SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 4/1/2021 Avalanche Continued 1186164 Stan Bowman, Bill Guerin to be in charge of U.S. men’s 1186195 Following the Leader: is taking the Olympic hockey team Avalanche to new heights 1186165 Ducks goalie John Gibson taking ‘baby steps’ toward 1186196 Hats off: Donskoi scores 3 in 1st, Avs beat Coyotes 9-3 return to net 1186197 Donskoi scores hat trick in just 7:31 of game time en route to 9-3 thrashing of ArizonaPublished 57 mins ago o 1186198 Alex Newhook signs first pro contract with 1186166 Arizona Coyotes open long road trip with blowout loss to AvalanchePublished 10 hours ago on March 31, 2021 1186199 Colorado Avalanche notebook: Donskoi on first PP 1186167 Shane Doan, Xavier Gutierrez lead Coyotes' volunteer unitPublished 13 hours ago on March 31, 2021 efforts on Cesar Chavez Day 1186168 Suns, Coyotes, Diamondbacks fans lose in Sinclair Broadcast Group's sports streaming feud 1186200 Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella plans to keep game plan simple for stretch run 1186201 Surviving the storm: Takeaways from the Blue Jackets' 1186169 looking for more energy as Bruins enter latest upset of the Lightning stretch run 1186170 Despite win, Bruins have their issues 1186171 Cassidy On David Pastrnak: ‘He Has To Get A Little 1186202 As Ben Bishop nears a return, Stars GM Jim Nill sheds Dirtier’Published 12 hours ago on March 31, 2021 light on the future of Dallas’ goalie situation 1186172 Kuraly Returns To Bruins Practice, Questionable For 1186203 Injured Stars: Tyler Seguin close to practicing; Roope PenguinsPublished 12 hours ago on March 31, 2021 Hintz, Alexander Radulov face possible surgery 1186173 Time For Boston Bruins’ Youth To ‘Turn The Tide’ 1186204 In season of struggles, Denis Gurianov’s overtime mistake |BHN+Published 16 hours ago on March 31, 2021 proved fatal to Stars 1186174 Mike Harrington: Sabres finally find their heart at home to 1186205 A new, free way for you to get around downtown Detroit end ugly streaks launches on Tigers' Opening Day 1186175 Observations: Don Granato's changes making big 1186206 Detroit Red Wings believe they have formula to win on the difference for Sabres road. Here's how 1186176 The Wraparound: Sabres finally win, snap 18-game skid 1186207 Griffins enjoying success despite weird, different AHL with 6- effort season 1186177 Sabres plan to give prospects an NHL audition in season's 1186208 Farmington's Megan Keller makes U.S. team going for six final weeks straight world titles 1186178 Sabres game day: As winless streak continues, home 1186209 Lousy start dooms Red Wings in loss to Panthers futility mark now in play 1186210 Calvin Pickard provides lift for Red Wings, seeking first 1186179 Sabres forward Dylan Cozens likely out one week with three-game win streak upper-body injury 1186211 The Gifted: The untapped potential of Red Wings prospect 1186180 Odds say Islanders are favorites to land Taylor Hall in William Wallinder trade with Sabres Flames 1186212 Edmonton Oilers long, strange road trip finally got the best 1186181 Flames-Canucks postponed due to COVID-19 protocol of them 1186182 A decade after graduation, Flames’ Ryan remains 1186213 Oilers fail to seize opportunity against Canadiens beacon-of-hope for skaters 1186214 Lowetide: Oilers March report card — who’s pulling their weight as the team solidifies its playoff spot? 1186215 NHL awards WATCH: Should Connor McDavid and Leon 1186183 By Sara Civian Mar 31, 2021 26 Draisaitl both be up for the Hart Trophy? 1186184 Chicago Blackhawks’ Stan Bowman named U.S. Olympic 1186216 How Forsling went from last-minute waiver addition to team GM for 2022 Beijing Games top-pairing defenseman for Panthers 1186185 Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman will serve as GM of 2022 1186217 Do you watch Heat, Marlins or Panthers on TV? The U.S. Olympic hockey team names of the channels are changing. 1186186 Adam Boqvist’s accelerating development a bright spot in 1186218 The Panthers sign goalie-of-the-future Spencer Knight Blackhawks’ downturn 1186187 How Hawks' defenseman Boqvist earned Colliton's trust Kings 1186188 10 observations: Blackhawks steal win from Hurricanes 1186219 Lias Andersson scores in return, Kings top Golden Knights 1186220 Lias Andersson scores in return as Kings top Vegas Colorado Avalanche 1186221 Kings’ energetic Trevor Moore a tribute to development 1186189 Avalanche erupts early and late, downs Arizona 9-3 before 1186222 FINAL – KINGS 4, GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2 – ANDERSSON, fans in the stands at Ball Arena MCLELLAN 1186190 Alex Newhook, 2019 first-round pick, signs with Avalanche 1186223 GAME THREAD – KINGS @ GOLDEN KNIGHTS, 3/31 1186191 Fighting defenseman Dan Renouf adds element 1186224 3/31 PREVIEW – LINEUP THOUGHTS, PLUS Avalanche normally lacks PIETRANGELO, MOORE’S ROLE & APPROACHING 1186192 A helmet throw, hat trick and first-place team: Nathan VEGAS MacKinnon and Avs welcome fans back to arena 1186193 Alex Newhook signs with Avalanche. Could he contribute this season? 1186194 Avalanche cruise to 9-3 victory over Arizona after a five-goal first period outburst in front of fans Flyers Continued 1186225 Wild's slow start leads to another road loss, 4-2 at San 1186260 Anatomy of an awful month: Flyers’ season in flames after Jose disastrous March 1186226 Wednesday's Wild-San Jose game recap 1186261 LeBrun: How the Kraken are impacting the NHL trade 1186227 Wild's Matt Boldy makes "super exciting" jump from deadline and why the Flyers could add a goalie college to pros 1186228 Gameday preview: Wild at Vegas 1186229 Kaapo Kahkonen back in net for Wild vs. Sharks 1186262 Minor league report: Penguins end losing streak 1186230 Heading out to the game? Here's what you need to know 1186263 Penguins’ surging power play to face Bruins’ NHL-best 1186231 Wild suffer 4-2 loss to Sharks as offensive woes continue kill 1186232 Wild top prospect Matt Boldy finally arrives: ‘It’s a dream 1186264 Big, skilled Anthony Angello has become Penguins lineup come true’ fixture 1186233 Wild’s Bill Guerin joins 2022 U.S. Olympic hockey team as 1186265 Tristan Jarry absent from Penguins practice; Brandon assistant GM Tanev returns 1186266 Penguins could finally snap skid in Boston by taking a page from Bruins' playbook 1186234 Canadiens' Lehkonen tunes out trade noise and lets play 1186267 First Call: Steelers in touch with another NFL draft QB do his talking prospect; East Division update; Duquesne hoops transfe 1186235 About Last Night: Habs show no signs of rust in 4-0 win 1186268 Tristan Jarry absent from practice after sustaining upper- over Oilers body injury on Monday 1186236 LeBrun: How the Kraken are impacting the NHL trade 1186269 Brian Burke doesn’t want Penguins ‘going to a gunfight deadline and why the Flyers could add a goalie with a knife’ 1186270 Tristan Jarry is Day-to-Day, Did Not Skate Before Practice 1186271 Penguins Practice: Jarry Absent; Tanev, Blueger Return 1186237 Desperate and inspired, the Nashville Predators are fighting hard against change 1186238 Farrance could make Predators debut sometime soon 1186272 San Jose Sharks stay hot at home, top Minnesota Wild 1186239 Are the Predators better off without Matt Duchene? 1186273 With no fans, why do San Jose Sharks home games still start at 7:30 p.m.? 1186274 Sharks beat Wild 4-2 for 2-game series sweep 1186240 4 observations from Devils’ loss to Bruins | Missed 1186275 Knyzhov's 'surreal' first NHL goal seals Sharks' sweep of chances let game slip away; Ty Smith, Jesper Bratt stand Wild u 1186276 If he falls, ‘that mat ain’t doing much’: The inside story of 1186241 What we’re hearing about the Devils’ big decisions before the night Sharkie got stuck the trade deadline 1186277 Evander Kane’s creditors question his threat to walk away from Sharks contract in bankruptcy hearing 1186278 SAN JOSE SHARKSHow Would You Celebrate Your 1st 1186242 Islanders hope to settle some scores with first-place NHL Goal? Nikolai Knyzhov Wore a Wig Capitals at home 1186279 Postgame Notes #35: Sharks Beat Wild 4-2, Just 4 Points 1186243 ’s top six? 20 points for Noah Dobson? 10 bold Behind Blues Islanders preseason predictions revisited 1186280 Game Preview/Lines #35: What Does Boughner Want 1186244 Cory Schneider Feels ‘Pretty Good’ in First Conditioning From Inconsistent Meier? Stint in AHL Bridgeport 1186281 30 Sharks: Todd Elik Remembers ’94 Playoffs 1186245 Islanders Practice: Dobson Returns, While Dal Colle 1186282 Brandon Coe Misses His Dad; Merkley Out Again With Remains Out Injury 1186283 Quick Thoughts: Couture Line Playing 200 Feet of Hockey – Literally 1186246 Vitali Kravtsov complicates Rangers’ already tough balancing act 1186247 Still no word on when Vitali Kravtsov will make Rangers 1186284 LeBrun: How the Kraken are impacting the NHL trade debut deadline and why the Flyers could add a goalie NHL St Louis Blues 1186248 The Sabres’ Losing Streak Ends at 18 1186285 Blues notebook: Stay in doghouse short-lived for Hoffman 1186249 Was Connor McDavid’s Big Hit a Dirty Play? 1186286 Blues continue to get healthier, but won-loss record keeps dipping 1186287 Blues update: Barbashev could be back Friday 1186250 This time, it's ex-Greyhound Mike Glover's many friends 1186288 The Blues down the stretch: Who needs to step up, trade coming to his aid after leg amputated targets and how the rest of the schedule plays out 1186251 SNAPSHOTS: Tkachuk willing to offer advice to Ottawa's UND prospects ... Murray not cleared to play 1186252 GAME DAY: Senators versus Montreal 1186289 Lightning dodge a bullet in loss to Blue Jackets 1186253 Goaltender Filip Gustavsson reveals he, and his family, have first hand experience with COVID-19 1186290 Agostino, Petan lead Marlies over Heat 5-2 1186291 Maple Leafs down Jets 3-1 to extend lead in North 1186254 Flyers hit new low, fall to Buffalo, 6-1, as Sabres end Division to three points 18-game losing streak 1186292 Scheifele, Jets to host the Maple Leafs 1186255 Flyers sign promising defenseman Cam York to entry-level 1186293 Mission accomplished for Maple Leafs. They’ll leave deal; can he help this year? Winnipeg atop North 1186256 Shayne Gostisbehere clears waivers. He is placed on taxi 1186295 Jack Campbell gets the nod to start in net for the Leafs squad and out of Flyers’ lineup. tonight against the . 1186257 Troubling and telling trends somehow worsen as Flyers' 1186296 First place in NHL North could have its perils ugly March ends with bad loss 1186297 Matthews line, Campbell shine as Maple Leafs start 1186258 One of Flyers' top prospects is turning pro four-game trip with win in Winnipeg 1186259 Gostisbehere is staying put for now Maple Leafs Continued 1186298 TRAIKOS: Should the Maple Leafs stand pat at the trade deadline? 1186299 Campbell back in Maple Leafs net against Jets as Andersen undergoes further evaluation 1186300 Maple Leafs report cards: How much more dominant can the Auston Matthews line get? 1186301 Alex Galchenyuk was broken. The Maple Leafs hope to build him back up 1186318 COVID-19: Canucks vs. Flames game postponed after new positive tests 1186319 Canucks: Timing is everything to eventually reach approved fan plan 1186320 Canucks and Thatcher Demko nearing five-year, US$25- million deal: Reports 1186321 COVID-19: Canucks-Flames Wednesday night game postponed 1186322 Canucks Game Night: Dousing the Flames requires more goals, discipline 1186323 How the Canucks’ salary cap outlook looks with Thatcher Demko’s contract extension 1186324 What should the Canucks expect from goalie Thatcher Demko after signing 5-year extension? 1186302 Short-handed Golden Knights see home winning streak end 1186303 Pete DeBoer assesses Golden Knights’ roster before trade deadline 1186304 Golden Knights fans can get paid for naming rights to TV rooms 1186305 Things go from bad to worse in Golden Knights’ loss to Kings 1186306 Golden Knights fall behind Kings early, never recover in loss 1186307 First Loss For Golden Knights With Fans In Arena: LA Kings 4 VGK 2 Wednesday 1186308 Golden Knights Owner Bill Foley Wants To Increase Fan Capacity At T-Mobile Arena, Supports Arena Vaccination S 1186309 Alex Pietrangelo Return Spoiled By 4-2 Loss to LA Kings 1186310 Vegas Golden Knights To Get COVID-19 Vaccines 1186311 Between The Lines: DeBoer, Pietrangelo, Glass, Holden and the Deadline 1186312 With a grueling schedule in April, the Capitals prepare for a challenging playoff push Websites 1186325 The Athletic / NHL awards WATCH: Should Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both be up for the Hart Trophy? 1186326 Sportsnet.ca / Why Maple Leafs' top line may be the most complete in hockey 1186327 Sportsnet.ca / Four wild-card teams to watch leading up to NHL trade deadline 1186328 Sportsnet.ca / Canucks face two extreme outcomes with Demko's extension 1186329 Postponed Canucks-Flames game no solace for struggling Markstrom 1186330 Campbell returns to Maple Leafs’ crease against Jets Winnipeg Jets 1186313 Wheeler leaves game with injury as Jets fall 3-1 to Leafs 1186314 New No. 2 line gets a 'D' 1186315 WHEELS FALL OFF: Jets stagger out of gate, lose , in loss to Leafs 1186316 JETS SNAPSHOTS: Little trade talk in Jets' room; Dubois line here to stay 'for a while' 1186317 Jets, Leafs square off for top spot SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1186164 Anaheim Ducks him in his own career. “It really lit a fire in me to want to do that someday if there was ever a chance I could be at the Olympics,” he said.

Guerin said he and Bowman have begun conversations about how they’d Stan Bowman, Bill Guerin to be in charge of U.S. men’s Olympic hockey like to build the roster. It’s a pleasantly difficult problem, both men said, team given the rise of the talent level among American players. “We’ve got the deepest pool of players that we ever have,” Guerin said.

By HELENE ELLIOTTSPORTS COLUMNIST Bowman said he and Guerin and the U.S. advisory group have begun preliminary scouting of potential Olympians. The coach they choose also will have influence on the composition of the team. “I think what we’re trying to do is build as much of a background file on each player, and Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman and Minnesota certainly where they are now is relevant,” Bowman said. “The tournament Wild general manager Bill Guerin were named general manager and is 10 months from now so you want to look at how players are playing not assistant GM, respectively, of the U.S. men’s hockey team for the 2022 only now but to start next year.” Beijing Winter Games. Both could be replaced, however, if NHL players don’t compete in the hockey tournament. LA Times: LOADED: 04.01.2021 The NHL paused its season to allow players to participate in five straight Olympic hockey tournaments, from 1998 through 2014. It did not halt play for the 2018 Games, so USA Hockey built its team around pros who were playing in Europe and a few college players. The NHL, NHL Players’ Assn., International Olympic Committee and International Federation have not negotiated an agreement for NHL players to represent their homelands in Beijing, and talks have been slowed by the one-year postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games.

“That does create some issues, that the International Olympic Committee has to remain focused on making sure everything gets set to go to Tokyo for the Summer Games first,” Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey, said in a webinar on Wednesday. Kelleher said he remains optimistic that NHL players will be allowed to participate and that “we are planning along that path.”

If NHL players don’t go and Bowman and Guerin are occupied with the concerns of their respective teams, “we will have to adjust accordingly,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “As far as this type of year, we know everything is fluid and on the table. So we will adjust and revisit at that time.”

Plans currently call for the men’s team to hold an orientation camp this summer for prospective Olympians and for the coach to be announced on or around New Year’s Day of 2022. “We’re early in the process. I don’t anticipate anything in the near future,” Bowman said of the coaching search. “We’re looking for a coach with some NHL experience. ... We’re going to have NHL players there so we’re looking for a coach with NHL experience.”

The U.S. women, who won Olympic gold in 2018 for the first time in 20 years, are scheduled to compete at the women’s world championships May 6-16 in Nova Scotia, Canada. They will have a prospect camp this summer and will take up residency in Blaine, Minn., leading up to the Beijing Games. They’re also expected to play a pre-Olympic tour and to announce their roster on or around New Year’s Day. The Paralympic sled hockey team will be announced around that time, too.

The U.S. men’s team has not won Olympic gold since 1980. In 2018 at Pyeonchang, South Korea, with no NHL players on the rosters of participating teams, the U.S. finished seventh. The team known as Olympic Athletes of Russia won gold, followed by Germany and Canada. The U.S. men were coached by , who coaches the University of Wisconsin’s men’s team.

Bowman and Guerin both said they were inspired to become involved in hockey by the gold-medal feats of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. Bowman, son of Hall of Fame coach/executive , was 6 years old then and said he has a clear memory of watching the U.S. team’s stunning triumphs while sitting on his grandmother’s lap.

“Over time I’ve come to see the context of that team in 1980 and what it really meant for hockey development across the ,” he said. “Here we are, 40 some- odd years later and we’ve seen the tremendous growth of our sport. That’s something exciting for me to see and be part of.”

The 1980 "Miracle on Ice" hockey game is among many unforgettable memories stored away by Helene Elliott, who is covering her 15th Olympics.

Guerin, a two-time Stanley Cup champion as a player and also a three- time Olympian, said watching the upstart Americans in 1980 motivated 1186165 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks goalie John Gibson taking ‘baby steps’ toward return to net

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | [email protected] | Orange County Register

John Gibson skated on his own when the Ducks returned to the ice Wednesday at Honda Center, after he was sidelined by an unspecified upper body injury for the past two games. It remained to be determined whether he would be sound enough to play Friday against the Arizona Coyotes.

If he can’t play, Ducks coach could start Ryan Miller or Anthony Stolarz in his place. The Ducks’ confidence is high in each of their three goaltenders. After all, Gibson is a two-time All-Star, Miller is a likely Hall of Famer and Stolarz made the most of his first start in 2020- 21.

“Everything went really well,” Eakins said of Gibson’s practice session. “We didn’t put him out with the main group. We’re going to take another baby step with him. He’s looking good. We didn’t think it was going to be anything long term with him. (Wednesday) was a good day.”

Miller made five consecutive starts while Gibson was sidelined by a lower body injury. Gibson returned to the crease for the Ducks’ 4-1 victory Friday over the Blues, but returned to the sidelines after suffering an upper body injury before Saturday’s practice in St. Louis.

Asked if Stolarz might get another chance to start sooner than later, Eakins said simply, “Yes.” Stolarz made his first start and second appearance of the season in a 3-2 overtime victory Sunday over the Blues, matching his career high by stopping 38 shots in his first win in more than two years.

Stolarz, 27, has spent most of the season on the Ducks’ taxi squad, starting Sunday and making one relief appearance for Miller on March 20, a 5-1 loss to the Coyotes. He also was 3-0-0 with a 2.93 goals- against average and a .920 save percentage with the AHL’s .

“It’s nice to have confidence in people,” Eakins said. “Anthony is the one who has instilled the confidence in us. If there’s anyone in this group who has had it, and in quotes, hard, it’s him. He’s got to get his shots on his own, either before practice or after practice. He’s played very, very limited games.

“He’s had an upbeat attitude all the time. He hasn’t come in here one day with a ‘poor me’ card. He patiently waited for his opportunity and he came in and played a really good game for us (Sunday against St. Louis). That certainly earned him trust and it certainly earns him another look.”

VOLKOV UPDATE

Eakins couldn’t say when winger Alexander Volkov would join the Ducks for his first practice after a March 24 trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Volkov must be quarantined for seven days and also pass several COVID-19 tests before he can be cleared to come off the NHL’s protocol list.

“He’s not there yet, but he’s getting close,” Eakins said.

TIME CHANGE

The starting time for the Ducks’ game against the Colorado Avalanche on April 11 at Honda Center has been switched to 3 p.m. from 5 p.m., the league announced.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186166 Arizona Coyotes "We've got to look at this and figure something out. But we also have to move on. We've got some games left here and we've got to flush that one and never look like that again."

Arizona Coyotes open long road trip with blowout loss to Colorado Goal of the Game Avalanche How about three goals? The Donskoi hat trick. He has six goals and seven points in seven games against the Coyotes this season, and has 15 goals total, which leaves him two goals away from a career high for a Jose M. Romero single season.

'Toc' Talk

The Arizona Coyotes were rested, had gotten in some practice time this Tocchet, on play of his goalies: week and were on a three-game winning streak. Then they took the ice in Denver Wednesday night and suffered an historic blowout. In the Community

The Coyotes couldn't overcome five goals allowed in the first 7 minutes With the hockey team in Denver, team employees, including President and 31 seconds, and gave up a season high in goals in their 9-3 loss to and CEO Xavier Gutierrez and Chief Hockey Development Officer Shane the Colorado Avalanche to open a nine-game road trip. The nine goals Doan, took some time on Cesar Chavez Day in Arizona to volunteer at allowed is the most the Coyotes have surrendered in a game since Oct. the St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix. They packed food boxes in an 11, 2006, a 9-2 loss at Detroit. assembly line.

"We just weren't ready to play. Bad decisions early. The game plan went Up Next out the window the first couple of shifts. I don't think we were ready to The Coyotes head west to open a two-game series with the Anaheim play, so it's on me," Coyotes Rick Tocchet said. "In this sport Ducks, against which they are 4-1-1 this season, on Friday night. Hill will we've got to flush it down and we've got to be ready for Anaheim. That's get the start in goal, Tocchet said. just the way we've got to approach it right now." Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.01.2021 The Coyotes turned to 22-year-old Ivan Prosvetov in net for his NHL debut just 6:04 into the game, after the Avalanche made it 4-1 on Joonas Donskoi's second of his three goals on the night. Donskoi's goal chased starting goaltender Adin Hill, who was coming off a shutout last Saturday in Arizona's win over the San Jose Sharks.

Michael Bunting, a 25-year-old forward with five previous games of NHL experience with the Coyotes, scored a goal and added an assist in his season debut. Oliver Ekman-Larsson also scored in the first period, but the Coyotes had dug themselves too deep a hole to a highly skilled opponent.

Prosvetov, who's been at AHL Tucson and more recently, the Coyotes' taxi squad with Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta on injured reserve, had 23 saves on 28 shots faced.

Bunting, a 25-year-old former fourth-round draft pick who has spent almost all of the last four seasons and much of this one with Tucson, scored his second career NHL goal in his sixth NHL game.

"I should have probably put him in earlier, a couple of games earlier. I liked his game. He was trying to do the things we asked," Tocchet said.

The Coyotes (16-15-5) missed a chance to make it a two-goal game in the second period when Clayton Keller was robbed by Avs goalie Philipp Grubauer. Phil Kessel executed a shot fake and passed to Keller for the shot.

Arizona did eventually make it 5-3 with 2:15 to play in the second. Conor Garland scored his 10th goal of the season, with Bunting picking up his first NHL assist. But the Avalanche responded 21 seconds later with Gabriel Landeskog's first goal of two on the night.

The Avalanche, who have scored eight or more goals three times this season, haven't lost a game in regulation time since a 3-2 defeat to the Coyotes on March 8.

The Coyotes were outscored 3-0 in the third period for the lopsided final score. They had not allowed more than six goals in a game this season, also to Colorado.

Garland and Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon got into a scrape in the third period that saw MacKinnon toss Garland's helmet at the Coyotes player's face. MacKinnon drew a 10-minute misconduct penalty.

The Avalanche (23-8-4) moved into first place in the West Division, while the Coyotes remained in fifth, one point behind the St. Louis Blues for fourth place and a playoff spot and three ahead of the sixth-place , who won Wednesday.

"It sucked. It was bad. We weren't ready to play, and that's on us as players," defenseman Alex Goligoski said. "We couldn't execute, we were making bad reads, and we were diving in when we shouldn't have. 1186167 Arizona Coyotes

Shane Doan, Xavier Gutierrez lead Coyotes' volunteer efforts on Cesar Chavez Day

Jose M. Romero

The R&B jams playing overhead inside the crowded food box assembly area at the St. Mary's Food Bank made the work that much more enjoyable for Xavier Gutierrez.

The Arizona Coyotes president and CEO later joked about the warehouse having his playlist.

But Wednesday was more meaningful to Gutierrez, who along with longtime former Coyote captain Shane Doan, strategic advisor for business and hockey operations Alex Meruelo Jr. and a large group of team staff members volunteered to fill food boxes for the needy at the Phoenix food bank.

March 31 is Cesar Chavez Day in Arizona and throughout the United States, in honor of the civil rights activist and labor leader who was born in the state (on March 31) and championed the cause for fair treatment of agriculture workers, many of Mexican descent, from the 1950s until his death in 1993.

Gutierrez is inspired by the legacy of Chavez and made it a priority for the Coyotes to celebrate the day by doing meaningful volunteer work, in the spirit of Chavez.

"Cesar Chavez was such a hero to so many, a personal hero to me, and he meant so much to America but in particular he meant so much to the Latino community," Gutierrez said. "Today is a special day, it's a very special day for all Americans to honor a true American icon. And the best way to honor Cesar Chavez is to be in service of others. So this is what we are about. This is who we want to stand with and alongside."

The hope is that being a presence in the Valley's large Latino community can pay off in the form of a newer segment of fans who hadn't been a big part of the Coyotes organization's marketing campaigns and fan base in years past. That has completely changed under the Meruelo ownership group, with Gutierrez at the forefront of the actions the team has taken since he arrived last summer.

"In the Latino community we have so many Coyotes fans in waiting, who hopefully see what we stand for as an organization and who will feel a part of our pack," Gutierrez said.

Doan, who helped his co-workers pack individualized boxes of food that included canned goods, dry goods and juice, learned some things about Chavez leading up to Wednesday.

He said about 35 people from the organization volunteered, and that such work was one reason he decided to come back to the Coyotes and join their front office. Doan said Gutierrez talked about the chance to work in the community as a selling point in convincing him to return.

"To see everything that he did with his self-sacrifice and his willingness to put others first and to lift up the downtrodden and do the little things for everybody, isn't it just an example for us all?" Doan said of Chavez. "For there to be a day where you have an opportunity to honor that type of self sacrifice is pretty special. For the Meruelo group and for Xavier to make this such an important day for us, it was fun. It's something that we've had on our calendar for a long time."

Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186168 Arizona Coyotes TV providers extremely fair deals in line with what hundreds of other TV services have agreed to and continue to agree to.

"However, despite high-profile ad campaigns and website claims touting Suns, Coyotes, Diamondbacks fans lose in 's their live sports content, we have yet to see that same commitment from sports streaming feud either provider to put consumers first. Unfortunately, at this point we have no choice but to conclude that neither Disney (which owns Hulu) nor Google (which owns YouTube) is willing to engage in good faith discussions or return the RSNs to their platforms.” Jeremy Cluff So what can Arizona sports fans do to watch their teams right now?

Cox's Contour TV Preferred package costs $90 a month. The Arizona Republic and azcentral sports ran a story Tuesday detailing Fox Sports Arizona's rebranding to Arizona and included a DirecTV's Choice package costs $70 a month for 12 months, but includes channel guide for where people could find the station. a fee up to $9.99 a month and has a 24-month agreement.

We evidently should have also included a guide of where you could not AT&T TV Now is the only live streaming service (and its sister service, find the station. AT&T TV) that carries them, but that costs $84.99 a month.

Several readers sent in emails and messages and comments on social For out-of-market baseball fans, MLB.TV is an option, though media about how hard it is to watch the channel, which is a must-have for Diamondbacks games will be blacked out throughout Arizona. The app Arizona sports fans because of its broadcast deals with the Arizona costs $25 a month or $110 for the year to stream one team's games. Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Coyotes and other Arizona sports teams. There are no winners in the disagreement between Sinclair and the carriers and streaming services for the regional networks. The readers vented their frustration with their inability to watch their local sports teams at an affordable price. There is a clear loser, however.

The Fox Sports-branded regional networks were purchased from the Sports fans, including those in Arizona, who just want to watch their Walt Disney Co. by the Sinclair Broadcast Group for more than $10 teams. billion in 2019. One reader on Facebook wrote: "Who cares? Why don't you provide a Bally Corp., a casino operator, is paying Sinclair $88 million over 10 list of all the TV services that dropped them? How about mentioning that years for the naming rights. none of the major streaming services (Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling, etc) carry them? Bally wasted their money. The network will be bankrupt soon But you can't watch the stations on many streaming networks and enough." television outlets due to disagreements between Sinclair and the networks. Another on Facebook wrote: "We dropped Sling for Hulu because they had AZ Fox Sports and now they dropped it as well. Now only Cox, Hulu and YouTube TV, favorites for many people to stream sports, Direct and one other cable service has it. So d--- frustrating!" dropped the former Fox Sports regional networks (now Bally Sports networks) late last year. Another Facebook user posted: "Interesting...FSAZ became BSAZ... Appropriate." Sling TV and Dish Network dropped the channels in July 2019. An email from a reader said: "Instead of mentioning what channel on Cox fuboTV did the same early last year. and DirecTV was available you neglected to inform your readers of the most important aspect regarding the sports TV viewing landscape. That Dish Network also does not offer the Bally Sports regional networks. would be where they cannot watch the Diamondbacks, Suns, and Earlier this month, the Minneapolis' Star Tribune's Michael Rand Coyotes. Those outlets include Dish Network, YouTubeTV, HULU, interviewed Jason Gurwin, co-founder of The Streamable — a site that SLING, and others (they all included FSNAZ in the past). It's a greedy covers all things cord-cutting and streaming, to offer some insight on the money grab by Sinclair plain and simple. If you want to watch our sports situation with the regional networks owned by Sinclair. teams on COX it will cost you $90 + tax per month or $85 + tax per month with DirecTV and there you must sign a 2 year contract and pay a When asked by Rand why so many streaming services had dropped the box rental fee." regional networks, Gurwin replied: Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.01.2021 "Over the last couple years, there have been price hikes (on streaming services). One of the key contributors to that was regional sports networks. On average, when you get a cable bill you see a $15-20 regional sports fee that kind of gets hidden. A difference on these streaming services is they never charged a separate extra fee. It ultimately became a price situation where Sinclair wanted more and more and more and more money every year to renew these, and given that these streaming bundles are half the price of cable they just couldn't fit it in and make it work economically."

Gurwin also did an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, where he gave JR Radcliffe more details on the complicated streaming picture involving Sinclair and the streaming services.

"A very small percentage of viewers from a streaming TV package are actually watching an RSN (), 5 to 10% of subscribers," Gurwin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "The 90% of subscribers who don't watch it are subsidizing the 10% that do," Gurwin said. "Given that an RSN is one of the most expensive channels in a cable bundle, it's just not sustainable for these packages. Even at a more expensive $65 a month, the services are more or less breaking even on the carriage fees that they pay to carry all the channels in the bundle."

A Sinclair spokesperson told Radcliffe that it was committed to coming to an agreement with Hulu and YouTube, and other streaming sites.

“At no time have we demanded exorbitant fees for these channels," the Sinclair spokesman said. "Instead, we have consistently offered both pay 1186169 Boston Bruins “Most guys, after their second or third time through, they see it with their own eyes. And if they don’t by then, then that’s a red flag for us as coaches and as an organization that, you know what, maybe this guy doesn’t have the will to be a guy out of his job.” Bruce Cassidy looking for more energy as Bruins enter stretch run Vladar to start with Rask out

Tuukka Rask remained off skates, which means Dan Vladar will get the By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,Updated March 31, 2021, 6:49 p.m. call in net Thursday night with the Penguins on Causeway Street. Jaroslav Halak, the winner against the Devils, is the probable starter for

Saturday’s matinee rematch with the Pens … Kuraly, mothballed in GLOBE STAFF The subject was energy, and the more he talked about it, COVID-19 protocol for nearly two weeks, participated in the full workout, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy became more energetic, more effusive, as did Kevan Miller (knee soreness). Cassidy said Miller definitely won’t more animated — more of the elements he wants to see from certain be in the mix for Thursday night, as Kuraly needs to build back his members of his Black-and-Gold rank-and-file. skating strength and endurance. He might be available for Saturday … Jake DeBrusk, the lone Bruin still listed as a COVID “unavailable,” was “There is something to be said for just going out the there and — be smiling and appeared in good spirits when he reported in Wednesday for clean — but finish two or three checks if the situation dictates,” mused daily testing. It’s possible, said Cassidy, that DeBrusk will be able to Cassidy after Wednesday’s late-morning workout in Brighton. “People will return to on-ice workouts Thursday or Friday.Friday will mark two weeks notice. The other team will notice. We’ll notice. since DeBrusk exited all daily team-related activities after testing COVID- positive during a road trip in Buffalo. “And all of a sudden, the energy level’s gone up.” Ex-Bruin Guerin named Olympic exec It’s a delightful, oft-intoxicating element of hockey. Emotion delivered in the form of spontaneous energy, the kind that was de rigueur in the days USA Hockey named ex-Bruin forward Bill Guerin assistant general of the Merlot Line (Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell, and Shawn manager of the men’s Olympic team that will suit up next February in Thornton), brings more energy, often followed by success. Beijing.

One shift by a crash-and-bang line, typically third- or fourth-liners Guerin, who played in three Olympics (1998, 2002, 2006), was named delivering stiff checks and rattling boards, can change the tenor of a top aid to GM Stan Bowman. Guerin, who grew up in Wilbraham, is in his game. A sleepy night suddenly gets caffeinated, with play across all lines second season as the Wild GM while Bowman is the long-time boss of more alert, more effective, the java jolt coursing through all four lines and the Blackhawks. into the stands. Bill Guerin played in Boston from 2000 through 2002. We saw it here, too, in the days of the Trench Connection, with Sean Kuraly centering Tim Schaller and Noel Acciari. Like the Merlot bros, as a Bill Guerin played in Boston from 2000 through 2002.CHIN, BARRY trio they fully understood that one, two, or three bodies in motion, hunting GLOBE STAFF “I don’t anticipate anything in the near future on an pucks and landing smacks, could raise the play of all 18 skaters — and announcement,” said Bowman, asked how soon the US would reveal its maybe even the guy in net. coaching staff for Beijing. “I think what I’ll say is we’re looking for a coach “That’s where chemistry helps,” said Cassidy. “If you look at the Merlot with some NHL experience, so it’s still a wide candidate pool when you Line … if you look at the Acciari-Schaller-Kuraly type of thing, they were put that criteria on. But we’re going to have NHL players there, so we’re together for a while, so that was it: they knew, they didn’t need me or Joe looking for a coach with NHL experience. Beyond that, I don’t have too Sacco to come down and [tell them]. It was more like, ‘Hey, guys, it’s our much to add.” Cassidy, who grew up in Ottawa and became a US citizen turn … it’s our turn, let’s go. We want to play a little more tonight, let’s go late last year, said recently that he’d be very interested in an Olympic do it.’” coaching position, be it for Canada or the US.

Tuesday night at the Garden definitely was not a prime example. The The NHL has not made public its decision whether to shut down the Bruins once again were sleepy for long stretches of the first and second league and allow players to participate in the Games. It’s highly likely periods and fell behind, 4-2, by the second intermission. It was a night NHLers will participate, but negotiations between Beijing officials, the aching for a serving of Merlot, but most of the lineup was physically and IIHF, and the NHL remain ongoing. emotionally disengaged. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.01.2021 Ultimately it was Brad Marchand, among the game’s premier left wingers, who got the lava lamp boiling by way of a brief scrap in the mud with New Jersey’s Jesper Bratt. In a Boston lineup dotted with kids, at least one of them — if not two or three — should have been hungry enough to take on the task before it ultimately fell to Marchand by default.

Brad Marchand provided a spark for the Bruins earlier in the week against the Devils.

Brad Marchand provided a spark for the Bruins earlier in the week against the Devils.JIM DAVIS/

GLOBE STAFF “When you’re a young player in the , you are given an opportunity to play here,” Cassidy said at night’s end, his frustration muted slightly by the Bruins’ rally for a 5-4 win in a shootout. “When things go a little bit awry, we cannot rely on Brad Marchand to bring us energy in terms of physicality. Or we should not have to, I guess … that’s where the [Jeremy] Lauzons, a [Connor] Clifton, a [Jakub] Zboril, a [Karson] Kuhlman, a [Zach] Senyshyn, a [Trent] Frederic, a [Anton] Blidh …you know, we need those guys to sort of turn the tide of the game with some physicality, some energy.”

It was a not-so-subtle call out by Cassidy, notice that it is time for some kids to grow up, answer the bell. Not a call to fight, but rather show some fight; some fire, some proof that they don’t want to be shipped back to AHL Providence.

“Most of all, I think it’s just the compete in you to get it done on the ice want to stay [in the NHL],’ Cassidy said Wednesday. “It falls on us as coaches to get them to understand what is required to play at this level, to get them to buy into that part of it. 1186170 Boston Bruins Then it fell apart in a couple of weeks. First Kevan Miller‘s knee has kept him out of the lineup since Feb. 18. He skated with the team for the first time on Wednesday, though there’s not yet a timetable for a return. Miller’s partner, Jakub Zboril, has seemed rudderless since the veteran’s Despite win, Bruins have their issues departure. Lauzon broke his hand in Lake Tahoe on Feb. 21 and has just now returned, with some predictable and highly visible hiccups. And

Brandon Carlo was lost for 10 games with a concussion suffered on By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald March 5, returning Tuesday.

That amount of loss would throw any defense corps into a tailspin. It also threw a major kink into the evaluation process. Whether the original plan Comeback wins like the one the Bruins pulled off on Tuesday have a way can be revived for a playoff run is anyone’s guess, but the only missing of putting teams on the right track and, if it showed anything, it was that piece right now is Miller, but it’s a big piece. this team still possesses the same heart that has been a crucial ingredient in making it one of the elites in recent years. “He’s getting closer,” said Cassidy.

But do not be deluded about the final result. This team has issues, and But with the April 12 trade deadline looming, the question is whether GM many of them were on full display in the 5-4 shootout win over the Devils. Don Sweeney can wait to see if that original plan can take hold again.

In his typical fashion, coach Bruce Cassidy on Wednesday maintained Tuukka (missing) Time his positive vibes while at the same time acknowledging all the problems The issue that trumps all others — the health of goaltender Tuukka Rask facing his team. — remains an open-ended, burning question. He stayed off the ice again Let’s start at the top. on Wednesday and there is not yet a timetable for a return. Cassidy announced that Daniel Vladar will get the third start of his career on Luke warm Pasta Thursday against Pittsburgh.

David Pastrnak gave the B’s the walkoff shootout win, but he has one Meanwhile, Sean Kuraly practiced with the team for the first time since assist and no goals in his last four games. More troubling, he hasn’t been going on the COVID protocol list two weeks ago. He is now off the list nearly the constant concern for opponents he usually is. and his availability for Thursday will be determined in the morning. Jake DeBrusk remains on the list and has not yet been able to skate. He It got to the point on Tuesday that Cassidy decided to break up his best should be inching closer to a return. line of late — the Nick Richie-Krejci-Craig Smith combo — in order to get Pastrnak going. Provided good health, Cassidy expressed confidence in his team.

“Part of it is I don’t think he’s in the interior nearly as much as he needs “When we get healthy, we’re as good as anyone in our division,” said to be. A lot of poke-and-go stuff, a lot of outside, looking for the 1-on-1 Cassidy. “Obviously the month of March, we took some hits. COVID, moves. He certainly has them, but the defenders know that he’s going to injuries. But that’s also allowed for a Danny Vladar viewing. He’s played try that, so they’re more aware. So he just has to get a little dirtier, with well. Sometimes there are positives in those things. You lose your No. 1 his linemates,” said Cassidy. “They’ve had some tough luck. They rung goalie and another guy gets in and now you may have a better idea of some off posts. (Patrice Bergeron) hit a bar (Tuesday), Pasta hit one on what you have in Dan Vladar. But we want to get Tuukka back out there, the power play. So they’ve had a little tough luck around the net with their we want to get Kevan Miller back out there. We want to get Jake back off shots but I think they have to get back to scoring some greasy goals. the protocol, get Kuraly in there, and look at our team as constructed at They typically will eventually find their way. I moved him around, but I like the start of the year.” Krejci, Ritchie and Smith. They’ve strung together some decent outings. We’ve been searching for that for a while. We don’t want to disrupt that, Boston Herald LOADED: 04.01.2021 but that was the thinking halfway through the game. We’d had a few penalties and some guys got moved around. Sometimes that sparks Krech and Pasta. I think Bergie and March are always going to be a good pair, so we put Smitty up there. It gives them a shooter. But I’d like to keep it the way it is simply because I like the way Krejci’s line is starting to produce.”

Growing pains

While Pastrnak needs to pick it up, there’s enough of a track record to be confident he’ll break out of it soon. The question marks with some of the young players are still unanswered.

Cassidy had called out the newly constructed young fourth line of Anton Blidh, Trent Frederic and Karson Kuhlman for not bringing the requisite energy after the game on Tuesday. Zach Senyshyn is in the same boat. Cassidy kept up the plea on Wednesday.

“I was a little disappointed that they did not bring a little more juice to get us going,” said Cassidy. “(Brad Marchand) did it, and Marchie will always do it. But that’s something that we have to relay in the message. And we did after the second period. Hey, this is your job. This is an opportunity to earn the trust of your teammates and the organization to go out there and annoy somebody, get people excited, get the crowd into it. Different things that get teams motivated. It’s a long year. You need some of that. Freddy’s done a good job of it all year and we asked a few other guys to be involved a little more. Even (Jeremy Lauzon) did it a couple of times. He’s coming off an injury, so it’s a little harder. But that’s the ask for those younger guys and hopefully we get it going forward.”

Second guessing

At the start of the season, it appeared the bold gamble of letting Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug walk in order to give young players a chance was working. The B’s were at the top of the East Division and looked like one of a handful of Cup contenders. 1186171 Boston Bruins

Cassidy On David Pastrnak: ‘He Has To Get A Little Dirtier’Published 12 hours ago on March 31, 2021

By Jimmy Murphy

Boston Bruins superstar winger David Pastrnak seems to be the latest to enter head coach Bruce Cassidy’s suddenly crowded dog house.

Last week, Cassidy called out his leadership core. On Tuesday night, following a 5-4 shootout win over the New Jersey Devils, he did the same with his younger players, and on Wednesday afternoon, the reigning Jack Adams Award winner didn’t hold back when discussing the reigning co-Rocket Richard winner, David Pastrnak who has no goals in his last four games and just two in his last eight. When asked whether switching Pastrnak to center David Krejci’s line and slotting winger Craig Smith into Pastrnak’s slot on ‘The Perfection Line’ was done to help Pastrnak snap out of his funk, Cassidy didn’t pull any punches assessing the recent play of his star winger and even Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand to an extent.

“Well, I mean he has to find his way, he plays 20 minutes a night, I mean I can move him around with everybody but part of it is I don’t think he’s in the interior nearly as much as he needs to be,” a once again blunt Cassidy said David Pastrnak, who has led the team in goals for three seasons straight and is doing so again this season. “A Lot of kind of poke and go stuff; a lot of outside, looking for one-one-one moves. He certainly has them but defenders know that he’s gonna try that, so they’re a little more aware. So he just has to get a little dirtier with his linemates.”

By no means are Pastrnak, Bergeron, and Marchand the main issue with the team’s scoring woes as of late. Marchand had a goal and an assist in the win over the Devils and Bergeron had an assist, but David Pastrnak was a minus 2 with four shots in 26 shifts and 24:03 TOI. But the frustrated Bruins bench boss has clearly been trying to light a spark under the collective derrière of his team as no one has been exempt from criticism. However, while he called on his top line to maybe stop trying to be so perfect and pay the price a bit more, Cassidy did point out that puck luck has not been kind to his top trio.

“They’ve had some tough luck,” Cassidy acknowledged. “Bergy’ hit a bar yesterday; ‘Pasta’ on the powerplay the other day, so they’ve been a little bit. …had a little tough luck with their shots but I think they gotta get back to scoring some greasy goals. They typically will do that eventually and find their way.”

So, again will part of helping them find their way be keeping David Pastrnak with Krejci and Nick Ritchie when the Bruins begin a two-game set against the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday at TD Garden?

“I’ve moved them around but I like Krejci and Ritchie and Smith,” Cassidy said. “They’ve strung together some decent outings here. So, I’d like to. …sort of. … we’ve been searching for that for a while so we don’t want to disrupt that.

So, that was the thinking halfway through the game [Tuesday]; we’ve had a few penalties, some guys were getting moved around so, sometimes that sparks ‘Krech’ and ‘Pasta’ and I think ‘Bergy’ and ‘Marsh’ are always going to be a good pair so we put ‘Smitty’ up there and gives them a shooter but I like to keep it the way it is right now because like I said, simply because of the way Krejci’s line is starting to produce.”

As far as Cassidy is concerned, it’s up to Pastrnak and his linemates to start finding the back of the net more and not to him.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186172 Boston Bruins

Kuraly Returns To Bruins Practice, Questionable For PenguinsPublished 12 hours ago on March 31, 2021

By Joe Haggerty

BRIGHTON, Mass – The news continues to get encouraging for the Boston Bruins as they slowly bounce back from their COVID Protocol situation.

After getting Brad Marchand back into game action on Tuesday night, fourth line center Sean Kuraly returned to full practice with the group on Wednesday at Warrior Ice Arena after missing five games over the last two weeks due to COVID Protocol. Rugged defenseman Kevan Miller also skated with the full group after missing the last six weeks with recurrent knee issues.

Kuraly was skating as one of the extra forwards along with Chris Wagner during Wednesday’s practice and the signs pointed toward him sitting for one more game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night at TD Garden.

“There’s no timetable on [Kevan] Miller. Kuraly has now been cleared. He just hasn’t skated a lot so now we have to manage that,” said Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. “We’ll discuss it internally: Should he go in tomorrow or is he better off skating tomorrow, getting a good practice in on Friday and maybe go in on Saturday. That type of thing. But as far as the COVID Protocol goes, he’s officially available tomorrow.”

The 28-year-old Kuraly was in and out of the B’s lineup just prior to landing on the NHL’s COVID list and has just four points and a minus-7 in 25 games this year, so that may be playing into the Bruins holding him out a bit longer as well. The B’s are giving a few looks to a younger Anton Blidh/Trent Frederic/Karson Kuhlman combo as an energy line with limited results thus far.

Jake DeBrusk was likewise at the Warrior Ice facility on Wednesday as he enters the final few days of his run through the NHL’s COVID Protocol and could be looking at a return to the practice ice later this week. As usual with DeBrusk, he was in pretty good spirits despite the circumstances that have kept him out for the last few weeks.

“[DeBrusk] was in this morning and he was smiling…happy to be with the other guys,” said Cassidy. “He’s limited by the NHL’s protocols for what he can and can’t do, but he was three or four days behind Kuraly in the protocol. I don’t know if that means he’ll be out with the group tomorrow or Friday, but he’s closer. So that’s good.”

Here are the line combos and forward pairings from Wednesday’s practice as the Bruins gradually get back to their main group, and with rookie Dan Vladar getting the starting nod against the Penguins on Thursday:

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak

Ritchie-Krejci/Studnicka-Smith

Bjork – Coyle – Senyshyn

Blidh – Frederic – Kuhlman

Kuraly/Wagner

Lauzon-McAvoy

Grzelcyk-Carlo

Zboril-Clifton

Tinordi/Miller-Kampfer

Halak

Vladar

Booth

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186173 Boston Bruins of the ice. Zboril has a total of nine shots on net in 13 March games and has managed more than one shot on goal in just one of those 13 games.

It was Lauzon’s turn on Tuesday night as he battled errant outlet passing Time For Boston Bruins’ Youth To ‘Turn The Tide’ |BHN+Published 16 decisions out of the defensive zone. The low point was Lauzon putting hours ago on March 31, 2021 the puck right on Kyle Palmieri’s stick up the middle of the ice after Patrice Bergeron had won a defensive zone face-off draw. The Lauzon gaffe put the Bruins in a 4-2 hole a few minutes into the third period and Cassidy pointed to it as a key teachable decision-making moment with a By Joe Haggerty young NHL defenseman.

“Our first touch was probably as poor as it’s been all year and it led to BOSTON – The Boston Bruins bounded strong out of the gate to start the some goals against,” said Cassidy. “It’s nice when you can learn lessons regular season, and it appeared early they were 100 percent correct in and get two points. We were able to outscore our mistakes tonight. Good the youth movement implemented during the offseason. for Matt Grzelcyk and Charlie McAvoy [scoring goals] because they’re our leaders on the back end with Kevan [Miller] still out and Brandon Jeremy Lauzon stepped into Zdeno Chara’s massive shoes as a big, Carlo trying to find his game. strong and physical shutdown defenseman pairing with Charlie McAvoy. Jakub Zboril formed a bond with Kevan Miller as the third pair and the “On the back end it’s hard to sit a guy like you can a forward. You can former first round pick showed promise and poise as an efficient puck- certainly send a message with a temporary timeout for them to reset. But moving defenseman just coming into his own. overall, with the six ‘D’ you’ve got to play everybody for the most part. The message is, especially if you’re going to go up middle of the ice, in Trent Frederic was a hockey force throwing his body around, drawing the National Hockey League you’ve got to be clean. You’ve got to be opponents into penalties with an agitating style and actively dragging the tape-to-tape, you’ve got to be assertive, and you’ve got to be sure. If Bruins into the battle that clearly helped elevate their play. Even Jack you’re not clean, then you could get somebody hurt like the first one that Studnicka showed some early promise that he might be able to step into was in [Patrice Bergeron’s] feet and was a slow roller. That’s a a top-6 winger role after it became apparent the Black and Gold aren’t dangerous hockey play. And you’re putting them in a bad position to read going to get much out of an injured Ondrej Kase this season. the pass. Two of them resulted in goals. It’s always one of the better breakouts [up the middle] and we’ve seen Charlie McAvoy do it at a It was an undeniably big factor in the Bruins jumping out to a 10-1-2 start young age from early on. He just has that ability. Some of the young guys to their season. need to learn when it’s there, and when they can make that play if they The Bruins essentially looked like the same, old Eastern Conference can make it hard.” force they’d been in the preview few seasons despite the subtractions of The good news is that Tuesday night marked the return of Carlo Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug from the back end. Puck prognosticators (concussion) and Marchand (false positive COVID test) to the lineup, and started believing that the B’s hadn’t skipped a beat despite significant that means some of the younger players can slot back into their proper roster changes. spots. But few things are permanent for a hockey club during the NHL regular The Bruins only needed 18:06 of ice time out of Zboril as a third pairing season, and that goes doubly so in this odd season with a compacted defenseman, and they could afford to shelter Lauzon for a stretch in the schedule and COVID Protocol challenges. third period following his defensive zone turnover. Cassidy could even Now the Bruins are in the thick of it playing every other night, the choose to scratch the feisty, energetic Frederic at some point if it intensity is beginning to elevate in the second half of the season and continues to look like he’s hit a rookie wall when it comes to stirring those promising young players are experiencing consistency issues things up, bringing mischievous energy and making things happen on the amidst the heavy workload. ice.

The Boston Bruins were able to overcome it on Tuesday night thanks to Similar to Zboril, Frederic seems to be a little more tentative with what Brad Marchand’s leadership and a big offensive night from the Krejci he’s doing since the brutal shutout loss to the Rangers and that’s simply Line, but the youth movement struggles were a big facet of Boston’s 5-4 not going to fly at the NHL level with his style of game. comeback shootout win over the New Jersey Devils at TD Garden. “I think Freddy was doing a lot of that [agitating] stuff at the beginning of Marchand sparked the team with a wrestling takedown of Jesper Bratt in the year [and] has gotten away from it,” said Cassidy. “And those others the second period, but the Bruins need that emotion and energy from that are trickling into the lineup: You take an NHL guy in [Chris] Wagner others as well. out of the lineup to give other guys an opportunity and they have to recognize games like tonight where they can impact things to turn it “We need these guys to grow their game. They’re in the lineup every around when it’s not going our way. night. They’ve defended and played hard,” said Cassidy of his fresh- faced D-men. “When you’re a young player in the National Hockey “Hopefully we learn. And Clifton [is in that situation] as well staying in the League and you’re given an opportunity to play here, when things go lineup when we’ve got NHL guys in [Jarred] Tinordi and [Steve] Kampfer. awry, we cannot rely on Brad Marchand to bring us physicality and He can bring the physicality to make sure the other team knows it’s not energy. Or we shouldn’t have to, I guess. going to be an easy night.”

“Brad is a leader and good for him trying to get us a spark. But that’s But these stretches of ineffectiveness for Boston’s young players also where a [Jeremy] Lauzon, a [Connor] Clifton, a [Jakub] Zboril, a [Karson] create a challenging situation for Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy Kuhlman, a [Zach] Senyshyn, a [Anton] Blidh, a [Trent] Frederic needs to finding wins on a nightly basis, and on GM Don Sweeney evaluating turn the tide of the game with some physicality and some energy. It’s Boston’s needs at the trade deadline. Do the Bruins need to pay a something to get the bench excited and get the crowd excited. I’d put that premium to Nashville for a top-4 defenseman like Mattias Ekholm or find on the ‘D’ as well. That was a bit of the messaging and the lesson tonight a veteran back-end upgrade elsewhere prior to the postseason? during the second intermission. You hope the rest of their game grows The Lauzon mistakes and the tentative play from Zboril will end up being with time and a little bit of confidence with them staying in the lineup.” killers for the Boston Bruins during the playoffs if they fail to upgrade on The messaging clearly worked as the Bruins outshot the Devils 19-9 in the back end, and a bottom-6 without bite or physicality isn’t going to fly the third period, scored two goals to tie the game and dominated most of either in the Stanley Cup playoffs. overtime before winning it with shootout strikes from Charlie Coyle and Clearly Cassidy believes some of the young guys need to step up after David Pastrnak. watching Marchand, the Krejci line and McAvoy drag the Boston Bruins But a big part of Tuesday night’s story was about the Boston Bruins across the victory line in the comeback win over the not-ready-for-prime- needing more of everything from their young guys. time Devils.

Zboril has been struggling for weeks since the Bruins tried to graduate Now it’s up to those young B’s guys to receive the message, act on it and him to a second pairing at the beginning of March. He was a minus-3 in revert back to being positive difference-makers for the Boston Bruins like the horrendous Saturday afternoon shutout loss to the Rangers a couple they were earlier in the season. of weeks ago and has problems getting shots on net at the offensive end Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186174 Buffalo Sabres 11 seconds into the game, Sean Couturier burned Linus Ullmark with a backhand.

Doink. Mike Harrington: Sabres finally find their heart at home to end ugly Flat off the goalpost and back out. Given the way Monday's game ended, streaks imagine the boomerang effect on both teams if the Flyers had taken a lead in that kind of short order. Instead, the first period proceeded much like the opening 40 minutes did Monday. The Sabres played with pace Mike Harrington and purpose, the Flyers were disheveled and disjointed.

Reinhart's goal that opened the scoring came off great work by Okposo. Rochester Amerks captain Steven Fogarty chipped in his first NHL goal Ranch goes with chicken wings, pigs do fly, Brett Hull's goal really and had a sublime assist to Casey Mittelstadt. Jacob Bryson and doesn't count. Rasmus Ristolainen each rang up two assists and a plus-4 rating. And the Buffalo Sabres can actually win a hockey game. Montour scored two short-handed goals in a 37-second span late in the third period. Seriously. It happened Wednesday night in KeyBank Center. I realize this wasn't momentous enough for thousands of you to someday claim you “I think it's a valuable time for players to gain some experience, were there, so you'll have to take this corner's word for it. internalize that experience. It's what we're about right now,” interim coach Don Granato said. Sam Reinhart, Curtis Lazar, Steven Fogarty, Casey Mittelstadt and Brandon Montour found the net to help Buffalo snap a historic 18-game Granato's first win as an NHL head coach showcased the way he wants winless streak with a 6-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers inside them to play with pace. They're becoming a North-South team again. KeyBank Center. Reinhart made a point of noting the free-skating style the team has been given the keys to since left. It makes a difference. The 18-game winless streak -- the longest in the NHL in the post-2005 shootout era -- is over. The 11-game home winless streak is also history, "I think that right now, the way that he wants us to play is a lot of close one shy of equaling the franchise record. support, a lot of easy passes to each other," said Okposo. "And when you do that, you start to get a lot of good puck touches, and then you Give the Sabres full marks for their 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, start to feel good." a victory that essentially was three games in the making after the Sabres frittered away third-period leads against the Flyers here Monday and Just give the fans a good effort. Score some goals. Make some plays. It's Saturday in Boston. not too much to ask. And it was time to get rid of this streak, which was starting to become a huge story across North America and could have Things have been particularly egregious at home, where the Sabres were become a huge organizational albatross if it got into the 20s, something 2-11-3 and had not won since Jan. 30. They were last in the NHL at 1.63 no NHL team had endured since 1993. goals per game at home and a shocking 0.88 per game at 5 on 5. Patently absurd. "There's no question that it is important to put the streak behind so everybody can move on," Granato admitted. "But we absolutely had to Frankly, it's been a good thing for this team there have been no fans block it out. ... We had to control what we can truly control and focus on around. I can hear the booing. But maybe they've missed the motivation. making this group better and getting better as a team. And I feel we are. There's just nothing in the way of atmosphere without the masses. We're in a much better place, getting better. And we have to keep that focus." Even if only a few hundred show up Saturday night when the gates are finally opened for the second game of the series against the New York Of course, this was only one win and just the seventh of the season. Rangers, it will be a good thing. There were 2,100 in the house Saturday Here's hoping the diehards who decide to come in April get a few in Boston and I can vouch that the place was rocking late in the third rewards and are able to make some noise. period when the Dropkick Murphys' "Shipping Up to Boston" reverberated through TD Garden. Buffalo News LOADED: 04.01.2021

"It was great. It felt like kind of old times, felt like more normal, simpler times," winger Kyle Okposo said earlier in the day. "I guess you really don't know what you have till it's gone. That's something that you know, as hockey players, that you kind of take for granted. As entertainers, doing the things that we do in our profession, you take it for granted that you're gonna have that energy, you're gonna have those people in the seats."

"A lot of emotions in that building," added interim coach Don Granato.

Pandemic hockey continues. I don’t care if only 800 people show up here Saturday. It will make a difference having more than just cutouts in the house. #Sabres pic.twitter.com/k0B2BrxCpG

— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) April 1, 2021

The Sabres would have heard a lot of cheers if folks were there Wednesday night. They deserved some for once. When the fans finally come back, you have to hope they'll see more of the hockey that's been on display the last three games.

"I think tonight was the most consistent for sure," said Sam Reinhart. "We were able to weather a storm early in the second (when Philadelphia got the first 11 shots on goal). The penalty kill did a good job. So it was a good process."

"Guys have been positive," added defenseman Brandon Montour. "The guys have tried to pick each other up after every game, and we're doing a great job of that. Tonight just kind of was a full 60 minutes, where everybody was moving, everybody was feeling good."

There were no panic attacks in this one for the Sabres. They were by far the better team for about 50 of the 60 minutes. And sometimes you need some luck, too. The Sabres got some right off the opening faceoff as just 1186175 Buffalo Sabres “It’s exciting,” said Sam Reinhart, who scored the game’s opening goal. “I like the style we’ve been able to play, we’ve been able to skate more and play a faster game. Tonight, I think on the defensive end, we were able to build and make some plays coming out of our end a little bit more.” Observations: Don Granato's changes making big difference for Sabres This wasn’t about only one win. Granato is a realist. The Sabres are 22 points behind the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division. This is about improving a team that has performed far below expectations. And Lance Lysowski Mar 31, 2021 Updated 2 hrs ago 0 as much as all involved were relieved to end a winless streak that Montour previously referred to as “embarrassing,” Granato is still in the early stages of his plan to implement a system that enhances his team’s Don Granato wasn’t the only person on the Buffalo Sabres’ bench strengths and masks any weaknesses. peering up at the scoreboard as the clocked drained in KeyBank Center. “As a coach, you hope it turns for them. You know it’s going to turn. You When the horn finally sounded and the Sabres’ players converged on hope it turns sooner than later and tonight was a good one.” goalie Linus Ullmark for a matter-of-fact celebration, Granato turned to shake hands with his assistant coaches and filed back to the dressing Here are other observations from the game Wednesday: room. 1. Reinhart may stick at center longer than expected. Granato’s decision Granato, a 53-year-old hockey lifer, had achieved his first NHL win as a to use Reinhart at center was made partly out of necessity. Entering the head coach, the latest milestone in a career that’s spanned 25 years and game, Eichel and Cozens remained out with upper-body injuries, and various leagues across North America. Yet, for as long as Granato has using Reinhart at center gave the Sabres better options in the top six. waited for the feat, one 60-minute game does not illustrate all that he’s Reinhart, though, may remain at center beyond Wednesday. Curtis Lazar accomplished in two weeks as the Sabres’ interim coach. did not return to the game after suffering an undisclosed injury in the Using a delicate blend of structure and freedom, Granato helped a group second period. of directionless players forge an identity and guided the Sabres through a “It was fun, I enjoyed it,” said Reinhart. “It was good to come underneath winless streak that spanned 34 days and 18 games. After a crushing the puck a little bit more and get a couple different looks. I thought the defeat to begin the week, his players executed his system in brilliant defensive part was went well. It’s an easy system to read off of, so I fashion Wednesday, scoring four unanswered goals to cap a 6-1 win. enjoyed it.” The franchise-record winless streak that led to former coach Ralph 2. The system change has worked wonders for Kyle Okposo. The 32- Krueger’s firing is finally over. year-old was a valuable defensive forward in Year One under former “There’s no question that is important to put the streak behind so Krueger, providing a consistent effort on the forecheck and forming a everybody can move on, but we absolutely had to block it out,” said shutdown line with Zemgus Girgensons and Johan Larsson. Granato. “I had to block it out. On the coaching side, of course I want to Okposo, though, struggled to gain traction this season, partly because of win, but again, we had to control what we could control and focus on injury. He’s performing well under Granato, as illustrated again making this group better and getting better as a team. I feel we are. Wednesday when his effort on the forecheck and smart pass led to We’re in a much better place and getting better. We have to keep that Reinhart’s opening goal. It extended Okposo’s point streak to five games focus.” and he has seven points in his last nine games. The Sabres, still last in the NHL with a 7-23-5 record, did not relent when 3. Montour won’t be around much longer. The 26-year-old scored two their lead was cut to 2-1 only 3:50 into the second period by an Ivan short-handed goals in 37 seconds during the third period, the fasted by a Provorov shot. There were no signs of discouragement on the Buffalo defenseman in NHL history and 12th fasted by any player. The pending bench or on the ice when the Sabres went almost half the second period unrestricted free agent was ranked by TSN as the top right-handed without a shot on goal. defenseman on the move ahead of the April 12 deadline. Unwavering in their desire to execute Granato’s system, the Sabres Buffalo News LOADED: 04.01.2021 continued to pressure the Flyers into mistakes. Forwards created traffic in front of the net. Defensemen took wise, calculated risks to leave the opposing blue line for a chance to retrieve the puck.

Steven Fogarty, a 27-year-old forward and captain of the , scored his first career NHL goal by parking himself in front of the net and directing a pass from Rasmus Ristolainen into the Flyers’ net. Casey Mittelstadt, elevated into a first-line center role with and Dylan Cozens out, pushed the lead to 4-1 with a shot that chased Philadelphia goalie Brian Elliott from the game.

Granato did not want to give a speech in the dressing room when the Sabres were leading by three goals at the second intermission, the same situation they were in two nights earlier. Instead, he turned the room over to his players, knowing they were aware what needed to be done in the final 20 minutes.

“Obviously relieved,” Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour said with a laugh. “We've spoken enough times. Obviously, we're frustrated with the results we're having, losing streak and whatnot. But guys have been positive.”

Upon taking over as interim coach, Granato tweaked the 5-on-5 system used by Krueger and implemented subtle changes to allow the Sabres to use their speed to create chances. Early returns were ugly, as Buffalo allowed 14 goals across Granato’s first three games.

Granato did not alter his plan. He restructured the Sabres’ practices, demanding more of players and emphasizing pace. Individual and team meetings were longer. Any examples shown on video were then taught using on-ice drills. Granato has even used morning skates as abbreviated practices, pulling out the whiteboard to provide detailed instructions rather than having his players go through the same drills every game. 1186176 Buffalo Sabres Momentum swing: The Flyers used an early power play in the second period to generate momentum and eventually broke through when Provorov’s shot from the left point went off Montour and in, cutting the Sabres’ lead to 2-1 at 3:50. The Wraparound: Sabres finally win, snap 18-game skid with 6-goal effort Milestone: Fogarty, the 27-year-old captain of the Rochester Americans, scored his first career NHL goal at 9:42 into the second period by receiving a pass from Rasmus Ristolainen while stationed in front of the net, giving the Sabres a 3-1 advantage. Lance Lysowski Mar 31, 2021 Updated 4 hrs ago 0 Entering Wednesday, Fogarty had one assist in 21 career NHL regular-

season games, 18 of which were with the New York Rangers. Colin Miller shot the puck off the end boards as the Philadelphia Flyers Knockout punch: The Sabres chased Elliott from the game with celebrated near their own bench and Linus Ullmark hung his head in Mittelstadt scoring from the right-wing circle for a 4-1 lead at 15:39 into disbelief. the second period. With assists on the goal, Fogarty and rookie An Ivan Provorov shot had just ricocheted off Sabres defenseman defenseman Jacob Bryson clinched their first career two-point games in Brandon Montour and into the net in the second period Wednesday, the NHL. silencing the Buffalo bench and threatening another outstanding start Hall, who signed as a free agent with the Sabres in the offseason, has under interim coach Don Granato. two goals and 16 assists in 34 games. Ranch goes with chicken wings, pigs do fly, Brett Hull's goal really The goal was Mittelstadt's second of the season and his first since doesn't count. And the Sabres won a game. moving back to center. It also ended his 14-game goal drought. The moment spelled doom for the Sabres. No matter the coach, general Injury: Lazar did not return to the game after suffering an undisclosed manager or players across nine seasons without playoff hockey, Buffalo injury in the second period. Lazar finished with 7:43 of ice time. has routinely fallen apart when faced with adversity. Only 48 hours earlier, with the Sabres searching for their first win in over a month, Roster moves: Prior to the game, the Sabres recalled Fogarty from the Granato watched from behind the bench as the Flyers roared back from taxi squad. Defenseman Matt Irwin was a healthy scratch for Buffalo. a three-goal deficit before an overtime triumph. The Rochester Americans also signed goalie Billy Christopolous to a Not Wednesday. The Sabres’ resolve came through in the final 30 professional tryout. Christopolous, 27, played college hockey at Air Force minutes, as Steven Fogarty, Casey Mittelstadt and Montour provided and most recently played in the ECHL, totaling a .911 save percentage in insurance goals to help Buffalo snap a historic 18-game winless streak 11 games for the Indy Fuel this season. with a 6-1 victory over the Flyers inside KeyBank Center. Next: The Sabres are scheduled to play the New York Rangers on This was the Sabres’ first win in 34 days and allowed them to avoid the Thursday in KeyBank Center. Puck drop is 7 p.m. 11th-longest winless streak in the history of the National Hockey League. While Buffalo (7-23-5) remains at the bottom of the standings, Granato’s Buffalo News LOADED: 04.01.2021 first win as interim coach provided a glimmer of hope in another season filled with tumult.

With several contributors injured, most notably center Jack Eichel, the Sabres received a balanced effort from their makeshift forward lines, including Sam Reinhart, who centered a 5-on-5 forward line for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

Reinhart scored the game’s opening goal in the first period, and the Sabres carried a 2-0 lead into the intermission after Curtis Lazar’s shot from the slot beat Brian Elliott. Montour added two shorthanded goals in the third period, including an empty-netter.

The Flyers (17-14-4) managed only 11 shots in the third period while trailing by three goals, and Ullmark finished with 31 saves.

Close call: Seconds into the game, Flyers winger Sean Couturier backhanded a shot that went off the far post of the Sabres’ net. Less than one minute later, Montour set up Jeff Skinner for a chance from the slot, but Skinner’s shot went off Elliott’s blocker.

Opening salvo: Reinhart broke the scoreless tie at 9:32 into the first period when his shot from the right circle went off the leg of Flyers defenseman Justin Braun and into the net for a 1-0 Sabres lead. The goal was Reinhart’s team-leading 13th of the season.

With a primary assist on the goal, Sabres winger Kyle Okposo extended his point streak to five games.

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Heads-up play: Sabres forward Riley Sheahan blocked Braun’s shot near the Buffalo blue line but could not create enough separation for a clear breakaway.

Rather than forcing a backhanded shot, Sheahan cut to his right after passing the hashmarks and protected the puck long enough to pass to Lazar, whose one-timer from the slot went through Elliott’s five-hole for a 2-0 lead at 11:59 into the game.

Cozens, one of the few bright spots in the Sabres' dismal season, will likely be out of the lineup for one week, according to GM .

This was only the eighth time all season the Sabres led at the end of the first period. Across its past three games, Buffalo has outscored its opponents 4-0 in the first period. The Sabres outshot the Flyers 10-7. 1186177 Buffalo Sabres Luukkonen, 22, isn’t ready for a full-time job with the Sabres, but introducing the former second-round draft pick to the NHL would make more sense than giving starts to pending unrestricted free agent Carter Hutton or Dustin Tokarski, who is currently the backup behind Linus Sabres plan to give prospects an NHL audition in season's final weeks Ullmark.

Entering Wednesday, Luukkonen had appeared in 55 professional games between Finland and North America, including 19 with the Lance Lysowski Mar 31, 2021 Updated 5 hrs ago 0 Amerks. NHL teams typically want goaltending prospects to play 100 pro games before a permanent promotion.

Amid all the phone calls ahead of the April 12 trade deadline, General Cozens update Manager Kevyn Adams drove across Interstate 90 on Wednesday to take The Sabres are hopeful rookie forward Dylan Cozens will only miss one a closer look at possible reinforcements for the Buffalo Sabres. week with an upper-body injury, Granato said. During a livestream at the morning skate in KeyBank Center, Adams told Cozens, 20, missed a second consecutive game Wednesday after he Sabres television analysts Brian Duff and Martin Biron that he planned to exited in the first period Monday because of a hit from Philadelphia step away from the NHL team in order to watch the Rochester Flyers defenseman Philippe Myers. Cozens, one of the few bright spots Americans’ game Wednesday night in against the in the Sabres’ dismal season, has yet to resume skating with the Sabres. Cleveland Monsters. “He was really angry,” Granato said of Cozens. “He was upset at himself In addition to evaluating top prospects, Adams wanted to have extensive and the fact that he was injured. You guys sense the competitive nature conversations with players. A trip to Rochester was not possible during of Dylan Cozens. It is there. He's an intense, intense hockey player. And the first three months of the Sabres’ season because there was little time he was mad that he has to sit out games. with the truncated schedule. “So, he's a player who's going to push it and be back as soon as he This fact-finding mission will be used to determine which prospects can possibly can. We're hopeful that it's next week at some point. And he's help the Sabres following the deadline. Interim coach Don Granato just going to keep pushing ahead.” confirmed to the media following the morning skate that the organization plans to give Amerks players an NHL opportunity in the final weeks of the Cozens has totaled four goals with two assists for six points in 25 games season. during his rookie season. He began the year at right wing in a move to lessen the growing pains during his introduction in the NHL. However, “We know that we want to do that,” said Granato. “And that's part of the Jack Eichel's upper-body injury caused Krueger to move Cozens to a plan moving forward. has not been set. But the motor is top-line center role last month. This is the second time in less than three moving for me, certainly. And I'm excited for that. I think it's a valuable weeks that the former seventh overall draft pick suffered an injury. time for players to gain some experience, internalize that experience. It's what we're about right now.” Cozens missed four games after he crashed into the boards because of a blindside hit from Pittsburgh Penguins winger Zach Aston-Reese in Winger Taylor Hall and defenseman Brandon Montour are among the KeyBank Center on March 11. pending unrestricted free agents likely to be traded before the deadline. Each will be among the most highly coveted players at his respective Buffalo News LOADED: 04.01.2021 position, providing Adams with an opportunity to acquire draft picks and/or prospects rather than receiving nothing in return when they likely sign elsewhere in July.

Those trades, though, will leave significant holes in the Sabres’ lineup. Rather than plugging in players from the taxi squad, Adams can use this as an opportunity to evaluate and develop prospects who are currently in Rochester.

Center Arttu Ruotsalainen, winger Jack Quinn, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and defenseman Oskari Laaksonen could be candidates for an NHL audition. The Sabres might also want to see if winger Brett Murray, a power forward with skill, can add a physical element to their bottom six.

Evaluation and development will be primary focuses for the Sabres over the final five weeks. Casey Mittelstadt is receiving an opportunity to play center. Granato plans to give Tage Thompson a consistent spot in the lineup. Henri Jokiharju, a 21-year-old defenseman, is again a fixture after he was scratched 10 times by former coach Ralph Krueger this season.

The Amerks’ game Wednesday night was only their second since three positive Covid-19 cases on the team resulted in a two-week pause. Rochester had additional games postponed because the Utica Comets endured a similar outbreak.

“Obviously, we’re in a position where we need our young players to be learning and growing and getting better, but we just have to figure out a way to balance all that,” said Adams. “The veterans know when you’re in a situation like we are there may be guys on the move, and we’ll see where it goes the next couple weeks.”

The Sabres will face a difficult decision with Quinn, a 19-year-old selected eighth overall in the NHL draft in October. Entering Wednesday, Quinn had one goal and three assists for four points in eight games since joining the Amerks. He isn’t physically ready for professional hockey, but a spot in Rochester made the most sense because his junior team, the Ottawa 67’s, are awaiting word on when or if the Hockey League will launch its season. The Sabres can leave Quinn with the Amerks or see how he responds to facing bigger, stronger competition in the NHL. 1186178 Buffalo Sabres right way and the process of it was gaining confidence in what are the right things we do as a team collectively. We're identifying better with that and the stronger that becomes, wins follow."

Sabres game day: As winless streak continues, home futility mark now in Winless streak update: If the Sabres lose tonight to push the winless play streak to 19, it would be the longest in the NHL since Winnipeg went 19 straight in 1993-94 and would tie the Sabres for the ninth-longest in NHL history.

Mike Harrington Mar 31, 2021 Updated 5 hrs ago 0 If you're looking ahead, there's only 10 teams who have reached 20 and nobody has gotten there since 1992-93, when the second-year San Jose

Sharks went 20 games without a win and expansion Ottawa went 21. Mike Harrington The record is 30, set by Winnipeg in 1981.

Matchup: Buffalo Sabres (6-23-5) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (17-13-4) March madness: A loss in some form tonight would leave the Sabres at either 0-13-3 or 0-14-2 for March and make them just the second team Where: KeyBank Center ever to play at least 16 games in a month and not win a single one. The other was Detroit, which went 0-15-1 in March, 1977. When: 7:30 p.m. The Sabres' only pointless month of more than 10 games was January, TV: NBCSN 2015 in the height of the tank when they went 0-12-0. Radio: WGR 550 Mittelstadt has proved this season that he’s able to learn from any Yes, the eyes of the nation get to see the Sabres in yet-another attempt growing pains and apply those lessons when in the lineup. to snap the most onerous winless streak in franchise history after 18 Lineup news: To start a back-to-back and a stretch of three games in four games (0-15-3). And those that tune in also get a chance to watch nights, the Sabres peeled back and had an optional morning skate today. Buffalo try to avoid equaling another dubious franchise mark. The Flyers did not skate at all. Thus, we don't have a lot of pregame Mike Harrington: Seriously now, that kind of Sabres loss just can't lineup news. happen With Dylan Cozens out of the lineup after being injured Monday, here's Mike Harrington: Seriously now, that kind of Sabres loss just can't how the Sabres lined up Tuesday in practice: happen Sabres' lines during practice:Hall-Mittelstadt-ThompsonOlofsson- "The first thing that popped in my head late Monday night was that old Sheahan-ReinhartSkinner-Lazar-OkposoRieder-Eakin-FogartySmith, clip of John McEnroe from an early 1980s tirade at Wimbledon," writes Dea rotating in. Mike Harrington. — Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) March 30, 2021 The Sabres are 0-9-2 in their last 11 home games and one more loss Linus Ullmark (5-5-3, 2.60/.916) is expected to start in goal for the would tie the franchise mark of going winless in 12 at home, set at Sabres. Brian Elliott (9-4-1, 2.84/.893) is likely to head back to the net for Memorial Auditorium during the 1990-91 season. The Sabres went 0-6-1- Philadelphia. He improved to 4-0, 1.40/.951 against the Sabres this year 5 (remember ties?) during a stretch that ran from Jan. 27-March 10, 1991 with Monday's 4-3 overtime win. His eye-popping career numbers against and was finally broken by a 6-1 win over the Hartford Whalers on St. Buffalo are 17-2-2, 1.74/.941 for his career. Patrick's Day just over 30 years ago. Linus Ullmark dug the puck out of his own net, flipped it in the air as an The NHL record for home winless streaks is 17, set by Ottawa in 1995-96 expression of fru… and equaled by the expansion Atlanta Thrashers of 1999-2000. The last team to get to 12 was Vancouver in 2016-17. Cozens doing well: The Sabres got some good news on Cozens, as GM Kevyn Adams said on a livestream on the team's website that the rookie Buffalo, now 6-23-5, remains last in the National Hockey League with 17 center could be back in a few days. Granato confirmed that with points and is well on its way to matching the league record with a 10th reporters. consecutive season outside the playoffs. "A lot of relief a lot of excitement," Granato said. "I saw him the next The Sabres are an NHL-worst 2-11-3 at home this season and the morning ... He was really angry he was upset at himself at the fact that numbers are astonishing. he was injured. You guys sense the competitive nature of Dylan Cozens. They have scored just 26 goals in those 16 games, a shocking average It is there. He's an intense intense hockey player and he was mad that he of 1.63 per game that includes five shutouts and three other games has to sit out games." where they only scored one goal. They have scored only 14 goals at 5- Buffalo News LOADED: 04.01.2021 on-5 – fewer than one per game!

They are last in the league home goals for and against (3.69), as well as shots per game (26.3). Their only victories were a 3-2 triumph over the New York Rangers on Jan. 26 and their 4-3 shootout win over New Jersey on Jan. 30.

Two months later, they don't have another win.

"You don't have that same energy in the building when you're buzzing, when a guy is going in on a breakaway and it's just dead quiet," winger Kyle Okposo said after today's optional morning skate. "That's something that you don't really get used to as a player. You feed off that energy, feed off that buzz. We feed off people here in KeyBank Center in the seats. We just have to do a better job in all games, home and away, of getting results. We're continuing to work towards that."

Interim coach Don Granato takes solace in the way his club has played in the first two periods of the last two games. The Sabres looked strong through 40 minutes Saturday in Boston and again here Monday against the Flyers and blew a lead both times.

"We all want to see wins. Nobody wants to see wins more than the players because they're taking the heat and obviously me as a coach," Granato said. "The wins are going to be the byproduct of doing things the right way and we have to continue to work toward doing the things the 1186179 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres forward Dylan Cozens likely out one week with upper-body injury

Lance Lysowski Mar 31, 2021 Updated 4 hrs ago 0

Dylan Cozens, one of the few bright spots in the Buffalo Sabres' dismal season, will likely be out of the lineup for one week, according to General Manager Kevyn Adams.

Adams told Sabres television analysts Brian Duff and Martin Biron during a livestream Wednesday morning that the organization is being cautious with Cozens, who suffered an upper-body injury in the first period Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

"He's dealing with an upper-body, probably around a week," said Adams. "Hopefully it's more day to day than week to week. He's a tough kid, but we certainly don't want to put him on the ice if he's not 100%."

Cozens, 20, has totaled four goals with two assists for six points in 24 games during his rookie season. He began the year at right wing in a move to lessen the growing pains during his introduction in the NHL.

However, Jack Eichel's upper-body injury caused former coach Ralph Krueger to move Cozens to a top-line center role last month. This is the second time in less than three weeks that the former seventh overall draft pick suffered an injury.

Cozens missed four games after he crashed into the boards because of a blindside hit from Pittsburgh Penguins winger Zach Aston-Reese in KeyBank Center on March 11. Cozens scored a goal in his return to the lineup on March 22 and continued to thrive in a prominent role until he left the game Monday following a hit from Flyers defenseman Philippe Myers.

Buffalo News LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186180 Buffalo Sabres

Odds say Islanders are favorites to land Taylor Hall in trade with Sabres

Derek Gee / Buffalo News

As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the question seems to be when, not if, the Sabres will trade Taylor Hall.

According to BetOnline.ag, the New York Islanders are the favorites to land Hall at 5-4.

Here are the top six potential destinations and odds, per the site.

Islanders 5-4

Toronto 3-1

Florida 9-2

Colorado 5-1

Boston 6-1

Edmonton 15-2

Hall, who signed as a free agent with the Sabres in the offseason, has two goals and 16 assists in 34 games.

Buffalo News LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186181

Flames-Canucks postponed due to COVID-19 protocol

Wes Gilbertson

The Calgary Flames were already at the rink when they learned Wednesday’s road game against the Vancouver Canucks had been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.

The official word from the NHL came at 7 p.m. MT, roughly an hour-and- a-half before the scheduled puck-drop at .

In a short press release, the league revealed that two Canucks players and one member of Vancouver’s coaching staff would be placed on the COVID-19 list — that could mean either a positive test or close contact with a confirmed case.

The Flames have not had any positives throughout this season, and this marks the first time in 2021 that one of their games wasn’t played as originally planned.

The NHL will update the situation Thursday.

The Flames had just skated at the Saddledome and were packing up for an afternoon flight to Vancouver on Tuesday when the Canucks announced forward Adam Gaudette had been pulled from practice at Rogers Arena due to a positive test result.

The Canucks — in coordination with provincial health authorities in B.C. — followed strict contact-tracing guidelines before their squad was allowed to reconvene for Wednesday’s morning skate.

“As far as our team, it has been limited to one person,” Canucks head coach told reporters via Zoom during his morning media availability. “We’ve been following NHL protocol, and we’re getting ready to play a game tonight.

“When you get the news (about Gaudette’s positive test), you’re always wondering about it. I think last night we had a pretty good idea that we were good to go this morning. We’ve had six days off prepping for a game here, so we have tried to just stay focused on that task and let the people in charge that advise us on the protocols let us know if there’s anything else changing.”

Things did change — it was not immediately known which Canucks player and coach would be added to COVID-19 protocol — and this turned out to be an unexpected off-day for the Flames.

The crew from Calgary stayed overnight on the West Coast, as was the initial plan, and will travel Thursday to Edmonton, where they’re slated to face the arch-rival Oilers the following night.

Because the Flames did not have any exposure to the Canucks, and because they haven’t had any cases in their own locker-room, the Battle of Alberta should be a go.

Then again, Wednesday’s postponement is a reminder nothing is guaranteed when you’re trying to play during a pandemic. The Flames showed up to the rink Wednesday evening thinking about how they could stop and how they could solve Thatcher Demko, and they ultimately left without even breaking a sweat.

There hadn’t been any scheduling switches in the NHL’s North Division until a three-game set between the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers was postponed last week. The Habs, who had two confirmed cases, also missed a meeting with the Ottawa Senators.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186182 Calgary Flames After completing their education, they continued their quest in … of all places … Hungary.

Ryan would star in the Austrian League and win a scoring crown in A decade after graduation, Flames’ Ryan remains beacon-of-hope for U Sweden before catching on with the Carolina Hurricanes organization. Sports skaters “You see guys that you played against in junior (in the NHL) and you always think, ‘Yeah, I could play there,’ that kind of thing,” Klassen said. “But it’s one thing to say it. It’s another thing to grind it out, go overseas Wes Gilbertson like he did, be a top guy in all those leagues and then come over and make a successful career. It’s pretty special and it’s really awesome to

see it.” Long before he was a staple at the Saddledome, Derek Ryan would pass It’s not only special for his ex-teammates from U of A, many of them still through Father David Bauer Arena as an arch-enemy of the University of connected through alumni skates in Edmonton. Calgary Dinos. It’s also significant for a bunch of 20-somethings who have never met While he was a standout as a student-athlete, nobody imagined then that ‘Doc,’ guys who are working toward degrees but still dream of earning the skilled centre would eventually skate at the top level, that he’d earn a their paycheques in skates or pads. This won’t be a straight shot, but seven-figure salary at the faceoff dot. maybe if they could impress the right scout, maybe if they could get a Suggesting U Sports hockey as a stop-over on the way to the National look in a far-flung league, maybe if they shine on that stepping-stone Hockey League is a bit like planning a drive from Calgary to Edmonton circuit … with a fuel-up in Saskatoon. It’s just not the route. While Ryan is currently the lone U Sports grad skating a regular shift on It will never be the road-most-travelled, but Ryan continues to prove it’s the NHL stage, he remains a beacon-of-hope for these late-bloomers. possible. (The 2020-21 Canada West campaign was cancelled due to the health crisis, but teams have been practising when provincial guidelines have It’s now been a full decade since his last game with the University of permitted.) Alberta Golden Bears. He still hasn’t needed that human physiology degree to find a day-job. (Ryan’s winding road from Edmonton to Calgary “Our coaching staff, when I played at U of A, and our general manager actually included a pit-stop in Hungary.) would always talk about him as a guy who’s an example of what you can do and how going through U Sports doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end “I remember watching him on the breakout and he was just so intelligent of your career, as he has kind of shown,” said Flames farmhand Luke with where to go, how to support his defencemen, just always steady,” Philp of Ryan, who averaged 1.34 points per game in his four seasons at recalled Mark Howell, hired as U of C’s bench boss in 2009 — midway Clare Drake Arena. “Ten years later, he’s playing in the NHL, so he’s a through Ryan’s stint at U of A — and now among the longest-tenured great guy to look up to. To see the success he’s had in his career, it’s a skippers in the Canada West hockey ranks. lot of motivation for us.”

“In my second year coaching against him, his last year, he took it to Philp signed with the Flames after winning the U Sports player-of-the- another level. He gained more speed, was more dynamic with the puck. year award in 2019. Now 25, this is his sophomore season with the But his hockey IQ is probably the one thing that stands out above AHL’s . anything else. His stick is always available for teammates, he supports the puck extremely well, and that year he excelled at a level above His current teammates include Kris Bennett and Mark Simpson — both anybody else. He started to score more, started to be more dynamic ex of the University of New Brunswick Reds. offensively, started to push the pace and control the game and it was Calgary-born puck-stopper Logan Thompson, who spent one winter with really difficult to control him and contain him. the Brock Badgers, made his NHL debut this past month with the Vegas “Just a pleasure to watch … and hard to coach against.” Golden Knights.

Ryan logged his last appearance with the Golden Bears at the 2011 The AHL’s reigning player-of-the-week, Washington Capitals hopeful University Cup, although he fell short at that tournament of adding a Philippe Maillet, is another UNB alumnus, while former Dinos second national title to his resume. defenceman Kodie Curran — after posting a superb stat-line in the — has split this winter between the Anaheim His former teammates are now accountants and builders, coaches and Ducks’ taxi squad and the minors and is considered a top call-up teachers. When they settle in front of their flat-screens, they can watch candidate. (Curran, 31, is shooting to become the first U of C product their old pal on Hockey Night in Canada. since Bracken Kearns to ascend to The Show.)

Currently operating as fourth-line centre and a key penalty-killer for the “So you see more and more guys getting opportunities — and I think Flames, Ryan has amassed 327 nights of NHL know-how — not bad for once they get those opportunities and establish themselves, hopefully we a guy who didn’t reach the highest rung until he was nearly 30. It’s a can get more and more players in the and at compliment that as his team has parachuted out of the playoff picture, the NHL level,” said Howell, who is admittedly biased but believes that U many have mentioned the 34-year-old pivot as a potential target for Sports hockey remains ‘undervalued’ by scouts. “And when those guys trade-deadline shoppers. get those opportunities, they need to flourish like Derek has.”

“I usually text him when he has a nice goal or pass or something. Or if STORY CONTINUES BELOW he’s a few minuses too many, I’ll give him a hard time,” said Ryan’s longtime linemate, Chad Klassen. “I still feel pretty connected with Doc This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. and always keep tabs on his highlights and how he is playing, so it’s a Article content pretty cool to see that he’s still doing so well.” “I think there are a lot of guys like Derek. I just think they get bypassed a STORY CONTINUES BELOW little bit,” echoed Stan Marple, who was an assistant coach for part of This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ryan’s stint at U of A and is now the general manager for the Golden Bears. “Credit to Derek for having the perseverance that he’s had Article content throughout this journey of his. He probably didn’t really think of it that way — I’m sure he’s just trying to be the best he can be each time he goes Klassen, now working at a metals refinery in Fort Saskatchewan, knows out on the ice — but to do what he did in the Swedish Elite League, I Ryan’s story as well as anybody. think that turned a lot of heads and gave him a chance. I think there are a They were teammates with the Western Hockey League’s Spokane lot of players in our league that could be Derek Ryans, given the Chiefs and again with the Golden Bears. opportunity.”

Flames forward Derek Ryan, right, used to suit up for the University of Close to a decade after his convocation ceremony, Ryan continues to Alberta Golden Bears in his early playing days. show U Sports students that this dream job could still be attainable, even if it will never be the most well-worn path. “I think that means a lot to them,” Klassen said. “Being involved in the alumni, I get to talk with a lot of the younger guys and he’s kind of a legend around there. He kind of paved the way for a lot of guys to even just play some minor pro, and it’s pretty cool that he has been able to do that.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186183 Carolina Hurricanes The NHL is a copycat league almost to a fault, so it’s always fun to go back a few years at the deadline and reflect on what worked and what didn’t.

By Sara Civian Mar 31, 2021 26 You just made me remember when I was covering the Bruins and they acquired Rick Nash at the deadline. Everyone was so excited and wanted it to work out so bad, but unfortunately, he sustained another concussion that would eventually lead to his retirement, and the Bruins It might not be the most eventful trade deadline szn of all time, but April were ultimately left empty-handed. 12 is quickly approaching, and we might as well enjoy it. Obviously, you can’t predict something like that, but that’s the understood Hurricanes general manager and president Don Waddell recently told risk you take every time you take on a pricier rental at the deadline. That The Athletic that while the team won’t go out of their way this season to risk is even higher this season with no promise of extra playoff revenue acquire a rental player like it might have in the past, there are a few and with lost money in general, so I’m not necessarily expecting teams to possibilities on the table. go as big as usual, but you don’t have to look back far to find evidence of What might they look like, and what else is up with the Canes recently? a move that worked out: Tampa Bay acquiring Blake Coleman last season from the Devils for prospect Nolan Foote and a 2020 first-round Welcome to the Extra Special Trade Deadline Bag of Jerks. draft pick.

