SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 11/5/2019 1159995 Ducks injured right wing Ondrej Kase nears return to 1160027 3 takeaways from the Blackhawks’ 3-2 OT win over the lineup Ducks, including Adam Boqvist looking like he’s here to s 1159996 Steel gets confidence with points, Manson talks injury, 1160028 Alex Nylander, an NHL regular at last, providing surprising Getzlaf’s big night and more Ducks notes consistency for Blackhawks 1160029 San Jose faces Chicago, aims to break home slide 1160030 How living with a Blackhawks goalie and his family helps 1159997 Den's Digest: Coyotes top Oilers in overtime for another Nylander thrive road win 1159998 Arizona Coyotes recall forward Michael Chaput from AHL Tucson 1160031 Avalanche home game vs. Predators to be broadcast 1159999 Diaper dandy: Coyotes equipment manager babysat locally as Altitude TV negotiations linger with Comcast, Dis Flames star 1160032 Avs prospects Shane Bowers and Martin Kaut try to ride 1160000 A builder at heart: Dave Tippett is back in his element in out early growing pains 1160033 Is the Avalanche’s forward depth as strong as advertised? 1160001 Brad Marchand keeps Bruins rolling with a 5- night, 1160034 Columbus Blue Jackets bemoan poor starts at home and other observations 1160035 Blue Jackets veterans say losses offer lessons for 1160002 Cameron Hughes makes NHL debut for Bruins against younger players Penguins 1160036 Blue Jackets falling short of goals 1160003 Big night for Brad Marchand in Bruins win over Penguins 1160037 A passion beyond pucks: Blue Jackets’ Seth Jones is a 1160004 Bruins blow lead, surge back to topple Penguins budding art collector 1160005 Bruins notebook: Brett Ritchie returns after brief infection scare 1160006 Bruins have high hopes for Cam Hughes 1160038 Stars recapturing style that makes Dallas a postseason 1160007 Bruins pregame notes: Penguins up next threat 1160008 Bruce Cassidy offers thoughts on Cameron Hughes' NHL 1160039 Stars recall defenseman Joel Hanley as an Andrej Sekera debut insurance policy 1160009 Talking Points from the B's 6-4 win over the Penguins: 1160040 Shap Shots: What do NHL scouts say about the Stars’ Marchand refuses to lose resurgence? 1160010 Bruins record 10-game point streak for third consecutive season 1160011 NHL Highlights: Bruins recover to beat Penguins 6-4 1160041 Detroit Red Wings destroyed, Jimmy Howard pulled in soft behind Marchand's two goals 2nd period of 6-1 loss 1160012 Charlie McAvoy leaves ice after hitting head on goalpost, 1160042 Detroit Red Wings' Steve Yzerman makes prospect sweat Bruce Cassidy thinks it's just a cut with weed questions 1160013 Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak extend respective point 1160043 Detroit Red Wings look awful. What has gone wrong, and streaks on Marchy's nifty who bears blame? 1160014 Bruins' David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand can extend 1160044 Game thread: Red Wings plowed by Predators, 6-1 historic point streaks Monday 1160045 Predators explode in second period, prolong Red Wings' 1160015 Bruins rookie Cameron Hughes set to make NHL debut slump Monday vs. Penguins 1160046 Red Wings say accountability still exists amid losing spell 1160016 Why the Bruins don’t haze the ‘first-year players’ 1160047 Disastrous second period sinks struggling Red Wings 1160017 ‘It’s like poetry in motion’: The that elevated the 1160048 Red Wings try to regroup after lost weekend Bruins’ power play into a work of art 1160049 Predators score 5 in second, beat Red Wings 6-1 1160050 How the first 15 games have shifted expectations for the Red Wings 1160018 Lawrence Pilut gets call to add to Sabres defense depth 1160019 Sabres revel in arrival and first workout in Stockholm 1160020 Day One in Sweden is no ordinary practice for Sabres 1160051 Draisaitl playing his way into a share of Edmonton Oilers 1160021 Sabres expecting lots of homeland love as they head to top billing Sweden 1160052 Coyotes take a bite out of Oilers in battle of Pacific 1160022 Five things to look for during the Sabres’ two-game series Division foes against Tampa Bay in Sweden 1160053 Edmonton Oilers Game Day: Dave Tippett to face former team Flames 1160054 A builder at heart: Dave Tippett is back in his element in 1160023 Game Day: Arizona at Calgary Edmonton 1160024 Less cola, more minutes … Flames goalie Rittich proving 1160055 Lowetide: Can Leon Draisaitl score more than 50 goals he can handle workhorse role this season? 1160025 Diaper dandy: Coyotes equipment manager babysat Flames star Matthew Tkachuk 1160026 Hurricanes’ Jaccob Slavin ‘undressed’ but unfazed after Nico Hischier goal for Devils 1160056 Drew Doughty marks homecoming with discussion of 1160091 Flyers showing trust in 19-year-old ; Carter shortcomings Hart to face Hurricanes 1160057 LeBrun: Committed Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar 1160092 Flyers teen Joel Farabee on track to clear a financial remain key to rebuilding Kings’ plans hurdle 1160058 On his 35th birthday, Dustin Brown reflects on leading with 1160093 Now we know why Flyers are trying to keep Sean a ‘different perspective’ Couturier out of faceoff circle 1160059 ROY RESPONDS AFTER “PRETTY DIRECT” MEETING; 1160094 Future Flyers Report: Prospects Cam York, Morgan Frost COACHING IN CANADA VS CALIFORNIA; TOFFOLI showing why they can climb 1160060 ADMIRABLE PATHS TO TUESDAY’S GAME FOR 1160095 Philly gov't shows off new voting machines with sports- MUZZIN, THE SHORE BOY centric candidates 1160096 Flyers prospect WATCH: Nick Schultz finding his way in the development world 1160061 Minnesota takes on Anaheim on 3-game losing streak 1160097 Why the Flyers are keeping the faith with a struggling 1160062 Despite road woes, Wild excited to get away Travis Sanheim 1160063 Wild-Anaheim game preview 1160064 After a slow start, Wild veteran Eric Staal starting to get back on track 1160098 Empty Thoughts: Bruins 6, Penguins 4 1160099 Penguins lose Kris Letang in wild loss to Bruins Canadiens 1160100 Bryan Rust takes over Patric Hornqvist’s spot on 1160065 Stu Cowan: Canadiens add beef up the middle with recall Penguins’ top line of Poehling 1160101 Brian Dumoulin’s status uncertain for Penguins’ game vs. 1160066 What the Puck: Canadiens' on-ice leaders should learn a Bruins little French 1160102 Penguins forward knows he needs to 1160067 Canadiens Notebook: Ryan Poehling takes Jesperi produce more Kotkaniemi's spot 1160103 First Call: Steelers’ Mike Tomlin on Le’Veon Bell trade 1160068 Rocket Rundown: Ryan Poehling gets call to NHL with a talk; Did Seahawks look at Antonio Brown? little help from his friends 1160104 Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Steelers’ win over Colts, 1160069 Melnick’s weekly GBU: A successful road trip with many Penguins’ Patric Hornqvist’s injury standouts and a few, recurring negatives 1160105 Tim Benz: Penguins goalies consistent in up-and-down first month 1160106 All-Star defenseman Kris Letang leaves Monday's loss in 1160070 Every day he's shufflin': Peter Laviolette switches up Boston with an injury Predators lines, team responds 1160107 Shaky goaltending costs Penguins game in Boston 1160071 Catfish Corner newsletter: Hat tricks, hat treats, new 1160108 Penguins rookie John Marino scores first NHL goal in contracts and more 'special' Boston homecoming 1160072 Predators take home 6-1 win against Red Wings, score 5 goals in second 1160073 How will Roman Josi’s megadeal impact the Predators’ 1160109 Can Radim Simek help save the Sharks’ season (again)? roster? 1160110 Why Radim Simek's return can help spark Sharks' defensive turnaround 1160111 Sharks recall defenseman Radim Simek from conditioning 1160074 Devils practice lines: Jesper Bratt doesn’t skate; Nico assignment Hischier, Jack Hughes flipped 1160112 Radim Simek set to return to the Sharks amid familiar 1160075 Why Devils’ power play has found sustained traction circumstances St Louis Blues 1160076 Isles to make Barclays season debut amid 9-game 1160113 (Updated) Jake Allen searching for rhythm in backup role winning streak with Blues 1160077 Islanders, on a nine-game win streak, continue to 1160114 The great debate after Blues rally to win: Was it goalie confound NHL analytics. How are they doing it? interference or not? 1160115 Laila Anderson feted by Blues' foes before weekend game 1160116 Fourth line is first in line during Blues' win streak 1160078 Rangers let Brady Tkachuk torment them in worst way 1160079 Rangers showed the wrong kind of fight versus Senators 1160080 Rangers collapse against Senators in rude awakening 1160117 The Lightning are set to experience Stockholm. First 1160081 Rangers’ Adam Fox is acing his NHL learning curve practice, then sleep. 1160082 Rangers’ defensive resurgence can last with youth 1160083 Postgame analysis: NY Rangers flustered by Senators despite two points from Kaapo Kakko 1160084 NY Rangers projected lineup: Third straight start for Alexandar Georgiev vs. Senators 1160085 Rangers' two-game win streak ends in loss to lowly Senators 1160086 Alternate Marc Staal a healthy scratch for third straight game 1160087 Youthful Rangers fail to manage their emotions or their approach to games 1160088 Pageau and Tkachuk power the Senators to impressive comeback win over the Rangers 1160089 GAMEDAY: Senators versus Islanders 1160090 GAME DAY: Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers Maple Leafs Websites 1160118 Jason Spezza knows his place on the Maple Leafs – and 1160147 The Athletic / DGB weekend power rankings: Just how he’s honoured to have it worried should Maple Leafs fans be right now? 1160119 Maple Leafs invite young fan to weekend game after viral 1160148 The Athletic / Coming out: What will it take for the first gay tweet of lonely birthday party player to come forward? 1160120 Jason Spezza keeps taking things a day at a time with the 1160149 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Hockey nicknames are Leafs, knowing those days could be limited broken. Here’s how we fix them 1160121 NHL game preview: Los Angeles Kings at Toronto Maple 1160150 The Athletic / The rituals that Sidney Crosby won’t Leafs discuss: An old jock strap, sweat-stained hats and the 1160122 Leafs forward William Nylander expected the offence to McD come this season but he’s still waiting 1160151 The Athletic / NHL Culture: How we’ll take The Athletic 1160123 Maple Leafs likely to have Tavares and Muzzin back readers ‘Inside the Room’ against Kings 1160152 The Athletic / Wheeler: Preliminary ranking for the 2020 1160124 Leafs' Spezza on roster spot: 'It's a different challenge, but NHL Draft’s top 62 prospects nobody is better than the game' 1160153 .ca / Oilers undone after being forced to endure 1160125 Tavares assures media, coach that taking extra time was Coyotes' 'boring' approach beneficial for injury 1160154 Sportsnet.ca / 'A lot of good memories': Maple Leafs' 1160126 Muzzin, a hit in Babcock's eyes, set to return for Leafs Muzzin to face Kings for first time against Kings after brief absence 1160155 Sportsnet.ca / Can Elias Pettersson be best 5th overall 1160127 Eddie Shack has advice for today's Maple Leafs centre drafted in last 30 years? 1160128 TRAIKOS: L.A. Kings' Drew Doughty done talking about 1160156 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Ryan Poehling back where he other teams, focusing on winning belongs after big-league call-up 1160129 Muzzin fit for Kings, Tavares' status to be determined for 1160157 Sportsnet.ca / Why the slapshot is becoming a lost art in Leafs' next game on Tuesday today's fast-paced NHL 1160130 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY KADE': Leafs give massive love to 1160158 Sportsnet.ca / Kyle Bukauskas Notebook: Why Brendan young fan with birthday blues Gallagher became a better net-crasher 1160131 Maple Leafs need to clean up their act 1160159 Sportsnet.ca / Drew Doughty: Winning teams need 1160132 Monday Morning Leafs Report: Who’s playing more this 'all-around hockey from everyone' season, ’ final hurdles, Mitch Marner’s Octob 1160160 TSN.CA / Slumping Leaf Nylander aims to get back on track against Kings 1160161 TSN.CA / nearing return to full health 1160144 Canucks have two starting goalies, only one net? Zero 1160162 TSN.CA / New Jersey Devils dealing with a goaltending problem dilemma to start 2019-20 season 1160145 Willie back to winning in WHL, but will that get ex-Canucks 1160163 USA TODAY / Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman makes coach back to the NHL? prospect sweat with pot-smoking questions at pre-draft 1160146 Five reasons the Canucks could be an elite offensive team interview 1160164 USA TODAY / Detroit Red Wings look awful. What has gone wrong, and who bears blame? 1160133 Fleury back, Alex Tuch remains day to day for Golden Knights Jets 1160137 Morrissey focused on making plays; not worried about mistakes 1160134 At age 30, Capitals center Lars Eller sought to learn to 1160138 Beaulieu, Ehlers cringe after watching Ottawa rookie's skate again frightening collision 1160135 Nationals ride Zamboni shirtless, party with Capitals 1160139 Big Buff saga takes uncongenial turn 1160136 Jakub Vrana named NHL's second star of the week after 1160140 JETS GAME DAY: Jets looking for third straight win vs. scoring five goals in two games Devils 1160141 JETS NOTEBOOK: Beaulieu on track for season debut 1160142 Roslovic gaining trust of Jets coach 1160143 Are the Jets starting to find traction? 5 observations from their recent road trip SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1159995 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks injured right wing Ondrej Kase nears return to lineup

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | PUBLISHED: November 4, 2019 at 3:23 pm | UPDATED: November 4, 2019 at 3:25 PM

IRVINE — Ondrej Kase joined the Ducks for their practice on Monday at Great Park Ice, less than 24 hours after they played their fifth consecutive game without him, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in which they could have used his scoring touch and relentless energy.

Kase indicated he’d like to play in Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Wild at Honda Center, but Ducks coach said no decision on the right wing’s availability would be made until after the medical staff huddled to gauge his progress.

“I feel pretty good,” Kase said. “Every day has been better.”

The Ducks have missed him since he suffered a bruised jaw in a center- ice collision with the Dallas Stars’ Roope Hintz in an Oct. 24 game at Dallas. The team initially feared he had suffered a concussion, but that turned out not to be the case.

Kase had one goal and four assists in 11 games before he was hurt, providing scoring depth behind the Ducks’ go-to line of left wing Rickard Rakell (three goals, six assists), center Adam Henrique (eight goals, one assist) and right wing Jakob Silfverberg (seven goals, five assists).

“Energy, right?” Eakins said. “I always believe energy is contagious. You see him in practice. He’s out there and he’s got a smile on his face. He loves playing hockey and he competes at it. I think that rubs off on you. We are missing that in our lineup. We are missing him, and his ability to score.”

PENALTY PRONE?

The Ducks have averaged a little less than 10 minutes per game through the season’s first 16 games. They have been short-handed 59 times and been on the power play 40 times, following a trend that extends back many years and has troubled more than one coach.

Eakins said he planned to talk to the Ducks about steering clear of the penalty box, but when he discussed the matter with the rest of the coaching staff after Sunday’s game, he was persuaded to save it for another day. He took a closer look at the Ducks’ first-period infractions and wasn’t as upset.

Josh Mahura prevented a likely goal when he took a hooking penalty at the side of Ryan Miller’s net. Nick Ritchie tried to make a simple clearing pass when he accidentally sent the puck over the glass. Hampus Lindholm was trying to play the puck when he tripped Alex Nylander.

In hindsight, those were forgivable penalties.

“I’m not sure it’s fair to them to tell them to stay out of the box,” Eakins said of deciding against addressing the issue with the players. “One is a guy (Ritchie) trying to make a safe play and the other (Lindholm) has got two hands on his stick and going for the puck, and the guy (Nylander) falls over.

“Do we need to stay out of the box? We do. But (Sunday) night was an outlier.”

Eakins said he had no issue with Mahura’s penalty. It was the right call and the right play.

“That’s probably the only time we do want to take a penalty – to save a goal,” Eakins said.

JONES RECALLED

The Ducks recalled left wing Max Jones from their AHL team, the San Diego Gulls. He had one point, an assist, in 12 games with the Ducks before he was sent to the Gulls on Saturday. He was scoreless in San Diego’s victory over the on Saturday.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 11.05.2019 1159996 Anaheim Ducks way. Not much has changed. I just got to play my game. Things will come around.”

Manson being patient with injury Steel gets confidence with points, Manson talks injury, Getzlaf’s big night Some players won’t look at a video replay of the moment they suffered a and more Ducks notes significant injury on the ice. Josh Manson had no problem with it. He wanted to see just how his left knee was impacted in a collision when he met with up Dallas forward Jason Dickinson along the sideboard during By Eric Stephens Nov 4, 2019 an Oct. 24 game.

“It was just an unfortunate accident,” Manson said. “I make that play how many times a game. All it was, was my foot just caught on the outside of ANAHEIM, Calif. — Points are not everything in Sam Steel’s game. But his foot. And then as he was cutting back, he just kind of sunk into my they’ve played a big part in it. knee. Since my foot was trapped there, it just was a quick little jolt on it to He has been good at producing them. In his huge 2016-17 season with the inside. I felt it right away before I even hit the boards.” the ’s , Steel had 131 in 66 games The news he received on his knee injury left him in much better spirits and added another 30 in 23 playoff contests. He totaled another 83 that he originally feared. An MCL sprain will put him out for several points in a 54-game follow-up for the Pats even though they weren’t as weeks. Ducks general manager Bob Murray said last week it would be a potent of a squad in his final junior season. And then the Alberta native minimum of five and a maximum of 10. But it wasn’t the disaster scenario turned pro and compiled 41 points in 53 AHL games before racking up 13 of a tear, particularly to an ACL that would have put the defenseman out in 16 playoff contests. for the season. The points haven’t come nearly as easily at the NHL level. Steel is Manson is still wearing a soft cast and walking around on crutches. But seeing defenses play him tougher, especially as he moves into an he is able to walk around and start up on rehab work. “I got some everyday position with the Ducks as a top-nine center after a strong freedom,” he said. “I can drive.” audition late last season. The space to make plays in the offensive end isn’t as plentiful because these games matter to his team and those he Going forward, the key for Manson’s recovery is balance, making sure faces, unlike the contests last March and April when Anaheim was the ligament gets the proper amount of time to heal itself and dealing with already out of the playoff picture. Players are competing for wins and his strong inner desire to return to the lineup as soon as possibly can. He points. knows he has to lean on the former.

On Sunday, the Ducks lost 3-2 to Chicago on Patrick Kane’s quick “You just trust the doctors, right?” Manson said. “Trust our doctors. Trust overtime goal from Jonathan Toews. It wasn’t the first time the Toews- our staff here. That they have your best interests at heart. They know Kane connection burst Anaheim’s bubble. It probably isn’t the last, even how to balance it for when you can return and it’s not going to affect you as that dynamic duo ages. They just did what they’ve often done to the long term. And trying to get you back to help the team as quickly as Ducks, which is beat them. possible. There is a fine line there. Part of it is going to be me and knowing how my body feels. Just having them not put all the stress on it, All was not lost in the loss. The Ducks overcame a two-goal deficit, I guess, to make sure that I come back at the right time.” created a of great scoring chances that could have resulted in a comeback win and gained another point as they head toward the The worst thing would be to come back before it is fully healthy and play midpoint of a season-long seven-game stretch at home. They’re 6-1-1 at at a level at which he’s hurting the team instead of helping. Especially at Honda Center. his premium position, which usually is the top defensive pairing with Hampus Lindholm. More importantly, the game may help keep the 21-year-old Steel feeling like his work has a payoff. He was part of both Anaheim goals and got a “Exactly,” Manson said. “You don’t want to come back and then it’s a literal benefit, with assists to go on his season ledger. The two points nagging thing for the rest of the season, either. If it takes an extra week marked his first multi-point effort of the season and were one fewer than so that the rest of the season you’re at 100 percent rather than 90 he totaled in his first 11 games. percent, that’s a big difference. If that extra week is needed, then that’s what we’re going to take. At the same time, I’m a competitor and I want “Points are always great for a player’s confidence,” Ducks coach Dallas to get back to playing and I want to come back to help the team. It’s Eakins said. “Especially one like Sam. He was able to do that through his never fun to sit on the sidelines.” junior career. I think it’s something that he really prides himself on. Power play (finally) comes through “He’s a patient kid. He’s also a quick study. I think that’ll do wonders for him.” The Ducks’ continually sagging power play was sitting with a 3-for-39 “success” rate when it got an opportunity to come through in an important Since he’s come up with the Ducks and made his way in the NHL, Steel spot Sunday. With Chicago clinging to a 2-1 lead as the six-minute mark has had the appearance of someone whose play is beyond his years. His of the third period neared, Toews took a second straight slashing minor. hockey sense has long been lauded. But the adjustment to full-time duty isn’t always linear. The offensive production has been more of a trickle The power play finally delivered on that opportunity. Nick Ritchie finished than a steady flow but he is handling it like someone who is much older off a sharp passing play with a clean wrister that beat Blackhawks goalie than a rookie. Robin Lehner, who made several big stops to keep the game tied in a stellar 35-save effort. “It’s a long season,” Steel said. “Law of averages will pay out if you do the right things. I’m not freaking out too much. Just trying to do the right “Obviously, it’s no secret the stats say the power play has struggled,” things. I think I’ve played some pretty good hockey. It’s just sometimes Ritchie said. “I think lately we’ve been getting some more looks and more the numbers don’t show up. zone time and some better chances. Some of the goalies have been good. Tonight, we found a way to get one by him. “Like I said, law of averages usually pays out. If you’re not scoring, you want to be effective in some other way too.” “Power-play goals are big in this league. They scored both theirs on the power play so if we can get that going, it can give us a better chance to For a period of time, Steel was credited with his first goal of the season. win for sure.” But it was determined — correctly — that ’s point shot struck a Blackhawks defender in front and that Steel did not get his stick On this particular advantage, the Ducks gained the attacking zone and on it for a tip. It was Gudbranson’s first goal with Anaheim after being won the puck battle necessary to keep the puck alive. Cam Fowler and acquired from Pittsburgh. Ryan Getzlaf played catch along the blue after Ritchie got the puck to Fowler. Fowler then moved the puck to Steel, who gathered it and zipped But the Ducks don’t appear to be too worried. Steel said he hasn’t had a pass across the slot to Ritchie. veterans come up to him to keep his spirits up. It’s not needed. “That’s definitely how you draw it up,” Ritchie said. “It’s not always that “When a guy’s not getting a ton of points or whatever, you don’t want to easy. It’s nice to see it go in.” talk different to them,” Steel said. “You’re kind of getting in their head that Anaheim’s four power-play goals are the second-fewest in the NHL. Only Ottawa has been more dreadful with just two scored on the man advantage. Eakins has tried to take a more patient approach.

“We’re trying to take a deep breath there and not shake up those units,” he said. “Give them some time together and let them try to jell. Which is hard to do sometimes. But they had some chances earlier. And then finally for one to break through with them is obviously encouraging.”

Getzlaf’s milestone night

Sunday’s game was a milestone one for Getzlaf as the 15-year Ducks star was recognized for playing in his 1,000th regular-season game during the first television timeout. His wife, Paige, and their four children were in attendance along with his parents, Steve and Susan, and brother, Chris.

The big center eventually stood and waved to the announced 15,576 in attendance. The crowd gave him a warm ovation, with most of it ultimately standing.

“It was great,” Getzlaf said. “I’ve been here a long time. It was a very warm welcome. A little emotional during the game. Little bit embarrassing. I’m not very good at those things. It was great to see the family and stuff and everybody here.”

The Ducks are expected to officially honor Getzlaf during a ceremony before Tuesday’s home game against Minnesota.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1159997 Arizona Coyotes

Den's Digest: Coyotes top Oilers in overtime for another road win

Richard Morin, Arizona RepublicPublished 9:54 p.m. MT Nov. 4, 2019 | Updated 11:54 p.m. MT Nov. 4, 2019

The Coyotes picked up their eighth win in their past 10 games with a 3-2 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

Oilers captain Connor McDavid opened the scoring with a goal on the first shot of the game, but the Coyotes quickly responded with a goal by Michael Grabner, which also came on the Coyotes' first shot of the game.

The Coyotes took a 2-1 lead when Carl Soderberg fought for a loose puck in the neutral zone and willed it into the offensive zone before roofing the puck over Oilers Mikko Koskinen.

But the high-octane Oilers offense could not be contained long as Zack Kassian tied the game at two goals apiece when he deflected a shot past Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper at 15:19 of the third period.

Almost the entirety of the game's momentum was with the Oilers when the game moved to overtime, but Coyotes center Nick Schmaltz was able to find teammate Derek Stepan for the winner at 2:01 of the extra period.

Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper, fresh off his 17th career shutout on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche, stopped 26 shots in the win.

Although the Coyotes were 0-for-3 on the power play, they were a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill against an Oilers man-advantage that entered play Monday with the NHL's second-best conversion rate at 28 percent.

The skinny

The score: Coyotes 3, Oilers 2 (OT).

The streak: W2.

The record: 9-4-1, 19 points.

The 82-game pace: 53-23-6, 112 points.

The standings: Tied-3rd in Pacific.

The player: Jakob Chychrun.

The moment: Derek Stepan's goal at 2:01 of overtime.

The number: 5 — The Coyotes have earned a point in five consecutive games at Rogers Place (3-0-2).

View from the press box: After the Coyotes surrendered the lead in the third period, it did not feel like the Coyotes would be leaving Edmonton with 2 points. But they did. For the most part, the Coyotes played solid defense against the likes of McDavid and Draisaitl but as a result didn't have a ton of offensive output on Monday. Still, the Coyotes were able to find a way ahead on the scoresheet.

Song of the night: “Escape” by Our Last Night.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1159998 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Michael Chaput from AHL Tucson

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

NOVEMBER 3, 2019 AT 12:13 PM

The Arizona Coyotes have recalled forward Michael Chaput from the AHL Tucson Road Runners.

In nine games with Tucson, Chaput has registered 5-1-6 and four penalty minutes.

The 27-year-old out of Montreal, , has played in 250 AHL games, recording 98-138-236 and 268 penalty minutes.

He also won the 2016 AHL Calder Cup with the Lake Erie Monsters.

The 6-foot-2 Chaput has also appeared in 167 NHL games as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks and .

In his NHL career, he has six goals and 16 assists in addition to 76 penalty minutes.

Chaput was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round of the 2010 NHL Draft.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 11.05.2019 1159999 Arizona Coyotes for our children,” Keith said. “Matthew had a big head, too, so he was a big target.”

The Coyotes have allowed plenty of kids to run around their locker room Diaper dandy: Coyotes equipment manager babysat Flames star in recent years, including goalie Mike Smith’s sons Aksel, Ajax and Matthew Tkachuk Nixon, Marty Hanzal’s son, Marty Jr., and Nik Hjalmarsson’s son, Theo, but it is hard to imagine a team allowing kids on the bench the way the Coyotes used to do.

By Craig Morgan Nov 4, 2019 “I grew up in a hockey environment and the first team I played on in Buffalo, the owners tried to make it feel like a family environment,”

Schoenfeld said. “You end up learning more about your teammate and Back in the early days of the Ice Den, you could exit the Coyotes locker caring more about your teammate when you meet his wife and kids. room, turn left into a short hallway, head out a door and down a short “If any player wants to introduce his children to the hockey family, I think embankment to the parking lot. This was before the Coyotes moved west it strengthens the entire unit. And being a father, any parent that wants to Glendale, before Mountainside Fitness had moved in, before the RJM their kids with him, I think it’s a wonderful thing and I am certainly not rink existed and before the Coyotes’ current locker room was built in the going to stand in the way of that. Fortunately for Stan, I don’t remember reconfigured facility. him changing a diaper. Nor do I remember anything coming off his hands Had you ventured out that door, you might have encountered a number onto the equipment he was working on — and I would have remembered of sights. The first Coyotes coaches — Don Hay, and that.” Bobby Francis — often conducted their media interviews outside in the Matthew was just 3½ years old when the Coyotes traded Keith to St. perfect Arizona weather. Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin could sometimes be Louis. Brady wasn’t quite 2, so neither has any memories of their time seen smoking a cigarette off that same porch. And if you got there well around the Coyotes; just the stories they have been told. before practice, you might have spotted Chantal Tkachuk, wife of captain Keith Tkachuk, handing off one, and later two precious packages at the “When you say you grew up in a rink people think, ‘Oh, yeah, your dad side door. played but you didn’t really grow up there,’” Matthew said. “No, I literally grew up in the rink. Even in St. Louis, I think my dad pulled me out of “At first, it was Matthew, but later, it was both boys,” Chantal said of her school certain days so I could go to the rink. sons, Matthew and Brady, who play for the and Ottawa Senators, respectively. The Coyotes will play the Flames at Scotiabank “Looking back, I’m so grateful I got to do that. There is a reason I have Saddledome on Tuesday. wanted to play in the NHL since a young age. I was there so much and I loved the lifestyle, the passion, everything these guys showed me and “Right from the get-go, I would drop them off in their pumpkin seats when the relationships I built.” they were little babies,” Chantal said. “I remember sending Matthew along with Brady in a pumpkin seat. I remember Matthew going in as a The Wilsons and Tkachuks have been friends since the Winnipeg days baby, too. I would go to the side door of the rink, knock on the door, before the team relocated to Arizona. Stan’s wife, Shelly, helped Chantal somebody would open the door, I dumped off the diaper bag, dropped off raised the boys and the Tkachuks’ daughter, Taryn. Even after the the package and I would run — fast.” Tkachuks moved to St. Louis, they would visit Arizona every spring break until the boys’ hockey schedules got too complicated. A very young Matthew Tkachuk. (Courtesy of the Tkachuk family.) “The past few times I have gone to Arizona to play the Coyotes, I have While Chantal used the next hour and a half for glamorous tasks such as had dinner or gone out to the ranch and hung out with Stan and his grocery shopping and family-related errands, Keith would let Matthew run whole family,” Matthew said. “It’s so much fun telling the old stories. The amok in the dressing room until it was time to head out to practice. Once way their grandkids are now, that’s how I was when I was in Arizona. It practice began, however, equipment manager Stan Wilson assumed the has come full circle. Everyone knows that some of my dad’s favorite dual role of trainer and daycare operator, along with his cohorts Chris people and best friends are the trainers, and Stan is right at the top of Scoppetto, (now with the New Jersey Devils) and Tony DaCosta (now that list.” with the Minnesota Wild). Wilson shrugs when asked about his unusual daycare role for the “They terrorized the place when they were able to,” Keith said of his Tkachuk boys. boys. “And they made more of a mess for Stan and the other guys, but you know Stan. You really have to work hard to piss him off.” “It was a different time,” he said. “I was the same age as the players at that time and we were a close bunch. Chantal and Shelly spent a lot of Wilson insists the boys were low maintenance. time together. Keith and I were friends. He wanted to bring the boys to “You did what babysitters do,” he said. “We would put on a kids show in the rink. It was no big deal.” the equipment room and put them in front of the TV while we worked. In Keith disagreed. those days, it was probably Bugs Bunny — it was that long ago. It was a normal daycare. We had all the same stuff.” “At the time, you appreciated it,” he said. “Now you look back and think, ‘Are you kidding me?’ What a tremendous person. He’s like a brother to When it came time to use the most essential ingredient in the diaper bag, me and we spent so much time with them. I was so lucky to have friends however, Stan used that crisis as a teaching moment for his preteen son, that were willing to help out like that. He’s a big part of the reason I had Denver. success on the ice. “During practice, if somebody has an accident, it’s got to be cleaned up “Without trainers, I don’t know what players would do. They’re the best so we’d end up changing some diapers,” Stan said, laughing. “If Denver and most valuable people in an organization and they’re way underpaid. I was there I’d say, ‘You go ahead.’” love Stan and I miss him — him and his Wranglers.” The first time Denver changed a diaper, he was ill-equipped. The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 “Matthew was a big kid,” Denver said, his eyes widening. “He was shitting like a man. They were man-sized turds from a 3-year-old kid so I just grabbed some medical gloves and a mask, cleaned him up, put a little baby powder in there, put on the new diaper and he was good to go.”

Matthew’s favorite activity was watching practice from the players’ bench. Chantal said that even as a toddler, the only things he would watch on television were Teletubbies and hockey, so Wilson equipped Matthew with a helmet and pads to keep him safe.

“I’m glad he had a helmet on because the way some of our guys would pass or not be able to catch a pass, it could have been very dangerous 1160000 Arizona Coyotes fans here that was something I hadn’t experienced and I thought it would be fun to see what it would be like.”

The man who parted ways with the Coyotes on the eve of the 2017 NHL A builder at heart: Dave Tippett is back in his element in Edmonton Draft in Chicago wasn’t the same passionate guy who had arrived for his job interview eight years earlier with a backseat full of innovative ideas and two deep pockets of determination. He had grown weary of the constant relocation rumors. He had become frustrated by multiple By Craig Morgan Nov 4, 2019 ownership changes; sickened by distasteful ownership foibles. He had grown numb to the litany of empty promises. He had grown impatient with skill-deficient rosters. He was no longer interested in his recurring From the day Dave Tippett walked away from the Arizona Coyotes, role as a crimeless Sisyphus. Bitterness, anger and an understandable through his year as a senior adviser for Seattle’s coming expansion desire for control were clouding his coaching. franchise, to the day he accepted the head coaching job with the Edmonton Oilers, he remained in constant contact with Jim Playfair. “You fight that fight for so long and you’re just tired,” he said. “You’re going through another ownership change and another unsure direction. It Tippett spent six seasons on the Coyotes bench with Playfair as his was just time for me to take a break.” associate coach. The two worked untold hours behind the scenes to extract results from a skill-starved roster, and they enjoyed plenty of Rest wasn’t the only producer of perspective for Tippett. He spoke to hours socializing along with their wives, Wendy Tippett and Roxane business people and learned applicable lessons. He spoke to a Playfair. psychologist to gain a better understanding of what motivated people. And he watched hockey. Lots of hockey. As Tippett laid brick after brick of Seattle’s foundation, Playfair kept asking him simple questions. “As a coach, you’re always stealing ideas all over the place but you’re always looking for the next idea to try to get ahead, too, because “We’d meet up at his house in Silverleaf (Scottsdale), go for supper at a everybody pretty much knows what everybody else does now with all the restaurant with our wives, sit in his clubhouse or have breakfast at one of video that’s available,” he said. “There’s not many secrets out there so The Good Egg locations,” Playfair said. “There was a block of time where how can you find ways to push your group ahead, whether it be Tip was content not to go back and coach. I think he really enjoyed the chemistry or just how you mold your group. process of putting the foundation together for Seattle. “You’re thinking about things you have done in the past, you’re watching “I would always ask him, ‘What’s next?’ and he would say, ‘I’ve got to get how the game is being played, and not just how the game is being played the American League team up and running.’ I’d say, ‘What about after but the conditioning and the sports science behind it. It’s all about how do that?’ and he’d say, ‘I’ve got to hire a GM.’ It came down to the point you maximize the players you have, physically and mentally? There’s a where I said, ‘When you have the American League team up and running lot more that goes into it now than there used to be.” with a staff, and the NHL team up and running with staff, and the coach and GM are doing their thing, where do you get the juice on a day-to-day Tippett is maximizing just about everything in Edmonton through 15 basis? What is going to happen after a win or a loss when you don’t feel games. The Oilers are 10-4-1 despite a long-term injury to key you have the pulse of the team?’ defenseman Adam Larsson and a handful of other injuries. They own the league’s second-best power play and eighth-best penalty-killing unit, they “He looked at me and he started thinking about it.” are playing with trademark Tippett structure, and some false narratives that dogged him during his days in Arizona have been dispelled. That thought process eventually led Tippett to the northernmost location on the NHL map, where he has engineered the league’s biggest early- Through skin-deep analysis, some detractors asserted that Tippett didn’t season surprise. Entering Monday’s game against the Coyotes at Rogers know how to coach offense, but as he did with L.A.’s power play and Place, the Oilers led the Western Conference with 21 points and were Dallas’ forwards, Tippett is meshing perfectly with two of the game’s best third in the NHL standings. The defense-challenged Oilers were also offensive talents — the type of “X-factor players” he never had in seventh in goals against per game at 2.47. Arizona. Draisaitl is second in the NHL with 26 points; McDavid is tied for third at 23. “It’s fun to be back in the game,” Tippett said. “I think it can be renewing when you’ve been out for a little bit. The couple years off was, I think, “It’s not like Tip enjoys playing defensive hockey,” Playfair said. “No really good for me to kind of re-energize.” coach does. It’s a necessary means to create the offense, but when we have done the work in the defensive zone and we have the puck, it’s Tippett has always been a builder at heart. He guided the Houston Aeros absolute freedom. Go play. Go use your skill. Jump up in the play. from the worst record in the IHL in 1995-96 to the Turner Cup in 1999. Defensemen jump in the play. Attack the net, stay in the offensive zone, He turned the Los Angeles Kings’ power play from the NHL’s 24-ranked hold onto the puck, make plays. He’s not making guys chip the puck in. unit (out of 27 teams) in 1999 to the NHL’s top-ranked unit in 2001-02. In It’s not a methodical offensive-zone structure that we play.” his first season as an NHL head coach, he led the Dallas Stars to a 46- 17-15-4 record and a Pacific Division title with 111 points, a 21-point Tippett has also entrusted some of his most important minutes to young improvement over the previous season. In Arizona, he engineered a players such as 22-year-old defenseman Ethan Bear, who is logging three-year playoff streak from a franchise that had missed the 21:13 of ice time per game. That’s a disconnect with the guy whom critics postseason the previous six years. Even in his spare time, he’d revert to claimed didn’t trust young players. building — constructing motorcycles by hand. “When I took the job here they said, ‘Oh, you’re a defensive coach’ and I “There is nothing so small that he puts it to the side,” said former Coyotes told them I got my first head coaching job because I was an offensive goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, who played for Tippett from 2009-11. “He coach,” Tippett said, chuckling. “I ran the power play in L.A. and I was gives attention to even the tiny details, every day and in everything.” hired in Dallas because I was an offensive guy. It’s just a narrative that goes with where you are and the situation you’re in. At some point, however, Tippett knew that the building phase in Seattle would end for him unless he waited until 2021-22 and took the coaching “In Dallas, we always had high skill and high-end talent. In Arizona, we job. That was too long for a man whose two-year coaching sabbatical had a real blue-collar group that had a passion and will to win but we had had given him a new perspective on the game and a renewed fire for it. to do it as a group and combine the skill. We had to do what we had to do to win so you get pegged with different things. “I wasn’t bored in Seattle,” Tippett said. “There’s lots to do there, but the right situation came around so I just felt like it was the right time to jump “It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old. Coaches trust good players so if back in. a player is capable, coaches don’t look at the age. Just because he’s a young guy doesn’t mean you just don’t give him the chance. If he does “The core pieces were here (Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl the job he gets the chance. Ethan Bear, nobody thought he would make foremost among them), working with (GM) Ken Holland was a factor and our team and now he’s playing big minutes.” so was the chance to work in a real passionate Canadian market. I grew up in Canada, but played my whole career in the states and coached my Holland has played a significant role in reshaping the bottom of the whole career in the states. There’s something about the passion of the roster, too. He added former Coyote Josh Archibald (injured), Riley Sheahan (injured) and Markus Granlund to bolster a PK that finished 30th in the NHL last season. He brought in defenseman Joel Persson and elevated Bear from the AHL to improve a suspect blue line. He engineered a lopsided trade with his Alberta rival, sending to the Calgary Flames for wing James Neal, who has 11 goals.

Tippett has even called on an old friend, Mike Smith, to stabilize the goaltending position. Smith played for Tippett in Dallas and Arizona. By accepting a tandem approach with Mikko Koskinen, Smith has stayed fresh in the early going, posting the league’s seventh-best save percentage at .931 (Koskinen is at .922).

“Mike is at a stage in his career where he just wants to win,” Playfair said. “He has probably matured as a veteran leader on and off the ice, and he realizes a two-goalie system is important.”

Fast starts don’t guarantee a playoff berth, for a team that has made the postseason just once in the past 13 seasons, the early returns have lent some street cred to a guy who already had plenty on his résumé.

“We’ve had a good start and we talked about that from day one of training camp that we needed a good start if we were going to be a playoff team,” Tippett said. “Now we’ve got to sustain it.

“It’s a motivated group that really wants to take a step forward. So that part of it, from a coaching standpoint, has been really enjoyable to work with. They want to get better every day and so far … we’ve only had (a couple) where I feel like we didn’t play very well, where we just looked like a real tired group. The other ones, we’ve been very competitive. That’s a good sign.”

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160001 Boston Bruins “At this point of the year, there’s a little of bit of, ‘Let’s see this play out,’ ’’ said Cassidy. “We are in pretty solid position right now, maybe we needed to be kicked in the ass a little, you know, how do our guys respond? Do they sort it out themselves?” Brad Marchand keeps Bruins rolling with a 5-point night, and other observations ■ Earlier in the second, the Bruins moved to the 3-0 lead at 4:22 when David Pastrnak ripped in his league-leading 14th goal of the season. That was enough for ex-Bruin Mike Sullivan, the Pens coach. He yanked starter Matt Murray and sent in Tristan Jarry for what looked like mop-up By Kevin Paul Dupont,Updated November 4, 2019, 11:44 p.m. duty. Soon enough, the Pens were doing the mopping.

■ The Bruins had a 9-6 shot advantage when Marchand popped home Sitting pretty in the early going and poised to coast to their season-high the 2-0 lead at 13:05 of the first period. At the end of 40:00, the Pens had sixth straight victory, the Bruins finished the job Monday night with a the one-goal lead and a 30-16 shot lead. Advanced math: 21-10 Pens thrilling 6-4 win over the Penguins at TD Garden when Brad Marchand advantage over 26:55. Bruins: deep sleep. ripped home his second goal of the night with only 1:57 remaining. ■ Jake DeBrusk’s goal for the 1-0 lead was his second in as many Did someone say coast? Hardly. The Bruins improved their record to a games, the first time this season he has struck in back-to-back contests. sizzling 11-1-2, but not before losing hold of a 3-0 lead in the middle DeBrusk is streaky, and he has been snakebitten around the net this period and having to fight back from a 4-3 deficit. season. Perhaps his 2-in-2 will get his offensive mojo going. Little Louie averaged 22 goals in his first two NHL seasons. Finally, it was Marchand who snapped a 4-4 tie, racing down left wing after collecting a wide shot by John Marino that had a long carom. ■ Marchand popped in the 2-0 lead at 13:05 of the first. It’s no surprise when the LBO’H, with 100 points last season, puts the puck in the net. Marchand galloped up left wing and zipped home a hard snap off the left The surprise was team captain Zdeno Chara making a pinch down the wing that banged in off the far post. left wing wall to force a puck to the net. Big Z picked up a deserved assist, giving him a 1-3—4 line over the last four games. Patrice Bergeron, with help again from Marchand (5-point night), knocked in an empty-net goal for the 6-4 final. ■ The DeBrusk and Marchand goals paced the first period for what looked like an easy 2-0 lead, but it took some sharp work by Halak to Other observations as the Bruins pack for Tuesday’s game in Montreal. keep the Pens off the board. Only 2:59 into the period, the game ■ After blowing their three-goal lead, the Bruins pulled even, 4-4, on a scoreless, Jake Guentzel made a power move out of the left-wing circle Torey Krug one-time laser at 8:14 of the third. The shot was outstanding, for a stuff attempt, the agile Halak holding strong at the left post to keep it but the beauty of the goal was Marchand’s puck control high in the zone, 0-0. finally dishing down to Krug after eluding checks from Evgeni Malkin and “We were very fortunate to capitalize on most of our opportunities and Bryan Rust. Magical mitts. got key saves,” said Cassidy. “Our goaltender [Halak] outplayed theirs — “To be honest, I think I got a little lucky there,” said Marchand. “Malkin that was probably the difference in the game.” kind of caught me off guard, reaching in . . . I tried to get around the next ■ A sure sign of an inconsistent Pens team: they entered the night a guy [Rust] and Torey actually made a really good play, talking to me and mystifying 0 for 19 on the power play over their previous eight games. letting me know he was open. Nice when it works out. But a lot of battles True, an injured Malkin was sidelined for seven of those games, but they I don’t win. And you can always be better in those areas.” still have too much talent in the lineup to be that inept on the man- ■ The Bruins lost back liner Charlie McAvoy with 6:36 left when the advantage. third-year defenseman raced back to try to disrupt a Rust breakaway. ■ Kris Letang, the Pens highest-paid defenseman, coughed up the goal Goaltender Jaro Halak handled the shot to keep the score tied, but the on DeBrusk’s opening strike. He lost it to DeBrusk outside the Pens’ diving McAvoy slid hard into the crease and banged his head on the defensive blue line, then did a poor job of chasing after DeBrusk. Even lower portion of the left post. He needed about 90 seconds to get up off worse, tender Murray fell asleep on the shot, which DeBrusk let go from his knees and finally make his way to the dressing room. deep in the left wing circle. Bad puckhandling boo-boo. Worse Coach Bruce Cassidy offered little information about McAvoy, who netminding. looked woozy as he left the ice. “Definitely feeling a little traction,” said DeBrusk, now with three goals on “It happened so late, I have not gotten an update,” he said. “First thing the season. “It kind of puts the mind at ease. It wasn’t the prettiest of you are worried about is a concussion, obviously, but I think it was just a goals, but I’ll take it — any time that I start kind of feeling like this it’s cut. Krug also got cut. I am going to assume that the worst of the usually a good thing. I’ll just try to keep it rolling and . . . everyone says I damage, some sutures . . . but I’ve got nothing else right now. am a streaky player, so hopefully I am streaking in the right direction.”

■ Unfocused and turnover happy (or sad), the Bruins submitted a Boston Globe LOADED: 11.05.2019 dreadful second period and watched their 3-0 lead turn into a 4-3 deficit. How’d that happen? Above all, poor team-wide defense, allowing the speedy Pens to exploit the middle of the ice.

Down by three goals, the Pens reversed from a near pin with goals by Dominik “Toot” Kahun, Nick Bjugstad, Rust, and ex-Harvard defenseman Marino.

“Second period, I don’t think we did anything well at all,” Cassidy said. “We chased it the whole time. We’ve been on the other side of it — we did it to San Jose and the Rangers. You fight to get the puck back, and when you do, you get it out, change, and you are skating uphill the whole period.”

■ Marino’s goal, to bust the 3-3 tie, came on one of many breakaways, with Marino collecting the puck at mid-ice as he stepped out of the penalty box. McAvoy chased in his vapor trail, but Marino finished with a backhand tuck for the Pens’ first lead of the night.

■ Amid the mayhem of the second period, Cassidy dismissed the temptation to call a timeout, hoping his team would self-correct. One way to snap such a funk, he said, is to string together a couple of strong shifts, ideally through a forecheck that gets the other team on its heels.

Never happened. 1160002 Boston Bruins stay out too long. I knew it wasn’t going to be a long-term thing . . . so I’m glad just to miss the one game.”

Ritchie saw the least ice time of either team Monday (8:51) and was Cameron Hughes makes NHL debut for Bruins against Penguins saddled with a minus-2, though he was credited with four hits.

Future looks bright

By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,Updated November 4, 2019, 11:39 The Bruins had one more pick after Hughes, No. 195, in the 2015 draft p.m. and used to select 6-foot-4-inch center Jack Becker out of Mahtomedi (Minn.) High School.

Now a junior at the University of Michigan, Becker is a teammate of John Cameron Hughes, another member of the Bruins’ 2015 draft class, Beecher, the 6-3 center from Elmira, N.Y., the Bruins selected off the US stepped into the Boston lineup Monday night to make his NHL debut in National Team Development Program in June with the 30th pick in the the 6-4 victory over the Penguins at TD Garden. draft.

Hughes, 23, grew up in Edmonton and was selected by the Bruins with Bruins fans can get a live look at both prospects when Michigan travels the 165th pick in the ’15 entry draft, the same year they used a record to Durham, N.H., this month to face UNH. Both games, Friday Nov. 22 three consecutive first-round picks to draft Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk, and Sat. Nov. 23, faceoff at 7 p.m. and Zach Senyshyn. Net results “Exciting . . . you work your whole life to get this chance,” Hughes said following the club’s morning workout in Brighton. “When I heard the news Jaroslav Halak stopped 40 shots to improve to 4-1-1. Tuukka Rask (7-0- [Sunday] I was pretty excited — I’m looking forward to it.” 1) will get he call Tuesday night in Montreal when the Bruins face the Habs for the first time this season . . . Connor Clifton was back on the Hughes lined up in practice at left wing on the club’s grinding fourth line, No. 3 D pairing with Matt Grzelcyk. Clifton took a seat Saturday, allowing with Sean Kuraly at center and Chris Wagner at right wing. He was called No. 7 defenseman Steve Kampfer to slot in for a second game this up from AHL Providence, where he delivered a 2-4—6 line in 13 games, season . . . Cassidy said Backes, injured in a collision Saturday night with to fill a void left by veteran winger David Backes, who exited Saturday’s Ottawa’s Scott Sabourin, will remain sidelined at least through the Habs win over the Senators with is suspected to be a concussion. game. The Bruins have not said Backes was concussed in his collision, but Cassidy alluded to it Saturday night when he said “Do the math” “Energy guy . . . good motor,” said coach Bruce Cassidy, listing the aftrer first announcing that the veteran winger sustained an upper-body assets Hughes would bring to the lineup. “Should be able to help on the injury . . . Provided there are no detours, Zdeno Chara will play his penalty kill. He did a good job at that [in Providence] and that’s an area 1,500th regular-season game Tuesday night in Montreal. He’ll also stand that we are looking to support with certain guys out [of the lineup].” but 30 games from playing in his 1,000th game with the Bruins . . . The Bruins lately have had a rash of injuries among their forwards, Cassidy said last week that Kevan Miller could begin full contact including the likes of Joakim Nordstrom and Par Lindholm, both of whom practices with the club this week. If so, it will have to be Thursday log time on the PK. because Miller remained in a a red (non-contact) sweater for the Monday morning workout . . . Cassidy on Cehlarik’s return to Providence: “I didn’t Hughes, a second-year pro after playing four seasons at the University of feel he was the best fit [on a fourth line] with Kuraly and Wagner. And Wisconsin, was expected to challenge for a varsity job in September but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t have done it either, if he played a certain was injured in the final rookie game in Buffalo. way. We saw Danton Heinen go through that. And [Brad Marchand] started that way, but that’s just not his game right now so we are not Upright and in a puck scrum along the boards, Hughes was felled when going to force it either.” he was caught in the mouth by a skate blade by an upended Sabres player. He required extensive dental surgery and stitches and also was Shot charts placed in concussion protocol. The Penguins outshot the Bruins, 54-46, the most shots this season by Hughes became the first Black-and-Gold player this season to play in his the Pens and by far the most allowed by Boston. Previous high against first NHL game. the Bruins: 36 two times this season . . . David Pastrnak squeezed off a game-high 10 shots, five of which made it to the net. Justin Schultz also Hughes’s parents, in Portland, Ore., over the weekend to watch launched 10 for the Pens, but only four made it to Halak . . . Brandon Hughes’s brother play, came to Boston Monday afternoon to witness his Carlo landed five smacks for the Bruins. He is getting more assertive in debut. his fourth pro season . . . The Pens owned a slight edge at the faceoff “They’re coming cross the country and they’re very excited — I wouldn’t dot, winning 54 percent of the 56 drops. Malkin proved the difference be here without them so I am really excited that they’ll be able to watch.” maker, winning 8 of his 11 drops. David Krejci lost five of eight . . . Eyesore stat of the night: Sidney Crosby, who didn’t pick up a point, Welcome back finished -4, as did Jake Guentzel. Both of them began the night plus-5 for Ritchie was back in the Boston lineup, and riding a line with Bjork and the season. pivot Coyle against the Pens. Boston Globe LOADED: 11.05.2019 Ritchie missed only one game, sidelined with an infected elbow. The veteran winger offered scant details about the injury following the morning workout.

“It was just like a bruise,” said Ritchie. “Not even a bad one, but it got infected. Sort of came out of nowhere, and I guess it takes a couple of days to settle down.”

It’s possible, based on details provided by Ritchie and Cassidy, that the infection was to Ritchie’s bursa sac.

Nordstrom missed his fourth straight game Monday, and he, too, is dealing with an elbow infection.

Ritchie, who scored the club’s first goal of the season on opening night in Dallas, clicked for a goal and an assist over two games before hitting a three-game scoreless spell prior to the injury.

“I think I’ve been playing well,” he said. “And you don’t want to miss too much time — you can start to lose your timing and game shape if you 1160003 Boston Bruins

Big night for Brad Marchand in Bruins win over Penguins

By RICH THOMPSON | PUBLISHED: November 4, 2019 at 11:07 pm | UPDATED: November 5, 2019 at 12:20 am

Brad Marchand was the central figure in two Bruins rallies in thier 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday night at the TD Garden.

Marchand scored two goal,s including the game winner, along with three assists for his second five-point game of the season. He extended his assist streak to 12 games and points streak to 13, a stretch featuring 10 goals with 18 assists.

“There are nights and this was one of them but you are going to have good nights and you are going to have bad nights,” said Marchand. “You just try to stay even keeled all the time and at this point, it doesn’t matter in this room who has the good night as long as we win.

“They are fun but you don’t expect them to come often, but they definitely make a difference.”

The Bruins appeared in for an easy undertaking when they jumped to a 3-0 lead early in the second period. Jake DeBrusk opened the initial Bruins rally with an unassisted tally at 5:24 of the first.

Marchand put Boston up 2-0 at 13:05 on a goal that looked more like batting practice over at Fenway. Zdeno Chara made a strong play along the boards to keep the puck in the zone and fed David Pastrnak down low, drawing Penguins’ goalie Matt Murray to the near post.

Pastrnak’s feed across the crease was tipped high and floated like a knuckleball just as Marchand emerged from the low slot. Marchand swatted the puck with the lower blade and it sailed past Murray.

Marchand made a pass across the neutral zone to Pastrnak, who ripped it by Murray from the top of the left circle to put Boston up 3-0 at 4:22 of the second.

“You see it go up there and you just start whacking away,” said Marchand. “There are nights when that happens, you get lucky and we’ll take it.”

The Bruins early onslaught created a false sense of security that came crashing down around them for the remainder of the middle frame. The Penguins retaliated with four unanswered goals on beleaguered Bruins goalie Jaroslav Halak to take a 4-3 lead into the third period. The Penguins took advantage of Bruins lapses in the neutral zone and scored three of their four tallies on breakaways.

“We weren’t managing the puck too well and turning it over way too much, especially against a team like that,” said Marchand.

Marchand started the Bruins third period rally during a four-on-four situation. He made a strong play at the blue line to keep the puck in the zone and located Torey Krug below the right circle. Krug one-timed Marchand’s feed from a bad angle and tied the game 4-4 at 8:14.

Marchand put Boston ahead at 18:03 on a play that began with a forced a turnover in the neutral zone. He crossed the blue and fired a shot from the top of the right circle that hit the far post. Goalie Tristan Jarry inadvertently back swiped the loose puck into his own net to assist on Marchand’s 10th of the season.

“I knew it hit the post and everyone started cheering so I thought it was in,” said Marchand. “But when I circled the net I saw it was still bouncing around in there but it was one of those lucky plays that bounces your way.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160004 Boston Bruins “We weren’t managing the puck very well,” said Marchand. “We turned it over too many times, especially against a team like that. They have a lot of skill, can’t give them easy opportunities, which is what we were doing.”

Bruins blow lead, surge back to topple Penguins It only got worse from there.

The Bruins power play generated nothing late in the second, and Charlie McAvoy got tripped up without a call on their best chance. John Marino By MARISA INGEMI | PUBLISHED: November 4, 2019 at 9:38 pm | got the puck out of the penalty box and the Easton native scored his first UPDATED: November 4, 2019 at 10:37 PM career goal on a breakaway with two seconds left in the frame to put the Penguins ahead 4-3.

During a 4-on-4 with 11:46 left in the third, the Bruins knotted things up. It wasn’t the Bruins best performance. Marchand made a strong effort to keep the puck in the offensive zone In fact, Monday night included arguably the worst period of Bruins hockey and found Krug at the bottom of the circle, who ripped in his second goal on the young season. of the season. In the end, though, even with a three-goal lead blown, even with allowing Charlie McAvoy helped stop another shorthanded Penguins breakaway 44 shots and seemingly endless breakaways, the Bruins earned two in the third, but collided with the post and was down for a few moments points and their sixth straight win with a 6-4 victory over the Penguins. before skating off on his own, but he didn’t return. Krug also went off a They can thank Brad Marchand; the B’s winger won a puck battle to get it few minutes later, being pushed backwards into the post on an Alex to Torey Krug to tie it in the third, and then he scored the game-winner Galchenyuk shot that went in the net but was waved off. that bounced every which way before crossing the goal line. Krug returned shortly after, just before the Bruins went ahead. “You just try to stay even keel all the time,” said Marchand. “It doesn’t With 1:57 left, Marchand ripped the shot off Jarry’s glove and it hit off the matter in this room who has a good night as long as we win, we’re all post, then Jarry’s back, and into the net. Bergeron sealed it with 13 happy. Every guy in this room is as happy as the next. (Five-point seconds left with an empty net goal. games) are fun to be a part of but you don’t expect them often. But they’re definitely nice.” “Their pace was very good tonight, fastest team I’ve seen this year,” said Cassidy. “That’s good for our guys to know, we have to play faster if we How they got to that point, though, wasn’t pretty, even if it began with a want to compete with these teams. We won the game tonight, so 3-0 lead. sometimes that’s a good lesson to learn this time of year. “At this point of the year, there’s a little bit of, let’s see this play out,” said “We have to pick up our pace.” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “We’re in a pretty solid position right now, maybe we needed to be kicked in the ass a little, see how do we play Boston Herald LOADED: 11.05.2019 through it, how do our guys respond, do they sort it out themselves…. Clearly they did between periods.”

Jake DeBrusk, after he scored on Saturday night for just the second time this season, found the net again on Monday to open the scoring.

With 5:24 gone in the first, Kris Letang coughed up the puck at the blue line, directly onto DeBrusk’s stick. The B;’s winger cycled down to the edge of the left circle and snuck a shot past Matt Murray short side to go ahead 1-0.

The top line continued to do its thing later on in the frame against a Penguins defense that was all too welcoming to the Bruins around the slot.

Zdeno Chara pushed the puck to the half-wall to David Pastrnak behind the net, who chipped it forward to Marchand at the doorstep. The winger batted it out of the air and past Murray to go ahead 2-0 with just over seven minutes to play in the first.

Pastrnak, who already notched a point in his 12th straight game with his assist in the first, netted his 14th goal of the year just 4:22 in the second, and it was enough to chase Murray.

Pastrnak entered the zone and let a shot rip on the inside edge of the circle, beating the Pens goalie short side for a 3-0 lead. Murray allowed three goals on just 11 shots from the Bruins before being relieved by Tristan Jarry.

The Pens answered with their first tally just over a minute later. A blast from the point by Justin Schultz took a weird bounce off the boards to Jared McCann, who found Dominik Kahun in front of an open net to make it a 3-1 contest.

Defensive breakdowns did the Bruins in during the second. First, it was Nick Bjugstad on a breakaway with 9:56 gone in the frame. The Pens center got behind the B’s defense and flipped it past Halak.

With four minutes left in the second, Bryan Rust knotted things up 3-3. Evgeni Malkin slid a pass to the Penguins winger, who beat Sean Kuraly and then wristed it past Halak for a new game.

The Penguins outshot the Bruins 16-3 during the stretch since the Bruins went ahead 2-0; one of those shots was Pastrnak’s goal, but the differential wore them down. 1160005 Boston Bruins

Bruins notebook: Brett Ritchie returns after brief infection scare

By MARISA INGEMI | November 4, 2019 at 8:00 PM

The Bruins need more right wing depth than ever, and Brett Ritchie returned to the lineup Monday night against Pittsburgh to cure some of those woes.

Ritchie, who had started to get on a bit of a roll for the first time since joining the Bruins, was dealing with an infection that caused him to miss Saturday night’s game.

As it turned out, it wasn’t an infection from a cut like it was that’s been keeping Joakim Nordstrom out for over two weeks.

“It was a bruise, not even a bad one, but somehow got infected,” Ritchie after the morning skate. “It came out of nowhere, but I guess it takes a couple days to settle down. … I knew it wasn’t gonna be a long-term thing. It was just sort of day-by-day how it was reacting and I’m glad I only missed the one game, a couple days.”

Ritchie slid back in alongside Charlie Coyle, and the two of them had been building up some chemistry before Ritchie was shelved.

“We’re both big guys, play a similar style, try to hold onto the puck and try and win battles,” Ritchie said. “Pretty simple, straight line. We know we have some speed on our wing with (Anders Bjork), so that should work well, I think. Coyle’s one of the best puck-protecting guys you’re gonna see in the league. You can read off him well. The simpler we are, the more battles we win, the harder we are to play against.”

Work to do

Winger Peter Cehlarik was sent back to Providence before Monday’s game, with Cameron Hughes making his NHL debut in his lineup spot, and he left the Bruins with a lot still to be desired.

Cehlarik, who played in just three games this time around, has had a couple of NHL stints now without things coming together, and coach Bruce Cassidy‘s expressed frustration with the lack of development of his game on numerous occasions; the latest send-down is just the latest example, with them feeling Hughes could do some things better, at least for now.

“It doesn’t mean (Cehlarik) couldn’t have done it if he’d played a certain way,” said Cassidy. “We saw Danton Heinen do that and a number of guys go through that. That’s how (Brad Marchand) started years ago. It’s just not his game right now, so we’re not going to force it on him. If he was able to adapt a little more then maybe we’d put him in more. At the end of the day, we liked the penalty killing side of it with Hughes.”

That’s kind of been the theme on Cehlarik from the start for Cassidy, who is still hoping the Czech winger can show a bit more.

“Certainly, Peter’s capable of more,” said Cassidy. “I thought the puck found him a little more the other night. He didn’t make plays. If he’s gonna stay up here and that’s the type of game he’s gonna bring, then he’s gonna have to have some level of production. If he does that, then he probably gets a longer look, so that’s kind of our discussion this morning.”

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Bruins have high hopes for Cam Hughes

By MARISA INGEMI | PUBLISHED: November 4, 2019 at 4:35 pm | UPDATED: November 4, 2019 at 7:28 PM

Seven Bruins made their NHL debuts last season.

Cameron Hughes is the first in 2019-20.

The Bruins, down a forward with David Backes on the mend, recalled the 23-year-old ahead of Monday’s game with the Penguins. He was slated to skate with Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner on the fourth line in his first NHL game, which seemed like a natural fit; he replaced Peter Cehlarik, who was sent down to Providence earlier in the day.

There’s a lot the Bruins like about Hughes game, and Monday was their first chance to see him on the NHL stage.

“He’s an energy guy,” said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. “Good motor. He should be able to help us on the penalty kill. He did a good job (in Providence), so that’s an area we’re looking for him to support with some guys out. He’ll be a fit with Kuraly and Wagner because he plays a straight-line game. He’s just a guy that will get on pucks and give you everything he’s got, so he should add to whatever line he’s on and be a good fit for a bottom-six role.”

Hughes stood out to the Bruins ahead of training camp as a guy they believed could have a shot at being in the NHL this season, but his camp was cut short after he took a skate to the face at the Prospects Challenge tournament in Buffalo.

That derailed his start, but he went to Providence and has performed well, with six points in 13 games, earning an NHL look when they needed a call-up.

“Obviously it’s really exciting. You work your whole life just to get this chance,” said Hughes, who missed much of NHL training camp this fall after taking a puck to the face. “I’m looking forward to it tonight. I’m going to do the things that I was doing well in Providence and just try to do them here. I’m not going to try to do too much. I’ll do what I’m comfortable doing and hopefully I have some success.”

Hughes, who is from Edmonton, said his parents were in Portland, Oregon, to watch his brother in juniors, so they took the cross-country trip to watch Hughes in his first NHL contest.

A sixth-round pick in 2015, Hughes played his first full professional season last year in Providence after graduating from Wisconsin. He’s risen through the ranks rather quickly, as far as his standing within the organization, and the Bruins were notably excited about him before he got hurt during this preseason.

He already has some of the routine down, with a handful of training camps and rookie camps of experience, to know the systems. He’s played on Garden ice before, too, in the preseason.

The only new thing is playing in an NHL contest for the first time.

“At the end of the day, it’s still hockey, so it’s the same game,” he said before the game Monday. “I’ll definitely be nervous. I think that’s natural, but I’m also really excited. So I’m looking forward to getting out there.”

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Bruins pregame notes: Penguins up next

By MARISA INGEMI | November 4, 2019 at 12:26 PM

There’s not much to complain about for the Bruins right now.

In their second straight week of three games in four nights, they look sharp, even with some absences from the lineup. In their past four games, the Bruins have been the better team nearly throughout. They shutout the Blues before decimating the Rangers and Sharks, then put up a five spot on the Senators.

The Penguins have had a rough go as far as keeping guys healthy; they have nearly everyone back in time for Boston, giving the Bruins one of their tougher challenges before they have to play in Montreal tomorrow night.

“They’ve had some injuries, but kept it afloat,” said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. “Power play is very good, not finishing. Still dangerous creating chances, just not putting the puck in the net. We have to be careful not to be fooled the number isn’t as high as it typically is. Goaltending again is strong, so not a lot has changed with the way they play. They play fast, they execute.”

It’s been a mixed bag for the Bruins over the years with the Pens, going 1-2 last season after 2-1 the year before. The Bruins are surging in one direction, and the Penguins looking to get back on track.

They haven’t been able to see their full team yet, so this is a good measuring stick for them with what they have against the hottest team in the NHL.

For the Bruins, it’s perhaps a little more difficult than what their slate has given them of late, especially with another game tomorrow night on the road.

Game notes

David Backes (upper body) is out for Pittsburgh and Montreal.

Brett Ritchie returned after missing Saturday’s game with an infection to a cut that didn’t heal properly. He was matched with Charlie Coyle’s line during morning skate.

Cameron Hughes is set to make his NHL debut after being recalled in place of Peter Cehlarik, who filled in the past two games.

Joakim Nordstrom, Par Lindholm, and Karson Kuhlman remain out of action with their injuries, keeping the Bruins shorthanded at forward.

Jaroslav Halak (3-1-1) starts in net.

About the Penguins

The Penguins (8-5-1) have dropped four of their last six games, most recently an overtime loss to the Oilers on Saturday.

Even with some notable absences in their lineup, the Penguins have put up seven goals in a game four times this season, and their 47 goals are still 11th in the NHL. Their defense, too, has been solid with just 33 goals allowed, the fifth fewest in the league.

The Penguins power play has been surprisingly average, at just 14.2 percent, in the bottom third of the league. Their penalty kill, however, at 85 percent, is the ninth best in the NHL.

Sidney Crosby leads the way with 17 points, while Jake Guentzel leads the team with seven goals. Evgeni Malkin has been out of the lineup, but is expected to be in in Boston.

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Bruce Cassidy offers thoughts on Cameron Hughes' NHL debut

By Jacob Camenker November 04, 2019 11:07 PM

The Boston Bruins were able to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins by a final score of 6-4 on Monday night. And during the game, Cameron Hughes made his NHL debut.

Hughes was selected in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Bruins. He has played parts of the past three seasons with the and during a full season in 2018-19, he totaled 13 goals and 15 assists in 52 games.

Joe Haggerty's Talking Points from Bruins vs. Penguins

This season, Hughes had two goals and four assists through 13 games, which prompted his call-up. And after the game, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy seemed impressed with Hughes' work ethic on the ice.

"[He] worked hard, good stick," Cassidy said to reporters. "It was a good, working game. He learned some lessons about how to be strong on the puck. In the neutral zone, there were a couple of loose plays that were just some of the stuff Bjork had to learn. But I liked his game."

This is a solid endorsement of Hughes and one that he deserved. During the contest, Hughes logged 9:53 of ice time and had two blocked shots, tied for the overall team lead and tops among forwards. He didn't log a shot attempt and finished with a minus-1 rating.

The Bruins play again on Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens. We'll see if Hughes ends up in the lineup again as the B's continue to deal with injuries and illnesses that are leaving them shorthanded.

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Talking Points from the B's 6-4 win over the Penguins: Marchand refuses to lose

By Joe Haggerty November 04, 2019 11:10 PM

GOLD STAR: Brad Marchand refused to lose in the third period. He was Boston’s best player throughout the game and played an instrumental role on both the game-tying and game-winning goals in the third period. Marchand fought off Bryan Rust at the top point and fed Torey Krug for a one-time bullet that tied the game in the third, and then Marchand scored the game-winner on a snipe off the far post that bounced off the back of Tristan Jarry and then trickled over the goal line with less than two minutes in the third period. Marchand finished with two goals and five points, was a plus-4 and led all Bruins with 24:21 of ice time. Marchand and Jaro Halak were the two big reasons that the Bruins won the game.

BLACK EYE: Charlie McAvoy exited the game in the third period after the side of his head banged into the post following a head-first dive to break up a scoring play. McAvoy immediately covered his head and blood started pouring all over the ice before he skated off under his own power eventually. It was obviously a concern that McAvoy might have suffered a concussion given his history over the last few seasons, but Bruce Cassidy believed postgame that the issue was more to do with the cut on the back of his head than any concussion issues. Minutes later Torey Krug exited the game as well with a cut under his chin, but appeared to be okay afterward and spoke to reporters following the game.

TURNING POINT: The Bruins were outshot 21-6 in the second period and gave up four unanswered goals, and it looked like this was going to be the evening when it wasn’t their night. The defense was breaking down, the speed of the Penguins was stifling the B’s and their best players couldn’t win enough battles to get the puck back in the offensive zone. But rather than pack it in after clearly relaxing once they built a 3-0 lead, the Bruins got back to work in the third period and made enough plays to tie the game, get the game-winner from Brad Marchand on a beautiful long distance shot and then pop in the empty netter to secure the win. They were still outshot 14-10 in the final period, but made enough plays to win the game.

HONORABLE MENTION: Jaroslav Halak gave up four goals and was still one of the biggest positive factors for the Bruins in the win. He ended up making 40 saves and backstopped a Bruins team that was outshot 44-26 by a speedy Penguins team that simply kept coming at them in waves, and overwhelmed them in the second period while outshooting the B’s by a 21-6 margin. But Halak stood tall through the onslaught even if his temper got the best of him when he snapped his stick at the end of the second period, and finished strong while stopping all 14 shots that he saw in the final period of play.

BY THE NUMBERS: 13 – the number of consecutive games with points for Brad Marchand, who is now on the longest point game streak of his entire NHL career while putting together his second five point game of the season.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “We just, we weren’t good enough. They were faster than us. [Pittsburgh’s] pace was very good tonight, the fastest team I’ve seen this year. So that’s good for our guys to know that we’ve got to play faster if we want to compete with these teams. We won the game tonight, so that’s sometimes a good lesson to learn this time of year.” –Bruce Cassidy on the second period and lessons learned in the comeback win against Pittsburgh.

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Bruins record 10-game point streak for third consecutive season

By Jacob Camenker November 04, 2019 9:52 PM

The Boston Bruins have been hot to start the 2019-2020 NHL season. And after Monday night's win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, they officially reached another significant statistical milestone.

Over the course of the past 10 games, the Bruins are 8-0-2, meaning that they have logged at least one point in 10 consecutive games.

According to the NHL PR Twitter account, that is the third consecutive season in which the Bruins have achieved a 10-plus game point streak.

And only two teams in the past decade have matched the success that the Bruins have had year to year, also per NHL PR.

This achievement is a feather in the cap for Bruce Cassidy, who simply knows how to get the most out of this Bruins team. Their ability to sustain high-level play for long periods of time certainly speaks to his leadership as well as the talent the Bruins have had over the course of the past three seasons.

The Bruins will look extend their point streak to 11 games on Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens. They still have a ways to go if they want to match their 19-game streak from last season.

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NHL Highlights: Bruins recover to beat Penguins 6-4 behind Marchand's two goals

By NBC Sports Boston Staff November 04, 2019 9:28 PM

FINAL SCORE: Bruins 6, Penguins 4

IN BRIEF: Brad Marchand's second goal of the game - this one with 1:57 left in the game - helped give the Bruins a 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night after the B's had blown a 3-0 lead in the second period. BOX SCORE

BRUINS RECORD: 11-1-2

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Charlie McAvoy leaves ice after hitting head on goalpost, Bruce Cassidy thinks it's just a cut

By Jacob Camenker November 04, 2019 9:24 PM

Charlie McAvoy left the ice with an apparent injury during the Boston Bruins' Monday night game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With 6:36 remaining in the third period, the Bruins were on a power play when the Penguins got a breakaway opportunity. On the play, Charlie McAvoy skated back to try to deny the opportunity, but in doing so, he slipped and crashed into his own net.

On his way into Jaroslav Halak's goal, McAvoy banged his head on the goalpost. He was briefly down on the ice clutching his head and was attended to the Bruins' training staff.

McAvoy was able to skate off under his own power, but he went straight into the locker room.

After the game, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy provided a positive update, as he thinks McAvoy's injury is just a cut, per 98.5 The Sports Hub's Ty Anderson.

We'll keep an eye on McAvoy, but if the injury is, in fact, just a cut, he could have a chance to suit up for the Bruins on Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens.

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Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak extend respective point streaks on Marchy's nifty goal

By Jacob Camenker November 04, 2019 8:01 PM

The Boston Bruins' first line has gotten off to a great start this season. And that continued on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the first period with the Bruins already up 1-0, Brad Marchand was able to net a nifty goal. On the play, he batted a puck that David Pastrnak had tipped into the air into the back of the net.

Here's a look at the play from Marchand that extended his point streak to a career-high 13 games and Pastrnak's to 12.

Marchand would later return the favor to Pastrnak. He gave Pastrnak a cross-ice feed four and a half minutes into the second period and Pastrnak converted to light the lamp for the Bruins. It was Pastrnak's 14th goal of the season, which leads the NHL.

When things are going right, they're certainly going right. And that has been the case so far this season for the Bruins' Perfection Line.

The trio of Marchand, Pastrnak, and Patrice Bergeron had combined for 64 points before Monday night's game. Comparatively, the rest of the Bruins' team combined had 57 points. Their scoring output has been so strong and the unit has done a lot to get the Bruins off to a great start this year.

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Bruins' David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand can extend historic point streaks Monday

By Dave Green November 04, 2019 12:56 PM

Take a quick look at this season's NHL points leaders and it's easy to see why the Bruins are off to a 10-1-2 start, equaling their best 13-game start in franchise history.

David Pastrnak is tied for the league lead with 13 goals and his 27 points are tops in the NHL, while Brad Marchand 's 23 points are tied for the third-most in hockey.

And while they're scoring in bunches — each player has a five-point game to his credit this season — they've also been remarkably consistent for a Bruins offense that ranks sixth in the league.

Pastrnak (13-14-27 over his last 11 games) can tie the longest point streak of his career with at least one point Monday night against the visiting Penguins. He would also become the first player in 14 years to average at least two points per game through his team's first 14 games of the season.

"He is on another level right now," said Marchand when asked about Pastrnak. "His ability to make plays... He's just seeing things that other guys just could never see."

Meanwhile, Marchand's point streak sits at 12 games entering Monday's contest, and he has a chance to join Phil Kessel and Adam Oates as the only Bruins with a point streak of at least 13 games in the last quarter- century.

The offense might not come easy Monday night, however. Pittsburgh is allowing just 2.36 goals per game, tied for the fourth best mark in hockey. (Of course, the Bruins lead the league, allowing 2.00 goals per game.)

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Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.05.2019 Bruins rookie Cameron Hughes set to make NHL debut Monday vs. Penguins

By Joe Haggerty November 04, 2019 12:21 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass. — Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy had hinted that the Bruins might be digging into Providence for a fourth line, energy-type player, and they did just that on Monday, calling Cameron Hughes up to Boston for his NHL debut.

The 2015 Bruins sixth-round pick will be suiting up on Boston’s fourth line tonight vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins in place of injured David Backes, who will be out for the next few games with an upper body injury. The 22- year-old Hughes will be the first Bruins player making his NHL debut this season after Jakub Zboril, Connor Clifton, Jeremy Lauzon, Urho Vaakanainen, Trent Frederic, Karson Kuhlman and Zach Senyshyn all debuted for the Black and Gold last year.

To make room for Hughes on the roster, the Bruins are quickly shipping Peter Cehlarik back to Providence after clearly not loving his game in each of the two NHL call-ups he’s received this season.

“He’s an energy guy. Good motor. He should be able to help us on the penalty kill. He did a good job [in Providence] so that’s an area we’re looking for him to support with some guys out,” said Cassidy. “He’ll be a fit with Kuraly and Wagner because he plays a straight-line game. He’s just a guy that will get on pucks and give you everything he’s got, so he should add to whatever line he’s on and be a good fit for a bottom-6 role.

“It doesn’t mean [Cehlarik] couldn’t have done it if he’d played a certain way. We saw Danton Heinen do that and a number of guys go through that. That’s how [Brad Marchand] started years ago. It’s just not his game right now, so we’re not going to force it on him. If he was able to adapt a little more then maybe we’d put him in more. At the end of the day, we liked the penalty killing side of it with Hughes.”

Heinen making bigger impact in top-6 role

For Hughes, he will get PK work and fourth-line duties and will hope to build off a solid start in Providence where he had two goals and six points in 13 games and has 15 goals and 38 points in 65 games over the last two AHL seasons. He’ll also get to play in front of his parents in his NHL debut — as the Edmonton natives are flying in from Portland, Oregon — and against his youngest brother’s favorite NHL player, Sidney Crosby, while debuting against the Penguins.

“Obviously it’s really exciting. You work your whole life just to get this chance,” said Hughes, who missed much of NHL training camp this fall after taking a puck to the face. “I’m looking forward to it tonight. I’m going to do the things that I was doing well in Providence and just try to do them here. I’m not going to try to do too much. I’ll do what I’m comfortable doing and hopefully I have some success.

“At the end of the day it’s still hockey, so it’s the same game. I’ll definitely be nervous. I think that’s natural, but I’m also really excited. So I’m looking forward to getting out there.”

Other than Hughes getting into the lineup and Brett Ritchie returning after missing a few games with what he called “a bruise that somehow got infected”, Connor Clifton draws back in for Steve Kampfer and Jaroslav Halak will get the nod after two straight starts for Tuukka Rask. Here are the Bruins projected line combos and D-pairings based on Monday’s morning skate:

PROJECTED FORWARD LINES

Brad Marchand Patrice Bergeron David Pastrnak

Jake DeBrusk David Krejci Danton Heinen

Anders Bjork Charlie Coyle Brett Ritchie

Cameron Hughes Sean Kuraly Chris Wagner

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS

Zdeno Chara Charlie McAvoy 1160016 Boston Bruins Challenge in Buffalo, N.Y., Hughes experienced a lot of discomfort during the rehab process. Chara, who broke his jaw during Game 6 of the final against the St. Louis Blues last spring, approached Hughes during training camp and gave the young player a box of leftover Why the Bruins don’t haze the ‘first-year players’ protein shakes to help keep up with his nutrition.

“That just goes to show you that he truly does care about everybody in the lineup, everybody all the way through,” Hughes said. “It’s a pretty By Joe McDonald Nov 4, 2019 cool culture they’ve got built, and it makes it easier.”

Chara’s message goes beyond the professional ranks. As a young hockey player growing up in Czechoslovakia and later in With the high school hockey season quickly approaching and many Slovakia, Zdeno Chara was hazed and bullied. Acts occurred that he schools already holding captains’ practices, these players should heed does not want to discuss in detail, but he decided then that he would Chara’s advice and actions, because humiliating a younger player could never treat anyone in a similar fashion — ever. have a lasting effect. That’s one reason Bruins newcomer Cameron Hughes did not skate a “It’s not necessary,” Chara said. “It’s better and easier to share good lap or two on his own at the start of the pregame warmup Monday night, moments than remembering certain people for the rest of your life by something that has become a rookie ritual on many teams in the NHL. certain acts they did to you. It goes a long way if you’re just a good Not in Boston. As funny, juvenile or harmless as it may seem, Chara person and helping someone instead of being a guy that uses his believes it’s unnecessary. leverage over a young player or young person in the wrong way.” “I’ve been through some stuff and had to do certain things as a young Chara is proud of the culture he’s helped create in Boston, and the player, and I didn’t like it,” Chara told The Athletic. “Right then I made up captain hopes it continues after he’s no longer playing. my mind if I was ever in control of that kind of environment and could make a change, I would do it.” “Hopefully the younger players now do the same when they’re older players,” he said. Regardless of age, accomplishments, status or titles, Chara believes in the one-team mentality. The 42-year-old Bruins captain, Stanley Cup The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 winner and future Hall of Famer respectfully describes newcomers as “first-year players.”

“I don’t use the word ‘rookie’ because it just doesn’t sound right,” Chara said. “Little things go a long way and make a big difference for these young men who are trying to stay and establish themselves in the league. If we can help them out in any way, then that’s great.”

Public incidents of hazing have declined across the major sports in recent years, as the culture at large has begun to shift its feelings on the uglier forms of the practice. But in most quarters, the “harmless” types of hazing like the solo skate still persist. The reality is, however, sending a newcomer onto the ice by himself doesn’t help the nerves he’s already dealing with when making his NHL debut before family, friends and thousands of strangers. Chara believes younger players appreciate the professional culture in Boston.

“How can you expect something out of a young player on the ice when you treat him differently off the ice?” Chara said. “I believe in certain acts or behaviors, and it’s a standard for me that we’re not going to be using anything against anyone.”

Once every player in the room buys into that philosophy, it usually translates onto the ice. The Bruins have seen a stream of younger players make their NHL debuts the past few seasons, including Anders Bjork, Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, Matt Grzelcyk, Karson Kuhlman, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Sean Kuraly, David Pastrnak, Connor Clifton and now Hughes.

Entering a new environment, players need to learn what is expected of them, and that’s when leadership can help make that transition relatively seamless.

“You want to help these people so they can do good things for the betterment of the team,” Chara said. “I just believe that’s the humanity of teams.”

Every single player has been treated the same, and that’s one reason the team reached the Stanley Cup final last spring. It’s also why the team is considered a perennial contender.

Hughes, 23, a native of Edmonton, informed his parents of his pending NHL debut on Sunday, and they were in attendance during Boston’s 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday night at TD Garden.

Knowing the culture on and off the ice for the Bruins, Hughes was able to concentrate on the task at hand and not worry about one silly hazing ritual or another.

“Yeah, it’s pretty awesome,” said Hughes, who had to explain to his dad that the Bruins do not participate in any of those ridiculous practices. “They make you feel comfortable, and that’s how it should be.”

Hughes has a great example to follow in Chara — in more ways than one. After suffering a serious facial injury during September’s Prospects 1160017 Boston Bruins players would sometimes occupy the same spot. That’s when penalty killers would jump them.

“I thought he was good at what he did, Ryan, on the half-wall. Don’t get ‘It’s like poetry in motion’: The trade that elevated the Bruins’ power play me wrong,” Cassidy said. “But he wasn’t a guy who wanted to move into a work of art away from there a lot. Unless he went up to the point the odd time and snap a few through if something really wasn’t happening.”

In 2017-18, the power play was average. By Feb. 24, 2018, the Bruins By Fluto Shinzawa Nov 4, 2019 had scored on 37 of 183 opportunities. The 20.2 percent conversion rate placed the Bruins No. 15 in the league. The first unit scored 28 of the 37

goals. Spooner sometimes played on the No. 1 unit. In other games, Torey Krug has two babies: daughter Saylor, born in June, and the No. 1 Danton Heinen took his spot. power-play unit. One day later, the Bruins acquired Rick Nash from the Rangers. Spooner So you can understand why Krug sounds like a proud father, even if it was part of the package that went the other way. Nash arrived in Buffalo pertains to Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak and Jake in time to be the net-front man on the first unit alongside Krug, Bergeron, DeBrusk, his adopted man-advantage offspring. Marchand and Bergeron. The power play went 0-for-4 in the Bruins’ 4-1 loss to the Sabres on Feb. 25. “It’s exciting, because every time you jump over the boards, you know that we have a great chance to score and that you’re going to be a part of That didn’t last. it,” Krug said. “There were times in years past when you don’t feel as Movement is life comfortable and as excited about getting that opportunity. But at this point, even if you’re having a tough game five-on-five — whether it’s me After the Bruins traded Spooner, the power play surged to life to close or whether it’s that top line, they’re not getting anything done — you get out 2017-18. For the final 23 regular-season games, it improved from that power play and it’s like a jolt of energy. It’s like, ‘Oh, here we go!’ We 20.2 percent to 31.6 percent (24 for 76). Because of this run, the Bruins get a chance now. We know we’re going to go over the boards and have finished at 23.5 percent on the season, fourth-best behind Pittsburgh an opportunity to change the game.” (26.2), Toronto (25.0) and Tampa Bay (23.9).

The numbers bear out what Krug sees at ice level. Since trading Spooner, the Bruins have scored 102 times on 369 power- play opportunities. Their 27.6 percent success rate is the highest of any The Bruins have scored on 30.9 percent of their power-play team in that span. opportunities, the highest mark in the league. Last year, the Bruins (25.9 percent) finished No. 3 behind Tampa (28.2 If the Bruins spent all 60 minutes of a game on the power play, they percent) and Florida (26.8 percent). The first unit scored 56 of the team’s would score a league-high 11.07 goals, according to Natural Stat Trick. 65 power-play goals (86.2 percent). The No. 1 unit has buried 10 of the Bruins’ 13 power-play goals (76.9 On the No. 1 unit, DeBrusk has replaced Spooner, albeit in front of the percent). net instead of on the half-boards. Pastrnak (eight goals, two assists) leads the NHL with 10 power-play The 6-foot, 188-pound DeBrusk is not a traditional net-front presence on points. a power play. Goalies can peek around his slender frame. He does not The team has yet to allow a shorthanded goal. excel at tipping pucks. The left wing has zero power-play goals.

It wasn’t always this way. It took a trade to weaponize the first unit. DeBrusk’s strength is puck retrieval. Against San Jose on Oct. 29, DeBrusk engaged Brenden Dillon, four inches taller and 37 pounds Skilled but stationary heavier. DeBrusk disrupted the defenseman’s attempted clear, which allowed Bergeron to settle the puck and set up Pastrnak for the night’s For all of Ryan Spooner’s five-on-five blemishes, be they lightness on the opening strike. Bergeron made Erik Karlsson and Logan Couture, two puck or an unwillingness to engage in battles, he was an asset on the high-end players, look silly. power play. “I used my foot speed to get to an area. Then I put my stick in a spot Spooner, one of the Bruins’ two second-round picks in 2010, saw the ice where I knew he’d have to go through my stick,” DeBrusk said. “He’d well and handled pucks smoothly. Such left-shot playmakers, like Nicklas have to hit my stick, so it wouldn’t be clean. That’s kind of what you try to Backstrom and Connor McDavid, find themselves on the right-side half- do anyways when you’re in that position. Recoveries, it’s never going to wall. be as clean as it can be. Guys are good in this league. They get paid to In 2016-17, Spooner’s final full season in Boston, he had 15 power-play kill penalties. That little play, I just tried to put it right underneath where assists, second on the team to Krug (19). Spooner averaged a team- he was about to slap for the ice where the puck was.” leading 4.35 assists per 60 power-play minutes. It was the 16th-highest Marchand has assumed Spooner’s spot on the half-wall. But only total among players with 200 or more power-play minutes that season, temporarily. just after Kevin Shattenkirk (4.45) and ahead of Shayne Gostisbehere (4.34). Perhaps the most dangerous quality of the first unit is its unpredictability. At times, Krug works the point in name only. The defenseman mans the From the half-boards, Spooner helped run the first unit by bumping pucks right-side half-wall, stretches out the box from the left point and even to Bergeron, feeding Krug at the point or threading cross-ice seam goes below the goal line. passes to set up Pastrnak’s one-timer. Bruce Cassidy even compared Spooner’s man-up skill set to that of Marc Savard, who operated the Marchand rotates up top, flies down the left wing and curls into the high position with a soft and precise touch. Savard recorded 102 of his 212 slot. Pastrnak, who’s also been more active at carrying pucks on his career power-play assists as a Bruin from 2006 to 2011. strong side, has scored from the right post. DeBrusk’s primary task is to retrieve pucks, which stretches his territory all around the net. Bergeron The thing with Spooner, though, was that he preferred to post up on the is the only player who is relatively stationary, taking small steps in every half-boards … and stay there. This led to a static and predictable direction to open seams and improve shooting angles. approach for the entire unit. Opponents had a good idea of where the Bruins’ personnel would set up: Spooner on the half-wall, Krug at the When the first unit is in full flight, it resembles the movement inside a point, Marchand at the net front or right side, Bergeron as the bumper luxury wristwatch, whirring and spinning and rotating in rhythmic, and Pastrnak at the left elbow. Penalty killers are always better served beautiful style. Opponents have no chance when the Bruins can score when they’re compact and positioned as expected in their four-man box. from anywhere on the ice.

The Bruins tried to incorporate some right-side movement. Krug would “It’s definitely loosened up the structure,” Krug said of the evolution from rotate down. Marchand would move up. It didn’t go smoothly. If Spooner Spooner’s time. “When Spoons was there, it was pretty strict. Trying to switched with Marchand, he would get lost in the net-front bustle. When hit seams that maybe weren’t there. You put Jake in there, take out Krug came down, Spooner didn’t automatically rotate up high, and both Spoons and put some guys in different positions, all of a sudden it’s like poetry in motion. Guys are just moving. Most games, when we’re on and that chemistry’s there, it’s a lot of fun to be a part of and a lot of fun to watch. You can tell what’s going to happen two or three passes before it actually happens. I know exactly when Marshy’s going to hit that seam to Pasta, when he’s going to hit it to Bergy, two or three plays in advance. That’s when we’re on and the chemistry’s there.”

This season, Cassidy’s newest wrinkle is making Marchand and Pastrnak free to fly on their strong sides. This negates the threat of the one-timer. But there were occasions last season when Cassidy believed opponents were sitting on Pastrnak’s left-circle sizzler and Bergeron’s quick one- timer. To get the puck to Pastrnak, the Bruins had to take a circuitous route — up top to Krug, then down to the left elbow. It’s not an easy shot to smack.

By giving Pastrnak more leash to handle the puck on the right side, Cassidy has seen the options expand — shot on net, seam pass to Marchand. Mitch Marner did this especially well when the Toronto playmaker was positioned on his forehand in previous years.

“I just think it’s easier to face people and hit that seam if you’re on your forehand side,” Cassidy said. “You don’t have to one-touch it. You can carry it from high to low and find that seam. Just be a little bit more of a threat. Eventually, teams are going to defend us well in that set. So why not try it now when things are going well? And have it in our back pocket so it’s not foreign to us when we do need it.”

The Bruins traded Spooner primarily to acquire Nash as a difference- making No. 2 right wing. Things didn’t work out because of Nash’s career-ending concussion.

But adding to the power play by subtracting Spooner might have a more significant long-term effect. It has helped to create a beautiful blend of skill, thinking, competitiveness, unpredictability and power. The Bruins’ power play is a work of art.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160018 Buffalo Sabres

Lawrence Pilut gets call to add to Sabres defense depth

By Mike Harrington

Published Mon, Nov 4, 2019|Updated Mon, Nov 4, 2019

STOCKHOLM – Lawrence Pilut was having a routine breakfast with his teammates from the Rochester Amerks over the weekend when he suddenly got the call from the Buffalo Sabres. And it was no ordinary call- up.

Pilut was told to head to Buffalo to make the plane for his homeland of Sweden and the Sabres' trip to the NHL Global Series. Pilut has spent the year in the AHL after needing shoulder surgery following last season.

Pilut has one goal and five assists in six games for the Amerks, the same stats he compiled in 33 games with the Sabres last year.

"Of course I wanted to be up there. That's my goal," Pilut said after Monday's workout in Ericsson Globe. "I just have to stick with the process and get into my flow. These last couple of games have been better for me. I want to get to my level and again and get that up. I'm not really thinking about anything out there. Just have fun and play my game."

Because of his surgery, Monday's practice was the first time Sabres coach Ralph Krueger has seen Pilut in action. Pilut is here to give the Sabres eight defensemen depth on the trip and it's not likely he would play in either game.

"He definitely has earned it with what's going on in Rochester," Krueger said. "I haven't been able to see him yet live and it's a good opportunity for all of us to measure where he's at right now and add to the depth that we are excited about on defense. You can see he moves really well on his feet, has good hands, brings a strong spirit with. It's nice to see him aboard."

Sabres revel in arrival and first workout in Stockholm

Pilut got the call in place of Marco Scandella, who remains out with a lower-body injury and has gone on injured reserve. Krueger, however, said Scandella is improving and was close to being ready for this trip.

"He was quite close actually to making it," Krueger said of Scandella. "So we're just continuing to work with him and being careful on re-entry. We don't want to force anybody in who's not 100%."

Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt will compile a daily diary on the trip for NHL.com. In Monday's first installment, he discussed how roommate Rasmus Dahlin has a favorite chain of Swedish candy stores and is ready to visit one as soon as Tuesday.

"I know Ras is fired up about going to the candy store; he's been talking about it for months," Mittelstadt wrote. "I've had quite a bit of Swedish candy now with living with Ras and with his parents and relatives coming in, they always bring a bag. There is this milk chocolate candy in there and it is so good. I love that one."

Broadcast plans have been finalized for both games of the series. Rick Jeanneret and Rob Ray will call both games on WGR Radio off television from Buffalo, doing Friday's game live at (716) Food and Sport and Saturday's game from KeyBank Center. Saturday's game is also an MSG simulcast.

Friday's game is on NBC Sports Network, with and Pierre McGuire calling the game from the network's studio in Stamford, Conn.

Sabres owners Terry and are on the trip and were in the stands watching practice Monday along with General Manager Jason Botterill and his assistants, Randy Sexton and Steve Greeley.

Buffalo News LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160019 Buffalo Sabres of several North American-raised Sabres looking forward to their first taste of Stockholm.

