SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 12/1/2019 1164079 Column: Bill Peters scandal should prompt change at 1164111 Patrick Kane’s streak hits 15 games, but the every level of hockey Avalanche clobber the Blackhawks for the 2nd straight day 1164080 How the Ducks’ lack of natural scoring was painfully w obvious in Jets loss 1164112 Is Patrick Kane or Robin Lehner the MVP? Is Alex DeBrincat in a slump? 4 hot topics for the Blackhawks. Coyotes 1164113 Blackhawks crumble in second period, get blown out again 1164081 ' early lead not enough in loss to San by Avalanche Jose Sharks 1164114 his You Gotta See: Blackhawks-Blues, Bears-Cowboys 1164082 Arizona Coyotes' best offseason acquisition might be Carl and a big-time test for DePaul Soderberg 1164115 Blackhawks’ Andrew Shaw embraces role as veteran 1164083 Coyotes play in third straight shootout, fall to Golden leader Knights 1164116 Rantanen returns to lineup, leads Avalanche past Chicago 1164084 Coyotes survived November, but they know they could 7-3 have accomplished more 1164117 Avs throttle Hawks for second straight night, 7-3 1164118 Reality check: Blackhawks look like a team still trying to find its way 1164085 Reassured by an outside neurological assessment, a 1164119 Five Takeaways: Blackhawks lose back-to-back games healthy David Backes eager to return against Avalanche 1164086 Canadiens thumbnails 1164120 2020 NHL All-Star Game fan voting is open 1164087 Bill Peters done in by his own words and actions 1164088 David Backes close to a return with ‘a healthy squash’ 1164089 Hockey takes a few hits 1164121 Avalanche wins big, sweeps Blackhawks in Mikko 1164090 Resilient Bruins keep finding a way to win Rantanen’s return 1164091 Scary thought for the NHL? David Pastrnak just keeps 1164122 Chambers: How good is Cale Makar? He’s too good to getting better and better take a 1164092 Patrice Bergeron (lower body) out Sunday, Brad 1164123 Mikko Rantanen shredded the Blackhawks in his return — Marchand dealing with flu-like symptoms this is how he did it 1164093 Bruins winning games despite 'some passengers', truly 1164124 The Avalanche’s top players come up big in 7-3 route over sluggish starts Chicago 1164094 Cleared to return after latest scary hit, David Backes says 1164125 The shorthanded Avalanche prepare for Rantanen’s return he has peace of mind going forward after win in Chicago 1164126 Avs Game 26 Grades: Mikko’s Back 1164127 Rantanen’s return fuels another Chicago beatdown 1164095 Power-play failures loom large in Sabres' overtime loss to Leafs 1164096 It was a terrible November at times but Sabres' season 1164128 Islanders 2, Blue Jackets 0: the 3-2-1 rundown wasn't rendered moot 1164129 Blue Jackets’ power play benefits from tweaking 1164097 The Wraparound: 2, Buffalo Sabres 1164130 Islanders 2, Blue Jackets 0 | Zach Werenski injured in 1 (OT) shutout loss 1164098 Sabres game day: Power play adjusting without Rasmus 1164131 Blue Jackets 5, Penguins 2: the 3-2-1 rundown Dahlin 1164132 Portzline: Zach Werenski suffers injury, and other 1164099 Mike Harrington's NHL Power Rankings observations from Blue Jackets’ loss to Islanders 1164100 Carter Hutton’s hard luck working against him Stars 1164133 Although he’s a bit of a hockey paradox, Jamie Oleksiak is 1164101 Ward gets second win as Flames interim head coach finding his role in the top 4 of the Stars’ defensi 1164102 Matthew Tkachuk vs. returns for third round 1164105 ‘Chucky Bowl’ Part III: Inside the sibling matchup between 1164134 Detroit Red Wings' skid hits nine as Alex Ovechkin puts up Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and their all-star sister hat trick for Capitals 1164106 Flames — and their new bench boss — believe they are 1164135 Red Wings desperate for turnaround as blowouts balloon: trending in the right direction 'We’re fragile' 1164136 Red Wings' strong effort can't stop winless streak from reaching nine 1164107 Former Canes GM says he responded 1164137 Red Wings acquire Eric Comrie, potentially goalie of immediately to incidents involving Peters, players future, from Coyotes 1164108 Ron Francis has to answer for enabling Bill Peters’ abuse 1164138 Red Wings drop ninth in row as Alex Ovechkin gets hat with Hurricanes trick 1164110 Loose pucks: Bill Peters’ resignation leaves more 1164139 Red Wings acquire goaltender Eric Comrie for Vili questions, first-period woes, Thanksgiving pups Saarijarvi 1164140 Ovechkin gets hat trick with 2 empty-netters, Caps top Wings Rangers 1164141 Canucks clobber Oilers in big divisional match-up 1164171 Rangers’ crucial Kaapo Kakko decision paid off 1164142 Oilers snapshots: Sam Gagner battling to find regular 1164172 Ray Shero can’t let this Devils disaster go on much longer place in lineup 1164173 Sean Avery: NHL coach not named Bill Peters kicked me, 1164143 Elias Pettersson having another strong season for too 1164174 Rangers wallop Devils with special teams masterpiece 1164144 Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ farm team recalls invaluable 1164175 Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev bounces back in a big in playoff seasons and paying off in 2019-20 way with shutout vs. Devils 1164176 Special-teams goals, penalty-killing power Rangers past Devils 1164145 Panthers’ Driedger gets shutout vs. Predators in first NHL 1164177 ‘He was huge’: Rangers’ Jacob Trouba has proven he can start play important minutes 1164146 Panthers goalie Chris Driedger set for first NHL start NHL Kings 1164178 NHL Seattle GM Ron Francis says he took alleged 1164147 Bill Peters scandal should prompt change at every level of physical abuse by coach Bill Peters ‘very seriously’, but hockey does 1164148 Kings deliver again for home fans, top Winnipeg 1164149 The 2010s: Grading the decades of the Southland’s sports teams 1164179 GARRIOCH GAME REPORT: Senators fall to Flames, 1164150 NOVEMBER 30 RAPID REACTION: KINGS 2, JETS 1 lose four in row for first time this season 1164151 GAME 27: LOS ANGELES VS WINNIPEG 1164180 SNAPSHOTS: Bruins' David Backes relieved that Sens' 1164152 NOVEMBER 30: CAMPBELL-BROSSOIT; LADUE, Scott Sabourin is recovering PROKHORKIN IN; MACDERMID, LUFF OUT 1164181 ‘Chucky Bowl’ Part III: Inside the sibling matchup between 1164153 WAKING UP WITH THE KINGS: NOVEMBER 30 Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and their all-star sister 1164154 Wild-Dallas gameday preview 1164182 Ivan Provorov lifts Flyers to 4-3 overtime win in Montreal 1164155 Wild Mikko Koivu to play 1,000th NHL game to complete magical November Sunday 1164183 Flyers coach Alain Vigneault giving tough love to demoted 1164156 Wild captain Mikko Koivu mentally prepares himself for winger James van Riemsdyk No. 1,000 1164184 Claude Giroux, Brian Elliott spark Flyers to a rare win in Columbus 1164185 Flyers Notebook: Matt Niskanen takes 'slice' in stride 1164157 Ivan Provorov scores in OT, Flyers beat Canadiens for against Wings fourth straight win 1164186 Flyers cap special November, enter December with most 1164158 In the Habs' Room: We were better, but lack confidence, points since Eric Lindros-led 1995-96 team Julien says 1164159 Canadiens extend losing streak to 7 games with OT loss to Flyers 1164187 Blues get early lead, hand Penguins 2nd loss in row 1164160 Canadiens Game Day: Habs get loser point, but now 1164188 Zach Trotman aims to bring consistency to Penguins winless in last seven 1164189 Tough back-to-back ends with another Penguins loss and 1164161 With their season teetering on the brink, the Canadiens another injury must prove the potential power of a good loss 1164190 Bryan Rust day-to-day with lower-body injury; Brian Dumoulin leaves game 1164191 How many hits can the Penguins take? Another injury 1164162 Predators shut out by Panthers 3-0 in Chris Driedger's first comes in another loss career start 1164192 Sharks score four straight to rally past Arizona Coyotes 1164163 Dreadful power plays dooms Devils in loss to Rangers 1164193 Logan Couture scores twice as Sharks win for 11th time in 1164164 Devils’ lines, pairings vs. Rangers (11/30/19) | Jack 13 games Hughes out for 1st time 1164194 Sharks set up to make move in standings after strong play 1164165 Ray Shero can’t let this Devils disaster go on much longer in November 1164166 Rangers wallop Devils with special teams masterpiece 1164195 Sharks takeaways: What we learned in 4-2 comeback win 1164167 Q&A with Cory Schneider: Devils goalie talks about a over Coyotes disappointing demotion and a fight to continue his NHL ca St Louis Blues 1164196 Blues notebook: Poganski becomes the third 'San Antonio' 1164168 Semyon Varlamov perfect in relief as Islanders blank Blue Blue Jackets 1164197 Blues finish trip with win in Dallas 1164169 Anders Lee scores as Islanders blank Blue Jackets to 1164198 Faulk, Walker score as Blues beat Penguins 5-2 snap three-game skid 1164199 Allen shines in goal as Blues win on road again, 3-1 1164170 Thomas Greiss starts for Islanders, but takes himself off in against Stars first period vs. Blue Jackets 1164200 Can the Blues continue to cope with their endless list of long-term injuries? 1164201 Lightning fall to Carolina Hurricanes for third straight loss 1164221 Lacklustre Jets crowned by Kings 1164202 Lightning missing Braydon Coburn and Alex Killorn 1164222 Jets soar with makeshift middle man against Carolina 1164223 Black-&-blue line loses Kulikov 1164203 Lightning and Capitals have created a rivalry in two years 1164224 Jets shake up lineup to face off against Kings 1164204 Lori Graves subs in on the organ for a few Lightning 1164225 Jets run out of gas, fall to Kings in Cali games 1164226 Jets put band back together to make music on power play 1164227 Paul Maurice: ‘We’re probably not going to be an analytics Toronto Maple Leafs darling this year’ 1164205 John Tavares scores OT winner to lift the Maple Leafs 1164228 What Winnipeg lacks in top-end talent it makes up for with past the Sabres 2-1 a wide range of intriguing tools 1164206 Masked marvel commits highway robbery and the Leafs 1164229 Wiebe: Should Jets captain Blake Wheeler stay at centre? steal a win in QEW series He’s making a strong case 1164207 There’s no place like home as Leafs snap back-to-back SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 curse in coach Keefe’s Toronto debut 1164208 Keefe, Leafs a hit at home 1164209 Andersen, Tavares make Keefe a winner 1164210 Leaf Snaps: Keefe gets new office 1164211 Sabres look to sweep Leafs 1164212 The Leafs can’t win without John Tavares at his best — he finally looks on his way 1164213 Leafs Report Cards: Frederik Andersen’s skill and a little luck quiet Sabres, William Nylander’s effort and mo Vancouver Canucks 1164230 Oilers 2, Canucks 5: Canucks on a high after shutting down McDavid & Co. 1164231 Canucks Game Day: Long road trip ends tonight in Edmonton with some Oil changes expected 1164232 The Armies: Loui Eriksson night in Canada, Hughes’ subtle domination, the Core Four’s redemption and predictio 1164214 Bill Peters’ allegations paint NHL in horrible light 1164215 Golden Knights’ defensive zone changes pay dividends — ANALYSIS 1164216 Golden Knights’ Alex Tuch looks to bounce back 1164217 Hat trick lifts Alex Ovechkin to 20 goals and the Capitals to a 5-2 victory in Detroit 1164218 Alex Ovechkin helps Capitals overcome sleepy start with hat trick performance 1164219 5 things to know for Capitals-Red Wings: First place vs. last place 1164220 As Caps embark on road trip, navigating the salary cap remains a 'day-to-day' process Websites 1164233 Sportsnet.ca / Andersen's heroics underscore first home win with Leafs for Keefe 1164234 Sportsnet.ca / Canucks dodge early-season trend, hold onto lead over first-place Oilers 1164235 Sportsnet.ca / Amid tough stretch, Canadiens play 'much better' in OT loss to Flyers 1164236 Sportsnet.ca / Flames add much-needed levity to their fight in win over Senators 1164237 Sportsnet.ca / Why Patrik Berglund’s decision to walk away from NHL was no decision at all 1164238 Sportsnet.ca / Identifying the 6 best lines in the NHL so far this season 1164239 Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: Surviving the Year of the Healthy Scratch 1164240 TSN.CA / Five Takeaways: Canucks vs Oilers 1164241 TSN.CA / Canucks vs Oilers Game Day Preview 1164079 Anaheim Ducks structure in and holds the players accountable. That’s the key — he’s holding them accountable,” Lamoriello said last week in Anaheim. “And respect. He respects the players and they respect him and everybody Column: Bill Peters scandal should prompt change at every level of feels good about it. hockey “I think it’s an extension of last season, Barry coming in and setting a structure and a group of players who want to be successful and committed to what the process was and have maintained it right through. By HELENE ELLIOTT SPORTS COLUMNIST The players that were brought in were the type of players who complemented who was here, and it’s just been a good mix. And we’ve NOV. 30, 2019 12:31 PM been able to bring in young players at different times to bring them along, so it’s been good so far.”

If any good can come from the events that led to Bill Peters’ resignation Their rivals respect that. “We look at that team, and that’s kind of where Friday as coach of the Calgary Flames, two days after he admitted he you aspire to go,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “They’re just one hell had used offensive language “in a professional setting” with Nigerian- of a team and Mr. Lamoriello has done a great job there getting that born player Akim Aliu a decade ago, it will be to launch discussions about group together. And obviously, that coach, Barry, he’s second to none.” what constitutes appropriate behavior for coaches at every level in The Islanders also have overcome the additional challenge of splitting hockey, and beyond. their home games between Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the Nassau Start with this: Anyone who resorts to physical or verbal abuse to convey Coliseum; their new arena at Belmont Park is expected to open for the a message is a coward and doesn’t deserve the honor of being called 2021-22 season. “They just accept it as what it is and they don’t allow “coach.” any distractions to get in the way. That’s been very nice to see,” Lamoriello said. The non-apology apology Peters sent to his boss, general manager Brad Treliving, made Peters’ departure from the organization inevitable. Peters Safety first? didn’t express regrets to Aliu, whose account of being the target of racial The NHL suspended Washington Capitals defenseman Garnet Hathaway epithets was corroborated by two of his teammates with Rockford (Ill.) of three games for spitting in the face of Ducks defenseman Erik the . Aliu also alleged Peters derailed his Gudbranson, which was disgusting and unsanitary but didn’t cause long- career by demoting him, which Peters didn’t address. term harm. Nor did Peters apologize for kicking defenseman Michal Jordan and Then, the league’s Department of Player Safety banished Tampa Bay’s punching another player in the head while they were with the Hurricanes. Erik Cernak two games for an elbow that gave Buffalo defenseman Rod Brind’Amour, then a Carolina assistant coach and now the Rasmus Dahlin a concussion and forced him out of the lineup indefinitely, Hurricanes’ head coach, confirmed those actions. “It for sure happened,” and it banned St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo for only four Brind’Amour said, adding that players alerted management about the games because of a dirty second cross-check on a defenseless Viktor incidents. Ron Francis, then Carolina’s general manager and now the Arvidsson, who suffered a lower-body injury and is expected to be out GM of the expansion Seattle franchise, said in a statement Saturday that four to six weeks. a group of players and “hockey staff members” had made him aware of the two physical incidents involving two players and Peters. “I took this What’s wrong with this picture? matter very seriously. I took immediate action to address the matter and briefed ownership,” he said. “To my knowledge, no further such incidents The idea of suspending the culprit as long as the victim is sidelined won’t occurred.” work because the injured player’s recovery could be falsely prolonged to keep the offender off the ice. But justice wasn’t served for Dahlin or In a statement released Friday, the NHL said it’s still reviewing Peters’ Arvidsson. If the NHL really is serious about cleaning up the game ... actions. “There are meetings scheduled with relevant individuals — Never mind. It isn’t. including Akim Aliu — in the coming days,” the statement said. Home ice advantage at the Gahden Coach-player relationships can be complicated. That’s especially true in hockey, where humility and respect for authority are primary lessons. Bruins right wing David Pastrnak looks on during a game against the Athletes can be reluctant to complain about a coach’s abusive words or Rangers on Nov. 29 at TD Garden. actions because that coach has the power to advance or derail their The Bruins improved to 10-0-4 at home by rallying for a 3-2 overtime career. In some sad cases, the abuse becomes sexual, like convicted victory over the on Friday. Right wing David Pastrnak sex offender Graham James’ molestation of Sheldon Kennedy, Theo extended his league goal-scoring lead to 24 and became the fourth Fleury and other junior-level players. Especially at the youth level, teams player in NHL history to have two straight months in which he scored 12 and leagues should provide resources for athletes, so they can speak up goals or more. The others, according to the league’s PR folks, are Mario if they feel unsafe or bullied. Lemieux, Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky.

This isn’t about kids having become soft. It’s about people with influence Boston, which ranks among the league leaders in goals scored per game inflicting life-changing emotional damage. It’s possible for a coach to be and fewest goals allowed, appears to be hitting its stride. The Bruins demanding without being demeaning. Not every coach stays on the right have won six straight games and are 7-0-3 in their last 10, an impressive side of that line. run. They also had an 18-game point streak earlier this season.

Geoff Ward, an associate coach under Peters, was appointed the Flames’ interim coach. He took over a team that has underachieved this season and now needs a calming influence. “We’re not going to LA Times: LOADED: 12.01.2019 implement huge changes. Our players know how to play the game,” Ward told the team’s website. “Right now, I think it’s so important that collectively we come together as a group.”

The New York Islanders took a club-record 15-0-2 point streak to Southern , where they fell back to earth with a 3-0 loss to the Ducks and a 4-1 loss to the Kings last week. But they’re still among the NHL’s top defensive teams and they’re challenging the Washington Capitals for the lead in the with a group that lacks superstars but has character and balance.

Credit goes to general manager Lou Lamoriello for building a deep roster and to coach Barry Trotz, one of the few NHL coaches who make a distinct difference wherever they go. The Islanders were fortunate to get Trotz, who left the Washington Capitals because of a salary dispute soon after he had led them to the in 2018. “I think he puts a 1164080 Anaheim Ducks It means the kids on the roster like Terry that can make plays with the puck at the net sometimes have to be a little more selfish.

“Thinking about it, no one’s really going to get mad at you for shooting How the Ducks’ lack of natural goal scoring was painfully obvious in Jets the puck unless it’s there,” Terry said. “I feel worse about trying to make loss that extra pass. I think it’s almost selfish of me not to shoot the puck in that position, if it makes sense. I almost feel like I let the team down by not shooting the puck there instead of over-shooting. If you’re over- By Eric Stephens shooting, you’re just trying to attack the net.

Nov 30, 2019 “I don’t think it’s hard (to not be unselfish). For me, it’s more just a mindset that I’ve always kind of been this passer. It’s hard to make those

extra passes that I could get away with college to the backdoor for an ANAHEIM, Calif. — Two nights before, Troy Terry got a pass from Erik open net. It just doesn’t work like that. It’s something I’m still trying to Gudbranson, zoomed through the neutral zone past Arizona’s Clayton work on to getting to that selfish mindset of shooting the puck.” Keller and Oliver Ekman-Larsson and zipped a wrist shot past the glove The Ducks need an all-hands-on-deck approach to their offensive attack. of Darcy Kuemper even as the goaltender had the chance to size him up The veterans have led the way, with Ryan Getzlaf shooting the puck as he reached the right faceoff dot. more from the circles on in and giving them nine early goals. But none of It was a classic goal scorer’s goal, as they say. Yes, the Ducks’ young them are yet in double figures. Jakob Silfverberg has been stuck on nine right wing has that kind of shot in his arsenal. goals for seven games. Adam Henrique, who had eight tallies by the first of November, has gone ice cold with no goals in his last 13 games. “I’ve scored some goals, but I feel like that was the first time I really just Rickard Rakell has perked up after a slow start but is only tied with straight up beat a goalie,” Terry said. “I’ve had people telling me to shoot Henrique. the puck and you have a really good shot and release. It definitely makes me feel more confident in that fact when I can do that. They need goals from their defensemen. Their fourth-line pluggers. And the kids. Wednesday’s shootout loss at Arizona had the bright spots of “Even tonight, I felt good. Still looking to shoot more. It’s something I’m Terry and Sam Steel scoring in the same game. Together with Max working on.” Jones, the trio have combined for eight goals.

In the second period of the Ducks’ annual Black Friday matinee at Honda In the postgame, Anaheim coach Dallas Eakins pointed out that “there’s Center, Terry got a pass from Cam Fowler and had the time and space certain guys in this league that can really finish and there are some that offensive players crave. A golden chance to cut Winnipeg’s two-goal lead don’t finish as well.” He has pushed for those who don’t to work on that in half was on his stick. and not settle on handling roles where offense isn’t expected or is the primary job. And he passed on it. Literally. In that vein, I asked him if a goal scorer can be created when a player Terry did the unselfish thing as many hockey players are wont to do. He doesn’t have that natural talent. Or it is solely natural for those who can thought he had a better play for a teammate. In this case, it was Nicolas put the puck in the net often? Deslauriers. A teammate that has shown no hesitation to protect those in similar jerseys. But a teammate with just 25 career goals in 333 NHL “I don’t know if you can create a 50-goal scorer,” Eakins said. “But I’m a games. big believer that you can create goals. The key there is to work on that part of the game. A lot of times, once you get into your career, it’s like, The Jets broke the play up without a shot taken. ‘OK, I know what I do for a living. I just got to get my eight or 10 or “That’s one that obviously looking back on it, I wish I would have shot,” whatever it is.’ Well, no, it’s not eight or 10. Let’s try to get 12 or 15. Terry said. “I’ve always been used to being a passer. The play could “You’ve heard me say it 100 times already. This is pack mentality. We’ve have worked with the backside guy. And if it worked, it’s a great play. So, got to get goal scoring right up and down our lineup.” it’s just the way it goes. The Ducks must convert more of their chances. Their underlying metrics “I think I’m playing well. I still need to just get into looking to attack and have proven that they’re no longer living in an analytical wasteland. shoot all the time. And that was an example of that.” Natural Stat Trick had them with a 55.4 percent Corsi-for rating and an The missed opportunity was hardly the reason why the Ducks dropped a 11-9 edge in high-danger chances at even strength, including a wide 8-3 3-0 decision to the visitors. Or why they lost for the 10th time in 12 edge in the second period. games and have a 5-10-4 record since winning six of eight to open the Naturally, Winnipeg scored on the power play and again at even strength season. Or why Black Friday has routinely left them feeling blue. to grab a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes. (And naturally, the only time the But it is one of the symptoms that ails them. Anaheim doesn’t have many Ducks haven’t had the Corsi edge over the last five games was their only forwards that can take a pass and provide the finish that turns a scoring win, a 3-0 triumph over the New York Islanders). Anaheim actually ranks chance into a scoring play. Conversely, while the Ducks might not be the 10th with 54 goals scored at 5-on-5 play but its offensive numbers have NHL’s lowest scoring team like they were last season, they still sit 27th been brought down by the well-chronicled dreadful power play. with a 2.63 goals-per-game average after being blanked for the first time. As someone that is getting power play time and skating within the top two And they’ll probably not going to move near the upper half of the league’s lines, Terry is one of those in a prime spot to deliver. He is learning that 31 teams. most goals aren’t scored by a shooter picking his spot and beating a For instance with Friday’s contest, Winnipeg has more pure weapons like goalie cleanly. He is learning that he must go to the net more and has that at its disposal. Two of their three goals came from Nikolaj Ehlers and found that he is involved in scoring plays when he does. He is also Kyle Connor. Ehlers has 12 goals and has averaged 25 for every 82 learning that he has to make the most of the times he does get plenty of games he’s played in five seasons. Connor got his 10th of the season time of space. after years of 31 and 34 goals. And that doesn’t count the Jets having “Everything happens faster,” Terry said. “Sometimes you look for the Patrik Laine, and Blake Wheeler. Between those three perfect shot and then you wait too long because everyone closes so fast. are players that have scored 20 or more goals 14 times, 30 or more five I’ve learned I can beat guys at this level. It’s one move and I beat them times and 40 or more once. and then I’m looking to shoot right away. It’s not beat a guy and then hold Players in the Ducks’ lineup that have scored 30 goals in a season? onto it and look for a pass or something else. Three. “It’s a learning process. I feel like a much better NHL player now than I What does this all mean? When players do have the ability to score “goal did last season. It’s still going through that process of learning when to scorer’s goals” you must take those shots. Especially when your team is shoot and when to hold onto the puck and all that stuff.” having a tough time beating the goalie with the scoring chances it had in Protecting Kase the first half of the game, as the Ducks did Friday. Just 2 ½ minutes into the game, Ondrej Kase was caught off guard as he looked for a puck headed this way and got drilled by Jets defenseman Anthony Bitetto at center ice.

Kase got up slowly while Gudbranson immediately went after Bitetto behind the Winnipeg net. And it brought instant concern over the Ducks right wing, as any big hit that he received has done given his history with concussion and other head injuries.

“You get worried for him,” Jakob Silfverberg said. “Obviously, you want him to be well. I don’t think it changes the way we play. Guddy does the right thing there. He steps up for his teammate and kind of marks that we’re not going to tolerate that. So, I think that was good. By him doing that, it created a lot of energy for us on the bench.”

Gudbranson picked up a minor penalty for instigating the fight with Bitetto, five minutes for the scrap itself and a 10-minute misconduct. Bitetto got two minutes for interference and five for fighting.

“It wasn’t a good hit,” Gudbranson said. “I dealt with it that way.”

The sight of Gudbranson defending his teammate was pleasing to Eakins.

“It’s kind of that time of the season,” he said. “All these guys are really bonded now. They’re a tight group. They truly care and love each other. It’s always great when you see them doing that.”

So was the sight of Kase returning to the ice shortly after heading to the dressing room and presumably going through concussion protocol before being cleared to resume action.

“A guy goes down and he comes off the ice and leaves the bench, you’re usually just waiting for word that he’s done something to his shoulder or his elbow or his knee or whatever it’s going to be,” Eakins said. “For him, to go in and everything check out fine is great.”

A disappointing call

The Jets broke the ice early in the second when Neal Pionk scored on a point shot that beat a screened Ducks goalie John Gibson. They got the power play on a charging penalty by Nick Ritchie as he laid a hit on Pionk in the final minute of the opening period.

Eakins didn’t hide his disappointment with the call. He has seen where Washington’s Brendan Leipsic took multiple strides to deliver a big hit on Derek Grant, which spurred the wild melee that involved Garnet Hathaway spitting on Gudbranson. Leipsic wasn’t penalized for the hit.

“For me, it’s interesting,” Eakins said, adding his praise for Ritchie being physical. “It’s off the faceoff. He got cross-checked twice in the back. He got slashed on the way. He goes in, he finishes his check. He didn’t take a stride from outside the goal line in for the hit.

“A lot of times now, I think when you see a big hit, they’re erring on the side of caution. And I do get it. And in the same breath, I don’t get it.”

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164081 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes' early lead not enough in loss to San Jose Sharks

Richard Morin, Arizona Republic

Published 8:30 p.m. MT Nov. 30, 2019 | Updated 9:23 p.m. MT Nov. 30, 2019

The Coyotes scored twice in the first 2:12 of the first period, but proceeded to allow three consecutive goals en route to a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday at Gila River Arena.

Coyotes forward Nick Schmaltz finished off a chance from linemates and Conor Garland at 1:33, and Derek Stepan potted a feed from less than a minute later as Arizona raced out to an early 2-0 lead.

However, Sharks forward Logan Couture cut the lead in half before the opening frame was over. Couture walked in uncontested and unleashed a wrist shot that beat Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta.

The Sharks scored twice more in the second period, the first from Dylan Gambrell and the second from Timo Meier.

San Jose scored an empty-netter in the final seconds.

The skinny

The score: Sharks 4, Coyotes 2.

The streak: L2.

The record: 15-9-4, 34 points.

The 82-game pace: 44-26-12, 100 points.

The standings: 2nd in Pacific.

The player: Logan Couture.

The moment: Dylan Gambrell's goal at 2:55 of the second period.

The number: 2 — The Coyotes suffered just their second regulation loss when scoring the first goal of the game (10-2-1).

View from the press box: It looked like the Coyotes were primed for a lay- up after racing out to a 2-0 lead, but some mistakes crept in and the Sharks quickly found their way back in the game. It was also a shaky night in goal for Antti Raanta, lending some question to whether he was 100 percent ready to play after missing the last two games with illness.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164082 Arizona Coyotes The Coyotes traded goaltender Eric Comrie to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for minor-league defenseman Vili Saarijarvi, the team announced Saturday.

Arizona Coyotes' best offseason acquisition might be Carl Soderberg Saarijarvi, 22, is a right-handed defenseman who has tallied one assist in 13 games this season with the Grand Rapid Griffins, the Red Wings' AHL affiliate. Richard Morin, Arizona Republic Comrie, 24, was claimed off waivers by the Coyotes in October but did Published 12:29 p.m. MT Nov. 30, 2019 not appear in an NHL game. Listed third on the depth chart behind Coyotes goaltenders Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta, Comrie was sent

on a conditioning stint to the Coyotes' AHL affiliate in Tucson in When John Chayka is brought up in conversation, most choose to November. discuss decisions such as trading Dylan Strome to the Chicago In order for the Coyotes to have sent Comrie to Tucson on a more Blackhawks or Max Domi to the Montreal Canadiens. permanent basis, he would have needed to pass through waivers. What isn't discussed as much, however, is the trade that landed Carl Saarijarvi has never appeared in an NHL game but has two goals and 25 Soderberg from the Colorado Avalanche. assists in 125 career AHL games. The 5-foot-10, 183-pound defenseman And it's a shame — because it might be one of the best moves to date was a third-round pick in 2015. He will report to Tucson. that Chayka, the Coyotes' president of hockey operations and general manager, has pulled off. Arizona Republic LOADED: 12.01.2019 Although there's certainly some competition.

Niklas Hjalmarsson for Connor Murphy and Laurent Dauphin; Jason Demers for Jamie McGinn; Darcy Kuemper for Tobias Rieder and Scott Wedgewood; Vinnie Hinostroza and Jordan Oesterle (and Marian Hossa's contract) for Marcus Kruger, Jordan Maletta, Andrew Campbell, MacKenzie Entwistle and a fifth-round pick; and Lawson Crouse (and Dave Bolland's contract) for two picks.

But what makes the Soderberg trade stand out is just how much it didn't.

In an offseason headlined by a trade for Phil Kessel and the introduction of new owner , trading for a bottom-six, a veteran forward like Soderberg, simply didn't register on the Richter scale, especially considering how little the Coyotes had to give up.

The Coyotes acquired Soderberg in exchange for defenseman Kevin Connauton and a third-round draft pick in 2020. Since the deal went down on July 25, Connauton has spent most of his time in the AHL while Soderberg has fit like a glove with the Coyotes in 2019-20.

It might be one of the most underrated transactions of the entire NHL offseason.

"He's a guy that goes to the net," Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said of Soderberg. "He's always around the nit. He's just fit in. And he's a big body; it's nice to have those big bodies. He's done a nice job for us."

Soderberg (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) has seven goals and five assists in 27 games while being expected to play an important defensive role. The 34- year-old has been asked to fill vital spots on both the power play and penalty kill — and he's thrived there, too.

Nobody expected Soderberg to sniff his career-high in goals (23) set last season, but he's on pace to eclipse it.

"I like it here in Arizona," Soderberg said. "I think we have a great team and I think I'm a pretty good fit for this team. I'm a little heavier than most of the guys and we don't have a lot of those heavy guys. Scoring-wise, I've had some scoring chances so that's been good for the team."

Soderberg describes himself as a steady and reliable player. He's been that way since he broke into the NHL with the Boston Bruins during the 2012-13 season, and he was that way when two of his Avalanche teams made the playoffs during his four-year tenure in Denver.

Before that, Soderberg was a long-time pro with Malmo in Sweden before coming over to North America. Even back then, Soderberg, who was a second-round pick by the St. Louis Blues in 2004, was labeled as "a rather complete and well-rounded player" by the website EliteProspects in 2007.

Now, Soderberg has taken that dependable game and established himself as a ballast in a Coyotes lineup littered with youth and talent, with some veteran presence mixed in.

"He told me early on," Tocchet said, "just make sure my linemates ... they can go to the net but I do, too. It's good because they fight. I want guys to fight for who goes to the net first. Not everybody can go to the net, but Carl gets to the net first, which is nice." 1164083 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes play in third straight shootout, fall to Golden Knights

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

NOVEMBER 29, 2019 AT 10:47 PM

LAS VEGAS (AP) — When Malcolm Subban was 14 years old, he started packing his goalie bags the exact same way and hasn’t changed since.

“I go pants, jock, kneepads, then skates, shoulder pads, helmet, glove — always the same” said the 25-year-old goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights.

He’s just as meticulous as he prepares his mindset for a shootout.

Subban improved to 5-0 lifetime in a shootout, Alex Tuch scored in regulation and added the shootout winner, and Vegas notched a 2-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Friday.

Jonathan Marchessault also scored in the shootout for Vegas, which won its second straight.

Subban, who went into the shootout a perfect 16 for 16 in his career, stopped 35 shots in his third straight start, including two monster saves in the final 12 seconds of regulation, and two more in overtime, turning away Phil Kessel. He stopped two of the three shots he faced in the shootout.

“I wish I could describe the feeling, but I’m just focused on the puck and you don’t really feel anything else,” Subban said. “I just try to stay patient in there and give my team a chance to get a goal or two.”

After losing his first six starts, going 0-4-2, Subban has won two straight after an overtime win in Nashville on Wednesday night.

“When you’re losing a lot, it gets pretty miserable, so I’m happy to get a couple of wins here,” Subban said. “You’re kind of just into the game and just try to dial yourself in and not think about anything else that’s going on.”

Vegas played its second straight overtime game and sixth in November. The Golden Knights, who are 4-4 in overtime games this season, including a perfect 3-0 in shootouts.

“Tuchy had a good game, he played one of his better games of the year,” Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said. “Subby was good, made a couple of key saves there in overtime, locked in all night long. Obviously in the shootout he’s very good at those breakaways.”

Arizona — which is 6-2-2 against Pacific Division teams and has earned a point in nine straight games (6-0-3) against them — played in its third straight overtime game and seventh this month.

The Coyotes have earned points in 11 of 14 road games (8-3-3) and have earned points in eight of their last nine road games (6-1-2).

Jakob Chychrun scored for the Coyotes, and Darcy Kuemper made 37 saves. Christian Dvorak scored the lone shootout goal for Arizona.

“We played a good hockey game tonight, we deserved better,” Arizona coach Rick Tocchet said. “You kill that many penalties and you don’t get power plays and that’s what happened. I’m proud of the guys we played hard.”

Arizona Sports LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164084 Arizona Coyotes and they beat some top-end teams in the Capitals, Blues, Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers.

They had just two, two-day breaks between games in November, and Coyotes survived November, but they know they could have they had just five practices — a fact that Tocchet believes played just as accomplished more big a role as the schedule in the team’s frequent inattention to details and sloppy play.

By Craig Morgan “There’s a lot of stuff I want to work on — new stuff I want to introduce to them that I can’t. We have to stick to the basics right now,” Tocchet said. Nov 30, 2019 “The rest is important, but also we have guys that need reps. Shoot a bucket of pucks, passing plays in practice, those are things that you have

to have. You can’t go months without practicing and expect guys to be There was a palpable disappointment in the Coyotes dressing room on sharp all the time. It’s tough to do.” Saturday night. They had reached the final game of a stretch of seven I haven’t heard much discussion among the players, but if I’m the games in eight outings against Pacific Division opponents. They had NHLPA, I’m lobbying to extend the season by two weeks to increase the reached the end of a grueling November schedule, and they had built a spacing between games and improve the quality of hockey. Sure, that two-goal lead on the San Jose Sharks just 2:12 into the game. cuts into the offseason and downtime, but more practice and more rest Then they let it slip away in a 4-2 loss. With it went a chance to punctuate over the course of a season would create a better product. Although it what has been an encouraging month. would be tough to quantify beyond the most basic comparisons, I suspect it would create healthier teams, too. “It’s frustrating,” said forward Derek Stepan, who had the second goal in a whirlwind start that coach Rick Tocchet called the best hockey the “I’m not going to blame it on the schedule but we’ve had a tough couple Coyotes have played this season. “Execution — there wasn’t enough of it of games coming back home from out East or whatever it might be and it through 60 minutes.” takes a toll,” Stepan said. “You have to be able to win in your own building. It’s a huge part of this league.” When the Coyotes began this murderous month, the coaching staff quietly set a simple goal. In spite of all of that, the Coyotes did more than survive November. They banked points and they banked confidence that they can buck the tallest “If we can just play .500 hockey over this stretch, we’ll be OK,” video odds, even when they don’t have their A-game available. coach Steve Peters said during a recent road trip. That doesn’t mean things are going to get easier. The schedule won’t The Coyotes did better than that with an 8-5-3 record in November, but lighten up for two more weeks. The Coyotes leave Sunday for a four- they know they missed a chance at more. They missed a chance to climb game, eight-day road trip through Columbus, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia into first place in the Pacific Division on Saturday, they missed a chance and Chicago. They return home to play games every other day until Dec. to open a seven-point gap between themselves and the hard-charging 14, when the light at the end of the tunnel transforms into actual daylight. Sharks, and they blew another lead at home where they are a pedestrian 7-6-1 this season. As Tocchet and countless others before him have noted, however, the games only get tougher after the All-Star break and through the playoff “We get away from our identity a little bit in this building sometimes and I push. If the Coyotes are to sustain this level of point accumulation, they’ll think that’s kind of the difference,” defenseman Alex Goligoski said. “We need to get more from their highest-paid players, Kessel, Oliver Ekman- go on the road and play a real simple game. That seems to be when we Larsson and Clayton Keller, whose extension kicks in next season. have the most success.” “If you think the month of November is going to be hard, it’s going to get Analysts have been slow to warm to the Coyotes, largely because of their harder,” Tocchet said. “We’re in a position where we’re getting hunted. unreliable scoring. They are 26th in the NHL in goals per game (2.57) We’re not the chasers. Teams are going to start chasing us every night despite the offseason addition of Phil Kessel, the health of Nick Schmaltz because we’re ahead of some teams. and the growth of younger players. “It’s a different feeling. How do we handle that? We can’t let our foot off It would help if the power play would show signs of improvement, instead the gas pedal. We’ve got to stay consistent. We’ve got to keep the losing of the 0-for-3 model that led fans to boo the team in the third period on streaks to a minimum. These are just the sort of things you keep Saturday, but it would also help if the guys who are supposed to reminding your team.” producing would start producing.

Saturday’s game was a perfect illustration of that problem. After the Coyotes took a 2-0 lead, Michael Grabner and Clayton Keller had The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 breakaway chances to break open the game and Kessel had a chance off a turnover and blew it wide — a recurring theme of late.

“It would have been nice to get one more and maybe they kind of lose a little life,” said forward Nick Schmaltz, who scored the first goal. “They get that one and then they’re right back in it.”

Most media have been conditioned to adopt a glass-is-half-full approach when it comes to the Coyotes. It’s fair to raise caution flags, given the aforementioned issues, but caution cuts both ways. After two brutal months of scheduling, it’s hard to ignore the following facts which validate the Coyotes’ start.

Arizona is 6-2-3 against the Pacific. The only intra-division games in which the Coyotes have failed to earn a point are the season opener and Saturday’s loss.

The Coyotes accomplished this November run despite playing 16 games in 29 days. They played four back-to-back sets, including wins against the past two Stanley Cup champions and current conference leaders, the Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues. That back-to-back included a late-night flight from D.C. to St. Louis, a two-and-a-half-hour wait on the tarmac and an arrival at the hotel that put most players in bed around 4 a.m.

The Coyotes didn’t make things easy on themselves this month, going to overtime or a shootout seven times, but they won four of those games 1164085 Boston Bruins season opener when Stars defenseman Roman Polak had to be stretchered off the ice in Dallas after missing a check on Chris Wagner and stumbling awkwardly into the boards.

Reassured by an outside neurological assessment, a healthy David “It was heavy,” said Backes, referring to his emotions when seeing Backes eager to return Sabourin. “You’re all, in the end, kind of a fraternity of guys that are playing this sport, loving this sport. No one wants to see anybody injured . . . I saw him down there, and I saw blood coming from his mouth, his By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff nose, his eye . . . and he wasn’t moving.”

November 30, 2019, 6:54 p.m. Noting he has grown accustomed over the years to watching players get knocked out and ultimately awake in 15-20 seconds, Backes said he was

alarmed because Sabourin remained unresponsive. David Backes, out of the Bruins’ lineup since taking yet another “It seemed to me like he was out for minutes,” recalled Backes. “I was debilitating knock to the head in a Nov. 2 collision with Ottawa’s Scott really fearful that he was critically injured and needed significant help. Sabourin, returned to full practice for the first time Saturday and declared Then he started moving, that subsided a little bit — but my vision also himself ready for active game duty. wasn’t great and I knew I was a little messed up from the contact as well. “I’ve got a healthy squash,” Backes, sounding relieved, said early I needed to go take care of myself.” Saturday afternoon inside the Bruins’ workout facility in Brighton. “So that Cassidy ruled out Patrice Bergeron (core/groin injury) for Sunday, what is a good sign for me.” will be the No. 1 pivot’s fourth straight game on the sidelines . . . Brad The 35-year-old Backes, not available for comment since departing the Marchand (flu-like symptoms) also could be hors de combat versus Les lineup a month earlier, would not confirm that he suffered a concussion Glorieux. According to Cassidy, Marchand played through the symptoms from the mid-ice crash that knocked out the Ottawa winger cold on his Friday against the Rangers, remained home for Saturday’s workout, and feet and sent him crashing face-first on the ice. his status for the Montreal tilt is unknown . . . Tuukka Rask (12-2-2 and in the early Vezina discussion) will be in net vs. the Habs. With eight games Backes, however, said he was concerned enough about his symptoms to on the docket, Dec. 1-14, it’s possible Rask and backup Jaroslav Halak go outside the network of team doctors in mid-November and seek a will be in a 50/50 job share over the next two weeks, though Cassidy did second opinion on the state of his overall neurological well-being. He has not rule out the possibility that Rask will make consecutive starts at one sustained at least three concussions during his time with the Bruins and point during the stretch . . . The Bruins shellacked the Habs, 8-1, previously estimated he has suffered 10 or more over the length of his Tuesday night in Montreal, led by David Pastrnak’s sixth career hat trick. career — a number Backes said Saturday could be higher or lower, As of Saturday morning, Pastrnak still led the league with 24 goals, a based on a number of diagnostic factors. half-dozen more from the closest contenders, Connor McDavid and Marchand (each with 18). Pastrnak has landed 105 shots on net, ranking That overall history, and symptoms sustained from the Sabourin hit, sent fourth overall in the league. Alex Ovechkin, the shot king, led the list as of Backes out of state (he would not divulge where) on Nov. 17 for a Saturday morning with 131. Pastrnak is well ahead of his career-high thorough neurological assessment. shot total (262), which he set in 2016-17 when he finished 34-36—70. “Part of my process the last month [has been] talking to more than one professional neurologist . . . ,” Backes said. “I don’t want to call them gurus, but the guys that are seen as the people on the front lines of Boston Globe LOADED: 12.01.2019 concussions — especially in the sports-specific area. Having full workups done by them to say, ‘Am I damaged and broken and there’s a point where you should stop playing this game? Or can you tell me that I am healthy and my brain’s healthy and that I shouldn’t worry?’ ”

Satisfied with their answers, Backes last week resumed skating in practices, though while wearing a red (non-contact) sweater. Following the one contact workout, he said he figures he’ll be good to go Sunday night if coach Bruce Cassidy wants him to suit up against the Canadiens at the Garden.

“You know the short term and returning to play, there’s certainly a decision to me made,” said Backes, who clearly has thought extensively about what impact the cumulative hits ultimately could have on his quality of life. “I’ve got kids and I’m hoping to live another 50 years after I am done playing. So, that’s a concern as well. I’m human and all of us are, so those are thoughts and questions I wanted answered before I pulled my skates back on and put myself back in these games.

“I got all those answered with, truthfully, better answers than I thought I was going to get with the history that I have. Multiple neurologists have told me there’s no reason for me to be hesitant, to worry about more contact, more hits, because [they say] you’re doing fine. So from that [standpoint] I am excited to be back with a clean mind, not thinking that my next hit could be something that ends my career — and that has been something on my mind. Not to have that, I am hoping to be free and able to play a better game out there.”

Cassidy, his club on a six-game winning streak and ranked No. 1 in the overall league standings as of Saturday morning, noted that Backes “seems to be in a good place.”

“I’ve talked to Kim,” said Cassidy, referring to skating coach Kim Brandvold. “[Backes has] skated well. I think he wants to get back at it, obviously, and help the team win. So for me, that would be my comment . . . it sure seems like he’s in decent spirits.”

Backes, who took a knee and stared in silence for minutes as an unconscious Sabourin was tended to the night of the injury, said his own vision was rendered blurry from the blow. He also was emotionally shook over the sight of the fallen, unresponsive Sabourin. It reminded him of the 1164086 Boston Bruins

Canadiens thumbnails

Staff Report

November 30, 2019, 6:26 p.m.

■ When, where: Sunday, 7 p.m., at TD Garden.

■ TV, radio: NESN, WBOS-FM (92.9).

■ Goals: Brendan Gallagher 10, Joel Armia 9, Tomas Tatar 9.

■ Assists: Tatar 15, Shea Weber 13, Phillip Danault 13.

■ Goaltending: Carey Price (10-8-3, 3.19 GAA), Keith Kinkaid (1-1-3, 4.24).

■ Head to head: This is the third of four meetings. The teams split the previous two, both games played in Montreal.

■ Miscellany: The Canadiens will be without forwards Paul Byron (knee) and Jonathan Drouin (upper body) . . . The Canadiens have lost seven games in a row, including 4-3 in overtime to the visiting Flyers on Saturday afternoon . . . Price, who will be in net Sunday, has allowed 16 goals in his last three games.

Boston Globe LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164087 Boston Bruins Peters remained silent during the club’s investigation and on Wednesday penned a letter of apology, not to Aliu but to Treliving, noting he regretted the “offensive language” he uttered “in a professional setting a decade Bill Peters done in by his own words and actions ago.”

His comments at the time, Peters added, “were made in a moment of frustration and do not reflect my personal values.” By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff Aliu was not impressed and quickly labeled Peters’s comments November 30, 2019, 1:42 p.m. “misleading, insincere, and concerning.”

Start to finish, from tweet to resignation, took less than 96 hours. Peters is finished. Aliu, burdened 10 years by a hateful verbal attack, perhaps Another week, another coaching change. Only this time the process was now finds some measure of peace and healing. The NHL, and the strikingly different. Termination through the vise grip of Twitter. hockey community at large, must turn inward and ask why such behavior Bill Peters, called out Monday as racist on Twitter by a player he coached was ever tolerated, and to a degree enabled. in the AHL a decade ago, was left with no choice but to resign Friday in Then there’s the lingering question, does the hockey culture of 2019 Calgary, only a season-plus into his tenure behind the Flames’ bench. allow such bigotry and hate, and abuse both verbal and physical, to What now for the 54-year-old Peters? No way he ever works again in the linger and fester in the shadows? NHL or anywhere else in hockey, short of, say, an attempt at a As of the morning of Thanksgiving, the 17-3-5 Bruins were ranked No. 1 redemptive tour in community service somehow related to the game. By overall in the NHL standings and still were the only club yet to lose in his own words and actions, he has been rendered that toxic. His racially regulation on home ice (9-0-4). charged diatribe, as repeated by the aggrieved player, Nigerian-born Akim Aliu, will shadow him forever. With 57 games to go, they needed to play a smidge better than break- even the rest of the way to reach the 100-point plateau for their third Adding to Peters’s woes, and further diminishing his future employment straight season under Bruce Cassidy. Read: zero reason to rush Patrice hopes anywhere, a former Hurricanes player early this past week Bergeron (core injury) or Kevan Miller (knee) back into the lineup; not charged that he and a teammate were physically abused by Peters with a playoff seed tucked neatly in the winter larder before the first during the coach’s four-year stay (2014-18) in Raleigh. The player, snowfall. Czech-born defenseman Michal Jordan, told TSN’s Frank Seravalli he suffered “multiple” physical attacks by Peters. Had Black Friday marked the opening of the Stanley Cup playoffs (feel free to add that to your holiday wish list), the Bruins would have faced off “Now other guys are speaking out,” Jordan said to TSN, noting he was against No. 8 seed Philadelphia in Round 1 and been granted home ice too afraid to say anything at the time, “so I felt I could.” throughout the tournament. Only a day later, Jordan’s claims of physical abuse were confirmed by “Health is always our biggest concern,” said Don Sweeney, currently on Hurricanes icon and current coach Rod Brind’Amour, a former what appears to be a zip line to a second consecutive GM of the Year Hurricanes assistant under Peters. If Brind’Amour said anything at the award. “An awful lot of teams in the same boat . . . and I don’t think that’s time of the incidents, it wasn’t made public. going to change.” “The players have way more power now,” Brind’Amour noted during a For a team grown accustomed to the backline getting chewed up media scrum on Wednesday. “I think they realize that and I think it’s (remember the decimated blue line woodpile for Round 1 vs. the important for them to speak out about whatever is important.” Senators in 2017?), the Bruins thus far have been inordinately chipped Jordan, now 29, played 74 games for the Peters-coached Hurricanes, up among their forwards, a total of nine already missing 80-plus man 2014-16. He departed North America after the 2015-16 season and is games because of injury. Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Charlie Coyle, now in his fourth season with KHL Khabarovsk. Danton Heinen, and Sean Kuraly have been the only forwards to go whistling blithely by the trainer’s room. Aliu, 30, played briefly for ECHL Orlando last season, his 10th year as a pro, and is now back home in Ontario, ostensibly retired. His career “Like most teams, we haven’t been healthy,” said team president Cam included only seven NHL games, all for the Flames, years before Peters Neely, asked specifically what, if anything, he’s identified as a roster began working for the franchise. The NHL said this past week it plans to need to this point. “So we’ve had a lot of juggling with our forward group meet with Aliu. in particular. I’d like to see, if we can get some continuity with four lines . . . maybe get a little more consistency out of all four lines, then we’ll have Aliu initially tweeted about Peters, though not directly by name, on a better chance of assessing. Monday in the wake of the Maple Leafs firing coach Mike Babcock. He referred to Peters as a Babcock protégé who “dropped the N-bomb “Right now I could say a bunch of different things that I’d like, but I want several times toward me in the dressing room in my rookie year because to wait and see where we’re at, if we ever get healthy.” he didn’t like my choice of music.” Peters broke into the NHL as an Asked if he’d share any of the elements in that “bunch,” Neely broke into assistant on Babcock’s staff in Detroit in 2013. laughter and said, “No, it wouldn’t be fair to our group.” Originally a Blackhawks draft pick, Aliu at the time of the verbal abuse Related: Observations from the Bruins’ matinee win over Rangers played for their AHL Rockford affiliate, where Peters was the head coach. Further, Aliu claimed, Peters felt compelled to request his bosses Truth is, in the Original 31, with its grueling 82-game regular season, it’s (general manager Stan Bowman and team president John McDonough) a fait accompli that teams are never at full health. Even rosters labeled in Chicago demote the then-20-year-old defenseman to ECHL Toledo. as 100 percent typically are diminished by some percentage (pick a Aliu saw brief tours in the ECHL in his first three pro seasons, including number) based on who is dinged up. after the Blackhawks bundled him into the 2010 Dustin Byfuglien deal to the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise. One working fallacy worth putting to rest is that the Bruins can’t be a worthy Cup contender without finding David Krejci a permanent, bona Per TSN, two of Akim’s Rockford teammates in 2009-10, Simon Danis- fide right winger in his pairing with Jake DeBrusk. As of the one-day Pepin and Peter MacArthur, confirmed Akim’s account of the incident holiday break, the Bruins led the league with a plus-31 goal differential, a involving Aliu’s choice of music. full touchdown and better than No. 2 Pittsburgh (plus-21). So much for the alleged Achilles’ heel in the offense. “I was too scared to speak up,” said Aliu. “I beat myself up every day over it.” Playoff success forever will be most about goaltending and defense. The Bruins, with their blend of forwards and Cassidy’s acumen in mixing and The Flames immediately sidelined Peters and launched an investigation matching on the fly, have proven they can score enough. They also have nearly the moment Aliu hit the “send” button on his Twitter account. Ex- arguably the best net tandem in Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak Bruins assistant Geoff Ward assumed the lead coaching role the next (brilliant in the 8-1 pasting of the Canadiens on Tuesday, as odd as that day, including as bench boss Wednesday night in Buffalo. On Friday, may sound). upon announcing Peters’s resignation, GM Brad Treliving formally installed Ward as interim coach. Ultimately, thriving again in the postseason, and perhaps ending on a Impressive, somewhat unexpected, start for Sheldon Keefe behind the note other than Blue, will come down to the health, composition, and Maple Leafs’ bench upon taking over for Mike Babcock. Headed into the competence of the backline chorus. weekend, the Blue and White had polished off Arizona (3-1), Colorado (5-3), and Detroit (6-0), all on the road. “We have really good players,” As of Sunday, the Feb. 24 trade deadline is a mere 85 days in the not-so- said Keefe, downplaying his direct impact. “When they are feeling distant future. It looks from here like a defenseman, one inclined to pitch confident, good things can happen.” Much like when Bruce Cassidy took in with a goal or two, would be Sweeney’s primary target. over the Boston bench from Claude Julien, Keefe has made only slight “Well, you need an awful lot of ’em,” said Sweeney, noting that both John tweaks to Babcock’s game plan — with an emphasis on offense, Moore and Miller have yet to suit up this season. “You need 10 or 12 to particularly engaging the blue line in the attack. It can be subtle changes play over the course of the year. I think we have a decent amount of that make a major change, but the Leafs look like they still need roster depth. I think we used all those players last year. We’ve also had [Urho help, on the back end and in backup goaltending . . . Sitting in the Bell Vaakanainen] up this year, [Jeremy] Lauzon and [Jakub] Zboril played Centre stands on Tuesday morning, Sweeney was asked if he recalled last year. [Alex] Petrovic [assigned to AHL Providence] also is part of our the hammering he took from Habs winger Brian Skrudland at the old group — a bigger guy on the right side, we’re happy to have him.” Forum in January 1990. “Right there,” said Sweeney, pointing across the ice to the area behind what would be Boston’s defensive blue line. Like Neely, Sweeney’s to-do list sounds more focused on the forwards. “Different building, but hard to forget.” Not even 24 months removed from the Harvard campus, Sweeney was steamrolled by the bigger (6 feet, “In terms of depth of scoring, it played out OK for us last year in the 200 pounds), 26-year-old Skrudland. It’s worth a look on YouTube. playoffs,” Sweeney said. “I think it’s paramount. We have some guys Without exaggerating, at least one of us in the press box figured it would right now who I think are OK offensively, but we need a little more for me be Sweeney’s last shift, if he ever got up. “Yep, got me good,” said a to be comfortable.” smiling Sweeney, who retired 14 years later, with 1,115 games on his Charlie McAvoy grew up a long wrist shot, all of three blocks, from the résumé. “How fast do you think they would have placed me in Long Beach (N.Y.) Ice Arena, typically making his way on foot or bike for concussion protocol with that one today?” Best Sweeney recalls, he and hockey practices and games. Skrudland, who played 15 seasons, never shared a recollection of it in their later years. “No,” said Sweeney, “but that wasn’t an era when you “Lots of great memories there,” recalled the Bruins defenseman, who became pals when it was all over.” spun childhood dreams into a career that now has him working on a three-year deal worth upward of $15 million. “That’s where it all started.”

In the summer of 2018, with his parents packing up and moving to Boston Globe LOADED: 12.01.2019 another part of town, McAvoy returned to his childhood homestead and bundled up more than a decade’s worth of his gear that he kept stuffed into the corners of his bedroom and attic.

“We had, gosh, bins of stuff,” noted McAvoy. “Bins full of pads. Bins full of skates. I think I had every skate I’d ever worn. I didn’t need any of it anymore, obviously . . . so it was my dad’s idea for us to bring it over to the rink. They’ve got these donation bins for programs like learn to skate and all that. So maybe through that some kids were able to skate and stuff — kids who normally would not have been able to.”

Hockey, and skating in general, remains what is often a daunting financial proposition for parents and children. One of the Bruins’ myriad youth hockey initiatives in recent years has been to help beginners get trimmed out in their first gear for a substantial price reduction. The club’s “Learn to Play” program, the largest in the NHL, is in its sixth season. For $140 (about the cost of an adult carbon stick these days), beginners receive full head-to-toe CCM equipment (retail: $500-plus) and four weeks of on-ice instruction.

Related: Charlie McAvoy will be main man on Bruins defense someday

McAvoy grew up a Rangers fan in an area east of Manhattan that often sees it allegiances split between the Broadway Blueshirts and the Islanders. One of his prized possessions as a little kid was a pair of gloves trimmed in Ranger red, white, and blue. It’s a good bet some of the stuff he hauled off to the Long Beach Ice Arena donation bins were marked up in Ranger colors by his handiwork. The bins are stamped with a Rangers logo. Some kids in the old neighborhood might not know they’re sporting the gear once worn by a neighborhood rink rat now playing for the rival Black and Gold.

“Funny thing is, at some point some of it was someone else’s gear, too,” said McAvoy, his dad a plumber who understood the strains youth hockey can have on the purse. “I don’t think it was until I started playing travel hockey that I began to get nicer stuff. What we put in there was, like, generations of hand-me-down stuff. But nonetheless, it still works.”

It wasn’t until he spent a few years climbing up the Long Beach youth hockey ladder, McAvoy recalled, that it dawned on him that, “I wasn’t doing all this for free . . . someone’s got to pay for all of it.”

Dad was writing the checks.

“He always made it work,” said McAvoy. “When I figured out the cost of it all, and I’d be OK getting the cheaper stuff, like last year’s stick, my dad would be like, ‘No, we are getting the best stuff.’ Everything I got was because of him.”

Loose pucks 1164088 Boston Bruins the message he was responsive. It’s kind of perspective-giving. If that’s me on the ice, my wife and my parents and my kids are seeing that … I didn’t know Scott from anybody in the world before that incident. But he’s David Backes close to a return with ‘a healthy squash’ got a fiancee I’ve found out and his parents were watching. He’s a hometown Ottawa kid. That’s got to be extremely scary and I’m feeling for all those people. At the same time, I’m worried about my own health as I’ve had a long history of types of hits like that, if you play this game By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald long enough, are going to happen. But I’ve been in great hands. I’ve PUBLISHED: November 30, 2019 at 4:32 pm | UPDATED: November 30, gone through the full regimen of health checks. All the guys that go for 12 2019 at 5:49 PM years of schooling or more are telling me I’m ready to go and I’m excited to be back.”….

Brad Marchand did not practice and is questionable with flu-like David Backes is back as a full participant in Bruins practices and he’s symptoms. Coach Bruce Cassidy said he arrived at the Garden on Friday hoping to be available to play as soon as Sunday night against the with the symptoms. … Canadiens. Patrice Bergeron (lower body) did not skate on Saturday and will miss his But after suffering another blow that messed with his faculties in the fourth consecutive game on Sunday. Brett Ritchie (infected elbow) scary collision with Ottawa’s Scott Sabourin on Nov. 2, a rightfully skated after practice. concerned Backes sought assurances that he was doing the correct thing to continue a playing career that has possibly seen double-digit Along with Backes, defenseman John Moore — out all season after concussions. offseason shoulder surgery — was a full participant in practice and is close to game action. Backes visited Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher of Detroit for a second opinion on Nov. 17, stemming from conversations with his wife, Kelly, and their desire to do a deeper dive on the health of his brain. Boston Herald LOADED: 12.01.2019 “The team docs are incredible, but we wanted more than just the same person we’ve been going back to, to verify what we’ve been told and start from scratch and do a work-up on me to make sure I’m OK,” said Backes after Saturday’s practice. “That’s the word that we got, from an independent neurologist that said ‘we’ve scanned you from the top of your head to where our processes end. And with your family history, the history that we’ve seen, here’s what we think is going on with you.’ I’ve got a healthy squash, so that’s a good sign for me.”

Just in his time with the Bruins, he’s been diagnosed with a handful of concussions. He did not want to term this latest blow as a concussion (“I think that line and how those are handled is still evolving,” he said) but was clearly concerned with what the latest knock had done to him. And from what he gathered, his history has not made him more susceptible to suffering future concussions.

“That was part of my process of the last month talking to more than one professional neurologist or, I don’t want to call them gurus, but the guys that are seen on the front lines of concussions, especially in this sport specifically, and having full work-ups done by them to say am I damaged and broken and there’s a point where you should stop playing this game or can you tell me that I’m healthy and my brain’s healthy and I shouldn’t worry about it?” said Backes. “The short-term and returning to play is certainly a decision to be made, but I’ve got kids and I’m hoping I’m going to live another 50 years when I’m done playing, so that’s a concern as well. And I’m human, all of us are, and those are thoughts and questions that I wanted answered before I put my skates back on and I put myself back in these games. I got all of those answered with, truthfully, better answers than I thought I was going to get with the history that I have. Multiple neurologists have told me there is no reason for you to be hesitant or worry about more contact, more hits because you’re doing fine. From that, I’m excited to be back with a clean mind, not worrying that my next hit could be something that ends my career. That’s something that’s been on my mind and to not have that, I”m hoping to be freer and able to play a better game out there.”

When the hit happened early in the B’s 5-2 win over the Senators, Backes was clearly emotional as an unconscious Sabourin was tended to on the ice. He was eventually taken off on a stretcher and spent the night at Mass. General Hospital.

“It was heavy. I think with the incident earlier with (Roman) Polak being stretchered off (in the B’s game in Dallas in the season opener), that’s tough to see anybody stretchered off the ice. You’re all, in the end, in a fraternity of guys that are playing this sport, loving this sport and nobody wants to see anybody injured,” said Backes.

“I saw (Sabourin) down, I saw blood coming from his mouth, his nose, his eye and he wasn’t moving. I’ve seen guys get knocked out quite a few times and, 15-20 seconds, they start to get the twitches or wake up wondering where they are. It’s scary. But it seemed to me like he was out for minutes. I was really fearful that he was critically injured and he needed significant help. As he started moving, that subsided a little bit, but my vision also wasn’t great and I knew that I was a little messed up from the contact as well and needed to take care of myself as well. I got 1164089 Boston Bruins was. It was what he did after that. He immediately looked at the ref making the initial call – as if he could be surprised there was a penalty – and then took out his anger on a prone Arvidsson with a second Hockey takes a few hits crosscheck. As a result, the Blues’ Central Division competitors will be without one of their top players for 4-to-6 weeks.

The Blues have a habit of inflicting injury. In Game 2 of the Stanley Cup By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald Finals last year when Oskar Sundqvist saw Matt Grzelcyk move the puck to his right. Sundqvist continued to move left into Grzelcyk and buried his November 30, 2019 at 4:00 PM head into the glass, knocking Grzelcyk out of the series until Game 7. Ivan Barbashev also delivered a head shot to Marcus Johansson in Game 5, from which the former Bruin was fortunate to escape injury. But Quite a week for hockey, wasn’t it? if Grzelcyk was available throughout the series, the feeling here is that the Bruins would now be the defending Stanley Cup champions. First, a story surfaced about deposed Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock that revealed him to be horribly manipulative toward a young Mitch As coach Craig Berube pointed out during the Finals (ad nauseam) the Marner. That triggered former NHLer Akim Aliu to tell his own story that Blues generally don’t take a lot of penalties and they are again at the Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters, once Aliu’s coach with the Rockford bottom third of the league in minors taken. But it’s the purposeful illegal IceHogs, directed crude racist remarks toward the Nigerian-born Aliu. hits they deliver that the league has to keep an eye on. And that begat former Hurricane player Michal Jordan telling his own story of Peters being physically abusive to him and other players when Look at Pageau? Peters was the head coach in Carolina. Most folks believe that, when the B’s are fully healthy (or at least close to Lovely stuff. it) Charlie Coyle right now best serves the Bruins as the third line center. I wholeheartedly agree. But if they can’t find a real second line right wing, Let’s look at Babcock’s situation first. It’s hard to feel sorry for a guy they might have to get creative. If they could get their hands on brimming with self-confidence like Babcock — and even more so after impending free agent Jean-Gabriel Pageau from Ottawa, I’d slip Pageau the story of his lesson about “role models” for Marner. In case you into the third line center spot and move the recently made man Coyle up missed it, the Toronto Sun reported that when Marner was a rookie, to David Krejci’s right wing in a second. Just a thought…. Babcock made him list his teammates from hardest-working to the least- hardest-working. A little odd, yes, but whatever. Similar tasks have been Dangerous storm asked of workers in large corporations. When Thanksgiving arrived on Thursday morning — often the But what happened next was downright rotten. Babcock shared those demarcation line between teams who will make the playoffs and those rankings with the players at the bottom of the list. Some great character- who won’t — the Tampa Bay Lightning were on the outside looking in. building there. I’m going to go way out on a limb and say the Bolts will be one team that bucks that trend. And I’m not sure that the B’s would welcome a first Babcock confirmed the report to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and round matchup against a wild card Lightning team. admitted it was a mistake. He also said he told Marner that at the time. That’s to Babcock’s credit.

But while Marner was a rookie at his job, Babcock was not. He had two Boston Herald LOADED: 12.01.2019 NHL stops before Toronto in Anaheim and Detroit, winning a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings, and won two Olympic gold medals and the World Cup of Hockey. There might not have been a coach in the league with more cachet at the time. How could he have thought it was a good idea? It sounds like some cheap button-pushing straight out of the Mike Keenan handbook.

It was originally believed here that Babcock would not have much trouble getting hired somewhere, but now I’m not sure that’s the case. I certainly can’t see him replacing Peters in Calgary, where the accusations against the coach – the racist comments charge were corroborated by former teammates of Aliu to TSN and the Jordan allegations were confirmed by Canes’ head coach Rod Brind’Amour, then Peters’ assistant – threw an already disappointing Flames’ season off the rails. After a few days, Peters finally tendered his resignation.

There’s little doubt that there will be more stories to come. Conflict and confrontation are at the heart of hockey — any competition, really — and different coaches have had different ideas on how best to prepare their players for it (to be clear, Peters dealings with Aliu would seem to have little to do with coaching and everything to do his own personal issues). But while the line for what’s acceptable is always moving, most rational people would say Babcock and Peters crossed it, .

Is this type of behavior — bullying, manipulative — particular to hockey coaching? Of course not. Coaches with limited communication skills and backwards ideas on motivation exist in all sports and, unfortunately, at all levels. And the what-happens-in-the-room-stays-in-the-room mantra that kept stories like these buried is not unique to hockey, either.

But if the questioning of those attitudes has to begin with hockey, then I’m fine with that.

Light sentence

Whenever a player is suspended by the Department of Player Safety, there are some who are never satisfied with the punishment. They will not be appeased until crucifixion is on the table.

That being said, Robert Bortuzzo got off the light with four games. For me, it wasn’t the St. Louis Blues’ initial crosscheck to the back of Nashville’s Viktor Arvidsson that put it over the top, as dangerous as that 1164090 Boston Bruins chance. For us, it always starts on the D side and playing hard in front of our net.”

Now, this is no way for a contender to play, of course. The B’s are Resilient Bruins keep finding a way to win currently on a 10-game streak of recording at least a point (7-0-3), but there weren’t a ton of complete games in that bench. These no-show first periods – and in some cases, more than that — cannot keep happening if By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald the B’s are to get where they want to go.

PUBLISHED: November 29, 2019 at 7:56 pm | UPDATED: November 30, But after the wins they’ve pulled out recently, it’s hard not to believe in 2019 at 9:20 am this team.

For the record, we are now officially done declaring that it’s not the Boston Herald LOADED: 12.01.2019 Bruins’ day until a particular game is over.

The B’s played five games in a nine-day span and performed poorly for a good portion in four of them – until it was time to decide who was going to win the game, that is. And after their 3-2 overtime victory over the New York Rangers on Friday at the Garden, the B’s had gained all eight points that were available to them in those subpar performances against Buffalo, Minnesota, Ottawa and now the Rangers.

They are simply finding different ways to win. While their high-end skill certainly showed up to finish the job on Friday, it was the lunch pail aspects of their game – never too far from B’s fans’ hearts, no matter how dazzling the top-end talent can be – that got them on the right path.

But, boy, did it look bleak for the B’s in the second period.

The improved Blueshirts had taken a 2-0 lead and had dominated their hosts when Charlie McAvoy decided enough was enough at 10:51 of the second. He picked a fight with Brendan Smith after a whistle and, after losing his balance, he paid for it with two straight rights to the chops. You can’t win ’em all, but that didn’t matter. The B’s needed something and McAvoy volunteered his services.

The benefits did not come immediately, however. Shortly after that, Matt Grzelcyk and then Sean Kuraly took penalties, giving the Rangers a 5- on-3 for 1:02. To make matters worse, the B’s had to kill it with one of their best penalty-killing forwards in Kuraly and two defensemen, Grzelcyk and McAvoy, in the box.

But by the time Kuraly was set free, everyone in the building knew the Bruins were back in this game. And they hadn’t even scored yet.

“Probably the difference, at the end of the day. All the kills, to be honest with you,” said coach Bruce Cassidy, whose team later killed off a double-minor to Par Lindholm for high-sticking after they tied the game in the third period.

The second call on Kuraly that led to the two-man advantage was debatable but, instead of letting that call be their undoing, the B’s chose to look at it as an opportunity to turn things around. It was a different game after the kill.

“I thought it was a blast to be out there on the 5-on-3,” said Brandon Carlo. “Just for myself, just the energy level of killing that off was very exciting and fun. Those are the moments in hockey that players like myself strive to be in that situation and make things happen in the right way. I can tell you me and (Zdeno Chara) got going after that.”

Carlo tipped his hat to McAvoy as well.

“For sure, a guy like that to step up in that regard and drop the mitts with somebody, especially at the end of a long shift like that, said a lot to me and said a lot to the guys on the bench,” said Carlo. “It definitely lit a fire with myself and with everybody else. A lot of credit to him for doing that.”

Before the second period was out, the B’s halved the lead on a gritty tip goal from Kuraly on a sequence that was started by rookie Jack Studnicka winning a foot race to nullify an icing call. In the third, David Pastrnak evened it up with his 24th goal in 26 games and, in overtime, Pastrnak made a tremendous pass to David Krejci for the winner.

Kuraly said that it’s that skill that’s always lurking that helps the B’s dig in their heels during the tough moments like the 5-on-3.

“What’s big for us when we’re not playing our best, the biggest thing is to just keep the puck out of our net. Because we know we can score. As long as we don’t get down by anything crazy, we think the game’s still within reach,” said Kuraly. “When it’s not going our way for two periods and we’re down two goals, we make sure it stays at two goals because we think if it gets to the third period with five minutes left, we still have a 1164091 Boston Bruins in a long, long time. I want him to score every game. Obviously, he would like to score as much as he can, but he’s definitely a team-guy first.

“He practices [the one-timer] every day before practice and after Scary thought for the NHL? David Pastrnak just keeps getting better and practice. He keeps going out there and doing his thing. But when you better play with guys like Marchand and Bergeron, their chemistry is pretty awesome and fun to watch. He’s the same guy [as he’s always been] in the room, but he’s just elevated his game.” By Joe Haggerty Pastrnak has elevated his skill level when it comes to breaking games November 30, 2019 3:40 PM open with his goal-scoring, and that has helped open up doors for his passing and playmaking as evidenced by game-winning OT plays, and

by his ranking second on the B’s roster with 17 assists through the first BOSTON – There is no question that at only 23, David Pastrnak is even 26 games of this season. better this season than he was last season when he scored a career-high “I think he’s getting more,” said Cassidy, when asked if Pastrnak gets 38 goals and 81 points despite missing 16 games with a thumb injury. enough recognition for his passing ability. “I think he’s known first as a The game-breaking B’s right winger joined some pretty elite company by guy with pace, a guy that’s one-on-one and a guy with a big shot, but I scoring his 12th goal in November on Friday in the 3-2 overtime win over think it’s out there now if you play him just to shoot [the puck], that he’ll the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Pastrnak became just the fourth make plays.” player in NHL history to score 12 goals in each of the first two months of Pastrnak still has some hurdles to jump when it comes to maintaining the season and joined , Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky that game-breaking ability in the playoffs after he was effectively bottled on an exclusive list that highlights his goal-scoring prowess. up in the Cup Final against the Blues. And he'll need to show he can stay The guy is on pace for 76 goals and 129 points this season, which would healthy this season to put up the gaudy numbers after the off-ice thumb tie Phil Esposito for the Bruins franchise record for single-season scores injury wrecked his chances of 50 goals and 100 points for the Black and that Espo set in a monster 1970-71 season where he finished with 76 Gold last season. goals and a ridiculous 152 points. The goal-scoring part of it all is well- Still, it’s clear Pastrnak once again has become even better and more established for Pastrnak in a season where even an extended slump dangerous this season, and it’s made him one of the NHL's biggest should see him make a legitimate run at 50 goals, and where it appears offensive forces at the ripe, young age of 23. It’s scary to think how much he’s going to be setting the goal-scoring pace for the NHL. better Pastrnak can become given everything he has going for him just The one-timer shot is lethal on the power play, the skating and high pace as he reaches the prime of his career and invokes names such as of play are at a dominant level and in recent years, Pastrnak has also Gretzky, Lemieux and Bossy with the season he's having. done a much better job of being strong on the puck as he’s physically matured from his early days as an 18-year-old in the league. SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019 “I think he’s hitting his one-timer cleaner this year, so his execution is better on his shot. I think he’s stronger on pucks with his second effort. He’s been stronger using body position around the net,” said B's coach Bruce Cassidy. “He’s scoring more goals at the top of the crease rather than just relying on his shot or scoring off the rush.

“I think that’s one area where his game has improved in terms of the offensive side of things. We talked about that in training camp where that was what ultimately hurt us last year [in the Stanley Cup Final against the Blues]. We couldn’t get inside. So, as a group, we tried to reinforce that more and he’s taken on a little more of the responsibility in that area.”

Still, there's one area where Pastrnak continues to be underrated.

It’s his playmaking and setting up teammates. He is understandably viewed as a shoot-first sniper, but he still is creative and his passing can do damage against teams worried about his scoring ability.

“You get it anywhere around [Pastrnak] right now and he’s going to make something happen because he’s so gifted,” said Brad Marchand of his linemate, who have been able to flourish as a pair the past two seasons even when center Patrice Bergeron has missed time with injuries. “He’s so confident right now. He’s so much fun to play with.”

Pastrnak has become so much more than that, though, as he showed on the overtime game-winner Friday when he dangled around a pair of Rangers defenders before dropping a tape-to-tape pass back to a wide- open David Krejci for the winning goal.

“[Krejci] dropped it to me and I felt like I had two guys on me, so the slot was wide open,” said Pastrnak. “I just kind of threw it there, and obviously when you play with one guy for a while you get that chemistry going and expect where he should be.”

It was a slick passing play that Pastrnak probably doesn’t perfectly execute a few years ago, and really it’s something he might not have even seen developing on the ice in the recent past. Now, Pastrnak’s awareness, vision and hockey intelligence are all heightened by his five- plus seasons of experience in the NHL, and his ability to anticipate plays in the offensive zone is every bit as dangerous as his sizzling shot or top- flight skating ability.

“It’s his overall game. He’s strong. Not only can he shoot, but he can pass. He’s got so many moves one-on-one. It’s just his overall game,” said Krejci. “He’s on pace for what, 70? We haven’t had a scorer like that 1164092 Boston Bruins

Patrice Bergeron (lower body) out Sunday, Brad Marchand dealing with flu-like symptoms

By Jacob Camenker

November 30, 2019 12:40 PM

The Boston Bruins will once again be shorthanded when they take on the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night.

According to the Bruins official Twitter account, head coach Bruce Cassidy has confirmed that Patrice Bergeron will be out once again. Bergeron has missed the team's last three games with a lower body injury and there's no timetable for his return right now.

In addition to Bergeron being out, Cassidy also confirmed that Brad Marchand is dealing with flu-like symptoms that he played through against the New York Rangers. His status for Sunday's game is yet to be determined, but it appears that Marchand could be a game-time decision for the Bruins.

Marchand rips "embarrassing" call by concussion spotter

Marchand is in the midst of a great season, as he has logged 18 goals and 25 assists so far this season. He had a four-game point streak snapped against the Rangers on Friday afternoon. So, it's safe to say that the Bruins will miss him if he can't suit up.

Despite the negative news about Bergeron and Marchand, the team did get some positive updates. Winger David Backes and defenseman John Moore are both nearing returns to the ice.

Backes has skated in eight games this season before suffering an upper- body injury that has sidelined him for about a month. While Backes only has a single assist on the season, getting him back will help to shore up the team's depth.

Meanwhile, Moore hasn't recovered this season as he has been recovering from shoulder surgery he had after the Bruins' playoff run came to an end. Moore, 29, logged 13 points and 77 hits in 61 regular- season games for the Bruins last season.

Like Backes, Moore will give the Bruins more veteran depth at the defenseman position and he could slot into the lineup on various occasions. He'll likely replace Urho Vaakanainen as the team's top backup left-shot defenseman once he's fully healthy.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164093 Boston Bruins It all started, however, with Cassidy diagnosing a problem that’s been present for the Bruins for the last few games, and may continue to require adjustments on the fly from the head coach before the team Bruins winning games despite 'some passengers', truly sluggish starts rights its game completely.

By Joe Haggerty Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019

November 30, 2019 8:17 AM

BOSTON – The Bruins are drifting into a dangerous pattern over the last few weeks.

It’s now two straight games where the Bruins have sleepwalked through the first 30-40 minutes of the game before eventually finding their game in the third period on the way to a victory over a beatable opponent. On Wednesday night, it was the lowly Ottawa Senators. And on Friday afternoon, it was a 3-2 overtime victory against an improving but still not totally ready for prime time New York Rangers squad at TD Garden.

Some of it is normal fatigue during the regular season as the Bruins were playing their third game in four days with a Friday matinee making for quick turnaround time, and some of it might be the Bruins missing their best two-way forward in Patrice Bergeron out with a lower-body injury.

But some of it was simply about the presence of “passengers” in the Bruins attack, which is something that head coach Bruce Cassidy acted on during the comeback win on Black Friday against the Blueshirts. It was something Cassidy alluded to before the game even started when he pointed toward younger players like Anders Bjork, Jack Studnicka and others that could provide the Bruins with some much-needed energy.

“I know our team is always going to eventually find their game. I want them to find it sooner, and eventually we did get to our game and play our type of game. I think lately, we’ve found ways to win because we’ve got good players; we’re a good team, but we’re not playing our…we’re trying to get to that 60-minute game like everyone else in the . As a coach, that’s what you’re always looking at a little bit, the result but also the process for us,” said Cassidy. “You always want to win, but I think for us, we’re trying to build that process to get where we want to go, and that’s equally important.

"[It’s] great to get the two points. I thought we certainly pushed in the third and overtime to do that. I’d just like to see it happen a little sooner.”

As Cassidy alluded, the B's elite goaltending and the epic offensive tear that David Pastrnak is on will erase a lot of blemishes, and they helped do that again on Friday against the Blueshirts.

The lineup juggling actually led to the B’s first goal in the second period as Jake DeBrusk, Sean Kuraly and 20-year-old Jack Studnicka were lumped together on a line with the usual center Studnicka playing the wing for the Black and Gold.

It was a time in the game where Danton Heinen was on the bench after a lazy second period turnover off the side boards that led to New York’s second goal, and was an easily diagnosable part of the “passenger” problem.

“I just didn’t think we had it as a group. There were some guys…we had some passengers, not a trait of our team, but [on Friday afternoon] we did. So, we mixed it [up]. I thought Jack [Studnicka] could give us some energy. He wants to prove he can play at this level, so you’re going to get the effort no matter what; we’ll fix the mistakes along the way. The effort was there on that goal,” said Cassidy. “So he ended up on the wing. I know he’s played there a little bit. It’s not what we want to do going into it. We will do it if we have to.

“Don’t expect him to start on the wing his next game. We want him to work the middle of the ice, but we’ll always have a conversation what’s best for the group. We want him to be a center and learn to play center first.”

The Cassidy mixing and matching led to Studnicka beating a delayed icing call to keep a play alive toward the end of the second period, and Sean Kuraly eventually redirecting a long Jake DeBrusk wrist shot past Henrik Lundqvist for signs of offensive life from the Bruins.

It was that goal that gave the Bruins momentum headed into the second intermission and led to a much better third period and explosive overtime for the two points. 1164094 Boston Bruins Since he’s been cleared, the veteran forward hopes he’s inserted into the lineup against the Montreal Canadiens Sunday night at TD Garden. Bruce Cassidy said after the team’s practice on Saturday that Patrice Cleared to return after latest scary hit, David Backes says he has peace Bergeron will not be in the lineup for the third consecutive game with a of mind going forward groin injury, so there’s a possibility Backes could return.

“Hopefully I’ll be available as soon as (Sunday) and then it’ll be up to the powers that be whether No. 42 can slot into the game to help us win By Joe McDonald another one,” he said.

Nov 30, 2019

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 It’s been a month since he was last on NHL ice. It’s been just as long since he’s spoken publicly about that absence, and about the head injury that caused it, the latest concussion for a player who has now dealt with a frighteningly large number of them.

Speaking for the first time Saturday since a nasty collision with the Ottawa Senators’ Scott Sabourin, the Bruins’ David Backes said different neurologists have told him that he’s healthy and can return to playing hockey.

“I’ve got a healthy squash, so that’s a good sign for me,” said Backes, who added he was told there’s no brain damage, no shrinkage of the brain, zero atrophy, or detrimental effects. He said he started feeling “great” about 10 days ago.

On Nov. 2, the Bruins hosted the Senators, and Sabourin and Backes collided in the first period of Boston’s 5-2 win. Sabourin was knocked unconscious and was bleeding from his face. Backes, who also suffered a concussion on the play, immediately began calling for team trainers. Backes was visibly shaken after the play, exited the game and hasn’t played since.

“It was heavy,” Backes said of the incident, which weighed on him. He described hockey players as a fraternity and said he never wants to see anyone carted off the ice on a stretcher.

“I saw blood coming from his mouth, his nose, his eye and he wasn’t moving,” explained Backes. “I’ve seen guys knocked out quite a few times and after 15, 20 seconds they start to get the twitches, wake up and wonder where they are. It’s scary.”

To Backes, it seemed like minutes before Sabourin began to move.

“I was really fearful that he was critically injured and needed significant help,” Backes said. “As he started moving that subsided a little bit, but my vision also wasn’t great and I knew I was a little messed up from the contact as well and needed to go take care of myself.”

Sabourin remains sidelined, but has returned to skating during practices. Backes did not know Sabourin before the incident, but the two have talked a couple of times since the collision.

“I still think about him and pray for him,” Backes said.

Once Backes’ symptoms subsided, the forward spoke with the Bruins and his wife, Kelly, and all agreed it would be a good idea to seek a second opinion from another expert neurologist, without providing specifics about who it was or where he traveled to see this doctor. But Backes said that the group that he sought out is doing cutting-edge work on the subject.

“I don’t want to call them ‘gurus’ but the guys that are seen as the people on the front lines of concussions, especially in this sport specifically,” Backes said. “Having full workups done by them to say, ‘Am I damaged and broken?’ or ‘There’s a point where you should stop playing this game?’ or ‘Can you tell me I’m healthy and my brain’s healthy?’”

Backes, who admits he’s had upwards of 10 concussions during his career, was pleased with the results.

“Truthfully, better answers than I thought I was going to get with the history that I have,” Backes said, adding that multiple neurologists have told him there’s no reason to be hesitant or to worry about more contact.

Given his history of brain injuries, the testing gave him peace of mind that he’s healthy.

“I’m excited to be back with a clean mind and not thinking that my next hit could be something that ends my career,” he said. That’s something that’s been on my mind and to not have that I’m hoping to be freer and able to play a better game.” 1164095 Buffalo Sabres Entering Saturday, the Sabres ranked 19th with 26 goals at 5 on 5 since Nov. 1. That's more than the Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning, among others.

Power-play failures loom large in Sabres' overtime loss to Leafs "I think we had some good looks," Ristolainen said of the power play. "Maybe we just need to get more simple and shoot the puck more."

By Lance Lysowski The Sabres received their second opportunity at 11:32 into the second period when Johan Larsson was slashed by John Tavares in the Published Sat, Nov 30, 2019 offensive zone. The myriad of errors continued. Olofsson turned the puck over, Colin Miller had trouble handling a pass at the blue line and

Brandon Montour was called for offside. TORONTO -- Rasmus Ristolainen had scored his first career goal The power play's problems began Oct. 16, when the Sabres went 1-for-7 against his bitter rival and led a Buffalo Sabres defense corps that during a 5-2 loss at Anaheim. The Ducks pressured the puck to prevent prevented the Toronto Maple Leafs from scoring a goal at 5 on 5. Eichel and Olofsson from setting up in their respective spots. That forced Ristolainen, however, had no interest in discussing what he or his Dahlin to make quick decisions and resulted in misfired passes. teammates did well Saturday night in Scotiabank Arena. Other opponents have used a similar strategy and have increased the "Personally, I just want to win," Ristolainen lamented following a 2-1 pressure with a focus on stopping Eichel and Olofsson. overtime loss. "It doesn’t matter how it comes. We need wins." "We find there are scoring chances there and there is opportunity there," The results could change if coach Ralph Krueger fixes the Sabres' Krueger said Saturday morning. "The momentum has been extremely broken power play, which is an abysmal 1-for-37 over its last 13 games. negative for the power play and as with other components when they’re Buffalo had zero shots on goal in its two opportunities against the Leafs. not working, we stay on the topic. We’re looking at video, we’re looking at Jack Eichel and company could barely cycle the puck in the offensive changing personnel here and there. I think with Dahlin out it’s definitely zone on the man advantage. changed the PP look and we need to adapt to that."

That made the difference during a game in which Carter Hutton delivered Despite the power play generating no momentum, the Sabres tied the 41 saves, the Sabres' defense prevented the dangerous scoring chances score with 13:02 remaining in the third period on Ristolainen's drive to the that doomed them against the Leafs last season and the Eichel-led top net. The defenseman, like Nylander, cut through the right-wing circle line had 16 shot attempts. before finishing with a far-side backhand shot.

"For sure the power play is just not functioning at the moment and we The Sabres were the better team for much of the third period. Sam have to stick with it, but there are so many good things happening in and Reinhart hit the post for a second time, and Marco Scandella twice kept around the game," Krueger said. "That is truly one of the sore spots that the puck from crossing the goal line. Olofsson then had two scoring we’d have after a game like this. They get one, we don’t. I think it’s the chances from the slot during overtime. difference in the end, but we have to continue to work on elements of the However, Tavares gave the Leafs a win with his wrist shot with 3:15 game we don’t like and that’s one of them." remaining. The Sabres found some solace in the fact they have improved The Sabres' power play ranked second in the National Hockey League their 5 on 5 game, particularly on defense, over the past week, but they during their 20-point October. However, they converted at a league-worst know effective special teams could be the missing piece. 2.7 percent while accumulating nine points in 14 November games. "It definitely gets in your head a little bit, but you can’t dwell on it," The top unit, led by Eichel, seemed to be gaining momentum during its Johansson said. "You have to go out and execute it." three-game road trip to Boston, Florida and Tampa Bay, and broke out of a slump when Ristolainen scored during a 3-2 loss to the Bruins on Nov. 21. Buffalo News LOADED: 12.01.2019 However, their play has deteriorated since Rasmus Dahlin suffered a concussion during the second period of a 5-2 loss at Tampa Bay last Monday. That forced Krueger to experiment with different personnel.

Ristolainen replaced Dahlin as the quarterback on the top power play and Marcus Johansson moved to the top unit when he returned from an upper-body injury Wednesday against Calgary. Victor Olofsson, who has scored six of his 10 goals on the power play, is no longer positioned in the right-wing circle.

Jeff Skinner has also been bumped down to the second unit. The Sabres had trouble entering the offensive zone when they received their first power play with 1:53 remaining in the first period.

"I felt like maybe that’s the part today we weren’t quite connected," Johansson said. "We need to win more pucks. We had some looks, but we have to get the puck back and get set up again and go back after it. I felt like we had that one chance and we had to go back and get it. That makes it hard. We just put this group together. We have to work on it a little bit and it will get better."

The Sabres seemed to lose momentum when their first chance resulted in zero shots on goal, and the Maple Leafs (13-11-4) took advantage with Johansson in the penalty box for slashing in the second period.

William Nylander knifed through the right-wing circle and went uncovered through the slot before lifting a backhanded shot over Hutton's shoulder for a 1-0 lead with 5:30 remaining. The Sabres' penalty kill had went 6- for-6 over its previous two games after allowing a goal in nine straight.