Don Waddell has said he’s looking for hockey trades like Brady Skjei and That was an ideal trade deadline acquisition, to me, and I’ll tell you why: Vincent Trocheck. This probably means salary out for salary in, as well It subtracted nothing from the actual locker room and didn’t add too as looking at someone with term. So with that in mind and the possibility much, either, but added enough of exactly what the team needed. It’s of three hopefully pretty good goalies, what do you think a player like that tough to swallow a first-rounder and a top prospect, but the Lightning had might look like? (Btw I’m not sold on acquiring RHD when we have been the most obvious Cup contender for several years and had enough multiple players that can play there) — Matt M. playoff experience to know they needed exactly what Coleman could provide. Where’d you hear that, Matt? First of all, yes, Waddell said he doesn’t think the Canes necessarily want to be in the rental business this season The trade deadline is not a time to do anything to threaten the chemistry due to revenue uncertainties. That said, at the right price, I don’t think of an already good team — you can figure that out in the offseason. The they’d totally rule it out closer to the deadline. That’s why, as The Lightning were able to find a rare opportunity to improve the roster Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported, they discussed potentially going after without messing with it. I think this is what Waddell is talking about when former captain Eric Staal. he says he’s looking for a “hockey trade,” but I know he doesn’t want to give up too many future assets. He’s off the table now, traded to the Canadiens, and let’s assume the Canes really aren’t in the high-price rental business — so someone like A few other recent deadline trades that might not have led to Taylor Hall would be out. Also, Trocheck returned to the lineup Tuesday championships but stick out as successes: night, and the Hurricanes and their league-best power play had been doing fine even without him, so I think they will look at him as an “own- • The actual Robin Lehner-to-Vegas trade was a mess, but it was always rental” on offense — and I’d agree that’s the best course of action unless clear Vegas would come out on top. a truly irresistible deal came up for adding scoring help. THE LEHNER TO VEGAS TRADE WAS ACTUALLY A THREE-WAY Now, as for the right-handed defenseman, I agree the Hurricanes don’t TRADE BETWEEN CHICAGO, TORONTO, AND VEGAS urgently need one. And, as Waddell said, “It’s not like (we’re) going to THE EASIEST WAY TO SHOW THE RESULT IS USING A PICTURE trade Dougie Hamilton at the deadline.” But this Hurricanes squad is built OF OUR TRADE ENGINE: PIC.TWITTER.COM/MBFUY1UMLH around defense, you can almost count on losing a defenseman in the expansion draft after the season, and Hamilton’s contract negotiations — CAPFRIENDLY (@CAPFRIENDLY) FEBRUARY 24, 2020 could go either way at this point. So if we’re going for likelihood over personal opinion, I do think this is what they’d look to acquire, a bigger- • You’ll also recall the 2019 trade that gave the Golden Knights Mark name right-handed defenseman. Stone from the Senators for Erik Brännström, Oscar Lindberg and a 2020 second-round pick. That said, HOT TAKE ALERT: I think it would be prudent to basically keep this group together but be open to anything that could give them an Any word on the team getting vaccinated, and how that would work with extra punch in any position. a tight schedule? — Jason D.

Did you find anything concerning with Dougie’s response to his contract Funny you should ask that because I literally just asked Rod talks the other day? Or just Dougie being Dougie? — James F. Brind’Amour. I saw our Lightning reporter Joe Smith tweeting about some Lightning players getting vaccinated and said I’ve been seeing it start I’m glad you bring this up, James, because I thought the general reaction around the league. Brind’Amour said: “I don’t know about the scheduling to what he said was a little overblown. issue. There’s nothing I can really comment on, other than once it gets rolling out, we’ll definitely be in line for it.” He said: “I haven’t really been thinking about it too much. Just trying to play hockey. We had lots of time to talk already so it is what it is at this I totally understand this response, FWIW. point. It’s not really on my mind. We’ll figure it out after the season. I wasn’t part of it the last couple of months. I’ve just been trying to focus on If the Canes are intent on trading for a right-shot defenseman as Waddell hockey and winning games and that’s what I’ll keep doing.” stated in your interview, then who do you think are their targets, and who gets scratched in that situation? — Ethan J. Yeah. That’s been the plan. Well, Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week that the Canes checked It’s not like he walked into the Zoom interview delivering this as an in on Travis Hamonic, but that might be a non-starter, as he’s trying to opening statement. He was asked about it, and what he said sounded stay in Western Canada for family reasons. I’ll admit I did a double take reflective of a normal big contract negotiation to me. To my knowledge, when the Flyers placed Shayne Gostisbehere on waivers Tuesday, but both sides decided to table these talks until the season is over. Again, he’s a left-hand shot and probably too hefty a contract to take on without that’s very normal in this situation, especially for a Cup contender eating something else at the moment. #inapandemic. As for who is benched, I’d imagine it will be a case-to-case scenario, like I’m not saying a deal is anywhere close to done, and I’m not the one the Canes currently have unfolding — if they even make a trade. guaranteeing that it will get done. But Hamilton’s comments didn’t raise any red flags to me. Is James Reimer really as bad as people act like he is? I feel like he gets way too much hate for a dude who hasn’t lost that many games. — Kelly Looking back at trade deadline moves from the past few Stanley Cup H. champions, What did they do (or not) that worked out for them? Can you provide some historical context? — Ross P. No, he isn’t bad. I think he’s been consistent for the Canes in some pretty inopportune situations. He’s just a textbook, completely serviceable and safe NHL backup goalie, whereas Alex Nedeljkovic is someone who has been hyped up (accurately) as a potential starter — a solution to an theoretically ideal, we have to think about it from an owner’s standpoint, ongoing problem, not a band-aid. I understand the slight over- knowing the Canes are losing a ton of money and don’t know how much exaggeration of Nedeljkovic’s performance and under-exaggeration of they will ultimately lose or when the bleeding will stop. It’s ideal in the Reimer’s, although Nedeljkovic *does* have an edge. context of the cap and the hockey world — especially the new flat cap. But anything that isn’t a longer-term investment becomes a tougher sell There’s also that Waddell said a goalie could be a trade chip. If Reimer to an owner right now, especially in a smaller market. It isn’t totally out of ends up getting the Canes a solid return, I’m sure fans will look back on question, but it’s a tougher sell than in years past, when if you made the his run with the team quite fondly. playoffs you’d automatically be paid back for that player and then some. Under the assumption that Jake Bean will get drafted by Seattle in the There are more questions that need to be asked from a business expansion draft, could you see the canes moving him out as to not lose standpoint. him for nothing? — Drew M. How does Teravainen’s absence affect the team’s willingness and/or Well, by this logic, wouldn’t Seattle drafting him in the expansion draft desire to make a move as the deadline approaches, and how badly is his actually not be losing him for nothing? If the Hurricanes don’t have him, presence missed in the locker room and interviews? — Dylan D. then they’ll have to give up somebody else. We all know Teuvo is up there with my favorite people to interview. I just But I get what you’re saying. I’ve mentioned a few times now that I think think he’s hilarious, but you need to be in-person to truly capture his the Canes might actually protect him based on his current performance essence. He has one of the most expressive faces of all time by having and/or whatever ends up happening with Hamilton. one of the least expressive faces of all time. He’s just not here for the fluff. So his absence is DEEPLY affecting my own personal morale, What are the chances of rolling with an 11 forward, seven defenseman thanks for asking. As for the team, though, the Canes have established roster like the 05-06 team? Obviously depending on Jake Gardiner and themselves as one of the deepest teams in the league, as they showed Teuvo Teravainen’s health? — Daniel N. with Niederreiter, Aho and Necas picking up scoring while Trocheck was out. I think this might be a slightly different conversation if Teravainen Well, Daniel, that has definitely sounded intriguing over the past few and Trocheck were both out, but I don’t think it’s too dire of a situation months at certain times and even last season, considering the wealth of right now where they have to sell the farm. Puck don’t lie. But, as is NHL defensemen the Hurricanes have. When they’ve actually attempted becoming the theme of this mailbag, anything is possible for the right it, though, it hasn’t been too successful. I remember distinctly Haydn price. Fleury playing one shift of an entire game when they were attempting this. No one was happy. Dogwood or Cornerstone? — Logan S.

It just seems a little too disorganized, and the Hurricanes are a little too No. stacked up front. I also feel like if they were going to do it, they would have attempted it more consistently by now. The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021

Top three players you’d want to hang out with for a beer or two? I’m assuming Jordan Martinook is at or near the top of the list, but who else makes the cut? — Eric V.

I’d go back to Calvin de Haan’s brewery any day of the week.

With March Madness going on and the Frozen Four coming up, it feels like a good time to ask, …What do you think are the chances one of the triangle areas schools start a Division I hockey program within the next 10 or 20 years? — Jim S.

As much as I would love to see Division I hockey in the triangle, I have to be honest with you: I’m not optimistic.

I have a background working in college hockey. I grew up in Boston around it and went to Penn State as it was transitioning from a club team to D-I. It costs millions and millions and millions of dollars, and you don’t make much of anything back on it like you would with football or basketball. There basically has to be a really rich donor who would have a reason to do it — like was an investor in Penn State because he went there and felt it had a perfect environment for college hockey, which it did, and he committed over $100 million. It had to be state of the art, it had to be the best to get recruits there.

Welp, at least the Pegulas have Penn State hockey going for them these days…

But the essential question becomes: Who would be that donor for a triangle team? Then: Who would they even play?

Unfortunately, it’s a very complicated and non-financially rewarding endeavor.

Nino Niederreiter seems to be having a good season so far. What do you think is the difference for him this season compared to the last one? — Chris F.

Confidence. And, of course, playing with Sebastian Aho and Martin Necas, but mostly the confidence.

Hockey is weird.

I know Waddell wants hockey trades and not rentals. But isn’t this year ideal for rentals, between Seattle taking someone, and giant raises for Andrei Svechnikov and Hamilton next year, and the plethora of players we have hurt but expect to be healthy for the future? How is this year not picture perfect for a rental? — Matthew N.

I actually brought this up to Waddell when we were talking about it, because I had the same thought process as you. But instead of what’s 1186184 Chicago Blackhawks “It just goes to show players change and more than ever it’s a young person’s game. That bodes well for the decisions we have to make.”

Guerin added that he and Bowman have discussed building profiles on Chicago Blackhawks’ Stan Bowman named U.S. Olympic team GM for potential players and staff. 2022 Beijing Games “He just really believes in a collaborative model, like he said, leaning on other GMs in the league that have been here before and can help us,” said Guerin, a three-time Olympian and silver medalist at the 2002 Salt By PHIL THOMPSON Lake City Games. “Really making it a team effort.”

Between now and when the U.S. roster is named around Jan. 1, Bowman and Guerin will be juggling their Olympic duties with their day Stan Bowman will get a chance to assemble another hockey dream jobs. Bowman said he has the full support from Rocky and Danny Wirtz, team, only this one will be decked out in red, white and blue instead of the chairman and CEO, respectively, of the Hawks. red and black — and will be chasing a gold medal instead of a Stanley Cup. “They’re totally behind this,” Bowman said. “I’m going to lean on a lot of other people, both internally here at the Blackhawks — we have a very The Blackhawks president of hockey operations was named general capable staff that I’m going to certainly rely on their input — but even for manager of the 2022 U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team Wednesday, and the Olympic team. the Minnesota Wild’s Bill Guerin was tapped as assistant GM. “Bill and I are in prominent roles, but it’s not a two-man show.” Bowman and Guerin will have a chance to choose from a “very deep pool” of talented Americans in the NHL to compete in the Winter Games Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.01.2021 in Beijing.

“We’ve got a lot of talent, and that’s the exciting part,” Bowman said. “It’s going to be some difficult decisions.

“Once we choose the coach and have a staff in place and we can have them as part of the conversations, the identity of the team will come forward. But without question this is the deepest pool of players we’ve had, so we have a lot of options in choosing the team.”

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman, left, watches practice July 13, 2020, at Fifth Third Arena.

Some names that have been tossed out as likely candidates by pundits include the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews, the Hawks’ Patrick Kane and Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Some projected rosters have included Kane’s Hawks linemate Alex DeBrincat.

But first a hurdle: ensuring that NHL players will be available to participate in the Olympics. That has to be negotiated by the league, union, International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation.

“The NHL continues to be in conversations,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. I won’t speak for that exactly where it is.”

GM Stan Bowman is ‘doing a lot of listening,’ but the Chicago Blackhawks’ abundant cap space and playoff prospects won’t affect his trade deadline strategy »

If the NHL’s participation doesn’t happen, assistant executive director of hockey operations John Vanbiesbrouck would move to Plan B, which likely would involve leadership from amateur circles instead of Bowman and Guerin.

“We will have to adjust accordingly,” Vanbiesbrouck said. “As far as this type of year, we know that everything’s fluid.”

But Kelleher remained optimistic about having NHL players, saying, “We’re planning along that path.”

Bowman has been involved with the Hawks for 19 years, presided over three Stanley Cup championships and served on U.S. Men’s National Team advisory group since 2012, and he helped pick players and staff for past national teams.

Bowman co-managed Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey with Peter Chiarelli, and Bowman said he learned something about assembling players from that tournament.

He and Chiarelli were worried at the beginning that they didn’t have a goaltender with NHL experience, but by the end of the process they had three: John Gibson, Matt Murray and Hellebuyck. The U.S. had plenty of forwards to choose from, but Matthews, who had yet to play in the NHL, just popped at the IIHF World Championship in Russia.

“I’m over there and I’m watching, and Peter Chiarelli, had he called and asked how it was going, and I said, ‘You’ve got to see that kid, he’s unbelievable.’ We’re not going to be able to leave him off the team,” Bowman said. “He’s that good.’ 1186185 Chicago Blackhawks The pool of player talent Bowman will choose from is arguably the largest and best any U.S. GM has ever enjoyed, which will make his job harder but — in the end — potentially more rewarding.

Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman will serve as GM of 2022 U.S. Olympic He traces it all back to that moment in 1980 that he watched from his hockey team grandmother’s lap.

“Over time, I’ve come to see the context of that team in 1980 and what it really meant for hockey development across the United States,” he said. By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST Mar 31, 2021, 5:22pm CDT “Here we are, [41] years later, and we’ve seen the tremendous growth of our sport. That’s something that really is exciting for me to see and be

part of.” When Stan Bowman was 6, he watched as the U.S. Olympic men’s Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 04.01.2021 hockey team stunned the Soviet Union in what became known as the “Miracle on Ice.”

“I was sitting on my grandma’s lap watching the Olympics unfold,” he said Wednesday. At the time, I loved hockey, I was excited, I was watching, [but] I thought it was just another game or another tournament. I really didn’t appreciate the backdrop and the significance of that victory.”

Forty-one years later, Bowman — the Blackhawks general manager since 2009 — retains that specific memory.

And one year from now, having been named GM of the U.S. men’s hockey team on Wednesday, he’ll hope to guide the team to its first gold medal since that 1980 miracle.

He’ll be assisted by current Wild GM Bill Guerin, a three-time Olympian as a player. Together, Bowman and Guerin will select the team’s coach, flesh out its roster and oversee the group throughout the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing in February.

“I’m humbled and honored for this role,” Bowman said. “I can’t wait to get started.”

Bowman will remain the Hawks’ acting GM while doubling as the Olympic team GM.

But his time will be spread more thin than it already is, leaving more work for others in the Hawks’ front office, during the coming offseason and 2021-22 NHL season.

“[There’s] no question it’s going to be a challenge,” he said. “I’m going to lean now on other people . . . internally here at the Blackhawks. We have a very capable staff and I’m going to rely on their input going forward.

Hawks CEO Danny Wirtz issued a statement Wednesday to “congratulate Stan on this exciting opportunity and look forward to having him serve in both capacities.” Bowman thanked the Wirtz family for being “totally behind” his venture.

Bowman’s selection as Olympic team GM is dependent on NHL player participation, however.

In 2010 and 2014, then-NHL GMs Brian Burke (Maple Leafs) and David Poile (Predators), respectively, served in this role. But in 2018, when NHL players did not participate, USA Hockey did not select an NHL- affiliated GM or coach.

USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher said he’ll turn to “Plan B” for the GM role if the NHL ends up not participating again in 2022, but all indications are that the league will allow players to go to Beijing.

“We’re hopeful and remain optimistic,” Kelleher said. “We haven’t made a final determination yet. We know there’s a lot of work to be done.”

Delaying negotiations between the NHL, NHL Players Association, International Ice Hockey Federation and International Olympic Committee is the presence of the rescheduled Summer Olympics coming up in July and August in Tokyo, which is understandably preoccupying the IOC, Kelleher said.

But given the expectation of NHL involvement, Bowman said his coaching search will specifically consider coaches with NHL experience, although that “still is a wide candidate pool.”

Then he’ll turn his focus to players, with the final roster expected to be announced around Jan. 1, 2022. He’ll almost certainly select one man from the Hawks: Patrick Kane is considered a slam-dunk choice, while Alex DeBrincat and even Connor Murphy could also be in the mix. 1186186 Chicago Blackhawks more confident. You want to be out there when the game is on the line. You want to be the guy.”

The coaching staff’s faith in Boqvist has manifested in his playing time. Adam Boqvist’s accelerating development a bright spot in Blackhawks’ After averaging 16:13 of ice time per game as a rookie, then 16:39 downturn through his first 19 games this season, Boqvist has handled almost 20 minutes per game over his last seven appearances — including 23:08 on March 20 and 21:56 on Sunday.

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST Mar 31, 2021, 6:30am CDT All the while, Boqvist’s optimism continues to push him forward.

“I come to the rink and [aim to] be one day better, not one day older,” he said. “I’m just going to keep working.” Adam Boqvist’s playing time for the Blackhawks has increased lately. Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 04.01.2021 The Blackhawks’ play has been so poor in recent weeks that it has been difficult for some of the team to stay positive.

But Adam Boqvist’s jovial, fun-loving personality has proven immune to discouragement.

“I’m always having a smile on my face when I come into the locker room,” Boqvist said Tuesday. “I feel like everyone is happy. We’re in a great position right now. We’re not 10 points behind the playoffs. We’re in the race and it’s fun. We have to enjoy the moment.”

That perspective on the season’s stretch run, especially considering the Hawks’ youth, is important to keep in mind. The fact the team is contending at all is a surprise; they should indeed try to enjoy and make the most of it.

Boqvist is certainly doing that personally.

The 20-year-old Swedish defenseman has been one of the Hawks’ few bright spots in March. His development curve — frustratingly slow and jagged during his rookie season — has greatly accelerated in his second season.

Coach carried on for several minutes Tuesday with his praise for Boqvist.

“He’s doing a really good job of getting body position and putting himself in a position to get stops, to win loose pucks, to defend by working to stay on the [defensive] side [of opposing players] and using his skating to get through hands,” Colliton said. “When he does that, it creates opportunities for him to make plays in transition, and that’s where we think he’s really strong.

“Obviously there’s more there, but he’s improved a lot. With that confidence on the defensive side, it’s really helped his offensive game, too, because he’s comfortable. He’s got some swagger to him. He’s made a lot of plays for quite a long stretch of games here.”

The Hawks are 3-5-0 with a 45.2% on-ice shot attempt ratio in their last seven games, but Boqvist’s results are the opposite: he has an on-ice shot attempt differential above at least 43% in all eight games and above 50% in five.

Boqvist’s defensive improvement has been noticeable beyond statistics, too.

He has learned how to neutralize NHL-caliber players and read NHL- level plays, identifying where the puck will go — rather than where it currently is — and positioning himself in the correct spot to disrupt it. He memorably broke up several two-on-one rushes in the Stars and Lightning series.

His offseason decision to switch his defensive tactics and emphasize positioning and stick usage rather than body contact when engaging opponents has also helped.

There have been some hiccups, such as when he left the front of the net and still allowed a centering pass to get through for the Predators’ first goal Saturday.

But every Hawks defenseman has made mistakes — Boqvist at least has committed fewer than most. His on-ice scoring chance ratio this season is actually best among all Hawks defensemen by a significant margin.

On the offensive end, Boqvist may not yet be the dynamic playmaker some expected, but he’s making more and more crafty plays.

And Colliton wasn’t kidding about that blossoming swagger.

“From last year, I’ve been better overall out there,” Boqvist said. “I feel comfortable. And obviously when the coaches trust you, it makes you 1186187 Chicago Blackhawks "You're going to make mistakes," Boqvist said. "But it goes so fast so you have to make a read, go on your instincts. I thought that guy in front of the net was blocked off, but obviously I didn't read right and it ended up in the back of the net. ... I have to forget about that and look forward and How Hawks' defenseman Boqvist earned Colliton's trust do my best out there."

Colliton, for one, expects the best is yet to come.

John Dietz "Obviously everyone can see his growing confidence with the puck and making plays," he said. "Where it was every other game or every third

game (that) you'd see the flashes ... now it's every night, multiple times. For any young hockey player -- no matter where they're drafted or how ... impressive they looked in another league -- earning their NHL coach's "We're happy with him But at same time ... we've got to keep pushing trust can be a tall order. him. There's a lot more there." Mistakes will be made. Goals allowed. Games lost. Hawks add defenseman: It's all part of the process -- one you hope builds a player's confidence The Hawks signed defenseman Isaak Phillips to a three-year, entry-level and doesn't crush it. deal. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder was taken in the fifth round of the 2020 A slew of Blackhawks defensemen are currently traveling through this draft. He has 2 goals and 4 assists in 14 gams for Rockford this season. phase, but there's one who has apparently come out the other side and is Daily Herald Times LOADED: 04.01.2021 on the cusp of becoming a true difference-maker on a nightly basis.

And that's Adam Boqvist, who has seen his playing time soar over the past month.

"He's earned the trust," said coach Jeremy Colliton. "Give all the credit to him. He's done a great job where we want to have him out there in big situations.

"I mean he's killing a penalty the other night and did a good job. He looked comfortable and made the right read. That's fun to watch."

Boqvist, still only 20 years old, has displayed plenty of offensive potential with 6 goals and 21 assists in 67 career games.

But like most coaches, Colliton is about defending first.

From that standpoint, it's definitely been a work in progress for Boqvist, who was exposed during the Hawks' five-game playoff series with Vegas last year. From ending up on the wrong side of the puck to pushing too deep into the offensive zone to simply being outraced to the net, Boqvist found out just how disciplined you must be against the league's top players.

"We don't mind it when guys go through adversity," Colliton said. "We've got to help them through it (and) not let it push them off course. But going through hard times and coming through it makes you stronger in the end. That's probably been the case for him."

There have still been hiccups this season, but they are happening less often as Boqvist's defensive instincts improve.

A good example came late in the first period against the Hurricanes on Tuesday when Boqvist deflected a pass intended for a charging Steven Lorentz, then blocked a point-blank shot by Jaccob Slavin two seconds later. Plays like that were a big reason the game remained scoreless after a first period in which the Hawks were outshot 13-5.

Then, early in the second period, Boqvist did a nice job getting his team back into the offensive zone while on the power play. That smooth transition led to the Hawks' first goal as Patrick Kane stole the puck in front of the net and fed Alex DeBrincat at 15:58.

On Boqvist's next shift, he took a pass from DeBrincat, walked down the middle of the ice and fired a shot that hit the crossbar.

This kind of well-rounded play is a big reason Boqvist's average ice time has gone from 16:39 in his first 19 games to 19:36 in the last seven.

"I feel from last year I've been better overall out there," Boqvist said. "I feel comfortable. And obviously when the coaches trust you, it makes you more confident. You want to be out there when the game is on the line."

Still, Boqvist's far from the finished product, as he showed early in the first period of a 3-1 loss to Nashville on Saturday when he decided to close in on Viktor Arvidsson below the goal line. That left Ryan Johansen wide open in front of the net, and Johansen wound up with an easy tap-in off a perfect feed from Arvidsson. 1186188 Chicago Blackhawks

10 observations: Blackhawks steal win from Hurricanes

BY CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS

The Blackhawks defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Tuesday at the United Center.

Here are 10 observations from the win:

1. The Blackhawks certainly did not play their best after tying a season- low with 16 shots on goal, but they will happily take the two points after coming up empty during their weekend series against Nashville. Columbus also beat Tampa Bay in regulation, which made the two points even more valuable for the Blackhawks with 19 games left in the season.

2. Kevin Lankinen looked a little shaky to start and struggled with rebound control, but he settled down and was one of the reasons the Blackhawks weren't trailing early. He stopped the first 22 shots he faced and finished with 31 saves on 32 shots for a save percentage of .969. His only goal against went off Wyatt Kalynuk's knee and in.

3. The Blackhawks were extremely fortunate to get out of the first period in a 0-0 tie. It could have been a disaster if they didn't. The Hurricanes dominated in shot attempts (25-14), shots on goal (13-5), scoring chances (11-3) and high-danger chances (7-0), according to Natural Stat Trick.

4. After missing Sunday's game because of the birth of his child, Dylan Strome scored the first goal to put his team in front 1-0 just 29 seconds into the middle frame. Stick-tap to Mattias Janmark, who had the awareness to pick up the puck for Strome, who will presumably save it for his new baby girl.

Dad Power: Dylan Strome scores after missing Sunday’s game because of the birth of his child. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/ZJNfOtJEPr— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 31, 2021

5. Patrick Kane went into this game with eight points (three goals, five assists) in the first three contests against Carolina. He got on the scoresheet again with a primary assist on Alex DeBrincat's power-play goal, but it was his takeaway on Brett Pesce that was the highlight of the play.

What a takeaway by Patrick Kane, who finds Alex DeBrincat for his 19th goal of the season. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/bxl8kqtons— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 31, 2021

6. With the goal, DeBrincat tallied his 19th of the season in his 33rd game. He had 18 goals in 70 games last season, which means it took him only 37 games to surpass that total this season. Such an impressive bounce-back campaign for The Cat.

7. It was a very tight-checking third period. The Blackhawks and Hurricanes combined for only five shots on goal through the first 13 minutes and finished with 11 total. That's the kind of shutdown effort the Blackhawks' coaching staff likes to see when protecting a lead against one of the league's best teams.

8. The Blackhawks generated only three high-danger chances during 5- on-5 play, which is tied for their third-fewest in a game this season.

9. The Hurricanes rank No. 2 in the league with a faceoff win percentage of 54.0. The Blackhawks rank No. 27 with a win percentage of 46.7. The Blackhawks had a tough night at the dot, losing 41 of 64 draws for a win percentage of only 35.9. Jordan Staal won 13 straight faceoffs and finished 18 of 21 for Carolina. Kirby Dach lost all eight of his. Dylan Strome won seven of eight and led the way for Chicago.

10. Dougie Hamilton had his point streak snapped at 14 games. It's the longest point streak by a defenseman since Shayne Gostisbehere recorded at least one point in 15 straight games during the 2015-16 campaign.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186189 Colorado Avalanche Goalie Adin Hill started for Arizona but stopped just six-of-10 shots before getting pulled at 6:04. He was replaced by Ivan Prosvetov, who made his NHL debut and allowed Donskoi’s third goal 1:27 later.

Avalanche erupts early and late, downs Arizona 9-3 before fans in the The Avs improved to 5-1-1 against Arizona, with the eighth and final stands at Ball Arena meeting between the teams April 12 at Ball Arena.

Nathan MacKinnon got a 10-min misconduct for tossing Conor Garland's helmet at him. pic.twitter.com/HdQHogvSut By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 1, 2021

Footnotes. Avalanche star center Nathan MacKinnon was given a Hockey fans were in attendance at Ball Arena for the first time in more double-minor for roughing and 10-minute misconduct after he and than a year Wednesday night, and the Avalanche was undoubtedly Garland got into a tussle behind the play. MacKinnon’s misconduct jazzed about it and ready to perform in its 21st home game of the stemmed from him removing Garland’s helmet and then throwing it at season. him. MacKinnon’s 14 penalty minutes in the game is two more than what he had in 69 games last season, after which he won the Lady Byng The Avs came out flying and attacked the Arizona Coyotes with a Trophy as the “player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of relentless effort that netted five goals in the first 7 minutes, 31 seconds of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard the game. Winger Joonas Donskoi scored three of those goals, of playing ability.” … Avs winger Logan O’Connor suffered a lower-body producing the quickest hat trick in club history and the first three-goal injury in the first period and did not return. … Donskoi lost the steel blade period since Tomas Fleischmann scored three in the third period on Dec. to his left skate early in the second period, forcing him to hop on one leg 15, 2010 at Chicago. to the bench. … The Avs have a plus-47 goals differential, by far the The fast-and-furious start fizzled but the Avs regained their magic with a highest in the NHL. Tampa Bay, the defending Stanley Cup champ, is three-goal third period and skated off with a 9-3 victory before frontline second at plus-39. … Avalanche rookie teenage defenseman Bo Byram staff, health care providers, first responders and select others. Colorado’s missed his third consecutive game with a head injury. But Bednar said first five goals were scored in a span of 3:27, a club record surpassing Byram, 19, skated on his own Tuesday and Wednesday and might be the previous mark of 4:35 from last season against Nashville. cleared for the weekend home games against the Blues.

“What a first period, what a first 7 1/2 minutes from (Donskoi),” said Gabe Denver Post: LOADED: 04.01.2021 Landeskog, one of seven Avs with a multiple-point game. “That was pretty incredible to watch.”

“It’s just so much different playing in front of fans. We miss it as a team and we wanted to put our best foot forward and I thought we did that in the first period,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “I love the balanced attack with all those guys getting on the scoresheet.”

The victory extended Colorado’s points streak to 12 games (10-0-2) and, coupled with Vegas’ 4-2 loss against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, the Avs (23-8-4) leapfrog the Golden Knights for first place in the West Division.

The Avs finished 12-2-3 in March to set club records for wins and points (27) in a month and tie the record for fewest games to reach 50 points in a season (35). The Stanley Cup-winning team of 2000-01 also produced 50 points in its first 35 games.

“It just goes to show you how dedicated our guys have been and just trying to find ways to improve and be consistent and developed the winning habits that are going to be needed come playoff time,” Bednar said. “That’s what we’ve been talking about from Day 1 of training camp. I think our buy-in from our guys has been exceptional, our leadership has been doing a great job reiterating our coaching staff’s message. Guys are playing hard, they’re playing the right way and they’re playing for one another.”

He added: “First place (in the West) only counts when the season’s over but it’s certainly something we’ve been working towards, trying to chase Vegas down after a little rocky start.”

Goalie Philipp Grubauer, who allowed a goal on Arizona’s first shot, finished with 24 saves for his NHL-leading 22nd win. Landeskog and right winger Mikko Rantanen each had three points, one behind Donskoi. Landeskog scored twice and Rantanen had two assists.

Forwards Andre Burakovsky and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare also scored as the Avs built a 5-1 lead through the first 7:16. Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, however, scored late in the first period and Arizona forward Conor Garland struck late in the second as the visitors got within two at 5-3.

Landeskog scored an unassisted goal just 21 seconds after Garland to get Colorado back up by three heading into the third. Rantanen scored a power-play at 6:05 of the third period to put the Avs back up by four and Landeskog tacked on one at 11:57 for Colorado’s third eight-goal game of the year.

Burakovsky scored his second of the game at 16:49 off a beautiful assist from Donskoi. 1186190 Colorado Avalanche

Alex Newhook, 2019 first-round pick, signs with Avalanche

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

The Avalanche, as expected, signed Boston College sophomore forward Alex Newhook to his three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Wednesday. Newhook, 20, was a first-round draft pick (16th overall) in 2019, selected 12 spots behind Avs defenseman Bo Byram.

Newhook, who will report to the AHL’s in Loveland, averaged more than a point-per-game at BC (58 points, 46 games). He assisted on the Eagles’ only goal in last weekend’s 4-1 loss to St. Cloud State in the Albany, N.Y., NCAA Tournament region.

“I’m excited to get with the Eagles, first off, and start playing more games and learning from the coaching staff there. But yeah, obviously, the end goal is to be with the big club and something I’ll continue to work towards every day,” Newhook said from Boston on a conference call with reporters.

Newhook amassed 16 points (seven goals) in 12 games as a sophomore after missing the first half of the year to play for Canada’s World Junior Championship team, which required players to quarantine before the tournament began. He had six points (three goals) and a plus-8 rating in six games for the Canadians, who lost in the gold-medal game to the United States.

The NHL’s COVID-delayed regular-season schedule goes until May 8, a month later than usual, and the Eagles’ last game is May 15. Newhook said the chance to play more games this season played a part in his decision.

“It’s definitely a positive piece to it, especially given how many games I’ve been able to play this year with injuries and being at World Juniors. I think there’s still a lot of room to get more games this year,” he said. “It was definitely just another positive piece where it was hard to turn down.”

As a freshman in 2019-20, Newhook won the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA’s freshman of the year, after producing 42 points (19 goals) in 34 games. He led all NCAA freshmen in goals, game-winning goals (four) and shorthanded goals (three), and his plus-28 rating was third.

The Avalanche is fully stocked with top-six forwards, but Newhook will be a candidate to replace second-line left wing Brandon Saad next season. Saad, 28, is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $6 million cap hit ($1 million retained by the Chicago Blackhawks). Newhook’s cap hit will be less than $1 million, and the Avs need that relief to re-sign left wing Gabe Landeskog and goalie Philipp Grubauer, both pending UFAs, and restricted free-agent defenseman Cale Makar.

Newhook is the third BC sophomore to turn professional this week. The Minnesota Wild signed forward Matt Boldy on Tuesday and the Florida Panthers signed goalie Spencer Knight on Wednesday.

“I’ve been in contact with them a lot since the end of the year and I think we’re all kind of similar situations, being in our second year (at BC) and the situation with a lot of games being left in the season,” Newhook said of Boldy and Knight, who also were 2019 first-round draft picks. “Especially myself and ‘Bolds,’ we’re roommates here and really good friends. It was nice to be able to talk to someone in a similar situation and look forward to what we both have ahead.”

Denver Post: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186191 Colorado Avalanche

Fighting defenseman Dan Renouf adds element Avalanche normally lacks

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

Journeyman depth defenseman Dan Renouf provides a specific skill set the Avalanche hasn’t had recently — a natural enforcer willing to drop the gloves to back up teammates.

Renouf, 26, will again replace injured teenager Bo Byram in Wednesday night’s game against the visiting Arizona Coyotes at Ball Arena.

Byram is the same person Renouf fought for in Saturday’s overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Byram suffered a head injury in the opener of their two-game set last week when Vegas’ Keegan Kolesar left his feet and delivered a hit that made contact with Byram’s head.

Renouf, a healthy scratch Thursday, fought Kolesar early in Saturday’s game. Renouf was lauded by Avs coach Jared Bednar and teammates for sticking up for Byram and the rest of the team.

Regardless of whether or not you feel there’s a place for fighting in hockey, it remains part of the game and can serve as a protective deterrent. Renouf’s “police” presence makes opponents think twice about delivering questionable hits because they will have to answer to him.

“Definitely, it’s part of my game. It’s been part of my game ever since I turned pro,” Renouf said of fighting after Wednesday’s morning skate. “I think it’s definitely a need here and I’m definitely willing to do it, whether it’s a fight to stick up for somebody or something to get the boys going. I’m definitely willing to do it.”

Renouf, 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, has 29 career professional fighting majors — 25 in the American Hockey League, according to HockeyFights.com. He’ll play in his 15th NHL game Wednesday — 14th with the Avs this season.

Kolesar knew Renouf was coming on Saturday. “I talked to (Kolesar) in warmups,” Renouf said. “I think he knew it wasn’t a great hit. I knew he had to answer for something like that and wanted to get it out of the way. Hate to see Bo take a hit like that. I definitely wanted to answer.”

The Avs are not as tough and physically opposing as they used to be. They traded 6-foot-6 defenseman Nikita Zadorov in the offseason and, two games into the season, traded 6-1 shutdown defenseman Ian Cole. Defenseman Erik Johnson, 6-4 and 225 pounds, hasn’t played since Jan. 30 because of a likely head injury, and feisty forward Matt Calvert is currently on his third injury stint.

Avalanche forwards Gabe Landeskog, Nazem Kadri, J.T. Compher and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare have extraordinary toughness but fighting isn’t in their DNA like Renouf.

Byram, meanwhile, appears on the mend. Bednar said he skated on his own Tuesday and Wednesday and might be cleared for the weekend home games against the St. Louis Blues.

“The day before (Monday) he had two different workouts, one in the morning and one at night,” Bednar said of Byram. “I still consider him day-to-day. I don’t know when he’s going to go exactly. I guess we’ll probably know a little bit more (Thursday) if he’s going to be an option for us in the weekend games. But he is making progress.”

Footnote. The Avs are going with their same lineup from Monday’s 5-2 victory against the Anaheim Ducks. … Colorado is riding an 11-game points streak (9-0-2) and is 11-2-3 in March. With a win Wednesday, the Avs will set club records for wins (12) and points (27) in a month and tie the record for fewest games to reach 50 points in a season (35).

Denver Post: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186192 Colorado Avalanche Last season, MacKinnon won the Lady Byng Trophy, which is given to the player who best shows sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. He will not defend his crown this coming award season.

A helmet throw, hat trick and first-place team: Nathan MacKinnon and As the Avalanche’s most important forward, MacKinnon doesn’t usually Avs welcome fans back to arena get in fights. The team prefers it that way.

“We’d rather have him not fight, to be honest with you,” Landeskog said. “But at least tonight he kept his gloves on. We don’t want him getting By Peter Baugh Mar 31, 2021 2 hurt.”

In non-skirmish action, Joonas Donskoi logged his second-career hat trick. All three goals came in the first 7:31 of the game, the fastest from For a brief moment, Nathan MacKinnon looked a bit like a bowler on the start of a game in franchise history. His third goal came on a power- skates. Maybe a softball pitcher or a shortstop turning a double play. play one-timer, and caps flew onto the ice in recognition. Regardless, Coyotes forward Conor Garland never saw the ball — er, helmet — coming. “We came out to play,” said Donskoi, the leading scorer of a thriving third line that also includes Tyson Jost and Valeri Nichushkin. “It’s just fun to “Nate is the wrong guy to mess with,” Avalanche captain Gabriel play on this line right now with Josty and Val. I know they’re going to Landeskog said. “When he gets mad, he gets mad.” work their asses off every 60 (minutes).” In a truly bizarre game — one that featured 12 goals, 36 penalty minutes, The only thing that slowed down Donskoi all evening was his skate, as a broken skate and a hat trick that took less than eight minutes — the the plastic holding in one of his blades broke in the second period. He helmet toss stood alone as the lasting moment, one Avalanche fans skated off on one leg, then changed skates in the locker room. won’t forget anytime soon. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic halted the sports world in March 2020, fans entered Ball Arena The Finnish forward, who is second on the team with 15 goals this for a hockey game, and they witnessed quite a show. season, made some fans with his big game. Late in the second period, with the Avalanche’s star-studded top line of Landeskog, MacKinnon and Oh, and the Avalanche’s nine-goal outburst, paired with a Vegas loss, Mikko Rantanen, a fan screamed for a line change from the upper deck. put Colorado into first place in the West Division. (Vegas has played one fewer game and still leads in point percentage despite trailing in points.) “Put in Donskoi!” he yelled, having perhaps consumed a beverage or two on the evening. “Number 72!” MacKinnon’s most recent fight came in the first series of last year’s playoffs when the Avalanche were facing the Coyotes. Frustrated by At the end of the 9-3 bludgeoning, the Avalanche players skated to Arizona’s Lawson Crouse cross-checking defenseman Cale Makar into center ice and raised their sticks in appreciation of the fans. Only one the boards, he slammed Christian Fischer to the ice. So it was hardly a was missing: MacKinnon, who was waiting in the dressing room after his shock that, seven months later, the two division rivals found themselves penalty. in a chippy affair Thursday. Tensions boiled over late in the third when Garland raised his elbow at MacKinnon while fighting for a puck. The cheering fans didn’t seem to mind.

“I think Garland tried to catch Nate off guard there, and Nate didn’t like it,” The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 said Landeskog, who had two goals on the night. “That was the end of that.”

MacKinnon, who took a big hit from Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski earlier in the game, pulled Garland to the ice and appeared to give the forward a noogie as he got to his feet. Garland proceeded to wrestle MacKinnon to the ground, but the Avalanche star managed to wrangle his opponent’s helmet off while falling to the ice. That’s when Landeskog came in, shoving Garland until Coyotes defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin pulled the Colorado captain away.

“We’ve been talking a bit about how we’re going to stand up for each other and play with some toughness,” Avalanche forward Andre Burakovsky said. “It just sends signals to the guys when your top guys go into the scrum.”

With Landeskog out of the way, Garland stood alone by the glass. MacKinnon looked at him, flicked his wrist and sent the forward’s helmet straight into his chest. The helmet hadn’t even hit the ice before the pair of forwards charged at each other, much to the delight of the frontline workers and family members in attendance. Fischer, MacKinnon’s old friend from the playoffs, pulled him away, and the two began jawing as with a referee holding them apart.

The officials handed MacKinnon a 10-minute misconduct penalty. With only 5:19 left in the third period, he headed to the locker room for the remainder of the game. The league could hand MacKinnon further punishment for the helmet toss, but Avalanche coach Jared Bednar doesn’t expect any suspensions.

NATHAN MACKINNON GOT A 10-MIN MISCONDUCT FOR TOSSING CONOR GARLAND'S HELMET AT HIM. PIC.TWITTER.COM/HDQHOGVSUT

— SPORTSNET (@SPORTSNET) APRIL 1, 2021

“I would think that the misconduct would cover it,” said Bednar, whose team is 10-0-2 in its past 12 games. “He might be a little bit lighter in the wallet maybe. But I would think that would be it.”

“I didn’t know it was just 10 minutes for throwing a helmet,” Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said. 1186193 Colorado Avalanche “I think he’ll need some time in the AHL just to adjust to the pro game,” Boston College coach Jerry York told The Athletic. “I think in a fairly short order he’ll contest for a spot on the Avs.”

Alex Newhook signs with Avalanche. Could he contribute this season? Even if Newhook doesn’t debut in the coming months, his dad believes turning pro will help his son going into next season. Newhook will have plenty of opportunity in 2021-2022, as the Avalanche will likely lose one or multiple forwards to either free agency and the expansion draft this By Peter Baugh Mar 31, 2021 4 offseason.

“He’d probably say he’d like to get up for a few games in the NHL (this Making his first public comments as a professional hockey player, season) and get a look at it, see what it’s all about, be around those Avalanche prospect Alex Newhook had to deal with a small distraction: guys,” Shawn Newhook said. “It’s going to be tough. They’ve got a real His computer kept dinging with iMessage notifications. Five came good team, and they’re rolling now, too. He’ll really have to perform down through in the 20 seconds before he figured out how to silence his there (with the Eagles).” device. Corey Pronman, who analyzes prospects for The Athletic, thinks Signing his first professional contract made him a popular guy for the Newhook needs more time to develop before he’s ready for the NHL. Not day. every rookie can shine like Cale Makar did in 2019, when he joined the Avalanche in the playoffs immediately after finishing his second season “I’m really happy to be taking this step now,” said Newhook, who on at UMass Amherst in 2019. Sunday finished his sophomore season at Boston College, where his sister, Abby, will play as a freshman next fall. “Looking at coming back There’s still a lot to like with Newhook, who scored 16 points in 12 games and with my sister coming in and the guys we have here, it was a hard this season. Pronman thinks he could be in more of a position to decision. But I think it was the right one.” contribute after spending some time in the AHL and a summer of training.

Newhook, a forward from St. John’s, Newfoundland, signed a three-year, “I think Alex Newhook can skate with NHL players and he has NHL-level entry-level contract with the team Wednesday and will leave on Thursday skill,” said Pronman, who noted Newhook was a good but not dominant afternoon for Colorado, where he will report to the Colorado Eagles, the college player this season. “There’s no question to me about his Avalanche’s AHL affiliate. The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler ranks him as the attributes translating to the NHL.” top prospect in the Avalanche’s organization. When discussing what areas of his game he hopes to improve, Since Newhook is 20 years old, the NHL Slide Rule does not affect him, Newhook, whom Boston College listed at 5-foot-11, 197 pounds, said he meaning this season will count as the first of his entry-level deal, got physically stronger the past two years. He wants that growth to regardless of if he debuts with the Avalanche or plays only with the continue as he moves to the professional ranks. Eagles. The Avalanche plan to monitor Newhook’s play in the AHL before Shawn Newhook, Alex’s dad, said his son took his time making a final deciding if he’s ready for his NHL debut. decision on whether to sign or go back to Boston College for another “Obviously that’s the end goal: to be with the big club,” Newhook said. year. He wanted to see how he developed and how his season went. But “And it’s something I’m going to continue to work towards every day no as the year went on, Shawn got the sense Alex was leaning toward matter where I’m slotted.” joining the Avalanche. The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 “We had a very serious conversation a couple months ago,” said Paula Newhook, Alex’s mom, who noted that the family stressed education, and her son did well in school. “(He said), ‘Mom, my goal was always the NHL. I’m enjoying school along the way, but I’ve got to go for it.”

“I personally wouldn’t have minded him going back for another year of college,” Shawn told The Athletic on Wednesday. “But I’m fine with the decision. We’re pretty excited about it.”

Boston College’s season came to a close Sunday with a loss to St. Cloud State, and multiple players on the team signed NHL deals this week, including goalie Spencer Knight (Panthers), Mike Hardman (Blackhawks) and new Wild forward Matthew Boldy, Newhook’s roommate and close friend.

“They’re getting a helluva player,” Boldly said of Newhook’s signing. “The way he plays the game and the way he thinks the game is incredible. You really notice it when you’re out there with him and you see the stuff he’s working on. … (He’s) someone who’s quick to adjust to different levels.”

The Avalanche drafted Newhook 16th overall in 2019, and he had a standout first year at Boston College, scoring 42 points in 34 games and earning the Division I Rookie of the Year Award. But the COVID-19 pandemic halted Boston College’s season, and over the past year, Newhook has been able to play only 19 games: 12 with Boston College, seven with Team Canada at World Junior Championships. A shoulder injury limited him at world juniors, where Canada won the silver medal, and forced him to miss a month of the Boston College season.

By turning professional, Newhook, who can play wing or center, will be able to get frequent game reps with the Colorado Eagles, who have 18 games left in their season. The 20-year-old said the number of games left was another reason he signed. It’s possible he makes his NHL debut this season, but he’s still developing and will need to show he’s ready. The Avalanche’s bottom-six forwards are playing well, so there’s not an obvious opening for him. 1186194 Colorado Avalanche For the Avs, goaltender Philipp Grubauer put an end to what has become the best performance of any month in his career. Grubauer made 28 saves, winning his NHL-most 22nd game and improving to 12-2-1 in March — the most wins the Avs have ever had in one month. Avalanche cruise to 9-3 victory over Arizona after a five-goal first period outburst in front of fans The game wasn’t entirely. The Avs took seven minor penalties. They outshot the Coyotes 17-1 midway through the first but three late penalties — one of which Arizona scored on — led to a 12-1 shot advantage for the Coyotes in the final eight minutes. By Aarif Deen - March 31, 2021 Colorado’s penalty kill entered the night second in the NHL (87.3

percent) and successfully killed five-of-six. The roar of the crowd, the energy in the building, the feeling that things The final penalties called were the outcome of a tussle between are slowly returning to normal. The Avalanche welcomed back their MacKinnon and Arizona’s Conor Garland late in the third period. home fans to Ball Arena on Wednesday and what a treat they provided. MacKinnon took exception to Garland’s physicality and the pair began to Colorado exploded for five goals in the first 7:31, led by the club’s fastest wrestle in the corner to the right of Prosvetov before Landeskog and hat-trick in history from Joonas Donskoi (3:27), on its way to thumping other Coyotes players jumped in to help. MacKinnon tossed Garland’s the Arizona Coyotes 9-3 in front of a handful of frontline healthcare helmet at him during the scrum, resulting in a double minor and a 10- workers and season ticket holders. minute misconduct.

The dominating win, combined with a loss for Vegas, also means the Those 14 PIMs alone are more than the 12 MacKinnon had all of last Avalanche are now first in the West Division, at least for tonight. The season on his way to winning the Lady Byng Trophy. Golden Knights have a game in hand on Colorado and trail by one point “He might a little lighter in the wallet, maybe, but I would think that would (50-49) but will play Minnesota tomorrow. be it,” Bednar said of the helmet toss. “First place only counts when the season is over,” Avs coach Jared Landeskog’s willingness to stick up for MacKinnon only proves how much Bednar said. “But it certainly is something we’ve been working towards this team believes in sticking up for one another and take a penalty when and for, trying to chase Vegas down after a little bit of a rocky start. It just the physicality gets ramped up. Even if it involves two-thirds of your top shows that we’re going in the right direction. We talked about it just line. briefly the other day that it wasn’t going to be the be-all-end-all for us but we understand home ice is very important, especially if we’re putting fans “Those two guys, they lead by example,” Donskoi said. “If somebody is back in. getting beat up then the teammate is going to stand up for him. We’ve been on top of that lately.” Nearly everyone on the Avalanche pitched in. Donskoi’s four points led the way. But forwards Gabe Landeskog (two goals, three points), Mikko Donskoi, Landeskog climb the ranks: Donskoi’s hat-trick and Rantanen (goal, three points), Andre Burakovsky (two goals) and Pierre- Landeskog’s two goals increased their season totals to 15 and 14 goals, Edouard Bellemare (goal, two points) accounted for the other goals while respectively — both of which are now top-30 in the NHL. recording multiple points. Superstar Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Sam Girard (two assists, each) also had multi-point efforts for the Avs, Alex Newhook signs: Colorado announced earlier Wednesday that 2019 who extended their unbeaten streak to 12 games (10-0-2). first-round pick Alex Newhook has signed a three-year entry level deal. The former Boston College star was the 2019 NCAA D-1 Rookie of the In all, 14 Colorado players recorded a point. Year.

“We have a really good team, a lot of depth,” Burakovsky said. “Looking He will report to the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League but at the last couple games, every line is basically scoring. It’s not easy to has the ability to dress in six games for the Avalanche before burning the come in here and play against us and we’re just going to keep this up.” first year of his entry-level deal.

After taking in the energy of the pre-game ceremony, the Avs started the milehighsports.com LOADED: 04.01.2021 game with an extra pep in their step. MacKinnon drew an early penalty to send the Avs to the power play. But two minutes after that penalty expired, Donskoi scored his first — sending the fans into a frenzy — to kick things off.

Burakovsky followed that up with a one-timer feed from center Nazem Kadri 27 seconds later. The Coyotes answered back off the ensuing faceoff to cut the lead in half.

But Colorado had more for its fans.

The next three goals spanned just 1:55. And the crowd was finally given a live look-in of the type of hockey the Avs have played nearly the entire month.

The players even fed off the energy of the crowd, celebrating goals just a little harder thanks to the authentic noise only hockey-starved fans could provide.

“I think the fans had a huge effect,” Donskoi said. “Everybody was fired up. We came out to play and we had a good start.”

Donskoi’s hat-trick was the first in a single period for the Avalanche in 11 years. He scored the first, fourth and fifth goal of the outburst, capping the fastest five-goal clip in Avalanche history (3:27).

“What a game — what a first period — what a first seven-and-a-half minutes for him. That was pretty incredible to watch,” Landeskog said of Donskoi. “I even thought watching that first period from the bench he could’ve had a couple more.”

Donskoi’s second tally chased Arizona goalie Adin Hill. He was replaced by Ivan Prosvetov, who made his NHL debut and surrendered five goals on 28 shots. Colorado outshot the Coyotes 38-31. 1186195 Colorado Avalanche heavy support from all players when on defense and a fast breakout up the ice. The trouble is, it requires those types of players to facilitate it.

So for the last five years, the makeup of the squad has slowly adapted to Following the Leader: Jared Bednar is taking the Avalanche to new fit the mold of what this organization considers a Cup contender. heights “Joe [Sakic] and Chris [MacFarland] and their staff have done an amazing job of bringing in players to help us every year and sort of push this thing in the right direction. I feel like we’ve gotten better ever year By Ryan Boulding - March 31, 2021 and now the expectations are as high as they can possibly be for our team,” said Bednar.

Yet for fans, the expectation of winning the Lord Stanley’s silver I remember it like it was yesterday. chalice—whether realistic or simply a goal-pipe dream—is omnipresent. I was at Magness Arena with my outstanding colleague Ron And quality coaching plays as much a factor in a team’s success as any Knabenbauer waiting for an informal practice session to end so we could cohesion—or lack thereof—between the on-ice talent. talk to some returning Colorado Avalanche players and some new So it may come as a surprise to some that, despite two NHL recruits. championships and 25 years in Colorado, at the conclusion of this Before we could even begin to do what we set out for, the phone rang season—his fifth—Jared Bednar will tie Bob Hartley (359 games) as the and we were called back to Pepsi Center. longest tenured coach in team history. Bednar has already surpassed beloved bench boss Marc Crawford (246), legendary game guru and Just like that the era of Patrick Roy was over. mustache mentor (246), Hockey Hall of Famer Roy (246), two-time play caller Tony Granato (215), and oft-maligned It took two tense weeks during August of 2016 for the Avs to pin down pedagogue Joe Sacco (294). and name their next head coach, a minor-league guy hot off the success of a championship with the American Hockey League’s Lake When it comes to winning, Bednar is already at Avs/Norqiques elite Erie Monsters. status and ranks third in franchise history with 167 victories. He trails only Hartley (193) and Michel Bergeron (265)—who coached Quebec for eight Highly regarded and recommended, Jared Bednar became the seventh seasons in the before times. coach in Avalanche history—the 15th for the franchise—and you could immediately tell that his cool and calm demeanor would work to his “It’s cool, third all time with this franchise. They’ve had some good years benefit. And it would have to do, as he had precious little time to prepare here,” superstar forward Nathan MacKinnon said of the accomplishment, for his first season behind an NHL bench. noting that little has changed from Day 1. “He does a better job of holding guys accountable and being intense when he needs to be, but Bedsy’s “There’s going to be definite changes,” the shorter-haired newcomer said still the same guy. An easy going guy. A funny guy. Very approachable, at his introductory press conference. Albeit suddenly thrust into the role, which is great. I think there might be some coaches out there who aren’t he seemed like the right guy for the job nonetheless. as approachable as Bedsy. He tells you what he’s thinking. No mind That much was immediately apparent when he hit the ice a few weeks games or nothing like that.” later for the start of training camp. There was the static-electricity buzz Quick to deflect credit for how far he’s taken the club, Bednar simply that comes with the dawn of a new season, but there was also a different attributes Colorado’s 2021 status (read: Honda West Division structure and feel to how the systems were going to go moving forward. annihilation) to the progress he mentioned during his first day on the job. “It’s about the process for me. So the way that we come to work every “I think we’ve done a good job this year of sort of identifying areas that day, our attention to detail, our compete level, our work ethic; those are we needed to get better at or wanted to get better at through last year’s the things I’m focusing on: our daily habits,” Bednar said during camp. regular season,” he said. “Our team committed to defense and being a “The expectations and where we fall after that, that’s all the results, and better shot-suppression team and chance suppression team. I think it’s we’re going to work on the process, especially early on in the season-be come a long way. The depth of our team has come a long way. You the best version of ourselves and see where it takes us.” know that’s the way we coach our team. We coach our team harder The seeds of change were planted then, but they took a bit longer to take because there’s higher expectations, and we’re just trying to develop the root. The 2016-17 Season That Shall Not Be Named was ultimately a winning habits we need for playoffs.” disastrous affair that saw the burgundy and blue lose 56 of 82 contests “Higher expectations, higher standard of play, more demands on the and even the draft lottery—which ultimately worked out when defensive players, and just trying to keep raising the bar.” wunderkind Cale Makar was selected fourth overall in Chicago. milehighsports.com LOADED: 04.01.2021 Things were bad, but there was only one direction to go from there and Bednar was the guy to lead the charge. The following season, Colorado nearly doubled its wins with 43 and managed to make it into a postseason battle with the Nashville Predators. The following two years saw the Avs surge into second-round playoff exits.

This season, the squad was a betting darling to win the Stanley Cup before the NHL even finalized a path to quarantine play. The Avalanche opened the campaign talking Cup-or-bust mentalities. The team has outshot its opponents 8 million to 300 (an exaggeration, kind of) and outscored damn near everyone west of the Rocky Mountains.

So what’s changed these days, aside from the fact that only six players remain from Bednar’s first in the league?

“Different expectations. Significantly different. I think when I first got here we were sort of in limbo, didn’t know which direction the team was going to go. Our performance my first year was not good,” Bednar said following an optional practice on Tuesday. “We started essentially what I guess you’d call a rebuild, a youth movement. Tried to get players in that fit the system that we wanted to play. We’ve talked about that. We wanted to be young, fast, exciting—sort of a team that mimics the teams that have won the Stanley Cups here. And keep the same identity.”

There was always talk about the style of system that Bednar and assistant coach Nolan Pratt liked to play, an up-tempo game featuring 1186196 Colorado Avalanche “We really missed it as a team and we wanted to put our best foot forward,” Bednar said. “I thought we did that in the first period.”

NEWHOOK SIGNED Hats off: Donskoi scores 3 in 1st, Avs beat Coyotes 9-3 Colorado signed forward Alex Newhook, the 16th overall pick in 2019, to a three-year, entry-level deal. The team assigned him to the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League. By PAT GRAHAM, Associated Press -April 1, 20211 RANTANEN’S MONTH

Rantanen finished March with 13 goals. It was the second-most in DENVER | Joonas Donskoi’s timing was perfect — a hat trick on the very Avalanche history behind Joe Sakic, who had 15 in March 2000. night Colorado Avalanche fans were allowed back into the arena for the first time all season. SCORING SPREE

That way, they could toss their hats onto the ice in celebration. At one point in the first period, the Avs (five) and Coyotes (one) combined for six goals over 3:27, which was the fifth-fastest between two Donskoi scored three times during Colorado’s five-goal first period, and teams in NHL history, according to the league. the Avalanche beat the Arizona Coyotes 9-3 on Wednesday night in front of a smattering of boisterous fans. LONG TRIP

The team invited frontline and health-care workers, first responders, The Coyotes began a nine-game trip. Their next home game is April 17. players’ families and employees into Ball Arena. The last time the Avs That’s a lot of clothes to pack. played in front of a home crowd was on March 11, 2020 — just before the league halted the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Nine dress shirts, just in case I spill a couple of coffees on it,” Tocchet said. It felt like old times. There will be some team activities, too — protocol safe, of course. “The fans were terrific,” Donskoi said. “Everybody was fired up and I think we showed it.” “We’ve got to get our minds off hockey,” Tocchet said. “That last road trip, we were really isolated and I just felt there were just parts of that trip Donskoi secured his second career hat trick over a 3:27 span. It was the when guys were really tense.” second-fastest three-goal spurt by a Colorado/Quebec player in team history. Alain Cote had a hat trick in 2:17 on April 1, 1982, while with the UP NEXT Nordiques. Coyotes: At Anaheim on Friday and Sunday. Andre Burakovsky and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare also scored in a wild first period that included Arizona goals by Michael Bunting and Oliver Avalanche: Host the St. Louis Blues on Friday and Saturday. Ekman-Larsson. LOADED: 04.01.2021 Gabriel Landeskog finished with two goals, Mikko Rantanen added another and Burakovsky scored his second with 3:11 remaining on an assist by Donskoi.

In all, 14 different Avalanche players had at least a point.

Conor Garland also scored for Arizona, which had won three in a row.

“Everyone’s got to, the old cliche, look in the mirror,” Arizona defenseman Alex Goligoski said. “It was bad. I don’t know if anyone really played good out there tonight.”

Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet had a similar reaction.

“It’s a head scratcher,” Tocchet said. “Guys weren’t ready. We weren’t ready. So it’s on me.”

Philipp Grubauer stopped 28 shots for his league-leading 22nd win.

The Avalanche improved to 12-2-3 in March, setting a franchise record for wins in a month.

It also was their 12th straight game with at least a point.

“We knew what kind of team we had and I think we’ve shown it over the last five, six weeks,” Landeskog said.

Arizona goaltender Adin Hill was pulled 6:04 into the game after allowing four goals on 10 shots. He was replaced by Ivan Prosvetov, who allowed five goals.

Things got chippy between Nathan MacKinnon and Garland late in the third. After a tussle, MacKinnon took Garland’s helmet and tossed it at him. MacKinnon drew a misconduct penalty.

As for possible punishment by the league on MacKinnon, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar had his take: “He may have to be a little lighter in the wallet maybe, but I would think that would probably be it.”

Donskoi revved up the crowd by scoring his third goal just 7:31 into the game. About the only thing that slowed him was losing his left skate blade in the second period. He quickly went into the dressing room to get it fixed.

On Friday, ticketed fans will be welcome. 1186197 Colorado Avalanche came after Bunting pick-pocketed Brandon Saad via poke check which set up Connor Garland for a quick wrister.

There were also times where the defense just wasn’t set up to defend Donskoi scores hat trick in just 7:31 of game time en route to 9-3 well in the zone and were chasing for periods of time. Some defensive thrashing of ArizonaPublished 57 mins ago on April 1, 2021 play tonight just looked a bit careless. Obviously, there will be times where certain aspects of play just doesn’t look as up to snuff as it normally does. Tonight was one of those nights, I think, for the D-core. It was a perfect night for it to happen, given the final score. By Reagan Smith Some other aspects from tonight’s game to note: Logan O’Connor never

appeared on the bench from the second period onward. Coach Bednar Well… this game certainly had just about everything. Fans for the first noted that it was a lower-body injury and that it was muscle related. time, a first period hat trick, a dislodged skate, and even a broken pane Nathan MacKinnon’s helmet throw should garner some scrutiny from the of glass. That pane of glass was even replaced within a span of one Department of Player Safety, as well. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a fine minute and 26 seconds of real-time. So someone needs to buy the ice arise from that. crew a beer, they deserve it. All of this on the way to an Avalanche 9-3 Milestones and things to note: thrashing of the Arizona Coyotes. Overall, tonight was probably the weirdest games I have ever seen from whistle to whistle. Donskoi’s hat trick is the second-fastest in franchise history. But it is the fastest hat trick to start a game in franchise history. Obviously, the focal point of the night will be on Joonas Donskoi. Donskoi netted his second career hat trick before I even had a chance to finish my Donskoi’s four points equal his career-best against Chicago in 2019. dinner. How fast did he score his three goals? Well, he did it in 3:27 of ice time and just 7:31 into the entire game. Makes you wonder if Donkey 14 different players recorded a point tonight. used to work at Jimmy Johns because that three-goal delivery was freaky Rantanen led the league in points (25) and goals (13) during the month fast. of March. “We came out to play and we had a good start,” Donskoi said. “It’s just Landeskog has scored 17 points in his last 10 games and finished fun to play on this line right now with [Tyson] Josty and Val [Nichuskin]. I second in the league (behind Rantanen) in points scoring during the know that they’re going to work their ass off every shift… I got a couple of month of March with 24. bounces and rebounds and was able to put them in the back of the net. Playing with those two guys is super fun right now.” MacKinnon’s two assists tonight put him to 15 total during the month of March. However, Donskoi’s hatty wasn’t the fastest hat trick in franchise history. That title belongs to Alain Cote of the Quebec Nordiques when he scored Grubauer picked up his 12th win of March which ties an NHL record for his in just 2:17 of ice time against the Boston Bruins. It is, however, the most wins in a single month. fastest hat trick to begin a game in franchise history. The Avs’ 12 wins during March is the most wins in a single month in Donskoi has scored 15 goals this season, good enough for second franchise history. behind Rantanen and puts him one shy of his career-high (set last year). He’s doing all of this while playing on the third line. The Avs are on a 12 game point streak, going 10-0-2 in that span.

“You have to have depth scoring,” Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar The Avalanche scored 27 points during March which is the most amount said. “…Donny is one of those guys. He’s always doing the right thing of points in one month in franchise history. and trying to play the right way. Sacrificing whatever he has to in order to Colorado hockey now LOADED: 04.01.2021 help the team win. So, I love seeing him get rewarded.”

To use a ridiculously bad and overused pun, the Avalanche laid an Avalanche of goals on Yotes’ netminders Adin Hill (4) and Ivan Prosvetov (5). Tonight was Prosvetov’s first NHL minutes, too. What a harsh welcome into the league it was.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Andre Burakovsky, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen all joined Donskoi on the goal fest. In fact, Landeskog and Burakovsky loved it so much, they scored twice.

The Masters

From an offensive perspective, it was a game to remember. 14 different players recorded a point. It was especially a first period that will stick in the minds of fans for years to come. Primarily for the few thousands of frontline workers who were in attendance for the first time in over a year.

“It was a lot of fun,” Bednar said. “You could tell our guys were excited by it by the way we came out. It’s just so much different playing in front of fans. And we miss it as a team. We wanted to put our best foot forward and I thought we did that in the first period.”

Ball Arena opens its doors to the general public for Avalanche games on Friday against the St. Louis Blues.

The scoreline is yet another indicator of how scary the Avalanche team can be when they’re hot. And they are HOT. 10-0-2 in their last 12 games, while Rantanen scored 25 points in the month of March. Landy had 24. More interesting stats in the “Milestones and things to note” area, below!

If there was any weak point in the Avalanche’s play tonight, I think the finger would be pointed at the defense. I think this was the first time in a long while that the blueliners looked… well, human. Arizona’s opening goal on the first shot of the game from Michael Bunting came after Bunting blew past Cale Makar who seemed to have lost track of where the puck was. Meanwhile, the Coyote’s third and final goal of the evening 1186198 Colorado Avalanche

Alex Newhook signs first pro contract with AvalanchePublished 10 hours ago on March 31, 2021

By Adrian Dater

The cell phone of Alex Newhook chimed so many times while doing a Zoom call with local media just now, he had to silence it just to get through the rest of the interviews. Such things happen, I guess, when you sign a multi-million pro contract for the first time.

Newhook, the 2019 first-round draft pick of the Avalanche (16th overall) signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Avalanche this afternoon. He will first report to the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League and play there, but he will be eligible to play for the Avalanche this season and into the playoffs should the Avs want to tap his services.

Per PuckPedia, here are the terms of the deal:

The #GoAvsGo signed 20 y/o #16 Pick Newhook to 3 yr ELC, starts 20- 21. Yr 1 burned this yr

Yr 1: $782.5K Base, $92.5K SB, $50K GP Bonus

Yr 2-3: $832.5K/$92.5K/$850K A Perf Bonuses

Cap Hit $908K AAV $1.49M

16P in 12 NCAA GP

Rep'd Capizzano @QuartexxHockeyhttps://t.co/L5FUzX8ZMM

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 31, 2021

Because Newhook is 20, his contract can’t “slide” for a year, meaning he’ll be a restricted free agent after his first three years of pro hockey – including however much he plays the rest of this season.

Newhook called it a “hard decision” to forego his final two years of eligibility with the Boston College Eagles, but said “I think it’s the right time for me to move on.”

Newhook played for Canada in the most recent World Junior Championships. He posted 58 points in 46 games for Boston College in his two years there. A left-handed shot centerman, if Newhook plays at all for the Avs this season could come down to the team’s injury situation and/or whether they have some games to burn toward the end of the regular season. It’s probably a nice feeling for Jared Bednar to know he has one of the game’s top young forward prospects available should a glass case fire alarm or two needs to be broken.

The Masters

Alex Newhook still faces some questions about his size (5-11, about 180), but his dimensions are pretty much the same as another center taken 15th overall in a draft one year. That player would be Joe Sakic, with Quebec in 1987.

“I think I’m ready to make the jump to pro hockey,” said Newhook, a native of Newfoundland.

A couple of Newhook’s Boston College teammates (goalie Spencer Knight, Florida; Matt Boldy, Minnesota) also made the jump to pro hockey the last day or so. Newhook’s decision to leave Boston College was made tougher by the fact that his sister, Abby, will be an incoming freshman this fall and play for the Eagles.

I was in Vancouver on the day Newhook was drafted by the Avs, so here’s my story on him from that day, which give more details about his upbringing.

We’ll have more on Newfie tonight…

Colorado hockey now LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186199 Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche notebook: Donskoi on first PP unitPublished 13 hours ago on March 31, 2021

By Adrian Dater

Hello from Ball Arena, where the Colorado Avalanche host the Arizona Coyotes for what seems like the 50th time this season. A couple of items of note from an otherwise ordinary morning skate:

Joonas Donskoi is now the pivot man on the first power-play unit, with Nazem Kadri dropping to the second unit. The Avs are currently 12th in the NHL on the power play (22.8%). Kadri has gone four straight games without a point, though his numbers are still pretty good on the season (25 points in 34 games).

Philipp Grubauer will get another start in goal. Hey, as long as Grubi likes the workload and doesn’t get hurt, things are fine with this. But it’s kind of another indictment on the backup goalie situation, isn’t it? Jonas Johansson hasn’t seen the net since the March 23 game he played in Arizona (5-4 shootout loss).

Trade deadline is April 12….

This is your lineup for tonight:

Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen

Saad-Kadri-Burakovsky

Nichushkin-Jost-Donskoi

The Masters

Compher-Bellemare-O’Connor

D

Toews-Makar

Girard-MacDonald

Graves-Renouf

Grubauer in goal

NOTEBOOK: Game is at 7:30 tonight …. Health care workers, first responders, family and friends will be in the stands tonight. Friday’s game, the rest of the general public is allowed in. Or, at least 4,050 of the general public. “We’re looking forward to it,” Jared Bednar said. … Arizona’s Phil Kessel is on a five-game point streak (5-3-8). … The Coyotes are at the start of a nine-game road trip. … Adin Hill will start in goal for Arizona. … Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet also said Drake Caggiula will be replaced in the lineup by Michael Bunting. … Avs are - 310 favorites on the moneyline to win outright at SuperBook Colorado, and there is a great big boost in the payout odds if both teams score in the first period, up to +250!

Colorado hockey now LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186200 Columbus Blue Jackets Line change It didn’t take long for Tortorella to scrap the fourth line he’d lauded a

week earlier, assigning forwards Stefan Matteau and Ryan MacInnis Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella plans to keep game plan simple for back to the taxi squad on consecutive days. stretch run MacInnis, who’d centered Matteau and Robinson, was the second of those transactions after struggling in the Jackets’ 4-1 loss Sunday to the Red Wings. The trio lasted just five games as a group and MacInnis Brian Hedger skated with Robinson and Riley Nash on Sunday.

“I thought they had some really good games early,” Tortorella said. “What they have to cross now is to sustain that and if there is a struggle in a TAMPA, Fla. — The issues are numerous for the Blue Jackets this game or the game isn’t the best you can be … it can’t fall off as much as season. A collection of new faces is one of them. I thought it did, as our last game in Detroit. That’s part of a process as a The Jackets’ roster has undergone a significant makeover since last young player trying to break into the league. Hopefully at some time it will season, starting with an offseason trade that sent Josh Anderson to just stick and you’re a National Hockey Leaguer.” Montreal and an early-season blockbuster that sent disgruntled center Cannon fodder Pierre-Luc Dubois to Winnipeg. Recently-acquired defenseman Mikko Lehtonen made his Blue Jackets’ So familiar names went elsewhere, new blood arrived, and thus launched debut on Tuesday, skating with Dean Kukan on the third defense pairing. an ongoing struggle for the Blue Jackets’ coaching staff to fully integrate Lehtonen wore No. 43 because the number he started the year with in the new players. Now they’ve changed their approach for the stretch run Toronto, No. 46, belongs to Kukan. … Patrik Laine’s goal drought this season, which is now down to 19 games before a game Thursday extended to nine games Tuesday and the sharpshooting forward against Tampa Bay. attempted only one shot – which missed the net – in his 13:12 night. "With the new personnel, I think we’ve given them too much," coach John Lane has one goal, three assists and four points in the past 17 games. Tortorella said Tuesday after a 3-1 victory over the Lightning. “I think Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.01.2021 there are too many things that need to be fixed and you can’t fix them all. So we are going to simplify things and get back to defending the proper way and being hard the proper way — and whatever comes off of that comes off of that.”

Team won despite being outshot 38-21

On Tuesday, that approach yielded a lopsided shot count favoring the Lightning, who put 38 shots on net compared with 21 for the Blue Jackets. The Jackets, though, picked up a much-needed win after dropping back-to-back games over the weekend in Detroit.

They remain a flawed team, which is established by this point, but that doesn’t mean Columbus can’t stay competitive in a four-horse race for the final playoff spot in the NHL’s Central Division.

“I want us to concentrate on a couple of things and try to get some sort of identity, some sort of a feeling that this is who we are,” Tortorella said. “I think that’s important in the last month of the season if we’re going to have any sniff of putting some wins together.”

Triumphant return

Zac Dalpe went over the boards 1:55 into Tuesday’s game, the 31-year- old veteran’s first NHL shift since Nov. 15, 2018 with the Blue Jackets.

That first, 37-second shift might have felt like the blink of an eye for Dalpe, as did the other 11 he pulled as Tortorella’s fourth-line center, but he savored every moment. After sustaining a season-ending knee injury in November 2019, Dalpe has struggled to return to the ice anywhere, let alone the top league in the world.

“I talked to my wife (Monday) night, because I had a feeling that I might be in, and there was maybe one point during my rehab of my last surgery where she was helping me get into bed (and) I didn’t know if I’d ever play again,” Dalpe said. “I was down in the dumps. But I always worked hard when no one was watching and I’m excited to get this opportunity — 31 years old, still knocking at the door to play in this league.”

Dalpe logged 7 minutes, 42 seconds on a line that included speed demons Eric Robinson and Liam Foudy as his wingers. Dalpe finished with one shot, one hit, two blocked shots and went 1 for 5 on face-offs.

When he learned he was in the lineup, Dalpe set up a FaceTIme call with his two sons, the younger of whom is 2 and is just realizing what his father does for a living.

“My youngest has never seen me play at this level, so I wanted to get back so he thinks daddy’s a somewhat good hockey player,” Dalpe said.

Bjorkstrand misses practice

The Blue Jackets practiced Wednesday at Amalie Arena without Oliver Bjorkstrand, their leading scorer. Bjorkstrand, who scored his 13th goal of the season Tuesday, has a "non-COVID illness," and is questionable to play Thursday against the Lightning. 1186201 Columbus Blue Jackets which Savard said he’d “joked around” about Monday with Seth Jones and Zach Werenski.

“It’s kind of funny that it happened in this building,” Savard said. “It was Surviving the storm: Takeaways from the Blue Jackets' latest upset of the nice to finally get one. I was getting more chances, more shots through, Lightning so it was going to come at some point. It just felt good.”

Tortorella said the goal was predicted by assistant coach Brad Shaw, who works primarily with the defensemen. Brian Hedger “Shawzy called it before the game,” Tortorella said. “He said Savy was going to score. Really good play by Tex. Obviously a big goal.”

Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and defenseman David Savard Dynamic duo celebrate after defeating Tampa Bay on Tuesday. The win kept the Jackets three points back in the playoff race. The Blue Jackets’ top defensive pair of Werenski and Jones began to work off each other more in the offensive zone. TAMPA, Fla. — The only numbers that mattered to the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night at Amalie Arena were two, three and one. Jones set up at least two of Werenski’s four shots and the latter sparked the game’s first goal on a shot from the blue line that Oliver Bjorkstrand They earned two points in the Central Division standings because they tipped into the net in the second period. scored three goals and held the Tampa Bay Lightning to one in a huge 3- 1 victory the visitors needed after an abysmal weekend in Detroit. “I think Zach makes a really good play in getting that shot through on Bjorkstrand's goal," Tortorella said. "(The Lightning) have layers. They’re According to naturalstattrick.com, the Lightning launched 62% of the very good at defending those type of plays. I thought he had some attempted shots at even strength (57-35). The Lightning topped the Blue deception to it. It’s tough to get shots through and I thought he played Jackets 38-21 in shots on goal, including 36-20 at even strength. Tampa well.” Bay also doubled up Columbus in even-strength scoring chances (30- 15), generated two more high-danger scoring chances (7-5) and had the Lehtonen impresses puck much of the game. Mikko Lehtonen was solid in his Blue Jackets debut, skating on the third They just didn’t win. defense pairing with Dean Kukan.

That category went to Columbus, which kept pace with Nashville and Lehtonen, acquired Mar. 12 in a trade that sent goalie Veini Vehvilainen Chicago in a race for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division. The to the Toronto Maple Leafs, played 16:07 that included 1:04 killing Blue Jackets stayed three points back of those teams thanks largely to penalties. Lehtonen also had two shots on three attempts, two hits and goalie Elvis Merzlikins (37 saves) and a better overall effort as a team blocked a shot. than they had in back-to-back losses to the cellar-dwelling Red Wings. Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was unable to get “Against (the Lightning), you’re never going to stop them and keep them Lehtonen’s signature as a free agent leaving the Kontinental Hockey in their end zone,” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. “They’re a League last offseason, but eventually landed the intriguing puck-mover – good club and they turned it on us in the second period, and that’s where who put up big numbers in the KHL the past two seasons as an offensive I thought our goaltending was a very big part for us.” defenseman for and has played extensively for Finland internationally. Their resolve was too. “I loved his competitiveness,” said coach John Tortorella, who was also Here are more takeaways: impressed with Lehtonen’s skating. “I like what he looks like when I look at him before the game. He is ready to play. I don’t know much about Merzlikins masterful him. Jarmo told me that’s one thing. He is a professional. I watched how Rather than an exuberant victory leap into captain Nick Foligno’s arms, he warmed up, underneath here before we go on the ice. I like a lot of Merzlikins could barely get his skates off the ice after the final horn. He things about his preparation.” had to be exhausted after a busy night that followed back-to-back starts Lehtonen had three assists and a plus-1 rating in nine games with the in Detroit — making seven saves in the first, 20 in the second and Maple Leafs, who never played him in more than two games allowing just one bad-bounce goal on 11 shots in the third. consecutively. He was assigned to Toronto’s taxi squad at the time of the Merzlikins also made a terrific glove save in the third against star forward trade and hadn’t played since Feb. 24 against Calgary. Steven Stamkos, whose one-timer from the left circle would have tied it “This guy hasn’t played a lot of hockey for a while, so I thought he played with 1:54 left and the Lightning net empty. very well tonight,” Tortorella said. “It was pretty obvious that a player like Stamkos (that) if they are taking Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.01.2021 out the goalie, he’s going to shoot it,” Merzlikins said. “He’s not just going to shoot it. He’s going to rocket that shot, and that’s what he did. I never had the chance to (face) a one-timer from Stamkos (before), so I got it, I know how it is and I can tell you it’s pretty strong.”

Savard's drought ends

Look no further for evidence of the “hockey gods” than David Savard’s goal late in the second period.

The Jackets’ stout, bearded, shot-blocking machine finally ended a goal drought that began after his tally April 10, 2019 at Amalie Arena in Game 1 of the Blue Jackets’ historic sweep of the Lightning. It was even longer in terms of regular-season goals, stretching back exactly two years to when Savard had last scored one March 30, 2019, in Nashville – a dry spell that spanned 107 games.

Savard's drought was older than his youngest of three children, born midway through last season.

After snapping home a shot off a pass from Alexandre Texier with 32 seconds left in the second period, Savard thrust both arms into the air. He was quickly mobbed by overjoyed teammates and smiled all the way to the bench. The drought was snapped in the same building it began, 1186202 Dallas Stars Nill said the current six-game road trip through Nashville, Carolina and Chicago will dictate which direction the team wants to go at the trade deadline, whether buying or selling.

As Ben Bishop nears a return, Stars GM Jim Nill sheds light on the future “When we come out of this trip, it’ll be close to the deadline on April 12th of Dallas’ goalie situation and we’ll know where we’re sitting pretty well by then,” Nill said. “The games are going by fast, we’re playing every second day, so we’ll have a good feel of where our team’s at. And then also, over this next week, 10 days, have a good feel of where the league’s at.” By Matthew DeFranks1:47 PM on Mar 31, 2021 CDT The Stars have options if they choose to become sellers. Jamie Oleksiak,

Blake Comeau and Andrew Cogliano are on expiring contracts. Esa In seven more games, the Stars and general manager Jim Nill will know Lindell’s no movement clause kicks in next season. John Klingberg is the where they stand at the April 12 trade deadline, whether they will be team’s most attractive trade chip. adding for a playoff push or subtracting to reset next season. While shipping out rentals at the trade deadline is often the least messy Either way, it doesn’t seem like the team’s goaltending will be on the move, Nill said his options aren’t limited to small deals. move. “You never know, is there going to be a hockey trade that makes sense “That’s going to be more of a summer situation,” Nill said Wednesday for both teams?” Nill said. “We’re open to anything, and I think that’s what morning. “We’ll monitor that as we go forward. I wouldn’t say that teams are trying to figure out right now.” goaltending is something we’re thinking we’re going to do something at Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.01.2021 the deadline right now.”

The Stars crease could become crowded in the last month of the regular season, with Ben Bishop returning from offseason knee surgery to join Anton Khudobin and rookie Jake Oettinger. Bishop has begun skating again, but a firm timeline for his return isn’t set.

“Now he’s got to get into the goaltending position, there’s a lot of up and down and real quick reactions,” Nill said. “That’s the next process he’s got to go through. Is he two weeks, three weeks, four weeks away? I don’t know. We’re just going to monitor that and see how it goes.”

Oettinger, meanwhile, has proved capable during his first NHL season, posting a .909 save percentage and 2.34 goals against average across 17 games. At one point this year, he started four straight games, and seemed to move past Khudobin on the depth chart.

His quick development is a huge positive for the Stars in the long term. While his first season hasn’t been perfect (rebounds have been too loose at times, and extra time has been a struggle), Oettinger is ahead of schedule for where the Stars thought he would be.

“He’s come in and done a great job,” Nill said. “I think he’s grabbed the situation of being at this level, understanding what it takes. The work ethic is there, he’s had a chance to work with [coach] Jeff Reese on goaltending. He’s worked with Ben Bishop and Dobby, they’ve helped him along. I think he’s done a great job.”

In the short term, Oettinger’s play will force the Stars to do some juggling in net.

When Bishop comes back, he will be the No. 1 goaltender. Khudobin and Oettinger have been serviceable, but will not be starting over a Vezina- caliber goaltender, even one coming off knee surgery. The Stars could rotate three goalies, opting to play Oettinger every now and then rather than have him sit on the taxi squad or play in the AHL.

“We have plans in place, but those change every day, either because of the injuries or COVID results,” Nill said. “You never know. We’ll monitor that as we go. Put it this way: It’d be a good problem to have if you’ve got all three guys back.”

Khudobin’s future is the murkiest.

He will be exposed in this summer’s expansion draft, as Bishop has a no movement clause and Oettinger is not eligible. Even with the down year this season, Khudobin may be the most attractive piece for the Kraken to take (unless they’re already set at goaltender with Brayden Holtby or Jake Allen or Antti Raanta). It would be nice for Seattle to take Khudobin off the Stars’ hands, clearing a path for Oettinger and removing the final two years of his $3.333 million cap hit.

But the Stars can’t rely on Seattle doing that, especially if they decide to poach a forward like Jason Dickinson or Joe Pavelski from the Stars. So might the Stars want to trade Khudobin instead? Plenty of teams need goaltending, but the complicating factors of the pandemic (league protocols regarding travel plus financial restrictions from owners) and the expansion draft could make it tough for Dallas to find a trading partner in a couple weeks. 1186203 Dallas Stars

Injured Stars: Tyler Seguin close to practicing; Roope Hintz, Alexander Radulov face possible surgery

By Matthew DeFranks1:35 PM on Mar 31, 2021 CDT

Injured Stars forward Tyler Seguin is close to practicing with the rest of the team, general manager Jim Nill said Wednesday morning.

Seguin has been skating on his own for three weeks at the team’s practice facility in Frisco, rehabbing from hip surgery on Nov. 2 to repair a torn labrum. Seguin has not played this season, but Nill said the team almost sent Seguin on its current six-game road trip through Nashville, Carolina and Chicago.

“His next step now is to get on the ice with the team,” Nill said. “He was close to joining the team on this trip, but we thought it was better for him to stay back in Frisco, work with our training staff back there, work on more specific things.”

Dealing with injured players on the road is much more difficult than at home this season. The Stars practiced Wednesday, but full team practices on the road have been rare. Visiting teams also may not even have access to ice every day on the road.

At the in Frisco, the Stars have space for Seguin to rehab and ice for him to skate on every day.

“When we get back off this trip, he should be available to start skating with the team,” Nill said. “That’ll decide what his time frame is. Once he gets with the team, starts skating into battles and that, we’ll have a good feel for where he’s at.”

The Stars return from their current trip after playing the Blackhawks on April 8, but — thanks to an afternoon game and a weekend back-to-back — may not skate as a team until April 13. Nill said the idea would be for Seguin to skate with the taxi squad and then during morning skates since practice time is so limited.

The Stars have missed Seguin in myriad ways this season: on the top line when Roope Hintz has been out of the lineup, on the power play in the left circle, on the penalty kill taking faceoffs on the right side, in overtime with open ice and in shootouts, where he converts about half of his chances.

When the current road trip ends, the Stars will have 18 games remaining.

Surgery possible for Radulov and Hintz: Forwards Alexander Radulov and Hintz have been in and out of the Stars lineup this season, each hampered by a nagging lower-body injury. Nill said both would need time to fully heal, and that surgery for both could also be a possibility.

“They’ve been fighting this all year,” Nill said. “This started to happen back in training camp. They’ve done a great job of managing through it. The trainers have done a great job managing through it.

“Once again, it’s a daily thing. Each day we come to the rink, we don’t know if they’re going to play or not. At the end of the season, we’ll have to sit down with the medical staff and the possibility of surgery, yes.”

Nill said Radulov and Hintz are suffering from different injuries.

The Stars and Nill will know where they stand at the end of the road trip, and whether they’ll add or subtract at the trade deadline. If they are sellers, would Radulov and Hintz get surgery earlier?

“We’ll monitor that as we go forward,” Nill said. “The players have a good feel for how they feel, their availability for games. We’ll monitor that. Right now, our focus is just winning one game at a time on the road and we’ll adjust as we move forward.”

Radulov is not on the road trip, instead rehabbing in Frisco. Radulov has not played since March 18 and has been out for 22 of the last 25 games.

“He’s better off to be back there rehabbing,” Nill said. “If he is, towards the end of the trip, feeling better, we can always get him in by chartering a flight in.”

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186204 Dallas Stars worked. So, when Bowness is speechless about an egregious all-around play after the game that directly resulted in the game-losing goal, he’s not throwing him under the bus. When Joel Kiviranta had a horrible turnover in his own zone in a 3-2 loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets on In season of struggles, Denis Gurianov’s overtime mistake proved fatal to March 4, Bowness said after the game, “Well, he is a kid, and he made a Stars mistake. … That’s what comes with it when you play a lot of young players. They are going to make some mistakes, and they have to know

that if they make a mistake, they are going to go right back out.” By Saad Yousuf Mar 30, 2021 89 In his second full NHL season, the bar is higher for Gurianov, especially with all of the injuries the team is dealing with, where they are in the standings and what stage the season is in. Gurianov was supposed to be If you didn’t understand what Denis Gurianov was trying to do in overtime providing goals at a consistent rate this season. If that’s not working for against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, join the club. him, the least he could do is not give away goals to the other team. That’s what happened in overtime Tuesday. “I have no — I don’t know,” a visibly perturbed said. “I don’t know. That was a gift. That’s all I’m going to say on that. That was a Observations complete gift.” • Staying on Gurianov, it wouldn’t surprise me if Gurianov was a healthy One year after leading the team in goals during the regular season, and scratch for a game or two, especially if elements of his game don’t seven months since scoring six goals in a six-game playoff series against change. It may not be possible because the Stars don’t exactly have the Calgary, Gurianov has six goals in 33 games this season. His scoring luxury of a full arsenal of forwards but it’s certainly a possibility. As prowess has faded and his offensive game has mostly been stuck in the mentioned above, two weeks ago, he was held out entirely in overtime mud. Exactly two weeks earlier, the Stars went to overtime against the against the reigning Stanley Cup champions. A week after that, against Tampa Bay Lightning and Gurianov didn’t even step on the ice in the the Predators, Benn got the nod to take a shot in a shootout over extra period, with Bowness saying he “didn’t like Denis’ game at all,” Gurianov. offensively and defensively. Scratching Gurianov wouldn’t change anything in terms of his role in the Well, he played in overtime Tuesday night and there was a lot to dislike, big picture and it wouldn’t mean he’s not one of the team’s top 12 offensively and defensively. With the Stars in their 12th overtime game of forwards because, obviously, he is. Even though it would come off as the season, tied 2-2 against the surging Predators, Gurianov drifted into being in Bowness’ doghouse, that’s not necessarily the case, either. the boards and made the curious decision to dump the puck behind the Watching a couple of games from the press box could be beneficial for net. Now, the Stars dump and chase often but to do it in that situation is him. The game appears slower and there’s a better picture of the entire just a bad hockey play and not something Gurianov is coached to do. He ice when watching from up top so the player can see how much space he was cornered by two Nashville players and both of his teammates were really has when he’s in the game. It can work for players on a number of behind him at the blue line. levels, from just being able to take a breather in this ridiculous schedule to seeing the game in a different way. Exhibit A for the Stars in this Dumping the puck in behind the goal is exactly what Bowness said it strategy is Robertson this season. After the first two games of the was, “a gift.” The game moves so much faster in overtime with all of the season, fans were asking questions about his ability to simply exist in the extra space, giving away possessions like that is simply unacceptable. NHL at this point in his career. He had a couple of quick trips to the taxi “It’s puck possession is what it is,” Bowness said. “Overtime is puck squad and watched some games from the top and now, he’s a legitimate possession. When they’re tired, you bring it back in the neutral zone, you Calder Trophy candidate. hang on and make some plays. Try to hem them in their zone. You do At 23 years old, Gurianov is still a young player and he’s shown that he not give them the puck back.” has the talent to be an impact player in the NHL. Even in the past few “It’s all about maintaining puck possession, and when you don’t have it, games, including earlier in the game Tuesday, Gurianov has had you can’t score,” Jason Robertson said. “You’ve just got to keep looking opportunities to score that just haven’t gone in. It can be a tricky forward to getting the puck, trying to strip it off of them.” proposition because as a coach, you don’t want to risk damaging his confidence but Bowness is a good communicator and if he can properly “We just have to hold on to the puck more and get good speed,” Roope convey the message, a recharge can be good for Gurianov and for the Hintz said. “That way, we should get more opportunities.” team.

That wasn’t even the end of the disaster for Gurianov, though. The player • The Stars played a fantastic first period and dominated across the above who is undercutting Gurianov along the boards is . board. They nearly doubled up the Predators on shots on goal, 13-7, and After Gurianov dumps it and Alexandre Carrier sets it up for Nashville had a 5-1 advantage in high-danger scoring chances, according to behind the net, Gurianov starts floating in no man’s land and watching Natural Stat Trick. Despite that, the teams went to intermission scoreless. Carrier. Jamie Benn was looping around to pick up Carrier and pointed Dallas came out and had nearly as good a second period but this time, for Gurianov to get back on defense to pick up his man, Tolvanen, who they put two goals on the board. Nashville also got a power-play goal in had already begun streaking down the ice and was comfortably behind the period so the Stars had only a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes but if they Gurianov. All it took was one pass from Carrier to Viktor Arvidsson, who could have even gotten one goal, let alone a couple, in the first period, passed it through John Klingberg’s stick to a wide-open Tolvanen, with the entire dynamic of the game could have changed. Gurianov trailing, for an easy breakaway goal and a 3-2 win. • The Stars have had trouble all season finding key goals and key saves When you’re the player who created the situation with a bad giveaway to preserve or extend one-goal leads. Khudobin gave Dallas a great save and you’re one of the fastest skaters on the team, not getting burnt the in the third period but the Stars couldn’t find that key goal to push the other way shouldn’t be too much of an ask. lead to 3-1. Instead, Nashville quickly responded and scored a goal of its Teams don’t often lose because of one play and that was true for the own to tie the game 2-2. Stars on Tuesday in Nashville. They played a strong first period but • Robertson’s incredible season continues to add new chapters. He couldn’t score and then fell off in the third period after a strong second. scored the first goal of the game to give the Stars a 1-0 lead, on assists Late in the third period, they probably should have lost when the crossbar from Miro Heiskanen and Gurianov. behind Anton Khudobin somehow helped keep the puck out of the net. Even on that final play, there’s certainly a valid point to be made that In the final game of March, that gave Robertson his 16th point of the Klingberg should have disrupted Arvidsson sooner and maybe even used month, tying him with Jere Lehtinen from February 1996 for most points his stick to break up the game-winning pass from Arvidsson to Tolvanen. in a month by a rookie in Stars history since the franchise relocated to Dallas. Not bad company to keep. There’s a lot of blame to go around, but laying it at the feet of Gurianov is not misdirected because he’s not a rookie. He’s a player who, coming In case you missed it, I detailed Robertson’s critical offseason in a into the season, was looked upon to be one of the team’s top offensive feature earlier this week, which dives into his dietary changes which weapons, especially with the rash of injuries to Tyler Seguin, Alexander helped him lose 21 pounds, on-ice workouts that transformed his stride Radulov and even Hintz. He’s been given the opportunities, playing on and skating and more. the top line with the best playmakers on the team, but none of it has • It’s so repetitive but worth mentioning every time that this team is so visibly different when Hintz is in the lineup. He played again Tuesday and scored on the power play in the second period. It was a great sequence, with Klingberg finding Heiskanen in the spot where Gurianov is usually set up. Heiskanen let a one-timer rip and Hintz cleaned up the rebound.

