 19:16 in the two games at T-Mobile Arena against Arizona and had a goal and two assists with six shots on goal combined.

“I think at times I’ve been a little inconsistent, especially in the first game in Arizona,” Tuch said. “It’s good that I was there at the regular-season opener for once. First time in four years, and I want to continue that and just stay healthy and work hard and try to grind out as many wins as possible.”

Looking sharp

Goalie Robin Lehner finally debuted his new equipment during practice Monday at City National Arena after keeping it under wraps during the road trip to Arizona.

Unlike the white gear Lehner’s worn for most of his time with the Knights, this setup is black. The leg pads have a gold V through the middle and feature the silhouette of a knight holding a sword in the negative space.

A portion of the red star from the Knights’ secondary logo is visible at the top of the glove and blocker.

This is the third setup Lehner has worn with the Knights since being acquired in February.

Russian signs

Forward Pavel Dorofeyev, a third-round pick in the 2019 draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract and was assigned to the Silver Knights of the American Hockey League.

Robin Lehner debuting the new setup at Golden Knights practice. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/x8UUF1NOKG

— David Schoen ��� (@DavidSchoenLVRJ) January 25, 2021

Dorofeyev made one appearance in the Kontinental Hockey League with this season and recorded 17 points in 36 games for Chelmet Chelyabinsk in Russia’s second division. He terminated his contract with the club last week.

Previously, Dorofeyev had nine points in 71 KHL games for Megallurg Magnitogorsk from 2018 to 2020 and helped Russia take home the silver mdeal at the 2020 World Junior Championship. 1200612 Vegas Golden Knights

Pietrangelo ready to get past first meeting with former team

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (7) in the first period during an NHL hockey g ...

With a blue music note on his chest, Alex Pietrangelo accomplished things most hockey players can only dream of.

The Golden Knights defenseman grew into a All-Star and captain with the St. Louis Blues. He also became a Stanley Cup champion and was the first player in franchise history to raise hockey’s iconic trophy June 12, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston.

Pietrangelo is wearing a new symbol on his chest this year. He’ll get to stare across the ice at his old one for the first time when the Knights host the Blues at 6 p.m. Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena. Thanks to the NHL’s new division-only schedule, it’ll be the first of eight meetings this season between the teams.

“I knew this day would come eventually,” Pietrangelo said. “I’ve been joking that I guess if you’re going to do it, just do it eight times in one year and get past it.”

Pietrangelo will forever be a Blues legend for what he accomplished in St. Louis. The former fourth overall pick in 2008 ranks highly on several of the team’s leaderboards, including fifth in games played (758), third in assists (341) and ninth in points (450).

The two sides couldn’t find a way to stay together this offseason. The Blues signed defenseman Torey Krug — who now lives in Pietrangelo’s former home — to a seven-year, $45.5 million contract with their captain still on the market. Pietrangelo signed with the Knights three days later on a seven-year, $61.6 million deal.

The change of scenery means Pietrangelo has been taking a crash course on a new style of play this season. He has 758 games worth of reps on how the Blues like to play. Breaking his habits on breakouts and rush defense proved difficult at first with a shortened training camp and no preseason games.

“It’s almost like learning on the fly,” Pietrangelo said.

He’s felt more comfortable the last few games. Coach Pete DeBoer said Pietrangelo has adapted better than most players. His best game may have been Sunday in a 1-0 victory against the Arizona Coyotes. The defenseman was aggressive in the offensive zone, firing a team-high four shots on goal, and moved the puck well in the defensive zone.

The Knights had a 10-4 edge in scoring chances when he was on the ice at five-on-five.

“World-class player,” DeBoer said. “(He’s been) open minded and coachable to everything we’re talking about, which is the most impressive thing when you have a guy with his pedigree.”

Pietrangelo now gets to put those adjustments to the test against his former team, which should be one of the Knights’ chief adversaries in the West Division. His teammates are aware of what the game means. Left wing Alex Tuch said Pietrangelo has already become a team leader and “you want to win for guys like that.”

Pietrangelo, for his part, tried to downplay the matchup’s significance. The Blues are just another opponent to defeat once he steps on the ice, even if the memories of June 12, 2019, never fade away.

“When you get in the game, you got to play the game, right?” Pietrangelo said. “I don’t think they’re going to let up on me.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200613 Vegas Golden Knights The two teams won’t meet again until April 9. “After the first game we were like ‘Ah, I can’t believe we’re going to play

three games against them again,’” Marchessault said. “I think we were Young third defensive pair emerges for Golden Knights the better team overall and that’s why we got the three wins out of four. It was a good week, let’s put it that way.”

3. Circle success By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal The Knights had a lot of possession Sunday and it started in the faceoff dot.

Nic Hague and Zach Whitecloud spent a year by each other’s side in the The team won 27 of the 44 draws (61.36) against the Coyotes to American Hockey League trying to climb the hockey ladder. continue what’s been a strong start for its centers. Roy led the way by going 7-for-7, but William Karlsson (7-for-10), Tomas Nosek (6-for-11) This season, they’ve leveled up. The two have played three NHL games and Chandler Stephenson (7-for-13) all won more than they lost as well. together and given the Golden Knights a young and exciting third defensive pair. They weren’t on the ice for a goal in the team’s 1-0 victory Nosek is the only one under 50 percent for the season. against the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday, but their strong play stood out. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.26.2021 “I think the best compliment I can give those two guys is I never once felt uncomfortable when they were out there, and that’s on the road against a very quick team with a lot of skill and some elite players,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “Regardless of the matchup or who they got stuck out against, I thought they defended well and hard and physically.”

Whitecloud’s play isn’t a surprise after he became an indispensable part of the lineup in the postseason. Hague, his former AHL partner with the Chicago Wolves, appears to also have risen his game in his second NHL stint.

Hague appeared in 38 games last season, finishing with one goal and 10 assists. He’s shown even more aggressiveness this year in the offensive zone and is displaying the skills that made him the 34th overall pick in 2017.

Hague had four shot attempts and one shot on goal Sunday. He also made a sharp pass that hit center Nicolas Roy on the tape in front of the net, but Roy’s shot went wide right.

“I think a lot of it comes with confidence,” Hague said. “The more we’re able to play together in the offensive zone, we’re just going to get more comfortable and see different plays when they happen.”

Hague’s defense has been sharp early as well. The 22-year-old is willing to use his huge 6-foot-6 frame — which caused former assistant coach Mike Kelly to once refer to him as “Bambi on ice” — to battle in the corners and clog up passing lanes. He blocked two shots in front of goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury on Sunday.

He and center Cody Glass have been coming in and out of the lineup for salary-cap reasons, but it was a performance for Hague to build upon. The Knights had a 16-6 edge in shot attempts during the 13:13 of five-on- five play he and Whitecloud shared the ice.

“Honestly (Whitecloud) and Hague (were) really good together tonight,” left wing Jonathan Marchessault said. “Definitely looking forward to seeing them play more.”

Here are three other takeaways from the win:

1. Tuch’s start

Left wing Alex Tuch recorded the secondary assist on center William Karlsson’s game-winning goal Sunday, giving him five points in six games.

It took Tuch until Dec. 2 — his 12th game — to reach five points last season. DeBoer praised his line with Roy and right wing Keegan Kolesar after the game.

The trio forechecked well and had plenty of offensive zone time. The Knights led 11-2 in shot attempts when they were on the ice. The team also had just one scoring chance in that time, however, so the group still needs to convert that possession into dangerous looks.

“There’s a lot of speed and physicality there,” DeBoer said. “They’re hard to handle.”

2. Moving on

The Knights and Coyotes were the first two teams in NHL history to play each other four consecutive times during the regular season. The Knights went 3-1, but Marchessault sounded ready to move on to a new opponent. 1200614 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ Big Off-Season Acquisition Plays Against Former St. Louis Mates Tuesday

By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com

When Alex Pietrangelo signed with the Vegas Golden Knights last year, he had no idea and the Golden Knights and his old team — the St. Louis Blues — would be in the same division and play each other eight times during these crazy pandemic times.

So, Tuesday’s Vegas vs St. Louis showdown at a fan-free T-Mobile Arena will be just the first of eight games that Pietrangelo will play against former mates.

In October, the Knights signed Pietrangelo to a seven-year contract worth an average annual value of $8,800,000 — or $61.6 million. He gets to play his former teammates Tuesday. Here are some of Pietrangelo’s thoughts on playing against the team that won a Stanley Cup with him just two years ago.

VGK forward Alex Tuch said Pietrangelo, or “Petro” in the locker room, has fit in nicely: “He comes here and right away he’s a leader in the locker room. He’s team first.”

VGK emerging star Alex Tuch.

VGK coach Pete DeBoer said Tuch is picking up where he left off in the Edmonton bubble during last season’s postseason play.

Tuesday’s game is a 6 p.m. start. LVSportsBiz.com will be reporting live from T-Mobile Arena so please look for our coverage Tuesday evening.

LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200615 Vegas Golden Knights LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 01.26.2021

On Sports Betting: Vegas Golden Knights Streak Ends, But They Recover Quickly

By Dan Behringer for LVSportsBiz.com

All streaks come to an end. Eventually.

For the Vegas Golden Knights, their four-game winning streak to start the season ended late Friday at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona, when the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Golden Knights, 5-2.

It was arguably a prime spot for bettors to play the underdog Coyotes at about +150 and considerably higher on the reverse puck line. Over 5.5 goals also paid.

Of course, the VGK had a chance to rebound on Sunday. And rebound they did, edging the Coyotes, 1-0, on a goal from William Karlsson in the waning seconds. The line on the Golden Knights ticked up from -175 to - 180 on Sunday before the puck drop.

“That’s the best 60-minute effort of the year,” Vegas coach Peter DeBoer told reporters. “That’s the first time that I felt for the entire game we played to our identity, with foundation and good structure.”

The Golden Knights return to T-Mobile Arena and will host the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday and Thursday. The VGK are around -140 and the total is 6 for the game on Tuesday.

Elsewhere:

— There were partisan and boisterous cheers at the race and sports book at Red Rock Resort on Sunday. But it wasn’t for the Vegas Golden Knights, who had a 1 p.m. start. Fans and bettors were cheering big plays in the NFL Conference Championship games. In the early game, Tampa Bay, +3 or +3.5, beat the Green Bay Packers outright, 31-26. The late game saw the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, -3, defeat the Buffalo Bills, 38-24. Both totals went over.

After the usual jockeying, the line for the Super Bowl on Feb. 7 is generally Chiefs -3 with the total at 56.5.

— Dustin Poirier upset heavily favored Conor McGregor late Saturday night in the main event of UFC 257 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. His win in their lightweight bout came by TKO in Round 2 and left a bloodied McGregor on the canvas for several moments. Poirier paid a hefty +265. McGregor had been around a -320 favorite. Under 2.5 rounds, at about - 165, also paid bettors.

Not everyone was surprised by the upset. The Gulf News reported that Poirier’s wife, Jolie, who was ringside, screamed to the crowd at the Etihad Arena: “I told you!”

Underdogs fared well during the day, going 6-5, according to Vegas Insider.

In fact, Michael Chandler upset Dan Hooker in a welterweight bout by TKO in the first round. Chandler paid +145, and under 2.5 rounds was +105.

Michael Chandler

— If you faded UNR in college hoops on Friday, you had an easy winner as Wyoming, +3.5, beat the Wolf Pack outright, 71-64. You had another chance Sunday although this time the number went up to Wyoming +4.5. The Cowboys won outright again, 93-88.

But split decisions occur, too, from the scheduling quirk that sees teams face each other for two straight games. New Mexico, -8, easily dispatched San Jose State, 67-51, on Thursday. But two days later, the lowly Spartans had moved to +9.5. They beat the Lobos outright, 83-71.

— The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (5-6) return to action late Monday. They are +5.5 or +6 as they host Utah State (12-4). The total is around 137. One handicapping statistic of note, according to CBS Sports: Utah State ranks 27th in rebounds; UNLV ranks 346th.

Dan Behringer is a longtime Las Vegan. Follow posts at doublegutshot.com. On Twitter, @DanBehringer221. 1200616 Washington Capitals There was talk of how Bondra scored 503 goals in his career, which was “pretty good,” Vrana remarked, and how Bondra tallied 19 hat tricks during his 16-year NHL career. When Vrana noted he hadn’t yet managed one, Bondra asked why. A ‘happy kid’ at heart, Jakub Vrana is growing up with the Capitals “What is stopping you from scoring a hat trick?” Bondra asked. “You’re going to have three to four scoring chances. Just do it.”

Samantha Pell “You just need to imagine it, and it will happen,” Vrana recalls Bondra telling him.

On his ride home, Vrana started to envision his first hat trick. Twenty-four Jakub Vrana came off the ice at the Washington Capitals’ practice facility hours later, he scored three goals in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames. Saturday afternoon, casually looked up and flashed a wide smile at the onlookers above. It’s hard to find a moment when the 24-year-old Czech “He doesn’t know what he is capable of,” Bondra said. winger isn’t grinning, joking or genuinely enjoying himself. Vrana is still working on his craft, focusing mainly on improving his He can’t help it. Vrana describes himself as a “happy kid” who loves strength and conditioning. Playing at his best also includes keeping a hockey, likes to have fun, laugh and then laugh some more. He knows clear mind. In the offseason, he went home to the Czech Republic to be the Capitals’ fan base views him the same way. with family for an extended amount of time for the first time in several years. “I mean, first off, when you are just looking at my face, I mean, I look like [a kid] a little bit,” the babyfaced Vrana said with a chuckle. “You can’t do “Just being home [was good],” Vrana said. “We were just around each anything about that.” other, and that’s the most important thing — the people around you.”

It’s early in the NHL’s pandemic season, but the Capitals already see The people around Vrana during the season are equally important. He how tough it will be might not be the No. 1 player on the ice or in the dressing room at all times, but his role, his place on the team and his continued growth are all His escapades with teammates in the days after winning the Stanley Cup under his control. in 2018 are also enduring examples of that “kid” persona — the photos and videos from those nights still frequently surface on social media. His “Of course I have grown. I have gone through some things, but I am not permanent personal reminder is the Stanley Cup tattoo he got on his left going to change myself. … Your personality, you cannot change that,” wrist while holding former goaltender Braden Holtby’s hand. Vrana said. “You are still going to be a positive kid that loves playing hockey and bringing people what they want. And year by year, you are “I wake up and I didn’t even know I had it,” Vrana said recently. “I looked developing yourself.” at my arm the next morning, and it was there.” Washington Post LOADED: 01.26.2021 A month from his 25th birthday, Vrana isn’t a kid in the hockey world anymore. The Capitals’ 2014 first-round draft pick is in his fourth full NHL season and is being shaped into a critical piece of the organization.

“Jake Vrana is part of that [leadership] group,” Coach Peter Laviolette said. “He’s not a kid anymore. … His hand is on the rope.”

Vrana has three goals and three assists in six games this season, finding the scoresheet in all but one game. He has a lot to prove; his two-year, $6.7 million contract expires at the end of the season, at which point he will become a restricted free agent.

Vrana has been tasked with top-line duties the past two games after four players, including forwards Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov, were forced out of the lineup because of the NHL’s coronavirus protocols. Add to the mix the lower-body injury forward Tom Wilson suffered Friday, and Vrana’s importance only has grown.

“It’s been four or five years for me now [with the team], and I mean, my role, I want to be a leader,” Vrana said. “I want to step up in the big moments.”

Vrana’s tattoo, which depicts the Stanley Cup with two sticks and three stars, is a reminder of how far he has come. Yet it also is a reminder of how far he needs to go. He has set career highs in goals in each of the past two seasons, but he produced zero points in 15 games in the 2019 and 2020 playoffs.

When asked earlier this season to talk about his past postseason performances or the 2018 Cup run, he offered a reminder that he is focused on what’s ahead.

“Whatever happened already happened,” Vrana said. “That’s what I was talking about, the mind-set. You can’t change it anymore. You are not headed backwards. You are headed forwards. You are heading to your future.”

From October 2019: His confidence shattered in the playoffs, Jakub Vrana is out to prove he’s back

The importance of a proper mind-set to Vrana was solidified in November 2019, when he and Capitals great Peter Bondra were sitting side-by-side at an autograph session, chatting about scoring goals.

The night before against Buffalo, Vrana had scored twice, and fans were talking about how he almost had a hat trick. As Bondra recalled, he could sense Vrana’s exasperation, so he started teasing him to lighten the mood. 1200617 Washington Capitals

Capitals unveil blue third jerseys, will wear them seven times this season

Scott Allen

The Washington Capitals on Monday unveiled a new third jersey, which the team will wear for the first of seven times this season in Tuesday’s home game against the New York Islanders.

The Capitals’ new sweater is dark blue and features three red stars atop a white block “W,” a white shoulder panel and red and white stripes. The design is similar to the red jerseys with a blue “W” and white stars that the Capitals wore for the 2015 Winter Classic at Nationals Park.

This isn’t the first time that Washington has worn a blue alternate since the “Rock the Red” era began in 2007. The team’s last predominantly blue jersey was the navy “Caps” design the Capitals wore for their Stadium Series outdoor game in Annapolis in 2018.

It's early in NHL's pandemic season, but the Caps already see how tough it will be

The Capitals’ new third jersey will be part of their rotation for the next three seasons and replaces the third jersey modeled after the franchise’s original red sweater that Washington had worn since the 2018-19 season. The blue alternate is the second new look the Capitals have introduced this season. The team will wear its “Reverse Retro” jerseys, which feature the screaming eagle logo the franchise sported from 1995 to 2007, in four games this season.

According to the team, the “W” on the front of the third jersey, which incorporates the Washington Monument, “serves as a tribute to Washington, D.C.,” while the three red stars represent Maryland, the District and Virginia.

The Capitals will wear their third jerseys, which are available for purchase online, one time against each of their East Division opponents at home. Here’s the full third jersey schedule:

Tuesday vs. New York Islanders

Feb. 7 vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Feb. 21 vs. New York Rangers

March 25 vs. New Jersey Devils

April 8 vs. Boston Bruins

April 15 vs. Buffalo Sabres

May 1 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Washington Post LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200618 Washington Capitals Washington Times LOADED: 01.26.2021

'He's been unreal': Vitek Vanecek is making the most of his opportunity in goal

By Andy Kostka - The Washington Times - Monday, January 25, 2021

Before the season began, when the Capitals’ goaltending situation was still largely unknown, coach Peter Laviolette said he wouldn’t box himself in with a specific split between his inexperienced options. Instead, Laviolette would trust the hot hand, riding whichever goalie was having the better run of games.

He doesn’t have the competition now between two young netminders, not after Ilya Samsonov was added to the NHL’s coronavirus protocol list. But Vitek Vanecek, who has started three straight games, is making the case that he can be the top option moving forward, with another contest Tuesday against the New York Islanders.

Vanecek has impressed in his four games this season, and his performance in a shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday underscored how the 25-year-old rookie could be playing his way into a larger role.

“We came into the training camp and our eyes were open. There was no set path for us. We were looking for someone to grab the crease,” Laviolette said. “Vitek has had a few good games now, and [Sunday] was another one where he gave us an opportunity to win and we didn’t, but he gave us an opportunity to get a point. So he’s making the most of his chance.”

Vanecek produced solid numbers with the in the AHL the last two seasons, but his 2.26 goals-against average and .917 save percentage in 2019-20 were especially standout. There were questions as to how he would adapt at the NHL level, though.

In his four games, Vanecek has a .912 save percentage and has allowed 2.87 goals per game. He’s yet to lose in regulation, and he won his first start with a 30-save outing against Buffalo on Jan. 15.

Early on, Laviolette noticed Vanecek’s rebound control could improve and his puck handling away from the goalmouth could use work. Since then, though, the coach has been impressed with Vanecek’s strides in a short time.

“Maybe you’re thinking about things in your first couple games,” Laviolette said, “so the more he gets game time and the more he gets opportunities to play, probably the more comfortable he gets in those types of situations.”

With Samsonov out for at least four games — the earliest the 23-year-old goalie could return is Jan. 30 — Vanecek has maximized his opportunity. He denied each of the Sabres’ shootout attempts in Friday’s win, then posted 45 saves in Sunday’s loss, the most from a Capitals rookie in nearly 39 years.

He allowed the shootout winner to Jack Eichel but showed good movement around his crease. Vanecek produced five saves in a fast- paced overtime period, and he leaned over to kiss the post when a penalty shot from Taylor Hall in the third period caromed off the pipe.

“I hope so,” Vanecek said Friday when asked if he can take advantage of his chance. “I want to play as many games as I can if they give me the chance, and I will do the best for the team and try to win the games.”

With a compressed schedule, goalie Craig Anderson — who Washington activated from the taxi squad to cover for Samsonov’s absence — might see time between the pipes, too. But in the moments Vanecek has been on the ice, the rookie has shown he’s capable of the bigger stage.

Samsonov is a former first-round draft pick who was the perceived No. 1 option in goal when the season began. Whenever Samsonov does return, though, there’s no guarantee Vanecek will relinquish the top spot based on his performances.

“He’s been unreal,” defenseman Justin Schultz said. “Every game he’s played he’s kept us in it at times when we haven’t played as well, and [Sunday] was no exception. He made some huge saves, especially in overtime, and allowed us to get a point at least.” 1200619 Washington Capitals Going 2-2-2 against Vegas, Minnesota and Colorado is a great start but won't get the Ducks anywhere, which reflects just how crazy the West is going to be this season.