The Sabres (12-10-5) salvaged their November with points in four of five games, including a 6-4 win over Toronto in KeyBank Center on Friday night. However, effective special teams over the past month could have helped them trim their 12-point deficit behind the first-place Boston Bruins. 1164096 Buffalo Sabres blood disorder. Krueger talked about having a fresh set of eyes and, from this view, it's what the Sabres need.

Put just about anybody on the power play at this point. Even guys you It was a terrible November at times but Sabres' season wasn't rendered might not expect. How could they be any worse? moot The height of the Sabres' frustration came late in the second period when Conor Sheary had a golden opportunity on a 2-on-1 break off a Jeff By Mike Harrington Skinner feed. But Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen speared the puck in his glove. The fans erupted until they suddenly noticed a replay review Published Sat, Nov 30, 2019|Updated Sat, Nov 30, 2019 taking place.

After a couple minutes, the play was ruled no goal and the NHL sent out its cursory explanation that said there was no conclusive way to tell if the TORONTO -- Good riddance to November. Let's get Santa in here and puck was over the goal line. Memo to the NHL: In 2019, it's long past see if the Sabres' fortunes get any better. time to have puck sensors for plays like this. When they suffered a shootout loss Oct. 28 to Arizona in the final game Social media was outraged at the result of the review. Of course, given of the month, the Sabres were 9-2-2 and first overall in the NHL the state of social media, what else is new? But while it certainly looked standings. At the close of business on Halloween, their 20 points left like the puck in Andersen's glove was over the line, there was no way to them tied with Boston and one point behind Washington for the top spot. definitively see it, which is the standard you have to use. The calendar flipped and so did the Sabres' fortunes. That said, how about burying a chance instead of firing a puck into a Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs left Buffalo at 3- guy's glove? 8-3 for the month. That's just one point ahead of hapless Detroit for the Want another November nugget? Here's one: Sheary had no goals. In fewest number of November points in the league with nine. fact, since getting two on opening night in Pittsburgh, he's had just one The Sabres are nowhere close to being the league's best team like they other one and that came Oct. 17 in Los Angeles. He's not the only player were in October. They also should be nowhere close to being the worst bathed in a huge drought. team like they almost were in November. Goalie Carter Hutton went 0-5-3 in November and was terrible at times in Frankly, the Sabres are a hard club to gauge right now. It feels in some clearly losing the No. 1 job to Linus Ullmark. But he was on his game ways like they're miles out of the playoff hunt already but everyone Saturday. Hutton made 41 saves on a back-to-back in a tough visiting feeling that way needs to look at the standings. barn. Still, John Tavares' overtime winner simply can't be flubbed with the glove. You have to wipe your eyes a couple times when you do it. The Sabres are one point out of a playoff spot. One. It was the difference in The Sabres did not make Hutton available postgame, which is Saturday's result, as they fell a point behind the Leafs. exceptionally out of character for them. After all the rough games he's had this month, to make 41 saves and still lose had to be crushing. They have one more point than Montreal. Two more points than Tampa Bay, which really makes that 0-3 mark against the Lightning tougher to Hutton and the entire team can take solace that this season isn't dead. swallow. Far from it. December will be tough, including next week's trip to Western Canada, two games against Boston, another trip back here to Toronto The Sabres finished the month 2-1-2. And those five games came after a and rugged home games against St. Louis, Nashville and Tampa Bay. regulation loss in Boston where they dominated the defending Eastern Conference champions most of the night, only to see Tuukka Rask go all But the Sabres are still alive. Even after what had the look of a season- Dominik Hasek on them and steal a game. killing month. The last 10 days changed the needle on the narrative.

That's a pretty good response from a 1-7-1 disaster over the month's first "We started the season well, had the dive there and now we're getting nine games. our game back," said Rasmus Ristolainen, who scored Saturday's only goal. "We just have to keep going and keep working harder." "We had a stretch of learning and growing there," coach Ralph Krueger said after Saturday's defeat. "We ran into some injuries which allowed us The Wraparound: Toronto Maple Leafs 2, Buffalo Sabres 1 (OT) to see a lot of different looks and a lot of different people."

The Sabres have played 11 forwards and seven defensemen for several Buffalo News LOADED: 12.01.2019 games in this stretch. Part of it is all their injuries up front. Another part is the need to get their overly stacked defense corps into games.

"If I look at this stretch since Boston, the last six games we're really, really pleased with the way the team is settling into a pretty consistent game here that gives us a chance every night," Krueger said. "We've been involved in excellent games against some of the strongest teams in the National Hockey League. It's about having the mental strength now to take that into every game we play and just continuing to build forward. We feel to be in a good place."

Krueger came in here at training camp and you had players fawning all over him like he was some psychological truth whisperer. When they started 8-1-1, you wondered if it was real. Lots of underlying numbers were encouraging.

The fool's gold last year was all the overtime and shootout wins. Seven of the 10 victories in the November winning streak came after either 60 or 65 minutes. This year, the issue driving things out of whack is special teams.

In October, the Sabres led the league with 14 power-play goals and were second in conversions at 29.8%. In November, they were a sickly 1 for 37. Yes, 1 for 37. As in 2.7%.

The penalty kill was also in the bottom five of the league in November. Perhaps assistant coach Don Granato can help in these areas now that he's back in the fold after his near-death bout with pneumonia and a 1164097 Buffalo Sabres winger Kyle Okposo (concussion) forward Evan Rodrigues (lower body), forward Vladimir Sobotka (knee surgery) and Tage Thompson (upper body) remain out because of injury.

The Wraparound: Toronto Maple Leafs 2, Buffalo Sabres 1 (OT) All-Star: Voting started Saturday for the NHL All-Star Game, which will be held in St. Louis on Jan. 26. Eichel, Skinner and Dahlin are candidates on the All-Star ballot to captain the Atlantic Division in the 3-on-3 event. By Lance Lysowski Next: The Sabres are scheduled to not practice Sunday and will host the Published Sat, Nov 30, 2019|Updated Sat, Nov 30, 2019 New Jersey Devils on Monday night in KeyBank Center. A lower-body injury kept rookie center Jack Hughes out of the Devils' lineup Saturday

against the New York Rangers. TORONTO – The rivalry is alive and well.

After enduring five consecutive losses to their foes up the Queen Buffalo News LOADED: 12.01.2019 Elizabeth Way, the Buffalo Sabres split their home-and-home against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a 2-1 overtime defeat Saturday night in Scotiabank Arena.

The Sabres (12-11-5) are 2-1-2 in their last five games and finished November with a 3-8-3 record. The Leafs (13-11-4), meanwhile, avoided losing back-to-back games to Buffalo for the first time since Feb. 11- March 17, 2017.

Rasmus Ristolainen scored for the Sabres and Carter Hutton had 41 saves in goal. William Nylander broke a scoreless tie with his 10th goal of the season in the second period, and John Tavares scored the game- winner 1:45 into overtime.

Fine first: The Sabres were outshot, 11-8, in the first period but mostly outplayed the Leafs. Following a Toronto turnover, Jimmy Vesey retrieved the puck in the offensive zone and floated a cross-ice pass to Marcus Johansson, whose shot from atop the crease was stopped by goalie Frederik Andersen.

Sam Reinhart also hit the post and Jake McCabe fired a one-timer from the left-wing circle that was turned away by Andersen.

Help wanted: The Sabres played well defensively in the first period, as illustrated by Eichel's back check to knock Zach Hyman off the puck. Buffalo cleaned up every rebound in front of the net and avoided any breakdowns in the defensive zone.

Moments after losing his stick, Henri Jokiharju dove across the slot to prevent the Leafs from making a centering pass. The Sabres have a negative-12 goal differential in the first period of games this season.

Opening salvo: The Leafs broke the scoreless tie with 14:30 remaining in the second period when Nylander cut across the slot and lifted the puck over Hutton's shoulder. The Sabres entered Saturday 2-7-2 when their opponent scored first, and they had killed each of their previous six penalties after allowing a power-play goal in nine consecutive games.

Momentum swing: The Sabres seemed to gain momentum after Hutton's save on Kasperi Kapanen midway through the second period. Moments later, Jeff Skinner protected the puck from Tyson Barrie along the boards and found Conor Sheary in front with a backdoor pass.

Andersen used his glove to stop Sheary's one-timer shot. The play was reviewed to see if the puck crossed the goal line while in Andersen's glove, however, the call on the ice stood.

Late flurry: The Sabres had a flurry of chances in the latter portion of the second period, despite having a disastrous second power play. Skinner retrieved his own rebound and had enough time to shoot a backhander from the crease, only to be stopped by Andersen, who dropped his stick moments earlier.

Additionally, Victor Olofsson hit the crossbar with under a minute remaining in the second period. The Sabres were outshot, 16-11, in the second and entered Saturday 0-10-1 when trailing after two periods this season.

Toronto, meanwhile, entered the game 8-0-2 when leading after two periods.

Drive to the net: Ristolainen tied the score, 1-1, with 13:02 remaining in regulation when he skated through the right-wing circle, skated toward the net and lifted the puck over Andersen's shoulder.

The goal was Ristolainen's second of the season and the first of his career against Toronto.

Scratches: Forwards Curtis Lazar and Jean-Sebastien Dea were the Sabres' healthy scratches. Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (concussion), 1164098 Buffalo Sabres Rivalry: Eichel has 19 points in 14 career games against Toronto, including eight in seven road games. His 1.36 points per game against the Leafs are his second-best career output against any NHL team, Sabres game day: Power play adjusting without Rasmus Dahlin trailing only his 1.64 points per game against the Ottawa Senators.

Eichel has scored more goals against Toronto (12) than any other opponent. The 23-year-old entered Saturday on an eight-game point By Lance Lysowski streak, and his 15 points during that span lead the NHL.

Published Sat, Nov 30, 2019|Updated Sat, Nov 30, 2019 Eichel is on pace for 50 goals among 107 points, which would be the highest goal and point totals by a Sabre since Pat LaFontaine and

Alexander Mogilny in 1992-93. Power-play woes: The Sabres are in a 1-for-35 slump on the power play Opposing player to WATCH: wasn't pleased with his after failing to score on their two opportunities Friday night. Rasmus performance Friday night in Buffalo. The Leafs center was a minus-3 in Ristolainen and Marcus Johansson have been used on the top unit with 24:48 and committed a turnover that led to Vesey's third-period goal. Rasmus Dahlin out the past two games. Matthews has 16 goals among 30 points in 27 games this season. He Additionally, Victor Olofsson was not used in the right-wing circle against has nine goals among 14 points in 12 career games against the Sabres. the Leafs. Instead, Olofsson was positioned in the slot with Johansson in Buffalo has not won back-to-back games against Toronto since 2017. the right circle. The result was only two shots on goal in two power plays. "They made some adjustments in the third period that we’re going to Losing Dahlin was another blow to the Sabres' power play. His seven have to counter against," Krueger said. "I think above all it’s going to be points on the man advantage rank third on the team, and he ranks an angry Toronto team after losing last night. We’re expecting their second behind Jack Eichel with 15 assists this season. absolute A-game. We need to be strong defensively here to have a Coach Ralph Krueger has used video study and personnel changes to try chance tonight and we believe in that opportunity." to spark his special teams. While the penalty kill is 6-for-6 over the past two games, the power play continues to struggle. Buffalo News LOADED: 12.01.2019 "We just need to stick with it," Krueger said of the power play. "We find there are scoring chances there and there is opportunity there. The momentum has been extremely negative for the power play and as with other components when they’re not working, we stay on the topic. We’re looking at video, we’re looking at changing personnel here and there. I think with Dahlin out it’s definitely changed the PP look and we need to adapt to that. I feel it’s very due for a goal tonight."

Sabres' lineup: Krueger will not reveal his lineup until shortly before puck drop. The Sabres will either use six defensemen with 12 forwards or seven defensemen with 11 forwards.

The Sabres used the latter Friday against the Leafs, as forwards Curtis Lazar and Jean-Sebastien Dea were scratched. Defenseman Colin Miller returned to the lineup after playing only twice in the previous eight games.

"I’ve actually always liked it as a coach," Krueger said of dressing seven defensemen. "I've used it lots of times in the past and it gives you options to really mix different guys into the lineup. You see the top-end guys don’t get extra ice time actually out of it. It’s more of a sharing of guys that sometimes don’t get the minutes, and I think they’re more into the game when they do that. For the D, when you’re playing the pace we are right now against the level of teams we’re playing right now, they have more energy for their battles when you play with seven. It’s also difficult for the opposition to read or react to your lineup."

Goalie change: Carter Hutton will start in goal for only the third time in nine games. The 33-year-old is 0-5-2 with a .869 save percentage in his past seven starts, though he has not received much help from his defense.

Hutton is 3-1 with a .916 save percentage in five career games against the Leafs.

Streaking: Jimmy Vesey has scored in each of the past three games after enduring a 20-game goalless drought to start the season. The 26-year- old has also contributed on the Sabres' penalty kill and his 20 shots on goal over the past eight games rank fifth on the team.

"To be honest, even when I didn't have a goal I thought I was playing some good games right before I finally scored," Vesey said. "It's a funky game sometimes. I guess the percentages were bound to change. I saw that I scored the first one on my 30th shot of the year. That's not good, but you have to think that's not going to last."

Leafs' lineup: Toronto is expected to start Frederik Andersen in goal. Andersen is 10-3 with a .919 save percentage in 14 career games against the Sabres. Additionally, Leafs forward Alexander Kerfoot is eligible to return from a two-game suspension.

Kerfoot has five goals among eight points in 22 games this season. He was suspended for a hit on his former teammate, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson. Toronto did not hold a morning skate Saturday, but here is how it lined up Friday in KeyBank Center: 1164099 Buffalo Sabres 28. Ottawa Senators. Had played four one-goal games in a week until 7- 2 mauling in Minnesota. (21)

29. New Jersey Devils. With trip to Buffalo on Monday, Hughes' status in Mike Harrington's NHL Power Rankings question after blocking shot in leg. (30)

30. . Kopitar is club's only 10-goal scorer. (28)

By Mike Harrington 31. Detroit Red Wings. Winless streak hits eight after allowing six goals Published Sat, Nov 30, 2019|Updated Sat, Nov 30, 2019 apiece to Leafs and Flyers. (31)

Through Friday's games. Last week's rankings in parentheses.

1. Boston Bruins. Pastrnak joins Lemieux, Bossy, Gretzky as only players with 12+ goals in season's first two months. (3)

2. Washington Capitals. Wiped out 3-1 deficit in third to stun Bolts in OT. (1)

3. St. Louis Blues. Cooled off Stars to extend road point streak to nine (7- 0-2). (4)

4. Edmonton Oilers. Nugent-Hopkins hits IR with hand injury. (5)

5. New York Islanders. Point streak ended at 16 with 0-2-1 mark on California roadie. (2)

6. Winnipeg Jets. Ten wins in November tied with Stars for most in NHL. (12)

7. Philadelphia Flyers. Entered weekend with East-leading 22 points in November. (14)

8. . Losses to Hawks, Blues slowed momentum after 10-0-1 run. (7)

9. Arizona Coyotes. Went 1-2 as three straight games ended in shootouts. (10)

10. Colorado Avalanche. MacKinnon burns Hawks with third four-point game of season. (8)

11. Pittsburgh Penguins. Five-point night for Malkin in 8-6 win over Canucks. (13)

12. Florida Panthers. Team-high 12 goals for free-agent pickup Connolly. (6)

13. Carolina Hurricanes. Offense sputtering, with only four goals in three games. (11)

14. Vegas Golden Knights. Pacioretty goal with 0.3 left sets up Stastny OT winner in Nashville. (16)

15. San Jose Sharks. Won four of five, including three straight in OT. (19)

16. Vancouver Canucks. Hughes has trio of three-assist games, already one shy of Bourque's mark for rookie defensemen. (15)

17. Buffalo Sabres. Eichel at peak efficiency in offensive zone. (24)

18. Toronto Maple Leafs. Big start for Keefe, but still needs capable backup goalie. (17)

19. Calgary Flames. Peters' "resignation" ends most tumultuous week in franchise history. (26)

20. Tampa Bay Lightning. Cernak gets a wrist tap for mauling of Dahlin. (20)

21. Columbus Blue Jackets. Have gone 5-1 in last six at home. (22)

22. New York Rangers. Huge welcome back for Stars' Zuccarello. (29)

23. Montreal Canadiens. Price's disastrous last five games: 0-4, 5.35/.822. (9)

24. Anaheim Ducks. Ugly Black Friday at home with shutout loss to Jets. (18)

25. Nashville Predators. Rinne shakes struggles with 31-save shutout at Carolina. (25)

26. Minnesota Wild. Season-high seven goals in rout of Sens. (27)

27. Chicago Blackhawks. Kane point streak hits 14 games, tops in league this year. (23) 1164100 Buffalo Sabres “I didn’t know it was that close,” Andersen said. “I haven’t seen it yet, so you guys had a better view than me. I thought I had it; I didn’t know they were going to go upstairs. I thought it was a save.”

Carter Hutton’s hard luck working against him It was a save, but that’s how it goes when you’re playing well sometimes. In Hutton’s case, he’s struggled and it can be tougher to will good things to happen when things are going wrong. By Joe Yerdon The Sabres also hit numerous posts throughout the game. According to Nov 30, 2019 NaturalStatTrick.com the Sabres had 14 high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five to the Maple Leafs’ three and that happened despite getting

outshot in the game. TORONTO — A lot of what’s happened with Carter Hutton since his 6-0- That hasn’t always been the way in Hutton’s games, but now that Linus 0 start to the season has felt like a serious case of Murphy’s Law. Ullmark has gotten the majority of starts recently (six of the past nine Anything that could go wrong has gone wrong and since that hot start in games), anything that’s gone wrong has worked against Hutton to string October, he’s gone 0-5-3, and a fair bit of that has been because of some together more starts in a row. pretty unfair luck. Since Hutton’s slide began Oct. 24, Ullmark has gone 4-4-1 with a .909 But this isn’t to make excuses for Hutton. save percentage. The stats aren’t wowing, but Ullmark has made the big Following a 5-2 loss in Tampa to the Lightning on Monday, Hutton was saves when needed and the Sabres are scoring goals more often for him despondent searching for answers on how he felt his performance hurt in support too. The Sabres are scoring an average of 2.7 goals per game his team. Never mind that of the goals he gave up the first came on a in Ullmark’s starts since Oct. 24, but 1.9 per game in Hutton’s. dump off the glass that hit the official and went to Nikita Kucherov right in Losing a 2-1 game should feel tough, but when nothing’s going your way front of the net. He was screened out on a power-play goal, gave up the it can feel like the end of the world. For now, the net is Ullmark’s but third on a tip by Yanni Gourde that was so good the official initially waved more performances from Hutton like he had in Toronto on Saturday off the goal, and goals four and five came short-handed via breakaway would mean pushing Ullmark to see the net more often. and a two-on-one. “We like the way he’s growing through the experience. I think it’s one that Against the Maple Leafs on Saturday in Toronto, he found the answers he’s ready for,” Ralph Krueger said about Ullmark after Friday’s win in he was searching for … for the most part. He made 41 saves and was Buffalo. “We’ll continue to work with the pair of Ullmark and Hutton but at the hard-luck loser in a 2-1 game in overtime when John Tavares fired a the moment Linus has had some responsibility. If you look at his last shot toward Hutton that he just … missed. That will happen to any goalie, couple of wins, he’s been tested at critical phases. We’ve left guys alone but for Hutton it’s another kick to a leader in the Sabres locker room who in front and he’s had to make big saves.” could use a lift.

“He was unbelievable, he made some unbelievable stops for us,” forward Marcus Johansson said. “He made some early on to keep us in the game The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 and some late as well to get us that one point. He played unbelievable.”

Hutton had some help from his friends in the closing seconds of the third period as the Maple Leafs upped the pressure. Auston Matthews snapped a shot at Hutton he thought he squeezed between his pads, only it trickled out the other side where Marco Scandella swept it away from the goal line.

“He’s been great, I feel he played a great game tonight,” Scandella said. “We should’ve rewarded him with a win but unfortunately we didn’t get that.”

Hutton is always affable and good for a line whether it’s a win or a loss, but he was not made available by the Sabres following the game. That might be indicative of how hard the losses are affecting him. Processing a loss when you’re the guy counted on every night to give the team the best chance to win can be an arduous mental process, even for someone like Hutton who gives off an air of being unflappable when things are chaotic.

But this run of eight consecutive winless starts would be hard on anyone. Hutton’s 41 saves against Toronto upped his save percentage during this skid from .869 to .883. During his 6-0-0 start, he had back-to-back shutouts at one point and his save percentage was .943. The overtime loss to Toronto was his best start since losses to Arizona and the New York Islanders.

Against the Coyotes he made 42 saves in a 3-2 shootout loss and he stopped 20 out of 21 in a 1-0 loss at home to the Islanders. But since that Islanders game he allowed 19 goals in four games. Even if those goals are going in off ridiculous bounces, as the cliché goes, they all look the same in the box score.

What helped make Hutton’s lack of good fortune stand out was how Toronto goalie Frederik Andersen’s good fortune and making the incredible saves in big moments. There was also a little bit of Harvey Dent involved when it came to making your own luck.

Andersen made an incredible glove save against Conor Sheary at 10:50 of the second period. Jeff Skinner found Sheary parked in the slot and he teed up a one-timer that Andersen snagged with the glove. Upon replay, the save was very close to not being a save. Heck, if there are sensors in the puck maybe it was a goal instead of a highlight reel save. But some guys have all the luck. 1164101 Calgary Flames with us. It’s just awesome for him to be able to get two wins with us. He got thrown into that situation . . . and we’re really working for him.”

Rittich made 26-of-27 stops in his sixth straight start. The Flames were Ward gets second win as Flames interim head coach given two days off by Ward and will hit the ice Tuesday for practice, while their next game isn’t until Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet 960 The Fan). Kristen Anderson, Postmedia “We’ve said it a million times but (this week) has been pretty crazy,” November 30, 2019 9:41 PM MST Tkachuk said. “But we were able to settle in here back home after a lengthy road trip and now we have a long homestand where we have to

gain some points. It’s good we got two tonight, because we’re off for Geoff Ward shook hands with assistant coach Ryan Huska and almost five days.” equipment manager Mark DePasquale and strode off the bench. The -champion University of were recognized Sharply dressed in a royal blue suit and royal blue tie, Saturday’s 3-1 win during Saturday’s game after they ended a 24-year drought and captured over the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Saddledome was Game 29 on the fifth title in Dinos history. the team’s 2019-20 schedule. The team improved to 13-12-4, above .500 The last time the football team captured the national crown was in 1995. for the first time since Nov. 17 and the Calgary Flames now have points in four straight games and are 3-0-1. The team was led out onto the ice prior to the Canadian national anthem as fourth-year quarterback Adam Sinagra hoisted the trophy. Those details are important. Sinagra completed 22-of-28 passes for 292 yards and had two But not as important as the fact that it was Ward’s second win as interim touchdowns in the 27-13 win over the on Nov. 23. head coach of the Calgary Flames, first at home, and first since being officially elevated into that position. On Friday, he dutifully assumed control of the team in the wake of allegations against former head coach Bill Peters who used racial slurs when referring to the choice of music of Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.01.2019 former NHL-er Akim Aliu from earlier in their careers.

It’s a dream realized, he said, although this is not the way the Ontario school teacher-turned-NHL bench boss drew it up. Or something the 57- year-old ever imagined when he had interviewed for the position with the Flames in 2016.

Or even something that he is able to process right now.

“It hasn’t sunk in fully yet,” Ward said. “And as far as nerves, no. It’s business as usual. once you get into game-mode, it’s the same for me. It’s just a little bit of a role I have to perform on the bench. But as far as preparing for the game, it’s the same. Nerves? No. Sunk in yet? No.

“But getting there.”

Ward said the Flames were better away from the puck, the forwards tracked hard which allowed the defence to stand up behind it; they kept the puck to the outside.

It was a grind. Keep in mind these are two of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL (Ottawa has 69 goals on the season while Calgary has 70).

But after Dillon Dube’s goal off a Milan Lucic face-off with 1:04 remaining in the first, they were tight defensively.

And when Jean-Gabriel Pageau went top-corner on David Rittich in the third period (a fly-by defensive play by Tobias Rieder and Noah Hanifin), they responded. Quickly.

One minute and one second later Elias Lindholm capitalized on a chip up the boards from and gave the Flames a lead again. With 1:34 left, Lindholm added an empty-net goal on a Calgary powerplay and Senators goalie Marcus Hogberg on the bench.

The week has been difficult, for everyone, but to win back-to-back games including Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres has been impressive.

“We’ve talked about it — the group has been real resilient this week,” Ward said. “They’ve found ways to pull together. And it’s evident on the bench tonight. The frustration level is not high right now. Guys are really helping each other out, talking, finding solutions. Talking to each other. They’re more solution-oriented rather than frustration-oriented whereas some points earlier that may have been the case.

“We’re moving in the right direction. Guys are starting to see their play is trending up — and they’re feeling good about that. They’re finding ways to support each other and, as a result, the mood on the bench is real good.”

The feeling is mutual.

“For Wardo, it’s awesome,” Dube said. “You play so hard for him. Right now, through all the stuff he’s had to go through, let alone us, it’s a long process . . . guys are really working for him now. Just the situation that happened, he comes in and it’s his first head coaching job in the NHL 1164102 Calgary Flames “Before, he was always that tall and lanky athlete and person,” he said. “Now he’s a big, big man, he’s six-foot-four, close to six-foot-five, around 220 or 215 (pounds) and he’s not fun to play against. Just watching on Matthew Tkachuk vs. Brady Tkachuk returns for third round T.V., defencemen that are big guys are having a tough time containing him. He’s all over it right now. He could have way better numbers (because he’s playing so well). He’s all around it.

Kristen Anderson, Postmedia “He’s producing pretty well this year so far, but I know he can take another step because he’s having chances every night.” November 30, 2019 8:05 PM MST Akim Aliu is set to have a meeting with the National Hockey League next

week and has retained legal counsel from firms in the U.S. and Canada. Matthew Tkachuk facing Brady Tkachuk at the National Hockey League The 30-year-old former NHL-er will be represented by Geragos & level has become so old hat that Keith and Chantal opted to stay with Geragos — the same firm as former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick their daughter Taryn for her field hockey commitments instead of — as reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. catching the third installment of battle of the brothers. This comes after Aliu took to Twitter to post a series of allegations, “My grandpa’s here and a couple other family members, not many indicating that former Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters had used people,” Matthew said prior to the game. “Ottawa (Jan. 18) is going to be racial slurs when he was coaching Aliu with the American Hockey the big game and there will be tons and tons of people. League’s Rockford IceHogs in 2009-10. (Saturday) is not as hectic, people-wise. But still fun.” The allegations forced Flames general manager Brad Treliving to launch The thought was not lost on their coaching staff, either, as both sides an independent investigation that ended Friday morning with Peters recognized the significance of two brothers playing against each other at submitting a resignation letter. Treliving called the events the toughest the National Hockey League level. thing he’s endured in his career.

Both lineups featured the Tkachuk brothers starting the game against A source close to Aliu indicated on Friday afternoon — after watching each other, Matthew on the left side of and winger Treliving’s pass conference — that while the Flames are moving forward, Andrew Mangiapane while Brady was with Chris Tierney and Connor the process is not over for Aliu or many other players that continue to Brown. struggle with racism, discrimination, different types of abuse, and broader issues that are very much still present in hockey. The Tkachuks squared off against each other twice last year, on Feb. 24 and on March 21, which marked the first time they’d faced each other — That source also explained that the press conference provided a window ever — on the ice. They’d played against each other in roller-hockey, into some of those problems and that a fundamental change is needed in , pool-basketball, you name it, they’ve wrestled over some type the sport. of sport.

Around 40 family members and friends were on hand at Canadian Tire Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.01.2019 Centre for the first edition in 2018-19, which featured Brady, a rookie who’d been selected fourth overall by the Senators in 2018, playing his older brother Matthew’s visiting Flames. Prior to the game, their dad, former NHLer Keith, made them shake hands, promising that the two wouldn’t fight. Later, Matthew said Chantal, likely, was behind the whole thing.

It was a special moment when Brady scored on a highlight-reel, breakaway goal and the cameras panned to his raucous collection of family, celebrating, except for Chantal, who tried to contain her excitement. It was a tough position to be in — her middle child had scored but on her eldest child’s team.

Matthew, who had a goal recalled that game for goaltender interference, knew better.

“Oh, they cheered. They cheered, for sure,” he said with a chuckle. “When I scored and it got called back, the reaction wasn’t the same.

“But then I got one back when they all came here to Calgary so that was nice.”

True enough, as Matthew had scored with just 87 seconds remaining in the rematch which ended in a 5-1 Flames win.

And while Brady nearly buried an amazing chance in the second period that was thwarted by the stick of Mark Giordano, he didn’t get on the board this night — or get the win either.

Still, the night was memorable.

“It’s always fun playing against him because you always have time to see him,” Matthew said. “I think he’s turned himself into a really, really good player. He’s taken a big step, I think. Their team is playing really hard right now.

“I’m very happy with the way he’s progressed.”

Prior to Saturday’s game, Brady sat third on the Senators with nine goals and has 15 points in the previous 26 games. Matthew, meanwhile, had 11 goals and 12 assists in 28 games heading into the clash.

Matthew, a fourth-year NHLer, always makes a point of watching his younger brother’s games and has been impressed at his nose for the game, which has only elevated in his second year in the NHL. 1164105 Calgary Flames the walls. So there’s not really one that stands out because it was sort of the way they were all along. They just played hard and had fun.

“They always played mini-sticks in the wives lounge too,” she added. “I ‘Chucky Bowl’ Part III: Inside the sibling matchup between Brady and think the other wives with no kids thought I was crazy because (the boys) Matthew Tkachuk and their all-star sister Taryn would usually end up rolling around the floor tackling one another.”

Brady remembers the brotherly fights fondly.

By Hailey Salvian “Oh yeah, there were a bunch of fights she had to break up or we’d come Nov 30, 2019 in the house flying around on our rollerblades trying to get at one another or me trying to get away,” he said with a laugh. “It’s a lot of good memories and I think it made us both who we are today.”

After a 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Although it’s now the third time Matthew and Brady have played against Saturday night, Brady Tkachuk was standing outside the Flames’ locker each other, Saturday’s game is perhaps more emblematic of just how room with his brother Matthew taking photos and mingling with a handful athletically gifted the Tkachuk family is. of friends and their grandfather who made the trip for the siblings’ third head-to-head meeting in the NHL. Dad Keith played 1,201 games over a 19-year NHL career. Matthew won a in 2015 with the and was drafted sixth It was a much quieter scene than last February when Brady and Matthew overall in 2016, while Brady has been a star on the rise with the Senators played against each other for the first time. That day, almost 40 friends since being drafted fourth overall in 2018. and family members packed a suite at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa with matching white jerseys that had half Ottawa and half Calgary on the And while the third edition of the “Chucky” or “Tkachuk Bowl” (as some front, and “Tkachuk Brothers” with the Nos. 7 and 19 on the back. like to call it) was going on, Chantal and Keith were absent. They opted instead to go to Tampa to watch arguably the best athlete in the family “I think it’s starting to feel like just an average game,” said Brady, who compete — their youngest child Taryn. added it is still special to play against Matthew. “I look up to him so much so it’s maybe a little weird (for me). … But I’m trying to treat it like another It’s hard to imagine there is someone in that family more iconic and game.” athletic than “Big Walt” or one of his songs. But Taryn, 17, is a major field hockey star in their home state of Missouri. “It’s their third time meeting now, so it’s probably not as big of a deal as it was the first time around,” added Chantal Tkachuk, Matthew and Brady’s In her junior year of high school this year, she scored 43 goals and 115 mom, on a phone call with The Athletic. “But it’s always exciting for our points to lead the entire state by a long shot. She had at least 51 points family.” more than any other field hockey player in Missouri. Her stats, along with her jersey number being 23, is why her brothers call her LeBron. Chantal and Brady still remember the Feb. 23 game fondly though. And with all the family together and the fanfare around it, it is difficult to forget. “It’s hard not to be everywhere you want to be at the time, but the boys understand that their sister’s stuff is important too, and this is a big “I was so excited,” Brady said about the first game. “Very few people get tournament for her this weekend,” Chantal said on the phone from to say they played against their brother in the NHL, so definitely it was Tampa. “They keep checking in. We have a family group text chat and hyped up. they always want the updates on how she is doing.”

“I remember the faceoff, the picture before, definitely a highlight was the “I am Taryn’s biggest fan,” Brady said. “She recently committed (NCAA goal, but it was just such a surreal experience and to be able to share Division I) to play for (University of Virginia) and we are all super happy that with family and friends was pretty awesome.” for her.”

Chantal said there were a bit more nerves involved on her end because Brady and Taryn are especially close because when Matthew left the she wanted her boys to play well. house to join the U.S. National Development Program, they only had each other. “But, it was just so exciting seeing them both be on the same ice and realize their dreams of being in the NHL,” she said about the first “They’ve got a cute, sweet bond,” Chantal said. “But both the boys are matchup. “It was a moment of immense pride to see them out there at really supportive, and she knows it and I think that makes her feel pretty the same time and to see them take a picture during warmups and all special.” that was really, really special.” Brady and Matthew have become well known for being exactly like their On Saturday, the brothers posed for another photo during warmups and dad on the ice. And well, Taryn isn’t too different. In some of her highlight they both started the game with their respective lines, although they did videos, you can see her skill, physicality and knack for “accidentally” not physically take the faceoff like they did in their debut matchup. What running into opposing goalies. also stayed the same was an agreement made to their mom that they would not fight or get physical with each other in the game. “She’s a Tkachuk,” Brady said with a big grin.

Brady said they didn’t need a pact though, as he and Matthew know they It’s not hard to see where she gets it from either. When Brady and would never do anything bad to one another. At least not anymore — as Matthew were competing in the driveway or body checking each other on the stories go, the boys didn’t always play nice growing up. the trampoline, Taryn was often right in the thick of it with them. If she wanted to play, she had to compete hard. And that’s followed her onto According to Chantal, Matthew and Brady were “always, always, always” the field, just like it followed her brothers on the ice. competing hard in things roller hockey, basketball, and even a made-up game called “trampoline football” that just consisted of the siblings While it was tough timing with Taryn’s big tournament weekend during throwing a football and body checking each other on the trampoline in the latest Tkachuk bowl matchup, there is one more remaining this their backyard. season. In January, Keith, Chantal and their giant clan will return to Canadian Tire Centre when the Flames are in town and the hype will “It was almost a joke in our family,” she said. “You know, they’d go out probably return with them. and play roller hockey and we’d be like, ‘OK how many minutes until they come in and somebody is complaining or fighting,’. And sure enough, “(The boys) understand that we’d love to be there obviously, but we are somebody would come in complaining, and then they’d be back out five looking forward to coming in January with our huge group,” Chantal said. minutes later playing again. They just always were each other’s “And I’m sure we will bring the jerseys back too.” playmates and just competed all the time.”

When asked if there was one particular fight, or moment that stood out, The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 Chantal joked that there were too many to just pick one.

“Oh god, it happened kind of regularly,” she said laughing. “I mean, I’ve replaced windows from hockey pucks. I’ve had to patch walls from mini- stick games that got a little physical with body checking each other into 1164106 Calgary Flames of hockey. When you work hard and get the result, there’s no better feeling, so we’ve got to keep that going.”

Ward at the controls — for the first time at 57 years of age — presents an Flames — and their new bench boss — believe they are trending in the interesting wrinkle. And a personal one for Lucic. He and the coach go right direction back some. They broke into the NHL together with the 2007-08 Boston Bruins.

By Scott Cruickshank Now Ward is in charge of his very own outfit.

Nov 30, 2019 “It means a lot, obviously,” Lucic said. “I’ve got to say I’m happy to be here with him to see this opportunity that he has. So, we’re just trying to rally around him. I know he’s going to do a great job.

Everyone trusts Geoff Ward to handle the PP — which, these days, “It’s up to us as players to buy in.” refers to more than the power play. Perhaps the Flames will follow him. But who knows? It’s early. Post-Peters, with the hockey world gawking, is also in his hands. Postgame, though, Ward wasn’t shy about shoving credit back toward Ward had been on the bench for Wednesday’s overtime triumph in the players. He called them resilient, in the face of the week’s Buffalo, but, at that point, Bill Peters’ status had not yet been determined. distractions. He said they managed to find ways to pull together. Meaning Saturday at the Saddledome — with Peters officially gone — was Ward’s unveiling. And he insisted that you can actually see the result.

Just don’t expect the man to have been flustered by the occasion, as “It’s evident on the bench,” said Ward. “The frustration level’s not high notable as it seemed. right now. Guys are really helping each other out, talking, finding solutions. We’re more solution-oriented than frustration-oriented, which, “Business as usual,” Ward said afterward. “It’s just a little different role I at some points earlier, may have been the case. So we’re moving in the have to perform on the bench. But in terms of preparing for the game, it’s right direction. just the same. “We’re starting to see that their play is turning up … and they’re finding “So, nerves? No. Sunk in yet? No. But getting there.” ways to feel good about it, they’re finding ways to support each other. As a result, the mood on the bench has been real, real, real good.” And while the latest footage won’t wind up in anyone’s time capsule — a businesslike 3-1 dispatching of the Ottawa Senators — the Calgary OK, then. What else in these parts stands a chance of changing? Flames aren’t in the market for highlight-reel heroics these days. Milan Lucic’s goal drought Instead, they’re desperate to pull back into the NHL playoff picture, desperate to put last week’s ugliness behind them. The big winger scored in Game 81 for the Edmonton Oilers last season — and not once since, a stretch of 28 games now. And desperate to please their new boss. However, Lucic happens to be playing his best hockey for the Flames. “For Wardo, it’s awesome,” Dillon Dube said. “You play so hard for him. Saturday, he was close a number of times to beating goalie Marcus Right now, for all the stuff that he’s had to go through … he comes in, it’s Hogberg. his first head-coaching job in the NHL, it’s awesome for him to be able to come out and get two wins with us. You’re working for him because he Didn’t happen, despite his best intentions. got thrown into that situation.” “Oh my god — I don’t know how you can get any closer,” said Lucic, Adjustment for the players, given that Ward has been in Calgary since whose career goal total is frozen at 198. “It’s easy to get frustrated, it’s the start of the 2018-19 season when he was hired to shoulder associate easy to get down, easy to smash sticks and all that type of stuff. I went coach duties, is minimal. through that and that didn’t work. I’m just trying to do anything I can to score a goal here. They know him. He knows them. “I know the fans would love to see it — I appreciate them Looo-ing me But right now? The commands, the in-game orders, the next-up out there. Not only would I love to get one for my teammates and myself, warnings, are being issued via another voice. but for them as well.”

“They sound completely different,” Dube said of Ward and Peters. “But I Operating on the third line with Derek Ryan and Dube, Lucic is earning don’t know if too many coaches are different the way they say lines. It’s rave reviews. He’s crested 14:30 in ice time in both appearances under good. He’s dialled in. He’s great … with (line) changes and everything, so Ward — after only three times in his previous 25 games. he’s doing really well. He’s sharp.” “He’s not getting rewarded with goals right now, but he’s getting The Flames themselves, for the most part, looked sharp, too. chances,” Ward said. “Eventually they’re going to drop for him. I think everybody’s going to be really happy. Not only the guys on the bench, Granted, the Senators are no one’s idea of world-beaters, but the locals but it seems like the fans are dying for him to get one.” surrendered few golden opportunities, a noticeable departure from the slapdash approach that had plagued them during the schedule’s opening David Rittich’s workload two months. Twenty-nine games into this season and Cam Talbot has gotten into only “We grinded it out real well to get the win,” Ward said. “That was the seven matches. Rittich — by any measure (23 starts, 731 shots, biggest improvement we noticed over the last couple of games — just 1,387:22 of deployment) — is the NHL’s busiest goalie. how tight we were defensively. It was better than it has been. Ward has acknowledged that Wednesday in Buffalo had been Talbot’s “Good teams and winning teams, they know how to manage games. scheduled start. But given the commotion surrounding the club — “the Even on nights when you’re not having your best effort, defensively and craziness,” is how Ward puts it — the deciders went with Rittich. away from the puck you’re still good. You find a way to keep yourself in the game and, a lot of those nights, win the game.” And Saturday, Rittich again.

Earlier in the dressing room, a reporter had asked Milan Lucic about the No. 33 is a solid goalie, yes, but for how long? motivation fuelling the club’s own-zone upgrade. “It’s important that we get Talbs in,” Ward said Friday morning. “We don’t Is this simply a case of wanting to have Ward’s back? want to burn Ritter out with too many minutes too quickly too early in the season. At the same time, it’s important that our guys have confidence — “Not only his back, but each other’s back,” Lucic replied. “Everyone’s and I believe that they do — in Talbs, but I think they need to see him in been through a lot emotionally here lately. When you’re on the ice it’s like there so he gets a feel and everybody feels … like they’re a part of the that ‘Happy Gilmore’ happy place type of thing — you’re not really process. We’ve got a team that’s 23 guys.” thinking about anything other than when you were a kid playing the game Penalty taking

The Flames lead the NHL in minor penalties, with 112. The Winnipeg Jets, who typically reside top 10 in the bad-boy department, have absorbed a league-low 63.

Calgary’s penalty-killers happen to be excellent — fourth overall — but why run them ragged?

Saturday, though, the hosts were tagged with only a single infraction — Andrew Mangiapane’s for high sticking in the second period.

Ward explained: “When you’ve got bodies around the puck, it’s easier — you’re not reaching trying to keep a guy under control, you’re not reaching with your stick, or having to make a last-gasp effort to get in front of him. The fact we had more guys around the puck, supported it well … we didn’t have to reach, pull, or find ourselves in those situations where you often get penalties.”

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164107 Carolina Hurricanes

Former Canes GM Ron Francis says he responded immediately to incidents involving Peters, players

BY CHIP ALEXANDER

NOVEMBER 30, 2019 05:39 PM

The Carolina Hurricanes’ then general manager Ron Francis, right, and head coach Bill Peters respond to reporter’s questions as they hold their end-of-season press conference at PNC Arena in Raleigh on April 12, 2017.

Former Carolina Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis issued his first public comments Saturday on physical incidents involving former Canes coach Bill Peters and two players, and his statement contradicts comments made this week by former majority owner Peter Karmanos.

Peters, who coached the Canes from 2014 to 2018, kicked former defenseman Michal Jordan and and punched another player, who has not been identified. Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour, a former assistant under Peters, confirmed this week that the incidents occurred.

Francis, in his statement, said he took “immediate action” after being informed of the incidents and added that he “briefed ownership.”

Peters resigned Friday as head coach of the Calgary Flames. Former NHL defenseman Akim Aliu had accused him of using racial slurs while Aliu played on an American Hockey League team coached by Peters a decade ago. Jordan later came forward, also via Twitter, to say Peters kicked him and punched another Canes player during a game.

Karmanos, in an interview this week with the Seattle Times, said he was not informed by Francis about the two incidents, saying he would have fired Peters had he been told.

Francis, who hired Peters to be the Canes coach, was Carolina’s general manager until 2018. He now is general manager of the Seattle NHL expansion franchise.

Francis said in the statement, issued by the NHL, that while Hurricanes GM he was first made aware of the two physical incidents by a group of players and hockey staff members.

“I took this matter very seriously,” Francis said in the statement. “I took immediate action to address the matter and briefed ownership. To my knowledge no further incidents occurred.”

Francis extended Peters’ contract in July 2016 through the 2018-19 season. Peters resigned after the 2017-18 season, having failed to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs in any of his four seasons.

Francis said he would make no further comments, saying it would be inappropriate “while an active investigation was being conducted by another team.”

Brind’Amour said this week that he believed the situation was handled correctly at the time by management. Jordan, who now plays in the KHL, last played for the Hurricanes in the 2015-16 season.

Karmanos sold majority interest in the Hurricanes to Tom Dundon in January 2018 but remains a minority owner. Contacted Saturday via text, he declined to comment at this time.

News Observer LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164108 Carolina Hurricanes The mystery is why Francis didn’t stop him. Why on earth did Francis go along with Peters’ sabotage of the dressing room, neutralizing the impact of Francis’ own marquee free agent in the process?

Ron Francis has to answer for enabling Bill Peters’ abuse with That inexplicable decision was the harbinger of doom for both Francis Hurricanes and Peters here, both run off in a matter of months when Tom Dundon bought the team from Karmanos -- for performance rather than any of this, to be sure.

BY LUKE DECOCK But both landed quickly on their feet, Peters as coach of the Calgary Flames, Francis with the Seattle . Peters is out of the NOVEMBER 30, 2019 05:33 PM NHL over this and other abuses, not a moment too soon. Seattle’s ownership group now has to ask itself if Francis is the right person to set the moral foundation, from scratch, for that entire franchise. Canes general manager Ron Francis, left, and head coach Bill Peters watch the young players during the Carolina Hurricanes development camp held at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. on July 24, 2014. News Observer LOADED: 12.01.2019 Nobody ever really liked Bill Peters during his four seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, which in itself is neither surprising nor notable. Coaches have successfully motivated teams to championships through fear instead of love in all sports. Hockey just happens to have a particularly strong vein of it, bubbling up from the wild, wild west of junior hockey, the best and worst of hockey alike. A coach doesn’t have to be popular to be a winner.

But Peters was more than merely a mean-spirited martinet during his four seasons as coach of the Carolina Hurricanes. He has now been exposed, in this moment of new awakening in the hockey world, as a physically abusive bully, and while the regime in charge of the Hurricanes has changed since Peters departed in 2018, there still has to be a reckoning for those who enabled and even encouraged him.

Add another page to Ron Francis’ dubious legacy as the Hurricanes’ general manager. Francis -- now the general manager of the as-yet- unnamed Seattle expansion team -- never made a player-for-player trade in his four seasons in charge, had a mixed draft record and whiffed on two No. 1 goalies.

And none of that even rises to the level of his kid-gloves handling of Peters, empowering an abusive coach now exposed as an embarrassing disgrace. Peters resigned under pressure from the Calgary Flames on Friday after Akim Aliu, one of his former minor-league players, accused him of using a racial slur and the incidents with the Hurricanes came to light.

After Peters’ physical abuse of Michal Jordan and another player was brought to Francis by a group of coaches and players, Francis forced Peters to apologize to the team. Whether he told owner Peter Karmanos is a matter of some uncertainty -- Karmanos, who via text message Saturday said he was unavailable to comment, told the Seattle Times on Wednesday he was never told and would have fired Peters “in a nanosecond,” while Francis issued a statement on NHL letterhead Saturday that he “briefed ownership” -- but Francis’ ensuing actions are not.

Jordan’s last season with the Hurricanes was 2015-16. In the summer of 2016, Francis proceeded to give Peters a contract extension, not only retaining a coach who Francis knew had neither the trust nor the respect of his players but offering the tacit approval of his methods.

The same dynamic was in action when Francis refused to overrule Peters before the 2017-18 season, when Peters refused to name the newly returned Justin Williams captain as expected and instead named and Justin Faulk as co-captains.

This was classic Peters bullying: Rather than empower a strong, veteran voice that could (and would) have challenged him, one Francis specifically signed as a free agent to address the leadership deficit, Peters put two players in impossible positions they did not want, weakening the player leaders and strengthening the coach’s own hold over the dressing room.

A year later, with Peters gone, Staal and Faulk were both visibly grateful to have been relieved of that burden and Williams captained the Hurricanes to the end of their playoff drought and all the way to the conference finals.

Peters’ motives were obvious. Petty and sinister, but obvious. There’s no mystery there. His team would have only one voice: His. Even to its own detriment. 1164109 Carolina Hurricanes The mystery is why Francis didn’t stop him. Why on earth did Francis go along with Peters’ sabotage of the dressing room, neutralizing the impact of Francis’ own marquee free agent in the process?

Ron Francis has to answer for enabling Bill Peters’ abuse with That inexplicable decision was the harbinger of doom for both Francis Hurricanes and Peters here, both run off in a matter of months when Tom Dundon bought the team from Karmanos -- for performance rather than any of this, to be sure.

BY LUKE DECOCK But both landed quickly on their feet, Peters as coach of the Calgary Flames, Francis with the Seattle expansion team. Peters is out of the NOVEMBER 30, 2019 05:33 PM NHL over this and other abuses, not a moment too soon. Seattle’s ownership group now has to ask itself if Francis is the right person to set the moral foundation, from scratch, for that entire franchise. Canes general manager Ron Francis, left, and head coach Bill Peters watch the young players during the Carolina Hurricanes development camp held at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. on July 24, 2014. News Observer LOADED: 12.01.2019 Nobody ever really liked Bill Peters during his four seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, which in itself is neither surprising nor notable. Coaches have successfully motivated teams to championships through fear instead of love in all sports. Hockey just happens to have a particularly strong vein of it, bubbling up from the wild, wild west of junior hockey, the best and worst of hockey alike. A coach doesn’t have to be popular to be a winner.

But Peters was more than merely a mean-spirited martinet during his four seasons as coach of the Carolina Hurricanes. He has now been exposed, in this moment of new awakening in the hockey world, as a physically abusive bully, and while the regime in charge of the Hurricanes has changed since Peters departed in 2018, there still has to be a reckoning for those who enabled and even encouraged him.

Add another page to Ron Francis’ dubious legacy as the Hurricanes’ general manager. Francis -- now the general manager of the as-yet- unnamed Seattle expansion team -- never made a player-for-player trade in his four seasons in charge, had a mixed draft record and whiffed on two No. 1 goalies.

And none of that even rises to the level of his kid-gloves handling of Peters, empowering an abusive coach now exposed as an embarrassing disgrace. Peters resigned under pressure from the Calgary Flames on Friday after Akim Aliu, one of his former minor-league players, accused him of using a racial slur and the incidents with the Hurricanes came to light.

After Peters’ physical abuse of Michal Jordan and another player was brought to Francis by a group of coaches and players, Francis forced Peters to apologize to the team. Whether he told owner Peter Karmanos is a matter of some uncertainty -- Karmanos, who via text message Saturday said he was unavailable to comment, told the Seattle Times on Wednesday he was never told and would have fired Peters “in a nanosecond,” while Francis issued a statement on NHL letterhead Saturday that he “briefed ownership” -- but Francis’ ensuing actions are not.

Jordan’s last season with the Hurricanes was 2015-16. In the summer of 2016, Francis proceeded to give Peters a contract extension, not only retaining a coach who Francis knew had neither the trust nor the respect of his players but offering the tacit approval of his methods.

The same dynamic was in action when Francis refused to overrule Peters before the 2017-18 season, when Peters refused to name the newly returned Justin Williams captain as expected and instead named Jordan Staal and Justin Faulk as co-captains.

This was classic Peters bullying: Rather than empower a strong, veteran voice that could (and would) have challenged him, one Francis specifically signed as a free agent to address the leadership deficit, Peters put two players in impossible positions they did not want, weakening the player leaders and strengthening the coach’s own hold over the dressing room.

A year later, with Peters gone, Staal and Faulk were both visibly grateful to have been relieved of that burden and Williams captained the Hurricanes to the end of their playoff drought and all the way to the conference finals.

Peters’ motives were obvious. Petty and sinister, but obvious. There’s no mystery there. His team would have only one voice: His. Even to its own detriment. 1164110 Carolina Hurricanes rest of the game was solid — the Hurricanes even had a 75.61 percent Corsi edge in the third — but the comeback effort fell just short. They came out hard in front of a soldout Black Friday crowd against Nashville, but nothing tells the story of the first like a Natural Stat Trick chart: Loose pucks: Bill Peters’ resignation leaves more questions, first-period woes, Thanksgiving pups It looked like the Canes were trying too hard to make something happen after allowing that first goal, and even though that obviously proved problematic, it’s not the worst problem to have. I asked Brind’Amour after the Rangers game whether the bad starts are a product of a young team. By Sara Civian “It’s a lesson in preparation — I think, at times for me, we harp on it so Nov 30, 2019 much that it’s maybe, with the young guys, in one ear, out the other at a certain point. But it’s another lesson. We’ve had a few of these this year. You don’t want to have too many because the year will go by and you’re wondering what happened.” When I created this column last week, I envisioned a laid-back space in which we would hang out and discuss the behind-the-scenes quirks that … Especially in the Metro division. It’s obviously way too early to start sometimes fall through the cracks. playing this game, and look what happened last year, but the day after Thanksgiving, the Canes slipped to fifth in the Metro with a 15-10-1 As it turns out, it was an uncomfortable but important week in the hockey record. The division is just too competitive. The good news is they’re only world that has been a long time coming and feels like the start of separated from the No. 2 Islanders by three points, they’re tied for something even bigger. Moreover, the Hurricanes were forced into the second in goal differential at 11 and the bottom of the barrel doesn’t middle of it — former coach Bill Peters (who resigned from the Flames on seem to be getting much better — for now, at least. Not much room for Friday) was alleged to have repeatedly used racial slurs toward Akim Aliu an abundance of lessons. and kicked and punched Hurricanes players behind the bench. Martin Necas Calder Trophy WATCH: Obviously, the Hurricanes have There are still plenty of questions that demand answers. lost two in a row and it shouldn’t be Necas’ job to fix that, but going It was sort of jarring, standing there in the Madison Square Garden scoreless in the last three games has him at fifth in rookie scoring with scrum hearing coach Rod Brind’Amour confirm the incidents behind the six goals and 10 assists. He’s still getting significantly less time on ice Hurricanes bench “for sure happened.” I’m not sure how many other NHL than others in the top five, but it’s increased to an average of 13:49. He’s coaches would’ve understood how important it is to validate the victims still No. 2 in game-winners, with two. like that, especially unprompted. He left no room for doubt and reminded Dougie Hamilton Norris Trophy WATCH: Hamilton is sixth in plus/minus us again why he was respected as a leader. I’m not trying to pat at plus-14 and third among defensemen (Brian Dumoulin and Zdeno someone on the back for doing the bare minimum, but the NHL hasn’t Chara, who score far less than he does, are No. 1 and No. 2). He’s experienced a potential reckoning like this before, and I’m sure a number second in scoring among Canes skaters with 26 points (10 goals, 16 of other coaches would’ve refused to comment. He set the right assists) in 26 games and third in goals behind Sebastian Aho and Andrei precedent for the rest of them, even if it wasn’t perfect. He also urged Svechnikov. Hamilton is tied with rookie Cale Makar (who is an absolute players to speak up about anything they feel is important. joy to watch) at No. 2 in points from a defenseman. John Carlson has a Many will wonder why Brind’Amour didn’t do more at the time. My shocking 36 points in 27 games, but let’s remember that 28 of those are (imperfect, to be clear) understanding is that he never had much power assists — Hamilton has the edge in goals by a defenseman, No. 1 overall as an assistant under Peters, though it’s impossible to say whether he and edging out Makar by two. He’s also leading in even-strength points. would’ve done more with more power. There’s also the fact that we don’t The season’s still young; the race could get heated. yet know what was said and/or who said what when the issue was Relatively obscure stat of the week: Svechnikov snapped his nine-game addressed at the time. point streak last night, but he was the first teenager in Hurricanes history The real question is why didn’t management do more — or what did (since relocation) to have one of those. In franchise history, including management even do? Several sources have urged me not to jump to Hartford, the only other teenager to record a point streak of eight games any conclusions about what happened after several Hurricanes leaders or longer was Francis, who did it twice. confronted Peters. Former Hurricanes majority owner Peter Karmanos Tweet of the week: I didn’t keep track, but let this be your warning that told The Seattle Times he wasn’t aware of the incidents and would’ve we’re doing this now. Bring your A-game next week. fired Peters “in a nanosecond” had he known. The latter is easy to say now. The former is troubling if true, but again, I’ve been told not to jump Jake Gardiner is a minus-17, by far the worst on the Canes. We know to conclusions. That would be a whole lot easier if former GM Ron that stat is largely bull — especially when it’s a reflection of a top-two Francis would emerge from his radio silence. I was told he wanted to defenseman taking the brunt of the minutes on a bad team. But the release a statement, then I was told he’s not releasing a statement, but Canes are pretty good and he’s averaging only 16:41. He’s also scored the bottom line is the NHL is conducting an investigation into the only one goal — that overtime winner at Washington during Game 2. allegations and Francis is no doubt involved. How would Brind’Amour evaluate his game since signing with Carolina in free agency over the summer? “I thought he was better lately. He’s I got some pushback from some in the Hurricanes organization who starting to come around. He certainly took his time, and I think he knows wanted to make it clear that though some friendships spanning decades that it’s an adjustment. But I think he’s coming around in the last little between Francis and others were ruined, that’s not at all the full story. I while.” Trust the process? don’t want to just ignore that. Regardless, it’s obvious the incidents were divisive.

Last night, I went on Sportsnet’s “Tim and Sid,” and I was asked how The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 Hurricanes fans who’d been so revived by the team feel about everything that came to light this week. I didn’t really know what to say, but I felt it was somewhere in between disgust about the past, pride about the present and relief about the future. Or, as one Hurricanes source put it: “Karma’s a bitch.” I’m curious how you feel about all this in the context of the Hurricanes.

Me: “What are you thankful for this holiday season?”

Trevor van Riemsdyk: “My family, my fiance, my dog.” Then, pointing to Haydn Fleury, “(His family) for taking care of my dog.”

Fleury: “I’m not thankful for your dog. He shits in my house.”

What’s with the bad first periods? The start against the Rangers on Wednesday was objectively bad. As Ryan Dzingel said, “You can’t start like that in the National Hockey League.” That was a shame because the 1164111 Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane’s point streak hits 15 games, but the Avalanche clobber the Blackhawks for the 2nd straight day with a 7-3 victory

By JIMMY GREENFIELD

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

NOV 30, 2019 | 10:51 PM

DENVER

Second chances aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Neither is playing without Duncan Keith.

A day after getting thumped by the Avalanche in Chicago, the Blackhawks endured a 7-3 loss Saturday at the Pepsi Center, their second straight humiliating defeat at the hands of their Central Division rivals.

The Hawks dropped to 10-11-5.

Playing without Keith — who left Friday’s game with a groin injury — for the first time in nearly three years, the Hawks again had no answers for the speedy Avalanche. They trailed 3-1 after the first period for the second straight night, and rather than make something of a game of it, things quickly got out of hand.

The Avs scored twice in the first six minutes of the second period, driving Robin Lehner from the game after allowing five goals on 14 shots. Lehner appeared visibly angry as he departed the ice.

And for good reason. The Hawks repeatedly allowed the Avalanche to enter the slot alone and get off uncontested shots on Lehner, whose save percentage fell from .938 to .929 after his worst outing of the season.

If the Hawks thought their last two games were tough, wait until they see who’s up next. The Blues have the NHL’s second-best record and come to the United Center on Monday. The Hawks travel to Boston on Thursday to face the Bruins, who have the third-best record in the league. The Blues and Bruins are a combined 35-8-11.

Fans got their money’s worth during a first period that saw a short- handed goal, a power-play goal, a couple of even-strength goals and a fight between two players who finished in the top 20 in voting for the Lady Byng Trophy, given to the NHL’s most gentlemanly player.

Brandon Saad’s short-handed goal put the Hawks up 1-0 less than two minutes into the game, but Nazim Kadri’s power-play goal tied it a few minutes later. Kadri scored again and Nathan MacKinnon added one to give the Avs three goals in 3:15.

Before the period was over, Alex DeBrincat and Sam Girard threw the gloves down in a spirited scrap between two of the smallest players on the ice.

Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard and Blackhawks right wing Alex DeBrincat fight during the first period Saturday.

The fight didn’t help spark the Hawks. Joonas Donskoi scored twice in the second period and Mikko Rantanen and Tyson Jost added a goal to put the Avs up 7-1. The Hawks’ Dominik Kubalik scored his sixth goal of the season.

The only mystery after that was whether Patrick Kane would be able to extend his point streak to 15 games. He finally found the scoresheet on a power-play goal — his 14th goal of the season — with 5:22 remaining to give him the third-longest streak of his career.

Kane had a 20-game streak last season and set his career best in 2015- 16 with a 26-game point streak.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164112 Chicago Blackhawks Get this gimmick out of your head. The chances of coach replacing Lehner with Crawford for a shootout are close to zero.

The notion of Lehner getting pulled for a shootout came up last week Is Patrick Kane or Robin Lehner the MVP? Is Alex DeBrincat in a slump? after he was brilliant in regulation and overtime but didn’t stop either 4 hot topics for the Blackhawks. shootout attempt in a 2-1 loss to the Stars. Lehner, who has stopped just 16 of 43 attempts in the last 15 shootouts he has played in, fanned the discussion by saying he’s willing to give up the net if asked.

By JIMMY GREENFIELD But Colliton and Crawford both dismissed that possibility, and there’s virtually no record of NHL teams trying this strategy. The Maple Leafs CHICAGO TRIBUNE tried it in 2008 and the Islanders in 2011, but both times the replacement NOV 30, 2019 | 3:47 PM goalie ended up losing.

Bringing in a shootout specialist won’t become a fad in the NHL. This isn’t . Yes, the Hawks need every point they can get in the DENVER standings, but this isn’t how they’ll go about doing it.

It’s hard to believe the first two months of the NHL season have come Alex DeBrincat takes a shot against the Oilers on Oct. 14, 2019, at the and gone. United Center.

It’s not so hard to believe the Blackhawks still are searching for their Point: Alex DeBrincat is in a slump. identity. Counterpoint: Sometimes, the puck just doesn’t go in. That is, unless their identity once again is a team that struggles early before making a second-half run at the postseason. Hmmm ... Let’s look at two players.

While you ponder that, let’s mull over a few recent topics affecting the Player A has 19 points (10 goals, nine assists), has put 71 shots on goal Hawks in our latest point/counterpoint. and is on the top power-play unit while playing 17 minutes, 39 seconds per game. Patrick Kane skates after the puck against the Stars on Nov. 26, 2019, at the United Center. Player B has 19 points (five goals, 14 assists), has put 70 shots on goal and is on the top power-play unit while playing 17:48 per game. Point: Patrick Kane is the Blackhawks MVP so far. Is one player enjoying a breakout season while the other is stuck in a Counterpoint: Robin Lehner is the Blackhawks MVP so far. mysterious slump? Of course not.

The shocking thing is that anyone is close to Kane for Hawks MVP, let Player A is DeBrincat’s 2018-19 season after 25 games. He went on to alone a last-minute free-agent pickup who signed a one-year deal when score 41 goals and earn a three-year, $19.2 million contract extension. his original team let him walk. Player B is DeBrincat through 25 games this season. The goals are Let’s take a moment and consider where the Hawks would be without down, but he’s getting off a similar number of shots and staying Lehner, who entered Saturday’s game against the Avalanche leading the productive as a playmaker even when the puck isn’t going in the net. NHL in save percentage. The main difference is DeBrincat’s shooting percentages. He’s To begin with, Corey Crawford would have been playing more frequently converting on only 7.1% of his shots after scoring on 14.1% through 25 and the backup goalie likely would have been Collin Delia. Crawford games last season. He finished with an 18.6% shooting percentage. hasn’t been as good as Lehner, but he still has been excellent and providing what you would expect from a No. 1 goalie. So, no, DeBrincat isn’t slumping. He’s creating opportunities and putting the puck on net just as he did in his first two seasons. As long as he Crawford prefers a heavier workload, so it’s likely his numbers wouldn’t keeps that up, the goals will come. have suffered if he were starting 70% of the games, as he has done in past seasons when healthy. Instead of Lehner, the Hawks probably Corey Crawford defends the goal as Avalanche center Sheldon Dries would have settled for Delia, who played well when Crawford was injured tries to score Nov. 29, 2019, at the United Center. last season and earned himself a three-year contract. Point: The goaltending is good enough to get the Hawks to the playoffs. The only problem is Delia is off to a terrible start in Rockford with an .863 Counterpoint: No, it’s not. save percentage and 4.09 goals-against average and has fallen behind Kevin Lankinen and Matt Tomkins on the depth chart. As great as Robin Lehner and Corey Crawford have been, the Hawks aren’t getting to the playoffs on their backs alone. Swap out Lehner and add any of the three IceHogs goalies, and you don’t have a team within a few points of a playoff spot. You have a team The Hawks’ .922 save percentage is fourth-best in the league, but that within a few points of the Red Wings for the NHL’s worst record. tells only part of the story. The Hawks are allowing a league-high 36.2 shots per game, and history shows it’s nearly impossible to get to the Kane has been great as usual. He’s on pace for 105 points — not far off postseason when doing that. last season, when he had a career-high 110 — and the 14-game point streak he took into Saturday’s game in Denver coincided with the Hawks The last time a team made it to the playoffs while giving up the most starting to turn their season around after a slow start. shots was in 1997-98, when Dominik Hasek played in an astounding 72 games and had 13 shutouts to carry the Sabres to the postseason. Unlike last season, Kane is carrying the offense almost by himself. Alex DeBrincat hasn’t scored a goal in 10 games, Jonathan Toews is on pace It’s not just about shots. The Hawks have given up 13.56 high-danger for a career-worst 43 points and Kirby Dach isn’t ready to be an offensive scoring chances per game, second-most in the league behind the force. Rangers according to naturalstattrick.com. And with Duncan Keith possibly out for an extended period with a groin injury, the defense is So who’s the Hawks MVP right now? It’s a very close call but it still has to likely to get worse before it gets better. be Kane. At least the Hawks would have Crawford to pick up more starts if Lehner weren’t around. Try not to get too excited about allowing only 23 shots to the Avalanche in Friday’s 5-2 loss. The Avs had a comfortable lead nearly the entire Kane is simply irreplaceable. game and never had to make an offensive push. The Hawks will need to Robin Lehner makes a save against the Hurricanes on Nov. 19, 2019, at put together a long run of games in which shots allowed and high-danger the United Center. chances are reduced.

Point: Corey Crawford should replace Robin Lehner for shootouts. Until then, Lehner and Crawford should remain very busy and the Hawks should remain a safe distance from the playoffs. Counterpoint: Interesting idea, but it’s not happening.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164113 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 12.01.2019

Blackhawks crumble in second period, get blown out again by Avalanche

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Nov 30, 2019, 11:57pm CST

DENVER — Jeremy Colliton unveiled some intriguing new line combinations for Saturday’s second leg against the Avalanche.

The Blackhawks then produced a performance so poor, so - fundamentally flawed, that the coach wasn’t even able to assess those switches.

“Ultimately, we didn’t have much of a chance to evaluate those lines because the base of our game — the habits we were playing with — were nowhere near we need to be,” a beaten-looking Colliton said after the Hawks’ 7-3 loss.

“We’re never going to be -perfect. Not every shift is going to be perfect. But the intentions have to be perfect, and I don’t think we can say that.”

It remains to be seen whether the new lines — Andrew Shaw promoted to Jonathan Toews’ line, youngsters Kirby Dach and Alex Nylander united, Ryan Carpenter slotted between Kane and Alex DeBrincat — will last.

The Hawks played a competitive if risky first period, generating a great deal of scoring chances, but lost the finishing battle. Still, the game remained in reach with more than two minutes of power-play time to begin the second period and only a 3-1 deficit.

Yet the Hawks could hardly complete a single pass on that power play, finished with just one shot attempt, failed to switch their fourth forward for a second defenseman at its conclusion, then surrendered a backbreaking goal the other way.

From there, the game quickly escalated out of hand, with the Avs taking a 7-1 lead shortly past the midway portion and cruising to victory, despite Patrick Kane extending his points streak to 15 consecutive games with a meaningless late goal.

“I don’t think you’re really thinking about it at that point,” Kane said. “I wasn’t very good tonight.”

Robin Lehner was pulled after allowing five goals on 14 shots, though none were really his fault, and yelled down the bench while exiting the ice.

“If we weren’t good enough, I wouldn’t care,” he said. “That’s not what it is. We’ve shown that we can play — we have to decide to play the right way, all the time. ... It’s just time to look ourselves in the mirror and do the right thing.”

The Hawks will seek to replace Duncan Keith with a committee approach.

The veteran defenseman, who suffered a groin injury in Friday’s loss, was considered day-to-day, but Colliton said he’d know more about Keith’s recovery timeline upon returning to Chicago.

He leaves open a 24-minutes-per-game hole on the Hawks’ defense.

“He’s able to play a lot of minutes, can play all situations for us, [brings a] lot of experience in big games,” Colliton said. “We’ll miss him, of course, but opportunity for others to step forward.”

The Connor Murphy-Olli Maatta duo was elevated to the top five-on-five pair Saturday, but Erik Gustafsson led the team in ice time. Slater Koekkoek also drew into the lineup, making just his 10th appearance of the season.

Wedin debuts

Anton Wedin played his first NHL game for the Hawks, taking an early penalty but finishing as a plus-one in 10:52 of ice time.

The 26-year-old Swedish summer free-agent signing drew into the lineup after Matthew -Highmore was reassigned to Rockford on Friday. 1164114 Chicago Blackhawks

his You Gotta See: Blackhawks-Blues, Bears-Cowboys and a big-time test for DePaul

By Steve Greenberg@SLGreenberg

Nov 30, 2019, 8:00am CST

SUN 1

Patriots at Texans (7:20 p.m., Ch. 5): Tom Brady won his first at 24 years of age. Deshaun Watson was six. Watson is all grown up now, 24 himself (which makes Brady, what, 60?) and crushing it as quarterback of a first-place team. Insert obligatory Mitch Trubisky comparison here.

MON 2

Miami at Illinois (6 p.m., ESPN2): It’s the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, and the Illini are only 8-12 all-time in these games. But none of those earlier teams had Kofi Cockburn, did they? The 7-foot, 290-pound freshman is off to a monster start at 15.3 points and 12 rebounds per game. Too soon to nickname him “Hurricane”?

Vikings at Seahawks (7:15 p.m., ESPN): Seattle’s robust 9-2 record belies its modest plus-29 season points differential. Is this a legit Super Bowl contender? Minnesota, 8-3, probably has been a bit more convincing on the whole. Speaking of convincing, can fans of the 6-6 Bears trick themselves into believing that a Vikings loss keeps the wild- card dream alive?

Blues at Blackhawks (7:30 p.m., NBCSCH): The Hawks get their first look at the defending Stanley Cup champs, who are right back at the top of the Western Conference. Much like football’s Seahawks, though, the Blues’ season goal differential entering the weekend was a puny plus-6. What to make of this team other than it just plain knows how to win?

TUE 3

Northwestern at Boston College (6 p.m., ESPNU): More of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, that time of year when fans around the best two hoops conferences in the land are reminded that NU and BC have basketball teams. But we kid the Wildcats and Eagles.

WED 4

Grizzlies at Bulls (7 p.m., NBCSCH): Coby White has made a heck of a first impression around here, but — with all due respect — he can’t carry Ja Morant’s jock. Not that any other first-year player can. The Rookie of the Year race is already over, people.

Texas Tech at DePaul (7:30 p.m., FS1): The Blue Demons are off to a mighty impressive start, with Paul Reed and Charlie Moore leading the way. Is this the real thing? Beating the 2019 NCAA Tournament runners- up just might put the “win” and the “trust” in Wintrust.

THU 5

Blackhawks at Bruins (6 p.m., NBCSCH): First the Blues, then the team that lost to them in a seven-game Cup finals? That’s a serious one-two punch for the Hawks to contend with. Keep those gloves up, fellas.

Cowboys at Bears (7:20 p.m., NFL Network, Fox-32): There’s 6-6, and then there’s 6-6. Next time you think this is a tough football town, just consider the royal treatment the third-place Bears are getting compared with the bomb cyclone of despair surrounding first-place Dallas.

SAT 7

Big Ten Championship Game (7 p.m., Fox-32): It’s Ohio State vs., well, we don’t know yet if it’ll be Minnesota or Wisconsin. The only other question: Does it matter?

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164115 Chicago Blackhawks AS: “I don’t know.” Dylan Strome: “That you can’t cook.”

AS: “Can’t cook? [Brushes Strome off.] Stuff we probably can’t say. I Blackhawks’ Andrew Shaw embraces role as veteran leader think it’s a little bit better now. I think my younger years you heard a lot more trash-talking. I think it’s a little different now.”

By Madeline Kenney Most creative?

Nov 30, 2019, 7:00am CST AS: “[Laughs.] You know when guys have big noses, they just say, ‘That guy’s got a nose for the net,’ or, ‘He can smoke a cigar in the shower.’ ”

Have any TV shows piqued your interest lately? When general manager Stan Bowman traded Andrew Shaw in the summer of 2016 to increase cap space, the Blackhawks lost a player AS: “I just started ‘Peaky Blinders.’ It’s a show about a group of guys whom former coach Joel Quenneville once called “irreplaceable.” after the war who started to kind of take over gambling. It’s pretty cool, and it’s based back after World War II, I think.” Shaw came onto the scene during the 2011-2012 season as a 20-year- old who had more energy on the ice than a child on a sugar high. He Do you consider yourself a gambler? played aggressively and fearlessly. And that, along with his unforgettable AS: “No, I like cards. But I’m not a sports gambler. I just play cards.” triple-overtime goal off his shin in Game 1 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, quickly made him a fan favorite. If you could ask anyone in history a question, who and what would you ask? Three seasons since his departure, Shaw, who also won the Cup with the Hawks in 2015, is back. He’s smarter, more experienced and, well, DS: “These are hard questions.” older. AS: “I know. Jeez. I’m not really a history guy. Maybe I call my After being the youngest player on the team when he made his NHL grandfather. I never got to meet him, and I just want to know what my debut Jan. 5, 2012, Shaw, 28, said it’s weird to be one of the older, more dad was like as a kid because he was always telling me I was such a experienced players in the dressing room. pest of a kid. So I want to know what he was like as a kid.”

“It’s different,” Shaw said. “The young guys have lots of energy, so If you weren’t playing hockey, what would you be doing? keeping up with them is obviously fun. But they look up to [the] older guys, so you have to make sure you’re on your game, make sure you’re AS: “Probably working construction. My dad did it. And when I was prepared, make sure you’re playing consistent so they can see why probably 10 years old, I got dragged along to the job site and [he] made you’ve been in the league for so long. I think [I’m] more of the role model, me work. And I enjoyed it, I did. Being around a group of guys is always that’s for sure.” fun.”

Shaw uses his experiences to help the younger guys navigate the NHL. What do you do with your free time? He talked about some of those life lessons, his best chirps and more in AS: “I have three dogs, so a lot of park visits. I have a daughter, so this week’s Chat Room. honestly there’s not much time left for me between my daughter, my wife, Now that you’re one of the more experienced players on the team, how my dogs. But in the summer, I’m a guy who likes to spend a little time on has your role changed? the boat in the sun. I have a lake house, so I just like to go out, anchor down, listen to music and chill out.” Andrew Shaw: “[I’m] a little bit more of a leader. I think just show them that hard work can keep you in this league for a long time.”

What do you know now that you wish you would’ve known when you Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 12.01.2019 were 20 or 21?

AS: “A lot of things. Making sure you’re consistent in your play, stretching, taking advantage of our training staff, getting treatment whenever you need it. I think that would’ve been a lot better, for sure.”

Which one of the young guys has impressed you most?

AS: “I like [Alex] Nylander. I like how hard he skates, how hard he backchecks, even if he loses the puck. And as older guys or coaches, you get on guys if they’re turning pucks over in the neutral zone, and at some points he did and we’re holding him accountable. And he started making sure he got pucks in or if he did turn it over, he was working twice as hard to get the puck back.”

Who were you most excited to be reunited with when you came back to the Hawks this season?

AS: “Probably Jeff Thomas, JT. He’s our athletic therapist. We have a big man crush going on.”

Really?

AS: “Yeah. Make sure that gets in there.”

You’re known to be an instigator or enforcer on the ice. What are some tactics you use to get under your opponent’s skin?

AS: “Playing physical on everyone. On their ‘D,’ on their skill guys. I just think playing physical and going to the net and being aggressive really can annoy people shift after shift.”

Is there anything opponents do that immediately ticks you off?

AS: “No, not usually players. I mean, officials can tick me off.”

What’s the worst trash talk you’ve ever heard anyone say? 1164116 Chicago Blackhawks

Rantanen returns to lineup, leads Avalanche past Chicago 7-3

By MICHAEL KELLY

Posted 12/1/2019 7:00 AM

DENVER -- Mikko Rantanen took almost six weeks to recover from an injury. He needed just a few minutes to show he was hadn't missed a beat.

Rantanen had a goal and three assists in his return to Colorado's lineup after missing 16 games due to injury, and Nazem Kadri and Joonas Donskoi each scored twice as the Avalanche beat the Chicago Blackhawks 7-3 on Saturday night.

The four points were a season high for Rantanen and came in just 10 minutes, 43 seconds of ice time.

"He's amazing," center Nathan MacKinnon said. "He makes everyone on the ice so much better. He's one of the best players in the world. He's so young still, he's going to get so much better."

Donskoi also had two assists, MacKinnon added a goal and two assists and Tyson Jost also scored to help Colorado sweep the two-game set. The Avalanche won 5-2 in Chicago on Friday.

"The last two, three games we've been playing pretty good hockey," Donskoi said. "We've been able to find the back of the net. We're scoring a lot of goals. A lot of guys have been able to put the puck in the net, so it's been good."

Rantanen had 12 points in the first eight games before he was sidelined Oct. 21 with a lower-body injury. He contributed quickly, picking up an assist on Kadri's first goal that tied the game. He fed MacKinnon on his 17th of the season, and scored his sixth goal of the season to make it 5-1 and chase Chicago goaltender Robin Lehner.

"Very disappointed, obviously, the second period in particular," Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. "I didn't mind our first period, we made a couple of poor reads in the first that they scored on."

Lehner had nine saves before being replaced by Corey Crawford, who didn't do much better. Donskoi scored a few minutes later as Rantanen picked up his third assist of the game, and Jost scored 2:10 later to give the Avalanche a 7-1 lead.

Rantanen sat out the third period for precautionary reasons.

"He's fine," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "He tweaked his leg a little bit a couple of times and started to get a little tired so I didn't see a reason to bring him out for the third in a 7-2 game. He'll be ready to go."

Patrick Kane scored his 14th goal late in the third to extend his points streak to 15 games, the longest of the season in the NHL.

Crawford stopped 13 shots.

The Blackhawks fell behind quickly Friday but struck first in the rematch when Brandon Saad scored a short-handed goal at 1:37 of the first period. Kadri tied it at 7:53, starting a string of three goals in a 3:15 span.

"I felt good going out there and they score three pretty good ones real quick," Lehner said.

Chicago had a chance to get back into it with 58 seconds of a 5-on-3 at the end of the first, but couldn't beat Philipp Grubauer (26 saves). Colorado then killed off Ryan Graves' double minor and Donskoi scored 15 seconds after Graves came out of the box.

Dominik Kubalik got his eighth goal of the season 36 seconds after Jost scored, and Kane scored on a 5-on-3 at 14:38 of the third but the game was out of reach.

"Very fast team," Kane said. "And they got some players on the point that can really jump into the play and make life difficult for you."

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164117 Chicago Blackhawks

Avs throttle Hawks for second straight night, 7-3

John Dietz

Follow @johndietzdh

Updated

11/30/2019 11:23 PM

The Colorado Avalanche scored 7 unanswered goals, 4 of which came in less than eight minutes in the second period, en route to an easy 7-3 victory over the Blackhawks at the Pepsi Center on Saturday.

The Hawks dropped both games of the home-and-home series to the Avs by a combined 12-5 score.

The Hawks, who were without Duncan Keith (groin) and Dylan Strome (concussion), were unable to contain a host of lightning-fast skaters who all fired bull's-eyes past Robin Lehner and Corey Crawford all night.

"They've got some players on the point that can really jump into the play and make life difficult for you," Patrick Kane told reporters afterward. "Even when they ... turn it over, it seems like they backcheck pretty well too.

"All around, they work hard and play fast. A lesson we can take."

Things got off to a good start for coach Jeremy Colliton's squad, with Brandon Saad scoring short-handed just 1:37 into the contest.

But after that, it was all Colorado.

Lehner, who made just 9 saves and was pulled after Mikko Rantanen made it 5-1 at 5:50 of the second period, shouted down the Hawks' bench as he headed to the dressing room.

"It's nothing personal," Lehner said. "We really like each other in here. All the guys care about each other; it's a good group. It's 5-1 five minutes into the second and we're not playing well enough. I don't know exactly what I said. Probably said that we have to wake up. ... It's nothing directed to any person or anyone or not toward myself. It's embarrassing. ...

"I hate losing. I think a lot of us don't like losing. There's nothing wrong to hold each other accountable."

Trailing 3-1, the Hawks had a golden opportunity to get back in the game but failed to score on a 58-second two-man advantage late in the first period. They then did nothing with 2:37 of power-play time to open the second period, and Colorado went up 4-1 on a Joonas Donskoi goal at 2:52. Kane and Alex Nylander were beaten down ice by Donskoi, who took a perfect pass from Ryan Graves and easily beat Lehner.

"That was a dagger," Colliton said, "and it kind of snowballed from there."

Donskoi scored twice and had 2 assists for Colorado, which has won eight of 11 and climbed into second place in the Central Division. Nazek Kadri also had 2 goals, and Rantanen had a 4-point night in his first action since Oct. 21.

The last-place Hawks (10-11-5) now face a pair of division-leading teams in St. Louis (17-5-6) and Boston (18-3-5).

The Hawks' other goals came from Dominik Kubalik and Kane. Kane extended his point streak to 15 on his power-play tally at 14:38 of the third period.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164118 Chicago Blackhawks

Reality check: Blackhawks look like a team still trying to find its way

By Charlie Roumeliotis

November 30, 2019 11:30 PM

The Blackhawks were sniffing a playoff spot at American Thanksgiving, trailing the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference by only one point from a points percentage standpoint. And they were coming off back-to-back contests in which they took three of four points from the hottest team in the NHL in the Dallas Stars, including a 3-0 shutout victory at the United Center on Tuesday.

But a home-and-home series this weekend against a decimated but speedy Colorado Avalanche team was a real opportunity for the Blackhawks to show their stripes and they weren’t competitive in either of the two games.

The Blackhawks looked outmatched in every facet despite what the numbers showed, and the early holes they dug themselves did them no favors. They uncharacteristically gave up six combined first-period goals after allowing only 15 in their first 24 games (which was the second- fewest in the league), and were outscored 12-5 total in the two games.

It didn’t help that the Blackhawks were without Duncan Keith (groin injury) in Saturday’s 7-3 loss, but the issues went deeper than that. They were at least a step slow to every 50-50 race, didn't win many board battles and failed to capitalize on their chances unlike the Avalanche.

Where the Blackhawks could have changed the complexion of the game was towards the end of the first period, when they were awarded a 5-on- 3 power play for 58 seconds, and the start of the second period when they had a 5-on-4 advantage for 2:27. They generated several quality opportunities but couldn’t cash in, and after the Avalanche killed off those penalties they scored 15 seconds later to extend their lead to three. They didn’t look back from there.

The Blackhawks have relied on Corey Crawford and Robin Lehner all season long to bail them out in key situations, but at some point it needs to be reciprocated by the 18 skaters in front of them. Lehner gave up five goals on 14 shots for a save percentage of .643 before head coach Jeremy Colliton made a goalie swap to spark his team, which isn't a bag he likes to reach into. In this case, he had no choice.

The Blackhawks started November by picking up at least a point in eight out of a possible nine games for record of 6-1-2. Since then, they're 1-4-1 and their mini home-and-home series against Colorado served as a reality check.

"It's just time to look ourselves in the mirror and just do the right thing is what it's all about," Lehner told reporters. "It's on us as players to do the right things."

The Avalanche looked like a Stanley Cup contender this weekend. The Blackhawks looked like a team still trying to find its way.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164119 Chicago Blackhawks "I was frustrated, I think," DeBrincat said. "Just missed an empty net a few seconds before, went in the corner, he gave me a little hit and I was just frustrated, I think. Just kind of happened."

Five Takeaways: Blackhawks lose back-to-back games against Avalanche Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019

By Scott King

November 30, 2019 11:30 PM

The Blackhawks lost 7-3 against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. Here are five takeaways:

Missing Keith

Duncan Keith's absence was noticeable on Saturday as the Hawks allowed seven goals, the most this season, in Colorado. The two-time Norris trophy winner left Friday's game with a groin injury and is day-to- day.

Saturday was a poorer performance for the Blackhawks than their first game of the back-to-back, home-to-home set against the Avalanche, a 5- 2 loss on Friday at the United Center. Despite allowing five goals Friday, the Hawks held the Avs. to 23 shots, tying their season low (Oct. 24 against the Philadelphia Flyers). Slater Koekkoek came in for Keith.

The ferocious speed of the Avalanche wore down the Blackhawks and dismantled their defensive zone coverage. Mikko Rantanen had a goal and three assists after missing the past 16 games with a lower-body injury.

"He's a big part of our team," Colliton said of Keith after the game. "But teams across the league play with guys shorthanded. Colorado is a perfect example, they've had multiple guys out for a long time and they continue to find ways to win and get points and that's what we need to do as well."

Another tough first

The Blackhawks allowed three first period goals in both games against the Avalanche. On Saturday, Colorado put the trio in the net in a span of 3:15. Prior to Friday, Chicago had allowed just 15 first period goals in their past 24 games.

Lehner pulled

Robin Lehner was pulled in the second period after allowing five goals on 14 shots. Crawford saved 13 of 15 shots to finish the game after coming in with 5:50 remaining in the second period.

Lehner was 2-1-1 in his past 4 starts with a .942 save percentage and his .938 save percentage in 13 games prior to Saturday led the league.

"I felt good, honestly," Lehner said. "I felt good. [The Avalanche] score three pretty good ones real quick: in-close one-timer, kind of like a half- breakaway with a screen, then a bounce off an unlucky redirection and we're scrambling. It's definitely not good enough from all of us. There's not much to say about it."

Kane extends point streak

Patrick Kane scored a power-play goal at 14:38 of the third period to make it 7-3. That marked the final score of the game and extended his point streak to 15 games (24 points; 11 goals, 13 assists).

"I don't think you're really thinking about [the point streak] at that point," Kane said. "I wasn't very good tonight, I got to be better going into the next game. Obviously a huge game against St. Louis coming up at home, Stanley Cup champs coming into our building, so I got to be better for us."

Another scrap

Frustration boiled over for Alex DeBrincat, who dropped the gloves with Sam Girard towards the end of the first period, giving the Hawks their second fight in two games. Andrew Shaw danced with Ryan Graves Friday.

DeBrincat, who hasn't scored a goal in 10 games, took a hit from Girard in the corner shortly after striking iron with a quality scoring chance on an open net from the crease. 1164120 Chicago Blackhawks

2020 NHL All-Star Game fan voting is open

By Scott King

November 30, 2019 11:00 AM

Beginning now and running through Dec. 20 at 10:59 p.m. CT, hockey fans will be able to vote for the captain of each division's team in the NHL All-Star Fan Vote for the 2020 All-Star Weekend in St. Louis.

Fans can submit up to 10 ballots a day at NHL.com/Vote and on the NHL app. Like last year, the league will pick approximately 120 players to have on the ballot. Fans are able to vote for any eligible player via write- in.

Fans can vote for one to four players (one per division) to captain their division's team. Every ballot submitted enters fans into a sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip for two to All-Star Weekend in St. Louis.

The four division captains will be announced on Dec. 21. Rosters will be finalized before the Christmas break.

The Hawk vote

If you want to vote for top Blackhawks performers here are some noticeable ones:

Patrick Kane (RW) - 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 25 games, ninth- most in the NHL.

Robin Lehner (G) - His .938 save percentage in 12 starts leads the league.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164121 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche wins big, sweeps Blackhawks in Mikko Rantanen’s return

By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: November 30, 2019 at 9:50 pm | UPDATED: November 30, 2019 at 10:32 PM

Two fine Finns were in full force Saturday, with countrymen Joonas Donskoi and Mikko Rantanen combining for three goals and eight points as the Avalanche completed a consecutive-night, home-and-home sweep over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Rantanen was a major factor in his first game back from a 16-game injury absence. He had a goal and three assists halfway through the game at the Pepsi Center as Colorado scored seven consecutive goals to take a commanding six-goal lead.

The Avs (16-8-2) skated off 7-3 winners, pinning the Blackhawks (10-11- 5) with their fifth loss in six games.

Originally proclaimed “week-to-week” by the team, Rantanen missed a little more than five weeks. The Avs were 7-0-1 with Rantanen in the lineup until he went down Oct. 21 at St. Louis.

“You miss a lot of games. You miss playing,” Rantanen said in a television interview after the second intermission. “I feel good and the team is playing good.”

Mikko Rantanen returns to Avalanche practice with no contact restrictions: “I feel better every day”

Rantanen, who is making a team-high $12 million this season, did not play in the third period for precautionary reasons. But the still injury- plagued Avs didn’t need him. Donskoi (two goals) matched Rantanen with a team-high four points and second-line center Nazem Kadri also had two goals — Colorado’s first two after Brandon Saad scored a shorthanded goal 1:37 into the game for Chicago’s 1-0 lead.

Center Nathan MacKinnon, who played between wingers Donskoi and Rantanen in the first two periods, had a goal and two assists to up his team-lead in goals (17), assists (25) and points (42).

Rantanen, who is recovering from an injury to his left ankle, was not made available after the game. But coach Jared Bednar said the team just wanted to limit his minutes in a game it was going to win.

“Makes it easy. Makes it way easier out there,” MacKinnon said of Rantanen. “Things just happen. Sometimes you just watch him with the puck. He’s amazing and he makes everyone on the ice so much better. Like I said, he’s one of the best players in the world. He’s so young still. He’s going to get so much better. It’s fun to have him back out there.”