• Tuesday was bad for the Stars in the standings. Not only did they lose to Nashville, one of three teams they’re chasing for the final playoff spot in the Central, but the other two teams, Chicago and Columbus, upset Carolina and Tampa Bay, respectively.

Morning skate musings

After the morning skate, Bowness revealed that Radulov is not even with the team as it begins a six-game road trip. At the beginning of this most recent injury absence, Radulov began as a “day-to-day” designation, much like he did in early February. That first time, he ended up missing 15 games. Bowness previously said that this time around, the injury was believed to keep Radulov out for a shorter term but that looks doubtful, at this point. He’s already missed the past seven games and given the complications of flying in a player on the road due to COVID-19 restrictions, there’s a decent chance he doesn’t play the next five games either, which would make it 12 consecutive games missed. If he was close to playing, it would make sense to at least come on the trip and be an option in the upcoming games. It’s still a possibility he plays but it won’t be Thursday and probably not too soon after that, either.

Personnel

Andrej Sekera missed the game for personal reasons. Mark Pysyk found out Tuesday morning that he would be going into the lineup as part of the third pairing. With Hintz playing, the SuperLine of Robertson, Hintz and Joe Pavelski was reunited and they looked good again, created quality chances and scoring a goal. Ty Dellandrea re-entered the lineup and Bowness removed Radek Faksa from the traditional FCC line and had him centering Benn and Gurianov, with Jason Dickinson taking his place centering Andrew Cogliano and Blake Comeau. Here’s what the full lineup looked like:

Jason Robertson — Roope Hintz — Joe Pavelski

Jamie Benn — Radek Faksa — Denis Gurianov

Andrew Cogliano — Jason Dickinson — Blake Comeau

Tanner Kero — Rhett Gardner — Ty Dellandrea

Esa Lindell — John Klingberg

Jamie Oleksiak — Miro Heiskanen

Joel Hanley — Mark Pysyk

Anton Khudobin

The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021

1186205 Detroit Red Wings lessen the gap and offer safe transportation between ... going to Ferndale, Royal Oak and Birmingham so you can have dinner in one place and catch a show at (the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre) with the same transportation company." A new, free way for you to get around downtown Detroit launches on Tigers' Opening Day The GEST Cart company also expects to sign on franchises in Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver and Seattle.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.01.2021 Chanel Stitt

Starting on the Thursday, the Tigers' Opening Day, you may start seeing a large golf cart driving 25 mph in the streets of downtown.

GEST Carts, a golf cart service, will take you where you need to go in and around downtown Detroit — for free.

The company is a franchise that is already up and running in Cincinnati and Chicago.

Detroit franchise co-founder Damon Dickens felt the new rides would be perfect for his hometown.

"I had seen the GEST brand and the product in Cincinnati and the first thing that came to my mind was this would work in downtown Detroit," said Dickens, a Detroit native. "It was just a light bulb that went off in my head that this would work at home."

Dickens and his wife, Kaia Dickens, are both co-founders of the Detroit franchise and the company is now the third operator of GEST Carts. The graduates of Henry Ford High School said they wanted to be a part of the growth of the city as a Black-owned business providing a free service to the community and its visitors.

Damon Dickens said this service is perfect for those who may not have had the opportunity to spend time in the city.

"I'm very keen on helping out others," Damon Dickens said. "Someone could be downtown and not have the funds to pay for parking. We can actually help them out on their day. They might spend more time downtown than they normally would, especially on a sunny day."

The service is free because it is paid for by sponsors and advertisements that are listed on the company's app and on the vehicle through the LED roof rack or vinyl wrapping on the carts. There also is an option to rent the GEST Cart for a few hours, which does have a fee.

Riders can request a pickup through the app at a specific location, and the driver will take the rider anyplace in and around downtown, Corktown, Midtown, Eastern Market and East Jefferson. On Thursday, the carts will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. After that, the rides will be available from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Eventually, hours of operation will expand as coronavirus concerns decrease.

The company, whose acronym stands for Green Easy Safe Transportation, uses electricvehicles that can accelerate up to 25 mph. There will be two carts operating during the launch, and by summer, the company expects to have six to 11 carts in the city. In addition, they plan to hire 20 to 30 drivers, mechanics and staff.

The QLINE stopped operations during the pandemic, although it plans to resume operation with no passengers on Woodward Avenue starting Monday. Operations of the Detroit People Mover also have come to a halt. So on busy days in Detroit, people will most likely use alternative transportation methods like the Detroit Department of Transportation bus system, Uber, Lyft, cab services and now, the GEST Cart.

"We wanted to bring some growth," Dickens said. "Even with the jobs. I'm definitely keen on hiring metro Detroiters. Given the hard time, we've been through a lot in the state of Michigan and in the Detroit area, so I wanted to be part of the growth and at the same time bring jobs to the area."

COVID-19 protocols are observed in every ride, including a full of the vehicle between each use and a coronavirus health screening for drivers.

Dickens hopes to be able to eventually provide GEST Cart transportation from Detroit to cities like Birmingham, Royal Oak and Ferndale. He also wants to create a way for people to get around in the carts in Ann Arbor.

"I want to be able to have a transportation where we can connect these major cities that (are) right next to each other," Dickens said. "We can 1186206 Detroit Red Wings “We have to find a way to come with energy,” Larkin said. “We need to figure that out and start to win on the road and continue to win at home down the stretch.”

Detroit Red Wings believe they have formula to win on the road. Here's Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.01.2021 how

HELENE ST. JAMES

Going on the road keeps tripping up the Detroit Red Wings, even when they’ve just played some of their best hockey of the season.

To their frustration, they head into Thursday’s rematch against the Florida Panthers on a losing note, battered by a bad start in the first game of the miniseries. For a second consecutive road game the Wings were out of it by midway through the first period; they didn’t get embarrassed Tuesday at BB&T Center, but the 4-1 loss rankled after such a good weekend at home.

“We can’t let this slide,” captain Dylan Larkin said. “It’s a huge game on Thursday here against a team that’s banged up. If we play the right way, if we play hard, we are going to be successful against that team, and we all believe it.”

They believed similarly a week ago after losing the first game of a miniseries at Nashville, and then were routed 7-1. They gave up three quick goals that night, as they did Tuesday, and again coach bemoaned that “we had a bunch of guys that played their B or C games,” fingering the defense corps as being especially egregious.

“It’s as bad as we’ve played defensively in a while,” he said. “It’s not good enough.”

THE FUTURE: Wings need an influx of prospects. Here's who is on the horizon

The similarities to the Nashville disaster stop there; if there’s something for the Wings to take into their next game, it’s that they did a good job creating chances against the Panthers, and that Thomas Greiss restored some self-confidence in stopping 24 of 25 shots after relieving Calvin Pickard midway through the first period.

But those first 12:25 were ugly. The Panthers scored 17 seconds into the game, and then 58 seconds apart. That was too much to overcome, and left the Wings 3-13-1 on the road.

“I just felt our energy level, especially early in the game, wasn’t there, with playing a lot of hockey and travel,” Larkin said. “It took us time to get into the game and we were down 3-0 by the time we got into it.

“You have to worry about the next shift. Look at puck management as one of the keys on the next shift. Get the puck behind their D and make it hard on them, make it hard on the goalie. When it was those three goals, we didn’t do that. When it was 3-1, we had chances — we hit posts, we were there. We played pretty well. It just took us too long to get into the game.”

The Wings are 12-21-4, mired at the bottom of their division. They played through having five players in COVID-19 protocol a week into the season, played through injuries that currently include Jonathan Bernier being sidelined for a second time. Larkin has spoken of a what a challenge this season has been, to not let games slip by even as they come every other day.

“You can’t make excuses,” he said. “Everyone has to go through it. We have to have better starts, we have to find a way to come with energy than we have. We need to figure that out and start to win on the road and continue to win at home.

“You have to be ready every night and it’s hard. It’s one of the hardest seasons I’ve gone through it terms of mental and physical health.”

A WELCOMED SIGHT: Michael Rasmussen gets back on score sheet, knows he must earn his role

The Wings have a day to recuperate from their latest loss on the road. It’s worked for them before to find redemption in Florida — when they were there Feb. 7, they earned their first road victory of the season and ended an eight-game winless skid. 1186207 Detroit Red Wings ►The schedule: The Griffins only see Chicago, Cleveland, Rockford and Iowa, in a 32-game slate that concludes May 15.

"It does get old (seeing the same teams) but in a normal regular season Griffins enjoying success despite weird, different AHL season we're playing everyone in the division six to eight times," Hicketts said. "But (in the past) we have those Western Conference teams or Eastern teams sprinkled in so it kind of changes the pace a little bit."

TED KULFAN | The Detroit News Chicago has moved out of its suburban 10,000 seat arena to where the Wolves' games are at their practice rink.

"It's strange, not the set up you would normally see in a season," Hicketts Detroit – COVID-19 has forced numerous sports leagues, from the pros said. "But it does develop rivalries when you play the same three teams to the preps, to adjust and go about their seasons differently. over and over." Coaches and players have had to adapt like never before to protocols Said Cholowski: "You definitely get used to the players you're playing that are new and binding against the spread of the virus. against. But it's the same thing in Detroit, too, you're playing the same The American Hockey League has been no different. The NHL’s minor teams all the time." league wasn’t even sure there was going to be a season, and three Simon doesn't see the schedule as a huge difference as much as the teams decided they weren’t going to play. travel to the games, and making the game-day experience as smooth as But the Wings’ affiliate in Grand Rapids is competing, competing well, possible. and getting through a season like no other. "We've gone to every city now, so we have a little better idea as we're “It has been a weird year, but we’ve been playing well,” Griffins learning on the fly as to when should we leave, where do we stop, and defenseman Joe Hicketts said. “We’re doing the right things and jelling how do you deal with rest and sleep as a player, and when do you eat?," as a group as much as we can.” Simon said. "It's tough on these guys. Game days are a grind, it's a long day, but it's a heck of a lot better than the alternative of not playing." These days, in this environment, especially in the AHL, coming together as a team can be challenging. ►No playoffs, no Calder Cup: There will be no Calder Cup awarded for the second consecutive year, as league owners felt the expense of For subscribers: Wings' Danny DeKeyser beginning to sense normalcy having playoffs with no (or few) fans in the stands and little revenue during uncertain season coming in, simply wouldn't be feasible.

Whether it would be the social spacing, traveling to games, the few There's talk of having a division champion awarded, with short best-of- amount of games against the same teams or gearing up for the three series after the regular season. postseason (oh wait, there is no post-season), it’s all different in the AHL this season. No postseason is an adjustment.

Everyone is still trying to cope and get the job done. "It's definitely weird to have a season and you don't play for a trophy at the end," Cholowski said. "But at the end of the day we all still have to “Our mentality going into the season was it’s a 101-day season, with 32 play hard and try to get to the next level and still have to go out and play games, and it’s not a bad sacrifice to make,” Griffins coach Ben Simon your best." said. “We’re all doing the same stuff, giving up different things, in order to make this happen. You have to be aware of your decisions at the rink As pro athletes, the will to win is still there, despite the lack of playoffs. and away from the rink, and how they can impact if this season is on the "The more games you can win here, the culture we can create by being rails, or not.” positive and learning what the winning mentality takes, that just The Griffins have kept things on track – and tried to make light of it along skyrockets guys' ability to go up to the next level," Hicketts said. "You still the way. want to win hockey games."

“We’re just having fun around each other in practice and when we have a ►Development: With so few games, and a bit more practice time, there long layoff between games,” defenseman Dennis Cholowski said. “We all is added emphasis on development and getting better individually. know it’s a weird schedule, but we’re going through it together and trying "There's a bigger emphasis on practice and developing good habits," to enjoy each other’s company.” Simon said. "As a coaching staff we're holding them accountable and to Here are some ways this AHL season is different: a higher regard and standard."

►The fight against COVID-19: The Griffins haven’t had cases of the Hicketts felt there was more time available to train in the gym and get virus, a firm indication players and staff are doing a good job following stronger. protocol. Practices have been varied, whether concentrating on skill development, “The players have been great, they’ve been great soldiers adhering to or scrimmaging, or team concepts, so as not to become stale or the protocols, the mask wearing at the rink,” Simon said. predictable.

Two different locker rooms are being utilized at , to ►Winning still important: Through it all, a team wants to win and the again, limit any chances of possible exposure. Griffins are 8-4-2 (6-2-2 in their last 10), ranks high in several key team categories, and are overcoming any challenges the virus has put forth. “It is strange because you can potentially go through a day, and be in either locker room one or two, and you see each other on the ice but "Whether you're a coach or player you want to be the best in your don’t see each other otherwise,” Simon said. “We’re trying to mitigate our business," Simon said. "We want to win the Central Division. That's our exposures.” goal, to be the team that lost the least amount of games to the virus.

Meetings are held in small groups, and players are utilizing an app for "Definitely from day one to now we've improved as both individuals and scouting reports, game plans and video presentations. as a team and I'm ecstatic with how professional the guys have been with regard to all these protocols. They should be commended for their efforts The Griffins only travel to Cleveland, Chicago and Iowa, the only three and results. They are making a commitment to each other and their teams they see on the schedule, and do so day of game (they do travel careers." to Iowa the day before). Considering some lower-level minor leagues aren't playing, AHL players They travel in two buses, again to limit any potential contact tracing. are thrilled to be in this position.

“The two buses is a little weird, I’ve never done that before,” Cholowski There was a possibility the AHL wouldn't go on with this season, given said. ”But everything is a little weird. None of us have had to cope with the economics (the NHL helping out in certain areas was a major plus). anything like this before. We’re all just going with the flow and go with it.” "We're just happy to be playing," Hicketts said. "It was a long off season and there were a lot of unknowns. It's nice to be back here."

Red Wings at Florida Panthers

►Faceoff: 7 p.m., Thursday, BB&T Center.

►TV/radio: Bally's Sports Detroit/97.1 The Ticket.

►Outlook: The Red Wings (12-21-4) conclude a two-game series with the Panthers (23-9-4) ... Florida won Tuesday, 4-1.... The Panthers have won nine of the last 11 games between the teams.

Detroit News LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186208 Detroit Red Wings

Farmington's Megan Keller makes U.S. team going for six straight world titles

The Detroit News

Farmington's Megan Keller was one of 25 players selected by the U.S. women's national hockey team on Tuesday that will compete at the 2021 world championships on May 6-16 in Halifax and Truro, Nova Scotia.

The U.S. has won the last five world titles and captured the top prize a total of nine times, including eight of the last nine tournaments.

Farmington's Megan Keller apologizes to mom for mic'd-up hockey language

Keller has been a member of USA Hockey's last four world championship teams (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019) and won a gold medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.

The 5-foot-10 defenseman is also one of 17 members on this year's team which won the 2019 championship, including high-scoring forwards Kendall Coyne Schofield, Brianna Decker, Amanda Kessel and Hilary Knight.

The U.S. will conduct a training camp from April 16-23 in Portland, Maine.

Detroit News LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186209 Detroit Red Wings

Lousy start dooms Red Wings in loss to Panthers

By Ansar Khan

Just when it appeared the Detroit Red Wings were gaining traction, they took a step back Tuesday, still unable to string together more than two consecutive victories.

The Florida Panthers scored three goals less than 13 minutes into the game and defeated the Red Wings 4-1 at BB&T Center.

Calvin Pickard, who stopped 37-of-39 shots in weekend victories over Columbus, was pulled 12:27 into the game after allowing three goals in eight shots.

Detroit’s only goal came from Filip Zadina on the power play in the second period, giving the team some short-lived momentum.

Carter Verhaeghe scored two goals and Sergei Bobrovsky made 35 saves for Florida (23-9-4), which has won three in a row. The Red Wings dropped to 12-21-4.

Zadina buried a pass from Dylan Larkin at 7:29 of the second to cut Florida’s lead to 3-1. It was his fourth goal of the season.

But Verhaeghe responded at 12:11 by scoring on a wraparound shot that bounced in off Thomas Greiss’ shoulder. Larkin’s turnover at the Red Wings’ blue line led to the score.

The Panthers scored three times in a span of 12:08 in the first period, a rally that started with Jonathan Huberdeau’s goal 17 seconds into the game. Three Red Wings tried to corral the puck near the net but Mason Marchment poked it to Huberdeau, who fired it past Pickard.

Verhaeaghe scored what proved to be the winning goal at 11:27 on a shot from the slot following a good push by Anthony Duclair, who later left the game with an injury.

Brett Connolly scored at 12:25 after Larkin’s giveaway along the boards.

These teams compete their eight-game season series on Thursday (7 p.m., ).

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186210 Detroit Red Wings

Calvin Pickard provides lift for Red Wings, seeking first three-game win streak

By Ansar Khan

Calvin Pickard gave the Detroit Red Wings a much-needed boost with a pair of solid performances over the weekend.

The Red Wings will try to win three in a row for the first time this season tonight in Florida (7 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit), and there is no reason to believe coach Jeff Blashill won’t continue riding the hot hand with Pickard.

“He’s a gamer,” Blashill said. “He’s a guy who relishes opportunity. He doesn’t shrink in moments. Doesn’t mean he’s always going to play great, but that’s the type of person he is. I think he’s got that in him to be able to come in and give us good starts like that.”

Pickard stopped 37-of-39 shots (.949 save percentage) in a pair of victories over Columbus, his first in the NHL since November 2018.

Jonathan Bernier remains out with a lower-body injury while Thomas Greiss continues to struggle (2-14-4, 3.51 goals-against average, .855 save percentage), creating opportunity for Pickard, who has spent most of the season on the taxi squad as the No. 3 goalie.

“Our guys love playing for him,” Blashill said. “He’s been a great teammate. We’ve seen how hard he’s worked in a situation where there was no light at the end of the tunnel. He was the third guy and he kept working hard.”

The Red Wings (12-20-4) face a tough test in the Panthers (22-9-4), who are only two points behind league-leading Tampa Bay.

Florida will be missing its best defenseman, Aaron Ekblad, who is out 12 weeks following surgery Monday to repair a fractured leg suffered Sunday in Dallas.

The only anticipated lineup change for the Red Wings is Givani Smith likely in for Bobby Ryan, who is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Detroit will look to replicate the compete level it showed over the weekend.

“To separate yourself in the NHL with work ethic and competitiveness, you have to be extraordinary and it’s not easy to be extraordinary at anything,” Blashill said. “But when we commit to that, we can be a really good hockey team. I thought the last two games we competed and worked to an extraordinary level shift after shift after shift. It can be a separator in this league because it’s hard to be at your very best at anything in life every single day. If we can find a way to do that over and over again, we’re going to be a good team down the stretch.”

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186211 Detroit Red Wings Last season, in his draft year, Wallinder produced 24 points (5 goals, 19 assists) in 37 games at Sweden’s under-20 level as a 17-year-old, which tied him for third among the league’s under-18 defensemen in points and fourth in points per game (0.65). That play also helped him earn an 18- The Gifted: The untapped potential of Red Wings prospect William game stint with MODO’s top team in the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan, Wallinder where he posted two points and a plus-4 rating. He was one of only 13 under-18 players and one of only four defensemen to play a game in

HockeyAllsvenskan. He was also the only such defenseman to play more By Scott Wheeler Mar 31, 2021 than six games (though fellow top Swedish D prospects Emil Andrae and Helge Grans played similar games in the top-tier SHL as U18s) and one of only two players to register a point in the league.

In hockey, as in life, there are archetypes built on hyperbole and This season, he continued to take an early trajectory at the pro level, buzzwords that try to fit every player into a predefined box. Scouts and playing a full 43 games with MODO in HockeyAllsvenskan (after playing evaluators often fall prey to lazily characterizing young prospects in this a four-game, six-point stint in junior), which again leads all under-19 way: the power forward, the two-way center, the one-dimensional scorer, skaters in the league. In those 43 games, he produced six points (tied for the stay-at-home defenseman. But sometimes, just sometimes, there’s a third in his age group, which welcomed Andrae down from the SHL), only player who is so different from everyone else in approach or ability that one of which came on the power play. Across that spread, he played an he can distinguish himself through his uniqueness. These players have average of 15:53, good for sixth among the 10 defensemen who played turned one skill into the body of their games and highlight all of the ways more than 10 games for MODO in 2020-21. In those minutes, he hockey can be played at the highest levels. “The Gifted” is a 10-part struggled more than he did a year ago and was outscored 27-39 at even series that examines, through video, the NHL’s most fascinating strength (a 41 GF%) on a team that was 89-89 without him at evens (50 prospects and the unique skill sets that define them. By popular demand, GF%). But he also racked up 61 shots (or 1.42 per game), which was “The Gifted” is back for a fifth year at The Athletic. second-most among all MODO defensemen and 41st in the league among defensemen despite his one goal and 1.6 shooting percentage. 2017 series: Carl Grundstrom | Jordan Kyrou | Vitaly Abramov | Juuso Valimaki | Vili Saarijarvi | Filip Chlapik | Travis Sanheim | Timo Meier | Along the way, he also missed the 2021 world juniors because of Kirill Kaprizov | Elias Pettersson COVID-19 protocols, and it is rumored that he will be headed to Rögle BK in the SHL for next season. 2018 series: Miro Heiskanen | Casey Mittelstadt | Dylan Strome | Oliver Wahlstrom | Gabe Vilardi | Adam Boqvist | Evan Bouchard | Kristian All told, the above sends mixed signals, highlighting a kid who has Vesalainen | Jonathan Dahlen | Morgan Frost dominated his peers and advanced up levels to mixed results. (It’s worth noting that he was also asked to make that jump on a MODO team that 2019 series: Cale Makar | Nick Robertson | Jason Robertson | Aleksi finished 12th in the 14-team league and was outshot 1768-1448 for a 45 Heponiemi | Adam Fox | Dante Fabbro | Emil Bemstrom | Cody Glass | percent share of the shots.) Martin Necas | Bode Wilde A closer look, however, reveals more insight into what he could become. 2020 series: Jonatan Berggren | Philip Tomasino | Mikhail Abramov | Thomas Harley | Robin Salo | Raphael Lavoie | Alex Newhook | Bobby The tape Brink | Samuel Poulin | Patrik Puistola Wallinder is No. 22 or No. 54 in all MODO sequences and No. 7 in the 2021 series: Noel Gunler | William Wallinder | Jayden Struble | Shane select piece of video from Team Sweden’s camps. Pinto | Kasper Simontaival | Carter Savoie | Zac Jones | Jack Dugan | Jakob Pelletier | Veeti Miettinen The first thing you need to know about Wallinder’s game is that he’s comfortable (maybe a little too comfortable) with the puck on his stick, What is drafting and development about if not potential? especially when you consider his size and the preconceived notions we tend to have about big defensemen. It’s a rhetorical question, really, because that’s what it’s all about — or at least what it ought to be about. The second thing you need to know is he’s a high-level skater, another rare characteristic for that size. It’s also not a simple equation to solve, and NHL teams are constantly trying to strike the right balance between a player’s potential and their Those two things combine to make him really, really interesting in likelihood of reaching that potential. Once they come to some kind of a transition with the puck. conclusion on where they think those things weigh on the scale, they also have to measure them against hundreds of other players they’re asking That’s true north to south. the same questions about. When there’s room to attack with his feet, he’s going to take it and carve Then, sometimes, a player comes along whose potential is equal parts up pressure through the neutral zone to create entries right at you: raw and exciting and equal parts scary. And not every team approaches That transition value doesn’t just come with the puck, either. Wallinder those types the same way. Some decide they’re not worth the risk, plays an aggressive style without the puck offensively, regularly scared off by the downside. Others view them as the kind of projects that activating, like this: are worth the risk and gamble on the upside. Or off the line, like this (which also highlights some of that calmness to In the 2020 NHL Draft, one of the players whose potential walked a fine his game with the puck that I hinted at above in that he doesn’t seem line relative to just how raw it was, was William Wallinder. bothered by the pressure when it comes, drawing two players to him): The Red Wings took the plunge with the first pick of the second round. Or off the bench (focus on the player in yellow coming over the boards Here, through an exhaustive review of the majority of Wallinder’s shifts and not on the puck), like he does on this backdoor primary assist, which this season, I’ve tried to find the nuance between the two ends of his highlights all of his skating, aggression and above-average playmaking game. The goal is to detail where his tools are at now (the good and the instincts: bad), explain his obvious appeal and identify the areas that can still be His skating isn’t just an asset attack in straight lines, either, though. untapped. He also has deft footwork and does a good job rotating from his outside The end result, I hope, is a complete view of the prospect and the player. to inside edges to limit his need to stop and start. The result is a good Before I dive into the nitty-gritty of the video, though, it’s worth starting flow game in all four directions (watch the way he takes this bump pass with a little context on his career to date. in the middle of his stance and attacks):

The first thing that leaps out about Wallinder (everything else falls into That footwork is most valuable at the offensive-zone blue line in the way line after that) is that he’s 6-foot-4 and has a late-July birthday and a it helps him adjust around feet and sticks to shape shots through to the decent track record of producing age-adjusted offence. That piques a net. scout’s interest almost instantly. Though Wallinder’s shot needs some refinement (he has a high grip, pucks come off his stick a little awkwardly, and he doesn’t leverage his size all that efficiently through his shooting motion, all of which you’ll Here’s another along the wall, where he tries to spin back against notice in the next few clips), he does an excellent job bending shots pressure (and then pinches late in the sequence to apply his own around sticks and bodies. It’s no surprise his shot totals were high pressure) with control instead of jamming the puck down the wall: relative to his minutes this season. And here’s a third, where he’s deep and trying to make a play as a Watch how he pivots onto his heels to create a lane and pull away from passer before tracking back with his feet: the AIK forward here: I’ve watched him try to use little neutral-zone bank passes instead of Or how fluid that same motion looks for him here, without the hiccups always carrying, like he does here: that most bigger defensemen often have walking off the wall like that (even though it’s a drill they’ve practiced since they were kids, in most Or here, with a simple play into a seam even though he has room to cases): skate it:

There’s also versatility to his footwork in the way he changes directions I’ve watched him begin to use the hands he shows us in the offensive and adjusts to coverage so he’s not telegraphing a predictable movement zone in the defensive zone (a legitimate sign of his growth at the pro or relying on some kind of crutch that he has practiced. level) and also make a little bank pass:

This little stop-up is a good example of that: I’ve watched him start to change his mentality and more consistently look to pass even when there’s a shot available (he has always been gifted at As is the fluidity of this motion on his offside: hitting teammates through lanes):

When all of those things combine, he can cover a lot of space in a short And these subtle evolutions might matter more than the pre-existing period of time. standout tools that leap out (the ones I led with in my description of his game). Focus exclusively on No. 22 in red as he rotates in and out of the frame and across his edges to twist his way up the ice and finish at the front of But progress is also going to be key in other areas of his game, the ones the opposing net (while picking up a secondary assist in the process): that scared some teams away and left him available at the top of the first round. Wallinder has also begun to add layers to these tools through little hesitations like this (again, this is not a play you expect a player that long Those problems, beyond the work I outlined that he needed to do on his to feel comfortable making at that age): shot, are twofold.

Most impressive, his confidence and skating aren’t misplaced, at least The first one is that he doesn’t play with the same confidence, comfort not on the offensive side of the puck. (I’ll get to his defensive play in a and aggression defensively as he does offensively, resulting in too loose moment.) of a gap against the rush.

There’s legitimate skill below the surface, and it’s already shining through With his skating, he’s just giving too much here (you’ll notice he hesitates consistently at the pro level, even if the points haven’t necessarily come. on how to play it, too): His shooting percentage illustrated that he was probably owed more offensively this year than he got, and the video backs that up. This is an almost identical sequence below (both in terms of how loosely he plays the puck carrier and in that extra second it takes him to decide Wallinder created a ton of high-danger events this year. Here’s one flash that’s his man). of that skill to create a hard, low shot from the home plate area: Once he decides to close out and take the carrier, he needs to attempt to Here’s a second, in transition and at speed as he steps around a be disruptive, rather than just flowing with the opposing player into his defender with a nice side-to-side pull to create a chance: zone. The closeout loses its effectiveness here:

Here’s a third, blending some of that hesitation to beat his man one-on- Same idea on this next one. He closes out the wall nicely, but he needs one in that same game, this time with a drag through his feet: to engage in it more emphatically:

It really cannot be overstated how much this distinguishes him. These The second area of concern is his general sloppiness at times. are the qualities that excite because they make you wonder — and wonder is a powerful tool in creating interest in anything. Some of that comes down to age and experience and is a byproduct of his early progression to a full-time pro player. It’s that “Boy, what could he look like in five years?” reflex. But for a player with the tools he possesses, there’s a lot of scramble to Then you combine the skill with his skating and you also have a creator his game. His skating can also break down when he doesn’t have an who can lead a rush end to end to make something happen for himself. opportunity to flow, and he’s forced into stops and starts. Those things are evident in this sequence, in which he looks like he has hit the panic Notice how his head is always up and his mentality is to attack, which button and that poise has gone out the window: brings him off the wall upon entry and to the front of the net for a scoring chance: The following is the same idea. When skating isn’t an option, he doesn’t have the wherewithal to settle things down along the wall and shovels it Watch here how confident he is making his play at the offensive-zone into the middle for a turnover (though you’d like No. 7 in white to be in a blue line, in an area where coaches don’t want you to make a mistake better position to take that bump play, too): and some players can second-guess themselves: What you’re left with, when you take a step back and try to contextualize And why does he have that confidence? Because he knows he can rely who Wallinder is today and what he might become, is a kid who has on his skating to recover and track back if need be. some can’t-teach tools, some can-teach foibles and a whole lot of room The little shimmy at the offensive-zone blue line makes you wonder, and to grow. the job he does getting back to take away the pass the other way sells You’re left with a kid who has some work to do in transition one way but you: is a legitimate factor in it going the other way (and owed more than the And once you get comfortable doing a few things — walking the line, one goal he scored this season): attacking in transition, creating one-on-one — that breeds poise in other You’re left with a kid who can cover a lot of space with his feet in short areas of your game as a young player. order, not just with the puck but also without it when he wants to (he In that way, Wallinder’s also a good case study. This season, in didn’t get credit for an assist here, but he does a nice job racing to the particular, some little details and new attempts at trying things have poked-through puck to play it deep): begun to pop up in his game as he has tried to add new elements to the You’re left with a kid who plays with an attack mentality, taking space obvious ones he already possesses. when it’s there to look for his own opportunities (even if he has work to I’ve watched him try to get low in the offensive zone or along the half-wall do to finish them): to try to use his frame to protect the puck along the cycle more this Ultimately, you’re left with a kid who makes you wonder and has clear, season. Here’s one example (he’s No. 54): untapped potential. The kind that makes him a project worth taking a risk on, rather than the other way around.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186212 Edmonton Oilers Coaches, meanwhile, have pretty much resigned themselves to the fact that practices are a luxury few of them can afford. The focus has instead shifted to keeping their players from running out of gas or going stir crazy. Edmonton Oilers long, strange road trip finally got the best of them Road trips that used to be fun, with players going to dinner and exploring the cities, now consist of pacing their rooms like high-priced zoo animals.

Robert Tychkowski “We talk about it all the time, Tippett said of trying to address the mental health of his team. “It’s not as if you’re going out and you can do team

building things, you’re basically locked in the hotel. To paraphrase the Grateful Dead, which is appropriate given how the “You’re mindful of it for sure. You’re trying to keep energy, there’s rest Edmonton Oilers looked on Tuesday, “what a long, strange trip it was.” versus staying sharp. There are a lot of factors that come into it. This is They don’t come much stranger than the 10-day, three game assault on not a regular time; this is a whole different bird here where every day is a normalcy the Oilers had thrust upon them in the wake of last week’s new challenge. positive COVID-19 test in the Montreal Canadiens locker room. “We knew this was going to be a tough part of the schedule and we got a The final itinerary looked like an April Fool’s joke: bit of a wrench thrown into it with the delays, but you just have to deal with it. You have to find a way to push through it and that’s what we’ll do.” Sunday: Fly from Edmonton to Montreal for a three-game set with the Canadiens that begins on Monday. Sit in your hotel. LATE HITS — McDavid was fined $5,000 by the league for his hit on Montreal’s Jesperi Kotkaniemi Tuesday. Monday: Have a morning skate, do zoom interviews, go to the rink in the evening, put your equipment on and find out 15 minutes before warm up Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.01.2021 that there isn’t going to be a game. Go back and sit in your hotel.

Tuesday: Find out the other two games have been postponed. Have a practice. Sit in your hotel.

Wednesday and Thursday: Practice and sit in your hotel.

Friday: Fly to Toronto to play the Leafs Saturday and Monday.

Tuesday: Instead of coming home, double back to Montreal for a makeup game, the second of a back-to-backs and your third game in four nights.

Late Tuesday: Fly home for a cup of coffee before turning around and flying back to Montreal.

“Obviously not an ideal situation here,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid said after wrapping up the bizarre 1-1-1 eastern swing. “This is one of the longest road trips I’ve ever been on and we played three games.

“Lots of sitting around doing nothing. But overall I liked our two games in Toronto and didn’t like our one here.”

At some point it was going to catch up with them, physically, mentally or both. And that point was the opening face-off in the Bell Centre. While they weren’t about to make excuses for flatlining in a game that could have earned them a share of first place, it was clear the Oilers had nothing left.

“Three games in 10 days or whatever the hell it was, it’s not ideal,” said head coach . “Especially when you don’t play the first one until the seventh day. But we go home now and get a re-set, get a good practice in and get ready for the weekend.”

It doesn’t get much better from here. The Oilers are only home long enough to play a pair of back-to-back games against Calgary and Vancouver (pandemic permitting) before they hop back on the plane and return to Montreal for one with the Canadiens followed by two with the Ottawa Senators.

“I think we’re home for four days and then we’re right back,” said McDavid. “It’s pretty frustrating, but they had a COVID case and they got shut down. What can we do? There’s nothing we can do. All we can do is adjust and make sure we’re ready.”

We like to think these players are robots, but the human element of a pandemic-altered season cannot be ignored, and it showed on the faces of the Edmonton players during and after the Montreal game. They were done with that trip before the first period was five minutes old.

And you can’t really blame them, or be too worked up about it when it’s only their fifth loss to somebody other than Toronto in 23 games.

The challenge going forward for all 31 teams (every team is going through something) is finding a way to not just grind through the adversity, but somehow actually ramp up the intensity for the stretch drive.

And cross their fingers that there are no more positive tests anywhere in the North, creating another trickle down effect that throws everyone into scramble mode again. 1186213 Edmonton Oilers with three of four points including their first loser point of the season. Win this one and it would have been five of six.

Certainly Tippett was optimistic going into this one. Oilers fail to seize opportunity against Canadiens “I like the way our guys prepare,” he said of second games of back-to- backs.

Terry Jones Publishing date:Mar 31, 2021 “You get into a rhythm. We have a few things we do just a little bit different as far as preparation in back-to-backs not to overload guys. We go out with a simple game plan and we’ve been able to get some wins off it,” he said. The Edmonton Oilers, you have to figure, are simply allergic to first place. Nugent-Hopkins also came to the game expecting the Oilers to do what Is there a vaccine for that? they usually do. It was there for the Oilers going into that three-game series against the “We’ve always had some good games here. It’s always a fun place to Toronto Maple Leafs after winning 11 of 13. Loss. Loss. Loss. play. The Oilers then went 7-2 to give themselves another shot at it, again Tons of history. against Toronto. Again they failed to seize the moment. “Practicing there all last week was still a cool experience. After this many Tuesday in Montreal after an overtime win in the second game of the years in the league I’m still able to enjoy it and take it all in.” final pair of the regular season against the Leafs, it was there for them again. The Oilers head home for another back-to-back Friday against the Calgary Flames and Saturday versus the Vancouver Canucks, two teams Montreal 4 Edmonton 0. with playoff hopes now almost entirely dependent on Montreal going Win against a team that was forced to stay away from the rink for nine totally in the toilet being forced to play their final 25 games of the season days with only one practice and a morning skate to follow, and Edmonton in a stretch of 43 days. would have moved into a tie for first with Toronto with 47 points, one Six of those games are against the Oilers including one back in Montreal ahead of the Winnipeg Jets. next week, two at home and the other two rescheduled games tagged on That idea lasted exactly 18 seconds. the end of the schedule back in Montreal May 10th and 11th.

Mikko Koskinen, as happens so often, gave up a goal on his first shot. The Flames and Canucks, both with 16-8-3 records, were “only” two And the Montreal Canadiens grabbed the game by the throat before points back of the Canadiens but Montreal has five games in hand. Connor McDavid even stepped on the ice to take what turned out to be If there was one thing to take away from this game it had to be that just over five minutes of ice time in the first period. Montreal has no intention of giving Vancouver and Calgary any life. Having a goal called back on an offside challenge by Jussi Puljuvarvi, Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.01.2021 McDavid point streak dating back to the three-game series against Toronto stopped.

Outshot 7-0 before Carey Price faced his first shot at the other end, the Oilers were out-everythinged to start and took a 3-0 lead to the intermission.

If it weren’t for goalposts it would have been 6-0. So don’t hang this one on Koskinen.

In a lot of ways this didn’t figure.

The positive tests for COVID-19 left the Canadiens in what you’d figure was a totally unfair situation returning to actions and going forward.

Indeed, you’d figure the Oilers would have returned to Montreal with a revised plan for the final 20 games of the regular season.

Finish first. Take advantage of an out-of-gas Montreal gang being forced to play 25 games in 43 days in the playoffs against the fourth place Canadiens.

Advance to the Canadian division Final of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Yes, it was the Oilers third game in four days after a week between games sitting in Montreal. But to totally no-show in yet another opportunity to move into first place. There’s no excuse.

Now they’ve followed up a 3-5-1 record against Toronto with what is now a 1-3 record against Montreal.

It set up to keep head coach Dave Tippett’s remarkable record of winning second games in back-to-back scenarios going.

The Oilers came into the game 12-2 in the second game of back-to-back games and 5-1 this season.

That’s staggering.

The Oilers went into the game 8-1-1 in Montreal in the tenure of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who ended up on a return to the line that was the story of Leon Draisaitl’s Hart Trophy season when Kailer Yamamoto came up from the minors on New Year’s Eve.

Edmonton moved on from their unexpected Spring Break in Montreal last week to play two games in Toronto as originally scheduled, emerging 1186214 Edmonton Oilers Flames 37

16-18-3 Lowetide: Oilers March report card — who’s pulling their weight as the team solidifies its playoff spot? 35

.473

By Allan Mitchell Mar 31, 2021 14

4-6-0

The Edmonton Oilers entered March in second place in the North Canucks Division, courtesy of an exceptional 9-3-0 February. 37 Connor McDavid was leading the league in points on March 1, and the whispers about another Hart Trophy coming to Edmonton could be heard 16-18-3 across the NHL. Leon Draisaitl was running second among league 35 scorers despite five-on-five struggles with linemates Dominik Kahun and Kailer Yamamoto. Darnell Nurse and Tyson Barrie had formed an .473 effective tandem and were delivering impressive offence and capable defence. Fans were raving about Mike Smith’s goaltending, a big turning 11 point in the campaign, and crediting general manager Ken Holland for 6-3-1 using the Jacob Markstrom cap dollars on Barrie and Smith. Senators There wasn’t much to criticize. Zoom forward a month, and what’s changed? 36

Coach Dave Tippett rode his best players hard in March, working to open 12-20-4 a gap between the North’s playoff clubs and also-rans. As April 28 approaches, that appears to have happened, with the Oilers in the top tier with the Maple Leafs, Jets and Canadiens. .389

North Division standings 8

Maple Leafs 4-3-3

35 McDavid and Draisaitl are still posting handsome offensive numbers, Nurse and Barrie still looking very good as a top tandem. There’s work to 22-10-3 do, but a three-game sweep of the Senators early in March, followed by a 47 two-game sweep of the Jets and three points from two games in Toronto have the Oilers in a good spot. .671 Here are the overall numbers from the month, and how they rank in the 17 North:

4-5-1 W-L-OT (Points)

Jets 8-5-1 (17)

36 2

22-12-2 Even-strength goal share

46 53.85%

.639 3

16 Even-strength expected goal share

6-4-0 52.21%

Canadiens 3

32 Power-play goals per hour

15-8-9 9.06

39 3

.609 Penalty-kill goals against per hour

14 9.55

5-2-3 6

Oilers Even-strength save percentage

37 91.23%

22-14-1 3

45 The results in March were all in the top three in the division save for the .608 penalty kill. There have been rumours about dealing for some PK help (Elliotte Friedman mentioned several names in his recent 31 Thoughts, 20 including Detroit Red Wings centre Luke Glendening, who was signed by Holland when he was the Red Wings’ GM in 2012). 6-3-1 The total 2020-21 numbers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C (C+, B+): Nuge is costing himself dollars with his five-on-five offensive performance in a contract season. His five-on- W-L-OT (Points) five points per 60 started low (1.51 in January), then fell off in February 22-14-1 (45) (1.07) before recovering in March (1.25). Overall (1.27), they’re a far cry from last season (2.23), though somewhat in line with where they were at 3 before Tippett moved him to a line with Draisaitl and Yamamoto. His five- on-five goal differential (8-11) for March is respectable considering how Even-strength goal share much time he has been spending away from McDavid and Draisaitl. On 52.63% the power play, he remains productive (5.34 points per 60), and he is a constant on the PK. 4 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hasn’t had the same impact at five-on-five as last Even-strength expected goal share season. (Sergei Belski / USA Today)

53.03% Jesse Puljujarvi, C (A, C-): The big Finn has been inconsistent this season, but there’s plenty to like overall. His production fell from seven 3 points in 11 games in February to four in 14 in March. He remains on the Power-play goals per hour McDavid line, and the trio has had tremendous success, but JP will need to author more offence himself if he is to remain with the big guns. 9.28 Puljujarvi scored a power-play goal for the second month in a row, despite receiving very little time in the discipline (just over 10 minutes). 2 He may need more time there to get his scoring confidence back. He’s Penalty-kill goals against per hour getting chances but needs more than most skill wingers to score.

7.84 Gaetan Haas, C (C+, Inc.): Haas has many elements of a great defensive forward, but at 29 years old, there are still gaps in his game that make it 4 difficult to project him as a productive regular. He has played over 700 Even-strength save percentage minutes at five-on-five over two seasons, scoring 10 points. Nine of the 10 are either goals or primary assists, meaning his output is basically 91.38% purely his own. He has developed into an impressive penalty killer, his 2.57 goals against in 46 minutes ranking No. 9 among NHL forwards who 4 are regulars. He doesn’t win many faceoffs (43 percent over his career), The penalty kill and save percentage are lagging, but the club has but he is fast and an excellent forechecker, draws penalties at an overcome some early wobble. The even-strength goal share has impressive rate and is impossible to intimidate. increased over the past month, although the Oilers have dropped one Jujhar Khaira, C- (A, Inc.): After his exceptional February (11 games, six spot in a very close ranking. points at five-on-five, 3.25 per 60), Khaira’s offence in March (12, two, Now let’s get to the individual assessments for March. 1.02) faded but overall remains a net positive this season (2.17 per 60). Of greater concern was Khaira’s penalty-killing work during the month. Forwards After being on the ice for just one goal against on the PK in February, the total ballooned to six in March. His goals-against per 60 for the season (February and January grades in parentheses) went from 1.86 (No. 1 in the NHL among qualifying forwards) to 7.93. Connor McDavid, A+ (A+, A+): True greatness brings extreme Khaira needs to be part of a more successful group in April. expectations. What makes McDavid a delight is that he delivers on them Alex Chiasson, C- (B, F): It’s been feast or famine for Chiasson. At five- consistently. Heading toward a career season, McDavid ranks first in on-five in March, he delivered just one point in 99 minutes, and on the five-on-five points per 60 minutes (3.27) and fourth in power-play points power play, he had two in 32. For the season, he has a 1.28 points per per 60 (8.27) while leading the league in overall points (63) by a 60 at five-on-five and 3.43 on the power play. Chiasson is a wily veteran significant margin (nine). His March per-game numbers (1.64 points on who has been able to deliver solid on-ice goal differentials throughout his seven goals and 23 points in 14 games) are slightly below his January- Oilers career (he is 59-60 over three seasons). He is one of the few February average (1.74), but his season average (1.70) will be a career bottom-six Oilers to deliver anything close to an even mark in a depth high if he can bring it home. This is peak McDavid. role. Leon Draisaitl, A+ (A+, A+): Draisaitl’s even-strength goal differential now Dominik Kahun, D (C, C): The bottom fell out of Kahun’s offensive game sits at plus-22 (45 goals for-23 goals against) after his March (20-14) in March, and he played in only six games. His five-on-five points per 60 performance. His overall even-strength on-ice goal share (66.18) ranks by month tell the story: 1.25 in January, 1.64 in February and 0.81 in eighth in the NHL among forwards who have played 400-plus minutes. March for a cumulative total (1.32) that lands outside Edmonton’s top six Draisaitl’s scoring numbers for March (nine goals and 20 points in 14 forwards. Kahun is losing ice time to names like Ennis and Kyle Turris. games) represent an explosive month on a new line with the captain and His two-way game also suffered in March, when he had a minus-4 (1-5) have him No. 2 in the NHL in points (54). A new wrinkle to Draisaitl’s on-ice goal differential at five-on-five. game is a vital piece for Tippett’s lineup. This season, he has been highly productive with McDavid (26-9 goal differential at even strength) and Josh Archibald, D (C, D): Archibald is a veteran utility forward who brings without (19-14). He has scored 112 goals in 190 NHL games since the penalty killing and goal-scoring ability to depth lines. During March at start of 2018-19, a 48.5-goal 82-game pace. five-on-five, he scored two points (both goals) in nine games (1.08), continuing a season-long struggle to score enough to stay in the lineup. Kailer Yamamoto, B (C, B): Yamamoto recovered some of his scoring He played just 10 games in March. Archibald is a key player for the touch in March, posting five-on-five numbers (two goals and five points in team’s penalty kill but was on the ice for four goals against on it in March. 12 games, 1.57 per 60) that easily put him among the Oilers’ top six That wobble is a concern because he doesn’t bring much beyond options. Yamamoto is a takeaway machine on the forecheck, and overall shorthanded acumen. this season, his lines are winning the shot battle (51.2 percent) and the goal differential (57.1) at even strength. The only worry is if he’s wearing Devin Shore, D (Inc., D): Shore was a fringe player early in the season down, but Tippett is running him at just over 15 minutes a night. but got into 11 games in March, posting two assists (1.1 points per 60). He also has a shorthanded goal and is a player who could take Khaira’s Tyler Ennis, B- (B+, Inc.): Ennis has been a productive regular in a PK minutes if his struggles continue. support role, averaging 12:22 in 12 March games at five-on-five and posting one goal and three points in that time, slightly below average for Kyle Turris, Inc. (F, F): Turris’ first two months in Edmonton were a train a top-nine forward. His overall five-on-five clip (1.71 points per 60, 144th wreck (three points in 18 games with a 6-17 on-ice five-on-five goal in the NHL) places him as a top-six forward — because his most differential), then early in March, he hit the COVID-19 list, missing seven common linemates (Josh Archibald, Jujhar Khaira, Jesse Puljujarvi) are games. Before and after the layoff, Tippett moved him to the wing and he not established skill players. finally found some traction. In four games since returning, he has one goal and two points (2.03 points per 60) at five-on-five, compared to 1.26 for the season. April could be a month of recovery. James Neal, Inc. (Inc., B): Neal continues to be on and off the taxi squad, in about 20 minutes at the discipline in March, when the team’s total something he’s been dealing with being placed on the COVID-19 list Jan. numbers shorthanded were poor. 13 — unable to establish himself as a consistent option in 2020-21. During March, he played six games and scored one goal in about an Caleb Jones, C (Inc., C+): Jones has had a weird season. He was part of hour’s work at five-on-five. a solid tandem with Larsson early, then got into some trouble with the coach and has been fighting to get back into the regular rotation since. Zack Kassian, Inc. (Inc., C-) A fight in early February against Erik He played just under 90 minutes over seven games in March, and Gudbranson of the Senators took him out of the lineup for several weeks. Edmonton owned 57 percent of the shots with him on the ice but was When he returned, he worked hard to re-establish himself as a strong outscored 1-3. He is a quality young defenceman, but at this point, he right-wing option. He scored two points in six March games and has could be trade or expansion bait. scored 1.31 per 60 at five-on-five for the season. His on-ice goal differential at five-on-five is minus 1 (8-9) through 19 games. He could William Lagesson, F (C, Inc.): A shutdown type and the heir apparent to see a trip up the depth chart if he continues to play well and might force a Russell on the left side, Lagesson has been used at five-on-five and on Chiasson trade by the deadline if he can post some scoring numbers. the penalty kill and is getting the edge over the Oilers’ other rookie, Evan Bouchard, but in his nine March games, the Oilers struggled badly when Patrick Russell, Inc. (Inc., Inc.): Russell picked up an assist in four games he was on the ice. The shot differential (33 percent) trailed the goal (1.30 points per 60 at five-on-five) and still owns a splendid 56 percent differential (40 percent), but the young Swedish defender found a mentor shot differential. He’s a bottom-of-roster player who serves as an in Larsson and a believer in the coach. Lagesson’s results suggest he example for the minor league prospects: Keep working hard and good should be sitting in favour of others, but Edmonton has had success with things can happen. going defence-first after the first nine games and Lagesson matches the style. He’ll need to be better in the coming days to stay in the lineup. Defencemen Evan Bouchard, Inc. (B, Inc.): Bouchard didn’t play in January, had an Darnell Nurse, A+ (A+, A): Nurse gets an A+ because there is no higher impressive February (four points in 146 minutes at five-on-five, 1.64 per grade. His career trajectory is unusual because he plateaued for a couple 60, with a 52 percent shot differential). He played just one game in of seasons before starting to climb as a complete defenceman during the March, and the Oilers outshot the opponent 10-2 during that game while 2019-20 season. This season has been a revelation. Offensively, Nurse’s he was on the ice. It’s a difficult situation, but at some everyone would be five-on-five numbers are off the charts. Part of it comes from an best served by sending him to the AHL if he isn’t unsustainable shooting percentage (currently 12.05 percent), but he is going to play. He is a developing player and these are important months also a more mature passer and makes outstanding decisions with the for his career. puck. He is no longer satisfied with driving down the left side and hammering the puck into the goalie’s logo but rather looks for goal-mouth Slater Koekkoek, Inc. (D, D): Koekkoek suffered a collarbone injury and passes or pushes down low looking for attractive passing options. is out long term. He did not play in March. Defensively, he is playing more than 40 percent of his five-on-five time against elites (via Puck IQ) and winning over 50 percent in possession. Goalies His five-on-five goal differential during March was plus-7 (22-15) and is Mike Smith, B (A+, Inc.): Smith was solid in March (6-2-1 with a .917 five- plus-14 (52-38) overall. Nurse is playing hockey at a level Oilers fans on-five save percentage) after being spectacular in February (6-1-0, haven’t seen from a defenceman in years. .939) and has been one of the keys to Edmonton’s season.

Tyson Barrie, A (A, C): Barrie has been splendid since Tippett paired him Mikko Koskinen, D (C, C): Koskinen’s loss to the Canadiens on Tuesday with Nurse. His five-on-five goal differential, disappointing when he was a put a damper on what had been a solid month, finishing with a member of the Maple Leafs a season ago (59-61, minus-2) has improved replacement-level .902 five-on-five save percentage. Tippett ran Smith with each passing month in Edmonton. January (4-10) was spent without for most of the final two weeks of the month, with Koskinen playing on Nurse and showed plenty of chaos, but February brought Nurse and a March 1, 8, 13, 18 and 30. He needs to be sharper, and with goaltending better result (15-11). In March, Barrie was part of an explosive five-on- under the microscope, it’s possible we are seeing his final games as an five offence (20-11). Offensively, his numbers during March were Oiler. exceptional both at five-on-five (two goals and nine points, 2.20 per 60) and on the power play (five points, 7.59). He has played so well, and the Coaching and management chemistry looks so good, a contract extension appears in order. Dave Tippett, B+ (A, B+): Tippett has made some curious decisions Tyson Barrie and Leon Draisaitl both received high marks for their March during his second Edmonton season, leaning heavily on Smith and play. (Nick Turchiaro / USA Today) showing stubborn loyalty to Lagesson while blue-chip Bouchard remains idling in the driveway. I don’t think that will amount to anything more than Adam Larsson, B (B+, C-): Larsson started the season slowly but has a footnote on the season, though. Tippett’s primary job is to make the improved with each month and was a strong shutdown defenceman in postseason and then win as many rounds as possible. That’s the nut. March. His five-on-five on-ice goal differential of minus-1 (6-7) in March Coaching is not a democracy, there are no focus groups, no votes to leaves him minus-2 (20-22) overall. According to Puck IQ, he is playing count. As the task of making the playoffs appears to be close to 37 percent of his five-on-five time against elites and winning 53.6 percent accomplished, we can’t give Tippett anything lower than B+. of possession (DFF percentage). He is also working with young defenders during the heart of the season. He has been mentoring rookie Ken Holland, B+ (A, D): This season has gone well for Holland — even William Lagesson with poor possession (37 percent shots) and good goal better than his first in Edmonton. Free-agent bets on Barrie and Smith differential (53 percent) offering a confusing set of numbers after almost have been central to the team’s success, Puljujarvi is growing, and even 200 minutes of five-on-five minutes for the pair. Larsson has three goals the Turris bet seems to have been reborn recently with the move to wing. and five assists through the end of March, impressive numbers for a Holland’s job is not finished. He needs a scoring winger, possibly a player not known for offensive ability. checking centre and would do well to offload veterans like Chiasson for badly needed 2021 draft picks. Oilers fans may have a quarrel with some Ethan Bear, B (Inc., B): Bear played every game in March, welcome moves or non-decisions like Bouchard to the AHL, but the ask from news after concussion issues derailed him early in the season. He is Holland when he got here was the playoffs every spring. The general emerging as a tough-minutes defender, which should bode well for next manager is delivering. season when the club will have more substantial left-handed options for the second pair. Puck IQ has Bear playing 40 percent of his five-on-five The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 time against elites while Edmonton is delivering 59 percent of the possession in those minutes. Bear’s offence has fallen off compared to a season ago, but time away from the McDavid line is the culprit. His outlet passes are going to lesser forwards and not having the same impact.

Kris Russell, C+ (C+, D): Russell has now had about six weeks of rock- solid defensive play, one of the best runs of sustained success since arriving in Edmonton in 2016. He had a 55 percent shot differential and a 7-4 goal differential (both numbers five-on-five). He is a shutdown type and a mainstay as a penalty killer and was on the ice for one goal against 1186215 Edmonton Oilers T.B 27

Leon Draisaitl NHL awards WATCH: Should Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both be up for the Hart Trophy? 2.24

0.9

By Dom Luszczyszyn Mar 31, 2021 C

EDM

Throughout the season, I’ll be breaking down the numbers behind the 36 race for each major player award: the Hart, the Norris, the Calder, the Selke, the Vezina, the Art Ross and the Rocket Richard. Numbers, of 22 course, aren’t everything. But they add much-needed context to the 19 awards race and can help shine a light on players deserving of more recognition while adding caveats to other players who may have some 35 warts. This post will present the top 10 for each category based on a set of guidelines. 54

It’s been a month since our last awards watch, a look around the 14.21 league’s trophy races from an analytical perspective. While there’s been 9 some movement among some of the contenders vying for nominations, not much has changed for the front-runners. For the most part, the guys 81 who led the way at the end of February have only solidified their stance at the top. 2 3.8 That doesn’t mean things can’t change over the next month, but it does mean the favorites have already established a fairly strong case for -2.8 consideration. Based on my interpretation of their numbers to date, here is how the awards race currently shakes out. 12.5

Data as of March 29. 7.7

Hart Trophy 1.2

Given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. Nathan MacKinnon

Criteria: Skaters ranked by Game Score Value Added and goaltenders 2.13 ranked by a blend of goals saved above expected and above average, 1.14 translated to wins, courtesy of Evolving Hockey. C Hart Trophy COL Connor McDavid 30 3.04 20.3 1.23 10 C 28 EDM 38 36 13.45 22.4 13 21 11 42 8 63 4.2 17.34 3.3 13 9.3 8 6.9 15 -0.4 8.5 Aleksander Barkov 1 2.04 11.8 0.99 -0.1 C 1.4 FLA Andrei Vasilevskiy 31 3.01 21.2 1.28 13 G 24 -1

37 0

13.23 2.8

21 4

39 1.2

9 3.2

6.4 3.3

3.8 Mikko Rantanen

4.2 2.01

3.2 1.37

-0.1 RW

Auston Matthews COL

2.03 34

0.48 19.9

C 20

TOR 20

32 40

22.2 12.11

23 14

17 3

40 8

15.93 3.1

31 3

34 9.6

6 4

3.8 -0.8

2.8 Mitch Marner

3.2 1.98

0.9 0.39

1.2 RW

Marc-Andre Fleury TOR

2.02 35

0.56 22.9

G 13

VGK 31

24 44

Adam Fox 12.47

2.01 24

1.47 3

D 3

NYR 2.7

33 2.2

24.5 4.6

3 3.7

26 1.4

29 Folks, let’s not overthink this: Connor McDavid is this year’s MVP. No need to get bored about it because he’s the best player in the world, no 3.83 need to galaxy brain some other guy because he “has less help” or 65 whatever — McDavid is the best this year. Full stop. By. A. Lot. As of now, there’s a 0.8-win gap between McDavid and the next best two outings, so a strong finish can propel him back into the runner-up skater — his own teammate and current linemate Leon Draisaitl. There’s position, but I’m not sure he’s the lock he once was. nearly a full-win gap between McDavid and the next best non-Oilers skater, Nathan MacKinnon. I went through the GSVA archives to 2007- Why isn’t Patrick Kane in the top 10? 08, and here are the biggest gaps between first and second place. Among skaters, Kane is 12th with Mark Stone, Sidney Crosby and Anze McDavid’s current gap already ranks fourth. Kopitar still ahead of him, despite Kane’s sizable point advantage over all 2016-17: Connor McDavid, +1.19 (won Hart) three. This is where it’s important to understand both model limitations and strengths. Kane has a 44 percent expected goals rate. That’s bad, 2011-12: Evgeni Malkin, +0.98 (won Hart) even by Chicago standards. But he also has a 57 percent actual goals rate, which is second to only Alex DeBrincat. Break it down into offence 2018-19: Sidney Crosby, +0.84 (second in Hart voting) and defense and it’s evident that Kane is getting jobbed a bit by a low 2020-21: Connor McDavid, +0.80 rate of expected goals for, one that doesn’t account for his patience with the puck and playmaking ability. Throughout his career, Kane has 2009-10: Sidney Crosby, +0.73 (third in Hart voting) outscored expectations by 0.55 goals per 60 and has had a few seasons near one. His ability off the rush is a big reason for that. This year he’s at 2007-08: Alex Ovechkin, +0.57 (won Hart) 1.12. It’s a little far-fetched and may regress, but he deserves credit for That’s three Hart winners and two times where Crosby lost to the scoring that in a way the model isn’t accounting for. The strong goals against is a leader but arguably provided more value. If McDavid wins the scoring different story. I can’t buy that he’s the reason the Blackhawks allow race — and it feels like it would take a small miracle for anyone else to fewer than expected with him on the ice, and the fact his expected goals win at this point — he should be a unanimous choice. He’s not only against remains a team worst is concerning. There’s a balance to be lapping the field in production but also is dominating at five-on-five with a struck in both regards, and while he belongs in the top 10, a top-five spot 60 percent expected goals rate. Give this man the MVP. would be giving too much credit to his point totals while ignoring his real defensive issues. The real debate comes afterward, and there are a few major questions. Norris Trophy Should two Oilers be finalists? Given to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the This question depends on a voter’s personal criteria for the award, and greatest all-round ability in the position. the words “most valuable” can be open to interpretation. It’s how we get arguments for anyone other than McDavid when he’s in a league of his Criteria: Defensemen that play top-pairing minutes with above-average own. But because he is, there likely will be some debate about Draisaitl’s usage ranked by Game Score Value Added. place on the ballot. How can he be most valuable on a team with Norris Trophy McDavid? Adam Fox Well, it’s because he’s still creating a lot of value, 2.2 wins’ worth, which is second among players. To me, most valuable means “most value” 2.01 regardless of whether someone else is doing it better on the same team. I mean, Draisaitl has a decent lead on the third-best skater, so let’s give 1.47 him some more credit here. He’s on a similar point pace as last season D but without anywhere close to the defensive issues. He’s a plus possession player this season with the actual goals very much going his NYR way at 69 percent. He also very clearly makes McDavid a lot better, as the duo has outscored opponents 22—4 in 181 minutes this season. 33 That’s utterly insane. It hasn’t happened since 2001 with 24.5 and Jaromir Jagr, but Draisaitl is very much worthy this season. 3 How do we factor in goaltending? 26 So there actually is someone close to McDavid’s win contribution: Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. He, too, is in a bit of a league of his 29 own, a full win ahead of Marc-Andre Fleury, but goalies are always tricky 3.83 in terms of value. Of course they’re higher up, they play the entire game. Vasilevskiy has been otherworldly this season, saving nearly 18 goals 65 above expected. He’s been the main factor for Tampa Bay’s terrific record without Nikita Kucherov. But it’s always hard to cross-compare 0 skaters and goalies. If we took value at its word, a goalie would win the 2.8 Hart almost every single season. They get discounted for their position, but should they? It’ll be an interesting year-end debate if Vasilevskiy 4 keeps his pace up. 1.2 Have we all forgotten about Nathan MacKinnon? 3.2 I haven’t heard much buzz around MacKinnon’s season this year, and that might be because all of Colorado’s stars are cooking. His point pace 3.26 isn’t as illustrious with 36 points in 29 games, but what he’s doing at five- Devon Toews on-five demands attention. The Avalanche have had some absurd shot ratios this season and have been a puck-possession juggernaut of late. 1.81 MacKinnon is front and center in that regard, posting a 63 percent expected goals rate this season. That’s sixth-best in the league. 1.46 Aleksander Barkov is first by a decent margin, and it’s why he’s firmly in D the top 10 along with being the Selke Trophy favorite. COL Has Auston Matthews’ injury hurt his chances? 31 Matthews’ wrist injury has been much talked about it, and it’s clearly affected his game for a decent stretch. He was fourth on this list last time 24.4 around with 1.54 wins but has only accumulated 0.49 since, which places him just outside the top five. Up until his injury, Matthews’ average Game 6 Score was 1.87, but that’s dropped to 1.09 since. He’s still controlling 13 play, but the production has dropped off. He’s looked better in his past 19 2.95 MTL

54 31

3 22.6

4.4 11

5 16

8 27

2.1 4.5

-1.2 35

Samuel Girard 1

1.7 2

1.23 2.5

D 5.7

COL 2.1

32 -0.71

23.4 Morgan Rielly

5 1.53

21 0.77

26 D

2.11 TOR

28 35

5 24

3 3

4.3 23

8.2 26

0.9 3.67

-2.2 37

Victor Hedman -2

1.57 5.5

1.11 0.1

D 2.3

T.B 4.7

34 1.82

25.5 Adam Pelech

6 1.47

27 0.99

33 D

5.25 NYI

52 36

-4 20.8

1.1 2

1.5 8

1.1 10

4.6 3.38

0.33 43

Jeff Petry -4

1.56 5.4

0.58 4.8

D 6.9 -0.5 3

1.31 15

Ryan Pulock 4

1.4 3

0.6 1.3

D 9.3

NYI 0.5

36 -1.38

22.4 A lot of people believe Victor Hedman is running away with the Norris Trophy because he’s leading all defensemen (and his team!) in points, 0 and well — he’s Victor Hedman, and obviously the rest of his game is 12 flawless. It’s great to see him rewarded with a top-five spot — he wasn’t this high in the first iteration — but that he’s not first may take some 12 explaining.

3.23 For defensemen, the biggest driver of GSVA is how they drive play at five-on-five because if they’re frequently outshooting and outscoring 62 opponents, they usually are doing something right. Points count, but 1 they’re a bit more unreliable for defenders. Hedman gets a lot of credit for his points, and his 54 percent expected goals rate is strong; it’s just that 4.2 the players above him are a fair bit higher. That bridges the production gap to an extent. 3.5 Hedman is a shade ahead of Jeff Petry and Morgan Rielly, two very 2.1 productive rearguards for Canadian teams who are also playing 3.4 extremely well at five-on-five. Petry has a 58 percent expected goals rate and even better 62 percent actual goals rate — both of which are second 1.79 on the team to only his frequent partners, Brett Kulak and Joel Edmundson. Rielly has often been shunned for his sketchy defense, but Charlie McAvoy his game has really blossomed playing with T.J. Brodie. He leads the 1.3 Leafs in expected goals percentage at 57 percent, with an equally strong 59 percent actual goals rate, and that’s in tough minutes. None of 0.63 Hedman, Petry or Rielly are used in a matchup role, but of the three, D Rielly’s minutes have been the toughest.

BOS Neither appears to be on the level of Adam Fox, though, who is the current runaway leader by GSVA. Fox is only four points off of Hedman, 31 but analytically speaking, there’s more than enough to bridge that gap. For starters, he plays the fourth-toughest minutes in the league by 24.1 forward competition, behind only Vancouver’s shutdown pair and Nikita 3 Zaitsev. Despite that, Fox has an absurd 59 percent expected goals rate, which comfortably leads the Rangers. Aside from his partner, only Jacob 17 Trouba, at 50 percent, isn’t in the negatives. Again, that’s in not only tough minutes but also arguably some of the toughest minutes in the 20 league. It’s a shame that the Norris Trophy often comes down to 2.96 reputation, where Hedman’s name is already written in pen and Fox will have to wait his turn. He’s been special this season. 52 It was Cale Makar who won the Calder Trophy last season and who -4 looked poised to add a Norris to the collection earlier this year, but an injury derailed his campaign a bit. He rounds out the top 10 after a 2.8 sensational three-assist performance Monday night, but it’s his two 2.1 Colorado colleagues who grade out higher — mostly due to a difference in games played. In Makar’s absence, Devon Toews and Samuel Girard 2.3 really stepped up and rank second and third, respectively, by GSVA. That’s entirely a byproduct of ranking second and fourth in expected 2.4 goals percentage this year, with Toews, in particular, being at a lofty 64 1.56 percent. What an acquisition he was. Toews and Girard also are on a 50- plus-point pace, which helps their respective cases. The only issue is Cale Makar how do you choose between the two. If Makar has a strong finish, the 1.29 choice gets a lot easier. The trio could cannibalize votes from each other, but with how well the Avalanche have controlled play, at least one of the 0.42 big three deserves a spot.

D That the Islanders have been so strong this season despite losing Toews is a testament to their own dynamic duo, Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock, COL two guys who are also tough to separate by GSVA. They round out the 22 top five in expected goals percentage with the Avalanche duo, but they do so playing much tougher shutdown minutes. I don’t know how much 23.9 consideration they’ll get because of their lesser point totals, but both have been excellent enough defensively to be considered. They’re a big 3 part of the Islanders’ identity and a perfect reason for the NHL to create a 19 best defensive defenseman award. They’d be at, or near, the top.

22 Selke Trophy Given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the 94% game. 34 Criteria: Forwards who play over 17 minutes per game, receive 30 percent of their team’s short-handed minutes and face the top 30 Anthony Cirelli percentile of forward competition on average, ranked by their ability to 4.2 suppress expected and actual goals. 2.2 Selke Trophy C Aleksander Barkov T.B 8 28 2.6 18.1 C 1.3 FLA 4.4 31 32% 21.2 41.7 3.8 Alex Iafallo 3.2 3.3 32% -0.4 32 LW Mitch Marner L.A 5.5 32 1.5 20 C 1.6 TOR 1 35 94% 22.8 38 2.2 Ryan O'Reilly 3.7 2.8 85% 2 39.5 C Zach Hyman STL 5.3 35 3.5 21.1 LW 0.9 TOR 2.9 33 83% 19.6 43.5 2 Alex Killorn 3.9 2.6 81% 2.3 44.3 LW Joel Eriksson Ek T.B 5.3 34 1.1 18.5 C 0.8 MIN 2.8 33 50% 17.4 34.8 2.4 Anze Kopitar 2.5 2.3 -0.6 1.12

C 0.58

L.A L

33 MIN

21.5 32

0.4 18.1

3.8 11

95% 16

39.3 27

Patrice Bergeron 10.32

1.8 10

0.9 -12

C 10

BOS -1.1

31 0.4

18.4 6.5

1.1 -0.8

-0.2 1.57

62% Alex Nedeljkovic

31.5 1.11

Everything I wrote about Barkov last time? I might as well copy and paste 1.2 it here, because it all still applies just the same. He still leads the league in expected goals percentage, satisfying those who view this as a two- G way award. He still leads in defensive value alone (among qualified CAR forwards) by a fair margin. And it’s still his turn. Just give him the award already. (For those wondering, the low quality of forward competition is 12 an artifact of playing in a bad division more than anything.) 0 Joel Eriksson Ek remains a trendy hipster pick with an incredibly strong Pius Suter 61 percent expected goals rate that’s buoyed by his terrific defense. He plays some of the toughest minutes in the league and still thrives. He 0.72 may not be a household name, but his results this year speak for themselves. With the Wild shining so brightly this season, he’s worthy of 0.43 awards consideration. C Those two should be a slam-dunk top two for now, but after that things CHI get interesting. Last year’s analytics favorite for this award, Anthony Cirelli, has emerged after missing out of the top 10 the first time around, 36 but he once again has an excellent defensive impact that’s worthy of consideration. Usual defensive stalwarts Kopitar and Ryan O’Reilly have 16.3 had excellent defensive seasons (though the former has seen his two- 11 way game decline a fair bit this year) and are worthy of consideration, while Patrice Bergeron finishes off the list. 7

The most interesting name last time around was Toronto’s Mitch Marner, 18 and he’s only further cemented his place on this list. Scott Wheeler wrote an excellent article breaking down the strides Marner has taken in his 9.27 defensive game, and he’s maintained that pace since. His expected and 19 actual goals against remain excellent, he plays tough minutes, and he kills penalties. On the other side of the top line might be a more -52 conventional choice, though as a hardworking winger, Zach Hyman is right behind him in defensive impact. Hyman actually leads the star- 3 studded team in expected goals percentage at 59 percent and actual 0.6 goals at 62.5 percent. He’s a much more effective player than he’s given credit for. 1

Calder Trophy 3.9

Given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of 1.1 competition in the NHL. 0.46 Criteria: Rookie skaters ranked by Game Score Value Added and rookie Igor Shesterkin goaltenders ranked by wins above replacement courtesy of Evolving Hockey. 0.71

Calder trophy 0.33

Kirill Kaprizov G NYR 2

17 17

0 19

Jason Robertson 1.87

0.66 24

0.41 0

L -4

DAL 1.7

27 -1.4

15.6 4.1

6 -0.4

15 0.57

21 Nils Hoglander

5.23 0.5

7 0.27

2 L

-1 VAN

2.4 37

0 15.1

6.1 7

-4.4 9

-0.17 16

Artem Zub 8.06

0.63 15

0.34 0

D 4

OTT 3.4

27 -1.5

17.4 2.1

2 0

6 2.66

8 Kevin Lankinen

0.71 0.48

27 -0.18

0 G

-3 CHI

-0.8 24

2.7 0

3.3 Josh Norris

2.2 0.4

2.7 0.06

Ty Smith C

0.52 OTT

0.13 36

D 16

N.J 8

33 10

19.5 18 7.49 1.28

17 G

32 T.B

2 27

2.6 0.93

-0.3 0.907

-1.2 0.023

-3.6 Marc-Andre Fleury

1.44 2.02

Janne Kuokkanen 0.56

0.39 G

0.44 VGK

C 24

N.J 0.927

28 0.909

13.8 0.018

5 Thatcher Demko

11 1.56

16 1.71

4.09 G

11 VAN

-4 25

-2 0.917

0.9 0.906

-2.1 0.011

5.3 Philipp Grubauer

3 1.55

0.63 0.29

With Kevin Lankinen fading after a hot start, this is Kirill Kaprizov’s trophy G to lose. He’s electric on nearly every shift and lapping the field in points. The expected goals numbers aren’t that great, but he seems to have that COL rare playmaking ability that boosts actual goal numbers, similar to what 28 was discussed with Kane above. He has the potential to be a model- breaker. 0.93

Kirill Kaprizov (Nick Wosika / USA Today) 0.918

The other skaters don’t stack up all that well. Jason Robertson has had a 0.012 strong point surge to enter the chat and is driving play well, while Pius Connor Hellebuyck Suter has performed admirably at center with Chicago’s top three mostly out to injury this year. The Senators have some intriguing options as well, 1.36 with Tim Stützle missing the cut due to lesser five-on-five numbers. 0.89 Goalies should be a big factor here, especially with Igor Shesterkin back from injury. He has a lot of potential, and if the Rangers can go on a little G run, he’ll be at the center of that. Alex Nedeljkovic has played only 12 WPG games, but in those he has been an absolute revelation for the Hurricanes with a stellar .929 save percentage. That may regress like 27 Lankinen’s prior lofty numbers, but for now, he’s the goaltending leader in terms of goals saved above expected. 0.917

Vezina Trophy 0.907

Given to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position. 0.01

Criteria: Goaltenders who have played half of their team’s games or more Calvin Petersen ranked by a blend of goals saved above expected and above average, 1.08 translated to wins, courtesy of Evolving Hockey. 0.26 Vezina Trophy G Andrei Vasilevskiy L.A 3.01 18 that’s vaulted him way up these rankings. He, too, stole the starter’s job in the process, and although his .917 save percentage isn’t super eye- 0.923 popping, it looks criminal when you tune into any Canucks game. The 0.912 defense is a tire fire in front of him, and it feels like the expected save percentage of .906, the lowest in the top 10, is honestly underselling how 0.011 bad it is.

Igor Shesterkin Philipp Grubauer has been excellent for the Avalanche, even if he doesn’t sniff the puck much most games, and Connor Hellebuyck is 0.71 moving back toward his Vezina Trophy form from last season. His 0.33 numbers this year aren’t nearly as illustrious, but he’s been a brick wall when he needs to be. G Art Ross Trophy NYR Given to the player who leads the National Hockey League in scoring 17 points at the end of the regular season.

0.924 Criteria: Skaters ranked by their projected end-of-season point total.

0.916 Art Ross Trophy

0.008 Connor McDavid

Chris Driedger 94.1

0.59 C

0.07 EDM

G 36

FLA 63

15 21

0.927 31.1

0.92 Leon Draisaitl

0.006 82.6

Semyon Varlamov C

0.58 EDM

0.13 36

G 54

NYI 21

24 28.6

0.922 Patrick Kane

0.918 73.1

0.004 RW

Kevin Lankinen CHI

0.48 36

-0.18 48

G 20

CHI 25.1

24 Mitch Marner

0.92 70.1

0.917 RW

0.003 TOR

The PHWA doesn’t vote on this award, but it probably won’t matter too 35 much this year with everyone in agreement on not only the top guy but also the runner-up. 44

Vasilevskiy has been sensational with a .930, 0.023 above his expected 22 rate, and has pulled ahead of Fleury since the previous iteration of the 26.1 awards watch. The two were close to neck-and-neck at the time. Fleury is the clear-cut No. 2 and has the better narrative with how he Auston Matthews commanded back the starting job in Vegas, but the results still favor Vasilevskiy. 66.4

After those two, there’s a bit more room for debate. Thatcher Demko has C been by far the league’s hottest goalie over the past month or so, and TOR 32 Criteria: Skaters ranked by their projected end-of-season goal total.

40 Rocket Richard trophy

22 Auston Matthews

26.4 37.6

Jonathan Huberdeau C

64.9 TOR

LW 32

FLA 23

35 22

40 14.6

21 Connor McDavid

24.9 31.9

Nathan MacKinnon C

64.9 EDM

C 36

COL 21

30 21

38 10.9

23 Alex Ovechkin

26.9 31.6

Mikko Rantanen L

64.6 WSH

RW 30

COL 18

34 22

40 13.6

23 Mikko Rantanen

24.6 30.9

Mark Scheifele R

63.9 COL

C 34

WPG 20

36 23

43 10.9

21 Leon Draisaitl

20.9 30.4

Mark Stone C

63.9 EDM

RW 36

VGK 19

32 21

40 11.4

24 David Pastrnak

23.9 29.6

McDavid is projected to win this one by almost 12 points — and almost R 20 points over the next non-Oiler. This one won’t be very close. BOS Rocket Richard Trophy 24 Given to the NHL’s top goal scorer. 14 25

15.6

Max Pacioretty

28.9

L

VGK

31

18

24

10.9

Tyler Toffoli

27.4

C

MTL

30

18

25

9.4

Steven Stamkos

27.2

C

T.B

32

16

22

11.2

Alex Debrincat

26.9

R

CHI

32

18

20

8.9

McDavid has made this race really interesting, but with Matthews’ wrist looking better in recent games, he still feels like the safe bet to win this one. It’s been really encouraging to see Alex Ovechkin climb back up the ranks, though, with his latest goal-scoring streak. His 18 goals in 30 games are just shy of a full-season 50-goal pace.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186216 Florida Panthers Ekblad so good next to Weegar. His assist Tuesday came on a slap shot from the point, which winger Brett Connolly deflected into the net.

Even the most optimistic outlooks within the organization didn’t project How Forsling went from last-minute waiver addition to top-pairing this, but he has passed every test so far. It only made sense for defenseman for Panthers Quenneville to give Forsling this shot.

Said Forsling: “I’ve just got to keep proving them right.”

BY DAVID WILSON PANTHERS SIGN TOP PROSPECT KNIGHT

Spencer Knight is officially heading to Florida.

Gustav Forsling knew he had no time to delay when the Florida Panthers The Panthers’ first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Knight signed came calling in the final days before the 2020-21 NHL season began. a three-year, entry-level contract with Florida on Wednesday after wrapping up his career with the Boston College Eagles. He immediately January suddenly became a whirlwind for the defenseman. On Jan. 8, becomes one of the NHL’s top goaltending prospects after leading to the the Carolina Hurricanes waived him — a victim of their surplus of talent United States to a gold medal at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey on defense. On Jan. 9, the Panthers claimed him and immediately Championships with a 5-1-0 record, 1.63 goals against average, .940 Forsling packed up his car. He had an 11-hour drive to make. He wanted save percentage and three shutouts. to make to be at practice in Sunrise on Jan. 10. “We are thrilled to have agreed to terms on a contract with Spencer,” Zito “I’m just going to do my best to prove to this team I’m here to take a said in a statement. “He is an immensely talented and dynamic young spot,” Forsling said after his first practice with his new team in January, goaltender who has been an elite player at every level that he has just hours after he arrived in South Florida at 1:30 a.m. following his trek played. From the collegiate ranks to international tournaments, Spencer from Raleigh, North Carolina. has consistently elevated his game, a testament to his work ethic, compete and character. We are excited for him to take the next step in In the space of 48 hours, he went from facing the prospect of another his career with the Panthers and look forward to his future with our club.” season in the minors or on the taxi squad to a fresh chance with the Panthers. Florida spent the entire offseason retooling itself on the fringes, As a sophomore at Boston College this season, Knight is a finalist for with a first-year general manager and a second-year coach, and the Hobey Baker Award, given to college hockey’s best player. In 21 games, Panthers kept tinkering all the way up until the week before the regular the goaltender went 16-4-1 with a .932 save percentage, 2.18 goals season began. They claimed Forsling off waivers just four days before against average and three shutouts. the NHL season began. Miami Herald LOADED: 04.01.2021 Right now, it’s nearly as big a move as any Florida made in general manager Bill Zito’s busy first offseason. In 23 games, Forsling has two goals and four assists and leads all of the Panthers’ healthy defensemen with 2.1 shots on goal per game. On Tuesday, Florida bumped him up to its top defensive pairing, playing next to defenseman MacKenzie Weegar in the wake of star defenseman Aaron Ekblad’s likely season-ending leg fracture, and Forsling delivered an assist in the Panthers’ 4-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings.

Aaron Ekblad is being stretchered off the ice after this hit#GoStars pic.twitter.com/OPjJdI3LAr

— DailyDallasHockey (@DallasStarsDDH) March 28, 2021

Coach Joel Quenneville, who previously coached Forsling with the Chicago Blackhawks from 2016 to 2019, liked what he saw from the 24- year-old on the top pairing, and Forsling will get a chance to build on his success Thursday when Florida (23-9-4) wraps up a two-game series with the Red Wings (12-21-4) at 7 p.m. at the BB&T Center.

“Fors has been really good for us. Weegs has been pretty good and not playing the right side in a long time he seemed to be comfortable over there, too, so that pair is strong,” Quenneville said Tuesday. “He’s playing very well. He’s playing important minutes. In Ek’s absence, all of a sudden that first matchup is a big ask in a short amount of time.”

Additions like Forsling have helped fuel the Panthers’ rapid-fire ascension to the ranks of the league’s best teams. Florida didn’t necessarily go out and target the biggest names on the market — Zito and Co. bought low on players they trusted to break out in new roles.

Forsling was the most extreme example. He played in 122 games across three seasons for the Blackhawks, then Chicago traded him to the Hurricanes in 2019. He went to the American Hockey League and never played in a game for Carolina before it waived him in January.

Quenneville, though, always thought highly of Forsling — he said he was twice the Blackhawks’ best player in training camp — and assistant general manager Paul Krepelka and senior advisor Rick Dudley, who both previously worked for the Hurricanes, pushed for the Panthers to claim him.

“Krepelka was really the guy who went to bat for Forsling and pounded the drum,” Zito said. “He and Rick Dudley, who also had been in Carolina, were adamant that he could help us.”

So far, Zito’s faith has been rewarded. Forsling’s defensive metrics are all solid — albeit with most of his minutes coming against lower lines — and his willingness to shoot helps him approximate some of what made 1186217 Florida Panthers

Do you watch Heat, Marlins or Panthers on TV? The names of the channels are changing.

By BRETT SHWEKY

After being a fixture in the homes of South Florida sports fans for more than 20 years, Fox Sports Florida and Fox Sports Sun have been officially renamed and .

The regional channels — which joined in 1996 and 2000 respectively — are television homes for the Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Orlando Magic. The channel number used by different cable and satellite providers is not changing.

The Miami Heat’s game against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night was shown on Bally Sports Sun, marking the first live event on both networks.

Joining 17 other regional networks in the rebranding, Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun will air their first full slate of live programming on Thursday, beginning at 11 a.m. with national MLB Opening Day coverage. Opening Day coverage will continue at 3 p.m. on Bally Sports Florida with a special one-hour “Marlins Live” pregame show leading into live coverage of the Miami Marlins’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Following the Marlins’ game and Opening Day baseball, the networks will showcase regional NBA and NHL matchups. Bally Sports Florida will air the Florida Panthers taking on the Detroit Red Wings at 7 p.m., while Bally Sports Sun will air the Miami Heat squaring off against the Golden State Warriors at 8 p.m.

Just like Fox Sports Florida and Fox Sports Sun, Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun are available throughout Florida on cable, satellite and streaming providers.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186218 Florida Panthers “The Panthers picked a legacy goalie. He is going to be a top-five goalie in the NHL and I have no doubt of that,” said Vanbiesbrouck, who led the Panthers to the 1996 Cup Finals.

The Panthers sign goalie-of-the-future Spencer Knight “It’s hard to put into words what they got, but he’s a real mature young man who prepares well and I’m ecstatic for him and for the Florida organization. It is a great pick. If this draft wasn’t so deep with talent, he would have gone higher.” By George Richards There had been rumblings that Knight may force a trade away from

Florida — or stay at BC through his senior year and thereby become a When the Florida Panthers made Spencer Knight their top pick of the free agent — due to the logjam in net that Bobrovsky’s seven-year 2019 NHL Draft it definitely raised some eyebrows. contract brought.

With Florida hot on the tail of free agent netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, did But this offseason, the Panthers created a ‘Goalie Excellence the drafting of Knight mean the Panthers were no longer interested in Department’ headed up by team executive and future Hall of Famer Bobrovsky? Roberto Luongo.

They most definitely were. The appearance, obviously, was that the Panthers were going to go all out in making sure Knight stays with the organization and develops into Days after drafting Knight, the Panthers signed Bobrovsky to the richest the goalie they all hope he can be. contract in franchise history, a seven-year deal worth $70 million. Luongo, incidentally, retired in the days between Florida selecting Knight Soon, Knight and Bobrovsky will become teammates. at the draft and signing Bobrovsky as a free agent.

On Wednesday, the Panthers announced that it had signed Knight — “It is great to have that many goalie resources,” Knight said. “It will hepl one of the top junior goalie prospects in recent memory — to a three-year and I think a lot of teams are going to do that. I have talked to Roberto, entry level deal. gosh, he sent me texts all the time, calls me every few weeks. It is nice know they are there for you as a person and it’s not just about the Knight is leaving Boston College after two seasons. hockey. It is good to have that support system.” As his career with the Eagles ends, it begins with the Panthers. As for the rumors about possibly wanting out of Florida? Knight and Bobrovsky will be linked together for some time. “I thought about it,” he said. “When I talked to the management staff they ”It’s going to be cool. I really admire his game, the way he plays,” Knight made it clear on what they wanted to do. They said all the right things said Wednesday afternoon. “I think technically, he is one of the best and it turned out to be a great situation for me. Bill Zito and coach goalies in the league. For me, to be so young and have a mentor like that Quenneville, owner Vinnie Viola, are all just tremendous people. I think … I am looking forward to it and hopefully will learn a lot.” that’s why I think this was the right decision, signing with Florida.”

Knight said Wednesday afternoon that he would be flying to Florida and Knight leaves Boston College without winning a national championship would join the Panthers in the coming days. despite the Eagles being considered one of the top teams in the NCAA ranks during that time. The assumption is Knight will be added to the team’s taxi squad allowing him to work with the team and, in the final weeks of the season, perhaps Last year’s season was cut short due to Covid-19 and this past weekend, even make his NHL debut. BC’s dreams of reaching the Frozen Four were thwarted by a 4-1 loss to St. Cloud State. “I am going down to Florida, but that’s as far as I really know as how my situation will be mapped out,’’ Knight said. “For me, whatever tasks I am Few people would have blamed Knight for going back for another chance given I will be positive, I am ready to go. For me, going to Florida and at a championship but he said Wednesday he was ready to start the next seeing what it is all about is more than I can ask for.” chapter of his hockey career.

Knight, who turns 20 in three weeks, has been a standout for Team USA It’s a career which will begin — and the Panthers hope, end — in and Boston College the past couple of seasons, leading the U.S. to the Sunrise. Gold Medal at the most recent World Junior tournament. “It has obviously been a pretty hectic few days,” said Knight, who ends In the finale, he squared off against Team Canada’s Devon Levi — his collegiate career 39-12-3. coincidentally another Florida prospect. Those two, down the road, may “Today, I decided to make it official and start my pro career. It is definitely be teammates as well. a unique feeling, Boston College meant so much to me. But I am joining “To me, this doesn’t even seem real yet,” Knight said in a video an organization that is allowing me to pursue my dream. It’s bittersweet conference. “I remember growing up watching the NHL from 4, 5-years- but I am definitely motivated and excited to start the next step. old and it seemed like a far-off Fantasyland sometimes. “I took a couple of days to decide, to decompress and frankly, I after I “I don’t realize what I am doing right now but once I get there, see who is played that last game I thought it was time. The reason I made the around me it will be pretty cool to take it all in. … It is going to be pretty decision a week after my last game was so that I could get into the cool, very unique. It doesn’t seem real and I still think it is some … system and continue on for however long the season will last. I am unreachable goal. definitely looking forward to having some weeks or months to get used to pro life.” “It is obviously right in front of me, but I’m not going to look too far ahead. I am going to stay in the moment. These are the kinds of moments Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 people look back on and cherish for the rest of their lives. I am going to try and enjoy every single moment of it.”

When Florida made Knight the 13th overall pick two years ago, John Vanbiesbrouck did not mince words with how good Knight could become.

The assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey better known in South Florida as ‘The Beezer,’ Vanbiesbrouck said the Panthers were getting not only a future starter but a goalie who could change the course of the franchise for years to come.

Those days won’t be now, but Knight has star written all over him. 1186219 Los Angeles Kings

Lias Andersson scores in return, Kings top Golden Knights

By W.G. RAMIREZ ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAS VEGAS — Lias Andersson scored a goal in his first game back after missing more than a month and the L.A. Kings defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Wednesday night.

The Kings snapped their three-game skid and a three-game losing streak in .

Vegas had its six-game home winning streak snapped, and dropped just its third home game in regulation this season.

Andreas Athanasiou, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Alex Iafallo also scored for the Kings, while Cal Petersen improved to 4-1-0 against Vegas after stopping 40 shots. Peterson has both of Los Angeles’ wins over Vegas this season.

William Karlsson and Shea Theodore scored for Vegas. Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves.

Los Angeles looked sharp early by staying disciplined in the first period, avoided giving Vegas an opportunity by staying out of the penalty box, and was nimble in pushing the puck through the neutral zone efficiently to keep the pressure on Fleury and control the tempo early.

Athanasiou opened the scoring when he snuck behind Vegas’ Zach Whitecloud and William Carrier to gather a loose puck, skated into the zone and beat Fleury with a backhand over his glove.

The Kings extended their lead to two goals when Tobias Bjornfot fired a rebound from the point and it trickled through Fleury’s pads, and Andersson punched it home in his first game back in more than a month.

It marked the second time in the past three games the Golden Knights allowed two goals in the first period.

Vegas cut the lead in half when Jonathan Marchessault’s shot caromed off Los Angeles defenseman Matt Roy’s skate and the puck trickled to the goal line, where Karlsson snuck a snap shot from the side of the net.

The Kings got their two-goal lead back when Athanasiou won the race to a loose puck and fired a shot Fleury lost track of, giving Anderson-Dolan time to jam in.

Seconds after killing a penalty, Iafallo got behind Vegas’ defense as Fleury skated toward the puck to attempt a poke check. Recognizing one of Fleury’s patented moves, Iafallo deked to his left and fired the puck into a wide-open net to give Los Angeles a 4-1 lead.

Theodore whipped a wrist shot from the point as Karlsson’s perfect placement in front of the net screened Petersen as the puck got through to cut Los Angeles’ lead in half early in the third period.

LA Times: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186220 Los Angeles Kings “I think we deserved to get a couple bounces today,” Andersson said. “Everyone’s working hard out there and I’m proud of how we played the full 60 minutes today.”

Lias Andersson scores in return as Kings top Vegas With less than two minutes left in the second period, Vegas center Chandler Stephenson elbowed Kings defenseman Tobias Bjornfot, drawing a major penalty and a game misconduct. Bjornfot left the game as a result of the hit. By ANDREW KNOLL Vegas has been one of the top third-period teams this season and they

generated offense early and often in the third, once they killed off the In search of a statement win, the Kings roared with a victory over one of remainder of the 5-minute penalty. the league’s top teams on Wednesday night, beating the Vegas Golden At the 3:36 mark of the third period, Thedore drew the Knights nearer. He Knights, 4-2, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. sent a seeing-eye wrist shot through heavy traffic, including two The Kings scored an early goal and extended their lead to two late in the teammates who screened Petersen as he did not appear to pick up the first period. Vegas got a goal back but the Kings answered with another puck’s trajectory as it zoomed by his stick to the far side. Fleury made yet pair. another pad save on a backdoor chance for Anderson-Dolan on a subsequent rush as the goalies matched the rising intensity of both Forward Lias Andersson summed up the Kings’ urgency succinctly. squads.