2021 NHL Power Rankings: Golden Knights stand atop talented West 22 Vancouver Canucks Division Vancouver Canucks Who are the real contenders and who are the pretenders for the Stanley 10 / 31 Cup? Here is where every team stands each week in the NHL. The Canucks are a mess. They have allowed at least five goals in five of

their first seven games. J.J. Regan 21 San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks 31 Detroit Red Wings 11 / 31 Detroit Red Wings Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson are first and second respectively in the 1 / 31 NHL in time on ice per game. You know what's not sustainable? That.

Bobby Ryan looks like a whole new player in Detroit. The Red Wings are 20 Columbus Blue Jackets still terrible, though. Columbus Blue Jackets 30 Chicago Blackhawks 12 / 31 Chicago Blackhawks You could see the relief in Columbus that the Pierre-Luc Dubois saga 2 / 31 was over in their dominant win over Tampa Bay.

As bad as they are, at least the Blackhawks are still better than Detroit. 19 Winnipeg Jets That's...something. Winnipeg Jets 29 Ottawa Senators 13 / 31 Ottawa Senators Winnipeg just got a top center in Pierre-Luc Dubois and it cost them two 3 / 31 players the Jets knew didn't want to be there anymore.

The Senators are clearly much improved, but that has to translate into 18 Florida Panthers wins at some point. Ottawa has only one in its first five games. Florida Panthers 28 Arizona Coyotes 14 / 31 Arizona Coyotes With games against Dallas and Carolina postponed, Florida sits at 2-0-0. 4 / 31 17 New Jersey Devils The Coyotes lost three out of four against Vegas and Oliver Ekman- New Jersey Devils Larsson is out a month. Tough times are ahead for Arizona. 15 / 31 27 Buffalo Sabres Jack Hughes has had an impressive start and looks like a completely Buffalo Sabres different player this season. 5 / 31 16 Philadelphia Flyers Buffalo is going nowhere fast until Jack Eichel and Taylor Hall can start Philadelphia Flyers putting pucks in the back of the net. 16 / 31 26 New York Rangers After winning their first two games, the Flyers have gone 1-2-1. New York Rangers 15 Carolina Hurricanes 6 / 31 Carolina Hurricanes The Rangers are finding out just how hard it is to take the next step from a rebuild to playoff contention. 17 / 31

25 Nashville Predators The coronavirus has hit Carolina hard, keeping them out of action for most of the week. Nashville Predators 14 Edmonton Oilers 7 / 31 Edmonton Oilers Nashville just got punched in the mouth by Dallas. Luckily, a two-game series against Chicago is next and that should be a good palate cleanser. 18 / 31

24 Los Angeles Kings Edmonton is trying to right the ship, but it will be difficult considering its goaltending is every bit as bad as we knew it would be heading into the Los Angeles Kings season. 8 / 31 13 New York Islanders Wins over Colorado and St. Louis make for a solid week's worth of work. New York Islanders 23 Anaheim Ducks 19 / 31 Anaheim Ducks There is plenty of excitement over Ilya Sorokin, but Semyon Varlamov is 9 / 31 playing like a goalie who is not ready to relinquish his crease. 12 St. Louis Blues Dallas Stars

St. Louis Blues 30 / 31

20 / 31 It took a while but you could not have scripted a better start to the season for Dallas, who won both of its first two games by a combined score of The Blues have not won or lost consecutive games yet this season. 10-2.

11 Boston Bruins 01 Las Vegas Golden Knights

Boston Bruins Las Vegas Golden Knights

21 / 31 31 / 31

It took 267:38 for the Bruins to score at 5-on-5, but they still managed to In six games, Vegas has only one loss to start the season. dominate a two-game series against the Flyers. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.26.2021 10 Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames

22 / 31

Is Johnny Gaudreau back? He has points in each of Calgary's first four games of the season.

09 Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild

23 / 31

This Minnesota team is much more fun to watch than expected and the reason why is Kirill Kaprizov.

08 Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche

24 / 31

Considering how stacked this roster is and that four of Colorado's first six games were against Anaheim and Los Angeles, it has been a surprisingly slow start to the season for the Avalanche.

07 Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals

25 / 31

Even with no Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov or Ilya Samsonov, the Caps still managed to earn three out of four points against Buffalo. Washington remains one of only four teams without a regulation loss and two of those teams have played in only two games.

06 Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins

26 / 31

After an ugly 0-2 start, Pittsburgh has won four straight.

05 Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs

27 / 31

The Maple Leafs are starting to assert themselves with four wins in five games.

04 Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning

28 / 31

Columbus remains a thorn in Tampa Bay's side.

03 Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens

29 / 31

The Canadiens are going to make noise in the North. Montreal had an incredibly impressive start to the season going 4-0-2 despite all six games coming on the road.

02 Dallas Stars 1200620 Washington Capitals

Wilson's status for Tuesday's game vs. Isles remains uncertain

by J.J. Regan

Tom Wilson was on the ice for Monday's optional practice, but he remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury and his status for Tuesday's game against the New York Islanders remains uncertain.

"I felt pretty good," Wilson said after practice. "Obviously good enough to stay out there. Obviously there's a big difference between flow drills and a skate through per se than an NHL hockey game with tons of battles and physical exertion."

Wilson left Friday's game against the Buffalo Sabres in the third period and did not return. The injury kept him out of Sunday's game as well.

The exact nature of Wilson's injury beyond a lower-body issue is unknown. Wilson says it did not happen during one specific play and is not an issue he has dealt with before.

"If you look through the film of the game, you're not going to find anything," Wilson said. "It was a really weird one. It's something I've never had before so mentally I'm dealing with that a little bit too, how it's feeling and not having experienced it in the past. It's one of those things probably fairly specific to hockey, but it's something that you've just got to be careful with and it wasn't one play or another, it was just kind of an unlucky thing that happened out there during a shift."

Losing Wilson while the team is dealing with Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov all out on the NHL's COVID- 19 protocol-related absence list is not ideal, but Wilson is taking the long view of the season and trying to make sure he does not reaggravate the issue.

"It's just one of those things that you can't really push through," Wilson said. "Pushing through it might aggravate it. It's nothing too serious, but just trying to be careful with it and make sure I'm ready to go. Obviously, I want to be out there, I want to be battling with the guys, but there's lots of hockey left this year and I've just got to be smart."

Wilson will monitor how he feels Monday night and Tuesday morning after the morning skate to determine if he will be able to play.

"Lot of time before puck drop and we'll see how the body responds," Wilson said.

With so many players out, options are limited for head coach Peter Laviolette. Connor McMichael was thrust into his NHL debut on Sunday as a result of Wilson's absence.

Laviolette would not comment on any specific personnel decisions for Tuesday's game as he intends to wait on Wilson's status before making any decisions.

"I'll probably wait to find out what my options are [Tuesday] before I get into saying something that might or might not happen," Laviolette said. "I think it's always positive when a player's out there. In the same sense, it's early in the season. We want to make sure that he is ready to go and doesn't take step backwards. [Tuesday's morning skate] for me will determine a lot. Once we have some answers, internally we'll talk about who's going to fill the spots."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200621 Washington Capitals This, of course, is not the end of the journey for McMichael, but the beginning. As a first-round draft pick in 2019, much is expected of him in the future. But just getting to Washington and to his NHL debut in a time in which the coronavirus pandemic is still raging in North America is an Connor McMichael's journey from World Junior Championship to the NHL accomplishment in itself. Before it is time to get back to the work of becoming an NHL player, McMichael can be allowed a brief moment to

celebrate the day that goal first came true. by J.J. Regan “It was really exciting," McMichael said. "Obviously, this is what you work your whole life for and, obviously, a little bit of nerves, but I thought I had a good game and I had a lot of fun.” On January 5, Connor McMichael was on the bench in Edmonton as the buzzer sounded, watching as Team USA celebrated its 2-0 victory over Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.26.2021 Team Canada in the World Junior Championships. Less than one month later, McMichael was on the ice at Capital One Arena on Sunday. It was a long road to get to this point, but one that ultimately led to McMichael making his much-anticipated NHL debut.

The day after the loss to Team USA, McMichael was with his family in Ajax, Ontario. The following day, he was on a plane bound for Washington. Once he got there, however, he could not get on the ice right away. Instead, he was stuck in a hotel for seven days under quarantine.

As the team practiced and played, McMichael sat and waited.

"I was able to work out just in the hotel gym, but nothing too crazy," McMichael said. "You’re just trying to stay in shape. Yeah, there was a lot of meals getting ordered in, for sure. You couldn’t really go to a grocery store or anything when you’re in quarantine, so you just had to order every meal. And, I mean, it was good to get back outside again and get a breath of fresh air and get back on the ice.”

After seven days, four negative tests, a lot of "Schitt's Creek" on Netflix and a little bit of Fortnite, McMichael was finally able to get back on the ice.

No promises were made to McMichael on what was in store for him. The only thing the coaches could really tell him was to be ready when called upon. But his presence in Washington already spoke volumes.

The World Junior Championship final was on Jan. 5. With a seven-day quarantine, McMichael was going to miss all of training camp. Yet, the Capitals still wanted him in Washington. Even if it was just to put him on the taxi squad, it already showed just how highly valued he was by the team that he was recalled to begin with.

McMichael could see the implications, but tried not to think about it.

"I think from the day I got here, I wanted to get a spot on the team and that's kind of been my goal," McMichael said to NBC Sports Washington. "Every day I've just practiced with the guys, I try and do my best and try and crack the lineup. You don't want to think about it too much, you don't want to worry about it, you just do what you can control and if that time comes, it'll be an amazing feeling."

That amazing feeling came on Sunday.

With Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov added to the NHL's COVID-19 protocol-related absence list, a shorthanded Caps team had to reshuffle its lineup for Friday's game against the Buffalo Sabres. Though McMichael was considered in the mix, he ultimately did not play. With Tom Wilson added to the list of players out for Sunday's rematch against Buffalo, McMichael got the nod.

“I got back to the hotel and Scott Arniel called me up and told me I was going to be playing," McMichael said. "So it was exciting and the first person that I texted was my parents and they were excited too.”

Though his first game came during a pandemic with no fans in the stands, McMichael still got the full treatment. He got the solo lap during warmups and the pep talk from Laviolette who told him to "relax and have fun, enjoy it."

McMichael even got on the scoresheet, though not in the way he would have wanted. In the second period, he was called for hooking and sent to the box. His stat line for the game was 9:54 of ice time, 1 shot on goal and 2 PIM.

“I thought he was good," Laviolette said. "I thought it’s always a tall order jumping into a team, especially when you don’t have training camp or you come out of quarantine and have one real practice with the team. For him to jump into a competitive game like tonight, I thought he did a good job.” 1200622 Washington Capitals

See it: Capitals reveal blue third jersey

by J.J. Regan

The Washington Capitals revealed a third jersey for the 2021 season on Wednesday.

The jerseys are blue featuring a white W in the middle with three red stars. It was modeled after the team's 2018 Stadium Series jersey. It will be worn for seven games in the 2021 season starting with Tuesday's game against the New York Islanders and will be worn for the next three seasons.

In games the jersey is worn, the team will honor a frontline worker as the team's Blue Star of the Game. That frontline worker will receive a jersey and be an honorary member of the team's starting lineup to honor their efforts during the pandemic.

And for those fans who need to get their hands on one of these jerseys, they are officially on sale!

The games the jersey will be worn are Jan. 26 vs. the New York Islanders, Feb. 7 vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, Feb. 21 vs. the New York Rangers, March 25 vs. the New Jersey Devils, April 8 vs. the Boston Bruins, April 15 vs. the Buffalo Sabres and May 1 vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The seven dates will ensure the Caps wear the jersey once against each opponent in the East Division.

With the blue jersey, the Caps will feature four different jerseys for the season with the standard red and whites and the reverse retro jersey.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200623 Winnipeg Jets two games. That said, what might be hot this week could be vastly different the next.

"This is where so many things can happen in the next week that will Dubois boosts Jets' strength down the middle change your outcome, either injuries, the line gets cold, the matchup changes from the other team," Maurice noted. "That’s where you like to move people around."

Jeff Hamilton Maurice said just having a strong centre like Dubois in the mix, especially when you already have a player like Scheifele, is enough to cause other

teams fits. With Stastny, Adam Lowry, Jansen Harkins and Copp and The Winnipeg Jets dominated news headlines over the weekend when others also there to fill in, Maurice has the relatively easy job of finding a they traded star winger Patrik Laine and another former first-round place for them to play. selection, Jack Roslovic, to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a "Just think about it from the other coach’s point of view. Now you've got rising star in centre Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick in the 2022 to be aware of (Dubois and Scheifele) offensively and then you'll, NHL draft. possibly, because there's always the chance that we could move out Now that the initial shock of the trade has passed and the dust has Lowry to the wing — Andrew Copp came as a centre — these are all started to settle, there's work to be done. Most notably, decisions will things that are possible," he said. need to be made on where exactly Dubois is best served to play in the "We'll look at this as a real benefit to our hockey team. Good players give Jets lineup. other players opportunity to be better and I look at Pierre-Luc coming in Dubois, at the young age of 22, is already considered by hockey people and giving us a centre-ice man that forces other teams to be more aware around the NHL to be a bona fide No. 1 centre. The Jets already have and maybe you can’t keep your eyes on Mark. And for a long time here, one of those in Mark Scheifele, who plays between captain Blake for the last four years, every team in the league looked at Mark Scheifele Wheeler and Kyle Connor on the team's top line. and that Blake Wheeler combination with their size and speed, that's the group they have to get to. Pierre-Luc will put that advantage squarely in The next natural spot for Dubois would be to slide into the No. 2 hole. our favour." That's where Paul Stastny currently resides. What’s more, the Jets traded for Stastny in the off-season to fill that role and after a seemingly Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.26.2021 slow start, the 35-year-old veteran has started to catch fire with linemates Nikolaj Ehlers and Andrew Copp.

Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele, centre, on new teammate, Pierre- Luc Dubois: "He’s a guy that I’m really excited to teach and learn from and have a part of this team." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele, centre, on new teammate, Pierre- Luc Dubois: "He’s a guy that I’m really excited to teach and learn from and have a part of this team." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

If this all sounds like a problem, it's not. It's actually quite the luxury for the Jets. Strong internal competition is always a good thing, and something Winnipeg hasn't always had since relocating from Atlanta in 2011.

"The competition in the NHL is just constant... and it has been here and it's been a real nice environment for a lot of these young players to play in because we've added some young players that have developed really, really well," head coach Paul Maurice said after the Jets' optional practice Monday. "We went through a stretch of time where maybe there wasn't quite as much competition. Young players came in, they got ‘A’ jobs, they got really good jobs in terms of who they played with right away. They flourished, got paid, and then all of a sudden you're a little deeper, let's say, up front. And now numerically becomes the way that you can dole out ice time and that competition then becomes a really strong thing for your team."

Scheifele has always been a student of the game. For the last few years, he's also been the undisputed No. 1 centre on the Jets, with little competition. Confident in where he stands with the team, Scheifele is looking forward to having someone as talented as Dubois push him for ice time.

"That internal competition is great for a team — for me, for him, for every single guy. It’s going to push everyone to get better and that's what I love for my game — I want to be pushed to be the best," Scheifele said. "One thing I’ve noticed playing against him is he is so tough playing in the corners. He’s strong, he goes to the dirty areas. He’s a guy that I’m really excited to teach and learn from and have a part of this team."

Though Maurice isn't looking to have an open tryout for who will play with Dubois, the one thing he has, at least for now, is time. Because Dubois is coming from the U.S., he's required to quarantine for two weeks, making him unavailable to join the team until at least Feb. 7.

But that doesn't mean Maurice hasn't thought carefully about his options. He alluded Saturday to the possibility of moving Stastny to the wing, which is a move that wouldn't be contested by the veteran.

It's just whether Maurice would be willing to break up the line of Ehlers, Stastny and Copp — a trio that has combined for 10 points over the last 1200624 Winnipeg Jets Eric recalled the last time his son lived at home would have been sometime when he was 14 or 15 years old, before heading off to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He'll be back staying with his parents until his quarantine is over. Nobody knows newest Jet better than Moose assistant coach Pierre-Luc also spent a chunk of the off-season in Winnipeg, where after isolating he got a chance to see the city. He even bought a bike so he could better travel and see what Winnipeg had to offer. Jeff Hamilton As for being in the same organization, Eric doesn't see it being a

problem. Boundaries have long been in place, he said, at least when it There have been plenty of scouting reports on Pierre-Luc Dubois in comes to coaching — he's a dad first and foremost. recent days, ever since the young centreman was traded to the Winnipeg But he did admit that when Pierre-Luc was younger, he liked to tag along Jets as part of a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday that sent by his dad's side, eager to learn more about the game. superstar winger Patrik Laine the other way. "Early on, a lot of times I’d do video and he’d sit down with me and we’d It's been a mix of good and bad. To many, the 22-year-old Dubois is a Watch video together and he’d ask questions, where, why, why am I rising star, has strong analytics to back up his 200-foot game and his getting that clip for tomorrow for practice or video meeting. He’d have a addition makes Winnipeg one of the NHL's strongest teams down the lot of questions about those things. So I think he picked up early on about middle. Critics, which there are much fewer, see a quitter, someone who having a good stick on the ice, at reading plays, at positioning yourself in visibly gave up on his teammates during his last game with the Blue the right place on the ice, whether it was in the offensive zone or Jackets, in what is now being dubbed as The Shift. defensive zone," he said. And while he doesn't come without his own bias, Dubois' father, Eric, an "The school where he was going when he was very young was about 400 assistant coach with the Manitoba Moose, hoped to set the record metres from our arena. So instead of going out for lunch, he’d prefer to straight in a 15-minute chat with reporters Monday afternoon. Speaking come to the arena and have lunch with me. So we’d eat lunch, Watch softly, Eric explained that his son could be a passionate player, but some video and then as soon as his lunch was over, he’d go on the ice. He of the negative things being said about his attitude as a teammate and was a passionate guy about the sport." drive as a player simply aren't true. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.26.2021 While he doesn't come without his own bias, Dubois' father, Eric, an assistant coach with the Manitoba Moose, hoped to set the record straight.

"He’s very easygoing. He’s got a great sense of humour. He’s easy to get along with. That’s what’s funny because people see how intense on the ice he is, especially when he was young. He was a bad loser, so people were amazed how intense... he’d get in trouble in minor hockey for getting two or three minor penalties during a game and then off the ice he’s very quiet, very jovial and things like that," Dubois, who has been with the Moose since the 2016-17 season and lives full-time in Winnipeg, said. "So people go ‘wait a minute, he’s a totally different person.’ He likes to laugh and be around friends. He’s got a very nice group of friends back home in Montreal and they’re all great kids. That’s pretty much how he is. He’s very low key but very friendly to be around."

As for The Shift — Dubois could be seen playing lackadaisical in his final shift with the Blue Jackets, to the point head coach John Tortorella benched him for the final two periods — Eric suggested fans take that with a grain of salt. One shift, he said, doesn't tell the whole story.

"He probably played 250 games already in the NHL and I don’t know how many shifts, maybe 6,000. If you watched the game, he had two good shifts early on, where he created two good scoring chances. I’d rather remember what he could do and what he did early on than his last shift," he said. "I think that’s how you have to remember. We don’t know everything; we don’t know all that transpired on the bench that night. Even me, we haven’t talked about it. One good thing about it is he’s coming here, he’s happy to play here, he had a great conversation with Paul (Jets head coach Paul Maurice) and he’s excited. It’s a new chapter for him. Whatever happened in the past, you’ll see early on with him he forgets pretty quick. I like to do the same thing."

While Eric, who had a 12-year pro playing career, including one season with the Moose, is used to being part of a busy household, this past weekend took things to a new level. He said while his son’s future remained in the air, he was in constant contact with Pierre-Luc, fielding multiple phone calls per day, at all hours.

"He called me pretty much every hour to talk about where he might end up and if I had heard anything in Winnipeg. He woke me up twice at night and the third time he called me I just muted the sound cause I had to sleep," Eric said. "It was kind of crazy to anticipate where he could be traded to. It was especially exciting for us to see that the Jets were involved in that race. At the same time, we were kind of nervous about how that transpired, with him coming to an organization that I work for. There were some different feelings Friday and Saturday. At the end of the day, Saturday, when everything was done, we got excited."

“He’s very easygoing. He’s got a great sense of humour. He’s easy to get along with. That’s what’s funny because people see how intense on the ice he is, especially when he was young." – Eric Dubois 1200625 Winnipeg Jets

Lowry chipping in on the attack

Jason Bell

Adam Lowry is flashing some unexpected offence early in the 2021 NHL season.

The towering Winnipeg centre, known more for his command of defensive responsibilities, jammed in his third goal of the year midway through the first period of the Jets’ eventual 4-3 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night.

Lowry, positioned between Mathieu Perreault and Mason Appleton on the third line, deposited the puck past goalie Mikko Koskinen at 10:41 to open the scoring after some dogged work down low by his wingers.

Understandably, Lowry wasn’t in the mood to celebrate scoring, following a last-second loss. And he liked neither his defensive job against the fast-skating Oilers, nor his work at the faceoff dot — winning just six of 16 draws.

"It feels good. But a goal and minus two... it’s tough, you want to contribute but I didn’t win faceoffs and couldn’t keep the puck out of our net," Lowry said. "I lost a couple key draws at the end and we weren’t able to get the kill. It’s nice to get points but it’s just better to win games, I guess."

He had just four goals in 49 games during the abbreviated 2019-21 season.

Finding the back of the net during his final season with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League wasn’t much of a conundrum for Lowry, who fired 45 goals during the 2012-13 campaign, a year after the Jets drafted him in the third round.

