SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 4/18/2021 1209372 Column: Patrick Marleau continues to chase the Cup into 1209402 Stars closing gap on playoff position after 5-1 thrashing of record book Blue Jackets 1209373 Ducks favor Trevor Zegras’ transition to center in AHL 1209403 Stars get rare Sunday respite to rest during grueling pace of condensed season 1209404 Stars rookie Jason Robertson says he never expected this 1209374 Coyotes overcome slow start, rally for win over Blues on level of success as a rookie special day for Leighton Accardo 1209405 Stars show how real momentum can be in a blistering 1209375 Beloved Coyotes fan and youth hockey player Leighton offensive stretch Accardo joins team's Ring of Honor 1209376 Coyotes to induct Leighton Accardo into ring of honor Saturday 1209406 Detroit Red Wings can't hit on power plays, blanked, 4-0, in final game with Chicago Bruins 1209407 Detroit Pistons' plan to appeal to young fans: Listen to 1209377 Bruins netminder future seems promising with Jeremy them about everything Swayman in waiting 1209408 'Our power play was brutal': Red Wings by 1209378 Taking stock of the Bruins after the deadline Blackhawks as 3-game win streak ends 1209379 John Peirson, former Bruins player and broadcaster, dead 1209409 Blackhawks blank Red Wings, 4-0 at 95 1209380 Bruins notebook: Mike Reilly quickly finds his comfort level Edmonton Oilers 1209381 Highlights: Hall scores again as Swayman shuts out Isles 1209410 Mike Smith and Oilers blank Jets to close ground in North 1209382 Pastrnak praises 'unbelievable' Taylor Hall amid Bruins Division win streak 1209411 OILERS SNAPSHOTS: Extended break heading into 1209383 ‘Unbelievable’ Swayman Collects First NHL Shutout For Winnipeg unexpected 1209412 Panthers take 3 of 4 points from rival Lightning to solidify 1209384 Observations: Sabres' drought reaches historic level, but their place in division race youth inspires hope 1209413 Montour makes first splash, Panthers finish road trip with 1209385 Mike Harrington: Don Granato is looking like the right win in Tampa choice for Sabres 1209414 Hyde: From zero to Zito — Panthers’ changes started at 1209386 And that makes 10: Where Sabres' decadelong playoff the top drought ranks in pro sports 1209415 Panthers get to Vasilevskiy early, hold on for win at 1209387 The Wraparound: Sabres finish strong, still fall to Tampa Bay Penguins, 3-2 1209416 Hockey Night in Florida: Panthers, Lightning play it again 1209388 Mike Harrington's NHL Power Rankings 1209389 Okposo out for season, Sabres to go with Tokarski in Los Angeles Kings again today 1209417 TEAMMATES, COACHES & MANAGEMENT REFLECT ON JEFF CARTER 1209418 REMOTE REACTIONS, PT.2 – GOING BEHIND THE 1209390 Leslie siblings, Rebecca and Zac, pushing each other in SCENES WITH THE BSW BROADCAST TEAM pursuit of hockey dreams 1209419 Wild stalwart Jonas Brodin plays on and on, and ever so 1209391 Hakanpaa’s first goal with Hurricanes the winner in 3-1 gracefully victory over Predators 1209420 Minnesota takes home win streak into matchup with San Jose 1209421 Wild returning to the road with offense soaring 1209392 Malcolm Subban pitches his 2nd shutout of the season in 1209422 Saturday's Wild-San Jose game recap the Chicago Blackhawks’ 4-0 bounce-back win over the D 1209423 Balanced attack leads Wild over Sharks 5-2 1209393 Chicago Blackhawks are banking on Henrik Borgström 1209424 Wild makes quick work of San Jose, winning 5-2 to sweep rediscovering his ‘special’ game: ‘A lot of times you feel three-game homestand 1209394 Blackhawks hammer Red Wings after adjusting to 1209425 Wild use offensive explosion to complete sweep of Sharks -blocking tactics 1209426 After blowout loss, Wild Kaapo Kahkonen back 1209395 With trade deadline over, where do the Blackhawks go in net from here? 1209427 Wild’s Kaapo Kahkonen doesn’t let early goal vs. Sharks 1209396 Blackhawks get crucial win in Detroit rattle him as he bounces back from ’embarrassment’ 1209397 Subban, kill give Blackhawks crucial win 1209428 Batherson, Murray lead Senators over Canadiens 4-0 1209398 Chambers: Avalanche has multiple defining moments this 1209429 Toffoli scores twice as Canadiens beat Flames season. One occurred Wednesday in St. Louis 1209430 In the Habs Room: Canadiens in bad need of some 'Gally spice' 1209431 Canadiens get shut out by Senators at Bell Centre 1209399 Another blown lead, another meltdown in Blue Jackets' 1209432 Canadiens Game Day: A rough return to action for Habs' fifth straight loss Carey Price 1209400 Questions at center persist as Blue Jackets assess their 1209433 About Last Night: Habs earn crucial two-points in scrappy options down the middle win over Flames 1209401 Josh Dunne, Jackets' recent undrafted free agent signing, 1209434 Canadiens’ trade deadline roster juggling has left them quietly impressive in NHL debut stuck with an ineffective lineup 1209435 Hurricanes' strong third period gets Carolina past 1209467 Minor league report: Penguins dropped by Crunch Nashville Predators 3-1 1209468 Empty Thoughts: Penguins 3, Sabres 2 1209469 Penguins notes: Forward Jared McCann scores from a bad angle 1209436 Devils’ rally falls short as early mistakes help Rangers 1209470 Penguins hold off Sabres, move into second place take another win 1209471 Penguins to start Tristan Jarry against Sabres 1209437 New Jersey Devils vs. FREE LIVE 1209472 Porous penalty kill leaves unit near bottom of league in STREAM (4/17/21): Watch NHL online | Time, TV, April channel 1209473 Jeff Carter's line gets on the scoreboard as Penguins beat 1209438 How Devils’ Will Butcher handled adverse season with few Sabres yet again chances to play | ‘It’s definitely mentally fatiguing 1209474 McGuire Calls Sidney Crosby ‘Most Disrespected Player 1209439 ‘We weren’t ready to play’: Why the Devils fell flat in in Our Game’ another shutout loss to Rangers 1209475 Penguins Report Card & Chalkboard: Dangerous Win vs. 1209440 Pair of ex-Devils star in Bruins’ win over Islanders BUF | PHN+ 1209441 5 takeaways as Rangers fend off late NJ Devils rally to 1209476 Penguins 3 Stars & Recap: Whew, Pens Hang On, Beat stay in the playoff race Buffalo 3-2 1209442 5 takeaways as Rangers dominate Devils again to stay in 1209477 Sabres vs. Penguins Betting Prediction (April 17, 2021) the playoff chase 1209478 Pride Day, Gm 44: Penguins Lines, Notes & What to 1209443 Pavel Buchnevich nets first hat trick as Rangers beat Watch vs. Sabres Devils for 3rd time in 5 days 1209479 Penguins Chemistry Set: GM Keeps It, Players Enjoying It, 1209444 Rangers’ playoff chase continues with third straight win Will Fans? over Devils 1209480 Barracuda Vaccinated Last Week; Sommer on 1209445 Taylor Hall scores again, Jeremy Swayman solid as Chekhovich, Chmelevski’s Slow Starts | SJHN+ Bruins blank Islanders 1209481 Postgame Notes #44: Patty Ties Gordie, But Sharks Fall 1209446 Islanders' Lou Lamoriello has some decisions to make Apart in 5-2 Loss ahead of this summer's expansion draft 1209482 Playoff Watch/Lines #44: Jones Is Probably Boughner’s 1209447 Like last season, Islanders struggle to win after trade Best Option Right Now deadline 1209483 Quick Thoughts: Kane Living Up to Contract, Jones Is 1209448 Michael Dal Colle is back, but is there a place for him in Back Islanders' lineup? 1209484 Minnesota Wild honors Patrick Marleau, then flattens San 1209449 DAILY LINKSNYHN Daily: Another Boston Beatdown, Jose Sharks Islanders Having Fun & Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech 1209485 Balanced attack leads Wild over Sharks 5-2 1209486 Why Marleau was inspired by NHL legend Howe growing New York Rangers up 1209450 Pavel Buchnevich nets first hat trick as Rangers beat 1209487 Kane 'staying within himself' is giving Sharks a boost Devils for 3rd time in 5 days 1209488 Change on the way? An early look at the Sharks’ 2021 1209451 Pavel Buchnevich’s birthday hat trick earns him place in offseason storylines Rangers history 1209452 Rangers’ playoff chase continues with third straight win Seattle Kraken over Devils 1209490 Capitals post-trade-deadline expansion draft outlook: Is 1209453 5 takeaways as Rangers fend off late NJ Devils rally to T.J. Oshie still a top Kraken target? stay in the playoff race 1209454 Rangers hope Chris Kreider empty-net goal can get him St Louis Blues going again 1209491 Blues squander 2-0 lead, fall out of playoff spot in 3-2 loss 1209455 Pavel Buchnevich's hat trick on his birthday helps Rangers to Coyotes hold off Devils 1209492 Blues notebook: Coyotes line keeps Blues on short leash 1209456 Who will Rangers expose to expansion draft this summer? 1209493 Kuemper sharp in return, Coyotes rally to beat Blues 3-2 1209457 Birthday hat trick from Pavel Buchnevich, strong play from other stars keep Rangers in mix 1209494 Lightning lose at home to Panthers 1209495 Steven Stamkos’ injury not related to last year’s core 1209458 A BLANKING GOOD TIME: Matt Murray, Sens shut out surgeries, Lightning say Canadiens Philadelphia Flyers 1209496 The Maple Leafs might have William Nylander and Auston 1209459 Flyers bullied by the Capitals again, 6-3 Matthews back to face the recovering Canucks 1209460 Carter Hart out with a lower-body injury, Alex Lyon starting 1209497 Nylander back with Maple Leafs after COVID scare on Saturday 1209498 David Rittich: The Maple Leafs new mischievous, fiery, 1209461 Did COVID-19 contribute to Flyers’ downfall? We may old-school insurance policy in net never know | Sam Carchidi 1209462 Flyers’ roster moves could heat up this summer 1209463 Grotz: As usual, Flyers problems start in goal 1209509 Canucks: 'You don't want to get this' — Travis Green on 1209464 Flyers Notebook: Hayes made Allison's first NHL goal an his battle with COVID-19 easy one 1209510 Canucks: Legendary equipment man Pat O'Neill finally 1209465 Flyers lose to Capitals, 6-3, with Alex Lyon starting in now Mr. 3000 place of goalie Carter Hart 1209511 Canucks' AHL affiliate may move from Utica 1209466 Allison scores but Hart-less Flyers experience more 1209512 How the Canucks COVID-19 outbreak hit Brandon Sutter struggles with Capitals — and his family: ‘It just wipes you out’ Vegas Golden Knights 1209499 Robin Lehner finds calmness in net during recent hot streak 1209500 Golden Knights in West Division showdown with Colorado 1209501 How the Silver Knights are trying to unlock Jack Dugan’s game 1209502 Knights’ William Karlsson gives Ducks reason to be regretful 1209503 Reflective and Thoughtful, Golden Knights’ Goalie Lehner Offers Intense, Real Answers Washington Capitals 1209504 Mantha continues hot streak in Caps 6-3 win 1209505 Capitals post-trade-deadline expansion draft outlook: Is T.J. Oshie still a top Kraken target? Websites 1209513 The Athletic / Why 37 NHL goalies changed pads this year: Inside the high-stakes game of hockey equipment bran 1209514 .ca / Canucks' Green opens up about battle with COVID-19, return to the ice 1209515 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' need for Caufield even clearer after listless loss to Senators 1209516 Sportsnet.ca / Nylander gears up for Maple Leafs return: “I was pretty nervous' 1209517 Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' growth an extension of McDavid, Draisaitl's own on-ice transformation 1209518 Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: The mysterious value of finishing No. 1 in Canada 1209519 Sportsnet.ca / Canucks emerge from COVID-19 outbreak looking to finish disastrous season 1209521 With confidence rising, 'hard to hit' Robertson earns look in Leafs' top six 1209522 Nylander reflects on quarantine experience as he rejoins Maple Leafs 1209523 Coyne Schofield discusses USA coach Corkum stepping down Winnipeg Jets 1209506 Oilers' power play sinks Jets 1209507 Rested Oilers make it look easy with win over lifeless Jets in possible playoff preview 1209508 JETS SNAPSHOTS: Jets players, coaches joyful over Lowry’s long-term contract SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1209372 Anaheim Ducks generation is he’s farm tough. He’s a big, thick, strong, Saskatchewan farm boy,” McLellan said during a recent videoconference. “That’s what he started out as, and then he was committed to training and to his Column: Patrick Marleau continues to chase the Cup into record book fitness and he had really good people around him, starting with his family.”

Marleau’s four sons and wife Christina are planning to see him surpass By HELENE ELLIOTT SPORTS COLUMNIST Howe’s record. Landon, 14, Brody, 12, Jagger, 9, and 6-year-old Caleb play hockey, and one played a bit with Howe during a memorable APRIL 17, 2021 7 AM PT encounter in a hallway at the All-Star game in Montreal in 2009.

“I was playing mini-sticks with Landon, and Gordie came around the Patrick Marleau’s hometown is a speck on the map of Saskatchewan, corner and grabbed a mini-stick out of my hand and started playing with one of Canada’s prairie provinces. According to Statistics Canada the my oldest son,” Marleau said during a webinar. “I think he might have farming community of Aneroid had a population of 50 in 2016, up from been 2 or 3 at the time. That was pretty impressive, that he took the time the 40 that were counted five years earlier. out of his day to make my young son’s day. I didn’t get any pictures of it. I didn’t have my phone on me. But I’ll never get that image out of my head It was a great place to learn the value of hard work and fulfilling and I’ll never forget that story.” responsibilities, but it wasn’t an ideal place to launch the hockey career he dreamed about. “As I got older we had to join small towns to make a Marleau said he didn’t think about breaking Howe’s games-played record team,” he said, “so Vanguard and Aneroid joined together and we had a until the last few seasons. “It’s one of those things you can kind of see team. And then when I was about 14 years old I moved to Swift Current that it could be possible if you stay healthy and everything falls into place, and lived with my grandma to play some more competitive hockey and but I don’t know if there’s an exact point where I thought that it could be better hockey in Swift Current.” done,” he said. “A lot of talk about it lately. It’s been fun. It’s been a great opportunity to thank everybody along the way that’s helped me get here.” Although in an especially remote outpost he was inspired by knowing others from his home province had excelled in the NHL. His role models Angelique Fong introduces Ducks players before their against the included the great Gordie Howe, who was born in the town of Floral, and Colorado Avalanche on April 11 at Honda Center. Bryan Trottier of Val Marie, who won the six times and was HOCKEY elected to the Hall of Fame. Elliott: Angelique Fong loves the Ducks. Now the feeling is mutual: ‘What “For me, growing up in Saskatchewan, one of the first things you do is an incredible woman’ look to see what players from Saskatchewan are in the NHL,” Marleau said. “Obviously Gordie comes to the top of that list and Bryan Trottier, Angelique Fong of Mission Viejo is this year’s 21st Duck, an honor the Mark Lamb and players like that grew up around my area and made it. It NHL team gives to someone distinguished by their character, courage or gives you hope, maybe that could be me one day playing in the NHL community contributions. since these guys before me did it coming from small farming communities in Saskatchewan.” He acknowledged he’s not sure how much longer he will continue. “I still feel good. I’d like to keep playing as long as I can, as long as my family is Marleau not only made it, he became an enduring presence. Now in his willing to keep supporting me and see me off on road trips and welcome 23rd season, he’s poised to break one of Howe’s most revered NHL me home when I come back,” he said. After being bought out in 2019 by records. the Carolina Hurricanes, who had acquired him from Toronto, he signed two one-year deals with San Jose for the minimum salary of $700,000 Marleau, 41, is scheduled to tie Howe’s record of 1,767 games played each season. The Sharks aren’t likely to make the playoffs this season when the San Jose Sharks face the Wild at Minnesota on Saturday. If all and they’re far from being Cup contenders; the closest they’ve come was goes well — and Marleau has played nearly 900 consecutive games, last in 2016, when they lost a six-game Cup Final to Pittsburgh. missing one on March 25, 2009, for the birth of his second son — he will break Howe’s record on Monday, when the Sharks play in Las Vegas. “Every season where it doesn’t happen, it’s a kick in the butt for sure, especially on teams that you know have a really good shot of going a Howe, who was 52 in his final NHL season and played alongside his long way,” he said. “Every year you’ve got to go into the season believing sons Mark and Marty with the Hartford Whalers, also played 419 regular- you’re going to win. You’re going to win the Stanley Cup, get in the season games in the World Hockey Assn. NHL records don’t include playoffs, that’s how I’ve always approached it. statistics from the WHA, which folded in 1979. “That’s what I’m chasing. It’s definitely disappointing that I haven’t won it “I think it’s a remarkable feat. I’m not sure that it will be broken,” said this far in my career but what’s kept me going all these years is trying to Kings coach Todd McLellan, who coached Marleau and the Sharks for win that Stanley Cup.” seven seasons. “It may be one of those records that stay forever, and he deserves it. He’s done everything to earn the accolades that are going to come with it.” LA Times: LOADED: 04.18.2021 Los Angeles Kings defenseman Sean Walker, left, collects the puck as center Michael Amadio.

The Kings’ next two games, both against the Colorado Avalanche, are postponed after a third member of the Avalanche enters the NHL’s COVID protocols.

Marleau, drafted second by San Jose in 1997, ranked 23rd in career goals (566) before San Jose faced Minnesota on Friday. He also ranked 50th in points, with 1,196. He has persisted through aches and pains, bumps and bruises, through doubts during his first training camp and the perennial disappointment of never lifting the Stanley Cup. He has adapted to changes brought on by age and by prevailing NHL trends, remaining a steady and positive force as he evolved into a leader and a mentor to young players.

Howe, who died in 2016, has become a mythical figure for his skills, the nasty elbows he delighted in delivering to unsuspecting rivals, and his longevity. The fall of his games-played record is difficult to fathom, but Marleau quietly earned that distinction.

McLellan considers it no coincidence that Marleau’s upbringing is similar to Howe’s. “I think what Patrick has and is maybe missing from today’s 1209373 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks favor Trevor Zegras’ transition to center in AHL

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

PUBLISHED: April 17, 2021 at 1:29 p.m. | UPDATED: April 17, 2021 at 1:32 p.m.

So far, the reports of Trevor Zegras’ transition from left wing to center with the Ducks’ AHL team, the San Diego Gulls, have been good. He had four goals and three assists in five games during his reassignment before the Gulls faced the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday.

Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said the mere fact that Zegras was in San Diego and learning to play his natural position as a professional now, instead of at some point next season, meant he was ahead of schedule. The statistics are an added bonus.

There’s more to his development as a center than goals and assists, however. Winning faceoffs, winning battles in front of his own net and playing what coaches like to call a 200-foot game are every bit as important as Zegras’ transition continues.

“I think it’s coming along fine, it’s coming along well,” Eakins said. “I do get updates from the coaches. I’m more worried about his practice habits and all the work he’s got to do there. I think if you are an elite practice player and you put all the work in, the games look after themselves.

“My reports are that he is doing the work. He’s working extremely hard at the faceoffs. That is a critical, critical thing at this level, being able to start with the puck. With that comes experience, comes strength and comes repeat, repeat, repeat. I know he’s getting lots of reps there.

“I do see he’s got some points, some goals, all that good stuff. He’s going to do that in the American League no matter what position he plays.”

There was no timetable for the Ducks to recall Zegras from the Gulls, at least not one the team was willing to share publicly. However, it’s believed Zegras will be back with the Ducks to play several games as a center before the end of the season May 8.

HOME VS. ROAD

The Ducks’ lopsided victory Wednesday over the San Jose Sharks gave them a 9-9-3 road record. Their lopsided loss Friday to the Golden Knights dropped their Honda Center mark to 5-15-4. Their power play is 8 for 40 (20%) on the road and 3 for 59 (5.1%) at home.

The latter set of figures could very well explain the former.

“You know what? I can’t,” Eakins said when asked for an explanation for the road-home disparity this season. “I wish I could give you an answer and I’m not going to give you some (expletive) answer, either. I cannot put a finger on why we’re just a better team on the road right now.

“It’s kind of like that question you get some years. Like, why are you so great in the first period and not so good in the second period? Or whatever it is. I cannot put my finger on it. I do think a big part of that is our lack of success on the power play at home. I think that has a direct correlation.

“I wish I could give you an answer, but I’m certainly not going to make one up, either.”

Eakins doesn’t expect center Isac Lundestrom to play Sunday against Vegas. Lundestrom went for a skate before his teammates practiced and it didn’t go well, according to Eakins. Lundestrom has been sidelined for five games since suffering an appendicitis.

“He tried to go for a little twirl on the ice by himself,” Eakins said. “I saw him when he was coming off. He didn’t look like it was a very comfortable skate. To think, in his head, he was good enough to go for a little twirl, that’s at least progression. He’s not at home. He’s not lounging around.”

Lundestrom has been working out in the gym and riding a stationary bike. His return to the lineup is uncertain.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209374 Arizona Coyotes First star: The Coyotes had a special first star of the game, announced via public address at the game's conclusion.

Coyotes overcome slow start, rally for win over Blues on special day for Leighton Accardo Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.18.2021

JOSE M. ROMERO | Arizona Republic

On a day that meant so much to the team and in a game that meant a great deal as well, as far as this season goes, the Arizona Coyotes got a win for their beloved friend and inspiration, Leighton Accardo.

They had to come back from a two-goal deficit against the St. Louis Blues to do so, but the Coyotes scored three unanswered goals, kicked aside a five-game losing streak and moved ahead of the Blues for fourth place in the NHL's West Division with a 3-2 victory.

Arizona (20-20-5) has 45 points in the division standings to 44 for the Blues, who have played two fewer games. The teams won't meet any more this season after the Coyotes won the season series with a 5-2-1 record against St. Louis (19-18-6).

Alex Goligoski, Clayton Keller and Michael Bunting scored for Arizona, with Bunting providing the go-ahead goal four minutes into the third period. It was Bunting's seventh goal in his 10th game of the season, and his first game of his career at home.

The Coyotes had chances to build on their lead later in the third, but Phil Kessel missed a breakaway. Darcy Kuemper, back in net for the first time since March 8 after more than a month on injured reserve, gathered himself after a shaky start and finished with 20 saves.

"Obviously, I wanted to be in there for such a big game and it was a great game to come back into, just the atmosphere," Kuemper said. "You get a little bit of that adrenaline to help you through and a huge two points for us."

The Coyotes might have been dealing with the emotional fallout of a touching pregame ceremony for the late Accardo, who was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor. Young Leighton and her family had grown close with the organization over the past couple of years as she bravely fought the cancer that ultimately took her life.

Captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson said the win was for Leighton.

"We said it before the game. The second and third (periods) we played a good game for her, and she would be proud of that," Ekman-Larsson said.

"I’m not going to be cheesy, but I will say there was something there. I know we went down two-nothing, but I thought we were still playing good hockey," Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said. "I thought some guys had some juice. I think there was something there with Leighton. A couple of guys… I could tell they really wanted to lay it on the line for her."

Ekman-Larsson and the team made good on the defenseman's pronouncement during the first intermission, which he made on the broadcast.

After Bunting re-directed Jakob Chychrun's shot past Blues goalie Jordan Binnington early in the third, the Coyotes didn't let up. They generated more chances, including a Phil Kessel breakaway shot that was wide.

On the defensive side, the Coyotes did what Tocchet has preached — sacrificed themselves to block the shots the Blues had. It got tense in the final minute as St. Louis kept offensive zone possession, but blocked shots by Christian Fischer, Niklas Hjalmarsson and two for Goligoski preserved the win.

Goal of the Game

Bunting just continues to shine. He got to the net several times, and was in the right place to knock in the game winner.

Three Stars

Third star: Keller, who tied the game with his goal in the second period. The guy who grew up in the St. Louis area going to Blues games has four goals against them this season.

Second star: Bunting. 1209375 Arizona Coyotes

Beloved Coyotes fan and youth hockey player Leighton Accardo joins team's Ring of Honor

JOSE M. ROMERO | Arizona Republic

Back in November 2019, the Arizona Coyotes signed then-8-year-old Leighton Accardo to an honorary contract.

Saturday afternoon, she became a Coyote for eternity.

In a brief but emotion-filled pregame ceremony at Gila River Arena, the Coyotes inducted young Leighton, who died after a long battle with cancer last November, into their Ring of Honor.

Her youth hockey jersey number, 49, along with her last name, adorned a white-and-lavender sign that was unveiled right next to Coyotes legend ’s No. 97 in the Ring of Honor high above the ice. Accardo’s parents and siblings watched from a suite with tears in their eyes as the banner was revealed, to a standing ovation from the Coyotes players on their bench and the fans in attendance.

The Coyotes played a video tribute to Leighton filled with comments from her parents, Carly and Jeremy, former hockey and baseball coaches, friends and teammates, Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet and players. The video showed Images from Leighton’s happy childhood in Gilbert and an evening she got to spend with the team at a game, on Hockey Fights Cancer Night.

A beautiful life packed into 9 years.

A beautiful legacy just getting started.

The Coyotes wore white and lavender warmup jerseys with the word “Leighton” stitched on the backs. It was a replica of the way she signed her contract.

The message “Skate Hard, Have Fun,” which were Leighton’s motivational words to the Coyotes before a game, was stitched into a logo on the chest of the jerseys.

"At the end of the day it's just a hockey game for me," Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said. "I'm glad for her family that we got to win for them."

Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who’d become close with Leighton, was asked between the first and second periods about the Ring of Honor induction on the Bally Sports Arizona broadcast.

“To be able to do that for her, she means a lot to this organization and to the guys in that room,” Ekman-Larsson said. “We’re going to turn this around and get a big win for her and her family.”

The Coyotes did turn things around in the second period, tying the game at 2 with one goal coming on an assist from Ekman-Larsson. They won the game 3-2.

Leighton's legacy will also live on in a girls hockey scholarship established in her name. The team announced early in the third period that $100,000 has been raised for that scholarship fund.

"Pretty emotional. I was fighting back tears. Leighton inspired us in so many ways and continues to," Coyotes goalie Darcy Kuemper said of the ceremony. "Also very happy to have the chance to celebrate her life and to go out and play for her.

"As important as this one (game) is, sometimes it's a little bit bigger than hockey. We just wanted to go out and make her proud," Kuemper added.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209376 Arizona Coyotes Coyotes players and coaches became enamored of Leighton when she became their ambassador for Hockey Fights Cancer Nights. It was reinforced by numerous interactions, including visits to her hospital room.

Coyotes to induct Leighton Accardo into ring of honor Saturday “We knew, obviously, how special Leighton was and what an amazing soul she was,” Leighton’s mother, Carly, said through tears. “And for them to see it, too, just made us really proud. They connected with her Staff Report on such a personal and different level.”

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS The news of Leighton’s death on Nov. 24 sent a bolt of sadness across Phoenix and the hockey world. APRIL 16, 2021 AT 4:58 PM The Coyotes made good on their promise to visit, playing a game of

street hockey outside the family’s home in her honor the day she passed. GLENDALE, Ariz. — Lyndsey Fry remembers the day she met Leighton Messages of condolence and tributes poured in from all corners. Accardo. Fry called her boss. She had planned to rollerblade 96 miles to raise Addressing a group of 40 kids at a hockey camp, she felt the tug of a 4- money for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital or some other place for sick year-old girl who needed to use the bathroom. kids.

The cute freckled face, the unapologetic gumption. Once Leighton passed, “Skatin’ for Leighton” shifted focus. The money would go toward a scholarship in Leighton’s name to assist girls Fry remembers the day Leighton died. interested in playing hockey in Arizona.

The Arizona Coyotes were supposed to visit the 9-year-old one last time Fry set out on Feb. 21 from Phoenix Children’s Hospital and hit all seven that day. They just missed her. Phoenix-area ice rinks before ending up at Gila River Arena.

The sobbing in the shower, the regret of not going to see her sooner. Fry skated for more than 14 hours, her feet and ankles throbbing, hips burning. She kept pushing through, completing a journey that’s raised “She was just that kid in the rink that everybody knew because she just more than $100,000 for the Leighton Accardo Scholarship Fund. had this radiating positivity, bubbliness, whatever you want to call it, everywhere she went,” said Fry, the Coyotes’ director of external “I kept telling myself throughout the whole thing, at the end of the day, it engagement and female hockey. “She was a memorable kid.” was nothing,” said Fry, who also serves as the Coyotes’ radio analyst. “I mean, even at the time, it was getting hard and it would hurt my hips, The Coyotes will take an extraordinary step before Saturday’s game retired or whatever. I just remind myself this is nothing compared to what against St. Louis by inducting Leighton into their ring of honor. Leighton had to go through.” The inspirational girl with the tenacity of a hockey player will become the The Coyotes signed Leighton to a contract in 2019 and players have first person in NHL history who’s not a former player, coach, general worn “LA49” decals on their helmet this season. They’ll wear “Leighton manager or broadcaster to be inducted into a team’s ring of honor. 49” warm-up jerseys before Saturday’s game that will be auctioned off, Her name will join Wayne Gretzky, Keith Tkachuk, Jeremy Roenick, the proceeds going to her scholarship fund. Teppo Numminen, Dale Hawerchuk, Thomas Steen, and The ring of honor ceremony will cement her place within the organization, inside Gila River Arena. the memory of a memorable girl living on forever. Leighton’s imprint on the organization runs that deep.

“She really left the impact on us, not just as someone who loved hockey, Arizona Sports LOADED: 04.18.2021 but as someone who really captured the spirit of resiliency and of grit and of overcoming adversity in the face of an incredible challenge,” Coyotes president and CEO Xavier Gutierrez said. “Her famous saying was, ‘skate hard, have fun.’ And that’s really what we wanted to continue to do, to really keep her in our memories as an organization.”

There’s a connection every time a professional athlete meets a child with cancer. The encounters move the players, uplift the kids, yet are often brief.

Leighton’s effervescent spirit, her tenacity on the ice — everything in life — and that smile were like an imprint on the soul of everyone she touched.

She had uncommon grit at an early age, falling and crying during one of her first times on the ice, yet refusing to come off. It carried her through her fight with cancer.

Leighton was memorable.

“People just really drew so much from her in the way that she carried herself during her cancer fight,” Fry said. “I mean, like that’s something that adults can’t handle and she just handled it with so much grace, so much positivity. She never wanted anyone to feel sorry for her.”

From the day of that first tug on Fry’s pants, Leighton was the girl who stood out just by being herself.

Her father, Jeremy, played eight seasons in the major leagues and is the New York Mets’ assistant pitching coach. The athletic ability was passed down to Leighton, who excelled at hockey, baseball — whatever she attempted.

An undercurrent of persistence thrust it forward.

Fry saw it at the clinic and through the Arizona Kachinas youth hockey program. 1209377 Boston Bruins the club’s front office also confirmed being informed of Peirson’s passing on Friday.

Born in Winnipeg, Peirson enjoyed a 10-plus-year NHL career, all as a Bruins netminder future seems promising with Jeremy Swayman in member of the Bruins, joining them after World War II and playing into waiting the late ’50s.

Peirson collected 326 points in 544 games. He did not play on any of the By Matt Porter Globe Staff franchise’s six Stanley Cup championship teams, but he was in the WBZ radio broadcast booth when the Bruins won the Cup in 1970 with Bobby Updated April 17, 2021, 6:57 p.m. Orr’s dramatic overtime goal.

Good natured and with a magnificent eye for on-ice detail and the game’s nuances, Peirson partnered for years in the WSBK-TV (Ch. 38) First star: Jeremy Swayman. broadcast booth with legendary play-by-play man . He had an uncanny Second star: Taylor Hall. knack for spotting the slightest details in a play, and often would share those details to viewers even before the broadcast replayed the video on Third star: Mike Reilly. the screen.

Had those names scrolled across the TD Garden video board after a Ch. 38 often featured “Peirson’s Pointers,” a segment in which he game in January, it would have been some operator’s highly confusing conveyed his vast knowledge of the game. error. But that’s how it read late Friday when the new-and-improved Bruins finished a two-game sweep of the second-place Islanders with three fresh faces leading the charge. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.18.2021 The Bruins didn’t need this kind of jolt in the opening month, believing they had the roster and record (10-1-2) to contend for a Stanley Cup. Injuries and COVID shook that belief.

Now, outside reinforcements are here, and while several players remain out of the lineup -- defensemen Matt Grzelcyk, Brandon Carlo and Kevan Miller among them -- they’re steadily regaining full health.

No. 1 netminder Tuukka Rask will start Sunday’s matinee against the Capitals after his apparent back issue calmed following Thursday’s return to action. This happened after watching understudy Swayman submit his first career shutout Friday. In his career, Rask has had several hundred of the kind of economical, rebound-erasing nights Swayman is just now realizing he can have at this level.

Cautious to avoid overhyping a 22-year-old goalie with five starts , coach Bruce Cassidy has all kinds of praise for Swayman (4-1-0, 1.78, .939). He said he has not seen a goalie adjust so quickly to the NHL level. He has yet to allow a bad goal, or one the team would pin on his chest. The Bruins are not looking over their shoulder, worried if the kid in the crease is going to be OK. They are playing as if Rask was in there.

“I see a guy who doesn’t seem to get flustered,” Cassidy said after Saturday’s optional practice in Brighton. “He’s not barking at the referees or coming to the bench or whatnot. He just seems very composed in there no matter what happens.

“Obviously, he’ll have to battle through at some point going forward a tougher game, and let’s see how he responds to that the next time he goes in the net. Those are things you have to reserve judgment on until they happen. Before you categorize a guy as ‘Oh, he’s made it.’”

The 10,000-foot view is that the Bruins are in an excellent spot with their goaltending, an area of concern entering last offseason. They planned to have Swayman, a first-year pro, battle Dan Vladar and Kyle Keyser for the Providence net, with the hope that someone would rise from the ranks of the unproven to show NHL backup potential, if not that of a starter. Both Vladar and Swayman proved they could handle NHL shooters, in the absence of the injured Rask and the COVID-listed Jaroslav Halak. Even with both veterans on expiring contracts, the future looks bright.

“I think they know it’s not just luck,” Cassidy said of Swayman. “I think they know he’s going to give us a chance to win. That always makes everyone relax a little, knowing hey, if we make a mistake, the guy’s back there to pick us up until we find our game.”

They’ve said the same thing about Rask for years. For Swayman, it’s so far, so good.

John Peirson dead at 95

John Peirson, a Bruins right winger in the 1940s and ’50s, and in later years a sharp-eyed analyst on the club’s broadcast team, died on Friday at age 95.

His grandson, Andy Emslie, confirmed Peirson’s death in an e-mail exchange with a Globe reporter Saturday morning. A former member of 1209378 Boston Bruins This is not a good combination, dealing off pick after pick, hand in hand with highly touted prospects not bearing fruit. If Claude Julien were still the bench boss, the radio talk-show crazies for sure would be decrying Taking stock of the Bruins after the trade deadline how the ol’ coach doesn’t like kids, won’t play them, couldn’t pick Wayne Gretzky out of a bantam tournament, is too fearful to take ice time away from the likes of Shawn Thornton and Chris Kelly. Any of that sound familiar? By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff Truth is, Spooner, Donato, Heinen, and Bjork didn’t put up the goods as Updated April 17, 2021, 2:26 p.m. projected. That’s on them. It’s also on the scouting staff that identified them, and it’s also on the franchise’s player development methods. Which begs the obvious question: What if the same happens to Trent Whatever one might make of the Bruins’ three roster adds at the trade Frederic, Jack Studnicka, Karson Kuhlman, Anton Blidh, Johnny deadline, one sure upside in the acquisitions of Taylor Hall, , Beecher, Senyshyn, Vaakanainen, et al? and Mike Reilly was that the price did not include giving up a future first- round draft pick. There have been a few impressive hits, most of all on the backline: McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk, and Brandon Carlo. But beyond the grand prize Keep in mind, if the Bruins remain roughly where they stood in the league of David Pastrnak (No. 25 in 2014) up front, the prizes in the Cracker standings on deadline day, they should be selecting in the 18-20 range in Jack box have delivered a concerto of sad trombone music. Wah-wah. this year’s draft. That’s fertile territory for prospects. It could be all the richer if general manager Don Sweeney can shimmy higher into the order Spooner is in career recovery overseas (see: Minsk Dynamo). Donato before Round 1 on July 23. was swapped out of Minnesota and hasn’t delivered much in San Jose. Heinen stood an underwhelming 5-4—9 through 31 games with Anaheim The Bruins’ last pick in the top 20 was Urho Vaakanainen (No. 18, 2017), as the weekend approached. The speedy Bjork will attempt to rise from and beyond their so-so trio of successive first-rounders (Nos. 13-15) in the Sabres’ ashbin. That would be a tough task right now even for a new- 2015 (Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk, and Zack Senyshyn), they’ve made age Gil Perreault. only two other top-20 choices across the last 10 drafts, resident franchise defenseman Charlie McAvoy (No. 14, 2016) and departed blue liner If there is one trait that defines all four of those departed young Bruins Dougie Hamilton (No. 9, 2011). forwards, it’s lack of puck battle — be it in the form of grit and grind, or the art of winning pucks and creating scoring chances off sheer speed Hamilton, keep in mind, was not selected during Sweeney’s GM tenure. and skill. For all their hype, they too often chose not to get their noses Still the franchise’s last top-10 pick, he was taken in the Peter Chiarelli dirty, or didn’t understand how dirtying one’s nose is a skill unto itself. era, drafted days after the Bruins clinched their first Stanley Cup title in 39 years. One of Sweeney’s first moves upon succeeding Chiarelli four While the emphasis on today’s game is, without question, speed and years later was finding a new home for Hamilton, shipping the disgruntled skill, it’s a collection of only maybe 30-40 forwards league-wide — the defenseman to Calgary for the picks that became Jeremy Lauzon, Jakob elite likes of Connor McDavid, , and lately Auston Matthews Forsbacka Karlsson, and Senyshyn. — who survive and thrive mainly off skill and speed.