"Obviously, hockey is the reason we're over here, but hockey just gives Sabres revel in arrival and first workout in Stockholm you so many different experiences through your life," Eichel said. "It's given me so much and this is just another one that you have to be so grateful for. You get to travel the world doing something you love. I think it's going to be an awesome week for us, topped by two important By Mike Harrington divisional games." Published Mon, Nov 4, 2019|Updated Mon, Nov 4, 2019 "Guys were a little tired but it was good to go out and have a good time," Johansson added. "Not too serious but we had a good practice still. We want to have a good time, we want to get better, we want to work on STOCKHOLM – To hear captain Jack Eichel tell the story Monday things and we filled all those boxes today." afternoon, Rasmus Dahlin was like any excitable, antsy teenager looking forward to going home. Buffalo News LOADED: 11.05.2019

As one of six Swedish players on the Buffalo Sabres' roster, Dahlin got that chance on an overnight flight Monday and then stepped foot in his home nation's most famous hockey arena for practice. All the Sabres have been looking forward to this trip, but it's a seminal moment for the team's natives of Sweden.

"I've never seen 'Ras' so excited," Eichel said with a laugh. "It seems like he had his bags packed in the car the whole day yesterday and he was ready to go. He was moving us along. He's really enjoying it. It's going to be an awesome experience for them."

"The flight here was super exciting. I could barely sleep," Dahlin said. "We're finally here. It's unbelievable to be here with the team. It feels weird, but it's really fun to see all the guys walking around on the streets to see Swedish stuff. It's fun for me and it's going to be fun for them."

It was off the plane around 10:30 Stockholm time Monday morning, relax for a couple of hours and then to Ericsson Globe, the site of the NHL Global Series games Friday and Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It was a lively 55-minute workout, with the Sabres doing several skating and shooting drills to get their legs moving and then finishing with some cross-rink 3-on-3 at one end of the ice. And the players were far more boisterous than normal during the drills.

Coach Ralph Krueger said he swelled with pride walking back into the arena, where he had coached several times and was in the stands to see his beloved Swiss National Team earn a silver medal in the 2013 World Championship.

"Once we got going, I was very happy to be coach of the Sabres here on the ice in the 'Globen,' " Krueger said. "The guys are feeling refreshed just to get a change of scenery and have a challenge that's rare and special in the . I believe it's going to be a really good week for us here."

About a dozen Swedish reporters and cameramen were on hand to chronicle the workout and talk to Buffalo's natives, and that number is likely to grow quite a bit by the game days.

"It's an amazing experience for the guys from here to come home and play," Eichel said. "I remember going home to Boston for the first time and how special that was for me. For them, it's going to be an unbelievable experience, something really unique. It's awesome. I've never been to Stockholm before. It's a tremendous city and I look forward to seeing some more of it."

Eichel said veteran Marcus Johansson compiled a spreadsheet for his teammates on great sights in Stockholm. The city is a scenic collection of 14 islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea.

"Try the food. Go out there," Johansson said. "There's so much to do. I'm not from here, but I know we're at a hotel by the water. It's really a beautiful city. All the old buildings. ... Everything about it is the whole package."

"A beautiful sunny day today to really see Stockholm at its best on the water where we're staying," Krueger said. "With the light being really good today, that actually helps you on your first day. You could see the energy was high on the ice. They'll fall into bed tired tonight, but we feel good with Wednesday, Thursday being full practice days, something rare in our season."

None of the Sabres' Swedes are from Stockholm but all have visited in the past. Eichel, who played in the 2014 World Juniors in Malmo, is one 1160020 Buffalo Sabres

Day One in Sweden is no ordinary practice for Sabres

By Mike Harrington

Published Mon, Nov 4, 2019|Updated Mon, Nov 4, 2019

STOCKHOLM – There was plenty of hooting and hollering, far more than a normal practice for the Buffalo Sabres. And with good reason. The Sabres made the roughly 4,000-mile trip to Sweden overnight Sunday and were on the ice at the Ericsson Globe for practice just five hours later Monday.

The monotony of practice was nowhere to be seen.

"It's a really cool experience for us to be here," captain Jack Eichel said after the 55-minute workout in the 14,000-seat arena. "... A little bit of jet lag and guys might be a little tired but I thought the energy was really good. Guys were enjoying themselves and we're all trying to soak in this experience as much as possible."

The Sabres play the Tampa Bay Lightning here but the games are not until Friday and Saturday so they will have three practices – but also plenty of time for sightseeing.

"The flight here was super exciting. I could barely sleep," said defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, one of six Swedes on the Buffalo roster. "We're finally here. It's unbelievable to be here with the team. It feels weird but it's really fun to see all the guys walking around on the streets to see Swedish stuff. It's fun for me and it's fun for them."

Coach Ralph Krueger has extensive experience overseas and said he was at first thinking back to his many international games in Sweden before he refocused on the practice.

"Once we got going, I was very happy to be coach of the Sabres here on the ice in the Globe," Krueger said. "The guys are feeling refreshed just to get a change of scenery and have a challenge that's rare and special in the National Hockey League. I believe it's going to be a really good week here."

Krueger said defenseman Marco Scandella (lower body) was close to being ready for this trip before he was put on injured reserve. Lawrence Pilut was called up from Rochester in his place and Krueger said he was looking forward to seeing Pilut work out live for the first time after the rookie had offseason shoulder surgery.

Buffalo News LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160021 Buffalo Sabres The Swedish players will get the bulk of the attention from the fans, just as Jochen Hecht did when the Sabres traveled to Mannheim, Germany, in 2011 for a preseason game before opening their season in Helsinki, Finland, and Berlin. Sabres expecting lots of homeland love as they head to Sweden Fans sang and chanted in support of Hecht, who was injured and unable to play much but skated to the crowd after the exhibition game to acknowledge the cheers. By Mike Harrington "It was a really special feeling and there was a lot of excitement for me to Published Mon, Nov 4, 2019|Updated Tue, Nov 5, 2019 skate around in a Sabres jersey in my hometown," Hecht said when he was in Buffalo last month for the team's Captains Night. "The German fans created a wonderful atmosphere. There was singing and noise for The Buffalo Sabres' 50th anniversary season is about to go global. 60 minutes. My teammates were so excited to see the chant and Pommer (Jason Pominville) came over a couple years later in the lockout The Sabres headed Sunday night for Sweden, where they will spend the to play. He remembered what it was going to be like. week preparing for the NHL Global Series in Stockholm. They meet the Tampa Bay Lightning in games Friday and Saturday, their first "We had Swedes, Finns and they were looking forward to play for their international contests since 2011. team in front of friends and family. It was a special time to play as the Buffalo Sabres, something we all remember. I'm sure it will the same for "It's great for us as a team and an organization," Sabres General the players now." Manager Jason Botterill said. "When we went to the Winter Classic (in 2018 in New York), we certainly enjoyed being on a national stage but in An iconic venue this scenario here, you're representing the National Hockey League overseas. You're going over there and you'll really see how our game The games will be played at the 30-year-old Ericsson Globe, one of has grown the last decade or so." Stockholm's most distinctive sports venues. The world's largest hemispherical building, the Globe seats about 14,000 for hockey and "The closer you get, you talk to people back home and they're so excited features a tram car called Skyview on its outside that allows riders to for us to come," said Sabres center Johan Larsson, one of six Swedes on climb to the top of the sphere for a panoramic view of the city. the Buffalo roster. "I look at it that it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing to come home and play there in the NHL. To play in your home country is going to "For sure. I have to do that," Dahlin said. be unbelievable." The arena has been the home to Swedish National Team games and The Sabres, of course, are now an attraction in Sweden because they those of Djurgardens of the . It is also a popular drafted Rasmus Dahlin at No. 1 overall in 2018. Dahlin's arrival made it concert venue. feasible that Buffalo could be involved in international play, but it was a "It's like Madison Square Garden, a powerful arena," Dahlin said. "You're surprise when the NHL opted to pick the Sabres last March to play in super excited to play there. I've never been able to. My team (Frolunda) Dahlin's homeland in just his second season in the league. played there, but I've been injured or at World Juniors so I didn't get the "I was not even thinking about going back to Sweden and play NHL," chance." said Dahlin, who grew up about five hours from Stockholm. "When I "This really cool for us," Olofsson said. "I've only played one game there. heard it was going to be my second season, I was thinking it was so cool. It's going to be special. It's a classic and famous arena, the most famous It's going to be super fun and I'm really thankful for the decision to send one in Sweden." the Buffalo Sabres over there." A busy week Dahlin and Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman are the headline performers of the trip. But while Hedman is 28 years old and has played The Lightning arrived Sunday after wrapping up a three-game trip to the in the Stanley Cup final, the Sabres are rightfully concerned about the New York City area Friday night in Long Island and got their first practice 19-year-old Dahlin being swarmed by fans and Swedish media. in. The Sabres arrived around 10:15 a.m. Monday Stockholm time (4:15 a.m. in Buffalo), and headed right to the rink for an afternoon youth clinic "He handles it so well, but we'll try to protect him from all the attention and 3:30 p.m. practice (9:30 a.m. Eastern time). when it gets very high," Botterill said. "He's not a person that says no easily and he wants to interact with family and friends and people in the The Sabres will be off Tuesday and Tampa Bay will be off Wednesday. media. Whenever we've asked him to represent the Buffalo Sabres and Both teams will then have public practices in the arena Thursday the NHL, he's always open to do it. But he's going to have a lot going on afternoon. and watching his time management is going to be key this week." The morning skates on Friday will start at 4:30 a.m. Buffalo time. The Love of Sweden games are at 8 p.m. Friday night and 7 p.m. Saturday night in Stockholm, making them matinee starts of 2 and 1 p.m. respectively, back home. The Sabres love Swedish hockey and for reasons far more than Dahlin. Friday's game is on NBC Sports Network while Saturday's game is on They had 11 Swedes in development camp last June. They have drafted MSG, with the Sabres' television crew doing the call from KeyBank seven Swedes under Botterill and 12 over the last six years. Center. "I've always enjoyed traveling over in Sweden. They've done an amazing Both games will be available across North America. Sportsnet is showing job in the development of hockey players, growth of the rinks," Botterill them in Canada while NBCSN and the NHL Network are splitting the said. "Every time you go over there for a tournament, it's done right. It's games in the United States. fun traveling around the country. And for our players from there to get to play in front of family and friends is a special opportunity." "The league sets it up really well for us," Botterill said. "Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, there are opportunities to enjoy the city and be The Sabres have picked up many new fans in Sweden since the drafting with family. Thursday is going to be a fun open practice. Those are things of Dahlin and Victor Olofsson's fast start to this season is adding more. that will a different experience for everybody and our guys will really "Hedman is a huge star in Sweden and to see him on Swedish ice is very enjoy it. big, but it's even bigger with Dahlin," Linus Hogosson, host of Sweden's "The Swedish, Finnish, Czech players have sacrificed so much to get to weekly "NHL Hour" podcast, said by phone from Stockholm. "That's what this point that being able to spend a little bit more time with their families the fans are talking about. It stands out with this game absolutely. It has this week is something special. But once you get to Thursday, Friday, been marketed that way. It has gotten the fans excited for sure. there's going to be a new focus on heading to game day and what we "I don't think people understood how good a rookie season Dahlin had. have to accomplish over there." That's because I think the Sabres fan base is not that big yet, but that's The Sabres' Swedish contingent includes Dahlin, Larsson, Olfosson, changing now. Dahlin for sure, a big star like him will generate new Marcus Johansson, Linus Ullmark and defenseman Lawrence Pilut, who Sabres fans. People follow him and that's going to grow even more with was recalled Sunday from Rochester. Tampa Bay's lone Swede is these games." Hedman, the 2018 Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's best defenseman. His status was cast into doubt when he missed the last two games of Tampa Bay's trip to New York with an upper-body injury suffered in the opening game against the Rangers.

"We're hopeful for the games in Sweden and so is everybody in the country of Sweden," Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said before Friday's 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders.

Cooper was optimistic about Hedman's status after that game, but less so after practice on Sunday.

"I think we are all hopeful, but he is going to have to get on the ice pretty soon if we are going to see him," Cooper told reporters covering the Global Series.

"It is what it is," Hedman said after the workout. "I'll do whatever I can in my power to be back, but I'll just focus on the process and take it day by day.

Hedman and Olofsson are from Ornskoldsvik, an Eastern coastal city more than 300 miles from Stockholm, and trained together over the summer. Ullmark is from Lugnvik, less than an hour away.

"He's obviously a great guy to look up to, and you're trying to catch him in workouts and everything," Olofsson said of Hedman. "He's been a great sparring partner for me. He's been here for a long time and he knows everything."

The NHL in Stockholm

This is the sixth set of NHL games to be played in the Globe, a run that started in 2008 with a season-opening series between Pittsburgh and Ottawa. Other two-game series were held in 2009 (St. Louis-Detroit), 2010 (San Jose-Columbus) and 2017 (Ottawa-Colorado). In 2011, the New York Rangers opened their season against Los Angeles and Anaheim.

"It means a lot to Swedish people," Olofsson said. "It's obviously great for the kids over there to watch this game live. It's hard with the time change. It's not like you can stay up and watch a lot of games as a kid."

By many accounts, the New York Rangers rate as the No. 1 team in Sweden because of the presence of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers roster also boasts Mika Zibanejid, who scored the "Golden Goal" for Sweden in overtime to beat Russia in the gold medal game of the 2012 World Junior Championships in Calgary. Larsson was the captain of that team.

Fans in Sweden closely follow the Vancouver Canucks because of the Sedin twins and current sensation Elias Pettersson, and have long been interested in the Toronto Maple Leafs because they were the club of Swedish legends Borje Salming and .

"San Jose got a lot of new Swedish fans when Erik Karlsson signed there," Hogosson said. "You can get up about 4 a.m. here and watch their games. It's much harder for a team like Buffalo playing at 7 o'clock Eastern time and being at midnight and 1 a.m. here.

"But I've been surprised so many men and women are up during the night watching the game live. I don't know how they manage to do it. The Sabres fan base is small, but very knowledgeable and diehard."

Johansson got the chance to go home last year when the New Jersey Devils opened the season in Gothenburg against Edmonton and knows the Swedish fans will be into the games.

"You're definitely excited about it, but at the same time we're going there to play hockey," he said. "This group wants to get better every night. We practice hard, play hard and don't look too far ahead. We're kind of in the moment, which helps us a lot.

"It's fun, too. It's not often you get to play in front of family and friends. It's going to be a special thing and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it."

Buffalo News LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160022 Buffalo Sabres percent rate all the time, but they’re not a 15 percent (or worse) unit either.

3. How about those new lines? Five things to look for during the Sabres’ two-game series against Tampa For the first time all season, excepting for injuries, Ralph Krueger went Bay in Sweden with new lines in the game against the Islanders. Krueger used Brandon Montour’s return to action and Jimmy Vesey first appearance after he missed four games to move players around. By Joe Yerdon Nov 4, 2019 “Sometimes when you get new linemates, you trust the system and the principles of play within the group a little bit more,” Krueger said. “You speak about those and just get a fresh conversation going. It’s not saying It’s not often NHL teams will get nearly a week in between games, but a we’re not going to go back to the lines that we had, but it was a gut trip abroad to Sweden for a pair of divisional battles against the Tampa feeling to try to do everything to turn around in a back-to-back from a Bay Lightning comes at a pretty good time for the Sabres. very disappointing game (Friday) and bring a little refreshment into the After 15 games, Buffalo is in second place in the Atlantic Division behind group.” the Boston Bruins and six points ahead of the Lightning. Stocking up on In case you missed it, this is what he went with on Saturday: points now before hitting the real teeth of the schedule will benefit this Sabres team, which has a different feel to it than past versions. The Vesey — Eichel — Sam Reinhart weeklong excursion will give this group the chance to grow closer for what hopes to be a longer season than the previous eight. Jeff Skinner — Johansson — Olofsson

“This is a real unique experience that not a lot of teams get to do,” Vladimir Sobotka — Casey Mittelstadt — Conor Sheary captain Jack Eichel said. “It’s going to give us an opportunity to spend a Zemgus Girgensons — Johan Larsson — Kyle Okposo lot of time together, play some games in an atmosphere that we’re probably not used to, and something we’ll remember for the rest of our Jake McCabe — Rasmus Ristolainen lives. Obviously we’re going over there looking for four points so it’s a great opportunity for us.” Rasmus Dahlin — Brandon Montour

There are a lot of things to look forward to in Sweden and it’s not just Henri Jokiharju — Colin Miller seeing a horde of Sabres players getting to play in their home country. After losing a couple games, getting a new look at some combinations Here are five of them. never hurts and they’ll have plenty of practice time leading up to the 1. Just win, baby games.

Apologies for invoking the spirit of Al Davis, but yes, the Sabres do need To add a new wrinkle, the Sabres called up defenseman Lawrence Pilut to get back in the win column. After going 8-1-1 in the first 10 games, from Rochester to join them in Sweden and placed Marco Scandella on they’re 1-3-1 in the past five and have dropped three in a row. If there are injured reserve. Perhaps he’s along for the ride to his home country. positives to be gained out of the recent losses, one would be that they Then again, maybe he’ll get a look. played a very good game in a 1-0 loss Saturday against the New York In eight games with the Amerks after returning from offseason shoulder Islanders after a 6-1 stinker Friday in Washington against the Capitals. surgery, he has six points (one goal, five assists) and he’s played a little In previous seasons, a three-game skid would have the players tight and tougher in his own end as well. We know what Pilut is capable of frustrated. Instead, the players have their minds set on the next game to offensively, but if the defensive responsibility is better and he won’t shy address things. away from physicality, that would be a boost and would again confound the potential future issue of having “too many defensemen.” “It’s a long season, you can’t win them all,” center Marcus Johansson said. “We’ve had a good start to the year, there’s no reason to start 4. Getting the old Dahlin back panicking or anything right now. We’re playing good teams. It wouldn’t be If there’s any single Swedish player that you’d like to see get a boost fun if you won them all. Plenty of good teams in this league that want to from playing in his home country, Dahlin has to be No. 1 on the list. It’s win games too and that’s the way it goes sometimes.” been a bit of an elephant in the room how he’s struggled this season, What makes the Lightning a good foil for this European adventure is that although a lot of that comes through the lens of how brilliant he was last they’ve owned the Atlantic Division in recent years and have in turn taken year. advantage of the Sabres’ lack of success. Since Eichel’s rookie season His advanced numbers are down, he’s taken seven penalties through the in 2015-2016, Buffalo is 4-10-2 against Tampa Bay and has been first 15 games, and the calm cool play he had last season when under outscored 51-35. With the Lightning coming into the game at 6-5-2 and pressure hasn’t come out consistently. That said, he’s tied with Reinhart losers of three of the past four games, it’s a prime opportunity to show for second on the team in points (11) behind Eichel’s 17. Seven of his 11 that this isn’t the same old Sabres. points are on the power play and you’re never going to turn down goals, 2. Put the “special” back in special teams but you’d like to see more scoring at 5-on-5.

Part of what made the Sabres’ first 10 games so dominant is that they As Dom Luszczyszyn wrote earlier this season, Dahlin’s usage by were able to make teams pay dearly when they took penalties. They Krueger has been interesting. Whether that’s played into his seemingly were 12-for-39 on the power play (30.8 percent) during their 8-1-1 start out-of-character start is worth considering, but it’s worth seeing if playing and made a living off Victor Olofsson teeing up in the faceoff circle. back home gets Dahlin back into a better frame of mind with, presumably, family and friends in attendance. As expected, teams have scouted out what the Sabres do and have adjusted. In the past five games, the power play is 2-for-13 (15.3 5. Evaluating Montour percent). What’s goofy is that while this all sounds negative, and to be Montour’s return to action saw him play 18:57, fourth among defensemen fair, 15.3 percent would’ve been a bottom-five power play percentage last behind McCabe, Ristolainen, and Dahlin. He grabbed 54 seconds of season, the power play is still the third-best unit in the NHL behind penalty killing time as well but just two seconds at the end of a power Boston and the Edmonton Oilers, but adjustments are indeed necessary. play.

The penalty kill, on the other hand, has improved. Stopping opposing Against the Islanders, Montour and Dahlin were good for 54.6 percent power plays through the first 10 games was an issue as they allowed CorsiFor (via NaturalStatTrick.com) but had as many scoring chances seven power play goals in 30 chances (76.7 percent killed), but in the and high-danger chances for as against. The shot past five they’ve allowed one power play goal in 11 chances (90.9 generation/suppression was a little busy (12 attempts for, 10 against) so percent). you want to see things tighten up. But that pairing did well last season Striking a balance to get the PP and the PK clicking at the same time and Montour is being counted on to be a key player. always seems to be a thing, but the players on the power play are far too good to be held down for too long. They’re not going to score at a 40 “I thought Brandon was really strong in showing what he’s able to do here. It was a tough game, the Islanders play a tough, persistent kind of style and we thought he adjusted well and added nicely to the offense too,” Krueger said. “We’re looking forward to him continuing here to get back up to speed.”

Montour was a second unit power-play guy last season, so it’ll be worth it to see if he’s worked into the mix somehow. That seems like a crowded house right now with Dahlin quarterbacking the first unit with four forwards and Miller and Ristolainen handling the second unit. That he’s paired with Dahlin should mean we’ll continue to see him getting second pairing minutes and that’s good. It could also help give Dahlin a lift as well to have another mobile defenseman next to him.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160023 Calgary Flames eight more points to surpass Kent Nilsson (469) on the all-time franchise leaders. He’s currently sitting in eighth … LW is currently sitting at No. 13 on the all-time scoring and needs five more points to equal Lanny McDonald’s 406 as a Flame. Game Day: Arizona at Calgary FLAMES LINEUP

Forwards Kristen Anderson, Postmedia Johnny Gaudreau – – Published:November 4, 2019 – – Matthew Tkachuk Updated:November 4, 2019 6:11 PM MST — –

Tobias Rieder – – Michael Frolik TUESDAY Defence Arizona Coyotes (8-4-1*) at Calgary Flames (8-7-2) — TJ Brodie 7 p.m. MT, , Sportsnet West, Sportsnet 960 The Fan –

*before Monday’s game at Edmonton –

THE BIG MATCHUP

Flames G vs. Coyotes RW Phil Kessel David Rittich

It’s been a long and winding road in the NHL for Phil Kessel. But the transition in Arizona seems to be an easy adjustment for the 32-year-old. COYOTES LINEUP Kessel has enjoyed a productive stretch, too, with a goal and four assists in his last five outings. Flames netminder David Rittich will likely be back Forwards in net, after Cam Talbot faced 32 shots in Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals before an MLB-nuts crowd at Capital One Arena. Barrett Hayton — Christian Dvorak — Phil Kessel Rittich will need to keep his eye on the big man. Clayton Keller — Nick Schmaltz — Conor Garland

FIVE STORYLINES FOR THE GAME Michael Grabner — Derek Stepan — Vinnie Hinostroza

HOME STRETCH Lawson Crouse — Carl Soderberg — Christian Fischer

The Flames are back in Calgary and ready to settle into an extended stay Defence in their own beds. They have four games, including three on the docket this week against the Coyotes, New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues. Oliver Ekman-Larsson — Jason Demers The team will spend 12 nights at home before they fly to Arizona on Nov. 15 for back-to-back games against the Coyotes and Vegas. during that Jakob Chychrun — Alex Goligoski time, they have six scheduled practises which is a welcome break from Aaron Ness — Jordan Oesterle their hectic October calendar of games every other night and their longest road swing of the 2019-20 season. Goaltenders

STILL NO LOOCH Antti Raanta

Flames winger Milan Lucic will serve the second of a two-game Darcy Kuemper suspension handed down by the National Hockey League’s department of player safety over the weekend. He was slapped with the sentence — INJURIES which sees him forfeit $64,516.12 in pay — on Sunday after roughing Coyotes — D Niklas Hjalmarsson (broken leg), C Brad Richardson Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kole Sherwood during the Flames’ 3-0 (upper body) win at Nationwide Arena. By the way, Lucic has 198 career goals and needs two more to hit the 200 milestone. Flames — RW Austin Czarnik (lower body), D Juuso Valimaki (knee), LW Milan Lucic (suspended) POWERPLAY WOES SPECIAL TEAMS (before Monday’s action) After Elias Lindholm’s man-advantage strike in the snowy cold at on Oct. 26, the Flames have been drawing blanks. Their Power play powerplay unit was snake-bitten the remainder of the road trip, going 0- Coyotes: 22.5% (nine-for-40, 12th) for-10 in four games. That drops their road powerplay to 12.5 per cent to start the season, having only scored four goals on 32 opportunities, tied Flames: 15.4% (eight-for-52, 22nd) with the L.A. Kings, Minnesota Wild, and Colorado Avalanche for 21st in the NHL. Prior to Monday’s action, however, three clubs had only scored Penalty kill one man-advantage goal on the road (New Jersey, Ottawa and Dallas). Coyotes: 81.6% (15th) At home, the Flames are four-for-20 (20 per cent). Flames: 86.9% (4th) THE SKED Calgary Sun: LOADED: 11.05.2019 This is the first of four meetings this season between Calgary and Arizona. They’ll square off again, quickly, on Nov. 16 and Dec. 10 at Gila River Arena while the Coyotes aren’t back in Calgary again until March 6 … The Flames won three of four meetings last season, out-scoring the Coyotes 18-6, including a 6-1 win at Arizona on Nov. 25 and a 7-1 win at Calgary on Jan. 13. Prior to Monday’s game at Edmonton, Arizona had a 4-2-1 record on the road.

THIS N’ THAT

Flames D Noah Hanifin is five assists away from 100 … C Mikael Backlund needs seven more for 200 … G Cam Talbot is seven games away from playing 300 NHL contests … D Mark Giordano (462) needs 1160024 Calgary Flames During a straight-faced moment in that just-completed conversation, the chirpy Czech had praised the Flames’ behind-the-scenes staff for helping to fend off any feelings of fatigue.

Less cola, more minutes … Flames goalie Rittich proving he can handle “We have really good trainers and they’re taking care of us good,” he workhorse role said. “I’m on the table almost every day, so they’re working really hard on me and I’m glad they do that because it helps. You know when you’re tired, they are going to help you. That’s a really good thing for me.”

Wes Gilbertson Give the workhorse goalie some credit, too.

Published:November 4, 2019 When the Flames signed Rittich as an unknown out of the in 2016, the lanky lad had never had much guidance on proper Updated:November 4, 2019 4:39 PM MST training tactics.

“It’s not necessarily anything special that he’s doing, it’s more that he’s David Rittich isn’t just stopping pucks. on a good program and he’s been doing consistently it now for a few years. And it’s the same along the lines of nutrition — just cleaning it up He’s saving the Calgary Flames money … on soft drinks. and providing the education for him in terms of what’s good and what’s bad for an athlete and then doing that consistently,” said van Asten, who “Coke stock is down,” quipped Flames general manager . heads the Flames’ strength and conditioning staff. “Sell your stock in Coca-Cola.” “This wasn’t a six-month project for him. It has been happening since Indeed, Rittich’s refined diet — part of his preparation to hopefully be a Day 1, when he came into that first development camp. If you saw him go-to goaltender this winter — is bad news for the cola company. today and saw him then, it’s a completely different person. The 27-year-old now slurps the sugary soda only on game days, “So this has been a few years in the making, and he’s not finished yet. although he won’t reveal exactly where and when it fits into his routine. He still has work to do, just like all our players do. But I think the fact he He won’t say, either, how many cans of pop he was crushing in years saw an opportunity to be a No. 1 guy, maybe that put a little bit more past. jump in his step or a little fire under him.”

“I didn’t mark how many, but it was more than now.” Time will tell if Rittich can handle the rigours of that role — it’s worth noting in each of his two previous seasons as a big-league backstop, The cutback on cola has not gone unnoticed around the Saddledome, he’s been better in the first half than during the home-stretch — but the and not only by the staffers who stock the fridge in the players’ lounge. early returns are encouraging.

“I don’t know exactly how much, but I’d see him with one quite often Through one month of the 2019-20 campaign, the fiery netminder has before … And not the Coke Zero or Diet Coke, either. The regular, strong undoubtedly been the most consistent performer for what has been an Coke,” said Flames goaltending coach Jordan Sigalet. “(Strength and inconsistent bunch. conditioning coach) Ryan van Asten did a great job of getting him on a better diet. He still enjoys it on game day, but it’s not an every-time drink His slate of 13 starts — no other masked man has topped a dozen — for him now, which is good.” includes two shutouts.

There was much training-camp chatter about Rittich’s commitment to his Rittich made a bit of history with 43 saves in the Heritage Classic at conditioning — about his intense summer sessions with his longtime Mosaic Stadium, erasing the previous record for most pucks repelled in trainer, about tiresome runs along the beach, about trimming his sugar an outdoor game but still smashing his stick after a 2-1 overtime loss. intake. And don’t forget that in Thursday’s momentum-building, confidence- He’s now reaping the rewards. boosting comeback in Nashville, he stopped a two-on-zip in the early stages of the third. Even after a night-off as the Flames capped a marathon road-trip with Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Capitals in Washington, ‘Big Save Dave’ has If the Predators score again on that defensive breakdown, the rout is logged more minutes than any other NHL puck-stopper so far this likely on. Instead, the Flames clawed back for a 6-5 OT triumph. season. “I think the big thing is he’s been really good at bouncing back when He’s already been in Calgary’s crease for 774:46, and it’s a safe bet that we’ve had tough nights, even if it’s not his night,” Sigalet said of Rittich, a No. 33 will be back between the pipes for Tuesday’s welcome-home date popular locker-room personality who currently owns a 7-4-2 record, a against the Arizona Coyotes at the Saddledome (7 p.m. MT, Sportsnet 2.79 goals-against average and .915 save percentage. “If our team has West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan). had an off-game, he’s come out and bounced back, which has been good. “He wouldn’t be able to handle this workload if he didn’t put in the time in the summer, I don’t think,” Sigalet said. “He’s matured that way. He’s “And I think he’s controlled his emotions a lot more. The game in becoming a pro that way, too. Nashville could have been one where he could have been really frustrated, but he’s just been worried about himself and controlling what “I think he took a lot of it just on his own. He’s seen what Smitty (Mike he can. I told him, ‘It may be 4-1, but it might come down to one save that Smith) did in the off-seasons and what guys do at that level that play a gets your team back in the game.’ And then he stops that 2-on-0 early in long time and have been No. 1 goalies, so that kind of rubbed off on him. the third, and that kind of mounted the comeback for us. So it’s been I think it started in Stockton and it’s just improved every year since he got good to see that.” here.” You’ve been seeing a lot of him. Rittich is about as chatty as they come, but the fun-loving goalie clams up whenever offered an opportunity to pump his own tires. You’ll likely see a lot more. Flames backup Cam Talbot has been solid when called upon, but there haven’t been any indications this will be the In post-game interviews, he typically shrugs off questions about any 1A/1B time-share that some anticipated. crucial stops, reminding as he did after Saturday’s 43-save shutout in Columbus: “It’s part of my job. That’s why I am in the net.” “I think his recovery time has been better,” Treliving said of Rittich. “We’re still early in the season but you can tell just looking at him, body- Quizzed that morning about his minutes, he teased reporters not to lose wise, that he has changed his body. That’s a little bit of experience, a bit any sleep over how his body was holding up. Then he galloped down a of maturation and a lot of work. narrow hallway at Nationwide Arena. “He’s played a lot of hockey the first month, and he says he feels good, “Don’t worry about me,” Rittich shouted as he headed toward the locker- which he should. It’s early in the season, so everyone has lots in the tank room. “Look at my hips!” yet. But you can tell just when you look at him, it’s sort of like watching a young guy develop — he’s put a lot of work into leaning out and becoming fitter, and you’re seeing the rewards when you feel better and you’re able to regroup quicker after games.”

That’s certainly a positive development for the Flames.

Not so good, however, if your investment portfolio is heavy on stock in Coca-Cola.

“You don’t really know when you are 20, what your body needs and how you have to take care of your body,” Rittich reasoned. “It’s experience, something what you have to learn, and I already did it and I kind of know now what I have to do with my body and what my body needs and what I have to do to feel better.”

So … the more minutes, the merrier.

“I want to be in the net, that’s all I care,” Rittich said. “Just put me in and I will try my best.”

BUSY BACKSTOPS

Ranking the NHL’s leaders in minutes played by a goaltender so far this season …

David Rittich, Flames — 774:46

Marc-Andre Fleury, Golden Knights — 740:09

Jordan Binnington, Blues — 727:11

John Gibson, Ducks — 694:33

Matt Murray, Penguins — 663:28

Carey Price, Canadiens — 660:13

Frederik Andersen, Maple Leafs — 659:05

Sergei Bobrovsky, Panthers — 642:33

Connor Hellebuyck, Jets — 630:46

Joonas Korpisalo, Blue Jackets — 629:09

Braden Holtby, Capitals — 618:12

Ben Bishop, Stars — 616:58

*All totals prior to Monday’s action

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160025 Calgary Flames for our children,” Keith said. “Matthew had a big head, too, so he was a big target.”

The Coyotes have allowed plenty of kids to run around their locker room Diaper dandy: Coyotes equipment manager babysat Flames star in recent years, including goalie Mike Smith’s sons Aksel, Ajax and Matthew Tkachuk Nixon, Marty Hanzal’s son, Marty Jr., and Nik Hjalmarsson’s son, Theo, but it is hard to imagine a team allowing kids on the bench the way the Coyotes used to do.

By Craig Morgan Nov 4, 2019 “I grew up in a hockey environment and the first team I played on in Buffalo, the owners tried to make it feel like a family environment,”

Schoenfeld said. “You end up learning more about your teammate and Back in the early days of the Ice Den, you could exit the Coyotes locker caring more about your teammate when you meet his wife and kids. room, turn left into a short hallway, head out a door and down a short “If any player wants to introduce his children to the hockey family, I think embankment to the parking lot. This was before the Coyotes moved west it strengthens the entire unit. And being a father, any parent that wants to Glendale, before Mountainside Fitness had moved in, before the RJM their kids with him, I think it’s a wonderful thing and I am certainly not rink existed and before the Coyotes’ current locker room was built in the going to stand in the way of that. Fortunately for Stan, I don’t remember reconfigured facility. him changing a diaper. Nor do I remember anything coming off his hands Had you ventured out that door, you might have encountered a number onto the equipment he was working on — and I would have remembered of sights. The first Coyotes coaches — Don Hay, Jim Schoenfeld and that.” Bobby Francis — often conducted their media interviews outside in the Matthew was just 3½ years old when the Coyotes traded Keith to St. perfect Arizona weather. Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin could sometimes be Louis. Brady wasn’t quite 2, so neither has any memories of their time seen smoking a cigarette off that same porch. And if you got there well around the Coyotes; just the stories they have been told. before practice, you might have spotted Chantal Tkachuk, wife of captain Keith Tkachuk, handing off one, and later two precious packages at the “When you say you grew up in a rink people think, ‘Oh, yeah, your dad side door. played but you didn’t really grow up there,’” Matthew said. “No, I literally grew up in the rink. Even in St. Louis, I think my dad pulled me out of “At first, it was Matthew, but later, it was both boys,” Chantal said of her school certain days so I could go to the rink. sons, Matthew and Brady, who play for the Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators, respectively. The Coyotes will play the Flames at Scotiabank “Looking back, I’m so grateful I got to do that. There is a reason I have Saddledome on Tuesday. wanted to play in the NHL since a young age. I was there so much and I loved the lifestyle, the passion, everything these guys showed me and “Right from the get-go, I would drop them off in their pumpkin seats when the relationships I built.” they were little babies,” Chantal said. “I remember sending Matthew along with Brady in a pumpkin seat. I remember Matthew going in as a The Wilsons and Tkachuks have been friends since the Winnipeg days baby, too. I would go to the side door of the rink, knock on the door, before the team relocated to Arizona. Stan’s wife, Shelly, helped Chantal somebody would open the door, I dumped off the diaper bag, dropped off raised the boys and the Tkachuks’ daughter, Taryn. Even after the the package and I would run — fast.” Tkachuks moved to St. Louis, they would visit Arizona every spring break until the boys’ hockey schedules got too complicated. A very young Matthew Tkachuk. (Courtesy of the Tkachuk family.) “The past few times I have gone to Arizona to play the Coyotes, I have While Chantal used the next hour and a half for glamorous tasks such as had dinner or gone out to the ranch and hung out with Stan and his grocery shopping and family-related errands, Keith would let Matthew run whole family,” Matthew said. “It’s so much fun telling the old stories. The amok in the dressing room until it was time to head out to practice. Once way their grandkids are now, that’s how I was when I was in Arizona. It practice began, however, equipment manager Stan Wilson assumed the has come full circle. Everyone knows that some of my dad’s favorite dual role of trainer and daycare operator, along with his cohorts Chris people and best friends are the trainers, and Stan is right at the top of Scoppetto, (now with the New Jersey Devils) and Tony DaCosta (now that list.” with the Minnesota Wild). Wilson shrugs when asked about his unusual daycare role for the “They terrorized the place when they were able to,” Keith said of his Tkachuk boys. boys. “And they made more of a mess for Stan and the other guys, but you know Stan. You really have to work hard to piss him off.” “It was a different time,” he said. “I was the same age as the players at that time and we were a close bunch. Chantal and Shelly spent a lot of Wilson insists the boys were low maintenance. time together. Keith and I were friends. He wanted to bring the boys to “You did what babysitters do,” he said. “We would put on a kids show in the rink. It was no big deal.” the equipment room and put them in front of the TV while we worked. In Keith disagreed. those days, it was probably Bugs Bunny — it was that long ago. It was a normal daycare. We had all the same stuff.” “At the time, you appreciated it,” he said. “Now you look back and think, ‘Are you kidding me?’ What a tremendous person. He’s like a brother to When it came time to use the most essential ingredient in the diaper bag, me and we spent so much time with them. I was so lucky to have friends however, Stan used that crisis as a teaching moment for his preteen son, that were willing to help out like that. He’s a big part of the reason I had Denver. success on the ice. “During practice, if somebody has an accident, it’s got to be cleaned up “Without trainers, I don’t know what players would do. They’re the best so we’d end up changing some diapers,” Stan said, laughing. “If Denver and most valuable people in an organization and they’re way underpaid. I was there I’d say, ‘You go ahead.’” love Stan and I miss him — him and his Wranglers.” The first time Denver changed a diaper, he was ill-equipped. The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 “Matthew was a big kid,” Denver said, his eyes widening. “He was shitting like a man. They were man-sized turds from a 3-year-old kid so I just grabbed some medical gloves and a mask, cleaned him up, put a little baby powder in there, put on the new diaper and he was good to go.”

Matthew’s favorite activity was watching practice from the players’ bench. Chantal said that even as a toddler, the only things he would watch on television were Teletubbies and hockey, so Wilson equipped Matthew with a helmet and pads to keep him safe.

“I’m glad he had a helmet on because the way some of our guys would pass or not be able to catch a pass, it could have been very dangerous 1160026 Carolina Hurricanes defensive blue line or at the offensive blue line, it seems like our neutral zone game is where we begin to give up a lot of chances from just not managing the puck well.

Hurricanes’ Jaccob Slavin ‘undressed’ but unfazed after Nico Hischier “For most part last year we were pretty good at playing to our strength, goal for Devils which is the same as this year and is our forecheck. We have to be sure at the blue line we’re getting pucks deep instead of trying guys one-on- one or guys trying to make a cute play at the blue line. We’ve got the skill to make those plays but it’s not in our best interest.” BY CHIP ALEXANDER Brind’Amour calls it the “fine line you run.” The Canes want to be NOVEMBER 04, 2019 03:55 PM aggressive, push up ice and score off the rush. But ...

“On the flip side, if it doesn’t go you’re creating offense for the other It was the kind of play everyone in the arena sees, fans rave over and team,” he said. “That’s the fine line we need to get better at.” only the principals involved really understand. ‘WE RAISED THE BAR AROUND HERE’ And one that could have been avoided altogether, Carolina Hurricanes Brind’Amour said Monday he has few complaints about the Canes’ 9-4-1 coach Rod Brind’Amour said Monday. start. After Sunday’s games, the Canes were third in the Metropolitan In the 5-3 loss Saturday to the New Jersey Devils, Hurricanes Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference with 19 points. defenseman Jaccob Slavin was “undressed” by forward Nico Hischier of There are questions about the availability of center Erik Haula, who leads the Devils -- at least, that’s the term that was used by several observers, the Canes with eight goals. Haula did not practice Monday and TV and otherwise. Hischier, with the puck, went inside and then quickly Brind’Amour said Haula is “battling a little hiccup” that could him to miss outside against Slavin in the offensive zone and fired a top-shelf shot that more practice time. beat goalie James Reimer early in the second period. The Canes, after a four-game homestand, have a road game Tuesday in Nice play. As Slavin said Monday, “He was the No. 1 overall pick of the Philadelphia against the Flyers. draft.” “We raised the bar around here, which I love,” Brind’Amour said. “The The 2017 NHL Draft, that is. And the Devils recently gave the Swiss-born standard is we expect to win every night and we expect to play 60-minute player a seven-year, $50.75 million contract. games. But as Brind’Amour was quick to point out, Hischier scored because the “There’s been holes at times. The other night is a perfect example. It Canes turned the puck over at the Devils’ blue line, leading to the really wasn’t a bad game. We had four shifts where we took a breath and transition score. With better puck management, it would not have they capitalized. If we can shore up that and keep improving we’ll be happened. where we need to be.” The Canes’ made a good play to swipe the puck News Observer LOADED: 11.05.2019 along the left wall. Moving to his right to cross the blue line, he tried to backhand a pass to Sebastian Aho, but the pass didn’t have much on it and Aho couldn’t corral the puck.

Devils defenseman Andy Greene poked it away from Aho, muscled past the Canes center and pushed the puck ahead to Hischier, who had not scored this season. Slavin reached for the puck near the top of the left circle, then had Hischier make his inside-outside move with the toe-drag.

“I have a different take on it,” Slavin said. “He tried to pass and I got a stick on it. I thought it went to the other side of me. That’s why I turned. There was a guy (Jesper Bratt) going backdoor and I thought (the puck) trickled through, so that’s when I turned, and it didn’t trickle through.

“At the end of the day you tip your cap to him. He made a skill play. It was a good shot.”

CANES’ PUCK MANAGEMENT A CONCERN

Slavin’s hand-eye coordination might be the best on the team, and he has made many a good stick play to deny passes and shots. He made several of them in the Devils game.

As for having it said he was “undressed” on the play, not something any defenseman wants to hear, Slavin can shake it off.

“It’s happened before in my career and it’s going to happen again,” he said. “Obviously when it ends in a goal it gets talked about more. Say that doesn’t end in a goal. We’re probably not talking about it today. It’s part of the game.”

Slavin recalled as a rookie, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals pushed the puck between Slavin’s leg and got off a shot.

“I think my jock strap is still in the rafters,” he said. “It’s going to happen when you play against the best players in the world every night. It’s bound to happen.”

What’s a bigger concern for the Canes is their puck management. When they beat the Detroit Red Wings 7-3 on Friday, with 12 players picking up points, they were able to outscore their mistakes.

Not so against the Devils, who picked up their first road win of the season.

“If you look at a lot of the goals we give up, I feel like they start from not managing the puck very well,” Slavin said. “Whether that’s at our 1160027 Chicago Blackhawks Well, maybe a cause for celebration. Their slumps to start the season — Kane’s was actually more of a downturn, while Toews’ was a slump — could return as mysteriously as they appeared.

3 takeaways from the Blackhawks’ 3-2 OT win over the Ducks, including Kane’s 10 points in his first 12 games put him on a 68-point pace, which Adam Boqvist looking like he’s here to stay would be near his career low for a non-lockout or non-injury season. Toews, meanwhile, had three points after 12 games, including Saturday, when his late goal sent the game to overtime.

By JIMMY GREENFIELD They each had a goal and an assist Sunday, and they collaborated on the overtime winner. Toews sent a cross-ice pass to Kane, who buried it NOV 04, 2019 | 6:55 AM past Ducks goalie Ryan Miller to give the Hawks their first road win of the season.

Unlike the first NHL goals for Dominik Kubalik and Kirby Dach earlier this [Most read] Woman, 26, killed in LeClaire Courts shooting » season, Adam Boqvist’s came in a Blackhawks victory. “(Toews) had an excellent weekend,” Jeremy Colliton said. “Both games The first-period goal sent him into a huge celebration during the Hawks’ he was very, very noticeable. On the puck, hunting the puck, making a lot 3-2 overtime win over the Ducks on Sunday — and sent Dach to the net of plays out there. Those two games were the best he’s played.” to retrieve the milestone puck for his teammate. 3. Robin Lehner is an important part of the penalty kill. Boqvist was beaming afterward as he talked about his initial NHL goal. When Robin Lehner gave up a power-play goal to the Ducks on Sunday, “I don’t think so much out there,” Boqvist said. “It’s happened so quick it was just the second one he has allowed all season. Even after that and everything. There’s so much in my head right now. I got called up goal, opponents are 2-for-27 with a man advantage against Lehner, four days ago. So I’m just going to go with the flow.” which isn’t a fluke.

Here are three takeaways from Sunday’s game. “I pride myself on the penalty kill,” Lehner said. “I play quite differently than other goalies on the penalty kill. I don’t move much. I try to stand in 1. Adam Boqvist has already shown enough to stay for good. the middle of my net and do a lot of pre-scout and see who’s going to shoot. It’s just two games into his NHL career, but Adam Boqvist seems to be right where he belongs. ”The (defense) and I are on the same page. I get to see shots, and when I don’t see them, I know what coverage they have. We have been really The 19-year-old has been a beast on offense and surprisingly good all year on the PK. Little bit unfortunate today that they got one, but comfortable on defense. Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton immediately really good so far.” added Boqvist to the power play for his NHL debut Saturday and also sent him out during overtime in the 4-3 loss to the Kings. Lehner has started five of the last seven games, and it would be a surprise if he’s not in goal Tuesday against the Sharks to close out the Boqvist’s first NHL goal came three seconds after a Ducks penalty ended four-game trip. A victory would give the Hawks a 2-1-1 record on the trip, Sunday, so it won’t go down as a power-play goal. But everything about it acceptable by any measure. screamed that he’s a weapon with the man advantage. Lehner has not had a bad game all season. Sunday’s 36-save effort lifted “He’s been really good,” Colliton said. “He does bring that dimension to his save percentage to .939 after seven starts plus a brief relief the power play. He can finish, he’s got a great release. His movement is appearance Saturday, when Corey Crawford left the ice to enter fantastic back there. He could have scored in overtime (against the concussion protocol for a few minutes. Kings) too, so clearly he’s having an impact on the game. (And) defensively he’s been quite good. Ducks center Sam Steel, left, looks to control a rebound off of Blackhawks goalie Robin Lehner during the third period. The Kings and Ducks aren’t exactly powerhouses at the moment, so let’s wait until the Hawks play the Penguins, Maple Leafs, Golden Knights and Last season, when Lehner was a Vezina Trophy finalist with the Predators over the next two weeks to see how Boqvist fares. But if the Islanders, his save percentage was a career-best .930, but he doesn’t first two games are any indication, Boqvist won’t be headed back to view that result as an anomaly. Rockford anytime soon. “People talk a lot about last year,” Lehner said. “But I played for arguably The Hawks will have a lot of defensemen vying for ice time when Connor the worst defensive team in the league for three years in Buffalo, so it’s Murphy returns from a groin injury, likely later this month. When everyone nothing new, and I put up good numbers there no matter what anyone is healthy, the top six have been Murphy, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, says. But I’m four years older; the read in my game is much better. Olli Maatta, Calvin de Haan and Erik Gustafsson. “A lot of the work I did with (Islanders goaltending coach) Piero Greco Seabrook and Gustafsson have been healthy scratches in the last week last year is still sticking, and some new work with (Hawks goaltending and could be options to sit again if Boqvist remains with the Hawks after coach) Jimmy Waite. Just trying to get better. Just go out there and try Murphy returns. and do my best.”

Column: Trading Erik Gustafsson would help the Blackhawks begin their Here’s coverage from Sunday’s game: future when it needs to — now » On a night when the Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf played in his 1,000th career But that’s down the road a bit. For now, Boqvist is fitting in nicely and game, it was Patrick Kane who came away with the bigger smile on his making the Hawks look smart for bringing him up despite playing in only face. six games with the IceHogs. Taking a pass from Jonathan Toews, Kane buried a shot 24 seconds into “I’ve felt pretty good these two games,” Boqvist said. “Duncan helped me overtime to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 win over Anaheim at the Honda a lot out there. Such a good teammate and guy on the bench. Of course Center. It was Kane’s first goal since Oct. 20 against the Capitals. I’m nervous, and he’s coming to laugh with me, (saying) it’s just a hockey game. So it’s nice to have him around, and the rest of the team as well.” Blackhawks rookie Adam Boqvist also had a night to remember. Playing in the second game of his career, the 19-year-old defenseman ripped a 2. Jonathan Toews may be ready to bust out. wrist shot into the upper right-hand corner of the net for his first NHL goal. Something unusual happened Sunday: Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews had multiple points in the same game. The win was the Hawks' first in five road games this season and improved their record to 4-6-3. While it’s not unusual for that to happen over the course of their careers, it’s the first time it has happened this season, which makes it a cause for Boqvist's first-period goal came three seconds after a Hawks power play celebration. ended when Alex Nylander sent him a pass from behind the net and he was able to beat Ducks goalie Ryan Miller. A few minutes later, Alex DeBrincat scored a 5-on-3 power-play goal to put the Hawks up 2-0. The Hawks have power-play goals in consecutive games for the first time this season.

Hawks goaltender Robin Lehner had another terrific outing, stopping 36 of 38 shots to earn his 100th career victory.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160028 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 11.05.2019

Alex Nylander, an NHL regular at last, providing surprising consistency for Blackhawks

By Ben Pope

CST Nov 4, 2019, 6:55am CST

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Blackhawks wing Alex Nylander simultaneously showed his talent and inexperience Saturday against the Kings, outracing everyone on an overtime breakaway but squandering it with an ill-advised pass.

It was a learning experience for Nylander, but it was also the first ‘‘Nylander groan’’ — which was practically a trademarked phrase during his three seasons with the Sabres — in weeks.

That alone is a statement about Nylander’s progress.

‘‘I like his play a lot fairly consistently,’’ coach Jeremy Colliton said Sunday. ‘‘First couple of games of the year weren’t as good, but I think he’s been excellent night in, night out. He’s a young player. There are always going to be hiccups here and there, but his work ethic away from the puck is fantastic.’’

Some of those words — ‘‘consistently’’ and ‘‘work ethic’’ among them — haven’t been used to describe Nylander in several years. The No. 8 overall pick of the 2016 draft came over from the Sabres with as bad a reputation as a 21-year-old can have. But the Hawks have provided him with a clean slate.

And that seems to be exactly what he needed.

‘‘I feel really comfortable out there,’’ Nylander said. ‘‘It’s my first time making it from training camp, so I’m really happy. Being part of this organization has been really good for me, and I just need to keep working hard every day here and good things will happen.’’

The Hawks initially tried to make an instant superstar out of Nylander, slotting him alongside attention magnets Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane to start the regular season. That didn’t work out, and Nylander promptly was scratched for the third game of the season.

Since then, however, he has been one of the Hawks’ few consistent forwards through their early-season turbulence.

Nylander has recorded a positive Corsi rating — he had been on the ice for more Hawks shots than opponents’ shots — in six of his last eight games, even though the team has struggled mightily in that regard. That’s a strong indication of his improved play away from the puck.

And his seven points, while not exactly jaw-dropping, are tied for third on the Hawks. He came close to getting another point on that overtime breakaway against the Kings, but he said the puck rolled on him, disrupting his attempted pass to Alex DeBrincat.

‘‘Whoever I’m with, I’m just trying to play my game and be aware in the ‘D’ zone and obviously make the plays that are there in the offensive zone,’’ he said.

Nylander played his 12th game in a Hawks sweater against the Ducks, matching his longest NHL stint in his career to date. He looked fantastic on his line with Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad, too, recording the primary assist on Adam Boqvist’s goal and tallying a game-high seven shots on goal.

At long last, he appears to have grown into a permanent NHL player. He’s not a game-changing playmaker — not yet, at least — but he’s a reliable offensive weapon.

Colliton has noticed that, even if the rest of the NHL seemingly hasn’t. After Nylander’s first few games, Colliton sat down with him and watched video of every one of his shifts, giving him thorough feedback. He still does that occasionally now, but ‘‘not as much as before because I’ve been playing good,’’ Nylander said.

Had it not been for that trust, Colliton wouldn’t have used Nylander in overtime at all Saturday. So his gaffe can be seen as just another indication of his progress. 1160029 Chicago Blackhawks

San Jose faces Chicago, aims to break home slide

By Associated Press

Posted11/5/2019 7:00 AM

Chicago Blackhawks (4-6-3, sixth in the Central Division) vs. San Jose Sharks (4-10-1, eighth in the Pacific Division)

San Jose, California; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: San Jose hosts Chicago looking to end its three-game home skid.

The Sharks are 2-6-0 in conference games. San Jose serves 13.1 penalty minutes per game, the most in the NHL. Barclay Goodrow leads the team serving 35 total minutes.

The Blackhawks are 0-1-1 against opponents from the Central Division. Chicago has given up nine power-play goals, killing 79.1% of opponent opportunities.

In their last meeting on Oct. 10, San Jose won 5-4. Patrick Marleau scored two goals for the Sharks.

TOP PERFORMERS: Brent Burns leads the Sharks with 11 assists and has collected 14 points this season. Tomas Hertl has totaled four goals and eight assists over the last 10 games for San Jose.

Patrick Kane leads the Blackhawks with four goals and has recorded 12 points. Alex DeBrincat has scored three goals over the last 10 games for Chicago.

LAST 10 GAMES: Blackhawks: 4-4-2, averaging 2.2 goals, 3.7 assists, 3.5 penalties and 7.2 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game with a .928 save percentage.

Sharks: 3-6-1, averaging 2.6 goals, 4.7 assists, five penalties and 12.5 penalty minutes while giving up 3.4 goals per game with a .892 save percentage.

Sharks Injuries: Dylan Gambrell: out (upper-body).

Blackhawks Injuries: None listed.

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160030 Chicago Blackhawks Paired with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in the season opener, it took Nylander just seven minutes and 44 seconds to score his first goal with the Hawks. Using his blazing speed, Nylander motored through the neutral zone, settled the puck down once he reached the offensive zone How living with a Blackhawks goalie and his family helps Nylander thrive and wristed a shot that beat Flyers goalie Carter Hart to the glove side.

After a rough game against San Jose in the home opener, Colliton elected to scratch Nylander two nights later against Winnipeg. John Dietz The young forward's response after that? All he did was come back and Updated11/4/2019 5:58 PM score a key third-period goal against Edmonton in a 3-1 victory at the United Center.

It was nearly a decade ago, but goalie Robin Lehner still remembers Since then, Nylander has added 5 assists, including a highlight-reel one what it's like for a young pro who is trying to impress new teammates in against the Kings Oct. 27 where he lost his balance near the crease, yet an unfamiliar city. managed to slide the puck to a charging David Kampf.

The hardest part was actually away from the rink. "It was kind of my plan to fake that I was going to shoot it and then pass it," Nylander said. "But as I fell, I was like, 'Oh, I've got to pass this quick Alone in a cheerless hotel room, it's easy to get bored. before I'm not able to get it through.'"

Or to brood over a poor practice or game. Nylander credits Toews, Kane and the coaching staff for getting him to realize the kind of hockey player he could become. Or to get frustrated and depressed, and lose track of your priorities. He then paused and gave a stick tap to Lehner. And the thing about the So when Blackhawks training camp rolled around, Lehner thought, why Blackhawks' goalie is he's not going to sugarcoat everything. not extend an invitation to Alex Nylander to move in with his wife and two children? If Nylander's not hustling or playing smart without the puck, Lehner's going to let him know about it. Nylander accepted and it seems to be paying dividends for both the 21- year-old forward and the Hawks. "He has a lot of offensive talent, but it's the other part of the game that he needs to get better on," Lehner said. "Which I think he has. Just doing "When I came into the league, older guys helped me out," said Lehner, the small things right; playing defense right. who was drafted at age 18 by Ottawa in 2009. "My first two, three years in the league I stayed in hotels probably close to nine, 10 months. It's not "Just like any young player coming into the league, have a consistency good. ... level. ... That's what secures spots in this league.

"I've been around a little bit now through the ups and downs. (Better to) Said Jeremy Colliton after the Hawks' 5-1 victory over the Kings: "I don't kind of calm things down than to go back to your hotel room and know how many games (in a row) it's been, but I feel quite comfortable ruminate on frustrations. It's nice to share experiences and calm him with him on the ice. ... When a guy as talented as he is wants to work, down after maybe a (rough) game." he's going to be a pretty good player. I think that's the case right now."

Lessons learned Learning to fly

After the Sabres drafted Nylander eighth overall in 2016, they elected to As the campaign unfolds, Nylander will no doubt experience plenty of assign him to their AHL team in Rochester rather than give him another highs and lows. year in juniors. Navigating them, however, will be much easier thanks to his living Nylander still isn't sure which decision was the right one. arrangement. After each game and practice, Nylander gets to walk into a true home -- one that is filled with laughter and love. "I made the decision with the staff in Buffalo and my agent and my dad," Nylander said. "They said it was probably best to play my first year in the Both of Lehner's kids' birthdays came at the end of October, with Lennox AHL. turning 5 and sister Zoe turning 2. Nylander, being a good member of his newly adopted family, purchased gifts for both of them. "It's a different league than I was used to playing back in Sweden or in juniors. It was just a good learning experience for me. ... Guys are bigger He said Lennox's was video game related but wouldn't divulge exactly and stronger; just had to get used to that kind of stuff when I was only what it was. 18." "He's great with my kids," Lehner said. "My son loves Fortnite and Alex After a second season in the AHL -- one in which he scored 8 goals in 51 loves Fortnite too. So they get to play together. ... My son likes him more games -- Nylander had an impressive training camp and preseason with than he likes me right now." Buffalo last fall. As for when Nylander's lease is up? But he was again demoted. Well, it sounds like that may not be for quite a while. Nylander played 49 games in the AHL and 12 for Buffalo in 2018-19. It was beginning to look like he'd be labeled a bust, but Blackhawks GM "He can stay as long as he wants," Lehner said. "He's still fighting for a Stan Bowman saw enough that he decided to acquire Nylander in spot. ... exchange for defenseman Henri Jokiharju. "We'll see what happens. We'll see when I think the wings have grown Considering the promise Jokiharju showed last season, the trade was -- out enough and he's ready to move on." and still is -- viewed as highly controversial by some. Scouting report After a slow start with the Blackhawks, however, there's little doubt that Blackhawks vs. San Jose Sharks, 9 p.m. Tuesday at the SAP Center Nylander is beginning to find his stride. TV: NBC SportsChicago • Radio: WGN 720-AM "It happens every year -- players get put in a bad spot in different organizations, and they need a change of scenery so they can get the The skinny: The reeling Sharks are 1-6-1 in their last eight games and chances that they need to thrive," said Lehner, who got to know Nylander have been outscored 22-8 in their last five. San Jose has yielded the first when he was the Sabres' goalie from 2016-18. "He wasn't given the goal in 11 of its 15 games and is 2-9 in those contests. "It's a problem chance to thrive in Buffalo." that's plagued us; we've got to fix it. You can't play from behind in this league and expect to win," Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said after a 5-2 His second chance loss to Vancouver Saturday. "Everybody's got to look in the mirror. Under Jeremy Colliton, the chance to thrive came immediately. There's no cavalry coming." ... San Jose does have the top-ranked penalty kill (89.6 percent) in the league. ... The Sharks beat the Hawks 5- 4 at the United Center Oct. 10. Next: Vancouver Canucks, 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the United Center

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160031 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche home game vs. Predators to be broadcast locally as Altitude TV negotiations linger with Comcast, Dish

By MATT SCHUBERT | PUBLISHED: November 4, 2019 at 12:08 pm | UPDATED: November 4, 2019 at 12:09 PM

A SWAT team destroyed a Greenwood Village family’s home. Now, a federal appeals court says police don’t have to pay for the damage.

Guest Commentary: Colorado voters have opposed abortion restrictions, and they will again.

With Altitude TV yet to come to an agreement with two of the big three television distributors, the network announced it would show Thursday night’s Avalanche home game against the Nashville Predators locally on KTVD (Channel 20).

Altitude reached an agreement with DirecTV to carry the regional sports network Oct. 31, two months after it went off the air when its contract lapsed in late August. The network has been unable to reach a deal with Dish Network or Comcast, whose contracts with Altitude expired during the same week.

“Avs fans once again have the opportunity to watch Avalanche games on DirecTV for the sixteenth consecutive season,” Kroenke Sports Entertainment COO Matt Hutchings said in a news release.

“It’s a shame that Comcast and Dish Network continue to prevent fans from watching their hometown teams. Their voices continue to be ignored by these carriers. We wanted to broadcast this game on KTVD 20 to reach out to those fans.”

Altitude previously reached a temporary agreement with bars and restaurants along the Front Range to show a legal feed of Avalanche and Nuggets games. That agreement lasted through Saturday.

Puck drop for Thursday night’s game against Nashville is 7 p.m.

Denver Post: LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160032 Colorado Avalanche Francouz, who is also from the Czech Republic, described the relationship last year as being “father-son” with Kaut living 600 feet away from him and his wife, Karolina, while they were teammates with the Eagles. Avs prospects Shane Bowers and Martin Kaut try to ride out early growing pains “But saying that, Martin Kaut’s biggest challenge is going to be his ability to play with pace and to play with a drive to his game that can create the visibility that he needs to score the points we expect him to score,” Cronin said. “Whether that’s shooting off of the rush, driving his feet By Ryan S. Clark Nov 4, 2019 through cycles. He’s a hybrid power forward because he’s got the size and the length and he can shoot the puck, but he hasn’t really weaponized that with his pace and with his drive to his game.” LOVELAND, Colo. — It finally happened for Shane Bowers. Martin Kaut is still waiting. Cronin said last year that he wanted to see Kaut play with a more consistent pace. That is why Cronin opted to pair Kaut with faster The “it” is offensive production. Bowers needed seven games, but he forwards like Andrew Agozzino and Logan O’Connor, so he could adjust recorded his first two points of the season — both on assists — for the to playing an aggressive, quicker style that has become one of the Colorado Eagles in a two-game series against the San Diego Gulls over Avalanche’s trademarks under fourth-year coach Jared Bednar and the weekend. Kaut, meanwhile, has yet to register his first points through general manager Joe Sakic. seven contests. Is Cronin seeking something else pace-related from Kaut? Or are they The starts haven’t been what most would expect from first-round picks. the same characteristics as last year?

Bowers and Kaut were among the final players to be released from the “Same thing,” Cronin said. “I think it’s always going to be there. Again, it Colorado Avalanche’s preseason camp roster. Kaut was cut Sept. 26 and could be maturity. He’s young still. He’s 20 years old, and he’s still a Bowers was sent to the Eagles three days later. Reaching the latter young 20. I think as we watch him grow and develop, it’s this that we stages of training camp plus offseason work that brought noticeable can’t see. It’s his head. Where’s the maturation taking place? You always physical changes inspired a belief that Bowers and Kaut could have hope that at certain points that the light goes on. productive seasons as they continue on their developmental arcs. “That if he has that same pace as O’C has or that same grit that (Sheldon And there is still plenty of time for that to happen. It’s just a matter of Dries) has. Like, shazam! There you go.” when. Kaut’s predicament comes as a player entering his second full AHL “I can’t speak for Martin, but obviously, everyone wants to score goals season while Bowers is mere games into his first full professional and put up points, but there is a lot more to it,” Bowers said Monday after campaign. the Eagles’ practice. “I’m just trying to bear down in those areas but also in small details that I am picking up from (Eagles coach Greg) Cronin and Bowers, who joined the Avalanche in the three-team Matt Duchene trade, stuff like that, that I am really trying to implement in my game. Stats are a spent two seasons at Boston University. He scored 17 goals and had 32 part of it, but they are not the whole thing. points in 40 games and had one of the strongest seasons by a freshman forward in the nation. His sophomore season saw a dip in production. “I am just working to change little things in my game that can help me get Bowers scored 11 goals and 21 points over 37 games. to those areas and be able to put up the numbers.” He left school after two years and signed an amateur tryout contract to Kaut, who was receiving treatment Monday and was unavailable to play with the Eagles before his entry-level pact with the Avalanche began speak, is in a different situation. He was the Avalanche’s first-round pick this season. Bowers was with the Eagles to appear in a combined eight in 2018 and went from playing in the Czech Extraliga with Dynamo regular-season and playoff games. He registered one point — an assist Pardubice into serving in a crucial role for the Eagles while still — in that time. transitioning to the North American game. “I like to go back to college. What was he in college? Was he a point He picked up an assist in his first game and recorded three points scorer? Was he an instant offense guy?” said Cronin, who was a through his first nine games last season. Cronin and his staff trusted Kaut collegiate assistant and head coach earlier in his career. “I don’t think he to play top-six minutes while also receiving minutes on the penalty kill was. I think he chipped in offensively. He was a goal-line power-play guy. and in power-play situations. Kaut finished the season with 12 goals and Then in Waterloo, and I didn’t talk to (Bowers’ junior coach) P.K. 26 points over 63 regular-season games. He also had two points in four O’Handley about him, but he was a decent point producer. He wasn’t a playoff games. prolific scorer. What everyone gravitates to with Shane is his skating, his length. He’s tall, and he’s long. Cronin, even with Kaut’s early-season struggles, has kept him in a top-six role in addition to his place on the penalty-kill and power-play units. “You ask me what I make of the points. If you had asked me after nine games and he’d only have two assists and what he played last year, “I saw a guy that came out of training camp disappointed,” Cronin said. “I would I be surprised? Yes. With the skating, with the length and with the don’t want to drill into where the disappointment is coming from. I know offense that he did generate at a modest level, there should be more anybody that gets cut from the NHL, especially in that lifestyle, has an coming from him offensively. I think he’s learning the game.” adjustment in quality of life, but we’re a great place to play. It’s not like you’re going from there to some dump. You’re in a good environment and Bowers discussed what it was like to transition from college to the AHL. in a good organization, so there’s always that. He said the physical component was different because of factors like experience, size and strength. That, in turn, means the pace of the game “I think there is a bit of a social void there because him and (Pavel is also quicker than what he saw during his two years playing in Hockey Francouz) were so tight there was a camaraderie there and they were East with the Terriers. almost like family. So, kind of gets dinged twice on the way out.” There are also the challenges post by going against older players who Moving to Colorado to play with the Eagles was the first time Kaut lived can use certain tricks to gain an advantage. away from the Czech Republic. It was also his first experience living away from his family. Kaut’s brother, Tomas, was his teammate in “Guys will bait you one way and try and get you to go there and it will Pardubice and the two lived together. Kaut, on the night he was drafted, close you off,” Bowers said. “Guys are smart. They have good sticks, and said his brother was his “second father.” they know how to read plays. Your time and space is really cut down and you really have to make the most of it when you have the puck on your That is what made the Avalanche’s signing of Francouz last season to a stick.” one-year deal more notable than simply his being the Eagles’ No. 1 goalie and an insurance policy for Philipp Grubauer and Semyon As with Kaut, Cronin has Bowers operating in critical roles for the Eagles. Varlamov. Francouz, now the Avs’ backup goaltender, was a vital figure Bowers is also logging top-six minutes while taking on a number of in Kaut’s life at and away from the rink. Kaut is missing that connection positions on the power play. The Eagles have gone through a few now. setups, including running a variation of the 1-3-1 system used by Bednar, with Bowers receiving time at the net front, in the middle or on the half- wall.

Shane Bowers was a first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2017. He came to the Avalanche in the Matt Duchene trade. (David Banks / USA Today)

Part of the reason the Ottawa Senators used a first-round pick on Bowers in 2017 was his prowess as a quick, two-way center. He is also honing that side of his game as an option on the Eagles’ penalty kill.

“It’s been good. It’s been a bit of an adjustment,” Bowers said of the PK. “We did a little bit of a different system when I was at BU compared to what we do here. It’s just learning that. Learning from the guys who’ve killed here or in the National Hockey League and killed in the AHL. It’s nice to have guys you can learn from, and the coaches do a great job of breaking down the video.”

Cronin shared that he spoke with Bowers’ college coach, Albie O’Connell, to gain a stronger grasp of what to expect. O’Connell was an assistant under Cronin when they worked together at Northeastern University.

O’Connell expressed his concerns to Cronin about Bowers’ decision to leave school early. O’Connell said in February that he believed Bowers’ body still needed to catch up to his skill, noting the center could get stronger. Cronin said he felt differently because he believes Bowers is in the right environment to refine those areas of his game.

“I feel that this is a way harder hockey league than people expect. Way harder,” Cronin said. “Some ways — and this is a really strange comment, but I feel like I’m not off the mark saying this having spent 12 years in the NHL as an assistant — it is harder to play here than it is in the NHL because there is more of a frenetic pace here. There’s way more of a recklessness to the game here.

“In the NHL, it’s cerebral and there is more IQ on the ice. When you have that level of intelligence, there is more structure, more predictability. Here, there’s less, so there’s less predictability. I think there’s definitely more recklessness. I think that when you’re in this environment, you’ve got to rely on certain habits that are going to prevail in the recklessness, and he’s learning that. He’ll be the first to tell you that.”

Whatever progress Bowers and Kaut make comes with the context that they are prospects expected to play a part in the Avalanche’s fortunes over the next few years. In some ways, it is a process that could start as soon as this season should Kaut find more offensive consistency.

The Avalanche could see Kaut as a possibility in a third- or fourth-line role in the event of an injury. That has already happened, with veteran forward Jayson Megna being called up while Bednar manages being without captain and left winger Gabriel Landeskog, right winger Mikko Rantanen and Colin Wilson.

How Kaut develops could play a part in the front office’s thinking about what to do next summer. Wilson and Matt Nieto will be unrestricted free agents. Nieto is earning $1.975 million in the final year of his two-year contract, while Wilson makes $2.6 million after returning on a one-year deal.

The organization could replace one of those two with Kaut, who is still on his entry-level contract.

Bowers’ road to the NHL is a bit more challenging regardless of his development. The Avalanche have center depth, starting with Nathan MacKinnon and with veteran Nazem Kadri, and Pierre- Edouard Bellemare also in those roles. That is why J.T. Compher, a natural center, is receiving more time at right wing, while injuries opened the door for Vladislav Kamenev, 23, to play three games after being a healthy scratch for 11.

The focus for Bowers and Kaut is finding the consistency to excel where they are.

“They’re on power play, they’re on penalty killing, they’re on top-six forward lines,” Cronin said. “I like to think my coaching staff does a good job of making them aware of what they’re supposed to do. I think the organization has done a great job resourcing them with what they need to do, and it’s up to them.”

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160033 Colorado Avalanche University the past two seasons. In 2018-19, Bowers recorded 10 goals and 11 assists to earn an entry-level deal with the Avalanche in March.

However, Bowers’ first pro season has also been off to a slow start. Is the Avalanche’s forward depth as strong as advertised? Bowers has two assists in nine games with the Eagles.

Ty Lewis

By Aarif Deen - November 4, 2019 An under-the-radar forward with high offensive pedigree, Lewis played four years of junior hockey for the of the Western Hockey League. In 2017-18 he recorded 44 goals and 100 points, finishing in the top-10 in both categories. Upon signing with the The Avalanche are currently riding a four-game losing streak, which Avalanche, Lewis scored eight goals and 19 points in 50 games with the includes three in regulation and a blown two-goal lead at home against Eagles last season. The 21-year-old is scoreless in six games this the that resulted in an overtime loss. season. In the midst of its hot start, Colorado (8-4-2) has seen its forward core get Nick Henry decimated with injuries in short order. It started against the St. Louis Blues, when All-Star wing Mikko Rantanen went down with a lower-body Henry was taken in the fourth round (94th overall) by the Avalanche in injury after his skate hit a chip in the ice, twisting his foot entirely as he 2017. After recording 94 points in 69 games in the WHL last season, stumbled to the ice. Henry has one goal and two assists in nine games with the Eagles.

The Avalanche ended up dropping that game in St. Louis, their first Logan O’Connor regulation loss of the season. A week later, while hosting the Anaheim Ducks and sporting an 8-1-1 record, captain Gabe Landeskog was hurt, The former Denver University Pioneer appeared in five games for the and announced out indefinitely the following day, as the Avs fell 5-2 Avalanche last season. With the Avalanche’s offseason additions, against the Ducks. The Avalanche’s string of bad luck continued as Colin O’Connor failed to make the opening night roster, starting in the AHL Wilson was injured during practice that same day and has been out while being a familiar face for Bednar to use when needed. since. O’Connor has also recorded just one goal and two assists in nine games The injuries have caused the Avs to recreate its third line, (now fourth after scoring 19 goals and 42 points in 64 games for the Eagles in 2018- line) with two healthy scratches in Vladislav Kamenev and Valeri 19. Nichushkin and call-up Jayson Megna. While the season is still young for both the Avalanche and the Eagles, Megna, 29, was one of the last cuts from the Avalanche’s training camp Sakic, coach Jared Bednar, and company were looking for their young after boasting impressive offensive numbers during the preseason. His up-and-comers to take the next step in earning NHL time. But as far as chance of making the team on opening night came to an end after the season has gone, neither of the young forwards have earned an Rantanen signed his contract on the last day of preseason play. Megna’s opportunity, leaving Bednar with no choice but to use an AHL veteran in promotion last week was a clear reward for his preseason play. Megna, and Nichushkin, who was bought out by the Stars over the summer. Nichushkin, 24, was a late free-agent signing made by GM Joe Sakic that comes with low risk and high reward. The former first-round draft pick Has Colorado’s depth seen improvements from last season? Absolutely. was snake-bitten last year, going the entire season without a goal in 57 But as of right now, that depth is strong only among its top 12. And when games with the Dallas Stars. That string of bad luck has continued in the dealing with injuries, Colorado may have to tread water until one of its early going of 2019-20, as he has dressed in 10 games with the Avs and young AHL forwards earns a call-up opportunity. recorded one assist. The Avalanche will close out their two-game road trip at 6:30 pm MST on Kamenev, 22, a piece of the blockbuster Matt Duchene trade nearly two Tuesday against the Stars, who defeated Colorado at the Pepsi Center years ago, is touted as an offensive weapon and a two-way center. on Wednesday. Unfortunately, Kamenev has been unable to take advantage of As of right now Nichushkin, Megna and Kamenev are all expected to opportunity due to injury, failing to grab a hold of a roster spot when dress. given the chance. Kamenev, like Megna, is scoreless in three games since the Landeskog and Wilson injuries. milehighsports.com LOADED: 11.05.2019 Colorado’s offseason was highly regarded as a success because of the depth that Sakic added to the forward group. The depth, however, takes a large dip after the starting 12. And when dealing with injuries, Colorado does not have many solid options.

So while the three forwards that make up the new fourth line may continue to dress for the time being, it is mainly because of a lack of progression from others in the AHL.

AJ Greer

Once a highly-regarded Avalanche prospect, Greer has slipped down the depth chart with each passing season. He continues to fall out of favor due to his off-ice and on-ice antics. Greer is currently serving a six-game suspension for the Colorado Eagles of the AHL after illegally exiting the penalty box to fight an opposing player.

Greer has recorded zero points in five games in the AHL.

Martin Kaut

Colorado’s 2018 first-round pick (16th overall) played his first full season in the AHL last season. He was looking to take a step forward this year, possibly earning some NHL time when injuries mount. But the native of Brno, Czech Republic has had a slow start to his sophomore campaign. Kaut has zero points in seven games thus far.

Shane Bowers

Another piece of the Duchene trade, Bowers is a former first-round pick from 2017 (28th overall) and a first-year pro after playing for Boston 1160034 Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets bemoan poor starts at home

Jacob Myers

Nov 4, 2019 at 10:34 PM

Which horse comes out of the gate remains a mystery 14 games into the season for the Blue Jackets.

After discussing last week what the proper response would be against Edmonton following a substandard performance at Philadelphia, the Jackets produced a dud on their home ice. The same happened Saturday in a shutout loss at Nationwide Arena against Calgary after the Jackets had one of their best starts of the season at St. Louis on Friday in an overtime loss.

It wasn’t so much the entire Flames game that irked the Jackets, who will take a four-game losing streak into Tuesday night’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. It was the start that was unforgivable, and it’s what has to be rectified before the Jackets fall further behind in the .

"Last game was a joke, as far as our energy in the first period," forward Cam Atkinson said. "I don't know why that happens.”

The Jackets have allowed the first goal in five of eight home games, going 0-4-1 in those contests. In the five games they have won, they scored first.

Not many quality chances were there against Calgary, but coach John Tortorella said the number of chances were pretty even for the whole game, which underscores how much starting in an early hole hurt the Jackets.

“I just don't understand how you can probably have one of your best starts in St. Louis and then come back and fall flat here,” Tortorella said. “It's certainly mental. It's a readiness. There's no excuses to me.”

The Jackets have had moments during games when their play has been better or worse than other moments, but Tortorella finds getting off to a good start to be very important. When bad stretches happen at the onset, they change the complexion of the rest of the game.

"That's, to me, the biggest thing that we've got to get back to,” forward Nick Foligno said. “This is our home rink. We shouldn't have an issue starting in our own rink.”

Starting well on the road hasn’t been much of a concern outside of the Pittsburgh game at the start of the season and the Philadelphia game more than a week ago. Foligno agreed it’s a mental block the Jackets have to get past, but there are little things that can be done to tilt the ice in their favor, like getting the puck in deep and having a good forecheck.

“They don't get their game going and now our crowd is riled up because they've seen some fun hockey, and then all of a sudden your bench comes to life,” Foligno said. “There are so many things that keep pushing the momentum that way, and we just haven't done that enough here."

Vegas is another team that will get on the Jackets quickly and force them to defend the entire length of the ice. The top forward line has to set the pace for the Jackets. Then the rest need to follow suit to respond in the proper way from the loss to Calgary.

“There's no reason a professional athlete can't be ready, especially in your home building,” Tortorella said. “That's the thing that frustrates me the most about it.”

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Blue Jackets veterans say losses offer lessons for younger players

Henry Palattella

Nov 4, 2019 at 6:47 PM

Nick Foligno and Riley Nash have been here before.

For some of the younger players on the Blue Jackets roster, the current four-game losing streak might be their first extended taste of losing at the NHL level.

For Foligno and Nash, the two oldest Blue Jackets players, with a combined 1,300-plus career games and nearly 600 points, the losing streak is an example of the ebbs and flows of an NHL season.

In 2010, Foligno was part of an Ottawa Senators team that went almost a month between wins thanks to an 11-game losing streak. In 2014, Nash and the Carolina Hurricanes dropped their first eight games.

And while the two of them know that the Jackets will need to turn a corner sooner rather than later, they both think the younger players can find lessons in the losses.

“We don’t have the experience right now to fall back on,” Foligno said. “I think our past few games have showed what happens when we don’t have that energy or pace of play that we play with. Those are good lessons because I think it opens everyone’s eyes up to the type of team we need to be.”

For Nash, the quicker the Jackets all get on the same page, the quicker the wins will come.

“I think getting better each and every day might be a learning experience for some of the younger guys,” Nash said. “You might not always be successful, but you have to try.”

One of those younger players is New Albany native Kole Sherwood, who was recalled from Cleveland on Saturday and played seven minutes in the Jackets’ 3-0 loss to Calgary. While Sherwood might have joined the Jackets during a rough stretch, he’s still taking away positives.

“You can only do so much as a player, but it’s tough when the team loses,” he said. “You want to be on the other side, obviously, but there’s positives and negatives to every game. We’ll keep going here and get out of the rut.”

Even with the Jackets’ struggles, coach John Tortorella believes the losing streak could bring his team closer together.

“I think it’s a good time for each guy to help one another,” he said. “I don’t sense any type of panic. They still need to keep some patience in their game, but also need to help one another.”

Nutivaara critiqued

The shuffling of the Jackets' defensive six continued last week, as Markus Nutivaara was a healthy scratch for games against St. Louis and Calgary. Tortorella said that if Nutivaara is inserted back into the lineup, he’s looking for more out of the four-year veteran.

“The reason why he’s been out is because he’s been stationary, looking to his partner and flipping pucks,” Tortorella said. "I want to see him skate, move and get involved in the offense.”

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160036 Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 11.05.2019

Blue Jackets falling short of goals

Brian Hedger

Nov 4, 2019 at 5:30 AM

A quick check of statistics reveals one of the Blue Jackets’ biggest shortcomings through 14 games.

All you really need to do, though, is look at their faces after missed shots or mishandled pucks. Every eye roll, every head shake, every expletive shouted at nobody in particular tells the story of a team that is fighting itself as much as the opposition.

“I think there’s a number of guys that are really squeezing their sticks,” coach John Tortorella said Saturday night at Nationwide Arena, after the Jackets lost their fourth straight game and were shut out 3-0 despite outshooting the Calgary Flames 43-29. “We’ve just got to work our way through it.”

He's probably right. Over time, the Jackets will likely start to convert a higher number of shots and scoring chances into goals, but how long will their drought last, and how high is their offensive ceiling?

Those are questions for general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and his hockey operations staff to monitor, but right now the numbers aren’t good — and nearly 20 percent of the season is cashed.

The upside is that the Jackets have 467 shots on goal (33.4 per game) and have allowed 429 (30.6 per game). That works out to a shots-for percentage of 52.1 percent, which ranked ninth in the NHL as of Sunday, during the Jackets' day off.

The downside is the number of goals they’ve scored (34) as opposed to goals allowed (50) — a goals-for percentage of 40.5 percent, which ranked 27th.

Going into their game Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights, a final home date before a three-game road trip, the Jackets are 30th in shooting percentage (7.3 percent) and 27th in save percentage (.883), two major reasons, along with struggling special teams, they are 5-6-3 and sit four points back of a wild-card spot.

Put a different way, this is exactly what those who doubted the Blue Jackets expected after they saw a mass exodus of free agents in the summer. It’s a sensitive subject for the Blue Jackets, who signed forward Gustav Nyquist on July 1 and went with a collection of rookies, but it’s worth examining.

None of Kekalainen’s decisions has yet to pan out, but there is still nearly 80 percent of the season left. That is plenty of time to ignite the engine, but the key is getting the Jackets to do it under the weight of self-applied pressure.

Look no further than their top-six forwards, where only center Pierre-Luc Dubois has double-digit points. He leads the team with 10 points (six goals, four assists), but the other five guys are off to sluggish starts.

Cam Atkinson (three goals, four assists) and Nyquist (two goals, five assists) have seven points each. Nick Foligno has five points on one goal and four assists. Alexander Wennberg has six points (two goals, four assists) and Oliver Bjorkstrand has four (three goals, one assist).

Those numbers aren’t terrible, but they’re also not reflective of top-six talent.

“There are several of us in the room, absolutely myself included, that want to score more than we have,” Nyquist said. “It’s up to us to make sure when we get the chance that we put it in the back of the net.”

It’s up to them to relax, too.

“It’s a tough balance, but it’s our job,” Foligno said. “I think sometimes you’ve just got to take a breath and realize why you’re in that spot. It’s because you have the ability to do it.”

The sooner they can show it, though, the better off the Jackets will be. 1160037 Columbus Blue Jackets First, it was delivered over the summer when temperatures soared in Texas and Ohio. By the time it arrived and was opened, the paint had melted and oozed into a mess.

A passion beyond pucks: Blue Jackets’ Seth Jones is a budding art “I would have hated to see what it looked like when they took the crate collector off,” Fisher said. “It was probably the biggest mess in the world. That’s never happened before, and it was really disappointing at the time.

“But I got to work on a second one for him, and I think the second one Aaron Portzline Nov 4, 2019 was even better. I definitely liked it better, so now I’m glad it happened that way.”

Second, Jones — ever the perfectionist — wanted the painting to stand COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a room near the entrance of Seth Jones’ Arena alone on that portion of wall. He wanted nothing else to distract the eyes District condominium is the kind of collection you’d expect a young star away from the painting. The electrical outlet near the base of the wall athlete to accumulate. irritated him. Jones, the Blue Jackets standout and one of the top defensemen in the He hired an electrician to remove the outlet and drywall over it but was NHL, has signed NBA sweaters from LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki and told that is against the condo building’s code. The electrician made it as Steph Curry, all framed on the wall and illuminated with museum-style inconspicuous as possible, removing the outlet cover and designing one lighting. His NHL All-Star Game sweater is there, too. instead that looks more like flat wall with inserts for prongs. A pair of Nowitzki’s massive sneakers dwarf the table they sit upon, and “It’s better,” Jones said. “But it’s not perfect. Still, I think (the painting) is the room is dominated by a pool table that looks like it’s barely been powerful enough that it grabs your attention.” used. No scuffs, no lint. Fisher has met Jones enough times to understand what draws him to the But to look around Jones’ place is to recognize quickly that this isn’t your piece, she said. typical 25-year-old’s pad. “What I love about it, and what I guess Seth probably loves about it, is it’s From almost every room in the condo, a piece of high-end art — a very emotional painting,” Fisher said. “It shows a lot of emotion. It photographs, paintings, sculptures, etc. — either dominates the space or shows a lot of power, but also a lot of calmness. There’s a lot of emotion stands as a conversation piece. in it.” It’s enough, believe it or not, to draw your eyes away from the panoramic Fisher’s painting is the only painting Jones owns, but another piece in the view Jones’ condo provides of the Columbus skyline, looking across Samuel Lynne gallery caught his eye. Spring Street and the Scioto River. Metis Atash, a German sculptor and artist based in Miami, has become “(Three) years ago, when this place wasn’t done yet, I went to a couple of world renowned for her miniature Buddha sculptures that depict many art galleries in Philadelphia, and then I went to New York for a couple of different nationalities and aspects of life. places, just to get a feel for what I wanted,” Jones said. Jones was drawn to them, so he started asking questions. It led, you “I had no idea, didn’t know anything about art. Never even tried to look at might say, to his first commissioned work: “Punkbuddha Seth Jones.” art. So this hobby kind of fell into my lap. I was pretty lucky.” The non-personalized ones sell for about $15,000. Most fans know Jones as an All-Star-caliber defenseman, one capable of “It symbolizes my first All-Star Game,” Jones said. “I just really thought winning the Norris Trophy someday. His teammates joke about what a they were cool, and when she (Atash) said she would do one, that was perfectionist he is in all areas of life. But not many have taken a deep exciting. look at Jones about his art collection. “It’s amazing how detailed it is.” Jones worked closely with an interior designer in Chicago, but it was during a visit with that designer — Centaur Interiors — that Jones’ first art The artist whose work has inspired Jones the most though, is clearly piece was discovered. A photograph by Tyler Shields, called Shields, with whom he’s become friends. Jones said he first started “Blackwater,” grabbed his attention in the designers’ office. noticing his work a few years ago because it’s hung throughout his favorite restaurant in Dallas, Nick and Sam’s Steakhouse. “I just felt like I knew I had to have it right away,” Jones said. “It was exactly the style that really attracts me. Shields has been dubbed “Hollywood’s favorite photographer” for his work through the years with Lindsay Lohan, Mischa Barton, Demi Lovato, “I feel like there has to be a connection between you and the painting or etc. the photograph. I can walk up to a painting and say, ‘No, that’s not for me,’ or, ‘Oh, I love it.’ It never grows on me; I know right away.” He gained infamy in 2017 as the photographer of the controversial picture of comedian Kathy Griffin holding the severed head of President (Allison Farrand / Special to The Athletic) Donald Trump. The interior decorator sent Jones to Samuel Lynne Galleries in Dallas, Shields, who is also a producer and director, has moved away from his hometown, to purchase a print of “Blackwater.” A relationship was photographing celebrities in recent years, and it’s his recent work that fostered at the gallery almost immediately. Jones has embraced. Jones noticed photographs by Shields as well as other artists, and he On the far wall of Jones’ condo is a truly arresting photograph by Shields started coming back more frequently — during the offseason, for sure, called “Red Lips.” but also when the Blue Jackets came into town to play the Stars. “Red Lips” by Tyler Shields, part of Seth Jones’ collection (Allison “I didn’t meet him until the third or fourth time he came in,” said Lea Farrand / Special to The Athletic) Fisher, an artist at Samuel Lynne. “But it’s really exciting to have a young person so interested in collecting.” “The painting as a whole is interesting, the fact that he painted a girl’s face and took this photo of it,” Jones said. “But the red, the lips, are so Jones bought an original work by Fisher, “Sandstorm,” which is sculpted vivid. That’s what drew me to it, of course.” oil on canvas, creating an almost 3D effect with an explosion of colors. It hangs where the entrance hallway spills into the sprawling great room. That’s also what makes it, potentially, the most valuable piece in Jones’ collection. “Yeah,” Jones said with a smile. “That one’s in my face all the time.” The dye transfer process used to make the lips such a bright color “Sandstorm” by Lea Fisher, part of Seth Jones’ collection (Allison assures that the photograph will only increase in value in the future. Only Farrand / Special to The Athletic) three were printed, and Jones bought the third. Two great stories about “Sandstorm”: “Very few people in the world are still doing dye transfers, and they won’t be doing them for much longer,” Shields said. “The chemicals used to make that red so red aren’t available anymore. When that’s gone, it’s gone.

“That was part of the appeal to Seth, I’m sure. It’s been part of the other two people who bought that, too, and they bought them to help build their museum collections.”

Jones has another Shields photograph just inside his front door to the right. “Champagne” is a classic shot that probably stands as Shields’ most popular work — a young couple kissing under a deluge spray of champagne.

(Allison Farrand / Special to The Athletic)

After Jones made a few trips to the gallery in Dallas, the staff there decided it was time to put him in touch with Shields, who is based in Los Angeles.

Not only did Jones admire his work, but Shields spent time as a pro athlete, too. A world-class inline skater, Shields competed in two X Games.

“We hit it off immediately,” Shields said. “We talked about every aspect of life possible, from cryptocurrency to art to girls to life to hockey. He told me some great stories about hockey. I told him about the skating world.

“It was really … he’s a great guy.”

On the far end of the hallway that leads away from Jones’ kitchen is a picture of him holding one of Shields’ most valuable cameras, one that dates to the 1950s.

A Seth Jones portrait, by Tyler Shields (Allison Farrand / Special to The Athletic)

“Tyler is all about timeless photos,” Jones said. “That’s what I love about “Champagne,” and that’s what I love about this one. You don’t know when it was taken. It could be 50 years from now. Or it could have been 50 years ago.

“That’s what he’s about, and so his photos don’t age. The black and white helps with that, too.”

Jones smiled when it was pointed out that his condominium still has a few open walls. Opportunity for investments, right?

“There are a couple of walls that could have something, but it’s got to be the perfect piece,” Jones said. “I’m not going to buy something just to fill the wall. I don’t know if I want to do an abstract or another photograph. It’s hard to put a finger on what you like until you see it.

“What I’ve started with, it’s from a few very different artists. But it feels like a collection, and that’s what I like about it.”

Fisher said it’s not unusual to have pro athletes in her gallery. In addition to the Stars, Dallas has the NFL’s Cowboys, NBA’s Mavericks and MLB’s Rangers.

But it is unusual for a pro athlete to get involved in their 20s, she said.

“He’ll be a lifelong art collector,” Fisher predicted. “You’ll be hearing about him buying $5 million pieces in auctions later in his life.

“Seth likes very sophisticated pieces with pleasing colors. He doesn’t like super trendy. He likes classic looks, but substantial pieces.”

Both Fisher and Shields described Jones by saying he was “an old soul” and “sophisticated.”

“You have to think, starting at his age with the eye that he has, that by the time he’s 40 his collection will be worth maybe 100 times what it’s worth now,” Shields said. “Obviously he’s not money-motivated by this, but I could see him having a Seth Jones collection on display at museums where he lives. That’s where this is headed.”

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160038 Dallas Stars

Stars recapturing style that makes Dallas a postseason threat

By Matthew DeFranks

12:39 AM on Nov 5, 2019

FRISCO — As the Stars watched their talented young offensive players turn around a dismal start to the season, the team has also rediscovered what made it a postseason threat last spring: defense.

During their current 6-1-0 stretch, the Stars have allowed just 1.57 goals per game, and their overall defense has ranked among the top eight in goals per game and shots allowed per game.

At 5-on-5, the Stars are even more impressive. Since ’s goal 43 seconds into the game in Philadelphia on Oct. 19, Dallas has played more than 51/2 hours at 5-on-5 and given up just four goals.

“I think we’ve protected middle ice,” Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. “I think our puck pressure’s been a lot better inside the d-zone. And I think we’ve been breaking the puck out better. So that kind of goes hand in hand. We don’t spend as much time your end.”

It’s a recipe that worked for the Stars last season, but also underscores how tough it is to overcome mistakes. Last year, Dallas finished with the second-best defense in the league, led by goaltenders Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin and bolstered by assistant coach ’ defensive system. It was what dragged a lagging offense to Game 7 of the second round.

During the seven-game stretch, no team in the league has received better goaltending at 5-on-5, with Bishop and Khudobin combining for a .968 save percentage. Bishop posted 38 saves against the Flyers and 35 saves against the Canadiens. Khudobin notched 38 saves against the Avalanche.

For the most part, the Stars have gone as their goaltending has. When the Stars give up less than two goals a game, they are 5-0-0. When they allow two or more goals, they are 2-8-1.

“I don’t think we’re giving up quite as many odd-man rushes as we were earlier in the year,” defenseman Taylor Fedun said. “I also think Bish and Dobby have been playing very well for us, so when things do slip through the cracks, they’ve been there. When we were at our best last year, that’s what our team looked like, right? We were very stingy defensively and had a one-two punch in goal that was very effective for us.”

Fedun said the defensemen are making better reads at the offensive blue line, whether it is managing the puck better or pinching down the walls at the right times when a forward can cover the point for them. Defenseman Esa Lindell put it a bit more simply.

“I think we’re not screwing pucks at the blue lines, that’s why they don’t get odd-man rushes, that many,” Lindell said. “Early in the season, I think teams had close to 10. That’s, everybody knows, way too much. We closed those ones and I think offensively, we’ve done a better job, so that also takes away their chances.”

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160039 Dallas Stars

Stars recall defenseman Joel Hanley as an Andrej Sekera insurance policy

By Matthew DeFranks

12:30 AM on Nov 5, 2019

FRISCO — The Dallas Stars recalled defenseman Joel Hanley on Monday afternoon as insurance should defenseman Andrej Sekera not be able to play against Colorado on Tuesday night.

Sekera has missed the last three games since he slammed into the boards on Oct. 26 against Pittsburgh. Head coach Jim Montgomery said Sekera’s chest, back, hips and knee were hurt in the collision and the 33- year-old has not practiced with the team since. Montgomery said Sekera would maybe play against the Avalanche: “He’s not a definite, we’re hopeful.”