His role in Winnipeg has been vastly dissimilar, with a primary focus on prevention, yet he’s commonly in commotions around the opposing net and gets his fair share of looks. Case in point was a couple of quality chances in the final frame, although he couldn’t convert.

The game opener was also just the 60th goal in his 414th game of a career now into its seventh season.

But three tallies in six contests is, indeed, a solid start.

Jet goalie Laurent Brossoit said offensive contributions from less-likely sources is invaluable, and takes pressure off usual point-producers such as Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor.

"That’s the way to build a team that will go deep in a playoff series, those are the type of teams you want to build. You want to build four lines up," he said. "When you have guys like Lows, Copper (Andrew Copp) producing and being part of the offence, that’s not necessarily their job but it’s a great sign for a united team."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.26.2021 1200626 Winnipeg Jets group of friends back home in Montreal and they’re all great kids. That’s pretty much how he is. He’s very low key but very friendly to be around.”

Pierre-Luc also has some familiarity with Winnipeg. When the NHL shut Special time for Moose assistant coach Eric Dubois, with his son joining down last spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pierre-Luc rushed Jets organization to Winnipeg so he could spend the time with his parents and sister.

The whole family was together for five weeks

Ted Wyman “We just had a good time,” Eric said. “Like he mentioned (Sunday), we bought two bikes so we had three bikes and we’d go together. We’d ride Assiniboine Park a lot during that time. It was fun for us, as parents, to have both kids with us. We could see that our two kids also were Eric Dubois didn’t get a whole lot of sleep last Friday night, his phone reconnecting and spending time together. A lot of times they’d go in the ringing repeatedly with his 22-year-old son on the line, asking for advice. basement together to watch a movie. Me and my wife would stay “He called me pretty much every hour to talk about where he might end upstairs. It was quality time, as we say.” up and if I had heard anything in Winnipeg,” Dubois said of his 22-year- Pierre-Luc has often said that having a coach for a father helped mould old son, Pierre-Luc, who, at the time, was a Columbus Blue Jackets’ him into the player he is today. He learned all about paying attention to centre. details and doing all the little things right long before he had realistic “He woke me up twice at night and the third time he called me I just dreams of becoming a pro hockey player. muted the sound cause I had to sleep. It was kind of crazy to anticipate “He’s always been very passionate about the game,” Eric said. “Early on, where he could be traded to. It was especially exciting for us to see that a lot of times I’d do video and he’d sit down with me and we’d Watch the Jets were involved in that race.” video together and he’d ask questions. Eric has been part of the Winnipeg Jets organization, as an assistant “I think he picked up early on about having a good stick on the ice, at coach with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League, for the reading plays, at positioning yourself in the right place on the ice, last four years. whether it was in the offensive zone or defensive zone. That’s what he’s He and his wife, Jill, live in Winnipeg full-time, so the idea that their son talking about right now, it’s not that I coached him, it’s just that he spent might get traded to the Jets was tantalizing. so much time around me early on.

Sure enough, come Saturday morning, the Jets and Blue Jackets pulled “The school where he was going when he was very young was about 400 off a blockbuster, with Pierre-Luc coming to Winnipeg in exchange for metres from our arena. So instead of going out for lunch, he’d prefer to star winger Patrik Laine and 2015 first-round draft pick Jack Roslovic. come to the arena and have lunch with me. So we’d eat lunch, Watch video and then as soon as his lunch was over, he’d go on the ice. That’s Father and son will now be working for the same organization and, for where he learned a lot, I guess.” the first time in a long time, living in the same city. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.26.2021 “Me and my wife are really excited about having our son back in town,” Eric said. “I was trying to remember the last time he stayed at home and it was probably when he was 15 or 14 or something like that. We haven’t had him that close for a long, long time. It’s nice to see and I’m sure mommy was just as excited as I was. It was fun.”

Eric Dubois was his son’s coach when Pierre-Luc was growing up, but now the two will have little interaction, professionally.

Eric, 50, handles the defence for the Moose, while Pierre-Luc is a two- way centre with star potential who will have no association with the Jets’ minor league affiliate.

“My boundary is that I work for the Moose, first and foremost,” Eric said. “My job is to help the next generation of defencemen for the Jets. So that’s my job. After that I’m a dad and if he needs to talk or needs to reach me, I’m there for him. But that’s about it.”

Pierre-Luc certainly wanted his dad’s advice as he was waiting on a trade from Columbus, where he had a sour relationship with tough head coach John Tortorella.

Pierre-Luc first asked for a trade during the off-season when talks for a long-term contract stalled. He then signed a two-year bridge deal, but didn’t rescind the trade request.

It all came to a head last week when Pierre-Luc went through the motions on a first-period shift and Tortorella benched him for the rest of the game,

Eric hopes people won’t judge Pierre-Luc based on that shift alone. Like his son, he pointed to thousands of other shifts he’s taken in which he’s given 100%. He pointed out that Pierre-Luc actually generated two scoring chances on his previous shifts in that fateful game. Eric believes there’s much more to his son than the impression some people may have formed.

“He’s very easy going,” Eric said. “He’s got a great sense of humour. He’s easy to get along with. That’s what’s funny because people see how intense on the ice he is, especially when he was young. He was a bad loser so people were amazed how intense he was.

“And then, off the ice he’s very quiet, very jovial and things like that. So people go ‘Wait a minute, he’s a totally different person.’ He’s an easy- going kid. Likes to laugh and be around friends. He’s got a very nice 1200627 Winnipeg Jets Rookie Logan Stanley, a 2016 first-round draft pick who has taken a few years to start reaching his potential, is off to a pretty solid start to his NHL career.

JETS SNAPSHOTS: Stastny fine with giving it a go on the wing Stanley has played five games for the Jets and has handled himself well. At 6-foot-7, 230 pounds he is showing he can handle the physical aspects of the game but he’s also done a good job with his stick, taking away passing lanes and making some crisp breakout passes. Ted Wyman Stanley’s coach for two seasons with the Manitoba Moose of the

American Hockey League sees a 22-year-old who is coming into his own. Just a few months ago, Paul Stastny was a prize acquisition for the “I like the way he’s playing,” Moose coach Pascal Vincent said. “We Winnipeg Jets amid their search to find a quality second-line centre. could tell at training camp he was stronger and faster. For defencemen it Now, less than two weeks into his second stint with the Jets, in this takes a little bit more time, most of the time, but I think he’s responding condensed 2021 NHL season, Stastny is looking at a whole new depth really well. I see composure in his games and he’s making good plays chart that doesn’t make it obvious where exactly he’ll fit in. with the puck.”

On Saturday, the Jets pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, shipping out wingers Jack Roslovic and Patrik Laine in Vincent said Stanley has underrated skills that people sometimes don’t exchange for high-end centre Pierre-Luc Dubois. see because of his size. Presumably, when Dubois finishes his two-week quarantine, he “People don’t know how good he can be with the puck. He can make immediately becomes the second-line centre behind Mark Scheifele, those little plays and he can make those hard passes on the tape, leaving Stastny to make a move. keeping the game simple. He has a presence. Jets coach Paul Maurice has suggested he could try Stastny on the wing, “For some players, in some weird way, it’s easier to play in the NHL. It’s possibly on a line with Dubois and Nikolaj Ehlers and the 35-year-old obviously way faster, but players are where they’re supposed to be on veteran is open to the idea. the ice. There’s less confusion. So for a player like Logan, having the “I think I’ll try anything,” Stastny said in a one-on-one interview Monday. options always being available for him when he touches the puck, it makes the game a little bit easier.” “I was talking to (Jets captain Blake Wheeler) about it and we just want to win. If that works out, good. If it doesn’t, then we’ll find a way to maximize Stanley has no points and a plus-3 rating so far this season. He led the the potential for our team. team in shot attempts on Sunday night against the Edmonton Oilers, with eight. “As you get older, you realize how hard it is to win, how few chances there are, and you’re willing to do anything. That’s where I’m at in my INTERNAL COMPETITION career, where Wheels is at, and the biggest priority is to sacrifice to help Scheifele is the Jets’ unquestioned No. 1 centre, but there will soon be a the team win.” 1A on the ice when Dubois joins the team. Stastny is in his 16th NHL season and has been around hockey his entire Scheifele said Monday he welcomes the internal competition. life. His dad, Peter, is an NHL Hall of Famer. “For sure, I think it’s gonna push everyone, me included,” Scheifele said. He understands the importance of players adjusting to changing roles. “Having a guy of his calibre on our team, first and foremost, makes our He also understands why the Jets would jump at the chance to acquire a team a better team. player like Dubois, who is just 22 and is blessed with size, skills and two- way playing ability. “He’s a fantastic player, solid at both ends of the ice. One thing I’ve noticed in playing against him is he is so tough playing in the corners. “This adds more depth ,with a dynamic player who can play a 200-foot He’s strong, he goes to the dirty areas. He’s a guy that I’m really excited game,” said Stastny, who can become an unrestricted free agent at the to teach and learn from and have a part of this team.” end of the season. Dubois arrived in Winnipeg Saturday and could be in quarantine until “I’m excited about it because I think it makes our team better in different Feb. 6. ways. But when he joins the team, he’ll bring a high-end scoring ability to go “It’s a good sign when management does something that makes a team along with size and strength. become deeper down the middle. A lot of teams that are successful have depth at centre and then they kind of work around that, whether it’s “I’m very excited to get him on the ice, whenever that is,” Scheifele said. making two top lines or separating it out to three or four lines and “That internal competition is great for a team — for me, for him, for every creating tough matchups for all the other teams.” single guy. It’s gonna push everyone to get better and that’s what I love for my game — I want to be pushed to be the best.” Stastny has a goal and three assists in six games so far this year and has looked strong in the last few games, centring Ehlers and Andrew Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.26.2021 Copp.

If he moves to the wing, it will be something relatively new for Stastny, who has also played for Colorado, St. Louis and Vegas in his lengthy career.

“Not too much… I’ve dabbled here and there,” he said. “In today’s game it’s different from what it was 10 years ago, maybe 15 years ago.

“Now there’s so much flow in the game, there’s so much energy. Whether it’s in the offensive zone, defensive zone, neutral zone, all these players can adapt and adjust to where they are. The transition, for me, is not as tough as it used to be. Before, if you were a centre or a winger, you literally did one thing up and down and were in the same spots all the time. Now, the game has gotten so fast that you just adapt to the situation as the game’s going on.”

PRAISING STANLEY 1200628 Winnipeg Jets “And that’s part of that maturity, when you can get your mind focused on the game, the next game. And from the last game to the next game you’re doing all the things you need to do to be really good. We find that in mature players.” Confident Ehlers playing his best hockey for Jets in early going For his part, Ehlers wasn’t too interested in talking about himself.

Asked what is working so well during a stretch in which he has scored a Ted Wyman goal in each of the last four games, he brought up his linemates, Stastny and Andrew Copp.

“I’m playing with two guys that are great,” Ehlers said. “They’re really Throughout his first five seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, winger Nikolaj smart players. They’re able to hold the puck in the O-zone and make a Ehlers always showed blazing speed, a strong understanding of the pass like (Stastny) did (Sunday on my goal), so that makes it easier too.” game and flashes of brilliance, but you always had the sense that there was something even more dynamic to come. “I feel good. I think the last three games I’ve really been able to use my speed in the right moments. I’ve been trying to shoot the puck a little So far this season, Ehlers has taken all of his hockey attributes to a new more too.” level. There’s no doubt it was a tough weekend for Ehlers. His best friend on The 24-year-old from Denmark is playing his best hockey through six the team, Patrik Laine, was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Jets games so far and it’s not just about his impressive offensive Saturday. numbers — four goals and three assists. Ehlers took it like a pro and went out and had two great games, recording Ehlers is showing tremendous confidence in handling the puck, in a goal and an assist in a win over the Ottawa Senators and a third-period backing down defenders as he makes zone entries at high speed, in game-tying goal in a heart-breaking, last-second loss to the Oilers on trying creative things to make passes, in diving to get his stick on pucks Sunday. at both ends, in finding a scoring touch. His teammates are certainly taking notice. His linemate, veteran centre Paul Stastny, believes it can be traced back to last summer, when Ehlers finally scored a couple of playoff goals after “He’s been fantastic,” Jets centre Mark Scheifele said. “Ever since he got going scoreless in 22 previous post-season appearances. here, he’s been pushing himself more and more every day. That’s what we love to see. — a guy who comes to the rink every single day and puts “One thing is he had a good playoff, he finally scored, and he got to relax his best foot forward. a little bit,” Stasnty said Monday. “He’s been driving, he’s been in all the right areas. He’s doing everything “That might help a guy take a step to the next level. There’s little things that we want him to do and more. We definitely look to him for offensive like that in a game or in the off-season, that happen as you’re maturing spark. He’s got so much speed, so much skill. We need him, on this and getting older and they just give you a little extra confidence. He came team, to do that in order to be successful.” into camp from Day 1 just happy to be here and excited. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.26.2021 “He’s hard on himself, saying he should have made a better play or whatever, and he’s constantly trying to work on improving those little aspects of his game that maybe he’s not known for.”

Ehlers scored the game-winner in Game 2 of the Jets play-in round series against the Calgary Flames last August and then got the opening goal of Game 3.

Though the Jets lost the series three games to one, it was a bit of a breakout for Ehlers, who simply could not find the net for the longest time in the biggest games.

“He’s been around for a while, but he’s still young and a lot of people forget that,” Stastny said. “Everyone’s hard on guys but these kids are still developing and still getting better. I think there used to be a time when everyone thought you would peak at 26 or 27 and now, with science and the way the guys train and develop, they come in at an earlier age and they just keep getting better every year, doing little things.

“That’s what the top guys do. They know their strengths and they want to work on other things that will make them a better overall player. You can see that with Fly. On practice days or off days he’s always trying to pick people’s brains to make himself better.”

Jets coach Paul Maurice said Monday he 100% agreed that Ehlers is playing his best hockey right now and that’s exactly what he expected out of him.

“Now we’re getting to a level of consistency with him,” Maurice said. “And then maturity and strength, right? He’s starting to learn how to be a really good pro.”

As an example, Maurice held up the fact that Ehlers was one of only a handful of players who took part in an optional practice on Monday.

The Jets, who play the Oilers again on Tuesday night, were just coming off games on back-to-back nights and had just played three in four nights and five in seven nights.

While many veterans took the day to rest up and heal bumps and bruises, Ehlers was out there working on his craft on Monday.

“He was sick about a week and a half ago,” Maurice said. “But he’s on the ice today That’s maybe a small thing but it goes to the question: What is it that his body needs to be good? 1200629 Vancouver Canucks Demko wasn’t done. On an early third-period power play, he stopped Brown on a feed in to the crease and was then run over. He recovered to stop a hot slot shot on the same man advantage.

Canucks 7, Senators 1: Demko finally finds form, Sutter nets neat hat “In my first three games, it was something where the goals I was letting in trick and the times I was letting them in would get the game out of reach and that was something I really wanted to focus on,” stressed Demko. “It’s Here’s what we learned as the Canucks started strong and got a hat trick timely saves and making sure than when they do get chances in from the rejuvenated Brandon Sutter in a 7-1 triumph to open a three- situations like that, I can come up big and give the chance to pull away.” game set with the Senators: Hughes would then score in the third period before Olli Juolevi wired home his first career goal from the point.

Ben Kuzma “It was a real well-rounded effort and we stuck with it the whole game,” said Demko. “We didn’t dip. Sometimes when you get up in games, you

can get a little sloppy but we took it to them and it was a great job.” It had to come to this for the struggling Vancouver Canucks. HIGHLIGHT-REEL SUTTER When was a goaltender going to steal a game? Okay, win a game? And Sutter was moved from wing back to his customary centre position to that’s not a shot at Braden Holtby or Thatcher Demko. help stop the bleeding. A disturbing lack of defensive support has slowed their transition into a “Putting Suds in the middle might help us calm down a bit with how we’re new tandem that should be better than numbing numbers that have their defending and the chances we’re giving up,” Green reasoned before the heads on a swivel. It has contributed to five losses in the previous six game. “So we wanted to make that move.” games and made Monday’s meeting with the Ottawa Senators a must- win scenario. Aside from the diligence to play the role at both ends of the ice, Sutter has been more of a playmaker than sniper. Not recently. For the second- So, how about a determined down-low presence, body-on-body boxing consecutive game, he has gone to the slot with authority and scored. out and back pressure, instead of an outrageous number of odd-man rushes and breakaways? On Monday, it was taking a hit in the slot, falling to the ice and having the presence to backhand a rebound off an Alex Edler backhander high “Our team defence was great tonight,” said Demko. “Obviously, it comes glove to open scoring. And in the second period, it was sprinting away to light in the D-zone and in transition, but when you’re forechecking well while killing a penalty, taking an Antoine Roussel pass and going high and you’re reloading hard and guys are getting back through the middle, stick on Matt Murray. those are things that add up and deter the other team from creating those scoring chances. Sutter then capped off a hat trick performance with a late-game dash and deke and got a big hug from captain Bo Horvat. “Just a good effort for the defence and the forwards helping them out. And enough was enough for me. It was tough the first three starts of the “It feels pretty good actually because you never know if you’re going to year and not getting a win. That’s not the guy I want to be. I want to get get one,” Sutter said of needing 735 games with three NHL teams to wins and every game is different and it’s going to require a different kind notch a three-goal game. “It only took 13 years and I was pretty pumped of game and being able to adapt.” and Bo was excited for me. It was a good win for our team and a little bit of confidence. On Monday, they made it easier, but Demko looked more like playoff Demko with a 35-save performance. “It was our start through the neutral zone and not giving up the odd-man rushes and we definitely took away time and space up the middle and “We just needed to get a win and, more importantly, play a solid game for they didn’t get chances off the rush. Everyone just needs to simplify and I 60 minutes,” said Canucks coach Travis Green. “And I thought we know that sounds a little cliche, but tonight was our most solid game. It’s accomplished that tonight.” just trying to find our game and when we do, our skilled guys will take Here’s what we learned as the Canucks started strong and got the first over.” career hat trick from the rejuvenated Brandon Sutter in a 7-1 triumph to As for his goal outburst, Sutter was taking the high road instead of open a three-game set with the Senators: beating his chest. Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) fails to get a shot past “I don’t really think about it too much,” he added. “The first one was a Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) during first NHL routine play. It’s a good forecheck and we got a turnover and a shot from action in Vancouver on Monday January 25, 2021. ORG XMIT: the point and I whacked it in. Then the short-handed one and the last one JOHV101 in the last minute I was at least going to try it (deke). I’m just feeling good DEMKO IS DIALLED IN and healthy and got my feet moving quicker.”

It was evident early that Demko has started to find his game. Vancouver Canucks defenseman Olli Juolevi (48) clears Ottawa Senators centre Josh Norris (9) from in front of Vancouver Canucks With nothing to show but frustration with an 0-3-0 record and a league goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) during first NHL action in Vancouver on worst 5.47 goal-against average to go with an .866 saves percentage, he Monday, January 25, 2021. ORG XMIT: JOHV103 vowed to keep putting in the work and not getting down. It paid dividends Monday. HOGLANDER’S HUSTLE

From the outset, the towering stopper was calm, square and confident. For a moment in the second period, there was that eerie feeling.

It provided the foundation for the Canucks. Early stops with Josh Norris The Senators had closed the gap to 2-1 and had some life until a in his crease and Thomas Chabot unleashing a hot shot off the wing memorable rush by rookie winger Nils Hoglander that was a clip and were followed by getting a glove on one breakaway that went off the save. crossbar. Demko then refused to bite on a deke by Connor Brown with It started when he bolted through the neutral zone, put the puck off the 22 seconds remaining in the opening period to keep his club up 2-0. side wall, beat a defender and then executed a diving sweeping pass to And even though the Senators would close the gap midway through the Tanner Pearson in the slot. The winger connected for his first goal and a second period when a Chabot point shot deflected in off Austin Watson, 3-1 lead as Hoglander collected his fourth point. who was sandwiched between Tyler Myers and Quinn Hughes in front of “He’s a smart little player,” said Green. “Works extremely hard and isn’t a screened Demko, the stopper didn’t flinch. afraid to go to hard places to win a puck battle. He might have games He then provided a pair of power play saves to turn a 3-1 lead into a 4-1 where he misses some little details in our structure, but that’s going to advantage. First, it was a strong post-to-post move to thwart Norris and happen with a young player. You have a lot of time for them when they then a scramble to stop Artem Anisimov. It led to Sutter’s second goal of compete hard and want to get better.” the night, a short-handed effort. MOTTE HAS MOXIE Little things make a big difference.

When Tyler Motte hustled to keep a puck in along the wall in the O-zone, he then rimmed it linemate Jay Beagle behind the net and made a straight-line dash to the slot. He took a return pass and snapped home his third goal of the season to give the Canucks a rare two-goal cushion.

“It’s about finding our identity as fast as possible and we’re still searching for it,” Beagle said ahead of the game. “It’s not going to come in one game, it’s going to come over time and it’s a matter of just doing the right things repeatedly. No one is harder on us than the guys in the room.

“We have to be fast, detailed and structured. You do that and the wins start coming.”

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200630 Vancouver Canucks mass to battle harder with just three hits, no blocked shots, a minus-5 rating and one goal through six games.

And now he’s sitting out again. Canucks notebook: Zack MacEwen is measuring up as willing, grinding “I just decided to go with a different looks and I’m not going to get into winger things I talk about with individual players,” said Green. 'Our guys know what Mac is all about — a big guy who works and is hard THE SUTTER SOLUTION to play against with an in-your-face game and good hands.' — Canucks coach Travis Green on Zack MacEwen. Brandon Sutter can wing it, but he’s a centre by trade.