“We treat every game as a playoff game now,” he said. Seconds later, Fleury made a spectacular kick save with his right pad and then Petersen made two stops in rapid succession at the other end. Andersson, center Jaret Anderson-Dolan and winger Alex Iafallo scored goals for the Kings. Winger Andreas Athanasiou had a goal and an The Kings drew two penalties in the final seven minutes of the game, but assist. Cal Petersen won for the third time in his last four appearances, they had to settle for time running off the clock. including the Kings’ only two victories over Vegas this season, and made 40 saves. The Kings were 0 for 5 on the power play, which included more than 10 minutes with the man advantage between the major penalty and three Former Ducks center William Karlsson scored for Vegas, while former minors, two of which overlapped for 40 seconds of 5-on-3 time. Late in Ducks defenseman Shea Theodore contributed a goal and an assist. the game, forward Adrian Kempe hit a post twice, with one shot dinging Goalie Marc Andre-Fleury had one of his worst outings of the season, the metal on each side. allowing four goals on 30 shots, including two he likely lamented at key moments of the second period. Even so, their sound defensive work thwarted a versatile offense replete with veterans, including defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who played for the Elsewhere in the West division, the Colorado Avalanche trounced the first time since March 6. Arizona Coyotes, which closed the Kings’ deficit to three points behind Arizona and four points behind the St. Louis Blues for the final playoff Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.01.2021 spot.

“We’re there. We’re right there with the rest of the pack. It’s a race to one position for a lot of teams,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said. “I don’t think anyone is going to catch Colorado, Minnesota or Vegas the way they’re playing.”

The Kings got rolling 1:58 into the game, when Athanasiou’s speed turned a potential icing into a breakaway. Athanasiou settled a rolling puck on his backhand, transitioned to his forehand, then went back to his backhand to flip the puck past Fleury.

With 2:45 left in the first period, a lineup change paid dividends. Andersson has not played since Feb. 16 and had not scored since Jan. 24. He battled two defenders and the goalie to score off a diving push for a point-shot rebound at the goal line.

“We asked him to go to the minors just to get his game polished up and get some game action,” McLellan said. “I don’t know how many times he walked by me and said ‘I’m ready,’ and he was.”

The second period provided even more offense, as well as some entertaining if not conventional saves. A shrug from Fleury allowed him to make a save on a puck behind him with his back. Petersen’s kick save on a winding, twice-deflected puck through traffic had to rely more on instinct than technique.

Just before the midpoint of the game, the familiar combination of Karlsson, Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault got Vegas on the board. It was a fast albeit imprecise play as Marchessault flung the puck toward Smith in the slot, where it was deflected to the side of the net. There, Karlsson immediately popped the puck past Petersen.

The Kings responded less than three minutes later to reclaim a two-goal edge. After knocking the puck loose in the defensive zone, Anderson- Dolan and Athanasiou skated down a loose puck. Athanasiou slid the puck on goal along the ice, but control of the rebound somehow eluded Fleury, allowing Anderson-Dolan to push the puck between Fleury’s legs and into the net.

Fleury, who has been a top goalie this season, added to his blooper reel with 3:48 left in the second period. A 150-foot-plus, skybound clearing attempt by defenseman Mikey Anderson landed a few feet in front of the Vegas goal. Fleury’s poke check attempt failed, and Iafallo snatched the puck on his backhand and danced around the prone Fleury for a forehand tap-in. 1186221 Los Angeles Kings

Kings’ energetic Trevor Moore a tribute to development

By ANDREW KNOLL | PUBLISHED: March 31, 2021 at 8:59 p.m. | UPDATED: March 31, 2021 at 9:40 p.m.

As the Kings sought to break out of a scoring funk – they had nine goals in five games before breaking out in their 4-2 victory over Vegas on Wednesday night – one constant has been the energetic, effortful play of forward Trevor Moore.

Moore, an undrafted free agent, has become a full-time NHL player at age 26. Kings coach Todd McLellan said prospects seeking to carve a path to the NHL without a high scouting profile could look to Moore as an example of how to develop and progress their game.

His consistent level of engagement has also appealed to McLellan, who recently moved Moore off a trusty checking trio and onto a scoring line with Jeff Carter and Gabe Vilardi.

“His game is full of energy. Competitive in open ice and competitive in tight areas. Puck protection, separation, solid penalty killer, great team guy,” McLellan said.

Moore, a native of Thousand Oaks who still has family in the area, said he doesn’t feel like his game or his role have to change to find success with his new linemates.

“I think my skill set could be really effective for those guys, a couple of guys who are very offensively talented,” Moore said. “Getting in on the forecheck, creating turnovers and getting pucks to those guys in good spots, my role is really going to be the same.”

Moore’s winding trail to the NHL, which included a run to the Frozen Four with the University of Denver, has now led him to 100 career games at the top level. Wednesday’s game was No. 101. McLellan felt many more were in store, in contrast to how Moore once viewed his prospects as a pro.

“A few years ago I don’t think I would have thought that I’d play in a hundred NHL games, so it’s special, for sure,” Moore said.

FRK STILL HURT

Winger Martin Frk, who finished last season strong, has been sidelined with a lower-body injury for all but six minutes of action in 2021.

He sustained an injury in training camp and appeared to reaggravate it early in his only appearance this season.

“It’s been a really long road. I really feel for that guy,” McLellan said.

McLellan said Frk had skated at one point but was not feeling well prior to the Kings’ two-game trip to Vegas.

“Without having information from our trainer, I would say those aren’t good signs right now,” McLellan said.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186222 Los Angeles Kings two, so I think us having a fourth line that could give us some minutes was valuable.

On the importance of finding two points in this building FINAL – KINGS 4, GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2 – ANDERSSON, MCLELLAN I think yes, the answer quite simply is yes, but it’s tough to win here. One of the toughest arenas to win in, in the National Hockey League, and for us to get a win, we put it in the bank, it gives us two points that I don’t BY ZACH DOOLEY think a lot of teams are going to get out of this building. That certainly helps. We’re happy with the win, get some rest, and continue to play,

because the games are coming fast. The Kings got scoring from throughout the lineup, and bounced back in a On the Kings strong record in the second half of two-game sets this big way, with a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on season Wednesday evening at T-Mobile Arena. Well, the urgency, the fact that we can make some adjustments and fix It was nearly déjà vu for the Kings, as they scored inside two minutes in some things from the game before. Leadership, conditioning, I think for the second straight game. Sean Walker hit Andreas Athanasiou for a that’s an important part, we’ve got a well-conditioned team I believe, breakaway, and the winger did not miss, as he deked onto the backhand those are all factors I think that go into that second game. and beat goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury for the early Kings lead. Notes – Unlike Monday, when Vegas struck back for four unanswered goals, the Kings doubled their lead in tonight’s opening period. – Forward Andreas Athanasiou collected a goal and an assist in tonight’s game, his first multi-point game of the season. Forward Lias Andersson earned his way back into the lineup this evening, for the first time since February 16, and scored a big goal to – Skating in his first game with the Kings since 2/16, forward Lias extend the lead late in the first period. After a strong shift from the fourth Andersson tallied his second goal of the season. line, defenseman Tobias Bjornfot’s shot from the left point was deflected in front, in behind Fleury, and Andersson crashed the net and hit home – Forward Anze Kopitar snapped a three-game pointless drought, his the rebound for the 2-0 lead through 40 minutes. longest of the season, with an assist on Alex Iafallo’s second-period goal. The assist was his 30th of the season, fifth most in the NHL. While Vegas opened the scoring in the second, with William Karlsson burying after a tough bounce off a skate in the slot, the Kings struck back – With his primary assist on Iafallo’s goal, defenseman Mikey Anderson with two more goals, to take a 4-1 lead through 40 minutes. now ranks third in the NHL with seven assists amongst first-year defensemen First, Athanasiou used his speed to win a race to a loose puck in the offensive end, and his shot forced Fleury into an awkward save, with – Defenseman Sean Walker collected his third point from four games Jaret Anderson-Dolan crashing the net and putting the rebound just over against Vegas this season with the lone assist on Athanasiou’s game- the goal line. Immediately after a penalty killed, forward Alex Iafallo found opening goal. a loose puck in the slot, alone with Fleury, and evaded the netminder’s – Goaltender Cal Petersen made 39 saves on 41 shots this evening, as poke check, putting home his deke on the forehand for a 4-1 advantage. he improved to 4-1-0 against Vegas in his NHL career. After the Kings were unable to convert on a five-minute power play, after – The Kings were perfect on the penalty kill for the ninth time in ten a major penalty for elbowing was assessed to Chandler Stephenson, games, as they killed off all three Vegas power-play opportunities. The Vegas pulled one back early in the third, as Shea Theodore’s drive from Kings rank fourth in the NHL at 85.7% on the PK this season. the point evaded a lot of traffic in front, beating Petersen at the left post. The Kings are scheduled to practice tomorrow at 11 AM at Toyota Sports Despite a Vegas push down the stretch, Cal Petersen and the Kings held Performance Center. firm, to close out the victory and earn a split in Vegas this week. The win was the first of the season for LA at T-Mobile Arena, and snapped a LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.01.2021 three-game losing skid in the process, while moved the team back to the .500 mark on the season with the victory.

Hear from Andersson and Head Coach Todd McLellan after today’s game.

Lias Andersson

Todd McLellan

On if it feels like the Kings are playing “playoff” games right now, with 22 games left

Yeah, with 30 [games] left it was. We’re there. We’re right there with the rest of the pack. I think it’s a race to one position for a lot of team, I’m not sure that anyone is going to catch Minnesota, Colorado or Vegas, the way they’re playing, so it’s a race for one position. We’re there with a bunch of teams, every night is important. It’s important for the evolution of our organization, but it’s also important point-wise, for us to play well to put ourselves in a position to play later than the regular schedule.

On the importance of depth scoring tonight

I think you just answered your own question, absolutely.

On Lias Anderson tonight, and the play of his line

Let’s start with Lias, I thought Lias did a really good job. He came to a new team, he played some games, he was in and out, he didn’t get to play a lot and we asked him to go to the minors just to get his game polished up and get some game action. He did that, he was very patient, every day he showed up at the rink and I don’t know how many times he walked by me and said “I’m ready” and he was. When his number was called, he was ready, good for him. I thought that line had a bit of a spark, which was good for our team tonight. [The Golden Knights] were short a player, and then when Chandler took the major they were short 1186223 Los Angeles Kings

GAME THREAD – KINGS @ GOLDEN KNIGHTS, 3/31

BY ZACH DOOLEY

Los Angeles Kings 4, Vegas Golden Knights 2

FINAL

Game Previews: LA Kings Insider – NHL.com – Vegas Golden Knights

NBC Sports Live Stream

SOG: LAK – 30 VGK – 41

PP: LAK – 0/5 VGK – 0/3

First Period

1. LAK – Andreas Athanasiou (7) – (Sean Walker) – 1:58

2. LAK – Lias Andersson (7) – (Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore) – 9:41

Second Period

3. VGK – William Karlsson (9) – (Sean Walker) – 1:58

4. LAK – Jaret Anderson-Dolan (4) – (Andreas Athanasiou) – 12:21

5. LAK – Alex Iafallo (9) – (Mikey Anderson, Anze Kopitar) – 16:12

Third Period

6. VGK – Shea Theodore (6) – (Alex Tuch, Keegan Kolesar) – 3:36

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. PT

T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, NV

Referees: #19 Gord Dwyer, #40 Steve Kozari

Linesmen: #65 Pierre Racicot, #73 Vaughan Rody

NBC Sports, NBC Sports Live, LA Kings Audio Network

LAK Starters: G Cal Petersen, D Mikey Anderson, Drew Doughty, F Alex Iafallo, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown

LAK Scratches: Carl Grundstrom, Matt Luff, Kurtis MacDermid

VGK Starters: G Marc-Andre Fleury, D Alec Martinez, Shea Theodore, F Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, Reilly Smith

VGK Scratches: Dylan Coghlan

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186224 Los Angeles Kings against the Kings, with a .920 save percentage and a 2.43 goals-against average. Fleury has been one of the best goaltenders in the NHL so far this season, ranking in the league’s Top 5 in save percentage, goals- against average and goals saved above average. 3/31 PREVIEW – LINEUP THOUGHTS, PLUS PIETRANGELO, MOORE’S ROLE & APPROACHING VEGAS Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo looks likely to return for Vegas. The team’s prized free-agent signing in the offseason has played just 18 games so far this season, due to a spell on the COVID-19 protocol list earlier this season, and an upper-body injury that has sidelined him for the better BY ZACH DOOLEY part of the month of March, after he blocked a shot on 3/6.

Vegas Head Coach Peter de Boer said this morning that Pietrangelo is WHO: Los Angeles Kings (13-14-6) @ Vegas Golden Knights (24-8-1) expected to be available from a health perspective, but he is unsure on the “paperwork” regarding whether or not he will be activated from IR. WHAT: NHL REGULAR SEASON GAME From many individuals covering the Golden Knights, the expectation seems to be that he will play. WHEN: Wednesday, March 31 @ 7:00 PM Pacific Here’s how David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal pegged the WHERE: T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, NV lineup for the home side –

HOW TO FOLLOW: Video: NBC Sports – AUDIO – iHeart Radio – Pacioretty – Stephenson – Stone TWITTER: @DooleyLAK Marchessault – Karlsson – Smith TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: The Kings look for their first victory of the season at T-Mobile Arena, in their final game, as they conclude a two- Tuch – Roy – Kolesar game set against the Vegas Golden Knights this evening. Carrier – Nosek – Reaves HEAD-TO-HEAD: The Kings have been led by goaltender Cal Petersen Martinez – Theodore versus the Golden Knights. The 26-year-old netminder has posted a .941 save percentage and a 2.29 goals against average from three McNabb – Pietrangelo appearances. Though the Kings have scored just 11 goals from 5 meetings to date, forward Anze Kopitar leads all Kings skaters with five Hague – Whitecloud points (1-4-5) in the head-to-head series. With two assists on Monday, Fleury / Lehner forward Jonathan Marchessault (1-5-6) is now tied with teammate Max Pacioretty (3-3-6) for the series-lead with six points apiece against the We Want Some Moore Kings so far this season. We’ve covered it in-depth over the last two days, but the configuration of KINGS VITALS: The Kings hit the ice earlier today for an optional the team’s forwards beyond the Kopitar line has remained something for morning skate in Vegas, which has become a common occurrence the Kings to figure out. following a full-team practice the day before. One interesting piece to that puzzle is forward Trevor Moore, who With Jonathan Quick getting the nod on Monday, the rotation of brought energy and spark alongside Gabriel Vilardi and Jeff Carter on goaltenders would point towards Cal Petersen’s turn this evening. As Monday. That line was perhaps the best of the three lines in the “bottom mentioned above, Petersen has excellent numbers against Vegas this nine”, combining for Matt Roy’s game-opening goal, and creating other season, totals that extend versus the Golden Knights in his NHL career, offensive opportunities, especially in the first period. with a 3-1-0 record, a .941 save percentage and a 2.15 goals-against average. Vilardi and Carter had played together before, but Moore is the interesting piece to that puzzle. The 6-0 forward has spent the majority of With multiple players not on the ice, tonight’s Kings lineup is less clear. his time with the Kings on either the third or fourth line, most recently on Todd McLellan said after Monday’s game that he still hasn’t seen the an effective energy-trio with Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Carl Grundstrom. consistency he’s looking for from the bottom nine, and indicated that another forward might check-in. Does that mean another shuffle of When asked this morning, McLellan was highly complementary of Moore, personnel? Does that mean inserting a forward such as Lias Andersson and noted that he views his energetic forward as a player he can insert or Matt Luff to get some fresh legs and energy into the lineup? throughout the lineup, on different lines, to create an impact, while also imploring players within the organization to take note of the career path There’s a chance we’ll see one, or both, of those two tonight is the most of a guy who has earned himself a role in the NHL. we got this morning, so we wait until closer to game time tonight for confirmation. “I think his game is full of energy, competitive in open ice and tight areas, puck protection, separation, solid penalty killer, great team guy,” UPDATE – The Kings activated Andersson from the taxi squad this McLellan said. “For some of our midrange younger players coming up afternoon, which clears the way for him to check in tonight. and into the organization, maybe not being Top 6 players, there may be some in Ontario that are going to be middle six, or bottom six, this guy’s In terms of the blueline, McLellan was complimentary of both members of path to where he is right now is one that they should take a look at. Little his third pairing, Sean Walker and Austin Strand, both in yesterday’s later in development, finding a role. He was an offensive guy in college, media availability as well as again this morning. As such, we’re not he still has that in his game, but he’s been able to add to it and take on expecting to see any changes to the defensemen that skated on Monday, defensive responsibility. He’s worked his way into a permanent position which seems likely with Strand activated from the taxi squad earlier in the NHL in my opinion.” today. For the Denver University product, it was his 100th career NHL game, “We liked the way those two played together,” McLellan said of his third spent with both the Kings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Entering camp pairing. “For Walks, he’s been kind of all over the map, and to ask him at this season, Moore was expected to compete for a roster spot, and was this point to go to the left side, it’s a big ask, but they played quite well. I considered likely to get one, but he wasn’t a name you had penciled into think they were only on the ice for one goal against, probably one they’d the increased role he has earned. Energetic efforts like Monday will go a like to have back, off the end wall. Other than that, they played well, so long way towards maintaining an elevated role this season. there’s an opportunity that both of them could be back in the lineup again tonight.” My interview with Moore below, from today’s morning skate.

Additional roster moves from today include Olli Maatta being added to Handling Vegas injured reserve, retroactive to 3/21, with defenseman Daniel Brickley assigned from the taxi squad to the . I feel like I’ve repeated so many thoughts over the last three days. Vegas is a good team. They’re opportunistic. They capitalize on your mistakes. GOLDEN KNIGHTS VITALS: Following Robin Lehner’s victory on On we go. Monday, the hosts are expected to turn back to goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury between the pipes tonight. In his NHL career, Fleury is 10-7-4 When he had the chance to look back a bit on Monday’s game, Todd McLellan provided a bit more insight into what he felt Vegas did well, but it again boiled down to them being a strong opponent, and the Kings needing to improve in various areas.

“Watching it, we got beat in areas that they’ve continually exposed us in,” McLellan said. “I think that’s in large part due to how well they play, but eventually, we’ve got to fix it and get better at it. A lot of plays from below the goal line, that are giving us some headaches, so we’ve got to be aware of that tonight. Some other areas of the game, there’s no sense in going through all of it, but there’s other areas that we have to improve on.”

I asked Austin Wagner and Trevor Moore, the players we spoke with this morning, how they approach a game against a team that is so deadly at punishing mistakes. Can you put a focus on not mistakes, while also not playing to not make a mistake? A tongue-twister….

Wagner

They’re a very good team, we know that, but we’ve proven that we can beat them and we’re a good team too when we’re going. We know what we have to do against them, they transition pucks really well and they go to offense very quickly. They track hard, back into their zone. I think the faster we play as a team, and push the pace, it creates success for us as a team. When we’re getting shots, and rolling around in the o-zone, you can see that we’re a very productive team….for us, just not focusing on mistakes, but playing the way that we know we can play, we know that we can be successful from certain ways that we play.

Moore

You have to make the plays that are there, first and foremost, and you have to be sure. When you’re not sure, the puck has to go in behind them and we have to get on the forecheck. You can’t be feeding their transition, because they’re big guys that move well and it gets hard on our defense, and it really hurts our offense when they’re buzzing back the other way. We’ve got to get some sustained o-zone time and slow them down.

The Kings are saying the right things, but against a team like Vegas, it’s difficult for any opponent to execute how you want to. Kings get their final crack at T-Mobile Arena, tonight at 7 PM.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186225 Minnesota Wild but the group also appears to be searching for the game that was the catalyst for its previous success.

The offense hasn't been as dynamic, with this the third time the Wild has Wild's slow start leads to another road loss, 4-2 at San Jose been limited to one goal or less over the past seven games. The team is still playing without Marcus Foligno (injured) and Zach Parise (COVID Goalie Martin Jones made 26 saves, backstopping San Jose to a sweep list). over the Wild after he was between the pipes for the eight-round shootout win on Monday. But the vibe is off, too; the attentiveness and relentless that headlined the surge after the Wild's season was suspended by a COVID-19 haven't been as visible.

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune APRIL 1, 2021 And there isn't much time to figure out solutions.

"We're going into Game 3 of this road trip with one point," Hartman said. "I think that's enough motivation for everybody. We have an opportunity SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Wild hurled more pucks at the net than it had to get five out of eight [points], and that's the most we can get and that's recently despite getting outshot for the eighth straight game. what our goal is here moving forward." But the uptick still could have been higher, a disconnect that was Star Tribune LOADED: 04.01.2021 unmistakable in a 4-2 loss to the Sharks on Wednesday at SAP Center on a winless road trip for the Wild that continues Thursday at Vegas.

"We were happy with the looks we're getting," coach said. "We're just not taking it when we get that look. Clearly, that's been an issue."

Goalie Martin Jones made 26 saves, backstopping San Jose to a sweep over the Wild after he was between the pipes for the eight-round shootout win on Monday.

After that game, which was the seventh in a row that the Wild was outshot and sixth time in that span the team has surrendered at least 30 shots, the coaching staff's message to the players was to wind up on more pucks. The group even watched video pregame that highlighted missed chances.

The talking-to seemed to sink in somewhat, with the Wild not getting overwhelmed on the shot clock in the early stages as had been the trend lately. But the team still wasn't as aggressive as it could be, and that proved costly against the Sharks.

"It was very frustrating," Evason said. "We did a whole presentation on passing up shots and just simplifying it. We still tried to look for the better one. We've got to get it through our heads that sometimes it's not a bad thing to get it there and get people around the net and get those second, third opportunities."

Rookie Kaapo Kahkonen, in his first start since his nine-game win streak ended March 20 in a blowout loss at Colorado, kept the game scoreless through the first period. He was especially clutch on the penalty kill, making three stops in a row against Timo Meier, Ryan Donato and . Overall, he had 29 saves.

But San Jose pulled away in the second.

Rudolfs Balcers roofed a headman pass from Tomas Hertl over Kahkonen 4 minutes, 41 seconds into the period after getting a step on Ryan Suter.

And on their second power play, the Sharks capitalized when Donato backhanded in a rebound at 9:22. They finished 1-for-3 with the power play, while the Wild went 0-for-2 after not getting a single opportunity on Monday for just the second time this season.

Evason scrambled a few of the lines that period, separating Kirill Kaprizov, Victor Rask and Mats Zuccarello by subbing Marcus Johansson in for Zuccarello; he joined Kevin Fiala and Ryan Hartman.

Eventually, Kaprizov started playing with Hartman and Fiala and that led to the Wild spoiling Jones' shutout bid.

At 8:23 of the third, Kaprizov scored on a seeing-eye shot through a Hartman screen for his team-leading 12th goal.

But the Sharks quickly reinstated a two-goal cushion at 10:58 on Nikolai Knyzhov's first career NHL goal, and that ended up the game-winner after Zuccarello scored with 13 seconds to go. The Sharks added an empty-net goal from Evander Kane with 1 second remaining.

"We didn't play our best in the first two [periods]," Zuccarello said. "We didn't play like we did in the third. Everyone … played with desperation. I think that's how we have to play all periods every game."

Not only is the Wild still seeking for its first win since a three-day break last week that was hyped as a launching pad for the rest of the season, 1186226 Minnesota Wild

Wednesday's Wild-San Jose game recap

Sarah Mclellan APRIL 1, 2021 — 1:53AM

GAME RECAP

STAR TRIBUNE'S THREE STARS

1. Nikolai Knyzhov: The defenseman's first NHL goal stood up as the game-winner.

2. Tomas Hertl, Sharks: The center assisted on two goals.

3. Brent Burns, Sharks: The defenseman also had two assists.

BY THE NUMBERS

1 Goal by rookie Kirill Kaprizov, his team-leading 12th.

2 Unsuccessful power plays for the Wild.

8 Consecutive games in which the Wild has been outshot.

Star Tribune LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186227 Minnesota Wild Olympic opportunity Guerin also played for Team USA, suiting up for two World Juniors, two

World Cups and three Olympics, and he added another milestone to his Wild's Matt Boldy makes "super exciting" jump from college to pros international resume Wednesday when he was named the assistant GM of the 2022 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team.

Chicago GM Stan Bowman was named GM. By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune APRIL 1, 2021 — 1:29AM "As a player, it was always a huge honor to put on the USA jersey," Guerin said. "I always took it very seriously and like Stan, I'm a product of the 1980 generation and it was something that drove me. So, in this SAN JOSE, CALIF. – Matt Boldy was trying to catch up on schoolwork capacity, I'm honored to be representing USA Hockey again." earlier this week after returning from the NCAA tournament, but that's not all that was on the Boston College sophomore's mind. At the 2002 Olympics hosted by Salt Lake City, Guerin won silver after the U.S. lost the gold-medal game to Canada. Boldy was also deciding his hockey future. Star Tribune LOADED: 04.01.2021 "A lot of stress," he said. "But other than that, the fact it all worked out and all worked out in the fashion it did was incredible."

After two seasons with the Eagles, Boldy signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Wild. He'll begin his pro career with Iowa, reporting to the American Hockey League after completing COVID-19 testing and quarantine requirements in Minneapolis.

"It's super exciting," Boldy said. "It's a dream come true. For me, it's another step closer to the ultimate goal that every kid sets when they're little."

The Wild presented Boldy with two contract options, a deal that began immediately or one that would start next season.

By continuing to play, Boldy can build on what's already been a productive season for the 19-year-old. In 22 games, he recorded 11 goals and 20 assists and was recognized as a Hobey Baker Award top- 10 finalist.

"Developmentally it was huge for me, especially confidence-wise," he said.

Despite debuting at Boston College as a prized prospect drafted 12th overall by the Wild in 2019, Boldy started slowly and didn't make the team that represented the United States at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship.

"It was shaky for a little," he said, "and obviously my game wasn't where it is now."

But Boldy rallied, learning from the adversity and emerging as one of the nation's top scorers early in his sophomore season and then shining at the 2021 World Juniors, where he helped Team USA win a gold medal.

"That's what you want to see, his line of development going up, and I think he's doing that," Wild General Manager Bill Guerin said. "We're on the right track, and we feel very good about where he is right now."

At the World Juniors, Boldy tied for the team lead in goals with five.

"I was there to try and prove some people wrong," Boldy said, "just kind of go out there, play my game and show everyone who I am as an all- around player."

Guerin believes the 6-2, 195-pound Boldy will have to get quicker and stronger like all young players do, but he feels Boldy is "a very important piece" in the Wild's puzzle.

"He's got hockey sense," Guerin said. "He's got size. He's got playmaking ability. He's got a lot of great tools. It's just a matter of putting them all together at the next level."

With Iowa, Boldy hopes to demonstrate his skill and smarts. He feels he can play wing and center and ultimately, Boldy will dictate when he gets to the NHL -— through his stats, how consistently he plays and his demeanor.

Individual focus

Boldy is among the latest from that 2021 World Juniors squad to sign a pro contract, joining the likes of Cole Caufield (Montreal) and Trevor Zegras (Anaheim). But Guerin told Boldy to focus solely on his journey.

"I know there's that internal competition between those guys and the pressure that they put on themselves," Guerin said. "But we want to take all the pressure we can off Matt and just let him develop and play hockey." 1186228 Minnesota Wild

Gameday preview: Wild at Vegas

SARAH McLELLAN

9:30 p.m. at Vegas • BSN, 100.3-FM

Wild have had tough luck in Vegas

Preview: Like the Wild, the Golden Knights were also in action Wednesday, hosting the Kings. Vegas started the week with a 4-1 win over Los Angeles. In its last trip to Vegas, the Wild fell 5-4 in overtime and 5-1. Overall, the team is 2-1-1 vs. the Golden Knights this season.

Players to WATCH: Wild C Joel Eriksson Ek has two goals and an assist against Vegas this season. D Jonas Brodin also has three points in the season series (one goal and two assists). … Golden Knights D Dylan Coghlan scored a hat trick the last time these teams met. RW Mark Stone has seven assists in his past four games vs. the Wild.

Numbers: The Wild is 3-1 in the second half of a back-to-back. The team is 8-2-2 all time vs. the Golden Knights. … Vegas is 2-for-10 on the power play this season against the Wild. The Golden Knights are 3-3 vs. the Wild at home since they entered the NHL.

Injuries: Wild Fs Marcus Foligno (lower body) and Zach Parise (COVID list) are out.

Star Tribune LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186229 Minnesota Wild

Kaapo Kahkonen back in net for Wild vs. Sharks

The rookie goalie hasn't played since March 20.

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune MARCH 31, 2021 — 2:24PM

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Kaapo Kahkonen will return to the crease Wednesday night when the Wild finishes up a two-game series at San Jose.

Kahkonen hasn't played since March 20 when his nine-game win streak came to an end during a 6-0 loss at Colorado.

Overall, the rookie goalie has a 1.89 goals-against average and .934 save percentage and two shutouts over his last 10 starts.

The rest of the Wild lineup will remain the same, but the team will be looking to put more pucks on net.

Although the Wild carried a 2-1 to the second period in the 4-3 shootout loss Monday to the Sharks, the team was outplayed early and surrendered 18 first-period shots. The Wild has been outshot by its opponents for seven straight games, a topic that was brought up ahead of the rematch with the Sharks.

"We did a video presentation this morning on good opportunities when we shot the puck, opportunities to shoot and we did not shoot the puck," coach Dean Evason said. "We think we have not shot the puck enough. Clearly, our shot totals you can go back to [the] St. Louis game (11) wasn't good. We picked it up better last game as the game went on, but a lot of times you need to simplify and get some pucks through first and then those nice plays, pretty plays, open up.

"Our identity is getting pucks in and working our buts off and simplifying and getting pucks to the net. When we do that, the other stuff will open up. Hopefully they've grasped the video that we showed them."

Projected lineup:

Kirill Kaprizov-Victor Rask-Mats Zuccarello

Kevin Fiala-Ryan Hartman-Marcus Johansson

Jordan Greenway-Joel Eriksson Ek-Nick Bonino

Nico Sturm-Luke Johnson-Nick Bjugstad

Ryan Suter-Jared Spurgeon

Jonas Brodin-Matt Dumba

Carson Soucy-Ian Cole

Kaapo Kahkonen

Key numbers:

2: Goals for winger Marcus Johansson over his last two games.

3: Points for winger Kevin Fiala in his past two contests.

12: Wins this season for Kahkonen.

3-1: Record for the Wild in the first game of a back-to-back this season.

0-3-1: Showing by the Wild over its past four games.

About the Sharks:

San Jose is sticking with the same lineup that upended the Wild 4-3 in a shootout on Monday. Defenseman Erik Karlsson scored the decisive goal in the eighth round after tallying two goals in regulation. Winger Ryan Donato also picked up two points that night, registering two assists. Sharks captain Logan Couture is one assist away from 300 in his NHL career. Goalie Martin Jones is 4-1-1 over his last six starts with a 2.11 goals-against average, .935 save percentage and one shutout.

Star Tribune LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186230 Minnesota Wild be acting like hall monitors, they will be looking for people to follow rules and stay in their seats as often as possible.

"Obviously fans will be able to go to the concession stands and go to the Heading out to the game? Here's what you need to know merchandise locations and the restrooms," Hoy said. "But the guidance for the Stay Safe Minnesota document asks people to stay in their seats Starting with the MSHSL girls' hockey state tournament on Thursday at if at all possible, and stay masked." Xcel Energy Center, fans are back in attendance in Minnesota. But there will be some changes. Speaking of masks ... masks

Fans can expect to see everyone working at the wearing a mask, and fans will be expected to wear masks at all times when they By Jeff Day Star Tribune MARCH 31, 2021 — 6:00AM are not eating or drinking. Team executives for every sports franchise in the state worked together to build safety guidelines, and they all said that

the mask mandate is viewed as a way to not only follow guidelines from Starting Thursday, sports fans will be able to return to sporting venues by the Minnesota Department of Health, but to create an environment where the thousands in Minnesota. It's a huge moment for the state and for fans can feel safe attending a game. sports franchises and organizations throughout the Twin Cities, but for "I think it has been well documented we have all collaborated for the fans and teams alike, there will be changes. better part of the year just around this return to play concept," Tanke The coordinated efforts to create a safe, healthy and hospitable said. "There are still protocols that are in place that provide people that environment for fans and venue staff has been ongoing for nearly a year comfort of socially distanced and masked requirements, we're really among franchises, venues and state health officials. comfortable with the fact that everybody's health and safety is the first priority and singular focus as we begin opening in April." The teams feel ready, fans are buying tickets and starting Thursday, the cheers of sports fans are going to tic up a few decibels in the state of Who needs tickets? Minnesota. While sports fans will enter a digital world inside venues, so will scalpers Here are some changes that people attending games can expect. looking to take advantage of high ticket demand. Secondary websites like StubHub and TicketKing have tickets available for every upcoming Apps, apps, apps professional sporting event in the state — which is an especially big deal for Wild tickets, because so far they have not been made available to the The Timberwolves were the first professional sports organization in the general public. But prepare to pay big prices. On Tuesday, TicketKing country to do away with physical tickets and that will be the standard had four tickets available for the Wild's first game with increased now. But the biggest change fans will encounter is that the entire attendance on April 5 against the Colorado Avalanche at $1,000 apiece. stadium-going experience has gone digital. StubHub had 22 tickets available, starting at $193. The Twins have sold "Knowing fans are using their mobile device to get into the game, how do out several of their first batch of games, including the home opener, but if we create a remote control for the experience with your phone while you want to find tickets to that game on April 8 against the Mariners, you're in the game?" Timberwolves Chief Operating Officer Ryan Tanke there were a lot of options on secondary sites. But no matter where you asked. buy, you will have to buy in pods.

For the Wolves, the answer was a new mobile commerce platform on the Star Tribune LOADED: 04.01.2021 Timberwolves app that will allow fans to order everything from concessions to apparel on their phones through a partnership with VenueNext. The Twins are in a similar partnership with Venuetize through the MLB Ballpark app.

"It's how we've all been operating with mobile takeout, right, we're placing orders," Tanke added. "To a degree the world for a year has been preparing for something that we think is the future of the fan experience which is everybody has their own point of sale system right in their pocket.

Leave your bags at home

One of the more contentious decisions for season-ticket holders is the standard, for now: Very few bags will be allowed into Target Field, and absolutely no bags that are not medically necessary will be allowed into Target Center or Xcel Energy Center. For female ticket holders, this has been a topic that has driven a lot of passionate responses but ultimately teams are siding with less contact being necessary at this point.

"We are also eliminating bags other than medical necessary bags or a small women's clutch purse that's 9 by 5 inches — no bags will be allowed," said Twins Senior Vice President of Operations Matt Hoy. "Everything more or less designed and spread out to get people in as quickly as we can and to have it be as contactless as possible."

Health screenings

The Wild will send a health screening questionnaire via email the day of the game to fans, while the Twins and Wolves will ask fans for a verbal yes or no response to health screening questions posted outside their stadiums before entering. Questions will be familiar, like: Have you been in contract with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 48 hours? Are you experiencing symptoms of COVID-19? Or have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 10 days? If anyone feels sick or needs help at a game, stadium staff will be able to assist them.

Socially distanced pods

Six feet space between different groups of fans is the plan for every sports venue in the state — but pods of two to four seats for each game will be the norm as fans return. And while stadium staff members will not 1186231 Minnesota Wild

Wild suffer 4-2 loss to Sharks as offensive woes continue

By DANE MIZUTANI | PUBLISHED: April 1, 2021 at 12:12 a.m. | UPDATED: April 1, 2021 at 12:44 a.m.

A road trip to the West Coast hasn’t exactly been fruitful for the Wild so far. After suffering a 4-3 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks a couple of nights ago, the Wild followed it up with a 4-2 loss on Wednesday night at SAP Center.

That loss continues an alarming trend for the Wild as of late.

Frankly, they haven’t put together a full 60 minutes ever since getting blown out by the rival Colorado Avalanche a couple of weeks ago. It just went largely unnoticed last week because the Wild managed a series sweep of the lowly Anaheim Ducks and then stole a game against the St. Louis Blues.

In the series against the Sharks, though, the sloppy play finally caught up to the Wild. They struggled to score in the offensive zone, looked shaky in the defensive zone, and neither goaltender was particularly sharp between the pipes.

Not exactly a recipe for success.

“We didn’t play our best in these two games,” Mats Zuccarello said. “Most of us have been in this league for awhile and we know it goes up and down. This is a time to bear down and play a simple game. Eventually it’s going to come back.”

Though the Wild managed a stronger start on this particular night, they couldn’t find the back of the net in the first period. A big problem was the fact that the Wild looked allergic to shooting the puck despite having a number of good chances in front.

Those scoring struggles continued into the second period and the Sharks pulled in front with a goal from Rudolfs Balcers to make it 1-0. The lead grew later in the second period as Ryan Donato scored against his former team to make it 2-0.

“It was very frustrating,” coach Dean Evason said. “We did a whole presentation this morning on passing up shots. Just simplifying. We have to get it through our heads that sometimes it’s not a bad thing to get it there and get people around the net and get those second and third opportunities.”

In that sense, it’s fitting that Kirill Kaprizov cut the deficit to 2-1 early in the third period by simply ripping a a shot through traffic. It was a perfectly placed shot by Kaprizov through a perfectly executed screen by Ryan Hartman.

That seemed to spark the Wild for a prolonged stretch, and while it looked like they might pull even, Nikolai Knyzhov scored for the Sharks to restore the lead to 3-1.

That proved to be an important insurance goal as Zuccarello scored in the final minute to cut the deficit to 3-2. Unfortunately for the Wild, Evander Kane netted an empty-net goal for the Sharks a few seconds later to finalize the score at 4-2.

“There’s a lot of season left,” Jared Spurgeon said. “We can’t just look at these two games and start pouting. We didn’t play our best today. We have two games left on this road trip and we can turn this things around real quick.”

It starts against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena.

“That’s enough motivation for everybody,” Ryan Hartman said. “We have an opportunity to get five out of eight points on this road trip. That’s the most we can get. That’s what our goal is moving forward.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186232 Minnesota Wild Asked about the potential of making his NHL debut at some point this season, Boldy insisted he’s focused on the journey, not the destination.

“I’m excited to get there and to prove myself and hopefully get a call,” Wild top prospect Matt Boldy finally arrives: ‘It’s a dream come true’ Boldy said. “It’s another step that I’m taking toward my ultimate goal, which is playing in the NHL. I think now is the best time to take that jump and really become a better player.”

By DANE MIZUTANI | PUBLISHED: March 31, 2021 at 5:45 p.m. | With the way rookies like Kirill Kaprizov and Kaapo Kahkonen have UPDATED: March 31, 2021 at 5:45 p.m. performed for the Wild this season, it’s hard not to imagine what Boldy would look like in the lineup. If anything is clear regarding Boldy’s

development, though, it’s that the Wild aren’t going to rush the process. Wild top prospect Matt Boldy has experienced pretty much every emotion “He’s a very important piece of our puzzle,” Guerin said. “We’re going to he could over the past few days. do the things we feel are right for his development, so when he gets to From the heartbreak of his team, Boston College, losing in the NCAA Minnesota he’s prepared to stay there and help us win.” Tournament, to the stress of taking a Communications Methods midterm, Pioneer Press LOADED: 04.01.2021 to the jubilation of signing an entry-level contract with the Wild, the 19- year-old forward hasn’t had much time to process.

At the end of the day, though, it’s clear Boldy is excited about taking the next step as a member of the Wild.

“It’s a dream come true,” he said during a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday. “It’s another step closer to the ultimate goal that every kid sets when they’re little.”

As of now, the plan is for Boldy to report to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League. He will fly to St. Paul on Thursday, quarantine until he returns a couple of negative COVID tests, then travel to Des Moines via car service.

Asked about the timeline of Boldy making it to the NHL, general manager Bill Guerin was blunt.

“That’ll be up to Matt,” he said. “This is the best league in the world, and Matt is a young player. The last thing we want to do is force-feed him and put him in something that’s overwhelming and he’s not ready for. We’ll go through what we feel is the proper steps for a player’s development, and that’s to start at the next level in the American Hockey League.”

That experience in the minor leagues is something the Wild clearly value as an organization.

“It’s very important,” Guerin said. “I always look back at my own personal experience in the American Hockey League when I played in Utica and the guys I met there and the teammates I had. They helped me develop and learn things like how to be a good teammate and how to act like a pro and how to carry yourself.”

It’s been a winding road to this point for Boldy and not necessarily a trajectory many expected with the way his collegiate career started. After being selected by the Wild in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft, the 12th player overall, he struggled to gain traction during his freshman year at Boston College a year ago.

“It wasn’t the start I wanted in my college career,” Boldy admitted. “My game wasn’t where it is now. Just being able to kind of learn from that experience and learn from those droughts where I was at a low and be able to bring it back up to a high and start playing great hockey again. I was able to learn a lot from it and learn a lot about myself and how to get out of that.”

He parlayed that success into a stellar sophomore season at Boston College this year, finishing with 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 22 games. He also helped lead Team USA to a gold medal at World Junior Championships in December.

“That was huge for me,” Boldy said. “I was there to try and prove some people wrong. Just go out there, play my game and show everyone who I am as an all-around player.”

Though it’s no secret the Wild are lacking in depth up the middle, Boldy most likely will start his career as a winger. His 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame should help him hold his own at the next level and his immense skill set should help him make an immediate impact.

“I think he can be very good,” Guerin said. “He’s got hockey sense. He’s got size. He’s got playmaking ability. He’s got a lot of great tools. It’s just a matter of putting them all together at the next level. Just like any other player, Matt is going to have to get a little bigger, a little stronger, a little faster and put all those things together. That’s normal. That’s for any young player.” 1186233 Minnesota Wild

Wild’s Bill Guerin joins 2022 U.S. Olympic hockey team as assistant GM

By DANE MIZUTANI | PUBLISHED: March 31, 2021 at 3:06 p.m. | UPDATED: March 31, 2021 at 3:06 p.m.

Wild general manager Bill Guerin still remembers the thrill of watching the 1980 Winter Olympics hockey competition at his childhood home in Wilbraham, Mass.

He remembers racing to the television each night Team USA took the ice. He remembers the legendary call from broadcaster Al Michaels when the United States stunned the Soviet Union in the semifinal round. He remembers the feeling of euphoria watching each player put on the gold medal.

“I was 9 years old,” Guerin said. “It really lit a fire in me to want to do that someday. If there was ever a chance that I could be in the Olympics, I wanted to do that. That was always such a goal of mine and something that I felt passionately about. ”

After accomplishing that goal three times as a player, the 50-year-old Guerin now will do it as assistant general manager of the 2022 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team. He will work alongside Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman, who will serve as GM for Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

“It’s something that I definitely don’t take lightly,” said Guerin, who represented Team USA as a player at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, and the 2006 Olympics in Turin. “As a player it was always a huge honor to put on the jersey. I always took it very seriously. I’m honored to be representing USA Hockey again. I’m very excited about it.”

Looking back on his playing career, Guerin still counts his experiences at the Olympics among his best memories. Especially the 2002 gold-medal game between Team USA and Team Canada.

“I remember we were going into that game and before warmups we could hear people chanting, “USA! USA! USA!’ ” Guerin said. “That was an amazing feeling and something I’ll never forget.”

The elephant in the room is that it’s still unclear if NHL players will participate in 2022. While the NHL and NHLPA agreed on Olympic participation in a new collective bargaining agreement, the league still needs to work out a deal with the International Ice Hockey Federation and the International Olympic Committee.

If NHL players are allowed to participate, Team USA certainly has the talent to compete at a high level. Some of the big names vying for a roster spot include Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, Sabres center Jack Eichel and Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, among others. There’s also Blackhawks star Patrick Kane, who could be one of the few players on the team with previous Olympic experience.

“We have the deepest pool of players we ever have,” Guerin said. “I’m looking forward to working with Stan, and learning as I go along, and trying to put the best team possible on the ice.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186234 Montreal Canadiens director, Sean Burke. But it wouldn’t be surprising if the team remains with Carey Price.

Price is coming off his first shutout this season and was hardly taxed by Canadiens' Lehkonen tunes out trade noise and lets play do his talking the Oilers, who directed only 17 shots his way. Price also has received the majority of playing time since Ducharme replaced the fired Claude With the Habs tight against the salary cap, it has been reported teams Julien, going 6-1-2 in March. are inquiring about winger's availability ahead of trade deadline. “Price is the guy here,” said Jake Allen, Price’s backup. “He’s been playing great as of late. He deserves to play. My job’s to be there when they need me.” Herb Zurkowsky • Montreal Gazette Allen played four games in March — all defeats, although two came in

overtime. Coincidentally, he has played twice at Ottawa, both times in The highlights have been few and far between this season for Artturi February. While Allen has a modest 4-3-4 record, his average of 2.34 Lehkonen, who has had to scratch and claw his way at times simply to be and save percentage of .920 trumps Price. dressed for games. In eight of Allen’s appearances, the Canadiens have scored two or fewer So it was a pleasant surprise when the Finnish winger played one of his goals. best games Tuesday against Edmonton, scoring the Canadiens’ second “I’ve been through a million different circumstances,” Allen said. “If I can goal and adding an assist, in the 4-0 victory against the Oilers. control and be the best version of myself in that net, it gives the boys the Coincidentally, or not, the performance came at a time when speculation best chance to win.” continues to swirl over Lehkonen’s future. While the Senators are last in the North Division, they’ve been With the Canadiens tight against the NHL’s US$81.5-million salary cap, it remarkably resilient against Montreal, winning three of five games. Only has been reported teams are inquiring about Lehkonen’s availability prior one of those games has been decided by more than a goal, and two to the April 12 trade deadline. have gone to overtime or a shootout.

The Canadiens were able to acquire Eric Staal only after general Meanwhile, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid was fined $5,000 — but manager Marc Bergevin convinced Buffalo to retain half of his US$3.25- avoided a suspension — by the NHL for delivering an elbow to the head million salary. Should Bergevin have any more tricks up his sleeve during of Kotkaniemi in the first period on Tuesday. McDavid received a the next 12 days, he’ll be required to make some cap space available. roughing minor on the play.

Lehkonen, 25, selected in the second round (55th overall) of the NHL Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.01.2021 Entry Draft in 2013, earns US$2.4-million and is a potential restricted free agent this summer.

In his fifth season with the Canadiens, Lehkonen has been around long enough to understand he can’t allow the cacophony to disrupt his game.

“It’s part of the business,” he said Wednesday during a video conference. “I’m trying not to read anything. You can’t get into that stuff, otherwise it’s going to be in your head.”

The 5-foot-11, 178-pounder has produced a modest three goals and six points in 23 games. While he has been a healthy scratch nine times this season, Lehkonen figures to remain in the lineup Thursday (7 p.m., TSN2, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM) when the Canadiens travel to Ottawa.

During Wednesday’s practice at the Bell Sports Complex, Lehkonen remained on a line with Finnish countryman Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Paul Byron.

Lehkonen admitted it has been a challenging season.

“You always want to play, be in the lineup and play as much as you can,” he said. “I’ve spent a lot of time watching the game outside. That’s not the easiest for the confidence. But if you get a goal or assist, it helps that way.”

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse knocks Montreal Canadiens winger Artturi Lehkonen to the ice and holds him down in Montreal on March 30, 2021.

Lehkonen’s career-high for goals is 18, coming during his rookie season of 2016-17, while he produced a career-high 31 points in 2018-19. In 314 NHL games, he has 57 goals and 113 points.

For his part, interim head coach Dominique Ducharme said he doesn’t believe Lehkonen will be affected by the outside noise.

“He’s a hockey player and that’s part of the job,” Ducharme said. “He wants to be on the ice, and that’s perfectly normal. He wants to contribute, like he did against the Oilers.

“We like all of his game — what he brings to the penalty-kill and his speed,” Ducharme added. “He has good habits. He’s playing the right way. We also see a certain offensive potential. It paid off against the Oilers. It’s also a matter of trust, too. For him, the last game was positive.”

Ducharme wouldn’t reveal who his starting netminder would be against the Senators before first speaking with the Canadiens’ new goaltending 1186235 Montreal Canadiens it when a goalie is getting close, or is mum’s the word? While you reflect on the power of your words, here are your three stars from the comments:

About Last Night: Habs show no signs of rust in 4-0 win over Oilers 3. “4 games, 6 points. Holding McDavid/Draisaitl to a combined: 2 assists (one on an empty netter), Minus 6. Well done so far” -Tea Bon Carey Price made 16 saves for his first shutout of the season. 2. “This unscheduled bye week worked wonders for the team” -Ryan Katz

Erik Leijon Special to Montreal Gazette 1. “Do you think Staal is watching this game and wondering how he got so lucky to get out of Buffalo?” -Bob Taylor

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.01.2021 Following an unplanned 10-day staycation, the Montreal Canadiens looked fresh and rested in their thorough 4-0 shellacking of the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday night at the Bell Centre.

Centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi, one of two Habs to land on the league’s COVID Protocol Related Absences list on March 22, scored the game winner 18 seconds into the contest. Oilers coach Dave Tippett challenged the call on the ice, claiming Artturi Lehkonen and/or Paul Byron were offsides, but it wasn’t the case, sending the already trailing away team to the penalty kill. Things didn’t get much better for the Oilers in the remaining 59 minutes and 42 seconds. Some food for thought:

What an impressive 4-0 win by #Habs over Oilers. Goals by Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Artturi Lehkonen, Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar. Shots 32-16. Oilers' Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitil have now both failed to score a goal in four games this season vs. Habs. #HabsIO

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) March 31, 2021

Well, that explains it. The Habs, most notably the surging Phil Danault- Brendan Gallagher-Tomas Tatar line, were up to their usual 5v5 beast mode dominance, keeping the reigning Hart Trophy winner and the current Hart frontrunner not only off the scoresheet, but away from the goaltender altogether. Tuesday was only the second time all season Connor McDavid posted zero shots on net. Needless to say, Price didn’t have to stand on his head in order to record his first shutout of the season, but he did make a stop with the back of it. In all, Price made 17 saves.

The newly formed Kotkaniemi-Lehkonen-Byron line was buzzing in the first. The latter two were left undisturbed in front of Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen, allowing Lehkonen to bang home an open rebound from a Joel Edmundson point shot to make it 2-0. Brendan Gallagher lunged at a loose puck in the crease to give the Canadiens a 3-0 advantage before the end of the first period.

The typically calm Oilers captain McDavid showed a rare sign of frustration, landing in the penalty box near the end of the first by deliberately raising his arms and catching Kotkaniemi in the face. Earlier on, Habs fans even held their collective breath momentarily when Josh Anderson KO’d William Lagesson in a fight. The first period truly had everything to satisfy hungry Habs fans.

Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher outhustled the Oilers defence to score his 13th goal of the season in the first period Tuesday night at the Bell Centre.

In the second, the Oilers and McDavid thought they had Price beat, but an offsides coaching challenge by Habs interim head coach Dominique Ducharme proved a more astute call than Tippett’s earlier in the night, and the shutout was restored. Jesse Puljujarvi, who seemed a step behind all night, turned out to be ahead of the zone entry by a stride. The Danault line continued to press, with Tomas Tatar capping off a successful shift in the offensive zone by squeezing an accurate Danault feed through Koskinen to make it 4-0.

A late power-play push by Edmonton notwithstanding, the Canadiens played a letter-perfect third period with the lead, keeping the Oilers from making any headway in the offensive zone.

The Habs head to Ottawa Thursday for a game against the Senators and the two teams will play again on Saturday at the Bell Centre. Forward Tyler Toffoli remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury, Joel Armia remains on the COVID list and new arrival Eric Staal is in mandatory quarantine. At some point, the team may find itself flush with forward depth. It’s just as well, because with a stretch of 25 games in 43 nights, they may need all the warm bodies they can muster.

Meanwhile, all was well in the Liveblog comments section, the only controversy coming regarding shutout superstitions. Do you acknowledge 1186236 Montreal Canadiens later, the deal came to fruition. Most of us didn’t realize any of this until June ahead of the expansion draft.

Hence, Seattle is allowed to have similar conversations ahead of this LeBrun: How the Kraken are impacting the NHL trade deadline and why trade deadline if teams find it necessary to get clarity now before making the Flyers could add a goalie a separate trade which affects their roster and their expansion draft situation.

But it may also be that perhaps Francis thinks his leverage will only grow By Pierre LeBrun Mar 31, 2021 as we get closer to the expansion draft with teams under duress like never before with the flat cap, so maybe he doesn’t commit to anything

now. There would appear to be one GM who is increasingly getting phone Meanwhile, the expectation is that Seattle’s $650 million expansion fee calls these days ahead of the NHL trade deadline and he doesn’t even payment process will be “closed” by late April. Which is just a little later have a player to deal away. than Vegas four years ago. Remember that once you “close,” you Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis is a popular man as the deadline rolls become an official franchise and can start making official player around. transactions. Seattle will have to wait until they make that last payment before signing any potential prospect free agents. Sources around the league say some teams are trying to feel him out to see what his price might be to appease some protection list issues ahead Panthers can’t replace Ekblad but will scour market for D of the July expansion draft. You don’t replace a No. 1 D like Aaron Ekblad weeks before the trade Why now? deadline. On top of that, the Panthers aren’t willing to give up a first- round pick or an elite prospect, the big picture and where the franchise is Let me explain. headed under first-year GM Bill Zito overrides everything else. But if there’s a soft deal before the deadline that can help their blue line, my Take Mattias Ekholm as an example. First, with the way the Nashville sense is that Zito will look into it. Perhaps the X-factor here is if teams Predators are winning games and back into the playoff race, I’m not step up on pending UFA goalie Chris Driedger, maybe there’s an asset to convinced anymore that Ekholm would necessarily move before the be gained there that can help offset trading a pick for a D. But Florida is deadline. It could be a summer decision instead if the Preds stay in it. very mindful over the big picture. If Florida does trade for a D, a hockey But let’s go by what we know is the price to even get David Poile’s deal for someone who can help them past this season would make the attention in Nashville regarding Ekholm: Three assets. A first-round pick, most sense. an elite prospect plus another piece of some kind. Flyers ponder whether to get goaltending help OK, so maybe you’re Philadelphia or Winnipeg, let’s say, and you’re It’s been a real tough year for Carter Hart to the point where I hear the contemplating it. Flyers have debated internally if they go out and get goaltending help But then you’re concerned if you’re those teams that once you acquire before the deadline to help out veteran Brian Elliott while they perhaps Ekholm, you want to make sure you’re not losing a blueliner you can no provide Hart with a reset to work on his game. But there’s risk in that, longer protect in a 7-3-1 protection list because you’d want to protect perhaps the better way for Hart to find his game is to get more NHL Ekholm. games. No easy answer either way.

So you’re calling ahead to Seattle and wondering what the price might But the big caveat here is that the Flyers would only act on that if they be, at this early stage, to make sure that fourth defenceman doesn’t get stay in the playoff race. So the next seven games before the deadline are picked in the expansion draft. huge. Frankly, if the Flyers fall out of it, they could become sellers. If they stay in the race and decide to add a goalie, Jonathan Bernier is among And you’re told by Francis that it’s a first-round pick and a prospect and those on Flyers’ radar. Remember that Dean Lombardi drafted Bernier in maybe another piece. Which is what one source suggested to me this Los Angeles and is now an advisor in the Flyers’ front office. past week. Habs may still have another move in them So now, if you’re trading for Ekholm, you’re giving up 5-6 assets to get him? Two or three pieces to Nashville and two or three assets to Seattle The Canadiens are super tight against the salary cap after acquiring Eric in order to protect the affected defenceman ahead of the expansion Staal and are looking to shed some salary ahead of the deadline, draft? sources around the league suggested to me over the past few days. But it’s not a must. The Canadiens could live without it, but they’re open to it That’s just not worth it. in order to give themselves more flexibility.

Of course, you can decide instead to protect eight skaters and a goalie My sense is that they were working on another move Friday on the same including four defencemen but most teams try to avoid that because day they got Staal but that move either fell through or got put on hold. I they’d rather go 7-3-1. think a lot of the teams talking to Montreal seem to want to wait closer to So what I wonder is if Francis, closer to April 12, will start to settle in April 12 to make a decision. Artturi Lehkonen is a name making the some cases and come to an understanding with a few teams on a slightly rounds, he’s RFA after the season and still only 25 so could have some cheaper asset price. Or not. appeal. But for those same reasons, the Habs may want to keep him.

A league office source confirmed to me Tuesday that Seattle can have Sharks open to renting out cap space for a pick these discussions with teams but with the clear understanding that Meanwhile, San Jose has told teams it has cap space for rent. The nothing is binding. Because Seattle can’t start making official, bona fide Sharks have more than $6 million in cap space and are seeking to trades yet. But the league is fine with Seattle having a verbal leverage that into an asset or two. Keep an eye on them potentially being understanding with teams, which is basically teams trusting Francis to his that third team in a complicated cap deal to facilitate trades. word. And if you know Francis and his reputation around the league, you know his word is gold. They’re missing a second-round pick this year from the Erik Karlsson deal so any way to recoup another pick would be appealing to them. Remember that Vegas and Pittsburgh on trade deadline day 2017 had an understanding regarding Marc-Andre Fleury, which Jim Rutherford The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 confirmed to me again this week. I’ve written about this before, but it still surprises people to this day. The Penguins knew they would send a second-round pick to Vegas in June and Vegas would take Fleury (who agreed to waive a no-trade clause). It was important for Pittsburgh and Fleury to know that months ahead of time.

But it came down to Rutherford and Vegas’ George McPhee trusting each other’s word because nothing was official. So almost four months 1186237 Nashville Predators Evidently, they aren’t ready to do that yet. Finally, Vanderbilt is starting to resemble an SEC school

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If Poile’s finger on the trade switch is what it took to ignite a fire just before it was too late, then so be it. The Preds’ renewed and relentless Did you see this coming from these Nashville Predators? Be honest now. tenacity is making a difference. It was a missing piece, exactly what I'll confess that I sure didn’t. Hynes has been stressing all along.

Tuesday night’s thrilling 3-2 overtime victory at the Dallas Stars made six Hynes has caught criticism this season, as a coach will when his team in a row for a team that barely resembles the one we had been watching. appears unmotivated. But to the coach's credit, he has always seemed to There’s palpable desperation to all this, and it suits a team that has understand the limitations of this team and buttons that needed pushing, mostly been sleepwalking this season but won't be confused for a that success – if it happened –would be more about toughness than sleeping NHL giant. tactics.

This has been difficult. Players are fighting heroically. Not just for the "From success comes more buy-in and more commitment to doing what sake of a playoff spot but for the direction of a franchise teetering on you need to do and how we need to win as a team,” Hynes said. “Every reconstruction. They all know what happens if they lose, just like they're team has an identity. It took us a little bit longer than maybe we would all counting on each victory making it less likely that general manager David have liked to get to the identity that we want. Poile will go through with it. “But now we have it.” It’s been admirable, truly, as much as it has been surprising. Tennessean LOADED: 04.01.2021 For much of this Preds season and the one before it, this wasn’t necessarily a bad hockey team. It was an uninspired team. Too often going through the motions, habitually starting games slowly, passively allowing an opponent to get a lead and dictate.

It’s one thing to question a team’s talent level. It’s another to doubt its heart.

A humbling lesson these Preds have gradually had to learn is they aren’t talented enough to coast and still win. Maybe they could at times in recent years, but they can’t now. They don’t score enough, for one, which means nothing comes easy.

Wins have got to be scratched out like Tuesday – ugly, gritty, scoring only once in the first two periods, rallying to tie and force overtime against a rival.

“Not flinching,” said coach . "It's a big step for our group. The fact that you have that intense of a game and things don't always go your way all that time, but we stayed with it and guys got rewarded for it and found a way to win."

The current run has featured exemplary goaltending. That’s a must for this team, and they’ve been getting it lately from Juuse Saros and Pekka Rinne.

It also speaks to the growing impact of younger players like Eeli Tolvanen and Alexandre Carrier, covering for key injuries that haven’t deterred what is happening.

But more than anything, it has been about survival.

The threat of a rebuild – veterans being moved before the trading deadline – looms heavy on these Preds. They got close to a Stanley Cup not that long ago. Since those 2017 playoffs, they’ve believed the pieces were in place. That’s why players have lobbied to keep the core of that team intact. Poile, for the most part, has obliged.

Of the 19 players who saw ice time in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, eight – or 42.1% – are still on the team. That may not sound like a lot, but compare it to the Tennessee Titans that reached the NFL’s divisional round in early 2018. Only five players – or 20.8% – remain from the Titans’ 24 starters (counting kicker and punter) in a playoff loss at New England.

"We've been together a long time as a core,” said Preds captain Roman Josi, one of the eight. “I have a lot of belief in this core. You never want to see a guy leave with a trade. ... I love our core. We've been through a lot together."

Trading Mattias Ekholm wouldn’t just be another move. He, too, is one of the eight. His exit would herald more moves like it – and the end of this Preds era. For veteran players, that would be defeat. They'd have to concede this group couldn’t do it after all. 1186238 Nashville Predators points, goals (14) and power play goals (nine). His 21 power-play points ranked third in the NCAA that year.

“In today’s game it’s all about skating and joining the play as a Farrance could make Predators debut sometime soon defenseman,” he said. “I think I have pretty good skating, good ability to join the rush and create offense and make plays. But I also think you are 2017 3rd-round pick signed entry-level contract with Predators on a defenseman at the same time, so you have defensive responsibilities in Sunday the d-zone. It is definitely fun playing offense and having the puck on your stick, but you’ve definitely got to maintain your responsibility.”

Nashville Post LOADED: 04.01.2021 Michael Gallagher

Not long after signing defenseman David Farrance to an entry-level contract on Sunday, the Nashville Predators assigned the 21-year-old rookie to the team’s taxi squad.

Farrance, who just finished up a four-year NCAA career with the Boston University Terriers, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former teammate and current Predators’ defenseman Dante Fabbro, who signed with Nashville in 2018 after his BU run ended and joined the Predators for four regular season games and six playoff games.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing (Fabbro) again; it’s been a minute,” Farrance said. “He’s one of those guys that’s a great guy, a great leader and just looking forward to maybe, possibly sitting on a bench with him again.”

After a 6-2 loss to St. Cloud State in the NCAA Northeast Regional on Saturday, Farrance said he signed his Predators’ contract on the bus ride home. Now, the 2017 third-round pick is in Nashville and in quarantine.

Because he can’t physically join his teammates, Farrance has to get the most out of his free time, which has included a productive zoom meeting with head coach John Hynes, where the two broke down game film and discussed which ways Farrance can contribute to the Predators, who are in the midst of a six-game win streak and making a push for the playoffs.

“I did a zoom call with coach Hynes,” Farrance said. “[We] watched some video on me and what his expectations are for the team and defensemen.

“It’s a good opportunity to be in an NHL locker room and watch guys like (Roman) Josi, (Mattias) Ekholm and (Ryan) Ellis. I mean, it’s a great group of defensemen to learn from and just a good group of pros. I don’t really have many expectations; I’m just looking forward to learning and I’m excited to be in NHL video sessions and learn from guys like that firsthand.”

For a team that has suffered the litany of injuries the Predators have in 2021, another healthy defenseman is a welcomed luxury. The Predators have had to use 12 different defensemen this year, and the third pairing has been a revolving door of whoever is the least banged up on game day.

Outside of the top four – Josi, Ellis, Ekholm, Fabbro – Nashville has at one point or another rolled with some combination of Mark Borowiecki, Matt Benning, Alex Carrier, Jeremy Davies, Ben Harpur, Luca Sbisa, Frederic Allard and Jarred Tinordi.

Borowiecki and Sbisa are listed as week-to-week with no firm timetable to return. It may still be a while before Ellis is healthy enough to return as well, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility for Farrance to make his Predators debut at some point in their final 19 games.

“Once he gets out of quarantine, he will be with the taxi squad,” Hynes said. “Any player that’s on the taxi squad, is going to be eligible to play. So, if we feel it’ll be the right thing for him and the team, and that opportunity presents itself, then there’s a good chance that we’ll be able to see him. But it’s not going to be something where he comes around and you just put him in because he’s got to get up to speed. Just signing out of college, getting back skating and being around things, we’ll see where it goes from there.”

One of the better offensive defensemen in the NCAA, Farrance's 1.45 points per game led all college blue liners this season and ranked third among all Division I skaters. It was also the highest scoring clip for any defenseman in the Hockey East Conference since 1995.

Farrance ended his career at BU with 26 goals and 88 points in 113 games, leading or tying for the team lead in points in both his junior and senior seasons. He was tied for the fourth-most points (43) and sixth- most assists (29) in the country in 2019, leading all defensemen in 1186239 Nashville Predators It’s been said that great players make those around them better. The $8 million question the Predators must answer is does Matt Duchene make the players around him better?

Are the Predators better off without Matt Duchene? Nashville Post LOADED: 04.01.2021

Nashville is 9-4-1 with the 30-year-old center not in lineup

Michael Gallagher

The catalog of issues plaguing the Nashville Predators over the last three years has been well documented.

The franchise fired the coach last year. The fanbase wants to replace the general manager. But maybe the answer lies in trimming the fat in terms of shedding underperforming players.

So where does that leave Matt Duchene?

The prized free agent of the 2019 offseason, the Predators’ pursuit of Duchene in the years prior could best be described as that television couple who date all the wrong people before finally ending up together.

However, some relationships — regardless of how many years in the making — can go south. It took Kyle Turris and the Predators only two- and-a-half seasons to get there. Has Duchene reached that point yet?

Since exiting the lineup with an upper-body injury on March 4, the Predators are 9-4-1 without him and are averaging 2.69 goals per game. The argument could be made that Mikael Granlund has been a more effective second-line center than Duchene had been.

In the 23 games Duchene played before his injury, Nashville was just 10- 13-0 and averaging 2.35 goals per game. Duchene had a minus-11 rating, and of those 23 games, he appeared on the score sheet in only seven of them.

Over his 12-year career, Duchene has averaged 53.5 points per season. Although he has two 70-point seasons under his belt, both came during contract years where Duchene was heavily incentivized to produce.

Just three years ago, the Colorado Avalanche traded him to the Ottawa Senators — a team that was a single goal away from going to the Stanley Cup Final the season prior — in a three-team swap with the Predators also involved.

The Senators went 22-40-6 after acquiring Duchene that November — the second-worst record in the NHL — while the Avalanche went on to a 35-24-9 record that included a 10-game win streak. They have made three consecutive playoff appearances since and are on track for their fourth this season.

During his second contract year, Duchene put up 31 goals and 70 points in 73 games between Ottawa and Columbus, which went all-in to acquire the then 28-year-old center to pair with Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky to make a run at the Stanley Cup before losing them all to free agency.

But since cashing in with the Predators in 2019, Duchene has very little to show for it. His 16 goals and 50 points in 89 games in Nashville leaves much to be desired.

At this stage of the game, the Predators need difference makers. Is Duchene truly that type player? If not, does Nashville have the time to wait for him to become one?

Ryan Johansen has produced two 60-point seasons and a 54-point season in four and a half years with the team. Filip Forsberg, a two-time 30-goal scorer, likely would have four such seasons had he played a full schedule in 2018 and 2019, when he was on-pace for 31 and 35 goals, respectively.

Viktor Arvidsson set the single-season franchise goal record with 34 in 2018. He has scored 30 or more goals twice and contributed 94 goals in 216 games from 2016-19. Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi is a five-time 50-point scorer from the blueline and hasn’t recorded fewer than 49 points since 2014.

That’s the type of production the Predators need from their top players. With Duchene the second-highest paid player on the team, David Poile surely expects a better return on his investment than the 13-goal, 42- point season the player had last year. 1186240 New Jersey Devils Only Marchand received a penalty on the play, getting two minutes for roughing.

Once he served that minor, Marchand wasn’t done. He delivered a hard 4 observations from Devils’ loss to Bruins | Missed chances let game slip hit on Devils defenseman Dmitri Kulikov, and that’s when Bratt stepped away; Ty Smith, Jesper Bratt stand up physically in. Bratt confronted Marchand, and both players threw a couple quick punches before Marchand fell back and body slammed Bratt to the ice. He got a couple more punches in before refs broke it up.

By Chris Ryan Both Bratt and Marchand received roughing minors, so Bratt didn’t get credit for his first NHL fight (and that’s probably the closest he’ll come).

“They don’t back down. Smitty and Bratter, same thing, sticking up and A two-goal lead entering the third period wasn’t enough for the Devils to and going after their top guy,” Zajac said. “It’s great to see those guys secure another road win over the Boston Bruins, with the home team engaged in the game and not backing down. Good for them and good for rallying to tie the game before ultimately taking a 5-4 shootout victory on our team to have those guys definitely mix it up.” Tuesday at TD Garden in Boston. Zajac on his milestone goal The Devils finished their season-long six-game road trip at 3-2-1, and they will now how two days between games for the first time since Zajac’s second-period goal put him in rare company in Devils franchise resuming their season after the team’s COVID-19 pause in the middle of history. He became the fourth player to score 200 goals in New Jersey, February. joining Patrik Elias, John MacLean and Bobby Holik.

“It’ll be nice getting back home and getting that extra day in between Zajac is just two goals away from tying Holik’s total of 202 for third in games,” forward Michael McLeod said. “So it’ll be nice to get the rest we franchise history, but he’s far behind the other two. MacLean scored 347 need and work on things in practice.” with the Devils, and Elias finished with 408.

Sign up for Devils Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes During the second-period intermission interview, Zajac joked that it took observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers him a little longer to get to 200 than he wanted. After the game, he didn’t put a ton of stock in the mark. Here are four takeaways from Tuesday’s game. “Not too much, to be honest,” Zajac said. “It just means I played with One that slipped away some good players that made me look good. So it was nice to contribute, Prior to Tuesday’s game, head coach talked about the hope but other than that, it just would have be nice to get to the two points.” for the Devils to convert on some more chances to they can actually build Michael McLeod shows off his skill on another goal upon a lead, rather than scrambling to protect a one-goal advantage in the closing minutes. Michael McLeod now has five goals to his name during his official rookie season in the NHL. Unlike his past stints with the team in previous They had their two-goal lead entering the third period against the Bruins, seasons, the center is showing the ability to use his speed to get to the but it didn’t stand up. net, along with his skill to finish shots. “I thought our puck play, which was pretty good through two periods, in Both were on display Tuesday, as he erupted from the neutral zone to the third period kind of let us down,” Ruff said. “We didn’t execute skate behind the Bruins’ defense for a clear path on net. sometimes leaving the zone, spent extra time. We had some plays leaving this zone, that if we make better plays, I think we’re going up ice, Once he arrived, he showed shot to Bruins goalie Jaroslav Halak before creating opportunities.” quickly flipping the puck to his backhand, racing across the crease and sliding it into net, all before Halak had the chance to react. Tuesday’s game was by far the highest scoring affair of the six games between the two teams this season. It was the first time either team “Over the last couple of games, I’ve been feeling a lot more confident scored four goals in a game, and they both got there. taking pucks in,” McLeod said. “That’s what I got to do to be successful, and that’s what I’m going to try to do going forward.” Despite the Devils finding the back of the net with some consistency in the opening two periods, the missed chances in the final frame plus Star Ledger LOADED: 04.01.2021 overtime came back to haunt them. They had power plays in the closing minutes of regulation and overtime.

“We had our chances. I think they really pushed in the third,” forward Travis Zajac said. “I thought we were honestly kind of lucky to get to overtime. But we stuck with it, we battled, just couldn’t find a way to close it out.”

That failed power play in overtime sent the game to a shootout, where the Devils lost for the fourth time in four tries this season. In those four shootouts, Devils skaters have scored just one goal on 12 shots, while goalies have combined to allow six goals on 12 shots.

“I think we’ll evaluate where we’re at,” Ruff said. “Maybe there’s some other guys that are gonna have to have an opportunity, because not only we haven’t scored to put away a game in a shootout, we’re giving up too many.”

Jesper Bratt, Ty Smith answer the bell

If you went through the Devils’ roster and ranked each player based on the odds of them ending up in a physical altercation during a game, Ty Smith and Jesper Bratt would probably end up toward the bottom.

But on Tuesday night, those two players both found themselves tangled up with Bruins forward Brad Marchand.

Smith got things started when he confronted Patrice Bergeron with a shove after Mackenzie Blackwood covered a puck in the crease. Marchand joined the fray, pulling Smith to the ice as chaos erupted around them. Both players lost their helmets, with Marchand ultimately throwing Smith’s as things broke up. 1186241 New Jersey Devils players in a position to be overwhelmed and we are counting on them to be a big part of our future.

Lamoriello: I totally respect that. If I change my mind, is that something What we’re hearing about the Devils’ big decisions before the trade you’d still do? deadline Button: Absolutely.

After that conversation, Button talked to Albelin and told him that if he By Corey Masisak Mar 31, 2021 wanted to join New Jersey for the playoff run, he’d make it happen.

“Tommy never came back to me and Lou never got back to me and Tommy was a big part of our team the rest of the year,” Button said. The Devils are less than two weeks from the April 12 trade deadline, and general manager Tom Fitzgerald has a collection of interesting decisions Albelin did rejoin the Devils, but not until the offseason as a free agent. and potential deals to make. It’s a fascinating “what if” for New Jersey — would Albelin have made a difference during the 2001 playoff run? Would Lamoriello have still traded New Jersey has eight pending unrestricted free agents on the roster, and a young Willie Mitchell and future considerations to Minnesota for Sean 10 in the organization who have logged NHL games this season. While O’Donnell if he had been able to add Albelin instead? the Devils have rebounded from a post-COVID-19 breakout spiral, their shootout loss Tuesday night left them 10 points adrift in the East Division But that wasn’t why Button told this story. playoff race with 22 games to play. Protecting a third-period lead against “They’ve still got a lot of young players in New Jersey,” Button said. “You the Bruins would have pulled them within seven of fourth-place Boston, can trade Kyle Palmieri and I totally understand it if you get something but losing after regulation resulted in a three-point swing. you really value in return, but you’ve also got a lot of games to play. Do The club’s odds to reach the top four have been at zero percent for about you want to throw young players into roles and be asked to do more than three weeks, according to Dom Luszczyszyn’s projection model, but a maybe they’re capable of? There is value in keeping a UFA like Palmieri, run of five wins in eight games before Tuesday was enough for at least and there can be a value in trading him. one question to coach Lindy Ruff about the playoff chase. But barring a “What I told Lou back then was keeping Tommy Albelin had value movie-script level turnaround, the Devils are going to miss the playoffs because of vast amounts of mentorship and experience for our young for a third consecutive year and for the eighth time in nine seasons. defensemen. I have never been a believer in you just get what you can This has been the most challenging of the Devils’ rebuilding seasons, get. The return on trading a UFA like Palmieri better be something given many of the unique circumstances. Deciphering what is tangible meaningful for my organization.” progress or regression before next season won’t be easy, at an individual Palmieri scored his 140th goal Tuesday for the Devils, the most by and team level, but that could play into some of the decisions Fitzgerald anyone with the franchise since the start of the 2010-11 season. He has to make in the next two weeks. needs two more to break into the top 15 in club history. “I think the Devils are about where I expected them to be,” NHL Network He also could be one of the most attractive forwards on the trade market. analyst Brian Lawton said, “fighting with the Rangers and ahead of Both sides have expressed interest in a contract extension, but the sand Buffalo, though the Rangers have caught a little bit more wind in their in the top of the hourglass is getting low. sails lately. The Devils’ time is not yet, but you can certainly see them building towards that, and that should be exciting for Devils fans. The “I thought they made a mistake by not trading him last year,” a league number of young players they have and the contributions they’ve made, source said. “The market for the sellers was so high, and I think there and it’s not just Jack Hughes. There’s been a lot of positives. was enough evidence that they weren’t going to win this year. No one would have said that publicly, but it felt like that was pretty much baked in “The whole thing for them is timing. How do you line this thing up right and it is what has played out.” when the young players are ready to take responsibility for the wins and losses? I don’t think they’re quite there yet, but I think they’re making real NBC Sports analyst Pierre McGuire mentioned the Bruins as a potential strides towards that and that’s the challenge.” fit during the broadcast Sunday night, and The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa wrote about Palmieri as a solution to their long-standing right-wing woes Let’s dig into a few of the big decisions as the deadline approaches. next to David Krejci. The guy who was supposed to play there was The big one Ondrej Kase, but he was injured in the second game of the season (against the Devils). Here is a quick story/history lesson from TSN’s Craig Button, who was the Calgary Flames’ general manager from 2000-03. Kyle Palmieri. (Winslow Townson / USA Today)

He had a phone conversation with then-Devils general manager Lou A second league source confirmed the Toronto Maple Leafs have Lamoriello before the 2001 trade deadline about defenseman Tommy expressed interest in Palmieri in the past. The Athletic’s James Mirtle Albelin, who had won the Stanley Cup with New Jersey in 1995 and was recently wrote Palmieri “probably fits what the Leafs need best.” a pending UFA. Here’s how the conversation went, as told by Button: When Islanders captain Anders Lee was lost for the season to a knee Lamoriello: I am interested in Tommy Albelin. injury (against the Devils), Lamoriello immediately became one of the obvious suitors for Palmieri. The Athletic’s Arthur Staple noted that while Button: I understand that, given you’ve got a team that would be looking former Devils wing Taylor Hall might be the top prize, Palmieri might be for that type of defenseman at this time of year. the “winger who makes the most sense” for the Islanders.

Lamoriello: What would you consider asking for him in a trade? Palmieri had the slowest start of his Devils tenure, but he’s scored four times in the past seven games and is producing at a 26-goal, 46-point Button: (NOTE: “I was very straightforward with him”) Lou, if I’m going to pace since the COVID-19 shutdown. trade Tommy Albelin, I need a second-round pick. “I do think there will be an opportunity to move him,” Lawton said. “Kyle is Lamoriello: Oh, Craig. I can’t trade a second-round pick for Tommy an excellent player and an even better guy. You could make the Albelin. That’s not really the marketplace. I’d be out of a job. argument that, hey, you need to keep some of these guys, but I don’t Button: Don’t worry, Lou. I’ll hire you. know if it matches up with when the team is going to be ready to win. And given the flat cap, with him as pending UFA, I think if you do trade him, (laughter on both ends) you’re most likely going to get another look at him as an unrestricted free agent. So I think you’d be crazy not to investigate the market. Lamoriello: Tell me your rationale for wanting a second-round pick. “This is about building from the strength of the core up so that you can, in Button: We have Robyn Regehr, Denis Gauthier, Toni Lydman and a salary cap world, at least go on a five-, six-, seven-year run.” Derek Morris on a really young defense and we’ve got 16-17 games left and I don’t want to just throw those guys to the wolves. Tommy is a great The idea of trading a pending UFA, then circling back and signing him in person and a good player and gives us the opportunity to not put those the summer is, in normal times, usually more fan fiction than reality. There have been a few instances of it in recent NHL history, but it’s He’s also cut down on the penalties. Wood has taken eight minor typically far less likely of an option than people want it to be. penalties in 34 games, which is one in every 4.25 contests. He went to the box for a minor penalty once every 2.36 games over his first four That said, these are not normal times. The NHL is expecting the salary seasons. cap to stay put at $81.5 million, not just for next season but possibly several years. Multiple people noted for this story that if the trade Another factor to consider: Wood is 25 years old. Blake Coleman was 28 packages offered are similar, Fitzgerald could improve his chances at when the Devils traded him a year ago. seeing Palmieri on the UFA market by picking the suitor with the worst salary cap situation for 2021-22 and beyond. One more wrinkle: As The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun wrote, the looming Seattle expansion draft could limit the number of GMs looking for a The clear out? player with term who needs to be protected.

Button’s story about Albelin might apply for the Devils with their current So, what should the Devils do? defense corps. New Jersey has five pending UFA defensemen who have played in the league this season — Ryan Murray, Dmitry Kulikov, Sami Button: Miles Wood is an attractive, attractive player for how he plays Vatanen, Matt Tennyson and Connor Carrick. and his contract, much in the same way that Blake Coleman was. I’m not suggesting that Tommy Fitzgerald should trade him or is looking to trade Let’s say Fitzgerald trades all of them. That leaves Damon Severson, Ty him, but I’m saying that if I’m on a team from the outside, Miles Wood is Smith, P.K. Subban and Will Butcher as the likely top four, but the third on my radar. Did the Devils sell high on Blake Coleman? It is semantics, pairing … uh oh. It’s hard to say that any of the rookies with Binghamton but I think when you look at those types of players with those types of are ready for an NHL trial, given that the Devils surely wanted to get contracts, if the price is right, you go back and say this is what we can them more than 15 to 20 games of pro experience before asking them to get, then it becomes really significant. play against Sidney Crosby and Artemi Panarin. McGuire: I think he’s one of the most improved players in the league. I It’s pretty clear that there should be suitors for Kulikov, Vatanen and think he fits the definition of a power forward. Everyone’s got a different Murray, at a minimum, and Carrick’s track record before this season variation of how they view power forwards, but Miles can skate. Miles can could help a market develop. hit. Miles can fight. And I think Miles is going to score 15-20 goals this year playing all over the lineup. That’s significant. I think of guys like “There’s a premium on centermen and a premium on defenseman right Milan Lucic in Boston, Patrick Maroon winning back-to-back Stanley around this time of year,” McGuire said. “Just look back at Tampa as an Cups in St. Louis and Tampa, Tom Wilson in Washington. You go around example last year. That’s a different kind of year obviously because of the league and see championship teams that have won with those types COVID and the bubble situations, but if you look at all the different of players that Miles’ character incorporates. So I would say it might be defensemen they had to use over their playoff run, whether it was Zach better to keep a player like that because at one point you’re going to be Bogosian, Luke Schenn, Braydon Coburn — they had significant depth able to compete at that level and you want those guys and they are really and it really helped them.” valuable.

Kulikov should be very attractive, given his play in a top-four role with Lawton: Miles Wood is one of those decisions that … this is why they pay strong underlying numbers and an extremely team-friendly contract (a you the big bucks to manage the team. Every single decision like that is pro-rated portion of $1.15 million). The Devils might also want to retain critical. If you want to be a perennial elite team in this league, you’ve got him, given how well he’s fit, but there’s also a danger in placing too much to hit on these decisions as well. It may not seem like a big deal, but it is. long-term value on a 30-game sample. Kulikov could also be looking at Miles Wood, to me, is a guy that if he were to receive a premium — and his play this season and hoping for one last financial windfall, even in the you have to compliment the Devils for the job they did last year with current economic climate. Blake Coleman — if he were to receive that type of premium, then you’ve “Make no mistake, that contract in and of itself has real value,” Button really got something to contemplate. It’s not a “go” as much as it was with said. “For (Fitzgerald) to be able to look at teams and say, hey, you know Blake — that one was obvious. We’re talking about guys who are what, you don’t even need to do cap gymnastics to get Dmitry Kulikov, traditionally going to be in your seven through nine forwards. This is and you’re getting a player who has played exceptionally well for us and where analytics and macro thoughts come in. If I can get a shot at a star brings elements that are important to success and there’s no obligation player, which is what a first-round pick can be, those are the important moving forward. That’s massive value. philosophical decisions.

“If you look at the flat cap, there’s probably a good chance you’re going Whatever course Fitzgerald plots over the next two weeks, all three to get another crack at Dmitry Kulikov. So maybe the saying applies, analysts noted there has been demonstrable progress for the Devils with because you might be able to have your cake and eat it too.” their younger players. They also have attractive players for the trade market, and the cap flexibility to both retain some with their players and Vatanen and Murray have both improved of late since being paired absorb some from a contender that is squeezed against the cap ceiling. together. Kulikov and Vatenen have been a big part of the penalty-kill resurgence, which could be attractive to a contender with a need in that To me, they are getting some clear indications of players’ capabilities,” area. Murray’s cap hit ($4.6 million) is high for a third-pairing veteran, but Button said. “And with those clear indications of where the team’s the Devils could retain up to half of that to help improve his market. strengths are at, you can go, “OK, what can we look at to add? If teams are phoning us about Player A or Player B, what do we want to consider The ‘why they pay you the big bucks’ one getting back in a trade?”

The most fascinating decision for Fitzgerald is not one of the UFAs. Some people will say, “Well, draft picks.” If it’s me, I look differently at the New Jersey situation. Unless you’re just going to go, “Let’s just fill our Miles Wood scored his team-leading 11th goal Tuesday night. That (draft pick) bounty,” to me now it is about systematic team building. Like I matches his total from last season and bests his output from 2018-19. look at Kevin Bahl in the Taylor Hall trade. I thought that was a terrific That also puts him at a 26-goal pace over 82 games, well beyond his move because that type of defenseman is unique. So if somebody wants career-high of 19 from three years ago, which spurred a four-year, $11 to trade for a certain player, well, what does your organization have, what million contract that runs through next season. type of prospect do they have that we don’t have and could be closer to There are two big questions here. Should the Devils “sell high” on Wood? playing for us than a draft pick? Would they actually be selling high, or are his gains this season The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 sustainable?

Wood has been a frustrating player the past two seasons, but the tools are obvious. He arrived at training camp and said it was time for him to grow up and be a more consistent player, and he’s done it.

This version of Wood is almost identical to his 2017-18 season, in that he’s better than 50 percent in Corsi For percentage and 51 recent in expected goals percentage at even strength. His production is not part of a shooting percentage bender — his on-ice number could even be better with a little more luck, which would add a few more points. 1186242 New York Islanders

Islanders hope to settle some scores with first-place Capitals at home

By Neil Best

Normally this would be no time to start pondering standings and potential playoff matchups and the like — not a mere 36 games into an NHL season.

But this is not a normal time, and the Islanders already have played nearly two-thirds of their regular season, so why not ponder such things?

That goes double when the next game on Thursday and five of the final 20 are against the Capitals, who are in first place in the East — two points ahead of the Islanders — and had won 14 of 16 before a loss to the Rangers Tuesday.

"Oh, for sure, you’re always thinking about that," Jordan Eberle said after practice on Wednesday. "You’re taking a peek at the standings and looking at what’s forming.

Island Ice: Newsday's podcast about the Islanders. Island Ice: Newsday's podcast about the Islanders.

Island Ice Ep. 77: Home ice, Trade talk with E.J. Hradek, Caps talk with Samantha Pell

Host Andrew Gross talks home ice advantage this season, followed by the trade deadline with NHL Network's E.J. Hradek and Isles-Caps with Washington Post's Samantha Pell.

"It’s a Washington team we haven’t had obviously success against this year, so it will be nice to get them at home in a time where we’re desperate for a win. If you look at the last couple of games, we’re moving in the wrong direction, so we want to turn this homestand into some wins and start climbing the standings again."

The Islanders play their next six at home and are not in near-term danger of falling out of playoff position.

But because this year’s format does not include interdivision play until the conference final, it is highly likely the Capitals — and/or Penguins — will stand between the Islanders and a return trip to the final four.

Hence the focus on playing well against the Capitals, against whom the Islanders are 0-3 — all on the road.

"Definitely, it’s a team that we look at and want to get past and we’re going to play them a lot," Jean-Gabriel Pageau said.

One point of emphasis, as always: Stop Alex Ovechkin. Entering Wednesday night’s games, he was tied for sixth in the league with 18 goals and had scored 11 goals in his past 12 games. He is 35 years old.

"I didn’t get to really watch Gretzky, but from what I’ve seen from Ovie, I think he’s the best goal-scorer this game’s seen," Eberle said.

Said Pageau: "I mean, it’s impressive, not only his shot but his game overall has been good for years. To be that consistent you need to be super-competitive . . . We’re going to need to be aware whenever he’s on the ice."

Notes & quotes: Coach Barry Trotz said defenseman Noah Dobson, who has not played since March 13 because of COVID-19 protocols, skated again on Wednesday and might play Thursday. "I’ll just check with him tomorrow if he’s good to go," Trotz said. "If he gives me the thumbs up, I assume that he’ll join us." Trotz said Dobson had mild symptoms and "seems to have bounced back quite well." . . . Injured forward Michael Dal Colle will not be available Thursday, Trotz said . . . With New York State opening COVID vaccine shots to all ages next week, do the Islanders have a plan for how to get their players vaccinated? Trotz said he did not have an answer for that yet. "I think you probably have to look at off days and when you can schedule stuff," he said. "I think right now it would be very difficult to schedule stuff, because games get changed all the time here."

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186243 New York Islanders John Carlson’s in Washington: Dobson is the quarterback and the feeder for Pulock’s big shot. It should get him some points and a boost in ice time. He’s shown he can handle just about anything thrown his way.

Barry Trotz’s top six? 20 points for Noah Dobson? 10 bold Islanders Prediction rating: Still looking good! Dobson is set to return Thursday preseason predictions revisited from a sudden and scary 18-day COVID-19 absence — he was pulled from the lineup during the national anthem two Sundays ago in Newark and hasn’t been seen since. It’s hard to know how the eight-game layoff will affect him, but he’s still on pace for that 20-point season, having By Arthur Staple Mar 31, 2021 racked up 12 points in 28 games so far. If he can return to his pre- COVID-19 form, he’ll be a welcome addition in the lineup — the Isles offense has run mostly through Nick Leddy the past month among the We’re a bit more than halfway through the Islanders’ season, so it felt like defensemen, and the Islanders need another option. the right time to see where my 10 Bold Predictions from just before the start of the 2021 season stand. 4. Injuries mean problems on D

Let’s take a look. What I said: One of the big gambles for this team is its incredible lack of defense depth. Lamoriello reiterated that trading Devon Toews was 1. Mathew Barzal breaks out something he absolutely didn’t want to do, and it shows now. Without Toews and the retired Johnny Boychuk, the Isles’ position of greatest What I said: Yes, these are supposed to be bold. But coming off seasons strength and depth the last couple of years is awfully thin behind the top of 62 and 60 points, Barzal stopped being mentioned with the truly elite six. Thomas Hickey hasn’t played an NHL game in over two years and young forwards in the game. He had some other benefits that the it’s been three years since Sebastian Aho played one. Behind them, McDavids and Eichels didn’t get, such as playoff victories, but Barzal there’s promise for the future in Samuel Bolduc, Bode Wilde and Grant hasn’t been necessarily viewed as a top-20 center or top-50 player. Hutton, but those three have barely 100 AHL games between them. Armed with his new bridge deal that averages $7 million per over three And defenses get banged up in the NHL. Pelech has had a couple of years, the feeling is that Barzal will take the next step. He’s being paid serious injuries just in the past year and Andy Greene, as durable a closer to what his high-end peers are getting; he always measures player as any over his career, is 38. There’s room to make a trade if need himself against the above-mentioned players, who went Nos. 1 and 2 in be, but the COVID-19 protocols may make transactions few and far his draft class, plus Mitch Marner, who went fourth. Barzal has sacrificed between. The Islanders have to hope for health, and it’s just not likely to offense to fit into Barry Trotz’s system, and it’s paid off in two seasons of come through for four months straight. increasing playoff success. In the next 56 games, look for Barzal to start becoming the guy Trotz puts out for key draws late in games, who is Prediction rating: Eh … Until Dobson went on the COVID-19 list, the Isles more of a threat on the power play and generally starts to play the way had used the same six defensemen for 28 consecutive games. Now, he wants to be seen — as a star who could legitimately be in the Hart even with Dobson coming back, Trotz had to fill only one slot with first Trophy conversation every year. Aho and then Hickey. With the Isles’ needs up front far more urgent before the deadline, they may roll the dice and try to get through the Prediction rating: Not bad! Barzal has gone a bit cold of late, with four remainder of the season and the playoffs with the same six. It’s still a points in his past eight games, but he’s shown a bit more aggressiveness worry, but so far, so good. this season and it’s resulted in a few eye-popping goals. He’s on a 64- point pace over an 82-game season, which would be a marginal tick up 5. Keep an eye on Czarnik from the past two years, but the Anders Lee injury is hampering his game. Curious to see if Lou Lamoriello can acquire a wing to clear some What I said: Casey Cizikas threw a scare into the Islanders when he was space for Barzal before the trade deadline. hurt in their last scrimmage, but he’s ready to go for the opener. That moment was a reminder that the Isles took a serious dip last season 2. Ilya Sorokin plays less than you hope when Cizikas missed 20 games with a skate cut; they also weren’t as good in the Eastern Conference final after Cizikas departed the bubble What I said: It’s a bit of a mystery how Sorokin will perform in his first for surgery on a detached retina. North American season, but judging by Trotz’s words … it’s a safe bet the Islanders will not be looking to go close to a 50-50 split in starts So how do the Isles keep their bottom six rolling? With a 28-year-old between their goalies. … If Sorokin gets a couple of starts in the first 10 journeyman on a two-way deal. Austin Czarnik has some Cizikas-like games, the Islanders will be satisfied. This wouldn’t seem like the right qualities to his game as a pesky forward who can play center and wing, position to ease a player in, given Sorokin’s long pro history in the KHL take faceoffs and offer a little grit. Otto Koivula is the next center on the and the fact that the Isles need both their goalies fresh through the grind depth chart when looking at the future; for now, Czarnik may figure more of this season, but they are determined not to burden Sorokin and into games if there’s an injury. instead let him work on his game with longer stretches as the backup. He would also make this amusing factoid come true: There have been We’ll estimate 21 starts for Sorokin. Patience is the greatest virtue for three players in NHL history whose last names begin with “Cz.” If Czarnik Lamoriello and Trotz when it comes to young players, even 25-year-olds plays for the Isles, all three will have played for the franchise (Mariusz who have won championships elsewhere. Czerkawski, Kevin Czuczman).