Hanley’s recall came one day after the Stars sent him down to AHL affiliate Texas on Sunday morning in a series of transactions that kept Hanley off the NHL roster for two days, and kept him exempt from waivers longer.

According to the collective bargaining agreement, players who would otherwise need waivers to be sent to the AHL do not have to pass through them until they’ve played 10 NHL games or spent 30 days on an NHL roster since the last time they were waived. Tuesday will be Hanley’s 28th day on the NHL roster since he was waived during training camp.

Days off: Stars forwards Tyler Seguin, Mattias Janmark and Roope Hintz did not practice on Monday morning. Seguin was on the ice before practice, then the medical staff looked at the area around his right hand and he left the ice. Montgomery said Janmark and Hintz missed practice to rest.

Montgomery said Seguin, Hintz and Janmark are expected to play against Colorado on Tuesday.

Whoops: Defenseman Esa Lindell shattered a pane of glass with a shot during practice at the Comerica Center on Monday, in the same spot that Jamie Oleksiak did less than two weeks ago.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160040 Dallas Stars handled the headset for road games, and Reese was given eye-in-the- sky duties for home games as well when Fiddler moved on for a WHL coaching opportunity this summer.

Shap Shots: What do NHL scouts say about the Stars’ resurgence? Reese was a consistent voice, but he was focused on the goalies first. While the Stars would confer with Reese about things during the game, he wasn’t always looking at the game from a skater’s perspective, which is where the eye in the sky can be most valuable when it comes to By Sean Shapiro Nov 4, 2019 adjustments.

Every NHL team has a coach watching from the press box, but some “What’s going on in Dallas?” was a common question I heard during the teams put more of an emphasis on assigning those duties than others. first month of the season. According to Behind the Benches’ database of NHL coaching duties, a dozen teams have a coach whose primary responsibility is watching from It came from other media members, scouts, opposing coaches and up top. players. There was a legitimate curiosity about what wasn’t working for a team many labeled as one to watch this season. Two of those teams, the St. Louis Blues and the Boston Bruins, played in the Stanley Cup Finals back in June. It was a bit of a loaded question. It had a simple answer — the Stars weren’t scoring enough — but that didn’t really cover all the nuances of A full-time eye-in-the-sky coach isn’t the reason either team reached the what wasn’t working. final series, but the NHL is a copycat league, so I wonder if we’ll see more teams committing one person full time to that position. Then things turned around. The Stars have won six of their last seven after starting 1-7-1 in their first nine games, and it really looks like that Taylor Fedun’s effectiveness has flown under the radar, and you could comeback win against the Minnesota Wild was the game that took call that a side effect of the Stars’ season to date. people off the hot seat and back into a realistic playoff discussion. Writing about positives about a third-pairing defender isn’t really Dallas found a second line and started taking advantage of power plays. warranted when a team struggles mightily. In fact, it can take away from The Stars embraced an identity of being stout defensively but also willing time that should be devoted to bigger issues. Now that the Stars are to attack and not get self-programmed into working harder when working playing well, the spotlight has rightfully begun to shine on the team’s top smarter is sometimes the best choice. defenders. But Fedun’s season continues to live in the shadows.

These are my observations. But I was also curious to pick the brains of In 13 games played, Fedun is tied with Heiskanen for the team lead with some outsiders who have watched the team at least a couple of times five assists from defenseman and has notched more points than John this season. Klingberg. Fedun has spent most of the season paired with Jamie Oleksiak, but once injuries to Andrej Sekera led to a lineup shuffle, he So I polled a handful of scouts, anonymously, with none of these also formed a competent pair with Joel Hanley that played zero-sum conversations happening at a Dallas game to guarantee full honesty. hockey for the opposition.

Here are some of their answers: “I think he leads our defenseman in assists. That says a lot,” Montgomery said. “He doesn’t play power play, and he plays about 14, 15 minutes a “They weren’t on the same page, (and) I still think some of them aren’t on night. He’s an extremely intelligent hockey player and an extremely the same page. The power play looked like it had two players trying to do competitive individual. And I think when you find those two traits, you find one thing and three others doing something else. No one took charge — a way to help your team … he’s doing this year what he did last year. coaches or players — and made sure they all did the same thing.” He’s exceeding expectations.” “Hintz is the real deal. So is Heiskanen. It’s a shame almost that they got Fedun is admittedly sheltered on the third pair. He’s typically stepping going while those other big guys have struggled. I think teams are going onto the ice when the Stars have the puck or on a faceoff in the offensive to start keying on Heiskanen soon. Maybe that’s what gets Klingberg or neutral zone, which helps explain better underlying analytics when it going — maybe he sees better matchups or gets offended he’s not the comes to shot share (51.42 Corsi For) and expected goal share (55.90 top threat anymore.” percent), according to Natural Stat Trick. “Fuck, Heiskanen is so good. He’s gotten even better than last season. The most noticeable thing with Fedun — in my opinion and those of There aren’t many defensemen in the league — not just young ones, all scouts who have watched Dallas multiple times this season — is his of them — that impact a game like him all three zones. I think he knows poise with the puck getting out of the zone. Fedun isn’t skating the puck that now. He’s playing more like he knows that he’s the best player on out and seems to understand his limits, but he’s making the right reads the ice.” when it comes to making the pass over the defensive blue line. “I think it’s the players; they had to figure it out, and maybe they did this Fedun had other options this offseason after elevating his game from week. With top players like they have, the only thing a coach can do is AHL veteran scratch to NHL regular, and he could have signed with really get in the way if he coaches too much. You shouldn’t have to tell another team where he’d have a more permanent spot in the NHL lineup. Seguin or Pavelski how to play the game. They just go out and do it. It Instead, he took a bit of a risk in signing a two-year, two-way deal with doesn’t matter who coaches real top players, they succeed either way.” Dallas that was essentially intended for him to serve as a seventh “The goaltending is just good; it was great last year. Something looks like defenseman who could step in when needed. it’s wrong with Bishop at the start of games — that’s not a good sign. That’s what he’s exactly what he’s done ever since Roman Polak was Khudobin can save them and push them, I think. But they really don’t go injured on opening night. It’s a role he’s going to continue to fill on the anywhere if Bishop doesn’t play.” third pair for at least the next couple of weeks. “They play a style that’s going to win playoff series, and they grind you Quick Hitters down. They look like a team that’s trying to win a seven-game series and not one game against one team. That works in the playoffs, but you need • Jim Montgomery doesn’t sleep very much. to be a bit different from game to game in the regular season when it opens up a bit more.” “I wake up at 3:58 or 5:10, or 4:45, (and the) first thought in my brain is going to be something about the team,” Montgomery said last week. A lot has been made in the past week about how the Stars changed “Then I don’t fall asleep again. You know? Thankfully, the players sleep some of the coaching duties, moving assistant coach Todd Nelson into longer, because they need it.” the press box as the “eye in the sky” for the first two periods before working behind the bench in the third. You’re really up that early?

A lack of a consistent voice up top had been a shortcoming for the Stars “Oh, yeah,” Montgomery said. “It was 4:09 yesterday (Tuesday) morning. coaching staff ever since Montgomery took over. This morning I slept in (until) about 7:30.”

Last season, Vernon Fiddler was the eye in the sky for home games, but He had two cups of coffee on the day he woke up at 4:09. Typically, he didn’t travel during the regular season. Goalie coach Jeff Reese Montgomery is having only one cup of joe. • It’s getting close to crunch time when it comes to the possibility of trading Julius Honka.

The unsigned restricted free agent has been playing well in Finland, and while a couple of teams have taken notice, the Stars also aren’t interested in just giving him away before the Dec. 1 deadline for players to sign and play in the NHL this season.

The asking price hasn’t changed much: The Stars are looking to replenish their stock of draft picks, since they only have four in the upcoming draft. A player-for-player deal could be on the table, but it would have to be for a prospect who Dallas feels could actually contribute.

Dallas also doesn’t have an issue making Honka stay in Finland for an entire year. If no trade comes, the Stars will continue to hold his rights until someone offers something.

• You may have seen the “leaked” money on the board posts on Twitter on Sunday, which were inadvertently shared by the Stars social media team when certain dignitaries are in town and announce the starting lineup.

For example, before Saturday’s game, Mattias Janmark, Blake Comeau and Alexander Radulov had all put money up for a win. There was also the post shared from opening night, when close to the entire roster had put money on the board, including Tyler Seguin’s offer up of $9,850 — a call out to his $9.85 million cap hit.

It’s an interesting subject and something that feels almost taboo if you ask players about it. Some are willing to talk a bit more about it, but it tends to be the type of thing that stays in the room — unless a social media account lets it slip.

• The Columbus Blue Jackets have been scouting the Dallas and Texas Stars heavily over the past week. As with all scouting assignments, it could mean nothing — these things are often scheduled long in advance — but it is interesting when an Eastern Conference team that already played Dallas once this season and doesn’t come to Dallas until March is focusing on the NHL and AHL clubs.

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Detroit Red Wings destroyed, Jimmy Howard pulled in soft 2nd period of 6-1 loss

Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressPublished 10:17 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019 | Updated 10:18 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019

Soft goals and sorry special teams left the Detroit Red Wings to explain another blowout loss.

They returned to Little Caesars Arena on Monday after two lousy outings on the road. Their game against the Nashville Predators began well but a disastrous second period yielded a 6-1 drubbing, the third straight time the Wings have lost by at least four goals.

Andreas Athanasiou scored his first goal of the season, and the Wings led 1-0 after the first period. A good start for a team as fragile as the Wings are right now.

The Predators came out in the second period and rolled right over the Wings. Jimmy Howard was pulled after allowing four goals in less than eight minutes. Dylan Larkin’s frustration erupted when he took offense to a hit from Ryan Ellis and responded with fighting.

The Wings squandered three opportunities to grab momentum on man advantages, their power play looking ineffective again. The Predators, on the other hand, converted twice on power plays.

The loss dropped the Wings to 4-11-1 and inflated their NHL-worst goal differential to minus-29.

At last

Athanasiou had been creating scoring opportunities but had not been able to close on them through 13 games. A 30-goal scorer last season, he finally broke through early in the first period. Standing at the bottom of the left circle, Athanasiou took a pass from Filip Hronek, corralled the puck on his stick, and lifted a shot behind Nashville’s Pekka Rinne. After producing two points his first nine games (he was injured the first two games of the season), Athanasiou has four points over the past five games.

Red Wings look awful: What has gone wrong, and who bears blame?

Howard pulled again

Nick Bonino scored two minutes into the second period to tie the game. Then it got ugly. Kyle Turris scored on a shot Howard saw coming. He had his glove out but the puck went right over it to put the Predators up by a goal. at 5:32 of the second period. Colton Sissons scored at 6:34, firing a shot that rolled in off Howard. When Matt Duchene scored at 7:36, that was it for Howard. He was pulled, having allowed four goals on five shots. Howard was also pulled Friday at Carolina after allowing five goals on 21 shots, though that night he had no help from teammates, as they were very sloppy defensively.

Power play fails

The Wings had two power plays in the first period, a chance to build on the momentum earned from the Athanasiou goal. They managed only two shots on net in that four-minute span, and the best chance was when Larkin tipped ’s shot off the goal post. The Wings went on a third power play, at 14:11 of the second period. Mantha had a couple good shots, but the guys around the net couldn’t turn his rebounds into goals. The Predators showed them how it’s done — when they went on the power play late in the second period, they banged seven shots at Bernier, and Duchene made it 5-1. Filip Forsberg converted on another power play to get it to 6-1.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160042 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings' Steve Yzerman makes prospect sweat with weed questions

Kevin Allen, USA TODAYPublished 1:45 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019

Steve Yzerman, the Detroit Red Wings' buttoned-up general manager, showed his impish side last summer when he pulled a prank on highly regarded prospect Kirby Dach.

The Chicago Blackhawks forward appeared on the recent “Spittin Chiclets” podcast and told hosts Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney that Yzerman grilled him much harder than anyone else in a pre-draft interview.

“I sit down and say, ‘Nice to meet you.’ He’s a hockey legend and I’m trying to be respectful,” Dach said on the podcast. “He says, ‘I hear you smoke weed.’”

Here is how Dach, 18, laid out how the rest of the interview went:

“I said, ‘No, I really don’t.'

"He says, 'OK,' and the questions go on.

"And then he says, 'So are you sure you don’t smoke any pot? I had a couple of teammates who said you smoke weed.'

"I said, 'No, I don’t really smoke any weed.'

"He said, 'Are you sure?'

"I said, 'Ya, I’m sure.'

“(Yzerman’s) like an intimidating guy. He’s very intense and he’s in your face and I’m sitting there and I’m starting to sweat," Dach said on the podcast. "I’m thinking I’m going to have to change my shirt after this for the next interview.”

Eventually, Yzerman, who was drafted by Detroit in 1983 and played there for 22 seasons, said: “Ya, I know you don’t. I was just (joking around) with you.”

The Red Wings, picking sixth, were interested in big-center Dach but he went third to the Blackhawks.

Instead, they selected defenseman Morris Seider. It’s difficult to imagine what Yzerman asked him in his interview.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160043 Detroit Red Wings Mantha (nine goals), Bertuzzi (six) and Larkin (four) account for 58% of the team’s 33 goals. Helm is the only other player with four. Hronek is the only defenseman who looks like a threat to score (three goals, seven points). Detroit Red Wings look awful. What has gone wrong, and who bears blame? Athanasiou scored 30 goals last season but has had a disastrous start this year, with no goals, five assists and a league-worst minus-18 rating – and that’s with averaging about 40 seconds more ice time. He had four goals and six points last year at this time, mostly playing with either Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressPublished 6:00 a.m. ET Nov. 4, Vanek or Frans Nielsen. This season Athanasiou mostly has played with 2019 | Updated 9:57 a.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019 a combination of Filppula, Hirose, and lately, Mantha.

Filppula is another underachiever – he has five points and hasn’t even That the Detroit Red Wings would endure another tough season was not been good defensively (minus-10), which is one of his hallmarks. Nielsen in doubt outside the locker room. They don’t have the players needed to goes on the list, too – he has no points, but he also hasn’t been on the be competitive, yet. power play and he hasn’t had much in the way of scoring wingers. Then again, Blashill doesn’t have much in the way of options. That was the But one month into the season, the Wings have looked even worse than hope with adding Perlini, that maybe he could emerge as scoring help realistically expected. The joy in the locker room sparked by a 3-1 start (too early to judge after only two games). that included the first regulation victory in Montreal in 12 years has dissipated, replaced by the misery of explaining one embarrassing loss There was hope going into camp that could grab a job, but after another. he didn’t look like he belonged. He’s scored in his last two Griffins games, but calling him up needs to be weighed against the risk that he Back-to-back blowouts this weekend have left the Wings with a 4-10-1 just seems to have gained confidence at the AHL level. If he comes up record and nine points. Only the Ottawa Senators have fewer points and does not play well in the NHL, it could be a setback. Bottom line, the (seven). The Wings are at or near the bottom of the NHL in every team needs more from the guys already on the team. category that matters: Goals for (33, 2.20 average), goals against (57, 3.80 average), power play (14%) and penalty kill (70.2%). The additions of Filppula, Nemeth and Erne, were supposed to help the Wings tighten up defensively. But they’ve let in three more goals this How have things gone so badly so quickly, and who is to blame? season than after 15 games last year. The departures of Niklas Kronwall (retirement) and Nick Jensen (traded) stand out here as noticeable Coaching differences. Steve Yzerman is seven months into his post as general manager of the Goaltending Wings. He made it clear during training camp he is going to spend as much time as he deems necessary observing. It’s why the previous Jimmy Howard (2-6, .898 save percentage, 3.67 goals-against average) administration’s plans to name Dylan Larkin captain before the season and Jonathan Bernier (2-4-1, .890, 3.50) are the least of the team’s began were postponed. It’s why Yzerman has made minor changes – problems. Considering how poorly the skaters have performed, Howard additions Valtteri Filppula, Patrik Nemeth, Adam Erne and Brendan and Bernier would have to steal every game for the Wings to have a Perlini are all short-term contracts. But will all this losing lead Yzerman to wining record. Howard was excellent in the season opener at Nashville make a major change behind the bench? and Oct. 29 against the Oilers. Bernier was excellent Oct. 10 at Montreal and Oct. 18 at Edmonton. But Blashill veered from his every-other-game He will have heard positive comments about Jeff Blashill from colleagues routine this past week and started Howard two straight games because within the Wings organization – Blashill is well liked and respected. Bernier played poorly Oct. 27 against the Blues. Howard couldn’t counter Higher-ups are pleased with the job he has done considering the club how poorly the team played defensively at Carolina, however, and was lacks an elite defenseman and superstar scorer, hallmarks of good pulled after allowing five goals on 21 shots. All the losing is getting to teams. Yzerman will also have heard positive comments about Blashill Howard and Bernier, and now their play is suffering, too. from Jon Cooper, Yzerman’s coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning and a close friend of Blashill’s. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 11.05.2019 The key will be how the Wings perform, more than the win-loss category. If they compete hard and lose, that’s one thing. If these self-destructive, poor-energy, lazy-defense outings continue, Blashill may pay the price. Assistant coach Dan Bylsma has head coaching experience (Pittsburgh, Buffalo) but he is also the one in charge of the power play, which has been atrocious.

Special teams

At the 15-game mark last season, the Wings’ power play was 12-for-46 (26.1%) and the PK was 46-for-56 (82.1%). The leading scorers on the man advantage were Thomas Vanek and Michael Rasmussen, each with two goals. Vanek is currently unemployed and Rasmussen in Grand Rapids. Eight other players had one goal. Cholowski had a team-leading six power play points and Gustav Nyquist (traded) had five. Larkin, Vanek, Athanasiou and Frans Nielsen each had three.

This season, Mantha accounts for four of the PP’s seven goals, and Cholowski, Hronek and Larkin account for the others. Taro Hirose leads the team with five power play points, Mantha has four, and Cholowski has three.

This is especially damning for Larkin (one point), Hronek (two) and Bertuzzi (two), because they each average more than three minutes per game on man advantages. Athanasiou (two points), Filppula (one) and Mike Green (one) average more than two minutes.

Injuries to Danny DeKeyser and Luke Glendening affect the PK. Helm is the noticeable difference – he isn’t on it this year, and was last season. He’s an excellent killer because of his ability to race off with the puck. Even though he has trouble converting on breakaways, his foot races eat up valuable time.

Skaters 1160044 Detroit Red Wings

Game thread: Red Wings plowed by Predators, 6-1

Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free PressPublished 5:55 a.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019 | Updated 10:19 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019

Detroit Red Wings (4-10-1, 9 points) vs. Nashville Predators (8-4-2, 18 points)

When: 7:30 p.m. tonight.

Where: Little Caesars Arena

TV: Fox Sports Detroit-Plus, ESPN+.

Radio: 97.1 FM (Red Wings radio affiliates).

Game notes: Jimmy Howard was in the starter's net for the Monday morning skate. The Wings announced Monday at defensemen Mike Green (illness) and Trevor Daley would not play in the game.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160045 Detroit Red Wings “There was a lot of weird shots,” Blashill said. “Do we need more stops tonight? Yes. But one was kind of a knuckler, another one goes off a stick, two are actually deflected. … I’m not making excuses but the reality was weird and it all kind of piled together at a brutal time for us.” Predators explode in second period, prolong Red Wings' slump Larkin attempted to get the Wings going, getting into a fight with Nashville’s Ryan Ellis late in the second period after Ellis caught Larkin near the head area with an elbow in the corner. Ted Kulfan, The Detroit NewsPublished 10:22 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019 | Updated 1:25 a.m. ET Nov. 5, 2019 But the spark was short-lived, and Nashville scored a power-play goal on the resulting Larkin roughing penalty.

Coach Jeff Blashill on the speculation surrounding his job. The Detroit Detroit — What’s with the buzzards flying around Little Caesars Arena? News And make no mistake, they’re beginning to circle around the Red Wings. “I have to know the game there,” Larkin said. “Not put my team down (a The postgame talk Monday was more about the future of coach Jeff man). (It was a) reaction play at the end of a shift and you get tired and Blashill than the actual game, which was more of the same, a 6-1 loss emotional and react to that.” against Nashville. When something goes wrong for the Wings these days, it seems to That’s 11 of 12 losses for the Wings, who have been out-scored 52-20 snowball. during that stretch — fell into last place in the overall standings — and “It’s frustrating,” Larkin said. “One thing on the ice goes wrong and we simply aren’t coming close most nights. melt. We can’t do that. We need to turn this around and gain some kind BOX SCORE: Predators 6, Red Wings 1 of confidence.”

The speculation about Blashill’s job security is getting more intense, but Blashill wants to see fewer goals allowed and more mental toughness. he wasn’t worried after Monday’s loss as to whether his message is “We have to find a way to keep pucks out of our net,” Blashill said. getting through. “That’s where the snowballing starts, and that’s on the whole team and “Our guys have worked on a consistent basis and it’s gotten through,” coaching staff. That’s not on the goalies, forwards or penalty killers. It’s Blashill said. “To be dead honest with you, I haven’t thought two seconds on everybody. That’s where the snowballing starts. about it. All we’re thinking about as a coaching staff is getting our guys “Is it a matter of not being mentally tough enough? We have to find a way ready and those guys have to go out and make decisions (on the ice) to be mentally tougher. When you get kicked and kicked, you have to and make the right plays.” keep getting back up and find a way to do it.” Blashill confirmed he talks regularly with general manager Steve Detroit News LOADED: 11.05.2019 Yzerman.

“We talk, we talked a long time yesterday and today,” Blashill said. “Talk about our team, talk about all the guys. After games you’re reviewing how the guys played, just normal conversations.”

Dylan Larkin on whether the team still buys in on coach Jeff Blashill. The Detroit News

Two of the leaders on the team, Justin Abdelkader and Dylan Larkin, strongly supported Blashill and his staff.

“It’s not on the coaches, it’s our group, the players in the room,” Abdelkader said. “We have to get the job done. We’ve watched plenty of video of us not doing things the way we’ve done things when we’ve been successful. That’s not on the coaches. That’s on the players in here.”

Larkin praised Blashill’s work ethic and dedication.

“Blash comes to work every day, he preaches process and he’s dedicated guy,” Larkin said. “He’s done so much for us. We’re not pointing fingers here, that’s what could make this worse.

“We’re going to have to come together, and pointing fingers like that is not going to get us anywhere that we want to be. Blash and our whole staff work so hard to put us in position to get there.”

Monday’s game certainly wasn’t one that would help anyone’s job security if you were on the losing end like the Wings.

Goaltender Jimmy Howard allowed four goals on five shots in a span of 5 minutes, 36 seconds early in the second period to erase a 1-0 lead — on Andreas Athanasiou’s first goal this season, ending a season-opening 13-game goal-scoring drought.

But it was more than the goaltending, asHoward was victimized by a pair of deflections within that barrage.

“We had too many guys not playing anywhere near their best hockey up front,” Blashill said. “It wasn’t even close.

“I didn’t say top (guys). We had a whole bunch of guys who didn’t play near their best. I didn’t say top (players). This isn’t one or two or three guys. We had a whole bunch of guys who couldn’t execute tape-to-tape passes.”

Blashill wouldn’t pin the blame entirely on Howard, who stopped 11 of 15 shots before being replaced by Jonathan Bernier (9 of 11 saves). 1160046 Detroit Red Wings Blashill gathered his players at one point before the morning skate and delivered a clear message: Last weekend wasn't good enough, but it’s time to move on.

Red Wings say accountability still exists amid losing spell Blashill was not happy with the lack of pushback from the Wings after falling behind in Florida.

"Basically, that we didn't show up this weekend," Mantha said, in Ted Kulfan, The Detroit NewsPublished 1:52 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019 describing Blashill’s message. "That we started cheating for offense in Carolina. We have four games this week and he said, 'Let's just start

tonight and try to win all four.' That gets us back in it and gets the guys Detroit – The losing has been hard, and you get the sense the Red going." Wings players feel pressure to win some games soon. Detroit News LOADED: 11.05.2019 Coach Jeff Blashill and his staff understand the situation, as well. They’re paid to win games.

Despite losing 10 of their last 11 games entering Monday’s game, everyone insists accountability still exists.

“You keep teaching, you keep holding them accountable, to executing the systems, certainly effort,” said coach Jeff Blashill, whose future with the Wings is becoming cloudy in the estimation of many oddsmakers because of this losing spell.

Blashill noted the specialty teams as a key reason for the Wings’ poor start.

Entering Monday’s games, the Wings ranked 25th on the power play (14 percent) and 28th on the penalty kill (70.2 percent). Those numbers aren’t going to garner many victories by any team.

“You look where your issues are, and you work to correct those issues,” Blashill said. “That’s the reality we’re at.”

Anthony Mantha insists players are still committed to what the coaching staff is preaching and know this season can be turned around.

“It’s hard but we’ve played good hockey against great teams,” Mantha said. “You look at the first game against Nashville, we came up on top, and a victory (Monday) could get us going again.

“We need to figure it out quick. If we don’t, by Christmas we’re not going to be in the playoff hunt. Everyone knows it.”

Top line reunited

Blashill reunited the line of Mantha, Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi, which had so much success early this season, including a huge opening night victory over Nashville.

Blashill had dropped Mantha onto a line with Valtteri Filppula and struggling Andreas Athanasiou in recent games.

Mantha, who scored two goals Friday in Carolina, was excited about skating with Bertuzzi and Larkin again.

“We had chemistry early on,” Mantha said. “ (Blashill) wanted to try a couple of different lines the last couple of games. It didn’t really work the way we wanted. But us three as a line, we’ve done great things this year and hopefully we can get it going again.”

Injury update

Defensemen Mike Green and Trevor Daley were to be out for Monday night’s game against the Predators.

Blashill said Green was dealing with an illness and would miss a second consecutive game. Blashill was quick to point out this illness had nothing to do with the virus that cost Green most of last season.

Daley was hurt during Saturday’s game in Florida but did skate Monday morning. Joe Hicketts replaced Daley in the lineup.

With Danny DeKeyser (lower body), Daley and Green all out, it’s a very young defensive group for the Wings.

“We’re asking a lot out of a number of guys, but that’s the reality of the situation,” Blashill said. “I also think those guys want minutes. If you want the minutes then you have to go out and execute at a high level every single night.

“That’s a trained thing, and it takes time, it takes understanding how to manage the game. As a defenseman, they’ll just keep continuing that learning process.”

Message delivered 1160047 Detroit Red Wings

Disastrous second period sinks struggling Red Wings

Updated 11:45 PM;Today 10:06 PM

By Ansar Khan

DETROIT – The night started out well for the Detroit Red Wings when Andreas Athanasiou scored his first goal of the season less than three minutes into the game.

And for one period, the beleaguered Red Wings battled and led the Nashville Predators.

But the second period was a complete disaster for Detroit as Nashville scored five unanswered goals and rolled to a 6-1 victory at Little Caesars Arena.

The Red Wings (4-11-1) have been outscored 17-4 in losing three in row. They are 1-10-1 in their past 12 games. They have lost eight games by three or more goals and have a league-worst minus-29 goals differential.

Nashville scored four times on five shots in a span of 5:36 early in the second period against Jimmy Howard, who was pulled for Jonathan Bernier.

Nick Bonino began the surge by winning an offensive-zone faceoff from Athanasiou and moments later redirecting in a shot from the point by Dan Hamhuis at 2:00.

Kyle Turris fired a wobbling puck past Howard from the high slot at 5:32.

Colton Sissons scored at 6:34 on an innocent-looking shot off the rush from the right side, which appeared to deflect off Dylan Larkin’s out- reached stick.

Matt Duchene scored at 7:36 when he flung the puck at the net from the point and it deflected in off of Madison Bowey’s stick.

Howard allowed four goals on 15 shots. Bernier entered and Duchene scored on the power play at 18:30, backhanding in a rebound.

Shortly before that fifth goal, a frustrated Larkin took exception to a hit to the head from Ryan Ellis, dropping the gloves and starting a fight.

Filip Forsberg gave Nashville a 6-1 lead on the power play at 6:52 of the third.

About the only positive takeaway from this game for the Red Wings was Athanasiou’s first goal of the season in his 14th game. He began the night with five assists and a league-worst minus-18 rating.

Michigan Live LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160048 Detroit Red Wings “We’re asking a lot out of a number of guys, but that’s the reality of the situation,” Blashill said. “I also think those guys want minutes. If you want the minutes, then you go to go out and execute at a high level every single night and it’s really hard to be at 100 percent your best every night. Red Wings try to regroup after lost weekend “That’s a trained thing, I think it takes time, it takes understanding how to manage the game. So, as a defenseman they’ll just keep continuing that learning process.” Posted Nov 04, 2019 Lineup vs. Nashville By Ansar Khan Here are the lines they skated with today:

Tyler Bertuzzi-Dylan Larkin-Anthony Mantha DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill gathered the team at one end the ice before Monday’s morning skate for what seemed like Andreas Athanasiou-Valtteri Filppula-Adam Erne part pep talk, part kick in the pants. Brendan Perlini-Frans Nielsen-Taro Hirose What was the message? Justin Abdelkader-Jacob de la Rose-Darren Helm “Basically, that we didn’t show up this weekend,” Anthony Mantha said. “That we started cheating for offense in Carolina. Obviously, we don’t Christoffer Ehn (anticipated scratch) want to do that tonight. We have four games this week he said. Let’s just Defense: start with tonight and try to win all four. And if we do, that gets us back in it, gets the guys going, obviously the confidence after that, a couple of Patrik Nemeth-Filip Hronek wins, is going to be huge. We need to focus on tonight and be ready when the puck drops.” Dennis Cholowski-Alex Biega

The Red Wings face the Nashville Predators at Little Caesars Arena Joe Hicketts-Madison Bowey (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit Plus). Trevor Daley (injured) skated but remains out.

This has been a favorable matchup for the Red Wings in recent years; Mike Green (ill) did not skate. they are 10-1 in their past 11 vs. the Predators, including a 5-3 victory at Nashville in the season-opener. In goal:

The Red Wings (4-10-1, nine points) are tied for 29th overall in the NHL. Jimmy Howard (starting) Their minus-24 goals differential is the worst in the league, a number that suffered with losses to Carolina (7-3) and Florida (4-0) over the weekend. Jonathan Bernier

“We have a next-game mentality,” Blashill said. “We win tonight and Michigan Live LOADED: 11.05.2019 we’re all going to feel good about ourselves, so let’s go out and make sure we do everything we can to play great hockey and let’s find a way to win a hockey game tonight.”

Blashill believes they competed against the Hurricanes, despite the score, but feels they did not push back hard against the Panthers.

“I thought Friday we kept pushing, kept playing,” he said. “I thought Saturday wasn’t good enough, but you can get frustrated. Frustration is probably the No. 1 wasted emotion. It does no good to anybody, so you have to learn from it and move on.”

Blashill was asked how players can continue buying into the process when they’re not getting results.

“You keep teaching, you keep holding them accountable to executing the systems, certainly effort and whatnot,” Blashill said. “We utilize like a lot of teams do, that Sport Logic, and even strength-wise, our record by expected goals for and goals against should be 7-8. That’s based on even strength. Our specialty teams have to be way better. We’re 25th (power play) and 28th (penalty kill) in the league. That’s not good enough.”

He added: “The goal differentiation is no good at all. For sure we’ve given up way more goals than we’ve scored. When you go a step below that and look at (even-strength play), it’s probably better than a year ago. It says that a year ago our chances for and chances against weren’t what they are now. They’re in a better spot than they were a year ago. Again, what’s crushing us for sure is specialty teams, so we have to find a way to be better at that.”

Mantha spoke of the sense of urgency in the room.

“It’s huge,” he said. “We need to figure it out quick. Everyone knows they need to bring their game to the next level.”

Green out

Mike Green (ill) will miss his second game in a row. Blashill said it’s not related to the virus that was attacking his liver last season, which caused him to miss a total of 26 games at the start and end of the season.

Danny DeKeyser and Trevor Daley are injured and out and Jonathan Ericsson is in Grand Rapids. That leaves the Red Wings with a fairly young defense tonight (average age of 24.67 years). Alex Biega, at 31, is the oldest of the group. 1160049 Detroit Red Wings

Predators score 5 in second, beat Red Wings 6-1

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer 6 hrs ago

DETROIT (AP) — Nick Bonino scored the first of Nashville's five second- period goals, and the Predators easily dispatched the Detroit Red Wings 6-1 on Monday night.

Matt Duchene scored the last two goals of the middle period for Nashville, and Kyle Turris and Colton Sissons contributed a goal apiece. The first four goals by the Predators came in a span of 5:36, and Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard was pulled after the fourth one.

Andreas Athanasiou scored in the first period for the Red Wings, who are 1-10-1 in their last 12 games. Filip Forsberg added a goal for Nashville in the third.

Bonino scored his team-high eighth goal of the season, deflecting a point shot by Dan Hamhuis past Howard to tie the game at 1. Turris gave Nashville the lead 5:32 into the second, beating Howard to the glove side with a wrist shot from high in the slot. Sissons scored with a shot from the right circle 62 seconds later.

Detroit called a timeout, but it took the Predators only 62 more seconds to score again. Duchene flung the puck from along the boards near the blue line, and it deflected in off the stick of Red Wings defenseman Madison Bowey to make it 4-1. Howard was yanked after making only 11 saves.

Detroit's Dylan Larkin, who had only two penalty minutes on the season, was given an extra minor after a fight with Ryan Ellis. Duchene scored on a rebound during the ensuing power play.

NOTES: The assist on Nashville's first goal was the first point of the season for Hamhuis. He's the 19th skater for the Predators with at least one point this season. That does not include goalie Pekka Rinne, who earned his second assist of the season on the goal by Sissons. ... Larkin was also assessed a double-minor for high sticking in the third period.

UP NEXT

Predators: Visit the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night.

Red Wings: Visit the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.

Macomb Daily LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160050 Detroit Red Wings And it’s entirely conceivable he can do better than that if he can stay consistent.

Filip Hronek: Similar deal here to Mantha, as Hronek was expected to How the first 15 games have shifted expectations for the Red Wings break out and has. He’s played the most minutes of any Red Wing by a full minute per game, and while that stat doesn’t really tell you the quality of a player’s performance, it’s important in this case because it implies the level of trust he’s earned already in his young career. Detroit plays By Max Bultman Nov 4, 2019 him in all situations, which for a player who just turned 22 is significant.

It’s actually even more significant for the franchise, though, because it October was not kind to the Red Wings, who have lost 11 of their last 13 has desperately needed a defenseman to step forward and start taking games and sit in the league’s bottom four as teams settle into the second the torch for the next wave of players. Hronek has done that so far. He’s month of the season. scored 7 points in his 15 games, too, continuing on a pace from last season that was easy to question in terms of sustainability but is now That is mostly in line with what many thought the Red Wings would be starting to look like his norm. facing this year, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been without its surprises along the way. So with that in mind — and with a more comfortable 15- Dylan Larkin: His scoring pace is a tick off where he was last season, but game sample now available for safer declarations — it’s worth looking don’t overthink it too much with Larkin. He hasn’t been perfect, but he’s into how expectations for some individual Red Wings have changed, as been the team’s engine in most meaningful facets. On a less-important well as for the team as a whole, through that stretch. note, he’s also shown that he can handle the obligation of explaining loss after loss to the media after games. Don’t underrate that as Steve It’s not an exhaustive breakdown of the whole roster, but these are the Yzerman evaluates the future of the captaincy (as if there’s really any players who have most notably seen their preseason expectations doubt anyway). raised, affirmed or lowered through the season’s first month. The team’s record: OK, now that the individual players are out of the Expectations raised way, there’s this. And it might be a slightly controversial take. I know, the Red Wings are technically on pace to vastly underperform their Tyler Bertuzzi: Credit where it’s due: Bertuzzi has continued to produce expectations record-wise, which weren’t high to begin with. Dom after his breakout campaign last season, and now he’s tied for the Red Luszczyszyn had them pegged for 73.7 points before the season. I had Wings’ team lead with 14 points in 15 games. It surely helps that he’s them at an even 74. And right now, they’re on pace for just under 50. played the vast majority of his minutes on the team’s top line with Dylan Larkin, but don’t get it twisted: Bertuzzi has been no one’s passenger. He But to be fair, we’re making that calculation in the midst of a particularly has not been immune to mistakes, but he’s won battles and, more brutal stretch. And as much as it may feel like it, it’s likely not going to be importantly, scored goals. He trails only Anthony Mantha in that category this bad all season long (even though losing looks like it will still be a for Detroit. regularity). At the end of October, even after all the losing, Dom still had the Red Wings projected for 71.6 points over the full season. That means Is his point-production pace sustainable? Likely not. Bertuzzi’s shooting things are still mostly on track to end up right around where we all 20 percent right now, which only eight players in the whole NHL thought. managed over at least 40 games last season. So regression is likely coming in the goals department. But Bertuzzi could very well end up Expectations lowered surpassing 50 points, perhaps even comfortably. That’s a nice step forward, and a big development for the Red Wings. Andreas Athanasiou: It feels a bit like piling on at this point, because Athanasiou has had a couple of pretty strong showings lately for which Darren Helm: Props to Helm, who is already more than halfway to his he hasn’t been rewarded on the score sheet. And to be fair, his game 2018-19 goals total just a month into the season. The expectations for against Carolina included two assists and could have easily had another. him weren’t particularly high coming into the year, so when you see that So he does seem to be getting going, and this isn’t really a commentary he ranks 28th in the NHL in on-ice expected goals for percentage on him in the long-term as a player. (xGF%) at 5-on-5 (min. 70 mins), that qualifies as reason to expect a little more than previously thought from him. He’s been on the top line of late, But still, this is a 30-goal scorer who’s still sitting at zero in November. and while he’s no Mantha, he’s generally worked pretty well there. His That has to mean some shift in what is expected from Athanasiou’s final hard forechecking style has fit in with Larkin’s and Bertuzzi’s similar output this season, right? M.O., which has allowed the Red Wings to move Mantha onto Andreas With that said, Athanasiou actually had two 11-game stretches in which Athanasiou’s line in order to generate more offense. he didn’t score last season, and he still managed his 30-goal total. He’s Is Helm going to keep this up all year? Highly doubtful. He’s been one of at 13 games right now, so is it possible he could break through all at Detroit’s most effective players through 15 games, but there’s almost no once and make everyone forget this slump? Sure. way he hovers near a 60 percent expected-goals share all year. But he It’s just hard to expect a 30-goal repeat at this point. doesn’t have to do that to justify raised expectations. He just has to be versatile, and be a net positive in whatever situation (or line) the team Frans Nielsen: The Red Wings’ third-highest-paid player has zero points. puts him in. He did miss three games, but still: not one point. And expectations weren’t sky high for Nielsen or anything. He’s past the point where he Though keeping up the scoring wouldn’t hurt either. can be relied upon for much offense, and he’s playing on the third line, so Expectations affirmed it’s hard to say what’s “fair” to expect in reality, taking the contract out of the equation. Anthony Mantha: In a funny way, this almost feels not high enough for Mantha, who has been outstanding so far. But this was expected to be But if the Red Wings were counting on Nielsen to help solve their his breakout year, and it has been. So in this case, meeting expectations secondary scoring problem, that doesn’t look promising. is still a pretty big deal. His nine goals are obviously the highlight, but Taro Hirose: This one is less on the player and more on the expectation- here’s an even more encouraging stat: 13 of his 14 total points have setters, because it’s likely the expectations for Hirose were simply way been primary points. That means he’s not been the beneficiary of overinflated by his debut last season. His 7 points in 10 games were basically any cheap assists. great, but they might have unintentionally set him up to be compared The flip side is that the Red Wings’ on-ice shooting percentage with against an unfair standard this season. Mantha on the ice (12.6 percent) is quite a bit higher than his career The thing is, at 5 points in 15 games — for a player the team got for free average (8.7), which means some regression could be coming. But even last spring — he’s really been OK production-wise, all things considered. then, consider this: Mantha played 67 games last season, which is the Just being in the NHL full-time so soon after being a college free agent is exact number the Red Wings have remaining. If he were to merely match pretty good return on investment from Detroit’s perspective. his production from last season over those 67 games, he would finish with 34 goals and 62 points. That would be an excellent season and But it is probably time to formally temper the immediate expectations for shatter his career highs. him. It’s fair for him to take his time to adjust to the NHL and all its challenges, especially at 5-on-5. And to that point, Hirose has still been quite good on the power play at times (all five of his points are power- play assists). He may well still tally 30 points this year as he settles in and learns the nuances of the NHL game. That would not be a bad rookie year at all.

It’s just not what was expected of him coming in, and that’s no fault of his own.

Goaltending: It’s hard to know how much to truly pin on the Red Wings’ goalies so far, because the overall team performance hasn’t been good, and it’s hard to ask goalies to operate in that environment. Still, that means it may be time to lower expectations for the tandem of Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier, both of whom have save percentages below .900.

It is possible they’ll pick up a bit whenever the team does, but it also doesn’t look like they’ll be able to steal many games for the Red Wings, either. They each have negative goals saved above average ratings.

The team’s overall progress: Here’s where you differentiate from record and recognize the ways this season is falling short for the Red Wings. Just about everyone knew they were going to lose and lose often. But they don’t seem like they’ve taken many major steps outside of finding a top line that can simultaneously produce and check opponents’ top lines at high levels — and even then, they’ve had to break up that line often in order to spread out the scoring threat.

The special teams have been dreadful, they’ve had games get away from them late and they just haven’t been deep enough across the board. Put simply: This doesn’t look like a team that’s turning the corner.

That can still change, of course, and maybe in another month there will be signs of the growth many hoped to see out of the Red Wings this year, even in spite of losing.

But the first month of the season hasn’t given much reason to believe the Red Wings have taken a meaningful step forward. That might be the toughest pill to swallow of all.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160051 Edmonton Oilers “Too many times we want to make a really, really nice goal instead of just a goal,” said Tippett. “When you get highly skilled players out there that’s what happens. The shot volume isn’t what it needs to be.”

Draisaitl playing his way into a share of Edmonton Oilers top billing YOUNG AT HEART

At 32, Phil Kessel isn’t old by anyone’s definition, but after 13 seasons, 360 goals, 832 points and a couple of Stanley Cup rings, he already has Robert Tychkowski one of the better track records in the NHL.

Published:November 4, 2019 And now, since joining an Arizona team stocked with young talent, he’s adding mentor to his list of accomplishments. Updated:November 4, 2019 11:06 PM MST “He’s made a big impact,” said Tocchet. “The young guys love him. He

hangs out with them a lot. Personality wise, he’s been really good for our After watching Leon Draisaitl put up 50 goals and 105 points last season, room. The young guys are gravitating toward him, they’re like sponges.” Edmonton Oilers fans wondered if he’d ever be able to match those Kessel says he enjoys being a teacher at this stage in his career. totals again. “I’ve always played on teams that had great old guys who’ve been One month into the season, he’s giving them the answer. around,” he said, laughing when asked if he’s now in the category of ‘old Match? How about exceed? guy.’

Draisaitl is off to the best start of his career, already well ahead of last “I feel like I’m getting old. All these guys are so young now. But I think I year’s pace, with 13 goals (tied for the league lead) and 26 points (one have a lot more years left in my game. Hopefully these guys can keep off the league lead) through the first 15 games of the season. me young.”

He leads the NHL in minutes played by a forward, he’s only been held off Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 11.05.2019 the scoresheet twice this season, he kills penalties and, when it comes to durability, he’s a tank, missing only four of the last 330 games.

Forget the 1A blathering out of Toronto, if there is an argument to be made about who the second best player in the NHL is, Draisaitl is pushing his way to the top of the debate.

It once seemed ridiculous to think that, on a team with Connor McDavid on it, somebody else would be good enough to share top billing on the Oilers marquee, but Drasaitl is doing exactly that.

“If you have to pick an MVP, he could be right there, that’s how good he is,” said Arizona coach Rick Tocchet, who admits to marvelling at Draisaitl during the Oilers-Coyotes pre-scout meetings. “We respect him as much as we respect Connor McDavid. Every time I turn on NHL On The Fly, every big goal, he scores it, or McDavid. And every overtime goal, he scores it. They’re high-end guys. They’re superstars.”

The Oilers are leaning on Draisaitl in just every situation this year, even strength, power play, penalty kill and overtime, all of which are driving his minutes through the roof. After leading the NHL in total ice time by a forward last year, he’s back on top again this year, averaging 23:50 a game.

“He can handle it, but it’s too much,” admits Oilers coach Dave Tippett, adding some of those minutes come from playing every second shift in overtime. “I’ve tried to bring him back a little bit, those are competitive guys. You look down the bench and they want to play, and they give you a pretty good chance of getting things down out there, but it’s something we’re going to monitor.”

When a player is one of the best in the game at almost he does, and has a six-foot-two, 208-pound frame that can easily handle the workload, it’s hard not to keep sending him over the boards all the time. The more Draisaitl expands his repertoire, the more the Oilers need him out there.

“I’ve always wanted to be a complete player in all three zones,” said the 24-year-old. “I never wanted to be seen as an offensive player only, a guy who’s a liability on the defensive zone. I take big pride in that, penalty, kill face-offs, that kind of stuff. It’s something I paid a lot of attention to over the years and slowly trying to get better at it.”

It shows.

“He’s a student of the game,” said Tippett. “He studies players before him and how they played. He’s really thoughtful in how he wants to play and how he wants his game to be perceived and really thoughtful in how that game translates into helping us win.”

POWER DOWN

The Oilers power play was almost automatic in the early part of the season, going 10-for-22 in the first seven games of the season. But it cooled off in a hurry, going 2-for-21 over the next eight games.

As is usually the case when a power play slows down, the Oilers are passing up too many shots. 1160052 Edmonton Oilers “I knew that I touched it. Kass told me he probably touched it too. In the end I didn’t know who was the last guy to touch it. Good for me, and good for him that he gave me that. It’s really good,” said Haas.

Coyotes take a bite out of Oilers in battle of Pacific Division foes STILL LOOKING FOR A RAY OF SUNSHINE

Tippett started Alex Chiasson with McDavid and Draisaitl but the coach got out the blender after the first period and last year’s feel-good story Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal was moved around the lineup with Sam Gagner moving onto the right side with the captain. Chiasson continues to work but hasn’t scored yet in Published:November 4, 2019 his 13 games. Updated:November 4, 2019 10:49 PM MST “I put him in that place to give him a good opportunity tonight and there wasn’t a lot happening there,” said Tippett. “Just a lot of pucks going through him and just not much generated there.” In this battle between the Wile E. Coyotes and the Roadrunner and his Edmonton teammates Monday, Arizona scored on the last shot of the Chiasson, who had 22 goals last year, had one really good chance but night, proving every dog has its day. Kuemper stopped him on his doorstep.

Derek Stepan lifted one past Mikko Koskinen on the 3-on-3 skills test for NO REST FOR THE WEARY a 3-2 Arizona win as the Coyotes moved within three points (22-19) of While there’s lots of talk of all the ice Draisaitl’s getting in the early going, the Oilers in the very crowded Pac8. he’s only playing 74 seconds more (23:49 to 22:35) than he did in 2018- Connor McDavid scored a dazzling goal with the fastest feet in hockey 2019. We forget he was second in forward ice-time last year to teammate before the game was two minutes old and Gaetan Haas got his first NHL Connor McDavid’s 22:50. McDavid is 23:19 now, so 29 seconds more. goal on a tip past Darcy Kuemper in the 55th minute to get it to overtime Maybe it’s more amplified if you, say, look at fellow first-liners David after Arizona goals by Michael Grabner and Carl Soderberg. Pastrnak (18:09) and Brad Marchand (19:16) in Boston. Or Auston The game was somewhere between BORRINGG! and SLOPPY. The Matthews (19:40) and side-kick Mitch Marner (20:08) in Toronto. But Coyotes, who only had five shots over a 26-minute span in the game, Draisaitl, who came into the game with goals in five straight games, says clogged up the neutral zone. It led to frustration and a slew of bad he can handle it, just fine. He played 25 1/2 minutes against Arizona and passes, also mistakes that proved costly (Soderberg goal). Tippett liked was robbed by Kuemper on a one-timer on a powerplay. the point because his club persevered instead of losing 3-1 or 4-1, and “I’m trying to reward the coach for all the minutes and produce and play got it to OT, but definitely didn’t like how his team played with the puck. well,” said Draisaitl, 12-4 on the face-off dot against the Coyotes. “There was poor execution by players who are either trying to make a SEEING SOME FAMILIAR FACES better play than is available or just not dealing with the speed and executing at that speed,” said Tippett. “Plays are just not getting made. Tippett went against his old Coyotes team for the first time in regular- The other team checks hard, but there are NHL plays that have to get season after a glimpse of them in an exhibition game. Any advantage to made. We didn’t have enough of them for the first half of the game. The Tippett, who watched his best Arizona player Ekman-Larsson play 29:11 second half, we started to make some.” of the 62 minutes?

Kuemper, who came into the game with a 1.67 goals against average, “Maybe if I had just left, like if it was last year, but there’s not much left of was beaten by McDavid on the game’s first shot, and kept the Oilers at the roster from when I was there (2016-2017),” said Tippett. “I’ve been bay until Zack Kassian and Haas provided heavy shade in front of the away for two to three years now. Time has changed things.” goalie with Haas getting his stick on Matt Benning’s shot to tie it 2-2. This ’n that: Kassian caught ex Oiler Jordan Oesterle midway through the Just after the two anthems and Leon Draisaitl getting his photo taken as third with a hard hit, either high chest or under the chin which had the October winner of the Molson three-star award, McDavid took a Arizona coach Rick Tocchet screaming. Then Jason Demers went down Draisaitl feed in full flight and he swept around a flat-footed Oliver the tunnel with eight minutes to go, but he came back for the final five Ekman-Larsson to tuck one by Kuemper on the Oilers first shot 91 minutes…Hardest check in the first period was thrown by ref Brian seconds in. Pochmara on Oiler centre Haas…They had two refs in this one but Graham Skilliter called all five penalties…Former Coyotes’ winger Josh “Very (Colby) Cave like goal,” kidded CHED’s Reid Wilkins on twitter, Archibald (broken foot) is skating and might not be that far away from referencing the role-player’s dance to the net in Pittsburgh last Saturday. playing with a piece of plastic for protection around his laces after he The Coyotes tied it two minutes later however, on a hopeful 25-footer by blocked a shot in Winnipeg Oct. 20. Winger Joakim Nygard (ribs) had Grabner that sailed past the goalie’s blocker on the short side. You could some trouble shooting last week but is fine now. Maybe he’ll be ready for almost see the steam under Koskinen’s mask from last row of the seats the road trip (Anaheim-San Jose) starting Sunday…The Oilers were on as the goalie knew he had blown the shot. the fence with centre Riley Sheahan who’s close to being ready after being rattled by Pierre-Luc Dubois in the Columbus game last He rebounded smartly after that, but Soderberg the former Colorado Wednesday. “He hasn’t skated in three days and Cave played well in centre, took advantage of a Joel Persson giveaway in the second and Pittsburgh,” said Tippett. whipped a 30-footer over his Koskinen’s mitt to give the Coyotes a 2-1 lead heading to the third. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 11.05.2019

TAKE A SEAT YOUNG MAN

After Persson’s mistake, Tippett chose to not play him the rest of the night, leaving the Oilers with five D. Persson has shown he’s got lots of smarts with the puck but the speed of the NHL game is proving a little problematic for the Swedish D, used to more time in Europe.

“He struggled the whole game, he had a tough night. The pace of the game was a little bit much for him to handle,” said Tippett. “It is a fast- paced game, a hard game. For whatever reason, he just didn’t have it tonight.

ONE GOAL, ONE POINT

Haas, playing his ninth NHL game, got his blade on Benning’s shot but it also looked like Kassian had deflected it on the way towards Kuemper. 1160053 Edmonton Oilers Oilers: PP 12-43, 27.9 per cent, second PK 41-48, 85.4 per cent, eighth Coyotes: PP 9-40, 22.5 per cent, 12th PK 31-38 81.6 per cent, 15th

SICK BAY: Edmonton Oilers Game Day: Dave Tippett to face former team Oilers: Joakim Nygard (ribs), Josh Archibald (busted foot), Adam Larsson

(broken fibula) Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal Coyotes: Niklas Hjalmarsson (broken leg), Brad Richardson (upper body) Published:November 4, 2019 Game Day Lines Updated:November 4, 2019 6:00 AM MST OILERS (PROJECTED)

Leon Draisaitl-Connor McDavid-Zack Kassian Arizona Coyotes at Edmonton Oilers Jujhar Khaira-Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-Sam Gagner 7 P.M. TV: SPORTSNET WEST. RADIO 630 CHED James Neal-Gaetan Haas-Alex Chiasson Five Keys to Game: Markus Granlund-Colby Cave-Patrick Russell 1. KEEPING THE PUCKS OUT Darnell Nurse-Ethan Bear The Oilers goaltending has been the overriding story in the first 15 Oscar Klefbom-Joel Persson games with only one game (6-2 loss to Florida) where it failed to get the job done. While the duo of Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen has definitely Kris Russell-Matt Benning won them games (Smith in Pittsburgh, Koskinen vs Philadelphia), the tag-team has worked best to keep Oilers (2.47 goals against) close or not Mikko Koskinen let games get out of hand. Smith has a .931 save percentage in nine Mike Smith games and Koskinen .922 in six. COYOTES (PROJECTED) 2. BIG TRAIN ROLLING DOWN TRACKS Barrett Hayton-Christian Dvorak-Phil Kessel Leon Draisaitl has 13 goals in his first 15 games, something an Oiler hasn’t done since Wayne Gretzky 32 years ago. He’s tied with Boston’s Clayton Keller-Nick Schmaltz-Conor Garland David Pastrnak for the NHL goals high but only one of Draisaitl’s 13 has been on the power play while Pastrnak has eight PP goals. Obviously Michael Grabner-Patrik Stefan-Vinnie Hinostroza last season’s 50 wasn’t a one-off. He has 63 goals in his last 97 games Lawson Crouse-Carl Soderberg-Christian Fischer while Alex Ovechkin has 62 goals in his past 96 games. Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Jason Demers 3. THERE’S CONNOR, THEN THERE’S CONOR Jakob Chychrun-Alex Goligoski The Coyotes five-foot-10, 165-pound winger Garland leads them with seven goals. Last January here, he scored one off his face taking a a Aaron Ness-Jordan Oesterle slapper by Jordan Oesterle, the former Oiler D-man, in the kisser. Garland, 23, had 13 goals in only 47 games last year so has 20 in his 60 Darcy Kuemper NHL game career. He led all CHL juniors in scoring (129 points) playing Antti Raanta for Moncton in 2014-2015 but was still only a fourth-round draft pick in McDavid’s draft year 2015 because he was deemed too small. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 11.05.2019

4. EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY

Phil Kessel, acquired from Penguins for Alex Galchenyuk, started his career with Coyotes slowly but the first-line right-winger is coming on. He has five points in his last five games to give him nine in 13 games. He only has one even-strength goal though, something a little concerning. Kessel, who turned 32 a month ago, has played 1,009 games. His consecutive game streak of 787 is seventh best in NHL history. It started Nov. 3, 2009 when he was playing for the Leafs.

5. STAYING STRONG AT HOME

The Oilers, who have played nine of their 15 on the road, are 5-1 at Rogers Place with their only blip, the bad loss to the Panthers. With the Pacific Division surprisingly stronger than the Central this season, Oilers can’t take their foot off the gas. They lead with 21 points but there’s six teams within four points of them with the Coyotes at 17 points in 13 games. They’re 8-4-1 and sixth in the Pac8. This might be the season where five Pacific teams make the post-season and only three from the usually powerful Central.

Big Matchup

DAVE TIPPETT VS HIS OLD COYOTES

This will be the first time the Oilers head coach is going against the club he coached for 622 games, starting in 2009 after his first head job in Dallas for six years. There’s still some familiar faces from his last stand there in 2016-2017 — captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Alex Goligoski, Christian Dvorak, Brad Richardson, Jakob Chychrun. His goalie then? Oiler Mike Smith. Smith had a two-year whirl with Calgary after he left the Coyotes but Tippett stopped coaching in 2017 to go and work for the expansion Seattle franchise.

SPECIAL TEAMS 1160054 Edmonton Oilers fans here that was something I hadn’t experienced and I thought it would be fun to see what it would be like.”

The man who parted ways with the Coyotes on the eve of the 2017 NHL A builder at heart: Dave Tippett is back in his element in Edmonton Draft in Chicago wasn’t the same passionate guy who had arrived for his job interview eight years earlier with a backseat full of innovative ideas and two deep pockets of determination. He had grown weary of the constant relocation rumors. He had become frustrated by multiple By Craig Morgan Nov 4, 2019 ownership changes; sickened by distasteful ownership foibles. He had grown numb to the litany of empty promises. He had grown impatient with skill-deficient rosters. He was no longer interested in his recurring From the day Dave Tippett walked away from the Arizona Coyotes, role as a crimeless Sisyphus. Bitterness, anger and an understandable through his year as a senior adviser for Seattle’s coming expansion desire for control were clouding his coaching. franchise, to the day he accepted the head coaching job with the Edmonton Oilers, he remained in constant contact with Jim Playfair. “You fight that fight for so long and you’re just tired,” he said. “You’re going through another ownership change and another unsure direction. It Tippett spent six seasons on the Coyotes bench with Playfair as his was just time for me to take a break.” associate coach. The two worked untold hours behind the scenes to extract results from a skill-starved roster, and they enjoyed plenty of Rest wasn’t the only producer of perspective for Tippett. He spoke to hours socializing along with their wives, Wendy Tippett and Roxane business people and learned applicable lessons. He spoke to a Playfair. psychologist to gain a better understanding of what motivated people. And he watched hockey. Lots of hockey. As Tippett laid brick after brick of Seattle’s foundation, Playfair kept asking him simple questions. “As a coach, you’re always stealing ideas all over the place but you’re always looking for the next idea to try to get ahead, too, because “We’d meet up at his house in Silverleaf (Scottsdale), go for supper at a everybody pretty much knows what everybody else does now with all the restaurant with our wives, sit in his clubhouse or have breakfast at one of video that’s available,” he said. “There’s not many secrets out there so The Good Egg locations,” Playfair said. “There was a block of time where how can you find ways to push your group ahead, whether it be Tip was content not to go back and coach. I think he really enjoyed the chemistry or just how you mold your group. process of putting the foundation together for Seattle. “You’re thinking about things you have done in the past, you’re watching “I would always ask him, ‘What’s next?’ and he would say, ‘I’ve got to get how the game is being played, and not just how the game is being played the American League team up and running.’ I’d say, ‘What about after but the conditioning and the sports science behind it. It’s all about how do that?’ and he’d say, ‘I’ve got to hire a GM.’ It came down to the point you maximize the players you have, physically and mentally? There’s a where I said, ‘When you have the American League team up and running lot more that goes into it now than there used to be.” with a staff, and the NHL team up and running with staff, and the coach and GM are doing their thing, where do you get the juice on a day-to-day Tippett is maximizing just about everything in Edmonton through 15 basis? What is going to happen after a win or a loss when you don’t feel games. The Oilers are 10-4-1 despite a long-term injury to key you have the pulse of the team?’ defenseman Adam Larsson and a handful of other injuries. They own the league’s second-best power play and eighth-best penalty-killing unit, they “He looked at me and he started thinking about it.” are playing with trademark Tippett structure, and some false narratives that dogged him during his days in Arizona have been dispelled. That thought process eventually led Tippett to the northernmost location on the NHL map, where he has engineered the league’s biggest early- Through skin-deep analysis, some detractors asserted that Tippett didn’t season surprise. Entering Monday’s game against the Coyotes at Rogers know how to coach offense, but as he did with L.A.’s power play and Place, the Oilers led the Western Conference with 21 points and were Dallas’ forwards, Tippett is meshing perfectly with two of the game’s best third in the NHL standings. The defense-challenged Oilers were also offensive talents — the type of “X-factor players” he never had in seventh in goals against per game at 2.47. Arizona. Draisaitl is second in the NHL with 26 points; McDavid is tied for third at 23. “It’s fun to be back in the game,” Tippett said. “I think it can be renewing when you’ve been out for a little bit. The couple years off was, I think, “It’s not like Tip enjoys playing defensive hockey,” Playfair said. “No really good for me to kind of re-energize.” coach does. It’s a necessary means to create the offense, but when we have done the work in the defensive zone and we have the puck, it’s Tippett has always been a builder at heart. He guided the Houston Aeros absolute freedom. Go play. Go use your skill. Jump up in the play. from the worst record in the IHL in 1995-96 to the Turner Cup in 1999. Defensemen jump in the play. Attack the net, stay in the offensive zone, He turned the Los Angeles Kings’ power play from the NHL’s 24-ranked hold onto the puck, make plays. He’s not making guys chip the puck in. unit (out of 27 teams) in 1999 to the NHL’s top-ranked unit in 2001-02. In It’s not a methodical offensive-zone structure that we play.” his first season as an NHL head coach, he led the Dallas Stars to a 46- 17-15-4 record and a Pacific Division title with 111 points, a 21-point Tippett has also entrusted some of his most important minutes to young improvement over the previous season. In Arizona, he engineered a players such as 22-year-old defenseman Ethan Bear, who is logging three-year playoff streak from a franchise that had missed the 21:13 of ice time per game. That’s a disconnect with the guy whom critics postseason the previous six years. Even in his spare time, he’d revert to claimed didn’t trust young players. building — constructing motorcycles by hand. “When I took the job here they said, ‘Oh, you’re a defensive coach’ and I “There is nothing so small that he puts it to the side,” said former Coyotes told them I got my first head coaching job because I was an offensive goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, who played for Tippett from 2009-11. “He coach,” Tippett said, chuckling. “I ran the power play in L.A. and I was gives attention to even the tiny details, every day and in everything.” hired in Dallas because I was an offensive guy. It’s just a narrative that goes with where you are and the situation you’re in. At some point, however, Tippett knew that the building phase in Seattle would end for him unless he waited until 2021-22 and took the coaching “In Dallas, we always had high skill and high-end talent. In Arizona, we job. That was too long for a man whose two-year coaching sabbatical had a real blue-collar group that had a passion and will to win but we had had given him a new perspective on the game and a renewed fire for it. to do it as a group and combine the skill. We had to do what we had to do to win so you get pegged with different things. “I wasn’t bored in Seattle,” Tippett said. “There’s lots to do there, but the right situation came around so I just felt like it was the right time to jump “It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old. Coaches trust good players so if back in. a player is capable, coaches don’t look at the age. Just because he’s a young guy doesn’t mean you just don’t give him the chance. If he does “The core pieces were here (Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl the job he gets the chance. Ethan Bear, nobody thought he would make foremost among them), working with (GM) Ken Holland was a factor and our team and now he’s playing big minutes.” so was the chance to work in a real passionate Canadian market. I grew up in Canada, but played my whole career in the states and coached my Holland has played a significant role in reshaping the bottom of the whole career in the states. There’s something about the passion of the roster, too. He added former Coyote Josh Archibald (injured), Riley Sheahan (injured) and Markus Granlund to bolster a PK that finished 30th in the NHL last season. He brought in defenseman Joel Persson and elevated Bear from the AHL to improve a suspect blue line. He engineered a lopsided trade with his Alberta rival, sending Milan Lucic to the Calgary Flames for wing James Neal, who has 11 goals.

Tippett has even called on an old friend, Mike Smith, to stabilize the goaltending position. Smith played for Tippett in Dallas and Arizona. By accepting a tandem approach with Mikko Koskinen, Smith has stayed fresh in the early going, posting the league’s seventh-best save percentage at .931 (Koskinen is at .922).

“Mike is at a stage in his career where he just wants to win,” Playfair said. “He has probably matured as a veteran leader on and off the ice, and he realizes a two-goalie system is important.”

Fast starts don’t guarantee a playoff berth, for a team that has made the postseason just once in the past 13 seasons, the early returns have lent some street cred to a guy who already had plenty on his résumé.

“We’ve had a good start and we talked about that from day one of training camp that we needed a good start if we were going to be a playoff team,” Tippett said. “Now we’ve got to sustain it.

“It’s a motivated group that really wants to take a step forward. So that part of it, from a coaching standpoint, has been really enjoyable to work with. They want to get better every day and so far … we’ve only had (a couple) where I feel like we didn’t play very well, where we just looked like a real tired group. The other ones, we’ve been very competitive. That’s a good sign.”

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160055 Edmonton Oilers Even strength: His TOI per game is up 16 seconds a game (18:21), shots per 60 is way up, from 6.11 to 8.71. His shooting percentage is also up, from 20.53 to 30 percent at even strength.

Lowetide: Can Leon Draisaitl score more than 50 goals this season? Power play: His TOI per game is up 36 seconds to 3:56 per game, shots per 60 is down almost three to 12.17 per 60. His shooting percentage is down 15 percent to 8.33.

By Allan Mitchell Nov 4, 2019 This is exactly opposite of what I was expecting to see. Draisaitl’s even strength numbers are driving this train, not the power-play results. I think

it’s reasonable to expect both of these totals to regress, and it’s When Leon Draisaitl scored 50 goals for the Edmonton Oilers in 2018-19, reasonable to expect a spike in power-play goals for No. 29. he delivered an exceptional shooting percentage (21.6) and took full What was expected? advantage of playing alongside an impact linemate (Connor McDavid) for more than 60 percent of his total minutes. Math suggests that Draisaitl’s Back in the late summer, I estimated Draisaitl’s scoring during the pre-2018 shooting percentage (13.7), gathered over 3.5 seasons in the “reasonable expectations” series and projected 38 goals. Part of that NHL, would force a reckoning this season. Even if the regression brought projection included seeing him play away from Connor McDavid. So far the scoring percentage back half the way, to say 17.5 percent, this year, the duo has been inseparable (via Natural Stat Trick): reasonable expectations would have Draisaitl at 40 goals in 2019-20 if he delivered the same shot total (231) year over year. Draisaitl with McDavid ’19-20 in all situations: 11 goals on 43 shots (25.58 percent) in 304:37. The season is just 15 games old, and Draisaitl appears to be outrunning regression without increasing his heart rate. He has 13 goals in 15 Draisaitl sans McDavid ’19-20 in all situations: 2 goals on 9 shots (22.22 games, 52 shots and is skating around with a 25 percent success rate so percent) in 52:45. far in 2019-20. The McDavid-Draisaitl duo has been together about 85 percent of the Shooting percentage outliers time in 2019-20, compared with 63 percent of the time in 2018-19. That might help explain the increased output so far this season. Since the turn of the century, and before this season, shooting percentages above 20 have been rare. Mike Ribeiro scored 27 goals on Situations 107 shots in 2007-08 (25.2), and that remains the highest percentage It’s unlikely, but I wanted to see whether Dave Tippett had a magic wand since 2000-01. The last player before 2019-20 to approach it was William that allowed him to get Leon out against softer competition. Perhaps the Karlsson in 2017-18 (23.37). This year, there is an early shooting clean air of bottom-six forward opposition is a key? No. percentage explosion. Here are the 10 leaders in the category as of Nov. 3 (via Hockey-Reference): We know Draisaitl plays tough minutes at five-on-five, that’s expected when playing alongside McDavid. He played 35.3 percent of his five-on- 32.26 five time against elites in 2018-19 according to Puck IQ. That number TJ Oshie 30.77 has increased to 41.5 percent this season.

David Pastrnak 30.23 Shot volume

Roope Hintz 27.27 I saved this for last because it’s the easiest answer of all. Draisaitl isn’t lobbing shots in from centre to pad his stats, he delivers rockets from Barclay Goodrow 26.67 areas close to the net. He’s a dangerous sniper, and the shot totals are increasing. A year ago, he averaged 2.82 shots per game over 82 games Philip Danault 26.32 (total 231). So far this season, he is averaging 3.47 shots per game. If Leon Draisaitl 25.00 that continues, he’ll land around 284 shots. Using last season’s shot percentage, he would project to 61 goals. A reminder: Extrapolating Sammy Blais 25.00 numbers over an entire season with a small sample is pure folly. He is on track to increase shot volume and scoring efficiency, but there are limits. James Neal 25.00 Can Draisaitl score more than 50 goals? Erik Haula 25.00 It’s possible for Draisaitl to pass 50 goals in 2019-20, and scoring 13 Schenn is dangerously close to Charlie Simmer’s record, now almost 40 goals in the first 15 games improves the odds. Draisaitl needs 37 goals in years old. There are 10 players who are at 25 percent or more so far this the final 67 games of the year and he’ll need to avoid long slumps and season, suggesting we are seeing something unusual in the league in injuries. He will benefit from playing more with McDavid (should it 2019-20. Regression will take care of much of the issue, but there does continue) and increased shot volume and shooting percentage, should appear to be a change in the weather offensively. those trends continue. Let’s go back to the start and check the scoring rate per game across the Draisaitl’s start to the season puts him on a path for a career season, league. In 2018-19, total goals per game (both teams) was 5.96, while which is impressive because it follows a career season that saw him shooting percentage was 9.5 and save percentage .905 overall. This score 50 goals. It’s unfair to say sky’s the limit, but good health, season, the total goals per game is 6.06, with a 9.6 shooting percentage sustained shot volume and success, and extended time with McDavid is and a .904 save percentage. The difference is enough to raise a perfect fit for a career season. expectations, but not a lot. In 2018-19, the average NHL team posted 244 goals. Using the current rate and extrapolating it over 82 games in The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 2019-20, that total for an average team would climb to 248, not exactly earth shattering.

Despite the insane number of players at or above Draisaitl’s current shooting percentage, the league appears to be in the same range offensively as one year ago. No spike in offence, no NHL version of a juiced ball for this season.

Leon’s deployment

Another item we can look at is how Draisaitl is being deployed. As a for instance, maybe he is getting more shots on goal via the power play. It’s a stretch considering he was a feature player one year ago, but let’s break it down. 1160056 Los Angeles Kings

Drew Doughty marks homecoming with discussion of shortcomings

By ANDREW KNOLL |

PUBLISHED: November 4, 2019 at 12:03 pm | UPDATED: November 4, 2019 at 12:03 PM

For Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, success brought about a discussion of shortcomings and a road trip took him home.

When the Kings (5-9-0) traveled to Toronto Sunday for a showdown with the Maple Leafs (7-5-3) on Tuesday, Doughty entered familiar territory. He grew up in London, , and played junior hockey even closer to Toronto in Guelph, Ontario. In the Kings’ previous contest, he scored an overtime game-winner against Chicago, only to sound off on his desire to elevate his performance immediately following the game Saturday.

“I want to be that defenseman that’s up for the Norris again one day, and I want our team to be successful again,” Doughty said. “That’s obviously the main goal, having a better season this year and hopefully making the playoffs. When we’re losing, I take it personally.”

Doughty said that he had been reviewing film and working with assistant coaches to improve his gap control as well as his contribution to the Kings’ ailing penalty kill. Above all, he said he was on for too many goals against, a figure that he considered an indicator of both his own performance and of the team’s fortunes as a whole.

“I play the most minutes for my team and if I’m on for goals against, then we’re probably going to lose,” Doughty said.

Indeed Doughty has seen a notable dip in the proportion of the Kings’ possession, scoring chances and goals when he has been on the ice. According to Natural Stat Trick, his Corsi-for, Fenwick-for, scoring- chances-for and goals-for percentages have all been at career lows over the past two campaigns as the Kings have struggled.

Kings coach Todd McLellan said Doughty was “striving to be perfect” and was a player who was counted on to “provide big moments.” He responded to an inquiry about Doughty’s critical evaluation of his own play with a question of his own.

“Can you imagine life without him?” McLellan asked.

Doughty and the Kings will need to be on their toes against a formidable Toronto offense. The Leafs have made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons. Since 2016-17 they have scored the third most goals of any NHL franchise, and also sit third in the league in goals this season.

Their core group of forwards–Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and John Tavares–have notched 40 points in 38 combined games played thus far. Defenseman Morgan Reilly has been a point-per-game player on the blue line. He is joined there by former King Jake Muzzin, whose nine points in 14 games have him on pace for a career high in scoring.

Kings at Toronto

When: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday

Where:

TV/Radio: Fox Sports West/iHeartRadio

Orange County Register: LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160057 Los Angeles Kings last season. And there will be more vets dealt before the Feb. 24 deadline and next offseason as the Kings keep getting younger.

In the meantime, there are also going to be some tough nights on the ice. LeBrun: Committed Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar remain key to But what the Kings hope for through this rebuild is to compete while new rebuilding Kings’ plans head coach Todd McLellan puts into place the kind of hockey they want to play once they’re ready to fully turn over big parts of the roster.

By Pierre LeBrun Nov 4, 2019 “You want to remain as competitive as possible just so you can drive home the system and the style and the players see that success,” said Blake. “And then you want to continually add the youth at the right time. It’s really hard to rush them in and put them in spots where they’re not TORONTO — This isn’t what Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar signed up going to succeed.” for at the time. So while you’ve already heard McLellan a little cranky this season after No, when both Los Angeles Kings superstars inked their long-term some poor efforts, don’t confuse that with the veteran coach not extensions, the plan was to keep contending for Stanley Cups, or at least understanding what this season is really about. He knows what he signed keep playing playoff games, certainly not head into a rebuild. up for. He endorses his GM’s plan. But now that they’re here and that Kings GM Rob Blake has explained “In April when I was offered the job, that’s something that I as an the plan to them, they’re fully on board with what they hope is a quick as individual had to accept,” McLellan told reporters Monday. “I knew that possible retooling. coming in. It’s a mandate of ours to transform the team and try to get it “Obviously when I was re-signing we didn’t ever think we’d do this up and running to maybe a different brand of hockey. It won’t happen rebuild,” Doughty said Monday after practice. “We’re not too happy we overnight.” have to do it. But it’s the way things have come. We have full faith in It doesn’t mean he has to enjoy the tough moments. He’s the one in the Blakey, and full faith in all the players in this room. We’re going to get trenches behind the bench. It’s going to test him. back to where we were one day, just we can’t rush it. We need to trust the process. We have to play with the cards we’ve been dealt here.” “We’re short-term people, we live period by period, shift by shift,” said McLellan. “It can get frustrating at times. But if you also know what the The plan is to turn over this roster around Doughty, 29, and Kopitar, 32, end plan is and you know where you are in the path, at least here we over the next few years. Think of how the Bruins masterfully retooled the know where are in the path. … You have to take a long-term approach.” team around veterans Zdeno Chara, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron; that’s the hope for Los Angeles, that it can rejig the team That’s the tough part for guys like Kopitar and Doughty, competitive around Doughty and Kopitar. athletes who won two Stanley Cups. Sure, they understand the path ahead, but they want to stay as competitive as possible in the here and Those two players want to be Kings on the other side of it and playing for now, too. championships once again. “It’s a challenge for sure, it always is,” Kopitar said. “We’re trying to do, “Yeah I certainly don’t want to go anywhere,” said Kopitar, who is in the what you call a rebuild on the fly, and we’re also trying to stay relevant.” fourth season of an eight-year, $80-million deal. “I’ve been in L.A. 14 years now and I can call it my home. Unless somebody tells me I got to It’s almost been a half-decade since that 2014 Cup. And the hardest part go anywhere, I certainly would like to stay here. In saying that we got to is when you’ve lived those moments and know the difficult road ahead make sure we build a team that’s competitive. I think we’re trending in the before potentially getting back there again. right direction.” “It’s really hard to go from up here (he gestures up, then down) to down Despite what it may look like on the ice at times this season, the Kings do here now,” Doughty said. “I struggle with that every day. I want to get appear to be going in that direction, as underlined by the fact they ranked back to up here.” fourth in Corey Pronman’s prospects in the pipeline rankings of all 31 organizations before the season. The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019

The light is at the end of the tunnel. Which is an important selling point when you’re convincing your two most important core players of the plan at hand.

“It’s encouraging, of course, the draft picks that we’ve had the last few years,” said Kopitar. “We’re going to be trending in the right direction.”

With that youth movement in mind, it’s been important for Blake to share some of his vision and game plan with Kopitar and Doughty to keep them from going crazy over what might be another difficult transition year.

“Those two in particular I have lots of communication with just to let them understand exactly what we’re doing,’’ Blake told The Athletic on Monday.

The Kings GM gave a specific example of that.

“We brought in the young defenceman Toby Bjornfot and Drew loved playing with him early,” said Blake. “But I had to explain to Drew, ‘It’s going to take time for him. He’s going to have to play in North America for a year. But you’ll see him again.’

“So I think the more communication you have and allow those guys a sense of what you’re doing, they get to buy in, too,” added Blake.

Doughty, who in July 2018 signed an eight-year, $88-million deal which kicked in this season, appreciates that kind of communication from his GM.

“It feels good, he’s giving you input and taking your input back. We want to know what’s going on,” said Doughty.

Another hard part will see veteran teammates continue to get traded; it wasn’t easy for Doughty when his pal Jake Muzzin was dealt to Toronto 1160058 Los Angeles Kings When we talked in New York — shortly after the Jake Muzzin trade last season — you said that the Kings couldn’t ‘lose the culture,’ and the right players were in place to pass along that winning ethic. Do you continue to feel that way? On his 35th birthday, Dustin Brown reflects on leading with a ‘different perspective’ That’s still the same sentiment. Kopi (Anze Kopitar) got a glimpse of where we at now, when he first came in. But a lot of these guys have never experienced it, maybe. It’s just being really aware of the day-to-day and how many people are looking at you and watching you and learning By Lisa Dillman Nov 4, 2019 from you. I’ve always said this: You can learn a lot of good from people and you can learn a lot of bad from people.

TORONTO — Dustin Brown may be the youngest-looking 35-year-old in Players talk about and have to live in the moment. But do you ever reflect the NHL. and say, ‘I’m still here and prospering?’

Forget hockey. How about a young-looking 35 in any walk of life? My attitude ever since I was a young guy was put your head down and work. There’s things you can control and things you can’t. I’m still There was a reason for preoccupation with age on Monday. The two-time learning that lesson. With the frustration, where our team is at, I want to Stanley Cup champion, husband and father of three boys and a girl be further along. But that’s where I think the patience really needs to kick celebrated his 35th birthday. in and I can probably help it along taking care of being who I am.

Perhaps “celebrated” isn’t the right word — with his family at home in How would you evaluate Todd McLellan’s communications skills? Southern California — but you get the idea. Brown thought the kids might say something about his birthday when they chatted later in the day, You know what is expected of you. It should make it easier for younger perhaps at his wife Nicole’s prompting. guys. I came up in a time when you didn’t know what was expected. You had to figure it out on your own a little bit. You weren’t told directly. It’s always good to take the temperature and check in with the longest- tenured Kings player, who is 14 games into his 16th season with the It was a different time, a different game. I think it’s much a much better organization. Brown had a career-high 61 points and 33 assists two environment for younger players to come in and prosper. seasons ago and scored 22 goals and 51 points last season. Essentially, The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 that’s better offensive production than when he was in his early 30s.

This season, he has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 14 games and ended an eight-game pointless streak on Saturday with two assists in the Kings’ 4-3 overtime win against Chicago.

With the Kings starting a three-game trip — Toronto on Tuesday, Ottawa on Thursday and Montreal on Saturday — they practiced here at the on Monday. We were able to cover a lot of ground in five and a half minutes.

Honestly, you don’t look 35. Do you feel 35 or is it just a number to you?

I think it’s just a number. When you start thinking about yourself as an older guy, you might start feeling that way. There’s a lot of work that goes into it. I feel good.

The weather, where we live is (a factor). I look at people back home — people I grew up with — they look older. It’s a harder life. The strain. The grind. The weather has a huge effect on people.

You responded with a strong game on Saturday against the Blackhawks. How do you feel your season has gone?

I kind of faltered there for little bit. I wasn’t playing my game, the way I can play it, for whatever reason. You’ve got to work through those things. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last time for me.

I’m just trying to identify it quickly. I thought I played better toward the end of our last road trip, personally. More engaged in the game.

With the rebuild, or whatever you want to call it, there’s going to be some tough nights ahead. How are you and some of the other players handling it?

As a person who has been through this, I have to remember — not remember, but the perspective is different. When we were going through this process before, I was the young guy just kind of taking over the team, trying to. Now, as an older guy who has been in the league and we’re going through it a little bit differently, I have to have different perspective on it.

A little more patience with the team — where we are, where we are at and where we want to be. Just knowing the road map of what we need to do. When I say patience, I just want us to learn quicker. There’s no way to speed that up but by going through the lessons.

There aren’t really any shortcuts, right?

Exactly. And I know that. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, in a game, the frustration or whatever you want to call it, the ‘pissed-offness.’ Quite honestly, some games you just want to … you’re just mad, you’re upset. We know where we want to go and how to get there. Right now, we have to learn some lessons as a group and individually. 1160059 Los Angeles Kings that way. He certainly has that, and he can certainly bring it to the rink, but he does a lot of other things well as far as defending and penalty kill and blocking shots. There’s more there than I thought there was when I initially started, so credit to him.” ROY RESPONDS AFTER “PRETTY DIRECT” MEETING; COACHING IN CANADA VS CALIFORNIA; TOFFOLI — They’ve still got to cross the T’s and dot the lower-case J’s, but it looks like John Tavares will return Tuesday night after missing the last seven games with a broken finger. Jake Muzzin (charley horse) will play, so Zach Hyman, who is yet to play since undergoing off-season knee JON ROSENNOVEMBER 4, 2019 surgery, will probably wait another day or two before he’s activated in a move that requires and LTIR maneuvering. Click here for a little Muzzin-Shore prelude to Tuesday. NOTEBOOKSPRACTICE NOTES #Leafs lines at practice: A few practice notes, Todd McLellan bits and Leafs updates from a brisk Monday in Southern Ontario: Moore-Tavares-Marner

— No lines or pairs appear to changed at L.A.’s practice, which I left Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander quickly to check out Toronto’s. It took all of 30 seconds to reach the Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Kapanen caddy-corner rink at the four-rink Ford Performance Center after skirting past the Marlies’ skate. Just like covering a Kings practice and then Timashov-Shore-Gauthier lithely romping down the 405 for a Ducks game, amirite, LA hockey media? Spezza, Hyman

— It does seem as though the eyes of the hockey world are on you when Rielly-Ceci you are a Western Conference team making the Toronto-Montreal Muzzin-Barrie rounds, and interestingly, Todd McLellan’s group has been in the spotlight to a greater degree than would be suggested by their 5-9-0 Dermott-Holl record. They will have played in every Canadian NHL city by the end of this trip, which will conclude with their third Marincin broadcast in six weeks. Andersen

It’s not particularly newsworthy, but it’s certainly interesting to hear Hutchinson McLellan describe the abrupt cultural changes when moving between Canada and California. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 11.05.2019

“It is different. There’s no doubt about it. I was blessed to have coached in Canada. Somehow, some way every coach should find a way to a Canadian team. It doesn’t matter which one. It’s different. It just feels different, it’s treated differently. The passion level in L.A. is very high for the team. You can go for dinner and quietly enjoy it. In Canada, you’re always on. There’s no moment where you’re not involved in hockey in some way, shape or form, and at least down in our area right now, my wife and I can go and enjoy life a little bit away from the rink without knowing the power play’s 1-for-10 and somebody’s wanting the answer, or ‘why didn’t Auston Matthews play 40 minutes last night,’ whatever you guys thing he should be playing,” he joked. “You don’t have to worry about that as much, and it is different.”

— It was refreshing to hear him reflect on the “tremendous relationships” he had with a number of Oilers when asked about division-leading Edmonton’s early success.

“We need the Kings to beat them and to end up ahead of them in the standings and do all that type of stuff, but they’re outstanding – Connor, Leon, Nuge. There are outstanding individuals there that are having good years, and I’m happy for them. I hold no ill will to the players or anything like that, so for them to go on and have a good start, that’s great for them. Hopefully for the Oiler fans, they can continue to do that and turn things around there. Got my own backyard to worry about here right now, so enough work to just focus on one team.”

— A little bit more depth on Toffoli, who started well before his play dropped off, “and we didn’t want to let it go.” McLellan shared again that he had no issues with his practice habits, and that his assist on Kyle Clifford’s goal served as a reward for hard work in the offensive zone. “He’s smiling again today, and that’s the Toff I know just from my brief experience with him, whether it was here or at the World Championships. We saw it last game and we’ll continue to see it.”

— Matt Roy chipped in with a first period goal and Kurtis MacDermid notched an assist as both found the scoresheet in a positive way, which is important for players looking to solidify a role and remain in the lineup. Both appeared to have good jump in their games and finished well in the black possession-wise. Is this essentially the standard they should aim for?

“They were a very good pair for us, they have been,” McLellan said. “Matt, his first two games [of] the season were a little indifferent, and we were still trying to figure him out. Pretty direct meeting with him, and he’s responded ever since. He’s been Steady Eddy back there. And Mac, he doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to break plays up with his range and his reach. Everybody just views him as a tough guy – I don’t see it 1160060 Los Angeles Kings (per Natural Stat Trick), and his 60.8% rate ranks fifth among qualified NHL centers.

“Everyone’s got to contribute in different ways, everyone on the team ADMIRABLE PATHS TO TUESDAY’S GAME FOR MUZZIN, THE everyone has different roles,” he said. “For me, personally, and our line, SHORE BOY we’ve been one the ice taking a lot of d-zone faceoffs, trying to create some possession going the other way, be strong on the penalty kill and stuff like that. If that’s what’s asked of you, you’re going to do your best.”

JON ROSENNOVEMBER 4, 2019 It’s that type of detail that allowed Shore to play regularly under and facilitated a return to the world’s top league after a year away,

an admirable homecoming that isn’t often gracefully executed. For the change Jake and Courtney Muzzin have experienced by moving “I think everyone goes over there with the feeling that they want to come across the continent and welcoming a daughter into the world, they were back, and it doesn’t always happen,” Shore said. “For me, once I got this also handed some welcome familiarity. Returning to North America after opportunity, I was fortunate, I wanted to make the most of it and hopefully his year as a Magnitogorsk exchange student was Nick Shore, a fellow we kind of get on a roll here.” Manchester-Los Angeles alum and a well-regarded teammate with the Kings. Nick Shore, on playing in Magnitogorsk:

Shore didn’t board with the Muzzins for very long. Jake estimated it at The town as a whole, it’s an industrial town, they’ve got a big steel three weeks to a month. But it was long enough that he did assume factory and that’s where most people work. Obviously, that was a little bit some responsibilities with the dogs and helped out where he could in a of a change for me, dealing with the culture and the language and house a baby had only recently been born into. everything.

“Yeah, he was allowed to hold Luna for a little bit, and then I kicked him Shore, on his year in the KHL: out of the house, I gave him two weeks and said, ‘you’re out of here, you stink, Nick,’” Muzzin said, laughing. “No, it’s been fun with Shoresy.” As a whole it was a good experience. I don’t have a lot of bad things to say about my time, they took good care of me. It was a tough kind of Juan Ocampo/NHLI setup, I went over late, everything was a bit rushed and discombobulated at the beginning, but at the same time, I’m happy for it, I’m happy to be The Shore Boy is no longer really a boy, he’s 27. Nor is Muzzin, who back. It was a good experience overall. turns 31 in February and is due to become a sought-after free agent in July. He’s more mature, he’s firmer in his confidence and owns a Shore, on whether he was able to watch Denver Broncos games in constitution forged from the ore of the decade’s top defensive teams. And Russia: much of the conversation on Monday acknowledged that origin. It’s not any sort of referendum or sermon on behalf of a player who has been The time change, you know what I mean? I think it was 12 hours back to gone for only nine months and still has many years to play, but a home, so sometimes you’d catch them on the other way around. compelling aspect of Tuesday’s game is the path both ex-Kings took to Shore, on living with the Muzzins: get to it. For Muzzin, that included an injury-marred junior career and Darryl Sutter’s constant dressing-down and building-up. He recalled the It was really awesome for me having Muzz here, talking to him things he’d heard directly or read that he’s now able to place in a wider throughout the summer, kind of what to expect and everything. I lived at context. his house for a couple weeks before I got a place out here. From that standpoint, it’s always good to have a close relationship with someone on “Maybe because we had a veteran team when Darryl came in, he the team, but at the same time, this is a good group, and everyone understood that he could do that with guys and they’d take it okay. It’s makes it pretty easy. what the team is for. A good team and good guys will help you when they know the coach is on you. The coach will call you out sometimes and LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 11.05.2019 play mind games with you too when really he’s not meaning what he’s saying, he’s just trying to get a reaction out of you,” he said.

So many buttons Sutter pressed produced the desired stimuli. And he nearly wore out that Muzzin button – as he did with a number of other future champions.

“It made me tough, it made me strong,” Muzzin said. “I don’t know if you can do that anymore with young teams and young guys like that. I feel like you’ve got to be tough, tough-skinned, tough mentally to handle a tough coach and with that being said, we won with him, so maybe that was for the best and it worked. I see two different sides of coaching and to this day, I don’t know which one works best. Maybe you’ve got to play differently with the team you have, and I’ve seen both sides. I’ve seen success from both sides, and I’ve seen struggles on both sides, too.”

Muzzin, expected to return for Tuesday’s game after missing a game due to injury and another for a personal reason, has three goals, nine points, a plus-four rating and typically strong possession and chance-based rates – as well as the experience of subjecting his mind and body to postseason hockey’s extended assault.

“We have guys here that have played a lot of games and had some good years, but no one’s really ever gone far in the playoffs or won anything,” he said. “I’m just trying to bring my experience and my time in LA and some of the [stuff] I’ve learned, with winning a Cup and being around a veteran team, trying to just bring that culture here a little bit. But still, with different guys and younger guys, it’s just a different feel. If we didn’t sign Spezza, I’d be the oldest guy at age 30. To me, in the summer when I heard that, I was like, ‘really, am I that old or is the team that young?’ It’s a different feel.”

Shore continues to do Nick Shore-like things. There will always be opportunity for players with his degree of detail. He’s played in 10 straight games, 12 total, and never mind that he’s scored once on five shots. He has taken 151 faceoffs, 126 of which have come in the defensive zone 1160061 Minnesota Wild

Minnesota takes on Anaheim on 3-game losing streak

By The Associated Press Associated Press NOVEMBER 5, 2019 — 2:20AM

Minnesota Wild (4-9-1, seventh in the Central Division) vs. Anaheim Ducks (9-6-1, third in the Pacific Division)

Anaheim, California; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota aims to end its three-game skid with a win over Anaheim.

The Ducks are 5-4-1 in Western Conference games. Anaheim has given up 11 power-play goals, killing 81.4% of opponent chances.

The Wild are 2-6-1 against conference opponents. Minnesota has surrendered eight power-play goals, killing 82.2% of opponent opportunities.

The teams match up Tuesday for the first time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Hampus Lindholm leads the Ducks with nine assists and has recorded 9 points this season. Ryan Getzlaf has totaled six goals and three assists over the last 10 games for Anaheim.

Eric Staal leads the Wild with four goals and has 10 points. Jason Zucker has recorded two goals and four assists over the last 10 games for Minnesota.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wild: 4-5-1, averaging 2.3 goals, four assists, 3.6 penalties and 7.5 penalty minutes while allowing 2.7 goals per game with a .908 save percentage.

Ducks: 5-4-1, averaging three goals, 4.9 assists, 4.8 penalties and 10.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game with a .917 save percentage.

Ducks Injuries: Ondrej Kase: out (upper body).

Wild Injuries: None listed.

Star Tribune LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160062 Minnesota Wild • Winger Mats Zuccarello had a maintenance day in did not practice. “He should be fine for tomorrow,” Boudreau said.

• Defenseman Greg Pateryn, who has been out since training camp and Despite road woes, Wild excited to get away underwent core muscle surgery in early October, did not accompany the team on the road trip. Pateryn has participated in some morning skates The team seeks redemption over its 10-day West Coast trip. recently.

Star Tribune LOADED: 11.05.2019 By Randy Johnson Star Tribune NOVEMBER 4, 2019 — 8:55PM

The temperatures in downtown St. Paul lingered in the low 30s with sleet late Monday morning, so it’s understandable why Alex Stalock might have been thinking like many Minnesotans as the gray skies of November signaled the approaching winter: Let’s go somewhere warm.

“Obviously, with the good weather, we’re looking forward to it,” Stalock said from Tria Rink, where the Wild practiced, a few hours before embarking on a 10-day, four-game trip that begins Tuesday night at Anaheim.

Defenseman Matt Dumba was doing some California dreamin’, too, shooting down any suggestion that a team that has already played nine of its first 14 games away from Xcel Energy Center is weary of another plane trip.

“Not when you’re going to somewhere like California,” Dumba said. “Everyone’s excited for this trip.”

That excitement has roots in the destinations — Anaheim, San Jose, Arizona and Los Angeles — but also in chance for redemption. The Wild is 1-8 on the road this season, being outscored 34-14, and players want to change that.

“We have to improve on our road record, that’s for sure,” forward Marcus Foligno said. “And what better way to do it than on a West Coast swing where you can gain some team chemistry and at the same time get some big wins against some good teams?”

Be it home, road or wherever, Wild coach Bruce Boudreau just wants his 4-9-1 team to start collecting points.

Coach Bruce Boudreau after practice Monday discusses the @mnwild four-game West Coast road trip that starts Tuesday at Anaheim. pic.twitter.com/phfoQeI9J7

— Randy Johnson (@RJstrib) November 4, 2019 ">

“Every game we play is a challenge for us, so this is no different,” said Boudreau, whose team lost to St. Louis 4-3 in overtime at home on Saturday. “Everybody needs the points, everybody wants the points, everybody’s desperate. We’ve got to be more desperate than those guys.”

The Wild has shown signs of life recently on the road. The team held a 3- 0 lead at Dallas last Tuesday before collapsing in the third period in a 6-3 loss. A night later, Minnesota entered the third period tied 1-1 with Stanley Cup champion St. Louis before Alex Pietrangelo’s goal 1:39 into the period proved to be the winner in a 2-1 Blues victory.

Those aren’t the results the Wild is seeking, but Boudreau is hanging hope on incremental progress.

“If we play for the most part as solid as we did for probably eight periods out of nine last week,” he said, “maybe we’ll get a little puck luck and things will start to go our way.”

It doesn’t hurt that three of the Wild’s four opponents on this tour of the Pacific Division haven’t been world-beaters recently. Though Anaheim is third in the division, the Ducks have lost five of eight. The Wild’s Thursday opponent, San Jose, is last in the Pacific with nine points and has lost five in a row. Los Angeles, which the Wild visits Nov. 12, is seventh in the Pacific with 10 points and has lost four of five, including a 5-1 defeat to the Wild in St. Paul on Oct. 26.