Every NHL team needs a strong third line that can be good defensively and contribute in transition. The latest Canucks’ version is a trio Ben Kuzma responsible enough and get through the neutral zone and getting on the forecheck to make something happen.

Zack MacEwen is a good story. With Sutter sporting a surprising 53.3 per cent efficiency in faceoffs — compared to 41.7 for Gaudette — puck possession alone was going to An undrafted winger with a wicked work ethic and old-school mentality. increase. So was Sutter’s understanding of the position which translated from playmaker to sniper with a highlight-reel drive to the net and For everything that’s troubling the Vancouver Canucks, they don’t have backhand goal Saturday. to look far to see how they must attack to be effective and command respect. “I hate to lose him off my line — I want to keep him because he’s a huge player for our group and in the room,” said centre Jay Beagle. “To be MacEwen played in fifth game of the season Monday against the Ottawa able to go from wing to centre, there was never a doubt because he’s Senators on an alignment with Brandon Sutter and Jake Virtanen. Part of such a smart player and reads the game so well. it was to help get the Canucks back to an aggressive forecheck and part was a reward system. “He’s easy to play with and makes guys around him better. He’s a natural centre and you can and see it when he plays.” What the Canucks aren’t getting from struggling centre Adam Gaudette — a healthy scratch for the second-consecutive game Monday — they’re Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.26.2021 getting from the 24-year-old MacEwen with his wrecking-ball bravado in measured minutes.

It could be a hit, causing a turnover or showing surprising speed and skill like he did Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens. In the second period, he bolted from the corner to slip a perfect cross-ice, backhand feed to a charging Jake Virtanen, who forced Carey Price to make a tough right-pad save.

“Our guys know what Mac is all about — a big guy who works and is hard to play against with an in-your-face game and good hands,” said Canucks coach Travis Green. “Our guys want to be competitive and each one brings it in his own way.”

A 6-foot-3, 205 pound winger who will pound the opposition, drop the gloves and contribute to the bottom-six mix is what has always excited the Canucks about the Charlottetown, P.E.I. native. He teased of NHL potential last season with five goals in 17 games and also appeared in six post-season games. His 58.8 Corsi-For puck possession percentage at even strength led the club heading into Monday’s matchup.

Above all, MacEwen is grateful for franchise support and is a bargain at an $850,000 (all figures in U.S. dollars) salary cap hit and $700,000 in actual income this season.

“You have to get a feel for the lifestyle and everything that it takes to get there (NHL) and stay there,” he said at the outset of last season. “It’s a good feeling to be noticed because it keeps me on my toes to develop all aspects of my game. They’ve put the time and effort into me to develop andI’m taking in as much as I can.”

GAUDETTE’S GROWING PAINS

Adam Gaudette was a man on a mission well before training camp.

The gregarious and social-media conscious third-line centre knew he was on a show-us contract this season — a one-year, one-way $950,000 extension — and was adamant he could address franchise concerns or needs. Especially if asked to play wing in the top six with the departure of Tyler Toffoli and uncertainty to how rookie Nils Hoglander would acclimate to the NHL.

“Every year, I feel like I have to up what I did before to stay relevant in the league and not be overlooked with all these young guys coming in,” he said before camp. “It fits my thinking and my style of play with that F.U. mentality on the ice and letting the team know I want to be a big impact player.”

The returns haven’t been great on the ice with performance, or off it with an ongoing health problem.

Gaudette, 24, battles a digestive ailment that prevents him from eating full meals and keeping his weight above 170 pounds. It has plagued him since high school. On the ice, that translates to not having the muscle 1200631 Vancouver Canucks 2019-20 stats: 67 games, 8-45-53, minus-10 2020-21 stats: 7 GP 0-6-6, minus-7

MONEY MATTERS: The Canucks are getting Hughes ($916,667) and Canucks: Did Thomas Chabot's deal set a standard for Quinn Hughes' Pettersson ($925,000) for a combined $1.84 million this season, or the extension? equivalent of a veteran depth player. They aren’t going to get that bang Steve Ewen looks at the contract situation of Quinn Hughes and fellow for the buck again anytime soon. The Canucks have defenceman Alex pending restricted free-agent defencemen Cale Makar, Mika Heiskanen Edler ($6 million), forward Brandon Sutter ($4.375 million) and winger and Rasmus Dahlin Tanner Pearson ($3.75 million) set to become unrestricted free agents after the season. They join Pettersson and Hughes among 10 players on the current 23-man roster who are pending restricted or unrestricted free agents. Winger Loui Eriksson ($6 million) is on the books until after the Steve Ewen end of next season, and the same goes for the Roberto Luongo recapture penalty ($3.035 million). The Canucks will have $22.86 million to spend on 10 players next season, according to capfriendly.com. Thomas Chabot’s visit to Rogers Arena to face the Vancouver Canucks this week comes at a fitting time. Thomas Chabot

Chabot, the fourth-year Ottawa Senators defenceman, is a contract Draft: 2015 first round, No. 18 overall by Ottawa comparable to Vancouver rearguard Quinn Hughes, who’s looking for an 2019-20 stats: 71 games, six goals, 33 assists, 39 points, minus-18 plus- extension from the Canucks with his three-year, entry-level deal set to minus expire at the end of this season. 20120-21 stats: 5 GP 1-1-2, minus-1. Centre Elias Pettersson is the bookend building block to Hughes with Vancouver and he, too, needs a new deal since his initial contract with MONEY MATTERS: Ottawa has finished 30th, 31st, and 30th the past the club is up at the close of the campaign. That situation had another three seasons and their rebuild continues. They have the league’s lowest layer added to it on Sunday with word that Pettersson had recently payroll, according to capfriendly.com, sitting $12 million under the cap. changed agents, leaving Michael Deutsch to sign on with Pat Brisson, That gives them plenty of room for a new deal for forward Brady whose includes Hughes among his clients. Tkachuk, whose entry-level contract is up at the end of this season.

Brisson heads up CAA Hockey, alongside JP Barry. Cale Makar

Pettersson, 22, and Hughes, 21, are both pending restricted free agents Age: 22 and unable to bolt if they don’t like what’s happening with the Canucks. Draft: 2017 first round, No. 4 overall by Colorado Chabot, who turns 24 on Saturday, signed an eight-year extension with an annual cap hit of $8 million (all figures in U.S. dollars) on Sept. 19, 2019-20 stats: 57 games, 12-38-50, plus-12 2019. 2020-21 stats: 6 GP, 0-5-5, plus-2 Some late night thoughts on the Pettersson agent switch: among other MONEY MATTERS: Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog ($5.571 things, this puts Quinn Hughes in a much stronger negotiating position million) will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. The same than he would be flying solo as a 10.2(c) player.https://t.co/yBXRJgwrNi goes for goaltender Philipp Grubauer ($3.333 million). They’re among — Patrick Johnston (@risingaction) January 25, 2021 nine pending restricted or unrestricted free agents with the Avalanche. They do have defenceman Samuel Girard ($5 million) locked up through Chabot led Ottawa in minutes played per game (24:17) and finished with the 2026-27 campaign and winger ($9.25 million) 14 goals and 55 points in 70 games In 2018-19, the season before he through 2025-26. Star centre Nathan MacKinnon ($6.3 million) is set to signed his contract. That put him 10th in scoring amongst defencemen in become an unrestricted free agent after 2022-23, so they do need to the league. He was 15th in ice time for defencemen per game in the NHL account for a raise there. that season. Miro Heiskanen Ottawa also dealt away marquee forwards Mark Stone and Matt Duchene at the trade deadline that campaign. Age: 21

Chabot led all skaters in the league in ice time per game (26:00) last Draft: 2017 first round, No. 3 overall by Dallas season. He was 22nd in scoring amongst defencemen (six goals, 33 2019-20 stats: 68 games, 8-27-35, plus-12 assists, 39 points, 71 games). 2020-21 stats: 2 games, 0-1-1, even Hughes was fifth amongst NHL defencemen in scoring last season with eight goals and 45 assists for 53 points in 69 games. The Canucks MONEY MATTERS: The Stars have 10 players slated to become either record for points in a season by a rearguard belongs to Doug Lidster, restricted or unrestricted free agents. The biggest ticket in that is forward who had 63 points in 80 games in 1986-87. Andrew Cogliano ($3.25 million). They do have considerable money tied up long term, led by forwards Tyler Seguin ($9.85 million), who is signed Hughes was 55th among NHL rearguards and second amongst Canucks through 2026-27, and Jamie Benn ($9.5 million), who is signed through defencemen in ice time per game (21:53), trailing Alex Edler (22:37). 2024-25. Here’s a look at his situation and those of Hughes and fellow pending Rasmus Dahlin restricted free-agent defencemen Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), Miro Heiskanen (Dallas Stars) and Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres). Age: 20 Stats are before Monday night’s games. Draft: 2018 first round, No. 1 overall by Buffalo Makar edged out Hughes for the NHL rookie of the year last season 2019-20: 59 games, 4-36-40, minus-7 The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that the NHL salary cap could stick at $81.5 million per team for multiple seasons. That didn’t seem to affect 2020-21: 6 games, 0-0-0, minus-5 the higher end unrestricted free agents this off-season, though. The MONEY MATTERS: The Sabres have 13 players slated to come off the Vegas Golden Knights made Alex Pietrangelo (eight years, $8.8 million) books this off-season, but there are bigger names in their group than with the league’s fifth highest-paid defenceman for this season, while the Dallas. Buffalo’s pending unrestricted free agent group includes forwards Calgary Flames made Jacob Markstrom (six years, $6 million) the 10th Taylor Hall ($8 million) and Eric Staal ($3.25 million), while centre Sam highest paid goaltender. Reinhart ($5.25 million) is set to become a restricted free agent.

Quinn Hughes Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.26.2021 Draft: 2018 first round, No. 7 overall by Vancouver 1200632 Vancouver Canucks Tanner Pearson — Bo Horvat — Nils Hoglander Zack MacEwen — Brandon Sutter — Jake Virtanen

Antoine Roussel — Jay Beagle — Tyler Motte Canucks Game Night: Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes are key to unlocking victory door Defence

Visiting Ottawa Senators give the struggling Canucks an opportunity to Alex Edler — Nate Schmidt get back on track Quinn Hughes — Jordie Benn

Olli Juolevi — Tyler Myers Ben Kuzma Goalies:Thatcher Demko, Braden Holtby

SPECIAL TEAMS NEXT GAMES Senators:PP 15.0% (21st) PK 75.0% (21st) Ottawa Senators (1-3-1) at Vancouver Canucks (2-5-0) Canucks:PP 13.8% (22nd) PK 73.5% (25th) Tonight: 7 p.m., TV: Sportsnet, Sportsnet 650 AM SICK BAY Wednesday: 5 p.m., TV: Sportsnet, Sportsnet 650 AM Senators:Cedric Paquette (IR). Thursday: 7 p.m., TV: Sportsnet, Sportsnet 650 AM Canucks:Travis Hamonic (IR), Jalen Chatfield (day-to-day), Micheal FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME Ferland (LTIR), Jayce Hawryluk (LTIR).

1. Back to basics: Did Sunday’s practice address a myriad of problems? STATS PACKAGE After Saturday’s 5-2 loss to Montreal, the Canucks had given up the third-most turnovers in the NHL with 60. They were also first in penalties Season series(2019-20) (38), most PP goals against (9), most PP chances (34) and goals given Senators (1-1-0) GF 7 up at even strength (20). Canucks (1-1-0) GF 7 2. Pettersson’s momentum: Elias Pettersson unleashed early power play shots Saturday that went off the shoulder of Carey Price and hit the post. Previous scores Pettersson then scored his first goal of the season with a deft slot deflection of Jordie Benn’s point shot as the centre started moving better (home team in caps) playing more on instinct. Dec. 3, 2019: VANCOUVER 5, Ottawa 2

3. Hughes takes aim: The Canucks ranked second Sunday in points by Feb. 27, 2020: OTTAWA 5, Vancouver 2 defencemen (17), but only Tyler Myers and Nate Schmidt have scored from the back end. Quinn Hughes led NHL blueliners with 21 shots after TEAM SCORING LEADERS Saturday, but the PP1 QB needs to start picking corners. He had eight goals last season. (2019-20) SENATORS vs. CANUCKS 4. Net gain or loss?: Braden Holtby was last goalie off the ice Monday morning in a skate with the taxi squad, but is not getting the back-to-back Bobby Ryan 3 0 3 +3 call. He has yet to establish his game and an 3.70 GAA and .888 saves percentage are proof, but he does have both wins. Thatcher Demko and Chris Tierney 0 3 3 +2 Matt Murray are getting the respective starts and are also struggling Thomas Chabot 0 2 2 +6 early. Demko has given up 16 goals and is 0-3-0 with the league’s second worst 5.47 GAA, to go with an .866 saves percentage. Murray is CANUCKS vs. SENATORS 1-2-1 and has allowed 14 goals with a 3.79 GAA and .880 saves percentage. Elias Pettersson 1 1 2 -1

5. Pressuring the Sens: Winless in fourth straight, Ottawa took bad J.T. Miller 1 1 2 -3 penalties Saturday in a 6-3 loss at Winnipeg. With third most infractions Adam Gaudette 0 2 2 +3 at 31 as of Sunday, the Senators are vulnerable with a poor penalty kill. The Canucks need to draw penalties, allow first unit to strike after going Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.26.2021 0-for-3 Saturday.

PROJECTED SENATORS LINEUP

Forwards

Brady Tkachuk — Josh Norris — Drake Batherson

Tim Stutzle — Chris Tierney — Connor Brown

Nick Paul — Artem Anisimov — Evgenii Dadonov

Alex Galchenyuk — Colin White — Austin Watson

Defence

Thomas Chabot — Nikita Zaitsev

Mike Reilly -Josh Brown

Christian Wolanin — Erik Gudbranson

Goalies:Matt Murray, Marcus Hogberg

PROJECTED CANUCKS LINEUP

Forwards

J.T. Miller Elias — Pettersson — Brock Boeser 1200633 Vancouver Canucks But I will say that I think the debate around his running of this team is only going to get more intense as the season wears on.

Tonight, Benning gets to dine on the fruits of his labour. The Armies: Brandon Sutter has Baton Rouge on speed dial But tomorrow? Who knows what’s ahead of us.

“The good thing about the mob is they keep giving you second chances.” By Wyatt Arndt Jan 26, 2021 Best scratch and win

THE #CANUCKS MUST OF HAD A V8 I believe it was noted district attorney Harvey Dent who once said: “You THEY'RE BUZZZZZZIN either retire a hero, or live long enough to see people debating your job status on Twitter.” — TOMMY (@TOMMYKIPPES) JANUARY 26, 2021

Which is exactly where we found ourselves heading into Monday’s game. The good news is the Lotto Line burst out of the gates with renewed Start a season like the Vancouver Canucks did, and you’re bound to purpose, and looked more focused than they have all season: have people arguing about what the root cause of it is. The bad news is they were held off the scoresheet and their most And let’s be honest. Pro sports? It has commitment issues. Sure, it lets memorable moment on the ice was the double eff-bomb dropped by J.T. you keep a toothbrush in the bathroom and a couple of shirts in the Miller. closet, but move in fully? Hold on there bucko, we’re not there yet. It was probably the nicest on-ice cursing this town has seen in five years, So it should be no surprise that with a team struggling like Vancouver though. has, that talk in Canucks Nation seemed to zero in on the potential future of Jim Benning. A 2-5 start doesn’t seem like the worst thing in the world JT MILLER FILLING IN FOR THE LATE PAVEL DEMITRA WITH THE but never underestimate the power of emotional baggage. HEAVILY EXCESS F BOMBS CLEARLY HEARD ON TV IS THE 2021 I WANT! #CANUCKS Benning and the city of Vancouver have been together for almost seven years now. What might have been a casual discussion early on has now — THEE LEGO BATMAN (@MSTAD101) JANUARY 26, 2021 turned into full blown arguments. SORRY, MISSED THE FIRST F-BOMB FROM MILLER. SO BUSY Sure, Jim just forgot to put the toilet seat down, but it’s about what the SWEARING AT HIMSELF HE MISSED A STEP ON GETTING IN ON toilet seat REPRESENTS. It’s all about a lack of foresight and planning THE PUCK, WHICH LEADS TO THE SECOND ONE LMAO and don’t even get started on him forgetting to hang up his jacket. PIC.TWITTER.COM/54RHE5PEW5

You see, things tend to get messy in long relationships. A 2-5 start isn’t — WYATT ARNDT (@THESTANCHION) JANUARY 26, 2021 just about this season. It’s about every season before it. It’s about what it If swearing could be a deke, Jeremy The-Swearemy Miller pulled off the REPRESENTS. puck-to-skate-to-stick move.

So that slow start to the season is just a culmination of years worth of Also shoutout to Thee Lego Batman for bringing up the King of Swears fights and arguments that come flooding out at a moment’s notice. Pavol Demitra, who couldn’t score a goal without shouting “EFFING But as much as sports can be a fickle beast, it can also change in an RIGHTS” right in the camera. It was glorious. instant. So for those scoring at home, Miller utilizes a shootout goal like Demitra, Enter the Ottawa Senators. and swears like him too. I am loving the homage to the late great Pavol!

They let in 14 goals in the previous three games before this one. Now, someone on Twitter asked how Miller could be angry when his team was winning by so much, and I think it’s akin to a game of Warzone They’re last in the league on the power play. with your buddies where they all have 10-plus kills and you’ve got none.

They have the world’s unluckiest goalie in Matt Murray. Sure, yes, you are glad your team won, but you expect more from yourself, and you feel like you did nothing to help earn that win. To put it bluntly, this game was served up on a silver platter for the Canucks. You can’t stop thinking about how you missed that snipe at the radio tower so you sullenly turn off your mic and stare at the wall for a few And give credit to the Canucks, they took full advantage. It would be a far minutes. bleaker postgame world if they had managed to lose. And make no mistake about it, Miller, Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson But what makes the 7-1 victory particularly delightful is that so many of all expect great things from themselves. It’s probably eating them alive Benning’s guys stepped up. that they aren’t putting up the results they are used to. You had the foundational Brandon Sutter netting his first career hat trick. This where our old friend “squeezing the stick” comes into play and you For a guy whose skating stride has seen more debates than Annie wonder if they’re stuck in their heads a little bit. Edison, he was out there dancing like FPS Doug. You could see Pettersson looking just slightly off, like on this sequence You had Benning’s first-rounder Olli Juolevi scoring his first career NHL where he passes in a spot he normally always shoots, then gets another goal, which I assume Murray feels like you just gotta look at it and laugh. chance and shoots it, but is stopped by a goalie who looked confused when the goal horn didn’t turn on: You had Tyler Motte and Jay Beagle chipping in a point each. It’s the first real struggle of EP40’s NHL career, so the Canucks have to You had Tanner Pearson, the Jared McCann redemption tour man hope Pettersson can find a way to centre himself and not get too caught himself, putting up three points. up in everything. This should be where all that expensive veteran talent can step up in the dressing room and talk him through it. You had the goalie Benning kept over Markstrom putting up his best game of the season. The Lotto Line only played around 15 minutes, but on a night when Brandon MFing Sutter is putting up a hat trick, it’s an easy call to limit It was like Benning rushed to the roof of Rogers Arena before the game their minutes and coast to victory. and turned on the Jimbo-signal to rally his boys. But next game I expect this line to come out with just as much fire as Now, I will say, I don’t think Benning’s job is in jeopardy. they did to start this one. I think the playoff run last year bought him a lot of real estate, and I don’t What better team to break a cold streak against than this year’s think ownership is too keen on spending more money when they don’t Senators? have to. Unless the Canucks went on a catastrophic string of losses, the odds of him going anywhere seem slim. As for Travis Green, he remains unfazed by the line’s lack of goals. But much like the “Sopel was a beast at holding the puck in at the line” myth, there was always an aura of Gudbranson being a beast in front of “I don’t need to worry about their line tonight. It was a big team win like I his own net that the stats never backed up. said. You win as a team you lose as a team, I’m not worried about their line for sure.” So yes, there was a bit of a chortle when Sutter scored from the ground on this one, but to Gudbranson’s credit, he’s taking the leadership role The last time he was positive he wasn’t worried about a player it was with Ottawa seriously and hopes he can impart some wisdom to the Tyler Motte before he went off in the playoffs. young team.

Watch out, Ottawa. “What you take from tonight is just that spite and you turn that into a will Best farm boy fetching a pitcher to win the next one and you come out and you play like you were embarrassed. With a young group, kids are very young and emotional CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CREATE A GIF OF PETEY BODYING and it’s hard to get rid of it and I certainly struggled with it when I was GUDDY? PLEASE younger so I completely understand it but we got to find a way to take those emotions and bottle them up and use them in 48 hours.” — GULZAR (@GULZARNANDA) JANUARY 26, 2021 Best debate As always, your wish is our command. THAT’S NOT ON HIM – THAT IS AN AWFUL REBOUND Won’t somebody ask about Pettersson’s strength and weight?? HTTPS://T.CO/KZNEQMII5I The physical effort from the Lotto Line really was on point, though. Miller — RAY FERRARO (@RAYFERRAROTSN) JANUARY 26, 2021 looked like Jake Virtanen on the Go Kart track at Castle Fun Park, crashing into everything that moved. Ray Ferraro stepped up for big Erik, and said this was all on Matt Murray.