Prediction rating: On target! With 20 games to go, Sorokin would need to Prediction rating: Not great! Czarnik has gotten in exactly four games so make nine starts to get to 21. There’s a chance, but he’s likely to end up far, even though the Isles need some consistent scoring punch from their in the 18-20 range, which is still pretty good. And Sorokin, after a head- wings now with Lee out. Cizikas and his fourth-line mates have stayed spinning start to his NHL career, has also been pretty good. His eight- healthy and productive all season, combining for 15 goals. So there start win streak was snapped Saturday, and he has looked more and hasn’t been much need for Czarnik as of yet. more comfortable with each outing. He still needs to get the leaky goal out of his game, but there’s been a lot to like about him as a solid No. 1B 6. Wahlstrom gets his first NHL goal — and a few more option. What I said: I predicted that Oliver Wahlstrom would be a second-half 3. Noah Dobson puts up 20 points call-up and NHL fixture last season. That did not happen, of course (not that there was much of a second half to anyone’s season). This time What I said: Sorokin’s treatment may echo the way the Islanders tried to around, the big winger has made the official opening roster, though it handle Dobson last season, banking on practice and off-ice may take him some time to work his way into the lineup. Playing with improvements rather than throwing the young guy into the fire. Adam Jean-Gabriel Pageau should help the 20-year-old Wahlstrom at both Pelech’s injury changed those plans, but even in playing 34 games, ends of the ice. He’ll get that first goal, maybe even get to six to seven, Dobson was as sheltered as could be, sometimes rotating in every other and start working toward becoming a regular. shift rather than each time through. Prediction rating: Not bold enough! Wahlstrom has been the biggest The training wheels are off this year, however. Dobson is entrenched on revelation of this season for the Islanders — one more goal and he’ll the third pair and starts the season on the same power-play unit as equal his AHL total from last season in possibly 15 fewer games. He’s Barzal and Ryan Pulock. Trotz likens Dobson’s position on that unit to not only shown his terrific scoring skills, but he’s also a bit of a puck magnet along the walls and in the neutral zone, allowing Trotz to use him The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 in situations the coach surely never thought he would with an offense- minded rookie. Six or seven? We’re way past that.

7. Trotz juggles his top six

What I said: Part of the Islanders feeling good about how they’re approaching this season is the continuity from last season, especially the playoffs — they’re returning three of their four lines intact. As good as the Anthony Beauvillier-Brock Nelson-Josh Bailey line has been, the Anders Lee-Barzal-Jordan Eberle line has had some hiccups. Trotz will give it time, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the coach flip the wings on each of those lines at some point, getting Barzal and Beauvillier together for a stretch. Especially if both start the season well.

Prediction rating: Pretty good, but not for the reasons above! Trotz is juggling the heck out of his top six, mostly because the Beau-Nelson- Bailey line was a hot mess for the first month of the season and Lee is out for the year. Before Michael Dal Colle got hurt last week, Trotz’s nominal top two lines featured left wings with a combined one goal on the season in Leo Komarov and Dal Colle. I believe the word for that is “unsustainable.”

8. The Isles will have three 20-goal scorers

What I said: Scoring 20 in a 56-game season prorates to 29 over an 82- game season — not exactly Rocket Richard Trophy territory, but the Isles have had five players break the 20-goal plateau in the last two years of 82 and 68 games. Barzal will be one. Nelson will be two. And the third will be Anders Lee, who will return to the team goal-scoring lead after a one-year absence.

Lee had just two power-play goals last season (he had three in the playoffs), which dragged his total down to 20, his lowest total since 2015- 16. With a sharper power play, he’ll get back up to 25 to lead the team.

Prediction rating: Still got a shot! But it’s a longer shot with each passing game. At the recent scoring rate, the Isles will be lucky to have one 20- goal scorer; at one point a few weeks ago, they were on pace to have four or five, with Nelson, Lee, Eberle, Barzal and Pageau. Of the remaining players, Nelson, a streaky scorer who’s tied for the team lead (with Lee) at 12, has the best shot at breaking the 20-goal barrier. If Pageau (11), Eberle (11) and Barzal (10) get hot, maybe they get three. Maybe. Aw hell, I know I’m cooked here.

9. The Islanders will make the playoffs …

What I said: It will be a grind, but isn’t that what these Islanders are built for? Their ability to get out of the gate fast and get to their style of play quickly will sustain them through this weird season in the league’s hardest division. The Bruins will give them fits; so will the Rangers, with their speed. But the Islanders have enough mental fortitude to keep themselves focused on picking up points and will eke out a third-place finish in the East, barely ahead of the Flyers, Rangers and Penguins and just behind the Bruins and Capitals.

Prediction rating: Best one yet! It would take a massive collapse over these last 20 games to miss the playoffs, even if the Isles are off the torrid pace they set through the first 29 games. Third place looks like a decent bet — the Penguins have nine of their remaining 20 games against the Devils and Sabres, while the Isles have just four left against those two struggling teams. If the Isles can hold off the Bruins for third or start winning their games against the Caps, that’s all they really need. If there’s ever been a “just get in and see what happens” year, it’s this one.

10. … But there will be no magical run

What I said: Finishing behind the Capitals and Bruins means a matchup either with a Boston team that has better skill and an equal amount of grit or a Washington team that will, under turnaround artist , be hungrier than it was when it fell meekly to the Isles in the first round last summer. Either way, the Islanders simply don’t have the skill to overpower either of those teams. It will make next offseason, with the Seattle expansion draft and a need for more cap flexibility, a very challenging one for the Islanders, whose window to win as currently constituted isn’t going to stay open for much longer.

Prediction rating: TBD! Without Lee, the Isles just aren’t as strong; if there’s another key injury before the playoffs start, it’s hard to see how they can compete with the other three likely playoff teams for more than a round. A lot can change in the next six weeks, but the Islanders need trade reinforcements and a renewed consistency to show they have another deep postseason run in them. 1186244 New York Islanders

Cory Schneider Feels ‘Pretty Good’ in First Conditioning Stint in AHL Bridgeport

By Christian Arnold

Cory Schneider was back on the ice Wednesday afternoon, though it wasn’t on an NHL sheet of ice. The veteran goaltender started a conditioning stint with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and started in net for their 3-2 overtime loss to the .

Schneider’s appearance in net came after the Islanders announced earlier in the day that he had been reassigned to AHL Bridgeport for the conditioning stint. Wednesday marked Schneider’s first start in goal in over a year when started for New Jersey on March 6, 2020.

“I felt pretty good. I felt engaged mentally,” Schneider said. “Physically it was a bit of a grind. Just a shock to the system. Getting your body used to playing for 60 minutes. It’s amazing. It’s been over 12 months since I did that last. I felt pretty good as the game went on and I felt like I made some good saves.

“Obviously the overtime goal was not a good one by me, so again that’s part of the process of getting in overtime and playing that long. … Overall I’m not looking too much at the shots and goals, and just more how I felt and how I was moving.”

Cory Schneider on the first game of his conditioning assignment and facing ���� shots in the first period. � pic.twitter.com/wgg2yss82X

— Bridgeport Sound Tigers (@thesoundtigers) March 31, 2021

Cory Schneider made 21 saves in the loss, which included a first period where he didn’t have to face a single shot on goal. The 35-year-old joked that he thought about playing the puck out of his net just to take a delay of game penalty to get some action during the first 20 minutes.

Schneider stepped away from the New York Islanders organization in February after the tragic death of his 14-year-old nephew, Theodore Hedstrom, in a house fire. The Islanders and New Jersey Devil paid tribute to Hedstrom by placing red taped hockey sticks outside their locker rooms during their March 2 matchup.

“It’s nice to have that in my life right now, to be able to do what I’m passionate about and love doing,” Schneider said, according to the Connecticut Post. “It’s nice to get back out there and not have to think about a whole lot else other than focusing on the game, because when you’re not actually playing the game, there are a lot of other things that can occupy your mind or keep you busy.

“Right now, it’s nice to just focus on Hockey.”

Tom Kuhnhackl and A.J. Greer each scored for the Sound Tigers on Wednesday. Providence forward Oskar Steen scored the game-winning goal at 2:31 of overtime.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186245 New York Islanders

Islanders Practice: Dobson Returns, While Dal Colle Remains Out

By Christian Arnold

It was a good news, bad news kind of day for the New York Islanders as they returned to the ice for their first practice since wrapping up a four- game road trip earlier this week.

On the bright side, the Islanders got back defenseman Noah Dobson, who had been sidelined due to COVID-19. Dobson hasn’t played since going into the NHL’s COVID protocols on Sunday, March 14 and missed eight games due to the virus.

New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz suggested that could come to an end when the Islanders host the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

“He skated. He skated fine for a few days and I’ll just check with him tomorrow if he’s good to go,” Trotz said after Wednesday’s practice. “If he gives me the thumbs up then I would assume that he will join us.”

Thomas Hickey and Sebastian Aho had been filling in for Dobson while he has been sidelined by COVID-19. Dobson came off the protocol list last week, but in an effort to ease him back, the Islanders did not bring him with them on the four-game trip.

The expectation is that Hickey will come back out of the lineup now that Dobson is likely ready to go.

While the Dobson news was good, the news on Michael Dal Colle was not exactly what fans had been hoping for. Dal Colle did not practice with the team after missing the Isles’ last two games with a lower-body injury. New York was already down Anders Lee for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

It appeared that Trotz indicated that Dal Colle would not be available for Thursday’s game with the Washington Capitals at the Nassau Coliseum. If he does not play it would be the third straight game Dal Colle will have missed due to the injury.

It’s unclear when that injury occurred last week.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186246 New York Rangers New York Post LOADED: 04.01.2021

Vitali Kravtsov complicates Rangers’ already tough balancing act

By Mollie Walker March 31, 2021 | 6:06pm | Updated

Rangers head coach David Quinn admitted he and his staff have engaged in constant conversation about how to manage the younger players on the team.

It’s a balancing act that factors in development, what gives the Rangers the best chance to win and how their decisions will impact the longevity of the team’s success. Though it’s important to prioritize staying competitive, the Rangers have the youngest team in the league, which means the youth is the future.

Prior to Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the Capitals, Quinn said he was “pissed” at himself for not playing the kid line of Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil and more in Sunday’s loss in Washington. He alluded to being at a crossroads with wanting to reward the players who are playing well, while also understanding that he has an entire locker room “to answer to.”

“When you’ve got a young line, you’re going to have to be patient and allow them to grow,” Quinn said Tuesday. “[But] depending on the game situation, there may be some changes to some of those lines to give it a little bit more of a veteran presence on that line and mix the lines up.”

There have been some discussions of breaking up “the kid line” of Lafreniere, Chytil and Gauthier, according to Quinn, but that would come at the expense of the top six, which has been propelling the offense recently. And now that Vitali Kravtsov is in the mix, it’ll be even more of a challenge to effectively distribute playing time.

Wednesday was Quinn’s first time on the ice with Kravtsov since he accompanied the team to the Toronto bubble for last season’s playoffs. Though there is still no timeline for when Kravtsov will crack the lineup, Quinn said it is not lost on the coaching staff that the 21-year-old is not a fourth-line player.

But Kravtsov took line rushes with the fourth-line group on Wednesday. That’s a result of the “logjam” of forwards that Quinn has addressed recently. It has complicated not only how Quinn distributes ice time, but the makeup of each line.

“As much as it is what he’s doing, it’s about what people in the lineup are not doing,” Quinn said. “We went 5-2 [Tuesday] night, feel good about the way we played, we feel good about the way a lot of guys played. Our decision to getting him in, there’s two parts to it.

“It’s us wanting to get him in and him earning the opportunity to get in, but also you may want to say, ‘Well this guy needs to change, this guy probably doesn’t deserve to be in the lineup.’ There’s a couple things that go into that decision-making process.”

It’s because of the top six’s recent success that players like Lafreniere, Chytil — and, in due time, likely Kravtsov — have been given less ice time. Lafreniere logged his second-least amount of ice time this season in Washington on Sunday, with 8:13, while he’s averaged roughly 10 minutes over the last three games. Some of that is credited to the fact that the team has been on special teams a lot.

In the past three games, Chytil has averaged just under 12 minutes per game. But Chytil said he doesn’t think about things he can’t control.

“It’s [something] I can’t control, that’s all about coach and [who] he wants to put on the ice,” Chytil said. “But every time I step in, I want to play my game. I don’t think about momentum, I just think about doing the best for our line, do the best I can and just play how we can.”

Brett Howden, who has been on the COVID-19 protocol list for 10 days, is set to undergo cardiac screening Thursday. Should he clear the remainder of the NHL’s protocols, the center will be able to skate on his own at the team’s training facility Thursday then rejoin the team as soon as Friday.

Igor Shesterkin will start in goal Thursday in Buffalo for his fourth start in the past five games since his return from a groin injury. 1186247 New York Rangers

Still no word on when Vitali Kravtsov will make Rangers debut

By Colin Stephenson

A week after his first practice with the team, and two-and-a-half weeks after his arrival in the U.S., following the conclusion of his KHL season, there is still no announced date by the Rangers for when Russian winger Vitali Kravtsov will make his Blueshirts debut.

Rangers coach David Quinn couldn’t say if he would make a change to the lineup for Thursday’s game in Buffalo against the Sabres, but his post-practice remarks Wednesday didn’t make it sound as though Kravtsov will be in Thursday.

"As much as about what he's doing, it's about what people in the lineup are not doing,’’ said Quinn, who pointed out that Wednesday’s practice was the first time he has been on the ice with Kravtsov since the NHL bubble last August in Toronto. "We won 5-2 (against Washington on Tuesday), feel good about the way we played, feel good about the way a lot of guys played.

"There's two parts to it,’’ he continued. "It's us wanting to get him in and him earning the opportunity to get in, but also someone -- you may want to say, 'Well this guy … probably doesn't deserve to be in the lineup.’ So there's a couple things that go into that decision-making process.’’

Kravtsov, 21, was the first of three first-round picks the Rangers made in the 2018 draft, selected ninth overall. He played this season on loan in Russia with his old KHL team, Traktor Chelyabinsk, and scored 16 goals in 49 games in the regular season, and two goals and two assists in five playoff games.

Looking past Sabres?

Quinn was asked how he will keep his team from looking past a Sabres team that entered Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers on an 18-game (0-15-3) losing streak. The Rangers will play the Sabres twice, on Thursday and Saturday in Buffalo.

"We certainly know what's in front of us and we know what's at stake,’’ Quinn said. "We can't afford to take anybody lightly in this league – nobody can… We've had tough games with Buffalo. Nothing's been easy with them. And it would be a great mistake from our end of it to take anybody lightly.’’

The Rangers are 2-1 against Buffalo, including a 3-2 overtime win Jan. 28, in which Alexis Lafreniere’s first NHL goal was the game-winner.

"This is a key part of the season for us,’’ defenseman Ryan Lindgren said. "We’ve got to to get on a roll here, and claw our way back into a playoff spot. So, we're certainly not going to take them lightly.’’

Blue notes

Quinn said Igor Shesterkin (8-8-1, 2.32 goals-against average, .925 save percentage) will start in goal… Adam Fox’s 17 assists in March were the most by a Ranger since Jaromir Jagr had 18 in December, 2005. Fox, who became the first Rangers defenseman since Brian Leetch to record 30 points in the season’s first 35 games, also had the most assists for a Rangers defenseman in a month since Leetch had 18 in December, 1995… Brett Howden (COVID-19 list, five games missed) will undergo cardiac screening Thursday, the final step to being cleared to return to play. He will not join the team in Buffalo… Tickets for the final nine home games at the Garden went on sale Wednesday. The Garden will be accepting New York State’s Excelsior Pass, which provides digital proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186248 NHL of 9-0. They were shut out five times over all and were outscored, 75-30, as they plummeted to the bottom of the league standings.

It was futility. But was it a record? The Sabres’ Losing Streak Ends at 18 The disparities between eras make the official record-keeping and bar- Buffalo had been on a dry spell, going 0-15-3 since late February, before stool arguments a bit messy. beating Philadelphia on Wednesday. Starting with the implementation of the shootout in the 2005-6 season, Curtis Lazar scored Buffalo’s second goal on Wednesday. the N.H.L. eliminated ties. The 2003-4 Penguins, who also lost 18 in a row (0-17-1), played in the final season before shootouts, but the league had a system, as it does today, that awarded teams a point in the standings for reaching overtime even if they lost. By Andrew Knoll April 1, 2021, 12:24 a.m. ET Technically, the N.H.L. considers overtime losses and shootout losses to

be equivalent to ties for historical purposes, as any of the three results The Buffalo Sabres started the year seeking to ignite their offense with would yield a point in the standings. Furthermore, for much of the new acquisitions, but instead they found ignominy with a historic losing league’s history, any game that would have gone to overtime or a streak. shootout under current rules would have instead ended in a tie, as there was no regular-season overtime period between 1942 and 1983. The Sabres lost 18 games in a row before slamming the brakes on their skid with a resounding 6-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on In N.H.L. records, the longest losing streaks, at 17 regulation games, Wednesday. belong to the 1974-75 Washington Capitals and the 1992-93 San Jose Sharks. The Sabres’ longest string of regulation losses was nine, and the Those 18 losses matched those accumulated by the 2003-4 Pittsburgh 18 straight defeats are considered a “winless streak.” Penguins, who previously had the undesirable distinction of having lost more games consecutively than any other team. The longest winless streak in league history belongs to the Winnipeg Jets franchise, today’s Arizona Coyotes. They were the class of the World Goalie Linus Ullmark had 31 saves, and defenseman Brandon Montour Hockey Association, as the only franchise to win three Avco Cups, but blew the contest open with an empty-net goal and then a superb their early days in the N.H.L. were dreadful. In 1980-81, their second individual effort that gave him two short-handed scores in the span of 37 N.H.L. campaign, they went winless for 30 games, losing 23 and tying seconds as the Sabres tightened their grip on the game late. seven times.

“You never want to lose,” said Montour, who praised his team’s positive But there seems to be little question that the Sabres’ slump will bring through the streak. “Especially the streak we had there, everybody was further infamy to a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2011, talking about it, there was always something to say.” hasn’t won a postseason series since 2007, hasn’t made the finals since 1999 and has never won the Stanley Cup over its 50-season history. Injuries have played a role: Buffalo was without the scoring forward Jack Eichel, who last played on March 7, toward the middle of the slump. A coaching change did not stop the streak.

Without Eichel, their captain, the Sabres sought leadership by committee, The Sabres made an outside-the-box coaching hire before last season and many players were vocal on Wednesday, Don Granato, the interim by selecting Ralph Krueger, who had coached the Edmonton Oilers in coach, said. The team had squandered a three-goal lead against 2012-13 but had spent the previous five years as the chairman of an Philadelphia in the third period on Monday, so Granato allowed his English Premier League soccer club. The team fired him on March 17, players to speak during the second intermission rather than making when the skid had reached a dozen losses, and made Don Granato the strategic adjustments or offering his own thoughts. interim coach. Krueger had taken over a team that started strong in 2018-19 and then did so again under him in 2019-20, only to fall off as “We thought it was best just to hand it to them,” Granato said. “It’s your those campaigns progressed. third period, not ours, and you know what to do.” Before this season, they had hoped to make the most of an offense that What they did was end a slide that had lasted more than a month. Here already featured top picks turned stars like center Jack Eichel and are some of the highlights: Dahlin. They added Taylor Hall, the most sought-after forward in free The skid almost ended Monday. Buffalo found a way to lose. agency and the 2018 most valuable player, on a one-year contract. They also traded for the veteran center Eric Staal, who led the Carolina The losing streak (0-15-3), which began on Feb. 25 with an overtime loss Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup victory and scored 100 points in 2006 and to the Devils, was equal parts woe and “whoa,” as the Sabres were experienced a resurgence with the Minnesota Wild. abjectly bad at times and imaginatively so at others. The day Krueger was fired, General Manager Kevyn Adams all but The Sabres nearly broke their free fall on Monday, when they took a 3-0 heaved Hall onto the trade block. Staal was traded nine days later, with lead at home against the Flyers. But the Flyers evened the score in the 50 percent of his remaining salary retained, in exchange for two middle- third period before defenseman Ivan Provorov capped Philadelphia’s round draft picks. comeback with a goal 42 seconds into overtime. Several players have performed below expectations. “We haven’t been in this situation — we got panicked,” defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said in a video news conference. “The puck bounces No Sabre who has played in at least 15 games this season has a positive their way, and — I don’t know.” plus-minus rating, and as of Wednesday evening, the four worst ratings in the N.H.L. belonged to Buffalo players, including Dahlin’s league-worst Montour was even more blunt in his assessment, saying that any team in negative 33. Staal and Hall combined for 28 points, while the production the N.H.L. should have won a game it had led by 3-0, much less a team of Dahlin and another offensive-minded defenseman, Rasmus as desperate for a victory as Buffalo. Ristolainen, has also flagged considerably.

Whether or not that was the nadir of the streak may be a matter of The former all-star wingers Jeff Skinner and Kyle Okposo have combined debate. for a meager 13 points this season, despite counting for $15 million and They struggled at both ends of the ice. around 18 percent of the salary cap. Okposo has been hindered by health issues, but Skinner’s even more underwhelming performance has The Sabres closed February by being shut out in back-to-back games come two seasons after he scored 40 goals for the Sabres. against Philadelphia, another of the worst defensive teams this season. As a team, Buffalo is tied with the Anaheim Ducks and the Devils for the Between March 4 and March 11, the Sabres allowed five goals in each of second-fewest goals scored and is near the bottom in goals allowed. five consecutive games, which was as close as they had come to defensive consistency. New York Times LOADED: 04.01.2021

They followed that up with two more shutout losses, falling to the to the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals by an aggregate score 1186249 NHL discipline consistently. Many argued a less prominent player committing the same hit would have earned harsher in-game discipline and even a suspension.

Was Connor McDavid’s Big Hit a Dirty Play? McDavid is the highest paid player in the N.H.L. at $12.5 million a year, and perhaps its biggest star. Some people said they didn’t think the After the Oilers captain elbowed Montreal’s Jesperi Kotkaniemi, there relatively small fine was enough punishment. were calls for a suspension or at least a fine. That he got. But McDavid had his defenders, too. He was suspended in February 2019 for an illegal check to the head of Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy. In that instance, Leddy was Connor McDavid was fined $5,000 for his high hit on Jesperi Kotkaniemi. attempting to play the puck and McDavid’s shoulder made contact with Leddy’s head.

The department of player safety does not rule a player a repeat offender By Shawna Richer if 18 months have passed since his last infraction. McDavid’s latest hit falls well outside that window.

TORONTO — Connor McDavid, widely regarded as the best and most New York Times LOADED: 04.01.2021 electrifying player in the N.H.L., had people buzzing but not for the usual reasons.

On Tuesday night in Montreal, with McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers trailing the Canadiens, 3-0, in the first period, he laid a crushing hit on Montreal’s Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

Discuss. pic.twitter.com/SVLnpjhDKE

— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) March 31, 2021

Breaking out of the Canadiens’ end, just over the blue line, Kotkaniemi dropped the puck behind him to left wing Paul Byron and peeled off across center ice. McDavid, racing up on Byron to the left, crossed in front and appeared to target Kotkaniemi even though he no longer had the puck.

A split-second before they collided, McDavid drove his elbow into Kotkaniemi’s shoulder, and then connected with his jaw.

Here’s a wide angle view.

Kotkaniemi, a 20-year-old center, fell to the ice in a heap, clutching his face.

McDavid was given a two-minute minor penalty for roughing.

And Twitter in Canada, which until that point had predominantly been focused on the coronavirus pandemic’s third wave in Ontario and the plucky Toronto Blue Jays’ season opener this week, turned its attention to a discussion for and against McDavid, complete with calls for suspensions and fines and Zapruder-film slow-motion replays of the hit.

By late Wednesday morning, the N.H.L. had announced that McDavid had been fined $5,000 for elbowing Kotkaniemi, the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement. He began trending all over again.

But McDavid, who leads the N.H.L. with 63 points and ranks second in goals with 21, also had his defenders.

McDavid is known for his blazing speed and sleight of hand — his goals often must be watched repeatedly in slow motion to fully appreciate — but he was visibly frustrated early on Tuesday night. His mood had perhaps carried over from the previous evening, a 3-2 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, when at the end of the second period McDavid skated over to an official and shouted animatedly: “No penalty? None? Every time!”

The Canadiens hadn’t played since March 20 because of the league’s coronavirus protocols, but they were fresh and dominated the Oilers. Kotkaniemi scored 18 seconds into the game. In the second period, McDavid had a goal disallowed after the Oilers were ruled offside. Montreal won, 4-0.

“I didn’t think anything of it; it was just a normal night.” McDavid said in response to a question from a Journal de Montréal reporter about having “an emotional night” that included the hit on Kotkaniemi and his disallowed goal.

Some were sympathetic to McDavid, and the plight of highly skilled generational stars like him whose talents can be routinely hampered by grabs, hits and illegal holds that go uncalled by the officials. Hockey has had this debate for years.

Still, some argued McDavid went too far or suggested that the N.H.L. department of player safety had sometimes failed to apply standards and 1186250 Ottawa Senators “I consider him a friend, and it’s tough whenever you hear the word cancer, it’s scary. To have a leg amputated, it’s more serious than some of the cancers that are out there. You feel bad for him, but it’s time for people to help Mike now. He needs some support, he needs some This time, it's ex-Greyhound Mike Glover's many friends coming to his prayers and he needs a little bit of financial backing. It’s a good thing aid after leg amputated because I think there’s tons of people who are going to help Mike.”

Mike Glover had his right leg amputated during a procedure Tuesday No, this hasn’t been easy for Glover by any stretch, but he is keeping a after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. positive attitude. He had been having issues with his knee for a couple of years, had gone through a battery of tests, but didn’t find out until last

month that he had a tumour that required the surgery. This will be as Bruce Garrioch difficult a battle mentally as it will be physically.

Glover is keeping his chin up.

Mike Glover was a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from Mike Glover, an avid golfer, wants people to know he’s OK and ready for 1985 to 1988. the challenge ahead.

As a player for the ’s Sault Ste. Marie “I don’t even know if I could be that strong, but his spirits have bene Greyhounds from 1985 to 1988, Mike Glover was always the first to remarkable,” said Sue Ward, Rick’s wife, a social worker at The Ottawa come to the aid of his teammates. Hospital. “I even told him, ‘You don’t have to be the big, strong guy all the time.’ There’s going to be some good and some bad days, and he’s like, Now, he needs an assist and there’s no shortage of people stepping up ‘I’m good and I’m OK.’ ” to help. Glover reached out to his family and friends from his hospital bed The 52-year-old Glover, an Ottawa native who had a tremendous junior Wednesday. He wants people to know he’s OK and ready for the career with the Greyhounds, has a long, difficult recovery ahead of him challenge ahead. An avid golfer, you know he’s the kind of person who after he had his right leg amputated during a procedure Tuesday at the will be back on the course as soon as he can. Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. “Mike doesn’t procrastinate,” Rick said. “I can pretty much speak for Mike when I say he’s looking forward to getting going again. He’ll want things Expected to be released from the hospital as early as Thursday, Glover to happen. Mike knows he has to pay to play, and he’s going to pay, but will not only have to go through the difficult challenge of getting used to at the same time he’s going to fight through it and come out the other living with a prosthetic with four to six weeks of rehabilitation, he’ll also be side winning. Cancer won’t be first, it will be second for sure.” undergoing some form of chemotherapy for what’s a very rare form of the disease. More than $64,000 had been raised on the GoFundMe page by Wednesday evening. A bright and funny person, Glover and his wife, Laura Kitney, will have plenty of friends to reach out to. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.01.2021

There wasn’t any doubt about the number of lives he’s touched over the years, and if anybody needed proof, then Glover’s brother, Rick, got it quickly when he put up a GoFundMe page Tuesday morning to help raise $100,000 to buy Mike a prosthetic leg that will help him resume a normal life.

The page raised more than $58,000 overnight, with a lot of the members of the hockey community reaching out to help Glover, a diagnostic systems analyst at The Ottawa Hospital and a scout for the OHL’s .

“I was driving home from work (Tuesday), I was in Perth, and I stopped to turn on my phone and as soon as I saw the amount of money that was coming in and some of the people were commenting I broke down and cried,” Rick Glover said Wednesday. “It’s touching how many people out there Mike has met and become friends (with).

“Mike’s the centre of attention. If you want to laugh, everybody calls Mike and says, ‘Hey, make me laugh.’ Mike makes them laugh, he likes to have a good time. He treats them with the utmost respect. The outpouring that Mike has had, and I would never have guessed the number of people that Mike has touched over the years, but I’m seeing it through the GoFundMe.”

After a Hockey Fights Cancer game in Edmonton last month, Ottawa coach D.J. Smith sent out his best wishes to Glover because of the close relationship he has with Senators assistant Bob Jones and the Spitfires.

A GoFundMe page for Mike Glover raised more than $58,000 overnight, with a lot of the members of the hockey community reaching out to help.

Jones was a teammate of Glover’s with the Greyhounds. Yes, he compiled 360 penalty minutes in his OHL career, but he had good skills, with 41 goals and 83 points in 63 games during his final season. In 181 career games with the Greyhounds, he had 81 goals and 164 points.

“Glovey’s just a really good guy,” Jones said following the Senators’ skate Wednesday at the Canadian Tire Centre. “I’ve known Mike for a long time and he’s always had time for everybody. He doesn’t shun anybody away or fast talk anybody, he’s just a good human being. A genuinely nice person, and that’s why I’ve stayed in contact with him all these years. 1186251 Ottawa Senators he’s healthy. Yes, Murray was struggling when he went down with the ailment, but he’s signed to a long-term deal and it’s important for the coaching staff to help him get back on track.

SNAPSHOTS: Tkachuk willing to offer advice to Ottawa's UND prospects “He’s certainly a big priority for us,” Smith said. “I’ve said all along that ... Murray not cleared to play he’s here for when it’s our time to turn the corner he’s going to be the guy. We’re going to put him in spots to succeed, but we want to make "I just don't think it would be right to try to sell them." sure he’s healthy first.”

As for Hogberg, he has stayed with the club’s AHL affiliate in Belleville this week while recovering from an upper-body injury. He will suit up Bruce Garrioch Saturday against the on the road as Belleville starts an eight-game road trip.

The Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk BACK TO BUSINESS

Brady Tkachuk is there to lend a hand any way he can. The Senators are champing at the bit to get back to playing.

The Ottawa Senators alternate captain can’t make the trip to Grand The club wasn’t supposed to have a week off, but a COVID-19 outbreak Forks, N.D., to sit down with top prospects Shane Pinto, Jacob Bernard- in the Habs’ dressing room meant two games against Montreal were Docker and Jake Sanderson, but he’s offered to give them assistance if postponed and had to be rescheduled. Instead of facing off four times they want it. this week, Ottawa and Montreal will see each other only twice as they also face each other Saturday at the Bell Centre. While excited fans of the Senators wait to find out what route the organization will take with Pinto, Bernard-Docker and Sanderson after Smith said the Senators have tried to enjoy the break mentally and stay the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks were eliminated from the sharp. NCAA playoffs Saturday, Tkachuk confirmed Wednesday he did reach “The biggest thing was the mental fatigue for some of our guys and we’re out to the trio to let them know he’s available if they have any questions. rejuvenated,” said Smith. “Certainly it will help physically, but it’s just the “I don’t think it would be right for me to convince them (to leave school) or grind of meetings and all the things that go into an NHL game. We were try to sell them,” Tkachuk said following the club’s skate Wednesday at able to get refreshed. the Canadian Tire Centre. “I texted all of them and said, ‘Good luck with “We want to continue to get faster as a team and we worked on that your decision, I went through it a couple of years ago, I know what you skating-wise. We think we can be a really fast team as we grow up here guys are feeling and it’s tough to leave a place you’ve loved.’ as a group and as we skate in practice. If you skate in practice, you “I just said if you ever need a voice outside of family or the management usually skate in games.” here and you just need a guy who has been through it just a couple of Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.01.2021 years ago, just give me a call or text, so I’ve talked to those guys a little bit.”

Look, there’s little question deals will be made with Pinto and Bernard- Docker to turn pro, which is why talks were continuing between GM Pierre Dorion, assistant GM Peter MacTavish and the agents for the duo Wednesday.

Shane Pinto (left), Jacob Bernard-Docker (middle), Jake Sanderson (right).

The only sticking point in those negotiations for Pinto and Bernard- Docker is whether they report to Ottawa or the club’s AHL affiliate in Belleville. If they do play in the NHL this season, then they’ll burn a year of their contracts, but if they agree to professional tryouts they’ll have to quarantine for 14 days to play with Belleville.

As for Sanderson, he has been at UND for only one year, so it may make sense for the 18-year-old to go back. Still, he hasn’t made a decision either way and he’s been offered the opportunity to turn pro because there are many who believe he could play for Belleville the rest of the year before pushing for a spot in Ottawa next season.

“It’s a big decision for those guys,” Tkachuk said. “All those guys would be huge pieces for our team and they’re going to be impact players, and I could say that about a lot of our prospects. I just don’t think it would be right to try to sell them. It’s up to them and any decision for them will be the right decision because they’re going to be such impact players in the league for such a long time.”

MURRAY NOT READY TO PLAY

Goaltender Matt Murray was back on the ice with the Senators for the second straight day Wednesday and was a regular participant in the skate.

He’s closing in on a return from the upper-body injury he suffered before a game March 14 against the Toronto Maple Leafs at home, but won’t dress as the backup with the Montreal Canadiens in town Thursday night. Anton Forsberg will sit on the bench behind Filip Gustavsson.

“He hasn’t been cleared to play at this point,” said coach D.J. Smith. “He does look like he’s getting more regular work out there, and I’ll just wait on the trainers to tell me (when Murray is ready) and then we’ll see where we’re at from there.”

Given the fact Gustavsson has performed well, there’s no rush to get Murray back in the net, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get to play when 1186252 Ottawa Senators 15 minutes. The Senators, however, have leaned heavily on their top four — Thomas Chabot played 34:50 in the Senators’ 4-3 overtime loss to Toronto on March 24 — with the bottom pair pushing to reach double digits in minutes. GAME DAY: Senators versus Montreal PROJECTED LINES: After all the COVID-19 postponements, the Senators will have been off for a full week by the time the puck drops Thursday. OTTAWA

Brady Tkachuk-Josh Norris-Evgenii Dadonov

Ken Warren Nick Paul-Colin White-Connor Brown

Tim Stuetzle-Chris Tierney-Drake Batherson

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who was looking more like Alex Formenton-Clark Bishop-Ryan Dzingel his old self in March, recorded his first shutout of the season on Tuesday Defence against Edmonton. Thomas Chabot-Nikita Zaitsev Montreal Canadiens (15-8-9) vs. Ottawa Senators (12-20-4) Mike Reilly-Artem Zub Thursday, at Ottawa: TSN 5, RDS, 7 p.m. Erik Brannstrom-Erik Gudbranson Saturday, at Montreal: CBC, SN, City, 7 p.m. In goal Season series Filip Gustavsson Senators 3-2-0, 13 GF Anton Forsberg Canadiens 2-1-2, 13 GF MONTREAL Feb. 4: Ott 3, MTL 2 Tomas Tatar-Phillip Danault-Brendan Gallagher Feb. 6: Mtl 2, OTT 1 Jonathan Drouin-Nick Suzuki-Josh Anderson Feb. 21: OTT 3, Mtl 2 (OT) Paul Byron-Jesperi Kotkaniemi-Artturi Lehkonen Feb. 23: OTT 5, Mtl 4 (SO) Michael Frolik-Jake Evans-Corey Perry Mar. 2: MTL 3, Ott 1 Defence SENS vs. CANADIENS Joel Edmundson-Shea Weber Drake Batherson 5-2-4-6, +2 Brett Kulak-Jeff Petry Tim Stuetzle 5-1-3-4, E Alexander Romanov-Victor Mete Brady Tkachuk 5-3-1-4, -1 In goal Erik Brannstrom 5-1-2-3, E Carey Price CANADIENS vs. SENATORS Jake Allen Jeff Petry 5-2-2-4, +3 SPECIAL TEAMS: Phillip Danault 5-0-4-4, +3 Ottawa PP 13.7 (27th) PK 76.4 (22nd) Corey Perry 5-1-2-3, +1 Montreal PP 22.7 (14th) PK 77.1 (21st) Nick Suzuki 5-1-2-3, E INJURIES: 1-WILL REST BECOME RUST? After all the COVID-19 postponements, the Senators will have been off for a full week by the time the puck drops Ottawa: Matt Murray (upper body), Marcus Hogberg (lower body), Joey Thursday. The Canadiens, who had four games postponed and were out Daccord (high-ankle sprain), Derek Stepan (shoulder), Austin Watson of game action for 10 days, dominated in their first game back, shutting (left arm) out the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 on Tuesday. Montreal: Ben Chiarot (hand), Tyler Toffoli (lower body), Joel Armia 2-THE BACKUP PLAN: Actually, in the case of Senators starting (COVID-19) goaltender Filip Gustavsson, it’s the backup to the backup to the backup due to injuries in the net. Gustavsson has made the most of the Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.01.2021 surprising opportunity so far, with a 2-0-1 record, stopping 71 of 73 shots for a .973 save percentage and a 0.86 goals-against average.

3-CAREY ON? After Carey Price’s relatively easy 17-save shutout (his first of the season and 49th of his career), interim Canadiens coach Dominic Ducharme could go back to his No. 1 netminder. After a shaky start to the season, Price went 6-1-2 during March. He’s showcasing more Price-like numbers, with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.

4-IN YOUR FACE: For the most part, the Senators-Canadiens series has been tight-checking this season. As time passes, though, the impact of Ducharme grows and the Senators’ skaters will have even less decision- making time under a more attacking style. Since Ducharme took over from Claude Julien (after a 5-4 shootout loss to the Senators on Feb. 23), the Canadiens have sported a 6-3-5 record.

5-DEFENSIVE BALANCE: Shea Weber (21:50) and Jeff Petry (21:43) led the way for Montreal’s defence on Tuesday, but the Canadiens balance out the ice time on the blueline, with all six receiving more than 1186253 Ottawa Senators “My whole family got it, my grandparents got it but I think my father got it the worst,” Gustavsson said. “He had so much fever and stuff like that he got so drained from losing fluids that he had to go in and get (intravenous) to fluids back into him.” Goaltender Filip Gustavsson reveals he, and his family, have first hand experience with COVID-19 And that’s why Gustavsson wants people to take this disease that’s taken the lives of more than 2.5 million people worldwide seriously. He knows anybody can get COVID-19 and when he speaks he does so from experience because he’s seen it first hand. We’re expecting a third Bruce Garrioch lockdown in Ontario because people aren’t acting responsibly.

“It can happen to anyone,” Gustavsson said. “Even my dad, he’s in good Gus the Bus doesn’t just wear a mask when he’s in the Ottawa Senators’ shape and he works out, but it happens to anyone and anyone can be net. affected. It’s always best to have the mask and stay careful.”

He always has one on when he’s not in the office as well because it’s BACK IN THE NET safety first and he’d like you to do the same. It looks like coach D.J. Smith will stick with the hot hand. Senators’ goaltender Filip Gustavsson, expected to make his third Expect to see Filip Gustavsson back in the net against the Habs straight start Thursday night at home against the Montreal Canadiens, Thursday night. He was the first one off the ice Wednesday morning and confirmed he missed the start of training camp because of a battle with was headed to a meeting to do some pre-scouting. Gus the Bus has COVID-19. stopped 71-of-73 shots in the three NHL appearances he’s made and Speaking to reporters following the club’s skate Wednesday at the has a .084 goals-against average. Canadian Tire Centre, the 22-year-old Gustavsson talked about his own “He’s been really calm in the net,” said Smith Wednesday. “He’s let experience with the novel coronavirus while playing for Sodjertalje SK in pucks hit him, he’s gotten the whistles when we need them and he’s just the Swedish second league and the fact everybody in his family back enjoying his chance to play. also contacted it. “I try to leave the goalies to themselves. You never know when you’re The Senators are closing out a one-week unplanned break in the going to get your chance, and we always talk about it. You can be in the schedule because the Montreal Canadiens had to shut down for seven East Coast one year and you never know when they’re going to call your days because one of their players tested positive for COVID-19. number and, when they do, you make sure you’re ready and make the Just before camp opened in Ottawa in late-December, Gustavsson’s most of it.” team overseas had to shut down because one of the teams that they Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.01.2021 played against had a player tested positive.

“Then we had a case on our team,” Gustavsson said. “About a week later, I got confirmation that I had COVID-19. So both myself and my partner had to stay home and then rules stated you weren’t allowed to fly for two weeks so I wasn’t allowed to fly to Canada (for the start of camp).

“I didn’t fly over here to Canada until around Dec. 27 and then, of course, it was (two more weeks) more quarantine and that’s why I pretty much missed the whole training camp..So a week (of not playing games) is pretty much nothing now.”

As has been well-documented, the Senators no shortage of experience with the disease. After flying home when the NHL went on pause March 11,, 2020 five players, a member of the staff and broadcaster Gord Wilson came in contract wth COVID-19. All of them had symptoms — including heavy fatigue — to varying degrees.

Remember, Sweden was one of the countries that decided not to go into lockdown last year when the novel coronavirus started to spread around the world. They were hit hard by several outbreaks.

Gustavsson felt like he got off lucky in his bout with COVID-19. He’s young and he’s healthy, but asked how bad his bout with it was he noted it took him awhile to get back to feeling 100%. He described what happened as something that took his energy away almost completely.

He said the recovery was difficult and hasn’t been made any easier by the fact the Senators are playing a compressed schedule with not many days off to get energy back. That’s why this one week break in the schedule may have been good for Gustavsson,.

“I didn’t have that many symptoms,” Gustavsson said. “I had a lot of headaches and my back and my body felt fatigue, tired and that type of stuff. The hardest part for him was to come back with the conditioning after it.

“You can’t work out because you have no energy or anything during the quarantine. It’s hard to do any conditioning when you’re sitting a hotel room or you’re sitting at home. So, the conditioning has been a huge part for me and it’s so tough to come back from during the season because you play all the games. You can’t really go and do sprints or really tough bike sessions so it’s been a battle.”

Gustavsson felt he was fortunate with his experience with the disease. Others in his family were not and every one of them at home in Sweden did. His father in Skeleftia ended up hospitalized because he was dehydrated and if you don’t believe COVID-19 spreads quickly then don’t try to tell that to Gustavsson. 1186254 Philadelphia Flyers But the Flyers got some luck of their own early in the second period as Ivan Provorov’s point drive deflected off the backside of Buffalo defenseman Montour and into the net, cutting the deficit to 2-1 with 16:10 remaining in the stanza. Couturier set up the goal, giving him points in Flyers hit new low, fall to Buffalo, 6-1, as Sabres end 18-game losing five straight games. streak The Flyers, who were aiming for their first three-game winning streak since late February, had the first 11 shots in the second period, but goalie Linus Ullmark stood tall, except for the fluke goal. Sam Carchidi Buffalo, capitalizing on loose defensive play (sound familiar?), then

scored two goals from in tight to chase Elliott and make it 4-1 with 4:21 The Flyers are happy to say goodbye to March. Very happy. remaining in the second. Alex Lyon replaced Elliott and made his first NHL appearance of the season. They chased games all month, getting outscored by a ridiculous 27-9 first-period margin in 17 March games. Steven Fogarty, 27, scored from the doorstep -- Erik Gustafsson and Connor Bunnaman failed to move him out of harm’s way -- for the first They fell into an early two-goal hole Wednesday en route to a 6-1 loss to NHL goal of his 22-game career. Casey Mittelstadt, who was wide-open, Buffalo that probably is the low point in their uneven season, though then scored from deep inside the right circle to increase the lead to 4-1. there are plenty of other worthy candidates. The Sabres, despite some key injuries, were on their way to ending the The worst-in-the-NHL Sabres ended an 18-game losing streak (0-15-3), 14th-longest winless streak in NHL history. notching their first win since a 4-1 victory at New Jersey on Feb. 23. Goodbye, March. “Everybody needs to bring their ‘A’ game every night, and it seems we have some guys on and some guys off,” Flyers center Sean Couturier Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.01.2021 said. “It’s tough to win that way. As professionals, you have to find your game every night. It’s tough to win when you have some guys off. Matchup-wise, it’s tough.”

The Flyers finished with a 6-10-1 record in March, during which they allowed 75 goals (4.4 per game), the most in any month in franchise history. The month included 9-0 and 8-3 losses to the Rangers, and a 6-1 defeat to the Islanders.

At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising if 20-year-old defenseman Cam York, who signed an entry-level deal Wednesday with the Flyers, made his NHL debut sometime this season. Hey, something needs to change. (After the game, coach said York would start with the AHL’s Phantoms.)

The Flyers remained three points behind Boston for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division; the Bruins have three games in hand, and the teams meet three times next week.

“We haven’t been the same since our COVID stoppage,” Vigneault said. “We get a couple days to regroup now. There’s still a lot of hockey to be played.”

Added Vigneault: “I really feel for our group tonight. I know our guys were ready. They were focused. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a good night for our group.”

Defenseman Brandon Montour had two shorthanded goals on the same penalty kill -- one into an empty net after the Flyers pulled their goalie -- for the Sabres.

Sam Reinhart and Curtis Lazar scored 2:27 apart to give the Sabres a 2- 0 lead before the game was 12 minutes old.

Reinhart’s wide shot deflected off defenseman Justin Braun’s leg and past goalie Brian Elliott. He has five of his 13 goals this season against the defensive-challenged Flyers.

An all-alone Lazar, the trailer on the play, took a pass from Riley Sheahan and put a shot through Elliott’s legs to make it 2-0 with 8:01 to go in the first. The play started when Sheahan blocked Braun’s shot down the other end, and headed down ice ahead of the pack before making a spinning backpass to Lazar as the Flyers did a poor job of backchecking.

“We just have to do a better job in front of our goalies,” said Braun, who was minus-3 on the night.

Two nights earlier, the Flyers overcame a 3-0 third-period deficit and jolted the Sabres in overtime, 4-3. In short, it was an ugly win.

“Hopefully, it’s a little bit of a wake-up call,” Elliott said before Wednesday’s matchup, adding that the Flyers “threw our sticks on the ice and maybe thought it was going to be easier.”

The Flyers played better in the first period Wednesday than Monday, but defensive breakdowns and some bad luck contributed to their 2-0 deficit: Couturier hit the post 10 seconds into the game, and one of Buffalo’s goals was going wide before it deflected off Braun. 1186255 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers sign promising defenseman Cam York to entry-level deal; can he help this year?

Sam Carchidi

Cam York, a mobile defenseman who is expected to be a big part of the Flyers in the near future, signed a three-year entry-level deal with the club Wednesday.

The deal starts this season, general manager Chuck Fletcher said. York will join the AHL’s Phantoms, according to coach Alain Vigneault said. It is not out of the question that the 5-foot-11, 185-pound York will play with the Flyers before the season ends.

A native, York, 20, was selected in the first round (14th overall) in the 2019 draft. He had an outstanding two-year career at the University of Michigan, where he had 20 points (four goals, 20 assists) in 24 games this season.

When the Flyers selected him, assistant general manager Brent Flahr called him “an offensive guy, a terrific skater with a great pedigree” because of his time with the U.S. national team’s development program.

In January, York helped Team USA shock heavily favored Canada, 2-0, to win the IIHF World Junior title. York was the team’s captain. In seven tournament games, he had six points and a plus-4 rating.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186256 Philadelphia Flyers Gostisbehere’s best season was 2017-18 (65 points, plus-10); he was slowed by two knee surgeries last season, but has bounced back and been a mostly productive player this year.

Shayne Gostisbehere clears waivers. He is placed on taxi squad and out Now that he has slipped through waivers, he is hoping to help the Flyers of Flyers’ lineup. secure a playoff berth, mindful that this could be his final year in orange and black because he might be an attractive player for Seattle in the expansion draft.

Sam Carchidi Breakaways

The Flyers are reportedly showing interest in 32-year-old Detroit goalie Jonathan Bernier (2.78 GAA, .918 save percentage), who can become Shayne Gostisbehere, the puck-moving Flyers defenseman who once an unrestricted free agent after the season. ... Putting Gostisbehere on finished second in the rookie-of-the-year voting and was regarded as a the taxi squad, coach Alain Vigneault said, gave him the roster flexibility game-changing NHL player, cleared waivers at noon Wednesday. to give Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick a rest Wednesday. He said he None of the other 30 NHL teams claimed him, apparently deterred by his hoped a break would “reset” the forwards. Lindblom underwent $4.5 million annual salary-cap hit, which runs through the end of the chemotherapy and had some ribs removed as he battled a rare bone 2022-23 season. cancer last year, and Patrick missed last season because of a migraine disorder ... Connor Bunnaman and Carsen Twarynski played on the Gostisbehere, who will turn 28 on April 20, thus remains with the Flyers, fourth line Wednesday. who placed him on the taxi squad. He was not in the lineup Wednesday in Buffalo. Erik Gustafsson took his spot and was paired with Samuel Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.01.2021 Morin.

“I know it’s probably hard for Ghost right now,” Morin said before the game. “I had dinner with him yesterday and we talked about it. ... I’m happy he’s still here, and obviously I’m sure he’s going to help us. He’s a great player and he’s great with the puck.”

With Gostisbehere on the taxi squad, the Flyers gain $1.075 million in cap space. The Flyers’ available cap space is at about $3.8 million. With the April 12 trade deadline approaching, teams are trying to free cap space as they get in position to make deals.

The Flyers’ cap space will grow as they get closer to the trade deadline because they are putting players on the taxi squad on off days and accumulating more cap relief.

The Flyers could be jockeying for position to acquire a defenseman like Nashville’s Mattias Ekholm or Columbus’s David Savard. Either would play on the top pairing with Ivan Provorov.

Ekholm, 30, has an annual $3.75 million cap hit through the end of next season. Savard ($4.25 million cap hit), a right-hander, can become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

As for Gostisbehere, he has played on all three pairings this season. In the last three games before Wednesday, he had been alongside Morin on the third pairing. The defensemen played well together.

Gostisbehere has played 13 of his 25 games on the top pairing with Provorov; the Flyers are 7-5-1 in those games.

The Florida native was benched for three games earlier this season because of defensive shortcomings.

Gostisbehere, who missed the early part of the season because he contracted the coronavirus, has five goals, 11 points and a minus-1 rating in 25 games.

As a rookie in 2015-16, Gostisbehere took the NHL by storm after being recalled from the AHL’s Phantoms early in the season. His speedy skating and powerful shot were eye-opening, especially when you consider he missed most of the previous season because of a torn ACL.

Of the 17 goals he scored as a rookie, 16 either tied a game or put the Flyers ahead. He transformed the Flyers from an also-ran to a playoff qualifier.

“He’s added a dimension we hadn’t seen before,” teammate Wayne Simmonds said at the time.

Gostisbehere finished second to Artemi Panarin, then with Chicago, in the Calder Trophy voting for rookie of the year as he collected 17 goals — a Flyers record for a first-year defenseman — and 46 points in 64 games. He finished behind Panarin and ahead of Connor McDavid, who played in just 45 games that year because of an injury; Jack Eichel and Dylan Larkin, among others.

The player known as “Ghost” set an NHL rookie record for defensemen by putting together a 15-game points streak that season. That came two years after he led tiny Union College to the NCAA championship. 1186257 Philadelphia Flyers Elliott was pulled in the second period after the Sabres took a 4-1 lead on a Casey Mittelstadt goal. Elliott made 12 saves on 16 shots.

Alex Lyon saw his first NHL action in over a year and converted nine Troubling and telling trends somehow worsen as Flyers' ugly March ends stops on 10 shots. with bad loss Who will be in net for the Flyers on Saturday? It's uncertain if the Flyers want to turn to Carter Hart yet. by Jordan Hall Buffalo netminder Linus Ullmark couldn't hold off the Flyers on Monday night when his team held a 3-0 third-period lead. He quieted the Flyers on Wednesday night with 31 saves.

The Flyers' slog through March had a fitting finish Wednesday night: a • Stretches like these oftentimes call for fresh blood. Just something to face-in-palm, 6-1 loss to the NHL-worst Sabres at KeyBank Center. shake it up a bit. The easiest way to do that is to call up a kid. It would obviously take juggling, but here are a couple of call-up options from the In a twisted way, it didn't feel surprising. That's how Jekyll and Hyde the Phantoms: Flyers were this month. Alain Vigneault's club went 6-10-1 in March and surrendered an alarming 75 goals. That's an NHL-most 4.41 per game Tanner Laczynski, a 23-year-old center who played four years at Ohio this month. Prior to March, the Flyers started 11-4-3 and allowed 52 State, has six goals in his last five games. He does a lot of things right goals (2.89 per game). and offers positional versatility.

The Flyers (17-14-4) have six games left before the April 12 trade Wade Allison is a 23-year-old winger that can inject life into a lineup and deadline. General manager Chuck Fletcher said the club is not selling, he has seven points (three goals, four assists) over his first six games at but you can't imagine it will bring a juicy shopping list to the trade market. the pro level.

This time against lowly Buffalo, there was no epic third-period rally from Defenseman Cam York, the club's 2019 first-round pick, signed his entry- three goals down to save face. The Flyers were behind 4-1 at second level contract Wednesday night. Vigneault said postgame that the 20- intermission and then allowed a game-sealing empty-net goal with 5:07 year-old will start with Lehigh Valley. left in regulation before the Sabres tacked on one more for good measure. • Ivan Provorov trimmed the Flyers' deficit to 2-1 only 3:50 into the second period. The Flyers failed to build off of the goal. The cellar-dwelling Sabres (7-23-5) had gone winless in their previous 18 games before beating the Flyers. • Shayne Gostisbehere cleared waivers at noon ET Wednesday. The defenseman then sat out and watched the Flyers' goal-prevention • The Flyers allowed six or more goals four times in March. They allowed problems only grow. six or more goals five times all of last season through 69 games. Vigneault took Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick out of the lineup It's simply a different team from last season. The Flyers are in dire need because he felt the young forwards needed to recharge both physically of defensive help and they haven't gotten the goaltending like they did in and mentally. The head coach explained before the game how that 2019-20. Those issues have compounded. The perfect storm, really. decision coincided with Gostisbehere being placed on waivers.

"We each have our own responsibilities in this struggle," Sean Couturier • The Flyers finally have two days in between games. They're scheduled said postgame. "Everyone just needs to find a way to bring their A-game to be off Thursday and practice Friday before heading to New York to and contribute to the team success right now. Every night we seem to face the Islanders on Saturday (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP). have some guys on and off; it's tough to win in this league when you have too many guys off on some nights." SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.01.2021

Fletcher will have to balance if an addition or two can push the Flyers into the postseason. He needs to be judicious in what he gives up. The East Division is loaded, the club's young goalie hasn't been himself and the Flyers are allowing the NHL's second-most goals per game (3.63).

A truly perplexing season and step back for this team.

"I said this a little while back, we haven't been the same since our COVID stoppage. I'm aware of that," Vigneault said postgame. "We get a couple of days here to regroup, there's still a lot of hockey to be played. We need to take it a game at a time. I really feel for our group tonight, I know our guys were ready, they were focused. Unfortunately it wasn't a good night for our group."

• Some seriously troubling (and telling?) numbers against Buffalo this season for the Flyers.

In their last 19 games (1-15-3), the Sabres have put up four or more goals only twice. Both times were against the Flyers.

Buffalo's season high in goals is six. It has done it twice. Both times came against the Flyers.

In the seven matchups with the Sabres, the Flyers have held a first- intermission lead only once.

• Brian Elliott, who entered 17-2-2 with a 1.74 goals-against average and .941 save percentage in his career against Buffalo, did not finish this one.

Sam Reinhart's game-opening goal about midway through the first period took an unlucky bounce off of Justin Braun. Curtis Lazar scored just over two minutes later and suddenly the Flyers were in another first-period hole. Maybe the Flyers couldn't help but think here we go again, need another comeback.

In March, the Flyers were outscored 27-9 in the first period. Playing behind so often like that has to be taxing both mentally and physically. 1186258 Philadelphia Flyers

One of Flyers' top prospects is turning pro

by Jordan Hall

One of the Flyers' top prospects is getting closer.

Cam York, the club's 2019 first-round draft pick, signed his three-year entry-level contract Wednesday night. York is a smooth-skating, point- producing blueliner with endless skill and advanced smarts.

The 20-year-old's contract will begin this season, so York should be set to join AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. The Phantoms have 22 games left in their regular season.

"He's going to start with our farm team and then we'll see what happens from there," Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said Wednesday night.

Last Friday, York's sophomore season and collegiate career came to an end when Michigan had to bow out of the 16-team 2021 NCAA championship tournament because of positive COVID-19 test results within the Wolverines' tier I testing group.

York put up a banner year. He won a gold medal at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship as the U.S. captain. He added to his accolades by winning Big Ten Defenseman of the Year.

In 24 games this season for Michigan, York had 20 points (four goals, 16 assists), a plus-13 rating and 32 blocked shots.

"Cam put in a lot of work off the ice last summer to set himself up for a very good year this year at Michigan — and he did just that," Flyers amateur scout Nick Pryor said Wednesday night to NBC Sports Philadelphia. "He was one of the top defensemen in college hockey this year on a very good Michigan team and he played key minutes in all situations. It was great to see him captain the U.S at the world juniors and win gold, and that experience is huge for any young, up-and-coming player.

"Cam's ability to move pucks and contribute on the power play has always been a strength of his, but his defensive play often gets overlooked. He’s got very good feet, a good stick and a good understanding of the game in all three zones. We’re very pleased with where his game is headed and excited about his future."

Many have believed York will be a quick riser, going back pre-draft to when he was coming up in the U.S. national team development program. In his draft year, York scored 65 points, a USNTDP single-season record for a defenseman.

"Offensively, I feel like I'm dynamic and can make plays happen," York said in June 2019, "but defensively, I feel like I don't get enough credit for what I do.

"I want to be a guy that plays 30 minutes a night, not just 20 because he's just offensively good. I want to be really good on both sides of the ice."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186259 Philadelphia Flyers

Gostisbehere is staying put for now

by Jordan Hall

Shayne Gostisbehere is staying with the Flyers.

The 27-year-old defenseman went unclaimed through waivers Wednesday. He will likely be placed on the club's taxi squad for now, which, according to PuckPedia.com, will free up $1.075 million in cap space for the Flyers.

To just about everyone's surprise, the Flyers placed Gostisbehere on waivers Tuesday. If Gostisbehere was claimed, the Flyers would have gained $4.5 million in cap space ahead of the April 12 trade deadline.

"If Shayne clears waivers, then he goes on the taxi squad and we'll have more flexibility as far as the 23-man roster," Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said Tuesday. "He can still be on the 23-man roster and play. It was just a matter of having a little bit more flexibility."

General manager Chuck Fletcher could have some moves in the works. He at least has a little more cap space to work with now for potential additions.

Gostisbehere has looked more like himself offensively through 25 games (five goals, six assists) after experiencing a tough 2019-20 campaign marred by knee injuries. Gostisbehere was selected by the Flyers in the third round of the 2012 draft. He stormed onto the scene in 2015-16 when he scored 17 goals as a rookie and put up a 15-game point streak, the longest ever by a Flyers rookie and first-year NHL defenseman. He delivered 65 points (13 goals, 52 assists) in 2017-18, the fourth most among NHL defensemen that season.

His Flyers career will continue for now. Gostisbehere has heard his name pop up in rumors over the past two NHL trade deadlines and offseasons. His name will likely surface some more as this season's deadline nears.

While NHL clubs do covet defensemen with Gostisbehere's strengths — which is why it wouldn't have been surprising if the puck-moving blueliner was claimed — teams right now appear to be apprehensive to add dollars. Gostisbehere is under contract for the next two seasons with a $4.5 million cap hit.

"It’s a flat-cap era and most teams are not looking to take on any money or any term right now," Fletcher said last week.

Gostisbehere entered Wednesday in a five-way tie for the second-most goals by defensemen since Feb. 24 with five. Only Darnell Nurse has more with six.

The Flyers have struggled mightily to prevent goals this season. They're allowing 3.56 per game, second most in the NHL. Gostisbehere was benched for three games earlier this month, with defensive play cited as the reason.

"It permits us to play Shayne or it permits us to have him on the taxi squad and maybe have one or two more options up front or on D," Vigneault said of the Flyers' decision to place Gostisbehere on waivers. "Shayne, like the rest of our group, has had some consistency issues — he's not the only one. But this move just permits us to do exactly what I said, it gives us a little bit more flexibility with the personnel that we have here right now."

Gostisbehere practiced with the club Tuesday. The Flyers face the Sabres Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186260 Philadelphia Flyers And then there’s the fact that the games just kept coming. Seventeen times the Flyers hit the ice in March, tied for most games played with the Devils, Jets, Avalanche and Stars. Add in the fact that Philadelphia had a back-to-back set to close out the final two days of February, and that’s 19 Anatomy of an awful month: Flyers’ season in flames after disastrous games in 33 days — a relentless mark matched only by the Devils. March The schedule surely didn’t help the Flyers players in their attempts to reset and restructure their collapsing games. By the end of the month, longtime defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere was on waivers, in large part By Charlie O'Connor to accommodate the fact that the club’s presumptive No. 1 netminder was in the midst of a full mental and physical reset, and both Patrick and Lindblom were deemed to be so physically drained by the staff that they There are quite a few March quotes from members of the Philadelphia were given 72-hour breaks to recharge. But it also did the fans no favors, Flyers that couldn’t have aged worse. forcing the diehards to watch in disgust as their team came apart at the seams at least every other night. Head coach Alain Vigneault’s “trending in the right direction” gem leads the way, of course. There was captain Claude Giroux’s contention that So what happened? How did things go so bad, so fast? same night that if they kept doing the right things, they would win a lot of games. (Spoiler alert: They didn’t.) General manager Chuck Fletcher’s “I don’t know. I feel like if I knew, we’d be on top of it,” Travis Konecny argument that two recent games — a blown three-goal lead turned last- admitted. “I don’t know, to be honest. It’s just not good enough right now, minute win and an overtime loss — qualified as reasons for positivity from everybody.” wasn’t a great look, either. In truth, settling on a preferred main reason for the March debacle is But one quote stood above the rest, just in terms of sheer retrospective something of a Rorschach test for Flyers fans. Vigneault skeptics can cringeworthiness. And appropriately enough, that “best” bad quote didn’t blame the coaching staff; in the end, it’s their job to improve the players’ even come in March, because nothing “best” related to the Flyers could execution and devise on-ice strategies that can lead to wins. Longtime have originated from this debacle of a month. It came three days before critics of the leadership core can pin it on them; after all, the veterans the end of February, from the mouth of an optimistic Nolan Patrick, have never won more than a single playoff series in a given year, and it’s excited that the final player (Travis Konecny) was about to come off the their job to rally the rest of the group. Those who tend to direct their ire at team’s COVID-19 protocol list. management can find plenty to blame on them — the young players’ struggles make it possible to argue that Ron Hextall’s restocking of the “It should be a fun month here,” Patrick said, in reference to their busy cupboard was wholly insufficient, and that Chuck Fletcher was wrong to looming March. trust in their talent and to make the offseason call to largely “run it back” with this group. Whatever a person’s primary gripe with the Philadelphia Narrator: It wasn’t. Flyers as currently constituted, it’s possible to justify it being The Reason “Yeah, I’m not gonna analyze the whole month of March here,” Vigneault why the team fell apart in March, even if the real explanation is likely a said in the wake of yet another low point in a month full of low points — combination of about 15 issues that combined to form an amorphous this time, a 6-1 defeat on Wednesday at the hands of a Buffalo Sabres blob of awful. club that hadn’t won a game in 18 tries. Take the goaltending, for example. By the numbers, that was the Flyers’ You don’t want to analyze March, Alain? Honestly, no one who follows biggest problem in March. The team-wide save percentage of 83.37 the Flyers on a nightly basis does, either. But let’s do it anyway because percent was beyond awful, and it was even worse when looking at the if anyone can appreciate communal commiseration, it’s long-suffering public advanced metrics. By Evolving-Hockey’s Goals Saved Above Philadelphia sports fans. Expectation metric, Philadelphia netminders allowed an incredible 34.29 more goals than it should have allowed given the quality of shots it faced. The Flyers finished the month with a 6-10-1 record, the third worst in the And considering the club’s negative-30 goal differential during the month, league by points percentage. They were outscored by a whopping 30 case closed, right? goals. They set a franchise record for most tallies allowed in a month with a staggering 75 — meaning that they permitted an average of 4.4 goals Well, sort of. After going back through every one of the 73 goals allowed per contest. They went from holding the best points percentage in the by Flyers goalies in March (two were empty-netters) and grading them, East Division at the end of February (.694) to the fifth best (.543), and it’s clear that while the netminders certainly weren’t blameless, they also now sit three points out of a playoff spot despite having played three faced something of a perfect storm as well. more games than the fourth-place Boston Bruins. The Flyers’ season The trio of Hart, Brian Elliott and Alex Lyon shouldn’t have averaged isn’t technically over, but it sure feels like — over the course of 31 awful nearly one soft goal allowed per game. That’s absolutely an days — they basically lit a promising year with sky-high expectations on unacceptable number. But even had they made all 16 of those saves, fire without any idea how to put out the flames. that would have left the Flyers with an .870 save percentage in March, But numbers only go so far in explaining just how much of a perpetual still the worst in the league. The same can be said for the defensive gut-punch March was to those who hoped that 2021 might finally be the breakdowns leading to the “no chance” goals. Unacceptable? Of course. year the Flyers broke their long Stanley Cup drought. It wasn’t just that Remove all of them from the equation, however, and Philadelphia has a the Flyers lost 11 games and slid down the division standings. It was how horrid .868 save percentage on the month anyway. they lost — and even won — those games. In other words, it was a combination of everything. Awful breakdowns. Four of their defeats came in blowout fashion. Which was the most Terrible goals against. The plays that land somewhere in between — embarrassing? Frankly, take your pick. Was it the 9-0 thrashing on legitimate defensive lapses that aren’t so crushing as to prevent a goalie national television by the New York Rangers, where the team appeared from theoretically erasing them. And then, on top of everything else, to give up midway through? The blowout three nights later in Long Island totally random bounces that were popping up every other game. No when the team responded to cancer survivor Oskar Lindblom dropping single explanation suffices, because it’s impossible for a single issue to the gloves when the score reached 3-0 by getting outscored 3-1 the rest lead to a month this bad. of the way? The 8-3 destruction at the hands of that same Rangers team So was it the coaching? The core? The young players? The schedule? at home, given their first crack at revenge for the 9-0 disaster? Or was it The luck? The current management? The past management? Yes. And Wednesday night, when they suffered the ignominy of ending the woeful no. And yes. It was all of those things, coming together to deliver the Sabres’ 18-game winless streak? A case could be made for any of them mother of all awful months via a foolproof conspiracy that led to the as “the worst.” Perhaps they all were, in their own painful way. almost-certain destruction of the Flyers’ season. In nine of their 17 games, the Flyers trailed by at least three goals at One thing it certainly wasn’t, though? Fun. Not even close. some point in the contest. They somehow found a way to win two of them anyway, which speaks to another unique element of this uniquely awful The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 month: Even the wins didn’t feel like wins. All six of them were by just one goal, with four requiring dramatic third-period comebacks and one a third-period collapse that they found a way to survive. Even the victories were excruciating in their own way. 1186261 Philadelphia Flyers later, the deal came to fruition. Most of us didn’t realize any of this until June ahead of the expansion draft.

Hence, Seattle is allowed to have similar conversations ahead of this LeBrun: How the Kraken are impacting the NHL trade deadline and why trade deadline if teams find it necessary to get clarity now before making the Flyers could add a goalie a separate trade which affects their roster and their expansion draft situation.

But it may also be that perhaps Francis thinks his leverage will only grow By Pierre LeBrun Mar 31, 2021 as we get closer to the expansion draft with teams under duress like never before with the flat cap, so maybe he doesn’t commit to anything

now. There would appear to be one GM who is increasingly getting phone Meanwhile, the expectation is that Seattle’s $650 million expansion fee calls these days ahead of the NHL trade deadline and he doesn’t even payment process will be “closed” by late April. Which is just a little later have a player to deal away. than Vegas four years ago. Remember that once you “close,” you Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis is a popular man as the deadline rolls become an official franchise and can start making official player around. transactions. Seattle will have to wait until they make that last payment before signing any potential prospect free agents. Sources around the league say some teams are trying to feel him out to see what his price might be to appease some protection list issues ahead Panthers can’t replace Ekblad but will scour market for D of the July expansion draft. You don’t replace a No. 1 D like Aaron Ekblad weeks before the trade Why now? deadline. On top of that, the Panthers aren’t willing to give up a first- round pick or an elite prospect, the big picture and where the franchise is Let me explain. headed under first-year GM Bill Zito overrides everything else. But if there’s a soft deal before the deadline that can help their blue line, my Take Mattias Ekholm as an example. First, with the way the Nashville sense is that Zito will look into it. Perhaps the X-factor here is if teams Predators are winning games and back into the playoff race, I’m not step up on pending UFA goalie Chris Driedger, maybe there’s an asset to convinced anymore that Ekholm would necessarily move before the be gained there that can help offset trading a pick for a D. But Florida is deadline. It could be a summer decision instead if the Preds stay in it. very mindful over the big picture. If Florida does trade for a D, a hockey But let’s go by what we know is the price to even get David Poile’s deal for someone who can help them past this season would make the attention in Nashville regarding Ekholm: Three assets. A first-round pick, most sense. an elite prospect plus another piece of some kind. Flyers ponder whether to get goaltending help OK, so maybe you’re Philadelphia or Winnipeg, let’s say, and you’re It’s been a real tough year for Carter Hart to the point where I hear the contemplating it. Flyers have debated internally if they go out and get goaltending help But then you’re concerned if you’re those teams that once you acquire before the deadline to help out veteran Brian Elliott while they perhaps Ekholm, you want to make sure you’re not losing a blueliner you can no provide Hart with a reset to work on his game. But there’s risk in that, longer protect in a 7-3-1 protection list because you’d want to protect perhaps the better way for Hart to find his game is to get more NHL Ekholm. games. No easy answer either way.

So you’re calling ahead to Seattle and wondering what the price might But the big caveat here is that the Flyers would only act on that if they be, at this early stage, to make sure that fourth defenceman doesn’t get stay in the playoff race. So the next seven games before the deadline are picked in the expansion draft. huge. Frankly, if the Flyers fall out of it, they could become sellers. If they stay in the race and decide to add a goalie, Jonathan Bernier is among And you’re told by Francis that it’s a first-round pick and a prospect and those on Flyers’ radar. Remember that Dean Lombardi drafted Bernier in maybe another piece. Which is what one source suggested to me this Los Angeles and is now an advisor in the Flyers’ front office. past week. Habs may still have another move in them So now, if you’re trading for Ekholm, you’re giving up 5-6 assets to get him? Two or three pieces to Nashville and two or three assets to Seattle The Canadiens are super tight against the salary cap after acquiring Eric in order to protect the affected defenceman ahead of the expansion Staal and are looking to shed some salary ahead of the deadline, draft? sources around the league suggested to me over the past few days. But it’s not a must. The Canadiens could live without it, but they’re open to it That’s just not worth it. in order to give themselves more flexibility.

Of course, you can decide instead to protect eight skaters and a goalie My sense is that they were working on another move Friday on the same including four defencemen but most teams try to avoid that because day they got Staal but that move either fell through or got put on hold. I they’d rather go 7-3-1. think a lot of the teams talking to Montreal seem to want to wait closer to So what I wonder is if Francis, closer to April 12, will start to settle in April 12 to make a decision. Artturi Lehkonen is a name making the some cases and come to an understanding with a few teams on a slightly rounds, he’s RFA after the season and still only 25 so could have some cheaper asset price. Or not. appeal. But for those same reasons, the Habs may want to keep him.

A league office source confirmed to me Tuesday that Seattle can have Sharks open to renting out cap space for a pick these discussions with teams but with the clear understanding that Meanwhile, San Jose has told teams it has cap space for rent. The nothing is binding. Because Seattle can’t start making official, bona fide Sharks have more than $6 million in cap space and are seeking to trades yet. But the league is fine with Seattle having a verbal leverage that into an asset or two. Keep an eye on them potentially being understanding with teams, which is basically teams trusting Francis to his that third team in a complicated cap deal to facilitate trades. word. And if you know Francis and his reputation around the league, you know his word is gold. They’re missing a second-round pick this year from the Erik Karlsson deal so any way to recoup another pick would be appealing to them. Remember that Vegas and Pittsburgh on trade deadline day 2017 had an understanding regarding Marc-Andre Fleury, which Jim Rutherford The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 confirmed to me again this week. I’ve written about this before, but it still surprises people to this day. The Penguins knew they would send a second-round pick to Vegas in June and Vegas would take Fleury (who agreed to waive a no-trade clause). It was important for Pittsburgh and Fleury to know that months ahead of time.

But it came down to Rutherford and Vegas’ George McPhee trusting each other’s word because nothing was official. So almost four months 1186262 Pittsburgh Penguins

Minor league report: Penguins end losing streak

SETH RORABAUGH | Wednesday, March 31, 2021 10:38 p.m.

An overtime goal by forward Jordy Bellerive gave the Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins a 3-2 road win against the Binghamton Devils at RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House in Newark, N.J. on Wednesday.

The victory snapped a seven-game losing streak for Wilkes- Barre/Scranton (6-7-3-1).

Defenseman P.O Joseph recorded two assists for the Penguins while forwards Jan Drozg and Nick Schilkey each scored regulation goals. Goaltender Alex D’Orio made 22 saves on 24 shots to earn his first career American Hockey League victory.

Highlights:

The Penguins’ next game is a road contest against the rival Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday, 7:05 p.m.

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186263 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins’ surging power play to face Bruins’ NHL-best penalty kill

CHRIS ADAMSKI | Wednesday, March 31, 2021 4:29 p.m

The Pittsburgh Penguins have as many power-play goals over their past three games (five) as they had over the course of their first 12 games of the season. The five power-play goals they had in three wins over a recent five-day span were more than they managed during the entire month of February (four).

The current run of five over three games matches the most over a span that short since they had six over three games from March 10-14, 2019.

But maintaining that run won’t be easy. The Penguins’ next two games are against the team with the NHL’s best penalty-killing unit, the Boston Bruins.

“They do a great job of pressuring,” defenseman Mike Matheson said of a Bruins’ penalty kill that has an 89.5% success rate this season. “They have guys that have done it for a long time and have great instincts on the PK, so I think every time we get a (power-play) chance, it all comes down to out-working them.”

The Bruins have allowed only one power-play goal against in 16 opportunities over their past six games. They have not allowed more than a single PPG in any of their past 28 games, killing 89.7% of opposing chances in that time.

“They do a lot of things well. That’s why they’re the top penalty-killing unit in the league,” Sullivan said.

Two games into using McCann on the top power-play unit, the #Penguins have scored four goals and have multiple power-play goals in consecutive games for the first time in over a year. https://t.co/1eBNDSYMp7

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) March 28, 2021

Boston’s No. 1 PK center, Patrice Bergeron, is second in the NHL in faceoff win percentage overall (61.9%) and while short-handed (61.5%).

The Bruins also are tied for second in the NHL in short-handed goals (five).

The Penguins are 1 for 17 against the Bruins on the power play this season.

“They’re a good shot-blocking team, they make good decisions, they’re a pressure kill and so we are going to have to be at our best,” Sullivan said. “It’s going to boil down to effort and execution, as it always does. … We’ve got to take what the game gives us. We’ve got to think about shooting the puck when the opportunity presents itself and then creating from there.

“It will be a big challenge for us, no doubt.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186264 Pittsburgh Penguins it hard on goaltenders to find the sight line. He has talented enough stick skills that he can make plays around the net.”

A fifth-round pick in former general manager Jim Rutherford’s first draft Big, skilled Anthony Angello has become Penguins lineup fixture with the Penguins in 2014, Angello played three seasons for Cornell and two in the AHL before making his NHL debut last January.

The coronavirus NHL pause stunted his stint at the highest level, but CHRIS ADAMSKI | Wednesday, March 31, 2021 3:51 p.m when injuries forced the Penguins’ hand in late February, Angello this time made his case to stick in the NHL.

“This opportunity’s meant lot to me,” he said. “I worked really hard to get The extent of Anthony Angello’s NHL experience was all of eight career here, and obviously it takes a lot more hard work to stay here. I think I’m games before making his season debut Feb. 27. In the less than five trying to prove a point, trying to prove that I belong, trying to prove that I weeks since, Angello has become a regular in the lineup for the can have a positive impact on this team and be a beneficial player for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh Penguins.” The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Angello has appeared in each of the Penguins’ Tribune Review LOADED: 04.01.2021 past 13 games and 17 of their past 18. While it’d be a stretch to apply too much causation to the correlation that the Penguins are 10-2-1 in the 13 consecutive games Angello has played, it also is fair to say he has aided in that cause.

“Anthony’s brought a solid game for us,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said over video conference call Wednesday.

“He’s a momentum guy for us. He brings us energy. He can help us on the forecheck. He can establish an offensive zone presence with his physical play, and that’s when he’s at his best. I think he’s done a pretty good job for us.”

Anthony Angello certainly enjoyed the moment playing his first career game in the venue he watched NHL contests as a kid.

“It was awesome,” Angello said.#Pens https://t.co/LzswuzgwfL

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) March 12, 2021

Angello had the first goal, a power-play tally, of Monday’s 2-1 win against the New York Islanders. That gave him two points over his past three games and two goals over his past 11. But as a bottom-six wing, Angello brings more than offense.

“Just to play a simple 200-foot game,” the 25-year-old former Cornell player said Wednesday. “I have to have really good attention to detail, I’ve got to play physical, (and) physical means having good hits, having good wall play, winning puck battles, going to the net, playing in the dirty areas of the ice and playing a tenacious, aggressive style of hockey. I’ve got to play fast, and once I bring all those pieces together, I think I can be really effective.”

Averaging a little more than 8 minutes of ice time, Angello has been effective as measured by not being on the ice for an opponent’s 5-on-5 goal this season. Angello is the only Penguins player who’s played more than four games this season who can say that.

According to naturalstattrick.com, Angello also has some of the best shot-production metrics on the team since his season debut. The Penguins have 57.7% of the shots on goal with Angello on the ice at 5- on-5 this season, the best of any player who’s played at least three games for them.

The Penguins also have generated 52.8% of the shot attempts with Angello on the ice at 5-on-5. They’ve been better in that area only with Jared McCann among those who have played at least eight games since Angello made his season debut. McCann is also the only player since then with whom the Penguins have a better ratio of 5-on-5 scoring chances while on the ice than Angello (60.3%).

One other statistic the big-bodied Angello leads the Penguins in since his first game Feb. 27: hits. Angello has 48, by far outpacing No. 2 on the team in that category, Brandon Tanev with 35.

One of the largest humans in the #Pens organization, Anthony Angello committed himself to improving his skating during the 2019 offseason. It paid off with a breakout last season in Northeast Pa, as he nearly doubled his point-per-game production. https://t.co/rR6F3tFx8D

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) December 3, 2020

“I think he knows exactly what he needs to do in order to help us win games,” Sullivan said. “He skates well, he has good size, he brings a physical dimension to our team. He can play on that second power play at that net-front. He’s pretty good at that net front, a big body that makes 1186265 Pittsburgh Penguins

Tristan Jarry absent from Penguins practice; Brandon Tanev returns

CHRIS ADAMSKI | Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Two days after not playing the final two periods of a game because of an upper-body ailment, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry was not present at practice Wednesday in Cranberry,

Maxime Lagace practiced along with Casey DeSmith. Lagace, a 28-year- old veteran of 17 NHL games, was recalled to the Penguins’ taxi squad Tuesday. If Jarry misses time, Lagace would serve as backup.

After practice, Coach Mike Sullivan termed Jarry as “day to day” and said Jarry did not skate Wednesday.

Maxine Lagace in net during Penguins practice.

Tristan Jarry is not present.

It’s Casey DeSmith time pic.twitter.com/7aEYrhqtmC

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) March 31, 2021

The Penguins play at the Boston Bruins on Thursday and Saturday.

Jarry is 12-3-1 in his past 16 starts. His departure from Monday’s game remains something of a mystery. Sullivan only said medical personnel advised Jarry be removed from the game.

DeSmith is in his sixth season as part of the Penguins organization, his third playing in the NHL. He arguably had the best statistics of any goalie in the league during March: 4-1-0, 0.89 goals-against average, .969 save percentage and two shutouts in five starts.

Emil Larmi is another goalie on the taxi squad, but Larmi has scant North American pro experience, none in the NHL.

In other injury news from practice Wednesday, third-line forwards Brandon Tanev and Teddy Blueger were back on the ice with teammates. Tanev, who has missed the past six games because of an upper-body injury, was a full practice participant. Tanev previously had participated in Monday’s morning skate.

Blueger was the only player in the session wearing a white jersey, indicating he was in “no-contact” status. Blueger, who has missed the past eight games because of an upper-body injury, also skated with the Penguins’ taxi squad before the full-squad practice.

Sullivan said injured forwards Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen did not skate Wednesday but continued off-ice rehab for their injuries.

Note: The Penguins swapped a pair of young forwards from their taxi squad and American Hockey League affiliate, re-assigning forward Justin Almeida to the taxi squad and moving Drew O’Connor to Wilkes- Barre/Scranton.

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186266 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins could finally snap skid in Boston by taking a page from Bruins' playbook

TIM BENZ | Wednesday, March 31, 2021 6:29 a.m.

Leave it to the Boston Bruins to figure out a few things right before the Penguins come to town.

The Penguins haven’t won in Massachusetts since 2015. They are on a 10-game losing streak in the Bay State.

Prior to Tuesday night, the Bruins seemed ripe for the picking. And the Penguins seemed poised to pluck a rare victory at TD Garden when they visit Thursday night or Saturday afternoon.

After all, the Penguins concluded the March schedule 12-3-1. Not once did they lose by more than one goal.

Ironically — in the wake of all the injuries they’ve endured to their forwards — the Penguins have been winning by adopting a bit of a Boston Bruins formula.

They were getting production from their top line of Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust and Jake Guentzel. They were playing systematic hockey throughout the rest of the lineup. And they were relying on good goaltending from Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith.

Sound familiar? When the Bruins are going right, it’s David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand driving the bus. They get just enough scoring from the rest of the lineup. Then Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak lock it down between the pipes.

But as the Penguins started to soar in March, the Bruins scuffled, going 6-4-3. They averaged just 2.23 goals during those 13 games. At a season-long rate, that would place them 28th in the NHL.

David Krejci still only has one goal. Nick Ritchie is the only Bruin besides the “Big Three” to reach double digits in goals. Rask has played just one period in net since March 7. Their team shooting percentage of 8.2 is 25th in hockey.

But it appears Bruce Cassidy’s team corrected a lot of issues Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils. The team came back from a 4-2 deficit in the third period courtesy of goals from Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk.

Cleaning it up.#NHLBruins | @CMcAvoy44 pic.twitter.com/7lCX6hlPMm

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 31, 2021

Just like they drew it up.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/X9PJSXxsWr

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 31, 2021

Then Pastrnak sealed the victory with a shootout goal.

Capping the comeback. @pastrnak96's shootout winner is your @JagermeisterUSA Shot of the Game!#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/1P1YzgSEXk

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 31, 2021

Now we’ll see if the Bruins have found themselves enough to continue their mastery over the Penguins on home ice over the course of the next two games.

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186267 Pittsburgh Penguins That’s the middle week of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. And, yes, both are on NBC.

Via ProFootballTalk, “Super Bowl LII happened in Minnesota a week First Call: Steelers in touch with another NFL draft QB prospect; East before the commencement of the Winter Olympics. As part of the Super Division update; Duquesne hoops transfer Bowl rotation, NBC was scheduled to broadcast Super Bowl LV in Tampa, but NBC and CBS swapped games, giving NBC another chance to televise both events.”

Tim Benz That was the 2017-‘18 championship game when the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots.

Don’t tune out Wednesday’s “First Call” serves up some interesting names the Steelers are monitoring at pre-NFL draft workouts. Even as the Penguins enjoyed back-to-back off days Monday and Tuesday, there is plenty of East action to recap. This year’s Super Bowl and the 2022 Olympics will now intersect. An update on the East Division standings, as the Penguins prepare for a The Penguins next face the fourth-place Bruins in Boston Thursday and road trip. Saturday. On Tuesday night, the Bruins beat the New Jersey Devils 5-4 courtesy of a shootout winner from David Pastrnak. And a Duquesne basketball star is transferring. Capping the comeback. @pastrnak96's shootout winner is your Making the rounds @JagermeisterUSA Shot of the Game!#NHLBruins On Tuesday, Steelers Depot compiled a list of all the stops Steelers pic.twitter.com/1P1YzgSEXk coaches and executives made on the NFL Pro Day circuit, along with — Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 31, 2021 mentions of which players have had virtual meetings with the team. As for the division-leading Washington Capitals, they skated at Madison Some of the names — and schools — are intriguing. Square Garden and lost to the New York Rangers 5-2. So that means the • Head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert were at top five in the East standings currently look like this, with the top four Ohio State. Running back Trey Sermon said he has had positive eventually making the playoffs. meetings with the franchise, and he said the Steelers complimented his 1. Washington Capitals — 50 points game. 2. New York Islanders — 48 points Despite 524 yards between the Big Ten Championship Game and the BCS semifinals against Clemson, Sermon is viewed as a third-day pick 3. Pittsburgh Penguins — 48 points by Pro Football Network. 4. Boston Bruins — 41 points Guard Wyatt Davis also claimed to have had a Zoom meeting with the team. Pro Football Network has him listed as the best pure guard in the 5. Philadelphia Flyers — 38 points draft. Linebacker Baron Browning was also seen interacting with Tomlin. One for the thumb? • Senior Bowl executive Jim Nagy said that the Steelers were present at The Duquesne Dukes football team is looking to make it five for five in Kellen Mond’s workout at Texas A&M. Mond was the Senior Bowl MVP the 2021 spring season. in January. After finishing first in the NEC with a perfect 4-0 record in the shortened Teams with OC or QB coaches in attendance Texas A&M pro-day to campaign, Jerry Schmitt’s team will host Sacred Heart in the conference watch Kellen Mond: championship game on Sunday, April 11 at Arthur J. Rooney Field. The * Steelers NEC made that announcement official on Tuesday although a kickoff time has yet to be determined. It’ll air live on ESPN3. * Panthers The winner will advance to the FCS playoffs. * Bears The Dukes beat Sacred Heart 30-27 in the mini-season opener this year. * Bengals They’ve won 12 of 16 against the Pioneers overall.

* Cowboys Duquesne wrapped up the regular season by beating Bryant 20-10 on Sunday. Along the way, defensive back Spencer DeMedal was named * Vikings pic.twitter.com/iHoVuGWRYY NEC Defensive Player of the Week, while freshman running back Billy — Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 30, 2021 Lucas was named the NEC Co-Rookie of the Week.

Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan was at Alabama’s second Pro Day to DeMedal had eight tackles with seven solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss watch Mac Jones throw. So perhaps it was Matt Canada watching Mond. to go with an interception and a pair of pass breakups for Duquesne. After his workout, Mond said he has spoken with “scouts and higher-ups” Lucas carried the ball 26 times for 110 yards and a touchdown. He is the with the Steelers. first Duquesne freshman to rush for over 100 yards in a game since A.J. • Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner was also in Tuscaloosa for Hines ran for 110 yards with a pair of touchdowns on Nov. 19, 2016. Alabama’s Pro Day, presumably to watch Najee Harris. He ran all the Changing Weathers drills but didn’t run a 40-yard dash. Harris is usually rated at — or near — the top of the running back rankings. Duquesne forward Marcus Weathers has his name in the transfer portal. He’d be departing as a graduate student. • Cincinnati tackle James Hudson said he has spoken with Canada, offensive line coach Adrian Klemm and others in the front office. He has Weathers played with the Dukes the last three seasons after transferring a second-round grade from PFN. from Miami (Ohio) after his freshman year. He was Second Team All- Atlantic 10 each of the last two seasons. His twin brother, Michael, is also • As for Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., he also had a virtual transferring from Texas Southern. meeting with the Steelers. Tomlin and Colbert were on hand for that Pro Day in Tallahassee as well. He’s the fourth-best cornerback in the draft They may be eyeing a school where they can play together. according to CBSSports.com. Tribune Review LOADED: 04.01.2021 Super Bowl or Biathlon?

Thanks to a 17th game (and 18th week) being added to the NFL schedule, Super Bowl LVI will now be on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022 in Los Angeles. 1186268 Pittsburgh Penguins Boston’s power play had been in the top 10 for the majority of the season and just recently dropped to 11th. And their penalty kill? It’s the NHL’s best, wiping out 89.5% of opposing chances.

Tristan Jarry absent from practice after sustaining upper-body injury on During the two-game series in Boston earlier this year, the Penguins Monday went 0-for-9 on the power play. That was one of the more-significant reasons they picked up just one overtime loser point during a pair of losses.

Mike DeFabo Boston’s penalty kill may be one of the most-aggressive in the league and has some excellent personnel. Brad Marchand, who was recently

removed from the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, is given the freedom to Penguins No. 1 netminder Tristan Jarry was absent from practice on chase players on the forecheck all the way behind the net to disrupt Wednesday, two days after he left a win over the New York Islanders in breakouts and create chaos. the middle of the game with an upper-body injury. Sullivan also pointed out that Patrice Bergeron, one of the NHL’s best Coach Mike Sullivan said Jarry’s status is currently day-to-day. He didn’t faceoff men, wins a ton of draws that allows the Bruins to get that first, skate in any capacity Wednesday. 200-foot clear. The Bruins' captain has won 61.45% of his short-handed draws. That’s fourth-best among players who have taken at least 25 The two goaltenders at practice were backup Casey DeSmith and draws on the PK. Maxime Lagace, who was recalled on Tuesday from Wilkes- Barre/Scranton to join the taxi squad. It will be an interesting game-inside-the game between Sidney Crosby and Bergeron, not only during special teams situations but also when the “I can’t really even pinpoint when it might have happened,” Sullivan said two top lines go head-to-head. Crosby has won 440 draws this year, on Monday. “Obviously, it was something that the medical staff felt second-most in the league. Bergeron has won 416, fourth-most. strongly enough to take him out of the game.” Bergeron’s 61.90% ranks second-best in the league among players with at least 100 draws. Through 25 games, Jarry has posted a 15-8 record to go along with a 2.79 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. If he cannot play “It’s going to boil down to effort and execution, as it always does,” when the Penguins open a two-game series in Boston on Thursday, the Sullivan said. “Our power play, I think, has a good game plan coming in. club is in more-than-capable hands. Now we’ve got to take what the game gives us. We’ve got to think about shooting the puck when the opportunity presents itself and then creating In 13 appearances this season, DeSmith has posted an impressive .929 from there. It will be a big challenge for us. No doubt.” save percentage. Among goalies with at least six appearances, only Andrei Vasilevskiy, one of the highest-paid players at his position, has A new mustache boy better numbers with a .930 save percentage. DeSmith’s 1.91 goals- against average is behind only Colorado’s Philipp Grubauer (1.74) The last day of March evidently brought an end to Bryan Rust’s run as among eligible netminders. the club’s mustache boy.