Bednar said this about Rantanen: “He’s an elite player. He really is. The way he thinks the game, the way he maneuvers around the ice, his skill, ability, size strength — all that — you know he’s going to be able to produce. That’s just the type of player he’s become and he’s got some pretty good linemates, too.”

Center Tyson Jost also scored for the Avs, who beat the Blackhawks 5-2 on Friday at the United Center in Chicago.

Footnotes. Defenseman Mark Barberio was Colorado’s only healthy scratch. Defenseman Erik Johnson missed his third game and forward Andre Burakovsky missed his second consecutive. Both have upper- body injuries. The Avs also continued on with injured forwards Gabe Landeskog (right leg), Colin Wilson (lower-body) and Matt Calvert (concussion). … The Avs will take Sunday off before returning to practice Monday. They’ll also practice Tuesday before departing for Toronto, where they’ll begin a three-game Wednesday against the Maple Leafs. Colorado also stops in Montreal on Thursday and Boston on Saturday.

Denver Post: LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164122 Colorado Avalanche Denver Post: LOADED: 12.01.2019

Chambers: How good is Cale Makar? He’s too good to take a penalty

By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: November 30, 2019 at 6:00 am | UPDATED: November 30, 2019 at 9:38 am

Cale Makar is poised to become a finalist for multiple individual NHL awards this spring, with the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) and Norris Trophy (best defenseman) strong possibilities.

The young Avalanche standout could also vie for the most prestigious one voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association: The Hart Trophy as league MVP.

But let’s not forget the Lady Byng Trophy, which goes to the “player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

Makar, 21, had zero penalty minutes heading into Saturday’s game against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. Zero. Nada. Zilch. That’s remarkable because Makar has been logging team-high minutes — playing in all key situations — and is a strong defender.

How good is Cale Makar? He’s too good to take a penalty.

Makar, who leads all NHL rookies with 26 points and is second in goals with eight, is among six NHL players who have played 22 games who have not committed a penalty. He’s second in that group in average ice time, at 20:13, not far behind San Jose defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s 20:34.

Not taking a penalty doesn’t mean Makar is not trying to play fierce defense. And it doesn’t mean he’ll never take a penalty in the offensive zone. It means he combines his brilliant skating, stickwork and hockey sense to play the game the way it was drawn up at a very high level.

“It’s going to come at some point but I’m not really thinking about it,” Makar said of his penalty-free NHL career thus far. “It’s not like I’m trying to play clean. I’m trying to play tough. I’ve been a guy who takes a few penalties every once in a while but I’m not sure I’ve ever been on a streak like this.”

Makar amassed 49 penalty minutes last season as a University of Massachusetts sophomore and had 21 as a freshman. He wasn’t Lady Byng-worthy in college.

But everything changed after he signed with the Avalanche in April and made his NHL debut in last season’s playoffs. In 10 games, Makar had a goal and six points in a penalty-free stretch.

Makar is deemed a better professional player than a collegian, and that’s saying a lot given that he is the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner as the NCAA’s best player. Makar’s world-class skill-set better translates at the highest level of hockey.

Let’s return to the Hart Trophy discussion. Right now it might be Nathan MacKinnon‘s award to lose, with Makar among the top defensemen in the race.

MacKinnon is defining what a Hart Trophy winner should be — MVP to his team. Other Avalanche players have stepped up for this injury- ravaged team, but MacKinnon — as well as Makar — have been carrying it offensively.

Mikko Rantanen returns to Avalanche practice with no contact restrictions: “I feel better every day”

The Avs were 7-3 in their last 10 games entering Saturday. They had played all of those games without Mikko Rantanen, Gabe Landeskog and Colin Wilson, some of them without Erik Johnson, Matt Calvert and Philipp Grubauer, and Andre Burakovsky missed the last one.

Yet, MacKinnon has amassed 22 points this month, one shy of his record for any month and also the Avs’ November record set by Peter Forsberg in 1995.

That’s what Hart Trophy winners do. 1164123 Colorado Avalanche Later in that shift, Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw was in position to receive possession before Rantanen used extended both his arms and stick for a poke check with the Avalanche immediately breaking out into transition. Mikko Rantanen shredded the Blackhawks in his return — this is how he did it Rantanen finished the game with two takeaways.

“He was fine. He was good,” Bednar said about Rantanen’s defensive performance. “Picking up pucks in the D-zone, working to the right spots, By Ryan S. Clark the puck would pop out to him and he’s ready to skate, holding guys off, playing through sticks. I liked him a lot.” Dec 1, 2019 Rantanen uses every inch of his 6-foot-4 frame along with his speed to

be adaptable whenever he was in the neutral zone against the Go back to Wednesday when Jared Bednar gave the update practically Blackhawks. every Colorado Avalanche fan has wanted for more than a month. Let’s start with when the Avalanche were making an entry into the Bednar informed the hockey world star right winger Mikko Rantanen was Blackhawks’ offensive zone. Rantanen utilized a few different healthy. But the news came with a caveat. The plan was for Rantanen to approaches in situations when he did not have possession. He would be held out of the first game in a back-to-back Friday against the Chicago either trail whoever had the puck down the middle of the ice or he would Blackhawks at United Center to ensure the Avalanche would have hang out near the blue line waiting to enter the offensive zone. Rantanen at his best Saturday at Pepsi Center. Rantanen — when he was carrying the puck — would drive down the Mission. Accomplished. middle or the wing while simultaneously appearing to plot his next move. There were times when he held onto the puck for a few seconds but The extra day of rest and the decision behind it appeared to have paid looked ti immediately create chances for Donskoi or MacKinnon once he off. Rantanen, after missing 16 games, returned to with his seventh arrived in the Blackhawks’ zone. career four-point game in a 7-3 win over the Blackhawks. Usually, Bednar would have paired Rantanen with captain and star left winger What about when the Blackhawks had the puck and were in transition? Gabriel Landeskog and superstar center Nathan MacKinnon under What did Rantanen do in those situations? He remained on the wing but normal circumstances. would slide to the middle if that was necessary to disrupt an attempt at a clean entry. Normal, however, is a relative term these days considering the Avalanche can barely go a game without a player sustaining some sort of “I think we were doing really good and I think we are defending pretty injury. Instead? Rantanen played alongside countryman Joonas Donskoi well right now in general,” Donskoi said of the first line’s defensive and MacKinnon with the newfound MacFinland Line combining for 11 performance. “Shutting them down, we don’t have to spend too much points. time in our D-zone and I think that’s the reason why we are able to create offense and that always leads to good offense and that leads to scoring.” One potential area of concern about Rantanen’s evening was the fact he was held out in the third period. Bednar said Rantanen did not play for Natural Stat Trick has an event map illustrating Rantanen’s night and it precautionary reasons having “tweaked his leg a little bit, a couple times” does not initially appear that he was all that active given he only recorded while also starting to feel a bit fatigued due to the lengthy layoff. two shots on goal.

But don’t worry. Bednar said Rantanen was fine and the 23-year-old was It just so happens that one of those shots resulted in a goal that allowed seen walking comfortably around Pepsi Center in a suit after the game. the Avalanche to push their advantage to a 5-1 lead in the second period.

Assessing Rantanen’s performance extends beyond the 12 shifts and Rantanen, whose career shooting percentage is at a 15.8 success rate, 10:43 in ice time that lead to his four-point outing. There is what can score but his ability to create for others around him has led to him Rantanen also contributed in defensive, offensive and neutral zones becoming one of the more dangerous playmakers in the NHL. while examining his best shift, his worst shift and the sequences that His involvement in Kadri’s first goal was a product of surveying the made his return even more emphatic. landscape. Rantanen was part of the five-man rush that flew down the Rantanen primarily hovers in certain areas. Namely, the high slot but he ice yet he stayed down the right flank. Kadri played a pass to Rantanen had moments when he drifted into the low slot or the net front if the that he then fired with a quick wrist shot that was initially saved by coverage needed him to occupy that position. Blackhawks goaltender Robin Lehner.

Part of what comes with Rantanen working in the high slot is it allows him Even after the shot, Rantanen still followed the rebound and used his to play a support pass to create a breakout. Or he could just orchestrate large frame to retain possession before giving it to Donskoi, who then the breakout on his own depending upon the situation. His support cycled the puck to MacKinnon before he played a quick pass to an open passes can be long but he typically favored to play shorter, quicker Rantanen beneath the goal line. Rantanen saw Kadri skate into the low passes with the idea he could then burst through he neutral zone. If slot and delivered a pass Kadri converted for a 1-1 tie. Rantanen had possession in transition, he would look to skate down the Another element of Rantanen’s game is a willingness to work the boards middle but would also cling to the right flank. to gain possession. It was an asset that he and Landeskog used to Bednar said Rantanen’s defensively responsibilities can change on any create chances for MacKinnon. The same principle applies to Donskoi, shift because it is based on how the Avalanche arrived into the defensive who has kept a place on the top line due to the fact he parlays an zone. The Forward 1 or F1 in charged with occupying the net front to aggressive approach into scoring opportunities for MacKinnon. support the defensemen who tasked with protecting either side of the That’s exactly what happened when the Avalanche went up 3-1. crease. Donskoi was already beneath the goalie against the boards when From there, it allows the remaining forwards — F2 and F3 — to be Rantanen sped behind the net to provide assistance. That’s when responsible for higher areas of the ice such as the slot or faceoff circles if Donskoi gained control and quickly poked the puck away from the the puck is in those locations. defense and toward an open Rantanen. MacKinnon, as all this was going “We’re interchangeable down there,” Bednar said. “We like to see our on, remained in the high slot waiting for something to develop. center arrive low but if it’s faster for a winger to get there first, then, he’s Rantanen, once he got the puck, went from the right of the net to the left the F1. It just depends upon the situation.” and delivered a pass to MacKinnon for a one-timer in the high slot that His ninth shift may have served as the strongest example of his beat Lehner. defensive impact. Bednar shuffled his lines and placed Rantanen in a Colorado pushed its lead to 6-1 when Donskoi scored again with defensive zone situation with Nazem Kadri and MacKinnon. Rantanen Rantanen getting the secondary assist. The sequence was also a was lined up on the right when Kadri was kicked out of the faceoff circle. byproduct of creating traffic in front of net. Injuries to Landeskog and Rantanen took over and won the draw against Blackhawks captain Rantanen led to Bednar pairing Matt Calvert and Donskoi with Jonathan Toews. MacKinnon because both wingers could work for possession while also showing a willingness to get in front of the net.

Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves fired a shot on net that was initially saved by Rantanen was at the net front. Donskoi picked up possession and sent the puck back to Graves before playing a high-low pass below the goal line where Rantanen was already in position.

Rantanen barely held the puck for a full second before swinging possession to a wide-open MacKinnon who then found Donskoi and created a five-goal lead.

“Obviously, getting Mikko back is helping us a lot,” Donskoi said. “He’s an amazing player and he was making some great plays tonight, so, we were able to find the back of the net tonight. It felt good.”

Kadri’s goal was the only one the Avalanche scored out of the four power-play opportunities they drew against the Blackhawks.

Having Rantanen back in the lineup allowed the first-team to get a step closer toward being whole again. The Avalanche operate out of a 1-3-1 system which is commonly run throughout the NHL. Every team has its own variation which can be predicated on the personnel within the scheme.

The arrival of Kadri and star rookie defenseman Cale Makar made Landeskog, MacKinnon and Rantanen even more imperative because they were the most experienced figures in the Avalanche’s setup. Donskoi filled in for Landeskog while Rantanen picked up by operating opposite MacKinnon on the half wall.

Rantanen would hover around the right faceoff circle whenever he did not have possession. Then, when he did get the puck, there were a few different approaches he would take. There was one sequence when he moved the puck down low for Donskoi before going back to the right side when it came time for a reload.

One of the strongest scoring chances Rantanen had came on what proved to be his final shift. He patiently waited on the half wall which led to Donskoi playing a pass that found Rantanen only to have him whiff on a shot attempt that would have resulted in a shot on goal.

His premier shift may have been his fifth. Rantanen came in for a faceoff and won the draw before immediately skating back on defense right when the Avalanche committed a turnover.

Rantanen occupied the low slot in the defensive end and remained in that role until the Avs regained possession and created a breakout opportunity. He worked his way to the right side on the breakout before receiving a pass that led to him firing a shot from the faceoff circle.

If this all sounds familiar, it is because these were the moving parts in the build-up to Rantanen eventually setting up Kadri for the game-tying goal.

Donskoi, MacKinnon and Rantanen were on the rush when Donskoi played a pass to Rantanen resulting in them entering the Blackhawks zone.

This is when Rantanen skated into the middle and made a series of moves before using his strength to gain separation away from Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy. It led to Murphy losing an edge and falling to the ice which meant Rantanen was free to deliver a backhanded pass to Samuel Girard in the high slot.

Girard had two teammates and three Blackhawks in front of the net when he fired the shot that went off Lehner.

So, where was Rantanen in all of this? He was all alone on the left wing when Girard launched his attempt. Rantanen was already watching the play unfold and began skating toward the net right as Girard fired a shot. Tracking the puck led to Rantanen taking advantage of the coverage and slipping in at the side of the crease for an uncontested tap-in for his first goal since Oct. 19 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 6-2 win.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164124 Colorado Avalanche games then the Avalanche. Colorado has 16 goals during its recent three-game winning streak.

The Avalanche’s top players come up big in 7-3 route over Chicago milehighsports.com LOADED: 12.01.2019

By Aarif Deen

November 30, 2019

The Avalanche’s new top-line has never played a game together before tonight. But the trio of Center Nathan MacKinnon, wingers Joonas Donskoi and Mikko Rantanen, who was back after missing 16 games, combined for 11 points in Colorado’s 7-3 route of the Chicago Blackhawks.

“getting Mikko back is helping us a lot,” Donskoi said. “He’s an amazing player and he was making some great plays tonight. We were able to find the back of the net, It felt good.”

The Avalanche (16-8-2) scored seven unanswered goals after giving up a shorthanded goal to the Blackhawks early in the first period. Colorado’s second-line center Nazem Kadri scored the first two, giving the Avalanche an extra weapon on another line, something that was missing from their lineup in previous years, especially when dealing with as many injuries as they are now.

“When Mikko and Gabe (Landeskog) went down last year it was a little tougher without having that great centerman,” MacKinnon said. “We have a good 1-2 punch I think, that trade obviously worked out well for both teams.”

Kadri’s two goals came 1:25 apart, giving the Avalanche a lead and all the momentum, leading to a goal from MacKinnon to make it 3-1. MacKinnon later added another assist to finish the game with three points.

Tonight’s performance pushes his active point streak to seven games, compiling six goals, 10 assists, for 16 points in the process.

“When we were without Mikko and Landy down the stretch (last year), Nate, for lack of a better term, put the team on his back,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “He was the leader on and off the ice, he found a way to contribute and make his linemates better. He’s doing the same thing right now.”

The final Avalanche player to record multiple points was defenseman Sam Girard. The 21-year-old recorded two assists and was two-thirds away from finishing with a Gordie Howe hat-trick. Girard dropped the gloves in the first period with Blackhawks forward Alex Debrincat. The pair both weigh under 170 lbs.

“I loved it, he caught him with a nice one too,” Bednar said. “I was like ‘whose fighting’ because when the whistle went I was following the play. But good for those two guys, they’re two competitive guys, similar size and G was defending him hard and there was a little frustration there I’m sure.”

“He’s a fiery kid. I didn’t expect it for sure. He’s a very intense guy and It’s cool to see,” MacKinnon added.

Takeaways

MacKinnon continues to climb up the NHL points ranking. After his four- point performance last night and three more tonight, MacKinnon has surpassed both Capitals defenseman John Carlson and Bruins forward David Pastrnak. His 42 points ranks fourth in the NHL behind the Oilers duo of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid and Boston’s Brad Marchand. MacKinnon’s 1.62 points-per-game is also ranked fourth in the league.

Rantanen picks up right where he left off. Speaking of points-per-game, Rantanen sits fifth in the NHL, one spot below MacKinnon, at 1.6. After recorded 12 points in nine games in October, Rantanen added four points tonight, bringing him to 16 in 10 games. He is on pace for over 100 points in 66 games, assuming he stays healthy the rest of the way.

Colorado has the NHL’s best offense. Despite missing Rantanen for 16 games, and still missing Landeskog, Andre Burakovsky, Matt Calvert and Colin Wilson from it’s opening night forward group, Colorado ranks first in the NHL with 3.73 goals-per-game. The 97 goals the Avs have scored are four back of Washington but the Capitals have played two more 1164125 Colorado Avalanche

The shorthanded Avalanche prepare for Rantanen’s return after win in Chicago

By Aarif Deen

November 30, 2019

The Avalanche went into Chicago on Friday and defeated the Blackhawks 5-2 at the United Center. And they did it without their three most dangerous wingers in Mikko Rantanen, Gabe Landeskog, and Andre Burakovsky.

As the Avs prepares for their rematch against the Blackhawks toight, they’re set to welcome Rantanen back into the lineup.

“We’re missing 10 forwards it feels like. It’s just been crazy,” superstar Nathan MacKinnon said. “We just need to weather the storm until we get healthy. We know we’re a hell of a team, we started the season 7-0 for a reason.”

MacKinnon has been a crucial player in Colorado’s recent success. After a five-game winless streak early in November, Colorado has now won seven of its past 10 games and two straight overall since losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs last weekend.

Against the Blackhawks on Friday, MacKinnon recorded one goal and three assists, bringing his points total to 39 on the season, which ties him with Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak for fourth in the league. He is also currently riding a six-game point streak, where he’s recorded 13 points.

The Avalanche also had a big performance from forward J.T. Compher, who recorded his second career three-point night in his hometown. The native of Northbrooke, Ill., had one goal and two assists playing alongside MacKinnon, a spot he is likely to relinquish with Rantanen returning tonight.

“It’s exciting,” MacKinnon said about Rantanen’s return. “Especially for our power play we need him. It’s been tough. Mikko did one rep on the power play (at practice) and it was amazing—a little tease. It’s exciting to get one of the best players in the world back on our team.”

The Avalanche will also be facing another one of the world’s best tonight in Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane. His goal late in the second period on Friday extended his point streak to 14 games, currently the longest of its kind in the NHL. Kane has 10 goals and 13 assists during this stretch.

“You do your best to try to contain those guys,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “I don’t think you’re always going to shut players like that down, but you got to make sure you’re doing the right things from a checking standpoint. You gotta have the determination to try to stop guys like that, and if you do that then you can pass the torch to the rest of your team to win some other matchups. I would say there’s some things you try and do differently to prepare.”

Tonight’s home game is crucial for the suddenly hot Avalanche. Colorado is set to embark on a three-game road trip on the East coast next week, which includes a rematch against the Toronto Maple Leafs and former Av defenseman Tyson Barrie. The homecoming for Avs center Nazem Kadri is expected to take center stage. But for the Avalanche, an opportunity to continue to build on this recent stretch is the main priority.

Colorado currently trails the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues in the Central Division standings, while holding games in hand on both. Which says that they’ve done a great job at weathering the storm while having a player go down with an injury seemingly each game.

Rantanen is back. But the Avs will still be without Landeskog, Burakovsky, forwards Matt Calvert and Colin Wilson, and defenseman Erik Johnson.

milehighsports.com LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164126 Colorado Avalanche At this point, what do you say? He’s carrying this team and now he’s got his Big Moose back. Because of how big of a blowout it was, he only had to play 12 minutes overall. Easy night at the office for 29.

Avs Game 26 Grades: Mikko’s Back Cale Makar – C

Makar threw a massive hit right before the Blackhawks’ second goal, but kind of took himself out of position to make it, as the guy coming down BY EVAN RAWAL his wing picked up the puck and scored. In a blowout game, Makar was relatively quiet, registering zero shots on goal. NOVEMBER 30, 2019 Valeri Nichushkin – B

I hope the bad juju is not back with him, as he got completely robbed at Pierre Edouard Bellemare – B the end of the second period. Another hard-working, strong night from big Outside of the delay of game late, Bellemare had a solid game overall. #13. There was a scare with him blocking a shot but he seemed to make it Matt Nieto – B okay. A dominant night in the face-off circle, winning 11 of 15. He’s the Swiss army knife in the lineup right now, as he’s moving all over Ian Cole – A the place, and ended up on the second line tonight, picking up an assist Cole has not been perfect on the penalty kill recently, but he did great on Kadri’s second goal. A strong night on the PK for him. tonight, blocking six shots on the evening, many of them on the PK, and Logan O’Connor – B springing Graves before Donskoi’s goal early in the second period. Both he and Zadorov played the entire 2:37 of PK to start the second period, I liked O’Connor again tonight, although there were fewer bursts overall. and that was a turning point in this one. Maybe it was because of the blowout, but the coaching staff using him in the 5 on 3 penalty kill shows some confidence in LOC. He did have a J.T. Compher – B nice backdoor breakup before Kane scored late. They can’t all be three-point evenings for Compher. A quiet, steady game Mikko Rantanen – A+ from JTC, and a nice screen on Kadri’s second goal. Did some really solid work on the penalty kill all evening. Boy is it nice to have this guy back, isn’t it? A four-point night in just 10 minutes of ice time, and they just let him go home early, as he didn’t Joonas Donskoi – A+ even suit up for the third period. The NHL is just too easy for the Big When Landeskog comes back, he may have to settle in on Kadri’s left Moose. He embarrassed Connor Murphy on his goal. side, and that’s not the worst problem in the world to have for the Avs. Calle Rosen – C Donskoi with another four-point game, and he’s on pace for almost 70 points on the year. He has frustrating moments, but he’s a good third Rosen looks like he can play in the NHL, and his puck movement has wheel to two talented linemates. been very efficient, for the most part. He did get burned early in the game and had to be bailed out by Grubauer’s glove hand. Once he gets Samuel Girard – A+ moving, he can fly, but there seem to be some issues with him pivoting I loved Girard’s game all night long. He needed something to go right for defensively. him offensively, and he picked up two assists on this one. Loved his T.J. Tynan – B defensive game all night too. But how can we ignore that fight? You have to love seeing some fire from Girard, who’s looked great the last three Congratulations to him on his first NHL point, and I’m pretty sure they games. can’t take that one away from him. The coaching staff does seem to trust this guy, so it’ll be interesting to see how things shake out when Ryan Graves – B everyone’s healthy, but he should head right back to the Eagles to help People were upset about the penalty in the crowd, but it looked pretty them. clear to me. Who cares, though? Because he came out of the box and Nikita Zadorov – B+ set up the game-winning goal, so it was all part of the plan, right? Kane wanted nothing to do with Zadorov, giving up the puck whenever Z Philipp Grubauer – B- would approach him and even icing it one time. Zadorov looks much Grubauer had that glove working overtime in this one, making some more focused knowing he’s got a guy to shut down, and the fishbowl has ridiculous saves and showing some swag at the same time. I really didn’t him playing very controlled overall. Look for a piece on Monday about like all three of the goals though, as two went five-hole and the first one how the Avs need to use him moving forward. went through his arm.

Nazem Kadri – A BSN DENVER LOADED: 12.01.2019 I didn’t love the backcheck on the first goal of the game but love the response. He brings some swagger to this team and continues to produce big-time goals. He also won a whopping 10 of his 11 face-offs on the evening. He’s been a difference-maker.

Vladislav Kamenev – C

Won all of his face-offs, but the momentum he had created earlier has seemingly gone away, as he’s fumbling pucks more often than not. The penalty late, even in garbage time, isn’t a good look for a guy battling for his spot.

Tyson Jost – B+

Jost was a little invisible most of the night, and then he scored his goal and decided to go YOLO all over the ice. In the third period, he looked extremely confident with the puck, trying to go between his legs and nearly pulled it off.

Nathan MacKinnon – A+ 1164127 Colorado Avalanche The players who were there, however, talked about the obvious: getting Rantanen back was great, playing at home was great, they were a proud and talented group who had found their way through the injury forest.

Rantanen’s return fuels another Chicago beatdown But there was no abundance of celebration. It was just another win in a season this team expects to win an awful lot. The expectation is their off- ice wins (mainly players getting healthy) will lead to even more on-ice wins. BY AJ HAEFELE Gabe Landeskog, Matt Calvert, and maybe even Andre Burakovsky NOVEMBER 30, 2019 could all be available for the upcoming road trip next week.

With November in the books, Colorado is six points behind the Blues for While I haven’t been covering the Avalanche for as long as some of my first in the division. They are now the most prolific scoring offense in the colleagues, this being my fifth year in action on the beat means I’ve been Western Conference and lead the NHL in goals-per-game. That six-point to several hundred games in that time and have been inside a few locker deficit might not be nearly enough once the Avs are fully healthy. rooms. Based on their postgame locker room tonight, nobody knows that better One of the things I notice the most about this year’s Avalanche team is than the Colorado Avalanche. the locker room. In the last two years, wins were cause for a lot of I’m not even sure what to say about this beatdown. It was extremely excitement. It was a young team just enjoying life and whatever good that impressive and the Avs improved to 8-1-3 in their last 12 against came of it was great. Chicago. Losses had a more despondent feel where it seemed like the end of the That might be what I noticed most about this game. How quickly it shifted world and it was time for a meal at Arby’s. from Chicago being a dominant, three-time Stanley Cup-winning This year, however, there isn’t quite the same level of living in the organization to one that just a few years later didn’t belong on the same moment. It would seem one of the NHL’s youngest squads has used the ice as the Avalanche. The Avs were always frisky with Chicago during last two years to learn that the regular season is certainly important but their glory years but there was something almost sad about watching an it’s a means to an end. aging Jonathan Toews chase around some of Colorado’s young guns while trailing 7-2 and knowing it wasn’t getting any better this year for that The regular season is about setting up for playoff success, getting home- team. Everything is cyclical in the NHL but the way the world just moves ice advantage and making teams come through your barn if they want to on is cruel. advance. It’s less about riding the wave and more about managing it. I’ll remember this when MacKinnon gets into his 30s. Late next decade. In a season where they’ve been beset by more injuries than you can Hahahaha. shake a stick at, this maturation has been key for the Avalanche. It’s hard to envision the Avs of the past surviving a month with the injuries they Not to get all Deckard Cain on everyone but there was a time when this had in November. game wasn’t a blowout. In that time, Chicago had a five-on-three advantage after Ryan Graves was called for a double-minor high-sticking Not only did the Avs survive, but they finished November second in the penalty. And in that time, they created several golden scoring chances Central Division and third in the Western Conference. That is to say, and Philipp Grubauer locked it down. It was a hard no from him. When there’s significantly more room below them than above them despite the the first period ended with the score still at 3-1, Colorado escaped the adversity. most dangerous time of the game for a Blackhawks comeback. As soon as that penalty ended, Donskoi scored on a great feed from Graves to Following tonight’s 7-3 stomping of the Chicago Blackhawks, the make it 4-1 and it was curtains from there. It’s not often you point out a Avalanche find themselves on a three-game winning streak after a 24- goaltender’s brilliance in a blowout but the game may never reach that hour period in which they outscored Chicago 12-5 in a home-and-home level without Grubauer locking it down. set. There really aren’t enough words to describe the brilliance of both The Blackhawks aren’t what they used to be but the real lesson to take MacKinnon and Rantanen. They are something special and Avs fans from tonight, the night in which Mikko Rantanen returned to give should appreciate that they have a very young, very special group to Colorado two of their three-headed monster back, is Colorado isn’t what watch over the next few years. Given how they’ve handled endless it used to be either. adversity this year (by, you know, winning), it’s fair to believe this could And what the Avs used to be was a pushover. A team whose talent and be a special season in the making. maturity dictated they play to their competition. Get up for good teams, Cale Makar, NHL leader in posts hit, dinged another one tonight. get bored against bad teams. Somehow in this explosion of offense, he managed to go without points. But right now we’re seeing a different kind of Avalanche team. With He did put on a clinic in the third period on how to break up an odd-man Rantanen back in the fold, the Avs coughed up the early lead on a rush as the only man back. That’s that Norris stuff. Brandon Saad short-handed goal just 1:37 into the game. Sam Girard and Alex DeBrincat getting into a fight was not something I Past Avs teams would’ve taken that punch to the chin and eaten the mat. saw coming…ever. I’m not sure if there’s ever been a smaller fight They would’ve felt sorry for themselves and let Chicago build from it. between the 5’7″, 165-pound DeBrincat and the 5’9″, 180-pound Girard Instead, Colorado pushed back. but it was a pretty entertaining tilt nonetheless. Tiny but mighty.

Hard.

And after all the dust had settled, Colorado held a 3-1 lead on the back of BSN DENVER LOADED: 12.01.2019 two Nazem Kadri goals and had killed off a five-on-three in the first period. The Avs entered the second period with work to do as just over 2:30 of Chicago power play time remained.

The Avs killed it off and as Ryan Graves left the penalty box, he made a great play to spring Joonas Donskoi for a breakaway goal to make it 4-1. Fast forward to just beyond the halfway mark of the game and it was 7-1.

Donskoi had four points (2g, 2a), Rantanen had four (1g, 3a), MacKinnon had three (1g, 2a) and they had run Robin Lehner, the NHL’s leader in save percentage entering the game, from the game and had started in on Corey Crawford for the second straight night.

Rantanen didn’t play in the third due to precautionary reasons and was long gone by the time the media arrived in the postgame locker room. 1164128 Columbus Blue Jackets but was hunched over while keeping his left arm still while headed straight to the locker room for treatment.

If it’s his shoulder, it’s the same one Werenski had surgically repaired Islanders 2, Blue Jackets 0: the 3-2-1 rundown May 3, 2018 following extensive damage done early in the 2017-18 season. He played 77 games that year, scoring a franchise-record 16 goals by a defenseman, but needed the surgery to return to full health.

Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch It took him an entire offseason plus most of training camp to heal, but felt a lot better at the end of the process. Coach John Tortorella didn’t have Dec 1, 2019 at 12:32 AM an update following the game, but it would be a huge loss if Werenski has to miss extended time – whether it’s the shoulder again or something else. Another one slips away as the Blue Jackets’ struggle to score consistently continues. The 22-year old blue-liner has 16 points on six goals and 10 assists in the first 26 games, including the 100th assist of his NHL career Friday They have gone from gaining traction to slipping sideways to spinning against Pittsburgh. their wheels. His early departure Saturday night also forced the Jackets to play most of The Blue Jackets felt good about things after their first 10 games, going the game with just five defensemen. Seth Jones, Werenski's defense 5-3-2 to start this season, and then slid right into a hole at 3-5-2 in the partner, led all skaters with 27:11 in ice time. next 10. “You’ve got to manage your ice time a little bit,” Jones said. “We tried to Six games into the next 10-game stretch, they’re 3-3-0 after losing 2-0 to keep (out shifts) short and get into a nice little rotation with just five the New York Islanders on Saturday night at Barclays Center. Each time (defensemen).” they take what appears to be a significant step forward, such as a 5-2 victory Friday against the rival Pittsburgh Penguins, the Jackets’ next 3) Elvis returns step sends them slip sliding back to where they started. Exactly one week earlier, Merzlikins paid a steep price for a turnover at It’s frustrating, it’s deflating and it’s something they must find a way to MTS Place in Winnipeg with 1:54 left to play, giving the puck to Andrew eliminate before the teams currently in the playoff chase pull too far Copp for the winning goal. away. Between that game and this one, he was sent to the American Hockey “We’ve just to get the two points,” defenseman David Savard said before League to get a start for the Cleveland Monsters and earned his first the game Saturday. “We’re right in the battle, so you can’t let teams get professional win in North America against the . too far ahead of you.” After being recalled to handle this start on the tail end of a back-to-back, Following the loss, which dropped Columbus back to .500 at 11-11-4, the Merzlikins was solid despite taking another loss. He dropped to 0-3-3 in Blue Jackets remain six points back of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the seven games (six starts), but made some impressive stops among his 25 second wild card in the Eastern Conference and seven behind the saves to keep the Jackets within striking distance. Carolina Hurricanes for the first one. Two Questions Neither of those is insurmountable, but there are also four other teams 1) What are the options if Werenski is out for a while? with those spots targeted. Catching and passing them all is going to take a lengthy winning streak at some point, and it’s tough to string one of The Blue Jackets have touted their defensive depth organizationally and those together following each ‘W’ with an ‘L.’ will need to rely on it if Werenski’s injury drives him out of the lineup.

Here is a 3-2-1 rundown of the Jackets’ latest struggle … three Already missing Markus Nutivaara, who missed his 11th straight game takeaways, two questions and one more thing: with an upper-body injury, the Jackets could turn to Scott Harrington first. Harrington earned extended playing time last season, proving himself as Three Takeaways a solid NHL defender, and is itching to get back into the regular playing 1) Bing, bang, boom mix after being scratched in all but seven games.

The Islanders were able to do something that often leads to victories for Should that happen, the Jackets could recall veteran Adam Clendening them. They scored the first goal 1:18 after the puck was dropped, with from the Monsters for depth or possibly give rookie Andrew Peeke his Anders Lee beating Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins off a perfectly first official NHL action. executed Tic-Tac-Toe play. Peeke, who was selected by the Blue Jackets in the second round of the It went Mathew Barzal to Josh Bailey to Lee, who beat Merzlikins high to 2016 draft (No. 34 overall), is off to a great start for Cleveland. After the glove side – a spot opposing teams appear to be targeting in his impressive coaches in Columbus during his first NHL training camp and outings. preseason, he has five goals, seven assists, 12 points and a plus-3 plus/minus rating in 17 AHL games. Grabbing the early 1-0 lead forced the Blue Jackets to chase the score and played right into the Islanders’ hands. New York looks to frustrate There is also a chance the Jackets might not need to recall anybody, if teams who chase leads, only this time it was primarily their goalies doing Werenski’s injury isn’t as bad as it seemed on the ice. Time will tell, but the heavy lifting. there are solid options available if necessary.

Thomas Greiss made the first nine saves for New York before yielding 2) What happened on Mathew Barzal’s breakaway? the net to Semyon Varlamov (30 saves) because he didn’t feel well, but The Blue Jackets were buzzing late in the second period, still looking for the Jackets couldn’t solve either of them. a tying goal while trailing 1-0. They had two guys in the slot, one near the “They check well,” defenseman Seth Jones said of the Islanders. “They net, Sonny Milano high on the left wing and Seth Jones with the puck in back pressure hard. They don’t give you anything for free. You’ve got to the right face-off circle. earn everything. They’re very dependable defensively. That’s been their Jones tried to hit Oliver Bjorkstrand between the circles, but the puck M.O. for years now, so it’s tough to get back in it.” deflected to Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech – who made a great 2) Werenski’s injury pass by chipping it high into the neutral zone for Barzal to chase down.

The way he threw his stick and immediately grabbed his left shoulder, it Barzal did the rest, scoring his 10th goal of the season with a great was hard to watch Zach Werenski leave after just 1:28 played on three forehand-backhand move that sent the puck under the crossbar for a 2-0 shifts. lead.

Contesting a loose puck off a shot by Lee to finish a rush up the left wing, “We have it in the zone, try to force it in the middle and we give up a Werenski’s injury occurred when the Islanders’ captain slammed his right breakaway – now we’re down two,” Jones said. “That was a very pivotal hip into his left arm just 3:37 into the game. He left under his own power, moment in the game, I think, a mistake on my part that was not very smart and it put us in the hole. But in the third period, we kept pressure on them, got some good looks … just nothing went in.”

One more thing

A week earlier in Winnipeg, the Jets had to replace goalie Laurent Brossoit in the third period with Connor Hellebuyck.

Muscle cramping was the cause of the switch, which forced Hellebuyck to enter the game cold and make five saves in the Jets’ 4-3 victory.

Greiss was replaced by Varlamov a lot earlier Saturday night, leaving the game with 5:54 left after experiencing some dizziness and not feeling well. Varlamov was excellent, making 30 saves for the win.

Merzlikins was in the Blue Jackets’ net for both games.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164129 Columbus Blue Jackets Korpisalo was in immediate pain but finished the game and said he was fine.

“I was stretching (out) and couldn’t see anything,” said Korpisalo, who Blue Jackets’ power play benefits from tweaking made 29 saves for the victory. “Someone just skated next to me, and my neck twisted up, and my back had a little cramp there. All good. Just a small cramp. That’s it.”

Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch After hovering in the mid-20s in penalty-kill rankings for most of this season, the Blue Jackets rose into the teens prior to facing the Islanders. Nov 30, 2019 at 10:13 PM After going 4 of 4 against the Penguins, the Jackets moved up to 17th

with a success rate of 81.3 percent, which was boosted by their killing off NEW YORK — Some teams call it the “bumper,” and others call it the 18 of 19 penalties (94.7 percent) over six games. “wheel.” “We didn’t start (the season) the way we wanted, and sometimes a late Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella has a more direct name for the player goal in games kind of hurts your stats, but I think the process was there,” positioned between the faceoff circles in the Blue Jackets’ 1-3-1 power- said defenseman David Savard, a shot-blocking stalwart. “We were play setup. getting better every game, and I think we’re finally getting to the point that we’re confident every time we go over the boards that we’re going to kill “I’ll call it the middle man,” said Tortorella, whose team got two power- that penalty.” play goals from its middle men, Nick Foligno and Gustav Nyquist, in a 5-2 victory Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. “I thought we used that Know your audience really well.” Foligno didn’t grow up an Ohio State fan and isn’t a diehard Buckeyes It stuck out like a flashing highway billboard against Pittsburgh, but it supporter, but the Blue Jackets captain does have an impeccable sense wasn’t just a one-game phenomenon. The Blue Jackets have steadily of timing. begun to implement the “middle man” into their power plays, and they’ve That’s why he took advantage of a perfect situation Friday night to fire up become more dangerous because of it. the Jackets crowd after being named the second star of the game. He It’s not all attributable to using the bumper/wheel/middle man, but the grabbed a Buckeyes football helmet that was in the tunnel area, put it on Jackets’ power play skyrocketed in November, especially in the past his head and skated out to hand a stick over the glass. couple of weeks. “They just had it out there, and I was like, ‘I should put this on,’ so it was After going 2 of 4 against the Penguins, the Blue Jackets climbed to 10th kind of funny,” Foligno said. “In the moment, I just went with it.” in the NHL power-play rankings (20.7 percent) going into a game

Saturday night at the New York Islanders. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 12.01.2019 The Jackets were clicking at a rate of 38.9 percent (7 of 18) in their past five games, scoring multiple power-play goals in three of them, and pushed their success rate to 27.3 percent (12 of 44) in November.

The hiring of assistant coach Paul MacLean on Nov. 21 can’t be overlooked, but a lot of the success stems from their middle men keeping opposing penalty-killers guessing.

“The way teams penalty-kill right now, you just don’t have a lot of time and space on the wall,” Tortorella said. “They’re going to get you one way or another, with the (defenseman) pushing up or the forward coming down, so just to have that out opens up ice. It opens up possession. It keeps possession of it.”

It’s something that both Foligno and Nyquist are equipped to provide. Both are good with the puck, have good vision and have a good shot — especially if they can get it off from that middle spot on the ice.

“In that spot, you’re more of a (pressure) reliever, and then you have the opportunity to score because a lot of the stuff that goes to the net comes out towards you,” Foligno said. “As you see with other really good power plays in this league, it’s so hard to defend them because they have so many options, so many outs. So that’s what we’re trying to be in the middle, and it’s been working.”

It worked to near perfection against Pittsburgh.

Nyquist scored off a backhand from the middle after getting a pass and dragging the puck to the slot early in the second period. Foligno scored later in the period from the inner half of the right faceoff circle, putting the Blue Jackets ahead 4-1 with a wrist shot after he gathered the puck off a blocked shot.

“It’s always been a point of emphasis, I think,” defenseman Seth Jones said of using the “middle guy” on the power play. “It’s just so important. A lot of teams are very aggressive on the penalty kill, and that little pocket relieves a lot of pressure.”

Late in the game against the Penguins, Zach Werenski accidentally collided with goalie Joonas Korpisalo in the crease.

The Penguins were on a power play, trailing 4-2, and Korpisalo stretched out forward to deny a close-range attempt by Patric Hornqvist. Werenski also tried to stop the shot, wheeling around and running into Korpisalo’s upper half. 1164130 Columbus Blue Jackets

Islanders 2, Blue Jackets 0 | Zach Werenski injured in shutout loss

Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch

Nov 30, 2019 at 10:36 PM

The plot is similar each time, with the Jackets playing sound hockey overall in a tightly contested game and ultimately leaving with nothing to show for it.

Sound familiar?

It should after the latest showing Saturday night at the Barclays Center, a 2-0 loss to the New York Islanders that had a lot of similar storylines, with the added drama of Zach Werenski possibly injuring his left shoulder again.

"I thought we played well," coach John Tortorella said, before adding a two-word kicker that summed the night up in a nutshell. "Didn’t score."

No, they didn’t.

The Blue Jackets (11-11-4) were shut out for the second time this season, just 24 hours after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 at Nationwide Arena.

It wasn’t a matter of effort, as usual this season. The Jackets outshot the Islanders 39-27 overall, including 17-6 in the third period, but they just couldn’t score on either of New York’s goalies — Thomas Greiss (nine saves) and Semyon Varlamov, who made 30 saves after Greiss was removed from the game for health reasons.

"We weren’t able to finish," Tortorella said. "We ended up with some opportunities. I thought we had some good forechecking. We didn’t score."

They did lose a key player, though.

A little more than two minutes after Anders Lee opened the scoring 1:18 into the game, he slammed his right hip into Werenski’s torso and injured the Jackets defenseman. Lee tumbled after the collision near the crease, while Werenski threw his stick and immediately grabbed at his left shoulder.

He was on the ice briefly, clearly in pain, before getting to his feet and quickly skating off. Werenski didn’t return, and Tortorella had no update after the game.

If it’s the shoulder that’s injured, it appears to be the same one Werenski had surgically repaired May 3, 2018, after injuring it early in the 2017-18 season. Wearing a brace, Werenski finished that season with 16 goals and 21 assists in 77 regular-season games and played six more games in the playoffs.

He has 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) and picked up his 100th career assist Friday against the Penguins.

"I didn’t even see it," said Seth Jones, Werenski’s defense partner. "I haven’t heard anything, but me and him, we have a lot of chemistry together. We play very well together, so it sucks to see him go down."

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164131 Columbus Blue Jackets Milano was called for the first of those at 11:10, about five minutes after Kris Letang had cut it to 4-2, and Nyquist was called for the second one with 3:10 left to play.

Blue Jackets 5, Penguins 2: the 3-2-1 rundown “(Dubois’) is a stupid selfish penalty, Sonny’s is a stupid penalty,” Tortorella said. “It’s gonna come back and bite us. It’s something we really haven’t had to deal with much here, over the years, but it’s snuck into our game. (Dubois’) is ridiculous. Sonny’s is stupid. We’re gonna Brian Hedger The Columbus Dispatch have to cure it.” Nov 30, 2019 at 6:21 AM He didn’t want to hear about Hornqvist being an instigator, either. The Penguins forward smashed Dubois face first into the glass with what appeared to be an unpenalized late hit prior to Dubois’ penalty, which set Needing a win against a division rival, Gustav Nyquist and the Blue off the Jackets’ center. Jackets came through in a big way, “I don’t care how many times he gets hit,” Tortorella said. “Don’t even go It wasn’t perfect, but the Blue Jackets’ 5-2 victory against the Pittsburgh there. I don’t care. To win in this league, you have to take the Penguins was a good start to an important weekend. (expletive).”

After losing 3-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, dropping back 3) Slaying the dragon to .500, the Jackets needed to start earning more points against Metropolitan Division teams. They were seventh in the division, 13th in The Penguins came into the game 10-1-1 against Columbus in the past the Eastern Conference and had a sizable hole to escape with a 12 games of the head-to-head series, including a humbling 7-2 victory weekend back-to-back on tap Friday against the Penguins and Saturday Oct. 5 in Pittsburgh. at the New York Islanders. The Penguins had also earned points in six of their past eight visits to “These are big games for our club coming up here,” said forward Gustav Nationwide Arena and had earned points in 75 percent of their games in Nyquist, who scored his first three goals at Nationwide Arena as a Blue Columbus all-time (11-5-4). Jacket and notched his second career hat trick. “Looking at the Looking at it that way, a three-goal win had to feel good for the Blue standings, you can’t fall too much (farther) behind. It’s hard to gain Jackets – despite Pittsburgh starting backup Tristan Jarry and playing ground in a two-point league and for where we want to be as a club, without injured captain Sidney Crosby. these are two big games.” The Penguins still had center Evgeni Malkin, defenseman Kris Letang, There is still work left Saturday in Brooklyn, where the Jackets will face right wing Jake Guentzel, Hornqvist and former Blue Jackets the second-place Islanders at Barclay’s Center, but this was just the kind defenseman Jack Johnson, plus they were coming off a stunning come- of boost they needed. from-behind 8-6 victory Wednesday against Vancouver. “I think everyone is starting to understand their role within the team and Two Questions you can see that in the past little while here,” said captain Nick Foligno, who scored the other two goals for Columbus. “That’s why last game 1) How good was Nyquist? (against the Flyers) was so disappointing. We’re really making headway in becoming the team we were envisioning, and we found it again tonight Taking the late penalty put a small dent into his night, but it was barely – which was good to see.” noticeable as hats rained down on the ice following his third goal.

Here is a 3-2-1 rundown of the Jackets’ takedown of the Penguins … Following the Jackets’ morning skate, Nyquist talked about the team’s three takeaways, two questions and one more thing for good measure: offensive struggles and mentioned how a number of guys, himself included, were feeling frustrated by their extended scoring slumps. Three Takeaways Hours later, he did something about it. 1) Another strong start The first goal went into the net off his behind, shot by Oliver Bjorkstrand, After struggling with their starts for a stretch that led to some poor but he put the next two into the next with some good work. performances, the Jackets are now getting out of the starting blocks stronger. Nyquist made it 3-1 at 2:52 of the second with a backhand past Jarry from the low slot, after dragging the puck there from the left face-off They dominated the first 17 minutes, building a 22-4 edge in attempts circle, and his third was an empty-netter after he hustled to a loose and 13-3 advantage in shots, and took a 1-0 lead on Nyquist’s goal 5:21 rebound in front of the net. into the game. Nyquist, signed this past summer as an unrestricted free agent, now has The goal, which Oliver Bjorkstrand shot off Nyquist into the net, was the 18 points on seven goals and 11 assists. He’s on pace for 23 goals, 25 10th straight game the Blue Jackets scored the first goal, tying a assists and 48 points over the course of a full 82-game season. franchise record set Dec. 19. 2013 to Jan. 10, 2014. 2) Are the veterans coming around? “We’re trying to get on our toes right away,” coach John Tortorella said. “After that St. Louis game where we watched them play (Nov. 15, 3-2 All five goals were scored by experienced players along with all seven overtime win), we’re trying to initiate instead of waiting – and I think we’ve assists. done a pretty good job of that.” The Blue Jackets’ “core group” led the way against the Penguins, from What they haven’t done is turn a large portion of those early leads into Foligno and Nyquist scoring to seven different guys assisting those victories. The Jackets are 6-4-1 during their streak of scoring first and 11- goals. 4-1 overall under that scenario. The five that got away are the difference Foligno said it was a reflection of how they’ve played in most games between where they are now, outside of a playoff spot, and a tight race since Tortorella publicly challenged his team to find their identity a couple atop the division. weeks ago. 2) More penalty issues “It’s the result tonight,” he said. “I feel like our veterans have been playing The Penguins didn’t make then pay for either of them, going 0-for-4 on pretty well of late and answering the bell of when we got challenged a power plays, but the Blue Jackets took four more penalties after being little while ago. Tonight, the (floodgates) opened for us.” called for five against the Flyers. One more thing That included a late one in the second period, when Pierre-Luc Dubois The Blue Jackets are in a stretch between Nov. 27 and Dec. 27 where 10 was called for roughing after giving Patric Hornqvist some retaliatory of their 15 opponents are Metropolitan Division teams. It started with the crosschecks, and two tripping penalties in the third. loss to the Flyers, who’ve defeated the Jackets in both meetings thus far, and continues Saturday against the Islanders. Columbus is now 3-3-1 against divisional opponents following the win against Pittsburgh.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164132 Columbus Blue Jackets “We lose the game; everybody’s sad,” Gavrikov told Fox Sports Ohio’s Dave Maetzold. “So it doesn’t matter how much I play, or my teammates.”

Portzline: Zach Werenski suffers injury, and other observations from Blue 3. A recurring theme Jackets’ loss to Islanders The Blue Jackets forechecked hard, created chances, funneled enough pucks to the net, hit at least one post and applied a sufficient amount of pressure on the Islanders. By Aaron Portzline But they can’t score.

It’s remarkable, actually, that the Blue Jackets’ — ranked 26th in the Ten observations from the Blue Jackets’ 2-0 loss to the New York league in scoring coming into the game — have been shut out only twice Islanders on Saturday in Barclay’s Center: in 26 games so far this season.

1. Werenski injures left arm or shoulder The Blue Jackets generated 39 shots on goal, 17 of them in the third period. Islanders starter Thomas Greiss left the game at 14:06 of the first It took less than four minutes for Saturday’s game to no longer be the period after experiencing dizziness, according to Islanders coach Barry biggest story of the Blue Jackets’ night. Trotz. Defenseman Zach Werenski, one of the Blue Jackets’ best players so far Greiss made nine saves, while Semyon Varlamov made 30 in relief. It this season and one of the NHL’s most offensively gifted blue-liners, was the Islanders’ third “combined” shutout in franchise history. suffered what appeared to be a serious injury to his left arm or shoulder area only 3:37 into the first period. Varlamov’s best save came on Bjorkstrand in the second period when his shot off a three-on-two rush was stopped by Varlamov’s extended left He was net-front in support of goaltender Elvis Merzlikins when Islanders pad. forward Anders Lee came plowing through the crease, spinning his body and slamming his right hip into Werenski’s left side. “I thought we played well,” Tortorella said. “Didn’t score.

Immediately Werenski dropped his stick and grabbed his left arm, “We ended up with some opportunities. We had some good dropping to his knees near center ice before gathering himself and forechecking. We didn’t score.” continuing on to the bench and the dressing room. 4. The wait goes on for Elvis The Blue Jackets announced at the start of the second period that Werenski would not return to Saturday’s game, but they provided no Backup goaltender Elvis Merzlikins made his sixth start of the season, all further updates pending tests on Sunday. six of them on the road. He’s now 0-3-3, eagerly awaiting his first win in the NHL. “It sucks,” Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones told reporters after the game. “I didn’t even see it. I just saw him kind of holding his arm. “It feels bad that we lost, because (Friday) we played really good,” said Merzlikins, who stopped 25 of 27 shots. “A beautiful back-to-back (wins) “Me and him have a lot of chemistry together. We play very well together. would have been good for this team and good for this organization.” It sucks to see him go down.” Merzlikins has acknowledged the losing has been difficult for him to It’s the same shoulder Werenski had surgically repaired (torn labrum) in handle. In his previous start, last Saturday in Winnipeg, he tried too hard May 2018. to change the outcome of the game and ended up doing so negatively.

If he’s out long term it would be a major blow to the already goal-starved His clearing attempt up the middle of the ice with less than two minutes Blue Jackets. Werenski has 6-9-15 in 25 games, leading Blue Jackets to play in a 3-3 game led to the Jets’ 4-3 goal seconds later. It was a gut- defensemen in goals and points. wrenching loss.

He plays heavy minutes (23:35, second on the club), including running “I had a good talk with Torts (after the end of the game) in Winnipeg, with the point on the power play. With him out, the Blue Jackets could elevate my pass,” Merzlikins said. “He was right. I was trying to win so hard the Ryan Murray in the lineup, not only to play with Jones on the top pairing games. I just was used to it, because in Lugano I was all the time winning but also to run the second power-play unit. games. There were some games that I was winning by myself.

The Blue Jackets already are missing left-side defenseman Markus “I bring this here to the best league in the world and you can’t do that. I Nutivaara, whose been out since Nov. 5 with an upper-body injury. went to (AHL) Cleveland (early last week) to play in Charlotte. I didn’t think about ‘win the game.’ I was just thinking to give the team a chance 2. Five D, 56 minutes to win the game. That’s the instruction the coach give to me and I tried to With Werenski out of the game early, the Blue Jackets were faced with a do it, and I’m going to keep doing that.” daunting task: five defensemen to play the final 56:23 of the game. Keep Merzlikins now has an .895 save percentage and 3.34 goals-against in mind, this was the second game of a back-to-back. average. Obviously, the pairs were scrambled for the rest of the game, and the 5. One-man wrecking crew directive came from assistant coach Brad Shaw — who runs the defensemen — to keep the shifts short and sweet. Lee’s injurious collision with Werenski did not seem to be intentional, but he did damage to the Blue Jackets all night. “I thought we did a great job with Shawsy and the guys in not overextending our shifts, rolling them over and keeping fresh legs out Only 1:18 into the game, Lee was the trailer in a three-on-two rush by the there,” Jones said. “We kept a lot of pressure on our forecheck.” Islanders that gave them a 1-0 lead. Josh Bailey left perfect drop pass for Lee, and he smoked it over Merzlikins’ glove and under the crossbar Jones ended up playing 27:11, which is high for a back-to-back, maybe, before the goaltender could see it. but not too far outside Jones’ wheelhouse. Same with Ryan Murray (22:43) and David Savard (22:08). Later in the game, Lee went into the corner with Jones, took him off his skates with a hard shoulder-to-shoulder check that sent Jones awkwardly “We were fine,” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. “Fine. into the wall. He came out checking his left leg, but finished the game “Obviously Z is an important part of our back end, but I thought we and appeared to be fine. played a good hockey game.” One thing you can count on with a Trotz team is it will check relentlessly. It was the third-pairing guys whose ice time soared: Vladislav Gavrikov (Recall Nashville? Washington?) (23:52) and Dean Kukan (22:14) both set new career highs. The 1-0 lead felt like a steep climb. The Islanders’ fourth line — Matt Not that Gavrikov was in a mood to celebrate. Martin, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck — combined for 19 of the club’s 37 hits, while the entire Blue Jackets’ team generated 17. 6. Forcing the issue Alison Lukan’s Analytics

Down 1-0 late in the second period, the Blue Jackets were starting to The Athletic’s Alison Lukan provided these insights into the Blue Jackets’ generate significant time in the Islanders’ zone and trying to avoid getting loss: frustrated. • Tortorella said after the game that he thought his team played well but Jones sent a puck into traffic from above the right circle, hoping for a didn’t score. That’s accurate. At five-on-five, the Blue Jackets had 55.85 bounce or a lucky deflection. Instead, the puck ended up on the stick of percent of all score-adjusted shots, 58.87 percent of scoring chances, Islanders’ defenseman Adam Pelech. and 59.02 percent of expected goals. Money Pucks’ “deserve to win o’meter” had Columbus winning the game 78 percent of the time. The Kudos to Pelech for making a quick, smart decision. He could have made team just couldn’t put the puck in the net. a quick pass to Mathew Barzal to his left, but instead he sent the puck lobbing into the neutral zone, allowing Barzal to take off with speed and • Looking at those offensive numbers, when a team doesn’t get the win, gather it just before the blue line. the next relevant question is goaltending. Elvis Merzlikins wasn’t a weakness for the team. His save percentage was 1.04 above Barzal skated away from a pack of Blue Jackets skaters — Oliver expectations based on the shots he faced, meaning he prevented .37 Bjorkstrand was a few strides ahead of Jones and Milano — and closed more goals than he should. In the other net, however, the Islanders’ in on Merzlikins with great speed. He scored off a backhanded roofer, the tandem combined for 4.3 more goals saved than expected. likes of which Merzlikins most likely hadn’t seen before in Switzerland. • Who had the opportunity to score? Alexandre Texier led in shot quality “We try to force it in the middle and we give them a breakaway,” Jones (.53 expected goals), and Seth Jones had eight shot attempts while Nick said. “Now we’re down two. Foligno had seven. Oliver Bjorkstrand had six individual scoring chances.

“That was a very critical moment in the game, a mistake on my part. Not • Werenski left the game with an upper-body injury. He’s been the Blue very smart. It put us in a hole.” Jackets third-best player this season, according to game score (.73 7. Former first-round pick finds a home average) behind only Pierre-Luc Dubois and Oliver Bjorkstrand.

One of Jarmo Kekalainen’s first moves as general manager of the Blue • The top performers in this game in terms of game score: Seth Jones Jackets was to trade center Derick Brassard, along with defenseman (1.32); Texier (.88); Riley Nash (.88); David Savard (.88); and Vladislav John Moore and right winger Derek Dorsett to the New York Rangers for Gavrikov (.62). forward Marian Gaborik.

Brassard, the No. 6 overall pick by the Jackets in 2006, had a really good The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 run with the Rangers, especially in the postseason, earning the nickname “Big Game Brass” among the Rangers’ fan base.

But Brassard fell on hard time after the Rangers traded him to Ottawa in the summer of 2016. He bounced from Ottawa to Vegas to Pittsburgh to Florida to Colorado over the next three years.

This past summer he sat on the free-agent market well into the summer, not signing with the Islanders until Aug. 23. With the Islanders, he looks like his old self again.

In 24 games, he has 7-10-17 in 24 games, making him the Islanders’ third-leading scorer.

8. Power play disabled

Tortorella has griped about the Blue Jackets’ lack of discipline in recent games. but he was pleased with Saturday’s game. One reason: The Blue Jackets weren’t whistled for any penalties.

That’s happened only once previously this season, also against the Islanders, a 3-2 overtime loss on Oct. 19 in Nationwide Arena.

On the flip side, the Blue Jackets had only one power play the entire game. It came with 3:01 remaining in the game after the Islanders’ Josh Bailey steamrolled Jones for an interference.

The Blue Jackets, down 2-0, pulled Merzlikins as soon as they settled the puck after the faceoff, giving them a six-on-four advantage. The Jackets generated only two shots on goal the rest of the way, however.

9. A milestone night

Cam Atkinson played in his 553rd game for the Blue Jackets, tied with defenseman Fedor Tyutin for second on the all-time franchise list. Rick Nash (674) is safe for a while.

Others on the move:

Defenseman David Savard played in his 515th game, tying Rostislav Klesla for sixth on the franchise list.

Forward Boone Jenner played in his 445th game, tying R.J. Umberger and Jack Johnson for ninth on the all-time list.

10. Toys in the attic

Atkinson played only 12:34 on Saturday. Only Riley Nash (10:51) had less ice time among skaters who finished the game. … The Blue Jackets’ 10-game streak of leading 1-0 was snapped when the Islanders’ scored first. … Bjorkstrand had his five-game point streak snapped. … The Blue Jackets flew home from Brooklyn last night and are off today. Back to work on Monday. 1164133 Dallas Stars organization believe that if he was healthy (he missed the series with a knee injury), Dallas would have had a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup.

“We thought about it a lot in that series,” Montgomery said. “He ends Although he’s a bit of a hockey paradox, Jamie Oleksiak is finding his plays, right? You look in Chicago, our recent games, he’s able to pinch role in the top 4 of the Stars’ defensive corps people off and separates people. He’s a massive man.”

Oleksiak said he doesn’t really think about the hypothetical situation of him playing, but noted that St. Louis’ Stanley Cup championship with a By Matthew DeFranks big, heavy, skilled lineup could alter the perception or evaluation of his game. 9:26 PM on Nov 30, 2019 “Overall, you can’t just be a big meaty team,” Oleksiak said. “You have to

be able to make plays and you have to be able to handle the speed, but I Jamie Oleksiak is a bit of a hockey paradox. think we always keep saying the game’s getting smaller and faster, but I think there’s always going to be a place for size and being able to make At 6 foot 7, Oleksiak is a hulking presence, pigeonholed unfairly into the some contact.” category of massive shutdown defensemen that are increasingly extinct as the game moves towards more speed found in smaller players. -- Stars defenseman Stephen Johns has been cleared to return to practice with the team, Montgomery told reporters in Frisco on Saturday But Oleksiak doesn’t fit that mold. Sure, he’s 6 foot 7 and he has a fight after practice. Johns has not played since the end of the 2017-18 this season, but Oleksiak is showing more of his skating and skills this season, suffering from post-traumatic headaches, and has missed the season than he did last year when he was reacquired by the Stars in a last 122 regular-season and playoff games. trade from Pittsburgh. He is active in the offensive zone – perhaps the third most active after John Klingberg and Miro Heiskanen – and has Should Johns be healthy enough to return at some point, he would helped dominate scoring chances when paired with Heiskanen. provide a bona fide top-four option on defense and add another defenseman to an already deep group. Johns, 27, has 28 career points in “You can’t be the old-school big guy where you just chip it off the glass 150 NHL games. and go hit a guy and try to fight guys and stuff like that,” Oleksiak said. “I think you have to be able to work in the transition game, be able to move -- Defenseman Joel Hanley cleared waivers on Saturday morning and the puck. So much of the game is about momentum and offensive was assigned to AHL affiliate Texas. Hanley was a healthy scratch in the pressure. You don’t have to score on every play, but keeping them in last eight games and only played eight NHL games with Dallas, their zone, making sure they don’t have as much possession of the puck averaging 11:21 of ice time. is huge nowadays.” Hanley can be recalled from the AHL at any time. He requires waivers to Oleksiak has experienced a rebirth of sorts this season. Coming into be sent down again once he plays 10 more NHL games or spends 30 training camp, he was reasonably battling Roman Polak and Taylor days on an NHL roster. Fedun for bottom-pairing minutes. Now, he’s a cog in the Stars’ top-four and has formed a balanced and effective duo with Heiskanen. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.01.2019 There are 78 defensive pairs that have played at least 150 minutes of 5 on 5 together this season, according to Natural Stat Trick. With Oleksiak- Heiskanen on the ice, the Stars have controlled 60.3% of scoring chances, 65.8% of high-danger chances and 64.1% of expected goals. All three figures are second-best in the league.

“I actually talked to him [Friday] morning about how consistent he’s been and how confident he’s playing,” Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. “He said ‘Well, it’s easy when you’re playing with Heiskanen.’ I said ‘Well, I think you’ve made Heiskanen’s life easier, too.’ That’s what makes them a good defensive pairing.”

Montgomery said Oleksiak is one of the team’s best defensemen in the offensive zone, whether it’s joining the rush or forechecking or pinching down the boards to retain possession. Oleksiak said Dallas’ system this season is more aggressive than it was before, and that allows more opportunities for defensemen to keep pucks alive.

Against the Blues on Friday night, Oleksiak nearly set up the game-tying goal in the third period with an active shift in the offensive zone. First, he blasted a one-timer that trickled through goaltender Jake Allen and just wide of the post. Later in the possession, he pinched down the right wall to beat Zach Sanford to the puck, shook Alex Pietrangelo by skating behind the net before setting up Roope Hintz in the slot for a shot.

It’s a normal occurrence for Oleksiak this season, and Montgomery said it’s a product of added confidence. For Oleksiak — and other Stars defensemen — they must read three things when deciding when to pinch down the wall.

First, and perhaps most obvious, they need to know where the puck is going. Then they need to read the Stars’ F3 (highest forward in the offensive zone) to make sure that someone is covering for them at the point to prevent odd-man rushes the other way. Lastly, they need to judge how likely it is that a defensive player gets possession of the puck on the boards.

“You have to read how much time they’re going to have when the puck gets to them on the half wall,” Oleksiak said. “If you’re pinching and they have full possession of it, chances are they’re probably going to make the play and then it’s kind of pointless to pinch, right?”

Oleksiak’s combination of size and skill was missed last year in the second round against the Blues, so much so that members of the Stars 1164134 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings' skid hits nine as Alex Ovechkin puts up hat trick for Capitals

Dana Gauruder, Special to Detroit Free Press

Published 9:57 p.m. ET Nov. 30, 2019 | Updated 9:57 p.m. ET Nov. 30, 2019

The Detroit Red Wings piled up eight straight losses in October. It took less than a month to surpass that stretch of futility.

They finished November on a nine-game winless streak after dropping a 5-2 decision to Washington at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday.

At least the Wings showed some heart, as the game wasn't decided until the closing minutes. They lost their previous two games by a combined score of 12-1. Their last seven losses have come in regulation.

Robby Fabbri scored the Wings' first power play goal in nine games off a Dylan Larkin pass during the first period. Luke Glendening scored his fourth goal of the season from the slot with 5:28 remaining just after Washington took a 3-1 lead.

Alex Ovechkin had a hat trick for the Capitals, including two empty- netters. T.J. Oshie and Tom Wilson also scored for the Capitals, who have lost just four times in regulation this season.

Larkin's first point in eight games came on a feed from the boards during the Wings' second power play. He shoveled a pass to Fabbri, who went top shelf with a backhander at 11:47 of the first period.

The Wings had gone 0-for-18 with a man advantage in their previous eight games.

Larkin's assist was his first point since an assist against the Los Angeles Kings on Nov. 14.

"I see on a nightly basis he shows up on a lot of our positive offensive clips," coach Jeff Blashill said prior to the game. "It's not going in for the line right now, Dylan and whoever's been on that line. To be dead honest, I'm not worried one bit about Dylan's offensive production."

Rookie Filip Zadina was credited with the second assist, his first point in four games since he was called up from Grand Rapids.

Ovechkin scored four goals as the Capitals swept last season's three- game series.

He didn't get a shot off in the first period on Saturday but made his presence felt midway through the second to give Washington a 2-1 lead.

Ovechkin collected the puck at the right circle, swooped around the net and buried a shot inside the goalpost on Jonathan Bernier's stick side. Ovechkin's 18th goal of the season was also his third in three games.

Nos. 19 and 20 came with Bernier on the bench late to clinch the Capitals' victory.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Dennis Cholowski battles for the puck with Washington Capitals left wing Brendan Leipsic during the first period at Little Caesars Arena, Nov. 30, 2019.

Bernier's No. 1; Who's No. 2?

With Jimmy Howard on the injured list, Bernier is now the main goalie.

He was in net during the last three victories but gave up four goals apiece in his previous two starts. He came in during the second period on Wednesday despite battling an illness and gave up three goals.

Bernier kept his team in the game on Saturday, stopping 29 shots.

The goaltending situation behind him is unclear. Calvin Pickard, called up from Grand Rapids, made his season debut on Friday at Philadelphia and gave up six goals. The Wings acquired Eric Comrie from Arizona on Saturday but Blashill was vague on how the newcomer might be utitlized.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164135 Detroit Red Wings Speaking in the hallway outside the Flyers' dressing room, Wings coach Jeff Blashill emphasized the message he delivers to his players daily: Focus on the next game. Nothing can be done about the last one.

Red Wings desperate for turnaround as blowouts balloon: 'We’re fragile' “We’re fragile,” he said. “It’s up to us to decide we’re not going to be fragile. Villanova (basketball) has a thing above the door, they’ve written ‘Attitude.’ That’s the reality. We can choose the attitude we have. We can feel sorry for ourselves, mope around. Or we can find ways to Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press understand that it’s a heck of an opportunity we have to play an NHL Published 6:02 a.m. ET Nov. 30, 2019 game against a good team.”

PHILADELPHIA — The Detroit Red Wings seek revival. They seek a way Detroit Free Press LOADED: 12.01.2019 to stop hurting so much. Their pride is at stake, tarnished as blowout losses overshadow what few successes they have earned.

Thanksgiving has passed, and the Wings (7-18-3) are the worst team in the NHL, stuck at 17 points. They look competitive for periods, but rarely whole games. They are struggling to score, struggling to keep the puck out of their own net, struggling for explanations.

“There’s no way to sugarcoat it,” Luke Glendening said after losing 6-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers Friday at Wells Fargo Center. “It’s ugly and it’s a hard thing to go through.

“I know people say it’s just a game but it means a lot to us. It’s our job but it’s what we love to do. We love to win. That’s why we’re here. We have to find anything we can to rally around at this point.”

The organization needs another high draft pick to stoke the rebuild, but the draft lottery shouldn’t be — and isn’t — a rallying point for the players or the coaching staff.

The Flyers' rout marked the 13th time in 28 games the Wings surrendered at least five goals. It ballooned Detroit's goal differential to an NHL worst minus-50 (the 1974-75 Washington Capitals hold the record with minus-265). No other team currently has a differential worse than minus-21.

“Those numbers aren’t pretty but this is our job and we have to take pride in what we are doing,” Glendening said. “We have to be better, that is for certain. It’s unacceptable. We have to continue to work. I am not going to make excuses for what has gone wrong, but we have to continue to try to get better.

“None of us are pleased with where we are.”

The Wings came into the season hoping to shock critics, and pulled off a 3-1 start.

But as the losses and injuries have mounted (leading scorer Anthony Mantha is sidelined by a lower-body injury; defenseman Danny DeKeyser hasn’t played since Oct. 22), it’s the players who seem in shock over how badly it’s gone.

“We have to somehow find an identity very soon,” Frans Nielsen said. “Finding a way of playing hockey where we know that we can be successful. Right now it’s way too inconsistent. We have to figure out who we are out there. It’s so important if you want to be a winning team that you have your identity and every guy knows his role and everybody knows what they have to do to be successful out there, playing for the team. We have to find a way to do that.”

The lineup is banged up and patched with American Hockey League players, and that has made for rough matchups. But there are 54 games left in the season, and the Wings need to stage a salvage mission. The playoffs were never realistic this season — they need another infusion of talent before postseason enters the discussion — but losing by a handful of goals on a regular basis can’t continue.

“We know statistically, there’s not going to be moving a lot around in the standings,” Nielsen said. “Maybe one or two teams is going to go in or out of the playoff spot once you hit Thanksgiving. We know we are in a very tough spot. But, we have to focus on one day at a time and go out there and just try and figure it out how this team is going to be successful.

“We need to build a little confidence and keep building off that. For whatever reason we get a little afraid out there — we feel like we are getting punished for every mistake we do out there and then it gets a little tougher to play. We have to relax a little bit and don’t squeeze our sticks and just go out there and play and have fun with it. We’ve got nothing to lose. We have to find that mentality a little bit.” 1164136 Detroit Red Wings "I thought we were good in the first period and the third period," Blashill said. "The second period wasn't very good."

The Red Wings' best chance to tie the score came early in the third. Red Wings' strong effort can't stop winless streak from reaching nine Valtteri Filppula first deflected a bouncing puck off the crossbar. The puck bounced back in front but before Filppula could knock it into the open net, Carlson swept the puck out of harm's way.

Chris McCosky, The Detroit News Later in the third, with seven minutes left, Luke Glendening set up Tyler Bertuzzi in front of the net, but Samsonov held his ground. Published 9:50 p.m. ET Nov. 30, 2019 | Updated 11:53 p.m. ET Nov. 30, 2019 Two minutes later, the teams exchanged goals nine seconds apart.

First Capitals forward Tom Wilson sped down the right boards, past defenseman Patrik Nemeth and beat Bernier to make it 3-1 at 14:23. Detroit — It's nine straight games without a win now for the Red Wings. The Washington Capitals' 5-2 win at Little Caesars Arena Saturday was "I felt like we were coming before Wilson scored," Larkin said. "But the club's seventh straight loss in regulation. Glenny's goal was huge."

They've been outscored 24-4 in the last five. Glendening answered nine seconds later, his fourth of the season, but the Wings never threatened the Capitals zone after Bernier was pulled. So, forgive Dylan Larkin if he vented a bit after Alex Ovechkin finished his hat trick Saturday with his second empty-net goal in the final 95 seconds "Our power play isn't nearly good enough, but we didn't quit," Larkin said. of the game. On the last one, Ovechkin stole the puck from Larkin at "We can't keep waiting until the last minute to score goals, until there's center ice and Larkin slammed him to the ice after he slid the puck in the two or three minutes left and pull the goalie. That's not the game we want net. to be playing there.

"Just frustrated; that last goal was my fault," Larkin said. "Just built up, I "I like our effort. I thought it was a good response from last night (loss in guess. I didn't mean to take out Ovechkin there. He just happened to be Philadelphia), but obviously there's some frustration." there."

Luke Glendening had cut the Capitals lead to 3-2, firing a shot from the slot past goalie Ilya Samsonov, who was screened by Larkin. There was Detroit News LOADED: 12.01.2019 5:28 left and the Wings were carrying the play.

Coach Jeff Blashill pulled goalie Jonathan Bernier with less than two minutes left in the game. Ovechkin scored twice in 40 seconds — giving him 20 goals on the year.

"It's snowballed already," Blashill said of the Wings' current skid. "We've gone a long stretch without winning a hockey game. As coaches, we have to focus on the reality of how you're playing."

And other than the clunker against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, the Wings have played competitive hockey, just not winning hockey.

"We've got to make sure they fight through the emotion of it," Blashill said. "You tell them what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong. I thought we've been doing a lot of good things, but through this stretch we haven't been playing good enough."

Larkin ended a seven-game pointless streak with an assist on the first goal of the game — a rare power play goal by Robbi Fabbri in the first period.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Dennis Cholowski (21) checks Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20).

“We're putting in good effort," said Fabbri, who has scored two of the four goals the Wings have mustered the last five games. "But we don't play the same way for the full 60 (minutes) and it shows in the score.

"We have flashes of being a good team. I strongly believe that we are. We're just going through a tough stretch here."

Fabbri's power play goal was the Wings' first in 19 chances going back nine games. But they were 1-for-4 on the night. On two of three they registered just one shot.

"I don't know if we registered a second in the zone after the puck was dropped," Blashill said. "You don't get in the zone you aren't going to generate anything. We had a real hard time getting the puck in the zone."

The Capitals scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the second period to wrest control of the game. T.J. Oshie tied it with a power-play goal 2:19 in. With Larkin in the box for hooking, Oshie was the beneficiary of a pretty passing play between Jakub Vrana and Evgeny Kuznetsov, that after Wings defenseman Dylan McIlrath failed to clear the puck up the boards.

Ovechkin scored seven minutes later. He skated the puck around the net. Wings defenseman Filip Hronek was screened off the play by John Karlson, which allowed Ovechkin room to skate out in front and rip a shot past a sprawling Jonathan Bernier. 1164137 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings acquire Eric Comrie, potentially goalie of future, from Coyotes

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News

Published 1:32 p.m. ET Nov. 30, 2019 | Updated 4:29 a.m. ET Dec. 1, 2019

Detroit — The Red Wings may have acquired their goaltender of the future.

The Wings acquired Eric Comrie Saturday from Arizona in exchange for defenseman Vili Saarijarvi.

"I don't know too much about him," coach Jeff Blashill said before Saturday's game. "Steve (Yzerman) mentioned to me this morning he was making this trade. But I don't know a lot about him as a player."

Blashill said Comrie is on an NHL contract, so he would have to clear waivers if the Wings wanted to start him at Grand Rapids. That's not likely, though all Blashill would say Saturday is that Jonathan Bernier was starting and Calvin Pickard was the backup against the Capitals.

"Comrie will fly in here tonight and we will go from there," Blashill said.

Comrie, 24, was claimed off waivers by Arizona from Winnipeg on Oct. 1. He has yet to see NHL playing time this season, but in four games with Tucson (AHL), Comrie (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) won all four games with a 2.75 goals-against average and .900 save percentage.

In five career NHL starts with Winnipeg, Comrie is 2-3-0 with a 4.21 goals-against average and .870 save percentage.

A former 2013 second-round draft pick of the Jets, Comrie is 81-83-20 with a 2.88 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and eight shutouts in 187 AHL games.

With Jimmy Howard not signed beyond next season (and currently injured) and Jonathan Bernier signed only through next season — and no clear-cut option in Grand Rapids yet as Filip Larsson is struggling (2-5-0, .843 SVS) — Comrie has an opportunity to crack the NHL soon.

Saarijarvi (5-10, 180 pounds) was a 2015 third-round pick who never rose above the AHL.

In 13 games this season, Saarijarvi had one point (an assist) with a minus-5 rating.

Saarijarvi’s stock had fallen behind the likes of Filip Hronek, Dennis Cholowski, Gustav Lindstrom, Oliwer Kaski and Moritz Seider over the last couple seasons and arguably needed a start in another organization.

Ericsson sent down

Prior to Saturday's game the Wings assigned defenseman Jonathan Ericsson to Grand Rapids. Defensive Patrik Nemeth was expected to return to the lineup.

Detroit News LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164138 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings drop ninth in row as Alex Ovechkin gets hat trick

Updated 11:26 PM;Today 9:38 PM

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings played the league-leading Washington Capitals tight on Saturday, which might be considered a moral victory the way this season has unfolded.

But actual victories continue to be elusive.

Alex Ovechkin notched a hat trick, including a pair of late empty-net goals, as the Capitals defeated the Red Wings 5-2 at Little Caesars Arena.

The Red Wings have lost nine in a row (0-7-2), their longest drought since a 10-game winless streak from Feb. 28-March 18, 2018 (0-9-1).

Robby Fabbri and Luke Glendening scored for the Red Wings (7-19-3), who have lost seven in a row in regulation. Washington improved to 19- 4-5.

Tom Wilson made a strong move to the net and whipped a backhand shot past Jonathan Bernier to put the Capitals ahead 3-1 with 5:37 remaining in regulation.

Glendening answered nine seconds later, firing in a shot from the high slot with Dylan Larkin at the net front, screening Ilya Samsonov. It was his fourth goal.

Ovechkin wrapped it up with empty-net goals (18:25 and 19:05). He has 20 goals.

It was Washington’s fifth consecutive victory over Detroit; the Capitals are 12-1-2 in their past 15 vs. the Red Wings.

Fabbri opened the scoring at 11:47 of the first period with his sixth goal of the season, his fifth in 12 games as a Red Wing.

Larkin lugged the puck into the zone, dished to Filip Zadina, got it back and passed to Fabbri in the slot. Fabbri deposited a backhand shot past Samsonov.

It ended the team’s power-play drought at eight games (0 for 18). The assist ended Larkin’s points drought at seven games.

The Capitals scored twice in the second period to take a 2-1 lead.

T.J. Oshie tied it on the power play at 2:19, whipping in a one-timer from the slot on a pass from Jakub Vrana.

Ovechkin scored at 9:21 on a wraparound. He circled wide behind the net and banked in the puck off Bernier. It gave the Capitals a lead they would not relinquish.

Michigan Live LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164139 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings acquire goaltender Eric Comrie for Vili Saarijarvi

Updated Nov 30, 2019;Posted Nov 30, 2019

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

The Detroit Red Wings have acquired goaltender Eric Comrie from the Arizona Coyotes for defenseman Vili Saarijarvi in an exchange of prospects.

Comrie, 24, was 4-0-0, with a 2.75 goals-against average and .900 save percentage for AHL Tucson this season.

Comrie (6-1, 175) was selected in the second round of the 2013 draft by the Winnipeg Jets (59th overall). He has appeared in five career NHL games, all with the Jets, going 2-3-0, with a 4.20 GAA and .870 save percentage. The Coyotes claimed him off waivers earlier this season.

The Red Wings needed goaltending depth in their system due to Jimmy Howard’s apparent groin injury suffered on Wednesday. The Red Wings haven’t revealed how long Howard will be out, but he is not expected back soon.

Comrie is the half-brother of former University of Michigan standout (1998-00) and 10-year NHL veteran (2000-11) Mike Comrie.

The small but skilled Saarijarvi (5-10, 180) hasn’t developed as quickly as the Red Wings had hoped. He has no goals and one assist in 13 games this season with the in his third AHL season.

The Red Wings (7-18-3) will try to end an eight-game slide (0-6-2) tonight against the Washington Capitals (18-4-5) at Little Caesars Arena (7 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). The Capitals are tied with Boston for most points in the NHL (41). Jonathan Bernier is expected to start in goal for the Red Wings.

Michigan Live LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164140 Detroit Red Wings

Ovechkin gets hat trick with 2 empty-netters, Caps top Wings

By PAUL HARRIS The Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — Alex Ovechkin completed a hat trick with two empty- net goals and the Washington Capitals beat Detroit 5-2 Saturday night for the Red Wings’ ninth straight loss.

Ovechkin reached 20 goals for the 15th consecutive season to start his career, a feat previously achieved by Marcel Dionne, Mike Gartner, Jaromir Jagr and Mats Sundin. The 34-year-old Ovechkin also had an assist.

T.J. Oshie had a goal and an assist, Tom Wilson also scored and Evgeny Kuznetsov had three assists for the Capitals. Ilya Samsonov stopped 25 shots.

Robby Fabbri and Luke Glendening scored for Detroit, which has been outscored 24-4 in its last five games. Jonathan Bernier made 29 saves.

The Capitals scored twice in the second period to erase a 1-0 deficit. Oshie tied it with a power-play goal 2:19 into the period, and Ovechkin’s first goal gave Washington the lead about seven minutes later. Ovechkin put a shot in off Bernier from the bottom of the left circle after swooping behind the net.

Wilson scored his 10th with 5:37 remaining before Glendening pulled Detroit back within one 9 seconds later. It was Glendening’s fourth goal.

Ovechkin scored into an empty net with 1:35 and 55 seconds left.

Macomb Daily LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164141 Edmonton Oilers Pearson’s first-period goal was the fifth shorthanded against the Oilers, tying them with Columbus and Calgary for the league high. After a slew of big Smith stops, he tried to stop a pass on the 2-on-1 break and got turned around and the puck went through his pads. Canucks clobber Oilers in big divisional match-up “We needed that one, after the way Pittsburgh went. To get the lead tonight hold it and keep on pushing, was a big step,” said Pearson.

Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal At the tail-end of an early Canucks’ PP, Tyler Graovac ripped a shot past Smith’s blocker. It appeared to go in at the time but the play carried on November 30, 2019 11:29 PM MST for 10 seconds before they blew a horn to stop play because the NHL command centre got a close-up look at it. They saw the puck had smacked off the camera mounted inside the net and back out. The Cowboy from Caroline is one straight-shooter. Oilers second-line winger Alex Chiasson played with protection for his When asked about his team’s propensity through the first two months for injured jaw after getting smacked in an open-ice hit by Colorado’s Ryan bouncing back in a big way from a poor effort, Edmonton Oilers Graves Wednesday night. defenceman Kris Russell was right on the mark when he said, “Well, we’ve got another team that’s not happy with their last game, either.” “Soft diet,” said Chiasson, who isn’t attacking any porterhouse steaks anytime soon. Nothing’s apparently broken but the jaw is sore, and his While the Oilers were smoked 4-1 in Colorado Wednesday, the head’s fine after going through concussion testing. Vancouver Canucks crashed, giving up six third-period goals and tumbled 8-6 in Pittsburgh. “My fault (getting clobbered) … I’m smarter than that and have to know I could get hit there,” said Chiasson, who played 16 1/2 minutes with Sam Well, guess which team proved a point and got two in The Bounce Back? Gagner and James Neal against the Canucks.

The Canucks, on the last game of a six-game road trip, got two goals and Russell’s left ear is a ganglia of stitches, the lobe all black and swollen, two helpers from third-line winger Tanner Pearson (his best-ever night). after he took a puck in the face in Colorado. He’s loathe to talk about his They also got three feeds from captain Bo Horvat, and little-used Loui bravery but he returned for the third period against the Avs with a patch Eriksson, playing on offensive fumes for the last two years, got his first over the damaged ear and certainly wasn’t missing Saturday’s Canucks’ goal and point in his 15th game as Vancouver rolled to a 5-2 victory to game. move within five points (35-30) of the Pacific Division leading Oilers. “Actually hurt more behind the ear when they froze it, sticking needles up “I don’t think we dwell on (bad losses) as long as we have in the past and there. I should have said no freezing,” said Russell. “He (Tippett) didn’t we’ve been able to put them behind us and move on to the next like seeing me on the table (half his ear hanging off, getting stitched), but challenge,” said Darnell Nurse. it’s part of the game.”

One challenge down. Another one in Vancouver Sunday night. This ’n that: Canucks best defenceman Alex Edler didn’t play the third and is doubtful for the rematch with an upper-body problem…Josh Leivo Connor McDavid scored his 19th and set up for another to had the other Canucks goal on a wraparound…Horvat not only had three move into the NHL scoring lead (49, one more than Leon Draisaitl), but assists but he took half (31) of the Canucks face-offs (61), playing mostly the Canucks were better early and late. Draisaitl, who almost always gets against McDavid and Draisaitl…The Oilers have eight D with Matt a point when McDavid does, didn’t get any in this one, and maybe Oilers Benning coming off injured reserve (concussion) but he didn’t play coach Dave Tippett splits them up in Vancouver, playing Draisaitl with against the Canucks along with Brandon Manning. They only have 13 James Neal and McDavid with Kassian and player X and Y on their forwards at the present time with winger Joakim Nygard once again wings to make it more difficult for Canucks’ coach Travis Green. scratched. Bet on Nygard playing in Vancouver, and Benning maybe Neal has 14 goals and been dynamite on the powerplay (10) but has six going in for Caleb Jones, who was minus 2……Canucks’ GM Jim even-strength points in Oilers 28 games. Benning, uncle of Matt, went out to Sherwood Park Friday night to see his other nephew Michael, a possible second round draft pick next June, “I have lots of thoughts going through my mind,” said Tippett. “I have lots playing D for the Crusaders against Camrose Kodiaks. “He’s good, really of time before tomorrow, but I like the back-to-back. They thwacked us good. Tenth in the league (AJHL) in scoring (40 points, 27 games),” said here and we get a chance to get back at it.” Jim, who went to the game with brother Brian. Michael has committed to “Two huge divisional games,” said Nurse. Denver U but he’ll probably play next season in the USHL first.

Indeed. And now they’ve blown the first.

Tippett cut right to the chase after the morning skate when asked what Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.01.2019 he wanted to see after the Avs poured 50 shots at Mikko Koskinen in their three-goal romp.

“Play better, play smarter, play tighter … all of the above,” he said.

He didn’t get any of the above as the Oilers have lost two in regulation for only the second time all season. The other was Oct. 27 and Oct. 29 against Florida and Detroit. And on a night when Pearson had two and fellow third-liner Leivo one for the Canucks, the Oilers third line didn’t get the job done with Riley Sheahan, Josh Archibald and Jujhar Khaira all minus 2.

“You give up five you can’t win in this league. We’re giving up too many lately (nine in the last two)…we’re playing looser than I like and chasing the game. We don’t have the same committment to defending,” said Tippett.

“Our special teams? Not good enough,” said McDavid.

Indeed the league’s best PP gave up a shortie and the NHL’s second- best PK gave up one three and half minutes into the game after Mike Smith had made two terrific stops.

Pearson had 11 shots and a goal in the Oct. 2 loss here and now has three goals and 15 shots in the two games against Edmonton. Pearson only has 17 points all season, five against the Oilers. 1164142 Edmonton Oilers The Canucks went into the game Saturday seven points back of the Oilers, who are first in the Pacific Division.

“These divisional games are important, points are at stake,” said Oilers snapshots: Sam Gagner battling to find regular place in lineup Canucks centre Elias Pettersson. “We’re excited to finish this road trip off and look forward to the back-to-back (Sunday).”

The Canucks started their six-game road trip against the Dallas Stars on Derek Van Diest Nov. 19 and were looking to get to .500 in the final game Saturday against the Oilers. November 30, 2019 7:25 PM MST Vancouver went into the contest 2-3-0 on the trip with victories against

the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals. Sam Gagner has been working hard to try and reestablish solid footing in “We’ve been on the road for 16 days and it feels like you’ve been the NHL during his second stint with the Edmonton Oilers. travelling for a while,” Hughes said. “Sometimes that’s good and I’m glad The former sixth overall pick was back in the lineup Saturday against the we’re getting this trip out of the way in November rather than later in the Vancouver Canucks, playing his third consecutive contest after three year. But I think we’re looking forward to getting home.” straight games in the press box as a healthy scratch. With the home-and-home series, the road trip almost seems like a seven- Gagner, 30, started the contest centring the Oilers second line between game trip for Vancouver. The Canucks would have preferred to have a Alex Chiasson and James Neal in place of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who day in between before hosting the Oilers to decompress and perhaps missed his third straight game with a hand injury. unpack.

“Sam’s a smart guy, he understands the game and understands what his “It would be nice, but it’s not the reality,” Hughes said. “We have a back- capabilities are,” said Oilers head coach Dave Tippett. “I’ve had some to-back here and at the end of the day we’re hockey players and we want good conversations with him way back to when I had him in Arizona. to play hockey. The two games back to back should be fun for us.” He’s a utility player, he’s smart enough to play in a lot of situations and that’s what you’re going to see; he’s going to go up and down the lineup.” Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.01.2019 Acquired from the Vancouver Canucks last season, who had loaned him to the Toronto Marlies after a demotion to the AHL, Gagner was expected to begin the season on the Oilers roster out of training camp.

Yet, he was sent to the Bakersfield Condors to start the year where he had four points in four games before being recalled three weeks into the season. Going in against the Canucks, Gagner had a goal and four points in 11 games with the Oilers.

“Sam is a smart player, he understands the game, he understands different roles he’s thrown in,” Tippett said. “He understands what the expectations are and what we’re trying to accomplish. He’s a good utility player. He’s one of those guys you can plug in anywhere and as a coach and as a veteran player, it gives me confidence that he can play in any situation.”

Gagner broke into the league as an offensive player, but since being traded from Edmonton in 2014 after seven seasons, has found himself in a supporting role, while spending time in the American Hockey League.

After stints with the Arizona Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers, Gagner had a career year with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2016-17, which earned him a three-year, $9.45-million contract with the Canucks. Gagner is currently in the final year of the contract, earning $3.15 million with the Oilers.