These guys want to score real bad. Which a) come on, that is just an unlucky rebound and b) you would still think Gudbranson can control Sutter’s stick there. Best callin’ Baton Rouge For fans who dislike bad rebounds, though, count Ray in your corner as WHERE HAS SUTTER BEEN THE LAST 4 YEARS????? WHAT A he felt that one was 100 percent on Binnington Murray for giving up the GOAL! #CANUCKS puck. — BREEEE (@BREESKKYY94) JANUARY 26, 2021 Best Clamato Motte THERE'S SOMETHING SOOTHING WATCHING GUDBRANSON LOSE TATER TOT MOTTE SAVING JIM BENNING'S JOB POSITION IN FRONT OF THE NET — NICK BONDI (@NICKBONDI) JANUARY 26, 2021 — SERENA (@CAPTTOEDRAG) JANUARY 26, 2021 JAY BEAGLE WITH A FLASH OF HENRIK SEDIN WITH THAT GOOD OL' GUDDY PRIMARY ASSIST THERE. — JASON BROUGH (@JASONBROUGHTSN) JANUARY 26, 2021 — TY PARDY (@TPARDY21) JANUARY 26, 2021 I don’t know when this happened, but somehow Sutter turned into a SUTTER BEAGLE & MOTTE CARRYING THIS TEAM, AS WE ALL wizard whose main spell is the backhand of Avada Cadabra: EXPECTED I honestly thought Sutter’s scoring touch had retired to a nice house on — MIKE STEWART (@BAR_DOWN) JANUARY 26, 2021 Bowen Island, overlooking the ferries that come in every day, sipping its tea and talking wistfully of the old days. Motte continues to be the Spider-Man of the bottom six, someone with endless energy and a willingness to do anything to get the job done, but Yet here we are, in the year 2021, and Sutter is out here scoring from his occasionally has to take a physics exam. knees with no-look backhands. He continued to stand out among his peers, as his hard work and hustle And yes, that is old friend Sheriff Gudbranson failing to control Sutter’s caused a turnover that led to his hard work and hustle causing a goal: stick in front of the net. That is a fantastic play from Motte and the kind of play that one day gets The more things change, the more they stay the same. you a contract you can’t possibly live up to with another team. Postgame, Daniel Wagner, the DM of my heart, was quick to ask Motte had 17 minutes of ice time to go with this goal, and in true weird Brandon about his backhand abilities. Where did they come from? Has Motte fashion, also finished with his linemates at the bottom of Corsi he always had them? SHOW US YOUR TRICKS, WIZARD. (which to be fair, was because Vancouver went into prevent mode “The one tonight I just kind of whacked it and yeah, if the pucks there you halfway through the second period and somehow just ended up scoring just try and hit it and get it towards the net when you’re in that position. goals on every shift Motte wasn’t out on the ice defending the lead.) So there’s really no secret to it.” Best glimmer of hope Best question MYERS… WHY DID EVERY CANUCKS FAN TWEET THIS — BOBAK (@BOBAKM) JANUARY 26, 2021 HTTPS://T.CO/ARILTIU8AL THAT WHOLE SHIFT FROM MYERS WAS A MESS. — BONK'S MÜLLET (@BONKSMULLET) JANUARY 26, 2021 — DAN RICCIO (@DANRICCIO_) JANUARY 26, 2021 ERIK GUDBRANSON KNOCKING A PLAYER DOWN AND HAVING SAID PLAYER SCORE A REBOUND GOAL WHILE ON THE GROUND ANOTHER HORSESHIT TURNOVER BY MYERS, COME ON MAN. IS A PERFECT ENCAPSULATION OF THE ERIK GUDBRANSON EXPERIENCE — GORD RANDALL (@GARANDALL) JANUARY 26, 2021

— DIMITRI FILIPOVIC (@DIMFILIPOVIC) JANUARY 26, 2021 There was a brief flicker where it looked like Ottawa might make a game out of this, but like Dr. Disrespect trying a stealth game, it fell apart pretty Erik Gudbranson always arrives in a new town with the renewed dreams quickly: and aspirations from a fan base that can only come from being a first- rounder who is very tall and good looking. Tyler Myers continued his chaotic ways by casually turning the puck over inside his own zone, which led to the extended shift that resulted in a So Ottawa is still in their honeymoon stage with the Sheriff and all the goal against. more power to them. Hey, sometimes you just fail your dexterity check. It happens. And hey, maybe Erik has a far better time in Ottawa than he did in Vancouver. I love a good redemption story. Best if I go crazy then will you still WHÖLE HÖG @THESTANCHION IT’S LIKE SOMEBODY ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE PASS BUTTON WHEN DEMKO MADE THAT GLOVE SAVE — RHYS JESSOP (@THATS_OFFSIDE) JANUARY 26, 2021 — ARTHUR AKASAKI (@ASVPAKASAKI) JANUARY 26, 2021 NILS HOGLANDER WITH THE SUPERMAN PASS TO PEARSON, WHO RESTORES THE TWO GOAL LEAD. The fact this play started from an around-the-world-glove save that flipped the puck out makes it even better. BIG, BIG GOAL. #CANUCKS And 100 percent that looks like Demko hit the pass button before he — THOMAS DRANCE (@THOMASDRANCE) JANUARY 26, 2021 made the save and the game’s button memory clicked in and didn’t let THE HOG ON THIS #CANUCKS TEAM JUST DOESN’T QUIT him cancel it.

— CAN’T PLEASE ‘EM ALL (@NUCKSINDEEP) JANUARY 26, 2021 Now, not only was the weird glove pass eye-catching, but the save itself was vital to the landslide win according to Sutter. Nils Höglander, a player who has impressed a fan base so much they’ve all learned how to use an umlaut, once again had himself a game. “They had a chance in the slot, it’s a 3-1 game, he makes a glove save that turns it 3-2 pretty quick and 10 seconds later we go down and we’re You want a player heroically diving to make a one-handed pass over to up 4-1 and it just kind of opened the game up.” Tanner the Slammer Pearson? Best shot calling After the game, Nils didn’t play up the pass as for him, much like M. Bison, it was just Monday. CONVINCED SUTTER IS A BIG ARMIES GUY, AND JUST FEELS BAD FOR LEAVING @THESTANCHION HIGH AND DRY ON THE PAST “I just tried to get through my defence there, I saw Pears was in a good COUPLE spot there and I just tried to get the puck through. And he did good to score there.” HE'S GOING TO SCORE A MICHIGAN NEXT PERIOD FOR THE HATTY #CANUCKS Now, if only there was a good prospect guy I could cherry-pick over this small sample to get a victory: — CODY TAXIVERTSQUAD (@CODYSEVERTSON) JANUARY 26, 2021 YOU LIAR It wasn’t quite a Michigan goal, but a slick breakaway move counts just — WYATT ARNDT (@THESTANCHION) JANUARY 26, 2021 as much.

To be fair to Cam, he’s fantastic at his job and knows more about young Best I’ve got a feeling up and coming players than I ever will, as I’m still convinced Nando Eggenberger can be a player. HOT DAMN, STUTTER STEP AND A BUMP WIDE TO CREATE A LANE TO DRIVE ON WOLANIN, BRANDON SUTTER IS FEELING IT But I wouldn’t be doing my Armies duty if I didn’t randomly attack RN someone to feud with them. — RHYS JESSOP (@THATS_OFFSIDE) JANUARY 26, 2021 I think it’s also fair to say Höglander has impressed and surprised a fair number of people, and despite the objections of “wait until the rest of the Seriously, this might have been the best game of Sutter’s Canucks NHL finds their legs,” it feels like every game Höglander is putting that career: notion to rest. He’s no longer thinking “how can I get this puck in deep, stick to the plan, This kid looks like a legit NHL player and his work ethic is fitting in and get ready for tomorrow” and is now thinking “how can I dangle this seamlessly with Bo Horvat, and it’s that hard work that has caught poor fool without bringing too much shame upon his family before going Green’s eye. top cheddar where Mom keeps the power of attorney?”

“He’s a smart little player, works extremely hard, isn’t afraid to go to hard Best crash and bang places to win a puck battle. You know he’s going to have games where HUGHES ON THE REBOUND? THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT, BUT he might miss a few little details … but that’s going to happen with a WHATEVER. #CANUCKS young player. You’ve got a lot of time for young guys when they work extremely hard and compete hard and they want to get better.” — JABO VANCOUVER (@JABO_VANCOUVER) JANUARY 26, 2021

Best all about the Benjamins HORVAT PASSES TO HUGHES OFF BOTH POSTS.

CONTRACT YEAR BRANDON SUTTER IS A DIFFERENT BREED. THAT’S TALENT. #CANUCKS — J.BOWMAN (@JBOWMANCOUVER) JANUARY 26, 2021 — JOSHUA REY (@JOSHUAREY91) JANUARY 26, 2021 I KNEW THE #SENS WOULD BE WORSE THAN THE #CANUCKS! BRANDON SUTTER IS FOUNDATIONAL #CANUCKS — DWIGHT WOLFE (@DWIGHTSWOLFE) JANUARY 26, 2021 — SULLY LARSON (@SULLIVANJLARSON) JANUARY 26, 2021 On a night when Sutter is pulling off Wayne Gretzky moves, it should RE-SIGN THIS SUTTER GUY BEFORE HE’S A UFA!! #CANUCKS only make sense that Quinn Hughes is going hard to the net to bang in rebounds: — THE CRUSHERS!!! (@SAPPHOSCRUSHERS) JANUARY 26, 2021 That’s the kind of goal Myers dreams of scoring. Five more years! Five more years! Five more years! Best first time for everything This is the Brandon Sutter Canucks fans know very well, the guy who can go north-south and snipe home a goal top corner. PLAYING THE SENATORS + GETTING SOME PRACTICE IS GOOD FOR MORALE, THERE’S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT You know what the first game I attended in person in a non-writing capacity after I got this job was? — PATRICK JOHNSTON (@RISINGACTION) JANUARY 26, 2021

You almost had it Eddie. You almost had it. MAN, HOW BAD IS MATT MURRAY.

That’s Sutter at the top of his game, a guy who can chip in offence with a — PHIL FIGUEIREDO (@PHILFIGS) JANUARY 26, 2021 really nice shot. FRESHLY SQUEEZED OLLI JUOLEVI #CANUCKS Now, how long will this Sutter be visiting us? Who knows! But enjoy it while it lasts because when Sutter is on his game and pulling off miracle — GRAHAM MORRISON (@GRAHAMCASTS) JANUARY 26, 2021 goals, the world is a better place for it. Olli Juolevi got his first NHL goal off a point shot that Matt Murray looked Best button memory at tried to stop to no avail: For Juolevi, his long journey to the NHL couldn’t have happened in a BRANDON SUTTER HAS MORE GOALS THIS SEASON THAN: harder market than Vancouver, so this had to feel good for the young man. AUSTON MATTHEWS, SIDNEY CROSBY, LEON DRAISAITL, PATRICK KANE, BRAD MARCHAND, ARTEMI PANARIN, NATHAN For Matt Murray, his long journey full of unlucky bounces, this had to feel MACKINNON, ALEX OVECHKIN, AND WAYNE GRETZKY.#CANUCKS pretty par for the course. — BAILEY BROADBENT (@BAILEYBROADCAST) JANUARY 26, 2021 I also want to put my support behind Juo being Orange Cassidy-esque as they both carry themselves the same way. Is Sutter underpaid now?

By next game, I fully expect Juolevi to be rocking jeans and sitting in the Best VIP request corner when out of a nowhere he blitzes down the ice and scores a goal BUT I NEED A MENTION OF HOLTBY THROWING HIS HAT IN THE wearing sunglasses. ARMIES. MAYBE MY FAVE THING TONIGHT!

Best finishing touches — KARIS (@REDYOGASOX) JANUARY 26, 2021

A BRANDON SUTTER HATTRICK, JUST LIKE WE ALL PREDICTED. I didn’t gif it, and although I am loath to let Rob into The Armies (I’m #CANUCKS starting two feuds in one night, Botch would be proud), I will let him give — DANIEL WAGNER (@PASSITTOBULIS) JANUARY 26, 2021 you the hat gif you so surely deserve.

5 MORE YEARS! SUTSY #CANUCKS NO FANS, BUT WE'VE GOT A HAT ON THE ICE FOR #CANUCKS' BRANDON SUTTER'S FIRST CAREER HAT TRICK — THEE LEGO BATMAN (@MSTAD101) JANUARY 26, 2021 PIC.TWITTER.COM/A7W1MHC1KG

3 IS SUCH A FOUNDATIONAL NUMBER. — ROB WILLIAMS (@ROBTHEHOCKEYGUY) JANUARY 26, 2021

— THE MATINÉE (@THEMATINEEMUSIC) JANUARY 26, 2021 Best Högging the limelight

So this happened: I DON'T KNOW MUCH LONGER HE CAN KEEP DOING IT WITHOUT GETTING POUNDED, BUT WATCHING HÖGLANDER GO TO THE Like. TOUGH AREAS IS IMPRESSIVE

Seriously. — BLAKE PRICE (@BLAKEPRICETSN) JANUARY 26, 2021

Sit back and watch as Sutter goes full Todd Bertuzzi here and holds a I LOVE HOW HARD HÖGLANDER PLAYS…. #CANUCKS player off him so he can waltz around the goalie and tuck the puck in. PIC.TWITTER.COM/ITX19AA6K8

Let’s recap: — ��MADDIE�� (@SPORTSGIRL2024) JANUARY 26, 2021 Goal 1: Sutter backhands the puck into the net without looking like a When’s the last time you watched a Canucks game this season and young Brendan Morrison. didn’t notice a hardworking, efficient play from Höglander?

Goal 2: Sutter goes full snipe show top shelf off the rush like a young Answer? Never. Markus Naslund. Up first we have Höggy skating his ass off to the point that Pearson Goal 3: Powers his way to the net, using one hand on his stick, like a panics that the fastest kid alive is going to get to the net way before him young Todd Bertuzzi. so he finds an extra gear only to tumble into the net:

Brandon Sutter went full West Coast Express mode. It was like he Höglander of course doesn’t panic and simply finds the next open guy. watched Power Rangers the night before and thought “Hey, turning into That’s perhaps the best part of his game so far is his vision and patience Megazord doesn’t look too hard.” complement his speed and hustle, so we don’t run into Year 1 Mason This is insane. Raymond issues.

To quote Brock Boeser. I hate to use the “Jake should look at this” cliche, but Jake should honestly look at the board work Höglander puts on display night in and You’re effed. night out. Here he not only manages to control the puck and get it back behind the net, but then he goes hard to the crease for a pass back and That was effed. draws a penalty because of his hard work: Holy eff. And we’ve all seen the Michigan goal from Höglander, we know he has a Best Ultimate Hype Man ton of Wellwood-esque stick handles.

Sure, you’re excited about the hat trick, but imagine the excitement Well, he’s starting to show signs of finding his rhythm, as you could see coursing through the ultimate hype man Travis Green’s veins? him try to get a bit fancy with a nice fake shot into a nice pass to the point: So what did Green think of the Sutter hat trick?? It’s like a UFC fight where someone starts to find their range and it’s just “Anytime someone scores a hat trick it’s a good feeling.” a matter of time until they’re landing bombs and knocking guys out and Conor McGregor has to give a sad speech about how those calf kicks Best Beer League feelings really added up. “It’s my first hat trick, you don’t know if you’re ever going to get one as Best Iron Gentleman you get older, so I was pretty pumped,” Sutter explained after the game and who among us hasn’t joined a team or league and wondered if we’d #CANUCKS STILL GIVING UP TOO MANY CHANCES. SENS GET A ever get a hat trick that season, let alone ever? BREAKAWAY, HIT A CROSSBAR…

One of us, one of us, one of us! — ROB WILLIAMS (@ROBTHEHOCKEYGUY) JANUARY 26, 2021

Best whole new world Despite Ottawa being, well, not good, they still gave Demko some tough tests. WE DON’T NEED TOFFOLI EH @THESTANCHION ? WE’VE GOT SUTTER. But to the Canucks’ credit, they didn’t give up too many dangerous chances, something Sutter would later say was key. — SPENCER VILLAGE (@SPENCERVILLAGE) JANUARY 26, 2021 “They had two kind of quick ones in the first that we kind of wanted to Shining, shimmering, splendid. have back but other than that we definitely took away time and space Best mathing through the middle. They didn’t really get a lot of chances off the rush.” And while the Hat Trick King is correct, Demko still had to be on top of his game to make sure Ottawa was never in it.

Up first we have the first shot of the game where Demko has to stop a hard shot in close:

Then on an Alex Edler pinch, the Senators bring the puck back the other way and when the Canucks flub their coverage, only a post saves them:

You know how the Canucks are addicted to end of period goals? Demko had to step up and stop a breakaway after Edler stepped up to take EP40’s guy:

Because Myers is chaotic neutral and has to play to his alignment, he randomly decides “hey why not cover Juolevi’s guy” and leaves Nick Paul wide open for another breakaway chance:

The soothing balm to the Canucks’ penalty killing woes was definitely the Senators power play which went 0-for-5 on the night, but even there Demko had to come up with a huge save:

Even when bowling over the goalie, the Senators couldn’t find a way to beat Demko more than once:

Demko ended the night with 27 saves on 28 shots in what was easily his best game of the season.

Does this buy him the start Wednesday?

Best request

AT THIS POINT JUST SEEING THAT NUMBER OUT THERE GIVES ME MORE CONFIDENCE/HOPE…

— LJD (@LUCASDREVER) JANUARY 26, 2021

Look, it just weirds me out when longtime players don’t have a year off before their number is out there on the ice again.

It’s why No. 42 still isn’t worn to this day.

You need to let it cool down first.

Best milk hotdog

DAN MURPHY WAS RIGHT FOR THIS #MOTTEGIRLSUMMER HTTPS://T.CO/0HJPJVKFIL PIC.TWITTER.COM/DQU6U7JJL2

— CLARISSA! (@QUINNSEDGEWORK) JANUARY 26, 2021

Best Identity Theft

KINDA LIKE THIS? PIC.TWITTER.COM/P8IGZBNSCN

— ASHLEY (@ASHLEYMARTIN83) JANUARY 26, 2021

Best wtf

⁦@THESTANCHION⁩ I SEE THE ONE SPORTSNET 4K CAMERA CAN’T CROSS THE ONTARIO BORDER AGAIN FOR TONIGHT’S LOW RES BROADCAST. PIC.TWITTER.COM/IUKKYXSXAH

— STEPHEN QUINN (@GOFOUR3STEVE) JANUARY 26, 2021

Restricted to 720p, what are we, animals??

Why not just use 480 and tell us what you really think Vancouver is worth.

Best man who sold the world

If it wasn’t for Vancouver, imagine how much harder Elliotte’s job would be?

Half his content comes from us.

You’re welcome.

Best rookie of the year

WE HAD COMPANY IN OUR BOOTH. PIC.TWITTER.COM/L4CZTQKMIO

— JOHN GARRETT (@SNJOHNGARRETT) JANUARY 26, 2021

Watch out Canucks Twitter, John Garrett is coming for your jobs!

The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200634 Websites Oilers. Yes, it’s still way too early for this, but if NHL GMs can do their jobs then we can, too.

Road to the Cup The Athletic / DGB weekend power rankings: We have a trade to The five teams with the best chances of becoming the first team in announce… history to win a Stanley Cup in July.

One team I have no idea what to do with this week: Dallas. They didn’t By Sean McIndoe Jan 25, 2021 make their season debut until Friday, and looked scary good in beating the Predators 7-0, a win that gave them the division’s best goals differential despite only playing one game. Last night’s win in the rematch wasn’t as impressive, but they still took the two points. We’ll get to the games in a bit, but this was one of those weekends where the wins and losses weren’t the big story. Instead, we had a trade Last week, we talked about how hard it is to rank teams when everyone to announce. And not just any trade, but a legitimate blockbuster that has only played two or three games. What do you do with a team that’s was also an old-fashioned hockey trade. played twice while everyone else is four games ahead? I have no idea, which is why the Stars (and 2-0-0 Panthers) aren’t in the top five mix this Sort of. We’ll get to that. week. We’ll see where things stand a week from now. First, the details, just in case you somehow missed them: 5. Boston Bruins (3-1-1, +3 true goals differential*) – It was feeling #CBJ ACQUIRE: pretty dicey through three games, as the Bruins struggled to create anything offensively. That changed against the Flyers, and 11 goals and PATRICK LAINE two wins later, the Bruins feel like contenders again. The Flyers, meanwhile, do not, which opens up a spot from last week’s list. JACK ROSLOVIC#JETS ACQUIRE: 4. Washington Capitals (3-0-3, +2) – We’ll give that extra spot to the PIERRE-LUC DUBOIS Caps, who are holding down first in the East and have points in every 3RD ROUND PICK game, including yesterday’s loss to the Sabres. The big story this week was the whole COVID mess that cost them four key players, but that’s a — AARON PORTZLINE (@APORTZLINE) JANUARY 23, 2021 temporary situation that shouldn’t have a long-term impact. It’s still It’s not quite a one-for-one, but with apologies to a good young player in tempting to slip the Islanders into this slot, and maybe we would have if Jack Roslovic and whoever gets drafted with that pick, it will probably be they’d handled the Devils last night. Instead, we’ll wait and see how this perceived that way, at least initially. And that’s where it gets a little bit week goes, as the shorthanded Caps face the Isles twice. tricky, because Laine had expressed a desire to move on from Winnipeg 3. Colorado Avalanche (3-3-0, +3) – Aside from that 8-0 win over the and Dubois had made it very clear that he was done in Columbus. Even Blues, they haven’t looked great, including last night’s loss to the Ducks. Roslovic didn’t want to sign with the Jets. Is it really a hockey trade if the For now, I’m betting on talent and keeping them in the top five at the main pieces wanted out? expense of the Wild, who have a better record and are looking like all Maybe not, but that’s where the “old-fashioned” part comes in, because sorts of fun in what I think we can all just start calling the Kirill Kaprizov the NHL used to have trades like this all the time. Mark Messier went era. They’re still the Wild, so I want to see it for a few more weeks, but home on the eve of a season to force his exit from Edmonton. Doug they’re on track. Gilmour walked out on the Flames days before they moved him to 2. Vegas Golden Knights (5-1-0, +7) – It’s still a little bit tough to get a Toronto. Pavel Bure sat out half a season to get out of Vancouver. Eric handle on the Knights, who are six games into the season but have only Lindros went even further to get out of Philadelphia. faced two opponents. They took three of four in an extended series with One pattern you may notice in those trades: The team whose hand was the Coyotes, but this week’s two matchups with the Blues might tell us forced rarely makes out well in the long run. That’s bad news for more. Columbus and good news for the Jets, who managed to take a Laine 1. Tampa Bay Lightning (3-1-0, +5) – In a season where some teams situation that seemed to be on shaky ground and turn it into a deal where haven’t had two days between games yet, the Lightning have already they were working from a position of strength. It’s no sure thing that this had one five-day gap due to their scheduled meeting with Dallas being turns into a steal for Winnipeg, because Laine is no Gary Leeman or postponed. Now it will probably happen again, with expectations that at Pavel Brendl, but two-way centers are hard to find and they just landed least one of this week’s two games with the Hurricanes will be one with a chip on his shoulder. rescheduled.