Sweeney on Monday downplayed the fact that he hadn’t relinquished a Brad Marchand, in fact, has plus speed, a plus shot, and has developed No. 1 — as he had in 2018 and 2020 deadline deals — but it’s a safe bet into a plus stickhandler, but the glue to his game is will and all the machinations conjured up on Causeway Street the last 2-3 weeks determination, his fight to win pucks and carry them to the pay window. In included holding serve on Round 1. Marchand’s world, the puck is there to take, not inherit. In an interesting Zoom moment recently, he identified fear as a driving force, i.e. the fear “It’s never an overriding rule for us that we wouldn’t do it,” said Sweeney. of being knocked off the job by younger, faster forwards able to do it “Obviously, the market dictates a lot of times what you have to give up to better, score more. How telling: a guy with his toolkit so worried, or smart get a player that you want. We explored several different opportunities. enough, to think it could all go away. We’ll pull the trigger, right or wrong, that’s part of the job. You hope you’re pulling it for the right reasons more than the wrong and you live Fear isn’t a chapter, or even a line, in “Hockey For Dummies.” Why with it.” bother? Heck, speed and skill will get it all done. Until it won’t. And then you’re just yesterday’s prospect full of promise, like that ’70s first-rounder In the half-dozen deadline days overseen by Sweeney, he has Jethro Tull, living in the past. surrendered 15 draft picks, including a second (to Buffalo) and a third (to Ottawa) this year. The draft is a franchise’s lifeblood, and 15 is a whole Up until the Red Wings and Capitals stunned the trading floor on lot of picks. For all that Sweeney gave up in those first five deadline Monday, the best deadline deal belonged to the Islanders, who jumped deals, only third-line center Charlie Coyle was deemed a keeper. The out ahead by five days and added dependable ex-Devils Kyle Palmieri same ultimately might be said of Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase, but that and Travis Zajac to a strong group of forwards. remains in question. Both ex-Ducks will be restricted free agents at the But then, just as the dealin’ was nearly done, the Capitals filched the end of this season. single-best talent that few knew to be available, acquiring 6-foot-5-inch The slow-moving Ritchie is now being used in a third-line role, alongside right winger Anthony Mantha from the Red Wings. Coyle, and Kase has played but 18:42 all season, exiting Game 2 in “Wow!” said one front office executive, praising Red Wings GM Steve January with a suspected concussion. No telling if either will be Yzerman for the deal. extended, and the odds likely diminish for both if Hall earns a longer stay over his 2-3-month audition. For the immediate, the Bruins are planning That’s not the read here, although it could be your faithful puck like Kase won’t play again this season. chronicler’s view is skewed by the fact Mantha, even in a bad Detroit lineup, has delivered like the Uber Driver of the Decade against the Of equal concern is that Sweeney, who dished Anders Bjork to Buffalo as Bruins. part of the Hall-Lazar swap, now has shipped out four kids, including Ryan Spooner (2018), Ryan Donato (’19), and Danton Heinen (’20), who The Capitals, always enamored by size and skill (why not?), surrendered were previously heralded as the coming wave of the club’s offensive slick Czech forward Jakub Vrana and Slovak right winger Richard Panik, firepower. whom Yzerman drafted for the Lightning in his Tampa GM days. They sweetened the package even further with first-round (2021) and second- For all four, the fire extinguished, as did the flame the front office held for round (2022) picks. Sweet haul, no doubt. each of them. But the best player in the deal is Mantha, who pitched in with 1-1—2 in Coupled with the 15 picks yielded over the last six deadlines, that’s a his Capitals debut Tuesday night. Few in the league have the new age total of 19 picks no longer in the pipeline, no longer fueling the future. Big M’s size and skill, which the Red Wings no doubt viewed to be true in One important side note: Frank Vatrano, originally a free agent signee November when they extended his deal for four years at a $5.7 million out of UMass, was moved to Florida for a Round 3 pick days before the cap hit. Five months later, what, he’s trade bait? 2018 deadline. The Bruins used it to draft Jakub Lauko, currently a Providence WannaB hoping one day to be considered in that future The asterisk on Mantha, age 26, is his erratic consistency and firepower mix. Maybe. motivation. He can appear maddeningly disengaged, even now seven years into his pro career. In part, that label was why, even with his size, Tyler Seguin and Taylor Hall forever will be linked by their association at he lasted until No. 20 in the 2013 draft (three picks after the Senators the top of the 2010 draft, Hall going No. 1 to Edmonton and Seguin to the grabbed Curtis Lazar, don’t ya know?). Bruins at No 2. By the way, all of the top 11 picks that year eventually were traded. No. 12, Cam Fowler, remains on the job with the Ducks. Vrana, 25, will be a restricted free agent in the summer, and the Capitals The analytics crowd may be surprised to find that Hall has delivered at a were concerned he might earn Mantha kind of money via salary .875 points-per-game pace in the NHL, while Seguin stands at .857…. arbitration. Now that’s Yzerman’s worry. Stevie Y is hoping Vrana Seguin, by the way, remains in recovery from offseason hip surgery and (career-high 25 goals, 52 points) might find Detroit a comfortable fit with finally could be back in the Stars’ lineup in 7-10 days, per GM Jim Nill … fellow Czechs Filip Hronek (D) and Filip ZadinaRW). If he’s right, that If the Maple Leafs win the Cup, they’ll point to Round 1 of that 2010 draft might bring some added value to the deal. Detroit is a hard sell these as their gift from the goalie gods. The Stars made Jack Campbell the No. days. 11 pick. Dished to Toronto by the Kings in February 2020, Campbell has The deal is somewhat reminiscent of the Bruins abruptly dishing Joe emerged as the Leafs’ franchise stopper (11-1-0 in 12 appearances as of Thornton to the Sharks 23 games into the 2005-06 season, when no one last week). The 6-2 Campbell played seven years pro before getting any knew the former No. 1 pick (1997) was being shopped. Thornton likewise kind NHL shot with the Kings … The Blue Jackets basically called it a was 26, had been inconsistent, and was only three months removed from season with the deadline deal that sent David Savard to the Lightning. inking his then-gargantuan extension (three years, $20 million). Injuries to Boone Jenner (finger), Zach Werenski (hernia), and Gustav Nyquist (shoulder) hurt their chances. There also has been a talent drain At that point, Thornton already had a 100-point season and was via free agency in recent years. “Guys didn’t want to be here, for some delivering far better, and more consistently, than Mantha. The return reason,” noted coach John Tortorella, who often has been atop the list of package (spoiler alert if you’re just joining us) proved, shall we say, reasons why players have bolted … Rough Tampa debut for Savard, by spotty. GM Mike O’Connell let Jumbo go for Marco Sturm, Wayne the way. The sturdy defenseman logged an ugly minus-4 in a 7-2 pasting Primeau, and Brad Stuart. by the Predators … Seattle GM Ron Francis made it clear this past week that his expansion Kraken want to wait to select a coach until he knows Thornton, as the weekend approached, had squeezed out a modest 254- who among the current NHL bench bosses will be looking for work at 813—1,067 line in his time with San Jose and Toronto since departing season’s end. remains on the market. He was the coach Causeway Street. for the start-up Golden Knights in the fall of 2017, and he directed them Meanwhile, in their combined 45 NHL seasons, Sturm, Primeau, and to the Cup Final (loss to Capitals) in their inaugural season. Interesting, Stuart totaled 1,016 points. but unlikely, that he would get the call for the Kraken, simply because they’ve had since his Vegas firing in January 2020 to make that happen The Canucks, initially asked to return to play Friday after a three-week … High on my can’t-wait-do-it-again sports list: to be at the United Center COVID-19 pause, objected to being hustled from sick bay to the rink and for a Blackhawks game, the joint packed, to hear Jim Cornelison make now won’t play their first game until Sunday night in Toronto. the place shake as he belts out “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

For Vancouver, already in a soul-crushing situation, a 48-hour stay was not a good answer. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.18.2021 The Canucks last played on March 24. Come puck drop Sunday, they will be out of shape and, no doubt, emotionally beaten down flatter than the blue line.

Still with 19 games remaining, the Canucks now aren’t due to wrap up their 56-game slate until May 19 — nearly two weeks beyond the league’s original end-of-season target date of May 8.

What we have is an unmitigated mess edging toward a disaster, all in the name of math, the NHL doing everything it can to shoehorn Vancouver into completing its full slate in order to square the season’s standings. But basically, given the order of the North Division as the weekend approached, it all comes down to whether the Canadiens or Canucks will clinch the No. 4 spot and face the division’s No. 1 seed (likely Toronto or Winnipeg) for Round 1.

The smart thing here — not necessarily the right, tidy thing — would have been to wish the Canucks good health and full recovery prior to the start of September training camp. Keep in mind, the league and players’ union forever say player health and safety guide all decisions (the goal should read: Wink, with assists from Nudge and Eyeroll).

With the Canucks’ season rendered finished, only the Habs would have played the full 56 games because they’ve played all their scheduled matchups with Vancouver. Edmonton would have been left with 51, Toronto and Ottawa 52, and Winnipeg and Calgary 54.

You know what? Not perfect, but close enough. Rather than base the final standings on points, instead settle it on points percentage, and start the playoffs based on those rankings. It likely would mean doing the same at the start of Round 3 (i.e. Stanley Cup semifinals) when the North Division champ moves on to be seeded with winners of the East, Central, and West.

Truth is, the league and the union were overly, if not perniciously, ambitious from the start, trying to wedge a 56-game schedule into a 115- day window. Even a 48-game season might have been a reach. Ideal would have been 41 or 42, half a standard regular season, allowing enough elbow room for a team that, say, had to shut down for three weeks and ultimately call it a season.

Faced with only bad answers in Vancouver, the league and union chose the worst.

Loose pucks 1209379 Boston Bruins

John Peirson, former Bruins player and broadcaster, dead at 95

By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff

Updated April 17, 2021, 12:39 p.m.

John Peirson, a Bruins right winger in the 1940s and ’50s, and in later years a sharp-eyed analyst on the club’s broadcast team, died on Friday at age 95.

His grandson, Andy Emslie, confirmed Peirson’s death in an e-mail exchange with a Globe reporter Saturday morning. A former member of the club’s front office also confirmed being informed of Peirson’s passing on Friday.

Born in Winnipeg, Peirson enjoyed a 10-plus-year NHL career, all as a member of the Bruins, joining them soon after World War II and playing into the late ’50s.

Peirson collected 326 points in 544 games. Peirson did not play on any of the franchise’s six Stanley Cup championship teams, but he was in the WBZ radio broadcast booth when the Bruins won the Cup in 1970 with ’s dramatic overtime goal.

Good natured and with a magnificent eye for on-ice detail and the game’s nuances, Peirson partnered for years in the WSBK-TV (Ch. 38) broadcast booth with legendary play-by-play man Fred Cusick. Peirson had an uncanny knack for spotting the slightest details in a play, and often would share those details to viewers even before the broadcast replayed the video on the screen.

Ch. 38 often featured “Peirson’s Pointers,” a segment in which he conveyed his vast knowledge of the game.

Boston Globe LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209380 Boston Bruins Cassidy tried a different look on the first power play the last two games, adding Hall to the mix and taking out Nick Ritchie‘s net-front presence.

It hasn’t looked good, and Cassidy took the mea culpa on that. Bruins notebook: Mike Reilly quickly finds his comfort level “We hadn’t practiced that a lot. The Islanders were pretty packed in so we were looking at a few different plays. It didn’t materialize, obviously. By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald Without practicing, I’m not a big fan of doing that, but I did it anyway, so shame on me. We just over-passed a little,” said Cassidy. “I thought our PUBLISHED: April 17, 2021 at 3:55 p.m. | UPDATED: April 17, 2021 at execution and the support on entries was poor. But at the end of the day, 10:08 p.m. quite simply both units got outworked by the Islanders’ kill. First thing you’ve got to do when you have an extra man is you have to outwork

them to get puck possession to get set up, and I don’t think we did that Only about an hour after the Bruins obtained defenseman Mike Reilly late well enough. And then we were off on our execution so our shot selection Sunday night, word started to filter out that they had also landed one-time never really materialized. That’s something we’ll have to work on going Hart Trophy winner and 2010 first overall pick Taylor Hall. forward when we do get some practice. Maybe we’ll go back to the way the units were just for simplicity’s sake, with the guys who had worked With that in mind, it stood to reason that the Reilly acquisition from the together and then tried to build it in as we go.” basement-dwelling Ottawa Senators would go under the radar for many. Cassidy impressed with Swayman Then he played a game for the Bruins. And another, and another. Cassidy reiterated that there’s a danger to go overboard on a young And it’s quickly become evident that, if Reilly can continue playing like he goalie too soon, and again used the example of Philadelphia’s Carter has in his first three games here, his arrival could be every bit as Hart, 22, who has struggled this year after playing very well his previous important as that of Hall’s, especially with the injuries that are still two seasons. Still, there’s plenty to like about Jeremy Swayman. plaguing the B’s back end. “I see a guy who doesn’t get flustered. He’s not barking at the referees In three games, Reilly’s got a pair of assists and, in over 22 minutes a coming to the bench and whatnot. He’s just very composed no matter game, he’s moved the puck quickly and efficiently out of the Bruins zone. what happens,” said Cassidy. “Obviously he’ll have to battle through a He’s averaging nearly four shots on net per game and, on David tougher game at some point moving forward and we’ll see how he Pastrnak‘s goal at the end of the first period in Friday night’s 3-0 win over responds to that. Those are things where you have to reserve judgment the New York Islanders, he demonstrated both a strong situational on a guy until it happens and you categorize him as he’s made it. And I awareness to know he could attempt a rather risky exchange with Patrice think that’s what you saw in Philly a little bit. And I keep using Hart Bergeron and then he made a pretty pass through the slot to Pastrnak for because he’s a young goalie that had a few tough games this year, as the horn-beating goal. the whole team did, so how does that affect him going forward? I think that’s an area we have to look at in the future before we have this Bruce Cassidy admitted that, with the likes of Shea Weber on the discussion on where he’ll end up. But right now, in the present, he gives Canadiens’ blue line when Reilly played in Montreal, his newest left-shot us a chance to win every night. He made big saves early on when we defenseman did not jump out at him on his pre-scouting. But in the short hadn’t found our game yet (on Friday) and nothing seems to faze him.” time he’s been in Boston, Cassidy has not been shy about expressing his … admiration for the 27-year-old Reilly’s game. Cassidy doesn’t expect to have any of his injured players (Matt Grzelcyk, The Chicago native is appreciative of the kind words. Kevan Miller, Brandon Carlo) back for Sunday’s game against the “It means a lot,” said Reilly. “I played against Boston a lot when I was in Capitals. … Montreal and just from years past seeing them play, you definitely know Tuukka Rask will get the start. the ability of the team and all the guys they have here. They have a ton of depth here and that’s obviously the first thing I saw, then obviously the Johnny Peirson dies leadership, those are a couple of things that stand out. I’m just trying to round out my game more and more, be hard on guys and when I can, try The Bruins announced the death of former player Johnny Peirson at the to be physical a little bit. I think that’s been huge for me, being able to get age of 95. Peirson, a right wing, played 545 games for the Bruins from the puck back more, getting to jump into the play a little more and getting 1947-58. in on the offense. I think if you have that mentality, it’s going to be great He gained a new generation of fans as the cerebral color analyst with for all five guys on the ice. You get to play less in your own zone, you play-by-play announcer Fred Cusick on Channel 38 game broadcasts won’t be as tired. It’s been a great couple of days here. Everyone’s been during the heyday of the Big, Bad Bruins teams of the 1970s. really welcoming to me.”

After being traded mid-season from Montreal to Ottawa last season, Reilly had been enjoying something of a breakout season with the Boston Herald LOADED: 04.18.2021 Senators this year with 19 assists in 40 games.

“(Head coach) DJ Smith and (assistant) Jack Capuano in Ottawa were awesome for me,” said Reilly. “They were really vocal with me on a lot of things and I felt like I gained their trust as the season went on and that was huge for me. And defending-wise, it’s just a mentality. I think I can use my skating ability to close on guys and when I’m fresh out there, the first two or three steps I want to get on them quick and when you do that you’re going to get the puck back more and get going on offense, too. So it’s just a lot of little things and, at the end of the day, it’s just a mentality and committing to it.”

Playing in all situations has helped his development as well.

“For the majority of this year, I was playing a lot of penalty kill and power play and I think power play is the biggest strength of my game,” said Reilly. “But as you think about it, to be able to add that other dimension to your game on the penalty kill is huge. Obviously there’s a couple of guys that still have to get back in the lineup here and if I’m not killing, that’s no problem … but it makes me feel confident that the other side of my game has come a long way and whatever Bruce and () want me to do, I’ll do.”

New-look power play not looking hot 1209381 Boston Bruins

Highlights: Hall scores again as Swayman shuts out Isles

BY JACOB CAMENKER

The Boston Bruins couldn't beat the New York Islanders in their first five meetings of the season. Now, they've beat them twice in just two days.

The B's weren't quite as dominant as they were on Thursday, but they still looked good in their Friday night victory.

Once again, Taylor Hall was able to get on the scoreboard. The team's marquee trade deadline acquisition gave the Bruins a two-goal lead with a tip-in goal early in the second period to mark his second goal in three games with Boston. Incredibly, he had just two goals in his previous 37 games with the Buffalo Sabres.

Curtis Lazar, who was acquired as a part of the Hall trade, also found the back of the net. The fourth-line center had an empty netter that sealed the Bruins victory.

With Tuukka Rask sitting out the latter end of a back-to-back, the Bruins went with Jeremy Swayman in goal and he put forth a phenomenal effort. Though the Bruins defense was a bit leaky on Friday and allowed several breakaways, Swayman saved all 25 of the shots that came his way. The rookie continues to fill in well for Jaroslav Halak and showcase why the B's have a bright future in net.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209382 Boston Bruins

Pastrnak praises 'unbelievable' Taylor Hall amid Bruins win streak

BY NICK GOSS

The early returns from the Boston Bruins' trade deadline additions have been fantastic, including the scoring production from Taylor Hall.

The veteran left winger has played three games for the B's with two goals and nine shots on net in those matchups. Boston won all three games, including back-to-back victories over a very good New York Islanders team Thursday and Friday at TD Garden.

Hall's immediate impact has drawn rave reviews from teammates.

“I didn’t know much about Taylor besides playing against him,” Bruins forward David Pastrnak told reporters after a 3-1 win Friday. “I think he’s an elite player. Really great to have him, and he’s proving it the last couple games. He’s been unbelievable.

“He’s a great skater, and we all know that his skill level is really high. So, it’s good to watch him, too, and learn some things from him. It’s been really nice to have him and he’s been playing unbelievable for us so far. We’re really happy to have him here.”

Hall's two goals with the Bruins match his total from the 37 games he played for the Buffalo Sabres before the trade deadline. In addition to the goals, he's also giving the B's much-needed speed, puck-carrying skill and physicality up front.

Boston has a plus-11 edge in shot attempts, a plus-14 advantage in shots on net, a plus-6 lead in scoring chances and a plus-3 goal differential with Hall on the ice during 5-on-5 play over the last three games.

His addition to the lineup has bolstered the team's scoring depth -- one of its primary weaknesses throughout the season.

There's still a good chunk of the regular season left, and the Hall trade ultimately will be judged based on his playoff performance. But so far, the trade has been a home run for B's general manager Don Sweeney.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209383 Boston Bruins to give Swayman down the stretch and whether it’s better to leave him as the ace in the hole should Rask or Halak struggle down the stretch with the playoffs a month away.

‘Unbelievable’ Swayman Collects First NHL Shutout For Boston Bruins Nobody would blame the Bruins if there’s even been conversations about running with a hot, young goaltender if he continues to win games, put up zeroes and save everything he’s supposed to in front of him. There’s no Published 19 hours ago on April 17, 2021 denying just good and promising Swayman has been in his first NHL stint with the Boston Bruins and it’s only appropriate that organizational plans By Joe Haggerty are adjusted accordingly for what appears to be a special young hockey player.

It just keeps getting better for impressive Boston Bruins rookie goaltender Jeremy Swayman. Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021 With Tuukka Rask healthy again and Jaroslav Halak presumably coming off the COVID Protocol list at some point in the near future, there was certainly some kind of pressure on the 22-year-old rookie netminder to keep performing if he wants to stay in the NHL picture this season.

As has been the case throughout his last few weeks in Boston, though, the former University of Maine standout didn’t let anybody see him sweat. Instead, he went out and stood on his head with a 25-save performance punctuating a 3-0 shutout win over the New York Islanders at TD Garden.

It was his first career NHL shutout, but true to form Swayman was more enthused about the win and taking 4-of-4 points against the Islanders in a big showdown series.

“First and foremost, the win was the most important part of tonight’s game,” said Swayman. “The shutout was kind of the cherry on top. I was super-excited to get that accomplishment and I know I’ll remember it for a long time. But it couldn’t have been done without the defense in front of me and the players up front. I’m super happy with that team effort.”

That’s a rare, mature and team-oriented answer from a young goaltender at a position where things, even in hockey, can take on a bit of an individualistic tone sometimes. Swayman’s answers, his poise on the ice and his approach to everything being thrown at him speak volumes about his makeup as a person, and they’re all saying very good things.

The Islanders didn’t have a ton of shots, but they had more than a handful of quality scoring chances early in a game where it took a while for the Boston Bruins to get things into gear. Swayman gave them all the time they needed as he consistently turned away breakaways and odd- man rush chances from Brock Nelson, Anthony Beauvillier and a host of other Islanders players while frustrating them at every turn.

“Sway was unbelievable the whole game. He was the only reason it was 1-0 after the first,” said an appreciative David Pastrnak. “We were a little slower in the first, but it was much better after that.”

It’s all true as Swayman stopped all 10 shots that he faced with his typically aggressive, unpredictable that’s equal measures poise and calm with a little bit of leaping assertiveness thrown in for good measure. It’s almost as if the hockey gods took the best qualities of both Rask and former Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas and mixed them all into a young prodigy that looks like he’s got the goods to the No. 1 goalie for the Boston Bruins for a longtime to come.

Needless to say, Bruce Cassidy has been impressed and the B’s as an organization haven’t ruled out Swayman pushing for a bigger-than- anticipated role down the stretch if he keeps turning the lights out on the NHL’s best teams.

“He’s very composed. He does have some of that ‘Tuukka’ technically sound and composed guy that never looks out of control. It’s good to see. Good for him. He’s a good kid. He works hard. Both of our young have stepped up when we needed them, so good for those guys,” said Cassidy. “

Now Swayman is 4-1-0 in five appearances for the Bruins with a 1.78 goals against average and a .938 save percentage after winning nine of his first 10 starts for the Providence Bruins in his first pro season. Those kinds of numbers don’t life when it comes to a young goaltender breaking into the league, who has the footwork, athleticism, puck-tracking skills and glove hand to be a future frontline goaltender in the league.

In fact, the future could be a lot sooner than anybody could have anticipated with both Rask and Halak sitting on expiring contracts and Swayman leaving no doubts that he’s NHL-ready at this early point in his career. The question now for the Black and Gold is how much, how soon 1209384 Buffalo Sabres win these games, obviously, we didn’t get the result we wanted tonight, but I thought we played a really well-rounded game.”

Dahlin, a 21-year-old former first overall draft pick, played a team-high Observations: Sabres' drought reaches historic level, but youth inspires 24:02. Defensemen Henri Jokiharju, 21, and Jacob Bryson, 23, also hope eclipsed the 20-minute mark. This wasn’t this group’s best game by any means.

Lance Lysowski The goaltending discrepancy was apparent, as Jarry made a few outstanding saves to preserve the Penguins’ lead. Irwin failed to tie up Apr 17, 2021 Updated 5 hrs ago Rust on the power-play goal, allowing Crosby’s pass to successfully reach his intended target. Cozens’ turnover behind his own net led to

Evan Rodrigues scoring in the second period. Matt Irwin thought he was in position to help the Buffalo Sabres kill a But these final weeks are valuable lessons for the Sabres. Each of their penalty, standing in front of the net with very little space for the Pittsburgh four opponents are in the playoffs or fighting for a spot: Pittsburgh, Penguins to earn a scoring chance. Boston, the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. Improvement of Then Sidney Crosby provided a difficult lesson. The transcendent talent young players will be key. This is also a lesson for all involved in the received a pass atop the left circle, skated forward and threaded the puck Sabres' hockey operations. through the Sabres’ penalty-kill coverage, past Irwin, to Bryan Rust for an Playing the kids is a nice step, but much more work is needed for easy redirect goal in the second period Saturday. contending to become a reality. Unlike past seasons, the Sabres did not unravel. Casey Mittelstadt, a 22- “I think everyone’s got a chip on their shoulder and we got something to year-old center, cut the deficit to one with a power-play goal in the third prove,” said Thompson. “I think you see that from everyone in the room, period. The Penguins, though, withstood a barrage to earn a 3-2 win we’re a hungry group. We want to win, turn things around and just inside KeyBank Center. become better every day.” “Obviously, early in the game we struggled a little bit,” Mittelstadt said Here are other observations from the game Saturday: following a game in which the Sabres had only four shots in the first period. “They were coming at us hard. They’re an old, experienced team. 1. Encouraging moment: Mittelstadt’s goal came after the Sabres’ 3-for- They know how to play.” 52 power-play slump that stretched 26 games.

The highlight-reel plays from Crosby have been commonplace during the Zone entries have been a problem. Puck management has led to Penguins’ 14 consecutive playoff appearances, three of which have turnovers. The Sabres aren’t regaining possession after a misfired shot. ended with the 33-year-old hoisting the Stanley Cup. Without Granato, though, emphasized a few basic adjustments Saturday, injured center Evgeni Malkin and top-six forward Kasperi Kapanen, particularly quicker passes. Pittsburgh peppered Buffalo backup goalie Dustin Tokarski with 41 shots. We saw more puck movement on the Sabres’ only man-advantage The Pittsburgh Penguins defeat the Buffalo Sabres, eliminating the opportunity Saturday. Victor Olofsson hit the post before Rasmus Sabres from the playoffs for a 10th straight season. Ristolainen found Mittelstadt open in the slot for the team’s second goal.

The Sabres, without captain Jack Eichel and stalwart defenseman Jake “I think there’s been times where we’ve forced plays and try and take McCabe, had their playoff drought officially reach 10 seasons, tied for the what’s not there I guess,” said Mittelstadt. “Today we just took what they longest in NHL history and the third longest active streak in the four gave us and obviously we ended up making a nice play.” major professional sports. 2. No goaltending plan yet for Sunday: The Sabres plan to give top Those failed seasons have all occurred under the watch of owners Terry goaltending prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at least one NHL game. It’s and Kim Pegula, who have employed six different full-time coaches and unlikely Luukkonen will be ready for the second game of this back-to- four general managers during that span. back, as he hasn't played in a game since suffering a minor lower-body injury last week. A path to the playoffs remains unclear. The Pegulas have tried mirroring the plan executed by Pittsburgh, first by hiring former Penguins coach The Sabres may try to push Dustin Tokarski to start consecutive games Dan Bylsma and then adding Jason Botterill as general manager. Most for the second time this season. The 31-year-old stopped 38 of 41 shots recently, current Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams hired former Saturday, and his one blemish was being out of position on Jared Penguins assistant general manager Jason Karmanos. McCann’s shot from behind the goal line that gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead. Modeling any organization after the Penguins, Boston Bruins or Washington Capitals will require a cast of contributors, not one or two If Tokarski can’t go, the Sabres will turn to Michael Houser, a 28-year-old stars. Drafting and development are critical areas, as recent Stanley Cup with zero NHL experience who has not appeared in more than one championships have shown us. And while this latest loss showed the game in any season since 2015-16. divide between playoff team and upstart, the Sabres’ priority to play the kids may have a promising long-term impact. The goaltending carousel this season should show Adams that the position needs to be a priority this summer. “It’s very, very important for the young players to take ownership in the situations we’re in but the situation that everybody’s in,” said interim 3. The Sabres need leaders to emerge. Eichel, the Sabres’ third-year coach Don Granato. “You’re going to need everybody to be successful as captain, is out for the season. McCabe, an alternate captain, also won’t a franchise. It’s not just your star players and your top players. It’s depth. play again until 2021-22. Teams that win around the league have depth.” And now, Kyle Okposo, a 33-year-old winger, won’t return before the A healthy Eichel will need a much better supporting cast in 2021-22 for regular-season finale after undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone in the playoff drought to not reach 11 seasons. Mittelstadt, Tage Thompson, his cheek. Okposo suffered the injury Thursday in Washington when he Dylan Cozens and Rasmus Dahlin are among the young players to was struck by Irwin’s errant dump-in attempt. inspire hope in a failed season. With Eric Staal and other veterans traded ahead of the deadline, there is Mittelstadt, a former eighth-overall draft pick, has seven goals among a leadership void in the dressing room. nine points in his last 10 games, including the one-timer to cut the deficit “It’s a loss because of what you mentioned; he’s a leader, he’s helped us to 3-2 with 8:16 left in regulation. Thompson, 23, scored for the fourth as coaches in the transition, he’s such a great communicator to us, to the time in sixth games by gathering a Penguins turnover, continuing to teammates,” said Granato. “Everybody looks up to him. So, we definitely pursue the puck after having a shot blocked and fighting his way to the lose a big portion of that. He’s a guy that’s around all the time, and I’m slot before beating goalie Tristan Jarry in the second period. sure he’ll still be helping us in many respects.”

“It’s obviously a great opportunity, not only for myself but all the young Ristolainen and Sam Reinhart, both of whom have worn the ‘A’ with guys,” said Thompson, who had a team-high six shots on goal. “I think Eichel and McCabe out, will be asked to lead this young group. But the the team in general, when you play against better teams, learning how to Sabres also need someone like Cozens to have a stronger voice in the room.

For Okposo, this is a disappointing finish to his fifth season in Buffalo. He finished with two goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 35 games, including 10 points over his final 13 games.

Buffalo News LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209385 Buffalo Sabres within a goalpost of the tying goal in the final minute. "It's going to helpful in the future, that's no question."

Granato took over and practiced this team hard, knowing he was Mike Harrington: Don Granato is looking like the right choice for Sabres sacrificing early game results. The Sabres, remember, started 0-5-1 under him but needed to improve their conditioning. Which team was better in the third period of every game on the road trip that just ended? Apr 17, 2021 Updated 7 hrs ago It was the Sabres, and not Philadelphia, Boston or Washington. That's Mike Harrington how you have impact.

Sports Columnist Watch for subtle things, too. In the first period Saturday, Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang failed to keep a puck in at the Buffalo blue line

during a power play but the linesmen said to play on. Granato Keep a big-picture focus on the final two months of the Sabres' schedule, immediately turned to his left and pointed to assistant Matt Ellis, devoid of results in a season that was long-ago lost. Do they look instructing him to check with video coach Myles Fee for a potential cohesive? Do they give full effort for 60 minutes? Are they improving, as offsides challenge. a team and individually? Do they look happy playing the game? The puck stayed in the Buffalo zone for nearly 30 seconds but Pittsburgh From this view, you can offer a resounding yes to every one of those didn't score and there was no need for a review. No matter. The head questions. And that's a credit to Don Granato, an interim head coach who coach was on top of everything going on and was prepared to react. is looking like he deserves to get that title amended. The Sabres pounded the Capitals Thursday and that's probably why the The Sabres will have a heavy decision on their hands after the season. Penguins' game was so sharp off the hop Saturday. Pens coach Mike They have to get this coaching hire right. Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Sullivan said Friday he senses the Sabres are playing with a "free spirit." Pittsburgh Penguins made it official: They've tied the NHL record by Said Capitals coach Peter Laviolette of the Sabres after Thursday's missing the playoffs for 10 straight years. This has to stop. game: "They were on their toes tonight. They were forcing the issue. We weren’t at that speed or at that gear." So Jason Karmanos was brought in as the associate general manager to provide another set of eyes for rookie GM Kevyn Adams. Karmanos has Granato is no Ron Rolston, who players talked behind the back of for got three Stanley Cups in front-office roles. Terry and Kim Pegula never much of his eight months here as nothing more than a college coach. sniff the postseason. The owners and first-time GM can't make this call He's coached at all levels and has been an assistant for Joel Quenneville alone. in Chicago. He comes from an epic hockey family (sister Cammi, brother Tony and brother-in-law ). News staff Pedigree matters for players. It should for coaches, too. It's easy to see There's going to be a lot of chatter about veteran coaches to interview. I why anyone would want the shiny new toy. But sometimes you go for the doubt ownership has the appetite for the long-term, big-money deal any big name and you get Rex Ryan or Phil Housley. You go for the big talker of them would require. This time, maybe that's not a bad thing. and you get Ralph Krueger.

Granato gave quite a talk to reporters one day last week about how this Sometimes the guy you should want – and perhaps the guy you might team needed to have fun. And it was a window into the square- need most – is the one right under your nose. He's already standing peg/round-hole world of Ralph Krueger, who wanted his defense-oriented behind the Sabres' bench. system played even if the guys on the ice were better suited to skate and score.

"If we just play a system and you focus on trying to play that system, Buffalo News LOADED: 04.18.2021 you're really not improving your skill or your ability at the NHL level," Granato said. "We play a system, we have a system. But our focus has to be on trying to become better individually and collectively. And that is fun. That's the first thing that players do in the offseason: They go try to get better. And then in-season, they just try to survive.

"And so we've flipped that and said, 'We're not trying to survive here. We're going to try to get better. And certainly we're going to focus on giving you ways that we can win this hockey game. But get better, hang on to the puck, make a play, don't just feel pressure and throw it (away).' So I think the guys find enjoyment in that."

For too long, the Sabres have been bad and boring. Granato says the Sabres should be fun and entertaining. Don't you want your coach to think that way?

Under Granato, Rasmus Dahlin has been reborn. Casey Mittelstadt – who Krueger said couldn't play center – is finally playing like a top-10 pick. Tage Thompson looks like he can finally lessen the blow of the Ryan O'Reilly trade. Henri Jokiharju, Rasmus Asplund and Jacob Bryson have claimed their spots. Dylan Cozens got the chance to go head-to- head with Sidney Crosby Saturday and make his mistakes. Krueger would not have done that.

Jack Eichel shouldn't get a vote. He should be told to get healthy and show up in September ready to lead Granato's team. Dahlin loves Granato and assistant Dan Girardi. At this point, his view should matter as much as Eichel's.

Thompson said Saturday the young core is playing with a chip on its shoulder and he's right. This team simply doesn't go away in games anymore. With so many veterans on the injured list, the young players have to take ownership.

"It's a key opportunity for them and they're doing a great job of pushing, fighting and scratching and clawing," Granato said after Saturday's game, where Buffalo battled from a pair of two-goal deficits and came 1209386 Buffalo Sabres

And that makes 10: Where Sabres' decadelong playoff drought ranks in pro sports

Apr 17, 2021 Updated 8 hrs ago

Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News

The Buffalo Sabres were officially eliminated from NHL playoff contention Saturday with a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, bringing their playoff drought to 10 seasons.

That would be tied for third-longest active streaks in the four major professional sports behind the Seattle Mariners' 19-season drought and the Sacramento Kings' 14-season run. The Kings could make it 15 this season as they are currently outside playoff position in the NBA with a 22-34 record.

1. Seattle Mariners MLB 2001 19 seasons

2. Sacramento Kings NBA 2005-06 14 seasons

3. Buffalo Sabres NHL 2010-11 10 seasons

3. Phoenix Suns NBA 2009-10 10 seasons

3. New York Jets NFL 2010 10 seasons

6. Philadelphia Phillies MLB 2011 9 seasons

7. New York Knicks NBA 2012-13 7 seasons

8. Los Angeles Angels MLB 2014 6 seasons

8. Detroit Tigers MLB 2014 6 seasons

10. Arizona Cardinals NFL 2015 5 seasons

10. Pittsburgh Pirates MLB 2015 5 seasons

10. Kansas City Royals MLB 2015 5 seasons

10. NFL 2015 5 seasons

10. Cincinnati Bengals NFL 2015 5 seasons

Buffalo News LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209387 Buffalo Sabres points in 46 career games against the Sabres. He’s been held pointless only five times during that span.

Trending up: Mittelstadt's goal came after a power-play slump in which The Wraparound: Sabres finish strong, still fall to Penguins, 3-2 the Sabres went 3-for-52 over their previous 26 games. Mittelstadt, 22, has seven goals over his last 10 games.

Lance Lysowski Lineup: The Sabres are without Kyle Okposo, Jack Eichel, Jake McCabe and , all of whom suffered season-ending injuries. Apr 17, 2021 Updated 7 hrs ago Defenseman Will Borgen (forearm) and goalie Carter Hutton (lower body) also remain out, although both have resumed skating.

Ullmark is considered week to week, while forward Riley Sheahan (upper When Dylan Cozens attempted to carry the puck into the offensive zone body) is day to day. Prior to puck drop, the Sabres recalled forward Saturday afternoon, the Buffalo Sabres rookie was quickly met by a Steven Fogarty and assigned top goaltending prospect Ukko-Pekka Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman. Luukkonen to the taxi squad. Rasmus Dahlin wasn’t given the same room to find his teammates History: This was the NHL’s first joint Pride Game, as the Sabres and skating uncovered in the neutral zone. The Sabres’ penalty kill was also Penguins celebrated the LGBTQ+ community. Both teams wore exposed against Sidney Crosby and company. commemorative pride jerseys and used rainbow-colored tape during The Sabres weren’t going to catch the Penguins by surprise. A warmups. resounding victory over the Washington Capitals will have that effect. The Penguins and Sabres will co-host a seven-day online auction Casey Mittelstadt's power-play goal in the third period highlighted the featuring pride tape sticks, commemorative warmup jerseys and pucks, Sabres' latest pushback, but Crosby continued his dominance in Buffalo various signed items from both teams In Buffalo, fundraising efforts will by leading Pittsburgh to a 3-2 win inside KeyBank Center. benefit Pride Center of Western New York (Pride Center WNY) and GLYS Western New York. The Sabres (11-26-7), still last in the with 29 points, are 4-14-4 at home this season. The loss officially eliminated Buffalo from the playoffs for a 10th straight season, matching the NHL Buffalo News LOADED: 04.18.2021 record.

Though the setback exposed some possible weaknesses, one game does not spoil what’s been a strong turnaround under interim coach Don Granato. Buffalo is 5-3-3 over its last 11 games and almost completed another comeback.

Crosby’s tape-to-tape pass set up Bryan Rust for a power-play goal for a 3-1 lead in the second period, providing the Penguins with a much- needed cushion in preparation for a possible Sabres push in the third period.

The response came, as Mittelstadt's power-play goal on a one-timer from the slot cut the deficit to 3-2 at 11:44 into the third period. However, the Sabres were unable to score with an extra attacker on the ice.

Sabres winger Tage Thompson’s sixth goal of the season came only 44 seconds after Pittsburgh’s Evan Rodrigues made it 2-0. Jared McCann also scored for the Penguins, who are 10-2-2 in their last 14 games.

Dustin Tokarski started a second consecutive game in goal for the Sabres, stopping 38 shots with starter Linus Ullmark recovering from a lower-body injury. The Penguins were without injured forwards Evgeni Malkin, Kasperi Kapanen and Brandon Tanev.

Going cold: Seconds into the game, the Sabres forced a Penguins turnover and a quick cycle got the puck to defenseman Henri Jokiharju, whose shot from the point created a rebound that Buffalo could not capitalize on. The shot, though, was not counted and the Sabres finished with only four during an ugly first period in which puck management was an issue.

Buffalo was outshot, 12-4, during the first period, not including Crosby’s that rang off the post. Crosby is now 32-5-1 in his career against Buffalo.

Opening salvo: The Penguins took a 1-0 lead at 10:30 into the first period when McCann banked a shot from below the goal line off Tokarski and in. Entering Saturday, the Sabres were 5-20-2 when allowing the game’s first goal. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, was 15-4-2 when scoring first.

Growing pains: Cozens’ turnover behind the Sabres’ net lead to Rodrigues’ goal at 5:57 into the second period. Penguins center Teddy Blueger retrieved the loose puck and sent a backhanded pass to the slot, where Rodrigues made it 2-0 for his sixth goal of the season.

Response: Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry’s failed clearing attempt sent the puck rolling in the Sabres’ offensive zone. Thompson collected the puck at the left wall, regained possession after having a shot blocked and scored on a shot from the slot to cut the deficit to 2-1 at 6:41 into the second period.

Remarkable play: With Rust positioned in front of the Sabres’ net on the power play, Crosby made a perfect pass in front to lead to a redirection and 3-1 Penguins lead at 12:15 into the second period. Crosby has 67 1209388 Buffalo Sabres 29. New Jersey Devils. Lindy's crew 4-16-3 at home, but 10-6-3 on road. (27)

30. Ottawa Senators. Runaway leader for North basement as expected. Mike Harrington's NHL Power Rankings (28)

31. Buffalo Sabres. Two regulation losses in a 10-game stretch is quite a Mike Harrington change. (31)

Apr 17, 2021 Updated 9 hrs ago

Buffalo News LOADED: 04.18.2021

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

1. Colorado Avalanche. Covid pause that includes Grubauer is a growing concern. (1)

2. Tampa Bay Lightning. Savard was the move they needed to bulk blueline. (2)

3. Vegas Golden Knights. Came in late with Sabres on Hall sweepstakes. (7)

4. Toronto Maple Leafs. Huge two-game set this week in Winnipeg. (6)

5. Carolina Hurricanes. Aho, Trocheck both headed to 20-goal seasons. (4)

6. Washington Capitals. Sabres made them look oddly slow Thursday night. (3)

7. Florida Panthers. Montour suddenly got a legitimate Cup chance. (5)

8. Pittsburgh Penguins. Are 16-3-2 at home but need to improve on the road. (8)

9. New York Islanders. Pens-like: Home/road split of 18-2-2 vs. 9-11-2. (9)

10. Winnipeg Jets. Didn't get defense upgrade they needed at deadline. (11)

11. Edmonton Oilers. Will be fresh with only three games in current 15- day stretch. (10)

12. Boston Bruins. Hall and Lazar back in town for three straight this week. (14)

13. Minnesota Wild. Seem locked into third in the West. (12)

14. Nashville Predators. Three-game showdown with Hawks opens Monday. (15)

15. New York Rangers. Entered weekend still only six points behind Bruins. (17)

16. Montreal Canadiens. Huge win Friday over Calgary in battle for fourth in North. (13)

17. St. Louis Blues. Only hope is fourth, and only one point up on Arizona. (19)

18. Chicago Blackhawks. Must-wins this week in final games vs. Nashville. (18)

19. Dallas Stars. Finally starting to make a move with points in eight of 10 games. (22)

20. Philadelphia Flyers. Heading nowhere but the golf course. (21)

21. San Jose Sharks. Four-game skid just as they started to eye fourth place. (23)

22. Arizona Coyotes. Ditto. Bad time for five straight losses. (16)

23. Calgary Flames. They're done. Habs have three games in hand on them. (25)

24. Columbus Blue Jackets. Ran up white flag, likely marking end of Torts era. (20)

25. Los Angeles Kings. Iafallo a key part of their rebuild. (26)

26. Detroit Red Wings. Up to 16 wins and giving Central foes fits. (29)

27. Vancouver Canucks. NHL acted callously in pushing them to return from pause. (24).

28. Anaheim Ducks. Not going anywhere. Hard to see a plan. (30) 1209389 Buffalo Sabres Crosby's 70 points are the most in his career against any non- Metropolitan Division opponent. His 1.52 points per game against Buffalo are fourth-highest by a Sabres opponent (minimum 15 games). He's Okposo out for season, Sabres to go with Tokarski in goal again today behind only Pens owner Mario Lemieux (1.75), Detroit's Steve Yzerman (1.63) and Vancouver's Pavel Bure (1.59).