“It’s a great city and I really enjoyed my time there,” Gagner said. “I still keep in touch with a lot of my teammates from there and have a lot of good friends. You go through ups and downs in your career, but it’s a lot of fun, it’s a great journey and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.

“I felt coming into Vancouver I was going to be an important piece there off the good year in Columbus. I wanted to play an important role and build off the year I had prior and for whatever reason, it just didn’t work out.”

The Canucks came into Edmonton off a demoralizing 8-6 defeat against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday where they blew a three-goal, third-period lead.

“I think you can use that game as motivation,” said Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes. “It lingers a bit just because it was a tough loss, but at the same time, we have 55 more games and you can’t really worry about that.”

The game in Pittsburgh was the fifth of a six-game road trip for the Canucks, who return home to host the Oilers on Sunday.

“We’re all pros, you learn from a game like that,” Canucks forward J.T. Miller said. “We did a lot of good things in that game too, but we had some breakdowns and made some mistakes that I don’t think we’re normally making. It was kind of goofy game, but we’re past that now, we learned from it and we’re excited to play this game.” 1164143 Edmonton Oilers “We have to learn from that game in Pittsburgh,” Pettersson said. “We had the game. We made some small errors that cost us the game. We talked about it, learned from the video and we move on.”

Elias Pettersson having another strong season for Vancouver Canucks As he continues to develop, Pettersson is going to be a big part of the Canucks’ future. Vancouver is trying to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2015. They went into the game Saturday seven points back of the first-place Oilers in the Pacific Division. Derek Van Diest “He definitely understood it was going to be a hard season on him and November 30, 2019 5:42 PM MST after what he did last year, he was going to draw a lot of attention,” Miller said. “That’s something I think he’s learning to take pride in. You want to be in that spot, you want people to key in on you, that means you’re LITTLE TIME TO SPARE: Quinn gets lost, then gets a late game-winner doing a lot of good things. I think as the season has gone, he’s really for Ottawa 67's been finding his game and, obviously, he’s scoring a lot of goals for us and doing a lot of good things. Elias Pettersson is aware of the sophomore slump even though he’s not going through it. “He’s exciting when he has the puck and he’s playing well and he’s engaged, he’s obviously one of the top players skill-wise in the league. The Vancouver Canucks centre is having another strong season off his He’s proven that every day and I think he’s just going to get better and Calder Trophy campaign and went into the first of a home-and-home better, especially on these long road trips. This is only his second year series against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday leading his team in going through something like that.” scoring with 11 goals and 31 points in 26 games.

“The one thing about Pete is that he wants to be great, he doesn’t want to be just good,” said Canucks head coach Travis Green. “He takes the Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.01.2019 game seriously. You can be honest with him. If he’s had a couple games where he’s not quite on top of his game you can have a good dialogue with him. He’s a smart player that understands, if you sit and Watch video with him, where maybe his game is off and he’s committed to being a good player in all areas of the game.”

Selected fifth overall by the Canucks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the Sundsvall, Sweden, product burst onto the league last season and was a bright spot for Vancouver in an otherwise disappointing year. Pettersson had 28 goals and 68 points in 71 games and became the first Canuck since Pavel Bure in 1992 to be named rookie of the year.

“He just has that next-play ability; he already knows what to do with the puck before it gets to him,” said Canucks forward J.T. Miller. “There are players that see that, but there aren’t many that can pull it off. He just kind of takes over in that regard, especially when guys are gunning for him.

“There is no doubt that’s one of his best attributes, and obviously, he has an unbelievable shot and he’s a complete player. He’s young, he’s still going through that first and second-year stuff. I think it’s important that he knows when everyone is going after him because he’s such a good player. That’s a good thing and it’s creating a lot of good attention and he’s fun to play with.”

This season, Pettersson continues to put up points at an impressive clip and is on pace to challenge the 100-point plateau, as long as he stays healthy. Last season, Pettersson missed 11 games after being body slammed by Florida Panthers defenceman Michael Matheson and having Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Montreal Canadiens wrestle him to the ice, injuring his knee.

Pettersson, 21, returned to Vancouver bigger and stronger this season and is not as vulnerable to the physicality of the NHL as he was when he broke in as a skinny teenager.

“I feel great, I feel confident,” Pettersson said. “I’m trying not to focus on people talking about a sophomore slump and things like that. I’m just focusing on what I can control and that’s trying to play my best hockey every game.”

Pettersson in undoubtedly Vancouver’s most dynamic offensive player and as he goes, so do the Canucks. Being so valuable to his club, Pettersson has received extra attention this year and is the name opposing coaches circle in pre-game meetings.

“Yeah I’ve noticed it, especially at the beginning of the season,” Pettersson said. “There were some guys that were trying to get me off my game, but it is what it is and I’m used to it.”

Going into the game against the Oilers, Pettersson had five goals and 10 points in his previous eight games. He had three assists in an 8-6 loss, on the road, to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday where the Canucks blew a three-goal, third-period lead. Edmonton is the last stop on a six-game road trip. The teams meet again Sunday (8 p.m., MT) in Vancouver for the second game of the home-and-home series. 1164144 Edmonton Oilers The Oilers had an active summer, dealing Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson and adding Milan Lucic via free agency. The opening-night roster reflected Peter Chiarelli’s wish for a big, tough group that would rely heavily on McDavid and Draisaitl. The recalls looked like this: Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ farm team recalls invaluable in playoff seasons and paying off in 2019-20 Oct. 17: Recalled Laurent Brossoit (8 games, 1 playoff game)

Oct. 21: Recalled Matt Benning (62, 3-12-15, 12 playoff games)

By Allan Mitchell Nov. 5: Recalled Dillon Simpson (3 games)

Nov 30, 2019 Nov. 5: Recalled Taylor Beck (3 games)

Dec. 30: Recalled Jordan Oesterle (2 games)

Edmonton Oilers fans are observing the power of a productive farm Jan. 11: Recalled Jujhar Khaira (10 games, 1 goal) system in real time this season. The parent Oilers are deploying several Feb. 11: Recalled Iiro Pakarinen (14 games, 2-2-4, 1 playoff game) youngsters who were recently playing for the AHL Bakersfield Condors, including Ethan Bear, Patrick Russell and Caleb Jones. April 15: Recalled Griffin Reinhart (1 playoff game)

Ideally, the farm team has a player match for every spot on the NHL The big addition from the farm was Benning, who made the opening- roster, although any team with a Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl in night roster but spent most of October in the minors and didn’t see the waiting would be guilty of hockey malpractice (impact NHL players don’t NHL until November. Several players (Brossoit, Benning, Oesterle, play in the minors for long, if at all). Khaira) would go on to have NHL careers of note, but Benning had the biggest impact in 2016-17. So far this season, the Oilers have recalled several men who have contributed to the team’s success. Bear was in the lineup opening night, Chiarelli dealt Brandon Davidson (who came through the system) in the while Russell was a healthy scratch but made the roster. Jones is making only deadline deal. The club received payment during the postseason, as an in-season impact. acquisition David Desharnais scored one of the biggest goals in recent Oilers history. The Oilers have been a playoff team just twice since fall 2005. How important were the recalls to that season? How much impact did they 2019-20 Oilers have in the playoffs? How many of the recalls would go on to enjoy long and productive NHL careers? Let’s have a look. This year’s team is fewer than 30 games into the season but has been active in recalls. Here is the opening-night lineup and recalls since the 2005-06 Oilers start of the season:

The Oilers’ best season this century was 2005-06, and the farm team Oct. 17: Recalled William Lagesson (Did not play) had a role in the team’s success. Let’s begin by listing the 11 recalls, 10 during the regular season and an unusual May recall from the minors: Oct. 19: Recalled Sam Gagner (11 games, 1-3-4)

Oct. 15: Recalled C Kyle Brodziak (10 games, 0 points) Nov. 13: Recalled Caleb Jones (7 games, 0-0-0)

Nov. 4: Recalled D Danny Syvret (10 games, 0 points) It’s a short list, but Gagner and Jones have helped in their roles on the team since being recalled. Lagesson didn’t get into game action (curious, Nov. 4: Recalled D Dan Smith (7 games, 0 points) but he’s likely to be back this season based on recent AHL results), and we await the next recall. I didn’t count players like Colby Cave who Nov. 5: Recalled G Ty Conklin (18 games, 2.80 goals-against average, began the season playing with the NHL team and were subsequently .880 save percentage) sent down. Dec. 7: Recalled Matt Greene (27 games, 2 points, 18 playoff games) There are more recalls to come. The Ryan Nugent-Hopkins injury is Dec. 20: Recalled L Brad Winchester (12, 0-1-1, scored a big playoff apparently short term, but if the Nuge isn’t ready by Wednesday when goal) the Ottawa Senators visit, we might see a recall.

Jan. 31: Recalled Jean-Francois Jacques (7 games, 0 points) It’s also true that the Oilers might use the Condors at the deadline should a trade opportunity arise. Men currently in the final year of entry deals Feb. 11: Recalled Mathieu Roy (1 game, 0 points) (and in Bakersfield) include Lagesson, Logan Day and Cameron Hebig. Joel Persson is a current Condors player who will be a restricted free Feb. 28: Recalled Yan Stastny (3 games, 0 points) agent and might be a trade asset at the deadline. March 13: Recalled Marc Pouliot (8 games, 1 goal, missed time with What does it all mean? mono) In 2005-06, coach Craig MacTavish used the farm extensively. In total, May 21: Recalled Toby Petersen (2 games, 1 goal, in playoffs) pure recalls played in 103 regular-season games, while Greene (18 Although Brodziak and Greene would enjoy the most productive careers, games) and Brad Winchester (10 games) hung around for some playoff I think it’s safe to suggest the recalls who had the biggest impact in 2005- deployment during a deep run by the club. 06 were Conklin, Greene and Winchester, with the big playoff goal. In 2016-17, coach Todd McLellan made fewer calls to the farm, but The Oilers’ farm team was useful at the trade deadline in 2006, as Benning’s 62 games represent a plug-and-play recall from the minors general manager Kevin Lowe sent several picks and prospects. On Jan. and a player who helped the team reach the postseason. 26, the Oilers dealt veteran defenceman and perennial This year, Dave Tippett’s recalls have played in 18 games, and that prospect Jani Rita for defender Dick Tarnstrom. Although Rita didn’t play projects to just over 50 man games from farmhands. I remain confident in the minors in 2005-06, he was a graduate of the team’s AHL system. the recalls are going to have a major impact on this Oilers season, Jones’ Lowe sent the rights to Tony Salmelainen to the Chicago Blackhawks for impressive debut being an example of the quality that awaits in defenceman Jaroslav Spacek the same day; Salmelainen was a veteran Bakersfield. of Oilers farm teams in Toronto, Edmonton and Hamilton. He was playing in Helsinki () at the time of the deal. Lowe also sent a pile of draft One final item: Jesse Puljujarvi. The deadline for a trade is Sunday, and picks and NHL roster players to acquire Dwayne Roloson and Sergei based on reports, it is unlikely we’ll see breaking news in the next 24 Samsonov right at the deadline. hours. In a real way, Puljujarvi represents the one asset available to Tippett outside AHL call-ups who could help the big-league roster. Never Bottom line: In recall and in trade, the minor-league system had an trust an NHL executive to tell you the complete truth, so it’s a good idea impact in 2006. to have your notifications on for the next few hours. That said, it does 2016-17 Oilers appear Puljujarvi news will occur at a later time. If it comes to pass that Puljujarvi isn’t dealt this weekend, the focus will be the recall route from Bakersfield. The emergence of Bear, Russell and now Jones at the NHL level should give the organization some confidence in the players currently in the AHL.

Expect those AHL recall man game totals to increase in the coming weeks. Several Condors look ready to graduate, including Kailer Yamamoto (when healthy), Tyler Benson and Lagesson. Each man has done enough for the opportunity and now waits for a call.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164145 Florida Panthers

Panthers’ Driedger gets shutout vs. Predators in first NHL start

By RICK MENNING

ASSOCIATED PRESS |

DEC 01, 2019 | 12:32 AM

SUNRISE

Chris Driedger heard the final horn and reached for his helmet in disbelief. The Florida Panthers goalie hardly expected to post a shutout in his first NHL start.

“Honestly, I’m speechless,” he said.

Driedger stopped all 27 shots filling in for star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, and the Panthers beat the Nashville Predators 3-0 Saturday night. It was the 25-year-old’s first appearance for Florida — he had previously appeared in three games for Ottawa between 2014-17 but never started.

Bobrovsky was among the first teammates to congratulate Driedger.

"It was pretty cool coming from a guy like that," Driedger said. “Props from him, it's pretty special."

Anton Stralman scored his first two goals of the season as the Panthers snapped a three-game losing streak.

Driedger was recalled from Springfield of the American Hockey League on Monday after posting an AHL-best .938 save percentage in 14 games.

“It's pretty surreal,” he said. “I'm cloud-nining right now.”

Aleksander Barkov's eighth goal for the Panthers also provided a milestone for Evgenii Dadonov, who recorded his 100th career assist.

Juuse Saros stopped 24 shots for Nashville, which suffered its first loss in regulation in the past five games.

Stralman scored early in the second period, and the 1-0 lead held until he scored again 8:38 into the third. Stralman, a veteran defenseman with just 49 goals in 775 career games, hadn’t scored since last December.

"It's always fun,” said Stralman, who came into the game with eight assists. "Sometimes it's just being at the right place at the right time."

Less than two minutes later, Barkov went top shelf to Saros' glove side to account for the final margin.

The Panthers' captain had high praise for Driedger's performance.

"He was unbelievable,” Barkov said. "He said he was nervous, but he didn't look like it at all. He was calm in the net and didn't give them any rebounds."

Driedger was especially impressive against high-quality chances during three Nashville power plays in the second period.

“His composure was terrific and patient," Panthers coach Joel Quenneville said. "He waited on the pucks and was smooth.”

The Predators' best opportunity to make a big play offensively came about midway through the first period when Ryan Johansen nearly had a clean breakaway from his own blue line but lost his stick after it hit the skate of a Panthers player.

“Tonight, for me, we were flat," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "You gotta play at a higher tempo and a higher level in order to be successful. If you don’t, you roll the dice and it didn’t go our way."

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164146 Florida Panthers

Panthers goalie Chris Driedger set for first NHL start

By WELLS DUSENBURY

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL

NOV 30, 2019 | 9:40 AM

Chris Drieger will make his first career start — and just fourth NHL appearance — in net Saturday night as the Florida Panthers kick off a nine-game home stand against the Nashville Predators.

The 25-year-old goalie was recalled from AHL Springfield on Monday after appearing in 14 games for the Thunderbirds. Driedger has posted a 2.09 goals-against average and an AHL-leading .938 save percentage this season. A third-round pick in the 2012, Driedger’s most-recent NHL appearance came three years ago with the Ottawa Senators.

The Panthers signed the 6-foot-4 goalie in February and gave him a two- year contract extension in April.

“When we looked at our home-stand schedule, we wanted to get him a game," Panthers coach Joel Quenneville said. "We expected him on merit-based by how he played in camp, how he’s played down there last year and this year.

“I like his size. I love his competitiveness. He’s patient and he takes up a lot of net. I think everybody’s been happy with him and [as an] organization, we really liked we saw in training camp and he gets an opportunity.”

Driedger’s start in net comes amid continues struggles from starter Sergei Bobrovsky. Signed to a seven-year, $70 million contract in July, Bobrovsky seemingly hasn’t gotten into sync yet. In 21 appearances, he’s posted the worst save percentage (.884) and the second-worst goals-against average (3.48) among the 51 goalies who have played at least eight games.

Bobrovsky’s numbers this season have been a far cry from his usually stellar stats. For his career, the 31-year-old goalie has tallied a .921 save percentage and 2.41 GAA with the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Panthers. A two-time Vezina Trophy winner — awarded to the league’s best goaltender — Bobrovsky has only once recorded a goals-against average higher than 2.75, which came during his second NHL season (3.02).

"[With] goaltending you look at stopping the next puck and concentrating on certain saves you’re expected to make and [Bobrovsky] I think makes more than those ones too,” Quenneville said. "I just think as a team we know the importance of goaltending and [that as] the timing of, as the game progresses, you’re expect big saves and give your team a chance to win.

“I think whether it’s early or late, there are saves that [with] predictability you need to see from your goaltender [and that’s] something that we can be better at.”

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164147 Los Angeles Kings Credit goes to general manager Lou Lamoriello for building a deep roster and to coach Barry Trotz, one of the few NHL coaches who make a distinct difference wherever they go. The Islanders were fortunate to get Trotz, who left the Washington Capitals because of a salary dispute soon Bill Peters scandal should prompt change at every level of hockey after he had led them to the Stanley Cup in 2018. “I think he puts a structure in and holds the players accountable. That’s the key — he’s

holding them accountable,” Lamoriello said last week in Anaheim. “And By HELENE ELLIOTT SPORTS COLUMNIST respect. He respects the players and they respect him and everybody feels good about it. NOV. 30, 2019 12:31 PM “I think it’s an extension of last season, Barry coming in and setting a structure and a group of players who want to be successful and committed to what the process was and have maintained it right through. If any good can come from the events that led to Bill Peters’ resignation The players that were brought in were the type of players who Friday as coach of the Calgary Flames, two days after he admitted he complemented who was here, and it’s just been a good mix. And we’ve had used offensive language “in a professional setting” with Nigerian- been able to bring in young players at different times to bring them along, born player Akim Aliu a decade ago, it will be to launch discussions about so it’s been good so far.” what constitutes appropriate behavior for coaches at every level in hockey, and beyond. Their rivals respect that. “We look at that team, and that’s kind of where you aspire to go,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “They’re just one hell Start with this: Anyone who resorts to physical or verbal abuse to convey of a team and Mr. Lamoriello has done a great job there getting that a message is a coward and doesn’t deserve the honor of being called group together. And obviously, that coach, Barry, he’s second to none.” “coach.” The Islanders also have overcome the additional challenge of splitting The non-apology apology Peters sent to his boss, general manager Brad their home games between Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the Nassau Treliving, made Peters’ departure from the organization inevitable. Peters Coliseum; their new arena at Belmont Park is expected to open for the didn’t express regrets to Aliu, whose account of being the target of racial 2021-22 season. “They just accept it as what it is and they don’t allow epithets was corroborated by two of his teammates with Rockford (Ill.) of any distractions to get in the way. That’s been very nice to see,” the American Hockey League. Aliu also alleged Peters derailed his Lamoriello said. career by demoting him, which Peters didn’t address. Safety first? Nor did Peters apologize for kicking defenseman Michal Jordan and punching another player in the head while they were with the Hurricanes. The NHL suspended Washington Capitals defenseman Garnet Hathaway Rod Brind’Amour, then a Carolina assistant coach and now the three games for spitting in the face of Ducks defenseman Erik Hurricanes’ head coach, confirmed those actions. “It for sure happened,” Gudbranson, which was disgusting and unsanitary but didn’t cause long- Brind’Amour said, adding that players alerted management about the term harm. incidents. Ron Francis, then Carolina’s general manager and now the GM of the expansion Seattle franchise, said in a statement Saturday that Then, the league’s Department of Player Safety banished Tampa Bay’s a group of players and “hockey staff members” had made him aware of Erik Cernak two games for an elbow that gave Buffalo defenseman the two physical incidents involving two players and Peters. “I took this Rasmus Dahlin a concussion and forced him out of the lineup indefinitely, matter very seriously. I took immediate action to address the matter and and it banned St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo for only four briefed ownership,” he said. “To my knowledge, no further such incidents games because of a dirty second cross-check on a defenseless Viktor occurred.” Arvidsson, who suffered a lower-body injury and is expected to be out four to six weeks. In a statement released Friday, the NHL said it’s still reviewing Peters’ actions. “There are meetings scheduled with relevant individuals — What’s wrong with this picture? including Akim Aliu — in the coming days,” the statement said. The idea of suspending the culprit as long as the victim is sidelined won’t Coach-player relationships can be complicated. That’s especially true in work because the injured player’s recovery could be falsely prolonged to hockey, where humility and respect for authority are primary lessons. keep the offender off the ice. But justice wasn’t served for Dahlin or Athletes can be reluctant to complain about a coach’s abusive words or Arvidsson. If the NHL really is serious about cleaning up the game ... actions because that coach has the power to advance or derail their Never mind. It isn’t. career. In some sad cases, the abuse becomes sexual, like convicted Bruins right wing David Pastrnak looks on during a game against the sex offender Graham James’ molestation of Sheldon Kennedy, Theo Rangers on Nov. 29 at TD Garden. Fleury and other junior-level players. Especially at the youth level, teams and leagues should provide resources for athletes, so they can speak up The Bruins improved to 10-0-4 at home by rallying for a 3-2 overtime if they feel unsafe or bullied. victory over the New York Rangers on Friday. Right wing David Pastrnak extended his league goal-scoring lead to 24 and became the fourth This isn’t about kids having become soft. It’s about people with influence player in NHL history to have two straight months in which he scored 12 inflicting life-changing emotional damage. It’s possible for a coach to be goals or more. The others, according to the league’s PR folks, are Mario demanding without being demeaning. Not every coach stays on the right Lemieux, Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky. side of that line. Boston, which ranks among the league leaders in goals scored per game Geoff Ward, an associate coach under Peters, was appointed the and fewest goals allowed, appears to be hitting its stride. The Bruins Flames’ interim coach. He took over a team that has underachieved this have won six straight games and are 7-0-3 in their last 10, an impressive season and now needs a calming influence. “We’re not going to run. They also had an 18-game point streak earlier this season. implement huge changes. Our players know how to play the game,” Ward told the team’s website. “Right now, I think it’s so important that collectively we come together as a group.” LA Times: LOADED: 12.01.2019 Islanders’ streak ends, but not their success

Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) looks on during a game against the Kings on Nov. 27 at .

The New York Islanders took a club-record 15-0-2 point streak to Southern California, where they fell back to earth with a 3-0 loss to the Ducks and a 4-1 loss to the Kings last week. But they’re still among the NHL’s top defensive teams and they’re challenging the Washington Capitals for the lead in the Metropolitan division with a group that lacks superstars but has character and balance. 1164148 Los Angeles Kings Apart from a couple of heart-attack chances, the Kings largely stymied the Jets as they shortened their bench, began pinching and pressed forward for an equalizer.

Kings deliver again for home fans, top Winnipeg Winnipeg was unable to get Brossoit to the bench for the extra attacker until the last minute. The Kings then kept the puck away from Campbell until the final second, when he made a lunging save on Winnipeg’s top center Mark Scheifele. By ANDREW KNOLL “It was fun. It was kind of like the game, it was just a big battle,” Campbell PUBLISHED: November 30, 2019 at 9:52 pm | UPDATED: November 30, said. “It was a fun moment.” 2019 at 11:28 PM

Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.01.2019 LOS ANGELES >> The Kings have had a split personality this season.

On the road, they’ve been the NHL’s worst team, but at home they have beaten several playoff teams, as they did when they toppled the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 at Staples Center Saturday night.

“We found a way to check our way through the second and third periods, to check our way to a win,” after a “tremendous start,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said.

The Kings have been very respectable (9-6-1) at Staples Center, including a franchise-best six home wins in November. But they have won just two games on the road all season. They have the largest disparity league-wide as far as home vs road record in terms of both wins and overall points. One of their two road victories came against Winnipeg, in another game where they rode a fast start to a big win.

“We don’t need to change our game,” McLellan said. “We have to be better prepared to start games on the road and better prepared to dig in a little earlier, a little longer.”

Defenseman Joakim Ryan and center Nikolai Prokhorkin sounded the goal horn for the Kings. Right wing Jack Roslovic scored for Winnipeg. It was a battle of backups in net as Jack Campbell, who yielded one goal on 34 shots, bested Laurent Brossoit, who halted 32 of 34 bids. Campbell made the most dramatic save on a point-blank chance an instant before the final buzzer.

“It looked like we had just enough time,” Brossoit said. “Hats off to Campbell, he played really well.”

Pressure and persistence paid off of the Kings 7:34 into the game. A chaotic trip into the offensive zone yielded fruit after their forecheck recovered the puck. Right wing Dustin Brown slid it over high to the left side for Ryan, who sent a snap shot whirring by Brossoit on the far side for his first goal of the season.

They would strike again 12:12 into the game. Right wing Trevor Lewis attempted to center the puck and his blocked pass would return to him for an ostensibly harmless shot. The rebound it produced proved potent as Prokhorkin followed up to give the Kings a 2-0 lead.

The Kings would register eight of the game’s first 10 shots on goal and hold a 19-5 advantage in shots through 20 minutes of action.

“When the boys battle like that and start like that, you just want to do your job (as a goalie),” Campbell said. “I owe the boys dinner for sure.”

In the second period, the Kings absorbed some of the play but did not surrender a goal. Campbell stopped 16 second-period shots and the Kings killed a pair of penalties with aplomb.

Forward Adrian Kempe has become a more assertive and consistent component of the penalty kill. During one shorthanded sequence, he broke up a pass destined for a one-timer by sniper Patrik Laine. Then he made an aggressive play to clear the puck on the same shift.

“His legs, his pace, his reach and his anticipation skills all go into lending his attributes to becoming a good penalty killer,” McLellan said. “He’s been one of our most improved players over the last three weeks.”

The Kings killed a third penalty in the third but were touched up for a 5- on-5 goal that resembled a power play marker 4:18 into the final frame. Roslovic sent the puck from the left-wing wall to the opposite point, moved down low unfettered and then received a seam pass off a fake shot to tuck the puck into an agape Kings net.

Left wing Jeff Carter would immediately counter with a steal and a sprint for a breakaway, but Brossoit’s glove was up to the task, leaving the game at 2-1. 1164149 Los Angeles Kings pretty hard to do. But they play nothing but road games. They are slated to move into SoFi with the Rams next season, and we won’t know until then if a large enough fan base will materialize to justify them remaining in Los Angeles. The Athletic recently reported that the NFL The 2010s: Grading the decades of the Southland’s sports teams has started discussing the possibility of relocating the Chargers to London (that would be cool). For now, they are the region’s most

inexplicable team. Their new stadium means they enter this next decade By Molly Knight better off than they entered the last one, but who knows if the Chargers will even be here when the calendar turns to 2030. Nov 30, 2019 Grade: C

USC football It’s been a wild decade for Los Angeles sports fans. Since January 2010, the region has welcomed two NFL teams and a brand-new MLS team. It 86-44 record (.662 winning percentage). One conference title. One Rose has watched the Dodgers emerge from a dramatic bankruptcy sale to Bowl victory. Four athletic directors. Four head coaches. become the premier team in the National League. It’s mourned the loss If you listen to L.A. sports radio, by the first commercial break they’ll have of legendary Lakers owner Jerry Buss and witnessed the passing of the you believing that head coach Clay Helton is responsible for the fire Purple and Gold torch from Kobe Bryant to LeBron James. It has beheld season, all traffic on the 405 and the 101 and the resurgence of measles. the transformation of the Clippers from perennial laughingstock to a While sports fans are by definition insane, nothing turns otherwise burgeoning contender as top free agents trip over themselves to sign up. rational people in this region batty quite like an 8-4 USC football season. And it has celebrated the two-time Stanley Cup champion Kings, the The expectations foisted on this storied program turns respectable city’s best team over the past 10 years. people in and around the team into wackadoodles, and this decade saw To honor the decade that’s about to close (and complete this week’s the dysfunction surrounding the Trojans explode into national news again Decade in Review), here’s a look at some of the best and worst moments and again. from the Southland’s sports teams along with a verdict on whether each After leading USC to two national titles and 34 straight wins during the is better or worse off now than when the clock struck midnight on Dec. aughts, head coach Pete Carroll kicked off the 2010s by bolting for the 31, 2009. NFL just before crushing sanctions hit. A devastating NCAA investigation Rams (2016-present) found, among other things, that the family of star running back Reggie Bush had taken money from an agent while Bush was still a student 34-25 record (.576 winning percentage). Two division titles. Two playoff athlete. For that and what its investigation deemed a “lack of institutional appearances. One Super Bowl. One owner. One general manager. Two control,” the NCAA hammered the program by stripping USC of its 2005 head coaches. national title, vacating that entire season of wins, docking scholarships and implementing a two-year bowl ban. Whoa, Los Angeles got an NFL team! After a two-decade absence, pro football came back to L.A. in 2016 with a vengeance. The Rams were What followed was a mess. Head coach Lane Kiffin was fired on a going to receive a solid “A” just for making the Super Bowl last season, tarmac after a loss. Interim head coach Ed Orgeron was passed over for but then the Ravens game happened last Monday night and had me the full-time gig and is now the head coach of an undefeated LSU team. questioning whether the club made one of the biggest mistakes in NFL His predecessor, Steve Sarkisian, was fired on the way to rehab (also history by awarding quarterback a $134 million contract after a loss). The stifling pressure also got to athletic director Pat Haden, extension and realizing they are screwed long-term if he doesn’t get it who collapsed on the field before the Trojans’ rivalry game with Notre together. Dame days after he fired Sarkisian.

As the Rams streaked into the Super Bowl last season, head coach Sean Each of these coaches spent their entire tenure chasing Carroll’s ghost. McVay looked like a young genius, and Goff looked like a burgeoning While Helton has brought much needed stability to a reeling group of star. Now they both look lost. Uninspired offensive play-calling and college kids, the only time he’s had his Trojans squad looking like one of dreadful quarterbacking have the Rams at 6-5, including two home Carroll’s was when current quarterback Sam Darnold was games where they were blown off the field by Baltimore and division rival running the offense. Fans and analysts alike hiss that Helton’s lone Rose San Francisco. It would be easier to accept if the dropoff from last Bowl victory — forever the mark of a successful Trojan football season — season was explicable. The club’s defense hadn’t allowed more than 12 belongs to Darnold alone. Somebody even flew a plane with a “FIRE points in its last five games before the Ravens debacle. And what’s really CLAY HELTON” banner over the Coliseum before a home game last scary is the Rams have gone all in to win now, most recently trading their year. Ouch. 2020 and 2021 first-round picks to acquire star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Still, USC heads into this next decade in a much better place than it was 10 years ago. Scholarships have been restored to the full complement, Are the Rams better off heading into 2020 than they were entering 2010? and the team is free to play in bowl games if they’re good enough. New Yes. Four years ago, they were one of the worst teams in the league. school president Carol Folt announced the hiring of Mike Bohn as the Last February, they played in the Super Bowl. It will be easier to turn the new athletic director in early November, and he’s expected to name a page on this disappointing season as they move into their new space new head coach for the football team, sooner or later. Alas, Trojan fans station stadium next year. Here’s hoping. who want scandal-ridden Urban Meyer to replace Helton seem to have learned nothing from the past decade. If Bohn gives in to the mob, all of Grade: B+ the pain USC football has endured during the 2010s will have been for Chargers (2017-present) nothing.

25-18 record (.581 winning percentage). One playoff appearance. One Grade: D owner. One general manager. One head coach. Lakers Woah, Los Angeles got two NFL teams! It’s tough to write about the 355-437 record (.448 winning percentage). Three division titles. Four Chargers because their audience remains unclear. Have fans playoff appearances. One NBA championship. One owner. Seven head stuck with the club as the owners flicked mud in their eye and moved the coaches. Three general managers. team to the city they’re most competitive with? Have some Angelenos without pro football allegiances picked the Chargers over the (better) The last 10 years for the Lakers have not been great. After starting off on Rams to support due to their awesome powder blue uniforms? Does the the strongest possible foot by winning their second straight title in 2010, franchise merely exist at this point to give visiting fans a chance to see everything fell apart. Owner Dr. Jerry Buss died in 2013, and the club fell their favorite teams up close at the tiny Dignity Health Sports Park? Who into a stretch of six consecutive seasons without making the playoffs, rife can say! with “Succession” style intrigue from Buss family heirs and Magic Johnson’s wayward attempt to salvage things. To put that postseason Their on-field product since moving to L.A. has been decent enough, drought into perspective, the Lakers, in their previous 65 seasons, failed even though their stadium is overrun by visiting fans every home game. to make the playoffs just five times. They won an embarrassing 17 The Chargers won on the road during the playoffs last season, and that’s games and lost 65 during the 2015-2016 season, the worst in franchise history. And to make matters worse, they failed to turn that performance college in the country, based on the sheer number of high school seniors into a franchise-altering lottery pick. who apply to get in. Its cozy Westside location minutes from Hollywood and its rich basketball history offer a sales pitch to top recruits that Kobe Bryant retired after that season, and given the option to come play doesn’t need much tweaking. When trying to revamp a college football for the Lakers, top free agents kept choosing to go elsewhere, an program, you need at least a few dozen elite players to make it to a title unthinkable scenario for an organization that seemed to be one of the game against Alabama, Clemson or Ohio State. If the NBA has shown us most glamorous sports teams in the world five years earlier. Then, anything, 2.5 hoop superstars is enough to put you over the top. LeBron James showed up. And now, James and the club’s other recently acquired superstar, Anthony Davis, have the Lakers off to a sizzling 17-2 Grade: C+ record, which is tied for the best start in franchise history. Kings If the Lakers begin the next decade with another title, will it wash away the mediocrity fans had to endure from 2013 to April 2019? Oh, hell yes. 395-288-88 record (.569 points percentage). Seven playoff appearances. James and Davis have the Lakers playing their most exciting basketball Two Stanley Cup championships. One owner. Two general managers. since Kobe and Shaq throttled opposing defenses, though James’ court Five head coaches. vision and size is more reminiscent of Magic than Kobe. The Lakers The L.A. Kings were the region’s best sports team over the past decade leave the 2010s as strong as the championship team they entered it with. not just because they won the Stanley Cup twice but because they also Grade: C+ did it when very few people expected them to. The Kings hoisted their first Cup as the eighth seed in the 2011-2012 season by bulldozing their Clippers way through the playoffs with a 16-4 record as an underdog the entire way. Their scorching hot goalie Jonathan Quick, was so dominant he 464-328 record (.586 winning percentage). Two division titles. Seven was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and remains the playoff appearances. Three Western Conference semifinals. Two last goalie to win the award. Then In the 2014 playoffs, the Kings won owners. Seven general managers. Four head coaches. three straight heart-stopping, seven-game series before handling the It’s difficult to think of another pro sports team that has enjoyed a more New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup final in five. dramatic blowup over the past decade than the Clippers. Led by Chris It hasn’t all been unicorns and rainbows, however. After failing to make Paul and Blake Griffin, the Lob City Clips kicked off a run that saw them the postseason in three of the last five seasons, the Kings took such make the playoffs seven times in 10 years — by far the best decade of drastic measures as burning through four head coaches in 24 months basketball in franchise history. And just as important, the Clippers finally and covering up a banner in Staples Center they feared eclipsed the Lakers as the best pro basketball team in town. harbored a curse. Their moves to stop the bleeding haven’t worked so far Their ascent was aided by the fall of their owner Donald Sterling, a (they’re off to the worst start in the Western Conference this season), but notorious cheapskate and agent of chaos, who, after being caught on the Kings’ recent success has earned them the right to suck for a while. tape asking his mistress not to bring black people to Clippers games, They enter 2020 with two titles hanging from the rafters, and an in-game was booted from the NBA. The ensuing forced sale of the franchise to experience so fun it makes non-sports fans enjoy going to hockey tech billionaire Steve Ballmer has turned out to be a boon. Far from being games. And what’s better than that? a passive money guy tucked away in a luxury suite if he shows up at all, Grade: A Ballmer has been a court-side fixture at Staples Center and is the odds- on favorite to become the first American pro sports owner to cheer Ducks himself to death. 421-259-93 record (.605 points percentage). Five division titles. Seven Not satisfied to sit on their hands and cede the ground they made up on playoff appearances. Two conference finals. One owner. One general their cross-arena rival after the Lakers signed LeBron, the Clippers manager. Three head coaches. countered this past offseason by landing superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, all but ensuring that Los Angeles will be the epicenter of This decade wasn’t as good as the last decade for the Ducks, who won basketball for the foreseeable future. While the Lakers might be as good the state of California’s first Stanley Cup in 2007. And it must have been as they’ve been in a decade, the Clippers could be fielding the best team annoying to watch their rivals 30 miles up the 5 hoist two championship in their existence. They will need to advance to at least the conference banners while they fell in the playoffs, year after year. finals to make their next decade of ball better than the last. But with With one owner, one general manager and only three head coaches, the Leonard and George leading the way — and Sterling long gone — they Ducks have been the most stable franchise in the Southland, even if it are unquestionably better off than they were 10 years ago. hasn’t netted a title over the last 10 years. But if these are the glory days Grade: B of basketball in L.A., we might have reached the nadir of professional hockey in the region. Both local teams failed to make the playoffs last UCLA men’s basketball season, and unless there’s a stunning turnaround, they’ll miss the postseason again. 214-122 record (.637 winning percentage). Two conference titles (one regular season, one Pac-12 tournament). Six NCAA tournament berths. Grade: B Three Sweet 16 appearances. One athletic director. Four head coaches. Angels The good news for this region’s most storied basketball team? They didn’t have to vacate any titles like USC football. The bad news? They 822-798 record (.507 winning percentage). One division title. One playoff didn’t win any titles to vacate. It’s been 25 years since the Bruins last appearance. One owner. Two managers. Four general managers. won an NCAA championship and 11 years since they reached a Final Not a great decade for the Angels. Despite employing one of the best Four. When UCLA opened this decade, the squad’s prospects seemed baseball players who ever lived in center field, the Halos made the bright. Head coach Ben Howland was two years removed from leading playoffs just once in the 2010s and got swept. Last year, I asked GM Billy the Bruins to three straight Final Fours with the help of future NBA Eppler if he felt more pressure to win out of a sacred duty to ensure Mike superstars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love. Howland was abruptly Trout plays October baseball. He laughed and told me that Trout doesn’t fired after the 2012-13 season, and the Bruins have floundered ever give him any more incentive because he knows general managers must since. His replacement, Steve Alford, boasted one of the top national get to the playoffs to keep their jobs. recruiting classes in 2016, 2017 and 2018 but failed to win a Pac-12 title. He was let go in the middle of last season, much to the delight of fans The Angels seem keen on making this next decade better than the last, who signed dismissal petitions and waved “FIRE ALFORD” banners. and, well, it won’t be that hard. Last month, they hired Joe Maddon and gave him a three-year, $12 million contract, making him the second- This past decade was the Bruins’ worst since John Wooden began his highest paid manager in the game after Cleveland Indians skipper Terry run of magic in 1961. Bruin basketball faithful are afflicted by the same Francona. The Angels are also rumored to be one of the top suitors for torture of expectations that plague Trojan football fans. While three Gerrit Cole, the best starting pitcher on the free-agent market. Trout Sweet 16 appearances in 10 years would be cartwheel material for a continues to get better every year, and Southern California sports fans huge chunk of basketball programs, it’s not close to good enough for a should make whatever effort they can to see a living legend in action as school that once won 10 national titles in 12 years. There’s reason to be often as humanly possible. optimistic heading into 2020, though. UCLA remains the most popular This next decade will start off on a somber note for the Angels, though. The death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs still looms large over the club, and an investigation into his passing seems to implicate at least one team employee in his drug use. The Angels figure to be involved in the criminal investigation in Texas — where Skaggs died — and the player’s family is said to be weighing a civil suit against the organization.

Nothing will make up for the tragic loss of Skaggs, but after what Angel fans have been through lately, an on-field product worth cheering for is overdue. Whether the Angels enter 2020 in a stronger position to succeed than they did in 2010 will depend on the players they add over the next few months.

Grade: C

Dodgers

919-701 record (.567 winning percentage). Seven division titles. Two NL pennants. Two World Series appearances. Two owners. Three managers. Two general managers.

The Dodgers are coming off their best decade in franchise history, full stop. Since the club’s inception in 1884, it had never been to the playoffs three seasons in a row until it accomplished that fete in 2015. Then it kept on winning, finishing the decade with seven straight NL West titles. So why does being a fan hurt so much right now? Well, for starters, for as good as they’ve been, a World Series championship has remained just beyond their fingertips. Two back-to-back World Series appearances yielded two American League teams hoisting trophies on the infield grass at , an agonizing experience for fans who bleed blue. To make matters worse, a recent bombshell report in The Athletic revealed that the Houston Astros team that beat the Dodgers in seven games in the 2017 World Series used cameras to steal and relay signs to batters in real time.

It’s been a Dodgers decade hallmarked by heartbreak, for sure. But Dodger fans would do well to remember where the team was back in 2010 when the club was owned by a man who used the Dodgers as his own personal ATM and took his spending so far he was forced to file for bankruptcy because he couldn’t pay his players. Had Frank and Jamie McCourt’s marital problems not gone nuclear, he would probably still be owner of the Dodgers, and their last decade might have more closely resembled the cash-strapped Mets’. Instead, the club was rescued from bankruptcy by Mark Walter and his friends, who, instead of tanking their way back to health, went out and broke American sports payroll records to bring back a viable product onto the field immediately.

The Dodgers have abandoned their smash-the-bank philosophy, but their development of young star players — and a wobbly NL West — has them well-positioned to walk into the playoffs each year for the foreseeable future. Ten years ago, simply making the playoffs was worth celebrating. Now it’s become as expected as opening day. The 2010s will be remembered as the decade the Dodgers restored themselves to perennial excellence. Perhaps the will be remembered as the era the club finally hoisted the World Series trophy.

Grade: A-

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164150 Los Angeles Kings energy, and I thought everybody found a way to leave a mark on the game in the third.

McLellan, on Joakim Ryan’s first goal as a King: NOVEMBER 30 RAPID REACTION: KINGS 2, JETS 1 Happy for him. He’s had some good looks. He’s got a really good shot. Found the net on that one. The guys were really happy for him, too, because he’s given us some real honest minutes. A little tough start to JON ROSEN the year. Perhaps we didn’t know him as well as we needed to know him, and that cost him a little bit. But he’s gone in and he’s played really well NOVEMBER 30, 2019 for us, and that pair’s been pretty solid as of late.

Jack Campbell, on the team’s first period: Postgame Quotes It’s huge. We talk about good starts in here and how important it is, and Todd McLellan, on the win setting a franchise record for home wins in when the boys battle like that and start like that, you just want to do your November: job because it’s fun to watch ‘em. They really had everything going. They’re a good team, so they were resilient. They pushed back, but we Well, the record, obviously I wasn’t aware of. I haven’t been here very knew they would, and our guys responded great and we were able to get long. We have played well at home this month. We’ve played a lot of a big two points. games at home this month. We needed to take advantage of it, and I think we did. As far as the game tonight, tremendous start. One of our Campbell, on what helped him during Winnipeg’s second period push: better starts that we’ve had all season. This game kind of matched what I mean, we talk about being a better team in front of the net all the time, we did in Winnipeg a month and a half ago, and then after that, they go and whether it was a rebound or a loose puck, the battle tonight was down to three lines and pushed and really dominated in the circle. I incredible. They could’ve had easily a couple more goals just because thought they owned the puck there a lot and had it. It caused us to play we were able to lift their sticks or get to loose pucks first. I owe the boys on our heels a little bit. Went to the penalty box three times, so a lot of a dinner, for sure. the things we needed to avoid we didn’t, and we weren’t as aggressive as we were in the first. But with that being said, we found our way to Campbell, on his save on Mark Scheifele: check our way through the second and third. It wasn’t pretty, but check our way to a win and we’ll take it. Whoo. It was fun. It was just kind of like the game. It was just a big battle, and it was a lot of fun. I thought our guys did a great job that final minute. McLellan, on improving play away from Staples Center: They’re a good possession team. If they start moving it around, they can make plays, and we did everything we could. It just bounced over Well, we don’t need to change our game, and I think that’s the biggest Dewey’s stick. It was a really good effort by him, and it was kind of thing we need to understand. We’ll have a chat about it here – not unfortunate it bounced to Scheifele, but they battled all night and I just tomorrow, obviously, a day off – but perhaps on Monday we’ll talk about had to kind of make that one save for them. [Reporter: Have you ever the road play and the resilience we need there and the energy we need made a buzzer-beating save like that in your career?] I don’t know. I’m to bring to the rink. The structure is in place. When we play it we have a not sure. It was fun. [Reporter: Did you have enough time to process that chance. We give ourselves an opportunity, but we have to be better there was a second left in the game?] Yeah, I knew, because on the wall, prepared to start games on the road and better prepared to dig in a little I looked up to see when the puck was on the glove-side wall. We were earlier, a little longer and find ways to come out of it. We haven’t been on eating it, and I kind of looked really quickly just in case of a whistle or if I the road very much, so I’m looking forward to it. I think it’ll be a great have to shoot it out or whatever. So I saw there were six seconds, and evaluating tool for management, for the coaching staff and for the then by the time it squirted over to Scheif, I was like, ‘OK, I don’t think he players. Personal evaluation and team evaluation – where do I fit now in has time to make a backdoor play,’ so I tried to just be patient. I know the league? We’re a third done, and it’s time to reflect a little bit. he’s a skilled guy, but it was just fortunate to make the save. [Reporter: McLellan, on the string of penalty killing success: You live for those moments, obviously.] It was the final minute, and I’m just happy we won. That’s the biggest thing. We’ve changed our pairs up a little bit in the last three weeks – different rotation, different pairs. Made a few small adjustments, tried to clarify Campbell, on Winnipeg not getting much going early in the game: some things. Going to the boss less than we did before and getting a few We played really well. Stuck to the game plan, had a great start, and if really good saves from both Soupy and Quickie, and that makes a huge we do that, we’ll all be successful. difference when it comes down to numbers. Campbell, on the team’s play at home over the last month: McLellan, on Adrian Kempe’s penalty killing play, and the importance of playing aggressively: I just think with any changes it’s going to take a little bit of time. We accept that, buy that, but we always expect to win and to be the best. I Absolutely, and his legs and his pace, his reach, anticipation skills all go just think things are clicking a little better right now, and we’ve been into lending his attributes to becoming a good penalty killer. Earlier in the working really hard and I know we can get even better. year when he was struggling overall, you didn’t feel good about putting him there. But now his game has really come around, and we feel really confident playing him in both penalty kill and power play situations, as well as five-on-five. He’s been one of our most improved players over the The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 last three weeks.

McLellan, on Nikolai Prokhorkin scoring a goal:

He’s a talented player. We needed to get Lewie up and running again, we called Luffer up to give him a chance to play again. There’s a bit of a rotation that’s happening there, but he stayed ready, he took advantage of his opportunity, and when some of our other centers were getting drilled early in the circle, he was actually winning a fair number of draws, so that was a real positive as well.

McLellan, on the third period coming down to a prime Mark Scheifele chance:

Well, that play came after the trip, and reviewing it, there’s no way we could’ve protested it by any means, but they obviously missed that call and it was disappointing. They checked well. We knew they were coming. They had nothing to lose. They were going to pinch, they were going to throw everything they had at us, they went down to three lines. We tried to stick with four as much as we could to conserve a little bit of 1164151 Los Angeles Kings

GAME 27: LOS ANGELES VS WINNIPEG

JON ROSEN

NOVEMBER 30, 2019

GAME THREADS

Los Angeles Kings 2, Winnipeg Jets 1

Final

Preview

Box Score

Ice Tracker

Fox Sports Live Stream (requires subscription)

SOG: LAK – 34; WPG – 34

PP: LAK – 0/0; WPG – 0/3

First Period

1) LAK – Joakim Ryan (1) (Dustin Brown), 7:34

2) LAK – Nikolai Prokhorkin (3) (Trevor Lewis, Paul LaDue), 12:12

Second Period

No scoring

Third Period

3) WPG – Jack Roslovic (6) (Tucker Poolman, Nikolaj Ehlers), 4:18

Los Angeles Kings (10-14-2) vs Winnipeg Jets (16-9-1)

Saturday, November 30, 2019, 7:00 p.m. PT

Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

Referees: #10 Kyle Rehman, #18 Tom Chmielewski

Linesmen: #59 Steve Barton, #96 David Brisebois

Fox Sports West, FOX Sports GO, Hockey Night in LA, Hockey Night in Canada, LA Kings Audio Network

LAK starters: G Jack Campbell, D Sean Walker, D , LW Alex Iafallo, C Anze Kopitar, RW Dustin Brown

LAK scratches: F Ilya Kovalchuk, D Kurtis MacDermid, F Matt Luff

WPG starters: G Laurent Brossoit, D Josh Morrissey, D Tucker Poolman, LW Kyle Connor, C Mark Scheifele, RW Patrik Laine

WPG scratches: D Cam Schilling, D Dmitry Kulikov, F Michael Spacek

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164152 Los Angeles Kings It was a particularly difficult game to evaluate and derive lessons from, one in which the game tape will be tossed into the trash bin and lit on fire, as they say. “What did you do bad, what did you do well, who played good, who didn’t? It was all over the map.” NOVEMBER 30: CAMPBELL-BROSSOIT; LADUE, PROKHORKIN IN; MACDERMID, LUFF OUT Paul LaDue, on whether his skill set fits the new schematics and quicker tempo:

Yeah, I like to get up in the play and it definitely fits with that more. I also JON ROSEN feel like we’re a little more sound defensively. We play together more as a unit, and I think that helps everybody, myself included. NOVEMBER 30, 2019 LaDue, on when he felt comfortable after returning from his injury:

I think it took a few games just to get back into it, just at the speed of Notes! things. But a couple weeks into the season down there I was feeling — The vitals: The defensive pairs above are educated guesses, though pretty good, and I feel like I’m right back to normal. It’s all good, a and the forward group should be accurate. Today’s skate was optional, credit to everyone who helped me out along the way. though Kurtis MacDermid, Matt Luff and Ilya Kovalchuk remained on the LaDue, on the : ice for extra work with Jonathan Quick. Todd McLellan confirmed that Trevor Lewis would move to right wing, and Nikolai Prokhorkin and Paul We had a good start, a really good start, and we kind of slowed down a LaDue would enter into the lineup for Matt Luff and Kurtis MacDermid. In little bit. But it’s a long season, and for a lot of the guys it’s the first time three career games against Winnipeg, Jack Campbell is 0-2-1 with a 2.35 going through it so there’ll be some ups-and-downs. But I the end, I feel goals-against average and a .933 save percentage. like we’ve got a really strong team down there.

— Their vitals: Laurent Brossoit, who ranks 51st in save percentage out LaDue, on whether he’s built a relationship with Todd McLellan, and how of the 58 goalies to appear in at least 15 games in the current calendar long it takes to do so: year, will get the start in goal. In 2019-20, he’s 3-2-0 with a 3.90 GAA and an .876 Sv%, and in two career games versus Los Angeles he’s 1-1-0 Yeah, I think so. It’s on us to buy into the system, so I think that’s with a 3.56 GAA and a .857 GAA. Dmitry Kulikov (upper-body) exited completely on us. He’s as far as I see doing a great job, so I’ve just got to Winnipeg’s 3-0 win over Anaheim yesterday – a game started by early- keep working and try to help the team out. season Vezina Trophy candidate Connor Hellyebuck – so Carl Dahlstrom will enter the lineup on the back end, and former Reign defender Cam Schilling was recalled from AHL-Manitoba. Nathan Beaulieu (upper-body) LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.01.2019 was placed on injured reserve, so there remain holes on the Jets’ back end even as they bring a 10-4-0 road record, an 11-3-1 record since their last meeting and a league-worst 5×5 expected goals percentage into tonight’s game. “We like our game,” Paul Maurice told reporters earlier today. “But you know what? We’ll probably never get to be an ‘analytics darling’ this year. For us to win games, we’re going to need our goalie to be really good, and for us to compete really hard. I’ll take that all day long. Because we can’t measure compete, the things we set out to be good at this year – how hard we contest the puck, what our gap is on the puck carrier, how many pucks we’ve forced to be dumped – we’re pretty good in those departments.”

— Todd McLellan said that Kurtis MacDermid’s exit from the lineup wasn’t based on any shortcomings in his game, but rather to get a better feel for the personnel available. “Mac has been just fine,” he said. “He plays physically, he’s in good position, he’s become a good penalty killer, we trust him. We need to figure out where Paul LaDue is at right now, and the lefty-righty thing comes into play somewhat. I think Mac’s reputation of being a tough guy discredits what he has as a skill set, and it might not always look real, real pretty, but it’s efficient, and just because your reputation is part of the old style of hockey, it doesn’t mean you can’t play in today’s game, and he sure can.”

MacDermid had the full support of McLellan and those throughout the organization in the wake of his crushing hit on San Jose forward Antti Suomela Saturday afternoon. The hit, originally deemed to be a major penalty, was reduced to an interference minor after a review initiated on behalf of an offseason rule change in which all major and match penalties can be reduced to a minor but can’t be completely rescinded. MacDermid was a beat late to the hit, but the head was not the principal point of contact, and the defender only left his feet as the impact of the collision springboarded him upward. In other words, it was a largely legal, massive hit (again, a touch late), one in which McLellan disagreed with the mandatory sentence “which in my opinion, makes no sense because an innocent person’s going to jail.” MacDermid has made several step-up hits this season, and though he’s ran afoul of AHL and NHL disciplinarians in the past, is seen as an honest player, not a dirty one, by his coaches and teammates.

— The San Jose game was a strange one as shared both on the broadcast and during media availability earlier today. “Like, even after watching everything all over again, we had given up six shots on goal, we were down 3-0 and had momentum. I wasn’t sure if we had chances,” McLellan said. “We hit a few posts just like they did, so those are almost a wash. Never felt in control of the game. Usually when that happens you’re a disaster. It was just one of the most bizarre games I think that I’ve been involved in – like, it was just strange.” 1164153 Los Angeles Kings

WAKING UP WITH THE KINGS: NOVEMBER 30

JON ROSEN

NOVEMBER 30, 2019

GAME STORY

Not enough skaters had their legs, and Jonathan Quick had an off-day at the end of a very good month, and those two variables will generally conspire to keep the LA Kings from winning any game in San Jose. The final score was 4-1, and while Los Angeles just didn’t create much at all, this was still a game that with more opportune finishing had some chance to, well, at least be more interesting than it ultimately was. The Kings trailed by two after a low-event first period and began the second with a concerted push that yielded several high-quality looks, but the treasure map back into the game flew out of their hands and into a tempest of San Jose momentum after Noah Gregor shot against his body on a one-on- one rush to score his first career goal and widen the lead to three. But hypothetically, say they’d scored early in the second. They were still fighting from behind and had trailed by two after one even though they’d set out to dictate the play early and transfer what they’d demonstrated at home to the road. It happens. The Kings haven’t won a grand sum of games, but these types of games in second gear have been fewer and farther between than their typically committed and driven performances.

Brandon Magnus/NHLI

Momentum doesn’t really transfer from game-to-game and the minutes were capped and managed, so Saturday’s game shouldn’t have much of an effect on what Los Angeles will look to do against a Winnipeg team streaking into Staples Center 9-2-1 in their last 12 and 10-4-0 on the road. Lines were essentially rolled in third period shorthanded play; Anze Kopitar (1:22), Tyler Toffoli (0:45) and Jeff Carter (0:04) didn’t see as much time as Blake Lizotte (2:24) or Austin Wagner (1:29) among the forwards. Dustin Brown wasn’t used at all. This seems to align with the team taking stock of what they have and, as McLellan hinted at earlier this month, planting seeds across the land of opportunity. “The back end, the forwards, it’s going to be in and out, moving around all season,” he said on November 14. “Guys are going to experience different roles, different minute levels, just so we get to know, and they get to experience.” It was also a 4-0 game during a pair of San Jose power plays on the first night of a back-to-back, and while there’s always a chance to win, if there was a time you were going to not send Kopitar out to block shots on a PK, that would be it. More importantly, the Kings have killed off all six power plays in the two games since Alec Martinez (1:58 PKTOI/GP) was felled by injury, and they should have plenty of juice left with minutes spread more evenly and having arrived home before dinnertime.

Brandon Magnus/NHLI

Friday’s game opened a stretch through February 18 in which Los Angeles plays 24 of 35 games on the road. As they look to improve their 2-9-1 road record, they’ll need to bank on their depth and their checking. There’s still plenty of room for improvement within their personnel. Matt Roy has been among those to show improvement in his play this month, something he’ll have to carry over onto the road with the rest of the team. Blake Lizotte has seen a nice crescendo in his own play, posting a +2.8 CF%Rel since November 1, a span in which he’s been on the ice for just one goal against (and only two for) over 146 minutes of five-on-five play. Should his game continue to stabilize on the road, and should Jeff Carter continue to show the same jump, quickness and fight as of late, the Kings should be able to bank on improved center depth to sharpen up their all-situational play away from home.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.01.2019

1164154 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Dallas gameday preview

NOVEMBER 30, 2019 — 5:42PM

Foligno expected to be ready for Stars

Preview: The Wild wraps up a brief two-game homestand against a Central Division rival in the Stars. So far, the Wild is 1-6-1 vs. the division. LW Marcus Foligno, who’s missed the past 10 games with a lower-body injury, is poised to return. After winning seven in a row, the Stars have dropped two straight games.

Players to WATCH: Wild C Mikko Koivu will play in his 1,000th regular- season game. D Jared Spurgeon is coming off a three-point game in which he was a plus-5, which tied the franchise record. Stars LW Roope Hintz has five goals in his last seven games.

Numbers: The Wild’s 13 points since Nov.14 are the second-most in the NHL. It has scored at least three goals in each home game this season. Dallas is coming off a 10-2-1 November. This will be C Tyler Seguin’s 700th career game.

Injuries: Stars D Stephen Johns (post-traumatic headaches) and F Justin Dowling (upper body) are out. Wild G Devan Dubnyk (personal) and D Greg Pateryn (core muscle surgery) are also out.

SARAH MCLELLAN

Star Tribune LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164155 Minnesota Wild While his journey has been made memorable by the people Koivu has shared it with, the one he credits for teaching him how to compete in the NHL on a night-in, night-out basis is former Wild bench boss Jacques Lemaire. And that persistence continues to manifest itself in Koivu’s Wild captain Mikko Koivu to play 1,000th NHL game Sunday defensive awareness, a responsibility that’s become the center’s calling card.

“Below the hash marks to the net defensively, there are not many players By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune that I’ve ever seen that are as good as Mikko Koivu with his stickwork, DECEMBER 1, 2019 — 1:49AM his determination and his hockey sense,” Walz said.

In the final leg of a two-year, $11 million contract, Koivu has thought about what his future might look like beyond this season while also So much of hockey is dissected then categorized, with running tallies recognizing much is out of his control. He and the Wild haven’t talked kept for nearly every atom of the action — from shots, goals and points to about his status, Koivu said. blocks, faceoff wins and hits. “I’m trying to enjoy it now,” he said, “play the game and having fun with Wild captain Mikko Koivu has already been singled out for his proficiency it.” in many of those areas, sitting atop a host of the leaderboards in the team’s archives. That’s what this game still is to Koivu, a source of enjoyment even amid the ups and downs. Experiencing it all with the Wild makes the process, But the recognition Koivu is set to receive Sunday afternoon against the and the honor that’s looming, that much more significant. Stars at Xcel Energy Center might be the most fitting one that’s been bestowed on him to date. “I always took and I take pride [in the team], the way we play, the way we do things around here,” Koivu said. “So, it means a lot.” The reliability and resilience required to achieve a longevity milestone like 1,000 regular-season NHL games are attributes that have come to define Koivu’s career with the Wild. Star Tribune LOADED: 12.01.2019 “During the season, you’re so into it,” Koivu said. “You just worry about the next one. That’s the job that we gotta do. I think that’s the challenge in this league. That’s why it’s so hard. That’s why it’s so hard to stay in it.”

Koivu will become the 55th player in NHL history to play his first 1,000 games with the same team, the 342nd player overall to reach the plateau and just the seventh to accomplish the feat in a Wild sweater.

A game at a time, Wild captain Mikko Koivu has forged a career that, as of Sunday, will be at 1,000 games and counting, all with Minnesota.

His wife, Helena, and their three children, Sofie, Kasper and Oskar, will be in attendance Sunday, along with Koiuv’s parents and brother Saku after flying in from Finland.

Before retiring, Saku — a former captain of the Montreal Canadiens — logged 1,124 regular-season games. He and Mikko will become the sixth set of brothers in NHL history to each skate in 1,000 games, per NHL Stats.

These are elite distinctions, but playing that many times wasn’t what Koivu aimed for when he started.

It wasn’t until 2018-19, when the number was attainable, that Koivu began to realize what was lingering ahead — a pursuit that, ultimately, was put on hold at No. 973 after Koivu suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee.

His bid, however, didn’t snag this season, with Koivu appearing in every game (chipping in two goals and nine assists) thus far after working his way back to full strength — again demonstrating the consistency that’s been a hallmark of his play.

“You have to work,” said Wild color analyst Wes Walz, who played with Koivu from 2005-08. “You have to watch your diet. You have to be disciplined so your body can heal, and he was willing and was always willing to make those type of sacrifices to be the type of player that he was and is.”

A native of Turku, Finland drafted sixth overall by the Wild in 2001 who debuted Nov. 5, 2005, Koivu has become synonymous with the Wild and vice versa.

At 36 years old, he’s the franchise leader in multiple rankings, including games played, assists (496), points (699), plus-minus (plus-70), shots (2,241) and faceoff wins (10,159). Koivu’s also the fourth-longest-tenured captain in the league; he was named to the position on Oct. 20, 2009.

“I played with Mikko and I played against him, and he makes you fight for every inch,” said former Wild player, assistant coach and executive Andrew Brunette. “… That’s kind of been the identity of the Wild, that they’re kind of relentless. They’re going to not give you much. You’re going to have to earn it, and it’s going to be hard and you better be willing to pay a price. And that’s Mikko.” 1164156 Minnesota Wild That leadership style is something Koivu has been refining since he was a kid. Influences include older brother and NHL star Saku Koivu, as well as Finnish NHL players such as Teemu Selanne, Kimmo Timonen, and Teppo Numminen. Wild captain Mikko Koivu mentally prepares himself for No. 1,000 “All those guys,” Koivu said. “They really created that culture for what we have today in Finland.”

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press He also mentioned some of his former Wild teammates, including Marian Gaborik, Brian Rolston, and Wes Walz. His biggest influence? Longtime November 30, 2019 at 5:58 PM coach Jacques Lemaire.

“Without him, I don’t think I would be sitting here right now with this team It feels like a lifetime ago now, Wild captain Mikko Koivu vividly or with the career that I had here,” Koivu said. “He really taught me what remember his first game at Xcel Energy Center. it takes to play in this league. As a young kid, I thought, ‘Well, I’ve got this. I’m where I want to be.’ Not even close. It was a one-off as a member of the now-defunct the Houston Aeros, and while the NHL was mired in the 2004-05 lockout, thousands of Wild fans “He made me realize that. He was very hard, every single day. I started showed up to watch the Wild’s minor league affiliate play. to realize when I got a little bit older that he did it because he cared. I owe him a lot.” “I remember being at the St. Paul Hotel in the business center,” Koivu said. “I remember going down there and calling home and I said, ‘This Needless to say, the Wild owe Koivu a lot, too, so much so that there will really feels like home.’ That was my first game here. I didn’t play very come a time when his No. 9 is raised into the rafters at the Xcel Energy well that game, but I could feel that right away.” Center never to be worn again.

A lot has changed for the Wild since then, but Koivu remains a constant. For now, though, Koivu is still giving everything he has to the only He’s gone from a bashful 18-year-old out fresh out of Finland to a franchise he’s ever known. grizzled 36-year-old veteran, but he’s still here — and has adopted the “I’ve always been so prideful for this team and this organization. and I Twin Cities as his home. always will be,” he said. ” It means a lot to me.” On Sunday, he’s set to play the 1,000th game of his NHL career, all of them in a Wild sweater. Pioneer Press LOADED: 12.01.2019 “You try not to think about it too much,” Koivu said. “You’ll probably think about it and appreciate it more after it’s over.”

After a little convincing, however, Koivu allowed himself to go there for about 10 minutes this week, reminiscing about the winding road that has led him to this point.

His first memory of the franchise came before the 2001 NHL Draft when former scout Matti Vaisanen ran into him at the elevator and essentially promised that Koivu wouldn’t make it past the Wild at No. 6 overall.

“I’m like, ‘OK,’ ” Koivu said with a smile. “I kind of didn’t pay attention to it.”

Sure enough, the Wild used their first-round pick on Koivu the following day, beginning a symbiotic relationship that has spanned a couple of decades.

“You think Minnesota Wild and the first thing that comes to everybody’s mind, in the hockey world, is Mikko,” goaltender Alex Stalock said. “He’s been here. He’s had the ‘C’ on for years now. You think of No. 9. That’s what everybody thinks of.”

Other moments that stand out for Koivu, such as his NHL debut on Nov. 5, 2005, against the San Jose Sharks. Or when former teammate Nino Niederreiter went bar down in overtime of Game 7 to win a first-round playoff series at Colorado in 2014.

If anyone were to write a book about the history of the franchise, Koivu would be the perfect author. He has lived through the ups and the downs and everything in between, maintaining an unrivaled sense of competitiveness along the way.

“I think every night someone turns the game on, they know exactly what they’re going to get from Mikko,” Stalock said. “It’s going to be an all-out effort. He’s going to leave everything on the ice, and he’s going to compete every single play.”

As competitive as Koivu is, his demeanor can sometimes be mistaken for indifference; he doesn’t exactly wear his heart on his sleeve, win or lose, leading some to wonder how much he cares. His teammates, and anyone else who actually knows him don’t.

“He might seem like a quiet guy (but) in the locker room he speaks his mind,” defenseman Jared Spurgeon said. “And when he does that, everyone listens.”

“Just to see him working every day, and how hard he’s working, pushes everybody on this team to get better,” center Joel Eriksson Ek added. “I think he’s a great leader and a really good person.” 1164157 Montreal Canadiens

Ivan Provorov scores in OT, Flyers beat Canadiens for fourth straight win

KELSEY PATTERSON

MONTREAL

THE CANADIAN PRESS

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 30, 2019

UPDATED NOVEMBER 30, 2019

Ivan Provorov scored in overtime as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 Saturday afternoon for their fourth straight victory.

Oskar Lindblom, and Travis Konecny scored in regulation for the Flyers (15-7-5), in the second game of a back-to-back. Brian Elliott made 39 saves.

Joel Armia and Tomas Tatar, with two, scored for the Canadiens (11-9- 6), who have lost seven games in a row. Backup Keith Kinkaid stopped 25-of-29 shots.

Carey Price, who conceded 16 goals in his past three games, got the afternoon off. Price will start Sunday night against at the Boston Bruins.

Provorov scored the winner 31 seconds into overtime after a nifty move to get around Max Domi.

The Flyers have at least a post in six straight contests (5-0-1) while Montreal has lost seven games in a row for the first time in two years.

The Canadiens wasted no time with a goal 19 seconds into the game. Armia stormed down the wing and fired blocker side on Elliott, who whiffed on the shot, for Montreal’s first lead in a week.

Elliott settled down after that, making the next eight saves in the first period.

The teams upped the scoring pace in the second, trading three goals in a 1:12 span.

Lindblom tied it for the Flyers with his team-leading 11th of the season at 7:47 by deflecting Justin Braun’s shot from along the half wall.

Tatar bailed his goaltender out 27 seconds later with his first goal in seven games. The first-line winger blocked Shea Weber’s slap shot with his back before beating an out-of-position Elliott.

Jeff Petry gave the puck away needlessly in his own zone, which led to the 2-2 equalizer from Hayes at 8:59 on a top-corner shot from the slot.

Konecny completed a nice passing play between Claude Giroux and Michael Raffl to give Philly the 3-2 lead just 1:34 into the third period.

The Canadiens answered back less than two minutes later through Tatar’s second of the contest, 11 seconds into Provorov’s tripping penalty.

The Canadiens gave up 20 goals in their previous three games, forcing Claude Julien to tinker with his defensive pairings.

Montreal recalled defenceman Gustav Olofsson from the AHL’s Laval Rocket. The six-foot-three Swede, who was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2013, made his Canadiens debut playing alongside rookie Cale Fleury.

Mike Reilly and Brett Kulak were healthy scratches.

Notes: Victor Mete (lower-body injury) left the game and did not return. … Phillip Danault recorded his 100th assist in a Canadiens uniform. … Former Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien is currently an assistant coach with the Flyers.

Globe And Mail LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164158 Montreal Canadiens

In the Habs' Room: We were better, but lack confidence, Julien says

PAT HICKEY, MONTREAL GAZETTE

Updated: November 30, 2019

The Canadiens played better, but that wasn’t good enough to end the team’s losing streak, which extended to seven games with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday at the Bell Centre.

“I thought we played a great game,” said Tomas Tatar, who scored two goals. “We had our gaps, we were battling and we had a lot of chances, but we still lost. We just have to dig ourselves out. I think it’s about getting one win. Once you get that win you can move forward and play with more confidence.”

Coach Claude Julien noted confidence was one thing that might have been missing on a day when the Canadiens outshot the Flyers 42-29.

“We were better defensively,” Julien said. “I think the guys’ communication and, obviously, you didn’t see too many odd-number rushes and all that stuff. So I think we did a better job of that and because of that we were able to stay in the game and gave ourselves a chance to win. So that was better. I think we need to continue to build on that.

“Even though we were much better, you still see a little lack of confidence right now,” Julien added. “That’s normal. You hope that’s going to turn around. But, you know, offensively we worked hard, but there wasn’t that big confidence as a group that we’ve seen in the past, so we got to work on hopefully on that coming back.”

Of course, the Canadiens might have been a little frustrated because Philadelphia goaltender Brian Elliott turned in an outstanding performance. He kept the Flyers in the game when he made four saves during a Montreal power play at the end of the second period.

Jordan Weal had two Grade A scoring chances, while Joel Armia, who opened the scoring for the Canadiens, had one.

“I hate to use (their goaltending) as an excuse, but he played well, especially during that power play at the end of the second,” said Nick Cousins, who was active at both ends of the ice with four shots on goal, three hits and a blocked shot.

“If we score, there it would have been 3-2 going into the third. We did capitalize on a power play in the third.

“There’s still room for improvement, but it could have gone either way,” Cousins added. “I think it was a step in the right direction. I think our forwards did a good job of stopping the rush up the middle and stepping up and not letting them get moving. We got a point and now we have to get ready for a big game tomorrow.”

That big game is a Sunday night tilt at TD Garden, where the Bruins haven’t lost in regulation this season. They are 10-0-4 at home and are riding a six-game win streak, which includes an 8-1 rout of the Canadiens last Tuesday at the Bell Centre.

The Canadiens will start Carey Price in goal after resting him Saturday. They went with Keith Kinkaid against Philadelphia. He wasn’t terrible but, at the same time, he didn’t make any game-saving stops and he gave up four goals for the fifth time in as many starts.

Montreal’s task will be more difficult because Victor Metre wasn’t on the Canadiens flight to Boston on Saturday. He suffered a lower-body injury in the second period against the Flyers.

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Canadiens extend losing streak to 7 games with OT loss to Flyers

PAT HICKEY, MONTREAL GAZETTE

Updated: November 30, 2019

The Canadiens’ losing streak reached seven games Saturday as Ivan Provorov scored 31 seconds into overtime to give the Philadelphia Flyers a 4-3 win at the Bell Centre.

The Canadiens are 0-4-3 in the streak and face a formidable task Sunday as they play the Atlantic Division-leading Boston Bruins.

The Canadiens fired a fusillade of shots — 42 to be exact — but Philadelphia goaltender Brian Elliott made key saves to give the Flyers a chance.

Odd-man rushes have been Montreal’s Achilles heel during their current losing streak and the Flyers took their first lead when Claude Giroux set up Travis Konecny to cash in on a 3-on-2 break early in the third period.

It took less than two minutes for Tomas Tatar to tie the score at 3-3 on a power play with a set-up from Nick Suzuki. It was Tatar’s second goal of the game and ninth of the season.

Montreal went into the third period without defenceman Victor Mete. He suffered a lower-body injury in the second period and did not return. Claude Julien tried to keep his top pair of Shea Weber and Ben Chiarot together and he alternated rookie Cale Fleury and Gustav Olofsson with Jeff Petry. Olofsson was making is Canadiens debut after being called up from the Laval Rocket on Friday night

The Canadiens had the good start they wanted when Joel Armia scored after only 29 seconds.

After losing the opening faceoff, the Canadiens caught the Flyers in transition and took a 1-0 lead when Armia beat Brian Elliott off the rush with a shot to the far post. The goal was Armia’s ninth of the season.

Neither team able to mount much offence until the middle of the second period when the teams combined to score three goals in a span of 1:14.

Oskar Lindblom tied the score for the Flyers, his 11th. Keith Kinkaid couldn’t get a good look at the puck from a shot from the point because he was being screened by Lindblom.

Team scoring leader Tatar needed only 27 seconds to restore the Canadiens’ lead. Tatar was in front of the net when Weber unleashed a shot from the point. Elliott got his glove on the shot, but dropped it like a hot potato and Tatar pushed it across the goal line.

Elliott came up big in the final minute of the period when the Canadiens went on the power play. He made two saves on Jordan Weal and one on Armia.

The Canadiens received a scare early in the first period when Flyers defenceman Philippe Myers spun Phil Danault around as he drove to the net. Danault collided with a post and had to be assisted off the ice. He was limping as he went directly to the dressing room, but returned without missing a shift.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164160 Montreal Canadiens We were buzzing … (Brian) Elliott made some huge saves (for the Flyers). I think we probably should have just won in regulation.”

Improvements on defense, but still lots of work to be done. Canadiens Game Day: Habs get loser point, but now winless in last The Canadiens’ seven-game winless streak is their longest this season seven and is two games longer than their longest slump last season, when they went 0-3-2 from Nov. 19-27.

STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE The last time the Canadiens had a seven-game winless streak was two seasons ago when they went 0-6-1 from Oct. 7-20. The Canadiens went Updated: November 30, 2019 on to finish 28th in the overall NHL standings that season.

Tough loss, but a step in the right direction.

“Not satisfied, but much better.” Armia is a soft-spoken man and never says much in interviews, but seems like a super-nice guy … maybe too nice. That was coach Claude Julien’s assessment after the Canadiens lost 4-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime Saturday afternoon at the Bell After watching him fire a team-leading nine shots along with four hits Centre, extending their winless streak to seven games (0-4-3). against the Flyers, dominating the game at times, you have to wonder why the 6-foot-4, 213-pound right-winger can’t do that more often. He The Canadiens did indeed play much better after going 0-3-0 in their has the complete package of skating ability, size, strength, hands and previous three games — all on home ice — while giving up 20 goals. shot and was an absolute beast against the Flyers. Backup goalie Keith Kinkaid got the start for the Canadiens and played There are good reasons why the Buffalo Sabres selected Armia in the OK, stopping 25 of the 29 shots he faced, but he couldn’t stop Ivan first round (16th overall) at the 2011 NHL Draft. It’s hard to figure out why Provorov, who scored on a beautiful individual effort only 31 seconds into he can’t dominate games more often. overtime to give the Flyers the victory. “When he decides to dominate a game, he’s certainly capable of doing The Flyers are now 5-0-1 in their last six games and improved to 15-7-5, it,” Julien said after the game. “He almost won it for us there in the last while the Canadiens fell to 11-9-6, including a 6-6-3 record at the Bell few seconds. He’s so strong on the puck and he’s got good hands and Centre. Tomas Tatar scored twice for the Canadiens, while Joel Armia he’s got a great shot. So we need him right now to be that player on a scored once as the Canadiens outshot the Flyers 42-29. nightly basis. So hopefully he builds off of that.” Attendance was 21,213, marking the eighth time in 15 home games this Canadiens defenceman Victor Mete left the ice five minutes into the season that the Canadiens have failed to sell out the Bell Centre, which second period with a lower-body injury and didn’t return. has a capacity of 21,302. After the game, Julien said Mete wouldn’t make the trip to Boston and will “I think this was our best game by far (recently),” said Tatar, who now be re-evaluated by the team’s medical staff on Sunday. Julien added that has nine goals this season. “I think overall we’re really happy with the he didn’t expect the team to call anyone else up from the AHL’s Laval game. It’s just real disappointing not getting the two points. I really Rocket for the game against the Bruins. thought we deserved it. We played well, we played structured and we played the game the way we wanted. It just didn’t go our way. It’s just a Defencemen Mike Reilly and Brett Kulak were the healthy scratches little frustrating. But we have to take positive things out of this game and against the Flyers after the Canadiens called up defenceman Gustav bring it tomorrow.” Olofsson from the Rocket on Friday.

The Canadiens will be back in action Sunday night when they visit the Olofsson was in Syracuse with the Rocket when he got the call Friday Boston Bruins (7 p.m., SN, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). The Bruins have an telling him the Canadiens were calling him up. He took a car service late 18-3-5 record, had the day off Saturday and beat the Canadiens 8-1 at Friday night for the drive up to Montreal and logged 11:16 of ice time the Bell Centre last Tuesday. against the Flyers, finishing minus-2 with one shot and three blocked shots. “I thought we were solid tonight,” Canadiens forward Nick Cousins said. “Overtime, they go down there and they make a play. You got to give “It was an amazing experience, a lot of fun,” Olofsson said after the their goalie credit. Their goalie played well, but so did ours. It was a good game. “Tough in the end. It sucks to give up two (goals) when you’re out game out there. It could have gone either way. We get two points there on the ice, but overall it’s just a step in the right direction. The loss tomorrow, three out of four points on the weekend, we’re moving in the sucks right now, it’s tough to swallow. But overall it was a great right direction.” experience.”

Defenceman Jeff Petry said there was only one good thing about the The Canadiens acquired the 24-year-old Olofsson from the Minnesota game. Wild on Oct. 3, 2018 in exchange for forward William Bitten. Olofsson played only two games for the Rocket last season before having season- “We got one point. That’s the only thing that’s good out of it,” he said. ending shoulder surgery. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder played 56 games “We got to start winning games.” with the Wild over three seasons, posting 0-11-11 totals. The Wild They certainly do. selected the Swedish defenceman in the second round (46th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. Carey Price will start in goal for the Canadiens Sunday in Boston. “The injury last year really set him back,” Julien said before the game. Before Saturday’s game, Julien was asked to explain his decision to start “So now he’s got about 20 games under his belt (in Laval) and seems to Kinkaid against the Flyers. be coming around. In the circumstance that we’re in right now, I think it’s a great opportunity to see if he can help us out and bring a dimension to “It’s pretty simple … we got three games in four nights,” the coach said. our back end that we can certainly use right now. So we’re going to have “Boston tomorrow gives an opportunity for Carey to get a little bit of rest. a look at him this afternoon and hopefully be able to come out of this with He’s played quite a bit. Again, those back-to-back games Carey, to me, a real good evaluation of him.” has always played well in Boston. So there’s no reason why we don’t give him that rest and we don’t give Kinkaid an opportunity here tonight. Shea Weber led the Canadiens with 27:32 of ice time, picked up an So to me it’s a calculated decision on our part and we’re going forward assist and was plus-2. Ben Chiarot was second in ice time with 27:11, with that.” followed by Petry with 23:05.

Kinkaid’s record is now 1-1-3 with a 4.24 goals-against average and a After being the Canadiens’ best player during the first part of the season, .875 save percentage. Price has a 10-8-3 record with a 3.19 goals- Petry is really struggling now and was minus-3 against the Flyers after against average and a .897 save percentage. going minus-4 two games ago in an 8-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.

“I think the boys deserved better,” Kinkaid said after the game. “I got to After being a healthy scratch for Thursday night’s 6-4 loss to the New have that one in overtime. I kind of cheated a little short side because I Jersey Devils, Cale Fleury got back in the lineup, logging as season-high thought he’d go up top. The boys played great defensively in front of me. 19:00 of ice time because of the injury to Mete. Fleury had a team-high seven hits and was minus-2.

Max Domi continues to struggle in the faceoff circle, going 2-for-7 (29 per cent). Jesperi Kotkaniemi was 2-for-8 (25 per cent). Nick Suzuki went 4- for-5 on his third-period faceoffs to finish the game 6-for-11 (55 per cent).

The three stars

Provorov was named the first star after his highlight-reel goal in overtime. The 22-year-old Russian defenceman also logged a game-high 27:41 of ice time and was plus-2. The Flyers selected him in the first round (seventh overall) at the 2015 NHL Draft.

Armia was named the second star and the Flyers’ Travis Konecny was named the third star after getting three shots and scoring a goal.

Surprisingly, Flyers goalie Elliott wasn’t named a star after making 39 saves. He was the first star in the Flyers’ locker room.

Supporting Price

Kinkaid has been doing his best to support Price during this tough stretch for the No. 1 goalie.

“I think just motivate him,” Kinkaid said Friday morning when asked what he can do to help Price as his backup. “Give friendly competition. Give stick taps on big saves in practice and whatnot. He does that constantly to me. So he’s been great with that … even saves that I think are relatively routine, you hear him at the other end tapping his stick

“I think it’s just being encouraging,” Kinkaid added. “He knows what to do. He’s a top-notch professional. He’s the best in the game. Everyone goes through this, so it’s nothing we’re going to stress about. We just got to get out of it and sometimes it’s ugly when you get out of it, but you need that ugly game to get over the hump I think.”

Kinkaid was also asked about Price breaking his stick in frustration after giving up the fifth goal in Thursday night’s loss to the Devils.

“That was just maybe a shot he knows he can save,” Kinkaid said. “Right now, like I said, people go through this. Even I know there’s a few shots I should have saved during the season, like the one (game) in Vegas. I let in two shots I knew I should have and we still got the win (5-4 in overtime). It’s just getting back to the basics, focusing on keeping your body in front of the puck and tracking everything. I know (goalie coach Stéphane Waite) worked great with him. He’s been working great with me to help my game, too. So I’m not worried for us at all. We’ve been resilient to start the season and we’ll come out of this.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164161 Montreal Canadiens than the ones that were used before that long, hard practice in Denver last season.

“Right now it really isn’t about practicing those kinds of things, it’s about With their season teetering on the brink, the Canadiens must prove the making the right decisions,” Julien said Friday. “A lot of the things that potential power of a good loss we’re seeing are mental breakdowns, so I think it was important for us to let them see those things so we can try and get out of it.

“From game to game the frustration has crept in more and more. The By Arpon Basu secret to turning things around for anybody going through that is pretty simple: just do your job. Don’t do anybody else’s, do your job and do it Nov 30, 2019 well. Right now, we’ve got guys that are trying so hard that the will to want to do so well is overtaking the right to make those good decisions. That’s what’s happening right now. When you try to do too much you end Last season, the Canadiens lost a game 4-0 at home to the Boston up out of position, you end up trying to do your job and somebody else’s. Bruins. It did not extend a losing streak, but it was alarming to the team. We all know that never works.”

Brendan Gallagher said he thought it might have been the worst game of Many of the mental breakdowns plaguing the Canadiens, as Cousins his career. Carey Price, the only reason the game didn’t finish 8-0, called mentioned, involved their third forward in the offensive zone and his the effort “piss poor.” The Canadiens then got on a plane and flew to responsibilities in snuffing out transition rushes. Much like Cousins did Denver, where they headed straight for the University of Denver for here in covering for a pinching Gustav Olofsson. practice right after landing. Or like Tomas Tatar did here. Claude Julien spent the first 10 minutes of that practice addressing his team, identifying all the reasons why that loss to the Bruins should raise And again here, with the help of Brendan Gallagher. red flags. He then put the Canadiens through their toughest practice of Here, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia — the best player on the ice the season, one made even more difficult by the high altitude in Denver. Saturday — combine to again thwart a Flyers transition opportunity. The next night, the Canadiens lost 2-1 to the Avalanche — one of the And here, Armia turns the puck over in the neutral zone, a situation that hottest teams in the league at the time — on a late goal by Gabriel has led to so many odd-man rushes of late, but nothing happens Landeskog. because Kotkaniemi and Artturi Lehkonen are back. It was only their second loss in a row, but that game on Dec. 19 dropped “That’s something that we discussed, and I thought we did a better job the Canadiens’ record to 17-13-5 and was the first of six straight games backchecking, making them dump pucks,” Jeff Petry said. “Now it’s just a they would play on the road. It seemed like their season was hanging by matter of, we have to break the puck out and kind of put everything a thread, with a difficult schedule to come and with a five-game losing together. We can’t do one thing one night and then get away from streak that had ended only a few weeks earlier. another thing. Fixing one problem and creating another is not what we But that loss in Denver was meaningful because the Canadiens played need to do right now. We need to just simplify things.” well. It was a good loss in that sense. Players and most fans don’t like We’ll get back to Petry in a moment because what he said about hearing about good losses, but they do exist and can serve a purpose of breakouts didn’t necessarily apply to the whole team. reminding a team of what it feels like when it plays and competes the way it knows it can. By and large, the breakouts were much improved in this game, such as this one in the first period, a play that began with Petry. A little less than a year later, the Canadiens are in a position where they need a good loss to serve that purpose again, staring down a difficult Or this, again featuring the Phillip Danault line and not quite as clean as portion of their schedule, with their season seemingly on the brink of we are used to seeing from them, but a definite improvement over what disaster. we’ve seen lately.

Good losses amid of a sea of horrible losses are something a reeling Overall, the neutral zone became a difficult place for the Flyers to team can cling to. That’s difficult to justify in your mind because a loss navigate and the Canadiens were getting through there much easier, and remains a loss, and a six-game losing streak is something the Canadiens that is the crux of their game and their strength. wanted to end with a victory rather than stretching that streak to seven as they did Saturday afternoon in their 4-3 overtime loss to the Flyers. Finally, addressing Julien’s plea to his team not to do too much, watch Victor Mete here doing exactly that by cheating over to help Shea Weber, But this game against a tired but extremely confident Flyers team of all people, take a man he already has. provided the first glimpse the Canadiens have offered in weeks that they are remembering how to play hockey again, how to listen to instruction And later how Mete immediately sticks to his own assignment by pointing and how to stop repeatedly making the same mistakes and fishing those and communicating with Weber to make sure he’s aware of what he’s mistakes out of the back of their own net. doing. Just do your job.

But a good loss only heightens the importance of the current situation The biggest problem for the Canadiens in this game was Petry, who is because it was still a loss. That good loss has to lead to a win Sunday going through one of his roughest stretches in a Montreal uniform right night in Boston for it to hold any meaning aside from a rested team taking now. This was an example of him showing how good he can be, and then advantage of a tired one on home ice, which is a big part of what immediately showing how not good he can be in a matter of seconds. happened Saturday afternoon. Except that turnover at the end of the clip was far more indicative of his play of late than the strong defensive play at the beginning. The other part is the Canadiens looked like themselves for the first time in two weeks. Then, in overtime, Petry needlessly went offside when the Canadiens had the initial possession after winning the opening faceoff. You could “I think it was a step in the right direction,” Nick Cousins said. “Especially say Max Domi doesn’t need to make an extra move at the blue line, but if off the rush, I think our forwards did a better job of backchecking through you watch closely, you’ll see Petry jumps in before that even happens. the middle and limiting their odd-man rushes and making sure that F3 He’s just off right now. stays high and closes quickly when they get their transition with speed. We’ll take the point and a big game tomorrow against Boston.” “We played really structured today,” Tatar said. “Obviously we’re really disappointed, we needed the two points. I thought we were the better Yes, a big game in Boston. For the Canadiens to have any chance of not team. We just have to dig ourselves out. All it takes is one big win.” only winning, but setting off a string of wins, these are the things we saw Saturday that need to continue happening with greater consistency. Yes, about that one big win. It is difficult not to get the sense that so much of this season is hinging on going to Boston and beating the Bruins Julien did not put his players through the most difficult practice of the in their home rink less than a week after the Bruins came to Montreal and season Friday. The Canadiens didn’t practice at all. But he spoke to his pounded the Canadiens 8-1. Mete will not play after he suffered a lower- players that day. A lot. And the words were probably not much different body injury against the Flyers. A big win simply doesn’t seem all that likely. Last season, after losing 2-1 in Colorado, it didn’t seem all that likely the Canadiens would be able to string together too many wins over their next five road games either. They went on to win four of them, with the only loss coming in Tampa when the Canadiens largely outplayed the Lightning but were done in by poor goaltending from Antti Niemi.

The Canadiens need to replicate something just as unlikely coming off another good loss this season, and it starts in Boston on Sunday because after that, the Canadiens host the Islanders and Avalanche before playing nine of their following 11 games on the road.

“Even though we were much better, you still see a little lack of confidence right now,” Julien said Saturday. “That’s normal. You hope that’s going to turn around. Offensively, we worked hard, but there wasn’t that big confidence we’ve seen in the past.”

The season could be teetering on the brink. The only way to make it teeter to the positive side of things is if the Canadiens prove Saturday’s loss to the Flyers was a good loss and a sign of what’s to come.

Otherwise, it would be just another loss, and perhaps the start of what could be a very long season in Montreal.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164162 Nashville Predators

Predators shut out by Panthers 3-0 in Chris Driedger's first career start

Staff Report

Nashville Tennessean

Published 6:00 a.m. CT Nov. 30, 2019 | Updated 9:04 p.m. CT Nov. 30, 2019

SUNRISE, Fla. – Chris Driedger posted a shutout in his first career start, Anton Stralman scored his first two goals of the season and the Florida Panthers beat the Nashville Predators 3-0 Saturday night.

Driedger stopped 27 shots in his first appearance with Florida. The 25- year-old appeared in three games for Ottawa between 2014-17 but had never started in the NHL. He was recalled from Springfield of the American Hockey League on Monday after posting an AHL-best .938 save percentage in 14 games.