As for Laine in Columbus, well, it will certainly be interesting to see how We don’t know what kind of impact that will have yet, although he fits in with John Tortorella. You have to be a certain type of guy to presumably it won’t be good; the Lightning will (hopefully) make up those succeed in a Tortorella world, and first impressions are that Laine doesn’t games down the stretch when some extra rest might be appreciated. For exactly give off that vibe. But that’s probably too simplistic. Tortorella has now, they’ve suffered their first loss of the season, and may have up to a coached plenty of stars who’d have success under him, including week to think about it. offensive wingers like Martin St. Louis, Marian Gaborik and Artemi Panarin. If Laine does his job, however that’s defined for him, he should *Goals differential without counting shootout decisions like the NHL does be fine. for some reason.

Which leads to the next question: What does his next contract look like? Not ranked: Montreal Canadiens – I’m not quite ready to admit I was He’ll be an RFA this offseason, so there’s plenty of time and the Blue wrong to be skeptical of the remade Habs, but it’s certainly trending in Jackets control his rights. But long-time readers will know where I’m that direction. They have points in six straight to start the season, and going with this: The dreaded “shiny new toy” syndrome, in which a team haven’t played a home game yet. That’s enough to earn them a share of makes a big trade for a pending free agent and then has to figure out first place in the North, and they’re doing it the way they said they would: what kind of contract to give him. It’s a tough spot for a team to be in, With strong scoring depth, team speed, a solid defense, and goaltending since you can’t exactly play hardball with a guy you just gave up major that’s been good but isn’t stealing games they don’t otherwise deserve. assets to acquire. And it almost never works out well. Jarmo Kekalainen Are they the best team in the North right now? There’s certainly a strong will have his work cut out for him on this one. case to be made, although the Flames have had their moments in limited But that’s for down the line. For now, we’ve got two young stars in their action and the Leafs have five wins, including one against Montreal. prime with new homes and something to prove, and two fan bases who’ll We’re not quite sure what to make of Winnipeg, who are sitting at 4-2-0 spend the next few years arguing over who got the better of the deal. but padded that by taking three straight from Ottawa, which makes you That’s going to be all sorts of old-fashioned fun. wonder if the Jets are good or whether they just took advantage of a bad team. On to the weekend’s games, which included the Dubois-less Blue Jackets beating the Lightning and the Laine-less Jets taking yet another That same sort of question comes up when we circle back to the from the Senators before coughing up last night’s stunner against the Canadiens, who’ve just played five straight against the Oilers and Canucks, two teams that are off to disappointing starts. So which is it – 1. Detroit Red Wings (2-4-0, -8) – They’ve beaten the Hurricanes and did two bad teams make the Habs look good, or did a good Habs team Blue Jackets, so they don’t seem like they’re going to be the doormat make those teams look bad? It could be both. This early, with this small a they were last year. But when you lose twice to the second-worst team, sample size, it may be neither. I don’t have any North teams in my top you make the bottom five call pretty easy. five this week, but if a clear favorite emerges, there will probably have to be a spot for them. Right now, Montreal is the closest team to making Not ranked: Vancouver Canucks – I’m not panicking. Yet. I’m not sure I that claim. can say the same for Canucks fans.

The bottom five First, the bad. At 2-5-0, they’re sitting dead last in points percentage and are the only team in the league to have hit five regulation losses. They’ve The five teams that are headed towards the best lottery odds and trying given up five goals or more five times, including four straight. And none to figure out if we should call this an Owen Power Ranking. of the underlying numbers do much to suggest that the results haven’t been deserved. Before we get to the bottom five, a mini-rant… At an individual level, Elias Pettersson is off to a miserable start with just Pierre LeBrun had a piece this week that touched on something you may two points. Quinn Hughes has struggled defensively. Nate Schmidt have been wondering about in light of all the recent COVID-related hasn’t had a major impact yet. And both goalies, the promising kid and cancellations: What happens if we get to the end of a season, and some the steady veteran, have been lit up. It’s all adding up to plummeting teams haven’t played a full 56-game schedule? playoff odds.

It turns out, the answer is: The league doesn’t know yet. GOING THROUGH ALL THE CANUCKS ISSUES RIGHT NOW AND Or at least, they’re not saying. In the words of Bill Daly when LeBrun IT’S WAY EASIER TO LIST WHICH AREAS OF THEIR GAME IS NOT A asked him what the league’s policy would be, they’ll “make an CONCERN. TOP SIX. BOTTOM SIX. DEFENCE. GOALTENDING. appropriate determination at that time”. SPECIAL TEAMS. COACHING. MANAGEMENT. OWNERSHIP. EVERYTHING IS AN ISSUE. I NEED A DRINK. That’s weird, right? — JASON BROUGH (@JASONBROUGHTSN) JANUARY 24, It seems like there’s an easy answer here, and it’s the one Pierre 2021 suggests: You use points percentage. That’s the only fair way to do it, and there’s even a precedent for it thanks to last season’s unexpected That’s a lot in the bad column. The good side is pretty sparse, but we can pause. If everyone doesn’t play the same number of games, you go to start with the fact that it’s still early-ish, although that won’t last long. The points percentage. Done. better news might be that there’s enough talent here to expect a turnaround. Pettersson won’t struggle all season. Hughes might, because So why is the league acting coy here? I’m not sure. The only reasonable that happens to second-year blueliners sometimes, but it’s unlikely. One answer I can think of is that they want to wait a bit just to make sure we goalie should snap out of it, and then you ride that guy as long as you don’t get a worst-case scenario where some team is especially hard hit can. and plays far fewer games than everyone else. Yes, if everyone else has played 56 games and one hard-hit team has only played something like Here’s one for both the good and bad column: the Canucks get the ten or twenty, points percentage may not work as well. So maybe we wait Senators three straight this week. That’s good, because it’s a near- a few weeks and then announce the obvious. perfect opportunity for a few “get right” games against a weaker opponent. But it could be very bad, because if they can’t bank some But until then, the NHL is taking a risk here. While points percentage is points against Ottawa, it really will be time to panic. And it will probably absolutely a fair way to determine seeding, it won’t seem that way if we be time to find them a spot in the bottom five. get late into the season and there’s a playoff battle between, say, Toronto and Winnipeg, or New York and Columbus, and that’s when the The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 league reveals a system that happens to help the big market team. Should the Rangers get in over the Blue Jackets if they have different games played and a better points percentage? Of course. But don’t wait until that’s the choice before you tell us what system you’re using. Do it now – or at least very soon – so that nobody can complain. Perception matters, so get out ahead of the question before it feels like you’re making decisions that only impact certain teams.

5. Los Angeles Kings (2-2-2, even) – Man they looked good last night. It’s just their second win of the season, so we’re not going to go crazy, but that was a good Blues team and they smacked them around. Let’s see what they do against the Wild this week, but the Kings look like they’re on their way out of the bottom five.

4. Anaheim Ducks (2-2-2, -3) – A California team that was expected to be bad and has only won two games but looked good last night while beating a Cup contender. Unheard of, I know.

And yes, having the Ducks here means we can play a round of “How can they be in the bottom five if they just beat a team in the top five?” The answer, as always, is that these rankings are about taking a long-term view, and the Ducks aren’t better than the Avs because of one game. But it was a solid performance, and like with the Kings, in a short season it won’t take many of those to junk the preseason expectations.

3. Ottawa Senators (1-3-1, -6) – After looking pesky against the Leafs, the Senators had a disappointing week that saw them drop three straight against a Winnipeg team they’ll have to stay in range of if they want to make any kind of playoff push. D.J. Smith is having to weigh the balance between the dependability of veterans and the promise of youth, and right now Ottawa fans might prefer to see more of the latter.

2. Chicago Blackhawks (2-3-1, -4) – They got their first two wins, and they both came against the Red Wings, so we won’t get too excited. Still, they looked good, and watching 24-year-old undrafted free agent Pius Suter score the first three goals of his career in the same game was pretty cool. 1200635 Websites Regarding the U18 worlds, it’s easy to say don’t overreact to one tournament, but most people know that. With Sergachev the value of that is to continuously keep in mind circumstances and continue to look at what they’ve done throughout their career in that season and past The Athletic / Pronman: NHL prospects I was wrong about, 2021 edition seasons where he had a richer history of international performance.

Josh Norris, C, Ottawa

By Corey Pronman Jan 25, 2021 I was a Norris skeptic for a few years, going back to his draft in 2017 and around the time of the Erik Karlsson trade. I still liked the player as a

potential third-line center, but did not buy he had the upside to be a ton It is time for my annual look at some key player evaluations I got wrong. more. A few years later he dominated the AHL as a 20-year-old, and is This article seeks to shine a light on why the mistake was made, and lining up as Ottawa’s first-line center. serve as a learning experience for me, and hopefully for some readers At the time I saw Norris as a player with good skating and skill who too. played well at both ends but I didn’t think he had dynamic offensive There are two criteria I use to define a mistake. The first is it must be a ability. I don’t think I was far off in that regard, but I was a little harsh on mistake you can learn from. If all the information points in one direction at the skill level. He’s not elite at any one offensive element but Norris does the time of an evaluation and there’s no convincing argument that I a lot very well. He can skate, has very good hands, can make plays, can missed something essential at the time, then it may just be chalked up to shoot it and works. He had 27 goals his draft year. He was the top line the inherent high rate of error involved in projecting teenagers. center on the team that won gold at the U18 worlds. I should have at the least projected him as a potential second-line center. The second is the magnitude of the error. If I project a player as a third- pair defenseman and now he’s a second, that’s not really worth Ethan Bear, D, Edmonton discussing in this forum. Referencing the categories I used in my recent Bear is a player I’ve appreciated for a while but despite being highly under 23 ranking, which everyone agreed with, I am looking to be off by successful at the junior level and a strong start to his pro career I had about three or four categories to define it as a true error. So if I said a skepticism he would turn into the 20 minute a night player he has player wasn’t an NHL player and he becomes a second-line forward, or I become for Edmonton. I always was very impressed by his hockey sense projected them as a top-pair defenseman and they are a third-pair and his shot but I saw a 5-foot-11 defenseman who was a below-average defenseman. skater and thought that it wouldn’t work in the NHL. Nobody will do this, but I urge you to quickly reference previous articles I discussed last season a growing appreciation for elite IQ small where I likely have already discussed a player as an error before you defensemen who can skate — like a Nils Lundkvist — but Bear is comment how he should have been included. another type of player I’m still trying to figure out. He’s the small 2019 edition defenseman who is a below-average skater and has tremendous hockey sense. I think about recent prospects like Rasmus Sandin and Ville 2018 edition Heinola when watching Bear.

2017 edition The tough part is trying to figure out if it’s good or great hockey sense with those types of players. Whether they just make a good first pass and Alexander Romanov, D, Montreal have some power play skill, or are truly exceptional first pass types who Romanov is one of the top rookies in the league this season and looks on can make difficult plays consistently despite not being overly quick or the fast track to becoming a top four NHL defenseman. I didn’t think he having tremendous puck skills. It can be hard initially to tell the difference was much of an NHL prospect when he was drafted in the second round between those until you really get a lot of information on a player. I in 2018. I remember watching the Russian U18 team Romanov played wasn’t 100 percent sold Heinola ticked that box until this season. Bear on in the 2018 season and seeing good flashes of skating and physicality seems to have passed that test. His outlets and poise are high-end. from him, but questioning the offense. There were times he blew Ruslan Iskhakov, LW, New York Islanders opponents up though and made you notice him. I didn’t think there was much talent at all on that defense group, but if someone had a chance it This one is tough to write. I went to bat for Iskhakov. I saw an undersized would be Danila Zhuravlyov (Colorado, fifth round). player with incredible puck skills and offensive imagination. Yes, he was small and not a tremendous skater for that size. He wasn’t great off the When you look at a 5-foot-11 defenseman without tremendous offensive puck and he had good but not tremendous numbers at the club or skill or output it can be a hard sell. The concept of what attributes international level. I thought the skill level was just so high, though, that translate to the higher levels specifically the NHL comes into play with a he would eventually overcome those issues and pop as a player as he guy like Romanov. I think hockey sense and skill are the most important matured and gave him a first round grade. He’s not a bust yet by any attributes in a player, but skating and compete are the two attributes that means. He’s been solid at the level this season and college help skill translate to higher, quicker, harder levels. previously but hardly has had the look of a top prospect as Iskhakov’s I don’t think there was evidence at the time to suggest Romanov was a game can lack pace and compete. I truly believe skill and hockey sense true high-end prospect, but given his great skating and physicality to go are the most important components of a player’s game, but Iskhakov is a with decent offense even if not great for a 5-foot-11 player, he looked like good example that certain other things are needed to translate to a a real prospect and someone I should have rated higher. higher level. With elite skill you don’t need great physical attributes like size plus skating and compete but you need a certain amount. Mikhail Sergachev, D, Tampa Bay Klim Kostin, LW, St. Louis Sergachev is currently one of the top young players in the league. I liked him and thought he was worth a first-round pick but didn’t buy him as a Kostin was a player I was very high on as a draft-eligible, ranking him in top 10 candidate and certainly did not see him being a leading piece on a my top 10 going into the 2017 draft. I saw him for the first time at the champion. aforementioned U18 championship in Grand Forks and being very impressed by how well he played given the circumstances of being an I remember going to the U18 world championships that spring in Grand underage there. He looked like a big, tough, forward with skill and speed. Forks and being so underwhelmed by Sergachev. He had zero points, five shots in five games and looked like such an ordinary player. That His draft season he had injury issues but he did play at the Hlinka that was a weird tournament for Russia if you recall. That was the year they summer and was very good. He was up and down throughout the season attempted to create a national season-long U18 team only for the entire through club and international levels but I saw a great toolkit, I saw a team to get suspended for doping and their U17 team had to replace history of good performance and I stamped him in the top 10. I remember them at the tournament at the last minute. Sergachev didn’t play for that at the time my then head editor of ESPN Insider Dan Kaufman, who now team since he was in the OHL so he was able to go the tournament. is the editorial director of The Athletic made a funny comment about a potential lottery pick having a one-goal, two-point season and how teams With Sergachev I saw the tools of a highly mobile big defenseman with a would have to frame that since he is a skilled player. He may have been big shot but I wasn’t completely sold on the skill/IQ that would allow him onto something. to generate offense in the NHL. I was wrong on the hockey sense aspect. Kostin was a tough evaluation even after his draft. He went immediately What I learned from this was more evidence of the value of pro to the AHL where he was fine but not great. He’d show flashes, but have projection, in terms of what does and doesn’t help a player’s game stretches where he wasn’t great. He had two straight world juniors translate to higher levels, and that while a player’s birth month is an though where he was among the better forwards there so I kept thinking important variable in player evaluation, there is a more holistic process the offense is coming, give it time. that needs to be followed.

He’s 21 now, playing in the KHL, and his offense has been minimal. I still The Athletic LOADED: 01.26.2021 think he is a good player, but the evidence is building against him coming through on the promise I saw years ago and I think you are hoping he uses his size, speed and physicality to become a bottom six forward as opposed to the top of the lineup potential I thought he could be.

While a lot of examples here discuss the value of projection, looking at speed, compete and physicality as traits that project to higher levels, the players do need a high level of skill to be a scorer in the NHL. Production is typically evidence of that to go with what you see on the ice. It’s all a balancing act, taking in what you see from an athletic tools standpoint, a work ethic standpoint, a skill standpoint, and a statistical standpoint. I continue to learn the best way to blend all that information.

Mario Ferraro, D, San Jose

Ferraro is a case where I just had to eat how wrong I was. I didn’t think he was much of a prospect coming out of the USHL, I upgraded him to a possible third pair type after seeing him as a freshman in college, and he’s playing upwards of 22 minutes a night right now for the Sharks. I think you can reasonably debate whether he’s that caliber of player or if he’s playing that kind of role due to the Sharks depth chart, but he’s a good player and worth discussing.

He went in the second round in 2017 after being a top defenseman in the USHL. The question I always had on Ferarro was how much offense he had in his game. The aspects of his game that truly popped though were his exceptional skating ability and his work ethic. It’s why despite not being overly skilled but smart enough, he was able to go to college and be a good college player without a ton of offense, and then to the NHL and be a good NHL player despite not having a ton of offense. He’s similar to the Romanov example in this regard of guys with certain traits that will play very well in the NHL despite not being that big or skilled as long as they are smart enough to move the puck at a good enough level.

Patrik Laine vs. Auston Matthews

In 2016, I ranked Patrik Laine as the best available prospect of that draft over Auston Matthews, who was second. That take has not aged great even if Laine is still an extremely good player and a top scorer in the NHL. I would still have Laine as the No. 2 player in that draft class, but it is a discussion worth revisiting especially in light of his recent trade and Matthews emerging as one of the very best players in the league.

At that time, though, you had two players who had incredible seasons between their club play in Europe, their world juniors and their World Championships. Both had been highly touted for years, although Matthews resume was a bit longer in terms of elite performance. Both players looked to have tremendous skill and goal-scoring ability.

Several years ago, I did research on how much a player’s birthdate meant. I took every forward from the CHL drafted between 1990 and 2010 who were first year eligible, had a points per game between 1.0 to 1.5 and over 20 games played that season. I then used the variable of their birth month and analyzed among this similar pool of players their production in the NHL.

The conclusions I think you can take from this research is that 1) Birthdate is an important variable but 2) It’s only a significant differentiator between players about six or more months apart.

Laine and Matthews’ situation applied. Laine is an April 1998 and Matthews is a September 1997; there is a significant difference between players in that situation. I wrote about that at the time as a persuasive aspect and part of why I felt long term Laine would continue to improve and become a superior player given how close they looked at various levels at the time.

I was wrong on that, and it came down to the toolkits and how specific tools project to higher levels over the long term. Matthews isn’t considered an extremely fast or high compete type, but both those aspects are notably better than Laine’s. Laine has a bit of a size edge on him, but that Matthews had a big quickness advantage and doesn’t play as much on the perimeter as Laine does. That has led to him being able to use his skill and shot more consistently at the NHL level. 1200636 Websites Demko and Braden Holtby have largely had a free pass during the Canucks’ poor start because there were so many other, more serious, problems.

Sportsnet.ca / Canucks' quiet leader Sutter makes presence known in But on Monday, the team was much better in front of him – albeit against steadying performance a weaker opponent – and Demko provided goaltending you can win with. The Canucks need a lot more if it.

They could use more of the perfect penalty killing they had against the Iain MacIntyre Senators, more of the positional discipline and composure they displayed, too. Hey, if Pettersson and the first line can start dominating at

even-strength the way they did last season, everything will be fine. VANCOUVER -- When coach Travis Green said the Vancouver Canucks “Everyone just needs to simplify,” Sutter said. “I know it sounds a little bit needed their top players to be better, he probably wasn’t thinking of cliche. But when you do the right things system-wise and play the right Brandon Sutter. But he could have been. way as a team, that’s when your highly-skilled guys kind of find their During the Canucks’ alarming start to the National Hockey League game and take over. That’s where they create their offence.” season, when attention has understandably been focussed on Elias The Senators are the only team in the Canadian division universally Pettersson’s inability to score, J.T. Miller’s problems at even strength and regarded as worse than the Canucks, and this was only one win. The the overall chaos on defence caused by turnovers, Sutter and a couple of Canucks are still 3-5-0. But players seeking confidence have something other players near the bottom of the lineup have quietly been among the to build on. It’s a start. team’s best. The Canucks and Senators play again Wednesday and Thursday at Monday, he wasn’t so quiet. Rogers Arena. At the start of a very important week for the Canucks, Sutter scored his Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.26.2021 first NHL hat trick in his 735th game. Fellow grinder Tyler Motte also scored as Vancouver built an early lead and won 7-1 against the Ottawa Senators to ease, for at least a couple of days, some of the tension on the West Coast.