“Casey is a real competitive guy,” Sullivan said. “He loves to work at his The Penguins closed out their practice on Wednesday with another game. With each year that he plays, he gains more experience. He elimination-style shootout competition. It came down to Anthony Angello becomes a more mature goaltender.” and Brian Dumoulin. As the players banged their sticks on the ice, Angello scored. Expect to see Dumoulin sporting some new facial hair As a team, the Penguins have completely flipped the script, going from this month. one of the NHL's leakiest teams to one of the stingiest. The Penguins have allowed two or fewer goals in 11 of their last 12 games. And since “It’s fun when you’re not in the final two,” Angello said. “Then it gets a lot February 1, no team in the NHL has a better combined save percentage more anxious than anything. Me being in the final two with [Dumoulin] than Pittsburgh’s .928. today, quite frankly, I was a little bit nervous.”

That's thanks also to the help the goaltenders have been getting from the In other mustache-related news, Kris Letang showed up with a stash of defense. his own. Reports as to why he decided to sport the new look remain unconfirmed. “I think we’ve been doing a good job of getting pucks out of our zone on our breakouts and neutral-zone regroups,” defenseman Mike Matheson “I have no idea,” Mike Matheson said. “I hope it wasn’t because he said. “I don’t think there’s a team in the league, especially in our division, thought it looked good.” that doesn’t do a good job of preying on turnovers. And then our box-outs Post Gazette LOADED: 04.01.2021 and physicality in front of the net has been a lot better.”

Tanev, Blueger back at practice

In other injury news, forwards Brandon Tanev and Teddy Blueger both returned to practice. Tanev participated in a full-contact capacity. He has not played since he was injured during a March 18 game against the New Jersey Devils.

Tanev jumped back into his normal spot as the right winger on the third line. He skated on a line that also featured center Frederick Gaudreau and left winger Zach Aston-Reese.

In 30 games this season, Tanev has recorded seven goals and eight assists and a plus-11 rating.

Blueger, meanwhile, skated with the taxi squad and then joined the main group in a white non-contact jersey. He has not played since March 15 and was initially considered to be out longer-term with an upper-body injury.

Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen are still in the off-ice portion of their rehab.

Special teams big key to Boston series

The Penguins spent a significant chunk of practice working on full-ice special teams work. It’s not hard to see why. 1186269 Pittsburgh Penguins What are they willing to give up? While Rutherford’s win-now approach brought two more championship

banners to PPG Paints Arena and an enshrinement in the Hockey Hall of Brian Burke doesn’t want Penguins ‘going to a gunfight with a knife’ Fame, it also left the cupboard awfully bare.

In terms of future assets, here’s essentially what the Penguins have: The top AHL prospect, Pierre-Olivier Joseph (we’ll talk more about him later). Mike DeFabo The two goalies from the 2020 draft. The two forwards from the 2019 draft. A 2021 second-round pick. All of the picks in 2022.

And that’s basically it. “Just Play.” “Hexty has been very clear,” Burke said. “He doesn’t intend to trade that That two-word mantra helped Penguins coach Mike Sullivan add two pick, [second round in 2021]. Stanley Cup banners to PPG Paints Arena. Speed and skill were prioritized above all else. An ounce of flesh wasn’t worth the possible Crosby and Malkin both have full no-movement clauses that would need game-swinging penalty that might accompany it. to be waived ... but don’t get too worried.

At least that was always Sullivan's point of view. “Obviously, Sid is not going anywhere unless Sid decides he wants to,” Burke said. But now, with the NHL trade deadline looming less than two weeks away and a veteran core of players reaching a crossroads, two new decision A few others have modified no-trade clauses. Kris Letang’s contract makers hold the keys. The change in leadership that brought general stipulates 18 teams where he’s willing to be moved. Brian Dumoulin, manager Ron Hextall and president of hockey operations Brian Burke to Jason Zucker and Brandon Tanev have the more-common 10-team list of Pittsburgh might also come with a change in philosophy. places they will not go.

“I’m a big fan of not going to a gunfight with a knife,” Burke told the Post- Trading any of these players would take cooperation and careful Gazette. “So Sully and I will have to thrash that out at some point. I agree coordination. So it could be tricky, though not entirely impossible. with him in general [that you should hurt a team on the scoreboard]. But I also think there are times when it helps to have those type of people “Other than that, there’s no untouchables,” Burke said. “I don’t think there dressed.” should be on any team. The year after we won the Cup in Anaheim, we were open for business.” The question really is not if the Penguins will eventually bring in more muscle. It’s a matter of when and in what forms? Asked if that means he’d be open to a hockey trade, where both teams try to address a need by giving up current NHLers, Burke answered with “I think people know how Brian Burke teams play,” said Burke, the man one word: who brought the word truculence into the NHL vernacular. “I think you’ll see some evolution here.” “Yup.”

Ahead of the April 12 trade deadline, Burke spoke with the Post-Gazette What about all those left-handed defensemen? about what needs he sees on the current roster, which players and picks It appears to the outside like the Penguins have a logjam brewing on the are “untouchable” (hint: it’s just one of each), what factors are shaping left side of the blue line. the market and more. Dumoulin, Mike Matheson, Marcus Pettersson and Juuso Riikola are all What do they want? signed through next season. So is Mark Friedman, a righty recently Before we dive into what Burke and Hextall might do ahead of the claimed off waivers who is more comfortable on his left. Plus, no one deadline, the first question is this: How will this work with two people would forget about 21-year-old prospect Joseph, who showed flashes of sharing the same front office? potential in his 16 games in the NHL.

Burke said, ideally, it will be the same approach as when he was the Not so fast. president of hockey operations in Calgary and Brad Treliving was the At least in their public comments, for what they’re worth, Hextall and general manager. Burke don’t appear especially eager to move a lefty. Recently, Hextall “We would agree conceptually on what we wanted to do, what changes told the Post-Gazette he wants to be cautious not to put too much on we wanted to make to the team,” Burke said. “We needed a center. We Joseph’s plate too soon, but instead let him follow the natural course of needed a defenseman. Whatever it was, we could agree conceptually. his development. In other words: Joseph is not in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Then, he could work the phones and come up with some possibilities and because there’s not a place here. He’s in the minors because that’s options and we’d agree on something that worked.” where the club believes he’s at in his progression.

Burke made one thing very clear. Burke’s comments were similar.

“Ron’s the GM,” he said. “He makes the calls. I’m going to support his “I don’t think you can ever have too many defensemen,” he said. “To recommendations almost without fail.” make any kind of noise in the playoffs, you need at least eight or nine defensemen. Maybe there’s enough depth there to make a move. Maybe Two weeks ago, those discussions shifted toward one position: centers. not. We’ll see. When Evgeni Malkin and Teddy Blueger went down with injuries, it left the Penguins without two of their top three centers. Considering Mark “But that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t listen if someone calls in a trade.” Jankowski has underwhelmed, the center position appeared like the What’s the market? most-obvious and pressing area of need. The other complicating factors for the Penguins are the market and the More recently, that may have changed — at least a little. salary cap. “We’ve gotten a great performance out of Freddy Gaudreau,” Burke said. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic leaving stadiums mostly empty, the “People are stepping up. I’m not sure it was as dire a need as it was. But salary cap was projected to go up as high as $88 million. Instead, it when two of your top four centers go down, you start looking around.” remains flat at $81.5 million, not just this season but until hockey-related Burke praised Jared McCann for filling a void and said he thought Malkin revenue returns to pre-pandemic levels. was playing “fantastic” before he got hurt. “I think if you didn’t have so many teams in serious cap trouble, you’d Notice he didn’t mention Jankowski, who has two points and a minus-3 have already seen a flurry of deals,” Burke said.” rating in the last 30 games he played. The decision whether to add at this According to CapFriendly, the Penguins currently have $747,712 in cap position may come down to if they feel Gaudreau, McCann or someone space. The site projects the Penguins will have a little over $1.12 million else already in the organization can fill a bottom-six role in the middle or in deadline cap space. That’s not a lot without clearing something, if outside help can be had for the right price. somehow. The other complicating factor around deadline day is that players who are traded from a U.S. team to Canada have to quarantine for seven days. Still, several national hockey writers have termed this a “buyer’s market.” If true, that’s interesting for a Penguins team with not much to give up.

It certainly complicates things that the Penguins have played so well over the last month, racking up more points than any NHL club to surge into second place in the hyper-competitive East Division.

On one hand, you could argue, why mess with a good thing?

On the other hand, maybe this team has proven to the new bosses that they’re still in win-now mode and could use another piece or two to help punch up the roster?

“I like the fact that we’ve been able to continue to win with a banged up lineup,” Burke said. “Different guys are pulling on the rope every night. That’s the mark of a close team and a good team.”

So will the Penguins address that need at center, bring in someone who changes the look of the blue line or perhaps pull off a big hockey trade that reshapes the identity of the roster in a significant way? The next dozen days will begin to tell that story.

“I think right now,” Burke said. “It’s more wait and see.”

Post Gazette LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186270 Pittsburgh Penguins

Tristan Jarry is Day-to-Day, Did Not Skate Before Practice

By Dan Kingerski

That insidious injury bug that first chewed upon half of the Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen, then wiped out four of the Penguins’ top nine forwards, turned toward the Penguins goalie on Monday as starting goalie Tristan Jarry left the game after the first period with an undisclosed upper-body injury.

On Wedensday, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said Jarry is day-to- day with the injury but remained off the ice.

The injury seemed to catch teammates and even Sullivan off guard on Monday:

“(I) can’t even really pinpoint when it might have happened. Obviously, it was something the medical staff felt strongly enough about to take him out of the game,” Sullivan said after the Penguins 2-1 win over the New York Islanders on Monday.

Jarry has overcome a rocky start to the NHL season. His record is 15-8-2 with a .910 save percentage and 2.79 GAA. Those numbers have been steadily improving since the first week of the season when his save percentage was close to .750.

Jarry was tied for the most wins in the NHL since Feb. 14, too.

Casey DeSmith, 29, played the final two periods on Monday.

“The two have been seamless regardless of who is playing. For us (defensemen), it really hasn’t been much of a difference at all,” Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson said. “I think both guys have been doing a great job playing the puck, taking the angle away, and not giving up any big rebounds for us to worry about. I think they’ve both been playing great..”

If Tristan Jarry does miss time beginning Thursday in Boston, DeSmith has been on his crease this season. He’s 8-3-0 with two shutouts, a .929 save percentage, and a 1.91 GAA.

“I’m not sure what (Jarry’s) deal is, or how long he’ll be out…,” Matheson said. “Regardless of who’s in, we feel great about it.”

Maxime Lagace, who was signed to be the Penguins third goalie, participated in practice on Wednesday, per PHN reporter Shelly Anderson. Emil Larmi served as the emergency backup on Monday and will likely stick around to be the Penguins third goalie.

Get Shelly’s practice report with Teddy Blueger’s and Brandon Tanev’s return here.

Lagace, 28, has 17 games of NHL experience split over two seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights. In six games with the Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins this season, Lagace has a .920 save percentage, a 1.98 GAA but only a 3-2-1 record.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186271 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Practice: Jarry Absent; Tanev, Blueger Return

By Shelly Anderson

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry is absent at practice Wednesday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, a sign that he will apparently miss some time because of an injury he got Monday.

Coach Mike Sullivan could provide some sort of update on Jarry after practice. The Penguins were off Tuesday, with no injury updates available.

Jarry started Monday’s home game against the New York Islanders and stopped all five shots he faced in the first period with no outward sign of a problem. But he did not return to the net or even the bench after that, and Sullivan referred to an upper-body injury.

Casey DeSmith replaced Tristan Jarry and stopped 19 of 20 Islanders shots in a 2-1 Penguins win. DeSmith will be the go-to goalie if Jarry misses any time.

The Penguins have Maxime Lagace and Emil Larmi on the taxi squad. One could easily be recalled to the NHL roster before the team kicks off its longest road trip of the season Thursday at Boston.

Lagace, 28, would be the most likely to dress in Jarry’s absence. He joined DeSmith at practice Wednesday. Although he has spent most of his career in the minor leagues, Lagace has played in 17 NHL games, going 6-8-1 with a 3.92 goals-against average and an .868 save percentage.

Larmi has yet to make his NHL debut. He became the Pittsburgh Penguins backup to DeSmith Monday, although he could not sit on the bench because he was still technically on the taxi squad. Lagace was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League to the taxi squad Tuesday.

Winger Brandon Tanev, out the past six games, returned to practice and is not wearing a no-contact jersey. He had been skating separately from the club. Center Teddy Blueger, who has been out the past eight games but also had been skating separately from the team, also is on the ice, although he is wearing what appears to be a non-contact jersey.

Those still out include defenseman Mark Friedman, who has missed the past 14 games but who has been skating with the practice squad; center Evgeni Malkin, who has been on the shelf the past seven games but as of the weekend had not skated; and winger Kasperi Kapanen, out the past three games and also not back to skating as of the weekend.

Despite all the injury trouble, the Penguins just completed a homestand 4-0-1 and are 11-2-1 in their past 14 games to move into a second-place tie with the Islanders in the East.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186272 San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks stay hot at home, top Minnesota Wild

Nikolai Knyzhov scores his first NHL goal as the Sharks win their fourth straight game at SAP Center

By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: March 31, 2021 at 10:07 p.m. | UPDATED: April 1, 2021 at 1:04 a.m.

Karlsson and Burns combined for three assists Wednesday. Combined with Monday’s 4-3 shootout win over the Wild when Karlsson had two goals and Radim Simek had one, the Sharks got four goals from their defensemen this series.

“With our defenseman jumping in and creating offense tonight, it helps,” Sharks captain Logan Couture said. “It’s big when everyone chips and everyone’s scoring goals. It’s nice to see.”

The Sharks didn’t make any lineup changes from Monday night when they beat the 4-3 in a shootout.

Jeffrey Viel played in his second straight game after he made his NHL debut Monday, getting into a fight in his first shift, and Jones started for the fifth time in the last six games.

In his previous six starts before Wednesday, going back to a March 13 game in Anaheim, Jones had a 4-1-1 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage with one shutout.

Wednesday’s game was the Sharks’ 17th and last for the month of March, concluded their busiest month in nine years. The Sharks entered the game with a 7-7-2 record this month and tied with the Kings for sixth place in the West Division.

The last time the Sharks played 17 games in a month was in March 2012. They went 7-7-3 that month but still finished second in the then-five team Pacific Division with a 43-29-10 record.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186273 San Jose Sharks The last time the Sharks played 17 games in a month was in March 2012. They went 7-7-3 that month but still finished second in the then-five team Pacific Division with a 43-29-10 record.

With no fans, why do San Jose Sharks home games still start at 7:30 San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.01.2021 p.m.?

NHL: San Jose’s game with Minnesota Wild at SAP Center one of 12 the Sharks still have home that will start at 7:30 p.m.

By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: March 31, 2021 at 1:39 p.m. | UPDATED: March 31, 2021 at 11:43 p.m.

It’s not as important of a question as to how the San Jose Sharks plan to rebuild their roster given their salary cap restraints, or whether they can reach the playoffs next season. But it’s still a question that has come up from time to time in 2021.

Why are the Sharks still starting their games at 7:30 p.m. when there are no fans allowed SAP Center?

The answer is a bit complex.

A team spokesman said when the NHL announced the regular season schedule for all teams in December, the Sharks had no way of knowing if fans would be allowed back in the building at some point. Although some game times have been adjusted, it is not easy to change the time for every other game, the spokesman said.

So the Sharks kept the 7:30 starts, which, in the past, has allowed spectators that come from outside the South Bay a better chance to be in their seats by game time. The Sharks are the only West Coast NHL team that is still regularly starting games at 7:30 p.m.

Of the Sharks’ 14 home games so far, 10 have been played at 7:30 p.m. A rescheduled Feb. 13 Sharks game with the Vegas Golden Knights, San Jose’s home opener, was played at 1 p.m. Three other Sharks home games, all with the St. Louis Blues, were played at 6 p.m.

The Sharks’ home game Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild will start at 7:30 p.m. After this week, the Sharks have 13 more home games, and 11 will be played at 7:30. The exceptions are the team’s games with the Golden Knights and Wild on April 23 and 24, respectively, which will be played at 6 p.m. Pacific Time.

Television also plays a role.

NBC Sports Bay Area and California also have the local broadcast rights to the Warriors, Sacramento Kings, A’s, Giants and Sharks, and the schedule for those teams will run concurrently at least until May 8 when San Jose’s regular season ends.

The Sharks’ spokesman said in certain instances, having a 7:30 p.m. game allows NBC Sports to better adjust their broadcast capabilities to cover all teams.

With the A’s playing in Houston against the Astros at 5 p.m. on April 9, the broadcast of Sharks’ game that night vs. Los Angeles will start on NBC Sports Plus before it switches to NBC Sports California after the baseball game ends. When there as conflicts with other sports, some other Sharks games in April and May are also expected to be shown on NBC Sports Plus.

The Sharks start a five-game homestand against the Anaheim Ducks on April 6. That’s followed by games with the Kings on April 9 and 10, and two more games with Anaheim on April 12 and 14.

NO CHANGES: Sharks coach said they’ll be no lineup changes from Monday’s game to tonight’s game.

That means Jeffrey Viel will play in his second straight game after he made his NHL debut Monday, getting into a fight in his first shift, and Martin Jones will start for the fifth time in the last six games. In his previous six starts, going back to a March 13 game in Anaheim, Jones is 4-1-1 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage with one shutout.

BUSY TIMES: The Sharks’ game Wednesday is their 17th of March. So far, the Sharks are 7-7-2 this month as they entered Wednesday’s game with a 14-16-4 record and tied with the Kings for sixth place in the West Division 1186274 San Jose Sharks San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 04.01.2021

Sharks beat Wild 4-2 for 2-game series sweep

JOSH DUBOW

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Rudolfs Balcers and Ryan Donato scored in the second period, and the San Jose Sharks completed a two-game sweep of the Minnesota Wild with a 4-2 victory Wednesday night.

The Sharks followed a shootout win on Monday with another strong performance against a team they are chasing in the standings.

“We didn't give up a lot,” coach Bob Boughner said. “We had some good o-zone time. We were managing the puck properly. We didn't have any major turnovers. It was one of those games where we stuck to the game plan.”

Nikolai Knyzhov scored his first career goal and Evander Kane had an empty-netter for the Sharks. Martin Jones made 26 saves for San Jose.

The Sharks are four points out of a playoff spot.

San Jose Sharks left wing Rudolfs Balcers, foreground, is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Minnesota Wild during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

“We just have to keep playing the way we are,” captain Logan Couture said. “We defended real hard and created a lot of offense. ... I think our game is in a really good spot right now.”

Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello scored for Minnesota, and Kaapo Kahkonen made 29 saves. The Wild are winless in their last five road games.

The Sharks grabbed control with a strong second period, beating Kahkonen for the first two goals, with Brent Burns involved in both.

Early in the period, Burns hit Tomas Hertl with a long stretch pass from his own zone. Hertl then sent a saucer pass toward the goal that Balcers got to and beat Kahkonen from in close.

Then, with the Sharks on the power play midway through the period, Burns' shot from deep was stopped by Kahkonen, but Donato got to the rebound and backhanded it home against his former team.

“Tonight we gave them way too many grade A chances,” Wild forward Ryan Hartman said. “Everything they got was given to them by us. We have to do a better job of limiting their chances and getting it out of our zone."

The Wild got one back midway through the third when Kaprizov’s shot went through a screen by Hartman and beat Jones.

Knyzhov responded a few minutes later to restore the two-goal lead.

Zuccarello scored with 12.1 seconds left to make it a one-goal game, but Kane sealed it with his empty-net goal.

“We had a good push there at the end but it was too late,” Hartman said.

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED

The Wild signed forward Matt Boldy, their first-round draft pick in 2019, to a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday and assigned him to their AHL affiliate in Iowa. Boldy’s college season ended last weekend when Boston College lost in the regional finals of the NCAA Tournament. The 19-year-old had 11 goals and 20 assists in 22 games for the Eagles, but general manager Bill Guerin wouldn’t guarantee Boldy would play for the Wild this season even though they’re spending a year of his service time.

“Listen, this is the best league in the world. Matt’s a young player. The last thing we want to do is force-feed him and put him in something that’s overwhelming and that he’s not ready for,” Guerin said.

UP NEXT

Wild: Visit Vegas on Thursday night.

Sharks: Visit Los Angeles on Friday night. 1186275 San Jose Sharks

Knyzhov's 'surreal' first NHL goal seals Sharks' sweep of Wild

BY ALI THANAWALLA

It took 38 career games, but Sharks defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov finally has his first NHL goal.

And the first-career marker for the 23-year-old Russian sealed the Sharks' 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, giving San Jose the two-game sweep at SAP Center.

At 10:58 in the third period, Erik Karlsson found Knyzhov, who beat Wild goalie Kaapo Kahkonen glove side.

Nikolai Knyzhov scores his first NHL goal pic.twitter.com/5Xi2hEYmcy— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) April 1, 2021

After the Sharks' win, Knyzhov was asked if the goal felt better than he expected.

"Honestly, I'll tell you, it felt even better," Knyzhov told reporters on a video conference call. "It didn't feel like what I was expecting and that was surreal."

Knyzhov, who entered Wednesday's game with four career assists in 37 games over the last two seasons, has impressed coach Bob Boughner.

"We're putting him in big situations and he's responding," Boughner told reporters. "We saw a little of him last year and in training camp and you can't help by notice how good a beat he has and he's a physical player. He's a young kid, big. He's got all the tools you need to play for a long time in this league. Give him credit. Great training camp and he's improved every day since and he's got some confidence now, playing some big minutes. Great find for our organization. I think he's going to be a good defenseman in this league for a long time."

Knyzhov showed up to his postgame press conference wearing a wig, and he joked with reporters that teammate Tomas Hertl made him wear it.

Knyzhov may not have had a choice to wear the wig, but it looks fantastic pic.twitter.com/6BMS5BTsGd— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) April 1, 2021

Knyzhov has earned the respect of his coach and teammates, and is sure to score a lot more goals during his NHL career.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186276 San Jose Sharks and things of that nature. Didn’t know really what we were going to do at the time.

David Pollak, sportswriter, San Jose Mercury News: I remember being in If he falls, ‘that mat ain’t doing much’: The inside story of the night the press box, and since the press box is in the rafters, looking straight Sharkie got stuck ahead and seeing the crew up there trying to figure out what to do.

Minsky: We’re trying to get the Tank Patrol to get the crash pads out onto the ice (for a) worst-case scenario. There’s two locations of crash pads Kevin Kurz Mar 31, 2021 — at one there’s two pads, and the other there’s like 20. They go to the place where there’s two, and they bring two out. I remember being on the

radio (saying), “Get the other pads!” Two wasn’t going to do anything. Sharkie hung from the rafters, 40 feet above the ice surface at San Jose Patrick Marleau, Sharks forward: The funniest thing was they brought Arena. He was helpless. He couldn’t go up, and feared an unexpected pads out and put them on the ice underneath him. descent. It was March 12, 1999, and the San Jose Sharks’ beloved mascot was in trouble just before the game against the rival Red Wings Mike Ricci, Sharks forward: It doesn’t take an engineer to know that if was set to start. The man inside the costume was afraid of heights and you come down from there, that mat ain’t doing much. while he dangled, his extremities numbed. Pollak: I remember Scotty Bowman and are the coaches, Fans watched in wonder, and maybe amusement. Broadcasters and and you look down and they just want to play hockey. They have their reporters, high up in the arena, saw the spectacle at eye level. Players arms folded across their chests looking very similar — not scowling, but first joked about it, then worried he might plunge to his death. And inside not happy to be in the the middle of this, either. the costume, Sharkie sweated and waited for help to arrive. Minsky: You start seeing the players’ reactions. Scotty Bowman. Mike This is the tale of the harrowing 20 minutes that might have signaled the Ricci’s reaction is hilarious. Looking at him, you can see the words end of mascot-related stunts in sports arenas. Might have. “dumbass” going through his head.

Jason Minsky, Sharks director of event presentation: Detroit won the Ricci: That does sound about right, yeah. I thought, that’s the first time Stanley Cup the year before, so we were going to do a little skit where I’ve seen this. It was funny at first, and then we were like, “Holy shit, if he we lowered a Detroit Red Wings banner, Sharkie rappels down next to it, goes down, it isn’t going to end well.” tears it down, and then finishes his rappel. Plus, Darryl Sutter was the coach. Darryl is about being prepared, so Sharkie: It was a cardboard tube with a bedsheet that was painted to look you’re trying to stay focused so he doesn’t see you laughing and joking like a banner that was then tied up to the roof. It wasn’t anything that was around a little bit. But sitting there for 15 minutes looking up at this guy all like, super dangerous or something that would get in the way. tied up — I think that was the hardest part, trying to stay like you’re Unfortunately, there was a little bit of swing in the rope that night, and my intense and not really paying attention thinking about the game, but really leg straddled the cardboard tube. looking up and going, man, this is not good.

Minsky: In trying to get himself out of that mess, (Sharkie) gets into a Marleau: (Sutter) wasn’t too happy. He wanted the game to get going, bigger mess where the banner actually gets caught up in his rappelling that’s for sure. gear. In trying to free himself, he just makes matters worse. Hahn: I remember looking down at Scotty Bowman. Here’s the greatest Sharkie: When they released the line, the banner dropped over my head, coach in the history of hockey and the game is delayed because there’s I swung forward to get it off of my head, and at that time my jersey got a mascot stuck in the rafters. This is an old school, Original Six guy who stuck up into the figure-eight, which is the metal mechanism that the rope never had mascots back in the day, so that was funny. winds through to allow you to stop yourself. Aaron Ward, Red Wings defenseman: Not only was Scotty bitching Terry Campbell, head rigger, San Jose Arena: I was on a follow-spot outright to everybody who would listen, he bitched to (assistant coaches) (spotlight) that night. So my job was to pick him up with the spotlight as Barry Smith and Dave Lewis. Even though Scotty is coming down on us he slides down the rope. So he slid halfway down the rope, and I’ve got bitching, it was quite entertaining. We could see there were levels of my light on him, and he just comes to a stop. Scotty escalating. It finally climaxed when Scotty started having conversations with himself on the bench about what was going on. He Minsky: Remember, this is his first year doing Sharkie. I was Sharkie was talking to himself. “I can’t believe this. What are they doing to us?” before he was. I remember when we were training him on how to rappel, it was very clear that he is afraid of heights. Ricci: (Both coaches) were kind of old school, just (wanted to) get the game going. I don’t know who said it, but I remember hearing somebody Sharkie: To be honest, I’m afraid of heights. That was the first thing that say, “Eh, just cut him down.” Those were pretty heated games, too. You really went in my head: Am I really stuck this high in the air? Once I get all jacked up, and you go out there and sit around. realized what had happened, and I saw that the shirt was pulled up and I was all jammed up, I basically pulled the end of the rope around the other Ward: The feeling on the bench transitioned to we might witness some side of my body and tied myself off. guy die. The conversation went from “I wonder how they’re going to get him down,” to, “Oh my god, we’re going to witness a guy in a Shark outfit Randy Hahn, Sharks play-by-play announcer: You think at first that’s part drop flat on the ice.” It wasn’t down in their end, it was right in front of us. of the routine, and then after awhile everybody’s waiting for him to finish We were going through all the possible scenarios of how this is going to with the routine, and it becomes apparent that he’s caught. He’s stuck. It end. was bizarre. I was working with Steve Konroyd, the former NHL defenseman at the time. Now we’re in two modes — first of all, you’re Kris Draper, Red Wings forward: We were kidding around saying you concerned that the guy’s going to fall, right? That’s the first concern, for know what, he’s not really in the way, let’s just start the game. He was his well-being. Then it became kind of apparent that he wasn’t going to high enough that it wasn’t going to be a factor. If someone flipped the fall, he was just stuck. Now we’ve got to keep talking about this, because puck and went up and hit him just play it like it’s the scoreboard, blow it we’re on the air live. down and go from there.

Minsky: I’m ice level in between the penalty boxes at the scorer’s table. I Sharkie: The next thing for me was, how do I play this off and stay in see it happening, and the first thing that goes through your mind is, ‘Oh, character? How do I make it that people aren’t panicking? I knew in my crap.’ … The skit has already gone to hell, but can he safely rappel down mind that if I started to freak out that kids, families, people in the crowd, once he gets out of it? even our own staff would start freaking out. So I had to think to myself, how do I stay in character? How do I calm myself down? How do I make Then the phone rings, and it’s Greg Jamison, who at the time is owner, this funny so that it isn’t a nightmare for people to watch? There are president and CEO. “Jason, what are you going to do?” times I’m chewing on the rope like I’m trying to free myself like a fish that Eric Gold, chief engineer: We heard a call from over the radio that was caught in a line, making hand gestures like scissors — because fans Sharkie was stuck. So basically I ran — we didn’t take the elevator, we are pointing at you. ran up the stairs, back when I was in better shape. We realized what we were up against, so ran back down, got some harnesses and some rope, Campbell: I was hoping to untie and lower him to the ground, which Sharkie: It’s lived a life of its own for a long time. The one thing that still would have been the safest thing to do. The height of the beam there is amazes me about that night is even today, you’ll have a kid that was like about 94 feet, and he was at 50 or 55. I would have preferred if it had 5, 6, 7 years old (at the time) come up to Sharkie and say, “I was there been a situation that I had rigged. There would have been some wraps that night you got stuck.” It’s something everyone remembers. It’s just on the rope and I would have just untied it and carefully led him to the this great little weird moment that the Sharks got to have. ground on his rappelling line, which was stuck in his jersey. But I took one look at this mess, and I am like, I am not touching this, I’m not cutting The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 anything, I’m not untying anything.

Gold: The safety concern more than anything was obviously for him. He had been sitting there for 15 or 20 minutes. I think the circulation in his legs was gone by then. He was hurting. He was in bad shape. I’m really surprised that he left his gear on, but that’s Sharkie for ya.

Minsky: I was absolutely worried. We were on the phone with the fire department wondering if we could get a fire truck through the Zamboni entrance with a ladder, and what does that look like?

Gold: It took quite a while to figure out a game plan and how we were going to either bring him down or lift him up. We decided to lift him up because he was hurting at that point. Basically it was a tug of war, but only on one end. There were six to eight of us who just got on a rope and just started pulling him up. With that many people, you could pull somebody up pretty easily if there’s no restriction. But it was a pretty tense moment.

Campbell: We lowered a rope down to Sharkie, and he tied it around chest and under his armpits, and took a wrap around himself, which is kind of a terrible thing. But to his credit, he tied something that obviously held. So that was pretty scary, because I didn’t know exactly what he was doing.

Pollak: They had all the folks up in the rafters trying to bring him up there, and they got him pretty close to the top but his head kind of didn’t clear the landing that everybody was standing on. Of all the people standing on that platform, I thought they were all men, but one figure jumps over the railing and it’s a woman, and she’s the one who puts herself at peril because she’s not on the platform.

Minsky: She jumps out on the catwalk, and she’s not tied to anything. She’s standing on a 94-foot high catwalk trying to pull him up from underneath.

Gold: Terry is one of our union local riggers, and they are fearless when it comes to that kind of stuff. She knew what she was getting into.

Campbell: You can see that he’s captured under the beam. And so I knew the only way to get him would be to get out on the beam and take ahold of the rope. That’s why I got out there. It’s what you call a mayhem rescue. I wasn’t on a harness or anything, but you can see I have like a death grip on the rail behind me.

Sharkie: She went out and just put enough pressure on the rope to swing me out from under the beam so they could pull me up the rest of the way. If it was me, I wouldn’t go out there without a harness and a line.

Gold: We really didn’t know his condition until he got up there and took off his head and were able to talk to him.

Sharkie: When they got me up to the catwalk, I honestly couldn’t stand up. My legs were just numb, and asleep.

One of the first things I remember seeing was Greg Jamison, our former president, standing there. He had run upstairs to make sure everything was OK. So that was something that meant a lot when you look up and see the president standing there. His first words to me were, “You’re doing this again tomorrow.” We were playing back to back the next day against Ottawa, and I looked at him and I was like, “No, I’m not.” He actually said, “I know you’re afraid of heights, and if you don’t get back on the horse tomorrow, you never will. You’re doing this again tomorrow.”

Minsky: That was the truth. We all said that. The last thing you want is for him to now be scared. It was like, get right back on the horse. We all told him that.

Gold: For the team and the people that are working there still, or even the people working at the time, that’s one thing that you’ll always remember. … The game was secondary. It was somebody’s life, so we were pretty concerned.

Pollak: I’m not surprised it lives on only because it was so bizarre. It got a lot of attention, made national news coverage. They got a lot of mileage out of that moment. 1186277 San Jose Sharks which would allow the bank to recommence its lawsuit against the winger.

“I disagree with the proposition that it’ll be better for creditors if we have a Evander Kane’s creditors question his threat to walk away from Sharks free-for-all in Chapter 11 and try to figure out whether or not we can contract in bankruptcy hearing reorganize around Mr. Kane’s hockey contract,” said John Anthony, outside counsel for Centennial.

Judge Stephen Johnson said he would make his decision on the Chapter By Daniel Kaplan Mar 31, 2021 11 conversion motion quickly.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 Evander Kane is the leading goal scorer on the San Jose Sharks, the points leader, and has roughly $27 million and four-plus years left on his contract. Could he walk away?

As improbable as that may sound — and it likely is — that threat nevertheless permeated Kane’s nearly hour-long personal bankruptcy hearing Tuesday, which the winger missed practice to attend remotely. Kane filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in January, declaring $26.8 million in debt. Five creditors moved to change the status to Chapter 11, which would stretch out the period of time the lenders could access his assets, including his player contract.

“If the court were to convert the case, I think Mr. Kane would be met with what I’ll call a parade of horribles about being in Chapter 11,” his lawyer, Stephen Finestone, told the court. “So just to give one possible outcome: If the case were converted and Mr. Kane stopped playing hockey, he wouldn’t be able to convert the case to Chapter 7 no matter how appropriate that would be. … (Creditors could) essentially say he should just be quiet and skate and let a trustee manage his money.’”

In Chapter 7, the slate is essentially wiped clean, meaning Kane could walk away from many of his debts. In Chapter 11, that’s not the case, and thus the implied threat is that if he is going to essentially be working for his creditors, why work at all? In fact, Kane has argued the Chapter 11 motion violates the 13th Amendment’s ban on involuntary servitude.

A key creditor objected to the notion lenders were seeking to violate the 13th Amendment. “The key issue is nobody can make Evander Kane skate professionally in the National Hockey League, can’t do it,” said Michael Fletcher, counsel for Zions Bancorp., which filed the heated motion to convert the case. “His contract is a personal services contract. He’s either going to skate or he’s not. I suspect that he’s going to look at the landscape and make the rational decision that it’s in his financial best interest not to pack up the skates and go home (if the) court converts this to Chapter 11. But to go for the pot of gold, upwards of $29 million based on the current contract, and leave it to the parties that are on this call and perhaps others to engage in the arm-wrestling and discussions and all the rest of it that would go along with the concept of putting this into a Chapter 11.”

Counsel for Sure Sports, the broker that arranged many of the loans and is also a creditor, didn’t think Kane would follow through on the threat of walking away from his contract.

“He’s a multimillion-dollar hockey player who will continue to earn such a salary,” said Thomas Geher, the Sure Sports counsel. “And I think it’s naive for anybody to think you would walk away from that.”

The tone of the bankruptcy has been nasty, with the creditors arguing Kane is low-balling his income and trying to walk away from his obligations. Geher raised Kane’s gambling issue, which the winger in a filing this month said he is in counseling for.

“So this is a debtor who, let’s not forget, gambled away millions of dollars,” Geher said. “Now that’s fine if you can pay your creditors and still go to Vegas, drop a million dollars at a table and walk away and your financial life is fine.

“This is a debtor who makes multi-million dollars playing professional sports with all the benefits that one gets to enjoy as a professional athlete,” Geher continued. “(Kane’s) counsel made the comment that it’d be punitive to be in a Chapter 11. I would imagine most unsecured creditors would find it punitive that a day or two before the season starts and paychecks start with the NHL that Mr. Kane decided to file a bankruptcy. That’s a punitive move.”

Despite the force of the creditors’ arguments, they were not all on the same page. The largest creditor, Centennial Bank, announced it opposed the conversion to Chapter 11 because Kane’s debt is arguably not business debt, which is required under the bankruptcy statute. Instead, Centennial, which is owed over $8 million, wants the case thrown out, 1186278 San Jose Sharks

SAN JOSE SHARKSHow Would You Celebrate Your 1st NHL Goal? Nikolai Knyzhov Wore a Wig

By Sheng Peng

How did Nikolai Knyzhov celebrate his first NHL goal? He put on…a wig?

This is how the 23-year-old defenseman, who scored the game-winning goal in the San Jose Sharks’ 4-2 victory over the Minnesota, came out for his press availability.

In an off-the-cuff moment, the San Jose Sharks rookie quipped, as bystanders laughed, “If I keep my mask on, they may not know who I am.”

Somebody grab that puck! @NikolaiKnyzhov | #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/mKKVy67kLr

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 1, 2021

As for the goal itself, Knyzhov pointed out: “Great play by Tommy [Hertl] and Karly. I wasn’t even expecting that pass.”

Of course, that was the beauty of Erik Karlsson’s fake shot-pass – it bought the surprising rookie some extra time with the puck.

“Rudy [Balcers] got a pretty good screen there. Far side was open,” the San Jose Sharks blueliner said. “I just shot it and it went in.”

As for the wig? Knyzhov didn’t understand the why, but he gave up the who.

“I don’t know,” he said, laughing. “Tommy told me I have to wear this. I don’t have a choice here.”

This was something that Knyzhov was happy to get forced into: “It was nice to get the monkey off my back. Even better, to get the win with the boys.”

San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186279 San Jose Sharks I’m not saying ignoring your partner is necessarily right move – or maybe Burns was directing Ferraro? – but regardless, shows poise with puck. That’s what I like, he made his own decision, read it right, he was elusive, puck got out. Postgame Notes #35: Sharks Beat Wild 4-2, Just 4 Points Behind Blues 7 minutes in, Karlsson shows his elusiveness, loses Fiala at blueline, draws slash. That’s a great individual play.

By Sheng Peng 10 minutes in: San Jose Sharks are on the ball tonight. Sharks going for change, Ryan Suter probably thinking he has time to hit a stretch pass,

Kane still on the ice bats down pass. PERIOD 1 Big save by Jones on Eriksson Ek! Minute in, good Couture line chance initiated by Burns beating two Wild 8 minutes left, love Meier on breakout leaning into Greenway on forecheckers with exit pass from corner. breakout. 2 minutes in, Viel challenges up top, wins puck. Looks like he read it, Timo initiating contact like a running back here, on 6-foot-6 Greenway no good instincts. less AND he still makes the play that he wants. This is Meier at his best 7 minutes in: Textbook backchecking switch executed by Vlasic and in my opinion, initiating contact and playing fast Couture. Couture can’t catch his man, but Vlasic in full support with pic.twitter.com/A5XSJiDxf9 better angle, takes Couture’s man, while Couture tracks Wild speed — Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 1, 2021 coming down the middle. 3 minutes left: Ferraro with back-to-back stick checks to break up Simple stuff, but I like it: Hartman (38) gets a step on Couture (39), Vlasic incoming Wild breakout passes. He’s been on the puck tonight at both (44) helps out, Couture takes Fiala (22) coming down center lane. Vlasic ends. Love his game tonight. does good job of forcing Hartman to miss pass, perfectly-executed switch there from #SJSharks vets pic.twitter.com/1h8m7UwqUq Seconds left, electric shift from Donato. More of that, he’s not leaving San Jose for a long time. — Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 1, 2021 This Donato shift was electric: Jumps Fiala at blueline to break up pass, 8 minutes in: Don’t like that aimless Gambrell pass from NZ wall to turns Spurgeon inside-out & gets shot off, pickpockets Hartman middle. Or maybe just a puck battle win that got batted out there. pic.twitter.com/87zRhxFliM Obviously if latter, no one at fault. But regardless, dangerous puck to nobody, could’ve been launch pad for Wild counterattack. — Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 1, 2021

Following shift, Kane takes puck off Wild defenseman at point, 2-on-1. PERIOD 3 Sharks playing fast so far tonight. They’ve had more dangerous chances, I think. 4 minutes in: More good work by Meier to initiate contact, create space for himself and Balcers in OZ. Wild penalty killers more aggressive up ice than say San Jose Sharks PK’ers. See more of a 2-2 NZ forecheck, whereas Sharks are definite 1- 5 minutes in: Behind Jones, Karlsson breaks through insistent Rask stick 3. Wild will come with 2 forecheckers at times when PP trying to break check. That’s the Karlsson you love to see, fast and assertive. out. Kaprizov goal: This is a crossroads for this San Jose Sharks team. 6 minutes left: Simek had a chance all alone to blast it out on PK, but that They’ve been phenomenal tonight. With a win, can cut, if you can believe clear dies at blueline. That has to go out. But Simek gets another chance, it, gap between themselves and fourth-place Blues by four points, next his clear this time is deflected by Wild and barely out, ends up being seven games versus just LA/Anaheim. Can they buckle down mentally perfect pass and a breakaway for Kane. Hockey. and on the ice?

5 minutes left: That Ferraro pass to Hertl telegraphed, can’t happen. 10 minutes in: Loose Wild stick near boards, clever Kane play, he just Trying to hit San Jose Sharks entering with speed but sniffed out. Lucky bats it toward center ice, away from San Jose Sharks bench but also to nothing comes of it. potentially gum up Wild breakout.

30 seconds left, that’s a tough backhand stretch pass from Burns to Fake shot-pass by Karlsson buys Knyzhov an extra split-second. Meier. By tough, I mean it’s challenging but executed perfectly by Burns. Karlsson having a great night. Not a lot of people could’ve pulled that off so precisely, hits Meier in Kaprizov & Couture went into boards awkward on Wild entry, maybe that stride. set Kaprizov off? Because he just launched into Couture and everything Thought Sharks had better of scoring chances and Natural Stat Trick jumped off agrees, SJS 5-2 High-Danger at 5-on-5. Just gotta keep pounding — Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 1, 2021 Kahkonen. 3 minutes left: Huge shot block by Gambrell on PK, he’s hurt. PERIOD 2 Actually, he's walking back and forth in hallway — walking it off, back on Opening shift, Balcers does good job defending slot from Wild pass. San bench Jose Sharks, I think, have been mostly solid with their coverage in this series. — Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 1, 2021

Minute in though, Balcers has puck on his stick after some Wild pressure, San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 enough time and space, he just throws it off boards, right to Minnesota point. He has enough time to make a better play there, skate up a couple steps or something to at least ensure it goes out if there are no offensive options. Instead, San Jose hemmed in.

2 minutes in: Like that Gambrell pick on Donato entry. Next shift, really nice work by Viel, lays out Eriksson Ek in NZ, then quick pass to Marleau all alone in front for chance.

I haven’t loved Balcers’s game tonight, but then he does that. That keeps you in the NHL, you get that chance, bury. What a pass by Hertl.

6 minutes in, mature puckmoving by Ferraro. Hounded by Wild on both sides, Burns yelling at him (for the puck, I presume), Ferraro makes his own decision, holds, able to shake and bake his own way to get puck out. 1186280 San Jose Sharks That’s one area of concentration for the Swiss winger. The other is improving his play on the defensive side of the puck and adding some penalty killing responsibilities.

Game Preview/Lines #35: What Does Boughner Want From Inconsistent SJHN, hat tip to contributor Erik Fowle for the idea, asked Boughner what Meier? Meier had to do to attain 20-minute-a-night usage a la Evander Kane. Meier sits right now at 16:00 TOI Per Game (14:10 EV TOI/1:42 PP TOI/0:08 SH TOI), while Kane leads San Jose Sharks forwards with 19:49 (15:44/2:36/1:28). By Sheng Peng Boughner explained: “The difference in the minutes is penalty kill. He’s

not penalty killing for us and it’s something that we wanted to introduce SAN JOSE SHARKS (14-16-4) him to into his game. We do have plans to do that.

No projected changes from Monday for the #SJSharks. “But your 5-on-5 game has got to be detailed. That’s the difference right now [too]. Missed today's episode?https://t.co/wmyWBR90aU pic.twitter.com/fm14Vzy1Q5 “Certain guys have a sense for [the PK] and certain guys gotta work at it. And we want to work with Timo on it. He has seen a little bit here and — Locked on Karlsson's Apple (@LockedOnSharks) March 31, 2021 there, not a lot, some clean-up minutes at the end of some penalty kills.

MINNESOTA WILD (21-10-2) “But I think if he wants to be a 20-minute player, it’s the details, being a 200-foot player and being responsible on his own end. He’s getting better Kirill Kaprizov — Victor Rask — Mats Zuccarello at it. Marcus Johansson — Ryan Hartman — Kevin Fiala “I still consider Timo pretty young, he’s working at that part of his game. Jordan Greenway — Joel Eriksson Ek — Nick Bonino We spend a lot of time on shift tape, a lot of time on the details.”

Nico Sturm — Luke Johnson — Nick Bjugstad San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021

Ryan Suter — Jared Spurgeon

Jonas Brodin — Matt Dumba

Ian Cole — Carson Soucy

Kaapo Kahkonen

WHERE TO WATCH

Puck drop is 7:30 PM PT at SAP Center. Watch it on NBC Sports Bay Area, , or NHL.tv.

MORNING SKATE

Timo Meier is mired in an eight-game goalless slump. He has just six goals on the season — that’s just 15 goals over an 82-game pace.

On Mar. 26, San Jose Hockey Now noted that while Meier was shooting as much as ever at 5-on-5, his attempts weren’t coming from as dangerous a place.

These stats are from Natural Stat Trick: “Timo Meier is shooting as much as ever – his 20.08 Individual Shot Attempts Per 60 at 5-on-5 is fourth in the NHL, behind Brendan Gallagher, David Pastrnak, and Alex Ovechkin. Interestingly, however, his 3.78 Individual High-Danger Corsi For Per 60 at 5-on-5 is a sharp drop from his customary number – from 2017-20, he averaged 5.59 iHDCF. Does Meier need to take the puck to the net more?”

San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner confirmed the diagnosis today: “It’s easy as a forward to get a puck, sling it toward the net, and get a shot from the outside. But [he’s got] to actually get inside, use that big body of his and protect parks and be around the net when the rebounds, the second and third chances come.

“That’s really just stopping your feet in the scoring areas and not swinging through and attacking outside with your speed. It’s real hard to play against when as a big guy, a powerful guy and strong, if he uses that strength, he gets to the net, and he busts to the net. But if you’re going to pull up every time and cut to the middle, then it’s easy to play against.

“You take pucks to the net, you spend time around the blue paint, you pay the price, you’re in front of the goalie, when we’re playing low to high, and you’re in a position to get seconds and thirds — you’re not going to get that if you’re moving your feet and you’re climbing the wall and you’re on the outside, you’re on the perimeter all the time.

“When you get the puck in the corner, it’s not about just throwing it away or slinging it to the net right away. It’s about drawing coverage to you, interchanging and getting on the cycle, beating your check [to the net]. All those things we talked about, those are the things that got to happen more often.” 1186281 San Jose Sharks “I wasn’t surprised,” Elik said of being traded to the Blues. “Kevin Constantine didn’t like me. The team was already in a transition, trading a lot of the players from the previous season. To me, we were one or two good players away from doing some damage. [General Manager] Dean 30 Sharks: Todd Elik Remembers ’94 Playoffs Lombardi liked me and he gave me a great chance [in San Jose].”

As for why Constantine wasn’t a fan of Elik’s, the former center couldn’t pinpoint a specific reason. By Ryan Cowley “Not sure really,” Elik said. “He went sour on me. Hard for me to believe.”

Elik’s contributions were nonetheless appreciated that spring as the In their first two years of existence, the San Jose Sharks didn’t have Sharks returned to the playoffs and even pulled off their second first- many players who had experience playing for another California-based round upset in as many years. team. The Los Angeles Kings were, at that juncture, the state’s only other NHL franchise and, except for Peter Ahola and Hubie McDonough, no Overall, Elik is thankful for his time in San Jose and has plenty to reflect other former King had suited up for the Sharks up in those first two on. seasons. “The first was getting into the playoffs and achieving that,” the former Early into the club’s third season (1993-94), a third former King came to center noted. “Beating Detroit in seven games and taking Toronto to San Jose but unlike the aforementioned, who played a combined 50 seven — it would’ve been nice to win that — and just getting a really fair games for the Sharks, this former King had more of an impact on chance to play. I was maybe their second-line center at the time. They northern California’s team. believed in me and they gave me a lot of opportunities to succeed and I took advantage of that. So, I was very appreciative of that.” A reliable two-way player with a physical edge, Todd Elik had success with the Kings and Minnesota North Stars before making a brief stop with While the club’s playoff defeat to the Maple Leafs was a tough pill to the Oilers. Early in the 1993-94 campaign, Elik was claimed off waivers swallow — losing Games Six and Seven in Toronto — Elik and the by the Sharks, a move that would help pay dividends for the struggling Sharks found consolation when they returned home. franchise. Upon their return, the Sharks discovered that the city of San Jose and In a continuation of my “30 Sharks” series for San Jose Hockey Now, we their team’s fans were going to hold a parade to thank their team for a take a look at Todd Elik, who shares his experiences in San Jose, wonderful season. beginning with that 1993-94 season that resulted in the club’s first-ever playoff appearance. “The parade was great, the fans and the city were great,” Elik beamed. “It was a special time.” NEW BEGINNINGS As mentioned, Todd Elik joined Peter Ahola and Hubie McDonough as After successful stints in Los Angeles and Minnesota, Todd Elik struggled the only players at the time to play for both the Kings and the Sharks. to find an identity in Edmonton where he only played 18 games. But, when the Sharks came calling, it was a fresh new start for not only Elik When asked to give his opinion of the state of hockey in San Jose, the but for his new team. former NHLer summed it up nicely.

After two lackluster seasons in the hockey-unfriendly confines of the Cow “Whoever put a team in San Jose did their homework,” Elik emphasized. Palace, the Sharks moved into their new arena in downtown San Jose. “It’s a great city, they have a great rink, great fans, and they’ve had As for Elik, he made the best of his first season in San Jose, reaching success.” career highs in goals (25), assists (41), and points (66). Needless to say, As for the comparison between the two California franchises he suited up the 1993-94 season is one that Elik still holds dear to his heart. for… “It was quite an amazing season,” the Brampton, ON, native beamed. “I “Although L.A. has had a bit more winning two Cups, they’re both really was picked up on waivers by San Jose and it was their first season [at good hockey markets,” added Elik. the San Jose Arena] in San Jose after two years at the Cow Palace. Hockey-wise, everything just seemed to click. Me getting there and then His time in San Jose may have been relatively brief but for Todd Elik, it it seemed like everything just got settled down and we had a lot of was a matter of quality over quantity, and the former center certainly had success. no trouble making the best of his Sharks tenure.

“When I arrived there, it seemed like everything was put in place. We had Todd Elik would go on to play a few more seasons in the NHL before the Russian line [of Igor Larionov and Sergei Makarov], then us, then the taking his game to Europe in 1997. third and fourth line.” Going on to play 13 more seasons across the Atlantic, Elik would play in Something else that was new with the Sharks in 1993-94 was who was Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia, and would even take part in the behind their bench. prestigious Spengler Cup on three occasions before retiring in 2010.

A few months earlier, George Kingston, the club’s inaugural head coach, San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 was relieved of his duties. Replacing the veteran coach was 35-year-old Kevin Constantine, who had spent the previous two seasons coaching the Sharks’ farm club in Kansas City.

Constantine brought an immediate change to the Sharks’ playing style and with it, immediately credibility to a team that was less-than- competitive, to put it mildly.

“We were a very hard-working team, a very disciplined team — Kevin really preached that — and we just seemed to gel at the right time and we did really well,” Elik remembered. “We were very proud of that. We could have gone a little further but it was a great season.”

FOND RECOLLECTIONS

Overall, Elik played 97 games for the Sharks throughout two seasons. During that stretch, the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder scored 32 goals and 83 points, but also added an impressive five goals and 10 points in 14 playoff games for the club. Unfortunately for Elik, he was traded to St. Louis for Kevin Miller just before the 1995 playoffs. 1186282 San Jose Sharks Coe said his roommates, particularly Gabriel, have helped improve his diet.

“We’re pretty big on brown rice,” Coe said. “Mostly, I think I’m just staying Brandon Coe Misses His Dad; Merkley Out Again With Injury away from junk food.”

He revealed: “Merkley’s actually a pretty good cook himself. I don’t think too many people would take that for him, but he knows his way around By Brian Truong the stove pretty well.”

Coe described Merkley’s most recent dish— a dinner of steak, mashed potatoes, and sautéed peppers. While Brandon Coe is typically a private person, he had something to share: “For Dad”. “It was a pretty good meal,” Coe said. “I’m just on dishes duty, so it’s easy for me.” “I think it was just a better decision to put my story out there rather than keep private this time,” Coe said. CUDA HOLD OFF CONDORS

In 2,200 words published on The Players’ Tribune, Coe penned a The Barracuda (7-6-4-1) scored four unanswered goals in a 4-2 win over heartfelt letter to his mentor and hero, his father, Lance Coe. the Bakersfield Condors (11-9-0-1) Tuesday night.

“It was definitely a bit difficult, but I think in the long run it was a better Merkley missed his second game of the season due to injury, according idea just to put my story out there,” Coe said. “Not only for the sake of to Nick Nollenberger on the Barracuda broadcast. Merkley had sat out myself … but for other kids to see that they’re not alone with the process Mar. 21 due to an aggravated wrist injury, according to head coach Roy that they could be going through.” Sommer, but played Mar. 24.

Coe described their close relationship, his own journey through the ranks Goaltender Josef Kořenář, center Fredrik Händemark, and defenseman of hockey, and his father’s struggle with multiple myeloma cancer. The Christian Jaros all returned to the Barracuda from the San Jose Sharks article was published Oct. 8, the day after Coe was selected 98th overall taxi squad. in the NHL Entry Draft. Lance passed away Oct. 16. After a six-day break, the Barracuda fell into a 2-0 second period deficit. Coe, 19, made his professional debut Mar. 12 with the Barracuda. Jacob Middleton scored San Jose’s first goal, assisted by Jaros.

“If he was here with us, I’m pretty sure I’d have gotten a nice text from Jake Middleton goes coast-to-coast for his second goal of the year. him saying that he’d be watching from home, that he’s very proud of me,” #SJBarracuda pic.twitter.com/gM9BxZGzpF Coe said. “But I know he was there watching up above, making sure that I was working my hardest. Being the dad that he was, he never missed a — Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) March 31, 2021 game. I’m sure he was up above watching me that night.” Four minutes later, Joachim Blichfeld skated around the Condors’ net to Coe was the second-leading scorer on the OHL’s worst-performing team set up Gregor’s game-tying goal. Gregor has three goals and four assists in 2019-20. After recording 25 goals and 32 assists for the North Bay in 10 games with the Barracuda. Battalion in 2019-20, Coe was ranked 35th of North American prospects Then just three minutes later while on the power play, Stefan Noesen by NHL Central Scouting prior to the 2020 draft. and Blichfeld set up a tic-tac-toe play for Alexander True to score. True’s The San Jose Sharks selected the Ajax, Ontario native in the fourth sixth goal of the year gave San Jose its first lead of the night. round. To get the No. 98 overall pick, the Sharks traded a 2021 third- Alexander True's power play goal gives #SJBarracuda the lead. Assisted round pick, originally owned by Washington, to Montreal. After the draft, by Blichfeld and Noesen. pic.twitter.com/9rB10O99U1 Doug Wilson Jr. highlighted Coe’s size, skating, and goal-scoring ability. Standing 6-foot-4, Coe possesses surprising speed. — Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) March 31, 2021

“[He doesn’t always realize] the opportunities he gets because of his Returning from a six-game stint with the San Jose Sharks, Händemark speed, what he can generate offensively because of his speed,” North scored the eventual game-winning goal after Joel Kellman snuck a pass Bay Battalion assistant coach Bill Houlder told the Locked on Sharks through two Condor defenders. Podcast in November. Fredrik Händemark scores in first game with #SJBarracuda since Mar. 9. Coe made his AHL debut Mar. 12, at Bakersfield. | Source: Bakersfield Set up by Kellman and Noesen. pic.twitter.com/9iQmzYVLta Condors — Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) March 31, 2021 “I think my [strength is] my play-making,” Coe, the Battalion’s assist leader last season, said. “Being a bigger guy and being able to skate and The Condors added another goal late in the third period, but the make plays, I think is one of my bigger attributes.” Barracuda shut down a late Bakersfield power play for the 4-3 win. Kořenář (4-0-2) made 30 saves in his fourth win of the season after With the start of the 2021-22 OHL season delayed, Coe and fellow spending two weeks on the Sharks taxi squad. recently-drafted forwards Ozzy Wiesblatt and Tristen Robbins received an early look at the AHL. The Barracuda will travel to play the San Diego Gulls Saturday night.

“It’s been awesome,” Coe said. “In a regular year, I don’t think we’d have San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 this chance to be here this long to learn from the other guys, learn the style of play, and try to take my game to the next level.”

While Wiesblatt and Robbins each got a couple games in with San Jose in February before returning to their junior teams, Coe hasn’t played since his professional debut Mar. 12.

“It was a lot faster than the OHL,” Coe said. “Guys are back-checking a lot faster and taking your time and space away.”

The OHL remains as the final Canadian major-junior hockey league to not begin its 2021 season, with Coe having “no clue” when it could begin. However, living with teammates Kurtis Gabriel, Ryan Merkley, and Zachary Gallant has given Coe a new place to call home.

“Finally living alone is definitely a little bit of an eye-opener,” Coe said. “It’s been a good experience with these guys.” 1186283 San Jose Sharks Alex Iafallo Anze Kopitar Dustin Brown 299.68 54.55 56.92 55.46 2.4 2

Alex Debrincat Patrick Kane Pius Suter 285.15 67.86 Quick Thoughts: Couture Line Playing 200 Feet of Hockey – Literally 51.74 50.8 4 1.89

Chandler Stephenson Mark Stone Max Pacioretty 281.55 65.79 54.28 55.78 5.33 2.77 By Sheng Peng Alex Wennberg Jonathan Huberdeau Patric Hornqvist 267.17 45.45 54.04 50.26 3.37 4.04

Should the San Jose Sharks break up their top line? Cal Clutterbuck Casey Cizikas Matt Martin 255.98 57.14 44.68 52.55 2.81 2.11 It’s something that Erik Fowle suggested three weeks ago: Dominik Kahun Kailer Yamamoto Leon Draisaitl 251.18 How Are Sharks Skaters Performing Given Their Deployment? 57.89 47.16 42.26 2.63 1.91 It’s not a knock on the Evander Kane-Logan Couture-Kevin Labanc line. Brad Marchand David Pastrnak Patrice Bergeron 235.53 There’s a reason why Bob Boughner has leaned on the trio so much – 68 64.55 57.7 4.33 2.04 per Evolving Hockey, at 314.23 minutes, they’re one of just five lines that have played more than 300 5-on-5 minutes together. Connor McDavid Jesse Puljujarvi Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 229.68 46.15 55.6 61.46 3.13 3.66 The other four trios besides Kane-Couture-Labanc? Jake Guentzel- Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust (349.05), Jonathan Marchessault-William Aleksander Barkov Anthony Duclair Carter Verhaeghe 227.5 Karlsson-Reilly Smith (333.78), Carl Hagelin-Nic Dowd-Garnet Hathaway 63.64 61.9 70.05 3.69 2.11 (322.57), and Gabriel Landeskog-Nathan MacKinnon-Mikko Rantanen (321.9). Adam Lowry Andrew Copp Mason Appleton 225.83 43.75 41.09 41.25 1.86 2.39 Instead, Fowle’s idea is rooted in the idea that the San Jose Sharks should balance their lines, spread the wealth. So perhaps, as Erik Auston Matthews Mitch Marner Zach Hyman 224.32 suggested, keep Kane-Couture together, pair Labanc with Dylan 64 50.72 61.72 4.28 2.41 Gambrell to give the third line a legitimate offensive threat. This type of Jonathan Drouin Josh Anderson Nick Suzuki 224.08 line construction can also pave a runway for younger Sharks to succeed: 50 54.66 58.98 2.95 2.95 Kane-Couture can help a more inexperienced skill forward blossom, while Labanc-Gambrell could provide a security blanket for another Anders Lee Jordan Eberle Mathew Barzal 223.98 younger forward. 66.67 58.68 64.58 4.29 2.14

In principle, it’s a sound idea. Naturally, the San Jose Sharks head coach Brendan Gallagher Phillip Danault Tomas Tatar 222.07 has thought about it too. 82.35 61.63 67.79 3.78 0.81

“I’ve thought many times of separating them,” Boughner acknowledged Anthony Beauvillier Brock Nelson Josh Bailey 212.57 last night, after San Jose’s 4-3 shootout victory over Minnesota. 88.89 51.71 63.86 2.26 0.28

But he also offered a reason for keeping them together: “For me, they got Blake Wheeler Mark Scheifele Paul Stastny 207.97 to play against the top lines every night. Their details defensively have 50 46.68 47.07 2.6 2.6 got to be just as solid [as offensively].” Colin White (C) Evgeny Dadonov Nick Paul 204.7 47.37 Essentially, they’re the Sharks’ top offensive and defensive line. 56.92 48.55 2.64 2.93

Look at it from Boughner’s perspective: You’re trying to win games. Dillon Dube Elias Lindholm Matthew Tkachuk 203.33 You’re trying to make the playoffs – you’re six points out with just 22 72.73 51.27 44.15 4.72 1.77 games to go, but you also have seven straight games with cellar-dwelling Anaheim and bubble team Los Angeles coming up. Stranger things have Andre Burakovsky Brandon Saad Nazem Kadri 201.67 happened. You’ve found an all-purpose line that can play any way, 66.67 59.32 66.11 2.98 1.49 defend anywhere – essentially, for 15 minutes or so a night at 5-on-5, So here’s some context: It’s impressive that the Couture line has been as you have some peace of mind, no matter who Kane-Couture-Labanc are productive as they’ve been, considering their challenging Defensive Zone playing. Faceoff %.

Labanc is well aware of the weight that his line is carrying: “We have to While Evolving Hockey doesn’t feature that stat by line, you can get a make sure that we’re contributing every night because we’re the top line sense just by looking at the specific centerman’s DZ FO %. Just six on the team. Coaches expect that type of responsibility from us.” centers have played over 200+ minutes at 5-on-5 with the same Per Evolving Hockey, here are some of their underlying numbers, linemates – and have a 35 percent-or-harder individual DZ FO %. DZ FO presented without context. Purely based on their results, Kane-Couture- %, by the way, means the percentage of Defensive Zone Faceoffs that a Labanc are above-average offensively (Goals For Per 60), below- player takes as opposed to any other zones, so the higher your number, average defensively (Goals Against Per 60), making for an averagish top the more backed up you start on the ice. line (Expected Goals %). That, of course, is a very uncritical look. Player Team DZF%

Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 TOI GF% CF% xGF% Nic Dowd WSH 52.99 GF/60 GA/60 Casey Cizikas NYI 39.39 Bryan Rust Jake Guentzel Sidney Crosby 349.05 64 53.77 53.98 2.75 1.55 Phillip Danault MTL 38.82

Jonathan Marchessault Reilly Smith William Karlsson Colin White (C) OTT 38.78 333.78 59.26 56.94 53.09 2.88 1.98 Logan Couture S.J 38.29 Carl Hagelin Garnet Hathaway Nic Dowd 322.57 52.17 49.81 56.23 2.23 2.05 Adam Lowry WPG 36.43

Gabriel Landeskog Mikko Rantanen Nathan MacKinnon 321.9 William Karlsson VGK 33.74 71.88 65.17 65.66 4.29 1.68 Brock Nelson NYI 32.7

Evander Kane Kevin Labanc Logan Couture 314.23 Nick Suzuki MTL 32.66 48.65 52.14 53.07 3.44 3.63 Elias Lindholm CGY 32.6

Nazem Kadri COL 31.85

Leon Draisaitl EDM 31.79

Anze Kopitar L.A 30

Of these half-dozen pivots, only Couture and Phillip Danault center a line that averages more than three Goals Per 60 at 5-on-5. So what does this suggest? That the Couture line is starting from one end of ice and trying to get to the other end more than other heavily-used lines – and succeeding at it.

All said, this isn’t an argument for keeping together or breaking apart the Couture line. It’s just an illustration of the work that they’re doing.

San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186284 Seattle Kraken later, the deal came to fruition. Most of us didn’t realize any of this until June ahead of the expansion draft.

Hence, Seattle is allowed to have similar conversations ahead of this LeBrun: How the Kraken are impacting the NHL trade deadline and why trade deadline if teams find it necessary to get clarity now before making the Flyers could add a goalie a separate trade which affects their roster and their expansion draft situation.

But it may also be that perhaps Francis thinks his leverage will only grow By Pierre LeBrun Mar 31, 2021 as we get closer to the expansion draft with teams under duress like never before with the flat cap, so maybe he doesn’t commit to anything

now. There would appear to be one GM who is increasingly getting phone Meanwhile, the expectation is that Seattle’s $650 million expansion fee calls these days ahead of the NHL trade deadline and he doesn’t even payment process will be “closed” by late April. Which is just a little later have a player to deal away. than Vegas four years ago. Remember that once you “close,” you Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis is a popular man as the deadline rolls become an official franchise and can start making official player around. transactions. Seattle will have to wait until they make that last payment before signing any potential prospect free agents. Sources around the league say some teams are trying to feel him out to see what his price might be to appease some protection list issues ahead Panthers can’t replace Ekblad but will scour market for D of the July expansion draft. You don’t replace a No. 1 D like Aaron Ekblad weeks before the trade Why now? deadline. On top of that, the Panthers aren’t willing to give up a first- round pick or an elite prospect, the big picture and where the franchise is Let me explain. headed under first-year GM Bill Zito overrides everything else. But if there’s a soft deal before the deadline that can help their blue line, my Take Mattias Ekholm as an example. First, with the way the Nashville sense is that Zito will look into it. Perhaps the X-factor here is if teams Predators are winning games and back into the playoff race, I’m not step up on pending UFA goalie Chris Driedger, maybe there’s an asset to convinced anymore that Ekholm would necessarily move before the be gained there that can help offset trading a pick for a D. But Florida is deadline. It could be a summer decision instead if the Preds stay in it. very mindful over the big picture. If Florida does trade for a D, a hockey But let’s go by what we know is the price to even get David Poile’s deal for someone who can help them past this season would make the attention in Nashville regarding Ekholm: Three assets. A first-round pick, most sense. an elite prospect plus another piece of some kind. Flyers ponder whether to get goaltending help OK, so maybe you’re Philadelphia or Winnipeg, let’s say, and you’re It’s been a real tough year for Carter Hart to the point where I hear the contemplating it. Flyers have debated internally if they go out and get goaltending help But then you’re concerned if you’re those teams that once you acquire before the deadline to help out veteran Brian Elliott while they perhaps Ekholm, you want to make sure you’re not losing a blueliner you can no provide Hart with a reset to work on his game. But there’s risk in that, longer protect in a 7-3-1 protection list because you’d want to protect perhaps the better way for Hart to find his game is to get more NHL Ekholm. games. No easy answer either way.

So you’re calling ahead to Seattle and wondering what the price might But the big caveat here is that the Flyers would only act on that if they be, at this early stage, to make sure that fourth defenceman doesn’t get stay in the playoff race. So the next seven games before the deadline are picked in the expansion draft. huge. Frankly, if the Flyers fall out of it, they could become sellers. If they stay in the race and decide to add a goalie, Jonathan Bernier is among And you’re told by Francis that it’s a first-round pick and a prospect and those on Flyers’ radar. Remember that Dean Lombardi drafted Bernier in maybe another piece. Which is what one source suggested to me this Los Angeles and is now an advisor in the Flyers’ front office. past week. Habs may still have another move in them So now, if you’re trading for Ekholm, you’re giving up 5-6 assets to get him? Two or three pieces to Nashville and two or three assets to Seattle The Canadiens are super tight against the salary cap after acquiring Eric in order to protect the affected defenceman ahead of the expansion Staal and are looking to shed some salary ahead of the deadline, draft? sources around the league suggested to me over the past few days. But it’s not a must. The Canadiens could live without it, but they’re open to it That’s just not worth it. in order to give themselves more flexibility.

Of course, you can decide instead to protect eight skaters and a goalie My sense is that they were working on another move Friday on the same including four defencemen but most teams try to avoid that because day they got Staal but that move either fell through or got put on hold. I they’d rather go 7-3-1. think a lot of the teams talking to Montreal seem to want to wait closer to So what I wonder is if Francis, closer to April 12, will start to settle in April 12 to make a decision. Artturi Lehkonen is a name making the some cases and come to an understanding with a few teams on a slightly rounds, he’s RFA after the season and still only 25 so could have some cheaper asset price. Or not. appeal. But for those same reasons, the Habs may want to keep him.

A league office source confirmed to me Tuesday that Seattle can have Sharks open to renting out cap space for a pick these discussions with teams but with the clear understanding that Meanwhile, San Jose has told teams it has cap space for rent. The nothing is binding. Because Seattle can’t start making official, bona fide Sharks have more than $6 million in cap space and are seeking to trades yet. But the league is fine with Seattle having a verbal leverage that into an asset or two. Keep an eye on them potentially being understanding with teams, which is basically teams trusting Francis to his that third team in a complicated cap deal to facilitate word. And if you know Francis and his reputation around the league, you know his word is gold. The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021

Remember that Vegas and Pittsburgh on trade deadline day 2017 had an understanding regarding Marc-Andre Fleury, which Jim Rutherford confirmed to me again this week. I’ve written about this before, but it still surprises people to this day. The Penguins knew they would send a second-round pick to Vegas in June and Vegas would take Fleury (who agreed to waive a no-trade clause). It was important for Pittsburgh and Fleury to know that months ahead of time.

But it came down to Rutherford and Vegas’ George McPhee trusting each other’s word because nothing was official. So almost four months 1186285 St Louis Blues “And then if they bump their legs or something, they start crying, and then this comes back again: ‘I want to see Dad. I want to see Dad.’ So she needed a break, too.”

Blues notebook: Stay in doghouse short-lived for Hoffman St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.01.2021

Jim Thomas

Whatever doghouse Mike Hoffman was in, the assignment has proven temporary. On Wednesday, he found himself in much more comfortable surroundings, namely the second line with Brayden Schenn and David Perron in practice.

“He’s gotta be put in a good situation so he can succeed,” coach said. “He’s a scorer. He’s an offensive player, so you gotta put him with offensive players and play him there.

“Sitting out a game here and there, that’s part of hockey and that’s part of coaches’ decisions. They might not always be the right ones, but it’s a decision I made.

“We both gotta move on, and he’s gotta go play hockey. And I gotta trust him. Which I do. He’s a proven scorer in this league and I think he can do a good job for us.”

Hoffman’s benching Sunday against Anaheim isn’t the first time Berube has made someone a healthy scratch as a prod to get him to play better. Vince Dunn and Sammy Blais also have been healthy scratches this year. David Perron got the healthy scratch treatment early in the Blues’ Stanley Cup season.

“It just catches the attention of everyone,” Perron said. “It’s about one guy in a way, but it’s also about the whole (team). I mean when you show up at 1-2 p.m. for a four o’clock game, you see a lineup and he’s not on there.

“Obviously, there’s little conversations that happen. Some guys that are more in-and-out of the lineup kind of start paying attention even more. And even guys that maybe haven’t been doing as well, things like that.”

But Perron said his experience showed that Berube makes his point and moves on.

“I had good conversations with Chief when that happened and Chief is probably the best guy at that,” Perron said. “He’ll single you out like he did maybe to Hoff there, but at the same time he’ll give you a chance to get back and prove that you can give more.

“And I’m really thankful for Chief for that. He turns the page on that, he gives him a decent opportunity.”

Couple days off

After a stretch in which the Blues were on the road for 25 of 29 days, and then stumbled at home over the weekend against Anaheim, they got Monday and Tuesday off. The hope is that it will be a mental and physical refresher.

“I think sometimes when things aren’t going well for you, and you’re working hard and you come up short, getting away from the game for a couple days and just spending time with your family and enjoying that is good,” Berube said.

“It really is. I think getting your mind away from it, the stress level drops a little bit and you enjoy it a little bit more when you come back to the rink.”

After spending almost the entire month of March away from home, spending a couple of days at home can work wonders, particularly for players with families.

“Definitely nice to be around the kids, drop them off at school, pick them up, stuff like that,” Perron said. “Just little things. Enjoy bike rides, and just normal family stuff. So it had been a while for sure. For me it was nice.”

So Perron’s children remembered who he was after all that time away?

“The stranger that comes around the house every once in a while, I guess,” he said. “But that’s also the other thing. It’s hard. They’re the age, like three and five years old, that they’re asking Mom every single night, every single day: ‘We miss Dad. When’s he coming home?’ 1186286 St Louis Blues As for Parayko, he was once again skating with Niko Mikkola on a fourth — or extra — defensive pairing. Although he continues to make progress with his back injury, his timetable remains murkier.

Blues continue to get healthier, but won-loss record keeps dipping “Different situation to be honest,” Berube said. “I don’t really (know). Tomorrow we’ll see how he looks and how he feels again. And we’ll make a decision on him. But that one’s up in the air still.”

Jim Thomas Parayko is doing more and more in practice, in terms of skating and drills and just general physical exertion, and looks more and more comfortable

doing it. But he hasn’t really twisted that big frame of his, creating the For the first time in forever, Ivan Barbashev was back at practice torque to unleash one of his 100 mph slap shots. Wednesday, skating with the full Blues squad at Enterprise Center. He A back injury can be trickier in terms of knowing when exactly it’s OK to could be in the lineup as soon as Friday’s contest in Colorado according go full bore. to coach Craig Berube. “Definitely,” Berube said. “Way more trickier. The issues he has, he’s Colton Parayko was out there as well. He has now become a familiar gotta feel comfortable mentally. Physically, he’s probably not gonna feel participant in practice as he inches closer to a return to action. as good as he wants to feel. But we’ll have to see.” Vladimir Tarasenko has been back for a while. Jaden Schwartz, Tyler Even factoring all that into the equation, it certainly looks like Parayko’s Bozak, Robert Thomas and Jacob de la Rose all have returned over the return is near. last couple of weeks. But there’s been an odd feature about Blues players returning to health: There were 24 Blues taking part in Wednesday’s practice, and as Berube the more players return, the worse the Blues seem to be doing in the looked over the group, it’s the closest he’s had to his full roster in a long, won-lost column. long time. Tarasenko was the first among the steady stream of returning players, “It’s nice for sure, seeing a lot of guys out there that you didn’t see for a followed by Bozak, Schwartz and the others. Since they started getting while,” Berube said. “I think it just changes your dynamic and how your the band back together, the Blues have won only two of 11 games (2-5- team looks for sure. And how your team feels, to be honest with you. 4). Normally when you get your regulars back in the lineup, you expect to “It’s been a tough year with injuries. We all know that. You gotta go get better. Not worse. through that at times. The bottom line is we are getting healthy now. We Undoubtedly, an adjustment period was expected. But probably not one don’t have everybody back, but we’ve got a number of our guys back.” that’s lasted this long and has been so bumpy. Granted, Oskar Sundqvist (knee) and Carl Gunnarsson (knee) aren’t “I think that before we started getting guys back, there was like a coming back this season. Fourth-liner Mackenzie MacEachern (upper- chemistry going on with our team,” Berube said. “We were playing well, body) remains on injured reserve. But assuming Barbashev and Parayko doing some little things right defensively and keeping games tight. are back in the lineup soon, this is about as good as it will get for the Finding ways to win games. Blues. “And then you start getting new people back and they’re put in situations So what can the Blues do with that? Can they snap out of their funk, and that maybe somebody else was in before.” be the team everyone thought they could be at the start of the season — a leading contender in the West Division? Roles change. Lines get juggled. The power play and penalty kill units are adjusted. And for the players returning from injury, especially those Or will they continue this slide towards mediocrity and quite possibly miss who have been out for extended periods, it takes a while to get back to the playoffs altogether? game speed. “We have an opportunity to turn things around here, and it starts in “You kind of lose your chemistry a little bit with your club,” Berube said. Colorado on Friday,” Berube said. “But again, I think we’ve got a number of guys back for a number of Floundering at 16-13-6, the Blues have 21 games remaining in the games now. It’s gotta get past that.” regular season. Seventeen of those 21 are against the top three teams in Or it’ll be too late. the West — Vegas, Colorado and Minnesota — starting with games Friday and Saturday against the Avalanche in Denver. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.01.2021 The Blues have an opportunity to attack this closing stretch with pretty much a full deck.

“It’s always good to have another guy get out there with us and practice,” Zach Sanford said. “It’s been a tough year as far as injuries and stuff go. But there’s no better time to get guys back than the end of the year, and hopefully Barbs can jump right back in and help us out.”

Barbashev was playing some of his best hockey of the season — two goals, two assists and plus-5 over a five-game stretch — when struck in the left ankle by a David Perron shot in the third period of a Feb. 18 game against San Jose.

The friendly fire has sidelined him for 18 games, but Wednesday marked the first time he’s been seen by the media skating with the full roster. (Berube said he’s been skating behind the scenes as well.)

“He looked good today,” Berube said after practice. “I think he’s making real good strides. We’ll evaluate him tomorrow. I talked to him about possibly (playing) Friday. He looks pretty good. But he’s gotta feel like he’s ready to go.”

In practice, Barbashev alternated as the fourth-line center with Bozak. A healthy Barbashev is kind of a “glue” player, similar to Sundqvist, in terms of helping the entire operation run more smoothly. He can play up in the lineup if needed, is comfortable at both center and wing. He’s one of the team’s best penalty-killing forwards, can grind and play the physical game, and will pop in a goal every now and then. 1186287 St Louis Blues

Blues update: Barbashev could be back Friday

Tom Timmermann

The next Blue back in the lineup could be forward Ivan Barbashev.

Barbashev took part in practice on Wednesday, the first time he'd been seen on ice with his teammates, and coach Craig Berube said he might be in the lineup on Friday when the Blues play Colorado in Denver.

"He looked good today," Berube said. "I think he's making real good strides and we'll evaluate him tomorrow and I've talked to him about possibly Friday. He looks pretty good but he's got to feel like he's ready to go. So we'll wait till tomorrow."

Berube was more confident about Barbashev than he was about another player on the cusp of a comeback, Colton Parayko. He also skated with the team, though on a fourth defensive pairing with Niko Mikkola.

"Different situation," Berube said. "I don't really know. Tomorrow, we'll see how he looks and how he feels again and make a decision on him. That one's up in the air."

Parayko has been out since Feb. 18 with a back injury that was limiting his effectiveness before he came out.

"Way more trickier," Berube said. "That issue he has, he has to feel comfortable mentally and, physically, he's probably not going to feel as good as he wants to feel. But we'll have to see."

Defenseman Vince Dunn, who was a late scratch on Sunday after taking a puck off the leg on Friday, was back on the ice. "He seemed fine today," Berube said. "We'll see how he is tomorrow again. I think he skated OK, not great out there, but we'll see how he is tomorrow."

Mike Hoffman, a healthy scratch on Sunday, got a prime spot on Wednesday, skating on the line with Brayden Schenn and David Perron.

Here are the lines and pairings:

Forwards

Schwartz-O'Reilly-Tarasenko

Hoffman-Schenn-Perron

Sanford-Thomas-Kyrou

Clifford-Bozak/Barbashev-Blais

Defensemen

Krug-Faulk

Dunn-Scandella

Walman-Bortuzzo

Mikkola-Parayko

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186288 St Louis Blues Overall this year, he is 10-10-5 with a 2.78 GAA and a .903 save percentage, and his goals-against per 60 minutes at even strength is 2.43, the highest in his past three seasons.

The Blues down the stretch: Who needs to step up, trade targets and The defense in front of him is not the same with the losses of Alex how the rest of the schedule plays out Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester and an injured Colton Parayko, but since his good start to the season, he has not bailed out the Blues on many occasions or made some of the saves they’ve been accustomed to from him. By Jeremy Rutherford Mar 31, 2021 Vladimir Tarasenko

You have to grade Tarasenko’s first few weeks back from a third The Blues know they need more scoring. They know the power play has shoulder surgery on a curve. He needed to get back into game condition, to be better. They know the goaltending must improve. find his timing and re-create chemistry with his teammates. But after Sunday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Anaheim, Blues coach Craig He has now played 11 games, which might not be enough to be Berube just wanted his players to get away. They had spent 23 days on completely up to speed, but it’s fair to start grading him with the rest of the road in the last month, and with the results not coming on the ice (2- the Blues, and if you’re doing that, he can be better. With 17 shots on 5-4 in their previous 11 games), he decided to give them two days off goal in the previous three games, he’s starting to look more like a scoring and return to practice on Wednesday. threat, but he still needs to move his feet a lot more. “I think that’ll be good for them, not to constantly be thinking about The Blues’ recent stretch of 2-5-4 coincides with his return. He must be hockey,” Berube said before the break. “It’s good that they can get away more of a difference-maker in the win-loss column for the Blues to be in for a couple days and clear their heads a little bit and come back with the postseason. some energy. We need to have good practices and work on some things, so we’ll get after that this week.” Mike Hoffman

The Blues, who will have two days of practice before Friday’s game in There was a lot of excitement when Hoffman signed a one-year, $4 Colorado, are in fourth place in the West Division with 38 points and a million contract a few days before training camp, but that enthusiasm has .543 points percentage. dissipated.

They have 21 games remaining — 17 against division leaders Vegas He has eight goals and 20 points, which both rank fifth on the Blues’ (four), Colorado (six) and Minnesota (seven) — and will play them in a roster. But a major reason he was brought in was that he’s been in span of 39 days. Their longest break will be back-to-back days off twice double digits in power-play goals in three of the past four seasons, and (April 15-16 and 18-19), which means they’ll be playing every other day he has just one in 33 games this year. with the exception of one game (April 17) in a five-day span. And while engaged in that grueling schedule, they’ll be trying to fend off Arizona, He was a healthy scratch Sunday against Anaheim because Berube and potentially L.A. and San Jose, for the final playoff spot in the division. wants to see more effort, which is justified. But whether it’s more effort or more opportunity, the Blues would benefit greatly from this signing if he “It’s not getting any easier,” Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly said. “These are could become a bigger contributor. big games for us and big points. It’s going to be a tough, tight race, (but) I believe we can do it.” Robert Thomas

For the Blues to make the playoffs, The Athletic broke down how the Thomas is only 21 years old and coming off thumb surgery, but when remainder of the season needs to unfold. We’ll put the microscope on you’re a first-round pick who has already won a Stanley Cup, people are several players, look at a few trade targets and predict how the rest of counting on you. the schedule plays out. This was supposed to be the year when he seized the top-six role that Who has to step up? was given to him at the start of the season, but that didn’t happen, as he notched just one goal and five assists in 12 games before the injury. But When you’re in the situation the Blues are in, there are a lot of players it wasn’t so much the lack of points as it was the lack of shots, with just who need to step up. Even those like Jaden Schwartz and Brayden seven attempts in those 12 games. Schenn, who are maximum-effort guys, could help cure the scoring problems. Schwartz doesn’t have a goal in 13 games, and it’s been nine After missing 19 games because of his thumb surgery, he’s been back in for Schenn. the lineup for four, and the issues are the same: no points and just two shots on goal. If the Blues are going to find their offense, he has to be a However, I’ve identified the top five players who have more to give; if vital part, and he can do that by scoring himself or using the threat of his they don’t, making the playoffs is going to be a problem. shot to help set up others.

Torey Krug Who can help?

There were concerns about whether Krug could handle a bigger role and Two weeks ago, we released our Blues trade tiers and explained how it more minutes than he had in Boston. Playing 2 1/2 minutes more per might be too difficult for general manager Doug Armstrong to make a game in St. Louis this season, he has been OK at times defensively, but move by the trade deadline on April 12. too often he’s been bullied around the net, and lately he’s been on the wrong end of some costly turnovers. Part of it might hinge on whether Parayko, who has missed 20 games with a back injury, will return. He has been skating recently, but as of last Meanwhile, he has one goal, which came on Jan. 23 (31 games ago) on week, Berube said there’s no definitive timetable for his return. If he the power play. Despite averaging 19:47 of ice time per game at even doesn’t return, the Blues could use his $5.5 million salary, which is strength, Krug does not have a single five-on-five goal. currently set aside on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), to make a deal at the deadline. It might be asking a lot for him to be a consistently effective top-pair defenseman, but he has to produce more offensively and can’t make as In the meantime, let’s take a look at five players from our latest NHL many mental mistakes that end up in the back of the net. trade deadline big board, realizing they’re probably too expensive for the cap-strapped Blues, but it’s still fun to speculate. Torey Krug has one goal this season. (Jeff Curry / USA Today) Taylor Hall, LW, Buffalo Jordan Binnington There were eyebrows raised this week when Sportsnet’s Elliotte Binnington started the season 6-1-1 with a 2.55 goals-against average Friedman wondered if the Blues were one of the clubs checking in on and a .918 save percentage, but since Feb. 4, he’s 4-9-4 with a 2.88 him. Here’s what we know: Armstrong’s interest in the speedy forward GAA and an .895 save percentage. He has played 18 games since Feb. goes back to at least 2017, when he tried to make a deal with Edmonton 4, and among goalies who’ve played at least 10 games in that span, his for Kevin Shattenkirk. And it would take some serious salary-cap dancing .895 save percentage ranks 37th in the league. by the Blues with his $8 million average annual value. Mattias Ekholm, D, Nashville April 20, 22, 24 vs. Colorado: OK, remember two paragraphs above when I liked the Blues’ chances and took the Avalanche? It’s because I Ekholm would look great on the Blues’ left side with Krug and Marco can’t see the Blues having the Avs’ number down the stretch, and I like Scandella, and he has one more season remaining on his contract at a the Blues in this situation. They’ll be playing one game in five days before team-friendly $3.75 million, so the attraction around the league is hosting the Avs for three games. Give me the Blues in two of them. plentiful. But with the Predators’ recent turnaround — 8-1 in their previous nine games and now in fourth place in the Central Division — April 26, 28, 30, May 1 at Minnesota: The Blues didn’t see the Wild until will he even be available at the deadline? March 25 this season in Game No. 33, a 2-0 loss. As a result of not playing each other in the first half, the Blues and Wild will meet seven Kyle Palmieri, RW, New Jersey times in the second half, wrapping up with these four. I’ll go off the grid Palmieri is contemplating a contract extension with the Devils, but if that and say the Blues win the first two in Minnesota and lose the last two at doesn’t come to fruition, the pending unrestricted free agent, who has a home. cap hit of $4.65 million, might become available. The Blues’ right side is May 3-5 vs. Anaheim: If the Blues lose either one of these two against relatively spoken for with Tarasenko and David Perron, but a struggling the Ducks, they don’t deserve to make the playoffs. Blues sweep. offense would welcome his five previous seasons of 20-plus goals. May 7-8 at Vegas: The Golden Knights are in first place in the West Bobby Ryan, RW, Detroit Division at this point in the season and just trying to stay healthy. They Ryan’s out with an upper-body injury, but it’s considered minor. He’s far may even rest some players. But they are Vegas, so the Blues leave the removed from his days as a 30-goal scorer with Anaheim, but he has Strip with a split. netted seven goals and 14 points in 33 games this season and could be May 10 at Los Angeles: This game was postponed because of inclement counted on as a third-liner with perhaps some time on the power play. weather that stranded the Kings in Colorado and tacked on to the end of The plus is he’s a veteran who would come cheap with a $1 million AAV. the schedule. Could the regular-season finale determine whether the Jake DeBrusk, LW, Boston Blues or Kings go to the playoffs? Probably not, but the Kings prevail because the Blues still can’t figure out the 1-3-1. DeBrusk has just three goals in 21 games this season, and just one of those has come at even strength. But if the Bruins decided to move the How it plays out No. 14 overall pick from 2015, the Blues might consider trying to buy low Who steps up: My pick is Tarasenko, and I’ll say he scores six goals in on a player who scored 62 goals in his first three seasons in the league. the last 21 games. For the Blues’ sake, Binnington has to be another The risk comes with one more season at $3.68 million AAV, but perhaps player who ends up in this category. a change of scenery would do him well. Who helps: Parayko comes back, so the Blues don’t have much financial Who wins? flexibility, and they add the inexpensive Ryan for offensive depth.

Again, the Blues have 21 games left in the regular season, and it’s a Who wins: Their points percentage is currently .543, and according to my gauntlet. They haven’t played well lately, so I figured, “What could be so prediction of 12-9 (.571), they play slightly better down the stretch. hard about predicting which games they win down the stretch?” Could the Kings or Coyotes pass the Blues down the stretch? (Kirby Lee What was I thinking? / USA Today)

Well, here’s how I’m going to do it: Taking a page out of the NFL What happens: If the Blues do earn 24 points in their final 21 games — preseason previews in which the pundits predict W’s and L’s for each of and again, that will be a chore with their remaining schedule featuring the the 16 (now 17) games, I’m going to follow suit with the Blues’ remaining three opponents at the top of the division — they would finish with 62. schedule. Only, instead of each game, I’m going to break them down into two-game sets when applicable. Would that be enough to claim one of the four playoff spots in the West, which is shaping up to be a competition for two spots between No. 3 I’ll stay away from overtime and shootouts to keep the points cut and Minnesota (44 points), No. 4 St. Louis (38), No. 5 Arizona (37) and No. 6 dried — two or none. Los Angeles (32)?

Friday-Saturday at Colorado: The Blues benefit from the four days off The third-place Wild have an edge with three games in hand on the and the chance to reset, and despite Colorado being 9-0-2 in its 11 Blues and Coyotes. But there’s a lot of hockey left between these teams, games going into Wednesday’s matchup with Arizona, the Blues surprise with the Blues facing the Wild seven times, along with three more Wild- the Avalanche with a win in Game 1. The Avs, however, respond with a Coyotes matchups and five more Coyotes-Kings matchups. lopsided win in the second game — wait, hasn’t that happened this season? If Parayko comes back and the other injured Blues who recently returned can start to jell, I’ll go out on a limb — and it’s a pretty shaky limb with the Monday-Wednesday vs. Vegas: The Blues have to figure out the home- way they’re playing at the moment — and say they claim the fourth ice thing at some point, right? You know, the 4-8-4 record at Enterprise playoff spot in the division. Center this season, including 0-5-2 in the last seven? Oh, they don’t figure it out in this series? Well, I’m feeling a split, with Vegas stretching But just barely. the Blues’ home losing streak to eight games with a win in the first game before the Blues finally put it to rest in the second game. The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021

Jordan Binnington will have to be a big part of any Blues turnaround. (John Locher / USA Today)

April 9, 10, 12 vs. Minnesota: This one is three games, and both clubs will be coming off difficult series (the Wild after a two-game set against Vegas). The first two games will be back-to-back in St. Louis, and the Wild will have an advantage if there’s a backup goalie dual. But I say the Blues take two of three, splitting in St. Louis and winning in Minnesota.

April 14 vs. Colorado: The Blues have a shot to win this game because the Avalanche will be coming off a trip to Anaheim and playing their third game in four nights. But I’m going with the Avs, and I’ll give you more of my reasoning in a moment.

April 17 at Arizona: Any Blues fans remember the Coyotes? Remember seven straight games from Feb. 2 through Feb. 15? Seemed like a playoff series, only in the regular season? The Yotes have the advantage, winning four of those seven meetings, but with playoff implications on the line, the Blues take this one. 1186289 Tampa Bay Lightning Hedman also leads the Lightning in shots (92), power-play points (19) and average time on ice per game (25:28, more than three minutes above Sergachev’s 22:07, the next-highest). On Tuesday, Hedman posted a career-high 10 shots on goal, surpassing his Dec. 21, 2017 Lightning dodge a bullet in loss to Blue Jackets record of nine.