The Penguins continue to be without injured forwards Evgeni Malkin (15 Mike Harrington games), Kasperi Kapanen (11 games) and Brandon Tanev (6 games).

Apr 17, 2021 Updated 11 hrs ago

Buffalo News LOADED: 04.18.2021 In the wake of his first victory in 5½ years, Dustin Tokarski will make his second straight start in goal for the Buffalo Sabres when they meet the Pittsburgh Penguins today in KeyBank Center. Faceoff is expected around 3:25 p.m.

A reminder that the game is nationally televised today on NBC (Channel 2 in Buffalo) and not on MSG. Coverage begins at 3 p.m. for the league's first joint Pride Game sponsored by two teams.

Players from both clubs will use rainbow-decorated pucks and have rainbow tape on their sticks during warmups. They will wearing commemorative warmup jerseys featuring the Progress Pride Flag.

The Sabres will be without winger Kyle Okposo for this game and the rest of the season. The team announced a couple of hours before faceoff he has had surgery for a fractured cheekbone suffered Thursday in Washington when struck by an errant dump-in from defenseman Matt Irwin.

"It's a loss because he's a leader," interim coach Don Granato said in his pregame media briefing. "He's helped us as coaches with the transition. He's such a great communicator to us and his teammates. Everybody looks up to him and we definitely lose a big portion of that."

Okposo finishes with two goals and 11 assists in 35 games but he had been playing much better of late with seven assists in his last 10 games.

The Sabres have promoted forward Steven Fogarty from Rochester to replace Okposo and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the taxi squad. Luukkonen could get his first NHL start against the Penguins here Sunday.

"I don't have an answer for you on that but it could be," Granato said. "I don't have an answer. I haven't even given thought to tomorrow's game. I know it would be tough with Tokarski playing to go back to back but that's not out of the question either. We just haven't made a decision on it."

With less than three weeks remaining in the Sabres' season, the team will prepare for Ullmark to not return.

Tokarski (1-4-2, 3.32/.908) made 27 saves on 29 shots in Thursday's 5-2 win at Washington, capturing his first NHL win since Dec. 12, 2015 for Montreal against Ottawa. The win improved the Sabres to 5-2-3 in their last 10 games.

Today's game is the opener of a weekend back-to-back featuring a pair of matinees, as the clubs meet again here Sunday at 3. The Sabres are 0-4 against the Penguins this season and have been outscored, 17-4.

The last meeting was the 4-0 loss in Pittsburgh on March 25 that saw Sabres GM Kevyn Adams step behind the bench when interim head coach Don Granato was sidelined due to Covid-19 protocols.

Dustin Tokarski made 27 saves Thursday night in the Sabres' dominating 5-2 win over the Capitals.

Buffalo has lost five straight against Pittsburgh and is 5-18-2 against the Penguins in their last 25 meetings. The last nine have been won by the team that has scored first.

The Penguins, meanwhile, have points in 23 of those 25 games (20-2-3) – and have a 14-game point streak in KeyBank Center (12-0-2). They have not lost here in regulation since a 6-2 Buffalo win on Feb. 19, 2012.

Tristan Jarry (17-8-3, 2.77/.909) starts in goal for the Penguins and is 9- 1-2 in his last 13 starts. Jarry is 4-1, 2.00/.931 against the Sabres in his career and 2-0, 2.01/.922 against them this season.

Captain Sidney Crosby enters today's game in customary role of leading the Penguins in scoring with 49 points (17-32). In 48 career games against Buffalo, he has 23 goals, 47 assists and 70 points. He notched his 1,300th career point in the March 25 meeting. 1209390 Calgary Flames represented her country again in the 2019 Rivalry Series against Team USA, but this would be her first appearance at this biggie tournament.

“Growing up with a brother who played hockey, I always dreamed of Leslie siblings, Rebecca and Zac, pushing each other in pursuit of playing for Team Canada and his dream was playing in the NHL,” hockey dreams Rebecca said. “So although we kind of had the same path, we had different dreams. For me, when I was in the U-18 program, to be able to put on that jersey for the first time was just a dream come. It’s always Wes Gilbertson such an honour. I’m training with and playing with some of the best players in the world and I feel just so fortunate to be able to hopefully Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021 earn a spot to represent Canada.”

That quest, in so many ways, started on the backyard rink in Ottawa. You can always lean on family. Their younger sisters, Kathryn and Grace, would also join, although one Including, in this case, when you need somebody to lean on you. preferred ringette.

These siblings, like so many, sharpened their skills on a backyard rink. There were Christmas lights strung up on the house and fence so the fun didn’t have to stop at sundown. Now, Rebecca and Zac Leslie are inching closer to realizing their childhood dreams — one shortlisted to represent Canada at the “The neighbours probably hated us at some times, but it was good,” said upcoming women’s world hockey championship, the other continuing his Zac, who has three goals, 10 points and 24 penalty minutes to show for climb with the Calgary Flames’ farm team. his 25 outings with the Heat this season. “Back then, it was just playing. It was just being outside. It was not so much competition but just being out “We always skate together — that was always our thing,” Rebecca said. there shooting pucks and stickhandling and playing around. There was a “We’d do power-skating together and even this winter, we got on the ice lot of times that I would probably have friends over and (Rebecca) would together before his season started and before I headed out to January get to join in, so I think that was something that probably helped her and camp with Hockey Canada. motivated her, getting a chance to play with some older kids all the time.

“A lot of the times, I’m the only girl on the ice so Zac has to kind of “That was probably a big part of our development. We just spent hours remind the guys, ‘It’s OK, you can go a little bit harder on her. She’ll be out there. We’d get home from school and be out there until dinner, and fine.’ He shows no mercy when he is on the ice with me. I wouldn’t have then after dinner we’d back out there until they pulled us off to go to bed. it any other way. I wouldn’t say there were any competitions or things like that I remember, but just a lot of time spent out there, skating around, shooting pucks. “I remember we did a skills session with a bunch of guys one year and That’s where we honed our skills, I would say.” there was one thing I really wanted to work on, which was puck protection in the corners. There was no guy that was really my size, so Agreed Rebecca: “I think the hours that we spent out there together, it Zac was like, ‘I’ll stay on with you.’ It was funny and everybody was built our bond but it also helped us get better.” laughing, because he was just hitting me as hard he could into the boards. Everybody was like, ‘This is not really realistic for her, but it’s Zac eventually left home to skate for the Hockey League’s going to make her better.’ It was great.” Guelph Storm, helping his team to a league title in 2014. (“He really flourished in that year where his team went to the Memorial Cup,” Zac, who is 27 months older, stands seven inches taller and weighs Rebecca recalled, referencing one especially productive night. “I was about 60 lb. more than Rebecca, chuckles at the memory of those one- like, ‘Whoa, this guy is scoring four goals in an OHL game … That’s on-one battle drills. pretty crazy, especially as a defenceman.’ “)

He’s quick to point out, however, it wasn’t just a family flex or some sort Rebecca, meanwhile, put up eye-popping offensive numbers with the of sibling strong-arming. NCAA’s Terriers, had the ‘C’ stitched on her uniform as a senior and then was an important contributor when the Inferno captured the Clarkson “It’s as much about me understanding her skill level as it is me being her Cup during her rookie campaign in Calgary. brother and being hard on her,” Zac stressed. “It’s just as much me knowing that they play a hard, fast, skilled game, just like the boys do, She figures her two-way capabilities will be crucial to cracking Canada’s and there are no shortage of those little battles that happen in the roster for worlds. women’s game, as much as in the men’s game. So yeah, it’s my sister and I’m probably not afraid to be a little harder on her, but at the same And if Rebecca needs some words of wisdom, she can probably lean on time, I understand that she’s more than capable of taking that battle, just her older brother, now with 300-plus games of AHL experience and still as much as the boys would.” determined to earn his shot in The Show.

The Leslies hail from Ottawa, but their puck pursuits brought both to the “I just try to support her and try to encourage her, do the positives,” Zac Stampede City. They just missed overlapping. said. “Whenever I get a chance to talk to her leading up to games or leading up to camps like she’s going to now, it’s really just put her Rebecca, after a standout collegiate career with the strengths on her, make sure she knows what her strengths are and Terriers, helped the Calgary Inferno capture a Clarkson Cup title in 2019 making sure she’s confident in herself going into an event like this. in the now-defunct Canadian Women’s Hockey League. This was home- Because that’s something that, honestly, I’ve learned is you’re always base for two seasons so she could be close to the national program going to be a better hockey player when you’re confident. headquarters, but the 24-year-old forward returned east due to the pandemic and has been training with the Professional Women’s Hockey “So the best you can give especially a sibling is just give her that Players Association cohort in Montreal. confidence to know she’s an elite player. Just being at that camp makes her an elite player, so she might as well make the most of every Zac, meanwhile, made the move to Calgary this winter when the AHL’s opportunity she has while she’s there and do everything she can to make were temporarily relocated due to cross-border travel her dream come true.” restrictions. The 27-year-old defenceman is an alternate captain for the Flames’ affiliate but is signed to a minor-league deal and would need an And if she does? upgraded contract to be eligible for a call-up. “I definitely won’t miss a game if that’s the case,” he promised. While Zac’s season will soon be winding down, with the Heat having just “I know that whenever he can, he gets a chance to watch my games and a handful of road dates remaining on their abbreviated slate, the I do the same for him,” Rebecca said. “It’s nice to have someone like that excitement has been building for Rebecca. She’s long been motivated by in your corner.” this opportunity to skate in the international spotlight in May.

She headed earlier this week to selection camp in Halifax, where Hockey Canada will whittle a list of 47 hopefuls and choose its squad for the Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.18.2021 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship, which runs May 6-16 in Nova Scotia. Rebecca was part of a golden group at the Under-18 level and 1209391 Carolina Hurricanes be home but we’ve got a big road trip coming up so we’ve go to take care of the work we’ve got to do.”

SECOND PERIOD: PREDS TIE IT Hakanpaa’s first goal with Hurricanes the winner in 3-1 victory over Predators Dominated and outskated much of the first half of the game, the Predators have tied it 1-1 in the second period on a Roman Josi goal.

After a Canes turnover by Jake Bean in their zone, Josi collected the BY CHIP ALEXANDER puck at the top of the slot, turned and zipped a high shot that beat goalie APRIL 17, 2021 06:49 PM Alex Nedeljkovic. It was Josi’s sixth of the season came at 11:36 of the second.

The Preds’ Ryan Johansen later got the puck past Nedeljkovic on the Try as they might, the Nashville Predators have not been able to beat the power play, but the goal was waved off. Johansen was ruled to have Carolina Hurricanes this season. kicked the puck in the net.

The Canes topped the Predators for the sixth consecutive time Saturday, After 24 shots in the first period, the Canes had six in the second and winning 3-1 at PNC Arena to keep their lead in the Central Division over were outshot 11-6. Florida and Tampa Bay. The Canes killed off a Jani Hakanpaa penalty in the second and most of Jani Hakanpaa, in his second game with the Canes, had the game- a Jake Bean cross-checking call at the end of the period. winning goal in the third period. Jaccob Slavin scored in the first period and Andrei Svechnikov added an empty-net score late in the game. That FIRST PERIOD: SLAVIN SCORES was enough for goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, who made some timely and The Canes took dead aim at goalie Juuse Saros in the first period, hustling saves among his 27 saves. sending a lot of rubber to the net.

Hakanpaa, named the game’s first star, gave the Canes (29-10-4) a 2-1 Saros had all the answers for the first 23 Canes shots — slapshots, tips, lead at 8:55 of the third period as the 6-foot-5 defenseman took a pass rebound stuffs, redirections, you name it. But the Canes’ finally converted from Vincent Trocheck off a faceoff win by the center and fired a shot on the 24th as defenseman Jaccob Slavin jumped into the rush and from the top of the slot. drilled a shot from between the circles for a 1-0 lead after the first.

“He told me, ‘It’s coming your way, just shoot it,’” Hakanpaa said. It was Slavin’s second of the season — his first on Feb. 19 was an It came his way. He shot it. empty-netter — as Morgan Geekie earned his first assist and third point of the season. Stephen Lorentz also had an assist as the fourth line got It was the Canes’ second goal from the blue line, a rarity in a game this the Canes a goal. season. Slavin scored the game’s first goal late in the opening period with a shot from the slot. Had Saros not been sharp, the Canes easily could have had a bigger lead. They had a season-high 24 shots in the period — a full game’s The first period belonged to the Canes. They had 24 shots, nearly a full worth for some teams — as Slavin had five shots on goal and Nino game’s worth for some teams, in the period and had the lead after Niederreiter had four. Slavin’s second goal of the season -- the other an empty-netter on Feb. 19. Naturalstattrick.com had the Canes with a 31-5 advantage in scoring chances in the first, 18-2 on high-danger chances. “It’s probably one of the best periods I’ve seen ever, to be honest with you,” Brind’Amour said. “We were good. We were on it, everything we Canes goalie Alex Nedeljkovic faced just seven shots in the period. were doing. It’s the way we’re supposed to look. Probably should have GAME SETUP had more but it was good to get one.” The Hurricanes have a simple checklist for their final regular-season The numbers in the first were staggering: the Canes had a 31-5 games. advantage in scoring chances, according to Naturalstattrick.com. They looked sharp on the power play. They kept the puck in the offensive zone Win as many as possible. Finish as high as possible in the Central much of the period, putting Preds goalie Juuse Saros under extreme Division. Stay healthy. Avoid any COVID-19 issues. pressure. That’s the plan. The Canes also are hoping for a return of forwards “It was a super solid first period from top to bottom,” Slavin said. Teuvo Teravainen (concussion) and Brock McGinn (upper-body injury) at some point down the stretch. But the Predators (24-21-1) survived the first with minimal damage. They got stronger as the game moved on. They tied the score 1-1 on Roman Playing during the pandemic, Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said the Josi’s goal from the top of the slot, after forcing a Canes turnover, and health of the team has always been paramount. outshot the Canes in the period. “That’s the No. 1 factor. All year it’s been that,” Brind’Amour said But Hakanpaa’s goal gave the Canes the edge they need in the third as Saturday. “Whether you’re battling injuries, COVID or whatever, every they beat the Predators for the 13th time in the past 14 games. day you’re worried about that, because that could derail everything.

Hakanpaa came to the Canes in a trade Monday from Anaheim and has “Every team deals with it; every team is the same. You’ve got to play the made a quick transition. In his first game against Nashville, his most games and you obviously have to hope that we stay healthy and get memorable play was a big hit on the Preds’ Mikael Granlund in the healthy. That would be perfect, if we could get our guys back.” neutral zone. The Canes (28-10-4) entered Saturday’s game against Nashville with a Hakanapaa had another big one Saturday, nearly sending Calle Jarnkrok points-percentage lead (.714) in the Central over Tampa Bay (.698). Both flying into the Preds bench. He topped it with his first goal in 44 games have 60 points but the Lightning, which faces Florida on Saturday, has this season and nearly scored on a rebound chance earlier in the game. played one more game than the Canes.

The Canes closed out an eight-game homestand with a 5-2-1 record, and INJURY UPDATE next will go on the road for six games — the first two at Tampa Bay. The Lightning were beatn 5-3 Saturday by the Panthers. Teravainen, who has played one game since Feb. 19, practiced with the team Friday and was at an optional morning skate Saturday. There were The Canes lead the Central with 62 points, one point ahead of Florida 11 skaters and goalie Petr Mrazek at Saturday’s skate. and two points ahead of Tampa Bay. Carolina has two games-in-hand on the Panthers and one on the Lightning. Brind’Amour said it would be a “few days” before he could say if Teravainen was ready to get back in the lineup. His last game was March “It’s nice to play in front of fans and be in front of the Caniacs again,” 4 against Detroit. Slavin said. “From that side, it’s awesome and being home with the family mentally helps as well. With the hectic season that it is, it’s nice to “It’s positive he’s with the group,” Brind’Amour said. “Is it a day-to-day thing? I don’t think so, but I think it’s closer to what it has been.”

McGinn, who did not practice Friday and was not at the skate Saturday, has missed the past five games.

THE LINEUP

Brind’Amour said Alex Nedeljkovic would be the starting goalie against the Predators and would play his 16th game of the season. Nedeljkovic shut out Florida 3-0 on April 8 in his last start.

Brind’Amour said there would be no other lineup changes from Thursday’s game, as Jake Bean and Jani Hakanpaa again will be the third defensive pair and Jake Gardiner a healthy defensive scratch.

News Observer LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209392 Chicago Blackhawks

Malcolm Subban pitches his 2nd shutout of the season in the Chicago Blackhawks’ 4-0 bounce-back win over the Detroit Red Wings

By PHIL THOMPSON

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

APR 17, 2021 AT 9:27 PM

Patrick Kane scored a first-period goal and the Chicago Blackhawks got some highlight-reel saves from Malcolm Subban to beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-0 on Saturday.

The Hawks concluded their season series against the Red Wings with six wins in eight games. After the Red Wings stunned them 4-1 on Thursday, the Hawks bounced back and notched their seventh win after a series- opening loss.

Subban picked up his second shutout in 11 starts this season and tallied 29 saves while had 23. Subban, who had three career , achieved the previous one on Feb. 25 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Subban’s best stop was arguably his post-to-post glide to glove Darren Helm’s shot in the second period.

The Hawks’ 29th-ranked penalty kill (73.5%) shut out Detroit on six power-play opportunities, including a 4-minute double minor on Duncan Keith’s high-sticking of Vladislav Namestnikov and a two-man disadvantage late in the third period.

Kane beat the clock with 21 seconds left in the first period, scoring on a breakaway off Vinnie Hinostroza’s centering pass. Hinostroza started the sequence with a takeaway from Troy Stecher and threaded it to Kane between Marc Staal’s legs.

It was Kane’s first goal since April 6 against the Dallas Stars and second in the last 11 games.

Alex DeBrincat scored his 22nd goal of the season in the second period, a rebound score off the body of Brandon Hagel.

Wyatt Kalynuk scored his second career goal on a rush, planting it back door off Hinostroza’s second assist of the game.

Pius Suter added an empty-netter with 4:33 left in the game.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209393 Chicago Blackhawks Mitchell remembers one highlight in particular, a goal against St. Cloud State University on Nov. 10, 2017, when “he toe-dragged it all the way around the net and put it top shelf.”

Chicago Blackhawks are banking on Henrik Borgström rediscovering his “He was coming on his off wing and driving the net and everyone ‘special’ game: ‘A lot of times you feel he has eyes in the back (of his thought, ‘Oh, he’s going to try to go for a wrap-around,’ but he was able head)’ to cut … in front of the net, keep it on his forehand and tuck it in the top corner,” Mitchell said. “It’s just something no one else could do but him.”

By PHIL THOMPSON Borgström got his first taste of the United Center at the tail end his freshman season with two games in the 2017 NCAA tournament, scoring CHICAGO TRIBUNE a goal against Notre Dame during the Frozen Four semifinal.

APR 17, 2021 AT 7:30 AM In second college season, Borgström led the Pioneers with 52 points (23 goals and 29 assists) and signed a three-year deal with the Panthers in

March 2018. He played in four late-season games for the Panthers and In a game for Finnish league HIFK last month, Henrik Borgström scored had a goal. a goal against KooKoo that was just cuckoo. The 2018-19 season showed promise, starting with five goals and 17 Borgström jumped on a loose puck drifting toward the crease and set up assists in 24 games for the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds. He got called like he was going across the goal mouth and tuck it in the corner with a up in mid-December and recorded eight goals and 10 assists in 50 forehand shot, but then he reversed the puck between his legs and games for the Panthers. backhanded it under a trailing defender’s stick and through the goalie’s The next season, he fell back to earth. five-hole. He started the season with the Panthers, registering no points in four There’s a reason Borgström was called “The Magician” during his games, and by late October was back in Springfield. He had 11 goals University of Denver days. and 12 assists over 49 games for the Thunderbirds. The Chicago Blackhawks hope the 23-year-old can recapture the magic “It didn’t happen right away for him,” Bowman said. “Sometimes that’s the after his career stalled with the Florida Panthers. The Hawks on April 8 case for young players — there’s an adaptation to the NHL. He had a traded for the forward prospect — along with forward Brett Connolly, pretty good season in the AHL and then last year never really found his defenseman Riley Stillman and a seventh-round pick — in exchange for way there.” forward Lucas Wallmark and defenseman Lucas Carlsson. Borgström and the Panthers came to a crossroad over his future, and he “You really don’t know what he’s going to do with the puck,” HIFK general opted to sign with HIFK in his native Helsinki. manager Tobias Salmelainen said. “A lot of times you feel he has eyes in the back (of his head). Salmelainen wasn’t surprised Borgström hit a speed bump.

“If you’re watching the game you’re thinking you can’t see that pass and “It was a maturity thing as well — he wasn’t ready,” Salmelainen said. then makes it. ... He’s very good with the puck one-on-one, which is very tough these days to beat anyone with the puck one-on-one. I believe he “Professional hockey life is a different environment than college hockey. has a very underrated shot, a very good wrist shot.” That set him off a little bit. … College life, you have all your friends, you have everyone around you. You have the support system on a daily Said Hawks defenseman Ian Mitchell, who added that president of basis. hockey operations picked his brain about his former Denver Pioneers teammate: “The plays he can make are special. Stan “You go to professional life, your teammates have families, they have (said) he thought he was for sure bound to be successful in the NHL just their own lives. It’s a different environment. That could’ve been a big by watching him in college. shock.”

“He was that dominant. So you know that talent was there.” It’s for similar reasons why Salmelainen is optimistic Borgström will thrive with the Hawks, who tie for the sixth-youngest roster (27.1-year-old Salmelainen saw the talent when Borgström was playing at the junior average) in the league. level for his Helsinki club. “It’s a young core,” he said. “The environment is something that suits “I know his dad (Kim) is the CEO of a hockey rink (Myllypuro) in the him. That’s something the Blackhawks most likely thought about as well.” Helsinki area,” Salmelainen said. “If you look at Henrik as a player, you can tell he was on the ice quite a bit when he was younger and all of his Mitchell can relate to such struggles. He was set to play his first game life, and you can see it in his game.” with the Hawks in three weeks Thursday night after stints with the taxi squad and the Rockford Ice Hogs. Salmelainen called Borgström a late bloomer. He was hurt a lot and didn’t rate highly with NHL front offices, who passed over him when he “It’s the best league in the world,” Mitchell said. “You could have success was first eligible, Salmelainen said. for 10 or 15 games, and then things start to maybe not go so well, and then you kind of let it snowball. It’s just a tough transition.” But then “he grew in a short span,” Salmelainen said. “He grew a lot. I think he was 5-10 and he grew to 6-2, 6-3, pretty much in one season. … University of Denver forward Henrik Borgström, left, tries to keep the So he kind of flew under the radar. And then the next year came and he puck away from Minnesota-Duluth center Dominic Toninato during the got everyone’s attention that year.” first period of the NCAA championship game on April 8, 2017, at the United Center. The Panthers made him the 23rd pick in 2016. Mitchell and Salmelainen believe Borgström has the skills and Borgström played for Denver for the 2016-17 and ’17-18 seasons and measurables to stick around in the league. earned nicknames such as “human highlight reel.” “Just with his length and his skill I think you can see (Aleksander) Barkov Borgström was a sophomore in ’17-18 when Mitchell was a freshman. in him,” Mitchell said, comparing the 6-foot-3, 199-pound Borgström to the 6-3, 215-pound Panthers center. “Both being Finns, big, left-hand “He was just an unbelievable player,” Mitchell said. “Just on the ice in shot. Of course, Barkov’s one of most elite players in the league, so take practice you couldn’t stop him. The things he could do with the puck and that with what you will.” being able to score from anywhere was pretty awesome. The Hawks also traded for former Vancouver Canucks forward Adam “I was fortunate enough to be on the power play with him my first year. Gaudette, and Bowman envisions both competing to be depth centers. He definitely bumped up my point totals a bit there, just by giving him the puck, he was able to score pretty easily.” “If you’re able to play down the middle, you add value,” Bowman said.

Salmelainen sees Borgström as a natural center, though he has played wing and has a sense to play anywhere on the ice. “He knows where the puck’s going to be,” Salmelainen said. “He reads the plays that well. That’s why he has a lot of (instances where) he takes the puck away from the opponent a lot of times on the forecheck, he reads plays the very well, so he understands his hockey IQ is off the charts.

“He’s a big kid, has long reach. When you put a player with that reach and that height, and then he’s getting stronger and stronger, when you put those things together, he’s a very good hockey player.”

Borgström likely will get a chance to make the Hawks roster during next season’s training camp, but it’s not necessarily smooth sailing back to the NHL. The Hawks hold exclusive negotiating rights.

“I’m not sure it was a financial issue (with Florida), Bowman said. “I think it was maybe just more the situation or what his role would be. … From our perspective, the contract should not be an issue.”

Borgström has 11 goals and 10 assists in 30 games for HIFK, whose season concludes later this month.

“We’ve been watching him play in Finland and his skill set is very noticeable,” Bowman said. “He’s a big, tall kid, long arms, good reach. He’s got the frame, athletic body, skater, hands and he can do a lot of different things with the puck. There’s tremendous upside.

“Obviously he has to turn that potential into reality. But he’s the kind of player you get excited to work with, and we certainly want to do that next season.”

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209394 Chicago Blackhawks “You can’t really overstate what a great teammate he is,” Colliton said. “Multiple times this year he’s stepped to the plate and done a great job. You just love to see him be rewarded.”

Blackhawks hammer Red Wings after adjusting to shot-blocking tactics

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 04.18.2021 By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Apr 17, 2021, 9:49pm CDT

For the first time in seemingly weeks, everything went right for the Blackhawks.

Malcolm Subban was terrific in a spot start, saving all 29 shots he faced Saturday. The Hawks’ 30th-ranked penalty kill suddenly became flawless, going 6-for-6.

The Hawks moved the puck swiftly in transition, creatively in the offensive zone and capitalized on the resulting opportunities.

The result was a 4-0 win over the Red Wings that, combined with the Predators’ 3-1 loss in Carolina, pulled the Hawks within two points of a playoff spot with one game in hand and 11 to play.

“It was obviously an important win for us,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “We scored on our chances at really important times. The goal at the end of the first [period] was huge for us mentally.”

In Thursday’s 4-1 loss, the Wings stymied the Hawks with a defensive system that clogged up the Hawks’ shooting lanes with not one but two shot-blockers. Defenseman Connor Murphy broke down the system in- depth Saturday morning.

“It wasn’t just their top forward that was blocking it,” Murphy described. “They had a D-man or a low centerman that would stay in the slot. Instead of picking up one of our guys [or] boxing out in front, he would try to front that shot, too.”

The Hawks adjusted smartly.

They frequently took shots immediately after receiving the puck (before the Wings were able to set up the double-block), exploited the extra space on the sides of the offensive zone and used low-to-high puck movement to move defenders out of position.

“Our main goal for tonight was get the puck behind their ‘D,’ ” said Vinnie Hinostroza, who tallied three assists. “When we do that, and then we switch sides behind the net or find the slot or point guy, it’s huge.”

The play leading to Alex DeBrincat’s second-period rebound goal, which extended the lead to 2-0, provided two great examples.

First, Murphy — whose lane was clogged by up to four Wings — made a pass to Riley Stillman, who had a clearer lane and forced goalie Jonathan Bernier to make a save.

Seconds later, Kirby Dach and DeBrincat both made great plays: Dach protected the puck and lured Jakub Vrana out of the slot before feeding a wide-open Murphy at the point, while DeBrincat circled the net to pull Wings center Dylan Larkin out of the slot, too. Murphy had no one in his shooting lane, Brandon Hagel perfectly screened Bernier and DeBrincat ultimately scored.

Wyatt Kalynuk and Pius Suter added third-period goals to seal the comfortable victory.

The end result was 64% of the Hawks’ shot attempts (29 of 42) ending up on-goal, compared to only 41% (25 of 61) on Thursday.

Subban knew for the last 10 days he would be starting this game.

Despite not having played since March 28, that knowledge allowed the Hawks’ backup goalie to focus all of his mental effort toward Saturday.

“It helps to get ready for the game and [I was] just doing everything you can to get to it,” he said. “Obviously it’s not easy when you’re playing once every few weeks but I’m just trying to give my team a chance to win every time I’m in there.”

Subban robbed Darren Helm with a cross-crease glove save late in the second period en route to his second shutout of the season. 1209395 Chicago Blackhawks “It’s not like: ‘Now we’re all set, so we have our team for the current and next year,’” he said. “We’re still in that early stage of building a team... There might be some more ins and outs. Some players that are here now With trade deadline over, where do the Blackhawks go from here? might not be here as we move forward, if we can turn them into something even better or turn them into something we don’t have enough of.”

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST Even if the names on the list change, however, the numbers of players should stay the same, if not increase. It’s safe to say the battles will be Apr 17, 2021, 6:30am CDT fierce for the 12 forward and six defensive spots in the Hawks’ 2021-22 opening-night roster.

General manager Stan Bowman’s plan for the Blackhawks’ future will The result will be a team that probably still won’t contend for a title but enter its second chapter this summer. likely will be better than the past few seasons’ teams and certainly will have a brighter future. Since announcing the Hawks’ semi-rebuild last fall, Bowman steadily has maneuvered them through the first chapter. The period leading up to the In fact, the Hawks’ entire organizational depth chart (up to 50 contracts) trade deadline Monday, during which Bowman executed six deals that could be made up of only two types of players: NHL-caliber players and converted expendable assets and salary-cap space into more draft picks, prospects with NHL upside. That’s because a lot of dead weight has prospects and NHL players with possibly untapped potential, served as been jettisoned in the last year and the last few stragglers who don’t fit the climax of that chapter. either category — Zack Smith, Brandon Pirri, John Quenneville, Anton Lindholm and Josh Dickinson — will become free agents this summer. The rookie draft, expansion draft and free-agency window this offseason will begin the next stage with a bang. Once in that position, Bowman will be able to transition from merely positioning and loading up the Hawks’ ship to navigating it ahead along What already has become clear, however, is that Bowman is playing a his charted course. numbers game with the Hawks’ rebuild.

The team hasn’t been — and likely won’t become — terrible enough to land another top-three draft pick (after lucking into center Kirby Dach in Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 04.18.2021 2019). There’s no single franchise-altering player on the way.

But the idea is that if the Hawks accumulate a large number of players who might be good, then the number of them who do turn out to be good will be enough to fill out a young and deep, if not particularly star-laden, lineup.

And the first part of that process — accumulating the quantity — is nearly complete.

There are few certainties about the Hawks’ 2021-22 roster. Forwards Dach, Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, defensemen Connor Murphy and Adam Boqvist and goalie Kevin Lankinen might be the only ones.

Nonetheless, there are a lot of players who might be on the 2021-22 roster. As things stand now, as many as 22 forwards and nine defensemen could enter training camp in September expecting to earn roster spots.

Forwards: Kane, Dach, DeBrincat, Dominik Kubalik, Dylan Strome, Brandon Hagel, Philipp Kurashev, Pius Suter, Alex Nylander, Brett Connolly, Ryan Carpenter, Vinnie Hinostroza, David Kampf, Adam Gaudette, Mike Hardman, Lukas Reichel, Henrik Borgstrom, , Andrew Shaw, Reese Johnson, MacKenzie Entwistle and Evan Barratt.

Defensemen: Murphy, Boqvist, Duncan Keith, Nikita Zadorov, Calvin de Haan, Ian Mitchell, Wyatt Kalynuk, Riley Stillman and Nicolas Beaudin.

Realistically, not all 31 of those players still will be around come September.

The Hawks are guaranteed to lose one to Seattle in the expansion draft. The availability of Toews and Shaw for next season is unknown. Hinostroza is a pending unrestricted free agent. Suter, Hagel, Nylander, Kampf, Gaudette, Borgstrom, Zadorov and Stillman all will need new contracts, too.

Zadorov, Kampf and Strome have been mentioned in trade rumors. Keith might be nearing retirement age. And Reichel — the Hawks’ still- unsigned 2020 first-round pick — might spend another season developing in Germany before jumping to North America, although Bowman said he’s interested in bringing him over for next season.

But for all the names crossed off that list in the coming months, just as many might be added to it.

The Hawks have their first-round pick (which will be among the top 15 if they miss the playoffs), two second-round picks and eight total picks in the coming draft. They also have only about $48 million — compared with the $81 million cap — in committed salaries for next season, so Bowman will have tons of cap space to play with if he desires.

Bowman said after the trade deadline that he expects plenty more movement to come as he further redistributes assets. 1209396 Chicago Blackhawks "It's up to us to prepare as well as we can and give it everything we have this week. It's a fun situation to be in."

Blackhawks get crucial win in Detroit Daily Herald Times LOADED: 04.18.2021

John Dietz

Follow @johndietzdh

Updated 4/17/2021 10:05 PM

With time, comes perspective. With age, wisdom.

Such is the case for Vinnie Hinostroza, who was toiling behind the scenes in Florida but then given a fresh chance to prove himself after being traded to the Blackhawks on April 2.

It was a chance he vowed not to waste. And waste it he has not.

Already off to a great start by registering assists in back-to-back games on April 6 and 8, Hinostroza took his game to another level Saturday with 2 more assists during a 4-0 victory at Detroit.

Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Wyatt Kalynuk and Pius Suter all scored, and Malcolm Subban -- starting for the first time since March 28 -- made 29 saves.

The Hawks killed off 3 Detroit power plays in the first period and 6 for the game. The fifth was a 67-second two-man advantage in the third period.

Hinostroza, a Barlett native who was taken in the sixth round by the Hawks in 2012, admitted he may have started taking things for granted over the past year or two.

Sure, he was working hard. But that extra push wasn't there -- the push is absolutely necessary for high-energy burners like the 27-year-old.

"You play in the NHL for a while and you think you're just gonna keep playing," Hinostroza said. "You still work hard, but it's kind of that extra level (that was missing). ... That's what got me to this league is playing my heart out, playing as hard as I can, creating energy. Sometimes you tend to get away from that for whatever reason.

"Having the time off in Florida, being with my fiancee and kid, you start thinking about what really matters to you. This is my job and I have to come every day and I want to make the most of it."

That extra effort is what led to the Hawks' first goal as Hinostroza executed a textbook backcheck on Troy Stecher. After swiping the puck from Detroit's veteran D-man, Hinostroza fed a charging Kane with a gorgeous, backhanded pass that went through Marc Staal's legs.

Kane, who had just 3 goals and a 4.5% shooting percentage in the previous 21 games, fired home one of the easiest goals of his career to get the Hawks on the board with 20 seconds left in the first period.

"He's just such a smart player," Hinostroza said. "It's an honor to play with him."

Said coach Jeremy Colliton: "He's been really good for us. The challenge is can he sustain that level? He knew exactly what I expected from him. He's helped whoever he's played with so far."

Subban was fantastic in net, fending off a few point-blank shots and standing tall during the Red Wings' nearly 11 minutes on the power play.

"You can't overstate what a great teammate he is," Colliton said. "Obviously it was a big game for us. Multiple times this year he's stepped to the plate and done a great job."

After salvaging a split with the Red Wings, the Hawks (21-19-5) must now be at their absolute best in a three-game series with Nashville. Those three contests are Monday (at Nashville) and Wednesday and Friday (at Chicago).

The fourth-place Predators (24-21-1) have won all five meetings between the teams are have a 2-point lead over the Hawks in the Central Division.

"It's a great opportunity," Colliton said. "It's kind of a playoff series for us. ... Credit to the group that we are here and have the chance to play these types of games. 1209397 Chicago Blackhawks

Subban, penalty kill give Blackhawks crucial win

BY CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS

Mathematically, Saturday's game against the Detroit Red Wings wasn't a "must-win" for the Blackhawks. But it sure felt like it after coming up empty two nights prior.

It didn't need to be pretty, either. At this time of year, two points are two points. And the Blackhawks got it thanks to a 29-save shutout by Malcolm Subban and a 6-for-6 effort by the penalty kill in a 4-0 victory.

"It was an important win for us," head coach Jeremy Colliton said. "I thought we probably played better on Thursday but we scored on our chances at really important times. The goal at the end of the first was huge for us, mentally. And obviously the penalty kill did a really good job for us.

"[Subban] was excellent for us. He made the saves he had to and he had a couple of nice ones, in particular, the one late in the second on the backside. But obviously, we got what we needed tonight and it sets up pretty important games coming up."

Kevin Lankinen, who had started eight in a row, did not dress in this game because the Blackhawks wanted to keep him fresh for their upcoming three-game series against the Nashville Predators that could have a significant impact on which team finishes as the No. 4 seed in the Central Division. It was part of the plan that was set 10 days ago, according to Colliton.

Because of that, Subban started in his first game since March 28 and the Blackhawks couldn't have asked for a better performance from the 27- year-old goaltender.

The Red Wings generated 30 scoring chances, 18 high danger chances and had an expected goals for of 3.35, according to Natural Stat Truck, but Subban shut the door on every opportunity to keep the Blackhawks' playoff hopes alive.

"I know I’ve said it before, but you can’t really overstate what a great teammate he is," Colliton said. "It was a big game for us. Multiple times this year, he’s stepped to the plate and done a great job and you just love to see him be rewarded. I was happy we were able to get the shutout for him."

The Blackhawks killing off all six penalties was crucial, as well. Special teams, as a whole, have been a sore spot over the last little while, but the penalty kill, in particular, has slipped to third-worst in the league.

The Blackhawks desperately needed a confidence boost in that department and they got it.

"Oh, it was huge," Subban said. "Obviously on the penalty kill you want to give the team some life, the bench some life. They didn’t get too many good chances. I thought we had a good kill and got a lot of good clears, took pride in getting the puck down the ice, so that obviously helps a lot; it gives everyone a rest to regroup when they come back down. So that was huge."

With two points in their pocket, the Blackhawks can officially turn their attention to Tuesday, where they will begin a three-game stint in Nashville before returning to Chicago for the final two games of the series. And it's no secret what's on the line.

"Obviously, everyone knows where we are at in the standings," said Vinnie Hinostroza, who picked up three assists in the win. "To win this game how we did, 4-nothing, battled the whole game, it’s great going into this three-game series we have with Nashville. These will be the biggest three games of the year. I know this group is excited. It’s huge we got the momentum going into it."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209398 Colorado Avalanche

Denver Post: LOADED: 04.18.2021

Chambers: Avalanche has multiple defining moments this season. One occurred Wednesday in St. Louis

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

April 17, 2021 at 4:03 p.m.

Before COVID knocked the Avalanche out of action for the second time this season, a defining moment for this stellar team occurred Wednesday in St. Louis.

Great teams look back on moments that made them special, and if the Avs recover from their current COVID crisis and win the Stanley Cup, their valiant performance in Wednesday’s 4-3 victory over the Blues could be at the top of the list.

The Avs didn’t practice Tuesday before traveling to the Gateway to the West, but planned on a morning skate at Enterprise Center. That didn’t happen. Goalie Philipp Grubauer tested positive for COVID-19 and the skate was canceled. The game itself became in doubt but ultimately unfolded with no more positive tests with anyone in the traveling party.

Thing is, the Avs weren’t feeling good about the situation, with their starting goalie unable to play and some players feeling ill from their vaccinations to begin the week. Also, the Blues were fresh and feeling good about the three-game winning streak that got them back into the West Division playoff picture.

The 2019 Cup champions have underperformed most of the season but they finally appeared to find their groove, which Colorado crushed by beating the Blues for the fourth time in five meetings.

“I haven’t been with this group very long but you can just kind of tell that when the games get tight there’s just a lot of character in that room — a lot of leadership, too,” Avs rookie forward Liam O’Brien said. “It’s really cool for me to be around that.”

Wednesday’s game was certainly tight. But the Avs never trailed and staved off St. Louis’ third-period desperation to improve to 9-1 in their last 10 games and extend their NHL-best record to 30-9-4. This team can win in a lot of ways and adversity hasn’t been an obstacle.