With conjecture percolating about the future of general manager Jim Benning, it felt perfectly scripted that Sutter, one of Benning’s least popular acquisitions, should score a hat trick to steady the team and take some of the heat off the GM.

Sutter is a pro’s pro, a guy who leads by example. But he was oversold to the market when he was acquired by Benning in 2015, and has struggled to stay healthy and score for most of the five years since then.

Teammates, however, love him.

“You never know when you’re going to get one or if you’re going to get one,” Sutter, 30, said after scoring once in each period. “It only took me 13 years. I’m pretty excited. It was a good win for our team... a little bit of confidence for our team going forward.”

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Sutter on scoring first NHL hat trick: 'Only took me 13 years'

It was a game that generated a lot of positive vibes for the Canucks. Rookie defenceman Olli Juoelvi scored his first NHL goal, rookie forward Nils Hoglander impressively set up Tanner Pearson on another, and Thatcher Demko made 34 saves in easily the best performance by a Vancouver goalie so far.

“It was enough is enough for me,” Demko said, relieved to improve on his 0-3 record and .866 save percentage. “First three starts of the year and not getting a win, that's tough. That's not the guy I want to be. I want to be a guy that's going to get wins when the team needs it.

“(It was) the goals that I was giving up at the times I was. That was something that I really wanted to focus on. Just timely saves, making sure that when they do get chances... that I can come up big and kind of give the team a chance to pull away.”

With his team up 2-0, Demko stopped Connor Brown on a breakaway late in the first period. In the second, his point-blank save on Artem Anisimov immediately preceded Sutter’s shorthanded snipe that made it 4-1. Demko made another strong save against Josh Norris at the end of the middle period, allowing his team to comfortably go into the third and pull away.

But he was still happier for Sutter than he was for himself.

“One of the reasons why you play the game is moments like that,” Demko said. “You know he's been around the league 13 years now, and you're not sure if you're going to get one. Everyone's just really excited for him, giving him some hugs after the game.”

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Demko, depth scoring help Canucks pull off convincing win over Senators 1200637 Websites Some of it has to do with the fact the game has gotten too soft and Tkachuk is old school enough to prioritize physicality.

These scrums involve Tkachuk with the sort of regularity that prompted Sportsnet.ca / Flames, Matthew Tkachuk shrug off contrived fury over us to declare in this space months ago that, with the advent of the North Campbell 'incident' Division, Tkachuk would be the most hated player in Canada.

On Sunday, Leafs fans got a relative spoonful of the type of fury Tkachuk can prompt amongst fan bases. For hockey newbies, type 'Tkachuk' and Eric Francis 'Oilers' into Google. We’ll wait.

More from Sportsnet

Toronto, you had been warned. Markstrom's steady play undone by more bad bounces as Maple Leafs top Flames You had been told all about the legend of Matthew Tkachuk and how no matter how that tree is chopped down in front of the net it will always fall Eric Francis on the goalie -- sometimes with both knees on the back of a prone victim. Morgan Rielly's three assists lift Maple Leafs to win over Flames So, when that very scenario played out late in the Leafs’ win Sunday at the Saddledome, no one in Calgary thought twice about it. Canadian Press

Old news. Hey, we get it – Leafs fans are understandably sensitive about the health of their goaltenders. However, even Campbell dismissed the “incident” on No penalty on the play, no fight to follow -- nothing to see here. Just his Zoom call after the game, saying, “I don’t look at him as a menace, I another afternoon for Calgary’s top shift disturber. look at him as a really good hockey player.”

With his team down a goal and in desperate need for something to spark An infuriating one too, yes. But in this case, there’s no fire at the root of his club, he was in the guts of the game, battling for the game-tying goal the smoke. with a net-front scramble that finished with him deposited on top of Jack Campbell. Midway through the second period, Wayne Simmonds shared a few words with Tkachuk as they lined up for a faceoff. Ten seconds later Happens nightly. That’s his office, where he does his best work. Simmonds was sitting in the penalty box for boarding, after taking a run at . If bodies are flying everywhere and the game is on the line you can bet Tkachuk is in the middle of it. Did Tkachuk have anything to do with Simmonds’ over-aggression? Only those two know, but it wouldn’t be the most shocking possibility given Whether it be with a goal, a slick setup, a hit, elbow, screen, fight or mere Tkachuk has drawn more penalties than anyone in the NHL the last four- lip service, the Flames leading scorer last year has proven to be one of plus years, with 163. the league’s biggest difference-makers/agitators. Only Brad Marchand is in the same stratosphere. With that, he’s also drawn endless heat from infuriated observers. Nobody gets under the skin of opponents or fans like the son of Keith, Combine Nazem Kadri and Darcy Tucker, with a hint of Doug Gilmour, to brother of Brady. start understanding the annoyingly diverse skill set of Calgary’s No. 19. Will there be retribution in Tuesday’s rematch? So, when TJ Brodie leaned into Tkachuk while the lads played blanket hockey in the Leafs crease with the Flames goalie pulled, Tkachuk’s Well, despite the fact no other Leafs seemed fazed by it, it’s entirely momentum saw him crash down on Campbell before being forcefully possible Simmonds will try to take issue with it, as he was signed to be removed by Zach Bogosian. the Leafs muscle and would be keen to endear himself to teammates and fans alike. Remaining Time -1:15 “Are we really talking about this?” asked Flames coach Geoff Ward of Maple Leafs' Campbell in pain after Flames' Tkachuk falls on him during this contrived fury. scrum “Seriously? To be honest with you, if that’s anybody else we’re not even In the ensuing 20 seconds it took for Campbell to slowly get to his feet talking about it.” and shake off the discomfort that appeared to be caused by Tkachuk’s Winnwells, the temperature of Toronto’s Twitter reactions rose higher Exactly. than local house prices. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.26.2021 This is not a storyline in Calgary. In fact, ask 10 Flames fans about the “incident” and nine will admit they don’t know what you are talking about.

Ditto for Tkachuk.

“Which one? I feel like there were a lot of scrums in front of the goalie throughout the game -- which one are they making a big deal about this time?” chuckled the 23-year-old winger who figured Campbell was slow to get up due to a tweak he suffered minutes earlier.

“It was just a battle in front – I actually thought I tipped it and it went in. A 6-on-5 situation, just banging away at the puck

“I live in that area – I live in that crease area throughout the games. I was just digging for a puck. I was battling with Brodes (former teammate TJ Brodie) a little bit there and guys started coming in. I just got knocked over. Obviously I had no intention of falling into him or anything like that. It’s just a classic thing to try to accuse me of there.”

Does it ever surprise him when a fan base, players or the media single him out for innocuous incidents?

“I’d like to say no, but yes, I get very surprised at some things that come out of peoples’ mouths these days,” he said. “It’s a good thing I don’t listen to it. I just get asked about it from other people. Thank God I don’t go on my phone too much after games, otherwise It would drive me crazy. I know my parents do and it drives them crazy. It’s just classic.” 1200638 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / NHL suspends John Chayka for rest of year after dispute with Coyotes

Sportsnet Staff

The NHL has suspended former Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka through Dec. 31 as part of its ruling on a dispute over his departure from the team last summer, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The league sent a memo to its teams about the decision, saying "Chayka engaged in conduct detrimental to the league, breached his obligation to the club, and was properly terminated by the club."

On July 26, the Coyotes issued a statement saying that Chayka “quit” on the team and that the club was “disappointed” by his decision. In his own statement, Chayka said he left the team due to a “situation created by ownership.”

Shortly after the split, Friedman reported that Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo had asked Bettman to adjudicate the divorce to clarify some contract issues between the two parties.

At issue appeared to be whether the team allowed Chayka to pursue another opportunity. Friedman reported that about one month before the divorce, another NHL team reached out to the Coyotes asking for permission to speak to Chayka about a job. The request was initially denied but later permitted, and an offer Chayka couldn’t refuse was made. Friedman reported the Coyotes made it clear the titles “general manager” and/or “president of hockey operations” could not be involved, to prove that Chayka was not making a lateral move.

Chayka's tenure with the club came under further scrutiny after a hearing on Aug. 6, when the Coyotes acknowledged they had violated the league's combine testing policy during the 2019-20 season by conducting physical testing on draft-eligible players prior to the event.

At the end of the month, the organization was forced to forfeit its 2020 second-round pick and 2021 first-round selection for its actions. No discipline was handed down on any specific individuals involved in the case.

In September, the Coyotes replaced Chayka with Bill Armstrong, the former assistant GM of the St. Louis Blues.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.26.2021 1200639 Websites Overall, I think we grew as a team this weekend. Heading into our first game, we didn’t know what to expect. We had never played as a team before. We’ve had only a handful of full-team practices. But we felt the growing pains and worked out the kinks, and started finding our groove. Sportsnet.ca / A view from the ice as the NWHL bubble season begins I could tell we were getting better and better each game. This came as no surprise to me. We knew these games weren’t going to be easy, and we’re a team that’s growing. It gives me confidence to see us improving @LindsayEastw00d January 25, 2021, 12:09 PM so quickly.

And although we have yet to pick up our first win, did it ever feel good to Lindsay Eastwood is a rookie blueliner on the , the NWHL’s be back out there competing. I haven’t had that in-game adrenaline rush newest franchise. She’ll be blogging for Sportsnet throughout the for so long — it had been 334 days since I last played in a hockey game. league’s bubble season, taking place from Jan. 23 to Feb. 5. For the first time in almost a year, I felt alive.

This was a weekend of many firsts. We played in our first game as a Needless to say, Monday’s day off is much needed after back-to-back franchise, I played in my first professional hockey game, and I scored my games. My recovery day consists of drinking my body weight in water, first professional goal — which was also the first goal in Toronto Six taking some walks to get the legs moving, and — I can’t emphasize this history: more — stretching.

Remaining Time -0:38 I think I can attest that every hockey player’s hips are sore from the beginning until the end of a season. Mine are extra sore this time around Lindsay Eastwood scores the first goal in Toronto Six history due to the extended off-season and jam-packed two-week schedule. (And I can’t blame it on age yet, as I’m only 24 and a rookie.) That said, When I popped the puck in the net in the first period of our game versus during the game my legs and lungs felt pretty good despite the higher the on Sunday, I wasn’t thinking about franchise pace than I’m used to. I was expecting them to feel way worse on the ice. history. I was thinking about how we had grabbed the lead. It wasn’t until I went on social media after the game that I realized how special the goal So, what did I walk away with after opening weekend of the NWHL was. My name is now the answer to a Canadian sports trivia question: bubble season? A bruise the size of a softball, major T6 pride, and faith Who scored the first-ever goal for the Toronto Six? for the big things ahead for our team this season and into the future.

The outpouring of support was amazing, and it truly touched me as a Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.26.2021 player. Friends and family reached out along with what felt like the entire Toronto Six fan base. When I say Toronto hockey fans are the most passionate, I mean it. You all are the best.

Being from Ottawa, all of my friends from back home have had a hard time saying they’ll cheer for a Toronto team. But after our first two games, I think it’s safe to say we’ve converted them.

I must admit I was extremely nervous leading up to opening weekend. Ahead of game one, I was sick to my stomach with butterflies. It was a weird experience because I hadn’t been nervous for a hockey game in years, and hadn’t been this nervous since I ran track and field in the eighth grade.

But the nerves come with the territory; I was playing at a totally new level with a much faster pace, and my speed is one of my biggest insecurities as a player. Skating is something I’m constantly working at on and off the ice in order to get faster. So I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up.

The audience also added to the nerves. I knew there would be a lot of eyes on us this weekend for our inaugural games. The NWHL naturally has a larger following than my college team, , even in a normal season for the league. Our first game ended with 40,000 total viewers on Twitch. That laps the audience total of every other game I’ve ever played.

Once I got a few shifts under my belt in our first game versus the , the nerves drifted away and didn’t come back until our shootout against Minnesota in game two, which we unfortunately lost.

It wasn't the result we might have wanted but it was still fun and historic.

Re-live this afternoon's thriller with the highlights on our YouTube channel » https://t.co/Y9hi8fcfal

You should also subscribe to our channel while you're there pic.twitter.com/X5AGZEdycg

— Toronto Six (@TheTorontoSix) January 25, 2021

In our first two games I really noticed the level of play is much faster and much more aggressive than I’m used to. Players like Allie Thunstrom of the Whitecaps can give guys in the NHL a run for their money in a puck race. I was nearly eating her dust on the back check.

Not to mention that after going into the corner with the Riveters’ , I learned really quickly to brace myself. I noticed that everyone you go to battle with is leading with their body, not their stick. That meant I had to get low and use my body as well. Lucky for me, I’m six feet tall — make that 6’2” on skates — and not a lanky six feet, so my size is my biggest advantage in those situations. 1200640 Websites (thanks to the direct access to fans provided by social media) and you can bet where they play is another thing that belongs on that list.

• Something about the Blue Jackets downing the Tampa Bay Lighting 5-2 Sportsnet.ca / NHL Weekend Takeaways: Hughes' sophomore surge a on Saturday in the first game of the post-Dubois era feels appropriate. sight to behold There’s not a drop of self-pity in this organization.

• Edmonton Oilers fans had to be jumping up and down after Leon Draisaitl’s buzzer-beater capped a crazy 4-3 win over the Jets Sunday Ryan Dixon night. At some point, I’d bet pure elation gave way to intrigue as Edmontonians contemplated the fact Jesse Puljujarvi registered an assist

during a strong showing on the top line with Connor McDavid and Ryan It's starting to look like Jack Hughes got the jinx out of the way in Year 1. Nugent-Hopkins. Hearing Draisaitl say “the sky is the limit” for the big Finn after the contest also marked an encouraging point on the long, The second-year hex is a widely known — if not entirely scientific — winding journey the Oilers have been on with the fourth overall pick from sports trope whereby players coming off strong rookie seasons find out 2016. just how difficult it can be to maintain dominance at the highest level. In Hughes’ case, his freshman campaign was a rough one, mirroring the • What an opening weekend for the Dallas Stars. A COVID-19 outbreak miserable year the New Jersey Devils had from start to finish in 2019-20. meant the defending Western Conference champs didn’t start their season until a week later than most of the teams in the league. Dallas, of But here comes the sophomore surge. course, also kicked off its campaign with top-line centre Tyler Seguin and goalie Ben Bishop on the shelf for the foreseeable future. Cue Captain Hughes’ top-shelf snipe on Sunday night opened the scoring in the America, Joe Pavelski. The 36-year-old went 2-2-4 in Dallas’s 7-0 Devils’ 2-0 win over the New York Islanders. smashing of Nashville on Friday night, then netted another goal — the Jack Hughes puts it right where momma keeps the game-winner — and two more assists in a 3-2 victory over the Preds on cookies.#NHLonSN | #ItsOn pic.twitter.com/JxCjZBFTPX Sunday.

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 25, 2021 Last year, Pavelski scored 14 goals in the regular season, then showed everyone how much he had left in the tank with 13 in 27 playoff games. The first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft now has three goals and The Stars have a real mix of young and veteran players — and the most seven points on the season. With five games in the books, Hughes is accomplished guy on the squad is leading them out of the gate. nearly halfway to his 61-game goal total of seven from last year. • George Armstrong wasn’t just the captain of the last Toronto Maple The East Division just got a little tougher. Leafs team to win the Stanley Cup, he is also Toronto’s all-time leader in The middle Flying Hughes Brother — Quinn is already dazzling in both regular season (1,188) and playoff (110) games played. Rest in Vancouver, Luke will be a first-rounder whenever we next have a draft — Peace, sir. You earned it. was always going to find his footing in the NHL; his silly amount of talent Weekend Warrior ensured that. But the way he’s stepped up in the absence of the 2017 draft headliner — Nico Hischier, out with a leg injury — has been Have yourself a Sunday afternoon, Pius Suter! The Chicago Blackhawks something to behold. rookie netted his first three NHL goals in the form of a hat trick versus the Detroit Red Wings in a 6-2 Hawks win. Hughes has played 66 NHL games in his young career and he’s already on this third bench boss. That tells you how bad last year was in Jersey, Remaining Time -2:08 when both coach John Hynes and GM Ray Shero were shown the door Blackhawks' Pius Suter scores first career NHL hat trick in-season. Alain Nasreddine took the reins temporarily, but veteran bench pilot Lindy Ruff is at the helm now and the Devils are responding. The Week Ahead

Beyond playing without Hischier, Jersey also had to deal with the sudden • Alex Pietrangelo leaving the only NHL team he’s known to sign with the retirement of free-agent signing Corey Crawford just before the start of Vegas Golden Knights was the biggest transaction of the off-season. On the year. No worries, as the duo of Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Tuesday, the former Blues captain will see all his old friends when St. Blackwood — the Timber Tandem? — have combined to post a .944 Louis invades Vegas. (The Blues are sticking around for another game save percentage thus far. (Blackwood is currently on the NHL’s COVID- on Thursday, too). 19 protocol list). A reconstructed back end now features an all-new left side of Ryan Murray, Dmitry Kulikov and freshman Ty Smith, who’s • It looks as though Roslovic — the Ohio kid — could suit up for the Blue carried over his prodigious Western Hockey League numbers by netting Jackets on Tuesday when the Florida Panthers visit Columbus. six points in seven contests. • The 4-0-2 Montreal Canadiens, after six straight on the road, will play If that isn’t enough good news, you have to know Devils fans are their home-opener Thursday night when the Calgary Flames come to delighted to see their much-hyped rival, the New York Rangers, stumble town. out of the gate. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.26.2021 Surely there will be tough stretches ahead for Jersey, especially as it navigates the treacherous East grouping. But with Hughes leading the way, you get the sense some of the kinks have already been worked out for this emerging club.

Other Takeaways

• There’s not much better than an in-season blockbuster and the Saturday-morning trade that saw Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic move from the Winnipeg Jets to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-rounder certainly qualifies as that. Barrels of ink were immediately spilled over the swap and one take that jumped out of the gym at me came from Sportsnet’s own Luke Fox: This is about as close to an NBA-style transaction as you'll see, as three young talents — without the leverage of no-trade clauses or impending UFA status — all managed to force their way out of situation they weren't happy with.

I’m not going to say muscling your way out of town is about to become an NHL trend, but there’s no question — across sports — players expect more and more say in how they’re coached, how they’re talked about 1200641 Websites he’s come in and been so open with everyone. And on the ice he looks stronger, he skates better. It comes down to confidence.”

It’s true at every level, in every league in every country: You don’t have Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' Puljujarvi finally in right place at right time to realize confidence, you don’t succeed. potential That’s why earning the spot on McDavid’s right side — rather than having it handed to him because of his draft order – has put Puljujarvi in a position where he can make this work. Mark Spector “He’s a more mature player,” head coach Dave Tippett said. “He’s fitting in the room more, he’s at ease with the language. He knows he’s a good enough player to play in the league now, and he’s going about the EDMONTON — It’s always been about time and place for Jesse business of proving it.” Puljujarvi, right back to that fateful day that he was supposed to have been drafted at No. 3 by Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo The plan was to play Puljujarvi next to steady centreman Kyle Turris Kekalainen, but somehow was still there at No. 4 for the Edmonton while he learned the game. The problem was, the kid was carrying Turris, Oilers. and two lines above Zack Kassian was sleep-walking through the first two weeks of the season. The Oilers were in the right place at the right time. Or maybe they weren’t. Losing changed the plan, as it always does.

Somehow, this six-foot-four specimen was always out of sorts in his first “I had no timeline on it,” Tippett said. “I just wanted to make sure he tour through the NHL, and when 2019/Edmonton turned into 2020/Oulu understood the way we wanted to play, wanted to get his feet under him. Karpat, we wondered if time and place would ever come together for He’s just played well enough that it was time for him to get a shot there. Puljujarvi and the Oilers. “But I think he’s coming; I think he’s coming. There’s lots of upside there. Well, he may be late but Puljujarvi is here and looking like the guy we A big, strong player who is going to be good for us.” thought he’d be when he lifted that MVP trophy at the 2016 world juniors. Puljujarvi only has two assists in seven games, but it’s not about points As fast as he is powerful, as skilled as he is physical, Puljujarvi’s right now. Just the way it wasn’t about pedigree when he was here last. fingerprints were all over Sunday night’s dramatic, last-second 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Right down to his spot in the blue paint In Winnipeg on Sunday, Puljujarvi played 17:33, had six shots on net, screening Laurent Brossoit as Leon Draisaitl blasted home the winner assisted on one goal and screened the goalie on the winner. His fancy with 0.7 seconds left in the game. stats were through the roof and he passed even the crankiest eye test by a mile. Puljujarvi was, finally, in the right place at the right time. Puljujarvi looks at age 22 the way we’d hoped he would at 19. "Of course, it's good — nice to be on in the final minute when we're trying to do the winning goal,” he said. “I mean, what can I say? (If you) work So it took a while. hard good things happen.” Good things are worth waiting for. Remaining Time -1:04 Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.26.2021 Tippett happy to see luck swing in Oilers' favour on special teams

They simply weren’t expected to happen this quickly for Puljujarvi, who returned from a year away in the Finnish Liiga, where we watched him drift home a stream of 25-foot wrist shots past below-average goalies.

“How does this game translate to the National Hockey League?” we wondered. Well, it turns out it does not translate at all.

Back in North America, Puljujarvi brings the puck to the net front. There are no wide loops and long, drifting wristers. Just straight-ahead Fred, a quick, bullet-like shot and a winger who looks like he could become mighty useful accomplice for one Connor McDavid.