Dumba has been encouraged with his team’s play in the past week, even though it resulted in only one point in the standings.

“We had some tough bounces and some things we can clean up, and I think we’re addressing that,” he said. “We’re looking forward to this trip to resurrect our road record. It’s time. It’s just overdue.”

Etc. 1160063 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Anaheim game preview

Randy Johnson NOVEMBER 4, 2019 — 7:58PM

9 P.M. AT ANAHEIM • FSN, 100.3-FM

Hot-starting Ducks have cooled off

Preview: The Wild begins a four-game trip through the Pacific Division by facing the Ducks, who shut out the Wild in their final two meetings last season. The Wild is 1-8 on the road, the lone victory over league cellar- dweller Ottawa. Anaheim began the season with six victories in eight games but is 3-4-1 since.

Players to WATCH: Wild F Mats Zuccarello is on a three-game point streak and has scored in each of his past two games. He took a maintenance day Monday but should play Tuesday. C Eric Staal is on a five-game point streak, with two goals and three assists. … Ducks C Ryan Getzlaf played in his 1,000th NHL game Sunday. He ranks second on the team with 11 points on seven goals and four assists. RW Jakob Silfverberg (7-5-12) leads the Ducks in scoring while C Adam Henrique has a team-best eight goals. G John Gibson is 6-6 with a 2.51 GAA and .926 save percentage this season. G Ryan Miller is 3-0-1.

Numbers: Anaheim is 6-1-1 at home. Ducks F Nick Ritchie has points in four of his past six games (1-3-4).

Injuries: Wild D Greg Pateryn (core muscle surgery) is on injured reserve. Ducks D Josh Manson (knee) is out. F Ondrej Kase (jaw) might return.

Star Tribune LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160064 Minnesota Wild

After a slow start, Wild veteran Eric Staal starting to get back on track

By DANE MIZUTANI

No matter how bad the struggles got for Eric Staal a couple of weeks ago, he remained adamant that he was going to break out of his slump eventually.

Still, it was clearly getting to Staal, and watching him react after scoring his first goal of the season on Oct. 22, spreading his arms wide and letting out a massive roar, the relief on his face was apparent.

That snapped an eight-game goalless drought for the 16-year NHL veteran — the longest of his career to open a season — and gave the 6- foot-4, 207-pound forward a shot of confidence that has carried over a couple of weeks later.

“That’s pretty common for a lot of offensive guys,” said Staal, 35, who now leads the Wild with 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists). “I’ve seen it over my time where good play comes with confidence. It’s the same with a lot of players.”

After looking as if he was skating in quicksand a couple of weeks ago, Staal has regained his lengthy stride as of late.

“He looks like his legs are underneath him,” coach Bruce Boudreau said, noting how Staal suffered a minor lower-body injury early on that hindered his performance. “He’s looking like Eric Staal again.”

That’s exactly what the Wild (4-9-1) need as they embark on a week-long road trip starting Tuesday in Anaheim. After that, the Wild play in San Jose on Thursday, at Arizona on Saturday and in Los Angeles on Nov. 12.

As Staal has shown in the past, he has the potential to carry a team when things are going his way. Like a couple of season ago, in 2017-18, when he scored 42 goals seemingly out of nowhere.

Staal, for one, knows that even that season was filled with ups and downs that he had to skillfully navigate.

“There are certain times where it can be easy to get frustrated and down,” he said. “You’ve got to keep reminding yourself to change your mindset and continue to put in the effort and the compete, and eventually it’ll turn. That’s just the way it works with this game.”

Staal has proven that time and time again. He has been written off umpteen times since arriving in the Twin Cities yet continues to find a way to prove the doubters wrong.

“Just try to gain some confidence form working hard and competing and getting a bounce here or there,” he said. “It’s amazing what that can do for a player.”

If anything, Staal has proven just that the past couple of weeks.

“You want to hang on to that feeling, for sure,” he said. “No question. For me personally, developing some chemistry with (linemates) Jason (Zucker) and Mats (Zuccarello) has helped. You can feel the confidence out of both of them with certain plays that we’re making, and hopefully that just keeps growing and we gain confidence as we go.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160065 Montreal Canadiens On Saturday night, Poehling was held off the scoresheet when the Rocket beat the 6-5 in a shootout in Laval. When he was playing video games on Sunday, he never expected to be sitting in a locker stall beside Carey Price the next morning in . Stu Cowan: Canadiens add beef up the middle with recall of Poehling “I’m lucky,” Poehling said Monday. “Lucky to sit by him. He’s a great Centre went from playing Fortnite online video game with friends on guy.” Sunday to sitting beside Carey Price in Habs' locker room on Monday. After spending the last three seasons at St. Cloud State University, Poehling has quickly found out just how fast things can change in pro hockey. STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: November 4, 2019 Call it a learning experience.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 11.05.2019 The life of a pro hockey player can change in an instant — be it an injury, a trade, getting sent down to the minors or being called up to the NHL.

On Sunday, Ryan Poehling was in the Laval hotel room he has been calling home, playing the Fortnite online video game with buddies, when he got a call informing him he was getting called up to the Canadiens.

“I guess surprised, just because I didn’t expect it,” Poehling said about getting the call after practising with the Canadiens Monday morning at the in Brossard. “I was just kind of caught off guard. I was just kind of hanging out with my buddies on an off-day and it just kind of happened. It was great that it happened, too.”

Poehling’s life also changed in an instant last month when he learned he wasn’t part of the Canadiens’ 23-man roster to start the NHL season, instead being sent down to the AHL’s . It looked like there was a good chance the 6-foot-2, 204-pound centre would start the season in the NHL, but that changed in an instant when Poehling was checked hard into the boards by the Florida Panthers’ Dryden Hunt during the Canadiens’ second pre-season game on Sept. 18, in Bathurst, N.B., suffering a concussion. Poehling missed the next four pre-season games before playing in the final one and then being sent down to Laval.

The 20-year-old, selected by the Canadiens in the first round (25th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, admittedly didn’t take the news very well.

“I obviously started off a little slow,” said Poehling, who posted 3-2-5 totals in 13 games with the Rocket. “I think my head just wasn’t completely in it. I was still a little upset about the decision when I got sent down, so I think it affected my game for the first couple of weeks. But once I started to realize that just being upset about it isn’t going to do anything and just kind of focusing on what’s ahead of you is something I did and I think I played really well. Throughout the last six or seven games I played there I thought me in particular, as well as the team, we all stepped up and I think we won four of our last five. So I think that team’s headed in the right direction, for sure.”

Poehling hopes he has seen the last of his Laval hotel room and can stick with the Canadiens. The roster spot opened for him when the Canadiens placed Jesperi Kotkaniemi on the injured-reserve list with a groin problem after the 19-year-old centre missed the last two games. At practice Monday, Poehling was at centre on the third line between Artturi Lehkonen and Paul Byron, and that’s where he’s expected to be Tuesday when the Canadiens play the Boston Bruins at the (7:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio).

“I think we all know what he’s capable of doing,” head coach Claude Julien said about Poehling. “He’s one of those young guys that I think had he not had the injury, we could have played with the numbers differently, maybe, and he could have started the season here as well. He had a good camp. The injury set him back a little bit.”

Tuesday’s game will be Poehling’s second in the NHL and it will be tough to match his debut, when he scored three goals — and added another in a shootout — in a 6-5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in last season’s regular-season finale at the Bell Centre.

“I think we saw a lot of good things in his game and some of it is the maturity of a player,” Julien said about Poehling’s NHL debut. “Some players get it quickly, the little details of the game and he showed us that in that one game that he played at the end of last year. Put the goals aside and the magical night that he had and just look at his game and the way he played it, defended and also did the little things right. You could tell he’s pretty close to being a guy that is ready for the NHL.”

Poehling is getting a chance to prove he’s ready and he’ll face a big challenge against the Bruins, who had a 10-1-2 record heading into their game Monday night in Boston against the Pittsburgh Penguins. 1160066 Montreal Canadiens “The real explanation is that we didn’t have our legs, we didn’t have any energy,” said Julien, adding “there was no fight in the dog.”

Don’t make excuses. They played a mediocre game. They’re What the Puck: Canadiens' on-ice leaders should learn a little French professional athletes and there’s no reason they can’t be fully ready to go for all 82 games each season. I believe and Carey Price should be able to have a short conversation in French. I'd add Brendan Gallagher to this list as well. Ryan Poehling

Glad to see the big club has finally called up Poehling and we’ll see how he does when he makes his 2019-20 debut against the Boston Bruins BRENDAN KELLY, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: November 4, 2019 Tuesday at the Bell Centre. Poehling hasn’t impressed in his first 13 games with the Laval Rocket and the other reason to keep our

expectations low is because he’ll be replacing Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who’s The leaders on the Montreal Canadiens should be able to speak in the out with a groin injury, on that troubled third line. language of Guy Lafleur. Poehling is going to be centring a line with wingers Artturi Lehkonen and It’s a question of respect. If you’re part of the leadership group on the Paul Byron, both of whom have been struggling this season. On Monday, team, you should acknowledge the society you’re living in by making the Julien said of Poehling: “He’s a big guy and we need that kind of size at effort to talk to the media en français. I’m not talking about most Habs centre.” players, who’re here maybe just for a season or two. They don’t have to True that. learn French. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 11.05.2019 But I believe that the captain — that’s you, Shea Weber! — and the unofficial captain — that’s you, Carey Price! — should be able to at least have a short conversation in French. I’d add Brendan Gallagher to this list as well. They’re the three leaders of this team and is it really asking too much of them to suggest they spend a little time over the course of the summer working on their French?

The funny thing is that owner and president is clearly 110- per-cent committed to ensuring that the Canadiens have a francophone face. The head coach has to be bilingual and it appears that the general manager also has to be able to be fluent in Quebec’s official language. I don’t want to get in to whether or not that is the best policy, but what we can agree on is that policy seriously limits the team’s choice in terms of who they hire as GM and coach.

Meanwhile no such demands are made on the players. It was a question that raised its controversial head several years into Saku Koivu’s tenure as captain of the CH, with a number of francophone fans and commentators wondering why they’d never heard Koivu say even ‘bonjour’ in public. I always felt those critics had a point.

The team plays in a province where the majority of their fans are French- speaking. Why wouldn’t you want to acknowledge that by speaking to them directly in their mother tongue? I’m not saying Weber, Price and Gallagher have to be fluently bilingual. But all of us in Montreal know it isn’t that hard to learn enough of the “other” language to be able to have a conversation, especially if it’s about something as straightforward as the game of hockey.

I was thinking about this after seeing on Radio-Canada talk show Tout le monde en parle Sunday night. Dryden was there as part of the promotional tour for his latest book, Scotty: A Hockey Life Like No Other, a biography of his former coach . Near the end of the interview, host Guy A. Lepage noted that Dryden arrived in town from Ontario to play with the Canadiens in 1971 and “you learned French and you insisted on doing your interviews in French as much as possible during all your years in Montreal. You left 40 years ago. You returned to Ontario and you continue to speak to us in French. I’d like to say in the name of all Quebecers, we really appreciate that.”

That remark was greeted with a warm enthusiastic round of applause from the studio audience.

Dryden replied to Lepage with his usual intelligence: “You’re very patient and that is everything for someone who speaks in another language.”

What a beautiful, thoughtful reply! Dryden is a class act on every level — and he happens to be a great writer, too — and I just think that today’s Habs stars could take a little inspiration from the story of how Dryden embraced Quebec culture.

No legs

After two wins, including an inspirational come-from-behind victory against a very tough Las Vegas Knights team, the Habs came out flatter than a week-old glass of beer on Saturday in Dallas, losing 4-1 to the Stars. Four points out of six on the road trip is more than acceptable, but I didn’t like head coach Claude Julien’s excuse for the sad-sack effort Saturday. 1160067 Montreal Canadiens Ryan Poehling leads team stretch at #Habs practice in Brossard #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/OEApHGOKQF— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) November 4, 2019

Canadiens Notebook: Ryan Poehling takes Jesperi Kotkaniemi's spot Learning experience for Poehling

Poehling admitted “my head just wasn’t completely in it” after being sent down to Laval to start the season and that it took a while for him to get STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: November 4, 2019 his game back on track after the disappointment of being cut by the Canadiens.

“It was like I’d go out there and the shift meant nothing to me,” said Canadiens coach Claude Julien believes there are some players who Poehling, who was selected by the Canadiens in the first round (25th can perform better in the NHL than the AHL and thinks Ryan Poehling overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. “I feel like I just wasn’t myself for the first might be one of them. couple of weeks.” “Believe it or not, sometimes the game is easier at this level because Poehling suffered a concussion during the Canadiens’ second pre- players are in the right places, passes are obviously a little bit better,” season game, but said his problems early in Laval had nothing to do with Julien said after the Canadiens practised Monday at the Bell Sports that injury. Complex in Brossard. “The majority of the players here are probably a little bit better than the majority of the players in the American Hockey “I just think the mental side of it was the biggest part,” he said. League. So you go up a notch and it makes things a little bit easier. Guys “Physically, I felt great.” are in position, you don’t have to look around for somebody to pass (to), they should be where they should be. That’s probably a bit of a difference Poehling added that the biggest thing he learned in Laval was the there at this level.” importance of attention to detail, something that Rocket coach Joël Bouchard preaches. The Canadiens called Poehling up from the AHL’s Laval Rocket on Sunday after placing Jesperi Kotkaniemi on the injured-reserve list with a “You don’t realize the little things that can go a long ways in an NHL groin injury. Poehling got off to a slow start with the Rocket, going game,” Poehling said. “It’s just little things, even in the neutral zone, that pointless in his first three games this season, and had 3-2-5 totals and end up being part of the reason they scored in your defensive zone. So I was minus-2 in 13 games when the Canadiens called him up. think it’s just all those things, just sharpen up those tools just having them ready for when I get here is kind of the biggest thing that I learned.” Poehling made his NHL debut in the Canadiens’ final game last season, scoring three goals and adding another in a shootoout in a 6-5 win over When asked for his thoughts on Bouchard, Poehling said: “He’s great at the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre. Poehling skated at centre on what he does. Especially the conditioning part of it. We were doing a lot the third line at practice Monday with Artturi Lehkonen and Paul Byron, of hard-working drills in practice, long practices. So it makes it good for and that line is expected to be in place when the Canadiens play the you and he’s big on attention to detail. So I think when you have a coach Boston Bruins Tuesday night at the Bell Centre (7:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, like that who tries to prepare you for the NHL it’s just all the better for TSN 690 Radio). yourself.”

“No matter what, even though he had maybe a bit of a slow start in Laval, Some tips from ‘Uncle Nate’ it doesn’t take away what he can and can’t do,” Julien said about Nate Thompson spent some time at practice giving Poehling faceoff tips. Poehling. “We see him as a player who has had some pretty good games at this level. Some players play better at this level than they do at the “I’ve been a guy that’s been around a little bit and I’ve taken a lot of other level. So those are all things to take into consideration. But we’re faceoffs,” said the 35-year-old Thompson, who is winning 55.9 per cent going to get a chance more than likely to see him tomorrow night and of his faceoffs this season. “I think you want to help guys that are coming we’ll see where he is when it comes to playing at this level. He’s not up and getting called up. Especially going into a game it’s only a positive going to get a bigger challenge than the one that’s going to be facing us when you can help them. That way he can have some confidence going tomorrow. We’re playing probably, arguably, the best team in the league into tomorrow in the circle.” right now. Although they’re playing tonight (against the Pittsburgh Penguins) they’re deep and they’ve got one loss. So that will be a good When asked what kind of tips he gave Poehling, Thompson said: “Just test for him and a good test for us.” little things. There’s obviously certain ways that I take faceoffs and try and just give him some tips. That way he kind of knows he has different The Bruins had a 10-1-2 record heading into Monday night’s game, while things he can do tomorrow against some pretty good faceoff guys. the Canadiens have a 7-5-2 record. “I kind of had to let him win a few just so his confidence has a boost for Poehling believes his game is better suited for the NHL than the AHL. tomorrow,” Thompson added with a grin. “He’s a great kid and he’s got a bright future in this league.” “I just think it’s completely different,” he said. “It seems like the NHL is more systematic than the AHL. The AHL is a little different. I think it kind Quite the ‘stache of suits my game. I’m a systematic guy, so I think this league kind of suits me more so than the AHL.” Thompson might have already won the title of Best Movember Moustache for the Fu Manchu look he has now. …but did you win the Fortnite game, @LilUziPoehlss?#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/JZPVuktciz— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) “I kind of get a lot of people looking at me with eight heads … like who is November 4, 2019 this guy?” Thompson said. “I look kind of like a cartoon character right now. But it’s for a good cause, right?” Kotkaniemi on injured reserve The NHL & NHLPA Hockey Fights Cancer Movember Foundation Kotkaniemi missed the last two games with his groin injury before being definitely is a good cause. placed on the injured-reserve list on Sunday. In 12 games this season, Kotkaniemi has 2-1-3 totals and is minus-1. NATEAMANIA 落#GoHabsGo | @NateThompson44 pic.twitter.com/KbBezzvH6S— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) Julien said Kotkaniemi could be skating again in the next day or two and November 4, 2019 that the injury wasn’t something that would keep him out for 2-4 weeks. Julien said Kotkaniemi aggravated his groin during last Wednesday’s 4-1 The Straight Line Trio win over the Coyotes in Arizona. Poehling, Lehkonen and Byron can all be described as “straight-line” “It didn’t exclusively happen in a game, but it was something that was players and it will be interesting to see how they do together as a line very minor to the point that it wasn’t even an issue,” Julien said. “And against the Bruins. then in that game it really picked up and got worse. So that’s what “Sometimes that’s what you need from a line — straight–line guys,” happened and right then and there it was important for us to make the Julien said. “(Poehling’s) a big body, so we’ll see where that takes us. right decision and so we’re really working hard with him to get him back Again, like I said, a big test against a team that plays a pretty heavy as soon as possible.” game as well tomorrow.” Said Poehling about his new linemates: “We can play fast. I think that’s what this team is in general. I know Pauly’s probably one of the faster guys on the team. I’m excited to just kind of play with them and try to play behind Boston’s defencemen. They got a great team. You got to grind them down, so we’re going to have to earn everything that we can tomorrow night.”

The lines

Here’s how the lines and defence pairings looked at Monday’s practice:

Tatar – Danault – Gallagher

Drouin – Domi – Armia

Lehkonen – Poehling – Byron

Cousins – Thompson – Suzuki

Weal

Mete – Weber

Chiarot- Petry

Reilly – Fleury

Kulak – Folin

Working on the power play

The Canadiens spent a lot of time early in practice working on special teams, especially the power play, which ranks 15th in the NHL with a 20.8 per cent success rate.

Here’s how the two power-play units looked:

FIRST UNIT

Petry

Suzuki – Armia – Domi

Cousins

SECOND UNIT

Drouin

Weber – Gallagher – Tatar

Danault

The Canadiens rank 29th in the NHL in penalty-killing with a 69.8 per cent success rate.

What’s next?

The Canadiens have a morning skate scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday in Brossard before facing the Boston Bruins Tuesday night at the Bell Centre (7:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). The Canadiens will then practice at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday in Brossard before flying to Philadelphia, where they will face the Flyers Thursday (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). The Canadiens will have the day off Friday before wrapping up the week Saturday at the Bell Centre against the Los Angeles Kings (7 p.m., CITY, SNE, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio).

Next week, the Canadiens will play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio) then travel to Washington to play the Capitals on Friday (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio) before wrapping up the week Saturday at the Bell Centre against the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m., CITY, SNE, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio).

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160068 Montreal Canadiens dominate the AHL or NHL. But he will certainly be a very good player in both leagues. There are very high expectations for him, but we should be mindful that he didn’t score 70 goals a year in the NCAA.

Rocket Rundown: Ryan Poehling gets call to NHL with a little help from “I like Ryan, but he’s not exceptional in the sense that he’s not a Connor his friends McDavid type player. We have to be realistic. He put pressure on himself, you guys put pressure on him too. It took a few games, but we had a few talks and he finally settled down.”

By Marc Dumont Nov 4, 2019 A realistic analysis of Poehling’s play in Laval is that he’s been just OK, far from spectacular, or even among the best on the ice on any given

night. If we’re basing it purely on consistency and level of play, Ryan Poehling There were no major flaws in his game, which makes identifying tangible did not deserve to be the first forward called up from the Laval Rocket. examples of his progress somewhat complicated, especially since the But here’s the thing: What one deserves has nothing to do with it, main goal was to give him professional experience as he worked on especially in sports. improving his overall game. But from the start of the season to now, it’s clear that he’s improved upon a few key areas. His defensive positioning Regardless of how he played, there were very good odds that Poehling is much better, he has upped his speed of execution, and his overall would be the first player to get the call. With the only exception being a cardio levels have improved by leaps and bounds since he struggled to possible injury, his place in line was all but reserved. keep up with Bouchard’s first practice.

That’s not to say Poehling has had a miserable start to his professional And most importantly, he’s focused on the task at hand rather than career, far from it. He’s progressed on a nightly basis since his arrival in looking too far into the future. He stopped worrying about the NHL, and Laval, but Alex Belzile, who leads the team with nine points in 13 games, suddenly the NHL came knocking, just as the points did in the AHL once and Charles Hudon, the team leader in goals, have objectively been the he stopped trying to do too much. Uncle Belzile would be proud. better, more consistent players. “I’m in a good state of mind right now,” said Poehling prior to his call up Poehling, who has three goals and two assists in 13 AHL games, only to the Canadiens. “I was more disappointed right away. Obviously it seemed to find his rhythm once he was placed on a line with Belzile, who stung, I thought I deserved to be there. But then I had to deal with serves as a great reminder that talent can only get you so far. That’s reality.” when a sustained work ethic comes into play. In a funny twist of fate, the same way Poehling probably ‘deserved’ to “I am so happy for him,” said Belzile. “I wanted to help him find make the Canadiens out of camp, he did not ‘deserve’ to be the first call consistency and learn how to be a professional. With the talent he has, up. But again, ‘deserve’ has nothing to do with it. the offensive side will come. He’s a very receptive guy. He improved so much from the start of the year to now.” And now Poehling, who claims his game is better suited to the NHL than the AHL, has the opportunity to back up his words by playing the kind of In a sense, Belzile provided the blueprint that eventually led to Poehling’s 200-foot game that made him such an intriguing prospect. First, second, call up. Poehling had the talent, whereas Belzile had the knowledge. And third or fourth line, he doesn’t care where the ice time comes from. He though it could lead to an awkward situation given that Belzile helped just wants to play in the NHL. He’s made that abundantly clear. Poehling leapfrog him, arguably taking over his very well deserved place in line, Belzile doesn’t see it that way. The maturity that Belzile helped him find may very well be the thing that ends up keeping him there. “I know that I’m not in the same situation as a guy like Ryan Poehling,” said Belzile. “I can’t compare myself to him. That’s just how the hockey The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 world works. So many factors go into it, not just points. And we’re all mature enough to understand how it works. It’s a business. As a first- round pick, Ryan has a ton of potential. He’s going to play for years in the NHL, so I can’t compare myself to a player like that.”

In other words, though ice time is distributed on the basis of a meritocracy in Laval, players are well aware that’s not how call-ups are decided. If anything, it’s more elitism than egalitarianism, which shouldn’t surprise anyone. Not all players are born with the same level of talent, and though he was just fifth in team scoring, Poehling happened to be the most talented player on the farm.

He made very good strides when it came to his ability to protect the puck and to play within his own capabilities, but more than anything, Poehling’s time in Laval has helped him gain a level of maturity needed to succeed as a professional hockey player.

He was disappointed when he arrived in Laval, a perfectly normal reaction to being the last cut at an NHL camp. But he came dangerously close to thinking he was too good for the AHL, that it was going to be easy for him, a perfect recipe for disaster when it comes to a young player aspiring to make the big leagues.

“When the expectations are so high, the danger with a guy like that is to not stay true to yourself,” said Belzile. “To try to forge a different identity that you may think will lead to better things is normal, but that rarely works out for players, especially talented players. The AHL is a very tough league. There’s no space out there. And Ryan struggled at times, but he ended up having confidence in his own game, and the result was that the points started to come to him, rather than him having to look for points.”

Simply put, Poehling stopped forcing the play, something he had been doing on almost every shift in his first few games with the Rocket.

“We tend to assume that first-round picks will come to the AHL and dominate,” said Joël Bouchard. “Unless you’re Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan or Mario Lemieux, you won’t dominate your sport. Ryan won’t 1160069 Montreal Canadiens eight games while playing as many as 15 minutes in a game just once. Suzuki is silky smooth with a high hockey IQ and tremendous peripheral vision. You can’t teach that.

Melnick’s weekly GBU: A successful road trip with many standouts and a · Jeff Petry: Simply a spectacular play to set up Domi with the game- few, recurring negatives winner in overtime in Vegas. The kind of highlight play that resonates around the NHL. Just in case there are still a few people out there who don’t realize how good he is.

By Mitch Melnick Nov 4, 2019 · Shea Weber: He had a very good trip, mostly looking like the real Shea Weber again. Younger-looking too since shaving off his beard.

· Cale Fleury: Let me slide back to Dallas for a quick moment. It’s early. Like JFK should have said, forget Dallas. The game is scoreless. Fleury finishes a shift that began with impressive Maybe playing three games in four nights across different time zones is a puck control in the Stars’ zone by repositioning himself in the Habs’ zone lot more difficult than a ‘simple’ back-to-back. (Hey look! Two teams – and hitting Corey Perry with a thud. Later, he hit Dallas’s leading goal Montreal and Dallas – somehow managed to temporarily kill the recent scorer Roope Hintz with such force behind the Montreal net, Hintz looked narrative of how impossible it is to win back-to-back games. Phew. It can like he had the wind knocked out of him. Fleury is not picking his spots. be done, which is a lot more interesting than stepping onto the ice while He racked up 10 hits in Vegas. For the first time since Alexei Emelin, the gripping a white flag.) Habs appear to have a defenceman who hits to hurt but with the potential to also create some offence. Plus, after a dreadful start, the Stars are rolling with six wins in their last seven games. I find it easy to root for Montreal’s Jim Montgomery to · Mike Reilly: He’s always going to be a bit of an adventure in his own succeed behind the Dallas bench. And when the Stars go out of their way end. But he can skate his way out of trouble. Plus, he’s making much to acknowledge the visiting team the way they did Saturday night with a smarter decisions with the puck in the offensive zone. fully bilingual version of O Canada, you can’t help but wonder if that’s · and : I can’t stop laughing. Jimmy’s way of saying, “Hello –I’m thinking about you” to friends and family back home. And whether they’re rested or not, the Habs always THE BAD seem to have an issue with Ben Bishop in goal. The big guy didn’t have to work very hard in his 35-save win, but he improved to 13-4-4 lifetime · Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Outside of a couple of shifts here and there, against Montreal with a goals against average of 1.75. Kotkaniemi hasn’t looked right. So maybe it is a lingering groin issue. Just one assist in his last nine games. Former Hab Benoit Brunet of RDS It was clear early on, from Max Domi getting k-bonged on his first shift by highlighted an example of what’s gone wrong when he showed a Jamie Oleksiak through a terrible early power play that was gift-wrapped Kotkaniemi shift in Arizona that lasted for nearly 90 seconds. It’s never to them by Alexander Radulov, that the Habs had left their skating legs in too early for a 19-year-old to reset and try again. Lord knows I had to. the Nevada desert. Almost all of their key players seemed distracted. Over and over again. Only some excellent saves by Carey Price kept them in the game. · Special Teams: The power play in Dallas was almost a carbon copy of The improbable comeback win in Vegas on Thursday night tops their the second worst power play in the NHL of a season ago. No control, early-season achievements. As greedy as they wanted to get after slow moving, predictable and repeatedly unable to gain smooth entries winning in Arizona and Vegas, they got slapped back into reality. Big into the offensive zone. To be fair, the Habs don’t win the game in Vegas picture? Four out of six points on the road is something to build on. without a strong looking power play that resulted in their third goal by Tomas Tatar, just two seconds after the power play ended. It breathed Now bring on the best team in the NHL. The one from JFK’s hometown. new life into a team that appeared headed to certain defeat. But officially, THE GOOD it was 0-for the road trip. As long as Montreal continues its mostly strong 5-on-5 play, the power play doesn’t have to be elite. But if it keeps · Brendan Gallagher: It took him just 22 seconds to celebrate his 500th dropping (currently middle of the pack at 20.8 percent, or 15th overall) it’ll NHL game when he opened the scoring in Arizona. In even more be something that gnaws at them, like fleas on a dog. As for the penalty dramatic fashion, he tied the game in Vegas with less than two minutes kill, it looked like they had straightened things out. So we’ll see if allowing to play when he darted to the front of the net as Joel Armia’s pass hit his two power play goals in Dallas was just a one-off. But the opening goal skate and slid under Marc-André Fleury. What an absolute treat it’s been by Radulov featured a clean faceoff loss by Phillip Danault and a less- to watch Gallagher’s career unfold in the tradition of other gutsy, under- than-focused Artturi Lehkonen not moving quickly enough to choke off sized and ultra-competitive forwards like Henri Richard, Yvan Cournoyer the clear shooting lane. We’ll find out soon enough when the Bruins and Saku Koivu. But Gallagher is doing it with less talent. There were arrive on Tuesday with the best power play in the NHL. more than a few around hockey who had serious doubts that the fifth- round draft choice could make the NHL, let alone star in it. But as TSN’s THE UGLY told us prior to Gallagher’s rookie season in 2012, “You guys · Artturi Lehkonen and Paul Byron: A late third period goal in Dallas (in Montreal) are going to love him. You’ll be amazed by the energy and offered a glimmer of hope. I’m not sure who that is wearing number 41 desperation that this kid plays with.” After every Canadiens season there for the Habs but it doesn’t look like Byron. We’ve usually seen several is focus on the “window closing” on Price (32) and Shea Weber (34) as if clean breakaways by now. But other than scoring in a shootout in game they’re both about to hit the retirement home in B.C. But remember this – two in Toronto, I can’t recall a typical Byron burst of speed. Byron and it might also be closing on Gallagher even though he’s just 27. The Habs Lehkonen are two key members of a penalty-killing unit that sits third have him for one more year after this one at the insanely team-friendly from the bottom of the NHL at under 70 percent. At least Byron has a cap hit of $3.75 million. track record of scoring goals. The Canadiens are going to need him – or · Jonathan Drouin: We’re beginning to see what an intense and focused somebody just like him – to produce (20 goals) alongside Kotkaniemi. It’s Drouin is capable of. Even though he was helped out by Brayden why Byron was on the ice with Domi and Petry to start the overtime in McNabb (as Gallagher was), that was a sick move he pulled on Fleury at Vegas. Lehkonen’s impressive one-timer past Bishop late in the game on the side of the Vegas net to tie the game at 2-2. Just like the night before Saturday marked the first time this season he actually shot the puck into in Arizona when he put the game away by going to the net. Now he – and the net. Anybody who watches Lehkonen practice wonders where that the Habs – have to figure out how to transfer the same kind of focus to shot is during games. Early in the first period in Vegas, he found himself the power play. alone in the slot with time to tee up the puck. But when he did, he fired it over the net and off the glass. Scoring the way he did – on a goal · Max Domi: Overtime winner on Halloween, which he also won. scorers’ shot, with less than four minutes to play and trailing by four goals – might as well have been practice time. But now is the time to get real. WHY SO SERIOUS?  PIC.TWITTER.COM/RDRINOH7EW For both of them. — MAX DOMI (@MAX_DOMI) OCTOBER 30, 2019 The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 · Nick Suzuki: First test as an NHL centre against the team that originally drafted him and he looked great, even if his linemates didn’t. Since scoring his first NHL goal against Minnesota, Suzuki has six points in 1160070 Nashville Predators Granlund, who has zero points in his last 10 games after recording two goals and two assists in the first five games, seemed the obvious choice to move down in the lineup. Laviolette said he did so not to boost offense on the line. Every day he's shufflin': Peter Laviolette switches up Predators lines, team responds "A good defensive game," Laviolette said. "We're making moves, and when (Miikka Salomaki) came out of the lineup it was really difficult to break up that checking line. I relay on that line a lot for defensive zone starts and against certain players. Sissons has been scoring and Paul Skrbina,Nashville Tennessean Published 6:22 p.m. CT Nov. 4, 2019 (Watson) has been scoring. It's not like that line is not capable of scoring. | Updated 12:27 a.m. CT Nov. 5, 2019 I lean on that line for defense a little more."

That defense helped Pekka Rinne improv to 8-0-2 this season, most wins DETROIT — The question was simple: With no line rushes during among goalies after Monday's games, and earned his first victory against Monday morning's skate, should we expect some lineup changes the Red Wings in forever, or since 2012. Monday night? Yes, many faces are familiar with this year's Predators. But that doesn't Peter Laviolette's answer was a bit more cryptic – and about 7 1/2 hours means things haven't changed. That doesn't mean they won't continue to away. change. The Predators just hope the winning results stay the sam

Laviolette said we'd have to wait till 7:30 Monday night to find out. That Tennessean LOADED: 11.05.2019 was before the Predators topped the Red Wings 6-1.

Before they tied a franchise record for goals in a period with five during the second.

Before they scored two power-play goals in a game for the second time this season.

Before they scored at least five goals for the seventh time this season, compared to 12 last season.

What we found out, on the heels of two consecutive Predators' losses, is that the more things change, the more they stay the same – or at least the more they go back to what they used to be.

And the results were exactly what Laviolette and the Predators had hoped for.

Laviolette reunited the "JoFA" line of Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson. Foreshadowing occurred Saturday when the three played together quite a bit during a 2-1 loss to the Rangers at Bridgestone Arena.

The move Monday pushed Calle Jarnkrok to play with Matt Duchene and Kyle Turris, who took over for Duchene at center. That pushed Mikael Granlund from second-line wing to fourth-line wing against the Wings.

He was in the lineup with Austin Watson and Colton Sissons.

Forsberg returned Thursday after missing six games with a lower-body injury.

He scored the sixth goal, and the second power-play goal. It was his first goal since Oct. 15, when he was injured against the Golden Knights.

Being back with the boys came easily for Forsberg, who has six goals and five assists in nine games.

"The transition is nothing at all, really," Forsberg said. "Obviously know them a little too well, so it's easy."

Which is exactly how Duchene made it look after a brief stretch of games during which his offense waned a bit after a hot start.

He scored twice, including once on the power play, for his first goal since Oct. 12.

"It's nice to have a couple fluky ones," Duchene said. "Kinda get what we deserved in the long haul. This game is funny. It can be fickle at times. but it has a funny way of coming back around if you stay with it."

Turris knows that feeling, especially after a rough season in 2018-19.

He centered Duchene and Granlund during Forsberg's absence, earning himself more consideration for top-six minutes, which inched closer to Monday when he played nearly 14. He scored his fourth goal of the season during the second period, an unassisted laser that put his team ahead 2-1.

Duchene's power-play goal was especially impressive. It occurred on a rebound with Duchene playing in front of the net, one of the big reasons why they signed him, and completed a sequence during which the Predators continuously attacked the net. 1160071 Nashville Predators

Catfish Corner newsletter: Hat tricks, hat treats, new contracts and more

Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean Published 3:31 p.m. CT Nov. 4, 2019

DETROIT -- Signing Roman Josi to an eight-year contract extension last week was crucial for the Predators in many ways.

We break it down here.

We covered that and more in last week's newsletter.

This week we'll talk Nick Bonino, Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg, Austin Watson's new contract, goalie masks, Winter Classic sweaters and more as the Predators begin a four-game, 10-day road trip.

Happy Halloween

Austin Watson signed a three-year, $4.5 million extension on Halloween, and celebrated with a career-best four-point game (two goals, two assists). The team announced the deal on the new scoreboard in Bridgestone during a break in the second period that day. An odd way to announce it, but not surprising given Watson's year last season, which included two suspensions.

He's back

Duchene returned to the lineup after missing one game with what the team deemed a "lower-body" injury.

Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene (95) takes the puck down the ice during the first period against the New York Rangers at Bridgestone Arena Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.

He's back II

The Predators were 4-1-1 in the six games Forsberg missed. But his return should offer another boost to an already powerful offense. Oh, and he likes to play video games.

Hat tricks

Nick Bonino's third goal of the game Thursday, in the third period, gave the Predators a three-goal lead and Bonino his third career hat trick.

Hat treats

Pekka Rinne's father saves some of this son's goalie masks. But he won't be getting Rinne's latest, a purple number made for Hockey Fights Cancer. Unless he's the top bidder when it's auctioned off. Juuse Saros has a purple mask too.

Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros have 'Hockey Fights Cancer' masks they will wear. The masks eventually will be auctioned off.

Sweater weather

The Predators unveiled the design for their 2020 Winter Classic sweaters Saturday with a huge banner of Roman Josi across the street from Bridgestone Arena. They threads pay homage to the old Nashville Dixie Flyers.

Note of the week

Predators defenseman Dan Hamhuis played in his 1,100th career game Saturday, just the seventh active player with that many, and just one of three defensemen (Zdeno Chara and Jay Bouwmeester).

Quote of the week

"Obviously, at points last year I wasn’t really quite sure of where my career was going or if it was going to continue. To have some job security here, I’m just super grateful for the organization, the guys. I’ve been through a lot and they’ve been through a lot with me. This is definitely a good day." -- Watson after signing his new contract

Tennessean LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160072 Nashville Predators

Predators take home 6-1 win against Red Wings, score 5 goals in second

Nashville Tennessean Published 9:51 a.m. CT Nov. 4, 2019 | Updated 9:15 p.m. CT Nov. 4, 2019

DETROIT — Nick Bonino scored the first of Nashville's five second- period goals, and the Predators easily dispatched the Detroit Red Wings 6-1 on Monday night.

Matt Duchene scored the last two goals of the middle period for Nashville, and Kyle Turris and Colton Sissons contributed a goal apiece. The first four goals by the Predators came in a span of 5:36, and Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard was pulled after the fourth one.

Andreas Athanasiou scored in the first period for the Red Wings, who are 1-10-1 in their last 12 games. Filip Forsberg added a goal for Nashville in the third.

Bonino scored his team-high eighth goal of the season, deflecting a point shot by Dan Hamhuis past Howard to tie the game at 1. Turris gave Nashville the lead 5:32 into the second, beating Howard to the glove side with a wrist shot from high in the slot. Sissons scored with a shot from the right circle 62 seconds later.

Detroit called a timeout, but it took the Predators only 62 more seconds to score again. Duchene flung the puck from along the boards near the blue line, and it deflected in off the stick of Red Wings defenseman Madison Bowey to make it 4-1. Howard was yanked after making only 11 saves.

Detroit's Dylan Larkin, who had only two penalty minutes on the season, was given an extra minor after a fight with Ryan Ellis. Duchene scored on a rebound during the ensuing power play.

NOTES: The assist on Nashville's first goal was the first point of the season for Hamhuis. He's the 19th skater for the Predators with at least one point this season. That does not include goalie Pekka Rinne, who earned his second assist of the season on the goal by Sissons. ... Larkin was also assessed a double-minor for high sticking in the third period.

Tennessean LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160073 Nashville Predators 2020 Granlund, Smith, Grimaldi, Salomaki, Hamhuis, Irwin, Weber 2021 Bonino, Fabbro (RFA), Rinne, Saros (RFA)

2022 Forsberg, Jarnkrok, Ekholm How will Roman Josi’s megadeal impact the Predators’ roster? 2023 Watson

2024 Turris, Arvidsson By Adam Vingan Nov 4, 2019 16 2025 Johansen

2026 Duchene, Sissons The signing of Roman Josi to an eight-year megadeal last Tuesday was cause for celebration throughout the Predators organization. 2027 Ellis

As Josi, flanked by general manager , assistant general 2028 Josi manager Brian Poile, president and chief executive officer Sean Henry and coach Peter Laviolette, walked toward the press conference room at The most difficult decision facing the Predators is whether to keep Bridgestone Arena that morning, he was greeted with applause from Granlund or Smith, as it seems unlikely that both will return next season, dozens of team employees. (Even Ryan Johansen stopped to give Josi a barring a cap-clearing move. high five.) Granlund, who has a $6.5 million salary and $5.75 million cap hit this “I don’t know if relief is the word,” David Poile said. “I’m just happy.” season, is trying to position himself for a big payday. As a line, Granlund, Duchene and Forsberg have a league-leading 69.4 expected goal HEY THERE, CAPTAIN 朗 percentage, according to MoneyPuck, which speaks to the quality of the chances they’re creating. (Granlund and Duchene, though, were much (WITH A SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY @RYANJOHANSEN19 less effective without Forsberg when he missed six games because of )#PREDS PIC.TWITTER.COM/DYR0MVVBOS injury.)

— NASHVILLE PREDATORS (@PREDSNHL) OCTOBER 29, 2019 But with 11 points in 36 regular-season and playoff games since being traded to the Predators in February, including a current stretch of nine But it wasn’t long before the conversation shifted to how Josi’s new consecutive games without a point, Granlund has barely resembled the contract and its $9.059 million cap hit will influence the Predators’ long- player who had 67- and 69-point seasons for the Minnesota Wild. term planning. The Predators and Granlund are still feeling each other out, with “It clarifies where we are,” David Poile said. “As a team that’s right near colleague Craig Custance reporting late last month that “there haven’t the cap and now a contract done for Roman, we know what dollars we been any serious contract talks between the two sides.” (Granlund’s have and what we can do. It will create some decisions for us. In terms of agent, Todd Diamond, didn’t respond to a request for comment.) where we want to go, what we want to do, I can’t or don’t want to be specific right now. My best word for you is it just gives me clarity. It was Smith, who played his 600th game for the Predators last month, is three the most important signing that we had to make, and now everything else years older than Granlund, but the team knows what it has in the 30- should fall in place.” year-old. It has been a slow start for Smith with one goal and five points in 14 games, but he has started to find a rhythm on offense, ranking The additional $5.059 million that Josi will count against the Predators’ second on the team with 9.73 shots and 3.5 high-danger attempts per 60 cap starting next season is going to squeeze multiple players out of minutes at five-on-five. Nashville, even with the cap expected to increase again. (The combined cap hit of Josi, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm next season will be A potential benefit of re-signing Smith, who has carried a $4.25 million $19.059 million, compared to the $17.525 million that covers the cap hit for the past five seasons, over Granlund is that Smith is more Predators’ entire seven-man defense this season.) likely to receive a shorter-team contract, perhaps something in the three- to five-year range. That would give the Predators more roster flexibility. BASED ON THE CURRENT UPPER LIMIT, AN AAV OF $9M WOULD REPRESENT 11% OF THE CAP. Kevin Magnuson, Smith’s agent, met with Brian Poile late last week and had preliminary discussions about Smith’s future with the Predators. SINCE 2004, THERE HAVE BEEN 12 PLAYERS AGED 29 OR OLDER WHO HAVE SIGNED A 6 YEAR OR LONGER CONTRACT WITH A Regardless of what the Predators do, they are reaching a point as a cap CAP HIT GREATER THAN 11% OF THE UPPER LIMIT AT THE TIME team where they will need contributions from entry-level players. Eeli OF SIGNING. Tolvanen, Rem Pitlick and Jeremy Davies, all of whom are with the , come to mind. JOSI WILL BE THE 13TH. PIC.TWITTER.COM/JQVSIPFCR0 For now, David Poile is comfortable with where the Predators are. — CAPFRIENDLY (@CAPFRIENDLY) OCTOBER 29, 2019 “I think we’re really close,” he said. “I really like our team. I’m not sitting With the Predators also re-signing Austin Watson to a three-year, $4.5 here signing Roman thinking, ‘I want to do this, I want to do that.’ I’m million contract last week, there are seven pending unrestricted free really happy that we have clarity having Roman signed, knowing exactly agents on their active roster: Mikael Granlund, Craig Smith, Rocco what we can do or we can’t do. I’m very confident with our team right Grimaldi, Miikka Salomaki, Dan Hamhuis, Yannick Weber and Matt Irwin. now.” (In the minors, Freddy Gaudreau, Daniel Carr, Colin Blackwell and Matt Donovan are playing on expiring contracts.) The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 CapFriendly lists the Predators as having just under $12 million in projected cap space next season, though that is based on the current $81.5 million ceiling.

Many of the Predators’ core players are locked into lengthy contracts, giving the team cost certainty. Seven players — Josi, Ellis, Johansen, Matt Duchene, Viktor Arvidsson, Kyle Turris and Colton Sissons — are signed through at least 2024. Four others — Watson, Ekholm, Filip Forsberg and Calle Jarnkrok — are under contract until at least 2022.

“Honestly, I don’t think we have to make too many additions or subtractions,” David Poile said. “The core of the team is here. They’re at the right age. They’re all top players. I’m hoping what I’m saying is correct that if we need to do anything, it’s just to tweak the team here and there.”

YEAR PREDATORS FREE AGENTS 1160074 New Jersey Devils

Devils practice lines: Jesper Bratt doesn’t skate; Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes flipped

By Chris Ryan

The Devils made a quick pit stop to practice on Monday at Prudential Center in Newark before continuing their current road trip with four games in Western Canada.

After being injured and leaving Saturday’s win over the Carolina Hurricanes, forward Jesper Bratt did not practice on Monday. Bratt worked out off the ice and did not travel with the team to Winnipeg and will be out against the Jets on Tuesday.

Bratt is considered day-to-day, and it’s possible he joins the team later in the week during the Western Canada road trip.

With Bratt absent, Nikita Gusev jumped back into the regular rotation of the lineup in his place. He is expected to play on Tuesday.

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The only other change made at Devils practice involved the team’s top two centers. Nico Hischier returned the top line, centering Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri, while Jack Hughes moved to the second line to center Pavel Zacha and Gusev.

Jesper Boqvist remained in the regular rotation, skating with Blake Coleman and Travis Zajac again.

Here are the lines from Devils practice:

FORWARDS

Taylor Hall - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri

Pavel Zacha - Jack Hughes - Nikita Gusev

Blake Coleman - Travis Zajac - Jesper Boqvist

Miles Wood - Kevin Rooney - Wayne Simmonds

John Hayden extra

Plan your Devils road trip: Travel services at TripAdvisor, Cheapflights.com, Uber, Priceline, Expedia, Orbitz

DEFENSEMEN

Damon Severson - P.K. Subban

Andy Greene - Sami Vatanen

Will Butcher - Matt Tennyson

Mirco Mueller extra

GOALIES

Cory Schneider/Mackenzie Blackwood

NOT PRACTICING

F: Jesper Bratt (upper body, day-to-day, out Tuesday vs. Jets)

D: Connor Carrick (broken pinky, on IR)

Star Ledger LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160075 New Jersey Devils

Why Devils’ power play has found sustained traction

By Chris Ryan

The Devils’ power play was one of the team’s biggest weaknesses through the first six games of the season, going 0-for-18 in the first six games, where the team failed to record a win.

In the six games that followed, the Devils won three, and the power play became a big reason why.

The Devils netted at least one power-play goal in each of those games, converting on seven of 29 chances for a 24.1 percent success rate. The top unit has been the one responsible for generating the scoring, with Jack Hughes responsible for three goals, Kyle Palmieri for two goals, plus Wayne Simmonds and Sami Vatanen for one goal apiece.

“They’re playing with a lot detail, their work ethic’s very strong,” Devils coach John Hynes said. “They’re working as a five-man unit and their decisions are good, which is a big part of it.”

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While the goals have started to fall, it’s been much more than just the Devils converting on their chances. They’ve created scoring opportunities on the man advantage at a much higher rate over the past six games compared to the first six.

While going 0-for-18 in their first six losses, the Devils generated scoring chances at a rate of 20.38 per 60 minutes, which ranked third-lowest in the NHL over that stretch. That led to 1.94 expected goals per 60, which was 10th-lowest. They were doing enough to produce at least some offense but had nothing to show for it.

Over the past six games, both those numbers have jumped considerably. They generated 53.06 scoring chances per 60 minutes in their run — 10th-highest in the NHL during that stretch. That led to 7.54 expected goals per 60 minutes, which ranks fourth-highest in the NHL in the same stretch.

When the Devils were a playoff team two seasons ago, they rode a power play that ranked 10th in the NHL, along with a penalty kill that ranked eighth. One season ago, the Devils finished 21st on the power play.

Along with the power play clicking over the past six games, the penalty kill has also settled down, allowing just two goals on 23 chances. If the Devils are going to keep climbing out of their early-season hole, they need their special teams to maintain their current level of play.

Star Ledger LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160076 New York Islanders Mathew Barzal 6 5

Josh Bailey 4 Isles to make Barclays season debut amid 9-game winning streak Anders Lee 4

Assists By Laura Albanese Johnny Boychuk 6

Devon Toews 5 Barry Trotz ticked off the names that won’t be on the ice at Barclays Center on Tuesday night. No Leo Komarov. No Jordan Eberle. And no Brock Nelson 5 timetable to return. Anthony Beauvillier 4 Maybe no Nick Leddy, either. Barzal 4 It’s not a fun list, obviously, but it does serve to highlight how remarkable this winning streak has been for the Islanders. Their game against the Bailey 4 Ottawa Senators — the first at Barclays this season — will give them a Lee 4 chance to win 10 straight, which would be the second-longest winning streak in franchise history. Goaltending

They’ve done it on the backs of their goalies and their defense, yes. But Semyon Varlamov they’ve also managed it because this team has proved to be better than any one individual performance. Wins 5

“We’ve had guys up and down the lineup show up,” Anders Lee said. Saves 153 “We’ve gotten contributions from everybody and it’s been a full team Goals allowed 8 effort the whole time.” Save % 94.7 Tuesday’s game, though, does provide a few distinct wrinkles. It’s their first of three straight games in Brooklyn, and they’re playing the Thomas Greiss Senators, with whom they butted heads late last month. That was the day the Islanders dressed 11 forwards, lost Matt Martin and Tom Kuhnhackl Wins 4 to injury and then saw the Senators seemingly target the remaining nine Saves 118 forwards, goading them into fights. Goals allowed 8 Lee said they’re all pretty used to the Brooklyn commute by now, and as for Ottawa, the Islanders won’t be thinking about that at all. Save % 93.6

But Trotz acknowledged they might. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 11.05.2019

“There’s always some memories, depending on the situation,” he said. “We don’t have a problem with them being chippy. We have a problem on some of the thought processes — we were short some forwards and they started targeting some guys . . . But we’re fine. We can take care of ourselves. We’re not a small team. We can handle ourselves, so that’s not a problem for us. The number one factor for us is to win a hockey game, and that’s the number one message that you can send.”

Either way, these last two weeks dictate that the Senators will have their hands full.

“Power play, special teams have been solid for us,” Mathew Barzal said. “We’ve been putting the puck in the back of the net, which is nice, and at the same time, we’ve been giving up not much. It’s just kind of a group effort. It starts from the goalies out.”

They’ve also had some very notable individual efforts — such as Derick Brassard, who moved from center to right wing after Eberle’s injury and has scored in a career-high five straight games.

“Taking him out of the middle and moving him on that line has freed his mind to get back that offensive confidence,” Trotz said. “He’s got really good offensive instincts — a top-notch sort of offensive mind — and you watch him, especially on little plays, rushes, he sees where guys are going but he also opens up and makes himself available at times a little quicker than some other guys . . . I think just being on the wing probably freed his mind from worrying about the defensive game as much in that aspect. As a winger, you probably don’t have as much responsibility as a centerman.”

Injury report

The Islanders could get Leddy (lower body) back, though Trotz said they’d have to evaluate him on Tuesday. Eberle practiced with the non- contact sweater. Komarov skated Monday morning but didn’t practice.

The Islanders have gotten contributions from up and down the roster during their nine-game winning streak. Twelve players have scored goals, 16 have registered assists and two goalies have been stingy. The top performers:

Goals 1160077 New York Islanders lens of controlling shot share, the Islanders might appear “weak.” But this is where expected goals (xG) comes in. Expected goals are where the Islanders are proving to perform better, as they at least break even, unlike Corsi (45 percent, 30th in league). It is worth mentioning that there Islanders, on a nine-game win streak, continue to confound NHL are multiple public xG models and their outcomes vary; there isn’t just analytics. How are they doing it? one that’s consistently proven to be more predictive than Corsi.

I think it’s important to use them in tandem to consider both quantity and quality in hockey analysis. The Islanders, in particular, have had a lot of By Arthur Staple Nov 4, 2019 luck along the way. Even riding a nine-game win streak, they’re a lucky team and most teams eventually regress. But I think what can help the Isles sustain success is that they’re actively working to improve as their They’re at it again. streak continues. That’s the most encouraging part of their season start, since too often teams don’t adjust as much as they should when they’re The team that almost everyone who makes data projections said would getting results. fade quickly in 2018-19 — followed up by projections and charts showing last season’s success wouldn’t last — is back to its confounding ways in Haber: Goaltending is the big equalizer. It’s no secret that 2019-20. puts a high priority on strong goaltending. Combined with Barry Trotz, Mitch Korn, and Piero Greco, the Islanders have invested in this area as The Islanders are beating the data once more, albeit through the smallish a strategic pillar of the new era. The results have been outstanding. Last sample size of 13 games. How? Why? Are Lou Lamoriello’s and Barry year, the team finished first in the league with an all-situations save Trotz’s merry band of Corsi deniers driving the data analysts bonkers? percentage of .925. Amid talks of regression, they are currently third this For answers, we turned to four writers who follow the numbers and the season at .929. There’s certainly other strong facets of the Isles’ game, Islanders well: Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic’s NHL analyst; Sean but elite goaltending will always be an ingredient that can push a team to Tierney, The Athletic contributor and the mind behind Charting Hockey; greater heights. Shayna Goldman, who writes data- and video-driven pieces for The Does their success last season and early this season make you question Athletic, primarily on the Rangers and Islanders; and Carey Haber, anything that you generate and analyze? whose data analysis on the Islanders (of whom he is an admitted longtime fan) can be found here. Luszczyszyn: Last year, definitely. They were one of the teams that made me reconsider how my model was measuring things, along with We asked them four questions and their answers are below: other strong defensive teams like St. Louis and Boston where there was How do the Islanders continue to defy the metrics? too much emphasis on offense. That, plus a move to expected goals for teams that get outshot but not necessarily out-chanced. Luszczyszyn: Well, it’s still early! Usually you see a team shooting nine percent with a .940 save percentage at 5-on-5 and it’s easy to say, “This Even with those changes, there was still an expectation that the Isles won’t last,” but it obviously becomes a different question for the Islanders couldn’t repeat their performance last year, so this early success is who have been making this last for a while now. The longer it goes, the definitely interesting. And the longer it goes on, the easier it becomes to less you can write it off as “luck.” For the Islanders, the offensive talent reevaluate how strong the team is. You don’t need to be a good available to them makes me skeptical they can keep that shooting possession team to be a good team, but you do need to prove it for percentage up. But with Barry Trotz, I don’t doubt the defensive structure longer to show it’s legitimate. The Capitals, Lightning, and Maple Leafs can raise the team’s save percentage — even if it may not necessarily be have all shown to be successful franchises without necessarily being at this current rate, which is higher than last year’s .935. It also depends “dominant” on the shot clock, and that’s because of their elite shooting on what metrics someone uses. The Islanders are second last in Corsi at and goaltending talent over a longer sample. 45 percent (that’s worse than Ottawa), but by expected goals they’re a bit The reason analysts use shot attempts is because a signal shows up closer to average at 49 percent. This epic win streak has been very much more quickly. For percentages, you need to be extra patient or else interesting in that regard, too. The first part had the team getting out- you’ll be fooled more often than not. There are exceptions to the rule, of chanced, but the second half has seen the team progress towards course; it just takes a bit more time and patience for a team to prove they playing stronger and more sustainable hockey, with four straight games belong in that category. with an above-average expected goals rate. Tierney: I do think that goaltending remains one of the trickiest areas of Tierney: Since the beginning of the 2018-19 season, the Islanders have the game to analyze. We have excellent data like goals saved above confounded analytics a little by losing the shot share (Corsi for expectation (featured above), but limited information on screens and the percentage) battle but coming out ahead in share of expected goals (xG). value of pre-shot movement (i.e. east-west passes to create quality There are two possible explanations for this. chances from different locations on the ice). While Lehner, Greiss, and First, it’s possible that the Isles are riding excellent goaltending. Robin Varlamov have shown the ability to be quality NHL goaltenders, these Lehner and Thomas Greiss enjoyed stellar seasons last year, which three have looked particularly great during their time with the Isles. Is it meant the Islanders could allow extra chances against but not surrender possible that Trotz’s system includes clean, screen-free views for the goal total that we would expect based on the quality of those shots. goaltenders and limits on dangerous pre-shot passes that we can’t yet While it’s still early this season, newcomer Semyon Varlamov and Greiss account for in the data. I think it’s a question that deserves a deeper look. are exceeding their expected results, meaning the Isles are allowing Goldman: I think when you analyze any team, context is so important. fewer than the expected goals against based on the number of shots We know this is a Barry Trotz team and his style of play features low- they’re giving up. value, high-quality shots. If this is the system they adhere to, we Second, it’s possible that the coaching system allows the team to beat shouldn’t expect them to be a team that’s constantly throwing pucks on their expected goal totals against. Head coach Barry Trotz used a similar net. system while coaching the Washington Capitals, and the Caps to I didn’t expect them to be as successful as they were last season, but I produced similar, xG-confounding results. Trotz’s system seems to be also didn’t think Lehner and Greiss would have such outstanding unconcerned with the strict quantity of shots as long as the Isles prevent seasons. Under Trotz, the Islanders’ defensive system was much tighter quality. This “protect the house” method shows up in this view. and provided support for the netminders, but the goaltenders also both Although the team allows about 10 more shots against (per 60 minutes of performed far above expectations. Their luck eventually ran out last 5v5 play) than they generate themselves, the Isles come out slightly season, and relying on defense and goaltending was a challenge against ahead in share of expected goals. They finished the last season plotted a team as fast-paced and aggressive as the Hurricanes, but it showed in a similar location and may just post similar results again. them where they had to improve in the offseason. All teams eventually regress, so it’s interesting to see how this year will differ from last Goldman: When we analyze teams, we lean on Corsi (shot attempts) because goaltending is such a key part of the success they’ve had so far. because we know it’s the most predictive, accessible metric, and it’s an area in which the Islanders aren’t particularly strong. But we know the Generally, I think that teams like the Islanders make us question what we Islanders under Trotz aim for “quality over quantity,” and the problem with generate and how we analyze teams. Corsi is that it doesn’t account for the concept of quality, so through the Haber: Constantly. It’s so important to always challenge yourself on your not quite at that level yet, but their persistence in generating quality own beliefs and account for other points of view. With the Islanders, the opportunities is very reminiscent of how the counter-punching Rangers biggest key for me has been to listen closely to what Barry Trotz were successful early in this decade. preaches when he talks about the team’s game. There are certain success metrics he has emphasized that differ from historically valued Where is this team actually doing well in the underlying numbers? metrics within the hockey analytics community (namely shot volume). Luszczyszyn: Recent trends paint the team in a great light with a 57 The big philosophy Trotz preaches relates back to shot quality. And if we percent expected goals rate over their last five games, so if they can play know the team is successful at generating quality opportunities, the next more like that and less like they did in their first few that would go a long thing to look at is the micro elements. What is the team doing that brings way. them success in those shot quality metrics (such as expected goals and They also seem to have a legitimately strong penalty kill this season, high danger chances)? That’s what I’m starting to focus on now. leading the league in expected goals against per 60 and landing 12th in Are there any other teams that you can recall who have carried over this shot attempts against. That matches their results so far and is a big step kind of success, with ugly metrics but consistent results? up from last year’s PK, which was in the bottom third and bleeding chances against. Luszczyszyn: I sort of wrote about this soon after the team was eliminated in May — not to be malicious, but because it’s interesting to Tierney: In addition to great goaltending, the Islanders are doing well to note and because I wanted to answer that very question. The way I create their own high-quality offensive chances. The team is eighth in the framed it was based on the team’s preseason expectations and how NHL in rate of xG created (2.38 xG per 60 minutes at 5v5) and, although similar teams who greatly exceed expectations fare the following season. they allow 2.35 xG per 60 against (just slightly above league average), Those teams then under-performed their over/under the following year by the team does hold a positive share of quality chances. This is fairly in 8.5 points, an over/under that already expects a general decline. line with last year’s success and may ultimately bode well for the team beating preseason predictions once again. By expected goals, the Islanders were above average last year. They weren’t ugly by that metric — it just wasn’t in line with how many goals Goldman: Trotz’s “quality over quantity” approach is still showing through they actually scored (56 percent). I think that’s an important distinction to this season, as their 45 percent Corsi ranks 30th this year. But they are make, as this wasn’t the Carlyle Leafs by any means and far from the breaking even with a 50.33 percent expected goal share. lottery team that many predicted; it was just out of line with actual results, Despite not generating a high rate of shot attempts, their expected goals which were elite. is still in the top 10 in the league. What’s more surprising, I think, in their High percentages made the team likely look like more than it was. The first 13 games, is that they’re on the higher end in terms of shots and 102 PDO was the 16th highest since 2007-08, and when a team doesn’t expected goals against. Having stellar goaltending from Greiss and have elite shooters and goalies with a long history of performing at that Varlamov helps negate that. Both are stopping more shots than the level, it was hard to justify a repeat. On top of that, 24 of 27 teams with a average netminder would in their places (Greiss has a 5.2 goals saved PDO higher than 101.5 saw a drop the following season. That means above average, Varlamov is at 3.55), and are saving more than expected there were three exceptions to the rule: the ’15-16 Rangers, the ’18-19 when factoring in quality (Varlamov has stopped 3.19 goals above Leafs, and the ’18-19 Capitals. The Capitals and Rangers both had a expectation, while Greiss is at 1.24). But can they rely on that throughout below-average expected goals rate, as the Islanders have this year. the season?

So it is possible, but it’s more likely the Islanders’ PDO drops below its Mitch Korn and Piero Greco can work magic with their goaltenders to output last season and how far it drops will dictate where the team stands steady their games and the split tandem rotation seems to be helping, at season’s end, especially if the team can’t control the chance share at but it wouldn’t be surprising if either regresses a bit. That could create at least an above-average rate. Based on the team’s recent results, problems if the Islanders don’t tighten up defensively. That, paired with there’s reason to believe they’re above average in beating the their high shooting percentage that’s also bound to regress, is what percentages and can get by despite average underlying metrics. It’s just creates some doubt that their success will continue. Improving the a matter of how much. number of quality chances and expected goal share along the way, though, should help balance that. Tierney: Trotz’s Capitals in their Cup-winning season pulled off the same shot-metric-defying success. Interestingly, part of the thinking regarding Haber: During this win streak, pretty much everything has looked good. the success of the Capitals was that their elite shooting talent (led by the But there are two key descriptive trends that show where the team is timeless Alexander Ovechkin) could convert shots into goals from currently thriving — in generating high danger chances and their overall traditionally “low xG” locations, which allowed the team to post spotty play with the lead. The Islanders lead the league in high danger chances advanced stats that they consistently outperformed. For the Isles, the per hour (12.22). As these attempts originate near the goalmouth and system has been a little more focused on the goaltending side of the from rush opportunities, they have higher than average conversion rates equation, but Trotz’s role in both situations does seem interesting. into goals. The Isles’ success here is a tangible sign the team is buying into Trotz’s philosophy. Goldman: The 2017-18 Capitals, also coached by Trotz, stand out. They were 23rd in Corsi that year (48.3 percent) and 24th in expected goal The other area is how aggressive the Isles stay when they have a lead. share (47.5 percent). They were also more focused on higher percentage The team ranks third in expected goals for per hour with a lead (2.76) shots, as The Athletic’s Alison Lukan covered around the trade deadline and has the fourth highest expected goals share (55.86 percent). In other of that year. Despite their higher-risk strategies and less-than-stellar words, they are not stepping off the pedal. While it’s far too early to say if underlying numbers, they had a winning season (49-26-7 record, 105 they can maintain such a high level of play with leads (just a sample of points, first place in the Metropolitan division) and went on to win the 263 minutes), it’s a huge improvement over last year’s results and a big Stanley Cup. reason why they have won nine games in a row.

What’s interesting is, of all Washington’s teams over the years, that A bonus question for Luszczyszyn, whose daily updated playoff group, as Dom pointed out, wasn’t as strong. The Capitals did adjust that projection has the Isles below 65 percent, well behind teams with similar season and ended up with the majority of both the shot and expected records: goals share on their way to their first championship. Your projections are still fairly down on their playoff chances. Why is Haber: The team that immediately comes to mind is the 2010-2013 that? Rangers. John Tortorella coached the Rangers to three consecutive Luszczyszyn: It’s about the confidence level in the team out-performing playoff appearances during that time with a prevailing narrative that the its chance rate. Over the last two seasons, the Capitals have the eighth team was too reliant on Henrik Lundqvist. To a degree, that was fair: worst expected goals rate (by public metrics anyways), but fifth best goal New York ranked fourth in all-situations save percentage during that rate at 5-on-5. Because they have consistently proven they can sustain time. that difference, my model has more faith in them continuing on that path, But that was before expected goal share became a prominent metric in ranking them closer to the latter number than the former number. The defining shot quality. During those three seasons, the Rangers ranked a longer the Islanders keep their discrepancy up, the more faith my model modest 16th in 5v5 score-adjusted attempt share (49.39 percent), but will have in their goal differential out-classing the expected goal were in the top-five in expected goals (52.62 percent). The Islanders are differential (because my model does take both into account). It doesn’t do this as fast as some fans would like, but in these cases it’s better to be safe than sorry. I’d rather be wrong on one team than 30 (and as Eric Tulsky put it in the Full 60 podcast, we all expect to be wrong, the goal is to be less wrong).

In the Islanders’ case, it’s because there’s still a lot of season left to play. Their 10-3-0 record is in the bank and that greatly increases their odds to 64 percent, but the expectation is they’ll play closer to a 92-point team the rest of the way rather than a 126-point team. That first number is not far off from what their current underlying numbers are showing, so it’s a matter of proving they can consistently outscore teams more than expected. That skepticism is based on the amount of teams that have done the same and wilted soon after, so the longer it goes on, the more legitimate the claim is that the Islanders really are an exception. The stronger they play, the more that underlying expectation for them rises. It’s just not as quickly as some might want.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160078 New York Rangers

Rangers let Brady Tkachuk torment them in worst way

By Brett Cyrgalis November 5, 2019 | 12:38am

When looking at the smirk painted across the face of Brady Tkachuk, it’s not hard to realize why the Senators’ 20-year-old winger gets under the skin of so many of his opponents.

He surely did against the Rangers, who succumbed to his antics (and terrific play) by losing a 6-2 game to the Senators at the Garden on Monday night.

Rangers coach David Quinn knows Tkachuk well from their one year together at Boston University before Tkachuk was drafted with the No. 4- overall pick in 2018. But that didn’t make it any easier to swallow as Tkachuk picked up a goal and an assist, had a plus-three rating, and turned down a handful of offers to fight from Brendan Lemieux, eventually getting Lemieux tossed from the game late in the third period.

“He’s an agitating player, and we played right into his hands,” Quinn said. “On top of being an agitating player, he’s a really good player. This game is about managing emotions and not getting distracted. We had a few too many guys get distracted.”

Rangers top-line center Mika Zibanejad missed his third straight while dealing with an upper-body injury suffered Oct. 27 on a reverse-hit from the Bruins Patrice Bergeron. Zibanejad did skate by himself before Sunday’s practice, and for a short while before Monday’s morning skate, and the club is optimistic about his return.

“Another good day,” Quinn said. “He’s still day-to-day, and making progress.”

Quinn said he didn’t think there was a chance Zibanejad could have played Monday night, but he is a possibility for Wednesday night’s prime- time Garden match against the Red Wings, or the second leg of the back-to-back, Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C. against the Hurricanes.

The first time as a healthy scratch for 13-year veteran defenseman Marc Staal extended to a third game, but it likely won’t be much longer before he returns.

“He’s going to get in,” Quinn said Monday morning. “I’m not just saying this. We need him. Circumstances haven’t allowed him to get back in.

The plan wasn’t for him to sit for three, but he’s going to get back in.”

As for any sort of rotation going forward, Quinn just said: “The six best play.”

The Rangers had a pregame moment of silence for their former winger, , who died Saturday at the age of 87, as well as for league executive and former Maple Leafs GM, , who died on Wednesday at the age of 83.

Greg McKegg was the healthy scratch up-front for the third straight game, while Micheal Haley remained in on the fourth line for the fourth straight game.

New York Post LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160079 New York Rangers The Finn, who got 6:56 in the third period and 17:10 for the night, had the puck on his stick throughout, carrying into the zone, working below the hash marks and below the goal line. He appeared as in command as he has since the season’s opening puck drop. Kakko also recorded an Rangers showed the wrong kind of fight versus Senators assist on Panarin’s third-period power-play goal off a sweet cross-feed.

“I thought [Kakko] had a really good night,” Quinn said. “You can just see him playing with a different level of confidence right now. By Larry Brooks November 5, 2019 | 12:08am “He might have been the only guy to have a good night for us.”

If there was going to be only one, the Rangers couldn’t have picked a So, the final 5:45 of the first period Monday night? The stretch in which better one. Monday’s defeat is already in the rearview. Kakko represents the Senators out-attempted the Rangers 21-0 at the Garden? the long view. “They started skating faster, playing harder and competing harder and it And it is the long view that counts most of all in 2019-20. took too long for us to be able to identify what was happening,” Jacob Trouba said after the Blueshirts had dutifully absorbed their 6-2 spanking. New York Post LOADED: 11.05.2019 “You have to be able to reset. We didn’t elevate.

“That’s part of the learning curve.”

Mama said there’d be nights like this and so did David Quinn. As long as there are not too many they can be withstood, though that’s not exactly how the players responded to the forfeiture of the two-game winning streak.

“They played hard, we needed to find another level and we didn’t,” Chris Kreider said. “We didn’t have a pushback.”

Literally, they did. Tony DeAngelo and Brendan Lemieux were each in fights within a span of just over five minutes in the first period. Ryan Strome became involved in a tussle. Even if the Rangers made out OK in the bouts, they seemed to come undone in their aftermath.

The Blueshirts unraveled and lost their poise, perhaps caught on the wrong end of a couple of calls late in the first period, but unable to cope with adversity. What seemed as if it would be easy became very hard.

There is, after all, some downside to dressing the youngest team in the league and a defense featuring 21-year-olds Adam Fox, Libor Hajek and Ryan Lindgren; 24-year-old Tony DeAngelo; 25-year-old Brady Skjei and 25-year-old Jacob Trouba. Of course there is also some downside when the senior member of the crew has as difficult a night — and that is putting it mildly — as No. 8 did in this one.

At least no one will be able to blame this one on Marc Staal, who assuredly will return to the lineup Wednesday against the Red Wings, perhaps in place of Hajek who had his toughest night of the young season.

It was 1-0, Rangers, on Kaapo Kakko’s third goal of the season off a nifty backhand in front at 8:47. The Blueshirts recorded 11 of the first 12 shots against a team that had entered the building 3-8-1. But then, in an instant, the worm turned.

Tyler Ennis put one on net with 5:45 to play in the period, Jean-Gabriel Pageau tied the match at 14:46 from in front and the Rangers never got a sniff against Anders Nilsson at the other end. Ottawa fired 13 shots at Alexandar Georgiev while seven missed the target and one attempt was blocked. Meanwhile, Ottawa took the lead on a five-on-three goal by Ennis at 18:31 and that pretty much was it, the Rangers — young and old(er) — marked AWOL most of the remainder of the match.

“We let in one goal,” said Georgiev, a co-conspirator in his own demise, “and everything broke down for some reason.”

It happens to the best of them. The Rangers are not in that group. Nevertheless the team seemed flustered and unable to quite cope with Ottawa’s chippy approach. A Tkachuk; the Rangers’ kingdom (not the King) for a Tkachuk, with Brady being the family member who rattled his opponents in this one.

“We played right into his hands,” said Quinn, who coached Tkachuk for a year at BU. “A few too many of our guys got distracted.”

But Kakko did not. Indeed, the 18-year-old played with zest and confidence throughout, opening the night on the third unit with Brendan Lemieux and Brett Howden before finishing it on the top line with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome.

When Mika Zibanejad returns, perhaps Wednesday, it will be time for Quinn to unite No. 93 with Panarin and Kakko. Time to let the young man loose. 1160080 New York Rangers But Brendan Lemieux kept trying to engage Tkachuk, and the final attempt got Lemieux tossed from the game with 6:56 left, throwing his helmet down the hallway in a representation of a team-wide disappointment. Rangers collapse against Senators in rude awakening “[The Senators] were competing and battling, and it looked like as the game went on, we were getting upset that they were actually doing that,” Quinn said. “We have to learn to handle these things.” By Brett Cyrgalis November 4, 2019 | 10:07pm | Updated New York Post LOADED: 11.05.2019

This was a rude awakening. Emphasis on rude.

The Rangers thought they were better than this, thought they were above the fray, thought that after two big wins that they could come out and overpower a lesser opponent without having to get too dirty.

They were wrong.

Instead, the Rangers played 11 good minutes and then got sucked into an ugly, scrappy brawl with the Senators. The result was the Blueshirts losing a 6-2 game on Monday night at the Garden that ended their brief two-game winning streak with a thunderous thud.

“It’s hard when you’re two different teams in a season,” alternate captain Jesper Fast said. “We’re a team that’s playing hard and physical, and helping each other. Then we’re a team that thinks hockey is an easy game. We don’t battle hard enough and we don’t help each other. That’s not the way to play.”

This bipolar existence exacerbates the growing pains for these young Rangers (5-6-1), who can’t seem to find their footing for very long. They know what good looks like, including the first 11 minutes of this game when they peppered the basement-dwelling Senators (4-8-1) with all of the first 10 shots of the game and a 1-0 lead on Kaapo Kakko’s third goal of the season.

But, to the Rangers’ surprise, games aren’t handed over in the first 11 minutes. Instead, Ottawa clawed, led by the agitating hand and the villainous smirk of Brady Tkachuk. The only answer from the Blueshirts was frustration.

“I was actually a little concerned as the first 10 minutes were unfolding because I know what can happen; I know human nature can kick in,” coach David Quinn said. “I know when you have youth, you think things might be easy. Give Ottawa a lot of credit, they upped the ante. And it was almost like we were surprised that they started competing and skating.

“For 49 minutes, we didn’t handle it well at all.”

So forget the big win over the visiting Lightning on Tuesday, or the march into Nashville and a gutsy victory over the Predators on Saturday.

Forget stepping up for top-line center Mika Zibanejad, who missed his third straight with an upper-body injury. Forget the boost from goalie Alexandar Georgiev, who gave up six goals on 30 shots in what Quinn called “not his best night.”

What was easy to remember instead was the five losses in the six games that preceded that little two-win respite, when this type of lackluster competitiveness was the overarching theme and concern to start the season.

“We talk about how there are no quitters on this team, but today, we didn’t find any energy, we didn’t find that spark to get us going,” Fast said.

“I don’t know the reason for that, but we have to be a lot better than this.”

It started when Rangers-killer Jean-Gabriel Pageau got his first of two on the night by batting one home from in front at 14:56 of the first, making it 1-1. From there, the Rangers started their parade to the penalty box, showing their frustration with Tkachuk and Co. by eventually taking six penalties — and giving up two power-play goals, the first to Tyler Ennis at 18:31 of the first to make it 2-1.

Ron Hainsey scored one second after another Ottawa power-play ended at 4:12 of the second period to make it 3-1, and then Pageau and Tkachuk piled on to make it 5-1 with just over five minutes left in the second period. But after Artemi Panarin got a power-play goal for the Rangers and former Blueshirt Vladislav Namestnikov got his fifth with his new team on a man-advantage early in the third, it was 6-2 and the collapse was pretty well settled. 1160081 New York Rangers

Rangers’ Adam Fox is acing his NHL learning curve

By Brett Cyrgalis November 4, 2019 | 6:54PM

In only 11 NHL games, Adam Fox had already seen a lot.

The Rangers’ righty-shot defenseman started slowly, expected for a 21- year-old coming straight out of Harvard into his first pro season. His young team then went into a slide when it lost five out of six and it seemed like the Rangers’ season could have gotten away from them fast before stabilizing with two big victories heading into Monday night’s Garden match against the woeful Senators. And even Fox’s veteran partner, Marc Staal, was made a healthy scratch for the first time in his 13-year career, a shock of accountability that still resonated with the team as Staal was set to sit for his third straight.

But with all of that, Fox has come into his own. In doing so, the Long Island native has made it seem like the Rangers made the right choice when they traded second- and third-round picks to the Hurricanes this summer for his rights.

“It’s definitely a little different,” Fox told The Post on Monday morning. “It’s a little eye-opening to see. But I guess that’s how things go.”

Fox had been paired with Staal for three games in a row before coach David Quinn decided that it was time for Staal to sit, beginning with a declarative 4-1 win over the Lightning last Tuesday. Coming into the lineup was recent call-up Ryan Lindgren, Fox’s good friend and fellow 21-year-old, who played well and carried that over into the 2-1 win over the Predators in Nashville on Saturday night, all while Staal watched in street clothes.

“It’s tough, and it makes you realize the business side of hockey, and things like that happen,” Fox said. “For me, it was a little weird, too, because Ryan is my good buddy and he got to play. So balancing that — and Marc has been nothing but great, too, great with the young guys and helping us out. So I guess it’s just the business side of it coming into play.”

Fox found the business side of the game even before he got to the NHL, having been drafted by the Flames with the No. 66-overall pick in 2016. He stayed in college, and was looking for the right situation when he did turn pro, and that wasn’t in Calgary. So they traded his rights to the Hurricanes in 2018, another place where Fox didn’t seem like he would fit.

So the Rangers hopped in, knowing they had open spots on their blue line and hoping that Fox’s game could immediately translate to the NHL level. If anyone had a good guess, it would have been Quinn, who spent the majority of his coaching career in the college ranks.

“As we’ve talked about with Fox, the question was going to be how quickly was he going to be able to adapt from a skating standpoint and a competitive standpoint,” Quinn said. “It was easy.”

It didn’t look like that right away, when Fox scuffled through his first two games while showing a bit of predictable nerves. The Rangers winning those first two games helped to somewhat mask the sloppiness.

“A little bit of nerves for the first few, so that plays a factor. Definitely two games to understand the pace and to get more comfortable, not only with the league but with guys on the team and how they play,” Fox said. “The pace was obviously quicker, so I was maybe rushing into a couple plays. So adjusting to the speed a little bit, and playing my game a little more, see things as they happen.”

But even as the Rangers lost five of six (one in overtime), Fox was clearly getting more comfortable. And now dealing with Staal being scratched, the harsh reality of the league has come into clearer focus.

It also helped that the past week had included two wins that got the season back on solid ground — and continued showing that Fox seems ready for prime time.

“Everything’s better when you win,” Fox said.

New York Post LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160082 New York Rangers In 1976, Ferguson drafted Dave Farrish in the second round at 24th overall and Mike McEwen 42nd overall in the third round. A year later, the Blueshirts drafted Mario Marois 62nd overall in the fourth round.

Rangers’ defensive resurgence can last with youth And in 1977-78, with Jean Guy Talbot and his track suit behind the bench, the Rangers went with a blue-line corps featuring the 20-year-old Marois, 21-year-olds Maloney and Farrish (the latter played only eight games), 23-year-old Greschner, 24-year-old McEwen…and 32-year-old By Larry Brooks November 4, 2019 | 2:43pm | Updated Carol Vadnais, 34-year-old Don Awrey and 36-year-old Dallas Smith. Odd mix, no?

And so yet again there were the Rangers on defense for the third straight And then two years later, when the Blueshirts went on a run to the Cup game with 21-year-olds Adam Fox, Libor Hajek and Ryan Lindgren; 24- final before losing in five games to Montreal, the defense was Greschner, year-old Tony DeAngelo; and 25-year-olds Jacob Trouba and Brady Maloney, McEwen, Farrish, Marois and Vadnais. Skjei. The youth had endured and matured. Four decades later, the Rangers And here are the Rangers going against Ottawa at the Garden on hope for a similar outcome. Monday night seeking their third straight victory after limiting their New York Post LOADED: 11.05.2019 previous two victims — Tampa Bay last Tuesday and Nashville on Saturday afternoon — to one goal apiece.

The last time the Blueshirts had limited opponents to one goal or fewer in consecutive games came just under a year ago in 2-1 and 5-0 victories over the Stars and Islanders, respectively, in the final two contests prior to Thanksgiving and the 3-6-5 crash that followed.

The team has not held opponents to one goal or fewer in three straight games in nearly two years, since 3-0, 6-1 and 2-1 (OT) victories over the Senators, Hurricanes and Red Wings, respectively, from Nov. 19-24, 2017.

So, green can work on the blue line, at least for a limited time.

The Rangers have incorporated young defensemen into the mix before, of course, but not quite to this degree for a very long time. Marc Staal, Dan Girardi and Fedor Tyutin were all 24-and-under on the 2007-08 team that went to the second round of the playoffs. That team, though, also had veterans Michal Rozsival, Paul Mara and Christian (We Hardly Knew Ye) Backman to balance the blue line.

Even through the decade of the 60’s, when was constructing a powerhouse operation and presented a back line including the youthful Arnie Brown, Rod Seiling and Jim Neilson (later, of course, plus Brad Park), veteran Harry Howell was a mainstay, Dale Rolfe was added to the mix and so was Tim Horton and even down the road, so was Gilles Marotte. Ugh. All those other kids, the ones like Andre Dupont, Mike Robitaille and Ab DeMarco, well, they were traded away.

These Rangers acquired Fox, Hajek, Lindgren, DeAngelo and Trouba in trades while drafting Skjei in the first round as the 28th overall selection in 2012. And while Fox was drafted by Calgary, Hajek by Tampa Bay and Lindgren by Boston, none played a game for his original franchise. So even if not literally, the three youngest defensemen certainly are Bluebloods.

The closest parallel to this blue-line transformation is four-plus decades old and followed the first Did Everything But Win the Cup era just as this one comes after the second Did Everything But Win the Cup era.

It all came crashing down for those Rangers in the aftermath of the 1974- 75 preliminary round loss to the Islanders on J.P. Parise’s Game 3 overtime goal at the Garden and the slow start to the following season. Teddy Irvine had been sent away to St. Louis over the summer as part of the package that brought John Davidson, Ed Giacomin’s heir apparent in nets, to New York.

You know the rest by heart. There was no letter, but Francis, who had hired Ron Stewart to coach the team after earlier tries with Bernie Geoffrion and Larry Popein as his stand-in behind the bench, didn’t need one. The organization’s intentions could have been written in the sky when Giacomin was waived on Halloween of 1975 and Park and Jean Ratelle were traded to the Bruins just over a week later, 44 years ago this coming Thursday. An era had ended and it was incoming general manager John Ferguson’s responsibility to create a new one. The tradition-denying new duds of 1976-77 and 1977-78, the disrespect accorded to franchise icon Rod Gilbert and the Rick Middleton trade aside, Ferguson essentially did that.

But with an assist from the Cat.

For in 1974, Francis drafted Dave Maloney in the first round with the 14th-overall selection and Ron Greschner in the second round at 32nd overall. 1160083 New York Rangers While the Rangers allowed the Senators to get under their skin and take them out of their game, Kakko stayed out of the fray and registered the first two-point game of his career.

Postgame analysis: NY Rangers flustered by Senators despite two points His goal was set up by a nice pass from fellow rookie Adam Fox, who from Kaapo Kakko connected with Kakko in the crease and put him in a position to make a play. The 18-year-old took care of the rest, moving Ottawa goalie Anders Nilsson out of his way with a sharp move to his left and finishing with the backhand. Vincent Z. Mercogliano, NHL writer Published 9:46 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019 | Updated 5:24 a.m. ET Nov. 5, 2019 Kaapo Kakko, from Adam Fox.

Like the sound of that.  pic.twitter.com/sEt0kgYVRo

NEW YORK — After beating three of the better teams in the NHL over — New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 5, 2019 the course of 10 days, the Rangers laid an egg against one of the worst on Monday. Kakko assisted on the Rangers' second goal, sending a pass-through traffic to Artemi Panarin for a power-play goal late in the second period. The lowly Ottawa Senators came to Madison Square Garden sitting in last place in the Atlantic Division, and after being thoroughly outplayed He was rewarded for his strong play, with Quinn shifting Kakko from the for the first 10 minutes, they embarrassed the Rangers for much of the third line to the first late in the second period and throughout the third. next 50. "You could just see him play with a different level of confidence right The result was a 6-2 loss for the Blueshirts, who ended a modest streak now," Quinn said. "He might have been the only guy that had a good of two straight wins and three in their last four with a clunker. night tonight for us."

"I’m not sure we respected our opponent enough," forward Chris Kreider More takeaways from Vin said. "Any team in this league can win on any given night, as we proved the last few times against some pretty good teams. You gotta come Remember that talk we had last week about expecting ups-and-downs ready to play for the whole 60 (minutes)." from the youngest team in the NHL? This was another glaring example of that. Once these Baby Blueshirts got the lead against a team they It began in a promising fashion. Rookie Kaapo Kakko scored his third already beat 4-1 earlier in the season, they got a false sense of security, goal of the season on nifty backhand at the 8:47 mark and the Rangers which led to complacency in their play. And they got burned for it. "We held Ottawa without a shot on goal until there were less than nine thought it was going to be easy, and you see what happens when you minutes remaining in the first period. approach it that way," Quinn said. "You pay a price."

Then it all went downhill. Ottawa really seemed to, as Quinn put it, "up the ante" with their intensity after those first 10, 11 minutes. This game featured more fighting and "You could feel it on the bench after we made it 1-0," Rangers coach extracurricular activity than we've seen from the Rangers so far this David Quinn said. "We thought this game was going to be a different type season. That benefited the Sens, particularly because the Rangers of game. I think we thought it was going to be easy." ended up taking 11 penalties. "They had a pushback," Kreider said. Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored on a wraparound assist from Anthony "They played physical and they were skating, and we got annoyed by Duclair to tie the score at 1-1 with about five minutes to play in the first that. I don’t know what to tell you. They played hard, and we needed to period, which was followed less than four minutes later by a power-play find another level and we didn’t. We did not have a response for them, goal from Tyler Ennis. and that’s the most discouraging part about that."

The Senators entered the game with the lowest-ranked power play in the Kreider took issue with the chippy nature of the game having a big effect, league, having only scored two power-play goals in their first 12 games. pointing out that "if we had been winning the game, we would have said the opposite. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it hurts." And while that's They would add three more goals in the second period, putting the true, the Rangers don't seem to have a lot of guys who do well in that Rangers in a 5-1 hole and effectively sucking the energy out of the feisty environment. "This game is about managing emotions and not building. Former Ranger Vladislav Namestnikov, who was traded to the getting distracted," Quinn said. "We had a few too many guys get Senators in early October, delivered the final blow with a goal in the third distracted." period. No Ottawa player seemed to fluster the Rangers as much as Brady "It’s a tough league and every team has really good players," goalie Tkachuk. He drew three penalties and was a constant thorn in the Alexandar Georgiev said. "They had their chances, and they used it. We Rangers' side. Everyone was out to get him by the end of the game. He have to be ready to battle." got the last laugh with a goal, an assist and the win. "He’s an agitating player," Quinn said. "And we played right into his hands." LINEUP: Third straight start for goalie Alexandar Georgiev The coronation of Georgiev may slow down a bit after this one. He didn't PREVIOUS GAME: Filip Chytil and Ryan Strome stay hot get much help, but after a strong start to the season and two especially Key moment strong games in a row, Georgiev allowed six of the 30 shots he faced to get through. "Not his best night," Quinn said. Henrik Lundqvist will be The Rangers set up Ennis' power-play goal with a series of penalties and back in net Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. bad decisions. The Rangers drop under .500 again, with a current record of 5-6-1. Ottawa baited them into two early fights involving Tony DeAngelo and They've shown they can beat the best teams in the league and look Brendan Lemieux, and with less than three minutes to play in the first helpless against the worst. This is life with the youngest team in the period, a scrum in the Rangers' crease led to a roughing penalty on Ryan league — but it sure keeps things interesting! "We got off our game and Strome and a cross-checking call on Jacob Trouba. we didn’t find it again," Kreider said. "That’s a recurring issue for us, on and off, 12 games in the season now. We’ve got to fix it in a hurry." Thirty-nine seconds later, Brady Skjei got called for tripping, giving the Senators a five-on-three advantage. That led to the goal from Ennis and Tuesday is an off day for the Rangers, but I'm working on an extensive signaled that the Rangers were flustered. rundown of Rangers' prospects in the AHL, college and Europe. Check back for that! They unraveled from there. Bergen Record LOADED: 11.05.2019 "We gotta stay out of the box," Kreider said. "Anytime you give another team that many opportunities, we’ve got a finite number of guys who kill (penalties) and they’re working hard and they’re going to get tired. We didn’t do a good job of keeping it five-on-five and didn’t do a good job of making them defend in their zone."

Caught my eye 1160084 New York Rangers Second pair → Brady Skjei (L) and Tony DeAngelo (R) Third pair → Ryan Lindgren (L) and Adam Fox (R)

Goalies NY Rangers projected lineup: Third straight start for Alexandar Georgiev vs. Senators Starter → Alexandar Georgiev

Backup → Henrik Lundqvist

Vincent Z. Mercogliano, NHL writer Published 6:00 a.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019 Will not play (healthy scratches): Greg McKegg and Marc Staal | Updated 6:06 a.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019 Game notes

How to watch/listen: 7 p.m. ET - TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 If any goaltender was going to get three consecutive starts for the New FM York Rangers this season, most would have assumed it would be Henrik Lundqvist. All-time series: 43-46-3-4 (19-26-0-2 at home; 24-20-3-2 on the road)

But with the Baby Blueshirts winners of two in a row — both with Return of Vlad: The Rangers traded forward Vladislav Namestnikov to Alexandar Georgiev in net — coach David Quinn is going to ride the hot the Senators on Oct. 7 in exchange for defenseman Nick Ebert and a hand into Monday's 7 p.m. home game against the Ottawa Senators. 2021 fourth-round pick. In 10 games since the trade, Namestnikov has registered seven points (four goals and three assists). "That’s going to happen to Hank, too," Quinn said of sticking with the same goalie for multiple games. "Hank’s played well. It’s not that Hank Spreading it out: Through 11 games this season, 16 different Rangers hasn’t played well. It’s just we’ve got a little mojo going, and Georgie has have tallied at least one goal and 20 different Rangers have recorded at benefited from us playing very well in front of him." least one point. Over the last four games, 11 different Rangers have registered at least one goal and 17 different Rangers have notched at Quinn credited Georgiev for playing "very well," giving up just one goal least one point. apiece in consecutive wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators. He's sporting a 2.27 goals against average with an impressive Offensive D-men: Rangers defensemen have registered 29 points (nine .933 save percentage — and most importantly, the Rangers are 3-1-1 in goals and 20 assists) in 2019-20. Blueshirts defensemen have tallied the games he's started, as opposed to 2-4 when Lundqvist starts. 30.9% of the team's points this season, which is the second-highest percentage in the NHL. Rangers defensemen have also recorded 25.7% New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) grabs the puck of the team's goals thus far this season, which is the third-highest during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone percentage in the league. Arena Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. Game notes provided by New York Rangers public relations coordinator The Rangers are showing that they aren't afraid to lean on their youth, Michael Rappaport. with the 23-year-old Georgiev playing over the 37-year-old Lundqvist and 21-year-old Ryan Lindgren replacing 32-year-old Marc Staal on defense. Bergen Record LOADED: 11.05.2019 They've also recalled 20-year-old center Filip Chytil from AHL Hartford and inserted him onto the second line, where he has provided a needed jolt.

Quinn said he's spoken to Lundqvist about the situation and plans to start him Wednesday when the Detroit Red Wings visit Madison Square Garden, regardless of what happens against the Senators.

(Oh, by the way, fellow 23-year-old goalie Igor Shesterkin was named AHL Goaltender of the Month for October and is sporting a 1.83 GAA and .932 SV% for Hartford.)

Mika Zibanejad's status in doubt

For the first time since sustaining what the Rangers have termed "an upper body injury" last week against the Boston Bruins — Quinn later narrowed it down to the neck — Mika Zibanejad took the ice Sunday. He didn't practice with the team, rather skating on his own before practice.

The plan is for Zibanejad to participate in Tuesday's morning skate, and Quinn left the door open for him to possibly rejoin the lineup against Ottawa. But a source told the USA TODAY Network that it seems "unlikely."

If Zibanejad is out again, expect the lineup remain the same as it was against Tampa Bay and Nashville.

Projected lineup: Nov. 4 vs. Ottawa Senators

NOTE: This lineup is subject to change.

Forwards

First line → Artemi Panarin (LW) – Ryan Strome (C) – Jesper Fast (RW)

Second line → Chris Kreider (LW) – Filip Chytil (C) – Pavel Buchnevich (RW)

Third line → Brendan Lemieux (LW) – Brett Howden (C) – Kaapo Kakko (RW)

Fourth line → Micheal Haley (LW) – Lias Andersson (C) – Brendan Smith (RW)

Defense

First pair → Libor Hájek (L) and Jacob Trouba (R) 1160085 New York Rangers Namestnikov scored on the power play at 5:35 of the third to make it 6-2. It was his fifth goal of the season, which is more than any Ranger except Panarin, who has six.

Rangers' two-game win streak ends in loss to lowly Senators Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 11.05.2019

Brady Tkachuk of the Senators scores a second-period Brady Tkachuk of the Senators scores a second-period

By Colin Stephenson

That’s the thing with young teams, and it’s something Rangers coach David Quinn has said over and over: They’re going to be up and down.

And after a Saturday in Nashville in which the Rangers left the arena feeling really, really good about themselves, things didn’t go nearly as well Monday night in New York.

Playing against the lowly Ottawa Senators, who entered the game with the fewest points in the 31-team NHL, the Rangers were simply dreadful, dropping an ugly 6-2 decision that snapped their winning streak at two games and dropped their record to 5-6-1. Ottawa is 4-8-1.

“You could feel it on the bench after we made it 1-0,’’ Quinn said. “I think we thought it was going to be easy. And really, the game was two different games. It was the 11-minute game and it was a 49-minute game. And unfortunately, we played the 11-minute game instead of the 49-minute game.’’

The Rangers actually won the 11-minute game. They were leading 1-0 on a goal by rookie Kaapo Kakko and were outshooting the Senators 11- 1. Then things changed dramatically. The Senators scored two goals before the first period was over and were outshooting the Rangers 14-11 by the time the horn sounded to end the period.

