SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 03/05/19 1134363 Up next for the Ducks: Tuesday at Arizona 1134399 Stars 2019 playoff tracker: Where Dallas sits in the 1134364 Ducks’ Ryan Kesler about to hit a grand milestone by Western Conference standings (updated daily) playing 1,000th game 1134400 writer ranks two skaters above Stars' Miro 1134365 Ducks Film Room: Anaheim’s future success hinges on Heiskanen on list of NHL's top rookies this season development of Steel, Terry and Jones 1134401 Stars forward Andrew Cogliano nears end of first injury- induced absence of career: 'These are the games you wa 1134402 Shap Shots: Making sense of Montgomery’s Process, 1134367 How will Jason Demers fit back into the Coyotes' lineup? Fiddler on faceoffs, and shootouts 1134368 NHL Western Conference Wild Card tracker: Coyotes making playoff push 1134369 Coyotes players handled differently: A case study in 1134403 Detroit Red Wings' funeral: Public visitation coaching Friday at LCA 1134404 Detroit Red Wings greats on what made Ted Lindsay memorable across decades 1134370 Bruins’ is simple: Keep this roll going 1134405 How one picture captured who Ted Lindsay was to Detroit 1134371 Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk puts goal drought in past Red Wings 1134372 Bruins notebook: Confidence soars during points streak 1134406 Ted Lindsay created one of the best traditions in sports 1134373 Kevan Miller downgraded to "week-to-week" with injury history after "bad news" MRI 1134407 : Why NHL MVP is named after Detroit 1134374 Bruins' Zdeno Chara avoids injury after taking puck to face Red Wings great in practice 1134408 Ted Lindsay had rare mix of points, minutes, even 1134375 Tuukka Rask "in the zone" right now, the question is for Red Wings whether he can keep it up 1134409 Ted Lindsay facts: He started a tradition, 1134377 Doing the ‘impossible’: How Brad Marchand negates players' union defenders’ sticks 1134410 Detroit Red Wings' Ted Lindsay dies: A badass on ice, a gentleman off 1134411 demolition to start soon: Here's what's 1134378 Marred by inconsistency, sinking Sabres unravel again in coming down 'unacceptable' loss 1134412 Public viewing for Ted Lindsay will take place Friday at 1134379 Mike Harrington: As frustration goes away for Connor McDavid, it just keeps growing for Sabres 1134413 Ted Lindsay's generosity reflected in battle to help those 1134380 The Wraparound: 4, Buffalo Sabres 3 with autism 1134381 Sabres vs. Oilers: Five Things to Know 1134414 Red Wings try to avoid frustration as tailspin continues 1134382 Sabres prospect C.J. Smith lands opportunity after long 1134415 Krupa: Ted Lindsay's legacy leaves indelible mark on journey hockey 1134383 Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe's season likely over 1134416 Demolition of Detroit's Joe Louis Arena to begin in four because of upper-body injury weeks 1134417 Niyo: Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay lived, gave like he BuffaloSabres played — to the fullest 1134384 Battle at the bottom: Breaking down all the ways the 1134418 'Tough as nails' Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay Sabres, Oilers stay unsuccessful dead at 93 1134419 Pat Caputo - Terrible Ted Lindsay lived a wonderful life Flames 1134420 Ted Lindsay used his power to change hockey, and the 1134385 Flames get ‘a little bit of a wakeup call‘ in loss to Leafs world around him 1134386 DGB weekend power rankings: Sorting through the trade deadline fallout Edmonton Oilers 1134421 Edmonton Oilers storm back to beat Sabres 1134422 Jay Woodcroft and Bakersfield Condors still flying high 1134387 Mrazek’s daring poke check has McElhinney talking following end to 17-win streak 1134423 McDavid hopes Oilers build something because 'losing wears on you' 1134388 5 things the Blackhawks don't want to finish last in this 1134424 Edmonton Oilers Game Day: Set for Sabres rematch season (but still might) 1134425 Battle at the bottom: Breaking down all the ways the 1134389 NHL Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay dies at 93 Sabres, Oilers stay unsuccessful 1134390 Blackhawks have long way to go even if they sneak into playoffs 1134391 Ted Lindsay, former Blackhawk and NHL icon, dies at 93 1134426 Preview: Florida Panthers at , 7 p.m., 1134392 Lazerus: It’s been fun, but the Blackhawks are who we Tuesday thought they were 1134427 Alec Martinez using veteran savvy to help develop Kings' 1134393 Chambers: Avalanche needs Red Wings to win — just not young defensemen in Denver 1134428 Kings’ Drew Doughty: ‘It’s been a (expletive) season’ 1134394 Exclusive: Ian Cole somehow escapes suspension 1134429 MARCH 4: LUFF UP ON EMERGENCY RECALL; WAGNER UPDATE; MARTINEZ RETURN IMMINENT 1134430 MONDAY MORNING IN EL SEGUNDO 1134395 Pressure mounting on Blue Jackets 1134396 Blue Jackets | Line combos to get second look 1134397 Jets 5, Blue Jackets 2: Five takeaways 1134398 Pressure in the room, angst among the fans … how the Blue Jackets can stop their current slide 1134431 Wild has look of a contender 1134462 Flyers need a healthy Jake Voracek to complete 1134432 Tampa owner builds NHL powerhouse unprecedented run to a playoff berth 1134433 Wild-Nashville game preview 1134463 Flyers-Islanders observations: Are Isles the team to play in 1134434 Goaltending, above all else, is fueling Wild's resurgence the first round? 1134435 He's up, he's down, he's up ... Matt Read back with Wild 1134464 No Jake Voracek? No Nolan Patrick? No problem 1134436 With backs against the wall, Wild have responded with a 1134465 Flyers weekly observations: No, you don't trade Shayne flurry Gostisbehere, Travis Sanheim's production, more 1134437 75 greatest players of Minnesota high school boys hockey: 1134466 Awesome T-shirts on sale as WWE returns to Philly; will The list, Nos. 2-75 Gritty get his revenge? 1134467 Flyers prospect WATCH: Early returns on Yegor Zamula looking good 1134438 has proven doubters from 2005 draft wrong 1134468 Flyers 4, Islanders 1: 10 things we learned from a as he closes in on Canadiens record convincing road victory 1134439 With Canadiens in a tight playoff race, scoreboard watching is the norm Pittsburgh Penguins 1134440 Canadiens at Los Angeles Kings: Five things you should 1134469 Disciplined approach leads Penguins’ Matt Cullen to brink know of 1,500th NHL game 1134441 Canadiens' Carey Price has proven doubters wrong as he 1134470 Penguins’ poised to welcome Evgeni nears record Malkin into NHL’s 1,000-point club 1134442 What the Puck: Canadiens' road to the playoffs is fraught 1134471 Penguins get draft pick Jan Drozg under contract with peril 1134472 Penguins’ Brian Dumoulin says unforgiving glass, not hard hit, caused concussion 1134473 Penguins’ Phil Kessel grows exasperated as goal drought 1134443 Predators' Filip Forsberg on taking high stick to the face: 'It hits 15 games happens' 1134474 Phil Kessel, Mike Sullivan optimistic the goals will come 1134475 Brian Dumoulin on Wayne Simmonds’ hit: ‘It felt like hitting concrete’ 1134445 Islanders’ impossible trade decision could end up burying 1134476 Career milestone — 'huge point' — within reach for Evgeni them Malkin 1134446 Isles 'need to find that desperation in our game,' says 1134477 What Penguins forwards would steal from 's Jordan Eberle game 1134447 Playoff push: Questions the Islanders must answer as 1134478 Who’s the best ‘old guy’ the Penguins have ever played they search for the next level with? 1134448 Timing may not be right for first-rounder to get Rangers 1134479 Sharks' Tim Heed heating up offensively in Erik Karlsson's chance absence 1134449 Brendan Smith remembers Ted Lindsay as ‘magnificent man’ St Louis Blues 1134450 Why the Rangers are in no rush to name a new 1134480 Schenn to make trip, but Perron is still iffy 1134451 OK with reduced time in Rangers' net 1134481 Blues expect high intensity the rest of the season 1134452 Rangers' trade of Mats Zuccarello was tough for Henrik 1134482 Hochman: Berube doesn't get enough credit for Blues' Lundqvist, Mika Zibanejad turnaround 1134453 Goldman: Identifying the tendencies that have defined Jeff 1134483 Schenn will join Blues on trip, Perron still uncertain Gorton’s tenure as Rangers GM so far NHL 1134484 How Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller plan to fight personal 1134444 Ted Lindsay, Hall of Fame Scorer Who Powered Red cancer cause with Kan Jam Wings, Dies at 93 1134454 Red Wings great, NHL union pioneer Ted Lindsay dies at Maple Leafs 93 1134485 Leafs unleash secret weapon Ennis in blowout win over 1134455 Local NHL team-sponsored lecture series aims to lure Flames fans with the science behind hockey 1134486 Leafs hit the road in pursuit of home ice 1134487 Selfless pioneer Ted Lindsay paved the way for NHL players’ rights 1134456 GAME DAY: Senators vs Islanders 1134488 Ennis' first NHL hat trick paces the Leafs to win over 1134457 Warrenspiece: A former teammate in the dressing room Flames and a former teammate behind the bench 1134489 Leafs' Rielly, Flames captain Giordano hold each other in 1134458 Crawford's advice to Wolanin: Be more like your Dad high regard 1134459 It's but one win, but optimism returns to Ottawa Senators 1134490 Babcock, Peters recall influence of Ted Lindsay as Leafs, dressing room Flames set to meet 1134460 The view from Belleville: Erik Brannstrom displays both 1134491 Mirtle: The Maple Leafs have emerged as a truly dominant skill and grit while Marcus Hogberg’s roll continues even-strength team; Tyler Ennis is part of the reason 1134492 Leafs Report Cards – Game 66 at Calgary 1134517 Cannabis trial for post-concussion problems offers hope to former NHL players 1134518 Another Canucks March Madness of vanishing playoffs, trying to create urgency 1134519 Canucks prospects tracker: Rathbone’s stock continues to rise 1134493 Shea Theodore benefits from Golden Knights’ changes on defense 1134494 Golden Knights keep Marc-Andre Fleury fresh by playing well — VIDEO 1134495 Golden Knights’ Marc-Andre Fleury named NHL’s First Star of the Week 1134496 Five most important things Golden Knights must accomplish in final 15 games 1134497 Golden Knights’ Swagger Returns for Sunday Matinee, VGK Wipes Out Vancouver 1134498 Ennis records 1st hat trick, Toronto beats Calgary 6-2 1134499 Oilers rally for a 4-3 win over Sabres 1134500 Oilers, Sabres sagging despite being led by McDavid, Eichel 1134501 Oilers score 3 in second-period, rally to beat Sabres 4-3 1134502 NHL GMs pleased with increased scoring, quality of play 1134505 Ovechkin’s shootout ‘goal’ sends Capitals past Rangers 3- 2 1134506 Top 20 goals of Caps' Stanley Cup run: DSP's goal against Vegas is No. 17 1134507 NHL Power Rankings: It’s go time for the Capitals 1134508 Alex Ovechkin reacts to Ted Lindsay's death: 'He was a legend in the hockey world' 1134509 Finally feeling at home, Brett Connolly wants to stay with the Capitals Websites 1134520 The Athletic / Ted Lindsay used his power to change hockey, and the world around him 1134521 The Athletic / A look at the agenda items for the NHL GM meetings 1134522 The Athletic / DGB weekend power rankings: Sorting through the trade deadline fallout 1134523 .ca / Maple Leafs' Andersen proves difference in deceptive win over Flames 1134524 Sportsnet.ca / Oilers Takeaways: 's scoring prowess has matured 1134525 Sportsnet.ca / Flames fans show no sympathy for unlucky David Rittich 1134526 Sportsnet.ca / 'Pioneer' Ted Lindsay changed the game on and off the ice 1134527 Sportsnet.ca / Czarnik happy with decision to sign with Flames over Maple Leafs 1134528 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs' Patrick Marleau preparing for biggest change of season 1134529 TSN.CA / Leafs deliver in ‘measuring stick’ victory 1134530 TSN.CA / Rielly’s role growing as he closes Norris gap 1134531 TSN.CA / Playoff format not up for debate as NHL GMs meet 1134532 TSN.CA / Ten tweaks up for debate at NHL GMs meeting 1134533 TSN.CA / Golden Knights have been rolling since adding Stone 1134534 USA TODAY / Ted Lindsay, Detroit Red Wings legend and NHL Hall of Famer, dies at 93 Jets 1134510 Jets' recipe for success includes chips on shoulders 1134511 Beaulieu's finally breaking out 1134512 's collapse matches record 1134513 Beaulieu finds comfort zone: New Jets blue-liner has fit right in 1134514 JETS GAME DAY: Bet on fireworks as Jets clash with Lightning 1134515 Wheeler named second star, Jets captain has big week 1134516 From ‘gangly’ high school kid to NHL superstar, Blake Wheeler’s leadership has inspired at all levels SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1134363 Anaheim Ducks

Up next for the Ducks: Tuesday at Arizona

By LOS ANGELES TIMES STAFF

Up next for the Ducks: Tuesday at Arizona

When: 6 p.m. PST.

On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 830.

Update: The surprising Coyotes have won six in a row and are only two points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Arizona goalie Darcy Kuemper is 15-3-3 with a .926 save percentage and a 2.24 goals- against average since Jan. 1. This is the fourth meeting between the teams, with the Coyotes having won twice in Anaheim and the Ducks once in Arizona.

LA Times: LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134364 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks’ Ryan Kesler about to hit a grand milestone by playing 1,000th game

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD

ANAHEIM — Ryan Kesler didn’t record a goal, an assist or a shot on goal in the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday afternoon at Honda Center. He was credited with 11 victories in 18 trips to the faceoff circle and three hits, neither of which led the Ducks.

Game No. 999 in Kesler’s NHL career was just another one for him, a typical showing in a season in which he’s sought to regain the edginess to his game, the gritty play that led to his selection as a Selke Trophy finalist five times with a victory in 2010-11 while with the Vancouver Canucks.

Game No. 1,000 will be another story, though.

If all goes as planned and Kesler takes the ice Tuesday, when the Ducks visit the Arizona Coyotes, then it will mark a significant milestone in his career. Playing in 1,000 games is something special for NHL players, a symbol of excellence, of course, but of longevity, too.

“It means I’m old and it means I’ve played this game a long time,” Kesler said.

Major hip surgery in the offseason in 2017 didn’t derail Kesler’s career, but it put him on a different, slower track. He had to learn to walk again, then skate again, then play again. It’s been an ongoing journey, one that could have forced a lesser player into retirement.

Kesler, a 34-year-old center, has kept going and going, enduring extended physical therapy sessions and off-ice workouts in order to make it this far. He’s renowned for his competitiveness on the ice, but it’s served him well off of it as he prepares for a special night and a special game.

Fewer than 350 players have played in 1,000 games in NHL history.

“It’s a privilege to play in this league and just to be able to play that long, and not many guys have done it, especially with the last couple of years I’ve had and with everyone who has helped me out and gotten me through the last two years, it makes it even more special,” Kesler said.

“You’ve got to have luck and you’ve got to stay healthy for the most part.”

Kesler was a warrior for 10 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks before the Ducks acquired him on June 27, 2014. He won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward in 2010-11, after he was second in voting by the Professional Hockey Writers Association the season before and third in 2008-09.

He proved to be the missing piece in helping to lead the Ducks to Western Conference finals appearances in 2015 and ’17. He was third in voting for the Selke Trophy in 2015-16 and second in 2016-17. A lingering hip injury forced him to have surgery during the offseason in 2017, though.

Kesler hasn’t been the same player since then. He’s been dropped from his familiar role as the Ducks’ second-line center to the fourth line this season. He’s scored only five goals and eight points in 58 games this season, a dip from last season when he had eight goals and 14 points in 44 games.

“It’s a pretty big accomplishment for a guy who plays as hard as he does, to still be playing at the 1,000-game mark,” Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said. “(It’s impressive) how much he puts into getting his body ready and how much pride he takes being that aggressive force night in and night out.

“We were pulling for him the last couple of years. There were a few times when we didn’t know if he’d be able to continue, but I watched him put the work in. He worked harder in the last year than anyone I’ve ever seen in my career. It just shows how much he cares about the game.”

Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134365 Anaheim Ducks to have to make a tight play) and vision (taking the extra split second and allowing lanes to for the extremely important first breakout pass)

Those attributes resulted in the screen shot below, a clean breakout pass Ducks Film Room: Anaheim’s future success hinges on development of to a player who is now wide open and has tons of time and space due to Steel, Terry and Jones the time Steel created in a tightly spaced breakout situation.

Steel was not making these plays on a consistent basis at the beginning By Jordan Samuels-Thomas Mar 4, 2019 of the year but now, these types of heady plays have become a common occurrence the last couple of months in San Diego.

As encouraging as his development has been defensively, the most If Ducks general manager Bob Murray is taking this next few months or exciting growth of Steel’s game has been his play around the net where so to look into his team’s future, then so will I. For me, the future starts up Steel has been really dangerous as of late. Something he didn’t have to front with Max Jones, Sam Steel, and Troy Terry. These three forwards do much of in junior but a commitment he must continue to make to arrived to pro hockey with impressive amateur resumes and high hopes. himself in order to reach his potential at the NHL level. All three have dipped their toes into the NHL with the Ducks this season, but it’s been their time in the that will ultimately The areas in which Steel has been scoring as of late … in the crease, have the greatest impact on the level of success they have next season two feet from the crease, five feet from the crease, Steel has been willing as projected full-time NHLers. to pay the price to get production. Steel still has the ability to snap it from distance, but his diversification of scoring chances has made him a far The San Diego coaching staff led by Dallas Eakins, and assistants Brett more dangerous player than he was this past October. Ferguson, Sylvain Lefebvre, and David Urquhart have done a great job in preparing these guys for the next level. Eakins and Ferguson in particular Steel has also shown the ability to be strong on his stick against larger – who I’ve played for – have done a great job in developing Steel and opponents, which has led to his success in high-traffic areas. Terry into 200-foot players. The difference is easy to see when Adding his recent development and adaption to the pro game with how comparing their games played from October to their most recent NHL he sees the game, I’m confident Steel will have a much larger impact for recalls. the Ducks when the season opens in 2019 and I see him carving out a However this film room will break down the work these guys have done role in Anaheim’s middle-six. down in the AHL where they have been key pieces for a Gulls team that Troy Terry Makes it Look Easy is poised to make a very deep run in this year’s AHL playoffs. All three are currently ranked in the team’s top-six in scoring as rookies and their From Terry’s perspective, he did not have the type of impact that he had experiences accumulated at the AHL level will undoubtedly pay dividends hoped for when earning the opportunity to start this season in the NHL. when they eventually play in the NHL full time. During his initial six-game start with the big club, Terry struggled to adjust to the NHL’s pace and the cumulative overall strength of the opponents The Evolution of Sam Steel he would face on a night-to-night basis. The physical part of the game Out of this trio of players, Steel was the most decorated of the bunch. He appeared to stifle his offensive capabilities more times than not. His early won the CHL’s Top Scorer Award in 2016-17 by registering an eye- reassignment to the AHL was the right move for a lot of reasons. opening 131 points in 66 games. During the 2017-18 season, Steel Terry’s poise at the American League level is elite. There are a lot of proved himself to be a primetime performer on the big stage when he nights where he looks to be the smartest player on the ice. Terry is added a World Junior gold medal to his list of accomplishments and thinking the game at another level, which allows his poise to shine on a followed that up by leading the CHL’s in scoring which led nightly basis in a variety of different scenarios. He’s deadly on the rush, to him being named the tournament’s most valuable player. has a good natural feel to how offensive opportunities will unfold 5-on-5, He’s been a prized possession for the Ducks since they drafted him 30th and I’ve already touched on his power play acumen during a previous overall in 2016 and considering the resume he’s built since being drafted, Ducks Film Room. it made sense for him to be given an early opportunity with the Ducks. Two traits of Terry that really stick out are his ability to create space for However, his first taste of the NHL was forgettable. He registered just his shot and his use of deception to open up passing and scoring lanes. three points (1G,2A) during his initial 13 games with the club. Both are displayed in these next few frames.

Steel lacked the 200-foot game that is required to be an effective center Terry executes the below 2-on-1 at an elite NHL level. At the moment of at the NHL level. He struggled with strength and consistency with and this freeze frame, Terry has convinced the opposing defender and without the puck, which isn’t uncommon for a 20-year-old tasked to play that he’s pulling the puck in to take a shot. Notice Terry has head-to-head against some of the Western Conference’s elite his head up and is looking toward the goal with his blade angle centermen. positioned to shoot.

Steel’s game has really developed in San Diego. The biggest difference Terry’s sell of his shot is a great form of deception in this scenario. It in his game is his willingness to go to the “dirty” areas of the ice, forces the defender to stop his backward momentum toward the goal and something he was struggling to do on a consistent basis in Anaheim. lunge forward toward Terry in order to get his stick on the puck in effort to Steel’s early experience in Anaheim likely had an impact on his thwart Terry’s shot attempt. This also causes the goalie to sit a little developmental mindset and approach once being reassigned to deeper in his stance in order to prepare for the shot. However in the Anaheim. His evolution can really be noticed in his details as a center, frame below, Terry’s sights have widened, and now appears to have an details he didn’t need during his time in the WHL, and details that were eye on his teammate who is streaking down right side of the slot. Terry’s not there during his time in Anaheim. stick is still in shooting position but his blade angle begins to show a In the screenshot below during a recent game, you’ll notice the passing intention. highlighted Steel skating toward the boards during a breakout situation. Terry has now released a perfect cross-slot pass in the frame below, but is in good position to pursue the puck and have done a solid job because of his initial show of a shot, the goaltender is frozen with his in taking away any easy outlet play for Steel. Steel could opt to make a body still squared to Terry who no longer has the puck. safe play in this situation by chipping the puck off the glass and out of the The result is an assist for Terry and a tie game for the Gulls. zone. However as a left-shot, making that play isn’t as easy as it sounds on the backhand side. Plays like this have become an everyday thing for Terry in San Diego where he’s registered 41 points in 41 games. So common that a lot of Steel could opt to push the puck back down low to his defensemen, but times when I watch him play I find myself saying, “This guy is in the due to the Ontario forwards’ positioning and pursuit, Steel would only be wrong league.” passing his problems to his teammate. I see a guy who’s thinking at another level. An NHL level. Instead Steel demonstrates toughness (by being willing to take a hit to make a play) he shows poise (by not taking the easy way out by In this next frame Terry rolls out of the right corner as a right-shot with no shoveling the puck to a teammate in a challenging position, forcing them real dangerous offensive options. The majority of players in this situation would either rim the puck back below the goal line or go low-to-high to Look who’s on his toes and who’s worked for inside position once the their defenseman. puck drops.

However, Terry doesn’t choose those options, and instead, finds a The opposing team wins the faceoff clean, but it’s Jones whose energy temporary soft spot in San Jose’s defense in between the pursuing and work ethic that gets him to a puck that should be possessed by the defenseman and the strong-side . His decision to do so allows him other group 100 percent of the time. to square his body to the middle of the ice so he can have a look at all the options available and all the options that are developing. I’d venture Jones’ edges make it look like he’ll be taking the puck up the boards but to say less than 90 percent of forwards would have the confidence to as you will see below, Jones shows great command of his edges and square up, stop, and find space in that that area. cuts back toward the goal using his body as shield to protect the puck.

In the frame below the pursuing defender finally closes in on the waiting Instead of taking the easy way and taking the puck behind the net, Jones Terry, who had already anticipated where his teammate would be and essentially decides to take a Marshawn Lynch approach by taking the where the opposition would vacate. (Look back to the initial frame to see puck directly to the goal with a defender on his back and another waiting San Jose had a guy around where the puck would eventually end up). If to put a body on him. his vision and anticipation wasn’t enough, Terry’s perfectly weighted pass He was not going to be denied. That’s what I love about Max Jones and through the closing defender’s body should do the trick why his game will be a much-welcomed full-time addition in Anaheim Terry takes this hit and his pass is on the money for a Gulls goal next season.

These frames have highlighted Terry’s passing, vision, poise, and I’ve already stated that I believe that Jones is the most NHL-ready out anticipation, but he can really shoot the puck too. He’s scored 16 goals this group but I also think he’s the most important. Looking back at the and notched 25 assists for San Diego, a balanced offensive approach trade deadline, one of the most coveted types of players was the power that aids him in creating space as both a passer and shooter. forward position. Reason being, there are not that many high-end ones available anymore. Players like Micheal Ferland and Wayne Simmonds With a strong summer of development physically, Terry will be not only were highly sought after commodities for contending teams who be a full-time NHLer next season, but have an opportunity to be a recognized the need for a ‘heavy’ style player that can play in a top-six legitimate No. 2 center for the Ducks. role.

Max Jones is a Beast I believe Jones has the potential to some day surpass the abilities of Ferland and he’s in an organization with a GM that respects and Admittedly, I have a soft spot for Max Jones, I centered him and Jack appreciates the importance of this style of player. Coupled with Jones’ Kopacka during their first professional games and was really impressed power forward designation, he possesses a nice pair of hands and a on how coachable and hungry to learn both those guys were. I remember strong shot, making him a great fit in a top-six role, top-nine at the very being particularly interested in Jones, the 6-foot-3 210-pound, first-round least. The Ducks are fortunate to have this style of player in-house and (2016 24th overall) power forward out of the OHL with the imposing on an entry-level contract. physical frame. There is plenty to be excited about in this group. From this trio you have EX-REIGN JORDAN SAMUELS-THOMAS W/ THE DAGGER! a diverse combination of skill sets, all in which will be needed for @SDGULLSAHL 4 @ONTARIOREIGN 1 Anaheim to take a step forward next season. PIC.TWITTER.COM/ORJ4SDAMWP While the Anaheim organization has struggled up top this season, the — SHENG PENG (@SHENG_PENG) MAY 3, 2017 measure of a truly sound franchise can be found in areas that happen (That goal was all him. Jones drove to the net, creating space for me to away from the NHL stage. The success of the Ducks’ minor league cut across the ice, gave the puck to Sam Carrick who found me affiliates, the drafting of prospects, and the development structure around backdoor.) those prospects must be successful in order to keep the organization steady and to yield the desired results at the NHL level. He wasn’t like most junior players that show up at the end of the year who usually keep their head down and try to stay in their lane. Jones’ Anaheim has always found success in those areas. We can look at impact for our team and myself were immediate. With his size, he is a names past like Justin Schultz and Tim Heed who were drafted by fast and powerful skater with a heavy shot and an awesome work ethic. Anaheim but signed by other organizations and have had successful He didn’t back down from anyone and was usually the guy getting in the careers. Or more recent names like Brandon Montour and Shea face of the opposition. I loved it. Theodore who were developed and deployed by Anaheim before moving on. Murray has had the luxury of being able to move on from players of Objectively, I’ve loved everything about Max Jones this season. He is a that caliber because of players like Andy Welinski, Ondrej Kase, Josh load to handle whether he’s skating in on the forecheck or if he’s taking Manson, Rickard Rakell and others that the Ducks have drafted and the puck to the net on a rush. I’d even go as far to say that he’s the best developed. puck possession forward below the tops of the circles not full-time in the NHL. Anaheim fans have already seen evidence of that during his initial Jones, Steel, and Terry represent the new group of Ducks prospects that recall this season. are primed and ready to make an impact. Anaheim’s future is very much tied to the success of these three players. MAX JONES: The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 PHYSICAL, STRONG, WINNING BATTLES, PUCK PROTECTION, ENERGY, EMOTION. EXACTLY WHAT THE DUCKS NEED. THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF SHIFTS THAT WEAR DOWN OPPONENTS PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY. ESPECIALLY THIS LATE IN THE GAME. #INSPIREDHOCKEY #LETSGODUCKS HTTPS://T.CO/ZTEFFRPS6N

— JORDAN SAMUELSTHOMAS (@SAMUELSTHOMAS42) FEBRUARY 14, 2019

Jones got off to a bit of a slow start this season in San Diego but has really been dominant of late. He has 28 points in 40 games by registering just as may goals as assists. His overall game offensively, defensively, and the passion and energy with which he plays which makes him the most NHL-ready player out of the three featured in this Film Room.

Nobody, I repeat. Nobody wants a piece of this guy, and a lot times, no one appears to want the puck more than him.

In the frame below you’ll see Jones lined up on the inside for an offensive zone faceoff. 1134367 Arizona Coyotes “To me, we’re a game-to-game team and ‘Hammer’ (Hjalmarsson) and ‘O’ (Ekman-Larsson) have done a nice job together,” Tocchet said. “I don’t see us breaking that up. Maybe every once in a while in the How will Jason Demers fit back into the Coyotes' lineup? offensive zone, Scott Allen has the luxury to mix and match some guys. But right now we like where we’re at with the pairs.”

‘A’ for effort Richard Morin, March 5, 2019 Coyotes center Brad Richardson, who wore an “A” on his sweater on Saturday, will continue to serve as an assistant captain in the absence of Derek Stepan, who suffered a knee injury in Thursday’s game against It’s a question that’s been asked, in one form or another, since the outset the Vancouver Canucks. of training camp in September: How will (insert player’s name here) fit back into the Coyotes’ lineup when healthy? Tocchet confirmed on Monday that Richardson, who wore the “A” on a rotating basis last season, will be an assistant captain as long as Stepan It’s been asked for the past six months because it feels as though as is out. soon as one player gets healthy another two or three fall to injury. Richardson leads the Coyotes with 16 goals this season. Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers is the latest player looking to return to the lineup. After injuring his knee back in November, Demers is a Up next game-time decision for Tuesday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, according to head coach Rick Tocchet. Ducks at Coyotes, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Gila River Arena, FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7). “I’ll talk to J.D. (Demers) and we’ll come up with a game plan,” Tocchet said after Monday’s practice at Gila River Arena. “We actually have — The Coyotes (32-28-5) aim for their first seven-game win streak in couple guys banged up on (defense), but for the most part guys are more than eight years when they host the Anaheim Ducks (25-32-9) on healthy. We’re going to have to manage it. I don’t want to see guys sit out Tuesday at Gila River Arena. for long times. Arizona Republic LOADED: 03.05.2019 “It’s just a numbers game and that’s the reality of it when you have healthy people. I’d rather have healthy people than injured people.”

The two “banged-up” Coyotes defensemen are captain Oliver Ekman- Larsson and Jordan Oesterle, although there is no indication that either will be forced to miss any time. Ekman-Larsson has been skating at less than 100 percent for a while and received a maintenance day on Monday. Oesterle was “sore” and had to leave practice early, Tocchet said.

If Demers, Ekman-Larsson and Oesterle are all cleared to play on Tuesday, the Coyotes will have eight bodies for six spots — and deciding the two odd men out is no easy task.

Kevin Connauton (seven points in 44 games) is the first name that comes to mind since he has been used as a healthy scratch at times this season and even more recently of late, although he did return to the lineup on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings.

However, Ilya Lyubushkin (four points in 38 games) might draw the short straw since he is the only candidate who is waivers-exempt (unless you count Jakob Chychrun), a fact that could allow the Coyotes to send Lyubushkin down to their AHL affiliate in Tucson without needing to move him through league waivers first.

But the third and most likely scenario is that the Coyotes will carry eight defensemen for the time being, reserving the right to waive Connauton and/or reassign Lyubushkin if they need to do so. The guess here is that, if all eight are healthy, Connauton and Lyubushkin would be most likely to sit.

“From my experience over the years and especially during stretch drives,” Tocchet said, “you need all hands on deck. Guys can go down pretty quick and we’ve seen that all year. The last six weeks the injuries come more and more so you need healthy bodies. I see us staying with eight defensemen.

“But I could see a guy like ‘Boosh’ (Lyubushkin), if he has to play a game on the weekend he can do down (to Tucson). We haven’t really discussed that as an organization but these are conversations we’ll address as we go on.”

As far as Demers is concerned, it remains to be seen just how the Coyotes will integrate him back into the lineup.

Demers found success playing on the club’s top pair with Ekman- Larsson, but it doesn’t sound like the two will be reunited — at least not right away. Tocchet said he and defensive coach Scott Allen have liked the pairing of Ekman-Larsson and Niklas Hjalmarsson and that they will likely stick with that top unit for the time being.

Unfortunately, due to Ekman-Larsson’s absence from practice, there wasn’t much to gleam from the defensive pairings on Monday. Demers was paired with Oesterle, Hjalmarsson was paired with Connauton and Chychrun was with Alex Goligoski. Lyubushkin was the extra. 1134368 Arizona Coyotes

NHL Western Conference Wild Card tracker: Coyotes making playoff push

BY ARIZONA SPORTS | MARCH 3, 2019

The Arizona Coyotes are in the hunt for the playoffs.

Their best chance at it will be via the Western Conference Wild Card race, which includes a group of teams that have stuck fairly close together in the standings for quite a while. The race was wide open even well after the new year.

The top two teams will earn Wild Card spots in the NHL , so the Coyotes must finish second or better to qualify.

Here are where things stand in the Western Conference:

Place Team Record Points Last Game Up Next Games left

1 stars100 33-27-5 71 4-1 W at STL March 5 vs. NYR 17

2 wild100 32-27-7 71 3-2 OTL vs. NSH March 5 at NSH 16

3 coyotes100 32-28-5 69 3-1 W vs. DET March 5 vs. ANA 17

4 avalanche100 28-26-12 68 2-1 L at ANA March 5 vs. DET 16

5 oilers100 29-30-7 65 4-3 W vs. BUF March 7 vs VAN 17

6 blackhawks100 27-30-9 63 5-2 L at SJS March 7 at BUF 16

7 canucks100 27-31-9 63 3-0 L at VGK March 6 vs. TOR 16

Arizona Sports LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134369 Arizona Coyotes Tocchet is appreciative of the fact that his captain is playing through a knee injury suffered in a game at Ottawa on Jan. 22.

“He’s a warrior,” Tocchet said. “He got banged up there pretty hard. Coyotes players handled differently: A case study in coaching Some guys might have been out three, four, five games. He came back and played after one. Don’t get me wrong, we’re never going to put him in harm’s way, but that is a thing with O. He can take a hit and get up. By Craig Morgan Mar 4, 2019 That’s a big character thing for me.”

Ekman-Larsson mostly shrugged off the injury when asked if it was OK now. When the Coyotes coaching staff made the decision to remove forward Christian Fischer from the lineup on Feb. 21 in Vancouver, Fischer had “No, it’s not, but it is what it is,” he said. “Nobody is playing 100 percent gone 14 games without a goal, posting two assists over that span while at this time of year so I’m battling through it just like a lot of guys are averaging about 12 and a half minutes of ice time. battling through stuff. It’s good enough to play on. We sat down and looked at it, did the MRI and it’s not going to be a problem two, three When Fischer sat down, forward Clayton Keller had gone 12 games years from now if I play now so I’m fine.” without a goal (the streak reached 13) with four assists in that span. Keller averaged about 18 minutes per game in that period, never dipping As for his performance, Ekman-Larsson agreed he can do more, but he below 16 minutes in a game. cautioned against viewing him through the same lens he was viewed when playing for former coach Dave Tippett. Over the same time span, captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson had one goal and three assists, but was averaging about 23 minutes of ice time, with “I would like to chip in more points and goals but I also know we play in a three games of 26 minutes or more. different system and playing the top on the power play is a little bit different than being a shooter on the flank like I was when Tip was here,” Why the disparity in treatment for a trio of underperforming players? he said. “I’m totally fine with it because I feel like we have more guys “I’ll give you the standard answer,” coach Rick Tocchet said. “Life isn’t chipping in instead of me just doing my own thing. fair. Any coach can say you treat 21 players the same, but it’s not true. “I hope you guys aren’t looking for 20-plus goals every year. I don’t think Not everybody is treated the same.” that’s me. Obviously, I did that a couple times and I am very proud of Tocchet had well-reasoned explanations for sitting Fischer while that, but I’m more of an all-around defenseman. I really felt good about continuing to play Keller and playing his captain the most of any player my game at the end of last season, kind of found my game where I was on the team. The disparity offers a case study in coaching, and the playing my best hockey. That’s what I’m looking for. Hopefully, I can approach extends beyond ice time into Tocchet’s public approach to bring that level the last 20 or so games here.” each player. Here’s a look at those differing methods. In his past five games, Ekman-Larsson has two goals and seven points Oliver Ekman-Larsson and is a plus-six.

Tocchet has not been shy about critiquing his captain to media, and in Clayton Keller turn, the public. Some have interpreted that as a fundamental clash in Keller has been a student of keen focus for Tocchet. The Coyotes coach personalities. Tocchet doesn’t view it that way. spends a lot of time with his skilled forward on the ice at practice, talking “It’s not so much that I call him out, but I think it’s a responsibility to be and teaching. Keller is usually one of the first players on the ice and one the captain and to have the role he has on our team,” Tocchet said. “O of the last ones to leave. has played well for me. Don’t get me wrong on that, but is there another It’s not as if Keller has struggled this season. He is a bit light in the goal- level to his game? Yes, I know there is. I have seen it. We’re going to scoring department with 12, but he has 41 points, which leads the team, need him at that level down the stretch.” and his development looks to be mostly on track as he chases the guys Tocchet wants to see Ekman-Larsson play a more assertive game. after whom he models his game, and Johnny Gaudreau. All the same, Tocchet sees room for improvement. “When he is playing a forceful game, he is a real top-end player and when he gets casual he gets caught in between,” Tocchet said last week. “His intensity in practice was better last year than it is this year,” Tocchet “These last 20 games, he has to think, ‘I am the guy.’ said. “He might not agree with me but I really believe that it’s a reason for his slump. And also away from the puck is something he has to be more “I think there are certain times where, because he is a really good guy, diligent and work harder at. He’s not a secret any more so you’re going to he just defers a little too much in certain crucial times of the game. With go against the other team’s best players. You’re going to have to go get six minutes left, you get that puck, I want to see you get it to the middle, the puck. You can’t just be on the outside expecting the puck to come to fake a shot and then blast it instead of just getting it and passing it to you. You’re going to have to be close to people. You’re going to have to somebody else. That’s one thing I always tell O. ‘Don’t defer to people. be a give-and-go guy for a while. You can’t stickhandle through three You can be the guy, staying within the system,’ but I’m just looking for guys. I’m not saying he does it all the time, but if they’re doubling up on him to take charge sometimes. A lot of times he does, but there are you, give it to somebody and then go find the good ice.” certain times he can do more.” Tocchet’s insistence on continuing to play Keller has led some to believe Ekman-Larsson admits to battling an inherent personality trait. that he takes a kid-glove approach to the 20-year-old. Keller’s eyes widened when this was suggested. “It’s a new thing for me to be a captain and it’s obviously big shoes to fill,” he said. “I would lie if I said it hasn’t been a big thing to take over after “They’re hard on me,” he said of the coaching staff. “But I’ve always had Shane (Doan). One thing Shane told me is you have to be yourself, so I that growing up since I was 10 years old. Coaches have been hard on have been trying to be myself but at times be selfish. It’s hard because I me and I have always been able to respond, whether it’s being one of the want to be there for the team and help them out and be positive, too.” first guys out at practice or doing the extra work. It seems to help.”

Both player and coach insist their relationship has grown by leaps and Tocchet laughed when told of Keller’s reaction. bounds since the start of last season when they weren’t always communicating well. Tocchet just believes he can ask more of Ekman- “I have probably been harder on him than maybe any player this year, Larsson because of his age (27), his experience, (nine NHL seasons) but Kells understands I’m still going to put him out there,” he said. “I and the C he wears on his chest. might be hard on him but I remember back in the day being hard on a kid meaning you’re not going to play him or you’re going to sit him on the “O has got to keep me on my toes, too,” Tocchet said. “He has that right bench for the third period. I give him a lot of crap, but he’s playing 18 as the captain and he knows can come to me. O knows who I am now, minutes. I’d rather a coach be hard on me and play me 18 minutes than my temperament. He knows I’m a fiery guy but I’m also an open book, be hard on me and not dress me.” and I feel like I know him, too. There are times we talk a lot and like to communicate and there are times I like to leave him alone. As you grow Tocchet’s gentler public approach to Keller is likely due to his age. as a coach and as a captain, you learn the best way to approach things.” “I have to remember he’s 20 years old,” Tocchet said, laughing. “I always “I don’t enjoy telling a guy he’s not playing,” Tocchet said. “It sucks. need to remember that, but Kells probably gets a little bit of rope because Everyone wants to play, but six weeks ago, two months ago, I didn’t play he’s a talented kid and he can score like he did (against the Winnipeg (Lawson Crouse) and he worked his tail off. (Josh Archibald), early in the Jets on Feb. 24). He probably gets a little more rope than a guy like Fisch year hardly played. If you look the last six weeks, five weeks, those have because of that, but I’ll be honest, it’s a hard question to answer when been two of the most effective players, game in and game out.” deciding that. Fischer, 21, understands this is part of the growth process for a young “I think it is a feel thing. When that situation arises and I’m not happy with player. He learned that from an excellent source. Kells, I have taken some time off in some situations. I have told him and some other guys that if they can’t defend and have a defensive “Last year I got scratched and I remember talking to Doaner,” he said. conscience, I can’t put him out there the last four or five minutes of a “You think that Shane Doan, who had his jersey retired, probably didn’t game. If Kells takes the lesson and he is trying, I’ll put him out there go through anything like this, but he even went down to the minors. I get again, but if he continues to be casual, then I’ll go to the next step.” that it is part of the process but you’d love to avoid it. I’m young and still learning things after 150 games but I know I am going to work through Keller understands the latitude Tocchet has granted him. He also this, and there is light on the other side by working and having understands the responsibility that comes with that latitude. confidence in my game.”

“I love being coached by him and we have a great relationship where we Fischer didn’t score against the Red Wings on Saturday, but he was can talk about certain goals,” he said. “He’s hard on me, definitely, but he engaged and he had five shots on goal. Tocchet said that Fischer always wants the best out of me and he knows what I can do. I want to be comes with the right attitude and work ethic. productive every single night. I’ve always been an offensive player, always put up good numbers but you can’t think about that. “You’ve got to remember a lot of these (are) young guys we have put in the lineup in the situation we’re in,” Tocchet said. “Sometimes, it’s good “I put a lot of pressure on myself and I put in a lot of work this summer, for him just to calm the process down. You can’t just shove Fisch into the but the second year is always hard. Sometimes, things just aren’t going lineup every night, but I love Fisch. He’s going to be fine.” your way but you have to stay positive. The points will take care of themselves if I’m playing my game.” The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019

In his past four games, Keller has a goal, three points and 12 shots on goal.

Christian Fischer

Fischer didn’t see anything noticeably alarming in his play over the aforementioned stretch, but it was hard to ignore those two assists and zero goals in a 14-game span.

“I haven’t scored in a little bit and things get real magnified if you are put in that production role or playing power play or playing top nine and you’re not scoring,” he said. “You can play as good as you want, but in the end it is about results.”

Tocchet took a philosophical approach to Fischer’s four-game absence from the lineup (he returned Saturday against Detroit).

“It’s not necessarily that he’s just playing bad,” Tocchet said. “Fisch is a young guy. It’s OK for him to sit out some games. He has played some good minutes for us. Sometimes with a young guy, you need to take a little step back once in a while. I think he has been fighting it a little bit with the puck.”

Tocchet was a power forward in his day so he has a keen understanding of Fischer’s strengths and the things he needs to do to be successful. Tocchet uses the term “sticky” to describe how he wants players to play down low in the offensive end, holding onto the puck along the wall and making plays from that scenario.

“He has hockey IQ,” Tocchet said. “But holding the puck in your skates accomplishes nothing. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and place for that. To me, it’s more about getting out of a pile with a puck and then making the right play, not losing it. That’s the characteristic of our Coyotes players. That’s a big part of being a playoff hockey team is being in those pressure, close quarters and coming out with the puck and making a play instead of losing the puck. Whether it’s Fisch or Keller or whoever, we always strive for guys to be better in those situations.”

Fischer believes he has identified the problem.

“Probably the biggest thing when you talk about production and ask why am I not scoring, right now it’s probably in the O-zone down low keeping my feet moving,” he said. “I could hold onto the puck down there on the wall and the guy could be on my back and I could just hang out there for 30 seconds and muck it up but that doesn’t do anything.

“It’s about body position and moving my feet. If I get stuck in there, sometimes I just get stagnant when I could go as simple as low to high or I could take that spin off the guy and go to the net. That’s my game. I have to get out of that corner and make a play. That’s my game. Something as simple as a wraparound is how I have scored all of my career so I am just trying to get back to that.”

Tocchet’s decision to sit Fischer did not come without much thought to the end game. 1134370 Boston Bruins

Bruins’ goal is simple: Keep this roll going

GLOBE STAFF By Nicole Yang

Amid the Bruins’ 16-game point streak, coach Bruce Cassidy isn’t concerned about the team “peaking too early.”

“We want to go out and win every game, right?” Cassidy said at Warrior Ice Arena after practice Monday morning. “So you win every game or get points every game, and then what? Like, you’re not supposed to do that because it’s a certain time of year?”

With 17 games remaining on the schedule, the Bruins have positioned themselves to enter the playoffs as a fierce contender in the Eastern Conference.

Boston has won 12 of its last 14 games, including an emphatic 4-1 victory over the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning last Thursday. Cassidy said he thinks the team can still be “harder to play against,” but he noted he’d rather address areas of improvement while they are winning.

Cassidy expects the veterans on the roster to set the tone moving forward.

“Things are going really good right now,” defenseman Charlie McAvoy said. “It’s fun coming to the rink every day. As a team, things are going really well. We’re coming together in this last third of the season.

“We look forward to every game and keeping it going.”

In hopes of avoiding fatigue down the line, Cassidy put the onus on the coaching staff to “use everybody” so that the Bruins are prepared to play their best hockey in April.

He said the addition of center Charlie Coyle has already helped with balancing the minutes distribution, and he expects to keep things relatively balanced in the net as well.

Though he has mapped out the projected starting goaltender for each game for the rest of the season, Cassidy couldn’t remember the exact split; but he estimated that Tuukka Rask will start 10 games and Jaroslav Halak seven. Halak will start against the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday night at TD Garden.

“We’re not going to run Tuukka into the ground, because Halak has played very well,” Cassidy said. “We’re fortunate.”

Cassidy said the practice schedule will lighten up during March because of the intensity of the game schedule.

He said it’s challenging to “push” the team at this point in the season, but there’s still room for little tweaks and corrections.

“Hopefully, we can get them in a good place,” Cassidy said. “Hopefully, when April comes, we’ll be playing even better.”

Forward Sean Kuraly, who entered concussion protocol after taking a big hit against the Lighting, is trending toward a Thursday return, Cassidy said. Kuraly skated in a red noncontact jersey Monday . . . Defenseman Kevan Miller (upper-body injury) did not practice and is considered week- to-week, as opposed to day-to-day, after an MRI found something unexpected. “It’s a little more serious than we first thought,” Cassidy said . . . Right winger David Pastrnak (thumb) skated and is still on schedule with his recovery. According to general manager Don Sweeney’s most recent update, Pastrnak will be in a cast for another week before getting fitted for a splint . . . Defenseman Zdeno Chara went down and left the ice after taking a puck to the face during practice. He did not receive stitches and is expected to be OK.

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Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk puts goal drought in past

By MARISA INGEMI

With seven goals in his past nine games, Jake DeBrusk is a bit surprised at how much his scoring has snowballed.

That’s not to say he didn’t partially see it coming. While the 22-year-old was in the midst of a 13-game run without a goal, he continued to reiterate he just needed one to go his way.

He didn’t know how right he was.

“It’s interesting because I think it’s confidence, weirdly,” he said. “I never believed I was never going to score again, but it was just actually scoring. I knew I needed one to go in and everything would fall into place. I didn’t think I would get that hot, but I knew my game would come back.”

DeBrusk finally snapped the curse against the Blackhawks, the B’s first game without David Pastrnak. From there, he netted a goal in the next four contests.

He brought that offensive prowess back home with tallies in two straight against the Sharks and Lightning. The confidence surge in his own game has helped the B’s secondary scoring when they need it most, but the second-year winger also is focused on how to avoid another drought.

“I have to find different ways to make sure it’s not just a goal that resets everything,” DeBrusk said. “That’s what kind of builds for me, the puck going in the net or when I’m part of the offense.”

DeBrusk knows his game, which makes the droughts even more frustrating. His longest goal rut of the season before his 13-gamer was six, and last season he was held off the scoreboard for 11 straight.

It might be too early in his career to label him as a streaky player, but evidence certainly exists. DeBrusk knows that once he gets going, it takes a lot to send him spiraling back into the abyss of being held scoreless.

“I knew as soon as I got a bounce, I was going to come in pretty hot,” he said. “I didn’t know if I was going to go on a streak or not, but I knew everything was going to be relaxed and back to normal.”

For most of this season, the sophomore slump label was in play for DeBrusk. Instead, he’s surged to 21 goals, cruising past his rookie total of 16.

There’s a lot of ways the young winger can improve. His assists (11) are down from his 27 last season, but ultimately he’s on the roster to score, and he has when the Bruins needed him the most.

Streaky or not, he couldn’t have picked a better time to find his game, as predicted.

“It let me breathe for a bit, and the 20-goal mark is nice, but there’s still 18 games left to win.” DeBrusk said. “That’s what I’m focused on right now.”

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Bruins notebook: Confidence soars during points streak

By MARISA INGEMI

Winning, as it turns out, breeds confidence.

As the Bruins have found multiple ways to win, most recently a defensive 1-0 victory against the on Saturday, they have looked more and more unbeatable. Their 16-game points streak has included five one-goal wins (with three shootout losses and an defeat) as well as back-to-back 4-1 blowouts.

From games with a single tally to one with 11, the Bruins have adjusted to whatever style is played.

The result is an unabashed confidence.

“Sixteen games is a good amount of time,” winger Jake DeBrusk said. “Anytime you get points coming on the board like that, everyone in the room feels good.”

The Bruins are 8-4 in one-goal games this season. They’re better than .500 with and without the shots advantage, better than .500 when the game is tied after any period, and even better than .500 when letting up the first goal.

But the best proof of their confidence is the way they play with the lead. The Bruins are 21-4-1 when leading after one period, and they’ve scored first in 11 of the 16 games during their streak.

Some of those games have been marquee matchups against the elite of the NHL like the Sharks and Lightning. In others, like against the Devils, the B’s had to avoid playing down to the level of their opponent.

“We have a veteran group, so I think they understand the importance of playing well this time of year,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “It’s on us as a staff to use that so you don’t run into problems in April. … That’s going back to Charlie Coyle and where he can help us with minutes. … We have a tough schedule out ahead of us.”

That the bulk of the Bruins’ streak has happened without David Pastrnak might be the most impressive thing.

“The good thing about the streak is it hasn’t been the same guy or guys, we’ve had different guys contribute,” DeBrusk said. “That’s why we’ve been successful. Everyone is feeling good about their games right now.”

Coyle adds comfort

After the Bruins struggled to find a permanent option at third-line center all season, the addition of Coyle has been a revelation.

While the wings on that line have rotated — namely Peter Cehlarik and Joakim Nordstrom, depending on other injuries in the lineup — Coyle has provided a security that makes the rest of the lineup deeper, even if the point production hasn’t been there yet.

“It helps balance the minutes,” Cassidy said. “A little more comfortable in (defensive) zone draws.”

Chara avoids scare

Zdeno Chara was hit in the face with a puck near the end of practice Monday when the team was working on power-play drills. He went down to the ice but left under his own power.

The team said he’s fine and did not need stitches. …

Per Cassidy, Kevan Miller received bad news on his MRI following his upper-body injury. The defenseman is considered week-to-week and has not skated. …

Sean Kuraly (concussion) skated before practice and then joined the team, donning a red non-contact sweater. He’s aiming to play Thursday against the Panthers. …

Pastrnak (thumb) also skated before practice and remains on schedule.

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Kevan Miller downgraded to "week-to-week" with injury after "bad news" MRI

By Joe Haggerty March 04, 2019

BRIGHTON, Mass. – It’s bad news for Kevan Miller, who is going to be out longer than expected after test results revealed a more serious injury.

The rugged Bruins defenseman has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury after blocking a shot in the win over Vegas on their recently concluded West Coast trip, and had been listed as doubtful and day-to-day since that point. But after missing the entire week of games and practices since coming home, Bruce Cassidy said that Miller has been downgraded to “week-to-week” and that means he’s out for the foreseeable future with the injury.

“Kevan Miller was not out there. He got a little bit of bad news the other day with his MRI,” said Cassidy. “We didn’t think it was much, but they found something there. So it’s a little bit more serious than we first thought. So he’s been classified as week-to-week as opposed to day-to- day.”

The Bruins have obviously done okay without Miller, having won all three games on the homestand amidst a 16-game point streak, but there’s also no doubt that his toughness and rugged defensive zone play are both missing when he’s not in the lineup. In other news, the Bruins did get the return of Sean Kuraly (concussion) to the ice in a non-contact jersey, and he could be an option for Thursday night’s game if he continues to progress from the injury at his current pace. Jaroslav Halak is slated to get the Tuesday night start between the pipes against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Here are the projected Bruins line combos and D-pairings for Tuesday night’s game vs. Carolina based on Monday’s snow practice at Warrior Ice Arena:

LINE COMBOS

Marchand-Bergeron-Heinen

DeBrusk-Krejci-Johansson

Cehlarik-Coyle-Backes

Nordstrom-Acciari-Wagner

Kuraly

D-PAIRINGS

Chara-McAvoy

Krug-Carlo

Moore-Grzelcyk

Kampfer

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Bruins' Zdeno Chara avoids injury after taking puck to face in practice

By Nick Goss March 04, 2019

The Boston Bruins had a scary situation at practice Monday when defenseman Zdeno Chara was hit in the face with a puck, but fortunately for everyone involved, the team captain avoided injury.

NBC Sports Boston's Camera Guys posted a video of Chara being helped up by teammates before exiting the ice.

Scary sight for #NHLBruins ⁠ fans. ⁠ Captain Zdeno Chara took a puck to the face during practice today.

Word from B’s: He probably won’t need stitches and will be fine. AKA he is a Hockey player! Count your chiclets!

 pic.twitter.com/pBRdvcr9IW

— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) March 4, 2019

Chara still is one of the Bruins' most important players in his 13th season with the team. The 41-year-old blueliner ranks third on the B's with 21 minutes of ice time per game, and a lot of that comes against the opponent's top forwards.

Losing Chara for any length of time would be a tough blow for the Bruins, but this incident isn't expected to produce anything more than some pain for the defenseman.

Chara and the Bruins will be back on the ice Tuesday night when they host the Carolina Hurricanes at TD Garden. Boston enters this matchup with a league-best 16-game point streak.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134375 Boston Bruins

Tuukka Rask "in the zone" right now, the question is whether he can keep it up

By Joe Haggerty March 04, 2019

BOSTON – Just as Tuukka Rask tends to get off to a slow start every season, the Bruins No. 1 goalie has a habit of getting into a zone where he turns into a Black and Gold brick wall in the middle of the season as well.

It’s been an extended run this season, however, with Rask having not lost in regulation since before Christmas, and now riding a 17-game run where he’s gone 14-0-3 and helped the Bruins to a 16-game point streak that’s still ongoing. Rask stopped 20 shots in a 1-0 shutout of the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night and is sporting a .932 save percentage over his last five games while capping a February where he went 7-0-1 with a .923 save percentage.

Rask hasn’t allowed the soft goals that can sometimes hamstring his team, and his focus has been razor-sharp whereas it tends to wander during his periods of struggle. At times it simply looks like Rask doesn’t have to do anything particularly special to stop all the shots he’s facing, and that’s a credit to the defense being played in front of him.

It wasn't pretty, but the B's showed us something new in win over Devils

But Rask has also made some pretty spectacular saves at points, and that’s revealed a goalie at the top of his game right now, and with a backup in Jaroslav Halak that’s playing extremely well at the same time.

“He’s really in the zone right now, and it looks like one of his easier shutouts, but I think these games are sometimes hard to play,” said Bruce Cassidy. “When you don’t see a lot of action you have to stay focused. He’s no different coming off a big win against Tampa, so I give him a lot of credit, especially early on to make sure the guys know you’re ready to go.”

Certainly the Vezina talk will get going for Rask if he continues at his current pace, and perhaps climbs a little further in the NHL’s top-10 with the .922 save percentage that currently has him tied for ninth in the league. But he’s just trying to keep it simple while on an incredibly effective run and maintain his current level for the next month of the regular season, and then onto the playoffs after that.

At times in the past, fatigue from a heavy workload during the season has taken its toll on the slender goaltender, and the team is hoping that pattern isn't going to repeat itself for a well-rested Rask this season.

“It comes with the experience, you just learn to hang out, watch the game, and take it like a practice,” said Rask. “When they come [at you] try to stop it, that’s it. If you start thinking too much, then you screw yourself mentally, that’s where the experience comes in, you just let them come to you when they come.

That is the real question remaining for Rask and the Bruins. We’ve all seen these stretches in midseason where Rask gets in the zone and looks like the goaltender that everybody expects him to be. If he can play the way he is right now during the playoffs, then both Rask and the B’s might really be onto something in a season where it looks like the Black and Gold are capable of something special.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134377 Boston Bruins “In overtime one game,” Marchand recalled. “He was holding onto the puck. Loui tried to pokecheck him. He knocked his stick out of his hand. It was basically a three-on-two for him from that point because Loui didn’t Doing the ‘impossible’: How Brad Marchand negates defenders’ sticks have his stick. When I saw that, I was like, ‘It’s a great play.’ It’s also a defensive play when you have the puck. You’re able to create for yourself a little more space. Something I’ve tried to work on and build into my game.” By Fluto Shinzawa Mar 4, 2019 In some cases, a sharp-eyed referee might raise his arm. Based on

interpretation, it could be considered interference. According to Rule The move is devious, brash and cunning. It requires high skill and loads 56.2, a minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who deliberately of confidence. It is irritating. It approaches the limits of legality. It invades knocks a stick out of an opponent’s hand. an opponent’s personal space. It could also be called slashing. Rule 61.1 defines the penalty as any Naturally, Brad Marchand does it better than just about everybody else. forceful or powerful chop with the stick on an opponent’s body, the opponent’s stick or on or near the opponent’s hands that is not an The maneuver is one that Marchand executed on two-time Norris Trophy attempt to play the puck. winner Erik Karlsson, of all players, in the Bruins’ 4-1 win over San Jose on Feb. 26. While attacking Karlsson on a one-on-one shorthanded rush, Marchand has been called for slashing five times this year. Only one of Marchand batted the defenseman’s stick out of his way as he moved the those minors was for negating an opponent’s stick. On Dec. 20 against puck from forehand to backhand. Anaheim, Marchand slashed Getzlaf’s stick out of his hands during a puck race. Marchand has not been called for interference this season. .@BMARCH63‘S NIFTY SHORTHANDED TALLY WAS THE 25TH OF HIS CAREER, TYING HIM WITH RICK MIDDLETON FOR THE MOST That he has been penalized just once indicates how rarely referees deem IN #NHLBRUINS HISTORY. PIC.TWITTER.COM/TWD6YO5H1T stick-to-stick entanglement an infraction. It gives Marchand room to swat, lift and brush aside sticks to pursue the puck. The process of folding the — BOSTON BRUINS (@NHLBRUINS) FEBRUARY 27, 2019 move into his resume was extended.

Once he rendered Karlsson’s stick useless, Marchand slalomed around “It’s been years in the making,” Marchand said. “You work on it over time. his defender, reeled in the puck and threw another set of dekes on Martin It’s tough to incorporate things into your game that you think of in a split- Jones before tucking in a backhander five-hole. Marchand may not have second situation.” given himself as many options had he not swatted Karlsson’s stick aside. It’s hard to identify many players that do it as well as Marchand. If the “I’m just trying to get his stick out of the way,” Marchand said. “A lot of move were that easy, more would be doing it. times, there’s a last-ditch effort to poke for the puck or take a swing at it. So if I take his stick out of the way, it kind of takes that opportunity away The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 from him.”

For most attackers, plays develop too rapidly to even consider playing an opponent’s stick. The focus, of course, is the puck.

On the other side, the defenseman is trying to get his stick on the puck while maintaining an athletic position against Marchand. When Marchand knocks away a defenseman’s stick, it initiates a cascade of problems: loss of balance, the elimination of a defender’s best tool and compromised footwork to catch up.

In other words, panic stations.

“When he knocks it out of the way, it pretty much makes it impossible for you to win that battle,” Brandon Carlo said. “He’s really good at that. I don’t even know how he thinks that fast to be able to recognize, ‘Oh, I’m going to lift his stick to get the puck first.’ It’s beyond me. I don’t have that in my regimen. It’s great to see him do that. I’d say he’s one of the few players in the league that will make moves like that.”

With time, Marchand has perfected the high-speed art of negating his challenger’s stick. For a wing with speed, strength, agility, fearlessness and quickness already on his side, the stick swat expands Marchand’s portfolio to make him even more dangerous.

“I like it,” Bruce Cassidy said of the move. “Even though players know it’s coming — not every player, but if you watch him enough, you see it — it’s still tough to defend.”

Karlsson was already playing a bad hand. Earlier in the night, Karlsson had missed several shifts after tweaking a groin injury that cost him nine games in January and February.

So when Marchand eliminated his stick, Karlsson practically had his pants down.

“If I’m pulling it from left to right,” Marchand said of the puck, “a lot of times that (defenseman) only has one hand on his stick. So I’m able to outmuscle him. If I’m able to get a whack on it, then I’ll buy myself an extra half-second. At the end of the day, that’s all I need to get a step on the guy and hopefully make another play.”

It was not always tucked inside Marchand’s toolbox. He credits as his inspiration. The former Red Wing was a master of manipulating his stick and those of others. There was one instance when Datsyuk used it on ex-Bruin Loui Eriksson, who, in his prime, was no slouch at executing textbook stickwork. 1134378 Buffalo Sabres Brandon Montour into the crease, only to backhand the puck away from the net while moving his stick in desperation.

Edmonton had only seven shots on goal in the third period, and McDavid Marred by inconsistency, sinking Sabres unravel again in 'unacceptable' missed an empty net to give the Sabres life. The loss was reminiscent of loss so many since November.

"It’s about our willingness to bounce back and be resilient," Eichel said. "I By Lance Lysowski|Published Mon, Mar 4, 2019 thought we showed some good compete and resiliency in the third period, but at the end of the day, this year, it’s not enough for us. When the other team gets two points and you get none – it’s tough to hang your hat on a good effort or competing." Jason Pominville has seen the exhausting lows of a last-place finish and the exhilarating highs of a run to the Eastern Conference Finals while The Sabres have only 13 wins in 41 games since their win streak ended playing more than 1,047 career NHL regular-season games. in Tampa on Nov. 29 -- the second-fewest points in the NHL during that span -- and only 16 regular-season games remain. Housley did not Yet, the 36-year-old Buffalo Sabres winger had never experienced the blame Ullmark, who was pulled for the third period after allowing four horror of what occurred Monday night in KeyBank Center. goals on 20 shots. With the tying goal on the blade of his stick in the third period, Pominville Pominville had no interest in pointing the finger at coaching, either. somehow blocked his own shot from crossing the goal line. "It’s on us," he said. "We don’t want to blame anyone. It’s on us to be "I can probably take a hundred shots from that area and it might never better, pull up our sleeves and regroup and try to find a way to win a happen, but it happened tonight," Pominville lamented after the Sabres couple on the road. It’s on us in the room." allowed three unanswered goals in a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Buffalo News LOADED: 03.05.2019 The moment symbolized what has become a season of missed opportunities for the Sabres (30-28-8), who have lost eight of their last 10 games and remain nine points back of the second wild-card spot. Now, Pominville and his teammates are in danger of becoming only the second team in NHL history to miss the playoffs in the same season in which they won 10 consecutive games.

They received a roar from the home crowd after scoring three consecutive first-period goals, only to hear boos as they left for their dressing room after the game. A myriad of mistakes allowed the Oilers to score three goals in a span of three minutes, 26 seconds during the second period, quickly obliterating Buffalo's momentum.

"You’ve got to play a full 60 minutes," coach Phil Housley said sternly. "You’ve got to check for a full 60 minutes in this league. We outshot them, we outchanced them. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t have come out with two points tonight, and it’s just a little bit of defensive lapses for five minutes."

It was the second time in one week that the Sabres gave up three consecutive goals in such a short span, and neither Housley nor his players could explain the trend. Their mistakes against Edmonton (29-30- 7) were familiar, though.

First, Zack Kassian one-timed Connor McDavid's cross-ice pass to cut the deficit to one goal at 16:29 into the second period. Less than three minutes later, Darnell Nurse unleashed a slap shot after he was not covered by Pominville and neither Rasmus Ristolainen nor Marco Scandella could pry the puck away from Leon Draisaitl, who made a perfect backhanded pass.

Finally, with five seconds left in the second period, Adam Larsson's shot from the right point ricocheted off Kyle Brodziak's skate and through Linus Ullmark's five hole to give Edmonton a 4-3 lead. Draisaitl opened the scoring with his 41st goal of the season by finishing a 2-on-1 pass from McDavid only 1:28 into the game.

"I wouldn't say it's [happened] nightly, but it’s happened frequently where we just give up one and we kind of go in a shell and can’t come out of it," Pominville admitted. "Then we give up another one and it’s like, ‘Oh, here we go again.’ We’ve got to be better. It’s unacceptable."

The Sabres were outshot 8-0 in the final 6:06 of the seconds of the second period. Otherwise, Buffalo outshot the Oilers, 38-19, and Housley estimated his team had double the scoring chances.

Jack Eichel scored two goals to match his career-high with 25, and Casey Mittelstadt scored in the first period on one of his season-high five shots on goal to take a two-goal lead into the second period. The Sabres' power play scored for the seventh time in eight games, and their penalty kill did not allow a shot during Edmonton's lone opportunity.

The Sabres nearly pushed the lead to three goals during a second-period power play, but Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen made two remarkable saves, including his stop on a Ristolainen slap shot.

During the third period, Jeff Skinner deflected a Ristolainen slap shot off the post and could not get to the loose puck in the crease, stretching his goalless drought to nine games. And Pominville one-timed a pass from 1134379 Buffalo Sabres The bad signs continue to flow for the Sabres. Dropped coverages. Untimely mistakes in goal, this time by Linus Ullmark. Another one leaking through and ever-so-slowly crossing the goal line, this time with Mike Harrington: As frustration goes away for Connor McDavid, it just 4.3 seconds left in the second period. It's happening to Ullmark or Carter keeps growing for Sabres Hutton virtually every game and it's soul crushing for their team.

That's seven times in 10 games Buffalo has given up four goals or more. All teams drop coverage and give up scoring chances at times. Even By Mike Harrington Tampa Bay. Once in a while you need a save from your goalie. Or three or four of them.

Since Dec. 1, the Sabres are 27th in the NHL in goals against at 3.41 per The Edmonton Oilers are still a longshot to sneak into the Stanley Cup game. Their defensive coverage remains abhorrent but there's a reason playoffs. But they're saving face with a 5-1-1 burst and three straight wins goalies are there. They're supposed to cover up for mistakes and they're to finish a nine-day road trip. not doing it. Helps when Connor McDavid can put up five points in the last two games Make a save. and make it look pretty effortless, too. The temptation was there to go in the Sabres dressing room and ask McDavid has seemed frustrated at times this season. Who wouldn't be Sam Reinhart if his team needed more saves. No point. After agreeing with what's gone on in Edmonton? Coach Todd McLellan was fired in with the notion, he probably would have just changed his mind Tuesday November and GM Peter Chiarelli was gone in January. The Oilers are morning anyway. still five points shy of a playoff spot and if they can't make them up, it will be the third time in his four seasons he will miss the postseason. "You don't want to give up any goals. Not at the end of the period and not in bunches like we gave up at the end of the second," rationalized Eichel. "It's not tough mentally. You have to win games, find ways to put up "You're going to give up goals. It's about our willingness to bounce back points and hope and pray for a little help," McDavid said prior to and be resilient. ... At the end of the day, this year it's not enough for us Monday's 4-3 high-wire act over the Sabres in KeyBank Center. when the other team gets two points and you get none. It's tough to hang "Ultimately, all we can control is ourselves and that's what we've been your hat on a good effort or competing." trying to do." Unfortunately for the Sabres, it didn't go like that for Edmonton. Mikko One thing the Oilers need organizationally is stability. Sound familiar? Koskinen did enough in the Oilers net to prevent the Sabres from taking The Sabres can use it, too, but they're teetering on the edge as the a three-goal lead until McDavid & Co. got things going. pressure mounts on coach Phil Housley, no matter how emphatic Jason Botterill's proclamation was a couple of weeks ago in Tampa. Said Hitchcock: "I thought when it was 3-1, our goalie held us together."

Edmonton needs to figure out who will be its GM and then decide on a Uh-huh. coach. It might be the Oilers' last chance to make those moves before McDavid some day heads to the authorities there and says "no mas." Buffalo News LOADED: 03.05.2019

That day, of course, would be a few years. But it's no stretch to think that McDavid's representatives and No. 97 himself likely would have some feedback to offer over what's being decided this spring.

"That's above me. It's not my job to hire anyone," McDavid insisted. "My job is to play hockey and that's all I focus on."

Sure thing. This was nonetheless another interesting confrontation between the forces of McDavid and Jack Eichel, who mirrored his team with two goals in a dominant opening salvo and then was too quiet down the stretch as a 3-1 lead was frittered away.

"We've been playing better, checking well," McDavid said. "I've really liked our game since we came back from the break, 10-11 games now. We've had a couple lulls but we've been pretty good."

McDavid, 22, is in the first year of his eight-year, $100 million contract and has 92 points, third in the NHL. And he's been a huge reason Leon Draisaitl is now a 41-goal scorer. Pretty sick shorthanded goal they combined on in the first 90 seconds of the game.

"He's obviously a special talent," Draisaitl said. "If you know that it's coming, it's not too hard to figure out where to go and find open ice. Real nice play by him."

"When you put those two together on one line, they're very dynamic," Sabres coach Phil Housley said after the morning skate in words that proved prophetic. "They drive their engine over there ... they bring a speed element like no other in the NHL."

But McDavid also had the blooper reel moment of his career late in the game when he had an easy route to the open-net clincher -- and flubbed it by sliding the puck off the post.

The puck went back into the Edmonton zone and Draisaitl took a penalty, giving the Sabres a chance on the power play in the final 45 seconds. But Buffalo could not get the equalizer and Edmonton could exhale.

"Those things happen in the game. He missed it. That happens," said Edmonton coach Ken Hitchcock. "But how about the play he makes later when he stays with it in the neutral zone just to get the puck deep? He's a special player and he's become a special competitor, which is a good sign." 1134380 Buffalo Sabres

The Wraparound: Edmonton Oilers 4, Buffalo Sabres 3

By Lance Lysowski|

Two transcendent talents have not been able to prevent the Edmonton Oilers from being harshly criticized around the NHL. They have fired their coach and general manager since the season began, continuing a dramatic fall from grace since Connor McDavid nearly led them to the Western Conference finals two years ago.

Yet, their performance in a 4-3 win Monday night in KeyBank Center illustrated they could be making progress, while the Buffalo Sabres continue to trend in the wrong direction. The Oilers (29-30-7) scored three goals in a span of three minutes, 26 seconds during the second period to erase a two-goal deficit and earn their fifth win in seven games.

The Sabres (30-27-8) have lost eight of their last 10 – and have won only 13 of their last 41 since their 10-game win streak in November – and remain nine points back of the second wild-card playoff spot. Linus Ullmark was pulled after allowing four goals on 20 shots through two periods.

Leon Draisaitl opened scoring with his 41st goal of the season, and the Oilers got three consecutive goals from Zack Kassian, Darnell Nurse and Kyle Brodziak. McDavid had two assists to push his season point total to 92. The Sabres' Jack Eichel scored twice to match his career-high of 25 goals, and Casey Mittelstadt added a goal in the first period.

Shorthanded opening salvo: The Sabres were gifted a power play only 53 seconds into the game when Alex Chiasson lifted a puck over the glass from his own zone. However, the Oilers scored 35 second later when McDavid passed to Draisaitl during a 2-on-1, and Draisaitl scored for a 1-0 lead.

Captain Jack: Eichel, taken one spot behind McDavid in the 2015 draft, had multiple goals for the second time in five games. The 22-year-old captain tied the score, 1-1, by collecting a loose puck in the offensive zone and skating around Adam Larsson before shooting over Mikko Koskinen's glove at 2:42 into the first period.

Eichel pushed the Sabres' lead to 3-1 when he collected a loose puck in the neutral zone and scored on a far-side shot with 2:36 left in the first period.

Edmonton Oilers 4, Buffalo Sabres 3

Casey's progress: Mittelstadt broke the 1-1 tie at 6:31 in the first period when he one-timed Scott Wilson's backhanded pass over Koskinen's glove. Mittelstadt has 10 goals among 21 points in 61 games as a rookie, while Wilson's assist was his first NHL point this season.

3:26: The Sabres had a chance to take a three-goal lead in the second period but were unable to capitalize on a power play. Edmonton responded with three goals in 3:26 to take the lead. First, Kassian one- timed a pass from McDavid to cut the deficit to one and Nurse followed with his slap shot to beat Ullmark. Finally, with five seconds remaining in the second period, the Oilers took a 4-3 lead when Larsson's shot went off Brodziak's skate and in.

Familiar face: James Tobias, a 24-year-old West Seneca native, filled in as a linesman Monday night with Johnny Murray injured. Tobias graduated from Canisius College in 2017 with a degree in biology and officiated his first NHL game in November 2017.

Lineup: Defenseman Zach Bogosian was a late scratch after he participated in the Sabres' morning skate and is day to day with a lower- body injury, drawing Casey Nelson into the lineup. Nelson, 26, had not played in an NHL game since Dec. 4, and had a plus-6 rating in 22 games prior to suffering an injury. Forward Vladimir Sobotka missed a third consecutive game with an upper-body injury.

Next: The Sabres are scheduled to practice Tuesday in KeyBank Center and will not play again until Thursday night in Chicago.

Buffalo News LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134381 Buffalo Sabres Sam Reinhart and Leon Draisaitl also bear watching in Sabres-Oilers matchup

"When you put those two together on one line, they're very dynamic," Sabres vs. Oilers: Five Things to Know Sabres coach Phil Housley said of McDavid and Draisaitl. "They drive their engine over there and we're going to have to be aware of when they're on the ice. We're going to have to manage the puck well because By Mike Harrington| they bring a speed element of no other in the NHL."

5. By the numbers: The Sabres have given up 55 shots on goal in the first period the last three games. ... Both teams struggle in second Say this for the Buffalo Sabres: They can relax a little tonight when the periods, with the Sabres running a minus-16 goal differential and Edmonton Oilers are in KeyBank Center. After all, they're not continuing Edmonton at minus-15. The Sabres are 10-4-1 against the Pacific their futile quest for a two-game winning streak. Division this year, including 6-0-1 at home. ... Jeff Skinner's goal drought The Sabres are coming off Saturday's 5-2 loss in Toronto that dropped is now at eight games but it's not like he's not getting scoring chances. them to 0-10-1 in their last 11 games after a win. They're meeting an Skinner has 21 shots on goal in the last four games, including seven Edmonton team that's 4-1-1 in its last six, including Saturday's 4-0 Saturday in Toronto. shutout in Columbus. Buffalo News LOADED: 03.05.2019 "The hardest thing to trust is your work and your checking," Edmonton coach Ken Hitchcock said today. "... We're starting to believe that if we can check, we can control the hockey game and not just try to do it with our skill."

Faceoff is shortly after 7 on MSG and WGR Radio. If you're outside the Buffalo area, the game will be televised on NHL Network. For the record, the Sabres are nine points out of a playoff spot and Edmonton is seven. Which means they're both pretty much toast barring some wild winning streak in the last 17 games.

Here are Five Things to Know about tonight's game:

1. The lineup: The Sabres announced Jake McCabe is out for 5-6 weeks -- essentially the rest of the season -- with an upper-body injury, so they are down to seven defensemen. Casey Nelson will sit.

#Sabres lines/pairings at the morning skate

Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart

Sheary-Rodrigues-Okposo

Wilson-Mittelstadt-Pominville

Girgensons-Larsson-Thompson

Scandella-Ristolainen

Dahlin-Bogosian

Hunwick-Montour

— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) March 4, 2019

2. In the nets: Linus Ullmark (14-9-4, 3.06/.909) is getting his third straight start and it's another statement by Housley because Hutton is now healthy and has been serving as a backup. Neither goaltender was very good in February, with Ullmark at 3-3-1, 3.60/.889 and Hutton 1-4-1, 3.09/.906. Ullmark stopped 41 of 44 shots in Friday's overtime win over Pittsburgh and 27 of 31 Saturday in Toronto. The Oilers will go with starter Mikko Koskinen (18-15-4, 2.76/.911), who has stopped 67 of 69 shots in his last two starts and is coming off a 30-save shutout Saturday in Columbus.

3. McDavid Magic: Edmonton's Connor McDavid enters this game third in the NHL in scoring at 90 points and with points in 13 of the last 14 games he's played (missed one due to illness, two due to suspension). He had three assists in the Columbus game.

"That was probably one of our better games of the season for sure," McDavid said today. "We were solid all over the ice. We didn't give up too much and anything we did, Mikko was there. Offensively, we created chances. It was a pretty good game all around and we're hoping to carry it into tonight."

4. Oil spills: Leon Draisaitl's 40th goal of the season came Saturday in Columbus and has him tied with Chicago's Patrick Kane for second in the league behind Washington's Alex Ovechkin (45). Draisaitl joined an elite list of Oilers to get 40 goals in 60 games that includes , Jari Kurri, , Glenn Anderson and Jimmy Carson. McDavid's three-point game Saturday allowed him to join Messier (1987-90) and Kurri (1983-90) as the most recent Oilers with at least three straight 90- point seasons. 1134382 Buffalo Sabres Smith started morphing into an NCAA prospect with the Bruins, a team coached by Chris Tok, a former college and pro player who would become a huge influence for the teenager.

Sabres prospect C.J. Smith lands opportunity after long journey After his first season in Austin, Smith had an opportunity to jump to the United States Hockey League, a higher level of junior hockey.

By Bill Hoppe| “I thought I was just going to be like a fourth-line guy, so (Tok) kind of just said, ‘Hey, you can go play in the USHL, (but) you (can) work on your scoring down here and become a better scorer.’”

Longtime Sabres beat writer Bill Hoppe of BuffaloHockeyBeat.com, will Smith stayed in Austin, scored 30 goals in 2012-13 and skated for two be writing about Sabres prospects, the Rochester Americans and related USHL teams the next season. By 2014-15, he was playing college topics this season. hockey on a scholarship at UMass Lowell.

Liz Smith said her gut told her it was the right decision. Her son, C.J., “I kind of found the right situation, what worked for me as a person and had outgrown the competition around Des Moines, Iowa. The family as a hockey player,” Smith said. “When I went to junior, I found a really wanted to find out if he had a future in hockey. good coach and sort of good people that I think really sort of jump-started my hockey career to get where I’m at today.” So to test C.J.’s talents, part of the family left Iowa and moved to Minnesota, a hockey hotbed, when he was in eighth grade. The rest of Smith’s story is well-known. Following a huge junior season at UMass Lowell in 2016-17, he signed an entry-level contract with the “We were going to give it a shot, and if it didn’t work, it didn’t work,” Liz Sabres and jumped right to the NHL. Smith said. “Whatever happens going forward," his mother said, "you can say you Her husband, Jeff, stayed in Iowa and ran the family’s temporary staffing played in the NHL, you’re in the record books, you’re there.” service. C.J.’s sister, Mackenzie, also moved to the family’s new home in Bloomington, Minn., about 10 miles outside Minneapolis. Buffalo News LOADED: 03.05.2019 “We were first testing the waters to see where I was as a hockey player, if this is something I could compete with other kids at at a higher level,” said C.J., a Sabres prospect and one of the Rochester Americans’ leading scorers.

C.J. would eventually thrive against some of the country’s top teenage talent. But he had trouble finding the right fit. His development was slow.

The family moved again. He played for two high school teams and attended three schools.

Liz Smith said her son has “lived out of a bucket probably since he was in eighth grade.”

“He gave up a lot,” she said. “We gave up a lot for him, but he gave up a lot.”

But C.J.’s parents never pressured him to keep at it. If he had chosen to quit hockey, they would’ve supported him.

“We said, ‘C.J., as long as you’re getting your grades and being respectful and appreciative, we’ll go ahead and support you,’” Liz Smith said. “It was also one of those things, too, I told C.J., ‘The day you want to quit hockey, that’s OK, too.’ ”

Today, C.J., 24, is one of the American Hockey League’s best wingers. His 2018-19 campaign – he has scored 20 goals and 45 points in 45 games – has earned him 11 appearances with Buffalo.

“That’s also another reason I made it to where I (am) at,” he said of his parents’ support for whatever he wanted. “It wasn’t something that was forced upon me. They wanted to let me decide for myself if it’s something I wanted to make a career out of and something I wanted to do. So I really respect them.”

C.J. Smith’s arduous path taught him to be patient and respect the development process.

“I kind of learned from my past growing up just (to) keep working toward things and eventually the right situation will come around,” he said.

That situation finally materialized in 2011, after he failed to make the Elite League, a circuit of the top high school players in Minnesota.

Before Smith’s high school season began, he played some games with the Austin Bruins, a junior team in the North American Hockey League about 100 miles from Minneapolis.

Then a week before Smith’s junior season was set to start at the Academy of Holy Angels, one of his teammates, Connor Hurley transferred. Hurley was later picked by the Sabres in the second round in 2013.

Suddenly, Smith said, the “team wasn’t looking good.”

Austin offered Smith a roster spot, so he grabbed it. The decision turned out to be a turning point in his career. 1134383 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo News LOADED: 03.05.2019

Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe's season likely over because of upper-body injury

By Lance Lysowski

An upper-body injury will force Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe to miss the next next five to six weeks, likely ending the 25-year-old's season, the team announced Monday morning.

McCabe, a restricted free agent this summer, suffered the injury in the second period of a 5-2 loss in Toronto on Saturday night. It is the second consecutive year his season has been cut short. He missed the final two months of 2017-18 because of shoulder surgery.

He was on pace for a career year until an upper-body injury forced him to miss nine games from Nov. 30 through Dec. 18. McCabe had two goals among 10 points with a plus-2 rating in his first 25 games, but he had two goals among four points with a minus-9 rating in his final 30 games.

"He's a warrior," coach Phil Housley said of McCabe following Monday's morning skate in KeyBank Center. "He always puts his body in harm's way, brings a physical element to our team. Yeah, it's going to be tough to replace him, but we've got guys who are very capable of doing that."

McCabe, a left-handed defenseman who has played parts of six seasons with the Sabres since being drafted in the second round in 2012, averaged 18 minutes, 51 seconds this season and ranked second on the team with 95 blocked shots — 16 more than he had in only two fewer games in 2017-18. He also ranked third in hits and has logged the fifth- most minutes on the NHL's fifth-best penalty kill.

Additionally, defenseman Zach Bogosian was not available to play Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers despite participating in the morning skate.

The Sabres have depth on the blue line despite trading Nathan Beaulieu to Winnipeg moments before last week's trade deadline. If Bogosian is available Thursday, the Sabres will have six healthy defensemen remain on the roster — Rasmus Dahlin, Rasmus Ristolainen, Marco Scandella, Brandon Montour, Matt Hunwick and Casey Nelson — with additional help in Rochester.

However, neither Hunwick nor Nelson, both of whom were healthy scratches Saturday in Toronto, have the type of penalty-killing experience and snarl that make McCabe valuable.

McCabe has 14 goals among 61 points in 270 games with the Sabres. He made $1.6 million this season and is arbitration eligible this summer, according to CapFriendly.com. His timeline to return would allow him to join the team for the playoffs if they manage to make an unprecedented run over the season's final five weeks.

Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill will have a difficult decision to make this offseason since none of his other NHL defensemen are on expiring contracts and Lawrence Pilut should be ready to carve out a full- time role with the Sabres in 2018-19.

Winger Vladimir Sobotka participated in the Sabres' morning skate Monday but missed a third consecutive game because of an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old has four goals among 11 points in 60 games this season, including just one goal in his last 47 games.

Jason Pominville controlled his own fate at the trade deadline because the 36-year-old winger has a no-movement clause in his contract and Botterill never approached him about approving a trade from Buffalo.

TSN's Elliotte Friedman reported early last month that Pominville, a pending unrestricted free agent, was being shopped by the Sabres. But Pominville has made it clear that he had no interest in such a move.

"Definitely happy to be here," Pominville said Monday. "I definitely wanted to be part of the solution and stick around. My family enjoys it here. We're comfortable here, so we were thrilled about the end result."

The Sabres' Bald for Bucks campaign raised a record $110,254 for Roswell Park with donations from 37 states, the team announced Monday on Twitter. Martin Biron and Dan Dunleavy contributed by shaving for the event. 1134384 BuffaloSabres Buffalo was abysmal before Eichel arrived. In 2013-14, Cody Hodgson led the Sabres with 44 points. This season, Eichel beats him on assists alone (47). He scored twice Monday to bump his totals to 25 goals and Battle at the bottom: Breaking down all the ways the Sabres, Oilers stay 72 points. Sam Reinhart has 59 points, and Jeff Skinner has 36 goals unsuccessful and 58 points.

But there’s a huge drop-off after that. The next forward is 30-point Conor Sheary. By John Vogl Mar 4, 2019 Edmonton is similarly top-heavy. McDavid has 92 points, followed by Leon Draisaitl (41 goals, 83 points) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (56). Next is defenseman Darnell Nurse, who trails by more than 20 points (34). BUFFALO, N.Y. — During his 45 years of coaching, Ken Hitchcock has discovered one undeniable truth. There’s simply no depth.

Losing sucks. They can’t defend

“Winning is relief, and losing is just like living in hell,” Hitchcock said Here are the defensive numbers since 2011. Monday. “We celebrate for about five seconds, and the rest of the time we live in misery.” Place Team Goals against Per game

The wise-cracking Edmonton Oilers coach said it with a thin grin on his 1 Kings 1,448 2.39 face, but he wasn’t kidding. The Sabres’ Kyle Okposo will attest to that. 28 Maple Leafs 1,786 2.95

“It sucks when you’re not having success and winning,” the right winger 29 Sabres 1,807 2.98 said without a smile. “Unfortunately, it’s part of the position that we’re in right now. You have to be real about it. You can’t sugarcoat it and say, 30 Oilers 1,831 3.02 ‘Everything is going to be OK, we’re going to start winning.’ Hitchcock believes defense leads to winning, which gives a window into “You have to face facts and have real conversations, and that’s how you why the Sabres and Oilers can’t win. move forward, that’s how you get better.” “You have to have a maturity in your game,” Hitchcock said. “Maturity is Finding success has been an endless search for Buffalo and Edmonton. checking and, man, it’s hard to do. It’s really hard to do, and you need a Whether they have marquee names in the lineup or players who quickly certain level of maturity. It’s not based on age. It’s based on the fade from memory, the losing continues. disposition of your hockey club, and if you have that then you can win for a long, long time. Since 2011 — the start of the Sabres’ playoff drought and the middle of Edmonton’s ineptitude — no one has lost more than the teams that faced “We all see the teams that do it and do it well but, man, it requires an off Monday. The chart includes the Sabres’ loss, which featured a 3-1 unbelievable amount of focus and effort to do that, and we’re all trying to lead turning into a 4-3 defeat during in the final 3:31 of the second period. get there. As your team is growing — like we’re growing, Buffalo’s growing — you feel like you’ve grabbed it, and then it leaves you for a Place Team Wins Losses OTL Points little while.”