Victor Hedman left for five minutes before coming back to finish the “No doubt you don’t want to see anybody go down ever, especially game. With a rash of recent injuries to defensemen, Tampa Bay can’t somebody of Victor’s (caliber) and what he means to our team,” Cooper afford to lose him. said Tuesday night. “It ended up being a scare, and thank goodness it was just that.”

McDonagh skated in the full practice Wednesday and is “close” to By Mari Faiello returning, Cooper said. Cernak made a brief appearance before his team went out on the ice but left before Cooper blew the whistle to start drills. Rutta did not make an appearance. TAMPA — Amalie Arena went silent during the second period of Tuesday’s loss to the Blue Jackets when Lightning fans, players and “Cernak and Rutta are steps back, unfortunately,” Cooper said. “I can’t coaches noticed one of the league’s most prominent defensemen lying make a prognosis, but we were hoping they’d be a bit further along than face-down on the ice. they are.”

Victor Hedman went awkwardly into the boards near the Columbus goal Up next after Blue Jackets defenseman Mikko Lehtonen took out his skates while vs. Blue Jackets, 7 p.m. Thursday diving to try to block a Hedman shot. The Conn Smythe-winning defenseman struggled to get up under his own power and had to be Amalie Arena, Tampa helped off the ice by trainer Tom Mulligan and captain Steven Stamkos. TV/radio: Bally Sports Sun; radio: 970 WFLA After returning to to the bench, Hedman took a brief skate at the next stoppage, then took his next shift exactly 4:25 after he was taken off the Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.01.2021 ice.

Things you don't want to see if you're a Lightning fan:pic.twitter.com/EZG8Deklfd

— Sports by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Sports) March 31, 2021

Though the whole incident took only about five minutes of real time, it felt much longer. That’s how important Hedman is to this Lightning squad.

“First and foremost, hockey aside, you just hope he’s okay,” center Brayden Point said. “And then to see him battle back was a huge relief for our team. ... (He’s) a leading scorer, a top-minutes guy, one of our best players. (It was) great to see him back.”

The scare brought one thing to the forefront: aside from goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, Hedman might be the player the Lightning can least afford to lose right now.

Defenseman Ryan McDonagh (who missed his fourth game Tuesday with a lower-body injury) has helped take some of the load off Hedman since he was acquired from the Rangers in 2018.

Hedman went from a career-high average time on ice of 25:51 that season to 22:46 in 2018-19. His time went up slightly to 24:04 in 2019-20 and has since increased to 25:28 through 35 games this year.

In addition to McDonagh’s absence, defensemen Erik Cernak (three games; lower-body) and Jan Rutta (left Tuesday’s game in the second period with a lower-body injury) have been plagued by injuries of late.

Had Hedman not returned Tuesday, the Lightning would have been forced to play with four defensemen: rookie Cal Foote, Andreas Borgman, Luke Schenn and Mikhail Sergachev. Instead, the team dodged a bullet.

“We have some quality defensemen here, but we did lose some guys who are important to our team in (Kevin) Shattenkirk, (Zach) Bogosian and (Braydon) Coburn, and you’re replacing them with guys with less experience,” coach said. “The fact that guys are hurt right now is getting these guys experience, and that’s a good thing.”

The Lightning have felt the effects of the injury pileup more acutely, Cooper said Tuesday, because of the schedule changes this season. Even in a shortened 56-game season, the coach said, there were more breaks between games than they’ve had recently. But it’s no different than what every other team in the league is going through, he said.

“There’s a lot more condensed, and so when you do get hurt, guys probably miss more games than they normally would,” Cooper said. “But injuries happen in a game, every team goes through them. It’s not just us, it’s everybody. Your depth gets tested, and right now we’re getting tested.”

No team can compensate for the loss of Hedman. The former Norris Trophy winner leads all NHL defensemen with a team-high 33 points (six goals, 27 assists). 1186290 Toronto Maple Leafs

Agostino, Petan lead Marlies over Heat 5-2

The Canadian Press

Kenny Agostino and Nic Petan each had a goal and an assist as part of a four-goal third period, and the Toronto Marlies beat the Stockton Heat 5- 2 on Wednesday in American Hockey League play.

Tyler Gaudet and Nick Robertson also scored in the final frame to help Toronto earn its third win in a row.

Kalle Kossila opened the scoring in the second period for the Marlies (10- 8-1), who got 22 saves from Joseph Woll.

Luke Philp and Emilio Pettersen had goals for the Heat (9-9-1).

Garret Sparks stopped 26-of-30 shots in defeat.

Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186291 Toronto Maple Leafs Matthews has scored the opening goal of the game six times this season. Marner, with an assist on Matthews’ goal, ran his points streak against the Jets to five games this season, the first Leaf to record a five-game point streak against Winnipeg. Maple Leafs down Jets 3-1 to extend lead in North Division to three points Hyman made it 2-0 at 10:47, poking the puck in from in-close after Matthews hit the post following a gorgeous move by Marner – that left 6- foot-7 rookie defenceman Logan Stanley sliding into oblivion – as the Leafs top line swarmed the Winnipeg net. The Jets unsuccessfully JOHN WOODS/THE CANADIAN PRESS challenged for goalie interference on Hyman.

Winnipeg closed the margin to 14-6 at the end of the first. Hyman had six The Maple Leafs got the start they wanted. The Winnipeg Jets, back shots alone in the period. home after a seven-game road trip, didn’t. The Jets had more life in the second, outshooting Toronto 16-7 in the Auston Matthews scored his league-leading 24th goal and goaltender period. But despite three straight Toronto penalties, they had to settle for Jack Campbell improved his season record to 7-0-0 as Toronto downed exchanging goals with the Leafs. Winnipeg 3-1 Wednesday to extend its lead atop the North Division over Paul Stastny appeared to lose a tooth after taking a T.J. Brodie stick to the Jets to three points. the mouth late in the period as the Winnipeg pain mounted. Kerfoot The Leafs held an early 13-2 lead in shots and were up 2-0 before the scored short-handed on the ensuing double-minor penalty, outpacing game was 11 minutes old. Morrissey after the puck got out of the Toronto zone.

“I don’t know what the numbers are but I’d imagine if you go up 2-0 in a Morrissey redeemed himself by scoring on the same power play, his shot game you’re going to win most of the time. It’s hard to come back in this beating Campbell through traffic at 17:15, with six seconds remaining in league, especially that early,” said Alex Kerfoot, who scored a short- the first of Brodie’s two minors. handed goal to make it 3-0 in the second period. “It’s nice to have that Toronto played a controlled third period to preserve the win. cushion.” Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.01.2021 Winnipeg had won four of its previous five, including a 5-1 win Monday in Calgary. But it trailed after a sluggish first period that saw Toronto dominate despite going 0-for-3 on the power play.

“I was worried about this one right from the day the schedule came out,” said Jets coach .

Adding to the Jets woes on the night, captain Blake Wheeler did not see action after the first period. Maurice had not much in the way of an update.

“We’ll get it looked at [Thursday] He just wasn’t feeling it right so we want to be careful with him,” he said.

“Truly I don’t know. He may be back on the ice full-on next game,” he added. “It’s not COVID-related.”

Toronto (23-10-3) and Winnipeg (22-13-2) meet again Friday at Bell MTS Place as Toronto continues its four-game road trip.

Zach Hyman also scored for Toronto. Mitch Marner, with two assists, registered his 13th multi-point game of the season while Matthews had his 12th multi-point game.

Josh Morrissey had the lone Jets goal.

The Leafs went 0-for-5 on the power play, extending a drought that dates back to March 9.

Toronto coach opted to pass on the power-play deficiencies, choosing instead to see the positives.

“It’s a big road win here for us. There’s a lot of things you could pick out about it that we could do better,” he said. “We’ll certainly get to work on that [Thursday]. But just focus on the fact that we had a really good start here to set us up for a chance to win the game and we did exactly that.”

The Leafs were coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to visiting Edmonton on Monday. Toronto had won its previous three outings, including two in overtime, rebounding from a poor stretch that saw it lose six of seven.

With No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen back in Toronto awaiting further injury evaluation of a lower-body injury, Campbell started for the fourth time in the last five games. Campbell, who missed the Edmonton game Monday with a lower-body injury, made 26 saves for the win.

It was career game No. 299 as a Jet for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 23 shots. Only Ondrej Pavelec (379) has played 300-plus games for the franchise.

Matthews opened the scoring at 4:40 to punctuate a sharp Leafs opening. Hyman drove to the net and Winnipeg’s Pierre Luc-Dubois and Derek Forbort ran into each other, leaving Matthews to score from close range.

Forbort, in pain after the collision, briefly went to the Jets dressing room. 1186292 Toronto Maple Leafs

Scheifele, Jets to host the Maple Leafs

By The Associated Press

Toronto Maple Leafs (23-10-3, first in the North Division) vs. Winnipeg Jets (22-13-2, second in the North Division)

Winnipeg, Manitoba; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Mark Scheifele and Winnipeg square off against Toronto. Scheifele currently ranks fifth in the league with 44 points, scoring 15 goals and recording 29 assists.

The Jets have gone 22-13-2 against division opponents. Winnipeg is third in the league with 29.5 shots per game and is averaging 3.2 goals.

The Maple Leafs are 23-10-3 against opponents in the North Division. Toronto has scored 119 goals and is fourth in the Nhl averaging 3.3 goals per game. Auston Matthews leads the team with 24.

The teams meet for the second straight game.

TOP PERFORMERS: Scheifele has 44 total points for the Jets, 15 goals and 29 assists. Andrew Copp has six goals and two assists over the last 10 games for Winnipeg.

Mitchell Marner leads the Maple Leafs with a plus-18 in 36 games this season. Morgan Rielly has seven assists over the last 10 games for Toronto.

LAST 10 GAMES: Jets: 5-5-0, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.9 assists, three penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game with a .927 save percentage.

Maple Leafs: 5-4-1, averaging 2.9 goals, 5.1 assists, 2.9 penalties and 7.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game with an .890 save percentage.

INJURIES: Jets: Blake Wheeler: day to day (undisclosed).

Maple Leafs: Rasmus Sandin: out (foot), Frederik Andersen: day to day (lower body).

Toronto Star LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186293 Toronto Maple Leafs days due to injury, and also three occasions where he’s missed either a game or a practice after starting a game.

Keefe conceded there’s a “little bit” of concern with the health of his top Mission accomplished for Maple Leafs. They’ll leave Winnipeg atop goalies, and the looming busy schedule. North “When it comes to Jack’s situation, it’s a day-to-day thing,” Keefe said.

“He’s progressed well and when he has time to recover (between By Mark Zwolinski games), he bounces back and feels good, so there’s less concern there … but it’s something we have to manage, and he has to be smart and tell us how he feels, so we can make the appropriate decisions.”

The Maple Leafs wanted first place more than the Jets did in Winnipeg Campbell said he “feels bad” when he has to take time away from the on Wednesday night. team to recover.

An outstanding first period led to a 3-1 Leafs win, fending off the Jets’ bid “It’s tough. As a competitor and a teammate, I feel bad when I get days to take over first place in the North Division. off and the other guys are grinding it out,” Campbell said after the game. “It puts more fire in my belly for when I get called on again. Obviously it’s The Leafs entered the game with a fragile one-point lead and guaranteed something I have to fight through, but I have to be smart and do what they’ll leave Winnipeg in top spot after Friday’s rematch. they tell me to do.” The top line of Auston Matthews between Zach Hyman and Mitch Marner Campbell missed a practice and a game earlier this week, but was out on notched two points each in the opening period, and the Leafs led 2-0 the ice with goalie coach Steve Briere prior to the team’s flight to after 20 minutes — on Matthews’ league-leading 24th goal of the season Winnipeg on Tuesday. and Hyman’s seventh of the month. Toronto Star LOADED: 04.01.2021 Their plan was to pressure Vezina Trophy winning Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, and they delivered. They outshot Winnipeg 14-6 in the opening period, and Hyman was largely the reason. He took punishment while barging into the crease for position. His 12th goal of the season came from his knees in the crease.

Leafs netminder Jack Campbell turned in another steady effort, stopping 26 of 27 shots. He is now 7-0-0 on the season with a .948 save percentage.

Alex Kerfoot scored short-handed in the second period while the Leafs were killing off a double minor (high sticking) to T.J. Brodie. Winnipeg finally found some success on the power play, with Josh Morrissey scoring moments after Kerfoot’s goal.

“That (Matthews) line had a lot of jump,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “They worked hard around the net, they attacked the net, and that resulted in two goals. Nothing fancy, just hard work from all three of them. It was a big win for us tonight.”

Special attention: Toronto’s power play continues to struggle, however, failing to click on four opportunities and now 0 for 22 over nine games. Their last goal with the man advantage was March 9 (Matthews, against Winnipeg). Since then, they have scored two short-handed goals, though — both against the Jets.

“I think we haven’t done a very good job creating good chances,” Matthews said. “We tried to move it around (with different power-play combinations) but it didn’t work out. We have to go back and keep it simple. It’s been an issue, and we don’t want it to be an issue in a close game and we need a goal.”

Andersen WATCH: Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen has been recovering from a lower-body injury since March 19. He hasn’t been on the ice since, and it doesn’t appear he will be any time soon.

“(Andersen has) a follow-up appointment (Thursday), which we hope gives us more information on the next steps with him,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said.

The Leafs are going to need some answers on Andersen, and quick. Wednesday’s game opened a sprint to the end of the regular season in which they will play 21 games in 43 days. They will play back-to-back games on four occasions.

If Andersen’s issues are long-term — and so far, the team has not been able to pin it down — then there is a much bigger issue with the team’s goaltending.

Jack in the crease: The Leafs started Campbell with Michael Hutchinson as the backup. Ian Scott and Veini Vehvilainen are next on the depth chart and it may be that Vehvilainen – who appeared in one game this season with Columbus — will get into the backup role.

Campbell returned after missing a practice and a game following his win in the over Edmonton on Saturday. Toronto has been managing Campbell’s workload in the three games he’s played since returning from his second injury layoff of the season. He’s had layoffs of 14 and eight 1186294 Toronto Maple Leafs Matthews has scored the opening goal of the game six times this season. Marner, with an assist on Matthews’ goal, ran his points streak against the Jets to five games this season, the first Leaf to record a five-game point streak against Winnipeg. Maple Leafs down Jets 3-1 to extend lead in North Division to three points Hyman made it 2-0 at 10:47, poking the puck in from in-close after Matthews hit the post following a gorgeous move by Marner — that left six-foot-seven rookie defenceman Logan Stanley sliding into oblivion — as the Leafs top line swarmed the Winnipeg net. The Jets unsuccessfully By The Canadian Press challenged for goalie interference on Hyman.

Winnipeg closed the margin to 14-6 at the end of the first. Hyman had six WINNIPEG - The Maple Leafs got the start they wanted. The Winnipeg shots alone in the period. Jets, back home after a seven-game road trip, didn’t. The Jets had more life in the second, outshooting Toronto 16-7 in the Auston Matthews scored his league-leading 24th goal and goaltender period. But despite three straight Toronto penalties, they had to settle for Jack Campbell improved his season record to 7-0-0 as Toronto downed exchanging goals with the Leafs. Winnipeg 3-1 Wednesday to extend its lead atop the North Division over Paul Stastny appeared to lose a tooth after taking a T.J. Brodie stick to the Jets to three points. the mouth late in the period as the Winnipeg pain mounted. Kerfoot The Leafs held an early 13-2 lead in shots and were up 2-0 before the scored shorthanded on the ensuing double-minor penalty, outpacing game was 11 minutes old. Morrissey after the puck got out of the Toronto zone.

“I don’t know what the numbers are but I’d imagine if you go up 2-0 in a Morrissey redeemed himself by scoring on the same power play, his shot game you’re going to win most of the time. It’s hard to come back in this beating Campbell through traffic at 17:15, with six seconds remaining in league, especially that early,” said Alex Kerfoot, who scored a short- the first of Brodie’s two minors. handed goal to make it 3-0 in the second period. “It’s nice to have that Toronto played a controlled third period to preserve the win. cushion.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2021 Winnipeg had won four of its previous five, including a 5-1 win Monday in Calgary. But it trailed after a sluggish first period that saw Toronto Toronto Star LOADED: 04.01.2021 dominate despite going 0-for-3 on the power play.

“I was worried about this one right from the day the schedule came out,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice.

Adding to the Jets woes on the night, captain Blake Wheeler did not see action after the first period. Maurice had not much in the way of an update.

“We’ll get it looked at (Thursday) … He just wasn’t feeling it right so we want to be careful with him,” he said.

“Truly I don’t know. He may be back on the ice full-on next game,” he added. “It’s not COVID-related.”

Toronto (23-10-3) and Winnipeg (22-13-2) meet again Friday at Bell MTS Place as Toronto continues its four-game road trip.

Zach Hyman also scored for Toronto. Mitch Marner, with two assists, registered his 13th multi-point game of the season while Matthews had his 12th multi-point game.

Josh Morrissey had the lone Jets goal.

The Leafs went 0-for-5 on the power play, extending a drought that dates back to March 9.

Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe opted to pass on the power-play deficiencies, choosing instead to see the positives.

“It’s a big road win here for us. There’s a lot of things you could pick out about it that we could do better,” he said. “We’ll certainly get to work on that (Thursday). But just focus on the fact that we had a really good start here to set us up for a chance to win the game and we did exactly that.”

The Leafs were coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to visiting Edmonton on Monday. Toronto had won its previous three outings, including two in overtime, rebounding from a poor stretch that saw it lose six of seven.

With No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen back in Toronto awaiting further injury evaluation of a lower-body injury, Campbell started for the fourth time in the last five games. Campbell, who missed the Edmonton game Monday with a lower-body injury, made 26 saves for the win.

It was career game No. 299 as a Jet for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 23 shots. Only Ondrej Pavelec (379) has played 300-plus games for the franchise.

Matthews opened the scoring at 4:40 to punctuate a sharp Leafs opening. Hyman drove to the net and Winnipeg’s Pierre Luc-Dubois and Derek Forbort ran into each other, leaving Matthews to score from close range.

Forbort, in pain after the collision, briefly went to the Jets dressing room. 1186295 Toronto Maple Leafs

Jack Campbell gets the nod to start in net for the Leafs tonight against the Winnipeg Jets.

By Mark Zwolinsk

Jack Campbell will start in goal for the Leafs when they face the Jets tonight in Winnipeg (7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet), with first place on the line.

Freddie Andersen remains in Toronto, apparently not on the ice, and still in need of further medical evaluation.

“He’s (Andersen) on a follow-up appointment tomorrow, which we hope gives us more information on the next steps with him,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said after the morning skate Zoom call Wednesday.

Andersen has not been on the ice since March 19, and is nursing a lower-body injury; it’s believed he suffered the injury in a game against Montreal in mid-February. He played through pain until it became too much to endure.

Campbell, who has had two lengthy injury absences this season, helped the Leafs to a 4-3 overtime win over Edmonton on Saturday, then missed Sunday’s practice and Monday’s game against the Oilers.

Keefe conceded there’s a “little bit” of concern with the health of his top goalies, and a busy schedule that sees Toronto finish out the regular season with 21 games in 43 days.

“When it comes to Jack’s situation, it’s a day-to-day thing,” Keefe said.

“He’s progressed well and when he has time to recover (between games), he bounces back and feels good . . . but it’s something we have to manage, and he has to be smart and tell us how he feels, so we can make the appropriate decisions.”

In the meantime, Keefe said Alex Galchenyuk will get a look on the Leafs power play in Winnipeg. Toronto’s power play, while among the tops in the NHL, has scored just once in its last 23 chances.

Here’s the Leafs lines and defensive pairings from the morning skate in Winnipeg:

Forwards

Hyman-Matthews-Marner

Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander

Thornton-Kerfoot-Spezza

Mikheyev-Engvall-Simmonds

Defence

Rielly-Brodie

Muzzin-Holl

Dermott-Bogosian

Goalies

Campbell starts

Hutchinson backs up

Toronto Star LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186296 Toronto Maple Leafs The Leafs’ power play, 0-for-5 Monday and now on an 0-for-24 skid, is an ongoing concern. Matthews agreed it’s disorganized and that both units need to get better looks, to simplify things, to get just one goal and surely others will follow. First place in NHL North could have its perils Keefe, who has talked himself hoarse on the topic, wouldn’t even go there, at least until Thursday’s practice.

Lance Hornby “I’ll leave it be for today. We’ll continue to work at it. The power play ended up not being a factor because of our penalty kill. We’ll focus on the

positives. It’s a big road win for us.” First place? SWAP TALK ON MUTE Sure, but first things first. While all of the above is going on, April has now arrived to start the 12- Every fan of the seven Northern teams wants top spot, but those closest day countdown to the NHL trade deadline. Not that the Jets have noticed, to the chase say be careful what you wish for. busy playing 12 of their 17 games in March on the road.

In a season with no fans to heat up home ice, there’s definitely a different “In a short schedule, maybe it feels there hasn’t been as much talk about dynamic to first and the playoff home ice it guarantees. it,” Maurice said of the deadline. “That’s what it feels like around here. The normal trade deadline feels like there’s a long ramp-up to it and “I don’t think that anyone feels it’s necessary and there’s a chance it may more time for speculation. Maybe we’ve been on the road a long time not even be advantageous,” suggested Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice, and haven’t read anything. There just doesn’t seem to be as many guys before his team’s attempt to wrestle the No. 1 seed from the Leafs ended asking: ‘Hey, what do you hear? What’s going on?’ in a 3-1 loss. “None of this (season) feels the same. Probably all of these teams that “You have to be careful about the team you might want to play in the first are happy where their games are at are closer (knit) than at any other round. Lots of teams who start on the road almost feel they have an time. We just spent 12 games on the road, been together every day, all advantage. They can play the simpler playoff game and when there’s the time.” more pressure, that shifts to the home team.” LOOSE LEAFS Edmonton could also emerge in first or second place, and don’t count out the fourth-seeded Canadiens when they start making up their backlog of Matthews’ goal was his 182nd as a Leaf, passing Phil Kessel for 18th in games. franchise history. He did it in 131 fewer games than Phil … With two assists, Marner is now at 241, which put him past Lanny McDonald for For Toronto, a club without home ice in three first-round eliminations and 16th … The Marlies had a new dimension in their lineup Wednesday a fourth last summer when it was a host bubble, top spot would be a nice night in winning their third straight, 5-2 over the visiting Stockton Heat. reward for long-suffering fans, just its third division title since 1963. But Nick Robertson, back from a slow-healing oblique muscle injury, scored coach Sheldon Keefe just wants his team playing its best by the second the winner from Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, now free from quarantine week of May, wherever it lands. after coming from the KHL. The latter also assisted on Kalle Kossila’s early goal. Tyler Gaudet, Kenny Agostino and Nic Petan also scored “We’ve been in first a good portion of the season and that’s something while Joseph Woll made 22 saves with ex-Leaf Garret Sparks in the we wanted, to show we’re doing good things,” he said. “Maintaining other net. consistency is a challenge and we’ve lived through that to build the proper habits. No matter the playoff setting or who your opponent is, you Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.01.2021 (want to) feel confident about the work you’ve done to get to that point.”

Forward Andrew Copp of the Jets recalled his team’s series against St. Louis two years ago when the home team won once in six games and Winnipeg was knocked out.

“I don’t know if (first place) has too much influence in the playoffs, but it’s something you want. Without fans it’s probably not as big (remember those spirited Winnipeg White-Outs?). Having last line change is good but it doesn’t dictate the game.”

YOUR MOVE, COACH

Monday’s game was hyped as a high-stakes chess, with little to choose from for Maurice and Keefe to match with four strong lines on each team.

But any grand strategy was disrupted by the two quick Toronto goals from the Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner-Zach Hyman line, while a major piece fell when Jets’ star Blake Wheeler was lost with a first-period injury. A whack of penalties also had killers stealing the spotlight, with Alex Kerfoot’s huge short-handed breakaway goal during TJ Brodie’s double minor to make it 3-0.

“To come out even (Winnipeg’s fourth ranked unit did get one after he scored) with that many minutes killing is a good sign,” Kerfoot said.

He had the clutch goal against Connor Hellebuyck that eluded the Leafs in the three-game series back in Toronto.

“Once I got clear of their d-man, I saw he was kind of far back in his net and I just got it up as quick as I could.”

Energy was a theme all evening for the Leafs, who sensed the Jets would be flat at MTS Centre after seven road games.

“We wanted to jump on them quick,” said Hyman, who also finished a strong defensive shift by being involved with towering Winnipeg defenceman Logan Stanley during a scrum.

POWER OFF 1186297 Toronto Maple Leafs “It’s getting there, it’s feeling a lot better,” Matthews said. “I can’t complain. It has been fun getting back out there and playing.”

At 10:47, Hyman poked the puck in after Matthews hit the post. Matthews line, Campbell shine as Maple Leafs start four-game trip with Marner assisted on both goals, and especially was key on the second, win in Winnipeg when he undressed Jets defenceman Logan Stanley and fed Matthews for a shot before Hyman scored.

Terry Koshan Jets coach Paul Maurice challenged for goalie interference on the Hyman goal, but a review showed that Hyman’s fall onto Connor Hellebuyck didn’t impede the goalie.

Never mind the Winnipeg Jets’ forward depth. Even before the Matthews trio collected six points, we would have argued that Hyman should stay on the line. He is effective wherever he No fooling, the Maple Leafs’ superstars shone on the last night of March plays, so why not keep him with the Leafs’ top two forwards? Let the in Manitoba. other lines sort themselves out. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, with the help of Zach Hyman, shone Meanwhile, Keefe acknowledged that at times he has to fight the feeling early in the North Division battle, providing the Leafs with a comfortable that he’s walking a tightrope with the goaltending. cushion on the way to a 3-1 victory at Bell MTS Place. Injury woes have impacted the hockey lives of Campbell and Frederik Toronto, 4-0-1 in its past five games, got 26 saves from Jack Campbell, Andersen, and there’s not much of a safety net for the Leafs beyond the who ran his record to 7-0-0. two. The Matthews line scored two goals and combined for six points in the Turning to Michael Hutchinson for anything more than the odd start first 11 minutes to take the starch out of the home side. would be tempting fate, and because of the recent injury history of “They had a lot of jump, were around the puck and they attacked the Andersen and Campbell, you have to think general manager Kyle Dubas net,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “Nothing too fancy about it, just is keeping tabs on trade possibilities. work from all three. They were driven to make a difference. “Yeah, a little bit,” Keefe said in an answer to our tightrope question. “It’s a big road win. There’s a lot of things you could pick out about it that “When it comes to Jack’s situation, it’s kind of a day-to-day thing. we could do better, and we’ll certainly get to work at that (at practice on “He has progressed well and it seems like when he has time to recover Thursday). We had a really good start to set us up for a chance to win from his recent games, that he does bounce back and feels good, so the game and we did exactly that.” there’s less of a concern. But it’s something we have to manage.” Keefe would have liked more offensive-zone time in the third period, but Keefe confirmed that Andersen stayed in Toronto, where the Leafs’ usual it wasn’t as though the Jets were all over the Leafs. In the final 14 No. 1 goalie will have another appointment on Thursday regarding his minutes, shots on goal were 4-3 for Winnipeg. lower-body injury. Toronto retained its bragging rights to first place in the division, Whether Andersen, who has not played since March 19, will join his increasing its points-lead to three over second-place Winnipeg. teammates on the trip — which hits Calgary for games on Sunday and The Leafs are atop the North with 49 points (23-10-3) and the Jets Monday — is to be determined. remain at 46 points (22-13-2). Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.01.2021 The clubs complete a two-game set on Friday.

The action for Campbell came after he did not dress in an overtime loss on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers, as he continues to deal with a lower-body issue.

Before the Leafs’ westbound flight on Tuesday, Campbell got some on- ice work in with goalie coach Steve Briere.

“I’m feeling good,” Campbell said. “We’re managing. Staff is great, they’re taking care of me really well and hopefully I’ll be ready for the next game.

“(The 2-0 lead) gives you a ton of confidence and gets everybody going. It was great to see.”

The Leafs caught a break when Jets captain Blake Wheeler was injured in the first period and didn’t return.

The Leafs were spotty in the second period but managed to maintain a two-goal lead.

After killing off a Jake Muzzin penalty, the Leafs bumped into more penalty trouble when TJ Brodie was assessed a double-minor for high- sticking Paul Stastny in the mouth.

It was Toronto which got the first goal on the penalty, coming at 16:40 when Alex Kerfoot scored on a breakaway for the Leafs’ second shorthanded goal of the season.

With six seconds left in the initial Brodie minor, Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey wired a shot from the point past Campbell.

Other than failing to score on three power plays — they were 0-for-5 in the game and are on a run of 0-for-24 — the Leafs couldn’t have asked for a better first period.

Matthews scored on a Hyman rebound at 4:40, marking the third consecutive game in which Matthews has scored.

Matthews said the wrist issue which has bothered him is progressing. 1186298 Toronto Maple Leafs Kyle Palmieri, F, New Jersey Palmieri, who has been linked to the Bruins and Islanders, would be a

good third-line option for the Leafs. He can score, is defensively TRAIKOS: Should the Maple Leafs stand pat at the trade deadline? responsible and plays a good puck-possession game. He could also move up and down in the lineup as necessary.

Rickard Rakell, F, Anaheim Ducks Michael Traikos The last two years that the Ducks were in the playoffs, Rakell scored 34 goals and 33 goals. In the two years he missed, he combined for 33 goals. Put him on a winning team and his offence might resurface. When Kyle Dubas was asked a couple of weeks ago whether he would be willing to trade a top prospect to improve his club, the Toronto Maple Marc Staal, D, Detroit Red Wings Leafs GM did not hesitate before coming up with an answer. As a seventh defenceman, Staal is just what the Leafs could use. He’s “Yes,” he said. big and he’s got experience and he’s made a living killing penalties, something that Toronto (20th on the penalty kill) could use. Two weeks later, a follow-up question is required: On whom exactly? Taylor Hall, F, Buffalo Sabres Would you give up Nick Robertson for Buffalo’s Taylor Hall? Would you trade Rasmus Sandin for New Jersey’s Kyle Palmieri? Would you swap Normally, Hall would be the most sought-after player at the trade out Rodion Amirov for Detroit’s Marc Staal? deadline. But with two goals on a team that has won just six games, he’s got “buyer beware” written all over him. Even if you wanted any of those players, would you have to pay that high of a price? Jamie Oleksiak, D, Dallas

Two weeks ago, the answer would have been no. But two weeks ago, If Dallas continues to fall out of the playoff picture —they’ve lost three the market was still flooded with options — from Nashville’s Mattias straight — then Oleksiak could be made available. A big-bodied Ekholm and Mikael Granlund to Columbus’ David Savard and Nick defenceman who’s not afraid to drop the gloves, he would come in handy Foligno — worth spending a top prospect on. in the playoffs.

Not anymore. Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.01.2021 A lot has happened to the trade deadline since Dubas last spoke in March — particularly in the Central Division, where Nashville is in a playoff spot after winning eight of its past nine games, and Columbus is right there with them mostly because they keep picking up loser points in overtime.

A lot can still happen between now and the April 12 trade deadline. But as long as Nashville and Columbus remain in the playoff race, don’t be surprised if the list of sellers continues to shrink as more teams hang around.

As of Wednesday morning, only four points separated the fifth-place Flames and sixth-place Canucks from the Canadiens for the final playoff spot in the North. The sixth-place Rangers trailed the fourth-place Bruins by just five points in the East Division. And the seventh-place Sharks were only six points back of the fourth-place Blues in the West Division.

So where does that leave Toronto?

It’s a tricky question. On one hand, the Leafs have to give themselves every opportunity to ensure that they go deep in this year’s playoffs and make a serious push for a Stanley Cup. But on the other, with Vancouver’s Tanner Pearson out with an injury and Eric Staal already traded from Buffalo to Montreal, I’m not sure what’s left out there is worth giving up assets for.

I would have had no problem with Dubas giving up a top prospect and/or a draft pick for Ekholm or Savard or even Foligno. But I hesitate to suggest that he should go all-in on Anaheim’s Rickard Rakell or Buffalo’s Brandon Montour.

If the laws of supply and demand cause the price of a rental to rise — don’t forget that Boston, Winnipeg and the New York Islanders are looking for the same pieces that Toronto is — maybe it’s time for the Leafs to consider standing pat at the deadline.

None of the defencemen on the market are going to replace anyone that Toronto already has in its top four. And with the way that Alex Galchenyuk has fit in on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, the need for a top-six winger isn’t as strong as it was a couple of weeks ago.

The Leafs could still use a depth defenceman in case there’s an injury. But I’m not sure you would have to give up more than a second-round pick for someone who would be slot in somewhere around sixth or seventh on the depth chart.

You certainly don’t have to give up a top prospect for him.

With Nashville and Columbus back in the playoff race, the list of players on the trade market continues to shrink. Here are the top-5 options: 1186299 Toronto Maple Leafs Keefe said Alex Galchenyuk, who has three assists in five games since joining the Leafs and has been sharp on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, will get a look on the power play on Wednesday, provided the Leafs get a few. Campbell back in Maple Leafs net against Jets as Andersen undergoes further evaluation “I see some potential there,” Keefe said. “We’ll give him a bit of an opportunity.”

The Leafs have one power-play goal in their past 11 games, going 1-for- Terry Koshan 23. Since their most recent power-play goal, by Auston Matthews against the Jets on March 9, the Leafs are 0-for-19 with a man advantage.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.01.2021 Jack Campbell will start for the Leafs against Winnipeg.

Article content

At times, Sheldon Keefe acknowledged he has to fight the feeling that he’s walking a tightrope.

The subject is the Maple Leafs’ goaltending and specifically the injury woes that have impacted the hockey lives of Frederik Andersen and Jack Campbell this season.

There’s not much of a safety net for the Leafs beyond the two, certainly not if both would arrive at a point where they’re out for the long term.

Keefe confirmed Campbell will start on Wednesday night in Winnipeg against the Jets at Bell MTS Place as the Leafs begin a four-game trip. The action for Campbell, who has been dealing with lingering lower-body issues, comes after he did not dress on Monday in an overtime loss against the Edmonton Oilers.

Michael Hutchinson, backed up by the inexperienced Veini Vehvilainen against the Oilers, made 20 saves in a 3-2 Edmonton win.

“Yeah, a little bit,” Keefe said in an answer to our tightrope question. “Certainly, when it comes to Jack’s situation, it’s kind of a day-to-day thing.

“He has progressed well and it seems like when he has time to recover from his recent games, that he does bounce back and feels good, so there’s less of a concern.

“But it is something we have to manage. We have to be responsible with it as a staff and be smart with it, and he has to be honest and tell us exactly how he’s feeling.”

Keefe confirmed that Andersen stayed in Toronto, where the Leafs’ usual No. 1 goalie will have another appointment on Thursday regarding his lower-body injury. Whether Andersen, who has not played since March 19, will join his teammates on the trip — which hits Calgary for games on Sunday and Monday following the Wednesday and Friday matches in Winnipeg — will be determined after his appointment.

One saving grace for the Leafs is Campbell has been excellent when he has been in the crease, recording a .945 save percentage in going 6-0-0 with two shutouts. In his most recent start this past Saturday, Campbell made 17 saves in a 4-3 Leafs overtime win against Edmonton.

Versus the Jets, Campbell and the Leafs’ defensive structure will be tested by a deep group of Winnipeg forwards.

On the line are bragging rights, for now, for first place in the North Division.

The Leafs are atop the North with 47 points (22-10-3) and the Jets are right behind them with 46 points (22-12-2).

In four previous meetings, the Leafs are 2-2-0. The clubs will play each other five more times after Wednesday, with four of those games in Winnipeg.

“It’s a team that we hold in a high regard,” veteran Leafs centre Jason Spezza said. “If you don’t bring your best, they can make you pay. They have guys that get one look and it’s in the net. It’s a great challenge for us.

“Toward the bottom of your lineup, you have to win your matchups. Depth of our forward group is a strength for us and we have to use it and we have to be able to be reliable.

“They approach things similarly. It lends to a great matchup and everybody getting used and needing all 12 guys up front.”

Connor Hellebuyck, stellar against the Leafs three weeks ago as the Jets took two of three in Toronto, will start in the Winnipeg net. 1186300 Toronto Maple Leafs A Mitch Marner (RW, No. 16): Marner definitely made a case to be one of

the game’s three stars. He used some great stickwork to maintain Maple Leafs report cards: How much more dominant can the Auston possession for the Leafs close to the blue line ahead of the Matthews Matthews line get? goal.

MATTHEWS OPENS THE SCORING. 1-0 LEAFS #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/KCMVYE4JFL By Joshua Kloke Mar 31, 2021 — MAPLE LEAFS HOTSTOVE (@LEAFSNEWS) MARCH 31, 2021

And then I think I pulled a muscle just watching Marner make this move. When the Maple Leafs’ best players are their best players on the ice, they’ve proved to be a difficult team to beat. ZACH HYMAN

That was the case Wednesday night as the Leafs’ top line of Auston MARNER MADE HIM DO THE SPLITS Matthews, Mitch Marner and Zach Hyman each logged multipoint games PIC.TWITTER.COM/DOB2CKZ7NK in an impressive 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. At five-on-five, the line — OMAR (@TICTACTOMAR) APRIL 1, 2021 had an incredible 98 percent expected goals (courtesy of Natural Stat Trick), which certainly matched how well they looked with their puck When Marner and Matthews are feeling it, it’s hard not to sit back and movement and forechecking. Even if some of the Leafs depth players just be impressed by how creative they can be with their puck movement. didn’t have standout nights, those are easy blemishes to cover when you He had two assists. I want to go off-board a bit here and reference have some of the better players in the game doing what makes them so something Mike Stubbs, the London Knights radio play-by-play effective with every shift. The Jets didn’t have much of an answer for the announcer, told me when I asked him about what it was like to watch Leafs as a result. Marner play during his incredible 2015-16 season with the Knights, because it can apply to what he’s doing this season too: “You hate to say On to the observations! it, but you almost got used to it. Mitch was doing things that you haven’t Player reports seen before every single night.”

First star: Auston Matthews (C, No. 34): How could I not go back to the A- thesaurus to describe Matthews’ dominant play against the Jets? Alex Kerfoot (C, No. 15): Way more energy from Kerfoot than he’s shown With a goal and a primary assist in the first period, he put the opposition over his past few games. Maybe I’m wrong here, but if you’ve already put on their heels. He used his body to try to break up plays and mixed it up two past a goalie early on, why not just shoot this puck instead of a bit as well. overthinking a pass, as it appeared he did on a short-handed two-on-one late in the first period? THAT MATTHEWS FORECHECK PIC.TWITTER.COM/R2X3DVWMRB Turns out he needed a short-handed breakaway to not just shoot, but — OMAR (@TICTACTOMAR) APRIL 1, 2021 also place the puck perfectly on his goal.

He was the focus of attention for the Jets, and he seemed to make a ALEX KERFOOT difference every time he was on the ice and at both ends of the ice as well. He looked like the Hart Trophy candidate he’s going to be with 89 1ST CAREER SHORTHANDED GOAL! percent (!) five-on-five expected goals, a team high. I know I go to the PIC.TWITTER.COM/8DD2VNQVXN well often with Omar’s GIFs to help illustrate my descriptions (thanks as — OMAR (@TICTACTOMAR) APRIL 1, 2021 always, Omar!), but there was no shortage of Matthews GIFs from Wednesday to showcase how well he played. I thought his puck movement away from the goal matched his energy and was a little easier on the eyes than it’s been lately. He showed more And so “domineering” is the word I’m using to describe his dominance. consistent signs of being a difference-maker Wednesday night. MATTHEWS LOVES THE SPIN-O-RAMA FEEDS Alex Galchenyuk (LW, No. 12): Hey, have you heard Galchenyuk looks PIC.TWITTER.COM/QVZB9V4K4A like a rejuvenated player? — OMAR (@TICTACTOMAR) APRIL 1, 2021 In all seriousness, Galchenyuk never looks to be chasing the puck but Second star: Zach Hyman (LW, No. 11): He was lifting sticks to get shots instead showcased his ability to be in possession of the puck, or be off, and how do you not love his aggressive approach to head straight to aggressive enough to limit the space between him and the closest the net ahead of the Matthews goal? He added a goal of his own and opposition player to try to force a turnover. continued to influence the play with his energy. We’ve just come to PUCK RETRIEVAL IS KEY ON A POWER PLAY expect that from Hyman night after night and it’s a treat to be able to pinpoint when players elevate their games, as he’s done this season. GOOD WORK BY GALCHENYUK TO FIGHT FOR THE LOOSE PUCK PIC.TWITTER.COM/USXDYCCHER I mean this: There are mornings when I’m dead tired after a late night with these report cards, my toddler son is losing his mind because he — OMAR (@TICTACTOMAR) APRIL 1, 2021 wants his blue spoon instead of his green spoon and I cannot, for the life of me, find the blue spoon and I just want to collapse in exhaustion. But His aggressiveness on the puck means he’s likely to draw penalties too, for the rest of the season, I’m going to think: What would Zach Hyman as he did early in the third period. do? And then I’ll probably lift the entire dining room table up with one B+ hand and lift the missing blue spoon up with the other. Zach Bogosian (RD, No. 22): So I guess Bogosian woke up Wednesday So, yeah: Zach Hyman. Dude just does not quit. morning, looked in the mirror and decided he wanted to be a playmaker? Third star: Jack Campbell (G, No. 36): Remember when Jack Campbell He was moving the puck with far more assertiveness and creativity than was way too hard on himself Saturday, saying he “just didn’t have it usual in the offensive zone. And though he didn’t get credit for an assist tonight,” despite backstopping the Leafs to a 4-3 win over the Edmonton on Hyman’s goal, his play was still noteworthy. Oilers? There was no way the Leafs were going to let him be hard on MARNER DOING WHAT HE DOES. himself again. I thought the Leafs did well to protect pucks near Campbell but I also can’t be the only one impressed by his ability to properly HYMAN DOING WHAT HE DOES. collapse on loose pucks and just squash any second efforts from the Jets. MATTHEWS DOING WHAT HE DOES.

Goalies can sometimes be difficult to grade, but that wasn’t the case BOGOSIAN DOING WHAT…….. WAIT? Wednesday. Campbell battled, made the stops he needed to and looked like the No. 1 goalie he may very well end up becoming for the Leafs. WHAT A GREAT PLAY TO FIND MARNER BY BOGOSIAN. C+ PIC.TWITTER.COM/BEHS0HAKNW Jason Spezza (RW, No. 19): Spezza read the play well, as he often — NICK DESOUZA (@NICKDESOUZA_) APRIL 1, 2021 does, to intercept passes. I also appreciated how he didn’t just win a short-handed faceoff, but how he then cleared the puck from the Leafs Just a strong game all around from Bogosian. zone immediately afterward. His grade drops with him going 3-for-11 on Jake Muzzin (LD, No. 8): I liked Muzzin’s physicality more than anything faceoffs, though. else Wednesday night. C

THE LEAFS GIVE DUBOIS NO SPACE TO MANEUVER Pierre Engvall (C, No. 47): Maybe it’s because I just spent the last few #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/TTKR5NDDK2 weeks digging in on a profile of Engvall and how he believes he can be — MAPLE LEAFS HOTSTOVE (@LEAFSNEWS) APRIL 1, 2021 better than he’s been this season, but Wednesday night it just felt like Engvall was just a step short and missed out on the chance to force a Also, I’ve learned that when you have a kid, you have to keep your few turnovers by not playing with the physicality Sheldon Keefe wants cursing quick and to the point so it hopefully evades your child’s ears. I him to. Some strong passing in the neutral and offensive zones, though. was really happy to see Muzzin, himself a young dad, has mastered that approach. Joe Thornton (LW, No. 97): Early on, it was good to see Thornton intercept a puck to create a turnover, which caught the Jets on their heels JAKE MUZZIN: DARN PIC.TWITTER.COM/ZRTFZ2DXRJ and then led to a Leafs power play. But after that, Thornton became less and less effective and finished with just 10:55 of ice time, the second- — OMAR (@TICTACTOMAR) APRIL 1, 2021 lowest total of the season and 43 percent expected goals at five-on-five. B Nothing to see here T.J. Brodie (RD, No. 78): He had nowhere to go but up after his “D” Wayne Simmonds (LW, No. 24): Some decent puck touches but not an grade Monday against the Oilers, and he did just that: great work to get extremely eventful game for Simmonds. in the way of Kyle Connor, who had a good look at goal late in the third period, to possibly prevent a goal. Brodie returned to his smart, Game Score composed style of play Wednesday and there were undoubtedly a few Leafs fans who exhaled loudly in the process. Game Score is a metric developed by The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn to quickly measure a player’s performance in a single game. William Nylander (RW, No. 88): No points, and not a ton of highlight-reel puck movement, but you have to appreciate the simple plays he made in Heat map the neutral zone nonetheless. Those simple touches to put his Natural Stat Trick helps us out with a snapshot of where the shots were teammates in better spots seemed to make a positive difference, as coming from Wednesday: Nylander finished with 87 percent five-on-five expected goals, second among all forwards. Final grade: A-

Morgan Rielly (LD, No. 44): Some slick redirection of the puck to evade The Leafs aren’t going to win every game based (mostly) on the strength Jets pressure, and some equally slick puck movement in the offensive of their top line, but games like Wednesday’s remind you why Matthews zone. I know I take some heat for how high I’ve been grading Rielly’s and Marner earn what they do, and why Hyman’s contract negotiations game as of late but the Leafs seem to have a lot more confidence in the will remain such an interesting topic of discussion in the offseason. Other offensive zone with him on the ice. His aggressiveness to win a battle led Leafs lines might not have been as dominant, but it looked like they fed to Kerfoot’s short-handed goal. off the top line’s energy regardless.

Travis Dermott (LD, No. 23): I refuse to believe Dermott logged just 7:58. The Jets didn’t really mount much of a fight and looked a bit deflated That’s his lowest total of the season in a full game. To my eyes, I thought after Blake Wheeler didn’t return for the second period with an injury. The Dermott continued to play a lot bigger than his 6-foot frame would Jets are definitely a better team than they showed Wednesday, but as suggest, trying to stand Jets up at the blue line while playing the puck Jets head coach Paul Maurice said Wednesday morning, he feared this well. could be a “roast beef and a bottle of wine game” in that the Jets might look a bit lethargic after returning from a long road trip. He’s not always the flashiest, but Dermott’s been playing some really solid hockey. I liked his pinpoint breakout pass to spring Ilya Mikheyev for Stay ready squad: Alex Barabanov, Timothy Liljegren, Adam Brooks, a scoring chance early in the second period. And that wasn’t his only Scott Sabourin, Veini Vehvilainen smart breakout pass of the night. What to watch for Friday versus Winnipeg: How will the Jets try to shut Justin Holl (RD, No. 3): Holl didn’t necessarily have the most noticeable down the Leafs’ top line? That’s the interesting thing about these game, but he logged a heavy 6:10 on the penalty kill and made some baseball-like series this season: Coaches have the opportunity to effective defensive plays at even strength. His 25:23 of ice time was the implement changes against the same team they played two nights second-highest total of his season. earlier, with the hope those changes occur while they’re top of mind. My bet is we see a bit of a different defensive approach, or at least a more GOOD BREAKUP BY HOLL AS HE STOPS THIS FEED HEADING TO energetic one, against the Leafs’ top line Friday. CONNOR PIC.TWITTER.COM/LWOFSWGYGH The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 — OMAR (@TICTACTOMAR) APRIL 1, 2021

B-

Ilya Mikheyev (RW, No. 65): After a slow first period, Mikheyev flew out of the gates in the second period, hunting down pucks. He had a bit of a breakaway chance as well, but I probably don’t need to tell you how that turned out. A good short-handed primary assist on the Kerfoot goal, though.

John Tavares (C, No. 91): Tavares didn’t play with that same sense of determination in his skating and puck movement as he has over his past few games, but there were a few simple plays from him that might have gone unnoticed but were nonetheless important.

GOOD DEFENSIVE PLAY BY THE TAVARES LINE TO SHUT DOWN THE SCORING CHANCE #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/CC0TCDW9J8

— MAPLE LEAFS HOTSTOVE (@LEAFSNEWS) APRIL 1, 2021 1186301 Toronto Maple Leafs “So when you’re a little bit more one-dimensional like this and you don’t score as much, then your self-worth and your confidence isn’t as high,” Lacroix said. “That certainly was the case with Alex.”

Alex Galchenyuk was broken. The Maple Leafs hope to build him back Marc Bergevin was just months into taking over for Pierre Gauthier as up Montreal’s GM when the Habs drafted Galchenyuk. He appeared unconvinced by the hype Galchenyuk had generated in those first few seasons.

By Jonas Siegel and Joshua Kloke Mar 31, 2021 Bergevin wasn’t sold on Galchenyuk as an NHL centre, even after Galchenyuk put up nearly a point per game in the middle, with strong

underlying numbers, throughout the fall of 2016. Bergevin, and a Alex Galchenyuk knew his NHL career was on the rocks. coaching staff led by Michel Therrien, and later, Claude Julien, didn’t trust Galchenyuk’s defensive instincts. (Therrien declined to be The former third overall pick was having a hard time this past fall interviewed for this story.) securing a contract for the 2020-21 season. While he waited, he trained like a desperate man. “Centreman’s a tough position, demanding,” Bergevin said at one point in the fall of 2018. “I’m sure as we speak today Alex is not able to play that “I saw him puke once, he was going so hard and pushing himself so position every day. I don’t need 10 more tries.” hard,” said Shane Doan, the former Coyotes captain who skated and trained alongside Galchenyuk and the likes of Connor McDavid and Galchenyuk made efforts to improve his two-way play and sought Auston Matthews in Arizona last fall. “I hope it all pays off, because he feedback from the coaching staff. But he struggled to properly read the was so willing to go the extra mile.” opposition and react to plays as they developed. He turned the puck over and showed questionable judgment. He seemed to lack the necessary Nearly three weeks into free agency, Galchenyuk signed a one-year deal instincts to play centre in the NHL. worth $1.05 million deal with the Ottawa Senators. His father lingered too, raising eyebrows among some in Montreal. There Rock bottom was still yet to come. were concerns from some in Montreal about how his father’s influence on his style of play might have outweighed coaches and management, and About a month into the season, following the fourth trade of his young whether the many different people Galchenyuk was listening to career, Galchenyuk was placed on waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes. negatively influenced him. When the 30 other NHL teams passed on picking up the former 30-goal scorer for nothing, it appeared Galchenyuk may have run out of chances A 2018 Montreal Gazette story outlines how there were questions from in the NHL. Galchenyuk’s camp and his family about his ice time compared to his teammates and why he wasn’t playing centre. Then Kyle Dubas called. The Maple Leafs GM saw a player who was broken. The organization believed they could rebuild him into an effective “He was a demanding player of himself,” said Lacroix of Galchenyuk. NHL forward. If not a star, Galchenyuk was still productive. He finished second on the The fall Canadiens in scoring as a 23-year-old (51 points). However, Montreal also gave up 15 more goals than it scored with Galchenyuk out there 5- The first and most obvious question about Galchenyuk is this: what on-5 (expected goals were more favourable at 47 percent). Management happened? How did someone who played in the NHL at 18, and scored had seen enough. Bergevin dealt Galchenyuk to Arizona for Max Domi in with regularity during his early days in the league, including 50 combined the summer of 2018. over two seasons with Montreal, fall so hard? After all, it’s not as if his dazzling skill had just vanished. It was a treadmill ride from there, which Galchenyuk hopped on unwillingly, and struggled to get off. So, where did things go south? Galchenyuk scored 19 goals over 72 games with the Coyotes after the Galchenyuk long had designs on becoming a top-line centre in the NHL, trade during the 2018-19 season. Then-Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford even in junior hockey. saw enough to make him the focal point of a summer deal that sent Phil “You knew he was focused on being an NHL player,” said Trevor Kessel to the desert. It was Galchenyuk’s second trade in just over a Letowski, one of Galchenyuk’s coaches with the Sarnia Sting in the OHL. year. “He had that pro mindset that not every junior player has.” He made his Penguins debut playing alongside Evgeni Malkin. Then he But even in junior, there were holes in his defensive game. The coaching got hurt, lost his spot in the lineup, and his confidence along with it. By staff in Sarnia showed Galchenyuk video of NHL players with strong two- December, he was barely playing some nights. Power-play opportunities way games. They hoped to instill those same habits in him. for a player who put up 45 points with the man advantage over the previous two seasons wavered. By February 2020, Galchenyuk was on “It is difficult because he’s so good offensively,” said Letowksi. the move yet again, this time to Minnesota as part of a package for Jason “Sometimes that’s tough, to hold (offensive players) accountable when Zucker. they’re scoring so much.” It was Galchenyuk’s fourth team in just over 18 months. Galchenyuk, who put up 83 points in 68 games as a 16-year-old in Sarnia, also faced pressure from his father, Alex Galchenyuk Sr., who He finished the 2019-20 season with a career-low eight goals. The Wild was on the Sting’s coaching staff for a year. watched him for 14 games before declining to bring him back as a free agent. “His dad was pretty hard on him,” said Letowski. “I played in Russia for two years. There’s just a different mindset. They push it harder, in terms Galchenyuk’s first offseason as an unrestricted agent last fall brought of things like conditioning. He just had that embedded in him.” only stress and uncertainty. The effects of the pandemic, including a flat $81.5 million salary cap, made for a cool market. That, and Galchenyuk’s Picked third in the 2012 draft, Galchenyuk debuted for the Canadiens at fall from grace, left him with little leverage and not much interest. 18, among the youngest regulars in the league that during the lockout- shortened 2012-13 season. His ability to get himself into dangerous Even the Leafs were focused elsewhere. positions, and fire a shot in tight quarters, made him effective early on. Finally, the rebuilding Senators offered him a deal. But Galchenyuk By his third season, when he was still only 21, Galchenyuk became a 20- couldn’t even crack their opening night lineup. After eight games, with goal scorer. A season later, he matched Max Pacioretty for the team lead limited action and only one point, his time there was done. Ottawa traded with 30 goals. him to Carolina on Feb. 13, who promptly placed him on waivers.

Daniel Lacroix, a Canadiens assistant coach from 2014 to 2018, saw a It was then that the Leafs spotted an opportunity. player who could score, but whose confidence was tethered entirely to The rebuild that skill. Though Galchenyuk was broken in Dubas’ estimation, the GM believed remain on the wing. He played with the desperation of someone whose that his organization might be able to piece him back together again. career was on the line.

For the Leafs they saw no risk, only upside. Their cost to acquire Keefe was impressed, especially with how Galchenyuk hunted down Galchenyuk in a Feb. 15 trade with Carolina was minimal: David pucks on the forecheck. Warsofsky, a spare part from the Kasperi Kapanen trade, and Egor Korshkov, a slow-moving former second round pick who had failed to “I think that’s an underrated part of his game,” the Leafs coach said after impress. The deal also allowed the Leafs to clear an extra contract off Galchenyuk’s 11-minute debut. “Just the way he moves his feet and gets their books — NHL teams can only carry 50 at one time — a useful tool up the ice and puts pressure on the other team’s defence.” ahead of the trade deadline. And because Galchenyuk had remained in The next night, also against the Flames, Galchenyuk earned his first Ottawa even after the trade, he wouldn’t have to serve a 14-day point as a Leaf, flipping a backhand pass through the neutral zone to quarantine. Tavares that led to a goal from Zach Hyman.

“In discussion with Alex and with Pat Brisson, his agent, it was clear that His forechecking efforts those first two times out, Keefe said later, were we needed to get into a situation where we could reset Alex and start to maybe the best on the team. build him back up,” Dubas said. After a brief demotion to the fourth line, which Keefe said had nothing to The Leafs were in no rush, and preferred to, as Dubas said, “stabilize do with performance, Galchenyuk rejoined Tavares and Nylander with him, get him working with our development staff, and then get him in and the Leafs trailing in the third period against Edmonton last weekend. He rolling with games with the Marlies.” dropped a slick pass that Tavares promptly deposited to bring the Leafs Galchenyuk had bounced around, “So we don’t want to just rush to put back within one. Galchenyuk then won a puck behind the net and dished him in,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said in late February. to Nylander who tied the score.

The Leafs wanted Galchenyuk to get his bearings with yet another new THAT PASS #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/WHWIXTE32K team and to get comfortable with the staff, new teammates, coaches, and — TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (@MAPLELEAFS) MARCH 28, 2021 Keefe’s system. Just as importantly, the Leafs intended to help Galchenyuk “reconnect with his skillset.” The Leafs won in overtime.

Even with injuries to Wayne Simmonds and Joe Thornton at the time, the “His attitude, and his energy, have been probably the most impressive Leafs refused to rush Galchenyuk into their lineup. thing,” Keefe said. “He’s got lots of life, loves being on the ice, loves being around the guys, loves competing. Those are all things I don’t want “We feel like the best thing for Alex is to really settle in and get to say I was surprised by necessarily because the more that I sat down comfortable and look to make improvements so that when his opportunity and really looked at his game once we acquired him I started to pick up comes that he can be best prepared for it,” Keefe said. on some of those things.”

What struck the team most about Galchenyuk from the start was his Galchenyuk wasn’t taking anything for granted. Keefe took notice. attitude. “When you look at a player with a high degree of skill that’s had success They saw no bitterness over the path his career had taken. Instead, they in the league and you think about what they’re going to need to be able found him to be upbeat, motivated, and willing to work. They saw a to climb their way back and to restart their career if you will, energy and player who had seen his career hanging by a thread and who had passion and competitiveness are the things that come to mind. decided to do whatever it takes to get it back on track, including playing in the AHL for the first time in his career. Galchenyuk made his Marlies “If you don’t have those things and you’re just going to rely upon your debut on March 1, two weeks after the Leafs acquired him. skill, it’s gonna be a tough road back,” Keefe continued. “But when you see a guy that was willing to go down to the American League … And The Marlies unleashed him, giving him the kind of minutes and then secondly, you go down there and you compete, play your ass off, responsibility he hadn’t garnered in years. The hope was to reignite his you be a good teammate, you help the young guys and you work out confidence. your game, those things are impressive.”

“We’re going to do our best to put him in the right spots to succeed and Though the Leafs will continue to seek an upgrade in their top six ahead build himself up and get the reps that he needs,” said Marlies coach Greg of the April 12 trade deadline, it’s not out of the question that Galchenyuk Moore. continues to plug a hole next to Tavares and Nylander on the second Moore leaned on Galchenyuk, who often looked like the best player on line. the ice over six games in which he posted eight points. More than that, If the Leafs stick him in the offensive zone as much as possible, thereby he impressed the Marlies staff with his respect for the organization, and limiting his exposure defensively, with two highly skilled linemates, willingness to mentor younger players. perhaps Galchenyuk will thrive. The Leafs have out-chanced the “He’s done everything we’ve asked,” said Moore. opposition 37-15 with Galchenyuk on the ice 5-on-5, and generated 67 percent of the expected goals. Galchenyuk engaged in lengthy, sometimes animated, discussions with Moore after practice. It was the kind of personal attention he probably Tavares and Nylander have been helped by his dynamic skill-set, his lacked in recent seasons. Moore saw a person who had a positive, even ability to make a play in tight quarters and at high speeds while standing fun-loving, mindset in practice. 6-foot-1 and almost 200 pounds. And though he hasn’t scored yet with the Leafs, Galchenyuk can most certainly shoot the puck as his 30-goal “I wanted to make sure that he knew how much we appreciated his season proves. (Though it may take an injury for Galchenyuk to get an efforts and his commitment since joining us,” said Moore following a opportunity on Toronto’s crowded power play units.) March 10 conversation. A free agent again this summer, Galchenyuk may even be a cost- The Leafs’ extensive development staff was unleashed on Galchenyuk. effective solution for next season for a team with currently just seven Randi Milani, the Leafs assistant skating consultant, helped him improve forwards under contract for next season (not including likely NHLer Nick his stride and edge work. Robertson).

Finally, more than a month after he first joined the organization, on March Galchenyuk may even crave the stability the Leafs have offered him. 19, the Leafs inserted Galchenyuk into their NHL lineup. “Since day one I got here, they were straightforward,” said Galchenyuk. While with Ottawa to start the season, Galchenyuk’s most frequent “They wanted to really work on my game, really work on my skill-set. It linemates were Derek Stepan, who was coming off a 28-point season, was just great to see an organization like that, to appreciate me as a and plucky fourth liner, Austin Watson. player and see what I can add and what I can do. They took time. The best I can do is go out there on the ice and help the team win.” The Leafs, however, surrounded him with skill. Galchenyuk made his debut against Calgary playing alongside William Nylander and John The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 Tavares. And notably, given Bergevin’s prediction, Galchenyuk would

Vegas Golden Knights Andersson, playing his first game since Feb. 16, was there to poke in the 1186302 rebound at 17:23.

“It was one of those nights,” DeBoer said. “They played with a real Short-handed Golden Knights see home winning streak end desperation to start the game that we didn’t match, which was disappointing because you knew they were going to come with it.”

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.01.2021 March 31, 2021 - 9:36 PM Updated March 31, 2021 - 10:31 PM

Some fans wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while others do not before an NHL hockey ... Some fans wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while others do not before an NHL hockey game between the Golden Knights and the Kings on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The arena is allowed to hold 20 percent occupancy in the current stage of COVID-19 restrictions. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt The Golden Knights were supposed to be at full strength Wednesday for the first time in more than two months. By the end of the night, they were without two forwards. Despite welcoming back defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, the Knights were forced to play short-handed and lost 4-2 to the Los Angeles Kings in front of an announced crowd of 3,950 at T-Mobile Arena. “I’m not going to use that as an excuse for why we lost,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “We weren’t good enough to win tonight.” The Knights (24-9-1, 49 points) fell one point behind Colorado in the West Division, the first time they haven’t been in first place since Feb. 22, and saw their six-game home streak come to an end. Pietrangelo returned to the lineup after missing the past 12 games with an upper-body injury, and the Knights were set to field their preferred lineup for the first time since Jan. 26. But forward Ryan Reaves was a late scratch after warmups with a lower- body injury, and DeBoer had to juggle his lines as a result. The Knights also played the final 21:46 with 10 forwards after Chandler Stephenson was handed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for elbowing Los Angeles defenseman Tobias Bjornfot in the head late in the second period. “You don’t want to go down two forwards,” captain Mark Stone said. “But it’s the nature of the business. I don’t think that really impacted the game at the time.” Defenseman Shea Theodore finished with a goal and an assist, and William Karlsson scored in the second period for the Knights, who open a two-game series against third-place Minnesota on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury started and lost for the third time in his past four appearances. It was the fifth time in the past nine games he has allowed four or more goals. Karlsson cut the Knights’ deficit in half when he cashed in a rebound at 9:41 of the second period for his ninth goal. But the Kings answered about two minutes later when Andreas Athanasiou won a race to a loose puck and fired a shot that handcuffed Fleury. Jaret Anderson-Dolan was camped out near the crease and tapped in the loose puck for a 3-1 advantage. Alex Iafallo added to the lead late in the second when Fleury came out of his crease for a loose puck and couldn’t get there in time, leaving the Kings forward an open net. “We needed to take advantage of that momentum,” Stone said. “We weren’t able to get another one, and it would have had a big impact had we been able to do that.” The Knights fell behind for the third straight game when Athanasiou scored 1:58 into the first period. Defenseman Sean Walker sent a high flip out of the defensive zone, and the speedy Athanasiou won the race to the puck before he beat Fleury on a breakaway for his seventh goal. The Kings doubled their lead late in the first after a spell of sustained pressure. Fleury stopped Bjornfot’s drive from the point, but Lias 1186303 Vegas Golden Knights

Pete DeBoer assesses Golden Knights’ roster before trade deadline

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal March 31, 2021 - 6:51 PM Updated March 31, 2021 - 8:48 PM

Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez (23) skates for the puck after an attempted goal by the ... Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez (23) skates for the puck after an attempted goal by the Kings during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer isn’t going to turn away any reinforcements that arrive before the trade deadline. But if the team stands pat ahead of April 12, he’s fine with that, too. “I don’t think there’s a coach in any sport in the world that doesn’t feel that an addition somewhere in some area can help them,” DeBoer said after the morning skate Wednesday. “At the same time, if this is the group that we go to war with down the stretch and into the playoffs, then I’m comfortable there, too.” The Knights are back to full strength with the return of Alex Pietrangelo, who was activated from long-term injured reserve. The defenseman missed the past 12 games with an upper-body injury after blocking a shot in the final minutes of a victory March 6 at San Jose. General manager Kelly McCrimmon said two weeks ago he likes the makeup of the current roster and feels no urgency to make a deal. Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner form the NHL’s top goalie tandem, and the development of Dylan Coghlan during Pietrangelo’s absence gives the Knights eight capable defensemen. The one area that McCrimmon could seek to improve on the trade market is secondary scoring. The Knights have an extra second-round pick in 2021 and might look at bolstering the third-line center spot. Center Cody Glass, the No. 6 overall pick in 2017, was assigned to the American Hockey League as he struggles to generate offense at five-on- five. Nicolas Roy had two points in his past 20 appearances and no goals since Feb. 9 entering Wednesday’s game against Los Angeles. “I think we’ve shown that we’ve got depth. We’ve got guys that can play up and down the lineup,” DeBoer said. “I think we’re really strong from a depth perspective especially in goal and on defense. Those for me are the two areas that are really critical come playoff time.” College rivalry Alex Tuch followed the NCAA hockey tournament closely last week, and the former Boston College standout was disappointed to see the Eagles fall short of the Frozen Four. Tuch’s younger brother, Luke, is a freshman at Boston University, which was bounced in the first round of the tournament. Had BU won its first game, the Terriers would have faced Boston College in the region final. “It would have been hard to watch him maybe beat up on my old Eagles there, but I was rooting for my little brother and I always will,” Tuch said. Massachusetts is the lone team from outside Minnesota remaining in the tournament, but Tuch made it clear he won’t be pulling for Boston College’s Hockey East rival when play resumes next week in Pittsburgh. “Never. I will never root for UMass,” Tuch said, turning serious. “Doesn’t matter if it’s Amherst or Lowell, I will never root for UMass.” DiLiberatore to minors Defenseman Peter DiLiberatore, who celebrated his 21st birthday Wednesday, was reassigned to the Silver Knights. DiLiberatore signed his entry-level contract Monday after a three-year career at Quinnipiac. He is one of 10 defensemen on the AHL team’s roster.

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Golden Knights fans can get paid for naming rights to TV rooms

By Heidi Knapp Rinella Las Vegas Review-Journal March 31, 2021 - 4:15 PM

Why should National Hockey League teams reap all the benefits from plastering a sponsor’s name on their arenas? You, too, can “sell” the naming rights to your venue, whether it be the family room, garage, mancave or she shed. And no, this isn’t an April Fool’s joke. Little Caesars is offering Vegas Golden Knights fans the possibility of proclaiming their very own branded venues. In exchange for signing a naming-rights contract, you can get free Crazy Bread every week of the remaining NHL season — with any pizza purchase, of course. But since Little Caesars is the Official Pizza Delivery of the NHL, you don’t have to miss a minute of Thursday’s game. A sign for your own venue goes to the first 600 fans who sign the contract; they also get an official copy of their contract, a $50 gift card to NHLshop.com, a free ExtraMostBestest pizza with the purchase of any pizza on any Wednesday during the season, and a VIP lanyard to wear while watching the games in your Little Caesars NHL Viewing Room. You’d better hurry if you want to be one of the first 600, but the promotion was just announced. Go to pizzanighthockey.com/naming-rights. And who knows? Maybe T-Mobile or Honda will come calling next.

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Things go from bad to worse in Golden Knights’ loss to Kings

By Justin Emerson (contact) Wednesday, March 31, 2021 | 11:32 p.m.

Maybe it was an omen when Ryan Reaves was a late scratch for the Golden Knights on Wednesday after participating in warmups that things weren’t going to go Vegas’ way. The Golden Knights took the ice with 17 skaters and were down to 15 by the end of the game. They also surrendered a goal in the initial two minutes against the visiting Los Angeles Kings and could never recover in a rare home defeat, 4-2. “It was one of those nights,” Vegas coach Pete DeBoer said. “You have to give them credit. They played with a real desperation to start the game that we didn’t match, which was disappointing.” Reaves was scratched with a lower-body injury, then Chandler Stephenson was ejected late in the second period after an elbowing major. When Zach Whitecloud left the game with under seven minutes to go in the third, Vegas down three regulars. “You don’t want to go down two forwards, you’d like to play 12 (forwards) and six (defensemen), but that’s the nature of the business,” captain Mark Stone said. “I don’t think that really impacted the game a ton.” The Kings’ early goal marked the third consecutive game where Vegas has coughed up a goal in the first two minutes of the contest. The Kings added a second goal later in the period for a 2-0 advantage. William Karlsson scored for Vegas near the halfway mark of the second period to trim the deficit to one, but the Golden Knights couldn’t get closer. A goofy goal by Los Angeles followed by a partial breakaway put the Kings up 4-1, and Stephenson’s elbowing penalty sent Vegas to a five- minute penalty kill. Even after fending off Los Angeles’ power play and firing 16 shots in the third, a comeback wasn’t in the cards. “There were points in the game where we could have gotten ourselves back into it, but tonight we fell down just a little too far,” Stone said. “We get a big goal and then we were so sloppy in the last 10 minutes of the second.” Marc-Andre Fleury is beginning to come down to earth after an other- worldly start to the season. The two goals in the second period are ones he doesn’t typically allow, including losing the puck in his skates on Los Angeles’ third goal and misreading a poke-check attempt on the fifth. It was the sixth time this season allowing four goals or more and fifth time in his last nine games. His save percentage sat at a league-best .943 on March 10, and dipped to .924 after allowing four goals on 30 shots Wednesday. In his last five games, he has given up 18 goals and has a save percentage of .887. “I think it’s part of the season,” DeBoer said. “And it’s not all on him. He’s had a little bit of a lack of support in a couple of those instances from our group.” The loss was the Golden Knights’ first at home since fans were allowed back at T-Mobile Arena on March 1 and prevented them from the first perfect home month in franchise history. In December 2017 and February 2020 they went 7-0-1, but a win over the Kings on Wednesday would have capped March with a 7-0-0 home record. It also dropped them out of first place for the first time since Feb. 22. With Colorado’s win Wednesday, the Avalanche leap-frogged Vegas in the standings, though the Golden Knights have a game in hand and still lead in points percentage. The game also featured the return of defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who missed the prior 12 games with an injury. He played a team-high 22:49 of ice time with seven shots on goal and four blocked shots. “I think it’s important as a player to be patient and understand that it’s going to take more than probably a couple shifts puck-wise to get going,” Pietrangelo said. “I’ve been around long enough to understand that those touches will take a few shifts to get back.” 1186306 Vegas Golden Knights Vegas led in shots on goal 25-21 through two periods. Golden Knights lose Reaves, trail Kings after first period

The Golden Knights found out after warmups they would play Golden Knights fall behind Kings early, never recover in loss Wednesday's game short-handed.

Ryan Reaves was a late-scratch with a lower-body injury and Vegas took By Justin Emerson (contact) the ice for its game with the Los Angeles Kings playing with just 11 forwards. Maybe that was a cause or maybe it wasn't, but either way the Published Wednesday, March 31, 2021 | 3 p.m. Golden Knights trailed 2-0 after a period at T-Mobile Arena. Updated Wednesday, March 31, 2021 | 9:37 p.m. The Kings jumped on Vegas early, just like they did in their last meeting on Monday. This time it was Andreas Athanasiou showing off his blinding speed and getting behind the defense, turning Sean Walker's puck-flip There were injuries, ejections and weird goals in Wednesday night's out of the defensive zone into a breakaway. Athanasiou beat Marc-Andre game. Unfortunately for the Golden Knights, they all seemed to go in the Fleury with a back-hander and giving Los Angeles a 1-0 lead 1:58 into Kings' favor. the game. The Golden Knights, down three skaters by the time the final horn The Golden Knights spent a good chunk of the first period firing sounded, struggled from the outset and couldn't get in a groove. They dangerous looks the Kings' way, they just hit the endboards instead of allowed two goals in each of the first two periods and fell to the Kings 4-2 the net. Shea Theodore and Nicolas Hague both teed up strong looks at T-Mobile Arena. from close in but missed wide. The Golden Knights started the third period like they had a comeback in Vegas almost got out of the period down just the one goal, but the Kings them. Down 4-1, they started it by killing off the remaining 3:14 of grabbed another late in the period. Fleury denied Tobias Bjornfot's initial Chandler Stephenson's second-period major penalty and scored quickly offering, but the puck bounced around the crease, Fleury lost sight of it after that on a Shea Theodore slapper to make it 4-2. A power play and Lias Andersson was there to push it home and extend the Kings' followed, and the crowd of 3,950 started buzzing. advantage to 2-0 with 2:37 to play. Cal Petersen though, was having no more of it. The Kings goalie, who After holding the Kings to four shots in the first 17 minutes, the Golden entered the game with a career 3-1 record and .941 save percentage in Knights finished the first period in an 8-8 tie in shots. his career against the Golden Knights, turned in another strong outing, Pre-game shutting down the home team after Theodore's goal. He made 39 saves to protect Los Angeles' win. The Golden Knights should get a major boost to their blue line tonight. It didn't help that the Golden Knights took two penalties in the final seven Vegas is expected to activate defenseman Alex Pietrangelo off of injured minutes of the game, cutting into the valuable time they had to attempt a reserve ahead of its 7 p.m. game against the Los Angeles Kings at T- comeback. Mobile Arena. He was injured in the March 6 game against the Sharks and returned to practice for the first time on Monday. He was a full The lead the Kings built up through two periods was just too much to participant this morning, including returning to his usual spot on the overcome. They jumped on Vegas with a goal in the first two minutes of power play. the game, then added another in the dying minutes of the first to make it 2-0 after a period. "He's a world-class player. He's going to help in all facets of the game," forward Alex Tuch said of Pietrangelo. "He's an all-around great The Golden Knights got on the board in the second on a William defenseman, and he's really going to help our team." Karlsson rebound goal, but the Kings scored twice more to make it 4-1. Throw in the game misconduct that accompanied Stephenson's elbowing Pietrangelo has had trouble staying on the ice this year through no fault penalty and Ryan Reaves' late scratch after warmups with a lower-body of his own. The injury, which looked to occur after blocking a shot to the injury, and Vegas was down to 10 forwards for the third period. hand and wrist area, kept him out for 12 games. He also spent about two Defenseman Zach Whitecloud left the game in the third period with an weeks in the league's COVID-19 protocols and missed three games. injury and did not return, leaving a lot of room on the Vegas bench. Overall, he has played in 18 of Vegas' 33 games this year and has 10 Vegas finished with a 41-30 lead in shots on goal for the game. points and a team-high 25:27 of average ice time per game. Golden Knights fall further behind Kings in second period "He provides everything," defenseman Zach Whitecloud said. "To be able to get a guy like that back in the lineup is huge, especially for our The Golden Knights started the second period with a goal to bring the dressing room as well." game within one. Then the wheels fell off. Coach Pete DeBoer cautioned that while Pietrangelo looks healthy and Vegas gave up two more goals in the second period and lost a center to able to play, procedural issues involving long-term injured reserve could ejection, and the Golden Knights entered the second intermission in a 4- be a hold-up in his playing. 1 deficit to the Los Angeles Kings at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday. With Pietrangelo or without, the Golden Knights have been on a tear this The Golden Knights had a strong push to start the second, and got on month. They are 12-4 in March and are undefeated in six games at T- the board near the midpoint. William Karlsson stationed himself to the left Mobile Arena. March is also the first month this season that fans have of the Los Angeles net, and when the rebound off Jonathan been permitted at home games because of virus protocols. Whitecloud Marchessault's shot kicked out to him, he deposited it into the net to trim doesn't think this month's success is a coincidence. the Los Angeles lead to 2-1. "Fans. That's it. There's nothing else about it," he said. Just as the Golden Knights were feeling good, the Kings scored a weird one. Andres Athanasiou had the first shot, basically from the goal line, The Kings, like the Golden Knights, utilize a goalie tandem and after and Marc-Andre Fleury didn't get a good read on the puck. It hit his skate starting Jonathan Quick on Monday, they could turn to Cal Petersen in and he popped up without knowing where the puck was, allowing Jaret net. Peterson has had plenty of success against Vegas. He is 3-1 against Anderson-Dolan to race in and poke the puck between Fleury's legs and the Golden Knights with a .941 save percentage, including making 41 into the net. saves in Los Angeles' only win against Vegas this season. Moments after an unsuccessful Vegas power play, the Kings struck The Golden Knights are expected to start goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who again. This time it was Alex Iafallo skating behind the Golden Knights has a .927 save percentage in 24 games this season. defense and getting a one-on-one look at the net. The two goals put the Kings up 4-1. To make matters worse for the Golden Knights, they lost another forward. Chandler Stephenson was given a five-minute major and a LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 04.01.2021 game misconduct for elbowing, putting the Golden Knights on a long penalty kill. Ryan Reaves was a late scratch after warmups, leaving Vegas with 10 forwards for the rest of the game. When the third period begins, the Golden Knights will still have 3:14 of carry-over penalty-kill time. 1186307 Vegas Golden Knights

First Loss For Golden Knights With Fans In Arena: LA Kings 4 VGK 2 Wednesday

March 31, 2021 Alan Snel

Well, the Vegas Golden Knights don’t have much time to fret about Wednesday’s stinker of a game against the Los Angeles Kings at T- Mobile Arena. VGK goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury allowed some soft goals, center Chandler Stephenson threw a cheap-shot elbow into the head of a Kings player worthy of a five-minute misconduct and the Kings left Las Vegas with a 4-2 win over the Golden Knights with 3,950 fans in the building. While Fleury and Stephenson were melting down against the Kings, the Colorado Avalanche had their way with a 9-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes in Denver and leapfrogged over the Knights into first place in the West Division. But there’s no time for the VGK to worry about tonight’s sorry performance against LA because the Golden Knights have to regroup and prepare for a game with the Minnesota Wild Thursday evening at T- Mobile Arena. The LA Kings struck early tonight when Andreas Athanasiou raced to a bouncing puck and swept toward Fleury in a breakaway just a minute and 58 seconds into the game. He deked Flower and went roof with a backhander to give the Kings a 1-0 lead. The King’s Lias Andersson then poked in a goal off a scrum in front of the VGK net and LA had a 2-0 lead after one period. The Knights got a spark in the second period when William Karlsson scored off a sharp angle 9:41 into the stanza. The Golden Knights trailed, 2-1, and they appeared primed to climb back in the contest. Then Fleury allowed two goals that he will want to forget quickly. He allowed a cheapie to Jaret Anderson-Dolan of LA about three minutes after Karlsson’s goal and then the Kings’ Alex Iafallo went around a Fleury attempted poke check and slipped the puck into an open net at 16:12 and the Knights were in a 4-1 hole after two periods. The second period ended with Stephenson throwing an elbow and getting a five-minute game misconduct. He was out of the game. With Ryan Reaves suffering a lower-body injury, the Knights were down two forwards. The Golden Knights turned up the juice in period three. Defenseman Shea Thoedore scored 3:36 into the final stanza and the Knights were down, 4-2. with much of the period left. They applied the pressure and had lots of scoring chances. The VGJ have enjoyed some comebacks in the final period this 56-game truncated season. But not tonight. They couldn’t get another puck past LA goalie Cal Petersen. The Golden Knights outshot LA, 41-30, for the game. But the VGK had 25 penalty minutes to LA’s eight and it was just too much to overcome. Final: Los Angeles Kings 4 Vegas Golden Knights 2.

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Golden Knights Owner Bill Foley Wants To Increase Fan Capacity At T- Mobile Arena, Supports Arena Vaccination Sections, Says Most VGK Players Received First Vax Shots

March 31, 2021 By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com

The Vegas Golden Knights are currently at 22 percent attendance capacity — or 3,950 fans — at T-Mobile Arena and VGK majority owner Bill Foley would like to get to 28 percent, or 4,863 fans, for the next step. Foley discussed the fan attendance issue at the Golden Knights’ Tuesday announcement of the naming rights deal saying the arena will be called Dollar Loan Center. The 6,000-seat arena opens in spring 2022. Foley also said he liked the idea of having even more fans at T-Mobile Arena by having sections designated for fans who show proof of vaccination to get more people in the building. Some major league teams like the NBA Miami Heat are implementing vaccination fan sections in their venues at games starting April 1 to allow the social distancing standards to be loosened from six feet to three feet. That means the space between pods of fans can be reduced to only a single empty seat, permitting more people in the building. Gov. Steve Sisolak’s most recent COVID-19 directive said that large gatherings can have up to 50 percent capacity in venues, but keep in mind local and state officials who approve protocol plans also want social distancing. That’s why the Golden Knights just can’t throw T- Mobile Arena open to half capacity at the venue that has 17,367 fixed-in- place seats. The Vegas Golden Knights are known for having one of the highest per capita spending rates in the National Hockey League, so more fans in T- Mobile Arena means more revenues flowing into the VGK accounts. Foley, pictured below at the Henderson arena construction site Tuesday, also mentioned the majority of Golden Knights players have received their first COVID-19 vaccination shots. The novel coronavirus has led to the deaths of 540,000 Americans. Sisiolak said all people 16 and older are eligible to get vaccination shots starting April 5. Here’s the most recent COVID numbers for Nevada: The Golden Knights play the Los Angeles Kings later today at 7PM at T- Mobile Arena. LVSportsBiz.com will be there, so please look for our coverage.

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Alex Pietrangelo Return Spoiled By 4-2 Loss to LA Kings

Published 56 mins ago on March 31, 2021 By Tom Callahan

The return of Alex Pietrangelo wasn’t a great night for anyone on the Vegas Golden Knights. Marc-Andre Fleury had a couple of mistakes end up in the back of the net. The forwards never really found a way to establish themselves in the offensive zone. The defense surrendered a lot of chances and the LA Kings capitalized. Yes, it was one of those games you’d rather forget. Vegas once again began the game by falling behind early, giving up the first goal just 1:58 into the game, and LA twice built a two-goal lead before the Golden Knights cut into it. That’s not to say it was all bad for the VGK. They did have some chances but for the most part when they did Kings goaltender Cal Pederson was solid. After a slow first period in which they managed only eight shots, Vegas then fired 33 shots over the final two periods but still managed only two goals. For the most part, the Golden Knights were held to the outside for those chances by the Kings. Some great chances came off the rush, but this Golden Knights team is going to have to figure out how to establish its cycle game far more often. Tom’s Takeaways: Not the best night for Marc-Andre Fleury. A couple times he made errors that ended up in the back of the VGK net. It didn’t help that the defense was caught flat-footed a couple times as well. All-in-all, a forgettable outing on the defensive side. Alec Martinez blocked a shot off his foot during the game and although he kept on going, I know from experience once you take the skate off is when that thing starts to swell. Hopefully it’s not too bad and he doesn’t miss any time. Alex Pietrangelo did indeed make his return to the lineup from LTIR and was noticeable all game long. He ended the night with seven of the Golden Knights 41 shots. Pietrangelo also managed four blocks on the night as well. Fortunately there’s no time to dwell on the loss as the VGK get right back to it tomorrow night against the Minnesota Wild.

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Vegas Golden Knights To Get COVID-19 Vaccines

Published 6 hours ago on March 31, 2021 By Tom Callahan

Yesterday, Vegas Golden Knight owner Bill Foley made mention of COVID-19 vaccines being available for the players. Today after practice, Vegas Golden Knights forward and NHLPA representative Alex Tuch talked about the team being able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. He made it clear that while vaccines have been talked about, it was a personal choice for each player and staff member. “Pressure free,” Tuch said, adding that he and most members of the team would be keeping their decision private. In the coming weeks I’m sure we will hear more about teams and players across all sports being vaccinated as doses become more readily available. Many states have opened up vaccines to those age 16 (or 18) and older as demand slows down. Overall it’s a good place for the continent to be, seeing shots become available to the least vulnerable populations. It means that the opportunity is there for those that want the shots. Plus it also indicates the potential for herd immunity increasing. Finally, it means there’s a chance that we can on with whatever our new normal will look like, and that includes things like attending sporting events and traveling for away games.

Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 Vegas Golden Knights that point, having been surpassed by the duo of Nic Hague and Cody 1186311 Whitecloud plus the surprise emergence of Dylan Coghlan.

That means the 33-year-old defenseman is on the outside looking in and Between The Lines: DeBoer, Pietrangelo, Glass, Holden and the going through waivers just gives the Golden Knights the flexibility to Deadline move him around when he clears. It also shows he is most likely not in the team’s plans moving forward, but in my opinion he does provide valuable veteran depth at this point. Published 7 hours ago on March 31, 2021 Then there’s the three college signings, all defensemen. Led by Peter DiLiberatore, who has been a Top 10 Hobey Baker award finalist the last By Tom Callahan two seasons, the new additions give the Vegas Golden Knights a chance to see what (if any) contributions these players might be able to make now and in the future. I remember being at the Frozen Four in Buffalo, In sports, as in life, you need to be able to read between the lines. See NY as Cale Makar played his last college games and thinking that he what’s not being shown, hear what’s not being said as my dad would say. could be something special for the Colorado Avalanche. It would be nice Especially when it comes to player movement, injuries and the NHL, to see someone make an impact out of this trio, but for now this is a hard everything is clandestine. lineup to crack. It would take something special. So let’s see if I can step into a translator role for you and explain the “We’ve got guys who can play up and down the lineup… especially in dominoes that have dropped over the last few days. goal and on defense,” said DeBoer, who noted that if the team doesn’t make any real moves before the trade deadline he’s comfortable with the First, we’ve been talking about Alex Pietrangelo nearing a return for group he has now. “Those for me are the two areas that are really critical several days now. Pete DeBoer has been calling him day-to-day since come playoff time.” before the team left for Denver and that was a week ago. Reading the tea leaves, it points to Pietrangelo’s return today since he will now be Also, pay no real mind to the juggling of players on and off the Taxi able to come off Long-Term Injured Reserve. Squad roster. Much of the rearranging is done for bookkeeping and not as much for actual availability on any given night. Coghlan is an excellent “I believe from a health perspective he looks like he’s gonna be example of a player listed as Taxi one day and plays in the game the available,” said head coach Pete DeBoer after today’s morning skate. next. Cap gymnastics are complex and you’ll drive yourself nuts if you try DeBoer also did say the paperwork portion of things was out of his to read into anything but a financial statement behind it. hands, perhaps alluding to the possibility that somehow the paperwork might not yet be in order. If everything goes according to plan, So what does it mean come the trade deadline in two weeks? First of all, Pietrangelo should be back tonight. it shows how comfortable the VGK are with the current team and that they might not be in a hurry to make a move unless it’s near perfect. Cap Getting Pietrangelo back means a roster spot is needed. In the last few space is not something the team has, and any trades that might days the following moves have happened: substantially free up space would also substantially weaken the roster. Cody Glass has been sent down to the Henderson Silver Knights. There’s perhaps the door left open by what DeBoer didn’t say in his Nick Holden was waived and designated for assignment to the Taxi press conference today: he did not talk about his forward group when Squad discussing the deadline. We know that last season part of the reason why the Golden Knights run was thwarted was a lack of scoring at times. Dylan Coghlan was assigned to the Taxi Squad I imagine Vegas would entertain adding one more player capable of occasionally putting the puck in the net if the right opportunity arose. Oscar Dansk was assigned to the Taxi Squad They likely hoped Glass would be that player this season but he has failed to grow into that role just yet. So perhaps the team seeks a forward Logan Thompson sent to the HSK – possibly a center – who can contribute at approximately a half-point- Dylan Sikura sent to the HSK per-game or better pace. That type of piece should be more readily available than a top line center or wing. And while the Golden Knights Carl Dahlstrom sent to the HSK would love to land a legitimate top line center scoring threat, the price is too great to entertain. Layton Ahac (D) signed three-year entry-level contract. So for now, Vegas gets the addition of a number one defenseman at no Zack Hayes (D) signed three-year entry-level contract. cost in Alex Pietrangelo. They will look to see if Glass can find a spark for Peter DiLiberatore (D) signed three-year entry-level contract. his game in the AHL. And while not going out of their way to find one more piece to the Stanley Cup puzzle, they are certainly open to ideas. Everyone caught up? Good.

The juggling of players between the AHL, Taxi Squad and NHL roster has become common for many teams this year, Vegas included. The Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 04.01.2021 Golden Knights must diligently manage the team’s cap resources every single day. That can mean players in and out constantly, and younger players who don’t need to clear waivers are often the ones moving up and down. It may be just as much a financial concern as an actual on-ice production concern when it comes to who goes up and down. In the case of Cody Glass, his assignment to the Silver Knights is more related to play. I find the timing curious as it seems so many in the media had been asking about him lately and what both the coaching staff and teammates have seen from him… and then down he goes. It’s not a bad thing for a young player to figure it out in the minors. I actually wish more players had the time to do just that. Remember that coming out of training camp the hope was that Glass would challenge for the center spot between Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone. Instead, Chandler Stephenson won that battle handily and has been installed there all season. Meanwhile Glass has struggled, especially at five-on-five where he hasn’t scored all year. Even his advanced metrics show that Glass isn’t going in the right direction. So getting some time in the AHL with Henderson should help in getting his game back together and his confidence back up. Then there’s the matter of waiving Nick Holden. Holden has appeared in 13 games this season with one assist and a plus-3 rating. Nothing earth- shattering, but for a guy who has been in and out of the lineup it’s not bad either. It was clear coming out of camp that Holden had fallen down the depth chart. He was probably the eighth defenseman on the ladder at 1186312 Washington Capitals

With a grueling schedule in April, the Capitals prepare for a challenging playoff push

By Samantha Pell March 31, 2021 at 8:33 p.m. UTC

NEW YORK — Washington Capitals Coach Peter Laviolette enumerated his team’s upcoming stretch: three games in four days, seven games in 11 days and 11 games in 18 days. “It is just going to go on and on and on,” Laviolette quipped Wednesday afternoon. The Capitals (23-8-4, 50 points) have reached the grueling month of April, and their opponents won’t make the last 21 games of the season easy. Washington will face off against the New York Islanders, who are tied for second place in the East Division with the Pittsburgh Penguins, five times this month. It will also play Boston (18-9-5, 41 points) three times in April, including twice at TD Garden. Add in the trade deadline in mid-April and these next few weeks will be a strong indicator for where the team stands as it nears the playoffs in mid-May. Four of the five meetings against the Islanders will be at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, starting with a game Thursday night. The Capitals are 3-0-0 against the Islanders this season. New York is on a two-game losing streak, falling to the Penguins twice. “They’ve been tight games [against the Islanders]. There is not a lot of room out there to create, and so we will have to work for that,” Laviolette said. “We will have to work to defend hard, but I think the guys know it is important games, it is big games, as they have been. The Islanders are at tops in the division, so we are playing for a lot here.” The Capitals started their five-game, eight-day road trip Tuesday night with a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers. They will play both the Islanders and New Jersey twice in their next four-game road stretch. The team had an optional practice Wednesday. Laviolette emphasized the importance of giving players needed time off the ice and balancing the rhythm that comes with playing every other day and getting bodies back up to speed. “I feel like rest is really important,” Laviolette said. “. . . Some guys are out there [because] it’s mandatory, some guys took the option, and some guys thought it was best to stay off the ice and let their bodies heal up.” Tuesday was the first time in a while the Capitals were at full strength — a rarity this season. Capitals fall apart in the third period again, and this time they get stuck with a loss to the Rangers Lars Eller was back in the lineup after he missed seven games because of a lower-body injury. Richard Panik, who is making $2.75 million this season, was the odd man out with Eller’s return. The Capitals sit among the league leaders in the standings, having won 14 of their past 17 games, and have kept game-changing mistakes to a minimum with a depleted lineup. “There is always mistakes out on the ice, but when they lead to breakaways or guys point blank in front of the net, those are the tough ones,” Laviolette said. “I don’t think we’ve been guilty of a lot of those big mistakes lately, but [Tuesday] it caught us. It was a difference in the game.” While there are positives still to be gleaned from Tuesday, Laviolette said he sometimes finds it hard to keep that broad outlook in the moment. “I probably don’t keep that perspective very well,” Laviolette said. “I was angry last night on the bench — you know when a team is capable and you know how they are capable of playing, and I guess you always want to try to play to that standard. I certainly understand where we are and what we’ve been through, where we sit, I get all of that, but I don’t think you should allow things to be average or below average, and I think you should always address it.”