“The first 10 minutes, we played the way we were playing the last two games, and then suddenly they scored a goal and we get back to the way we were playing, when we were on the losing side,’’ Jesper Fast said. “I mean, it’s frustrating. ’’

Playing their third straight game without No. 1 center Mika Zibanejad — who skated in the morning — the Rangers allowed the Senators to score five straight goals from the 14:56 mark of the first period to the 14:56 mark of the second.

Former Ranger Vladislav Namestnikov, who was traded to the Senators on Oct. 7, two days after the Rangers won in Ottawa in the second game of the season, added insult to injury when he scored the Senators’ last goal on a power play early in the third.

Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, making his third straight start, wasn’t as sharp as he had been in his previous two starts, allowing six goals on 30 shots.

“It wasn’t his best game,’’ Quinn said.

Kakko’s third goal of the season (assisted by fellow rookie Adam Fox) gave the Rangers the lead at 8:47 of the first period. Then a fight broke out between Brendan Lemieux and Ottawa’s Mark Borowiecki. It was the second fight of the game, after the Rangers’ Tony DeAngelo tangled with J.C. Beaudin earlier in the period, and it seemed to change the momentum.

“It could have,’’ Quinn said when asked if he thought the fight might have turned things around. “Fighting can do that. I wish it would have inspired us a little bit more. But it didn’t.’’

Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored the first of two goals to tie the score at 1-1 at 14:56 of the first, and after another altercation — Ryan Strome wanted to fight Brady Tkachuk but the officials broke it up — Strome and Anthony DuClair got roughing penalties and Jacob Trouba got a cross- checking penalty, giving Ottawa a power play at 17:17.

Thirty-nine seconds later, Brady Skjei was sent off for tripping, giving the Senators a five-on-three, and 35 seconds after that, Tyler Ennis scored to give Ottawa a 2-1 lead.

Ron Hainsey, Pageau (on a breakaway) and Tkachuk scored in the second to give Ottawa a 5-1 lead before Artemi Panarin’s power-play goal made it 5-2. 1160086 New York Rangers

Alternate captain Marc Staal a healthy scratch for third straight game

By Colin Stephenson

Coach David Quinn stuck with the same lineup for the third straight game, which meant defenseman Marc Staal, an alternate captain and the team’s second-longest-tenured player, was a healthy scratch for the third straight game.

However, Quinn said at Monday’s morning skate that Staal, 32, will be returning to the lineup soon.

“He’s going to get in,’’ Quinn said. “We need him . . . Circumstances haven’t allowed him to get back in, [but] the plan wasn’t to have him sit three, that’s for sure. He’s going to get back in.’’

Staal, the Rangers’ first-round pick in 2005, was scratched for the first time in his career last Tuesday as Quinn inserted 21-year-old rookie Ryan Lindgren against Tampa Bay. Lindgren had an assist that night as the Rangers beat the Lightning, 4-1, and the Minnesota native played well in his first two games, posting a plus-2 rating in two wins.

With things going well, Quinn was asked why he would need to force Staal back in the lineup.

“Because he’s a good defenseman,’’ he said. “He’s a big piece of what we have here this year. You know, he’s a guy that’s influential in the locker room; he’s a good player. And, you know, the way things happened, he happened to be the guy that came out after the Bruins game [a 7-4 loss Oct. 27]. And we’re just in the situation. But we’re going to need him.’’

Notes & quotes: Greg McKegg was the other scratch . . . Not a fan of morning skates, Quinn admitted he had one Monday because the Rangers had won each of their last two games after having one. However, he said with a laugh, “We didn’t have one against Nashville, so we might need to throw that theory out the window.’’ The game against the Predators was an afternoon contest . . . The Rangers will hold an outdoor practice at Lasker Rink in Central Park at noon Saturday. It is open to the public . . . Before the game, a moment of silence was observed for former NHL vice president Jim Gregory and former Ranger Dean Prentice.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160087 New York Rangers year to be able to find that consistent game. We had it through 10 minutes, got off of it, and paid the price for it.”

They played as they had in so many of the five straight losses — without Youthful Rangers fail to manage their emotions or their approach to purpose, without enough battle (other than a bunch of post-whistle flare- games ups and some fisticuffs). They didn’t play quickly enough, didn’t win pucks, didn’t win races. And frankly, goalie Alexandar Georgiev, in his third straight outing, had a rough night too.

By Rick Carpiniello Nov 4, 2019 26 “The first 10 minutes we were playing the way we played the last two games,” Jesper Fast said. “Suddenly they scored a goal and we get back

to the way we were playing when we were on the losing side. And that’s NEW YORK — The last time the Rangers played the Ottawa Senators, in not the way we want to play. It’s frustrating when we think we have the second game of the season, they cruised to a 4-1 victory that made something good going on, and playing good hockey, and then for 50 them 2-0. minutes we played … I don’t know, we were two different teams — one team playing the right way, and one team where we think hockey’s an The Rangers didn’t handle that well at all. They got full of themselves, all easy game and you think you don’t have to battle. That’s what we their pretty plays and fancy goals … and worse, they had a week off to showed for almost 50 minutes today.” think about it. The result was five straight losses (0-4-1) and the first crisis of a young season for a very young team. It was a stinker. Good teams write off stinkers. Bad teams don’t learn from them and repeat them. So far, the latter is what the Rangers have, So at least the Rangers have that going for them after taking a serious or haven’t, done. smackdown by Ottawa on Monday at the Garden, a 6-2 face slap that for the last 50 minutes wasn’t remotely competitive. So next game, Wednesday, changes will be made because, well, coaches generally don’t make changes after wins and generally do after The Rangers (5-6-1) shouldn’t be full of themselves this time … and they losses. Especially losses like this one. have less than 48 hours to think about this one before another bad team, Detroit, comes to town. Henrik Lundqvist was already slated to start in goal after his three-game vacation. Marc Staal, scratched for three straight simply because of the Yeah, they’re young, these Rangers. Unbelievably young. So these will little winning streak, will be back in on defense. For whom? It could be happen, these out of nowhere abominations, as it were, coming off anybody, most likely one of the 21-year-old rookies, but seriously it could impressive wins over Tampa Bay and Nashville. Just like the big win over be Brady Skjei, too. Greg McKegg probably goes back also, and again, Buffalo that ended the five-game losing streak, that was followed by their whomever he replaces will cause one of those Twitterstorms. I do not worst game of the season in a rout by Boston. Well, this one against think it should automatically be Micheal Haley. It could be Pavel Ottawa is now arguably their worst game of the season. Buchnevich, who had one single shot attempt and it was blocked and turned into a breakaway goal, but the list of potential sitters up front is Being what they are, with seven 21-and-unders in the lineup, some of long. this is certainly expected. We’ve called them hiccups. Some of them are flat-out vomits. So we’ll see. The lineup isn’t going to make as much difference as the lesson, and whether it was learned or not. But what about the Rangers who aren’t so young? How to explain the way they played? Because, really, outside of Kaapo Kakko, which of the Thoughts 19 men who skated in this one distinguished himself? 1) Just going to gloss over this, because it’s out there and there’s plenty Worse, the Rangers admitted, pretty much, they felt this game was going of speculation regarding the Rangers’ interest in Edmonton’s restricted to be easy, jumping to a 10-1 lead in shots, and a 1-0 lead in goals, and free agent Jesse Puljujarvi, who has asked to be traded and is playing in again, getting full of themselves, against a terrible team that appeared Finland. Yes, the Rangers no doubt have done due diligence on him. ready and willing to be put away early. Yes, they probably have a level of interest. And yes, I believe, there’s something to be said for leaks including the Rangers (and other teams) The Rangers said, “No, thanks.” to attempt to create a market for a player. “It’s another reminder of ‘it’s not easy.’ We thought it was going to be That all said, the Rangers have eyes in Europe, especially in Finland, easy,” said Jacob Trouba, one of the “older” guys at 25. “It wasn’t and it’s and have seen Puljujarvi play. Their interest would be based on what another lesson to be learned. they’d have to give up … assuming they’re impressed enough with his “That’s things we’ve got to figure out. But we’ve got to recognize it. It took play in Finland. Remember, this is a top prospect who really hasn’t done us a while to identify what was happening, and you’ve got to be able to much at the NHL level during his first three-year contract. So … figure that out and be able to reset and go back to the game you were 2) Earliest first icing of the season, by Ottawa, at :06. playing.” 3) Jean-Gabriel Pageau (apologies if that name still strikes a nerve) took The Rangers, in their situation, in their rebuild, aren’t going to face a lot an early penalty and the Rangers power play had the puck the entire two of those “should win” games. When they do, well, they should win. minutes — but Trouba twice missed the net and Kaako continues to Especially given an ideal start like that. refuse to shoot a one-timer from the right circle. “You could feel it on the bench after we made it 1-0 that, I thought, we thought this game was going to be a different type of game,” Rangers TONY D WITH AN ABSOLUTE BATTLE AGAINST BEAUDIN  壘 coach David Quinn said. “I think we thought it was going to be easy. PIC.TWITTER.COM/Z357CDAB0Q

“I was actually a little concerned as the first 10 minutes was unfolding just — RANGERS ON MSG (@RANGERSMSGN) NOVEMBER 5, 2019 because I know what can happen. I know human nature can kick in. I 4) Good Tony, Bad Tony: The Rangers were in complete control, shots know when you’ve got youth, you think things might be easy. And give 7-0 through the first eight minutes when DeAngelo took exception to a hit Ottawa a lot of credit. They upped the ante and it was almost surprised from behind by J.C. Beaudin and won a decisive bout. Man, the kid can that they were competing and skating. And for 49 minutes we didn’t chuck knuckles. And likes doing so. handle it well at all.” 5) Kakko-Meter: On the next shift, Adam Fox cleverly found Kakko Understatement. But perhaps they were full of themselves again, after cutting to the net. Kakko took the pass in behind Chris Tierney, and went the two straight wins, and after going 3-1 in their last four. Perhaps this is to his backhand, slipping a shot past goalie Anders Nilsson. Kakko’s third a lesson that is not easily learned. Perhaps this is going to happen from goal. 1-0. “You can just see him playing with a different level of time to time, perhaps relatively regularly? confidence now,” Quinn said. “He might have been the only guy who had “It’s not the greatest thing in the world that we won two games (in a row), a good night for us.” and it’s not going be that the world’s falling down because we lost a SOME SNAP, A LOT OF KAKKO, AND A GOOD AMOUNT OF POP. game,” Trouba said. “It’s going to be a constant battle throughout the PIC.TWITTER.COM/YTB7YBFI0Q — NHL (@NHL) NOVEMBER 5, 2019 18) Quinn Bin: The decision on who comes out for Stall could be made for Quinn. It’s possible, however remotely, that Ryan Lindgren will be 6) Anders Nilsson was named after Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson, hearing from the league for what was called an illegal hit to the head of right? Mikkel Boedker in the third period. Though slow-mo replays made it 7) Georgiev didn’t face his first shot until 8:36 remained in the first, at appear that Lindgren’s forearm caught Boedker in the neck. I didn’t think which point it was 10-1 in shots. it was a head shot at all. But, well, it’s the Department of Player Safety, so hey, you never know. 8) Brendan Lemieux then tossed hands with Mark Borowiecki took exception to Lemieux’s nose-to-nose with Pageau. General rule of 19) I honestly don’t know how opponents deal with Tkachuk’s antics, and thumb, though, is you have to know that a fight can turn the momentum especially when he laughs at you when you retaliate. That would drive in a game, and oftentimes if you’re ahead, you try to avoid those. Now me up a wall. “He’s an agitating player and we played right into his this was a tad different, the result of an in-game play, and not one of hands,” said Quinn, who coached Tkachuk at Boston U. “That’s all you those useless staged fights. “Fighting can do that,” Quinn said. “I wish it can say. We played right into his hands. And on top of being an agitating would have inspired us a little more, but it didn’t.” player, he’s a really good player. This game’s about managing emotions and not getting distracted and we had a few too many guys get 9) The Garden now shows the fights in slow motion, some of the distracted.” Lemieux ended up taking a minor and a misconduct, so he punches multiple times, on the big screen. At least when the Rangers could be visiting the Bin too. land punches, I guess. 20) How about this flashback royal flush? 10) Shortly after that bout, another goal, this one by Ottawa as ex- Ranger Anthony Duclair tried a wrap-around and Lias Andersson couldn’t #MOTIVATIONMONDAY GRASSHOPPERS. I GET MOTIVATED tie up Pageau, who knocked in the loose puck from the paint. 1-1. “For BEING PART OF A TEAM. #BARRY BECK #ANDRE DORE #DAVE 10 minutes we felt like we were dominating, and then we let in one goal MALONEY #REIJO RUOTSALAINEN #CAROL VADNAIS. and everything broke down for some reason,” Georgiev said. PIC.TWITTER.COM/AAZTE8YHOJ

11) The Rangers had gotten a little careless around their own net, and — TOM LAIDLAW (@TLAIDS) NOVEMBER 4, 2019 the nastiness continued, especially when Brady Tkachuk landed 21) Saturday my three Rangers stars were aged 23, 21 and 20. “accidentally” on top of Georgiev’s back. The ensuing melee, which Somebody wisely asked me if combined they were my age. I’m happy to featured many crosschecks and punches, resulted in an Ottawa power say, no, they’re collectively older than me. I won’t say by how much. play, and when Skjei tripped Tkachuk during the power play, the Senators had 1:21 worth of five-on-three. During the two-man advantage, 22) R.I.P. Dean Prentice, by all accounts a great Ranger for seven Brett Howden blocked a shot, but the puck ricocheted right to Tyler Ennis seasons. Alas, I am not old enough to have any memories of those for an uncontested one-timer. 2-1, Ottawa. At that point, Ottawa had fired seasons. The Rangers honored Prentice and Jim Gregory with a moment 13 of the game’s last 14 shots. of silence before the game.

12) My Great Aunt Tillie Could Have Scored (sponsored again by reader My Three Rangers Stars Anthony D, but we’re still awaiting the check from last year): Early second, Trouba was sent off for hooking, and on the penalty kill, the Kaapo Kakko. Rangers — as is their practice — allowed Tkachuk to plant himself all Micheal Haley. alone in Georgiev’s mask. When the puck got to him, of course, it was a scramble by Skjei and Brendan Smith to get back, and as they both did, Ryan Lindgren. Tkachuk threw a blind pass across the crease for a dunk by 83-year-old The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 Ron Hainsey a moment after the penalty expired. 3-1.

BRADY TKACHUK WITH THE SWEET PASS TO RON HAINSEY  PIC.TWITTER.COM/0PSSXQAD2V

— SPORTSNET (@SPORTSNET) NOVEMBER 5, 2019

13) Artemi Panarin, who had a couple of chances early in the game, made a great pass to a wide-open Ryan Strome, but Nilsson robbed him with a quick glove.

14) Middle of the second, it got worse. Rangers were controlling the puck in the offensive zone, and Nilsson stopped Adam Fox in close. Buchnevich, with nobody behind him, fired from long range directly into the shinpads of Pageau, who had a clean — and I mean clean, like penalty-shot clean — breakaway. He snapped one past Georgiev. 4-1. Pageau was halfway to four (sorry).

15) After Georgiev made a header save, the scrambliness (is that a word?) continued. Skjei and Brett Howden lost a 2-against-1 battle behind the net, and Tkachuk was again left alone between Fast and DeAngelo, who was also behind the icing line, to stuff one past Georgiev. 5-1.

16) Daily Bread: Panarin scored what appeared to be one of those “by the way” goals late in the second, a power-play short-side snipe off a feed from Kakko, his sixth. 5-2. Haley nearly added another one before the period ended. So did Howden. Overall, though, this was Panarin’s worst game. In the third he coughed up a puck, then complicated it by taking a hooking penalty.

KAKKO WITH THE ROYAL ROAD PASS, PANARIN WITH THE POWER PLAY GOAL #NYR PIC.TWITTER.COM/QWHCSZRNUX

— SHAYNA (@HAYYYSHAYYY) NOVEMBER 5, 2019

17) With Panarin still in the box, the Rangers had a short-handed scramble that Nilsson survived, and it trapped Trouba and two forwards. Skjei broke up the ensuing 3-on-1, but as the fire drill continued, recently- traded Vlad Namesnikov (who else?) scored. 6-2 1160088 Ottawa Senators Ryan says he tried his best to go with the flow last week, accepting his new situation.

“I don’t really think there’s any way to not overthink it or overanalyze it, Pageau and Tkachuk power the Senators to impressive comeback win no matter how you want to put it,” he said before the puck dropped over the Rangers against the Rangers. “You just try to circle your thoughts back to the present as much as you can and stop thinking about the ‘what ifs’ and ‘what can I dos.’ ”

Ken Warren He says the long week of practice between the Sharks and Bruins might have been a good thing for him.

“You just get back into the rhythm and you kind of forget you’re missing NEW YORK — The handiwork behind the Ottawa Senators first road win games because of that. The Reality doesn’t really sink back in until of the season — a 6-2 romp over the New York Rangers — was led by you’re going to Boston (and not playing again).” the bulldozer and the pitbull. Ryan also says he was glad to have had Mikkel Boedker around, using The bulldozer would be Brady Tkachuk, who smiled his way through the him as a sounding board because the two are sharing similar scrums during and after the whistles. He finished the night with one goal, circumstances. one assist, six shots on goal, four penalty minutes, a few fresh scrapes and scars and with the Rangers spewing an endless stream of “It’s nice to have a guy who has been through it and to just bounce things obscenities his way. off … to really just chat hockey over the course of the week.”

“I was having a blast,” he said. “It was a fun game. A great team win. It’s Boedker, playing only his fourth game of the season and his first since always fun coming to (Madison Square Garden). It’s probably the best Oct. 21, picked up an assist on Hainsey’s goal. rink in the world. It’s definitely an awesome time coming here.” HELPING SABOURIN And then there was the pitbull, aka Jean-Gabriel Pageau, rising to the challenge of extra minutes and additional responsibilities due to the As a healthy scratch against Boston, Ryan did what he could to support club’s assortment of injuries at centre. Scott Sabourin following the nasty collision that knocked him out cold on the ice. “I was able to see him on the way into the ambulance, to just Pageau’s night included a pair of goals. The first came as he was being check in and to make sure I gave his fiancée a call for him,” said Ryan. knocked down in the crease. The second resulted from his own blocked “Any time anyone goes down, whether it’s your teammate or (somebody shot that set up a breakaway. on) there other side, there’s a lot of respect.”

His peskiness also had the Rangers bent on revenge when they should FLYING HOME have been more concerned with stopping him producing points. Sabourin flew back to Ottawa from Boston late Sunday and is being “A couple of battles, a couple of fights that gave us momentum,” Pageau closely monitored by team doctors. Smith didn’t want to play doctor said of rallying after a horrible opening 10 minutes, turning a 1-0 deficit himself, but it’s likely Sabourin is going through a full battery of tests to into a 2-1 lead before the period was out. “The guys stepped up for determine the extend of any and all injuries, including a potential themselves, stepped up for their teammates and that showed a lot of concussion. “I talked to Scott yesterday,” Smith said. “I can’t believe how leadership from them. That’s huge.” tough a kid he is. It was like nothing happened.”

For all that, Pageau says no comeback would have been possible THE INJURY REPORT without the stellar work of goaltender Anders Nilsson to begin the game. At one point, the Rangers led 11-0 on the shot clock, but had only a Artem Anisimov skated here Monday morning, with the aim of being back single goal from rookie Kaapo Kakka. in the lineup from his groin injury Tuesday against the Islanders. With centres Anisimov and Logan Brown (upper body) both out, the Senators “I was trying to make as many saves as possible,” said Nilsson, who used Namestnikov as both a centre and a winger. finished with 32 saves. “They were pushing us back pretty hard. They have some skilled players. I was just trying to stay on top of my game.” The last time Namestnikov played as a centre on any kind of regular basis was with the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2017-18 season. In the final half of the period, the tide turned, with the Senators peppering Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev with the final 14 shots of the The multi-purpose forward checked in with 17:34 and had an assist to go period. along with his goal.

Pageau tied the game on a feed from Anthony Duclair and Tyler Ennis, MASH UNIT AT HOME on a 5-on-3 power play, made it 2-1 before the period was out. Meanwhile, back in Ottawa, both Colin White (groin/hip flexor) and The Senators effectively put the game away in the second period, with Rudolfs Balcers (knee) are skating. There’s some hope White could be goals from Ron Hainsey (on a pretty feed from Tkachuk only a second back playing within a week or two, while Balcers will most likely be re- after a power play expired), Pageau’s second and Tkachuk (on a crash assigned to Belleville of the AHL when he’s cleared to see game action. and bang drive to the net). Smith is choosing to look at it the best way possible.

The Rangers’ Artemi Panarin made it 5-2 before the second period was “Everyone sits in their stall and says ‘I deserve a chance, I should be in done, but Nilsson stopped any comeback attempt in its tracks. top six, I should be on the power play’,” said Smith. “This is your time. It’s unfortunate we have injuries, but if I’m a guy in the room that’s telling Vladislav Namestnikov capped the scoring with a power play goal in the myself, telling my agent and whoever else that I deserve this opportunity, third period. With two man advantage goals, the Senators doubled their well, show us.” previous power play output from their opening dozen games. Just a hunch here, but maybe Pageau was listening. “We earned, I thought, all our chances tonight,” said coach D.J. Smith. “It is our first road win. We thought we had received some pretty good SPEAKING OF THE INJURED efforts (before), but we just hadn’t come up with anything.” The Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad skated again Monday morning, but THE GOOD SOLDIER continues to nurse a neck injury. Zibanejad was the story of the Senators season opener, scoring three goals and one assist. “He certainly took us Bobby Ryan, who sat out as a healthy scratch against the Sharks and apart there in Ottawa, but I don’t think we were playing as well Bruins, had some early jump while being given decent minutes by Smith defensively as we are now,” Smith said before the game. in his return to the lineup. But he was also wary of the potential damage that Panarin and Ryan He played 15:28. While he was only credited with one shot on goal, he Strome could deliver. also delivered four hits, tied for the team high. STAAL SITS OUT AGAIN If it’s any consolation to Ryan and Boedker, Rangers alternate captain Marc Staal sat out his third consecutive game as a healthy scratch against the Senators.

Staal, now in his 13th season with the Rangers, has played 849 regular season games. “He’s going to get in,” said Rangers coach David Quinn. “We need him, but the circumstances haven’t allowed him to get back in. The plan wasn’t to have him sit three (in a row).” Staal hasn’t played since a 7-4 loss to Boston on Oct. 27.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED

Two periods in one

The Rangers opened the game with the first 11 shots and the first goal. The Senators replied with the final 14 shots of the second, including two goals.

Nilsson answers call

Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox were among the Rangers who were robbed early by Senators goaltender Anders Nilsson, who kept his team in the game.

Hainsey can finally celebrate

Ron Hainsey’s first with the Senators, a tap-in off a Brady Tkachuk pass, gave the Senators a 3-1 second period lead.

Ryan’s return

After sitting out two games as a healthy scratch, injuries to Scott Sabourin and Logan Brown helped pave the way for the return of Bobby Ryan.

Bursting the Big Apple

The Rangers entered the game having allowed only one goal in their previous two games and two or fewer in three of their previous four contests. [email protected]

Twitter: @Citizenkwarren

“Our guys stuck up for themselves and we started playing a lot harder, and we got rewarded.”

D.J. Smith talks about tonight’s win over the Rangers. pic.twitter.com/dOAgwhsSyu

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) November 5, 2019

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160089 Ottawa Senators Michael Dal Colle – Casey Cizikas – Cal Clutterbuck Ross Johnston – Cole Bardreau – Oliver Wahlstrom

Defence GAMEDAY: Senators versus Islanders Adam Pelech – Ryan Pulock

Noah Dobson – Johnny Boychuk Ken Warren Devon Toews – Scott Mayfield

Goaltending Ottawa Senators at New York Islanders Semyon Varlamov Tuesday, 7 p.m., Barclays Center Thomas Greiss TV: TSN5, RDS2 Sick Bay Radio: TSN-1200, 94,5 Unique-FM Andrew Ladd, Jordan Eberle, Tom Kuhnhackl, Matt Martin, Nick Leddy Five Keys To The Game: THE BIG MATCH-UP The New York, New York Riddle: Just how much gas might the Senators have left in the tank after facing the Rangers at Madison Square Garden Derick Brassard versus Jean-Gabriel Pageau Monday? The Islanders have been idle since defeating the Sabres 1-0 on Saturday. Let’s highlight the pair of Gatineau natives. Brassard extended his goal scoring streak to five games in the Islanders 1-0 win over the Buffalo New defensive look: After being a healthy scratch for the opening 13 Sabres Saturday. The ex-Senator, rather quietly signed as a free agent games, it’s expected that Cody Goloubef will finally play, giving a by the Islanders in the summer, had a slow start in his new home, but breather to rookie Erik Brannstrom. Goloubef has done everything right in has caught fire of late. practice, but he wants to prove he can play. Pageau, aka Mr. Duct Tape for the Senators, has been the centre of Back to Anderson: Anders Nilsson started Monday against the Rangers, consistency for the amid all the injuries down the middle. He’s one of the meaning D.J. Smith will likely go back to Craig Anderson, who was in NHL’s best penalty killers and owned a league-leading plus 11 before goal for the Senators 5-2 defeat to Boston on Saturday. Monday’s game against the New York Rangers.

Finding holes in stingy Islanders: Through 13 games, the Islanders have Ottawa Sun LOADED: 11.05.2019 allowed only 29 goals, second lowest in the NHL behind Boston. They don’t make many mistakes, meaning the Senators must pounce when they get a chance.

Adding another Band-Aid: Due to the expanded injury list, especially at centre, the Senators flew Artem Anisimov into New York, hoping he has sufficiently recovered from his groin injury to help them down the middle. If so, Vladislav Namestnikov could move back to the wing permanently.

Special Teams

Senators: PP: 4.8 (31st) PK: 79.2 (22nd)

Islanders: PP: 22.7 (11th), PK: 83.8 (10th)

Senators Gameday Lines

Offence

Brady Tkachuk – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Anthony Duclair

Nick Paul – Vladislav Namestnikov – Connor Brown

Tyler Ennis – Chris Tierney – Bobby Ryan

Filip Chlapik – J.C. Beaudin – Mikkel Boedker

Defence

Thomas Chabot – Nikita Zaitsev

Cody Goloubef – Ron Hainsey

Mark Borowiecki – Dylan DeMelo

Goalies

Craig Anderson

Anders Nilsson

Sick Bay

Rudolfs Balcers, Logan Brown, Christian Wolanin, Colin White, Artem Anisimov, Scott Sabourin

Islanders Gameday Lines

Offence

Anders Lee – Mathew Barzal – Josh Bailey

Anthony Beauvillier – Brock Nelson – Derick Brassard 1160090 Ottawa Senators Defence Libor Hajek-Jacob Trouba

Brady Skjei-Anthony Deangelo GAME DAY: Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox

Goaltending Ken Warren Henrik Lunqvist

Alexandar Georgiev Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers Sick Bay Monday, 7 p.m., Madison Square Garden Mika Zibanejad TV: TSN5, RDS THE BIG MATCH-UP Radio: TSN-1200, 94,5 Unique-FM Erik Brannstrom vs. Kaapo Kakka: In the rookie spotlight, Brannstrom will FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME be making a case to keep himself in the lineup. Coach D.J. Smith has 1-Stay away from the sin bin: Fans were still settling into their seats in said there was a possibility he could be a healthy scratch either Monday Boston Saturday when the Bruins were already up on a power play goal or Tuesday, given the fact the Senators also play the Islanders on by David Pastnrak. The Bruins put the game away on a third period Tuesday. power play goal from Brad Marchand. Kakka, meanwhile, the second overall selection in last June’s NHL entry 2-The return of Ryan: Injuries to Scott Sabourin and Logan Brown mean draft, has had a bumpy beginning to his NHL career. He has two goals Bobby Ryan will get a chance to prove himself again after sitting out the and one assist and owns a plus/minus of minus 12. past two games as a healthy scratch. The ailing power play needs a Ottawa Sun LOADED: 11.05.2019 boost and Ryan could answer that void.

3-Staying hot? Anthony Duclair and Connor Brown have now scored in consecutive games, taking advantage of additional ice time by delivering some much needed offence for the Senators. Duclair has the additional motivation of originally being drafted by the Rangers.

4-Rebounding of top defence pair: Thomas Chabot (minus three) and Nikita Zaitsev had rough games against the Bruins big guns Saturday and need to turn it up a notch under the big lights at MSG.

5-No Mika Zibanejad?: The former Senator has been out for the past week with a neck injury, moving youngsters Filip Chytil into a top line role. In the second game of the season, Zibanajad lit up the Senators with three goals and one assist.

Special Teams

Senators: PP: 4.8 (31st) PK: 79.2 (22nd)

Rangers: PP: 17.1 (20th), PK: 81.4 (18th)

Senators Gameday Lines

Brady Tkachuk-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Anthony Duclair

Vladislav Namestnikov-J.C. Beaudin-Tyler Ennis

Nick Paul-Chris Tierney-Connor Brown

Mikkel Boedker-Filip Chlapik-Bobby Ryan

Defence

Thomas Chabot-Nikita Zaitsev

Erik Brannstrom-Ron Hainsey

Mark Borowiecki-Dylan DeMelo

Goalies

Anders Nilsson

Craig Anderson

Sick Bay

Rudolfs Balcers, Christian Wolanin, Colin White, Artem Anisimov, Scott Sabourin, Logan Brown

Rangers Gameday Lines

Artemi Panarin-Ryan Strome-Jesper Fast

Chris Kreider-Filip Chytil-Pavel Buchnevich

Brendan Lemieux-Brett Howden-Kaapo Kakko

Micheal Haley-Lias Andersson-Brendan Smith 1160091 Philadelphia Flyers parents are coming down [Monday], so we’ll have a bite to eat.” He said his parents always wear items that represent both teams. … confirmed that Sean Couturier has a shoulder strain and that the medical staff reprimanded the coach for using the center on 10 Flyers showing trust in 19-year-old Joel Farabee; Carter Hart to face faceoffs Saturday. … did some light skating and shooting Hurricanes before practice with skills coach Angelo Ricci. … Travis Sanheim, who has had some problems staying on his feet lately, did some skating

before practice and then joined his teammates. by Sam Carchidi, Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 11.05.2019

In a very short time span, Joel Farabee has gone from being sent back to the Phantoms late in training camp to playing on one of the Flyers’ top lines and on their No. 1 power-play unit.

Yes, the Flyers think highly of their 19-year-old winger.

Farabee, who had four points (three goals, assist) in four games with the AHL’s Phantoms before being promoted to the Flyers, was on a line with left winger James van Riemsdyk and center Claude Giroux in their 4-3 shootout loss Saturday to Toronto. He had seven shots, two on net, and no points, but was again in the middle of several scoring chances.

The line was on the ice for the Flyers’ two power-play goals in the game.

“It gives me a lot of confidence that I’m playing with two really good players,” Farabee said. “I just have to kind of vibe with them and try to get some chemistry going. … I thought our five-on-five play was really good and we could have had two or three goals, and that offense led right into our power play.”

Based on practice Monday in Voorhees, Farabee will stay on the same line Tuesday, when the Flyers (6-5-2) host Carolina (9-4-1). Carter Hart (3.23 GAA, .867 save percentage) will get the start for the Flyers.

“As a line, we just have to keep getting better every day,” Farabee said after a 50-minute practice session. “Playing with those guys is so easy.”

Farabee, who has played a responsible 200-foot game, was on the third line when he first joined the Flyers.

“As a mentality for me, I’m always a guy who wants to be better and wants to do more,” Farabee said. “If I get put on the third line, I want to be on the second line or first line. It’s the mentality I’ve always had. Keep striving for more, and if you keep working hard, things like that [can happen]. Keep relying on the vets for guidance and that really me helps out.”

Van Riemsdyk called Farabee a skilled and smart player.

“I think we were reading off each other well,” he said. "That was the first time I had a chance to play together with him in practice or a game, so you’re still trying to find some of those chemistry things, but I think we had some good looks at the net.”

JVR and Johnny Van Kemp in the #Flyers’ locker room Monday. The 15- year-old is in remission from leukemia and traveled from N.C. to Philadelphia to be treated at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/PZd0Hewywq

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) November 4, 2019

Farabee said he was “working to stay here and solidify my spot on the team because I can go down [to the Phantoms] at any time. I just have to keep doing the little things. If the points happen, they do.”

He has played in seven games. Once he gets in 10, the first year of his entry-level contract will be burned off.

“Obviously, you want to get to the next contract as soon as possible, but I think I’m going to just enjoy the moment right now,” he said.

A grinning Farabee kidded that when he scored his first career goal Friday to key a win in New Jersey, he made sure Kevin Hayes was on the bench. Hayes had been called for offside twice in a game in Chicago earlier in the season, negating what would have been Farabee’s first goal and first assist.

Breakaways

Van Riemsdyk will face his brother, Trevor, who is a Carolina defenseman. James van Riemsdyk said his brother had a 4-3 winning edge in games their teams have played against each other in their careers. “It’s always something we look forward to as a family; my 1160092 Philadelphia Flyers "I think he's got the edge now 4-3, but I'm not positive," said JVR, counting the goals each has scored in the lineup against each other. "I blew a shot by him one time. He was the screen in front and I got a shot around him and scored. So that was a highlight. Flyers teen Joel Farabee on track to clear a financial hurdle "It's always something we look forward to as a family. My parents are coming down tonight so we'll grab a bite to eat when he gets in here."

By Rob Parent As the first hockey family of Middletown, N.J., 30-year-old JVR and 28- year-old TVR have always had a sibling rivalry, though not so much now

that they've matured. VOORHEES, N.J. — It's not like Joel Farabee sits in his hotel room "Me and Trevor have more of a mutual respect kind of relationship where scratching off the days on a Marriott-issue desktop calendar. It's also not we don't give each other too much (crap) now," JVR said. "But if it was like he isn't aware of the passing of hockey time. my youngest brother we 'd be letting him know it every time the puck got Three more games and the rookie center out of Boston University will stolen from him. But not me and Trevor, it's a little bit different. We don't have given the Flyers just another solid reason to keep him on the major ride each other as much as we used to when we were growing up." league club. One that's more financial in nature than anything else. That's apparently reserved for 23-year-old Brendan, a fifth-year, "It's definitely something I think about," Farabee said Monday. "Obviously undrafted senior at Northeastern University. And he takes the crap? if I play 10 games it burns a year off my ELC." "Yeah, now we just gang up on the youngest one and see how long it That would be the entry-level contract Farabee signed in March, after takes to see him lose his temper," the eldest van Riemsdyk said. only one season at BU. Farabee, the Flyers' No. 1 draft pick in 2018, had Sean Couturier wound up taking 10 faceoffs against the Maple Leafs in a averaged a point per game with one of the nation's top collegiate 4-3 shootout loss Saturday. That was about 10 more than he was programs and wanted to expedite his development. originally supposed to take, thanks to what Vigneault admitted Monday So he signed with the Flyers and after a summer training program bent was a shoulder strain. on adding 15 pounds of muscle, performed well enough in camp to be a "I got reprimanded (for that), by our medical guys," Vigneault said with a final cut, even going so far as making the trip to Europe when the Flyers laugh. "They told me, 'You weren't going to do that' ... but at the end of opened the season in Prague. the day it's the young man (deciding) when that situation happens." Farabee would come home and start with the Phantoms, and after As it stands now, Vigneault said he's been told Couturier is to be faceoff- scoring three goals and an assist in four games, was brought back when free for the next four to seven days. Nolan Patrick's migrane headaches put him down for the foreseeable future and opened a scoring-line forward spot. Now the immediate future Couturier leads the NHL in faceoff percentage, but with his weakened is wide open for Farabee, who would only have one year left on his shoulder, he lost his first four draws against the Maple Leafs before rookie deal beyond this one if he sticks beyond the 10-game limit. winning a few later in the game, including one very big one in overtime.

"It's something I want to happen," he said. "You want to get to that next "I'm not the one who told him to take them, but I'll take the blame," contract as soon as possible, but I think I'm just enjoying the moment Vigneault said with a semi-straight face. "But if we want this to heal we're right now. If I get to 10 games, I do, but while I'm here I have to help the better off not letting him take faceoffs. I will try to be more vigilant as we team win." move forward."

Farabee scored his first goal Friday against the Devils. He had what NOTES >> Carter Hart will start in net Tuesday. But with four games in should have been his first goal, and an additional assist, in his second six days, Vigneault said Hart will split the starts with ... Ivan Flyers game, Oct. 24 in Chicago. But both were wiped out on offside Provorov remains the point quarterback on the No. 1 power-play unit challenges where linemate Kevin Hayes was caught out of position. ahead of Shayne Gostisbehere. "Ghost, in our minds coming in, was the power-play guy," Vigneault said. "He's been given the opportunity and I Hayes joked later — he was allowed to because the Flyers won that need him to show more on that. I need him to show more offensive skill. I game — that his 19-year-old linemate was a step too slow on one and a know he's trying real hard and he's coming in with a good mindset and a step too fast on the other. But after a line change and another four good attitude as far as work ethic, but he needs to show more." games, Farabee finally got that first goal. The promise for many more is there, as Farabee's recent promotion put him on right wing next to Delaware County Times LOADED: 11.05.2019 Claude Giroux and across from James van Riemsdyk.

"I just mixed the lines," coach Alain Vigneault said. "I'm just trying to get the right type of defensive and offensive chemistry. I didn't think in the New Jersey game that (Giroux's) line had been as effective as they could be, so I just made a little, subtle change there and it certainly gives us balance through the top nine forwards."

It also dropped Jake Voracek to a third line with Hayes and Michael Raffl, which would seem to add to the pressure on Farabee to perform.

As it is, though, he says that's not so.

"Right now I don't think I'm relied on as much to score, to put up as many points as maybe some of the older guys," Farabee said. "That helps me out a bit, not having that pressure that I'd need to (score) points."

That would seem to be a healthy vote of confidence in keeping the kid from Cicero, N.Y., with the big club. But Farabee figures the money numbers are far less important to the Flyers' brass than what he can produce on the ice.

"I think I'm getting a lot of chances and creating a lot of chances and if I keep doing that, the points are going to come," Farabee said. "I'm just working my way to stay here, because I can still go down (to the Phantoms) at any point."

With the Carolina Hurricanes coming to Wells Fargo Center Tuesday, James van Riemsdyk has another chance to one-up his brother, Trevor. 1160093 Philadelphia Flyers

Now we know why Flyers are trying to keep Sean Couturier out of faceoff circle

By Jordan Hall November 04, 2019 2:36 PM

VOORHEES, N.J. — The Flyers purposefully had a banged-up Sean Couturier take only three faceoffs in last Friday’s 4-3 shootout win over the Devils.

Couturier’s workload in the dot then jumped to 10 draws the next night during the Flyers’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs.

Whoops.

“I was reprimanded by our medical guys … ‘you told me you weren’t going to do it,’” Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said with a laugh Monday following practice.

Couturier is dealing with a shoulder strain and the Flyers want to limit his faceoffs to help the injury improve. The problem is Couturier is a tough dude and one of the NHL’s best in the faceoff circle. The 26-year-old had the second-best faceoff win percentage (57.1) among the NHL's top-20 players in draws taken last season and is at 64.3 percent in 2019-20.

If gets booted from the faceoff circle, Couturier wants to jump in.

“At the end of the day, it’s the young man,” Vigneault said. “When that situation happens, if T.K. gets kicked out of the faceoff, [Couturier] wants to go.”

Vigneault said the Flyers still have a period of four to seven days in which Couturier shouldn’t be taking draws so the shoulder can heal. The Flyers will at least try to limit Couturier’s number of faceoffs as much as they can.

Couturier almost always wins more than he loses in the circle. He won only four of his 10 last Saturday, but some of the victories were big ones later in the game.

“I’m not really the one that told him to take it, it just happened that way, but I’ll take the blame,” Vigneault said with a smile.

“I will try to be more vigilant as we move forward.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160094 Philadelphia Flyers • Speaking of WHL blueliners, Wyatte Wylie had a four-assist weekend for the Everett Silvertips. The 2018 fifth-round pick has 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 15 games and is a plus-50 since 2017-18.

Future Flyers Report: Prospects Cam York, Morgan Frost showing why • Bobby Brink, the Flyers' 2019 second-round pick, is tied for second in they can climb the country among freshmen goal-scorers with four tallies, behind only Wisconsin's Cole Caufield (eight). Brink has put up seven points over

eight games with Denver. By Jordan Hall November 04, 2019 4:15 PM Bombs Away, Bobby  #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/qyadaK2l9v

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 2, 2019 It’s time for our weekly check-in on the Flyers’ prospects playing in the AHL, overseas and at the junior and college levels. • Jay O'Brien, a 2018 first-round pick, is delivering the expected production in the BCHL, with 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) through 20 • After missing three games because of an ankle injury, Cam York has games for the Penticton Vees. started to show his dynamic ability from the blue line at Michigan. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.05.2019 The Flyers' 2019 first-round pick scored his first collegiate goal in the Wolverines' 2-1 loss last Saturday night to No. 13 Ohio State. York, a modern defenseman with terrific mobility and advanced puck-moving skills, put his offensive game on display with a nifty wraparound shot.

CLIP: @camyork2 scores his first career goal with a wrap around shot  #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/UJEAqVxmxj

— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) November 2, 2019

During his draft year, York put up 65 points (14 goals, 51 assists) over 63 games, a USNTDP single-season record for a defenseman. Through five games with Michigan, York has four points (one goal, three assists) and a plus-4 rating. It'll be interesting to see how long he stays in Ann Arbor.

"I think if you asked him, he would want to turn pro tomorrow," Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr said in June. "He's going to a good program at Michigan, we'll take it year by year. I don't see him as a four-year guy, let's put it that way."

• With the uncertainty surrounding Nolan Patrick's status as the 21-year- old center recovers from a migraine disorder, the spotlight shines even brighter on Morgan Frost.

The Flyers very well may need Frost at some point in 2019-20. His play will dictate his chances, too, and the 20-year-old facilitator is on a seven- game point streak with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. Over that stretch, Frost has four goals and five assists. The 2017 first-round pick leads the Phantoms in scoring and is also pretty good in the shootout (we all know why that's noteworthy).

After scoring in the first round of last night’s shootout, Morgan Frost (@_morganfrost_10) is now 2 for 3 in shootout attempts with the #LVPhantoms in his rookie season. pic.twitter.com/HzUMGdNiqD

— LehighValleyPhantoms (@LVPhantoms) November 2, 2019

"His talent level speaks for itself," Flyers general manager said last week. "In terms of pace and puck management, playing without the puck, zone awareness and coverage, right now there are areas he needs to get better at it. He’s made some progress, so we’ll continue to allow him to develop down there.

“But certainly at some point, he’s a smart, talented hockey player — he’s going to get better at it. When he does, it will make him a better candidate to come up here.’’

Quick hits

• Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik said Tanner Laczynski would handle the puck "as much as anybody" on the Buckeyes and we're seeing exactly that for the senior forward.

The 2016 sixth-round pick has eight assists in eight games after picking up a pair during Ohio State's two-game sweep of Michigan last weekend.

• Egor Zamula cooled down as he went scoreless last week. The 19- year-old defenseman is off to a splendid start with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) and a plus-16 mark in 14 games for the WHL's .

"He has a tremendous package of size, skill and skating, and as he matures and gets stronger, he's going to be a pretty impressive player," Fletcher said in September. 1160095 Philadelphia Flyers

Philly gov't shows off new voting machines with sports-centric candidates

By Enrico Campitelli November 04, 2019

The city of Philadelphia has elections tomorrow, Tuesday Nov. 5, and citizens will vote using a new system for the first time in decades.

The new voting system will combine an electronic touch screen with a physical paper ballot to create a paper trail of every single vote.

Change isn't always easy and figuring out how new things work can be a challenge for some. Thankfully, the folks over at City Hall made a how-to video for the new voting booths and put the candidates in terms that most Philadelphians can understand: sports.

Instead of actual political candidates on their fake ballots in the video, they replaced those with actual beloved Philly sports figures from the past few years.

The 2020 Presidential race will be a tight one with the Nick Foles-Carson Wentz ticket going up against Joel-Embiid-Ben Simmons and Chase Utley-Jimmy Rollins. Malcolm Jenkins-Chris Long 2020 could be tough to beat as well. They'd likely secure the social media voting contingent.

Curious that Foles leads the ticket with Wentz as his running mate. Whoever made this video must listen to sports talk radio.

The race for the United States Senator seat is an even tougher one. Who wouldn't want to see Senator Allen Iverson?!? He'll face stiff competition in Claude Giroux, Dawn Staley, Randall Cunningham, and Dr. J.

Gritty is up for Auditor General which, let's be real, makes about as much sense as anything else in politics these days. And plus, who even knows what an Auditor General is anyway?

These fake races likely weren't double checked by any sports bloggers though. because with all due respect, Reggie White, Roy Halladay, and Wilt Chamberlain are sadly no longer with us and could not be an elected official in any sort of government.

Union fans (soccer team) will probably complain none of their guys mad the fake ballots.

They even had some fun with the ballot questions about changing the spelling of "water" to "wooder" in official writings or something. The additional tax on the wages of players of the Dallas Cowboys is sure to be a hit. Perhaps we can use those extra revenues to fill in some pot holes in town and stamp them with the Cowboys' star logo ala Domino's. Philadelphians would relish driving over those.

Anyway, vote tomorrow. Maybe write in Furkan Korkmaz for City Council.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160096 Philadelphia Flyers Wyatt Kalynuk, defenseman, University of Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA) Age: 22

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds Flyers prospect WATCH: Nick Schultz finding his way in the development world Acquired: 2017 seventh-round pick, (196th overall)

This season: 8 games, 1 goal, 6 assists

Dave Isaac, NHL writer Published 11:26 a.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019 The skinny: A classic late bloomer, Kalynuk has been a force in the last two years for Wisconsin after putting up pedestrian numbers in the

USHL. He’s now the team’s captain as a junior and playing alongside PHILADELPHIA — No more charter flights with teammates and catered 2017 Florida Panthers pick Tyler Inamoto in a second-pair role and meals. Nick Schultz flies commercial now. power-play quarterback.

The former NHL defenseman is in his first season as a player Schultz’s take: “He’s good. They’ve got some high-end guys on that time development coach for the Flyers and he’s traveling the globe to follow with (Montreal Canadiens draftee Cole) Caufield and (Los Angeles Kings blueliners the Flyers drafted or signed who are still playing amateur draftee Alex) Turcotte and some of those guys. They’ve got a good hockey. power play and he quarterbacks that. He’s a good skater and moves the puck well. Makes good plays. When you’re playing with good guys like “It’s a little different but it’s been good,” Schultz said. “It’s fun to go out that, it makes your job a little bit easier. He’s a solid player and probably and see the kids, see where they’re playing and kind of build a another guy who can maybe hopefully turn pro next year.” relationship with them and have that trust factor. I meet their coaches and talk to them and just make sure we’re on the same page with where Ronnie Attard, defenseman, Western Michigan University Broncos they need to get better and ultimately take that next step. For most of (NCAA) those guys it’s getting ready to turn pro, come up and play in Lehigh and Age: 20 ultimately trying to get them to the next level to be a Flyer one day. It’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed it so far.” Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 207 pounds

Schultz, 37, was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2000. He was playing Acquired: 2019 third-round pick (72nd overall) for the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders at the time and went back for one more season after the Wild selected him before he This season: 8 games, 3 goals, 1 assist cracked the NHL. The skinny: Another late bloomer, Attard was in his last year of draft There was no team representative flying to see him play in his home eligibility when the Flyers selected him. He put up big numbers last province of and keep constant tabs, but his relative season in the USHL and is known for the offensive side of his game, but silence lasted only one year. Others take longer to develop and the he won’t be the oldest player on the ice anymore in the NCAA. There will Flyers are among the teams putting more money into development staffs be a development curve at this level but ultimately his offensive side so players don’t go too long without hearing from the NHL club. might be what gets him to the pros.

After all, the NHL’s recent trend the last few years means younger Schultz’s take: “He’s kind of raw. He had a good year in the USHL and players on cheaper, entry-level contracts are more important than ever got picked and now college is another step, another adjustment or before. So developing players to make an impact before they’re of legal whatever. Western Mcihigan hasn’t got off to the start that they want but age to drink a beer has become a necessity. he’s played lots. When I was there he played with Mattias Samuelsson (Kjell’s son and a Buffalo draft pick). He’s a big guy, right-shot which “These development teams now, it’s neat that guys are doing it and it people love. He plays a hard game and he can shoot the puck. He’s gives myself, an ex-(player), something to do too,” Schultz joked. “It’s gonna be good, too. They’ve got lots of good young prospects coming nice. I enjoy going to Allentown. I try to get down there for one or two up. It’s fun to see these guys play and how they’re gonna develop over practices a week depending on the week and what they have. Just to see the next few years.” those guys and get on the ice has been fun and to be in contact with Mason Millman, defenseman, Saginaw Spirit (OHL) them and to do the travel and watch some of these kids play in college or junior, it’s been fun. You try to help them or be there for them in any way Age: 18 you can do for them.” Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 176 pounds This week’s prospect report dives into the play of four defensemen who Schultz, a veteran of 1,066 NHL games, has worked with so far. Acquired: 2019 fourth-round pick (103rd overall)

*statistics as of Nov. 3 This season: 17 games, 5 goals, 5 assists

Mark Friedman, defenseman, (AHL) The skinny: He was impressive as the youngest draft pick in training camp, especially in his skating. He was sent back to junior before he Age: 23 could play in a preseason game but the experience of being with players a little older and bigger than he’s typically playing against may have had Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 185 pounds an effect on the early part of his season. Acquired: 2014 third-round pick (86th overall) Schultz’s take: “When he first went down from NHL camp I think it’s an This season: 10 games, 0 goals, 3 assists adjustment. They have lots of guys, from talking to his coach there, that came down at the same time. It’s kind of like you get back there and you The skinny: This is a contract year for the uber-confident defenseman think all of a sudden you’re better, like you’re too good, you know, and who has been on the fringe of being an NHLer for a while now. He got a that’s not necessarily what he was thinking but it takes time to kind of game at the end of last season as a taste of the action but for him to settle in. I think the first game he was minus-4 and it kind of built up on become a regular with the Flyers would take some roster attrition. It him early. Then he kind of settled in. That was the majority of their team. wasn’t long ago that the Flyers’ prospect pool was paper thin. Now They kind of settled in after a couple games and now he’s been playing they’ve drafted and developed so many that Friedman will have a hard quite a bit better.” time cracking the NHL in Philadelphia. Courier-Post LOADED: 11.05.2019 Schultz’s take: “Those guys kind of realize where they’re at and just play. Go out and play, keep developing. He’s a good player, moves well. He’s a good skater, makes good plays. He’s kind of a little pest out there. He’s kind of in guys’ face and stuff. He’s playing well. They’ve got a good group down there so it’s a lot of good young prospects there. It’s a good mix. Those guys can’t get discouraged. They’ve got to keep on playing and know that they’re gonna get an opportunity at some point.” 1160097 Philadelphia Flyers I’m able to use. I don’t know whether it’s the skate or it’s me or my blades, but it’s something. Hopefully, I can figure it out.”

So the problems are real. Sanheim’s underlying metrics have tumbled Why the Flyers are keeping the faith with a struggling Travis Sanheim over the past four games to reflect his dip in quality — his expected goals percentage at 5-on-5, for example, is more than 10 percentage points lower during the past four games than it was in his first nine.

By Charlie O'Connor Nov 4, 2019 But here’s the thing — that doesn’t mean Sanheim’s on-ice shot and chance differentials have been in the gutter, even when isolating his last

four contests. Yes, his metrics have dipped. But after nine games, they Three games, three falls to the ice for Travis Sanheim that directly led to were in “through-the-roof-good” territory. Sanheim’s advanced metrics goals for the other team. So why did head coach Alain Vigneault still are now just in the realm of mere mortals. send the 23-year-old defenseman out for his regular shifts when so many This is when it can get tough for some to fully accept the viability of seemed to end in disaster? advanced metrics such as Corsi and xG in player evaluation. Sanheim Oh, right. This is why. looks like he’s playing poorly. He says he’s playing poorly. Even his coach acknowledges he’s playing poorly. How could the numbers say The Philadelphia Flyers didn’t win on Saturday — despite controlling play otherwise? from the second period through the end of overtime, they fell in an 11- round shootout against the Toronto Maple Leafs to lose 4-3 — but they “Big mistakes” in hockey tend to stick in our minds — especially big left the game with one undeniable positive: the potential redemption and mistakes that end up in the back of the net. Sanheim is absolutely revitalization of Sanheim. making more mistakes now than usual, but the fates haven’t been the least bit forgiving to him, either. A few more timely saves from Carter Hart Prior to his highlight goal, Sanheim had been on the ice for a whopping and Brian Elliott, and Sanheim’s struggles become something brought up 11 goals against in the previous 11 periods, and he deserved primary in passing rather than one of the biggest stories surrounding the team at blame on more than half of them. Turnovers behind the net, wilting in the the moment. Sanheim said as much on Saturday. face of an aggressive forecheck and, of course, those impossible-to- forget falls — starting with last Sunday’s game in Uniondale, N.Y., it was “Yeah, I think that’s just sometimes the case,” Sanheim said, when pretty much the week from hell for Sanheim. His third-period tally against asked if it felt like his errors were being punished as harshly as possible Toronto at least gave him something to build on heading into another on the ice. “You know, when you’re down a little bit, I think things tend to busy stretch of games. not go your way, and vice versa — when you’ve got a ton of confidence, it seems like everything’s going in for you, so I know there’s gonna be a “I know, personally, that the last few games haven’t been up to my stretch like that coming up for me, and right now, I’m just trying to fight standard, and that’s up to me to be better,” Sanheim said after the loss. “I through and be better.” was happy to see that one go in.” That’s the good news when it comes to Sanheim — the available data But it’s notable Sanheim’s ice time really hasn’t dipped, despite his bode extremely well for a coming surge. In fact, it’s hard to find a public struggles. In fact, Vigneault and his staff sent Sanheim out for nearly 20 metric that doesn’t reflect favorably upon Sanheim’s overall work through minutes on Saturday, which placed third among Flyers defensemen. 13 games. Clearly, the coaches haven’t let a few rough games change their positive perception of the young blueliner. All metrics at even strength. Controlled Exit Percentage is tracked by Corey Sznajder; his dataset currently includes seven Flyers games from “Sometimes, you have to let things work themselves out,” Vigneault 2019-20. said after Saturday’s game. “He is a real good kid. Coaches tend to be behind real good kids.” The year-over-year numbers are all strong. The Flyers are controlling the shot and chance battle better with Sanheim on the ice this season. He’s Travis Sanheim battles with the Maple Leafs’ William Nylander. (Eric pushing the play-driving results of his teammates to a greater degree Hartline / USA Today) (RelTM). He’s scoring more at even strength. He’s taking more dangerous shots. And he’s engineering more controlled exits out of the Sanheim’s recent struggles are real, and not merely the product of “bad defensive zone than ever before in his career. luck” or rough bounces. And they’ve been the result of two recurring issues: an inability to hold up against aggressive forechecking and a That doesn’t erase his recent mistakes. But it does throw a bit of a bizarre, newfound penchant for losing his balance in key situations. wrench into the argument that Sanheim has been a mess in 2019-20, though. A player could maybe luck into two or three strong performances The falls stand out more, but Sanheim’s problems with the forecheck are in the above categories. But all of them? Highly unlikely. of greater concern. No one should legitimately worry that Sanheim — one of the Flyers’ best all-around skaters — has forgotten how to stay on It only lends more support for the path that, to this point, the Flyers have his feet. Opponents aren’t going to attack Sanheim with the assumption taken with Sanheim: Essentially, keep plugging away, and you’ll work he’s destined to fall over. But they could come into the corners with your way through this. added purpose if they think he’ll wilt there. “By putting him back there, showing him we have faith in him … There are some extenuating circumstances here — Goal No. 1 occurs different guys have different money in the bank,” Vigneault said with a against the Islanders’ Anders Lee, a fantastic forechecker, and Goal No. smile, referencing his comment that some players get more time to work 3 came in the dying seconds of a blowout loss, so it’s not surprising the through their struggles. “(Sanheim) doesn’t have a lot of money in the Flyers weren’t operating at peak focus. But in all three circumstances — bank, but he has little bit of money in the bank. I’ll give him time to work with the second goal being the most egregious — Sanheim lost a battle his way back.” below the goal line, and wasn’t “hard enough on the puck,” to use hockey vernacular. “Right now, I’m just trying to fight through (the problems) and be better,” Travis Sanheim said. (Eric Hartline / USA Today) Opponents already enter games believing the best way to attack “skilled” defensemen like Sanheim is to rough them up and wear them down. The human side of the game can’t be washed away by numbers in a Now, teams have recent evidence that bias holds water when it comes to situation like this one. Sanheim. He will have to address this issue quickly. Stats like Corsi and xG might tell a story that Sanheim is fine and a And then, there are the inexplicable tumbles. rebound is right around the corner. But that doesn’t change that he’s a 23-year-old watching his mistakes result in worst-case scenario Unlike his problems with opposing forechecks, this one — as outcomes. That has an impact on a player’s confidence and psyche. embarrassing as it’s been for Sanheim — seems more fluky than anything else. Sanheim was at a loss to explain it. That’s where the support system of a team comes in.

“I wish I knew,” he said on Saturday. “I’d love to get into a new pair (of Heading into the offseason, the organization clearly believed the defense skates) right now and, unfortunately, I don’t have another pair here (that) corps was shaping up to be too young. It wasn’t just on-ice stability that general manager Chuck Fletcher looked to add by prioritizing the acquisition of a few veterans on the back end. He was also trying to find players who could function as shoulders for his young blueliners to lean on when things inevitably got tough.

Fletcher will like hearing who Sanheim said has been there for him most over the past week, as he tried to pull himself out of this rut.

“I think the guys in the back end, Brauner and Nisky, and G up front,” Sanheim said, “those are leaders of our team and they’ve been great to me.”

Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun weren’t universally praised acquisitions. Both players had shown signs of serious decline in recent years. But situations like these are when a veteran’s impact can be felt outside the stat sheet. Niskanen comes with the cachet of spending years as a top- pair defenseman for a Stanley Cup champion; Braun doesn’t have a ring, but he spent the bulk of this decade in a top-four role on one of the most consistently competitive clubs in the Western Conference. Their words carry weight, especially to a player like Sanheim, who is hoping to have a career as successful as theirs.

“Obviously, we have a ton of guys who be there and support me, give me advice of when they’ve had scenarios like this,” Sanheim said. “I think that’s the biggest thing because guys go through this throughout their career. It’s not the first time that somebody struggled for a stretch of games. Hopefully, I’m gonna have a long career, and I’m gonna look back and not even recognize it.”

And it’s plays like the one at the start of Saturday’s third period that will likely earn him a long career. As Vigneault pointed out, the other players on the team appreciate Sanheim’s talent. They’re rooting for him to rebound quickly.

“On our bench, when he scored that goal, it was funny, the three or four guys sitting in front of me said, ‘Watch him skate now,’” the head coach recalled.

Confidence, like many sports buzzwords, is something that can only be quantified by proxy — whether it be a player scoring, his team succeeding when he’s on the ice or the club as a whole winning games. But it’s undeniably real. And if Saturday’s big goal puts Sanheim back on the path toward confidence, expect more plays like it in the near future.

“I like to think I’m a big part of this hockey team,” he said. “We know that’s on me, (my recent play is) uncharacteristic and that I’m going to be better. I’m trying to be better and I think that’s the biggest thing, it’s just battling through.”

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160098 Pittsburgh Penguins bounced through the crease to the right of the cage where forward Dominik Kahun, returning to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for one game, adjusted his body and shot a wrister from an awkward angle on the near side just past the left skate of sprawling goaltender Jaroslav Empty Thoughts: Bruins 6, Penguins 4 Halak. McCann and Schultz recorded assists.

They pulled within one at 9:56 of the second. After defenseman Brian Dumoulin lost control of a puck at Boston’s blue line and had to retreat SETH RORABAUGH | Tuesday, November 5, 2019 2:40 a.m. within his own blue line to avoid Bruins forecheckers, he fed a cross-ice pass to Letang on the right wing. Surveying the neutral zone waiting for a line change, Letang fired a stretch pass to Bjugstad coming off the bench Observations from the Penguins’ 6-4 loss to the Boston Bruins. and streaking into the offensive zone. Bearing down on Halak, Bjugstad fired a forehand shot past Halak’s glove hand for his first goal of the First things first, there was no update on Kris Letang who left the game in season. Assists went to Letang and Dumoulin. the third period due to an undisclosed injury. The game was tied, 3-3, at 4:01 of the second. Backchecking to help He left the contest after recording his final shift with 13:53 left in defensemen Jack Johnson and John Marino get a puck off their own end regulation. Coach Mike Sullivan did not offer an update on his status boards, forward Alex Galchenyuk fired a stretch pass from his own left beyond saying he is being evaluated. Sullivan suggested there could be corner across the ice to Evgeni Malkin in front of the benches. Gaining an update on him on Tuesday. the offensive blue line on the left wing and spinning off a check from As for the game, the Penguins had one of their wildest contests of the defenseman Clifton Connor, Malkin centered a backhand pass for season. They came back from a three-goal deficit to actually claim a lead forward Bryan Rust who raced past Bruins forward Sean Kuraly to create at the start of the third period – thanks to a player coming off a healthy a breakaway. He attacked the net and lifted a wrister past Halak’s glove. scratch and two others who had yet to score a goal this season – but Malkin and Galchenyuk had assists. ultimately surrendered it to a white-hot Bruins team which has won six They took their first lead with only three seconds remaining the second consecutive games and has points in 10 consecutive contests. period. After completing a tripping penalty, rookie defenseman John If you just glance at the score, you’d assume the Penguins just played a Marino surged out of the penalty box and collected an errant pass by sloppy run-and-gun affair. They would protest that notion. Bruins defenseman Torey Krug which slid to the red line. Creating another breakaway, Marino hustled in on net while fending off Bruins “I don’t think they had a ton of chances outside of their top line,” said defenseman Charlie McAvoy and slid a sly backhander through the five forward Bryan Rust. “They’re going to get some chances just kind of hole of Halak, who broke his stick off the cage in anger. The score as the based on who they are. But I thought we did a pretty good job of first of Marino’s career. The North Easton, Mass. native had several eliminating them. As far as we go, I thought we had a lot of chances. We family and friends cheering him on in person. There were no assists. could have put more in the net. We’ve just got to tighten up a little bit.” The game was tied again, 4-4, at 8:14 of the third period. Marchand It would be fair to lump this loss onto the goaltending. Matt Murray just made a determined effort to maintain puck possession above the right looked sluggish from the start allowing three goals on only 11 shots. The circle despite pressure from Malkin and Rust then fed a pass low to Krug Penguins’ comeback started when he was pulled and replaced by Jarry. in the right circle. From a tough angle, Krug made amends for his But ultimately, it was Jarry who allowed a few iffy goals and took the loss. mistake on Marino’s goal and cranked a one-timer which toasted Jarry on the near side. Marchand and forward David Krejci collected assists. Beyond that, the Penguins emerged from yet another loss with satisfaction in how they played. A would-be backhanded goal by Galchenyuk at 17:01 was waved off after officials ruled Rust had dislodged the cage. That sequence proved “This is one of the best games we’ve played all year,” Sullivan said. to be vital barely a minute later. “We’re playing one of the top teams in the league. You knew they were going to push back. They’ve got some talent on that team too. I thought The Bruins reclaimed the lead, 5-4, at 18:03 of the third. Marino, elevated our third period was strong. We had zone time, we had scoring chances, to the top pair in the absence of Letang, misfired a slapper from deep on we were making good decisions. I loved our energy, everybody was the left wing wide of the cage to the far side and created an outlet for involved. I thought it was a really good team by our team. We just didn’t Marchand. Racing up the left wing and facing passive pressure from win.” Dumoulin, Marchand snapped off a wrister from the left circle which clunked off the far post. The rebound hit off the left shoulder of Jarry and What happened fluttered into the cage for the game-winning score at 18:03 of the third. It (Note: The video editing software normally used in this space was another unassisted goal. malfunctioned overnight and individual goal clips are not available. They And empty net score by Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron secured victory will be restored as soon as possible.) at 19:46 of the third. Krejci and Marchand netted assists.

The Bruins opened the scoring 5:34 into regulation. Stealing a puck off of Statistically speaking Letang at the Penguins’ blue line, Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk raced up the left wing, fended off Letang and fired a wrister to the short side which • The Penguins controlled shots, 44-26. found a way into the net between Murray’s blocker and the near post. The score was unassisted. • The Penguins had a 14-11 edge in shots before the change in goaltenders. They enjoyed a 30-15 advantage after the switch. It became a 2-0 contest at 13:05 of the first. Collecting a rimmed puck on the left half wall, Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara shuffled a bouncing • Letang led the game with six shots on goal. shot towards the cage. Murray tried to clear it with a poke check but the puck hopped up on him as Bruins forward David Pastrnak made contact • Forward Dominik Simon and Johnson were the only Penguins who with his stick. From above the crease, Bruins forward Brad Marchand failed to get a shot on net. swatted the puck out of the air past Murray on the glove side. Assists • Pastrnak led the Bruins with five shots on goal. went to Pastrnak and Chara.

Boston made it a 3-0 game 4:22 into the second period. Off a cross-ice • Marchand led the game with 24:21 of ice time on 23 shifts. pass from Marchand, Pastrnak gained the offensive zone on the left wing • Dumoulin led the Penguins with 24:18 of ice time on 32 shifts. and whipped a pedestrian wrister past Murray’s blocker on the near side. The Penguins pulled Murray and replaced him with Jarry after that score. • The Penguins had a 30-24 edge in faceoffs (54 percent). Marchand and Chara netted assists. • Malkin was 8 for 11 in faceoffs (73 percent). The Penguins finally got on the scoreboard at 5:35 of the second. After forward Nick Bjugstad won a draw in Boston’s left circle, defenseman • Bergeron was 12 for 25 (48 percent) in faceoffs. Justin Schultz settled a puck at the right point and shuffled a wrister wide to the far side. The puck hit off the end boards and deflected to the near • Dumoulin led the game with five blocked shots. circle where forward Jared McCann jabbed it towards the net. The puck • Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, forward Cameron Hughes and McAvoy “We didn’t play bad. They’ve got good players also. We got a little bit each led the game with two blocked shots. unlucky. Didn’t get all the goals in. But we responded very well and I think we deserved better.” Historically speaking • Marino’s first goal was quite a moment: • Marino is the 527th player to score a goal for the Penguins in franchise history. “I was just trying to skate as fast as possible to get away from the defender. … It was a special moment there with family and friends. • Schultz (108 points) surpassed former defensive partner Olli Maatta Something that I’ll always remember. That was pretty cool.” (107), for 85th place on the franchise’s career scoring list. Tribune Review LOADED: 11.05.2019 • It had been a while since the Penguins had a lead entering the third period in Boston:

This is the first time Pens have had a lead going to third period of a regular season game at Boston since Dec. 7, 2013.

— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) November 5, 2019

• Marchand finished with five points (two goals, three assists). The last player to score five points vs. the Penguins was Blackhawks forward Ryan Hartman (one goal, four assists) in a 10-1 butt-kicking at the United Center on Oct. 5, 2017. You may remember that game as being the Penguins debut of former Penguins goaltender Antti Niemi. Given Niemi’s poor but brief tenure with the Penguins, you may not want to remember it.

Randomly speaking

• Dumoulin was able to play after missing practice on Sunday and flying by himself to Boston following the birth of his son.

• While the NHL doesn’t officially recognize it as a scoring streak, Kahun has scored in three consecutive games he has played.

• The Penguins’ power play failed to score on its lone chance in the contest. It has failed to score for nine consecutive games and is 0 for 20 over that stretch.

• Hughes made his NHL debut. He logged 9:53 of ice time on 16 shifts and had one shot attempt.

Publicly speaking

• What changed after the goalie switch? Rust:

“We all just kind of ramped it up a little bit. I don’t think we were playing bad but I think we all just had a little bit of a higher level. We got to that and we showed that.”

• Bjugstad when to bad for Murray and Jarry:

“Murray’s been so good for us in so many different ways. It’s going to happen. It’s not his fault. Obviously, those are some good goals by those guys who are some skilled guys. Jarry’s a good goaltender too. We have faith in both of them.”

• Kahun was jacked about how the team played in the second:

“How we came back in the second period was amazing. All of a sudden, we played maybe (some) of our best hockey. We were all over them. Just unlucky there in the third. But we still had chances to win this game for sure.”

• Bjugstad is confidence in the team’s structure if it has to go without Letang for any period of time.

“You never want your guys injured at any point. Obviously, this is a deep organization with good guys. You saw what (players from Wilkes- Barre/Scranton) did when they came up. It’s more the culture and the mentality that’s in the room. If everyone buys in, it works out. Hopefully, (Letang) is healthy and he’s okay.”

• Marino may see an elevated role if Letang is missing. He knows he may have to step up:

“Obviously, he’s one of the best defensemen in the league. We’re missing a key element there but we’re just going to need everyone to step up their game, have some people fill in and do their job.”

• Rust tipped his cap to the Bruins but not too much: 1160099 Pittsburgh Penguins An empty-net goal by forward Patric Bergeron at the 19:46 mark of the third secured the victory.

Having successfully weathered considerable injury woes earlier this Penguins lose Kris Letang in wild loss to Bruins season, the Penguins appear to find security in relying on their structure if they are forced to play without the adroit abilities of Letang.

“You never want your guys injured at any point,” Bjugstad said. SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, November 4, 2019 9:49 p.m. “Obviously, this is a deep organization with good guys. You saw what (players from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) did when they came up. It’s more the culture and the mentality that’s in the room. If everyone buys in, it BOSTON — When the Pittsburgh Penguins welcomed back superstar works out.” forward Evgeni Malkin to the lineup Saturday, it marked a rare occasion. Tribune Review LOADED: 11.05.2019 They had a completely healthy roster for the first time in 92 games.

Coach Mike Sullivan boasted of having “difficult decisions” to make with his lineup.

After Monday’s wild 6-4 loss to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden, he could face greater difficulty in figuring out how to play without Kris Letang.

The team’s top defensemen left the game in the third period because of an undisclosed injury. Recording his final shift with 13 minutes, 53 seconds remaining in regulation, Letang is one of the NHL’s leaders in ice time, averaging an even 25 minutes a game this season.

Beyond noting he is being evaluated, Sullivan did not have an update on Letang’s status and suggested an update might be available Tuesday.

Already without the net-front tenacity of forward Patric Hornqvist, the Penguins could be missing one of their least replaceable players.

“Obviously, he’s one of the best defensemen in the league,” said rookie defenseman John Marino. “We’re missing a key element there, but we’re just going to need everyone to step up their game, have some people fill in and do their job.”

The Penguins didn’t do their jobs very well throughout the early stages of this contest. They allowed the Bruins to race out to a 3-0 lead off of goals by forwards Jake DeBrusk at 5:24 of the first period, Brad Marchand at 13:05 of the first and David Pastrnak at 4:22 of the second period.

Pastrnak’s score prompted the Penguins to pull starting goaltender Matt Murray and replace him with backup Tristan Jarry.

It also prompted a furious comeback.

Only 1:13 after that change, forward Dominik Kahun, a game removed from behind a healthy scratch due to the now-extinct abundance of health for the squad, scored from a tough angle to the right of the cage. While not officially recognized as a scoring streak, it marked the third game Kahun has scored in which he has played.

At 9:56 of the second, forward Nick Bjugstad, who entered the game without a point, scored on a breakaway. That was followed up by another breakaway score by forward Bryan Rust at the 15:59 mark of the second which tied the score.

The Penguins took their only lead of the contest with three seconds remaining in the middle frame when Marino, a native of nearby North Easton, Mass, completed a penalty, emerged from the penalty box and collected an errant Boston pass to create his own breakaway. Bearing down on goaltender Jaroslav Halak, Marino scored his first career goal with a slick backhander through Halak’s five hole in front of several loved ones.

“I was just trying to skate as fast as possible, get away from the defender,” Marino said. “It was a special moment there with family and friends. Something that I’ll always remember. That was pretty cool. “

Boston tied the score again, 4-4, at 8:14 of the third when defenseman Torey Krug wired a one-timer from a tough angle on the right wing during a four-on-four sequence.

The Bruins reclaimed the lead, 5-4, when Marino misfired a slapper from deep on the left wing wide of the cage and created an outlet for Marchand who raced up the left wing. Facing passive pressure from Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin, who was able to play after attending to the birth of his son, Marchand snapped off a wrister from the left circle which clunked off the far post. The rebound hit off the left shoulder of Jarry and fluttered into the cage for the game-winning score at 18:03 of the third. 1160100 Pittsburgh Penguins “Of course, it’s different,” Kahun said. “But I don’t think about it anymore. I’m ready for (Monday’s game).

“For for it’s frustrating. Every other player in every sport wants to play. Bryan Rust takes over Patric Hornqvist’s spot on Penguins’ top line There’s nothing I can do about it. I just want to play.”

•••

SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, November 4, 2019 8:08 p.m. Ice chips

The Penguins did not hold a morning skate. … The Penguins’ scratches were defensemen Juuso Riikola and Chad Ruhwedel. BOSTON — Forward Bryan Rust replaced the injured Patric Hornqvist on the Penguins’ top line to start Monday’s game with the Boston Bruins at Tribune Review LOADED: 11.05.2019 TD Garden.

Rust, lining up on the right wing with Evgeni Malkin center and Alex Galchenyuk on the left wing, brings a basic attribute that appeals to management.

“His speed, I think, is dangerous,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “No matter what line he’s on, he helps that line. He’s a great puck-pursuit guy. He gets in on the forecheck. He puts defensemen under pressure. He forces turnovers. He’s got decent hockey sense that he can make plays when they do get the puck. And he has a conscientious game. He can play 200 feet. He has the ability to catch the rush if we get caught in the offensive zone. He has the awareness away from the puck that he can play down low in the defensive zone. So he’s a real versatile player. But for me, the biggest thing that (Rust) brings, no matter what line he plays on, is the speed element.”

Rust, no stranger to being moved up and down the lines or flipped to either wing, doesn’t want to try to replace Hornqvist. He’ll stick to what he knows.

“Same as wherever else I play,” Rust said. “I play a north-south game, kind of get on the forecheck, use my speed to create some space for the guys I’m playing with.”

•••

Patric’s presence

Hornqvist was placed on injured reserve Sunday, retroactive to Saturday when he suffered an undisclosed injury.

Few others in the NHL, let alone on the Penguins roster, can offer what he does as a persistent net-front presence.

“(Hornqvist), for us, he’s a unique player for our group,” Sullivan said. “He’s kind of a bull in a china closet. He just wreaks havoc in front of the net. He gets in on the forecheck. He’s good in the battle areas. He might be every goalie’s worst nightmare in the league with the way he goes to the net and makes it hard for goaltenders with their sight lines and their motion and their movement, just at the top of the crease. That’s what he brings to our team. He’s certainly a guy that I know makes us a better team when he’s in our lineup. But once again, we’ve been through this before. When guys go down, it provides opportunities for others to step up and play more significant roles. Guys are going to have to step up and fill that void.”

His teammates realize there’s a considerable void without Hornqvist.

“Missing a great player,” forward Dominik Simon said. “He plays real hard. He battles at the net lots. We all have to play hard and substitute him the best way we can.”

•••

Itching to return

Forward Dominik Kahun returned to the lineup. He started on the third line playing right wing with Nick Bjugstad at center and Jared McCann at left wing.

Kahun was a healthy scratch for Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

It was the first scratch of any kind for Kahun since he debuted in the NHL last season with the Chicago Blackhawks.

It’s an experience he doesn’t want to relive. He wasn’t eager about reliving the experience with reporters Monday morning. 1160101 Pittsburgh Penguins • The Penguins’ power play is 0 for 19 on the power play over their past eight games. Their last power-play goal was scored by forward Jake Guentzel in a 7-2 road win against the on Oct. 13.

Brian Dumoulin’s status uncertain for Penguins’ game vs. Bruins • The Bruins are expected to start long-time Penguins nemesis Jaroslav Halak in goal. In five games this season, Halak has a 3-1-1 record along

with a 2.59 goals against average, .919 save percentage and one SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, November 4, 2019 12:55 p.m. shutout.

• Bruins forward David Backes will not play due to an undisclosed injury.

BOSTON – Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin’s status for Monday’s • Bruins rookie forward Cameron Hughes is expected to make his NHL game against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden remains uncertain as he is debut. attending to the birth of his child. Tribune Review LOADED: 11.05.2019 In 10 games this season, Dumoulin has four points (one goal, four assists).

If Dumoulin is unavailable, defenseman Juuso Riikola appears to be the leading candidate to replace him in the lineup. Riikola skated on the top pairing during practice in Cranberry on Sunday alongside No. 1 defenseman Kris Letang.

“Juuso is a very versatile player,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s mobile, he can skate, he can get back to pucks, he has good offensive instincts, he makes a good first pass, he can see the ice pretty well, he can shoot from the offensive blue line. So we like Juuso’s overall two- way game. Regardless of where we put him, if we choose to put him in the lineup, he’s a very capable NHL defensemen.”

Riikola has played in four games and no points this season, but three of those games came as an injury replacement on the left wing of the fourth line.

One player definitely not playing tonight – for for a few weeks even – is forward Patric Hornqvist. On Saturday team announced he would be going on injured reserve retroactive to Saturday for an undisclosed ailment.

Few others in the NHL offer what Hornqvist does as a net-front presence.

“(Hornqvist) for us, he’s a unique player for our group,” Sullivan said. “He’s kind of a bull in a china closet. He just wreaks havoc in front of the net, he gets in on the forecheck, he’s good in the battle areas, he might be every goalie’s worst nightmare in the league with the way he goes to the net and makes it hard for goaltenders with their sight lines and their motion and their movement, just at the top of the crease. That’s what he brings to our team. He’s certainly a guy that I know makes us a better team when he’s in our lineup. But once again, we’ve been through this before. When guys go down, it provides opportunities for others to step up and play more significant roles. Guys are going to have to step up and fill that void.”

Forward Bryan Rust skated on the right wing of second line in place of Hornqvist along with Alex Galchenyuk and Evgeni Malkin.

“His speed I think is dangerous,” Sullivan said. “No matter what line he’s on, he helps that line. He’s a great puck pursuit guy, he gets in on the forecheck, he puts defensemen under pressure, he forces turnovers, he’s got decent hockey sense that he can make plays when they do get the puck. And he has a conscientious game. He can play 200 feet. He has the ability to catch the rush if we get caught in the offensive zone. He has the awareness away from the puck that he can play down low in the defensive zone. So he’s a real versatile player. But for me, the biggest thing that (Rust) brings, no matter what line he plays on, is the speed element.”

Rust, no stranger to being moved up and down the lines or flipped to either wing, isn’t going to try to replace Hornqvist. He’ll stick to what he knows.

“Same as where ever else I play,” Rust said. “I play a north-south game, kind of get on the forecheck, use my speed to create some space for the guys I’m playing with.”

Notes:

• The Penguins did not hold a morning skate.

• Matt Murray is scheduled to start in net for the Penguins. In 11 games this season, he has a 7-3-1 record along with a 2.17 goals against average, a .924 save percentage and one shutout. 1160102 Pittsburgh Penguins “Those guys take a lot of the grunt work as far as the (opposing) defensive defensemen and the top lines,” said Bjugstad, whose only entries on a scoresheet this season have been two minor penalties. “So you feel like you should be generating. They produce night-in and night- Penguins forward Nick Bjugstad knows he needs to produce more out, so you want to help contribute wherever you are. Obviously, eyes are on them. So that opens up chances.

SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, November 4, 2019 11:30 a.m. “I’ve been in the league long enough to know what it takes. It’s just a matter of digging deep and doing it.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 11.05.2019 BOSTON — Mike Sullivan has a voice that booms like a Long Range Acoustic Device 500X affixed atop an armored personnel carrier clearing out a gathering of protesters.

Just not as cheery.

No matter the venue, Sullivan’s words often can be loud and clear as he demands his players adhere to details of something as mundane as a neutral-zone faceoff or castigates officials for making a questionable ruling.

When Sullivan speaks, you hear him.

But the one thing rarely heard from Sullivan: public criticism of a player.

Even with odd pieces that didn’t fit his puzzle such as Sergei Plotnikov or Ryan Reaves, Sullivan rarely says a negative word about his players.

So when the coach offered a frank assessment of forward Nick Bjugstad’s play Saturday, it was notable.

“Obviously, we think Nick is capable of playing better than he is at this point,” Sullivan said. “To his defense, he hasn’t played a lot. He’s another guy that’s been out. When you jump back in the lineup, sometimes it takes a little bit of an adjustment process. But we do think he’s capable of more.”

It wouldn’t take a great deal to produce more for Bjugstad, considering he has no points through five games.

Even goaltender Matt Murray has a secondary assist this season.

Sullivan’s words to the media didn’t catch Bjugstad off-guard. He has been told the same by Sullivan, if not more.

“Yeah, we communicate,” Bjugstad said. “There’s transparency. There’s nothing I’m not aware of. I know what I’ve got to do. Just keep working. That’s part of the game sometimes, and you’ve got to fight through it.”

A first-round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2010, Bjugstad has talent. That notion was confirmed when he scored a career-high 24 goals in 2014-15. By his own critique, Bjugstad’s struggles this season have been because of a lack of opportunities with the puck.

“I’ve got to find more ways to create more scoring chances for myself,” Bjugstad said. “But that starts in the (defensive) zone. There’s a few times where it’s the right intention, but I’m misreading the play. Sometimes when you’re coming back from an injury, you have to be more mentally aware. There’s been some lapses there. Obviously, I want to try to contribute offensively. Just getting shots, I feel like I haven’t generated as many opportunities as I’d like. But just keep plugging away.”

Sidelined for a nine-game stretch with an undisclosed injury suffered Oct. 5, Bjugstad is hesitant to tie his struggles to his ailment.

“You never want to get injured,” he said. “Getting injured early in the year stinks. But I’ve done it many times, coming back from injuries. I’ve been in the league long enough where I’m not getting surprised coming back in the lineup by things. It’s more just you’ve got to bear down a little more and be a little more aware obviously because you’re not going to have that extra step that you had before. It’s coming back. I’m feeling better physically I’d say the last couple of games. Just create more chances and play well defensively. That’s the big thing.”

Arguably Bjugstad’s most notable contribution this season came in a 3-0 road win against the Dallas Stars on Oct. 26. He won a faceoff, sparking a sequence that led to forward Bryan Rust scoring his first goal of the season.

Bjugstad’s salary-cap hit of $4.1 million ranks eighth on the team, according to Cap Friendly. He understands the high expectations surrounding him as the No. 3 center behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. 1160103 Pittsburgh Penguins Jackson accounted for two rushing touchdowns and one via a pass. He also totaled 226 yards from scrimmage.

Firing Freddie? First Call: Steelers’ Mike Tomlin on Le’Veon Bell trade talk; Did The Cleveland Browns lost to the struggling Denver Broncos Sunday. Seahawks look at Antonio Brown? The loss dropped Cleveland to 2-6. The Broncos improved to 3-6.

And now there is some talk that head coach Freddie Kitchens will get TIM BENZ | Monday, November 4, 2019 6:39 a.m. fired.

#Browns QB Baker Mayfield on Freddie’s job status being a topic of Monday’s “First Call” features rumors about Antonio Brown and Le’Veon discussion: “It’s a topic for you guys. Within our building, we know what’s Bell. Woes for the Browns. Progress for the Ravens. And a problem for wrong.” Says execution is the key. “We’re gonna stick together. Keep the Penguins. pushing forward.”

Is that a “no?” — 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) November 4, 2019

During his postgame press conference after a 26-24 win over the Keep in mind, Kitchens is only halfway through his first season. Indianapolis Colts, Mike Tomlin was asked if the Steelers inquired about The Steelers get to play the Browns twice over the next four weeks on a trade to reacquire Le’Veon Bell. Nov. 14 and Dec. 1. The New York Jets running back claimed last week that the Steelers One more step were one of at least four teams that showed an interest in dealing for him before the deadline. The Boston Bruins came within one game of winning the Stanley Cup a year ago. Tomlin claimed “not to my knowledge.” But they lost Game 7 of the Cup Final to the St. Louis Blues. So, that’s not a “no.” There’s been no hangover of disappointment for Boston, though. They Unfortunately, Kevin Colbert doesn’t give postgame press conferences. are off to an awesome start to begin 2019-20. According to ESPN.com, the Steelers were worried that James Conner’s That’s bad news for the Penguins as they visit TD Garden Monday night. shoulder injury suffered last Monday night versus Miami was potentially season ending. But, according to Adam Schefter, when the franchise Boston leads the Atlantic with 22 points. Washington (25) is the only learned that Conner’s injury wasn’t that severe, talks with New York team in the East with more. faded. Other superlatives for the Bruins include the lowest goals against total in Jobless thanks to Seattle? the NHL (27). Their plus-19 goal differential is tied for the NHL lead with Vancouver. Also from ESPN, Schefter reports that the Seattle Seahawks considered making a run at former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown. And Boston has yet to lose a regulation game at home (6-0-1). Right wing David Pastrnak leads the league in goals (13) and points (27). And That is, until they claimed Josh Gordon. goaltender Tuukka Rask has the best goals against average (1.49) and Sources: Seahawks did due diligence on Antonio Brown before claiming best save percentage (.949) in the game. Josh Gordon.https://t.co/HBTq1WwfV7 So the Penguins should have a really easy time Monday. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 3, 2019 Tribune Review LOADED: 11.05.2019 Schefter reports, “Even star quarterback Russell Wilson was pushing the Seahawks to sign Brown before they claimed Gordon.”

Yeah. It always sounds like a great idea until A.B. freezes his feet, goes AWOL, or refuses to put on his helmet.

Thanks for nuthin’

One time.

One time!

No self-respecting Steelers fan ever wants to root for the New England Patriots. But sometimes it has to happen.

Sunday night was one of those times. The Pats were visiting Baltimore. And most of Pittsburgh wanted a New England win so the Steelers could pull within a game of the first place Ravens.

But the home-standing birds were too good. They improved to 6-2 and handed the Patriots (8-1) their first loss of the season, 37-20.

They did so because quarterback Lamar Jackson made plays like this one.

Lamar is on another level @lj_era8 #RavensFlock

: #NEvsBAL on NBC

: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app

Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/iejHcWRXCq pic.twitter.com/DxbjK1KUUT

— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2019

Yikes! Talk about shake. Jackson showed it there and then some. 1160104 Pittsburgh Penguins

Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Steelers’ win over Colts, Penguins’ Patric Hornqvist’s injury

TIM BENZ | Monday, November 4, 2019 6:42 a.m.

In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden and I discuss the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at Heinz Field.

On the plus side, the Steelers’ pass rush was fantastic, the special teams stepped up, they created turnovers against a club that never gives them away, the running back depth was good, and Mason Rudolph may have taken another step forward.

On the minus side, they gave the ball back too often, JuJu Smith- Schuster continues to wander, Mike Tomlin has no clue how to challenge, and Indianapolis tried to give the game away.

And the Steelers almost refused to take it.

We also look at the news surrounding Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell.

Then there’s Penguins talk, too. Specifically, we analyze Patric Hornqvist’s injury.

Also, are we getting too comfortable talking about close losses? And when is Nick Bjugstad going to do anything worthwhile?

Tribune Review LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160105 Pittsburgh Penguins So, if you are looking for reasons to gripe about the Penguins after the first month of the season, look elsewhere besides the goaltending. The #MurraysGloveHand tweets will have to wait for a while.

Tim Benz: Penguins goalies consistent in up-and-down first month After going 0-for-5 on the power play against the Oilers, maybe focus on that for a day.

Tribune Review LOADED: 11.05.2019 TIM BENZ | Monday, November 4, 2019 6:27 a.m.

The coach.

The quarterback.

The offensive coordinator.

That’s the “blame game” holy trinity when it comes to the average football fan.

Hockey is much easier. Just blame the goalie. For everything.

Marc-Andre Fleury can speak to that. Between 2010 and Matt Murray’s emergence in 2016, for an all-too-big and all-too-vocal segment of the fan base, everything was Fleury’s fault. All the time. Exclusively.

This year, things have been so-so for the Penguins. They are 8-5-1 in their first 14 games to start 2019.

But one thing is clear. The goaltending isn’t to blame.

For either netminder.

Entering play Sunday, Murray’s goals against average is 8th in the NHL at 2.17. His career average is 2.59. Murray’s seven wins are the second- most in hockey so far. His .924 save percentage is pacing at the best level of his career for a full season.

Backup goalie Tristan Jarry has only won one of his three appearances. But he has stopped 93 of 99 shots for an impressive .939 save percentage. That would be third-best in hockey if he had enough playing time to qualify.

“It’s a matter of knowing what your drive is,” Jarry said Saturday. “Matt and I have made a constant improvement over the year. Every game. Every practice.”

Fueled by that tandem, the Penguins’ .921 save percentage ranks sixth in the league. The club’s 2.36 goals against is tied with Vancouver for the fourth-best mark in the sport.

The Penguins have done a better job insulating their netminders this season as opposed to a year ago. At 29.7 shots against per game, only six teams are allowing fewer shots on goal so far this season.

At 33.3 last year, only five teams allowed more in 2018-19.

“I’m just trying to keep the team in the game when I can,” Murray said. “Just trying to make as many saves as I can. The team has been playing great. I’m just trying to do my part. But it’s really encouraging to see how the guys are doing.”

A deeper look shows that Murray has been good on some of the most difficult save attempts, too. NaturalStatTrick.com ranks Murray eighth in both high-danger shots against (68) and seventh in high-danger saves (58). And the Murray-Jarry pair ranks eighth in high-danger save percentage collectively at 85.7%.

Head coach Mike Sullivan spoke to those numbers after a 2-1 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers Saturday when Murray stopped 26-of-28 shots. More than a few were under tense circumstances.

“Matt made some timely saves for us,” Sullivan said after the loss. “Our goaltending tandem has done that all year.”

Not only have both players been consistent this season, but they have been healthy. That’s been an issue in the past, especially in the case of Murray.

“You don’t have consistency — or win — without good goaltending,” captain Sidney Crosby said Saturday. “(Murray) has been consistent since he got here. Both he and (Jarry) have done a good job of playing well.” 1160106 Pittsburgh Penguins

All-Star defenseman Kris Letang leaves Monday's loss in Boston with an injury

MATT VENSEL Pittsburgh Post-Gazette NOV 5, 2019 4:30 AM

BOSTON — During Monday’s 6-4 loss to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden, Kris Letang became the latest Penguins player to leave a game with an injury.

The All-Star defenseman left the bench midway through the third period and did not return. Coach Mike Sullivan said that Letang has a lower- body injury and is still being evaluated. He expected to have an update on his status Tuesday.

Letang logged nearly 18 minutes of ice time and made a beautiful stretch pass during the second period to spring Nick Bjugstad on a breakaway. The big center scored on the play, earning Letang his 12th point in 15 games this season.

“Obviously, he’s one of the best defensemen in the league,” John Marino said. “[If he misses time, we’ll be] missing a key element there. We’re just going to need everyone to step up their games and for the people who fill in to do their jobs.”

Shaky goaltending costs Penguins game in Boston

Marino, who got his first NHL goal Monday, replaced Letang on the top pair.

The Penguins finally returned to full health over the weekend after losing four key forwards to early-season injuries. But Patric Hornqvist suffered a low-body injury in Saturday’s loss to Edmonton then Letang left Monday’s loss with one, too.

Post Gazette LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160107 Pittsburgh Penguins The Penguins tied it, 3-3, with a spectacular goal about six minutes later. Evgeni Malkin, in his second game back from injury, crossed the Boston

blue line, hit the brakes and made a whirling backhand pass to Rust, who Shaky goaltending costs Penguins game in Boston raced to retrieve the puck at the hashmarks before flicking a shot past Jaroslav Halak.

"For us, it was about resiliency,” Rust said. “Our mantra didn’t change. MATT VENSEL Pittsburgh Post-Gazette NOV 5, 2019 2:55 AM We just kind of ramped it up a little bit and were able to fight back into the game.”

Then Marino, the rookie defenseman playing in front of a suite filled with OSTON — The Penguins got a little bit of everything during an family and friends, put them up with three seconds left in the period. entertaining game at TD Garden on Monday. Highlight-reel goals. Secondary scoring. A crazy comeback. Clutch penalty-killing against the Marino exited the box after the Penguins killed his tripping penalty and league’s most lethal power play. And a rookie burying his first NHL goal the puck found him in the neutral zone. He showed off slick mitts as he in his first pro game in his hometown. faked hard to his left, getting Halak to open his legs before coolly sliding it between them. All that was missing was two or three routine saves they would normally get. Boos rained down at TD Garden as the Marinos went wild on the fifth level. Matt Murray got yanked for the first time this season and backup Tristan Jarry allowed a shaky game-winning goal late in the third period as the “It was definitely a special moment there with family and friends Penguins lost to the Boston Bruins, 6-4. It was their seventh straight loss [present],” the 22-year-old said. “It’s something I’ll always remember. in Boston. That was pretty cool.”

“This is one of the best games we played all year,” said coach Mike Dating back to 2010-11, the Bruins had been 193-1-4 after leading by at Sullivan, who declined to fault his goaltending and instead focused on the least three goals. The Penguins, suddenly on top, would let them off the positives. hook.

All-Star defenseman Kris Letang leaves Monday's loss in Boston with an After Krug’s goal and Marchand’s second, Patrice Bergeron hit an empty injury net.

The Penguins, who spotted the Bruins the first three goals, rallied back in “You knew they were going to push back. They’ve got some talent on the second period to take the lead. After goals by Dominik Kahun, Nick that team, too,” Sullivan said. “I thought our third period was strong. We Bjugstad and Bryan Rust, John Marino jumped out of the box and beat had zone time. We had chances. We were making good decisions. I Jaroslav Halak on a breakaway with three seconds left in the period to loved our energy. Everybody was involved. It was a really good game by put them up, 4-3. our team. We just didn’t win.”