1 Penguins 360 186 59 779 It left Buffalo at the end of the second period. Coverage disappeared, 28 Coyotes 250 275 80 580 and so did the lead. It’s happened all season.

29 Oilers 247 289 70 564 “I’m just going to say it again: You cannot play 55 minutes in this league,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said. “Those are two points that should have 30 Sabres 227 301 78 532 been in our pocket. We’ve got to check for a whole 60. We do that tonight, we win. It’s as simple as that. It’s about picking up your people, Both teams will need a nearly perfect stretch to make the playoffs, and doing your job defensively.” they are far from perfect. This will be eight straight seasons without the postseason for Buffalo, and it will be 12 misses out of 13 for Edmonton. They can’t draft or develop

The losing started well before the 2015 arrival of Jack Eichel and Connor From 2012 to 2016, Buffalo and Edmonton combined to draft 82 players. McDavid. It’s continued with the much-heralded captains. Only nine were on the rosters Monday. Four of them — Eichel, McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Sam Reinhart — were can’t-miss prospects. So of the “Losing wears on you,” the Oilers’ McDavid said. “You want to win 78 selections that needed scouting acumen or a little luck, the teams games. That’s what wears on me, but ultimately, what am I going to do? nailed just five. You keep going on, and just like everyone in this room it’s trying to put together something.” That’s … not good.

It’s hard at the rink, and that leads to difficult times away from it. The Sabres were 2-for-8 from 2012 (Zemgus Girgensons, injured Jake McCabe), 1-for-11 from 2013 (Rasmus Ristolainen), 1-for-19 from 2014 “When the other team gets two points and you get none, it’s tough to (Reinhart), 1-for-6 from 2015 (Eichel) and 0-for-10 from 2016. hang your hat on a good effort or competing,” Buffalo’s Eichel said. “It’s really just a league about results and winning. That’s what the most The Oilers were 0-for-7 from 2012, 1-for-10 from 2013 (Nurse), 1-for-6 important thing is in my mind.” from 2014 (Draisaitl), 1-for-6 from 2015 (McDavid) and 1-for-9 from 2016 (injured Jesse Puljujarvi). We could write multiple books on what’s gone wrong with both organizations, but here’s a snapshot. There’s no such thing as a savior

They can’t score Fans hoped the arrival of Eichel and McDavid would be the catalyst to success. One person can’t change everything by himself. Here are the offensive numbers — and we mean offensive — since 2011. “I don’t think that’s possible at all,” McDavid said. “It’s not possible.”

Place Team Goals Per game McDavid has Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins and Nurse, while Eichel has Reinhart, Skinner and Rasmus Dahlin. They need a lot more. 1 Penguins 1,908 3.15 “In this league, where it’s so competitive each and every night and it’s 24 Oilers 1,577 2.6 such a team sport, one guy can’t change it,” McDavid said. 29 Coyotes 1,483 2.45 For much too long, no one in either city has changed it. 30 Sabres 1,414 2.33 “I mean, it’s the best league in the world,” Eichel said. “You can’t expect it to be easy. I think we all expected it to be hard, and I think it has been.” The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134385 The hats — and a handful of toques, too — rained down after the 29- year-old Ennis notched his third of the night on a long wrister from the side-boards, one that has gotta stay out.

Flames get ‘a little bit of a wakeup call‘ in loss to Leafs Rittich was dinged for six goals on 32 shots in Calgary’s crease.

“It was one of those nights where it seemed like when things could go Wes Gilbertson wrong, they did go wrong,” Peters shrugged when asked about the performance of his starting backstop. “And that was across the board for everybody.”

A lot of fans exited into the shivery night with beaming smiles. Ennis wasn’t the only guy who had a big night for the Buds, with Marner and Zach Hyman combining for three goals and five points. The ones wearing blue. Rittich denied Marner on a breakaway, but the speedy Hyman won the (Except, maybe, the few who tossed their toques on the ice to celebrate race to the rebound to cap a three-goal opening frame for the gents in a hat-trick from unlikely hero Tyler Ennis.) the road whites. The crowd is always split when the pay their annual That duo hooked up for another early in the middle period, with Marner visit to the Saddledome, and Ennis and rest of the out-of-town guests dangling around TJ Brodie and then feeding Hyman for an easy finish. certainly put on a show during Monday’s 6-2 thumping of the Calgary Flames. Tkachuk finally gave the folks in red reason to cheer with a power-play marker late in the second, burying from the edge of the blue paint after a “To be down early and chasing it all night is not the way we want to play,” wraparound attempt by Johnny Gaudreau. said Flames captain Mark Giordano of a contest that was essentially case-closed when the Maple Leafs surged to a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes. Just 32 seconds after Flames fourth-line Derek Ryan was “It’s a little bit of a wakeup call for us, but we have to remember that’s the rewarded for a beeline to the net, Marner chucked a shot at the net to first time we’ve lost two in regulation in a long time. We’re a good team. round out the scoring with another wacky one. It appeared it almost We have to just bounce back and get the next one.” grazed Hyman, maybe a nervous moment for any Leafs supporter who hadn’t tossed their toque yet. Indeed, Calgary’s crew has now suffered consecutive regulation setbacks for the first time since way back in mid-November. “They’re a good team. They have a lot of skill,” Giordano said afterward. “That’s what I saw tonight was when you do make mistakes, they These nights will happen. capitalize.” Trouble is, some of your buddies, co-workers or neighbours — basically The Flames now pack their carry-ons for a two-games-in-two-nights anybody with positive memories of that Gilmour-Leeman trade — won’t road-trip to the desert. First up is Wednesday’s waltz with the Vegas soon let you forget it. Golden Knights (8:30 p.m. MT, Sportsnet One/Sportsnet 960 The Fan), An ice crew member gathers up Toronto Maple Leafs hats following a followed by a clash with the Arizona Coyotes the next night. hat-trick by Toronto Maple Leafs’ Tyler Ennis, not shown, during third MOURNING A LEGEND period NHL hockey action against the Calgary Flames, in Calgary, Monday, March 4, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh ORG Flames skipper Bill Peters summed up the man in one word. XMIT: JMC113 “Royalty.” There was a ‘Go Leafs Go!’ immediately after Monday’s opening faceoff. The hockey world mourned Monday the death of Ted Lindsay, an all- The Flames’ supporters did their darnedest to drown that out, but the timer on the left wing, a pioneer of the players’ association and an home-side made it awfully hard to shut ’em up. absolute legend in Detroit, where he starred as a ferocious forward in the 1940s and ’50s and where Peters was later an assistant coach for three The Leafs benefited from some strange bounces, too. winters with the Red Wings. Folks in Toronto will be fired up. Their boys just beat the top team in the “We lost a real good man,” Peters said. “Mr. Lindsay was fantastic. Full of Western Conference. energy. Full of life. Always giving. Always bright, vibrant, positive. I loved And in Calgary? No need for panic. it when he came into the room, loved being around him, loved playing in his golf tournament for autism. Right to the end, he was raising money “Someone was saying in the locker-room, that’s the first time we’ve lost and doing things for others.” two in regulation in a row in a while,” echoed Flames alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk, one of two marksmen for the locals in a losing cause. Both Peters and Mike Babcock — former coach of the Red Wings and “It’s not like that happens a lot to us. It’s not like stuff has completely now bench boss for the Maple Leafs — opened their media scrums snowballed this year, like ‘Oh, we’re down this path again … ’ It’s the first Monday morning at the Saddledome with heartfelt tributes to the Hockey time it has happened in a while. We’re fine. We’ve done a great job this Hall of Fame inductee. year. Let’s just get back to work. We’re good.” Lindsay, who died peacefully at home in at age 93, was a Flames head coach Bill Peters was asked after Monday’s morning skate perennial all-star, the NHL’s leading scorer in 1949-50 and is credited to wax on some of the Maple Leafs’ most dangerous offensive weapons with being the first to parade around the ice with the Stanley Cup, a and replied: “We don’t have enough time to go through the whole litany gesture to include fans as part of the championship celebration. (He or list.” hoisted the trophy four times.)

With the likes of Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and John Tavares up Despite being about the same height and weight as current Flames whiz front and Morgan Rielly on the blue-line, Peters would have been a ways Johnny Gaudreau, he earned the nickname ‘Terrible Ted’ thanks to his down that list before he mentioned Ennis, but the fourth-line forward — a tenacity and mean streak. His longtime linemate, the late and great healthy scratch in Toronto’s previous outing — did the bulk of the , famously described Lindsay as “a holy terror” on the ice. damage at the Saddledome. “He’s iconic, right?” Peters praised. “He was one of the best players in an With the Maple Leafs on an early man-advantage, Ennis found himself all era where there were six teams and found a way to survive at that size. I alone out front — and with oodles of time, too — and capitalized on a have a lot of respect for him and what he’s done.” deke to his backhand. Lindsay’s off-ice contributions are just as significant. Among them, he Just two shifts later, he tried to chop a shot through traffic toward the net played a key role in the formation of the NHLPA. and the puck bounced off the boot of Flames rookie Rasmus Andersson, The Ted Lindsay Award — presented to the guy voted by his peers as ballooned in the air and plopped into the net as netminder David Rittich the most outstanding player in the regular season — was named in his made a last-ditch effort to pull it out of the air. honour in 2010. “Mr. Lindsay was a real good friend of mine and an example to all of us,” Babcock said after Monday’s morning skate. “He made you want to be a better man. He made our players in Detroit want to compete harder. He was around all the time, was an absolute gentleman. For his family today, we’re praying and thinking of you. It was an honour to consider a man of that quality your friend.

“I obviously didn’t know him as a player,” continued the Maple Leafs coach. “I just knew him after. But the kind of determination and just the way he was with people, the respect he had for people, the respect he had for the game, for his opponents, how hard and competitive he was … I just thought he was spectacular to be around.”

Lindsay was remembered with a moment-of-silence prior to Monday’s opening faceoff.

KYLINGTON RETURNS

On impact, Oliver Kylington worried he would be out a lot longer than this.

The Flames’ returned to action against the Maple Leafs after missing a total of four outings due to an ankle injury, the painful result of a blocked shot in a Feb. 20 win over the New York Islanders.

“I was scared that I broke my whole ankle. I was happy that it was just a crack,” said the 21-year-old Kylington, reunited Monday with Rasmus Andersson on an all-rookie defence duo. “I’m just lucky that it wasn’t a major injury and just happy to be back and contribute and do what I’m good at.”

Kylington’s injury offered an opportunity for the Flames to integrate new guy Oscar Fantenberg, acquired from the Los Angeles Kings about a half-hour before the trade deadline.

It also seems like just a matter of time before Juuso Valimaki rejoins the big club — the top prospect has been toiling with the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat as he shakes any lingering effects of a high- ankle sprain — so the Flames suddenly have an overflow of left-handed options for third-pairing duties.

That’s a good problem to have.

“To be honest, I don’t think about it that much,” insisted the smooth- skating Kylington, who has suited up for three-dozen dates with the Flames this winter. “I think, for us, it was good to get Oscar — he’s a good player, good guy and I think it’s good to have more depth on our D. Going into a playoff stretch, it’s good to have a new option if someone goes down.

“I know what I’ve been doing here and I know that I’ve playing pretty good, so I’m just going to focus on my thing when I’m playing. And I’m just happy for the team. The only thing that is important is if the team wins.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134386 Calgary Flames they’re not pantsing John Tavares and the Maple Leafs. That leaves us without a Metro team in our top five again, at least temporarily, while making room for a Central team to nudge back in. But which one? Let’s DGB weekend power rankings: Sorting through the trade deadline fallout end the suspense …

5. (39-22-4, +28 true goals differential*) – Should this be the Predators? Maybe. But the Jets are still holding down a narrow lead By Sean McIndoe Mar 4, 2019 in the Central and maybe more than narrow if you factor in their games in hand. They beat the Predators head-to-head on Friday. And they may

have landed the bigger deadline day prize in Hayes, although that’s a The trade deadline was last week. It feels like last month. close call and probably hinges on whether you think Simmonds has much left. It’s not much more than a coin flip, really. But we don’t do ties That’s the thing about the deadline. It’s such a hugely important here, so the Jets get the spot this week. milestone in the season that it almost manages to warp our sense of time around it. The weeks leading up to it seem to drag on forever. The day 4. Boston Bruins (39-17-9, +34) – Their win over Tampa snapped the itself flies by in a blink. And then it’s all over and it almost immediately Lightning’s 10-game win streak and was the sort of statement game that feels like a lifetime ago. Looks at us, watching Mark Stone play for the suggests that the Atlantic may not be quite the sure thing it looks like. Ottawa Senators. We were so young then. The Bruins are riding a streak of 16 straight with at least a point, although they still haven’t opened up all that much of a lead over the Maple Leafs While you might be ready to move on past the deadline, the weekend for home ice in their almost inevitable first-round matchup. Maybe that rankings can’t quite yet. That’s because last week, we were still in pre- comes this week; Boston gets a tough matchup tomorrow with the deadline mode and trying to figure out how different these rankings might Hurricanes, but then finishes off the week with home games against the look once the dealing is done. We can’t just leave a question like that Panthers and Senators. open. Let’s dig in and find out how much the deadline day changed the rankings? 3. San Jose Sharks (39-19-8, +35) – The latest Erik Karlsson update: The team expects him back “at some point”. That’s … encouraging, I Uh, not all that much, actually. guess?

That’s because the deadline saw something unusual this year: The best Meanwhile, there’s been no reports of progress in Karlsson re-signing in teams didn’t actually do all that much. Instead, most of the biggest moves San Jose, and it no longer seems like a sure thing – and if not, you were made by teams closer to the mushy middle. wonder how much sense it makes for him to keep trying to play through a lingering groin problem. There’s also a Joe Pavelski deal to get done, not That’s not the way it’s supposed to work. You’re supposed to have your to mention Joe Thornton if he’s coming back and maybe Nyquist too. sellers, who are bad and trying to get worse. They do that by selling off Obviously, the Sharks have more important things to worry about right assets to the buyers, who are supposed to be the good teams searching now, but if you’re a fan of one of the teams whose season is already over for the final piece of a Stanley Cup puzzle. and are looking ahead to the offseason, San Jose’s situation is worth But this year, we didn’t really see that. In fact, last week’s top five teams following. – the Islanders, Bruins, Sharks, Flames and Lightning – didn’t do all that 2. Calgary Flames (41-17-7, +50) – First things first: Saturday’s number much in the days around the deadline. The Bruins got Marcus Johansson retirement for was great, a fitting tribute to a Flames legend and Charlie Coyle and the Sharks got Gustav Nyquist. But with apologies and one of the few players in the league that just about everyone to Oscar Fantenberg and the Flames, that was about it in terms of seemed to like. Jarome Iginla ruled. meaningful moves. The Islanders and Lightning didn’t do anything at all. Not ruling, at least on Saturday, was Mike Smith. His embarrassing gaffe In theory, that should open up the door for other teams to storm in and behind the net led directly to one Wild goal and had his own fans turning take those spots. But that didn’t really happen either. The Golden Knights on him. were the biggest winners of deadline day itself thanks to the Stone blockbuster, but they’re not catching the Sharks or Flames so their path We’re not going to panic and start dropping teams down the list based on out of the Pacific remains brutal. And while the biggest trade deadline one game; the Flames had won seven straight, so they were due for a week moves were made by the Blue Jackets, they’re barely in the clunker eventually. But the concerns over Smith and Calgary’s playoffs right now, let alone the top five. After this weekend, if anything, it goaltending, in general, aren’t just a one-game phenomenon. It’s been might be time to start worrying about them. the Flames’ one weak point pretty much all season long. Smith is the veteran, but he hasn’t been very good. David Rittich has been better, but The teams that could make a deadline-based claim at a spot are two that he’s never seen the ice in a playoff game. Who do you trust? have spent much of the season shifting in and out of the top five. The Jets landed Kevin Hayes and the Predators got Wayne Simmonds and There was some talk that the Flames might address the issue at the Mikael Granlund. Spoiler alert: One of them does crack the top five this deadline, but they didn’t. It’s hard to blame them, since midseason week but we’ll get to that in a minute. goaltending trades are rare and there really wasn’t anyone available who was clearly an upgrade over what they have. Still, every now and then As for the sellers, the big one was the Senators. But they’ve already you see the Flames have a game like they did on Saturday and you think been owning the No. 1 spot in the bottom five, and after consulting with “oh, right, this could be how things go very badly in the playoffs.” The Athletics’ analytics experts, it’s been determined that that’s as bad as I can rank them. I thought about trying to slot them in somewhere like 1. Tampa Bay Lightning (50-12-4, +79) – They got their 50th win on “zero” or “negative three” or “let’s never speak of this again,” but Saturday, tying the 1995-96 Red Wings for the fewest games needed to apparently those aren’t options. The Senators stay where they already hit that mark. Sure, it’s the shootout era, so wins are easier to come by. were and the rest of the bottom five doesn’t see all that much deadline- But it’s also the cap era, when it’s not supposed to be possible to load up related movement either. to create super-teams. What the Lightning are doing is pretty amazing and they’ve got a real shot at the all-time wins record of 62. And that’s it for the 2019 deadline. I promise, after today, there will be no more weekly power ranking columns framed around it. The good news, at least if you’re a fan of one of the other 30 teams: Those 1995-96 Red Wings didn’t win the Cup that year, although they did (But tune in next week for the 2020 trade deadline preview.) win the next two. Maybe somebody else will get a chance at some point Road to the Cup soon. Maybe.

The five teams that look like they’re headed towards a summer of keg *Goals differential without counting shootout decisions like the NHL does stands and fountain pool parties. for some reason.

We all had a chance to learn a new rule yesterday: You can win a Not ranked: Carolina Hurricanes – But we all agree they’re back in the shootout without actually putting the puck into the net, thanks to the ultra- conversation, right? rare shootout HORN OF DOOM: Carolina has won five straight, eight of nine and 21 of 28. That last one That win also moved the Capitals back into first place in the Metro, as the dates back to New Year’s Eve, so we’re not dealing with some short-term Islanders lost both weekend games and continue to struggle when streak here. They’re good now. And yes, of course, they were good all along. For years, the Hurricanes goaltending performance, and the Ducks don’t figure to get too many have been the team that all the smart people swore were good even more between now and the end of the season. Hope you didn’t throw out though they never won all that much. But someday, we were told. those acceptance speech notes, Marc-Andre Fleury. Someday, the percentages will even out and the puck will start going in and they’ll finally get some goaltending and then they’ll be really good 1. Ottawa Senators (23-38-5, -51) – Since our last ranking, the Senators and also Evander Holyfield will be involved somehow. I’m not completely fired their head coach a day after their GM said that they wouldn’t, and it sure about that last part but I think one of the stats guys mentioned it at was only the third worst thing that happened them that week. some point. The bigger stories were the deadline selloff and the collapse of the Dom Luszczyszyn broke down how the Hurricanes have turned things LeBreton Flats arena deal, maybe for good. But the Guy Boucher firing around if you’re into the details. But the point is the Hurricanes are still seemed to strike a chord with what’s left of the Senators fanbase. Not rolling, and if they can hold their ground they’re going to be everyone’s because it was a surprise – just about everyone seemed to know that sneaky pick to win the Metro. Boucher wouldn’t be back next year. But it was yet another story that suggests that this team can’t figure out what it wants to be when it grows That’s still a bit of a big “if” because the Hurricanes are only one point up up. Pierre Dorion said Boucher was safe until the end of the year, then on Penguins and three up on the Blue Jackets. They’d need both teams fired him. The team traded away most of their top players as part of their to pass them to miss the playoffs, and even then they could still hold off rebuild, then seems surprised when the shell of a roster left behind keeps the Habs, so they’re not in a bad spot. But the point is that they’re two- losing. Even that press release that read like a job posting was weird, month hot streak has only been enough to get them to where they need especially since it seemed like a way to kick Boucher on his way out the another strong month or so to feel safe. They’re no sure thing. door.

But they’re good. And yes, we’ve been here before. We did the whole big At least they finished the week off by finally winning a game, thanks to dramatic “not yet but soon” act for Carolina all the way back in October. yesterday’s road win in Florida. What will this week bring? The mind And then we didn’t think twice about them for about four months unless boggles. they were playing pretend baseball. I know. But this time might be different. Not ranked: Vancouver Canucks – After a tough weekend that featured regulation losses to the Coyotes and Golden Knights, it feels like we can Right now, they’re one of only four teams in the league who haven’t finally wave the white towel on the Canucks playoff push. They’re down shown up in either the top or bottom five all season long. The other three to under a 3 percent chance from the sites that measure that sort of are the Habs, Blue Jackets and Stars, and it’s hard to imagine any of thing, including this one. It’s not going to happen. And if you’re a them making a strong case at either end before the season runs out. The Canucks fan, that stings, even if you probably knew this is where things Hurricanes still might. were headed for weeks now. It’s over.

Please, nobody tell them I said that because I don’t want to deal with But still, that was a pretty impressive run from a team that just about their celebration. everyone figured was going to be awful this year. Elias Petterson was all sorts of fun, Bo Horvat took another step forward, Brock Boeser still The bottom five mostly looks like the real deal and Jake Virtanen taught us that beer The five teams that look like they’re headed towards hoping the ping- makes everything more fun. That’s more than most of us expected. pong balls deliver Jack Hughes. Will Vancouver fans look back and wish they’d lost a few more games Now that the deadline is done and we’re well and truly into the time of and earned a better draft slot? We won’t know until the lottery, but yeah, year when the bad teams have nothing to play for and start shutting probably. That’s just how hockey fans have been trained to think about down anyone with a pulse and sleep-walking through the final weeks, seasons that don’t end in a playoff spot. But there’s value in playing here’s your annual reminder: There is a way better method for semi-meaningful hockey in the second half and the Canucks got to do determining draft order that could make these late-season games that. Exceeding expectations can be a bad thing when it’s based on meaningful and turn the race for the first overall pick into something unsustainable luck and gives an organization false confidence to change almost as exciting as the playoff push, and maybe more. It’s not my idea, course. That doesn’t seem to be the case here, so go ahead and enjoy it. but I’ve been banging the drum for years, and you can read about it here. It was a good run. The future seems bright. The season won’t include a Fair warning, though – once you hear the idea, you’ll spend the rest of playoff appearance, but it still feels like progress. your life feeling vaguely annoyed at the NHL for not doing it. The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 5. New Jersey Devils (25-33-8, -35) – is done for four weeks and probably the season. At this point, there’s no reason to rush him back, and the team should focus on what’s really important: Making sure he’s healthy and ready to go for draft lottery day.

4. Detroit Red Wings (23-33-9, -41) – The hockey world has lost a legend with the passing of Ted Lindsay. The Hall-of-Famer was one of the greatest Red Wings of all-time, winning four Stanley Cups and earning first-team all-star honors eight times as part of the immortal Production Line with and Gordie Howe. But his impact may have been even bigger off the ice, where his efforts to launch a player’ association changed the sports in ways that are still being felt today. Lindsay was 93.

TED LINDSAY HAS PASSED AT 93. OUTSTANDING PLAYER, NHLPA FOUNDER BUT MY FAV MEMORY WAS HOW HE BOYCOTTED HIS OWN HHOF IN ’66 INDUCTION BECAUSE WIVES AND FAMILIES WERE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND. THE RULE CHANGED AFTER THAT. RIP.

— JEFF MAREK (@JEFFMAREK) MARCH 4, 2019

3. Los Angeles Kings (24-33-8, -48) – They finally won a game! They might as well, given they’d lost ten straight without gaining any ground at all on the Senators in the race for last place. May as well mix up the strategy.

2. Anaheim Ducks (25-32-9, -60) – That John Gibson Vezina coronation doesn’t seem like a sure thing anymore, does it? Between missing time with injury and just not being all that good since the new year, the race is open again. And that’s especially true when you remember that the GMs who vote on the award still seem to think wins are an important metric for 1134387 Carolina Hurricanes “We both have our internal motivations,” McElhinney said. “We’re both trying to achieve something here, whether that’s a contract or trying to re- establish ourselves. It’s nice to have a fun working relationship and I Mrazek’s daring poke check has McElhinney talking think that’s what we have between the two of us. Obviously we play drastically different styles.”

Such as when to leave the net for a sprawling poke-check? BY CHIP ALEXANDER MARCH 04, 2019 04:36 PM “I get a kick out of watching Petr,” McElhinney said, smiling again.

News Observer LOADED: 03.05.2019 RALEIGH-Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho quickly tore out of the clutches of some joyous teammates Saturday after his overtime goal against the Florida Panthers. Aho quickly skated toward goalie Petr Mrazek, who already was drawing a crowd of guys in white sweaters. It was Mrazek who had come well out of the crease for a jaw-dropping poke check on the Panthers’ Mike Matheson in the overtime. It was Mrazek who moments later then bailed Aho out after an Aho turnover, denying Jonathan Huberdeau’s breakaway shot at ending the game. Aho did end it, taking a perfect pass from Nino Niederreiter on a two-on- one and scoring. For Aho it was a game-winning goal in a third straight game and another two points for the Canes, but only after Mrazek made game-deciding plays. “With Petr, there are some things I would never do,” Canes goalie Curtis McElhinney said Monday, smiling. Such as? “A diving poke check,” he said. “I’m not a huge poke-checking guy, certainly not to extent he did it. But that’s a split-second read that he’s developed over years of playing the position. I appreciate his ability to make that decision that fast and to, what do you want to say, have the nerve to skate out there. Because if it goes the other way it doesn’t look too pretty.” Mrazek, asked Monday about a daring poke check between the circles, joked that he probably hasn’t made an old-school play like that, so far out of his crease, since his junior days in the Czech Republic. Mrazek said it was the kind of play one of his goaltending idols, Dominik Hasek, would make, saying, “As kids, growing up, we always tried those.” This was in the NHL, with a point on the line in an intense Eastern Conference fight to maintain playoff position. “I just saw the guy coming and he was looking down on the puck, got it on his skate a bit,” Mrazek said. “I didn’t think about it, I just thought, ‘OK, I’m going for it.’ I think that was the right play.” In December, when many things weren’t going right for the Canes, Matheson might have controlled the puck, dodged Mrazek and scored. But the Canes are finding ways to win and the goaltending of Mrazek and McElhinney, and the good decisions and quality starts they’ve made, are a foundation of the success. After Aho’s goal for the 4-3 win, Mrazek bounced out of the net again, this time pumping his arms. “I love his enthusiasm on the ice,” McElhinney said. “I love how pumped up he gets. It’s fun to watch. I’m kind of the total opposite that regard.” It has become quite a tag-team effort. When goalie Scott Darling injured a hamstring in the Canes’ final preseason game, there again was a goaltending quandary. How long would Darling be out? Could Mrazek, signed to a one-year contract as a free agent, handle a lot of early work? Goaltending inconsistencies eventually wrecked the Canes last season, ending their playoff hopes. Now this. But the Toronto Maple Leafs bailed out the Canes, in a way. They put McElhinney on waivers and the Canes claimed the veteran. “Everybody is always looking for an opportunity and wants that opportunity,” Canes captain Justin Williams said Monday. “Our goalies have seized it this year and have been our MVPs.” With 17 games left in the regular season, McElhinney (17-7-1) has won six of his last seven starts and Mrazek (16-12-3) four in a row and five of his last six. They’re the first goaltending twosome in franchise history to each win 16 or more games in the same season. “It’s a great battle, the friendly competition between us,” Mrazek said. McElhinney has an economy of movement and a calm demeanor, and Mrazek is quicker and more feisty, but they’ve made it work. Both say they feel fresh and have been energized by the Canes’ surge the past two months. 1134388 Chicago Blackhawks If the Hawks can somehow stay in the race and pull within a point or two of a playoff spot, their nine OT losses — or whatever they end up with — will be pretty damaging. 5 things the Blackhawks don't want to finish last in this season (but still 5. Central Division might) The last time the Blackhawks finished in last place in consecutive seasons, Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House and Stan Mikita Jimmy Greenfield had yet to make his NHL debut. The NHL still had only the teams when the Hawks finished last during the 1955-56 and 1956-57 seasons. The makeup of the league The Blackhawks won’t have the worst record in the NHL this season. is quite different now, but the fact is they trail the sixth-place Avalanche That dishonor likely will go to the Senators. by five points and are at risk of finishing last in the Central for the second season in a row. But at least the Senators will receive something tangible for their ineptitude in the form of a greater chance at securing the top pick in the Chicago Tribune LOADED: 03.05.2019 draft — or would have received it if they hadn't traded their top pick to the Avalanche. There are no rewards for coming in last in statistical categories, only the realization that in one aspect of the game you’re the worst. Here are five areas the Hawks could finish last in this season. 1. Goals allowed Aside from points, there isn’t a category an NHL team wants to avoid finishing last in more than goals allowed. It’s demoralizing to have a pretty good idea you’re not going to be able to stop your opponent from celebrating several times a game. The Hawks have not had the best goaltending this season, but laying the blame for their defensive woes on Corey Crawford, Cam Ward and Collin Delia would be shortsighted and wrong. The problem is mainly the defensemen, and the Hawks are well aware they have a big problem on their hands. Ready for the really bad part? The Hawks might be boxed in from making any real changes for next season. The Hawks defensemen are either too old and can’t be moved because of exorbitant contracts and no- movement clauses — Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith — or too young and aren’t ready to make an impact. General manager Stan Bowman used his three first-round draft picks over the last two seasons on defensemen — Henri Jokiharju, Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin — but next year only Jokiharju is likely to make the team and he’ll be coming off an uneven rookie season. The Hawks have allowed 249 goals with 16 games remaining, while the Senators have allowed 246 goals with 17 left. No other team has allowed more than 220 goals. 2. Penalty kill This is another category in which the Hawks were dominant in their recent glory days but are atrocious in this season. The Hawks’ 72.8 percent penalty kill rate is one of the worst in decades. The Kings are the second-worst team this season at 75 percent. When the Hawks were in Los Angeles last week, they allowed the Kings goals on both their power plays in a 6-3 loss. That Kings PK, which is second worst? Didn’t allow the Hawks a goal on either of their opportunities. The Hawks are coached to be aggressive on the penalty kill, so maybe this is more than just a personnel issue. Whatever the reason for the terrible penalty kill, it has to change next season. 3. Shots allowed per game The low point of the Hawks season came Oct. 21, when the Lightning outshot them 33-6 during the second period of a 6-3 Blackhawks loss. The 33 shots set a modern-day record for most shots in a period and left Hawks goalie Cam Ward speechless. “I don’t even know what to say to be honest,” Ward said. The Hawks had been at the bottom of this category nearly all season but were recently overtaken by the Senators, whose 36.1 shots allowed per game is slightly worse than the Hawks’ 35 per game. 4. Overtime losses The Hawks’ nine OT losses have them in a six-way tie for fourth worst in the NHL behind the Avalanche (12 OT losses), Rangers (11) and Panthers (11). Maybe it’s just a crapshoot how the three-on-three overtime periods turn out, but with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat the Hawks should be better when there is a lot at stake. 1134389 Chicago Blackhawks Lindsay retired following the 1959-60 season and focused on his automotive business. He came back for one more season with the Red Wings in 1964-65 and returned to Detroit as general manager in 1977 NHL Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay dies at 93 and remained in that role until 1980. During the 1980-81 season, he coached the team for 20 games. When he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Lindsay declined to attend the banquet because it was an all-male event. The following year, the banquet was open to men and women. Larry Lage, Noah Trister "That's amazing," Edmonton star Connor McDavid said. "That just goes to show what he's about and he was not afraid to stand up to anyone and stand up for what he believed in." Ted Lindsay, the Hall of Famer who provided muscle and meanness on the Detroit Red Wings' mighty "Production Line" of the 1950s and helped Funeral arrangements were pending. The NHL said survivors include his pioneer the first NHL players' union, died Monday. He was 93. children Blake, Lynn and Meredith, stepdaughter Leslie, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Lindsay died at his home in Michigan, said Lew LaPaugh, president of the Ted Lindsay Foundation, which raises money for autism research. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 03.05.2019 Known as "Terrible Ted," Lindsay was one of the game's best left wings, a nine-time All-Star who played on four Stanley Cup winners. Lindsay, Sid Abel and Gordie Howe formed an offensive juggernaut of a line that helped make Detroit one of the first of the NHL's great postwar dynasties. "The mourns the passing and celebrates the incomparable life of the legendary Ted Lindsay," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "One of the game's fiercest competitors during his 17-season NHL career, he was among its most beloved ambassadors throughout the more than five decades of service to hockey that followed his retirement." The waived its three-year waiting period when it inducted Lindsay in 1966. Nine years earlier, he had been elected president of the players' union he helped organize — and was subsequently traded to Chicago. "It didn't matter that they traded me," he said in 1995. "I have a Red Wing on my forehead and on my behind and on my heart. That will never change." He finished his NHL career with 379 goals and 472 assists in 1,068 games, spending 14 of his 17 seasons with Detroit. With Howe and Lindsay centered first by Abel and then by Al Delvecchio, the Red Wings won Stanley Cups in 1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955. The Red Wings retired his No. 7 in 1991. Lindsay is credited in 1950 with beginning the ritual in which the championship team skates around rink with the Stanley Cup. Lindsay downplayed his role, saying he simply wanted to bring the Cup closer to the fans. "I saw it sitting there, and I thought, 'I'll just pick it up and I'll take it over.' ... I just moved along the boards. I didn't have it over my head. I had it so they could read it," he said in 2013. "I wasn't starting a tradition, I was just taking care of my fans that paid our salary." In 2010, the NHL Players' Association renamed its version of the Most Outstanding Player award after Lindsay. The honor, which is chosen by an NHLPA vote, was previously called the Lester B. Pearson Award after the former Canadian prime minister. "On the ice, Ted Lindsay was one of the best players to ever to put on a pair of skates," NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said. "But his greatest legacy was off the ice. A true trailblazer in seeking to improve conditions for all players, Ted was instrumental in organizing the original players' association in 1957. All Players, past, current and future, are in his debt. All those who have, and will follow him into the NHL, enjoy improved rights and benefits in large part due to the efforts he made." Born July 29, 1925, in Renfrew, Ontario, Lindsay joined the Red Wings in the 1944-45 season. He led the NHL with 33 goals in 1947-48 and won the (most points) in 1949-50 when he had 23 goals and a league-best 55 assists. In 1955, Lindsay scored four goals in a 7-1 victory over Montreal in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. During his 14 seasons in Detroit, he led the team in goals only once. But he led or tied for the team lead in penalty minutes 10 times, including his final season of 1964-65 — when he was approaching 40 years old. Lindsay took his toughness off the ice to organize the players' association despite opposition from team owners. "I was led by a feeling of fairness," Lindsay once said. "All of us who were involved in trying to establish the players' association weren't the ones who needed it. It was for the fringe players that were the worst off. "When I got caught up in this, I was so grateful to the game for all it had done for me," he said. "But it was a dictatorship on the part of the owners, who didn't realize any of us had a brain. There we were, sitting there in 1956, these dumb hockey players, and we were going to ruin their game." 1134390 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks have long way to go even if they sneak into playoffs

By Jason Lieseremail

The Blackhawks are nearly out of time. They need to string together victories immediately if they’re serious about chasing a playoff spot. One more slump, even a small one, will bury them and turn their focus to next season. Patience and progress were important when the Hawks began climbing out of the basement a few months ago, but they aren’t worth anything in the homestretch of the wild-card race. All that matters now is getting points. ‘‘These are our playoffs right now,’’ captain Jonathan Toews said. ‘‘It’s do-or-die. Not much has to be said.’’ A futile West Coast trip left the Hawks eight points behind the Stars and Wild or the Western Conference wild cards, and the gap might widen to 10 by the time they take the ice for a home game Thursday against the Sabres. They have 16 games left, eight of which are against teams currently in the playoff field, and they will get seven shots at fellow wild-card competitors. The Hawks had a playoff spot in their grasp after a victory two weeks ago in Detroit, but they lost four of their next five games. In addition to trailing the Stars and Wild by eight points, they trail the Coyotes — who have won six in a row — by six and the Avalanche by five. Toews considered the ever-narrowing path and called for everyone to be ‘‘as shortsighted as we can,’’ meaning every game must be approached like an elimination game. He’s a realist, but he isn’t backing down. ‘‘Doesn’t matter what happens, you have to keep that optimism,’’ he said, delivering a quote that could be included in the handbook for a team captain. ‘‘The only way you want to go into any game is with that attitude that good things are going to happen, you’re going to work hard and it’s going to pay off. ‘‘You believe in each other. You have the guys in the room to do the job, as I’ve said before. That’s all we can worry about.’’ That’s true, but coach Jeremy Colliton takes more of a long-term view. Players vie for the moment — each game, each period, each loose puck — but management is charged with developing a legitimate, sustainable contender. ‘‘I think it continues to be about the performance because that’s how we’ll get the points,’’ Colliton said. ‘‘We’re still trying to build something here.’’ The competitor in Colliton craves the playoffs, but he isn’t preoccupied by the arbitrary measurement of whether the Hawks sneak in or fall just short. They aren’t the team they need to be either way, and finishing eighth in the conference instead of ninth won’t change that. A wild card would be a nice reward, but it wouldn’t signify much. The last three weeks have cleared up any questions about what the Hawks really are. They’ve gone 5-6, and the games have been mostly middling performances that barely beat bad opponents or admirable efforts that still weren’t enough to take down good ones. They ended their California swing with one of the latter, fighting hard before falling 5-2 to the Sharks in a game similar to the losses a week ago against the Avalanche and Stars. ‘‘It tells me we have a high capacity, but we haven’t found consistency,’’ Colliton said. ‘‘We have some young players who are still learning what it takes to win at this level, and we’ve got to raise our minimum level. ‘‘We’ve got to get better. We’re still not where we want to be.’’ There isn’t enough time to get there this season, regardless of whether they make the playoffs. Colliton’s vision might materialize with some roster renovation and a full opportunity for him to implement his program, but that would be next season and beyond. Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134391 Chicago Blackhawks

Ted Lindsay, former Blackhawk and NHL icon, dies at 93

By Charlie Roumeliotis March 04, 2019

Ted Lindsay, an NHL icon and former Blackhawk, died Monday at the age of 93. Nicknamed "Terrible Ted" because of his tough and dirty style of play, Lindsay won four Stanley Cups, played in 11 straight All-Star Games and was a four-time 30-goal scorer in the NHL. He spent 14 of his 17 seasons in Detroit and three in Chicago, where he accumulated 129 points (44 goals, 79 assists) in 206 games. Lindsay came out of a four-year retirement to play in his 17th and final season in 1964-65 with the Red Wings. He finished his career with 851 points (379 goals, 472 assists) in 1,068 games, and was named one of the 100 NHL's greatest players in 2017. The Lester B. Pearson Award, annually awarded to the most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by members of the NHL Players Association, was renamed the Ted Lindsay Award in 2009-10. Patrick Kane won the award in 2015-16 following an MVP season. The Blackhawks released this statement: The Chicago Blackhawks organization joins the Detroit Red Wings and entire National Hockey League community in mourning the loss of Hockey Hall of Famer, Ted Lindsay. As Ted suited up for both the Red Wings and Blackhawks, his illustrious playing career contributed greatly to a rivalry that has stood the test of time. The game lost an icon today, and his contributions to the sport far exceed his stellar play on the ice. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Lindsay family and all who mourn Ted’s passing. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released this statement on Monday: The National Hockey League mourns the passing and celebrates the incomparable life of the legendary Ted Lindsay. One of the game’s fiercest competitors during his 17-season NHL career, he was among its most beloved ambassadors throughout the more than five decades of service to hockey that followed his retirement. In Detroit, he was a civic icon. What Lindsay lacked in physical stature, he possessed in intensity, desire and will to win. He played 1,068 NHL games for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, scoring 379 goals with 472 assists and 1,808 penalty minutes. He appeared in 11 All-Star Games and was named a First-Team All-Star eight times. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the League’s scoring leader in 1950 and, as a driving force on the dynastic Red Wings teams of the 1950s – including as the left wing on the famed Production Line – he won the Stanley Cup four times. Named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966, he had his No. 7 retired by the Red Wings in 1991 and was named one of the NHL’s Top 100 Players during the League’s Centennial Celebration in 2017. As influential off the ice as he was on the ice, Lindsay was instrumental in the formation of the NHL Players’ Association. In 2010, NHL players displayed their reverence for him by renaming their annual award for the most outstanding player the Ted Lindsay Award. There was no one quite like Ted Lindsay. We send our condolences to Ted’s children Blake, Lynn and Meredith, his stepdaughter Leslie, his six grandchildren and his three great grandchildren and join them in marveling at his incredible life. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134392 Chicago Blackhawks game and not worry about what’s coming. Just focus on each game, and we definitely have the team to get in.”

Of course, they’re going to say that. And hell, they may very well believe Lazerus: It’s been fun, but the Blackhawks are who we thought they were it. It’s that unerring self-belief and faith in his teammates that has helped Crawford and the rest of the remaining core reach the mountaintop multiple times before. But any unbiased observer can see they don’t By Mark Lazerus Mar 4, 2019 have the team to get in. Not yet, at least. And that’s the key takeaway here. Not yet. Just because the playoffs were always a pipe dream, doesn’t mean the Blackhawks didn’t take SAN JOSE, Calif. — For a week now, Jeremy Colliton has been touting meaningful strides this season. The acquisition of Strome has the Blackhawks’ two losses against Colorado and Dallas — a pair of four- transformed the top six. The soaring confidence of Erik Gustafsson has point swings that severely dampened the excitement around the team of transformed the power play. The singular brilliance of Kane and the late — as something of a positive. scoring surge of Jonathan Toews have quieted talks of a long-term tear- down and changed the plan to a one- or two-year retooling. The meteoric They played well, he said. They deserved better, he said. That’s the rise (even with the inexplicable, indefensible late-season demotion) of model, he said. Henri Jokiharju gives hope for the top four beyond Keith and Brent “Maybe we didn’t deserve four (points),” he said. “But we certainly didn’t Seabrook. The emergence of Collin Delia has cleared a path forward deserve zero. And we’ve got to find that level more consistently. … Then beyond Crawford. The copious amount of cap space Stan Bowman has we’re going to get our points.” to work with this summer should flesh out the top nine and maybe create some competition for the next generation of defensemen in the system. Well, Duncan Keith isn’t buying it. And a top-five draft pick is still very much possible. No, the Blackhawks “I thought we played just OK in those games,” he said with a shrug won’t tank. For all of this team’s flaws, character isn’t one of them. They following Saturday’s demoralizing defeat in Los Angeles. “I thought we fought back in the darkest days of November and December every time worked hard, but we still made a lot of mistakes. I’m not trying to be they fell behind 2-0 or 3-0 early. And they fought back from dead last in negative, that’s just my opinion. … I certainly don’t think we’re in a the league to a playoff spot, ever so briefly. But a final week of Jets, position where we can’t respect our opponents. If anything, they should Blues, Stars and Predators could “help” them improve their chances to not be having respect for us, the way we’ve been playing.” draft Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko. That’s some blunt honesty from one of the bluntest people in the That’s probably the ideal situation now. The Blackhawks got their taste of Blackhawks organization. And he’s not being negative. He’s being intensity, of meaningful hockey games. Some of the younger guys now honest. He’s being realistic. It’s time the rest of us do that, too. know how it feels to pick up two truly huge points, and how it feels to lose two truly huge points. That’s not a small thing, and it’ll simply whet their Playoff teams don’t look at near-misses against mediocre teams as the appetites going forward. But a transcendent young difference-maker in bar. Playoff teams don’t need to score four or five goals to win every the draft sure wouldn’t hurt, either. That’s partly how the Blackhawks got night. Playoff teams don’t give up seven goals to the Ottawa Senators. to the top to begin with, after all. Playoff teams don’t blow a three-goal, third-period lead against the lowly Red Wings and have to escape in overtime. Playoff teams don’t give up In the meantime, for this final month of the season, the Blackhawks will nine goals against the Ducks and Kings, the two worst offenses in the keep battling. The veterans will play for pride, the free-agents-to-be will league. play for contracts, and the kids will play for jobs next season. And yes, they’ll hold out hope that another miracle can happen. It’s been 23 years since a team with a goal-differential in the same neighborhood as the Blackhawks’ minus-30 has reached the playoffs (the “There’s still games left, but it’s definitely frustrating,” Keith said in LA. 1995-96 Blues were minus-29). Most years, no team with a negative “Time is ticking here.” goal-differential makes it. And for all intents and purposes, Sunday’s 5-2 loss in San Jose — a game effort against a very good team — sealed The hard truth is, it’s already run out. their fate. To the draft lottery, they go. The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 Yes, the Blackhawks were in a playoff spot ever so briefly last week. But no, they were never a playoff-caliber team. These last couple of months have been refreshing and invigorating and have genuinely rekindled hope for the near future. But this season? The Blackhawks are who we thought they were — a flawed team with a handful of superb high-end scorers and a ragged defense, a team with holes to fill, an inexperienced team with an inexperienced coaching staff still finding its way. We all could sense it, even during the seven-game win streak that improbably launched the left-for-dead Blackhawks into the playoff conversation. Oh, it was fun to watch meaningful hockey games at the United Center again, fun to dream about playoff hockey returning to Chicago a year or two ahead of schedule, but the signs were all there — the 40 shots-against per night, the Benny Hill escapades in their own end, the fact that Patrick Kane had to average more than two points per game for the Blackhawks to squeak out victories against lousy teams. Less than a week before that run, the Blackhawks lost to Eastern Conference dregs in New Jersey and New York. After a wild 8-5 win over Washington and an impressive 3-2 shootout win over the Islanders, the Blackhawks came out of the break and won five more in a row — none of them against contenders. The complete collapse of Western (Conference) civilization in early February put them in a playoff spot with a 26-26-9 record, but as the other teams in the race course-corrected with win streaks, so have the Blackhawks by losing four of five. So we’re back to where we were a month or two ago, when Kane was talking about needing “a couple” of 10-game win streaks to have a chance, to needing a miracle. “I think we’re still in this thing,” Dylan Strome said after the San Jose loss. “We proved we can win seven in a row pretty quickly there. We did it. We’re never out of it.” “We’ve gone on a streak before, so you definitely can’t count it out,” Corey Crawford said. “The teams ahead of us, they were kind of struggling for a bit and they’ve picked it up. So for us, it’s just play our 1134393 Colorado Avalanche

Chambers: Avalanche needs Red Wings to win — just not in Denver Avs will have the best odds to draft top-prospect Jack Hughes if Ottawa stays behind downtrodden Red Wings and others

By MIKE CHAMBERS

The goal for the Avalanche is to beat Detroit on Tuesday and inch closer to a Western Conference playoff berth. Losing to the Wings, though, would help the Avs’ chances of drafting top-prospect Jack Hughes with the first pick of the 2019 draft. Downtrodden Detroit (23-33-9, 55 points) is just four points behind Ottawa (28-38-5, 51 points) with the NHL’s worst record. Since Colorado has the Senators’ first-round pick (plus their third-rounder), the Avs want the Sens to finish with the league’s fewest points and thus have the best percentage to win the draft lottery in April. Mathematically, the Avs would like to see Detroit and other struggling teams such as Los Angeles (56 points) stay ahead of Ottawa, although Colorado could still win the draft lottery if the Sens climb out of the league cellar. But good luck getting any Avalanche player or coach to suggest Tuesday’s game at the Pepsi Center has anything to do with the upcoming draft. On the heels of Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Anaheim that made Colorado 0-2 on their California road trip, the Avs took Monday off. They will have a morning skate before taking on the Red Wings in the teams’ annual sold-out clash in Denver. The Avs enter Tuesday three points out of a wild-card spot with 16 games remaining (10 at home, six on the road). Their biggest games in the final month of the season are against the three teams they immediately trail: Thursday at Dallas, March 19 at Minnesota, March 23 at Dallas and March 29 vs. Arizona. Statistically speaking. Avalanche linemates Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen are tied with a team-high 82 points and on pace for 102, which would mark just the second time in team history it had multiple 100-point scorers. The first time was the Avs’ inaugural season of 1995- 96, when had 120 and Peter Forsberg 116. In goal scoring, Rantanen is two shy of 30 and joining MacKinnon and teammate Gabe Landeskog as Colorado’s first trio of 30-goal scorers since that Stanley Cup-winning team of 1995-96, when Sakic had 51, Claude Lemieux 39, Valeri Kamensky 38 and Forsberg 30. MacKinnon and Landeskog each have a team-high 33 goals. LG Red. Avalanche television talent Lauren Gardner (@LGRed on Twitter) will make a cameo appearance in the second-annual all-woman production of the NHL Network’s daily show, NHL Now, on Tuesday, beginning at 2 p.m. The show, hosted by the NHL Network’s Jackie Redmond and Jamie Hersch, is an effort to celebrate “diversity and inclusion in hockey,” according to a release. Gardner will help preview the Avs-Wings game. Denver Post: LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134394 Colorado Avalanche

Exclusive: Ian Cole somehow escapes suspension

BY ADRIAN DATER MARCH 4, 2019

Despite being assessed a five-minute major penalty and an automatic game-misconduct for it, the kneeing penalty by Ian Cole that injured Anaheim’s Devin Shore will not be subject to further discipline by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, BSN Denver has learned. An NHL source said there will be no hearing for Cole on the hit. In other words, case closed on the matter. I gotta be honest and say I’m surprised by this. I expected a suspension. I mean, Cole got a 5-minute major and automatic game misconduct for the hit, which was labeled as “kneeing.” Although it does appear that the principal point of contact with Shore’s thigh, not knee, it still looks to me like Cole stuck his knee out to make the hit. The fact that Shore was badly injured on the play (the Ducks are still awaiting results on an MRI) only increased my belief Cole would be suspended. But, no. If this had happened to Nathan MacKinnon by a Ducks defenseman, how mad would you be right now, Avs fan? Just sayin.’ BSN DENVER LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134395 Columbus Blue Jackets

Pressure mounting on Blue Jackets

Jacob Myers

At this time last year, the Blue Jackets were clinging to an NHL playoff spot entering game No. 66 of 82. Then they ripped off 10 straight wins and ultimately earned the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, finishing one point ahead of ninth-place Florida. Approaching the corresponding game this season, there’s a familiar sense of urgency. But they’re playing from behind now, sitting ninth in the conference. “I was just saying before the game, it's playoff time,” said defenseman Seth Jones after the Jackets’ 5-2 home loss to Winnipeg on Sunday. “We can't wait another 15 games to get going here. Every night should be a do-or-die mentality.” The Jackets (36-26-3) have 75 points, two points behind Montreal and Pittsburgh, who are in the wild-card positions. The only time a playoff spot seemed guaranteed at this point in the season in franchise history was two years ago when the Jackets finished with a franchise-best 108 points. So the team knows how to fine-tune the approach for the stretch run. The players and coaches are well aware of the challenge ahead. This isn’t necessarily a time for coaches to try to motivate players to the demands of the moment, coach John Tortorella said. It’s more about coming together and figuring out how they can play well enough to reach the playoffs. “We're kind of in playoff mode,” he said. “I think when coaches get into playoff mode, I always call it being with them. I think we've pushed the buttons and kicked and prodded and yelled and screamed and hugged during the regular season. But I think we're in a situation right now (where) we've got to do this together.” Tortorella said the Jackets created enough chances to beat Winnipeg and there were a lot of good things he would like to build on. However, when a team fighting to reach the playoffs suffers such a tough loss, it can be discouraging. The Jackets want to play in high-pressure games, but they have to rise to the occasion. “You find out about yourself,” Tortorella said. “That’s what we all strive to do as coaches and athletes in the sporting world is to be thrust into those situations and see if you can sink or swim.” The Jackets are jumping into the deep end the rest of this month. How’s this for seven straight games? Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, New York Islanders, Boston, Carolina, Boston, Calgary. Win a majority of those games and there’s a completely different conversation about the Jackets. Tortorella said the pressure on the club isn’t a “panic type of pressure.” The Jackets are aware of the situation and have to meet what the situation requires — similar to what transpired a year ago. "We're going to (need) to have that sense of urgency. We don't have a choice,” center Pierre-Luc Dubois said. “If we don't have it, we're going to be out. I think if we do and we play the proper way, we're going to get in.” Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134396 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets | Line combos to get second look

Brian Hedger

They’re 1-3-0 since adding four players at the trade deadline, and now the Blue Jackets don’t have a lot of time to figure out their best lineup combinations. There are only 17 games left, they’ve dropped out of a playoff spot by two points and there’s a slate of four straight games ahead against the — including Tuesday at the New Jersey Devils followed by road and home games Thursday and Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. “I think I’m settled on how I’m going to start (Tuesday’s) game,” said coach John Tortorella, who is expected to ice the same lineup from the Jackets’ 5-2 loss Sunday to the Winnipeg Jets. “We generate 23, 24 scoring chances (Sunday) night ... as we crawled into some lines and some different combinations, I think I see some things that seem to be pretty comfortable among the (lines).” The problem is that a couple of groups appeared to have even better chemistry as recently as Saturday, before the Edmonton Oilers routed the Blue Jackets 4-0 in the first of back-to-back home losses. Following that game, Tortorella sat center Riley Nash for the first time, along with sitting rookie forward Eric Robinson and veteran defenseman Adam McQuaid — one of the four players added at the deadline. Alexander Wennberg returned to the lineup Sunday along with Lukas Sedlak and Dean Kukan, and they’re expected to get another shot Tuesday in New Jersey. Tortorella is also searching for the best lines to play forwards Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel, who were acquired before the deadline in separate trades with the Ottawa Senators. “When you bring in forwards that are going to play in your top six and top nine, you have to figure it out and experiment with some things, but also not get carried away and not allow them to play together,” Tortorella said. Kukan to play again McQuaid, 32, got off to a tough start after he was acquired, including a minus-4 rating in three games while trying to make adjustments to a new defensive system. Barring injuries or illness, he will be scratched again Tuesday, with Kukan staying in the lineup. “There’s quite a bit of a learning curve,” said McQuaid, who was acquired from the New York Rangers before the deadline Feb. 25. “At the same time, you have to be able to adapt fairly quickly. When you can get things to become more second nature and you’re just doing things, not having to think, that’s the point you want to get to.” Until that happens, Tortorella may stick with Kukan. “I have to make decisions on who I think is our best six (defensemen), too, and right now ‘Quaider’ isn’t that,” Tortorella said. “I know the character of this guy. That’s a big reason why we (got) him. He is a high- character guy. A little concerned about the speed of the game with him, so we went back to the other guys.” Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134397 Columbus Blue Jackets Tortorella had Alexander Wennberg playing in his first game since sitting out five straight games as a healthy scratch. He also drew forward Lukas Sedlak and defenseman Dean Kukan into the lineup while sitting Jets 5, Blue Jackets 2: Five takeaways forwards Eric Robinson and Riley Nash and defenseman Adam McQuaid.

None of those three players got on the scoresheet against Winnipeg. Jacob Myers Kukan was the only one to register a shot. 4) Helle-va good goalie The fasten seatbelt sign is on. After the Blue Jackets dropped its third of Connor Hellebuyck was one of the reasons the Jackets still found four straight home games Sunday night, the path to a third straight themselves in the loss column. Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance has hit turbulence. Hellebuyck made several incredible saves on the night and withstood Two straight shutouts after making the first big splash before the trade some of the best shifts the Jackets have had in recent games during the deadline brought the excitement around the club to its highest level the second period after Foligno fought Dmitry Kulikov. season. That energy has only subsided and completely reversed after a three-goal loss to Pittsburgh, a four-goal loss to Edmonton and another The Jets give up more than the league average in shots — third in shots three-goal loss Sunday to the Winnipeg Jets in the home span. allowed per game. Hellebuyck’s 40 saves marked the eighth game this season he has had at least 40 saves. Many of the players that were available to the media afterwards believed they played well enough to win. Jackets coach John Tortorella did as 5) Home (not) sweet home well. It’s not said very often that a team couldn’t be happier to get away from “We were much better tonight,” he said. “Just got to stay with it.” home ice. For the Jackets, it might be true. Of course, it didn’t make it any easier to swallow for the Blue Jackets. Not only was it the third loss in four straight home games. The Jackets They sit two points out of the final playoff spot with just 17 games also moved to just one game over .500 at home, 17-16-2. They’re away remaining. record stands at 19-10-1. There’s urgency, no doubt. But there doesn’t seem to be any panic just The Jackets have nine games left on the road this month. Five of those yet in their locker room. are against teams currently in the playoff picture. “It’s not going to get any easier,” said defenseman Seth Jones. “I think It’s frustrating. It’s a hard one to take tonight,” Tortorella said. “The we need to understand in this room, and I believe we do.” games are clicking off here and we just haven’t found our way at home. It’s been a tough stretch here at home. But we can’t lose ourselves.” The Jackets next face the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Here are five takeaways from the 5-2 loss at Nationwide Arena to the Jets. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.05.2019 1) Good enough, but not good enough Tortorella said after the loss to Edmonton on Saturday that they were “moving right by it.” The Jackets won’t be doing that even after another disappointing result. “Sometimes you don’t get the result that you think you should get,” Tortorella said. “It doesn’t mean you break away from some of the things we did because we made some corrections in our game. I thought the guys concentrated on some of the adjustments that we made in our game from the last.” There were 42 shots on net and a power-play goal with eight total shots on four power plays. On most nights, the type of offense the Jackets played against the Jets would yield more than two goals. Sometimes a team gets totally outplayed and other times it’s just what happens when playing a quality opponent that many around the league see as a potential cup contender. Sunday is viewed as the latter by the Jackets. “We were playing the right way for a lot of the game,” Jones said. “We were back-checking and doing the proper things, the little things to win. It’s just unfortunate we didn’t get results.” 2) First goals It’s not just conceding the first goal that hurt the Jackets again on Sunday. It’s allowing the first goal of each period and starting it even. They managed to claw back into the game, but could never grab the lead. Their best chance came in the third period, beginning on the power play tied at two. The team has struggled all season to be consistent with scoring first. In a league where there is a lot of parity each year, being the team that always scores first is impossible. Somehow, the Jackets will have to find a way down the stretch to do that as much as possible if they’re going to find a way to the playoffs. Nick Foligno said the team has talked about how to get ahead early. “We got to make sure we come out at the start,” he said. “And whether we get it or not, just know that we can’t change the way we’re playing.” 3) Lineup changes, no change in scoring Tortorella has said at different points this season that he has no intent on changing a lineup as it stood. Then the Jackets would lose a game like it did Saturday against the Oilers and he would change things up. 1134398 Columbus Blue Jackets That’s especially true against Pittsburgh. The Blue Jackets seem a quivering mess against the Penguins, to whom they’ve lost seven in a row. Pressure in the room, angst among the fans … how the Blue Jackets can “You’d be amazed (the number) of athletes — strong-willed, stop their current slide thoroughbreds as far as athletes go — how confidence comes and goes so quickly,” Tortorella said. By Aaron Portzline Mar 4, 2019 On Sunday, before playing Winnipeg, the players talked specifically about “having fun.”

“This is the fun time of the year,” Foligno said. “This time of year, all that COLUMBUS, Ohio — Midway through the Blue Jackets’ 25-minute matters is results and points.” practice Monday, the curtains lifted on the east side of Nationwide Arena, allowing rays of sunshine to cast from the upper bowl to the ice surface. The Blue Jackets weren’t originally scheduled to practice on Monday, but Tortorella didn’t want them to baste in the disappointment of the weekend Sunshine is a scarce commodity in winter months here, but if anybody losses. So they took a quick, high-paced twirl that seemed planned as a needs a catharsis right now, it’s the Blue Jackets. mood-lifter. Since management dialed up the talent level with a series of bold moves Tortorella doesn’t want to act like these upcoming games are just any near the NHL trade deadline — in the process, they have cranked up the other games. Instead, he wants his group of players to embrace the expectations in Columbus, too — the Blue Jackets have lost three out of pressure — learn to live with it, then learn to thrive within it. four games, including a weekend back-to-back home sweep to Edmonton and Winnipeg. “Oh, sure, we’re down to the short strokes here as far as games, and we’re fighting for our life to get in,” Tortorella said. “It’s not a panic-type It’s knocked the Blue Jackets out of a playoff spot heading into Tuesday’s pressure. It’s, ‘We’re right here, guys!’ We’re in a good spot. We’re game in New Jersey, the beginning of a tough stretch of games, many fighting for a playoff spot. Some teams can’t say that. Accept that and try within the Metropolitan Division. to grow in it.” There is mounting pressure in the dressing room, where the Blue Jackets Playing from the red line back — still adapting to their new look after acquiring four players — know they need a strong finish just to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. (This The pitchforks are out for Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, season would be an unmitigated disaster if they don’t play in the who has allowed 15 goals in his last four outings. But it’s hard to pin the postseason.) Blue Jackets’ recent slide on Bobrovsky. And there is angst among the fan base, which has so many times seen In that span, six of the goals allowed have been deflected, including two high hopes dissolve into heartbreak. This is the best roster ever by Winnipeg’s Blake Wheeler on Sunday. Two others have been scored assembled in Columbus, and now it’s sputtering at the most meaningful off 2-on-1s or by players left alone on doorsteps for tap-ins. time of the season. Is this Bobrovsky at his best? No. But the Blue Jackets have struggled “The greatest thing about where I think the team has gone to is there are mightily in their own end, and they sorely miss mobile defenseman Ryan expectations,” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. “It’s a different Murray, who is out indefinitely with an injury. way to play. There’s a different type of pressure with expectations, and I “Bob’s made some huge saves for us throughout these games here,” think we’re going through that. I think we’ll handle it. Tortorella said. “We can’t … I’m not going to lay anything at his door. “Some guys revel in it. We have to get everybody to play on their toes We’ve had some inconsistencies within our structure. and try to enjoy it. We talked about it before the game (Sunday vs. “Sure I don’t think we’re going to win a lot of games with four goals Winnipeg): it’s supposed to be fun, being in the situation where the against us. I think everybody, including Bob and everybody, needs to be games are meaning something. It’s supposed to be fun. I want our guys better. But I’m not laying the losses on Bob. I’m not. I can’t, because to allow themselves to play and learn how to play in these situations.” everybody needs to give some skin there.” An optimist would say there are still 17 games remaining, more than 20 Tortorella is trying to find three solid pairs with Murray out. percent of the season. That’s plenty of time for newcomers Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel to click with new linemates and help create a more On Tuesday, he’s likely to play Seth Jones and Zach Werenski together explosive offense. Those five weeks could allow defenseman Ryan and likely to make veteran Adam McQuaid a healthy scratch for the Murray time to return and help steady the blue line. second consecutive game. A pessimist would note that games are only going to get more difficult No chaser and pressure-packed the rest of the way, that the Blue Jackets’ upcoming schedule — two vs. Pittsburgh, two vs. Boston, the dreaded In the four games since the trade deadline, the Blue Jackets have had Western swing — does them no favors. the lead for only 8 minutes, 57 seconds. They never led in losses to Pittsburgh, Edmonton or Winnipeg. Here are four current struggles the Blue Jackets need to fix, and quickly: The Jackets played well and dominated scoring chances (23-9) on Plumbers vs. artists Sunday vs. Winnipeg, but they trailed 1-0 and 2-1 and could never quite get on top of the game. It’s one of hockey’s great adages: the best teams have a healthy mix of plumbers and artists. In 2016-17, the Blue Jackets played like a club full Chasing the play is exhausting, as the Blue Jackets know all too well. of plumbers, dead set on proving the world wrong. The Blue Jackets have allowed the first goal (33 games) more times than Since then, the Jackets have added two high-end artists — Artemi they’ve scored it (32) this season, but that includes a stunning number in Panarin and Matt Duchene via trades — and have watched some of their Nationwide Arena: opponents have scored first in 23 of 35 games. young plumbers morph into artists. It sounds like such a minor issue, the 1-0 goal. But only two teams — Point is, the Blue Jackets’ default setting used to be as a “sandpaper” Tampa Bay (18-9-0) and Winnipeg (16-14-1) — have a better than .500 club that could physically overwhelm an opponent. Now, on too many winning percentage when they give up the 1-0 goal. And only two teams nights, they try to out-skill opponents. As former coach Ken Hitchcock — New York Rangers (14-9-9) and Ottawa (16-5-3) — have more losses liked to say, “They wanted it to be easy.” than wins in games when they score first. This is something that has irritated captain Nick Foligno. “It’s just not a recipe to have consistent success, because you’re chasing it,” Tortorella said. “Last night was kind of a double whammy for us. We “We’ve gotten better (as a team), yes, so we’ve lost that edge a little bit,” get scored on again, the second shot in our net. And then we crawl back he said. “But we still have so much to prove. We have to have that.” in and the beginning of the period we get scored on again. We’re Calm the nerves climbing again.” There have been glimpses in recent games where the Blue Jackets have The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 seemed tentative, or even nervous, a far cry from the “Safe Is Death” mantra they’ve been told to adopt. 1134399 Dallas Stars

Stars 2019 playoff tracker: Where Dallas sits in the Western Conference standings (updated daily)

By SportsDayDFW.com

The Stars need to finish in the top three of the Central Division or in the top two in the wild-card race to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. ROW -- regulation and overtime wins -- is the first tiebreaker for teams deadlocked in points with equal games played. Teams play 82 games. Here's the latest look at where the team sits in the standings. [Updated March 4] Central Division Wildcard Odds Making the playoffs: 77.0 percent (as of 3/4) Winning the Stanley Cup: 0.7 percent Odds via sportsclubstats.com. Sign up for our FREE Stars newsletter! Dallas' last 10 games Mar. 2 -- Win, 4-1 over St. Louis (Away) Feb. 28 -- Win, 4-3 (OT) over Los Angeles (Away) Feb. 26 -- Loss, 4-1 to Las Vegas (Away) Feb. 24 -- Win, 4-3 over Chicago (Away) Feb. 23 -- Loss, 3-0 to Carolina (Home) Feb. 21 -- Win, 5-2 over St. Louis (Home) Feb. 19 -- Loss, 5-3 to Nashville (Home) Feb. 16 -- Loss, 3-0 to Carolina (Away) Feb. 14 -- Loss, 6-0 to Tampa Bay (Away) Feb. 12 -- Win, 3-0 over Florida (Away) Record: 5-5-0 Stars games this week Tuesday -- vs. New York Rangers (27-27-11, 65 points) Stars' record vs. the Rangers this year: 0-1-0 Thursday -- vs. Colorado Avalanche (28-26-12, 68 points) Stars' record vs. the Avalanche this year: 0-2-0 Saturday -- vs. Chicago Blackhawks (27-30-9, 63 points) Stars' record vs. the Blackhawks this year: 1-1-0 Dallas Morning News LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134400 Dallas Stars

National writer ranks two skaters above Stars' Miro Heiskanen on list of NHL's top rookies this season

By SportsDayDFW.com

Miro Heiskanen sure has made the Dallas Stars' No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 draft look pretty solid in a very short amount of time. The 19-year-old rookie made his debut with the big club as the 2018-19 season opened, and promptly made his first NHL All-Star Game a few months later. Heiskanen's hot start in the NHL has not gone unnoticed. ESPN's Chris Peters recently ranked the top rookies in the NHL so far this season, and the Stars' phenom landed at No. 3 on the list behind Vancouver's Elias Pettersson and Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin. "Heiskanen is getting overshadowed a bit, but this season he's shown how good a fit he is for being part of the long-term solution in Dallas to bust out of the mediocrity that has seemingly plagued the franchise of late," Peters wrote. "With high-end skating ability and hockey sense, Heiskanen has made a near seamless transition to the NHL after a successful run in Finland's top pro league. He leads all NHL rookies in average time on ice by over two minutes per game, and the Stars are possessing the puck at a slightly better rate than their average with Heiskanen on the ice." "His offensive numbers are solid enough, but I'm more impressed with his all-around game and maturity. That poise has been a hallmark of Heiskanen's game from the time he was a prospect, and the fact that he is as confident as he is, and also that his coaches are as confident in him, is such a great sign for the future. He's going to play a significant role in this league for a very long time." Sign up for our FREE Stars newsletter! Heiskanen has had that significant role with the Stars since Game No. 1 this season, and as is a normal concern with most rookies, the grind of an 82-game season can become an issue. But that does not appear to be the case with this particular 19-year-old. "With Miro, he's like Superman, right?" Stars coach Jim Montgomery said in February. "Sometimes, it looks like a little piece of Kryptonite and then it's gone and he can fly around again. "It's literally a 12-hour bug with him, and then he comes back. Every time we thought he's getting tired, the next game, he plays his best game of the year. We're not really concerned about him." Should Heiskanen keep up this pace the rest of the season (and potentially into the playoffs), the Stars rookie will be in the center of the conversation -- even if he won't be the favorite. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134401 Dallas Stars the most consistent part of our game," Montgomery said. "We want them rested, if that means alternating because of the game prior."

Missing a day: Defenseman John Klingberg did not practice Monday Stars forward Andrew Cogliano nears end of first injury-induced absence morning because he was sick, Montgomery said. Klingberg is still of career: 'These are the games you want to play in' expected to play Tuesday against the Rangers. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 03.05.2019 By Sports Reporter Matthew DeFranks

FRISCO -- Before this last week, the last time Andrew Cogliano missed a game because of an injury, he was a teenager. Not in college at Michigan, not in the NHL with Edmonton or Anaheim did Cogliano ever miss a game injured. But Cogliano has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury and could miss a third Tuesday against the Rangers. Cogliano returned to Stars practice Monday morning but wore a blue noncontact jersey. Stars coach Jim Montgomery labeled Cogliano as doubtful for Tuesday but probable for Thursday against Colorado. Cogliano was hurt during the first period of Tuesday's loss to Vegas, when Ryan Reaves drove Cogliano into the boards after Cogliano got rid of the puck in the neutral zone. Cogliano's head and left shoulder smashed into the boards, but Montgomery said Cogliano was not in concussion protocol. Cogliano missed time because the injury was "significant enough that he doesn't have strength in the injured part to play," Montgomery said. "Brutal, brutal," Cogliano said Tuesday. "It sucks. I've been out once in my career, two games, to a stupid suspension, in my opinion. It's not fun, especially at this time of the year. These are the games you want to play in. These are the games you want to be in the battle. You want to be competing as hard as you can. It sucked, to be honest, to sit out and watch the guys play. But I think they did a good job, and that makes it a lot easier knowing you got a couple big wins and guys played really well." Cogliano had one of the league's longest consecutive games played streaks before it ended last year with a two-game suspension for a hit on Los Angeles' Adrian Kempe. Cogliano played the first 830 games of his NHL career, which placed him fourth on the all-time list. The NHL record is 964 games by Doug Jarvis. Cogliano went 929 games without missing one because of injury. He's never been a healthy scratch in the NHL. "I think I was more upset with I just don't want to be missing games right now," Cogliano said. "This is the reason I think I'm here is to hopefully add my element and what I've done in the past and where I've played to these times. That's what I'm most disappointed in is that I want to be playing. "The streak thing was one thing. At that time, it was a little bit different because I was obviously losing something pretty cool. But now it's more upset that I got hurt, really. I've taken big hits, I've been in tough games, and I was more upset that I didn't pop up from it. But what are you going to do?" Cogliano has never been away from his team. Even when he was suspended, he was around the team. But when he flew back to Dallas last week, he was forced to watch the game on television and skate by himself instead of during practice. "It's been tough more with my routine," Cogliano said. "I don't really know what to do. It's not fun skating by yourself and doing stuff by yourself. I'm not used to that. Like I said, I want to get back in the lineup as fast as possible here." Immediately after the hit, Cogliano favored his shoulder and went down the tunnel. He has not played since. But Monday, Cogliano put some blame on himself rather than Reaves for the hit and subsequent injury. "I'm more mad at myself that I got hurt because I didn't really see him coming, to be honest," Cogliano said. "He came out of my blind spot, and obviously, you get hit by him, I think there's going to be some repercussions to it. Things are going to happen. But I kind of knew something was up." Getting the nod: Ben Bishop will start in goal Tuesday, Montgomery said. Bishop is coming off a 29-save effort in a win over St. Louis on Saturday night. Montgomery said the Stars would like to split up the starts down the stretch to keep starter Bishop and backup Anton Khudobin fresh heading into the playoffs. "It's going to be game to game, but we see more 11/2 [of Bishop] to 1 [of Khudobin] just because we're giving up a lot of shots and they've been 1134402 Dallas Stars Numbers indicate The Process works to an extent, which makes sense. If you outwork your opponent, there is a better chance of winning that respective evening. Shap Shots: Making sense of Montgomery’s Process, Fiddler on It’s a valuable coaching tool and one that can help, but it’s far from the faceoffs, and shootouts end-all, be-all. For example, one of the Stars’ best games during the past 22 came when Dallas beat St. Louis on Feb. 21 and only checked off two boxes. By Sean Shapiro Mar 4, 2019 Moral of the story? Trust The Process, but it’s just part of the overall product. Throughout the season we’ve been tracking how the Dallas Stars have Fiddle me this done when it comes to checking off the boxes in Jim Montgomery’s Process. Speaking of faceoffs, the Stars are hoping one of the long-term impacts of Vernon Fiddler’s role as an organizational coach is improving the After each game as part of the final point of the 20/20, we’ll go through centers’ faceoff skills. the same list the Stars coaching staff will when they check the tape and re-Watch video from the game. Fiddler won 52.2 percent of the faceoffs in his career, including 53.9 percent of the draws he took in his final season, 2016-17. It’s given us a slight glimpse into the mind of the coaching staff and helped answer a significant question: How did the Stars do in the minds “Everybody kind of has their own technique and strengths, but I just try to of the head coach that evening? teach them a little bit of tricks and just maybe give them a few ideas of what to do when,” Fiddler said. “Everybody takes faceoffs differently, so I The Stars are an average team. In a 31-team league, they have the 16th- can’t just be like, ‘Hey, take faceoffs like I did.'” most points and with a 33-27-5 record they have a .546 point percentage, which is good enough at this point for a wild-card spot in the Western Fiddler had a strength-on-strength approach to faceoffs during his career, Conference. often bullying the opposing center out of the way or dropping to one knee to both block the opponent’s stick and create space for the win. As we’ve learned throughout the season, the Stars generally have more success when they check off at least three boxes in Montgomery’s Fiddler spends more time working on faceoffs with younger centers like Process. When hitting at least three of the coach’s targets the Stars are a Jason Dickinson and Roope Hintz, who have gone through their lumps at combined 21-3-1. points this season in the circle. When only securing one or none of the targets, the Stars are 2-17-1. “These veteran guys are looking across the circle, and I was there too; Hitting two of the marks can go either way. you are looking at a young guy and you are able to take advantage,” Fiddler said. “The older guys, we know the linesmen and what we can Here is the breakdown through 65 games. get away with.” When it comes to the individual elements, winning the net-front battle Learning how to cheat on faceoffs also creates a significant learning continues to be the most important element of the process. Based off the curve for an NHL center. numbers, winning on special teams and not allowing more than three odd-man rushes appears very important as well. “My biggest thing during my career was I cheated,” Fiddler said. “The refs used to get sick of me. But I tell these younger guys, you have to cheat. Winning 56 percent of faceoffs and taking zero undisciplined penalties — Because the older guys do it and you look at the (Joe) Pavelskis and while good — seem to correlate less clearly with winning this year. (Ryan) O’Reillys and the Joe Thorntons, these older guys get away with so much. So these younger guys get caught watching instead of reacting. Here is the breakdown through 65 games. So I just try to teach them from my experiences, as a young guy, it’s hard to be a top faceoff guy because so much of it is an experience battle.” In the past we’ve taken a look at the reasoning or impact for each of the facets. Today I want to take a deeper look at the past 22 games since we Shootout? last updated the overall numbers. Through 65 games the Stars are one of three NHL teams without a The Stars are 11-10-1 in their past 22 games, a .522 points percentage, shootout. which is fairly representative of their overall season. This is something that I started thinking about on Sunday afternoon while Over that span, however, the Stars haven’t had any complete or watching the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals end their dominant performances by Montgomery’s described scorecard. matinee affair in a shootout. Within those 22 games Dallas hasn’t had a single game where they’ve Before the shootout, NBC’s commentators discussed the topic and checked off four or five of elements of The Process. The Stars’ only showed a graphic with Matts Zuccarello’s shootout prowess, as he’s a complete five-for-five game remains the Oct. 25 matchup against the player the Rangers lost at the trade deadline to the Stars. In his career Anaheim Ducks, and the last time Dallas went four-for-five was back on Zuccarello has 50 shootout attempts and has scored on 25 of his Nov. 23 against the Ottawa Senators. chances. His 50-percent conversion rate is tied for second-best amongst all active players with at least 50 attempts. The past 22 games have featured the Stars hitting the mark on three elements five times, all victories. They’ve checked one box or less in six In theory, if the Stars went to a shootout in the final week of the regular showings and compiled a 1-5-0 mark, with the only victory coming this season, Zuccarello would be in the shootout lineup alongside Tyler week when Dallas gutted out a win in Los Angeles, but checked off the Seguin, who is tied with Zuccarello’s rate, having gone 26-for-52 in his most-important box: the net-front battle victory. career. The Stars’ inability to check off more boxes comes down to discipline: What if the Stars went to a shootout this week, though? Who would they can’t avoid bad penalties and a combination of poorly-timed Montgomery turn to with the game on the line in addition to Seguin? infractions or offensive-zone stick fouls often take them out of the running for this marker rather early in contests. Jason Spezza has 25 goals on 70 shootout attempts in his career, a conversion rate of 35.7 percent. Jamie Benn has 13 goals on 42 The Stars have only survived two games without an undisciplined attempts, a conversion rate of 30.9 percent. Alexander Radulov has 12 penalty. That’s a black mark that could have hurt this team even more, goals on 27 attempts, a 44.4 percent conversion rate. but Dallas’ penalty killers and have been phenomenal. If the decision was mine, I’d have Seguin shoot first, followed by Radulov The penalties are a concern, but not a black spot on the season. as the second shooter since Zuccarello is injured. With the current lineup, I’d likely let Benn finish things out as the third shooter, but would also This exercise also brings up an interesting conversation that I feel better consider giving Miro Heiskanen the third shot. situated to answer after 65 games: What does The Process really mean? While this is a fun exercise on paper, it’s more fun if this never comes to It’s a measure of how hard a team works and whether at the appropriate fruition. Three-on-three overtime is a gift; we should embrace it and play times they can work smarter, not harder. Winning the net front and 10 minutes of overtime, making the shootout a fossil. faceoffs measures effort. Avoiding undisciplined penalties and reducing odd-man rushes is more of a test of the mind. Winning special teams Bonus bag comes down to a combination of effort and smarts, depending on how a certain game plays out. WHAT 3 SPECIFIC THINGS WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN (AND REALISTICALLY COULD HAPPEN) FOR THIS TEAM TO EXPERIENCE A LATE SEASON GROWTH SPURT AND EXCEED OUR EXPECTATIONS? — SAM DITORE (@SAMDITORE) MARCH 3, 2019 My expectation is that the Stars will make the playoffs and get bounced in the first round. In order to surpass my expectations, the Stars need to do just two things: 1. They need this level of goaltending to persist. 2. They need a second line that actually scores, which is actually possible in a short series. ANY RECENT UPDATE ON JOHNS? DURING THE OFF-SEASON AND NOTHING CHANGES, DO YOU SEE THE STARS LETTING HIM GO? — JEFF DURANT (@JEFFDURANT9) MARCH 3, 2019 We can all assume Stephen Johns is done for the season. That’s how the Stars are proceeding, and that’s how you should. There have been no updates and really this is a matter that only one person — Johns himself — has any real insight on. He’s under contract for next season already, and the Stars fully intend to do everything in their power to help Johns as both a human being and hockey player. DO YOU THINK COGLIANO HAS BEEN A GOOD FIT? I’M NOT THE BIGGEST FAN OF HIS (OFFENSIVE) GAME WITH US. — CHRIS PENDLEY ▲ (@PENDSTRIPES) MARCH 3, 2019 He’s been a good fit. When you get the better player in the trade, which Dallas did, you’ve usually won it. Andrew Cogliano was never really brought in to be a scoring threat, but he’s better in the other elements of the game than Shore and he’s made the Stars a better team. DO THE STARS NEED AN ENFORCER/GOON? SURE DO MISS ROUSSEL — NICK NIPP (@NICKNIPP) MARCH 3, 2019 No, the goon and enforcer don’t play much of a role. When they do, it’s generally against a mentally weak team. Ryan Reaves made a significant impact against the Stars because they allowed him to do so. If you want to take an enforcer or so-called goon out of the game you just play hockey and force them to make an impact on the ice. If a player throws a big hit that calls for retribution, throw a clean hit and take a number. The Stars have players who like to hit. I miss dealing with Antoine Roussel the person, he was a good guy to talk to in the locker room. But I don’t think the Stars miss him on the ice. The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134403 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings' Ted Lindsay funeral: Public visitation Friday at LCA

Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press Published 5:29 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 | Updated 5:42 p.m. ET March 4, 2019

The public will have a chance to say goodbye to Terrible Ted.

On Friday, fans can view the body of Detroit Red Wings great Ted Lindsay at Little Caesars Arena. The doors will be open for No. 7 from 9:07 a.m. to 7:07 p.m.

Lindsay died on Monday at age 93. The A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home announced that at its Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel in Royal Oak, a visitation for family and close friends will be from 2-7 p.m. Thursday, followed by a scripture series.

Ted Lindsay poses with his Lester Patrick Award October 22, 2008 at the St. Paul Hotel in St. Paul, Minnesota.

A funeral mass, also for family and close friends, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Andre Catholic Church in Rochester.

Those who want to end in memorial tributes should address them to the Ted Lindsay Foundation, 1819 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan, 48083.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134404 Detroit Red Wings Decades later, Bowman recalled Lindsay expressing disappointment that he was traded. He thought Detroit could have won three more championships if they hadn’t broken up the team.

Detroit Red Wings greats on what made Ted Lindsay memorable across “He was very bitter about leaving Detroit,” Bowman said. decades That dissipated over the years. During the 1990s, Lindsay would regularly pop by the locker room at Joe Louis Arena. The Wings kept a Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Published 3:20 p.m. ET March 4, stall with his name on it. He watched first-hand as the Wings regained 2019 | Updated 6:45 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 glory under and and Lidstrom, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998.

“Ted loved to talk about hockey,” Bowman said. “He liked to talk about has a picture he can’t wait to show his son when he is Yzerman and Fedorov — he was really happy when we started to have older. winning teams. He had a bitter departure from Red Wings, then came back, but he felt really attached to the team. The photo commemorates Zetterberg’s 1,000th game in the NHL, on April 9, 2017, a milestone that coincided with the Detroit Red Wings’ last “He was welcomed by anybody who worked with the Wings. He was a game at Joe Louis Arena. very revered player. He was a great man. I really enjoyed his company.”

That alone makes the picture special. But what adds to the emotion is When Devellano was named general manager of the Wings in 1982, Ted Lindsay presenting an award commemorating Zetterberg’s hired by new owner Mike Ilitch, he made it a point of reaching out to achievement. Lindsay, Howe, and Sid Abel.

“The picture I have, it’s me, Ted, my dad and my little guy,” Zetterberg “I took them and their wives to dinner,” Devellano said. “They didn’t know told the Free Press. “It’ll be fun when Love gets older and he realizes me, but I wanted to express to them I knew the history of Red Wings and who was in that picture with us.” the role they had played. I was coming to Detroit from the New York Islanders to build that type of team. I explained it would take many years, Henrik Zetterberg of the Red Wings, his son Love and Red Wings legend but that’s what I wanted to do and wanted their blessing. Ted Lindsay during presentation to honor his 1000th NHL game prior to a game against the New Jersey Devils at Joe Louis Arena on April 9, 2017 More on Terrible Ted: in Detroit. He had rare mix of points, penalty minutes, even for Red Wings Fellow former Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom likewise has a favorite Lindsday memory that involves a picture. It reveals the humor, humility Hockey world mourns on social media and heart that defined Lindsay. Fast facts: He started a Stanley Cup tradition, players' union

“I once asked him to sign a photo that I had of him skating with his stick “Ted was an easy guy for me to get to now because he hung around all as a rifle” Lidstrom said. “I told him that I had it at my house but I would the time. He’d come into my office and we’d banter. I’d ask him his bring it down to the Joe so that he could sign it next time he came thoughts on lots of our players. He’d say I like Steve Yzerman, I really around. He said that he would come out to my house that afternoon and like Bob Probert. Good man, really good hockey guy, had a good life. Did get it signed instead. I insisted that he wouldn't have to make the trip but a lot of good around Detroit.” he just said, 'It would be my pleasure!' Lindsay was a regular in the Wings’ locker room until he was around 90. “When he signed the picture, he told me the story about him receiving Players recall him sitting in on meetings, being there before practices, death threats in Toronto during the playoffs and after they won the game after games. at Maple Leaf Garden he came up with the idea of turning his stick over and aiming it at the fans! He was a true gentleman and really stood up for “I recall he’d walk in and some players would comment on how small he his beliefs.” was,” Mark Howe said. “I’d tell them to go watch some video of him playing.” Lindsay passed away at 93 years old on Monday morning. He played for the Wings from 1944-57 and returned for his final NHL season in 1964- Older players made it a point to shake Lindsay’s hand and thank him for 65. Lindsay helped the Wings win the Stanley Cup in 1950, '52, '54 and all he did for them, for the Red Wings organization, for embodying a '55. winning tradition.

He was one of Scotty Bowman’s favorite players to watch as a teenager, A couple months after he’d celebrated his 90th birthday, Lindsay created an undersized forward with a ferocious approach. a special memory for a future Wings captain. It was September, 2015, and Dylan Larkin was sitting in his stall at Joe Louis Arena, next to “He was so good — a complete player, good offensively, good Zetterberg, when Lindsay came into the locker room. defensively,” Bowman said. “He was an ultra competitive player but also very skillful. He wasn’t very big, but he was completely fearless. Gordie “Ted was walking around, shaking everyone’s hand,” Larkin said. “I was Howe was the toughest player in the league and they were on the same 19 years old. I hadn’t played a single game. He knew who I was, knew I line, but Ted didn’t need Gordie to protect him. He looked after himself. was from Michigan. For him to take the time to show interest, to know He was a wonderful skater and a great finisher.” about me — looking back, I realize how special that was. There’s a picture of me and him sitting at my locker. I didn’t think it was a big deal The Wings retired Lindsay’s No. 7 on Nov. 10, 1991. at the time, but looking back, I realize what a cool thing it was.”

“Ted is one of the top 10 players for the Red Wings franchise,” Wings Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.05.2019 senior vice president Jimmy Devellano said. “Top 10. He as a little guy but a tough, hard-nosed, son of a gun who had ability. His sweater has long been retired and deservedly so.”

As a result of Lindsay’s push for a players association, he was unloaded on the Chicago Blackhawks in 1957 by then-general manager .

“It was a different era,” Devellano said. “Jack Adams was a dictator, that’s how it was in those days — he found out Ted tried to organize the players for an association, and he was banished to the lowly Blackhawks.

“He really was the first guy to organize the players. He’s really the reason we have the NHLPA today. The players playing today making their millions of dollars, god bless them all, they owe a debt of thanks to Ted Lindsay because he stood up to managers and owners and wanted more say in how game was directed.” 1134405 Detroit Red Wings Around this time, a friend invited me to play golf at Twin Lakes Golf and Swim Club in Oakland Township. I was about to hit my approach shot when my friend pointed out the house to the right of the green with a Red How one picture captured who Ted Lindsay was to Detroit Red Wings Wings flag mounted on a big pole in the backyard. “That’s Ted Lindsay’s house,” he said.