“To be able to come in here and get a win here — this hasn’t been an easy building for us to win in over the years — and to come in tonight under these circumstances and get the job I’m really proud of our guys,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said postgame. “I was nervous about this one because the energy level that our team needs to play the way we want to play is really important.”

He added: “I didn’t think our guys would have a great energy level.”

It was a big moment for a Cup-or-bust team, or as Bednar said, “a sign of maturity from our group.”

The next sign of maturity will be how the Avs respond to their second COVID shutdown with just 13 games between them and the Presidents’ Trophy. The Avs won’t have Grubauer for at least seven of those games, and winger Joonas Donskoi is also in quarantine and will miss more than half of the remaining games.

Forty-something records. Early congratulations are due to Bednar, 49, and San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau, 41.

Bednar has tied Bob Hartley for first in games coached by an Avalanche bench boss (359) and has 175 career victories — just 18 shy of tying Hartley for the club record. Bednar will become the Avs’ longest-tenured coach as early as Thursday — if the club’s COVID shutdown lasts just three games. He’ll undoubtedly break Hartley’s wins record early next season.

Marleau entered Saturday’s game at Minnesota on an 897-game ironman streak (fourth-longest all-time) and on schedule to play in his 1,768th NHL game Monday at Vegas to break the all-time record of 1,767 held by Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe.

Mr. Hockey, however, played an additional 419 games in the , hence his nickname. 1209399 Columbus Blue Jackets One of the “problems” appears to be with Max Domi, who was on the ice for the first four Stars goals and picked up two minor penalties plus a 10- minute misconduct near the end of the second period for the second time Another blown lead, another meltdown in Blue Jackets' fifth straight loss in three games.

Domi served his misconduct penalty in the third, just as he did Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks, and didn’t play the rest of the game. Brian Hedger Tortorella wasn’t in the mood to discuss it. The Columbus Dispatch “No thoughts,” he said.

Joonas Korpisalo (70) was unable to stop this shot by Dallas Stars right wing Denis Gurianov during the second period of the Blue Jackets' 5-1 Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.18.2021 loss Saturday in Dallas. Korpisalo allowed four goals on 16 shots and was replaced in the second period by Elvis Merzlikins.

A problem that has bamboozled the Blue Jackets all season did them in again Saturday night in Dallas.

After scoring the game’s first goal on Vladislav Gavrikov’s first tally in 38 games, the Jackets were unable to build on it, had another collapse in the second period and lost 5-1 to the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center.

“I thought we played a really good first period and then, for whatever reason, we just kind of take our foot off the gas pedal,” said right wing Cam Atkinson, who assisted on Gavrikov’s goal. “I keep saying it, but that’s what happens. It seems like we go from playing on our toes, trying to make plays and being hard on the forecheck to just kind of sitting back.”

The loss the Blue Jackets’ fifth in a row. It was also a repeat of the same basic scenario that has vexed them all year – including the past four games in a row.

It goes something like this: The Blue Jackets score first. They cough it up before they’re able to build on it. Problems compound, a deluge of goals rains down on their heads and they lose.

This time, Gavrikov’s goal was the one that was rendered meaningless. Charging to the Stars’ net after winning a puck battle behind his own net, the bulky defenseman tapped home a perfect feed from Oliver Bjorkstrand for a 1-0 lead just 6:06 into the game.

The Blue Jackets had just fended off the Stars’ first of three power plays after Jack Roslovic was sent off for slashing and things seemed to be going well. It was Gavrikov’s second goal of the season, first since Jan. 23 against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus was poised to keep going.

That’s when a long flip of the puck by Dallas defenseman John Klingberg caused the record to scratch. The puck bounced hard off the ice in front of Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo, skipped off his body for a bouncing rebound and Stars captain Jamie Benn managed to bat it past into the net with 7:25 left in the first – forcing a 1-1 through the first 20 minutes.

That paved the way for the Stars to blow the game open midway through the second, when they scored four goals in a span of 6:30 to essentially put the game away.

Denis Gurianov scored the first one to give Dallas a 2-1 lead at 10:10 on his third goal in two games against the Jackets this week and that opened the floodgates. Joe Pavelski made it 3-1 three minutes later, John Klingberg scored 20 seconds after Pavelski to make it 4-1 and less than three minutes later it went to 5-1 on a goal by Esa Lindell.

That goal was against Elvis Merzlikins, who’d replaced Korpisalo after the fourth goal. The Stars scored four straight goals 6:30 for another stunning barrage that left the Blue Jackets struggling to explain how this keeps happening.

Atkinson and Bjorkstrand each shared theories – centered loosely on the Jackets’ inexplicable tendency to go into a shell after giving up a goal or two – but coach John Tortorella was more candid. Asked if the problems that led to this collapse were tied to players struggling to understand “situational play,” in a game – like what happened Thursday in a 4-1 loss to the Stars – he minced no words.

“Larger problems,” Tortorella said, before pointing an unspoken finger at his most experienced players on a roster that’s been depleted by trades and injuries. “The new guys are pushing hard.” 1209400 Columbus Blue Jackets situational play and we’re just not able to sustain enough offense. We just don’t create enough offense.”

Nor do they take care of the puck consistently enough. Questions at center persist as Blue Jackets assess their options down the middle Prior to the Stars’ second goal, which put them up 2-1 less than two minutes after Denis Gurianov tied it, Domi had the puck knocked off his stick moving sideways inside the Dallas blue line. Less than 30 seconds Brian Hedger later it was resting inside the Blue Jackets' net.

The Columbus Dispatch Things like that are now seen as evaluation points within an otherwise lost season. Kekalainen is watching closely and so is Tortorella, regardless of his contract running out after this season.

Blue Jackets center Jack Roslovic, here skating past Carolina "That’s about the only thing we can do right now is to evaluate players defenseman Brady Skjei on March 25, has been impressive on offense. that are in our lineup," Tortorella said. "Out of necessity of filling out a lineup, guys are put in spots that usually wouldn’t be there, so we’re Jarmo Kekalainen’s tone was rock solid. going to evaluate when they’re there.” Asked about his confidence in the Blue Jackets’ “core group” following a busy NHL trade deadline on Monday, the team’s general manager rattled off his reasons for optimism amid a frustrating season. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.18.2021 “Our goaltending is strong,” Kekalainen said. “We have one of the top (defensive) pairings in the league in Seth Jones and Zach Werenski. We have some really good young forwards. We’ve got some experience mixed in there, we’ve got some leaders and some very good prospects coming, so the future’s gonna be bright.”

The future, however, is still cloudier than ever at center ice. Some might even call it murky after early optimism about depth at center turned into a scramble for coach John Tortorella to fill out a lineup card down the middle.

"I’m just … I’m using people that we have," Tortorella said Thursday, after a 4-1 loss in Dallas that was another frustrating night for the Jackets' middle men who remain. "It certainly gives them some experience at it."

That isn't at all how Kekalainen and his executive staff envisioned things going this season. Kekalainen went into this campaign with a legitimate No. 1 in Pierre-Luc Dubois, who, despite worrisome contract talks that lagged until a few days before training camp, appeared on the verge of becoming a powerful impact center.

Kekalainen also traded power forward Josh Anderson to the Montreal Canadiens for Max Domi, whom he viewed as a top-six center, and signed 37-year old Mikko Koivu to center a third line that was supposed to feature a couple of heavy forecheckers, Boone Jenner and Nick Foligno, on the wings. Riley Nash and Kevin Stenlund were the intended options to center the fourth line, rounding out a lineup that looked deep at center. But problems arose instantly.

Dubois wasn’t happy and only signed a two-year contract extension with the expectation that it would help Kekalainen find a suitable trade partner to ship him elsewhere, which became the Winnipeg Jets in a trade that resulted in Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic becoming Blue Jackets.

Roslovic has impressed offensively, often playing as the top center, but has a long way to go in other areas. Domi played his way out of the middle, struggling in all areas until recently, and is now back at center out of sheer necessity. Koivu retired after seven games, following a stint with a COVID-19 infection, and just that quickly the Jackets had another center shortage.

Alexandre Texier’s projection as a future Blue Jackets center was sped up, Tortorella went back to his comfort blanket of spotting Jenner in the middle and Nash even got a couple spins as a top-six pivot before knee sprain before being traded to Toronto. Jenner is also gone for the season after surgery to repair a fractured finger and Foligno, who played center sporadically, was dealt to the Maple Leafs.

The remaining options are Roslovic, Domi, Texier, Stenlund and rookie Josh Dunne, who was solid defensively in his NHL debut Thursday.

“He asked questions that I don’t think some guys that have played in this league five, six, seven years would ask,” Tortorella said of Dunne. “That’s what’s frustrating to me, with some of the guys with us right now.”

It was high praise and a cutting indictment at the same time. Earlier in the same postgame video conference, Tortorella lamented an ongoing communication breakdown that has vexed his team all year.

"For the life of me, we just don’t understand situational play," he said. "It’s something we speak on constantly and we just don’t understand 1209401 Columbus Blue Jackets

Josh Dunne, Jackets' recent undrafted free agent signing, quietly impressive in NHL debut

Bailey Johnson

The Columbus Dispatch

Blue Jackets rookie Josh Dunne (21) battles Dallas defenseman Jamie Oleksiak for the puck in his NHL debut on Thursday while his Columbus teammate Stefan Matteau trails the play.

The first play of Josh Dunne’s NHL career was a faceoff at center ice against Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn, a 12-year NHL veteran.

Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella sent Dunne out to start Thursday’s game in Dallas, matching the Jackets’ fourth line of Dunne, Kole Sherwood and Stefan Matteau against the Stars’ top line. Starting in his first NHL game was a nice moment for Dunne, who signed with Columbus as a free agent last month after playing the previous three seasons at Clarkson University.

Then the puck dropped, and Benn won the draw with minimal effort — undoubtedly a “Welcome to the NHL” moment for Dunne. On Wednesday, Dunne said he expected faceoffs to be a challenge for him as he settles into the professional game. He won 49.6% of his draws throughout his college career.

“The guys are bigger, they’re stronger, they’re better” in the NHL, Dunne said. “The guys who have better hand-eye (coordination) are better at being quick and the strong guys are a little bit stronger. It’s just something that I’ve gotta keep working on.”

Dunne won only one of his nine draws in the Jackets’ 4-1 loss to the Stars, but the performance in the faceoff circle was perhaps the only negative mark for Dunne in his NHL debut.

In a little more than 12 minutes of ice time, Dunne drew a penalty and laid two hits. The big-bodied center — listed at 6 feet 4, 210 pounds — prides himself on his two-way game, and advanced stats from Thursday’s game indicate that Dunne controlled play when he was on the ice.

Though he didn’t record a shot on goal, the Jackets controlled 89.17% percent of the expected goals with Dunne on the ice, per Natural Stat Trick. Columbus also outshot Dallas, 7-3, and had seven high-danger scoring chances to the Stars’ none while Dunne was on the ice.

“I just want to use my body everywhere,” Dunne said Wednesday. “Be physical, be on the (defensive) side of the puck, make it as hard as I can and make it difficult. Just be a thorn in their side the whole game.”

Dunne did just that in his debut — and impressed Tortorella along the way.

“I thought he did some good things,” Tortorella said. "You can see that he’s an intelligent player, because he asks the right questions. … That’s encouraging for a big man, a young guy.”

Dunne played just seven games with the in the AHL before being called up. He said Wednesday he didn’t know what to expect as far as when he’d get into the NHL lineup, but given the Jackets’ lack of depth at center after Boone Jenner’s injury and the trades of Nick Foligno and Riley Nash, Dunne’s chance came quickly.

Now, with only 11 games left in the season, it seems likely that he’ll continue to get chances to show what he can do.

“I know it’s kind of cliché, but I just wanted to play my game and work on my confidence down there — understand the pro game and play the way I can play,” Dunne said. “But obviously, it’s unbelievable that I’m here now.”

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209402 Dallas Stars being tossed at him during his first response to a question and said “catch anything this guy throws.”

Sunday will be a rare weekend day off for the Stars, the first Sunday off Stars closing gap on playoff position after 5-1 thrashing of Blue Jackets in seven weeks for the team.

By Matthew DeFranks Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.18.2021 10:21 PM on Apr 17, 2021 CDT — Updated at 10:23 PM on Apr 17, 2021 CDT

As a product of their 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday night, the Stars are improbably and oddly in a playoff spot. Well, kind of.

The trouncing of Columbus, combined with Nashville’s loss in Carolina, moved the Stars ahead of the Predators and into fourth place on points percentage. Despite still being three points back with three games in hand, the Stars (17-14-12, .535) have a better overall record than the Predators (24-21-1, .533).

“We’re not looking at percentage right now,” Joe Pavelski said. “I don’t think until that final game and we have a playoff spot, anyone’s going to feel good about themselves right now. Got to keep climbing, keep putting points in and moving up. We’ve done our job lately. We’ve got to continue with that.”

The old hockey adage will surely apply to the Stars now: games in hand only matter if you win them.

Dallas had no issue putting the Blue Jackets away on Saturday night. It exploded for a four-goal outburst in 6 1/2 minutes during the second period, pulling far ahead of the hapless Blue Jackets and finishing the season series against Columbus with a 5-2-1 record.

Seven different Stars notched two-point nights: Pavelski, John Klingberg, Jamie Benn, Esa Lindell and Denis Gurianov all had a goal and an assist, while Jason Robertson and Roope Hitnz each had two assists. Jake Oettinger made 21 saves to earn his second straight win.

“They made a couple mistakes and we capitalized,” Stars coach Rick Bowness said. “It was simple as that, the puck went in. We’ve had other explosions, played just as well, the puck didn’t go in. Tonight, it went in.”

Being in fourth place is an unexpected feat for the Stars with 13 games remaining and the next four against the last-place Red Wings.

In the last two months, they’ve played the busiest schedule in the NHL. They’ve missed their top center and goaltender for the entire season. Their No. 1 right winger played 11 games before he was shelved for the season. Their schedule has been disrupted twice — once by a coronavirus outbreak in training camp and again by February’s winter storm.

Their play on the ice hovered from very slightly above average to very slightly below average, punctuated by a league-high 12 losses in overtimes and shootouts. They went two months without wining consecutive games, but have now done so three times this month.

After three months of wondering about Dallas’ playoff chances, the Stars are suddenly coming on in the Central Division, with a 4-0-2 record in their last six games.

“I think we’ve been playing really well,” Lindell said. “Everyone’s feeling it, we’ve got good confidence and we’re just trying to keep it rolling and keep getting points and keep climbing in the standings.”

Sure, nothing has been accomplished by the Stars just yet. A 13-game stretch is a lot of time. Sure, wins over the depleted Blue Jackets shouldn’t gift Dallas a playoff spot. And sure, potentially beating the Red Wings shouldn’t lead to a parade-planning meeting.

The Stars don’t make the schedule, though, as they have found out this season. They can only play the games in front of them, and have begun a soft six-game stretch with two crucial wins over Columbus.

After Saturday’s game, the good feelings were visible in playful press conferences.

Asked about Lindell’s goal, defensive partner Klingberg quipped “the guy’s lucky.” Lindell returned the favor when talking about Klingberg’s deflected goal, “I think Klinger can’t say anything about his goal. If we want to think which one was lucky, I think it’s his.” Pavelski had items 1209403 Dallas Stars deflected goal, “I think Klinger can’t say anything about his goal. If we want to think which one was lucky, I think it’s his.”

Sunday will be a rare weekend day off for the Stars, their first Sunday off Stars get rare Sunday respite to rest during grueling pace of condensed in seven weeks. season Injury updates: Defenseman Andrej Sekera returned to the lineup after missing two games with a lower-body injury suffered when he blocked a By Matthew DeFranks shot Sunday in Nashville. He joined Sami Vatanen on the third pairing as Joel Hanley came out of the lineup. 9:04 PM on Apr 17, 2021 CDT — Updated at 9:07 PM on Apr 17, 2021 CDT Mark Pysyk did not participate in morning skate Saturday, hobbled by a lower-body injury that Bowness labeled “day to day.” Bowness also said Joel Kiviranta was “a long ways away” from playing again. Kiviranta has not played since March 21 because of a lower-body injury and did light As a product of their 5-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on skating and puck-handling Thursday morning. Saturday night, the Stars are improbably and oddly in a playoff spot. Well, kind of. Benn stays on roll: Captain Jamie Benn continued his recent strong play with a goal in the first period. The goal was Benn’s eighth point in the last The trouncing of Columbus, combined with Nashville’s loss in Carolina, 10 games. moved the Stars ahead of the Predators and into fourth place on points percentage. Despite still being three points back with three games in Saturday was Benn’s sixth straight game at center, this time between hand, the Stars (17-14-12, .535) have a better overall record than the Dickinson and Denis Gurianov. The line outscored Columbus 2-0 on Predators (24-21-1, .533). Thursday, with Gurianov scoring the goals.

“We’re not looking at percentage right now,” Joe Pavelski said. “I don’t “We weren’t messing around and taking the puck back too much, and think until that final game and we have a playoff spot, anyone’s going to trying to look for pretty plays,” Dickinson said. “It was a lot of simple feel good about themselves right now. Got to keep climbing, keep putting corner plays and putting the puck on net.” points in and moving up. We’ve done our job lately. We’ve got to continue with that.”

The old hockey adage will surely apply to the Stars now: games in hand Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.18.2021 matter only if you win them.

Dallas had no issue putting the Blue Jackets away Saturday night. It exploded for a four-goal outburst in 61/2 minutes during the second period, pulling far ahead of the hapless Blue Jackets and finishing the season series against Columbus with a 5-2-1 record.

Seven Stars notched two-point nights: Pavelski, John Klingberg, Jamie Benn, Esa Lindell and Denis Gurianov all had a goal and an assist, while Jason Robertson and Roope Hitnz each had two assists. Jake Oettinger made 21 saves to earn his second straight win.

“They made a couple mistakes, and we capitalized,” Stars coach Rick Bowness said. “It was simple as that, the puck went in. We’ve had other explosions, played just as well, the puck didn’t go in. Tonight, it went in.”

Being in fourth place is an unexpected feat for the Stars with 13 games remaining and the next four against the last-place Detroit Red Wings.

In the last two months, they’ve played the NHL’s busiest schedule. They’ve missed their top center and goaltender for the entire season. Their No. 1 right winger played 11 games before he was shelved for the season. Their schedule has been disrupted twice — once by a coronavirus outbreak in training camp and again by February’s winter storm.

Their play on the ice hovered from very slightly above average to very slightly below average, punctuated by a league-high 12 losses in overtimes and shootouts. They went two months without winning consecutive games but have now done so three times this month.

The Stars are suddenly coming on in the Central Division, with a 4-0-2 record in their last six games.

“I think we’ve been playing really well,” Lindell said. “Everyone’s feeling it, we’ve got good confidence and we’re just trying to keep it rolling and keep getting points and keep climbing in the standings.”

Sure, nothing has been accomplished by the Stars just yet. A 13-game stretch is a lot of time. Sure, wins over the depleted Blue Jackets shouldn’t gift Dallas a playoff spot. And sure, potentially beating the Red Wings shouldn’t lead to a parade-planning meeting.

The Stars don’t make the schedule, though, as they have found out this season. They can only play the games in front of them, and have begun a soft six-game stretch with two crucial wins over Columbus.

After Saturday’s game, the good feelings were visible in playful news conferences.

Asked about Lindell’s goal, defensive partner Klingberg quipped “the guy’s lucky.” Lindell returned the favor when talking about Klingberg’s 1209404 Dallas Stars

Stars rookie Jason Robertson says he never expected this level of success as a rookie

By SportsDay Staff

8:55 PM on Apr 17, 2021 CDT — Updated at 8:58 PM on Apr 17, 2021 CDT

Here are the highlights of that conversation edited for clarity.

After just trying to make the roster to start the season did you expect to be producing points right around the best among NHL rookies?

Jason Robertson: “I was in the bubble for 65-66 days as long as any team in the NHL when we made it to the final. Unfortunately I didn’t get any playing time, but I was there in every meeting, every session with all the players so I was kind of getting a firsthand look at how fast the NHL is.

“As much as you see on TV and watching film, or on your computer or whatnot you can’t really tell how fast the game really is. What better way (is there) to try and digest all this hockey than the Stanley Cup Playoffs? It’s the most physical, the most skilled and the fastest hockey you can see.

“But then going into the offseason my number one goal was just making the roster like you said. I figured when they said they’d have a taxi squad I’d have an idea that I could at least make that squad. But my goal was for sure cracking the team. Eventually when I made the team in January that’s when my focus turned to being an impact player.

“That wasn’t my expectation at the beginning of the year. I never would’ve thought I would have been this successful. It’s not just an individual thing but my coaches put me in a position to succeed as well as my teammates, so I’m just trying to make the best of my game.”

Now that people are pointing this out are you feeling more proud to represent as one of the few hockey players of Filipino descent?

Robertson: “I think it really [hit me] when I got drafted. My parents told me ‘you’re kind of a role model for these young kids that are of Filipino or Asian descent. It’s just interesting for me and my little brother who was drafted. We both grew up in California and growing up... there were some Asian hockey players. So we kind of grew up around that.

“But then when we moved out to the Midwest in Michigan and Toronto you don’t see that as often. So to be drafted and to have some success at the NHL level, both me and my brother, is a pretty neat experience.

“It’s something that... as years go on and we start to progress in our hockey careers we’d love to increase the publicity for [players of] Filipino descent and Asian descent in hockey because it’s not really too popular. But certainly my brother and I can create more buzz around it. It’s a pretty neat thing and a pretty big opportunity for us.”

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209405 Dallas Stars It’s weird to say it but it feels like Pavelski’s having a pretty underrated season. Hintz has been hurt most of the year but his impact is clear. When he plays, he’s the Stars’ best forward. Robertson has been a Stars show how real momentum can be in a blistering offensive stretch surprise, announcing his arrival to the NHL as a true Calder contender. Klingberg’s game gets a lot of attention as one of the top offensive defensemen in the NHL. Benn and Gurianov get a lot of room at the conversation table, for better or worse. Rookie goaltender Jake Oettinger By Saad Yousuf has overachieved. Apr 17, 2021 So, what has Pavelski done? In a year when the Stars have been ransacked by injuries, the forward has played in every game. He leads the Stars with 18 goals and is tied with Klingberg for the team lead in Momentum isn’t tangible. It doesn’t make forceful physical contact, like assists with 23, giving him the team lead in points this season with 41 Denis Gurianov’s one-timer on the rush midway through the second points. That’s basically a point-per-game pace through 43 games for a period. It can’t be seen, like the silky pirouette of a goal by Joe Pavelski player who is three months away from his 37th birthday. In Tyler Seguin’s three minutes later. Momentum was there Saturday night, though, absence, he’s taken on the role of an alternate captain and has been a flooding the American Airlines Center as the Stars swam comfortably in vital leader in a locker room that has dealt with all sorts of adversity this it. season. In a year of inconsistency, Pavelski has been nothing but consistent. That continued on Saturday as he scored a goal in his third “You get some momentum going, guys feel good, playing with consecutive game. confidence, scoring a few goals. It feels nice,” Pavelski said after the Stars’ 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets. “I think (momentum) is a big thing. A 3-1 lead over the Blue Jackets would likely do the trick, but the Stars We’ve proven that, at times, when we score one, we’ve stayed on the were not done. Twenty seconds after Pavelski’s goal, Klingberg looked to attack and we’ve been able to get a second one. We’ve had some big pass to Hintz on the rush, but Blue Jackets defenseman Scott Harrington second periods lately. It’s changed games for us.” poked his stick in the way. Instead of getting a potential assist off of a Hintz goal, the puck trickled into the net to give Klingberg his seventh The first period was pretty typical. The Stars had a significant advantage goal of the season. in shots on goal, getting up to a 12-4 edge at one point. However, the Columbus Blue Jackets drew first blood on the scoreboard, as Stars To put a bow on the scoring splurge, and the game, Esa Lindell — known opponents have been prone to do more often than not this season. Jamie more for his defensive presence than offensive impact — scored a goal. Benn responded with a nifty goal to even things up. The game carried on It was his fifth through 43 games this season. Last season, he had three the same way into the second period, the puck bouncing off of sticks for goals in 69 games. That gave the Stars a 5-1 lead. about the first 10 minutes. “It’s a good feeling,” Bowness said. “It’s nice to see the puck go in, but Then, it started bouncing off nets. Nothing about the game was typical the most important thing is those two points we got tonight and the two anymore as the Stars scored four goals in under seven minutes, their points we got the other night, and now we can focus on Detroit.” most blistering offensive stretch this season. • The Stars have shown how they ride momentum during a game “They made a couple of mistakes, and we capitalized,” Stars head coach throughout the season, even if it shows up when it has often been too Rick Bowness said. “It’s as simple as that. The puck went in. We’ve had late. Players and coaches usually point to momentum within a game but other explosions as well and the puck didn’t go in. Tonight, it went in. We not so much over the course of a season. That’s why the Stars have made some good plays.” been able to have good stretches during games quite often but have had a difficult time stringing together wins during the season … except lately. Not all goals are equal. There was some extra dose of good feeling attached to the first goal of that stretch for how it was scored and the After starting 4-0, the Stars didn’t win back-to-back games for over two characters involved. Benn made a strong play along the boards to get to months. In the past 17 days, since the beginning of April, Dallas has won the puck and flipped it ahead to Gurianov. With Jason Dickinson back-to-back games three times. If you’re looking for style points, the streaking on the other side and Benn trailing, the Stars had a three-on- Stars have those too, as not all of the back-to-back wins are against two opportunity. Gurianov got to the top of the circle and passed it back lowly competition like the past few days against the Blue Jackets. It to Benn, instantly drawing known Stars killer Patrik Laine off of Gurianov. started with a road back-to-back in Nashville and in Carolina and the Benn flipped the puck back to Gurianov, who unleashed his patented second set was wins over Chicago and Florida. one-timer. • The standings are getting really tight for the battle for fourth in the Not that anybody would be picky on style points, but even goals Gurianov Central. The Blackhawks beat the Red Wings on Saturday while the has scored recently, which all count the same, many have been in the Predators fell to the Hurricanes. The Stars have officially taken over the hard areas in front of the net. This one was a flashback to last season, fourth spot in winning percentage: when Gurianov led the Stars players in scoring. It’s the kind of play the Stars need Gurianov to make more consistently as he progresses as an They are one point behind the Blackhawks with two games in hand and NHL player. two head-to-head matchups. They’re three points behind the Predators with three games in hand, with a huge head-to-head looming on May 1. Gurianov is a skilled offensive talent, but if he can use that skill in a more calculated way with his hockey IQ, there is a lot more there to be The Stars play the Red Wings this entire week, first a home back-to-back unlocked (see: Hintz, Roope). The lack of practice time really hurts a on Monday and Tuesday and then a couple of games in Detroit. young, raw talent like Gurianov, but the flashes of what could be, show Meanwhile, the next three games for the Predators and Blackhawks are up periodically and are certainly encouraging. against each other. This will be a significant week for that fourth spot in the Central. At the time, it only resulted in a 2-1 lead, but it led to so much more. A few minutes later, the Stars had arguably their best full collection of • The Stars haven’t been held without a point since April 6 in Chicago. offensive talent on the ice with the top line of Roope Hintz, Jason They’re 4-0-2 in their past six, and it’s beginning to show on the faces Robertson, Pavelski and the defensive pairing of John Klingberg and Esa and mannerisms of players who have been navigating a grueling Lindell. Robertson has shown off his goal-scoring prowess quite a bit schedule for almost two months now. recently, but he’s also proven to be an incredible passer. He fed Pavelski • After the game, Klingberg was asked about his defensive partner, the puck perfectly in between three Blue Jackets players, and the veteran Lindell, showing offensive talent every so often, and Klingberg said forward turned in a beautiful goal on the spin. Lindell’s goal was lucky. Lindell responded moments later with a grin, “The goal was just a heads-up position,” Pavelski said. “There wasn’t a saying Klingberg’s goal was the lucky one (for the record, Klingberg’s lot there, and it was a nice play by Robo (Robertson) to give it to me in goal was the luckier one on Saturday given it wasn’t even a shot). that spot, and from there you are just turning and trying to find a hole and Pavelski had items being thrown at him during his postgame news hopefully surprising him — and hopefully the goalie is not set. It was nice conference as he made light-hearted remarks. to see it go in.” There’s the old saying that winning cures a lot. The Stars are winning, and the vibes are good right now.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.18.2021

1209406 Detroit Red Wings Evgeny Svechnikov missed a second straight game with an undisclosed injury that occurred during Thursday’s pregame skate. He’s considered day-to-day, but Robby Fabbri has the same label, and he hasn’t played since April 3. Svechnikov’s career with the Wings has been defined by Detroit Red Wings can't hit on power plays, blanked, 4-0, in final game injuries, unfortunately — most notably the knee surgery that cost him the with Chicago 2018-19 season. This latest injury happened just as he was getting a chance to play with Dylan Larkin, who likes playing with himbecause he

gets Larkin the puck. Svechnikov, who has cleared two waiver HELENE ST. JAMES exposures, has three goals and two assists in 14 games.

Just as the Detroit Red Wings were enjoying their most successful Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.18.2021 stretch of the season, it ended.

Playing the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday at Little Caesars Arena for the second time in three days, the Wings couldn’t capitalize on momentum and suffered a 4-0 loss.

“We didn’t manage the puck and they got chances and scored because of that,” captain Dylan Larkin said. “It was kind of game where we sat around and waited for something to happen and it didn’t for us.

“We are playing well and we have to forget about this game and continue to play how we were playing before.”

The Wings (16-24-6) couldn’t maintain the energy they displayed during a season-high three-game winning streak. The power play, for one thing, was a huge let down, considering the Wings had nearly 11 minutes of man-advantage time.

“I’d say the difference in the game was, our power play was brutal,” coach Jeff Blashill said.

The Wings spent six minutes of the first period with an extra skater but exited the period down a goal when Patrick Kane snuck the puck behind goalie Jonathan Bernier.

“You earn the power plays in the first and don’t generate much at all,” Blashill said. “Total lack of execution — we get in the zone in decent set- ups, puck goes off a stick, we turn it over.

“In the end the night comes down to our power play being not nearly good enough, and then dumb mistakes. They scored on the opportunities we gave them.’

The Wings squandered their fourth man advantage early in the second period, and fell behind by a pair of goals when Alex DeBrincat (Farmington Hills) knocked Brandon Hagel’s rebound behind Bernier. Wyatt Kalynuk made it 3-0 a minute into the third period.

The Wings clocked 1:07 with a two-man advantage just past the midpoint of the third period. When that didn’t yield anything, they pulled Bernier with more than five minutes to go — and promptly gave up a fourth goal, to Pius Suter.

The Wings next play Monday at the Dallas Stars.

Personnel problems

The Wings were called for too many men 1:39 into the game. Bad changes can happen, but this was particularly egregious because the Wings were called for two too-many-men penalties Thursday. “I’m embarrassed because the way I saw it I was convinced it wasn’t too many men,” Blashill said. “Then I look at the replay and we have about a 50-foot change.

“It hasn’t been an issue all year, then all of a sudden lack of detail. Lack of attention to detail. Changing when we shouldn’t change. They were just poor, poor, poor changes. Ultimately it didn't cost us because our penalty kill has done a good job, and Bernier made a save, but that's crap. That's not good hockey."

Veleno’s whereabouts

Joe Veleno, a late first-round pick from 2018, was assigned to the taxi squad Saturday afternoon. He’d been in quarantine since last weekend, when he returned from Sweden after his season ended. The Wings have emphasized improvement of his defense since he turned pro in 2019-20. Veleno, 21, is a fluid skater who can play center or wing, and putting him in the lineup will provide a snapshot of where he is at in his development.

Svechnikov’s situation 1209407 Detroit Red Wings But the Pistons, Red Wings, Lions and Tigers are all stuck in the same place, losing far more than they win, with little to get excited about other than prospects and draft picks.

Detroit Pistons' plan to appeal to young fans: Listen to them about But all of that rebuilding misery comes with an unseen danger: Are they everything losing a generation of fans?

The Pistons don’t want to wait to find out. They are trying to attract a younger crowd, implementing a new marketing plan and have tweaked JEFF SEIDEL their merchandise to appeal to the younger set.

In essence, they are trying to grab these fans before somebody steals them — another NBA team, or another sport. The Detroit Pistons' in-game host grabbed the microphone. But are the Pistons doing the right things? Does their social media “Before we get started, you know what I’m going to do, right?” Kev presence attract youngsters or bore them? The Pistons hold all kinds of Knows (his stage name) asked 13 teenagers, who sat at tables community events, trying to create connections in the Motor City, but are separated by Plexiglas and maintained social distance on the second they the right events? To cultivate a lifelong fan? Even when they aren’t floor of the Pistons practice facility overlooking the basketball court winning titles? downtown Detroit on Monday. “We've had some new people come into the organization in our Silence. marketing and our creative team,” said Chris Economeas, the Pistons' “DEEE-troit!” he said in his best John Mason impersonation. He paused manager of community & social responsibility. “We want the Pistons, the and waited for a response. name the Detroit Pistons, to be meaningful, whether we're winning championships or not. We want the Pistons to be like, 'Hey, man, the Crickets. Pistons are really doing some cool things.' And I think we're accomplishing that.” Maybe, the teenagers were just being timid. Or maybe, many didn’t know Mason’s famous chant. This youth council is a melting pot of diversity. Boys and girls. City and suburbs. White and Black. Finally, one answered. Some are Pistons fans and others not really. “Basketball,” Zackary Melynchek, a 16-year-old from Lake Fenton, replied hesitantly. “It's important to make sure that kids have a voice and a seat at the table,” said Erika Swilley, the team's vice president of community & social Maybe, that’s the root of the issue. responsibility. "Kids never get that. We're doing so many programs that Does the next generation know about the Pistons, their history and are geared towards youth. We're doing a lot of marketing and branding traditions? Do they feel connected to what this organization is doing in geared towards youth. And so who better to kind of weigh in on what the community? What can the Pistons do better to engage them? What we're trying to do than the youth themselves?' kind of merchandise would be more appealing to them? The Pistons plan to run just about everything by these teenagers: their They are critical questions because these teenagers represent the future community outreach plans, social media strategies, youth marketing — future season ticket holders, future TV viewers and, most importantly campaigns and merchandising ideas. Shoot, maybe these kids can come of all, potential lifelong fans. up with a ticketing plan that appeals to teenagers.

“Oh, no, no, no,” the in-game host said. “Hold on. That’s the right word. I “We plan on putting these kids in front of everybody in the organization,” need everybody to say it. I need y'all to say it the way it’s supposed to be Economeas said. said.” On the court, the Pistons have built a young core of players with some So he did it again. intriguing young pieces.

Only louder. And the organization wants young people from around the area to feel connected with this new Pistons team, to make this their team and grow “DEEE-TROIT!” he said. with them.

“BASKET-BALL!” the students replied. Chance to make a change

The students are members of the organization’s inaugural youth council. I was invited to watch the first youth council meeting on Monday night, as It’s part focus group, part advisory board. And the Pistons believe it’s a fly on the wall in the back of the room. never been done before in the NBA. More than 70 students from around metro Detroit applied for the gig. After a selection process that included And I have one thought: These kids are incredibly smart and socially interviews with the Pistons management team, 13 were selected. conscious.

“Listen, you're all here for one reason, and one reason only,” Kev said. "I wanted to be involved because I know that there's a chance for us to “That is because we have selected some of the greatest, most talented, make change here,” said De’Shawn O’Banner, 16, from Ypsilanti most professional, young leaders that this world has to offer. You are not Community High School. only the future, but you all are the present. This is the first time in the The Pistons have a fantastic community outreach program. They are history of the organization that we've created a youth council. You are trying to weave this organization into the fabric of Detroit by doing kicking this thing off. That's exciting. That's amazing.” everything from holding a basketball academy to supporting small It is such a cool, smart idea on so many levels. businesses to trying to inspire social justice.

Bring together a group of kids, pick their brains and find out what the When you think of Detroit, they want you to think of the Pistons. Pistons are doing right in the community. “There's not that many opportunities to make change in my city, so it was And what they are doing wrong. something I had to jump on,” said Victoria Wilson, 16, who goes to Detroit Cass Tech. “Now that it seems like the world is getting involved, it Let’s take a step back and look at the big picture. feels like it's my turn to like actually speak up and try to help.”

It’s easy to fall in love with a sports team when it’s winning. To feel She is not much of a basketball fan, but she likes the Pistons. connected to the ’68 Tigers. Or the ’84 Tigers. Or the Bad Boys Pistons. Or the Hockey Gods Red Wings. Or the Goin’ to Work Pistons. And the, "They've been a huge staple in my household since I was little," she said. um, well, I’m sure this town would go crazy if the Lions ever won again. "My stepdad is an avid basketball Pistons fan, so they've just been a huge part of my growing up."

Going to the source At some point, they will rotate in new kids.

"We want to hear from our youth," Economeas said. "We want to know what they find engaging, we want to know what they think is cool.”

Because getting some adults in the room, trying to figure out what kids want, just doesn’t work.

The kids have to have a seat at the table.

Or a connection on the same app.

“Do you have Instagram?” one student asked Economeas.

And everybody laughed.

Well, that's a start.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209408 Detroit Red Wings enough on Subban, we didn't get around the net and we didn't get any rush chances, we didn't score on the power play.

"We didn't respond well to them scoring." 'Our power play was brutal': Red Wings shutout by Blackhawks as 3- The Wings return to action Monday, beginning a unique scheduling quirk, game win streak ends playing Dallas four consecutive games - the first two Monday and Tuesday in Dallas, before returning home Thursday and Saturday to face the Stars. TED KULFAN | The Detroit News Ice chips

► Frans Nielsen exited the game in the second period due to an upper Detroit — This was a different Chicago Blackhawks team Saturday from body injury and didn't return. 48 hours ago. ► Adam Erne saw his career-best eight-game point streak (April 1-17) And the same could be said of the Red Wings, also, which was a main come to an end, tying for the sixth longest by any Red Wing in the last 10 reason the Blackhawks came away with a 4-0 victory over the Wings at years. Little Caesars Arena. ► The Wings assigned forward Joe Veleno to the taxi squad Saturday, Still involved in a tight race for the fourth and final playoff spot in the but Blashill was unsure if Veleno was going to get into the line-up, at Central Division, the Blackhawks looked much more inspired from the least in the two games in Dallas. previous game and skated to an important victory. Veleno will complete his seven-day quarantine Sunday, after having We're offering a great deal on all-access subscriptions. Check it out here. returned from playing in Sweden. Veleno also missed the last couple weeks of the Swedish schedule dealing with a mild concussion and But the Wings helped out, going a disappointing 0-for-6 on the power whiplash. play, and making costly defensive mistakes that Chicago gladly converted into goals.

"The difference in the game was our power play was brutal," coach Jeff Detroit News LOADED: 04.18.2021 Blashill said. "Our power play had a chance to make a difference and it made a difference in the wrong way. In the end, it was our power play not being nearly good enough and dumb mistakes, giving away goals. They didn't lean on us, they didn't grind us or didn't have us on our heels, but what they did do was score on the opportunities we gave them.

"That's not a knock on Chicago at all. It's just a total lack of execution by us in those situations."

The Wings (16-24-6) saw their modest three-game win streak — albeit their longest such streak of the season — come to an end.

You'll excuse the Red Wings if they're saying good riddance to the Blackhawks (21-19-5), now that the season series is done. The Wings only won two of eight games (2-5-1) against Chicago.

Some of the Blackhawks' best players were their best players Saturday, with Patrick Kane getting a goal and assist, Alex DeBrincat (Farmington Hills) scoring his 22nd goal, and goaltender Malcolm Subban stopping all 29 shots he saw.

"It was the kind of game where we stood around and waited for something to happen and it didn't for us," forward Dylan Larkin said. "We got looks, we got chances, we were moving the puck real well, we just didn't score. We didn't get out and have a big shift or big goal, it just didn't come tonight like it did the night before."

Kane scored with only 20 seconds left in the first period, converting a drop pass form Vinnie Hinostroza into an open net, as goaltender Jonathan Bernier had committed to the other post.

Kane's goal followed two consecutive failed Wings' power plays.

"Just a lack of execution," Blashill said. "We had a chance for a real good first period and instead, because of the power play and lack of urgency, it wasn't good enough. They score and you're down 1-0 and you haven't given anything up (to that point)."

DeBrincat scored his 22nd goal, making it 2-0 at 12:40 of the second period. Connor Murphy's shot hit Brandon Hagel near the hashmarks, and the puck drifted to DeBrincat alone in the circle, who buried the scoring opportunity.