Aleksander Barkov added his eighth goal as the Panthers won for the first time in four games. It was the Predators’ first loss in regulation in the past five games.

Juuse Saros stopped 24 shots for Nashville.

Florida Panthers goaltender Chris Driedger, right, defends the goal as defenseman Mike Matheson, left, and Nashville Predators center Craig Smith (15) fight for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Sunrise, Fla.

Stralman scored early in the second period, and the 1-0 lead held until he scored again 8:38 into the third. Stralman, a veteran defenseman with just 49 goals in 775 career games, hadn’t scored since last December.

Less than two minutes later, Barkov went top shelf to Saros’ glove side to make it 3-0.

Driedger, filling in for struggling starter Sergei Bobrovsky, was especially impressive against high-quality chances during three Nashville power plays in the second period.

Tennessean LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164163 New Jersey Devils

Dreadful power plays dooms Devils in loss to Rangers

Updated Nov 30, 2019;Posted Nov 30, 2019

By Chris Ryan

When Chris Kreider received a five-minute major and game misconduct in the third period, giving the Devils a five-minute power play, it might have actually given the Rangers an advantage.

The Devils were already 0-for-6 on the power play to that point, and the Rangers turned one of them into a shorthanded goal.

That final power play was no different.

Another shorthanded goal put the icing on the cake of a dreadful special teams day for the Devils, where they allowed two shorties and one power-play goal in a 4-0 loss to the Rangers on Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark.

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After failing to score on the five-minute major, the Devils finished 0-for-8 on the power play, while the Rangers went 1-for-2. The Devils played without forward Jack Hughes, who missed the game with a lower body injury, suffered when blocking a shot in Thursday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Rangers converted on their first power-play chance of the day, with Adam Fox scoring on a backdoor pass from Kaapo Kakko at 12:45 of the first period.

Following a scoreless second period, the Devils opened the third period with 3:28 of power play time following at double minor on the Rangers for High sticking, but the Rangers doubled their lead when Mika Zibanejad scored on a one-timer during a 2-on-1 rush with Brendan Lemieux.

The second shorthanded goal came on a 3-on-1 rush at 5:52 with Jesper Fast potting another one-timer off a feed from Mika Zibanejad. An empty netter at 5-on-4 from Brady Skjei at 17:18 rounded out the scoring.

Star Ledger LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164164 New Jersey Devils

Devils’ lines, pairings vs. Rangers (11/30/19) | Jack Hughes out for 1st time

Posted Nov 30, 2019

By Chris Ryan

Chapter two of the Jack Hughes-Kaapo Kakko rivalry will be missing one of its main characters.

Hughes will be out of the lineup with a lower body injury when the Devils host the Rangers at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark.

Hughes is considered day-to-day after blocking a shot during Thursday’s win over the Montreal Canadiens. Though he was able to finish that game, he did not practice on Friday. Hughes skated on Saturday but wasn’t quite ready to play. That likely means he won’t miss too much time.

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Kevin Rooney will be activated off injured reserve and will return to the lineup in Hughes’ place.

Today marks the second of four regular season contests between New Jersey and NY Rangers. The Devils defeated the Rangers in the first contest, 5-2 on Oct. 17. New Jersey was 1-7 on the man advantage, and 6-6 on the penalty kill in the contest. The Devils outshot the Rangers, 38- 31. The 43 shots mark the clubs’ season high shots for.

Today’s tilt marks the clubs fourth of nine day contests this year. The Devils are 2-1-0 in matinees this season (1-1-0 home).

Matt Tennyson leads the Devils in scoring with two points. Tennyson tallied two helpers in the early October contest. Blake Coleman, Kyle Palmieri, Nikita Gusev, P.K. Subban and Miles Wood all notched one goal each in the tilt. Wood tallied the game winner 12:25 into the second period.

Mackenzie Blackwood got his fourth start of the season stopping 29 of 31 shots face (.935 SV%) in 60 minutes of action. Louis Domingue is a career 3-1-0 against the Rangers, allowing 11 goals on 116 shots posting a 2.76 GAA.

Tony DeAngelo and Jesper Fast dented the net in the first matchup. Alexandar Georgiev suited up stopping 33 of 38 shots against. Georgiev is a career 1-1-0 against New Jersey.

Star Ledger LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164165 New Jersey Devils cover for the Devils to establish themselves as anything more than bottom-feeders. Three two-game winning streaks constitute their best work of the year.

Ray Shero can’t let this Devils disaster go on much longer “You never get traction as a team and it’s hard to get traction as a player,” said Hall, 4-17-21 with two five-on-five goals overall. “[Consistency] is something we can control but it hasn’t been there this year from player-to-player. By Larry Brooks “That’s on the leadership group and the players.” November 30, 2019 | 7:28PM Now, following as poor a performance as you will find in the Battle of the

Hudson — all right, not counting that 9-0 game in the Rangers’ favor 100 For so long, Rangers-Devils dates were worth circling the calendar. That years ago when Sam St. Laurent was in nets for New Jersey — it’s likely was true even through all those years when the Blueshirts were a drag on the management group to figure out how to reverse this trajectory. and New Jersey’s team hoisted the Stanley Cup three times in nine seasons. New York Post LOADED: 12.01.2019 But not now. Not with the Devils circling the drain before the end of the season’s second month, even with marquee names dotting the roster. Of course, not one is living up to his billing and that would go most specifically for Taylor Hall and P.K. Subban.

It was 4-0 for the Rangers in Newark on Saturday afternoon, with the Blueshirts extending their point-streak to five games (4-0-1) while extending their longer run to a mighty impressive 10-4-2 over their past 16 matches. And though the Rangers were good and committed themselves for the most part to defensive-zone detail while somehow conspiring to skate shorthanded for 15:00 through eight different Devils power plays, this one wasn’t so much a show of New York dominance as it was New Jersey submission.

Those throwback Christmassy uniforms the Devils wore evinced memories of the 1983-84 squad that endured the Mickey Mouse Game in Edmonton, started the season 2-20 and got Billy MacMillan fired as coach by general manager Max McNab when the record had sunk to 2- 18.

Et tu, Ray Shero?

The record this time around is a much less odorous 9-12-4, but it remains to be seen how much longer the GM will stick with John Hynes behind the bench of this team that is so much less than the sum of its parts, even given the squad’s blue-line deficiencies (Did anyone say P.K. Subban?) and the since-demoted Cory Schneider’s implosion in nets.

This is the kind of game that the Devils played when MacMillan was coach and when Tom McVie succeeded him. This is the kind of game the Devils played when John MacLean was behind the bench the first three months of 2009-10. This is the kind of game the Devils have played too often for Hynes, whose New Jersey teams have already missed the playoffs three times in his four years behind the bench.

This is the kind of game, one in which the Rangers scored once on the power play and twice while shorthanded, that gets coaches fired.

“There’s not too much to be said,” said Hall, the pending free-agent rental property. “It was a huge specialty teams game and we get outscored by two. It’s unacceptable. It was a terrible, terrible performance by our power play.”

Hall, who in 2017-18 accomplished something that Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Patrik Elias and Zach Parise never did by winning the Hart Trophy, will almost certainly be on the move, and sooner rather than later as the GM begins to field preliminary offers that could offer a significant reset to the roster.

But Shero could wait to pull the trigger on getting a haul back for Hall and dismiss the coach instead, perhaps providing No. 9 with a reason to stay and sign an extension if the new man behind the bench could ignite the team.

Mike Babcock?

No, not in that way.

Because unless the idea is to become Edmonton East, how many No. 1s do the Devils, 29th overall, intend to collect before they get this hockey thing right?

Speaking of which, Jack Hughes missed his first game as a pro, sidelined after blocking a shot in Montreal on Thursday. But the 18-year- old’s absence can hardly suffice as even part of the explanation for this languid performance. Just as his presence has not provided enough 1164166 New Jersey Devils “We hung in there,” Zibanejad said. “I thought it was a good effort, even though all the penalties.”

Rangers wallop Devils with special teams masterpiece New York Post LOADED: 12.01.2019

By Brett Cyrgalis

November 30, 2019 | 4:00pm | Updated

As David Quinn has mentioned before, when the Rangers do something, they do it big.

They’ve lost big, and they’ve won big. They’ve been physical, and they’ve been unengaged. They’ve won games with special teams and goaltending, and they’ve had those two aspects lose them games, too.

It’s all part of the growing process for this young squad.

So it’s fitting that after they had a power-play stinker (0-for-6) in Boston on Black Friday, they would come back to score a power-play goal on their first chance and add two shorthanded goals to beat the discombobulated Devils, 4-0, in Newark on Saturday afternoon.

“You go from extreme to another, which tends to be our habit, no matter what topic it is,” said Quinn, whose team took eight penalties for a total of 15:00 of man-down time. “We go from one penalty [Friday] to [eight] today, and an abundance of minutes. Just a gutsy effort.”

The Rangers (13-9-3) are now riding a five-game points streak, the 3-2 overtime loss to the terrific Bruins as the only blight. The penalty kill that was once the bane of their existence dominated against the horrid man- advantage of the Devils (9-12-4), with Mika Zibanejad scoring his second shorthanded goal of the season at 2:35 of the third, and Jesper Fast adding another just over three minutes later to make it 3-0.

It brought many in the sold-out crowd of 16,514 to start chanting for the head of Devils coach John Hynes, which has been a theme despite a roster that is chock-full of problems. The Devils were missing No. 1- overall pick Jack Hughes, who was hurt blocking a shot in Montreal on Thanksgiving. P.K. Subban has seemingly turned into a shell of himself, and was not on either power-play unit for any of the first six chances. The goaltending situations remains murky with Mackenzie Blackwood as the de facto starter. And the rumors about past MVP Taylor Hall’s future with the organization are gaining intensity.

So maybe the Rangers didn’t need Alex Georgiev to stand on his head to record 33 saves for the third shutout of his career, but it was a group effort the Blueshirts were proud of nonetheless.

“We really won the game on the [penalty-kill] — not just scoring, but not letting them score,” said Zibanejad, who hasn’t missed a beat in his three games back following a month-long absence due to an upper-body injury. “Special teams, a lot of the games come down to that. And we won both areas, so that’s good.”

With all of the penalties, it was a disjointed game from the start. But when Pavel Zacha took a holding penalty midway through the first, the Rangers struck. Kaapo Kakko, playing his most assertive game in a while, made a slick cross-ice pass to Adam Fox on the back post, and Fox redirected it behind Blackwood for a 1-0 lead.

Then the Rangers’ march to the penalty box started in earnest — including another too-many-men, this one more a result of bad timing rather than a lack of focus, thus keeping Quinn’s head from exploding. Libor Hajek was called for a double-minor high-stick late in the second. When the Rangers opened the third period a man down, Zibanejad struck on a nice odd-man rush with Brendan Lemieux.

Then, after Chris Kreider was called for a boarding major at 5:21, Fast struck, finishing on a rare shorthanded 3-on-1 odd-man rush, started by Jacob Trouba with a slick first assist to Zibanejad.

“What a great opportunity there,” Hall said, “but we drained all the life out of our building and out of our team.”

When Brady Skjei then attempted to clear the zone late in the game, it bounced into the empty net — an appropriate ending for the Rangers, who can’t even win with subtlety. 1164167 New Jersey Devils having an attitude that I’ll be back one way or another and strive to get there.

Q: Between the end of last season, the world championships and training Q&A with Cory Schneider: Devils goalie talks about a disappointing camp, that was several months and almost 25 games that looked like the demotion and a fight to continue his NHL career goalie everyone knows. Is it hard to look back on that and then say, “Wait, what just happened?” over the past month or so?

It’s hard to pinpoint. You look back to that very first game where we were By Corey Masisak in control and had the game and it was very frustrating that I had to come out. Then we end up losing and to get that win and hold on to that game, Nov 30, 2019 it just feels like the whole season might have gone differently at (the) start. It just seemed to sort of start this tailspin that we couldn’t quite recover from, myself included. The first eight to 10 games were obviously BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — There was a flurry of shots from the visiting team rough for all of us. I think Mackenzie and I were sort of in a similar boat near the end of the first period Friday night at Floyd L. Maines Veterans there after about 10 games, trying to find our footing. John was looking Memorial Arena. There was also a veteran goaltender, desperately for one of us to take it and go with it and obviously, Mackenzie did that. deflecting away grade-A chances while searching for a way back to his He did it before I was able to. It became a thing where I just wasn’t able normal standard of performance and his normal life. to play a lot and when I did, the results weren’t good enough, and that’s all it takes right now, especially if your team is floundering or if you need For a couple of fleeting moments, it looked like he had solved the puzzle. to gain traction and get points. You can’t take too much time to sort it out Cory Schneider was under siege, but he kept the Binghamton Devils and get guys going. If you look around the league right now, there’s a lot afloat and the first intermission horn sounded. of goalies going through stuff like this. If you isolate four-, five-, six-game The good vibes did not last. The good chances for Belleville did continue segments, you can find some pretty rough stretches. Unfortunately, mine and eventually, Schneider’s struggle continued. just was right at the beginning of the season, when obviously, the past couple years haven’t been as good for me as it’s needed to be, so By the end, it was another long night. Belleville scored five times on the obviously, that means I had a little bit less of a leash or leeway, less time 33-year-old goaltender in 30 shots, the last a penalty shot with 2:17 left in to establish myself, and I just wasn’t able to do it. a game long decided. Q: You do have this really weird streak of the Devils scoring more goals Schneider began the season with the hope of a second act in the NHL. per game for the other goalie, and it’s been every year dating back to the After two years of dealing with a nagging hip injury and one dealing with first one with Marty (Brodeur). Obviously, how many goals the team the recovery from surgery to correct it, Schneider looked like his former scores doesn’t have a lot of effect on your save percentage, but given self at the end of last season. And again at the IIHF World what you have gone through the past couple of years, how much could a Championships for the . And he was even better during win or two here or there when you did play well enough have maybe training camp. helped you find that rhythm or eased some of the stress on your But the results quickly went awry again. He went 0-4-1 with one no- confidence levels? decision after leaving the season opener with cramps. His goals-against It shouldn’t impact how you play your game. It can dictate maybe average ballooned, his save percentage plummeted and eventually, his situations when certain teams are pressing or if you’re pressing. It is playing time disappeared. tough to look back and think there are some stretches where I played The Devils did what would have been unthinkable as recently as the start some of the best hockey of my career and I didn’t have much to show for of the 2017-18 season when Schneider’s hot start helped propel New it. I put that on myself as much as anybody, but you get a little Jersey to near the top of the Eastern Conference standings — they put perspective and you start saying “what if” and maybe start trying to play a him on waivers Nov. 18. After going unclaimed, he was assigned to little too perfect. You start to think, “If I give up one or two, we’re not Binghamton a day later. going to win,” or, “If we go to overtime, we’re not going to win,” and as a goalie, you can’t let that mentality creep in. Maybe there have been times Schneider spoke before the game Friday. He was honest and thorough where I sort of let that seep into my mind and affect my confidence with his answers, a constant from Schneider even during another valley where, “Hey, if I don’t play lights-out or if I’m not perfect tonight, then in what has been a difficult couple of years. we’re not going to win.”

Q: What was the conversation like when you found out the Devils were There was a year there, the playoff year, when I got off to the hot start putting you on waivers and sending you here? and I think we were scoring a good amount — three a night, four a night — and the first half of that year was great. It just seemed to kind of I think they explained it pretty well. They just said that they wanted me to reinvigorate me and snap me out of it and get me to where I needed to play some games and just find my rhythm and just get back to playing be. It’s on me as a goalie to overcome that and not think too much about the way I did pretty much at the end of last year and in training camp. It is it and dwell on it. Looking at this year, I played three road games and I tough. It was obviously disappointing for me to not have done enough to could have been better, and in all three of them, maybe made another stay and get into more games. It was tough to watch Mackenzie save or two. But we haven’t scored a goal in the three road games that I (Blackwood) have to shoulder that kind of load. You want to get in there played. You look at it and I really would have loved to win those games, and you want to play and win for your team and contribute but also part but if I made another save or two that I needed to make, would it have of a goalie tandem is that you have to help each other out and pick each made a difference? But then you look at the Tampa game, where I give other up and work with one another. It’s a tough league to play 60 to 65 up (seven) and find a way to lose that game, so obviously, there’s plenty games in these days. Mackenzie is such a young guy that I know he can of blame to put on myself. handle it physically, but having gone through it myself, it’s the mental part that can wear on you. I was looking forward to the opportunity to give him For me, it’s getting back into those situations and just sort of getting out a break and getting a win and contribute and get this thing on the right of the mindset that you expect something bad to happen. I think coming track. But I wasn’t able to do that in the time I played in the past month or down here and just letting go of a lot of that, just trying to play and have so. fun and enjoy the game and not think about that part of it and just sort of take it as it comes and play each segment, each shot, each save. Just It’s been a long couple of years and nothing’s unexpected at this point, sort of clear your mind and not dwell too much on what could go wrong but they were as good about it as they could be. It’s not an easy but instead just think about how it’s going to go right and that good things conversation obviously for them. For me, there was some time to get are going to happen if you have that positive mindset. over the shock and disappointment. You turn your mind around. You sort of say, “All right, well, my goal is to get back here and to prove that I can Play your game and let your teammates take care of the rest, because I play at a high level and contribute and play in the NHL.” know we have a lot of good players and a lot of good hockey in us. We’re capable of scoring and defending and doing all those things well, but you I still feel that to be the case and obviously, the numbers and results need to have goaltending as your constant and it can’t waver depending were not nearly what I wanted to be are good enough, but I also didn’t on how the team’s going or if it’s not looking great. The goalie always has feel that far off in terms of being right there and being able to contribute to be your strongest asset and your strongest player and it shouldn’t and play well. I think for me, it’s a matter of coming down here and just matter what’s happening in front of you. Q: You mentioned that you don’t think you are that far off. Is there anything on the ice that you are trying to work on while you’re down here?

Yeah, some of it can just be a rhythm. You have a good game, you make a good save and then all of a sudden, you try to build on it. You saw Mackenzie — he played well against the Rangers, got that first one and then got a shutout the next game against Vancouver. You could just see it building for him. I was just trying to find that moment, find that spark whether it’s a game-changing save or winning a close game and being the difference. It’s just really feeling good about my game and it was just every time I try to get into that rhythm, the puck would end up in the back of the net. It could be a tip, a screen, a rebound, something I could have done differently and maybe better. I just was never able to get my footing and get that momentum going behind me that was sort of pushing into the next game and then you are playing again and you almost don’t have time to think about what am I doing wrong. What do I need to work on?

I think part of it is just playing a little bit more freely, just being athletic, being lower. Playing with more energy and not trying to play too perfectly, not trying to think my way around the game and think about what’s going to happen here or what if I do this … just go out there and play the game and try to not overthink things.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164168 New York Islanders Lee got the Islanders on the scoreboard just 1:18 in. Josh Bailey got a pass from Barzal on the right side of the goal and sent it back to Lee in the slot, and the captain fired it past Merzilikins for his sixth. It was Lee’s first goal since Nov.1, snapping an 11-game drought. Semyon Varlamov perfect in relief as Islanders blank Blue Jackets Lee nearly double the lead about 3 1/2 minutes in, but was denied by Merzlikins. Anthony Beauvillier had a chance six minutes later, but his shot on a rush from the right side was gloved by the Columbus goalie. Staff Report Merzlikins made a great blocker save on a slap shot by Scott Mayfield By Associated Press with 7:44 left in the first.

November 30, 2019 | 9:46PM Sonny Milano got one past Varlamov with 1:05 left in the first, but it hit the crossbar.

Semyon Varlamov didn’t have much time to think about playing since Thomas Greiss was getting the start. New York Post LOADED: 12.01.2019

But Greiss left the game late in the first period and Varlamov had to go right in.

Varlamov got his second shutout of the season, Mathew Barzal had a goal and an assist, and the New York Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-0 Saturday night at Barclays Center. Greiss made nine saves before leaving with 5:54 left in the first period. He skated to the bench during a stoppage in play and told Trotz he wasn’t feeling well and was a little dizzy.

“I just played (the) game,” said Varlamov, who finished with 30 saves to earn his 27th career shutout. “Sometimes it is easier when you go in and you didn’t think about the whole game. … It (happened) quick. I just had to go out there and get ready. I only had 30 seconds, I think.”

Islanders coach Barry Trotz believes it can sometimes be good for a goalie to come off the bench in that kind of situation.

“It’s a little bit of shock therapy,” he said. “You have to go in survival mode so you lock right in and go on your instincts and determination and all that. … He responded well.”

Anders Lee also scored to help the Islanders get a win in their return from an 0-2-1 California trip that ended a franchise-record 17-game point streak.

“We (knew) how important this game (was) for us,” Varlamov said. “We lost three in a row, so it was important to come with our ability and then play our good game. And I think we did a lot of good things today. Played very solid hockey.”

A smiling Anders Lee celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the Islanders’ win.Paul J. Bereswill

Elvis Merzlikins finished with 25 saves as the 25-year-old Latvian fell to 0-3-3 in his rookie season for the Blue Jackets.

Columbus had a flurry of chances near the midpoint of the third, but couldn’t beat Varlamov, who drew chants of “Varly! Varly!” throughout the period. He stopped a try by Oliver Bjorkstrand from the middle, a shot by Seth Jones from the left circle and Gustav Nyquist’s attempt in front. Varlamov had a stick save on Nyquist in front with 8:42 left.

“Varly did a really good job,” Trotz said. “He made some really timely saves, he looked huge in the net and was real confident all around.”

The Blue Jackets pulled Merzlikins with about 4 1/2 minutes left, and went on a power play with three minutes remaining for a 6-on-4 advantage, but couldn’t beat Varlamov.

“I thought we played well,” Columbus coach John Tortorella said. ”We weren’t able to finish. We ended up with some opportunities. I thought we had some good forechecking. We didn’t score.”

Varlamov’s best save of the second was a glove stop on Bjorkstrand at 8:10, and he also denied Riley Nash on the doorstep about 1 1/2 minutes later to keep the Blue Jackets off the scoreboard.

Barzal made it 2-0 as he skated up the left side, outraced Bjorkstrand on a breakaway, went toward the middle and then beat Merzlikins with a backhander with 3:59 left in the middle period.

“It’s nice to get back (home) and get a quick ‘W’ and feel good about our game a little bit,” Barzal said. “Varly comes in there and plays really well for us. Our (defense) had great gaps and forced a lot of turnovers, which helps our offense, so just a full team effort.” 1164169 New York Islanders Bailey went on Barzal’s right wing with Lee. Jordan Eberle, still seeking his first goal of the season, moved from Barzal’s line to Brock Nelson’s right wing with Anthony Beauvillier. Rookie Otto Koivula centered Derick Brassard and Leo Komarov. Anders Lee scores as Islanders blank Blue Jackets to snap three-game skid Varlamov preserved the one-goal lead as he kicked out his left pad to stop Oliver Bjorkstrand on a three-on-two rush at 8:10 of the second period.

By Andrew Gross Then defenseman Adam Pelech, flipping the puck down ice from the blue line, set up Barzal’s breakaway backhander for a 2-0 lead at 16:01 of the [email protected] @AGrossNewsday second period. Updated December 1, 2019 12:38 AM

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.01.2019 PRINT SHARE

Thomas Greiss skated over to the Islanders’ bench midway through the first period Saturday night and told Islanders coach Barry Trotz that he was feeling a little dizzy, perhaps a bit sick.

His subsequent message to goalie partner Semyon Varlamov was simpler.

“Greisser came in and said, ‘You’ve got to go in,’ ” Varlamov said. “I was like, ‘OK, I’ve got to go in.’

Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders scores on a breakaway during the second period against Elvis Merzlikins #90 of the Columbus Blue Jackets at Barclays Center on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 in . Credit: Jim McIsaac

“Of course, you’re not ready for this scenario because you’re just sitting on the bench. You don’t wish for anybody to get hurt, so you’re just sitting there watching the game. It happens quick. I had to just go out there and get ready very quick. I only had like 30 seconds, I think.”

Varlamov made 30 of the team’s 39 saves, including 17 in the third period, as the Islanders snapped a season-high three-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over the Blue Jackets at Barclays Center before a crowd of 13,433.

“I think, honestly, this one goes to Varly,” said Anders Lee, who scored his first goal in 12 games dating to Nov. 1 off a tic-tac-toe passing sequence from Josh Bailey and Mathew Barzal to make it 1-0 at 1:18 of the first period.

“Coming in cold, quick change there and really shutting the door on a team that had quite a bit of chances. The shot totals were a little high for what we’d like to see, but it’s a shutout, and Varly deserves a lot of credit for that.”

It was the second shutout of the season for the Islanders (17-5-2), who had scored only two goals on their 0-2-1 California trip but looked sharper offensively with three new line combinations.

“We had a long road trip. We knew how important this game was for us,” said Varlamov, who made 27 saves in a 1-0 win at Buffalo on Nov. 2 for his first shutout as an Islander. “So it was important to come into our building and play a good game, and I think we did a lot of good things today. We played very solid hockey.”

Elvis Merzlikins made 25 saves for the Blue Jackets (11-11-4), who had beaten the visiting Penguins, 5-2, on Friday night.

Greiss lasted only until 14:06 of the first period, when he seemed to surprise Trotz during a stoppage.

The Islanders helped Varlamov settle into the game by spending the next few shifts in the Blue Jackets’ zone. The early shots Varlamov faced mainly came from the outside.

“It’s a little bit of shock therapy,” Trotz said. “You’re in that survival mode. You just lock right in and go on instincts and determination. He’s a veteran goalie. He’s seen probably everything you can see as a goalie. He responded well.”

Meanwhile, the Islanders responded well to Trotz’s new line combinations.

He said his lines had “dried up,” and that certainly was evident in Wednesday night’s 4-1 loss to the Kings and Monday night’s 3-0 loss to the Ducks after a franchise-record 17-game point streak (15-0-2). 1164170 New York Islanders

Thomas Greiss starts for Islanders, but takes himself off in first period vs. Blue Jackets

By Andrew Gross [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

Updated November 30, 2019 11:13 PM

The Islanders played their 24th game on Saturday night and Thomas Greiss started a 2-0 win over the Blue Jackets at Barclays Center. That tied the franchise record for the longest streak of alternating goalies to begin the season, according to the NHL.

But Greiss, feeling ill, exited at 14:06 of the first period in favor of Semyon Varlamov. He had stopped all nine shots he faced and the Islanders were leading 1-0. Greiss remained on the bench.

After the game, coach Barry Trotz said Greiss skated over to say he was feeling a little dizzy and that he probably shouldn’t be in there. Trotz added that he has “zero” concern and that there is “zero” indication that Greiss will not be able to travel with the team. The Islanders will play at Detroit on Monday and Montreal on Tuesday.

Kelly Hrudey and Billy Smith alternated through the first 24 games of 1985-86 before Smith started the 25th game.

How long this current streak will continue is in question with Greiss’ unexpected departure and with Trotz perhaps looking to give a hot goalie consecutive starts.

“We’ll probably get this first week out of the way in December and then I think it’s a little bit more game on,” Trotz said. “I think I’m getting to the point if you get a little bit hot with one guy, then maybe you run with him for a while and add a little more competition there.”

The Rangers set the NHL record when Mike Richter and John Vanbiesbrouck alternated for the first 76 games in 1990-91. Richter then started the final four games of the regular season.

Leddy returns

Defenseman Nick Leddy logged 18:55 after missing Wednesday night’s loss at Los Angeles after aggravating a lower-body issue that kept him out for three games Nov. 2-7. “I think it will have its ups and downs, but it feels good right now,” Leddy said.

Rookie defenseman Noah Dobson was out of the lineup as a healthy scratch.

Isles files

Forwards Ross Johnston and Michael Dal Colle were the other healthy scratches . . . The Blue Jackets lost top defenseman Zach Werenski at 3:37 of the first period after he appeared to injure his left shoulder . . . It was the third combined shutout in Islanders history. Their last one was April 4, 1998 when Tommy Salo and Wade Flaherty combined for a shutout against the Rangers . . . Forward Tom Kuhnhackl (injured reserve/lower body), out since Oct. 25, was on the ice with his teammates for a second straight day, but Trotz said there is no timetable for his return. “No, not really,” he said. “We’ve just got to get a couple more days with the group and I think he’ll be ready to go."

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164171 New York Rangers

Rangers’ crucial Kaapo Kakko decision paid off

By Brett Cyrgalis

December 1, 2019 | 2:56am

Watching Kaapo Kakko go through a bit of a struggle left Rangers coach David Quinn with two options for his 18-year-old rookie.

“You can either demote him and put him in a fourth-line role and take him off the power play, or you can give him one more opportunity to get engaged and get their game to where they need it to be, and where we need his game to be,” Quinn explained after his team’s 4-0 win over the Devils on Saturday afternoon in Newark.

So Quinn moved Kakko up to a line with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome for the rare moments when this penalty-plagued game was played at even strength. And Kakko got his first point in five games, making a slick cross-ice pass to set up Adam Fox’s first-period power- play goal.

“I loved how he responded,” Quinn said. “I thought it was his best game in a while.”

Quinn juggled all the lines, putting Brendan Lemieux into the top-six next to Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich, while Chris Kreider went down with Filip Chytil and Jesper Fast.

That left Brett Howden to center a fourth line with Brendan Smith and Micheal Haley, who was back after sitting for two straight, while Boo Nieves was the scratch.

“Just having those four centers gives us a little more balance,” Quinn said. “Throughout that lineup, there’s a little bit everything on each line. It was something we were looking to do, and we thought about for a while.”

The Rangers took their fourth too-many-men penalty in the past six games, and their fifth in the past nine games. But rather than Quinn almost losing his mind — as he did in the past — he saw this one a little differently. It happened when Zibanejad just hopped over the boards for a regular change and got hit with the puck.

“It’s bang-bang. I’m not mad at anybody, I’m not going to sit here and be pissed off about it,” Quinn said. “If we all want to make a big deal out of it, we can. I get why. But that is really a faultless one in a lot of ways.”

Kreider was called for a boarding major at 5:21 of the third period when he hit defenseman Matt Tennyson into the boards, leading to a fight with Kevin Rooney and a game misconduct.

As for the hit itself, Quinn said: “I don’t think it should have been a five [minute major], but they called it.”

New York Post LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164172 New York Rangers cover for the Devils to establish themselves as anything more than bottom-feeders. Three two-game winning streaks constitute their best work of the year.

Ray Shero can’t let this Devils disaster go on much longer “You never get traction as a team and it’s hard to get traction as a player,” said Hall, 4-17-21 with two five-on-five goals overall. “[Consistency] is something we can control but it hasn’t been there this year from player-to-player. By Larry Brooks “That’s on the leadership group and the players.” November 30, 2019 | 7:28PM Now, following as poor a performance as you will find in the Battle of the

Hudson — all right, not counting that 9-0 game in the Rangers’ favor 100 For so long, Rangers-Devils dates were worth circling the calendar. That years ago when Sam St. Laurent was in nets for New Jersey — it’s likely was true even through all those years when the Blueshirts were a drag on the management group to figure out how to reverse this trajectory. and New Jersey’s team hoisted the Stanley Cup three times in nine seasons. New York Post LOADED: 12.01.2019 But not now. Not with the Devils circling the drain before the end of the season’s second month, even with marquee names dotting the roster. Of course, not one is living up to his billing and that would go most specifically for Taylor Hall and P.K. Subban.

It was 4-0 for the Rangers in Newark on Saturday afternoon, with the Blueshirts extending their point-streak to five games (4-0-1) while extending their longer run to a mighty impressive 10-4-2 over their past 16 matches. And though the Rangers were good and committed themselves for the most part to defensive-zone detail while somehow conspiring to skate shorthanded for 15:00 through eight different Devils power plays, this one wasn’t so much a show of New York dominance as it was New Jersey submission.

Those throwback Christmassy uniforms the Devils wore evinced memories of the 1983-84 squad that endured the Mickey Mouse Game in Edmonton, started the season 2-20 and got Billy MacMillan fired as coach by general manager Max McNab when the record had sunk to 2- 18.

Et tu, Ray Shero?

The record this time around is a much less odorous 9-12-4, but it remains to be seen how much longer the GM will stick with John Hynes behind the bench of this team that is so much less than the sum of its parts, even given the squad’s blue-line deficiencies (Did anyone say P.K. Subban?) and the since-demoted Cory Schneider’s implosion in nets.

This is the kind of game that the Devils played when MacMillan was coach and when Tom McVie succeeded him. This is the kind of game the Devils played when John MacLean was behind the bench the first three months of 2009-10. This is the kind of game the Devils have played too often for Hynes, whose New Jersey teams have already missed the playoffs three times in his four years behind the bench.

This is the kind of game, one in which the Rangers scored once on the power play and twice while shorthanded, that gets coaches fired.

“There’s not too much to be said,” said Hall, the pending free-agent rental property. “It was a huge specialty teams game and we get outscored by two. It’s unacceptable. It was a terrible, terrible performance by our power play.”

Hall, who in 2017-18 accomplished something that Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Patrik Elias and Zach Parise never did by winning the Hart Trophy, will almost certainly be on the move, and sooner rather than later as the GM begins to field preliminary offers that could offer a significant reset to the roster.

But Shero could wait to pull the trigger on getting a haul back for Hall and dismiss the coach instead, perhaps providing No. 9 with a reason to stay and sign an extension if the new man behind the bench could ignite the team.

Mike Babcock?

No, not in that way.

Because unless the idea is to become Edmonton East, how many No. 1s do the Devils, 29th overall, intend to collect before they get this hockey thing right?

Speaking of which, Jack Hughes missed his first game as a pro, sidelined after blocking a shot in Montreal on Thursday. But the 18-year- old’s absence can hardly suffice as even part of the explanation for this languid performance. Just as his presence has not provided enough 1164173 New York Rangers The venom and incessant cheap shots directed toward Slava Fetisov when he left the Red Army to join the Devils in 1988-89 was disgraceful. And, sorry to report, some of the venom was directed at the Great Man from his teammates. Sean Avery: NHL coach not named Bill Peters kicked me, too So yes, hockey has had intrinsic problems for a long time, and yes, it was an ugly week for the sport that likely won’t be the only one. We can expect athletes to continue to speak their piece and there is not a reason By Larry Brooks on earth to question the motivation of any scarred individual who sheds a November 30, 2019 | 5:41pm | Updated light on past abuse.

But hockey’s issues are not very much different at all from the problems that infest society at large. My world view, developed as I was growing of Apparently Bill Peters is not the only NHL coach who has kicked a player (draft) age during Vietnam and ratified over the decades since, is that when behind the bench. those in power tend to abuse it and thus should be relentlessly questioned. Who knew this was a thing? Hockey must do better at all levels. “Marc Crawford kicked me once,” Sean Avery told The Post, before relaying details of the incident that took place during the 2006-07 season Hockey is not alone. when they were together in Los Angeles. The NHL makes itself an easy target for its half-in, half-out, CTE-denying My first instinct was to ask Avery: Only once and only Crawford? But approach to dealing with head hits and concussions. instead I allowed Page Six Sean to tell the story. But the players themselves are not immune to criticism in this arena, the “This was right after I [messed] up a drill and dumped the puck into the latest example provided by the Licker himself, Brad Marchand, after he wrong corner, and it landed on Crow’s head and cut him for six was pulled from Friday’s Bruins-Rangers game in Boston by a spotter [stitches],” Avery said. “He kicked me during a game.” after he took an elbow from Jacob Trouba. Marchand was pulled at the start of the third period though he’d taken the blow late in the second. “Oh, so he kicked you during the next game because of the drill?” I naturally inquired. “That’s embarrassing. They had 20 minutes to sit there and view the tape and call that in. But they make me come out in a 2-1 game when we’re “No, he kicked me after a too-many-men-on-the-ice call I took,” Avery just starting to get some momentum,” he said. “Guy up there is busy said. “He didn’t have me serve it, we got scored on, and he let me have eating pizza and cheeseburgers and can’t watch the game. it. “Maybe next time he’ll pull his head out of his butt and watch the game. I “You know how I stand at the end of the bench? He came down and skated into his elbow but I was fine.” gave me an ass kick that left a mark.” Marchand later did change his tune, tweeting an apology — “I know the Page Six Sean found the incident more bemusing than upsetting. spotters are there to help us and I shouldn’t have taken my frustrations Crawford is currently an assistant coach with the Blackhawks. out on them.” — that did seem somewhat more sincere than the one The incident can be traced to the Dec. 23, 2006, match at Nashville in issued by Peters. which the Kings were assessed a too-many-men penalty at 19:18 of the Finally, if George Parros, the head of the NHL Department of Player second period, 36 seconds before J.P. Dumont scored the Predators’ Safety, had made an on-ice decision as egregious as he did in sixth goal in a 7-0 victory. suspendingthe Blues’ Robert Bortuzzo for merely four games for his On Feb. 5, 2007, Avery was sent to the Rangers for the first time. malevolent cross-check to the lower back delivered with such force that his victim, the Predators’ Viktor Arvidsson, will be sidelined up to six “You think that incident was the reason you were traded?” I asked. weeks, the Princeton grad would have been waived in a matter of “No, no,” Avery said. “That was because I squared off with and tried to minutes. fight Mark Hardy, who was one of our assistant coaches, on the ice.

“Matty Norstrom saved his life.” New York Post LOADED: 12.01.2019 The racist vitriol spewed at Akim Aliu by Peters, the now-former coach of the Flames, when he and the player were together at AHL Rockford during the 2009-10 season, is no laughing matter. The language was repugnant and inexcusable. On this, there can be no debate.

That is something quite apart from revelations that this same Peters kicked at least one player from behind the bench during his tenure coaching the Hurricanes from 2014-15 through 2017-18. This was reported up the chain to then-general manager Ron Francis, who handled matters internally and released a statement Saturday saying he took the matter seriously.

Whether the NHL disciplines the Hurricanes for the failure to notify the league of the matter remains to be seen. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly, when asked that question in an email exchange, told The Post, “I think it is fair to say that we are looking into all allegations relating to Bill Peters, and I would leave it there.”

Hockey culture has always featured a xenophobic push-back against Others. This did not begin with abusing his privileges behind the CBC and “Hockey Night in Canada” microphone that he weaponized into a bullhorn. It probably won’t end with his long-overdue exit from Canada’s pulpit, either.

Anders Hedberg’s and Ulf Nilsson’s bodies would be marked by welts and marks after essentially every game as a consequence of the jabs and spears they took from North American opponents throughout the Swedes’ first year on Broadway and in the NHL in 1978-79. 1164174 New York Rangers “We hung in there,” Zibanejad said. “I thought it was a good effort, even though all the penalties.”

Rangers wallop Devils with special teams masterpiece New York Post LOADED: 12.01.2019

By Brett Cyrgalis

November 30, 2019 | 4:00pm | Updated

As David Quinn has mentioned before, when the Rangers do something, they do it big.

They’ve lost big, and they’ve won big. They’ve been physical, and they’ve been unengaged. They’ve won games with special teams and goaltending, and they’ve had those two aspects lose them games, too.

It’s all part of the growing process for this young squad.

So it’s fitting that after they had a power-play stinker (0-for-6) in Boston on Black Friday, they would come back to score a power-play goal on their first chance and add two shorthanded goals to beat the discombobulated Devils, 4-0, in Newark on Saturday afternoon.

“You go from extreme to another, which tends to be our habit, no matter what topic it is,” said Quinn, whose team took eight penalties for a total of 15:00 of man-down time. “We go from one penalty [Friday] to [eight] today, and an abundance of minutes. Just a gutsy effort.”

The Rangers (13-9-3) are now riding a five-game points streak, the 3-2 overtime loss to the terrific Bruins as the only blight. The penalty kill that was once the bane of their existence dominated against the horrid man- advantage of the Devils (9-12-4), with Mika Zibanejad scoring his second shorthanded goal of the season at 2:35 of the third, and Jesper Fast adding another just over three minutes later to make it 3-0.

It brought many in the sold-out crowd of 16,514 to start chanting for the head of Devils coach John Hynes, which has been a theme despite a roster that is chock-full of problems. The Devils were missing No. 1- overall pick Jack Hughes, who was hurt blocking a shot in Montreal on Thanksgiving. P.K. Subban has seemingly turned into a shell of himself, and was not on either power-play unit for any of the first six chances. The goaltending situations remains murky with Mackenzie Blackwood as the de facto starter. And the rumors about past MVP Taylor Hall’s future with the organization are gaining intensity.

So maybe the Rangers didn’t need Alex Georgiev to stand on his head to record 33 saves for the third shutout of his career, but it was a group effort the Blueshirts were proud of nonetheless.

“We really won the game on the [penalty-kill] — not just scoring, but not letting them score,” said Zibanejad, who hasn’t missed a beat in his three games back following a month-long absence due to an upper-body injury. “Special teams, a lot of the games come down to that. And we won both areas, so that’s good.”

With all of the penalties, it was a disjointed game from the start. But when Pavel Zacha took a holding penalty midway through the first, the Rangers struck. Kaapo Kakko, playing his most assertive game in a while, made a slick cross-ice pass to Adam Fox on the back post, and Fox redirected it behind Blackwood for a 1-0 lead.

Then the Rangers’ march to the penalty box started in earnest — including another too-many-men, this one more a result of bad timing rather than a lack of focus, thus keeping Quinn’s head from exploding. Libor Hajek was called for a double-minor high-stick late in the second. When the Rangers opened the third period a man down, Zibanejad struck on a nice odd-man rush with Brendan Lemieux.

Then, after Chris Kreider was called for a boarding major at 5:21, Fast struck, finishing on a rare shorthanded 3-on-1 odd-man rush, started by Jacob Trouba with a slick first assist to Zibanejad.

“What a great opportunity there,” Hall said, “but we drained all the life out of our building and out of our team.”

When Brady Skjei then attempted to clear the zone late in the game, it bounced into the empty net — an appropriate ending for the Rangers, who can’t even win with subtlety. 1164175 New York Rangers

Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev bounces back in a big way with shutout vs. Devils

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday

November 30, 2019 7:11 PM

NEWARK – Alexandar Georgiev had allowed five goals in each of his last two starts and got pulled in one of them, and nearly got pulled in the other, so the 23-year-old Russian probably needed a strong game Saturday and he got it by making 33 saves to earn his third career shutout in the Rangers' 4-0 win over the Devils.

“Yeah, obviously, it feels much better when you don’t play that many games, to get yourself a bit of confidence with a good game,’’ Georgiev said.

“Big,’’ coach David Quinn said of Georgiev’s performance. “When you kill that many penalties, your goalie needs to be good, and he was good when he needed to be, and even some 5-on-5.

“Georgie had a big part in this win today, that’s for sure.’’

Georgiev finds himself in a difficult situation, playing behind Henrik Lundqvist, who has been getting more and more games and playing well. Fellow Russian Igor Shesterkin is playing well at AHL Hartford. The Rangers are going to have to make a decision on Shesterkin, who reportedly has an out clause in his contract to return to Russia after this season if he wants.

There is time pressure working against Georgiev, too. With 54 career NHL appearances, he can still be sent to the minor leagues without having to pass through waivers. Once he appears in his 60th game, then he will have to pass through waivers in order to be sent down, meaning any team could claim him. So if the Rangers want to see Shesterkin at the NHL level, they likely will want to send Georgiev (6-4-1 with a 3.08 goals-against average and .912 save percentage) down before he makes that 60th appearance.

Blue notes

The Rangers had another too-many-men on the ice penalty, but Quinn wasn’t mad at this one. “If we all want to make big deal out of it, we can, I get why,’’ he said. “But that is really a faultless one in a lot of ways. That wasn’t somebody sleeping on the bench, or a bad change. That was a change you see every single game and the puck just happened to hit one of our guys.'' . . . Quinn changed his forward lines, dropping Artemi Panarin to a third line, with Ryan Strome at center and Kaapo Kakko on the right, and dropping Brett Howden to the fourth line. Quinn said Kakko, who had been slumping, played his strongest game in a while . . . Boo Nieves was scratched and may be heading back to AHL Hartford.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164176 New York Rangers

Special-teams goals, penalty-killing power Rangers past Devils

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday

Updated December 1, 2019 1:57 AM

NEWARK, N.J. — Well, that was different.

The Rangers won a hockey game Saturday in which they found themselves shorthanded eight times against their rivals from across the Hudson. They killed all eight penalties and scored two shorthanded goals in a 4-0 thrashing of the Devils at Prudential Center to wrap up a back-to- back set in which they took three out of four points.

Mika Zibanejad had a goal and an assist and Alexandar Georgiev made 33 saves to earn his third career shutout. It was his first start since the Rangers’ 6-5 win over Montreal a week ago.

“Certainly not the way you draw up winning a hockey game . . . taking that many penalties and having that many penalty minutes to kill,’’ coach David Quinn said. “But we found a way to win, really gutted it out and stood tall on the penalty kill.’’

The eight power plays included a major in which Chris Kreider was given a five-minute boarding penalty and a game misconduct in the third period.

The victory extended the Rangers’ point streak to five games (4-0-1), and they are 5-1-1 in their last seven. Their record is 13-9-3 — the first time they have had four more wins than regulation losses since Thanksgiving Day last year.

“Yeah, I think we’re growing,’’ rookie defenseman Adam Fox said when asked if he thinks the Rangers are starting to figure things out. “We’re finding consistency. Obviously, we wanted two points Friday in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Bruins], but you’ll take points in this league — against the best team in the league, especially. I think we’re starting to kind of hit a stride here.’’

Fox has had something to do with that. The Jericho native has formed a rock-solid defense pair with Ryan Lindgren, his pal and former U.S. National Team Development Program teammate, and Fox has produced, too.

On Saturday, he got the Rangers on the board first, dunking home a feed from Kaapo Kakko on the power play at 12:45 of the first period. It was Fox’s fifth goal and his first on the power play in his NHL career.

The Rangers began their parade to the penalty box when Ryan Strome was called for high- sticking Kyle Palmieri at 19:28 of the first period. A little more than 30 seconds after they killed that penalty, Artemi Panarin was sent off for tripping. Brady Skjei took a hooking penalty, the Rangers got called for another too-many-men on the ice penalty and, at 19:27 of the period, Libor Hajek was given a double minor for high-sticking.

While killing that penalty, the Rangers doubled their lead. Zibanejad stole the puck from Sami Vatanen in the neutral zone to start a two-on-one. He passed to Brendan Lemieux, who passed it back, and Zibanejad finished for his sixth goal (in 12 games) at 2:35.

Jesper Fast made it 3-0 when he scored off a pass from Zibanejad while the Rangers were killing Kreider’s major penalty, which came at 5:21 of the third period after he checked Matt Tennyson into the end boards and the defenseman was bloodied above his eyebrow.

Skjei sealed it by scoring into an empty net at 17:18 after goalie Mackenzie Blackwood was pulled while the teams were skating four-on- four.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164177 New York Rangers Trouba was asked if the Rangers got the scent that the Devils were wavering on the power play and thus attacked more.

“I don’t know if you attack more, but definitely you know it,” he said. ‘He was huge’: Rangers’ Jacob Trouba has proven he can play important “When you’re on the power play and that happens against you, you kind minutes of get the feeling of a little frustration. And you don’t want to give them any opportunity to feel good about it. So, you just play how you’ve been playing, not taking any unnecessary chance or risk to give them some offense. Maybe they’ll get one and start feeling good. You keep up with By Rick Carpiniello the same mentality and play that you’ve been doing and stick with the Nov 30, 2019 gameplan that’s been going.”

Thoughts

NEWARK, N.J. — In his 25th game with the Rangers, we got a glimpse 1. Of course I wrote about the Rangers’ goalie dilemma and speculated of what they thought they were getting when they traded for, then signed, they could send Alexandar Georgiev down before he plays his 60th game Jacob Trouba. and loses his waiver exemption and, 24 hours later, he’s tossing his third NHL shutout, making 33 saves. (Henrik Lundqvist has none in that span.) We saw, really, Trouba’s best game with the Rangers — his most And it happened after Georgiev gave up 10 goals on 69 shots in his aggressive, smart, physical, even nasty game, in a 4-0 win over the previous two outings. Devils. He also had two assists. “Big, big,” Quinn said. “And he stood tall. You look at 4-0, (but) when you Trouba has to be that legit first-pair defenseman for the Rangers, and kill that many penalties, your goalie needs to be good and he was good while he has shuffled partners right from opening night, when he was when he needed to be. Even some five-on-five. In the first period, we did paired with his buddy Brady Skjei, to very recently, when they were a lot of good things, but unfortunately, some turnovers ignited some of reunited, well, the Rangers’ best pair has been Adam Fox and Ryan their opportunities on the rush, so I thought we gave up too many rush Lindgren. That’s a blessing and a bonus for the Rangers, a pair of 21- chances, which we hadn’t been doing. But Georgie had a big part in this year-olds doing that. But make no mistake, the Rangers need Trouba to one, that’s for sure.” be their first-pair righty. Georgiev, when he was done crediting his teammates, as usual, talked He was that in a big way Saturday, which included eight penalty kills for about the difficulties of sitting six of the last seven and staying sharp. the Rangers, two of which turned into short-handed goals. “You want to play great always, just not overthink it,” he said. “Come out “He was huge,” Rangers coach David Quinn said. “Him and Brady and like always, be confident, trust the guys, trust yourself. … I wouldn’t say Libor (Hajek) and Lindgren really did a heck of a job. They ate up a lot of (it’s harder). It’s a lot about mindset. Yeah, you don’t play that much but minutes on the penalty kill. Jacob really did a great job getting out on that at the same time, maybe you get to work more in practice. So, you have flank. They had a hard time getting pucks to the net because of him. I to be sharp and ready to play.” thought him and Brady did a great job clearing pucks. They got caught that one time for about a minute and a half and, boy, they really nutted up 2. Kakko-Meter: Kaapo Kakko was moved up in lineup, which was and just willed their way to killing that thing off and getting the puck out. shuffled and arguably more balanced. The struggling 18-year-old got a Troubs had a big night tonight.” great opportunity to play with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome on the first line (yes, if Panarin’s on it, that’s the first line). Kakko assisted on the Trouba, like Quinn and everybody else in blue, wasn’t thrilled with the power-play goal by Fox in the first that stood as the only goal until early script set by the 15 minutes worth of short-handed play. But, like in the third. everybody in blue, he was thrilled with the way it worked out — keeping in mind the Rangers were playing the Devils, not the Bruins as they did “Listen,” Quinn said, “one or two things happen when you have a player the day before, a 3-2 overtime loss in which the Rangers were undone by of his talent and they’re struggling. You can either demote them and put their power play and botched a long five-on-three and a four-minute them in a fourth-line role and take them off the power play, or give them power play. one more opportunity to get engaged and get their game to where they need it to be, and where we need his game to be. And I loved the way he “We were aggressive at the right times,” Trouba said. “We didn’t get responded. That was his best game in a while.” running around where we weren’t supposed to be. We kind of sat in structure and made them move the puck to the outside. 3. Speaking of which, Jack Hughes, taken first overall in June, one pick ahead of Kakko, picked up a lower-body injury blocking a shot against “Every game’s not going to be perfect. I mean, that’s what makes a team Montreal and did not play. good — trying to find a way to win games that you probably shouldn’t have. I’m not going to say we shouldn’t have won that game, because we 4. Early in the first, Jesper Fast was going around the back of the net played pretty well besides the penalties, but you don’t want to take eight with Pavel Zacha. Skating the other way was P.K. Subban, who had a penalties, that’s for sure.” hold on Chris Kreider. They both went down and low bridged Fast, who limped off. He gave it a little twirl, went to the athletic trainer’s room with So it is with aggression that the Rangers killed penalties and played at Jim Ramsay and returned late in the first. even strength, just as they did at five-on-five in Boston. They have done that often lately, as they have quietly put up a 4-0-1 streak and gone 10- 5. Moments later, Travis Zajac popped wide open for a shot that clanged 4-2 in their last 16. That may sound misleading because some of the the post. After that, Brendan Lemieux hit a pipe behind Mackenzie losses (and at least one win) were kind of unsightly. Blackwood after Trouba’s shot went through Blackwood’s pads in the crease. “And we did that against the Bruins, too,” Quinn said about the aggression. “Listen, that’s how we’re going to have to play. I mean, we’ve 6. In the middle of the first period, Kreider drew a penalty, and after got to have five-man gaps all over the ice. We have to have five-man Friday’s power-play debacle in Boston, one would think they’d simplify. packs. And when we do that, we make life hard for the opponent. So, But Panarin, with a chance to shoot, tried one of those cross-crease regardless of who our opponent is, we have to play a certain way.” passes through the goal-mouth, which failed. Then the second unit made it work, Kakko working the right wall like a young Mats Zuccarello, and That style has certainly taken on a notable difference since Mika threading one of the same types of passes that did work to Fox sneaking Zibanejad, who scored one of the short-handed goals and set up the to the left post for a dunk past Blackwood. 1-0. other, returned after missing 13 games with an injury. 7. Strome got his stick up while swinging at a puck and caught Kyle “We want to play with tempo. We want to play being on top of them and Palmieri in the face at the end of the first, and the power play carried into making it hard for them,” Zibanejad said. “We know how hard it is when the second, when Lemieux and Brett Howden did some strong work to teams come at us and give us no space and no time, so that’s what we kill it. Panarin then took down Jesper Boqvist, and the Rangers had to kill want to do to teams. We have good skaters on our team, so why not use another one. The Devils helped by repeatedly missing the net. it? Other than that, it’s the way we’re playing and the way we’re trusting our system and the way we’re trusting each other right now, and it’s 8. Lindgren really is like no other Rangers defenseman now or in the last definitely a good sign. That’s what you want from a young team like this.” while. Miles Wood, a pretty tough customer, was in on Georgiev as he covered a loose puck, and Lindgren grabbed hold of Wood, then tossed 21. About that kill. The Rangers were short-handed for 15 minutes in a a little jab into his nose — enough to annoy him to no end, but not game for the first time since 2007. They have killed 20 of 21 (95.2 enough to get a penalty. The kid’s no-nonsense around the blue paint, percent) over the last five games. boy. Late in the game, he had a run-in with Wayne Simmonds, and they’ve done battle before. “Just so proud of our guys the way we found a way to win and really gutted it out and stood tall on our penalty kill,” Quinn said. “Obviously, we 9. Wood was flying up the left wing when Skjei, with one hand on his went through that stretch there where our penalty kill was really hurting stick, tapped him around the gloves. Penalty. Holy shish kebab has the us, and ever since (the seven power-play goals in 10 attempts on) that game gone soft. Anyway, Trouba lined up Wood a split second after Florida trip, our penalty kill’s been very good statistically and it’s looked Skjei’s “hook” and leveled him with an open-ice bomb. Not soft. The good. I give Lindy (Ruff) a lot of credit. He’s worked awful hard at it and Rangers killed another one. our guys have certainly responded. That being said, you go from one extreme to the other, which tends to be our habit no matter what topic it 10. Then Filip Chytil drew a high-sticking penalty to Zajac and the is. We go from one penalty yesterday (in Boston) to eight today and an Rangers went with their four righties on the first unit. They set up a single abundance of minutes. So, just a gutsy effort. I loved our game right from one-timer, by Zibanejad above the right circle, but since there was no the get-go. There was a lot of enthusiasm. There was a lot of pace to it. threat on the right side, that shot, hard as it was, was really an easy Just a lot of effort by a lot of guys.” cover and save for the Devils.

11. The puck was bouncing like crazy all day, and Kreider sent a head- man pass for Zibanejad that should have been a breakaway but hopped The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 out of Zibanejad’s reach. Someone in the press box said it was like playing tennis. Georgiev followed with a pair of big saves on Palmieri and Matt Tennyson.

12. Quinn’s guarantee isn’t exactly going to be remembered like Mark Messier’s. The Rangers took another too-many-men penalty — that’s five in the last nine games — late in the second period. The Rangers haven’t just been taking them lately. They had also given up three power-play goals on the last four too-many-men penalties. But they survived that one. So, baby steps. “That one I’m not even going to get mad at,” Quinn said. “That one was, I mean, what are you going to do? Bang-bang. So, I’m not mad at anybody, I’m not going to sit here and be pissed off about it. The guys made a good change and the puck went right to them. If we all want to make a big deal out of it, we can. I get why. But that is really a faultless one in a lot of ways. That wasn’t somebody sleeping on the bench or a bad change. It was actually a change you see every single game a hundred times and the puck just happened to hit our guy.”

13. But Hajek clipped Simmonds in the face with an accidental stick, drawing blood, and the officials actually reviewed it and handed out a four-minute penalty. Simmonds being one of the few guys left who don’t wear a visor is noteworthy. Simmonds was yapping at the Rangers, causing a get-together at center ice after the second-period buzzer.

14. The penalties carried into the third and Georgiev was challenged much more. But with 53 seconds left in the second minor, Zibanejad stole the puck in the neutral zone and made a soft little saucer pass to send Lemieux into the zone, then drove to the net to get Lemieux’s return pass and bury it for a short-hander, his second in his three games back. 2-0.

15. Hell had been close to breaking loose, and it did when Kreider boarded Tennyson behind the net in the offensive zone. Tennyson, who appeared to turn as Kreider hit him, was cut, and Kevin Rooney jumped in to fight Kreider (no instigator; that’s not a penalty anymore, obviously). And a few other skirmishes broke out. Subban challenged Skjei to a fight and Skjei just motioned to the scoreboard. Kreider was given a major for boarding, another for fighting and a game misconduct.

16. But … Zibenajad did it again. Trouba stole the puck and send Zibanejad breaking three-on-two. Trouba drove to the net and Zibanejad found Fast, the trailer, for another short-handed goal. 3-0. The Devils’ power play was 0-for-8 with two goals allowed. Yikes. By the way, they were chanting “Fire Hynes” after the goal. Such typical absurd reaction. Rangers fans were chanting “Taylor’s leaving” in regards to reports (including one by The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun) that free agent-to-be Taylor Hall is being shopped.

17. Zibanejad nearly added a third shorty and drew another new-wave soft penalty to Nikita Gusev to offset some of Kreider’s remaining 3:35.

18. Georgiev made a big save, and got help from a whistle, to maintain the shutout after Tony DeAngelo took a needless risk diving for a puck at the defensive blue line. Wood batted at the puck after the first save, and ultimately it ended up in the net, but it was waved off, reviewed and disallowed.

19. Skjei sealed it with a lob-wedge empty-net goal after Simmonds and Lindgren were boxed for a little get-together and Blackwood was pulled for an extra skater.

20. Daily Bread: Panarin went without a point for the first time in five games, the second time in 18 and the fifth time all season. 1164178 NHL physical striking by a coach and that Peters “wouldn’t have lasted five minutes with me or most of our organization’’ had that been done.

“Look, I ran large companies with thousands of people, and I wouldn’t NHL Seattle GM Ron Francis says he took alleged physical abuse by tolerate that kind of behavior from any of our management. And these coach Bill Peters ‘very seriously’, but doesn’t say what steps he took are all very talented people. You don’t treat employees that way. You can’t be verbally or physically abusive.’’

Karmanos sold the team to Thomas Dundon in December 2017. Dundon Nov. 30, 2019 at 3:53 pm Updated Nov. 30, 2019 at 5:40 PM removed Francis as GM that spring and Peters resigned soon after.

Francis was hired last July as NHL Seattle’s first GM.

NHL Seattle general manager Ron Francis released a statement Saturday saying he took alleged physical abuse by coach Bill Peters “very seriously’’ when both were working for the Carolina Hurricanes. By Geoff Baker

Peters was accused of having kicked one Hurricanes player in the back Seattle Times LOADED: 12.01.2019 and punched another one in the head during a game. Francis did not say what steps he took with Peters, but added that he briefed the team’s ownership at the time.

That contradicts what then-Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos said in an interview with The Seattle Times last Wednesday. Karmanos said he’d have fired Peters “in a nanosecond’’ had anyone told him about the incidents.

Peters resigned as head coach of the Calgary Flames on Friday while an investigation was underway into his use of a racial epithet against a black player while coaching in the minors more than a decade ago.

“When I was general manager in Carolina, after a game, a group of players and hockey staff members made me aware of the physical incidents involving two players and Bill Peters. I took this matter very seriously,” the statement by Francis said. “I took immediate action to address the matter and briefed ownership. To my knowledge, no further such incidents occurred.”

Francis said it would have been “inappropriate’’ to comment publicly while an active investigation was being conducted by the Flames and added he would not comment further.

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour last Wednesday had already told reporters that players and staffers went to Francis about the incident and that he believed it had been resolved to everyone’s satisfaction with no repeat occurrences. No specific date has been given for the game in question, but it is believed to have been at some point during the 2015- 16 season.

Francis gave Peters a two-year contract extension after that season in the summer of 2016. Reports out of North Carolina this week indicated that Peters staying on caused an internal team rift involving some players and staffers.

Peters resigned from the Hurricanes in April 2018 and quickly took a job with the Flames.

Last Monday, former NHL player Akim Aliu tweeted that Peters had used the “N’’ word with him during the 2008-09 season while they were both with the same American Hockey League squad.

The allegations caused a firestorm, prompting the investigation. Then, on Tuesday, former Hurricanes defenseman Michal Jordan tweeted that Peters had kicked him in the back and punched another unidentified defenseman during a game. Jordan played two seasons under Peters ending after 2015-16 when he left to play in the Kontinental Hockey League.

In his interview last week with the Times, Karmanos said of Jordan: “I never could figure out why the kid wouldn’t take the contract we had offered him. He was an excellent seventh defenseman as far as I was concerned. And now, I can understand why (he left).’’

Karmanos said he’d wanted to fire Peters strictly for not having made the playoffs, but Francis continuously stood by the first coaching hire he’d made after taking the team’s GM job in 2014-15.

“We couldn’t make the playoffs and as it turned out we had a pretty good nucleus,’’ Karmanos said. “And then he leaves and it takes Rod (Brind’Amour) half a year to make the playoffs and make the conference final.’’

Karmanos said Francis typically played things close to the vest as a GM – even with him – but that he “absolutely’’ expected to be informed of any 1164179 Ottawa Senators Brady Tkachuk had a glorious opportunity on an open net behind Rittich, but missed it with about nine minutes to go in the second. You can expect highlight reels of Tkachuk everywhere looking to the sky after he missed the chance at a time the Senators really needed a goal to try to GARRIOCH GAME REPORT: Senators fall to Flames, lose four in row get some semblance of momentum. for first time this season This was a tight, defensive battle with limited scoring opportunities in the first as the Senators outshot the Flames 9-8, but gave up the only goal. That came after a faceoff in the Ottawa zone and Dube was able to beat Bruce Garrioch Hogberg with a backhand with only 1:04 left on the clock. November 30, 2019 11:01 PM EST “We gave ourselves every opportunity to win. To a man, I thought we really worked here tonight.”

CALGARY — It was a tough end to a tough month for the Ottawa Up to that point, you had to wonder if anybody was going to score Senators. because Hogberg had stopped T.J. Brodie earlier on a great chance.

The Senators closed out one of their busiest months of the season with a “It was good to see right away that after 24 hours we can right back to .500 record at 8-8-0 in November after they dropped their fourth straight the way we know we have success playing,” said defenceman Thomas with a 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday night at the Chabot, who was given a questionable tripping call late with Ottawa Scotiabank Saddledome. trying to tie it. “We played a good game with a few mistakes and me taking that penalty at the end. While the Senators were certainly close in this one, only Jean-Gabriel Pageau solved Calgary goaltender David Rittich on the 27 shots he “Those are unfortunate things, but overall I think we’ve got to be pretty faced. It’s the first time this season the Senators have lost four happy with the way that we bounced back from last night.” consecutive games after starting the season with three straight losses, The road trip continues Tuesday night against the Vancouver Canucks at and the way this one ended was difficult for them to take after battling Rogers Arena. back in the third.

With veteran goalie Craig Anderson placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury that isn’t considered serious and Anders Nilsson Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.01.2019 backing up after allowing seven goals on 35 shots in Friday’s 7-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Friday, the Senators opted to give Marcus Hogberg his fifth NHL start after four appearances last season.

Hogberg, who has a one-way contract next year, was solid with 24 stops in the club’s net as only Dillon Dube, with a goal in the first period, and Elias Lindholm, with the winner in the third, were able to beat him. Lindholm’s goal came at 15:50, only 1:01 after the Senators had finally got on the board.

“I felt pretty good. It was a little disappointing that second goal (by Lindholm) because I was a little bit too deep and I should have that,” Hogberg said.

Lindholm put it away into an empty net.

“It’s unfortunate. We played a pretty good game and a pretty solid road game,” said Pageau, who scored his 11th goal of the month with 5:11 left to tie it 1-1 by beating Rittich on the 23rd shot he faced. “It was simple and hard.

“It was night and day (compared to Minnesota). We showed up in the third before they scored that last goal. I thought we came out and played hard. We showed some character, we didn’t quit and we didn’t cheat to get that goal.”

Coach D.J. Smith said that, after the club’s ugly loss Friday afternoon in Minny, he wanted to see a better effort in this one against the Flames.

“We played hard,” Smith said. “I thought we played really hard on a back- to-back, gave ourselves every opportunity to win and it’s an unfortunate break at the end there, but a good player finds a way to score.

“That’s the way we’ve got to play. To a man, I thought we really worked tonight, and we’ve got to find a way to score a little bit, but I think that’s going to come in time and with age and maturity when we’ve got some empty nets and we’re missing them and squeezing them a little bit.”

There’s no question the Senators worked hard and were a lot better than the loss in Minnesota, but the club has to do a better job cashing in on its opportunities.

Smith expected a difficult test from the Flames. Interim coach Geoff Ward was behind the bench for his second game after coach Bill Peters resigned Friday following allegations of racism and physically abusing players.

Smith was right on that front, and this wasn’t an easy game by any stretch of the imagination. Trying to get the offence going, he changed most of the line combinations he started with during the warmup, but through 40 minutes nothing was working. The Senators had outshot the Flames by an 18-15 margin, but trailed 1-0. 1164180 Ottawa Senators comes quicker, some of it has been fits and starts, but feeling really great as of 10 days ago.

“I feel like more myself and I couldn’t be happier to now be a full go and SNAPSHOTS: Bruins' David Backes relieved that Sens' Scott Sabourin is hopefully playing contact hockey against a different team in short order.” recovering THE LAST WORDS

The NHL has released its ballot for all-star game weekend Jan. 24-25 in Bruce Garrioch St. Louis. There are three Ottawa players on the ballot: defenceman Thomas Chabot, winger Brady Tkachuk and centre Jean-Gabriel November 30, 2019 11:04 PM EST Pageau. Last year, Chabot represented the Senators in the all-star festivities at San Jose. It’s nice to see Pageau get consideration because

he has been one of the the Senators’ top players through the first quarter The Boston forward also thought about his own situation, but he knew of the season … Former Ottawa 67’s forward Sean Monahan skated in what Sabourin's family was going through as he lay unconscious on the his 500th NHL game Saturday with the Calgary Flames against the ice. Senators. He suited up for his first NHL game on Oct. 3, 2013, and went into Saturday’s contest with 178 goals and 205 assists for 383 points, Now, as he closes in on a return to the Boston Bruins’ lineup, Backes is which rank No. 16 in Flames history … Ottawa coach D.J. Smith was hopeful he’ll soon see Scott Sabourin back with the Ottawa Senators, calling this the “Chucky Bowl” because Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk was too. facing off against his brother, Matthew. Their grandfather was in the stands, wearing a jersey split between Senators and Flames colours … Speaking to reporters in Boston on Saturday for the first time since a Smith made one change for Saturday, inserting centre J.C. Beaudin into catastrophic collision knocked Sabourin unconscious during a game on the lineup in place of , who was a healthy scratch. Brown Nov. 2, Backes, who fought back tears as Sabourin was stretchered off played 10 minutes 46 seconds against the Minnesota Wild on Friday, had the ice, said he had feared the Ottawa native was “critically” injured. an assist and was minus-2. “More back-to-back. I wanted to get “It was heavy,” Backes said. “With the incident earlier with (Roman) (Beaudin) in. I didn’t want him to sit very long. He’s come along really Polak being stretchered off (in Dallas on Oct. 3), it was tough to see nice,” Smith said. “I wasn’t sure how (Artem Anisimov) would feel on the anybody stretchered off the ice. You’re all kind of, in the end, a fraternity back-to-back. My plan was to take one of them out. I wasn’t sure who of guys playing this sport and loving this sport, and nobody wants to see and Logan got a good skate in and he’ll be back on this road trip.” anybody injured.

“To be part of a collision, and I saw (Sabourin) down there, and I saw Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.01.2019 blood coming from his mouth, his nose, his eye and he wasn’t moving … I’ve seen guys knocked out quite a few times and after 15 or 20 seconds they start to get the twitches or they wake up wondering where they are. It’s scary, but it seemed to me like he was out for minutes.

“I was really fearful that he was critically injured and he needed significant help. As he started moving, that (reaction) subsided a little bit, but my vision wasn’t great and I knew I was a little messed-up from the contact as well and I needed to go take care of myself as well.”

Backes was injured on the play, too, as it turned out, and hasn’t played since.

He said Saturday he was relieved to hear that Sabourin was OK, but he also thought about his own situation at that particular moment and knew what Sabourin’s family was going through as he lay unconscious on the ice for an extend time.

“I got the message that he was responsive,” Backes added. “It was kind of perspective-giving in that, if that’s me on the ice, my wife and my parents and my kids are seeing that … I didn’t know Scott from anybody in the world before that incident.

“He’s got a fiancée, his parents were watching, he’s a hometown Ottawa kid and that’s gotta be extremely scary and I feel for all those people and, at the same time, worried about my own health with a long history of hits like that happen. I’ve been in good hands. The guys that have gone through 12 years of (medical) schooling tell me I’m ready to go and I’m excited.”

STILL WORRIES

Backes, who said he has had approximately 10 concussions during his hockey career, checked with Sabourin that night and the next day, when the Ottawa winger was discharged from hospital in Boston. Sabourin has been skating in Ottawa for the past couple of weeks, but hasn’t rejoined the team yet.

“I still think about him and I pray for him when I think about what I’m going through and I would imagine he’s hopefully on a similar path to recovery and being back on the ice shortly,” Backes said.

Backes skated with the Bruins on Saturday for the first time receiving a concussion from the collision with Sabourin. There’s no timetable for his return and he still has work to do before returning to action, but he’s feeling much better.

“I’m just going through the process of what the doctors are telling me and trying to get back as soon as possible,” Backes said. “Some of that 1164181 Ottawa Senators stick games that got a little physical with body checking each other into the walls. So there’s not really one that stands out because it was sort of the way they were all along. They just played hard and had fun.

‘Chucky Bowl’ Part III: Inside the sibling matchup between Brady and “They always played mini-sticks in the wives lounge too,” she added. “I Matthew Tkachuk and their all-star sister Taryn think the other wives with no kids thought I was crazy because (the boys) would usually end up rolling around the floor tackling one another.”

Brady remembers the brotherly fights fondly. By Hailey Salvian “Oh yeah, there were a bunch of fights she had to break up or we’d come Nov 30, 2019 in the house flying around on our rollerblades trying to get at one another or me trying to get away,” he said with a laugh. “It’s a lot of good

memories and I think it made us both who we are today.” After a 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Although it’s now the third time Matthew and Brady have played against Saturday night, Brady Tkachuk was standing outside the Flames’ locker each other, Saturday’s game is perhaps more emblematic of just how room with his brother Matthew taking photos and mingling with a handful athletically gifted the Tkachuk family is. of friends and their grandfather who made the trip for the siblings’ third head-to-head meeting in the NHL. Dad Keith played 1,201 games over a 19-year NHL career. Matthew won a Memorial Cup in 2015 with the London Knights and was drafted sixth It was a much quieter scene than last February when Brady and Matthew overall in 2016, while Brady has been a star on the rise with the Senators played against each other for the first time. That day, almost 40 friends since being drafted fourth overall in 2018. and family members packed a suite at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa with matching white jerseys that had half Ottawa and half Calgary on the And while the third edition of the “Chucky” or “Tkachuk Bowl” (as some front, and “Tkachuk Brothers” with the Nos. 7 and 19 on the back. like to call it) was going on, Chantal and Keith were absent. They opted instead to go to Tampa to watch arguably the best athlete in the family “I think it’s starting to feel like just an average game,” said Brady, who compete — their youngest child Taryn. added it is still special to play against Matthew. “I look up to him so much so it’s maybe a little weird (for me). … But I’m trying to treat it like another It’s hard to imagine there is someone in that family more iconic and game.” athletic than “Big Walt” or one of his songs. But Taryn, 17, is a major field hockey star in their home state of Missouri. “It’s their third time meeting now, so it’s probably not as big of a deal as it was the first time around,” added Chantal Tkachuk, Matthew and Brady’s In her junior year of high school this year, she scored 43 goals and 115 mom, on a phone call with The Athletic. “But it’s always exciting for our points to lead the entire state by a long shot. She had at least 51 points family.” more than any other field hockey player in Missouri. Her stats, along with her jersey number being 23, is why her brothers call her LeBron. Chantal and Brady still remember the Feb. 23 game fondly though. And with all the family together and the fanfare around it, it is difficult to forget. “It’s hard not to be everywhere you want to be at the time, but the boys understand that their sister’s stuff is important too, and this is a big “I was so excited,” Brady said about the first game. “Very few people get tournament for her this weekend,” Chantal said on the phone from to say they played against their brother in the NHL, so definitely it was Tampa. “They keep checking in. We have a family group text chat and hyped up. they always want the updates on how she is doing.” “I remember the faceoff, the picture before, definitely a highlight was the “I am Taryn’s biggest fan,” Brady said. “She recently committed (NCAA goal, but it was just such a surreal experience and to be able to share Division I) to play for (University of Virginia) and we are all super happy that with family and friends was pretty awesome.” for her.” Chantal said there were a bit more nerves involved on her end because Brady and Taryn are especially close because when Matthew left the she wanted her boys to play well. house to join the U.S. National Development Program, they only had “But, it was just so exciting seeing them both be on the same ice and each other. realize their dreams of being in the NHL,” she said about the first “They’ve got a cute, sweet bond,” Chantal said. “But both the boys are matchup. “It was a moment of immense pride to see them out there at really supportive, and she knows it and I think that makes her feel pretty the same time and to see them take a picture during warmups and all special.” that was really, really special.” Brady and Matthew have become well known for being exactly like their On Saturday, the brothers posed for another photo during warmups and dad on the ice. And well, Taryn isn’t too different. In some of her highlight they both started the game with their respective lines, although they did videos, you can see her skill, physicality and knack for “accidentally” not physically take the faceoff like they did in their debut matchup. What running into opposing goalies. also stayed the same was an agreement made to their mom that they would not fight or get physical with each other in the game. “She’s a Tkachuk,” Brady said with a big grin.

Brady said they didn’t need a pact though, as he and Matthew know they It’s not hard to see where she gets it from either. When Brady and would never do anything bad to one another. At least not anymore — as Matthew were competing in the driveway or body checking each other on the stories go, the boys didn’t always play nice growing up. the trampoline, Taryn was often right in the thick of it with them. If she wanted to play, she had to compete hard. And that’s followed her onto According to Chantal, Matthew and Brady were “always, always, always” the field, just like it followed her brothers on the ice. competing hard in things roller hockey, basketball, and even a made-up game called “trampoline football” that just consisted of the siblings While it was tough timing with Taryn’s big tournament weekend during throwing a football and body checking each other on the trampoline in the latest Tkachuk bowl matchup, there is one more remaining this their backyard. season. In January, Keith, Chantal and their giant clan will return to Canadian Tire Centre when the Flames are in town and the hype will “It was almost a joke in our family,” she said. “You know, they’d go out probably return with them. and play roller hockey and we’d be like, ‘OK how many minutes until they come in and somebody is complaining or fighting,’. And sure enough, “(The boys) understand that we’d love to be there obviously, but we are somebody would come in complaining, and then they’d be back out five looking forward to coming in January with our huge group,” Chantal said. minutes later playing again. They just always were each other’s “And I’m sure we will bring the jerseys back too.” playmates and just competed all the time.”

When asked if there was one particular fight, or moment that stood out, Chantal joked that there were too many to just pick one. The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019

“Oh god, it happened kind of regularly,” she said laughing. “I mean, I’ve replaced windows from hockey pucks. I’ve had to patch walls from mini- 1164182 Philadelphia Flyers Just 45 seconds after Tatar’s goal, Hayes took a pass from Farabee and scored on a spin-around shot from the high slot, tying the score at 2-2 with 11:01 to go in the second.

Ivan Provorov lifts Flyers to 4-3 overtime win in Montreal to complete “He’s a young kid, but it looks like he’s been in the league for a while,” magical November Hayes said of the 19-year-old Farabee. “He has the skills to be a great player in this league.”

Montreal scored on the game’s first shot, a right-circle drive by Joel by Sam Carchidi Armia (nine shots) that handcuffed Elliott 19 seconds after the opening faceoff. Elliott would make amends.

“That first goal shouldn’t go in,” Elliott said. “You want to make up for it MONTREAL -- As defenseman Ivan Provorv took the puck in his own the rest of the game. We did a good job of not getting too low and kept zone and headed up ice in overtime, he could hear his teammates plugging away. I think that’s what we’ve done well as of late.” shouting from the bench. Breakaways “Forward! Forward! Forward!” Defenseman Phil Myers went back into the lineup and Robert Hagg was They were telling Provorov he was going one-on-one against Montreal a healthy scratch. … In November, Carter Hart had a 1.94 GAA and .927 Canadiens forward Max Domi. save percentage in 10 games (6-2-2). ... In the third period, Raffl That’s when Provorov clicked on the afterburners as he reached the right replaced Morgan Frost on Giroux’s line, and Frost dropped down in the circle, put the puck through his legs to go around Domi, and then made a lineup. sweet move to slip the puck past goalie Keith Kinkaid.

The artistic goal, scored 31 seconds into overtime, lifted the Flyers to a 4- Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.01.2019 3 overtime victory over Montreal on Saturday at the Bell Centre and increased their wining streak to four straight games.

“I didn’t think he had that move in his repertoire,” coach Alain Vigneault said.

The Flyers tied a franchise record for points in November – 24, done three other times – with the gritty win.

“They kind of gave me room to skate, and I saw it was a forward skating backwards‚” said Provorov after the first overtime goal of his NHL career. “So I figured I had time, and I figured I’d try it, and it worked. You grow up watching people make those moves, and some days in practices you do what you want to try in games. And I guess it was one of those games. It’s the first time it’s worked for me in the NHL.”

“It’s no surprise to me. I saw him do that in junior [hockey] a lot,” Travis Konecny said.

Brian Elliott made 39 saves for the Flyers, who handed the Canadiens their seventh straight defeat.

The Flyers had a league-best 24 points (10-2-4) in November. They registered just their fourth 10-win month in the last decade. The others were February 2018 (10-1-2), March 2012 (11-3-2), and January 2011 (10-2).

The Flyers were playing their fourth game in the last five-and-a-half days and on back-to-back days. They looked fatigued in the second half of the game, which turned into a shooting gallery in front of Elliott. Montreal outshot the Flyers, 42-29.

“I thought we gutted it out,” said Kevin Hayes, who contributed his eighth goal. “It was a great team win.”

A beautifully executed three-on-two ended with Konecny whipping a left- circle wrist shot past Kinkaid to give the Flyers their first lead, at 3-2, with 18 minutes, 26 seconds left in the third period. Claude Giroux and Michael Raffl had the assists.

Montreal, however, answered with Tomas Tatar’s power-play goal less than two minutes later. The Flyers’ penalty kill had been 19-for-20 in their previous six-plus games before Tatar struck from the left circle to make it 3-3.

Elliott was the only reason the Flyers weren’t behind after two periods. The veteran goalie made four outstanding saves late in the second period to keep the game tied at 2-2. He stopped 19 of 20 second-period shots.

Earlier in the second, the teams combined for three goals in a dizzying 72-second span that tied the game at 2-2.

Justin Braun’s point drive was deflected by Oskar Lindblom (team-high 11th goal) past Kincaid to knot the score at 1-1 with 12:13 left in the second. It was originally credited to Braun but changed after the game.

Twenty-seven seconds later, Tatar (two goals) won a puck battle with Braun in front and beat Elliott to put the Habs back in front, 2-1. 1164183 Philadelphia Flyers “I thought the energy of our team jumped up from there,” he said, “and we were able to play the rest of the game the right way. I thought we did a good job of not getting rattled by letting up a goal in the last minute of the [first] period. It’s a big sign that we’re a veteran team that can handle Flyers coach Alain Vigneault giving tough love to demoted winger James some misplays and come back with resilience.” van Riemsdyk It was the Flyers’ first regulation victory at Nationwide Area since 2005, when rookie Jeff Carter deposited the winner. by Sam Carchidi “Just a big win on the road,” said Laughton, whose team improved its overall record to 13-7-5. “It feels like we hadn’t won in this building in

forever.” James van Riemsdyk knows he was not given a five-year, $35 million Breakaways contract last year to be on the Flyers’ fourth line. Carter Hart, who is 5-2-2 with a 2.05 GAA and .921 save percentage this But that’s where the Flyers’ big left winger has played the last four month, will face the Red Wings and may be opposed by former Flyer Cal games. Pickard. … Detroit (7-17-3), which is last in the 16-team Eastern The Central Jersey native hasn’t been playing that poorly. His defense Conference and has lost seven straight (0-5-2), is coming off a 6-0 defeat has improved, and he was getting plenty of scoring chances from in close Wednesday to visiting Toronto. The Leafs had 54 shots, the most before his demotion. allowed by Detroit in a game since 1976. … Robert Hagg broke up a two- on-one in Wednesday’s third period and had three blocked shots and He just wasn’t finishing those chances, and now has only one goal in his three hits. ... Most of the team worked out off-ice on Thursday with the last 16 games. exception of Shayne Gostisbehere, Phil Myers, Chris Stewart, and Nolan Patrick taking the ice for some drills against goaltender Hart. Vigneault “Obviously, I’m here to produce and score goals,” van Riemsdyk, whose said early Thursday afternoon that he had not yet decided on his six team hosts Detroit at 4 p.m. Friday, said recently. “When things aren’t defensemen for Friday’s game. The coach said earlier this week that he going in, I think there are things you can focus on. For me, focus on wanted to get Gostisbehere, who has sat out the last three games, back being good on the walls, don’t turn pucks over, be a plus player. I think into the lineup at some point soon. I’ve been doing all those things. You just continue to stick with it.”

Case in point: van Riemsdyk, playing in his 700th career game, contributed an assist on Tyler Pitlick’s goal and was plus-1 in the Flyers’ Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.01.2019 3-2 comeback win Wednesday in Columbus, where they entered the night with just one win in their previous 14 contests.

Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said van Riemsdyk is working hard and ‘trying to get his game in order. As a staff and as a head coach, there’s always that fine line. Players say, ‘Give me more ice time and I’ll play better,’ and I say, ‘Play better and I’ll give you more ice time.’ We’ve given him every power play, and he’s gotten one goal so far on that unit.”

“I feel like I’ve gotten some good looks, and I’ve certainly been a little snake-bitten,” van Riemsdyk said. “But I know I’m here to produce offense and it hasn’t necessarily gone well for me in that sense, but I have to focus on the other details as I mentioned, and the rest usually takes care of itself.”

Van Riemsdyk, who had 27 goals in 66 games last season but just four goals in 25 games this year, had received less than 10 minutes of playing time in his previous two games before Wednesday. He was on the ice for 15:55 against Columbus, primarily because the Flyers had five power plays.

“Everyone wants to play,” van Riemsdyk said, “but that being said, those decisions are out of your control as a player. You just have a good attitude, a good mindset every day, and you go from there.”

In Wednesday’s victory, Claude Giroux’s power-play goal late in the second period and Brian Elliott’s strong goaltending lifted the Flyers to the win, giving them points in 12 of their last 14 games.

The Flyers had been a sloppy 0-for-4 on the power play — and had not had many chances — before Giroux scored on a wrist shot from the left circle.

Elliott stopped 15 of his 28 shots in the third period. He made two huge late saves, including one with his skate on Sonny Milano’s point-blank attempt with 3:15 to go.

“Probably his best save of the year,” Giroux said.

Earlier, Scott Laughton converted Joel Farabee’s perfect goal-mouth feed into a goal, knotting the score at 2-2 early in the second period. It was Laughton’s first goal of the season – and first in 24 games dating back to last March.

“That’s the best I’ve felt since the injury,” said Laughton, who had missed 13 games this season because of a broken right index finger.

The goal negated Seth Jones’ tally with 36 seconds left in the first, which put Columbus ahead, 2-1.

Elliott called Laughton’s goal the key to a rare win in Columbus. 1164184 Philadelphia Flyers Just 46 seconds later, a neutral-zone turnover by Kevin Hayes led to a Columbus goal as defenseman Seth Jones fired a right-circle shot past a screened Elliott with 36 seconds to go in the period. Jones converted a slick pass from Gustav Nyquist, who was behind the net. Claude Giroux, Brian Elliott spark Flyers to a rare win in Columbus “Laughts had a huge goal to get us back [even],” Elliott said. “I thought the energy of our team jumped up from there and we were able to play the rest of the game the right way. ... I thought we did a good job of not by Sam Carchidi getting rattled [by] letting up a goal in the last minute of the period. It’s a big sign that we’re a veteran team that can handle some misplays and come back with resilience.” COLUMBUS, Ohio -- To call Nationwide Arena the Flyers’ house of horrors is an understatement. Columbus, which lost stars Sergei Bobrovsky, Artemi Panarin and Matt Duchene to free agency in the offseason, had won four of its last five In the last 14 times they had played there entering Wednesday, they had games entering the night. left with a loss in 13 of those games – and hadn’t won in regulation in Columbus since 2005. Breakaways

Claude Giroux’s power-play goal late in the second period snapped a 2-2 In the Flyers’ last regulation win in Columbus before Wednesday, rookie tie and Brian Elliott finished with 28 saves as the Flyers defeated the Jeff Carter had the winning goal and Robert Esche was the winning Blue Jackets, 3-2, at Nationwide Arena. goalie. ... Robert Hagg (three blocks, three hits) broke up a two-on-one with a little under 11 minutes left. ... Nolan Patrick, who has been In a Columbus-dominated third period, Elliott made 15 stops, none bigger sidelined all season with a migraine disorder, skated Wednesday than point blank saves on Josh Anderson with 6 minutes, 42 seconds morning in Columbus. … Carter Hart will be in the nets Friday afternoon remaining and Sonny Milano with 3:15 to go. against visiting Detroit, said Vigneault, who plans to go with Elliott on Saturday afternoon in Montreal. The skate stop on Milano “was probably his best save of the year," Giroux said.

“Our goaltender, in clutch times, was obviously the difference. He was Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.01.2019 the best player on the ice,” coach Alain Vigneault said after the Flyers (13-7-5) collected points for the 12th time in their last 14 games.

The Flyers’ power play looked futile in their first four chances, but finally capitalized on its fifth attempt of the night, taking a 3-2 lead on Giroux’s goal.

“They were doing a good job of pressuring us. and we really didn’t have an answer,” Giroux said. “We finally got our stuff together and started attacking a little quicker and were able to get one. It was huge.”

Taking a pass from Ivan Provorov, Giroux whipped a shot from the left circle -- his old power-play office before moving to the right side in a lot of games this season – to put the Flyers ahead with 3:25 left in the second period. James van Riemsdyk set a screen in front of goalie Joonas Korpisalo.

Earlier in the second period, Joel Farabee, from near the goal line next to the right wall, patiently waited for Scott Laughton to drive the net before firing a goal-mouth pass that the left winger knocked into the net. It was Laughton’s first goal of the season and ended a 24-game drought that started last March, knotting the score at 2-2 with 16:41 remaining in the second.

"It feels nice, coming back from an injury and everything that’s kind of happened this year,” said Laughton, who missed 13 games this season because of a broken finger. “... It was my third game back, so I’m starting to get my legs underneath me and feeling better. It was a great play by [Farabee] and I was able to put it in the back of the net.”

The Flyers’ power play was anemic during a first period in which they fell into a 2-1 hole. They had all three power plays in the period and managed a total of just two shots in those six minutes.

On their third power play, the Flyers failed to get off a shot and Columbus had four clears.

Columbus took a 1-0 lead as captain Nick Foligno, left uncovered in front, scored on a rebound with 15:09 left in the first. It was just his second goal of the season and first in 18 games. Foligno has 16 career goals against the Flyers, the most he has against any team.

The Blue Jackets (10-10-4) have scored first in their last nine games. But they had a hard time getting into a flow because of committing five penalties -- four more than the Flyers.

“This is on us; we were just a dumb hockey team tonight,” Columbus coach John Tortorella said.

The Flyers, shortly after their third straight futile power play of the night, knotted the score at 1-1 by getting a goal from fourth-line right winger Tyler Pitlick. Using a backhander, Pitlick chipped a nine-foot shot past Korpisalo with 1:22 left in the first. 1164185 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers Notebook: Matt Niskanen takes 'slice' in stride against Wings

By Rob Parent [email protected] @ReluctantSE on Twitter

Nov 30, 2019

PHILADELPHIA — Matt Niskanen showed again Friday why he's been one of the NHL's most respected defensemen for years.

Niskanen, 32, smiled through the pain after taking a shot off the face Friday, not letting it get him down during the Flyers' 6-1 win over the Red Wings at Wells Fargo Center.