All I could do was imagine hitting a massive slice as my ball broke a Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press Published 1:50 p.m. ET March 4, window, landed in Lindsay’s morning cup of coffee and sent Terrible Ted 2019 | Updated 6:46 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 flying out of his house screaming at me. If I remember correctly, I hooked my ball into a bunker and made the happiest double-bogey of my life.

I saw Lindsay a few more times over the years at Joe Louis Arena. I In the Detroit Red Wings’ dressing room at Joe Louis Arena, the team appreciated that it was never strange to see Lindsay or any of the team’s had a great tradition. Above each player’s locker, a picture of one of the great players like Howe, Darren McCarty, Dino Ciccarelli or Doug Brown team’s legendary players was mounted. The pictures served as a show up at any time in the dressing room or for a special event. You reminder that the eyes of the greatest players, from one of hockey’s could sense the bond between them, the team and the fans. greatest franchises, gazed upon them. I guess it’s fitting Lindsay died on the same day it was announced Joe But one picture was much different from the rest. It was my favorite and Louis Arena will be demolished this spring. One of the great pillars of whenever I walked into the dressing room, I always smiled when I saw it. Hockeytown left us today and another soon will. Neither will ever be It’s the famous black-and-white picture of Ted Lindsay holding his stick forgotten. like a rifle. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.05.2019 This may be the best Ted Lindsay story.

In 1956, a Toronto man called newspapers to say, “Don’t worry about Howe and Lindsay tonight, I’m going to shoot them.”

The Red Wings trailed 4-2. Howe made it 4-3. Lindsay tied it at 4-4 — then scored in OT. He celebrated like this: pic.twitter.com/vp7AVW2tfM

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 4, 2019

Before a 1956 playoff game at Maple Leaf Gardens, Lindsay and Gordie Howe received an anonymous death threat. After Lindsay scored the overtime goal, he pointed his stick like a rifle at Toronto fans and pretended to fire back at any would-be assassins. I’ve always loved the defiance captured in that moment.

And that was Lindsay. He didn’t mind taking on hostile fans, NHL owners by trying to start a union or even his own owner, Jack Norris, and the Wings’ front office when he was hired as general manager in 1977.

Lindsay died Monday at age 93. But his spirit, through that picture and through his legacy as of one of hockey’s strident heroes from a bygone era of the bruising men who played a brutal game, will live on forever.

I didn’t know about Lindsay or his picture before I moved to Detroit in 1999. I grew up in Los Angeles as a hard-luck Kings fan in the 1980s and ’90s. The Kings were mostly terrible early on, with little history other than to claim played for them in their inaugural season of 1967-68.

More on Lindsay:

A rare mix of points, penalty minutes, even for Red Wings

Hockey world mourns Terrible Ted on social media

I was always jealous of historic teams like the Wings and the Montreal Canadiens. It seemed play-by-play announcer Bob Miller spent half the game rattling off the exploits of legendary players from those black-and- white days whenever the Kings played an Original Six team.

When I moved to Detroit and started working for the Free Press, I quickly learned about the Wings’ rich history and the community’s ties to the team. The Wings were a resurgent championship franchise back then and everyone had Wings fever. The Stanley Cup visited the Free Press offices so regularly it probably should have had its own parking space.

While covering the team, I began to meet the legendary players. I’ll never forget the first time I met Lindsay for two reasons. The first was because of his size. His listed playing height was 5 feet 8 and by the time I met him he might have been shorter than that. What? Terrible Ted was tiny? How could such a tough guy, a member of Production Line and one of the game’s giants be this small? I always assumed he had been a thick- necked monster like Howe.

Ted Lindsay Award: Why the NHLPA honored the Wings great

The second reason was because the first time I spoke with him he quoted something I had written in that day’s paper, not knowing who I was or that I had written it. Of course, I was honored that Lindsay had read my story. But I was more impressed that he was in his 80s and still kept daily tabs on the Wings. 1134406 Detroit Red Wings NHL Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay attends game 5 of the 2008 NHL between the Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Joe Louis Arena on June 2, 2008 in Detroit.

Ted Lindsay created one of the best traditions in sports history Lindsay was a beloved superstar. Even after his playing days were done, he remained a part of the fabric of Hockeytown. Everybody seems to have a heart-felt story about Lindsay. Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press Published 1:27 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 | Updated 6:00 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 "He was just one of the most compassionate, people-loving folks you would ever meet," Roose said. "Always had a smile on his face.”

[ Here's why some say 'Terrible Ted' Lindsay needs a new nickname ] , whose number was recently retired by the Detroit Red Wings, was listening to the radio in Toronto on Monday morning when he heard But Lindsay was also meticulous. He wanted everything to be perfect, as the news about his captain. they worked on the book, “Seven: A Salute to Ted Lindsay”, which was written by Bob Duff, edited by Roose and published in 2008. Ted Lindsay, the Red Wings icon, died at the age 93. “I’ve done books now with eight different athletes and he was the one “He was a good leader,” Kelly said. “We’ll miss him. He was great for who printed off all the pages — the manuscript — put them in a binder hockey.” and had everything tabbed,” Roose said. “He said that he wanted to come in and edit with me. As we worked on things, he’d go off some Kelly played with Lindsay for 10 seasons from 1947-48 until 1956-57 and tangent, telling another story. they won four Stanley Cups together. In fact, Lindsay started the tradition of lifting up the Cup and skating around the ice. “We would sit there and go through his photos. His wife was outstanding, Joanne was an East-sider, like I am," Roose continued. "We would talk More: How one picture captured who Ted Lindsay was to Wings about her days at (Detroit) Denby, how she met Ted and how she could “He just decided to do it,” Kelly said. “He thought the fans should share in care less that Ted was a hockey player. She didn’t know Ted as a it as much as the players. He picked the Cup up and skated around the hockey player. Just met Ted Lindsay, fell in love with him.” boards there.” Roose, who took a job with the Red Wings after his time at the Free Kelly laughed. Press, had an office in Joe Louis Arena in the Zamboni pit, across the hallway from the referee’s room and Lindsay would stop by year-round. “And it caught hold.” “During the season, he had a locker in the locker room," Roose said. From left: Marguerite Norris, Jack Adams, Ted Lindsay, and Bruce Norris "He would work out, two, three, four times a week. He always had some stand with the Stanley Cup in 1954. type of business that he was dealing with in Windsor. In the summer, if the players weren’t around, he would still stop in on his way to Windsor. From left: Marguerite Norris, Jack Adams, Ted Lindsay, and Bruce Norris He’d come in all the time and really just shoot the breeze.” stand with the Stanley Cup in 1954. (Photo: Free Press archives) Shoot the breeze? Yeah, you could say that again. Lindsay created one of the best traditions in sports history. It was more like a daily dip into hockey history.

And maybe, that’s the way everybody should remember Lindsay — for “The stories he would tell — the one in Toronto when they were in the being a trail blazer, whether it was helping to start the players’ union or playoffs and they were leaving Detroit to head to Toronto for a game," being the first to lift the Cup. Roose said. "The fans came out and said that somebody is going to die. A Red Wing player was going to get killed if the Red Wings won. The Lindsay was a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest to ever play in the Wings won, and Ted turned his hockey stick around and aimed it at the NHL. fans in the stands and pretended it was a Tommy gun.” But he cared deeply about the fans. Lindsay grew up listening to Red Wings games, when the weather was And he wanted to share the Wings’ success with the fans in Hockeytown. just right.

“He was a feisty player,” Kelly said. “Came to win. He’d back down from “He would talk about lying in bed at night in Kirkland Lake (in nobody. But he was so different off the ice. He was quiet.” Northeastern Ontario, Canada),” Roose said. “If it was a clear, cloudless night, he could pick up Red Wings games up there.” More: Ted Lindsay public visitation Friday at LCA When Lindsay did a book singing, or an autograph event, it would be a A man steeped in hockey history slow-motion affair.

The scars on Lindsay’s face told the story of Terrible Ted — one of the He would start telling stories with fans, or pose for pictures, and it might best to ever play in the NHL. have slowed down profits, but he didn’t care.

“Every one of those scars told a different story,” said Bill Roose, the Gordie Howe was the same way. former Free Press sports writer who edited a book about Lindsay. “When you saw him up close, you really saw the depth of those scars. It was “They were told, as youngsters, that you had to make that signature kind of like the opening of ‘Saving Private Ryan’ when he’s walking legible," Roose said. "They have to know who signed that puck or stick or through the headstones and you see his eyes watering, and the camera ball or whatever. That’s the paying public and you respect them.” comes up really close to his eyes. When you would get up close to Ted, But at his core, Lindsay was a family man. you could see the depth of his playing career, and how he earned all of those scars.” “He loved his family,” Roose, now the vice president of marketing and communications at Warren De La Salle Collegiate High School, said. “He More from Wings: spent a lot of time with them up north. His daughter has a place Up Zetterberg, Lidstrom on what made Ted Lindsay memorable across North. I remember when he turned 90, I said, ‘What are you going to do decades special?’

But those scars came from a different time. "He goes, ‘Nothing. Probably have a cake. Go to dinner. And be with my family.’ Almost a different person. “He wasn’t simple. But he simply wanted to be with his family.” “I didn’t know him as Terrible Ted,” Roose said. “There was nothing terrible about that man in the years I knew him." Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134407 Detroit Red Wings

Ted Lindsay Award: Why NHL MVP is named after Detroit Red Wings great

Dana Sulonen and Bill McGraw, Detroit Free Press Published 11:43 a.m. ET March 4, 2019 | Updated 1:37 p.m. ET March 4, 2019

The NHL and Detroit lost one of the greats on Monday with the death of Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay at 93 years old.

While he will be remembered in Hockeytown for helping the Red Wings win four Stanley Cups, he will have an even longer-lasting legacy thanks to the award that now bears his name.

Beginning with the 1970-71 season, the NHL Players' Association awarded an MVP, then called the Lester B. Pearson Award, named for the former Canadian prime minister. It was one of the few major awards not named for someone associated with the league.

In 2010, the NHL Players' Association renamed the award after Lindsay.

Why? Not just for what Lindsay did on the ice, but more for what he did off of it.

In the late 1950s, Lindsay shocked NHL owners when he filed an anti- trust lawsuit against the league during his attempt to form a players’ association.

The suit was a daring move, and while the union effort fell short, it set the stage for the founding of the NHL Players’ Association in 1967. Former Detroit coach and general manager Jack Adams traded Lindsay for masterminding the union drive (with Montreal’s ), and it soured the once-close friendship between Lindsay and Gordie Howe, who voted against the union.

“Lindsay represented everything (former NHL president) Clarence Campbell abhorred in a hockey player: cockiness, irreverence and disrespect,” wrote the authors of “Net Worth,” an authoritative book on NHL finances that was turned into a 1995 Canadian movie in which Lindsay was the hero and Adams the villain.

By 1958 the campaign for an association had ended, though the NHL met some of the players’ demands. A permanent players’ association was formed in 1967, and today, the association bestows the Ted Lindsay Award annually to the NHL’s most outstanding player, as voted by association members.

Edmonton's Connor McDavid has won the award in each of the past two seasons.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134408 Detroit Red Wings When Lindsay retired in 1965, he was fifth all-time in career playoff points with 96 — he had 8 in two playoff runs with the Blackhawks — behind only Howe (146), (126), Bernie Geoffrion (115) and Ted Lindsay had rare mix of points, penalty minutes, even for Red Wings Jean Beliveau (107).

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Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press Published 12:00 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 | Updated 7:04 p.m. ET March 4, 2019

Detroit Red Wings great Ted Lindsay died Monday at the age of 93. It’s no secret that Lindsay was one of the all-time greats; over the course of his career, he received just about every honor an NHL player can receive: nine All-Star nods, the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966, a retired number in 1991, the renaming of the NHLPA’s MVP award for him in 2010 and a spot in the NHL’s Top 100 as part of the league’s centennial celebration in 2017.

With today’s NHL featuring an expanded schedule in both the regular season and playoffs, Lindsay’s statistics don’t always come across as impressive. Let’s take a closer look at his career by the numbers:

379

Goals for Lindsay over 14 seasons in Detroit and three seasons in Chicago. With 335 of those goals came with the Red Wings, Lindsay is sixth on the franchise’s all-time scoring list, two behind Henrik Zetterberg.

472

Assists for Lindsay — 393 of those were for Detroit, placing him ninth among the franchise’s leaders, between (434) and Reed Larson (382). Ullman would take over Lindsay’s No. 7 sweater in 1958 and wear it for 10 seasons.

1,062

Career games for Lindsay, with 862 for the Wings and 206 for the Blackhawks. Lindsay’s three-season exile to Chicago from 1957-60 leaves him at just 14th on the Wings’ all-time list, between Ullman (875) and Nick Libett (861).

1,808

Penalty minutes for Lindsay; his 1,423 PIMs wearing the Winged Wheel place him fifth in franchise history, behind only Bob Probert (2,090), Joe Kocur (1,963), Gordie Howe (1,643) and Gerard Gallant (1,600). Also of note, Lindsay led the NHL in PIMs just once — with 184 in 70 games in 1958-59 for the Blackhawks. He had 35 more PIMs than the second- place finisher that season, the Rangers’ Lou Fontinato.

13

So, that’s more than 800 points, 1,800 penalty minutes and 1,000 games played for Lindsay over 17 seasons. Just 13 players in NHL history have put up that combo of scoring, aggressive play and longevity, and just one — Lindsay — played before 1979, well after the NHL went to an 80-game schedule. The 800/1,800/1,000 club, in case you were wondering (in order of NHL debut): Lindsay, Mark Messier, Dale Hunter, Paul Coffey, Scott Stevens, Pat Verbeek, Chris Chelios, Rick Tocchet, Scott Mellanby, Gary Roberts, Brendan Shanahan, Theoren Fleury, Keith Tkachuk.

123

Lindsay was also a driving force behind the Red Wings’ four Stanley Cups in 1950, ’52, ’54 and ’55. Despite a playoff format that featured a maximum of two seven-game rounds every year, Lindsay played in 123 postseason games for the Wings, good for eighth on the franchise list.

88

Points in the playoffs for Lindsay for the Red Wings, with 44 each in goals and assists. "Terrible Ted" ranks seventh on the Wings’ all-time list in goals and ninth in assists.

179

Postseason penalty minutes for Lindsay in Detroit, second in franchise history behind only — who else — Howe (218). Lindsay finished his career with 192 playoff penalty minutes, tied for 112th in NHL history.

5 1134409 Detroit Red Wings

Ted Lindsay facts: He started a Stanley Cup tradition, players' union

Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press Published 7:26 a.m. ET March 4, 2019 | Updated 1:41 p.m. ET March 4, 2019

Ted Lindsay died overnight at the age of 93, reportedly under hospice care. On the ice, he was fierce and relentless. Off the ice, he was a philanthropist and a gentleman. Here are some things you may not know about the Detroit Red Wings legend.

After retiring, Lindsay went on be a color analyst for NBC, and then spent three years as GM of the Wings in the late '70s coaching for past of two seasons. His No.7 was retired in 1991 and in 2010 the union renamed the Lester B. Pearson Award, given annually to the most outstanding player as voted on by the players, to the Ted Lindsay Award.

He set the stage for the NHL players' union

Lindsay's on-ice excellence was matched by his off-ice commitment to improving the lot of his colleagues. His work toward organizing players was deeply unpopular with owners, and in 1957, he was stripped of his Detroit captaincy and traded to Chicago.

After three seasons, Lindsay retired in 1960, his dream of a union unrealized. In 1964, Lindsay returned to play one more season with the Wings, enticed to do so by his old center, Sid Abel, who by then was coach and GM. At 39, Lindsay helped the Wings win their first regular- season title since he was traded. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966. The following year, the National Hockey League Players Association was formed.

Lindsay's interest in autism was sparked nearly two decades ago, when he was working out with John Czarnecki, his physical therapist and trainer.

"The trainer had a young boy at the time. ... He mentioned to Ted that his kid was just diagnosed with autism," Lew LaPaugh, presdent of The Ted Lindsay Foundation, says. "Well, 18 years ago, we didn’t really know what autism was. Ted and Joanne looked it up in their dictionary and found out.

"Well, the next time he worked with the trainer, he said, 'We’d like to help Dominic. What can we do?' Because he knew the medical costs, and what have you, are pretty rough on a family."

The foundation has donated $3.4 million toward autism-related causes since the foundation was created. The latest:

It recently announced a $1 million donation to Oakland University's Center for Autism Outreach Services, or OUCARES, for programs for teens and young adults with autism.

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Detroit Red Wings' Ted Lindsay dies: A badass on ice, a gentleman off

Bill McGraw, Special to the Detroit Free Press Published 6:10 a.m. ET March 4, 2019 | Updated 4:32 p.m. ET March 4, 2019

Ted Lindsay’s nicknames were “Terrible Ted” and “Old Scarface” because Lindsay played tough and sometimes dirty.

That hell-bent style was reflected in the tiny ridges, bumps, wrinkles and puffy marks on his cheeks and chin that gave his face a hang-dog look.

Lindsay, one of the greatest Detroit Red Wings of all time, received some 600 stitches during his hall-of-fame career, most of them in his face.

One day, an acquaintance, holding the hand of his 2-year-old daughter, ran into Lindsay on the street.

Lindsay kneeled to say hello to the smiling little girl, who burst into tears when Lindsay’s face appeared next to hers.

“It’s not the first time that’s happened,” Lindsay said, laughing.

“Terrible Ted had a face only a hockey mom could love,” John Finley, the Red Wings’ longtime physician who had stitched up Lindsay many times, wrote in his memoir. Recalling the man behind the scars and how different he was away from the game, Finley added: “I have many fond memories of the grace, respect, and special effort he took with all those close to him.”

Hockey Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay attends game five of the 2008 Stanley Cup finals between the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Joe Louis Arena on June 2, 2008.

And that was the paradox of Ted Lindsay, who died at 93 years old, while under hospice care, on Monday morning, according to his family. Off the ice, he was a gentleman who had many friends. And he was a philanthropist who became deeply involved in his community.

On the ice, Lindsay was cocky and abrasive and would do anything to win. He was a highly unusual player in the post-World War II National Hockey League, a brainy boat-rocker who repeatedly challenged the conservative league establishment. Those qualities — plus his enormous talent — made him one of the most memorable and controversial players in NHL history and a fan favorite for decades in , where he lived for more than 70 years.

“I hated everybody I played against, and they hated me,” Lindsay was fond of saying. “That’s the way hockey should be played.”

Away from the game Lindsay was patient, generous and even tender. Despite his super-star status, he drove through winter nights to appear at countless sports banquets across Michigan and Ontario, and thought nothing of driving even to Sault Ste. Marie for the night to make a speech about hockey. He devoted a lot of time to charity. When the 9-year-old son of a friend was diagnosed with autism, Lindsay established a foundation to raise money for autism research.

“Ted never let fame go to his head,” said Joe Lapointe, a longtime sportswriter for the Free Press and New York Times.

Lindsay was only 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds, and people who met him often expressed surprise someone so small could be such a terror. “When I put my skates on I’m 6-foot-5,” he told them.

Lindsay punched far above his weight for 14 seasons with the Red Wings and three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks between 1944 and 1965. When Lindsay was at his peak, in the early 1950s, the Wings were the team to beat in the NHL, winning four Stanley Cups in six years.

In 1964, four years after he retired as a Blackhawk, he made a one- season comeback with the Wings at 39, surprising critics with his skills and endurance.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134411 Detroit Red Wings

Joe Louis Arena demolition to start soon: Here's what's coming down

JC Reindl, Detroit Free Press Published 6:04 a.m. ET March 4, 2019 | Updated 9:47 a.m. ET March 4, 2019

Detroit's now-empty Joe Louis Arena will finally get a date with the wrecking ball this spring, just shy of its 40th year.

Demolition of the arena is expected to begin in the next four to six weeks and finish by the end of the year or early 2020, said Detroit Building Authority Director Tyrone Clifton.

There will be no Pontiac Silverdome-style implosion of the downtown riverfront arena, but rather a gradual disassembly process involving heavy machinery. Demolition crews will start by disassembling the arena's interior, such as ceiling beams, then proceed to the exterior by June or July, Clifton said.

Detroit-based Adamo Group is doing the demolition under a $5.9 million contract with the city.

"So if you are just driving by or walking by, maybe you will hear it but you won't see anything (at first) on the exterior coming down," he said.

Once home to the Red Wings and countless other sporting events, concerts and the 1980 Republican National Convention, Joe Louis Arena opened in December 1979, replacing the Olympia Stadium and successfully keeping the Wings from relocating to Pontiac.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134412 Detroit Red Wings

Public viewing for Ted Lindsay will take place Friday at Little Caesars Arena

Detroit News staff Published 9:16 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 | Updated 4:47 a.m. ET March 5, 2019

A public viewing will take place for Detroit Red Wings great Ted Lindsay from 9:07 a.m.-7:07 p.m. Friday at Little Caesars Arena. Lindsay died early Monday. He was 93.

Visitation for family and close friends will be from 2-7 p.m. Thursday, with a Scripture Service at 7 at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave., between 13-14 Mile), Royal Oak. A funeral Mass for family and close friends will take place 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1400 Inglewood Ave., Rochester. Visitation at church begins at 9 a.m.

Memorial tributes can be sent to: Ted Lindsay Foundation, 1819 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48083.

Detroit News LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134413 Detroit Red Wings “I think they saw Ted as an example,” Czarnecki said. “Whether he was 90, or 80, or it doesn’t matter, he was fighting for people that couldn’t fight for themselves. I think that encouraged them to start their own Ted Lindsay's generosity reflected in battle to help those with autism foundations and really try to give back to the community.”

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Nolan Bianchi, The Detroit News Published 7:54 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 | Updated 8:15 p.m. ET March 4, 2019

The legacy of Ted Lindsay, the hockey player, will be forever remembered by his nickname, “Terrible Ted.”

But for anyone who knew Lindsay, who died Monday at the age of 93, his role as an active member in the fight to help families cope with autism was just as important as his success on the ice.

Lindsay co-founded the Ted Lindsay Foundation with Wings trainer John Czarnecki in 2001 immediately after learning that Czarnecki had missed Lindsay’s 75th birthday party because his son with autism had fallen ill.

“What Ted did, is he went home that night, and he started to learn what he could about autism,” Czarnecki said.

“Through meeting with me and my wife, and other families that were affected by autism, he saw the need for someone to step up. … He wanted to jump in and start fighting right away.”

The foundation has raised more than $4 million for the cause, according to its website. Lindsay’s most notable pledges were worth $1 million each to Beaumont Children’s Hands-On Parent Education (HOPE) Center and Oakland University’s Center for Autism Outreach Services (OUCARES). Both programs now hold his namesake.

Lindsay’s gift to Beaumont resulted in construction of infrastructure that, along with providing more space for children in the program, allowed for diagnostic programming and speech pathology colleagues to operate in a singular clinic.

“Mr. Lindsay’s goal was to just give us a bigger and more beautiful space so that we could help more kids and do it in a nice environment,” said Lori Warner, director of the Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center. “It just allowed for such better collaboration.”

Due to his hands-on approach, Lindsay and his wife, Joanne, understood the importance of diversifying their aid. Czarnecki recalled Lindsay placed an emphasis on acknowledging “the stress” that having a child with autism “was on all the families as well.”

For Lindsay and his wife, Joanne, part of the appeal to the HOPE Center, Warner said, was the programs it had in place for parental support.

“(We have) individual therapeutic sessions for parents whose kids are being treated here just to support them and coach them through,” Warner said. “They really liked that, and they knew it was important.”

But it wasn’t just children with autism and their parents that Lindsay sought to help. His contribution to Joanne and Ted Lindsay Foundation Autism Outreach Services at Oakland University in Nov. 2018 provided scholarships for adults with autism to participate in pre-employment skills and readiness training.

Of seven adults who have entered the program, three already have their first jobs, according to program director Kristin Rohrbeck.

“The gift from the Ted Lindsay Foundation to our program has been immeasurable,” Rohrbeck said.

Rohrbeck said the publicity generated by Lindsay’s gift has also helped “break past that stigma” of “adults on the spectrum.”

“Since the new year, we’ve had at least ten employers contact us. … Before getting the gift, we had to go to the employers to try to make the connection.”

In a lot of other ways, Lindsay’s commitment to being a community leader until his death has set an example for generations to come.

Red Wing forward Dylan Larkin joined the Ted Lindsay Foundation as a spokesman and board member in October 2018, and Czarnecki gives partial credit to Lindsay’s frequent presence in the Red Wings’ locker room with other players starting their own foundations. 1134414 Detroit Red Wings Faceoff: 9 p.m., Tuesday, Pepsi Center.

TV/radio: FSD/97.1

Red Wings try to avoid frustration as tailspin continues Outlook: The Avalanche (28-26-12) have lost two consecutive games and fallen three points out of the wild-card chase…The Wings may have LW Thomas Vanek (hip flexor) and D Trevor Daley (back) back in the Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News Published 6:50 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 | lineup...C Nathan MacKinnon and RW Mikko Rantanen both have 82 Updated 6:53 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 points and feature in one of the NHL’s top line.

Detroit News LOADED: 03.05.2019

Detroit — The number of games left are dwindling, and the end of the hockey season is near.

The Red Wings can see the finish line, April 6, and deep inside, probably can’t wait for this disappointing season to end.

But there’s still work to do, with 17 games left on the schedule. They can’t call it a day just yet.

Currently in a seven-game winless streak — they’ve been 0-5-2 in that stretch — and only four points from the 31st and final spot in the NHL standings, the Wings are in discouraging tailspin.

Feeling frustrated?

When coach Jeff Blashill was asked after Saturday’s loss in Arizona if his team is frustrated, Blashill said he didn’t want anyone around the team to be frustrated.

“We’re NHL hockey players and NHL coaches,” Blashill said after the game. “We have to go win a game on Tuesday. I don’t care about frustration. It doesn’t do one bit of good. We have to get better. We got to prove that we can be a team that competes on a nightly basis.

“We’ve been a real good hockey team lots of times this year. We don’t have enough wins to show for it. Let’s be a real good hockey team. I’m not worried once ounce about frustration.

“We better work through it.”

The standings will be something fans concentrate on in the waning days and weeks ahead.

The lower the Wings finish in the standings, the better the odds of the team picking first in the Entry Draft in June.

Or second, or third.

It’s likely going to be a tight race.

Ottawa (Colorado owns the Senators’ pick) has the NHL’s worst record with 51 points. The Wings, with their recent slide, are next with 55 points.

They are followed by Los Angeles with 56 points, New Jersey (58) and Anaheim (59), with Edmonton, Chicago and Vancouver all with 63 points.

Ten of the 17 games the Wings have left are on the road, so it’ll be a difficult finish, with losses likely to mount.

Red Wings’ players have insisted all along they’re not interested in losing. They’re paid to win hockey games.

And despite the recent losing, Red Wings’ players insist there is plenty to play for on many levels.

“We got to go out there and fight for every inch,” goaltender Jimmy Howard said. “Even though nothing’s going our way, we’re still paying for pride, playing for our organization and you’re playing for your job, so you have to go out there and continue to play.”

The Wings were beginning to establish an identity of a fast-skating, hard- working team, especially during a hot stretch in November.

But that’s been an issue the last few games, especially an ugly 8-1 loss against Montreal, with the Wings’ not playing with the necessary energy and work ethic.

“When we were playing well for a stretch this season, we were out- working teams,” forward Justin Abdelkader said. “We haven’t out-worked opponents enough to come back in here and feel good about our play.

“We have to make sure we come out and our details in our game are great, and each individual guy, we have to make sure we’re giving it our all and working through it.”

Red Wings at Avalanche 1134415 Detroit Red Wings Coach Jack Adams put the two young friends on either side of the veteran center Sid Abel in 1947-48.

The trio often stayed late after practice, perfecting the “set play.” Krupa: Ted Lindsay's legacy leaves indelible mark on hockey Either young winger would angle a shoot-in just after cross center ice so that rebounded off the boards towards the goal. The other winger Gregg Krupa, The Detroit News Published 6:24 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 | retrieved it and either fed Abel or shot. Updated 12:43 a.m. ET March 5, 2019 In an era in which goalies almost never left the crease, the hybrid version of “shoot and chase” worked constantly.

Detroit — Ted Lindsay, an integral player in some of the Red Wings’ The line led the team in scoring that season. greatest triumphs and a revolutionary figure during his seasons in the Powered by the awesome trio, the Red Wings started beating the Maple NHL, came up in a different era. Leafs and Canadiens in the playoffs and, with Alex Delvecchio eventually And, in his childhood, Lindsay was a fan of the Wings. replacing Abel, they won four Stanley Cups in five years.

“When I grew up in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, I never played indoors,” “You know,” Lindsay said. “At one time, we were the greatest line in the Lindsay said of what he constantly called “the greatest game” . history of the game.”

“Every school had two natural ice rinks. We were never indoors. Our Howe called it “a match made in heaven,” and recalled the intense temperature was often 15-below. camaraderie.

“The Red Wings used to be broadcast on WJR. On a clear, cold night, “It began with stars like Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay and carried all the way we could get WJR in Kirkland Lake like you were in downtown Detroit. down the roster,” he said. “You never wanted to look down the bench at And, they had two tough defensemen, Jimmy Orlando and Jack Stewart. your buddy and know that you let him down.”

“Good, tough,” he said. There were others, generations of players, Lindsay refused to let down.

“That was my kind of hockey.” He earned $6,500 to $7,500, good money for the early 1950s. But, younger players made half and had to pay their own expenses when Good, tough. bouncing between leagues.

That was Ted Lindsay’s kind of life, too. “I just saw what was happening,” Lindsay said. “I thought it wasn’t fair.

In winning four Stanley Cups with the Red Wings from 1950 to 1955, he “It was dictatorship, at that time. set a standard for tenacity rarely paralleled in the tenacious sport. “Terrible Ted” could be punishing and painful. “I was one of the best hockey players in the world. I’m not bragging. It’s just a fact. And, I thought that there was something I should do. Because But, on The Production Line, with Gordie Howe and either Sid Abel or those kids couldn’t argue with management. Alex Delvecchio, Lindsay sometimes scored at will. “So, I did what I believed in. His 78 points in 69 games played in 1949-50 won the Art Ross Trophy for the top scorer. “And, I’d do the same thing all over again. Because it was wrong, the way they were doing the darn thing.” During his 13 seasons with the Red Wings, before he was run out of town in 1957 for his nearly successful rebellion trying to organize a The first attempt in 1957 failed, with Lindsay traded to the then-lowly players’ association, he was a First-Team All-Star eight times. He came Black Hawks. out of retirement to play one season for the Wings in 1964-65 where he The union would not form for another 10 years. scored 14 goals and had 28 points in 69 games. The NHL Players Association honors its “founder,” by naming its annual “I’m lucky,” Lindsay said. “I played the greatest game in the world.” award for the most outstanding player in the regular season the Ted Point producer Lindsay Award.

In 862 regular season games played for the Wings, Lindsay produced Asked about the good that often complemented the tough in his life, 728 points, 335 goals and 393 assists. Lindsay described it as simply a matter of course.

While engaging in labor activity in his last season in Detroit, 1956-57, he “Well, I guess, I had wonderful parents,” he said. “I was given values: To scored 30 goals, led the league with 55 assists and achieved a new be honest. Not to cheat. career high for points with 85. “That’s a dying thing in this world, today, unfortunately.”

Despite standing at 5-foot-8 and weighing only 168 pounds, he famously Detroit News LOADED: 03.05.2019 and infamously yielded not an inch. Like Howe, Lindsay said he played pugnaciously to create space and time on the ice for him and his teammates.

“We all played with every ounce we could muster,” he said in a 2014 interview of the great Red Wings teams of the 1950s. “We were side-by- side in battle, every night.

“I got the idea early on that I should beat up any player I tangled with, and it never occurred to me it was a bad idea.”

Friendship forged

Lindsay arrived in Detroit at age 19, two seasons before Howe, arrived at the same age.

“My closest friend at that time was Ted Lindsay, a tough kid from northern Ontario,” Howe wrote in his autobiography, “Mr. Hockey.”

“He came from a rugged mining town, which probably had a lot to do with his temperament. Hockey fans from that time know that Ted played the game like a holy terror.” 1134416 Detroit Red Wings

Demolition of Detroit's Joe Louis Arena to begin in four weeks

Candice Williams, The Detroit News Published 5:50 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 | Updated 6:29 p.m. ET March 4, 2019

Detroit — A shell of its former self, Joe Louis Arena is set for demolition in about four weeks.

Detroit-based Adamo Group will handle the demolition using machinery to disassemble the building. The site should be cleared by the end of the year or early 2020, said Detroit Building Authority Director Tyrone Clifton.

“They’ll start on the inside of the facility and work their way out,” he said. “It won’t be anything glamorous like the Hudson’s site. They’ll start to deconstruct the building inside, taking materials down. There will be truckloads of stuff going out.”

Passers-by will notice exterior demolition in June or July.

According to the city, the demolition project, including remediation, will cost about $10 million.

Deconstruction was chosen over implosion in part because of the building's location along the Detroit River, the People Mover route and near an apartment complex, Clifton said.

“We’d have to mitigate anything going into the river,” Clifton said. “Obviously, it is a neighbor to Cobo. Us doing it this way is the proper way to do it considering all of those safety issues.”

The work is not expected to affect People Mover and Cobo Center operations.

The city-owned Joe Louis Arena, the former home of the Detroit Red Wings and a familiar concert venue, opened in 1979. It closed in the summer of 2017. The Wings moved to Little Caesars Arena on Woodward that fall.

In December, the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Michigan Strategic Fund board approved a $10 million loan for demolition. The board also approved the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority’s request for a plan to capture local and school taxes to repay the loan.

The arena and its adjacent parking garage were given to bond insurer Financial Guaranty Insurance Co. under an agreement struck during Detroit's Chapter 9 bankruptcy. The New York firm was a major creditor that lost $1.1 billion in the bankruptcy. Under the deal, Detroit is required to facilitate the demolition.

The parking garage will remain standing, Clifton said.

The stadium's seats and other memorabilia were auctioned to the public last year. The city received close to a half-million dollars from the sale of the seats and other personal property.

Remediation of hazardous materials began last fall and was completed in mid-February, Clifton said.

Leftover raw materials removed from the site, such as steel and copper, will head to the salvage market.

Detroit News LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134417 Detroit Red Wings started on a whim after Detroit’s dramatic double-overtime win over the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the 1950 Finals at the old Olympia. Clarence Campbell, the league president, had presented the trophy to Niyo: Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay lived, gave like he played — to the Adams, but rather than let it sit in ceremony on the table at center ice, fullest Lindsay grabbed it and skated it over to the chicken wire with his teammates so everyone could revel in the moment, not just the players on the ice.

John Niyo, The Detroit News Published 4:22 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 | "I was just taking care of the fans who paid my salary,” he told me, Updated 9:59 p.m. ET March 4, 2019 matter-of-factly. “I wasn’t creating a tradition.”

He felt the same way during that brief tenure as Red Wings general manager in the late 1970s, preferring to watch the games with the paying He was a throwback to a different era. But he was indispensable to the customers as the franchise desperately tried to reconnect with its winning end. tradition. Indefatigable, too, though that’s a word that made Ted Lindsay laugh “The people in the balcony were great hockey fans — they knew when he saw it attached to his name in print once. He liked the sound of hockey,” Lindsay said. “So I used to walk the balcony. I never stayed “tireless” a bit better, he once told me, though he knew they both meant down below. Those were the rich people. The hockey fans were upstairs. the same thing. Those were the people who paid my salary.” “I’m not a genius,” Lindsay chuckled as he sat down for an extended They were the same people who’d welcomed a small-town Canadian kid interview about his life and his legacy just ahead of his 90th birthday to Detroit a generation before, when a 19-year-old Lindsay signed his back in 2015. “But I’m not stupid, either.” first pro contract, including a $2,000 signing bonus, in 1944 and later No, even then at his age, he was still sharp as a hockey stick and looking bunked with Howe and at Ma Shaw’s rooming house a for a fight, ready to take on all comers with his charitable work. And it’s couple of blocks from the Olympia. that conversation that came roaring back to life upon hearing the news of He was born in Renfrew, Ottawa, but raised 300 miles north near the Lindsay’s passing Monday morning at his home in suburban Detroit at Quebec border in the small gold-mining town of Kirkland Lake, where his the age of 93. father sought work amid the Great Depression. He grew up listening to He was a hockey icon and a local hero, a Hall of Fame player without Red Wings games on the radio there — WJR’s signal reached Kirkland whom today’s NHL stars wouldn’t have half the millions they do. And as it Lake on cold, clear nights — and Jimmy Orlando and “Black Jack” was with so many of those Red Wings greats from his era, there aren’t Stewart were his favorites, because “they played my kind of hockey,” enough hours in the day or drinks in the fridge to tell all the stories he Lindsay said. could tell. Lindsay didn’t learn to skate until he was 9, but by then, the youngest of But with Lindsay, the conversations weren’t simply about story time. He Bert and Maud Lindsay’s nine children — six boys and three girls — liked to joke that he wanted his legacy to be “that I’m still living,” and knew how to scrap. And if you asked him where he got his competitive that’s exactly what it was, and always will be, quite frankly. Life was one streak, he’ll start there. big lesson on living, the way he saw it, and few can say they learned “My brothers, they used to bounce me around pretty hard,” he said, from start to finish quite the way this man did. laughing. “That’s where I learned to fight at a young age.” His credentials on the ice were impressive. An 11-time All-Star who once And it was that fighting spirit that carried him all the way through, a led the league in scoring, won four Stanley Cups as part of the famed refusal to back down from a challenge, even long after he’d retired. “Production Line” with Gordie Howe and Sid Abel, and played in more than 1,000 games with the sort of ferocity that earned a 5-foot-8, 165- Detroit News LOADED: 03.05.2019 pound pit bull the “Terrible Ted” nickname we all adopted.

But his achievements away from the rink are what truly grew Lindsay’s stature.

At great cost to his own career and family, Lindsay led the organizing efforts for the first NHL players’ union in the mid-1950s. That fight got him exiled to Chicago — painted as a pariah by then-general manager Jack Adams — and ultimately led to an abrupt retirement a few years later. (He'd later return for one more triumphant season in Detroit in 1964-65.) But Lindsay's sacrifice laid the foundation for the NHL Players Association in 1967, and as Donald Fehr, the NHLPA's executive director, noted Monday, “All players — past, current and future — are in his debt.”

In a 2015 interview with reporter John Niyo, "Terrible" Ted reminisces about his youth, how he got started in the NHL, and staying fit at age 90. David Guralnick, The Detroit News

Promoting change

In 2010, the NHLPA renamed the Lester B. Pearson Award, given annually to the league's “most outstanding player” as voted by the players. It's now the Ted Lindsay Award, and the namesake was on hand to present it at the league's gala each spring until last year, when his health prevented him from making the trip to Las Vegas.

"A great honor," he called it. And that meant something coming from Lindsay, a principled man who actually boycotted his own Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1966, incensed that the event in Toronto excluded wives and families — “the most important people,” as he put it. A year later, the rules were changed, and Lindsay was an annual attendee every year after, his point made and his presence still requested.

Most fans don’t realize it, but his presence is still felt every June, when the Stanley Cup gets paraded around the rink. That’s a tradition Lindsay 1134418 Detroit Red Wings "Ted was the most fearless hockey player of all-time, but his skill level could match up with any player from his era," said Ken Holland, Red Wings executive vice president and general manager. "The Red Wings 'Tough as nails' Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay dead at 93 organization would certainly not be held in the regard it is today if not for his contributions to four Stanley Cup championship teams and later as the team's general manager.

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News Published 7:39 a.m. ET March 4, 2019 | "He was always a regular visitor to the Red Wings dressing room, and Updated 5:21 a.m. ET March 5, 2019 there was never a single player who didn't go out of their way to introduce themselves and come away awed by the experience. I will

treasure the many conversations we had over the past several decades Ted Lindsay, a Detroit Red Wings legend and four-time Stanley Cup and would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the Lindsay family." winner, has died at the age of 93. The statues of Lindsay, Howe and Alex Delvecchio stood at Joe Louis Lew LaPaugh, 67, Lindsay’s son-in-law, and the president of the Ted Arena and now at Little Caesars Arena. Lindsay Foundation, which donates money to autism research and “You must have done something right if they still remember you,” management, confirmed Lindsay’s death Monday morning. Lindsay said of the honor during an interview. The Lindsay family said in a statement through the Red Wings: "Red Jimmy Devellano, the Red Wings' alternate governor and senior vice- Wings legend Ted Lindsay passed away peacefully this morning at his president, views Lindsay as one of the organization's best players. home in Oakland, Mich. He was 93 years old. Ted was a persistent, courageous and determined man both on and off the ice. He was a man "I got to see him play a lot in Toronto, and for a player 5-foot-9, I've never of many firsts. We are comforted in knowing that the Ted Lindsay legacy seen a guy so ferocious," Devellano said. "He was as tough, and mean a will forever be a part of history and are so proud of the many lives he hockey player ... On top of that, he was a great hockey player." helped change for the better through his tireless humanitarian work. Arrangements will be announced when they are finalized." Lindsay helped organize the NHL Players Association in the 1950s and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966. Lindsay, a native of Renfrew, Ontario, who was born in 1925, played 14 of his 17 NHL seasons with the Red Wings, winning Stanley Cups with His No. 7 sweater was retired by the Red Wings in 1991. Detroit in 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955. The left wing was nicknamed “Terrible “What a great guy,” said Chris Chelios, a former Red Wing great with Ted” for his toughness on the ice. similar qualities on the ice, and who shared Lindsay’s passion for the "Ted Lindsay was a Detroit Red Wings legend and icon, a hall of fame Players Association, during in an interview for the 2009 book. “You listen hockey player and Stanley Cup champion, and an even better person off to the stories he has, and it just amazes you.” the ice," said Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO and Lindsay always was a frequent visitor to the Red Wings’ locker room, and Red Wings governor. "He operated with a generous heart and was a players from all eras enjoyed talking hockey and swapping stories with great humanitarian, particularly to the Detroit Community and to young the legend. disadvantaged children. Ted was a great friend to my parents and to my entire family. He was endeared by legions of Detroit Red Wings fans and Always physically fit, players marveled at Lindsay’s grit and tenacity. to all who played the great game of hockey. “I don’t think a lot of guys in here would like to face him even now on the "On behalf of Marian Ilitch and myself, our sincere condolences go out to ice,” former Red Wings forward Darren McCarty said in 2009. his family and friends. While he will be sorely missed by us and many others, his positive impact to the game and to our community will live on." Lindsay relished the physical style of play, and facing bigger, stronger opponents. More: Niyo: Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay lived, gave like he played — to the fullest “I never worried about big guys,” Lindsay told The Detroit News last year. “Big, big guys fall farther than little guys. That’s all.” The left wing was nicknamed “Terrible Ted” for his toughness on the ice. Though he was just 5-foot-8, Lindsay never backed down from a Lindsay scored 335 of his 379 goals in a Red Wings sweater, ranking challenge on the ice in the rough-and-tumble era of Original Six hockey. sixth all-time in team history behind Howe (786), Steve Yzerman (692), Alex Delvecchio (456), Sergei Fedorov (400) and Henrik Zetterberg “He was tough as nails,” linemate and fellow Hall of Famer Gordie Howe (337). said of Lindsay during an interview in 2009 for the book, "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," written by Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News. Howe Lindsay is revered among players past and present for beginning what is died in 2016. now the NHL Players Association in the 1950s.

“Mean and aggressive. He would take care of a guy who was trying to go "Anytime he'd come down to the locker room the last couple of years, we out of his way to get me, and I would do likewise for him. We got along haven't seen him as much the last couple of years but we would see him real well.” quite often, he'd always come down," said defenseman Niklas Kronwall after Red Wings' practice Monday in Arizona. "Regardless of what we Which was helpful and necessary, but not just for hockey reasons. were going through, tough times or great, he'd have the same attitude, extremely positive, and cared so much about the Red Wings “Teddy was my landlord for a lot of years,” Howe smiled. “I had to be in organization. his good graces.” "Anytime you had a chance to be around him, you felt better about Howe always admired Lindsay’s leadership abilities on those successful yourself." Wings’ teams. As great a player as Lindsay was, Kronwall praised Lindsay for his off-ice “He was real talkative, much more than Alex or I,” Howe said. “He’d get work. after guys if he felt those guys weren’t playing to their ability. If the team wasn’t playing well, if it was playing badly, Teddy made sure we were "What he did off the ice, forming the players association and what he has aware of it. He was a good captain.” done for autism awareness, that really stands out," Kronwall said.

More: Wings legend Lindsay still going strong near 90 Since its inception in 2001, the Ted Lindsay Foundation has raised more than $4 million for autism research. Howe, Lindsay and center Sid Abel formed the Production Line, unquestionably one of the greatest forward units to ever play in the NHL. The NHLPA renamed the Lester B. Pearson Award, given to the “most outstanding player” in a season in as voted by his peers, as the Ted Lindsay played in 1,068 NHL regular-season games and 133 playoff Lindsay Award in 2010. games. He had 379 goals and 472 assists in the regular season, and 47 goals and 49 assists in the playoffs. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the Don Fehr, the NHLPA Executive Director, praised Lindsay's NHL’s leading scorer with 78 points in 1949-50. competitiveness and his work with the players' association. “All current and former NHL players lost a true friend with the passing of Ted Lindsay," Fehr said. "Terrible Ted” was one of the fiercest competitors to ever play in the NHL, and he enjoyed great success on the Detroit’s fabled “Production Line,” helping lead the Red Wings to four Stanley Cup championships. On the ice, Ted Lindsay was one of the best players to ever to put on a pair of skates.

"But his greatest legacy was off the ice. A true trailblazer in seeking to improve conditions for all players, Ted was instrumental in organizing the original Players’ Association in 1957. All Players, past, current and future, are in his debt. All those who have, and will follow him into the NHL, enjoy improved rights and benefits in large part due to the efforts he made.

"The players are much better off today thanks to Ted Lindsay. His passing leaves a significant void, and he will be greatly missed by the entire hockey world and beyond. On behalf of all current NHL players and the NHLPA’s staff, I pass along heartfelt condolences to Ted’s family and friends.”

Legendary player Wayne Gretzky shared his feelings about Lindsay in a tweet.

“Terrible Ted” was one of the nicest men in hockey. Every player should be thankful for his courage to create the Players Association, which has grown into partnership between the players and owners of the NHL. He was a true champion on and off the ice and will be deeply missed.

— Wayne Gretzky (@WayneGretzky) March 4, 2019

"Terrible Ted” was one of the nicest men in hockey," Gretzky tweeted. "Every player should be thankful for his courage to create the Players Association, which has grown into partnership between the players and owners of the NHL. He was a true champion on and off the ice and will be deeply missed."

The most popular Lindsay story may be the first round of the 1956 playoffs as the Wings were playing the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Wings were leading the best-of-seven series 2–0 and it was headed back to Toronto.

But, as the teams were heading to Toronto, a death threat was phoned to the hotel the Wings were staying. The caller said Lindsay and Gordie Howe were going to be shot if they took the ice for Game 3 at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Instead of being timid and being preoccupied with the threat, Lindsay and Howe excelled in the game.

Lindsay, in fact, scored the game-tying goal in the third period and the winning goal in overtime.

Further, with Maple Leafs fans booing, Lindsay went to center ice after scoring the winning goal, made his stick like a rifle, and began to pretend shoot it into the rafters at Maple Leaf Gardens.

“Nearly the entire arena was booing because it was all Leafs fans,” Lindsay said of the incident. “But after I went to center ice and did what I did, they started clapping. They figured, ‘This Lindsay guy isn’t that bad.’”

The Wings traded Lindsay and goalie after the 1957 season to Chicago for Johnny Wilson, Hank Bassen, Forbes Kennedy, and Bill Preston.

The Wings traded him, the belief is, for beginning the Players Association. The trade devastated Lindsay.

“It was difficult to leave,” Lindsay said. “I was a Red Wings through and through.”

Lindsay was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne, and is survived by his children Blake, Lynn and Meredith, his stepdaughter Leslie, as well as six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Public visitation will be held Friday from 9:07am-7:07pm at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Memorial tributes can be sent to: Ted Lindsay Foundation, 1819 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48083.

Detroit News LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134419 Detroit Red Wings

Pat Caputo - Terrible Ted Lindsay lived a wonderful life

By Pat Caputo Mar 4, 2019 Updated 9 hrs ago

Team captain Ted Lindsay of the Detroit Red Wings hugs the Stanley Cup after his team defeated Montreal Canadiens, 4-3, in a sudden death extra period to win the Stanley Cup finals in Detroit, Mich., April 16, 1954.

When the subject is the Red Wings’ greatest, Ted Lindsay belongs in the first sentence with Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom and Terry Sawchuk.

As for being tough, Lindsay was No.1, hence the nickname, “Terrible Ted,” which was sown from sheer respect. Lindsay stood up for his teammates on the ice, and hockey players off the ice, in a manner that was courageous and often self-harming.

It will earn Lindsay, who lived most of his adult life in Oakland County, unquestioned respect for endless generations following his death Sunday at 93.

The facts - four Stanley Cup championships, eight first-team NHL All-Star selections and an Art Ross Trophy as leading scorer - only begin to tell the story of Ted Lindsay the man.

In the 1950s, when the owners were taking advantage of players in a manner which often bordered on inhumane, it was Lindsay who took the most initiative to form the NHL Players Association. His punishment was being traded from the high-flying, multiple-Stanley Cup winning Red Wings to the lowly Chicago Blackhawks by general manager Jack Adams, who by that time had grossly started to overstep reasonable boundaries. The Blackhawks, like the Red Wings, were also owned by the Norris family. It was a rigged business game, and awful.

Lindsay retired three years later at 34, but continued to skate semi- regularly with the Red Wings. Suddenly at 39, with the Red Wings in need of a left-winger, he returned for a final season, scoring 14 goals being plus 10 in 1964-65.

Lindsay wore the game of hockey on his face. He had scars everywhere. His nose was bent, the right side of his mouth noticeably higher than the left side. A trophy Lindsay was never a candidate for was the Lady Bing. Lindsay was all of 5-8 and weighed but 168 pounds, yet he was as ferocious as any player in NHL history, ranking in the Top 10 in penalty minutes all 14 of his seasons, including second with 173 in 69 games his final campaign, all while being among the league’s most productive forwards. He scored two overtime goals in the playoffs during the salad days of the 1950s as part of The Production Line with Howe and Sid Abel. It’s the line which set the standard for all others to this very day.

When the Red Wings fell on terrible times during the 1970s, they turned to Lindsay. He had a terrific job as commentator for NHL national telecasts in the United States and was very popular. His slogan: Aggressive Hockey is Back in town. And the Red Wings did improve, winning a playoff series in 1978 for the first time since 1966.

After that initial success faded, Lindsay left the Red Wings in an official capacity, but remained very much a part of their fabric and the community the remainder of his life.

Skating with him in charity games was an incredible experience. In his mid-70s, Lindsay was still a very good hockey player. His body type was that of a 30-year-old.

It gave Lindsay this aura of invincibly - like it was difficult to image he would ever age to the point he would die.

Lindsay was also generous. The work of he and his family with the Ted Lindsay Foundation to benefit Autism research is extraordinary.

Ted Lindsay was unique in an endless list of ways - all good.

His legacy will live with exceptional dignity forever.

Michigan Live LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134420 Detroit Red Wings “It’s hard news,” said Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin. “He was a legend in the hockey world. Obviously, I was excited to meet him and I’m gonna remember for all my life.”

Ted Lindsay used his power to change hockey, and the world around him “A great man,” said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. “It was always awesome to get a chance to see him, whether it was at awards or just being around the rink. Always had a smile on his face. He was always Craig Custance Mar 4, 2019 fun to be around.”

There was respect league-wide. Certainly a bit of awe.

He was 92 years old and fired up. He had that flash in his eyes that you In Detroit, it was much more personal. imagine he might have had before taking down an opponent with a high elbow. Or shooting down a threatening fan with his stick. Ted Lindsay first played for the Red Wings in 1944, and then he stuck around. The Renfrew, Ontario, native made Detroit his home. He Ted Lindsay was sitting down to chat for a feature story about his life but embodied all the best qualities this city takes so much pride in — he was started the conversation by getting something off his chest. There was a fighter, he outworked his opposition and he did it all with an air of injustice in the world and he was taking it on. Just like always. humility.

This time it wasn’t NHL owners. Or the Hall of Fame, which he once “Ted was a true gentleman, so humble and polite for all,” former Red boycotted when he was told his induction ceremony was an event for Wings captain and Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman told The Athletic. “He men only. No, this was autism. For years, he’d been raising money and was a great role model for all Red Wing players to follow.” awareness for a cause he became passionate about in the final years of his life. And what had him fired up was the number of fathers who He and the players of his generation set the standard for Red Wings deserted families with autistic kids. The idea of bailing on a challenging players to follow. situation not only didn’t add up, it angered him. “He didn’t back down from anybody,” Hall of Famer Red Kelly told The “That’s not a very good reputation for a man. You’re supposed to raise Athletic’s Max Bultman. “He played to win every game, he gave it his children and educate them,” Lindsay said. “Don’t be a deserter.” best shot.”

He proceeded not to just show his anger toward these fathers, he then It was at Kelly’s number retirement on Feb. 1 when Holland really tried to recruit the help of the person sitting next to him. realized that the seemingly indefatigable Lindsay was actually slowing down. For years, Lindsay was a regular at Joe Louis Arena, then Little “Make them realize their responsibility,” he said, before pausing. “I don’t Caesars Arena. He’d drop in on coaching meetings. He knew who was have the power of the press.” playing well and who wasn’t. He offered roster advice.

Maybe not, but he had power. He had the power his stature in the game Players would return from a road trip and find him getting in a workout in gave him. He had the power of his signature, which he knew could help the Red Wings’ weight room. Holland was looking forward to seeing him raise countless amounts of money for people in need. He had the power at Kelly’s celebration but ran into Lindsay’s son in the elevator that night, of his connections. Every single summer, he’d visit Red Wings GM Ken who delivered the news that Lindsay wasn’t going to be there. Holland to make sure the franchise was still committed to donating a private trip on its team plane to help raise money for his foundation. He “He said, ‘My dad is not doing great,’” Holland said. never took it for granted that the team would do it. On Monday, the hardest reality hit home. Another piece of Red Wings Hockey gave him power and in his nine decades on the earth, he used history, gone. every ounce of it for a greater good that went beyond his individual gain. “We’ve lost some great, great Red Wings … with Gordie passing, Mr. Right until the end. Ilitch passing, Ted passing,” Holland said. “Today is a very, very sad On Monday, Lindsay died at the age of 93. day.”

The hockey world not only lost a legend, it lost one of the most Even in the sadness, days like Monday are a reminder that his legacy in transformative people to ever play the game. His work in helping launch the game is safe. His impact is far reaching. And that connection hockey the players association is well told. The time he played through death and the Red Wings felt for him? Maybe there’s some comfort in knowing threats in Toronto, scored the overtime game-winning goal and then used it was mutual. his stick to mimic a shooting gun is the stuff of hockey legend. If all he did Near the end of that summer conversation with Lindsay, he got a bit was invent the lap around the ice with the Stanley Cup, to share the reflective. He’d shared stories about skating to school on frozen roads crowning moment with the fans all around the rink — something he was during the harsh winters. (“The only place that got concerning was the first to do — that would be a great legacy. But that’s like the fifth or intersections,” he explained. “They always sprayed sand so the cars and sixth Ted Lindsay fact people share. trucks could get traction. That did damage your skates a little bit but not At the NHL general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, one GM bad enough to take the whole edge out.”) And he shared how he learned said he’d never heard the story about Lindsay boycotting his own Hall of about hard work from his dad, Bert, who walked three miles to the gold Fame induction because the Hall excluded women at the ceremony. At mine every day for work. (“That was just to get the job done,” he said. “To the time, these were the most powerful men in hockey that Lindsay was be able to feed his family.”) challenging in a very public way. The GM shook his head in amazement, But when asked to distill all those career accomplishments down to one realizing the magnitude of that gesture. thing he was most proud of, there was little hesitation.

One gesture in a million like it in Lindsay’s life. “That I was able to make the Detroit Red Wings and the greatest game in On a sad day like Monday, those stories being told and repeated are the the world,” Lindsay answered. “I was very fortunate. Very fortunate.” positive. While chatting with the media, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid Chris Kuc, Seth Rorabaugh and Daniel Nugent-Bowman contributed to brought up the Hall of Fame boycott and you could hear the disbelief. this report.

“Is that true? Because his family wasn’t allowed?” McDavid asked, The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 looking for confirmation.

It’s true.

“That’s amazing,” McDavid said. “That just goes to show what he’s about. He was not afraid to stand up to anyone and stand up for what he believed in.”

That respect for Lindsay was repeated in rink after rink. 1134421 Edmonton Oilers since 2015 in Vancouver and three off his career high of 14 in 2014 with the Canucks.

PAYING TRIBUTE Edmonton Oilers storm back to beat Sabres McDavid made a special point to pay tribute to the late, great Ted Lindsay on Monday.

Robert Tychkowski Like every player who cashes a paycheque in the NHL, he can thank Published:March 4, 2019 Lindsay’s strength and resolve for making all those zeroes possible.

Updated:March 4, 2019 8:47 PM MST “I had the honour of meeting him, and what he’s done for the game and what he’s done for the players in the game is amazing,” said McDavid, a two-time winner of the Ted Lindsay Award. “He played a huge role in starting the PA and giving the players a voice.” BUFFALO — The Edmonton Oilers have been saying for weeks that it’s never over until it’s over. Lindsay fought hard to start a players union, standing his ground at a time when owners wielded a dangerous amount of power and players And on Monday night in Buffalo, they showed what they were talking were conditioned to roll over and accept it. about, digging up a game that looked dead and buried and dragging it into the win column. “He’s a guy who stood up and made actions for what he believed in. He didn’t go to his Hockey Hall of Fame induction because his family wasn’t It was a wild one, but a 4-3 stunner improved the Oilers to 3-1-1 on their allowed. That’s amazing. It just goes to show what he’s about, he was five game road trip and 5-1-2 in their last seven games to close the gap not afraid to stand up to anyone for what he believed in.” on a wildcard spot to six points. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Don’t tell them it’s over. This spring will mark 20 years since Ken Hitchcock lifted a Stanley Cup in “We said it before, a lot of people are against us, we know that,” said this building after ’s (controversial) game-winning goal in Game Leon Draisaitl, who scored his 41st goal of the season, shorthanded, 88 6 of the 1999 final. seconds into the first period. “But we’re not going to stop until it’s over or we’re in. Hitchcock has some great memories from that game, but admits he hasn’t spent a second re-living it. “Another gutsy effort, a really good road trip from the entire group. We have to keep this up.” “From the day we left here at 5 a.m., I didn’t look at that game for 15 years,” he said, adding he’s only worn his Cup ring out in public once. To be honest, when the Oilers gave up three straight goals in the first period to trail 3-1 at the intermission, the plot of Weekend at Bernie’s “The best part isn’t the championship, it’s the friendships you get on an seemed more believable than Edmonton bringing this game back to life. ongoing basis. We can go sit anywhere and act like we’ve been in the locker-room forever. To me, the bonds and friendships that you create is But, sure enough, three goals in the final 3:31 of the second period – the best part of it. All the other stuff is window dressing.” Zack Kassian at 16:29, Darnell Nurse at 18:46 and Kyle Brodziak at 19:55 – and it was 4-3 Edmonton, a lead they held for a frantic third HE SAID IT period. “Winning is relief and losing is like living in hell. That’s how (coaches) live “It wasn’t clean, we looked like a team that was the end of a long road our life. We celebrate for about five seconds and the rest of the time, we trip at the start,” said head coach Ken Hitchcock. “We got some juice in live in misery.” the second period and a couple of breaks in the third and we stayed with it.” — Hitchcock.

There were some heart-stopping moments down the stretch. Jason Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.05.2019 Pominville had the tying goal on his stick and an empty net from point blank range, but double-hit it like a 36-handicapper trying to get cute with a wedge and it stayed out. The Sabres also hit a couple of posts, too.

“Those are two points that should be in our pocket,” said Sabres coach Phil Housley.

And in the dying moments, the shocker of all shockers turned what should have been a slam dunk insurance marker into sheer terror. Connor McDavid had a breakaway with Buffalo’s goalie pulled, which is about as automatic as it can possibly get, and shot wide.

McDavid. Empty net. Breakaway. Shot wide.

Later on the same shift, Draisaitl took a penalty and suddenly it was six- on-four for 46 agonizing seconds. It would have been too cruel a way to lose, even for the Oilers.

“It was right ’til the end, a couple of crazy bounces, they had a double hit on an open net that stayed out, there were bounces all over,” said Brodziak. “There was a lot of chaos. It had a a playoff-like feel to it where the pressure builds up and things start happening.”

THIS AND THAT

How hard is it to make up points? Consider that on Feb. 16, the Oilers were seven points out of a playoff spot. Then they went 5-1-2 in their next seven games and only closed that gap to six points … Oscar Klefbom played his 300th NHL game Monday … McDavid has six points in the last three games… Draisaitl extended his consecutive game points streak to 11 games. He has nine goals and eight assists in that span.

KASSIAN AGAIN

Zack Kassian extended his goal-scoring streak to three games and his season total to 11 with his second-period goal. This is his highest total 1134422 Edmonton Oilers has been the ability to put together a staff of this quality. You work with good people, it makes going to work every day that much better.

“I’ve been an assistant coach for a long time, over 1,000 games in the Jay Woodcroft and Bakersfield Condors still flying high following end to NHL, and managed to be part of a great world championship team and 17-win streak an unbelievable Team North American team at the World Cup, and those experiences were all preparation for me.”

Jim Matheson, E “I’ve seen how some of the best coaches in the world operate on a daily basis and I’ve tried to learn from the best knowing in the back of my mind Published:March 4, 2019 I’d be a head coach one day. I had the opportunity to learn from these great teachers and hoped I’d studied hard enough on the tests when my Updated:March 4, 2019 7:40 PM MST chance came.”

Woodcroft has been helped by a much deeper pool of players than When ’s Norfolk Admirals won an American Hockey League before, of course. record-setting 28 games in a row seven years ago, he recalled it was: “A “I’ve benefited from a great group of guys in the dressing room with their magical run but the key was winning the Calder Cup. work ethic and preparation. Their willingness to do it right has been off “That validated the streak.” the charts. Makes me proud and my job much easier,” said Woodcroft. “Our job is to maximize these players’ potential, coach them to do things Jay Woodcroft’s Bakersfield Condors, who saw their 17-game run end right and if they move up to the NHL, we’ve done our job. The more we last Friday in a 1-0 loss to Iowa, doesn’t want to look that far down the win, everybody succeeds.” road, instead choosing to play small ball. On the bench: Defenceman Brandon Manning missed the Saturday “Internally, our goal is to make the playoffs,” said Woodcroft, who has game after stopping a shot on his foot in the loss to Iowa but could be been wildly successful in his first kick at the can as a pro head coach with ready for Wednesday’s game in San Jose … Goalie Shane Starrett outstanding support from assistants Dave Manson, J.F. Houle and goalie continues to lead the AHL with a 2.19 goals-against average and is coach Sylvain Rodrigue, who have been on a Flight of the Condors to top second with a .921 save percentage … Tyler Benson is the leading spot in the Pacific Division after missing the post-season the first three Bakersfield player (28th in scoring) with nine goals and 46 points with years in the California city. Cooper Marody (43 in 43) next in line…Local boy Daniel Carr, who signed a one-year deal with Vegas last July as a free-agent but should The encouraging thing with the Condors after the streak ended was there have maybe looked elsewhere because Golden Knights have barely was no hangover. given him a look (six games), continues to lead the AHL with 71 points “We got right back on the horse,” said Woodcroft, whose Edmonton (30 goals) in 51 games. Oilers farm team waxed San Jose Barricuda, who are tied with the San Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.05.2019 Diego Gulls for second spot, the next night 5-2.

There was no, Woe is Us. Oftentimes when streaks end, teams get thumped.

But not the Condors. They just couldn’t beat hockey’s Hamburgler, Andrew Hammond, as the streak ended.

“There were no heads down. We gave up 16 shots, including two five-on- three penalty kills,” said Woodcroft. “The goal they scored (Dmitri Sokolov 25-foot slapshot) came on a (delayed) penalty to us, where they already had a power play and they got a sixth skater out for the goalie. We had numerous chances to score but couldn’t crack a very good goaltender, and we had our power plays.

“But came back the next night against a team chasing us because we’re understanding of our identity. We got two early power plays and scored on them both.”

Woodcroft’s club plays in San Jose on Wednesday, Stockton on Thursday and back in San Jose on Saturday.

“There was no emotional dip the game after the streak ended because of the leadership, people like (captain) Keegan Lowe and Ryan Stanton,” he said. “And we keep hammering on keeping the goals down. Last year, Bakersfield gave up 226 goals and now we’re at 137, well below three goals a game.”

Again, it’s all about playoffs, as they sit five points clear of everybody.

No talk of the Cup, like Cooper’s squad, whose dream streak almost went up in smoke.

“The funny thing is, Norfolk lost the first two games of their first (best of five) playoff series that year before coming back to win,” said Woodcroft, who has embraced the challenge to be his own man behind the bench after years alongside NHL head man Todd McLellan in both San Jose and Edmonton.

When McLellan jockeyed his NHL coaching roster after the 2017-18 season, not bringing back Ian Herbers – now leading U of Alberta into the CIS nationals in Lethbridge as No. 1 seed – and Jim Johnson and adding Glen Gulutzan, Trent Yawney and Manny Viveiros, Woodcroft stepped into the great unknown as a head coach, replacing Gerry Fleming, now an assistant in Germany.

“I’ve enjoyed every second, including the tough lessons we’ve learned along the way,” said Woodcroft. “One of the most enjoyable experiences 1134423 Edmonton Oilers “It sucks when you’re not having success and winning,” said Sabres winger Kyle Okposo. “Unfortunately, it’s part of the position that we’re in right now. You have to be real about it. You can’t sugar coat it and say McDavid hopes Oilers build something because 'losing wears on you' everything is going to be OK, we’re going to start winning.

“You have to face facts and have real conversations and that’s how you move forward, that’s how you get better.” Robert Tychkowski RISE AND FALL Published:March 4, 2019 It’s not hyperbole to say that the Sabres’ rise and fall is the biggest Updated:March 4, 2019 2:31 PM MST reversal of fortune in NHL history.

No other team has ever experienced a more dramatic drop.

BUFFALO — The Edmonton Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres both On Nov. 27, on the strength of a 10-game winning streak and 17-6-2 expected the summer of 2015 would be their tickets out of the cellar. start, the Sabres became the first team in league history to go from last overall one season to first overall 25 games into the next one. Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel were going to be the saviours that these two struggling organizations rode to a Stanley Cup. And now they are set to become only the second team in NHL history to miss the playoffs after having a 10-game win streak. Well, here we are, four years later, and despite McDavid and Eichel having established themselves as superstars, not much has changed in It has gone colossally bad for the Sabres since they sat on top the league Edmonton or Buffalo since they finished first and second, respectively, in three months ago. They won just 13 of their next 40 games and haven’t that epic draft lottery. won two in a row since Dec. 11-13. On the road, they’ve been a lost cause, going 3-14-3 since the 10-game streak ended. In eight combined seasons, they’ve combined to make the playoffs once, assuming neither gets on a St. Louis Blues-like surge between now and Where they are now, given where they were, is tough to swallow. the finish line. “As soon as you taste any bit of success, whether it’s a week or a month, This tells us two things: 1. This isn’t the NBA, where you can win with that bar is set that much higher, and it makes it that much more one or two players — you have to build a team, and 2. the Oilers and the disappointing to lose,” said centre Sam Reinhart. “But you can view that Sabres haven’t done a very good job building teams. as a positive; we need to hate losing. We have to have a miserable time losing and not accept it. We have to learn from this.” Asked about the notion that he or Eichel would be saviours, McDavid said he never once thought that in 2015 and, after four years in the Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.05.2019 league, certainly doesn’t think it now.

“I don’t think it’s possible at all, it’s not possible,” he said, adding the teams that have turned things around have done it on the strength of much more than one star player.

“You look at all the good players, I’m sure they’ve gone into not good situations, but the team and the culture has changed. It wasn’t just one guy. In this league, where it’s so competitive every night and it’s such a team sport, one guy can’t change it.”

In this league, where it’s so competitive every night and it’s such a team sport, one guy can’t change it.

CONNOR MCDAVID

That’s the way Eichel sees it. In a league where most teams have a handful of elite forwards and three or four world-class defencemen, and everyone plays with structure and commitment, no one player is ever going to make difference by himself. On one night, maybe. Over 82 games? No chance.

“It’s the best league in the world, you can’t expect it to be easy,” said Eichel. “We all expected it to be hard, and it has been.”

It’s been harder in Edmonton than in any other city in the league. The Oilers look set to miss the playoffs for the 12th time in 13 years, and while McDavid has only been here for four years of that, it’s already getting old.

“Losing wears on you, you want to win games,” he said. “That’s what wears on me. Ultimately, there’s nothing I can do. You keep going on. Like everyone in this room, we’re trying to put something together here and we’ve been building something over the last little while, playing some good hockey.”

Asked if he would like to see more organizational stability from a franchise that’s had eight different head coaches and four general managers in nine years, he said that’s not his call to make.

“That’s above me,” he said. “It’s not my job to hire anyone. My job is to play hockey. That’s all I focus on.”

What’s clear is that both organizations need to take an honest look at the way they run their teams. There can be no sacred cows, no areas that are not up for discussion, because when you have McDavid and Eichel on your roster and four years later you’re still not winning, you are obviously doing something wrong. 1134424 Edmonton Oilers Jeff Skinner • Jack Eichel • Sam Reinhart

Conor Sheary • Evan Rodrigues • Kyle Okposo

Edmonton Oilers Game Day: Set for Sabres rematch Scott Wilson • Casey Mittelstadt • Tage Thompson

Zemgus Girgensons • Johan Larsson • Jason Pominville

Robert Tychkowski Jake McCabe • Rasmus Ristolainen

Published:March 4, 2019 Rasmus Dahlin • Zach Bogosian

Updated:March 4, 2019 3:00 AM MST Marco Scandella • Brandon Montour

Linus Ullmark

EDMONTON OILERS (28-30-7) AT BUFFALO SABRES (30-27-8) Carter Hutton

5 P.M. TV: SPORTSNET, RADIO: 630 CHED INJURIES

THE REMATCH Oilers: Jujhar Khaira, Jessi Puljujarvi

Last time Edmonton and Buffalo met, the Oilers destroyed the Sabres 7- Sabres: Vladimir Sobotka 2 at Rogers Place. Zack Kassian and Milan Lucic (yes, Milan Lucic) scored twice in the win. The Oilers were outshot 43-25, but Mikko SPECIAL TEAMS Koskinen had the strong night in net while Edmonton scored on three of Edmonton: Power play: 12th (21.8%), penalty kill: 29th (75.4%). its first five shots. Buffalo: Power play: 17th (18.9%), penalty kill: 5th (82.3%) STRAIGHT TRIPPIN’ Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.05.2019 The Oilers picked up five of eight possible points on the trip so far (2-1-1) and can make it seven of 10 with a win in Buffalo. They’ve gone 4-2-1 in their last seven to lay the groundwork for the kind of streak it will take to get into the playoff conversation.

SABRE TOOTHLESS

Buffalo is a long shot to make the playoffs well. They sit nine points out and are just 3-6-1 in their last 10. It’s been a tough fall for a team that sat first overall after a 10-game winning streak in late November. They’ve gone 13-21-6 since.

WARMING UP

Koskinen will make his 11th straight start Monday night and he seems to like the workload. He’s held opponents to two or fewer goals in six of those games and to three goals in two others. It looks like they will be taking the whip to him down the stretch.

HOMEWARD BOUND

Monday in Buffalo begins a stretch where nine of their next 13 opponents are teams below the playoff cutline. That’s good news for a team that’s had its share of problems with the top-third of the league. A schedule like this gives them a fighting chance, but they still need a lot of help.

BIG MATCHUP

Connor McDavid vs. Artemi Panarin

Never mind 2015’s No.1 and No. 2., Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, the usual storyline when these two teams meet. Keep your eyes on Leon Draisaitl and Jeff Skinner, two of the most prolific goal scorers in the league right now. Draisaitl has 40 and Skinner is right on his tail with 36. These guys can finish with the best of them and there are few things more exciting and aesthetically pleasing than watching a goal scorer bury one from the face-off dot.

OILERS LINES

Leon Draisaitl • Connor McDavid • Zack Kassian

Milan Lucic • Ryan Nugent-Hopkins • Alex Chiasson

Tobias Rieder • Colby Cave • Josh Currie

Sam Gagner • Kyle Brodziak • Ty Rattie

Oscar Klefbom • Adam Larsson

Darnell Nurse • Kris Russell

Andrej Sekera • Matt Benning

Mikko Koskinen

Anthony Stolarz

SABRES LINES 1134425 Edmonton Oilers Buffalo was abysmal before Eichel arrived. In 2013-14, Cody Hodgson led the Sabres with 44 points. This season, Eichel beats him on assists alone (47). He scored twice Monday to bump his totals to 25 goals and Battle at the bottom: Breaking down all the ways the Sabres, Oilers stay 72 points. Sam Reinhart has 59 points, and Jeff Skinner has 36 goals unsuccessful and 58 points.

But there’s a huge drop-off after that. The next forward is 30-point Conor Sheary. By John Vogl Mar 4, 2019 Edmonton is similarly top-heavy. McDavid has 92 points, followed by Leon Draisaitl (41 goals, 83 points) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (56). Next is defenseman Darnell Nurse, who trails by more than 20 points (34). BUFFALO, N.Y. — During his 45 years of coaching, Ken Hitchcock has discovered one undeniable truth. There’s simply no depth.

Losing sucks. They can’t defend

“Winning is relief, and losing is just like living in hell,” Hitchcock said Here are the defensive numbers since 2011. Monday. “We celebrate for about five seconds, and the rest of the time we live in misery.” Place Team Goals against Per game

The wise-cracking Edmonton Oilers coach said it with a thin grin on his 1 Kings 1,448 2.39 face, but he wasn’t kidding. The Sabres’ Kyle Okposo will attest to that. 28 Maple Leafs 1,786 2.95

“It sucks when you’re not having success and winning,” the right winger 29 Sabres 1,807 2.98 said without a smile. “Unfortunately, it’s part of the position that we’re in right now. You have to be real about it. You can’t sugarcoat it and say, 30 Oilers 1,831 3.02 ‘Everything is going to be OK, we’re going to start winning.’ Hitchcock believes defense leads to winning, which gives a window into “You have to face facts and have real conversations, and that’s how you why the Sabres and Oilers can’t win. move forward, that’s how you get better.” “You have to have a maturity in your game,” Hitchcock said. “Maturity is Finding success has been an endless search for Buffalo and Edmonton. checking and, man, it’s hard to do. It’s really hard to do, and you need a Whether they have marquee names in the lineup or players who quickly certain level of maturity. It’s not based on age. It’s based on the fade from memory, the losing continues. disposition of your hockey club, and if you have that then you can win for a long, long time. Since 2011 — the start of the Sabres’ playoff drought and the middle of Edmonton’s ineptitude — no one has lost more than the teams that faced “We all see the teams that do it and do it well but, man, it requires an off Monday. The chart includes the Sabres’ loss, which featured a 3-1 unbelievable amount of focus and effort to do that, and we’re all trying to lead turning into a 4-3 defeat during in the final 3:31 of the second period. get there. As your team is growing — like we’re growing, Buffalo’s growing — you feel like you’ve grabbed it, and then it leaves you for a Place Team Wins Losses OTL Points little while.”

1 Penguins 360 186 59 779 It left Buffalo at the end of the second period. Coverage disappeared, 28 Coyotes 250 275 80 580 and so did the lead. It’s happened all season.

29 Oilers 247 289 70 564 “I’m just going to say it again: You cannot play 55 minutes in this league,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said. “Those are two points that should have 30 Sabres 227 301 78 532 been in our pocket. We’ve got to check for a whole 60. We do that tonight, we win. It’s as simple as that. It’s about picking up your people, Both teams will need a nearly perfect stretch to make the playoffs, and doing your job defensively.” they are far from perfect. This will be eight straight seasons without the postseason for Buffalo, and it will be 12 misses out of 13 for Edmonton. They can’t draft or develop

The losing started well before the 2015 arrival of Jack Eichel and Connor From 2012 to 2016, Buffalo and Edmonton combined to draft 82 players. McDavid. It’s continued with the much-heralded captains. Only nine were on the rosters Monday. Four of them — Eichel, McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Sam Reinhart — were can’t-miss prospects. So of the “Losing wears on you,” the Oilers’ McDavid said. “You want to win 78 selections that needed scouting acumen or a little luck, the teams games. That’s what wears on me, but ultimately, what am I going to do? nailed just five. You keep going on, and just like everyone in this room it’s trying to put together something.” That’s … not good.

It’s hard at the rink, and that leads to difficult times away from it. The Sabres were 2-for-8 from 2012 (Zemgus Girgensons, injured Jake McCabe), 1-for-11 from 2013 (Rasmus Ristolainen), 1-for-19 from 2014 “When the other team gets two points and you get none, it’s tough to (Reinhart), 1-for-6 from 2015 (Eichel) and 0-for-10 from 2016. hang your hat on a good effort or competing,” Buffalo’s Eichel said. “It’s really just a league about results and winning. That’s what the most The Oilers were 0-for-7 from 2012, 1-for-10 from 2013 (Nurse), 1-for-6 important thing is in my mind.” from 2014 (Draisaitl), 1-for-6 from 2015 (McDavid) and 1-for-9 from 2016 (injured Jesse Puljujarvi). We could write multiple books on what’s gone wrong with both organizations, but here’s a snapshot. There’s no such thing as a savior

They can’t score Fans hoped the arrival of Eichel and McDavid would be the catalyst to success. One person can’t change everything by himself. Here are the offensive numbers — and we mean offensive — since 2011. “I don’t think that’s possible at all,” McDavid said. “It’s not possible.”

Place Team Goals Per game McDavid has Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins and Nurse, while Eichel has Reinhart, Skinner and Rasmus Dahlin. They need a lot more. 1 Penguins 1,908 3.15 “In this league, where it’s so competitive each and every night and it’s 24 Oilers 1,577 2.6 such a team sport, one guy can’t change it,” McDavid said. 29 Coyotes 1,483 2.45 For much too long, no one in either city has changed it. 30 Sabres 1,414 2.33 “I mean, it’s the best league in the world,” Eichel said. “You can’t expect it to be easy. I think we all expected it to be hard, and I think it has been.” The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134426 Florida Panthers

Preview: Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m., Tuesday

Brett Shweky

Preview: Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins

When/where: 7 p.m., Tuesday/PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh

TV: Fox Sports Florida; Radio: 1450-AM, 640-AM (Palm Beach)

Scouting report: With less than 20 games left in the regular season, the Panthers hit the road to take on the Penguins. … The Panthers enter the contest riding a four-game losing streak after falling 3-2 against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday at the BB&T Center. … Through Sunday’s games, the Panthers trail by 10 points in the wild-card race, with the Montreal Canadiens holding the final slot. … Pittsburgh and Florida have split the season series, following the Panthers’ 3-2 overtime victory on Feb. 7. … The Penguins are in possession of the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference after going 6-2-2 in their last 10 games. … During its previous game on Saturday, Pittsburgh won at Montreal 5-1.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134427 Los Angeles Kings When: Tuesday, 7:30.

On the air: TV: FSW; Radio: iHeartRadio (LA Kings Audio Network)

Alec Martinez using veteran savvy to help develop Kings' young Update: Montreal goalie Carey Price did not practice Monday because of defensemen flu, according to the Canadiens. Center Jesperi Kotkaniemi was tied for fifth among rookie scoring leaders through Sunday. Former Kings center Nate Thompson has one assist in 10 games with Montreal.

By CURTIS ZUPKE LA Times: LOADED: 03.05.2019 MAR 04, 2019 | 6:00 PM

The gap between Alec Martinez and Matt Roy extended beyond the 40 feet of ice.

The defensemen were partnered in practice Monday, with the 31-year- old Martinez and his 539 games of experience passing the puck to the 24-year-old rookie, whose next game will be his ninth.

But the two are separated by less than an hour drive from their respective Michigan roots.

“Roysie’s a good old Michigan boy,” Martinez said. “He’s got that going for him.”

The Kings will take any form of camaraderie on the blue line as they enter the final month of the season. They are playing defensemen prospects Roy, Sean Walker, Paul LaDue and Kurtis MacDermid to gauge the future, and they need veterans such as Martinez to guide those youngsters.

Martinez appeared closer to a return from an upper-body injury when he practiced, and coach Willie Desjardins said it was “probably 50-50” that Martinez would play Tuesday. Desjardins called Martinez “a big part of our group back there” and looks forward to regaining the leadership Martinez provides.

“There’s short routes and there’s hard routes,” Desjardins said. “He’s always a guy that takes the hard route. He’s always a guy that battles through. He gets back as quick as he can. He never cheats on his rehab. He sets a great example for our young guys.”

Martinez has sat out the last eight games because of an injury that Desjardins has said is not related to the one that sidelined him for 14 games in December and January. The Kings lost 10 consecutive games and are a combined 7-11-4 without Martinez, a shot-blocking specialist and one of their point men on the power play.

During his injury, Martinez stayed in touch with his teammates for support and encouragement.

“When you’re out, it’s not like you’re never around,” Martinez said. “I’m in the weight room with them, pretty much everywhere but the ice until the very end. That’s just part of being a good teammate. You’ve got to be there for guys during certain times. I like to think I do that a little bit.”

While sidelined, Martinez noticed Walker’s skating and offensive mentality, and the intimidation factor that the 6-foot-5, 233-pound MacDermid brings.

“He’s a scary dude,” Martinez said.

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The long-term plan is for this blend of leaders and prospects to keep the team competitive during a rebuild, offseason moves outstanding. Desjardins was confident in what the Kings have now and what’s eventually coming, either through the draft, free agency or within their system. And he was confident in players buying into that belief.

“They do believe,” Desjardins said. “They believe they can play better. They see guys that are around the organization that have won. And you don’t change. They have the ability to win two Cups. That’s just doesn’t happen by itself. Those guys are good leaders. I think they know.”

Etc.

Austin Wagner is day-to-day because of an upper-body injury, Desjardins said, and probably won’t play Tuesday. Wagner collided with Gustav Forsling of the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday and did not practice. … Matt Luff was recalled and skated in Wagner’s spot at fourth-line right wing.

Up next for Kings: vs. Montreal Canadiens 1134428 Los Angeles Kings This and that

Defenseman Alec Martinez has missed the past eight games with an upper-body injury. He has been skating and Desjardins said there is a Kings’ Drew Doughty: ‘It’s been a (expletive) season’ “50-50” chance he’ll play Tuesday. … Rookie forward Austin Wagner sustained a lower-body injury during Saturday’s game against Chicago. He is day-to-day and Desjardins said he probably won’t play Tuesday. … By ROBERT MORALES | PUBLISHED: March 4, 2019 at 3:13 pm | The Kings and Canadiens (35-24-7, 77 points) have played once this UPDATED: March 4, 2019 at 3:13 PM season, the Kings winning 3-0 on Oct. 11 at Montreal. … The Kings finish their four-game homestand by hosting St. Louis on Thursday night at

7:30. EL SEGUNDO >> It’s been a season the Kings would love to forget. But KINGS VS. CANADIENSWhen: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.Where: Staples it might be better if it remains etched in their minds so they’ll never forget CenterRecords: Canadiens 35-24-7 (77 points), Kings 24-33-8 (56 what it’s like to be a last-place team. points)TV: Fox Sports WestRadio: Kings Audio Network (iHeartRadio) With 17 games left ahead of Tuesday’s game against visiting Montreal, Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.05.2019 the Kings (24-33-8, 56 points) bring up the rear in the Pacific Division, as well as the Western Conference. Barring a miracle, they will miss the playoffs for the third time in five seasons since winning their second Stanley Cup title in 2014.

When the season began, defenseman Drew Doughty never would have imagined it playing out this way.

“No,” he said following practice Monday, two days after the Kings snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 6-3 win over Chicago. “We have so many good players in here, never thought that was going to happen. I always pictured myself being on teams that would never be in last place.

“But stuff happens. You go through rebuilding processes, guys get older, they lose a step. It’s just the way it goes, so we’ve just gotta finish this season strong.”

It was suggested to Doughty that it must be difficult for players to come to work every day, keep a stiff upper lip, work hard and have fun under these circumstances.

Doughty pulled no punches.

“It’s hard to have fun, that’s for sure,” he said. “I haven’t had fun basically this entire season, you know, and that’s all due to losing and not winning hockey games. And, yeah, it’s been a (expletive) season; it’s sucked.”

But players must find the good, Doughty said.

“The bottom line is you’ve gotta look at the positives of being in the NHL, being lucky to be here every day, being fortunate to have a job on the Los Angeles Kings, one of the best organizations in the league,” he said.

“We’re working for each other. We’re coming here … you don’t want to let the guy down beside you and that makes you come to work and work hard every day.”

Like just about everyone on the team, Doughty’s season has been a mixed bag. He has again been a solid scoring defenseman as he is third on the team in points with 35; that includes a team-high 30 assists. But even though the plus-minus ratio can be deceiving, his is a team-worst minus-25. Doughty was plus-23 this past season.

Forward Trevor Lewis agreed it has not been a season to write home about, but he was adamant in saying he and his teammates must do all they can to try and stay sharp.

“I think it’s definitely a frustrating year for everyone in here, but I mean, we still have a job to do,” he said. “Guys are playing to show they can play in the league, guys are playing for contracts, guys are playing just to prove they belong.

“I mean, it’s a team effort and you’ve still gotta come to work and put your hard-hat on every day.”

The man in charge of keeping his players’ attention is interim coach Willie Desjardins. He gave his two cents.

“Winning’s always fun and when you’re not winning, that makes it a bit of a grind,” he said. “I think in saying that, you have to overcome that. You have to find ways to come to the rink and have fun.

“So it’s up to us to maybe keep the focus and keep us working hard.”

And, like Lewis said, there is still stuff for which to play.

“I think there are jobs on the line for next year,” Desjardins said. “I think everybody’s gotta be evaluated going into the summer. I think that’s their chance to show that they can play and play well.” 1134429 Los Angeles Kings Martinez (upper-body) had been skating on his own to put himself in the position to be able to return quickly. It was shared on February 16 that he was expected to miss one-to-two weeks of action, and he returned to MARCH 4: LUFF UP ON EMERGENCY RECALL; WAGNER UPDATE; practice last Thursday but hadn’t yet been fully cleared for contact. MARTINEZ RETURN IMMINENT “Yeah, I’m getting close. I’ve been skating for a while, doing everything that I need to to get back,” he said.