But the Bruins regrouped to score third-period goals and spoil their night. The Penguins, who fell to 8-6-1, next play Thursday at the New York Eight minutes into the third, Bruins blue-liner Torrey Krug, with the teams Islanders. playing at 4-on-4, ripped a one-timer from an improbable angle over the Post Gazette LOADED: 11.05.2019 left shoulder of a stunned Jarry to pull the home team back even with the Penguins.

With 1:57 left in the game, Brad Marchand threw a shot on goal from the top of the left faceoff circle that hit the right post, bounced off Jarry and trickled across the line. It was the third stoppable shot to get past a Penguins goalie.

“We’re fortunate, very fortunate, we capitalized on most of our opportunities and got key saves in our end,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Our goaltender outplayed theirs, and that ends up probably being the difference in the game.”

Boston’s Jake DeBrusk fooled Murray from a bad angle 5:24 into the game.

Penguins place Patric Hornqvist on injured reserve

The Bruins pushed it to 2-0 later in the first period when Brad Marchand batted a floating puck past Murray after it ricocheted off two sticks. It was hard to pin that goal, which extended Marchand’s point streak to 13 games, on Murray.

But after he let David Pastrnak beat him with an underwhelming wrister a few minutes into the second period, he got the hook. He made just eight saves.

Before Monday, the Penguins had gotten strong goaltending most nights.

“Murray’s been so good for us,” Bjugstad said. “[Sometimes an off night is] going to happen. … Jarry’s a good goaltender, too. We have faith in both of them.”

The goalie change to Jarry sparked the Penguins, who potted a pair of quick goals and kept pushing, outshooting the Bruins, 16-7, the rest of that period.

Kahun, back in the lineup after being scratched Saturday, scored on a low-angle shot after a puck skittered to him off the right post. Kris Letang, who would later leave the game with a lower-body injury, made a beautiful stretch pass to spring Bjugstad on a breakaway. The big center got his first goal of the season. 1160108 Pittsburgh Penguins Dumoulin made it there with time to spare and was back in his usual spot on the top Penguins pair.

“Dumo’s a really good player. He’s one of the more underrated Penguins rookie John Marino scores first NHL goal in 'special' Boston defensemen in the league,” Sullivan said of the new dad. “He quietly homecoming goes about his business and does a terrific job for us at both ends of the rink.”

Kahun right back in MATT VENSEL Saturday, for the first time since arriving overseas last season, Dominik Kahun was a scratch. The 24-year-old winger played all 82 games for BOSTON — John Marino has fond memories of TD Garden from over Chicago last season and was in the lineup for Pittsburgh’s first 13 games the years. this season.

Growing up outside the city, the rookie Penguins defenseman often “For sure, it’s frustrating. Every player in every sport wants to play every attended Boston Bruins games with his family. The Bruins were typically game,” he said, adding, “but I don’t think about it anymore. I’m ready for contenders during Marino’s formative years as a player, with big blue today.” liner Zdeno Chara leading the way on a few deep playoff runs, including With Patric Hornqvist on injured reserve after getting hurt in Saturday’s 2- a Stanley Cup win in 2011. 1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, Kahun was back in the lineup Monday. He Marino has also played in this barn before. He was a freshman on the spent the night on the third line with Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann. Harvard team three years ago that knocked off current teammate Zach He scored another goal, giving him three along with two assists in his last Aston-Reese and Northeastern in the semifinals then beat Boston three games. University to win the Beanpot tournament. That was Harvard’s first and Before the game, Kahun, who was acquired this spring in the Olli Maatta only Beanpot title since 1993. trade, had said he hoped to pick up where he left off before getting “That was pretty cool, you know, on this ice,” Marino said Monday scratched. before the game. “It was pretty packed here. Yeah, that was a special “In those games before, I think I started to play more my game and experience.” started to feel comfortable and play good hockey. In those games I just All-Star defenseman Kris Letang leaves Monday's loss in Boston with an couldn’t get the goals in,” he said. “It was a matter of time until it goes in injury and I’m happy for it.”

Monday night’s game against his hometown Bruins would be another Sullivan reminisces one. Sullivan was in his first year as an NHL head coach in 2003-04 and Marino, in his first game back in Boston as an NHL player, scored his first behind the Boston bench when Patrice Bergeron, at 18, debuted for the career goal in Monday’s 6-4 loss. Marino, with the game tied at 3-3 late in Bruins. the second period, left the penalty box, picked up a loose puck and Monday, he was asked about coaching a young Bergeron, who went on skated in on a breakaway. He beat Bruins goalie Jaroslav Halak with a to win the Selke Trophy four times, play in two All-Star games and hoist nifty move. the Cup in 2011. “It was definitely a special moment there with family and friends “He’s one of the best pros that I’ve been around,” Sullivan said. “He’s [present],” Marino said. “It’s something I’ll always remember. That was always had a certain maturity about him, both on the ice and off the ice, pretty cool.” since he’s been an 18-year-old, when I had him. He’s a driven player. In August, Marino was deciding whether to sign with the Penguins, who He’s got an appetite to improve and get better. He loves the game. … had just acquired his rights from Edmonton, or return to Harvard for his That was my experience with him.” senior year. Three months later, the 22-year-old got so many ticket He added: “I can’t believe the time has gone by to the extent that it has. requests he had to have his parents to step in and sort all that out so he ... It doesn’t surprise me one bit that he’s accomplished what he’s could focus on the game. accomplished. He was a real good player at 18 and he continues to be a The Marino crew reserved a suite on the fifth level of TD Garden. When real good player.” Marino scored his highlight goal, faking hard to his left to get Halak to Entering Monday, Bergeron, 34, had six goals and 14 points in 13 open his legs before sliding the puck between them, television cameras games. panned to the suite, where his proud father, mother and twin brother were among those losing it. Post Gazette LOADED: 11.05.2019 Marino, entering Monday, had one assist, an even plus-minus rating and six penalty minutes in a dozen NHL games. Those stats don’t paint a complete picture of his performance. The rookie was so poised and such a good fit for how coach Mike Sullivan wants to play, it made veteran Erik Gudbranson expendable.

He says he is still getting adjusted to the NHL, not that it has often showed.

Shaky goaltending costs Penguins game in Boston

“I’m still getting used to the pace. Still learning. Just trying to learn as much as I can after talking with the coaches and the guys after every game,” he said. “I think you get more and more comfortable after each game, after each practice.”

New dad Dumoulin plays

Brian Dumoulin was in the lineup after missing Sunday’s practice due to the birth of a baby boy named Brayden, who is healthy, the family shared. The Penguins left up to him the decision on whether he played.

As of late Monday morning, when a few Penguins took the ice for an optional skate at TD Garden, Sullivan still wasn’t sure if Dumoulin would make it to Boston in time to play the Bruins. It was a little hectic, but 1160109 San Jose Sharks he he added an assertive and physical dimension to a team that was often lacking defensive structure.

When Simek was in the lineup, the Sharks went 29-9-3. In 41 games, Can Radim Simek help save the Sharks’ season (again)? Simek had nine points, was a plus-seven and averaged 15 minutes and 13 seconds of ice time per game.

The Sharks had allowed 88 goals up until that point, or 3.26 per game. In By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: November 4, 2019 at 11:27 am | the 43 games that followed, with Simek dressing for all but two, the UPDATED: November 4, 2019 at 4:38 PM Sharks allowed 126 goals, or 2.93 per outing. The Sharks were also at the top of the Pacific Division on the morning of March 13 with a 43-19-8

record. SAN JOSE — Say this about defenseman Radim Simek throughout his This season in 15 games, the Sharks are allowing an average of 3.73 Sharks career: His timing has been impeccable. goals per game during 5-on-5 play, fourth-worst in the NHL. They are Nearly a year after his insertion into the lineup helped turn the Sharks’ also 27th in the NHL at 5-on-5 scoring, averaging 2.40 goals per game. season around, Simek appears ready to try and do it again, as DeBoer said he’ll wait to see how much ice time Simek can handle right indications were Monday that he would be able to return to the NHL after away. As of Monday, DeBoer had not decided who he would pair Simek more than six months of rehabilitation on his surgically repaired right with on the back end. knee. “There’s a simplicity to his game that I think helps us and some of the Simek returned from his conditioning assignment with the Barracuda on guys that we have on the ice with him,” DeBoer said. “He’s firm, he’s Monday morning and was a full participant in practice. If he feels good direct, he’s quick in his reads, he’s aggressive in his reads. There’s no Tuesday morning, he’ll be back in the lineup for that evening’s game hesitation, there’s no wondering who’s going here. Is it him or is it me? against the Chicago Blackhawks at SAP Center. “He’s pushing you out of the way to go and I think guys on the ice like His return could provide a badly needed shot in the arm to a Sharks team playing with guys like that because it takes some indecision out of the that has lost five straight games and plummeted to the bottom of the game.” Western Conference standings. Simek said he was able to get past any mental hurdles he had about his “He was an important piece for us last year. We missed him when he knee fairly early in his conditioning assignment, delivering a big hit in a was out,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said. “You’re looking for any kind of game against Bakersfield to put his mind at ease. spark right now and I think a quality player like that back in your lineup definitely gives you that.” “I was good for my head,” Simek said of the hit. “First game, first shift.”

Simek, 27, played two AHL games with the Barracuda since he began The physical dimension that Simek can bring may help address what his conditioning stint last week, including Sunday’s game against Tucson, DeBoer has called some soft play by the Sharks since the start of the and had two assists with a plus-two rating. season. DeBoer watched Sunday’s Barracuda game at SAP Center first- hand and liked what he saw. SEASON PASS DIGITAL OFFER “I wasn’t watching him from a technical or even a puck (moving) point of If you have not already, we strongly encourage you to sign up for a digital view. I wanted to see how he was moving,” DeBoer said. “That’s the subscription, which gives you access to all content on the Mercury News biggest thing coming off of a knee injury. Did he turn and explode to the and East Bay Times websites. With your support, we can continue puck without any hesitation in his legs? That’s what I was looking for and bringing these stories — and much more — to your screens. Here’s I didn’t see any. where to sign up for the season pass: Mercury News, East Bay Times. “The rest of the stuff, the timing, the puck plays, things like that, it’ll “I felt great on the ice,” the Czech Republic-born Simek said Monday. “I come.” think I can take my play from Barracuda to Sharks. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 11.05.2019 “After first game, I was a little bit tired and my knee was a little bit tight. But today, because I played yesterday, today was great. I felt great on the ice during the practice. It was nice.”

The Sharks also recalled forward Lean Bergmann on Monday and sent back Jonny Brodzinski to the AHL.

The Sharks (4-10-1) have been outscored 22-8 in the the last five games and entered Monday last in the 15-team Western Conference in terms of points percentage.

“I think it’s just good to see anybody come back,” said Brent Burns, Simek’s defense partner last season. “It’s always just a good energy and you’re happy for somebody else. You’ve seen the work that they put in, and how much they’ve done to get back, and it’s always nice. Always good to see.”

Simek hasn’t played an NHL game since he suffered torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments and damaged his meniscus in a Sharks game against the Winnipeg Jets in March. He had surgery later that month and had a follow-up procedure in June to clean out the knee, which eliminated any chance of a return for the start of training camp.

Before his conditioning assignment, he had been skating regularly with the Sharks and was with the team on the early portion of their road trip last month against Atlantic Division teams.

“It wasn’t easy in training,” Simek said. “It was my MCL, ACL and meniscus. My knee was almost all broken. but now I can play hockey. I’m feeling good on the ice and I’m ready. I’m ready to play for Sharks again.”

Last Dec. 2 after a four-game losing streak dropped the Sharks’ record to 12-10-5, Simek replaced Joakim Ryan as Burns’ defense partner in the lineup. He quickly became a vital part of the Sharks’ defense corps, as 1160110 San Jose Sharks

Why Radim Simek's return can help spark Sharks' defensive turnaround

By Chelena Goldman November 04, 2019 4:14 PM

SAN JOSE -- Right now, the Sharks need any kind of help they can get. Defenseman Radim Simek's return is a step in that direction.

Simek practiced with the Sharks on Monday, shortly after San Jose announced the end of his conditioning assignment with the Barracuda in the AHL. Coach Peter DeBoer said Simek could play Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, and Simek almost certainly will play at some point on San Jose's current homestand.

One player won't change the entire complexion of the Sharks overnight, as we already saw this season when Patrick Marleau returned to San Jose. With the right kinds of corresponding alterations, however, Simek's return to the Sharks' lineup could be a key part of turning their season around.

That's not to understate Simek's importance. The Sharks did, after all, go 29-9-3 last season with the Czech blueliner in their lineup. Plus, it's encouraging that Simek made an immediate impact in his conditioning stint, setting up two goals and posting a plus-2 in a pair of AHL games.

Keep in mind, it still might take Simek a while to reacclimate to the NHL's speed. Heck, he could still feel some residual pain coming back from tearing ligaments in his left knee in March.

But Simek's return gives the Sharks the means to rearrange some things on their blue line, and a possible spark they are in desperate need of.

Of course, the next question is where Simek will play. The Sharks tried a few different defensive pairings Monday, so it isn't set in stone that Simek will play on Brent Burns' left side again -- although it does look plausible.

This also means that someone currently playing is going to get scratched. DeBoer pretty consistently rolls out lefty-righty defensive pairs, there is a possibility that he plays four left-handed defensemen when Simek returns. Rookie lefty Mario Ferraro has been one of the Sharks' few bright spots, while right-handed defenseman Tim Heed played fewer than 10 minutes in six out of 11 games so far this season, including a season-low 3:21 on Oct. 24 against the Montreal Canadiens.

However Simek is integrated back into the blue line, the Sharks need to play the way they did Friday night against the Winnipeg Jets. San Jose allowed a late game-winning goal, but smothered Winnipeg defensively and only allowed 19 shots on goal. The Sharks had hoped to play a similar style the following night, only to allow five goals to the Vancouver Canucks.

With four more games left on the current homestand, the Sharks need to rediscover their defensive prowess if they're going to start winning games again. While there's no guarantee it will be enough, Simek's return should help.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160111 San Jose Sharks

Sharks recall defenseman Radim Simek from conditioning assignment

By Josh Schrock November 04, 2019 10:16 AM

The Sharks' blue line is about to get a much-needed reinforcement.

Radim Simek, who has been out with an ACL/MCL injury since March 12, was recalled Monday, general manager Doug Wilson announced. Forward Lean Bergmann also was recalled.

Simek made a big impact for the Sharks last season after being recalled in December. The 27-year-old helped the Sharks go 29-9-3 when he was in the lineup while being an anchor for Brent Burns.

Since Simek has been out, the Sharks have struggled on the blue line, going 17-28-2 in both regular season and the playoffs without Simek.

His return should give a big boost to the Sharks' blue line, especially as the team looks to claw its way out of the early-season hole they have dug. The Sharks are 4-10-1 with a -20 goal differential. They have struggled at even strength and Simek's return should help the Sharks limit their opponent's offensive chances.

Last season, the Sharks allowed a lower rate of shots, shot attempts and chances when the Czech defenseman was on the ice. This season, the Sharks have allowed 31.3 shots against this season and the second- most goals (56) in the NHL. While the Sharks' penalty kill is the best in the league, their defense has been leaky at full strength, a problem Simek can help correct.

The Sharks need to turn things around in a hurry, and they are hoping Simek's return will give them the boost they need.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160112 San Jose Sharks approximately 16 or 17 minutes in each game at five-on-five and on the penalty kill.

In his first game against Bakersfield on Oct. 30, Simek said that he threw Radim Simek set to return to the Sharks amid familiar circumstances a big hit on his very first shift and that was “good for his head” as he tried to play his game without thinking about the knee.

“It was a little bit scary my first game, because it’s a long time without By Kevin Kurz Nov 4, 2019 hockey,” said Simek, a Czech native. “But I think it was (a) good experience after eight months.”

Sommer said: “He didn’t hold back. I don’t think he knows how. I think he His impact last season, while somewhat subtle, was still undeniable. only plays one way. He’ll be a welcomed addition up there, I think.” When Radim Simek made his NHL debut on Dec. 2 in Montreal, the Simek said his knee was “a little bit tight” after the first game, but he felt Sharks were desperately looking for something to get them going in the better on Sunday when he played again for the Sharks’ AHL affiliate. At right direction. While they weren’t in as much of a hole then as they are Monday’s practice with his Sharks teammates, he “felt great.” now — 12-10-5 on that night at Bell Centre, as compared to 4-10-1 currently — there was still a sense that the season could go either way. “He seemed to be fine,” Sommer said of Simek’s two games in the minors. “I thought they did a really good job with his rehab. They didn’t Simek showed no fear, playing more than 13 minutes in one of the rush him. They wanted to make sure he was all there. loudest buildings in the NHL in a hockey-crazed environment. He finished with a plus-1 rating and two shot attempts while paired with Brent Burns, “It’s going to be interesting to see what happens. That could be what they and added some physicality and decisiveness to the defense group. He need. They need something.” directed traffic, pointing at Burns on one shift in the first period to stay on his side of the ice. He announced his presence with a big hit on DeBoer watched Simek’s game with the Barracuda on Sunday primarily Montreal’s Kenny Agostino with less than four minutes to go in the to make sure the defenseman was getting around the ice well enough to second period. Early in the third, he lined up Brendan Gallagher, help the Sharks. pounding the speedy forward on a play that was blown dead for offsides “I wasn’t watching him from a technical or even puck-play point of view. I a split-second earlier. wanted to see how he was moving. That’s the biggest thing coming off a “For a guy who’s been sitting and practicing for two months, I thought he knee injury,” DeBoer said. “Could he turn and explode to the puck without was phenomenal,” coach Pete DeBoer said after the game, a 3-1 Sharks any hesitation in his legs? That was what I was looking for. I didn’t see win. any (hesitation), so the rest of the stuff — the timing, puck-play, things like that — that will come.” That game marked the start of the Sharks’ best stretch of the regular season, as they reeled off 16 wins in 21 games (16-3-2). Overall, the Echoing Burns, DeBoer pointed to Simek’s decisiveness as a key Sharks posted a 29-9-3 record with Simek in the lineup. attribute.

But disaster struck on March 12 in Winnipeg, when the defenseman “There’s a simplicity to his game that I think helps some of the guys that suffered a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in his right knee, ending his we have on the ice with him,” he said. “He’s firm, he’s direct, he’s quick in rookie season. It probably wasn’t a complete coincidence that the Sharks his reads and he’s aggressive in his reads. There’s no hesitation and promptly lost nine of their next 10 games, limping into the playoffs. there’s no wondering who’s going (where). He’s pushing you out of the way to go. I think guys on the ice like playing with guys like that, because Simek has been limping himself for most of the past eight months. After it takes some indecision out of the game.” his original surgery in March, he had a clean-up procedure in June, delaying his return to the NHL lineup. But that return is now imminent, DeBoer wouldn’t divulge his strategy when it comes to how he will utilize likely on Tuesday when the Sharks host the Chicago Blackhawks. Simek, or whether he will pair him again with Burns. There weren’t any set defense pairs during Monday’s practice. The situation is familiar. The Sharks need something, anything, to get their season turned around. Still, a reunion with Burns is likely to be in the cards at some point. Last season, Burns was on the ice for 28 goals-for and 18 against when Perhaps Simek is the spark they need. When he walked into the dressing paired with Simek with both teams at full strength. But without Simek, room after practice on Monday following a two-game stint with the AHL including games played this season, Burns is a minus-7 since the start of Barracuda, defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic joked: “There’s the savior. the 2018-19 season (66 for, 73 against). Jesus Simek!” Or, perhaps Simek will eventually get a chance with Erik Karlsson, who “It’s just good to see anybody come back. It’s always just a good energy, has struggled through the first month with a minus-13 rating, the second- and you’re happy for somebody else,” Burns said. “You’ve seen the work worst mark in the NHL. that they put in, and how much they’ve done to get back, and it’s always nice.” “Simek can play with a guy that’s a little unsafe,” Sommer said. “He’s not real sexy, but he gets the job done, that’s for sure.” DeBoer said: “He was an important piece for us last year. We missed him when he was out. I think you’re looking for any kind of spark right now, — Reported from San Jose and I think a quality player like that back in your lineup definitely gives The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 you that.”

The buzzword around the Sharks these days, as uttered a few times by DeBoer, is soft. The Sharks haven’t been a hard enough team to play against, routinely losing battles along the walls and getting pushed around in front of both nets. Simek should help in that regard. In the time he was in the lineup last season from Dec. 2 until his injury, Simek was credited with 67 hits, fourth on the team behind Brenden Dillon, Evander Kane and Barclay Goodrow.

“He plays in straight lines, he plays aggressive, he’s decisive,” Burns said.

Barracuda coach Roy Sommer said: “The thing about him, he’s so efficient. When you go in the corner, you know you went in the corner with him. He comes out with the puck probably nine out of 10 times.”

Simek apparently didn’t hold anything back in his two games with the Barracuda, either. Ice time isn’t tracked in the AHL, but Simek and Sommer both estimated the 27-year-old defenseman played 1160113 St Louis Blues Thomas was on the Blues’ top line with Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn on Monday; Blais was on the third line with Alexander Steen and Tyler Bozak.

(Updated) Jake Allen searching for rhythm in backup role with Blues “I thought 18 (Thomas) added a little juice to that line,” Berube said. “He was on top of the puck. The Bozak line with Blaiser and Steener, they got a big goal for us.

By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10 hrs ago 0 "We’ll see how it goes tomorrow. I’m not sold on anything yet. Like I said, it could be an ongoing (thing), just finding things, moving guys around.”

Blais scored a third period goal against the Wild, tying the game 3-3, VANCOUVER, B.C. — Jake Allen is slowly gaining the weight back after while playing on the Bozak line. being derailed by a virus that resulted in a loss of nearly 15 pounds. At the same time, he’s trying to get his rhythm back in his new role as the NO CALLUP Blues’ No. 2 goalie — well, new at least at the start of a season. The Blues skated with 22 players in practice Monday, which comprises “It’s definitely really a different situation for me,” Allen said following the their full roster since Vladimir Tarasenko’s shoulder surgery. It was Blues’ 4-3 overtime victory Saturday in Minnesota. “But I take the second anticipated, maybe even expected, that there would be a player called up half of last year, and obviously Binner (Jordan Binnington) played from San Antonio to join the Blues in Vancouver. But that was not the unbelievable and he’s carried that over to this year. case in practice Monday.

“It’s just trying daily to keep getting better. Finding a way to keep all the When asked if there was a player en route Monday, Berube said: “Not tools sharp. It’s been a couple weeks since my last start. There’s no that I know of. I don’t know. We’re just waiting to see what happens right excuses any more in this league. You gotta be ready to go. It’s not now.” always gonna be pretty, but just finding ways to win games.” Such a decision would ultimately be up to general manager Doug Allen and the rest of the Blues accomplished that Saturday, finding a way Armstrong. But with one extra forward (Robby Fabbri) and one extra to defeat the Wild after trailing 3-2 entering the third period. Playing in defenseman (Robert Bortuzzo) on the roster, the Blues may not bring up only his third game of the season, Allen stopped 20 of 23 shots to get a player for this trip. victory No. 138 of his Blues career. “We got one and one, so we’re fine,” Berube said. “Extra at forward, extra That moved him into sole possession of second place ahead of Curtis ‘D’ right now. So we’ll be OK.” Joseph (137) on the Blues career wins list for goalies. Mike Liut, now a sports agent who represents Binnington among others, holds the KYROU’S DEBUT franchise record with 151 wins. Things went well for Jordan Kyrou in his long-awaited season debut for “Guys are stepping up here,” Allen said. “We’re finding ways to win. . . . San Antonio. In his first game since kneecap surgery last spring, Kyrou Even probably (the Columbus game) there were bits and pieces where had two assists in Saturday’s 8-2 Rampage victory over the Texas Stars Columbus took it to us. But we just stick with our game and find ways. in the American Hockey League. Chip away at it and get some greasy goals. And if it takes overtime, it “I thought he looked really good,” Rampage coach Drew Bannister told takes overtime.” reporters afterwards. “Obviously we’ve been real patient with him, Allen missed a scheduled start Oct. 27 in Detroit because of his illness. making sure he was 100 percent. It’s not only the injury — you want to And he lost a scheduled preseason start when the exhibition finale at make sure mentally they’re 100 percent, and that’s why we took our time Columbus was canceled because of mechanical issues with the team’s with him.” charter jet. So after appearing in only one of the Blues’ 26 playoff games The eight goals were the most ever scored by San Antonio (6-2-3) last postsesason — in mopup duty after Binnington was pulled — it has against the rival Stars. been a battle to stay sharp. “You add a player like Jordan Kyrou, who can make real good plays and “I actually felt pretty good (against Minnesota),” he said. “First and third he adds an element of speed to our team, I think it made our team a little period were pretty smooth. The second was a little bit chaotic I think for bit deeper,” Bannister said. our group — the first 10 minutes there (in the second period) Minny took it to us I think pretty good. Kyrou was in training camp with the Blues this preseason, although he spent most of his time skating alone as he completed the rehab/recovery “Obviously got those couple of goals. We calmed it down after that and from surgery. played our game.” “Obviously it feels great to be back,” Kyrou told reporters in San Antonio. A goal by the Wild’s Kevin Fiala just 61 seconds into the second period “I’ve been out for a while, so getting back out there and being with the tied the game 2-2 and was one that Allen would like back. After a faceoff boys and being on the ice was really fun. I just want to continue to get in the St. Louis zone, Fiala sent an innocent-looking shot from behind the better. I was working my knee back into getting hit and stuff, so I just left circle that somehow got by Allen through traffic. want to continue with that and continue to build.” “I was looking over the top of a bunch of people,” Allen said. “I think there SOSHNIKOV STARS were a few people laying on the ice in front of me and it went right underneath them.” Last year at this time, Nikita Soshnikov was on the Blues’ roster. After being sidelined by a concussion during summer training, he made his In Craig Berube’s mind, Allen met the only requirement needed for a 2018-19 debut Nov. 9 against San Jose, and was plus-1 in a 4-0 Blues successful game. victory. (If that seems like a long time ago, Chad Johnson was in goal for “He battled,” Berube said. “He got a win, so that’s what it’s all about. It St. Louis that day.) doesn’t matter how. He got a win.” Soshnikov is playing in the Kontinental Hockey League these days, and The Blues play another set of back-to-back games this week, at flourishing. Playing for Salavat Yulaev, he had two goals in Sunday’s 9-1 Vancouver on Tuesday and at Edmonton on Wednesday, so Allen romp over Dinamo Minsk. For the season, he leads the KHL with 14 probably gets another start against the Oilers. goals in 25 games. He also has six assists and is tied for eighth in the league in points with 20. “You need both goalies all year,” Berube said. “We know that. Same as last year. You gotta use both guys. I’m just happy for (Allen); he got the BLUE NOTES win.” Berube leaned heavily on his core group of forwards in Saturday’s game LINE CHANGES against Minnesota, even though it was the back end of a back-to-back.

In practice Monday afternoon at Rogers Arena, Robert Thomas and Schwartz (22:08) and Schenn (20:27) logged season highs for ice time. Sammy Blais switched places. (As they did for part of the third period Ryan O’Reilly’s 21:28 was his third-highest total of the season, and David Saturday in Minnesota.) Perron’s 19:23 tied for his third-highest total. • Carl Gunnarsson and Mackenzie MacEachern scored their first goals of the season against Minnesota, leaving the Blues with six players who remain goal-less: forwards Ivan Barbashev, Bozak and Steen, and defensemen Bortuzzo, Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko.

• The Blues had easily their worst faceoff night of the season against the Wild, winning only 39 percent of their faceoffs (23 of 59). Even so, they remain the NHL’s fourth-best faceoff team for the season with a 52.7 percent success rate.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160114 St Louis Blues Lambert also worked the Blues’ game against Vancouver on Oct. 17, when Berube got a bench penalty for, uh, foul language. He was complaining about — guess what? — a goalie interference call on Robert Thomas. The great debate after Blues rally to win: Was it goalie interference or not? Those two penalties led to a five-on-three situation for the Canucks and resulted in a game-tying goal in the third period of what became a 4-3 Vancouver triumph.

By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch 17 hrs ago On this occasion, Minnesota killed the resulting Blues power play.

Blais said the collision with Kunin occurred because he was pushed from behind. It’s hard to detect from television, but Blais was indeed pushed VANCOUVER, B.C. — Granted, we’ve all seen more flagrant cases of by Wild defenseman Matt Dumba at the start of the play. goaltender interference, Craig Berube included. Blais then made contact with Kunin, who fell down, and Blais then fell But the Blues’ coach saw something on what would’ve been a Mikko over Kunin. Blais got up, kept working, and moments later scored his fifth Koivu goal for Minnesota late in the second period Saturday. As did goal of the season to tie the game at 3-3 at the 6:05 mark of the third. Blues video coach Sean Ferrell. “‘Bozy’ (Tyler Bozak) had the puck and I was just there,” Blais said. “I “I just thought that he was bumped,” Berube said, referring to Blues knew ‘Bozy’ was going to pass it to me and I just brought it to the net and goalie Jake Allen. “It was kind of a tight call. Different circumstances at got my rebound and put it in. It was a big goal for us, and ‘O’Ry’ got it the time maybe you don’t (challenge) it. The score, them being up by done in OT.” two, I thought it was a good time to challenge no matter what.” All five of Blais’ goals this season have either given the Blues the lead or The NHL Situation Room in Toronto reviewed the goal and agreed with tied the score. Berube. Allen was bumped. He took a Zach Parise elbow to the head — nothing egregious, but an elbow to the head nonetheless. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 11.05.2019 The Situation Room thought it affected Allen’s ability to play the puck, and the goal was disallowed — much to the chagrin of Wild coach Bruce Boudreau. Asked for his thoughts on the goalie interference, Boudreau said:

“It wasn’t. That’s my thoughts. It wasn’t. They said his elbow touched his head inside the (goalie crease). But to me, Allen was moving in, 'cause Zach was outside. So he was moving into Zach, so I don’t understand the call.”

Boudreau made those comments to reporters after the game.

According to overhead replays, it’s debatable whether Allen moved into Parise. It’s clear that Allen was inside the blue paint — or the goal crease.

The result was huge. Instead of having a 4-2 lead with 5½ minutes left in the second period, Minnesota led by only 3-2.

“I thought it was going to be overturned,” Blues forward Ryan O’Reilly said. “When you see it, at the last second, you do see his elbow clip (Allen) a little bit. It’s tough to know what they’re going to call. Obviously there was some contact there, and yeah, it’s just nice to be on the better end of it.”

Minnesota obviously came out on the worst end of it.

“Well, 4-2, it’s a big difference, you know,” Boudreau said. “And the momentum going in (to the third period), and then we were just protecting the lead . . . instead of having that little bit of cushion.”

For the most part, the Blues dominated the rest of the game, pulling out a 4-3 overtime victory at Xcel Energy Center, with O’Reilly scoring the winning goal.

Disappointed as he might have been about the outcome and the goalie interference call, Parise gave credit to the Blues.

“They won for a reason,” Parise said. “They know how to weather the storm. They know how to shift momentum in a game, and that’s what they did tonight. They hung on, they hung around. We got a tough call against us, then I thought they took over.”

Blais and the bench minor

Boudreau’s frustration over the goalie interference call undoubtedly boiled over later in the game when the Blues’ Sammy Blais could’ve been called for tripping Luke Kunin, a St. Louis native who plays forward for the Wild. Seconds after the no-call, Blais scored the tying goal six minutes into the third period.

Asked if he got an explanation, Boudreau replied: “I got a penalty. I yelled at him. But he was on the other side of the ice.”

That was an apparent reference to Pierre Lambert, one of the referees working Saturday’s game. 1160115 St Louis Blues

Laila Anderson feted by Blues' foes before weekend game

17 hrs ago

Joe Holleman

Laila Anderson making news around here isn't really news anymore: The 11-year-old became famous in STL during the St. Louis Blues' unlikely Stanley Cup win.

But now, even Blues' opponents are tipping their cap to the 11-year-old fighting an immune system disease.

On Saturday, the Minnesota Wild lauded Laila on "Hockey Fights Cancer Night" in St. Paul. The cancer-fighting initiative in the NHL began in 1998 and takes place throughout November.

The Wild presented Laila, a guest at Saturday's game (which STL won, 4-3), with a Wild jersey before the game and noted that her grandmother still lives in the Twin Cities and her father was raised there.

She also has a connection to a St. Paul company. "Be The Match" helped find Laila a donor for her life-saving bone marrow transplant.

In the months following, Laila has ridden in the rowdy downtown St. Louis victory parade, received a championship ring from the team and then visited the White House with the team. And on Nov. 23, the fan face of the St. Louis Blues will receive the "Stan Musial Award for Extraordinary Character" from the St. Louis Sports Commission and the National Sportsmanship Foundation.

In September 2018, Laila was diagnosed with a disease that causes the immune cells to grow out of control and damage organs. She has since had chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160116 St Louis Blues But he didn’t play in a regular-season game following a 4-3 shootout loss to Buffalo last March 17, didn’t play at all in the playoffs and was a healthy scratch in seven of the first eight games this season. But once he got in the lineup, he has made it difficult for Berube to keep him out. Fourth line is first in line during Blues' win streak “He’s got a lot of speed and he’s good at holding onto the puck and getting pucks back,” Sundqvist said. “He’s been easy to play with. We just let him be the first guy (in) every time because he’s so fast.” By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch 19 hrs ago Partly in light of Tarasenko’s left shoulder surgery, which will sideline him

for five months, Berube mentioned recently that he needed players such VANCOUVER, B.C. — When the Blues’ fourth line was on the ice to start as Sundqvist and MacEachern to shoot more often and contribute on a game recently in Detroit, it was regarded as one of those hockey offense. things, a nod by coach Craig Berube in the direction of MacKenzie He didn’t have to tell them twice. Friday against Columbus, Sundqvist led MacEachern. the Blues with five shots on goal and eight overall attempts. You can MacEachern had grown up in the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills and count how often Sundqvist has led the Blues in shots on goal on three had a lot of family members and friends in the stands at Little Caesars fingers. He did so twice during the 2018-19 regular season, and then on Arena for the Blues’ 5-4 overtime victory. Friday.

But then it happened against last Wednesday at Enterprise Center, “Yeah, I think I need to shoot a little bit more,” Sundqvist said. “Especially against Minnesota, a 2-1 Blues win. And again Friday against Columbus. these last couple games (before the contest against Columbus) I had a Berube said he did so against the Blue Jackets because they opened couple good chances but I’ve been passing instead. So I’m gonna try to with Nick Foligno-Boone Jenner-Josh Anderson. think about shooting it a little bit more from now on.”

“That’s a big, heavy line, so I wanted to match that right away with our MacEachern had five shot attempts against Columbus, which may not guys,” Berube said. seem like a lot but it’s a total he has surpassed only once previously as an NHL player. MacEachern had his first assist of the season Friday on OK. But Oskar Sundqvist, part of a fourth line that includes MacEachern Sundqvist’s third goal of the season, which tied the game 3-3. and Ivan Barbashev, had his own theory. The recent bump in production by the fourth line has brought much- “I think ‘Chief’ (Berube) is a little bit superstitious there, too, that we’ve needed scoring balance in Tarasenko’s absence. Against Columbus, a been winning every game that we’ve been starting,” Sundqvist said member of all four forward lines scored a goal for the first time all following a 4-3 overtime triumph over Columbus. season.

Maybe Sundqvist is on to something. The MacEachern-Barbashev- Saturday against Minnesota, the Blues got a goal from three lines, Sundqvist line started again in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime triumph in something that had happened only once before the weekend — in a 6-4 Minnesota. Do the math. The line has hit the ice first for the Blues every victory in Ottawa on Oct. 10. time during the current four-game winning streak — matching the club’s longest spree since March. The great debate after Blues rally to win: Was it goalie interference or not? So it’s probably a safe bet that MacEachern-Barbashev-Sundqvist will be out for the opening puck drop Tuesday against Vancouver. The Canucks St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 11.05.2019 have an almost identical record to the Blues — 9-3-2 to the Blues’ 9-3-3. And the Canucks have been just as hot lately, going 5-0-2 in their last seven games.

Even without any line-matchup considerations, Berube probably doesn’t want to change the mojo.

“It really doesn’t matter who’s starting,” Sundqvist said. “We’re a group that any line can start.”

But Berube likes what he’s getting from the fourth line lately — at the start, at the finish and in between during games. His face lit up, something that doesn’t happen often, when asked about the fourth line after the Blues won Saturday.

“They’re working well together,” Berube said. “They’re doing a real good job for us with the energy and setting the tone for our game. Our guys feed off their hard work and physical play.”

Four minutes into Saturday’s game, MacEachern got his first goal of the season — and only his fourth in 37 career NHL games. Perhaps energized by that score, MacEachern was a beast, forechecking, blocking shots, making the occasional hit and digging pucks out of corners.

“I love the way ‘Mac’ gets in there . . . on the puck,” teammate David Perron said. “Same with ‘Barby’ and ‘Sunny,’ obviously they’re playing solid. Pretty sure the coaches can put them out there and just know what to expect off them. It’s good. I think they’re learning to play together as a line with ‘Mac’ more recently.”

Largely because of injuries (to Robert Thomas, Sammy Blais and now Vladimir Tarasenko) and partly because Berube hasn’t seen what he wants from Robby Fabbri, former fourth-line mainstay Alexander Steen has been moved up in the lineup.

That opened the door for MacEachern, a forgotten man in the Blues’ stretch run and playoff push last season. Called up from San Antonio on Jan. 10, MacEachern played in 29 games and was more than serviceable with three goals and two assists in a checking role. 1160117 Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 11.05.2019

The Lightning are set to experience Stockholm. First practice, then sleep.

By Diana C. Nearhos

Published Yesterday

Updated Yesterday

STOCKHOLM — Jon Cooper knew he had to stay awake for at least six more hours. His plan was to take to the streets, explore Stockholm and let the brisk 35-degree air wake him up.

Practice ended around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, and that was only 10:30 a.m. back in Tampa. But after flying in on a red-eye charter, everyone wanted sleep.

A seven-hour, overnight flight will throw anyone off, particularly when coupled with a six-hour time jump.

Cooper walked around Stockholm and found “a lot of statues of horses, a lot of people on scooters and every place has Swedish meatballs. That’s what I know so far.”

(Side note: he said the meatballs were very good and the gravy was outstanding.)

The first step to adjusting to the time zone and shaking off the jet lag was practicing immediately. The Lightning landed around 10 a.m. and then the practiced at 3 p.m.

No one really wanted to practice, and yet they did at the same time. Tyler Johnson commented that it was good to do something. He knew the value out-weighed the desire to just sleep.

Players weren’t trying to get off the ice, either. As they usually do, they stayed on the ice after practice officially ended (the shortest practice the Lightning have had in weeks).

“When you’re planning it, it doesn’t seem like you want to,” Cooper said. “But it was the best thing.”

Defenseman Victor Hedman, a native of Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, and the other Europeans make this trip more often than most of the Lightning, but not even he had a trick to beat the jet lag.

While Monday’s practice (again shorter than others recently) had better energy, everyone is still getting there. They’re no longer desperate for sleep, but they are still figuring out how to get comfortable.

“I don’t think we can underestimate (the travel),” Cooper said. “I’m just speaking based on how I feel. It takes a little time to get through that. (Sunday and Monday) probably had a different feel from what (Tuesday’s) practice will.”

Cooper talked to coaches who had brought teams abroad previously and Julien BriseBois talked to almost every general manager to pick up any pointers they had.

“The schedule is set up for us to have plenty of time to adjust,” BriseBois said. “It’s not Earth-shattering. Football teams do it, we do it. China would be a bigger adjustment, which is probably why they do that earlier in the year.”

The NHL brought teams to China for preseason games each of the last two years but did not this season. The Bucs have been to London three times and the league is hosting four games in the city this year.

The Bucs, however, arrived in London Friday morning for a Sunday game. The Lightning got to Sweden on Sunday for a Friday game. Where Bucs coach Bruce Arians discouraged walking around too much the day before the game, Cooper isn’t worried about that. He said the players know how to take care of themselves. He wouldn’t want anyone out an hour before game time, but the Lightning have a week to explore, rather than shove it all into an afternoon.

“We’re kind of encouraging them to go out and take in the culture,” Cooper said. “Stockholm is such a beautiful city and how often do you get the change to come here and experience it?” 1160118 Toronto Maple Leafs was in 1998. His two youngest teammates on Toronto’s roster, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, were one-year-olds then.

Spezza was chosen second over all by Ottawa in the 2001 NHL entry Jason Spezza knows his place on the Maple Leafs – and he’s honoured draft and played for the Senators for 11 seasons. He has spent the past to have it five years in Dallas, has been a captain and has been on teams that reached postseason 10 times. It bothered him when he was benched for the season opener, but he has shrugged it off nicely.

MARTY KLINKENBERG He has yet to win a Stanley Cup and knows the clock is continuing to click away. PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 4, 2019 In 2007, the Senators lost to the Anaheim Ducks in a five-game Stanley UPDATED NOVEMBER 4, 2019 Cup final. Last year, the Stars were beaten by the St. Louis Blues in double overtime in Game 7 of the second round.

The goal Spezza netted on Saturday was so special that he snatched the “After we lost and I saw St. Louis win the Cup, I felt farther away from it puck as a keepsake. than I ever have,” Spezza says. “It really stung. Then I signed with Toronto and now I have hope again. Scoring goals is nothing new for Jason Spezza. He has more than 350 of them over his appreciable career. The one he netted on Saturday was so “When you are young, you think you are going to get a shot at it in the special, however, that he snatched the puck as a keepsake. playoffs every year. I am more desperate now.”

“It was a bit of a childhood dream to score a goal for the Maple Leafs,” The Maple Leafs have lost in the first round in each of the past three the 36-year-old says Monday. “It definitely meant more to me than a lot of years but more is expected now. They have struggled, but are only 15 others. I saved it and will throw it in my collection.” games into an 82-game season.

It is Spezza’s 17th year in the National Hockey League, but his first in “Some teams click from the first day and some teams take longer,” Toronto and the first where he has watched more than he has played. He Spezza says. “There is no timeline. You know when you are a well-oiled knew his would be a supporting role when he joined the team last machine. We have had tastes of it, but haven’t done it consistently summer, but it has taken time for him to adjust. A month into the season, enough. it is easy to see he is growing more comfortable. “We don’t know yet what a good game feels like.” No matter the circumstances, his face is always the brightest in the As he nears the end of his career, Spezza works hard to keep a spot on locker room. He is fast with advice to younger players – in this case, all of the team. On nights when he hasn’t dressed, he has worked out beneath them – and quick with a smile. He punctuates conversation with laughter. the arena until minutes before the game. He carries with him the self-awareness and wisdom that comes with “It has become a necessity for me,” he says. “It is a separating factor and longevity in professional sports. Not everyone has it. Those that do are keeps you around the league a lot longer. I’m trying to slow down the special. curve.” “This is a different challenge for me, but nobody is bigger than the game,” He knows his place on the Maple Leafs, and he is fine with it. Spezza says as he sits in front of his dressing stall at the practice rink in . “I think I am fortunate to still be playing.” Globe And Mail LOADED: 11.05.2019 He could have signed as a free agent elsewhere, but chose Toronto. He grew up in the city’s suburbs and cheered for the Maple Leafs. His uncle George, who played against former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his youth, brought him to his first game at the team’s old arena, . He worshipped one-time Leaf stars Doug Gilmour and Felix Potvin. He listened to and watched every game he could.

“Not every one of them was on [television] when I was a kid,” Spezza said. Across from him in the locker room, Gilmour’s stall is preserved for posterity.

He has earned almost US$90-million playing hockey, but accepted a league minimum US$700,000 this season. It was more than about coming home again.

“If the team wasn’t as good as it is, I wouldn’t have pursued it,” Spezza says. “I think this team is really good.”

Toronto has won just seven of its first 15 games and is eighth in the Eastern Conference. It has mostly struggled against better opponents and fattened up on also-rans. The Los Angeles Kings (5-9) are next up at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night.

Spezza played a significant role in the weekend’s 4-3 victory at Philadelphia. He had an assist on the Maple Leafs’ first goal, tied the game at 2-2 in the second period and scored during a 22-player shootout. It was easily his best performance thus far and came with John Tavares, who is expected to return on Tuesday, sidelined with a broken finger.

“I am proud to be here and am fighting to stay in the lineup,” Spezza says. “It is nice to contribute, and I am hoping to build off of that. It is a different kind of challenge for me, but I think I can add a lot. I feel I am getting better each night.”

He has 358 goals and is only 11 points shy of 1,000 over 1,154 games – in the regular season and playoffs combined – dating back to 2002. His ascension to NHL stardom was determined from the time he began to play in the as an underage 15-year-old. That 1160119 Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs invite young fan to weekend game after viral tweet of lonely birthday party

By Margaryta Ignatenko

Mon., Nov. 4, 2019

The Toronto Maple Leafs have invited an 11-year-old boy and his family to a game this weekend after a picture of the boy’s empty birthday party went viral on social media.

“My son Kade had his 11th birthday party last night. None of his invited friends came. That hurt. I’m asking my Twitter friends to show him some love today. If you have a minute, please send him a birthday wish,” wrote Jason Foster on Twitter Sunday morning.

Foster, whose Twitter profile indicates he’s from Newfoundland and Labrador, tagged Mitch Marner and John Tavares on his post, which featured a photo of the two Leafs stars as decorations on the boy’s cake.

Both players, along with over fifty thousand other Twitter users as of Monday evening, wished the boy a happy birthday.

“All your friends on the team look forward to celebrating with you. I’m hearing it’s going to be quite the surprise,” Tavares said.

It appears the team has followed through on the Leafs captain’s promise.

“The team has been in touch with Kade and his family to bring them to a game this weekend,” wrote Dave Haggith, spokesperson for Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, in an email to the Star. Haggith did not clarify whether the family has accepted the offer.

Foster’s tweet received an outpouring of support from a wide variety of people, including actors Ben Stiller and Mark Hamill. The post resonated with many, such as others who have had similar experiences at birthday parties. It even reached Parliament Hill.

“Happy 11th birthday, Kade!” tweeted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

As of Monday night, Foster’s tweet was shared twenty-four thousand times and liked by over one hundred and sixty-seven thousand people.

“We can’t comprehend what has happened today. Kade and the rest of us are just amazed. To EVERYONE who sent Kade a message — thank you from the bottom of our hearts. He is an amazing son and he will never forget this day,” Foster tweeted.

The Leafs play two games at home this week, before hosting the Philadelphia Flyers at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday.

Toronto Star LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160120 Toronto Maple Leafs “We’re all aware of that, but there’s no conversation around it,” Spezza said of the potential paring of the club to make room for Hyman. “For me to sit around and waste time thinking about it would be pointless.”

Jason Spezza keeps taking things a day at a time with the Leafs, Spezza, to his credit, spends plenty of time preparing his body for the knowing those days could be limited ravages of an ever-speedier league.

“When you’re younger, you work to get better. When you’re older, you work to stay the same,” he said with a laugh. “It’s what you’re doing. By Dave Feschuk You’re trying to slow down the curve. So yeah, I put a lot of effort into my pre-game preparation.” Mon., Nov. 4, 2019 For all his professionalism, he has received only grudging chances from

head coach Mike Babcock. It said something about the coach’s view of In the ever-younger NHL, Jason Spezza is among of the handful of the player that Spezza was made a high-profile healthy scratch in the players who can reminisce about a hockey era before the dawn of team’s season-opening game in Toronto. carbon-fibre sticks and social-media addiction. Babcock’s lack of faith in Spezza defied logic in Saturday’s 11-round The last time the Maple Leafs won a playoff series, way back in 2004, shootout. The coach didn’t select Spezza to shoot until he’d exhausted Spezza was a 21-year-old member of the opposing Ottawa Senators. seven other options, including defenceman Tyson Barrie, who has one One of the last times the Maple Leafs captivated Toronto, during that career NHL shootout goal to his name. The seven players chosen before magical run to within a game of the 1993 Stanley Cup final, he was a Spezza had combined for 13 career shootout goals on a 25% success nine-year-old Leafs superfan. rate. Spezza himself had scored 21 career shootout goals on a 35% career success rate. That he beat Philadelphia goaltender Brian Elliott Last season someone based a TV commercial around the idea that John with a gorgeous deke for his 22nd career shootout marker — becoming Tavares hatched his NHL dream watching those ’93 Leafs from his Toronto’s first scorer in a contest ultimately won on a goal by Andreas father’s lap, never mind that Tavares, who has since been named team Johnsson — suggested that, while Spezza’s foot speed may be lacking, captain, was all of two years old when Doug Gilmour beat Curtis Joseph his world-class hands remain intact. with the most famous wraparound in franchise history. While Tavares, now 29, acknowledges he largely constructed that memory watching As for the ultimate hockey dream — that Stanley Cup that has eluded VHS highlight tapes as a schoolboy, Spezza, 36, can actually, credibly him in 16 previous seasons — Spezza, who reached the Cup final in remember the play. 2007 as a member of the Senators, says it felt as unlikely as it ever has last spring. Such was the low feeling that came with being a member of a “That’s kind of right in the heart of your ultimate fandom,” Spezza said. Dallas Stars team that lost a double-overtime Game 7 to the St. Louis “That was my time.” Blues in the second round.

Spezza, or course, is still hoping this season will turn out to be his time. “After we lost and you see St. Louis win the Cup, I think (the idea of When he turned down more lucrative offers to sign a one-year deal worth winning the Cup) never felt further away,” Spezza said. “Then you sign $700,000 (U.S.) with his boyhood favourites on July 1, he was no doubt with a good team like Toronto and you feel hope again. But there’s looking forward to milestone nights like Saturday, when he scored his definitely more desperation to it.” first goal as a Leaf and contributed a successful shootout attempt in a 4-3 shootout win in Philadelphia. More desperation, indeed, than Spezza might have imagined in July.

Follow the Toronto Star on social media: Toronto Star LOADED: 11.05.2019

But a month into the season, Spezza has dressed in just nine of 15 games. And he finds himself very much in an uphill battle, not only to get in the lineup, but to remain a Maple Leaf for the season’s duration. With Tavares looking likely to return from a seven-game absence with a broken finger, Spezza found himself out of the top-four line rotation during practice Monday — an indication that, never mind his two-point contribution to Saturday’s victory, he may be a healthy scratch for Tuesday’s home game against the L.A. Kings.

Drafted second overall in the 2001 NHL draft and long a top-six player, his current scuffle for relevance amounts to something of a new experience.

“If this is the hand I’ve been dealt, I’m just going to try and do well with it,” Spezza said. “I’m just fortunate to be here playing still. I’m really lucky to still be playing hockey at this point. It’s a different challenge. But nobody’s better than the game. This is what the game’s handed me right now, and I want to keep playing. So I’m going to work and do whatever I can. That’s my approach.”

There have been unexpected developments that have limited Spezza’s opportunity this season. For one, Frederik Gauthier, whose Maple Leafs future was presumed bleak heading into training camp, has emerged as an everyday fourth-line fixture, occupying one of the jobs Spezza was recruited to take.

For another, the imminent return of Zach Hyman will complicate Toronto’s maxed-out salary-cap situation. No one is sure when Hyman will make his season debut in the wake of off-season knee surgery; on Monday he was a full participant in practice and pronounced himself “close.” But whenever Hyman is back, Toronto will need to make room for his $2.25-million cap hit. Barring a more radical move, that will likely entail jettisoning a collection of lower-salaried players from the fringe of the roster. Those who figure to be in the conversation include Dmytro Timashov, Martin Marincin and Spezza. 1160121 Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL game preview: Los Angeles Kings at Toronto Maple Leafs

Mark Zwolinski

Mon., Nov. 4, 2019

SCOTIABANK ARENA

Faceoff: 7:30 p.m.

TV: TSN

Radio: TSN 1050

NEED TO KNOW

The crown is down: The Kings picked up an important overtime win against Chicago over the weekend, but have otherwise had a slow start to the season. They entered November having lost four straight, allowing five or more goals in each game. And they were last in the Western Conference with 57 goals against in 14 games heading into the week.

Doughty delivers: Leaf fans get a rare glimpse of defenceman Drew Doughty, one of the best skaters in the game, and one of the game’s most colourful characters. Doughty scored the OT winner against Chicago, his second game-winning goal of the season. He is averaging a whopping 24:27 of ice time per game, which is lower than his career average of 26:16. Doughty has two goals and eight assists in 16 career games against Toronto.

Late bloomer? Goaltender Jack Campbell, who signed to a two-year, $3.3-million (U.S.)extension in September to back up 33-year-old . Campbell, is 3-3 so far, giving the Kings one of the better goalie tandems in the NHL. Campbell, 27, was the Stars’ first round pick, 11th overall, in 2010, but played only one game in six years with Dallas ... L.A. is said to be shopping forward Tyler Toffoli, a pending unrestricted free agent, but his $4.6-million cap hit might be complicating things.

Toronto Star LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160122 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs forward William Nylander expected the offence to come this season but he’s still waiting

Mark Zwolinski

Mon., Nov. 4, 2019

William Nylander essentially promised himself and the hockey world that he would be a dominating player this season. So Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings will be interesting for Nylander watchers.

The talented Leafs winger did not have a game that he was proud of Saturday night before Toronto’s marathon shootout with the Flyers. He was not on the ice for a pair of shifts in the third period, nor was he paired with Auston Matthews to start the overtime. Head coach Mike Babcock instead opted for Kasperi Kapanen, who was having one of his best games of the season.

Nylander seems to have filled the role Nazem Kadri had for much of his 10 seasons in Toronto — a player who can spark an entire spectrum of opinion when there is any change in his play, particularly on the negative side. He expects the points to start coming.

“Except for last game, I feel like I’ve been creating a lot of chances and getting a lot of shots. I have to keep going in that direction,” Nylander said Monday.

Expectations remain high for Nylander, even if he places them on himself and remains his harshest critic when he doesn’t meet them. He opened the season with points in his first five games but has managed just a goal and three assists in his last 10.

That lull was not supposed to happen for the 23-year-old. He managed just seven goals and 27 points in 54 games last season but his troubles were attributed to the delay in his season getting started due to a contract impasse. He rebounded to lead the world hockey championship in scoring, with 18 points in eight games, and he was expected to carry that production into this season while playing regularly with Matthews.

Now his contributions are being called into question again, with a downtick in both his offensive and defensive play of late.

Babcock is concerned with team’s offence and two-way play, not just that of Nylander.

Toronto Star LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160123 Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs likely to have Tavares and Muzzin back against Kings

By Mark Zwolinski

Mon., Nov. 4, 2019

No one had seen Mike Babcock do this.

The Leafs coach, in plain view of the usual media horde that drops into the dressing room daily, strolled over to John Tavares’s locker and chatted briefly with his top-line centre. The topic was obvious.

“What do you think?” Babcock said, when asked about the chat.

The coach was checking in on Tavares, who has been out since mid- October with a broken finger, and gauging the player’s opinion on whether he is ready to return to the lineup..

“He still has to get cleared by the medical people,” Babcock said. “The bottom line is, regardless of whether you get cleared you gotta feel good about playing.”

Tavares took care of that detail, saying he hopes to play Tuesday.

John Tavares, right, and Jake Muzzin are likely to be back in the lineup for the Leafs on Tuesday night when they face the Los Angeles Kings.

“Over the last couple of days, we’ve made some really good progress,” he said. “I feel pretty good and would like to be in (Tuesday’s lineup). Just cover our bases and hopefully that’s the case.”

The visit between coach and star player might have been another sign the coach is anxious to get his lineup settled. Babcock would like a little chemistry and some consistent play from a team near the bottom of the playoff bubble.

The coach will get defenceman Jake Muzzin back Tuesday, but must wait longer for winger Zach Hyman.

The good news? The Leafs practised with every player on the ice Tuesday on his designated line or defensive pairing, –g the first time this season that has happened.

“We believe our defence is going to get better,” Babcock said in discussing Muzzin’s return.“They haven’t played together (enough this season), Defence is a partnership and you all get better with that. We’re still in the process of that.”

Toronto Star LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160124 Toronto Maple Leafs It’s not a fun time to be a player wearing the Los Angeles uniform, not with the days of the Stanley Cup wins in 2012 and 2014 little more than faded memories. Since winning the Cup in 2014, the Kings have made the playoffs twice, in 2016 and 2018, losing in the first round both years. Leafs' Spezza on roster spot: 'It's a different challenge, but nobody is better than the game' The best days of captain Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Dustin Brown and Ilya Kovalchuk, as well as goaltender Jonathan Quick, are behind them.

There’s hope with new coach Todd McLellan, in his first season behind Terry Koshan the Los Angeles bench, but it could be a while before the Kings make a post-season impact. Published:November 4, 2019 “I see a lot of different faces now,” ex-King Jake Muzzin said. “I see a lot Updated:November 4, 2019 7:48 PM EST of good things, a lot of good players, and a lot of good people over there. That’s what I see.”

One of the reasons the Maple Leafs signed Jason Spezza in the summer Said Leafs coach Mike Babcock: “L.A. is a franchise that has had a lot of was to be a voice of reason in the dressing room. success and a lot of those players there have had a lot of success, so that is quite a bit different than (the Leafs). They have Stanley Cup No surprise, then, that Spezza is taking a philosophical approach to his champions in that room and good players, so I think that is a real positive situation. for them. Mac is a real good coach and will continue to be. They will get it going the way they want.” Already bound to be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings with centre John Tavares expected back from a broken LOOSE LEAFS finger, Spezza’s future with the team will be further cloudy with the coming return of winger Zach Hyman. The exchange between Muzzin and a reporter on Monday when Muzzin was asked if ex-teammate Drew Doughty, among the best trash-talkers “It’s something that … I think I’m fortunate to be here playing still,” the 36- in the NHL, could rattle him: “Drew can’t get under my skin,” Muzzin said. year-old Spezza said after practice on Monday. When the reporter said he would inform Doughty, Muzzin responded: “Go for it.” … Leafs prospects Nick Robertson and Semyon Der-Arguchintsev “I’m really lucky to still be playing hockey at this point. It’s a different continue to make a rather large dent in the Ontario Hockey League for challenge, but nobody is better than the game. the Peterborough Petes, as they figured they would upon being returned “So this is what the game has handed me right now. I want to keep to junior in September. Robertson has seven goals in his past four playing, so I’m going to work and do whatever I can. That’s my approach. games to give him 19 in 16 games to tie for the OHL lead, while Der- The game is pretty special and I’m pretty lucky to be playing it. If this is Arguchintsev has at least one assist in his past seven games and has 22 the lot I have been dealt, I’m going to try to do well with it.” in total, second in the OHL … The Ford Performance Centre was a busy spot on Monday morning, with the Leafs, Kings and Toronto Marlies Spezza, who scored his first goal with the Leafs in Philadelphia on practising simultaneously on three different rinks. Saturday, realized a dream when he put his signature on a one-year deal, for the NHL minimum of $700,000, with the Leafs on July 1. LOADED: 11.05.2019

But newcomer Nick Shore and a rejuvenated Frederik Gauthier solidified spots on the Leafs’ depth chart ahead of Spezza, long a respected student of the game.

“When you’re young, you work to get better, and when you’re old, you work to stay the same,” Spezza said, referring to a high level. “You’re trying to slow down the curve. So I put a lot of effort into my pre-game preparation.”

PROPER APPROACH

Credit Hyman for his patience, not only in his determination in working back from a knee injury, but with the inquiring minds who want to know on a daily basis when exactly it is that he will play again.

Hyman has been a good sport about it, not just as his return is around the corner, but at any time he has spent with the media during the months-long rehabilitation.

“I always have a date in mind — it’s the next game,” Hyman said with a smile. “It’s a process, have to respect it. I have gone through much work to get to this point right now that I have to be ready.

“It’s not like you magically get better one day. Our medical team, they protect you from yourself a lot of the times, which is important, because as an athlete you always want to be out there and always want to be helping your team and you always think that you can.

“I can tell you I’m pretty close.”

Hyman has held nothing back in recent practices, nor have his teammates.

“In a game, I’m a guy who probably gets hit more than anybody,” Hyman said. “I have to be ready to take that contact. I have been taking it in practice. I have been telling guys to lean on me and really push on me because that makes you stronger. All of that has gone really well. I have not had any issues.”

FIT FOR KINGS

Unwilling to supply any bulletin-board material, perhaps, the Leafs danced around the situation the Kings find themselves in. 1160125 Toronto Maple Leafs

Tavares assures media, coach that taking extra time was beneficial for injury

Terry Koshan

Published:November 4, 2019

Updated:November 4, 2019 6:53 PM EST

Not often does Mike Babcock pop into the Maple Leafs dressing room during media availability after practice and make a beeline straight to one player.

Like, never.

The Leafs coach broke his own protocol on Monday, interrupting an interview with John Tavares and taking a seat beside the captain before moving to his usual spot against the back wall in the room and taking questions from reporters.

Turns out Babcock wanted to know the same thing the scribes were asking.

Does Tavares think he will play against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday after missing seven games with a broken right index finger?

“Basically he is feeling good, still has to get cleared by the medical people,” Babcock said. “You have to feel good enough to play. That’s what we were discussing so I would have an answer. I have no answers.”

Tavares was optimistic, saying the extra time he took — we all figured, as did Tavares, that he would have played in Philadelphia on Saturday — was beneficial.

“There’s more really good progress, we are getting some more strength back in the way it’s feeling,” Tavares said. “I think we made a really good call on Saturday to be patient and I think there’s a good chance it sets me up for tomorrow and the rest of this week.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160126 Toronto Maple Leafs nuances of one another, you form a partnership that makes you all better. We’re still in the early process of that.”

For Babcock, Muzzin has not only made a fine transition to the East, but Muzzin, a hit in Babcock's eyes, set to return for Leafs against Kings after to the Leafs on the ice and off. brief absence “He is way more comfortable now,” Babcock said. “Initially, he was just fitting in and getting involved.

Terry Koshan “Jake is a really good man, has really good confidence, him and (Zach) Hyman are a lot alike that way. They got real confidence in their own Published:November 4, 2019 ability, they’re men, they’re doing it the right way whether I’m watching them or not. They don’t need anybody watching them. They are just Updated:November 4, 2019 6:48 PM EST going about their business and doing it right. I think (Muzzin’s) an important leader for us that way.”

Funny thing about what Jake Muzzin likes most about playing in the Toronto Sun LOADED: 11.05.2019 Eastern Conference after years of slamming his body around, and getting slammed, out west.

“I’m not getting hit as much, so that was a nice adjustment,” the Maple Leafs veteran said on Monday after practice at the Ford Performance Centre.

“Another (difference) is that there are some really good skilled players, I find, in the East. I’m not taking anything away from the West, still some really good skilled players, but I feel like some of the individual skill in the East is more relevant.”

Muzzin might be getting hit less than he was during eight seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, but it was a hit administered by Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson in a game last Tuesday that knocked the Leafs defenceman out of the lineup with a charley horse.

After missing the Leafs’ shootout win in Philadelphia against the Flyers on Saturday, Muzzin practised with usual partner Tyson Barrie and indicated he will return to the lineup on Tuesday to face the Kings for the first time in his National Hockey League career.

Of the hit that put him on the sideline — Wilson, who has a long rap sheet in the NHL and took a healthy (and unpenalized) run at Muzzin — the 30-year-old Toronto defender offered little.

“It’s just a part of hockey,” Muzzin said, making it clear he had little else to discuss about the actual contact. “I was not too worried about any knee issues or anything like that. It was just how bad was the charley (horse) going to be. We’re all right though now.”

Muzzin developed into a crucial performer for Los Angeles after making his NHL debut with the Kings during the 2010-11 season, helping L.A. win the Stanley Cup in 2014.

How about going up against the Kings for the first time? Does Muzzin, acquired by the Leafs last January, expect to have a bit of a tough experience emotionally?

“I don’t know,” Muzzin said. “We will find out. It’s my first one. Right now it seems kind of funny, but maybe when it comes time it will be a little difficult.”

Leafs captain John Tavares, expected back after suffering a broken right index finger against Washington on Oct. 16, knows the feeling. Tavares endured plenty of emotions last season when he faced the New York Islanders, though the experience was just a little more harsh for Tavares, considering he departed New York as a free agent and left an angry mob of Islanders fans in his wake.

“It’s a little odd,” Tavares said of the initial meeting. “You try to treat it like any other game, but there is some differences and a lot of emotions, a lot of memories that come through, especially when it’s a team he spent a lot of time with

“I’m sure he will have a lot of mixed emotions. Won a Cup there. A few shifts under the belt, you start to feel a lot better.”

Above all else for the Leafs, Muzzin’s return should give the club a greater opportunity to get more in line defensively.

With Muzzin back and Travis Dermott playing in his third game after recovering from shoulder surgery, Leafs coach Mike Babcock will have the full defence corps at his disposal.

“We believe that our defence is going to get better and better — basically none of (the pairs) have ever played together (before this season),” Babcock said. “As you get better and you talk to each other and learn the 1160127 Toronto Maple Leafs “E-literate … why would they name something like that for someone who can’t read or write?,” Shack roared.

Reid kidded that he lost about 5,000 words from the text once he edited Eddie Shack has advice for today's Maple Leafs out Shack’s many expletives following their interviews. The book has many intimate family photos from Eddie’s wife Norma and tales of him defying his mother at age 11 to hitchhike 10 miles in morning darkness to Copper Cliff and play for a local team. He lied about his age at 13 to get Lance Hornby a driver’s license, which he promptly lost drag racing on Highway 17. Published:November 4, 2019 Shack also reveals his pride in having a gay son.

Updated:November 4, 2019 6:38 PM EST The money Shack didn’t earn in hockey — Shack was part of the 1990s group that pursued the league for lost pension money — he regained with a strong business acumen in everything from Christmas trees to shavers to soda pop. He must look at the far greater endorsement On a Maple Leafs team far removed from the era, Eddie income of a Marner or Matthews with envy, but says he still watches the Shack can’t teach Auston Matthews to shoot, Mitch Marner to fight, or Leafs and the NHL intently. Morgan Rielly to wrap up foes in the Tim Horton Hug. “What are you going to do at my age but watch hockey,” he laughed. “It’s But as frustrated as he is watching Toronto’s title drought go beyond 50 different than when we played, but it’s still good hockey. years, there’s a trait he thinks can transcend his lunch-pail Leafs to the mega-millionaires now in blue and white. “When I played, it was so easy to recognize people because they didn’t wear helmets. I have to go by the numbers.” “Togetherness,” the 82-year-old Shack said Monday at the Steelcase Grill House where fellow NHL Oldtimers toasted his new coffee-table SHACK STILL NOSE PROMOTION book. “You protected each other because you’re not perfect. If someone gets into a fight, everyone gets into a fight. If something happened, you At 82, Eddie Shack hasn’t lost his proboscis for promotion. get in trouble away from the ice, you stick behind the person. The man behind the Pop Shoppe commercials in the 1970s, a staple of “If No. 34 (Matthews) was the captain, if he did something that wasn’t Canadian TV with dozens of other money-making ventures, managed to right, had a couple of cocktails, got aggravated (a case now playing out empty giant cartons of his new book on Monday at an event, while raising in court in Scottsdale, Ariz.,) that’s what you did for him.” money for charity by auctioning off his omnipresent cowboy hat. He still gleefully plays off his Leafs fame, large nose and “not being the sharpest Shack said there was little choice for teams other than to bond in an knife in the drawer.” austere NHL. “When you’re this stupid, you can’t lie,” Shack said of just being himself “There was no money (to fall back on). Yeah, we drank much more than in front of the camera. “I used to do commercials with (late Toronto Sun the kids now, went to a bar and played bulls**t poker. But if we had a columnist) Paul Rimstead for Rough and Ready garbage bags. No problem, we solved it right there. We weren’t in good shape as today, but practice runs with Paul, but he used to put words in the script he knew I we also stayed on the ice three minutes sometimes. We had a lot of fun. couldn’t say. If Johnny Bower let one in short-side, we’d said ‘Hey, that’s a minor- league goal, you’re being sent down.’ Hell, I’d get sent down for “The thing I would like to do now, because I have battled prostrate cancer misbehaving. and I’m doing the Movember moustache thing, is a commercial for adult diapers. A lot of guys who wear them are embarrassed. Well I’m not. “But with the Leafs and Canadiens, it was ‘Hey s**thead, you gotta win Then I could say ‘I have a nose for value and these diapers are the best.’ that Cup.’” Wouldn’t that be great?”

Shack, like and others, has come back into the Leafs’ orbit Toronto Sun LOADED: 11.05.2019 after many in the 1960s dynasty felt alienated, first by Harold Ballard and then years of failed rebuilds.

But that only made their stars shine brighter among nostalgic fans. No one could forget Shack, ‘The Entertainer’, who fought the toughest hombres on other teams or at least knocked ’em down and gave ‘em a whack, like the lyrics in a 1966 hit single Clear The Track by Douglas Rankine With The Secrets. The novelty song was No. 1 in Toronto until Nancy Sinatra bumped it with These Boots Are Made For Walking.

There was the famous shot of Shack jumping Gerry Ehman of the Seals when he was with Buffalo and video of him eluding Battleship Bob Kelly and the Plager brothers who wanted to kill him one night at the Gardens in 1974 during his second incarnation as a Leaf.

“I can skate faster backwards than you bastards can forwards,” Shack chirped at the brothers to set them off.

“The fans used to get us going more than today,” he observed. “If I wasn’t playing, my dad would stand up across from the Leafs bench and start yelling ‘We Want Shack!’ Then I’d stand up on the end on the bench on my side and start the cheer, too. But Ballard would yell at me ‘If they want you so bad, go up and sit with them and shut up.’”

His book, with author/sportscaster Ken Reid, is subtitled Hockey’s Most Entertaining Stories and comes with an unusual proviso.

“I haven’t read it,” laughed Shack, still unashamed of his lack of comprehension after giving up on school while a lad in Sudbury. “People who read it like it. I want to hear what and Wayne Gretzky said about me.”

His dad, a crane operator for Inco, also had a learning disability. Though he eventually learned to write after sometimes giving autographs just marked ‘X’, former teammates still razz him about his reading problem. Bob Baun would taunt him during games after Shack was traded, shouting ‘C-A-T’ at him. 1160128 Toronto Maple Leafs On some nights, it looks like Doughty is trying to do it all himself. There’s probably some truth to that. Only Anze Kopitar has more points than Doughty and no one on the team has more goals. If he’s not scoring, no one really is. The problem is that his offence has come at a cost. TRAIKOS: L.A. Kings' Drew Doughty done talking about other teams, focusing on winning Doughty, who was a team-worst minus-34 last season, has a minus-7 that ranks second-last on the Kings.

“I’m not trying to do more offensively,” he said. “Yeah, I want to get more Michael Traikos points, I’m never happy that I’m never in the top 10 in points in the league for D-men. It’s happened a few times, but not often enough. Part of it for Published:November 4, 2019 sure is the system. I’m able to get up more and get more points … I just Updated:November 4, 2019 4:42 PM EST want to stop being on the ice for goals. That’s all I’m thinking about now.”

Well, that and the Leafs. He can’t help it. This is the team that he grew up watching and the team that his friends back home still cheer for. He gets Drew Doughty had something to say. He just didn’t know if he should say up for these games — sometimes a little too much. it. The last time Doughty was in Toronto, he had a minus-2 rating in a 4-1 After all, he was in Canada again. loss.

It’s a country where the London, Ont., native has lately become Public “I love coming here,” he said. “Last year, I kind of played like s— and I Enemy No. 1. He’s been long hated in Calgary for his ongoing rivalry with was probably too amped-up for the game and knowing that I was going Matthew Tkachuk. And, lately, he’s despised in Vancouver, where his to have a matchup with (Auston) Matthews.” comments about the Canucks following an 8-2 loss to “a team like that” made its way on to T-shirts. So what does he think about this year’s Leafs? Are they getting closer to winning a championship? But it’s in Toronto where Doughty’s words seem to hit the biggest nerves. “I wouldn’t say that,” said Doughty. “I know that they have a really good Two years ago, the Los Angeles Kings defenceman caused a stir when roster, but a lot of teams have good rosters in this league. I don’t think he told reporters that the Leafs wouldn’t win a championship because the that they’re in first place in the East, are they, so that means there’s team didn’t play defence. A year later, when asked if the acquisition of some better teams right now, just judging off the standings.” John Tavares brought Toronto closer to a Stanley Cup, he jokingly replied: “You have to have good defence to win championships, but I Doughty stopped there. After all, Los Angeles isn’t one of those teams guess when you’re scoring seven goals a game … you can win games that are better. that way, too.” WE MEET AGAIN He wasn’t wrong, exactly. Normally, Doughty would be the first one to rub Drew Doughty will be facing Jake Muzzin for the first time since his in the fact that the Leafs — with all that firepower and all that money tied former teammate was traded from Los Angeles to Toronto. And while the up into their top players — have not only suffered back-to-back-to-back two remain close friends who golf together in the summer, Doughty isn’t first-round losses, but are also barely hanging on to the final wild-card expecting any favours on Tuesday. spot in the East. “You have to have your head up when you’re rushing the puck, because That is, if the team Doughty played for wasn’t currently in an even worse he can throw some big hits,” said Doughty, who added that the Kings position. miss the towering defenceman. “I was in Vancouver and guys twisted my words. I’m just done with it, to “We lost a veteran presence, a big two-way guy who can play both ways be honest,” he said of talking about the Leafs — or any team for that on the special teams. But here in Toronto, he’s become more of a matter. “I just want to play and win games.” defensive guy and he does a really good job of that — shutting down the For Doughty, that’s becoming harder and harder these days. While the other team’s best players.” Leafs are playing below expectations, the 13th-place Kings are where When asked for his thoughts on Toronto’s revamped defence, Doughty everyone pretty much expected they would be after finishing with the was complimentary, even if he was a bit out of the loop. second-worst record in the NHL last year. “Honestly, I’m not sure because I haven’t even watched a game of theirs It’s not easy to talk trash when you’re constantly getting your teeth kicked this year,” he said. “I’m not even sure who’s in their top-six or -seven. I in. And for Doughty and the Kings, it’s a feeling that doesn’t look like will know they got (Tyson) Barrie and (Morgan) Rielly and Muzz, obviously. I change any time soon — even though Doughty doesn’t sound like he know they got (Cody) Ceci too, so they’ve got some good veteran guys completely believes it. for sure. They can all really play, so I’m sure they’re doing great.” “We’re feeling all right,” he said. “Obviously, we’d like to be in a better Toronto Sun LOADED: 11.05.2019 spot, we’d like to have won more games. At the same time, there’s some games that we could have won that we blew in the third period … when we execute our system, we can play really good hockey and play with the best teams in the league.”

This isn’t the same Kings team that won two championships in 2012 and 2014. Since then, they haven’t even reached the second round. Now it doesn’t even look like they will make the playoffs.

Old and slow with too many bloated contracts and too many players well past their prime, Los Angeles has long been due for a painful rebuild. It’s a position that Doughty didn’t expect to be in when he re-signed for eight years and $88 million. Based on his play — he has four goals and 10 points, with two game-winners, in 14 games — it doesn’t look like he fully accepts it either.

“Drew’s been a very good player for us,” said head coach Todd McLellan. “He’s pressing to be perfect and that’s hard to be in this league. But he’s a proud player and wants to improve in every facet.

“I’m sure he also understands where we’re at in the evolution of our team. Some nights are tougher than others. And he still seems to get the job done.” 1160129 Toronto Maple Leafs

Muzzin fit for Kings, Tavares' status to be determined for Leafs' next game on Tuesday

Terry Koshan

Published:November 4, 2019

Updated:November 4, 2019 2:01 PM EST

Jake Muzzin will play against his former National Hockey League club on Tuesday.

John Tavares wants nothing more than to join Muzzin and the rest of his teammates when the Maple Leafs welcome the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Arena.

Muzzin is good to go after suffering a charley horse last Tuesday against the Washington Capitals, while Tavares, finally, looks ready to return after missing seven games with a broken finger. Toronto has gone 3-2-2 without their captain in the lineup.

“Over the last couple of days, I have made some more really good progress,” Tavares said. “I still have talk to the medical staff after today, but I feel pretty good and would like to be in tomorrow. We’ll cover our bases and hopefully that is the case.”

The game will mark the first time the Leafs have played the Kings since acquiring Muzzin from Los Angeles last January. Muzzin played in 496 games with the Kings during eight seasons, helping the club win the Stanley Cup in 2014.

“I’ve never done that,” Muzzin said of facing a former team. “It will be a little different, but it will be fun.

“Right now it seems kind of funny, but maybe when it comes time it will be a little difficult, I don’t know.”

Muzzin did not play in the Leafs’ 4-3 shootout win in Philadelphia against the Flyers on Saturday as he recovered from the charley horse.

What did Muzzin think of the hit from Capitals forward Tom Wilson, who took a healthy run at the Leafs defenceman and managed to escape without a penalty?

“It’s just a part of hockey,” Muzzin said, clearly not interesting in going any further.

“I was not too worried about any knee issues or anything like that. It was just how bad was the charley (horse) going to be. We’re all right though now.”

Tavares centred Trevor Moore and Mitch Marner at practice, while Muzzin was with regular partner Tyson Barrie, knocking Martin Marincin out of the top six.

Tavares’ imminent return means Jason Spezza, who scored his first goal as a Leaf in Philadelphia, likely will again be a healthy scratch. Spezza has been scratched in six of the Leafs’ first 15 games.

Spezza could be a roster casualty once winger Zach Hyman returns from knee surgery, which could happen at some point this week.

“It’s something that … I’m fortunate to be here playing still,” the 36-year- old Spezza said. “I’m really lucky to still be playing hockey at this point. It’s a different challenge but nobody is better than the game.

“This is what the game has handed me right now. I want to keep playing, so I’m going to work and do whatever I can. That’s my approach. The game is pretty special and I’m pretty lucky to be playing it. If this is the lot I have been dealt, I’m going to try to do well with it.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160130 Toronto Maple Leafs — With files from Terry Koshan Toronto Sun LOADED: 11.05.2019

'HAPPY BIRTHDAY KADE': Leafs give massive love to young fan with birthday blues

Jane Stevenson

Published:November 4, 2019

Updated:November 4, 2019 7:21 PM EST

Toronto Maple Leafs fan Kade Foster’s 11th birthday present will be tough to beat.

The Leafs reached out to the Corner Brook, N.L., boy and his family to arrange a flight for them to come to Toronto this weekend to see the Leafs play the Flyers on Saturday night.

And it’s all due to Kade’s father and the sometimes positive power of social media.

My son Kade had his 11th birthday party last night. None of his invited friends came. That hurt. I’m asking my Twitter friends to show him some love today. If you have a minute, please send him a birthday wish. @Marner93 @91Tavares @MapleLeafs #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/kn0vP1l6z8

— Jason Foster (@NLWildlife) November 3, 2019

Kade’s dad, Jason Foster, tweeted on Saturday that none of Kade’s invited friends had shown up at his birthday party on Friday adding: “That hurt. I’m asking my Twitter friends to show him some love today. If you have a minute, please send him a birthday wish.”

And boy did they — ever.

By Monday morning everyone from Leafs forwards John Tavares and Mitch Marner — who were tagged in the tweet along with the Toronto hockey team — to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had weighed in with birthday greetings for Kade.

“Wanted to wish my friend Kade a Happy 11th Birthday!” tweeted Marner. “Your friends from the Maple Leafs have a surprise gift coming your way!”

Tweeted Tavares: “Happy 11th Birthday Kade! All your friends on the team look forward to celebrating with you. I’m hearing it’s going to be quite the surprise.”

Birthday wishes also came from actors Mark Hamill, Ben Stiller and Zach Braff, Buffy The Vampire Slayer creator Josh Whedon, CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

“I couldn’t imagine being in his shoes, being a kid,” said Tavares, after all the birthday wishes were tweeted out. “There is nothing like your birthday to celebrate with your friends and just have a party and a day that is about you and something that you want to do and have some fun.

“No one shows up and you don’t get to do that,” he added. “I couldn’t imagine the impact that would make on an 11-year-old kid.”

Speaking about how players answered the initial tweet, Leafs Coach Mike Babcock stressed that they should step up when provided the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.

“It’s part of your job with the notoriety you are given, the opportunity you are given is to be a good person and not just when people or cameras are watching,” added Babcock. “But be a good person all the time.”

Later, Jason Foster tweeted: “We can’t comprehend what has happened today. Kade and the rest of us are just amazed. To EVERYONE who sent Kade a message – thank you from the bottom of our hearts. He is an amazing son and he will never forget this day.”

The original tweet by Jason Foster, which showed Kade wearing a Maple Leafs jersey in front of a Maple Leafs decorated cake, had more than 42,000 replies, close to 20,000 retweets and over 138,000 likes by Monday.

“Happy birthday Kade! Love the cake,” tweeted the Leafs. 1160131 Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday will be the first of two meetings between the clubs, Muzzin no doubt also looking forward to the game in California on March 5.

AW, SHOOT Maple Leafs need to clean up their act The longest shootout in Leafs history was marked by some unflappable goaltending by Frederik Andersen (just his second win in 11 tiebeakers as a Leaf), bad ice that saw pucks skip away from marksmen on both Lance Hornby teams, and some comedy on the benches as the OT dragged on. The Leafs’ first-time shooters in an NHL setting included Dmytro Timashov, Published:November 3, 2019 Ilya Mikheyev and game-winner Andreas Johnsson. Updated:November 3, 2019 6:45 PM EST “We started asking (who wanted to go next) and guys were doing YouTube review to see who actually scored in the minors,” joked Babcock. “We have a pretty good list, but as time went on, you’re starting At a glance, the Maple Leafs’ 17 points are just three behind their 15- to wonder.” game pace from last season. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Kasperi Kapanen But you don’t need a Sherlock Holmes-sized magnifying glass to find all had the first crack for the Leafs, followed by Morgan Rielly, Tyson clues that all is not what it seems in 2019. Barrie and Alex Kerfoot.

The latest twist is Mike Babcock’s regimented system being undermined BOWEN GOIN’ BACK IN by penalties, including bench minors, that add stress to a penalty kill that is bottom 10 in the NHL. Meanwhile, the predicted fireworks of a grand Leafs radio voice Joe Bowen’s goaltender son David is back in major power play don’t happen nearly enough and have dragged that unit to the junior with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. After debuting in Sudbury with lower half in the league. his father’s hometown Wolves a couple of years ago, young Bowen was squeezed out of the crease picture and has been playing for the Rayside In the bigger picture, the combined special teams mystery has Balfour in Tier II NOJHL. The 6-foot-2 David, who turns 19 contributed to five one-goal losses, the most in the Eastern Conference this month, made his first QMJHL relief appearance Friday night. The before Sunday’s games. Shorthanded 13 times the past two games, the elder Bowen played goal growing up. Leafs are now sixth highest overall in that unflattering category with almost four penalties a night. LOOSE LEAFS

“We’ve talked about this, right?,” an irked Babcock said after Saturday’s After the whole Matthews line looked soft on the Flyers’ go-ahead goal in narrow escape in Philadelphia, an 11-round shootout win. “I thought we the third period, Nylander was kept out a couple of shifts … Tuesday will started really good (the Flyers managed just two weak shots through be Barrie’s 500th NHL game … With seven goals and 12 points, Marlies most of the first period), we took three penalties in a row and got off forward Pontus Aberg was in a tie for seventh in AHL scoring as of kilter, on our heels. We didn’t get our game back. Sunday … Former NHL winger Dean Prentice, who played 22 years with Rangers, Bruins, Red Wings, Penguin and has “You have to play longer and harder than the other team and we didn’t do passed away at 87. Pre-deceased by brother Eric, the youngest Leaf that, but got ourselves a win. We’re set up for a good week here (three ever signed at age 17 during the war in 1944. well-spaced home games). We have to take some (corrective) steps, the guys know that, I know that.” Toronto Sun LOADED: 11.05.2019

Precious healing time might do much of the work for the Leafs. John Tavares should be back to face the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday after being away three weeks with a broken finger, Jake Muzzin skipped a game with a bruised leg, and this could finally be the week Zach Hyman is cleared from spring knee surgery.

That will lead to a few roster/salary cap machinations on the part of general manager , but the good news is this should be the first time the whole team, new blood included, is together.

SPEZZ DISPENSER

After realizing a childhood dream of scoring a big goal for the Leafs, it remains to be seen what Jason Spezza’s future in the lineup will be.

Plugged in due to the Tavares injury, the 36-year-old has managed as a third-line centre, making it through unexpected back-to-back appearances. He took two penalties against the Flyers on Saturday, though one was an iffy call, added an assist, scored one of Toronto’s two shootout goals, and won three of five draws.

“My game’s coming around,” Spezza said. “You have to stay ready. There’s a little less frequency than you’re used to, but it’s important.”

But despite saying at camp that he wanted to be club’s “Swiss Army Knife,” Spezza appears to still have some convincing to do where the demanding Babcock is concerned.

“Spezza’s trying to help out any way he can,” the coach said. “Sometimes he’s a fourth-line guy, sometimes he’s scratched. Why the heck would he come to the rink? He loves hockey, loves being with the guys.”

FIT FOR THE KINGS?

Maybe, just maybe, Muzzin taking a game off to recover from his injury had to do with wanting to be 100% to face his old team for the first time in Tuesday.

Muzzin played almost seven full seasons with L.A., more than 500 games counting the playoffs, and was on its 2014 Stanley Cup team. 1160132 Toronto Maple Leafs Well, the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning didn’t have a forward over the 20-minute average last season; Nikita Kucherov was right there at 19:58 a game, followed by Brayden Point hovering just under 19 minutes. Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm were right Monday Morning Leafs Report: Who’s playing more this season, John around 20 per game for second-overall Calgary. The Bruins were topped Tavares’ final hurdles, Mitch Marner’s October up front by Brad Marchand at 19:37 a game.

Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak were in the 18-19 minute range.

By Jonas Siegel Nov 4, 2019 In other words, Babcock has a point.

Tavares’ broken finger

The Monday Morning Leafs Report is a weekly collection of quotes, Tavares didn’t end up returning from a broken right index finger against observations, stats, and notes. Stay tuned each week! the Flyers. He offered a window into the “final hurdles” of his short comeback last week, describing it as a matter of regaining strength in the Morgan Rielly has eaten up 30 minutes or more only three times in his injured finger. “I have it protected pretty well, so shooting’s pretty good,” NHL career with the Maple Leafs. Tavares said. “I think a lot of the competitiveness, and getting in tight, Two came just last week, both with the Leafs missing Jake Muzzin. Rielly creating space, pushing off guys, being along the boards, things like that logged 30:05 Saturday in Philadelphia and a career-high 33:16 last are going to be the final hurdles that I’ll have to feel comfortable with.” Tuesday night against Washington. Tavares has worked with the Leafs’ equipment staff to add extra On the season, he’s averaging 25:42 per game, trailing only Ottawa protection to his right glove to minimize the possibility of further damage. Senators young stud Thomas Chabot (26:29) and San Jose Sharks Tavares wants to ensure his right index finger is strong enough to handle survivorman Brent Burns (26:15). Last season, Rielly was tied for 29th in competition down low. (Nick Turchiaro / USA Today) the NHL in ice time at 23:07 a game. Dave Hakstol vs. D.J. Smith Who else on the Leafs has seen a noticeable change in ice time this season? One possible overlooked aspect of the Leafs’ mild start to the season is the integration of so many new players. Barrie’s bumpy adjustment is Let’s start on defence, where the biggest riser outside of Rielly is Justin probably on the extreme end, given how long he played in Colorado, but Holl, who’s been one of the more positive early season stories for the it speaks to the challenge of not only joining a new team but forming a Leafs: new life in a new place. Is it likely that Rielly keeps up this pace? Probably not. Though even The list of other players in their first year with the club includes Ceci, before the pair of 30-minute outings last week, the 25-year-old was Kerfoot, Ilya Mikheyev, Nick Shore and Jason Spezza. seeing more minutes than last season. That seemed to be a byproduct of the Leafs using 19-year-old Rasmus Sandin, as well as veteran The Leafs also have two new assistant coaches in Paul McFarland and stopgaps, Martin Marincin and Kevin Gravel, on the left side of the third Dave Hakstol, the latter a former Flyers coach, who replaced D.J. Smith pair until Travis Dermott returned from offseason shoulder surgery. and is now responsible for Toronto’s defence and penalty kill.

Dermott will undoubtedly see his minutes rise once he gets back to What’s different about Hakstol and Smith? normal following a long layoff. He played only 12 minutes against the Flyers. “I think that Dave, he’s got a couple different wrinkles in our defensive game plan, whether it be on the PK or in the D-zone,” Holl said of Sitting out Saturday’s game for personal reasons, after leaving the Hakstol, who played defence in the International Hockey League before Capitals game with a charley horse injury, Muzzin is grabbing only a running the hockey program at the University of North Dakota for 15 slightly bigger chunk of the pie from the 21:02 he averaged over 30 years. “I thought D.J. was a great coach, and I think Dave’s a great games with the Leafs following a midseason trade from the Los Angeles coach, but there are some different things that we’re doing.” Kings. Such as? Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci are seeing about the same opportunity as last season in Colorado and Ottawa, respectively. “Maybe more of an emphasis on early takes, even if it’s an odd-man rush,” Holl said. Here’s the situation up front: This means cutting off the puck carrier before the opportunity for a three- The big early risers include Trevor Moore, who’s been bouncing around on-two rush even develops. the lineup with Zach Hyman sidelined; Andreas Johnsson, now a full-time member of a top line; and Frederik Gauthier, who’s unexpectedly “That’s always been an emphasis, but now more than ever that’s what launched himself into the Mike Babcock circle of trust at age 24. we try to do,” Holl explained. “And then there’s just different positioning things on the PK as well.” Auston Matthews is inching closer to 20 minutes a game, sitting just outside the top 25 NHL forwards right now after lurking outside the top 60 Holl describes Smith, the current Ottawa Senators coach, as a “big last season. He’s averaged 20:34 per game in the seven games that personality” who was “always goofing around, chirping guys in the locker John Tavares has sat out so far with a broken finger. room.” Hakstol is a “little more reserved,” but, “a great guy as well.”

Also notable: William Nylander climbing back up the ladder after October wobbling around in third-line duty last season, following the contract This was interesting from Babcock in regards to the Leafs’ October dispute that cost him the first two months of the season. performance (6-5-3 record, +1 goal differential): “I’d like us to be better. Stars’ ice time In saying all that though, when we made all the (changes) this summer I don’t think I’m surprised. That doesn’t mean you plan for that. You It seems likely that Matthews and Tavares will end up right around 19 always plan like you’re going to win every day. That’s what you do — and minutes on average by the time the season is done. try to get better. And I think we’ve gotten a lot better, (but) we’re not where we need to be. We need to get healthy. We need to get to playing Babcock explained his philosophy for handling their minutes during a at a high level. I think our schedule’s set up good for us now, I really do. one-on-one with The Athletic in late September: And so now we gotta get some traction. We gotta know what we are, we “Well, you know what’s interesting about ice time, because there’s three gotta know what we hang our hat on.” or four guys in the league that people pick and they say you want to play What can they hang their hat on, he was asked. his minutes. But then when I look at the team that got all the points, I look at them, they manage their ice time. Why? Because they have depth and “Nothing. We’re still trying to figure it out,” Babcock said, before adding, they can.” “We gotta find a game that we can bottle, or that’s our formula, that we can say this is what we do and do it every day. So when we say, ‘This is Is that true? what we do,’ we know what we do.” Marner in October The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019

Not a lot of difference between Marner of October 2018 and Marner of October 2019. Most notable, those five-on-five points:

Faceoffs

One thing that’s stuck out to new Leaf Alex Kerfoot about the Toronto operation: The Leafs care a lot about winning faceoffs.

“And you see it by how they put out lines and when they play them in certain situations,” Kerfoot said. “I mean, Goat and Shoresy each taking draws on their (strong) sides, they’ve got a lot of confidence in them to win faceoffs. If they’re going out there in the D-zone on their strong sides they’re going to win it most of the time. I’m trying to win as many draws as I can right now. It’s tough in this league.”

Kerfoot lost 9 of 12 draws in Philadelphia. He’s fallen to 46 percent this season. The 25-year-old won a cool 56 percent as a sophomore last season. What helped, he said, was mostly lining up for strong-side draws — the left circle in other words. He doesn’t get that luxury as much with the Leafs, where he usually grabs the scraps left behind by Gauthier and Shore, Matthews (or Nylander), and Tavares.

Kerfoot lists Patrice Bergeron and Ryan O’Reilly among the more difficult (and well-known) to beat.

“I have trouble against righties, more so I would say (than lefties), so going up against Bergeron it’s pretty much like, impossible to win a draw,” Kerfoot said. “But there’s some guys who have good numbers that don’t get the credit that those two guys get. Like, Jordan Staal in Carolina is really good. The guys that they’re big, strong, but they also have got great timing. It’s just hard to win against them.

“There’s guys in this league who are in the league to win faceoffs. Like, that’s their job. So, they’re getting out there and they’re battling hard to win faceoffs.”

The Leafs, Kerfoot stresses, put a lot of emphasis on it.

“We practice them obviously. We do a lot of video. It’s always on the TV before games, just rolling through the other team’s centremen. And then Paul (McFarland) will pull us aside and focus on some things to key in on. And then in-game, if he sees that we’re not doing that well, he’ll bring a couple things up.”

Two-goal games

Matthews has already mustered three two-goal games this season. He’s got 23 for his career. Where does that rank in the NHL in that time span? About where you might expect it to:

Alex Ovechkin: 27

Auston Matthews: 23

Jack Eichel: 20

Nikita Kucherov: 20

Patrik Laine: 20

David Pastrnak: 20

Jeff Skinner: 20

Evander Kane: 19

Patrick Kane: 19

Brad Marchand: 19

The Leafs are 17-1-5 in those games, including 9-0-0 last season and 1- 0-2 mark this season.

Breakaways

Frederik Andersen stopped 10 of 11 shots in the shootout to help the Leafs beat the Flyers on Saturday.

Some breakaway work at practice last week probably didn’t hurt:

Growlers

And finally, a pretty cool moment last week when two current Toronto Marlies, and former Newfoundland Growlers, Hudson Elynuik and Kristians Rubins, were presented with their championship rings by Leafs assistant GM (overseeing the Growlers) Laurence Gilman: 1160133 Vegas Golden Knights

Fleury back, Alex Tuch remains day to day for Golden Knights

By David Schoen

November 4, 2019 - 7:17 am

Updated November 4, 2019 - 12:33 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Right wing Alex Tuch did not travel with the Golden Knights for the start of their four-game road trip and remains day to day with an upper-body injury.