Niskanen was hit in full flight with a shot by Detroit's Dylan Larkin midway through the first period, which caused his visor to smash into his nose. He was told it took 15 stitches to close the gash, but it didn't take much more than 15 minutes for him to get back into the game.

Niskanen was back out there at the start of the second period wearing a facial cage, along with two bloody plugs up his nostrils. He'd end the game with them and the stitches still intact, along with two assists and a plus-4 rating.

"He's a warrior, Mr. Consistency," James van Riemsdyk said of the veteran defenseman. "He's steady every single game back there. He's a big part of our team. I think his style of game and what he brings to the table really fits in well with our team. He's been great for us right from the get-go."

Though he made a joke of how bad his look was after the game, Niskanen said he was feeling no pain because, "I'm numb right now."

"It’s not as bad as it looks," he added. "I’m assuming it looks pretty bad, but it was just a slice. Nothing major."

Van Riemsdyk, relegated to fourth-line duty in recent games, finally cracked the scoreboard, credited with the Flyers' sixth and final goal of a cold-then-hot performance.

"It feels good to get one," JVR said of his fifth goal of the season. "Certainly when it's been a few games, it's nice to do that. But I've got to continue to build off that."

Noting that he had a golden chance earlier in the game to put a shot past goalie Cal Pickard but whiffed on it, van Riemsdyk said, "With that play I kind of lost the puck for a second ... it was underneath a defenseman, and then I just missed it. That's kind of been the story for the start of my season here. But I'll just stick with it, keep bearing down in those scoring areas ... keep shooting and keep staying aggressive. Ultimately that'll even itself out."

Delaware County Times LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164186 Philadelphia Flyers • Travis Konecny, who didn't look 100 percent healthy Friday, looked pretty good sniping a go-ahead goal early in the third period against the Canadiens.

Flyers cap special November, enter December with most points since He has 25 points in 27 games. Last season, it took him 48 games to Eric Lindros-led 1995-96 team notch his 25th point.

His progress remains one of the Flyers' biggest positives and he'll enjoy the off day Sunday. By Jordan Hall • Following a healthy scratch Friday, Philippe Myers was back in the November 30, 2019 6:45 PM lineup for Robert Hagg. The Flyers are high on the 22-year-old Myers and the probable odd-man out on defense moving forward is Hagg. But

the Flyers will want to get him games from time to time — he's a good Finally, a November to remember. extra defenseman to have and there's definitely pressure to perform among the blueliners. The Flyers capped off a big-time month by beating the Canadiens, 4-3, in overtime Saturday afternoon at Bell Centre (see highlights).

Alain Vigneault's team went 10-2-4 with an NHL-best 24 points in Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019 November. Those marks are a sight for sore eyes after the Flyers went a combined 23-29-14 over their previous five Novembers.

To finish the month in style, Ivan Provorov maneuvered the puck between his legs en route to scoring the game-winning goal just 31 seconds into overtime.

The Flyers (15-7-5) have won four straight games, a stretch in which they've allowed only 1.75 goals per game.

The Canadiens (11-9-6) have lost seven games in a row.

• Let's provide some context on how notable this start is for the Flyers.

They have their most points (35) entering December since the 1995-96 club, which had 36 at 16-6-4.

That season, Hall of Famer Eric Lindros was 22 years old and scored a career-high 115 points. Terry Murray was behind the bench.

In 2018-19, the Flyers had 10 total wins after October and November.

In 2017-18, they had eight total wins after October and November.

The 2019-20 Flyers won 10 games in November alone, matching the most the franchise has ever won during the month.

• Morgan Frost was moved off the first line during the third period in favor of Michael Raffl.

There's a good chance Vigneault wanted to shorten his bench in the final stanza and go with a safer, sound first line. Montreal was pushing hard and Raffl is a trustworthy player who makes smart decisions.

It's not a knock on Frost — it's just that he's only 20 years old and was playing in his seventh career NHL game.

Frost joined Tyler Pitlick and James van Riemsdyk, a group that didn't play the final seven minutes of the contest.

Vigneault really wanted that game.

• The Flyers didn't pay Kevin Hayes to light up the scoreboard every game. They believe he'll make plays, but they also wanted the 27-year- old center for his 200-foot focus and penalty kill strengths.

If he can score at a steady clip like he has over the past seven games, the Flyers (and fans) will be happy.

Hayes doesn't have a multi-point game in this seven-game spurt but he has consistently been a presence, recording four goals, two assists and a plus-3 mark.

When Hayes scored his career-high 25 goals in 2017-18, he had five markers through 27 games. This season, he already has eight in 27. Good signs from him.

• Brian Elliott, who entered 3-0-2 with a 2.28 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in November, registered 39 huge saves.

He was vulnerable early on when he allowed a goal 19 seconds into the game. But he made a number of timely stops as he was under siege for most of the afternoon.

The 34-year-old goalie has provided everything the Flyers could have envisioned when they re-signed him this offseason. 1164187 Pittsburgh Penguins fed it to Faulk, whose wrist shot went off Murray’s right pad and into the net.

“Obviously it took awhile,” said Faulk, who snapped a 27-game stretch Blues get early lead, hand Penguins 2nd loss in row without a goal. “I don’t think it’s the longest one of my career. None of them feel great, but it’s nice to get that first one in.”

Lafferty tied the score 1-1 at the 6:27 mark of the second period. He used Staff Report his speed to get past Derrick Pouliot, creating a breakaway that was capped by a backhand-forehand move to beat a sprawling Binnington. ASSOCIATED PRESS It was the first of two meetings in four days between the Penguins and Saturday, November 30, 2019 11:19 p.m. Blues. St. Louis travels to Pittsburgh on Wednesday for their final regular-season meeting.

ST. LOUIS — Nathan Walker didn’t have to wait long for a second Both teams were playing their second game in as many nights. chance to snap his scoreless drought. Penguins winger Jake Guentzel had his seven-game point streak Justin Faulk and Walker each scored for the first time with the Blues, and snapped. St. Louis beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-2, on Saturday night.

Jaden Schwartz had a goal and an assist, and Ivan Barbashev and Tribune Review LOADED: 12.01.2019 Mackenzie MacEachern also scored for the Blues, who won their third straight game and have points in their last four. Jordan Binnington made 29 saves and improved to 13-4-4.

“Second period wasn’t great, but I thought the first and third were good and we had everybody contributing tonight, which is important for sure,” Blues coach Craig Berube said. “I’ve said this before: We need everybody to chip in goals, and we did that tonight.”

Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin left the game early in the first period with a lower-body injury and did not return.

“It happened in the first shift of the game, which makes it tough because now you’re going with five defensemen all night,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “I thought they fought hard. I thought we made some fatigue mistakes in the third period that maybe we wouldn’t have made if we have a guy like (Dumoulin).”

Sam Lafferty and Kris Letang scored for the Penguins, who lost their second straight game. Matt Murray, playing for the first time since Nov. 27, made 22 saves.

Walker’s first goal since Oct. 7, 2017, broke a 1-1 tie for St. Louis with 5:59 left in the second period.

Walker swatted a pass by Schwartz that deflected off Dominik Kahun’s stick in mid-air, and the awkward shot short-hopped Murray to make it 2- 1.

“It is actually one thing I kind of worked on in the summer was batting pucks out of the air like that, trying to meet it when it hits the ice and I think I got a little bit lucky there as well,” Walker said.

Murray said he was fooled on the trick shot.

“It just bounced off the ice weird and no more than a foot and a half in the air just over my pad,” Murray said.

Walker, playing in just his second game since being called up from the Blues’ AHL affiliate in San Antonio, thought he had scored the night before against Dallas only to have the goal called back for an offsides call made after a review.

“It was a big goal,” Berube said of the one that counted. “I think it made us feel good about ourselves going into the third period.”

Barbashev made it 3-1 with his second goal in as many games, snapping a wrist shot into the upper-left corner after taking a feed from Robert Thomas in the high slot at 2:54 of the third period.

MacEachern added to the Blues’ lead when he redirected Jacob De La Rose’s shot from the point at 7:09.

“I thought our guys did a much better job in the third period of digging in and just doing the little things,” Berube said.

Letang’s shot from the point deflected off Alex Pietrangelo into the net to cut the Penguins’ deficit to 4-2 with 6:57 left in the third.

Schwartz scored his seventh of the year late in the third.

Faulk made it 1-0 at the 7:52 mark of the first period with his first goal since April 6. Ryan O’Reilly stripped the puck from Jared McCann and 1164188 Pittsburgh Penguins After playing the Flames, Trotman was a healthy scratch and replaced by Chad Ruhwedel against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.

As a veteran who has played far more AHL games (232) than NHL Zach Trotman aims to bring consistency to Penguins games (87, prior to Saturday), living on the edge of being dressed or scratched is something Trotman has gotten used to.

“If you get caught up in that, you start thinking about every play, thinking SETH RORABAUGH about what your supposed to be doing right now, which guy am I supposed to be covering,” said Trotman, 29. “If you do that, you’re not Saturday, November 30, 2019 6:00 p.m. going to play well, and you’re not going to get results. You have to go out with your instincts and your athletic ability and whatever else has gotten you to this point. Just take a step back, take a deep breather and just go COLUMBUS, Ohio – When Zach Trotman finally made his NHL debut play.” this season, he had to fill a second role in addition to being a depth defenseman on the Penguins blue line. That approach has led to management displaying considerable amount of loyalty to him, even if he has spent most of his three seasons with the Courier. organization at the AHL level.

During a 4-3 overtime road loss to the New York Islanders, a scrum “We think he’s a good player,” Sullivan said. “He’s big. He’s strong. He’s broke after a dangerous hit by Islanders forward Anders Lee on Penguins mobile. He understands his game. He plays within himself. He’s just a forward Brandon Tanev late in the third period. In the ensuing confusion, reliable player for us. When we have discussions when we talk about our an official mistakenly kicked Penguins forward Jared McCann off of the defensive group as a whole, our NHL defensive group, even when Zach ice and sent him to the dressing room. was in Wilkes-Barre, he’s part of that discussion. He played solid games for us at the end of the year last (season). Unfortunately, he got hurt Once tempers cooled a bit, the referees and linesmen realized McCann through training camp and missed the beginning part of the season. We had not been ejected from the game. The only problem was the visiting just think he’s a very good player, and he’s part of this group of NHL team facilities in Barclays Center are not connected to the bench, and the defensemen that we have.” journey to that dressing room requires a labyrinthine journey from the Zamboni gate. The vast majority of Trotman’s limited ice time at the NHL level this season has come with fellow defenseman Marcus Pettersson. According The game was held up so McCann could be summoned to return. to Natural Stat Trick, they have logged 49 minutes, 55 seconds of Trotman took it upon himself to fetch his teammate, who was in the midst common five-on-five ice time. Trotman (6-foot-3) and Pettersson (6-4) of removing his gear. are two of the team’s tallest players.

“Initially, I guess one of the refs told McCann that he was out,” Trotman “We’re both pretty good at using our reach,” Pettersson said. “He has a said. “So he got off the ice. Then the other (referee) said he didn’t have really long stick. He’s probably up there in stick length with myself. He to. So, obviously, we wanted him for the end of the game. So they’re has a really good reach. radioing to him. And (coach Mike Sullivan) just told somebody to go get “We played a couple of games last year, too, with each other. It’s nothing him. Everyone’s just kind of standing there so I was like, ‘All right, I’m new. He’s a really solid (defenseman). You know what you get out of him going to go get him.’ every night and where he’s at out on the ice. I feel like we play good “I knew I probably wasn’t going to be going on the ice for the last couple together.” of minutes, so I was like, at the very least, I could at least delay this a Regardless of who he is teamed with or what league he is in, Trotman little bit and they won’t just blow the whistle and start going. I just jumped brings a basic approach to how he plays. down there, went down the tunnel and I was like, I’ll just kind of hang out for a second and see if I can wait long enough until McCann can get out.” “You have to show focus. You have to show you’re prepared and ready to go,” Trotman said. “Whether you’re in the lineup, out of the lineup or Trotman’s other contributions to the Penguins this season have been down in (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), you have to make sure you’re limited. In four games, he has no points, four shots and four penalty preparing every day like you’re going to be playing here. That’s minutes. Out of training camp, he was on long-term injured reserve with a something that kind of I’ve learned throughout in my seven or eight years sports hernia he suffered in September. now. That’s something I take a lot of pride in.” “It’s never what you want to have happen,” Trotman said. “I, obviously, take a lot of pride in my summer training. You come in ready to go. Tribune Review LOADED: 12.01.2019 “But you have to do what you have to do. So you stick through it. The training staff here is great. Got back really quickly, and I was able to play some games down in (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) and kind of hit my stride pretty quick.”

Formally assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Oct. 21 once he healed, Trotman played in eight AHL games and scored five points (two goals, three assists) before being recalled Nov. 21 as an injury replacement.

“They threw me right in the fire down there (with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton),” Trotman said. “Upwards of 20 minutes every night. The first couple of games, maybe it was a little nervous or anxious maybe just kind getting in the flow of things. But after that, I felt like everything flowed pretty quickly, and every game was better and better.”

His four games in the NHL this season have been a mixed bag. While he had solid efforts against the Islanders and the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 22, he was directly involved in defending goals against versus the Calgary Flames on Monday and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

He has learned to have a short memory on those occasions.

“Breakdowns happen. Stuff happens,” Trotman said. “It’s nothing you can really worry about or beat yourself up over. You’re not going to go a whole season without not getting scored on. It’s something you move on from pretty quick.” 1164189 Pittsburgh Penguins skating through the slot at close to full speed, batted a fluttering puck out of the air and past Murray from 32 feet out. That wild shot one-hopped off the ice and over his right pad.

Tough back-to-back ends with another Penguins loss and another injury “That was a tough one,” he said. “It took a big bounce. It just kind of fooled me.”

That was just the fourth shot on goal the Penguins allowed in a 26- Staff Report minute span.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE “The first two periods, we were playing really well,” Kris Letang said. “I think we kind of burned ourselves in the third. It was better. It was better Got a news tip? 412-263-1601 than Columbus. But I think those two games made us learn that it doesn’t DEC 1, 2019 3:45 AM matter how much talent you have. Those two teams work really hard and they get results.”

The Blues pushed the lead to 3-1 early in the third period, finishing off a ST. LOUIS – As far as back-to-backs go, few were more painful than this. 3-on-2 after Marcus Pettersson coughed up the puck and then got caught in the offensive zone. Ivan Barbashev was the one who put the shot over In one weekend, the Penguins lost two games and two more key players. Murray’s blocker. The Penguins on Saturday were in the unpleasant position of playing the Mackenzie MacEachern, left alone in front, tipped a nice pass from Jacob bruising St. Louis Blues, the reigning Cup winners, in the second half of de la Rose between Murray’s pads a few minutes later to put the game their latest set of back-to-back games. One night after they were away. dominated in a 5-2 loss to the feisty Blue Jackets in Columbus, they lost by the same score in St. Louis. Murray got the start Saturday after Tristan Jarry was in goal during Friday’s loss in Columbus. He finished November with just two wins in his They also lost their most underrated player in the game’s first minute. 10 starts. Penguins right wing Bryan Rust takes a shot during overtime of a He made several quality saves among his 22 to keep the Penguins in it Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the for awhile. But given the challenge this particular back-to-back presented, Calgary Flames at PPG Paints Arena in Uptown. Murray needed to be at his best for the shorthanded Penguins to salvage The Penguins, already without one of their top defensemen in Justin a point Saturday. Schultz, saw another one of their blue-liners disappear down the tunnel. Letang scored on a shot from the point to make it 4-2 with 6:57 left in the This time it was Brian Dumoulin, who leads the team with a plus-17 third. But Jaden Schwartz restored a three-goal Blues lead with a late rating. He got tangled with Zach Sanford behind their net and the Blues power-play goal. forward landed on his right knee. That made it six straight games that the Penguins had allowed one of During Friday’s morning skate, Bryan Rust suffered a lower-body injury those. when he fell into the boards. He missed his second straight game Saturday. “We’ve got to fix the penalty kill because it’s losing games for us right now,” Sullivan said. “Our power play needs to be better as well.” Mike Sullivan said Dumoulin is out with a lower-body injury. A potential long-term absence for the blue-liner is a greater worry than two points in the standings. But his early exit contributed to the Penguins’ third-period collapse at Enterprise Center. Post Gazette LOADED: 12.01.2019

“[That] makes it tough because now you’re going with five defensemen all night,” the coach said. “They fought hard. I thought we made some fatigue mistakes in the third period that maybe we wouldn’t have made. … [Dumoulin] plays so many minutes for us. So we’re asking guys on a back-to-back night to step up.”

That’s a tall task on short rest against a Blues squad with just two players listed below 6 feet tall. All six of their defensemen weigh between 195 and 230 pounds. As we saw last spring, they enjoy throwing those pounds around. Like they have on a number of nights this season, the Penguins answered the bell but lost.

The Blues got the first goal, 7:52 in, not long after Matt Murray twice sprawled to stuff Brayden Schenn, who also drilled the crossbar during a Blues power play. Chad Ruhwedel exited the penalty box and joined the play before Justin Faulk’s shot from the point hit Murray’s right arm and trickled across the goal line.

Sam Lafferty burned a former Penguin to tie the game, 1-1, in the second period.

Penguins defender John Marino tries to evade Calgary Flames left wing Andrew Mangiapane during a Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, game at PPG Paints Arena in Uptown.

Cruising into Blues territory by himself, Lafferty evaded Derrick Pouliot’s attempt at a hip check, sending the Blues defenseman and former Penguins first-rounder flailing to the ice. He then faked out goalie Jordan Binnington before tucking the puck inside the right post for his first goal since he scored twice in Winnipeg on Oct. 13.

“It’s always nice to see it go in and contribute,” the rookie said. “So it’s just nice to help the team. I think we’ll regroup here and keep going the next game.”

The Penguins, who had been smothering the Blues since Faulk scored, fell behind again with 5:59 left in the second period. Nathan Walker, 1164190 Pittsburgh Penguins with the NHL club this season. He had been back in Wilkes- Barre/Scranton for less than a week.

Blandisi is one of a few players this season whom the Penguins have Bryan Rust day-to-day with lower-body injury; Brian Dumoulin leaves promoted from their American Hockey League affiliate. Sullivan praised game the AHL coach, Mike Vellucci, for having the call-ups ready to contribute right away in the NHL. Vellucci is in his first year with the Penguins organization.

Staff Report “I think Mike’s done a great job,” he said. “He’s a real organized guy. I think he’s a good communicator. We have good communication between PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE our staffs. I just think the transition has been seamless. Guys understand DEC 1, 2019 1:04 AM how we’re playing. They talk the same language. So there’s a lot of familiarity with both teams.”

Sullivan added: “That’s something that we strongly feel is important for ST. LOUIS – The Penguins on Saturday were again without do-it-all us.” winger Bryan Rust when they faced off against the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center. Winning games is welcome, too. After an uneven start, Wilkes- Barre/Scranton has climbed the standings, winning seven of its last nine Rust was injured during Friday’s morning skate in Columbus, hours entering Saturday. before the Penguins played the Blue Jackets in the first half of this weekend’s back-to-back. Rust slipped and fell into the boards. He then The Penguins have plummeted in the NHL’s penalty-kill rankings since limped down the tunnel toward the locker room. He returned to practice they saw their streak of 10 straight games without giving up a power-play but did not suit up Friday night. goal snapped.

Coach Mike Sullivan provided an update on his status before Saturday’s Entering Saturday, they had allowed their opponents to convert seven of game. their 19 power plays over their previous five games. That included a rough night in Friday’s 5-2 loss in Columbus, when the Blue Jackets “We sent him back to Pittsburgh to get evaluated,” he said. “Right now, scored two power-play goals. his status is day-to-day. I’ll probably have more specific information when I get back.” Sullivan said their killers spent some time Saturday morning watching film. Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin (71), of Russia, looks to pass as St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko (55) defends during the first period of an “I think the guys are working hard,” Sullivan said. “I think we have to work NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in St. Louis. a little bit smarter and I think we’ve got to do a better job collectively as a group. When it’s cooperative effort, that’s when we’re at our best. A lot of The players are scheduled to practice Monday after getting Sunday off. it just boils down to the details. The penalty kill has been really good for most of the year.” Rust, who missed the first 11 games of the season with a hand injury suffered in the preseason finale, had been one of the team’s top players During that stingy streak, their four killers on the ice were typically on the since returning to the lineup. He had nine goals and 17 points in 14 same page when it came to deciding when to pressure puck-carriers. But games, including a four-point night in his last game, Wednesday’s wild they have been out of sync in that area lately. There have been blown win over the Vancouver Canucks. coverages, too.

In addition to thriving with Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel on the top Sullivan also harped, again, that the Penguins need to stay out of the line and continuing to hold a regular role on the penalty kill, Rust was box. Before this recent run, they had been one of the league’s least- producing on the power play. He logged 20 minutes of ice time in four of penalized teams. his last five games. “That’s where it starts,” he said. “There are certain penalties that are “It’s tough,” Sullivan said. “He plays in all situations. He’s really good on avoidable and certain penalties that are just part of the game. And we try our penalty kill. He’s been great 5-on-5. He’s scoring goals for us. … We to point out the difference with our guys. We’ve got to make sure we have him on our first power-play unit. He’s been one of our better players exercise a certain level of discipline so we don’t put our penalty-killers in and one of our more consistent players since training camp. So he’s not so many of those situations.” an easy guy to replace.” One night after Zach Trotman struggled in the loss to the Blue Jackets, With Rust missing his second straight game with his lower-body injury, Sullivan replaced him with fellow right-handed defenseman Chad Dominik Simon again skated on the top line with Malkin and Guentzel on Ruhwedel. Saturday. Ruhwedel was a healthy scratch against the Blue Jackets. He had played Defenseman Brian Dumoulin, who leads the Penguins with a plus-17 three games prior to Saturday, taking two penalties and posting a minus- rating, was apparently the latest Penguins player to suffer an injury. Kris 2 rating against the Canucks in his last game. After sitting out one game, Letang’s steady partner left the ice after his first shift of the night against Ruhwedel got the nod over Trotman and Juuso Riikola, another healthy the Blues, went to the locker room and did not rejoin his teammates for scratch. the second period.

Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust celebrates after scoring against the Canucks Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, at the PPG Paints Post Gazette LOADED: 12.01.2019 Arena Uptown.

Per the team’s official Twitter account, Dumoulin got tangled up with Blues forward Zach Sanford behind the Penguins net before exiting the game.

With Dumoulin in the locker room, the Penguins had to rotate five defensemen and Marcus Pettersson took some of his minutes on the penalty kill.

The Penguins were already without another of their top defensemen in Justin Schultz, who has not played since Nov. 19 due to a lower-body injury.

Joseph Blandisi, who couldn’t make it to Columbus in time to suit up against the Blue Jackets, played against the Blues. This is his third stint 1164191 Pittsburgh Penguins • Chad Ruhwedel, who has struggled in his brief appearances this season, took two penalties in only 15:24 of ice time and was on the ice for two goals against

How many hits can the Penguins take? Another injury comes in another • Rookie John Marino played 21:03 and has been wonderful all season, loss but his responsibilities will be multiplied as the injuries increase, which isn’t really ideal for a young player

The Penguins have been so good without Crosby, but there are red flags. By Josh Yohe They played a very poor game against Calgary on Monday, winning only because of Tristan Jarry’s brilliance and because the Flames aren’t very

good. They beat the Canucks on Wednesday, but permitting six goals is ST. LOUIS — The Penguins have been good soldiers during a stretch never becoming. They were absolutely dominated in Friday’s loss in that has seen almost every important player on their roster injured at Columbus and, while they played hard against the Blues, certainly some point. weren’t deserving of a victory.

Finally, during a largely forgettable week, the injuries appear to be taking Suddenly, the Penguins are in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. a serious toll. They’re still in playoff position and four months of the season remain. But these are suddenly concerning times. Looking exhausted and overwhelmed at Enterprise Center on Saturday, the Penguins fought valiantly against the defending Stanley Cup “We just have to dig deep,” Johnson said. “And I think we will.” champion Blues. The loss of another key player and some evident Ten postgame observations fatigue were too much to handle, however, as the Penguins ultimately fell, 5-2. • Needless to say, if Dumoulin is out for any time, the Penguins could be in serious trouble. They’re already without Schultz for a likely substantial “We played hard, really hard,” Joseph Blandisi said. period of time. Dumoulin is, quite simply, the team’s best defensive They certainly did. But Brian Dumoulin suffered an injury during his first player and Letang’s most trusted defense partner. Only 24 hours earlier, shift and never returned. This forced the Penguins to use five Dumoulin passionately spoke about the importance of the Penguins’ defensemen, four of whom played one night earlier in Columbus, for the game in St. Louis. He was forced to leave the game after the first shift game’s duration. after going down behind Matt Murray’s net. Nothing gruesome was detectable but Dumoulin required the help of multiple people to make it to Mike Sullivan said his team made some mistakes “associated with the locker room. He never returned and Sullivan offered no prognosis. fatigue.” • Brandon Tanev was injured for a second consecutive night but didn’t Jack Johnson said fatigue wasn’t so much the issue as was playing miss a shift this time. When attempting to deliver a hit, Tanev flung without another impactful player. himself into the boards in front of the Penguins’ bench. The door in the bench dangerously swung open when he made the hit, and he was “Sure, it’s tough playing with five defensemen all night,” Johnson said. visibly in pain on the bench for the next couple of minutes. He sustained “But you know what? The bigger thing is that we had to play the whole a punch to the face in Columbus the night before, which presumably game without one of our best players. Dumo is a great player and not broke his nose. Tanev missed most of the second period in that contest having him out there makes it tougher on everyone.” because he was in concussion protocol. The Penguins have enough On this night, it was Dumoulin. The day before, it was Bryan Rust. The people out of the lineup and Tanev has been a valuable contributor all week before that, it was Justin Schultz and Nick Bjugstad. The Penguins season. In fact, I’m surprised he hasn’t been elevated into a top-six role, are already playing without Sidney Crosby. given the injuries the Penguins are dealing with up front.

They’ve also played considerable stretches this season without Evgeni • Sullivan didn’t offer any timeline in regard to Rust’s injury. Here’s what Malkin, Kris Letang, Rust, Patric Hornqvist, Dumoulin, Jared McCann we know: Rust suffered a lower-body injury during Friday’s morning and Alex Galchenyuk. skate, he didn’t play in the past two games, he was limping badly Friday night and the Penguins sent him home to Pittsburgh instead of having Sullivan acknowledged that he’s never seen anything like it. The him travel to St. Louis. Sullivan said he hopes to have more information Penguins vow they aren’t going to be psychologically overwhelmed even available soon. Much like Dumoulin, Rust’s value to the Penguins is if they looked a bit overwhelmed physically during their past two games. enormous and bigger than the numbers he produces, though they are “We can’t let that happen and we won’t,” Johnson said. “The fact of the significant. Rust is one of the Penguins’ best penalty killers. He actually matter is, we can’t control that kind of thing. So if it’s out of your control, has helped their struggling No. 1 power-play unit. He’s been a wonderful you can’t worry about it. You just have to go out there and play with fit on the top line. He draws penalties on a regular basis. He plays with whoever is healthy.” an edge. He is one of their fastest players. In big games, no one is better. I could go on and on. Jim Rutherford told me recently that Rust was the Sullivan echoed Johnson’s sentiments. When asked whether he was Penguins’ best player in training camp in the eyes of the front office and concerned about the psychological impact the injuries could have on his coaching staff. He’s carried that into the season, but much like his team — let alone the physical ones — Sullivan shook his head. teammates, can’t seem to stay healthy. If he’s out for some time, it’s a problem. “Quite honestly, it’s a useless emotion,” he said. “It doesn’t serve us well. We’ve got to go with the guys that we have who are healthy. We think • Every now and then, in this line of work, you notice certain things. I was we’re capable. We just have to make sure we play a solid team game. If at Enterprise Center before the players arrived and was standing in the we do that, we’re going to give ourselves a chance to win every night.” hallway outside of the locker rooms when the players did trickle in. The Blues literally look like a football team in their street clothes. The The problem for the Penguins on Saturday was twofold. First, they were Penguins all look about a foot taller and 50 pounds lighter. Really, the playing a very good team and the Blues were solid throughout the difference was startling. And I think it played a role in this game. evening. Also, the Penguins were forced to put some of their Referees Gord Dwyer and Brian Pochmara let plenty of infractions go, in defensemen in uncomfortable positions. my opinion. They were perfectly fair but just let a lot of things go. Given • Letang, less than a week removed from a nasty groin injury, played how big the Blues are and the style of play they have adopted, a game 28:23, an awfully big number for a player in that situation being called in this manner absolutely is going to favor the Blues. And it did. • Johnson played 26:24 and, while he’s having a better season than last, that’s too big of a number for him and he struggled on the penalty kill • Weird night for Murray. He was great in the early going. The Blues were absolutely dominant on their first power play, forcing Murray to make a • Marcus Pettersson, who hasn’t looked himself during the past couple of number of above-average saves. He was as sharp as we’ve seen him in weeks, played 25 minutes quite some time in the early going. Still, he just wasn’t good enough. He wasn’t awful, but he wasn’t good, and that’s been his trend in recent weeks. Murray’s save percentage has been under .900 in seven of his past nine starts and he hasn’t won a road game in regulation since Oct. 26 in Dallas. Although it was an unorthodox play and Nathan Walker got particularly good wood on his shot from midair in the second period, it was still a save that should have been made. Murray is in a funk right now. I have little doubt that he’ll work his way out of it, but the Penguins need him to be great with so many impactful players out of the lineup. Right now, he isn’t.

• Right when Dominic Simon was really starting to win me over as Crosby’s linemate, November showed up. It was a bad, bad month for Simon. He played in all 14 games and didn’t score a goal, managed only four assists and was a minus-6 for the month. Yes, he does do a lot of good things. He passes the puck beautifully and is uniquely gifted in certain areas. But no goals in 14 games speaks for itself, especially given some of the good looks he had. He has two goals in 27 games this season. Frankly, I’m not all that interested in his advanced metrics when he’s on pace to score six goals for an entire season when a considerable amount of his ice time has come with either Crosby or Malkin as his center. That’s just not good enough.

• The Penguins might finally see what they have in Juuso Riikola if Dumoulin misses any time. To be honest, I haven’t a clue how good Riikola is. He has NHL wheels and an above-average shot. We know that much. We really don’t know much else. The Penguins have been pleased with their depth all season and it’s about to be tested if Dumoulin is out for a while. Incidentally, I bet the Penguins wish Riikola was playing forward in St. Louis, as he was one night earlier in Columbus. He could have slid back onto the blue line if that were the case.

• Gauging Sullivan after losses can be interesting. He was furious following the season-opener against the Sabres and, more than anything, miffed with his team’s performance in Columbus. After this game, he really wasn’t either of those things. He seemed pleased with his team’s effort but was simply unhappy with the Penguins’ special teams. “We have to fix the penalty kill,” he said. “It’s costing us games.” He’s right. And he also needs to fix the power play, because it’s not helping the Penguins win many games. Obviously Crosby’s absence is hurting the power play, but a unit with Malkin, Letang, Guentzel and Hornqvist should still be far more effective than it has been. As for the penalty killing, it was going to take a step back following its glorious start. But it’s been awful for a few games now. Luckily for the Penguins, they don’t play again until Wednesday, so there is time to make some changes.

• What a goal Sam Lafferty scored. He burned Derrick Pouliot badly and then made a pretty move to score on a breakaway. Lafferty has been, in my view, far too quiet during recent games. He hasn’t been a difference- maker like he was during his initial stint this season. So, it was nice to see him have a rebound game like this. He certainly possesses NHL speed and, if the goal was any indication, his hands are pretty legitimate. He’s been good but, like so many players on this roster, he’ll need to be even better for the Penguins to tread water right now.

• The Blues aren’t exactly healthy either, but they played a fine game. I’m not so sure they aren’t still the best team in the Western Conference. Dealing with them in the postseason won’t be fun. The rematch between these two teams might not be fun for the Penguins, either. They next play on Wednesday when they host the Blues.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164192 San Jose Sharks

Sharks score four straight to rally past Arizona Coyotes

Logan Couture scored twice, and Dylan Gambrell and Timo Meier added goals for their 11th win in 13 games

Staff Writer

November 30, 2019 at 10:47 PM

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Sharks and Coyotes both had stretches playing their best hockey Saturday night. San Jose just kept its run going longer.

Logan Couture scored twice and the Sharks got four unanswered goals to rally past Arizona 4-2 Saturday for their 11th win in 13 games.

Couture bookended San Jose’s comeback, starting it midway through the first period and completing it with an empty-netter. He has five goals and 14 points in his past 10 games.

Dylan Gambrell and Timo Meier also scored for San Jose.

The Sharks extended their NHL record by winning their 45th consecutive game in which they have allowed fewer than three goals. They broke the mark in a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday.

“Big resiliency,” San Jose coach Peter DeBoer said. “We settled down and got to our game, and the next 50 minutes probably some of the best hockey we’ve played this year.”

Nick Schmaltz and Derek Stepan scored on the Coyotes’ first two shots, but Martin Jones stymied the Coyotes the rest of the way. Jones made 21 saves while starting on back-to-back days for the first time this season.

“(The) first seven or eight minutes, I think was our best hockey of the year,” Arizona coach Rick Tocchet said. “We had four Grade As (shot chances). Then it just kind of unraveled.”

Gambrell tied it early in the second period on a tricky angle from the right side, and Meier put San Jose ahead with a tip-in at 8:52 of the second.

San Jose, which has the most effective penalty kill in the league, killed off three penalties in the third period while giving up only one shot. The Sharks have given up an NHL-low nine power-play goals.

“It’s won us so many games,” Couture said. “Imagine if our kill was at 85 with all the penalties we’re taking, we would have lost a lot of these games that we’ve been able to win.”

The Coyotes, who had been 6-2-2 in their last 10 games, had scored at least a point in their last nine game against Pacific Division opponents.

Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta, who missed the previous two games because of illness, made 26 saves.

“We found a way,” Couture said. “Kind of held on at the end there. Would have liked to attack more in the third (period) instead of sitting back like we did, but we’ll take the win right now, division game.”

NOTES: Sharks C Antti Suomela did not play after taking a hard hit in the third period of a victory over Los Angeles on Friday. … Both teams were playing the second of back-to-back games. … D Erik Karlsson had an assist for the Sharks and has five points in his last four games.

UP NEXT

Sharks: Return home to host Washington on Tuesday before beginning a four-game trip in Carolina on Thursday.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164193 San Jose Sharks

Logan Couture scores twice as Sharks win for 11th time in 13 games

Jack Magruder

9:21 pm PST, Saturday, November 30, 2019

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Logan Couture scored twice and the Sharks got four unanswered goals to rally past the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 on Saturday for their 11th win in 13 games.

Couture bookended San Jose’s comeback, starting it midway through the first period and completing it with an empty-netter. He has five goals and 14 points in his past 10 games.

Dylan Gambrell and Timo Meier also scored for San Jose.

The Sharks extended their NHL record by winning their 45th consecutive game in which they have allowed fewer than three goals. They broke the mark in a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday.

Nick Schmaltz and Derek Stepan scored on the Coyotes’ first two shots, but Martin Jones stymied the Coyotes the rest of the way. Jones made 21 saves while starting on back-to-back days for the first time this season.

San Jose, which has the most effective penalty kill in the league, killed off three penalties in the third period while giving up only one shot. The Sharks have given up an NHL-low nine power-play goals.

The Coyotes, who were 6-2-2 in their previous 10 games, had earned at least one point in their previous nine games against Pacific Division opponents.

Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta, who missed the previous two games because of illness, made 26 saves.

Briefly: Sharks center Antti Suomela did not play after taking a hard hit in the third period of a victory over Los Angeles on Friday. … Both teams were playing the second of back-to-back games. … Defenseman Erik Karlsson had an assist for the Sharks and has five points in his past four games.

San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164194 San Jose Sharks right on their heels. Plus, San Jose has a road trip at the start of December where they visit the Florida teams and the Sharks don't always fare so well through that swing.

Sharks set up to make move in standings after strong play in November They can, however, be happy with how they have turned things around in the month of November. And with the win over the Coyotes to close out the month, they have a foundation to build more success.

Chelena Goldman Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019 November 30, 2019 8:21 PM

After holding on to beat the Coyotes 4-2 on Saturday, Sharks center Dylan Gambrell told NBC Sports California play-by-play broadcaster Randy Hahn that he "really thinks our game has turned around."

Gambrell wasn't just talking about the impressive come-from-behind victory he and his teammates staged in Arizona on Saturday. He was talking about the month of November as a whole, in which the Sharks have rebounded from being one of the worst teams in the Western Conference to being a force to be reckoned with.

Now, it's a matter of keeping that positive progression going.

Think about it. San Jose finished out the month of October with a 4-8-1 record -- which included a four-game losing streak to start the season -- and then promptly lost a home back-to-back against the Jets and the Canucks. At that point, there were so many questions as to what was ailing the Sharks, and whether they would be able to get things turned around in time be competitive in their division, let alone fight for a playoff spot.

But after those back-to-back losses at the start of November, San Jose seemed to find their groove both up front as well as on the back end. They went 11-2-0 after that, tying the franchise record for the most wins in the month of November.

#SJSharks tie a franchise record for their most wins in November (2008) with 11 (Dell had one of the wins this month). Record for any month is 13 (March 2008). #SJSvsARI

— Darin Stephens (@SharksStats) December 1, 2019

To top it all off, Saturday's win over the Coyotes marked the first time all season that the Sharks, who skated into the first intermission down 2-1, won a game when trailing after the first 20 minutes.

It's safe to say that, last Wednesday's loss to the Jets notwithstanding, the Sharks look like a completely rejuvenated team. Now, it's a matter of keeping that forward motion going.

San Jose still has some work to do in regards to their depth scoring, although that could be coming around if the last few games of November are any indication. The Sharks got scoring contributions from bottom-six staple Melker Karlsson on Wednesday against Winnipeg and from fourth- liners Noah Gregor and Dylan Gambrell over the holiday weekend.

Whether the current bottom six stays intact as is remains to be seen, especially with regards to call-ups from the AHL and the trades still being on the table. At least, at the moment, the Sharks are trending in the right direction.

The other big factor if San Jose is going to continue the success they started in November is going to be how well they keep the puck out of the back of their net. As we've seen, the Sharks are their most successful when keeping goals-against to a minimum, as opposed to trying to outscore their problems.

#SJSharks win back-to-back games allowing 2 or fewer -- 9-0-0 this year -- to extend on-going & all-time #NHL record streak to 45 such wins in a row (dates back to March of 2018) @SanJoseSharks

— Ross McKeon (@rossmckeon) December 1, 2019

Their success in this department will require their blue line to keep backing up their goaltender, as we saw in one fell swoop on Saturday in Arizona. When San Jose's defense came out loose and had trouble managing the puck in their own end, the opposition put them in an early 2-0 hole. When they tightened up on the back end and let their strong defensive play feed into their offense, they were able to rally from behind and overcome that deficit.

Now, the schedule doesn't get any easier for the Sharks. While they have climbed into third place in the Pacific division standings, their rivals are 1164195 San Jose Sharks

Sharks takeaways: What we learned in 4-2 comeback win over Coyotes

Chelena Goldman

November 30, 2019 7:23 PM

Playing on the tail end of a back-to-back can be a doozy. And boy, did the Sharks get off to a rough start on Saturday night against the Arizona Coyotes at Enterprise Center.

But San Jose rebounded and made things interesting in their post- Thanksgiving meeting with the Desert Dogs. The Sharks rallied in the second stanza and held on late to emerge victorious 4-2.

Here are three takeaways from Saturday's game.

What the heck happened in that first period?

It isn’t clear what the problem was, but San Jose's puck management in front of Martin Jones was dismal, especially when it came to turning the puck over in their own end. It's no wonder they went into a 2-0 hole in the first 2:12 of the first frame. Fortunately for the Sharks, they were able to right the ship as soon as the puck drop in the second period and were able to tie things up 2-2.

This was also another example of how the Sharks have gotten better at rebounding and correcting their mistakes. Their ability to recover and get off to a stronger start in the second period was pivotal in them taking the lead before the halfway point of the stanza.

Depth scoring continues

After nearly two months of not getting much production from their bottom six, the Sharks had a second straight game where they got some depth scoring. They got production from their young players to boot, with Dylan Gambrell tying things up -- and looked strong in his return to the lineup on top of it -- and Timo Meier continuing his recent boost in play by notching San Jose's go-ahead goal.

And although Noah Gregor didn't find the back of the net on Saturday night, his game has visibly gone up a notch since he scored his first NHL goal against the Kings on Friday. If he continues to play with that kind of confidence, more goals will surely follow -- and the Sharks will have another weapon in their bottom six.

Martin Jones on the back-to-back

No. 31 entered Saturday’s game with a 9-2-3 record when playing both ends of a back-to-back, and given how the game started it looked like he might get another notch in the loss column. But Jones continued his strong play from Friday into Saturday’s game, locking down after Arizona jumped out to a very fast 2-0 lead.

Jones’ performance was especially important in the third period when San Jose took three straight penalties and had their one-goal lead threatened. Even with a tired PK unit in front of him, Jones kept his composure and helped keep the Sharks’ hopes alive.

Although, to be fair, Jones should probably buy the goal post dinner after it saved the tying goal with 6:12 left in the game.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164196 St Louis Blues “At the end of the day,” said Walker, 25, “every player wants to play in the NHL. That’s the goal. Whenever you’re not in the NHL, you try to work your butt off to get back.”

Blues notebook: Poganski becomes the third 'San Antonio' Blue It looked as if Walker had scored in the second period to give the Blues a 2-0 lead, when he stuffed in a rebound of his own shot at the post. But Dallas challenged the play, and on review Walker clearly was offside and the goal came off the board. But the Blues won anyway, 3-1, and Walker Jim Thomas had about 10 minutes of ice time. Nov 29, 2019 0 He is listed at 5 feet 9, 186 pounds, meaning veteran Jaden Schwartz finally has someone his size on the roster.

DALLAS — It was Thanksgiving Day, the San Antonio had “I think I’m a little taller,” Walker joked. finished practicing and Austin Poganski and roommate/teammate Nolan Actually, Schwartz has him by a smidgen, at 5-10, 190. Stevens were at a grocery store. “What (Walker) lacks in size he has in heart,” Poganski said. “He battles Shopping for … their Thanksgiving dinner. Oh, those procrastinating his butt off every day. He works so hard in the dirty areas. And it pays off. millennials. He’s been lighting it up down in the AHL with San Antonio.” “We didn’t have any groceries (after) a little bit of a road trip,” Poganski St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.01.2019 said. “I think we were picking out green bean casserole and some stuffing for our Thanksgiving dinner and got the call.”

It was right then that the Blues called, on Stevens’ phone. (Poganski’s phone was broken.)

And that’s the when/where/how of Poganski’s promotion from the minor leagues to the defending Stanley Cup champions. He hopped on the last flight out of San Antonio that day and landed in Dallas about 40 minutes later. After taking part in an optional skate Friday morning at Center, he was a healthy scratch against the Dallas Stars.

“Healthy” isn’t a word used much lately by the Blues. With Oskar Sundqvist placed on injured reserve Thursday, Poganski was called up as the Blues’ spare forward.

He’s the third San Antonio player to be brought up by the Blues this week, joining Nathan Walker and Derrick Pouliot. Call them the San Antonio Blues. As is usually the case in these situations, Poganski isn’t sure how long he’ll be around — or if he’ll play as he awaits his NHL debut.

“You just take it day by day,” Poganski said. “Give it your all whether it’s practice, whether it’s anything you do up here with the St. Louis Blues. I’m just so happy and fortunate to be up here.”

Poganski figures to stay with the big club for at least a week — as Alexander Steen completes his recovery from a high ankle sprain.

Poganski’s statistics weren’t eye-popping with the Rampage — two goals and 11 assists in 21 games — but Blues coach Craig Berube liked what he saw in the 23-year-old forward during preseason camp. So Poganski has stayed on the Blues’ radar.

“He’s a puck-hounder,” Berube said. “He plays a north game. Good checker and penalty killer. Skates well and gets on top of people.”

That sounds like Berube’s type of player.

“He’s an up-and-coming player for us for sure,” Berube said. “He’ll get an opportunity here at some point to get in the lineup.”

In his second pro season after four years at the University of North Dakota, Poganski feels his game is growing.

“Each day, each practice, each game I’m getting a little bit better,” he said. “And I give a lot of credit to the coaching staff. The coaching staff in (San Antonio) is really good with Daniel Tkaczuk — he’s phenomenal with video. So he helps me all the time. And the feedback from these guys up here has been great.”

Aussie watch party

It was a case of afternoon hockey for Walker’s family in Australia, where he grew up. The Blues-Stars game Friday in Dallas started at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Walker home in Sydney.

Friday’s game was only the 13th NHL contest for Walker and his first since Oct. 17 of last season, against Boston, when he was playing for the Washington Capitals.

He has had to work extra hard to get back to the NHL level, scoring 12 goals with 10 assists in 20 games for San Antonio this season. 1164197 St Louis Blues The Blues were locked in right from the outset. They were patient, didn’t force passes and were positionally sound. Defensively, they clogged up the lanes and got their sticks on all kinds of passes and shots.

Blues finish trip with win in Dallas They finished with a season-high 40 shots, and a season-high 75 shots attempts. (The latter totals include shots that are blocked or miss the net.)

Jim Thomas “I just thought our whole game was really sound,” Allen said. “Our forwards were tracking back at the right times, getting fresh bodies on at

the right times. It was really impressive. DALLAS — The Blues were ripe for the picking Friday, and the Dallas “That second period, our (line) changes were unbelievable. We were just Stars knew it. hemming them in the o-zone. That makes a difference. It’s the little things They were down two Swedes in Oskar Sundqvist (injured reserve) and like that that a lot of people don’t notice but go a long way to win games.” Carl Gunnarsson (sick bay), and on the tail end of an extra-tough three- The Blues finally broke through with 4:19 left in the first, when Parayko game road swing. But it didn’t matter. sent an innocent-looking wrist shot from out near the blue line. With With Jake Allen in goal and two San Antonio callups making their Blues traffic in front of Bishop, including Zach Sanford, the puck got past debut (Nathan Walker and Derrick Pouliot), the Blues clipped their Bishop. It was Parayko’s second goal of the season, with O’Reilly and Central Division rivals 3-1 at American Airlines Center. David Perron getting assists.

“I thought it was an excellent game by us here tonight, coming in here,” For the Blues, it marked only the second time in nine games that they coach Craig Berube said. “(The Stars) have been really on a roll the last had scored the game’s first goal. 10, 11 games. We had a real good effort by everybody.” “Mainly just trying to throw it towards the net, try to create something,” Berube isn’t the easiest guy to please, and “excellent” is a word he rarely Parayko said. “But there were a lot of bodies in front. It’s tough for uses, so you know he had to be pleased with a night that included goalies, especially if you can’t see me or see the puck coming at them.” another strong effort by Jake Allen in goal, some of the Blues’ best With 4:25 to play in the second period, there was Thunder from Down defense and puck management of the season, and a game-winning goal Under. Walker, the little Aussie, squeezed one in on Stars goalie Ben by Ryan O’Reilly. Bishop from behind the net. After a jubilant “celly” by Walker, Dallas The Blues (16-5-6) thus finished off an arduous trip that included games coach Jim Montgomery challenged the play for offside. against the defending Central champs (Nashville) and the reigning Montgomery was right, and it was Walker who was offside. Cancel that Presidents’ Trophy winner (Tampa Bay) with five of a possible six points. celly, and cancel that goal. It remained 1-0 Blues. “That’s good,” O’Reilly said. “I think our mindset is we’re playing St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.01.2019 tomorrow (against Pittsburgh) — that’s what our mindset is. But yeah, five points out of six is definitely good.”

They are now 11-3-3 since Vladimir Tarasenko went down, followed by Alexander Steen, Sammy Blais and now Sundqvist. All of which are long- term injuries. But they keep winning. As you may recall, the Blues returned virtually their entire roster after their Stanley Cup season.

But they had four players on the ice who are new to the Blues roster over the last 20 days, three of whom came aboard over the last nine days. So far, it’s a testament to the Blues’ organizational depth.

“Our organization does a great job of finding players that can come up and do the job up here,” Berube said. “We got a deep farm team, whether it’s from drafting or free agent signings like Walker and Pouliot. They came up and filled in real nice.”

Dallas has been the league’s hottest team over the past five weeks with a 14-2-1 record entering Friday’s affair. But they’re now 0-2 this season against the Blues, the team which ousted them in seven games in the Western Conference semifinals last season.

O’Reilly picked a good time to end an eight-game goal drought, giving the Blues a 2-1 lead off a feed from Ivan Barbashev.

“Yeah absolutely,” O’Reilly said. “Obviously it’s been very frustrating not contributing offensively like I need to. But we’re finding ways to win hockey games.”

O’Reilly’s sixth goal of the season came with just 2:53 left to play and just 18 seconds after Roope Hintz had tied the game 1-1 by finishing off a 2- on-1 Dallas rush. The Blues didn’t really have time to worry about playing so well for nearly 57 minutes and then giving up a late tying goal.

“It’s tough, especially when you’re in an away building when they tie it with (three) minutes to go,” Colton Parayko said. “They’re gonna have some pressure obviously (after that), so you get a quick break like that and go up it’s huge for us. That’s just relentless and I think that’s kind of the way that we’ve been playing.”

For Barbashev, it was his fourth assist in two games. Barbashev then finished things off with an empty-net goal with 2.1 seconds to play.

“Barby’s on a roll right now making plays,” Berube said. “Hopefully he continues.”

This was typical Blues-Stars hockey. Not much scoring, and not much room to operate. 1164198 St Louis Blues was capped by a backhand-forehand move to beat a sprawling Binnington.

Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin left the game early in the first Faulk, Walker score as Blues beat Penguins 5-2 period with a lower-body injury and did not return.

“It happened in the first shift of the game, which makes it tough because now you’re going with five defensemen all night,” Penguins coach Mike JOE HARRIS Sullivan said. “I thought they fought hard. I thought we made some fatigue mistakes in the third period that maybe we wouldn’t have made if NOVEMBER 30, 2019 10:40 PM we have a guy like (Dumoulin).”

NOTES ST. LOUIS It was the first of two meetings in four days between the Penguins and Nathan Walker didn’t have to wait long for a second chance to snap his Blues. St. Louis travels to Pittsburgh on Wednesday for their final regular scoreless drought. season meeting. ... Both teams were playing their second game in as many nights. ... Pittsburgh LW Jake Guentzel had his seven-game point Justin Faulk and Walker each scored for the first time with the Blues, and streak snapped. ... St. Louis LW David Perron and C Brayden Schenn St. Louis beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Saturday night. each extended their point streaks to seven games with assists on Schwartz’s goal. Jaden Schwartz had a goal and an assist and Ivan Barbashev and Mackenzie MacEachern also scored for the Blues, who won their third UP NEXT straight game and have points in their last four. Jordan Binnington made 29 saves and improved to 13-4-4. Pittsburgh: Hosts St. Louis on Wednesday.

“Second period wasn’t great, but I thought the first and third were good St. Louis: At Chicago on Monday. and we had everybody contributing tonight which is important for sure,” Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 12.01.2019 Blues coach Craig Berube said. “I’ve said this before: We need everybody to chip in goals and we did that tonight.”

Sam Lafferty and Kris Letang scored for the Penguins, who lost their second straight game. Matt Murray, playing for the first time since Nov. 7, made 22 saves.

Walker’s first goal since Oct. 7, 2017 broke a 1-1 tie for St. Louis with 5:59 left in the second period.

Walker swatted a pass by Schwartz that deflected off Dominik Kahun’s stick in mid-air, and the awkward shot short-hopped Murray to make it 2- 1.

“It is actually one thing I kind of worked on in the summer was batting pucks out of the air like that, trying to meet it when it hits the ice and I think I got a little bit lucky there as well,” Walker said.

Murray said he was fooled on the trick shot.

“It just bounced off the ice weird and no more than a foot and a half in the air just over my pad,” Murray said.

Walker, playing in just his second game since being called up from the Blues’ AHL affiliate in San Antonio, thought he had scored the night before against Dallas only to have the goal called back for an offsides call made after a review.

“It was a big goal,” Berube said of the one that counted. “I think it made us feel good about ourselves going into the third period.”

Barbashev made it 3-1 with his second goal in as many games, snapping a wrist shot into the upper left corner after taking a feed from Robert Thomas in the high slot at 2:54 of the third period.

MacEachern added to the Blues’ lead when he redirected Jacob De La Rose’s shot from the point at 7:09.

“I thought our guys did a much better job in the third period of digging in and just doing the little things,” Berube said.

Letang’s shot from the point deflected off Alex Pietrangelo into the net to cut the Penguins’ deficit to 4-2 with 6:57 left in the third.

Schwartz scored his seventh of the year late in the third.

Faulk made it 1-0 at the 7:52 mark of the first period with his first goal since April 6. Ryan O’Reilly stripped the puck from Jared McCann and fed it to Faulk, whose wrist shot went off Murray’s right pad and into the net.

“Obviously it took awhile,” said Faulk, who snapped a 27-game stretch without a goal. “I don’t think it’s the longest one of my career. None of them feel great, but it’s nice to get that first one in.”

Lafferty tied the game 1-1 at the 6:27 mark of the second period. Lafferty used his speed to get past Derrick Pouliot, creating a breakaway that 1164199 St Louis Blues

Allen shines in goal as Blues win on road again, 3-1 against Stars

TOM TIMMERMANN

NOVEMBER 29, 2019 02:00 AM

The Blues’ mastery on the road – and Jake Allen’s mastery there too – continued on Friday as the Blues beat the Stars, 3-1, at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The Blues have points in nine straight road games, with a 7-0-2 record. The bad news for the Blues is they now have to come home to play Pittsburgh at Enterprise Center on Saturday.

The Blues carried a 1-0 lead late into the third period, when Dallas’ Roope Hintz scored with 3:11 to play to tie the game. The goal came just nine seconds after Hintz left the penalty box for high sticking.

But the Blues responded very quickly. Eighteen seconds later, Ivan Barbashev fed Ryan O’Reilly in a two-on-one and scored for the first time since Nov. 9.

Allen stopped 30 of 31 shots he faced, and some of them were spectacular. Allen is 4-0-2 on the road this season and came into the game with a .915 save percentage there, compared to .833 in his one game at home this season.

The Blues went 2-0-1 on the trip that also took them to Nashville and Tampa Bay.

Dallas pulled goalie Ben Bishop with about 1:40 to go, and Barbashev finished up the scoring with an empty-net goal. Barbashev has one goal and four assists in his past two games.

Colton Parayko scored to give the Blues an early lead, something they haven’t seen much of lately, and that first-period goal was still the only one in the game as the Blues led the Stars 1-0 after two periods.

The Blues have given up the first goal in six of their past seven games, the only exception being their 5-0 win over Calgary. The Blues are 3-2-2 in those seven games.

Not only is it unusual for the Blues to be ahead, but it’s also unusual for Allen, who is starting in goal, to have the lead. In Allen’s six starts so far this season, the opponent has scored the first goal.

Allen kept the Blues ahead in the second period with some great saves on Dallas, especially on a flurry of shots early in the second that was capped by Allen getting his arm in front of a shot by Justin Dowling. The Blues outshot Dallas 21-18 through two periods.

It looked like the Blues had gone up 2-0 on a goal by Nathan Walker as he stuffed in a rebound of his own shot at the post, but Dallas challenged the play and on review, Walker was clearly offside and the goal came off the board.

Dowling was assessed a penalty late in the second, the only penalty in the first two minutes, and the Blues will have 38 seconds of power play to start the third period.

Parayko scored with 4:19 to go in the first period. He skated the puck out from behind the net to the blueline and took a shot that found its way through some traffic and a screen by Zach Sanford to go in. Parayko’s only other goal this season was against Arizona on Nov. 12.

The Blues outshot Dallas 11-5 in the period and had a 21-12 edge in shot attempts.

Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164200 St Louis Blues — JEREMY RUTHERFORD (@JPRUTHERFORD) NOVEMBER 30, 2019

Jake Allen was the star against Dallas with 30 saves, and the Blues’ Can the Blues continue to cope with their endless list of long-term goaltending has been largely responsible for their recent success, but the injuries? Blues didn’t skip a beat with Walker and Pouliot. Walker thought he had a goal in his first game with the Blues, but it was called back after an offside review. Pouliot, who was in the lineup because of Robert Bortuzzo’s suspension and Carl Gunnarsson being under the weather, Jeremy Rutherford played 10:36 and was solid. Nov 30, 2019 With the San Antonio call-ups in the fold for the time being, it seemed like a good time to touch base with Blues assistant general manager Kevin McDonald, who doubles as the Rampage GM. He touched on Walker, On Oct. 29, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong stood before a Pouliot, Poganski and others worth keeping an eye on, and while he group of reporters and addressed the injury to Vladimir Tarasenko. couldn’t provide a definitive timetable on the readiness of Jordan Kyrou, he gave an idea of when he could be ready. “History has shown to me, losing Vladi, it’s a big loss to a team, but you can overcome these ones — you hope to be able to overcome it,” Walker, 25, who was the first Australian to play in the NHL, is well Armstrong said. “(But) it’s the next one and the one after that is where undersized at 5-foot-9 and 186 pounds. But he scores goals, including 12 everything starts to get really tested.” in 20 games with San Antonio this season and nearly that one Friday in Dallas. What Armstrong forgot to add was “and the one after that.” “I think Nathan, he’s a player that’s been in the league for a while and After Tarasenko’s shoulder injury, which required surgery and will keep has good experience,” McDonald said. “He’s a little bit of a combination him out until possibly the postseason, Alexander Steen (high ankle of he can beat you with his speed wide, but he also scores some really sprain) was next on Nov. 6, followed by Sammy Blais (wrist surgery) Nov. gritty goals. He scores on the rebound. He pays the price. Just a 19 and Oskar Sundqvist (lower-body injury) Wednesday. The Blues complete 200-foot player, like lots of effort, never cheats on the offensive placed Sundqvist on injured reserve, but they received some good news side looking for goals, always the first guy backchecking. Not the biggest on Saturday as coach Craig Berube said the injury wasn’t as serious as guy in the world but certainly a guy that plays a physical game and gets first feared. involved.” “It’s better than we thought,” Berube said. “It’s not going to be long term. WELP, IT'S OFFSIDE. SO WE'LL HAVE TO SAVE THIS FOR THE It looks like it should be a lot better than what we thought.” NEXT ONE. #STLBLUES Sundqvist will still miss some time, and though Steen resumed skating on — ST. LOUIS BLUES (@STLOUISBLUES) NOVEMBER 30, 2019 Saturday, it’s unrealistic to set a target date for his return given the nature of his injury. While the Blues could get two of their top 12 forwards Before Friday, Walker had played 12 games with Edmonton and back within a couple of weeks, exactly when is still unknown. Meanwhile, Washington, but his most recent was on Oct. 17, 2018, with the Capitals. Blais is set to be reevaluated 10 weeks from the time of surgery, so Though the odds suggest Walker is a fill-in at best, McDonald was asked approximately late January. whether there’s any reason to believe he could legitimately catch on at this point in his career. Blues’ injuries “Sure, I mean, I think it’s always a learning experience,” he said. “He’s Player Injury Timetable played for two different organizations now, but I think the most important Vladimir Tarasenko Shoulder surgery Reevaluated in late March thing for any player is to be able to skate at that level, and Nathan can certainly skate at that level. I also think that he’s a well-rounded player. Alexander Steen High ankle sprain Reevaluated next week … It’s not like he needs to play in the top six to stay there. He brings a Sammy Blais Wrist surgery Reevaluated in late January little bit of everything, but he’s also dangerous. He can turn a foot race into an odd-man rush instantly. I think he’ll be able to use his experience Oskar Sundqvist Undisclosed, lower body TBA as something to build off and put his best game out there.”

While Armstrong couldn’t have known the Blues’ roster would be this Poganski, 23, was called up with Walker and was a healthy scratch ravaged by November, he did say something on that October day that Friday but could get into a game soon. The Blues liked his performance seems even more impressive now. He said at some point the number of in training camp, and while he has just two goals in 21 games this injuries will cause the roster to wear thin, “but there’s enough (players in season, he’s still been a trusted player. the system) that I do think we’re going to be able to push forward and gain points.” “I think the great part for Austin, he’s been a solid player for us for almost a full year,” McDonald said. “From last Christmas on, he was very, very Going into Saturday’s game, the Blues had played 17 games without consistent in the American League, one of the top two or three players Tarasenko and were 11-3-3 for 25 points, which is second-most in the night in and night out for us. He walked into his second NHL camp and NHL in that span behind Boston’s 27. They were 5-2-3 without made a good impression and showed that he’s ready to give games Tarasenko and Steen, 3-1-1 without Tarasenko, Steen and Blais, and 1-0 when needed, and he’s off to another strong start this year. He probably without Tarasenko, Steen, Blais and Sundqvist. hasn’t scored as much as he’d like, but for him, that’s probably part of the growth because he’s not pressing to score and try to get to the NHL The game without all four was Friday in Dallas, where the Blues handled through points. He’s realized now that playing the right way is going to be the Stars 3-1 with a lineup that included forward Nathan Walker and what leads to the call-up, and that’s what happened.” defenseman Derrick Pouliot making their debuts and Troy Brouwer and Jacob de la Rose playing in one of their first few games. The extra McDonald also said to keep monitoring Mike Vecchione, 26, a minor- forward was prospect Austin Poganski, a rookie called up this week who league veteran who signed with the organization this summer, and has yet to play an NHL game. Alexey Toropchenko, 20, the Blues’ fourth-round pick in 2017. Vecchione leads San Antonio with 13 goals, and while Toropchenko has scored just “That’s never an issue, I don’t think, the character of our team,” Berube twice, he’s played well. said afterward. “Our organization (has) done a great job of finding players that can come up and do the job up here. We’ve got a deep farm team, “You look at (Toropchenko) and you see two goals, but this kid is and whether it’s from drafting and free-agent signings, like Walker and improving game to game,” McDonald said. “He’s a big kid, and he can Pouliot, they came up and filled in real nice.” skate. He’s handling the physical; they’re using him on the penalty kill. He’s definitely been a guy that’s going the right direction.” GOING INTO TONIGHT, DALLAS WAS 9-1 IN ITS LAST 10 GAMES AT AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER. IN THEIR LAST SEVEN HOME But what about Kyrou, who returned to the ice in early November GAMES, THE STARS HAD SCORED 31 GOALS (4.43 PER GAME). following offseason knee surgery and has five goals and 11 points in 11 #STLBLUES games? He’s been good, but having not played an NHL game since January, it appears the Blues want to make sure he’s 100 percent ready to handle a top-nine role before calling him up. That could likely happen in the next couple of weeks.

THE PASSING ON KYROU'S GOAL  PIC.TWITTER.COM/6APM3XR8EN

— SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE (@SARAMPAGE) NOVEMBER 20, 2019

Klim Kostin is unavailable. Upon returning to the San Antonio lineup after his first NHL stint in St. Louis, he picked up an upper-body injury in a collision. The Rampage have listed him as week to week but say they’ll have an update on his status Monday.

Meanwhile, with Bortuzzo suspended and Gunnarsson sick, Pouliot earned the call-up on defense and got into his first game Friday. The No. 8 pick by Pittsburgh in 2012 played 133 games the past two seasons with Vancouver, but when his contract expired last summer, he was relegated to a one-yea, two-way deal with the Blues. He responded by leading all AHL defensemen with 18 points in 20 games at the time of his call-up.

“The nice thing with Derrick, this is doing it the hard way,” McDonald said. “He played 62 and 71 games the last two years in the NHL, and as a 25-year-old, you’re looking to build off that and stay in the NHL. But this is exactly why we signed him as a player in the summertime. We knew our top seven was going to be tough to crack, but we knew he was a kid that if we needed him right away, he was there, and if we needed him in a month or two, he’d be there.

“For Derrick, a lot of the 20 games that he played (in San Antonio), he was the best defenseman on the ice for both teams, and he’s had games where he was the best player on the ice for both teams. So, he’s a guy that has a lot of poise, makes good decisions, and you’re comfortable watching him with the puck on his stick. He was a real difference-maker for San Antonio these first couple of months.”

Another blueliner to watch in San Antonio is Jake Walman, 23, a third- round pick from 2014 who’s taken the most strides of anyone this season, according to McDonald. He has three goals, including a game- winner last week, and 10 points in 21 games.

“He’s had a really good year, tremendous progress,” McDonald said. “He’s an NHL skater and has an NHL shot. His ice time has been way up, and his impact has been way up.”

Based on what Armstrong has said in the past, the Blues, atop the Western Conference, probably aren’t mulling any moves. “If they can get the job done,” Armstrong said, the Blue would stick with who they have. “(But) if we feel that we don’t have the ability to perform at the level that we deem necessary, we can always look outside.”

The trade deadline is Feb. 24, and almost three months away, the market has been relatively quiet, according to insiders. That could be because 27 of the 31 teams are still within a few points of a playoff spot, but it could also be because they watched the Blues show extreme patience last season and saw it pay off with a Stanley Cup.

However, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun tweeted Saturday, New Jersey is listening on one premier player: Taylor Hall. With the Devils near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 22 points, they’re poised to move the pending unrestricted free agent who has four goals and 21 points in 24 games.

HEARING THAT THE DEVILS HAVE STARTED TO LISTEN FROM TEAMS ON TAYLOR HALL. DOESN'T MEAN THEY WILL FOR SURE TRADE HIM BUT GIVEN THEIR PLACE IN THE STANDINGS AND THE MAGNITUDE OF A POTENTIAL DEAL, GM RAY SHERO IS NOW IN LISTENING MODE…

— PIERRE LEBRUN (@PIERREVLEBRUN) NOVEMBER 30, 2019

The Blues were interested when trying to move defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, and a couple of years later, Hall would still be a perfect fit on the left side of an offense that ranks 15th with three goals per game. Hall has a $6 million salary-cap hit, but the Blues have the space as long as Tarasenko doesn’t return before the end of the regular season.

The Blues have built themselves a decent cushion in the standings by doing an incredible job of coping with the injuries. But how long can they last?

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164201 Tampa Bay Lightning “That’s what it’s going to be when you’re playing against good teams,” Johnson said. “Most of the time (the games are) not going to be 5-2. It’s going to be a one-goal game, so you have to find a way to win those.”

Lightning fall to Carolina Hurricanes for third straight loss Hurricanes 3-0-0—3

On the wrong end of another one-goal game, this one 3-2, they have a Lightning 0-0-2—2 season-high losing streak. First Period—1, Carolina, Aho 13 (Hamilton, Svechnikov), 4:49 (pp). 2, Carolina, Martinook 1 (Slavin, Bishop), 7:30. 3, Carolina, Slavin 3 (Aho, Hamilton), 19:53. Penalties—Tampa Bay bench, served by Verhaeghe Diana C. Nearhos (too many men on the ice), 4:11 van Riemsdyk, CAR, (holding), 16:58.

Second Period—None. Penalties—McGinn, CAR, (roughing), 0:39 Bishop, CAR, (tripping), 3:46. TAMPA — Three straight losses. Three straight one-goal games. The Lightning are playing at a tight margin, and they’ve been ending up on Third Period—4, Tampa Bay, Point 10 (Hedman, Kucherov), 3:26 (pp). 5, the wrong side of it recently. Tampa Bay, Johnson 5 (Sergachev, Cirelli), 8:50. Penalties—Gardiner, CAR, (holding), 2:39 Edmundson, CAR, (high sticking), 5:50 Gourde, TB, The Lightning fell to the Hurricanes 3-2 on Saturday night at Amalie (tripping), 10:02 Dzingel, CAR, (hooking), 10:09 Stamkos, TB, (hooking), Arena. That’s after a 4-3 overtime loss to the Capitals and one by the 14:34 Hedman, TB, (slashing), 19:25 Maroon, TB, Misconduct same score to the Blues in regulation. (misconduct), 19:25. MORE LIGHTNING: Braydon Coburn and Alex Killorn both missing with Shots on Goal—Carolina 12-10-3_25. Tampa Bay 9-14-15_38. Power- lower-body injuries play opportunities—Carolina 1 of 4 Tampa Bay 1 of 6. Goalies—Carolina, Coach Jon Cooper looks at these games from a defensive perspective: Reimer 5-4-0 (38 shots-36 saves). Tampa Bay, McElhinney 3-2-2 (24- The Lightning (12-9-3) are giving up one too many goals a game. Steven 21). Stamkos said they have too many offensive chances to not score more. A—19,092 (19,092). T—2:29. Both things might be true. Referees—Garrett Rank, Francois St Laurent. Linesmen—Bevan Mills, Cooper broke it down thusly: Four goals against is probably going to Jonny Murray. mean trouble. Three and the game could go either way. One or two and Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 12.01.2019 you’ve put yourself in a good position to win.

“You just can’t keep giving up that number of goals, and we are,” he said. “It’s costing us, even a team that can score goals, so we have to limit that extra goal.”

Scoring may be fun, he said, but “in this league, it’s not how many you score, it’s how many you keep out.”

His logic checks out. The Lightning have won all seven games in which they’ve allowed one or two goals. They’ve won four of six games in which they allowed three. When giving up four or more goals, they’re 1-8-2.

Too many of those goals against have come on avoidable mistakes. Carolina’s first goal — from Sebastian Aho on a shot that goalie Curtis McElhinney couldn’t get all of — came after a Lightning too-many-men penalty early in the first period. The second goal — by Justin Martinook on a rush — came off a turnover on a slow line change not three minutes after the first goal.

“It’s in the details,” Stamkos said. “There’s only so much we can talk about, and we’re sick of talking about it. We have to do it out there. We weren’t ready to start the game.”

He put it on himself: As the captain, he said, he needs to lead the way as far as doing the right things.

The Lightning gave up all three Hurricanes goals in the first, then faced an uphill climb as they turned in two of the better periods they’ve played this season. They had strong scoring chances. Again, Stamkos put it on himself first.

“I should have had probably two or three (Saturday), so I have to put that on myself,” he said. “I had too many Grade A’s not to score. We had enough chances to win the game.”

Stamkos led the team with eight shots on net, but he didn’t score. He hasn’t scored in his past three games in which he has played. (He sat out the three before Friday with an injury.)

Tyler Johnson finally break his goal-less streak. He hadn’t scored in 11 games when he wristed the puck past goalie James Reimer to make it 3- 1 8:50 into the third. The forward said he couldn’t remember a stretch in which had had so many Grade A chances without a goal. He was “ticked off” he hadn’t scored more.

The Lightning should expect to see more of these close, one-goal games rather than fewer. In the past month, they have played only one game against a team in playoff contention that has been decided by more than a single goal, the Nov. 1 5-2 loss to the Islanders. 1164202 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning missing Braydon Coburn and Alex Killorn against Carolina

Erik Cernak returns to the lineup after his two-game suspension.

Mari Faiello

TAMPA — As the Lightning welcomed back defenseman Erik Cernak to their lineup against the Hurricanes on Saturday night, they had to make due without veterans Braydon Coburn and Alex Killorn.

Coburn is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury suffered against the Capitals on Friday, coach Jon Cooper said.

The defenseman exited the game in Washington in the first period and did not return after banging knees with Capitals defenseman Radko Gudas.

Following the game, Coburn was limping out of the locker room.

Killorn is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, the team said. He was one of four players who took part in the optional morning skate, likely to test the injury.

Killorn had played in all 23 games leading up to Saturday’s, racking up 11 points in his past 10 games.

Cernak returned from his two-game suspension for elbowing Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the head Monday.

Forward Carter Verhaeghe got back in the lineup after being scratched in the past two games.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164203 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning and Capitals have created a rivalry in two years

Before the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals, these teams played good games without strong feelings

Diana C. Nearhos

WASHINGTON — Sometimes a rivalry is born of geographical proximity. Other times it’s the sheer volume of games. Then, there are rivalries born of big games.

The Lightning and Capitals are option C. They played good games before 2018, but didn’t really care about each other deeply.

Now, these are games you circle on the calendar.

Coach Jon Cooper pointed out it’s amazing what a seven-game playoff series can do to build a rivalry. The 2018 Eastern Conference Final carries a little more weight when you consider some of the Capitals players have pointed to it as a catalyst on their run to the Stanley Cup.

After that series loss, the Lightning went into last season looking for the Caps. There’s been a little extra fire in these games since.

“The schedule makers have done a good job of helping us build that rivalry,” Capitals coach Todd Reirden pointed out. “Once you have a seven-game series the year prior and then you start swinging it into the next season where there’s games in a short period of time, then that helps that rivalry. And I think it’s a good one for the game.”

Last year, these teams played three games in 16 days. This season, they’re a little more spread out — three games in 23 days.

These teams are built similarly with strong cores who have been there for a while. They each have a very good goaltender, depth and a whole lot of skill. Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos have two of the best shots in the league. The two stand alone with the best one-timers in the league, both specializing in power-play goals from the left circle.

No wonder the Lightning and Capitals play such good games. The last two games they’ve played at Capital One Arena have gone into overtime. The other two they played last year finished more lopsided (a 6-3 win for each team) than they played.

“They’re always fun games to play,” Victor Hedman said. “They’re an elite team, we’re an elite team. They obviously have the thing we want. They won it two years ago and that’s what we’re aiming for.”

In case there’s any question, he was talking about the Cup. And once again, it feels like a Cup run could go through Washington.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164204 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lori Graves subs in on the organ for a few Lightning games

Krystof Srebrakowski is unavailable for personal reasons, so Graves steps in.

Mari Faiello

TAMPA — Before the DJs and the play lists, one could find organist Lori Graves playing in front of her last pro sports crowd in Chicago about 35 years ago.

All the time that has passed made her all the more excited for her next opportunity: a chance to play for the Lightning at Amalie Arena.

Krystof Srebrakowski, who has played the organ at home games since 2012, is unavailable for the next few games due to personal reasons. He’s expected to return late this month.

In the meantime, Graves will be leading the crowd.

“I think it’s a great experience,” she said. “There’s a little bit of a learning curve with each team you do because everybody does something a little bit different.”

Graves, 55, has been playing the organ for 50 years and plays professionally when she’s not giving lessons. She has done work with organ makers Hammond and Yamaha. Most recently she was a concert artist with organ-maker Lowrey. She has been able to tour the world in her years of playing.

The now-Ocala resident said the Lightning reached out to her about eight years ago when she was living in Chicago after they saw videos of her playing. At the time, she was working for Lowrey. It was too hectic for her to travel to Tampa so much.

Three years ago, Graves moved to Florida and reached out to John Franzone, the Lightning’s vice president for game entertainment. Now she’s the club’s backup.

“They want to bring me in about once a month to keep me fresh and change things up a bit for the fans,” she said.

But first, she was focused on Saturday night and “getting through it without goofing up.”

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164205 Toronto Maple Leafs “I thought the guys put that away really well and really deserved more than a point here when I look at the third period,” Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger said. “So really proud of the effort of the guys just digging it really deep and extremely disappointed with the final result. John Tavares scores OT winner to lift the Maple Leafs past the Sabres 2- 1 The Sabres went 0 for 2 on the power play. They now have just one goal with the man advantage in their last 37 opportunities.

Tavares scored the winning goal from long range beating Hutton at 1:45 DAVID ALTER of overtime.

NOVEMBER 30, 2019 “My first shot, I think I surprised him,” Tavares said of the final play of the game. “Then when I got a little bit of separation again, I got a little bit of a

screen and tested him again. I was at the end of my shift, so I wanted to Frederik Andersen was put to the test and the Toronto Maple Leafs be sure with it and I was able to get some good wood on it and time it goaltender did enough to hold his team to victory. right.”

“He gave us a chance to win, especially in the third period, where we had Globe And Mail LOADED: 12.01.2019 to defend” Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares said. “He made some big saves, even at the end of the second (period), too. That’s why he’s one of the best goalies in the league.”

Tavares scored his 10th goal of the season at 1:45 of overtime and picked up his 400th NHL assist while Andersen made 29 saves as the Maple Leafs defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday.

Andersen started in goal in the back half of a home-and-home series, breaking the trend from recently fired head coach Mike Babcock of starting Andersen in the first game of the sequence.

“It was a little different because we didn’t have a skate yesterday because of the early game,” Andersen said of the change. “I was able to skate a little this morning and obviously, we had more of a relaxed morning.”

The change is one of many that newly-installed Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe has made since taking over the reins. The 39-year-old from nearby Brampton made his home-coaching debut after going 3-1-0 in his first four NHL games.

“We had some good moments, but (our effort level) was not where we want it to be or where we wanted it to be,” Keefe said of his team’s play. “We have to give some credit to Buffalo, they really did a good job in both games against us and made it a little harder on us.”

William Nylander recorded the other goal for the Maple Leafs (13-11-4), while Rasmus Ristolainen scored Buffalo’s lone goal (12-10-5).

Carter Hutton made 41 saves in defeat and fell to 0-5-3 in his last eight games.

The Maple Leafs outshot the Sabres 11-8 in the opening period. The best scoring chance for either team in the frame came when Sabres forward Sam Reinhart’s shot from the circle hit the post at 7:31.

The Maple Leafs opened the scoring in the second period.

Nylander went to the net after receiving a pass from Auston Matthews. He deked Hutton and shot the puck under his shoulder and into the net for the power-play goal at 5:30. John Tavares picked up his 400th career assist on the Nylander goal.

“It was a little lucky and it deflected between his arm and in,” Nylander said of his goal. “It was nice to get one on the power play, that’s for sure.”

The Sabres had several chances to score in the frame. Andersen made a glove save off Connor Sheary at 11:50. The play was reviewed as part of Andersen’s glove appeared to be over the line, but the review was inconclusive.

“That was amazing, it kind of saved me because that was my guy,” Nylander said of Andersen’s save on Sheary. “It was a big save for him.”

Later in the period, Jeff Skinner had a chance from the slot while Andersen lost control of his stick, but Andersen made the save at 18:31. Victor Olofsson’s shot from the circle hit the post at 19:09.

The Maple Leafs outshot the Sabres 16-11 in the second period.

Buffalo found the equalizer in the third. Rasmus Ristolainen scored his second goal after he saw a clear path to the net while trying to find a player open. He cut across the net and beat Andersen blocker side at 6:58. 1164206 Toronto Maple Leafs Andersen, who parked his considerable bulk between the Sabres and the back of the Toronto net on Saturday evening at Scotiabank Arena.

The ginger netman who, in the first 20 minutes alone, fended off five Masked marvel commits highway robbery and the Leafs steal a win in high-danger scoring chances by the energized visitors compared to zippo QEW series by the Leafs, as per Natural Stat Trick.

The tall cool glass of water who unpacked a cello case of highlight-reel stops in the second frame after William Nylander had put Toronto on the Rosie DiManno board with a power-play goal, forehand to backhand, while the first PP unit was half on, half off the ice. Sat., Nov. 30, 2019 And then the Leafs had another of their by now too-familiar mental sags,

as if everybody had checked out for a blank-stare span, leaving pretty For Sheldon Keefe it was Toronto home game No. 1. For Freddie much only Andersen to hold Buffalo at bay. Andersen it was Toronto home game No. 112. Went post-to-post, right to left, whilst falling forward and throwing his (Playoffs, like batteries, not included.) glove up to snatch a wrister from Conor Sheary out of the air. But did Andersen drag the stab back into the net. Tick-tock-tick video review Whom would you throw over your shoulder and rescue first from a raging showed nope. fire? “I didn’t know it was that close,” Andersen said post-game. “I thought I Not a question that should require much deep contemplation. had it right away.”

Show me a great coach and I’ll show you a great goalie. Yin and yang. Later, with the Leafs short-handed, it was Jeff Skinner robbed by The diagnostics of hockey are pretty simple that way. Andersen. Skinner snapped a shot after getting behind the D, then managed two more pokes at the puck in the ensuing scramble — And this was a great night for the Great Dane — almost all down to Andersen making the final save without a stick, flick of the blocker. Andersen, really, that the Maple Leafs secured a 2-1 OT win over Buffalo on John Tavares’s screened knuckler at 3:15 of extra hockey. Had it been Michael Hutchinson — we don’t mean this unkindly — that would have been a goal fersure. He cannot make the clutch save and the “He gave us a chance to win, especially in the third period,” the captain Leafs have dropped 11 of 12 points that were on the table when he’s acknowledged of his goaltender. “We had some shifts where we had to been between the pipes. Always, until this weekend, on the rear end of defend and he just did a good job of staying composed, made some big back-to-backs — pro forma Babcock that Keefe flung aside, trotting saves at the end of the second. That’s why he’s one of the best goalies in Hutchinson out there Friday. Which changed nothing, as the poor mook the league. So, as we continue to feel things out, make adjustments and is still looking for his first win this season. everyone get comfortable with some of the things we’re trying to do, any time he can come up big for us obviously gives us a great chance and Here’s the thing: No matter how much the genuine affection for we’re lucky to have him.” Hutchinson, the Leafs simply play better in front of Andersen. Or, put more appropriately, they play better knowing Andersen had got their A zowie from Auston Matthews too, who agreed Andersen had stolen a backs. They trust him. He’s the calm amidst the storm, even moreso after game for his team. “Probably. There were points in the game where we Rasmus Ristolainen beat him at 6:58 of the third. Probably plenty of got hemmed in on D-zone and he made some big saves, a couple of stormy nights ahead — and another back-to-back later this week. incredible saves. And then we were able to get that extra point, which is huge for us.” It’ll give you a heart attack, imagining the catastrophe if Andersen were to suffer even a short-term injury. How are the Leafs going to fix this mess Anderson, typically soft-spoken, took only a modest bow, though granting that was engineered by GM Kyle Dubas? Down to Keefe, figuring that that, yeah, he was in le zone. out, how to live with Hutchinson if there’s no alternative. Play the “You hope so,’’ he chuckled. “You want to try, see what happens. When bejeezus out of Andersen, probably. you’re seeing the puck well, in good position, obviously that leads to Has Keefe managed to put his finger on it yet, suss out why the Leafs more saves … that’s the key to my game.” play better in front of Andersen, though on some nights — such as this — Stopped 29 of 30 shots for his 13th win of the season and in the second Andersen is the best player on the ice. game of a back-to-back at that, making a winner out of Keefe in his home “It’s early for me to comment on that,’’ Keefe had said pre-game. “That’s debut. obviously something that is well documented, that the team has The conflagration that the Maple Leafs had become under coach passim performed better when Freddie’s there. There’s clearly a trend in that Mike Babcock was doused in the less-than-fortnight since Keefe was direction. handed the reins — the pommel, the crop, the whole damn blue-and- “We need to figure out why that is. It’s a mental thing, clearly. We’ve got white-silks habit. to find a way to get over it.” Simpatico, it would appear, unshackled players and appreciative coach. By the way, for his home debut Keefe sported a tie with tiny goalies from Clearly the Leafs have responded well to Keefe at the helm, though likely knot to hem. “Righties and lefties,’’ he pointed out. even a cardboard cutout behind the bench might have been more Freddies top to bottom, I’d say. rousing for this crop o’ Leafs than Babcock, who had got on everybody’s last nerve, frankly. Toronto Star LOADED: 12.01.2019 Although hockey-wise, some of the patchy parts, the frayed edges in Toronto’s game, had started to show again, especially Friday night down the road in Buffalo.

Here, back to back, the Sabres came again with a snoot full of steam compared to the curiously phlegmatic Leafs, at least to start. Only their ace in the hole, their “I got this, guys” bulwark — kept the game buzz-cut close, and near-ditto Carter Hutton at the other end. The Leafs will need plenty more of this Andersen if they’re to carve out a piece of post- season inclusion.

Indisputably, Toronto will go as far as the strapping six-foot-four Andersen can take them. Especially with no understudy on the horizon of substance or even remote reliability. 1164207 Toronto Maple Leafs when you’re sitting down and you’re doing your work every day, you knowing there’s a lot of people that are counting on you. And there’s a lot of people that care about what you’re doing. That’s pretty exciting, and I really enjoy that. That’s part of what drives me, is to do that, and I’ve There’s no place like home as Leafs snap back-to-back curse in coach been fortunate at all different levels, you know. In Pembroke in junior A, Keefe’s Toronto debut people really care about their team there. Sault Ste. Marie, people really care about their team. The Marlies, relative to the American league and

everything like that in this city, people care about it when they come, and Kevin McGran certainly this is the pinnacle, so it feels good to have that opportunity.”

Sat., Nov. 30, 2019 Trending: The Leafs scored for the fourth time in five games under Keefe. They did it just five times in 23 games for Babcock. On average, teams win two-thirds of the time when they score first. All but two teams have records over .500 if they score first. The Leafs are 6-2-1 when Sheldon Keefe, with a huge entourage of family and friends in scoring first. attendance, was a winner in his Scotiabank Arena debut. Up next: The Leafs are in Philadelphia on Tuesday for the first of yet There was a low-key video introduction, well before most of the crowd another set of back-to-backs. They’re home to Colorado on Wednesday. had taken their seats. There was no formal introduction by the in-game announcer, just the regular starting lineups. But there was a reasonably Toronto Star LOADED: 12.01.2019 strong effort by his charges to get the Maple Leafs back in the win column.

William Nylander opened the scoring, Frederik Andersen kept the Leafs in it, and John Tavares scored in overtime for a 2-1 win over Buffalo to split the home-and-home series.

“Nice to have family here,” said Keefe. “It wasn’t the greatest game at times, but we found a way to get the two points.”

Though he had coached the Marlies on occasion from the Leafs bench at the arena before, Keefe came away thrilled to have done it as Leafs coach for the first time.

“The fans are into it,” said Keefe. “There’s a lot of them, and it’s a big crowd. It’s nice to be at home. I’ve been in this environment before, but never, ever quite like this, never quite as full, never quite as much emotion and energy.”

The Leafs are now 4-1-0 under Keefe. Buffalo won 6-4 on Friday to stop a Keefe-fuelled win streak.

In a way it was fitting that Tavares was the hero. Tavares, who signed with his hometown team as a free agent last year. Keefe, too, grew up Brampton.

“I’m sure it was a thrill,” Tavares said of Keefe’s experience. “You know, it’s been really special for me since the day I got here and still now, so I think we both want to maximize the opportunity. I think we’ve got a hell of a group, playing for a hell of an organization. So nice reward for this first one here.”

Family time: Leafs minority owner Larry Tanenbaum greeted Keefe’s family outside the dressing room at one point. That’s Keefe’s parents, wife, kids, a sister, a niece and nephew. He wasn’t sure how many, really, had come for the game. “Seeing them and having them be a part of it, and you just see how much it impacts them as well,” said Keefe. “That’s a big part of it. I’m kind of stuck in a bubble here, doing my work and doing my thing and you kind of lose track of some of the other stuff. But you know there’s a lot been going on, and the family part is something that is important to not lose sight of.”

Win city: Auston Matthews wasn’t so aware of the importance of the first home game for Keefe: “To be honest, it wasn’t right in my mind. But now that you say it, it’s just nice to get a win at home for everybody.”

Fred hot: The Leafs won the second of back-to-back games for the first time this season: now 1-6-1. The reason was goalie Frederik Andersen, who stopped 29 of 30 shots. Though Toronto managed more at Carter Hutton, 43 in all, Buffalo had the better chances: 14-3, according to Natural Stat Trick. “It’s nice to have Freddie there, and it’s nice to have a guy that’s capable of that. You need that at different times,” said Keefe. The biggest save was on a hard one-timer in the second period from Conor Sheary, which Andersen caught. It went to video review as officials wanted to see if perhaps the glove — with the puck in it — went over the line. It did, but not all the way. “I didn’t know it was that close,” said Andersen. It was the first time Andersen had started the second game of a back-to-back. Mike Babcock had always gone with Andersen in the first game.

Marlies time: Earlier in the day, Keefe was able to catch up with his old team. The AHL Marlies played an afternoon tilt — losing 4-3 to Utica. But then the focus turned to the Leafs and Keefe’s new role with them. “I see it as a great opportunity and a privilege,” said Keefe. “Just the fact that 1164208 Toronto Maple Leafs Buffalo thought it tied the game midway through the second as Conor Sheary ripped a wrister from the slot that Andersen coolly snagged. But the Sabres quickly pointed for a review and indeed most of the goalie’s glove was behind the line — but not the puck. Keefe, Leafs a hit at home On another Leafs clearance collapse in that period, Andersen gloved a Jeff Skinner shot on his knees with no stick. Rasmus Ristolainen, one of seven defencemen deployed by the Sabres in this game, burst in through Lance Hornby the left side of the Leafs and beat Andersen early in the third period. November 30, 2019 11:41 PM EST BEST FOOT FORWARD

Keefe was glad to have Alexander Kerfoot back in the lineup after a two- The Maple Leafs chose the low-key approach to Sheldon Keefe’s first game league suspension from an illegal hit in the game a week ago home game, but Frederik Andersen hogged all the Hogtown screen time against Colorado. Kerfoot flew off the bench in the first period on a long anyway. change to keep a puck in during the first period.