JON ROSENMARCH 4, 2019 It’s not exactly a blind coincidence that the team’s longest losing streak in nearly 15 years overlapped with Martinez’s absence. A key member of the club’s leadership committee, he’s among those whose voice and influence across the room has grown in passing seasons. There are Let’s get caught up on the doin’s a transpirin’: obviously the 20 players that the team will go into battle with on any –LUFF, ACTUALLY. As confirmed by hockey operations, Matt Luff has given night, but even while he was on the outside of that group, was he been recalled on an emergency basis from AHL-Ontario, which means still able to assert his own message and encouragement behind the his roster move does not count among the four AHL recalls permitted scenes. after the trade deadline. As of today, the lone standard recall against the “Not before a game, but I think there are different stages,” he said. four was Kurtis MacDermid’s. “Sometimes you’re kind of on opposite schedules. That obviously kind of Luff didn’t appear in Friday’s 8-4 win over the San Jose Barracuda but sucks because you feel like you’re not part of things. It’s tough when they did participate in the Saturday-Sunday split with Iowa, which makes were on the road and I was back here getting what I needed to get done, today’s skating-heavy practice his own version of a three-in-three. but “I’m still in constant communication with a lot of the guys, texting guys, calling guys. When you’re out, it’s not like you’re never around. I’m “A little tired, but any time you get called up, it’s a good thing,” he said. in the weight room with them, I’m pretty much everywhere but the ice “I’m taking it as it comes and taking a few naps here and there.” until the very end. That’s just part of being a good teammate is you’ve got to be there for guys during certain times. I’d like to think I do that a little The Saturday game was the real gem as Ontario erased a three-goal bit and I think we all need to do that.” deficit with 3:55 remaining, taking advantage of 27 of Mike Liambas’ 29 penalty minutes on the night by cashing in three times in five-on-four play He’s also among those who set a good example to younger players and once again in four-on-three play, ending the game on Matt Moulson’s through his game-day focus and preparation and his ability to practice game winner, providing the statistically rare four-for-four, five-minute the way he plays. power play*. “All your leaders have to be ready to do that and willing to battle through “That could be one of the craziest things I’ve witnessed,” Luff said .”Down things,” Desjardins said. “There are short routes and there’s hard routes, 4-1 with 4:30 left, to have a five-minute power play and score four times and he’s a guy that always takes a hard route. Like, he’s always a guy to win it was insane. The whole room and the whole mood on the bench that battles through, he gets back as quick as he can, never cheats on was just ‘it’s time to make ‘em pay.’” his rehab and stuff like that, so he sets a great example for our young guys.” He’ll get a night off to recoup before facing the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday night at Staples Center. Though Luff is from Oakville, situated For players like Matt Roy, Sean Walker and the rest of a younger Kings between Hamilton and Toronto in Ontario, both of his parents are natives blue line, his presence amidst the twilight of a disappointing season of the Montreal suburbs, and he’d spend time in the city each summer. provides the example-driven leadership that can instill good traits. Saku Koivu, Alexei Kovalev, Carey Price, P.K. Subban and Brendan Gallagher are players a younger Luff was particularly fond of. “Roysee’s [Matt Roy’s] a good old Michigan boy, so he’s got that going for him, like myself,” Martinez said. “I’ve been really impressed with him “My birthday present, every year, my parents would take me to a playoff individually. He’s a really strong defensive player – he can make plays, game,” he said. he can skate and get up in the rush, and Walks, we’ve seen him obviously a little bit more than Roysee, but it’s no secret, he’s got a really The Canadiens have missed the playoff in two of the last three seasons quick two, three, four, five strides to get up into the play. He breaks up a but have qualified in 29 of their last 38 and enter Tuesday’s game two lot of plays in the D-zone with his stick, sometimes his face. … He’s points clear of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have a game in hand in really good at that transition and gifted offensively. He scored the other the battle for the final playoff spot in the East. night with a pretty nice shot on the power play. And then you have “I do think you can change things quickly. I’ve always admired Montreal,” Dermie. I’ve played with him a little bit last year and I thought he played Willie Desjardins said. “[Marc] Bergevin, he’s done an unbelievable job. some really solid hockey for us the past couple games. He’s certainly a Sometimes you didn’t know if you agreed with his moves, but it took lots presence out there. He’s a scary dude. And then you throw Paulie in of courage to make those moves, and if you look at it on paper now, they there, too, Paulie’s been doing it for us all year.” were good moves. He’s done a great job. I always respect people that’ll LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.05.2019 put it out there and just do what they think’s best for the team. So, when you look at ‘em, he kind of transformed it on the fly, and you’ve got to love the way they play. They play with lots of speed and lots of passion, and that’s the way the game should be played.”

*A rare example in which a major power play can be perfect is if it results in an overtime goal. If a major power play ends while the game is still being played, it can only be 0-for-1, 1-for-2, 2-for-3, etc, because there are still seconds remaining on the power play at its conclusion. Therefore, if a team scores two power play goals (and none in overtime) on a five-minute major, that goes into the statistics as 2-for-3. Moulson’s goal capped an incredibly rare 4-for-4 performance on Liambas’ major.

–AUST-IN LIMBO. Luff’s emergency recall was necessitated because Austin Wagner (lower-body) was injured in Saturday’s win over Chicago. Wagner, who has nine goals and 16 points in 49 games, didn’t skate Monday. “Probably [won’t play] in the next one, but he’ll be day-to-day,” Desjardins said. This home stand probably isn’t the prime target towards his potential return.

–MARTINEZ MENDS. Alec Martinez’s return appears imminent, even if Desjardins referenced “a chance” he’d play, deeming his probability of entering into Tuesday’s game as “probably 50-50.” 1134430 Los Angeles Kings

MONDAY MORNING IN EL SEGUNDO

JON ROSENMARCH 4, 2019

INJURIESPRACTICE NOTES

Here’s to the blissful peace of a Monday morning at Toyota Sports Center, Insiders.

The LA Kings took the ice shortly before 10:00 a.m. Alec Martinez skated in a regular jersey, not an off-colored jersey, and was paired with Matt Roy during drills that suggested an alignment. Austin Wagner (lower- body) did not skate with the team; as of a check-in yesterday afternoon, there wasn’t an update available on his status. There was a good deal of skating and transition work that segued into two-on-two drills up and down the ice as the team got its legs going. There were net-front battle drills and in-zone five-on-five work and power play detail before the team convened at the center of the ice for a stretch.

Lines and pairings were:

Brown-Kopitar-Toffoli

Leipsic-Carter-Kovalchuk

Iafallo-Kempe-Brodzinski

Clifford-Lewis-Luff

Forbort-Doughty

Martinez-Roy

Phaneuf-Walker

MacDermid-LaDue

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134431 Minnesota Wild

Wild has look of a contender

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune MARCH 4, 2019 — 11:33PM

A five-game winning streak made the most meaningful impact on the Wild in the standings, lifting the team to a wild-card spot in the Western Conference after five consecutive losses dropped it from one. But that’s not all this run affected. It also restored the players’ confidence, a well-timed boost that the group hopes will continue to help it navigate a challenging schedule that picks up Tuesday with a rematch against the Predators in Nashville at the outset of a three-game road trip. “Lately, every time we go on the ice, we think we’re going to win,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. “We don’t think something bad is going to happen to us. We are going to get the lead, and we’re going to hold it.” Before playing the Predators on Sunday at Xcel Energy Center, that had become the norm for the Wild. In four of those recent five victories, the Wild scored first and never trailed. And when it did fall behind, last Tuesday in Winnipeg, the team was still competitive enough to be in position to rally — which it did in dramatic fashion, burying two goals in the final 1 minute, 27 seconds of play to stun the Jets 3-2. Another Wild comeback seemed to be in the works Sunday. Two goals in quick succession near the end of the second period flipped a deficit into a lead, but steady pressure from the Predators eventually tied it at 2 before they eked out a four-round 3-2 shootout victory. The point the Wild earned was still valuable — and impressive considering the team played in Calgary the night before — but perhaps what was just as important was the impression from players after the game that their newfound swagger wasn’t shaken by the loss. “If we play our game, we feel we can play with anyone or beat anybody,” winger Jason Zucker said. Considering the strategy the Wild has relied on and the caliber of teams it’s successfully leveraged that approach against, it makes sense why the group feels emboldened. In going 5-0-1 during its past six games, the Wild has surrendered one or two goals each time out — exactly the kind of stingy defending and goaltending that separate the contenders from pretenders at this juncture of the season. And after a gruesome scoring drought, the offense has been rekindled with at least three goals in all but two of those games. Zucker has buried three over his past four games, while center Eric Staal has eight points during a season-high six-game point streak. “When you can’t find a way to win and then you get it turned around and guys are starting to smile a little more and have that confidence with the puck, it’s good to see,” defenseman Ryan Suter said. This combination has enabled the Wild to shrug off two non-playoff opponents, the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, and go 3-0-1 against the Blues, Jets, Flames and Predators. The daunting stretch culminates with Nashville on Tuesday and the NHL- leading Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. “We played some pretty good teams in the last three games, and we might’ve got outshot, but we played them on an even keel,” Boudreau said. “It’s very uplifting and positive. It’s not going to get easier. It’s just something we know we can do when we put our mind to it.” Since this six-game test came not too long after a five-game slide and amid a flurry of trades, it looked as if it could damage the team’s psyche while also sabotaging its playoff hopes. Instead, the Wild is entrenched in the race amid a renewed conviction that could end up being the most significant legacy of its recent surge. “I think any athlete or team, when your back’s kind of against the wall,” Suter said, “you find that extra gear and you play with that extra desperation that you need to win.” Star Tribune LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134432 Minnesota Wild together at the formation of the Wild. Griggs joined Leiweke in Tampa and has been the Lightning president since Leiweke’s departure in 2015 (first for the NFL, now Seattle’s NHL expansion team). Tampa owner builds NHL powerhouse “When we first got here and would play Chicago, for instance, the arena would be 60 percent Blackhawks fans,” Griggs said. “Jeff Vinik told us, ‘We want the Lightning to become the Green Bay Packers.’ Not MARCH 4, 2019 — 11:32PM community-owned, but an integral a part of the city. PATRICK REUSSE “When Leiweke and I got here, we were selling 3,000 season tickets. We’re now selling 15,500 season tickets. The Blackhawk fans have a much tougher time taking over the arena.” TAMPA, FLA. – The Tampa Bay Lightning opened play in the fall of 1992 Another part of the Lightning’s community outreach is this: terrific teams. and had four owners between then and February 2010. The original Japanese group was the ultimate in absentee ownership. Art Williams Since 2015, the Lightning has been in the Stanley Cup Final, in the followed in 1998 and was underfinanced and overmatched. conference finals in two other seasons, and currently is the runaway and had grand plans but not the required millions when buying leader as the NHL’s most dominant team. the team in 2008. “Jeffrey Vinik hired the right person to put together an outstanding Palace Sports and Entertainment owned the Lightning from 2000 to 2008 hockey operation,” Griggs said. “Steve Yzerman.” and provided a Stanley Cup champion in 2004. That was the company created by Detroit Pistons owner Bill Davidson when he moved the NBA Star Tribune LOADED: 03.05.2019 team into The Palace in Auburn Hills, Mich., in 1988. The Pistons also won the NBA title in 2004, creating what became known as the “Davidson Double.” Davidson was 75 when he bought the Lightning and was an infrequent visitor to Tampa, as was Tom Wilson, his CEO. It was easy for the sports consumers of the Tampa area to feel as if the owners of the Lightning had been either distant or overwhelmed in building the franchise in this pioneer southern market — second in arrival in Dixie only to the failed Atlanta Flames. And then a strange event occurred on Feb. 5, 2010, when it was revealed that hedge fund manager Jeff Vinik was purchasing the debt- ridden Lightning from Koules and Barrie for $170 million. The reaction in Tampa was, “Who’s this Vinik?” but nine years later, Lightning fans can make this claim: They have the best owner in the four major professional sports. Vinik made his reputation in the financial world as the manager of the Fidelity Magellan Fund from 1992 to 1996. He was 50 when he bought the Lightning. He offered the usual platitude about becoming a member of the community, but he was the owner from the East Coast who actually meant it. Vinik ensconced himself in Tampa, brought in Steve Yzerman to run his hockey operation in May 2010, and has started rebuilding the dilapidated area that surrounds the Lightning’s with a $3 billion-plus Water Street development. It’s so big that a Bill Gates company is in on it. The owner also started an all-time great community outreach program in October 2011: A check for $50,000 is presented at every home game to a grassroots person doing good works in the area. They are billed as “Community Heroes” and the check goes to their favored charity. “When we had the lockout in 2012-13, Jeffrey still had a $50,000 check presented to a community hero on the nights the Lightning would have had a game,” Jay Feaster said. Feaster was the Lightning general manager from 2002 to 2008, and thus when Tampa Bay won its Stanley Cup. He clashed with Barrie and Koules and resigned (they brought in Brian Lawton), interviewed for the Wild’s GM job a year later but lost out to Chuck Fletcher, and was Calgary’s GM from 2010 to 2013. The Flames fired him and Feaster came back to Tampa to serve as Vinik’s director of community hockey development. There’s a high school program with 17 varsity and nine junior varsity teams, playing out of various rinks — including a five-rink ice center in the suburb of Wesley Chapel. It’s called the Florida Scholastics High School League and runs independently from the Florida High School Athletic Association. The NHL’s Panthers have a similar program in south Florida and there’s a state tournament. “We had a player drafted in the third round by Winnipeg last year — a center, Nathan Smith,” Feaster said. “He played in our program at [J.W.] Mitchell High School. He’s signed with Mankato [Minnesota State]. We’re rooting for him.” Vinik was able to hire Tod Leiweke away from the Seattle Seahawks to become his team president in 2010. Leiweke and Steve Griggs were 1134433 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Nashville game preview

MARCH 4, 2019 — 11:31PM Rachel Blount

7 p.m. at Nashville • Bridgestone Arena • NBCSN, 100.3-FM Twice in three days: Wild vs. Predators Preview: Following Sunday’s 3-2 shootout loss at Xcel Energy Center, the Wild is still looking for its first victory this season over Nashville. The Predators — whom the Wild plays three times this month — started the season series with a 4-2 victory at Bridgestone Arena in October. In their past eight home games against the Wild, they are 6-1-1 with three shutouts. Players to WATCH: Wild F Zach Parise, who blocked a shot with his foot a week ago and sat out Saturday’s victory in Calgary, played 20 minutes Sunday. The Wild continues to have a backup ready; Monday, it recalled F Matt Read under emergency conditions. Wild G Devan Dubnyk has 11 road victories since Dec. 29, the most in the NHL. Nashville goalie Juuse Saros got the victory Sunday to move to 2-0-0 against the Wild, with a 0.96 goals-against average, .964 save percentage and one shutout. Numbers: The Wild is 7-2-1 in its past 10 road games. Its 23 road points since Dec. 29 are the third-most in the NHL. Injuries: Wild F Mikko Koivu (knee surgery), F Victor Rask (lower body) and D Matt Dumba (torn pectoral muscle) are out. Nashville F Miikka Salomaki (upper body), F Zac Rinaldo (shoulder) and D Dan Hamhuis (lower body) are out; F Brian Boyle (lower body) is day-to-day. Star Tribune LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134434 Minnesota Wild

Goaltending, above all else, is fueling Wild's resurgence

By Michael Rand MARCH 4, 2019 — 10:11AM

Welcome to the Monday edition of The Cooler, where it’s important to keep the narrative up-to-date. Let’s get to it: *Wild general manager Paul Fenton made three significant midseason trades, including two as the deadline approached last week. Since the first of those deadline deals, one that sent Charlie Coyle to the Bruins for Ryan Donato, the Wild is on a six-game points streak — including five wins in a row snapped only by an entertaining shootout loss to the Predators on Sunday. The popular narrative when there is a different result after a change is that the thing or things that are new are the reason for the change. And listen: Donato has been very good, while Kevin Fiala — obtained for Mikael Granlund a week ago — has shown promise as well. It would be foolish to underestimate their impact on the Wild’s overall speed and structure — not to mention the harder to quantify impact that trades have on a team’s chemistry. If the Wild was getting stale, which I think most of us would agree is true, a shakeup can trigger a different level of effort. All that said: Whatever you think of the impact of the new players, and however you want to attribute chemistry to the play of individuals, the thing that is above all else fueling this Wild resurgence is easy. It’s goaltending. Devan Dubnyk was in the midst of a bad run until right before Donato arrived, and overall his season was not good at that point. At that time, among goalies with at least 1,000 minutes played this season, Dubnyk ranked No. 30 in the NHL in goals saved above average — a stat from Natural Stat Trick that measures goalies against an average goalie. And he was No. 42 in high danger save percentage — stopping 78.8 percent of shots from high-danger areas on the ice. He started all five games during the Wild’s winning streak, allowing just eight goals total (and never more than two in a game). His goals saved above average was 5.62 in that span — meaning he saved over five goals more than the average goalie in just five games — to rank No. 1 among all goalies. And his high-danger save percentage was a sparkling 93.8 during that span — No. 3 among all goalies and No. 1 among all goalies with at least three starts since Feb. 20. Dubnyk entering that streak was facing 6.2 high-danger shots per game on the season. During the streak, he faced 6.4 per game. So it’s not like things got easier. He just played better. Alex Stalock started Sunday’s back-to-back against the Predators and continued the trend by saving 10 of 11 high-danger shots he faced — a very high amount — and posting a 1.68 goals saved above average in just one game. Long story short: This burst of great goaltending has pushed the Wild back at least to a spot where the playoffs are a coin flip proposition — and it has happened, at least lately, against some of the NHL’s best teams. *The Minnesota Whitecaps won the regular season title in their first year in the National Women’s Hockey League and have the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs. *The Loons looked tentative early and gave up a too-easy set piece goal in their opener Saturday in Vancouver — enough to make me fire off a too-early text that this is the same old squad we’ve seen for the past two years. The rest of the game, which finished as a 3-2 win for Minnesota United, proved otherwise. Maybe the playoffs are within reach in Year 3? *The Gophers women’s basketball team begins play Thursday in the Big Ten Tournament. Minnesota grabbed the No. 7 seed after a strong 7-2 second half of the season, punctuated by a lopsided win over Michigan State on Sunday. Two wins in the conference tourney — over No. 10 seed Indiana and then No. 2 seed Iowa — could make things interesting when it comes to an NCAA berth. Star Tribune LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134435 Minnesota Wild

He's up, he's down, he's up ... Matt Read back with Wild

By Sarah McLellan MARCH 4, 2019 — 2:12PM

Matt Read is back with the Wild, recalled on an emergency basis for the second time in four days. Read played on Saturday night in Calgary for Zach Parise (bruised foot) and scored a goal in the Wild's 4-2 victory over the Western Conference leading Flames. He was sent to Iowa before yesterday's 3-2 loss to Nashville, a game in which Parise played. The Wild flew to Nashville today for tomorrow night's game against the Predators. After Saturday's game, coach Bruce Boudreau said about Read: “He just went in and played. He killed penalties. He did what he’s supposed to do, and he’s been in that situation many times before in Philadelphia. So I don’t think he’s worried about it.” Star Tribune LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134436 Minnesota Wild

With backs against the wall, Wild have responded with a flurry

By Dane Mizutani | PUBLISHED: March 4, 2019 at 2:39 pm | UPDATED: March 4, 2019 at 3:33 PM

A couple of weeks ago, Wild coach Bruce Boudreau offered a bold prediction. “We are going to make the playoffs,” Boudreau said at the time. “That’s about as elaborate as I’m going to get. You want me to predict how many wins we’re going to have? Not going to happen.” Already in a tailspin, the Wild responded with three straight losses, including a 4-0 disaster against the Anaheim Ducks, who broke a 12- game losing streak Feb. 19 at Xcel Energy Center. For skeptics, that signaled the end of a six-year playoff streak. Certainly, general manager Paul Fenton had seen enough. He started dismantling his successor’s “young core” on Jan. 17 when he sent Nino Niederreiter to Carolina for center Victor Rask. Next came Charlie Coyle, dealt to Boston for young center Ryan Donato, 22, and finally, Mikael Granlund, sent to Nashville for Kevin Fiala, 22. Those moves have done the trick. Since Coyle was traded on Feb. 20, the Wild are 5-0-1 and still hanging on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. “I think any athlete or team, when their backs are kind of against the wall, they find that extra gear and they play with that extra desperation that they need to win,” veteran defenseman Ryan Suter said. “You get it turned around and guys are starting to smile a little more and have that confidence with the puck again. It’s been good to see.” It started with a 4-1 win over the Rangers in New York, and continued with a 3-2 win over the Red Wings in Detroit. While it was a welcome change, it could have been fool’s gold considering both wins came against two of the worst teams in the league. But the Wild proved it wasn’t a fluke, following it up with a 2-1 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues at home, a 3-2 win over the Jets in Winnipeg, and a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames, which had won their previous seven games. “I think that lately, every time we go on the ice we think we’re going to win,” Boudreau said. “We don’t think something bad is going to happen to us. We are going to get the lead and we’re going to hold it. That five-game winning streak ended on the heels of a recent 3-2 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators, the second game of back-to- backs for the Wild. “We got 11 of 12 (points), so it’s been pretty productive,” goaltender Alex Stalock said. “Any team will take that this time of season.” The confidence built over the past couple of weeks will be valuable because the schedule doesn’t get any easier. The Wild play the Predators again Tuesday, this time at Nashville, followed by road back- to-backs at Tampa Bay and Florida. The Lightning already have 50 wins. “We played some pretty good teams in the last three games, and even though we might’ve got outshot, we played them on an even keel,” Boudreau said. “It’s very uplifting and positive. It’s just something we know we can do when we put our mind to it.” BRIEFLY The Wild on Monday recalled forward Matt Read from AHL Iowa under emergency conditions. Read, 32, has a goal in six games with Minnesota this season, and 31 points (15-16—31) in 50 games in Des Moines. Pioneer Press LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134437 Minnesota Wild 44. Dave Langevin, Hill-Murray 45. , North St. Paul 75 greatest players of Minnesota high school boys hockey: The list, Nos. 46. David Backes, Spring Lake Park 2-75 47. Jake Gardiner, Minnetonka

48. Jordan Leopold, Robbinsdale Armstrong By Pioneer Press | PUBLISHED: March 4, 2019 at 4:07 pm | UPDATED: March 4, 2019 at 8:46 PM 49. Tom Chorske, Minneapolis Southwest 50. John Pohl, Red Wing 1. Player to be announced in Wednesday’s Pioneer Press 51. , Eveleth 2. Phil Housley, South St. Paul 52. Brad Shelstad, Minneapolis Southwest 3. John Matchefts, Eveleth 53. Corey Millen, Cloquet 4. Neal Broten, Roseau 54. Casey Mittelstadt, Eden Prairie 5. Mike Ramsey, Minneapolis Roosevelt 55. Dick Dougherty, International Falls 6. Mike Antonovich, Greenway 56. Scott Bjugstad, Irondale 7. Tom Williams, Duluth Central 57. Paul Holmgren, Harding 8.. Mike Crowley, Bloomington Jefferson 58. Bob Krieger, Edina 9. , Eveleth 59. Darby Hendrickson, Richfield 10. Blake Wheeler, Breck 60. Brock Boeser, Burnsville 11. Jamie Langenbrunner, Cloquet 61. Craig Johnson, Hill-Murray 12. T.J. Oshie, Warroad 62. Jack McCartan, St. Paul Marshall 13. Rube Bjorkman, Roseau 63. Steve Christoff, Richfield 14. Aaron Broten, Roseau 64. Rob McClanahan, Mounds View 15. Dave Christian, Warroad 65. David Tanabe, Hill-Murray 16. Reed Larson, Minneapolis Roosevelt 66. Robb Stauber, Duluth Denfeld 17. Ryan McDonagh, Cretin-Derham Hall 67. Dave Maley, Edina 18. Jake Guentzel, Hill-Murray 68. Damian Rhodes, Richfield 19. Mark Pavelich, Eveleth 69. Erik Johnson, Holy Angels 20. , Warroad 70. Doug Zmolek, Rochester John Marshall 21. , Hibbing 71. Matt Hendricks, Blaine 22. Gary Sargent, Bemidji 72. Kyle Rau, Eden Prairie 23. Nick Leddy, Eden Prairie 73. Bob Paradise, Cretin 24. George Pelawa, Bemidji 74. Sandy Smith, Brainerd 25. Matt Cullen, Moorhead 75. Herb Brooks, St. Paul Johnson 26. Sean Hill, Duluth East Pioneer Press LOADED: 03.05.2019 27. Matt Niskanen, Virginia 28. Paul Martin, Elk River 29. Bill Nyrop, Edina 30. Craig Norwich, Edina East 31. Bill Baker, Grand Rapids 32. Tom Kurvers, Bloomington Jefferson 33. Joe Otto, Elk River 34. Jon Casey, Grand Rapids 35. Paul Ranheim, Edina 36. Tim Sheehy, International Falls 37. Alex Goligoski, Grand Rapids 38. Doug Woog, South St. Paul 39. Anders Lee, Edina 40. Mark Parrish, Bloomington Jefferson 41. Trent Klatt, Osseo 42. Derek Stepan, Hastings 43. Mike Curran, International Falls 1134438 Montreal Canadiens “He had the perfect demeanour for a goaltender,” Kolzig said. “I don’t know if anybody thrives under pressure, but Carey does not succumb to it. … He is not affected by the pressure of the fans, the media or the Carey Price has proven doubters from 2005 draft wrong as he closes in expectations.” on Canadiens record That probably explains why Price is in his 12th season with the Canadiens. Before he was drafted, the Canadiens had used 11 different goalies over nine seasons since the 1995 trade that sent Patrick Roy to ALEXIS BELANGER-CHAMPAGNE Colorado. THE CANADIAN PRESS Even if he has still not won a Stanley Cup, Price has nonetheless brought stability in front of the Canadiens’ net, and he remains one of the best PUBLISHED MARCH 4, 2019 players chosen in the 2005 draft. UPDATED MARCH 4, 2019 Globe And Mail LOADED: 03.05.2019

It sounds strange today, but when the Montreal Canadiens chose Carey Price fifth overall in the 2005 NHL draft, many observers were surprised. Even though amateur scouts ranked Price highly, the team’s decision to pin its hopes on the tall, slightly skinny goalie from Anahim Lake, B.C., shocked many inside Ottawa’s Westin hotel, where the draft was held. Hockey analyst Pierre McGuire harshly criticized the selection on TSN, noting the team already had goalies José Théodore, Cristobal Huet and Yann Danis. “The organizational needs at the time were for a centreman or a defenceman with size,” McGuire said in a recent interview. “Two players were available in that draft: Anze Kopitar, who won two Stanley Cups with the L.A. Kings, and Marc Staal, who has been to a Stanley Cup final with the New York Rangers. Those were the two players that I thought at the time would have benefited Montreal because of their organizational depth.” McGuire credits the Canadiens with pulling off a trade of Theodore, “which I thought at the time, in a salary cap world, would be very difficult to do.” Fast forward to 2019, and Price has a place waiting in the pantheon of Canadiens’ greats, needing just one win to tie Jacques Plante for most career wins by a Habs goalie. His next chance at reaching the milestone of 314 wins in a Canadiens jersey comes on Tuesday night in Los Angeles against the Kings. In the 2005 draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets had the sixth selection, and they breathed a sigh of relief when they heard Montreal choose Price. The Blue Jackets were deciding between centres Gilbert Brulé and Kopitar. “Everybody had Brule in that five or six range,” said Doug MacLean, a Sportsnet analyst who was general manager of the Blue Jackets at the time. “Everybody had Sidney Crosby, then Bobby Ryan and Jack Johnson. Minnesota took Benoît Pouliot.” He was sure the Habs would go with Brulé. “It is funny, because I remember Pierre Dorion [a scout with the Canadiens at the time] leaned over to our table and said to my chief of scouting, Don Boyd, that they were going with the goalie. It was a relief for us.” MacLean said Price was not even on the Blue Jackets’ radar because they already had Marc Denis and Pascal Leclaire in net. McGuire and MacLean agree today that Price has become one of the best goalies of his era, already 29th in league history with 313 wins. (The NHL record is held by Martin Brodeur with 691. Plante, who played for four other NHL teams after leaving Montreal in 1963, has 437 career wins.) Despite his on-air rant critique of the Canadiens’ selection, McGuire was expecting great things from Price. “I think the moment that stands out for me was at the U18 world championships,” McGuire said. “He had a rough game. He had shot the puck over glass, which led to a delay-of-game penalty. But it was almost like it did not bother him, and that is a tough situation for a young player to be in. But you could see how calm, cool and collected he was.” Price played his junior hockey with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League. Washington Capitals goaltender Olaf Kolzig, who had played for Tri-City, was part of the team’s ownership. During the lockout that led to the cancellation of the 2004-05 season, Kolzig practised with the Americans and got to know Price. The two developed a strong bond, and they still get together in the off- season. Kolzig says that even as a junior, Price was “a perfect fit” to play for the Canadiens in hockey-mad Montreal. 1134439 Montreal Canadiens

With Canadiens in a tight playoff race, scoreboard watching is the norm

PAT HICKEY, Updated: March 4, 2019

LOS ANGELES — There was some bad news as the Canadiens took the ice for a practice Monday afternoon in suburban El Segundo. Goaltender Carey Price remained in the team hotel in Marina del Rey as he dealt with flu symptoms. Bad news, yes, but there will be worse news if Price isn’t available to face the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday (10:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN-690 Radio). Price, who needs one win to tie the late Jacques Plante at 314 for the most wins by a Canadiens’ goaltender, has appeared in Montreal’s last 14 games and is an essential part of the team’s drive for a playoff spot. “He’s got the flu and I’m not in a position to say he’s in or he’s out,” coach Claude Julien said after practice. “When you have the flu it’s a day-to-day situation. We hope he’s healthy, and if he is, he’ll start because he’s our No. 1 guy.” There was a minor change in the forward lines with Paul Byron replacing Jonathan Drouin on a line with Max Domi and Andrew Shaw, while Drouin joined Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia. The switch gives Kotkaniemi a better shooter on his wing, but he can’t expect much help from Drouin in retrieving pucks or on the defensive end. Drouin and Kotkaniemi played together in training camp after Domi was suspended and their earlier success prompted the change Monday. “You hope the change benefits everyone and that’s why we make those changes, to re-energize the lines,” Julien said. “Changes are part of the game and I’m looking forward to it,” Drouin said. “KK has a lot of skill and vision and Armia is hard on the puck.” There are five weeks left in the NHL season and the Canadiens are clinging to the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They would like to think they are the masters of their own destiny, but they will need some help from their friends (and enemies) as they battle to maintain a playoff position. “At this time of year, you’re going to watch (the other scores) more closely,” Julien said. “We watched Columbus lose yesterday and we watched Carolina Saturday night and tomorrow there are some other teams playing while we’re on the ice. You hope those results benefit us in a positive way if those teams lose and we win, that’s good. At the end of the day, we have to win games. You don’t want to rely on help from others. You want to control your own destiny. That’s the message we’re giving our team.” Byron said he believes the Canadiens can catch Boston or Toronto for one of the top three spots in the Atlantic Division, but the reality is that Montreal is involved in four-way fight for the final three playoff spots in the East. Carolina holds third place in the Metropolitan Division with 78 points, Pittsburgh and Montreal hold the wild-card spots with 77 points each and Columbus has 75. The Canadiens have played 66 games while their rivals each hold a game in hand. There is another factor that could play in the final standing. If teams are tied in points, the first tiebreaker is ROW — regulation and overtime wins. Columbus has an edge with 36, Carolina has 35 and Montreal and Pittsburgh have 33 each. There was some help available Sunday night when the Winnipeg Jets travelled to Columbus and beat the Blue Jackets 5-2 behind a four-goal performance from Blake Wheeler. And there will be some scoreboard watching Tuesday because Carolina is at Boston; Columbus visits New Jersey and Pittsburgh is home to Florida. All three games will be over by the time the Canadiens take the ice here. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134440 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens at Los Angeles Kings: Five things you should know

PAT HICKEY, Updated: March 4, 2019

Here are five things you should know about the Canadiens-Los Angeles Kings game at the Staples Center Tuesday (10:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio): The matchup: In their only meeting this season, the Kings spoiled the Canadiens’ home opener, winning 3-0 at the Bell Centre on Oct. 11. Since then, the teams have gone in opposite directions. The Canadiens have been one of the surprise teams in the NHL this season and are clinging to the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference despite a 4- 6 record in their last 10 games. The Kings, who have only one win in their last 10 games, are last in the Western Conference and in line for a high lottery pick in the draft. Gallagher eyes No. 30: Brendan Gallagher is proving that his 31-goal performance last season was no fluke. A leader on and off the ice, Gallagher has scored goals in each of the last three games and has 29 for the season. The Edmonton native isn’t a pure goal-scorer, but he creates opportunities with his hard work and his willingness to absorb punishment. On Saturday, he was shaken up after taking a hard hit from the much bigger Erik Gudbranson, but he challenged the Penguins’ defenceman and then came back to score the Canadiens’ only goal in a 5-1 loss. Price all the way? The Canadiens play three games in four nights on their annual trip to California and the big question is whether Carey Price will start all three games. Price missed practice Monday with the flu, but he’s expected to start this game and the question mark will be for the back-to- back games Thursday in San Jose and Friday in Anaheim. Price has appeared in 14 consecutive games, including three back-to-back sets. The most recent came when he won against the Rangers in New York on Friday, but didn’t look particularly sharp in the first period of the Pittsburgh game Saturday at home. Power play isn’t getting better: When was the last time a team with the worst power play in the league made the playoffs? It could very well happen this season. The Canadiens and the Nashville Predators are tied for the worst record with a 12.4 per cent success rate. The Predators are second in the Central Division and headed for the post-season, while the Canadiens are in a dogfight. Montreal had moved ahead of Nashville, but the Canadiens have scored only one power-play goal in 24 opportunities over the last 10 games. The other guys: The Kings rank 30th in offence with 2.40 goals a game and they are giving up 3.14 goals. Veteran Anze Kopitar is the team’s leading scorer, but his 19 goals and 48 points have him on pace for the second-worst season of his career after setting career-highs for goals (35) and points (92) last season. There’s a drop-off to Dustin Brown, who has 16 goals and 37 points. The Kings were hoping for a big season from Ilya Kovalchuk in his return from the KHL, but he has been limited to 14 goals and 16 assists. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134441 Montreal Canadiens That probably explains why Price is in his 12th season with the Canadiens. Before he was drafted, the Canadiens had used 11 goalies over nine seasons since the 1995 trade that sent Patrick Roy to Canadiens' Carey Price has proven doubters wrong as he nears record Colorado. Even if has still not won a Stanley Cup, Price has nonetheless brought stability in front of the Canadiens’ net, and he remains one of the best CANADIAN PRESS Updated: March 4, 2019 players chosen in the 2005 draft. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.05.2019 It sounds strange today, but when the Montreal Canadiens chose Carey Price fifth overall in the 2005 NHL draft, many observers were surprised. Even though amateur scouts ranked Price highly, the team’s decision to pin its hopes on the tall, slightly skinny goalie from Anahim Lake, B.C., shocked many inside Ottawa’s Westin hotel, where the draft was held. Hockey analyst Pierre McGuire harshly criticized the selection on TSN, noting the team already had goalies José Theodore, Cristobal Huet and Yann Denis. “The organizational needs at the time were for a centreman or a defenceman with size,” McGuire said in a recent interview. “Two players were available in that draft: Anze Kopitar, who won two Stanley Cups with the L.A. Kings, and Marc Staal, who has been to a Stanley Cup final with the New York Rangers. Those were the two players that I thought at the time would have benefited Montreal because of their organizational depth.” McGuire credits the Canadiens with pulling off a trade of Theodore, “which I thought at the time, in a salary cap world, would be very difficult to do.” Fast forward to 2019, and Price has a place waiting in the pantheon of Canadiens greats, needing only one win to tie Jacques Plante for most career wins by a Habs goalie. His next chance at reaching the milestone of 314 wins in a Canadiens jersey comes Tuesday in Los Angeles against the Kings (10:30 p.m.,TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). In the 2005 draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets had the sixth selection, and they breathed a sigh of relief when they heard Montreal choose Price. The Blue Jackets were deciding between centres Gilbert Brulé and Kopitar. “Everybody had Brulé in that five or six range,” said Doug MacLean, a Sportsnet analyst who was general manager of the Blue Jackets at the time. “Everybody had Sidney Crosby, then Bobby Ryan and Jack Johnson. Minnesota took Benoît Pouliot.” He was sure the Habs would go with Brulé. “It is funny, because I remember Pierre Dorion (a scout with the Canadiens at the time) leaned over to our table and said to my chief of scouting, Don Boyd, that they were going with the goalie. It was a relief for us.” MacLean said Price was not even on the Blue Jackets’ radar, because they already had Marc Denis and Pascal Leclaire in net. McGuire and MacLean agree today that Price has become one of the best goalies of his era, already 29th in league history with 313 wins. (The NHL record is held by Martin Brodeur with 691. Plante, who played for four other NHL teams after leaving Montreal in 1963, has 437 career wins.) Despite his on-air rant criticizing the Canadiens’ selection, McGuire was expecting great things from Price. “I think the moment that stands out for me was at the U18 world championships,” McGuire said. “He had a rough game. He had shot the puck over glass, which led to a delay-of-game penalty. But it was almost like it did not bother him, and that is a tough situation for a young player to be in. But you could see how calm, cool and collected he was.” Price played his junior hockey with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League. Washington Capitals goaltender Olaf Kolzig, who had played for Tri-City, was part of the team’s ownership. During the lockout that led to the cancellation of the 2004-05 season, Kolzig practised with the Americans and got to know Price. The two developed a strong bond, and they still get together during the off-season. Kolzig says that even as a junior, Price was “a perfect fit” to play for the Canadiens in hockey-mad Montreal. “He had the perfect demeanour for a goaltender,” Kolzig said. “I don’t know if anybody thrives under pressure, but Carey does not succumb to it. … He is not affected by the pressure of the fans, the media or the expectations.” 1134442 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.05.2019

What the Puck: Canadiens' road to the playoffs is fraught with peril

BRENDAN KELLY, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: March 4, 2019

This is officially tight-collar time for the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs have 16 games left in the season and I can tell you that, in all likelihood, their hunt for a playoff spot will go right down to the wire. In other words, right down to the game on April 6 against the dreaded Toronto Maple Leafs. Dreaded because of the game just over a week ago when the Leafs basically made a laughingstock of the Habs, storming back from a 3-0 deficit to beat Montreal 6-3. So I don’t much like the optics of going into that final game of the season fighting for their lives against Auston Matthews, John Tavares and Mitch Marner. In fact, the optics for the remainder of the Canadiens’ schedule are not great. I’m not saying they won’t make the post-season, I’m just saying it is going to be mighty hard. Most of us think they will probably need to win 10 of those 16 games to nab one of the last two wild-card slots in the Eastern Conference and obviously that is not going to be easy. The first thing to note is the most obvious. If they play like they did in Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, they will not make the playoffs. Four shots in and it was 3-0 for Sidney Crosby’s gang. Montreal played a decent game after that, but does it really need repeating that they need to show up from the opening faceoff onward? Maybe the most disturbing thing was that the defence duo of Jeff Petry and Jordie Benn were on the ice to start the game matched up against Crosby’s line. You know how that worked out. Benn messed up and Crosby, recently voted by fellow players as the best all-around player in the NHL, scored his 440th goal. So why did head coach Claude Julien put Petry and Benn against perhaps the best player in hockey? Why wasn’t it Shea Weber and Victor Mete? Weber got off a few trademark Howitzers Saturday, but he was only one of two Canadiens players not to make a single bodycheck in the game (Max Domi was the other) and he’s looked frighteningly slow for a couple of weeks. There’s been much speculation since Saturday’s game that he’s injured, but the other possibility is just as scary — he’s simply running out of gas. The other disturbing take-away from Saturday is the amount of goals Montreal has scored. That would be only one and it was from the team’s leading goal-scorer, the great Brendan Gallagher. Domi remains the team’s leading point-getter (59) but he only has eight goals in 2019 and that’s not enough. Tomas Tatar has the same goal tally in 2019 and the assessment’s the same — it ain’t enough. Things are much worse when it comes to Jonathan Drouin. He hasn’t put the puck in the net since that two-goal night Feb. 7 against Winnipeg when we were all toasting our new scoring star. The enigma wrapped in a riddle that is Drouin has only five goals since New Year’s Day. He often has flashes of brilliance, but eye-catching rushes don’t count on the scoreboard. Their schedule doesn’t help them, either. The Canadiens head to California this week for games against the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday, the San Jose Sharks Thursday and the Anaheim Ducks Friday. For reasons known only to the team psychiatrist, the Habs have won just two of their last 15 games in Cali. Bizarre. And it doesn’t get any easier. The remaining 13 games include some tough opponents, including two against the New York Islanders and games against the Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto. There are no easy games in the 2019 NHL, but they should have an easier time against the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers. So tough times are coming. The good news is that in sharp contrast to last season, this is a resilient squad that’s shown a lot of character since Day 1. But character only produces wins when combined with more skill than the other team, so Montreal’s best players — Domi, Drouin, Tatar and Weber — have to be better than they’ve shown during the past two months. I didn’t include Gallagher and Carey Price in that list because they’ve been rock solid nearly every night. But those two leaders will need some support if Montreal is going to make it to the post-season for the first time since 2017. 1134443 Nashville Predators

Predators' Filip Forsberg on taking high stick to the face: 'It happens'

Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean Published 7:34 p.m. CT March 2, 2019 | Updated 3:08 p.m. CT March 3, 2019

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Filip Forsberg ignited a small, propane-powered blowtorch in the tunnel outside the Predators locker room and went to work Sunday morning. "Fire in the hole," he joked as he prepped one of his sticks before Nashville faced the Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Two nights earlier, during the third period of Friday's loss in Winnipeg, Forsberg took a stick to the face from the Jets' Adam Lowry. Lowry's two-minute penalty turned into a two-game punishment by Saturday, when the league suspended him without pay for the whack. The play will cost Lowry $31,362 in missed pay, which will be put into the players' emergency assistance fund. The NHL said it believed that Lowry didn't intentionally strike Forsberg in the face after Forsberg legally checked him, but added that this was "not a situation where a player simply loses control of his stick or one where an off-balance player flails to try to steady himself." "This is a reckless stick swing that strikes an opponent at a dangerous height," the league said. "No matter where he intends the blow to land, Lowry must be in control and responsible for his stick." Forsberg fell to the ice in the immediate aftermath of the blow, causing temporary concern on the Predators' bench. But he soon returned to the game and seemed no worse for the wear. "I finished my hit and I guess he didn’t like it," Forsberg said. "That game was a playoff-type of game. Two teams that really don’t like each other, so maybe that played into it a little bit. "You don’t ever expect something like that to happen. But it happens. Hockey is a fast sport." Forsberg, who missed 17 games this season with an upper-body injury, said he didn't have any thoughts about the punishment – or about possibly being hurt. He had 21 goals – second on the team – and 19 assists in 50 games going into Sunday. "I didn’t really pay attention," he said. "I saw the (suspension) late (Saturday) night. It’s not my call to make. The safety department is there for a reason. So I trust them to do a good job." Predators coach Peter Laviolette said his fears of injury were quelled when Forsberg returned to the bench. He also recalled in early January that Predators center Ryan Johansen was suspended for two games for a similar play against the Jets' Mark Scheifele. "He wasn’t hurt, so I didn’t worry about it after that," Laviolette said of Forsberg. "As soon as he got up and came to the bench we knew he was fine. "He did take it right in the face. Those aren’t my calls. But we went through the same thing with Ryan this year. They’re looking out for the players." Tennessean LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134444 NHL for a union when the club owners agreed to a $7,000 salary minimum and a 60-percent increase in pension benefits.

The players now have a union, the National Hockey League Players’ Ted Lindsay, Hall of Fame Scorer Who Powered Red Wings, Dies at 93 Association, and the average salary is about $3 million a year. Lindsay played three seasons in Chicago (1957-60), retired for four By Frank Litsky seasons and returned to Detroit for one more, 1964-65. March 4, 2019 During his time in Detroit, the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 1950, defeating the Rangers, 4 games to 3; in 1952, sweeping the Montreal Canadiens, 4-0; and in 1954 and 1955, beating the Canadiens each time, 4-3. In 133 playoff games, Lindsay had 47 goals and 49 assists for 96 Ted Lindsay, a Hall of Fame player who packed a fierce combativeness points. in a slight frame as he helped the Detroit Red Wings win four Stanley Cup championship titles, died on Monday at his home in Oakland He later became general manager of the Red Wings (1977-80) and Township, Mich. He was 93. coached them for nine games in the 1979-80 season and 20 games in 1980-81. His coaching record was 5-21-3. Lew LaPaugh, a son-in-law and the president of the Ted Lindsay Foundation, which raises money for autism research, confirmed the In later years, Lindsay was a television hockey analyst and a death. manufacturer’s representative. Lindsay, nicknamed Terrible Ted, played 17 seasons in the National He is survived by a son, Blake; two daughters, Lynn Lindsay LaPaugh Hockey League, 14 of them with the Red Wings, coming out of retirement and Meredith Berman; a stepdaughter, Leslie Richardson; six for the final one. He was the first N.H.L. player to play 1,000 games, a grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. first-team All Star eight times and a participant in 11 All-Star games. The Red Wings named him their captain. In their playing heyday, Lindsay, Howe and Abel were good friends as well as Production Line teammates. “There was a place we used to meet Lindsay could be scrappy off the ice as well. In the mid-1950s he led an for drinks after a workout or a game,” Abel, who died in 2000, once said. initially unsuccessful effort to create a players’ union, for which he paid a price. Howe saw them as the quintessence of teamwork. “They used to say that if you blindfolded us, we’d still be able to find one another,” he said. “All In Detroit, Lindsay is revered as part of a celebrated triumvirate, the of us knew where everyone else was at any given moment. Maybe the Production Line, in which he played left wing alongside Gordie Howe at closeness off the ice had something to do with it.” right wing and Sid Abel at center. He was the last surviving member of that trio. Frank Litsky, a longtime sportswriter for The Times, died in October. Daniel E. Slotnik contributed reporting. All three were elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Lindsay in 1966, a year after his final retirement, when the three-year waiting period for New York Times LOADED: 03.05.2019 eligibility was waived. And all three are remembered at the Red Wings’ new home, the Little Caesars Arena (as they were at the team’s previous home, Joe Louis Arena), where oversize jerseys hang from the rafters bearing their retired numbers — Howe’s 9, Abel’s 12 and Lindsay’s 7. In 1950, Lindsay won the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s scoring champion; Abel finished second and Howe third. In all, in 1,068 regular- season games, Lindsay recorded 379 goals and 472 assists for 851 points, making him at the time the highest-scoring left wing. A battler on the ice, perhaps to compensate for his size — 5-foot-8 and about 165 pounds — he was heavily penalized, too. He spent 1,808 minutes in the penalty box, the equivalent of 30 games. “I was born a poor loser,” he told The New York Times in 1973, explaining his feistiness. “I wouldn’t talk to anyone who wasn’t on my team.” Bill Chadwick, a Hall of Fame referee, spent many nights trying to keep Lindsay under control. “Ted was a mean hockey player,” Chadwick once said, “but he was the kind of guy I would have wanted to play for me. He’d do anything to get the puck in the net.” Robert Blake Theodore Lindsay was born on July 29, 1925, in Renfrew, Ontario, the home of one of professional hockey’s premiere teams in its early years, the Renfrew Millionaires. Ted’s father, Bert, was a star goaltender for the team and played as well in the early N.H.L. His mother, Maude (Villemarie) Lindsay, was a homemaker. In 1929, with the onset of the Depression, the family moved to Kirkland Lake, Ontario, where Bert Lindsay worked in the gold mines and where Ted grew up. After two years in junior hockey, he joined the Red Wings at 19 in 1944 and remained with them until 1957. That was the year Lindsay led a group that tried to establish a players’ union. Lindsay took his plans to Jimmy Hoffa, the Teamsters union boss, who told him that professional athletes did not need a union. Jack Adams, the Red Wings’ longtime general manager, had another response: He traded Lindsay to the Chicago Blackhawks. Lindsay recalled that in his first game against his old team, he smacked Howe over the head. Howe remembered, too. “I laid him out,” Howe said. “Then I asked him if this was the way he wanted to play.” Lindsay got up off the ice, he said, and replied, “No, I guess it’s not worth breaking up a friendship.” After the Lindsay trade, the new N.H.L. Players’ Association filed a $3 million federal antitrust suit, calling the league a dictatorship. Four months later, in February 1958, the players dropped the suit and plans 1134445 New York Islanders playoffs. But they will not win the Stanley Cup this year. So, what exactly did Lamoriello believe in?

At this point, what he’s asking the fanbase to do is believe in him. A leap Islanders’ impossible trade decision could end up burying them of faith, indeed. New York Post LOADED: 03.05.2019 By Brett Cyrgalis March 4, 2019 | 1:24PM

It sure sounded nice when Lou Lamoriello came out and said how much he believes in this Islanders group, and how, as team president, not making any moves before the Feb. 25 trade deadline was his vote of confidence. Oh, the players ate it up, reveling in their first-place standing and the slack-jawed reactions of those around the league looking up at them. But the biggest question was one that went unanswered: Lamoriello believes in them to do what exactly? Win a Stanley Cup? Because that is the only goal that exists. Either a team is trying to win this year, or it is building to win in the future. Any half-measure results in half-success, which is not success at all. Lamoriello, rightfully lauded as the best GM in New York-area sports history, knows that better than anyone. And yet, he still stood pat. Of course, now that feels like a mistake. Since the deadline has come and gone, the team has lost three of four, the only win being that epic night on Thursday, when former captain John Tavares returned to the Coliseum. The Isles have since been leapfrogged by the Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division, and after getting another day off Monday before a home-and-home with the woebegone Senators, suddenly the six points that separates the Isles from being out of the playoffs seems all too real. A collapse here would be catastrophic. It still seems unlikely for a team that has done nothing but show collective character this whole season. As first-year Isles head coach — and front-runner for the — Barry Trotz likes to say, they play with “backbone.” Lou Lamoriello But to think that the return of Thomas Hickey or Andrew Ladd from long- term injury was really going to create a boost in the same vein as a deadline pickup was pie-eyed optimism. Just as it is now to think that recalling Josh Ho-Sang or Michael Dal Colle will jump-start a stagnant offense, currently tied for 20th in the league at 2.83 goals per game — strangely the exact same number as the Rangers and Devils — with a power play ranked 25th (16 percent). Fact is, the Islanders aren’t all that talented. No shock that Trotz nailed it on the head after the deadline when he said “the strength of our group is the group.” The commitment it takes for basically the same players to go from last in the league in goals against to first is staggering. That also has something to do with the goaltending dramatically improving, with Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss ranked second and third, respectively, in save percentage for netminders who have played 30 or more games. Lehner could very well win the Masterton Trophy for his career resurgence after battling addiction and mental illness. And Lamoriello and ownership should be given all the credit for believing in him and taking a risk on a one-year, $1.5 million deal. But there wasn’t a team out there — the Sharks come to mind — that wouldn’t have made a nice offer to rent him for the stretch run? Or, for that matter, how about renting any of the pending unrestricted free agents, like the entire top line of Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Jordan Eberle? With Lee in his first year of captaincy, it’s more likely a contract is pretty much done and just needs to be hammered out. But are Nelson and Eberle both going to re-sign or just walk out the door with nothing in return? Of course, it’s very difficult to be a first-place seller at the deadline. That would have absolutely demoralized the group. And being an outright buyer, moving picks and young prospects for the sake of this season, would have been antithetical to Lamoriello’s plan to turn this team into a perennial contender. It was a tough spot, and Lamoriello got handcuffed. Rest assured he will be first in line this summer for Artemi Panarin, if not also Erik Karlsson. The Islanders need what so many teams need, and that’s top-end talent. Maybe Mat Barzal is the future, and maybe he needs to pass the puck a little bit more, but he needs good players to pass it to. Right now, the Islanders are still adjusting to that huge emotional high of the Tavares night. They’re still more than likely going to make the 1134446 New York Islanders

Isles 'need to find that desperation in our game,' says Jordan Eberle

By Andrew Gross Updated March 4, 2019 11:50 PM

The Islanders have spent a good portion of this season banking points and considerable good will with their surprising run to the top of the Metropolitan Division. But as they’ve entered the heart of their playoff push, they have not raised their level of play to maintain the consistency they had from mid- December to their combined All-Star break and bye week in late January. Which is why this home-and-home series with the woeful Senators — starting with Tuesday night’s game at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum to conclude a five-game homestand that has started a disappointing 1-3-0 — absolutely feels like a must-win. The Islanders (37-21-7), who canceled their practice on Monday out of deference to the weather conditions, fell out of first place in the division for the first time since Jan. 17 on Sunday when they lost to the Flyers, 4- 1, and the Capitals beat the Rangers in a shootout. “It only matters at the end of the year,” captain Anders Lee said. “We held it for a while. We’ve just got to get it back.” They are two points behind the Capitals, who beat them, 3-1, on Friday night, and have lost two straight in regulation for the first time since Dec. 4-6. The Islanders are only four points ahead of the Canadiens, who hold the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. In other words, the Islanders’ first playoff berth since 2016 is a long way from assured, no matter how much of a turnaround the franchise has taken under president and general manager Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz. Lamoriello stood pat at the NHL trade deadline rather than too heavily mortgage the future despite being in on discussions for some of the high- end rentals. Both men expressed their belief that this group deserves to finish what it started, and Trotz has seen far too many ebbs and flows in the course of his 20 NHL seasons to overreact to the Islanders’ 2-4-1 skid and 8-6-2 record since returning from their extended break on Feb. 1. “You’re going to go through stretches, 10 games, where good teams are going to have those 8-1-1 records and then, in the next 10, you’ve got to grind through it,” he said. “Right now, we’re going to have to grind through stuff.” The Islanders, who have been held to one goal in each of their three losses on this homestand and are 0-for-10 on the power play over five games, have not lost three in a row in regulation this season. There is a question about whether any member of their invaluable fourth line will be available on Tuesday night. Left wing Matt Martin has missed two games with an upper-body injury, Cal Clutterbuck left Sunday’s loss with an upper-body injury and center Casey Cizikas played through an illness. “We need to find that desperation in our game,” right wing Jordan Eberle said. “We haven’t really had that much adversity this year. But we’re finding it now. I guess it’s better to find it now than to find it in the playoffs.” Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134447 New York Islanders the Flyers come back to the Island on Saturday for Bill Torrey Night, which should bring out lots of dynasty-era players and good feelings in a sold-out Coliseum. Playoff push: Questions the Islanders must answer as they search for the This Islander team has taken pride all season in proving people wrong next level and playing a style that confounds opponents who don’t respect it. That’s been a great boost not only to the team but to the fans, who have embraced a rather ugly style of hockey in the hopes of finally seeing a By Arthur Staple Mar 4, 2019 winning team. This final month is a time for ramping things up. Can you ramp up structure? Can you ramp up discipline? If these Islanders can’t answer UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Panic? That seems a bit extreme right now. But it’s that question, it’s time to consider bringing back Dal Colle and/or Ho- fair to ask one big question about the Islanders, who followed up Sang. There aren’t many other ways for this team to improve. Thursday’s emotional domination of the Leafs with a pair of losses to the Caps and Flyers over the weekend: The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 Can this group find a higher level? For all the success the Isles enjoyed through the first 58 games of the season, it was predicated on two things: superb goaltending and the demonstration of will over skill. It was not simply luck that got the Isles to 35-17-6 after a 5-2 win over the Oilers on Feb. 16. It was what Barry Trotz had implemented from his first day and what a mostly veteran group had adopted soon after, that disciplined style that wore down opponents who weren’t ready for it. Now, however, the Islanders ain’t catching anyone off guard. The Flames play hard and fast thanks to their high-end talent, and they took a pair off the Isles in a week. This weekend’s losses were actually coin-flip situations. The Caps badly outplayed an Islander team that couldn’t muster the same intensity it had a night earlier, when the Coliseum was bonkers and the Leafs, like so many skilled teams before them, shrunk from the Isles at the top of their game. And yet, if Mathew Barzal goes under the crossbar instead of off it, if Brock Nelson sweeps one in rather than off the post, the Islanders are in control against a Caps team that was stymied for two periods before getting a couple of good bounces to take the lead in the third. On Sunday, the Islanders were actually the aggressors, generating far more chances than the Flyers. The problem was Philly’s scoring chances were glorious, thanks to rare Isles D-zone breakdowns and a strangely passive day from Robin Lehner. So, the Flyers had maybe five high- danger chances and it was 3-0 early in the second. “We have to grind through stuff right now,” Trotz said. “We’re playing good teams, teams that are desperate. Emotionally charged, good teams and Philly played a good game tonight.” So, back to this group finding another level. The two goals in the two losses came from Tom Kuhnhackl, who was a healthy scratch on Sunday, and Adam Pelech late against Philly. Barzal had his moments in both games, but his line was on the ice for three Flyer goals. The top line of Anders Lee, Nelson and Jordan Eberle also played pretty well in both games but couldn’t break through. So that’s your top six, a combined zero points in two huge divisional games. They also got nothing last Tuesday against Calgary, when Josh Bailey scored the lone goal during a shift with Val Filppula and Andrew Ladd. Matt Martin missed both weekend games, though his injury isn’t believed to be as serious as the one that cost him 11 games in November. Cal Clutterbuck left Sunday’s game in the second period. And Casey Cizikas, the real driver of offense the last month, had the flu Sunday and didn’t play much late in the game. The Isles had four healthy bodies scratched on Sunday (Thomas Hickey, Luca Sbisa, Dennis Seidenberg and Kuhnhackl), so even if Clutterbuck and Martin are out tomorrow when the last-place Senators come to the Coliseum, there’s no case for an emergency recall. The Islanders get four recalls over this last month. Whether the Islanders need a regular of either Michael Dal Colle (2-4-6 in five games since being sent back down) or Josh Ho-Sang (4-6-10 in his last seven, though only one of those points in the past four) is something to debate. Or ask the coach. “My first instinct when you ask that, I think they deserve to grind it out a little bit,” Trotz said of the current Isles forwards. “We missed Marty today, Casey was in and out. It’s a thought. Some of the young guys have done a good job. At the same time, I took Tommy out after not having Andrew play three in four and Tommy played well. He was on standby for today. We’ll discuss it and see where we are tomorrow.” Where the Isles are now is second place in the Metro, though still with a game in hand and the wins tiebreaker over the Caps for the moment. Where the Isles are now is facing the Sens in a home-and-home before 1134448 New York Rangers

Timing may not be right for first-rounder to get Rangers chance

By Larry Brooks March 4, 2019 | 10:59PM

Vitali Kravtsov’s Traktor Chelyabinsk club was swept out of the first round of the KHL playoffs by Avtomobilist on Monday, but it is unclear whether the Rangers will get an up-close and personal look at their 2018 first- rounder by bringing him to North America before the season ends. Kravtsov, who turned 19 two days before Christmas, is not eligible for an entry-level contract slide. Hence, the Rangers would burn the first year of his deal by signing him this year, regardless of how many NHL games, if any, he would play. This assumes greater relevance because of the 2021 expansion draft regulations for Seattle that are the same as were in place for Vegas in 2017. Players who have completed one or two years of their entry-level deals are exempt, but those coming off entry-level must be protected or are eligible to be claimed. Kravtsov thus would have to be protected, as would Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil and Brett Howden, presuming the three rookies are still with the organization at that time. Clubs will be permitted to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender, or eight skaters and one goalie. The Blueshirts could sign Kravtsov to an amateur tryout and bring him over to play in Hartford for the AHL Wolf Pack in order to begin the acclimation process to small ice and North American life, but it is unclear whether that will occur. It is also not known whether the winger’s contract with Traktor expired upon the team’s elimination or whether it runs through the end of April (or the completion of the KHL playoffs). Kravtsov, the ninth-overall selection in the 2018 entry draft, recorded 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 50 games during the KHL season. Brendan Smith has lined up as fourth-line left wing for five straight and seven of his past eight games, though he has rotated back to his customary spot on defense for occasional shifts and on the penalty-kill unit. “I’m not thinking about what this might mean for my future. I’m just trying to do what the coach thinks is the best for me to help the team,” No. 42 said. “And I think I’ve done a good job of it so far.“I just want to play. Whether it’s left wing, right wing, defense, it doesn’t matter. Truthfully I’d rather be on the back end, but if this is what they want from me, then I’m fine with it. I want to help.” David Quinn, who has reminded people he recruited Smith as a forward out of the OHL for BU, said he was pleased with his work up-front. “I think he’s done a good job,” the coach said. “He’s been effective, he’s been in the middle of everything, he’s been physical. “There’s a lot to like in Brendan as a hockey player. He’s been a good player for a long time. He gives us an element up there that we really don’t have a lot of.” Alexandar Georgiev, 4-1-2/.920/2.78 over his past seven outings, will get the call in Dallas on Tuesday for his eighth start in the Rangers’ past 14 games. Quinn, who preferred not to commit to a starter for Thursday’s match in Detroit, said Georgiev and Henrik Lundqvist would come close to splitting the remaining 17 contests. New York Post LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134449 New York Rangers

Brendan Smith remembers Ted Lindsay as ‘magnificent man’

By Larry Brooks March 4, 2019 | 10:37PM

Brendan Smith has great memories of the time he spent as a Red Wing with the legendary Ted Lindsay, the eight-time, first-team NHL All-Star, four-time Cup winner and father of the NHLPA who died Monday in his Michigan home at the age of 93. “A magnificent man,” said Smith, who spent the first seven years of his pro career in the Detroit organization. “He was around the team a lot when I was there, he had a charity golf tournament, he would tell these incredible stories about his teams and talk about how the game had evolved over the years. But he was also current on what was happening with us. … He’d go through the room and it would be a, ‘Hey, there young Mr. Smith, let’s talk about that game the other night’ and he’d sit down next to you and talk. He had so much charisma, guys would just gravitate to him. And he was just so modest. He didn’t talk about what he did, he wanted to talk about everybody else.” Lindsay was considered one of the game’s best left wings. So good, the Hockey Hall of Fame waived its three-year waiting period when it inducted Lindsay in 1966. The story is portrayed in the classic book, “Net Worth,” which was turned into a movie of the same name that may be the greatest film ever made about hockey. Lindsay was among the few who dared ownership and lobbied to create a union in the mid-’50s. The leaders of the movement risked their careers. As punishment, Lindsay was exiled to the Blackhawks, known at the time as the worst franchise in the NHL. “Can you imagine the [courage] it took for him and all those guys?” Smith asked rhetorically. “My dad and my grandfather were huge fans of his, so I’d known about him as I was growing up but I didn’t realize his impact until later. For me to actually get to know him and have that kind of relationship with him was unbelievable.” New York Post LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134450 New York Rangers “The way he has developed as an all-round player and a teammate is very impressive,” Lundqvist said. “He’s always been skilled, but he has taken another step with the way he plays, his preparation and his place Why the Rangers are in no rush to name a new captain on the team. “Mika has been in the league for such a long time [debuted in 2011-12] that I’m always surprised by how young [26 next month] he is. He has a By Larry Brooks March 4, 2019 | 8:24PM lot of great qualities.” New York Post LOADED: 03.05.2019 The Rangers have done this half as many times as they have won the Stanley Cup, so the math is easy enough for a kindergartner. Twice have the Blueshirts gone wire to wire playing without a captain — this and 2005-06 the seasons. Henrik Lundqvist is the only player here for both of them. “This year has been very different to begin with, so it’s hard to say whether I’ve noticed a difference without one,” Lundqvist, who will back- up Alexandar Georgiev in Tuesday’s match in Dallas, told The Post. “Actually, it’s felt like a good fit the way we’ve done it, with a few captains and leaders to share the responsibility and to help out.” The Rangers, without a captain since Ryan McDonagh was traded at last year’s deadline, had gone with five alternates in Marc Staal, Jesper Fast, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and Mats Zuccarello. Now there are four. “I think it has worked well,” Zibanejad said. “It’s never felt weird that we don’t have a captain.” In 2005-06, the season that followed the cancelation of the previous year, the Rangers went with three alternates in Jaromir Jagr, Steve Rucchin and Darius Kasparaitis. Jagr, who had rejected an offer to wear the “C” largely because he felt his command of the English language would hamper in speaking for the team in the room, accepted it the following season. He did fine. Ryan McDonagh “I think that it should be an obvious choice when you pick a captain,” said Lundqvist, whose tenure has featured Jagr, Chris Drury, Ryan Callahan and McDonagh in that role. “It should be pretty clear who it should be. If you don’t have that individual, you’re probably better off with a few, the way we did it this year. “It’s a big honor, but it’s also a big responsibility. You don’t want to make a mistake.” You can’t force it, the way the Rangers might have by naming McDonagh when natural born leader Marty St. Louis was on the roster. But St. Louis had only one season remaining on his contract and retired after 2015-16. You don’t want to name the wrong person, but you also don’t want to have to name three captains in three seasons. Indeed, there is every chance Zuccarello was passed over for the position this year because of his contract situation. “I don’t know whether it would be the right move to have a captain next year,” Lundqvist said. “I think that’s a decision to be made after you know who’s going to be on the team. You can be successful without one.” The 2005-06 club, expected to be a bottom feeder, ended the franchise’s seven-year playoff drought. This team has been far more competitive than expected, clocking in with a 27-27-11 record that probably does not quite do justice to the team’s work ethic. If the Rangers do decide naming a captain would be of benefit to a team that almost certainly will skew younger than this one, Zibanejad and Kreider are the logical candidates. But Kreider has only one year remaining on his contract. Plus, there is suspicion the winger puts enough pressure on himself without adding to it by attaching the “C” to his chest. Zibanejad, blossoming in his third season on Broadway and with a contract commitment that extends through 2021-22, could well be the proper fit. “I don’t know if that’s really for me to say,” said No. 93, who leads the Rangers with 27 goals, 36 assists and 63 points. “I do know that it’s an honor for me to wear an ‘A’ for an organization that has so much history as an Original Six team, and I take pride in being a leader for not only our young guys but all the players. “It’s hard to say how anyone would handle any situation before it comes up. I’m sure there’s a learning curve for everyone in that position. Some players would probably try to do too much and would find it a burden.” Again, Lundqvist isn’t quite making the nominating speech for Zibanejad, but he certainly has been struck by the strides his fellow Swede has taken since coming to New York from Ottawa in the Derick Brassard deal during the summer of 2016. 1134451 New York Rangers

Henrik Lundqvist OK with reduced time in Rangers' net

By Brian Heyman Updated March 5, 2019 12:06 AM

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Henrik Lundqvist understands why he’s getting less guard duty in front of the Rangers’ net. David Quinn said it won’t be a straight rotation but added that his goalies probably will “come close to splitting” the remaining 17 games. Alexandar Georgiev will play Tuesday night at Dallas, his fourth start in six games. “Obviously, I want to play, but I understand the situation we’re in and working for the future,” Lundqvist told Newsday. “So I’ve just got to work hard during practice and try to be ready when they want me to play. “ . . . I’m used to playing more and get into a rhythm. In the last month and a half, that hasn’t really happened. So you try to adjust to it and do as good as you can.” Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134452 New York Rangers

Rangers' trade of Mats Zuccarello was tough for Henrik Lundqvist, Mika Zibanejad

By Brian Heyman Updated March 5, 2019 12:07 AM

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The pain was etched on Henrik Lundqvist’s face. No goalie mask to hide it. There were tears in his eyes. There was emotion in his voice. He tried to spit out some words to reporters the day after his pal Mats Zuccarello got traded by the rebuilding Rangers to the Dallas Stars on Feb. 23, but he quickly had to give up because he was choked up. “Even though it was talked about for the longest time, it was shocking that it actually happened,” Lundqvist said after practice Monday at MSG Training Center. Another close friend of Zuccarello’s, Mika Zibanejad, had to deal with it, too. So did the rest of the team and the fans. Zuccarello was a piece of the fabric here across nine seasons, but he was 31 with an expiring contract. General manager Jeff Gorton sent the winger off to the Stars for two draft picks. “I miss him,” coach David Quinn said. “He had a presence on and off the ice. So you’re always going to miss that personality.” Zibanejad and Lundqvist also surely miss that, although they’ve kept in touch with Zuccarello. The two Rangers looked forward to getting together with him; the team left after practice for its game against the Stars in Dallas on Tuesday night. Zibanejad indicated a group could meet up with him. The Rangers just won’t get a chance to play against him. Zuccarello broke his arm in his first game with his new team. “It was so unfortunate,” Zibanejad said. “ You don’t want to see that happen to anyone, especially to your friend.” The trade made Lundqvist, 37, reflect about how many great teammates have left over time. “The last two [deadlines] have been difficult because it’s not for here and now,” he said. “It’s more for the future. Big, big changes in a different way.” Like Lundqvist, Zibanejad had to come to grips with Zuccarello’s departure. “It was hard,” the center said. “We’re still going to be friends. We talk a lot. That doesn’t change. Obviously, you want him in your locker room. You want him on the ice with you. But that’s the business and you learn to deal with it and you learn to accept it and you move on, because you have to.” Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134453 New York Rangers Another highlight is once again a transaction including Zibanejad. The then-24-year-old center was also coming off a two-year bridge deal and his next contract was reasonable for a second-line center, which he was Goldman: Identifying the tendencies that have defined Jeff Gorton’s the previous season, and outstanding for a first-line center that he was tenure as Rangers GM so far already tapped to become after the Stepan trade. With Smith, Gorton also had a player coming off a two-year contract. At the time, considering his play in New York and Detroit, an extension By Shayna Goldman Mar 4, 2019 seemed like the right move. Unfortunately, they didn’t anticipate such a step back in the first year of a contract that’s looked questionable ever since. General managers get an identity based on their tendencies. Peter Speaking of two-year deals, there was the decision to sign Miller and Chiarelli is known for lopsided trades, Stan Bowman for re-acquiring Hayes to similar bridge deals in the same offseason instead of taking the familiar faces, David Poile for team-savvy contracts and Steve Yzerman risk on a low-cost, long-term extension on at least one. Instead, it put the (and now Julien BriseBois) for finding skill no matter a player’s draft Rangers in the situation where they’d have to choose between the two — ranking or size. and while retaining Hayes over Miller was the right deal, they’re left with neither now since Hayes’ value raised enough for him to ask for a more In New York, the Rangers’ identity is still closely linked to their last significant contract than they were willing to sign last summer. general manager and current president Glen Sather. But this is Jeff Gorton’s team now and it has been since he was promoted from That’s not to say that a bridge deal is the wrong move. With a player like assistant to general manager in July 2015. While he may not have an Jimmy Vesey it was more fitting. With Brady Skjei, also in the 2018 identity that defines his tenure yet, he is developing tendencies, some of offseason, Gorton instead took the risk and went with a long-term which were reinforced as recently as the 2019 trade deadline. contract that could pay dividends for years to come. If his play sours, there’s still the opportunity to flip him because of his age. Gorton plays the most pivotal role in the Rangers’ rebuild. For even acknowledging the need for a rebuild, instead of trying to bandaid the With these contracts, Gorton’s trended away from trade clauses — which team’s weaknesses with right-now moves that only deepened the hole may be because of how they’ve burned the team in the past. Between they created for themselves, he set himself apart from his predecessor. the contracts of Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Brad Richards and maybe even But how he proceeds as he accumulates talent is crucial, as is finding the Stepan (although, he really shouldn’t be grouped with the rest), there’s right personnel to develop that talent. When there are breakdowns and reason for him to want to stay away from the inclusion of those terms, road blocks that develop, the onus is once again on the general manager particularly throughout the life of the contract. Kreider’s contract features to remedy them. a modified no-trade clause in the second half, while Zibanejad’s has a no-move clause that activates July 1. Only Kevin Shattenkirk was signed With that in mind, it’s worth looking at Gorton’s time as general manager to a contract with a no-movement clause throughout. to assess his progress so far — not just with their rebuild, but since 2015 — to determine the tendencies that have defined his tenure along with Where Gorton’s really done well is his depth signings, from Raanta’s some of the strengths and weaknesses he’s developed over the years. cost-effective two-year extension to both of Jesper Fast’s contracts. Trades Besides contract extensions to depth players, it’s where Gorton has excelled with free agents, from Viktor Stalberg to Michael Grabner and Gorton’s trade history (his full trade history can be found on CapFriendly) Fredrik Claesson. is highlighted by the Mika Zibanejad trade — a deal that brought in an up and coming center at a lower cost, plus a second-rounder that was later Plus, he’s signed a number of low-risk contracts to younger players, used in the Brendan Smith trade. Since the trade, Derick Brassard’s including John Gilmour, Neal Pionk, and Ville Meskanen. Each of these value has trended down, while Zibanejad’s value has skyrocketed as he’s signings addressed something the Rangers were clearly lacking both at become one of the the Rangers’ best players. the NHL and prospect level. While the Rangers were struggling defensively, Gorton addressed it with free-agent signings that although Since taking the reins, Gorton’s only traded for a true deadline once, in they didn’t help the team at the time, would help in the future. The same acquiring Eric Staal in a deal that clearly didn’t work and cost the can be said for the Meskanen signing, as they could use depth on the Rangers assets that soon became precious. The following deadline, his wings both now and in the future. only notable move was acquiring Smith from the Detroit Red Wings; the trade looked even more reasonable when their rental was actually The problem at times has been how long it has taken to address certain extended (yes, we’ll get there). areas — the defense needed changes sooner and their NHL-level center depth should have been replenished sooner into the 2017-18 season. But since 2017, the Rangers have been sellers under Gorton at the deadline, which is something that their previous general manager may What’s surprisingly missing from the Rangers’ history under Gorton, is not have been as willing to do. the lack of major signings. There’s really only two big-name players on this list — Vesey, who was a highly touted college free agent, and Kevin Some of those deadline deals, like the Michael Grabner trade, have been Shattenkirk. The latter is the particularly interesting one, as his is the only exactly what the team needed. Others, like the Ryan McDonagh/J.T. significant free agent contract of Gorton’s tenure, and that deal is very Miller trade, arguably could have brought back more. The risk of reasonable compared to what teams offer to sway a player to sign with packaging up assets in one trade is that it can diminish what the return is them. — and maybe they should have learned that months earlier after sending Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta to Arizona for a first-round pick and Tony The Rangers have been known to add via free agency, but that strategy DeAngelo. hasn’t come without risks because players that hit the open market are often already towards the end of their prime and those contracts Generally, Gorton hasn’t been the most aggressive general manager. frequently carry into less productive years at a significant cap hit. The Zibanejad deal could be viewed as such since Brassard was still productive in New York and as well with the Stepan deal, especially since Along with trades and signings, there’s drafting. As the Rangers have neither center needed to be traded. Trading Miller, a pending RFA, was traded players away over the last two seasons, they’ve accumulated draft somewhat aggressive since he got ahead of having to deal with two picks to replenish a depleted prospect pipeline. RFAs on expiring bridge-deals in Miller and Kevin Hayes. What they do with those picks is a key part of the rebuilding process. Otherwise though, a number of these trades were predictable, especially With a number of these picks, it’s too soon to truly know what they’ll do in those involving pending UFAs. Had Chris Kreider been traded at the past the NHL, but there are encouraging signs, like the fact that Gorton and deadline (which he should be at the draft if they don’t see a future with his scouting staff have found value in later rounds with picks like Morgan him in New York, not at the next deadline), the McDonagh trade to Barron and they’ve gone with high-upside picks in Chytil, Vitali Kravtsov, Edmonton taken place years ago, or the Rangers been a little bolder with K’Andre Miller, and Nils Lundkvist in the first round the last two years. acquiring overpriced contracts in exchange for extra assets, they’d be pushing the boundaries a bit more. But they’ve also looked for the appearance of NHL readiness, character, and need, as they did with the seventh overall pick in 2017 with Signings Andersson. While he could still develop into a key player for the Rangers, it’s the strategy that’s flawed. On to some of the contract extensions in the Gorton era, one standout is the Chris Kreider deal that was signed after his two-year bridge-deal Coaching expired. Kreider’s four-year extension has been excellent, as he’s been one of their best wingers throughout the life of the deal. Alain Vigneault was a Glen Sather hire, but he could have been a Gorton fire sooner — really, after any of their failed playoff appearances. Instead, midway through the 2016-17 season, he was extended through 2019-20 even though he still had a year and a half until his five-year contract expired. He was fired just after that first contract would have expired after the 2017-18 season. With Vigneault, a number of players that Gorton (and Sather) had acquired were misused, including Keith Yandle, Eric Staal, and Smith. While the general manager may not have wanted to micromanage the day to day, allowing the situation to continue as long as it did doesn’t reflect well. Retaining Lindy Ruff is another questionable decision after last year’s disastrous defense, from both the personnel choices and their execution of the system. While the skill level, especially after the deadline, has to be factored in, it still doesn’t excuse it. Yet some of those decisions have continued throughout this season. Then again, how Gorton evaluates defense in general may be a weakness. Acquiring Ryan Lindgren and Adam McQuaid both pose the same questions: how much was character considered over skill since both are fairly one-dimensional backs. Even with the Brendan Lemieux trade (which is not to suggest that he isn’t a solid add), it could be asked how much his character and grit attracted them to him, rather than a skilled prospect — is this front office blinded by intangibles? Moreover with the defense, there’s the question of why an eighth defensemen was added to the mix for Ruff to deal with, which meant benching at least two a game (unless seven were dressed). Even after the deadline when one was finally moved (McQuaid, for less than what they acquired him for), Gorton got the Rangers right back into that situation by promoting Hajek when there technically wasn’t the space for another. On the other hand, there’s the David Quinn hiring. In Quinn, the Rangers gained a head coach known for his communication and working with younger players, which is exactly what a rebuilding team needs. Plus, there’s the fact that Gorton opted not to go with any former NHL head coaches that would likely just continue to recycle the same ideas that led to their previous dismissal. More than anything, to this point, Gorton is known for his decision to change the franchise’s direction and rebuild. While it’s a decision that could have come sooner, it was a necessary choice that marked a major change for the Rangers. To this point, he deserves credit for committing to the rebuilding and sticking to it thus far, even though some of his transactions to this point haven’t been as aggressive for a rebuilding team. But nothing Gorton’s done has truly set him apart from other teams that went through this process; he hasn’t set a model with the salary cap, drafting, or even looking outside the draft, although there’s still time for that to change. That’s if Gorton doesn’t move the Rangers back into a direction they’re more familiar with, especially with this year’s tempting free agency class that may be headlined by Artemi Panarin and Erik Karlsson. It would go against his tendency to focus on low-risk free agent signings and some of the team-savvy contracts he’s signed players to and change the salary cap landscape that he was tasked with cleaning up, but it would be more in line with what’s expected of this team. Thats a direction that Gorton hasn’t been as familiar with since being named general manager. While his actions at his first trade deadline were motivated by a win-now mentality, everything since has been either split between present and future, or solely focused on the future. The 2019 deadline only reinforces that. Moving forward, Gorton’s tenure will likely be defined by the rebuilding process, whether it ends with the Rangers evolving into a bonafide contender or falling into a lengthy process that he isn’t around to finish. The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134454 NHL his wife and children were not welcome. The following year, the banquet was open to men and women.

“That’s amazing,” Edmonton star Connor McDavid said as news of Red Wings great, NHL union pioneer Ted Lindsay dies at 93 Lindsay’s death filtered out. “That just goes to show what he’s about and he was not afraid to stand up to anyone and stand up for what he believed in.” By NOAH TRISTER and Larry Lage Born July 29, 1925, in Renfrew, Ontario, as the youngest of nine children, The Associated Press Lindsay joined the Red Wings in 1944. He led the NHL with 33 goals in 1947-48 and won the Art Ross Trophy for the most points in 1949-50 when he had 23 goals and a league-best 55 assists. In 1955, Lindsay scored four goals in a 7-1 victory over Montreal in Game 2 of the Stanley DETROIT (AP) — Ted Lindsay lived to do what he thought was right. Cup Final. He pioneered the first NHL players’ union despite intense opposition from During his 14 seasons in Detroit, he led the team in goals only once. He team management, began the tradition of taking the Stanley Cup closer led or tied for the team lead in penalty minutes 10 times, including his to fans by skating it around the ice and refused to attend his own Hall of final season of 1964-65, when he was approaching 40 years old. Fame induction ceremony because only men were allowed. Former Bruins player Milt Schmidt said Lindsay “probably was one of the “I was led by a feeling of fairness,” Lindsay once said. most hated players in the National Hockey League” because of the way Lindsay, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound tough guy who provided muscle and he came after other teams. meanness on the Detroit Red Wings’ famed “Production Line” of the “But every franchise would have given their right arm for Ted Lindsay,” 1950s, died Monday at the age of 93 in his home in Michigan, according he said. to Lew LaPaugh, his son-in-law and president of the Ted Lindsay Foundation, which raises money for autism research. Lindsay retired following the 1959-60 season and focused on his automotive business. He came back for one more season with the Red The player known as “Terrible Ted” was one of the game’s best left wings Wings in 1964-65 and returned to Detroit as general manager in 1977 and an 11-time All-Star who played on four Stanley Cup winners in the and remained in that role until 1980. During the 1980-81 season, he early 1950s. Lindsay, Sid Abel and Gordie Howe formed an offensive coached the team for 20 games. juggernaut of a line that helped make Detroit one of the first of the NHL’s great postwar dynasties and they had a fitting nickname in the Motor He was a familiar face around the Red Wings for decades after his City. retirement — and what a face. Pucks, fists and elbows took a toll on his face, leaving scratches and dents after uncountable numbers of stiches. He finished his NHL career with 379 goals and 472 assists in 1,068 He was booed on road trips, the player every opposing team loved to games with 14 of his 17 seasons with Detroit. With Howe and Lindsay hate. centered first by Abel and then by Al Delvecchio, the Red Wings won Stanley Cups in 1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955. The Red Wings retired his “There’s only one reason I played. That was to win,” he told The No. 7 in 1991. Canadian Press in March 2015. “And also to play better the next day than I did the last game.” Lindsay is credited with beginning the ritual in which players skate around the rink holding the Stanley Cup they have just won. Lindsay, whose wife, Joanne, died two years ago, is survived by his children Blake, Lynn and Meredith, stepdaughter Leslie, six “I saw it sitting there, and I thought, ‘I’ll just pick it up and I’ll take it over,'” grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Lindsay recalled in an interview with The Associated Press in 2013. “I just moved along the boards. I didn’t have it over my head. I had it so AP Hockey Writers John Wawrow and Stephen Whyno and former AP they could read it. I wasn’t starting a tradition. I was just taking care of my writer Jim Irwin contributed to this report. fans that paid our salary.” Seattle Times LOADED: 03.05.2019 Lindsay took his toughness off the ice to organize a players’ union despite opposition from team executives and without the support of Howe, perhaps the most famous hockey player of all. Lindsay pressed on anyway without the backing of “Mr. Hockey.” “All of us who were involved in trying to establish the players’ association weren’t the ones who needed it,” Lindsay explained. “It was for the fringe players that were the worst off. When I got caught up in this, I was so grateful to the game for all it had done for me. But it was a dictatorship on the part of the owners, who didn’t realize any of us had a brain.” At one point, Lindsay gathered secretly with a handful of players in New York in 1957. The next day, Red Wings general manager Jack Adams was very angry about it. “He was ranting and raving,” Lindsay recalled in an interview with the NHLPA . “But, I’d do the same thing.” Lindsay, who was named president of the short-lived union, was traded to Chicago the next summer. “It didn’t matter that they traded me,” he said in 1995. “I have a Red Wing on my forehead and on my behind and on my heart. That will never change.” The NHL Players’ Association was formed for good in 1967 — a decade after the Lindsay-led attempt to unionize — and the organization put Lindsay’s name on its version of the MVP award. The honor, which is chosen by an NHLPA vote, was previously called the Lester B. Pearson Award after the former Canadian prime minister. “On the ice, Ted Lindsay was one of the best players to ever to put on a pair of skates,” NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said. “But his greatest legacy was off the ice. A true trailblazer in seeking to improve conditions for all players, Ted was instrumental in organizing the original players’ association in 1957. All players, past, current and future, are in his debt. All those who have, and will follow him into the NHL, enjoy improved rights and benefits in large part due to the efforts he made.” The Hockey Hall of Fame waived its three-year waiting period when it inducted Lindsay in 1966, but he declined to attend the banquet because 1134455 NHL It depends on how far NHL Seattle and the Pacific Science Center are willing to go.

During the initial event last week, NHL Seattle president and CEO Tod Local NHL team-sponsored lecture series aims to lure fans with the Leiweke talked up the KeyArena remodel as the equivalent of science behind hockey constructing an entirely new building under the existing roof. Project architects and engineers reinforced that point with a handful of new artist renderings that provided the audience a striking, detailed look at the level Originally published March 4, 2019 at 6:00 am of work actually taking place below ground. By Geoff Baker Project executive Shaun Mason of the CAA ICON architectural firm likened the arena to “an iceberg’’ where the visible portion is a fraction of the overall venue. To nearly double the arena’s footprint from 411,000 square feet to more than 800,000, he explained, the project is digging Inside the NHL down an extra 15 feet below ground and then digging out well beyond the Using science to explain hockey to uninitiated U.S. sports fans is an idea venue’s existing walls. about as old as KeyArena itself. Lead project designer Geoff Cheong of Populous discussed the Ever since Chicago Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull supposedly was challenges of air circulation given the arena’s new loading dock will now clocked with a 118.3 mph slap shot during a velocity test written up by be 53 feet below grade while lead engineer Jeff Sawarynski talked about Popular Mechanics magazine in 1968, luring new American hockey installing “snorkels’’ on the arena’s roof to allow air to flow in and out and patrons by impressing them with the science behind the game has keep hockey fans comfortable. Audience members were told how the become a thing. And now, as the NHL pushes forward with plans for new arena’s roof is to be suspended from the air by cranes and cables to player-and-puck-tracking data next season in hopes of, among other keep it in place when the digging occurs. things, making television broadcasts more interesting, a more local So, there should be interesting tidbits to chew over once the sessions get initiative involving hockey and science began last week. down to scientifically dissecting hockey. NHL Seattle and the Oak View Group (OVG) have partnered with the Daugherty, an Atlanta native, recalled once seeing rookie Wayne Gretzky Pacific Science Center on a speaker series of public events on the score four goals on former Team USA “Miracle on Ice” Olympic team science behind hockey and some of the other live entertainment to be goalie Jim Craig when the netminder joined his hometown Flames late in offered at a remodeled KeyArena. the 1979-80 season. The Flames relocated to Calgary the following The series, dubbed “The Science of Sports & Entertainment” began season, but Daugherty said he’s confident the Seattle public will be more Tuesday with a session on the architectural and engineering feats supportive of the NHL than Atlanta was and hopes to play a role in surrounding the $850 million KeyArena renovation, with developer OVG building that. supplying a handful of project executives to explain details to a crowd of And if science helps, why not use it? Professional hockey left Seattle about 150 attendees. more than 40 years ago and, local junior teams notwithstanding, it’s “Curiosity, discovery, experimentation and critical thinking – those are going to take newcomers to the sport willing to spend big money on essential for science and innovation,’’ Will Daugherty, president and CEO tickets and cable-TV package subscriptions to keep the NHL viable here of the science center, told the crowd. “They’re also critical to great long term. sporting performances, great athletic performances and great theater, The NHL clearly thinks all the real-time tracking data it will start collecting great dance.’’ and releasing for TV and sports-gaming partners next season — Daugherty hopes future sessions of the bimonthly series, which will delve including shot velocities, ice time logged and situational percentages — more into the sport of hockey — including a look at shot velocity and the will lead to increased interest in its product. So, locally, if even a handful geometry of how a puck glides across the ice — raise a greater of fans go home from these NHL Seattle-sponsored science center appreciation of the game. sessions willing to watch a hockey game on TV and buy season tickets to KeyArena down the road, the speaker series will have paid for itself. NHL Seattle and OVG plan to open a season-ticket and suites presentation center within the science center building, so part of Seattle Times LOADED: 03.05.2019 sponsoring the series is simply being a good neighbor and drawing some customers there during otherwise slow weekday nights. But it’s also in NHL Seattle and OVG’s best interest to drum up as much hockey support as possible before a new team hits the ice at KeyArena in October 2021. One of the biggest NHL critiques out there is that the games are more entertaining when seen live than on TV. Part of that is hockey’s speed, which can be difficult for new fans to follow on a limited field of vision TV picture if they didn’t grow up watching NHL games. Few things will turn potential hockey fans off quicker than watching what seems to be a chaotic mass of players whizzing by at 30 mph, crashing in to each other and swatting away at a rubber disc viewers at home can barely see. Fox Sports briefly attempted an infamous “glow puck” blue tracer on late-1990s game broadcasts to help viewers better follow the puck, but that just seemed to irritate hockey purists and newcomers alike. What that failed tracer technology didn’t do was actually explain to fans what they were watching. And sometimes, a little added information goes a long way. For instance, everybody suspected NHL players delivered hard hits. But then Montreal Canadiens defenseman Larry Robinson threw a hip check on Gary Dornhoefer of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 2 of the 1976 Stanley Cup Final that actually dislodged the arena’s sideboards. Those watching on TV that night will likely never forget how a quick science lesson — using the boards as a prop — gave them a new appreciation of how the force of a blow delivered by a 6-foot-4, 225- pound NHL defender could resemble that of a car hitting a wall. No statistical data needed. Of course, the science center likely won’t line up many volunteers willing to be crushed Robinson-style and left spitting up blood for days like Dornhoefer. But 43 years after Robinson’s hit, we’re now technologically advanced enough to deliver statistical data on bodychecks in ever- creative and entertaining ways. 1134456 Ottawa Senators with a 3-2 victory. This one should be a little easier for them to play, if only because should have tiny bit of confidence from the W.