Washington Post LOADED: 04.01.2021 Winnipeg Jets team. Not having him out there is tough and it sucks," said defenceman 1186313 Josh Morrissey.

There was more pain to come, as T.J Brodie caught Stastny with a high Wheeler leaves game with injury as Jets fall 3-1 to Leafs stick late in the second period, sending a tooth or two falling to the ice which led to a double-minor. Winnipeg had a golden opportunity staring them in their bloodied faces, but that quickly evaporated when an offensive zone breakdown led to a Alex Kerfoot shorthanded breakaway Mike McIntyre which made it 3-0 at 16:40. "That one really hurt," said Maurice, There was none of the usual pomp as the Toronto Maple Leafs paid their Morrissey got the Jets on the board 35 seconds later, his point shot going first visit of the season to an otherwise empty Bell MTS Place, and the through a screen, but that's as close as the Jets would get. circumstances surrounding Wednesday's clash between the Canadian rivals weren't exactly routine either. "We looked good in the second, but you could see signs that we were having a hard time getting a handle on some pucks. Just behind it a little First place was on the line, which would never be the case in a non- bit. And it was a bit of a sloppy game for both teams in terms of COVID year where the two teams are playing in different conferences. In executions. They were having a hard time getting a handle on that puck. the end, the Winnipeg Jets missed an opportunity to leap-frog Toronto, There was nothing in that game that made me feel we were way off, but falling 3-1 in a game where seemingly everything that could have gone we weren't as good as we've been," said Maurice. wrong did. Campbell ended with 26 saves to improve to 7-0-0 on the season. Captain Blake Wheeler was lost to injury in the first period and never Hellebuyck made 23 stops. returned. Paul Stastny's teeth had to be fished out of the Maple Leafs net. Pierre-Luc Dubois delivered an accidental knee-on-knee hit to After the Maple Leafs leave town, Vancouver is set to arrive for a pair of teammate Derek Forbort which directly led to Toronto's first goal of the games on Sunday and Tuesday, but those are potentially in doubt after game. And the red-hot Jets power play gave up a dagger in the form of a Wednesday's game between the Canucks and Calgary Flames was shorthanded breakaway tally that put this one on ice. postponed shortly before puck drop due to COVID-19 concerns with two players and a coach going into protocol. Even the post-game Zooms didn't work properly, the audio of players and coach Paul Maurice repeatedly cutting out. Yeah, it was that kind of "I asked Kevin (Cheveldayoff) after the game, and it's one of these night. situations that evolves, and I don't think the answer to that question (comes) overnight either, if it affects games. I don't have an answer for Winnipeg falls to 22-13-2 and remain in second place in the all-Canadian you, and I don't think anyone does right now," said Maurice. division. They are now three points behind Toronto, which improves to 23-10-3. Forward Andrew Copp ended up being bang-on when he predicted, Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.01.2021 following a sluggish morning skate, that his team might have a tough day at the office on deck. The Jets were coming off a season-long seven game road trip through western Canada and, to quote Copp, were "feeling it." And not in a good way. "I was worried about this one right from the day the schedule came out. It looked like it in the first," Maurice said. No kidding. The Jets spotted the Maple Leafs a quick 2-0 lead that actually flattered the home team. Winnipeg gave up 10 high-danger chances at five-on-five in the opening 20 minutes while generating none of their own. They were outshot 14-6. Only Connor Hellebuyck kept this one close. "It was a pretty stinky start. No two ways to slice it," said Jets centre Mark Scheifele. The NHL's leading goal scorer, Auston Matthews, made it 1-0 4:40 into the game after Dubois accidentally took out Forbort, which opened up the slot for the Toronto centre to score his 24th. Forbort missed a few shifts but was able to return. Matthews did some more damage a few minutes later, setting up linemate Zach Hyman at 10:47 to double the lead. Mitch Marner had just undressed Logan Stanley seconds earlier to create the goal. Winnipeg challenged for goalie interference, arguing Hyman had impeded Hellebuyck on the play, but the goal was upheld after a quick review, which meant the Jets were given a delay of game penalty. They killed it off, only to take another when Wheeler accidentally flipped a puck into the seats from his own zone. The Jets survived that one as well, but they couldn't avoid losing their captain to an undisclosed injury by the end of the period. Wheeler was clipped by a high-stick from Pierre Engvall and was on the ensuing power play late in the first period, but he was nowhere to be seen when the second period began, and was ruled out for the remainder. "I don't know is the answer to be 100 per cent sure. It wasn't off the high stick. Just wasn't feeling right so we wanted to be careful with it," Maurice said of what was ailing Wheeler. "We'll get it looked at and have something for you in the next couple of days. Truly, I don't know. He may be back on the ice full-on the next game. It's not COVID-related. We just wanted to be real careful with him, and he may be back and never miss a shift again. So it's wide open right now." That forced the Jets to play with just 11 forwards the rest of the way. "Obviously he’s the leader of our team, he’s the heartbeat of this team. He’s been in this organization for a long time. Aside from his obvious talents and what he does for us on the ice, he’s the heartbeat of our Winnipeg Jets Still seeking a comfort level and consistency in his game, Dubois has 1186314 pumped in six goals and helped set up eight other — although he was definitely off Wednesday. New No. 2 line gets a 'D' He’s a physical specimen and has already tossed heavy hits — case in point, a thunderous check Monday on Calgary Flames blue-liner Chris Tanev — but he’s got a slick set of hands as well. Jason Bell Some of that might have been diminished as he tried to project what speedy Connor and zigzagging Ehlers would do next.

"Pierre-Luc has this other part to his game, which is big, strong and A recent shuffle of the forward group was supposed to afford Pierre-Luc hanging onto the puck like (Scheifele) but it’s a different rush game. So Dubois some additional on-the-job training. when Pierre-Luc goes with Blake and (Stastny), those guys just make the Little of use, however, was gleaned Wednesday night. right play. It is a simpler game with Wheeler and (Stastny) for Pierre-Luc to play and that then, I actually found him moving quicker," said the club’s The Winnipeg Jets centre was assigned by head coach Paul Maurice to longtime bench boss. skate between veterans Blake Wheeler and Paul Stastny for the second consecutive game. Dubois, the Jets’ youngest player by a month, possesses a prized set of tools and seems keen on distinguishing ways to put them to optimal use. Even marking on a curve, the trio deserved no better than a ‘D’ in a 3-1 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs. "As a centreman, you have to kind of adapt. You always want to be supporting the defenceman and, especially, the wingers. But whoever During a shift early in the first period shift, Dubois missed a chance to get you’re playing with, you have to read off them and make plays to help the puck out of his own zone and then collided with defenceman Derek them a bit more. It’s all part of the process of being the new player on the Forbort just before Auston Matthews flipped the puck past Connor team. Chemistry doesn’t develop overnight," he said. Hellebuyck to open the scoring. "The more I get to play here… guys get to see how I play, guys get to Wheeler played five shifts in the opening period and didn’t emerge from see what my tendencies are and when lines change, other players know the dressing room for the second frame after suffering an undisclosed a bit more about me, just from watching me play," added Dubois. "So, the injury. Later, Stastny took a stick to the mouth and lost a tooth. more games we go and the more plays I make and stuff like that, I think chemistry, that’s how it develops." Check that, another tooth.

Earlier in the day, Dubois, who played his 22nd game in a Jets jersey and the 261st contest of his four-year career, said embracing all Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.01.2021 continuing-education opportunities is a crucial element of life as an NHL player. "They’re two guys I used to watch and admire when I was younger, before I got into the league. And not to be able to play with them on the same team, you learn a lot," he said, following Winnipeg’s morning skate. "But playing on the same line with them, it’s easier to learn their tendencies and stuff like that, what makes them so good, whether it’s with or without the puck in the (defensive) zone or the (offensive) zone." Whether the Jets captain misses additional time won’t be known until today at the earliest, so it’s difficult to ascertain the makeup of the top two lines for Friday’s rematch with the Leafs. Dubois, 22, was acquired from Columbus on Jan. 23 in a bombshell NHL trade, with the Blue Jackets receiving Patrik Laine and Columbus product Jack Roslovic in return. Dubois, selected only one pick behind Laine in the 2016 NHL Draft, had requested the move from Ohio. He wasn’t able to skate with his new teammates until Feb. 7, owing to Canada’s quarantine laws during the COVID-19 pandemic, and finally debuted with Winnipeg 48 hours later. Maurice has been shifting pieces since the player swap in an attempt to find the most effect blend of his potent top-six forward group. Initially, Dubois was linked with the compatible duo of Scheifele and Wheeler as a smooth entry into the lineup for the 6-2, 205-pound Quebec native. He was sidelined by an injury for a few games but then began to blossom on a line with dynamic wingers Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor, who’ve been jockeying all season for the team goal-scoring lead. Scheifele was between Wheeler and Stastny for a long stint but was aligned with the youngster Monday — to rave reviews as he scored twice. Maurice said several factors went into his decision to unite Dubois with the pair of skilled, cerebral 30-somethings. "I wanted to be careful about changing Pierre-Luc’s line because after Game 1 of the Vancouver set (a 4-0 win) I really liked where they were at. The two Edmonton games, I liked what they were doing and I thought it was growing. Then it kind of levelled off," he said. "I thought for a while that Scheif’s line was grinding and playing hard, but there wasn’t a whole lot going on. "You need to get through these games with an idea of what changes could you make to your lines when you play different teams when you get into a series and something isn’t working. We have to learn more about this team. With Pierre-Luc here, I’d like to leave it for a while and see where it goes." Winnipeg Jets After saying they wanted to use their last game against Toronto, perhaps 1186315 their best game of the season, as something of a template, the Jets had played one of their worst periods of the season. WHEELS FALL OFF: Jets stagger out of gate, lose captain, in loss to “Coming off a road trip in the NHL, when you play as much as we have Leafs on the road, you’ve seen it in other years – it can be hard to get your feet under you in the first period,” Josh Morrissey said. “We really weren’t able to.” Paul Friesen They cranked it up a few notches in the second, a physical Adam Lowry leading the way, and were rewarded with a few more power plays, Publishing date: Mar 31, 2021 including a four-minute one when Paul Stastny had a tooth knocked out by an errant stick. They knew it was coming, they just didn’t know when, who or how bad It Stastny got his tooth back, but the Jets couldn’t immediately bite into the would be. deficit. Worse, they gave up a shorthanded tally on a breakaway by Disgustingly healthy so far this season, the Winnipeg Jets watched the Alexander Kerfoot. injury bug find their captain in their 37th game of the season on Morrissey finally got Winnipeg on the board with a point blast on the Wednesday. same power play, Stastny providing the screen in front of goalie Jack Losing 3-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs cost the Jets a chance at their first Campbell. taste of top spot in the NHL’s all-Canadian division. The second ended with the Jets having played much better, but still down Losing Blake Wheeler cost head coach Paul Maurice the new-look line by two. combinations he was so eager to sample for the next several games, at Nobody managed a goal in the third, the Jets winding up one-for-four on least. a power play weakened by Wheeler’s absence. “The power play, clearly, you lose an elite set-up guy, so that changes,” “He’s a rock for us. He does so much,” Scheifele said. “He’s our heart Maurice said. “We’ve been fortunate up to this point in the year and and soul. So to see him not come back is tough.” haven’t had to deal with a lot of injuries. It’s not something we haven’t dealt with in the past, so we’ll deal with it.” The loss of his captain caused Maurice to juggle the line combinations he debuted one game earlier, when Scheifele switched to centre between Maurice wouldn’t even offer a guess as to how long Wheeler might be Nik Ehlers and Kyle Connor. out, just saying he’ll be examined on Thursday with an update coming “in the next couple of days.” Shots finished 27-26, Winnipeg. “Truly, I don’t know,” the coach said. “He may be back on the ice full-on The rematch goes on Friday. the next game. It’s not COVID-related. We just wanted to be real careful with him, and he may be back and never miss a shift again. So it’s wide After that, the Jets’ schedule could be in flux, as COVID on Wednesday open right now.” shut down their next opponent, the Vancouver Canucks. Wide open is a good description of how the Jets allowed the Leafs to “I don’t have an answer for you,” Maurice said. “And I don’t think anyone come out of the gate. does right now.” The Jets were determined to avoid the dreaded post-road-trip letdown, but were manhandled early, giving up a pair in the first half of the opening period. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.01.2021 “I was worried about this one right from the day the schedule came out,” Maurice said. “It looked like it in the first. But you’re thinking that you can get out of it. And we did, we looked good in the second. But you could see signs that we were having a hard time getting a handle on some pucks. Just behind it a little bit. “There was nothing in that game that made me feel we were way off, but we weren’t as good as we’ve been.” Mark Scheifele had a succinct term for his team’s opening 20 minutes. “It was a pretty stinky start,” Scheifele said. “No two ways to slice it. But we really came back in that second and third, showed a lot of resiliency, a lot of heart, especially with Wheels going down. We had a lot of guys working hard. We got our chances.” The loss drops the Jets to 22-13-2, while the Leafs improve to 23-10-3, three points up with one game in hand. It’s not an oversimplification to say the opening 20 minutes cost Winnipeg the game. The early carnage began when Pierre-Luc Dubois accidentally took out his own man, defenceman Derek Forbort, allowing NHL goal leader Auston Matthews to score his 24th of the season. Some five minutes later, the Leafs buzzing around the Jets like wasps around a bird carcass, Matthews rang one off the post, a net-crashing Zach Hyman cashing in on the rebound. Things could have been worse, as the Jets had to kill off three penalties in the first, two of them delay-of-game calls. One came after Maurice’s ill-advised challenge for goalie interference on Hyman’s goal failed, the other when Wheeler lifted the puck over the glass in his own zone. Shots were 13-3 and high-danger chances 8-0, Leafs, when the Jets got their first power play, but the shorthanded team got as many chances as the one with the extra man. 1186316 Winnipeg Jets Hey kid, let’s talk Maurice says the most important part of a player-coach relationship is to

agree on what the player is good at. JETS SNAPSHOTS: Little trade talk in Jets' room; Dubois line here to “That would be the bulk of the conversations we’ve had with Pierre-Luc,” stay 'for a while' he said. “The style of game we think he can excel at and the player he wants to be tonight, and five years from now – what direction are we going? He’s a hybrid. He’s got some hands, he can make plays, he’s a Paul Friesen skilled guy. At the same time, he’s a big, powerful man.” Publishing date: Mar 31, 2021 Maurice figures Dubois can be a version of Wheeler. Probably with more of a physical edge, though. Winnipeg Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois (13) is congratulated at the The hit Dubois put on Calgary defenceman Chris Tanev on Monday was bench after his goal against the Montreal Canadiens in Winnipeg on an example, albeit one that drew attention from Tanev’s teammates who Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. didn’t like it. A dozen days until the NHL trade deadline, the rumbling around potential “It was one of those plays where the game is so fast, once you commit to moves would normally be thunderous by now. a check your momentum is bringing you into it,” Dubois said. “It’s almost impossible to stop. It was unfortunate. I was glad to see when he came This year feels different, though. back into the game.” At least, it does around the Jets. Tanev was in an awkward position when Dubois sent him into the end “The normal trade deadline feels like there is a long ramp-up to it, there is boards. more time for speculation,” head coach Paul Maurice was saying, Coming home Wednesday. “Maybe we’ve just been on the road and haven’t been reading anything. It doesn’t feel the same. None of this feels the same.” After spending 12 straight days, and 23 of their last 27, on the road, coming home on Tuesday was a special feeling, especially for players The quarantine requirements for players coming from the U.S., reportedly with families in Winnipeg. reduced to seven days by the federal government, remains a stumbling block for any potential moves. “Fantastic,” is how new father Dylan DeMelo described it. “Crazy schedule this month with 17 games and it feels like the whole time we But not as much of one as the two-week quarantine was. were on the road. Even just this last trip… we started off in Edmonton “If you had two weeks and then add another week for guys to train and and that felt like a month ago. It was great to get home and see my wife get up to speed, and all of a sudden there’s three games left in the and see my son, who basically grew twice the size in that timeframe. regular season – it’s hard to introduce a new player into the lineup,” “He’s like a brand new kid.” forward Andrew Copp said, putting on his GM hat. “So from the GMs’ perspective that’s huge, to get that down to a week.” We’ve said it before, but the pandemic isolation of road trips is real at both ends, with the players who are away and those they leave behind. Someone like Kevin Cheveldayoff may also be reluctant to mess with a team chemistry that’s helped the Jets contend for top spot in the all- “When it’s that long and when it’s isolated,” DeMelo said. “You miss them Canadian division. even more.” “We only see each other, so it’s a pretty tight-knit group,” Maurice said. “There doesn’t seem to be as many guys asking ‘Hey what are you hearing out there? What’s going on?’ They’re pretty happy with the group Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.01.2021 that we have.” Players say that every year, of course. Just like they’ll say they love the incoming player if Cheveldayoff does pull off a trade. No overnight chemistry The last player acquired by the Jets, Pierre-Luc Dubois, is still searching for his perfect fit in the lineup. Wednesday night against Toronto marked just Dubois’ second game between Blake Wheeler and Paul Stastny. The trio produced a goal by Dubois in Calgary, Monday, giving the former Columbus Blue Jacket six goals and eight assists in 21 games. “It’s the first time I got traded but you don’t develop chemistry overnight,” Dubois said before Wednesday’s game. “It takes practices, which we don’t have this year, and it takes games. So it’s kind of like your practice reps are in games, which isn’t ideal.” Dubois, 22, says he’s asking a lot of questions of his veteran linemates, two players he admired as a teenager. “Playing on the same line with them, it’s easier to learn their tendencies and stuff like that,” Dubois said. “What makes them so good, whether it’s with or without the puck in the D-zone or the O-zone. “I’m so far from reaching my potential but the only way to reach it is to learn.” Maurice is hoping he finds a few potential combinations between now and the playoffs, with an eye on matching up with the three teams currently in the top-four: the Leafs, Oilers and Montreal. “You need to get through these games with an idea of what changes could you make to your lines when you play different teams, when you get into a series and something isn’t working,” the coach said. “We have to learn more about this team. With Pierre-Luc here, I’d like to leave it for a while and see where it goes.” 1186317 Winnipeg Jets

Jets, Leafs square off for top spot

Paul Friesen Publishing date: Mar 31, 2021

It’ll be Connor Hellebuyck vs. the undefeated Jack Campbell as the Winnipeg Jets take on Toronto with first place in the NHL North Division on the line tonight. The goaltending duel is only part of the intrigue, as the teams are among the highest-scoring in hockey, boasting two of the league’s top-five point producers and its No. 1 goal-scorer in the Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews. “You want to beat the best,” Jets forward Andrew Copp said, Wednesday morning. “So I don’t know if it has too much of an influence on the playoffs but it’s just something you want to do. You want to be atop your division.” The Leafs, 22-10-3, have 47 points, one more than 22-12-2 Winnipeg, with one game in hand. The goalies figure to be busy in this two-game set — they play again on Friday — as Toronto’s Mitch Marner (44 points) and the Jets’ Mark Scheifele (43) top a pair of forward groups that are among the game’s best. Hellebuyck is the defending Vezina Trophy winner as the league’s top goalie, Campbell a perfect 6-0 in the Leafs’ crease this season. The teams have split four games this season, one Toronto win coming in overtime. Their last meeting produced a 5-2 Jets win, their most complete game of the season. “It’s a good reference point for us, because we stuck with our game,” defenceman Dylan DeMelo said. “That was pretty close to a 60-minute effort… we have to get back to that, though. We can’t just assume it’s going to turn on as a light switch.” The Jets are coming off a seven-game road trip that produced a 4-3 record, including a 5-1 romp in Calgary to end it. A dozen of Winnipeg’s last 14 games came on the road, from Montreal to Vancouver, taking a toll the Jets don’t want showing up tonight. While the Jets have played eight games over the last 15 days, the Leafs have played just five. “The boys are feeling it a little bit right now,” Copp said. “The time-zone change and the late games in Calgary, and then an earlier skate today, everyone was a little slow moving around the locker room this morning trying to get warmed up. It got better as we went along. Thank god the skate gets you back… gets you back to neutral a little bit. “Those are the circumstances that we’ve got to be able to overcome.” Jets coach Paul Maurice will go with the same lineup that beat Calgary, including the new top-six combination that saw Scheifele scored two goals between Kyle Connor and Nik Ehlers on Monday. Maurice first place in the division and home-ice advantage for at least two rounds of the playoffs is not the carrot it might be in a normal year. “I don’t think that anybody feels it’s necessary,” he said. “There is a chance it may not even be advantageous. We don’t talk about the standings, we talk about our game. Everybody is aware of how this fits. There are still 20 games left and you have three teams, two points, this thing is going to jockey all the way through.” Edmonton, in third, trails the Jets by just a point.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.01.2021 1186318 Vancouver Canucks

COVID-19: Canucks vs. Flames game postponed after new positive tests

Patrick Johnston Publishing date: Mar 31, 2021

Vancouver Canucks forward Adam Gaudette (96) celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens in the third period at Rogers Arena. Canucks won 2-1 in an overtime shootout. Wednesday night’s Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames game at Rogers Arena has been postponed after another Canucks player and a member of the coaching staff returned positive test for COVID-19. This comes two days after Canucks forward Adam Gaudette tested a positive for the novel coronavirus. That test result was delivered Tuesday while he was already on the ice with his teammates for practice. The identities of the new positives are not known at this time. “The National Hockey League announced today that, as a result of two Vancouver Canucks Players (including one Player who was added to the COVID Protocol List after it was released at 5:00 p.m. ET today) as well as a member of their coaching staff entering the NHL’s COVID Protocols, the team’s game tonight against the Calgary Flames will be postponed. The decision was made by the League’s, NHLPA’s and Club’s medical groups. The League will provide a further update tomorrow,” the NHL said in a statement shortly after 6 p.m. The game was originally slated to start at 7:30 p.m. Unlike Gaudette’s result, which came roughly 24 hours after the test was taken, Wednesday’s additional positives were from tests taken in the morning, roughly eight hours earlier. The team paid to have the tests process expedited. This is the fifth game involving a Canadian team postponed this season because of COVID-19 protocols; the Montreal Canadiens had four games postponed earlier this month after Joel Armia tested positive for a COVID-19 variant. It’s not yet known if the Canucks will face further postponements but they are slated to head out on a seven-game, 12-day road trip beginning Saturday in Edmonton. The crew from Calgary will stay overnight on the West Coast, as was the initial plan, and will travel Thursday to Edmonton, where they’re slated to face the Oilers on Friday. Earlier on Wednesday, Canucks head coach Travis Green wouldn’t say if Gaudette’s case was a variant and added that Tuesday’s tests hadn’t returned any further positives, so the team was preparing to play the game as usual. “We’ve been following NHL protocol and getting ready to play a game tonight,” he said. “Obviously yesterday when you get the news, you’re always wondering about it. Last night we had a pretty good idea that we’re good to go this morning.” “If something changes I’m sure players will be the first to know and the media will be the next to know,” he added, when asked about the possibility that things could change between then and game time. This is the second time this season Canucks players have landed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list. Jordie Benn was a presumed positive before the season’s start and was out for 14 days as a result, though he said after returning to action that he never suffered any symptoms. J.T. Miller was also on the COVID-19 list for a week because he was deemed a close contact of Benn’s. He missed the season’s first three games as a result. A number of games in the United States were postponed earlier this season, because of outbreaks on American clubs.

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 04.01.2021 Vancouver Canucks makes sense. Of all the steps we would take, and in a proof of concept, it 1186319 obviously has been done in Barcelona.”

Still, any fan plan enthusiasm comes with a caveat because players are Canucks: Timing is everything to eventually reach approved fan plan increasingly at risk and so are games. A Montreal Canadiens forward tested positive for a variant on March 22. All club activities were halted for eight days and Joel Armia remains on Ben Kuzma the COVID list. Earlier this week, B.C. health researchers detected more than 200 cases of the P1 variant, more than doubling the previous Publishing date:Mar 31, 2021 number in the province. “Variants are more contagious and cause more severe disease in People wearing protective masks attend a concert of "Love of Lesbian" at younger people to be hospitalized,” said Dr. Conway. “It would be a the Palau Sant Jordi, the first massive concert since the beginning of the shame if we had young professional athletes who may develop long- coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Barcelona, Spain on March lasting diseases that would potentially end their careers. “We need to be 27, 2021. very cautious.” In the court of public opinion, timing is everything. Any ambitious fan plan for Rogers Arena in the midst of heightened Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 04.01.2021 coronavirus concerns — Adam Gaudette testing positive as the province is in a three-week, circuit-breaker protocol to combat a rapid rise in case counts — can be considered putting a caboose at the front of the priority train. However, at some point, the Vancouver Canucks can envision a safe means of pre-game testing, distanced cohort arena pods and limited food and beverage options in restricted locations for their fans. And so can Dr. Brian Conway, president and medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre. Although any project requires federal and provincial health authority approval — and limits on the number who could attend an indoor event — there are examples of what could eventually work here. Dr. Conway cited a successful indoor concert in Barcelona last weekend, despite Spain being in the top 10 of COVID-19 cases. The event was staged in a large arena and allowed 5,000 patrons. They were administered a rapid virus test on the day of the concert and those who returned a positive result were given refunds. Those who tested negative received a code to enter the arena with masks to be worn at all times. They were seated among three cohort groupings of approximately 1,600 with no interaction between pods. Food and beverages were only consumed at safe spaced locations. Those patrons are now being closely monitored for any COVID-19 symptoms over the next two weeks. People wearing protective masks attend a concert of “Love of Lesbian” at the Palau Sant Jordi, the first massive concert since the beginning of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Barcelona, Spain, March 27, 2021. “An ambitious pilot project and also an important one and I really do think it could work here,” said Dr. Conway. “They also did a smaller test event in Barcelona with only 500 attending and it was found to be safe.” Spain has the eighth-most COVID cases and on Monday the country reported 6,100 new infections in a population of 46 million. By comparison, Canada reported 4,500 cases on the same day for a population of 37 million. “In Barcelona, they’re keeping information on individuals because they had to register,” added Dr. Conway. “If cases develop, they will do aggressive contact tracing. This is not the approach that has been taken in the U.S., where they’ve just gone on formulas based on reduced occupancy in percentage of total capacity for the venue. “We need to be smarter and consistent with Canadian guidelines, if we’re going to do this.” The discussion of any fan plan becomes moot if there’s uncontrolled community spread. Spiking case numbers in B.C., along with arrival of aggressive virus variants, suggest planning and execution are a matter of a moving timeline. And so is the Canucks’ schedule. After returning Wednesday from the league’s mandated six-day break, the Canucks have seven home dates before their regular-season schedule concludes May 8. And with playoffs a long shot, the odds of getting a fan plan approved and running in short order are long. However, even one successful experience after the circuit-breaker might set the bar for next season, if there’s federal and provincial health approval. “They’ve shown some flexibility with reduction in the quarantine period (14 to seven days) for players traded from the U.S. to Canada,” stressed Dr. Conway, who is also a Canucks season-ticket subscriber and has forwarded the fan concept. “I think they’re open to some flexibility, if it 1186320 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks and Thatcher Demko nearing five-year, US$25-million deal: Reports

Patrick Johnston Publishing date: Mar 31, 2021

VANCOUVER, BC - March 24, 2021 - Vancouver Canucks Thatcher Demko makes a save in front of Winnipeg Jets Mathieu Perreault during NHL hockey at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, March 24, 2021. The Vancouver Canucks appear ready to commit to their No. 1 goaltender for the next five seasons. Multiple reports suggest the NHL team and Thatcher Demko are set to sign a five-year contract extension that will average US$5 million per season, beginning with the 2021-22 season. Though the team didn’t release details Wednesday, Canucks owner confirmed that the goalie is signed for five more years. Very happy to have Thatcher Demko under contract for the next 5 years! So far in his career, the 25-year-old Californian has made 62 starts and posted a decent 0.911 save percentage, slightly above the NHL average. This season he’s outperformed Jacob Markstrom, his predecessor in the Vancouver net, after the big Swede joined the Calgary Flames. Signing Demko to this deal is a bet that he’s going to be closer to the goalie he was in March — rather than the goalie he was in February — more often than not over the next five years. It’s not a bad bet, but it’s still a bet nonetheless; as scouts like to say, “goalies are voodoo” — it’s hard to predict how they’ll pan out. There are 12 goaltenders in the NHL who are currently making $5 million or more, so Demko’s future salary is in line with the upper band of those netminders. If he performs well, it will look like one of the better deals Canucks general manager Jim Benning has signed during his seven-year tenure. If he doesn’t, well you know the rest. Hockey analysis outlets like Clear Sight Analytics and Evolving Hockey have found that Demko has been stellar this season — driven mainly by his lights-out performances in March — but the numbers from his previous two seasons backing up Markstrom are a little more pedestrian. Demko’s strong moments have been chalked up to his work with goalie coach Ian Clark, who is without a contract beyond this season and seems likely to walk away at this point. If Clark does leave, the pressure will be on his replacement to keep Demko up to the standard set over the last three seasons in Vancouver under Clark. Markstrom’s struggles this year in Calgary are a poignant reminder of Clark’s success with the Canucks’ goalies.

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186321 Vancouver Canucks

COVID-19: Canucks-Flames Wednesday night game postponed

Patrick Johnston Publishing date: Mar 31, 2021

Update: Wednesday night’s game between the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames has been postponed. Reports indicate two Canucks players and a member of the coach staff are entering the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols. Previously: A retest of Adam Gaudette’s Monday nasal PCR test has confirmed the Vancouver Canucks forward has COVID-19. The third-year centre was pulled from Tuesday’s practice at Rogers Arena minutes after the NHL team was informed of his positive result. But it appears no other player has been affected by Gaudette’s infection, as a full slate of skaters took part in Wednesday’s morning skate, ahead of an evening game against the Calgary Flames. The players have been tested daily since the start of the season, so it would seem yesterday’s round of tests didn’t reveal any further positives, nor did the contact tracing the team undertook after Gaudette’s initial positive result reveal any risks to other players. “We’ve been following NHL protocol and we’re getting ready to play tonight,” head coach Travis Green said after the morning skate. “Obviously yesterday, when you get the news, you’re always wondering about it. I think last night we had a pretty good idea we were good to go for this morning.” No other players tested positive out of Tuesday’s round of testing, he confirmed. He wouldn’t say whether Gaudette’s case was a variant. “We’re preparing to play. We haven’t been told otherwise. And if something changes, the players will be the first to know and the media will be the next to know.” J.T. Miller, who went through COVID-19 close contact isolation protocol earlier in the season after Jordie Benn was a presumed positive, said the situation is unfortunate, but he was philosophical about the situation. “Everyone’s trying their best to abide by the protocols,” he said. “It doesn’t change anything. No one wants to get it, no one wants to spread it.”

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 04.01.2021 1186322 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks Game Night: Dousing the Flames requires more goals, discipline

Ben Kuzma Publishing date: Mar 31, 2021

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME 1. Boeser bounce back: The Canucksare coming off a six-day break from a horrendous schedule and if anybody has the ammunition to get them going offensively, it’s Brock Boeser. He has three goals and six points in the season series and his 16 goals rank 11th in the league and he’s tied for the team lead in power-play goals with six. 2. Flames can’t flicker: A 5-1 home-ice loss to Winnipeg on Monday drove home the point that the playoffs are a mirage. Five losses in the last six games will do that. “We don’t do a very good job of dealing with adversity,” Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk told Postmedia. “They (Jets) make it 1-1 and we let that trickle into the second.” 3. Boyd really buoyed: After a seven-day mandatory COVID-19 quarantine in a hotel, waiver-wire claim Travis Boyd practised on a line with Tyler Motte and Brandon Sutter on Monday and was also on the second power-play unit in advance of his Canucks debut. He’s an unrestricted free agent, but may figure into future roster plans. 4. Bench boss at a loss: As expected, the Flames got a giant wake-up call when Darryl Sutter replaced the fired Geoff Ward. The no-nonsense bench boss put a premium on a total team game and the club responded with three straight wins. However, sustainability then became the biggest concern as Sutter seeks solutions. Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter delivers a message during his first practice in charge of the team on March 9. 5. Lords of discipline? The Canucks have accumulated the second most penalties. Alex Edler has the fourth most infractions and Tyler Myers is tied for sixth. And Vancouver has been assessed the second most bench infractions for too many men on the ice with eight. A bad trend for slim playoff aspirations.

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 04.01.2021 Vancouver Canucks expensive than illustrated here — the idea is simply to get a general 1186323 snapshot.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman posited that the Canucks have budgeted How the Canucks’ salary cap outlook looks with Thatcher Demko’s roughly $15 million total for Pettersson and Hughes on bridge deals. If we contract extension presume that in conjunction with modest show-me deals for Adam Gaudette and Olli Juolevi, plus Vasili Podkolzin coming over on his ELC, the club runs into a very tight jam. Vancouver would have roughly $3.52 million in space with 19 players signed after these RFA projections and By Harman Dayal the potential performance bonus overage. That still doesn’t sound too Mar 31, 2021 bad; the problem is the number of holes that would remain on this roster: In this scenario, the Canucks would still need to add a top-four defender to replace Alex Edler. That alone would take up the majority of the club’s The Vancouver Canucks aren’t hedging their bet on Thatcher Demko. remaining cap space. Given how tight it gets, you have to wonder if the They’re going all in. Canucks are really just better off letting Tanner Pearson, who’s not currently factored into this projection, walk to free agency, especially The Canucks have reportedly signed the 25-year-old goaltender to a five- since this roster doesn’t look contention-ready. year, $25 million contract, as first reported by TSN’s Frank Seravalli. The $5 million cap hit would tie Demko with Robin Lehner and Semyon Now there are obviously ways for the Canucks to clear additional space. Varlamov as the NHL’s 12th-highest-paid goalie by AAV. If the Canucks can’t shed Jake Virtanen’s salary on the trade market, for instance, a buyout would wipe out $2.5 million of his $2.55 million cap hit. Anytime a contract is signed there’s a tendency to immediately rate the There’s also the possibility of demoting Loui Eriksson to the AHL for the deal either as a steal or as a huge overpayment. However, this extension maximum buriable relief (projected to be $1.125 million) and the fact that feels like it slots as a fair deal for both sides — it’s a big bet that clocks in the club will lose someone to Seattle in the expansion draft. at a reasonable valuation. Again, this is why we’re only presenting this as a general snapshot rather From the Canucks’ perspective, they’re able to lock in their No. 1 goalie than a precise calculation of their exact situation. There are moving parts, through his age 26 to 30 campaigns, the prime of his career. The cap hit the situation is fluid. sets a high bar — Demko is being paid as a high-end starter now — the potential upside comes from the fact that the club’s bought three UFA That said, the general snapshot is clear: It’s unlikely the Canucks will years at a manageable rate. Had Demko instead signed a two- or three- have the flexibility this offseason to make substantial upgrades after re- year bridge deal, it would have walked him directly to unrestricted free signing their RFAs. agency. Therefore, if Demko maintained his stellar form through a hypothetical bridge deal, it would have cost the Canucks a higher cap hit Their hands will very likely be tied again this summer — the team may and forced them to sign him deeper into his early 30s on his next not be ready to take a significant step forward next year. The Canucks contract. appear to recognize that because the Demko extension works to bolster the club’s long-term cap situation at the expense of their short-term The front office is making a calculated gamble that he’s the real deal as a flexibility. consistent, high-end starter. They’re betting on him now rather than kicking the can down the road where he could be more expensive if he retains his elite form from this season. The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 Meanwhile, Demko’s camp locks in long-term security. The 2014 second- round pick has just 62 career NHL games under his belt, and while he unquestionably has the talent and ability level to be a top netminder in this league, it’s an incredibly volatile position. There have certainly been a few promising goalies, like Carter Hart (not to write him off, he’s still young), Matt Murray, Jordan Binnington and Tristan Jarry, who have tapered off after performing at an elite level in small samples. On that basis, it makes a lot of sense for Demko to sign a contract like this that will set him up financially for life. This extension does carry fascinating implications for the Canucks’ cap situation. By going long rather than bridging, they’re essentially paying an elevated rate for next season where they were already strapped for space in exchange for the benefit of long-term flexibility. In other words, they were willing to pay a premium for long-term gain even though it makes the forecast for next season more challenging. This would suggest that the organization may not view 2021-22 as an all- in year — the way they handled this negotiation suggests they believe their window opens in two years rather than next season. That tracks with Jim Benning’s comments last month where he stated that it could take two years for the team to be truly competitive. When considering that 2022-23 is the big year where inefficient contracts peel off the books, this view on the window makes sense even if might not align with their previous contract work like bridging Brock Boeser rather than going long with him. There’s no question that the extension makes this offseason’s cap dance all the more interesting. With Demko’s new deal factored in, the Canucks will enter the offseason with 14 players signed at $58.4 million, per CapFriendly, leaving just north of $23 million in space. That may sound like a decent chunk, but the flexibility disappears very rapidly. For starters, $1.7 million could get chopped off the top from performance bonuses for Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes’ entry-level contracts. After that, the Canucks will need to re-sign those two franchise players. Let’s walk through a hypothetical exercise to illustrate what the situation could look like. The goal here isn’t to be precise about exact numbers since we’re making projections about RFAs that haven’t signed yet — so don’t get caught up over how Player X or Y should be cheaper or more Vancouver Canucks is a competent NHL No. 1 goalie, with the caveat there could be some 1186324 highs and lows along the way.

What should the Canucks expect from goalie Thatcher Demko after The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 signing 5-year extension?

By Corey Pronman and Dom Luszczyszyn Mar 31, 2021

Vancouver has reportedly signed goaltender Thatcher Demko to a five- year extension, with an average annual value of $5 million, starting in the 2021-22 season. The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn and Corey Pronman offer their perspectives on the contract and what Canucks fans could expect. Dom: Goalie contracts are always interesting because goalies themselves are interesting. A good goalie today can be a bad goalie tomorrow and it’s very difficult to discern which ones can stay consistent and which ones might oscillate between the two extremes. Demko has 61 games of NHL experience and has already lived at both ends. In his first full season, he looked like a backup netminder, posting a .906 save percentage while allowing 1.9 goals above expected in 27 games. Then his potential began to shine through in the playoffs last summer and he hasn’t looked back since. In 25 games this season, Demko has a .917 save percentage behind a leaky Canucks blue line, saving 9.6 goals above expected, which is a top five rate leaguewide. Which one is the real Demko? His AAV suggests neither, as $5 million is a run-of-the-mill starter rate. If he can keep up this year’s torrid pace, he’s a bargain at that price. But, if he reverts back to what he was last year, then the deal has the potential to backfire, especially with a five-year term. That’s the problem with betting on 25 games being the real deal in a 61-game career. The sample is tiny and as impressive as Demko has been this year, the deal carries some risk. What mitigates that risk is his age and pedigree. Demko is 25 and was a very highly regarded prospect before finally nabbing the starter’s job in Vancouver this season. There’s plenty of reason to have faith in his ability and his play this season leads to a strong projection, north of three wins. That leaves a lot of room for leeway should he falter as the expectation for $5 million for a skater is generally half of that. While Demko should be able to provide value over his deal, there is the question of whether the Canucks could’ve done it for less to stay on the safe side. This tweet from Rhys Jessop sums up the conundrum in the sense that comparable RFA goalies were paid a bit less with less term. If Demko becomes a consistent top five goalie, then the signing will look genius, but it does come with some risk if he falls prey to variance, something that plagues nearly every goalie at some point in their career. Pronman: To answer Dom’s question on which is the real Demko, I think what you’ve seen in 2021 is what Canucks fans can more realistically expect over the term of this deal. You don’t want to simply excuse away poor performance like in the prior season, but it’s worth noting it took Demko a year to adjust to a higher level in the AHL as a rookie pro from college before dominating the next season in the AHL. Demko has almost every attribute you’d want in an NHL goalie, which is why scouts often praise him as a well-rounded netminder. He’s big, very intelligent, has good quickness and is competitive. The size and brain stand out the most to me. He anticipates tough passing plays at a high rate and rarely seems out of position. He moves well in the net, reacting quickly and can make a difficult/athletic save, but that isn’t the core of his game for me or a true above-average NHL attribute. His ability to make tough saves seem easy combined with his frame and his track record over the many years of watching him gives me confidence he could be a competent NHL starting goalie, probably in the second half of the league’s starters in that regard. While the deal is pricy for a current RFA, it does also eat up UFA years. As Dom noted, some variance could be expected over the five years as there is with any NHL goalie but I think this is a fair price for a player who I think is an above-average NHL goalie at age 25. Shared conclusion: While there is risk like there would be in any long- term goalie deal, particularly for one without a lengthy sample of performance, Demko’s track record prior to the NHL was rich, to go along with a NHL starting goalie caliber toolkit. This looks like a fair deal for Demko and the Canucks given what we could realistically expect, which 1186325 Websites 27 Leon Draisaitl

2.24 The Athletic / NHL awards WATCH: Should Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both be up for the Hart Trophy? 0.9 C By Dom Luszczyszyn EDM Mar 31, 2021 36 22 Throughout the season, I’ll be breaking down the numbers behind the 19 race for each major player award: the Hart, the Norris, the Calder, the Selke, the Vezina, the Art Ross and the Rocket Richard. Numbers, of 35 course, aren’t everything. But they add much-needed context to the 54 awards race and can help shine a light on players deserving of more recognition while adding caveats to other players who may have some 14.21 warts. This post will present the top 10 for each category based on a set of guidelines. 9 It’s been a month since our last awards watch, a look around the 81 league’s trophy races from an analytical perspective. While there’s been some movement among some of the contenders vying for nominations, 2 not much has changed for the front-runners. For the most part, the guys 3.8 who led the way at the end of February have only solidified their stance at the top. -2.8 That doesn’t mean things can’t change over the next month, but it does 12.5 mean the favorites have already established a fairly strong case for consideration. Based on my interpretation of their numbers to date, here 7.7 is how the awards race currently shakes out. 1.2 Data as of March 29. Nathan MacKinnon Hart Trophy 2.13 Given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. 1.14 Criteria: Skaters ranked by Game Score Value Added and goaltenders C ranked by a blend of goals saved above expected and above average, translated to wins, courtesy of Evolving Hockey. COL Hart Trophy 30 Connor McDavid 20.3 3.04 10 1.23 28 C 38 EDM 13.45 36 13 22.4 11 21 8 42 4.2 63 3.3 17.34 9.3 13 6.9 8 -0.4 15 Aleksander Barkov 8.5 2.04 1 0.99 11.8 C -0.1 FLA 1.4 31 Andrei Vasilevskiy 21.2 3.01 13 1.28 24 G 37 T.B 13.23 21 3.2 39 3.3 9 Mikko Rantanen 6.4 2.01 3.8 1.37 4.2 RW 3.2 COL -0.1 34 Auston Matthews 19.9 2.03 20 0.48 20 C 40 TOR 12.11 32 14 22.2 3 23 8 17 3.1 40 3 15.93 9.6 31 4 34 -0.8 6 Mitch Marner 3.8 1.98 2.8 0.39 3.2 RW 0.9 TOR 1.2 35 Marc-Andre Fleury 22.9 2.02 13 0.56 31 G 44 VGK 12.47 24 24 Adam Fox 3 2.01 3 1.47 2.7 D 2.2 NYR 4.6 33 3.7 24.5 1.4 3 Folks, let’s not overthink this: Connor McDavid is this year’s MVP. No need to get bored about it because he’s the best player in the world, no 26 need to galaxy brain some other guy because he “has less help” or 29 whatever — McDavid is the best this year. Full stop. By. A. Lot. 3.83 As of now, there’s a 0.8-win gap between McDavid and the next best skater — his own teammate and current linemate Leon Draisaitl. There’s 65 nearly a full-win gap between McDavid and the next best non-Oilers skater, Nathan MacKinnon. I went through the GSVA archives to 2007- -1 08, and here are the biggest gaps between first and second place. McDavid’s current gap already ranks fourth. 0 2016-17: Connor McDavid, +1.19 (won Hart) 2.8 2011-12: Evgeni Malkin, +0.98 (won Hart) 4 2018-19: Sidney Crosby, +0.84 (second in Hart voting) 1.2 2020-21: Connor McDavid, +0.80 fewer than expected with him on the ice, and the fact his expected goals against remains a team worst is concerning. There’s a balance to be 2009-10: Sidney Crosby, +0.73 (third in Hart voting) struck in both regards, and while he belongs in the top 10, a top-five spot 2007-08: Alex Ovechkin, +0.57 (won Hart) would be giving too much credit to his point totals while ignoring his real defensive issues. That’s three Hart winners and two times where Crosby lost to the scoring leader but arguably provided more value. If McDavid wins the scoring Norris Trophy race — and it feels like it would take a small miracle for anyone else to Given to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the win at this point — he should be a unanimous choice. He’s not only greatest all-round ability in the position. lapping the field in production but also is dominating at five-on-five with a 60 percent expected goals rate. Give this man the MVP. Criteria: Defensemen that play top-pairing minutes with above-average usage ranked by Game Score Value Added. The real debate comes afterward, and there are a few major questions. Norris Trophy Should two Oilers be finalists? Adam Fox This question depends on a voter’s personal criteria for the award, and the words “most valuable” can be open to interpretation. It’s how we get 2.01 arguments for anyone other than McDavid when he’s in a league of his own. But because he is, there likely will be some debate about Draisaitl’s 1.47 place on the ballot. How can he be most valuable on a team with D McDavid? NYR Well, it’s because he’s still creating a lot of value, 2.2 wins’ worth, which is second among players. To me, most valuable means “most value” 33 regardless of whether someone else is doing it better on the same team. I mean, Draisaitl has a decent lead on the third-best skater, so let’s give 24.5 him some more credit here. He’s on a similar point pace as last season 3 but without anywhere close to the defensive issues. He’s a plus possession player this season with the actual goals very much going his 26 way at 69 percent. He also very clearly makes McDavid a lot better, as the duo has outscored opponents 22—4 in 181 minutes this season. 29 That’s utterly insane. It hasn’t happened since 2001 with Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, but Draisaitl is very much worthy this season. 3.83 How do we factor in goaltending? 65 0 So there actually is someone close to McDavid’s win contribution: Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. He, too, is in a bit of a league of his 2.8 own, a full win ahead of Marc-Andre Fleury, but goalies are always tricky in terms of value. Of course they’re higher up, they play the entire game. 4 Vasilevskiy has been otherworldly this season, saving nearly 18 goals above expected. He’s been the main factor for Tampa Bay’s terrific 1.2 record without Nikita Kucherov. But it’s always hard to cross-compare 3.2 skaters and goalies. If we took value at its word, a goalie would win the Hart almost every single season. They get discounted for their position, 3.26 but should they? It’ll be an interesting year-end debate if Vasilevskiy keeps his pace up. Devon Toews Have we all forgotten about Nathan MacKinnon? 1.81 I haven’t heard much buzz around MacKinnon’s season this year, and 1.46 that might be because all of Colorado’s stars are cooking. His point pace D isn’t as illustrious with 36 points in 29 games, but what he’s doing at five- on-five demands attention. The Avalanche have had some absurd shot COL ratios this season and have been a puck-possession juggernaut of late. MacKinnon is front and center in that regard, posting a 63 percent 31 expected goals rate this season. That’s sixth-best in the league. 24.4 Aleksander Barkov is first by a decent margin, and it’s why he’s firmly in the top 10 along with being the Selke Trophy favorite. 6 Has Auston Matthews’ injury hurt his chances? 13 Matthews’ wrist injury has been much talked about it, and it’s clearly 19 affected his game for a decent stretch. He was fourth on this list last time around with 1.54 wins but has only accumulated 0.49 since, which places 2.95 him just outside the top five. Up until his injury, Matthews’ average Game Score was 1.87, but that’s dropped to 1.09 since. He’s still controlling 54 play, but the production has dropped off. He’s looked better in his past 3 two outings, so a strong finish can propel him back into the runner-up position, but I’m not sure he’s the lock he once was. 4.4 Why isn’t Patrick Kane in the top 10? 5 Among skaters, Kane is 12th with Mark Stone, Sidney Crosby and Anze 8 Kopitar still ahead of him, despite Kane’s sizable point advantage over all three. This is where it’s important to understand both model limitations 2.1 and strengths. Kane has a 44 percent expected goals rate. That’s bad, -1.2 even by Chicago standards. But he also has a 57 percent actual goals rate, which is second to only Alex DeBrincat. Break it down into offence Samuel Girard and defense and it’s evident that Kane is getting jobbed a bit by a low rate of expected goals for, one that doesn’t account for his patience with 1.7 the puck and playmaking ability. Throughout his career, Kane has 1.23 outscored expectations by 0.55 goals per 60 and has had a few seasons near one. His ability off the rush is a big reason for that. This year he’s at D 1.12. It’s a little far-fetched and may regress, but he deserves credit for that in a way the model isn’t accounting for. The strong goals against is a COL different story. I can’t buy that he’s the reason the Blackhawks allow 32 23.4 0.77 5 D 21 TOR 26 35 2.11 24 28 3 5 23 3 26 4.3 3.67 8.2 37 0.9 -2 -2.2 5.5 Victor Hedman 0.1 1.57 2.3 1.11 4.7 D 1.82 T.B Adam Pelech 34 1.47 25.5 0.99 6 D 27 NYI 33 36 5.25 20.8 52 2 -4 8 1.1 10 1.5 3.38 1.1 43 4.6 -4 0.33 5.4 Jeff Petry 4.8 1.56 6.9 0.58 -0.5 D 1.31 MTL Ryan Pulock 31 1.4 22.6 0.6 11 D 16 NYI 27 36 4.5 22.4 35 0 1 12 2 12 2.5 3.23 5.7 62 2.1 1 -0.71 4.2 Morgan Rielly 3.5 1.53 2.1 3.4 his game has really blossomed playing with T.J. Brodie. He leads the Leafs in expected goals percentage at 57 percent, with an equally strong 1.79 59 percent actual goals rate, and that’s in tough minutes. None of Charlie McAvoy Hedman, Petry or Rielly are used in a matchup role, but of the three, Rielly’s minutes have been the toughest. 1.3 Neither appears to be on the level of Adam Fox, though, who is the 0.63 current runaway leader by GSVA. Fox is only four points off of Hedman, but analytically speaking, there’s more than enough to bridge that gap. D For starters, he plays the fourth-toughest minutes in the league by forward competition, behind only Vancouver’s shutdown pair and Nikita BOS Zaitsev. Despite that, Fox has an absurd 59 percent expected goals rate, 31 which comfortably leads the Rangers. Aside from his partner, only Jacob Trouba, at 50 percent, isn’t in the negatives. Again, that’s in not only 24.1 tough minutes but also arguably some of the toughest minutes in the league. It’s a shame that the Norris Trophy often comes down to 3 reputation, where Hedman’s name is already written in pen and Fox will 17 have to wait his turn. He’s been special this season. 20 It was Cale Makar who won the Calder Trophy last season and who looked poised to add a Norris to the collection earlier this year, but an 2.96 injury derailed his campaign a bit. He rounds out the top 10 after a sensational three-assist performance Monday night, but it’s his two 52 Colorado colleagues who grade out higher — mostly due to a difference -4 in games played. In Makar’s absence, Devon Toews and Samuel Girard really stepped up and rank second and third, respectively, by GSVA. 2.8 That’s entirely a byproduct of ranking second and fourth in expected goals percentage this year, with Toews, in particular, being at a lofty 64 2.1 percent. What an acquisition he was. Toews and Girard also are on a 50- plus-point pace, which helps their respective cases. The only issue is 2.3 how do you choose between the two. If Makar has a strong finish, the 2.4 choice gets a lot easier. The trio could cannibalize votes from each other, but with how well the Avalanche have controlled play, at least one of the 1.56 big three deserves a spot. Cale Makar That the Islanders have been so strong this season despite losing Toews is a testament to their own dynamic duo, Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock, 1.29 two guys who are also tough to separate by GSVA. They round out the 0.42 top five in expected goals percentage with the Avalanche duo, but they do so playing much tougher shutdown minutes. I don’t know how much D consideration they’ll get because of their lesser point totals, but both have been excellent enough defensively to be considered. They’re a big COL part of the Islanders’ identity and a perfect reason for the NHL to create a 22 best defensive defenseman award. They’d be at, or near, the top. 23.9 Selke Trophy 3 Given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. 19 Criteria: Forwards who play over 17 minutes per game, receive 30 22 percent of their team’s short-handed minutes and face the top 30 percentile of forward competition on average, ranked by their ability to 3 suppress expected and actual goals. 15 Selke Trophy 4 Aleksander Barkov 3 8 1.3 2.6 9.3 C 0.5 FLA -1.38 31 A lot of people believe Victor Hedman is running away with the Norris 21.2 Trophy because he’s leading all defensemen (and his team!) in points, and well — he’s Victor Hedman, and obviously the rest of his game is 3.8 flawless. It’s great to see him rewarded with a top-five spot — he wasn’t this high in the first iteration — but that he’s not first may take some 3.2 explaining. 32% For defensemen, the biggest driver of GSVA is how they drive play at 32 five-on-five because if they’re frequently outshooting and outscoring opponents, they usually are doing something right. Points count, but Mitch Marner they’re a bit more unreliable for defenders. Hedman gets a lot of credit for his points, and his 54 percent expected goals rate is strong; it’s just that 5.5 the players above him are a fair bit higher. That bridges the production 1.5 gap to an extent. C Hedman is a shade ahead of Jeff Petry and Morgan Rielly, two very productive rearguards for Canadian teams who are also playing TOR extremely well at five-on-five. Petry has a 58 percent expected goals rate and even better 62 percent actual goals rate — both of which are second 35 on the team to only his frequent partners, Brett Kulak and Joel Edmundson. Rielly has often been shunned for his sketchy defense, but 22.8 2.2 2 3.7 C 85% STL 39.5 35 Zach Hyman 21.1 5.3 0.9 3.5 2.9 LW 83% TOR 43.5 33 Alex Killorn 19.6 2.6 2 2.3 3.9 LW 81% T.B 44.3 34 Joel Eriksson Ek 18.5 5.3 0.8 1.1 2.8 C 50% MIN 34.8 33 Anze Kopitar 17.4 2.3 2.4 -0.6 2.5 C 94% L.A 34 33 Anthony Cirelli 21.5 4.2 0.4 2.2 3.8 C 95% T.B 39.3 28 Patrice Bergeron 18.1 1.8 1.3 0.9 4.4 C 32% BOS 41.7 31 Alex Iafallo 18.4 3.3 1.1 -0.4 -0.2 LW 62% L.A 31.5 32 Everything I wrote about Barkov last time? I might as well copy and paste it here, because it all still applies just the same. He still leads the league 20 in expected goals percentage, satisfying those who view this as a two- 1.6 way award. He still leads in defensive value alone (among qualified forwards) by a fair margin. And it’s still his turn. Just give him the award 1 already. (For those wondering, the low quality of forward competition is an artifact of playing in a bad division more than anything.) 94% Joel Eriksson Ek remains a trendy hipster pick with an incredibly strong 38 61 percent expected goals rate that’s buoyed by his terrific defense. He plays some of the toughest minutes in the league and still thrives. He Ryan O'Reilly may not be a household name, but his results this year speak for 2.8 themselves. With the Wild shining so brightly this season, he’s worthy of awards consideration. Those two should be a slam-dunk top two for now, but after that things 16.3 get interesting. Last year’s analytics favorite for this award, Anthony Cirelli, has emerged after missing out of the top 10 the first time around, 11 but he once again has an excellent defensive impact that’s worthy of 7 consideration. Usual defensive stalwarts Kopitar and Ryan O’Reilly have had excellent defensive seasons (though the former has seen his two- 18 way game decline a fair bit this year) and are worthy of consideration, while Patrice Bergeron finishes off the list. 9.27 The most interesting name last time around was Toronto’s Mitch Marner, 19 and he’s only further cemented his place on this list. Scott Wheeler wrote -52 an excellent article breaking down the strides Marner has taken in his defensive game, and he’s maintained that pace since. His expected and 3 actual goals against remain excellent, he plays tough minutes, and he kills penalties. On the other side of the top line might be a more 0.6 conventional choice, though as a hardworking winger, Zach Hyman is 1 right behind him in defensive impact. Hyman actually leads the star- studded team in expected goals percentage at 59 percent and actual 3.9 goals at 62.5 percent. He’s a much more effective player than he’s given credit for. 1.1 Calder Trophy 0.46 Given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of Igor Shesterkin competition in the NHL. 0.71 Criteria: Rookie skaters ranked by Game Score Value Added and rookie goaltenders ranked by wins above replacement courtesy of Evolving 0.33 Hockey. G Calder trophy NYR Kirill Kaprizov 17 1.12 0 0.58 Jason Robertson L 0.66 MIN 0.41 32 L 18.1 DAL 11 27 16 15.6 27 6 10.32 15 10 21 -12 5.23 10 7 -1.1 2 0.4 -1 6.5 2.4 -0.8 0 1.57 6.1 Alex Nedeljkovic -4.4 1.11 -0.17 1.2 Artem Zub G 0.63 CAR 0.34 12 D 0 OTT Pius Suter 27 0.72 17.4 0.43 2 C 6 CHI 8 36 0.71 27 CHI 0 24 -3 0 -0.8 Josh Norris 2.7 0.4 3.3 0.06 2.2 C 2.7 OTT Ty Smith 36 0.52 16 0.13 8 D 10 N.J 18 33 7.49 19.5 17 2 32 17 2 19 2.6 1.87 -0.3 24 -1.2 0 -3.6 -4 1.44 1.7 Janne Kuokkanen -1.4 0.39 4.1 0.44 -0.4 C 0.57 N.J Nils Hoglander 28 0.5 13.8 0.27 5 L 11 VAN 16 37 4.09 15.1 11 7 -4 9 -2 16 0.9 8.06 -2.1 15 5.3 0 3 4 0.63 3.4 With Kevin Lankinen fading after a hot start, this is Kirill Kaprizov’s trophy to lose. He’s electric on nearly every shift and lapping the field in points. -1.5 The expected goals numbers aren’t that great, but he seems to have that 2.1 rare playmaking ability that boosts actual goal numbers, similar to what was discussed with Kane above. He has the potential to be a model- 0 breaker. 2.66 Kirill Kaprizov (Nick Wosika / USA Today) Kevin Lankinen The other skaters don’t stack up all that well. Jason Robertson has had a strong point surge to enter the chat and is driving play well, while Pius 0.48 Suter has performed admirably at center with Chicago’s top three mostly out to injury this year. The Senators have some intriguing options as well, -0.18 with Tim Stützle missing the cut due to lesser five-on-five numbers. G Goalies should be a big factor here, especially with Igor Shesterkin back WPG from injury. He has a lot of potential, and if the Rangers can go on a little run, he’ll be at the center of that. Alex Nedeljkovic has played only 12 27 games, but in those he has been an absolute revelation for the 0.917 Hurricanes with a stellar .929 save percentage. That may regress like Lankinen’s prior lofty numbers, but for now, he’s the goaltending leader in 0.907 terms of goals saved above expected. 0.01 Vezina Trophy Calvin Petersen Given to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position. 1.08 Criteria: Goaltenders who have played half of their team’s games or more ranked by a blend of goals saved above expected and above average, 0.26 translated to wins, courtesy of Evolving Hockey. G Vezina Trophy L.A Andrei Vasilevskiy 18 3.01 0.923 1.28 0.912 G 0.011 T.B Igor Shesterkin 27 0.71 0.93 0.33 0.907 G 0.023 NYR Marc-Andre Fleury 17 2.02 0.924 0.56 0.916 G 0.008 VGK Chris Driedger 24 0.59 0.927 0.07 0.909 G 0.018 FLA Thatcher Demko 15 1.56 0.927 1.71 0.92 G 0.006 VAN Semyon Varlamov 25 0.58 0.917 0.13 0.906 G 0.011 NYI Philipp Grubauer 24 1.55 0.922 0.29 0.918 G 0.004 COL Kevin Lankinen 28 0.48 0.93 -0.18 0.918 G 0.012 CHI Connor Hellebuyck 24 1.36 0.92 0.89 0.917 G 0.003 The PHWA doesn’t vote on this award, but it probably won’t matter too 26.1 much this year with everyone in agreement on not only the top guy but also the runner-up. Auston Matthews Vasilevskiy has been sensational with a .930, 0.023 above his expected 66.4 rate, and has pulled ahead of Fleury since the previous iteration of the C awards watch. The two were close to neck-and-neck at the time. Fleury is the clear-cut No. 2 and has the better narrative with how he TOR commanded back the starting job in Vegas, but the results still favor Vasilevskiy. 32 After those two, there’s a bit more room for debate. Thatcher Demko has 40 been by far the league’s hottest goalie over the past month or so, and 22 that’s vaulted him way up these rankings. He, too, stole the starter’s job in the process, and although his .917 save percentage isn’t super eye- 26.4 popping, it looks criminal when you tune into any Canucks game. The defense is a tire fire in front of him, and it feels like the expected save Jonathan Huberdeau percentage of .906, the lowest in the top 10, is honestly underselling how 64.9 bad it is. LW Philipp Grubauer has been excellent for the Avalanche, even if he doesn’t sniff the puck much most games, and Connor Hellebuyck is FLA moving back toward his Vezina Trophy form from last season. His numbers this year aren’t nearly as illustrious, but he’s been a brick wall 35 when he needs to be. 40 Art Ross Trophy 21 Given to the player who leads the National Hockey League in scoring points at the end of the regular season. 24.9 Criteria: Skaters ranked by their projected end-of-season point total. Nathan MacKinnon Art Ross Trophy 64.9 Connor McDavid C 94.1 COL C 30 EDM 38 36 23 63 26.9 21 Mikko Rantanen 31.1 64.6 Leon Draisaitl RW 82.6 COL C 34 EDM 40 36 23 54 24.6 21 Mark Scheifele 28.6 63.9 Patrick Kane C 73.1 WPG RW 36 CHI 43 36 21 48 20.9 20 Mark Stone 25.1 63.9 Mitch Marner RW 70.1 VGK RW 32 TOR 40 35 24 44 23.9 22 McDavid is projected to win this one by almost 12 points — and almost 24 20 points over the next non-Oiler. This one won’t be very close. 14 Rocket Richard Trophy 25 Given to the NHL’s top goal scorer. 15.6 Criteria: Skaters ranked by their projected end-of-season goal total. Max Pacioretty Rocket Richard trophy 28.9 Auston Matthews L 37.6 VGK C 31 TOR 18 32 24 23 10.9 22 Tyler Toffoli 14.6 27.4 Connor McDavid C 31.9 MTL C 30 EDM 18 36 25 21 9.4 21 Steven Stamkos 10.9 27.2 Alex Ovechkin C 31.6 T.B L 32 WSH 16 30 22 18 11.2 22 Alex Debrincat 13.6 26.9 Mikko Rantanen R 30.9 CHI R 32 COL 18 34 20 20 8.9 23 McDavid has made this race really interesting, but with Matthews’ wrist 10.9 looking better in recent games, he still feels like the safe bet to win this one. It’s been really encouraging to see Alex Ovechkin climb back up the Leon Draisaitl ranks, though, with his latest goal-scoring streak. His 18 goals in 30 30.4 games are just shy of a full-season 50-goal pace. C EDM The Athletic LOADED: 04.01.2021 36 19 21 11.4 David Pastrnak 29.6 R BOS Websites On the season, Hyman-Matthews-Marner has now outscored its 1186326 opposition 18-8 when together. Marner (plus-18), Hyman (plus-17) and Matthews (plus-14) ranks one-two-three in team plus/minus. All three rank top 10 league-wide among forwards in the category. Sportsnet.ca / Why Maple Leafs' top line may be the most complete in hockey “[Matthews and Marner] have been really good defensively right from the start of the season,” Keefe said. “Both guys have really worked, really focused on it. Pretty much every night they’re playing against the other team’s best players. Often these are some of the best players in the Luke Fox@lukefoxjukebox world. Here tonight again very similar, and those guys do the job.” April 1, 2021, 12:47 AM A question worth asking: Is this the best 200-foot line in the NHL? “I just think as incredible as they look offensively, it’s amazing how strong One line. players they are and how hard they work defensively and coming back and the little plays they make. All of them come back, take pucks away, One half period. stick checking, taking the body. They just make amazing plays,” said goalie Jack Campbell, improving his perfect record to 7-0-0. One more denial of a contender to the throne. “Mitchy is one of the best penalty killers I’ve ever seen. He’s so smart out The Toronto Maple Leafs’ best line smothered the Winnipeg Jets early there. And for them to play together, they just seem to have amazing and often Wednesday night to extend their lead atop the Canadian chemistry and have amazing results.” division to three points and into a fourth month. Campbell’s own results aren’t so shabby. Funny. Much of the pre-game discussion for Round 5 of Jets-Leafs circled around line matchups. How Paul Maurice’s last change and ability His save percentage is a sparkling .948, and he’s allowed two goals or to throw bubble-burster Pierre-Luc Dubois and responsible veterans fewer in six of his seven scattered starts — all while battling a leg injury Blake Wheeler and Paul Stastny over the boards against Auston that had him squeezing in extra work with goalie coach Steve Briere prior Matthews, Mitch Marner and Zach Hyman could be the solution. to the Leafs charter to Manitoba Tuesday. “That's really what the regular season is all about, right?” Maurice had "As a competitor and a teammate, I feel bad sometimes I get days off said, regarding his personnel adjustments, those tiny tweaks that can when the other guys are grinding. It puts more fire in my belly to perform unlock the recipe to solving a specific opponent. “You have to understand when I'm called upon," said Campbell, forever plumbing the positive from your team by the time the regular season is over.” the well of adversity. But the way Hyman-Matthews-Marner steamrolled a tired Jets squad, “I mean, I’m playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s pretty cool. So, we’re not sure any combination of players could’ve contained them. nothing to be bitter about any time. I’m pretty lucky and spoiled to be here. Get to hang out with a bunch of cool dudes and play some hockey, Before a game billed as a battle for first place was 11 minutes old, so it’s not a bad time.” Matthews and Hyman had each scored, Marner pocketed himself another gif-worthy setup, and all three had themselves two-point nights as the Leafs cruised to 3-1 victory. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.01.2021 “We were just thinking about our game and how important it is to get out to a lead,” Hyman said. “They’re a really good team, so we wanted to jump on them quick.” Mission accomplished. Caught flat-footed in their first game date after a seven-game road trip, the Jets were beset with both insult and injury in the first period and never recovered. Dubois trucked over defenceman Derek Forbort during a sloppy D-zone sequence that resulted in Matthews cleaning up a Hyman rebound. And Wheeler departed the game with an undisclosed injury. (Clarity on the severity of Wheeler’s condition will wait “a couple days,” per Maurice.) “They came out hard,” summed up defenceman Josh Morrissey. “We lost the first period, and we ended up losing the game.” Morrissey, the Jets’ lone goal-getter, found twine while T.J. Brodie served a double minor for high-sticking Stastny’s tooth out of his gums. But Alexander Kerfoot sniped top-shelf on a speedy shorthanded breakaway to even out the special teams. Maurice’s squad was shut out at even strength, and Friday’s rematch will be another opportunity to learn what works and what doesn’t. It should now be understood that his counterpart, Sheldon Keefe, will rely exclusively on Hyman-Matthews-Marner as his default top trio. The trial of 41-year-old Joe Thornton as a top-line winger shrinks further in the rear-view mirror. In their 10:37 together, Hyman-Matthews-Marner not only scored twice but generated 98.4 per cent of expected goals and created eight high- danger scoring chances while allowing none. Hyman, causing turnovers and driving the blue paint all night, had six shots himself in the first period. “Those two are superstars. I just try to go out and do my job,” Hyman demurred. Such dominance is all the more impressive when you realize they started the majority of their shifts in the defensive zone and were called upon to lock up the Jets’ final six-on-five push. “They had a lot of jump. They were around the puck, and they attacked the net. That’s the source of two goals for us. Nothing too fancy about it. Just work from all three of them,” Keefe said. “Those three guys really came out and were really driven to make a difference.” Websites The Flyers are a puzzle. On paper, they look like they should be much 1186327 better. And, heck, last season they were, with a 41-21-7 record. Philadelphia has this weird pattern of being a playoff team one season and almost off the rails the next. This year's struggles fall in line with that. Sportsnet.ca / Four wild-card teams to watch leading up to NHL trade deadline The goaltending has completely imploded, to the point where star youngster Carter Hart was given both Monday and Wednesday completely off as a healthy scratch to work on his game. But it's not as simple as pointing to the guys who stop the puck. The defensive Rory Boylen@RoryBoylen breakdowns and missed assignments have been alarming, leading some March 31, 2021, 9:53 AM to wonder if coach Alain Vigneault was on the hot seat. But GM Chuck Fletcher indicated this might not fall on the coach Tuesday when he surprisingly waived defenceman Shayne It's less than two weeks from the NHL trade deadline and, in some cases, Gostisbehere. He's not at his peak anymore, with 12 points last season the line between buyer and seller is still not clear. and 11 in 25 games this season, but it raised a lot of eyebrows. Playoff races have tightened in the three American divisions, giving Gostisbehere is best when shielded with offensive zone-heavy starts and pause to some teams that may have been a little more pessimistic two he's chiefly a power-play contributor. That's what makes his $4.5 million weeks ago. The North Division saw an interesting turn when the Calgary hit a bit pricey in a flat cap. Not many teams can take all of that on, but Flames couldn't surpass the Montreal Canadiens during the latter's he's still a good age (27) and puck-movers always have value. Talent- pause, causing a surprising separation. wise he could be intriguing as a 5-6 power-play specialist, but the salary and term complicate things. The fact is, some general managers are still weighing what their teams need or if they should pivot to next season and beyond. Waiting another Whether he's claimed or not, the Flyers will gain roster flexibility and cap week could mean another four games to get data on what the playoff room that could open the door to all kinds of craziness. outlook is and how a roster is trending. Perhaps this will give us a busier deadline day than originally thought. This doesn't mean we should look at the Flyers as sellers...at least not yet. They're three points out of the playoffs and, more than that, still have We know the rental market is thick and will make up a healthy portion of a lot to look forward to. Rather, the Flyers are a team that could be in the this year's transactions. The goalie market is rich with options, too. But market for a new look and to just generally shake it up a bit. All in an not many teams have suitable cap space for big swings, especially for effort to push forward. players with term. There are ways the market could open to those opportunities though. "We're certainly not looking at selling right now," Fletcher said. "In my calls with managers around the league, first of all, I've received very few With lots of games still to be crammed in before April 12 and playoff calls. It's been really quiet in terms of receiving calls. I've made many. races that will evolve between now and then, four teams are shaping up I've been much more aggressive I think than a lot of people just looking as interesting wild cards. With the potential to go big or do nothing at all, at different options. here is why we should keep an eye on them. "Anything we do we want to make sure it makes sense if we can fill a box Inconsistency has defined this year's Calgary Flames and you could for the long term. Right now, we can potentially explore that. Certainly, if make a strong case that it's followed this core for some time now. They we can upgrade our team we'll do that." struggled at the start of last season, too, then they were Canada's best team from late-November through to the March pause. That set certain They were supposed to be the belle of the trade deadline, with everything heights on expectations this season, but the Flames are struggling to from rentals (Mikael Granlund), to big fish defencemen (Ryan Ellis or keep in the playoff hunt. Mattias Ekholm) to a potential blockbuster (Filip Forsberg) on the table. GM Brad Treliving has tried calling out his team and pleading with them Now they're back in the playoff picture after winning six in a row and eight to be harder to compete against. He tried changing coaches to Darryl of 11. There have been some solid wins in there, too: a 4-1 decision on Sutter, theoretically the type who can squeeze more juice here. It started the road in Tampa Bay vs. the Lightning, a 4-3 shootout win on the road good enough, but it didn't take long for the Flames to fall back into old against the Dallas Stars and two in a row this past weekend on the road habits again. Monday's 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets was another vs. the Chicago Blackhawks, the team they were chasing for fourth this example of Calgary's inability to push back and find an extra gear. They whole time. led the game 1-0 early on, but trailed 2-1 by the end of the first period It's wild. The Predators went from existential crisis to, "Well, just hold on and were in a two-goal hole minutes into the second. They disappeared. a second here." David Poile's future as GM was in question from the "We don't do a very good job of dealing with adversity," a frustrated outside and it's something he was asked about as they floundered near Matthew Tkachuk said after Monday's loss. the bottom of the league. In this stretch of 11 games, though, they've helped improve a goal differential that was also among the worst in the When the Canadiens, who Calgary is chasing for fourth in the North, had league, running plus-6 in this span. to postpone four games last week due to COVID-19 protocols, the Flames were four points behind them. They've played five games since Juuse Saros has been a key reason for the sudden turnaround. He's and are...still four points behind Montreal. Calgary's now played five more been off the charts excellent in March with a .963 save percentage. And, games than the Habs and are tied with the Vancouver Canucks — who well, ya, that'll do it for you. This makes it less likely someone on the have really been out of it for weeks now. scale of Forsberg is dealt, but Granlund and Erik Haula are UFAs this summer and will probably go anyway. So what other levers can the GM pull here? It seems a given that Sam Bennett will have his trade request granted if the Flames can find a Will they hang on to their defencemen, too, and make one last go of it suitor. And with David Rittich in the last season of his deal, he could be before trying again in the summer? That could help other suitors navigate added to a suddenly crowded goalie market as a rest-of-season the expansion draft better. It could also give Nashville one last chance at insurance policy. Both would be rentals, so that's the bare minimum of a push. Twelve days out from the deadline and Poile said he's still what Treliving might do as a deadline seller. deciding where to settle. Would he go much deeper? The Johnny Gaudreau trade speculation has "I'm clearly going to use these next few games to see how we do," the been in the works for some time and was building to the moment where Preds GM said on ESPN's 102.5 The Game. "I need to use more time to he was either in the final year of his contract, or one year away from it. get to a position where there's a little bit more clarity. That's where we are now. Centre Sean Monahan has struggled to help "I find out more every day about our team and our individual players and control play on the ice and has the Flames' second-worst shots for all that goes into the blender in terms of making any decisions from being percentage at 5-on-5. There have been calls to split those two up from a buyer to being a seller or to doing nothing. All I know is that I'm way sharing a line together, and Sutter even put Elias Lindholm back with happier with our team and the potential of our team than I was, say, a them for a game to try and spark something. couple of weeks ago. It's always more likely that these big deals happen in the off-season, but "There are some tough decisions that are going to have to be made Treliving isn't one to shy away from a substantial move. It's clearly not here...all I can tell you is stay tuned." working with this core and they'll have to find a new way forward before long. At this rate, the Flames will land as sellers come April 12 — and if it The Predators beat Dallas on Tuesday night and play them again gets much worse between now and then perhaps we should be getting Thursday. Nashville will host Chicago at home Saturday and then get a into a blockbuster mindset. two-day break where some final calls may be made ahead of a two-game series in Detroit. The Hawks have hit a bumpy section of the track lately, which shouldn't be overly surprising. They're still rebuilding, after all, and still have defensive issues similar to last season. Chicago allows the second-most shots against per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 and eighth-most high-danger chances, per Natural Stat Trick. Kevin Lankinen was a key reason why they jumped ahead in the playoff race so early. But they're still in the playoff picture, so how will they figure into the buying/selling market? They could be a middle man. With five players on LTIR, the Hawks have gone from a capped out team to one with lots of space. Mattias Janmark and Carl Soderberg are a couple of rentals they could move for draft picks, but if Chicago is going to get a more interesting pick or prospect, they could try to use their cap room to facilitate a deal between two other partners. There are many teams that would maybe want to buy, but don't have the space to do it. This is where the Hawks could help create that space by taking on a bloated cap hit for the remainder of this season, if they get something for the future that's appealing. "On a very short-term basis, we have a lot of flexibility," Hawks GM Stan Bowman told the Chicago Tribune's Phil Thompson. "But then we start getting into future years, if you’re looking at taking on a player from another team, if they’ve got an additional year or two or three years, then at that point the fact we have a lot of cap room this year doesn’t really help us for two or three years from now because we don’t know what our cap will look like at that point. So much changes from year to year. “If we brought on a veteran player, it would be because the other team was attaching an asset to it that we thought would be part of our future." So while the Blackhawks themselves probably won't be in on the biggest names directly, their willingness to take on salary for a future asset could help open the market a little more for buying teams that want to make a splash.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.01.2021 Websites Yes, we understand hierarchy and convention, and that head coach 1186328 Travis Green is also awaiting a new contract that general manager Jim Benning wants to provide but owner Francesco Aquilini has refused so far to authorize during the NHL’s coronavirus-induced recession. Sportsnet.ca / Canucks face two extreme outcomes with Demko's extension But if they were stuck on convention, the team wouldn’t have re-signed Demko for somewhere in between a bridge deal like the two years at $4.4 million Jordan Binnington got in St. Louis a couple of years ago or the three times $3.5-million Tristan Jarry received in Pittsburgh last fall, Iain MacIntyre@imacSportsnet and the long-term, core-player extensions like Connor Hellebuyck’s six March 31, 2021, 8:45 PM years at $6.17 million in Winnipeg and John Gibson’s eight-year deal in Anaheim that averages $6.4 million.

And if the Canucks were worried about convention, the first official team VANCOUVER – The most surprising aspect of Thatcher Demko’s confirmation of Demko’s new contract wouldn’t have come in a tweet by impressive season is not that the goaltender has seized the starting job Aquilini. A few hours before puck drop on a game day. With Markstrom, as Jacob Markstrom’s replacement, but what the Vancouver Canucks are the former starter, in the opposite goal. willing to pay as a reward for it. One month before training camps opened this winter, Demko told The team is making an informed bet on their 25-year-old goalie with a Sportsnet how confident he felt, how much he learned during his rookie five-year, $25-million contract extension that is longer – and, therefore, season last year when he showed promise and inconsistency, finishing riskier -- than recent “bridge deals” signed by some of Demko’s peers. with a .905 save percentage. But the contract also purchases three years of unrestricted free agency He explained how much better he was in university after his first season from Demko. And if the Californian is as good beyond this season and he at Boston College, how dramatically he improved in the American has been in his breakthrough year, the Canucks are getting a bargain. League after his initial season with the Utica Comets. They’re willing to pay a little more in average salary to Demko for the Demko has been in the Canucks organization for seven years and next two seasons in order to potentially save millions over the final three groomed to become an NHL starter since Benning selected him in the years of the deal. second round of the 2014 draft. CHOOSE PLAN “I’m right where I want to be in my career right now,” Demko told us. “I think there’s a lot on the table and I’m just really excited to get the After one season as a starter, Demko’s $5-million annual salary would tie opportunity to take that next step. I want to be in Vancouver as long as I him for 12th highest among NHL goalies. can. I want to be the guy.” It also adds more salary-cap strain to the Canucks, who face even bigger He’s already that guy. He just has to keep being him. pay raises next season for looming restricted free agents Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. But it locks up Demko for the prime years of his career at a salary well below what most elite goalies will be making and defines for the Canucks a five-year window in which to build a Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.01.2021 championship-calibre team. Demko’s play will determine whether this contract is a bargain or bust for the Canucks. Given wage and term, it doesn’t feel like it is likely to be anything between those extreme outcomes. Heading into Wednesday night’s game against the Calgary Flames, Demko is 12-12-1 with a .917 save percentage. The league-average save rate this season is .908, continuing a downward trend from a peak of .915 five years ago. But there is a lot of advanced data that indicates Demko has performed at a world-class level this season. Clear Sight Analytics, which gathers and sells proprietary goaltending data based on 34 shot-quality variables, shows Demko second in the NHL with 18.09 goals saved above expectation – the difference in goals allowed over goals expected to be allowed based on cumulative shot quality. Analytics site Evolving Hockey also has Demko second among goalies with 3.6 wins above replacement (WAR) – the impact a goalie has made in the standings based on what a replacement-level player would have provided. Arguments that Demko has merely had a great month of March, which he has, are dubious. What he had before then was an awful opening week in January and a seven-goal ventilation in Toronto on Feb. 4 when the Canucks were at their chaotic nadir early in the season. It’s true Demko’s save percentage in February was .888, but his overall save rate between his first three starts and March 1 was .920. And Clear Sight tweeted on Feb. 25 that Demko, including his wonky early games, was already sixth-best among NHL starters with 4.37 goals saved above expectation. The question, of course, is whether he can do this next season and beyond. And will the Canucks, having been bold and proactive in re-signing Demko as a core piece, make him perform without his goaltending mentor, Vancouver assistant coach Ian Clark? With the money the team is investing in Demko, and the critical importance of the position generally, it’s starting to feel ridiculous bordering on reckless that the Canucks haven’t gotten around to re- signing for what amounts to NHL spare change the guru who has improved virtually every goaltender he has worked with during 11 seasons over two stints in Vancouver. Websites Since coming out of his crease to charge Canucks forward Tanner 1186329 Pearson in a race for the puck on Feb. 17 (and subsequently being placed on the injured reserve), however, Markstrom’s play has faltered. Postponed Canucks-Flames game no solace for struggling Markstrom After returning, he’s 4-6-1 while allowing over three goals per game and stopping less than 90 per cent of shots. This year, he’s allowed more than three goals seven times in 26 starts and rarely stolen a game for a team that will effectively be in must-win games through the end of the By Salim Valji pandemic-shortened 56-game season. For his part, Markstrom emphatically shrugged off the notion that the The Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks – two teams with identical collision with his ex-teammate turned his season in the wrong direction, records and faint playoff hopes – will be forced to wait to face off after and Sutter has stood by his starting goalie. two Canucks players and a Vancouver coaching staff member entered “I’ve coached a lot of really good goalies,” Sutter said. “(Markstrom) has the National Hockey League’s COVID-19 protocol Wednesday. the ability to reach that level of those guys if he sticks with it and works Several hours after both the Flames and Canucks had their morning his way through it.” skates, word came out from the league on Wednesday evening – less Markstrom has proven to be capable of that in the recent past. Between than two hours before puck drop in Vancouver – that their matchup would 2017-18 and 2019-20, among the 36 goalies with at least 100 starts he be postponed. was 16th in save percentage (0.914) and 18th in GAA (2.74) while The NHL will have an update on Thursday. On Tuesday, Canucks playing more than just six other goalies in the league. He also finished forward Adam Gaudette was pulled off the ice during practice after fourth in Vezina voting last season. testing positive and added to the protocol list. “The urge to play better, I would say, is very high,” Markstrom said prior The Canucks and Flames have both fallen short of expectations this to Tuesday’s flight to Vancouver. “I obviously try to push myself in season in the North Division, stumbling to the same 16-18-3 record two- practice but, at the end of the day, you have to get the work done in the thirds of the way through the 2020-21 season. games and I’m not happy with my performance.” For the Flames, playing Wednesday evening would have been the last Markstrom is surely relieved that the month of March is over, but there’s opportunity for starting goalie Jacob Markstrom to salvage a substandard no time to dwell on the past as the Flames play their first game of April month. In March, he compiled a 4-6-1 record with a 3.02 goals-against Friday night against the surging Oilers in Edmonton. average and .890 save percentage. On Tuesday, the 31-year-old goalie slammed his stick in frustration at the TSN.CA LOADED: 04.01.2021 end of practice after allowing a shootout goal. “It’s my job to keep the puck out of the net, and I’m not doing that to the level where I want,” he said afterwards. “You want to win the goalie battle against the other goalie, and I’m not doing that. That’s really frustrating.” Early on under Darryl Sutter, it’s clear that the veteran coach’s habit of riding his starting goalies hasn’t gone away. Since the two-time Stanley Cup winner was hired in early March, Markstrom has started eight of 11 games, with David Rittich mostly getting action on the second half of back-to-backs. Markstrom’s rough stretch even prompted Sutter to go against a tenant of his coaching philosophy – yanking a starting goalie. Sutter despises the notion of pulling his goalie from a game. It’s a belief he’s ascribed to for much of his 1,296-game coaching career that has spanned four decades. “Not for one shift, second, minute, anything,” Sutter said after a Flames loss on March 17 where Markstrom allowed seven goals on 30 shots against the Edmonton Oilers. “I’m on-record for this. Every team I’ve ever coached: I do not pull the goalie. I hate pulling the goalie, it’s like benching somebody and I do not believe (in) that. I believe they stick with their teammates and fight their way out of it just like everyone else.” Less than two weeks later and with the Flames in a tailspin, that quote rings all the more significant. After allowing four goals on 23 shots versus the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, Markstrom was pulled after the second period – a move clearly at odds with Sutter’s stated philosophy. Since Miikka Kiprusoff retired in 2013, it’s been a steady diet of the likes of Cam Talbot, Reto Berra, Joni Ortio, and Niklas Backstrom (among several others) between the pipes for Flames fans … stopgaps that the organization hoped would turn into long-term solutions, but never ultimately did. And surely the Flames organization didn’t anticipate facing those familiar questions again so soon after inking Markstrom to a six-year, $36 million pact – the richest contract the team has ever given a goalie – this past off-season. They also standardized their approach to the position, unveiling a goaltending department led by former pro Jordan Sigalet and bringing in ex-NHLer Jason LaBarbera to work with both Markstrom and Rittich. Early on, the commitment to the pivotal position paid dividends: In January, Markstrom was 11th among 64 NHL goalies in save percentage (.929) and 16th in goals-against average (2.18), and through the first four weeks of the season he had logged more minutes than all but two goalies (fellow North Division netminders Frederik Andersen and Mikko Koskinen). 1186330 Websites Galchenyuk will get a look as Leafs seek power play breakthrough In an effort to try and spark a power play that is 0-for-10 over the last four

games, Sheldon Keefe says Alex Galchenyuk will get a look with the Campbell returns to Maple Leafs’ crease against Jets extra man tonight as Toronto's head coach tries to juggle combinations to create some internal competition.

The Jets are finally back home after playing the last seven on the road. By Mark Masters The trip, which lasted 12 days, has taken a toll on the group. "The boys are feeling it a little bit right now," Andrew Copp admitted this morning. "The time-zone change and the late games in Calgary and then After being unavailable to dress on Monday, Jack Campbell will start an earlier skate today [at 10 a.m. CT because of the 6:30 p.m. local tonight in Winnipeg. start], I think everyone was a little slow moving around the locker room "It's kind of a day-to-day thing," head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "He's and trying to get warmed up. It got better as we went along, thank God. progressed well. It seems like when he has time to recover from his The skate kind of gets you back, a sweat kind of gets you back to neutral recent games that he has bounced back and feels good, but it is a little bit, so we'll be ready to go tonight." something we have to manage." Considering the fatigue factor, coach Paul Maurice wasn't sure how Campbell hurt his leg on Jan. 24 in Calgary and the issue has lingered much the last-change advantage would factor into tonight's proceedings. ever since. "I'm not as married to the matchup right now and a lot of that has to do "We have to be responsible with it as a staff and be smart with it and he with our schedule," the coach said. "It's more important that I get has to be honest and tell us exactly how he's feeling so we can make the everybody evened out than it is I get a specific match on any night." appropriate decisions," Keefe said. This is the fifth meeting between the Leafs and Jets this season, but the Campbell aggravated the injury upon returning to the lineup on Feb. 27 first one in Winnipeg. The Jets took two of three games against the Leafs and was forced back to the sideline for three weeks. in Toronto earlier this month. "It takes a lot of character to get through something like that," said "In the Toronto set that we played, I didn't feel that there were a bunch of defenceman Zach Bogosian. "He's a huge part of our team. His times on the bench that I got jammed into something I didn’t want," personality is great. He's awesome in the locker room and he's one hell Maurice said. "They're more than comfortable [with] their so-called third of a goalie, too. We're confident with him back there and he's really stuck line and with the veterans they have on their fourth line, they'll play those with it. The character side, people don't see what goes on behind the lines against your best. D-zone faceoffs, they're not worried about it. So, scenes. It's pretty easy to tune in at 7 o'clock at night and see us, but that would be true of us as well, right, so there's not the impetus from there's a lot that goes into it behind the scenes and Soupy's been either coach to say, 'I can't win this game,' or 'I got a way better chance working so hard in the gym trying to battle back. Obviously, when he's of winning this game if I get this hard match.'" come back to play for us he's played extremely well, so it's been great to Keefe referred to the Jets as "the deepest opponent that we face in our see." division in terms of their forward lines." Campbell is 6-0-0 this season with a .945 save percentage, but has yet Jets focused on limiting Leafs chances in the slot to face the Jets. Preparing for a pivotal two-game set against the Maple Leafs, the Jets Frederik Andersen is still in Toronto where he has a follow-up say that they will need to focus on keeping puck control and limiting appointment on Thursday to look at his lower-body injury. Keefe said the Toronto's offensive opportunities in the slot, keeping their shots coming hope is that meeting will offer more insight on the issue, which has kept from the outside. him off the ice since March 19. If the top two lines featuring Matthews, Tavares, Mark Scheifele and The Leafs have a busy schedule this week with another game in Pierre-Luc Dubois end up duelling to a draw then the bottom six may Winnipeg on Friday before a back-to-back set on Sunday and Monday in decide things. Calgary. Toronto has dropped the past three games that third stringer Michael Hutchinson has started. "The depth of our forward group is a strength for us, and we have to use it," said Jason Spezza. "We have to be reliable, and they approach things Campbell starts for Leafs; Andersen has follow-up appointment similarly, so it lends to a great match-up and everyone being used and Frederik Andersen is back in Toronto for a follow-up appointment to look needing all 12 guys up front." at his lower-body injury. Tonight, Jack Campbell will get the start for As Maurice noted, Toronto's fourth line currently features the 37-year-old Toronto after taking last game off to rest his ailments. Campbell's positive Spezza and 41-year-old Joe Thornton, who have been lining up beside attitude during his recovery has brought smiles to his Leafs teammates. Alex Kerfoot. Alex Galchenyuk will get a look on the power play tonight as the Leafs "We've had some good looks as a line," Spezza said. "We've done some look to snap out of a slump on the man advantage. good things. We need to cash in a few more chances but, other than that, "He's had some shifts here and there, but looking for something a little we're starting to build some chemistry." more solidified here tonight," Keefe confirmed. Wayne Simmonds is among Toronto's depth players looking to get on Toronto has converted on just one of 23 chances over the past 11 track. He's registered just one assist and six shots in five games since games. Despite the lack of goals, Keefe insists he likes a lot of the returning from a broken wrist. process of late and feels like the group is close to breaking out. "I got a few expletive words for myself," the gritty winger said following One issue is the lack of opportunities. In the last 11 games, Toronto has Monday's overtime loss to the Oilers. "I don't think I was good at all. I been held to two or fewer chances on seven occasions. need to do more. I think I was kind of in my head a little bit, but I'll get that figured out. I need to start contributing again." "It’s hard to mix and try different things," the coach said. Simmonds, who missed six weeks with the injury, started Saturday's The Leafs, with new assistant coach Manny Malhotra overseeing the game on the second line before being dropped to the unit with Ilya power play, have not hesitated to experiment with new looks. At the Mikheyev and Pierre Engvall. morning skate today, one unit getting reps featured Morgan Rielly up top, William Nylander and Auston Matthews on the flanks with John Tavares "Just thinking too much," Simmonds said of the issue right now. "When in the middle and Mitch Marner down low. you play your best hockey you're having fun and you're kind of carefree ... I got to start enjoying myself." "We like the ability to mix things up and move things around a little bit and spread the minutes appropriately," Keefe noted. "For the most part 'I got a few expletive words for myself': Slumping Simmonds is thinking this season we've had a two-unit look, try and get some competitiveness too much that way with one unit pushing the other, as well as just having players Wayne Simmonds isn't happy with how he's played since returning from play with greater urgency and greater energy through the power plays." a six-week absence. "I got a few expletive words for myself. I don't think I Galchenyuk was taking reps with the second unit at the morning skate. was good at all," the winger said after Monday’s loss. Simmonds has just one assist in five games since coming back from a broken wrist. "I'm Despite the recent dry spell, the Leafs still own the NHL's top power play thinking too much. I got to start enjoying myself." on the road, clicking at 34.1 per cent.

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