Keefe can hang his first Scotiabank Arena win on Andersen’s 29 saves, His return meant Jason Spezza sat after being one of Keefe’s best including an eye-popping snare in the second period in an eventual 2-1 players in the first four games. But the coach said the 36-year-old win over Buffalo on John Tavares’ overtime goal. Spezza wouldn’t necessarily sit every portion of a back-to-back, citing the Leafs being on the ice six straight days for resting him Saturday. With his parents leading a clan gathering of Keefe Nation, the new coach improved to 4-1 with a difficult home-and-home split with the Sabres. LOOSE LEAFS

“I’ve been in this environment before (the farm team Marlies play a few Tavares had his 400th NHL assist on the Nylander goal … The Marlies times at SBA), but never quite like this, so full, as much emotion and are 4-1 under co-coaches A.J. MacLean and Ron Davison, but as Elliotte energy,” Keefe said. “I’m hoping it’s better from here.” Friedman reported on Hockey Night In Canada, many unemployed minor pro and former NHL bench bosses would love the gig … In a touching Keefe’s replacing of Mike Babcock was only mentioned briefly in a pre- pre-game Hockey Fights Cancer ceremony, young survivor Khanya game in-house broadcast before many fans had arrived. Much like his Solano and her family rang the bell to signify the end of her chemo predecessor, Keefe was grateful Andersen was there to save the day treatments. The Leafs will auction off their purple warm-up sweaters and when his team lagged or was pushed off the puck. sticks … Leaf defenceman Cody Ceci apologized to referee Ian Walsh whom he surprised by hitting about 15 feet away from the net in open ice “Nice to have a guy capable of that,” said Keefe, whose team lost the with a wild third period wrist shot … For the first time since mid-October, only game Andersen didn’t start for him, Friday in Buffalo. “You’re going the Leafs have gone two games without allowing a power play goal. to need that at certain times and it gives is confidence. It wasn’t the prettiest at times, but we found a way to get two points.” Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.01.2019 The Leafs also won the second of back-to-back games for the first time this season, Keefe switching the rotation with Michael Hutchinson opening and Andersen closing.

“We’ve talked a little bit about how to do this scenario,” said Andersen, who seemed leery of not starting the first game. “We have a middle man in our goalie coach (Steve Briere), a little buffer there. But we talked to Sheldon as well and thought we’d try to do it this time. We started out great yesterday (Hutchinson struggled later in the 6-4 loss). It would’ve been nice to get all four points, but I’ll take two.

“When you’re seeing the puck well, you get in good position and that leads to a few more saves when you’re out of position. That’s the key to my game to track the puck around.”

Another back-to-back debate looms next week, with Toronto playing in Philadelphia on Tuesday and home again to face Nazem Kadri and the Avalanche on Wednesday.

GAME ON

After Andersen made two stops in OT, Tavares beat Carter Hutton glove side at the 1:45 mark. Hutton was tough on the Leafs, making 41 saves but has gone without a win for five weeks.

Andersen recorded his seventh victory against Buffalo as a Leaf and broke a tie with Curtis Joseph for the second most against the Sabres, who have been a prickly foe for Toronto going back to their birth in the early 1970s.

William Nylander scored on a power play, with Auston Matthews assisting, and though the latter has just one point the past three games he nearly had the winner in the final seconds of regulation when he went five-hole on Hutton and Marco Scandella swept it off the goal line.

For Nylander, his 10th goal came almost a year to the day he ended his damaging contract spat with the club, returning to double figures for the first time since 2017-18.

After a scoreless first period, in which Andersen had to be alert for teammates getting out-hustled to pucks and the Leafs survived a Nic Petan penalty, they hit on their own power play. Matthews braked by the boards and dished to Nylander, who was given too much room by an otherwise tight Sabres defence. Tavares and Matthews had their hands full with Jack Eichel, who won five of his first six draws and pressed the duo all night. 1164209 Toronto Maple Leafs necessarily sit every portion of a back-to-back, citing the Leafs being on the ice six straight days for resting him Saturday.

LOOSE LEAFS Andersen, Tavares make Keefe a winner The Marlies are 4-1 under co-coaches A.J. MacLean and Ron Davison, but as Elliotte Friedman reported on Hockey Night On Canada, many unemployed minor pro and former NHL bench bosses would love the gig Lance Hornby … In a touching pre-game Hockey Fights Cancer ceremony, young survivor Khanya Solano and her family rang the bell to signify the end of November 30, 2019 9:58 PM EST her chemo treatments. The Leafs will auction off their purple warm-up sweaters and sticks … There won’t be much rest before another back-to- back debate starts with Michael Hutchinson, Toronto playing in The Maple Leafs chose the low-key approach to Sheldon Keefe’s arrival Philadelphia Tuesday and home again to face Nazem Kadri and the as head coach in his first home game, but Frederik Andersen took up all Avalanche on Wednesday … Leaf defenceman Cody Ceci apologized to the screen time anyway. referee Ian Walsh whom he hit about 15 feet away from the net in open ice with a wild third period wrist shot. With their goaltender hanging tough against Buffalo Sabres, Toronto won 2-1 in overtime and split the home and home and made the Brampton- Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.01.2019 born Keefe a winner in front of 19,250, including pals and relatives. John Tavares beat Carter Hutton glove side 1:45 into the extra period.

Keefe’s replacing of Mike Babcock was only mentioned briefly in a pre- game in house broadcast before many fans had arrived.

Andersen’s 29 saves marked his seventh win against Buffalo as a Leaf and broke a tie with Curtis Joseph for the second most against the Sabres, who have been a difficult foe for Toronto going back to the early 1970s.

The Leafs had a power-play goal from William Nylander, with an assist from Auston Matthews and though the latter has just one point the past three games, he nearly had the winner in the final seconds of regulation when he went five-hole on Hutton and Marco Scandella swept it off the goal line.

GAME ON

After a scoreless first period, in which Andersen had to be alert for teammates getting out-hustled to pucks and the Leafs survived a Nic Petan penalty, the Leafs hit on their own power play.

Matthews braked by the boards and dished to Nylander, who was given too much room by an otherwise tight Sabres defence to that point. He dangled for his 10th of the year, returning to double figures for the first time since 2017-18. The goal came nearly a year to the day Nylander ended his damaging contract holdout. Collecting his 400th NHL assist on the play was Tavares.

Tavares and Matthews had their hands full with Jack Eichel of the Sabres who won five of his first six draws and pressed the duo all night.

Buffalo thought it tied the game midway through the second as Conor Sheary ripped a wrister from the slot that Andersen coolly snagged. But the Sabres began pointing for a review and indeed most of the goalie’s glove was behind the line but not the puck.

On another Leaf clearance collapse in that period, Andersen wound up having to snare a Jeff Skinner shot on his knees with no stick. The Leafs also had to get through a Tavares penalty, though did spring Kasperi Kapanen for a breakaway that Carter Hutton stopped. Looking for his first win in five weeks, Hutton stopped 26 shots through 40 minutes.

That kept Buffalo in the game long enough for big Rasmus Ristolainen, one of seven defencemen employed in this game by the Sabres, to burst in through the left side of the Leafs and beat Andersen.

USE THE FOURTH

It was another effective game for Keefe’s reliable Marlie grad line of Pierre Gauthier, Pierre Engvall and Dmytro Timashov. Gauthier won a hard-fought short-handed draw with Eichel in the second period, while Engvall and Timashov continue to lean into defencemen to cause turnovers and show unexpected prowess with their shooting.

BEST FOOT FORWARD

Keefe was glad to have Alex Kerfoot back in the lineup after a two-game league suspension from an illegal hit in the game a week ago against Colorado. Kerfoot flew off the bench in the first period on a long change to keep a puck in during the first period.

That meant Jason Spezza sat after being one of Keefe’s best players in the first four games. But the coach said the 36-year-old Spezza wouldn’t 1164210 Toronto Maple Leafs FARM FRESH Swedish first-round defencemen Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren

remain active for the Marlies, Sandin having opened the season on the Leaf Snaps: Keefe gets new office Leafs roster.

Sandin picked up the secondary assist on Kenny Agostino’s first-period goal on Saturday to give him 10 points (two goals, eight assists) through Lance Hornby 12 games this season.

November 30, 2019 6:45 PM EST Sabres look to sweep Leafs

Liljegren had the primary assist on Darren Archibald’s third-period power- play goal to give him nine helpers and 11 points in 17 games this season. It had to be surreal for Sheldon Keefe, sitting in Mike Babcock’s old office, with the farm team Marlies playing outside and himself preparing Rookie goalie Joseph Woll made 20 saves in Friday’s game. Tanner for his first Scotiabank Arena home game. MacMaster had the opening goal for the Marlies for the second straight game. “It’s pretty special for sure,” Keefe said in his first Bay St. press conference as Leaf coach before Saturday night’s game. “I haven’t had a LOOSE LEAFS whole lot of time to step back, you’ve been so busy trying to get up to speed. As expected, the Leafs came back to Scotiabank Arena to find Keefe arranged for the dressing room motto ‘It’s A Privilege, Not A Right’ to be “I’ll have a lot of family in the building, I grew up in the area (Brampton) taken down, just as at the practice rink. It’s not that Keefe didn’t like the and happy I can share that with them. Johnny Bower-inspired message, but said he‘s just not a fan of such motivational messages. At Coca-Cola Coliseum, the Marlies enter and “I see it as a great opportunity. You’re doing your work every day leave their room under a large un-captioned photo of their Calder Cup knowing there are a lot of people counting on you and a lot who care win … There was at least one plus for Michael Hutchinson on Friday in about what you’re doing. I enjoy that and that’s what drives me. In his sixth defeat, stopping Rasmus Asplund’s penalty shot. That kept Pembroke, in Sault Ste. Marie (his previous stops) people really care Sabres 0-for-5 in the rivalry history against the Leafs, starting with Mike about their team. The Marlies, relative to the American League, people Palmateer halting Gil Perreault in 1978. Other stops, were Rick St. Croix care. Certainly, this is the pinnacle.” on John Tucker, Ken Wregget on Christian Ruuttu, Felix Potvin on Keefe spent part his afternoon re-connecting with Marlie players and Donald Audette and James Reimer on Zemgus Girgensons … Keefe on assistant coaches A.J. MacLean and Rob Davison who’ve been running the swings between Frederik Andersen starting and Hutchinson’s the team since he replaced Mike Babcock. Keefe watched the Marlies struggles or for one game, Kasimir Kaskisuo. “It’s a mental thing clearly, lose their first game after a record of 4-0 in his absence, 4-3 to Utica. we have to find a way to get over it.”

A lot has happened since the Leafs last played at home, a six-game road Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.01.2019 trip that began with a loss, then the Babcock firing, three wins amid two days at the practice rink, then Keefe’s first loss, 6-4 in Buffalo on Friday. The Leafs hoped to make Saturday memorable for the new coach.

“Hopefully, we can use that excitement and take it (against Buffalo),” defenceman Cody Ceci said. “It’s been busy for us and it will be the first look for the fans at our new style. Everyone will be excited to show it off.

“The biggest thing I’ve noticed (under Keefe) is that guys have been working harder and got up for games than in the past. Guys have responded well to that.

“Just having someone new behind the bench is sometimes refreshing, the reason for a lot of coaching changes and lineup changes, trying to ruffle our feathers a bit.”

SABRE RATTLING

It’s going to be a December to remember in Buffalo if the Sabres can stay in the wild card playoff hunt with unexpected company such as the Leafs.

Friday’s win buoyed Buffalo after it lost five of the previous six and tied them with the Leafs at 28 points before Saturday’s rematch.

“We’re not going to care about the standings until April 4,” vowed new coach Ralph Krueger before the game. “We need to focus on developing a consistent game here. We’re in a learning phase and we want to stay in the race, but above all it’s about our development, small picture, taking care of that.

“We love our last five games against very strong opponents (Boston, Florida, Tampa Bay, Calgary and now two against Toronto), we’ve been in every game and made life difficult for them. The results didn’t go our way, but we feel there’s an interesting phase developing right now in the style of play.”

JACKED TO PLAY LEAFS

The 6-4 win Friday featured another big game by Jack Eichel, two goals and an assist, with 12 goals his most against any opponent. After a few years where the Eichel — Auston Matthews match-up was far too over- hyped, now fans are getting their money’s worth.

Matthews, blanked on Friday, still went into Saturday with nine goals in 12 games against the Sabres, the most by a single Toronto skater against Buffalo since Matthews debuted in ‘16-17. 1164211 Toronto Maple Leafs

Sabres look to sweep Leafs

Lance Hornby

November 30, 2019 12:38 PM EST

It’s going to be a December to remember in Buffalo if the Sabres can stay in the wild card playoff hunt with unexpected company such as the Maple Leafs.

Friday’s win in the opener of a back-to-back against Toronto buoyed Buffalo after it had lost five of the previous six and tied them with the Leafs at 28 points before Saturday’s rematch against Toronto.

“We’re not going to care about the standings until April 4,” said Ralph Krueger, the only coach to have a media availability Saturday morning at Scotiabank Arena. “We need to focus on developing a consistent game here. We’re in a learning phase and we want to stay in the race, but above all it’s about our development, small picture, taking care of that.

“We love our last five games against very strong opponents (Boston, Florida, Tampa Bay, Calgary and now two against Toronto), we’ve been in every game and made life difficult for them. The results didn’t go our way, but we feel there’s an interesting phase developing right now in the style of play.”

The 6-4 win on Friday featured another big game by Jack Eichel, two goals and an assist, with 12 goals his most against any opponent. After a few years where the Eichel – Auston Matthews match-up was far too over-hyped, now fans are getting their money’s worth. Matthews, blanked on Friday, still has nine goals in 12 games against the Sabres, the most by a single Toronto skater against Buffalo since Matthews debited in ‘16- 17.

Where Leaf back-up goalie Michael Hutchinson wasn’t sharp on Friday, Toronto switches to No. 1 Frederik Andersen on Saturday. Andersen’s six wins against Buffalo as a Leaf is tied with Curtis Joseph for the second-most against the Sabres in franchise history. Carter Hutton starts for Buffalo after Linus Ullmark closed strong on Friday. Krueger might also use seven defencemen on Saturday.

Leaf centre Alexander Kerfoot is back from a two-game league suspension, likely why Jason Spezza was with Nick Shore at the scratches’ skate Saturday morning.

This will be Sheldon Keefe’s first home game as Leaf coach after replacing Mike Babcock during the Western road trip. With a record of 3- 1, he was expected to confirm Toronto’s lineup late Saturday afternoon at his press conference.

In a bit of irony for Keefe, the farm team Marlies are playing an afternoon game at SBA against Utica. Whenever that happened in the past, Keefe and his Marlies staff were assigned small office space in the photographers’ room. On Saturday, he moved into Babcock’s office.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164212 Toronto Maple Leafs chances and high-danger shot attempts per 60 (min. 800 minutes); this year, he sits 41st and 87th in those same categories. (Interestingly, those per-60 numbers look closer to what he produced in earlier seasons with the Islanders, so maybe last year is more of the outlier?) The Leafs can’t win without John Tavares at his best — he finally looks on his way Tavares has also been bitten by the regression bug, so the Leafs haven’t been scoring as much when he’s been on the ice either. Expected goals are down a bit too.

Jonas Siegel Though he potted the game-winner in OT against the Sabres, Tavares was held without a five-on-five shot for the fourth time this season. In 82 Nov 30, 2019 games last season, that went down only seven times. He was even playing less — right around 18 and a half minutes — at the time of Babcock’s dismissal. It seemed like John Tavares could do no wrong in his return home to play for the Maple Leafs last season. Remarkably, Tavares has mustered only six shots on the power play all season and scored only once. He scored in his first game, popped a hat trick two nights later, and ended the year with a career-best 47 goals and 88 points. He was money Now, some context is required in shaping that rough start. in tandem with and Zach Hyman. For one thing, Tavares has been without either Hyman or Marner in But for as well as it went individually for Tavares in year one in Toronto, every game this season, including the last 10 without Marner, who’s the early returns on year two have been thornier until recently. There inching closer to a return from his injured right ankle. Two, even when he were life-changing moments to start with, certainly — the birth of his son got back himself from the broken finger, Tavares wasn’t at 100 percent, Jace, the captaincy — but on the ice, it hasn’t gone as smoothly for the or didn’t seem to be. He had the finger wrapped up initially, and had 29-year-old. He was held without a goal in the first four games of the special cushioning installed in his glove to protect it from getting re- season and looked sluggish again alongside Marner, but without Hyman, injured. who was still recovering from a torn ACL. Babcock noted in his final press conference as Leafs coach last week The dynamic duo seemed to be missing something, their five-on-five that Tavares was still having trouble even gripping his stick. prowess dulled noticeably. “You lose a little bit of that feel,” Hyman speculated, having never broken Then, Tavares broke his right index finger late in a loss to Washington a finger but suffered plenty of bruises. “You have the glove in between and missed the next seven games. Just a few days after he returned to your hand, so when you put another layer then you kinda lose a little bit the lineup, Marner suffered a high ankle sprain, and then, just last week, of the feel of the stick. And then, I don’t know what he was going through, the Leafs fired Mike Babcock, the coach who helped lure Tavares to the but gripping the stick, sometimes you get a slash on your finger and it Leafs in the first place on a seven-year, $77 million deal. blows up and you feel it every time you squeeze (it).”

Circle back well before the season, when Tavares had to pull out from Tavares declined to make excuses when asked about it though. representing Team Canada at the world championships because of an Marner also wasn’t quite Marner before he twisted his ankle against the oblique injury, and well, it’s just not gone great for the Leafs second- Flyers last month. Their connection was missing its usual spark. highest-paid player for most of 2019. Put it all together (along with some likely adjustments to being a first-time At least, until now. father) and Tavares’ early season funk makes some sense. It also Tavares whipped a wrist shot past Carter Hutton in overtime on Saturday contributed, along with subpar starts from other key players, to the night to give the Leafs their fourth win in five tries under Sheldon Keefe. malaise around the team. That followed a two-goal outing in Buffalo one day earlier, and a two- If he’s not their most important player — that would be Frederik Andersen point effort two nights before in a destruction of the league-worst Detroit — Tavares is right up there with Morgan Rielly and probably just behind Red Wings. Tavares had come up with only a single point in the five Auston Matthews. He’s an essential scoring machine capable of tussling games before that. with some of the more challenging assignments night to night, including LITTY #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/4PX3FK18GT Jack Eichel on Saturday.

— TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (@MAPLELEAFS) DECEMBER 1, 2019 And though it didn’t go great against Eichel — Tavares and the Leafs were hammered by the Eichel unit — the real Tavares seems to be The numbers suddenly look just fine: 10 goals and 20 points in 21 emerging again. Maybe that’s Tavares getting healthy. Maybe that’s games, for a full season pace of 36 goals and 71 points. Not quite last Keefe sparking something from behind the bench. Maybe it’s both. Since season’s spectacular production, but pretty good no less. Keefe replaced Babcock last week anyway, some of those aforementioned numbers are ticking up — the individual scoring “He’s just being John,” Hyman said after the 2-1 win over the Sabres. “I chances, high-danger attempts, and of course, goals. spoke to him — I think he was a little frustrated there for a bit. But he told me he’s getting his chances and he’s working hard, and he’s too good of The pounding cycle game has re-emerged and Tavares is finding more a player for it not to go in. Hockey’s a funny thing where you score in looks around the net. He’s playing more too. And he’s done it all without bunches usually, and you get points in bunches even though you could Marner, with Hyman sliding to right wing under Keefe, and Ilya Mikheyev play the same way or play well for long periods of time. Sometimes the taking up the left side. puck goes in and sometimes it doesn’t, and when it goes in you get more confidence so you shoot more and then you shoot more you get more “He had a lot of chances in Arizona and Colorado and wasn’t able to chances for it to go in.” capitalize and then obviously he’s scored the last three games,” Matthews noted after the latest win. Tavares is shooting a sizzling 20 percent this season. Before the thrashing by Eichel & Co., Tavares had expected goals’ nights It’s abundantly clear though that something hasn’t been right with of 78, 63, 83, and 60 percent. He even buried five-on-five goals in back- Tavares. to-back games, and logged not only a season-high, but personal Leafs- high, of almost 23 minutes in Buffalo on Friday afternoon. Most jarring are the five-on-five numbers. He logged nearly 21 minutes on Saturday and got the goal that won it for Last year, Tavares led the league with 33 such goals and was tied for the Leafs. fifth with 60 such points. To this point, he’s scored four times and added three assists for a full season pace of 14 goals and 25 points — a pretty Even for Tavares, now with 329 career markers (and now, 400 assists), dramatic dropoff. that means something, particularly after all the bumps of the early season. Dig a little deeper and Tavares is getting fewer shots, fewer scoring chances, and fewer high-danger looks per 60 minutes than he did a year “Players that have scored a lot expect to score a lot,” Keefe said. ago. Last year, Tavares ranked fourth in the league in both scoring “Whether you’re a veteran or not, you want to score, you want to feel good, you want to know that you’re making an impact on the team in that manner. We expect him to score, we need him to score. He’s been very good in a lot of other areas for us as well. He’s taking a lot of heavy matchups and it’s nice to see him this weekend and, here in particular, put it in the net.”

— Stats and research courtesy of Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and hockeyDB.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164213 Toronto Maple Leafs to counterattack the other way and create some kind of dangerous offence. I’d still like to see him do a better job of “finishing” on those plays — whether it’s with a backdoor pass or well-placed shot — but the fact that he’s generating so many chances off the rush is a great sign. Leafs Report Cards: Frederik Andersen’s skill and a little luck quiet Sabres, William Nylander’s effort and more PETAN SENDS A NICE PASS TO KAPANEN WHO GETS A GREAT LOOK. #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/U3KSCLM2XJ

— MAPLE LEAFS HOTSTOVE (@LEAFSNEWS) DECEMBER 1, 2019 Ian Tulloch John Tavares (C, No. 91) — Heading into overtime, I was ready to give Nov 30, 2019 Tavares about three stars. He had a couple of fantastic backchecks to prevent odd-man rushes, not to mention a few quality scoring chances,

but it was his overtime winner that forced me to bump him up into the After a dominant performance from Frederik Andersen, the Leafs four-star club. secured their first win of the season on the second half of a back-to-back, WHAT A SHOT BY TAVARES IN THE SLOT. LEAFS WIN 2-1 IN OT!! edging the Sabres 2-1 in overtime. Based on the number of quality #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/VAQZ1YRE3K chances they were giving up, it probably wasn’t a game Toronto deserved to win, but sometimes that happens in hockey. — MAPLE LEAFS HOTSTOVE (@LEAFSNEWS) DECEMBER 1, 2019

Let’s dive into things! It’s taken Tavares a while to get going, but we’re starting to see more of his offensive punch lately. Player reports The Fourth Line — I thought Pierre Engvall looked awesome to start this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ game, but he ended up with only 7:25 of ice time. When he was on the Game Ball : Frederik Andersen (G, No. 31) — There are some nights ice, Toronto’s fourth line was living in the offensive zone, creating tons of chances off the cycle. Dmytro Timashov was making some clever passes when the numbers don’t demonstrate just how strong a goaltender’s too, which helped open things up in the offensive zone. I can’t say that I performance was. Andersen was spectacular in this game, making loved Frederik Gauthier’s play in that department, but he’s trying his best, several key stops on Grade-A scoring chances. right? FREDDY THE ANDERSEN. PIC.TWITTER.COM/ONVESSE3Z2 ⭐⭐⭐ — LEAFS ALL DAY (@LEAFSALLDAYY) DECEMBER 1, 2019 Ilya Mikheyev (LW, No. 65) and Zach Hyman (RW, No. 11) — I didn’t Now, there’s some debate as to whether that puck crossed the goal line, love either player’s game on Saturday night, but I also didn’t think either but it was incredible effort nonetheless. We should probably give an played poorly. Mikheyev and Hyman do a phenomenal job applying honourable mention to the crossbar, which also made three key saves on pressure in the offensive zone to force turnovers, which helps the team Saturday night. Sometimes you need to be lucky to be good — Andersen spend more time there. The chances didn’t quite materialize offensively, was both in this game. but I liked both wingers’ play without the puck.

William Nylander (RW, No. 88) — He was all over the ice in this game, Travis Dermott (LD, No. 23) — I think the Leafs have found their new winning puck battles in all three zones. I love how much effort he was enforcer. putting into his defensive play, which really paid off with a few key stick checks in the slot. EVEN WHEN THEY ARE FIGHTING THEY HAVE GOOD EDGE- WORK. PIC.TWITTER.COM/VFEM1JGLUG GREAT WORK BY NYLANDER TO GET BACK AND TAKE AWAY A SCORING CHANCE. PIC.TWITTER.COM/HICKZJHQD3 — NICK DESOUZA (@NICKDESOUZA_) DECEMBER 1, 2019

— LEAFS ALL DAY (@LEAFSALLDAYY) DECEMBER 1, 2019 In all seriousness, it’s nice to see someone in blue and white get a bit feisty with opponents. Dermott has been getting into some pretty big Nylander also scored a highlight-reel goal on the power play, showing off battles lately with Connor Sheary and Jeff Skinner, both of whom he’s his nifty mitts. been able to overpower in front of the net. He’s also done a great job making smart little slip passes up the ice to open forwards, which is really WHAT A PLAY BY NYLANDER IN TIGHT. 1-0 LEAFS. important in Sheldon Keefe’s system. I would like to see Dermott tone #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/BH4LF2VIOS down his tendency to fire point shots, though. With his edgework and — MAPLE LEAFS HOTSTOVE (@LEAFSNEWS) DECEMBER 1, 2019 ability to walk the line, I’m pretty confident he can create open space to find a better play than a 3 percent shot from the blue line at chest height. I understand why people get frustrated with Nylander — I do too on those shifts where he isn’t moving his feet — but we also need to admit when Jake Muzzin (LD, No. 8) — Earlier in the game, I was ready to give he’s got his A-game. Muzzin a terrible grade, then later in the game, I was convinced he was the best defenceman on the ice. We’re going to split the difference and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ call it a wash, but it is worth noting he played better as the game went on. In the first period, we saw quite a few 2014-15 L.A. Kings decisions; Auston Matthews (C, No. 34) — Justin Bourne had a great tweet about dumping pucks in and firing low-percentage shots from the blue line. Matthews and Nylander’s play without the puck, with which I completely Down the stretch, Muzzin was activating in the play, skating into the open agreed. ice and making smart passes to open teammates. His backdoor pass in YOU COULD PUT ONE HECK OF A PACKAGE TOGETHER OF the dying minutes of the game would have given Toronto the lead. QUALITY MATTHEWS/NYLANDER DEFENSIVE PLAYS SO FAR Justin Holl (RD, No. 3) — I’ve found myself not noticing Holl much lately, TONIGHT. SO THAT’S A NEW THING. (SO IS THEM GETTING SHIFTS which is probably a good thing. He’ll jump up in the play at the right time WITH TAVARES ) and make a pass to an open teammate when he needs to. I haven’t seen him make a game-changing play — positively or negatively — for a few — JUSTIN BOURNE (@JTBOURNE) DECEMBER 1, 2019 games now, which again, you take every day of the week from a player Both players did a great job getting back on defence and forcing making the league-minimum salary. turnovers with well-timed stick checks. There was one play where Matthews stripped the puck carrier and quickly fired a stretch pass down ⭐⭐ the ice to Nylander, resulting in a great scoring chance. It’s hard to Nic Petan (LW, No. 61) and Alexander Kerfoot (C, No. 15) — Aside from believe Matthews wasn’t able to find the back of the net with the way he a Petan long-bomb to Kapanen for a breakaway, they didn’t do much to was playing in the third period — Beast Mode was very much activated impact the game in transition, which is usually their specialty. I’ve come — but sometimes the bounces don’t go your way. to expect a lot from Kerfoot when it comes to moving the puck up the ice Kasperi Kapanen (RW, No. 24) — His speed is such a game-changer in and making clever passes in the offensive zone, but he and Petan left me transition. Every time Buffalo turned the puck over, Kapanen found a way a bit underwhelmed this evening. Andreas Johnsson (LW, #18) — He’s someone I’m always looking for Trending up or down? when he’s on the ice, which is why I was disappointed Johnsson’s name didn’t make it into my notes very often. He was bringing the energy later This is where we break down the latest trends in my Leafs Report Cards in the game after Buffalo had tied things up, but I’d like to see him play courtesy of Mark Norman. You can play around with the data at his with that kind of determination all game — it’s what he’s known for. tableau page if you’re interested.

Coaching staff — The shine has worn off a bit after the first few games Tweets of the game under Keefe, so let’s have an honest discussion on what still needs to be Let’s see what Leafs Twitter was up to this evening. addressed: the defense. MITCH WAITING FOR THE BOYS DURING FIRST INTERMISSION. Toronto’s defensive zone coverage is still atrocious, which isn’t anything PIC.TWITTER.COM/7CL5H0Y7E5 new for fans who have been watching the team for years. The Leafs have been getting cycled on far too easily, aren’t taking away passing — LAURA DUARTE (@DUARTEELAURAA) DECEMBER 1, 2019 lanes through the middle of the slot, and when it comes down to it, just If you’re not familiar with this meme, I apologize — but it is adorable. aren’t communicating defensively. Rasmus Ristolainen’s goal is a textbook example of Mikheyev and Tavares not being on the same page, I MEAN… ANDERSEN IS THE STORY TONIGHT. FREDEX DELIVERS. with neither of them preventing the net drive. VEZINANDERSEN. ETC.

RASMUS RISTOLAINEN DRIVES THE NET AND PUTS IN THE — JAMES MIRTLE (@MIRTLE) DECEMBER 1, 2019 BACKHAND. 1-1 #SABRES50 #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/U3PIUYQX8Y Sometimes it’s not the quality of your puns, but the quantity. Andersen has been deserving of Vezina consideration for a while now, and this — BUFFALO HOCKEY MOMENTS (@SABRESPLAYS) DECEMBER 1, might be his best season yet. Of course, he’ll need to keep playing this 2019 well if the defensive concerns don’t go away.

Plays like these need to be cleaned up because they aren’t simply a MIKE BABCOCK WAS A JERKOFF product of terrible one-on-one defence — it’s a lack of communication and “team defence” — which I highly believe can be coached (just look at BUT SEVERAL OF THE DEFENSIVE ISSUES WITH THIS TEAM Barry Trotz and the Islanders). ✨WERE THE FAULT OF THE PERSONNEL✨ ⭐ I FIGURED IT WAS BEST TO SHARE THIS Tyson Barrie (RD, No. 94) — I’m starting to feel bad for whoever has to play on Barrie’s pairing. He’s an aggressive defenceman who can make THROUGH THE POWER OF INTERPRETATIVE DANCE things happen offensively when he’s on his A-game, but when he’s a bit off, it’s odd-man rush central. Dermott has been forced into a lot of two- — ACTING THE FULEMIN (@ATFULEMIN) DECEMBER 1, 2019 on-ones and three-on-twos over the past few games, which he could This is an important tweet. Not because it’s rational and brings up a valid certainly do a better job of defending, but he’s been put in quite a few concern — I just like interpretive dance. terrible spots lately because of how often Barrie has been getting beat wide, walked or some strange combination of both — which is hard to The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 describe until you see it.

The Rielly-Ceci pairing — It doesn’t work. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but these two were never a good idea to pair together — and they still aren’t. Morgan Rielly gives up way too much defensively off the rush, which Cody Ceci can’t make up for because he also struggles in that area. The result is a bunch of easy entries for the opposition, lots of space through the middle of the ice for seam passes and a ton of zone time cycling on the Leafs — where they really struggle.

For what it’s worth, I liked some of the plays Ceci was making in the second period. He had a few moments where he looked like Holl, jumping into the play and making good decisions offensively — he even drew a penalty on his best shift of the game. But then he has those plays that you just can’t justify at the NHL level, whether it’s fumbling a tape-to- tape pass, making a direct pass to nobody in particular despite having time and space or somehow finding a way to hit the referee with a point shot.

ALRIGHT LEAFS FANS, WHO ARE WE THINKING FOR:

A) MOST IMPRESSIVE PLAYER ON THE ICE

B) LEAST IMPRESSIVE PLAYER ON THE ICE

— IAN TULLOCH (@IANGRAPH) DECEMBER 1, 2019

I’m rooting for the poor guy, but it looks pretty clear to most of us that Rielly-Ceci isn’t the answer. Frankly, I’m not sure why anyone ever thought it would be.

Heat map

Here’s a quick look at where each team’s shots were coming from, courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.

Game Score

Game score is a metric developed by The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn to quickly measure a player’s performance in a game.

It’s not perfect, but it can help give us a decent idea of how well players performed in a particular game based on their numbers — although I’d always recommend combining stats with video, since single-game numbers can be wonky. 1164214 Vegas Golden Knights REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 12.01.2019

Bill Peters’ allegations paint NHL in horrible light

Ben Gotz

November 30, 2019 - 6:58 PM

The NHL likes to trumpet its slogan “Hockey is for Everyone.” The actions of one of its coaches showed hockey has a long ways to go to turn those words into reality.

Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters resigned Friday during a team investigation into allegations that he directed racist slurs at former player Akim Aliu, who was born in Nigeria, while coaching in the minors in 2009- 10. The team was also investigating allegations that Peters kicked and punched players behind the bench while coaching the Carolina Hurricanes.

Peters apologized in a letter Wednesday for using “offensive language” a decade ago but did not address the specific allegations. He also did not address the allegations from his time in Carolina. Current Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Wednesday that the alleged events in Carolina “for sure happened.”

The Peters’ situation is nothing less than a horrible look for a league and sport that have tried in recent years to address glaring diversity issues. The NHL celebrated Black History Month for the first time last season with a wave of initiatives that attempted to promote and encourage inclusiveness. Golden Knights right wing Ryan Reaves participated in a video as part of the league’s efforts.

It’s hard to reconcile that with the fact that Peters kept rising in the coaching ranks after the alleged incident with Aliu. Peters, then the coach of the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs, was hired into the NHL after the following season as a Detroit Red Wings assistant coach. Three years later, he became the Hurricanes’ coach. After he resigned from that job in April 2018, he was unemployed for three days before being hired by the Flames.

The NHL needs to do better when it comes to hiring. That includes Seattle general manager Ron Francis, who hired Peters in Carolina and kept him employed after Peters’ alleged abusive actions.

Francis said in a statement Saturday that he was made aware of the incidents and “took immediate action to address the matter and briefed ownership.”

Hockey Canada, which employed Peters in various roles from 2008 to 2018, acknowledged Friday “the last few weeks have humbled us. We know we need to continue to improve.”

The same goes for the NHL. Otherwise “Hockey is for Everyone” will ring hollow.

Oilers aren’t sweating ice time

The Edmonton Oilers have the overall leader in time on ice per game in defenseman Oscar Klefbom (25:48) and the top two among forwards in stars Leon Draisaitl (22:51) and Connor McDavid (22:12).

That isn’t an issue to coach Dave Tippett. He said all three players’ ice time is inflated because they’re on the Oilers’ first power-play unit. It’s been so good it rarely changes midpower play.

“We’ve got a unique power play,” Tippett said. “I’ve never seen it before, where guys can play two minutes. Usually I’m like, ‘Hey, you can’t play two minutes, you’re going to be tired,’ but our power play is unique in that they can stay out there because they have so much zone time.”

The Oilers’ power play is ranked No. 1 in the NHL at 32 percent.

Jets taking off

The Winnipeg Jets, who opened the season with a decimated blue line, have defied expectations. They’ve won five of their last six games to climb to second in the Central Division. 1164215 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ defensive zone changes pay dividends — ANALYSIS

Ben Gotz

November 30, 2019 - 2:47 PM

The Golden Knights made some defensive-zone coverage adjustments before Wednesday’s game at the Nashville Predators.

They wanted to defend less man-to-man and free themselves up to protect the “good ice” (the front of the net, the slot) while allowing their opponents to shoot from the “bad ice” (outside the faceoff dots).

Friday’s 2-1 shootout win over the Arizona Coyotes at T-Mobile Arena was a step in the right direction for the Knights in that regard. They gave up few quality chances in their second game with the system tweak. The Coyotes had 36 shots on goal, but not many were dangerous.

“We still had a couple missed opportunities to get the puck out and a couple turnovers or a couple missed switches or something like that,” Knights right wing Alex Tuch said. “It’s a learning process. It’s just what happens sometimes. But I thought only giving up one goal to a team like Arizona is huge with the firepower that they have and the skill that they have. If we’re able to hold that team to one goal, we can pretty much hold any team to one goal in the league.”

The Coyotes ended the game with 18 scoring chances and eight high- danger scoring chances. Those totals rank 12th and 14th among the Knights’ opponents in their first 28 games.

It wasn’t a great defensive performance. But it was progress as the Knights get used to the changes they’re making.

Arizona did most of its damage late after struggling to generate offense through two periods. The Coyotes had only four scoring chances and one high-danger scoring chance in the first because they were largely pinned to the outside.

The Knights kept that up in the second period as well, though they did allow a goal when defenseman Jakob Chychrun managed to beat goaltender Malcolm Subban with a shot from below the left faceoff dot.

“They had a lot of stuff from the outside,” Subban said. “The goal they scored was obviously from the outside. That was all the shots they had pretty much the whole game. It was all from the outside. It makes it a lot easier for us in net.”

The system should allow the Knights goaltenders to face easier shots — with one caveat: They have to control their rebounds well.

Goalies can’t allow bad shots from the outside to turn into good shots on the inside by giving up a lot of rebounds in front of the net. The Coyotes nearly won the game on a rebound with 9.2 seconds left when left wing Clayton Keller got to a loose puck and fired it toward the net from the slot. Subban, who said after the game he thought his rebound control could have been better, made the save to send the game into overtime.

Subban also said he thought his team did a great job clearing rebounds in front of him. Coach Gerard Gallant said it’s important for his skaters to do that to keep scoring chances low.

“Any time you can box guys out and keep them from second and third chances in front of the net, it’s going to help your team win games,” Gallant said.

The Knights hope their system tweak will lead to more winning after they started 11-11-4. They’re 2-0 since they’ve made the change, and the hope is their defense will continued to get better as they get more accustomed to it.

“I think it’ll take a few games, but hopefully it gets us going in the right direction,” defenseman Jonathon Merrill said.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164216 Vegas Golden Knights Center Cody Eakin left Friday’s victory in the third period and did not return after taking a hit to the head from Arizona’s Brad Richardson.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 12.01.2019 Golden Knights’ Alex Tuch looks to bounce back

David Schoen

November 30, 2019 - 3:16 PM

Alex Tuch did not have a November to remember.

The Golden Knights forward battled injury and inconsistency throughout the month before ending on a high note in Friday’s 2-1 shootout victory over the Arizona Coyotes at T-Mobile Arena.

“Obviously my productivity’s been low, but more than anything else, I just want this team to win,” Tuch said. “It’s something I’ve got to work on myself. But I’ve got to play good defense, a good team game, and just try to help the team win as much as possible and play the right way, and hopefully points start coming.”

Tuch was injured in the preseason and missed the first 13 games with an upper-body injury. He scored in his season debut against Montreal on Oct. 31, but was knocked out of the next game Nov. 2 after a high hit from Winnipeg’s Adam Lowry and sidelined for four games.

Tuch returned Nov. 13 against Chicago with an immaculate “Movember” mustache, but he struggled to develop chemistry on the third line with wing Cody Glass and either Paul Statsny or Cody Eakin at center.

In 11 games, the Tuch-Eakin-Glass trio registered 43.33 percent of the shot attempts at 5-on-5, the lowest percentage of the Knights’ four lines.

“Inconsistent. He had some real good games, then he tailed off a little bit,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “Again, it’s not easy when you get hurt and you’re chasing guys from behind and your conditioning is not quite with the other guy. But he’ll be fine.”

Tuch went seven straight games without a point until he broke through against the Coyotes. With a second-period power play winding down, Tuch moved to the front of the net and deflected defenseman Nic Hague’s wrist shot to put the Knights ahead.

He then scored the winning goal in the shootout with a silky move, going to his forehand to beat Coyotes goalie Darcy Kuemper.

Tuch has two goals and an assist in 11 games, and his 47.46 shot attempts percentage at 5-on-5 is one of the lowest among the team’s forwards.

But Gallant hopes Friday’s game will spark Tuch in December, starting with Monday’s game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

“When he skates and plays a bumping-and-grinding game and gets open, he’s a real effective player,” Gallant said. “He’s just got to do the simple thing. Tuchy thinks too much sometimes. Just go out and play and have fun. That’s when he plays his best hockey.”

Ballot box

Knights fans have the chance to vote Marc-Andre Fleury, Mark Stone or William Karlsson onto the Pacific Division All-Star team.

The three are the Knights’ nominees for Pacific Division captain. Fans can vote until 8:59 p.m. Pacific time Dec. 20 at NHL.com/Vote and the NHL app, and the top vote-getter in each division will be named captain. The league selects the remaining players.

NHL All-Star Weekend will be Jan. 24 and 25 in St. Louis. The All-Star skills competition will be Jan. 24, and the All-Star Game, which consists of a series of 3-on-3 games between the four divisions, will take place Jan. 25.

Fleury was the Knights’ lone All-Star last season. He and James Neal represented the team in 2018.

Roy returns

Forward Nicolas Roy was recalled from the American Hockey League on an emergency basis Saturday. 1164217 Washington Capitals beat backup goaltender Ilya Samsonov on the power play at 11:47. Samsonov ended up with 25 saves to improve to 6-2-1.

The Russian’s previous start was Nov. 15, a home loss to Montreal. The Hat trick lifts Alex Ovechkin to 20 goals and the Capitals to a 5-2 victory two-week break between games was not ideal, but Kuznetsov and in Detroit Reirden praised the rookie.

“He’s getting better and better, but always feel bad when goalie doesn’t play for two weeks and we give them so many opportunities,” Kuznetsov Samantha Pell said. “He played unbelievable today.”

November 30, 2019 at 11:24 PM EST Ilya Samsonov continues to adapt on and off the ice

Fabbri’s goal came on the second power-play chance for the Red Wings, who finished with four opportunities. Washington has taken 107 minor DETROIT — Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin patiently curled penalties through 28 games, second-most in the NHL. Reducing those around the net, the puck firmly on his stick, before he turned and fired it chances has been a point of emphasis for Reirden of late. And while off Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier and into the net. The Washington’s penalty troubles persist, it can take solace in knowing its highlight-reel second-period goal Saturday night was the first step toward power play still reigns supreme. Ovechkin’s first hat trick of the season, and it was the go-ahead goal as the Capitals posted a 5-2 victory at Little Caesars Arena. Oshie, who has five points (one goal, four assists) in his past two games, tied the score at 1 at 2:19 of the second period when his one-timer on the Ovechkin, whose final two goals were empty-netters, now has 20 goals power play beat Bernier. It was his 11th goal of the season. Jakub Vrana on the season and 678 in his career to move within six of Teemu picked up the primary assist; he has five points (two goals, three assists) Selanne for 11th in NHL history. Ovechkin has five goals in Washington’s in his past four games. Vrana has 12 goals and 11 assists in 28 games past three games — all wins — as the league-leading Capitals (19-4-5) after tallying 24 and 23 in 82 last season. head to California for their next three games. “Vrana just continues to get better and better,” Reirden said. “He is a It was Ovechkin’s 24th career hat trick in the regular season — he guy that trains hard in the summer, continues to understand the surpassed Jari Kurri for sole possession of 10th in NHL history — but it importance of a two-way game. Proud of his year so far.” was his first with two empty-netters. Only four of his previous 23 hat tricks featured an empty-netter. Center Lars Eller initially handled top power-play duties in place of Nicklas Backstrom, who has missed the past five games with an upper- “Hat trick is a hat trick,” he said. “It doesn’t matter. It is always nice to body injury, but it was Vrana who filled the role in the past two games. put it in.” Backstrom skated Saturday morning but has not been cleared for Washington has fared well on the road, sitting at 11-2-1 after Saturday’s contact. He is questionable for Tuesday’s game at San Jose. win. Its success includes a five-game, 10-day road trip in October that Washington Post LOADED: 12.01.2019 built the team’s confidence and shored up its still-new system. Its prowess was on display against the struggling Red Wings (7-19-3) on Saturday, just a night after the Capitals played a tough, rivalry game against Tampa Bay at home.

Last time out: Caps’ special teams shine in 4-3 overtime win over Tampa Bay

“Those can be dangerous games,” forward Tom Wilson said of Saturday’s matchup. “Every team in this league is pretty solid, and sometimes you just go through tough stretches where they are playing pretty desperate hockey. We were aware of that. We wanted to be solid. With two points tonight, they are the exact same. It doesn’t matter who you are playing.”

The Capitals struggled to maintain momentum against the Red Wings before second-period goals by T.J. Oshie and Ovechkin gave them a 2-1 lead they never surrendered. Wilson scored an insurance goal at 14:23 of the third before Luke Glendening answered for the Red Wings nine seconds later, but Ovechkin’s late goals made sure Detroit couldn’t complete its comeback.

“He’s obviously able to get out there and earn that situation,” Coach Todd Reirden said of Ovechkin’s empty-net goals. “He’s gotten better in that area, where we can play him in those situations. He deserves to be out there to help us protect a lead, and if he gets a chance, he knows where to put it.”

With the primary assist on Ovechkin’s first goal, Capitals defenseman John Carlson got his first point in four games. He also had the save of the night, knocking the puck away from Detroit’s Valtteri Filppula to deny a sure goal early in the third. Carlson has 37 points (eight goals, 29 assists) in 28 games. Evgeny Kuznetsov added three assists and has six points (one goal, five assists) in his past three games.

Ovechkin’s second-period goal was the team’s 100th of the season. It made the Capitals the second team in the past 12 years to score 100- plus goals (including shootout-deciding goals) before the start of December.

“I got to be honest with you: I got lucky,” Ovechkin said. “I should go to my backhand but decided to go behind the net and, you know, just then I go to the net and take a shot and I hit the goalie and it went in.”

The Capitals eventually found their stride, but they had another slow start. Reirden said his team didn’t play quickly enough in the opening 20 minutes. The Capitals fell into a 1-0 hole when Detroit’s Robby Fabbri 1164218 Washington Capitals It was a good thing Wilson scored it too because Luke Glendening scored just nine seconds later to cut the lead to one again.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019 Alex Ovechkin helps Capitals overcome sleepy start with hat trick performance

J.J. Regan

November 30, 2019 9:52 PM

The Detroit Red Wings kept things close, but a hat trick from Alex Ovechkin put plenty of distance between the Capitals and the Red Wings in a 5-2 win on Saturday. Washington gave up the first goal in a sleepy first period, but scored five goals in the final 40 minutes to take control over a hapless Detroit team.

Here is how the Caps won.

Samsonov's first period

The Caps' first-period performance was, in a word, awful. Multiple lapses in defensive coverage left Detroit with holes to attack from, especially in the high-slot. Washington was down 1-0 after 20 minutes, but without the work of Ilya Samsonov in net, the poor start could have been much worse.

Less than two minutes into the game, the defense lost track of Luke Glendening in the high-slot. Dylan Larkin found him with the pass and Glendening had an open lane to the net. Samsonov played it aggressively and was in front of the crease when he made the save. He then slid over to make the blocker save on Patrik Nemeth.

Detroit was actually outshot in the first period 12-9, but several of those nine shots were high-quality and Samsonov did well to make eight of those saves.

The second period

As bad as the first period was for Washington, they rebounded with a strong second period to take control of the game. The middle frame looked much more like what we expected from a game in which a first- place time was playing an injury-depleted last-place team.

The Caps outshot Detroit 13-5 and T.J. Oshie and Alex Ovechkin both scored to give Washington the 2-1 lead.

Ovechkin's hat trick

Ovechkin scored the 24th hat trick of his career. Two of those goals were empty-netters, but who's counting?

In the second period, John Carlson fed an open Ovechkin on the right, but goalie Jonathan Bernier was in good position so Ovechkin held the puck and took it behind the net...then held it to carry the puck around the traffic behind the net...then held it as he emerged from behind the goal line and picked his spot and fired the goal past the diving Bernier.

That was the only goal he would score on an actual goalie.

Ovechkin scored the first empty-netter to make it 4-2, then stole the puck from Larkin in the neutral zone and fended off Filip Hronek with one arm to score his third goal of the night.

Carlson's sweep on Filppula

With the Caps leading by one in the third period, a bouncing puck was tipped in front of Samsonov. Valtteri Filppula could not initially control the puck, but kicked it to his stick. Samsonov came out of the crease and tried to sweep the puck with his stick, but it got around him leaving him out of the net and helpless. Filppula had an empty net to shoot on, but just before he could get his stick to hit, John Carlson swept it away to prevent the game-tying goal.

Wilson's insurance

The Caps clung to a one-goal lead throughout the third until there was less than six minutes remaining and Tom Wilson scored a goal-scorer's goal to give Washington some insurance. Ovechkin fed him a leading pass, Wilson zipped through the defense to grab the puck, leaned just enough to force goalie Bernier to commit, then cut inside and slid it through Bernier's five-hole. 1164219 Washington Capitals Anthony Mantah leads the Red Wings with 12 goals and 23 points, but the Caps won't have to worry about him. He suffered a lower-body injury on Sunday and is expected to miss a few weeks.

5 things to know for Capitals-Red Wings: First place vs. last place Yeah, it's been that kind of season for the Red Wings.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019

J.J. Regan

November 30, 2019 10:30 AM

The Capitals (18-4-5) begin a four-game road swing on Saturday with a game against the Detroit Red Wings (7-18-3) before heading west to California. You can catch all the action on NBC Sports Washington with Caps FaceOff Live kicking things off at 6 p.m. before Caps Pregame Live begins at 6:30 p.m. to bring you up to the 7 p.m. puck drop. Stick with NBC Sports Washington after the game for Caps Postgame Live and Caps Overtime Live.

Here's what you need to know for Saturday's game.

About last night

Both teams were in action on Friday with very different results. Washington battled back from a 3-1 deficit against the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 4-3 win in overtime. Dmitry Orlov scored the game-winner with his second goal of the season. You can read a recap of the win here.

The Red Wings, meanwhile, were on the wrong end of a 6-1 beatdown in Philadelphia. Robby Fabbri tied the game at 1 in the first period, but the Flyers would rattle off five unanswered gaosl for the win.

First vs. last

Washington is tied for first in the NHL with 41 points. The Red Wings are in a full rebuild which is a polite way of saying they are really bad. Detroit sits in the bottom of the league's standings with only 17 points, five less than the 30th New Jersey Devils.

In a league dominated by parity, the Red Wings are an outlier. They have lost six straight and are winless in their past eight (0-6-2). In the last four games, Detroit has been outscored 19-2. Things are so bad that after a 6-1 loss on Friday, head coach Jeff Blashill said his team's performance was "light years better" than in their previous game, a 6-0 loss to Toronto.

I get that the scoreboard does not always paint an accurate picture of how a game played out, but you won't find many coaches pointing out the positives of a 6-1 loss in the NHL.

Detroit is struggling in every facet

It is hard to point to one reason for the Red Wings' struggles this year because they are bad at pretty much everything.

Detroit ranks dead last in the NHL in goals per game (2.14), goals against per game (3.89) and the penalty kill (72.4-percent). They are only 28th on the power play with 13.1-percent though so I guess that's something.

Samsonov gets the start

Ilya Samsonov will get his first start since Nov. 15, when the Caps fell to the Montreal Canadiens. The rookie netminder was red-hot to start the season, but has called in recent weeks with a 2.65 GAA and .913 save percentage.

As for the Red Wings, the likely starter will be James Reimer. Calvin Pickard got his first start for the Red Wings on Friday as Jimmy Howard was out with a lower-body injury. Considering he did not dress on Friday, it seems doubtful he will step in for the start on Saturday. That would suggest Reimer would get the start. Reimer had flu-like symptoms on Wednesday, but had to step in for Howard once he got injured. He backed up Pickard on Friday though and should be ready to play on Saturday.

Reimer is 4-4-0 with a 2.71 GAA and .910 save percentage. Considering how the season is going in Detroit, those are fairly impressive numbers.

Detroit's leading scorer is out 1164220 Washington Capitals "I think we're day-to-day making decisions,” MacLellan said. “It's tough. We can play that game of projecting, but like I don't know what Nick's injury [is]. We don't have Hagelin back for sure yet. So are we gonna have a guy on LTI or not on LTI? I mean there are so many factors that As Caps embark on road trip, navigating the salary cap remains a 'day- go into the day-to-day decisions. We spent more time this year talking to-day' process about injuries, roster, the cap on a day-to-day basis than we ever had."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.01.2019 J.J. Regan

November 30, 2019 6:00 AM

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The salary cap was one of the major storylines for the Capitals heading into the 2019-20 season. Facing a cap crunch in the summer, it was expected the team would have to make several moves to shed salary. General manager Brian MacLellan did, but he was also aggressive in acquiring players he felt the team needed to bolster the roster. As a result, the team entered the season with almost no space under the cap ceiling.

Now 27 games into the season, the strain the lack of cap space is putting on the team is coming into clear focus and there is no easy answer for how to ease that strain.

For a team with so little room under the cap ceiling, staying healthy was going to be paramount for being able to more easily navigate the cap. Thus far, the Caps have not been so lucky.

"Half the teams in the league, more than half the teams in the league, are in the same spot we're in where you're right at the cap, you're $1 million away from the cap,” MacLellan said Tuesday. “When you get injuries, it forces you to make certain decisions that you might not normally make."

Those "certain decisions" include stripping the roster down to only 12 healthy forwards and six defensemen. It includes recalling Tyler Lewington, a defenseman, to replace forwards Carl Hagelin and Nic Dowd when both were out with upper-body injuries and playing a game with seven defensemen. It includes recalling Mike Sgarbossa and Beck Malenstyn on the day of a game against the New York Rangers and dressing a bottom-six that more resembled a ’ lineup than an NHL one.

Those are the issues facing the Caps now, but staying so close to the ceiling also will have ramifications later in the season.

At the trade deadline, teams make a flurry of moves to bolster their rosters. They are able to do this in part because of banked cap space. That extra space allows them to afford players they would not have been able to earlier in the season.

But Washington is not banking any space.

Judging from the first quarter of the season, adding a right-shot, top-four defenseman should be a priority for the team, but those players do not usually come with a cheap price tag. Trying to add a player like that will require an equal dollar deal be made because there is no other way for the Caps to fit another salary under the cap.

"I think it's gonna be tough,” MacLellan said when asked about making any late-season additions. “Depending on the long-term injury and the amount of cap space you have, it's gonna be hard to add an impact player. I think it's - it's going to be hard to add a high-salary player."

MacLellan will face another challenge soon as the Caps embark on a four-game road trip starting on Saturday in Detroit.

Carrying the bare minimum of healthy players is always a risk, as the last few weeks have shown. With a home-heavy schedule with the only travel being on the East Coast, the team rolled the dice believing it could make any recalls necessary and those players would be able to arrive in time for a game situation.

This road trip, however, will take the Caps to Detroit and then California. With Carl Hagelin eligible to return on Dec. 2 and looking healthy enough to be activated at that point, Washington will once again have to shed salary and will likely find itself without enough money for both a spare forward and defenseman for the road trip. What then? Do they recall Tyler Lewington who has the lowest cap hit in the organization as the 19th player and cross their fingers that there are no forward injuries until they get back to Washington? They may have no choice. 1164221 Winnipeg Jets "Battled harder, competed harder, skated faster, all these things. We made some changes that seemed to get us going a little bit, couldn’t claw back, but we’re not winning every game. But when we have a first period, and over the course of a year you’ll have a first period, what you’re Lacklustre Jets crowned by Kings hoping for is you can turn it a little bit and you can stay in the fight. These guys, again, they don’t quit, they keep battling, worked hard, bench was

good. Just about tied it in the dying second of the game and didn’t get it 12/1/2019 12:37 AM to go."

Staff Writer Los Angeles, the Western Conference bottom-feeders, have beaten Winnipeg twice this season.

The Jets came into the game with a 10-2-1 record in November and LOS ANGELES — No, you can't win 'em all. And the Winnipeg Jets sure sitting in second place in the Central Division. One loss certainly doesn't made it tough on themselves Saturday night with a lacklustre start in Los erase what has been a strong month, but it's also a good reminder Angeles that prevented a California sweep. Winnipeg shouldn't get too high or comfortable. Take a night off and you'll likely end up paying, regardless of your opponent. An ugly first-period set the tone for an eventual 2-1 loss at the Staples Center, the lone blemish on a three-game trip that began with victories in "I just think it was one of those nights that it was just tough for us. You San Jose and Anaheim. know. I think we got a lot of real good looks there the second half of the game. Whiffed on a few, didn’t quite have the hands that we’ve had here Winnipeg falls to 16-10-1, while Los Angeles improves to 11-14-2. recently. It’s going to happen," said Wheeler. The Jets limped out of the gate, showing none of the speed, hustle or "Our game’s definitely night and day to where it was in October. We’ve execution they've been displaying in spades lately as they were outshot put ourselves in a good position here. And looking towards the next by a 19-6 margin in the opening 20 minutes. month, just keep growing our game, keep getting better." "I just think we got off to a slow start. You’ve got a room full of human The Jets were to fly home on Sunday and return to practice to get ready beings and we’ve been playing some pretty good hockey recently. I think for a home-and-home series with the Dallas Stars. They'll play Tuesday we’re due to maybe have a bad period," said captain Blake Wheeler. night at Bell MTS Place, then hit the road for a Thursday night date at "I was real happy with the rest of the game. Forty minutes was pretty American Airlines Center. good. Certainly the second half of the game we really got it going. It was Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 12.01.2019 one of those nights, it was tough for us. Slow start and we just kind of had to battle for it all night. It’s just too bad we couldn’t find that last one."

Defenceman Joakim Ryan, with three career goals and none in the past two years, got the home team on the board with a point blast that beat Jets goalie Laurent Brossoit 7:34 into the game. And then forward Nikolai Prokhorkin, with three NHL goals on his resume, got his stick on a rebound to make it 2-0 at 12:12.

It actually could have been worse if not for some big saves from Brossoit. Overall shot attempts were 36-9 in favour of the Kings in the opening 20 minutes, which is about as one-sided as you'll see in the NHL.

"A lot of work, a lot of shots, but in the pre-scout, we knew this is the type of team that throws everything at the net. For me, I’ve said it time and time again: I like to get peppered with shots, it gets me into the game early," said Brossoit, who finished the night with 32 stops.

"You can attribute it to a number of things but it’s a back to back, took us a period to get our legs, maybe, but we’ve been so good for so long now, we were due, maybe, for an off period. But like I said before, it doesn’t matter if we have an off period, we normally bounce back."

Coach Paul Maurice, clearly unhappy with the start, got the blender out for the second period. Mark Scheifele was moved down to a line with Andrew Copp and Mathieu Perreault, while Adam Lowry took his spot on the top trio with Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor. The other two lines remained intact.

"It just changed the match-up for us. Mark was struggling in the circle against (Anze) Kopitar and it made them make a decision. I thought after that we had more options," said Maurice.

The Jets showed some signs of life, drawing a couple penalties but coming up empty on the power play. Winnipeg did outshoot Los Angeles 15-8 in the second, but couldn't beat Kings backup Jack Campbell.

Winnipeg really came on in the third period, with Jack Roslovic cutting the deficit in half early in the frame after a give-and-go with defenceman Tucker Poolman for his sixth goal of the season, but that's as close as they would get, as the push came too little, too late.

Scheifele had a glorious chance with about one second left, finding himself all alone in the slot only to be thwarted by Campbell's pad. Campbell finished with 33 saves.

"They put up an awful lot at us and we struggled with it for 20 minutes. The match wasn’t to our favour by any stretch of the imagination. We didn’t start with the puck very much, they threw everything at the net. They got to those rebounds faster. Then we just got better," said Maurice. 1164222 Winnipeg Jets With the normal top group reunited earlier this week, Wheeler found Laine with a perfect seam pass in the win over the Sharks for a one-timer goal, then helped set up defenceman Pionk for a point blast against the Ducks. Jets soar with makeshift middle man "I think it just comes down to a simplicity factor, not over-thinking it and Winnipeg winning with Wheeler winging it at centre just making plays we know we can make," Pionk said Saturday of having success with the man-advantage.

Wheeler pointed to the Pionk goal as an important development. With Mike McIntyre By: Dustin Byfuglien out of the picture this season, the Jets haven’t had the Posted: 11/30/2019 10:15 PM same offensive threat on the blue line, but Friday’s power-play goal should be a good reminder to other teams.

"You’ve just got to have someone that can get it on net with some heat, LOS ANGELES — When it comes to winning hockey games and putting squeak one in once in a while because, obviously, it keeps other teams up points, Blake Wheeler and the centre-ice position appear to be a honest. There’s a reason why (Alex) Ovechkin gets so many one-timers match made in heaven. on the power play, because teams have to worry about (John) Carlson. It’s really important for him to really keep shooting that puck. Doesn’t Consider this: since Bryan Little was felled by friendly fire and suffered an always have to go in, but as long as he’s a threat up there, it makes our ear injury on Nov. 5, the Winnipeg Jets had played 10 games heading power play better," Wheeler said. into Saturday night’s road-trip wrap in Los Angeles against the Kings. And, it appears, Wheeler at centre makes the team better. In those games, in which Wheeler shifted from a first-line right-winger to a second-line centre, Winnipeg was 8-2-0. And Wheeler had put up 10 As for whether a top-line reunion might be on hold when Little returns, points (one goal, nine assists). Scheifele said it’s better to live in the present.

That’s a major improvement over the previous 10-game segment, in "We don’t know when Bryan’s going to be back, and you never know which the Jets went 4-5-1 and a struggling Wheeler had only two points. where our team’s going to be when that time comes. Better yet to focus on today and worry about that when the time comes," he said. Must be a coincidence, right? Too small a sample size for it to be anything notable? Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 12.01.2019 Well, consider that in the 2017-18 campaign, Wheeler was shifted to play centre after Mark Scheifele suffered a mid-season shoulder injury.

The Jets went 11-2-3 in the 16-game span with Wheeler up the middle — and he had 16 points in the process (five goals, 11 assists).

Add it up and the Jets have gone 19-4-3 in the 26 games Wheeler has played centre, and he is a point-per-game player in that span, with six goals and 20 assists.

All of which is why head coach Paul Maurice said earlier this week that moving Wheeler back to the wing, once Little eventually returns to the lineup, isn’t a given. Nor should it be.

The 33-year-old looks absolutely reinvigorated playing between speed demons in Nikolaj Ehlers and Jack Roslovic.

"There’s no cheat in that man’s game. I think what we’re seeing is Ehlers and Roslovic starting to understand his game. What I would say is both of those wingers have started to become really consistent in their game. And I like that line, a lot. It’s good at both ends," Maurice said after Friday’s 3-0 victory in Anaheim, which followed up an impressive 5-1 win on Wednesday night in San Jose.

As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke...

"I think because of how hard we’ve had to battle in the first part of the season, it’s kind of ingrained in us, it’s in our DNA now and it’s the expectation when we hit the ice every night," Wheeler said of his team’s current mindset.

Wheeler and battling hard have always gone hand-in-hand, but the captain’s willingness to do what it takes to help his team win — and do it very, very well — is clearly being noticed by his teammates.

"I think it’s one of the reasons he’s our captain. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to get a win or help the team. His natural position might be at wing, but since he moved to centre, he’s been great for us there," defenceman Neal Pionk said following Saturday’s morning skate at the Staples Center.

The top line, now without Wheeler, has continued to have success, with Scheifele skating with Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine. Throw in a hard, heavy checking line in Adam Lowry, Andrew Copp and Mathieu Perreault and the Jets have plenty of balance in their top nine.

"He’s been solid in the d-zone, obviously they’ve been clicking as of late. He’s been great in the middle and it’s been good for our team," Scheifele said of Wheeler.

Wheeler’s return to form after some early-season struggles has also helped put new life into Winnipeg’s power play, which had been the source of much concern and even experimentation earlier in the year. 1164223 Winnipeg Jets

Black-&-blue line loses Kulikov

Mike McIntyre

11/30/2019 10:13 PM

LOS ANGELES — The Winnipeg Jets were forced to shuffle their roster on Saturday after losing yet another defenceman to injury.

Dmitry Kulikov absorbed a big hit in the first period of Friday’s 3-0 win in Anaheim and left the game. He didn’t play Saturday night in Los Angeles as the Jets wrapped up a three-game California road trip, and head coach Paul Maurice said further evaluation will be needed once they return home on Sunday.

Carl Dahlstrom came into the lineup against the Kings following 13 consecutive healthy scratches. And Cameron Schilling was summoned from the to provide some extra insurance as a seventh defenceman.

Schilling, 31, has four goals and seven assists in 11 games with the Moose this year. He played in four games for the Jets last season, registering an assist. This likely would have been a good opportunity for Sami Niku to earn a promotion, but he’s currently battling an upper- body ailment with the Moose, and missed Friday’s game in Grand Rapids.

Kulikov, 29, has one goal and three assists in 25 games for the Jets this season, primarily skating on the second pair with Neal Pionk.

To make room for Schilling on the 23-man roster, the Jets have placed Nathan Beaulieu on injured reserve. He suffered an apparent hand injury while blocking a shot in last Saturday’s game against Columbus at Bell MTS Place. He is considered week-to-week.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 12.01.2019 1164224 Winnipeg Jets

Jets shake up lineup to face off against Kings

Mike McIntyre

11/30/2019 2:59 PM

LOS ANGELES — The Winnipeg Jets will try to cap off a perfect week in California when they face the Los Angeles Kings tonight at Staples Center.

And they'll be icing a slightly different lineup than the one that beat San Jose 5-1 on Wednesday, then downed Anaheim 3-0 on Friday.

Laurent Brossoit gets the start in net for the Jets after Connor Hellebuyck backstopped the first two road victories. And Carl Dahlstrom returns after 13 straight games as a healthy scratch, taking the place of Dmitry Kulikov, who suffered an upper-body injury against the Ducks.

As a result, the Jets have called up defenceman Cameron Schilling from the Manitoba Moose. He will be the extra blue-liner tonight. No forward changes are planned, meaning Michael Spacek will be the scratch.

Winnipeg has gone 10-2-1 in November and will try to end what's already been a terrific month with another victory. The Jets are also looking to build on their 10-4-0 road record, and 16-9-1 overall record that has them currently sitting in second place in the Central Division.

"What we really like more than anything is just the compete level," coach Paul Maurice said following the optional morning skate.

Los Angeles is in the Western Conference basement 10-14-2, but the Jets would be wise not to take them lightly. The Kings skated into Bell MTS Place last month and came away with a hard-earned 3-2 win.

"We got out of the gate slow, they outshot and they just beat us," said Maurice. "These have always been close, hard, tight-checking games, especially in here. We'll get that tonight."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 12.01.2019 1164225 Winnipeg Jets The Jets began to find their stride somewhere around the halfway point of the game. Maurice made a switch, swapping Mark Scheifele with Adam Lowry to find a better matchup in the faceoff dot.

Jets run out of gas, fall to Kings in Cali With a little jump in their step, the Jets drew two power plays in the second period and outshot the Kings 15-8 in the frame.

The pressure continued to mount in the third and paydirt was struck 4:19 Scott Billeck into the period when Jack Roslovic settled down a pass from Tucker Poolman to the right of Campbell and coolly tucked it under his December 1, 2019 12:25 AM CST outstretched arm to pull the Jets to 2-1.

Campbell would have the last laugh, however. With Mark Scheifele LOS ANGELES — Remember all those things that helped lead the handed a gift all alone in front, Campbell tracked Scheifele’s Winnipeg Jets to victory during the first two legs of their three-game tour stickhandling well and made a sprawling save with his blocker with less through California? than two seconds left in the game.

The Jets seemed to forget them somewhere along the way during their His 33rd and final save was his finest, a game-saver and a game-winner. short jaunt from their hotel to Staples Center on “We made some changes that seemed to get us going a little bit, couldn’t Saturday night. claw back,” Maurice said. “But we’re not winning every game. But when And with the lack of knowledge of what made them successful during we have a first period, and over the course of a year you’ll have a first those first two games, including eight goals for and just a single marker period, what you’re hoping for is you can turn it a little bit and you can against, the broom was wrestled from Winnipeg’s hands by the Los stay in the fight. These guys, again, they don’t quit, they keep battling, Angeles Kings in a 2-1 loss. worked hard, bench was good. Just about tied it in the dying second of the game and didn’t get it to go.” Indeed, there’d be no Cali sweep for the visitors, and they can thank a first-period no-show for that. Added Wheeler: “I was real happy with the rest of the game,” Wheeler said. “Forty minutes was pretty good. Certainly the second half of the Sure, there were probably some excuses, such as playing the second game we really got it going. It was one of those nights, it was tough for game of a back to back on Saturday. Then again, the Kings were in the us. Slow start and we just kind of had to battle for it all night. It’s just too same boat coming into the game having played to a 4-1 loss against San bad we couldn’t find that last one.” Jose on Friday night. Meanwhile, Laurent Brossoit started in goal for Winnipeg as the Jets They also travelled to the Bay Area for that game and would have taken gave Connor Hellebuyck a rest after a 24-save shutout on Friday. the short red-eye back to the City of Angels while the Jets were sleeping soundly at their hotel across from the rink. Brossoit saved Winnipeg’s bacon early on, making a bevy of saves to save the team in front of him some blushes. Even with the benefit of some hindsight, the Jets probably shouldn’t have been caved in during the first period like they were. L.A. outshot them 19- The team’s No. 2 finished with 31 saves, picking up his third loss of the 6 and out-attempted Winnipeg 36-9. season. He deserved a better fate, which has been said before about Brossoit this season. “You’ve got a room full of human beings and we’ve been playing some pretty good hockey recently,” Jets captain Blake Wheeler said. “I think “A lot of work, a lot of shots,” Brossoit said of the first-period shellacking we’re due to maybe have a bad period.” he endured. “But in the pre-scout, we knew this is the type of team that throws everything at the net. For me, I’ve said it time and time again: I The Kings seemed to have something left, perhaps a reserve tank to like to get peppered with shots, it gets me into the game early.” draw upon. The Jets appeared to be running on fumes, with the light blinking furiously next to ‘Low Fuel’ readout. Like Wheeler, Brossoit felt the Jets were due for a tough period.

Joakim Ryan scored his first goal of the season and first as a member of “You can attribute it to a number of things but it’s a back to back, took us the Kings at 7:34 of the first period. The Jets failed to clear the zone and a period to get our legs, maybe, but we’ve been so good for so long now, Dustin Brown fed the puck to Ryan, who unloaded a laser up and over we were due for an off period,” he said. “But like I said before, it doesn’t Brossoit’s glove hand. matter if we have an off period, we normally bounce back.”

Ryan hadn’t scored in two seasons, with his last goal coming during the The Jets will get an opportunity to bounceback (and fight for a little 2017-18 season with the San Jose Sharks. redemption) on Tuesday when they welcome the Dallas Stars to BellMTS Place for the third meeting between their Central Division counterparts The start went from bad to worse for the Jets at 12:12. this season.

The Jets lost the puck just inside the Kings’ zone and the play began the The Jets close out the month of November with a 10-3-1 record after other way. Anthony Bitetto was beaten wide by Paul LaDue, who tried to going 6-7-0 in October. centre a pass. The puck kicked back behind the goal line and was chased by Bitetto, Carl Dahlstorm and Adam Lowry. This left Nikolai Winnipeg Sun LOADED 12.01.2019 Prokhorkin unmarked in front and he jammed home the puck with Mathieu Perreault watching on in the best seat in the house.

“They put up an awful lot at us and we struggled with it for 20 minutes,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. “The match wasn’t to our favour by any stretch of the imagination. We didn’t start with the puck very much, they threw everything at the net. They got to those rebounds faster. Then we just got better. Battled harder, competed harder, skated faster, all these things.”

At the other end, Jack Campbell stood tall — a theme he’s managed against the Jets during his brief career in the NHL so far.

The strange thing about that, however, is that despite coming into the game with a stellar .933 save percentage against the Jets in three games (now .942 in four games), he owned a 0-2-1 record (now 1-2-1).

A spot of bad luck on a Kings team that hasn’t exactly scored a lot of goals in recent years, but the two goals he received in run support on Saturday were enough this time around, even as the Kings began to peter out in the second half of the game. 1164226 Winnipeg Jets No matter how you dice the analytics with the Jets, it’s difficult to add them up and find a team that has 16 wins through 26 games (entering Saturday) this season.

Jets put band back together to make music on power play Yet with the possession metric, Corsi, sitting in the bottom third of the league (48.81% – 22nd) and with Winnipeg’s expected goals percentage dead last (43.66% – 31st), the Jets have managed to do something that, statistically speaking, suggests they’re a bit of an anomaly. Scott Billeck “Our expected goals model is different than what’s publicly available,” November 30, 2019 7:45 PM CST Maurice said. “It’s accurate to about 85%, so we like it better. Fairly accurate. We like our game.”

LOS ANGELES — The change came with a few minutes to spare at They do, given their record, one that has them fighting at the top of the Tuesday morning practice this past week. division and not for a good lottery spot. Is all the winning sustainable? Statistically speaking, it shouldn’t be. But with Connor Hellebuyck playing The Winnipeg Jets often work on their power play these days during their like a man who wants a Vezina trophy, anything is possible at the training sessions, and perhaps more so this year than any in recent moment. memory. “You know what? We probably will never get to be an analytics darling It hasn’t clicked in the same way it has in years past, a possible reason this year,” Maurice said. “For us to win games, we are going to need our for the added reps. Part of that has to do with the absence of Dustin goalie to be really good and for us to compete real hard. I’ll take that all Byfuglien’s cannon from the point. He kept penalty killers honest. day long because went can’t measure compete. The things we set out to be good at this year, how hard we contest the puck, what our gap is on Part of it, too, has been execution. the puck carrier, how many pucks we forced to be dumped. We’re pretty That Blake Wheeler-to-Patrik Laine seam pass that’s been so prevalent good in those departments. The things we can be good at, we are.” here for a few years now took over a quarter of the season to finally SCHILLING PROMOTED connect, and the reason it finally did goes back to that practice on Tuesday. The Jets made a transaction on Saturday, calling up defencemen Cam Schilling from the Manitoba Moose while placing fellow defenceman Jets head coach Paul Maurice put the band back together in the twilight Nathan Beaulieu on injured reserve. of that skate. Wheeler, Laine, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, with Neal Pionk playing the role of Dustin Byfuglien. The move was made in reaction to an undisclosed injury Dmitry Kulikov picked up in Winnipeg’s 3-0 shutout win over the Anaheim Ducks on When the Jets played the next night in San Jose, the Sharks fell victim to Friday. Kulikov was hit hard during the first period and left the game. He the tweak made 24 hours earlier. didn’t return. That seam pass that hadn’t been there suddenly opened up. Wheeler Maurice said they will do more tests on Kulikov once they return to slammed a puck through it, finding Laine who pounded it in. Vintage stuff. Winnipeg on Sunday. On Friday, Laine whipped a pass cross-ice to Wheeler, who moved it to Beaulieu’s IR move, then, made way for Schilling to come onto the Pionk and a few milliseconds later, Pionk’s one-timer put a bulge in the roster. He was a healthy scratch Saturday. Carl Dahlstrom, who had back of the net. Vintage, too, just in a different way. Think of a popular been a healthy scratch for 13 games, returned to the lineup. band now touring with a new frontman. Beaulieu, meanwhile, is still considered week-to-week with an upper- “You’ve got to have a threat there,” Wheeler said of Pionk’s presence on body injury. the point. “You just got to have someone that can get it on net with some heat, squeak one in once in a while because, obviously, it keeps other Winnipeg Sun LOADED 12.01.2019 teams honest. There’s a reason why (Alex) Ovechkin gets so many one- timers on the power play because teams have to worry about (John) Carlson. It’s really important for him to really keep shooting that puck. Doesn’t always have to go in but as long as he’s a threat up there, it makes our power play better.”

Pionk’s right-handed shot, coupled with Wheeler being the hub on the power play, provides the one-timer threat Winnipeg needs to be successful.

Maurice said how penalty kills have evolved have led to changes in how power plays are run. One-timers from the point are back en vogue in the NHL.

The Ducks may not have gotten the message, however. They cheated on Laine and cheated on Wheeler, allowing Pionk a favourable look on goal and the benefit of Connor providing the net-front presence to make the shot a difficult proposition for Anaheim starter John Gibson.

“And if they’re going to protect that lane to the net and respect you as a shooter, then you’re going to have somebody open on the sides,” Maurice said.

San Jose respected Pionk. The Ducks didn’t. In each instance, the Jets scored.

“My theory is to just give them the best options that I can,” Pionk said. “If that means to shot the puck to give them more options later in the game, that’s what I will do.

“It’s all just a read on my part and my goal is just to open up as much space for them as I can.”

The theory is working so far.

ANALYTICAL DARLINGS, THEY’RE NOT 1164227 Winnipeg Jets And that brings us back to our summertime one-on-one. In that August meeting, Maurice shared there were areas he believed

Winnipeg was “light on greatness” — areas the Jets were not likely to be Paul Maurice: ‘We’re probably not going to be an analytics darling this elite at this season but could compensate for if they played the right way. year’ Free agency was long past. He had seen the losses — Jacob Trouba via trade, Tyler Myers, Ben Chiarot, Joe Morrow — and weighed them against the additions — Neal Pionk, first and foremost. Murat Ates And he evaluated. Nov 30, 2019 “You don’t run the exact same program every year with the group that you have. ‘What can we be good at?‘ You want to be able to answer that question and make sure that we’re good at the things we can be good at. LOS ANGELES — On a sunny August day, long before the Winnipeg There’s your strength.” Jets’ season started, Paul Maurice sat in his office chair and at Bell MTS Place and shared his perspective on the use of analytics. When Maurice talks about how tight Winnipeg’s gap is and how many pucks it forces to be dumped into its zone instead of being carried in, “Analytics, then, may be a way for you to look at (hockey) in a different he’s citing very real areas of focus for the Jets. Astute readers will note way,” Maurice told me. “Was this player that weak, in fact? What did they that we detailed those focus areas during training camp. give up when they were on the ice? What did they generate?” Remember Winnipeg’s aggressive pinch at the offensive blue line — a In terms of measuring what a player generated, Maurice turned to hallmark of recent Jets teams? It’s (mostly) gone. scoring chances — not necessarily those categorized and tracked at publicly available stats sites such as Natural Stat Trick and Evolving It’s been replaced by defencemen backing off the offensive line and Hockey — but his own, internal view of what constituted a dangerous conservatively positioned high forwards playing aggressive, high back- attempt on goal. pressure transition defence. Winnipeg isn’t outnumbered at its own blue line as often as it was last season — and that’s a good thing, defensively. “If we could perfectly qualify chances for and against — the quality of them and what you gave up — that would be the next best indicator from There is a cost, though. goals for and against in terms of how to evaluate a player’s play. (But) you can’t perfectly qualify that or quantify that as a number for and Given how much we’ve discussed the defence from the beginning of the against. So there’s emotion that goes into this thing — emotion that season to now, it might feel as though there’s a belief that chances you’ve got to check.” against are the only thing leading to Winnipeg’s poor showing by public expected goals models. That’s not the case. Fast-forward to Nov. 30 as the 16-9-1 Winnipeg Jets sit comfortably in a playoff spot, second to the St. Louis Blues in the Central Division, and The biggest year-over-year change from last season to now is how many prepare to face the Los Angeles Kings. fewer shots, shot attempts and expected goals Winnipeg creates. It gives up the offensive zone more readily this season, so as to facilitate good Winnipeg is about to finish the most successful November of Jets 2.0 transition defence and to reduce zone entries with possession against. history, having already won 10 of its 13 games. Depending on what Last season’s Jets created the 25th-most expected goals per minute at happens around the league Saturday, Winnipeg could finish its night as five-on-five, while this year’s group is ranked last. high as a tie for fourth in NHL standings. It’s a tradeoff, as simple as that. Winnipeg is doing all that it can to Something remarkable is happening — but it’s happening against the tide reduce the rate at which dangerous chances happen at both ends of the of publicly available expected goals models. ice.

Despite being calculated in three separate fashions, all of Evolving Wild, So far, it’s a trade-off that Winnipeg is winning. You can see it in the wins MoneyPuck and Natural Stat Trick rate the Jets No. 31 in five-on-five and points columns. But there are issues of sustainability. Teams that expected goals percentage. That’s a dark conclusion but, owing in part to win a ton of one-goal games without carrying the flow of play at five-on- a sensational start to the season by Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg is 10th five don’t tend to keep winning as much as teams with strong goal in terms of the actual proportion of goals it’s gotten at five-on-five. differentials and good possession metrics. Similarly, teams with top-10 ranked special teams tend to keep winning more often than teams that That’s a discrepancy worth exploring. are bottom-10 in both regards — like this year’s Jets. When another reporter asked about that discrepancy after Saturday’s These are but general rules, of course — nothing in hockey is morning skate, Maurice looked within the Jets organization. guaranteed. One of many reasons hockey is a beautiful, thrilling sport is “Our expected goals model is different than what’s publicly available,” that it is full of chaos and nothing is promised. Teams can win through Maurice said. “I think it’s accurate to about 85 percent so we like it dominance, through luck, through brilliant goaltending, and — better.” sometimes, although far less often than most narratives would have you believe — simply by trying harder than their opponent. A dive into Maurice’s citation of an 85 percent confidence interval will have to wait for another day. Maurice said he’s particularly proud of his group for that last part.

Similarly, I’m aware that the Jets use their own, internal expected goals “What we like more than anything is the compete level. We’ll put (Connor model with the ability to incorporate more accurate shot data as well as Hellebuyck) in with the six guys we put on the blue line. Those guys contextual information about each shot that isn’t publicly available. aren’t taking shifts off. Every puck is contested and if there’s a breakdown — and there are in any game with any blue line — but they’ve Maurice has previously shared the different SportLogiq data points he been so competitive back there. That’s the driver of it.” likes to incorporate into his analysis of the Jets — zone time, rush chances, slot shots, but their expected goals model goes beyond that. It’s not quite the same thing as concluding that Winnipeg’s winning has been goaltender-driven but there’s a truth to Maurice’s words — it’s been Where it doesn’t go is a declaration of elite-level metrics that match about determination and not dominance. Winnipeg’s place in the standings. And Maurice conceded that. He’s also told reporters this season that he’s proud of his team for a lack “You know what? We probably will never get to be an analytics darling of arrogance — a business-like approach to “staying in the fight.” I asked this year,” Maurice said. if there’s a risk that all of this winning threatens the consistency the Jets have built. “For us to win games, we’re going to need our goalie to be really good and for us to compete real hard. I’ll take that all day long because we Half-smiling, here’s his response. can’t measure compete. The things we set out to be good at this year — how hard we contest the puck, what our gap is on the puck carrier, how “The games that we’ve played have taken care of that. You’re a little many pucks we force to be dumped — we’re pretty good in those more mindful when you’ve scored eight and given up one that there’s a departments. The things we think we can be good at, we are.” danger it creeps in but we’re in so many one-goal games. You leave the game, when you’ve won, feeling great — it was a great win — but never, ‘Oh my god, we just blew the doors off that team.’ We’ve been one goal better than a lot of teams and that’s it. No more than that.”

I’m not going to sit here and write that all of Winnipeg’s one-goal games and its poor possession metrics are uniquely sustainable — this is the one unicorn team that defies expectations — because I’ve seen how much of each game the Jets spend in their own zone. For Winnipeg to keep winning, it will need to show meaningful (and measurable) improvements at five-on-five and on both special teams, too. Without that improvement, there might be troubled times ahead.

That said, I refuse to be a robot about the Jets’ success, either. They’ve defied expectations by playing to a stunning string of November results.

Whether you agree with the systemic changes or not, the team has largely executed the areas of focus Maurice outlined at training camp. There is a clear organization to what Winnipeg is attempting to do in the neutral zone and on defence. That these tweaks could all be made and consistently kept through two months of the season implies good teaching, clear communication and buy-in from the players.

They’re well-instructed and playing as a unit and, whether the results are sustainable, it’s difficult to deny that something interesting and maybe even special is happening for Winnipeg this season.

Given how many twists and turns the Jets have faced since Maurice opened up about analytics on that hot August day, it’s quite remarkable.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164228 Winnipeg Jets some saying Vesalainen needs to evolve in terms of how well he thinks the North American game and others insisting it’s too soon to tell. Pascal Vincent recently told Ken Wiebe that Vesalainen dominates at 4-on-4 and 3-on-3 because his puck skills and attacking aggression shine when he What Winnipeg lacks in top-end talent it makes up for with a wide range has space. of intriguing tools For comparison’s sake, Jack Roslovic scored at approximately a point per game in the AHL when he was 20. Roslovic’s line was stacked (he often played with Nic Petan and played part of his season with Kyle Murat Ates Connor as well) but that’s the kind of AHL offence you’d like to see from Nov 30, 2019 Vesalainen to erase all questions of his future as an NHL scorer.

My opinion? The sheen may be off Vesalainen for the moment but he’s still a viable player for Winnipeg. It will be on him to keep adapting to the As November comes to an end, most of Winnipeg’s prospects are far lack of space he gets at five-on-five on North American ice surfaces and enough into their 2019-20 seasons for us to get a good appreciation of then find a way to take his game to the next level. their performance. Key stats: 21 games played, 10 points The Jets pipeline has graduated an impressive array of young talent into the NHL — consider Patrik Laine, Nik Ehlers, Jack Roslovic, Kyle Michael Spacek — 22 years, 8 months — Manitoba Moose, AHL Connor, Josh Morrissey, Andrew Copp, Adam Lowry, Mark Scheifele and Michael Spacek has more puck skills and higher end offensive instincts Connor Hellebuyck for examples. One consequence of this success — than some of the men Winnipeg currently employs in the NHL. At 18, he and Winnipeg’s 2018 and 2019 trade deadlines — is that the Jets scored roughly a point per game for Red Deer in the WHL before lighting prospect pool is currently depleted, particularly up front, where things up with 85 points in 59 games the following year. The issue he Winnipeg’s best young forwards are already in the NHL. faces is that there are lots of players in the NHL who scored that much in The strength of the group is on defence, where Ville Heinola has most junior and many of them have shown more consistency in the recently shone but Dylan Samberg, Sami Niku and a trio of junior professional ranks than he has since that time. offensive stars turned Manitoba Moose highlight a deep and varied One topic I like to harp on is how much players create versus what they group. give up. Spacek is something of a high risk, high reward offensive player And of course Mikhail Berdin continues to entertain us all in goal. and will need to show his coaches he can mitigate some of those risks while cranking up the rewards. This prospects report isn’t a top 10 or a top 20 ranking. Instead, it’s my attempt to talk to prospect experts in North America and Europe, a small Key stats: 14 games played, 7 points, and 16 days on the Winnipeg Jets group of scouts and our own prospect experts to provide insight into roster Winnipeg’s most promising young players. Jansen Harkins — 22 years, 6 months — Manitoba Moose, AHL I’ve left out 23-year-old Mason Appleton, whose 45 NHL games and early In the few games I’ve watched Jansen Harkins play with the Moose this season peformance lead me to believe he’s in the NHL to stay. I’ve left season, he’s looked to me like the AHL version of Mark Scheifele. He’s out 26-year-old Andrei Chibisov and 25-year-old CJ Suess because, hardworking, he’s smart, his coaches trust him to play a massive role and while each has a shot at NHL time in his future, I see them as too old to he’s absolutely piled up the assists. be considered high-end prospects. As Pascal Vincent told Ken Wiebe, “He went from being a prospect to a Without further ado, here is an end-of-November deep dive into the work guy you think ‘you know what, he’s got the ability and the potential of of Winnipeg’s 20 most promising prospects. being a Jet someday.'” Forwards I think that’s where we’re at with Harkins — a player who put in the time David Gustafsson — 19 years, 7 months — Winnipeg Jets, NHL in junior, put in the time in the ECHL and is beginning to show signs he can push past that league too. David Gustafsson was drafted toward the end of the second round, but as a result of the Paul Stastny trade, he was Winnipeg’s first pick in the Nothing is guaranteed of course but as Ken said on The Boarding Pass 2018 draft. In that kind of context, you have to believe that the Jets put this week, don’t be surprised if you see Harkins and 26-year-old Russian tremendous pressure on themselves to hit with that pick. forward Andrei Chibisov get a cup of coffee in the NHL before the season is over. I’d say he’s covered the bet. Key stats: 21 games played, 18 assists, 24 points In the time since then, Gustafsson has played an increasingly important role for his team in Sweden, made the Jets out of camp, and even scored Joona Luoto — 22 years, 2 months — Winnipeg Jets, NHL his first NHL goal — a top corner wrist shot which fooled Aaron Dell Joona Luoto has come so far from feeling stuck in Finland to earning an following a neutral zone deke around countryman Erik Karlsson. Tools- NHL call-up. The 22-year-old product and former Fortnite foe of wise, Gustafsson is a big, powerful skater who makes smart reads and Patrik Laine plays a responsible, aggressive, straight-line game — clever passes. He’s not an elite finisher and projects as a defensively exactly the sort of style that has endeared him to coaches for the Moose sound, middle-six centre with enough intelligence to help an NHL team. and Jets alike. I don’t see high-end offence in Luoto’s game and, as a My only concern? I can’t imagine the plan was for so many veteran result, I’m not sure a top nine NHL role is in his future. Still, at 22, he forwards to get hurt and for Gustafsson to play 6:03 a night in the NHL as maintains a positive attitude and a coachability that should lead to a opposed to Sweden, where he would play a feature role with HV71 professional career. Jonkoping. As the Jets forward group rounds out in the weeks to come, Key stats: 9 games played, 3 points (AHL), 9 games played, 0 points I’d look for a world juniors appearance and perhaps even a trip home. (NHL) Key stats: 18 games played, 1 goal Nathan Smith — 21 years, 1 month — Minnesota State University- Kristian Vesalainen — 20 years, 6 months — Manitoba Moose, AHL Mankato, WCHA, NCAA

After playing in five NHL games last season and then scoring 13 points in Nathan Smith strikes me as a player with high boom/bust potential. Smith 22 games with the Moose, Kristian Vesalainen’s current AHL stat line — has been described to me as teeming with puck skills and creativity and 21 games played, 10 points — implies that he’s running in place. He’s his offence has largely matched that — he’s followed back-to-back team- been through a lot in the last calendar year, covering a lot of miles while leading seasons for Cedar Rapids in the USHL with a point per game playing in professional leagues, but you’d want more AHL offence from season as an NCAA rookie. Of note? Smith’s team in Mankato leads the the 20-year-old from Helsinki. WCHA with a 7-1 record and Smith is a big part of it, with 10 points in 10 games as a centre in a feature role. If he keeps it up and stays healthy as Does this mean we should back off the idea that he’s a potential top-six his college career progresses, there could be a payoff down the line. forward? I’m not sure. The scouts I’ve talked to on this were divided — Fun note? He kept a development camp blog with the Jets’ official site. Sami Niku finds his way into Winnipeg Jets discussions online about as Here’s Smith on Day 1, 2019. often as he makes talented plays with the puck at high speed — that is to say, all of the dangdarned time. Key stats: 10 games played, 3 goals, 7 assists, 10 points Whether you prefer veterans like Anthony Bitetto and Luca Sbisa on Henri Nikkanen — 18 years, 7 months — Jukurit Mikkeli, SM-liiga / Winnipeg’s third pairing or think the 23-year-old Niku has earned an NHL Jukurit U20, Jr. A SM-liiga opportunity, his skills with the puck are evident. Niku’s 12 points in 16 Henri Nikkanen was hailed as a first-round talent in 2019 whose season AHL games this season brings him to 78 points in 112 AHL games — a had been cut short due to injuries. Winnipeg liked his performance at the scoring rate that even some promising forwards haven’t reached. Ivan Hlinka tournament in Edmonton and again at the Under-18 Moose Pascal Vincent recently told Ken Wiebe that “At this level, Sami is tournament in the Czech Republic in 2018. At the draft in Vancouver, a dominant player when he wants to be. The challenge for him right now Jets director of amateur scouting Mark Hillier told us that Nikkanen had is to not get bored when he plays.” offensive and defensive chops and could develop into a third-line centre in the NHL. That’s the nature of Niku’s skills with the puck.