3. One that matters GAME DAY: Senators vs Islanders These are playoff games for the Senators, who with back-to-back games can have a say on whether the Islanders make it to post-season Don Brennan tournament. In losing their last two games and five of their last seven, the Islanders can see the Columbus Blue Jackets in their rear view mirror.

4. Milestone for Smith Ottawa Senators (23-38-5) at New York Islanders (37-21-7) Zack Smith will become just the ninth player (and sixth forward) to play Tuesday 7 p.m. Nassau Coliseum 600 games for the Senators when they make their first return to Uniondale and Nassau Coliseum in almost four years. Coincidentally, it’s TV: TSN5, RDS also the building where Smith played his first game, a 4-2 Senators loss, on Nov. 29, 2008. Needless to say, he’d like a different result tonight RADIO: TSN1200, Unique 94,5 FM 5. Good old days SPECIAL TEAMS The Senators have won only one of the last four games between the Senators: PP 20.8% (14th) PK 78.5% (24th) teams but they do have a strong past with Islanders. Their overall record Islanders: PP 16% (25th) PK 80.4% (14th) against them is 53-24-11-6, while Ottawa has a dominant 27-12-6-3 record when visiting the Islanders. INJURIES BIG MATCHUP Senators: None Mathew Barzal vs Thomas Chabot Islanders: Matt Martin Good friends and former roommates at Team Canada’s world junior SENATORS GAME DAY LINES: camp, they’ll enjoy the challenge of playing against each other. Chabot is struggling of late. In his last seven games he has just one point, an Forward assist, and is minus-13. In three career games versus Islanders, Chabot Brady Tkachuk – Colin White – JG Pageau has a goal and four points. Rudolfs Balcers – Chris Tierney – Bobby Ryan Barzal, who had two goals and three points in the Islanders 6-3 victory over Ottawa earlier this season, has been quiet of late. In his last seven Anthony Duclair – Brian Gibbons – Mikkel Boedker games the has no goals and two assists. Zack Smith – Oscar Lindberg – Magnus Paajarvi Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.05.2019 Defence Thomas Chabot – Dylan DeMelo Ben Harper – Cody Ceci Christian Wolanin – Christian Jaros Goalies Craig Anderson Anders Nilsson ISLANDERS GAME DAY LINES: Forwards Anders Lee – Brock Nelson – Jordan Eberle Anthony Beauvillier – Mathew Barzel – Josh Bailey Andrew Ladd – Valtteri Filppula – Leo Komarov Ross Johnston – Casey Cizikas – Cal Clutterbuck Defence Nick Leddy – Johnny Boychuk Adam Pelech – Ryan Pulock Scott Mayfield – Devon Toews Goalies Robin Lehner Thomas Greiss FIVE KEYS 1. The Lehner It appears former Senator Robin Lehner is reaching his potential at the age of 27 with a Vezina-type season as a first-year Islander. Lehner was pulled after giving up three goals on 13 shots against the Flyers Sunday, but should be given the chance to straighten himself out against the Senators, against whom he has a record of 7-0-3, with a 1.61 goals against average and .949 save percentage. 2. Breathing easier The Senators finally shed the heavy weight of a losing streak off their shoulders when they stopped theirs at seven games Sunday in Florida 1134457 Ottawa Senators WHAT GOES AROUND Not only is the pesky Brian Gibbons playing for his second NHL team in three weeks, he’s also playing for his fourth coach. Back on Feb. 10, Warrenspiece: A former teammate in the dressing room and a former when Gibbons was with the Anaheim Ducks, Randy Carlyle and replaced teammate behind the bench by general manager Bob Murray. After being traded to the Senators on Feb. 22, Gibbons was on hand when Marc Crawford stepped in to replace the fired Guy Boucher on Friday. “A coaching change in my last Ken Warren week in Anaheim and then the first week here,” he said. “It is part of the business.”

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.05.2019 Ft. Lauderdale –There was a homecoming of sorts in the Ottawa Senators dressing room late Sunday night. As new assistant coach and former multi-purpose forward Chris Kelly was receiving congratulations for picking up his first win, former speed winger Clarke MacArthur was also making the rounds. While Kelly is receiving strong reviews after his first weekend behind the bench, MacArthur also says he’s intrigued by the idea of being involved in a capacity where Kelly used to be – on the player development side of the game. MACARTHUR IN MANAGEMENT? MacArthur still has one year remaining on a five-year, $23.25 million contract, but he’s on the long-term injury list due to on-going post- concussion problems. He hasn’t played since the Senators run to the Eastern Conference final in 2017 and it took him time to get over the fact his playing days are over. The disappointment is fading. “I’m starting to get the itch again,” said MacArthur, who has moved with his family to Florida during the winter. “Maybe I will sit down and talk with (Senators general manager Pierre Dorion) at some point. “This year, I was watching some video of the team, but I didn’t like it. I didn’t know the players, so I didn’t like to comment on them. “If you travel and meet the people, that’s something I’m more interested in.” POSITIVE MEMORIES After everything MacArthur went through for two seasons before making his feel-good return to the lineup on the eve of the 2017 playoffs, he originally struggled with the idea that it was all over. Looking back, he says he suffered some symptoms in the second round of the playoffs against the New York Rangers and they lingered throughout that summer. He didn’t feel ready to visit with his former Senators teammates last season. “It was tough because I thought I was at least in the clear to finish my (contract) and I thought the two years off was my sentence for all the bad things I did in my life,” he said, with a laugh. “But thank god we went on that run and we had all that fun.” KELLY’S DEBUT Like MacArthur, Kelly isn’t all that far removed from his playing days – he split last year between the Belleville Senators, Canada’s Olympic team and the Anaheim Ducks – which he says is an advantage in his new position behind the bench. “The one thing that I bring is I’m not too far removed,” he said. “I’m able to relate to older guys and younger guys and see the different styles of play that they bring.” His playing career also bridged old-school shut up and do what your told attitudes and the new wave of young players, who ask more questions. “There is more definitely more communication, the transition of the Y generation,” said Kelly, who is focussed on the forwards. “It’s great for us because they want to know ‘why should I do that?’ As a staff, it’s our job to give them those answers.” Senators centre Zack Smith says it is a bit odd to be hearing an old teammate in his ear during games, but he’s not surprised in the least that Kelly has found himself where he is. “He was a very good pro, one of the guys I learned a lot from when I came in,” he said. “He’s got that kind of mentality where he thinks the game very well. He is a good hockey mind to have around, but it does seem like that long ago that I was playing with him.” The way Bobby Ryan sees it, Kelly’s calmness offers a balance to Marc Crawford who “is a little more in your face” during games. “It’s a good starting point for all of us,” he said. 1134458 Ottawa Senators

Crawford's advice to Wolanin: Be more like your Dad

Ken Warren

The way Marc Crawford sees it, Christian Wolanin can elevate his game if he channels his inner Craig Wolanin. With seemingly every conversation with reporters, the Senators interim head coach reaches back to another stage of his career to find comparisons. The other day he linked rookie winger Brady Tkachuk to Henrik and . And then there’s the case of the rookie defenceman Wolanin. “I had the luxury of coaching his father,” said Crawford. “I’ve told Christian that if you can get what your Dad had…his Dad was a great reader of the game. Positionally, he was a really strong defender. He eliminated people from the play in the defensive zone.” Craig Wolanin, who played for Crawford on the Stanley Cup winning Colorado Avalanche, was a solid stay-at-home defender, registering only 40 goals and 133 assists in 695 NHL games. Of course, the Senators don’t want to take away the younger Wolanin’s natural offensive gifts, including his skating and playmaking abilities. When he’s in the lineup, as the was the case in Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers, he’ll see time on the power play. Wolanin played 19:01 against the Panthers and he will likely stay in the lineup against the New York Islanders Tuesday. Christian Jaros, who was a healthy scratch against Florida, is expected to return in what is becoming a rotation of sorts on the blueline. It’s possible that Ben Harpur will be a healthy scratch against the Islanders. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134459 Ottawa Senators Wins figure to be in short supply for the final 16 games, so the Senators need to take everything they can from the ones they do get along the way. It's but one win, but optimism returns to Ottawa Senators dressing room “There were a lot of feel good situations,” said Smith. “Hopefully, it carries over to the next game.” Ken Warren Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.05.2019

Ft. Lauderdale – A little perspective is necessary amid the sense of relief and pride that entered the Ottawa Senators dressing room Sunday night. After defeating the Florida Panthers 3-2 and ending a seven-game losing streak, the Senators finally topped the 50-point mark and they remain stuck in last place in the NHL standings, four points shy of the Detroit Red Wings. The high-flying Tampa Bay Lightning, meanwhile, already have 50 wins. For all that, though, there was a sense of accomplishment that the commitment to teamwork had paid off. It was just one victory, only the ninth road win of the season, but it was proof that it is possible to have success with limited star power in the line-up. The re-set that saw Marc Crawford named head coach in replace of the fired Guy Boucher has paid some early dividends. “It has been tough,” said Zack Smith, who opened the scoring against the Panthers and has assumed more minutes (an even 20:00 Sunday) and responsibilities in the absence of the traded-away Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel. “We had played a lot of good hockey lately. Sometimes, not for a full game – two periods or whatever – but I don’t think there’s any question that we had effort from everyone for all three periods (against the Panthers.)” Nothing is ever going to come easy for the Senators in the final month of the season. They needed to survive a late Panthers power play and caught a break with 10 seconds remaining when former Senator Mike Hoffman rifled a shot off the post. “It’s a good situation to be in,” said Smith, chuckling. “It’s not too often lately when we’ve been trying to defend a lead late. Everyone was up on the bench excited. There wasn’t any doubt that we were going to kill that penalty.” The Senators are now in position to completely a rarity – a winning record on a road trip – when they visit old friend Robin Lehner and surprising New York Islanders Tuesday at the Nassau County Coliseum. They certainly flew out of Florida Monday refreshed. “We need effort from everybody if we’re going to have any success,” Crawford said after picking up his first victory as an NHL head coach since he was with the Dallas Stars in April, 2011. “A lot of the things we weren’t quite as sharp with in Tampa Bay (a 5-1 loss Saturday), we proved here. I’m happy to see the guys smiling and enjoying themselves with the victory.” In the big picture of what the Senators are tying to accomplish down the road, it’s the development of the young core that is the most important. Crawford credited the veterans, including Smith, for their composure in showing the way. The mood is noticeably more relaxed than it was a few days ago. “It’s an opportunity for them to re-engage in their professions,” Crawford said of the opportunity in front of players such as Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk, Colin White, Christian Wolanin, Christian Jaros, Ben Harpur and Rudolfs Balcers. “They did a good job at the start of the year, the work ethic was terrific. But for some reason, the last 20-25 games were not at the same level. A lot of it, I’m sure, was about the uncertainty. That’s really hard for young people.” The coaching change, Crawford hopes, will allow for a “refocus” of players’ energies. “We’ve known all along that we have great kids,” he said. “Chabot is going to be a leader. The future is bright for the Senators, but our responsibility is to help this process along.” For Anders Nilsson, who picked up the victory against the Panthers – both his and the team’s first triumph since Feb. 16 – Sunday’s game felt like the way the team was playing for a stretch in January, when they won four of five games. “Everyone gave their everything,” Nilsson said. “They bought in. Maybe it was not that pretty, but it was two points, a big confidence boost for the team, for sure.” 1134460 Ottawa Senators everything. I was more comfortable today out there. It’s starting to get better and better.”

It’s been a big adjustment for Brannstrom, who was the Knights’ first pick The view from Belleville: Erik Brannstrom displays both skill and grit while (No. 15) in the 2017 Draft. Shocked at first, he’s started to get his head Marcus Hogberg’s roll continues around the opportunity that life with a rebuilding franchise presents. The path to the NHL is a lot shorter in Ottawa than it might have been on By Chris Stevenson Mar 4, 2019 a more veteran, contending team like the Knights (I am now shaking my head after writing that sentence. A second-year expansion team is more veteran and is contending while the Senators are, well, what they are). BELLEVILLE — Not only did Erik Brannstrom show off his skill with the “That’s what I was thinking, too,” Brannstrom said. “Vegas has a really Belleville Senators against the Manitoba Moose on Saturday, he also good team and there are more veterans there. Of course you want to displayed his feisty side. play in the NHL. Everyone wants that in here (with Belleville) and that’s my main goal.” It would seem that’s something Ottawa Senators fans can expect in the future from the 19-year-old defenceman, the key piece in the trade of In the meantime, he’s looking forward to helping Belleville on their current Mark Stone a week ago. run. Brannstrom, playing in his second game since the trade from the Golden “It was a long couple of days with the trade. I was a little bit shocked, but Knights, was a central figure in Belleville’s 4-0 win against the Moose, I’m really happy to be here, really excited. It might take a few games extending the Senators streak to 17 games without a regulation loss (12- coming in, but it’s going better and better, I think. Today’s game was a 0-5). They are tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the AHL’s step in the right way and just keep building on that,” he said. Northern Division and are two points out of third, though the Utica Comets and the Toronto Marlies, the teams they are battling, have “We’ve got some really good prospects here and a really good team. I games in hand. think it’s really good. If we play this way the rest of the games it’s going to be a fun year. Brannstrom, 5-foot-10 and 173 pounds, is a dynamic skater who is always trying to make something happen with the puck. He also showed The other prospect closest to being an NHL-ready that the Senators a physical side when he slammed (maybe a bit from behind) Moose received in their recent deals (Matt Duchene to Columbus) is forward forward Mason Appleton into the boards. Brannstrom then got jumped by Vitaly Abramov. He’s another player on the smaller side, but showed on Manitoba forward Jansen Harkins and Appleton joined in after he got up. Saturday that he’s not afraid to go hard to the net. One mad dash to the blue paint’s outer limits resulted in a tumble into the boards and his first Here’s the clip from @SensProspects: goal with the Senators (13th of the season). WILD SCENE – BRANNSTROM GETS JUMPED BY 2 MOOSE “They’re both fearless,” Senators coach Troy Mann said of Brannstrom PLAYERS, HOGBERG STEPS IN TO HELP HIM OUT, AND AFTER 3 and Abramov. “When you’ve got kids that can skate like that and make MINUTES OF REFEREE DISCUSSION, IT'S 4-ON-4 HOCKEY 樂 plays like that and they’re fearless, it’s a pretty good combination to PIC.TWITTER.COM/WAAAOWXHST have.” — SENS PROSPECTS (@SENSPROSPECTS) MARCH 3, 2019 Abramov is playing with Filip Chlapik and Jack Rodewald. His arrival has given Mann another good offensive line behind the top trio of Logan The play had gone up the ice, so the trio had it for a few seconds until Brown between Paul and Batherson. Senators goaltender Marcus Hogberg jumped in to help. Near the end of the game, Brannstrom had a good exchange of whacks with Felix Girard The value of that was evident on Saturday night when Mann got fed up on the way to the benches. with too much east-west play by the Brown line with six minutes to go in the second period. He nailed them to the bench for the rest of the period. Afterward, Brannstrom told The Athletic that he doesn’t mind the physical He might not have had that luxury without the second line upgrade to stuff. take some of those shifts. “Of course I want the puck and stay away from that a little bit, but during The B-Sens have a nice mix upfront now with the skilled kids on the first the games of course when I do that, I can help the team that way, too. two lines and a good mix of veterans and grittier guys in the bottom six. I’m not that good, but I’m trying,” he said. The lines against Manitoba: Yes, he does want the puck. Whenever partner Cody Goloubef gained possession, Brannstrom would call out and give him the beaver-tail slap Nick Paul – Logan Brown – Drake Batherson on the ice with this stick to let Goloubef know he could move the puck in Vitaly Abramov – Filip Chlapik – Jack Rodewald his direction. Adam Tambellini – Chase Balisy – Darren Archibald Brannstrom isn’t afraid to go back into his corner and get the puck himself either and he’s crafty at dodging hits from oncoming Joseph LaBate – Jean-Christophe Beaudin – Boston Leier forecheckers. Archibald, for instance, has been really good since he was returned to In the first period on Saturday, he got the puck and skated it out of the Belleville on Feb. 22. He scored the winning goal against Manitoba on a Belleville zone down the left wing. He softly chipped it by a Moose player short-handed breakaway, giving him four goals in his last three games. at the Manitoba line, won the battle for the puck and skated it out of the corner and had a scoring chance. Even on something like a routine The 29-year-old came over in the trade with the Vancouver Canucks faceoff win in the offensive zone, Brannstrom conjured up something out along with goaltender Anders Nilsson for Tom Pyatt, Mike McKenna and of nothing. He faked left, causing the Manitoba player to lose his stick, a 2019 sixth-round pick. He was one of the guys who picked it up when jumped right and went down the slot for another chance. Mann shortened his bench. From @SensProspects again: “Brown’s line was a little bit off. It took six-minute benching in the late second to get them to wake up a little bit,” Mann said. “You’ve got guys 4 PERIODS IN, CAN CONFIRM: ERIK BRANNSTROM IS VERY FUN like Archibald who have been contributing. I can’t say enough about what TO WATCH PIC.TWITTER.COM/GBFEEARRZN he’s brought to the table since the trade. Great leadership on the bench and in the locker room. He just does it all. He gives us that intimidation — SENS PROSPECTS (@SENSPROSPECTS) MARCH 3, 2019 factor, as well, where nobody wants to mess with him. A great addition by Near the end of the game, with Belleville on the power play, he had his the organization. pass from the right point deflect off a stick and head towards the blueline. “Guys like Goloubef and Archibald for me are what I like to call Brannstrom won the race for it, twisted back away from the defender and organizational guys. They can go up and give the big club some valuable got the puck to forward Nick Paul who fed a pass across the ice to Drake minutes if there are injuries, but they’re just real good people and good Batherson for a goal. players for your American league club and good for the young guys.” “I try to have the puck as much as possible and give the puck to my “We’re trying to treat every game like it’s a playoff game,” Archibald said. forwards and make plays. That’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to work “We kind of dug ourselves a hole earlier in the year. It’s a dogfight right on everything every day, but that’s my kind of game,” he said. now. We’ve been playing some good hockey and we have to keep it “Maybe I was a little more confident with the puck tonight. (Friday) I was going.” maybe a little nervous. Maybe there was a little bit of pressure and Call it the Hogburglar run. Hogberg has played 15 of the 17 games in Belleville’s streak, including the past nine in a row. He has a .916 save percentage during that time period. “Hoggie has been unbelievable. He seems to always be there and make that big-time save when we need it most,” Archibald said. “He’s kind of been the glue back there holding everything together. Top to bottom though everyone’s been playing well.” Mann said he’s going to ride Hogberg for as long as the schedule allows. The Senators have back-to-back games in Cleveland against the Monsters on Thursday and Friday and a huge game against the Marlies in Toronto next Monday. “Consistency, right? It wasn’t here last year. I heard that was certainly something he needed to work on going into this season,” Mann said, who’s in his ninth year in the AHL and first in Belleville. “You’re only as good as your goaltending and he’s been unbelievable. This schedule right now is really conducive to him getting a lot of rest. We have to win. We have to win every game. As long as he’s feeling fresh and we’re communicating with him on a day-to-day basis, and if he feels good and says he can play, he’s going to play. “The bottom line is we want to get this team to the playoffs and right now he gives us the best chance to win.” The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134462 Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers have inched back into the Eastern Conference wild-card race thanks to a 16-3-2 run. Here are the team’s top scorers during that 21- game spurt: Flyers need a healthy Jake Voracek to complete unprecedented run to a Sean Couturier: 11 goals, 16 assists (27 points) playoff berth Jake Voracek: 7 goals, 16 assists (23 points)

Claude Giroux: 5 goals, 17 assists (22 points) by Sam Carchidi Travis Konecny: 10 goals, 8 assists (18 points)

James van Riemsdyk: 11 goals, 6 assists (17 points) Flyers need a healthy Jake Voracek to complete unprecedented run to a playoff berth Travis Sanheim: 5 goals, 11 assists (16 points) If the Flyers are going to complete an unprecedented run into the playoffs Nolan Patrick: 8 goals, 7 assists, 15 points — no team in NHL history has ever been 16 points behind and qualified for the postseason — they cannot afford to have right winger Jake Oskar Lindblom: 8 goals, 6 assists, 14 points Voracek sidelined for a long stretch. Breakaways Voracek, who missed Sunday’s 4-1 win over the Islanders with an The Flyers face the defending Stanley Cup champion Capitals three unspecified lower-body injury, has played like an all-star lately and has times in their next 10 games. … Travis Konecny has 10 goals over the helped key the Flyers’ 16-3-2 run. He underwent an MRI (the team didn’t last 21 games. … reached the 70-point mark Sunday for make the results available) before Sunday’s game, which was the first he the sixth time in his career. Only four players in franchise history have had missed after playing in 242 straight contests. done that more times: (nine), Brian Propp (eight), Bill The Flyers said they would have a medical update on Voracek and Barber (seven), and (seven). … The Flyers are 4-0-1 since injured players Nolan Patrick (head) and Carter Hart (ankle) on Tuesday their stunning comeback win over the Penguins in the Stadium Series morning. They host powerful Washington on Wednesday. game at Lincoln Financial Field, averaging 4.4 goals in those contests. “We’ll find out soon enough, right?” interim coach Scott Gordon said Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.05.2019 Sunday when asked if the Flyers had enough depth if Patrick and Voracek were sidelined for a while. Gordon said the Flyers were “really fortunate” to have several players who can play center or wing and “give us some versatility.” During their 16-3-2 run, Voracek is second on the Flyers with 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists), behind only Sean Couturier’s 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists). The goaltending and defense have been reliable during the streak, and defenseman Travis Sanheim, who has four goals in his last four games, has come of age. “There hasn’t been one thing that’s been the key trigger. I think it’s been a lot of little things,” Gordon said about the surge. “Whether it’s been special teams, our play in the neutral zone or defensive zone – it’s been everything. I can’t say we’ve done one thing that much better. But the consistency in everything we do has been much better.” The Flyers are five points out of a playoff spot with 16 games remaining. “We’re obviously not where we want to be,” Gordon said, “but we’re working on it every day and every game to make sure we worry about the game in front of us and not the teams ahead of us. Just worry about the game at hand and, for the most part, we’ve done that for over a month now.” Early in Sunday’s game, Patrick, who has eight goals over the last 21 games, was hit by a Cal Clutterbuck shot and went to the locker room for some stitches on the side of his head. He did not return to the game. Hart has missed the last five games with a sprained ankle. He has been skating but has not participated in any practices. Brian Elliott has had four of the five starts since Hart was injured, and the veteran has been solid, including a superb performance against the Islanders. “After Moose made some big saves I thought we played a strong defensive game,” Couturier said. “Our offense came off good defense.” The Flyers avenged an early-season 6-1 loss to the Isles. Now they will try to defeat a Washington team that defeated them, 5-3 (with an empty- net goal), on Jan. 8. The losing goalie was Mike McKenna, who made what turned out to be his only appearance for the Flyers. At that point, the Flyers were just 3-7-2 under Gordon. Since then, they are 17-4-2. “Nobody’s folding the tents, for sure,” said Gordon, whose team has thrived since he switched to a 1-3-1 neutral-zone forecheck. “It could have been very easy when we got back from our Christmas break and went 0-6-2. “We got some momentum. We changed some things with our systems and finally got some practice time. I think in the first four weeks, I had only three [full] practices, so there wasn’t a whole lot of opportunity to … let the players feel comfortable with changes.” Flyers’ top scorers in recent surge 1134463 Philadelphia Flyers He did say that Patrick was alert and in good spirits between periods. And given how much worse it could have been had the puck struck his face or neck, maybe this should be seen as good luck, not bad. Flyers-Islanders observations: Are Isles the team to play in the first Gordon and the ice round? Maybe it was the warmer temperature outside or the impending storm, or even the odd time (3 p.m.) of the game. Whatever the reason, the by Sam Donnellon, Nassau Coliseum ice was unusually chippy, which led to some odd- looking falls and bounces. Certainly, Patrick did not intend to use his helmet to block Clutterbuck’s shot. UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The Flyers defeated the New York Islanders, 4-1, ``Maybe it was me," Gordon said, "but there seemed instances where Sunday at the Nassau Coliseum. pucks were dumped out and they looked like they were going for icings and they just kind of came to a halt at the top of the circle or hash mark. I Here are some takeaways. just thought that was odd. ‘’ Who gets the Isles? Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.05.2019 Lost somewhat in the Flyers’ surge is that the surprising (can you say overachieving?) Islanders have come back to the pack — or at least back to Washington, which they now trail in second place. As unlikely as a playoff spot remains for the Flyers, it bears noting that there is a hair difference between the seventh and eighth spots of the playoffs. But the difference between playing the resurgent Stanley Cup champions and an Islanders team as green as the Flyers in playoff experience could be huge. Konecny fights After the trade deadline, Travis Konecny spoke of carrying on the toughness Wayne Simmonds had preached to the team — which included sticking up for each other, and for yourself. So there he was, all 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds of him, challenging Jordan Eberle after the Islanders forward landed what appeared to be an unintentionally high hit to Konecny’s head behind the Islanders net in the third period. Eberle is listed at 5-11 and 187 pounds, but given that Konecny said after the fight that ``I can’t really reach the head; I got the body,’, maybe the height difference between the two was more than an inch. In any case, Eberle obliged, the two mixed it up with the Islander getting the better, and hockey’s code was employed. ``He hit me high,’’ Konecny said. ``We talked in the box. It wasn’t anything crazy. I just felt like I had to stick up for myself there.’’ Travis Konecny carries the puck during the first period against the Islanders. Travis Konecny carries the puck during the first period against the Islanders. Gordon and defending the lead Among the improvements the Flyers have made under interim coach Scott Gordon, gaining a lead and defending it have been paramount. The Flyers were not very good at either under their former coach. So what changed about the starts? Here’s Gordon to the Islanders media before Sunday’s 4-1 victory: ``There hasn’t been one thing. It’s been a lot of little things. Whether it’s special teams, our play in the neutral zone, special teams — it’s been everything. I can’t say that we’ve done one thing that much better. But the consistency of how we do everything has become much better. Here’s Islanders coach Barry Trotz afterward: ``We were chasing it all game. They did a real good job after getting up of making it difficult. They clogged it up pretty good in the neutral zone with their 1-3-1. … I’m not going to take anything away from them. They did a really good job tonight.’’ Said Konecny: ``We just rolled and knew that everyone was going to go out and do their job. We couldn’t afford to turn over pucks or take long shifts. We just played a simple game. I hate being cliché, but that’s exactly what we had to do. Nolan Patrick and bad luck He has yet to turn 21, and already Nolan Patrick has undergone two core muscle surgeries, had a few lower- and upper-body injuries, and been concussed a few times, too. Sunday, Patrick fell in front of a Cal Clutterbuck slapshot, the puck striking the side of his helmet and cutting the top of his ear and head, requiring stitches and forcing him from the game. Gordon said he did not know if Patrick had undergone the league’s concussion protocol, so his status for Wednesday’s home game against Washington remains uncertain. 1134464 Philadelphia Flyers “I think the fans appreciated that. I never saw a sign in the stands that said: ‘Fire Gordon!’ I always appreciated that.″

Burlington County Times LOADED: 03.05.2019 No Jake Voracek? No Nolan Patrick? No problem

By Wayne Fish

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — It would have been tough enough to beat the Metro Division-leading Islanders with the conventional 12 forwards. Flyers coach Scott Gordon, figuring he needed to fortify his defense, started seven backliners, leaving his team with only 11 forwards. Then Nolan Patrick took a Cal Clutterbuck shot to the back of the head, with the puck’s impact opening up a cut behind his right ear and possibly causing a concussion. So Philly was now down to 11. Somehow, the Flyers managed to share the workload and came up with a hard-earned 4-1 win Sunday afternoon at Nassau Coliseum. Without two of their best offensive weapons, the Flyers hung a four-spot on the best defensive team in the NHL. “That was a really complete effort by our group,″ said Scott Laughton, one of the four goal scorers. “Guys stepped up, it was really good for us. I thought we did a really good job when they got going in the offensive zone.″ Ivan Provorov was on the ice for all four Flyers goals. He liked the way the Flyers played smart and conserved energy. “You know, it was also our third game in three and a half days,″ he said. “You have to be smart. We played good defense and capitalized on our chances when we had them.″ Sean Couturier scored off the rush in the second period. He played a strong two-way game. “We were already short up front going into the game,″ Couturier said. “And then ‘Patty’ went out early. After ‘Moose’ (Elliott) made some big saves, I thought we played a strong defensive game. Our offense came off of good defense.″ Gordon appreciated the way his team responded to the adversity. “I just wanted us to keep playing the way we were (in previous games),″ Gordon said. “But our guys actually did a lot of good stuff. “I thought overall, a real strong job defensively. If they were going to get an open shot, we had guys at the net front.″ The decision to not play Voracek did not come until game time. He underwent an MRI. Results have not been released. “I haven’t gotten the final word on that,″ Gordon said. “We’ll have to wait and see until I talk to (head trainer) Jimmy (McCrossin).″ As for Patrick, the news sounds upbeat. “He was in good spirits after the shot he took there,″ Gordon said. “He said he felt fine. That’s encouraging.″ If Voracek can’t play for a while, do the Flyers have the depth and resilience to get by? “We’ll find out soon enough, right?″ Gordon said. “It’s really fortunate that both Phil (Varone) and Corban Knight both play center. That gives us some versatility. Even though we lose Patty, we’ve got Giroux, Couturier, Laughton, Knight and Phil. That’s usually hard when you lose centers. But we’re in good shape. We can get through that.″ Gordon said he didn’t know when or where Voracek was injured. He appeared fine after Friday night’s 6-3 win at New Jersey and the Flyers did not practice on Saturday. Memories of 2008 Before Sunday’s game, Gordon talked about his experience as coach of the Islanders back in 2008-11. This was his first trip back to Nassau Coliseum. “I can’t get over how passionate the fans are here,″ he said. “Even places I’ve been in over the last eight years, people will recognize me and I didn’t give them a lot of great memories. “The one thing that I’ll never forget is the fact that even with the lack of success we had, I never at any time felt the wrath of the fans. We were never booed. I thought we always played hard and competed. 1134465 Philadelphia Flyers "Simmer is one of those guys you don't want to mess with," Konecny said last Friday. "Teams probably look at us differently. We're still the same team in that we stick together. I think Simmer left a lot of that with us and Flyers weekly observations: No, you don't trade Shayne Gostisbehere, taught us young guys to stick up for your teammates." Travis Sanheim's production, more Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.05.2019

By Jordan Hall March 04, 2019

The Flyers are on a five-game point streak (4-0-1) after losing two straight for the first time since Jan. 7-8. Last week, they won three of four games and had to say goodbye to Wayne Simmonds. With March underway, here are observations on the state of the team: • The NHL trade deadline came and went with general manager Chuck Fletcher making only one move last Monday by sending Simmonds to the Predators. Leading up to deadline day, some buzz actually generated about a potential trade of Shayne Gostisbehere — nothing firm, but the defenseman's name was out there. A deal never happened and it's head-scratching as to why anyone who follows the Flyers would be so quick to trade away a player like Gostisbehere. He's not just a power-play specialist. He's 25 years old, he's elusive, he's dexterous and he gets the puck out of the defensive zone and up the ice. Oh, and he's under contract through 2022-23 on a cost-effective deal. Sounds pretty good. And it doesn't hurt that since 2015-16 he has more goals than John Carlson, Drew Doughty, Seth Jones and P.K. Subban, while ranking 15th among NHL defensemen in points. • Travis Sanheim has been so good. Who would have thought he'd be leading all Flyers blueliners in goals (nine) and points (29) with 16 games to go? The production shouldn't be a crazy surprise to us, though. His size, skill and offensive ability are what drew the Flyers to him in 2014. "Offense is my game and something I want to continue to develop going forward and bring to the next level," Sanheim said in July 2016. It does make you wonder what he could have done last year in a full season or why he was sent down to Lehigh Valley in the first place, where he quickly proved he was above the AHL competition. Was he really that behind in his defensive principles? And was Brandon Manning that much better of an option? The 22-year-old Sanheim is now one of the team's best defensemen and the 28-year-old Manning is in the AHL after not panning out with the Blackhawks or Oilers. • The Flyers entered Monday five points out of the Eastern Conference's second wild-card spot. Right now, they still need to jump two teams. Hockey-Reference.com has the Flyers with a 9.7 percent chance to make the postseason and SportsClubStats.com gives them a 5.8 percent chance. If the Flyers can pull it off, they'll have certainly earned it. Thirteen of their final 16 games are against teams currently in a playoff spot. The teams they face are also playing well. The combined record of the clubs remaining on the Flyers' schedule is 93-61-16 since the start of February. • It's cool to see the impact Simmonds had on the Flyers' youth. We're seeing it from Travis Konecny, a tiny 21-year-old with first-round pedigree and a goal-scoring background. But he has mixed it up in the past two games, standing up for Nolan Patrick and also fighting Jordan Eberle. Travis Konecny and Jordan Eberle drop the gloves. pic.twitter.com/FgVfdmPxus — NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 3, 2019 1134466 Philadelphia Flyers

Awesome T-shirts on sale as WWE returns to Philly; will Gritty get his revenge?

By Josh Ellis March 04, 2019

Is Gritty going to make an appearance tonight as the Wells Fargo Center hosts WWE’s Monday Night Raw? At the very least, he’ll be on the fronts of some really awesome T-shirts. The Wells Fargo Center’s Twitter account tweeted out a photo of a shirt that will be available tonight, and people are losing their minds wanting to buy one. Heading to @WWE Monday Night RAW? Scoop up an exclusive @GrittyNHL WrestleMania tee while you’re here.  pic.twitter.com/8WRZ2OHXt0

— Wells Fargo Center (@WellsFargoCtr) March 4, 2019 As the WWE are on their Road to WrestleMania, the shirt depicts the Flyers mascot on the ropes, pointing at the WrestleMania logo, which is something WWE superstars do to show that they want to headline, or get a title shot at, the company’s biggest event of the year. We’re wondering, however, if this is a sign that Gritty will show up in tonight’s live event and exact revenge on Elias, who poked fun at both Gritty and Carson Wentz the last time Raw was in town this past October. Elias goes after @GrittyNHL and had lunch with Carson Wentz #RAW pic.twitter.com/GdEK24wZBA — Nick Piccone (@nickpiccone) October 16, 2018 Gritty did fire back on social media at the wrestler, who is known for his Walk With Elias shtick and his nightly songs. Heard I got called out last night by some guy with a ponytail named Jeff. pic.twitter.com/NhvYupvpWe — Gritty (@GrittyNHL) October 16, 2018 In addition to Elias, Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost will also be in attendance as one of the celebrity special guests tonight, days after he poked fun at the Phillies and Bryce Harper. SNL on Bryce Harper: “Finally answering the question of how much would someone have to pay you to live in Philadelphia.” pic.twitter.com/U8xhwNWh6t — Kelyn Soong (@KelynSoong) March 3, 2019 We’ll probably have an eye on RAW because maybe Gritty gets his revenge, but we’re almost certain the Philly faithful will let Jost know they didn’t appreciate his lame joke. The T-shirts are cool, too. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134467 Philadelphia Flyers professional. If he can add the muscle, the Flyers may have found another undrafted diamond in the rough like they did with Phil Myers.

Samuelsson’s take: “The games I have watched him, he’s a very poised Flyers prospect WATCH: Early returns on Yegor Zamula looking good with the puck. He’s moving the puck well. He’s simple but effective when he’s moving the puck and he’s also a point producer on the power play, very mobile on the offensive blue line and getting his shots through at the Dave Isaac, NHL writer Published 12:06 p.m. ET March 2, 2019 level he plays right now, anyway. Then it comes to winning battles and skating also. I think that’s gonna come because when he gets stronger he can actually outmuscle somebody and he’s gonna get more powerful skating when he gets stronger.” Yegor Zamula performed well enough in two preseason games that the Flyers signed the undrafted defenseman to a contract. The early returns Wyatte Wylie of owning his rights look good. Wyatte Wylie, defenseman, Everett Silvertips (WHL) The first time Kjell Samuelsson saw Yegor Zamula play wasn’t in an official Flyers capacity. Age: 19 The team’s prospect development coach was just there in Russia for the Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 190 pounds under-18 World Junior Championships to be a supportive father for his son Mattias, who was drafted in the second round by the Buffalo Sabres Acquired: fifth-round pick in 2018 draft (127th overall) last June. There wasn’t much fanfare for Zamula at the tournament or at This season: 61 games, 10 goals, 34 assists the draft when no team selected him. The skinny: Like Zamula, Wylie is riding a four-game point streak. His Then the Flyers invited him to training camp last fall and the 6-foot-3, puck-moving abilities were a little less surprising because teams saw that 165-pound defenseman played well enough to earn a contract. ability and that he would progress. With the Everett Silvertips firmly in “He moved the puck a lot in camp,” Samuelsson said by phone this first place in their division, Wylie has emerged as a team leader of his week. “That surprised me, the way he moved the puck. He started off in hometown team in his third season with the club. the rookie game and did well and then he played one exhibition game Samuelsson’s take: “I didn’t see him last year because he’s a late ’99 and then another one. He never dipped. He did the same thing all the (birthday) so he was drafted this last draft. He plays a lot. He moves the games he played. It’s almost like we were sitting there waiting for when puck very well and plays in all situations in Everett and is doing very well. he’s gonna fall apart and he never did.” If you talk to the coaching staff out there who had him last year, where he Last season Zamula had 18 points in 69 games in the Western Hockey had to improve was his play without the puck and he has done that. League between the Regina Pats and the Calgary Hitmen. This season When I have been out there, I haven’t seen any problems defending or he’s emerged as an all-around threat for the Hitmen and is nearly a point- anything. He wins battles. He defends very well against the rush and per-game player. when he wins battles, he moves the puck very well after he wins the battle.” That kind of quick ascension didn’t just impress the Flyers, who took a shot on him. Even his junior team was surprised. Adam Ginning “Physically, he’s pretty light still but he’s got a tremendous stick and he’s Adam Ginning, defenseman, Linköping HC (SHL) got way more puck presence and playmaking ability than maybe anybody Age: 19 expected,” first-year Hitmen coach Steve Hamilton said on Guy Flaming’s radio show last month called ‘The Pipeline.’ “I didn’t have any kind of Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 205 pounds history or a book on him when I got here and took us a few games to figure out where he’s best suited in terms of power-play opportunity and it Acquired: second-round pick in 2018 draft (50th overall) turns out he’s the quarterback. His emergence offensively coincided with This season: 41 games, 1 goal, 4 assists the run we started in mid-November there.” The skinny: The stay-at-home defenseman isn’t a big point producer and Putting up offensive numbers like he has this season is a big surprise. because of his style of play the Flyers were criticized and questioned at Even when he played well in exhibition play, he only had one shot on the draft for taking Ginning where they did. He’s in his first full season in goal in his two games. The far more impressive aspect of his play was Sweden’s top league, playing an everyday role, and his contract is up at how he didn’t get caught up in the moment of playing against some the end of this season. Typically NHL teams are OK with the Swedish NHLers and didn’t make any mistakes either with the puck or in development system but perhaps the Flyers sign Ginning and bring him coverage. to North America next season. “I don’t even know if he knew the kind of level he was playing against. He Samuelsson’s take: “He has done pretty well and his curve is going just played,” Samuelsson said. “When he came back to Calgary I talked upward. He started out very well. The team he plays for, Linköping, to their coaches a lot and they said there was a little bit of reaction after started off very well in the beginning and then he went to the World he came back from the camp in October. He had a little (dip) and didn’t Juniors and after that he dipped a little bit. It’s almost like he was burned play very well but then he took off again and played very well. He got out a little bit and then took off again. I saw him (Thursday) and he plays hurt. He had a concussion I think (in early February) and was out a little a lot and he doesn’t play any power play and he doesn’t have to play but now he’s back playing again. The whole team, every game now is power play. I thought he’s defending well. He uses his stick well. He’s very important because they’re fighting for a spot in the playoffs.” gotta upgrade when he has the puck. When he has the puck, move it up simple and effective. That’s the part he has to upgrade, the puck With so much interest in the team’s prospect group, the Courier-Post will moving.” check in on the promising young players each week. Here’s the latest progress report with insights from Samuelsson. Courier-Post LOADED: 03.05.2019 * all statistics through Friday, March 1. Yegor Zamula Yegor Zamula, defenseman, Calgary Hitmen (WHL) Age: 18 Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 165 pounds Acquired: signed as free agent on Sept. 20, 2018 This season: 55 games, 10 goals, 41 assists The skinny: Zamula should have his mail delivered to the weight room because that’s where he needs to be to get to the next level. He’s as tall as Travis Sanheim but only as heavy as Johnny Gaudreau. The tools are all there but he needs to get stronger to repeat his success as a 1134468 Philadelphia Flyers Elliott was never part of the problem this year in net for the Flyers, except when he wasn’t able to man his usual spot. The team’s goaltending situation didn’t truly fall apart until he was injured in November, and even Flyers 4, Islanders 1: 10 things we learned from a convincing road victory before this most recent stretch, Elliott held a positive Goals Saved Above Average mark, making him by definition an above-average goalie. But his results have reached another level since coming back from injury, and his performance on Sunday may have been his best yet. Considering the By Charlie O'Connor Mar 4, 2019 quality of his play, it felt like an injustice that Elliott didn’t finish with a shutout.

In many of his appearances since being activated, Elliott hasn’t looked Before the regular season started, an early March matchup against the especially sharp, even though he still found ways to stop pucks. On New York Islanders — expected to be a cellar dweller in the aftermath of Sunday, however, Elliott’s movements were clean and crisp, with little of John Tavares leaving the club as a free agent in favor of the Toronto the “scrambliness” that popped up within otherwise-strong efforts. The Maple Leafs — would have seemed like a sure win, a brief respite in the Islanders peppered Elliott with 30 shots and 4.17 worth of Expected schedule. While the Isles have obviously confounded those preseason Goals, yet they managed only one actual tally. expectations, sitting solidly in a playoff spot, Sunday’s contest ended up playing out just as the September version of the Philadelphia Flyers Since his return, Elliott has posted a stellar 0.941 save percentage, and might have guessed. boosted his full-season rate from 0.909 all the way up to 0.920. This run likely won’t change the Flyers’ view that Elliott isn’t the best fit to serve as A standout performance by Brian Elliott — combined with goals from the second goalie on the depth chart in 2019-20 and beyond — he’ll turn Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim, Sean Couturier and Scott Laughton — 34 in April and recent injury history makes it a hard decision to depend allowed the Flyers to overcome the absences of Jakub Voracek and upon him in a key role moving forward. But it is a reminder that he is a Nolan Patrick. They cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Islanders at Nassau solid NHL goaltender capable of providing real value to a club, and that Coliseum. Elliott stopped 29 shots in victory, while New York starting he should remain in the mix in Philadelphia for as long as he’s under goalie Robin Lehner was pulled early in the second period, and replaced contract. by Thomas Greiss, after Lehner allowed three goals on 13 shots. Greiss made 12 saves in mop-up duty. With the win, Philadelphia moved to 3: Flyers shake off impact of injuries within five points of Montreal, who currently hold the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers didn’t just come into Nassau Coliseum and convincingly knock off a team currently at the top of their division. They did so without Note: This article will reference advanced hockey stats. If you’re looking the help of two of their top-six forwards, Jakub Voracek and Nolan to better understand any of the referenced metrics, please read this Patrick, for basically the entire contest. primer, which explains the concepts behind them. Voracek’s absence, at the very least, didn’t come as a shock to his 1: Flyers exploit usually sound Isles defense teammates. Apparently battling a lower-body injury, Voracek didn’t even dress for the game, forcing head coach Scott Gordon to roll with an 11- The New York Islanders have undeniably been the 2018-19 season’s forward/7-defenseman lineup. Then, after only 96 seconds of playing biggest surprise. Already a mediocre-at-best club with John Tavares last time, Patrick fell right into the path of a Cal Clutterbuck wrist shot. The year, they were expected to be in contention for the No. 1 overall pick in puck struck him behind the ear in a place where his helmet didn’t protect the draft without him. Instead, the Isles entered Sunday tied for the his head. Unsurprisingly and justifiably, Patrick did not return, leaving the Metropolitan Division lead, and are a near lock for the playoffs. Flyers with only 10 available forwards for nearly three periods of road The biggest reason for their success? Goal prevention. And while a large hockey. portion of that should be laid at the feet of the netminding (Greiss and Yet Philadelphia’s remaining forwards never seemed rattled or gassed. In Lehner have been stellar), the team’s defense must be credited as well. fact, they controlled more of the territorial battle in the second half than At 5-on-5, they’re allowing just 2.27 Expected Goals Against per 60 compared to the first. Laughton (18:31) and Corban Knight (17:21) minutes — fourth-lowest in the NHL behind Minnesota, St. Louis, and received big boosts in ice time, and players like Claude Giroux, Couturier Boston. Under new head coach Barry Trotz, the Islanders have turned and Konecny stepped up their games in the absences of Voracek and into a defensive stalwart. Patrick. Which is why it was so surprising to watch the Flyers carve them up so Voracek’s status remains unknown, and with the Flyers’ day off on effortlessly in this one. Territorially, it’s not like Philadelphia was Monday, clarity on the severity of his issue likely won’t come until dominant, though a strong second half after the outcome was no longer Tuesday. And while Patrick’s injury looked scary, reports were positive in doubt pushed the Flyers up to solid finishes by 5-on-5 Corsi (49.28% after the game. It sounds like the 20-year old might have escaped merely after score adjustment) and xG (51.16%). Over the first 30 minutes, with stitches and a new scar as opposed to hearing issues or a however, it’s not hard to argue that the Isles “won” more shifts than the concussion. Hopefully that holds true over the next 48 hours. Flyers. But when they lost, they lost badly. Travis Konecny posterized Scott Mayfield along the boards on his goal, while Travis Sanheim did the 4: Sanheim continues to chip in nightly same to Anthony Beauvillier a few minutes later. Scott Laughton was allowed two cracks at the puck in the netfront area with no resistance Travis Sanheim is on some kind of run right now. Since Feb. 9, the 22- whatsoever on his tally. New York was getting absolutely gashed. year-old blueliner has been held off the scoresheet in just three games. After lighting the lamp again on Sunday, he extended his current point There’s a perception that Trotz and the Islanders are more or less getting streak to five consecutive contests. He’s getting top-pair minutes, and the job done with smoke and mirrors this year, a belief sparked by their rapidly improving the defensive side of his skill set. relatively weak on-paper roster. After all, a defense consisting of a not- as-good-as-he-used-to-be Nick Leddy, an aging Johnny Boychuk, Ryan Just how good is Sanheim going to be? Pulock (he’s fine), a solid-but-completely-unknown-outside-of-N.Y. player in Adam Pelech, Devon “he’s not Jonathan” Toews and Mayfield isn’t The numbers say that he’s already high-end. By Evolving Wild’s Goals striking fear into the hearts of many opponents. Sunday’s game provided Above Replacement metric, Sanheim entered yesterday’s game with some support to the theory that the Isles’ true talent levels don’t quite 11.0 GAR, easily leading the Flyers’ defense. In addition, that total match their sterling defensive results. ranked him tied for 19th in the league among defensemen, equal to Ryan McDonagh and just ahead of Colton Parayko. He’s 30th in 5-on-5 2: Elliott leaned upon, delivers Points/60 at the position. Sanheim is 13th in RelTM impact on Expected Goal differential. This isn’t just a player receiving first-pair usage — this is A few short weeks ago, when Brian Elliott was officially activated back a player performing like a legitimate first-pair defenseman in his second onto the Flyers’ roster, the consensus from the fanbase seemed to be NHL season at age 22. “Why?” Sanheim showed signs of potentially being this good last year — don’t Carter Hart was rolling along and Anthony Stolarz (still on the team at the forget that he succeeded where Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov time) had established himself as a viable backup. Even after Stolarz was had failed in dragging Andrew MacDonald’s advanced metrics to traded to Edmonton, the narrative simply shifted to what purpose Elliott respectability last March — but at that point hadn’t learned to assert served with Cam Talbot — the return in the trade who presumably would himself offensively at the NHL level or to avoid backbreaking mistakes. get a long look the rest of the way as a part of his audition for the 1B job Now, he’s asserting himself nightly on the attack, and his errors have beyond 2018-19 — on the roster to function as the veteran complement become so infrequent that Gordon and Rick Wilson are matching him up to Hart. Since then, however, Elliott has made his purpose very clear — versus top lines without hesitation. It’s gotten to the point where it’s not to provide good goaltending to a team that needs it. crazy to wonder if Sanheim might end up being the best of the young, homegrown Philadelphia defensemen when all is said and done. 5: Sunday an example of “best case scenario” for Flyers future defense The key for the Flyers in the coming years will be to ensure that all of the players in that role clear a certain standard of competence — a standard, Over the past few years, Flyers fans have been salivating over the all too often, they have not met in recent years. Lehtera and Weise? No possibility of a defense corps of Ivan Provorov, Shayne Gostisbehere, chance. Phil Varone and Corban Knight? Not cutting it. Hartman? Jury is Travis Sanheim and Philippe Myers — with all having reached their still out, but early signs are promising. perceived ceilings, and on the ice at the same time. It always felt like something of a pipedream, though. Surely, one of the four would fail to Then there’s Scott Laughton, who should be turned into the poster child pan out as hoped. Maybe unfortunate injuries would strike to rob the for what the Flyers should demand from bottom-of-the-lineup players. organization of its potential. After all, when dealing with young players, Laughton can do all of the things that kept someone like Lehtera in the reality hardly ever plays out in “best case scenario” fashion. lineup — kill penalties, play different positions, be able to deal with minimal ice time — except he can actually perform these duties well Yet on Sunday, it sure looked like that best case scenario could actually rather than simply perform them. He’s the type of forward who can play be the eventual outcome. Sanheim is playing the best hockey of his on the second line in a pinch and hold his own, never look out of place on young career. Ivan Provorov — while not fully back to 2017-18 second- a useful third line and be a part of a fantastic fourth line. half form — is rolling again, carrying the puck with speed and confidence while solidifying the defensive side of his game. Gostisbehere, for all of Sunday was an optimal time for Laughton to prove his usefulness, with the recent criticism thrown his way, has been playing strong eye-test the team down to 10 healthy forwards and in need of depth players to hockey since the Stadium Series game, and leads all Flyers defensemen step up. Laughton did just that — he posted a team-high 67.76% score- in 5-on-5 Corsi For Percentage (51.40%) since Jan. 1. Finally, there’s adjusted Expected Goals For Percentage, ate up 18:31 of ice time, won Myers, who apparently is still bigger, faster and stronger than everyone nine of 12 faceoffs and scored the type of high-effort, forecheck-centric at this level, just as he was at all of his other stops, and who just goal that every bottom-sixer dreams of building a career upon. concluded another game of strong underlying metrics (57.14% score- adjusted Corsi, 59.75% adjusted xG). Laughton feels like a player who can be a part of the future of this team. Right now, he’s a perfectly capable third liner, but if the team continues to These are four defensemen that can all skate well, pass the puck at an get deeper as more and more prospects prove themselves to be NHL- above-average level, activate in all three zones and take on the burden caliber, he’ll be an ideal fit on a high-end fourth line as well. No NHL of significant minutes — with an average age of 22.75 (three of them are team is going to be able to dress 12 high-end scoring forwards; even the 22). Presumably, only Gostisbehere has reached his ceiling as a player; powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning dress Mathieu Josephs and Alex the others should be coming into their final forms in the coming seasons. Killorns nightly. Laughton can be that kind of player for the Flyers as they They’re already pretty darn good now. move into the new era. Sure, it could still go bad for the Flyers — maybe the second half of 8: Konecny upping his grit factor post-Simmonds trade 2017-18 from Provorov was a mirage, maybe Gostisbehere’s power play prowess never returns, maybe this is just a ridiculous hot streak for When Wayne Simmonds was traded to Nashville last week, it seemed a Sanheim, maybe Myers’ poor results by 5-on-5 xG so far in the NHL (he certainty that a player or two would choose to step into the now-vacated was at 38.8% prior to Sunday per MoneyPuck) prove a predictor of future roles Simmonds formerly held. Voracek took the alternate captain “A” issues. But right now, Philadelphia looks like it has four incredibly that was once the Wayne Train’s, and the team as a whole took up talented defensemen to build around — a luxury few teams possess. Simmonds’ mantle as on-ice protector on Friday when the New Jersey Devils tried to play the intimidation game. But a real surprise has been 6: First period Myers-to-Hartman play exactly what Flyers want to see the player who has most gravitated toward chippiness in the Simmonds trade aftermath: Travis Konecny. Philadelphia remains in playoff contention — with their win on Sunday, their chances went up to around 18 percent — but these final five weeks Konecny has long been a fiery player, of course. But energy of the season should still be viewed by sober observers as more of a notwithstanding, he’s still only 5’10” and weighs less than 180 pounds — time for determining what exactly the organization has in a number of key he doesn’t exactly cut an imposing figure on the ice, especially in players. Only a select few basically “are what they are” — Giroux comparison to Simmonds. Yet he was especially active in Friday’s fracas, remains a high-end forward, Couturier is on one of the NHL’s true and yesterday afternoon, he responded to a borderline hit from Jordan bargain contracts, Radko Gudas is a solid true-talent second-pair Eberle by dropping the gloves with the Isles forward. defenseman — while the rest are in the process of revealing their exact value to general manager Chuck Fletcher and the rest of the brass. For There’s always been a bit of Ryan Callahan to Konecny’s game. But Philippe Myers and Ryan Hartman, that job is especially important, which even accounting for his constant on-ice chirping, he largely avoided the is why it was reassuring to see them on Sunday team up for one of the leadership elements that accompany being a physical presence on the more impressive plays of the day. ice during his first two-and-a-half seasons in the NHL. Perhaps the departure of Simmonds inspired him to add that to his game, with the For Myers, it was an example of his creativity on the breakout, and his knowledge that someone was going to have to do it. ability to drop a puck exactly where he wanted to go. For Hartman, it showcased his puck control, his speed, and his elusiveness on the rush. 9: Quietly, Giroux with a stellar performance He may not have scored on the play, but the lead up didn’t look like the Sometimes, it’s the plays that don’t get rewarded with goals or assists work of a typical bottom-six forward. that best showcase when an NHLer is truly firing on all cylinders on a Both players are trying to make good first impressions with the Flyers, given night. For Claude Giroux, such a sequence came with about six and for good reason. Myers wants to solidify his spot with the big club for minutes remaining in the second period. 2019-20. Hartman is due a new contract as a restricted free agent and The puck doesn’t end up in the back of the net, but it’s by no fault of needs to prove to his new boss that his third team is where he’ll finally Giroux. Not only is his feed to Lindblom right on the money, but his route lock down a full-time, long-term role. The door is open for both to do just in the neutral zone also gave him the opportunity to make Pelech look that. stupid on entry into the offensive zone. Also, his decision to slow down Right now, Myers is checking all of the boxes, as the above play was just the proceedings allowed him to freeze Pulock just enough to lead one of many positive plays from Sunday. Hartman, on the other hand, Lindblom open. It was a brilliant sequence for the Flyers’ captain. struggled by on-ice 5-on-5 metrics even as he personally created three Truthfully, Giroux was rolling all game long. He finished with two assists high-danger chances. He’s showing flashes, and certainly looks the part — the first coming on a faceoff win and the second the result of a of a useful third or fourth line sparkplug — more plays like that one, and passing play that he kickstarted — but he really shined in the little details the numbers should start to agree. of his play. Giroux was a demon along the boards, winning puck battle 7: Laughton a bottom-sixer for the new era after puck battle and helping his linemates to sustain possession. It’s no surprise, then, that he finished with a team-high 65.69 percent score- Throughout the Ron Hextall/Dave Hakstol era, one of the primary adjusted Corsi and a solid 55.28 percent by xG as well. buzzwords was “role.” Role was how the continued presence of players like Jori Lehtera and Dale Weise in the lineup was justified, why In February, Giroux dealt with a bit of a slump due to the van Riemsdyk- MacDonald’s poor 5-on-5 metrics didn’t matter, why young players like Giroux-Konecny line not clicking at all at 5-on-5. But since being moved Sanheim and Konecny couldn’t be pushed up the lineup. While the term back to the wing — primarily alongside Nolan Patrick — two Saturdays did essentially turn into parody by the end — Hakstol choosing to start ago, he’s been back to his old self, scoring nine points in his last five Lehtera over Oskar Lindblom in his final game as coach couldn’t have games and returning to positive relative 5v5 play-driving rates. Giroux is been a better microcosm of the issues of strict adherence to this mindset now on pace for 87 points over 82 games, which would be his third-most — down-the-depth-chart roles are important for a hockey club. Not every prolific scoring season of his career. And the fact that both Giroux’s work player can be a useful penalty killer, and not every forward can thrive in on Sunday and his season-long efforts feel almost expected at this point spite of long stretches in between shifts if his overall minutes are low. goes a long way toward speaking to just how good of a player Giroux Choosing the right “depth” players is important. remains. 10: MacDonald returns, role still minimized With Voracek checking out of the lineup and only 12 forwards on the current roster, Gordon was essentially forced to return Andrew MacDonald to the lineup and roll with a seven defenseman group. MacDonald, who was pushed to the press box this week to accommodate Myers’ position as one of the team’s six best defensemen, didn’t exactly get off to a great start, as he was left in the dust by Leo Komarov (hardly a speed demon) on his first shift. But the veteran blueliner generally kept mistakes to a minimum, finishing with a strong 60.64% xG for Percentage and holding his own in Corsi. On this night, he did nothing to hurt the Flyers. But don’t take that to mean that he’ll rejoin the favored group of six anytime soon. Despite returning to the lineup, MacDonald was still clearly deployed as the No. 7 defenseman in the rotation, even after the game’s outcome was no longer in doubt. He received just 8:30 of 5-on-5 ice time and 10:04 in total, in both cases five minutes behind the nearest Flyers blueliner (Gudas). If Voracek is forced to miss Wednesday’s game and Fletcher doesn’t call anyone up, MacDonald will likely get another look (Samuel Morin is technically available, but it’s doubtful they’d throw him into NHL action in the middle of a playoff race after missing a year). Still, MacDonald isn’t exactly shooting up the depth chart, either. The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134469 Pittsburgh Penguins Tribune Review LOADED: 03.05.2019

Disciplined approach leads Penguins’ Matt Cullen to brink of 1,500th NHL game

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Tuesday, March 5, 2019 5:30 a.m

DETAILS Most games played by American-born players in NHL history 1. Chris Chelios 1,651 2. Matt Cullen 1,499 3. Mike Modano 1,499 4. Phil Housley 1,495 5. 1,363 It would be impossible for Pittsburgh Penguins center Matt Cullen to still be playing at the sport’s highest level past his 42nd birthday without discipline. Discipline in the kitchen and the gym keeps him in the kind of physical condition that players half his age aspire to. Discipline on the ice helps him play the type of two-way game that makes him a favorite of coaches no matter when his birth certificate was printed. Cullen will reach a major milestone when he plays in the 1,500th game of his NHL career Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers. He will celebrate the occasion with discipline. First, pay attention to the task at hand. The Penguins are locked in a tight playoff race with 17 games to go. “Right now, the only real focus is on winning games and finding your way into the playoffs,” Cullen said. Then, for a short time, he’ll allow himself to revel in the fact that he’s one of only 20 players in league history – and one of only two Americans – to play as many games as he has. “After the game, you probably take a half-hour and reflect on some of the good times,” Cullen said. “Mostly, you reflect on the people who helped you get here, because it’s hard to play this long without a lot of help.” Cullen could reflect on the early days of his career, of making his NHL debut with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in a 26-team NHL on Oct. 27, 1997, then recording his first point – an assist on a Teemu Selanne goal – a few years later. He could reflect on the final chapter of his career, which saw him up his Stanley Cup count to at least three with a three-year stint with the Penguins. He can take solace in the fact that all the teammates in the locker room Tuesday night were at least born when he made his NHL debut (though Marcus Pettersson and Jared McCann had just celebrated their first birthdays). Taking a moment to reflect is something that Cullen has become good at over the past few seasons. “The last couple years I have been doing that a little more, but this year especially I’m trying to take time to appreciate things for how great they are,” Cullen said. “You get caught up in a long career and just focus on playing games. You don’t take a minute to appreciate how special it is to be a part of all this.” At the moment, capping his career in a storybook fashion with a fourth championship ring seems like a longshot, of course. The Penguins are doing all they can to merely qualify for the postseason, let alone look like a contender. Wisdom gained from 1,500 games in the NHL has Cullen thinking a little bit differently, though. Struggle, he has learned, often leads to strength. “It’s never easy,” Cullen said. “We’ve had moments and stretches where we’ve been great and moments when we haven’t been. Of course we all wish we could stretch those good times a little bit longer, but the season’s a challenge. These ups and downs are what helps bring a team together at the end. If we can find a way to maintain and continue to improve on our game right now heading into the playoffs, it’s all for good, ultimately.” 1134470 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins’ Sidney Crosby poised to welcome Evgeni Malkin into NHL’s 1,000-point club

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Monday, March 4, 2019

When Evgeni Malkin woke up on the morning of Feb. 1, he was smarting from a violent check delivered by Tampa Bay’s Dan Girardi the night before. He still needed 15 points to become the 88th player in NHL history to record 1,000 for his career, and between the upper-body injury he just suffered and the long scoring slump that had eaten up most of this season, there was no guarantee he would hit the milestone this year. Teammate Sidney Crosby never doubted him, though. He knew he would have company in the 1,000-point club soon enough. Since returning from the injury, Malkin has seven goals and 11 points in his last nine games. He has 996 points for his career and could hit four digits any day now, perhaps even as soon as Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers. “Everyone goes through tough stretches at different points of the year,” Crosby said. “You can see the way he’s playing right now. He’s doing some really good things, creating a lot, scoring some goals. It’s always a matter of time when things like that happen.” Crosby credited his longtime teammate for staying positive throughout the season’s most trying times. “He’s always energetic. He’s always positive,” Crosby said. “I think it’s one of those things where everyone goes through that. Everyone can relate to that. It’s not ever easy. Especially with the expectations for him being so high, I can relate to that. You just try to support him. You know he’s going to come out of it.” Tribune Review LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134471 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins get draft pick Jan Drozg under contract

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Monday, March 4, 2019

The Pittsburgh Penguins got a 2017 draft pick under contract Monday, signing winger Jan Drozg to a three-year entry-level deal that goes into effect next season. Drozg, a 6-foot-2, 172-pound fifth-round pick, leads Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in scoring with 19 goals and 53 points in 54 games this season. Drozg, 19, led his native Slovenia to the gold medal the second division of the World Junior Championships this season. He was named the tournament’s top forward, recording 12 points in five games. Tribune Review LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134472 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins’ Brian Dumoulin says unforgiving glass, not hard hit, caused concussion

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Monday, March 4, 2019

As a steady rain fell at Lincoln Financial Field on the evening of Feb. 23, it was clear these weren’t the safest conditions the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers had ever played in. As it turned out, though, it wasn’t a rain-splattered visor impeding his vision that caused an injury risk for defenseman Brian Dumoulin. The ice quality didn’t give him any problems. He was even able to withstand a shoulder to the chest from powerful Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds. The way Dumoulin sees it, it was the unforgiving glass at the temporary rink constructed at the home of the Philadelphia Eagles that gave him the second documented concussion of his career. Dumoulin said it felt like his head bounced off of concrete. “He didn’t hit me in the head. It was mostly from the … I’d say all of the concussion was really from the glass, my head hitting the glass,” Dumoulin said. “The outdoor games, it’s pretty chilly. The glass is pretty cold. Definitely didn’t help it.” Simmonds wasn’t penalized, fined or suspended for the hit. In one sense, Dumoulin understands why. His head wasn’t the principal point of contact. That doesn’t mean he’d go so far as it consider it a clean check, though. “Obviously it was kind of a blindside hit,” Dumoulin said. “I was kind of in a tough spot. I couldn’t really do anything. Not a great hit to be a part of, obviously. Just trying to keep a puck in, but it is what it is. Nothing you can do about it now.” Dumoulin took a significant step forward in his recovery Monday, joining his teammates for practice, albeit in a red, no-contact jersey. He will take it day-by-day. “I’ve had a concussion before,” Dumoulin said. “It’s a similar process. Day by day, you kind of see how you feel each day. I’ve been feeling a lot better since last week. After the game and the following couple days, I didn’t feel great at all. It’s just good to feel good again and to be back out and skating with the team and having fun.” Injured defenseman Kris Letang and Olli Maatta also skated Monday, taking the ice with skills coach Ty Hennes before practice started. Letang is day to day since suffering an upper-body injury in a scuffle that followed Simmonds’ hit on Dumoulin. Maatta has been out since Feb. 11 with an apparent shoulder injury. Tribune Review LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134473 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins’ Phil Kessel grows exasperated as goal drought hits 15 games

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Monday, March 4, 2019

When Phil Kessel pulled a puck out of his skates and flicked it past goalie Matt Murray during a routine drill at Monday’s practice at PPG Paints Arena, a few of his teammates slammed their sticks on the boards in appreciation. They have noticed what anyone who has watched Pittsburgh Penguins games in the past few weeks has noticed. They were offering their support to a teammate who seems to be at his wits’ end. As his goal drought had reached 15 games, Kessel has become more and more exasperated. “I don’t know. It feels like I’m not going to score again this year,” Kessel said after practice. “It happens, I guess. This year has been an interesting run, the last month, I’ll say. Hopefully, it changes.” Kessel last scored Jan. 30 against Tampa Bay. In the 10 games that followed, he was largely invisible, managing a total of 13 shots on goal. That’s no way to break out of a scoring slump. The last five games, however, have been a different story. Kessel has piled up a total of 20 shots in that span, putting pressure on opposing goaltenders and racking up countless near misses. His line, with left wing Zach Aston-Reese and center Evgeni Malkin, has been dangerous. The Kessel of the last five games is the one the Penguins have grown accustomed to seeing over the past three-plus seasons. “We have noticed it. It is significant, and if he continues to shoot the puck, he’ll score,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “That’s how we feel. Not only is he shooting the puck, but he’s getting quality chances. When players of that talent are shooting the puck and they’re getting quality looks, it’s only a matter of time before the puck goes in the net.” The only trick is convincing Kessel of that. “At this point, I don’t know,” Kessel said. “I’ve had some chances. It just won’t go in.” In a lot of ways, a Kessel slump isn’t like slumps other players endure. For one thing, it’s not without offensive production entirely. Kessel has managed 10 assists during his 15-game goal drought. He has 21 goals and 65 points in 65 games this season. If he keeps up that pace, an 82-point season would tie 2011-12 for the second best of his career, trailing only the 92 points he put up last year. For another thing, it’s all consuming. When other players have stretches where the puck won’t go in, they can focus on other parts of their game. Maybe they make sure they’re finishing their checks or playing good defense. Kessel’s value is so tied to his scoring touch that when the points aren’t coming, he’s not meeting expectations. In one important way, though, Kessel’s slump is like everyone else’s. Eventually, it leads to a lack of confidence. That’s what Malkin found out earlier this season. Even though he’s one of the greatest scorers of his generation, his confidence waned while netting five goals in a 30-game span that stretched from Thanksgiving to the middle of February. Kessel never once doubted his longtime linemate would snap out of it eventually, and now, Malkin has seven goals in his past eight games. “He’s a good player. It happens,” Kessel said. “He’s come out of it, and he has a bunch of goals here. He’s coming along, and I expect him to have a good end of the year.” For Kessel to follow his linemate’s lead, he figures he just needs to find a spark somewhere. Anywhere, really. “One game hopefully I get three or something,” Kessel said. “Who knows? It happens like that. You need one and go from there.” Tribune Review LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134474 Pittsburgh Penguins

Phil Kessel, Mike Sullivan optimistic the goals will come

JASON MACKEY

Phil Kessel hasn’t scored a goal in his past 15 games. If he fails to score on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers, it’ll become the longest goal drought of Kessel’s career. “It feels like I’m not going to score again this year,” Kessel joked after Monday’s practice at PPG Paints Arena. If Kessel doesn’t score a goal, however, it won’t be for lack of effort. Say what you want about Kessel struggling to score — he’s on pace for 26 or 27 goals, which would represent a pretty steep decline from the 34 he had in 2017-18 — but he has been racking up shot attempts, at least giving himself a chance to score. Evgeni Malkin has points in 18 of 20 games since Jan. 2. Jason Mackey Career milestone — 'huge point' — within reach for Evgeni Malkin Over his past five games, Kessel has attempted 21 shots five-on-five. That’s only a tick below the number of attempts Kessel had over the previous 13 games (22). “Yes, we have noticed it. It is significant. And if he continues to shoot the puck, he’ll score,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan Monday said when asked about Kessel having more of a shoot-first mentality. “Not only is he shooting the puck, but he’s getting quality chances. When players of that talent are shooting the puck and getting quality looks, it’s only a matter of time before the puck goes in the net.” Kessel’s shooting percentage (12.7) is still above his career average (10.9), although that’s obviously front-loaded. Through the first 50 games of the season — before this rut started — Kessel was at 15.9, which would’ve qualified as the best such mark of his career had it continued. Kessel did not score at all in February. His last goal came Jan. 30 in a 4- 2 win against the Lightning. “It’s been an interesting run the last month, I’ll say,” Kessel said. “Hopefully it changes.” It’s been amazing what has happened to the right wings on the Penguins roster. Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin wipes his face during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, in Newark, N.J. The Penguins won 4-3. Jason Mackey Brian Dumoulin on Wayne Simmonds’ hit: ‘It felt like hitting concrete’ Bryan Rust had one goal in his first 29 games before exploding for 16 over his past 33 — until he suffered a lower-body injury last Tuesday in Columbus. Patric Hornqvist endured a stretch where he scored once in 19 games. Dominik Simon, who like Rust bounces back and forth, has three goals in his past 39 games. “One game, hopefully I’ll get three or something,” Kessel said, perhaps referencing Rust’s breakout hat trick Dec. 12 in Chicago. “Who knows? Happens like that. You need one. I go from there.” Kessel admitted he has been trying to shoot more. And while early on he bemoaned his lack of offensive chances, Kessel seems pleased with the number of those he’s been getting. “I’ve had some chances,” Kessel said. “It won’t go in, right? It is what it is.” Post Gazette LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134475 Pittsburgh Penguins On Monday, Sidney Crosby was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week for the second time in three weeks. In three games, Crosby tied for the league lead with 11 points, including three goals. Brian Dumoulin on Wayne Simmonds’ hit: ‘It felt like hitting concrete’ Since Feb. 1, only Tampa Bay’s — who has a 12-point lead in the scoring race — has more than Crosby’s 25 points. Kucherov has 27. JASON MACKEY Sid on Ted

The NHL lost an icon Monday in Ted Lindsay — a Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Dumoulin exonerated Wayne Simmonds in a sense, saying the and four-time Stanley Cup champion with the Detroit Red Wings — who former Flyers forward — and current member of the Nashville Predators died at the age of 93. — didn’t hit him in the head during the teams’ Stadium Series game Feb. 23 at Lincoln Financial Field. Lindsay was also immensely popular with current-day players because of how hard he worked to help establish the first NHL Players’ Association. “I would say all of the concussion was from my head hitting the glass,” Dumoulin said after returning to Penguins practice in a non-contact In 2010, the NHLPA announced its MVP award would be renamed the capacity Monday. Ted Lindsay Award (from the Lester B. Pearson Award) as a tribute to one of the league’s 100 best players of all time. But even though Simmonds didn’t make contact with Dumoulin’s head, the Penguins defenseman didn’t sound thrilled with what Simmonds did Crosby won the Pearson/Lindsay award three times, most recently in on the play — blasting Dumoulin when he wasn’t really a threat to do 2013-14, and met Lindsay a few times. anything with the puck. “Great man,” Crosby said. “It was always awesome when you had a Simmonds was not disciplined for his actions. chance to see him, whether it was awards or just being around the rink. Always had a smile on his face. He was always fun to be around. Did a Phil Kessel will be looking for his first goal in 16 games Tuesday at PPG lot for us as players at the Players’ Association. Was a big part of that. Paints Arena. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette) Disappointing to see [Lindsay’s death].” Jason Mackey Prospect signed Phil Kessel, Mike Sullivan optimistic the goals will come The Penguins on Monday announced they’ve signed forward Jan Drozg to a three-year, entry-level contract, which will begin when Drozg turns “He didn’t hit me in the head, but obviously it was kind of a blindside hit,” pro next season. Dumoulin said. “I was in a tough spot. I couldn’t really do anything. I don’t know. Not a great hit to be a part of. Just trying to keep the puck in. It is A fifth-round draft pick in 2017, Drozg, 19, leads Shawinigan of the what it is. Nothing you can do about it now.” QMJHL in points this season with 53 in 54 games. Not unless you consider heating the boards and glass, which was In his past two seasons, the 6-foot-2, 174-pound right-handed shot has another thing that contributed to a concussion for Dumoulin. 35 goals and 103 points in 115 QMJHL games. Because it was so cold, Dumoulin said his head hitting the glass “felt like Drozg, a native of Slovenia, played one game last season with Wilkes- hitting concrete.” Barre/Scranton of the AHL and recorded an assist. “The outdoor games, it’s pretty chilly,” Dumoulin said. “The glass is pretty Post Gazette LOADED: 03.05.2019 cold. Definitely didn’t help it. Feel good now. It’s good to be back skating.” There’s an outside chance Dumoulin could play Tuesday against the Florida Panthers, although it’s not terribly likely. Coach Mike Sullivan’s typical procedure for a player returning from a concussion is to take contact, recover overnight, then go from there, although there have been exceptions. The Penguins got more good news Monday when Kris Letang (upper body) and Olli Maatta (shoulder) took part in an on-ice workout together with skating and skills development coach Ty Hennes. Evgeni Malkin has points in 18 of 20 games since Jan. 2. Jason Mackey Career milestone — 'huge point' — within reach for Evgeni Malkin Letang was hurt after the Simmonds-Dumoulin hit, in a wrestling match with Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. Maatta separated his shoulder in a 4-1 win at Philadelphia on Feb. 12. He’s expected to miss at least a month. The Penguins and Maatta have been optimistic he’ll be able to avoid surgery, and that certainly looks to be the case. Letang is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career with 15 goals — second among NHL defensemen — and 53 points (fifth). Dumoulin is tied for fourth among all blue liners at plus-27, while Maatta is an integral part of a Penguins penalty kill that has struggled lately; it’s last in the league at 68.5 percent since Jan. 18. Ceremony for Cullen The Penguins announced they will hold a ceremony for Matt Cullen before Tuesday’s game. Cullen is slated to play in his 1,500th NHL contest. “It’s crazy. I don’t think people realize how many that really is,” Phil Kessel said Monday. “It’s a great accomplishment. I’m sure he could play more years. He can still play well out there.” Crosby a star again 1134476 Pittsburgh Penguins “It’s crazy that I’ve had the chance to play with these guys all my career,” Letang said. “Sid and Geno will both hit 1,000 points. They’re barely in their 30s. It’s amazing.” Career milestone — 'huge point' — within reach for Evgeni Malkin The first few years, Letang would later say, he remembered Malkin barely able to speak English, really communicating only with good friend, former teammate and current Penguins assistant coach Sergei Gonchar. JASON MACKEY “Now he’s playing cards with us, and he’s one of the funniest guys on our team,” Letang said. “It’s fun to be around him. It’s crazy how long it’s been.” Sidney Crosby thought he knew what to expect. Marc-Andre Fleury was there when Malkin made his NHL debut, too — With his own 1,000-point milestone looming in February 2017, Crosby Oct. 18, 2006, in a 2-1 loss to the Devils at Mellon Arena. Malkin had a simply wanted to get there, get it over with and move on. Never one to goal in the second period, with the assists going to Ryan Whitney and pump his own tires, Crosby figured he would celebrate with his another Penguins assistant coach, . teammates, maybe pose for a picture or two and that would be that. But after setting up Chris Kunitz for an easy goal from the slot, Crosby The goal featured a few distinctive Malkin traits, too. was suddenly and unexpectedly overcome with emotion. Carrying the puck with speed and confidence through the neutral zone “I didn’t expect to feel like that when I got it,” Crosby told the Pittsburgh and eventually creating separation for one of his linemates — in this Post-Gazette last Friday in Buffalo. “But it’s amazing how fast things go case, Recchi. Then Malkin using his reach to poke a loose puck that by. Martin Brodeur didn’t fully cover. And finally, after scoring, raw emotion and an exuberance that hasn’t really dissipated to this date. Phil Kessel will be looking for his first goal in 16 games Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette) “He’s so good,” Fleury said. “Since he first came in the league, it’s tough to describe. He’s a big guy. He protects the puck so well. He shoots well. Jason Mackey He passes. He makes the plays out there. Phil Kessel, Mike Sullivan optimistic the goals will come “Pittsburgh is lucky to have these guys, having so much success and “When you get to 1,000 points, you start thinking back to your first goal. I helping their team throughout all these years. It’s not an easy thing to do, remember that night my parents were there, and they were emotional. It and he’s been doing it.” was nice.” Malkin has played for four coaches — Michel Therrien, Dan Bylsma, The feeling is one Crosby can’t wait for fellow franchise center Evgeni Mike Johnston and Mike Sullivan — in his NHL career. Numbers-wise, Malkin to experience this week. Malkin’s best years came under the first two (50 goals in 2011-12, 113 points in 2008-09), although Sullivan deserves ample credit for how he’s Four points shy of 1,000 for his career and with points in 18 of 20 games handled Malkin, as well. since Jan. 2 (nine goals, 26 points overall), there’s a very good chance Malkin reaches the milestone either Tuesday against the Florida Although Malkin surely can be a challenge to coach, Sullivan has given Panthers or two nights later versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. Both the necessary space and also the creative freedom to make it work. games are at PPG Paints Arena. In addition to helping the Penguins win two more Cups, Malkin scored 42 “I understand it’s close,” Malkin said late Friday night. “I understand it’s goals (second-most in his career) in 2017-18 and led all NHL players in coming. We’re in a tough position [standings-wise]. I’m trying to find my points from Jan. 1, 2018, through the end of the regular season. game. The last three or four games I feel pretty good. I know it’s coming.” “I think Geno’s greatest attribute is his instinctive play,” Sullivan said. Speaking a little less than a month ago, in Tampa, Fla., after practice at “He’s so dominant when he’s on top of his game. His ability to dominate Amalie Arena, Malkin brought up (unprompted) how he feels about puck possession and control the play, he’s able to do things that most getting to 1,000 career points. people can’t do with the puck. “I try to do my best,” Malkin said, answering initially about coming back “He’s one of the few players who have the ability to change the outcome from a neck injury and trying to find his game. “Of course I have great of a game single-handedly. I think that’s what Geno brings to our team. motivation. I look at my 1,000 points. Huge point, in my opinion. I want to He’s one of those elite players who has that ability. There aren’t a lot of finish this year. We want to play in the playoffs. We want to be a great them in the league, but he’s one of those guys.” team. We want the Cup back.” Post Gazette LOADED: 03.05.2019 Such candor is one of the many reasons to appreciate Malkin. Not only is he unquestionably one of the best players of his generation and a surefire Hall of Famer, but when he wants to, he can really drop the hammer when it comes to postgame comments. Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin wipes his face during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, in Newark, N.J. The Penguins won 4-3. Jason Mackey Brian Dumoulin on Wayne Simmonds’ hit: ‘It felt like hitting concrete’ If Malkin is talking, chances are it’s going to be good. Not as entertaining, of course, as actually watching Malkin play, which remains a treat for his teammates. “It’s been fun to see how he can take over games and what he means to us,” Jake Guentzel said. “He’s a special player,” Kris Letang added. “He’s incredible the way he plays. He makes the game look really easy.” Asked to give his favorite Malkin memory, Letang cited the 2009 Eastern Conference final, when Malkin “single-handedly beat the Carolina Hurricanes.” Malkin racked up six goals and nine points in the four-game series sweep. While discussing Malkin’s milestone — obviously before he suffered an upper-body injury on Feb. 23 — Letang looked across the Penguins dressing room and shook his head, almost in disbelief. 1134477 Pittsburgh Penguins

What Penguins forwards would steal from Evgeni Malkin's game

JASON MACKEY

When Evgeni Malkin gets going — maybe he’s extra motivated, or irritated at something that happened — there are few NHL players or teams capable of stopping him. How Malkin plays is decidedly different from the Penguins’ other franchise center, Sidney Crosby, although they both have the aforementioned ability, to take matters into their own hands in an instant. A few Penguins forwards took turns selecting the parts of Malkin’s game they’d most like to incorporate into their own. Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang goes through drills before morning practice Monday March 4, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena. Jason Mackey Reinforcements coming on Penguins defense as Kris Letang, Olli Maatta skate “He does that same move all the time, where he puts it underneath the guy’s stick, and every time you think the guy’s going to get it. Somehow he puts it underneath it, and he doesn’t break stride. … He’s so effortless out there.” Jake Guentzel “His hands. You can see what he does with the puck and how he controls the puck. … It’s pretty special to see the plays he can make with it and get out of certain situations.” Matt Cullen “The way he handles the puck, going through guys under their sticks. The way that he handles it is pretty unreal, especially with the size that he has. He’s a pretty unique player.” Garrett Wilson “Can I only pick one? His puck-handling skills. It’s incredible how he has that thing on a string sometimes. It’s a lot of fun to watch.” Evgeni Malkin has points in 18 of 20 games since Jan. 2. Jason Mackey Career milestone — 'huge point' — within reach for Evgeni Malkin Jared McCann “His patience. I don’t know what it is. Some players have it where they can slow the game down. I feel like he’s kind of that type of player, where he can slow it down, see the open guy and wait for a play to develop.” Zach Aston-Reese “He has that speed burst. He can open up his hips really quickly. He might not look like the biggest guy, but you watch him skate, he’s so powerful.” Nick Bjugstad It has to be his stick-handling ability. What he does with the puck is incredible. Until I came to the team, I always knew he was fast. But I didn’t realize his reaction time. He’s on pucks. He’s quick.” Post Gazette LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134478 Pittsburgh Penguins talking to. And he knew when we were good. He just kind of knew what to say at the right time, and he was real easy to talk to. All the young guys felt super comfortable going up to him, talking to him. Definitely the Who’s the best ‘old guy’ the Penguins have ever played with? best old guy I’ve played with. Obviously, (Cullen) is a great one, but (Kostopoulos) was my first old guy who I enjoyed playing with a lot.