That gave DeBrincat points in 12 of 15 career games against the Wings, with nine goals and 12 assists (21 points).

BOX SCORE: Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 0

Wyatt Kalynuk made it 3-0 with his second goal, converting a nice feed from Hinostroza all alone in front of Bernier at 1:16 of the third period, and Pius Suter closed out the scoring with an empty net goal.

"They scored first the last game and we responded great, but the response didn't come tonight," Larkin said. "We just didn't make it hard 1209409 Detroit Red Wings

Blackhawks blank Red Wings, 4-0

By PAUL HARRIS Associated Press

DETROIT — Malcolm Subban made 29 saves for his second shutout of the season, helping the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-0 on Saturday night.

Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist for Chicago, which was coming off a 4-1 loss to last-place Detroit on Thursday night. Alex DeBrincat, Wyatt Kalynuk and Pius Suter also scored, and Vinnie Hinostroza had three assists.

The Blackhawks are trying to catch Nashville for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division. They got a big lift from Subban, who turned in his third career shutout while starting goaltender Kevin Lankinen got the night off for rest.

Jonathan Bernier stopped 23 shots for Detroit, which had won a season- high three straight.

Despite being outshot 10-5 in the first period, Chicago led 1-0 at the first intermission, thanks to Kane’s 15th goal with 21 seconds left. Kane put a one-time shot from the right circle into the open side of the net after taking a cross-slot pass from Hinostroza, who stole the puck from Detroit defenseman Troy Stecher in the Red Wings zone.

DeBrincat made it 2-0 when he put in a rebound with 7:20 left in the second. It was the 22nd goal for DeBrincat, who is from the Detroit-area suburb of Farmington Hills.

Kalynuk scored his second goal 1:16 into the third period, and Suter collected an empty-net goal with 4:33 left. It was Suter's 12th goal.

Detroit signed forward Lucas Raymond, the fourth-overall pick in the 2020 draft, to a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday. Raymond, 19, is with Frolunda of Sweden’s top league, but is out with an injury.

Macomb Daily LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209410 Edmonton Oilers Puljujarvi had one goal in his preceding 10 games (empty-net) but the winger manouevered and took the McDavid feed as he fought off Tucker Poolman. McDavid and Draisaitl’s work belied their rush chances skill- set. Mike Smith and Oilers blank Jets to close ground in North Division This was grunt work by the captain and his first lieutenant.

“A lot of times in the offensive zone you can take your foot off the gas but Jim Matheson • Edmonton Journal they’re in the D zone battling just as hard. You have to outwork guys sometimes and Jesse did a good job of not only getting open but putting Publishing date: Apr 18, 2021 it away,” said McDavid, who has 71 points.

The Jets tried to take away the Draisaitl on his one-timer and while he After six days off, Edmonton Oilers coach Dave Tippett was hoping his got some good rippers, having the guy on the point keep things honest rested team played like they were shot out of a cannon against the with a shot is also necessary. Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night and, hey, it turned out to be a blast. “You’re bang-on there. The Jets penalty-kill is a little more passive than • Shutout for goalie Mike Smith, check. what we usually see and it’s tough to get underneath them and make plays. I think Leon had five good looks from the side but Tyson had some • Powerplay comes through, check. blasts,” said McDavid, crediting Chiasson for both power-play goals.

• Big guns are loud weapons, check. “Tyson has a good shot but I’m not sure it goes in without Alex being in front and that’s just as good as scoring a goal. Maybe it doesn’t show on • Second line holds their own against the other team’s first line, check. the stat line but that was a massive play by him. And the tip, shows Smith picked up his 42nd career shutout, his third this season, all on the Chaser’s good hands,” said McDavid. road, in a 3-0 win with a tidy 26 saves. The power play, even without the Smith has the best hands of any NHL goalie too. The Jets pulled injured Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, got two goals off defenceman Tyson Hellebuyck down three. So was Smith thinking empty-netter? Barrie blasts with the Jets, who had killed off 25 of their 28 power plays trying to take away the cross-seam Connor McDavid to Leon Draisaitl “Yup. It was right there,” said Smith, who has one NHL goal on his pass as Barrie got one on a screened Connor Hellebuyck and set up a tip resume. by Alex Chiasson.

McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, playing on the same line, not split up against the big Jets’ centres as most people though, each get two assists, with Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.18.2021 Draisaitl playing 27 minutes and McDavid 24. And the small line of Gaetan Haas-Kailer Yamamoto-Domick Kahun, which adds up to about 500 pounds with gusts to 525, played a sound, hound-the-puck game against the Jets top dog line of Mark Scheifele, Luc Dubois and Kyle Connor.

Scheifele had three shots and Connor two. But they were barely noticeable, rare stuff.

If the Oilers 5-0 loss in Calgary a week ago, a few hours after the players had shed many tears watching the Colby Cave streamed Celebration of Life, was burn the tape material, this 3-0 W should have the book pages dog-eared.

“There’s no such thing as a perfect game but you want to limit the mistakes that end up costing you points and tonight we did so many good things and when we did make a mistake, guys covered up for them,” said Smith, with every SH this year 3-0.

Maybe this wasn’t good from start to finish because it was a loose first 20 minutes were rust seemed to win out over rest. While no shutouts are easy, Smith had precious few dive-across-the-crease stops on rebounds to make.

“We were OK in the first and we built the game from there. The second and third periods we got better and better. We’ve had a bit of a layoff and that’s never easy, but we were very connected (defensively). Not to beat a dead horse. but we were talking about a lot of these things this past week. You talk about it in practice and then you take it into the games … it shows. Guys have grasped onto playing important games,” said Smith.

The Oilers went to the third up 1-0 on Barrie’s goal and got Chiasson’s on the PP, too, bookended around a shot by Jesse Puljujarvi, off some dogged work by Draisaitl first, then McDavid with a one-handed behind the net pass to their linemate.

The win ran the Oilers record against the Jets, playing their third game in four nights and looking flatter than a piece of foolscap, to 5-2. The victory moved them within three points (57-54) of Winnipeg with the Oilers with two games in hand in the scramble for second in the North.

“It’s a massive win … anytime you coming down the stretch and playing the team ahead of you, you want to beat them and tighten the gap,” said McDavid, who played 24 1/2 minutes and has 15 points in the seven Jets’ games.

“Throughout the line-up, up and down, everybody was solid. Like Ny (Nygard) used his speed to draw a penalty and set up our first goal (Barrie 50-footer). Ends up being the game-winning goal,” said McDavid. 1209411 Edmonton Oilers “We’re really happy, he’s just such an incredible character guy, I think he likes playing here, he likes his role here, he’s good at it and he sees a place that he can spend a career, so we’re really pleased to have him back in for a long time.” OILERS SNAPSHOTS: Extended break heading into Winnipeg unexpected FUN TIMES

The Oilers and Jets have provided plenty of highlights this season and the two teams are possible first-round playoff opponents, unless Derek Van Diest Winnipeg can reel in the Toronto Maple Leafs for top spot in the North Division. Publishing date: Apr 18, 2021 “If you look at the lineups side by side there is a lot of firepower on each

side,” Nurse said. “They are two teams that play hard, they play tight and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley (64) chases down Edmonton there are some similarities there. I find that every time we play each Oilers right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) as he shoots on goaltender other, they’re entertaining and they go right down to the wire.” Connor Hellebuyck (37) in the first period at Bell MTS Place on April 17, The only dud in the season series heading into Saturday was the 2-1 win 2021. the Oilers were able to grind out a month ago with both teams coming in Article content on the second game of a back-to-back.

The Edmonton Oilers needed a break coming home after a taxing road Edmonton had won 4-3 and lost 6-4 in Winnipeg heading into the trip, but six days was stretching things somewhat. contest, which they won 3-0. The final two games of the nine-game series will also be in Winnipeg. The Oilers were happy to get back in game mode Saturday, travelling to face the Winnipeg Jets after sitting idle due to a COVID-19 outbreak “I think the skill is there and both teams compete hard,” head coach Dave among the Vancouver Canucks. The Oilers had three games against the Tippett said. “They’ve been tight games all of them and are not just fun to Canucks rescheduled. watch, they’re fun to be involved in, fun for the coach, fun for the players.” The Canucks were to return Friday, hosting the Oilers, but the NHL granted them another two days to recover as the virus swept through the entire team and shut them down for three weeks. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.18.2021 “I think it’s been nice to have some rest time, it’s been nice to have some good practice time and kind of get a reset,” said Oilers goaltender Mike Smith prior to the contest against the Jets. “It’s been a different time in the schedule the last couple of weeks and not playing very many games. I think the only time you let it affect you is mentally; kind of letting your guard down. We feel we’ve gained some traction with these practice times and it’s been valuable at this time of year.”

Going into Winnipeg, the Oilers had played eight games in 27 days. Four of those games were last week when the Oilers travelled to face the Montreal Canadiens and had a two-game set with the Ottawa Senators. Because of the situation in Vancouver, the Oilers had another game tacked on to the road trip and had to travel to face the Calgary Flames on the day of the Colby Cave memorial, which had originally been scheduled that morning due to the team being off.

The Oilers lost 5-0 and took two days off before getting back on the ice for practice. They’ve tried to make the best of the situation, which was similar to the one earlier in the season when they had three games in Montreal postponed.

“We used it to the best of our ability,” said Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse. “It’s different when you’re stuck somewhere, and you can’t go out. It’s different when you’re home and have some type of normalcy with your families and you can go back and forth from the rink and you can adjust your schedule that way.

“For us we used the week really well, we practiced hard and we just have to come out and play. It’s a big 14-game stretch here and we’re excited to get it started.”

EXTENSION FOR LOWRY

Jets forward Adam Lowry came to terms on a five-year contract extension Friday, which will pay him an average of US$3.25-million per season.

Lowry, 28, has spent his entire seven-year career with the Jets, having been selected by Winnipeg in the third round — 67th overall — of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

The St. Louis, Mo., product had eight goals and 20 points heading into the game against the Oilers. He is currently centring the Jets third line.

“It’s great news in terms of trying to keep that core together and that structure, especially when you’ve developed it right and put the time and effort on bringing young players along,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “They get to the age of Adam and have the opportunity to hit free agency — he’s six-foot-five, physical centre-iceman would be at an absolute premium — so to have him commit early, to commit to Winnipeg, the town, the team, the players in the room, it’s great for us. 1209412 Florida Panthers tracked it down, zipped a cross ice pass to Markus Nutivaara at the point, then buried a rebound off the defenseman’s slap shot with 7.8 seconds left in the period. Bennett added a secondary assist to go along with his earlier primary and Florida took a 3-1 lead into the first intermission in Panthers take 3 of 4 points from rival Lightning to solidify their place in front of 3,800. division race Winger Frank Vatrano added an insurance goal on a breakaway with 17:34 left in the second and the Panthers ended up needing it. The Lightning scored with 45 seconds left in the second period, then cut BY DAVID WILSON Florida’s lead to 4-3 on a goal with 18:07 remaining. The Panthers spent APRIL 17, 2021 09:32 PM most of the third period clinging to a narrow lead and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky finished off the win with 28 saves on 31 shots before winger Duclair capped the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

The Florida Panthers were agonizingly close to a celebration Thursday “That,” Bennett said, “was a lot of fun.” inside Amalie Arena. They came away from an overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, feeling like they “were the better team” than the defending Stanley Cup champion in the sudden-death loss. Instead, they Miami Herald LOADED: 04.18.2021 had to settle for one point and optimism, but it soon had to turn into urgency. Florida could not afford to leave Tampa without a win.

In the first 10 minutes, Brandon Montour, who made the confident declaration Thursday, scored the opening goal and the Panthers never trailed Saturday on their way to a 5-3 win against the Lightning.

With a dozen games left in the regular season, Florida returns home after taking 3 of 4 possible points from its fiercest rival.

“You take that,” coach Joel Quenneville said, “any day of the week.”

The win vaults the Panthers (28-12-5) back into second place in the ultra- competitive Central Division, one point ahead of Tampa Bay (29-13-2) and one behind the first-place Carolina Hurricanes. All three teams now rank among the top six in the NHL in points.

While Florida plays two games against the Hurricanes next week in Sunrise and closes the regular season with two more against the Lightning next month at the BB&T Center, the Panthers have played two more games than Carolina and one more than Tampa Bay, which elevated the importance of these two games with the Lightning. A devastating loss Thursday, cranked up the importance even more.

Florida outshot Tampa Bay by nearly 20 on Thursday and lost in the sudden-death randomness of overtime. If it wasn’t for star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy’s 36-save gem, the Panthers are would’ve taken the opener of the two-game series.

“You could feel it just in the locker room with all the guys how much this game meant,” Sam Bennett said.

The versatile forward was the latest newcomer to join Florida on Saturday after the Panthers landed him in a trade-deadline deal with the Calgary Flames on Monday.

On Thursday, Montour and winger Nikita Gusev both made their Florida debuts after the Panthers acquired them in the week leading up to the deadline, and they helped rejuvenate Florida. In the first period Saturday, the three newcomers all scored their first points as Panthers and helped build a 3-1 lead.

Bennett was at the center of it all.

Quenneville immediately placed Bennett at center on his second line, in between wingers and Anthony Duclair, and the forward rewarded his coach with a game-changing, tone-setting first period. He logged two assists, three hits and a plus-minus of plus-2 in 5:20, including 1:49 on the penalty kill. When Bennett was on the ice for 5-on-5 action, Florida attempted six shots and allowed only one.

The Panthers took a 1-0 lead with 11:19 left in the first period on a slap shot by Montour and Bennett created the chance when he tracked down a loose puck in front of the net and fired a pass back up to the defenseman at the point. Montour fired a slap shot into traffic and it deflected off Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak to give Florida a 1-0 lead for the second straight game.

Star center Aleksander Barkov doubled the lead with a power-play goal, but Tampa Bay answered just 1:08 later. In the final seconds of the half, the Panthers built a much-needed cushion and Bennett again created the chance.

With the final seconds ticking away in the first, Bennett saw Tyler Johnson getting lazy with the puck and pounced. He threw an open-ice check at the Lightning forward and jarred the puck away. Huberdeau 1209413 Florida Panthers

Montour makes first splash, Panthers finish road trip with win in Tampa

By ERIK ERLENDSSON

ASSOCIATED PRESS

APR 17, 2021 AT 11:38 PM

Brandon Montour, Patric Hornqvist and Jonathan Huberdeau scored in the first period, and the Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 Saturday night.

Frank Vatrano and Anthony Duclair also scored, and Sam Bennett had two assists to help Florida jump one point ahead of Tampa Bay for second place in the Central Division. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 28 shots.

“I feel like it’s a fun game, it’s a lot of emotions and two good teams battling for points,’' Florida defenseman Markus Nutivaara said. “I love to play in these games.’'

Brayden Point, Erik Cernak and Mathieu Joseph scored for the Lightning. Victor Hedman had two assists to top 400 for his career. Andrei Vasilevskiy had 27 saves in his first loss on home ice this season in 15 starts.

The Panthers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the opening period on Montour’s first goal with Florida at 8:41 and Barkov’s rebound chance off his own shot on the power play that went in off Hornqvist at 12:31.

Point answered with his 18th of the season 1:09 later when Mikhail Sergachev’s shot grazed off Point at the right post.

In the final minute of the period, Tyler Johnson turned the puck over to Bennett in the neutral zone and missed his check on Huberdeau who pounced on a rebound of Markus Nutivaara’s shot with 7.8 seconds left for a 3-1 lead.

“We turned it over, and when you turn it over, bad things can happen,’' Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “Then we got beat back to the net and missed our check . . . that was a tough one.’'

Vatrano converted a breakaway at 17:34 of the second for a three-goal lead, but Cernak answered with 45 seconds left in the period.

“I had so much time and so much space I could pick where I could shoot it and luckily it went in,’' Cernak said. “I thought it was great for momentum going into the third period.’'

Joseph tipped a Hedman shot to make it 4-3 at the 1:53 of the third period, but Duclair’s empty-netter with 50 seconds left sealed the win.

“I thought we were really good after they made it 4-3,’' Florida head coach Joel Quenneville said. “The second was good but they scored late, they got excited. They scored early in the third. I liked how we played in that response for the rest of the game. We did what we had to do.’'

LOOKING FOR FITS

Bennett made his Panthers debut, five days after being acquired from the Calgary Flames at the trade deadline. Bennett worked the middle on Florida’s second line between Huberdeau and Duclair, as Panthers coach Joel Quenneville tinkers with his lineups with an eye on the start of next month’s playoffs.

“We’re looking for some balance,’' Quenneville said. “We’ve got a little more depth, we’ve got some more options with guys who can potentially play in the middle, so having versatility with wingers and centers and now we have some options in making our lines.’'

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209414 Florida Panthers “It’s been hectic, harried, but due to the pandemic and social or other issues instead of having three or four options you might normally have as a GM — maybe you have only two options,” he said. “The menu of choices is limited. In some cases, that might have made it easier.” Hyde: From zero to Zito — Panthers’ changes started at the top The trade deadline last Monday was perhaps every GM’s final help for the season. Zito traded for Buffalo defenseman Brandon Montour to help replace Ekblad and Calgary forward Sam Bennett to provide depth down By DAVE HYDE the line. SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL “I think our group is proud of what they’ve done, and hungry for what they APR 17, 2021 AT 1:07 PM can do,” Zito said.

This Panthers have had good seasons one year only to sputter the next. So a quarter-century’s worth of scars aren’t forgotten by most of one is looking for a word. Serendipity? That’s not really it. Luck? No, good season. Sustainability matters. Communicative work-ethic, it must be more than that. Maybe it’s something simpler — “Good accountability must, too. timing?” he says — that the Florida Panthers needed whatever he brought to their table. They’ve gone from a surprise start to a good story to a team capable of making a run in the playoffs. It’s more than luck or serendipity. Just how “I’m not sure they even needed it,” says the first-year general manager of much more is waiting to be seen. the Florida Panthers.

Something’s different this year. Finally, something’s better as the Panthers move toward the playoffs in a few weeks. Zito says it’s the Sun Sentinel LOADED: 04.18.2021 players — “it’s always about the players” — but after arriving last summer and talking to the staff and players the path he struck on must have helped, too.

“The first thing I thought we needed was a culture change — we needed communicative, work-ethic accountability,” he said.

That sounds lofty, even theoretical. Here’s what it means: Patric Hornqvist, one of the veterans Zito brought in this season, said something as everyone moved off the ice after a pre-season practice.

“He said, ‘Where’s everyone going? We’re not done,’ " Zito said. “Did some players need to hear from a guy like him about putting in more work? He even said it to [goalie Sergei Bobrovsky], who’s one of the hardest-working guys I’ve seen. ‘Hey, we need to work on the penalty kill.’ "

Maybe the change in the standings started there. Maybe it started with coach Joel Quenneville getting some players he needed for this team. Maybe it just was Zito signing Hornqvist, Carter Verhaeghe, Radko Gudas — you can go down the roster of new, supporting names brought in before this season.

This moribund franchise had signed new players for years. Just the previous year, they brought in so many players the news conference had to have two shifts because there weren’t enough seats at the table to accommodate them all at once.

Here’s the difference: These signings led to wins. Again, serendipity? Again, luck? The nucleus of this team, the stars like Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Frank Vatrano and until his injury Aaron Ekblad, were brought in by previous general manager Dale Tallon.

Did they need a push?

“Maybe it was just time,” Zito says.

[Popular in Sports] Heat’s Victor Oladipo remains sidelined with knee injury, Jimmy Butler questionable vs. Nets; James Harden out for Brooklyn »

Zito has carved a fascinating career. He went to Harvard for a week — before transferring to Yale. He went to Wisconsin law school while coaching hockey and then built a successful sports agency.

He switched sides by joining the Columbus Blue Jackets front office — sometimes negotiating deals with players who were former clients. By last summer he was a rising commodity inside the league when the Panthers hired him.

Now this odd, pandemic season. It isn’t just the success thus far that’s struck him. It’s the 56 games squeezed into four months — meaning not just the solid Panthers goaltending of Bobrovsky and Christian Driedger has been invaluable or injuries like Ekblad’s broken leg seem to hurt more.

Each decision Zito made mattered more his first season, too. In a backhanded manner, the strange season might have helped him. 1209415 Florida Panthers ”They scored late (in the second), early (in the third) and they were excited,” Quenneville said. “I liked how we played in that response for the rest of the game. We did what we had to do. There was one shift where they had us in our end, but other than that, I thought we did a good job.” Panthers get to Vasilevskiy early, hold on for win at Tampa Bay After a number of close calls on both sides of the ice, Duclair drove the length of the ice with Vasilevskiy on the bench and put the puck into the empty net with 49.2 seconds left. Published 8 hours ago on April 17, 2021 Crisis averted for the Panthers. By George Richards Bobrovsky was solid throughout the game and was good in the third as

well, ending the night with 28 saves — including eight in the final period. HPutting up three goals in the opening frame against Tampa Bay goalie Stopping Point near the end of the third was huge. Andrei Vasilevskiy is a good way to kick off a Saturday night and it certainly was for the Panthers. ”Game-saving save,’’ Quenneville said. “Everything is on the line and you got the wrong guy with the puck on his stick. He made a great move and The Panthers got early goals from Brandon Montour, Sasha Barkov and Bob made a great pad save coming out of nowhere. It was a huge save Jonathan Huberdeau and let Sergei Bobrovsky do his thing as Florida for us, you could feel it on the bench. Everyone was excited to see that. held on for a 5-3 win over the host Lightning. We played responsible after that, but that there was an A-plus chance for Florida was held to two goals on 38 shots by Vasilevskiy in Thursday’s 3- them.” 2 loss in overtime. The Panthers have evened the season series with the Lightning, each Yet Saturday, Florida took 10 shots in the first period and cashed in on winning three. three of them. ”We didn’t get the two points (Thursday) but we deserved them tonight,” Hockey. Barkov said. “We worked hard, played really good defensively. Bobrovsky was unbelievable in the net and we got some big goals. Great The Panthers end up going 1-0-1 in Tampa, getting three out of the four win.” available points. With Carolina winning again Saturday night, the Hurricanes remain atop ”You take that every day of the week,” Joel Quenneville said. “We’re the NHL’s Central Division with the Panthers in second one point back. happy to go home. It has been a long trip.” Tampa Bay is now in third, two points behind Carolina. Florida got off to an aggressive start again Saturday with newcomer Sam Bennett getting on the scoresheet on one of his first shifts with the The final two games of the season will pit the Panthers and Lightning Panthers. again, May 8-10 in Sunrise.

Bennett got the puck to Brandon Montour. His shot appeared to be After that, we may just see these two in the playoffs. deflected in by Anthony Duclair and, 8:41 in, the Panthers held a 1-0 ACCIARI OUT lead. With so much depth now, the Panthers can afford to miss a player or two. Montour was later credited with the goal making his first point with the Panthers a pretty important one. On Saturday, Noel Acciari was listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury and missed the game. Bennett ended up with two assists in his first game. Quenneville said it was nothing serious. Not bad. With Acciari out, Lucas Wallmark centered the fourth line with Juho ”That was a lot of fun,’’ said Bennett, who centered Florida’s second line Lammikko and Owen Tippett. with Huberdeau and Duclair. “We have a really good team here, a great group of guys. It definitely feels good to get a win in my first game. Florida also made a few roster moves to get some of its taxi squad players some actual playing time. “It was awesome to be able to play with those guys. They are so talented, so skilled. I don’t think I really knew how good they were until I Defensemen Brady Keeper and Lucas Carlsson both went down to AHL finally got to play with them.” Syracuse along with forward Aleksi Heponiemi. Coming back to the taxi squad are fowards Cole Schwindt and Scott Wilson. Later in the period, with the Lightning caught with too many skaters on the ice, Florida’s power play unit came on with Barkov following up his own rebound off a soft drop by Nikita Gusev in the slot to make it 2-0. Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021 Although it appeared Patric Hornqvist’s calf caught the puck on the way past Vasilevskiy, Barkov was credited with the goal by the league.

Tampa Bay got on the board as everyone assumed they would at 13:40 of the first when Brayden Point got to the side of the cage and rookie Alex Barre-Boulet shot clipped his skate and went past Bobrovsky.

Huberdeau made it a two-goal game again with 7.8 seconds left before the break, scoring off a Markus Nutivaara rebound to make it 3-1.

Florida came out firing in the second period and controlled the pace of play throughout.

The Panthers made it a three-goal game with 2:26 left as Frank Vatrano chased down a loose puck, drove in on Vasilevskiy and dropped in a backhanded beauty.

Tampa Bay did close it back to two goals, however, in the final minute as Erik Cernak sent a wrister past Bobrovsky to make it 4-2.

The Lightning made it a one-goal affair less than two minutes into the third when Matieu Joseph deflected a Victor Hedman point-shot and suddenly, it was 4-3. 1209416 Florida Panthers

Hockey Night in Florida: Panthers, Lightning play it again

Published 20 hours ago on April 17, 2021

By George Richards

After playing one of their better games of the season but still losing in overtime Thursday night, the Panthers will be back at it Saturday when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This is the sixth of eight meetings between the two Florida squads this season with Tampa Bay taking three of the first five.

On Thursday night, the Panthers threw everything they had against Andrei Vasilevskiy but, at the end of the night, it wasn’t enough.

Vasilevskei made 36 saves in the game as Victor Hedman won it in overtime 3-2.

Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky is the only active goalie to have won the Vezina Trophy twice but it looks like Vasilevskey will join him this year after he won it in 2019.

Expect both goalies to square off against each other at Amalie Arena after Chris Driedger got the start Thursday.

The Panthers can feel good about the way they stood up to the challenge Thursday in Tampa as they looked like the better team throughout the night.

But a couple of mistakes cost them goals and, against a team like the Lightning, that’s all it takes.

The Panthers are learning these things as they go. Playing games of this magnitude could help moving forward as Florida works its way toward the postseason.

Tampa Bay’s first goal came on a power play chance when the Panthers were caught on a line change. Vasilevskiy played a puck deep in the offensive zone, spotted Alex Killorn in the neutral zone and hit him in stride.

Killorn and Anthony Cirelli had a two-man rush on Driedger with MacKenzie Weegar getting there just in time to get his stick in on the cross-ice pass from Killorn — and knock the puck past his goalie.

The Lightning’s second goal came in the third and tied the score when Ross Colton tapped in a pass and put it on Driedger’s pad, celebrating as the puck leaked through.

“Playing meaningful games means every shift is important,” Quenneville said. “We welcome the challenge.”

The Panthers are expected to have their complete team available Saturday with forward Sam Bennett arriving from Calgary after Monday’s trade deadline.

Quenneville said he was thinking about starting Bennett at center, so, the thought here is he will take either the third or fourth line.

Since Quenneville moved Lucas Wallmark up to the second line in his first game with Florida since being reacquired, we figure Bennett will get a chance to play up in the lineup a little at least from the start.

UPDATE: Quenneville said Bennett would play Saturday and he will indeed get a good look, centering the second line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Anthony Duclair.

Tampa Bay comes into Saturday tied with Carolina atop the NHL Central Division as both have 60 points; Florida is a point back in third.

The Panthers and Lightning will conclude the regular season with a two- game series at BB&T Center next month.

Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209417 Los Angeles Kings player for this organization, a great teammate, a great dad, a great family man. He was a guy that I looked up to since I was five years old. His dad coached me when I was five and I followed his career since I was that age. When he would play the London Knights in my hometown, I would TEAMMATES, COACHES & MANAGEMENT REFLECT ON JEFF go to the games, I would go to his AAA games, watch him play with the CARTER Chiefs. I’m going to miss him dearly. It sucks. I hate this part of the business. I think there’s only four of us left from those cup teams now, it’s

just getting sadder and sadder, but it’s a part of the business, part of BY ZACH DOOLEY FOR LAKINGSINSIDER.COM what’s going on here and we’ve got to deal with it.

APRIL 17, 2021 Jonathan Quick

It’s tough to see him go. Obviously, him being here for the past 9-10 years, what he means to this organization and what he means to the When a player with the stature, importance and emotional ties that Jeff guys in this locker room as a teammate and as a friend, he meant a lot to Carter had within the LA Kings organization departs, it’s natural to be a us. It was hard to see him go. big topic of conversation. Dustin Brown Carter was a massive part of the 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cups, and has been a staple for the Kings at the forward position ever since. Though he I mean, we all understand it’s a part of the game, but that doesn’t make it wasn’t acquired by the Kings until the middle of his career, Carter still any easier when you play with a guy for ten years, been on top of the ranks tied for tenth all-time in goals for the organization and was one of world with him twice. It just sucks to see a player like that go. There’s no the NHL’s most feared goalscorers in his prime. other way around it, we understand it all, but it doesn’t make it any easier. From 2012 – 2017, Carter scored between 26 and 32 goals in each season with the Kings, and just 12 players across the NHL scored more Alex Iafallo in that span. As he went on in his career, the Ontario native became a I got to know him right off the hop when I first got here when I was young pillar of leadership within the organization as a part of the “veteran five” and being an older guy, he always stepped in and told me what I needed over the last few seasons, the remaining players from both championship to work on and small things like that. He was always a calming presence, teams who have made up the leadership core of a young and evolving having him send words to me and pump me up along the way, he’s done team around them. it for everybody, so he’s always been a great guy. Management, Coaches & Teammates have expressed their admiration For Carter, it’s on to his next destination in Pittsburgh. He played his first for Carter, while those who worked with him, those who covered him and game with the Penguins on Thursday evening, as he logged 17:54 in a 2- those who cheered for him have done the same. A look at some of those 1 shootout loss against his first team in Philadephia. Carter centered the quotes, as well as some of the most memorable moments from his team’s second line, and played on both the power play and penalty kill. extremely successful stint with the LA Kings.

Rob Blake LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.18.2021 He’s been a tremendous player for this organization. There’s a group of these guys like I’ve said, unfortunately numerous times at deadlines, that have done so many good things for this organization, taken us to two Stanley Cups, and Jeff was that. He was a true professional, showed up every day, did his job and did it very, very well. I spoke to him last night and this morning, not easy at all. We understand, we respect he’s going to a good spot there and we wish him continued success. It’s part of it, it’s a difficult part that we deal with, but we can’t be any more thankful for everything he’s done for this organization. He’s been tremendous.

Todd McLellan

With Carts, obviously a real, real important player for this organization for a long, long time. A big part of championships and great memories, nobody wanted to lose him, but the organization has to manage its assets with the expansion draft coming up. The opportunity to get pieces back for somebody that we had a good chance of losing in the summer, I think that decision had to be made, but it doesn’t make it easier for the players. I think the younger ones appreciated his leadership, his ability to carry himself professionally around the rink. He cared about those younger players, but for them it’s an opportunity, it opens up more ice [time]. It’s the older players that probably it stings a little bit more. There were some tears in some eyes today, but he’s going to get a real good opportunity, everyone is happy for him. We’d like to see him make good on it and enjoy another championship out east.

Anze Kopitar

I mean, think about it throughout the nine years, he did just about everything we asked from him. We traded for him in 2012, to spark our scoring, he certainly did that. We went on a run and won a Stanley Cup that year, and then won another one and I don’t think he got enough credit for showing the way as a leader. You think about it, [Pearson and Toffoli], back in the day were on his wings, and he took it, I think pretty personally, to get those guys going and right, and he obviously did a great job. Like I said, I think he’s been flying under the radar as a leader. It’s a very sour taste to see him go, but at the end of the day, you wish him luck and we’ll meet up again soon, probably in the summer.

Drew Doughty

I was a little surprised, we were only six points out and Jeff was a great player for us. I just really didn’t expect him to get traded. Jeff was a great 1209418 Los Angeles Kings already mumble a little bit so talking into my headset through a mask isn’t ideal obviously). In our home truck, I’m actually producing on a back bench so it’s been an adjustment not being right next to our director, Hassan. We have experimented with using Patrick [O’Neal] and Jarret REMOTE REACTIONS, PT.2 – GOING BEHIND THE SCENES WITH [Stoll] live from home as well, which has created a whole new set of THE BSW BROADCAST TEAM challenges but it’s worked out alright and now you get to see their beautiful faces (and Howie)!

How has your pre-game planning for a game changed, considering you BY ZACH DOOLEY FOR LAKINGSINSIDER.COM are not at the rink or on the road? Things that have been more difficult, or APRIL 17, 2021 any possible benefits?

Dorfman: I miss some of the little things. For example, being at practice and seeing coach talking with a player, or a player working on deflections Earlier this season, we asked the voices of the LA Kings about how their on his own and then scoring the next game – not able to tell those stories jobs have been changed and affected by the remote broadcasting of this season. I miss the comradery the most, bonding on the road at game. Today, we go behind the scenes, and take a look at how the dinner, on the bus, on the plane. It’s a chance to talk about the previous backend of the production has been impacted. Steven “Hoover” Dorfman, night’s game or the next day’s game – we don’t do that as much via Joel Goodling and Mike Hassan have been used to traveling to away zoom, email or text. On the plus side, when the Kings are away in the games with the Kings, something that has been affected by the COVID- Central time zone, I like being home by 8:30 PM, hanging with the family 19 Pandemic this season, forcing all production to be done from home. A instead of getting on a plane and into a hotel at 2 AM. look behind the scenes, with the team. Hassan: The biggest change is we are no longer traveling with the team Part One for road games and we’re provided a clean “world feed” from the various home broadcasts. As the director, I have access to either 1 or 2 of my What added challenges have not having the team together on game days own cameras on-site and my job is to cut between the world feed and my presented for you? cameras throughout the game and provide the best game coverage Dorfman: We have come up with an efficient system for our production possible. Imagine listening to another director and anticipating during live team – ZOOM. We meet every game day via Zoom right after the game action where they might go next and at the same time listening to morning skate media availability. This has worked really well – we’re able my producer to see if he wants us to stay with the world feed or tell our to meet earlier in the day – usually we’d meet three hours before the own story, which could be a highlight package or a replay our analyst Jim game, now we’re meeting six-plus hours before. There are also fewer Fox wants to highlight. This process is definitely a challenge, but I enjoy it distractions on Zoom than when we meet in person. and it definitely gets your adrenaline going. We also have a router feed that provides access to all the home shows cameras and replay (EVS) Hassan: One challenge is not being able to have spontaneous group sources. We have an AD (assistant director) on headset in each road city discussions without Zoom. On road games, we’d all watch morning skate that helps coordinate sending us highlights or feed specific cameras I and could talk about the projected lineups and game, etc before going request during the game like a penalty box POV to see a player in the into the Kings locker room to talk to the players about that night’s game. penalty box. Prior to every road game, I get a list of all the available At home games prior to COVID, we all had the ability to chat in person cameras (usually between 15-20) from every home show director to before or after our meal break in the Chick Hearn Press Room. One of know what cameras I have access to. Every team has a different camera the biggest challenges was prying Jim Fox or Daryl Evans away from the compliment and numbering system. Coverage of our home games hasn’t dessert section and hoping there was still some Oreo cookie or chocolate changed much aside from not having fans in the building. I think we all chips left to top off my soft serve ice cream. miss seeing and hearing the fans reacting to a goal, a hit, or a big save. Goodling: Obviously we miss the in-person, day-to-day interactions at We definitely miss the excitement and energy Kings’ fans add to our morning skate and in the press room, but this is the one thing I can see broadcast so it definitely impacts how I can direct the game. After goals, continuing in the future — the Zoom production meeting. Right after the goal of any director is to try and capture the excitement of the crowd morning skate media availability, all the announcers and analysts jump but that’s not an option, so I focus more on player and coach reactions. I on with Hoover and myself and iron out any and all details for that definitely miss our off-day crew dinners on road trips with our traveling evening’s broadcast. It’s a lot easier to change things around, build video media group and team personnel. Charlie Gittos in St Louis, Martini and graphics to support 6-7 hours to air, where before the meetings Modern Italian in Columbus, or Joey’s in Calgary are some of the favs. would take place at STAPLES Center only two hours before we were Goodling: Getting lineup notes, injury info, COVID-protocol situations, etc live. all from Kings PR in real time (who often are getting it last minute as well) How has the broadcast truck changed during COVID times, compared to is the big thing. But communication has been excellent with Jon Gomez a regular season? Layout, roles, setup, etc. this season and he tips us off on any and everything (that he can) that would affect our broadcast. [An example, last trip in Colorado], we got Dorfman: We utilize 2 trucks now – our regular truck, plus the B-unit that word seconds after we did the projected lines in pregame that Alex Iafallo would normally house the visiting production team – so we are able to was out with an illness. We got the text live on air and Patrick was able to spread everyone out – we have partitions between the producer/director deliver the news in real time. Planning a walk-in interview has changed and director/technical director – with half the crew in each truck. as well (before we could just bank it with an ENG camera because the crew would normally be at lunch when players arrive). Now, Carrlyn can Hassan: Social distancing with plexiglass dividers in between us is the record it from home and it helps out the crew big time. new norm. To ensure proper social distancing we moved our Graphics Operator, Graphics Coordinator, Scorebug operator, and visiting show Is there anything you’ve had to do during this season to adapt that might AD into a second mobile unit or “B Unit” which pre-COVID would become more of a regular thing in a normal season? normally be used by the visiting broadcast production team. We also have dividers between our EVS operators, who manage and playback all Dorfman: I’m not sure if production teams will ever travel again. We’ve our video packages and replays for our pre-game, game, and post-game proved we can do the broadcast from a remote location and working shows. Our production truck is sanitized after every game and we all use together with a host feed has some benefits, especially when it comes to our own headsets. Our crew also make sure that all handheld getting immediate looks of super-mo replays. Zoom interviews have been microphones and announcer headsets are properly cleaned adhering to a blessing – The reverse retro interviews with Jim Fox hosting Garry COVID safety requirements. For added safety, we have endless amounts Galley and Sean Walker, or Gabe Vilardi and Ray Ferraro, or Cal of anti-bacterial wipes at hand sanitizer at our disposal. On game days, Petersen and Kelly Hrudey, or Mattias Norstrom and Tobias Bjornfot, all crew including our announcers first fill out an online health screening probably never would have happened without Zoom survey prior to arriving at STAPLES Center and once on site we get our Hassan: I think moving forward that the number of remote productions temperatures checked. We also get tested for COVID on a regular basis will grow and even with an easing of restrictions the effects of COVID on and masks are mandatory. the sports production industry are here to stay. Our “COVID World Feed” Goodling: We’re spread out over two TV trucks now. Sometimes our model definitely has its challenges, but ultimately if we can produce a pre/post folks are in the studio when the team is on the road. Everything quality show and continue to do so remotely it could become our new is deep cleaned after every broadcast. Masks are worn at all times (I norm. Less travel means more family time and quality time with my 8yr old son Hudson who has become a big street hockey fan during COVID.

Goodling: I honestly don’t know if we’ll travel ever again. The remote “at- home” productions were already starting to become a thing and COVID just accelerated it. The fact we can take feeds at STAPLES Center and the team can be in St. Paul, Minnesota and nobody at home watching knows the difference…that’s a game-changer. I think our announcers will travel again, however. It’s hard to call a game off a monitor. Plus, those personal relationships are so important with the team and staff. I don’t mind sleeping in my own bed every night now, but I will certainly miss traveling North America with my Kings work family. Between working Kings & Angels, I went from traveling 150 days a year to zero. That’s certainly been the biggest adjustment for me personally.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209419 Minnesota Wild Micheletti goes another step. "I can't recall the last time we talked about Brodin after a game,'' he said. "That's because there are so few times when he's fighting to get back into a play. He's like a ghost. He makes the play and disappears. Wild stalwart Jonas Brodin plays on and on, and ever so gracefully "We should call him 'The Ghost.' Jonas Brodin, the Ghost of the Wild.'' Only 27, talented Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin is nearing 600 games played in the NHL. Walz was asked what opinion his Wild coach, Jacques Lemaire, master of goal prevention, would have of Brodin?

"Oh … I guarantee you,'' Walz said. "Jonas would never leave the ice.'' APRIL 17, 2021 — 11:30PM

Patrick Reusse Star Tribune LOADED: 04.18.2021

Mikko Koivu's longevity looks impressive at the top of the Wild's all-time list for games played. He played in St. Paul for 15 regular seasons and totaled 1,028 games.

Who is going to top that?

There's an answer: Jonas Brodin, assuming he remains an iron man defenseman, which seems probable.

Koivu was drafted sixth overall from Finland in 2001 and made his Wild debut on Nov. 5, 2005, at age 22 years, 238 days. There was a good excuse for the late arrival: The NHL missed the 2004-05 season because of an owners lockout.

Brodin was drafted 10th overall from Sweden in 2011. He made his Wild debut on Jan. 25, 2013, delayed by another owners lockout, at age 19 years, 197 days.