“You get older and you get that power — what you need to play good in the best league in the world,” said Puljujarvi, now 22. “It’s small ice (here) and there’s not that much room. So you have to go to the net. I'm a big guy, and I think right now if I play with Connor and Nuge (Ryan Nugent- Hopkins), one guy has to be at the net. I just have to be strong there and get those loose pucks and it's a little bit different game.

“Like, you get older all the time. You have to change a little bit your game. It’s better and better this hockey every year.”

Of course, the sexy, high-draft pick dominates every Canadian market, whether he arrives closer to being impactful like Jesperi Kotkaniemi in Montreal, or turns out to be a good bottom-six player, like Sam Bennett in Calgary or Jake Virtanen in Vancouver.

The fans, their impatience with management is unilateral. “Put him on the top line! Give him an opportunity to play with our best guys!”

But inside the machine, the player hasn’t ticked off any of the boxes that a player must achieve before a coach can look the rest of his roster in the eye and hand him a spot next to McDavid. Coaches don’t just put Nail Yakupov on the top line when he can’t figure out a basic game plan — when he has no clue where to be on the ice — and they didn’t trust Puljujarvi when he nodded his head to pretty much every instruction, despite the fact he understood maybe 25 per cent of them.

“It starts off the ice,” Draisaitl said of the change in Puljujarvi. “He seems more engaged, so obviously the language helps a lot. It’s impressive that 1200642 Websites Marner's second point of Sunday's game, also an assist, came on the power play. He also had a power-play helper on Friday night setting up John Tavares for the game winner against Edmonton. Despite being the last man back in a tied game, Marner made a nice move to throw off Hart TSN.CA / Motivated Marner off to a flying start Trophy winner Leon Draisaitl and serve up a perfect shot for Tavares to tip home. Dynamic winger Mitch Marner is looking like a guy who may be destined to have a significant place in Maple Leafs lore one day as he’s tied for "As soon as I see Mitchy with the puck, I just try to have good instincts on the NHL scoring lead with 10 points in seven games this season, Mark where to go, because he's always got such a good sense of the play two, Masters writes. three steps ahead," Tavares told TSN. "Even on plays like that, it's not a direct pass, but he knows just how to feather it in there with the right

pace, with the right timing and make it easy for me." By Mark Masters Marner with the point shot, and John Tavares with the tip past Koskinen for the 3-2 lead! pic.twitter.com/xzuUwkbOzx

TSN Toronto Reporter Mark Masters reports on the Maple Leafs, who — The Leafs Nation (@TLNdc) January 23, 2021 practised on Monday afternoon at the Saddledome in Calgary ahead of Marner, still only 23-years-old, also plays a key role on Toronto's top Tuesday’s game against the Flames. penalty kill unit. Instead of their usual pre-game meeting, Toronto's players were shown a "He likes being out there as much as he can so he likes being on the video about George Armstrong on Sunday. The former Leafs captain, PK," noted Rielly. "I think he's extremely valuable in that area." who led the franchise to four Stanley Cup titles in the 1960s, had passed away earlier in the day. Marner is logging just over 24 minutes a night this season to lead all NHL forwards. "What he gave every single night wearing this jersey was awesome," said alternate captain Mitch Marner. "No matter who he was playing Defenceman Zach Bogosian, a new teammate, is quick to highlight against, you know, he was ready to play. It was never easy to go against Marner's defensive instincts. him. What he did for the winning culture of this city was unbelievable." "The way he reads the game both offensively and defensively is elite," As a local kid, who grew up bleeding blue and white, it means a lot to Bogosian said. "Played against him a number of years and ... trying to Marner to be able to help write the next chapter in franchise history. And move the puck up the ice, he made a lot of good reads defensively as so far this season the dynamic winger is looking like a guy who may be well so he's the total package." destined to have a significant place in Leafs lore. Marner wasn't sure how to answer when asked in which ways he's an "He's just got a lot of jump," observed defenceman Morgan Rielly. "It just improved player this season. He pointed to the team’s success and some looks like he's flying. I know he's pretty motivated and he's in a good fortunate bounces. place right now. He's just having fun with it and it's great to be around him at the rink when he's feeling like that." "I don't know if anything in particular is standing out that hasn't stood out in previous years," head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "I wouldn't say I'm "Well, I think I'm always motivated," Marner said. "I always want to be surprised by anything, but he's been very good for us." doing better. That's kind of the motto of our team. Everyone wants to be better." How has Marner's game evolved?

But after a scintillating 2018-19 season that saw him rack up 94 points in Mitch Marner has 10 points after the first seven games this season, 82 games, Marner wasn't quite the same explosive guy last year. He compared to 9 in seven contests last year, so on the surface it would finished with 67 points in 59 games before adding four assists in five appear that not much has changed. But as the TH panel explains, the playoff games. Perhaps he was slowed by a high ankle sprain that cost Leafs' forward has evolved his game in other aspects. him four weeks at the start of the season or maybe some bad vibes The Leafs hope Marner's magical baseline level may lead the franchise carried over from the contract negotiations that had spilled into the start to lofty heights. of training camp. Whatever it was, it all seems like ancient history now. Armstrong is immortalized on Legends Row outside as Marner is tied for the National Hockey League scoring lead with 10 points is Apps and Conacher. And Leafs president Brendan Shanahan thinks in seven games this season. He has at least one point in all five Leafs Marner has the potential to join them one day. wins. “He's got an energy that the players all love. He laughs at himself. He's "Our line's done a great job of every night coming in and playing hard self-deprecating, but he's also very serious about his job and the and working together as a unit and when that goes well stuff's going to pressure that he puts on himself," the team president told season-seat create, stuff's going to happen," said Marner. members in an interview with ’s Danielle Emanuele Motivated Marner flying out of the gates a couple weeks ago. "He just cares. He cares a lot. This is a guy that I hope plays his entire career in Toronto and if he does I have no doubt he Mitch Marner is one of the league leaders in scoring with 10 points will bring us success and I have no doubt that he's going to have a statue already on the season and is leading all forwards in average ice-time per outside of the arena one day." game. Mark Masters has more on his hot start to the year and the motivation that is driving him. 'Relentless' Shanahan compares Tavares to Yzerman, says Marner has statue potential Sunday afternoon was an example of that as the Leafs weren't at their best, but benefited from some good bounces and hard work. Jake During an interview conducted for season-seat members, Leafs president Muzzin opened the scoring when his shot deflected off Calgary's Dominik Brendan Shanahan had high praise for captain John Tavares and Simon and in. It was Marner, who had turned a one-on-three rush into an alternates Morgan Rielly and Mitch Marner. Shanahan predicted that if easy zone entry moments earlier. Marner plays his entire career in Toronto "he's going to have a statute outside the arena one day." Great entry by Marner here. Attacks the middle of the ice, and weaves through a few Flames. --

This leads to the Muzzin goal. pic.twitter.com/q2iH3HbQc6 Wayne Simmonds was the beneficiary of a Marner pass on Sunday as he picked up his first goal as a Leaf and 100th career power-play goal. — Nick DeSouza (@NickDeSouza_) January 24, 2021 "We got two great units," said Simmonds, who serves as the net-front The assist was Marner's 300th NHL point in his 307th career game. He's presence with the top group. "I don't think it matters which unit is on the the third-fastest player to reach that milestone in franchise history behind ice at this moment. Both units are clicking really well. For me, it's pretty only (294 games) and Syl Apps (284). much status quo. It's just get in front of the net, get loose pucks and present myself as an option for the other guys." The Leafs power play is clicking at 40.9 per cent on the season, which "Our schedule being what it has to this point, it’s been busy and want to ranks third in the NHL. They have scored on the man advantage in all but give Spezz a chance to take tomorrow off," Keefe explained. one game. Tuesday will be Toronto's eighth game in 14 days to start the season. But not everyone is satisfied. "At the same time it allows us to get a look at some of our other guys that "That's an area of our game that we need to take pride in," said Rielly, we want to give some opportunity to play," Keefe said. the quarterback on the top unit. "It's going to be important for us. When we watch the tape, it actually looks a little bit sloppy to me and I think we One of those guys is Joey Anderson, who was acquired from the Devils can improve. We take a lot of ownership in that and it's important we in the Andreas Johnsson trade in the off-season. keep working on it. It’s a big part of our wins." "He's got good energy, good legs, moves his feet, he's a smart player," --- Keefe said. "His situational awareness is very good. We think he had a really good camp with us ... in our scrimmages that we had and intra- Jack Campbell missed practice after sustaining an injury during Sunday's squad games and practice sessions he's looked good. He's got a real win. good attitude, good energy about him and he'll be excited to go."

"Jack wasn't available today so just got to continue to let things settle The 22-year-old has yet to make his Maple Leafs debut. down there and get him evaluated to figure out what his situation might be moving forward," Keefe said. "I don't have an update there." Leafs Ice Chips: Campbell misses practice; Spezza gets a game off

Campbell, who improved to 2-0-0 on the season, insisted he never After appearing to sustain an injury late in Sunday's win, Jack Campbell considered leaving Sunday's game despite being in obvious discomfort in was not on the ice at Monday's practice. "We have to continue to let the final minute. He refused to discuss what was ailing him after the things settle down there and get him evaluated to figure out what his game. situation might be moving forward," Sheldon Keefe said. The Leafs coach also explained why 37-year-old Jason Spezza will not play in Tuesday’s No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen has played well of late with a .938 save rematch against the Flames. percentage in his last three starts, but Toronto's depth could become an issue with the condensed schedule this season. The club recently lost --- Aaron Dell on waivers to New Jersey. If Campbell misses time, Michael Auston Matthews returned to the Leafs lineup on Sunday after missing Hutchinson, who struggled as Toronto's No. 2 goalie last season, will be one game with a hand injury. Is it something he'll have to monitor moving elevated to the backup job. forward?

'Rock star' Campbell unfazed by Tkachuk's antics, leads Leafs to ugly "A little bit," Matthews said after being credited with the game-winning win goal against the Flames. "Will have to take care of it here the next couple Playing for the seventh time in 12 days, the Leafs were expecting to face weeks, but it feels better. I feel more than good enough to play and good an uphill battle against a rested Flames team on Sunday. But goalie Jack enough to contribute and help the team." Campbell was up to the task stopping 31 shots and maintaining his TSN.CA LOADED: 01.26.2021 composure despite the best efforts of Matthew Tkachuk. "I didn't even look at him as a menace out there," Campbell insisted. "He’s just a really good hockey player."

---

Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk fell on Campbell during a scramble in the final minute on Sunday, which certainly didn't make the goalie feel any better. But the always-optimistic Campbell had only praise for Tkachuk when the dust settled.

"I didn't even look at him as like a menace out there," said Campbell, who had exchanged shoves with Tkachuk earlier in the game. "He's just a really good hockey player. Any time he's out there I'm always aware. He's really good in front of the net and setting up his teammates."

Campbell’s teammates, meanwhile, followed his lead on Monday opting not to take the bait when asked about Tkachuk's collision with their goalie.

"It doesn't matter what we think," said Marner, who played with Tkachuk in London of the . "It's up to the refs to call penalties. We don't really care to comment on it to be honest.

Tkachuk, though, was happy to shoot back at online critics who raised the incident on Twitter and other social media.

"I live in that area," Tkachuk said. "I live in that crease area throughout the games and I'm just digging for a puck. I was battling with Brods [TJ Brodie] a little bit there and guys started coming in and just got knocked over and obviously had no intention of falling into him or anything like that. That's just a classic thing to try and accuse me of there."

The Flames peppered Campbell with 20 slot shots on Sunday with seven coming off the stick of Tkachuk, who scored on a deflection in front.

'It's classic': Tkachuk laughs off notion that he purposely fell on Campbell

Late in the third period against the Maple Leafs on Sunday, Matthew Tkachuk fell on Toronto goaltender Jack Campbell and some accused him of a dirty play. Tkachuk responded by saying he was just trying to dig for the puck and he got knocked over, and laughed at the accusation that he was playing dirty.

---

Jason Spezza, 37, will sit out the rematch against the Flames. 1200643 Websites Tonight is the second game of a seven game road trip for the Senators. They will continue on for two in Edmonton and one in Montreal before playing their next home game.

TSN.CA / Canucks vs Senators gameday preview POSSIBLE CANUCKS LINE-UP

Canucks, 2-5-0 to start the season, open a three-game homestand Miller-Pettersson-Boeser against 1-3-1 Ottawa Pearson-Horvat-Hoglander

MacEwen-Sutter-Virtanen By Jeff Paterson Motte-Beagle-Roussel

Hughes-Benn VANCOUVER – After dropping two of three to the Montreal Canadiens, Edler-Schmidt the Vancouver Canucks (2-5) welcome the Ottawa Senators (1-3-1) to town for three straight at Rogers Arena starting tonight. Juolevi-Myers

The Canucks fell 5-2 to the Habs on Saturday and were outscored 17-10 Holtby in the three game set. Elias Pettersson notched his first goal of the season and rookie Nils Hoglander found the back of the net for the POSSIBLE SENATORS LINE-UP second time. Those goals tied the game 2-2 early in the third period Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson before the Canadiens scored three unanswered goals for the victory. Paul-Anisimov-Dadonov Captain Bo Horvat had a helper on the Hoglander goal and continues his torrid start. Horvat has 4+2=6 in this last three games and leads the Stutzle-Tierney-C.Brown Canucks with five goals and eight points on the season. Horvat’s five goals are tied for the NHL lead along with Tyler Toffoli, Mikko Rantanen Galchenyuk-Stepan-Watson and Travis Konecny. Chabot-Zaitsev

While JT Miller has 5 assists in four games, he has not scored yet after Reilly-Gudbranson finding the back of the net 27 times last season. A big part of the issue for Miller is that he has just four shots on goal so far this season (game Wolanin- J.Brown by game, he has had 0-1-2-1). Murray Defense continues to be a huge problem for the Canucks who have TSN.CA LOADED: 01.26.2021 surrendered a league-high 33 goals and have yet to hold an opponent under three goals in any of their seven games. Through their first seven games last season, the Canucks had allowed just 15 goals. At even strength, no player in the NHL has been on the ice for more goals against this season than Quinn Hughes (12) -- and Tyler Myers (11) is tied for second.

With no morning skate, it will likely be closer to game time before tonight’s line-up is announced. Braden Holtby is likely to get the start in goal. If he does, it will be the first time this season a Canuck goalie has started consecutive games. Holtby allowed four goals on 33 shots. The veteran puck stopper is now 2-2 on the season with a 3.70 GAA and 88.8% save percentage. Based on Sunday’s practice, Adam Gaudette may be a healthy scratch for a second straight game.

It may be early, but in a shortened season it’s hard not to look at simple math. The team is already three games under .500. If it will take 63 points in 56 games to make the playoffs (92-point pace in an 82-game schedule), the Canucks will need to go 10-games over .500 over their remaining 49 games. It’s possible. They had a 14-3 stretch in the middle of their season last year, but it puts them in a bind knowing they will likely need a similar stretch for a second straight season.

The Canucks have dropped five of six games since an opening night victory in Edmonton. That remains the team’s lone regulation win seven games into the season. The Senators also won their season opener and have yet to taste victory since then.

The Sens arrive in town following a 6-3 loss in Winnipeg on Saturday a game in which Ottawa had a 3-2 third period lead and let it slip away. Brady Tkachuk, Nick Paul and Evgenii Dadonov had the Senators goals while Marcus Hoberg made 32 saves in a losing cause. Chris Tierney leads the Senators with three goals while Nikita Zaitsev has the team lead with five points (0+5).

Matt Murray is expected to return to the Sens net tonight after backing up on Saturday. Murray was given the hook after allowing four Winnipeg goals in 40 minutes in his last start last Thursday. Acquired by the Sens from Pittsburgh at the NHL Draft, Murray is 1-2-1 with a 3.79 GAA and 88.0% save percentage so far this season.

Rookie Tim Stutzle, who turned 19 on January 15th, is expected to return to the Sens line-up after missing the past three games with an upper body injury. The third overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft starred for Germany at the World Juniors (5+5=10). He scored his first NHL goal vs Toronto on January 16th. 1200644 Websites isn’t a single regular Montreal forward tandem that’s in the red when it comes to goal differential so far this season.

Absent a slow start on the penalty kill, there is plenty to like about what TSN.CA / There’s plenty to like from Toffoli and the Habs early we have seen from Montreal this season.

A writer couldn’t script a better start for new Montreal Canadiens forward Finding a singular reason for their apparent jump in the league power Tyler Toffoli. There is a lot more to like about Toffoli – and really, the start rankings is impossible. But the off-season forward acquisitions probably by Montreal as a team in general – than a hot scoring start, one headline the list, and it’s not just about the raw skill brought by players underpinned by shooting 25 per cent over the first five games, Travis like Toffoli or Anderson. It’s also about their ability to positively impact the Yost writes. play of teammates around them and develop chemistry with the rest of the active roster.

Kotkaniemi has always had the skill. But there is a reason he is off to By Travis Yost career starts in individual shot rates, individual scoring chance rates, and, more broadly, rate scoring. He has a dangerous – and apparently lethally

complementary – winger in Toffoli. A writer couldn’t script a better start for new Montreal Canadiens forward If this sustains, Montreal will be Toronto’s biggest threat in the North Tyler Toffoli. Division. Frankly, that may already be the case. In six games since leaving the Vancouver Canucks, Toffoli has fit in TSN.CA LOADED: 01.26.2021 seamlessly – his eight points (five goals, three assists) put him tied for second in league scoring behind Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor through the Saturday games.

Toffoli signed a four-year, $17-million dollar contract in the off-season to bring scoring flair from the wings, and to say he’s delivered so far for Claude Julien and company would be an understatement.

There is a lot more to like about Toffoli – and really, the start by Montreal as a team in general – than a hot scoring start, one underpinned by shooting 25 per cent over the first five games.

One of the critical building blocks for this Montreal team was to build on last year’s success at even strength, where the Canadiens – despite finishing 24th in the league standings – finished 13th in goal differential.

Most of last year’s success came through the top line, where Phillip Danault, Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar leveraged their high-end agility and relentless forechecking to punish opposing defences. Stylistically, they were a perfect match for Julien, who has long made it a priority to run up gaudy shot volumes in the offensive third.

But replicating that style further down the roster was a challenge without more capable attackers. Thus began the off-season push to bring in more weapons, headlined by Toffoli and Josh Anderson. Intermixed with a bunch of capable young forwards, Montreal bet that their additions would not only come in and create offence, but also make the players around them better.

Bringing this back to the Toffoli addition, one of the early tandems Julien created paired the 28-year-old winger with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the team’s third-overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.

Kotkaniemi had shown plenty of promise in his young career, but went through an offensive slump last season that saw him on the fringes of the regular lineup. Entering year three, I think there was a question as to what Kotkaniemi’s talent ceiling actually was, and whether an improvement in teammate quality would turn his game around.

That has happened in spades. The Toffoli and Kotkaniemi pairing (generally playing with Joel Armia as the third option) has terrorized teams the same way the Montreal top line has for years. In fact, if we look at some of the most effective combinations by net-shot differential this season, Toffoli and Kotkaniemi are near the top of the NHL, and they are certainly at the top of Montreal’s leaderboard:

This is the first time in a long time that the first line has been displaced by any sort of underlying statistical measurement, like shot differential (Corsi%) or expected goal percentage. But the key thing is their displacement didn’t happen because of their own struggles – the team’s second and third lines (predominantly) have elevated their game and are taking the game to opponents with a frightening level of consistency.

It’s also worth mentioning that when the majority of your forward tandems are getting better than 50 per cent of the shot share, as is the case in Montreal through the first two weeks of the season, your team is in a really good position to compete long term.

The key test for the Montreal forward groups will not merely be to continue creating territorial advantages like this, because it’s all for naught if those do not translate to goals. So far, so good on that front: the Toffoli and Kotkaniemi combination leads the team with a +5 goal differential when deployed together at even strength. And again, there 1200645 Websites

USA TODAY / NHL postpones another Carolina Hurricanes game, shuffles schedule

Mike Brehm

The NHL postponed a fourth Carolina Hurricanes game because of COVID-19 protocols and rescheduled seven games.

The Hurricanes, as of Sunday evening, had six players on the COVID-19 protocol list, meaning an initial positive test, players exhibiting symptoms or quarantining because of potential exposure to someone with a positive test.

Jesper Fast was added to the list on Saturday, joining Warren Foegele, Jordan Martinook, Jaccob Slavin, Jordan Staal and Teuvo Teravainen.

As a result, Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning was postponed.

The games that will be moved (original date in parentheses, all times p.m. ET):

-Carolina at Nashville (Jan. 19) now March 2 at 8.

-Florida at Carolina (Jan. 21) now Feb. 17 at 5.

-Florida at Carolina (Jan. 23) now March 7 at 5.

-Tampa Bay at Carolina (Jan. 26) now Feb. 22 at 7.

-Columbus at Carolina (Feb. 16) now Feb. 15 at 7.

-Florida at Tampa Bay (Feb. 16) now Feb. 15 at 7.

-Carolina at Tampa Bay (Feb. 22) now Feb. 24 at 5.

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The NHL earlier rescheduled 10 games because of COVID-19 protocols.

The Dallas Stars had 17 players test positive during training camp, and the team made its season debut Friday after having four games postponed.

The Chicago Blackhawks placed Adam Boqvist and Alex DeBrincat on their COVID protocol list.

The Washington Capitals are without four players — Alex Ovechkin, Evgen Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov — for at least another two games. The team was fined $100,000 because the players violated protocols by gathering in a hotel room without masks. Washington has gone 1-0-1 in their absence.

USA TODAY LOADED: 01.26.2021