Erik Gudbranson: There’s a few of them. (Cullen) has been pretty good By Seth Rorabaugh Mar 4, 2019 since I’ve been here, for sure. (Jagr) was fun to be around for many reasons. (Daniel Sedin and ) were great. Ed Jovanovski was great to me when I was young. So was Brian Campbell, Willie Mitchell. Teddy Blueger and Garrett Wilson were the last players off the ice Patric Hornqvist: I think (Cullen). He’s the only guy over 40 I’ve ever following the Penguins’ practice at PPG Paints Arena on Monday. played with. Fifteen-hundred games coming up, you don’t see that too many times in the league anymore. The way the league is getting faster For fourth-line wingers who don’t necessarily have a guaranteed spot in and faster and faster every year, and he gets older. It’s tough. … The last the lineup or even on the roster, it’s almost obligatory to be one of the five years, he’s been playing great hockey and the league’s getting final players to head to the dressing room. It’s perceived as a display of faster, and he’s getting older. self-awareness that suggests “I want to stay here” to management. Jack Johnson: I’d definitely put Matt Cullen up there. I don’t remember While their center had departed the ice at least 20 minutes earlier, how old Rob Blake was when I played with him (with the Kings), but he Blueger and Wilson had company. was pretty special, even at his age. … Watching (Blake) and how he was Their center’s kids. a pro, he took care of himself physically. He was in the weight room consistently. His personality, too. Honestly, after a game, you wouldn’t Matt Cullen’s children — Brooks, Wyatt and Joey — had the day off from know if he had a great game or he was frustrated or whatever. He was school and followed their old man to the work site to get in some skating always even-keel. I think that’s important over the course of an 82-game with Cullen’s teammates. season. You’re going to have highs and lows. You can’t get too high, you can’t get too low. He was somebody that I learned that from. On Tuesday, Cullen is expected to reach a milestone that only a handful of NHLers have achieved: He is scheduled to play in his 1,500th game Olli Maatta: (Cullen) is pretty good. He’s an awesome guy. It feels like against one of his many former teams, the Florida Panthers, at home. he’s always happy, really helpful. He’s one of those guys you can go, any time you’ve got something, you can talk to. He’s really happy to talk, too. While 1,500 games don’t carry the same luster as 1,000 games, it’s a benchmark of note because Cullen will be only the 20th player in the Former Penguins right wing Jaromir Jagr played 181 regular-season 101-year history of the NHL to achieve it. games with the Panthers over parts of three seasons. (Robert Mayer / USA Today) (At the moment, Cullen is already one of 20 players to reach 1,499 games.) Jared McCann: I got to play with Jaromir Jagr in Florida. Oh, man, he was awesome. It wasn’t a lot of pressure to play with him. But you knew When you look at the list of Cullen’s predecessors, one thing is obvious: you had to do your best to give him the puck. He was always asking for You have to be an old man to play that many games. the puck. Always. Me and (Bjugstad) both played with him. He was Of the 19 players who have 1,500 career games, only eight reached that definitely the best older player I played with. plateau before the age of 40: Matt Murray: No doubt (Cullen). All the intangibles, I guess: his attitude, Another thing obvious to anyone even remotely familiar with many of the his work ethic. The way he approaches the game each and every day, names on this list is that one has to be a player of some quality to reach still to this day after he’s been doing it for so long. It’s really admirable. A that mark. really good guy to have to look up to for some of us. (Kostopoulos) of course, too, the same exact thing. Just exactly what you think of when While Cullen doesn’t have credentials to be considered a Hall of Fame- you think of a captain and leader. Especially in Wilkes, you get a lot of caliber player like many of those listed above, he’s clearly found a way to young guys, obviously. It’s their first taste of pro hockey, so having be a viable contributor at the NHL level, evidenced by the two Stanley (Kostopoulos) there for me was huge. He showed us all the ropes, all of Cup rings he’s collected in recent years with the Penguins. us young guys in Wilkes there. He’s exactly the same guy as (Cullen), for sure. With Cullen on the verge of joining this select company, many of his teammates were recently asked this question: “Who’s the best ‘old guy’ Marcus Pettersson: , his brother (Jimmie Ericsson) you’ve ever played with” at any level of hockey? from back home (with Skellefteå AIK of Sweden’s SHL), he was the captain. He’s been the captain for a long time in the city that I grew up in. (Note: For the sake of clarity, “old guy” was loosely defined as player He’s one of the guys you can see how hard he works every day. He’s approaching 40 or older than 40.) one of those guys that competes every day and expects a lot from his Nick Bjugstad: Not many surpass 40. It’s pretty impressive to see Cullen teammates. So I learned a lot from him when I first came up to the big here. But you’ve got to go with (Jaromir) Jagr, right? He was something team back home. That’s a guy that I think I always admire. His compete else just as far as how much he trained and how much he produced, level, he brought everybody to it. He talked to everybody. He made fun of even at that age. It was impressive. The league changed drastically from everybody all the time. A joker. But when you get on the ice, you could when he came in to these last few years. It was something else to see see his eyes turn kind of black, and he was competitive. He’s a real good him change his game and adapt. He was a character, too. Fun to be player. Just one of those guys that I feel like I learned a lot from him. around. I got a kick out of him. Juuso Riikola: Sami Kapanen (with KalPa of Finland’s Liiga). When I Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins right winger Tom Kostopoulos played with him, he was always a very good guy with the young players. retired from professional hockey last season. (KDP Studio) He was trying to help us a lot. What you can do in some situations. I think the big thing was how you need to train and how much you need to train Blueger: (Cullen) is probably up there, but I’ve only played (11) games (in to get where he played. That’s maybe the biggest things. He had a right the NHL). I’d have to say (Tom Kostopoulos in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) way to say it. He never yelled or something like that. He was always for sure. Just like his presence and how smart he was. It was great when supportive and kind. I got a chance to be on a line with him and stuff. Obviously, he wasn’t as quick as he used to be, but he was just so smart with his positioning and Chad Ruhwedel: Matt Cullen. A great teammate, a good player, he plays his little details of the game. He kind of liked to have fun, too. He was a a really important role for us every night. We’re lucky to have him. He’s little bit old-school in that way. He always brought in practice and off the been through a lot. He’s been through a lot of different teams, different ice. He was just a presence, and it was awesome to get to learn from him systems. He’s a great guy to have in your locker room, and he plays a and play with him. crucial role on the ice for us. Sidney Crosby: (Cullen). The way he skates, it’s amazing, especially now Bryan Rust: It’s easy. It’s that guy (Cullen). He helped me a lot in my with how fast the game is. The fact that he can still play at a pretty high career, especially that first year. The line was me, (Cullen) and Tom pace and play the important minutes that he plays says a lot about him Kuhnhackl for a while. And I think (Cullen) taught us a lot about how to as a player and the way he takes care of himself. be a pro, how to manage the ups and downs of a season. Casey DeSmith: Tom Kostopoulos (in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton). A great Zach Trotman: (Cullen) is awesome. I sit next to him on the plane, and leader. He knew how to lead by example, but he also knew how to you can talk to him for an hour, no problem. Dennis Seidenberg was command a locker room. He knew what to say when. He knew when we great. (Zdeno) Chara was great. I’ll take “Cully,” my plane mate. needed to be yelled at, and he knew when we needed kind of a stern Wilson: I think (Cullen) is probably the best one I’ve played with. His style of play and mine, they kind of go hand-in-hand together. We found a way to build some chemistry out there. He’s just a really easy guy to play with. He’s always in the right spot and a good position. He’s making smart plays, and you can read off of him. He’s made it really easy to play with him. A number of Cullen’s recently departed teammates were asked the same question before trades that jettisoned them from Pittsburgh. In the interest of variety, their answers are included below: Jamie Oleksiak: I played with some legends. I played with Jagr. So maybe Jagr when he was in Dallas there. He’s obviously a legend, right? Just being around him and seeing how he was still going no matter how old he was. He was always at the rink and skating with weights on. He was just a workhorse. So that was kind of cool seeing that. (Sergei) Gonchar. Sheldon Souray. There was a lot of guys I got a chance to skate with. I think Jagr was probably the best known and legendary guy I got to play with. Tanner Pearson: Vincent Lecavalier. He came to our team (the Kings), he was absolutely on fire when he got to our team. He was just enjoying his last kind of half-year he had left (in his career) and he was putting it all on the ice. He definitely helped our team. Riley Sheahan: My first-ever game with Detroit, (Niklas) Lidstrom was still there. … My captain my first year in Grand Rapids (of the AHL), Jeff Hoggan. He played a little bit in the NHL. To me, he was unbelievable. I lived with him for a little. He was a really good mentor to a young guy. I still keep touch with him. … (Henrik) Zetterberg and Johan Franzen, Daniel Alfredsson I played with, (Pavel) Datsyuk, they were all … not so much personally, but you just watch them, you just learn so much from their games. Notes Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin has missed three games because of a concussion. (Aaron Doster / USA Today) • Wearing a red non-contact jersey, Brian Dumoulin participated in practice for the first time since suffering a concussion on Feb. 23. Dumoulin was injured in the Penguins’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Flyers outdoors at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field when former Flyers right winger Wayne Simmonds hit him into the boards. “He didn’t hit me in the head,” Dumoulin said. “… I would say all the concussion was really from the glass, my head hitting the glass. With the outdoor games, it’s pretty chilly. The glass is pretty cold. That definitely didn’t help it. … He didn’t hit me in the head. But obviously, it’s kind of a blindside hit. It was in a tough spot. I couldn’t really do anything. Not a great hit to be a part of, obviously. Just trying to keep a puck in. It is what it is. Nothing I can do about it now. “It felt like hitting concrete. It was definitely pretty solid. I didn’t feel great really after the next day.” • Kris Letang, who suffered a suspected neck injury in the fracas after the hit, skated along with Maatta (left shoulder) before practice. • The Penguins signed right winger Jan Drozg to a three-year, entry-level contract. Drozg, 19, was a fifth-round pick in 2017. In 54 games with Shawinigan of the QMJHL this season, he has 53 points (19 goals, 34 assists). He is one of only six natives of Slovenia who have been drafted by an NHL team. The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019

1134479 San Jose Sharks

Sharks' Tim Heed heating up offensively in Erik Karlsson's absence

By Marcus White March 04, 2019 6:12 PM

Tim Heed is heating up at a convenient time for the Sharks. Heed, who played in just three games this season before the start of 2019, has scored five points in his last five games. That includes two primary assists in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, which was the 12th straight game in which Heed suited up and Erik Karlsson did not. Karlsson, a fellow Swede and right-handed defenseman, is a hard player to replace. Only has played more per game (24:52) than Karlsson (24:32), and the Sharks are a decidedly better puck-possession team with him on the ice than when he isn't. The Sharks haven't asked Heed to shoulder the same load as Karlsson, as Heed has played about 10 fewer minutes per game than him in the All-Star's absence. But, he is still producing offensively. Heed has scored six points in those 12 games, all but one of which has come at even strength. Since Karlsson missed his first game due to injury on Jan. 19, Heed is second on the Sharks in 5-on-5 assist rate (1.92 per hour, according to Natural Stat Trick) and third in primary-assist rate (1.15 per hour). He has also scored 5-on-5 points at a higher rate (2.31 per hour) than any other Sharks defenseman in that same span. Those rates of 5-on-5 production -- in a decidedly smaller sample size -- are higher in each category than Karlsson's on the season, and is a big reason why the Sharks are 9-3-0 in their last 12 games without Karlsson. Heed has heated up at the right time, and helped San Jose maintain stalking distance of the Calgary Flames atop the Pacific Division. How much longer he can keep it up remains to be seen. With Heed on the ice at full strength in the last 12 games, the Sharks unsurprisingly are generating fewer shots and generating fewer chances than when Karlsson has played at 5-on-5 this season. They're also allowing shots and chances at higher rates, but that hasn't yet translated into goals against. Goaltenders Martin Jones and Aaron Dell have only allowed three goals playing behind Heed at full strength in his last 12 games, and have posted an eye-popping .964 save percentage with him on the ice. The Sharks have also scored on 16.42 percent of their 5-on-5 shots when Heed has played since Jan. 19, a significantly higher percentage than the team has converted all season (8.95 percent) and with Karlsson on the ice (8.72). Add it all together and Heed has a 106.8 PDO, the sum of save percentage and shooting percentage. (Anything above 100 is considered lucky, and typically unsustainable) Considering the Sharks' opponents have controlled a higher share of 5- on-5 shot attempts, shots on goal and high-danger chances while Heed has been on the ice over his last 12 games, Heed is more likely to regress to the mean the longer Karlsson is out of the lineup. It would be a bigger concern if the Sharks were asking Heed to play a larger 5-on-5 role, however. He's not being tasked with Karlsson's ice time, and Heed's hot streak in his absence has gone a long way towards helping the Sharks continue to win without him. All things considered, San Jose will take Heed's surge with Calgary's lead atop the Pacific Division down to just three points. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134480 St Louis Blues

Schenn to make trip, but Perron is still iffy

By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Blues could be getting Brayden Schenn back for their California trip, though David Perron remains a question mark. Coach Craig Berube said Schenn was “making good progress” and would be making the California trip, which starts with a game in Anaheim on Wednesday. Perron, however, is “still the same,” Berube said, and his status for the trip was “up in the air.” Perron has been skating with the team in recent practices and has been an active participant. Berube said Perron had passed all the necessary tests and it was up to the player when he returned to action. Perron hasn’t played since Jan. 17. “I think it’s good that he’s skating with us,” Berube said, “and hopefully he decides that he’s going to come on the road and he’ll get more practice time and keep going and when he feels like he’s ready to go, that will be good. I can’t answer when he’ll be ready to go.” BLAIS TO STAY, FOR NOW Forward Sammy Blais, who has gone like a yo-yo between St. Louis and San Antonio this season, will stay with the team for a while, at least, after his most recent call-up Saturday. The team used one of its four non- emergency callups after the trade deadline to bring Blais up. “He’s coming on the road trip with us,” Berube said. “We’ll see how it goes and see how he plays. We have extra guys so we want to use guys and get different lineups in on a nightly basis and get guys in and out of the lineup. He’s going to get an opportunity. He’s done a good job since he’s been up here. It’s not been easy for him with travel and up and down, but we like his energy when he comes in, he’s physical, and he’s got good puck skills. We all know what he can do and he’s done it in the minors with scoring and making plays and he’s actually done some good things up here, too, with the puck.” “I have no idea (how long I’ll stay), to be honest,” said Blais, who noted that it was warmer back home in Quebec on Monday than it was in St. Louis. “But we’ll see. I hope so. Just keep playing and see what happens. I’m always happy to be back here.” MAC LESSONS Mackenzie MacEachern came to the defense of Jordan Binnington on Saturday night after a Dallas player poked at the goalie’s glove, but he took a two-minute roughing penalty in the process that got Dallas a power play and the go-ahead goal. Shortly before, there had been no call on Dallas when players went after Pat Maroon for making contact with Stars goalie Ben Bishop. “They didn’t call anyone on that,” MacEachern said. “I saw them go after Binner a bit and I was kind of sticking up for Binner there, but I may have taken it too far, unfortunately. It’s part of the game. I learned a lesson from that. ... Next time I know how far I can go.” Meanwhile, defenseman Robert Bortuzzo got hit by two Carolina players on Friday in Raleigh, but only one penalty was handed out to each team. Bortuzzo felt both Carolina players should have gotten penalties. “That was my argument,” he said. TIME OFF The Blues had a full day off Sunday and on Monday, Berube gave the team an optional practice so players wanting a second day off could have one. The Blues’ game with Dallas on Saturday was the end of a run of 15 games in 26 days. “I think the rest is really important,” Berube said. “Get the energy back. There are bumps and bruises this time of year (with) a lot of hockey. It’s kind of a day off, for some guys two days off, but not totally off. The day off yesterday, being away from the rink was really good, then today, coming here, we had a good meeting this morning, some good video. Some guys didn’t go on the ice but they were in the gym doing stuff.” “Any chance you can take to recharge the body and recharge the mind,” Bortuzzo said, “is beneficial. We’ve been going at it for a while here, almost every second day, playing a high intensity game right now. You like to decompress. At the same time, it will be nice to get to California.” St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134481 St Louis Blues 17 left (10 home, seven road) The Stars, currently in the first wild card spot, have only seven road games left, but four of them are on a rough trip through western Canada, Blues expect high intensity the rest of the season which will serve up games in Winnipeg and Calgary, two of the top three teams in the conference in points. They also have two games left with Colorado and two with Minnesota, so no team is as equipped to help By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch itself as much as the Stars are. Only Chicago has a worse road record among Central teams.

5. Minnesota The game Sunday night between Nashville and Minnesota was one of those that shows up at this time of year and provides a conundrum for 71 points (31 ROW) Blues fans: Who to root against? Is it the team ahead of the Blues in the standings that they have a chance to catch, or is it the team behind them 16 left (eight home, eight road) in the standings that is closing in on them? The Wild, currently in the second wild-card spot, had won five in a row Who you decided on may depend on your level of optimism about the before their shootout loss to Nashville, making them the division’s hottest Blues. If your first concern is just to make the playoffs, then you rooted team, though that winning streak came right after a run of nine losses in for Nashville to keep Minnesota back. If you were confident about holding 10 games, which made them the coldest team. Twelve of their final 16 off Minnesota and wanted to maximize the Blues’ chances for second games are against teams currently in a playoff spot, and seven of their place and home ice in the first round? Then root for Minnesota. final eight. The only game in that stretch not against a playoff team is at Arizona, which the Wild could very well be battling for the final playoff The game turned out to be the worst of all worlds, with it going to spot. overtime and both teams getting points, though if you’re seeking a silver lining, because it went to a shootout, at least no one got a regulation or 6. Colorado overtime win (ROW), the NHL’s first tiebreaker. 68 points (27 ROW) It’s that time of year in the NHL. There is pretty much one month to go in 16 left (10 home, six road) the season — April 6 is the final day — and all teams have 17 games or fewer to play. So it’s a point at which you can look at a team’s schedule The Avs had won six out of eight games before dropping two in a row. and see what it has left. They play the four teams directly ahead of them in the West playoff race — Arizona, Minnesota, Dallas and the Blues — once each, so they have Can the Blues catch Nashville or Winnipeg? Can they hold off Minnesota four chances to really help themselves. They close the season with and Dallas and Colorado? Can they get home ice in the first round? games vs. Winnipeg and San Jose, not the situation you want to have if That’s what will play out in the weeks ahead. you still need points the final weekend, unless, of course, those teams “It’s going to be tight and it’s crunch time,” coach Craig Berube said have secured their playoff spots and are resting up for the postseason. Monday. “Every game is going to be high intensity. It has to be, from our 7. Chicago part. We’ve got to make sure that we stay on that, game in and game out, (that) we’re doing the right things.” 63 points (26 ROW) Here’s how the Central Division teams’ schedules shape up the rest of 16 left (eight home, eight road) the way: The Blackhawks went 1-2 on their California swing to put a definite dent 1. Winnipeg in their playoff hopes, which had risen after a seven-game winning streak. Chicago’s defense, which has allowed more goals than anyone in 82 points (37 ROW) the league and has allowed at least four goals in seven of its past eight 17 left (seven home, 10 road) games, remains an issue that will be tough to overcome. The Jets, having won two in a row, may be starting to dig themselves out St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.05.2019 of the malaise that has affected them since the start of 2019. The schedule doesn’t do them any favors, with only five of their final 17 games against teams not currently in a playoff spot. The Jets are 17-14 on the road this season and close their schedule with four road games, the last three against teams, Minnesota, Colorado and Arizona, that could be battling for playoff spots. 2. Nashville 81 points (35 ROW) 14 left (seven home, seven road) The Predators have the fewest games remaining of any team in the league and have played three more than the Blues, which is what gives the Blues and their fans hope they can be caught. The Predators close with three of their final four games at home, all four against teams not in playoff spots right now (though one is Columbus). Nashville’s numbers have been tracking up, but results haven’t caught up yet. The Predators’ two wins in their past five games have both been in shootouts. 3. Blues 74 points (33 ROW) 17 left (eight home, nine road) The Blues have two three-game trips in the next two weeks, and when those are done they will have finished a stretch of playing 22 of 30 games on the road. After that, seven of their final 10 will be at Enterprise Center, though the Blues have been a better road team than home team this season. The Blues have only two games left within the division (vs. Colorado and Chicago), and, maybe more important, only four games left with teams currently in the playoffs, giving them the easiest schedule in the division. 4. Dallas 71 points (33 ROW) 1134482 St Louis Blues “And that’s kind of cool to hear a coach say to go have fun and go play your heart out. I think that when guys have that attitude, they’re happy going into the game and they’re comfortable with the way things are Hochman: Berube doesn't get enough credit for Blues' turnaround going, they’re then comfortable on the ice. And they’ll make the plays they should. …

“And whenever someone blocks a shot or someone sticks up for Benjamin Hochman someone on the ice, he’s really happy with that. He likes to show that your heart means everything out there. If everyone is sticking together, you’re going to be a lot better of a team.” The only “BS” he’s fine with is Brayden Schenn and blocked shots. So who were Berube’s coaching inspirations? On Monday after practice, he mentioned John Stevens, the former Flyers coach — “I probably Craig Berube doesn’t put up with nonsense. He’s demanding, though not learned as much from him on the coaching side of things as anybody,” he demeaning. Honesty isn’t the best policy; it’s the policy. said — and also Hitchcock. He’d played for Hitch in junior hockey and “When we’re down going into the dressing room, he comes in and later at the highest level. Berube said that Hitchcock was willing to share definitely calls it what it is,” Blues defenseman Vince Dunn said. his opinion with those “willing to accept it and learn it — and I’ve been one of them.” We’d all had enough. And we’d all seen enough with the early-season Blues — enough of this selfish and listless hockey, insipid and uninspired After another brief interview session, Berube was asked about being play. Berube took over as coach, but he wasn’t this magician who could honest with his players. Brutally honest. wand-wave a winning streak. “Yeah. I try to be as best I can,” he said in a rare public moment of At the time, that was a little surprising. But now, as the Blues have introspection. “I think that I know as a player, I wanted just honesty from become the best story in hockey, the reality is that over a period of time, whoever was talking to me about things. I try to do the same. I just try to Berube has cooked up a new culture. His nickname is “Chief,” but he’s be honest with the player. Open and honest. And I get that they may not more of a chef. And he doesn’t get enough credit for the turnaround. agree with me, and that’s fine, you know?” “He definitely changed the attitude in this dressing room — it was pretty St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.05.2019 bad and pretty negative,” said Dunn, whose Blues are 34-25-6 and in third place in the division. “And he just really wanted us to believe in each other. And to just have a lot of self-accountability, whether it was with confidence or with good and bad things on the ice. He wanted us to realize that we were a good team, but he also wanted us to realize where we were going wrong.” A key moment that stands out didn’t even happen during a game. On Dec. 9, the new coach benched David Perron. Made him a healthy scratch for the game against Vancouver — this is pretty tough to accept for a veteran player, signed for big bucks as a free agent. Perron didn’t even want to discuss the scratch with the scribes in the media. But Perron had been playing sloppy hockey. And Berube sure pushed the right button. Perron became one of the best players under Berube — and it showed the team that tough coaching wasn’t selective. “He’s definitely raised the work ethic and the accountability in our room,” Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo said. “He pushes guys, whether it’s your top line guys or guys who are coming in and out of the lineup. Different motivational tactics. It’s definitely been big for our group. He’s made us a harder team offensively and defensively. It’s definitely worked.” Of course, this is the way it goes, right? A new coach provides all these great things — motivation, optimism — until that same coach fades out. We’ve seen it in recent years: Ken Hitchcock rejuvenated the Blues, got them to the conference finals … and then he needed to go. So, Mike Yeo rejuvenated the Blues, got them to the playoffs and won a round … and then he needed to go. And now, Craig Berube has rejuvenated the Blues. But this year is a little different, because of the preseason expectations. Many smart hockey people felt the Blues were a playoff team. Soon, things got so bad, and their lottery chances so high, a local columnist even interviewed Jack Hughes, to introduce the expected No. 1 pick to fans. But now, it’s like, Wait, these same players we thought would be good actually are good. The difference is, they believe in the coach. They could be on to something down there on Clark Avenue. Now, unlike the gregarious Hitchcock and the loquacious Yeo, Berube is painfully matter-of-fact with the media. He reveals little information, as if any inkling shared could shift the outcome of a season. At the last game, Berube met the media just 90 minutes before the game, because the Blues didn’t have a morning skate. And he wouldn’t reveal his lines for the game. “You guys want guys to openly talk more, and I get it,” he said. “I would too if I was in your shoes. Some guys are not like that. They just give you very little. … It’s just the way I am.” Now, while he’s stupendously stoic in the spotlight, Berube has stature with the team — he’s a strong communicator. Dunn said he’s fun. Even funny. Berube is snapshot-quick with jokes. And he’s fun to watch film with. He inspires personality, which leads to self-confidence. “I think it’s just the way that he talks to us, and the way he demands effort and hard work,” said Dunn, who also played for Berube in the minors. 1134483 St Louis Blues hockeyviz.com projects Winnipeg at 98.5 points, Nashville at 97 and the Blues at 95.3. So the Blues are definitely in the picture.

STILL ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT? Schenn will join Blues on trip, Perron still uncertain The Blues and Predators fight it out at Enterprise Center

QUESTION: Your colleague Jeff Gordon says that the way a team wins By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch the Stanley Cup is by finding a way to improve every round through the playoffs. Besides the power play, where do the Blues find room for improvement? They seem to be hitting on all cylinders right now. Brayden Schenn appears to have moved ahead of David Perron in the race to see which one of them is back in the lineup first with the Blues. TOM T.: The power play needs to be better. Everyone agrees on that, from Armstrong on down. The Blues have in the past month beaten Coach Craig Berube said Schenn, who hasn't played since Jan. 19, will Nashville three times, Tampa Bay, Toronto and Boston, so they have travel with the team on their West Coast swing that they leave for on shown they can play with anybody. (They also beat Columbus, though Tuesday, but that Perron's status is still up in the air. that team looks a lot different now.) "Perron's (status is) still the same," Berube said. "Schenn's making good As Berube cautioned yesterday, the playoffs are a different animal. So progress." they have to get better all around, in every aspect. They need to get more consistent balanced scoring. They need to cut down on mistakes in Perron hasn't played in six weeks, going back to Jan. 17 in Boston. their own end. There aren't many parts of their game that currently rate a Though he has been skating regularly with the team for about a week, 5, but the ones that may be at an 8 or 9 have to be upgraded. Perron hasn't felt ready to return. Berube said Perron has passed all the necessary tests and it's up to him when he feels he can be back in a 'ARMY' STANDS PAT: WAS THAT THE BEST STRATEGY? game. Berube named Blues' interim head coach "I like that he's skating with us," Berube said. "I think that's important, and it's important that he's around the guys and not getting totally lost. A lot of QUESTION: Doug Armstrong is being praised in most quarters for having times when you're injured, you're not around your teammates, that's not the courage or "smarts" to stand pat at the trade deadline. What do you good. I think it's good that he's skating with us and hopefully he decides think? Thumbs up or down on this strategy, and why. that he's going to come on the road and he'll get more practice time and TOM T.: I think standing pat was the best plan, as advertised in this chat keep going and when he feels like he's ready to go, that will be good. I the past couple weeks. Going after a high-profile player would have can't answer when he'll be ready to go." required taking someone off the current 23-man roster, which potentially BLAIS TO STAY? would adversely affect a team that has become a well-oiled machine. Also, the lack of a first-round draft pick this year would have made that It looks like the Sammy Blais Shuttle between San Antonio and St. Louis tough, as well as limited space under the salary cap (I don't think they may be on hold for a while, with Blais getting to stay around after his could have fit anyone making more than $4 million a year without callup on Saturday. removing some salary) and an organizational philosophy not to trade top prospects. With the Blues using one of their four post-trade deadline callups on Blais on Saturday and with the roster limit off, it makes sense to keep him Add that all up, and it was tough to make a deal anyway. And as around as long as he's not being scratched every night. And it sounds Armstrong said Tuesday, the Blues see this season as the beginning of a like Berube wants him to get in games. window of opportunity, which made standing pat a better choice. Had this been the end of a window, he'd have been more inclined to go all in. So I "He's coming on the road trip with us," he said. "We'll see how it goes give it a thumbs up. and see how he plays. We have extra guys so we want to use guys and get different lineups in on a nightly basis and get guys in and out of the Follow-up: Blais running over Gaudreau. MacEachern crashing and lineup. He's going to get an opportunity. He's done a good job since he's banging on the boards. Barbashev improving every game. Sundqvist been up here. It's not been easy for him with travel and up and down, but having a strong season. Thomas showing he will be THE man soon. we like his energy when he comes in, he's physical, and he's got good Kyrou and Kostin hopefully not too far away. Binnington a stone wall. puck skills. We all know what he can do and he's done it in the minors Safe to say the Army naysayers can take some time off. with scoring and making plays and he's actually done some good things up here too with the puck." TOM T.: There have been fewer calls for him to be fired lately. My contention all along, and I think I said this in earlier chats, was that BACK AT IT everyone thought he had put together a good team in the offseason, and if everyone thought that was the case, it's hard to say, "What was he After taking Sunday off, the Blues were back on the ice on Monday, thinking?" when the team struggles. though Berube made the practice optional so players who wanted to could have two days in a row off the ice. 'COOL.' THAT'S BINNINGTON "I think the rest is really important," Berube said. "Get the energy back, Winning with Binnington: Blues goalie making most of chance bumps and bruises this time of year, a lot of hockey. It's kind of a day off, for some guys two days off, not totally off. The day off yesterday, being QUESTION: Is Binnington's interview style — whereby he gives 1- to 3- away from the rink was really good, then today, coming here, we had a word answers to some well-thought-out questions — just a schtick? Or is good meeting this morning, some good video. Some guys didn't go on he really that quiet and thinks that "Cool." is a sufficient answer? the ice but they were in the gym doing stuff." TOM T.: That's Binnington's style. He's droll, wry, a bit sarcastic. So to Quick Hits from Timmermann that extent, it's a bit of a schtick. But it's his schtick. CAN BLUES GET PAST THE JETS AND PREDS? I've probably told this story before, but after he played his first game with the Blues, I asked him if he had kept anything as a souvenir of the game. The Blues and Predators fight it out at Enterprise Center He said, yes, he scraped up some snow from around the crease to keep. Really? I said. Of course not, was his reply. I now know that to be fairly QUESTION: Trying to be optimistic, yet pragmatic, with regard to this typical of Binnington. He does give longer answers, but if he's got a Blues team. Do you think they can sneak past the Jets and Predators in chance for a zinger, he will zing. the standings? Is first place a legitimate option? Follow-up: Binnington's interviews are becoming quite the spectacle. TOM T.: Catching Nashville certainly seems do-able. The Blues are five points back with three games in hand and, while I haven't studied TOM T.: Binnington likes giving it back to his interviewers, which requires Nashville's schedule, the Blues' schedule is relatively easy down the us to stay on our toes and give it back to him. The one thing is that he is stretch, with lots of teams that are out of playoff spots. (Though, to get so deadpan, it sometimes takes a while to figure out exactly what is you a head start on hockey cliches, those teams are tough because going on and whether or not he's serious. those guys are playing for their jobs.) WHO SITS WHEN PERRON AND SCHENN RETURN? Winnipeg is tougher to catch because the teams are even on games, but the Jets hit a downturn for a while and if they do that again, the Blues Hurricanes Blues Hockey could be poised to make a move. Though to be pragmatic, it will be tough QUESTION: When Perron and Schenn return to the lineup, who sits? for the Blues to keep rolling up points at the rate they are. Right now, TOM T.: Sanford and Fabbri, most likely, though Fabbri's game has really game helps. It used to be said that every postseason game the Blues come on strong the past few games. And Blais will come out when Steen played was worth $1 million. I've been told that's not the case any more returns. That was one of the amazing things about Tuesday night. The and the number is lower. Blues won that game without Schenn, Perron and Steen in the lineup. Those three, by the way, skated as a fifth line in practice Wednesday. The number of years the Blues have been in the black over their Perron looks pretty close to being ready to return; Schenn seemed to be existence is likely very small. taking it a little more lightly. WEARING NO. 42 Follow-up: What will the forward lines look like when Perron and Schenn Jamie Benn, David Backes return? QUESTION: Newcomer Del Zotto wearing No. 42 doesn’t bother me, but TOM T.: For starters, I'd put Schenn back with O'Reilly and Tarasenko I’m surprised the Blues would give their approval. Did the fan base get because they haven't been as effective since Schwartz has joined them. worked into a lather over this? My original thought was that they would go back to Thomas as a center, but that doesn't seem to be something they're considering now. So TOM T.: When I tweeted out yesterday that Del Zotto would wear 42, I Schwartz and Perron would end up on a second line with Bozak. was amazed by the response in the Twitterverse, and I'm hard to amaze. Some saw it as a sacrilege. Others were fine with it. (Many of those Then what have you got? Maroon, Sundqvist and Steen on the third line thought Backes forfeited his rights to that number when he left as a free and MacEachern, Barbashev and Thomas on the fourth line. The fourth agent.) line has been one of their most effective so far. I don't think the Blues are ever going to retire 42 in Backes' honor, so the LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD ON DEFENSE sooner they get it back into circulation, the easier it probably is to treat it The Blues take on the Stars at Enterprise Center like any other number. Let it sit idle too long and it gets harder to do that. I'm also amazed that the Blues gave out Pronger's 44 after he left, QUESTION: What will the Blues do to fill in the 'D' next year? Bring up though they haven't done it in the past seven seasons. kids or re-sign Bouwmeester, now that he is playing fully healthy? THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! TOM T.: Bouwmeester would have to take a significant pay cut to come back. With the money the Blues are going to have to be spending soon Blues vs Boston Bruins on UFAs, and if they think players like Reinke, Walman or Mikkola are QUESTION: What gives with the Blues playing John Denver's "Country ready, they will turn to them. (And Jordan Schmaltz is still in the picture.) Roads" at games? I don't get the connection. This isn't West Virginia, and Bouwmeester may attract some attention from other places next year most of the Blues fans do not have "mountain mamas." who may have more money to offer, or more years. If the Blues gave Bouwmeester more than one year, it would just force them to keep the TOM T.: Seems to me they just started playing it one day and enough guys currently in the minors there longer. people knew the lyrics that they sung along even after the music was shut off. It also now seems to have become the arena version of "Gloria." GOALIE OF THE FUTURE? I suspect it's here to stay, at least until people stop singing along. St. Louis Blues take on Boston Bruins FORWARD THINKING ON THE BLUES ROSTER QUESTION: Is this finally the year the Blues move on from Allen as the Surging Blues get 5th straight win, 3-2 over Predators goalie of the future? Has Binnington done enough to become their top priority in net? What would that mean for Allen? Do they give him a fresh QUESTION: What does the forward depth look like for next year, as far start with a new team, and sign a veteran backup to help Binnington? as who might be under contract, free agents, able to play in minors, etc? Will this year's group stay mostly intact? TOM T.: I can't see the Blues handing over the keys to Binnington next season, making him the No. 1 and signing a career backup a la Carter TOM T.: Maroon is an unrestricted free agent after this season. Earlier in Hutton. Even with the rest of this season and a long playoff run, that may the season, it was a cinch he wasn't coming back next season. His play not be enough to sell them on him. I could see Binnington and Allen in a of late has improved, but will that be enough to sway the front office to 1A and 1B situation next season, and whoever plays better gets more of keep him? The next month may determine that. the time. Fabbri, Sanford, Sundqvist, Barbashev and Blais are all restricted free The goalie position is erratic and goalies routinely go from great one year agents. The Blues will retain all of them; Sundqvist has earned a decent to not-so-great the next year. One thing that Binnington's rise does is raise, Barbashev a smaller one. Nikita Soshnikov, currently in San probably make Ville Husso expendable, or at least a potential trade chip. Antonio, will also be an RFA. The Blues would no doubt try to keep him Because another thing I can't see is the Blues going with Binnington and as a depth forward. Husso next season. I have to confess I'm not positive on who would have to clear waivers to BLUES WHO WON'T BE BLUES NEXT SEASON? go to the minors. Right now, it's Thomas (though he can't go because of his age), Blais and MacEachern. Kyrou and Kostin should be waiver Blues vs. Islanders exempt next season, so they could bounce up and down. QUESTION: Who's on the current roster that most likely will not be on the The Blues probably need to open at least one spot, for Kyrou, and maybe roster next year? another for Blais. Kostin's play will determine where he goes. That's TOM T.: Bouwmeester and Gunnarsson for starters. Maroon's play has where training camp will come in. Does one or more of these guys beat come on, so that will be a decision for the Blues. He's also entering that out Sanford or MacEachern? Going into camp this season, Barbashev hockey middle age where it gets tougher to get a contract if you're not a and Sundqvist seemed to be headed for San Antonio. Instead, they've high-end player. That opens up two defensive spots for sure. become valuable pieces and Jaskin was shipped out. That's what will likely happen next season. If there's someone who they don't think is At forward, they'll want to find an opening for Kyrou and maybe Kostin. going to make the team and they risk losing to waivers, they'll try to trade Blais continues to make a valid case for himself, too. MacEachern's them. unexpected level of play takes a spot that otherwise would have been open, which could make someone somewhere on the roster a trade Thomas and Kyrou are essentially untouchable. candidate. SCHWARTZ'S STRUGGLE TO SCORE ARE BLUES HURTING FINANCIALLY? The Blues and Predators fight it out at Enterprise Center City and business leaders asking for taxpayer help in funding Scottrade QUESTION: While Schwartz's overall game hasn't tailed off, it seems Center renovation clear he is still squeezing the stick. How can they get him a cheap goal or QUESTION: How bad are the Blues financials? We always hear how little two to elevate his confidence? Any out-of-the-box thoughts? I remember corporate support they have and how much the bottom line depends on a stories of Scotty Bowman talking up Sergei Fedorov to the newspapers in playoff run. Is this team in constant financial peril year to year with profits order to boost his confidence one year. only gained for the owner when the team is sold? TOM T.: Certainly two empty-net goals hasn't done it for him. You can't TIMMERMANN: I don't think anyone is ever going to get rich owning the say Berube or other Blues haven't done their best to build his confidence. Blues, or for that matter selling the Blues. Whenever the team has been Bozak told me in Anaheim when the win streak began that he felt bad for sale, there has not been a long line of potential buyers throwing sacks about not passing to Schwartz on every possession because he wanted of cash around. I wouldn't say they're in financial peril, but every playoff Schwartz to have as many chances to score as he could get. He also felt that once Schwartz started scoring, more would follow. That hasn't happened. Schwartz at this point is going to have to create those goals himself. He's going to have to put in rebounds. That's the most likely way for him to score goals, and that's how he usually does it. At every home game, when they put up the fan poll on which Blue is going to score first, Schwartz is routinely in the top three. So a certain percentage of fans still believe. A 'FIRST' FOR THE CHAT: QUOTING LBJ AND BROWNING St. Louis Blues take on Boston Bruins QUESTION: Should I wake up from this dream that the Blues can win the Cup? Loving the dream, hating the prospect of being wrong … again! TOM T.: I would never tell someone to wake up from their dreams. And, as President Lyndon B. Johnson would say, "Never pass up a free lunch or a chance to go to the men's room." I could be wrong on this, but I'm going to guess that the vast majority of teams to win championships in most sports haven't fired their coach midseason (Blues) and it also helps to be a really talented team (Blues). Sports history is littered with teams that have had youngsters come out of nowhere (Blues, Binnington) and propel them to great heights. As Robert Browning wrote (I think), "A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" So keep on dreaming. Stranger things have happened. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134484 Tampa Bay Lightning “I thought it was going to be me,” Hedman said, smiling. “Even Stamkos said it was me.”

Which Lightning player most resembles a “Game of Thrones” character? How Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller plan to fight personal cancer cause with Kan Jam “I don’t watch the show,” Miller said. “But I know there’s a (little person) on it. So I’ll go (Tyler Johnson).”

Johnson didn’t make the list. Hedman did, with Anton Stralman By Joe Smith Mar 4, 2019 suggesting he looks like the “Mountain” character.

“I’ll take it,” Hedman said after.

TAMPA, Fla. — Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller were flinging the frisbee #TBLIGHTNING VICTOR HEDMAN JOKED ON BIGGEST UPSET OF around in one of their favorite games — Kan Jam — last February, “BOLTS FAMILY GAME NIGHT,” THAT BEAT HIM participating in then-Rangers teammate Kevin Shattenkirk’s charity OUT FOR BEST DRESSED ON TEAM. “EVEN STAMMER THOUGHT I tournament. WAS NO. 1.” HEDMAN IMPRESSED BY TURNOUT. “WE LOVE THIS The event in Tarrytown, N.Y., raised more than $100,000 for a children’s CITY. WE LOVE WEARING THIS JERSEY EVERY NIGHT.” hospital and the Garden of Dreams Foundation. Rangers and their fans PIC.TWITTER.COM/9WHASSMQ9M were playing with, and against, each other. — JOE SMITH (@JOESMITHTB) MARCH 4, 2019

“We were like, ‘Wow,'” McDonagh said, “‘we should do something like A Harvard joke this.'” There was a game called “Caption This,” where the players had to Two days later, both McDonagh and Miller were traded to the Lightning in describe the photo on the screen. the blockbuster deadline deal. Alex Killorn took some jabs from teammates for a photo of him playing Now that McDonagh and Miller have settled into Tampa Bay — they both Bubble Hockey. signed long-term deals last summer, and now both of their wives are expecting their second child — they want to give back. Brayden Point’s pick? “I used to play this at Harvard.”

That’s where “The Mac and Millsy Kancer Jam” comes in. The two Dan Girardi, no surprise, had the winner. Lightning players are planning a charity event next season that will raise money for families in the Tampa Bay area impacted by cancer. “Damn. I look good in this reflection.”

The cause hits home for both. Miller’s 65-year-old grandmother is NAME THAT CAPTION: DAN GIRARDI WITH THE WINNER: “DAMN I currently battling colon cancer, and his wife Natalie’s grandmothers both LOOK GOOD IN THIS REFLECTION.” BRAYDEN POINT HAD died from cancer. RUNNER UP: “I USED TO PLAY THIS AT HARVARD.” PIC.TWITTER.COM/7P7MBEMWGA “It affects all our families,” Miller said. “Now that we have kids, the perspective is insane. If we can give back and do it in a fun fashion like — JOE SMITH (@JOESMITHTB) MARCH 3, 2019 that, we really would jump at the opportunity to do that.” There was a photo of Nikita Kucherov outside a dunk tank from a McDonagh and Miller spent a good part of Sunday’s “Bolts Family Game previous Fan Fest. Night” outside Tampa Theater teaching Lightning fans Kan Jam. Braydon Coburn had the best for that one. “I left Russia for this?”

It’s a flying disc tailgate game, similar to cornhole and horseshoes. Two Who wants to be a millionaire? players are on each team, standing on opposite sides of cylinders spread 50 feet apart. The goal is to get 21 points, and a team earns three by Like the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” show, three players on each tossing the frisbee and having your teammate knock it into the can. You side took their turns trying to answer up to seven Lightning trivia get two points by hitting the can on your own. The game is over if you questions. toss the disc through the slit in the front of the cylinder. There were some close calls. “It’s a lot of fun, an easy-going game,” McDonagh said. “We play it all the When the blue team was asked “Who is the founder of the Lightning?” time in the summer up at the cabin.” rookie Mathieu Joseph was stumped. There were the two Espositos, Phil Imagine playing with Steven Stamkos on your team. Or against Nikita and Tony, among the four answers. And Brian Bradley, the Lightning’s Kucherov. That’s the idea behind “The Mac & Millsy Kancer Jam,” with first All-Star. fans getting the chance to donate and pick their teammates. They’re still That’s who Joseph picked before teammate Alex Killorn corrected him. working out the details, like the date — which will depend on the “It’s .” Lightning’s 2019-20 schedule — and finding a local indoor facility. More info will be on www.jamkancerinthekan.com (@jamkancer). A Lightning The black team had to huddle over the capital of Florida but answered all fan group, Thunder Bolts, plans to do a raffle for autographed seven right. merchandise after the playoffs to raise money for the event. Line of the night McDonagh, who signed a seven-year, $47.25 million contract in July, said he has never had a foundation, even while he was the Rangers Nikita Kucherov is the Hart Trophy favorite, racking up point totals the captain. But by putting down roots here, along with Miller, that could likes of which we haven’t seen in 20 years. change. But Kucherov got beat in the game of “Stack the Pucks,” as Adam Erne “This is a good way to start,” McDonagh said. “Who knows? Maybe one stole the show by putting up 26. day, it’ll lead to something bigger.” THERE’S A “STACK THE PUCKS” CONTEST AT “BOLTS FAMILY There were plenty of lighter moments at Sunday’s event, which featured GAME NIGHT.” AND A TEAM OF NIKITA KUCHEROV-ANDREI players on stage at Tampa Theater participating in game-show like skits. VASILEVSKIY COMES UP SHORT AGAINST .. ADAM ERNE PIC.TWITTER.COM/LS4N0R9AQO Mountain man — JOE SMITH (@JOESMITHTB) MARCH 3, 2019 In “Fan Feud” — their spin on “Family Feud” — Stamkos and Victor Hedman led three-player teams on stage, trying to guess fans’ top “It was funny watching Kuch struggle stacking the pucks,” Stamkos joked answers to questions. afterward. “Usually he’s got it on a string.”

Who is the best-dressed player on game day? ONE OF THE LONGEST LINES OF THE NIGHT – THOSE WAITING FOR HART TROPHY FAVORITE @86KUCHEROV #TBLIGHTNING. Stamkos guessed Hedman — “I couldn’t say myself.” Hedman was PIC.TWITTER.COM/ZK0RBUNUOD actually No. 2, and Stamkos was No. 1. Andrei Vasilevskiy was No. 3. — JOE SMITH (@JOESMITHTB) MARCH 3, 2019

The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134485 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs unleash secret weapon Ennis in blowout win over Flames

By BRUCE ARTHUR

CALGARY—Some things are steady and some things are weird, and hockey gives them all a chance to happen at once. Tyler Ennis was a healthy scratch on Saturday night because this Leafs team is stacked with guys, and Nic Petan scored, and coach Mike Babcock said Ennis would get back in. So then Ennis scored his first career hat trick in his first seven minutes of ice time against Calgary Monday night. He had a game-high six shots on goal; his previous season high was four. It’s a funny game, hockey. Leaf Tyler Ennis celebrated his first career hat trick in Calgary on Monday night, in his 532nd NHL game. But as often happens, it might have been very different if the Leafs have an average goalie. The NHL’s average save percentage is all the way down to .909 this season, from .915 four years ago, and Calgary’s David Rittich entered Monday night tied for 15th among goalies with at least 30 starts at .913. Well, Toronto beat Calgary 6-2 Monday in a game that wasn’t really Rittich’s fault, but Frederik Andersen was great. The Leafs allowed Calgary some real kill-zone shots, and a breakaway here and there to mix it up. Mark Jankowski and Johnny Gaudreau in a particular got robbed by the glove; Gaudreau was left shaking his head. Meanwhile, Toronto’s first goal came after Mikael Backlund’s stick was inadvertently ripped away by a passing Patrick Marleau on a Leafs power play, allowing Ennis to get alone in front. The second came after a breakaway stop by Andersen on Austin Czarnik, and involved Ennis basically playing advanced physics pinball with real live Flames. The third goal was a Mitch Marner breakaway that was stopped, leaving Zach Hyman to gently hoof it in with a skate. At the morning skate, Flames coach Bill Peters said the Leafs don’t need many chances. He said, “It’s just relentless with the attack, so we have to make sure we make them spend some time in the D zone.” Calgary had about a billion chances. So it’s not always an either/or, apparently. Ennis, anyone? Ennis is the definition of cheap veteran labour; $650,000 U.S. for a 29-year-old who has four 20-goal seasons, but hadn’t reached double figures since 2015. Hip injuries were a problem; the Leafs medical staff was a reason he came. Well, Ennis recorded the ninth multi-goal game of his career, and has 12 goals in 40 games, playing a little more than 10 minutes a night. For the record, Arizona’s leading scorer has 16. OK, wait a second: Let’s appreciate something. In the second period, Marner received a cross-ice pass in open space with Flames defenceman T.J. Brodie coming at him: not too fast, under control. Marner only had 22 points in his previous 25 games before a three-point night against Buffalo Saturday, after 53 in his first 39. Well, Marner shook and sidestepped Brodie, waited a quarter-beat for Hyman to shake free in front, and zipped it to him for Toronto’s fourth goal. Marner now has six points in his last two games and 81 on the season, 12 points clear of his career high with 16 to go. No Leaf had hit 80 since Phil Kessel way back in 2014. A lot of Alberta-based Leafs fans get to see these guys once a year. It’s fun when a star you cheer for is worth the price of admission. But also … The Auston Matthews line was unspectacular, and the third line centred by William Nylander between Marleau and Connor Brown just got buried. We won’t mention the AHL-ready third pair of Igor Ozhiganov and Martin Marincin; they’re not who people will save their ticket stubs for. Also Marner’s goal was a floater that banked off a Flame, though who knows, maybe he was going for that. The takeaway: Sometimes you’re lucky and sometimes you’re good, and when you put them together you can blow out an elite hockey team in what is supposed to be their building. Up next: Wednesday in Vancouver, another 9 p.m. Eastern start. The Canucks are 8-10-5 in 2019. Not good, but they have a future. Toronto Star LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134486 Toronto Maple Leafs with the fourth-best record in hockey and Toronto tied for sixth. Going into Monday night, after everything — after adding Tavares, after the development of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, after trading for Leafs hit the road in pursuit of home ice Jake Muzzin, after the rise of Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson to an already dangerous lineup — “We don’t have enough time to go through the whole litany of the list,” said Calgary coach Bill Peters — the Leafs were fifth in the NHL, with a chance to tie San Jose for fourth with By BRUCE ARTHUR a win against the Flames. Boston was third. Sixteen games left before the real ones. The games matter, and will matter more. Every marginal advantage needs to be seized, polished, CALGARY—Whenever the Toronto Maple Leafs come west, the games developed, protected. Getting healthy is an obvious thing. Staying feel like they matter. The Leafs fans out here, the transplants who left the healthy, too. And a Game 7 in Toronto should probably be the goal. big city to chase oil or mountains or a house with a yard, are loud, boisterous and flood the buildings in Calgary, or Edmonton, or Toronto Star LOADED: 03.05.2019 Vancouver. It happens elsewhere too, of course. Vegas, for instance. The places that see the Leafs once a year. This year, more than usual, the Leafs are carrying the Boston Bruins around with them. This trip usually comes earlier in the season, but by the end of the week there will be 14 Leafs games left before the playoffs. For the second straight year it’s a long wait for the playoffs, and the Bruins are what’s waiting. Only unlike last season, the Leafs still have a chance to finish ahead. Leaf Tyler Ennis opened the scoring on Monday night in Calgary, where the territory was anything but hostile. “That’s what we’re looking at when we look at the standings,” said defenceman Morgan Rielly. “We’re right behind them. I mean they’re a good team, they’ve been playing well for a while. So it’s important that we treat these last games like playoff hockey, start preparing for a playoff series, and that’s what we’ve been doing. It’s important that the closer we get to the end of the year, the more playoff-type hockey we start playing.” That remains a work in progress. For all the idea that this Leafs team dusts bad to mediocre teams and struggles against the best, they were 11-11 against the 10 best non-Toronto teams going into the Calgary game Monday night. But all season coach Mike Babcock has been asking for consistently heavy hockey, for his version of defensive pressure, which isn’t so much bodychecking as it is skating, and competing like a demon. This Leafs team has flashed it at times — think the latter two periods in St. Louis last month, after being steamrolled in the first period. And then there was Thursday night on Long Island, surrounded by the ecstatic hateful howl of Islanders fans, where most of the team’s big guns shrank in the noise and emotion, and it looked like nothing less than those calamitous first two playoff games in Boston last spring. The Leafs entered the opener of this three-game Western Canada swing three points behind the Bruins. Some things, from defensive structure to big- game competitive ferocity, occasionally remain a point of contention. “If you can’t play without (defensive hockey), you’ll go out in the first round of the playoffs every year,” said Babcock. “So, you can have all these great regular-season results, but when there’s no space and no room and the other team is above you and they’re just going to wait for you to turn it over, you’re going to turn it over if you won’t do the same. In the end, you end up disappointed in the spring. “When you get these life lessons like we got the other night by the Islanders, why not just absorb it and get on and move on so you can play a long time in the spring instead of having an early exit?” So, on towards Boston. Despite injuries to defencemen Jake Gardiner and Travis Dermott, and to centre Nazem Kadri, Toronto can catch the Bruins. It would require a remarkable run, and for Boston to cool off after their current 16-game point streak. Last year the Leafs spent most of the season trapped in the strange state of suspended animation — too far behind Boston and Tampa to catch them, too good to fall. And it ended with three lost one-goal leads in the Garden in Game 7. How much of that was the emotion, the crowd, the stage of Boston? “Part of it,” said Rielly. “Part of it. I mean, that’s what home ice is all about, I think. I mean, I don’t think that’s what broke open the series for them, but there’s definitely an advantage to that. So we’re going to take these points very seriously, and try to get on a roll before we get into the playoffs.” Vancouver and Edmonton are the kind of teams the Leafs should hypothetically be able to roll; Calgary was a real test. After this one, there are two more games against the heavyweight Tampa Bay Lightning, one trip to Nashville, and the storm-surging Carolina Hurricanes at home the night after another trip to the rabid cauldron of Long Island. There aren’t a lot of big games left, emotional games, to help prepare for the stuff they’ve been building up to all year. Last year, Boston finished 1134487 Toronto Maple Leafs Lindsay was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966. In all, he played 17 seasons, scoring 379 goals and added 472 assists in 1,068 games while collecting 1,808 penalty minutes. Selfless pioneer Ted Lindsay paved the way for NHL players’ rights He later served as Detroit's general manager from 1976-77 until 1979-80. He also coached the Red Wings at the tail end of 1979-80 and into the following season. The Wings have retired his No. 7, and he was named By KEVIN MCGRAN one of the top 100 players in NHL history during the league’s 100th anniversary season.

“One of the game’s fiercest competitors during his 17-season NHL Former Maple Leafs goalie Glenn Healy remembers having a career, he was among its most beloved ambassadors throughout the conversation with Connor McDavid a few years back at the NHL awards more than five decades of service to hockey that followed his retirement,” ceremony in Las Vegas, after the emerging superstar was up for the Ted said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. “In Detroit, he was a civic icon … Lindsay Award, which goes to the league’s MVP as voted upon by the There was no one quite like Ted Lindsay.” players. He is survived by children Blake, Lynn and Meredith, stepdaughter “There were a whole bunch of us — Ted Lindsay, Mark Messier — Leslie, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. around a table and I said to McDavid: When you sign your $100-million contract, make sure you thank him,” said Healy, motioning toward Toronto Star LOADED: 03.05.2019 Lindsay. “Nobody did more for any player in the history of this game. Nobody. Ted Lindsday spent most of his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings, helping them win four Stanley Cup championships. “He gave up his whole career so he could pave the road for me, a kid from Pickering, to make way more money than he should have made.” McDavid, indeed, paid tribute when he won the award. “What he’s meant for the players, what he’s done for the (NHL Players’ Association), we wouldn’t be here without him,” said McDavid. “So thank you to him.” Lindsay, known as Terrible Ted for the ferocious way he played the game, died Monday at home in Michigan at age 93. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the Detroit Red Wings. He was an Art Ross Trophy winner. He was the left winger on one of the most fabled lines in hockey history: the Production Line, with Gordie Howe and Sid Abel. He’s even credited with being the first player to carry the Stanley Cup around the rink, parading it to share the trophy with fans. Former Detroit Red Wings great Ted Lindsay is shown with the NHL’s MVP award in April 2010 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The Lester B. Pearson Award was renamed in his honour by the NHLPA. But he is revered for his selfless nature and ability to put others first — even if it cost him dearly. In the Original Six era, with Lindsay at the top of his game and one of the best-paid players in the league, he believed it was wrong that players had few rights, that they were essentially indentured to the team that signed them. He rallied players — including Montreal great Doug Harvey — to form the first union, asking for minimum salaries and better pensions in 1958. Jack Adams, the Red Wings’ general manager at the time, stripped Lindsay of the captaincy and traded him to the lowly Chicago Black Hawks. The Red Wings dynasty crumbled and the union collapsed in part because of hateful rumours about Lindsay, spread by Adams. “He gave up his career for everybody else,” Healy said of Lindsay. “It was pretty admirable. He did what was right. If it was morally right, he did it. Just a wonderful man.” The NHLPA finally took hold in 1967, two years after Lindsay retired. The union renamed its outstanding player award for Lindsay in 2010, in recognition of what he had done for his fellow players. Until then it had been named after former prime minister Lester B. Pearson. “All current and former NHL players lost a true friend with the passing of Ted Lindsay,” said Donald Fehr, executive director of the NHLPA. “The players are much better off today thanks to Ted Lindsay. His passing leaves a significant void, and he will be greatly missed by the entire hockey world and beyond.” Lindsay, whose father Bert was a goalie for the , was born in Renfrew, Ont., grew up in Kirkland Lake and played junior for St. Michael’s in Toronto. St. Mike’s lost the Ontario championship to Oshawa in 1944, but Lindsay and a few others joined the Generals, who went on to beat the Trail Smoke Eaters for the Memorial Cup. He made the NHL at 19 and was a top-line player at 21. He’d retired in 1960, but came back four years later to play one more season in Detroit after Adams had been replaced by Lindsay’s friend, Abel. 1134488 Toronto Maple Leafs The Leafs opened a 3-0 lead by the end of the first period on the power of a pair by Ennis and one by Hyman.

The chip on Ennis’ shoulder might have grown, as he had done nothing Ennis' first NHL hat trick paces the Leafs to win over Flames wrong to be taken out on Saturday, something Babcock had acknowledged. Terry Koshan Ennis gave the Leafs a 1-0 lead at 9:50 on a power play when he took a pass from Jake Muzzin and lifted a backhand over the catching glove of Rittich. CALGARY — After his club’s morning skate on Monday, Bill Peters was A shot by Ennis got past Rittich at 17:15 after deflecting off the skate of asked about the dangers the Maple Leafs were bound to present hours Rasmus Andersson. later. Hyman scored when the puck went in off his skate at 18:51 after Rittich “We don’t have enough time to go through the whole litany,” the Calgary stopped Marner on a breakaway. A review determined there was no Flames coach said. “Dangerous throughout the lineup. Smart, skilled, kicking motion on the play. intelligent hockey IQ on that group, real good.” Andersen faced 12 Flames shots in the opening period and stopped One would have been led to believe that Peters might have been most them all, his most difficult coming when he he used his blocker to thwart concerned with the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Austin Czarnik on a breakaway. Tavares at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Toronto’s only visit of 2018-19. Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.05.2019 Certainly, Tyler Ennis, who was not dressed for the Leafs’ previous game, didn’t come to Peters’ mind. Ennis recorded his first hat trick in the National Hockey League as the Leafs opened their trip through Western Canada with a 6-2 victory, beating a Flames club that was five points ahead of Toronto in the overall standings when the game started. Zach Hyman scored two goals as the Leafs, who play the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, recorded their fifth win in six games. It was just the Leafs’ third win in the building in their past 11 visits. Ennis’ third goal came at 3:15 of the third period when he beat goaltender David Rittich with a long shot that might have been deflected by a Flames defender. Leafs fans in attendance, loud in support all night, showered the ice with Toronto caps. This after Ennis was a healthy scratch against Buffalo on Saturday so Leafs coach Mike Babcock could have a look at Nic Petan, who happened to score in his Leafs debut. Petan was back in the press box on Monday. Marner had one goal and two assists, pushing him to 81 points on the season. Marner is the first Leaf to hit 80 points since Phil Kessel finished the 2013-14 season with 80 points. The Leafs have 86 points and moved to within one of the idle Boston Bruins, who are in second place in the Atlantic Division and have one game in hand. And yes, though more than one month remains in the regular season, the Leafs are starting to cast a longer glance at the standings with home ice in the first round at hand. “(Boston) is what we’re looking at,” defenceman Morgan Rielly said earlier in the day. “We’re right behind them, they are a good team and they have been playing well now for a while. “It’s important we treat these last games, the last month of the year like playoff hockey, start preparing for a playoff series and that’s what we have been doing.” Still, the Leafs were aided by some fanning by the Flames around the Leafs net. Numerous times Calgary scoring chances were killed when the Flames missed the net or watched as the puck bounced over sticks. A couple of personal milestones for Leafs were established when Hyman scored early in the second period to give Toronto a 4-0 lead. The goal was Hyman’s 16th, a career high after he had 15 last season, and Rielly had an assist, his 47th after recording 46 in each of the past two seasons. Neither of those notches in the belt are accomplished, however, without the puck-handling of Marner, who turned veteran Flames defenceman T.J. Brodie inside out and around before feeding Hyman at the crease. The assist was Marner’s 80th point. The Flames scored as Martin Marincin watched from the penalty box while serving a holding minor. Johnny Gaudreau’s wraparound attempt made it over the goal line at 15:35 of the second after the puck bounced off goaltender Frederik Andersen, and Matthew Tkahchuk was given credit. Calgary’s second goal was scored by Derek Ryan in the third period. 1134489 Toronto Maple Leafs Nazem Kadri, who suffered a concussion on Feb. 19 against St. Louis, was on the ice for the morning skate but did not take part in Leafs line rushes. If Kadri, who has missed the past seven games including Leafs' Rielly, Flames captain Giordano hold each other in high regard Monday, participates fully in the Leafs’ scheduled practice on Tuesday in Vancouver, it could point to him returning on Wednesday night against the Canucks … Babcock was asked by a Calgary-based reporter what makes winger Mitch Marner so effective. “He is smarter than everybody Terry Koshan else,” Babcock said. “He has better edges, so he can go faster, he is like (Pavel) Datsyuk was, he is faster with the puck than without it. But he is

an elite defensive player and he can check it back as good as anybody in CALGARY — The admiration between Morgan Rielly and Mark Giordano hockey. When you have the right personal energy and you bring it every goes beyond the rink. day you make your teammates better around you, he is an important player for us.” … Toronto was interested last summer in signing Austin It’s not uncommon for the two to bump into each other during the Czarnik in free agency, with the forward eventually deciding to take the summer months in Toronto, as they have mutual friends in the game, and Flames over the Leafs. In 37 games prior to Monday, Czarnik had 11 usually the conversation turns to the previous season for each or what’s points. coming next. Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.05.2019 That they’re both in the Norris Trophy talk as the 2018-19 regular season winds down could give them a starting point for a discussion on the chance they cross paths again during the off-season. “I love the way he plays,” said Giordano, a Toronto native and captain of the Calgary Flames. “He is an elite skater, he can get up and down the ice. He has put it all together. I’ve always thought he was a great defenceman, maybe the numbers this year are better for him offensively, but he moves the puck well, jumps into the play.” Rielly, who turns 25 on Saturday, agreed that there can be some inspiration from watching Giordano, who celebrated his 35th birthday last October. “I think so, but he has been a good player before this year,” said Rielly, in his sixth season on the Leafs blue line. “To keep doing it at his age is impressive. “The way he plays the game is not easy on the body, and the fact that he is able to keep doing it the way he can, just goes to show how much time he puts into his (training) and how seriously he takes his job. That’s probably the most impressive part of it.” Both Giordano and Rielly count Mike Stothers as an important figure in their formative hockey years. Stothers, now coaching the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League, had Giordano with the Owen Sound Attack of the from 2002-04. Stothers coached Rielly with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League from 2011-13. FOND LINDSAY MEMORIES For Mike Babcock, Ted Lindsay “made you want to be a better man.” Bill Peters called Lindsay a member of hockey “royalty” and “iconic.” Babcock, the Leafs coach and Peters, his counterpart behind the Flames bench, each recalled the experience of working for the Detroit Red Wings and the presence that Lindsay, who died on Monday at the age of 93, maintained with the NHL club. “Mr. Lindsay was a real good friend of mine and an example to all of us,” Babcock said. “Made our players in Detroit want to compete harder, was around all the time. Was an absolute gentleman. For his family here today, we are praying and thinking of you. Honoured to consider a man of that quality your friend. “No one respected the players more, no one did more for the players’ association. “I didn’t know him as a player, I just knew him after and the kind of determination, just the way he was with people, the respect he had for people, the respect he had for the game, for his opponents, how hard and competitive he was, I just thought he was spectacular to be around.” Babcock said he and his wife, Maureen, made it a point to have dinner with Lindsay once a summer. Peters was an assistant coach under Babcock for three seasons in Detroit and also had nothing but reverence for Lindsay. “Full of energy, full of life,” Peters said. “Always giving. Always bright, vibrant, positive, loved it when he came into the room. Loved being around him. Loved playing in his golf tournament for autism. “One of the best left wingers who ever played. Hard, ferocious, but skilled, nasty, cut a swath.” LOOSE LEAFS 1134490 Toronto Maple Leafs Nazem Kadri, who suffered a concussion on Feb. 19 against St. Louis, was on the ice for the morning skate but did not take part in line rushes. If Kadri, who has missed the past six games, participates fully in the Leafs’ Babcock, Peters recall influence of Ted Lindsay as Leafs, Flames set to scheduled practice on Tuesday in Vancouver, it could point to him meet returning on Wednesday night against the Canucks. Nic Petan will be a healthy scratch for the Leafs after scoring in his Toronto debut on Saturday. Tyler Ennis will be back on the fourth line. Terry Koshan With Jake Gardiner (back) and Travis Dermott (shoulder) out, the third Leafs defence pair will be Martin Marincin and Igor Ozhiganov. Justin Holl will sit. CALGARY — For Mike Babcock, Ted Lindsay “made you want to be a better man.” Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.05.2019 Bill Peters called Lindsay a member of hockey “royalty” and “iconic.” Babcock, the Maple Leafs coach and Peters, his counterpart behind the Calgary Flames bench on Monday night, each recalled the experience of working for the Detroit Red Wings and the presence that Lindsay, who died on Monday at the age of 93, maintained with the National Hockey League club. “Mr. Lindsay was a real good friend of mine and an example to all of us,” Babcock said. “Made our players in Detroit want to compete harder, was around all the time. Was an absolute gentleman. For his family here today, we are praying and thinking of you. Honoured to consider a man of that quality your friend. “No one respected the players more, no one did more for the players’ association. “I didn’t know him as a player, I just knew him after and the kind of determination, just the way he was with people, the respect he had for people, the respect he had for the game, for his opponents, how hard and competitive he was, I just thought he was spectacular to be around.” Babcock said he and his wife, Maureen, made it a point to have dinner with Lindsay once a summer. Peters was an assistant coach under Babcock for three seasons in Detroit and also had nothing but reverence for Lindsay. “Full of energy, full of life,” Peters said. “Always giving. Always bright, vibrant, positive, loved it when he came into the room. Loved being around him. Loved playing in his golf tournament for autism. “One of the best left wingers who ever played. Hard, ferocious, but skilled, nasty, cut a swath.” As for the meeting between the Leafs and Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the goal for Toronto is to start its annual trek through Western Canada in the proper way while the Flames will be looking to rebound after losing at home against Minnesota on Saturday, a setback that ended a seven-game winning streak. In the only other meeting between the Leafs and Flames in 2018-19, Calgary won 3-1 in Toronto on Oct. 29. There is little to differentiate between the teams. In 65 games, the Leafs have compiled a record of 40-21-4 for 84 points; in 65 games, the Flames are 41-17-7 for 89 points. The Leafs have scored 233 goals and allowed 186; the Flames have scored 232 and allowed 186. Each club has a defenceman — the Leafs’ Morgan Rielly and the Flames’ Mark Giordano — in the Norris Trophy conversation. “They have a good team and they are playing well,” Babcock said. “I like their group. “Their back end can really skate and really move the puck. Good depth up front, good in goal and they are well-coached and they are having fun, “These are top teams in the league that are going to go at it here tonight. Both teams took yesterday off, both teams should be able to skate, should be a fun game. We have to do our part to make sure that happens.” Peters was of a similar mind. “We don’t have enough time to go through the whole litany — they’re dangerous throughout the lineup,” Peters said. “Smart, skilled, intelligent hockey IQ on that group, real good. We have to play the game the right way. We have to get it in behind, make their D turn and establish a forecheck. But they can score throughout four lines.” Frederik Andersen will be in the Leafs net. David Rittich will start for the Leafs. 1134491 Toronto Maple Leafs The one thing that having a fourth line that can produce offence has helped, is making up for the loss of goal production from James van

Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and other players no longer with the organization. Mirtle: The Maple Leafs have emerged as a truly dominant even-strength Adding Tavares has been a huge part of that, obviously, but not the only team; Tyler Ennis is part of the reason factor.

Last season, the Leafs’ fourth line was made up of a rotating cast that often included Matt Martin and Dominic Moore, then some combination of By James Mirtle Mar 5, 2019 Tomas Plekanec, Josh Leivo, Leo Komarov and Kasperi Kapanen. This year hasn’t been perfect, with Par (One Goal) Lindholm and Gauthier

playing a lot there, but you can see it starting to turn, with two skilled CALGARY — Do we start talking about Tyler Ennis? Or do we start with wingers in the lineup every night next to the big man. the Maple Leafs? Since Trevor Moore was recalled, the fourth line has scored six key goals Let’s start with Ennis. He earned that. in three of Toronto’s last four wins. With Moore and Ennis on the ice together this season, meanwhile, the Leafs’ fourth line is producing at a Fellow gets a hat trick here in Calgary against one of the top teams in the rate roughly 2.5x better than the units they rolled out in past seasons. league, basically blowing open a game that could have been really close given the chances the Flames had early. There was some flukiness Which makes sense. there, but there was some skill, too. That offensive depth has contributed to the Leafs being a dominant 5-on- What wasn’t fluky about it is that Ennis has kind of done this all year: 5 team. A lot of people look at the standings and see Tampa well ahead produced a lot with minimal opportunity. of everyone and conclude they’ve been far and away the best club in most aspects of the game, but Toronto is remarkably close in many He’s averaging only 8:29 a game at 5-on-5 this year, less than every even-strength metrics: regular not named The Goat. Yet he’s scored 1.77 goals per 60 minutes in that role, on the fourth line, which is a higher rate than John Tavares (Those are shot attempts, goals, scoring chances and high-danger and Auston Matthews. chances, respectively. Full league table available here.)

It’s the highest on the Leafs. Only Nashville’s Viktor Arvidsson is higher Those narrow margins highlight both how well the Leafs have played at leaguewide. 5-on-5, generally speaking, and how much of an advantage the Lightning have piled up on special teams. Which is a topic for another day. There’s some small sample size at work there, yeah, but Ennis also has a lot of finesse. He was a great bet back on July 6, six days into free There’s no easy way to calculate exactly how much production each NHL agency, when most of the insiders were already at the cottage. At team has received from lines one through four given those are moving $650,000, the league minimum, he’s one of the leaders in cost per goal targets throughout the season, but we can look at how much production leaguewide. teams have received from players who haven’t received a lot of ice time.

He would be first on that list, had he kept up this level of production and The Leafs fare well there, compared to the best team in the league. The not broken his ankle midseason. Lightning have generated 16 goals and 24 assists from their sub-10 even-strength minutes per game forwards this season; the Leafs have 16 “Feels great,” Ennis said. “Played a lot of games here. Medicine Hat is a goals and 28 assists from that same group. (Calgary, Vegas and couple of hours down the road and that’s where I played junior hockey. Washington are the other three teams that do well in this department.) Had some rivalries with the (WHL) Hitmen over the years, so I’m familiar with this rink. To get a hat trick in it, with my parents watching, playing for The majority of Toronto’s fourth-line goals have come from Ennis, even the Leafs, this is a real special night for me.” though he’s only played 40 games. Without him — and with someone less skilled in that role — they would be giving up more of an edge to a One thing that’s unmistakeable about Ennis is just how popular he is in team like Tampa at 5-on-5. the Leafs dressing room. When he has a big night, or even when he’s just the topic of conversation, a smile spreads on the face of whoever it is It feels like a small thing, but it could be big in the postseason, when top that’s in that conversation. lines cancel each other out.

On this night, it was Frederik Gauthier, who has been Ennis’ most It was on Monday here in Calgary, when a building that was probably 60- frequent linemate all season and played his best hockey in the NHL with 40 Flames and Leafs fans had the ice littered with blue-and-white hats. him on his wing. “I just want to keep scoring,” Ennis said. “I’m still hungry. There’s room “Guys really love him,” Gauthier said. “He’s a great person to be around. for improvement still. I’m gaining confidence and I’m going to try to keep He loves to laugh. He gets along with everybody. He came in, the first it going.” time (in the dressing room), and just the way he talks to guys, having fun The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 with them, it’s easy to bond with him.”

Gauthier credited Ennis with helping his game, too, with the benefit of his experience in the league. Ennis is the second oldest forward on the Leafs’ roster to only Patrick Marleau and has played more games than every forward but Marleau, Tavares and Nazem Kadri.

Ennis, 29, is actually the Leafs’ only forward born in the 1980s at this point.

“He’s a veteran,” Gauthier said, explaining some of the advice Ennis has given him on the bench about not rushing plays and maintaining composure with the puck. “He’s proven this year that we got him at a little bit of a discount. He’s got some great skills.”

It’ll be interesting if the Leafs can find a way to keep Ennis around next season. He clearly loves this opportunity and the organization, but his impressive production may put him in line for a raise that will be too rich for Toronto to accommodate.

But good on the Leafs and good on Kyle Dubas for emphasizing skill even among 12th and 13th forwards, something that has paid off in a big way of late now that Ennis is healthy, Trevor Moore is recalled and Nic Petan is on the roster. 1134492 Toronto Maple Leafs third goal (with Marner’s shot bouncing off a Calgary defender in front instead of him), but that doesn’t take away from how great he played

tonight. The gritty winger was doing a great job of using his body to Leafs Report Cards – Game 66 at Calgary protect pucks on the cycle, moving his feet to beat out icings, and not moving his feet on the rebound goal following Marner’s breakaway (Tyler Bozak would have been proud of that non-distinct kicking motion).

By Ian Tulloch Mar 4, 2019 Frederik Andersen – Saved 35 of 37 shots (.946 Sv%)

As I’ve alluded to, this game would have been much closer had it not been for the goaltending (on both ends of the spectrum). One team got a The Leafs followed up their Saturday night win in Buffalo with another .946 save percentage despite giving up multiple grade-A scoring high-scoring affair, defeating the Calgary Flames, 6-2. It wasn’t much of a chances, while the other got an .813 save percentage with weird goals storyline coming into the game, but these have been two of the NHL’s going in off of players’ skates and defenders’ legs. Guess which team best teams this season. won. I THINK TAMPA'S INCREDIBLE SEASON HAS MADE IT LESS If you were watching things closely, you know that this game probably OBVIOUS HOW WELL SOME OTHER TEAMS HAVE DONE THIS shouldn’t have ended 6-2, but Andersen stood on his head for most of YEAR. TORONTO AND CALGARY ARE BOTH ON PACE FOR MORE the night (allowing a second goal with a few minutes left in the third NON-SHOOTOUT WINS THAN ANY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE HAD period). It wouldn’t be fair to say he “stole” this game for Toronto, but he LAST YEAR. was definitely the reason they won the game so handily. — DRAGLIKEPULL (@DRAGLIKEPULL) MARCH 4, 2019 Mitch Marner – 17.5 minutes, 1 goal, 2 assists Toronto ended up winning the contest handily, but as we’ll discuss, it It’s always nice when you can pick up three points and not be one of the probably should have been a lot closer (goaltending played a huge role in biggest storylines of the night. I think part of it is the fact that people have this game). come to expect these types of performances from Marner, but I still can’t How did the team look? get over this play he made to get the puck to Hyman in the second period. Even Strength – 䈏䈏䈏䈏 AND NOW HYMAN'S GOT A PAIR. GREAT PASS FROM MARNER TO The Leafs started slowly out of the gate (which has been a common FIND HYMAN WHO FIRES IT HOME. 4-0 LEAFS. #LEAFSFOREVER theme this season), unable to move the puck out of their end with PIC.TWITTER.COM/L56NXWGVFV consistency. They were also struggling to gain the zone with possession in transition, often resorting to dump-and-chase hockey. It’s a large part — MAPLE LEAFS HOTSTOVE (@LEAFSNEWS) MARCH 5, 2019 of the reason they got outshot and out-chanced in this game at five-on- It takes a special kind of talent to make that play at the NHL level. When five, but as we all know, they were able to capitalize on their chances. you throw in the fact that he made a few other key defensive plays in this Some of it came down to puck-luck (Tyler Ennis’ hat-trick goal and Zach game (one of which led to a breakaway and primary assist), this was an Hyman “redirecting” the puck into the net with his foot come to mind), but easy five-star grade to hand out. there were also some high-skill plays in the offensive zone that helped open up space (e.g. Mitch Marner’s cross-crease pass to Hyman for a Trevor Moore – 10.6 minutes, 2 assists, 2 more years at $775,000 tap-in). It wasn’t necessarily a pretty game from a coaching perspective, but it’s always nice when you outscore the opposition 5-1 at even The fourth line has looked noticeably different since the addition of strength. Moore. They’ve been much better at moving the puck up the ice with possession, generating dangerous scoring chances and winning puck Power Play – 䈏䈏䈏 battles in all three zones. If you’ve been watching him closely, it’s hard not to fall in love with Moore. He’s been a disruptive force on the I didn’t think this was the Leafs’ greatest night on the power play (PP2 backcheck, a creative player in transition and an underrated playmaker in looked pretty sloppy while PP1 struggled to generate chances from the the offensive zone. Just how good is this contract going to look in a year slot), but Ennis did end up scoring a nice goal with the man advantage. or two? Much like their five-on-five performance, the “process” wasn’t necessarily the greatest in this game, but much like Mike Babcock, I like goals. 䈏䈏䈏䈏

Penalty Kill – 䈏 Nikita Zaitsev – #ActuallyGood performance

The Leafs took one penalty in this game and proceeded to give up a goal Zaitsev was doing a great job of controlling his gaps in transition in this 10 seconds later. I’m not sure how else to grade this one — that’s pretty game and separating opponents from the puck in the defensive zone. He bad. wasn’t moving the puck too well, but none of Toronto’s defencemen really were tonight (the team was relying primarily on its forwards to Image from MoneyPuck.com break the puck out). As much flak as we tend to give them, Ron Hainsey Player Reports and Zaitsev have been effective at holding leads this season late in the third period, which makes me wonder if a game like this helps them play 䈏䈏䈏䈏䈏 to their strengths (considering the team took a commanding lead early).

Best player on the ice: Tyler Ennis – 11.8 minutes, 3 goals, 6 shots on 䈏䈏䈏 net, 4 scoring chances, 1 smart free agent signing John Tavares – Still racking up points Part of me wanted to give this one to Frederik Andersen to help drive home the point that this was a goaltending-driven game, but how can you I thought Tavares’ linemates had a bigger impact than him tonight. That not give the BPOTI award to the $650,000 winger who just recorded his isn’t to say he had a bad game. He was making a few nice passes up the first career hat trick a game after getting healthy scratched? Ennis was all ice under pressure, but I didn’t think he was driving the top line to the over the ice tonight making plays and actually had a decent chance of extent that Marner was (or potting goals with all of his body parts like getting four goals (although his third goal was about as fluky as they Hyman). He still managed to pick up an assist though, which keeps him come). This fourth line has been so much fun to watch lately, which has on pace for a career high of 89 points this season. made a lot of Leafs fans question which winger should come out of the Morgan Rielly – Didn’t make a lot of plays, but made timely ones lineup when Nazem Kadri returns from his concussion. I would argue that Ennis has earned a spot (as has another 5-foot-9 winger who we’ll talk This wasn’t your typical Morgan Rielly game. He wasn’t very effective in about shortly — pun very much intended). transition and he wasn’t taking over the game offensively, but he made a few key plays at the right time. For example, there was one play where Zach Hyman – 17.3 minutes, 2 goals, 4 shots on net, 4 scoring chances he zipped a cross-ice pass in the offensive zone to get Marner into open How crazy is it that, of all players, Hyman and Ennis almost had a hat space (which he used to find Hyman for a backdoor tap-in). There was trick in the same game? Unfortunately, Hyman wasn’t able to grab his another play where Calgary was buzzing after their power play goal and Mikael Backlund split the defence for a partial breakaway, but Rielly was little to do with him and a lot to do with the dynamic wingers (namely able to skate with him stride-for-stride and knock the puck away without Moore). taking a penalty. It was far from his most dominant game, but Rielly made a few strong plays at crucial moments. Andreas Johnsson – The Johnsson-Matthews-Kapanen line didn’t generate much tonight despite spending most of its minutes against Ron Hainsey – Better defensively than the Corsi indicated tonight Calgary’s second pairing. Unlike Kapanen, I didn’t think Johnsson was making many dynamic plays throughout the course of the game like I feel like we need to give Hainsey credit when he plays big minutes at we’ve become accustomed to seeing. He did take a strong slapshot in even strength and locks things down defensively. He wasn’t particularly the second period, but other than that, this was a quiet game from him. noticeable tonight, but I would argue that’s a good thing when you’re playing most of your minutes against the Johnny Gaudreau line and Mark Auston Matthews – Speaking of quiet, I didn’t have many notes on Giordano pairing. Despite not moving the puck very well and getting Matthews tonight. I don’t think my readers realize how obsessively I jot outshot at even strength, he did a great job of taking away the middle of things down throughout the course of the game (“nice exit Marleau” … the ice, which is a large part of the reason Calgary’s most dangerous line “strong puck pursuit Moore” … “great slip pass under pressure”), but I wasn’t able to generate many high-quality scoring chances. This is had very little to say about Matthews. He wasn’t making many plays in backed up by the numbers, in that the Leafs generated more Expected transition, often resorting to dump-ins at the Calgary blueline, and he Goals with Hainsey on the ice than without him. wasn’t able to get his trademark wrist shot off very often. We’ve come to expect a lot from Matthews, which makes a game like this a two-star Patrick Marleau – Doing the little things right performance for him (despite it likely being a three- or possibly even four- Even though his line got caved in at even strength, I thought this was star performance for other players). actually a pretty solid game from Marleau. We’ve accepted that his role 䈏 on a line is to be a complementary player (make smart passes under pressure, win puck battles along the boards, and go to the net). He was William Nylander – Every time I check the comments section in the Leafs doing all of those things tonight pretty effectively, but unfortunately, his Report Cards, there tend to be a bunch of complaints about how we’ve line ended up spending most of its time stuck defending against Austin been assessing Nylander, so I’m sure this one will go over well with his Czarnik and company. It doesn’t help that his most common linemates detractors. He wasn’t much of a difference-maker in transition tonight were on the third pairing, but I would argue that another linemate held (which is usually his biggest strength) and had difficulty creating much in him back more in the offensive zone (which we’ll talk about at the end). the offensive zone. This doesn’t take away from his level of play over the past month, but I think it’s fair to acknowledge that he had a rough game. Kasperi Kapanen – Starting to look for the pass more often The Bottom Pair – “Marincinganov” had a pretty rough night, spending Kapanen was his line’s most effective player this evening, which is the majority of their shifts stuck in the defensive zone against Calgary’s always a bit of a double-edged sword (it means he was making some third line. Neither defenceman was doing a good job of moving the puck, nice plays happen in transition, but it also indicates that the line as a controlling their gaps in transition or stopping the cycle. It was an all- whole probably wasn’t very effective if Matthews had a rough night). I’ve around bad game for both players, but it wasn’t enough to earn them really liked what I’ve seen from a decision-making standpoint lately with WPOTI honours. Kapanen, in that he’s been consciously trying to make a pass after flying into the zone, but unfortunately, he wasn’t able to connect on many of Worst player on the ice: Connor Brown – As a fellow ginger, I never like them tonight. It’s a great sign, though, and if he keeps making these saying mean things about one of my kind, which is why I’m going to kinds of decisions, we should expect his primary assist rate to rise quote Arvind from PensionPlanPuppets: “Connor Brown is where offence significantly (it’s been quite low for most of the season). He just needs to goes to die.” do a better job with the execution. WATCHING THE CLIP ITSELF IS JUST DEPRESSING Mike Babcock – Pretty solid game (despite the Hainsey love) PIC.TWITTER.COM/KG8FOMSHEX

There isn’t much in your control on the road, but I think it’s safe to say — THE LEAFS IMO (@THELEAFSIMO) MARCH 5, 2019 that this was a solid performance by the coaching staff. My one gripe would be the fact that Hainsey was on pace for 25 minutes after two Based on his play lately, I have to agree with his line of thought. We all periods (despite Toronto being up by three or more goals for most of the know how much Babcock loves using him on the penalty kill, but if we’re game). being objective, is Brown one of Toronto’s 12 best forwards in a healthy lineup? It’s a question I think you have to ask yourself at this point. RON HAINSEY ON PACE TO PLAY 25 MINUTES TONIGHT. LEAFS HAVE ONLY BEEN SHORTHANDED 10 SECONDS TONIGHT. Game Score

— JAMES MIRTLE (@MIRTLE) MARCH 5, 2019 Most important GIF of the night

I understand that the third pairing was playing poorly, but I would argue TREVOR MOORE IS AN ELITE BACK CHECKER. THIS IS A that the Maple Leafs need to find ways to reduce their soon-to-be 38- RECORDING. #LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/B0KPIWTSNY year-old defenceman’s workload down the stretch so that he doesn’t burn — MAPLE LEAFS HOTSTOVE (@LEAFSNEWS) MARCH 5, 2019 out by the time they get to the playoffs (like last year). His usage was reduced in the third period, but this is definitely something to keep an eye If you haven’t already jumped on the Trevor Moore bandwagon, now on over the next month. would be a great time.

䈏䈏 Final thoughts from the game

Jake Muzzin – This wasn’t Muzzin’s greatest game. I thought he looked a This was a weird one, in that the goaltending from both sides made the bit shaky with the puck on his stick (flipping it out of the zone when he game feel like much more of a blowout than it actually was. Calgary had better passing options available to him), but he was able to pick up a wasn’t getting many bounces, but I still thought they played a strong nice assist on Ennis’ power play goal. My grades tend to be more based game (despite getting .813 goaltending). They gave Toronto a lot of on even strength performance, though, where I’m of the opinion that his trouble in their ability to break the puck out and get into the offensive decision-making and puck-moving were well below his usual standard zone with speed. Despite these struggles, though, Toronto was still able (even though he also picked up a secondary assist later in the game, I to generate chances in the offensive zone, which I think speaks to their tend not to value those too much unless they significantly impacted the offensive firepower up front. scoring opportunity, which wasn’t the case on that one). This was a much closer game than the final score indicated, but it was Frederik Gauthier – Most of our readers know how much fun it’s been to still a strong performance by the Leafs against one of the NHL’s best root for Gauthier this season, but if we’re being realistic, he’s been more teams. of a passenger on the fourth line lately. Ennis and Moore have been Final Grade: B+ making some great plays happen in transition, but it feels like whenever they get the puck to Gauthier, the offensive threat ceases to exist. I The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 would still argue that he’s been an effective defensive player who’s strong on the cycle. However, the reason for the line’s success has very 1134493 Vegas Golden Knights LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.05.2019

Shea Theodore benefits from Golden Knights’ changes on defense

By David Schoen / Las Vegas Review-Journal

When Gerard Gallant changed the Golden Knights defense pairings 2½ weeks ago and it helped result in a victory, the coach was cautious not to overstate the importance of the move. But now that there’s a larger sample size to draw from, Gallant is generally pleased with the results. “I think some guys have played real well because of it, but I don’t think it’s a big deal to be honest with you,” he said. “I think (Deryk Engelland) and (Brayden McNabb) are shutdown defensemen that can play with different pairings. But I like the way (Shea Theodore has) played since we’ve moved McNabb with him.” To quickly recap, Gallant juggled his top four defensemen for Feb. 16 game against Nashville, and the new lineup helped the Knights to a convincing 5-1 win. Nate Schmidt, who partnered McNabb for more than a year forming the duo that was matched against the opposing team’s top line, moved to the left side and skated with Engelland. Theodore shifted to the right side and is paired with the stay-at-home McNabb. Since the change, defensemen have scored in five of the Knights’ eight games. The switch has been especially liberating for Theodore, who Gallant said is noticeably more active carrying the puck and jumping into the rush. Theodore has six points (two goals, four assists) in eight games working alongside McNabb and owns a plus-7 rating during the Knights’ four- game win streak. “I played the majority of juniors on the right side because I was paired with a lefty,” Theodore said. “A little bit in the minors when I was with San Diego. It’s a difference, but it’s not too big of a deal.” The possession metrics also show the McNabb-Theodore duo’s effectiveness over the past eight games, as the Knights have registered 62.5 percent of the 5-on-5 shot attempts when Theodore is on the ice, according to the website NaturalStatTrick. The 5-on-5 shots attempts are 58 percent in favor of the Knights with McNabb on the ice. “He’s played the right side and he’s played really good, and he’s been more dynamic in the offense,” Gallant said of Theodore. “That’s the biggest thing we like so far. And nothing to do with those guys (Engelland and McNabb). Neither one of them played bad hockey because we made the change. It was just to try that, and so far it’s worked well.” Schmidt also has benefited offensively from his new partnership with Engelland, producing five points (two goals, three assists) in the past eight games. But that duo has been on the wrong side of the possession numbers during that time, with the shot attempts slightly tilted in favor of the opposition when Engelland and Schmidt are on the ice. The Knights finished with an 83-47 advantage over Vancouver in 5-on-5 shot attempts during Sunday’s 3-0 victory, yet they managed a 44.9 percent share (22 of the 49) when Engelland was on the ice. Schmidt’s Corsi For (shot attempts) percentage at 5-on-5 was slightly better at 50 percent (23-23). Colin Miller, who returned Feb. 26 from a two-game stay in Gallant’s doghouse, remains with Jon Merrill in the Knights’ final pairing. That duo destroyed Vancouver in terms of possession, with the Knights accumulating better than 76 percent of the shot attempts when Miller was on the ice and 65 percent with Merrill. “I think we’ve been working well together. On the offensive blue line he definitely seems to find me a lot,” Miller said. “We have seven great defensemen on this team. I think there’ll be changes even more going throughout the season here. Whoever’s playing their best should be in the lineup and should be playing. “I wasn’t playing my best hockey. I think it was the right move at the time. Hopefully we can all benefit from it and move forward.” 1134494 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights keep Marc-Andre Fleury fresh by playing well — VIDEO

By Ben Gotz / Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Golden Knights have figured out a way to get goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury some extra rest: Play well in front of him. The Knights allowed 19 shots on goal Sunday in a 3-0 win against the Vancouver Canucks, their fourth-lowest total of the season, and let Fleury sit back and relax in his crease for long stretches of the game. “When he’s sleeping back there, I feel like I’m doing my job,” defenseman Nate Schmidt said. “It’s fun not needing him in a game. He made some good saves for us, but it’s fun to know our group was playing well enough to keep everything out to the outside.” Fleury has played well recently with the Knights making things easier on him. The 34-year-old has a career-long shutout streak of 168:43 and is coming off back-to-back shutouts for the sixth time in his career, including the playoffs. He also was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week a day after his restful Sunday start. “It’s nice when we get some goals so you can relax,” Fleury said. “I like to have a few (shots), I feel like you’re just more into it. … But some nights it goes like that and you got to find to win those games too.” Fleury still leads the league in games played (56) by two, starts (56) by three and minutes played (3,335:30) by 215:23, but he’s trying to pace himself. He said he plans to take optional practices off and manage his workload in the gym so he feels fresh. Fleury allowed at least two goals in 16 straight starts before his shutout streak began Feb. 26 against the Dallas Stars. “Fleury can take any day off he wants besides the games,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “He feels real good and has lots of jump in his legs. He played a lot of games, but I know he feels great now. People worry about him playing too many games. We come to him and talk to him about that, and he says, ‘I feel good. I want to play the games.’ He gets his rest time some of these days off and he takes care of himself. He’s a true pro, and he knows what he needs more than we know.” Block part Schmidt played a large part in Fleury’s easy night as he blocked a season-high five shots. “Four more than usual,” he joked. He thought that total might have been a record for him, but he’s blocked five shots three other times in his career and his personal-best is seven. He set that Dec. 14, 2015 while playing for the Washington Capitals. Canucks deny getting Vegas Flu The Canucks looked lethargic Sunday and gave up 48 shots on goal, their second-highest total of the season. Forward Bo Horvat insisted it wasn’t because of any non-hockey activities. “All the guys were really smart here and we know what Vegas is all about, and we knew this game was really important,” Horvat said. “Nobody went out and got crazy or anything like that. It was all business when we came here. We just had to play a lot better than we did.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134495 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ Marc-Andre Fleury named NHL’s First Star of the Week

By David Schoen / Las Vegas Review-Journal

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is the NHL’s First Star of the Week, the league announced Monday. Fleury went 3-0-0 with a 0.33 goals-against average, .987 save percentage, including back-to-back shutouts. He stopped 34 shots in a 3-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday and followed that up with a 19-save effort in a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. Fleury had 23 saves in a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, and has a career-long scoreless streak of 168:47. The 34-year-old leads the NHL in wins (32) and is the fifth goaltender in NHL history to record nine or more 30-win seasons. He also has a league-best eight shutouts, two shy of his career high set in 2014-15. Winnipeg’s Blake Wheeler was (five goals, eight points in three games) the second star, and Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby (three goals, eight points in three games) earned third star. The Knights (36-26-5, 77 points), who host Calgary at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena, have won four straight overall and are third in the Pacific Division. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134496 Vegas Golden Knights Schmidt stressed the need for the Golden Knights to continue winning despite their cushion in the standings.