He's now 27 and will reach 596 games this weekend. He's played in nine regular seasons, with a rookie season shortened by 34 games and these two pandemicized seasons by a total of 39 games. Brodin had a 182- game streak stopped by COVID for two games in mid-February.

Brodin signed a seven-year, $42 million contract extension that will run through the 2027-28 season. The first four seasons include a no-trade clause. That could have been all seven and Wild fans might not do the usual grousing; that's the excellence of Brodin.

Wes Walz, now a Wild analyst, said: "The way the salary cap is right now, you have to be considered a special asset to get a long contract for $7 or $8 million. And that's how this club felt about Jonas.

"When you play at the highest level in the world, and everyone raves about your skating, including opponents, that tells you everything.

"He reminds me of Phil Housley, the way someone can have him lined up in the corner, and he can come out with the puck and not even a bump.''

Housley was much more of an offensive threat, but skating the puck out of danger was the comparison.

What's the view of Housley, now an assistant with the Arizona Coyotes?

"I don't talk other team's players, as a rule, but this year being in the same division, we've seen Brodin a lot,'' he said. "His mobility is impressive, and he seems to be joining the attack more.''

Pat Micheletti, hockey observer of many opinions, including on the Wild's post-postgame radio show, said: "Brodin's ability to skate, I don't know how you classify it. He might have the best feet in the NHL, which means the world. He's in the top five, no question.

"The play I recall is from a season opener in Colorado a while back. Nobody skates faster that Nathan MacKinnon. He was coming at 100 miles an hour, going outside, and Brodin skated over, and made it look like nothing.

"I said, 'That's elite.' Actually, way more than elite, even by P.J. Fleck's standards.''

Tom Reid, the Wild's radio analyst, said: "He's such a gifted skater that it allows him to do everything right. And with Matt Dumba as his partner, a guy who likes to take off, Jonas gets a chance to show those skills.''

Brodin is known for his quiet approach — no panic on the ice, no self- promoting off it.

"I've noticed that, when he's playing Colorado and he's matched up with MacKinnon on that off side, you can see the excitement in Jonas' eyes,'' Walz said. "He loves a challenge. I see him as a quiet warrior.'' 1209420 Minnesota Wild

Minnesota takes home win streak into matchup with San Jose

Staff Report

By The Associated Press Associated Press

APRIL 17, 2021 — 2:05AM

San Jose Sharks (18-21-4, sixth in the West Division) vs. Minnesota Wild (26-13-3, third in the West Division)

St. Paul, Minnesota; Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wild -189, Sharks +156; over/under is 5.5

BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota hosts San Jose aiming to prolong its three- game home winning streak.

The Wild have gone 26-13-3 against division opponents. Minnesota averages 10.0 penalty minutes per game, the second-most in the league. Carson Soucy leads the team serving 45 total minutes.

The Sharks are 18-21-4 against the rest of their division. San Jose averages 9.7 penalty minutes per game, the third-most in the league. Kurtis Gabriel leads the team serving 55 total minutes.

The teams meet for the second game in a row.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild with 16 goals and has 35 points. Kevin Fiala has 11 points over the last 10 games for Minnesota.

Evander Kane leads the Sharks with 17 goals and has 36 points. Tomas Hertl has 7 points over the last 10 games for San Jose.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wild: 5-3-2, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.4 assists, 4.4 penalties and 11.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game with an .898 save percentage.

Sharks: 5-5-0, averaging 2.4 goals, 4.2 assists, 3.4 penalties and 8.9 penalty minutes while allowing 2.8 goals per game with an .900 save percentage.

Star Tribune LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209421 Minnesota Wild

Wild returning to the road with offense soaring

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune

APRIL 17, 2021 — 11:45PM

The road has been an uneven experience this season for the Wild at 10- 9-3, but maybe the offense can change that.

After another well-rounded performance in a 5-2 victory over the Sharks Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center, the Wild will depart for a four- game trip with goals coming from all over the lineup.

"It's really important to keep going like we are," center Joel Eriksson Ek said. "It all starts in our D-zone. We play smart. We had good breakouts, and then we can create offense from there."

Eriksson Ek's line chipped in a goal Saturday; same with the power play. And the fourth line – if it's still called that – continues to contribute, this time scoring twice.

"We caught a few [bounces] for sure tonight," coach Dean Evason said about his team, which capitalized on an own goal by the Sharks and had a puck sail into the net off Eriksson Ek's chest. "But we thought we worked for a lot of our opportunities, as well."

Kevin Fiala didn't factor into the Wild's offense, and he also didn't play the last 11 minutes of the second period. He was benched for turning the puck over.

"We had a chat with him and said that you're not going to play the rest of the period and you'll play the start of the third period," Evason said. "But everyone has to do the right things, and it's not just Kevin because after that we turned it over a couple more times.

"So, when we went in right after the second period, we had a quick chat with the group in the room. That has to stop. It doesn't matter what the score is. It doesn't matter where we are in the game, especially if we're leading a hockey game. You have to do the right things to one, preserve what you've built and then hopefully expand on it. But you can't do that if you're turning the puck over and feeding into their push."

Despite the Sharks picking up the pace in the second, they couldn't close the gap and the Wild secured its 17th win at Xcel Energy Center this season; only Colorado and the New York Islanders have more with 18.

"It's really important to play good at home," Eriksson Ek said. "I think we gotta keep doing what we're doing. We can't get comfortable. We battle hard, and it's really important to get these games at home when you're at home and have a little homestand like this then go on the road. It builds up your confidence. We just have to keep pushing every day to get even better."

After the game, Wild players shook hands with the Sharks' Patrick Marleau, who tied Gordie Howe's NHL record for games played at 1,767.

"It was initiated by [Ryan Suter]," Evason said of the Wild acknowledging Marleau after the game. "I think that is such a classy thing for our group to do and then we talked about it after the game in the coaches' room that anytime your name can even be mentioned in the same sentence as Gordie Howe, it's very, very special. And what he's done for as long as he's done it and how he's played the game – not on the perimeter, just in the dirty areas – I don't know him personally, but everything you hear it's how team-first he is. It's a wonderful accomplishment."

Star Tribune LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209422 Minnesota Wild

Saturday's Wild-San Jose game recap

APRIL 17, 2021 — 11:44PM

GAME RECAP

STAR TRIBUNE'S THREE STARS

1. Zach Parise, Wild: The winger scored for a third straight game, his second straight game-winning goal.

2. Mats Zuccarello, Wild: The winger tied the game and picked up an assist.

3. Kirill Kaprizov, Wild: The rookie had a goal, his team-leading 17th.

BY THE NUMBERS

13 Wild power-play goals over the past nine games.

400 Points for Parise with Wild.

1,767 Games for Patrick Marleau, tying the NHL record.

Sarah McLellan

Star Tribune LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209423 Minnesota Wild embarrassment last time in St. Louis — just try to battle and fight for every single puck," Kahkonen said.

As for the Sharks, their fifth straight loss left them five points out of the Balanced attack leads Wild over Sharks 5-2 final playoff spot in the West Division.

"I think our team, we have to play an extremely detailed, hard-working game every game to be in them and win those games," Burns said. "If it's By PATRICK DONNELLY Associated Press a little bit off, it's going to look and feel like that."

APRIL 17, 2021 — 11:00PM

Star Tribune LOADED: 04.18.2021 ST. PAUL, Minn. — Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist, and the Minnesota Wild stayed hot at home by downing the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Saturday.

Joel Eriksson Ek, Zach Parise, Kirill Kaprizov and Nico Sturm also scored on a night when 12 different Wild players had at least one point. Kaapo Kahkonen made 26 saves as Minnesota won its third straight and improved to 17-4-0 at home this season.

Brent Burns and Joel Kellman scored for San Jose, and Martin Jones made 19 saves on 24 shots before being replaced by Josef Korenar in the third period.

Sharks forward Patrick Marleau tied Gordie Howe's NHL record by playing in his 1,767th game. He is set to break the mark on Monday in Las Vegas.

The game was stopped during the first period to announce Marleau's record, and he received an extended ovation from both teams and the Xcel Energy Center crowd.

"When you get recognized like that, not only your team standing up for you but the other building's fans cheering for you, the other team doing it, it hits home," Marleau said. "It's definitely humbling."

San Jose opened the scoring midway through the first period when Burns beat Kahkonen with a wrist shot from the blue line for his sixth goal of the season.

The Sharks' lead lasted less than 2 1/2 minutes. The Wild grabbed control by scoring three times in a span of 72 seconds.

First, in the final seconds of a power play, Marcus Johansson made a backhand pass from behind the net into the slot. Zuccarello's shot was off target but it hit Burns' skate and trickled into the net. It was Zuccarello's 10th goal of the year and fourth in the last three games.

Just 36 seconds later, Jones stopped Jordan Greenway's slap shot, but the rebound hit Eriksson Ek in the chest and dropped into the net.

"We caught a few (breaks) for sure tonight, but we thought we worked for a lot of our opportunities as well," Wild coach Dean Evason said.

Then 36 seconds after Eriksson Ek's goal, Parise beat Jones between the legs with a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle. Parise's third goal in as many games gave him 400 points in a Wild uniform. He has been thriving of late playing on a line with Sturm and Nick Bonino, with the trio combining for 12 points in the last three games.

"I think our line is getting good chances," Parise said. We are getting hardworking chances and rush chances. We've been playing really well without the puck. We aren't spending a lot of time in our zone, and that makes the game a lot easier and all three of us are benefitting from that."

Kaprizov made it 4-1 early in the second with his 17th of the season, tops among NHL rookies. He started the play by stealing the puck as the Sharks were trying to break out of their zone.

Kaprizov passed it to Zuccarello, who tried to set up Kevin Fiala in the slot. Fiala whiffed on his shot, but the puck found Kaprizov trailing the play, and he rocketed a shot over Jones' shoulder.

Sturm extended the Wild lead to 5-1 with less than a minute left in the second. He picked up the puck in his own zone, skated the length of the ice, deked Jones out of position and scored on a wraparound into the open net.

Meanwhile, Kahkonen was steady in his first appearance since a 9-1 loss at St. Louis on April 9.

"A couple times there, I felt like I was doing almost too much trying to battle, but I think that was the way for me to come back from that 1209424 Minnesota Wild Zuccarello found Kaprizov for a one-timer at 1:14. And with 49 seconds to go in the period, Sturm delivered a wraparound goal that the Sharks challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal was confirmed.

Wild makes quick work of San Jose, winning 5-2 to sweep three-game Jones exited the game after two periods with 19 saves. Josef Korenar homestand had four stops in relief.

Sturm's line with Parise and Nick Bonino has 12 points since they were united on the fourth line three games ago. By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune "That's what we all play the game for is to score goals," Sturm said. APRIL 17, 2021 — 11:50PM "Right now, it's certainly enjoyable."

Joel Eriksson Ek doesn't always join the circle that juggles a soccer ball Star Tribune LOADED: 04.18.2021 before games.

But he did Saturday, and the practice came in handy later that night.

Eriksson Ek redirected in a puck with his chest, a soccer-style finish that was the second of three goals in a row that kick-started the Wild to take a 5-2 bite out of the Sharks in front of 3,000 at Xcel Energy Center for the team's third straight win.

"Maybe it had a little part of it," Eriksson Ek said.

Those three goals in 1 minute, 12 seconds in the first period put the Wild in control, teeing up another well-balanced attack by the offense.

Zach Parise scored for a third straight game while becoming just the third player in Wild history to register 400 points with the franchise. Mats Zuccarello also extended his goal-scoring streak to three games. And Kirill Kaprizov buried his team-leading 17th goal to tie Marian Gaborik for the most points by a Wild rookie in a single season with 36.

At the other end, Kaapo Kahkonen had 26 saves in his first appearance since he was in net for the 9-1 loss last weekend in St. Louis. The victory ended his three-game slide and was his 13th of the season, moving him past Darcy Kuemper for the most wins by a Wild rookie goalie in a season.

"A couple times there I felt like I was doing almost too much trying to battle," Kahkonen said. "But I think that was the way for me to come back from that embarrassment last time in St. Louis. Just try to battle and fight for every single puck."

Kahkonen missed on a point shot by Brent Burns at 12:02 of the first, a goal that came shortly after San Jose's Patrick Marleau was recognized for playing his 1,767th game to tie Gordie Howe's NHL record.

After the goal, Kahkonen went to the bench and said, "That's my bad goal for the night." The Sharks got only one more puck by him, a shot from Joel Kellman with 2:15 left in the third, but Kahkonen was solid while the Wild was building a lead.

BOXSCORE: Wild 5, San Jose 2

Zuccarello tied the game at 14:35 of the first when his shot caromed off Burns' skate and into the Sharks net on the power play. This is the second time this season Zuccarello has had a three-game goal streak.

The finish was the 13th by the Wild power play over the past nine games, and the Wild ended up 1-for-4. San Jose went 0-for-2.

Only 36 seconds later, the rebound off a Jordan Greenway shot hit Eriksson Ek in the chest and bounced into the net for Eriksson Ek's 14th goal of the season. Greenway's assist was his 20th, which leads the Wild and ties his career high. Marcus Foligno's assist on was his 200th career point.

And then 36 seconds later, Parise wired a shot through Sharks goalie Martin Jones for the eventual winning goal — his second in as many games.

Parise joined Mikko Koivu (709) and Gaborik (437) as the only players to tally 400 points with the Wild. The winger is also sitting on 199 career goals with the Wild.

"We're all competitive guys," Parise said, "and we want to win and want to be productive."

The scoring parade picked up in the second period, which saw Kevin Fiala get benched for the final 11 minutes for turning over the puck. 1209425 Minnesota Wild Pioneer Press LOADED: 04.18.2021

Wild use offensive explosion to complete sweep of Sharks

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: April 17, 2021 at 9:33 p.m. | UPDATED: April 17, 2021 at 10:47 p.m.

Things looked like they were dangerously close to going off the rails for the Wild on Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center.

Making his first start since a 9-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues more than a week ago, Wild goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen allowed a soft goal 10 minutes into the game against the San Jose Sharks.

It was a seemingly harmless wrist shot from former Wild defenseman Brent Burns, and it absolutely should’ve been stopped. Instead, the Wild found themselves chasing the game with about 50 minutes left in regulation.

Luckily for Kahkonen, that was more than enough time for his teammates to pick him up, and the Wild ultimately ran away with a 5-2 win thanks to an offensive explosion up front. Mats Zuccarello, Joel Eriksson Ek, Zach Parise, Kirill Kaprizov and Nico Sturm all scored a goal, and Kahkonen finished with 26 saves.

After the shot from Burns found the back of the net midway through the first period, the Wild responded with a flurry to seize control. It started with a slick goal from Zuccarello on the power play, continued with a wonky goal from Eriksson Ek a mere 36 seconds later and ended with a pretty goal from Parise exactly 36 seconds after that.

To recap, in a span of 1 minute, 12 seconds, the Wild turned a one-goal deficit into a two-goal lead, and they never looked back.

Not that coach Dean Evason was ever concerned about Kahkonen’s game. He still had a lot of confidence in him despite the soft goal.

“He came right over to the bench and goes, ‘That’s my bad goal for the night,’ ” Evason said. “It didn’t rattle him. He just went about his business.”

Nonetheless, that cushion did seem to take the edge off, and Kahkonen looked more comfortable as the game progressed. Though he wasn’t necessarily the sharpest he’s been this season, Kahkonen’s confidence does appear to be on the upswing.

“A couple of times there I felt like I was doing almost too much trying to battle,” Kahkonen said. “I think that was the way for me to come back from that embarrassment last time in St. Louis. Just try to battle and fight for every single puck.”

It helped that Kahkonen’s teammates battled and fought for every puck in front of him. They also scored more than enough goals to boot.

With the game there for the taking early in the second period, Kaprizov netted what might as well have been the dagger. He pilfered the puck after some sloppy play by the Sharks in their own zone, then hammered home a cross-ice pass from Zuccarello.

For good measure, Sturm scored an incredible wraparound goal late in the second period, using his speed to break free before skillfully sliding the puck past goaltender Martin Jones. Perhaps trying to salvage the game, the Sharks challenged for goaltender interference.

“As it was on the jumbo, I was like, ‘There’s no way in (heck) they’re going to call that back,’ ” Sturm said. “I’m not really sure what they were looking at. I thought it was pretty far outside the crease there.”

That made the third period more or less a formality, and while the Sharks got a goal from Joel Kellman to finalize the score, the Wild coasted the rest of the way with the end result never in doubt.

“It was a great team effort by everybody up and down our lineup,” Kahkonen said. “They were scoring great goals and playing great defense in front. Just making it really easy for me.”

1209426 Minnesota Wild

After blowout loss, Wild goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen back in net

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: April 17, 2021 at 6:48 p.m. | UPDATED: April 17, 2021 at 10:44 p.m.

Wild goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen still looked shell-shocked 15 minutes after Minnesota’s 9-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues eight days ago. He’d never experienced something like that in his NHL career.

“Not a fun experience,” Kahkonen said at the time. “That was embarrassing for myself. I felt I let my team down. Just a tough night.”

No doubt the worst part for the 24-year-old Kahkonen was he had to sit on that blowout loss for more than a week. With fellow goaltender Cam Talbot rolling, Kahkonen didn’t get a chance to rinse the bad taste from his mouth until Saturday’s game against the San Jose Sharks.

Asked about Kahkonen’s confidence earlier this week, coach Dean Evason hardly seemed concerned. He mentioned how he called Kahkonen after the blowout loss and made it clear that the team has the utmost confidence in him.

“We know he can play,” Evason said. “It was a crappy night for all of us. Not just him. We 100 percent know that his mental makeup will allow him to rebound from a game like that.”

Maybe the most impressive thing to Evason was the fact that Kahkonen was eager to get back on the ice. Whether it was battling for every save during practice or staying late with goaltending coach Freddie Chabot after morning skate, Kahkonen was focused on moving forward in a positive way.

“Nothing’s changed,” Evason said. “It’s not like we’re tip-toeing around him or making sure he’s OK every single day. He’s going out and he’s working his butt off and he’s getting ready to play hockey.”

As for Talbot, he talked to Kahkonen briefly last week to make sure he was OK, then let him be. Talbot said he knows if the roles were reversed, he’d want to process the blowout loss on his own.

“He was trying to put the blame on himself that night, which I thought was very unwarranted,” Talbot said. “There’s a lot of things that went wrong in that game. And I don’t think any of them were on him. Just as a young guy, he tries to hold himself accountable. Maybe too accountable at times. Just tried to calm him down a little bit.”

Though it’s no secret that Kahkonen has struggled as of late, he’s also proven this season that he can be a force when he’s on his game. He entered Saturday’s game with a 12-7-0 record, a 2.69 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.

Those are solid numbers, and as far as Kahkonen’s teammates are concerned, there’s no reason he can’t get back to that level in the very near future.

“He’s a mature kid for his age,” Talbot said. “He’s very calm and collected. I have no doubt that whenever he does get back in there that we’re gonna see his ‘A’ game.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209427 Minnesota Wild a bullet that ricocheted off goalie Martin Jones and off Eriksson Ek’s chest as he crashed the net.

The Wild, like all NHL teams, gather for a soccer Hacky Sack contest Wild’s Kaapo Kahkonen doesn’t let early goal vs. Sharks rattle him as he before each game. It’s hit-or-miss whether Eriksson Ek joins as part of bounces back from ’embarrassment’ his pregame routine. Saturday night, Eriksson Ek did and joked that “maybe it had a little bit of a part of” his 14th goal.

Kahkonen chimed in, deadpanning, “I think it’s more the bench press he By Michael Russo does.”

Apr 17, 2021 Thirty-six seconds after Eriksson Ek’s goal, Parise skated into the zone and beat Jones with a seeing-eye shot that was so funky that the puck hit

the back of the net and somehow crawled its way up Jones’ pants. The After giving up a franchise-record nine goals in St. Louis during his last officials searched everywhere for the puck and were so confused that outing and having gone a month between wins, Kaapo Kahkonen waved they actually reviewed the goal to make sure it went into the net. at an unscreened Brent Burns wrister for the San Jose Sharks’ first goal “I was looking around and was like, ‘That went in, right?'” said Parise, Saturday night. who has four goals and two assists in six games since being put on the Uh-oh. so-called fourth line. “Then I didn’t know if they were looking at offsides — I had no idea. I started to second-guess myself that the shot actually For a week, Wild players, head coach Dean Evason and goalie coach went in. Then someone said they couldn’t find the puck, so that made me Freddy Chabot maintained their utmost confidence in the rookie goalie feel a little better. publicly and privately. But that cheesy goal was not the way Cam Talbot’s 24-year-old backup wanted to reestablish his game and comfort “There’s always that hesitation now after a goal goes in. There’s that little level in between the pipes. delay, and then you start to rewind, like, ‘Were we offside there?’ Fortunately, tonight that wasn’t the case.” Yet, unlike in St. Louis, Kahkonen didn’t get rattled. The Wild kept pressuring in the second period. Instead, during an ensuing TV timeout, Kahkonen skated to the bench for a breather, looked at assistant coach Bob Woods and said, “That’s my Moments after a power play expired, Burns didn’t clear a puck and bad goal for the night.” decided to pass to partner Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The poor defenseman was stick-checked inside the blue line by the crafty Kaprizov as the Wild As he promised, from there, Kahkonen looked more like the goaltender were going for a line change. Kaprizov fed Zuccarello to his left. who reeled off nine consecutive victories earlier this season, and he was Naturally, Zuccarello made a perfect pass back and teed up Kaprizov for helped along by a three-goal flurry in a 72-second span as the Wild rolled a beauty of a 17th goal. to a 5-2 win over the Sharks to hand Kahkonen the sweet sensation of victory for the first time since March 16. That team-leading goal, in Kaprizov’s 43rd game, put Kaprizov one goal short of Gaborik’s team rookie record set in 71 games and tied Gaborik “I was more focusing on going out to battle for every single puck,” said with 36 rookie points. Kahkonen, who gave up 18 goals in his three previous starts. “A couple times there, I felt like I was almost trying to battle too much, but I think The Sharks started to pick up their play, aided by a couple of Wild that was the way for me to come back from that embarrassment last time turnovers, but at the end of the period, Sturm scored a highlight-reel in St. Louis. wraparound goal while falling to the ice after being tripped by Jones. Sharks coach Bob Boughner challenged goalie interference on Sturm, “Obviously, last game I played wasn’t that much fun, but the support from but the refs quickly ruled in favor of Sturm and a 5-1 Wild lead. the whole coaching staff, Dean obviously, but also from Freddy and all the other coaches, too, and the guys trusting me, just makes it … that’s “I was initially (concerned) because I didn’t know how close I was to the what it’s about. It’s a team game, and within the team you have to trust crease, but as soon as it was on the Jumbotron, I was like, ‘There’s no your teammates, and sometimes there’s lows for everyone and way in hell they’re gonna call that back,'” Sturm said of his sixth goal. sometimes there’s highs. No matter what, you just gotta go through that.” Since Evason concocted the Parise-Sturm-Nick Bonino line, the trio has Kahkonen made 25 saves to win his 13th game of the season, passing scored six goals and 12 points in three games. Darcy Kuemper’s single-season rookie record. Over his two seasons “Positive attitudes and work ethic. They’re working their butts off,” technically as a rookie, Kahkonen tied Josh Harding’s rookie record of 16 Evason said. “You guys always call them ‘fourth line.’ They don’t believe wins, which also came over two seasons. that. We don’t believe that. They just play. They play. There’s no sulking, Kahkonen was just one part of a night full of Wild superlatives at Xcel no pouting. There’s no disappointment in where or how many minutes Energy Center, where Minnesota has won 15 of its past 16 games and they’re playing. They’re just playing hockey, and they’re getting rewarded improved to 17-4 this season. for their attitudes and their hard work.”

Nico Sturm scored a highlight-reel goal from his stomach. Mats Asked why they’ve been so successful, Sturm said it’s simple: “You look Zuccarello continued his hot play of late with another power-play goal. at the line chart and we’re slotted in as the fourth line maybe, but I think Kirill Kaprizov tied Marian Gaborik’s rookie scoring record of 36 points in we’ve spent a lot of time in their zone. It makes the game so much easier 28 fewer games. Joel Eriksson Ek showed that his pregame soccer is when you don’t have to spend 20 to 25 seconds in your own end trying to paying off by scoring one off his chest. Red-hot Zach Parise scored a get the puck. All that energy you can save if you just possess the puck in goal to become the third 400-point scorer in Wild history. their zone.”

“It was a great team effort by everybody up and down our lineup by The Wild, sitting in third place in the West Division with 57 points, now scoring great goals and playing great defense in front, making it … really have a 13-point lead on fifth-place St. Louis. Minnesota leaves Sunday easy for me,” Kahkonen said. for a four-game trip to Arizona, Los Angeles and San Jose.

It was made possible by some fortuitous bounces when the Wild turned “It’s really important to keep going like we are,” Eriksson Ek said. “It all that 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead in a span of 1 minute, 12 seconds in the starts in our D-zone. We play smart, we had good breakouts, and then first period. we can create offense from there. These are really important games coming up on this road trip.” Zuccarello got the party started by scoring his fourth goal in three games with a second left in a power play by taking Marcus Johansson’s pass Turnover-happy Kevin Fiala sent loud-and-clear message and banking a shot in off of Burns. It was a well-earned goal by Nine minutes into the second period Saturday night, Kevin Fiala, last Zuccarello, who earlier in the shift pickpocketed a penalty killer behind year’s leading scorer who has 14 goals and 26 points in 39 games this the net who was about to send the puck the length of the ice. season, coughed up a puck at center ice that led to a Rudolfs Balcers Thirty-six seconds later, the Wild’s shutdown line of Jordan Greenway- scoring chance. Eriksson Ek-Marcus Foligno came charging up the ice. Greenway ripped Fiala would pay the piper for that giveaway by not playing the final 11 minutes of the period.

Enough was enough in Evason’s mind, as Fiala has had a propensity for egregious turnovers the past few weeks.

“Turned the puck over and we had a chat with him and said that you’re not going to play the rest of the period and you’ll play the start of the third period,” Evason said. “Everyone has to do the right things. And it’s not just Kevin, because after that we turned it over a couple more times.

“So when we went in right after the second period, we had a quick chat with the group in the room. That has to stop. It doesn’t matter what the score is. It doesn’t matter where we are in the game. Especially if we’re leading a hockey game, you have to do the right things to, one, preserve what you’ve built and then hopefully expand on it, but you can’t do that if you’re turning the puck over and feeding into their push.

“They had a push. You know they’re going to have a push. They’re proud — anybody is. This is a great league, and they’re going to have a push. But if they have a push and then you feed them even more because of the turnovers, then you could get yourself in a lot of trouble. It was just a nice opportunity to not only get the focus on one player but the focus on the entire group.”

Wild show respect for Patrick Marleau

Apparently initiated by defenseman Ryan Suter, every Wild player shook the hand of Sharks veteran Patrick Marleau, who tied Gordie Howe’s NHL record by playing in his 1,767th game Saturday night.

“I don’t know if that’s a record that’s going to be broken again,” Parise said. “At least, it’s going to be there for a long time. You have to have a lot of things go right, a lot of things go your way with your health. When you think about it, that many games — and unfortunately, he’s gone through two lockouts. He could be at 2,000 now. It’s an incredible number.”

Added Sturm, who was 2 when Marleau debuted in 1997: “I can’t even start to understand how you play that many games. I think, what Zach just said, I highly doubt that record’s gonna be broken anytime soon with the game, how it’s played right now, how fast and how physical it is. It’s gonna be real tough to get to that number for anybody. I think it’s incredibly impressive.”

Marleau, 41, who is expected to break Howe’s record Monday in Las Vegas, was humbled by the way he was treated by the Wild, who also acknowledged the milestone in the first period.

“When you get recognized like that, not only your team standing up for you but the other building’s fans cheering for you, the other team doing it, it hits home,” Marleau said. “It’s definitely humbling for them to show their support for me.”

Etc.

Though Wild prospect Sam Hentges is expected to return to St. Cloud State for his senior season, it has not been decided whether UMass goalie and national champion Filip Lindberg will turn pro or return to school. Lindberg, a member of the NCAA all-tournament team, is 29-10-6 with a 1.58 goals-against average and .937 save percentage in his collegiate career. Prospect Nick Swaney, who signed his entry-level contract starting next season, is expected to make his pro debut on an amateur tryout for the Iowa Wild next weekend. …

Forward Nick Bjugstad missed his sixth consecutive game with an upper- body injury but is expected to accompany the team on its four-game road trip out West on Sunday. …

Parise was sporting nine stitches to the right of his nose courtesy of friendly fire from Friday night’s game. Sturm, his linemate, accidentally got him up high.

“I saw my son (Jaxson) this morning, and he gave me a pretty weird look,” Parise said. “He was watching the game and saw it happen, so he couldn’t wait to see it in person. He gave me a pretty funny look when he saw it.

“(Sturm) apologized right after, and I told him, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ I think it was last year I took out (Brad Hunt’s) teeth, so it happens. Nino (Niederreiter) got me before, too. That stuff happens around here.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209428 Montreal Canadiens Montreal starts a five-game swing the same day through Alberta, and concludes it with a crucial three games against the Flames.

Notes: The Senators and Canadiens play twice more this season — May Batherson, Murray lead Senators over Canadiens 4-0 1 in Montreal and four days later in the nation’s capital. … Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme said before the game Brendan Gallagher (broken thumb) won’t require surgery. The winger, who was injured April 5, is expected to be out until at least mid-May. … Pinto is the Staff Report fifth Ottawa player to make his NHL debut this season. … Pinto (selected THE CANADIAN PRESS with the 32nd pick in the 2019 NHL draft) and Bernard-Docker (26th overall in 2018) both signed entry-level contracts April 1. … Senators PUBLISHED APRIL 17, 2021 blue-liner Victor Mete, who was claimed off waivers Monday from Montreal, played against his former team. UPDATED 9 HOURS AGO

Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.18.2021 Drake Batherson had two goals and an assist, Matt Murray made 23 saves for his first shutout with the Senators, and Ottawa defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Saturday.

Artem Zub and Nikita Zaitsev, into an empty net, also scored for Ottawa (15-26-4). Brady Tkachuk and Josh Norris added two assists each.

Carey Price stopped 11 shots in his return to the lineup after missing six games with a lower-body injury for Montreal (19-14-9).

The Canadiens continued to occupy the North Division’s fourth and final playoff spot. Montreal is six points up on the Calgary Flames with two games in hand.

The rebuilding Senators improved to 5-3-0 against the Canadiens this season, while three of their six road wins in 2021 have come at the Bell Centre.

Batherson has 11 points in eight games against Montreal.

Acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins via a fall trade before signing a four-year, US$25-million contract extension with Ottawa, Murray picked up the 11th shutout of his career, and first since Oct. 26, 2019.

Senators forward Shane Pinto made his NHL debut after fellow University of North Dakota alumni and Ottawa defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker — a healthy scratch against Montreal — did the same Wednesday.

With the 4 p.m. start, the Canadiens played a game for the second time in less than 24 hours following Friday’s emotional 2-1 victory over Calgary.

Ottawa led 1-0 after the first period and doubled its lead at 13:12 of the second, when Batherson took a feed from Brady Tkachuk and fooled Price with a five-hole shot for his 14th goal of the season.

Murray, who made his second straight start after missing 13 games with an upper-body injury, had to be sharp on a power play earlier in the period. He stopped Eric Staal with his left pad on the door step.

The Senators was on its fourth power play with five minutes left in the third period of a low-event game when Batherson sealed the win at 15:26 going upstairs off a Tkachuk feed.

Zaitsev then iced it into empty net. Pinto picked up an assist for his first NHL point.

Murray and his teammates survived a late power play and preserved the shutout when Nick Suzuki hit the post.

Coming off Wednesday’s 3-2 home loss to the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa opened the scoring 3:03 into the first after Batherson’s initial shot hit Montreal defenceman Joel Edmundson up high.

The Senators winger collected the loose puck and found Zub in the slot for the blue-liner to rip his third past Price.

The Canadiens goaltender then robbed Evgenii Dadonov later in the period with his glove during an Ottawa power play.

Montreal sleepwalked through most of the opening 20 minutes, but got its best chance late when Jonathan Drouin — without a goal in his last 23 games before Saturday — intercepted a Colin White pass only to be denied by Murray’s poke check.

Ottawa opens a three-game road trip Monday in Calgary before travelling to Vancouver for two versus the Canucks. 1209429 Montreal Canadiens

Toffoli scores twice as Canadiens beat Flames

Staff Report

THE CANADIAN PRESS

PUBLISHED 1 DAY AGO

UPDATED APRIL 16, 2021

Tyler Toffoli scored twice to lift the Montreal Canadiens to a 2-1 victory over Calgary on Friday that snapped the Flames’ three-game winning streak.

Elias Lindholm scored for the Flames (19-22-3).

Coming off a 4-1 loss to Calgary on Wednesday, the Canadiens (19-13- 9) had been feeling the heat from Calgary with the fourth playoff spot in the North Division on the line.

The Flames arrived on a three-game win streak, and had pulled to within four points of the Canadiens for that fourth spot. The struggling Habs, meanwhile, had lost three of their four previous games.

But backed by another solid performance by Montreal goalie Jake Allen, who stopped 28 shots on the night, Montreal scored first and then held on to win.

Allen put on a show in a scoreless first period at the Bell Centre, turning aside 13 shots from the Flames. The Habs had six shots on net.

Allen made a spectacular diving stick save in the second, stretching across an empty net to just deflect a point-blank shot from Lindholm.

Toffoli scored his 20th of the season at 9:32 of the second off a great feed from Nick Suzuki who circled around the net to find Toffoli.

Montreal’s top scorer finished with a wrist shot past Jacob Markstrom to reach 20 goals in back-to-back seasons, and in five seasons total.

Lindholm got the equalizer and his 11th goal of the season at 6:30 of the third with a wild swing-around backhand shot that glanced off defenceman Ben Chiarot’s skate and in. Chiarot was playing his first game back after missing 15 with a broken hand, injured during a fight.

Toffoli was credited with the game-winner at 15:45 of the third after deflecting in a pass from Armia over the glove of Markstrom.

The Canadiens and Flames clash three more times this month in Calgary.

The Canadiens announced earlier Friday they’d called up forward Cole Caufield from the AHL’s Laval Rocket and put him on the taxi squad. Caufield, who played for the University of Wisconsin, won the Hobey Baker Award last week as the top player in the NCAA Division 1.

The Canadiens have also called up goalie Cayden Primeau from the Rocket on an emergency basis to back up Allen.

Carey Price missed his sixth straight game with a lower-body injury, and coach Dominique Ducharme told reporters after Friday morning’s skate that he wasn’t ready to return to the lineup.

Ducharme said Price could play Saturday when the Habs host the Ottawa Senators.

The Flames are at home to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.

Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209430 Montreal Canadiens there night-after-night and be willing to battle in there. So I think that the consistency of doing it is something that we could get better at.”

Where’s that Gally spice? In the Habs Room: Canadiens in bad need of some 'Gally spice'

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.18.2021 Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021

“We need all the guys to put a little Gally spice into their game,” Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme said after Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre.

No kidding.

It becomes more obvious every game the Canadiens simply aren’t the same team without their true leader, Brendan Gallagher, in the lineup.

Gallagher missed his seventh straight game since suffering a fractured thumb during a 3-2 OT win over the Edmonton Oilers on April 5. In those seven games, the Canadiens have a 2-5-0 record and have scored only 11 goals while getting shut out twice.

The Canadiens got some good news before Saturday’s game when Ducharme said Gallagher wouldn’t need surgery on his right thumb. Earlier in the week, GM Marc Bergevin said he didn’t expect the right- winger back before the end of the regular season.

Pass the Gally spice, please.

Lots of it.

“I said it the other day, you don’t really replace a guy like Gally,” the Canadiens’ Paul Byron said. “What he means to our team, his timely goals, leadership, his energy. But it’s on everybody to just kind of find an extra gear in our game and try and replace it as a team. I know it’s not an easy thing to do, but we’ve got a lot of good players here — good enough players that we can go in game-in, game-out, and still find a way to get more offence than we’ve been getting lately.

“I think winning our battles, retrieving pucks, forechecking, and things that used to be our forté of our team we’ve kind of slipped away from that a little bit. I think once we find that, find our groove again, really attack the other teams, put pressure on them, kind of hound them instead of being hounded, it’s going to change things for us. We’re going to spend more time in their zone and it’s going to lead to more scoring chances. Not getting boxed out, trying to get rebound goals and going to get those second, third chances. That’s big.”

That’s what Gallagher does. Not enough other players on the Canadiens are willing to do that and it’s really starting to show.

The Canadiens are getting almost no offence from the centre position. Nick Suzuki has one goal in the last 11 games. Phillip Danault has one goal in the last nine games. Jesperi Kotkaniemi has no goals in the last 10 games. Eric Staal, after scoring an OT winner in his first game with the Canadiens, has no goals in the last seven games.

Jonathan Drouin — tied with Josh Anderson as the highest-paid forward on the team with a salary-cap hit of US$5.5 million — has no goals in the last 24 games and only two on the season.

Newcomers Tyler Toffoli (21) and Anderson (15), along with Gallagher (14), have accounted for 50 of the Canadiens’ 125 goals this season, which works out to 40 per cent. No other forward on the team has more than 10 goals.

“It’s on each individual,” defenceman Ben Chiarot said about the lack of offence without Gallagher. “We have lots of guys up front and on the back end who can create offence. I think, first of all, going to that area. It’s not an easy area to get to. There’s usually some punishment doled out when you want to stand in front of the net or in the slot. I think being willing to go there and then having guys willing to hang on to that puck for an extra second and find a guy and put it to the middle. We got to get better at that. That’s something that’s going to be important for us to generate more offence because right now we’re just not getting enough.”

When asked if he was suggesting some players aren’t willing to pay the price, Chiarot said: “No, I don’t mean that. We got lots of guys willing to pay the price. But it’s one thing to do it off-and-on, it’s another thing to go 1209431 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.18.2021

Canadiens get shut out by Senators at Bell Centre

Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021

The good news for the Canadiens is Carey Price was healthy and back in goal Saturday afternoon at the Bell Centre against the Ottawa Senators after missing the previous six games with a lower-body injury.

The bad news started when Artem Zub scored on the Senators’ first shot on Price 3:03 into the first period.

Things didn’t get better for the Canadiens after that and they ended up losing 4-0 to the Senators. Drake Batherson scored twice for Ottawa and Nikita Zaitsev added an empty-netter.

The Canadiens actually outshot the Senators 23-15.

Josh Anderson got the first shot on goal for the Canadiens with a backhand on Senators goalie Matt Murray 48 seconds into the game. The Canadiens didn’t get another shot on goal until the 17:15 mark, a wrist shot by defenceman Ben Chiarot. Chiarot added a slapshot 19 seconds later as the Senators outshot the Canadiens 5-3 in the first period and led 1-0 heading into the intermission. It was far from a thrilling first period as the Senators failed to get a shot on goal for the final 12:26 of the period.

Boring hockey games have become a common theme with the Canadiens.

Montreal was coming off a 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Friday night at the Bell Centre, while the Senators hadn’t played since losing 3-2 to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night in Ottawa.

The Senators went up 2-0 at 13:12 of the second period when Batherson beat Price through the five-hole with a sneaky shot the goalie would probably like to have back. It was only the eighth shot on goal for the Senators. Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber got caught over- committing on Brady Tkachuk on the play, which opened a path to the net for Batherson. Tkachuk, who entered the game leading the NHL in shots and hits — an impressive combination — picked up his 13th assist of the season on the goal to go along with his 14 goals.

Batherson scored his second goal of the game and 15th of the season on a power play at 15:26 of the third period with Tkachuk picking up another assist. Zaitsev scored his empty-netter at 15:45.

The Senators are the worst team in the North Division with a 15-26-4 record, but the Canadiens have a 3-3-2 record against them this season with two games remaining between the two teams. The Senators improved their road record to 6-16-0 and three of those wins have come at the Bell Centre. Price has also struggled against the Senators this season with a 1-3-1 record in the games he has played against them.

The Canadiens hold the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division with a 19-14-9 record, six points ahead of the fifth-place Calgary Flames with Montreal holding two games in hand.

Scoring goals continues to be a struggle for the Canadiens, who finished their six-game home stand with a 2-4-0 record while being outscored 20- 9. The Canadiens have a 10-10-2 record this season at the Bell Centre after going 14-17-6 at home last season.

The Canadiens’ power play has also been horrible. They went 0-for-4 against the Senators on Saturday and are now 1-for-19 in the last eight games and 2-for-31 in the last 11. Heading into the game, the Canadiens ranked 17th in the NHL on the power play with a 19.8-per-cent success rate.