Nikkanen’s skills include intelligence, defensive IQ and playmaking while The question is how well he defends without it, both through the neutral his skating could stand to improve in his first full season back from injury. zone and in Manitoba’s own end, and whether or not he will learn the He saw limited action with Jukurit in Liiga before being sent to junior, lessons he needs best at the AHL level or with the Jets. where he’s scored 18 points in 19 games — a step ahead of the nine points in 14 games he scored one year ago. My opinion is that he’s due for an NHL look. All of Bitetto, Sbisa, Nathan Beaulieu and Dmitry Kulikov will be unrestricted free agents next Key stats: 19 games played (Jr. A), 18 points, 5 games played (Liiga), 0 summer, while Niku remains under team control. As far as development points goes, he would strike me as the most pressing asset to invest in. But I can’t question the idea that he has defensive issues — I watched them Harrison Blaisdell — 18 years, 8 months — University of North Dakota, play out against San Antonio two weekends ago as Niku created extra NCHC, NCAA work for veteran AHL partner Cameron Schilling on multiple occasions.

Harrison Blaisdell is a wild card; a character. Whereas other 18-year-olds On the podcast this week, Ken spoke to the effect that Winnipeg wants taken at the 2019 draft seemed nervous to talk to reporters, Blaisdell held Niku’s next call-up to be his last one and are being extra patient as a court, making jokes and showing comfort in the spotlight beyond his result. Me? I believe he creates so much offensively already that his years. On the ice, he’s known for grit, defensive awareness (including defensive foibles are already worth the cost. I see his potential as a PK) and enough offence to make his intangibles shine — Blaisdell scored bottom pair or top pair version of Heinola, in the sense that his ceiling 58 points in 51 BCHL games before Winnipeg took him in the fifth round may be partner/chemistry dependent. There is more flash to Niku’s game in 2019. but more defensive concerns.

Currently playing with a powerful UND team in the NCHC, Blaisdell has Key stats: 78 points, 112 career AHL games seven points in 12 games. There have been questions about maturity and composure throughout Blaisdell’s career but, by matching his Dylan Samberg — 20 years, 10 months — University of Minnesota- compete level with an ability to post offence while playing against good Duluth, NCHC, NCAA players, he is an intriguing project. And if the college rookie does carve out a professional career, one suspects Blaisdell’s engaging, outspoken Kevin Cheveldayoff said last spring that he was working hard to sign personality will make him a fan favourite. Dylan Samberg and, while it didn’t happen before Samberg returned to UMD this fall, I expect Samberg is still an extremely high priority for the Key stats: 12 games played, 7 points, one healthy scratch Jets.

Defencemen He’s big, he’s mobile, he’s intelligent, he has enough offence to project him into a top-four role combined with enough defence to project him Ville Heinola — 18 years, 8 months — Lukko Rauma, SM-liiga onto an NHL penalty kill. In short, despite not being elite at any one Ville Heinola is a special hockey player who comes from humble, small- aspect of his game, Samberg is the total package and a good bet at a town roots. meaningful NHL career.

His eight-game NHL debut was full of clever plays and creative passes, One NCAA observer told me to watch for Samberg’s eyes — “they’re while he seldom looked as physically outmatched as one might expect of always up,” allowing him to find seams on offence and use his stick to an 18-year-old of his size. He made crisp, tape-to-tape breakout passes, defend plays before opposing teams have a chance to set up their delivered four assists, scored his first NHL goal and seems to be able to offence. think his way out of problems — at the NHL pace, no less — in a way Samberg will be a top priority to sign as soon as his season with UMD that other players simply can’t. ends. (The latest it could go is April 11, 2020, if his 4-1-1 team goes all The question for Heinola isn’t about his NHL viability — it’s about how the way to the Division I finals, as is his dream.) If he plays a fourth high he can go. I’m comfortable in projecting top-four point production college season in 2020-21, Samberg could become an unrestricted free from him, with intelligent enough defending to make him a plus player in agent on Aug. 16, 2021 — a possibility Winnipeg will do everything it can that role. But if he learns to defend against the world’s biggest and to avoid. fastest opponents as he matures, an NHL top pairing could be in his My guess? He plays professional hockey as soon as his UMD season is future. done.

Every scout I spoke to was impressed with Heinola’s hockey IQ and his Declan Chisholm — 19 years, 10 months — Peterborough Petes, OHL playmaking skills. One told me to “watch his eyes. They’re always up and that’s been there forever.” But the group varied on whether he has top Declan Chisholm is putting up sensational numbers for Peterborough in four or top pair in his future. the OHL right now — 29 points in 23 games as a defenceman in a feature role. Even at 19, this is all kinds of impressive. The question is: Me? I think it’s way too soon to tell. does this mean we should elevate him past players like Samberg, Niku or I also know that I should share the opinion I hold today: Heinola projects even Heinola? to be a partner-dependent No. 2 on a good NHL team. If he finds Not so fast, say the scouts, although he does project to be an efficient chemistry with a big, mobile, intelligent defender (say, Dylan Samberg, in puck mover all of the way up the professional ranks. When asked if his a blue-sky scenario or Dustin Byfuglien in an also-blue sky scenario) then offence was “real” in a “will translate to the NHL” sort of way, one scout I think he’ll excel. If the success of his pairing falls entirely on Heinola, outside of the Jets organization gave me a flat no. Another suggested then I worry about his size and strength. Chisholm could upgrade an NHL team in the long term, but in more of a Key stats: 8 games played, 5 points (NHL), 3 games played, 1 point third pairing capacity than the men above him in this section. His (AHL), 5 games played, 0 points (Liiga) strengths are puck movement and hockey IQ, I’m told, but simply not in the same scope as Niku or a Heinola. Sami Niku — 23 years, 2 months — Manitoba Moose, AHL Chisholm might make Team Canada at the world juniors this year but is physically outmatched sometimes in the SHL and may have enough in tough against a deep field. hockey IQ to turn his skills into a meaningful professional career.

Key stats: 23 games played, 3 goals, 26 assists He’s only 19 and will benefit from more development against men in Sweden, where he has played 11 games in the SHL and 12 in more in Leon Gawanke — 20 years, 6 months — Manitoba Moose, AHL the junior ranks. His offence hasn’t shone yet in the SHL but, against Leon Gawanke put up nearly Chisholm-esque offence in the QMJHL as a players his own age, he has four points in 12 games. He is eligible for the 19-year-old, posting 57 points in 62 games and elevating him in the eyes world juniors this December. of many prospect prognosticators. There are questions about his skating Key stats: 11 games played, 1 point (SHL), 12 games played, 4 points and his ability to play on the defensive side of the puck — a theme for (U20) many of Winnipeg’s high-end defensive prospects — but he’s off to a good start with the Moose, posting four points in 10 games. Whatever the Goaltenders concerns about Gawanke in his own zone, the 20-year-old from Berlin has an instinct for making plays that should keep his point production Mikhail Berdin — 21 years, 9 months — Manitoba Moose, AHL high. He’s presently part of a three-man rotation on Manitoba’s bottom Stop what you’re doing and come back for Jared Moe and Arvid Holm pairing, along with Luke Green and Jonathan Kovacevic. another time. Make sure you read Scott Wheeler’s feature story on the Key stats: 10 games played, 4 points Birdman, Mikhail Berdin. Scouts have loved Berdin’s competitiveness and fiery spirit since he came to North America in 2016 but Wheeler’s Logan Stanley — 21 years, 6 months — Manitoba Moose, AHL story especially puts Berdin’s personality into delightful context.

If you were to poll the hockey community at large, I bet you’d find it as On the ice, the question for Berdin isn’t whether or not he will make the divided on the long term potential of Logan Stanley as the Jets fan NHL. It’s a matter of how soon he’ll be capable of it, how soon will be community has been since Winnipeg traded up to draft him 18th overall best for his development and whether he has the chops to push for a in 2016. starter’s role or something more secondary.

Proponents point to Stanley’s size, strength and wingspan. He has a Of note? In addition to being a good humoured, puck handling wizard, positive attitude, has worked on using his reach to help him defend faster Berdin’s conditioning shines at development camp every year. His players instead of relying only on his physicality and has offence at the language skills have improved from draft day to now such that Berdin, AHL level, too — 25 points in 80 career games with the Moose. He has a despite being just 21, took a leadership role among Jets rookies and cannon of a shot and it’s easy to imagine him beating NHL goaltenders newcomers at training camp this fall. with his one-timer if he got into good shooting positions. Key stats: 19 games played, .921 save percentage Detractors point to Stanley’s slower speed, the fact that his point production was middling to mediocre compared to his high-end peers in Jared Moe — 20 years, 4 months — University of Minnesota, Big 10, junior and his struggles defending overlapping plays by highly skilled NCAA forwards. Jared Moe looked like a brilliant sixth-round pick in 2018 after a 32 game, I know Pascal Vincent was happy with Stanley’s performance down the .919 season with Waterloo in the USHL. He was 18 at the time, split the stretch last season and that the organization at large spoke highly of him crease with 20-year-old Matej Tomek, and came away with more wins approaching Jets camp in September. I believe that the organization and a higher save percentage than the older Tomek. remains optimistic about him overall and will look for strong results in a Then Moe’s numbers suffered following the departure of Waterloo’s matchup role now that Stanley is back with the Moose following an early goaltending coach, Chris Economou. Still playing behind a good team, season injury. the 19-year-old Moe’s save percentage dropped from .919 to .907, losing My guess? Stanley finds his way onto an NHL third pairing and succeeds him the crease in the USHL playoffs. in a penalty killing capacity at some point in his career. He’s too big and I’m told he’s looked great for the University of Minnesota in the NCAA’s strong not to find some level of success. It’s unfortunate, in a way, that Big 10, where he’s been part of a tandem with Jack LaFontaine. he has to carry the burden of his own acquisition price because I don’t see top-tier NHL performance in his future. Key stats: 9 games played, 3-3-1 record, .901 save percentage

Key stats: 7 games played, 3 points. Arvid Holm — 21 years, 1 month — Farjestads BK Karlstad, SHL

Luke Green — 21 years, 11 months — Manitoba Moose, AHL Winnipeg is fond of taking late round flyers on goaltending and, given how difficult it is to project goalies (and how well the team has hit with Luke Green is similar to Gawanke in that he comes with high-end Connor Hellebuyck in the fifth round and Berdin in the sixth) it’s an easy offensive instincts and produced at a point per game level in the QMJHL. strategy to support. Arvid Holm was the Jets’ 2017 version of this At 21, Green is up to five points in 26 career AHL games but remains strategy and followed up a 2018 season in Sweden’s second best men’s part of that three-man rotation — barring call-ups or injuries — on the league with a 2019 promotion to the SHL. Holm is sharing Farjestads’ Moose bottom pair. That’s a tough spot for Green to be in, given that he crease with 35-year-old Markus Svensson and has more impressive missed huge portions of his previous two seasons to a variety of injuries. numbers than the veteran. If he can stay healthy, he has the pure skill to be a worthwhile defensive project. The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019

Key stats: 11 games played, 1 point

Jonathan Kovacevic — 22 years, 5 months — Manitoba Moose, AHL

The third part of Manitoba’s three-man rotation, Jonathan Kovacevic plays a different style of game than Green or Gawanke. At 6-foot-5, Kovacevic is a much bigger player who uses his physicality in front of the net in a way that, if things work out, could lead to a third pairing, penalty killing role in the NHL someday.

Key stats: 11 games played, 3 points

Simon Lundmark — 19 years, 2 months — Linköping HC J20, Linköping HC, SHL

When Winnipeg took Simon Lundmark in the second round of the 2019 draft, colleague Corey Pronman suggested that it was a little bit of a reach by the Jets. Lundmark is known for his puck retrieval and passing, much in the same way that Heinola is, but appears to come with less high-end puck skills. He moves the puck well in transition, can be 1164229 Winnipeg Jets Wheeler has said on countless occasions the points aren’t what matters to him, and he’s genuine when he shares those feelings.

He also realizes that as the highest-paid player on the Jets, he’s paid to Wiebe: Should Jets captain Blake Wheeler stay at centre? He’s making a produce on a regular basis. strong case “It just felt good when we made the switch. I don’t know exactly what the right terminology is, but I felt a little bit more involved in the game and I felt I was having a bit more of an impact,” Wheeler told reporters after Ken Wiebe Friday’s 3-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks. “Regardless of the points, the goals or assists, I felt I was involved in a positive way.” Nov 30, 2019 When Maurice sent Wheeler a text message with the idea of moving

back to centre, the captain was on board immediately and his Is it possible the Winnipeg Jets may have stumbled into the solution for enthusiasm hasn’t waned one bit. who could be the long-term answer at second-line centre? “I just wanted to come in there and be a force, you know. Make an Considering the way Jets captain Blake Wheeler is handling the impact,” Wheeler said on Friday. “Regardless of the scoring and additional responsibility since circumstances essentially forced him to regardless of the points, it felt good to get some wins and get on a roll in take over that job, the answer is trending toward a resounding yes. a different role for myself.”

Friday’s matinee marked the 10th game since Wheeler took over from That is not to diminish the job Little has done when he’s been in the Bryan Little, who remains out indefinitely after taking a puck in the head, lineup this season or what he’s done since the Jets relocated from perforating an eardrum. Atlanta.

As it turns out, Wheeler’s production has gone up as he anchors a line of He remains an important part of the team and he’ll still play a valuable his own with Nikolaj Ehlers and Jack Roslovic, and the Jets have found a role once he’s back to full health. way to string together a stretch of impressive hockey. Given his versatility, Little could be an important cog on the checking line So, you can imagine why my ears perked up earlier this week when Jets with Adam Lowry and Andrew Copp. head coach Paul Maurice said publicly for the first time the Wheeler-to- Or Little could be used elsewhere and still be part of the penalty kill — or, centre experiment isn’t necessarily going to be temporary. possibly, the second power-play unit. Speaking to reporters prior to hitting the road for a three-game California Regardless of how things shake down, Wheeler has added an additional swing, and after providing a health update on Little, who is doing some dynamic to the second line. light work on the bike but he remains in the “healing phase,” Maurice turned to Wheeler. So, you can count me among the converted.

“The door is still open that Blake Wheeler stays at centre,” Maurice said. It’s something worth considering long term for the Jets. “That’s a possibility down the road. … Nothing is permanent. I’ve said it a couple of hundred times. We’re happy today and in two weeks, all of your And if Wheeler’s play continues at the level it’s at, Maurice probably great plans get changed.” won’t have a better option available to him than the one that was basically borne out of necessity. As has been documented, it isn’t the first time Wheeler has stepped into the role and done a solid job. The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019

The last was two seasons ago, when Mark Scheifele missed considerable time with a shoulder injury.

Scheifele returned and Wheeler moved to his usual spot on the right side of the top line, and there was no debate happening at the time.

During the past two seasons, the Jets chose to add centre depth at the trade deadline, bringing in Paul Stastny from the St. Louis Blues and Kevin Hayes from the New York Rangers.

While you can never rule out another deadline deal, the chances of the Jets shipping out another first-rounder or high-end prospect for a man in the middle appears to be much slimmer this time around.

With that in mind, it’s rekindled the debate over Wheeler — and the Jets — might be best served by leaving him in his current spot.

(Full disclosure: That option has been brought up in the past and I have not been in favour of it — not because I didn’t think Wheeler could handle the job adequately but because he was producing at an elite level as a right wing.)

The potential benefit didn’t outweigh what the Jets might be giving up, in my estimation, even with Roslovic and Patrik Laine looking for a bigger opportunity at right wing.

I realize the sample size is still relatively small, but since Wheeler has transitioned into the new role, his level of play has picked up and he seems to be enjoying the move a great deal.

Perhaps most importantly, he’s excelling in all phases.

Wheeler has brought some additional size down the middle and his defensive awareness has been outstanding.

The point production has also been impressive since Wheeler has one goal and eight points during the past six games and is quietly up to 18 points in 26 games. 1164230 Vancouver Canucks Alex Edler missed the third period with an undisclosed upper-body injury. His last shift came with two minutes left in the middle frame.

“He’ll be reassessed (in Vancouver) but he’s doubtful (for Sunday’s game Oilers 2, Canucks 5: Canucks on a high after shutting down McDavid & against the Oilers),” Green said. Co. A few missteps

The Canucks were full value for their 2-1 first period lead, outshooting the ED WILLES Oilers 16-7 while counting a shorthanded goal by Pearson and Graovac’s early power play goal. November 30, 2019 10:43 PM PST Pearson’s marker came on a two-on-one when his attempted pass to Miller was misplayed into the Oilers’ net by goalie Mike Smith. Graovac opened the scoring for the Canucks on an early power play when he EDMONTON — It’s been a while since an Edmonton-Vancouver snapped a wrister over Smith’s shoulder following an undisciplined matchup in late November had any meaning but this weekend home- penalty by Kassian. and-home series is profoundly important for both teams. The Canucks 2-0 lead lasted all of 42 seconds when McDavid scored off Here’s what we learned from the Canucks’ 5-2 win, which gave them a 3- a scramble in front of Markstrom shortly after a penalty to Eriksson 3 record on their six-game road swing. expired. Powered by Pearson ‘Hockey family’ Let’s see. Tanner Pearson outscored Connor McDavid’s line all by There was a lovely moment during the pre-game warmup in Pittsburgh himself and Loui Eriksson had more goals than Leon Draisaitl. If the on Wednesday night when Pens goalie Matt Murray came over to offer Canucks didn’t win this game, they might not win another one all season. his condolences to Markstrom. Murray lost his father to cancer in January The visitors, who coughed up a three-goal lead in Pittsburgh on of 2018. Markstrom’s father Anders passed away three weeks ago, Wednesday night, punctuated one of their best all-around performances another victim of cancer. of the season with a clinical third period, scoring the only goal of the final “My family and I have been going through a tough time right now,” frame on Josh Leivo’s wrap-around while holding McDavid and Co. to Markstrom says of Murray’s gesture. “It’s great to have your hockey just eight shots on net over the final 20. family.” The Canucks carried a 4-2 lead into the final frame on Pearson’s two The Canucks, of course, make up the biggest part of that family and goals and singles to Eriksson and Tyler Graovac. Markstrom said the locker room has become his refuge and his Bo Horvat, who centred a line with Pearson and Eriksson, finished the teammates have become his support system. night with over 22 minutes of ice time and three assists while helping “Hockey is kind of an escape,” he said. “You come to the rink. You try to contain McDavid. get your mind on the game. When you’re on the ice, you’re focused on “You’ve to be on your game the whole night or they’re going to make you stopping the puck. look silly,” Pearson said of the matchup against McDavid. “You pay extra “But we’re all friends here. Everybody has been super supportive. I was attention when they’re on the ice but, at the same time, you don’t want to pretty open with the guys and they all knew what was going on. But it’s get away from your game. I thought we did a good job of that and worked nice when you come to the rink and you can just focus on hockey.” for our bounces.” Even if his father is never far from his mind. Jacob Markstrom stopped 26 of 28 shots in recording the win. “It’s nothing you can prepare for and nothing you want anybody to go “It’s huge,” the Canucks’ goalie said. “We weren’t happy (after the loss in through,” Markstrom said. Pittsburgh). We felt we could have had the third win earlier (in the trip). But I was really impressed with the performance tonight and the way we Roussel to rejoin handled ourselves for 60 minutes. That’s really a positive thing on a long road trip to not just lay down after the Pittsburgh game.” The Canucks announced Antoine Roussel will rejoin the team after a two-game conditioning assignment in Utica. He won’t be in the lineup for Horvat stands out tonight’s rematch.

The Canucks held a two-goal lead after 40 minutes on the strength of a Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.01.2019 standout performance by their foot soldiers, led by that man Pearson, who scored the go-ahead goal then helped set up Eriksson for the Canucks’ fourth goal.

The two points gave Pearson a career-high four on the night while Eriksson’s goal was his first point of any kind after 15 games this season. The Swedish winger has been a healthy scratch 12 times.

“I felt like when I put him back in and I’d give him a different look than the fourth line,” Green said of Eriksson. “I thought tonight was a good night to do it.

‘He hasn’t complained once this year. He hasn’t played anywhere else but the fourth line and he wanted that opportunity. Sometimes you have to reassess things and we gave him that opportunity. He was good tonight.”

Horvat assisted on both goals by his linemates in the second.

“We were all ready for it,” Horvat said of playing against the McDavid- Draisaitl combination. “We all knew the assignment we were going to get. It’s a tough line to go against and I thought we did a great job.”

Earlier in the second, Zack Kassian had tied the game 2-2 when he scored on an odd-man rush created by a J.T. Miller turnover at the Oilers’ blueline.

Edler on injured list 1164231 Vancouver Canucks Mike Smith will be back in net for the Oilers after Mikko Koskinen started the last two, and it’ll be a rematch of the fine season opener against Canucks’ Jacob Markstrom.

Canucks Game Day: Long road trip ends tonight in Edmonton with some Smith’s numbers (2.66 avg., .911 save percentage) aren’t quite as good Oil changes expected as Koskinen’s (9-2-2, 2.55, .920), but he outbattled Markstrom in the first game of the season as Draisaitl, McDavid and Zack Kassian — the Oilers’ first line — all scored. At this point, Koskinen has played 100 more minutes than Smith with Smith playing 14 games and Koskinen 15. JIM MATHESON 5. Who takes second-line LW duty? November 30, 2019 5:00 AM PST With Oiler winger Alex Chiasson out with a concussion, it will be either

Jujhar Khaira or Joakim Nygard most likely sliding into the spot with Tonight's game is the final stop of a six-game road trip for the Canucks. Gagner. Khaira suddenly has five goals and he gives Gagner more heft Both the Oilers and Canucks head to Vancouver after tonight's game for on the wing to go with James Neal, but Nygard is faster and maybe they a Sunday night rematch at Rogers Arena need that.

NEXT GAME Nygard’s season has been one of fits and starts. He’s shown the ability to get in the open, but only has one goal in his first NHL season. He needs Tonight to shoot more (18 shots, 12 games). Khaira has 31 shots in 25 games.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers GAME DAY LINES

7 p.m., Rogers Place, TV: CBC, SNETP, SN360; Radio: SNET 650 AM OILERS (Projected)

KEY MATCHUP FORWARDS

Bo Horvat vs. Connor McDavid Leon Draisaitl — Connor McDavid — Zack Kassian

The Canucks’ captain often has Brandon Sutter to ride shotgun as Jujhar Khaira — Sam Gagner — James Neal another line C defensive deterrent, but Sutter is out with a lower-body issue (possibly groin) so Horvat will likely draw the assignment to go Joakim Nygard — Riley Sheahan — Josh Archibald against his Oiler captain counterpart. Markus Granlund — Gaetan Haas — Patrick Russell Horvat has taken the most faceoffs (577) in the NHL — 16 more than DEFENCE Ryan O’Reilly of the St. Louis Blues — and he’s won 57.7 per cent of them. McDavid likely won’t be taking many draws against him (just 231, Darnell Nurse — Ethan Bear 46.3 per cent), instead it’ll be his linemate Leon Draisaitl (381, 49.1 per cent) but Horvat will be tasked five-on-five with checking McDavid after Oscar Klefbom — Caleb Jones the faceoffs. Kris Russell — Adam Larsson Tonight’s game is the final stop of a six-game road trip for the Canucks. Goalies: Mike Smith, Mikko Koskinen Both the Oilers and Canucks will head to Vancouver after tonight’s game for a Sunday night rematch at Rogers Arena. CANUCKS (Projected)

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME FORWARDS

1. Watch those penalties Tanner Pearson — Bo Horvat — Brock Boeser

Unbelievably, the Canucks have drawn 30 more calls than the Oilers. J.T. Miller — Elias Pettersson — Nikolay Goldobin Vancouver’s had 105 PPs to the Oilers’ 75, in one fewer game. On the road, they’ve had a whopping 70 PPs in 16 games, about 30 more than Josh Leivo — Adam Gaudette — Jake Virtanen teams such as the Oilers, Boston and Washington. Tim Schaller — Tyler Graovac — Zack MacEwen

The Canucks have the puck a lot, but that’s a huge disparity. The Oilers DEFENCE have the NHL’s second-best PK — it’s been the most surprising aspect of their season so far. Paying attention to this PK vs. PP will be Alex Edler — Troy Stecher interesting. Quinn Hughes — Tyler Myers 2. How will Gagner do? Jordie Benn — Chris Tanev One-time Canucks’ forward Sam Gagner will be getting his third consecutive game as the No. 2 centre with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins out Goalies: Jacob Markstrom, Thatcher Demko after minor surgery on his hand. Gagner, who’s spent more time as a SPECIAL TEAMS winger the last few years than a centre, has been a fine utility guy for coach Dave Tippett. Oilers: Power play, 24-75, 32 per cent, second in NHL. Penalty kill 77-88, 87.5 per cent, second in NHL Gagner could be tasked with going against Elias Pettersson, last year’s rookie of the year, and that’s a major test for anybody. RNH, Gagner, any Canucks: Power play 28-105, 26.7 per cent, fourth in NHL. Penalty kill Oiler. Gagner certainly has got a passing grade in his first two games. 74-90 82.2 per cent, 15th in NHL

3. Pay attention to rookie Hughes SICK BAY

Colorado’s Cale Makar has the best shot at this year’s Calder as top first- Oilers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Alex Chiasson year player, but 20-year-old Quinn Hughes has been everything as advertised since they took him seventh in the 2018 NHL entry draft. He’s Canucks: Brandon Sutter, Jay Beagle, Micheal Ferland, Tyler Motte, a terrific passer with 19 assists in his 25 games, and he’s a key Antoine Roussel component of the Canucks’ PP. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.01.2019 Hughes doesn’t shoot much (only 40 shots) but one of those shots broke Adam Larsson’s fibula in the first game of the season on Oct. 2. The 5-10 Hughes plays with the 6-8, 229-pound Tyler Myers, in the Mutt ’n Jeff combination.

4. Smith vs. Markstrom 1164232 Vancouver Canucks — HARMAN DAYAL (@HARMANDAYAL2) DECEMBER 1, 2019 OK, maybe we’ve gone too far.

The PP specialist The Armies: Loui Eriksson night in Canada, Hughes’ subtle domination, the Core Four’s redemption and prediction Speaking of unlikely heroes, Tyler Graovac tallied his second power-play goal of the season to open the scoring.

Graovac now has more power-play goals than Leon Draisaitl, Taylor Hall, Harman Dayal Matthew Tkachuk, Tyler Seguin, Jeff Skinner, Logan Couture, Clayton Dec 1, 2019 Keller, Blake Wheeler and Gabriel Landeskog. The journeyman centre couldn’t help but laugh when The Armies told him this fact.

“Oh wow. I think I have more power-play ice time than regular ice time — Following a stinker in which they allowed six goals in the third period to can’t complain about that,” Graovac said. “I think when people look at me flush away two points against the Penguins, the Vancouver Canucks they see a big, tall player who played in the minors a lot and they think needed a statement game to bounce back. To that extent, the script I’m a gritty grinder. I think I can surprise some people with my skill and on couldn’t have been written better. that play it was just a perfect break-in by great guys who know the breakout, and I was wide open for a shot. The Canucks scored five goals despite no production from the Lotto line, kept the Connor McDavid line in check and redeemed themselves by “Anytime I get my chance to shoot, that’s my visualization before games closing out a lead with the most confidence seen all season in their 5-2 because I don’t play much so it’s just being ready for that shot.” win over the Oilers. It’s the kind of win that rejuvenates a group that faced by far the toughest part of its schedule. Vancouver’s made it out of Call him the power-play specialist. its November hell with its playoff hopes very much intact — something Pearson finally gets some puck luck you couldn’t say about the team last season. Tanner Pearson has fought bad puck luck for most of the season and it Big things Loui seemed like he was finally rewarded by the Hockey Gods for his Line rushes showing Loui Eriksson on a presumed shutdown line with Bo persistence Saturday. He notched a team-high four points and was a key Horvat were received about as well as the Rogers ads that marketed driver in each one of them, including two goals. Mark Messier to Canucks fans. J.T. Miller showed great stickwork and caused a turnover at the Travis Green called an audible at game time, reuniting the Lotto Line defensive blue line while shorthanded which created a two-on-one. One while keeping Eriksson on a line with Horvat and Tanner Pearson. In the area where I’ve thought Pearson could perhaps show a little more end, Eriksson skated a season-high 15:58 and to his credit held his head patience was rush situations, and he displayed exactly that on this goal. above water at even-strength. His legs were moving well, which meant He faked the shot, which caused the Oilers defenceman to sprawl out, he was effective on the forecheck, he made a couple of nice stick checks before calmly side-stepping the obstacle and sliding a puck across — in the neutral zone and supported the puck well. ultimately going in on its own before it even reached Miller.

He didn’t make any mistakes outside of an early hooking penalty — a call The second goal was simply what Pearson does best — going to the net so weak you thought it was the Oilers’ forward depth. and capitalizing on jam play in front.

Eriksson’s line (yes, we’re calling it his line tonight) with Horvat and “He was a difference-maker tonight,” Graovac said. “I think the biggest Pearson controlled over 58 percent of the shot attempts, 64 percent of thing is just that he’s hard on the puck. Every single goal that he was a the expected goals and outscored the Oilers 2-1 at five-on-five. A rare part of was just a battle won, beating a stick and then feeding a puck or goal on top of that? Call that a night to remember. putting it in himself.

Best goal “He’s got good vision, he’s smart, strong hands, just an awesome night for him.” PIC.TWITTER.COM/LKZLUM2MVB With the boost Saturday, Pearson is up to seven goals and 17 points in — MR BOOTH (@MRBOOTH_7) DECEMBER 1, 2019 27 games — a 52-point pace. I think it’s rich to expect him to be this productive through the whole season, but if the Canucks can get 40-45 EVERYONE SHOULD SHOTGUN EVERYTHING THEY'VE GOT IN points, it’d go a long way toward providing the scoring depth the team THEIR FRIDGE needs to make the playoffs. — JEFF PATERSON (@PATERSONJEFF) DECEMBER 1, 2019 The Hughes-Myers pairing dominates PIC.TWITTER.COM/VE9ULX5CUM In reconfiguring the top four to feature Alex Edler and Chris Tanev on — JASON BROUGH (@JASONBROUGHTSN) DECEMBER 1, 2019 one pairing with Quinn Hughes and Tyler Myers on the other, it was clear what Green was going for. Edler and Tanev would be tasked with NICE OF LOUI TO GIVE HIS STICK SO IT CAN GO TO THE HALL OF shutting down the opposition, while Hughes and Myers would be given FAME #CANUCKS PIC.TWITTER.COM/OXU6F2VLJA the offensive reins and sure enough, they spent a lot of time with the Lotto Line and everyone was better off for it. — STEPHEN HAWCO (@STEPHENHAWCO7) DECEMBER 1, 2019 Hughes and Myers controlled over 65 percent of the shots on goal, I think this play really sums up the game for the Canucks on Saturday. littered the Oilers with scoring chances and walked away outscoring them Confidence transitioning the puck through the neutral zone, confident 2-0 while on the ice at even strength. They moved the puck up the ice tape-to-tape passes and a whole lot of vintage Loui. with confidence and when they set up camp in the offensive zone, the “It was a great play there,” Eriksson said. “Pears made a great pass to Oilers simply couldn’t get out. Whenever that pairing was on with the Bo and he was able to find me there, it was a great play.” Lotto Line, it was a five-man unit with movement so fluid and dynamic you wondered if it were actually a power play. “He was really good, he had about 2-3 blocks right in front of me and to get a goal, obviously happy for him,” Jacob Markstrom said. “You’re Hughes, in particular, had an excellent game. For one, he won’t get an always happy for a guy when you’re in and out of the lineup, and he gets assist on it, but check out the sweet saucer pass he makes on Eriksson’s a chance to score goals, it’s extra special.” goal.

Worst bet What impressed me most this game, however, was Hughes’ sharp defensive play. Check out the way he neutralizes Draisaitl on this rush Best chant attempt.

TWO SHOUTS OF "MVP" IN THE UPPER BOWL HEARD WHEN LOUI Everyone knows that Hughes is an offensive dynamo, but nights like this ERIKSSON PICKED UP THE PUCK IN THE NEUTRAL ZONE when he flashes his all-round excellence gives you confidence that he can be a high-end No. 1 defenceman. The young stars’ redemption after Pittsburgh designed more for a heavy defenceman rather than a shifty and creative skater, but it’s simply what he’s comfortable with. Blowing the lead against Pittsburgh on Wednesday night stung badly. The value in having the opportunity to redeem and prove to themselves “I’ve been playing with that (Detroit 2) profile for the longest time so I that they can close out wins in the third period just a couple days after a went back to that one,” Pettersson said. crushing collapse is key. Best story What’s the lesson learned for next time? What can the Canucks do when they feel the momentum shifting against them? 80 YRS AGO TODAY, SOVIET UNION ATTACKED FINLAND. AS RED ARMY BOMBED CITIES, FINLAND SENT 70 THOUSAND KIDS OUT “The best way (to stem the tide) is obviously to play well defensively, but OF HARMS WAY TO SWEDEN. ONE OF THOSE KIDS WAS TOIVO I think spending a lot more time in their end (is important),” Horvat said. “I JOKELAINEN WHO LOST BOTH OF HIS PARENTS. TONIGHT WE think having that push back and not just sitting back and hoping that GET TO WATCH HIS GRANDSON ELIAS PETTERSSON PLAY we’re going to come out with a win but pushing for the next goal. And I HOCKEY IN YEG. think if we start doing that, and play well offensively, then it’s going to take care of itself.” — JOUNI NIEMINEN (@ONSIDEWITHJOUNI) DECEMBER 1, 2019

It’s only human nature to sit back a little bit when you have the lead, but Best fight it’s genuinely refreshing to hear Horvat say that the team needs to push END OF GAME PIC.TWITTER.COM/NBHLFLPT8K more offensively in these situations. It’s normal for score effects to take over when you lead, but the Canucks have been dominated even relative — JEFF PATERSON (@PATERSONJEFF) DECEMBER 1, 2019 to that context. Look no further than this heat map by Micah McCurdy Rumour has it the two sides were fighting over who gets first dibs on that shows how the Canucks control play in different score states. Eriksson in 2022. No NHL team allows more shot attempts or scoring chances against Best fans when they go up a goal than the Canucks. Something has to change and playing more aggressively as they did Saturday, when they outshot and Many VIPs came out and had a great time at The Athletic’s subscriber outchanced the Oilers despite their lead, was a marked improvement. event in Vancouver, and the excitement for J.D. Burke’s arrival was palpable. The other part of it was simply maturity. The Canucks were missing a couple of their key closers in Brandon Sutter and Jay Beagle, and the MY FANS CAN’T WAIT TO SEE ME! HTTPS://T.CO/RQHOGPSGLU lack of experience showed a little bit. — J.D. BURKE (@JDYLANBURKE) DECEMBER 1, 2019 “The takeaway from the Pens game was that our maturity showed a little bit,” Graovac said. “You’re going up against one of the best players in the Best goalie interference world in (Evgeni) Malkin in a rink that’s a sellout where their fans are THAT GOALIE INTERFERENCE CALL IS THE MOST NOTICEABLE almost the sixth player out there. For me watching, I used to make those MARKUS GRANLUND HAS BEEN TO CANUCKS FANS IN YEARS mistakes when I was in the minors at 23, 24 years old, it wasn’t on the pedestal that it’s on now. — HARMAN DAYAL (@HARMANDAYAL2) DECEMBER 1, 2019

“The great thing about it was just young guys learning from those Best prediction mistakes and you could see the difference tonight. They totally fixed it — from draws to positioning, it was a big difference. It was a great learning At the start of the season, we ran a player poll, asking the Canucks a curve for the young guys.” variety of different team- and league-related questions. Stecher was sure to find The Armies at a practice before this road trip to get a quick word Juolevi skating with the Comets in.

THE @CANUCKS' JUOLEVI IS WITH THE COMETS AND SKATING, “Side topic, you remember the preseason poll? I picked Nick Schmaltz BUT WON'T BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEK. for most underrated (player in the NHL) and he’s put in a hell of a start,” Stecher said. — MIKE SHULMAN (@BYMIKESHULMAN) NOVEMBER 30, 2019 Sure enough, Schmaltz leads the 15-8-4 Arizona Coyotes with 19 points Expect an official update on Olli Juolevi’s status soon. in 27 games — on pace for a career-high 58 points. Alex Edler doubtful for Sunday Stecher was reassured it’d be mentioned in The Armies. ALEX EDLER WILL BE RE-EVALUATED IN VANCOUVER BUT IS Best inside joke DOUBTFUL TO PLAY TOMORROW, PER TRAVIS GREEN. #CANUCKS Everybody loves a good bromance and while Pettersson’s friendship with Boeser is well documented, the latter’s relationship with Troy Stecher is — BRENDAN BATCHELOR (@BATCHHOCKEY) DECEMBER 1, 2019 just as special. Pettersson reverts to his old skate profile The two spent a season together winning an NCAA championship while One of the biggest focuses for Pettersson coming into this season was playing for the University of North Dakota when Stecher was a junior and improving the explosiveness of his first few strides — especially out of Boeser a freshman. They had a common interest in Vancouver — directional changes and turns. Part of that process involved testing Stecher being the local kid and Boeser just recently drafted by the different skate profiles and as Daniel Wagner broke down in August, he Canucks. switched to a Quad Zero profile to begin this campaign. “He always kinda liked me from the start which is good because I was a The profile of a skate is essentially the shape of the blade and freshman,” Boeser said. “He was super nice to me the whole year, and consequentially affects how much of the blade touches the ice surface. A we built a good friendship and not just him, but the whole team was smaller profile will have less contact with the ice, which is more pretty close with each other. It just kind of grew from there, and I favourable for directional changes, while a larger profile comes with the obviously signed and came here and he was kinda the guy I looked up benefit of more stability. to.”

Pettersson previously used the Detroit 2 profile, which is actually more What’s really brought them together in recent times is how close their commonly used by heavy defencemen. His experiment with the Quad dogs have become with each other since they came to play in Zero profile, however, is over and done with. Vancouver.

“I didn’t like it,” Pettersson bluntly said of the Quad Zero. “I felt like I didn’t “Brock’s first year in the league, we decided to live with each other, we have my top speed as much as I had before.” were roommates,” Stecher said. I’d already gotten Phoebe — he made the All-Star team that year and he adopted Coolie at the All-Star Game. Instead, he’s reverted to the Detroit 2 profile that he used last season — At the time, the landlord said no to two dogs so Coolie went back to his Pettersson guessed that he might have made the change around the 10- parents in Minnesota, but anytime Coolie came out they’d obviously be game mark. It’s an interesting choice given that the Detroit profile is together.” Boeser and Stecher hang out on off-days and often go hiking where they can take their dogs off-leash at cool viewpoints.

“They love each other and always play with each other,” Boeser said about their two dogs. “They can spot each other across the whole dog park and that’s cute to see and there’s kind of a joke we have.”

“We kind of joke about it that Coolie and Phoebe are dating like they’re in a relationship,” Stecher said. “If Phoebe squats down to take a pee, Coolie will pee right on top of her spot to mark his territory, it’s pretty funny to watch.”

The two spend a fair amount of time together in the offseason as well, which isn’t all that common when players usually go back to their hometowns. Stecher’s trip to Minnesota in late summer to see Boeser when Stecher heard of his father’s worsening conditioning is well documented, but it’s not the only time he’s gone to visit Brock.

“He came to the house a couple different times,” Boeser said. “We went on a golf trip (earlier in the summer) and so he sat there at the house for a few days and got to see my place and stuff so it’s a really close friendship. He’s friends with a lot of my friends now too.

“We’ll be friends for the rest of our lives.”

The Athletic LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164233 Websites direction,” Keefe said. “We need to figure out why that is. It’s a mental thing, clearly, that we’ve got to find a way to get over.”

After 15 days and at least that many juicy headlines between Leafs dates Sportsnet.ca / Andersen's heroics underscore first home win with Leafs here at Scotiabank Arena, the fresh-look club’s victory meant something for Keefe special to the new head coach.

“Certainly, this is the pinnacle,” Keefe said of his first NHL game behind Toronto’s home bench, extra family and friends on hand to watch his line Luke Fox juggles.

November 30, 2019, 10:02 PM “I see it as a great opportunity and a privilege. When you’re sitting down and doing your work every day, you know there’s a lot of people counting

on you and a lot of people that care about what you’re doing. That’s TORONTO – Sheldon Keefe won his long-awaited first home game pretty exciting. behind the Toronto Maple Leafs bench much in the same manner as his “That’s part of what drives me.” predecessor enjoyed regular-season success in this building: by dressing the better goaltender. To be sure, Keefe and the Leafs are still a work in progress, with Auston Matthews noting that the players are still searching for that “happy In a bid to swipe both halves of their American Thanksgiving home-and- medium” between when to create and when to safely chip the puck to home series with the Leafs, the visiting Buffalo Sabres generated the space. lion’s share of high-danger scoring chances (15-5), pinged three posts, came up shy on a borderline goal-line video review, and left one Frederik This feeling-out period, as the coach tries to blend his systems into the Andersen short of victory in a 2-1 overtime nail-biter. roster’s natural strengths, is being eased by Andersen’s consistency and composure. “That’s why he’s one of the best goalies in the league,” said John Tavares, moments after freezing the clock and capping off his third Here are the goalie’s save percentages in four wins under Keefe: .986, straight multi-point effort. .919, 1.000, .967.

Tavares wristed a beautiful winner at the end of a marathon 3-on-3 shift, “It’s nice to have Freddy there, and it’s nice to have a guy that’s capable but the captain might never have had such an opportunity were it not for of that. You’re going to need that at different times, without question,” Andersen tracking the puck like a Danish hound for 61 minutes and 45 Keefe said. seconds. In addition to Andersen, part of what’s driving the Maple Leafs these In one fate-determining flash, Andersen sprawled to his left and flung the days wears No. 88 and looks like he just stepped out of a salon. leather to rob Conor Sheary on a one-timed blast so fierce, it pushed the goaltender’s glove back into the net — but not conclusively over the red Nylander, averaging a point per game since the coaching switch, notched line, upon further review. arguably his prettiest on a second-period power play as he cut across the goal line and backhanded the puck high past Sabres goalie Carter Hutton “That was amazing,” smiled William Nylander. “Kind of saving me. I for his 10th of the season. mean, that was my guy.” That's 10 goals before December for William Nylander. Wasn't even One man’s amazing is another’s injustice. playing before December last season and finished with 7 goals total.

“I thought we scored one in the second,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger — luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) December 1, 2019 said. “It wasn’t counted, but we buried it in our minds and continued to work.” Nylander is one of a litany of Leafs talents who appear rejuvenated under Keefe’s possession-first regime. (Andersen’s approach, however, might It’s hard to see the full puck in Andersen’s glove so I understand why be the most unchanged, what with having “a buffer” — his term — in this is not a goal. The need for puck sensors to know if the puck fully goalie coach Steve Briere.) crossed the line would be great for those kinds of situations. pic.twitter.com/RYlB9vLvDu “I’ve noticed since [Keefe] has come in that guys have just started working harder again and got up for games and been a little more excited — Martin Biron (@martybiron43) December 1, 2019 to play than they have been in the past. Sometimes, when a change happens, that can happen,” defenceman Cody Ceci said. To their credit, the Sabres kept pressing. “Coming in mid-season, it’s a pretty tough job to do, to get everyone to Moments after denying Sheary, Andersen gloved a Jeff Skinner attempt buy in, and I think everyone bought in right away, so he’s done a great point-blank, despite having dropped his stick at his feet. He was also job with that.” bailed out by a couple of musical crossbars and a stung post. Just as Andersen has done a superb job smoothing out Keefe’s landing The No. 1 goalie’s highlights were punctuated in mini standing ovations and making the new guy look good. from the otherwise muted crowd and those warm, familiar refrains of “Fred-dy! Fred-dy!” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.01.2019 “I just try to enjoy the great atmosphere and have fun out there. That’s what brings out the best in me,” Andersen said after both his and his team’s 13th win. “It would’ve been nice to take all four points, but we’ll take two.”

On a night when Buffalo’s seven defencemen did a fine job of limiting a dangerous Leafs attack to the perimeter at even-strength, Andersen improved his record to 4-0 under Keefe and must be tempting his bosses to either abandon September’s load-management plan or kick tires on a suitable backup till their toes bleed.

Toronto faces yet another set of consecutive games Tuesday in Philadelphia and Wednesday at home versus Colorado.

Turns out, the Maple Leafs can win the second portion of a back-to-back — if they start Andersen.

“That’s obviously something that is well-documented. The team has performed better when Freddy’s in there, so there’s clearly a trend in that 1164234 Websites They’re loose, and missing second-line centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, out with a hand injury.

“There are times when you just have to have a little reset of the mind,” Sportsnet.ca / Canucks dodge early-season trend, hold onto lead over Tippett observed. “You look at early on in the year and it was all about first-place Oilers defending and goals-against. The last couple games we haven’t defended nearly as well as we’d like to as a team.”

Nugent-Hopkins’ absence on the Oilers’ league-leading power play is Mark Spector noticeable. The unit moved the puck far too deliberately Saturday on a rare 0-for-3 night. December 1, 2019, 2:12 AM “Teams are talking about coming here and not taking penalties against

us,” Tippett said. “So the few times that they do you have to make them EDMONTON — They deserved a win in this building back on opening pay. And they get something on the power play against you that gives night, these Vancouver Canucks, when they gave up two goals in the them a boost.” final 9:08 and lost despite outshooting the Edmonton Oilers, 33-22. They’re back at it on Sunday. After a poor effort by Edmonton in its first Little did we know that blowing leads would become an early-season game back from a long road trip, it will be the Canucks’ turn to try and trend for the Canucks — a trend that peaked in Pittsburgh on buck that trend at Rogers Arena. Wednesday, where Vancouver coughed up a three-goal lead with 15 Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.01.2019 minutes to play.

So when the Canucks found themselves with a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes in Edmonton on Saturday night, we asked Tanner Pearson, did the word “Pittsburgh” even need to be spoken inside the Canucks dressing room?

“No,” he said. “No one really said anything — we all knew the job that had to be done.”

Or, as defenceman Jordie Benn so eloquently put it, when asked about protecting leads, “You want to be aggressive, but at the same time you’ve got to be thinking about where you are on the ice. You can’t be too horny out there.”

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Having been on the road for two weeks, that wasn’t a problem for the Canucks, who closed this one out like a team that has learned how to win. Vancouver walked into Edmonton on the tail end of a six-game road trip — minus bottom-six centres Brandon Sutter and Jay Beagle — and whipped the first-place Oilers 5-2.

On a night when Elias Pettersson and Leon Draisaitl each went pointless, the third-line left winger Pearson had two goals and four points — and Loui Eriksson scored his first goal of the season. Bo Horvat was a horse, setting up the final three Canucks goals in a game that Vancouver rather needed, considering the seven-point deficit it had behind Edmonton heading into a back-to-back weekend.

Now, a regulation win Sunday in Vancouver and the Canucks are three points out of the Pacific lead.

“The performance today, I was really impressed with,” said goalie Jacob Markstrom, who was better than his counterpart Mike Smith to be sure, though he was tested less. “The way we handled ourselves for 60 minutes, that’s really a positive thing, to not lay down after that Pittsburgh game.”

The Canucks will likely be without second-pairing defenceman Alex Edler on Sunday at home. He left the game after two periods with an upper body injury.

The keys to victory were two-fold: three Canucks goals from the bottom six and the first snipe all season from the star-crossed Eriksson, and the Horvat line (with Eriksson and J.T. Miller) not only checking Connor McDavid’s unit successfully, but outscoring them.

“I talked with Loui last week and talked about his game a little bit,” said head coach Travis Green, whose $6 million winger has been healthy- scratched at times. “I felt like when I put him back in, I’d give him a different look than playing with the fourth line. I thought tonight was a good night to do that and as it turned out, they end up scoring, that line.”

As for canceling out the McDavid line, “You almost need two lines that can play against them, for how much they play,” said Green. “So Bo played a little bit against them but Petey did as well.”

Down the hall, Oilers head coach Dave Tippett sees a team that’s hit a tepid stretch after a fairly stingy opening one-third of the schedule. 1164235 Websites That’s not to say the Canadiens were perfect. They still gave up four goals — most of them off jittery play with the puck in their own end — and they didn’t capitalize on some of their best opportunities.

Sportsnet.ca / Amid tough stretch, Canadiens play 'much better' in OT “You still see a little bit of a little lack of confidence right now. That’s loss to Flyers normal,” said Julien. “You hope that that’s going to turn around. Offensively we worked hard, but there was still — there wasn’t that big confidence as a group that we’ve seen in the past. So, we’ve got to work on hopefully that coming back.” Eric Engels Perhaps focusing on the positives will help in that aspect for Montreal. November 30, 2019, 8:05 PM It had better help Shea Weber, who uncharacteristically had a hard time

handling the puck on Saturday. Ditto for Jeff Petry, Montreal’s most MONTREAL — There are no consolations. Especially not when you fail reliable defenceman over the last couple of years has been fighting the to pick up two points for a seventh straight game like the Montreal puck throughout this winless streak and that didn’t change against Canadiens did in losing 4-3 in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers on Philadelphia. Saturday afternoon. His worst turnover, which came just seconds after Tomas Tatar gave the But it’s important for the Canadiens to focus on what they did well in this Canadiens a 2-1 lead in the second period, directly resulted in Kevin game, because if they build on those things, they have a chance of Hayes scoring his 100th NHL goal. digging their way out of this. And they have to dig themselves out of this Petry was extremely frustrated after the game. immediately. “I think we need to be more predictable in where we’re going to be,” he It’s the end of November and there are 56 games remaining on the said. “I think there’s times where you go back for a puck and we’re kind season. That’s plenty of time to turn things around. But the Canadiens of guessing where we’re going to be, and you look at the good teams and have just blown the easiest portion of their schedule, and things are they know exactly where they’re going to be and it’s easy to break out.” about to get markedly more difficult for them. That applied later in the third period, when Petry and Ben Chiarot were The NHL-leading — and well-rested — Boston Bruins, who beat the looking for options to move the puck up the ice and didn’t have any Canadiens 8-1 earlier this week, are waiting at home to play a Sunday available. But it wasn’t exactly the case on the goal for Hayes. game against what will be a tired Montreal team. “I think we just need to simplify things,” Petry said. Sign up for NHL newsletters That’s never a bad idea. Especially with Victor Mete sidelined by a lower- Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to body injury, which will be evaluated further in Montreal while the team is your inbox! in Boston on Sunday. After that, the 16-5-2 New York Islanders will play in Montreal on If the Canadiens can simplify things, and if they can build on the things Tuesday, and the Canadiens will face off against the 15-8-2 Colorado they did well against Philadelphia, it might lead them to a much-needed Avalanche on Thursday before flying to New York to face the Rangers win. (winners of three of their last four games) on Friday. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.01.2019 Eight of Montreal’s 10 games that follow the one in New York will be played on the road.

Safe to say, it’s crunch time.

So, about what the Canadiens did well against Philadelphia:

• They took control of the neutral zone and gave the Flyers very little off the rush after giving the New Jersey Devils everything they wanted in a 6-4 loss at the Bell Centre Thursday.

• They backchecked well and their defencemen played cautiously without the puck — leading to virtually no odd-man opportunities against.

“Maybe they had a few 2-on-3s,” said Canadiens goaltender Keith Kinkaid, who made 25 saves. “But I think we sorted those out.”

They did, breaking up those opportunities before they turned into scoring chances.

• The Canadiens scored three goals and would have had more than one on the power play if not for Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott making several quality saves.

“I hate using that as an excuse. I hate that,” said Nick Cousins, who was on for Montreal when Elliott robbed Canadiens teammate Jordan Weal twice late on a second-period power play.

“He played well, though. He did,” Cousins conceded.

• Montreal also dominated opportunities from the slot, out-shooting the Flyers from the most dangerous part of the ice by our count of 23-8. Tatar had a big hand in that, as did Joel Armia, who scored 19 seconds in and registered nine shots in the game.

On the whole, this was a good game for the Canadiens. There’s little doubt it was a step in the right direction.

“I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied,” said coach Claude Julien. “But we were much better this afternoon than we have been recently. Defensively, I found that we did way better work.” 1164236 Websites With Peters’ resignation Friday providing a sense of relief for the team and its followers, the lads bolstered their record to 13-12-4, which has them tied with Vegas for the final wild-card spot.

Sportsnet.ca / Flames add much-needed levity to their fight in win over “With Wardo we play so hard for him, with all the stuff he’s had to go Senators through,” said Dillon Dube, who opened the scoring late in the first period with his second of the year.

“He got thrown into the situation and it’s his first head coaching job in the Eric Francis NHL. And the guys really want keep turning this around with him.”

December 1, 2019, 12:04 AM With five minutes left in the third period, Jean-Gabriel Pageau tied the game before Elias Lindholm chased down a Sean Monahan dump-in

over the head of Ron Hainsey that was scooped up by the Swedish CALGARY – It has never been much of a surprise when a Tkachuk winger and roofed with a late cut in front of the net. hurtles himself towards the net and inevitably falls into – or onto – the He added an insurance marker into an empty net. netminder. It was the second game in a row he was the hero, which was a role many Matthew’s been doing it for years, as did his dad, Keith. The family expected might go to Milan Lucic most of the night. turned it into an art form. “I don’t know how you can get any closer,” said Lucic of several Grade A So when Brady Tkachuk somehow caught the leg of Oliver Kylington chances he was unable to convert for his first goal as a Flame. while skating full speed towards the Calgary Flames net and violently tumbled into David Rittich late Saturday, no one flinched. “It’s easy to get frustrated. It’s easy to get down. It’s easy to smash sticks and all that type of stuff. I went through that and that didn’t work. So, just Except Rittich. trying to do anything I can to score a goal here. I know the fans would The Flames netminder doesn’t share the same admiration for the move love to see it. I appreciate them ‘Loooo-ing’ me out there and all that type that the rest of the hockey world might. So after Brady lay entangled in of stuff. Not only would I like to get one for my teammates and myself, the back of the net following a significant collision with the feisty but for them as well.” goaltender, Rittich responded as you’d expect. And for the man they call Wardo. With punches. “We’re just trying to rally around him,” said Lucic, who won a Stanley Cup “I gave him three quick gloves,” smiled Rittich, the game’s first star in a with Ward in Boston. room full of much-needed levity following a 3-1 win over the Ottawa “I know he’s going to do a great job and it’s up to us players to buy in. I Senators. “He should be happy it wasn’t blocker. I’m honestly not really think he’s been an assistant under some really good head coaches and caring (about) what he was saying – he fell on me and I’m not going to he’s learned a lot from them. Bill (Peters), Claude (Julien) and (John) leave it like that. I told him to ‘get out of here.’” Hynes. He can probably take a little bit of all of them. He’s been through In the hallway outside the Flames room minutes later, Brady stood talking it all as an assistant coach. I’m excited to be here with him to see what to his big brother and fans when Rittich walked by. he can do with this opportunity.”

“Speak of the devil,” smiled Brady as he spoke of the incident, before the The Flames now have five days until their next home game, prompting two acquaintances exchanged a few playful jabs while passing by. Ward to give them the next two days off – a popular move for a squad that has been through a lot. Despite having spent some time getting to know his brother’s goalie last season and through the playoffs, Brady is certainly not one to shy away “For us it has been a tough month for travel and with everything that from crease crashing and the repercussions of it. happened, all in all, we’ll take it,” said Ward. “We can be happy with the progress we’re making but we can’t be satisfied with it. There are a lot of “I was trying to draw a penalty,” he smiled. areas we’ve got to improve to get to where we ultimately want to be.”

Matthew had a front-row seat for the on-ice exchange and chose not to Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.01.2019 get involved.

“I just wanted to get out of there – I was gassed,” said Matthew. “I’m definitely staying away from Brady – he’s a big boy now. I don’t know where he learned that one from. It’s what happens when you go to the net a lot and me and him seem to be at the net a lot.”

Indeed they do.

As the calendar turns toward the holiday season, Matthew, Rittich and the Flames are far better positioned to share some of the joys surrounding them.

The mood has definitely turned.

A horrific start to the season punctuated by an emotional week of turmoil involving coach Bill Peters has somehow led to a quiet turnaround.

Despite playing nowhere near the level they played last year, the team has buckled down mentally to claim seven of their last eight possible points. They’ve done it by reducing turnovers, focusing more on defence and with a crackerjack goaltender whose brilliance has been the one constant this season.

On a night in which it appeared for the longest time like the highlight for Dome-dwellers would be the shocking resurrection of the Wave, the Flames managed to reward themselves and Geoff Ward with a win in his first home game behind the bench as interim coach.

He was also there three nights earlier in Buffalo when the Flames won in overtime despite the Peters investigation hanging over the organization and league. 1164237 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Why Patrik Berglund’s decision to walk away from NHL was no decision at all

Chris Johnston

November 30, 2019, 10:37 AM

For those of us who never took a stride in Patrik Berglund’s skate boots, there would have been more than 13 million reasons to stay.

The Swede didn’t just walk away from his NHL dream when he made the surprising decision to step away from the Buffalo Sabres last December. He also walked away from a guaranteed contract that had $13.03-million remaining on it.

“I know exactly how much money I left,” Berglund said when we sat down in Stockholm for an interview in late August.

That conversation has been turned into a feature called “ExPat: The Patrik Berglund Story,” which will air during Saturday’s “Hockey Night in Canada” broadcast and is available on Sportsnet’s YouTube channel.

What struck me most about Berglund is how much conviction he still has about that life-changing decision. He actually said that, in the end, it was no decision at all. This was the only path he saw back to a good place following a trade to the Sabres that never should have happened at all.

The 31-year-old is the son of a former player and a former first-round NHL draft pick. He spent 12 years with the St. Louis Blues organization and signed a $19.25-million, five-year extension with them on Feb. 24, 2017 that included a 20-team no-trade list for Years 2 and 3 of the deal.

However, that clause was voided when Berglund failed to provide the list of teams before the set deadline. He was traded to Buffalo on July 1, 2018 and told me it was an uphill battle from July 2 onwards.

Berglund briefly started as the Sabres second-line centre before getting scratched a couple of weeks into the season. He played just 6:07 against Ottawa on Nov. 1 — the lowest time on ice he saw in any of his 717 career NHL games.

He was unhappy and anxious in his new environment. His father, Anders, believes he never got over the initial shock of the trade. He decided to leave after a practice in mid-December.

“I supported him all the way and I told him to listen to his heart,” Anders Berglund told Sportsnet. “Everybody was talking to me about all the money, but Patrik has never been raised to have money as a factor for life.”

The Sabres initially suspended Berglund for failing to report for a team flight and eventually terminated the remaining three-plus years on his contract.

Berglund made more than $30.5-million during his NHL career, according to capfriendly.com, and didn’t try to fight for what he was still owed. He’d lost the love of the sport and returned home to Vasteras, Sweden.

Today he is the captain of Djurgardens in the SHL and playing for less than a tenth of what he would have been earning in Buffalo. But he’s in a much better place overall.

“I don’t know how much money you need to be happy, but I’m good,” said Berglund.

The rest of his story is still to be written, but that in itself is a happy ending.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164238 Websites a bit of a shock is that the Matthews line has also been the best defensive line on the Leafs so far this season.

Matthews has received some criticism for giving up on some backchecks Sportsnet.ca / Identifying the 6 best lines in the NHL so far this season this season, but on aggregate no forward on the Maple Leafs is on the ice for fewer high danger chances against than he is this season.

They’re the best line in hockey essentially every year and while some of Andrew Berkshire these lines might fall off a little bit after a hot start, we already know the Bruins’ top line can keep this level of performance up, since they’ve been

doing it for multiple seasons now with no hint of stopping. Now that over a quarter of the season has passed — and we have Defensively the Bergeron line hasn’t looked spectacular compared to the decent sample sizes to work with – we’ve decided to identify the five best rest of the Bruins’ forward lines so far, but part of the reason why is that lines in the NHL so far this season. That’s not as easy as it sounds, since they play pretty brutal matchup minutes every night. None of these lines there are so many variables that go into what makes a line good. play easy minutes, but the Bergeron line is easily the most specialized In fact, after crunching numbers on over 20 different consistently used one and they manage to dominate despite always getting the toughest lines, it was essentially impossible to pick just five. So, we get a top six. matchups.

In order to be considered, a trio of three players has to have played at Their most dominant area of play is controlling slot passes but it’s not least 100 minutes together at even strength this season and they have to actually defending them that they make the biggest impact, it’s creating be a scoring line that plays reasonably tough minutes — not a talented slot passes for each other. The Bruins take more one-timers at 5-on-5 but sheltered third or fourth line getting great results against less-talented than any other team in the league and a big reason why is the puck third and fourth lines. We’re looking for the best of the best here. moving ability of this top line, specifically setting up David Pastrnak for his exceptional shot in the high slot. Without numbering the lines — but according to the data — here are the six best lines so far in the 2019-20 season. How’s that strategy working out? Well he only has 24 goals in 26 games. Okay, I guess. The Hurricanes have long been analytics darlings, but their top line is the gold standard on a team that dominates play better than most at 5-on-5. After the Vegas Golden Knights acquired Mark Stone from the Ottawa They’ve been pretty fortunate this season in the goal category, with a Senators last season, this line got put together and the results were whopping 80 per cent of the goals scored while they’re on the ice being astonishing. The numbers were so absurd that they looked capable of in their favour, but their other metrics are nothing to sneeze at either. eclipsing the Bergeron line as the reigning league-best trio, but the repeatability was tough to gauge. The Hurricanes usually outperform their shot quality with their shot quantity — and this line is no different — but what they lack in dominance This season, they’ve been about as dominant as expected and have one from the inner slot, they make up for with extreme control of slot passes. of the highest expected goals for percentages in the league, nearly 10 per cent higher than what they’ve produced so far. Aho’s line isn’t just dominant either, they play easily the highest event hockey on the Hurricanes, giving up the most chances of any Hurricanes The secret to this line’s success is not giving up anything defensively and line. But they make up for it by pounding teams into the ground with pure creating a ton of puck movement in the offensive zone where all three volume in every category. players are good finishers.

When’s the last time the Vancouver Canucks had one of the best lines in If the line has one weakness it’s a lack of penetration in the inner slot, hockey? When’s the last time it had nothing to do with the Sedin twins? where none of the three players naturally go with regularity. Dominating The heir apparent to Vancouver’s Swedish top line lynchpins of the in the high slot with extra pre-shot movement can easily overcome that Sedins, and Markus Naslund before them, has taken off to the next level though. this year alongside two talented linemates. Last but certainly not least is Sidney Crosby and the guys; the ever- A lot of folks were skeptical of the trade Jim Benning made to acquire interchangeable wingers that Crosby brings from good to great every J.T. Miller in the off-season, but he has fit like a glove with Elias single season of his career. That’s probably a little unfair to Jake Pettersson and Brock Boeser. The Canucks’ top line is lower event than Guentzel — who is a strong player all on his own — but Crosby is such a the Hurricanes’ but while the Aho line plays a bit of a dangerous give- dominant player that he regularly seems to be able to take third line guys and-take game, the Canucks line is remarkably excellent at both ends of and make them 50-point wingers or better. the ice. The strength of Crosby’s line lies in his playmaking — he led all players The Pettersson line gives opponents the fewest good looks of any line on in the NHL in completed slot passes before he went out to get his sports the Canucks by a significant margin and they also lead the team in slot hernia fixed — putting goals on his teammates’ sticks with stunning passes and inner slot shots, while dominating shot attempts to a crazy regularity. degree. And he’s done it all with a sports hernia. The Penguins have been Like the Canes, they’ve been a bit lucky at a glance when you look at suffering a multitude of injuries all season long — and seeing the their goal differential, but according to SPORTLOGiQ’s own expected situation early on, Crosby opted to play through his injury and try to carry goals model, their 66.7 per cent goals for percentage is not only looking the Penguins to stability, until he was finally forced to get the surgery in sustainable, it’s actually lower than their expectations, which is 68.3 per mid-November and sit out for six weeks to fully recover. cent, the highest mark of any top line in the NHL. Smart? Probably not, you don’t want to risk your franchise player making Lost amidst the brutal start to the season that ended up getting Mike something worse. But is it impressive? Absolutely. Crosby’s line Babcock fired has been the absolute dominance of the top line in underperformed expectations in goals, but we don’t expect that to Toronto. All due respect to John Tavares and Mitch Marner, but between continue once he’s back in the lineup. their individual struggles and time missed due to injury, it’s been clear Guentzel and Dominik Simon are still one and two in the league in total that the Matthews line has been the one the Leafs have relied on more slot pass receptions, and the trio of players are the only three in the often. entire NHL to be on the ice for seven or more successful slot passes While some lines have been a bit more elegant in their approach to every 20 minutes of ice time this season. getting things done offensively, the Maple Leafs have struggled a little Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.01.2019 with getting their passing game going, and defending passes as well, so the Matthews line has used brute force to push the puck to the inner slot constantly.

Even William Nylander, commonly thought of as a perimeter player, is ripping shots from close to the net on a consistent basis. Matthews has always been a dominant player near the net — and Andreas Johnsson is no slouch in that area either — so the offence isn’t surprising, but what is 1164239 Websites 2. The Bill Peters embarrassment is about many things, foremost being repulsive power abuse.

But it’s also about secrets, some stuffed in a vault for a decade, and the Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: Surviving the Year of the Healthy Scratch notion that unsavoury issues are best-dealt with within club walls.

It happened in Rockford.

Luke Fox It happened in Carolina.

November 30, 2019, 8:10 AM Spezza has spent his life in dressing rooms, on buses and in private planes around hockey men, many of whom learned from the hockey men before them.

A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious The veteran held court for a lengthy, thoughtful conversation this week and less so, and rolling four lines deep. Written while listening to loud rap with a handful of reporters about a culture he’s seen evolve over his music. decades in the game.

1. Could this be the year of the health bomb? “You don’t want anybody to feel uncomfortable in a dressing room. But as you would with your family, I think you want to deal with things in- Every season gets spiked with a few notable benchings, be it players house before you deal with things publicly. I think that if you have a past their prime or rookies who need to learn from their mistakes. strong nucleus in your locker room, there should be a positive But less than two months into the 2019-20 campaign we’ve seen what environment where nobody feels threatened and, in turn, then I think you feels like an inordinate number of high-profile — and high-cap-hit — take care of things in your house,” Spezza said. cameos in the press box. “So, no, I don’t love stuff being aired out publicly, but I see why guys feel You could dress a decent squad with all of the recent healthy scratches like they need to get it out there. I think as a team you try to do a good (if they were allowed to dress, of course). enough job where guys feel like they can confront each other, guys feel like they can talk if they feel threatened, and you have mentors and guys Consider the talent in this group, all of whom have been paid, at times, to you can lean on in the room that can help take things face-first instead of not play: Kyle Turris, Brendan Perlini, Colin Miller, Ilya Kovalchuk, Marc having to go around the back and feel not confident enough to talk to Staal, Pavel Zacha, David Backes, Tyler Toffoli, Kevin Fiala, Jason your teammates. Spezza, Mikkel Boedker, Loui Eriksson, Bobby Ryan, Brent Seabrook, Shayne Gostisbehere…. “Our culture becomes important.”

Now, some of these are past-their-prime vets trying to find their niche in Bouncing from Brampton to Mississauga to Windsor as an OHLer in the an accelerating sport. But others are young, well-compensated talents late ’90s, Spezza admits his was “a more harsh locker room” in junior. He caught in a swoon. couldn’t count the number of pucks he was forced to gather or the number of older players’ bags he needed to lug just to gain acceptance. “When you’re playing with a lot of crap in your mind and you’ve got confidence issues, it’s harder to make those plays and adapt,” Spezza often felt like he was bearing the brunt of a coach’s frustration. Philadelphia’s 26-year-old Gostisbehere, who still has four years left on a Such was the case with Bryan Murray and the extra bag skates or video $27-million contract, told the Courier Post. “I’ve just got to reflect on sessions he got put through. Other coaches, such as Lindy Ruff, gave off myself, and I’ve just got to realize how good of a player I am, and that a distinct don’t-dare-say-good-morning vibe. players like me don’t grow on trees.” But Spezza insists he’s always felt safe, respected and at home in his After sitting Wednesday, Gostisbehere responded with the game-winning dressing rooms. He understands his coaches were trying to squeeze the goal and a first-star performance in Friday’s win over Detroit. best out of him.

Turris, 30, hasn’t squeezed into the Predators’ lineup for two weeks now. “Once you have kids, you realize you can’t just be all butterflies and The centre only has four more seasons beyond this one at a $6-million roses all the time,” Spezza explained. “Just with society changing, I think salary. Things are getting testy between the player and the coach, and people are a little more mindful of what they’re saying and how they say the fans and the coach. it.

Peter Laviolette hasn’t elaborated beyond calling it a “lineup decision,” “You can’t lump everybody together. Every case is individual; every case and GM David Poile is deferring to the coach to deploy a roster best is different. We’re in a time right now where I know everybody wants to suited to winning each game. lump everybody in together and there’s old school, new school, analytics, and I think it can all work together. It can all be married. There are audible "boo's" here in Nashville as Kyle Turris is announced as a scratch.#Preds “There’s a place for good hockey people that have been around for a long time, and you being able to adapt.” — Jeremy K. Gover (@govertime) November 26, 2019 Hearing that, we’re reminded of Paul Maurice’s comments this week on Situations can change quickly, though. softening his approach to player relationships.

A combination of injuries and a coaching change has allowed Toronto’s But Spezza says there is an onus on the experienced players in the Spezza, 36, to regain some footing within the Leafs organization this room, too. month, but the oldest player on the roster has been dealt 10 health bombs already this season. “The game changes. People change. And if you don’t adapt, that’s when you run into problems,” Spezza said. “I love telling stories. I definitely “You have to constantly try to evolve your game to not to get left behind,” love talking to [young] guys about how things were before, but I try to go says Spezza, enjoying a run of six points in six games. out of my way to make sure young guys feel comfortable now.

“I put a lot of time in on the ice, and I’ve found I benefit from it. It’s not “It’s very important to have a locker room where everybody’s comfortable easy as you get older, but you fight it. You want to stay relevant. You now, and especially with so many young players and not a lot of older want to stay part of the team, and it’s too fun to play.” players, I think it’s important that the older players become really approachable for the younger players — to help them and have guys to Pavel Zacha comments on drawing back into the lineup after being a talk to. healthy scratch the last couple games. “So you have to kind of be a little bit of an older brother to guys, where “I want to just play my game, be a two-way center, get the guys can kind of lean on you a little bit.” opportunity to play and play with good players. I want to keep getting better.” pic.twitter.com/2zIrsavyQM 3. Great to hear Wayne Simmonds speak up and explain the crap black hockey players have to put up with in order to reach the highest level. — New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 28, 2019 And know it’s a matter of legalese, but it’s a shame the word racism was never used upon the dismissal of Bill Peters. Let’s call it what it is. 4. The danger of overpaying a top goaltender has rapidly revealed itself Schmidt says experienced Capitals defenders like Karl Alzner taking him over the first two months of the season. aside to warn him about that Stone rookie.

The average save percentage across the league is .908 — interestingly “Hey, you gotta watch out for this guy. He’s super smart. He’s got a really down for the fourth-consecutive season. good stick. You got to make sure you always know where it is,” Schmidt recalls his teammates saying. “To have that type of reputation already, The world’s most handsomely paid goalie, Carey Price, has a salary of it’s pretty huge.” $15 million and a save percentage of .897. When Stone joined the Golden Knights at the trade deadline last winter, The second-most handsomely paid goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, has a Schmidt said he was an instant fit because of his character, his energy salary of $11.5 million and a save percentage of .884. and his poise.

Of the 12 goaltenders making a minimum of $6 million this season, half “Like, I’m a pretty high-energy guy. I love having another guy to feed off of them are operating with a sub-.900 save percentage (Cory Schneider, of, right?” Schmidt says. “But the biggest thing that I’d say about him is Jonathan Quick, Pekka Rinne and Martin Jones are the others). his presence in very stressful situations. For me, it’s something that I On the flip side, eight of the top 10 leaders in save percentage (minimum don’t have. There’s not a lot of guys in the world that control things. It eight starts) are making $5 million or less. In the cases of Tristan Jarry, really does affect other guys in a positive way.” Anton Khudobin, Anders Nilsson and Darcy Kuemper, much less. In terms of how Stone sees the game unfold at both ends of the ice, A ton of established netminders on expiring contracts will be gunning for Schmidt compares the winger to Nicklas Backstrom. juicy raises this summer, using Bobrovsky’s $70-million windfall as the “I wish I could go into their mind for a day,” Schmidt laughs. ceiling. Watching this replay over and over again (as I will probably be doing Knowing that quality netminding can be unearthed at value prices, it will off and on for the next 24 hours), the pass by Mark Stone is incredible. be interesting to see how deep teams commit to the likes of Braden Holtby, Robin Lehner, Matt Murray, Jacob Markstrom, Thomas Greiss, If this dude isn't worth $9.5 million, I'm not sure who is. He's been and the rest of the impending free agents. doing stuff like this all year too. https://t.co/gKkXhTFnV4

5. I got a kick out of this story from captain Ryan Callahan about how he — SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 28, 2019 protected teammate Mike Rupp from combustible head coach John Tortorella when Rupp was late for a New York Rangers team meeting. 8. Five non-hockey coaches Sheldon Keefe looks to for inspiration: Joe Crafty. Maddon, Pete Carroll, Nick Nurse, Gregg Popovich and Sean McVay.

“Torts never finds out, thank God,” Callahan said. “I’m still waiting for 9. This stat speaks volumes about the magic being conjured in Rupper to buy me a drink.” Edmonton:

SAVED FROM TORTS!??? @Rupper17 owes @TheRealCally24 a Teammates with 45 points in team's first 25 games: Last 35 seasons beer for this ! Draisaitl & McDavid (#Oilers) 2019-20

But honestly just MORE proof that Cally was the ultimate Captain!!! Lemieux & Jagr (Penguins) 1995-96

If you missed the episode, watch here: https://t.co/APodjdWS9b Gretzky & Nichols (Kings) 1988-89 #Rangers #PlayLikeANewYorker @NHL @NHLNetwork pic.twitter.com/qjTOkerIFs Lemieux & Brown (Penguins) 1988-89

— Jackie Redmond (@Jackie_Redmond) November 27, 2019 Gretzky & Kurri (#Oilers) 1984-85

6. Endearing little scene the other day in the Maple Leafs dressing room. Bossy & Sutter (Islanders) 1984-85

While new head coach Sheldon Keefe held court at one end of the room, — Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) November 24, 2019 Andreas Johnsson and Pierre Engvall sat facing each other at the 10. In 55 games as a Penguin, Jared McCann has 20 goals and is a opposite end. Engvall was wearing only his shorts. The two were plus-23. In his 212 previous games, with Vancouver and Florida, he conversing in Swedish and outlining zone exits with their fingers on his totaled 27 goals and was a minus-5. bare right thigh. An intimate X’s and O’s session. Hey, who needs a dry- erase board? McCann’s shot is getting showcased in black and yellow and some credit for his release goes to his father, Matt, who owns the family’s Both left wingers, both seventh-round steals, they were breaking down construction company. Keefe’s new defensive positioning for forwards. Matt would borrow the company supplies and pour out a concrete Johnsson, 25, and Engvall, 23, played on the same junior squad for a shooting pad on the McCanns’ grass lawn so the kids could fire as many couple seasons back home in Sweden, then reunited to win a Calder pucks as possible. As long as his brother or sister was out shooting, Cup with the Marlies in 2018. Now the friends are both chipping in for the Jared would grab a stick and join. Leafs — and having a blast. McCann estimates he devoted three to four hours a day pummeling a Funny how life works. Shooter Tutor until it wore apart. “We’ve known each other a long time,” Johnsson smiled. “So I was “We went through those pretty quick. My brother has a pretty good shot pumped to have him here as someone I’m close to.” too,” McCann says. “My dad pushed me to use my shot more than 7. Mark Stone ran away with the NHL’s unofficial Sticky Fingers Award anything.” last season, registering 122 takeaways. That was 22 more steals than Jared McCann had 11 goals all of last season. He's already up to 9 runner-up Aleksander Barkov despite playing five fewer games than the goals in 22 games this season. #IceSurfing pic.twitter.com/bWLpqQjXRh Panthers pivot. — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 26, 2019 Stone’s supreme thievery has continued. 11. While we realize the standard for cross-checking suspensions is His 34 takeaways this fall give him a five-steal lead on runner-up Mathew historically low, it boggles the mind that the blatant, post-whistle actions Barzal. (Bonus fact: Vegas has three forwards — William Karlsson and of St. Louis’s Robert Bortuzzo on Viktor Arvidsson didn’t at least warrant Reilly Smith the others — in the category’s top seven.) an in-person conversation. “I hated to play against him. When I was in Wash, we’d play against There is intent to injure — and success to injure, with Arvidsson out four- Ottawa. We’d think that 13 in Detroit, [Pavel] Datsyuk, is really great at to-six weeks. The play has nothing to do with a hockey battle and taking pucks from behind,” chuckles defenceman Nate Schmidt, Stone’s everything do to with spiteful reaction to the ref’s initial call. Plus, teammate. Bortuzzo is a repeat offender. Even for those of us who love hockey’s physical side, the punishment for this one is nearly impossible to defend, especially when Bortuzzo could return to action a full month before Arvidsson does.

A boy who can't be more than 10 years old is holding a sign that reads, "AVENGE ARVIDSSON."

— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) November 26, 2019

12. Every team feels a responsibility to generate sharable content to promote their players. Hats off to the Colorado Avalanche for putting a fun, unique spin on an old Thanksgiving bit:

We had the guys draw a name of a teammate and tell us what they're thankful for about him.

Except all the names in the basket were Nikita Zadorov.

#HappyThanksgiving #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/kx7vVysqj3

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 28, 2019

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.01.2019 1164240 Websites Canucks will need those contributions. But after getting a pair of goals from Adam Gaudette and a single from Jake Virtanen in Pittsburgh, it seems there has been an offensive awakening from some of the players lower on the depth chart. TSN.CA / Five Takeaways: Canucks vs Oilers 5) When the schedule was released in the summer, one of the things that immediately jumped out at me was the sheer volume of road games in the first two months of the season. Saturday marked the end not only of Jeff Paterson the team's longest road trip of the season, but also a run of 17 of the first 27 games away from home. The Canucks have come through that stretch above the playoff bar and in possession of the second Wild Card TAKEAWAYS spot in the west. And that's a credit to them. They are 13-10-4 with 30 points and a +9 goal differential at the end of November. More than that, 1) The Vancouver Canucks saved their best for last. On the final night of Saturday's victory leaves them with a record of 8-8-1 in those first 17 a marathon, six-game, two week long road trip that spanned every time road games. This is a team that has won 15 times on the road in each of zone in the National Hockey League, the Canucks clearly had a little Travis Green's first two seasons behind the bench. They're already more something left in their tank. It all added up to a workmanlike 5-2 victory in than halfway to that total through 17 games away from home. If they're Edmonton in the first half of a weekend home and home with the Oilers going to be a playoff team, they'll likely need to finish with close to 20 that will conclude Sunday in Vancouver. After letting a 6-3 lead get away road wins, so eight victories out the road in the first two months of the in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the Canucks looked determined to put that season puts them on pace to get close to that. And now, starting Sunday, result behind them early. For the first time since the first game of the the Canucks are home for 12 of their next 15 with just three road games month, the Canucks jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Tyler Graovac in December (at San Jose & Las Vegas on a quick two game trip mid- and Tanner Pearson. They outshot the Oilers 16-7 and announced their month and a one off to Calgary right after Christmas). arrival in the hockey game with one of their best periods of the road trip. Not even a Connor McDavid goal to get the Oilers on the board and cut TSN.CA LOADED: 12.01.2019 the Canucks lead in half spoiled what was a thorough 20 minutes from the visitors. It was clear early on in this one that the Canucks had come to play and that set them up for a big night at Rogers Place.

2) One of the key sequences in the game was a Canucks penalty kill at 2-2 midway through the second period. Tyler Graovac took a high- sticking penalty behind the Oilers net and gave the best power play in the league the chance to go to work. While the Oilers registered three shots with the man-advantage, they didn't really threaten to score. And less than two minutes after the Canucks successfully killed their second penalty of the night, Tanner Pearson scored his second goal of the hockey game putting his team in front for good. On the night, the Canucks not only killed off all three Oiler power plays, but Pearson's first goal of the night came short-handed. The Canucks also scored on the power play to win the special teams battle going away. Edmonton came into the night tops in the NHL with a power play running at 32% and 36.4% on home ice. The Oilers also had the second best penalty killing in the league to start the night. So for the Canucks to win that game within the game went a long way to producing the end result.

3) Travis Green took a lot of heat on social media on Friday when it was first floated that Loui Eriksson may be given the assignment of playing with Bo Horvat to concoct some sort of checking line to counter the Oilers potent attack. The criticism picked up on Saturday when it seemed almost certain the Canucks would line-up in that fashion. On the surface, some of the skepticism seemed warranted. Eriksson had struggled to earn a spot in the line-up on many nights this season and when he did he had been reduced to single-digit ice time -- often watching long stretches of third periods from the bench. Then, at the end of a long road trip and hardly the fastest skater on the team, a player without a single point this season was being asked to play a role in matching-up against the top two scorers in the league. Call it a hunch. Call it a stroke of genius. Whatever it was, there was clearly a method to the coach's madness. Eriksson scored his first goal of the season and outproduced Leon Draisaitl on the night. His line with Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson combined for three goals and five assists while all finishing in the black in shot shares at even strength. Eriksson played a season-high 15:48 and almost assuredly earned the opportunity to reprise his role on that line again on Sunday night.

4) On Wednesday, Colorado kept McDavid and Draisaitl off the scoresheet entirely. The Canucks weren't able to do that, but they certainly limited the damage with McDavid collecting a goal and an assist while Draisaitl went home empty handed for the second straight game. After those two, the Oilers depth is open to question. On Saturday, it was non-existant while the Canucks depth rose to the challenge. Pearson had a career-high four points (2+2) while Josh Leivo scored for the first time since October 28th. Oh, and we already mentioned Eriksson's first goal in 23 games since March 20th last season and Graovac scoring his second on this call-up from Utica. The Canucks simply could not squander those types of depth contributions. And they made sure they didn't. Saturday was noteworthy because it was the first time all season the Canucks won a game without a goal from any of Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, JT Miller or Bo Horvat. It took 27 games, but Canucks depth carried the night in Edmonton. There will be more nights along the way when the 1164241 Websites top five power play scorers in the NHL (McDavid 21 points, Pettersson and Draisaitl 16 apiece & Hughes 13).

Special teams have played a vital role in the Oilers early season TSN.CA / Canucks vs Oilers Game Day Preview success. They enter tonight’s game with the league’s best power play and the second best penalty kill.

After tomorrow night, the Canucks and Oilers will meet again on Jeff Paterson December 23rd in Vancouver. That means their four-game season series will conclude prior to Christmas. Edmonton beat the Canucks 3-2 on

opening night on October 2nd. EDMONTON – It’s the end of the line for the Vancouver Canucks (12-10- POSSIBLE CANUCKS LINE-UP 4) as their longest road trip of the season winds up tonight when they face the Edmonton Oilers (16-8-3) at Rogers Place. It’s the sixth game of Virtanen-Pettersson-Boeser a six-game trek that started 14 days ago in Dallas. Tonight’s game is also the start of a weekend back to back set against the Oilers with the Miller-Horvat-Eriksson rematch tomorrow night at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Pearson-Gaudette-Leivo The Canucks will look to rebound from a disappointing 8-6 loss in Schaller-Graovac-MacEwen Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The team held leads of 4-2 and 6-3 in the third period, but couldn’t make them stand up as the Penguins scored Edler-Tanev five unanswered goals for the comeback victory. JT Miller and Adam Gaudette each scored twice while Elias Pettersson and Jake Virtanen Hughes-Myers added singles. Thatcher Demko allowed seven goals on 39 Pittsburgh Benn-Stecher shots. Markstrom Miller has scored in back to back games and three of the team’s last four contests. He leads the Canucks with 12 goals on the season followed by POSSIBLE OILERS LINE-UP Pettersson with 11. Quinn Hughes had his second three-assist game of the road trip on Wednesday and his third in the 25-games he has played Draisaitl-McDavid-Kassian this season. Khaira-Gagner-Neal

The Canucks are 2-3 on the road trip after losses in Philadelphia and Nygard-Sheahan-Archibald Pittsburgh. They have been outscored 20-15 in those five games. More concerning is the fact they have been outshot 186-128 including 74-39 in Granlund-Haas-P. Russell the two games in the state of Pennsylvania. Nurse-Bear The Canucks have scored six goals in two of the games on the road trip (6-3 at Nashville and 8-6 at Pittsburgh), but have allowed six -- or more -- Klefbom-Jones goals in two of the games as well (6-1 at Dallas and 8-6 in Pittsburgh). K. Russell-Larson After an 8-3-1 October, the Canucks are 4-7-3 in November. Smith Jacob Markstrom was tabbed to get the start in Pittsburgh, but was ill and served as the back-up. He has recovered and will get the call in goal TSN.CA LOADED: 12.01.2019 tonight. He has delivered victories in each of his past two games (in Nashville and Washington). He made 32 saves against the Capitals in his last start last Saturday afternoon. In addition to inserting Markstrom, the Canucks are expected to make a line-up change up front with Loui Eriksson replacing Nikolay Goldobin. Eriksson is expected to join Bo Horvat and JT Miller on a line designed to match-up against the Oilers top scorers.

Veteran defenseman Jordie Benn will appear in his 500th NHL game tonight.

The Oilers are back in action after a 4-1 loss in Colorado on Wednesday that wrapped up a five-game road trip. Jujhar Khaira gave Edmonton a 1- 0 lead, but the Avalanche rolled from there. Mikko Koskinen made 46 saves as the Avs held a 50-20 edge in shots on goal.

The league’s top two scorers – Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid – were held off the scoresheet in Denver. Draisaitl tops NHL scoring with 48 points (16+32=48) and sits a single point ahead of McDavid (18+29=47). Along with James Neal and his 14 goals, the Oilers have three of the top 10 goal scorers in the league this season – the only team that can boast that. Ten of Neal’s 14 goals have come on the power play.

Edmonton will be without Burnaby’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins this weekend. He had underwent a minor surgical procedure this week to repair a hand injury and is expected to miss 7-10 days.

The Oiler line-up features three former Canucks: Zack Kassian, Sam Gagner and Markus Granlund.

After serving as the back-up the past two games, veteran Mike Smith returns to the Oilers net tonight. He won his last start last Saturday in Las Vegas making 25 stops in a 4-2 Edmonton win.

Tonight is a match-up of the most power play goals in the NHL (Canucks with 28) against the top power play in the league by percentage (Edmonton 32.0%). The Oilers are even more potent on home ice where their power play is running at 36.4%. Tonight’s game features four of the