“You can’t just limp in,” Schmidt said. “You have to have that confidence. Five most important things Golden Knights must accomplish in final 15 When it comes to playoffs you shut your brain off and it’s muscle memory games at that point. You make the plays that you’ve made all year if you have the confidence to make them. And if you don’t, you won’t.” By Jesse Granger Mar 4, 2019 3. Find offense from the third line The Golden Knights Achilles’ heel — at least when it comes to offense — has long been the third line. But with the addition of Stone on the second What a week it was for the Golden Knights. line, Gallant may finally have an answer by dropping dynamic young forward Alex Tuch to the third. It started with Monday’s NHL trade deadline, when George McPhee made the blockbuster move to bring in star forward Mark Stone from the Cody Eakin is producing one of his better offensive seasons, but the Senators. That was followed by four games in six days in which the majority of his 16 goals and 17 assists came with Tuch on the ice. Eakin Golden Knights went 4-0-0 and outscored their opponents 16-6. filled in for Paul Stastny while he missed a stretch of games earlier in the season, but hasn’t produced the same since moving back down to the The dominant run is just what Vegas needed after a brutally tough stretch third line. in February, and the Golden Knights are now eight points clear of the Coyotes for third place in the Pacific Division. It’s unlikely Arizona will Eakin has been on the ice for 2.39 goals per 60 minutes without Tuch catch Vegas down the stretch, and it’s even more unlikely the Golden this season, but when he skates with Tuch that number jumps to 3.74. Knights will challenge San Jose and Calgary for the top two spots in the The results are similar for fellow third-line winger Brandon Pirri, who has division. been on the ice for 2.93 goals per 60 minutes without Tuch. With Tuch, Pirri is on the ice for 4.31 goals per 60 minutes. That means the team has 15 games remaining in the regular season, and not a lot to accomplish in the standings. So what should the Golden “It reminds me a lot of Schmidt’s situation,” Pacioretty said, comparing Knights focus on accomplishing over the last month of the regular the addition of Stone to when Schmidt returned to the Golden Knights’ season? lineup after missing the first 20 games due to a suspension. “When we missed (Schmidt) I think it put people in places that they weren’t Here are the five most important things Vegas must do before entering comfortable in. It’s important to have a role on your team and feel the first round of the playoffs, in order from least-to-most important: comfortable and confident in that role. I think Stone came in and gave us balance throughout our lineup.” 5. Play well against the best teams in the league Tuch scored a dynamic goal for the third line in Friday’s 3-0 win in Following Vegas’ dominant 3-0 win over the Canucks on Sunday, coach Anaheim and helped the unit play some of its best hockey of the season Gerard Gallant still believes his team can play better. on Sunday against Vancouver. “I think it’s getting better, but we still have another level,” Gallant said. “It kind of puts everyone in a position to succeed in a role that they’re “We want to get back to where we were, and this is a big step in the right comfortable in,” Pacioretty said. “Our forward group now feels confident direction.” that whatever line you put on the ice, you have an opportunity to change What is the next level? the game.” “I think the next level is to play the same way on Wednesday,” Gallant If Erik Haula — who hasn’t played since suffering a major knee injury on replied. Nov. 6 — can return to the lineup, it really gives Vegas firepower on the third line. Either way, getting production outside of the top six should be a The Golden Knights played brilliantly during this 4-0-0 stretch, but it was priority for the Golden Knights to figure out down the stretch. against Dallas, Florida, Anaheim and Vancouver. Gallant wants to see Vegas dominate teams that will be playing past April 6, and the first 2. Get consistent back pressure from the forwards opportunity is Wednesday night as the Pacific Division-leading Calgary The Golden Knights are amongst the top of the league when it comes to Flames visit T-Mobile Arena. nearly every defensive metric. Vegas is 12-17-2 this season against teams currently in playoff position, They allow the third-fewest shot attempts per game at 52.82, the fourth- and 24-9-3 against the rest of the league. fewest scoring chances against at 24.71 and the fifth-fewest high danger Of the remaining 15 games, eight of them are against teams currently in chances against at 9.88. the playoffs, including two meetings with Calgary and two with San Jose Those numbers may come as a surprise because Vegas is lacking a star (Vegas’ most likely first-round opponents). While winning these games defenseman, but Vegas’ defensive core works extremely well together won’t be crucial to the Golden Knights’ standing, it’s important they play and is complemented by one of the best defensive forward groups in the well for their psyche entering the postseason. NHL. Which leads me to the next point: Stone certainly adds to it, but William Karlsson, Reilly Smith, Pierre- 4. Enter the playoffs with confidence Edouard Bellemare, Pau Stastny and Eakin all excel in their own zone. In the middle of the season Vegas lost its identity as a strong defensive I was hesitant to include this point because I’m not a fan of intangibles. group, but lately it has returned to form. Teams win because they are better at hockey, not because they are “hungrier” or whatever other buzzwords you’d like to replace that with. “I think our defensive game was outstanding today, probably our best of the year,” Gallant said after Sunday’s 3-0 victory. “It was a consistent 60 However, when I asked players what the most important thing they minutes of playing defense first, then getting a lot of great scoring wanted to accomplish down the stretch, they all answered with some opportunities because of it.” form of needing to enter the postseason with confidence, so I felt the need to include it. The Golden Knights haven’t allowed a goal in their past two games, largely because of the backchecking performances by their forward “I think it’s just getting your confidence back,” Nate Schmidt said. “That’s group. something we really had last year. We never thought we were out of a game.” “Colin (Miller) and I were talking about it between the first and second period,” Schmidt said. “It’s amazing how it comes full circle when the He used an instance during Sunday’s game as an example. Ryan forwards apply back pressure really hard, and that allows us to break out Carpenter just scored to extend Vegas’ lead to 2-0 during the second quickly and get it back to them, and have them be able to play on the period, but the Canucks challenged the goal for goalie interference. rush at full speed.” Schmidt said the feeling on the bench was eerily similar to last season because of the air of confidence emanating from his teammates. When the forwards forecheck and backcheck with ferocity, it makes life difficult for opposing forwards and easy for Vegas’ defensemen. The “It felt like that after the challenged goal,” Schmidt said. “We had a group pressure in the offensive zone creates havoc for opposing defenders that was excited to go out there and make it 2-0 again if we had to, or trying to start breakouts. Pressure in the neutral zone prevents forwards make it 3-0. That’s the type of flow to your game and mentality and from entering the offensive zone with speed, and coming all the way back demeanor, which is important to your team this time of year.” into the offensive zone closes down passing lanes. “I think it’s really important for our group tonight to have that type of push back from our forwards and quick breakouts by our defense,” Schmidt said. 1. Set Marc-Andre Fleury up to peak in the postseason The unquestioned, most important factor to a potential Stanley Cup run for the Golden Knights is the play of their candidate Marc- Andre Fleury. As Fleury goes, so will the Golden Knights, and he will need to once again be phenomenal in the postseason to give Vegas any chance at advancing. Fleury has carried a heavy workload this season, currently on pace for 67 starts, which would be his highest total in four years. Managing his playing time in the final 15 games is vital to making sure he’s 100 percent when the games begin to really matter. Vegas has three back-to-back scenarios remaining, and Gallant hinted that Malcolm Subban will get one leg of each of those. That means Fleury will play 12 of the remaining 15 games at most. Fewer than 10 would be ideal, but Fleury feels he can get the needed rest between games. “I just want to take it one game at a time,” Fleury said. “The last few practices were optional and I’ve taken those off even though I usually always skate. I just manage the workload in the gym to stay fit.” Fleury has skipped more optional skates than usual this season, and Gallant has no qualms with it. “Fleury’s a guy who can take any day off that he wants besides playing in the games,” Gallant said. “He’s a rested guy. He feels real good and has lots of jump in his legs.” It’s hard to argue with his recent results. Fleury hasn’t allowed a goal in his last 168:47 of game play, the longest shutout streak of his career. “He’s played a lot of games, but he feels great now,” Gallant said. “People worry about him playing too many games. We talk to him about that and he says he feels good and wants to play the games. He gets his rest during the days off. He’s a true pro and he knows what he needs more than we do.” History isn’t on his side. As I wrote back in December, of the 13 Stanley Cup winning goaltenders since the beginning of the salary cap era in 2005, none played more than 70 games in the regular season, and only two of the 13 played more than 60 games. Fleury leads all NHL players with 3,336 minutes of ice time this year, but says he feels great. Vegas’ schedule over the final month is kind, with four gaps of two days or more between games and one gap of four days with no contests from Mach 11-14. Still, it would be wise for Vegas to give Subban some extra playing time to ensure Fleury is ready to carry the team into April, May and possibly June. The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134497 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ Swagger Returns for Sunday Matinee, VGK Wipes Out Vancouver

March 3, 2019 By ALAN SNEL

Yes, Golden Knights fans at the arena will get their free dozen donuts because of the VGK shutout win Sunday. And the mood inside T-Mobile Arena was so giddy that they played the YMCA song with only four minutes left in the Knights’ victory over a mediocre Vancouver Canucks club. But more important that sugar rushes and crowd dance moves was the fact that the Golden Knights’ swagger and edge were back on full display during a Sunday 1 p.m. matinee and there’s no getting over the fact that new Knight Mark Stone has added a jolt to a team that was struggling and losing its way. VGK coach Gerard Gallant was all smiles with reporters after the Golden Knights dominated the Canucks, 3-0, and moved to 36-26-5, good for 77 points. The team is 4-0 since General Manager George McPhee made a blockbuster trade to acquire the talented forward Stone from the Ottawa Senators. Here’s defenseman Nate Schmidt telling LVSportsBiz.com what Stone has meant to the Golden Knights. Here’s Schmidt talking about the team’s persistence. The Knights drew a solid crowd of 18,303. And now after 33 home dates, the VGK are averaging 18,297 fans a game, filling the Big Ice House on the Strip to 105.4 percent of capacity. That capacity percentage is tied with Minnesota’s for second in the National Hockey League, trailing only Chicago with 106.8 percent of capacity. LVSportsBiz.com also caught up with Knights’ forward Max Pacioretty, who scored his 21st goal of the season in the second period. Ryan Carpenter (his fifth) and Reilly Smith (goal 13) also scored for the Knights. Pacioretty said the trade for Stone was, what he called, “a wakeup call” and that it is working out to be “great team chemistry.” Gallant can get rather snippy and terse after losses when he feels the Knights played without the proper level of effort and intensity. But after Sunday’s game, he wants the Knights to continue to the next level with the same effort against a superior and division-leading Calgary Flames team, which comes to T-Mobile Arena for a key Pacific Division matchup Wednesday. LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134498 Washington Capitals Kylington (lower body) returned to the Flames’ lineup after missing three games.

Maple Leafs: Continue three-game Western Canada trip in Vancouver on Ennis records 1st hat trick, Toronto beats Calgary 6-2 Wednesday. Flames: At Vegas on Wednesday. By Associated Press March 5 at 1:24 AM Washington Post LOADED: 03.05.2019

CALGARY, Alberta — Tyler Ennis made a return to his home province a night to remember. Ennis recorded his first career hat trick to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 6-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night. “I played a lot of games here,” said Ennis, who played four years of junior hockey in Medicine Hat. “Had some rivalries with the (Calgary) Hitmen over the years. I’m familiar with this rink. To get a hat trick in it with my parents watching playing for the Leafs is a real special night for me.” Zach Hyman had two goals for Toronto. Mitch Marner had a goal and two assists, giving him 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in the last four games. Matthew Tkachuk and Derek Ryan scored for Calgary, which has dropped two in a row after a seven-game winning streak. The Flames’ lead atop the Pacific Division remained three points over San Jose. Ennis, who was scratched in Toronto’s previous game, opened the scoring 9:50 into the first on a power play. He got the puck skating through the low slot and sent a backhand shot into the top corner. After scoring again late in the first on a carom, Ennis completed his big night by sending a shot from the side boards that slipped past David Rittich for his 12th goal. The fans littered the ice with over 100 hats. “We’re so lucky to have this fan base. To have that many hats on the ice in an away arena is very special. It was just a great night,” Ennis said. The Leafs moved within one point of second-place Boston in the Atlantic Division. Frederik Andersen made 35 saves and won his fifth straight, improving to 32-13-3. Rittich had 26 stops and slipped to 22-6-5. It was Rittich’s second regulation loss since mid-December. He entered the game 11-1-4 in his last 16 games. Andersen was excellent in the second period, drawing chants of “Freddy, Freddy” from the crowd. “It was pretty special. Another example of how great fans of Toronto are,” Andersen said. “They travel well and come with us on the road, too. It’s pretty cool. It’s always special to have that.” Early in the second, he snapped Mikael Backlund’s shot from close range. Late in the period, he stopped a shot off the stick of Johnny Gaudreau. Andersen’s blocker save off Austin Czarnik on a breakaway preserved the Leafs’ 1-0 lead. Toronto struck twice immediately after. Ennis’ second, making it 2-0 at 17:15, was a fluke as his shot hit the skate of Rasmus Andersson in the slot and tumbled high in the air, eventually going over Rittich’s shoulder and landing in the net. At 18:51, Backlund’s giveaway in the offensive zone enabled Marner to race away on a breakaway. Rittich stopped the initial shot, but the rebound went in off Hyman’s skate. Toronto made it 4-0 at 4:11 of the second when Marner neatly set up Hyman’s second goal of the game. Calgary got on the scoreboard late in the second, needing just 10 seconds to convert their first power play of the night. Gaudreau’s wraparound bounced around the crease and crossed the line. “They got a lucky bounce on the second one and chasing the game against them is tough, man. They have a lot of skill over there and they make you pay for little mistakes,” said Calgary captain Mark Giordano. But there’s no panic in the Flames room yet. “We’re still in a good spot. There’s no need to start freaking out or anything, we’re still first in the West,” Tkachuk said. “We’re fine. We just need to go out and take care of business on this road trip.” NOTES: Ennis took the spot of Nic Petan, who scored a goal in his first game after being acquired from the Winnipeg Jets. ... Defenseman Oliver 1134499 Washington Capitals

Oilers rally for a 4-3 win over Sabres

By Associated Press March 5 at 12:09 AM

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Kyle Brodziak scored the go-ahead goal to cap a three-goal outburst over the final 3:31 of the second period, rallying the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night. Leon Draisaitl scored his team-leading 41st and added an assist to extend his point streak to 11 games (nine goals, eight assists). Connor McDavid set up two goals in a game Edmonton overcame a 3-1 second- period deficit. Defenseman Darnell Nurse and Zack Kassian also scored for Edmonton, which won its third straight in closing a five-game trip at 4- 1-1. Mikko Koskinen stopped 35 shots. Jack Eichel scored twice and Casey Mittelstadt also scored for the slumping Sabres. Buffalo dropped to 2-7-1 in its past 10. Linus Ullmark was yanked at the end of the second period, and after allowing four goals on 20 shots. Carter Hutton took over and stopped all seven shots he faced. MAPLE LEAFS 6, FLAMES 2 CALGARY, Alberta — Tyler Ennis recorded his first career hat trick to lead Toronto past Calgary. Zach Hyman had two goals for Toronto. Mitch Marner had a goal and two assists, giving him 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in the last four games. Matthew Tkachuk and Derek Ryan scored for Calgary, which has dropped two in a row after a seven-game winning streak. The Flames’ lead atop the Pacific Division remained three points over San Jose. Frederik Andersen made 35 saves and won his fifth straight, improving to 32-13-3. David Rittich had 26 stops and slipped to 22-6-5. It was Rittich’s second regulation loss since mid-December. He entered the game 11-1-4 in his last 16 games. Washington Post LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134500 Washington Capitals The Oilers slipped out of the playoff race following a 1-8-2 skid that began on Jan. 19. Edmonton has rebounded by going 5-1-2 in its past eight, but still sits 11th in the West, and six points out of contention. Oilers, Sabres sagging despite being led by McDavid, Eichel With 33 goals and 59 assists, McDavid is the first Oilers’ player to reach 90 points in three consecutive seasons since Jari Kurri (1983-1990) and Mark Messier (1987-90). By John Wawrow | AP March 4 at 11:45 PM “Connor does a ton for us, and obviously, you see the offensive numbers, but it’s more than that,” forward Sam Gagner said when asked how the Oilers might miss the playoffs despite McDavid’s contributions. BUFFALO, N.Y. — While keeping open the possibility of a late playoff push, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid acknowledged how “We still feel like we have an opportunity to get back in this,” Gagner much losing has worn on him this year. In Buffalo, Sabres captain Jack added. “We’re still in the playoff picture. And hopefully we can get there Eichel grew irritated when asked about his team’s inability to win and put that issue to rest.” consecutive games in nearly three months. Washington Post LOADED: 03.05.2019 “I don’t have an answer for you right now,” Eichel said following a 5-2 loss at Toronto on Saturday, a day after beating Pittsburgh. What’s becoming abundantly clear since McDavid and Eichel were selected with the top two picks in the 2015 draft is it takes more than the arrival of a so-called “once-in-a-generation” star to transform a losing team into a contender. “It’s a team sport. Things don’t get fixed with one player,” Sabres forward Kyle Okposo said before a 4-3 loss to the Oilers on Monday night. “They can certainly help. But it’s a collective effort.” The game against Edmonton was an example of Okposo’s viewpoint. Eichel scored twice, including his career-high-matching 25th, but the Sabres squandered a 3-1 second-period lead. McDavid and Eichel are the faces of their respective franchises based on both production and salary. The 22-year-old McDavid is in the first season of an eight-year, $100 million contract, and the 22-year-old Eichel is in the first season of an eight-year, $80 million deal. Their respective teams have barely made a dent in the standings, with both entering the final month of the season in jeopardy of missing the playoffs. The comparisons are striking. The Oilers have advanced to the playoffs just once with McDavid, in 2016-17, when they were knocked out in the second round by San Jose. Buffalo is in the midst of a franchise-worst seven-year playoff drought, and finished last overall twice with Eichel. Both teams also have changed GMs and coaches since 2015. The Oilers fired general manager Peter Chiarelli and coach Todd McLellan in separate moves this season. The Sabres dismissed GM Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma in April 2017. It doesn’t come close to the expectations right after the 2015 draft in Florida, where the Canadian-born McDavid was picked first and the American Eichel second, to the delight of each team’s respective fan base. As much as McDavid and Eichel dislike the comparisons to each other, they’re in agreement in saying how unfair the expectations were. “I don’t think that’s possible at all,” McDavid said of one player changing a franchise’s trajectory. “I don’t think in this league, where it’s so competitive each and every night, that one guy can change it.” McDavid has won two scoring titles and was the league’s MVP in 2017. Overall, McDavid’s 348 points (120 goals, 228 assists) in 271 games are third among NHL players since 2015-16. Eichel has 249 points (98 goals, 151 assists) in 272 games, and ranks 29th over the same span following Monday’s game. Inconsistency has all but scuttled the Sabres’ playoff chances this season. In going 13-22-6 since a 10-game winning streak in November, they’ve gone from briefly sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings to 11th, and nine points out of contention. It’s a slide during which Buffalo has failed to win consecutive games since Dec. 11-13. Eichel has been among the few constants. His worst point drought lasted five games. “It’s a team game and you need everyone pulling in the same direction,” said Eichel, who has a career-best 72 points this season. “It’s the best league in the world. You can’t expect it to be easy. And I think we all expected it to be hard, and I think it has been.” 1134501 Washington Capitals NOTES: Sabers D Zach Bogosian did not play and is listed day-to-day with a lower body injury. ... Sabres D Jake McCabe will likely miss the remainder of the season with an upper body injury sustained in a 5-2 loss Oilers score 3 in second-period, rally to beat Sabres 4-3 at Toronto on Saturday. ... Draisaitl’s 41 goals equal McDavid’s total last year, which are the most for the Oilers since Mark Messier had 45 in 1989-90. By John Wawrow | AP March 4 at 11:25 PM Washington Post LOADED: 03.05.2019

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Oilers coach Ken Hitchcock says he wasn’t thanking his lucky stars when the Buffalo Sabres muffed two chances to score into an open net in the final eight minutes of Edmonton’s 4-3 win on Monday night. Instead, Hitchcock began believing the bad bounces the Oilers experienced during a 1-8-2 slump were finally evening out. And yes, that included hanging on for the win despite Oilers star Connor McDavid missing an open net in the final minute of a game Edmonton overcame a 3-1 deficit. “I’m just proud of the way the guys responded,” Hitchcock said of a team that’s won three straight in closing out a five-game trip. “We didn’t put our second foot on the bus. We dug in and played and competed, and it’s a good sign for the team for now.” The Oilers scored three times over the final 3:31 of the second period, with Kyle Brodziak credited with the go-ahead goal with five seconds remaining. He was driving to the front of the net, when Adam Larsson’s shot from the left point deflected in off his skate. Leon Draisaitl scored his team-leading 41st and added an assist, to extend his point streak to 11 games in which he had combined for nine goals and eight assists. McDavid had two assists, while Darnell Nurse and Zack Kassian also scored for Edmonton. Mikko Koskinen stopped 35 shots, including the final 27 after allowing Jack Eichel to score Buffalo’s third goal with 2:36 left in the first period, and earned two fortunate breaks to improve to 5-1-2 in his past eight. Buffalo’s Jeff Skinner missed an open right side by directing a shot off the post with 7:34 left. Then with 3:40 remaining, Jason Pominville directed in Brandon Montour’s pass through the crease, only to have his follow through hit the puck and sweep it back out before it crossed the goal line. “I have no idea,” Pominville said of how the puck didn’t go in. “I can probably take 100 shots from that area and it might never happen, but it happened tonight,” he added. “It’s a tough feeling when you see it going in, and then all of a sudden coming out.” Eichel scored twice and Casey Mittelstadt also scored for the slumping Sabres. Buffalo dropped to 2-7-1 in its past 10, and is 13-22-6 since a franchise-record-matching 10-game win streak in November. Linus Ullmark was yanked at the end of the second period after allowing four goals on 20 shots, and three on the final four shots he faced. Carter Hutton took over and stopped all seven shots he faced. While Buffalo continues its slide out of the playoff picture with a little over a month left, the Oilers continue making a late push. Edmonton (29-30-7) has 65 points and moved out of a three-way tie for 11th, inching to within six points of eighth-place Minnesota. “A lot of people are against us, we know that. But we’re not going to stop until it’s over or we’re in,” Draisaitl said. “Another gutsy effort. Really good road trip from the whole group. We’ve got to keep this up.” Draisaitl even managed to giggle when reminded of McDavid’s shot from the Sabres blue line missing the wide open net and hitting off the outside of the right post with under a minute left. The Oilers not only picked up their captain’s miscue but also that of Draisaitl, who was penalized for interference a few seconds later. “That’s what a team does. We stick up for each other,” he said. “We have to make sure we keep pushing.” The Sabres appeared to take control when Eichel eluded defenseman Kris Russell, who dropped his stick, and scored by driving to the net to put Buffalo up 3-1 with 2:36 left. “I thought we showed some good compete and resiliency in the third period,” Eichel said. “But at the end of the day, like I’ve said this year, it’s not enough for us.” 1134502 Washington Capitals

NHL GMs pleased with increased scoring, quality of play

By Associated Press March 4 at 8:25 PM

BOCA RATON, Fla. — NHL general managers came to Florida at this time last year looking for clarity and consistency on goalie interference. They got it when the decision was made to hand the final call on the coach’s challenges to the league’s hockey operations department instead of referees. While there is no hot-button issue dominating discussion in 2019, there is still plenty to talk about. The GMs opened their meetings at the Boca Beach Club resort on Monday by going over numbers from this season to date — ones that show scoring, even-strength goals and comebacks are up significantly. “It seems like we’re just about perfect,” Vegas Golden Knights GM George McPhee said. “The game is in a really good place in terms of whatever you want to measure. “It’s just about as good as it’s ever been, which is great news.” Through 1,015 games this season, teams combined to average 6.1 goals, just off the 2005-06 post-lockout scoring surge, while 77 percent of offense has come at even strength, the highest since 1977-78. According to league data, scoring has risen 3 percent over last season at this stage, 10 percent when compared to 2016-17 and 13 percent against 2015-16. Come-from-behind wins are also up — 43 percent of teams that fall behind have managed to claw back for victories, with 12 percent responding from two goals down — while 164 of 990 games (17 percent) have seen teams secure two points despite trailing in the third period. Between 2005-06 and 2017-18, the NHL had an average of 28 players reach 30 goals. This season, 50 players are on pace to reach that mark. The league also trumpeted its competitive balance, with 27 teams having changed positions in the standings since Jan. 1. “It’s fantastic,” Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving said. “It’s a highly entertaining product. At the end of the day, we’re in the entertainment business.” The good vibes aren’t stopping GMs from brainstorming for new ideas. They broke out into smaller groups to discuss a variety of topics, including pucks crossing the goal line after the whistle, high-sticking infractions that warrant two- or four-minute penalties, goalies losing helmets during play and player safety. “Any time you can be proactive on things, that’s obviously the best-case (scenario),” Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka said. “The group’s done a really good job the last number of years getting out ahead of things.” Among the other issues touched on at the meetings set to run through Wednesday are referees being allowed see video on potential five- minute penalties prior to making a decision, and allowing on-ice officials to see replays of reviews initiated by the hockey operations department. As it stands now, referees only see replays on challenges via the tablet located at the timekeeper’s bench. “We asked the managers, ‘Should they look at everything?” said Colin Campbell, the league’s executive vice president and director of hockey operations. “They’re not making the decision, but they have to go out and explain what happened on a play and make the announcement so maybe they should watch what they’re going to talk about.” Washington Post LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134503 Washington Capitals his wife and children were not welcome. The following year, the banquet was open to men and women.

“That’s amazing,” Edmonton star Connor McDavid said as news of Red Wings great, NHL union pioneer Ted Lindsay dies at 93 Lindsay’s death filtered out. “That just goes to show what he’s about and he was not afraid to stand up to anyone and stand up for what he believed in.” By Larry Lage and Noah Trister | AP March 4 at 6:18 PM Born July 29, 1925, in Renfrew, Ontario, as the youngest of nine children, Lindsay joined the Red Wings in 1944. He led the NHL with 33 goals in 1947-48 and won the Art Ross Trophy for the most points in 1949-50 DETROIT — Ted Lindsay lived to do what he thought was right. when he had 23 goals and a league-best 55 assists. In 1955, Lindsay scored four goals in a 7-1 victory over Montreal in Game 2 of the Stanley He pioneered the first NHL players’ union despite intense opposition from Cup Final. team management, began the tradition of taking the Stanley Cup closer to fans by skating it around the ice and refused to attend his own Hall of During his 14 seasons in Detroit, he led the team in goals only once. He Fame induction ceremony because only men were allowed. led or tied for the team lead in penalty minutes 10 times, including his final season of 1964-65, when he was approaching 40 years old. “I was led by a feeling of fairness,” Lindsay once said. Former Bruins player Milt Schmidt said Lindsay “probably was one of the Lindsay, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound tough guy who provided muscle and most hated players in the National Hockey League” because of the way meanness on the Detroit Red Wings’ famed “Production Line” of the he came after other teams. 1950s, died Monday at the age of 93 in his home in Michigan, according to Lew LaPaugh, his son-in-law and president of the Ted Lindsay “But every franchise would have given their right arm for Ted Lindsay,” Foundation, which raises money for autism research. he said. The player known as “Terrible Ted” was one of the game’s best left wings Lindsay retired following the 1959-60 season and focused on his and an 11-time All-Star who played on four Stanley Cup winners in the automotive business. He came back for one more season with the Red early 1950s. Lindsay, Sid Abel and Gordie Howe formed an offensive Wings in 1964-65 and returned to Detroit as general manager in 1977 juggernaut of a line that helped make Detroit one of the first of the NHL’s and remained in that role until 1980. During the 1980-81 season, he great postwar dynasties and they had a fitting nickname in the Motor coached the team for 20 games. City. He was a familiar face around the Red Wings for decades after his He finished his NHL career with 379 goals and 472 assists in 1,068 retirement — and what a face. Pucks, fists and elbows took a toll on his games with 14 of his 17 seasons with Detroit. With Howe and Lindsay face, leaving scratches and dents after uncountable numbers of stiches. centered first by Abel and then by Al Delvecchio, the Red Wings won He was booed on road trips, the player every opposing team loved to Stanley Cups in 1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955. The Red Wings retired his hate. No. 7 in 1991. “There’s only one reason I played. That was to win,” he told The Lindsay is credited with beginning the ritual in which players skate Canadian Press in March 2015. “And also to play better the next day around the rink holding the Stanley Cup they have just won. than I did the last game.” “I saw it sitting there, and I thought, ‘I’ll just pick it up and I’ll take it over,’” Lindsay, whose wife, Joanne, died two years ago, is survived by his Lindsay recalled in an interview with The Associated Press in 2013. “I children Blake, Lynn and Meredith, stepdaughter Leslie, six just moved along the boards. I didn’t have it over my head. I had it so grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. they could read it. I wasn’t starting a tradition. I was just taking care of my fans that paid our salary.” AP Hockey Writers John Wawrow and Stephen Whyno and former AP writer Jim Irwin contributed to this report. Lindsay took his toughness off the ice to organize a players’ union despite opposition from team executives and without the support of Washington Post LOADED: 03.05.2019 Howe, perhaps the most famous hockey player of all. Lindsay pressed on anyway without the backing of “Mr. Hockey.” “All of us who were involved in trying to establish the players’ association weren’t the ones who needed it,” Lindsay explained. “It was for the fringe players that were the worst off. When I got caught up in this, I was so grateful to the game for all it had done for me. But it was a dictatorship on the part of the owners, who didn’t realize any of us had a brain.” At one point, Lindsay gathered secretly with a handful of players in New York in 1957. The next day, Red Wings general manager Jack Adams was very angry about it. “He was ranting and raving,” Lindsay recalled in an interview with the NHLPA . “But, I’d do the same thing.” Lindsay, who was named president of the short-lived union, was traded to Chicago the next summer. “It didn’t matter that they traded me,” he said in 1995. “I have a Red Wing on my forehead and on my behind and on my heart. That will never change.” The NHL Players’ Association was formed for good in 1967 — a decade after the Lindsay-led attempt to unionize — and the organization put Lindsay’s name on its version of the MVP award. The honor, which is chosen by an NHLPA vote, was previously called the Lester B. Pearson Award after the former Canadian prime minister. “On the ice, Ted Lindsay was one of the best players to ever to put on a pair of skates,” NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said. “But his greatest legacy was off the ice. A true trailblazer in seeking to improve conditions for all players, Ted was instrumental in organizing the original players’ association in 1957. All players, past, current and future, are in his debt. All those who have, and will follow him into the NHL, enjoy improved rights and benefits in large part due to the efforts he made.” The Hockey Hall of Fame waived its three-year waiting period when it inducted Lindsay in 1966, but he declined to attend the banquet because 1134504 Washington Capitals With 33 goals and 57 assists, McDavid is the first Oilers’ player to reach 90 points in three consecutive seasons since Jari Kurri (1983-1990) and Mark Messier (1987-90). Oilers, Sabres sagging despite being led by McDavid, Eichel “Connor does a ton for us, and obviously, you see the offensive numbers, but it’s more than that,” forward Sam Gagner said when asked how the Oilers might miss the playoffs despite McDavid’s contributions. By John Wawrow | AP March 4 at 6:07 PM “We still feel like we have an opportunity to get back in this,” Gagner added. “We’re still in the playoff picture. And hopefully we can get there and put that issue to rest.” BUFFALO, N.Y. — While keeping open the possibility of a late playoff push, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid acknowledged how Washington Post LOADED: 03.05.2019 much losing has worn on him this year. In Buffalo, Sabres captain Jack Eichel grew irritated when asked about his team’s inability to win consecutive games in nearly three months. “I don’t have an answer for you right now,” Eichel said following a 5-2 loss at Toronto on Saturday, a day after beating Pittsburgh. What’s becoming abundantly clear since McDavid and Eichel were selected with the top two picks in the 2015 draft is it takes more than the arrival of a so-called “once-in-a-generation” star to transform a losing team into a contender. “It’s a team sport. Things don’t get fixed with one player,” Sabres forward Kyle Okposo said before Buffalo hosted Edmonton on Monday night. “They can certainly help. But it’s a collective effort.” Individually, McDavid and Eichel are the faces of their respective franchises based on both production and salary. The 22-year-old McDavid is in the first season of an eight-year, $100 million contract, and the 22-year-old Eichel is in the first season of an eight-year, $80 million deal. Collectively, their respective teams have barely made a dent in the standings, with both entering the final month of the season in jeopardy of missing the playoffs. The comparisons are striking. The Oilers have advanced to the playoffs just once with McDavid, in 2016-17, when they were knocked out in the second round by San Jose. Buffalo is in the midst of a franchise-worst seven-year playoff drought, and finished last overall twice with Eichel. Both teams also have changed GMs and coaches since 2015. The Oilers fired general manager Peter Chiarelli and coach Todd McLellan in separate moves this season. The Sabres dismissed GM Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma in April 2017. It doesn’t come close to the expectations right after the 2015 draft in Florida, where the Canadian-born McDavid was picked first and the American Eichel second, to the delight of each team’s respective fan base. As much as McDavid and Eichel dislike the comparisons to each other, they’re in agreement in saying how unfair the expectations were. “I don’t think that’s possible at all,” McDavid said of one player changing a franchise’s trajectory. “I don’t think in this league, where it’s so competitive each and every night, that one guy can change it.” McDavid has won two scoring titles and was the league’s MVP in 2017. Overall, McDavid’s 346 points (120 goals, 226 assists) in 270 games are tied for third with Sidney Crosby among NHL players since 2015-16. Eichel has 247 points (96 goals, 151 assists) in 271 games, and is tied with Steven Stamkos for 30th over the same span. Inconsistency has all but scuttled the Sabres’ playoff chances this season. In going 13-21-6 since a 10-game winning streak in November, they’ve gone from briefly sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings to 11th, and nine points out of contention. It’s a slide during which Buffalo has failed to win consecutive games since Dec. 11-13. Eichel has been among the few constants. His worst point drought lasted five games. “It’s a team game and you need everyone pulling in the same direction,” said Eichel, who has a career-best 70 points this season. “It’s the best league in the world. You can’t expect it to be easy. And I think we all expected it to be hard, and I think it has been.” The Oilers slipped out of the playoff race following a 1-8-2 skid that began on Jan. 19. Edmonton has rebounded by going 5-2-1 in its past eight, but still sits 11th in the West, and eight points out of contention. 1134505 Washington Capitals SENATORS 3, PANTHERS 2 SUNRISE, Fla. — Rudolfs Balcers scored the tiebreaking goal in the second period and Ottawa snapped a seven-game losing streak. Ovechkin’s shootout ‘goal’ sends Capitals past Rangers 3-2 Brian Gibbons and Zack Smith also scored for the Senators. Anders Nilsson stopped 30 shots. By Associated Press March 4 at 12:45 AM Troy Brouwer and Aleksander Barkov scored for the Panthers, and made 30 saves. Florida has lost four straight. NEW YORK — Alex Ovechkin scored in the fourth round of a shootout JETS 5, BLUE JACKETS 2 without putting the puck in the net, and the Washington Capitals COLUMBUS, Ohio — Blake Wheeler scored three of his four goals in the extended their win streak to four games with a 3-2 victory over the New third period and Connor Hellebuyck had 40 saves as Winnipeg won its York Rangers on Sunday. second straight. Ovechkin was skating to his right when Rangers goalie Alexandar Wheeler’s goal with 2:13 left off Patrik Laine’s feed sealed the game, and Georgiev threw his stick at the puck, knocking it away from the star he added an empty-netter with 34 seconds left. Sami Niku also tallied for winger. Ovechkin was credited with the goal after a review. the Jets, who stayed in first place in the Central Division despite being Carl Hagelin and Andre Burakovsky scored in the first period for outshot by Columbus 42-26. Washington, which is in a tight race with the Islanders for first place in the Nick Foligno and Seth Jones scored for the Blue Jackets, who lost their Metropolitan Division. Braden Holtby made 22 saves. second straight and stayed below the wild-card line in the Eastern Pavel Buchnevich and Ryan Strome scored for New York. The Rangers Division. Sergei Bobrovsky had 21 saves. lost their fourth in a row, including all three on their homestand. PREDATORS 3, WILD 2, SO Georgiev made 37 saves, including 20 in the second period. He stopped ST. PAUL, Minn. — Ryan Johansen scored in the fourth round of the Ovechkin on a breakaway in overtime. shootout as Nashville stopped Minnesota’s winning streak at five games. FLYERS 4, ISLANDERS 1 Filip Forsberg and Nick Bonino scored for the Predators, who are 5-6-1 in UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Brian Elliott stopped 29 shots and Philadelphia their last 12 games. Backup goalie Juuse Saros won for the first time in knocked New York out of first place in the Metropolitan Division. four starts. Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim, Scott Laughton and Sean Couturier Eric Fehr and Jason Zucker scored late in the second period less than 3 scored for Philadelphia. The Flyers are 4-0-1 in their last five games and minutes apart for the Wild, who still moved into a tie with Dallas for the moved within five points of the final wild card in the Eastern Conference. first wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 71 points. The Stars have played one fewer game. Elliott lost his shutout bid when Adam Pelech scored with 4:45 left. He got his ninth win of the season and third in his last four starts. Washington Post LOADED: 03.05.2019 Robin Lehner made 10 saves in 23:18 of work before getting yanked. Thomas Greiss made 12 saves in relief. SHARKS 5, BLACKHAWKS 2 SAN JOSE, Calif. — Joe Thornton set up Marcus Sorensen for a tiebreaking goal early in the third period and Melker Karlsson tacked on two insurance goals that sent San Jose past Chicago. Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier also scored to help the Sharks end an eight-game stretch of alternating wins and losses. San Jose moved within three points of Calgary for first place in the Pacific Division. The Flames have a game in hand. Martin Jones made 28 saves for the Sharks. Chicago’s Patrick Kane failed to record a point in back-to-back games for just the second time this season, also doing it Nov. 21-23. Dylan Strome and Erik Gustafsson scored for the Blackhawks, who trail Western Conference wild-card leaders Dallas and Minnesota by eight points. Cam Ward made 29 saves. GOLDEN KNIGHTS 3, CANUCKS 0 LAS VEGAS — Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 19 shots and earned his second straight 3-0 shutout. Fleury moved within one victory of tying Jacques Plante for eighth on the NHL’s all-time wins list. Max Pacioretty, Ryan Carpenter and Reilly Smith scored for the Golden Knights, who won their fourth straight. Vancouver Jacob Markstrom stopped 45 shots. DUCKS 2, AVALANCHE 1 ANAHEIM, Calif. — had a goal and an assist and Anaheim snapped a five-game losing streak. Silfverberg, who signed a $26.5 million, five-year extension Saturday, leads the team in goals with 17 and became the ninth player to score 100 goals with Anaheim. Cam Fowler also scored and John Gibson made 25 saves for his first victory since Jan. 19. Derick Brassard scored for Colorado and Philipp Grubauer stopped 21 shots. The Avalanche have dropped three of four after winning four straight. 1134506 Washington Capitals

Top 20 goals of Caps' Stanley Cup run: DSP's goal against Vegas is No. 17

By NBC Sports Washington March 04, 2019 3:13 PM

As the 2018-19 regular season winds down, we at NBC Sports Washington are taking a look back at the 20 most important goals of the Capitals 2018 Stanley Cup run. Here's No. 17. For No. 17 in the Top 20 countdown of the Capitals' goals during the Stanley Cup run comes this one from Game 4 against Vegas. In what ended up being a 6-3 rout, Devante Smith-Pelly gave his team a three- goal lead in the first period with this goal. "I just remember when I saw that goal, it was the epitome of DSP in the playoffs," NBC Sports Washington Capitals analyst Alan May remembered. "The way he scratched and clawed for everything and the way he played every game with desperation - he kept being a hero time after time. It was an ugly goal that became pretty and that's how you have to win in the playoffs. That goal was tailor-made for him at that time and I just thought there was so much confidence given to the team after that. When I look at the list, there's a lot I can't believe where they're at ... but 17 is appropriate for this one." Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134507 Washington Capitals

NHL Power Rankings: It’s go time for the Capitals

By J.J. Regan March 04, 2019 11:10 AM

It has been an up and down season for the Capitals this year. Now on the home stretch of the season, however, it looks like Washington is starting to get hot. Last year after the trade deadline, the Caps went 14-6-0 as they got into a rhythm before the playoffs. Now they appear to be turning up the heat once again with four straight wins and six wins in their last seven games. To be fair, only two of those seven games have come against teams currently in playoff position, but Washington won both of those games against Toronto and the New York Islanders. Friday’s game on Long Island was the biggest game of the season with both teams playing for first place in the Metropolitan Division, but the Caps put on a dominant performance in the 3-1 win. Just from watching you can also see Washington rounding into playoff form. They have been particularly strong possession wise, maintaining long cycles in the offensive zone to wear down opponents. Braden Holtby is also starting to look dominant with a save percentage over .900 in four of his last five games including hitting .952 twice in the games against the Leafs and Islanders. Washington has been waiting all season to play meaningful games after last year’s championship run. Now the games are starting to matter and the Caps look as good as they have at any point this season. Here are a few recent observations and thoughts on the Caps. Newcomers Carl Hagelin and Nick Jensen certainly seem to be fitting in well. The bottom six seems completely transformed by Hagelin. Everyone knows how fast he is, but I love how much he seems to help the team maintain possession in the offensive zone. Whenever he is on the ice his lines seem to be cycling in the offensive zone and wearing down the defense with extended zone time. Jensen has been very strong defensively. He has shown how strong a skater he is and I love his breakout passes. Hagelin’s speed really helps the team on the penalty kill. He had two shorthanded breakaways Sunday against the Rangers and managed to draw a penalty on one of them. Washington has allowed a goal in the first four minutes in each of the last five games. They are playing well overall, but always having to play from behind is a concern. They need to be ready to go at the drop of the puck and not just work their way into games. The Caps have stuck with the same players for the past four games. We have seen a lot of shuffling all season long, but now with only 16 games left in the season, it looks like we are getting close to the playoff lineup. I would still like to see what a Jensen, Christian Djoos pair looks like though before Todd Reirden locks in his playoff lineup. The second defensive pair has struggled all season. Matt Niskanen has struggled immensely, but lately Dmitry Orlov has had a rough few games as well. This begs the question if the team should be worried about that pair heading into the playoffs. The problem is what do you do to change things up? It would be foolish to move Michal Kempny away from John Carlson. That has been the team’s best defensive pair. Orlov also remains one of the team’s top six, if not top four defensemen. He Jensen would be an interesting mix, but I do not like the looks of a Brooks Orpik, Niskanen pair. Maybe if you consider splitting the second pair, you consider putting Djoos with Niskanen, but clearly the team still values what Orpik brings to the lineup and he played a lot better in the playoffs last year than in the regular season. I think the team would have to really struggle for Reirden to decide to take Orpik out. So long as he remains in, however, it limits what you can do. He can only handle third pairing minutes at this point and has to stay on the left side. The Caps seem to be getting hot at the right time and that has them climbing in the rankings. Where do they land? Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134508 Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin reacts to Ted Lindsay's death: 'He was a legend in the hockey world'

By Associated Press March 04, 2019 10:44 AM

DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings great and Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay has died at 93. His death was confirmed Monday by son-in-law Lew LaPaugh, president of the Ted Lindsay Foundation, which raises money for autism research. Lindsay died Monday at his home in Michigan. Lindsay was a nine-time All-Star and one of the game's best left wings. He provided muscle and meanness for the Red Wings' "Production Line" of the 1950s. He also worked with other NHL players to organize the original Players' Association, which now honors him with the Ted Lindsay Award, given annually to the NHL's most outstanding player and voted on by association members. It was renamed for him in 2010. "Obviously, it's hard news," Alex Ovechkin said Monday about Lindsay's death. Ovechkin said he met the hockey legend "a couple times" and has won the Ted Lindsay Award three times in his career (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10). "He was a legend in the hockey world. Obviously, I was excited to meet him and I'm gonna remember for all my life." "In that age, I don't think he wants to chat or something like that," Ovechkin continued. "I'm sure he was a great guy, he was a great man, honest and the fans and the people gonna remember." The Hockey Hall of Fame waived its three-year waiting period when it inducted Lindsay in 1966. Nine years earlier, he had been elected president of the players' union. Lindsay is also credited with starting the tradition in which the championship team skates around the ice with the Stanley Cup. Ovechkin was one of the many people from the NHL to honor Lindsay following his death. The Capitals' captain posted a photo on Instagram and wrote: "RIP Ted Lindsay🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻" Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134509 Washington Capitals “He’s a guy who needs confidence, and we had a plan moving into the year that he was going to be given those opportunities and wasn’t going to be in and out of the lineup in a diminished role, and he was going to Finally feeling at home, Brett Connolly wants to stay with the Capitals get opportunities to do things and he’s done them.” Those opportunities were sporadic with the Lightning, who took Connolly with the No. 6 overall selection in the 2010 draft. The Campbell River, By Chris Kuc Mar 4, 2019 British Columbia, native played parts of four seasons with the Lightning, during which he scored 18 goals and added 14 assists in 134 games.

Connolly was dealt to the Bruins in March 2015 but suffered a broken NEW YORK — Brett Connolly’s first NHL stop was with the Lightning, finger in his first practice with the team and appeared in only five games with whom he eventually found his footing and became an effective with Boston that season. player. In 2015-16 with the Bruins, Connolly had nine goals and 16 assists in 71 Then he left. games. After that season, he signed his first deal with the Capitals. With the Bruins, it again took a while for Connolly to find a niche before “Some guys get drafted and stay with that team for six, seven years and producing the best offensive season of his career. everything is great, but for me it was a lot different,” Connolly said. “They were tough years for sure where I had to really battle and really look at Then he left. myself in the mirror and find a way. I’m happy that I stuck with it and kept Now with the Capitals, Connolly is having the time of his hockey life, a working and kept pushing. Stanley Cup champion who is putting up big numbers and providing his “There were a lot of things that I needed to work on being a professional, team with the kind secondary scoring necessary to win another title. at the rink, away from the rink. I made the NHL so young, and who knows He doesn’t want to leave. if I was really ready for that at age 19. Sometimes it takes a little longer for some guys to kind of find that role on a team.” At 26, Connolly not only has solidified a spot in the Capitals’ lineup but also has found a home in the community where he and his wife, Katrina, He has done that in D.C. In an ideal situation, re-signing with the Capitals want to start a family. would be a no-brainer. But the NHL is a business, and it will come down to the almighty dollar — or, when the salary cap comes into play, a lack Connolly loves playing for the Capitals, so it’s very fortuitous that the of them. General manager Brian MacLellan will have a busy offseason, pending unrestricted free agent is playing his highest level of hockey. including at some point addressing Connolly’s situation. He’s already set career highs in goals with 16 and assists with 19 while playing in every game this season, including during the Capitals’ 3-2 “He’s had a great year,” MacLellan said of Connolly. “I think he’s even victory in a shootout over the Rangers on Sunday at Madison Square improved this year, playing a more all-around game from what I see. We Garden. have interest, for sure, in having him come back. We have to wait until we see what the cap situation is after we get our guys signed, how much “I feel like my game has taken a big turn since I came (to the Capitals),” money we’re going to have, and what he’s looking for.” said Connolly, who signed a one-year, $850,000 free-agent contract with the Capitals in July 2016 and then re-upped with a two-year, $3 million Connolly is tuned into the process, knowing that MacLellan will have to deal in June 2017. “I’m confident that I can consistently put up the resolve several contract issues, including that of pending restricted free numbers that I’ve been putting up. I’ve found a good role on a good agent Jakub Vrana, who is having a career season of his own and at age team, and it definitely makes it a lot easier when you’re playing with good 23 appears poised to become a star. Vrana will be in line for a large raise players and playing on a good team that moves the puck fast. We get up from his current deal, which carries a cap hit of $863,333, according to the ice quick and we’re creating a lot of five-on-five chances, so that CapFriendly.com. definitely makes it easier.” Chandler Stephenson and Christian Djoos (each with current cap hits of Playing consistently on the third line, Connolly is riding high with his $650,000) will also be restricted free agents whom MacLellan will likely confidence, something coach Todd Reirden said is key for the winger. want back in the fold. Andre Burakovsky will command a qualifying offer of at least $3.25 million if MacLellan decides to extend him one and if “He’s got elite skill (and) I think he’s really earned the year he’s had this pending unrestricted free agent Carl Hagelin ($1.875 million cap hit) year,” Reirden said. “He came in ready to go to start the year, and I’m not impresses enough, he could get a deal to return. surprised to see him playing with the most confidence than he’s had. He’s a player that does well with confidence, and when you put him in Everything MacLellan does is with an eye on the future, including when situations and you give him opportunities, he’s taken advantage of them.” Nicklas Backstrom and Braden Holtby are free agents after the 2019-20 season and Alex Ovechkin after 2020-21. Plenty of things will happen in Reirden and Connolly pointed to a phone conversation they had before the coming seasons, including trades, expiring contracts, retirements and this season. The coach promised that there would be a place for the Seattle expansion draft, so that will all factor into the decision-making Connolly in the lineup on a nightly basis. That was not always the case process. when Barry Trotz was behind the Capitals’ bench. “It’s all numbers now with the cap,” Connolly said. “I want to be back, “When I first got here, I was in and out of the lineup, and I really had to that’s an obvious. There are things that are coming up with contracts. A work because while Barry knew a little bit about me, he didn’t know a ton couple of guys are up next year, and there’s a bunch of guys who need about me, so I had to really earn that trust from him and produce,” new deals like Vrana — that’s going to be an interesting one — and we’ll Connolly said. “Once I did that, everything kind of changed, and last year see what’s kind of left over, I guess you could say, in terms of money. in the playoffs I think is when I was playing the best hockey of my career, and then this year that kind of carried over.” “Either way, I’ve put myself in a position that I wasn’t in a few years ago with the way I’ve played the last three years and last year winning the When Reirden took over for Trotz this summer, he assured Connolly that Cup and then coming in this year and having a strong season, my best he would be an everyday player. season as a pro,” Connolly added. “So, I’m in a good position. I’m happy with the way things have gone. Now it’s just a matter of seeing the big “Todd has been really good for me,” Connolly said. “Like every season, picture with what Mac is thinking, and we’ll see what happens. you have games where you don’t play your best, and with (Reirden) when those games did happen, I knew I was going to be in the lineup the “But I’ve loved my time here. Mac’s been great since I got here, and so next game. That makes a big difference than when you’re not sure and has the coaching staff and my teammates.” it’s like, ‘Oh, I have to have a big game tonight or I’m not going to be in the lineup the next game.’ Yeah, that can push guys for sure to play It’s easy for anyone who hasn’t played the game to suggest to Connolly better — that pressure helps some guys — but for me, I knew I was that if he likes his situation this much, he should give the Capitals a going to get in the lineup every night, which was really, really good to hometown discount and take less money than the raise he is due from hear. Especially when I started to play better, I knew I wasn’t going to $1.5 million per season. come out.” Connolly said that has crossed his mind. However, he said, “I don’t want Said Reirden: “Brett Connolly has had obviously a very strong year. to take too less because you earn things. I’ve had a lot of adversity in my When we first came in to start the year, he and I had a lengthy discussion career that I’ve had to go through, so you want to be rewarded for getting about how this could be a great year for him. And how working together through that and finding my game and having three good years and we could accomplish that and how he was going to be treated, which was winning a Stanley Cup. That’s good for your résumé, for sure. different than how he was treated in past times here. “I think there are other teams that need secondary scoring, so I think there will be options, it’s just a matter of what that’s going to be. We’ll look at all the options at the end of the year and we’ll see. Hopefully, I’m still here.” Connolly and his agent, Gerry Johannson, decided in December to wait until MacLellan approaches them about a new deal. “That was kind of our approach after Christmas, just to play and kind of leave me alone,” Connolly said. “We’ll see when (MacLellan) reaches out, but that’s not something I need to worry about. I’ve had another good year and I’m in a good position here moving forward. Everything is positive, and now it’s just a matter of numbers and all what’s going to fit.” For now, Connolly is content to focus his efforts on the ice and wait to see how the season plays out. “Hopefully, I can be around for a bunch of years after this,” Connolly said. “I’m looking for a little stability. I’m getting to be 26, 27 years old. I’m married now and we want to start a family, and that’s when you kind of start thinking big picture. Hopefully, everything will work for me. We’ll see.” The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134510 Winnipeg Jets Even Dmitry Kulikov seems to be playing with some new-found passion lately, after a few rough games which had social media in a frenzy, demanding that he benched or bought out. There was Kulikov on Sunday Jets' recipe for success includes chips on shoulders night setting up Wheeler’s second period goal with a nifty point shot, then stepping up to fight Nick Foligno after he crushed Scheifele with a questionable hit. Mike McIntyre There have been times this season where the Jets appeared to be in serious need of motivation. Sure, they were still racking up points, but Posted: 03/4/2019 10:00 PM there seemed to be something missing. But since the calender flipped to March last week, there’s been a noticeable change in pace and attitude.

And there’s no doubt some of these so-called reclamation projects are TAMPA BAY — Laurent Brossoit has one. Joe Morrow, too. Andrew playing a vital role. Copp does as well. And now you can add Nathan Beaulieu to the growing list of Winnipeg Jets players who have one thing in common — a "I think right after the trade deadline, too, you get some new bodies in significant chip on their shoulder and a burning desire to prove others here. They seem to fit in pretty well, on the ice and in the room. Any time wrong. you can get that team bond going together and you can get on a road trip and get a few wins against some good teams, that’s going to make you It’s become the Winnipeg way of late, part of the recipe in trying to build a feel better about ourselves and our game. And this is the time of year Stanley Cup contender. Take plenty of draft picks dripping with raw when you want to start playing well. You try to get on a roll here in March talent, sprinkle in a few free-agent signings and trade acquisitions, then and just ride that into the playoffs. You don’t want to be limping in. It’s surround them with a supporting cast who feel they weren’t given a fair important we find some consistency over the next while," said Copp. shake. I asked Maurice just how much a coach can tap into the mindset of a Professional athletes can be motivated by many things — big-money player like Beaulieu, drafted 17th overall in 2011 but still trying to find his contracts, championship pursuits and individual accolades among them. way in the NHL eight years later, now on his third franchise. But don’t discount how much fuel to the fire can be added from being thrown to the scrap heap by one organization, your services no longer "In general, players come into the league with a perception of who they wanted or required. are. And if they don’t become that player with that organization, it’s usually not until the next organization or maybe even one more until they "I think the biggest result of that would be Vegas last year, right?" Copp accept a different style of game. You see really skilled guys come in, they told me Monday as I brought up the issue with him. He makes a great need to play with skilled players, they just need a chance, you hear that point. The Golden Knights were built through the expansion draft, going an awful lot. Except it turns out there’s more skilled guys ahead of them all the way to the final against Washington in their expansion year and and they get a different role or a limited role than what they want to do. proving that one team’s trash can truly be another team’s treasure. They got to the next place and they accept that when it happens," said "That’s a team full of guys that had a chip on their shoulder. And they Maurice. kinda came together collectively over that, I would guess. So yeah, I think Anger, denial and a host of other feelings have clearly gone through the when you have a chip on your shoulder and feel that you’ve got minds of players like Beaulieu. But as long as that emotion is being something to prove, you always play a little bit better, Copp said. channelled in a positive way, it can certainly be a powerful force. He would know. Copp still seethes every time he thinks about being And for a Jets team trying to prove it has what it takes, that may bode healthy-scratched by coach Paul Maurice in the last game of the Western well down the road. Conference final last spring — and he’s brought it up, unsolicited, on several occasions this year in case you thought he might be over the Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.05.2019 slight. Copp looks like an entirely different player this season, especially in recent weeks since he’s moved off the wing of a highly successful shutdown line with Adam Lowry and Brandon Tanev to centre his own trio. "I feel like you always play your best hockey when you have something to prove," Copp said. "That’s the role I ultimately want to be in. I believe I can be a third-line centre in the NHL." Did you notice who Maurice threw out with Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele on Sunday night, his team hanging onto a two-goal lead but with Columbus coming on strong and their goalie pulled? There was Copp, replacing Patrik Laine for defensive purposes. And it paid off, too, as he helped set up Wheeler’s empty-net goal that iced a crucial road win over a desperate opponent. "I think that Andrew understands now the value of that role, of how versatile he is for our team," Maurice said Monday. "Andrew Copp’s a huge part of our team now. It takes a young guy awhile to understand that your role is important no matter what the minutes are. That’s critical to winning, and it becomes a clear picture when you spend some time in the playoffs." Beaulieu, playing on the top defensive pairing with Jacob Trouba in place of the injured Josh Morrissey, had two assists in the game. He’s been rock-solid since joining the Jets, making you wonder just what the heck was going on in Buffalo for them to bail on him. "I think it kind of pushes everyone, gives everyone a little bit of a spark. Little bit of a chip on their shoulder, wanted to be part of a winner. Great contributions so far," said captain Blake Wheeler. Brossoit is coming off a tremendous performance last Friday in which he subbed for a sickly Connor Hellebuyck as the Jets beat the Nashville Predators in a first-place showdown. The Edmonton Oilers castoff has salvaged what looked to be a crumbling career, proving he has what it takes to an NHL goaltender. Morrow joined the Jets at last year’s trade deadline from Montreal, then scored the biggest goal of his life in leading Winnipeg to its first-ever franchise playoff win. He has been solid depth this year when called upon, although he’s currently injured. 1134511 Winnipeg Jets Another bonus, according to Maurice, is playing in the Western Conference. He believes Beaulieu’s game is more suited for the rugged, big-body style. Beaulieu's finally breaking out "So he plays with a chip on his shoulder, he plays with an edge, he goes into the corners with some real good intensity. The best part of his game, and this would be something you’d want to be the foundation game of Mike McIntyre every defencemen, is he makes first decisions and makes them fast and moves the puck. Just solid puck movement, nothing flashy." Posted: 03/4/2019 8:39 PM Beaulieu played with several big-name defencemen in Montreal including Shea Weber and Sergei Gonchar. Now, he’s excited to learn from Jets assistant coach Charlie Huddy, who came highly recommended from TAMPA BAY — On the surface, it makes no sense. another former Edmonton Oilers blue-liner in Steve Smith, his defence How can Nathan Beaulieu go from being a fringe defencemen who coach with the Sabres. couldn’t crack the regular roster with a stumbling Buffalo Sabres squad to "We’ve been keeping in close contact, watching video after every game. immediately stepping into a pivotal role with a powerhouse Winnipeg Jets He’s obviously a special player, he’s been around, now being a coach team and not looking at all out of place? he’s been around. There’s not many questions I don’t think he can’t There may be no easy explanation, but that’s exactly what’s happened answer, so I’m just trying to be a sponge," Beaulieu said. since the 26-year-old former 17th-overall draft pick was obtained Feb. 25. As you might expect, Beaulieu is having a lot of fun right now. It’s been a He’s fit in well on the top pairing with Jacob Trouba, filling the void left by potentially career-altering turn of events and he’s relishing every second Josh Morrissey’s apparent shoulder injury, expected to keep him out of of it. the lineup until early April. "I feel like I have something to prove here. Coming over here, I knew it A last-minute, stop-gap move that probably got a collective shrug from was going to be a good opportunity for me. This is a really special hockey most hockey fans — GM Kevin Cheveldayoff sent a sixth-round pick to club, a special group. You can see right when you get in here, the the Sabres in return — is already paying dividends through three games. presence and the talent in this room and the veteran leadership. I think "It’s a great job by Chevy and his staff. Finding a guy that belongs in the he nailed it pretty well. I’m not playing for anybody but my teammates, lineup. Didn’t get the opportunity, wasn’t playing the minutes in Buffalo. I’m not trying to prove anybody wrong. I’m just trying to help this team And he comes in with a chip on his shoulder. You get a guy like that win." coming in this time of the season with a chip on his shoulder, what a Wheeler’s milestone night was recognized Monday by the NHL, as the great pickup that is for our team," captain Blake Wheeler said after Jets captain was named the second star of the week. Beaulieu assisted on two of his career-high four goals in Sunday’s 5-2 win over Columbus. In addition to his four goals Sunday, Wheeler also had a goal and three assists in two other games last week. Those eight points led all players Beaulieu’s two helpers in the third period against the Blue Jackets during that stretch. Wheeler is now tied for ninth in NHL scoring with 80 matched his point total in the past 15 games he played with Buffalo points (17G, 63A). He was also named second star for the week of Feb. dating back to Nov. 29, with plenty of healthy scratches mixed in along 12. the way. He played 19:26 Sunday, compared to 11:16 and 13:49 in his final two games with the Sabres. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.05.2019 Jets head coach Paul Maurice didn’t really have any choice but to throw Beaulieu right into the lineup, as Morrissey joined Dustin Byfuglien and Joe Morrow on the injured list. The decision to put him with Trouba was based on two things. "The first one is by default. We knew (Dmitry) Kulikov and (Tyler) Myers worked, and I really liked the way Sami Niku was playing and Ben Chiarot’s game. So I liked that. And the last piece is Jake Trouba asked for him, said, ‘Give me the new guy,’" Maurice said Monday following his team’s practice at Amalie Arena. The Central Division-leading Jets (39-22-4) continue a four-game road trip tonight in Tampa Bay against the league-leading Lightning, who are lapping the field at 50-12-4. Trouba thought they might be able to find some chemistry together, based on what he’d seen and heard of Beaulieu. "He’s an extremely good skater. He’s strong, he’s big, he makes plays with the puck. He’s kind of what you want in a partner. He kind of complements Josh in a way with what they do. He’s a little different, but they’re both really good players. He’s stepped in well, doing really well and playing good hockey," Trouba said. Beaulieu clearly had some pedigree given that Montreal selected him in the first round of the 2011 draft after he put together two straight seasons of 45 points in the QMJHL. But he never quite found his footing with the Canadiens, moving on after 225 NHL games spread over five seasons. He played another 89 games with the Sabres over the past two years and now makes his third stop in Winnipeg. "It’s tough, I’m not going to lie. It’s not easy. More mentally than anything. You come in with expectation. I had a good conversation with a couple of the coaching staff the last couple days. You just try to find your role," Beaulieu said Monday. Trouba said the current culture that exists on the Jets team should also help Beaulieu adjust, if it hasn’t already. "I think one thing here that’s a little different is you don’t have to reinvent the wheel or do anything crazy. Just do your job, take care of your guy down low, move the puck up to the forwards and let them do their job. Relaxing isn’t really the right word, but there’s a sense of comfort when you know you don’t have to do too much and take chances and unnecessary risks to make something happen. Just play the game the right way," he said. 1134512 Winnipeg Jets

Manitoba's collapse matches record

Jason Bell Posted: 03/4/2019 3:00 AM | Last Modified: 03/4/2019 8:57 AM

BRANDON — Manitoba’s staggering implosion Sunday night at the 2019 Brier is a stark reminder of how quickly things can change when the world’s elite collide. And how the five-rock rule sparks hope. A plush, five-point cushion after four end should have provided comfort for Mike McEwen and his West St. Paul teammates, who were firing on all cylinders. Brendan Bottcher’s Wild Card crew was experiencing complete engine failure. But a pair of threes by Bottcher — one carefully constructed in the fifth end and another gift-wrapped by Manitoba in the sixth — turned the tables. Wild Card held on to record an implausible 9-8, extra-end victory in front of a stunned crowd at Westoba Place. In clawing back, the Edmonton team tied the record for the largest come-from-behind victory in the 39 years of the Canadian men’s curling championship. McEwen had just a few minutes before he had to face reporters, but admitted he’d been dwelling on the collapse for much of the evening. "I had lots of time to regroup that game, to contemplate the disaster," he said. "It’s not like I came off the ice after blowing the lead just then. It happened mid-game. It’s pretty salty. Reid (Carruthers) and I have to be better than that. That’s just poor execution." The Brandon-born skipper accepted the blame on the back end’s behalf. "We had to make easy ones and Reid and I missed two or three really easy ones, a couple of outright flashes which is just not to our expectations," McEwen said. "You shouldn’t be seeing that from the calibre of players like us. That’s poor." After giving up a three-ender in the fifth, Manitoba played a messy sixth and McEwen couldn’t tidy up. Facing three Wild Card counters with his final stone, the skipper’s draw slid hot and wide for a pivotal steal of three. Suddenly, Bottcher owned a 6-5 lead. McEwen said the addition of another rock to the free-guard zone this season has made clamping down difficult. "Four-rock, that game’s over. It’s over," he said. "The five-rock challenges you to keep making shots." Manitoba stopped the bleeding with a deuce in the seventh, and then two pristine draws by McEwen pressed Bottcher to settle for a single in the eight and a 7-7 tie. But the buffalo bunch surrendered a steal in the ninth, on purpose, when all McEwen could do was make a double-takeout to limit the damage. Coming home, the teams traded some exceptional shots and McEwen still had a tough but makeable draw for a winning deuce. His final stone skimmed a guard and bounced away, Manitoba settled for a single to set up an extra end. Bottcher used the hammer effectively, smacking shot stone on the beak for the decisive point for Wild Card’s second victory of the day. "Five-rock rule at its best," Bottcher said. "We pride ourselves on being a team that’s tough to beat." Wild Card, Manitoba and Saskatchewan all have 2-1 records in Pool A, but trail Northern Ontario, skipped by Brad Jacobs (3-0). The Jacobs gang, Olympic champions in 2014, has outscored its opponents 25-7 in three games. Manitoba had a much easier time on the Sunday morning draw. McEwen’s crew posted a comfortable 8-3 triumph over Quebec’s Martin Crête. McEwen’s crew returns to the ice today for one game, a 2 p.m. meeting with Jon Solberg of Yukon (1-2). Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.05.2019 1134513 Winnipeg Jets Things didn’t pan out with the Montreal Canadiens and then he fell out of favour with Sabres head coach Phil Housley, leaving him to wait and see where he might end up on deadline day. Beaulieu finds comfort zone: New Jets blue-liner has fit right in “It’s tough, I’m not going to lie. It’s not easy. More mentally than anything. You come in with expectation,” said Beaulieu. “I had a good conversation with a couple (members) of the (Jets) coaching staff the last couple days. Ken Wiebe You just try to find your role. The NHL’s a completely different game from what necessarily got you here. But so far it’s been good. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, it’s only been three games, but it’s been off to a good start so far.” TAMPA – From a spare part to a top-pairing defender. Beaulieu is scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1, but Although he’s only three episodes into his new role with the Winnipeg given some uncertainty surround the Jets’ blue line next season, there Jets, it’s clear that Nathan Beaulieu is hoping for this pilot project to be could be an opportunity for him to sign an extension and stick around picked for viewing on a more regular basis. longer than just a few months. After coming over from the Buffalo Sabres just under the wire at the NHL But that’s a discussion for another day. trade deadline, Beaulieu knew he was coming to a good situation. For now, Beaulieu wants to keep carving out a role for himself — Then again, after being relegated to being a healthy scratch on a because he knows better than anyone that once the Jets get healthy, frequent basis this season, a change of scenery was going to be good for he’ll be battling both for ice time and the opportunity to remain in the Beaulieu no matter what. lineup. That he ended up going to a contending team that was dealing with a Becoming the next Kempny remains a possibility, but it doesn’t happen rash of injuries on the blue line immediately improved his situation. overnight. Through three games with the Jets, Beaulieu has fit in seamlessly and he Early impact was thrown right into the fire, skating on the top pairing with Jacob Trouba for the most part. Nathan Beaulieu game log since joining Winnipeg Jets on Feb. 25 “It’s a great job by (Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff) and his Feb. 28 vs Minnesota Wild: 15:28 TOI, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P staff. Finding a guy that belongs in the lineup,” said Jets captain Blake Wheeler. “Didn’t get the opportunity, wasn’t playing the minutes in Mar. 1 vs Nashville Predators: 17:23 TOI, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P Buffalo. You get a guy like that coming in this time of the month, or this time of the season with a chip on his shoulder, what a great pick up that Mar. 3 vs Columbus Blue Jackets: 19:26 TOI, 0 G, 2 A, 2 P is for our team. It kind of pushes everyone, gives everyone a little bit of a Copp sees future: Versatile forward eats up more minutes spark.” TAMPA – Andrew Copp has become the Winnipeg Jets Swiss Army The Jets face the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning in their second knife. and final meeting of the regular season on Tuesday at Amalie Arena. Need a centre to bring stability to the fourth line, Copp moves down and At the trade deadline last season, the Washington Capitals made an the trust in that group immediately increases. under-the-radar move to bring in defenceman Michal Kempny. Need a boost to the checking line with Adam Lowry and Brandon Tanev, At the time of the trade, most observers Kempny was simply going to be Copp is reunited with his familiar linemates and things immediately click. a depth player, a capable fill-in if there was an injury. Need a guy to slide into the middle on the third line when Lowry received But before the playoffs were over and the Capitals were raising the a two-game suspension earlier this week? Stanley Cup over their collective heads, Kempny was playing big minutes on the second pairing. You guessed it, Copp gets the tap on the shoulder and his minutes increased to 14:37 and he didn’t miss a beat. This was the same Kempny who was occasionally a healthy scratch with the Chicago Blackhawks and never seemed to find his way until the “That’s the role I ultimately want to be in. I believe I can be a third line change of scenery. centre in the NHL,” said Copp, who has seven goals and 17 points in 52 games this season. “I tried to use that as an opportunity going forward. I Might Beaulieu be this year’s Kempny? liked the opportunity, for sure.” It’s far too early to make that kind of assessment, but it hasn’t taken long Copp figures to be between Tanev and Bryan Little again on Tuesday as for Beaulieu to put his skill set on display. the Jets face the Tampa Bay Lightning to continue a four-game road trip. “In general, players come into the league with a perception of who they “He understands now the value of that role, of how versatile he is for our are. And if they don’t become that player with that organization, it’s team,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “Role acceptance, but also usually not until the next organization or maybe even one more until they maximizing what you get done on that role. Andrew Copp’s a huge part accept a different style of game,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. of our team now. There’s lots of minutes for everybody. It takes a young “You see really skilled guys come in, they need to play with skilled guy a while to understand that your role is important no matter what the players, they just need a chance, you hear that an awful lot. Except it minutes are. That’s critical to winning, and it becomes a clear picture turns out there’s more skilled guys ahead of them and they get a different when you spend some time in the playoffs.” role or a limited role than what they want to do. They got to the next place and they accept that when it happens. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.05.2019 “In Nathan’s case, specifically, we liked him right back to his first team. So he plays with a chip on his shoulder, he plays with an edge. He goes into the corners with some real good intensity. The best part of his game, and this would be something you’d want that to be the foundation game of every defenceman, is he makes first decisions and makes them fast and moves the puck. Just solid puck movement, nothing flashy, two assists because he can get it to the net. On nights that he doesn’t score, it’s not going to define his game. It’s not that he’s not a skilled player. One of the very best defencemen I ever saw play was (Detroit Red Wings Hall of Famer) Nicklas Lidstrom. 90% of what he did was a 10-foot pass on the tape. There was no magic. It was simple, it was fast, they were out of their end. I’m not comparing the two, but the idea’s right, he moves the puck quick.” To get a full appreciation of what Beaulieu is doing, you have to look at the experience he’s gained — both through the good times and the bad. He’s already been traded twice and is on his third organization, which isn’t easy for a guy who entered the NHL with high hopes as the 17th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. 1134514 Winnipeg Jets Forwards Patrik Laine-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler JETS GAME DAY: Bet on fireworks as Jets clash with Lightning Kyle Connor-Kevin Hayes-Nik Ehlers Brandon Tanev-Andrew Copp-Bryan Little Ken Wiebe Mathieu Perreault-Par Lindholm-Jack Roslovic Defence Winnipeg Jets (39-22-4) at Tampa Bay Lightning (50-12-4) Nathan Beaulieu-Jacob Trouba 6:30 pm CT. Amalie Arena. TV: TSN3. Radio: TSN 1290 Dmitry Kulikov-Tyler Myers THE BIG MATCHUP Ben Chiarot-Sami Niku Jets top line vs Lightning top line Goalies It’s been a fireworks display for Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele and Patrik Connor Hellebuyck Laine of late, with Wheeler riding a six-game point streak (five goals, 12 points), Scheifele chipping in two goals and seven points during a three- Laurent Brossoit game point streak and Laine producing a point in five of the past six Tampa Bay Lightning games (four goals, seven points). But going up against either Steven Stamkos’ or Brayden Point’s presents its own set of two-way challenges Forwards as the Jets continue this four-game road trip. Ondrej Palat-Steven Stamkos-Yanni Gourde 5 keys to the game Tyler Johnson-Brayden Point-Nikita Kucherov Going streaking? Alex Killorn-Anthony Cirelli-J.T. Miller The Jets are coming off consecutive solid efforts, stringing together victories in back-to-back games for the first time in more than three Adam Erne-Cedric Pacquette-Mathieu Joseph weeks — and those came against two teams currently below the playoff Defence line (Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers). But since the calendar flipped to March, the Jets have looked like a more committed bunch as they Victor Hedman-Dan Girardi leapfrogged the Predators to move back into first place in the Central Division. The Lightning recently tied the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings as Ryan McDonagh-Erik Cernak the quickest team to 50 victories and they lead the NHL in many categories. Braydon Coburn-Mikhail Sergachev Take two Goalies This is the second and final meeting between the league-leading Andrei Vasilevskiy Lightning and the Jets — and if recent history is any indication, this Louis Domingue should be a high-event affair. When the clubs played at Bell MTS Place on Dec. 16, overtime was required and Scheifele supplied the decisive Injuries marker in a 5-4 victory for the Jets. That snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Lightning. Some folks are wondering if this might be a Jets: D Dustin Byfuglien (ankle, week-to-week), D Josh Morrissey (upper possible Stanley Cup preview. body, indefinitely), D Joe Morrow (lower body, week-to-week), C Adam Lowry (two-game suspension). The masked men Lightning: None After finishing second and third in voting for the Vezina Trophy last season, Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy are having a strong POWER PLAY battle for the league lead in wins. Vasilevskiy currently holds an edge in Winnipeg: 24.9.% (6th) that department (30 to 28), despite making eight fewer starts. Hellebuyck’s goals-against average is up and his save % is down from Tampa Bay: 28.9% (1st) last season, but he’s coming off a 40-save effort against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Vasilevskiy is the front-runner for the Vezina, bouncing PENALTY KILLING back from an early-season foot injury to post a save % of .931 to go Winnipeg 78.8% (22nd) along with a 2.25 goals-against average and six shutouts in his 41 appearances. Tampa Bay: 86.0% (1st) The magician Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.05.2019 Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov is the clubhouse leader to win the Hart Trophy this season and not just because he’s leading the scoring derby with 33 goals and 106 points on the league’s best team. Kucherov’s impact on the Lightning is undeniable, five of his goals are game-winners and 11 more have come on the power play and he also leads all forwards in ice time (19:38). Trying to contain Kucherov is a top priority for the Jets, but formulating a plan is one thing while executing it can be another entirely. Kucherov has six goals and 11 points in 11 career games against the Jets. Discipline required The Jets have surrendered four power-play goals during the past three games and they’re about to go up against the team that has been most efficient in the NHL with the man-advantage this season, so playing a disciplined game is another priority. The Jets have been shorthanded three or fewer times in four of the past five games, so it hasn’t been a parade to the penalty box by any means. But there have been a few offensive-zone minors that can be prevented. The Lightning also boast the top penalty-killing unit in the NHL, so the special teams battle could have an impact on the outcome of this one. GAME DAY LINEUPS Winnipeg Jets 1134515 Winnipeg Jets

Wheeler named second star, Jets captain has big week

Ken Wiebe Published:March 4, 2019 Updated:March 4, 2019 1:23 PM CST

TAMPA — Blake Wheeler’s hot streak helped him earn NHL second star of the week honours. The Winnipeg Jets captain is riding a six-game point streak (five goals, 12 points) and is up to 17 goals and 80 points in 65 games this season. Wheeler is coming off the first four-goal game of his NHL career in Sunday’s 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jets are back in action on Tuesday at Amalie Arena against the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.05.2019 1134516 Winnipeg Jets Let’s start off the ice, where Nathan Beaulieu told me that Wheeler was the first player to reach out to him when the news of his trade broke. This is consistent with what Kevin Hayes had told reporters earlier in the week From ‘gangly’ high school kid to NHL superstar, Blake Wheeler’s and what Joe Morrow and Paul Stastny told us a year ago. When I asked leadership has inspired at all levels Beaulieu if Wheeler had taken the new guys out to dinner yet to get them acclimated — as he did with Morrow and Stastny last season — he told me no, but that there would be more time with the Jets on the road this week. By Murat Ates Mar 4, 2019 It was also off the ice that Wheeler decided to have a little fun with his

mates. “Blake Wheeler is a leader in all phases of his life,” told The Heading into Friday’s battle for top spot in the Central, Wheeler had gone Athletic at the beginning of this NHL season. seven games without a goal. Still, when talking with his teammates Lucia would certainly know, having coached Wheeler for three seasons before the game, Wheeler made a bold promise — a special goal and one WHCA playoff championship for the University of Minnesota celebration dedicated to his teammates. Golden Gophers. Then, late in the third period, Wheeler did this: It was for Lucia’s 2006-07 Golden Gophers team that Wheeler scored his “We talked about it before the game,” Wheeler told The Athletic after now-famous WCHA championship-winning goal — a diving, one-handed Winnipeg’s 5-2 win. “I told the boys if I got one I was going to touch the overtime winner where he somehow picked the top corner while ice a little bit for them so, you know: call your shot once in a while.” stretched out on his stomach. It’s been dubbed by some as the greatest college hockey goal of all time and cemented a strong bond between a Typically, scoring a third-period go-ahead goal and then delivering on the longtime college coach and one of his very best players. celebration you promised to dedicate to your teammates is a solid night of leadership for a captain. Still, Lucia says their connection goes deeper than that. Thanks to this sequence of saves from Laurent Brossoit, Wheeler’s goal “I have known Blake since youth hockey when my son was on his state may have been the second most impressive act of leadership on the championship bantam team,” said Lucia. “Blake was an extremely hard- night. working player on and off the ice. He was humble and was a great teammate. He was a coach’s dream, did everything I asked on the ice, in Wheeler’s hug after this flurry of saves was a gesture of brotherhood that the weight room, in the classroom.” reminded me of the time Patrik Laine accidentally scored on Connor Hellebuyck and Wheeler was the one who comforted him on the bench. Lucia, who described Wheeler as a tall, gangly kid back in high school, From the right people — especially ones known primarily for their told me that he quickly recognized Wheeler as a top talent. The key, he intensity — gestures like this hold a lot of weight. says, was for Wheeler to grow into his body. For his part, Brossoit didn’t hold back his admiration. I think it’s safe to say the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Blake Wheeler has done some growing since high school. “Those are moments you’ll always remember, looking back,” said Brossoit. “He’s such an accomplished captain and leader and I look up to With four goals against Columbus on Sunday night, Wheeler hit the 80- him and for him to do that, that was awesome.” point plateau for the second straight year. Three more goals will make six straight 20-goal seasons and, since 2015-16, no one in the NHL has It clearly hasn’t all been roses for Winnipeg this season — particularly more assists than Wheeler does. since January. The power play has been 12th best since Jan. 1, the PK has been 27th, and Winnipeg’s share of shot attempts has also been Still, it was Wheeler’s four-goal performance to lift the Jets past 27th best in 2019. Wheeler admitted to reporters Friday that February Columbus and maintain their one-point Central Division lead that was “rough” on Winnipeg and went on to call the Jets’ collapse against reminded me of my conversation with Lucia. According to Wheeler, the Minnesota “a tough pill to swallow.” It’s also worth noting that the Jets’ last time he scored four goals in a game was as a Breck School top line had largely lost its dominance since Ehlers’ injury — Wheeler, Mustang, playing high school hockey in Minneapolis. Connor and Scheifele were outscored 15-13 until Laine took over left In the nearly 20 years between four-goal performances, how did Wheeler wing duties. become the man he is today? Through all of this, Wheeler has pushed on. His torrid turnaround is “He came from a great family and was very humble,” Lucia told me. perhaps best exemplified by Wheeler’s five goals and seven assists over “Every coach wants a room full of Blake Wheelers.” his past 12 games and highlighted by his four goals in Sunday’s win. His 5-on-5 scoring rate has soared back to a first line caliber 2.25 points per Blake Wheeler hugs Laurent Brossoit after a flurry of saves against 60 minutes, a figure which leads all Jets skaters. Nashville on Friday night. That should come as no surprise because leading — in all of its forms — I originally reached out to Lucia in the wake of Wheeler’s five-year, $8.25 is what Blake Wheeler does. million per season contract extension in September. So how does Wheeler see his team’s performance heading down the Expectations at that time were sky-high for the Jets and the pressure to stretch? get back to the Western Conference finals — and beyond — made playoffs a daily conversation topic in training camp. This is what happens “It’s getting to be that time of year,” Wheeler told The Athletic, “where if when you have the best season in franchise history. you have a tough loss or bounces don’t go your way, you’ve got to be able to rebound and still go about your business the next day. That’s just Wheeler came out of the gate red hot on the power play, with seven as important as anything else. Handling that adversity, handling those power play assists in 12 October games, but much cooler by comparison losses — all the lessons we learned last year that we’re trying to apply at 5-on-5. By November, Wheeler had scored under one point per 60 right now.” minutes at 5-on-5 — a fourth line production rate for a player typically among the league’s elite. It’s getting to be that time of year.

An uptick in team play through December seemed to be canceled out by What a well-timed phrase. injuries to Dustin Byfuglien and Nik Ehlers, the latter of whom has only With 12 points in six games, the goal celebration dedicated to his recently returned. The Jets earned and then conceded the top spot in the teammates, the emotional support he lent Brossoit, and the four goals he Central Division, entering Friday’s matchup with the Predators in second scored to fend off Columbus, it’s beginning to seem an awful lot like place for the first time in months. A win would bring Winnipeg back into Blake Wheeler’s time of year. first place, but the Jets had struggled through much of 2019 and collapsed at the end of their last game, a 3-2 loss to Minnesota. “Blake leads all the things that we do,” said Paul Maurice. “He knows what playoff hockey’s all about.” This is when Wheeler rose to the moment, both on and off the ice. Seems Wheeler has the stretch run sorted out awfully well, too. The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134517 Vancouver Canucks recently told The Associated Press the league did not expect to change its rules on cannabis.

Former Canuck forward Cliff Ronning said he didn’t know any former Cannabis trial for post-concussion problems offers hope to former NHL players who have been using cannabinoids to treat their symptoms. players “It seems to be so new to the culture,” he said.