“I heard nothing but positive, but I really haven’t heard a lot, to be honest with you,” coach Gerard Gallant said following practice Monday at Nationwide Arena. “It’s an upper-body, that’s all I’m going to tell you. … He could join us, but he didn’t make the trip.”

Tuch was hurt during the second period of Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to Winnipeg when he appeared to take an elbow to the face from Jets left wing before being driven into the glass.

Gallant declined to confirm whether Tuch was in concussion protocol.

Lowry was not penalized on the play, and the NHL Department of Player Safety did not issue any supplemental discipline to Lowry, who was playing his first game after a two-game suspension for boarding Calgary’s Oliver Kylington.

With Tuch sidelined, the Knights recalled center Nicolas Roy along with defenseman Nic Hague from the American Hockey League on Monday.

Roy made his season debut Oct. 27 against Anaheim and scored his first career NHL goal. He skated at center on the fourth line between William Carrier and Ryan Reaves during practice and is in line to play against Columbus on Tuesday.

Hague has appeared in eight games for the Knights with two assists, though he is expected to be a healthy scratch based on the defense pairs at practice.

The Knights now have the maximum 23 players (14 forwards, seven defensemen, two goalies) on the active roster.

“We called them up; they’re playing real well down in Chicago,” Gallant said. “Obviously with the Tuch injury we brought them up and we’ll see if we’re going to use them.”

Fleury returns

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was a full participant in practice after missing Saturday’s game due to the flu. He is expected to be available for Tuesday’s game, though Gallant did not name a starter.

Fleury said he started to feel poorly after the 5-4 overtime loss against Montreal on Thursday, then woke up Friday and felt the full effects. He was well enough to travel with the team Sunday.

Monday’s practice was the first time he skated in three days.

Fleury has appeared in 13 of the Knights’ 15 games with an 8-3-1 record, 2.51 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.

“It was maybe a rough couple of days, but it felt good to get on the ice,” Fleury said. “It feels like it’s been a while now. It’s good to sweat and move around.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160134 Washington Capitals the number one thing. Are you creating enough scoring chances to score goals? And I think I did that. It was just a matter of capitalizing off my chances, and I think I could have done a better job of that last year. And so, you know, I think I can score more.” At age 30, Capitals center Lars Eller sought to learn to skate again Washington Post LOADED: 11.05.2019

Samantha Pell

November 4, 2019 at 12:23 PM EST

Washington Capitals center Lars Eller has skated the same way for the past 25 years. He has used the same mechanics he has employed during hours and hours of practice since he was little. But during the offseason, Eller decided to change his technique.

Eller has worked with three skating coaches over the past four to five years, incorporating bits and pieces from each into his game. This past summer, he worked with local skating coach Wendy Marco to make more significant adjustments.

The 30-year-old wanted to get his upper body more in sync with his lower body to build up his speed. With a focus on his arms, he worked on his alignment, balance and point of gravity to move better on the ice. With the Capitals’ new system so reliant on skating, Eller wanted to be prepared, but trying to change mechanics he had established •naturally over time is difficult.

“When you’ve skated a certain way for 25 years and you try to change your mechanics in five or six sessions, five or six hours, when you spend 10,000 hours doing something else, then it’s hard,” Eller said. “You have to think about other things on the ice, too.”

Jakub Vrana’s first hat trick is more reason to celebrate for the Capitals

Eller said the tweaks probably aren’t noticeable on television, but he constantly reminds himself of the adjustments while he’s on the ice. More often than not, he’ll look at video of the previous game to see where he can improve his skating. He did a lot of video work in the offseason with Marco to identify the ways he could improve his stride, explosiveness and speed.

Eller, who is in his 11th NHL season, is basically trying to teach himself how to walk again — but in hockey form.

“So far it doesn’t hurt me to think about it,” Eller said. “Sometimes I just watch clips after [games] in case I see, ‘Here, okay, I can do a better job of getting my upper body involved there, the separation.’ … So, yeah, it’s very technical.”

Eller’s work ethic and attention to detail, both with outside coaches and Capitals skills coach Dwayne Blais, made Coach Todd Reirden confident the center would have a strong season.

“He puts the work in and continues to be the perfect guy for us in that third [line],” Reirden said of Eller. “And, you know, when things don’t go well, we move him up, and that is a luxury I definitely have.”

Through 16 games, Eller has 11 points — five goals and six assists.

Last month, he assisted on the winning goals in back-to-back games — against Chicago and Calgary — to open a five-game road trip. Showing his ability to be a utility player, he also filled in for Evgeny Kuznetsov on the second line while the center was serving a three-game suspension to start the season.

“I’m in a good spot in my career,” said Eller, who is in his fourth season with Washington. “Todd has a good amount of faith in me and puts me out in key situations where we have to defend the lead. Or, you know, I get power-play time, and I move up when other guys are injured. So I’m just in a good spot for me. And I enjoy playing for this team and with these players around me, so it’s a good fit for me.”

Eller had 13 goals and 23 assists in 81 games last season. When the team won the Stanley Cup in 2018, he had a career-high 18 goals to go with 20 assists in 81 games. Eller said he thinks he can improve his goal total this season but doesn’t want to put a number on it. So far, he’s focused on team results, which have been positive with the Capitals 8-0- 1 over their past nine games to improve to 11-2-3 overall.

“I think I had all the chances to score, you know, to score more goals and score more than I did,” Eller said of his production last season. “That is 1160135 Washington Capitals

Nationals ride Zamboni shirtless, party with Capitals

By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times - Monday, November 4, 2019

The Washington Nationals are giving the Capitals a run for their money when it comes to celebrating a championship.

The Nationals showed up to Capital One Arena on Sunday to celebrate their World Series title. They were honored on ice before the game, rode shirtless on the ice resurfacer during intermission and partied with the Capitals in the locker room afterward.

Oh, and there was beer, so much beer.

Periodically throughout the Capitals‘ 4-2 win over the Flames, the Nationals would hoist the World Series trophy from their suite. They drew big cheers from the crowd throughout.

The Nationals and Capitals have a close bond. When the Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2018, they spent a day at Nationals Park. Star Alex Ovechkin also threw out the first pitch for the Nationals in the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Washington Times LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160136 Washington Capitals

Jakub Vrana named NHL's second star of the week after scoring five goals in two games

By Julia Karron November 04, 2019 12:30 PM

The Capitals great week just got even better. Second-line winger Jakub Vrana was named the NHL's second star of the week after notching his first career hat trick. The first star was Elias Petterson of the Vancouver Canucks and the third star was Mike Smith of the Edmonton Oilers

⭐⭐ @JVranaa paced the NHL with 5 goals in 3 GP last week, including his first career hat trick on Nov. 3 vs. CGY. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/kmkb3ObTS4

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 4, 2019

Last week, he led the NHL in goals with five and scored six points.

Vrana is building off a career-best sophomore year. Currently, he sits third on Washington with 9 goals and 5 assists—14 points through 16 games this season after posting career highs in goals (24), assists (23) and points (47) in 2018-19.

Vrana alsoy holds a shooting percentage of 19.6 percent, good for fourth on the team, and is second on the team in shots behind only Alex Ovechkin.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160137 Winnipeg Jets Meanwhile, Morrissey plays in every conceivable situation, the runaway leader in average ice time per game at 25:01. is second at 23:12.

Morrissey focused on making plays; not worried about mistakes Maurice firmly believes Morrissey is equipped to handle the load, adding the awful plus-minus is a byproduct of some team-defence struggles still being addressed.

Jason Bell "I never look at that as an absolute number, as an indicator. He's on the ice for a lot. We've had a couple of real tough nights and he's been Posted: 11/4/2019 5:41 PM dinged up big time on those nights. I think his game is improving," said the Jets bench boss. "He's right where he should be, minutes-wise.

Nary a critical word has been uttered about the play of "That number's going to bother him because he's a really conscientious since he took on full-time work with the Winnipeg Jets three years ago, guy. He's added more minutes playing with a new partner. He's really but some uncharacteristic mistakes committed by the defenceman working in practice and he's in watching video with (assistant coach) recently are difficult to ignore. Charlie (Huddy), so I have complete faith that he's going to get to the next level." Two careless decisions with the puck Saturday night in Vegas led directly to a pair of first-period goals by the Golden Knights, although the Jets Morrissey has played with several right-side defenceman this season and rallied from a 3-1 deficit to register a 4-3 overtime victory. Morrissey will, in all likelihood, need to adapt again Tuesday. Poolman is doubtful finished minus-2 on the night. for the battle with the Devils after leaving Saturday's game with an upper- body injury, While the Jets returned from their California-Arizona trip with four of a possible six points locked up, Morrissey's play was anything but Maurice labelled the injury "day to day," but there was a cryptic tone in memorable. In Anaheim last Tuesday, he finished a minus-4 as the Jets his description: "There's no mechanism of injury, he just wasn't feeling got clobbered 7-4 by the Ducks and then was a minus-1 as the Jets right after the first period. So, we're holding him off and going to get a miraculously escaped with a 3-2 win in San Jose despite being soundly bunch of tests on him," he said. outplayed by the Sharks. Morrissey said he's still adjusting to life without Trouba and that comfort The math isn't pretty for the 24-year-old Calgary product. He's minus-12 level they found in each other, adding the work to improve comes one just 15 games into the season, tied for third-worst among all NHLers in shift at a time. that category. Detroit Red Wings centre Andreas Athanasiou was minus- "For me, over the course of this year, to be honest with you, I think I'm 18, while San Jose Sharks blue-liner Erik Karlsson was minus-13 prior to playing better hockey in the last number of games than I was at the start Monday's slate of games. of the year. But it's pretty easy to look at plus-minus and stats like that to It's a number he's neither proud of, nor enthusiastic about dissecting. try to determine how a guy's playing. There's more to the game than just that," he said. "People can watch the game and have whatever opinion "I think I'm doing a lot of good things. I'm not happy about some of the they want, but I'm working on my game and trying to improve. minuses but I don't think there's a lot you can do on some of them. All that matters is we're getting wins," he said following Monday's practice. "For me, I'm in a position now that I haven't been in the last number of years, being in every situation — which is awesome — and I think it's The Jets (8-7-0) take on the New Jersey Devils (5-5-1) Tuesday at Bell about getting better. I'm 24 years old, early on in my career, and just MTS Place. Game time is 7 p.m. trying to get better every day."

"I watch my video after every game to see the plays I make. At the end of Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 11.05.2019 the day, you play the game and you're going to make mistakes, you're going to make plays that are good and bad."

During the first period at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Morrissey had a pass intercepted at the Winnipeg blue line by Mark Stone, who hit Max Pacioretty in the slot with a perfect feed, resulting in a 2-1 Vegas lead. Just 90 seconds later, he won a foot race to a puck in his own end but then sent a no-look, backhand pass that was quickly gobbled up by William Karlsson, who found Nate Schmidt alone in front of goalie .

In both instances, Morrissey appeared uncommonly panicked. Yet, he maintains that wasn't so. In fact, he said the decisions were absolutely the right ones and were borne of a growing confidence in his game.

"Hindsight's always 20/20. In both instances, could you say you should make a different play? Sure. But at the same time I'm trying to make a play there. That's what I get paid to do is to make plays, make break-out plays, and two got knocked down. It's gonna happen," he said.

Morrissey, a first-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, is the undisputed leader on the Jets revamped back end — in large part because of his rapid development as a skilled, savvy two-way defender. But in many respects, the added responsibility heaped on his shoulders this season has come out of sheer necessity.

Gone is his longtime defensive partner, Jacob Trouba, who is now a New York Ranger. Veterans Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot are both with new clubs, as well. And the unforeseen absence of Dustin Byfuglien all but cemented Morrissey's status as the No.1 guy on the blue line.

The Jets have needed to use two defenceman — his regular partner, , and , now with the Moose — with far less experience than he has, while injuries have forced general manager to dip into waivers for help in the form of Carl Dahlstrom and . Head coach has also done a pile of juggling on the back end due to injuries. 1160138 Winnipeg Jets The Jets winger made a nifty play to set up ' game-winner in San Jose with just 1:24 left in the third period, propelling the Jets to a 3-2 victory despite having being outshot 53-19. While Maurice offered post-game kudos for that particular play, he also took a shot at Roslovic's Beaulieu, Ehlers cringe after watching Ottawa rookie's frightening overall performance against the Sharks. collision " created that goal, and he needed to, because he was so bad through two-and-a-half (periods). But you know what? Good for him. That’s important. Because you play 82 games and you’re going to have a Jason Bell night where you just can’t get it done and it’s not going for you. But he Posted: 11/4/2019 3:57 PM didn’t sulk, he didn’t sit on the bench. He went out, he and Nik Ehlers win us the game, along with our goaltender, after a real, real tough night," Maurice said.

Nathan Beaulieu watched video of the Scott Sabourin injury in Boston Roslovic, who has a pair of goals and four assists this year, said he's over the weekend and now wishes he hadn't. received poor reviews from his boss in the past, adding the constructive criticism only fuels him to improve. The Winnipeg Jets defenceman was distressed by the frightening scene at Boston's TD Garden on Saturday night that left the Ottawa Senators "Maybe he’s giving you guys a look of what happens inside the locker forward motionless on the ice and Bruins forward David Backes visibly room. It’s not a pat-on-the-back business, and constructive criticism upset after a head-to-head collision between the two players. coaches use and even players use. I’m fine with," he said. "I had a good stretch of games, and I said in Vegas you don’t ever play as bad as you Sabourin fell to the ice and appeared to be unconscious, and was later think you did or as good as you think you did. taken off the ice by stretcher as players from both sides left their benches to stand side by side as he was wheeled to a waiting ambulance. He was "I looked back at it and it wasn’t my strongest (game) and the criticism I conscious and gave a thumbs-up on his way off before spending the take to heart to get better." night in hospital for observation, and has a broken nose and a suspected concussion. C.J. Suess suited up for the Jets in California but is back in the American Hockey League after being assigned Monday to the . Backes, too, could miss time with a concussion. The two came together at full speed early in the first period of Boston's 5-2 win on Saturday Suess played six minutes and 26 seconds in his NHL debut in San Jose night. on Friday night as the Jets defeated the Sharks 3-2. He was credited with one hit and finished a minus-1. "I watched it once and I couldn't watch it again. You obviously really feel for the kid," Beaulieu said, following practice Monday at Bell MTS Place. The 25-year-old from St. Paul, Minn., filled in while Adam Lowry served After suffering an upper body injury in the club's final pre-season contest, the second game of his suspension and sat out with a minor Beaulieu might finally make his regular-season debut Tuesday when the injury. New Jersey Devils visit Winnipeg. Some crucial assistance from Jansen Harkins was impossible to ignore "It's sad to see. You don't wish that on anyone. We're all in this dogfight this week. together. We don't hate anyone... just glad to see (Sabourin) is OK," The Manitoba Moose forward was named the American Hockey League's Beaulieu said. player of the week after he helped guide his squad to a pair of weekend A crowd pushing nearly 18,000 was in the Garden but there wasn't a victories over the . peep as training staff from both teams rushed out to help Sabourin, the He assisted on all five goals Saturday in Manitoba's 5-3 win over visiting 27-year Sens rookie. Beaulieu said he's experienced that kind of hush Grand Rapids, tying a franchise record for most helpers in a game. On falling over a horrified building at least twice before. Sunday, he followed up with a goal and two assists as the Moose earned "I've seen a couple of bad ones, actually. Lars Eller got hit in the playoffs, a 7-4 win over the Griffins. I don't remember who hit him but he was unconscious on the ice," said The Moose head out this week on a three-game road swing — with stops Beaulieu, who was on the Montreal blue line in early May 2013 when his in Milwaukee, Rockford and Chicago — before returning home to face Habs teammate was flattened after taking a big hit from Ottawa the Texas Stars on Monday, Remembrance Day. The game is being defenceman Eric Gryba. dubbed Military Appreciation Night. The following season, Beaulieu watched as another teammate, George The Jets will host their Canadian Armed Forces Night a day later (Nov. Parros, lay unconscious after a fight with Toronto forward Colton Orr. 12) when the Colorado Avalanche are in town. Parros lost his balance while swinging at Orr and tumbled face first. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 11.05.2019 "It's obviously extremely scary, and when you're at the Bell Centre and you can hear a pin drop you know something's wrong," he recalled.

Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers said he hasn't yet experienced the sickening feeling of watching a fellow player struggle like that in the stunned silence of an arena.

"I don't remember being in that situation. I hope I never will be. You could feel how quiet that rink got and how everyone was in shock. Luckily, it doesn't happen too much," said Ehlers, who watched the Boston highlights with his teammates in Vegas.

"We're opponents, we're not friends on the ice, but in a sense we're still brothers all around."

Jack Roslovic, who has a pair of goals and four assists this year, said he's received poor reviews from his boss in the past, adding the constructive criticism only fuels him to improve. (Mike Deal / Free Press files)

Jack Roslovic, who has a pair of goals and four assists this year, said he's received poor reviews from his boss in the past, adding the constructive criticism only fuels him to improve. (Mike Deal / Free Press files)

Jack Roslovic was called out publicly by his coach the other night but hasn't lost any sleep over it. 1160139 Winnipeg Jets "I like it a lot. We’ve talked quite a bit about making that more the standard format. It helps when Blake’s there. And Neal Pionk played 29, almost 30 minutes. And he was next out.

Big Buff saga takes uncongenial turn And there’s no way that he and Morrissey were gonna recover fast enough. Morrissey had gone up the ice on a full sprint, so we needed at least one rotation," Maurice said.

Mike McIntyre On the subject of unusual developments, how about the fact neither Ehlers or Laine was on the top power-play unit against the Golden Posted: 11/4/2019 3:00 AM Knights?

Kyle Connor celebrates with Patrik Laine after scoring in OT Saturday LAS VEGAS — Dustin Byfuglien and the Winnipeg Jets appear to be on (right). a collision course for arbitration. Ehlers, the team’s leading goal scorer, apparently opted out last week That’s the latest word surrounding the 34-year-old defenceman, who after practice, suggesting he was more comfortable with his traditional remains suspended without pay after opting out of training camp in spot on the second unit. As for Laine, Maurice said he wanted to use September, apparently to consider retirement. in his place, especially with the Finnish winger coming off a lower-body injury that kept him out of the previous two games. The strange saga took a twist last week when Byfuglien underwent independent surgery in Minnesota to repair an issue with his ankle, but The move paid off, with Perreault scoring on the power play early in the exactly how that injury occurred seems to be the source of much debate. third period. Laine and Ehlers, meanwhile, only saw limited power-play time on the second unit. of Sportsnet reported Saturday on Hockey Night In Canada that the Jets are taking the position Byfuglien’s ankle, which "We wanted Patty to be in a position that he was going to shoot that suffered two different injuries last season and limited him to just 42 puck. On a unit with Scheif, the one that we’ve run here for the last year, games, was fully healed following the routine player exit physicals in if he doesn’t get it, he’s never going to shoot it. So, he sits there and April. waits for it to come to him," Maurice said.

They were apparently taken by surprise that Byfuglien and his camp now "We might stay with that structure, depending on the kill. I want him claim his ankle never fully recovered and flared up when he tried skating coming downhill with the puck and shooting it every single time. We get just days before training camp after taking the entire summer away from him in a rhythm and get more shots, so I like it. Where it goes, I don’t the rink. know yet — we’ll see — but we’ll let it run for a bit."

Friedman described the current situation as "emotional and heated" and Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 11.05.2019 that the independent arbitrator will likely be asked to rule if this is a hockey-related injury and, if so, whether Byfuglien is entitled to some, or all, of his US$8-million salary he’s currently being denied.

The other matter yet to be resolved is whether the ankle surgery is a sign Byfuglien intends to resume his career. And, if he does, whether that will be with Winnipeg. He has one more year after this on his contract, with US$6 million owing. Recovery from the procedure is expected to take as long as four months.

General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was tight-lipped as he met with the media last week in San Jose. That, according to Friedman, is because the Jets are under orders — presumably legal — not to say anything of substance about the matter.

Just when it started to look like the Jets blue line was getting healthy, another defenceman has gone down.

This time it was Tucker Poolman, who left Saturday night’s game in Las Vegas with an upper-body injury. Poolman, who has been playing on the top pairing with Josh Morrissey, wasn’t entirely sure what the problem was.

"I don’t really know. I’ll give you more details later. He just wasn’t feeling particularly well. It’s not head related. We don’t think. He was off," coach Paul Maurice said.

Poolman has had trouble staying healthy in his pro career so far. He missed two months last season with a concussion while playing with the Manitoba Moose, then suffered a lower-body injury later in the season.

The Jets were off Sunday as they returned to Winnipeg from the desert, so the earliest update on Poolman’s status will come following today’s practice.

Nathan Beaulieu, who has yet to play this season after getting hurt during the final pre-season game against Minnesota, could be ready to make his debut on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils.

It was a peculiar sight in overtime Saturday, with , and Nikolaj Ehlers taking a shift together during the three-on- three skills session.

The all-forward, no-defence trio nearly worked, with Scheifele almost potting the winner. A short time later, ’s goal ended it, as he skated with Patrik Laine and defenceman Neal Pionk. 1160140 Winnipeg Jets Miles Wood-Kevin Rooney-Wayne Simmonds Defence

Damon Severson-P.K. Subban JETS GAME DAY: Jets looking for third straight win vs. Devils Andy Greene-Sami Vatanen

Will Butcher-Matt Tennyson Scott Billeck Goalies Published:November 4, 2019 Cory Schneider Updated:November 4, 2019 7:15 PM CST Mackenzie Blackwood

WINNIPEG JETS GAMEDAY: Senators versus Islanders Forwards New Jersey Devils at Winnipeg Jets Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler Tuesday, 7 p.m., BellMTS Place; TV: TSN3; Radio: TSN-1290 Nikolaj Ehlers--Patrik Laine THE BIG MATCHUP -Adam Lowry-Jack Roslovic Struggling power play vs. struggling penalty kill Mathieu Perreault--Logan Shaw () The Jets are operating at just 15.7% through 15 games on the power play. It’s a far cry from yesteryears when it was their strongest attribute. Defence Paul Maurice has once against tweaked both units that will see the ice with a man-advantage, including moving Mathieu Perreault to the top unit Josh Morrissey-Dmitry Kulikov and putting Patrik Laine down with the second. It certainly spreads out Nathan Beaulieu-Neal Pionk some of the weapons the Jets have. Perreault scored in Vegas on the power play and the theory is Laine will get more touches on his natural -Luca Sbisa side on the second unit. New Jersey’s penalty kill has an efficiency of just 75%, so the tweaks could see immediate results. Goalies

5 KEYS TO THE GAME

Hellebuyck show Laurent Brossoit

Connor Hellebuyck single-handedly prevented a bloodbath on Friday Injuries night after stopping 51 of 53 shots sent his way in an unlikely 3-2 Devils: D Connor Carrick, F Jesper Bratt overtime win against the San Jose Sharks. Hellebuyck was given a much-deserved game off the next night in Vegas and will likely return to Jets: F , F Mark Letestu, D Tucker Poolman, D Dustin the crease against the Devils. Given how messy Winnipeg’s back end Byfuglien (suspended) becomes at times, Hellebuyck could be in for another busy night. Special Teams Shoot, and then shoot some more POWER PLAY One way to beat the New Jersey Devils is by simply sending a barrage of shots at whoever is in goal. Overall, the Devils own the third-worst team Devils: 14.9% (23rd) save percentage at .895 and a league-worst save percentage five-on-five Winnipeg: 15.7% (21st) at .872. Whether former Manitoba Moose netminder Cory Schneider or Mackenzie Blackwood manning the crease, the mission is simply to fire PENALTY KILLING pucks on goal. Devils: 75% (25th) Beaulieu return Winnipeg: 67.7% (30th) Nathan Beaulieu won’t be expected to part the Red Sea in his expected Winnipeg Sun LOADED 11.05.2019 return to the lineup on Tuesday, but he should offer a modicum of stability to a back end that certainly needs it at times. Beaulieu hasn’t played since the final preseason game back in September, with an upper-body injury ruling him out for the past five weeks.

Containing Hughes

The first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft has been thriving recently with the Devils, with three goals and six points in his past five games. Hughes went his first six NHL games without a point but now has one in five of his past six.

Nail bitters

Each of Winnipeg’s past five wins have been settled by one goal. In fact, six of the team’s eight wins this season have been by a single goal, which ties them for the NHL lead.

GAME DAY LINEUPS

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Forwards

Taylor Hall-Jack Hughes-Kyle Palmieri

Pavel Zacha-Nico Hischier-Nikita Gusev

Jesper Boqvist-Travis Zajac-Blake Coleman 1160141 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg’s top unit on Monday was comprised of Mathieu Perreault, who on the power play in Vegas, along with Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Kyle Connor and Josh Morrissey, who assumed the role as anchor.

JETS NOTEBOOK: Beaulieu on track for season debut The second unit ran with Patrik Laine, Neal Pionk, Nikolaj Ehlers, Jack Roslovic and Bryan Little.

Spreading the wealth, as it were. Scott Billeck “We just got stuck with the one unit. We went 10, 12 games and we Published:November 4, 2019 weren’t getting near enough action on it,” Maurice said of the changes. “So we switched it over. Patty was out, Matty Perreault went in that slot Updated:November 4, 2019 7:57 PM CST and we got a bunch of good looks from it the game prior. So we leave and that’s a pretty big goal that he scores, obviously. So there’s a bunch of things that we like there.” Nathan Beaulieu felt strong and he felt right, and all that could add up to his 2019-20 season debut on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. Maurice said that when the previous top unit of Scheifele, Wheeler, Laine, Connor and Morrissey wasn’t working, Laine wasn’t touching the Beaulieu got in another full practice with the Winnipeg Jets on Monday at puck enough. BellMTS Place, and if everything feels right on Tuesday morning, he’ll be in the lineup. “We’re trying to put him in a position to shoot the puck,” Maurice said. “Having he and (Ehlers) on their natural sides, it’s not a great shooting “I’m getting closer,” Beaulieu said following the team’s 45-minute skate. angle but you get can that shot off. We just want them to shoot the puck “Every day has been a little better. Once I feel I’m ready to go, I’m sure more.” I’ll be in there.” SUESS TO THE MOOSE Beaulieu was injured in the latter stages of Winnipeg’s final preseason game at the Minnesota Wild at the tail end of September, the same game After getting his first taste of NHL action in a 3-2 overtime win against the where Bryan Little was concussed and forced to miss the first nine San Jose Sharks, Jets forward CJ Suess has been sent back to the games of the regular season. American Hockey League.

Beaulieu’s diagnosis at the time was a minimum of four weeks on the The Jets made the move Monday to return Suess to the Manitoba shelf with an upper-body injury. Moose.

“Extremely tough, especially with all of the bumps and bruises and the Suess was called up on Friday with Adam Lowry (suspension) and Patrik ins and outs we’ve had on the back end, you really want to be out there,” Laine (injury) unable to participate in San Jose. Suess was made a Beaulieu said. healthy scratch for Saturday’s win in Vegas and with Laine and Lowry back in the fold, the Jets moved him back to the farm. It’s not the first time he’s been forced out of the lineup due to injury. Suess played 6:26 in Friday’s win, logging 10 shifts. In 2015, he broke his sternum during the playoffs and missed seven games. He’d miss six games the following year after taking a puck to the The 25-year-old has one goal in eight games with the Moose this season. throat, a play that sent him to hospital. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 11.05.2019 “I’ve missed substantial time in my NHL career and it’s never easy,” Beaulieu said. “There’s never a good time to get hurt but the beginning of the season is probably the worst. Everyone is getting their legs under them coming off the summer, getting ready to go.

“Guys are really up to speed now and I’m kind of behind the eight ball. When I get in there, I just got to keep it simple and realize where I’m at.”

Having to watch from afar, Beaulieu said Winnipeg’s winning record is a testament to the team’s depth.

“And good goaltending,” he said. “I thought (Connor Hellebuyck) and (Laurent Brossoit) have been great.

“Our d-core has been great, too. There is a lot of new faces so you expect a lot of changes and adversity. I thought the guys have done a great job thus far.”

POOLMAN DAY-TO-DAY

One player gearing up for his return to the lineup wouldn’t feel quite right this season without another player getting ready for some time away from it.

This time, it’s defenceman Tucker Poolman’s turn to nurse an injury.

Poolman is day to day with an upper-body injury he suffered in the first period of Winnipeg’s 4-3 overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.

“There is no mechanism of injury. He just wasn’t feeling right after the first period,” Maurice said. “So we’re holding him off and he’s going to get a bunch of tests on him.”

Poolman took no part in Winnipeg’s practice on Monday.

POWER PLAY TWEAKS

A once-mighty power play, Winnipeg’s has been far from it this season operating at just 15.7% through its first 15 games.

So changes were made again to try and get the ball rolling on both units. 1160142 Winnipeg Jets “Because he has nothing positive to fall back on at that point,” Maurice said. “The truth was, I didn’t love his game at all. But he did the one thing that you can do in these situations — just stay in the fight long enough.”

Roslovic gaining trust of Jets coach Roslovic has morphed into a relied-upon player, Maurice said. And with it, he’s gained the responsibility that comes with that designation.

“I’m really happy with where Jack is at, really happy,” Maurice said. “The Scott Billeck piece to all of these kids’ games that you don’t know is will they get to consistent? Any of us can look at them and say, ‘Hey, that’s guy’s fast. Published:November 4, 2019 Wow, he’s got great hands. Boy, he’s got a great shot’ Updated:November 4, 2019 6:24 PM CST “If they’re not consistent, you can’t get them into the top-six really. You’re going to be fighting with them in the three-hole. And, they’ll never be happy either because they say, ‘Geez, like three games ago I went It was a jarring indictment. Not necessarily because of its substance, but through five guys, look at all my skill.’ I’ll say, fine, but the trade-off for me rather the comment itself and the fact it came out of Paul Maurice’s is that the four times you got beat to the net and they didn’t get the puck mouth to begin with. out and all the other pieces to your game.’

Maurice wasn’t lying in the assessment of the play of Winnipeg Jets Jack Roslovic liked his first 10-game block of the regular season, one he forward Jack Roslovic, although the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets parlayed into a promotion to a line with Adam Lowry and Andrew Copp hasn’t been one to publicly criticize his players during his tenure here. when Bryan Little got healthy.

He’s avoided it, for the most part, like the plague. Since then, Roslovic, who has two goals and four assists in 15 games this year, has put together some of the most consistent hockey of his But after getting shelled with 53 shots in a game last Friday against the career. San Jose Sharks, where every single player on the roster, not named Connor Hellebuyck, was bad, Maurice took a dig at Roslovic, even after “I think I got back to playing a hard game,” he said. “It’s nice being on a the man set up the winning goal in a 3-2 game the Jets had no business bigger line, better role, trying to drive those guys and playing against the winning. other team’s best.”

“Jack Roslovic created that goal and he needed to because he was so Roslovic said he’s been focusing on keeping his pace of play up as well bad through two-and-a-half (periods),” Maurice said after that game. as that consistency Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice wants to see. The stinging criticism was followed by some redeeming praise for the 22- year-old. “That can be tougher for a player,” he said.

“You know what, good for him, right? Because that’s important, because Roslovic said despite the struggles in San Jose, he got back to his game you play 82 games, you’re going to have a night where you just can’t get in Vegas a night later. it done, it’s not going for you,” Maurice said. “He didn’t sulk. He didn’t sit on the bench. He went out and he and (Nikolaj) Ehlers win us the game In previous years, Roslovic may not have been able to park it and move along with our goaltender after a real, real tough night. I got a lot more on. Sometimes he may not have been afforded the chance. faith in him that there’s a young man that’s going to stay in the game, that “I probably wouldn’t have gotten back out on the ice,” he said. “I think he’s learned a really valuable lesson — stay in the game, stay in the fight that’s just a testament to four years of hard work.” because you truly can be the difference-maker.” Winnipeg Sun LOADED 11.05.2019 Roslovic deserved the kind words.

He’s been one of the team’s more consistent players over the past few weeks. He’s stood out in positive fashion when some of the team’s veteran contingent, say Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler, have gotten a pass for their struggles.

But Roslovic wasn’t surprised by this particular comment.

“You get exposed sometimes when you have bad games,” Roslovic said on Monday, after the team assembled for practice ahead of their four- game homestand, which begins Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils.

“I’m fine with that. I’m sure you guys want to know how a coach evaluates a player and I guess you got a little taste.

“To be completely honest, there’s been many times where it’s been a lot more brutal, too. I think you get stronger with it. You develop better relationships.”

Players getting chewed out by coaches is fairly commonplace at all levels of competitive hockey. It’s just hard to justify that it was warranted in Roslovic’s case on Friday.

Roslovic is becoming an important piece in Winnipeg’s lineup, but there were vital cogs that have had less than stellar runs of form lately that haven’t been flogged in the public forum.

Then again, the leash for guys who have found their consistency long ago, as Scheifele and Wheeler have, is longer than, say, for Roslovic, who’s only begun to grow into form this season.

A rough patch from Scheifele and Wheeler is far less concerning to a coach than a player who hasn’t learned how to be consistent, game in and game out.

Maurice also wouldn’t have said what he did to the media in San Jose, had Roslovic not had his hand in the game-winner. 1160143 Winnipeg Jets It wasn’t like Maurice had suddenly lost faith in Connor, but he wanted more and that’s what Connor delivered.

Following a relatively slow start offensively, Connor is up to five goals Are the Jets starting to find traction? 5 observations from their recent and 11 points in 15 games and he’s made a big impact of late. road trip Is he back to where he wants to be?

“I guess you could say that. But that’s never a focus for me,” Connor By Ken Wiebe Nov 4, 2019 said. “You can’t go into a game thinking about that. You’ve got to do all the little things, all the right things. That’s when you get rewarded. That’s when you’re playing your best hockey.”

LAS VEGAS – A lopsided loss, a game stolen by their starting goalie and On Friday, it was Jack Roslovic who was called out by Maurice, saying an unexpected rally. the winger needed something to go well for him after a rough outing otherwise. That highlighted the week that was for the Winnipeg Jets, who had an interesting stretch in the days that followed the outdoor game played in Roslovic spoke to reporters on Saturday and said he had no issue with Regina at Mosaic Stadium as part of the . what Maurice had to say, calling it “constructive criticism.”

There were several twists and turns to go along with those three games, It’s not common for Maurice to call out a player publicly, he generally but the Jets not only found a way to avoid falling apart at the seams, they bites his tongue and keeps those criticisms to himself. actually managed to earn six out of a possible eight points. But as he pointed out, it’s not like he was saying something publicly in How did they do it? the press that he hadn’t said to the players already.

Well, through a combination of sheer will, a couple of rallies and at least If you want a coach (or players) to steer away from cliche answers, I one (non) call that went their way. don’t know why the majority of people are up in arms when players or coaches respond with an air of honesty. The Jets started this stretch by rallying to earn a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames in the Heritage Classic when Bryan Little scored in These aren’t personal attacks and they’re not meant as punishment. overtime, then they were bounced 7-4 by the Anaheim Ducks on a night Connor Hellebuyck gave up four goals on six shots on goal during the Power play still a story second period (and five goals on 19 shots in less than two periods of Yes, the Jets came through with a goal on the man-advantage on work). Saturday that was critical in sparking the rally against the Golden As the California portion of the road trip came to a close, the Jets won a Knights, but they still sit in the bottom third of the NHL (21st going into game they didn’t have any business being in, thanks to Hellebuyck’s Monday). career-high 51-save performance against the San Jose Sharks. That’s incredibly surprising when you consider the Jets were dominant on Then, playing on consecutive nights, the Jets scored first against the the power play during the past two seasons. Vegas Golden Knights, then gave up three goals in succession to fall Perhaps the strangest thing is that Wheeler has yet to record a power- behind 3-1 before the first period had come to a close. play point through 15 games after recording 33 last season. Vegas was buzzing, but the Jets steadied themselves, got a power-play Wheeler scored a couple of goals at even strength and you would expect goal from Mathieu Perreault and then tied the game when an icing call the goose egg on the power play won’t last much longer but two other was inexplicably waved off by the linesman, allowing Kyle Connor to set strange things happened while Winnipeg was on the man advantage. up Mark Scheifele for the tying goal. First, Nikolaj Ehlers worked with the top unit on Thursday, which made a Yes, Connor showed great hustle and Golden Knights defenceman Nate lot of sense, considering how efficient he is on zone entries and that he is Schmidt falling to the ice caused a bit of confusion on the play in the Jets leading scorer. question, but that only appeared to happen after the puck had already crossed the goal line. But when the game came on Friday, Ehlers remained on the second unit.

It looked like a blown call to most people in the building and the Jets took Why the shift? full advantage when Connor took a pass from Patrik Laine and made it a 4-3 overtime victory to cap the road trip. Maurice said Ehlers declined the promotion and was more comfortable with his spot (and position in the structure) of the second unit. Here are five things we learned about the Jets during the past week: Then during his return to the lineup on Saturday, Laine was bumped to Bumper sticker beware the second unit in an unexpected move that raised a few eyebrows.

“Stay in the fight.” After an outstanding start to the campaign, Laine has now been bumped off the top line and the first power-play unit – at least temporarily. The phrase may sound like something that belongs on a bumper sticker, but it’s a mantra the Jets have embraced this season. Maurice said part of that was related to his lower-body injury, though removing one of the top shooting options seemed like a strange choice. It’s been uttered with regularity by players and coaches alike and the Jets have now rallied to win when trailing after two periods for the fourth time It’s also one that will be monitored during this four-game homestand. in nine games. Laurent Brossoit fights through it Paul Maurice changes approach (sort of) The numbers don’t always tell the story, but backup Laurent Brossoit Following consecutive games on the trip, Jets head coach Paul Maurice needed a strong showing. expressed his displeasure with individual players during his postgame meeting with reporters. Making his first start in nearly three weeks on Saturday (and just his fourth in 15 games), things did not start well as Brossoit gave up three On Tuesday, it was Connor whose game Maurice didn’t like all that much quick goals in the first period. (despite nine shots on goal and 12 shot attempts against the Ducks). But after Hellebuyck’s 51-save effort the night before, there was no way Connor responded by chipping in with two assists against the Sharks, Maurice was going to the bullpen. Brossoit battled through and didn’t then set up the tying goal and provided the overtime winner on Saturday allow another goal to get past him, finishing with 23 saves. against the Golden Knights. The numbers (4.10 goals-against average, .858 save percentage) still That’s what you call responding to a challenge. aren’t there, but it was an important step forward for Brossoit. “That’s all that matters, you know. At the end of the day, it’s like anyone else in the game, we all make mistakes out there,” Wheeler said. “You just got to keep fighting. Especially for a goalie, if you didn’t like the first period, or didn’t like the first couple shots that went in, just keep fighting, give us a chance. I think our goalies know we have enough firepower that we have a chance no matter what the score is.”

The Jets need to get Brossoit a few more starts during the coming weeks and he’s going to be counted on to give his team a chance to win on those nights Hellebuyck needs a breather.

On Thursday, the Jets decided it was time to reassign rookie defenceman Ville Heinola to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

Heinola had several shining moments during his first eight NHL games, chipping in a goal and five points.

His offensive game is advanced, as is his vision and puck-moving ability.

There were nights when he defended extremely well and others where he battled through some issues.

Ultimately, this move is as much about the future as it is the present for the 20th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

“Our guys were excited when the opportunity to draft him was there. And certainly coming into training camp he’s played very well. We’re excited with the future. Certainly, he’s showed his poise, he’s showed his hockey sense, all the things that scouts talked about that we’d like, we have,” Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. “The bigger factor, is like anything when you get a player that has talent and has abilities, and you want them to develop, you want them to develop into what they’re going to be, not what they can play at right now. I’m sure there’s some nights he would be high up in the lineup, and there’d be some nights where he wouldn’t have the opportunity to play those minutes and not the opportunity to play the power play, all of the things we see him being. So he’s 18. Like I say, nothing’s etched in stone. It’s something we’re doing here today and something we’ll consider to discuss.”

Heinola appeared in two games with the Moose on the weekend and while the move isn’t permanent, the opportunity is there for him to play a larger role and to continue to develop his game.

If he chooses, Heinola could return to play this season in Liiga in Finland.

But if he remains in North America, that’s how Heinola could work his way back onto the NHL roster before the season is over.

No matter what he decides, his development curve is already advanced and he’s not far away from being an NHL regular.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160144 Vancouver Canucks Markstrom also sees an alliance with Demko that is about respect. He has seen significant growth in his crease mate displaying a calm, square and steady game.

Canucks have two starting goalies, only one net? Zero problem “Technically, obviously,” noted Markstrom. “It took me a while to get comfortable with some of (Ian) Clarke’s stuff because it’s easy in practice and you can’t force it in a game. It has to come naturally. It’s preparation with everyday things and trying to help Thatcher as much as I can. But BEN KUZMA he’s such a true professional and it’s nice to see at a young age.” Published:November 4, 2019 Run this by Demko and you get an expected response. Updated:November 4, 2019 5:49 PM PST NEXT GAME

Tuesday Alain Vigneault had the humorous coin flip. St. Louis Blues vs. Vancouver Canucks Travis Green has the dry wit. 7 p.m., Rogers Arena, TV: Sportsnet Pacific; Radio: Sportsnet 650 AM Ask an NHL coach about his starting goaltender selection a day before “We’re really good friends,” stressed Demko. “We’re always talking to any game and be prepared for a long look, a short retort or even each other and he’s obviously been through a lot, and I’m just kind of something to lighten the mood, like a heads-or-tails art of deflection. It getting into this thing and still trying to learn as much as I can. He’s a doesn’t rank with the most crucial decision for any franchise, but it’s one great resource for me if I’m struggling, or if I have questions about often surrounded by secrecy. something.” And when both Vancouver Canucks stoppers are excelling and warrant What Demko doesn’t obsess about are his starts. the cage — whether it was Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider for Vigneault or Jacob Markstrom and Thatcher Demko for Green — there’s “I don’t know when it’s going to be,” he said. “I just take it day by day and often a story behind the story that goes beyond first guy off the practice that’s how I’ve been treating this pro-hockey thing for the last four years. ice usually getting the nod. That was Markstrom on Monday. It can be overwhelming if you’re looking too far ahead. Keeping it day to day simplifies things a lot.” Still, you could argue that Demko deserves to face the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. OVERTIME — Elias Pettersson is NHL first star of the week with nine points (3-6) in four games; the Calder Trophy winner was sixth in league The backup has played like a starter with a fourth-ranked saves scoring after 14 games with 20 points (6-14). Quinn Hughes (knee percentage of .938 and fifth-rated goals-against average of 1.78 during bruise) skated on his own before practice Monday and could play an impressive 4-1-0 start. He also beat the Stanley Cup champions 4-3 Tuesday. on Oct. 17 with a 34-save road performance that included stopping all six selected for the shootout. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 11.05.2019 Goalie Thatcher Demko takes a breather during Canucks practice at Rogers Arena on Oct. 9, 2019. Arlen Redekop / PNG files

The Canucks also have back-to-back games in Chicago on Thursday and Winnipeg on Friday, so both goalies are going to play this week for the 9-3-2 club. That’s about as much clarity as you’re going to get from Green.

“Everything goes into it,” said the Canucks’ coach. “We talk about a lot of things and I won’t get into too much detail about exactly what goes into making the final decision. They’re both playing well and I’m confident in both of them.

“Do we look at a team and say he played well and has to play against that team? We talk about it, but it’s not the only fact.”

The fact that Markstrom, 29, is more concerned about maintaining his solid start than his next start — a 5-2-2 record, 2.51 GAA and .917 saves percentage is encouraging — the maintenance when a technical phase of his game requires attention has put him in a good place competitively and for crease camaraderie.

Markstrom has played 60 games in each of the last two seasons and knows that Demko, 23, is going to get his fair share. So when does he need to get the heads-up that he’s starting?

“Before the puck drop, it matters,” he joked. “It’s always easier to mentally prepare and we usually know. I like to know at least a day before so I can plan, but things can always change. It depends on results and maybe one is hotter than the other one. And maybe one needs to work on details for a few extra days.

“You can’t put everything in stone. I don’t need a reason why I’m playing or not playing. I’m either in or not and I don’t need an explanation to feel better. This is not junior or peewee or whatever.”

Markstrom’s status as a seasoned stopper has had a ripple effect. And in a position that demands goalies strike a professional and supportive relationship, the Canucks are benefiting from two guys who have one goal: To give the club a chance to win on any night.

“For me, I’m a positive guy,” added Markstrom. “I don’t think it would help my game to pout or to be mad. I don’t mind taking the blame instead of having other people get it, who haven’t got it before. It’s always easy for people who don’t know much about hockey to blame the goalie.” 1160145 Vancouver Canucks That won’t be at play with the Tigers, since he’s also general manager in the Hat.

As well, the Prairie Rose School Division, based in Dunmore, Alta., Willie back to winning in WHL, but will that get ex-Canucks coach back to started up the Willie Desjardins South Alberta Hockey Academy in July the NHL? 2018.

You read that correctly. His name is right there in the title. That has to be worth something. STEVE EWEN He’s the program director. Coaches include one-time Canucks winger Published:November 4, 2019 Emerson Etem as well as various other former Tigers.

Updated:November 4, 2019 6:22 PM PST We’ll see where that goes and how it expands. We’ll see where the Tigers wind up in the spring. And we’ll see somewhere further down the

line whether or not Desjardins ends up running another NHL bench. And would he chase after another bench-boss job considering the set-up He does maintain that’s he’s able to use his experience with the Canucks he seems to have in Medicine Hat with the WHL's Tigers? and Kings with this group of Medicine Hat players. Willie Desjardins is back in the Western Hockey League, back with the “I think the biggest thing is that I know for sure what it takes at the other and back winning again. levels to be successful,” said Desjardins. “Before, if you’re not there, you Whether the former Vancouver Canucks coach is back running an NHL always wonder, you think it’s about this or that. I have a good idea now team’s bench sometime in the future is open to interpretation. for players, what they have to do and the level they need to get to.”

We’ve seen guys get typecast as junior coaches. Take Don Hay for Medicine Hat visits the Prince George Cougars on Wednesday and then instance. He is one of the WHL’s most successful bench bosses ever. He travels to the on Friday and the Blazers on got a season running the Phoenix Coyotes’ bench in 1996-97 and a Saturday before heading home. season at the helm of the Calgary Flames in 2000-01, and no NHL team The Blazer matchup is a compelling one, since Shaun Clouston signed has given him their keys and put him in their driver’s seat since. on to guide Kamloops after parting ways with the Tigers last summer Hay is now an assistant with the Portland Winterhawks working following a first-round playoff loss. He had been a Desjardins assistant alongside Mike Johnston, who’s in his second stint there after a season- with Medicine Hat and then took over the top job when Desjardins left for and-a-half coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins. an assistant’s spot with the Dallas Stars in 2010-11.

Desjardins, who was in charge of guiding the Canucks from 2014 to Vancouver Province: LOADED: 11.05.2019 2017, signed on for a second stint with the Tigers last summer. On Sunday, Medicine Hat pushed the pace and showed off swarming team speed against the Vancouver Giants at the Langley Events Centre. They had the run of the action for a good portion of the night, but had trouble solving Giants netminder Trent Miner and wound up falling 5-2.

Even with that, the Tigers are still 10-5-1. They look like a contender, and that was a common refrain during Desjardins’ previous stint at the Tigers’ controls from 2002 to 2010. Those Medicine Hat teams won 40 or more games in six of eight regular seasons, and they advanced to the national tournament twice, including losing to the then Hay-coached Giants in the 2007 finale at the Pacific Coliseum.

“Nobody is going to call right now, so I’m good. I don’t have to worry about that,” Desjardins, 62, said when asked about getting an offer from an NHL team in the future. “That’s not something I’m thinking about right now. My job is here and I like it and I’m focused on it.

“And that’s another good thing: I’m not worried about that level. Vancouver was a great place and the Canucks were a great organization. I was excited to be a part of that organization. I have no bad feelings. It was a great opportunity. That’s all you want: an opportunity. And they gave me that.

“For me, I like this. I want to build a championship team here.”

It’s what you’d expect Desjardins to say. It’s what you’d coach him to say if you were his agent. There’s still logic to it, too.

He’s never expressed it, but you always got the feeling with how he handled the ice time of Jake Virtanen and Jared McCann in his stint in Vancouver that he thought they weren’t ready for the NHL, that they were being rushed as teenagers at that point.

It also was a year ago Monday that the Los Angeles Kings brought him on as interim coach after firing John Stevens following a 4-8-1 start. The Kings had signed Ilya Kovalchuk away from Russsia’s KHL in the off- season prior and Desjardins never seemed fully invested in him as a top- six forward, to the point that Kovalchuk didn’t even travel with the team for a road trip in March and it became messy in the media.

The Kings went 27-34-8 under Desjardins and parted ways with him after the season. He’s 136-144-35 in four NHL regular seasons as a coach.

His player deployment in that time regularly came under scrutiny. You can also argue that he was never fully in step with his personnel departments in those periods. 1160146 Vancouver Canucks Where the first line has been sledding downhill with bounces in their favour, Vancouver’s second line has had a slog of a time producing goals at five-on-five.

Five reasons the Canucks could be an elite offensive team It’s been hidden by his seven power-play points, but Bo Horvat only has five points in five-on-five situations through 14 games this season. He has one even strength goal and it was only technically scored at even strength — when he tapped home a game-tying goal as a five-on-three By Thomas Drance Nov 4, 2019 advantage expired against the St. Louis Blues in mid-October.

Going into Sunday night’s slate of games, there were 187 NHL forwards The Vancouver Canucks might be the most exciting team in hockey. who have played at least 50 five-on-five minutes and have produced five- on-five points at a better clip. Thrilling, high-scoring, skilled, fast, the Canucks rank third in the NHL in goals per game, second in power-play goals and have managed to score These anemic rates have little to do with Horvat’s play, or the fact the five or more goals in an astounding seven of their 14 games so far. Canucks centre’s revolving door of linemates has become as certain as taxes and death. Sometimes you get bit by a snake, particularly when It’s early yet, but this iteration of the Canucks is throttling opponents you’re shooting on goaltenders at the NHL level. Or if you’re Sami Salo. under a barrage of goals. It’s fun to watch and if you don’t believe us, you can apparently just ask a rival general manager. With Horvat on the ice at evens so far this season, opposition netminders are stopping .935 of all shots the Canucks take. Though Tanner Pearson This early outburst from Vancouver’s offense is a massive departure from — Horvat’s most consistent running mate — and Horvat are finding it what the Vancouver market has witnessed, or endured, watching players tough to buy a bounce, they’re controlling play extremely effectively and in Canucks laundry in recent seasons. If you go back to the 2016-17 coming out ahead, most often against the top matchups the opposition season, the Canucks rank 30th in goals per game. Canucks fans has to offer. suffered through more shutouts — 37 — between 2016 and 2019 than any other club in the league and by a factor of 11, a grim statistic tracked In fact, the Canucks are generating shots on goal and shot attempts at diligently by TSN’s Jeff Paterson. an even higher clip with the Horvat line on the ice than they are with Pettersson’s group. It’s only a matter of time, if that continues, before the If you were to call the Canucks an offensive club in years past, it was dam breaks. only to describe what it was like to watch their games. Overall, with either Horvat or Pettersson on the ice, the Canucks are The residue of those lean years makes the way the Canucks are filling generating in and around 67.5 shot attempts per hour at even strength. the net and winning games this season all the more striking. And in Those are super elite rates — both forwards are well within the top 25 peering beneath the hood of the Canucks’ excellent start to the season it forwards league-wide by this metric — and it tells us that both of seems a credible bet, based on the underlying performance, that the Vancouver’s top two lines are generating an insane volume of looks and good times might be here to stay for the Canucks’ high-end offensive zone time. performance. It’s a recipe for wins. And it’s a recipe for goals. The Pettersson effect Brandon Sutter — sheltered minutes scoring ace? You can’t be an elite offensive team in the NHL without an ace in your deck. Brandon Sutter is facing the lightest competition of any of Vancouver’s regular centremen, according to the TOI-based quality of competition Elias Pettersson is that ace. metric found at Corsica. It’s a significant departure from how Sutter has historically been used throughout his career. It certainly looks like the 2019 Calder Trophy winner has taken a step in his sophomore year. Just 20 years old for another few weeks, Pettersson In a role in which he’s not counted on to hard match and chase world- currently ranks sixth among all NHL players with 20 points in 14 games. class opponents around the defensive zone, Sutter has thrived. So far. He’s third among all NHL forwards in even strength point rate. He leads all NHL skaters with 12 primary assists. He’s had a good deal of good fortune — a point underscored when he was given credit for an additional goal Sunday, in the middle of a team This is proper blue-chip form from Vancouver’s young top-line centre. day off — but that doesn’t take away from what he’s accomplished. It seems Sutter has found some success reinventing himself as the centre Pettersson blew the doors off in the early going in his rookie season as on a supporting offensive line. well, but this is different, quantitatively and qualitatively. Taking advantage of better linemates and a more effective puck-moving defense Obviously there’s some smoke and mirrors propping up Sutter’s high corps, Pettersson is helping the Canucks control play unlike anything we level of production. His on-ice shooting clip is north of 13 percent, which saw during his rookie year. won’t last.

Absurdly, the Canucks are generating 67.6 shot attempts per hour with There are some real and somewhat shocking signs of offensive life here Pettersson on the ice at five-on-five. When a player is getting that many though. Sutter is currently taking an unprecedented volume of shots — looks, they can earn bounces through raw volume and the sheer, nearly 10 shots per hour — which is a huge spike based on his career stubborn force of dominating proceedings, even as regression hits. rates. The club is also generating an absurd volume of scoring chances for when Sutter is on the ice at even strength, producing chances at a And while Pettersson is extraordinarily efficient, the Alien will likely need higher rate with Sutter on the ice at five-on-five than with either to work through some tougher finishing luck in the weeks and months to Pettersson or Horvat, according to NaturalStatTrick.com. come. Finally, while the sample is small and noisy still, Sutter has potentially Pettersson is currently carrying an on-ice shooting percentage north of found something like chemistry with Josh Leivo. In a tick more than 65 15 at five-on-five and his personal shooting clip is 20, on the nose. Those minutes together, Sutter and Leivo have outscored their opponents 2-to-1 finishing rates are unlikely to last, even if Pettersson did convert on his with favourable bounces, while generating over 60 shot attempts per shots at a near 20 percent clip as a rookie, too. hour and controlling a shot attempt share north of 55 percent. With Pettersson and his Lotto line wingers J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser We can’t reasonably expect the margins that Leivo and Sutter are leading the Canucks attack, Vancouver has a bona fide top-of-the-heap combining to post to hold up at this level as the sample expands, but first line capable of putting up crooked numbers. And since they’re even as the shooting percentage normalizes, if the Canucks have a third controlling nearly 65 percent of all even-strength shot attempts as a trio group that can generate shots, scoring chances and attempts at a solid when they’re on the ice five-on-five, they stand a much better chance of clip while holding their own in the territorial battle, that will go a long way weathering the inevitable sling and arrows of outrageous puck luck. in addressing a bottom-six flaw that was fatal for the club last season. High-end top six And while the bounces will dry up to some extent for Sutter, if he can stay healthy and continue to launch shots at a high rate, he could provide real offensive value to an exciting young team. Just in a much different, more The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 offense-oriented capacity than anyone could have anticipated.

Crucial man on the man advantage

Obviously any discussion of how the Canucks can sustain parts of their absurdly high-end offensive performance to this point hinge rather significantly on the health and durability of whiz kid power-play quarterback Quinn Hughes.

It’s hard to overstate the impact Hughes has made in adding cutting edge to Vancouver’s first power-play unit.

The splits are stark.

Hughes has played 48:46 on the power play so far this season, Alexander Edler has played 46:22. Both of them have been split between the first and second units.

With Hughes on the ice in power-play situations, the Canucks are generating 140 shot attempts per hour, over 76 shots per hour and are scoring 11 goals per hour. With Edler on the ice in power-play situations, the Canucks are generating 78 shot attempts per hour, over 36 shots per hour and are scoring 5 goals per hour.

It’s not just the on-ice results or the eye test that demonstrate Hughes’ value. It’s also the bottom line.

Among all NHL defensemen this season who have logged at least 20 five-on-four minutes, Hughes currently ranks second in individual points rate.

Fewer than 20 games into his NHL career, Hughes is already a super elite power-play piece. And there are nuances to the game that he’s still learning. He could be just getting started, which should be a terrifying prospect for opposition penalty killers.

Assuming Hughes doesn’t miss any significant time with the knee bruise he sustained Friday in Anaheim, Vancouver’s power play — which is already second in the NHL in total goals scored and is sporting a top-10 conversion rate — has a chance to go up another level yet.

Max volume

When you put the component parts together, there’s a foundation for the Canucks to sustain enough of their early-season offensive production to be a top-scoring club at season’s end.

To get there Vancouver will have to sustain the level of underlying performance that’s driven their success so far. Maintaining the volume of looks and scoring chances they’ve managed will be crucial particularly as Vancouver’s fortunes change and the sledding gets more difficult — both in terms of finishing luck and the higher-level opponents the Canucks face between now and Christmastime.

On the power play, for example, the Canucks are on the fringes of the top five by shot attempt rate and shots on goal rate. Those rates are indicative of a power-play group performing well and threatening the opposition consistently.

Based on the relatively average finishing luck the club has enjoyed with the man advantage and the ridiculous level of the first power-play units performance with Hughes on it, there’s a chance Vancouver will get even more out of its power — if the key personnel stay healthy.

At even strength, similarly, the Canucks are flirting with elite company based on their underlying performance. Relative to the rest of the league the Canucks entered Sunday’s games ranked second by five-on-five goals for rate, fourth by shot attempt rate, eighth by shots for rate and were a top-five team by both scoring chances for rate and expected goals rate, according to Natural Stat Trick.

This is tantalizing stuff. The stuff of a credible offensive juggernaut.

With all of the underlying indicators pointing in the same direction, there’s plenty of reason to believe this Canucks roster already poses a lethal offensive threat.

A Canucks team that’s a genuine handful for opposition defenses and worthy of the attention of spectators.

It’s been a while.

— Stats in this piece compiled from NHL.com, Corsica.hockey and NaturalStatTrick.com. 1160147 Websites As it turns out, there is, because there’s another group of people out there who are basically trying to do the same sort of long-term thing: the oddsmakers. Go to any sportsbook or online wagering service and check their Stanley Cup futures odds. That’s pretty much the same idea, albeit The Athletic / DGB weekend power rankings: Just how worried should with a small degree of variance built in to account for public betting Maple Leafs fans be right now? patterns. And unlike me, these are smart people who are putting money on the line.

As luck would have it, we got a look at some updated odds from one By Sean McIndoe Nov 4, 2019 company on Friday. Let’s see where things stand:

Click to see the full list and a few interesting things jump out, starting with Hey, remember a whole month ago when the Maple Leafs getting a the Lightning still being ranked with the best Cup odds despite a shootout win over a non-playoff team wouldn’t have felt like anything significant drop since opening night. That’s a little bit of vindication for my noteworthy? insistence on keeping them in my top five – the oddsmakers not only agree, but they’re even more bullish on Tampa Bay than I am. It’s been a rough month for the Leafs, who were hyped as a Cup favorite and instead have mostly looked mediocre. Getting two points out of The rest of the top of the list looks at least a little familiar, although the Saturday’s shootout marathon in Philadelphia will quiet the criticism, but oddsmakers have come around quicker on teams like the Sabres, Oilers only ever so slightly, because this is Toronto and they don’t really do and Islanders. Maybe more surprisingly, they have the Coyotes in that “quiet.” The Leafs get to be on the front page every time they accomplish same log jam. (In case you’re wondering, the Predators were accidentally anything vaguely positive, so it’s only fair that they get some attention left off the main list that was sent around, but their conference odds place when things are going poorly. them in that group too.) The Avalanche seem low, although that’s probably factoring in their recent injuries, while the Golden Knights are And they are going poorly, at least given expectations. Fifteen games higher than you might expect. into the season, the Maple Leafs have won seven games and lost eight. That’s not good. They’re on pace for a 93-point season, which also isn’t This is just one set of odds; anyone who was actually going to make a good for a team that was supposed to be a playoff lock. They’re sitting in bet would shop around, since different books can vary, sometimes the East’s second wild-card spot if you go by points, but if you look at significantly. And it goes without saying that oddsmakers aren’t infallible; points percentage the Habs pass them for that too. All in all, if you are they can get it wrong just like the rest of us can. But it’s a data point to what your record says you are, the Maple Leafs are just a middling team consider. And for now, at least, it proves that I’m not the only one left on right now. the planet who hasn’t deserted the Lightning bandwagon. See let’s see where I have them this week …5. St. Louis Blues (9-3-3, +2 true goals So what’s gone wrong? There’s no shortage of candidates. We can start differential*) – It’s not often you can go 4-0-0 and still come out of it with Frederik Andersen, who hasn’t looked sharp. Special teams are an feeling like you had a bad week, but that’s where the Blues are at after issue, with the powerplay looking so-so and the penalty kill being losing Vladimir Tarasenko until at least March. downright bad. They’ve had some key injuries, especially to John Tavares. And they’re taking way too many penalties a year after they Injuries are tricky for these rankings. Our big-picture view means we barely took any. shouldn’t worry too much about short-term injuries, and even something like Mikko Rantanen being out for several weeks isn’t a game-changer, Then you’ve got the narratives. The Leafs can’t play defense. They can’t as long as he’s back for the playoffs. Still, I’m slotting the Blues into the defend a lead. They’re not tough enough. They’re tuning out Mike last spot instead of the Avs, even though it’s very possible we don’t see Babcock, because the team threw an unprecedented amount of money Tarasenko again at all this year. at a bunch of kids who aren’t interested in doing the kind of hard work necessary to win the tough ones. Maybe that’s the wrong call. But I’m making it, partly because it’s too early to assume the very worst-case scenario here, and partly because That’s a long list of problems. But if you’re a Leafs fan looking for is so clearly in a win-now mode that a move to replace positivity, you could point out that those narratives all seem a little too his star seems likely. But it’s a situation worth watching, as the Central convenient, and that most of the real issues seem unlikely to continue. feels very volatile right now. We’ve seen Andersen start slow before, and he always recovers to post the same .918 save percentage he’s had for four straight years, give or 4. Nashville Predators (8-4-2, +13) – Speaking of the Central, we’ll keep take a point. Special teams and penalties can be adjusted. They’re the Predators in the top five by virtue of being the only contender that’s getting healthy, with Travis Dermott already back and Tavares and Zach still running at close to full power, even though they’ve lost two straight. Hyman on the way. Maybe the last month has just been pretty much the 3. Tampa Bay Lightning (6-5-2, -4) – Last week, we said their New York worst-case scenario and even with everything going wrong, the Leafs are trip should yield four or five points. Instead, they got two and needed still basically a playoff team. If that’s the floor, this team will be fine. overtime (and seven goals) in New Jersey just to get those. They’re just That’s the optimist’s view. And if you’re a Maple Leafs fan who’s good at not good right now. optimism, well, welcome to your first day here, I guess. For everyone They’re also not playing again until the weekend, as they head to else, it’s time to worry. Or, if you’re a fan of one of the other 30 teams Sweden to face the Sabres. Those trips can be disruptive, but this one that might like some attention every now and then, time to grab some might be coming at the right time for Tampa. popcorn and watch the mess unfold. 2. Washington Capitals (11-2-3, +14) – They’ve won four straight for the It will not surprise you to hear that the Maple Leafs are not in this week’s second time in two weeks, including Friday’s statement win over the top five. Let’s figure out who should be … Sabres and a tidy effort last night against the Flames. Road to the Cup But honestly, this was probably the highlight of the weekend in The five teams that look like they’re headed towards a summer of keg Washington: stands and fountain pool parties. (But seriously, are the Capitals out partying with the Nationals right As we’ve mentioned each week, the idea behind these rankings is to look now? They don’t play again until Thursday. This might end very badly for ahead to who’ll win the Stanley Cup in June, as opposed to who’s playing somebody. Alexander Ovechkin is going to crash their White House visit the best right now. If you’d prefer the latter view, there are other rankings claiming to be Bryce Harper and demanding to know where the fountains out there, including a group effort from Athletic writers that came out on are.) Friday. That’s the one where you’ll find teams like the Sabres and 1. Boston Bruins (10-1-2, +20) – What can you even say? They just keep Islanders ranked ahead of the Lightning, because they’re better at this rolling. It’s five straight wins and at least a point in nine straight. And moment in time. It’s a perfectly valid way to look at things; it’s just not there is still no sign that anyone in the league can figure out how to what we’re going for here. contain that ridiculous first line. But what if you like the approach we’re taking here, but aren’t sure that *Goals differential without counting shootout decisions like the NHL does I’m getting the rankings right? Is there somewhere else we can look for a for some reason. quick sanity check? Not ranked: New York Islanders – Well, this feels familiar. 3. Los Angeles Kings (5-9-0, -19) – They snapped a losing streak and picked up their first points in almost two weeks with Saturday’s OT win If you’re new to this column for this year, you missed the Great New York over the Hawks. Meanwhile, here’s a good piece that goes deep on Todd Islanders Respect Wars of 2018-19. And if so, well, congratulations, McLellan’s rebuild plan. because they weren’t fun for anyone. Right around this time last year, the comment section on these pieces started morphing into an ongoing 2. Ottawa Senators (3-8-1, -10) – They lost to the Bruins on Saturday, debate from Islander fans wanting to know why their team wasn’t in the but all we’ll remember from the game is the sickening sight of Scott top five. They eventually made it, although it took me until February and I Sabourin hitting the ice after a head-to-head collision with David Backes. never put them higher than fifth. It was a clean play that led to a horrific result, as Sabourin was out before In the end, Islander fans were right – the team really was good and not he hit the ice. Players from both teams were clearly shaken up as the sort of PDO-fueled fluke that they seemed like. But I was kind of right Sabourin stayed down for several minutes before leaving on a stretcher. too – they were good, but they finished fifth overall in the standings and He stayed overnight in a Boston hospital but sent out an optimistic note didn’t make the final four in the playoffs, so having them top out at No. 5 (and photo evidence of some of the damage) on Sunday morning. in the rankings was bang on. 1. Detroit Red Wings (4-10-1, -24) – The Wings’ week started with their That was then, and this is now, and the Islanders are the hottest team in most impressive win of the season, a 3-1 decision over the Oilers. That the league with nine straight wins. So here we go again. Why aren’t the also snapped an eight-game losing streak, making it the sort of game Islanders in the top five? that can turn a season’s momentum around.

We could break out the old familiar refrain about how these rankings are Nope. The Red Wings suffered a pair of lopsided losses over the about the big picture, and we have to be able to distinguish between a weekend and now sit tied for the second-worst record in the league in team getting unexpectedly hot for a few weeks and being a legitimate points-percentage while sporting the worst goals-differential by a decent Cup contender. That’s why we haven’t ranked teams like the Sabres and margin. That’s enough to nudge them into the top spot for a week at Oilers up here. least. And it’s also got to be turning up the heat on coach Jeff Blashill; this week we learned that his two-year extension may actually be only But that doesn’t really work, because the Islanders aren’t the Sabres or one year plus a team option, so there’s not as much security there as we Oilers. Those teams were supposed to be bad, at least according to all thought. the experts. Experts can be wrong, of course, but we should be skeptical of 70-something point teams that suddenly look like world beaters, even Not ranked: San Jose Sharks – It was a disastrous week for the Sharks, for most of a month. who dropped a pair on the weekend to run their regulation losing streak to five games. They’re now nine points out of a playoff spot and sitting But the Islanders aren’t a 70-point team. They were close to that heading dead last in the West in points percentage, and while I made the case on into last season when everyone wrote them off. But this year, they’re Friday for why they can still get back into the race, it’s shaping up to be a coming off a 103-point season that included a playoff win. And even brutally steep climb and the history of teams with similar starts is against though plenty of us were calling for them to take a step back, they’re still them. If you figure they’ll need 95 points to make the playoffs in the West, rolling along. Swapping out Robin Lehner for Semyon Varlamov hasn’t the Sharks already need to play at a 105-point pace the rest of the way. really hurt at all, and they might actually have a good powerplay this Is this a 105-point team? We thought so heading into the season, but that year, if the refs ever let them try one in a game. At some point, don’t we feels like a long time ago. have to drop the qualifiers and just admit these guys are good? But as bad as all of that looks, the story is actually even worse, thanks to Well … yeah. I think we do. I don’t have them in the top five this week, a wrinkle that’s one of the few bits of good news for the Senators these but unlike the first half of last season, it’s not because I’m not buying days. As any Ottawa fan will happily remind you, the Sens own the what they’re selling. It’s a tough list to break into right now, one that Sharks’ first-round pick this year. It’s theirs from the Erik Karlsson trade. features the last two Cup champs, the last two Presidents’ Trophy And there’s no lottery protection on it. winners and last year’s finalist. You could make a case for the Islanders to be ranked ahead of some of those teams, especially after they beat There’s some beautiful irony here. The Senators spent the last season the Lightning on Friday. I didn’t quite get them there, but if you did, I living through the nightmare scenario of a terrible season in which they wouldn’t argue much. There’s a decent chance they’ll be there next didn’t even have their own first-round pick. There was plenty of talk that week. they could win the lottery and hand Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko to the Avalanche. That didn’t happen, although they still coughed up the fourth That’s kind of a boring answer, and maybe a letdown if you’re an Islander overall pick. fan who came here looking for a fight. Sorry about that. Let me try to think of some other things you can be mad at me about. Uh … the Butch But now they get to enjoy the same scenario from the other side. The Goring trade was overrated, Dale Hunter and Darcy Tucker were cool Senators are still bad, and still facing down a long season. But now they guys and deserves another chance. There. Now go flip can look forward to the lottery and the possibility of not one but two some tables. chances at a top prospect.

The bottom five Meanwhile, it’s one more bit of bad news for a Sharks team that hardly needs it; even if their season continues to go off the rails, they couldn’t The five teams that are headed towards the best lottery odds and lots of tank for a top pick even if they wanted to. It’s a brutal way to go through a Alexis Lafreniere junior highlight reels. year, as Senators fans could tell them.

We won’t be seeing Milan Lucic for two games, thanks to this punch on The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 Kole Sherwood.

It’s only the second suspension of the year handed out by the Department of Player Safety for an on-ice infraction.

5. Minnesota Wild (4-9-1, -16) – It was going to be really tempting to slide the Hawks into this slot if they’d lost again last night. But now that Chicago has joined the mighty Four Win Club, we’ll defer to the Wild’s latest losing streak, even if most of it has come against the defending Cup champs.

4. New Jersey Devils (3-5-4, -11) – OK, somebody’s going to have to explain this stuff to me. I get where Taylor Hall’s comments about Devils fans this week may have played poorly, especially if taken out of context. But was his goal celebration on Friday meant to mock those same fans? Or was he just having some fun with a non-story?

I’d like to sit back and enjoy the drama of a star player heading towards a midseason trade and/or free agency as much as the next non-Devils fan, but this seems like a mountain out of a molehill. 1160148 Websites Why? It’s not because there are no gay players in the NHL. In fact, even a

conservative estimate would suggest that at least a handful of the 700 or The Athletic / Coming out: What will it take for the first gay player to come so NHL players are a part of LGBT community. After all, a 2017 Gallup forward? poll found that 4.5% of Americans are LGBT, according to “respondents’ self-identification as being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.” In fact, multiple sources have indicated to The Athletic that, not only are there gay players in the league, but that it would not be Katie Strang Nov 4, 2019 unexpected if at least a few of those players are out to their own teammates.

It was the spring of 2006 and Brock McGillis was sitting in his apartment This should be considered a significant step in its own right, but it also in The Hague, Netherlands, depressed and reflecting on how a promising makes sense. Often, progress comes incrementally. career had come to this. He was overseas, isolated, battling injuries on a When student manager Brendan Burke famously came out to his team at near-constant basis, and supremely unhappy. For someone who was Miami University in 2009, he put a face to LGBT issues. It was no longer expecting a linear path to the NHL, his dream had taken a sharp an amorphous idea of what it would be like to have a gay person on the divergence. team; Burke was both a teammate and a friend. Members of that Miami The then-22-year-old goaltender was practical about what he felt were University team were critical to You Can Play’s inception; NHLers Andy his prospects: Miele and Tommy Wingels wrote the first checks to fund the startup. Miami’s then-coach Rico Blasi remains an advisory board member and “I was likely to end up dead,” McGillis said. “You can’t drink almost daily, one of the group’s biggest allies. (with) that much depression and that (many) attempts at suicide, without it eventually catching up to you. I think it was inevitable I was going down Ask players around the league and they’ll barely bat an eye at the idea of that path.” the NHL being welcoming and accepting of a gay teammate — or opponent. McGillis opened his computer, began browsing an internet dating site and found scores of middle-aged men — some who were married, some “I think we’ve been ready for that for a long time,” Rangers goaltender with kids and families — who were secretly seeking out relationships with Henrik Lundqvist said. “I think the respect towards people is really good other men. He didn’t judge those men; they grew up in a different era in the league. I think growing up playing hockey, yeah, it can be very where homosexuality wasn’t so openly accepted. But McGillis could not macho, sure, but still, you learn pretty fast that a good locker room is a say the same for himself. And it terrified him to think he could end up the locker room with respect for other people.” same way — closeted and living a lie. Plenty of players have been vocal and visible allies of their local and McGillis, who played in the Ontario Hockey League and United Hockey national LGBT communities. Players such as Brent Sopel, Mark League before heading overseas to play in a Dutch professional league, Giordano, Braden Holtby, and former and current executives like Brian had already spent years of what he described as “womanizing,” to fulfill Burke and Kyle Dubas have marched in local Pride parades. what he believed to be the quintessential hockey player stereotype. It Montreal’s Max Domi went to his first this past August and was blown was a farce; he wanted to be honest about his romantic desires instead. away by how much it seemed to mean to those from within the Montreal So he waited until summer, ventured away from his hometown of LGBTQ community. He had a blast, met some great people, marched Sudbury, Ontario, and decamped to Toronto, where he’d be unlikely to with former NHLer Georges Laraque — a longtime and vocal ally of the encounter teammates, old coaches, family or friends. gay community there — and is looking forward to enlisting some of his It was there, in April of 2006, that he went on his first date with a man. teammates to join him next year.

“I was scared shitless,” McGillis told The Athletic. “Scarier than any other He has zero doubt about the Habs’ attitudes toward inclusivity. experience I’ve ever had in hockey or anytime else. I was shaking the “I know for a fact everyone in my locker room, everyone with the entire time.” Montreal Canadiens, would be cool with it, and support it. Everyone After conquering his nerves, McGillis found himself more comfortable wants to help each other in one way or another and the ultimate goal is immersing himself in the dating scene. He met someone the following winning the Stanley Cup. If someone’s gonna help you to do that, it month with whom he shared a serious, three-year relationship and, doesn’t matter the (sexual orientation), the race — we’re all in this though this was a huge step, he told no one. Not family, not friends. together,” Domi said. “That’s the mentality of a hockey team; we have each others’ backs.” McGillis insisted on his partner using a fake name for him when he was speaking to others — an alias so that no one would know the two were The idea of the sanctity of a hockey locker room, and the fervent dating. Eventually, under the strain of this concealment and his dedication to the collective, are just a few of the cultural nuances Kim unwillingness to be open about his sexuality, the relationship ended. Davis learned after joining the league’s executive office two years ago McGillis felt isolated and alone. But he had taken such great pains to following her time pioneering inclusivity and diversity efforts in the hide the truth for a reason. corporate world.

“The biggest fear I had was that my career was going to be derailed,” Davis, in her capacity as NHL executive vice president for Social Impact, McGillis said. “If someone finds out, they don’t give me the opportunity. I Growth Initiatives, Legislative Affairs, has spent significant time speaking knew that would happen. I still believe that would’ve happened.” with players during her visits to clubs throughout the league. She believes the moment when we see a player step forward publicly is That was more than a decade ago. Attitudes and social norms shift over drawing near. time and during that span there has been significant progress toward inclusion and acceptance for the LGBTQ community. On a societal level, She points to San Jose’s Evander Kane’s recent Tweet, pointing out we’ve seen the Supreme Court legalize same-sex marriages, prominent racism directed at a youth hockey coach, as an example that hockey gay artists and entertainers ascend, and an openly gay candidate run for players are no longer remaining mum on some of the most important the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. societal issues.

Within the sports world, a highly touted college football player, Michael “We know the culture of hockey has been one, across many dimensions, Sam, kissed his boyfriend on live television upon being drafted into the where players are (traditionally) very humble and quiet in terms of social NFL, pro athletes Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird became the first gay stances,” Davis said. “But I think we are now at a convergence point in couple to grace ESPN’s The Body issue, and Pride Nights promoting our society and in our sport where, if ever there was a moment, we’ve inclusion have proliferated in rinks, stadiums and arenas across North arrived at this moment.” America. Within the NHL community, the You Can Play Project has Perhaps the most effective way to answer why it hasn’t happened yet is become one of the most visible and active organizations to promote to acknowledge and identify all of the ways in which coming forward can advocacy and allies within the hockey world. still feel daunting and career-threatening for a player contemplating such And still, no NHL player — current or retired — has come out publicly. a decision. (It should be noted that the NHL is not alone, either. The NBA’s Jason can do is show them how I feel,” he said. Additionally, he plans to lean on Collins became the first pro male athlete in North America to come out any organizations and resources with more experience in this domain. near the end of his career in 2013 and no other current player has done Shanahan recognizes that even if a player is willing to take on a role as a so among the Big Four professional sports leagues since; Robbie Rogers pioneer, the pressure will be monumental. was openly gay during his time playing for Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy from 2013-2017.) It will require, Shanahan suspects, a tremendous “leap of faith.”

Among the dozens of people interviewed for this piece, both on and off “To me, it would be a real source of inspiration and pride to hopefully be the record, a few common themes emerged. a part of making somebody feel welcome and safe to come out in our league.” The most common answer? Fear of becoming a “distraction.” But for all the ways in which certain clubs and players have rallied around Dr. Cheryl MacDonald, a postdoctoral scholar and instructor with the the idea of inclusion, there are still areas in which progress is necessary. Centre for the Study of Sport and Health at Saint Mary’s in Halifax, Nova There is, perhaps, no better example of this than the use of homophobic Scotia, has studied homophobia in hockey for over 10 years. She is and derogatory language. largely a qualitative methodologist, which means she gathers information through interviews and written surveys. Some of the most illuminating Language is a huge part of culture and it plays a critical role in shaping feedback she’s received has come from former NHL players. attitudes and acceptance. In 2018, NHL goaltender Anders Nilsson warned about the league missing out on the next Sidney Crosby or These players, MacDonald said, framed homosexuality as a potential Wayne Gretzky because of the homophobic language he found to be distraction to the team, in the same way they considered concussions, pervasive at the youth and minor levels. In the original interview with mental health issues, drug or alcohol addiction to be. These retired Swedish outlet Aftonbledet, Nilsson said “if I was gay, I would have quit athletes explained that there’s a pervasive sense of concern that if one is playing hockey in my teens.” competing for a roster spot with another player, the roster spot will ultimately go to the one who does not call attention to himself. The prevalence of homophobic and sexist language in the hockey world, and its potential chilling effect, bears out in MacDonald’s research as “Hockey players are expected to be humble and keep to themselves,” well. Among some openly gay hockey players she interviewed, at least MacDonald said. “If you’re expected to not be in the spotlight, then you one quit the sport after being subjected to such denigrating speech. do not want to be the poster child for LGBT inclusion in hockey, and so it’s easier to just keep your mouth shut, make your millions of dollars for “Femininity and homosexuality are always equated in this world, so a few years and then live your life later.” whether you’re calling someone a ‘pussy’ or a ‘bitch’ or a ‘fag,’ it kind of all means the same thing,” said MacDonald, stressing that all of those One retired NHL player affirmed that this remains the biggest impediment pejoratives are meant to designate someone as soft or weak. “And to someone coming out. Even if the attention was largely positive, which typically in the NHL you will be fined or suspended for homophobic the player wholly believes it would be, that attention would loom large language but not sexist language.” over any player and his team. That makes most hockey players uncomfortable. (Chicago’s Andrew Shaw was suspended one game in 2016 and assessed a $5,000 for using an anti-gay slur. In 2017, Anaheim’s Ryan “It wouldn’t just die out” he said. Getzlaf reportedly called a referee a “cocksucker.” He was fined $10,000. ) Many players also indicated that jeopardizing their livelihood was a much more significant consideration than not being accepted by teammates. McGillis found this language so common in his playing days that he Predicting the reaction of their contemporaries was fairly straightforward, automatically assumed that, even though the insults were never hurled at they said, but anticipating the response of the power brokers in the him directly, they clearly defined how a teammate or coach would feel business, such as those in management and ownership, was more about him if he were ever to come out. difficult. That would be one area he’d like to see change, and reinforced, from the Patrick Burke, who is the NHL’s senior director of player safety, is youth levels on up, including among fans. arguably the most prominent and outspoken LGBT ally in the hockey world. He helped found You Can Play, along with Brian Kitts and Glenn Last year, he posted a picture of himself and his partner kissing at New Witman, as a way to honor his late brother Brendan, who died in a car York’s Pride parade and he received an onslaught of negative comments accident three months after his courageous decision to come out. Burke on his Instagram account. He asked the NHL, which was promoting his said it’s incumbent upon the NHL to eradicate this concern, and to account, to leave those comments up for all to see. promote a work environment where a player doesn’t have to factor that He wanted others to understand just how abusive people are to those in into his decision-making process. vulnerable communities.

“Let’s talk about the guys who are signing the checks, let’s talk about the Language is critical to the education component, and is becoming a point guys who are putting these players in positions to succeed,” Burke said. of emphasis starting in youth hockey and continuing all the way up to the “And the more we highlight the fact that our management and ownership NHL. But meaningful change does not happen overnight. groups can be tremendously inclusive and supportive of this, we can get rid of that fear.” “This is a long game,” said Kitts, president of You Can Play. “The language and the education takes a long time. It takes a long time to get Certain organizations have already made it clear that an inclusive kids to stop using slurs, and it takes a long time for parents (and environment is not only important to their club, but essential. For coaches) to stop allowing kids to use those slurs.” example, Toronto General Manager Kyle Dubas has been a vocal supporter of LGBT issues; he recently spoke at a You Can Play However, there has been appreciable progress on a number of fronts fundraiser in Toronto. Team president has made it that leaves Kitts hopeful that the landscape is changing. AHL and ECHL clear he’s an unequivocal ally as well. teams reach out to him about doing Pride nights, players are volunteering to be allies within You Can Play networks, and national governing bodies In an effort to make sure the organization has the proper support in place are putting policies in place to protect their athletes. should a player want to come out publicly, Shanahan sought out McGillis, who now works as a public speaker and activist, for his experience and “It’s a testament to the sport, a testament to the people behind this sport insight. and it’s not something that is receding,” Kitts said. “It’s something we feel is getting to be more important from a visibility standpoint.” “I’m aware of the fact this could happen at any point,” Shanahan told The Athletic. “I’m not an expert in this field and to try to imagine how someone A few years ago, Burke was asked in an interview about the ideal would feel is certainly less powerful than talking to somebody who scenario in which a player would feel comfortable coming out. He doesn’t have to imagine what it feels like in this situation. It goes back to suggested, in an off-the-cuff way, that perhaps a group of players taking education and awareness. I was immediately impressed by his story and the leap together would prevent any one player forced to bear the brunt I wanted to meet him. And quite frankly, I wanted to learn from him.” of the spotlight by himself. In reality, both the NHL and NHLPA have considered how they’d support someone who was thinking of coming out Shanahan, a Hockey Hall of Famer who played in the NHL for 21 years, and what sort of institutional mechanisms they could enable to ensure said that if a player approached him about coming out, “the first thing I that person’s privacy, livelihood and comfort were both honored and If he had to do it over again, he’d probably have consulted others who protected. have come out, just to prepare for the deluge of attention he received. The thought of doing it while still playing feels like it would have been “I think when we talk about coming out, it’s obviously an intensely daunting, despite the outpouring of love and support. personal and private process for anyone going through that,” Burke said. But that story was one of the final steps he took toward his own self- Players may have non-work-related reasons for not wanting to come out. acceptance, and it was a critical one to his happiness. He can now say And while one player may want to come out and take on the role of a this, proudly: trailblazer, another may prefer to acknowledge their sexual orientation but speak of it seldomly from that point forward. There can’t be any one- I love being a gay man. size-fits-all plan. The league and member clubs would have to work together to honor the player’s wishes — what he does and does not feel People sometimes ask why he says that, routinely. And there’s a good comfortable with, and how he’d like to handle any such announcement. reason.

There would also be the promise of institutional support for that player’s “There are so many people out there struggling with their sexuality who teammates and club employees. That sort of training is already available have never heard that. Actually, they’ve heard the opposite,” McGillis to NHL member clubs; the Minnesota Wild are hosting a pilot program on said. inclusivity training this season, for example. “I spent so many years in fear. I was lying. I was protecting. I wasn’t my On a more systemic level, challenging the very idea that players are true self. I wasn’t happy. I ruined my hockey career because of it. I don’t incapable of welcoming someone of a different sexual orientation is want that for anyone. What does it matter who you love?” necessary. Not only because it’s critical to cultivating a safe environment, The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 but also because it’s inaccurate.

“There’s a narrative around sports that it’s not inclusive and it’s not diverse and it’s not welcoming … but when you talk to these guys one- on-one, the narrative just doesn’t bear out,” Burke said. “I think people still see athletes as some 1980s movie where guys are out shoving people into lockers and bullying nerds. Our guys are well-educated, inclusive parts of their community, living in major metropolitan cities and interacting with very diverse groups on a regular basis.”

“Really, I think our players are tremendously accepting and (would be) tremendously welcoming of a teammate when one chooses to come out.”

The demographics of the NHL are shifting toward a younger, more socially aware group of players. With that change comes an evolving sense of attitudes, too. But there’s ample reason to believe even those clinging to the old-school, bare-knuckles ethos of eras past would support someone willing to take the risk of coming out, too.

Think about the way toughness, grit and resilience are revered — fetishized, even — within the sport. Now think about what it would take for a player to come out. A number of conversations with players, current and retired, revealed one common theme: they all agreed that anyone willing to take that step would embody these qualities, in abundance.

Said one:

“I think it would be just about the most courageous thing you could do.”

It was years after McGillis, now 36, quit playing hockey that he decided to share his truth.

He had finally come out to his family members and some friends, who responded with love and acceptance (his brother, Cory, after McGillis informed him he was gay, replied, “Yeah … so?”).

But to put it out there for the entire world to see was a different decision entirely. Ultimately, he was prompted to come forward for two reasons.

One was the shift in attitudes he’d seen from the young athletes he worked with as a high-performance trainer and on-ice development coach. He paid close attention to their reactions to offensive language and behavior and was encouraged when he saw the teenagers themselves take matters into their own hands. One kid used the word “gay” in a derogatory way during a practice; the other players in his midst had him drop to the ice and do 50 pushups as punishment.

Another was the devastating 2016 attack when a gunman opened fire and killed 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. McGillis said his community viewed gay bars and clubs as a refuge, a sanctuary where they could socialize free from worry of derision or ridicule. In the course of just a few minutes, that sense of safety was taken away.

So, he connected with a trusted friend he knew from his playing days in the OHL and released a story on Yahoo. He thought a dozen people would notice and that would be the extent of the piece.

He got 10,000 messages in his email inbox that day, almost every one of them positive.

“It was very overwhelming, very emotional,” McGillis said. “It’s arguably the proudest day of my life.” 1160149 Websites radio spread, you might occasionally get something generated by fans that was able to break through the filters. But today, in the age of social media, literally anyone can send a thought out into the world and see it gain traction. And sports nicknames are exactly the sort of fun-but- The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Hockey nicknames are broken. Here’s meaningless content that should be thriving on Twitter. We should be how we fix them living in a golden age of nicknames.

But we’re not. And it’s because literally, nothing good has ever come from Twitter we all got lazy and just decided to ask the players to do it. By Sean McIndoe Nov 4, 2019 Shame on us. It’s not their job, it’s ours. Let’s take it back.

Step three: Remember what makes a good nickname The NHL has a rich history of cool nicknames. Classic monikers like The OK, so we agree that fans and media have to take back responsibility for China Wall, Old Poison or the Golden Jet evoke memories of larger than nicknames. Great. life stars, while memories of legendary moments can be summoned just by mentioning The Rocket, Mr. Hockey, Boom-Boom or, simply, The How do we do it? Great One. Great nicknames don’t just appear out of the air and some things work But with a small handful of exceptions, all the sport’s best nicknames are better than others. We’ve been ignoring the job for so long that we could from long ago. These days, star players get half-hearted variations of all probably use a refresher. So let’s go over some quick tips. their last names, if they get anything at all. Nicknames used to matter in hockey, but not anymore. The entire concept is broken. Start with the basics: Not every nickname has to be a complicated work of sub-references and callbacks that requires a multi-slide PowerPoint to But we can fix this. And all it will take is five steps. Here’s what we need understand. Sometimes, simple works. to do: Often, one word is all you need. Battleship. Tiger. Phantom. Nifty. Step one: Stop accepting what we have now Moose. It doesn’t have to be much more complicated than that. If you want a little extra, slap a simple descriptor on the front. The Big Train is a Ask around an NHL dressing room over the past few decades and you’ll fantastic sports nickname. find out that most players are just referred to by modified versions of their last name. Usually, you just take the first syllable or two of their surname, Rhyming can work too. Sid the Kid isn’t the best we’ve ever done, but it’s maybe slap on an “er” or a “y” to the end, and you’re done. Sometimes fine, especially for the modern era. Same with Phil the Thrill or Jake the you don’t even do that much. Jonesy. Kaner. Gio. Alfie. Iggy. Ovi. Snake. If you want to stretch it a bit, Gratoony the Loony was one of the very best. Everyone agrees that these are terrible sports nicknames. But everyone is wrong. Alliteration is another option. Terrible Ted, Lucky Luc, Eddie the Eagle. Simple, but they work. No, those aren’t bad sports nicknames, because they’re not sports nicknames at all. They’re abbreviations. If you want to get technical, you Places are good: We already mentioned The Chicoutimi Cucumber, could call them diminutive hypocorisms. Terms of affection between which honestly should be considered the gold standard in sports friends, in some cases. They’re nicknames, I guess, if only in the nicknames. But other solid nicknames have been based on a player’s broadest possible sense. town, city or country of origin. The Finnish Flash, The Riverton Rifle, The Stratford Streak … all great nicknames. When in doubt, find out where a But they’re not sports nicknames. Sports nicknames are a special class. player is from, then slap a random alliterative word on the end. Boom, They’re supposed to be descriptive, or at least creative. Fun, even. there’s your nickname. Vaguely interesting, at a bare minimum. (An academic paper by Robert Kennedy and Tania Zamuner calls these kinds of nicknames “Homeric,” Pop culture can work but tread carefully: This one can get a little dicey which I kind of love because it’s a reference to the poet Homer but also because you never know when you’re going to wind up with something captures that homer sports fan vibe). that doesn’t make any sense just a few years later. Super Mario worked out OK because the character had some staying power, and sometimes The key point is that most modern hockey nicknames aren’t good a nickname like Cujo or Felix the Cat is so good that we keep using it nicknames because they’re not real nicknames at all. If your last name is even though younger fans might not even know where it’s from. Captain Jones and people call you Jonesy, you don’t have a nickname. Yet. But Kirk is timeless, as is the Wizard of Oz. Big Bird, too. maybe you should. But sometimes, even legends don’t have as much staying power as you But first, we have to do something very important … might think. We all thought it was cool to call Steve Yzerman “Stevie Step two: Stop asking the players what their nicknames are Wonder” for a while back in the 1980s. By the 90s, we realized Part Time Lover was a decade ago and we all switched over to Stevie Y. Sure, players are terrible at assigning nicknames, at least publicly. Therefore, the whole problem is their fault, right? No. Not at all. Bring back the enforcers: The role doesn’t exist anymore, and that’s probably a good thing. But it’s really hurt us in the nickname department It’s not their fault. It’s ours. because for reasons I’ve never quite been able to nail down, enforcers always had the best nicknames. All of us. The media. The fans. We’re the ones who are supposed to be coming up with nicknames. That’s supposed to be our job. But at some The Grim Reaper. Knuckles. The Missing Link. Bomber. The Hammer. point along the way, we all decided to offload it onto the players. And Cronin the Barbarian. For a while, Tie Domi was called The Albanian again, they’re terrible at it. Assassin. It never fully stuck, and that’s too bad because it was an A-plus nickname. The problem was buried right there in the first sentence of step one. “Ask around an NHL dressing room.” Why are we doing that? Who cares what The only enforcer who didn’t have a good nickname was Bob Probert. the players call each other? That’s not where great nicknames come People just called him “Probie.” That was a lame non-nickname, but … from. well, were you going to tell him that? No, you were not. Probert could be called whatever we wanted to be called. “Mr. Probert Sir” probably Do you think Georges Vezina’s teammates were calling him “The worked too. Chicoutimi Cucumber” when they played cards on the train? Of course not. They probably called him Vezzy. But we don’t know that, because But the rest of them all had cool nicknames. I know we don’t have much nobody ever asked them, and rightly so. Some old-timey sportswriter room left on our rosters for enforcers, but maybe we could hire a few as came up with The Chicoutimi Cucumber, everyone else went “that’s consultants in the nickname department until we’ve got all this sorted out. awesome” and a nickname was born. Vezina himself didn’t get a say. That’s how it’s supposed to work. Make more players named Joe: Phantom Joe Malone. Jumbo Joe Thornton. Bullet Joe Simpson. Basically, if your name is Joe, somebody Back then, you had to rely on a handful of anointed media to come up is going to slap a one-word nickname in front of it and it will be great. with creative names, which worked well enough because most of the Let’s make more Joes. good ones were drunk at all times. Later, as cable TV and sports talk (Theory: If we ever developed an enforcer named Joe we would reach The point is that a player without a nickname doesn’t represent some hockey nickname singularity and the league would cease to exist. That’s grand collective failing. That’s true of legendary superstars, and it’s why we had to refer to Kocur as “Joey,” just to be safe. I’m not certainly true of random depth guys. Sure, sometimes a third-liner or a completely sure this is true but it’s a hypothesis and I’m working on it.) backup goalie will end up with an all-time nickname – Red Light Racicot may never be topped. But let’s not go overboard. Two or three fun You are not too good for puns: None of us are. Puns are great. They nicknames per team would be a good starting point, and then we can go don’t always work for nicknames, especially if you have to explain them. from there. But if a name lends itself especially well to a corny pun, don’t act like you’re above it. The situation is dire, but it can be saved. We can do this. But we need you to be part of the solution. “Pickles” isn’t a great nickname, but for Marc-Edouard Vlasic, it works better than “Vlassy.” Artemi Panarin being The Breadman is decent. (Unless you’re an NHL player. You had your chance. Nobody’s asking Guys named Campbell can always be Soup or Soupy. Francis Bouillon you anymore.) being called The Cube was great. Language-based puns work too, like The Flower for Guy Lafleur. The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019

Feel free to get creative. If a name feels like it would work well on one of those cheesy sports posters we all had on our bedroom walls back in the 1980s, you’re probably on the right track. The Bulin Wall was a great nickname for a goalie. The Wrecking Ball was a solid choice for Mark Recchi, even if he barely ever hit anybody. The Net Detective for goaltender Jim Carey was great for the two years he was relevant. Nobody even remembers who Blaine Lacher was anymore, but Lach Net Monster was a stroke of genius. Let’s find the person who came up with that and put them in charge.