The Canadiens now head out on a five-game road trip with two games against the Edmonton Oilers, starting Monday (9 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM), and three games against the Flames, which could be huge.

The good news for the Canadiens is they have been a better team on the road this season with a 9-4-7 record. 1209432 Montreal Canadiens to the slot a little more. So that’s something we need to do to put the puck in the net a little more.

“You’re not going to win many games scoring 1-2 goals,” he added. “so Canadiens Game Day: A rough return to action for Habs' Carey Price that’s going to be key for us.”

The Canadiens have now scored two goals or less in six of their last seven games without Brendan Gallagher in the lineup while posting a 2- Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette 5-0 record. Ducharme said before Saturday’s game that Gallagher won’t need surgery on his fractured right thumb. Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021 “No surgery needed, so that’s good news,” Ducharme said. “He’s doing

good. Obviously, he needs time but no surgery, so that’s positive.” Carey Price’s return to the Canadiens’ lineup did not get off to a good Gallagher had 14-9-23 totals in 35 games before a slapshot from start. teammate Alexander Romanov fractured his thumb during a 3-2 OT win After missing six straight games with a lower-body injury, the goaltender over the Edmonton Oilers on April 5 at the Bell Centre. was back in net at the Bell Centre for Saturday afternoon’s game against “There’s a lot of little things that he brings,” Canadiens head coach the Ottawa Senators. Dominique Ducharme said about Gallagher. “But that’s everyone’s job. Artem Zub scored on Ottawa’s first shot on Price at 3:03 of the first When one guy’s missing it’s everyone’s job to pick up the slack. Yes, period and the Senators went on to win 4-0, including an empty-net goal. there’s goals, but his energy (also).”

Price allowed three goals on 14 shots as his record fell to 12-7-5 with a Hit the road 2.67 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. The Canadiens now have a 10-10-2 record at the Bell Centre this “I felt pretty good,” Price said after the game. “Whenever you take a season. They have been a better team on the road with a 9-4-7 record. break there’s always a bit of an adjustment period getting back. But I So, it might be a good thing that the Canadiens’ next five games are on thought the adjustment was really quick.” the road — two in Edmonton, starting Monday night — and three in The Canadiens finished their six-game home stand with a 2-4-0 record Calgary. Those three games against the Flames will be huge in the while being outscored 20-9. The Canadiens scored the first goal of the playoff race. game only twice in those six games — the two games they ended up “It’s good any time you can get on the road,” Chiarot said. “This is sort of winning. the last long road trip that we have in the regular season. Kind of get “It would be nice to get a lead early,” Price said. “Just get some everyone together again and spend lots of time together. So it’s good to confidence going. Get those feel-good starts. I think it’s all about just get on the road and spend time with your teammates.” building momentum right off the start of the game.” What about Cole? “We just need to find some consistency,” Price added. “I think everybody Ducharme said before Saturday’s game that Cole Caufield will make the in the league wants to find that. Everybody in this league wants to win road trip with the Canadiens after getting called up from the AHL’s Laval and everybody’s playing hard. We just got to find a way to do it on a Rocket on Friday and being placed on the taxi squad. nightly basis.” As he did on Friday, Ducharme explained after Saturday’s game that the The Canadiens remain in fourth place in the all-Canadian North Division Canadiens can’t make any changes to their roster at this point — with a 19-14-9 record. They are six points ahead of fifth-place Calgary including adding Caufield — because of salary-cap restrictions. and still hold two games in hand on the Flames. When asked if he had spoken with GM Marc Bergevin and John “When our team scores first it seems like we have so much more jump, Sedgwick, the Canadiens’ vice-president (hockey operations and legal energy,” the Canadiens’ Paul Byron said. “Our starts have been pretty affairs) who looks after the salary cap, about figuring out a way to make flat and that’s kind of been our Achilles heel lately.” changes, Ducharme said: “Yeah, I talked with them, for sure. It’s not only Tough back-to-back salary-cap wise. It’s the number of recalls and we used three to play against Toronto (a 4-2 win over the Leafs last Monday). We don’t have The Canadiens were playing their second game in less than 24 hours much left.” after beating the Flames 2-1 Friday night at the Bell Centre. Caufield had 3-1-4 totals in his first two games with the Rocket, including “It’s not easy,” Canadiens defenceman Ben Chiarot said. “Any back-to- two game-winning goals, after leaving the University of Wisconsin. In 31 back’s not easy. Especially, on top of that, give them credit. They worked games with Wisconsin, the 5-foot-7, 170-pound right-winger had 30-22- very hard … they don’t make it easy out there. They knew they had a 52 totals to lead the NCAA in goals in points and the 20-year-old also team coming off a back-to-back so they jumped on us pretty early. It’s not won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in U.S. college hockey. easy, but every team goes through it.” Caufield will miss only one Rocket game while on the road trip with the The Canadiens have a 3-3-2 record this season against the Senators, Canadiens. who are in last place in the North Division with a 15-26-4 record. It was the second straight win for the Senators over the Canadiens after beating “He’s going to be around the team,” Ducharme said about bringing them 6-3 on April 3 at the Bell Centre. Caufield on the trip. “We’ll practise maybe once or maybe twice and a couple of morning skates. He’s going to be around the guys, he’s going When asked about giving up the first goal again on Saturday, Chiarot to be with the guys on the ice when possible. We want to give him that said: “I wouldn’t say there’s any strategy (issue). It’s more so just being experience to be around the guys.” ready off the drop of the puck. Starting the game on time, sort of as the cliché goes. That’s the biggest thing is just being ready right from the When asked if he’s feeling a sense of frustration about the current roster start and matching the intensity that the other team’s going to bring.” situation, Ducharme said: “We’re all in this together and we’ll get out of it together.” Not enough chances Some stats Chiarot played his second straight game after missing 15 games with a fractured hand he suffered during a fight with the Vancouver Canucks’ The Canadiens outshot the Senators 23-15 and outhit them 36-17. The J.T. Miller on March 10. Senators won 54 per cent of the faceoffs and had 18 giveaways, while the Canadiens had 10. The Canadiens led 36-17 in hits. “I think we need to create more chances around the net,” Chiarot said. “It doesn’t seem like we get very many dangerous chances. Before I came The Senators went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Canadiens went back in the lineup, being upstairs, you get to watch kind of from a 0-for-4. The Canadiens’ power play is 1-for-19 in the last eight games. different angle and that’s something I noticed is we need to generate Jeff Petry led the Canadiens in ice time with 22:26, followed by Shea some more offence and more high-dangerous chances and get the puck Weber with 21:41 and Chiarot with 21:01. Nick Suzuki led the forwards with 18:29, followed by Tyler Toffoli with 17:22 and Josh Anderson with 16:55.

Chiarot had a team-leading five shots and Petry had three. No Canadiens forward had more than two shots.

Jonathan Drouin had no shots on goal in 14:59 of ice time and has now gone 24 games without a goal and has only two all season. He does lead the Canadiens with 21 assists.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209433 Montreal Canadiens 1. “So, if it ends this way, 1st star Allen, 2nd star poteau a gauche, 3rd star poteau a droite!” — Haari Meech

About Last Night: Habs earn crucial two-points in scrappy win over Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.18.2021 Flames

Erik Leijon • Special to Montreal Gazette

Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021

Canadiens' Tyler Toffoli beats Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom and defenceman Mark Giordano to score the winning goal Friday night at the Bell Centre.

Article content

At this pivotal juncture of the regular season, there are no small victories. That being said, It would be hard to understate the importance Friday night’s 2-1 win by the Montreal Canadiens over the Calgary Flames. For the standings and their sanity, the Habs simply could not let this 6 à 8 at the Bell Centre slip between their fingers. The regulation win reestablished their six point lead for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division, while retaining three games in hand.

The Canadiens have had a miserable time solving Flames netminder Jacob Markstrom this season. The big free agent signing entered the contest undefeated against the Habs in four games, stopping 104 of 107 shots in the process. It wasn’t much, but two goals from Tyler Toffoli, mired in his first mini-funk in bleu-blanc-rouge, was all Habs goalie Jake Allen needed. After losing in a valiant effort on Wednesday, Allen bested his counterpart Friday with a 28-save performance.

The Habs were outshot 13-6 in the first period. Captain Shea Weber, criticized for his play of late, looked comfortable reunited with defensive partner Ben Chiarot in the early going, but near the end of the period, gave the puck away to speedy winger Johnny Gaudreau, hemming the Habs in their zone for an extended sequence. Another Hab still finding his legs after being out of the lineup, Joel Armia, effectively used his size to drive the net in the first.

The second period began with the Habs in an increasingly familiar position: on an unsuccessful powerplay. They entered the game two for their last 25 with the man-advantage, and came up empty on two more chances Friday. Midway through the period, Toffoli opened scoring with his 20th of the season, and first after going goalless in six games, beating Markstrom glove side from a Nick Suzuki pass. With Suzuki in the box for high-sticking, the Flames loudly rang shots off each post in rapid succession on the ensuing powerplay, keeping the Habs lead alive. Matthew Tkachuk was allowed to skate in alone on Allen, but he too hit the post on his backhand. The score remained 1-0 after two periods.

Disaster was averted for the Flames early in the third period when Noah Hanifin slid hard into the boards and immediately left the ice with his shoulders slumped, but returned shortly after. From a Weber giveaway, Elias Lindholm tied up the score 1-1. He missed on his initial one-timer, but got an unlikely second chance from his knees on the follow-through. The inaccurate shot hit Chiarot and redirected past a confused Allen. With time winding down and an undesirable three-point overtime game on the horizon, Toffoli delivered his 21st goal of the season in the clutch, deflecting another centering pass, this time from Armia. Mark Giordano and Rasmus Andersson had point shots blocked in the final minute, preserving Allen’s seventh win of the season.

By no means a textbook victory, but despite being outshot and losing the giveaway battle, the Canadiens acquired a two-point cushion in the standings against the Flames. They still meet three more times this month, and all in Calgary. In the interim, the Habs will face the Ottawa Senators Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Bell Centre. Friday’s battle had a playoff atmosphere, and so too did the liveblog. Here are the three stars from the comments:

3. “It wasn’t pretty but we will take the two points and run, too bad Allen didn’t get the SO until next time folks if you cant play a sport be one!” — Joe Raposo

2. “Maybe recency bias but this is the biggest win since………….. I can breathe again. Nerve wracking finish.” — Mark Rheaume 1209434 Montreal Canadiens generating offence without Gallagher. This should not be the case, because if there was one thing this deeper team should have been able to withstand, it was an injury, even to a player as important as Gallagher. It would help if someone like Jonathan Drouin stepped up to fill the void, Canadiens’ trade deadline roster juggling has left them stuck with an as he admitted he’s challenged himself to do. ineffective lineup “He’s scored some timely goals for us and we’re going to have to find some guys, and I’m going to have to be one of them who scores more goals,” Drouin said after the Canadiens’ first game without Gallagher on By Arpon Basu April 7. “I’ll put that pressure on myself. I already have.” Apr 17, 2021 But Drouin has two assists in the seven games Gallagher has missed, and he’s hardly alone. Kotkaniemi also has two assists over that span, Josh Anderson has a goal and two assists, Phillip Danault has a goal and It was somewhat ironic to see Victor Mete skating around in an Ottawa an assist, Tyler Toffoli and Tomas Tatar each have two goals and an Senators jersey against the Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Saturday assist. afternoon. “I said it the other day, you don’t really replace a guy like Gally, his timely He played a little over 10 minutes, did what was asked of him, played a goals, leadership, energy,” Paul Byron said Saturday. “But it’s on generally mistake-free game and at one point found himself one-on-one everybody to just kind of find an extra gear to their game and try to with his buddy Jesperi Kotkaniemi and managed to deflect his shot out of replace it as a team. It’s not an easy thing to do, but we have a lot of play. good players here, good enough to still go in game in, game out and still find a way to get more offence than we’ve been getting lately.” But that’s not the point. Ducharme agreed with Byron’s assertion. What Mete represented to the Canadiens all season was roster flexibility, insurance in case of injury or poor performance. At a minimal cap hit, “We talked about it with the players but Gally, on top of what he does on with his considerable NHL experience at a young age and his ability to the ice, he brings an energy that’s contagious,” he said. “But it’s up to play both the left and right side on defence, Mete was an ideal seventh everyone to do their part and add a bit of Gallagher’s spice to their defenceman for the Canadiens. game.”

But then he played a stretch of games after Ben Chiarot was injured and Ducharme was also asked after the game Saturday whether there would it became clear that he was in fact not an ideal seventh defenceman, be some changes coming to the lineup as the Canadiens head off to because it was very obvious he did not have the confidence of coach Alberta for five games in eight days against the Edmonton Oilers and Dominique Ducharme. That became evident when Mete was benched for Calgary Flames. He looked exasperated that he needed to explain the the third period of a 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets four days before the situation again. trade deadline, in what turned out to be Mete’s final game in a Canadiens uniform. “This is going to be the third time I say it, I can’t make changes,” Ducharme said. “I can’t do it. It’s as simple as that, I can’t make changes. Xavier Ouellet had slightly more of his coach’s confidence, but there was So if we see a possibility, we’ll do it. But I will repeat myself, in the a depth issue on defence, and it was clear. situation we find ourselves in, we can’t make changes.”

So general manager Marc Bergevin went to work. That means another one of Bergevin’s acquisitions prior to the trade deadline, one that looked like a coup at the time but has been a total In came Jon Merrill from the Detroit Red Wings and Erik Gustafsson from non-factor to date, will remain in the lineup for the foreseeable future. the Philadelphia Flyers. The context here is that Brendan Gallagher’s Eric Staal has been given every opportunity since completing his injury that would keep him out until the start of the playoffs is what quarantine and scoring the overtime winner against the Oilers in his first allowed any of this to happen because it freed up salary -ap space, and game in a Canadiens uniform on April 5. In the seven games since, Staal that’s even more ironic. has no goals, no assists, seven shots on goal and is a minus-8. He Had Mete been able to play at a level that made the coaching staff played 10:19 on Saturday, his lowest ice time since the trade. comfortable enough to use him regularly in case of injury, then perhaps Jake Evans is sitting on the taxi squad and couldn’t be called up to the need to add Merrill and Gustafsson is not quite as urgent. And replace Staal even if Ducharme wanted to do it. Evans had become therefore, when someone like Gallagher goes down, Ducharme is left somewhat ineffective as the season wore on, and that was a big reason with some flexibility to make some changes to a lineup that has not Bergevin grabbed Staal from the Buffalo Sabres, but Evans at least reacted well at all to his absence. brought some energy and speed to the Canadiens’ lineup. Staal is After Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Senators, the Canadiens have gone 2-5- providing neither of those things, or much of anything right now. 0 and scored 11 goals in those seven games without Gallagher. Montreal Cole Caufield is also on that taxi squad and accompanied the team to has been shut out twice and scored two or fewer goals in six of those Alberta. Ducharme said the Canadiens considered it important that seven games. This was not supposed to happen this season. Many of Caufield spend some time around the team, to get to know the players the offseason additions Bergevin made were to address what happened and coaches, in much the same way Romanov did in the playoff bubble to this team last season when it lost its next eight games after Jonathan last season. But under the current circumstances, does anyone think Drouin and Paul Byron were injured in the same game. Ducharme is not looking at Caufield and thinking, why not? It’s not as if It was a total collapse, and it’s difficult not to make the same assertion in the Laval Rocket are playing right now, and he’s with the team in any Gallagher’s absence now. case, so why not give him a shot? The team needs to score some goals, and that’s the one thing Caufield knows how to do best. So what does Mete have to do with this? But Ducharme can’t do that either. For reasons that are too complicated for us to be able to properly explain, the Canadiens used up all but one of their post-deadline recalls on Even trying Michael Frolik would be justifiable right now. But nope, deadline day itself for a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs that night. Ducharme can’t do any of that. What he will have in Edmonton is a bevy One of them was Ouellet, and if Mete were still on the roster instead of of defencemen at his disposal, so if he wants to insert Merrill or being lost on waivers to the Senators earlier that day, that recall probably Gustafsson he will have that option in the coming days. But nothing can would not have been necessary. The other two recalls that day were Paul happen with the forwards because the Canadiens absolutely want to Byron and Alexander Romanov, who were on the taxi squad presumably keep that last recall available to them. to maximize cap space to accommodate the additions of Merrill and Hanging on to that final recall after so many were seemingly wasted after Gustafsson, additions that were also deemed necessary because the the trade deadline makes it so the lineup, at least at forward, is Canadiens determined that Mete would not be sufficient as a depth essentially locked in right now. Except that would also be the case if they defenceman. used that last recall, so why not just use it? It would be a tough call So now the Canadiens have only one recall left, and they could use more deciding which of Evans or Caufield to use it on, but the Canadiens need than that because the current lineup has not proven itself capable of to do something. They have only 14 games left in any case, and though their participation in the playoffs still isn’t in much jeopardy, if they don’t turn this around before heading to Calgary for three games in four days starting Friday, then that might not be true anymore. Hanging on to a recall just in case would appear to be too prudent because they need that recall right now.

This situation makes you wonder if everything the Canadiens did at the deadline was really necessary. Adding a depth defenceman definitely was, but was adding two? Would Merrill and Mete have been good enough? Having just one additional recall right now seems pretty important.

When Ducharme was asked about his frustration in being unable to make any changes to his lineup, he provided perhaps his most diplomatic answer since taking over as Canadiens coach.

“We’re all in this together,” he said, “and we’ll get out of it together.”

That was all he said. It basically sounded like every team has individual parts that make mistakes, but a team is a team, and the players pick each other up.

Again, this was not supposed to happen to this team this season. Bringing in Toffoli and Anderson and Corey Perry and even Frolik, all of it was done in the hopes that the Canadiens’ depth would allow them to absorb any kind of adversity thrown their way, whether that was slumps or injuries.

Bergevin aggressively sought to solve a problem that needed a solution.

But it has become clear the problem was not entirely solved, and now it is worth wondering whether Bergevin’s handling of the trade deadline hasn’t handcuffed Ducharme’s ability to find another solution.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209435 Nashville Predators

Hurricanes' strong third period gets Carolina past Nashville Predators 3-1

Bob Sutton

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Jani Hakanpaa scored his first goal with Carolina to break a tie in the third period and the Hurricanes beat the Nashville Predators 3-1 Saturday night.

Hakanpaa, a defenseman acquired Monday at the trade deadline from the Anaheim Ducks, was in his second game with Carolina. He blasted in a shot with 11:05 left after receiving the puck when Vincent Trocheck won a face-off.

Hakanpaa didn’t have a goal in any of his 42 games with Anaheim this season. This tally marked just his second goal in 49 career games in the NHL.

Jaccob Slavin scored in the first period and Andrei Svechnikov had an empty-net goal for the Hurricanes, who completed a season-high homestand at 5-2-1.

Roman Josi scored for Nashville, which has lost back-to-back games for the first time in more than a month. Juuse Saros had 45 saves.

Hurricanes goalie Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 27 shots. He played for the first time since an April 8 shutout of the Florida Panthers.

Carolina’s first goal came on its 24th shot on net in the first period. Morgan Geekie delivered a pass to Slavin, who was between the circles.

Josi tied it with an unassisted goal following Nashville’s successful penalty kill.

Defensemen scored the game’s first three goals.

YOUR TURN

Center Matt Duchene returned to action for the Predators after 22 games missed with a lower-body injury. Duchene hadn’t played since March 4.

Defenseman Erik Gudbranson made his Predators debut. He was acquired in Monday’s trade with the Ottawa Senators.

GETTING THEIR SHOTS

The Hurricanes registered 24 first-period shots, marking their most in any period since Nov. 21, 2018. Slavin had five of the shots, equaling the most for any Carolina player in a period this season.

In two games this season, Carolina failed to produce 24 shots in a full game. In two others, they finished with 24 shots.

Nashville ended up with 20 shots in Thursday night’s meeting with the Hurricanes.

Tennessean LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209436 New Jersey Devils

Devils’ rally falls short as early mistakes help Rangers take another win

Updated Apr 17, 2021; Posted Apr 17, 2021

By Chris Ryan

The Devils finally remembered how to score against the Rangers. However, that epiphany proved to be too little, too late.

The Rangers began the game with the first four goals in the opening 20:32, and despite a ferocious rally from the Devils in the second half of the game, the Rangers held on for their third straight victory in a 6-3 decision on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The Devils managed to end the shutout streak for Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin at 152:37 after he posted back-to-back clean sheets on Tuesday and Thursday. Michael McLeod finally got the Devils on the board to make it 4-1.

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Jack Hughes then helped make things interesting in the third period when he set up two 4-on-4 goals 64 seconds apart to make it a one-goal game. First P.K. Subban rocketed a shot from below the right point to make it 4-2 at 5:34.

Yegor Sharangovich then connected on a shot from the slot off a Hughes drop pass to make it 4-3 at 6:38.

But the Devils couldn’t find the tying goal before Pavel Buchnevich finished off a hat trick with an empty netter with 1:21 left in regulation. Chris Kreider added another empty netter to round out the scoring.

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The Devils’ rally was only necessary after the Rangers posted three first- period goals for the second straight game. Buchnevich opened the scoring at 7:26 of the first period off a 2-on-1 rush following a McLeod turnover in the neutral zone.

The Rangers didn’t apply constant pressure like they did on Thursday, but another killer mistake cost the Devils two goals.

While already on the penalty kill, the Devils were called for too many men on the ice, giving the Rangers more than one minute of 5-on-3 power- play time.

Ryan Strome converted from a tight angle on the 5-on-3 to make it 2-0, and Buchnevich then scored at 5-on-4 for a 3-0 advantage.

Artemi Panarin, who posted his second straight three-point game, scored 32 seconds into the second period on a shot to sailed over Aaron Dell’s glove.

Star Ledger LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209437 New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers FREE LIVE STREAM (4/17/21): Watch NHL online | Time, TV, channel

Updated Apr 17, 2021; Posted Apr 17, 2021

By Brian Fonseca

The New Jersey Devils face the New York Rangers in an NHL regular season games at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, on Saturday, April 17, 2020 (4/17/21).

Local fans can watch the match for free via a trial of fuboTV, while out-of- market fans can watch the game with a subscription to ESPN+.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: NHL regular season

Who: Devils vs. Rangers

When: Saturday, April 17, 2021

Time: 12:30 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden

TV: MSG (local markets only)

Channel finder: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Hulu, fuboTV,

BOTTOM LINE

New Jersey looks to break its four-game losing streak when the Devils take on New York.

The Rangers are 21-16-6 against division opponents. New York is ninth in the NHL averaging 5.5 assists per game, led by Tarmo Reunanen with 1.0.

The Devils are 14-22-6 in division games. New Jersey has scored 16 power-play goals, converting on 13.3% of chances.

The teams meet for the second straight game.

TOP PERFORMERS

Adam Fox leads the Rangers with 35 assists and has 40 points this season. Artemi Panarin has 10 assists over the last 10 games for New York.

Jesper Bratt leads the Devils with 25 points, scoring five goals and adding 20 assists. Pavel Zacha has three goals and three assists over the last 10 games for New Jersey.

LAST 10 GAMES

Rangers: 6-2-2, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.3 assists, 3.2 penalties and 7.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game with a .920 save percentage.

Devils: 2-6-2, averaging 2.5 goals, 3.9 assists, 2.5 penalties and 5.8 penalty minutes while allowing 3.3 goals per game with an .887 save percentage.

Star Ledger LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209438 New Jersey Devils

How Devils’ Will Butcher handled adverse season with few chances to play | ‘It’s definitely mentally fatiguing’

Updated Apr 17, 2021; Posted Apr 17, 2021

By Chris Ryan

When the Devils emerged from their COVID-19 pause in February, Will Butcher appeared to finally get his chance.

He played in eight games over three weeks, finally cracking the lineup after serving as a healthy scratch for the first nine games in January.

After playing on March 6, he returned to life as a healthy scratch, and Butcher waited for his next opportunity to play. Then he waited, then waited some more.

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Butcher didn’t appear in a game again until after Monday’s NHL trade deadline, when both Dmitry Kulikov and Sami Vatanen moved to new teams.

After being a lineup regular for the first three seasons of his NHL career, where Butcher was a healthy scratch just one time in that stretch, he’s had to adapt to a new role.

“It’s definitely mentally fatiguing. You’re looking to play, maybe get in a back-to-back or whatever the case might be, and it doesn’t happen for a little while,” Butcher said. “So it’s definitely mentally fatiguing, but the same time I just kept trying to stay ready, put my work in practice, when I got my opportunity to try to make the most of it.”

With the departure of Kulikov and Vatanen, Butcher now appears to be in position to play each of the Devils’ games down the stretch. He’s played in each of the Devils’ past three games.

Back in training camp, the competition appeared to be between Butcher and rookie Ty Smith for a lineup spot. Smith’s strong play at the end of the preseason gave him the early chance in the lineup, and he never let it go.

So Butcher’s routine has been working in the team’s limited practice to show he’s ready for a chance at regular playing time again

“When we got practice opportunities, treating my pregame skates like a full-on practice for myself,” Butcher said. “And then putting in extra work with our skills coach and just trying to show that you know I had the legs, I had the energy and I guess the drive to get back in that lineup.”

Butcher is in the second year of a three-year contract he signed in 2019, and he’s slated for unrestricted free agency following the 2021-22 season. At this point, he’s just trying to show what he can bring the Devils on a regular basis.

“It hasn’t gone my way in the sense of getting in the lineup in the beginning of the season and getting a chance here,” Butcher said. “You’re just going to have to go out and prove what I can do, what I can do in NHL and what I can do for a team. That’s what I’m looking for when I’m playing these games and trying to just contribute in any way possible.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209439 New Jersey Devils

‘We weren’t ready to play’: Why the Devils fell flat in another shutout loss to Rangers

Updated Apr 16, 8:24 AM; Posted Apr 16, 8:00 AM

By Chris Ryan

Before the Devils lost to the Rangers on Tuesday at Prudential Center in Newark, they at least kept things interesting. It was a one-goal game midway through the third period, and one bounce could have flipped the result, despite the Rangers ultimately taking a 3-0 victory to open a four- game series between the teams.

The Devils needed a heck of a lot more than one bounce to change Thursday’s result.

The Rangers scored in the opening minute and two more times in the first period, and the Devils never got close to providing any sort of tangible response in a 4-0 loss at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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“First of all, we weren’t ready to play,” Devils center Nico Hischier said. “Two-nothing early in the game. It’s never easy after that, so some turnovers, some lack of details cost us some goals.”

As disappointing as the Devils’ season has been from a win-loss perspective, the team hasn’t had too many nights like Thursday. Even in games where they’ve fallen behind, they’ve typically provided some sort of response to make things competitive.

“We gave up chances we don’t normally give up. We didn’t have near the energy we had the other night,” Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. “Where that energy was, where that lack of effort was, it’s a game that was pretty disappointing for us.”

Ruff said he didn’t have an explanation for why the team looked so fatigued at times during Thursday’s loss. The Devils are still playing four games per week in their condensed schedule, but they also had a full day off on Wednesday between games.

The Devils have now been shutout in back-to-back games after going scoreless in just one game this season prior to this week. On top of struggling to slow down the Rangers’ offense on Thursday, they couldn’t find a way to break out of their scoring rut.

“I think sometimes we’re trying to overcomplicate it a little bit,” defenseman Ty Smith said. “Just simplify, get pucks to the net, people to the net and gotta get in front of this goalie’s eyes. He’s playing really well right now.”

Because this is far from a normal season, the Devils will have to provide a response against the same team when they play the Rangers two more times this weekend to close out the season series. The Devils’ captain pointed to everyone in the locker room in the need to flip the script.

“Every individual has to find a spark inside of him to come back and play in a rivalry game,” Hischier said. “Do the extra step, the extra stride, battle, whatever it takes to win the game, and just saying it is not enough. We have to dig in and do it out there.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209440 New Jersey Devils

Pair of ex-Devils star in Bruins’ win over Islanders

Updated Apr 16, 6:44 AM; Posted Apr 16, 6:35 AM

By Mike Rosenstein

Two former New Jersey Devils stars filled the stat sheet Thursday in the Boston Bruins’ 4-1 win over the New York Islanders.

Front and center was former NHL MVP Taylor Hall, who scored his first goal for the Black and Gold, and just his third this season.

“I thought all night, a lot of our guys had jump and juice,” said Hall, per the Boston Globe. “We were on top of them. We were on top of pucks. As a line we created chances ... overall it’s been a fun line to play on. I can feel myself getting more comfortable as the games go on. Little plays between your linemates — (David) Krejci and (Craig) Smith want to make plays and for me, it’s getting used to getting to spots where they can get me the puck, and vice versa. I think it will only improve if we work on it.”

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The Bruins acquired Hall from the Buffalo Sabres before Monday’s NHL trade deadline.

Also sent packing before the deadline was former Devils forward Travis Zajac. He and Kyle Palmieri were traded to the Islanders last week. On Thursday, Zajac scored his first goal for New York, lighting the lamp in the second period to make it a one-goal game before Hall pushed the Bruins’ lead to 3-1 early in the third period.

Star Ledger LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209441 New Jersey Devils The Rangers have played well as of late, but have not gained ground in the East Division standings as the Boston Bruins continue to win as well. Holding on for a victory was big for the Rangers, who needed both points to get closer to fourth-place Boston, who were idle on Saturday. 5 takeaways as Rangers fend off late NJ Devils rally to stay in the playoff race The Rangers are now four points behind Boston for the last playoff spot, but also gain some cushion in trying to fend off the Philadelphia Flyers in the race. A loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday means that the sixth-place Flyers are now four points behind the Rangers. The Rangers ROBERT AITKEN JR. | NorthJersey.com have a pair of games against the Flyers next week.

The week of rivalry games continues to be owned by the Rangers. A 6-3 Bergen Record LOADED: 04.18.2021 victory by the Blueshirts over the rival Devils on Saturday clinched the season series between the two teams.

Early on, it felt like the Rangers would cruise to another victory with the afternoon's first four goals. Pavel Buchnevich had two goals in the first 12 minutes of play and the Rangers had a four-goal lead within the first minute of the second period. Yet, the Devils chipped away with a goal in the second period and two rapid fire goals in the third to make the final 13 and a half minutes of regulation quite interesting.

Ultimately, the Devils couldn't do enough to keep the Rangers from the win column. An empty net goal by Buchnevich put the game to bed and gave Buchnevich his first career hat trick on his 26th birthday.

1. Panarin remains red hot

Artemi Panarin has been an offensive force for the Rangers as the team climbs back into the playoff race. Panarin had a three point game Saturday for his seventh multi-point game over the last 10 games.

Panarin assisted on the first two Rangers goals as Buchnevich and Ryan Strome put the Rangers up by multiple goals halfway through the first period. Panarin also led off the second period with a streak to the net just 32 seconds into the period. Panarin's 16th goal of the season gave the Rangers a commanding 4-0 lead.

2. Unforced errors doom Devils

Despite energy in the first few minutes of the game, the Devils were unable to gain an early advantage. Instead, it was mistakes that followed that gave the Devils a hole that proved too deep to climb out of.

A turnover before the red line gave the Rangers a chance on the other end and led to the first Buchnevich goal. Right after allowing a goal, another turnover would have led to a Brett Howden breakaway, forcing Damon Severson to hold him and give away a power play. During the power play, a too many men on the ice penalty was assessed for a 5-on- 3 disadvantage. Strome scored shortly after, followed by the second Buchnevich goal, both on power plays.

DEVILS: How the Devils plan to move forward without Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri

3. Devils avoid historic low

The Devils were unable to score a goal against the Rangers earlier this week and were shutout for the first time since 2017 in the process. On Saturday, it felt like the Devils were unable to find the back of the net once again. Michael McLeod's second period goal put the Devils on the scoreboard for the first time since the third period of last Sunday's to Pittsburgh.

As low as things have felt for the Devils, the team had never been shutout for three straight games in franchise history. It was set to be a narrow avoidance of that historic mark until the third period, when the Devils showed some fight.

4. Subban, Sharangovich make it interesting

Igor Shesterkin went from potentially having a historic third straight shutout to fighting to hold on to a lead. In the third period, a sequence of 4-on-4 hockey saw the Devils score twice in 64 seconds to bring the score to 4-3.

P.K. Subban's strike gave the Devils the second goal of the game as the defenseman had his fifth goal of the year. A minute and four seconds later, the Devils got back within one goal as Yegor Sharangovich scored the 10th goal of his rookie season. Jack Hughes had assists on both goals.

5. Continuing to climb 1209442 New Jersey Devils Even with his team being shut out in the past two games, Hughes remains the most productive Devil against the Rangers this year with four points (three goals, one assist) in six games.

5 takeaways as Rangers dominate Devils again to stay in the playoff 5. Familiarity still breeding contempt chase Fans watch warm-ups prior to the game between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on April 15, 2021 in New York. Greg Tartaglia | NorthJersey.com The Rangers are in the midst of playing their most consecutive regular- season games against the same opponent in their near century-long history. The road-team win streak in the 2021 Devils-Rangers season series ended emphatically Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. Naturally, the Devils were that opponent, rekindling a rivalry that has featured six playoffs series – five of which have lasted at least five The Rangers needed just 47 seconds to get on the board and rode the games. wave of a three-goal first period to a 4-0 victory over New Jersey. The Blueshirts won the first three head-to-head games at Prudential Here are five takeaways from the second of four games in the weeklong Center this season by a combined 15-4. New Jersey had won the first cross-river rivalry: two in Manhattan by a total of 9-5 before Thursday's rout. 1. Panarin bred for hockey There was much less "extracurricular activity" than in the Rangers’ 3-0 With a three-point night, Blueshirts left winger Artemi Panarin raised his win Tuesday in Newark, which featured two fights in the first two periods. team-leading point total to 46 in just 32 games. But of course, the Devils had to challenge Vitali Kravtsov's third-period score for being offsides, which erased his first NHL goal. The 29-year-old Russian assisted on Ryan Lindgren's goal 6:39 into the game, which made it 2-0, then scored a pair of his own in the first and And, with two more games this weekend, there’s nothing that says the second periods. long-standing enmity between clubs has to (or will) subside.

Thursday marked his seventh three-point game at home this season. “It’s always high energy against a rivalry team,” said Michael McLeod, That made him the first Ranger since Jaromir Jagr in 2006-07 to who went at it with the Rangers’ Brendan Smith on Tuesday. “[Damon accomplish that feat. Severson] had a great fight, it kind of sparked a mood, and I kind of got a little fired up and maybe was looking for it a little bit.” In 101 career games with New York, Panarin has 141 points. So far, that's an excellent return on investment for the seven-year, $81.5-million contract the club gave him in 2019. Bergen Record LOADED: 04.18.2021 2. Devils listless without top scorers

Entering Thursday, Jesper Bratt and Pavel Zacha led New Jersey in scoring with 25 points apiece. Neither played due to injury.

Before the game, Miles Wood assured that “the approach is the exact same if they were playing or not. “We have a system in place, and just because we have a few guys out, that doesn’t mean we have to change it."

Yet the Devils seemed badly in need of a spark and were unable to get it, managing just three shots on goal in the first period and 16 for the game. They had the first two power plays of the game and generated few chances on both.

"You look at those [last] two games, they're both frustrating," captain Nico Hischier said afterward. "Everybody, individually, has to find a spark inside of him to come back and play in a rivalry game."

3. The Amazing Shesterkin

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31), shown making a save in Tuesday's game in New Jersey, followed up that win with his second straight shutout of the Devils Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin extended his scoreless streak against the Devils to 166 minutes, 56 seconds. He followed up Tuesday's 27-save shutout – the first of his career – by needing to make just 16 saves in his second.

The last Devil to score on him was Jack Hughes, 7:12 into the teams' March 4 game. Shesterkin then kept them off the board for 46:56 before Alexandar Georgiev came on to play the final 5:52 that night.

New Jersey rang three shots off ironwork on Thursday, but that was as close as they came to breaking through.

4. A rare Jack Hughes penalty

Hughes has caused fans on social media to point out that his name sounds remarkably similar to the French phrase, "j'accuse".

Late in the second period, accused of tripping Mika Zibanejad, New Jersey's 19-year-old center was sent to the penalty box for the first time all season. 1209443 New Jersey Devils

Pavel Buchnevich nets first hat trick as Rangers beat Devils for 3rd time in 5 days

Staff Report

ASSOCIATED PRESS

APR 17, 2021 AT 3:46 PM

Pavel Buchnevich celebrated his birthday with his first career hat trick and the New York Rangers beat the New Jersey Devils 6-3 on Saturday for their third win over their Hudson River rivals in five days.

Artemi Panarin had a goal and three assists and Ryan Strome had a goal and an assist in a three-goal first-period outburst as the Rangers improved to 12-4-3 in their last 19 games.

The question after the quick start was whether rookie Igor Shesterkin would get his third consecutive shutout. The Russian’s shutout streak was stopped at 152 minutes, 37 seconds when Michael McLeod scored on a second-period rebound.

Pavel Buchnevich celebrates his second goal with the Rangers bench during Saturday afternoon's romp over the Devils.

New Jersey then got within 4-3 when P.K. Subban and Yegor Sharangovich scored in a 64-second span in the third period with the teams playing 4-on-4 to cut the lead to a goal. However, Buchnevich and Chris Kreider added late empty-net goals to seal the win.

The victory extended the Rangers’ point streak to a season-high five games (4-0-1) and pulled them within four points of idle Boston in the race for the last playoff berth in the East. The Rangers have 12 games left in the regular season, two fewer than the Bruins.

Shesterkin finished with 30 saves. Aaron Dell had 24 saves for the Devils, who have lost five straight and are 1-7-2 in their last 10.

Buchnevich, 26, ignited and capped the three-goal opening period. He finished off an odd-man rush with Mika Zibanejad, who had three assists, with a shot into an open net at 7:26. The next two goals came on the power play after Damon Severson was called for holding and New Jersey was called for too many men on the penalty kill. Strome scored from a bad angle on the 5-on-3 segment, and Buchnevich got his second, roofing a shot from between the circles.

Panarin, who now has 301 career assists, made it 4-0 early in the second period on a shot off Dell’s glove.

Then the Devils’ comeback came up just short.

The teams will end the four-game series in New Jersey on Sunday and meet for the final time in the regular season. New York has won the last five and leads the series 5-2.

New York Daily News LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209444 New Jersey Devils Panarin’s eighth three-point performance at home this season, a feat that only Jaromir Jagr and Mark Messier have accomplished since 1990-91.

“We certainly had our hands full today, we’re going to have our hands full Rangers’ playoff chase continues with third straight win over Devils again [Sunday],” Quinn said. “But it’s really good to see that we’ve put ourselves in this position to be playing meaningful hockey.”

The Rangers look to complete the sweep and keep their postseason By Mollie Walker hopes alive on Sunday at Prudential Center.

April 17, 2021 | 3:41pm | Updated

New York Post LOADED: 04.18.2021 There aren’t many scenarios in which the Rangers would be able to make the playoffs without collecting as many points as possible on their current four-game stretch against the struggling Devils.

That fact wasn’t lost on the Blueshirts, who picked up their third straight win over the Devils, 6-3 on Saturday afternoon at the Garden, despite a valiant comeback effort from New Jersey. The victory brought the Rangers within four points of the fourth playoff spot in the East Division — currently occupied by the Bruins, who have two games in hand with a game against the first-place Capitals on Sunday afternoon.

The Rangers have said they understand there is no room for error during the final 13 games of the season. That ignited a persistent, shoot-first mentality, a hungry power play and a short-fused roster over the past three games, in which the Rangers have outscored the Devils, 13-3.

But that began to dissipate after the Rangers built a 4-0 lead through the beginning of the second period Saturday. The Devils, who are second-to- last in the East, showed what a team that has nothing to lose is capable of with three unanswered goals — including two within the first 6:38 of the third period.

Artemi Panarin celebrates his first period goal against the Devil.

Rangers head coach David Quinn promptly called a timeout to let his team reset while he pointed out what he had seen happening on the ice.

“Just the fact that [the Devils] were just winning too many one-on-one battles,” Quinn said of his message in the huddle. “That’s really all four- on-four is, and it really was a reflection of where we were mentally. It was leading up, the four-on-four really exposed where we were mentally. Once we get up four-nothing, I really thought that we disrespected the game and our opponent.

“We’ve talked about this, New Jersey, Buffalo, the teams that are out of it, they’re going to play their asses off, and if we think it’s going to be easy, we’re sadly mistaken. I wasn’t surprised with the pushback we got from them.”