Active players have also said as much, including former Canucks’ MATT ROBINSON Updated: March 4, 2019 defenseman Erik Gudbranson, who previously told Postmedia he didn’t know any players who used cannabis. Former Vancouver Canuck Andrew Alberts says NHL alumni are hopeful Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 03.05.2019 a new clinical study will find cannabinoids can help treat post-concussion neurological problems. The double-blind study will include about 100 former players from all different eras of the game — including those who played with and without helmets — and will try to determine the medicinal value of marijuana among those dealing with impairments from past concussions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorders and progressive dementia. The NHL Alumni Association has partnered with cannabis company Canopy Growth on the one-year study, and it will be led by NEEKA Health Canada. “Hopes are high,” said Alberts, whose professional hockey career ended after he suffered a concussion in 2013. “I think guys are going to heavily lean on this at the beginning to see if it can help and provide some treatment.” The former defenceman said he is someone who heavily researches therapies before deciding to try them. “I always do my background checks and talk to the right individuals and doctors before I really jump into something. But it’s something I’m definitely looking forward to because so far (cannabis has) proven to do things that other drugs and other therapies have not been able to do.” Glenn Healy, a former goaltender and the head of the NHLAA, said cannabinoids will be one of several different elements employed to try to tackle the post-concussion problems former players are experiencing. “It’s a priority for me. The calls I get, it’s from the kids. Or it’s from the wife. It’s not from the player,” he said. “What’s most troubling now is I don’t have a place to give hope,” he said. “Now, at least we’re going down the road of being the first sports entity to say look it, we give a s—. And we’re going to get some answers.” Zach Walsh, an associate professor of psychology at the University of B.C., said the planned research was important because there haven’t yet been human trials to demonstrate that cannabis can help with post- concussion problems, “but there’s good reason to be hopeful.” Walsh said medicinal cannabis could have a calming effect for those experiencing issues that go side-by-side with traumatic brain injuries, like serious anxiety, relationship difficulties, impulsiveness, irritability and cognitive interference. “In terms of actually resolving the injury through the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD (a cannabinoid), that’s a second question. And what we see there is research from animal models that gives theoretical rationale, and there’s some anecdotal evidence, but the reason we need to do the research is to really see in humans how it works,” he said. “I think we’re about to enter a golden age where there’s a lot of trials for different conditions that we’ve all been wanting to see for a long time.” A pair of forwards who played for the Philadelphia Flyers in the same year as Alberts have been vocal about cannabis and its potential to help those who have suffered repeated concussions. One is Riley Cote, who has spoken in favour of cannabinoids for pain management and relief of anxiety and depression. The other is Dan Carcillo, who has lauded them for creating new neurological pathways. Carcillo was a friend and teammate of the Steve Montador who suffered from post-concussion impairments and died in 2015. Alberts said if the NHLAA-partnered research shows cannabinoids can “help players with recovery and concussions and all the neurological effects, and it can help reverse those or create new neurological pathways,” he hoped the NHL would get on board. “I think they should take part. If they care about their players they should.” Cannabis is banned in the NHL. The league tests players for it, but it doesn’t discipline them for using it. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly 1134518 Vancouver Canucks needs to acquire a true top-six winger and blueliner capable of playing in the top four besides the heavily-hyped Quinn Hughes.

Add a sudden wavering compete level into the mix and you get this Another Canucks March Madness of vanishing playoffs, trying to create sobering summation: The Canucks are good enough to be in one-goal urgency games — they have played 32 — but not good enough to win them with a 12-20 mark. Ben Kuzma “Of course it concerns me,” Benning said of a missing compete level Sunday in Las Vegas where the Canucks were outshot 48-19 and overwhelmed in a 3-0 loss. “Throughout the whole year, I could never complain about how hard our guys worked. Alex Biega #55 (C) of the Vancouver Canucks talks with teammates Bo Horvat #53, Brock Boeser #6 and Nikolay Goldobin #77 during the “A big part of it, and I don’t like using it as an excuse, is injuries. Take the second period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila top two defencemen off any team and it’s tough because it pushes River Arena on February 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. another guys into minutes and situations they wouldn’t normally play. Canucks' compete level is even now in question, but at least Brock “I’m hoping there’re not a letdown. We need to be competitive and use it Boeser's back isn't bothersome. as a springboard into next season.” It’s their own version of March Madness. Regardless, The Big Three will always be in the spotlight. The Vancouver Canucks aren’t mathematically eliminated from another Horvat has three goals in his last nine games, but looks like he’s running passive pursuit of an elusive NHL wild-card playoff position, but they’re on fumes in logging major minutes, including 25:46 in Denver on mentally frazzled by the free fall and being eight points shy of the final Wednesday. Pettersson hasn’t scored in seven games and has one goal slot. in his last 10 He is being closely checked and his body language often speaks of frustration. Same goes for Boeser. Yet, they can take some solace from this: It could always be worse. “The last couple of weeks have been a good lesson for our young On March 5, 2018 at Rogers Arena, Brock Boeser was getting into players,” stressed Benning. “This is the time of year where older players checking position on Cal Clutterbuck, but was levelled by the New York are physically and mentally stronger.” Islanders’ winger late in the third period of a 4-3 overtime triumph by the Canucks. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 03.05.2019 Boeser’s tailbone made contact with a partially-opened door at the Canucks’ bench and when the Calder Trophy contender reached back and grabbed his lower back in agony, you could have heard a pin drop. The right winger suffered a soft-tissue injury — and a small non- structural, non-displaced fracture of the transverse process in his lower back — and his season was over after 62 games. The narrative of an amazing 55-point campaign (29-26), including a 16.2 per cent shooting accuracy, transitioned to rehabbing the aliment and a bothersome wrist that was in a cast during the off-season. Boeser was buoyed by dominating a Minnesota summer league with 34 points (16- 18) in just nine games, but that wasn’t the true test. After failing to score in five pre-season games — and then missing 13 games in November with a groin strain that morphed into an adductor irritation — Boeser scored 10 goals in a 14-game span, including a hat trick on Dec 9 at St. Louis. The restricted free agent does have 21 goals in 53 games, but hasn’t scored in the last six and the two he netted in the past 10 were off a fluttering release and tap-in. No heavy and accurate wristers. No one- time bombs. Time and space have vanished as the second-half pace picked up and Boeser doesn’t look quick. He has turned pucks over in the offensive zone and has been slow on the back check. It’s only natural to wonder if that back is acting up, or is something keeping him from a stronger stride? Most players have minor issues they play through. “He has been feeling well and his back feels fine now — he’s not having any issues,” Canucks general manager Jim Benning said Monday from the GM meetings in Boca Raton, Fla. ” I’m hoping he can finish off the season strong, has a good summer and gets to where he needs to be to help us be successful. “He didn’t have the workout time in the summer he would have liked and started off behind. And it’s hard to catch up because you start chasing it (game).” The analysis of what has gone woefully awry during an 3-8-3 slide to take the Canucks out of those meaningful March games — they were healthy and in the final wild-card spot after a convincing 5-1 win in Denver on Feb. 2 — is multi-layered and it includes Boeser. The injury toll climbed to six after that crunching of Colorado. A 27th- ranked offence and non-existent 29th-rated power play placed pressure on the resilient Jacob Markstrom. A lack of scoring support for Bo Horvat, 23, Elias Pettersson, 20, and Boeser, 22, put the onus on The Big Three to be the catalyst for carrying that Mile High City hope into the rest of February, March and April. In reality, there should be secondary-scoring concerns with other RFA forwards in Josh Leivo, Nikolay Goldobin, Tyler Motte and Markus Granlund and defencemen Ben Hutton and Derrick Pouliot. Benning still 1134519 Vancouver Canucks Will Hughes help his team advance past the University of Minnesota in the Big Ten playoffs this weekend? It’s entirely possible, with Michigan splitting four meetings with the Golden Gophers this season. Canucks prospects tracker: Rathbone’s stock continues to rise But should they lose, Hughes makes it to Vancouver with 13 games left in the regular season, adding another Infinity Stone to the core of the Canucks’ rebuild. Mike Raptis Hughes’ Wolverines dropped consecutive overtime decisions at Wisconsin this past weekend, losing 5-4 on Friday and 4-3 on Saturday. It's the latest edition of the weekly tracker, where we tally up the efforts of In Friday’s loss, Hughes had a power play assist, three shots on net and the Vancouver Canucks' highest-profile prospects: a plus-2 rating. Saturday wasn’t as productive, with one shot on net and a minus-2 rating. It’s the latest edition of the weekly tracker, where we tally up the efforts of the Vancouver Canucks’ highest-profile prospects: But there’s always a highlight-reel play in there somewhere. Jack Rathbone #NTDP Alumni Update. Check out Michigan's Quinn Hughes on this play in OT from last night in Wisconsin. He simmered an extra year in prep school, wearing the ‘C’ while helping out on the home front. To receive the pass he goes from back skate to stick prior to making the zone entry. That takes some skill my friends. #Canucks. Now, after wrapping up an impressive rookie campaign at Harvard, it’s pic.twitter.com/02IYLnebKg safe to say the smart, stocky freshman has made a seamless jump into the NCAA spotlight. — Stars n’ Stripes Hockey (@StarsStripesHKY) March 2, 2019 Rathbone, the Canucks’ 4th-rounder in 2017, scored again this past Hughes has five goals and 28 assists in 30 games this season. He week and added a couple of assists as the 16th-ranked Crimson split the finishes the Big Ten season as the highest-scoring defenceman in the final two games of the regular season. league, and has eclipsed his points total from last year with the playoffs still to come. Rathbone’s goal came in a 4-1 win at Rensselaer on Friday. With the score tied 1-1 in the second period, the smooth-skating, hard-shooting Michigan plays at Minnesota on Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday defenceman found some open space at the top of the left face-off circle, (if necessary) in a best-of-three series. received a pass and wired a heavy wrist shot that beat the goalie short- side. Will Lockwood Harvard's Jack Rathbone is really finishing his freshman season Lockwood is going out with a bang, scoring again for the Wolverines this strong for the Crimson. past weekend and adding an impressive assist for good measure. Rathbone tallied on Friday night in Harvard's 4-1 win over RPI and The 20-year-old bagged his 15th of the season on Friday night, a power now has points (2g,4a) in 6 of his last 7 games. #Canucks play one-timer in the slot conducted by Hughes. He finished the game pic.twitter.com/z1pB9IyDEe with three shots on net and an even rating. — Stars n’ Stripes Hockey (@StarsStripesHKY) March 2, 2019 Lockwood then showed his physical side on Saturday, bowling a defender over to create a turnover before whipping a pass across the It was Rathbone’s sixth of the season in just 28 games. He also had four crease for a goal. shots on net and was a plus-1. It’s the type of play that Canucks brass talks about; a tenacious The next night, Harvard lost 4-3 at Union College, but Rathbone had two forecheck the team is trying to instil into its players — and that’s assists and four more shots on net. Lockwood’s game to a T. Two assists and 4 SOG for Jack Rathbone tonight. #NTDP Alumni Update. Another pair of former NTDP'ers team up to give Michigan back the lead. He’s up to 19 points (6+13) in 29 NCAA games. #Canucks A nice forecheck from Will Lockwood, he creates the TO and finds — /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) March 3, 2019 Nick Pastujov for the one-timer. #Canucks #Isles. pic.twitter.com/Uo1g55opz4 Rathbone may not get the same fanfare as fellow Canucks defensive prospects Quinn Hughes or Jett Woo, but he’s grown by leaps and — Stars n’ Stripes Hockey (@StarsStripesHKY) March 3, 2019 bounds — and weight — since he was drafted. He finished the regular season with 30 points in 34 games and a plus-7 Heck, Rathbone doesn’t even get the same fanfare as two of his Harvard rating. teammates, with Carolina Hurricanes prospect Adam Fox and New Jersey Devils prospect Reilly Walsh featuring on the stacked blue-line. Zack MacEwen But Harvard head coach Ted Donato puts Rathbone in the same Out with the old, in with the new. category as the other two highly-talented offensive defenceman. Dahlen may be done with the Comets, but big Zack is back on the attack “Jack Rathbone, he gives us another guy in the back that can get out of after a stint in Vancouver — and continues to build on an eyebrow-raising our zone and he can really shoot the puck,” Donato told USCH.com. “I second season in the AHL. think Rathbone and Walsh both benefit from watching guys like Fox and John Marino. Certainly, those guys see a lot of minutes and have played MacEwen, now a fixture on Utica’s top line with centre Cam Darcy and very well.” winger Reid Boucher (who set the Comet’s single season goal record with his 26th this past week) assisted on the lone Comets goal (scored Canucks Prospect Jack Rathbone bounces a puck off his stick at Rogers by Boucher) in Wednesday’s 3-1 loss versus the Rochester Americans. Arena in July, 2018. Gerry Kahrmann / PNG Then on Friday, the undrafted power forward had a monster game with a When he was drafted, Rathbone was 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds. The 19- goal, an assist and six shots on net. year-old is now 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds — and will most likely be over 200 pounds by next season. MacEwen’s goal came on a deflection in front, as the 6-foot-4 winger set up shop at the top of the crease before Boucher found his stick with a With 19 points and a plus-9 rating, not to mention only six penalty slap pass. minutes taken all season, Rathbone has exceeded expectations. In Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, MacEwen crashed And he’ll get a chance to further up his profile in a yet-to-be-decided the net to score the Comets’ lone goal. He also had another six shots on ECAC quarterfinal best-of-three beginning on Friday, March 15. net. Quinn Hughes Add it all up and MacEwen has 10 points in his last five game with the Comets, and has 19 goals and 27 assists in 52 games this season. He’s The Wolverines’ middling regular season is over. Now we wait. also a minus-8 overall. The Comets remain in fourth place in the North Division with a record of 30-22-5-2. Jett Woo An up-and-down week for Woo’s Moose Jaw Warriors, who dropped a couple of ugly ones before beating the WHL’s best. The Warriors lost 7-3 on Wednesday against the Red Deer Rebels, a game in which the Canucks’ 2018 2nd-rounder scored a power play goal, notched a short-handed assist and had three shots on net. The goal came off a scramble in front of the Rebels net, with Woo swooping in and lifting the puck past a fallen goaltender. There wasn’t much happening for Woo in Friday’s 5-0 loss to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, though the rugged defenceman with ever- softening hands had three shots on net and a minus-1 rating. But on Saturday, the Warriors stemmed the bleeding with a hard-earned 4-2 win against the high-powered Prince Albert Raiders. Woo had an assist and two shots on net in the win. Woo continues to build on his gaudy point totals this season, with 12 goals and 43 assists in 55 games so far. The Warriors are 35-18-6-2 this season. Mike DiPietro He’s back. After returning to the 67’s and struggling to find his form following the shelling he got in Vancouver, DiPietro has found his form again. The Canucks’ 3rd-rounder in 2017 started two games for the 67’s this past week and won both of them. DiPietro saved 24 of 27 shots in a 5-3 win on Friday at the Hamilton Bulldogs. He then bested that with a first-star performance on Sunday, a 3-0 shutout win against the Mississauga Steelheads in which the 19-year-old saved all 22 shots. Tyler Madden Not a great week for the NCAA freshman, who didn’t register a point in two games with the Northeastern Huskies. Madden, the Canucks’ 3rd-rounder in 2018 had three shots on net and went 5-for-12 in the face off circle in a 3-1 loss at Boston College on Friday. On Saturday, Madden had four shots on net and went 11-for-21 on face offs in a 4-2 win against the same team. The Huskies have one game left in their regular season against New Hampshire on Friday. Now tied for second place, Northeastern is fighting with UMass Lowell and Boston University for the right to host a Hockey East quarterfinal series that would begin the following week. Madden, 19, has 10 goals and 15 assists in 30 games this season for Northeastern, which is 22-10-1 and ranked 9th in the NCAA. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134520 Websites being around the rink. Always had a smile on his face. He was always fun to be around.”

There was respect league-wide. Certainly a bit of awe. The Athletic / Ted Lindsay used his power to change hockey, and the world around him In Detroit, it was much more personal. Ted Lindsay first played for the Red Wings in 1944, and then he stuck around. The Renfrew, Ontario, native made Detroit his home. He Craig Custance Mar 4, 2019 embodied all the best qualities this city takes so much pride in — he was a fighter, he outworked his opposition and he did it all with an air of humility. He was 92 years old and fired up. He had that flash in his eyes that you imagine he might have had before taking down an opponent with a high “Ted was a true gentleman, so humble and polite for all,” former Red elbow. Or shooting down a threatening fan with his stick. Wings captain and Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman told The Athletic. “He was a great role model for all Red Wing players to follow.” Ted Lindsay was sitting down to chat for a feature story about his life but started the conversation by getting something off his chest. There was He and the players of his generation set the standard for Red Wings injustice in the world and he was taking it on. Just like always. players to follow. This time it wasn’t NHL owners. Or the Hall of Fame, which he once “He didn’t back down from anybody,” Hall of Famer Red Kelly told The boycotted when he was told his induction ceremony was an event for Athletic’s Max Bultman. “He played to win every game, he gave it his men only. No, this was autism. For years, he’d been raising money and best shot.” awareness for a cause he became passionate about in the final years of It was at Kelly’s number retirement on Feb. 1 when Holland really his life. And what had him fired up was the number of fathers who realized that the seemingly indefatigable Lindsay was actually slowing deserted families with autistic kids. The idea of bailing on a challenging down. For years, Lindsay was a regular at Joe Louis Arena, then Little situation not only didn’t add up, it angered him. Caesars Arena. He’d drop in on coaching meetings. He knew who was “That’s not a very good reputation for a man. You’re supposed to raise playing well and who wasn’t. He offered roster advice. children and educate them,” Lindsay said. “Don’t be a deserter.” Players would return from a road trip and find him getting in a workout in He proceeded not to just show his anger toward these fathers, he then the Red Wings’ weight room. Holland was looking forward to seeing him tried to recruit the help of the person sitting next to him. at Kelly’s celebration but ran into Lindsay’s son in the elevator that night, who delivered the news that Lindsay wasn’t going to be there. “Make them realize their responsibility,” he said, before pausing. “I don’t have the power of the press.” “He said, ‘My dad is not doing great,’” Holland said. Maybe not, but he had power. He had the power his stature in the game On Monday, the hardest reality hit home. Another piece of Red Wings gave him. He had the power of his signature, which he knew could help history, gone. raise countless amounts of money for people in need. He had the power “We’ve lost some great, great Red Wings … with Gordie passing, Mr. of his connections. Every single summer, he’d visit Red Wings GM Ken Ilitch passing, Ted passing,” Holland said. “Today is a very, very sad Holland to make sure the franchise was still committed to donating a day.” private trip on its team plane to help raise money for his foundation. He never took it for granted that the team would do it. Even in the sadness, days like Monday are a reminder that his legacy in the game is safe. His impact is far reaching. And that connection hockey Hockey gave him power and in his nine decades on the earth, he used and the Red Wings felt for him? Maybe there’s some comfort in knowing every ounce of it for a greater good that went beyond his individual gain. it was mutual. Right until the end. Near the end of that summer conversation with Lindsay, he got a bit On Monday, Lindsay died at the age of 93. reflective. He’d shared stories about skating to school on frozen roads The hockey world not only lost a legend, it lost one of the most during the harsh winters. (“The only place that got concerning was transformative people to ever play the game. His work in helping launch intersections,” he explained. “They always sprayed sand so the cars and the players association is well told. The time he played through death trucks could get traction. That did damage your skates a little bit but not threats in Toronto, scored the overtime game-winning goal and then used bad enough to take the whole edge out.”) And he shared how he learned his stick to mimic a shooting gun is the stuff of hockey legend. If all he did about hard work from his dad, Bert, who walked three miles to the gold was invent the lap around the ice with the Stanley Cup, to share the mine every day for work. (“That was just to get the job done,” he said. “To crowning moment with the fans all around the rink — something he was be able to feed his family.”) the first to do — that would be a great legacy. But that’s like the fifth or But when asked to distill all those career accomplishments down to one sixth Ted Lindsay fact people share. thing he was most proud of, there was little hesitation. At the NHL general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, one GM “That I was able to make the Detroit Red Wings and the greatest game in said he’d never heard the story about Lindsay boycotting his own Hall of the world,” Lindsay answered. “I was very fortunate. Very fortunate.” Fame induction because the Hall excluded women at the ceremony. At the time, these were the most powerful men in hockey that Lindsay was The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 challenging in a very public way. The GM shook his head in amazement, realizing the magnitude of that gesture. One gesture in a million like it in Lindsay’s life. On a sad day like Monday, those stories being told and repeated are the positive. While chatting with the media, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid brought up the Hall of Fame boycott and you could hear the disbelief. “Is that true? Because his family wasn’t allowed?” McDavid asked, looking for confirmation. It’s true. “That’s amazing,” McDavid said. “That just goes to show what he’s about. He was not afraid to stand up to anyone and stand up for what he believed in.” That respect for Lindsay was repeated in rink after rink. “It’s hard news,” said Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin. “He was a legend in the hockey world. Obviously, I was excited to meet him and I’m gonna remember for all my life.” “A great man,” said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. “It was always awesome to get a chance to see him, whether it was at awards or just 1134521 Websites of a team’s value. I sense the league isn’t too keen on this change so it will be interesting if anything comes of it. Probably nothing.

Seattle expansion update: The league already announced the same rules The Athletic / A look at the agenda items for the NHL GM meetings as Vegas for the Seattle expansion process but no doubt GMs will be all ears as far as a refresher, not to mention any potential minor tweaks or interpretation of the existing rules when it comes to navigating the next By Pierre LeBrun Mar 4, 2019 expansion process. Signing KHL players to future NHL contracts: This is an update from NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly to GMs on the new MOU with the KHL on BOCA RATON, Fla. — It wasn’t that long ago when the league’s GMs procedures for signing KHL players on expiring contracts; there are some gathered at this annual March meeting that their hair was on fire trying to minor changes from the last agreement between both leagues. figure out how to “fix’’ the game with the league’s hockey operations department. There are other items on the agenda but that gives our readers a preview of what’s ahead this week. The meetings run Monday through It was a yearly ritual. The search for ways to increase scoring. Wednesday. I still remember sitting in a near-empty news conference room in The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 Henderson, Nevada, in February 2004 (yes they used to hold this meeting before the trade deadline) when NHL executive vice-president Colin Campbell emerged from the last day of those GM meetings and began to read off of a hand-written piece of paper. The announcement that followed was a slew of recommendations for rule changes, to which a handful of media people in attendance reacted to by dropping their collective jaws: Three points for a regulation win While the last one never saw the light of day, much of the rest, along with more from that somewhat historic day (I was working at The Canadian Press back then and I vividly remember calling the desk and dictating an urgent bulletin because we were so shocked at what we were hearing), would break through on the other side of the 2004-05 lockout and change the game rather dramatically. Today, the game is still far from perfect. Video review for goalie interference and offside remains a mystery at times. There will be more discussion of that, of course, at this week’s meetings. Player Safety? There’s a lack of consistency in my opinion. And I’m hardly alone on that. GMs will be on that this week. And yes, there’s lots of Player Safety items on the agenda this week. But by and large, the NHL is in a good place. It has a game that’s fast, its got goals, its evolution has seen smaller, quicker players find a prominent place where 15 years ago that was next to impossible. Simply put, the on-ice game is fun to watch. Which is why when the GMs have met here the last few years it’s become about so much more than minor tinkering. There’s little desire for a facelift anymore. Off the ice, there are still important issues to grapple with. Is the NHL doing as much as it can on the concussion (prevention/treatment) front? It’s come a long way but there’s lots of runway there to keep improving (as an aside, one agenda item this week is an update from the league to GMs on the concussion lawsuit settlement). Also on the agenda is an update on the status of CBA negotiations between the league and NHL Players’ Association, to which there will be perked ears from GMs to be sure. Hockey-wise, while there’s no urgency to make big changes, there are some interesting tidbits on the agenda up for discussion including: Clocks in corner boards: I like this idea. Most coaches probably do. I think for defencemen retrieving the puck it would be handy to see the clock without having to look up over their shoulders, or for teams on power plays or penalty kills, an obvious advantage. Especially given that in today’s modern arenas and all the entertainment on the Jumbotron, sometimes the clock disappears between whistles. Now, where you’ll get pushback here I’m sure is from a marketing/business point of view because the clocks in the corner would be replacing some advertising. Change how penalties are awarded in three-on-three overtime: This is an agenda item that has been kicked around in the past but I sense more and more momentum on it. The idea is that a 4-on-3 power play is so much more dangerous than a standard 5-on-4 and so perhaps penalties in overtime should be cut down to one minute. Or perhaps certain types of penalties? Maybe puck over glass is just a minute but a roughing call is the full two? Discuss. Change the “ROW’’ tiebreaker to the “RW’’ tiebreaker in the standings: A GM tabled this one and I like it. The idea with ROW was that it devalued shootout wins for determining a team’s spot in the standings via the tiebreaker. But now this GM in question is arguing that we should devalue the three-on-three OT win for the same purpose. I whole- heartedly agree. Regulation wins are king, they represent the true merit 1134522 Websites 5. Winnipeg Jets (39-22-4, +28 true goals differential*) – Should this be the Predators? Maybe. But the Jets are still holding down a narrow lead in the Central and maybe more than narrow if you factor in their games in The Athletic / DGB weekend power rankings: Sorting through the trade hand. They beat the Predators head-to-head on Friday. And they may deadline fallout have landed the bigger deadline day prize in Hayes, although that’s a close call and probably hinges on whether you think Simmonds has much left. It’s not much more than a coin flip, really. But we don’t do ties here, so the Jets get the spot this week. By Sean McIndoe Mar 4, 2019 4. Boston Bruins (39-17-9, +34) – Their win over Tampa snapped the Lightning’s 10-game win streak and was the sort of statement game that suggests that the Atlantic may not be quite the sure thing it looks like. The trade deadline was last week. It feels like last month. The Bruins are riding a streak of 16 straight with at least a point, although That’s the thing about the deadline. It’s such a hugely important they still haven’t opened up all that much of a lead over the Maple Leafs milestone in the season that it almost manages to warp our sense of time for home ice in their almost inevitable first-round matchup. Maybe that around it. The weeks leading up to it seem to drag on forever. The day comes this week; Boston gets a tough matchup tomorrow with the itself flies by in a blink. And then it’s all over and it almost immediately Hurricanes, but then finishes off the week with home games against the feels like a lifetime ago. Looks at us, watching Mark Stone play for the Panthers and Senators. Ottawa Senators. We were so young then. 3. San Jose Sharks (39-19-8, +35) – The latest Erik Karlsson update: While you might be ready to move on past the deadline, the weekend The team expects him back “at some point”. That’s … encouraging, I rankings can’t quite yet. That’s because last week, we were still in pre- guess? deadline mode and trying to figure out how different these rankings might Meanwhile, there’s been no reports of progress in Karlsson re-signing in look once the dealing is done. We can’t just leave a question like that San Jose, and it no longer seems like a sure thing – and if not, you open. Let’s dig in and find out how much the deadline day changed the wonder how much sense it makes for him to keep trying to play through a rankings? lingering groin problem. There’s also a Joe Pavelski deal to get done, not Uh, not all that much, actually. to mention Joe Thornton if he’s coming back and maybe Nyquist too. Obviously, the Sharks have more important things to worry about right That’s because the deadline saw something unusual this year: The best now, but if you’re a fan of one of the teams whose season is already over teams didn’t actually do all that much. Instead, most of the biggest moves and are looking ahead to the offseason, San Jose’s situation is worth were made by teams closer to the mushy middle. following. That’s not the way it’s supposed to work. You’re supposed to have your 2. Calgary Flames (41-17-7, +50) – First things first: Saturday’s number sellers, who are bad and trying to get worse. They do that by selling off retirement for Jarome Iginla was great, a fitting tribute to a Flames legend assets to the buyers, who are supposed to be the good teams searching and one of the few players in the league that just about everyone for the final piece of a Stanley Cup puzzle. seemed to like. Jarome Iginla ruled. But this year, we didn’t really see that. In fact, last week’s top five teams Not ruling, at least on Saturday, was Mike Smith. His embarrassing gaffe – the Islanders, Bruins, Sharks, Flames and Lightning – didn’t do all that behind the net led directly to one Wild goal and had his own fans turning much in the days around the deadline. The Bruins got Marcus Johansson on him. and Charlie Coyle and the Sharks got Gustav Nyquist. But with apologies to Oscar Fantenberg and the Flames, that was about it in terms of We’re not going to panic and start dropping teams down the list based on meaningful moves. The Islanders and Lightning didn’t do anything at all. one game; the Flames had won seven straight, so they were due for a clunker eventually. But the concerns over Smith and Calgary’s In theory, that should open up the door for other teams to storm in and goaltending, in general, aren’t just a one-game phenomenon. It’s been take those spots. But that didn’t really happen either. The Golden Knights the Flames’ one weak point pretty much all season long. Smith is the were the biggest winners of deadline day itself thanks to the Stone veteran, but he hasn’t been very good. David Rittich has been better, but blockbuster, but they’re not catching the Sharks or Flames so their path he’s never seen the ice in a playoff game. Who do you trust? out of the Pacific remains brutal. And while the biggest trade deadline week moves were made by the Blue Jackets, they’re barely in the There was some talk that the Flames might address the issue at the playoffs right now, let alone the top five. After this weekend, if anything, it deadline, but they didn’t. It’s hard to blame them, since midseason might be time to start worrying about them. goaltending trades are rare and there really wasn’t anyone available who was clearly an upgrade over what they have. Still, every now and then The teams that could make a deadline-based claim at a spot are two that you see the Flames have a game like they did on Saturday and you think have spent much of the season shifting in and out of the top five. The “oh, right, this could be how things go very badly in the playoffs.” Jets landed Kevin Hayes and the Predators got Wayne Simmonds and Mikael Granlund. Spoiler alert: One of them does crack the top five this 1. Tampa Bay Lightning (50-12-4, +79) – They got their 50th win on week but we’ll get to that in a minute. Saturday, tying the 1995-96 Red Wings for the fewest games needed to hit that mark. Sure, it’s the shootout era, so wins are easier to come by. As for the sellers, the big one was the Senators. But they’ve already But it’s also the cap era, when it’s not supposed to be possible to load up been owning the No. 1 spot in the bottom five, and after consulting with to create super-teams. What the Lightning are doing is pretty amazing The Athletics’ analytics experts, it’s been determined that that’s as bad and they’ve got a real shot at the all-time wins record of 62. as I can rank them. I thought about trying to slot them in somewhere like “zero” or “negative three” or “let’s never speak of this again,” but The good news, at least if you’re a fan of one of the other 30 teams: apparently those aren’t options. The Senators stay where they already Those 1995-96 Red Wings didn’t win the Cup that year, although they did were and the rest of the bottom five doesn’t see all that much deadline- win the next two. Maybe somebody else will get a chance at some point related movement either. soon. Maybe. And that’s it for the 2019 deadline. I promise, after today, there will be no *Goals differential without counting shootout decisions like the NHL does more weekly power ranking columns framed around it. for some reason. (But tune in next week for the 2020 trade deadline preview.) Not ranked: Carolina Hurricanes – But we all agree they’re back in the conversation, right? Road to the Cup Carolina has won five straight, eight of nine and 21 of 28. That last one The five teams that look like they’re headed towards a summer of keg dates back to New Year’s Eve, so we’re not dealing with some short-term stands and fountain pool parties. streak here. They’re good now. We all had a chance to learn a new rule yesterday: You can win a And yes, of course, they were good all along. For years, the Hurricanes shootout without actually putting the puck into the net, thanks to the ultra- have been the team that all the smart people swore were good even rare shootout HORN OF DOOM: though they never won all that much. But someday, we were told. Someday, the percentages will even out and the puck will start going in That win also moved the Capitals back into first place in the Metro, as the and they’ll finally get some goaltending and then they’ll be really good Islanders lost both weekend games and continue to struggle when and also Evander Holyfield will be involved somehow. I’m not completely they’re not pantsing John Tavares and the Maple Leafs. That leaves us sure about that last part but I think one of the stats guys mentioned it at without a Metro team in our top five again, at least temporarily, while some point. making room for a Central team to nudge back in. But which one? Let’s end the suspense … Dom Luszczyszyn broke down how the Hurricanes have turned things fired him. The team traded away most of their top players as part of their around if you’re into the details. But the point is the Hurricanes are rebuild, then seems surprised when the shell of a roster left behind keeps rolling, and if they can hold their ground they’re going to be everyone’s losing. Even that press release that read like a job posting was weird, sneaky pick to win the Metro. especially since it seemed like a way to kick Boucher on his way out the door. That’s still a bit of a big “if” because the Hurricanes are only one point up on Penguins and three up on the Blue Jackets. They’d need both teams At least they finished the week off by finally winning a game, thanks to to pass them to miss the playoffs, and even then they could still hold off yesterday’s road win in Florida. What will this week bring? The mind the Habs, so they’re not in a bad spot. But the point is that they’re two- boggles. month hot streak has only been enough to get them to where they need another strong month or so to feel safe. They’re no sure thing. Not ranked: Vancouver Canucks – After a tough weekend that featured regulation losses to the Coyotes and Golden Knights, it feels like we can But they’re good. And yes, we’ve been here before. We did the whole big finally wave the white towel on the Canucks playoff push. They’re down dramatic “not yet but soon” act for Carolina all the way back in October. to under a 3 percent chance from the sites that measure that sort of And then we didn’t think twice about them for about four months unless thing, including this one. It’s not going to happen. And if you’re a they were playing pretend baseball. I know. But this time might be Canucks fan, that stings, even if you probably knew this is where things different. were headed for weeks now. It’s over. Right now, they’re one of only four teams in the league who haven’t But still, that was a pretty impressive run from a team that just about shown up in either the top or bottom five all season long. The other three everyone figured was going to be awful this year. Elias Petterson was all are the Habs, Blue Jackets and Stars, and it’s hard to imagine any of sorts of fun, Bo Horvat took another step forward, Brock Boeser still them making a strong case at either end before the season runs out. The mostly looks like the real deal and Jake Virtanen taught us that beer Hurricanes still might. makes everything more fun. That’s more than most of us expected. Please, nobody tell them I said that because I don’t want to deal with Will Vancouver fans look back and wish they’d lost a few more games their celebration. and earned a better draft slot? We won’t know until the lottery, but yeah, probably. That’s just how hockey fans have been trained to think about The bottom five seasons that don’t end in a playoff spot. But there’s value in playing The five teams that look like they’re headed towards hoping the ping- semi-meaningful hockey in the second half and the Canucks got to do pong balls deliver Jack Hughes. that. Exceeding expectations can be a bad thing when it’s based on unsustainable luck and gives an organization false confidence to change Now that the deadline is done and we’re well and truly into the time of course. That doesn’t seem to be the case here, so go ahead and enjoy it. year when the bad teams have nothing to play for and start shutting down anyone with a pulse and sleep-walking through the final weeks, It was a good run. The future seems bright. The season won’t include a here’s your annual reminder: There is a way better method for playoff appearance, but it still feels like progress. determining draft order that could make these late-season games The Athletic LOADED: 03.05.2019 meaningful and turn the race for the first overall pick into something almost as exciting as the playoff push, and maybe more. It’s not my idea, but I’ve been banging the drum for years, and you can read about it here. Fair warning, though – once you hear the idea, you’ll spend the rest of your life feeling vaguely annoyed at the NHL for not doing it. 5. New Jersey Devils (25-33-8, -35) – Taylor Hall is done for four weeks and probably the season. At this point, there’s no reason to rush him back, and the team should focus on what’s really important: Making sure he’s healthy and ready to go for draft lottery day. 4. Detroit Red Wings (23-33-9, -41) – The hockey world has lost a legend with the passing of Ted Lindsay. The Hall-of-Famer was one of the greatest Red Wings of all-time, winning four Stanley Cups and earning first-team all-star honors eight times as part of the immortal Production Line with Sid Abel and Gordie Howe. But his impact may have been even bigger off the ice, where his efforts to launch a player’ association changed the sports in ways that are still being felt today. Lindsay was 93. TED LINDSAY HAS PASSED AT 93. OUTSTANDING PLAYER, NHLPA FOUNDER BUT MY FAV MEMORY WAS HOW HE BOYCOTTED HIS OWN HHOF IN ’66 INDUCTION BECAUSE WIVES AND FAMILIES WERE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND. THE RULE CHANGED AFTER THAT. RIP. — JEFF MAREK (@JEFFMAREK) MARCH 4, 2019 3. Los Angeles Kings (24-33-8, -48) – They finally won a game! They might as well, given they’d lost ten straight without gaining any ground at all on the Senators in the race for last place. May as well mix up the strategy. 2. Anaheim Ducks (25-32-9, -60) – That John Gibson Vezina coronation doesn’t seem like a sure thing anymore, does it? Between missing time with injury and just not being all that good since the new year, the race is open again. And that’s especially true when you remember that the GMs who vote on the award still seem to think wins are an important metric for goaltending performance, and the Ducks don’t figure to get too many more between now and the end of the season. Hope you didn’t throw out those acceptance speech notes, Marc-Andre Fleury. 1. Ottawa Senators (23-38-5, -51) – Since our last ranking, the Senators fired their head coach a day after their GM said that they wouldn’t, and it was only the third worst thing that happened them that week. The bigger stories were the deadline selloff and the collapse of the LeBreton Flats arena deal, maybe for good. But the Guy Boucher firing still seemed to strike a chord with what’s left of the Senators fanbase. Not because it was a surprise – just about everyone seemed to know that Boucher wouldn’t be back next year. But it was yet another story that suggests that this team can’t figure out what it wants to be when it grows up. Pierre Dorion said Boucher was safe until the end of the year, then 1134523 Websites — while Ennis netted a hat trick two days after being a healthy scratch in Saturday’s victory over Buffalo.

“We just thought with our medical people, if [Ennis] could get his legs Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs' Andersen proves difference in deceptive win back and get feeling good, there’d be an opportunity for him,” said Leafs over Flames coach Mike Babcock. “We bet that our sports science people would be able to get him up and running and feeling good.” Chris Johnston March 4, 2019, 11:56 PM With time winding down on a regular season that is likely to finish with the most victories in Leafs history, head coach Mike Babcock is trying to impart the importance of play at the other end of the ice. They likely gave up more chances than he cared to see at Scotiabank Saddledome. CALGARY — This could have been 6-4. For either team. “If you can’t play without [the puck], you’ll go out in the first round of the Rather than a comfortable 6-2 victory that delighted the Toronto Maple playoffs every year,” said Babcock. “So, you can have all these great Leafs supporters who mixed plenty of blue into the “C of Red,” Monday regular season results, but when there’s no space and no room and the would have looked a lot different if not for Frederik Andersen. other team is above you and they’re just going to wait for you to turn it over, you’re going to turn it over if you won’t do the same. The Calgary Flames threw everything they had at the icy Danish goaltender. Breakaways, odd-man rushes, open shots from inside the “In the end, you end up disappointed in the spring.” circles. Truth be told, the Leafs’ playoff hopes will hinge heavily on Andersen. “Freddie was awesome,” said Zach Hyman. “I think the crowd was great, Fortunately for them, he appears more than capable of shouldering the too. Tons of Leafs fans. We heard Freddie’s name get chanted, which load. was pretty cool. You don’t see that often in an away building so we travel really well.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.05.2019 “He keeps us in it,” added Tyler Ennis. “Sometimes we don’t start too well and he keeps us right there with a lot of big saves and then we kind of find it.” Andersen, a shoo-in finalist-to-be for the Vezina Trophy, calmly turned back virtually all of the potential trouble, keeping the Flames from building any real belief in a potential comeback after his teammates gave him a 3-0 lead before the first intermission. Flames goaltender David Rittich couldn’t really be faulted on any of those scores — nor the fourth, when Zach Hyman was left with a tap-in after Mitch Marner turned T.J. Brodie inside out — but goaltending remains a big differentiator between Canada’s top two NHL teams. Just imagine where the Leafs might find themselves if not for Andersen’s sparkling .924 save percentage. Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, blackout-free, including , Rogers Hometown Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. They do not feature a defence as stout as Calgary’s, and if you were only to read the boxscore from this game you wouldn’t realize how much different these 60 minutes might have been. “We were up 3-0 after one, but I don’t think that that’s how the style of play really panned out,” said Hyman. Andersen stopped Austin Czarnik on a clear breakaway when it was still 1-0. He calmly gloved dangerous looks from Mikael Backlund and Johnny Gaudreau during a strong second-period push from the locals. “It feels nice to stop one on a breakaway and obviously see them go down and score right away and use that momentum,” said Andersen. “It was a fun save to make and it was great to see the guys being sharp on their chances.” The goaltender allowed the story to become Tyler Ennis, the fourth-liner who scored the first hat trick of his 532-game NHL career. He scored a beauty with his backhand on a first-period power play before finding some good fortune — having one shot float high and in off Flames defenceman Rasmus Andersson before seeing another beat Rittich clean while Travis Hamonic accidentally screened his own goalie. It produced a flood of hats from the bipartisan crowd, surely the highlight of a season where Ennis signed for the league minimum in an effort to resuscitate his career. “We’re so lucky to have this fanbase,” said Ennis, who has suffered from hip issues in recent years and spent the entire summer working with the Leafs sports science staff. “To have that many hats on the ice in an away area is very special. It was just a good night.” Incredibly, he’s now up to 12 goals despite missing 18 games with a broken ankle and averaging just over 10 minutes in the 40 games he’s played. That underscores just how ridiculous Toronto’s forward depth is. Tampa is arguably the only team who can match it. Marner hit 81 points on Monday with a goal and two assists — both on goals from Hyman, who is one of six Leafs with at least 16 on the season 1134524 Websites “I wasn’t necessarily looking for him, but I knew we was there,” Draisaitl told reporters in Buffalo.

A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts Sportsnet.ca / Oilers Takeaways: Leon Draisaitl's scoring prowess has Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. New episodes every Thursday. matured Three Metres of Saves

I’ll admit, it’s hard to get your head around Mikko Koskinen. It starts with Mark Spector | March 4, 2019, 11:39 PM the contract, which is worth about $1.5 million too much a year. But that’s not his fault. You can say that the Edmonton Oilers are toast. That being six points out Then it goes to the goals he lets in, which so often look like they could of a playoff spot with 16 games to play is an un-climbable mountain. have been saved. Even though, especially of late, at the end of the game History tells us it is a fair opinion. he’s let in less than the other guy. The important thing, of course, is what they think. And after going 3-1-1 When he’s on his game, like he was in a 4-0 shut out of Columbus on on a five-game road trip, climbing past two Western Conference teams Saturday, Koskinen can go a whole game without making a flashy save. along the way, our guess is that they’ve yet to receive the memo that He just sort of… gets in the way. The puck hits him, which is when you their hopes are, well, hopeless. know a goaltender is on. In a whacky end to an Eastern road swing that did not leave them dead So, if his style makes it difficult to get a bead on when Koskinen is and buried after all, Edmonton scored three goals in 3:26 at the tail end playing well and when he isn’t, we’ll just have to rely on numbers. And of the second period, then hung on for a 4-3 victory over a Buffalo since the Cam Talbot trade, Koskinen’s numbers have been very good: a Sabres club that likely deserved better. Goalie Linus Ullmark was pulled .924 saves percentage and a 2.38 goals against. after 40, while Mikko Koskinen proved how valuable it is to be able to say Koskinen stopped the last 25 shots Monday after allowing the 3-1 goal in at the end of the night that you had the better goalie. the first period. He’s 4-2-2 since the Talbot deal. This one featured two things we’ve never seen before: Connor McDavid Who cares what we think of his style, or his pay check. His numbers are skating in with the Sabres goalie pulled, waltzing in alone and missing an good, and that’s the part Koskinen controls. empty net from 20 feet out. And Jason Pominville, fanning on a puck in front of an open net, his stick getting ahead of the puck, and inevitably Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.05.2019 stopping the puck from crossing the line. Yes, he saved his own goal. It was a T.C Chen double hit. Crazy. Here’s what else who took away from another installment of Jack Eichel (two goals) versus McDavid (two assists): Neon Leon Suddenly Leon Draisaitl has 41 goals, second in the NHL this season behind only Alex Ovechkin (45). He had a shorthanded goal and a lovely assist on Monday, and as time passes the 23-year-old is becoming a different player than perhaps we thought he’d be when he first arrived from junior. Draisaitl is a fantastic passer, particularly on the backhand. A “pass-first centreman” is what it appeared the Oilers had drafted, and as he approaches 350 NHL games he averages a little over 0.5 assists per game played. He can really deal, no doubt. His scoring prowess, however, has matured. To the point where he’ll take a serious run at 50 goals this season, something only five players have accomplished in the last decade. Their names: Alex Ovechkin (five times), Steven Stamkos (twice), Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Corey Perry. In just four of those 10 seasons did the 50-goal scorer reach the 100- point mark. Draisaitl is on pace for 51 goals and 103 points — and he’s 23 years old. Head coach Ken Hitchcock broke McDavid and Draisaitl up Monday, and each of them posted two points. “We had some people who were struggling, and we needed Connor and Leon to run lines,” Hitchcock said. “They needed to carry some people — other guys were struggling — and they did exactly what good players and leaders do. That’s exactly what we need from our leaders.” Doc Walker Darnell Nurse had a goal and an assist, as he quietly builds on a career year offensively. Nurse, whose previous career-high was 26 points last season, has 8-26-34 with 16 games to play, after a goal and an assist Monday. We all asked the questions, as a lanky young D-man made his way in the NHL: Will he ever learn what to do with the puck once he crosses the offensive blue-line? Will the offensive smarts ever kick in? Well, Nurse is proving that it is OK to have questions about young defencemen. Just don’t think you have all the answers until they’ve played 250 games or so (Nurse is at 263). Nurse remains on the top powerplay unit that he inherited when Oscar Klefbom broke a finger, and he’s figuring out when to jump into the play, as he did when he buried a lovely pass from Draisaitl, who appeared to be engaged along the boards but popped a puck free to an oncoming Nurse. 1134525 Websites despite his valiant fight to regain his form, is he’ll never win over these fans.

His recent string of brilliance was cast aside by fans with Saturday’s Sportsnet.ca / Flames fans show no sympathy for unlucky David Rittich stumble, prompting irrational jeers from a fan base terrified goaltending will be its undoing as it has the bulk of the franchise’s history. Part of why he can’t win for losing revolves around the penchant in town to give Eric Francis | March 5, 2019, 1:25 AM Rittich the ball to run with. On Tuesday the Flames leave for Vegas where they’ll almost certainly face another goalie capable of single-handedly swiping wins, Marc-Andre CALGARY – It was the type of goal that would have broken Twitter had Fleury – a lad the Flames may very well have to go through this spring. Mike Smith surrendered it. The attention to detail the Flames fell short of on Monday will need to Early in the third period of a 4-1 game the Maple Leafs had well in hand, improve if their starting goalie has any chance of success. Who will get Tyler Ennis wheeled around from the half wall and sent a harmless shot that start is once again a guessing game. Fact is, the duo has been very towards the net that beat David Rittich along the ice. The Dome Groan good this season – you don’t ascend to the top of a conference typically reserved for Smith was punctuated by hundreds of blue and otherwise. white hat trick tuques for Ennis, serving only to add to the embarrassment of it all. But don’t try telling the locals – they’re too busy jeering their own. Two nights earlier, Calgary fans jeered their own net-minder after Smith Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.05.2019 was caught out of his net for one, and beaten far too cleanly on another. Despite the fact the veteran had just paced Calgary to its longest winning streak of the season (seven games) with a stellar 5-0 record, Smith’s only stumble of late prompted Bronx cheers late in the evening. On Monday night it was Rittich’s turn. Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. For the second game in succession, a segment of spectators turned on their own. Sure, the fifth goal was irrelevant in a game far out of reach, but it was the next weak shot from a similar locale that prompted a smattering of fans to jeer The People’s Choice. Whether it came from Leafs or Flames fans, a round of mock cheers for Rittich made it painfully obvious: clearly, this is an issue. Only a fool would blame Rittich for the 6-2 loss as the focus should be squarely on just how stellar Freddie Andersen’s 35-save performance was, especially early. Rittich made 26 stops but wasn’t nearly good enough to keep his club in it early as the Leafs capitalized on several fortuitous bounces to jump out to an early 3-0 lead. In a building that routinely hears chants of “Rit-tich, Rit-tich,” one third of those in the pews bellowed, “Fred-die, Fred-die.” He out-dueled Rittich on one of the larger stages the Flames have found themselves on this season. Rittich’s teammates defended him, as they would, suggesting the series of unfortunate bounces and breaks had more to do with their fate than shaky goaltending. “It was one of those nights when things could go wrong, they did go wrong, and that was across the board for everybody,” said Flames coach Bill Peters when asked about Rittich’s night. “It was kind of weird game for me. I had probably the worst luck in this game,” added a downtrodden Rittich. “I was a little bit unlucky with those bounces.” In a town clamouring for Smith to be benched in favour of the second- year Czech goalie, you can bet the Toronto media who witnessed it all were further convinced the biggest question mark in Calgary is between the pipes. Despite Calgary’s lofty perch atop the west, net-minding has long been the knock from afar when observers are asked about the Flames’ chances. It’s not necessarily accurate or fair, but no matter. The loss marks the first time since mid-November that the Flames have lost back- to-back games in regulation. Prior to that, the Flames had won seven in a row, including six straight while surrendering two goals or less. Goaltending wasn’t an issue in those. Yet, questions abound. Are Rittich’s 60 games in the NHL enough for him to enter his very first playoffs with enough experience to withstand the pressure, grind, ups and downs of spring hockey? Does Smith’s age, his .895 save percentage or his penchant for coughing up bad goals when his confidence wanes preclude him from returning to the all-star form he had early last season? It’s been made patently clear the bulk of Flames fans aren’t capable of affording 36-year-old Smith a second chance following his late-season collapse a year ago, followed by his early struggles. The sad reality, 1134526 Websites the ice spilled into the back halls and dressing rooms of the Original Six arenas. There, he rallied players from across the league to form what would become the first players’ association. Sportsnet.ca / 'Pioneer' Ted Lindsay changed the game on and off the But just as players began to band together behind Lindsay, Jack Adams ice — owner of the Red Wings and lord of Lindsay’s fortunes — took it upon himself to crush the fledgling union and martyr his captain. Brett Popplewell | March 4, 2019, 9:47 AM A smear campaign began. Lindsay was branded a cancer in the Red Wings locker room, was stripped of his captaincy and exiled to the last- place Chicago Black Hawks. Without his leadership on the ice and in the dressing room, the Red Wings dynasty crumbled, as did his players’ Fifty-five years after he last hoisted the Stanley Cup, and 44 years after association. It would be 10 years before the NHLPA would rise from the he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Ted Lindsay stood on a stage in ashes of Lindsay’s efforts to earn official recognition as the NHL players’ front of his admirers. To his left, a newly bronzed trophy bearing his union. name and likeness. To his right, a microphone. And behind him, murals commemorating his 17-year playing career, each adorned with words Lindsay retired from Chicago in 1960. In 1964, Abel — who had gone that spoke to his character and contribution to the sport. from being Lindsay’s linemate to GM and coach of the Red Wings — convinced Lindsay to mount a comeback upon seeing him skate with a “Champion.” few of the players. “Pioneer.” “After being out for four years, he scored 14 goals. [In] his first game back, he got into a scrap,” Duff says. “It meant the world to him to finish “Leader.” his career as a Red Wing.” As he took to the podium on that spring day in 2010, he smiled with the Lindsay retired again after the season having amassed more points than creased and scarred 84-year-old face of one of hockey’s all-time grittiest any left winger before him, but his affiliation with the Wings lasted until warriors, gave thanks to those honouring him and recounted how he the day he died. And decades after he hung up his blades, Lindsay once tried to form the league’s first players’ association. Then he did continued to make an impact on Detroit’s players, including a young what all great leaders do when placed under a spotlight: He reminded the Tomas Holmstrom in the late 1990s. gathered crowd that any tribute to him should be shared with those who had stood beside him in the face of adversity. “His first year with the Wings, when he came over from Sweden, [Holmstrom] wasn’t playing a lot,” says Duff. “He would spend a lot of Nearly a decade later, early Monday morning, one of the most spirited time in the gym to stay in condition and he said there was this old guy in players the game has ever known has passed away at the age of 93. there working out all the time and they started working out together. He Few men are lucky enough to have their names enshrined on the Cup. didn’t really know who the guy was, but he just couldn’t believe how Even fewer have the fortune of being inducted into hockey’s most intense [this guy was] and how much he could lift. Then he found out, of hallowed Hall. And yet there was Lindsay on that day nine years ago, a course, it was Ted Lindsay.” man who had accomplished both feats, and now he, like one of his chief Despite the controversy that had surrounded his name, history and the Original Six rivals — Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard — before him was about Red Wings have been kind to his legacy. A banner with his retired to be further immortalized with a trophy named in his honour. number now hangs in the rafters of Little Caesars Arena alongside those A fitting tribute for a 168-lb. grinder whose aggressive game on the ice of other Red Wings greats, including Howe and Steve Yzerman. A earned him the moniker ‘Terrible Ted,’ and whose reckless playing style permanent stall in the team’s dressing room has also been set aside for and hatred of losing helped him to four Stanley Cups and an Art Ross the aging captain. Trophy. A man whose name the NHLPA chose in 2010 to replace that of The number seven will forever be synonymous with a standard for hard another great leader — Lester B. Pearson — on the award given work and excellence everyone should aspire to, even if matching the annually to the most outstanding player as voted on by his peers. feats of the man who wore it is all but impossible. One of the most accomplished men to have ever worn a “C” on his Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.05.2019 sweater, Lindsay was born in 1925, the son of an NHL goalie. A child of the Great Depression, he learned the value of hard labour and developed an appreciation for collective bargaining from his father, Bert, who worked as a miner in Kirkland Lake, Ont., after his own NHL career came to an early end. It was there in that rugged mining town that Ted first strapped on skates and took to a frozen pond, eventually leading the town’s juvenile team to an Ontario provincial title before being snatched up by the , whom he helped to a Memorial Cup win in 1944. By the age of 19 he was suiting up with the Detroit Red Wings, and by 21 he was anchoring the left side of one of hockey’s most successful offensive units ever, playing alongside Gordie Howe and the Red Wings’ captain, Sid Abel, on ‘The Production Line.’ “The way Howe explained it, [Lindsay] was kind of the meat and potatoes of the line,” says hockey historian Bob Duff, author of Seven: A Salute to Ted Lindsay. “He was the guy who put the fear of God into people. As much as Howe — with his size and strength — scared people, I think Lindsay scared people because they just didn’t know what he would do.” Though his linemate Howe has long been regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, it was Lindsay who won the 1950 scoring championship while leading the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup win that launched a dynasty. And it was Lindsay who inherited the captaincy when Abel left the team in 1952. “People forget that he was quite a player,” says Duff. “As [with] most of the players in his era, [Lindsay] got overshadowed by Howe and Richard.” Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the country’s most beloved game. A leader and a muckraker who skated in a time when players were veritable slaves to their owners, Lindsay was a perennial all-star and one of the best-paid players in the league. Credited with being the first man to parade the Cup around the rink and present it to fans, his leadership on 1134527 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Czarnik happy with decision to sign with Flames over Maple Leafs

Chris Johnston March 4, 2019, 4:35 PM

CALGARY — In the days before free agency last summer, Austin Czarnik found himself sitting at Mike Babcock’s lake house in Michigan. And when you’re with Mike Babcock, what do you do? You watch hockey, of course. “He’s a fiery guy,” Czarnik said Monday. “I was getting chills just being there. Just because he loves the game so much and he’s such a good coach and he knows how to win. It was a cool experience. “He laid out everything for me, he showed me a bunch of clips and things he wants me to work on and things like that.” It’s worth noting the 26-year-old forward doesn’t play for Babcock. Never has. The Toronto Maple Leafs had identified him as a free-agent target and they put on the full-court press before July 1, losing out to the Calgary Flames. To hear Czarnik tell the tale now, it sounds like it was a difficult call. He was a Group 6 free agent fresh off a third-place finish in American Hockey League scoring with Providence and became a hot commodity as a value buy. The Flames sent a delegation to his summer home in Birmingham, Mich., and signed him to a $2.5-million, two-year contract — edging out Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver and Buffalo. The Leafs, in particular, gave him something to think about. “It was a tough choice, for sure,” said Czarnik. “I went and met with Babs, so that was a cool experience. Just to see where they saw me and everything they saw with me. What it came down to for me was just where I felt most comfortable. “Calgary flew in and met with me and I just felt a really good level of comfort with them.” Czarnik’s experience underscores how aggressively the Leafs approach player recruitment. He had appeared in 59 NHL games total at that point and wasn’t likely to play any higher than their fourth line, but Babcock still put in 1-on-1 face time with him at the same time the organization was chasing John Tavares. Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. The coach has played a central role in the acquisitions of European free agents Nikita Zaitsev, Calle Rosen and Igor Ozhiganov, among others — watching video of their games and texting with the players ahead of time while also phoning them directly to sell the merits of the organization. When asked what appealed to him about Czarnik, he said “high hockey IQ.” “You’re always looking for a guy whose been in a spot that might not have got the chance, that maybe can get to the next level and find a way to be an everyday player that generates offence for you,” Babcock added. “Lots of times you’re wrong, probably the majority of times you’re wrong, but every once and a while you find a guy and that’s what you need. Especially in the cap world, you need to find players that are going to play for cheap.” Czarnik has been in and out of the Flames lineup this season, but has enjoyed a productive stretch since James Neal went down with an injury in mid-February. He scored four goals in a five-game stretch and had another one against Minnesota wiped out Saturday by a review for goaltender interference. However, as he looks back upon his decision last summer, he’s content with how things have worked out here in Calgary. “It’s been ups and downs this year, but you know what? To be on a first- place team in the West, it’s something that you want to be on,” said Czarnik. “I’m happy with my decision and I’ve never regretted it.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134528 Websites Now he’s wearing the CCMs for every practice and morning skate, saving the last Pumps and breaking the new boots in for the big night when he’ll have no choice but to make the leap. Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs' Patrick Marleau preparing for biggest change "I probably should’ve got a new pair a long time ago," Marleau concedes. of season "It’s just something you’re used to. There’s always that awkward period where you’re getting into new skates. I just never really wanted to go Luke Fox | March 4, 2019, 11:18 AM through that. I tried in the summer a few times to do it, but it’s been awkward. I never fought through that awkward stage, so I always went back to ’em." Patrick Marleau is about to hang up his skates, finally. As the man the young Leafs call "The GOAT" scratches and claws to register his 16th 20-goal and 19th 40-point campaign — he’s at 14-19-33 Don’t panic. This is not a surprise retirement announcement. We’re being with 17 games to go — the end of an era beckons. literal. Watch his feet. The Toronto Maple Leafs ironman is still sliding his feet into a set of his beloved Reebok 9K Pump skates — a product initially released 13 years "It’s been a damn long time. It’s going to be weird seeing him with the ago. new ones," Dermott says. But, Marleau told Sportsnet, he is down to his final pair, and they won’t "God knows how long he’s had the jock for." last through the end of this season. Ruh-roh. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.05.2019 Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. The switch Marleau has gone to great lengths to delay is coming. The time is nigh. "Pretty soon," Marleau said. "This season I’ll be in the new ones. "I’ve been trying to get into the new ones for years now. I just haven’t pushed it hard to get into them — but now I gotta get into them." Hockey players, by nature, are creatures of habit, but when it comes to the equipment in his bag, the 39-year-old Marleau is the Last of the Mohicans. "It’s cool to see how effective he can be with the old gear. Kind of a different era," says 22-year-old teammate Travis Dermott, who grabs a box-fresh pair of blades every 45 days. "It’s kind of an old chirp to be shooting at him, but it’s kinda cool. I mean, he still uses a two-piece stick, all the old stuff. His shoulder pads? I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone use shoulder pads like that." Beautiful. As John Tavares speaks to 50-plus reporters about his emotional return, Patrick Marleau, in flip flops, is casually blowtorching together his two-piece hockey stick in the background. — luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) February 28, 2019 Some perspective: When Reebok’s Pumps made the leap from the hardcourt to the ice rink, Auston Matthews was nine years old. The boots fit Marleau like Cinderella’s slippers. The weight, the flex— perfect. So when Reebok announced, years ago, that it was discontinuing the model, Marleau bought in bulk and started rationing. The strategy has helped him outlast Philadelphia’s Jakub Voracek, another Pump loyalist who wore through them. "Right when they said they were running out of material, I got like 12 pairs. Something like that. That was when they told me. I used to go through four or five pairs a year. Now I’m down to two a year," explained Marleau, who’s played more NHL games than all but six skaters in history. "You deal with it. They get really soft once you use them for a while. It wasn’t ideal, but I just kept trying to work with them. "I’ve been using them for years. Over the years they’ve changed them a little bit here and there. The main reason I got a bunch made was, the bottom wasn’t graphite. It was this big, thick plastic, and I was used to it. Now, I have to go lighter. Maybe it’ll be better. We’ll see." Marleau hasn’t scoured Toronto’s Play It Again Sports and never did follow up with the fan who tweeted his wife, Christina, saying he still had a set to donate to hockey’s Dee Brown. A contingency plan has been in place for a while now. Marleau experimented with several different boot models during recent summers before settling on a set of CCM Ribcor 70Ks, the ones that felt most similar to the Pumps. The winger requested the brand custom-mold the Ribcor into the 9K pattern, and CCM obliged, but the material isn’t quite the same and he still notices the difference. 1134529 Websites Later in the period, Ennis took a shot on Rittich from the circle that hopped off a skate and over Rittich’s glove into the net to make it 2-0 Leafs. TSN.CA / Leafs deliver in ‘measuring stick’ victory His third marker is one Rittich couldn’t help shaking his head at, a long- range shortside strike that cut through the goalie’s arm. Ennis’ 12 goals on the year now are his most in a season since 2014-15 when he played Kristen Shilton for the Sabres. The hat trick was a seminal moment for the Edmonton native, not only in the feat accomplished in his home province (mom and dad were there The Maple Leafs blew by the Western Conference-leading Calgary too), but in how he proved Babcock right that he shouldn’t have been the Flames on Monday night, powered to a 6-2 win by Tyler Ennis’ first odd man out. It’s not just that Ennis can put pucks in the net, but his career hat trick and a fantastic 35-save performance in net by Frederik chemistry with Gauthier and Moore is undeniable and all three players Andersen. Mitch Marner added three points and Trevor Moore, Jake look at their best together. Petan had only a short audition with that Muzzin and Zach Hyman each contributed two in Toronto’s second group, but if all players stay healthy, it will be tough for Babcock to give straight win, and first on the road since Feb. 14. The Leafs move to 41- Ennis many more games off. 21-4 on the season. Ennis finished with six shots on goal in 11:48 of ice time. TAKEAWAYS Andersen on alert Best on best Andersen has enjoyed success against the Flames throughout his If there’s a definition of a “measuring stick” game for the Maple Leafs, career, posting a 7-1-1 record against them going into Monday’s game. taking on the Western Conference-leading Calgary Flames would He continued his dominance over Calgary in the latest outing with an certainly qualify. And Toronto subsequently delivered in one of its most efficient performance between the pipes. complete showings in recent weeks. The Flames registered good zone time in the first period and could easily Not only did the Leafs show they can stack up against one of the most have matched the Leafs goal-for-goal in that frame, but Andersen had all veteran, talented teams in the league, they also turned the tide on some the answers to Calgary’s attack. recent road struggles (0-2-1 in their last three away games, while being outscored 11-3). Austin Czarnik was especially active in the first, being thwarted by Andersen’s great left pad save on a tap-in try, and then later on a Both the Flames and Leafs play a similar quick transition game, and breakaway that Toronto’s netminder read all the way through. That drew there was a lot of chip and chase dotting the early goings of Monday’s the first of many “Fred-die” chants from the pro-Leafs crowd in Calgary. outing. Calgary had the edge in possession at 62 per cent through 20 minutes, but the goaltending of Frederik Andersen, a balanced attack Andersen had good patience waiting out some of the Flames’ other good and capitalizing on their chances made all the difference for the Leafs. chances, including a shifty shot by Mark Jankoswki that failed to fool the goalie. Tyler Ennis got the ball rolling with his first of three goals on Toronto’s first power play chance. He doubled-down later in the frame with a Toronto’s goaltending continued to be its strongest asset throughout the deflected goal past David Rittich to make it 2-0 Leafs. game, even after Tkachuk’s shot slid under Andersen and he failed to corral it before the puck was over the goal line. It only took one minute, thirty-six seconds after Ennis’ second score for Zach Hyman to tally his first of two goals, burying a rebound off Mitch Tkachuk’s goal was the first blemish on Andersen’s night, and he thought Marner's breakaway try to put Toronto up 3-0 after the first. he had the puck under him when it trickled over the goal line. Those two would connect again early in the second, when Marner deked Late in the third period, Ryan got positioning in tight on Andersen and T.J. Brodie and found Hyman in front of the net for the tap-in, giving the deflected a puck off his skate and in to double Calgary’s goal total. Leafs a 4-0 lead on 15 shots. Andersen kept the door shut from there on. That was Hyman’s 16th goal of the season, establishing a new career- It never felt like the result was in doubt for Toronto with Andersen playing high. Morgan Rielly also got the 47th helper of his season on that goal, a as aggressive and intelligently as he was, a playoff-calibre performance new career-high. against one of the best teams in the NHL. He ended the night with 35 saves and a .946 save percentage. It was Andersen's 103rd victory as a Toronto didn’t slow down despite the cushion, staying relatively efficient Leaf, too, tying Harry Lumley for sixth place on the franchise' all-time getting the puck out of their own end and keeping their intensity high. goalie wins list. It wasn’t until Martin Marincin went to the box for holding late in the First-line flow second that Matthew Tkachuk finally solved Andersen and cut the Leafs advantage to 4-1. For much of this season, it’s been the chemistry between linemates Marner and John Tavares that has produced some memorable goals for Calgary had a league-leading 94 goals in the third period entering the Leafs. More recently, Marner has been finding Hyman, who’s become Monday night, but the Leafs continued holding them off for much of that even more adept at fighting for positioning around the net and slipping frame by keeping the pressure ramped up in Rittich’s end. pucks through. Good traffic by the Flames eventually helped Derek Ryan to break In his last 14 games, Hyman has registered seven goals, four of which through, sending a puck past Andersen off his skate, but Marner Marner has tallied the primary assist on. They would have had one more responded in short order with his third point of the game and added such goal, but the equalizing score Hyman tallied against the Islanders insurance for Toronto's 6-2 win. last Thursday was called back on a toe-nail offside challenge. Through the entire 60 minutes, the Leafs didn’t go through too many lulls After a dip in production for Marner through some of February, he has being hemmed in their own zone, and appeared to treat the matchup emerged once again as the driver of Toronto’s best line. In the Leafs' last against Calgary with a playoff-like relentlessness fitting of the occasion. six games, Marner has come up with three goals and nine assists, and is currently riding a four-game point streak. Ennis the menace When he tallied his second assist of the game, Marner reached 80 points Mike Babcock didn’t want to sit Ennis out of Saturday’s game against on the season, becoming the first Leaf to hit that mark since Phil Kessel Buffalo, but newcomer Nic Petan had to get involved at some point, so did it in 2013. Marner, though, accomplished the feat in 66 games while the Leafs coach begrudgingly made Ennis a healthy scratch despite Kessel took 82, and became just the eighth player in franchise history to saying he didn’t deserve to be. need 66 or fewer games to get to the 80-point threshold. Right on cue, Ennis came back from his one-game absence with a Tavares has been no slouch on the scoresheet, either, adding four goals vengeance, tallying his first-ever hat trick in the 532nd game of his and four assists in his last seven games. While Tavares’ unit has seen career. the least amount of turnover throughout the season, staying mostly intact After testing Rittich early with a great backhand chance from the slot, when all three players were healthy, all signs point to them finding Ennis found mesh the first time with a great move past the netminder on another level at which to play as Toronto grinds through the final stretch Toronto's opening power play. That was Ennis’ 10th goal of the season, of the regular season. and third goal in his last five games. TSN.CA LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134530 Websites "He plays in all situations," the coach noted. "We'd like to, at some point, cut his minutes back a little bit, it’s just games are too tight and he makes too much of a positive impact on the game so we're not able to do that." TSN.CA / Rielly’s role growing as he closes Norris gap Giordano, who has 14 goals and 47 assists while averaging 24:41 of ice time per game, isn't concerned one bit. Mark Masters "I feel fresh, I feel good," he insisted. "I don't know what it is. I think maybe I haven't been to many of the international things and tournaments like that so maybe my body, as a 35-year-old, I feel fresher and haven’t had as much wear ... We're at game 65 and there’s no TSN Toronto reporter Mark Masters checks in daily with news and notes reason to think that I’m not going to feel good going right into the on the Maple Leafs. The Leafs and Calgary Flames skated at the playoffs." Scotiabank Saddledome ahead of Monday's game. A love for the game has certainly been a factor in Giordano's longevity. With defencemen Jake Gardiner (back) and Travis Dermott (shoulder) sidelined the next few weeks, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be leaning "As you get older I think you realize, especially with the whole (Jarome even more on Morgan Rielly. Iginla) ceremony the other day, you realize how quickly it goes by and it's not going to last forever so, yeah, love being here and love being around "We're going to need him to be special here tonight," said Leafs coach the guys and then I have a son now who’s going to be six soon so I try to Mike Babcock. "He’s an important player for us, especially when you take get him any time (on the ice) I can on days off and let him get that feel Gards and Dermy out of the mix, we don't have the same kind of puck too." skill on the back end that we normally do or skating so more comes back to him, but I’m sure he'll be fine." So, even though the Flames were given Sunday off, Giordano was back at the Saddledome. Rielly, who's averaging 22:49 of ice time per game, saw his minutes increase in the last two outings as he logged 23:22 against the New York "Didn't put his skates on, but had a little guy out there trying to teach him Islanders last Thursday and 24:32 against the Buffalo Sabres on crossovers," Peters noted with a smile. Saturday. What position is Giordano's son going to play? "He’s an elite player," Babcock said. "To me, he’s a top-10 d-man if not more in the National Hockey League, who can play with and without (the "Oh, he's going to be a defenceman if I have any say in it," Giordano said puck)." with a smile, "but he told me the other day he really likes to score goals so I don’t know." Rielly may actually be a top-three defenceman this season as his 16 goals and 46 assists have him smack in the middle of the Norris Trophy Colaiacovo: No. 1 defencemen Rielly and Giordano impact the game in conversation. He's never previously received a vote for the award, but his different ways opponents tonight always saw the potential. Morgan Rielly and Mark Giordano are both having Norris Trophy caliber "I had Riels at one world championship and he was fantastic, very seasons and they will go head-to-head tonight in Calgary when the competitive," said Calgary coach Bill Peters. "He’s got way more offence Flames host the Maple Leafs. TSN Hockey analyst Carlo Colaiacovo to him than people think and you're starting to see a lot of that here this discusses the different ways that Rielly and Giordano make their impact year. The partner that he plays with primarily in Ron Hainsey is plus-33 on the ice. so obviously they know how to play and they feed off each other." Tonight’s game features Canada’s top two teams in the standings and Rielly leads all defencemen in goals and trails only San Jose Sharks' both the Leafs (won four of five) and Flames (won seven of eight) have Brent Burns in points. been playing well. "I love the way he plays," Flames captain Mark Giordano said. "I met him “They’ve got a good team,” Babcock said. “I like their group; their back a few times, he’s a great guy, a great person, but I love the way he plays. end can really skate and really move the puck. Obviously, good depth up He's an elite skater and he can get up and down the ice and that's pretty front and in goal and they’re well-coached. They're having fun. These are special. He’s put it all together. I’ve always thought he was a great top teams in the league; they're going to go at it here tonight. Both teams defenceman. I mean, maybe the numbers this year are better offensively took yesterday off, both teams should be able to skate, it should be a fun for him, but he moves the puck well, jumps into the play and he's put it all game. We have to do our part to make sure that happens." together and is having a great year." The Leafs (3.58) rank third in goals per game with the Flames (3.57) Monday's battle thrusts the Norris debate into the spotlight as Giordano trailing just behind in fourth. Peters was asked to handicap Toronto's won the mid-season vote held by the Professional Hockey Writers’ offensive weapons. Association edging out Rielly, who was the runner-up. But the Leafs "We don't have enough time to go through the whole litany of the list," he blueliner wanted to keep the focus on his team this morning. After all, said. "It's dangerous throughout the lineup, right. It's dangerous, Calgary is the second best squad in the NHL and offers Toronto a dangerous, dangerous. Smart, skilled, intelligent hockey IQ in that group, measuring-stick moment to prepare for what lies ahead. real good. So we got to play the game the right way, got to get it in "It's important that we treat these last games, last month of the year, like behind, make their D turn and establish a forecheck, but they can score playoff hockey and start preparing for a playoff series and that’s what throughout four lines." we’ve been doing," said Rielly, who already has 10 more points than he The one forward Peters mentioned by name is Andreas Johnsson, who's accumulated in 76 games last season. having a breakthrough rookie season with 19 goals and 17 assists. Rielly and Giordano really enjoy watching each other play "I was able to see Andreas Johnsson when he won the MVP of the Sitting second and third in NHL defencemen scoring, Maple Leafs' Calder Cup. I saw Games 6 and 7 and he was dominant there and now, Morgan Rielly and Flames captain Mark Giordano explain the admiration all the sudden, he's finding his way here, so there's another guy and a they have for the way the other plays the game. shot-tip guy on the power play, so just relentless with the attack offensively so we got to make sure we make them spend some time in Despite being more than a decade older than Rielly, who will turn 25 later the D zone." this week, Giordano is closing in on his first ever Norris nomination. Maple Leafs/Flames 3-in-3: Battle for Canada edition "He's earned every opportunity," Rielly gushed. "He’s worked hard to get to where he is and I really like watching him and I really like talking to him Mark Masters and Jermain Franklin set aside their differences for three and he’s a guy I watch a lot." minutes to present a special edition of 3-in-3 featuring the Maple Leafs and Flames. What stands out the most? Babcock was asked what makes Mitch Marner so effective. “Just how complete he is. He's really good at both ends of the ice. He's a leader, he plays physically, he joins the rush and he’s dangerous.” "He's smarter than everybody else," the coach stated. "He's got better edges so he can go faster. He's like (Pavel) Datsyuk was, he's faster with The Flames have leaned heavily on Giordano all season and Peters the puck than without it, but he's an elite defensive player. He can check readily admits it's not ideal. it back as good as anybody in hockey. And, he likes hockey. When you've got great personal energy and you bring it every day, you make your teammates better around you. He's an important player for us." Does he see similarities between Marner and fellow diminutive playmaker Johnny Gaudreau? "For sure, I do," Babcock said. "They both have the puck a lot, they both make plays, they're wingers who drive their line like a centre would and that's what makes them special." Flames, Leafs see plenty of similarities between leading scorers Gaudreau and Marner Johnny Gaudreau and Mitch Marner are currently leading the Flames and Maple Leafs in scoring this season. Their coaches and teammates understand the similarities that the pair of dynamic players share on the ice. Lines at Monday’s Leafs morning skate: Forwards Hyman-Tavares-Marner Johnsson-Matthews-Kapanen Marleau-Nylander-Brown Ennis-Gauthier-Moore Petan, Kadri Defencemen Rielly-Hainsey Muzzin-Zaitsev Marincin-Ozhiganov Holl Goaltenders Andersen starts (he’s 7-1-1 vs. the Flames) Sparks Power play units at Monday’s Leafs morning skate: Rielly Matthews-Johnsson-Marner Tavares Muzzin Ennis-Kapanen-Nylander Marleau TSN.CA LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134531 Websites

TSN.CA / Playoff format not up for debate as NHL GMs meet

Frank Seravalli

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Every year when the calendar flips to March, the groaning and grumbling grows a little louder as the playoff picture comes into focus. Fans, coaches and even a few general managers alike have griped: Can we do something about this %&#$ing playoff format? Three of the NHL’s top five teams are guaranteed to be eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in the second round or earlier, based on the standings entering Monday night’s action. Only two of Tampa Bay, Calgary, Boston, San Jose and Toronto could make it to the Conference Final with the current bracket format. But the playoff format won’t be a topic of conversation at this week’s annual GM meetings in sunny South Florida. “It’s not on the agenda,” NHL senior executive vice-president Colin Campbell said Monday. Campbell joked that the topic was above his pay grade. But Campbell’s superiors, commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly, have been unwavering in their support for the current format. There is little appetite for change, both from the executive side and the majority of general managers, the stewards of the game. “I would say that there doesn’t appear to be a consensus or desire for change,” Daly said Monday. “The current system has done what it was intended to do. It’s emphasized and featured rivalries in early round matchups. And that has generated enhanced interest and better [television] ratings.” Proponents argue that while the current format may send some of the best teams home earlier than they’d like, those intense clashes in the first and second round are the best they can be because the players aren’t yet totally worn down by the sheer grind that is the Stanley Cup playoffs. So if you’re a fan of the Nashville Predators or Winnipeg Jets, one of the teams that will likely be booted in the second round or earlier, it’s a bummer - but you’re seeing the freshest and best hockey possible. Unlike the NBA playoffs, which are a slow burn to get to the best matchups, the NHL is hot right out of the gate in early April. The consequence is that the Conference Final round has sometimes lost a little bit of flavour. Critics argue that the current format simply dilutes the meaning of a long, 82-game regular season and that being one of the best teams over the 186-day grind provides little reward. The truth is that any system, even the old one-versus-eight setup that existed before 2013, has its own quirks and pitfalls – namely rewarding weak division winners. So anyone hoping for change shouldn’t hold their breath. A new playoff format is not anywhere on the horizon. TSN.CA LOADED: 03.05.2019 1134532 Websites discussion from the NHL Players’ Association. Fines for Department of Player Safety violations, while still minimal, were collectively bargained.

Foul language: Swearing and hockey go together like horse and carriage. TSN.CA / Ten tweaks up for debate at NHL GMs meeting It’s as old as the day is long. But with cameras capturing so much of the chatter, there is an appetite to try and curb foul language and trash talking on the ice and on the benches. Good luck. Frank Seravalli TSN.CA LOADED: 03.05.2019

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Florida’s warm, gentle breezes naturally lead to blue-sky dreaming, even for the NHL’s 31 general managers. Unlike recent years, there is no hot-button issue to tackle on the agenda – no fire to put out – as the GMs arrive in Boca Raton for their annual meeting. The game is in a good place. Three-on-three overtime is appointment viewing. Coach’s challenges and video reviews seem manageable and expedient. But that doesn’t mean that some managers wouldn't like to see little tweaks in the game - or at least talk about them. Here are 10 potential tweaks on the GM’s agenda this week, some of which may gain traction, and others that are little more than blue-sky ideas: Clocks in the corner boards: The Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings played an exhibition game this year with clocks placed in the corner boards. The response from coaches seemed to be positive. They could prevent players from having to look up. The questions now: How many to implement (two or four?) and how to not obstruct dasher advertising? Clocks in the corner boards could be up for discussion at the NHL meetings this week. Roster/cap status of suspended players: When Tom Wilson was suspended for 14 games in October the Capitals received relief from Wilson’s roster spot and were able to list him as non-roster, but the team was forced to carry his salary cap hit. One proposed idea is to treat lengthy suspensions (at least 10 games) with the same roster and cap benefit of long-term injured reserve (LTIR) players. Some GMs may be opposed to this because it removes the punishment from the team. Goalie skate blades: Remember when Tuukka Rask lost his mind in the playoffs last spring when the Tampa Bay Lightning scored on a play in which his skate blade fell out? Rask was so incensed he winged his blade across the ice. The rule book did not allow for the referee to stop play in that instance. Now there is an idea to treat a lost skate blade the same as a goaltender whose helmet comes off – with an immediate stoppage. ROW Tiebreaker: The first tiebreaker in the standings is number of regulation and overtime wins. There is a proposed idea to now only include regulation wins, removing overtime wins from the formula. For two teams tied entering Sunday night’s action, the Penguins (30 regulation wins) would have slight edge over Montreal (29), compared to their current ROWs, which are tied 33-33. Pick your poison faceoff: Should a team on the power play be able to decide which side of the ice a faceoff is on? No bucket warm-ups: One of the most cherished NHL pre-game traditions may be in jeopardy. Should players be allowed to take the warm-up without a helmet? We figure this might have been asked in 2012 after Taylor Hall’s gruesome injury, but it’s up for discussion again. Also, GMs will look at the AHL’s helmet rules, which require a skater to exit the ice immediately if his helmet comes off during play. The Leggio Rule: Goaltender David Leggio never made it to the NHL, but he may impact a rule change. In both the AHL and in Germany, he purposely knocked the net off on clear breakaways. Those both resulted in penalty shots. In this case, the proposal is to change the wording for when a goaltender does that, automatically awarding a goal instead of a penalty shot. No slamming: In light of Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson being slammed to the ice, there is a proposal to specifically add the word “slamming” to the definition of roughing in the rule book. Florida’s Mike Matheson was suspended for two games for that incident on Oct. 13, but it was penalized as interference and unsportsmanlike conduct. Outdated Fines: Did you know that the NHL rule book calls for automatic fines for certain infractions? The problem is that they were seemingly written based on a 1970s-era pay scale. For instance, a player receiving any misconduct penalty (Rule 22.5) will be fined $100. That’s tip money for today’s player. Those could be updated, but probably not without 1134533 Websites Yet Vegas are better with that line off the ice! I mentioned earlier that I believe the Stone line has drawn increased attention from opponents, which has freed up other lines. Consider Vegas’ ‘other’ top line of TSN.CA / Golden Knights have been rolling since adding Stone Marchessault, Karlsson, and Smith. When they have been on the ice over these four games, they’ve had 64 per cent of the shots and scoring chances. That line was at 50 and 43 per cent respectively in the prior four games without Stone. Travis Yost It will be interesting to see if the Golden Knights will continue to drive play this aggressively, especially when the competition stiffens this week – they’ll play division rival Calgary twice in five days, with games against A week past the trade deadline, it is still hard to digest how Mark Stone Winnipeg and San Jose right around the corner. landed with the Vegas Golden Knights. Star players just don’t get traded very often in the modern NHL, and to call Stone merely a star player If this play does sustain, Vegas will move quickly towards the top of the could be an understatement. But the Senators are a unique franchise Western Conference pecking order. that offered an irresistible opportunity to a Vegas team serious about winning a Stanley Cup this year. I think general manager George TSN.CA LOADED: 03.05.2019 McPhee summarized it best: “You don't get players like this very often. Players this good aren't available through trade very often.” Vegas have been well-positioned for a playoff berth for some time now, but that’s largely because of (a) a mid-season surge that created significant separation; and (b) the inability of any Western Conference team to close the gap. That doesn’t mean they were playing Stanley Cup-calibre hockey, though. Part of what made the Stone trade so fascinating from a Vegas perspective was the fact the Golden Knights were in quite the rut as of late – the type of rut that might make teams a bit more bearish on a deal of significance at the trade deadline. Looking at Vegas’ performance month-by-month, you can see just how rough it has been of late: Vegas has dominated the play, territorially speaking, for two years now – you can see that the Knights are viciously outshooting and outchancing opponents in every month of this calendar season. But keep in mind that’s somewhat out of necessity – the Knights need to be elite at 5-on-5 because their power play (23rd in the NHL) has long been stuck in mud and their goaltending is once again around league average. Their competitive advantage is blitzing teams shift after shift in the most important game state, and when they are clicking there, they are almost impossible to beat. (If you need any evidence, their three-month run starting in November was blistering.) One way to reinforce that competitive advantage is to bring in one of the best drivers of play in the National Hockey League. Stone has built quite the reputation as an elite two-way forward, and it’s obvious in the numbers. Over the past three seasons, the list of forwards who have had a larger positive impact on teammate performance is impossible to find. No player – not Connor McDavid, not Sidney Crosby – has boosted his teammates’ goal differentials more than Stone. If you adjust for goaltending performance and use expected goal differentials as opposed to actual goal differentials, you get the same conclusion. If you ignore goals and just focus on shot differentials, you reach the same conclusion. Stone is number one in all three categories! (This is certainly why Vegas’ analytics team loves Stone, as I suspect is true for every other team in the league.) The below bubble graph captures this well. Pay specific attention to the type of players clustered around Stone here: Any time you’re sitting next to the likes of the aforementioned Crosby/McDavid and New Jersey’s Taylor Hall, you are probably doing something right. For every 60 minutes of play, Stone adds the following to his team’s performance: +0.5 in expected goals (blind to goaltender performance), +1.0 in actual goals, and +10.6 in shots. Regardless of your preferred measure for understanding how an individual drives performance and impacts the play of his teammates, Stone is the clubhouse leader. That is the perfect segue to what has happened in Vegas since the trade. Head coach Gerard Gallant bucked early prevailing thought and preserved the Jonathan Marchessault, Reilly Smith, and William Karlsson line. Instead, he opted to play Stone on what’s effectively their ‘1B’ line with Paul Stastny and Max Pacioretty. Gallant’s high-level review of that line’s performance to date: Excellent forecheck, tons of scoring chances for and very few scoring chances against. That’s borne out in the numbers that are publicly available. The Golden Knights have been rolling since adding Stone, and it’s not just because Stone’s line is driving fantastic performance. The creation of that line has opened up the floodgates for the rest of Vegas’ attacking group against weaker competition and their numbers are surging as a result: The Stone line is getting 59 per cent of the shots and 55 per cent of the scoring chances over the four games (Dallas, Anaheim, Florida, and Vancouver). (Oh, and they have 100 per cent of the goals, too.) Those are Stanley Cup-calibre numbers. 1134534 Websites Detroit retired his jersey number, No. 7, in 1991 and unveiled a statue of him in 2008 outside Joe Louis Arena.

USA TODAY LOADED: 03.05.2019 USA TODAY / Ted Lindsay, Detroit Red Wings legend and NHL Hall of Famer, dies at 93

Tom Schad and Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Published 9:40 a.m. ET March 4, 2019 | Updated 11:20 a.m. ET March 4, 2019

Longtime Detroit Red Wings forward and Hockey Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay died early Monday, the NHL Players' Association announced. He was 93. Lindsay left behind a legacy of being a game changer on and off the ice. He started the players' union, and on April 23, 1950, he began the tradition of carrying the Stanley Cup around the ice. “I knew who paid our salaries,” Lindsay told USA TODAY Sports' Kevin Allen years ago. “It wasn’t the owners. It was the people. “I just wanted them to have a closer look.” Nicknamed "Terrible Ted," Lindsay spent 14 seasons with the Red Wings and three with the Chicago Blackhawks, making nine all-star appearances and winning four Stanley Cup titles over a career that spanned parts of three decades. Lindsay had not planned to carry the Stanley Cup around the ice. It just occurred to him after Pete Babando scored in double-overtime to secure a Game 7 Stanley Cup win over the New York Rangers. When the photographer stopped snapping pictures when the Cup was presented to Lindsay, Lindsay grabbed it off the table and carried it around the rink. “This situation was what we dream about, maybe from the time we are born,” Lindsay said. “I wanted to share it with fans.” The rink was surrounded by chicken wire, not Plexiglass, in those days so fans could put their fingers through it and touch the Cup. “(My teammates) probably thought there goes that idiot Lindsay off on another tangent,” Lindsay said. The Ontario native racked up 379 goals and 472 assists over 1,068 career regular-season games, starring on the Red Wings' famous "Production Line" that also featured Hall of Famers Gordie Howe and Sid Abel. The late Max McNab once told that he filled in briefly for an injured Abel “and I just watched the puck fly across my nose and Gordie and Ted passed back and forth.” Lindsay was inducted into the Hall of Fame himself in 1966. Despite his diminutive size — he was listed at 5-foot-8, 163 pounds — Lindsay became known for his brash, physical style of play. He spent more than 30 hours (1,808 minutes) in the penalty box over the course of his career. "I hated everybody I played against, and they hated me," Lindsay would say, according to The Detroit Free Press. "That’s the way hockey should be played." The players and NHLPA staff are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ted Lindsay – a player, a trailblazer, and a gentleman. "Terrible Ted" was loved across the hockey world and beyond for his play, dedication to fellow players and charitable work. https://t.co/jpDcnWZ68lpic.twitter.com/0QBECLqmva — NHLPA (@NHLPA) March 4, 2019 Lindsay also became a thorn in the side of Red Wings management and then-NHL president Clarence Campbell. He filed an antitrust lawsuit against the league and helped spearhead the creation of the NHL players' union. "When I did it, the NHL was a dictatorship," Lindsay said in the book "Net Worth." "I just wanted to give us a voice. We had no voice." Former Red Wings general manager Jack Adams, whom Lindsay was critical of for breaking up the Red Wings' 1955 title team, traded Lindsay to the Blackhawks in 1957, mostly because of his efforts to launch a union. In 2010, the NHLPA renamed the Lester Pearson Award the Ted Lindsay Award. It is the league MVP, voted on by the players. Lindsay, who went on to briefly coach the Red Wings, was named one of the 100 greatest players in NHL history by a league panel in 2017.