Reach into the past for inspiration: There’s nothing wrong with taking a legendary nickname from the past and adapting it for a worthy suitor. This works especially well for family members, like when The Golden Jet begat The Golden Brett, or when Rocket Richard’s brother became the Pocket Rocket, or when we had The Big M and The Little M (which we all agreed to go with even though Pete Mahovlich was bigger than Frank). Spanning eras is OK too, like when Pavel Bure became The Russian Rocket.

As long as the new player is a worthy heir, passing on a variation of a legendary nickname can work. But there’s one caveat …

You can’t just steal a name outright: Derivatives can be fine. Outright theft is not. Yes, I’m looking at you, Brad Marchand. You are not The Little Ball of Hate. That was Pat Verbeek, and it’s a great nickname. You don’t get to steal it. And no, it doesn’t matter whether somebody eventually forces the old guy to grudgingly pretend he doesn’t mind.

A sound-alike version would have been fine. I mean, The Nasal Ball of Hate was right there for the taking. But stealing from your elders is the nickname equivalent of purse-snatching. Be better.

Step four: Accept that not all of these are going to be great, especially at first

I sometimes wonder if part of the problem with modern nicknames is that we’re setting the bar too high. A truly great sports nickname can make everyone who hears it for the first time to start looking around for a stranger to high-five. But those are the exceptions. Not every nickname has to be a pristine work of art. Not everyone can be The Chicoutimi Cucumber, you know?

Let’s be honest. As nicknames go, “The Great One” is fine. It works well enough. But it’s not winning any Pulitzers. Same with Mr. Hockey. The Dominator is a good nickname, but not exactly inspired. None of those would make you jump out of your chair when you first heard them. The nicknames weren’t legendary – the players were, and the nicknames went along for the ride.

The point is that we didn’t spend those years talking about “Gretz” or “Howesy” or “Haser.” We found something that worked well enough, and we went with it.

Remember that, so if/when we finally get past this awful era of non- nicknames and start trying to come up with better ones, you won’t be That Guy who instantly shoots down every idea they hear. Nobody likes that guy. If somebody throws a suggestion out there, give it some time to percolate. Maybe it will stick. Maybe it won’t.

Step five: Don’t force it

One last thing to keep in mind: Not everyone needs a nickname. Some of the best players in hockey history never had them.

Bobby Orr never really had one, at least any that stuck with the public. Neither did . Jaromir Jagr didn’t really have one once he outgrew the novelty of Mario Jr. I don’t think Martin Brodeur did either, unless we’re counting all the ones gave him. 1160150 Websites His shoulder pads, which also date back to his days with Rimouski, have been repaired and repaired and repaired to the point they probably require a medical plan. A front section of the chest protector is dark blue and marked by what remains of the original Jofa lettering. The Athletic / The rituals that Sidney Crosby won’t discuss: An old jock strap, sweat-stained hats and the McDonald’s arches After a mid-October practice at PPG Paints Arena, Crosby removed the pads and handed them to an equipment staffer so that a computer chip could be removed. He laughed and offered “good luck finding it in that mess.” By Rob Rossi Nov 4, 2019 Clearly, Crosby was being kind. His shoulder pads stopped being a

“mess” many years ago. It’s not that Jack Johnson hadn’t seen Sidney Crosby in 16 years. He just They’re now a raggedy combination of patches that turn different colors hadn’t seen Crosby as a teammate during that span. So, during depending on the section. Made by Reebok, the pads are thought to be Johnson’s first season with the Penguins, he couldn’t help but notice that the 6K model, according to head equipment manager Dana Heinze. Crosby had brought to Pittsburgh a ritual from their time together playing Heinze believes this model is no longer produced, so finding replacement for Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep team in Minnesota. parts for the pads is a challenge. “Once he taped it, he didn’t like anyone touching his stick,” Johnson said The pads are refurbished when required to meet safety standards. of Crosby’s longest-standing ritual. “That’s the big one I remember.” They’re also regularly cleaned, gingerly, for sanitation purposes. Wait for it… Like the jock strap, Crosby arrived in Pittsburgh with these very shoulder “And I think he’d always take the same walking path to the rink,” Johnson pads — or the frame of them, at least — for his first NHL training camp in said. “I think they were starting to add up. He was just at the beginning.” September 2005. Heinze and his crew have been repairing them on an every-other-week basis from Day 1. Over the next 17 years, Crosby would go on to craft one of hockey’s great resumes. His talents are seemingly surpassed only by his Why go to all the trouble? competitiveness. But Crosby might also believe his achievements have It’s Sid. something to do with his rituals. If something makes him comfortable, the extra effort to provide him that We say “might” because we can’t say for sure if Crosby really believes comfort is worth it. That’s what they all say in Pittsburgh when it comes to wearing the same jock strap for every NHL game has helped him captain Crosby’s fondness for familiar gear. three Stanley Cup champion teams, lead Canada’s men to a couple of Olympic gold medals and the World Cup of hockey, and collect enough At this point, the equipment staffers who have known him longest admit individual awards to require an addition to his homes in Halifax or they’re not sure if anything Crosby wears for protection has been Pittsburgh. changed this decade, last decade or ever. His elbow and leg pads do not appear as torn and frayed as the shoulder pads or jock strap, but that’s We do know that Crosby — arguably as accessible to the media as he not to suggest they, too, don’t receive surgeon-level stitching from has been imposing to the opposition — is loathe to discuss the rituals assistant equipment manager Paul DeFazio. that seem to have become superstitions. While he is not alone among hockey players who have a certain way of doing specific things before They do. each game, he is the first phenom to fulfill his promise during the internet age. Often.

That means anything different he’s done has been overanalyzed to the Without hesitation. point of exhaustion and annoyance. Crosby’s conferences with either DeFazio or associate head equipment Also, if Crosby believes details about his jock strap are nobody’s manager Jon Taglianetti are a frequent post-practice visual in the business — well, who is going to argue with him? Penguins’ dressing room. Much is said with looks, as if Crosby and the equipment managers are communicating telepathically about what needs Crosby has worn the same black Reebok jock strap dating back to when done to keep his gear on life support. he played for Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior League. A couple months ago, Rimouski and the QMJHL retired Crosby’s No. 87, Could Crosby play without his equipment? He’ll never have to if Heinze which means the jock strap has outlived Crosby’s junior hockey number. and Co. have anything to say about it. Which is about all they’ll say about it. The jock strap itself is not unusual, at least from afar. The edges of its elastic waistband are worn, but by all accounts its function has not Crosby’s teammates tend not to say anything about his gear or any of suffered over almost two decades. He has worn the jock strap for every “the things that make Sid, you know, Sid,” as Patric Hornqvist put it. That practice and game of his Penguins career. He also brought it along for includes Crosby’s habitual tracing of an on-ice McDonald’s logo during stints with Team Canada. pregame warmups at PPG Paints Arena.

Crosby likes the way the jock strap feels, so he’s kept it around and had It would be one thing if Crosby counted McDonald’s as one of his many it cared for professionally. Hey, people do the same with shoes, and corporate sponsors. He does not. those only cover feet. It’s just that one day he started standing at that logo and stick-handling Many members of the Penguins’ equipment staff have “doctored” up, down and around those famous golden arches, and he’s done it ever Crosby’s jock strap. None would dare discuss said doctoring on the since. That was when the Penguins played across the street at the Civic record, but we’ve managed to unearth the important information that has Arena, fondly known in Pittsburgh as “the Igloo.” There is a parking lot been on everybody’s mind. where the Civic Arena one stood.

Indeed, Crosby’s jock strap receives a good and proper sewing at least At least Crosby did not insist on the McDonald’s logo remaining in the once a month during the season. spot it had been before and then crossing the street to play at PPG Paints Arena for every game. Though, had he insisted, the Penguins His shoulder pads are what truly test the skills of Penguins’ equipment might have gone for the idea. staffers, though. We can already hear general manager Jim Rutherford saying don’t give As is the case with the jock strap, Crosby’s shoulder pads are still with Sid any ideas. And, keep in mind, Rutherford — probably the most him because he likes they way they feel. NHL equipment has changed talkative GM in league history — won’t speak to anybody on days of dramatically during Crosby’s career, and many players have soured on games because of a superstition that dates back to his playing days as a breaking in the latest, lightest gear. goalie.

Crosby found a work-around. He just never upgraded, even though We bet you’re wondering what Crosby does during pregame warmups on practically everyone around Crosby encouraged him to try newer pads. the road. It’s not like McDonald’s has its logo planted in the neutral zone at every NHL rink. Away from Pittsburgh, Crosby tends to find logos that have staying Those close to Crosby have said Crosby opts against the podium in the power. In Detroit, Little Caesar’s Pizza is one of his go-to tracing spots postseason so that attention can be spread to other teammates. He outside PPG Paints Arena. recognizes the interest in having him front and center for media opportunities, but Crosby also believes it’s better for team chemistry if the AT&T SportsNet, the Penguins’ television broadcaster in Pittsburgh, is as captain cedes the spotlight to a player or players who also played a ritualistic at showing Crosby’s warmup stick work as Crosby is about significant role in a victory. sticking to his warmup routine. It’s not like Hornqvist skating laps without his helmet has become a money shot for that network’s camera When he does do the podium after games or practices, Crosby is usually operators. joined by a teammate. Each time, his ball cap has been altered by Penguins equipment staff to show the Cup final logo. Otherwise, the cap “We’re all in the same situation; we all have routines,” Hornqvist said. would be indistinguishable from the one he had worn the previous “Some guys more than others. January. Other than a few more sweat streaks rising from its edges.

“If you watch Sid every game — that’s a guy I’d want to watch, too — his Finally, there’s the pregame meal — another holdover from Crosby’s routines are good stuff. And, yeah, I like those small things around the days at Shattuck-St. Mary’s: peanut butter sandwiches. game. You can see how guys get dialed in right away, and it’s fun to see. “He’ll mix it up a little bit for a pregame meal,” Johnson said. “But before “He’s been doing it a long time and he’s been quite successful. I fully a pregame meeting, it’s a peanut butter sandwich every time. I sit next to understand why he keeps doing it.” him in those meetings and he walks by every day and I just get a big So, Hornqvist has discussed the McDonald’s logo tracing with Crosby? whiff of peanut butter. But that’s not too bad, right?”

“No,” Hornqvist said. “And you know what? If he wants to keep the Somewhere, we’d like to think Ronald McDonald is in anguish. reasons for those things in his head, nobody needs to know about that. A cap for each season. A jock strap and shoulder pads from his junior- Those are Sid’s things.” hockey seasons. Taped sticks that stay away from everybody. And a The one rule about “Sid’s things” is you don’t talk about Sid’s things. warmup routine involving a fast-food logo. These are a few of “Sid’s (favorite) things.” An exception may have been granted to fellow Nova Scotian Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. He and Crosby train together “It’s funny, some of them are pretty minute,” Johnson said. during the summer, so MacKinnon has seen firsthand whether Crosby’s Taken together, they show a side of Crosby that is at least ritualistic, quirks continue in the offseason. perhaps superstitious. His reluctance to address any of these things also “If things are in a certain spot, he’ll leave them there … like in his car, like reflects a competitiveness from Crosby that Johnson said he has never an envelope or something,” MacKinnon said. “He’s pretty superstitious. experienced from anyone in any walk of life. He’ll be the first one to admit that.” Johnson said of Crosby, his longtime friend, that “nothing is way out (No, he won’t.) there” regarding the rituals of the so-called Face of the NHL. He reasoned that “everything with Sid is time-based to get him ready for But we’re used to a code of silence from Crosby on this particular subject games.” matter. In Pittsburgh, PPG Paints Arena and the Lemieux Sports Complex are hockey houses the Penguins built because Crosby is a “They’re routines, every guy has them,” Johnson said. “It’s just that some player of unrivaled influence. His houses, his rules. routines are more extreme.

“When I’m at his house I don’t move anything or touch anything,” “Some you’d say are weird. Some you’d say are normal. It’s all relative.” MacKinnon said of Crosby’s actual home in Halifax. “Make sure I get the The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 go-ahead before I touch anything.“

We’re guessing the Halifax residence has at least one closet that stores a box of smelly black ball caps that Crosby has donned over the years when verbally dancing with reporters.

There would be only 14 from the Penguins and a handful from his Team Canada appearances. Crosby picks a cap at the beginning of a season, or international competition, and wears it for hockey-related activities (interviews, workouts, team meetings, etc.) until the season or competition is over for him.

Few people in Pittsburgh picked up on this habit until midway through Crosby’s rookie season, when his cap had appeared to age many years in a matter of months.

Once again, comfort seemingly trumped everything when it came to what Crosby would wear.

Although, he produced 100 points as a rookie, won the Hart and Art Ross trophies in his second season, went to the Cup final in his third, won the Cup in his fourth, and scored the Golden Goal at the Vancouver Olympics in his fifth. So, if Crosby had been looking for evidence that his one-cap-for-all-season approach was magical, he had more than enough to keep with the practice.

A good cap is priceless. But as one of Reebok’s signature international athletes, Crosby could get Reebok’s CEO on the phone and request fresh apparel for every hour of every day.

Alas, Crosby wouldn’t. He is loathe to seek special treatment, which is the real reason he avoids podium interviews in the playoffs — although, indeed, most people have confused that preference for another one of his superstitions.

Not true. It couldn’t be.

The Penguins have won the Cup three times during postseasons when Crosby also talked from behind a podium on a stage in a makeshift dark room inside an arena. We know. We were there. 1160151 Websites

The Athletic / NHL Culture: How we’ll take The Athletic readers ‘Inside the Room’

By Katie Strang Nov 4, 2019

Twice before, we’ve rolled out a slate of hockey stories centered around one particular topic, aiming to cover that topic from just about every angle. The first focused on the future of the game. The second delved into concussions. And for this particular package, we actually struggled a bit with what to name it.

The original idea was “culture,” as in the many nuances, idiosyncrasies and fascinating practices within the NHL and hockey community at large. In practice, once we started brainstorming pieces, we learned that “culture” was such a broad, all-encompassing word, that our story ideas were all over the map.

Some of the pieces conceived were light-hearted, fun and humorous. Some were more sober, stark and probing. In the end, we realized that is indeed the best way to look at hockey culture, because while it is in so many ways wonderful and amusing and just a little bit weird; there are also ways in which hockey culture can be insular, homogenous and protectionist.

We wanted this package of stories to reflect this reality — to dissect all of the delightful quirks and compelling traditions while also examining some of the more troubling facets. We want to share with our readers the ways in which hockey culture has evolved and adapted and transformed over the years, and also share the ways in which it hasn’t.

Anyone who follows the game, and loves it, as all of us at The Athletic do, will find a topic that fits their fancy with this collection. We like to believe we have a little something for everyone. Want to know about Sidney Crosby’s fastidious devotion to game-day superstitions? Rob Rossi has you covered. What about the art of the chirp? Sean Gordon has some great info on the game’s most inventive insults. Craig Custance has a little something for the subset of population in the hockey world that loves to tackle a good book. Dom Luszczyszyn performed a fascinating data analysis on gender diversity in hockey operations departments across the league. And we’ll take a hard look at inclusion in a few other deep dives as well, beginning with a story on what it will take for the first player to come out publicly.

Hopefully, there’s an abundance of stories here for you to enjoy this week — whether that means making you laugh, sparking a discussion with a fellow fan or prompting thought about a difficult issue. Maybe a bit of all three.

And if you’re on the fence about subscribing, we’re running a special to go with this package that features a one-year subscription at a 40% discount. We hope you join us — you won’t be disappointed.

The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160152 Websites After demonstrating some real flash in the Champions Hockey League to begin his draft year, Raymond faltered out of the gate in the SHL. Some of that is due to limited opportunity. Some of it is an undersized 17-year- old finding his way in one of the top pro leagues on the planet. Though The Athletic / Wheeler: Preliminary ranking for the 2020 NHL Draft’s top Raymond doesn’t project as an NHL player next year, and probably 62 prospects benefits from an extra year of development in the same way Mitch Marner and Elias Pettersson did, his talent level is among the highest in

this draft as both a primary puck handler and a playmaker. His creativity, By Scott Wheeler Nov 4, 2019 lateral edge work and cross-ice vision will make him a star in the NHL and a dynamic power play threat capable of breaking open games in a moment.

Welcome to the first of my three in-season rankings for the 2020 NHL 4. Alexander Holtz — RW/LW, Djurgårdens IF, 6-foot Draft class at The Athletic. You have to be careful projecting scorers to the next level because This preliminary top 62 follows August’s preseason top 31 and, if you finishing talent can carry a player in junior (as well as in some pro were really ambitious, my tentative top 20. This season, for the third year leagues) but they need more than a lethal shot to succeed in the NHL. running, it will precede a midseason top 62 in February and a final top I’ve learned that lesson the hard way with a couple of missed evaluations 100 at the end of May. in the past. Holtz isn’t one of them, though. While he doesn’t have the creativity or line-driving ability of a player like Raymond, he does a This preliminary ranking is released in November in order to allow for wonderful job playing off his linemates and getting open for his shot. enough time in the fall for repeat viewings of almost all of the more than 100 prospects who were considered for inclusion. 5. Cole Perfetti — LW, Saginaw Spirit, 5-foot-10

Here are my thoughts on the class as a whole: Perfetti is one of — if not in the conversation as the — the best pure scorers in the class. His lower than expected goal total to begin the year Overall, the 2020 class looks strong. What it lacks in high-end is more a byproduct of poor luck than anything else. He creates at an defencemen, it makes up for with depth at forward (though it’s a little thin elite level and can finish in a number of ways (despite having a lethal down the middle). shot, he often elects to beat goalies with his hands). Perfetti is the kind of I have, since my preseason ranking, softened on exactly how deep I think offensive threat that you can’t lose sight of for a second. He can score in its high-end talent runs, though. This summer, my ranking ran 15 top-of- tight, he can make plays out wide, he can finish off his backhand, he’s the-lineup prospects deep (by comparison, my final ranking in 2019 had sturdy and he’s a way better passer than he’s often given credit. 12 players of that quality). I now have a clear group of 12, followed by a 6. Jamie Drysdale — RHD, , 5-foot-11 really strong tier of nine more players who have a chance to widen that top group. Drysdale’s going to have to get stronger if he’s going to hit his ceiling but he’s got absolutely everything else you look for in a defenceman. He It’s funny how cyclical the draft still is these days. Eight of the top 14 moves exceedingly well in all four directions, he’s crafty with the puck, he prospects in my final ranking for the 2019 class were Americans and defends the rush well by playing a tight gap (something he’ll always have there wasn’t a Swede on my draft board until No. 17. The reverse is to do considering his length) and when there isn’t space to attack or playing out in this class. There is just one American in my top 31 here, separation to create with his feet then he’ll execute a three-zone stretch while there are four Swedes before No. 17. is also back pass. Forget how dynamic he is offensively, Drysdale has also become with a vengeance, with four of my top six prospects in the class. an excellent, smooth defender at the OHL level. He overcomes a Note: Though I consult scouts and coaches throughout the year on many strength deficiency by taking smart routes, intercepting passes and of these players, these rankings represent my evaluations of each of the exiting the zone as efficiently as any draft-eligible defender. prospects listed. 7. Anton Lundell — C/LW, HIFK, 6-foot-1 1. Alexis Lafreniere — LW, Rimouski Oceanic, 6-foot-1 There has often been a perception that Lundell’s early pro success (he There was a lot made, in the run-up to this season, of this being a year had 19 points in 38 games in Liiga last year) was driven by his October where there was no clear No. 1 pick. There was chatter, among scouts 2001 birthdate (Lundell was weeks away from being eligible for the 2019 and public-sphere evaluators, of a group, sometimes as large as half a draft). And while it certainly hasn’t hurt, I think it has also — though not dozen players, that could challenge Lafreniere. I didn’t think that was the for everyone — contributed to a belief that he’s more of a middle-six guy case then and I still don’t think that’s the case now, even after Quinton at the next level than a potential first-line forward (he never got to post Byfield’s meteoric start to the season. I don’t think any of the oft- massive offensive numbers at the junior level because he was always mentioned concerns about Lafreniere (position, age, skating) are nearly playing a year or two beyond his peers). enough to knock him off when you balance them against everything else: Moments like this have convinced me that first-line upside isn’t out of the his strength, his unique ability to protect the puck out wide or through question. There’s the puck protection and cycle game that he’s become traffic, his touch around the net, his sublime playmaking ability and the known for at play there, but there’s also a brilliant behind-the-back pass fact that despite having all of those skills, he’s smart enough to know for a primary assist after rotating into the slot: when to use them and when to make the simple play. Just because he’s one of the last flashy top picks in recent memory doesn’t mean he’s I also think his skating is a little underrated. He’s not agile, per se, but he Nolan Patrick. Because he’s a lot more than that. can get going north-south:

2. Quinton Byfield — C, , 6-foot-4 8. Marco Rossi — C, Ottawa 67’s, 5-foot-9

There’s an argument to be made for Byfield being the best forward in the I’ve probably developed a bit of a bias for Rossi since spending a few OHL right now and he won’t turn 18 until nearly two months after he’s days with him last season. I can tell you, for example, that I know he’s selected in Montreal next year. What has most impressed me about driven beyond belief and has excellent (borderline obsessive) habits Byfield’s development this season is his progression as a skater. He away from the rink. I can tell you, too, that he’s a thick 5-foot-9 with a always had serious talent as a puck carrier for his size (more than 210 crazy-low centre of gravity (both of which will help him stick at centre at pounds these days), high-end puck protection skill, strong playmaking the NHL level). And then the talent level speaks for itself. He’s not only ability, size and impressive finishing touch around the net. But the extremely dynamic with the puck on his stick, he’s also a superb mechanics of his stride were never super fluid and he frequently looked defensive player. And while his ridiculous start to the season (after heavy when he needed to change direction or tempo. Now he looks serving an uncharacteristic suspension) has to be considered against the downright powerful and explosive, which has created a junior-level fact that he’s one of the oldest players in the draft, it also has to be package that is borderline unstoppable. The game’s getting smaller — acknowledged as just that: ridiculous. and rightfully so in many regards — but that just makes a player like Byfield that much more valuable. 9. Tim Stutzle — LW, Adler Mannheim, 5-foot-11

3. Lucas Raymond — RW, Frölunda HC, 5-foot-10 Every time I watch Stutzle I like him more than I did the last time. And though his greatest skill is his ability to move off the puck and get impressed enough to have him as a top-20 prospect. Is he going to be a open for the next play … star at the next level? I doubt it. Does he have the tools to be a versatile, playmaking second-line centre on a good team if he continues to … It’s not his only skill. progress? Absolutely. He needs to get a little stronger and work on his He’s creative: explosiveness but I love his ability to hang onto the puck and make plays all over the ice. He can make plays through holes: 16. Jan Mysak — LW, HC Litvinov, 6-foot And he can score: Mysak has become somewhat of a polarizing prospect in this draft class. He’s just really, really good, OK? Some scouts I’ve talked to see him as a top-15 talent. Others believe he’s more of a second or third round guy. I don’t think that discrepancy is 10. Hendrix Lapierre — C, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, 6-foot driven by the way he plays, like it was for Anttoni Honka or Arthur Kaliyev At his best, Lapierre is everywhere. He’s on the puck, he’s making plays, in 2019. I think it’s driven, in large part, by where he plays. Mysak has he’s getting the puck back (by winning a race or getting open as part of a outperformed some strong comparables in the Czech Extraliga (in recent give-and-go) and he’s making more plays. The result is usually a lot of memory, that includes players like Martin Necas, Michael Spacek, Jakob high-danger chances for his linemates. Lapierre’s slower-than-anticipated Lauko and Filip Chytil). The problem with using those prospects as start hit a roadblock when he suffered a concussion in October. But while baselines is that: you’d like to see him score a little more than he does, his one goal on 31 They range from potential NHL star to AHLer. shots speaks to the fact that he began the year by shooting more (2.4 shots per game, up from last year’s 2.1) while also being snakebitten (3.2 Mysak has never really torn it up against his peers internationally and the percent, down from last year’s 12.7). Czech Extraliga is a terribly imbalanced league where his Litvinov club is awful, which has helped thrust him into a more prominent role than many 11. Noel Gunler — RW/LW, Lulea HF, 6-foot-1 of his peers were afforded. There is often good reason to doubt Gunler. He comes and goes, fading As a result, evaluating him is a tricky proposition that should rely heavily in and out of games. But he also scores. A lot. And from a raw tools on his actual skill set. I see a player with some exciting raw tools, led by perspective, there’s nothing to dislike. He’s got pro size with room to add an excellent release, light edge work and slick puck skills in traffic. Once some more muscle, he’s got a lethal shot from just about anywhere in the he learns to use his teammates a little more or adds more of a passing offensive zone and his instincts help him create chances — and space — element to his game, he’ll be fun to watch. for himself. Put all of those things together and you’ve got a player who can, even with all the fading, impact a game on any shift and burn 17. Zion Nybeck — RW/LW, HV71, 5-foot-8 opponents in split seconds: It’s not easy to play in the NHL at Nybeck’s height, which means every And that’s the kind of player you swing for the fences with. time a team takes a player like him they have to be absolutely sure that he plays a style that translates and that he’s loaded with enough talent to 12. Yaroslav Askarov — G, SKA-Neva St. Petersburg, 6-foot-3 overcome. What it doesn’t mean, though, is that anyone should be I have trouble ranking goalies this high but Askarov is one of those rare dismissive of him. That’s how players like Alex DeBrincat and Nick prospects who has learned to actually control freakish athleticism. Most Robertson slip. It’s how Quinn Hughes goes seventh overall instead of 17-year-old goalies with his explosiveness swim in their nets. Askarov’s third or fourth overall. I’m not all that worried about Nybeck in terms of different. He’s aggressive but he has this knack for pushing to his spots translation. He’s strong on his feet, he’s an outstanding skater, he’s the without overextending. He doesn’t turn 18 until next summer and is furthest thing from shy (he just flat-out pursues pucks and comes out of already playing pro hockey, which is reason enough to be the exception battles with possession) and he matches a dogged approach with a to the rule. Whenever he has played against his peers, he has been cerebral game. borderline unflappable. 18. Dawson Mercer — C/RW, Drummondville Voltigeurs, 6-foot 13. Dylan Holloway — LW, University of Wisconsin, 6-foot Mercer is one of the better goal scorers in the draft and he has built on There isn’t a coach in the NHL who doesn’t want a powerful, talented, that with an increasingly well-rounded two-way game (though there’s still heavy, physical winger who can push tempo and play with an edge. work to be done in that department, he does track the play well). While That’s what Holloway brings. And while his offensive ceiling is probably a he doesn’t ooze creativity, Mercer can surprise defenders with his vision. shade lower than most of the other players in this range, and he may As a result, defencemen have to do more than just respect his shot take three or four years of college hockey to get to where he needs to, I threat, which allows him to slow down the pace of play (he lacks tempo) think his well-rounded blend of finishing and playmaking complement a and dictate at his speed. While I see him more as a pro winger than a game that will translate effectively at the pro level. Patience will be key centre, and he’ll need to pick up an acceleration gear to really meet his here, though. Some players are good at everything without having a true true potential (he won’t be able to play as slow as he sometimes does at star quality. Holloway fits that mold. the next level), there’s a lot to like about Mercer’s offensive game.

14. Kasper Simontaival — RW/LW, Tappara, 5-foot-9 19. Jeremie Poirier — LHD, Saint John Sea Dogs, 6-foot

Simontaival is one of my favourites in this class and a player I believe to Poirier has nearly everything you look for in a modern NHL defenceman. be grossly underrated (at least in the public sphere). Part of that is likely He’s effortless with the puck, he’s a crisp three-zone passer, he can run a byproduct of his size. But despite being on the smaller end, Simontaival a power play, he’s calm under pressure, he’s aggressive when the play does an excellent job using his body to edge in on defenders and protect calls for it, he can play in transition, he’s strong, he’s athletic and he can the puck: escape pressure with his feet in the defensive zone. Though his tight gaps off the rush can sometimes result in some big mistakes or an And then he’s got the high-end skill you’d expect of a smaller prospect overcommitment here or there, that’s something that can be taught with who is ranked in the top half of the first round. That’s true in the way he the right coaching. In a best-case scenario is he two inches taller, too? releases the puck from his wrister, which is extremely accurate: Sure. But I’d be excited rolling the dice on him and getting him into an NHL development program. And it’s true in the way he uses his handling to draw attention before finding the open man: 20. Rodion Amirov — LW, Ufa (KHL/MHL), 6-foot

There’s just a lot to like about his game. And while I considered ranking Light, swift skater? Check. Surprising release? Check. Puck handling him a few slots lower, I’m going to stick to my guns for now. ability that allows him to use that skating to navigate through seams? Check. Utilizes his linemates effectively? Check. Amirov isn’t going to 15. Connor Zary — C, , 6-foot light the NHL on fire but he’s a crafty winger who can generate offence in On one hand, Zary is in his third full year in the WHL, one of the oldest a number of ways. Though he lacks physicality and has looked players in the draft, and he lacks high-end speed. On the other, he has overwhelmed in limited KHL usage, he’s still a dominant offensive player led the league in scoring for most of the year, he’s an excellent passer, in this age group. his puck skills are all plus-level, he’s a centre and even if he had the year 21. Justin Barron — RHD, Halifax Mooseheads, 6-foot-2 he had last season as a younger player in this draft class I’d still be I feel conflicted about Barron in the same way I felt conflicted about “He’s good, man. He’s got really good skill and he flies just like Liam. Matthew Robertson (taken 40th overall by the Rangers) last season. Really good playmaker, sees the ice really well. They wheel. Like he’s an They both have length, size and are outstanding skaters for their size. unreal skater, really good on his edges. He’s going to be good.” Sometimes that’s enough of a package to become a strong two-way defenceman at the NHL level. But with both, I was waiting to see more And that about sums it up. Liam was taken too high (18th overall in 2018) offensively — to see more talent, truthfully — and the longer I waited, the because of his world-class speed. Jean-Luc has that speed, but he also more that player began to slip. Robertson began as a mid-first-round has the playmaking ability and vision his big brother sorely lacks. prospect for me because he was ahead of the curve, plateaued a bit 29. Helge Grans — RHD, Malmo, 6-foot-3 more than I hoped he would and ultimately settled at No. 41 in my final draft ranking. Barron, who was 13th in my preseason ranking and has Grans is a long defender with a smooth stride who likes to take risks some really nice qualities, has begun to do the same. I had high hopes (offensively and defensively), can normally execute on them, but also for him this season and he just hasn’t met those expectations to date. often gets burned. If nothing else, I’m fascinated by the parts. If he can Does that mean he’s not a legitimate prospect? No. Robertson was (and put all of the pieces together and improve his defensive game, he’s going is) too. But I’m definitely beginning to soften on him. to be really good because he can already play a transition game, he’s 192 pounds and he doesn’t turn 18 until May. In a draft that lacks 22. Mavrik Bourque — C, , 5-foot-10 defencemen, he’s the kind of player who could go really high if he After an impressive rookie year, the QMJHL’s third overall pick in 2018 continues to progress. has built on that with an extremely strong early showing this year on a 30. Daniil Gushchin — RW/LW, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 5-foot-8 Cataractes team that lacks other offensive weapons, requiring he do a lot of his own creating. Bourque lacks strength but he plays an aggressive *heart eyes* game on the inside of the ice by driving the middle to find pockets for his I love this lil guy. He plays a loud game in a small package. He has A-level wrist shot (which he has also put in from some tough angles this explosiveness, he never stops moving, he’ll burn wide or drive the net year). I fully expect he moves to the wing as he progresses (he’s one of a and he has filthy hands. Is there a ‘bust’ risk associated with his game at few current centres I feel that way about in this draft) so that he can focus that size? Yeah, but I’d bet on him willing himself to exceed expectations on getting open a little more but he’s got a respectable defensive game regardless. as well. 31. Antonio Stranges — C/LW, London Knights, 5-foot-10 23. Emil Andrae — LHD, HV71, 5-foot-9 Given the way I evaluate players, I feel like I should like Stranges more I’ll always have time for small but sturdy defencemen who can defend than I actually do. He’s got unique skating ability, elite (I hate that word better than people expect them to while also running a power play, but it applies here) hands and that “I’m going to make something happen” slinging outlet passes or exploding up the ice with a separation gear. attitude that I love in offensive players. But he also regularly leaves me 24. Roni Hirvonen — C/LW, Assat, 5-foot-9 wanting more or wondering if his skill will translate. Sometimes you just have to make the smart play. He has already bounced around on my Don’t let his size fool you, Hirvonen has some feistiness to him which board a lot this year and I get the feeling that’s going to continue. I has, against the odds and alongside his talent, propelled him to Liiga as haven’t fully made up my mind on him yet. That’s what the rest of the a regular forward to start the year. There, on a bad team, he has had a season will be for. For now, there’s no denying the talent level. positive influence, helping to drive results while playing more than 15 minutes a night as a 17-year-old. While he projects as a winger at the pro The Top 62 level, Hirvonen’s attack mentality will serve him well (he’s No. 22): As always, I have broken down the complete ranking into tiers in an effort He’s just fearless. Watch here, the way he twice fights to get to the front to provide you with a deeper understanding of how tightly ranked some of of the net before scoring: these players are. Those tiers are as follows: 1, 2-4, 5-12, 13-21, 22-44, 45-62 (and beyond into the honourable mentions). 25. Jaromir Pytlik — C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, 6-foot-3 Honourable mentions: Tyson Foerster, Samuel Knazko, Vasili Pytlik’s blend of size and skill pushed him into pro hockey earlier than he Ponomaryov, Charlies Desroches, Ivan Didkovsky, Daemon Hunt, Anton should have been but his move to the OHL last season helped him get Johannesson, Will Cuylle, Dylan Peterson, Connor McClennon, Ryan back on track and build confidence ahead of this year, where he has Francis, Daniel Torgersson, Tyler Kleven, Oskar Magnusson, Blake taken off. Though his offensive game isn’t particularly flashy (he’s not Biondi, Jack Ratzlaff, Kasper Puutio, Lleyton Moore, Juuso Maenpaa, going to pull you out of your seat), Pytlik moves well for his size, is a lot Evan Vierling, Logan Morrison, Ozzy Wiesblatt, Brendan Brisson, Jake to handle with and without the puck along the wall and is surprisingly Neighbours, Alexander Pashin. skilled in traffic with the puck on his stick. And while, like Zary (they actually share the same birthdate), he’s on the older side for this class, I’ll host a live Q&A tomorrow to answer any prospect questions you may he’s got productive middle-six forward written all over him — and a pro have. style game that will help him get there relatively quickly. The Athletic LOADED: 11.05.2019 26. Carter Savoie — LW, Sherwood Park Crusaders, 5-foot-9

In recent memory, there is literally no statistical AJHL comparison for what Savoie’s doing this season. Mix in the fact that he’s playing on a team that is basically unstoppable (at the time this piece is being authored, they’re 18-1 and outscoring opponents 99-39) and you’ve got a player who is equal parts challenging and fun to evaluate. The more I watch him, the more impressed I usually am by his game. His skating mechanics need some tinkering (he splays from the knees instead of the hips a little too much) but his power helps mitigate against that to create decent speed. While he needs to work to be more aware off the puck, I love his physicality (he’s going to rise to the challenge in the NCAA next year that way). And though he entered the AJHL as a pass-first playmaker last season (he still loves to draw attention and make the backdoor play), he has become a dangerous scorer.

27. Lukas Cormier — LHD, Charlottetown Islanders, 5-foot-8

See: Emil Andrae, but with a lower-body injury right now.

28. Jean-Luc Foudy — C, Windsor Spitfires, 5-foot-11

I asked Wild prospect Jack McBain, who skates and trains with the Foudy brothers every summer, to give me the Jean-Luc scouting report. This is what he said: 1160153 Websites If this style sells hockey tickets, then why don’t the Coyotes sell any? Would Arizona’s home attendance rank 27th this season, after being 29th last season?

Sportsnet.ca / Oilers undone after being forced to endure Coyotes' If this style was a business plan, would the Coyotes have hit double digits 'boring' approach in owners since they left Winnipeg for the desert? Honestly, there are ’82 Skodas with fewer owners than this franchise has had.

They’ve missed the playoffs for seven straight years. Made the playoffs Mark Spector | November 5, 2019, 1:20 AM four times in 18 years. Nearly two decades of rigor mortis shinny that has produced two victorious playoff rounds since 1996.

Boring? OMG, even their opponents can’t stand it. There are high-event teams, there are high-flying teams, and there are high-wire acts like Connor McDavid, Elias Pettersson or, of late, Brad “It’s heavy. The battles are hard, there’s not much room out there,” said Marchand. Darnell Nurse. “It’s not boring, so to speak. But you know you’re not going to get that many opportunities.” Then there is the Arizona Coyotes. Low event, low excitement, low value for the ticket buyer, and a perennial low finisher in the National Hockey Quick Hits League standings. • Oilers defenceman Joel Persson was at fault for the 2-1 goal, making Boring? Calling the Coyotes boring does a disservice to tedium. It’s like the kind of unforced error that the Coyotes so eagerly feed off of. It calling the Stanley Cup a spittoon. wasn’t his first mistake of the night, and he didn’t see another shift after that second-period goal by Carl Soderberg. The Big Takeaway “He struggled the whole game, he had a tough night,” Tippett said. “The We’re old enough to recall The Mad Trapper , whose pace of the game was a little bit much for him to handle tonight so we New Jersey Devils, and later the Minnesota Wild, put their own success had to play somebody else in that place. It is a fast-paced game, a hard ahead of the good of the game. The Devils won, but left behind a game game. For whatever reason he just didn’t have it tonight.” so bereft of excitement that the rulebook had to be re-written, most specifically to eliminate obstruction and open up the neutral zone. • Gaetan Haas scored his first-ever NHL goal, though it wasn’t awarded to him until minutes after the event. Originally, it was given to Zack Now, just as the game is at its fastest, most entertaining place in years, Kassian. the Arizona Coyotes come along with a plan to slow everything down. “It’s good that we score this goal, and we get a point. Maybe in the end “It is a bit boring,” agreed Oilers defenceman Oscar Klefbom, “but teams it’s the point we need. I think it’s a good point,” offered the Swiss are going to do that to us. We come with a lot of speed, and we have national. He wasn’t positive the goal was his. “I knew that I touched it. some guys who like to carry the puck in and create some things off the Kass told me he probably touched it too. In the end I didn’t know who rush. was the last guy to touch it. Good for me, and good for him that he gave “They’re a really boring team to play, but we’ve got to find a way to beat me that. It’s really good.” that.” What’s Next The Coyotes work hard, which might be entertainment enough when The St. Louis Blues are in town Wednesday, followed by Taylor Hall and you’re spending $20 for a hockey ticket, a hotdog and a beer in the the New Jersey Devils on Friday. desert. But at Canadian prices, watching the Coyotes roll through your town and squeeze the excitement out of the game like a bartender Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.05.2019 squeezing a lemon is, quite plainly, a ripoff.

Sure, you say. It was good enough to win last night in Edmonton.

Indeed, the Coyotes ground out a 3-2 overtime win over the Oilers. They won, fair and square, showing more offensive zeal in 2:01 of overtime than they did in 60 minutes of regulation time.

The Coyotes are 9-4-1, off to their best start in years, we assume. It’s hard to recollect any of the Coyotes starts, or finishes, over the years.

But let’s revisit this, ‘Well, it wins,’ theory, shall we? Has nearly a quarter century of stultifying, dead boring hockey ever won anything in Arizona?

Has it even come close?

For 23 seasons, watching the Coyotes has been like reading a philosophy thesis. They wrap the game in a neutral-zone straight jacket, and strangle the entertainment out of the game like 20 pythons. Vice grips on skates, they are. A bank vault from which excitement can never be withdrawn.

“We know Arizona,” Klefbom said. “They just pack it in, and they are standing like a wall on the blue-line. It works against us sometimes, but … it’s so boring to play against. Yeah, not fun.”

They’ve done it this way since they came into the league in 1996 — and do you know how many playoff series the Coyotes have won since then? Two, both in the spring of 2012, under current Oilers coach Dave Tippett.

Yes, they’re 9-4-1 this season. Boring has given the Coyotes a good month, after nearly 25 years of subterranean finishes, but we’ll ask you this:

If boring worked, would Arizona be the NHL’s welfare state, drawing on the league’s revenue sharing program since the day after they left Winnipeg? 1160154 Websites Bjornfot, who broke camp in Los Angeles; and prospect Sean Durzi, a 20-year-old defenceman currently in the AHL.

With Muzzin set to become a free agent this summer and no guarantee Sportsnet.ca / 'A lot of good memories': Maple Leafs' Muzzin to face the Leafs will have the necessary cap space to retain him, there’s some Kings for first time urgency from both parties to squeeze something meaningful out of this season.

They’ll have to follow a different template than the one that worked in Los Chris Johnston | November 4, 2019, 3:55 PM Angeles.

“We played a different game. Different personnel,” said Muzzin. “We were a big, heavy team and coming out of the West like that, those were TORONTO — Once upon a time, Jake Muzzin chose Los Angeles. the teams that were coming out of there. Heavy teams that forecheck He certainly didn’t ever choose to leave. and wear you down mentally and grind you down physically.

“You don’t live your life planning to be traded or moved or have “That was the way to win out there.” something drastic happen,” Muzzin said last month. “We assumed that Times change and so do sweaters. our life was down in South Bay there — Hermosa and Manhattan Beach — and we would live there and just play there. We were settled in and Even still, that idea is going to take some getting used for a guy who has ready to go there for life, really. seen just about everything the sport has to offer. Muzzin spent each of his four OHL seasons with Sault Ste. Marie before putting in another “I think at that point it was.” eight and a half years with the Kings organization. FANTASY POOL ALERT! He didn’t switch any allegiances until getting dealt to Toronto. Play the Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool presented by RAM for your “I used to grow up playing against Muzz when I played for London Junior chance to drive away with a 2020 RAM 1500 Sport or win cash prizes! Knights and he was on Brantford,” said Doughty. “So it’s been a long It's FREE and easy to play! time since we played against each other, but it’ll be exciting. You gotta Even today, more than nine months after being dealt to the Toronto have your head up when you’re rushing the puck up, because he can Maple Leafs, the Woodstock, Ont., native and his wife Courtney continue throw some big hits, obviously.” to call that quaint, idyllic corner of California “home.” Muzzin is just happy to be in the lineup after getting knocked out of a “We still go back there in the summer so we see a lot of the faces,” said game last week with a charley horse courtesy of a late hit from Muzzin. “A lot of guys are there throughout the summer as well. We were Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson. He then missed Saturday’s fortunate enough to sign there early in my career and then have a good visit to Philadelphia to attend to a personal matter. career there. As for how it’ll feel to look across the ice on Tuesday and see so many “A lot of good memories. A lot of good friendships.” old friends?

It will make Tuesday’s visit by the Los Angeles Kings stand out among “I don’t know. We’ll find out,” said Muzzin. “It’s my first one. Right now it the steady drumbeat of games on the November schedule for Muzzin. seems kind of funny, but maybe when it comes time it’ll be a little This is his first chance to line up across from Drew Doughty, Anze difficult.” Kopitar, Jeff Carter and a handful of others he sipped from the Stanley Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.05.2019 Cup with back in 2014.

Despite enduring the shock of being traded and adjusting to the NHL’s less gritty conference, Muzzin has quickly and quietly assumed an important role inside the Leafs dressing room. He’s the only player on the roster who’s been fitted for a championship ring and one of the few in blue and white who will make an opponent think twice while skating down his wing.

He’s also the kind of guy who takes the initiative to organize a players- only trip to a Buffalo Bills game in the spirit of team-bonding — a jaunt Muzzin spearheaded at the end of training camp.

On a young roster bubbling over with speed and skill, he is the sandpaper. Not to mention one of the few adults in the room.

“I think here in Toronto, he’s become more of a defensive guy and he really does a good job at that,” said Doughty. “Shutting down other teams’ good players and just a good guy in the room. A good person. Good family guy, just a really good overall guy.”

“Jake’s a real good man, he’s got real good confidence,” said Leafs coach Mike Babcock.

There is something to be said for his journey to the centre of the hockey universe. He’s earned 540 NHL games (and counting) the hard way — undergoing surgery for a serious disc issue in his back as a teenager, getting drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins and being left unsigned, and eventually choosing the Kings from a long list of NHL suitors following a breakout campaign in his overage year with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Muzzin then came through the American Hockey League and served as a Black Ace during L.A.’s run to the Stanley Cup in 2012. He was an invaluable piece by the time they won another title two years later.

There’s a reason why Toronto put together a tidy package of futures to acquire him on Jan. 28: winger Carl Grundstrom, now skating on the Kings’ top line; a 2019 first-round pick that became defenceman Tobias 1160155 Websites • It was quite a scary scene when Scott Sabourin collapsed to the ice on Saturday after attempting to body check David Backes of the Bruins. Thankfully, it appears the Sens forward is in good spirits and will be okay.

Sportsnet.ca / Can Elias Pettersson be best 5th overall centre drafted in • I am all in on the Washington Nationals celebrating their 2019 World last 30 years? Series title with the ferocity of the 2018 Stanley Cup-champion Washington Capitals. (Side note: baseball bodies definitely look more congruous with beer-chugging than hockey bods).

Ryan Dixon November 4, 2019, 11:07 AM There are about 100 more clips like this from the Nats’ visit to the Capitals game Sunday night.

Red and White Power Rankings Everyone cool to get a little hyperbolic about Elias Pettersson? 1. Vancouver Canucks (9-3-2) – What a fit J.T. Miller has been on this The Vancouver Canucks are one of the best early-season stories going club. The left winger has 15 points in 14 outings riding shotgun beside and the arrival of Pettersson last year very quickly started changing what Pettersson and Boeser. seemed possible for this franchise long term. I’ll acknowledge that, in past years, I’ve been what Pardon The Interruption’s Tony Kornheiser 2. Edmonton Oilers (10-4-1) – Leon Draisaitl, the co-king of three-on- calls “loud wrong” about this organization’s decisions, specifically its three overtime, did it again in the Oilers’ 2-1 extra-time victory in unwillingness to embrace a raze-it-to-the-ground approach. Pittsburgh on Saturday. Draisaitl is tied with Brad Marchand for the most OT goals (nine) since the start of the 2016-17 season. Of course, most of Well, if you’re going to find guys like Brock Boeser at 23rd overall and the credit for the win over the Pens goes to 51-save man Mike Smith. Pettersson at No. 5, you don’t need to trade every desirable veteran commodity you have for picks and prospects — or get a shred of luck in 3. Montreal Canadiens (7-5-2) – The Habs were dropped by Dallas on the draft lottery. Saturday, but they have to be happy picking up four-of-six points on a roadie that went through Arizona, Vegas and Texas. Pettersson scored two goals on Saturday in a win over the San Jose Sharks, the first of which (give an assist to Boeser) was a delightful 4. Toronto Maple Leafs (7-5-3) – Three home games coming up for the disjointed play that elevated his hand-eye prowess for the world to see. Leafs this week, which will almost certainly dovetail with John Tavares returning to the lineup. Pettersson now has 86 points in 85 career games and I’m ready to leap into some outrageous and fun territory by asking if he has a chance to 5. Calgary Flames (8-7-2) – David Rittich was fantastic during a 3-0 win become the best centre drafted fifth overall or lower in the past 30 years. in Columbus on Saturday. Calgary just wrapped a tough three-in-four If you go back to the 1988 NHL Draft — when, by the way, Vancouver stretch by snagging four-of-six points on the road. It’s a start for a club selected franchise icon Trevor Lindon second overall — you’ll find only that — like the one directly above it on this list and the one directly below one pivot drafted beyond the first four picks finished his career with a — needs to get going to meet expectations in the city. points-per-game mark of 1.0 or better, none other than Pettersson’s countryman Peter Forsberg. 6. Winnipeg Jets (8-7-0) – Lost in all the talk about the Dustin Byfuglien saga suddenly getting more complicated and contentious is the fact Pettersson turns 21 in a week and I’m hoping anyone with common newcomer Neal Pionk has been terrific on the back end after coming sense understands the point of this exercise isn’t to declare the skinny over from the Rangers in the Jacob Trouba trade. Swede already superior to the likes of (eighth overall in 1988), Pavel Datsyuk (171st in 1998) or Patrice Bergeron (45th in 2003): 7. Ottawa Senators (3-8-1) – Saturday started a run in which Ottawa will It’s to give everyone who’s snoring by prime Pacific Time a firm idea of play 17 of 24 on the road between now and, basically, Christmas. just what this kid has been up to and where he appears headed. In Your Ear Let’s just agree “Foppa” would be proud. You may have noticed the entirely average 6-5-2 record posted by the Other Weekend Takeaways Tampa Bay Lightning so far? Erik Erlendsson of Lightninginsider.com joined co-host Rory and I on the latest episode of Tape to Tape to • San Jose is in a world of trouble right now. The Sharks, losers of five explain what is and isn’t worth worrying about when it comes to the Bolts. straight, are last in a Pacific Division that has seen the Canucks, Oilers and — to a lesser degree — the Ducks get off to surprisingly great starts. Tape to Tape Just as a team like Vancouver can arrive ahead of schedule, an older Nov. 1: What we learned in October and the middling Lightning club like San Jose gets over the hill so fast in today’s NHL. More than any other organization that has not hung a championship banner, San November 01 2019 Jose — which has missed the playoffs just twice in two decades — deserves the benefit of the doubt. But the Sharks cannot get a save right Your browser does not support the audio element. now, a trend that’s carried over from last year when they were still able to Looking Ahead overcome substandard goaltending. This is as ugly as it gets in Northern California. • The New York Islanders go for their 10th straight win on Tuesday night when they host the Sens. Spoiler alert… • He didn’t make it onto the gamesheet, but nice to see Evgeni Malkin back with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday after missing 11 games • Zdeno Chara is slated to play career game No. 1,500 on Tuesday in with a lower-body injury. Montreal. Among active players, only Sharks Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau have suited up for more contests than “Big Z” and nobody has • On Friday night, Nathan MacKinnon recorded a goal to give him at least played more minutes than the 36,067:04 logged by Chara since he a point in each of Colorado’s first 13 outings. That’s the longest stretch to debuted with the New York Islanders on Nov. 19, 1997. start a season since Henrik Zetterberg notched one in Detroit’s first 17 games in 2007-08. The Avs have bigger things to worry about right now, • The NHL heads to Stockholm, Sweden this week as Victor Olofsson’s (I of course, with both Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog on the mean Rasmus Dahlin’s) Sabres will clash with Victor Hedman’s Lightning shelf. MacKinnon’s goal was the only one Colorado scored this weekend for games on Friday (Sportsnet, 2 p.m. ET) and Saturday (Sportsnet, 1 during losses to Dallas on Friday and Arizona 24 hours later, when p.m. ET). MacKinnon’s streak was snapped. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.05.2019 • Major stick tap to Ryan Getzlaf, who became the first player to suit up for 1,000 NHL games in an Anaheim Ducks uniform on Sunday night. Though the Blackhawks spoiled the party in overtime, the Ducks captain picked up an assist. His longtime running mate, Corey Perry, will hit 1,000 for his career when Dallas visits the Calgary Flames on Nov. 13.

As for Getzlaf, check out this tribute video from his four biggest fans. 1160156 Websites are a little bit better, and players at this level are obviously — the majority of the players here are probably a little bit better than the majority of the players there.”

Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Ryan Poehling back where he belongs after “You go up a notch and it probably makes things a little bit easier and big-league call-up guys are in position,” Julien added. “You don’t have to look around for somebody to pass to — they should be where they should be and that’s probably a bit of a difference there at this level.”

Eric Engels November 4, 2019, 4:49 PM It shouldn’t be hard for Poehling to adjust to the role he’ll have in injured centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s place.

Against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, he’ll line up with Paul Byron and BROSSARD, Que. — Here’s a prediction we’re fearlessly making ahead Artturi Lehkonen, who both play the game the way he does. of Ryan Poehling’s 2019-20 debut with the Montreal Canadiens: The 20- year-old centre will be with this team from here to the end of the season. “They’re straight-line players,” Julien said of all three. “Sometimes that’s what you need from a line is straight-line guys. (Poehling’s) a big body, Granted, Poehling wasn’t dominating the American Hockey League the so we’ll see where that takes us.” way some might have expected him to when he was sent to the Laval Rocket at the beginning of October, and this is a big step up. It’s just that There’s hope it could take Byron and Lehkonen, who have two goals this is where Poehling would have been from the start had it not been for between them in 14 games, to a better place than they’ve been a pre-season concussion that kept him out of action for eight days and offensively. had the Canadiens not had a surplus of players they were concerned about losing to waivers on the eve of the regular season. There’s little concern all three players will form a dependable line, one capable of being trusted against any of the four that make up a And then there’s this one thing that serves as the main reason we’re formidable 10-1-2 Bruins team. making this prediction: Poehling processes the game at NHL speed. There’s even less concern Poehling, who was drafted 25th overall in Considering he’s already shown that he’s physically ready to play at this 2017, will excel with the Canadiens. So we don’t think our prediction level — and he is at six-foot-two and 205 pounds — there isn’t much else should be considered a particularly bold one. to be concerned with in his case. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.05.2019 Canadiens coach Claude Julien sees a player who is wise beyond his years, one who already showed what he can do in his only other NHL contest — a 6-5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in which he scored a hat trick and the shootout winner to help the Canadiens close out the 2018-19 season.

“Some players get it quickly — the little details of the game — and he showed us that in that one game that he played at the end of last year,” Julien said after Monday’s practice. “Put the goals aside and the magical night that he had and just look at his game and the way he played it, defended and also did the little things right (and) you could tell he (was) pretty close to a being a guy that (was) ready for the NHL.

“So no matter what, even though he had maybe a little bit of a slow start in Laval, it doesn’t take away what he has and can do.”

If Poehling wasn’t quite on the level when he arrived with coach Joel Bouchard’s team in Laval, it had everything to do with the fact that he didn’t expect to be there to begin with.

“I think my head just wasn’t completely in it,” the Lakeville, Minn., native admitted on Monday. “I was still a little upset about the decision that I got sent down, so I think it affected my game the first couple of weeks.

“But once I started to realize just being upset about it isn’t going to do anything, just focusing on what’s ahead of you is something I did and I think I played really well. Throughout the last six or seven games I played there I thought me in particular, and the team as well, stepped up, and I think we won four of our last five, and I think that team’s heading in the right direction for sure.”

Poehling, who started off going without a point through his first three games before getting at least one in five of the next six with Laval, was heading in the right direction from the minute he received the call from the Canadiens on Sunday to inform him he was being called up.

We often hear that some players are better-suited for the NHL game than the AHL one and we have little doubt the cerebral Poehling is one of those players.

The St. Cloud State alum believes that’s the case, too.

“It seems like the NHL’s more systematic than the AHL and the AHL’s a little different,” Poehling remarked. “I’m a systematic guy, so I think this league kind of suits me more so than the AHL.”

Julien agrees.

“We see him as a player who’s had some pretty good games at this level (last year and in this year’s pre-season),” the coach said. “Some players play better at this level than they do in the other level, so those are all things to take into consideration… Believe it or not, sometimes the game is easier at this level because players are in the right places, and passes 1160157 Websites “He had a lot of time, and he had a really good delay there — one of the things he did well when he scored that goal is he had his head up the whole time, he prepped the puck. And that can’t always happen in 5-on- 5.” Sportsnet.ca / Why the slapshot is becoming a lost art in today's fast- paced NHL Which is why the most useful place for slapshots in today’s NHL may be as a power-play specialty, when the game slows down and space opens up.

Sonny Sachdeva November 4, 2019, 12:46 PM “It was a 5-on-3 situation, Carlson had 15-20 feet in front of him, and then there were cross-screens going on.” Of course, while Carlson’s goal

clearly displays the benefit of the technique — the increased speed of the TORONTO — Few aspects of the game seem as synonymous with NHL shot giving netminders little time to react to it — Turk says it’s key to hockey as the slapshot, the clappers from the point that filled nets remember its effectiveness was grounded in the space afforded by the ruthlessly throughout the league’s foundational decades. But as the sport man-advantage. “People see that, and they’ll [say], ‘I need to take continues to get faster and the space once offered to shooters dries up, slapshots,’ not understanding that he had all that time, and the situation.” the slapshot is becoming a relic of the past. But the disappearance of the slapshot is the result of more than simply The occasional howitzer still pops up in games here and there, with some increased game speed and dwindling space out on the ice, Turk veteran defenders hanging onto the slapshot dream, and some explains. As the overall skill level in the sport continues to increase at a circumstances still allowing it to be effective. But by and large, the way rapid pace, so too do the number of mind games being played by both the game is currently played often makes loading up a slapshot simply shooters and netminders, with both parties training daily to outsmart the too cumbersome to be as effective as other options. other. Amid that back-and-forth, more reasons to move away from slappers have emerged. Dallas Stars defender John Klingberg offered his perspective on the decline of the technique’s presence during a recent conversation with “We’re trying to counter what the goalie coaches are teaching the Elliotte Friedman and 31 Thoughts: The Podcast, shedding goalies,” Turk says. “When there’s all this traffic in front and the goalies light on his thinking process when launching shots from the blue line in are trying to track the puck at the perimeter, they lose sight of it at times. today’s NHL. But if they hear that snapping sound and think it’s a release — they hear a snapping sound, [like] the stick hitting the ice — they kind of get big “You want to shoot the puck as hard as you can, but it’s tough nowadays naturally, even though they’re unsure of where the puck is released from to have time enough to shoot slapshots,” Klingberg told Friedman and or where it’s headed. They still get big. Marek. “You want to have a quick and good release with your wrist shot. Nowadays, everyone is so good at tipping too, it doesn’t really matter if “But if you don’t make any sound, if you take that ‘snap’ or ‘slap’ out of it’s going higher or lower. I’m just trying to score from there, too. And we the shot and you kind of make it silent — I call it the ‘quick release have a lot of good guys who can tip pucks as well in Dallas, so for me, silencer’ — then the goalies don’t get big, so the puck becomes more I’m just trying to get the puck through and score a goal.” reactive in front of the net. If it doesn’t go in, it hits them and it produces more healthy of a rebound. So that’s why I kind of preach the quick- A quick glance at the numbers from the past decade bears out what release shot, depending on where you are on the ice.” Klingberg touched on, and what seems intuitively clear from watching games in 2019-20 — as the league skews faster, younger, and grounded As Klingberg said, the improved ability of the average player to tip and more and more in dynamic skill, those booming slappers are indeed deflect pucks in front of the net also changes this dynamic, as the onus losing their place in the sport. on blue-liners now is to get pucks through above all else, if not to score outright then to earn a deflection or second opportunity. * Subban led with 74 slapshots over the shortened 48-game season, which translates to roughly 126 slapshots over 82 games Also altering things as a result of that overall rising skill level are the different types of shot releases that have come into the game. ** Florida led with 365 slapshots over 48 games, which translates to roughly 624 over an 82-game season Take Auston Matthews, for example. In our look at the top stickhandlers in the league last year, stickhandling specialist Pavel Barber highlighted *** Players above 59 slapshots over 48 games, which translates to how Matthews’ puck-handling prowess ties into his signature shot: “That roughly 100 slapshots over an 82-game season toe-drag release shot — you know, that’s a skill that you have to be very good with the toe and with good stickhandling to do, and he’s obviously **** Teams above 293 slapshots over 48 games, which translates to perfected it,” Barber said at the time. roughly 500 over an 82-game season Turk pointed out another advanced aspect of Matthews’ shot — his At the beginning of that timeline, 2009-10’s 30 NHL clubs combined for deceptive leg movement and its ability to freeze defenders. 17,481 total slapshots, which averaged out to roughly 583 per team. A decade later, last season’s clubs amassed just 11,612 — and that was “That 34 in Toronto, he gets the D to stand up because he does what I with a 31st club added to the mix — for an average of just 375 slappers call the ‘stride leg release delay,’” Turk explains. “He gets the stride leg per team. out without the shot coming off with synchronicity or chain reaction. He throws the stride leg out and then, as the gap is closing, the D kind of NHL shooting coach Tim Turk — who’s logged more than 20 years stands up because he’s unsure of when the puck’s going to get released. teaching the art of shooting to big-league mainstays like Victor Hedman, And then [Matthews] pulls it inside and releases it. P.K. Subban, Mitch Marner and Brendan Gallagher, among a long list of others — echoed Klingberg’s thoughts on the impact of the increased “Whether it goes in, it always produces a healthy rebound. So, that’s speed in the game. another reason why I feel players are transitioning into quicker releases as opposed to the slapshot.” “If you’re going to do it well, you’re going to need time,” Turk says. “There’s a misconception between an actual slapshot and the one-timer Taking that all into account, it’s a fair bet Matthews is rarely flying into the … but you think about the old-school style of slapshot, where you’re zone thinking about loading up a slapshot, or spending much time gaining the zone, receiving a pass across the blue [line], just before or considering it even when presented space around the perimeter. His slim just after it, and you’re in motion — the old-school -style shot. total of 11 slappers last season — and just one of his 37 goals coming That is slowly leaving the game, because there’s just no time. [Coaches] via slapshot — suggest as much. Looking around the league at other are trying to bring in the on-the-tape, off-the-tape mentality, and you just elite snipers in the game, only three of last season’s top 15 goal scorers don’t get time to load up as much anymore.” — all above 38 goals on the year — saw slapshot goals contribute in double-digits to that total. The veteran coach believes there is still a place for slapshots in the game, provided the circumstances line up right. He pointed to Capitals Throwbacks Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos were among that trio, defender John Carlson — who’s 23 points into a convincing Norris along with Nikita Kucherov. For the rest of that top-end group, slapshot Trophy bid already — and the man-advantage slapper that earned him goals accounted for between six and zero of those total goal sums. his second goal of the night during Washington’s recent win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. While the disappearance of the slapshot seems a worthy trade-off given what the infusion of limitless skill has done for the game, the impact of that disappearance goes beyond just cause for nostalgia, according to Turk. The slapshot technique can also play a subtle role in improving a player’s overall shooting effectiveness through its impact on body positioning.

“There’s one main reason that I still teach slapshots — the most effective thing that a slapshot does to your other shots is it gets your body into what I call a ‘stride formation,'” Turk says. “If you take any type of loaded- position slapshot, as you’re releasing the puck, your right leg goes back like you’re taking a skating stride. So when that leg goes back, it sets your hip into a certain athletic position — when your hips follow your leg, they go back as well, and that means your shoulders and chest go forward.

“So, if I’m finding it challenging to fine-tune [a player] getting that stride formation back to help lower their posture, then I introduce the slapshot. Because when they take the slapshot they get low automatically, they don’t even realize what they’re doing. And then I just try to transition that slapshot formation, or their body formation, and instil it into their quick release.”

Though for younger players, who spend less time practising slapshots as part of their usual training, that body-positioning value may be going by the wayside, the evolution of the game has left shooters little choice in the matter. Today’s NHL is built for quick shots and second opportunities. And even Turk, who understands every aspect of the value of the slapshot in the right circumstances, knows which way he’s telling his defenders to lean if the opportunity presents itself.

“Whether they have the time or not, I’d rather they get it to the net a little quicker.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160158 Websites Did Shea say anything about it? “Nope, nothing,” Mete replied. He joked he wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing.

5. As of this writing, no one in the NHL logs more ice time per game than Sportsnet.ca / Kyle Bukauskas Notebook: Why Brendan Gallagher the Senators’ Thomas Chabot at 26:29. That’s over two minutes more became a better net-crasher than he averaged a season ago.

I wondereded if that big of a jump was part of the plan for new head Kyle Bukauskas coach DJ Smith coming into the season.

“Nope, but you have to remember they played with a lead quite a few times early on last year,” Smith explained. “When you’re chasing the Every other Monday, Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas will give you a peek game as much as we have, he’s going to play a ton of minutes.” behind the curtain and share stories about what he sees and hears in his job as a rink side reporter. The Sens have trailed heading into the third period in half of their games so far this season. Based in Ottawa, Kyle’s notes will sometimes be about the Senators, but he’ll also include content from wherever Hockey Night in Canada takes Chabot’s usage will be something to keep an eye on as Saturday’s loss him. in Boston kicked off a tough stretch of 16 games in 29 days this month including four back-to-backs. Here’s this week’s collection: 6. Nick Paul bought a place in Estero, Florida two years ago and now 1. The pressure of a new six-year deal clearly has not affected the Flyers’ spends his summers down there. Travis Konecny one bit. He is off to the best start of his young career averaging just over a point per game after 13 contests. Last summer he attended an event called “The Hockey Summit” in Estero, where he listened to a former football player talk about different We found a neat profile the London Free Press did on Konecny during breathing and meditation exercises he does to help improve his mental his OHL draft year. One of the observations that writer Patrick Maloney health. made in the piece was that “He doesn’t keep track of his considerable stats; he just wants to win; he’d rather see a teammate succeed than “I used to come to the rink thinking ‘don’t screw up,’ ‘you’re going to himself.” make a mistake,’ ‘you’re a bust,’” said the 2013 fourth round pick, who was the key piece in return for when Ottawa traded Jason Spezza to No question Konecny is paid to put up considerable stats with his new Dallas in 2014. deal. He wore his emotions on his sleeve Saturday night against Toronto as he did everything but score when the game was tied late in the third Now with the help of some meditation, Paul is in a more positive frame of period and continued into overtime. mind and is more confident in his abilities. He has heard all the criticism over the years and at times even believed it. Just like all those years ago playing midget hockey for the Elgin- Middlesex Chiefs, Konecny still hates losing. Paul now has four points in seven games after what he hopes was his final call-up from the AHL. 2. I am guessing there was some money on the board in the Maple Leafs room Saturday, since it was assistant coach Dave Hakstol’s first time 7. Veteran ENG camera operator, Dan Slater, spotted DJ Smith and Joe back in Philly since his three-plus season run as head coach of the Thornton having a friendly chat at the bench Sunday morning during the Flyers came to an end. Sharks pre-game skate. I was trying to think what the connection would be between the two. Hakstol played tour guide the night before with the coaching staff, taking them for a Philly Cheesesteak that had Mike Babcock nearly doing “Junior!” Smith said. When he was an 18-year-old playing for the Windsor backflips when he reminisced about it the next morning with the media. Spitfires, Thornton came into the OHL at age 16 with the Soo As he came on to the bench for warmups, Hakstol even took time to say Greyhounds. hi to some familiar faces behind the glass. “I was one of the tougher guys in the league at the time, but I knew One of the first things that jumped out to both him and his kids after (Thornton) was going to be a star so I left him alone,” Smith explained. settling in to Toronto: Leafs fans are a lot friendlier. “But the other guys I wouldn’t let off the hook.”

3. It was oh so fitting that in Brendan Gallagher’s 500th career game he Good move. scored on his first shift by jamming the puck in the net from the side of 8. It was a silly string of events on Saturday before the Leafs/Flyers the crease. game in the city of brotherly love. Until next time, Gritty. Of all the improvements he has made to his game over the years, he Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.05.2019 says the biggest one is probably learning how to go hard to the net without getting called for goalie interference.

“Adding the coach’s challenge certainly didn’t do me any favours,” Gallagher said with a smile. “I cost my teammates a few goals that first year with the new rule.”

“I’ve always gone to the net with a certain reckless abandon, now I’ve figured out how to harness it.”

After back-to-back 30-plus goal campaigns, he is on pace to eclipse 40 a month into this season.

4. Habs fans may remember a couple weeks ago against the Sharks when Max Domi set up what was going to be a patented Shea Weber one-timer from the point…until Victor Mete swooped in out of nowhere and took the pass instead.

As video of the play quickly made its way around Twitter, Mete meanwhile had no idea what he had done. “I didn’t even know he was still behind me,” he said. “I thought he was back-pedalling outside the blue line to switch over to the other side.”

It was not until after the game Mete saw the play back, thanks to countless buddies sending him texts chirping him, and wondering what the heck he was doing. 1160159 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Drew Doughty: Winning teams need 'all-around hockey from everyone'

Emily Sadler | November 4, 2019, 1:41 PM

Washington Capitals captain — and noted Stanley Cup champion — Alex Ovechkin provided a brief scouting report last week on the Toronto Maple Leafs, telling reporters the team has to “play differently” if they want to win a Stanley Cup:

“For them, they’re still a young group of guys,” he noted. “I hope they’re going to learn, but it’s up to them how they want to do it. If they want to play for themselves or if they want to win a Stanley Cup they have to play differently.”

On Monday, another accomplished Cup winner, Drew Doughty, was asked for his take on what it takes to win it all and agreed with his fellow No. 8 while drawing on his own experience.

“You need to count on every single guy in every situation. Even though you have a scorer like Ovechkin or something like that, when it comes to playoff time you expect him to play defence, you expect him to block shots, you expect him to finish hits,” Doughty told reporters in Toronto.

The Los Angeles Kings have hit hard times recently, but it wasn’t so long ago that they were were considered royalty in the NHL. With its 2012 and ’14 Stanley Cup-winning core still intact as they try to piece together another winning roster around it, there’s no doubting many of the club’s veterans still know what it takes to win — hence the questions directed Doughty’s way ahead of the Kings’ Tuesday matchup with the Maple Leafs.

“If any team wants to be successful in the playoffs, they need their top scorers playing good defence and they need their best defenders chipping in on the offence. That’s the only way you’re going to win,” continued Doughty, whose resume also includes a Norris Trophy and a pair of Olympic gold medals. “You need all-around hockey from everyone.”

When asked whether it was “inevitable” that the slow-starting Maple Leafs could play that kind of hockey, Doughty’s response was simple and sounded less like an indictment of the Maple Leafs and more like an honest nod to the standings and the strength of the rest of the league.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he responded. “I know they have a really good roster, but I mean, a lot of teams have good rosters in this league and I don’t think they’re in first place in the East, are they? So that means right now there are some better teams than them just judging off the standings.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160160 Websites Johnson: 'I think Nylander has been the most consistent forward this year'

After William Nylander was benched against the Flyers, there's a TSN.CA / Slumping Leaf Nylander aims to get back on track against question whether or not Mike Babcock would have taken the same Kings approach for other players making the same mistake. TSN's Hockey analyst Mike Johnson has more on why Babcock handled it the way he did.

Mark Masters Babcock decided to go straight to the source before his media session today. Instead of walking into the scrum of reporters he made a beeline

for Tavares, who was at his stall doing an interview. TSN Toronto reporter Mark Masters checks in daily with news and notes What did Babcock talk to Tavares about? on the Maple Leafs. who practised at Ford Performance Centre on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings. "What do you think?" the coach asked with a grin. "It was, 'Is he playing tomorrow or not?' And, basically, he's feeling good, he's still got to get William Nylander was caught flat-footed on Philadelphia's third goal cleared by the medical people. But, the bottom line, in the end you got to Saturday night as defenceman Travis Sanheim easily skated past him, feel good enough to play. And so, it doesn't matter if you're medically getting a shot on Frederik Andersen and then potting the rebound to give cleared or not, you got to feel good enough to play and so that's what we the Flyers a lead. were just discussing there just so I'd have an answer. (Smile) I have no "I didn't think he was going to go down low," Nylander explained. "I was answers." waiting for him to shoot and then he took a step wide and took it to the Tavares made the trip to Philadelphia on the weekend hoping to play, but net." the decision was made to be cautious and allow the finger to get Nylander insists the play, which occurred on the first shift of the third stronger. period, isn't as bad as it may have seemed. "Over the last couple days I made some more really good progress," "You want to try and stop him, but I was caught off guard that he was Tavares said. "I still have to talk to the medical staff after today, but going carry it all the way down to the goal line. I mean, I haven't played feeling pretty good and obviously would like to be in tomorrow. We'll against him before so I don't know what kind of player he is, really. So, I cover our bases and hopefully that's the case." mean, it's different if you’re playing against a guy like Erik Karlsson, you With John Tavares inching closer and closer towards a return to game know, who might carry it down the wall and stuff like that." action, questions continue to pour in about when the captain will be back Nylander actually did play the Flyers with Sanheim in the lineup a couple in the Leafs' lineup. Head coach Mike Babcock says he doesn't have the times last season and twice more the season before that. answers as he's still waiting for his star centre to be medically cleared.

The Sanheim goal represented a tough moment in a night full of them for After missing Saturday's game for personal reasons, Jake Muzzin was Toronto’s top line. Auston Matthews managed just one shot on net back on the ice at practice skating in his usual spot opposite Tyson matching his lowest total of the season. Barrie. Traded from the Los Angeles Kings in January, Muzzin will face his old team for the first time Tuesday night. Nylander ended up playing 19:43, but was bumped off the Matthews line for a couple shifts down the stretch. "It will be different," he said. "I've never done that. It will be a little fun out there seeing some of the guys who I played with a long time." "I wasn't proud of my game," the 23-year-old admits, "but earlier I think I've been creating a lot of chances and dominating for the most part so Does he think old partner Drew Doughty will try and get under his skin? just want to keep building off of that." "Drew can't get under my skin," Muzzin said with a laugh. Focused on domination, Nylander admits 'I wasn't proud of my game' Muzzin suited up in 496 regular season games for Los Angeles over Saturday eight seasons, winning a Stanley Cup in 2014 and serving as a black ace William Nylander rattled off a five-game point streak to begin the year, during the 2012 championship run. but has just four points in 10 games since. Nylander admitted he wasn't "We still go back there in the summer," said Muzzin. "We see a lot of the proud of his game in Saturday's win over the Flyers, but remains faces, a lot of guys are there throughout the summer as well. We were confident in his ability and has been happy with the majority of his play so fortunate enough to sign there early in my career and have a good career far. there. A lot of good memories, a lot of good friendships and, for us, the Before the season, Nylander said his plan was to be dominant and he South Bay is home. A lot of good stuff coming out of L.A." stormed out of the gates with a five-game point streak. Since then, Muzzin sustained a charley horse on Tuesday courtesy a big collision however, he has potted only one goal and registered just three assists in with Tom Wilson. What did he think of the hit? 10 games. "It's just a part of hockey," is all Muzzin would say. "I feel like it's coming," Nylander said. "Except for last game, I mean, I feel like I've been creating a lot and having a lot of chances to score Muzzin thinks he'll probably need to wear some sort of added protection goals so just got to keep staying on it and shooting the puck and it will go for tomorrow's game. in." Muzzin excited to face former team, jokes Doughty 'can't get under my Nylander's shooting percentage this season (8.3) is down slightly from skin' his career average (9.7). Jake Muzzin will return to Toronto's lineup against the Kings after missing Asked specifically about Nylander, Mike Babcock chose to focus on the one game for 'personal reasons'. Muzzin says he's never faced a former team as a whole. team before so it will be a different experience, but expects to have fun with it. He also jokes L.A. defenceman and former partner Drew Doughty "We haven't been as good an offensive team here in the last five," the won't be able to get under his skin. coach observed. "We haven't spent enough time in the offensive zone, we haven’t shot it and got it back enough, we haven't been heavy Saturday's 11-round shootout was the longest in Leafs history and led to enough, we haven't tracked a team from behind. So, any way you look at some unlikely shooters, including defencemen Morgan Rielly and Tyson it, every night is 50-50, because of that." Barrie.

With John Tavares sidelined, the Matthews line has gotten the tough "All the D-men were kind of looking at each other like, 'Ah, we might be assignments. So, will the captain's return help free up some space? going here,'" said a smiling Justin Holl. "At the beginning you're like, 'OK, my game's over, whatever,' and then as it progresses you're like, 'Uh oh, "Yeah, maybe," Nylander said before pausing. "I mean, we've been I might have to get ready to go here.'" playing really well no matter who we’ve been playing against, I feel like, so just got to keep playing like that." Would Muzzin be comfortable going in a shootout? "No," he said quickly. "Hard no." Timashov - Shore - Gauthier

"Some of the guys were getting nervous," Kasperi Kapanen said post- Spezza, Hyman game on Saturday. "I was looking at Goat and he wasn't smiling any more. And Hollsy wasn't looking too excited either." Defencemen

The Goat is fourth liner Frederik Gauthier, who has eight goals in 122 Rielly - Ceci career NHL games. Muzzin - Barrie

"Not nervous," Gauthier insisted with a wide grin. "I think it would have Dermott - Holl been nice to get a chance. If I got a chance I'd be excited to go." Marincin "I was sweating a little bit," Holl said, "but I think it was more I was just nervous about what was going on in the shootout. It’s tougher when Goaltenders you're on the bench and you don't have any control over it. But, yeah, I Andersen had something up my sleeve. I don’t know if it would’ve worked, but I had it." Hutchinson

Gauthier hasn't had a shootout attempt since his time with Rimouski. Power play units at Monday's practice:

"I did one in junior and it was a disaster," he said with a laugh. "It wasn’t Rielly great. If I get another chance I'll hopefully do better." Marner - Tavares - Matthews Did Gauthier have a move in mind on Saturday? Johnsson "Not really, just go with it, I guess, maybe shoot it probably," he mused. "That's what I'd go with depending on the goalie’s position. Yeah, Barrie probably shoot it." Kerfoot - Timashov - Nylander With expectations so low, the pressure would be off for the depth players Spezza^ even with the game hanging in the balance. ^ Likely placeholder for Mikheyev, who worked with the PK "If 16 other guys have already missed or whatever, if I miss it’s not the biggest deal," said Holl, who is quick to point out he scored on his only TSN.CA LOADED: 11.05.2019 shootout attempt in the ECHL.

"I'd be excited to see everyone go," said Holl, who scored in his first two NHL games, but hasn't bulged the twine in the 24 since. "I think the other coach should pick the players that go from your team. I think that should happen. It'd be fun."

Leafs' depth scorers joke about nerves in long shootout win: 'I was sweating a little bit'

The Leafs downed the Flyers in the shootout on Saturday, but it took a string of strong saves from Frederik Andersen and a snipe from Andreas Johnsson in the 11th round of shooters to win it. With all of Toronto's top stars failing to score, the Leafs' depth scorers joke about their nerves as the shootout went on.

Andersen stole the show in the shootout, stopping 10 of 11 Flyers.

"Fred stood on his head," Muzzin said. "I was watching and was like, 'Holy crap, can we get a goal here for the guy!' He was awesome."

"The thing I liked best about the game," Babcock said, "was that when the second goal went in, a power-play goal (by Claude Giroux), which I didn't like the goal, Freddie just said, 'Enough's enough, jump on my back boys, we're winning here tonight.' To me, that's what leadership's about, that's why you train, that's why you work, that's why you battle each day so you know you're capable and when the guys need your help, you give them your help. I thought that was the greatest thing about the game the other night."

Earlier in his career, that sort of ending would've been unlikely as Andersen struggled in shootouts. Then a couple years ago he made a change, opting not to pre-scout shootout moves.

"I like less information," Andersen told Andi Petrillo and Dave Poulin on TSN 1050's Leafs Lunch, "because I found that I have more trouble moving freely if I'm thinking too much what they're going to do. I just try to react to what they're doing ... my first year in Toronto we did a lot of video on shooters and it ended up going bad."

Andersen was 1-7 in shootouts with a .522 save percentage in his first season with the Leafs. Since then he's 7-4 with a .792 save percentage.

Lines at Monday's practice:

Forwards

Johnsson - Matthews - Nylander

Moore - Tavares - Marner

Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Kapanen 1160161 Websites Babcock estimated in September Hyman would miss the Leafs’ first 14- 15 games, but he’s already been out for 16, a challenging reality for the feisty forechecker.

TSN.CA / Toronto Maple Leafs nearing return to full health “I always have a date in mind [to return]; it's the next game,” Hyman joked. “But it's a process and you have to respect it. I've gone through so much work to get to this point right now.”

Kristen Shilton By now, Hyman doesn’t feel like his body is far from being game-ready.

“I can tell you I’m pretty close,” he said. “I feel strong, but it’s not like you magically get better one day. You get to the point where you feel good TORONTO – It’s not often this season the Maple Leafs have had a and strong and stable and you feel like you can play. And we’re really practice like the one on Monday, with a full complement of players and close to that point.” nary a red no-contact sweater in sight for the recently injured John Tavares, Jake Muzzin or Zach Hyman. Hyman finally getting the all-clear will be a boost for Toronto on the ice, but taking the winger off long-term injured reserve will also necessitate It was an exciting prospect for head coach Mike Babcock, who delayed some roster moves to accommodate his $2.25 million cap hit. his post-practice media availability to convene with Tavares at his CapFriendly puts Toronto’s available cap space at zero before activating dressing stall to find out how close Toronto’s captain is to returning from Hyman, so the Leafs project to only be able to carry 20 players once a broken finger. Hyman is back in the fold. That will most likely put Jason Spezza, Dmytro “[I asked], ‘Is he playing tomorrow or not?’” Babcock revealed of their Timashov and Martin Marincin on the roster bubble. brief meeting. “He’s basically feeling good, but still has to get cleared by For today though, Babcock is focused only on the positives in Hyman’s the medical people. In the end, it doesn’t matter if you’re medically recovery. cleared or not. You’ve got to feel good enough to play, and so that's what we were just discussing there, just so I have some answers.” “I think he’s [close] too. He used to have a hitch, a while ago,” the coach said. “He's a top-line player for us, very important player. I don't know Babcock then joked he doesn’t actually have any of the answers he how long it's going to take him once he’s back to get to that form, but with needs, except perhaps when it comes to Muzzin’s less uncertain status. his drivetrain and his work ethic it'll be quicker than some guys.” The Leafs’ defenceman had been injured by a first-period hit from Tom TSN.CA LOADED: 11.05.2019 Wilson in last Tuesday’s loss to the Washington Capitals, and sat out the second and third frames of that game with a charley horse. He went on to miss Saturday’s 4-3 shootout win in Philadelphia as well, but the Leafs attributed that to “personal reasons” and not his leg.

Muzzin said he’ll be “good to go,” as Toronto prepares to welcome in the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, which sets him up for what could be a more emotional outing that usual.

Muzzin started his career with the Kings, signing there as a free agent in 2010 and hoisting the Stanley Cup as part of its championship roster in 2014. The Leafs traded a 2019 first-round draft choice and two prospects to Los Angeles to acquire Muzzin last January, and Tuesday will be the first time he’s faced his former team.

“It'll be different,” Muzzin conceded. “I’ve never [played a former team]. Last year we didn’t meet up after the trade, so that’ll be fun out there seeing some of the guys I played with for a long time.”

After missing the Leafs’ last seven games, Tavares is eyeing his own return against L.A. The centre had his finger broken by a shot from Morgan Rielly on Oct. 22, and had anticipated being able to get back on Saturday.

Ultimately, the Leafs’ medical staff suggested Tavares would be better served taking a few more days to fully heal the appendage before subjecting it to game action. Toronto’s victory over Philadelphia puts them at 3-2-2 now without Tavares available.

“We made a really good call on Saturday to be patient,” Tavares said. “And I think there's a good chance it sets me up for tomorrow and the rest this week. I’m still going to talk to the medical staff after today, but I feel pretty good. We'll just cover our bases and hopefully that's the case [that I can play].”

At this stage, Tavares said the mobility in his finger is great, and the strength he’s been lacking is finally catching up.

“Doing the manual tests that we do on a daily basis, that’s getting pretty close back to normal,” he said. “The last couple days it took a big jump and I was happy to see that and just the way I felt on the ice today as well [was good].”

If Muzzin is a definite for Tuesday’s game and Tavares is a strong possibility, Hyman is a definite scratch, but still closer than ever to making his season debut.

It’s been seven months since Hyman last played in a game, not learning until after the Leafs’ Game 7 loss in the first round of the playoffs that he’d need off-season ACL surgery. 1160162 Websites

TSN.CA / New Jersey Devils dealing with a goaltending dilemma to start 2019-20 season

Travis Yost

There are a few ways to demoralize an entire organization, but none are more effective than putting AHL-calibre goaltending behind an NHL roster.

The New Jersey Devils are living that nightmare through the first month of the season. The Devils – an interesting upstart team with plenty of firepower sprinkled throughout the lineup – made a big bet on the Cory Schneider and Mackenzie Blackwood combination for the 2019-20 season.

Schneider, whose contract extension kicked in to start the 2015-16 season, has struggled to live up to his $42-million contract. He’s frequently battled injuries, and when he has been healthy enough to stay on the ice, the performance simply hasn’t been there. There were some signs of promise from his play post-abdominal strain last season, but his play has vacillated from bad to awful in his first five appearances this season.

New Jersey’s other platoon goalie, Blackwood, looked to be a promising prospect working his way through the organization. The 22-year-old had a .918 save percentage with six goals saved above average in 23 appearances last year. As a second-round pick, his first NHL season looked to be an extension of what the team saw during his Barrie Colts days. If Schneider went by the wayside, it appeared Blackwood would be able to pick up even more of the slack.

But Blackwood has struggled in his sophomore season, and it’s killing New Jersey. The Devils’ platoon is stopping just 87.2 per cent of shots at 5-on-5 and 86.3 per cent of shots across all situations – both are comfortably dead last in the NHL.

Save percentages are, of course, a function of both goaltending performance and the defensive play of the group in front. It’s hard to carry elite stop rates when your defence is consistently bleeding scoring chances against, and to that end, we must take into account shot quality against.

We can’t adjust all shots for quality because of the NHL’s early season data limitation issues, but we do have high confidence in the data from Oct. 16 onwards.

When we adjust for shot quality, we find that the Devils goaltenders don’t look better in any capacity. In fact, New Jersey not only has the league’s worst stop rates season to date, they also have the biggest delta save percentage – the save percentage we have actually observed from the Schneider/Blackwood duo versus the save percentage we would expect to see when adjusted for predictor variables like shot distance, shot angle, shot type, and the like:

The scary part here is that neither New Jersey goaltender is off to a remotely compelling start. That’s not the case with some other organizations around the league – Minnesota, for example, has seen some impressive early season work from Alex Stalock in relief of the struggling Devan Dubnyk, and Los Angeles has seen a relatively decent effort from backup Jack Campbell in lieu of Jonathan Quick.

Think about the burden this puts on the rest of the skater group. The average NHL team is stopping about 90.8 per cent of shots, while the Devils duo is at 86.3 per cent. That means – all other variables holding equal – the Devils have to generate three shots offensively for every two shots they give up. In a game where even the most puck-dominant teams in the league control about 55 per cent of the shot share, that is a mountain to climb.

This Devils team does seem improved, but erasing that type of goaltending deficit is next to impossible. Getting one of Schneider or Blackwood to rebound in the month of November is critical, or New Jersey’s playoff hopes will be dashed sooner than anyone anticipated.

TSN.CA LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160163 Websites

USA TODAY / Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman makes prospect sweat with pot-smoking questions at pre-draft interview

Kevin Allen

Steve Yzerman, the Detroit Red Wings' buttoned-up general manager, showed his impish side last summer when he pulled a prank on highly regarded prospect Kirby Dach.

The Chicago Blackhawks forward appeared on the recent “Spittin Chiclets” podcast and told hosts Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney that Yzerman grilled him much harder than anyone else in a pre-draft interview.

“I sit down and say, ‘Nice to meet you.’ He’s a hockey legend and I’m trying to be respectful,” Dach said on the podcast. “He says, ‘I hear you smoke weed.’”

Here is how Dach, 18, laid out how the rest of the interview went:

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“I said, ‘No, I really don’t.'

"He says, 'OK,' and the questions go on.

"And then he says, 'So are you sure you don’t smoke any pot? I had a couple of teammates who said you smoke weed.'

"I said, 'No, I don’t really smoke any weed.'

"He said, 'Are you sure?'

"I said, 'Ya, I’m sure.'

“(Yzerman’s) like an intimidating guy. He’s very intense and he’s in your face and I’m sitting there and I’m starting to sweat," Dach said on the podcast. "I’m thinking I’m going to have to change my shirt after this for the next interview.”

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Eventually, Yzerman, who was drafted by Detroit in 1983 and played there for 22 seasons, said: “Ya, I know you don’t. I was just (joking around) with you.”

The Red Wings, picking sixth, were interested in big-center Dach but he went third to the Blackhawks.

Instead, they selected defenseman Morris Seider. It’s difficult to imagine what Yzerman asked him in his interview.

USA TODAY LOADED: 11.05.2019 1160164 Websites Buffalo Sabres center Sam Reinhart (23) scores against Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard (35) in the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, in Detroit.

USA TODAY / Detroit Red Wings look awful. What has gone wrong, and Skaters who bears blame? Mantha (nine goals), Bertuzzi (six) and Larkin (four) account for 58% of the team’s 33 goals. Helm is the only other player with four. Hronek is the only defenseman who looks like a threat to score (three goals, seven Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressPublished 6:00 a.m. ET Nov. 4, points). 2019 | Updated 9:57 a.m. ET Nov. 4, 2019 Athanasiou scored 30 goals last season but has had a disastrous start this year, with no goals, five assists and a league-worst minus-18 rating – and that’s with averaging about 40 seconds more ice time. He had four That the Detroit Red Wings would endure another tough season was not goals and six points last year at this time, mostly playing with either in doubt outside the locker room. They don’t have the players needed to Vanek or Frans Nielsen. This season Athanasiou mostly has played with be competitive, yet. a combination of Filppula, Hirose, and lately, Mantha. But one month into the season, the Wings have looked even worse than Filppula is another underachiever – he has five points and hasn’t even realistically expected. The joy in the locker room sparked by a 3-1 start been good defensively (minus-10), which is one of his hallmarks. Nielsen that included the first regulation victory in Montreal in 12 years has goes on the list, too – he has no points, but he also hasn’t been on the dissipated, replaced by the misery of explaining one embarrassing loss power play and he hasn’t had much in the way of scoring wingers. Then after another. again, Blashill doesn’t have much in the way of options. That was the Back-to-back blowouts this weekend have left the Wings with a 4-10-1 hope with adding Perlini, that maybe he could emerge as scoring help record and nine points. Only the Ottawa Senators have fewer points (too early to judge after only two games). (seven). The Wings are at or near the bottom of the NHL in every There was hope going into camp that Filip Zadina could grab a job, but category that matters: Goals for (33, 2.20 average), goals against (57, he didn’t look like he belonged. He’s scored in his last two Griffins 3.80 average), power play (14%) and penalty kill (70.2%). games, but calling him up needs to be weighed against the risk that he How have things gone so badly so quickly, and who is to blame? just seems to have gained confidence at the AHL level. If he comes up and does not play well in the NHL, it could be a setback. Bottom line, the Coaching team needs more from the guys already on the team.

Steve Yzerman is seven months into his post as general manager of the The additions of Filppula, Nemeth and Erne, were supposed to help the Wings. He made it clear during training camp he is going to spend as Wings tighten up defensively. But they’ve let in three more goals this much time as he deems necessary observing. It’s why the previous season than after 15 games last year. The departures of Niklas Kronwall administration’s plans to name Dylan Larkin captain before the season (retirement) and Nick Jensen (traded) stand out here as noticeable began were postponed. It’s why Yzerman has made minor changes – differences. additions Valtteri Filppula, Patrik Nemeth, Adam Erne and Brendan Perlini are all short-term contracts. But will all this losing lead Yzerman to Goaltending make a major change behind the bench? Jimmy Howard (2-6, .898 save percentage, 3.67 goals-against average) He will have heard positive comments about Jeff Blashill from colleagues and Jonathan Bernier (2-4-1, .890, 3.50) are the least of the team’s within the Wings organization – Blashill is well liked and respected. problems. Considering how poorly the skaters have performed, Howard Higher-ups are pleased with the job he has done considering the club and Bernier would have to steal every game for the Wings to have a lacks an elite defenseman and superstar scorer, hallmarks of good wining record. Howard was excellent in the season opener at Nashville teams. Yzerman will also have heard positive comments about Blashill and Oct. 29 against the Oilers. Bernier was excellent Oct. 10 at Montreal from Jon Cooper, Yzerman’s coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning and a and Oct. 18 at Edmonton. But Blashill veered from his every-other-game close friend of Blashill’s. routine this past week and started Howard two straight games because Bernier played poorly Oct. 27 against the Blues. Howard couldn’t counter The key will be how the Wings perform, more than the win-loss category. how poorly the team played defensively at Carolina, however, and was If they compete hard and lose, that’s one thing. If these self-destructive, pulled after allowing five goals on 21 shots. All the losing is getting to poor-energy, lazy-defense outings continue, Blashill may pay the price. Howard and Bernier, and now their play is suffering, too. Assistant coach Dan Bylsma has head coaching experience (Pittsburgh, Buffalo) but he is also the one in charge of the power play, which has USA TODAY LOADED: 11.05.2019 been atrocious.

Special teams

At the 15-game mark last season, the Wings’ power play was 12-for-46 (26.1%) and the PK was 46-for-56 (82.1%). The leading scorers on the man advantage were Thomas Vanek and Michael Rasmussen, each with two goals. Vanek is currently unemployed and Rasmussen in Grand Rapids. Eight other players had one goal. Cholowski had a team-leading six power play points and Gustav Nyquist (traded) had five. Larkin, Vanek, Athanasiou and Frans Nielsen each had three.

This season, Mantha accounts for four of the PP’s seven goals, and Cholowski, Hronek and Larkin account for the others. Taro Hirose leads the team with five power play points, Mantha has four, and Cholowski has three.

This is especially damning for Larkin (one point), Hronek (two) and Bertuzzi (two), because they each average more than three minutes per game on man advantages. Athanasiou (two points), Filppula (one) and Mike Green (one) average more than two minutes.

Injuries to Danny DeKeyser and Luke Glendening affect the PK. Helm is the noticeable difference – he isn’t on it this year, and was last season. He’s an excellent killer because of his ability to race off with the puck. Even though he has trouble converting on breakaways, his foot races eat up valuable time.