Igor Shesterkin looked to be on his way to a third-straight shutout after an easy first period, but Devils center Michael McLeod ended the rookie netminder’s no-goal streak at 152:37 in the middle frame. Shesterkin, who made 30 saves, had also gone 199:33 without surrendering a goal to the Devils this season — setting a franchise record for the longest shutout streak against one opponent.

The Devils pulled goalie Aaron Dell for one last push in the final minutes, but birthday boy Pavel Buchnevich completed the first hat trick of his career, and Chris Kreider scored his first goal since March 28 on an empty goal to cap the game.

“We stopped playing a little bit and just made it way too easy for them,” Mika Zibanejad said. “They’re good enough to take advantage of their chances and that obviously wasn’t good, but I liked how we stuck it out and got the win.”

The Rangers poured on a three-goal first period for the second straight game against the Devils. Two of the goals came on the power play, including a five-on-three opportunity. Through the first 20 minutes, the Rangers went 2-for-3 with the man-advantage on goals by Ryan Strome and Buchnevich, consistently putting the puck on net and suffocating the Devils.

Before the domination on the power play, Artemi Panarin forced a turnover in the neutral zone on his way to the bench, sending Zibanejad and Buchnevich on a 2-on-1 rush. Zibanejad faked the shot before dishing to Buchnevich for the 1-0 score at 7:26.

Panarin extended the Rangers’ lead 32 seconds into the second period with a wrist shot on the rush to make it a 4-0 game. The goal completed 1209445 New York Islanders [More Sports] Taylor Hall scores, Tuukka Rask returns in Bruins 4-1 win over Islanders »

“I get to watch one of the best goalies in the world and that’s Tuukka Taylor Hall scores again, Jeremy Swayman solid as Bruins blank Rask,” Swayman said. It’s really fun to watch him and I’ve learned so Islanders much from him in the short time I’ve been around him.”

Staff Report New York Daily News LOADED: 04.18.2021

ASSOCIATED PRESS

APR 17, 2021 AT 12:00 AM

BOSTON — Taylor Hall scored his second goal in two nights, Jeremy Swayman stopped 25 shots in his first career shutout and the Boston Bruins beat the Islanders 3-0 on Friday, their second win over the Isles in two nights.

David Pastrnak added his 17th goal of the season and Curtis Lazar had a late empty-netter as Boston won its third straight overall and put more distance between itself and the idle Rangers for the East Division’s final playoff spot.

Ilya Sorokin had 21 saves for the Islanders, who have lost three of four.

All three of Boston’s trade deadline pickups — Hall, Lazar and Mike Reilly — contributed. Coach Bruce Cassidy said their collective production over the past three games is proof that general manager Don Sweeney “obviously identified areas of need.”

“Three really good fits for our hockey club,” Cassidy said. “A real nice deadline day for the Bruins and credit to Donnie and his guys.”

Hall has brought a spark to Boston’s lineup since the 2017-18 Hart Trophy winner came over from Buffalo at the deadline.

“I think he’s an elite player,” Pastrnak said. “Really good. It’s great to have him and he’s proving it the last few games.”

Coming off a 4-1 win on Thursday night, the Bruins were again solid defensively, turning back all five of the Islanders’ power play chances.

Boston took a 2-0 lead 47 seconds into the second period when Hall tipped in his fourth goal of the season off a feed from David Krejci.

Islanders’ Michael Dal Colle, who returned to action following a nine- game absence for a lower-body injury, said Friday’s setback wasn’t for a lack of chances.

“I thought we played hard today. We had some good looks,” Dal Colle said.

Boston scored the game’s first goal with just 2.4 seconds remaining in the first.

Reilly took a pass from Patrice Bergeron and slipped it between Kyle Palmieri and Scott Mayfield to Pastrnak as he waited at the top of the slot. Pastrnak controlled it and placed his snap shot just under the crossbar.

The teams meet one final time this season on May 10 in Boston.

“This is the group that is going to be here until the end of the season, so you’re trying to build something special,” Pastrnak said.

EARLY CHALLENGES

Swayman had three great stops in the opening period.

Islanders center Brock Nelson got the puck at center ice and tapped it back to a cutting Michael Dal Colle, who got free for a point-blank shot in the slot. But Swayman handled the wrist shot, blocking it with his shoulder.

Later, when Nelson led a 2-on-1 break and got it ahead to Anthony Beauvillier, his shot also was smothered by Swayman, who slid in to deflect it off his shin guard.

Swayman denied Beauvillier again late in the period when he spun around and caught him trying poke in a loose puck in front of the net.

The goalie credited a teammate for some of his success. 1209446 New York Islanders Defenseman Braydon Coburn, acquired from the Senators this past Sunday, said he felt familiar with his new teammates in general, having played last season for the Lightning, who eliminated the Islanders in the Eastern Conference final en route to their Stanley Cup win. And Coburn Islanders' Lou Lamoriello has some decisions to make ahead of this spent almost nine seasons in the same division with the Flyers. summer's expansion draft Braydon Coburn of the Senators skates against the Braydon Coburn of the Senators skates against the

By Andrew Gross But Coburn, from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, specifically mentioned Jordan Eberle, from Regina, Saskatchewan, and defenseman Thomas @AGrossNewsday Hickey, from Calgary. They were all part of a summer workout group. Updated April 17, 2021 6:39 PM "A guy who’s been there and gone all the way, it just adds more depth to our team," Eberle said. "Even training back in Calgary in the summers. He was always there for summer skates and in the gym. He’s one of the The trade deadline having passed on Monday, it’s now time to look harder workers I know. He’s very, very strong. Just a very good veteran ahead to the next potential seismic roster shift. That would be this guy to add." summer’s expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken. Three in a row The Islanders, after being forced to trade defenseman Devon Toews last offseason, again face a salary-cap crunch under the flat $81.5 million The Islanders had a bit of a statistical anomaly for this point of the ceiling. They have top-pair defenseman Adam Pelech, goalie Ilya season when three players scored their first regular-season goals for the Sorokin, Anthony Beauvillier and Michael Dal Colle as impending team in three straight games. Typically, that’s something more likely to restricted free agents and Casey Cizikas, Kyle Palmieri, Travis Zajac and occur toward the start of the season. defensemen Andy Greene and Braydon Coburn as impending Even more statistically strange, all three were ex-Devils, including unrestricted free agents. Smithtown’s Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac, who were acquired on April So, president and general manager Lou Lamoriello may be forced to 7. dangle some top-six forwards or potentially goalie Semyon Varlamov in Former Devils captain Andy Greene — who had scored two goals in last the July 21 expansion draft to shed salary. He targeted trade rentals in season’s playoffs — started the streak in a 4-1 loss to the Rangers at pre-deadline deals for Palmieri and Zajac from the Devils and Coburn Nassau Coliseum on April 9. Palmieri opened the scoring in a 3-2 from the Senators, though Lamoriello did not rule out re-signing any or all overtime win over the Rangers at the Coliseum two days later with a of them. power-play goal. And Zajac scored the lone goal in Thursday’s 4-1 loss in "We have a unique year other than the flat cap and the type of year Boston. we’ve gone through," Lamoriello said. "We’ve got expansion. So, Per team statistician Eric Hornick, the Islanders had a similar five-game expansion will determine some of the decisions you also make." streak in October, 1972, the first month of their first season in the NHL. The Kraken will select one player from 30 teams — Vegas, an expansion team in 2017, is exempt — for a total of 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.18.2021 Teams can protect either seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie or eight skaters and one goalie. Two forwards and one defenseman must be left unprotected.

Players with no-movement clauses are exempt from the draft. So are all first- and second-year pros or those who did not play 27 games this season or 54 games combined between this season and last season.

Here are the Islanders Lamoriello currently must consider protecting, along with their cap hit:

Forwards – Anders Lee ($7 million), ($7 million), Brock Nelson ($6 million), Jordan Eberle ($5.5 million), Jean-Gabriel Pageau ($5 million), ($5 million), ($3.5 million), Leo Komarov ($3 million), Matt Martin ($1.5 million).

Defensemen – Nick Leddy ($5.5 million), Ryan Pulock ($5 million), Scott Mayfield ($1.4 million).

Goalies – Semyon Varlamov ($5 million), Ken Appleby ($725,000).

Lamoriello is not likely to expose Lee, his injured captain, nor deplete his center depth by exposing Barzal, Nelson or Pageau.

But either Eberle or Bailey, the longest-tenured Islander, could be among the players left exposed based on their cap hits. The same goes for Leddy.

Leaving Varlamov exposed would be risky given how he’s played in his two seasons with the Islanders. But Sorokin has shown he’s ready to handle a bigger workload and will certainly seek a significant raise from his one-year, $2 million deal.

Still, Lamoriello seemingly indicated he will protect Varlamov by recently re-signing Appleby, a 26-year-old minor-league goalie with three games of NHL experience, to a two-way deal and thereby making him draft eligible.

Small world

It’s a standard question to ask a newly-acquired player: Who do you know on the team? 1209447 New York Islanders Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.18.2021

Like last season, Islanders struggle to win after trade deadline

By Andrew Gross [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

Updated April 17, 2021 6:21 PM

It’s starting to seem a lot like last season for the Islanders.

No, not the part where they advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1993. The post-trade deadline part where they struggled for wins.

The Islanders have lost three of five since acquiring Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac from the Devils on April 7. That includes getting swept in a two-game series in Boston, 4-1, on Thursday night and 3-0 on Friday night.

They conclude this three-game road trip against the Flyers on Sunday night.

"We’re not playing quite our game right now," Matt Martin said. "You’re not going to dominate other teams when they’re playing their best for a full 60 [minutes]. I think we feel better about our game [on Friday] than [Thursday]. We didn’t get the result and we’ve got to find a way to win on Sunday."

There are several ways the Islanders can improve.

A 60-minute effort would certainly help.

But goals have been scarce as they’ve scored one or fewer in three of their last four games and two or fewer in six of their last seven.

The power play went a combined 0-for-8 against the Bruins, who do have the NHL’s top-ranked penalty kill. The Islanders are 1-for-17 on the man advantage over their last six games.

And while coach Barry Trotz was far less displeased with Friday’s performance than Thursday’s dud, he did note defensive mistakes on each of the first two Bruins’ goals. Defenseman Scott Mayfield chased Mike Reilly under the goal line, leaving David Pastrnak open to make it 1- 0 with 2.4 seconds left in the first period. Then, Taylor Hall beat Mayfield to the crease to make it 2-0 just 47 seconds into the second period.

"There are a few areas we can still clean up," Martin said. "And then keep building toward our best game. We’re going to need it down the stretch. We’re playing a lot of teams that are either fighting to get into the playoffs or jockeying for position. We’ve got to bring our best game on Sunday. It’s another good opponent."

The losses in Boston dropped the Islanders to 9-11-2 on the road, a stark contrast to their 18-2-2 record at Nassau Coliseum.

"We’ve just got to get better on the road," Trotz said. "We haven’t been as good as on the road as we have been at home, for sure."

Including Sunday, the Islanders have six home games remaining as well as six road games left.

Last season, the Islanders went 0-3-4 after acquiring Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the Senators at the trade deadline before the regular season was halted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It nearly caused the Islanders to miss the playoffs.

"Nothing is settled," said defenseman Andy Greene, also acquired last season prior to the trade deadline. "There’s a lot of games left. It’s a tight race and we’ve got to make sure we take care of our game. When we play the way we’re supposed to, usually, we get the result that we want."

The Islanders are 4-3-2 against the Flyers — eight points of the East Division’s final playoff spot after Saturday’s 6-3 loss to the visiting Capitals — heading into the finale of their season series. Five of the games have gone past regulation.

The Islanders are four points behind the first-place Capitals.

1209448 New York Islanders

Michael Dal Colle is back, but is there a place for him in Islanders' lineup?

By Andrew Gross [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

Updated April 17, 2021 6:19 PM

Barry Trotz has come to appreciate Michael Dal Colle’s blue-collar game and how the former first-rounder’s work along the boards and physical play can augment the lineup.

But the Islanders coach also has a glut of forwards with the post-trade deadline roster expansion.

So, it’s not a given Dal Colle will be in Sunday’s lineup in Philadelphia after returning in Friday’s 3-0 loss in Boston following a nine-game absence because of a lower-body injury.

"It felt good being back out there," Dal Colle said. "I felt I was playing pretty good hockey before I went down so it was great being back out there."

The Islanders were off on Saturday so there was no update on either Josh Bailey or Cal Clutterbuck. Both forwards missed Friday’s game with undisclosed issues and Trotz listed them as day-to-day.

Including those two and with Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac acquired from the Devils, the Islanders had 15 forwards on Friday’s game roster for 12 spots.

Dal Colle played on Brock Nelson’s left wing along with Palmieri while Leo Komarov took Clutterbuck’s spot on Casey Cizikas’ line with Matt Martin.

Burly Ross Johnston is also available, though he has not played since taking a punch to the chin from the Flyers’ Samuel Morin on April 3.

"It pushes you, adding two veteran players like we did," Dal Colle said. "For me it’s just trying to get better every day, controlling what I can control and working hard in practice. When I’m out there, I want to make the most of the opportunity."

Dal Colle, who has a goal and three assists in 21 games, logged a team- low 9:46 on Friday with one shot and four credited hits. Nelson sprung him to the Bruins’ crease at 3:30 of the first period but rookie goalie Jeremy Swayman made a blocker save to prevent the Islanders from taking an early lead.

"I thought he came in and did what he was doing before he got hurt," Trotz said. "He was hard on the puck. He had good legs. He was on top of people. He was winning his races and his battles. I thought he gave us really good energy. He did a lot of the legwork for that line."

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209449 New York Islanders

DAILY LINKSNYHN Daily: Another Boston Beatdown, Islanders Having Fun & Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech

Published 16 hours ago on April 17, 2021

By Christian Arnold

Things didn’t get too much better for the New York Islanders on Friday night in Boston. The Islanders dropped their second straight game 3-0 against a team whose number they’ve had most of the season. Michael Dal Colle and Leo Komarov were back in the lineup for the Isles with several players sidelined. Those stories and more in today’s daily links.

The Islanders were blanked by Boston in their second straight loss. They did maintain their spot in second in the East Division, couldn’t gain any ground on Washington or put some more space between themselves and Pittsburgh. A look at a few of the takeaways from the loss. (NYI Hockey Now)

Michael Dal Colle and Leo Komarov were back in the lineup after Josh Bailey and Cal Clutterbuck were unable to play last night. Bailey and Dal Colle were both game-time decisions. (NYI Hockey Now)

While Thursday and Friday were not any Islanders’ best games, top pair defenseman Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech have been getting the job done on the blue line. Over his three years as head coach of the Islanders, Barry Trotz’s trust in the two has only grown more and more. (Newsday)

The New York islanders’ rough couple of nights means that the power rankings might reflect that. In the latest from the Athletic, the Isles dropped from sixth to seventh… DUN DUN DUN! (The Athletic)

Who says the Islanders aren’t allowed to have fun? Oliver Wahlstrom is finding ways to still have some despites his recent slump. (The Athletic)

It feels as though someone is always getting their first of something against the Islanders. Boston Bruins rookie netminder Jeremy Swayman had his first shutout in the NHL against them. (Boston Hockey Now)

The battle for the sunshine state continues today between Tampa Bay and Florida. (Florida Hockey Now)

The Pittsburgh Penguins feel they have the lineup that will get them to the playoffs. Is that true though? (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Colorado Avalanche have their season on hold until April 20 as a third player has tested positive for COVID-19. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Exciting news for San Jose Sharks fans… They’ll be able to return to SAP Center beginning Apr. 26. (San Jose Hockey Now)

An important game for Islanders fans to keep an eye on. The Philadelphia Flyers battle the Washington Capitals tonight. (Philly Hockey Now)

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209450 New York Rangers

Pavel Buchnevich nets first hat trick as Rangers beat Devils for 3rd time in 5 days

Staff Report

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APR 17, 2021 AT 3:46 PM

Pavel Buchnevich celebrated his birthday with his first career hat trick and the New York Rangers beat the New Jersey Devils 6-3 on Saturday for their third win over their Hudson River rivals in five days.

Artemi Panarin had a goal and three assists and Ryan Strome had a goal and an assist in a three-goal first-period outburst as the Rangers improved to 12-4-3 in their last 19 games.

The question after the quick start was whether rookie Igor Shesterkin would get his third consecutive shutout. The Russian’s shutout streak was stopped at 152 minutes, 37 seconds when Michael McLeod scored on a second-period rebound.

Pavel Buchnevich celebrates his second goal with the Rangers bench during Saturday afternoon's romp over the Devils.

New Jersey then got within 4-3 when P.K. Subban and Yegor Sharangovich scored in a 64-second span in the third period with the teams playing 4-on-4 to cut the lead to a goal. However, Buchnevich and Chris Kreider added late empty-net goals to seal the win.

The victory extended the Rangers’ point streak to a season-high five games (4-0-1) and pulled them within four points of idle Boston in the race for the last playoff berth in the East. The Rangers have 12 games left in the regular season, two fewer than the Bruins.

Shesterkin finished with 30 saves. Aaron Dell had 24 saves for the Devils, who have lost five straight and are 1-7-2 in their last 10.

Buchnevich, 26, ignited and capped the three-goal opening period. He finished off an odd-man rush with Mika Zibanejad, who had three assists, with a shot into an open net at 7:26. The next two goals came on the power play after Damon Severson was called for holding and New Jersey was called for too many men on the penalty kill. Strome scored from a bad angle on the 5-on-3 segment, and Buchnevich got his second, roofing a shot from between the circles.

Panarin, who now has 301 career assists, made it 4-0 early in the second period on a shot off Dell’s glove.

Then the Devils’ comeback came up just short.

The teams will end the four-game series in New Jersey on Sunday and meet for the final time in the regular season. New York has won the last five and leads the series 5-2.

New York Daily News LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209451 New York Rangers

Pavel Buchnevich’s birthday hat trick earns him place in Rangers history

By Mollie Walker

April 17, 2021 | 6:03pm | Updated

After propelling the Rangers to a 6-3 win over the Devils with three goals Saturday afternoon, Pavel Buchnevich admitted a hat trick was one of the better birthday gifts he had given himself.

It was the first three-goal game of his career and allowed the Rangers to pull within four points of the fourth playoff spot in the East Division. If that isn’t special enough, Buchnevich also became the first player in franchise history to record a hat trick on his birthday.

“But it’s only once a year,” Buchnevich said with a smile.

Asked about his growth over his five seasons in New York, Buchnevich said he is starting to understand his role and what coaches want from him better than ever before.

The 26-year-old winger got the Rangers going at 7:26 of the first period, burying a pass from Mika Zibanejad on a 2-on-1 rush for a 1-0 lead.

“It’s been a lot of fun playing alongside him and seeing his growth over the years I’ve been here with him,” Zibanejad said. “I feel like he does it all now. He works hard, but obviously, he’s one of the top skill guys, I would say.”

Pavel Buchnevich’s birthday hat trick helped keep the Rangers rolling.

Later in the first, Devils defenseman Damon Severson then took a holding penalty to prevent Brett Howden from jumping out on a breakaway less than a minute before the Devils were called for too many men on the ice. That gave the Rangers a 5-on-3 opportunity, and Ryan Strome took advantage with a one-timer to make it a 2-0 game.

Buchnevich netted his second of the day at 11:48 of the first to become the Rangers’ leading scorer this season. His empty-net tally in the third brought his goal total to 19, two away from his career-high 21 in 2018-19.

“Just an overall maturity,” head coach David Quinn said of the strides Buchnevich has taken. “The fact that he’s got the ability to play a 200 foot game and he certainly has done it all year, and for a guy to have the stats he has without being on our top power-play unit certainly speaks volumes to the year he’s having.”

Chris Kreider scored his first goal since March 28 on an empty net at 19:38 of the third period to put the game out of reach.

The Devils had pulled their goalie, Aaron Dell, for the 6-on-5 advantage. Kreider hasn’t recorded an even-strength goal since March 13, with his last three before Saturday coming on the power play.

“Goal-scoring is so streaky. It’s not just in our locker room but throughout the league,” Quinn said. “Sometimes when you get one regardless of how you get it, more follow. That’s kind of how it’s gone for most goal scorers in this league. It’s certainly gone that way for Chris since he’s been here.

“I liked his game leading into that empty-net goal, I thought you could see that he was doing a lot of good things. I thought this game certainly was on the uptick leading into that goal.”

New York Post LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209452 New York Rangers Panarin’s eighth three-point performance at home this season, a feat that only Jaromir Jagr and Mark Messier have accomplished since 1990-91.

“We certainly had our hands full today, we’re going to have our hands full Rangers’ playoff chase continues with third straight win over Devils again [Sunday],” Quinn said. “But it’s really good to see that we’ve put ourselves in this position to be playing meaningful hockey.”

The Rangers look to complete the sweep and keep their postseason By Mollie Walker hopes alive on Sunday at Prudential Center.

April 17, 2021 | 3:41pm | Updated

New York Post LOADED: 04.18.2021 There aren’t many scenarios in which the Rangers would be able to make the playoffs without collecting as many points as possible on their current four-game stretch against the struggling Devils.

That fact wasn’t lost on the Blueshirts, who picked up their third straight win over the Devils, 6-3 on Saturday afternoon at the Garden, despite a valiant comeback effort from New Jersey. The victory brought the Rangers within four points of the fourth playoff spot in the East Division — currently occupied by the Bruins, who have two games in hand with a game against the first-place Capitals on Sunday afternoon.

The Rangers have said they understand there is no room for error during the final 13 games of the season. That ignited a persistent, shoot-first mentality, a hungry power play and a short-fused roster over the past three games, in which the Rangers have outscored the Devils, 13-3.

But that began to dissipate after the Rangers built a 4-0 lead through the beginning of the second period Saturday. The Devils, who are second-to- last in the East, showed what a team that has nothing to lose is capable of with three unanswered goals — including two within the first 6:38 of the third period.

Artemi Panarin celebrates his first period goal against the Devil.

Rangers head coach David Quinn promptly called a timeout to let his team reset while he pointed out what he had seen happening on the ice.

“Just the fact that [the Devils] were just winning too many one-on-one battles,” Quinn said of his message in the huddle. “That’s really all four- on-four is, and it really was a reflection of where we were mentally. It was leading up, the four-on-four really exposed where we were mentally. Once we get up four-nothing, I really thought that we disrespected the game and our opponent.

“We’ve talked about this, New Jersey, Buffalo, the teams that are out of it, they’re going to play their asses off, and if we think it’s going to be easy, we’re sadly mistaken. I wasn’t surprised with the pushback we got from them.”

Igor Shesterkin looked to be on his way to a third-straight shutout after an easy first period, but Devils center Michael McLeod ended the rookie netminder’s no-goal streak at 152:37 in the middle frame. Shesterkin, who made 30 saves, had also gone 199:33 without surrendering a goal to the Devils this season — setting a franchise record for the longest shutout streak against one opponent.

The Devils pulled goalie Aaron Dell for one last push in the final minutes, but birthday boy Pavel Buchnevich completed the first hat trick of his career, and Chris Kreider scored his first goal since March 28 on an empty goal to cap the game.

“We stopped playing a little bit and just made it way too easy for them,” Mika Zibanejad said. “They’re good enough to take advantage of their chances and that obviously wasn’t good, but I liked how we stuck it out and got the win.”

The Rangers poured on a three-goal first period for the second straight game against the Devils. Two of the goals came on the power play, including a five-on-three opportunity. Through the first 20 minutes, the Rangers went 2-for-3 with the man-advantage on goals by Ryan Strome and Buchnevich, consistently putting the puck on net and suffocating the Devils.

Before the domination on the power play, Artemi Panarin forced a turnover in the neutral zone on his way to the bench, sending Zibanejad and Buchnevich on a 2-on-1 rush. Zibanejad faked the shot before dishing to Buchnevich for the 1-0 score at 7:26.

Panarin extended the Rangers’ lead 32 seconds into the second period with a wrist shot on the rush to make it a 4-0 game. The goal completed 1209453 New York Rangers The Rangers have played well as of late, but have not gained ground in the East Division standings as the Boston Bruins continue to win as well. Holding on for a victory was big for the Rangers, who needed both points to get closer to fourth-place Boston, who were idle on Saturday. 5 takeaways as Rangers fend off late NJ Devils rally to stay in the playoff race The Rangers are now four points behind Boston for the last playoff spot, but also gain some cushion in trying to fend off the Philadelphia Flyers in the race. A loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday means that the sixth-place Flyers are now four points behind the Rangers. The Rangers Robert Aitken Jr. have a pair of games against the Flyers next week. NorthJersey.com

Bergen Record LOADED: 04.18.2021 The week of rivalry games continues to be owned by the Rangers. A 6-3 victory by the Blueshirts over the rival Devils on Saturday clinched the season series between the two teams.

Early on, it felt like the Rangers would cruise to another victory with the afternoon's first four goals. Pavel Buchnevich had two goals in the first 12 minutes of play and the Rangers had a four-goal lead within the first minute of the second period. Yet, the Devils chipped away with a goal in the second period and two rapid fire goals in the third to make the final 13 and a half minutes of regulation quite interesting.

Ultimately, the Devils couldn't do enough to keep the Rangers from the win column. An empty net goal by Buchnevich put the game to bed and gave Buchnevich his first career hat trick on his 26th birthday.

1. Panarin remains red hot

Artemi Panarin has been an offensive force for the Rangers as the team climbs back into the playoff race. Panarin had a three point game Saturday for his seventh multi-point game over the last 10 games.

Panarin assisted on the first two Rangers goals as Buchnevich and Ryan Strome put the Rangers up by multiple goals halfway through the first period. Panarin also led off the second period with a streak to the net just 32 seconds into the period. Panarin's 16th goal of the season gave the Rangers a commanding 4-0 lead.

2. Unforced errors doom Devils

Despite energy in the first few minutes of the game, the Devils were unable to gain an early advantage. Instead, it was mistakes that followed that gave the Devils a hole that proved too deep to climb out of.

A turnover before the red line gave the Rangers a chance on the other end and led to the first Buchnevich goal. Right after allowing a goal, another turnover would have led to a Brett Howden breakaway, forcing Damon Severson to hold him and give away a power play. During the power play, a too many men on the ice penalty was assessed for a 5-on- 3 disadvantage. Strome scored shortly after, followed by the second Buchnevich goal, both on power plays.

3. Devils avoid historic low

The Devils were unable to score a goal against the Rangers earlier this week and were shutout for the first time since 2017 in the process. On Saturday, it felt like the Devils were unable to find the back of the net once again. Michael McLeod's second period goal put the Devils on the scoreboard for the first time since the third period of last Sunday's to Pittsburgh.

As low as things have felt for the Devils, the team had never been shutout for three straight games in franchise history. It was set to be a narrow avoidance of that historic mark until the third period, when the Devils showed some fight.

4. Subban, Sharangovich make it interesting

Igor Shesterkin went from potentially having a historic third straight shutout to fighting to hold on to a lead. In the third period, a sequence of 4-on-4 hockey saw the Devils score twice in 64 seconds to bring the score to 4-3.

P.K. Subban's strike gave the Devils the second goal of the game as the defenseman had his fifth goal of the year. A minute and four seconds later, the Devils got back within one goal as Yegor Sharangovich scored the 10th goal of his rookie season. Jack Hughes had assists on both goals.

5. Continuing to climb 1209454 New York Rangers

Rangers hope Chris Kreider empty-net goal can get him going again

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday

Updated April 17, 2021 7:30 PM

Chris Kreider had gone nine games without a goal before he scored into an empty net Saturday, the final goal of the Rangers’ 6-3 win over the Devils at Madison Square Garden.

Coach David Quinn put Kreider on the ice, on right wing, with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome, with the Devils’ net empty and the Rangers already having scored an empty-netter, by Pavel Buchnevich. Strome and Ryan Lindgren assisted on Kreider’s goal, which was his 18th of the season.

"Goal scoring is so streaky, it's not just in our locker room, but throughout the league,’’ Quinn said when asked about the significance of Kreider scoring. "Sometimes when you get one, regardless of how you get it, more follow. And that's kind of how it's gone for most goal scorers in this league. It's certainly gone that way for Chris since he's been here.’’

Quinn said he thought Kreider was playing well leading up to the goal. Kreider’s centerman, Mika Zibanejad, made the point that Kreider does other things for the team besides score goals.

"Everyone knows how important he is for us, and just because he's not scoring -- he's working,’’ Zibanejad said of Kreider. "When the puck doesn't go in, everyone's been there. He's a pro.

"Now, he got one, he might score the next game again,’’ Zibanejad continued. "And if it doesn't, then, he's doing a lot of other things well, and contributing.’’

Blue notes

The victory means the Rangers have now earned points in five straight games (4-0-1), a season-high. Three straight wins also ties a season high… Panarin (goal, three assists) earned his 50th point of the season with his assist on Buchnevich’s empty-net goal. Buchnevich (three goals) and Strome (one goal, two assists) each reached 40 points or more on the season, joining Panarin and Adam Fox… Quinn stayed with the same lineup for the sixth straight game, meaning forwards Julien Gauthier and Phillip DiGiuseppe, and Ds Anthony Bitetto and Zac Jones were the scratches.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209455 New York Rangers Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.18.2021

Pavel Buchnevich's hat trick on his birthday helps Rangers hold off Devils

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday

Updated April 17, 2021 6:27 PM

Game three of the Rangers’ four-game set against the Devils went from blowout to nail-biter in a little more than a minute, when the Devils scored a couple of four-on-four goals early in the third period Saturday.

But Pavel Buchnevich, on his 26th birthday, rescued the Rangers when he scored into an empty net with 1:21 to go to complete his first career hat trick, and struggling Chris Kreider added an empty-netter of his own to give the Rangers a 6-3 win, their third straight over the pesky Devils. The teams play again Sunday afternoon in Newark to finish their season series.

"It’s only once a year, your birthday,’’ Buchnevich said, with a grin, of his hat trick.

The Rangers are fortunate it happened to be on Saturday. Buchnevich became the first Ranger to score a hat trick on his birthday, and the 14th NHL player to do it (Wayne Gretzky did it twice). The hat trick saved the Rangers after they nearly blew a 4-0 lead they held when Artemi Panarin (goal, three assists) scored 32 seconds into the second period.

A goal by Mike McLeod midway through the second got the Devils on the board and foiled Igor Shesterkin’s bid for a third consecutive shutout, but it also got the Devils into the game. Then, in the third period, after the Rangers took exception to the Devils’ Nathan Bastian bumping into Shesterkin and Kreider jumped Bastian, coincidental roughing minors to Kreider and Bastian left the teams skating four-on-four, and P.K. Subban (at 5:34) and Yegor Sharangovich (at 6:38) scored for the Devils to pull them within 4-3.

Rangers coach David Quinn called timeout at that point, the Rangers settled down, and Buchnevich and Kreider scored to finally put the game away. But Quinn was not happy with the Rangers’ lapse in focus.

"It really was a reflection of where we were mentally,’’ said Quinn. "The four-on-four really exposed where we were mentally. Once we get up 4- 0, I really thought that we disrespected the game and our opponent. And leading into it, I thought were doing all the things we needed to do.

"And we've talked about this: New Jersey, Buffalo, the teams that are out of it, they're gonna play their [butts] off. And if we think it's ever going to be easy, we're sadly, sadly mistaken.’’

The win allowed the Rangers (22-16-6, 50 points) to pull within four points of the idle Boston Bruins (24-12-6, 54), who currently hold the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division. The Rangers have 12 games remaining in the regular season. The Bruins have 14.

Buchnevich, who took over the team lead in goals with 19, started the Rangers off at 7:26 of the first period, when he finished a two-on-one pass from Mika Zibanejad (three assists) and then Ryan Strome made it 2-0 with a five-on-three power-play goal, also set up by Zibanejad, at 10:25.

Buchnevich’s second goal, also on the power play, made it 3-0 at 11:47 of the period and Panarin scored his 16th goal to make it 4-0 before things fell apart. Panarin had been bothered by the Rangers’ lax play in Thursday’s 4-0 win over the Devils, and spoke that night of the team having to clean up a few things in their play.

"We didn't fix those things enough,’’ he said Saturday, through interpreter Nick Bobrov, the Rangers’ director of European scouting. "We didn't clean them up enough. We gave up too many goals, and got a little bit sloppy and relaxed, and then had to correct things again. But thankfully we pulled it out, and we have to keep working on them.’’

Birthday boys

Pavel Buchnevich became the 14th player in NHL history to score a hat trick on his birthday. Here are the 14 others (Wayne Gretzky did it twice): 1209456 New York Rangers But the goalie? With Igor Shesterkin exempt, it had been generally assumed the Rangers would protect Alexandar Georgiev. But if Shesterkin has proven this season that he’s the man, and will hold up physically and mentally, for, say, 65 or so starts in a normal season, then Who will Rangers expose to expansion draft this summer? perhaps 31-year-old Keith Kinkaid, who’s signed for next season at a cap hit of $825,000, can serve capably as his backup. So maybe the Rangers

could be safe exposing the 25-year-old Georgiev, who carries a cap hit of By Colin Stephenson $2.425 million, instead of Kinkaid.

@ColinSNewsday And what of Zibanejad, who turns 28 on Sunday, and whose 15 goals in 44 games are a major comedown from last season, when he had 41 in Updated April 17, 2021 6:27 PM 57 games? Does management proceed as if Zibanejad is the guy he was in 2019-20, and write off his slow start this season (one goal, two assists

in the first 15 games) to his having had COVID-19 in training camp? Are they going the make the playoffs? If so, then Gorton’s priority this summer would be to add someone to It’s the first question — the only question, really — casual observers ask supplement Zibanejad, like maybe a big, two-way center who can win about the Rangers, who have 12 games left in the regular season after faceoffs and score some key goals in a second-or third-line role. Saturday’s 6-3 win over the Devils at Madison Square Garden. But if management thinks Zibanejad is closer to the 30-goal, 74-point The arithmetic says yes, it is absolutely still possible for the Blueshirts to player he was in 2018-19, do they instead go all out to bring in an elite catch the Boston Bruins for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East No. 1 center, and trade a bunch of prospects to Buffalo for Jack Eichel? Division. But the same math makes it clear the odds are not in their favor.

Which is actually a good thing, if you’re general manager Jeff Gorton. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.18.2021 Putting the young players currently on the roster into high-pressure, must-win games every night can only help speed up their development, which is, of course, huge as far as building a battle-tested core for the near future.

But seeing how all the players — young and not so young — perform in these final dozen games will be key, too, because management has some decisions to make.

The rebuild almost literally could not have gone any better to this point, and whether the Rangers make the playoffs or not this year, the season will still be a success if management feels the young players made significant progress and the team got a step closer to being a legit Stanley Cup contender in the next couple years.

But missing the playoffs next year will not be OK. The Rangers will need to get to the postseason in 2021-22, period. Next year is the year they are going to need to announce to the rest of the league that they are here, and will be a threat for years to come.

And so Gorton, associate GM Chris Drury, team president John Davidson and the rest of the management team are going to have to figure out exactly how, and where, to upgrade the roster over the summer.

They’ll have some cap space to make additions, but they have to get it right. And seeing how the players on the current roster perform in this playoff push will provide crucial data to help in their decision-making.

First things first, there is an expansion draft coming up this summer, and the Rangers will lose one player off the roster to the incoming Seattle Kraken. Most of the work on drawing up the protected list for the draft is already done, of course, but there could be a couple of last-minute changes.

First- and second-year professionals are exempt from the draft, and teams will get to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie — or eight skaters and a goalie. The Rangers will go the 7-3-1 route, and realistically, six of the seven forwards who need to be protected are no-brainers: Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Pavel Buchnevich, Ryan Strome and Filip Chytil.

There’s some wiggle room on who the seventh forward should be, though. Should they protect 23-year-old Brett Howden, who has16 career goals in 171 games (including just one empty-netter in 34 games this season)? Or is 28-year-old Colin Blackwell, who had 12 goals this season — and 15 goals in 68 career NHL games — the real thing, and not a flash in the pan? Blackwell, who bounced around the minor leagues before signing with the Rangers as a free agent last October, almost seems too good to be true. Is he?

With Tony DeAngelo’s banishment from the team on Feb. 1, the three defensemen that need to be protected seem pretty straightforward: Jacob Trouba, Ryan Lindgren and Libor Hajek. Brendan Smith’s contract expires at the end of this season, making him a free agent, and thus, exempt. 1209457 New York Rangers it up right away. Hopefully, I keep going and play a better 200-foot game.”

He has done that, for sure. He’s one of the best penalty killers on a team Birthday hat trick from Pavel Buchnevich, strong play from other stars that ranks third in the NHL in that department — and the Rangers are keep Rangers in mix first since Jan. 30 — after killing all three Saturday.

“Just his overall maturity and the fact that he’s got the ability to play a 200-foot game,” Quinn said. “And he certainly has done it all year. For a By Rick Carpiniello guy to have the stats he has without being on our top power-play unit certainly speaks volumes to the year he’s having. He means so much to Apr 17, 2021 us in five-on-five situations, the way he’s killed penalties.

“Just really happy for him. He’s a great kid and works hard, and he It’s actual and factual. You get nowhere in the NHL if your top guys don’t means an awful lot to our team.” perform. If your big guns don’t fire. The name missing from the big-five forwards, by the way, is Chris It’s nice and necessary when the third and fourth lines chip in, and when Kreider, who is in an offensive slump but remains an important piece, not the defense does its part. But the stars must shine in the long haul. just net-front on the power play but also to his linemates, Zibanejad and Buchnevich. The three are as close as teammates can be, genuinely so, Which brings us to the young Rangers, who find themselves hanging and it shows. Buchnevich and Zibanejad played their first games as around, still, at this late juncture of this unusually short, unique season. Rangers on the same night.

With the Rangers having won the first three of four straight against the “Yeah, it’s been a lot of fun playing alongside him and to see his growth Devils, including Saturday’s 6-3 victory that was miles closer than it over the years I’ve been here with him,” Zibanejad said. “I feel like he looks, the dream is alive. At least, mathematically. does it all now. He works hard, but obviously he’s one of the top skill guys, I would say. He makes plays, and he’s just working hard on The Rangers kept pace with the Bruins, who also have won three in a offense, on defense. So I’m really happy to see all of this and really row and who have a four-point lead with two games in hand. And the happy to be playing alongside him.” odds are still quite stacked in the B’s favor. The Rangers have just 12 games remaining. If Boston plays .500 hockey, the Rangers will need at Also, not being on that first power-play unit, Buchnevich is rarely on the least 68 points, or 18 points in the last dozen games. So, 9-3-0 or some ice with Panarin, which amplifies what he’s done offensively. other combination of points. “He’s a very good player with very big hockey IQ,” Panarin said. “He “It’s really good to see that we’ve put ourselves in this position to be plays a huge role on this team, defensively, penalty-killing, offensively. playing meaningful hockey,” Rangers coach David Quinn said. He’s a very important member of this team.”

Well, they are in this position because of the lead dogs. Along with Strome, he’s also going to be a difficult decision for the front office eventually. With so many of the Rangers’ top prospects arriving The Rangers are 12-4-3 in their past 19 — all since Artemi (Star-temi?) and maturing — wingers Alexis Lafrenière, Kaapo Kakko and Vitali Panarin returned from his personal leave. And while you tend to think Kravtsov, in particular — do you pay to keep Buchnevich around as the about Panarin and Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox as the marquee rebuild turns the corner? I think you do, but there’s some gray in the names, it goes deeper. answer. You’d be remiss to not include Pavel Buchnevich, the first Ranger ever to Same with Strome, with the world (and me) believing the Rangers will score a hat trick on his birthday, as he did when he turned 26 on look to upgrade Panarin’s center at some point in the next year or so. Saturday. It was also his first three-goal game in the NHL. But right now, it’s all clicking. Nothing wrong with that. Now, granted, a lot of the following statistics have been piled up on the Devils, who waved the white flag at the deadline and are further depleted Thoughts by injuries, and on Buffalo and on the non-perspiring Flyers. 1. Just 30 seconds in, Panarin created a break-in for Strome with a Panarin, since returning from that leave 19 games ago, is 11-21-32. He misdirection pass. Goalie Aaron Dell, who had started one of the had his eighth three-point (or more) game of the season (a goal, three previous 23 games, made the save. assists), with all those games at MSG (he’s played just 18 at home). Only two other Rangers — Mark Messier and Jaromir Jagr — have had as 2. Daily Bread: What a play this was. Panarin was on one of his many in a season. customary long shifts and trying to get off the ice. As he went to the bench, Michael McLeod found the puck at center ice, and Panarin lined Zibanejad is 12-14-26 over the past 17 games. Fox, who has turned him up. He missed the hit but took the puck and head-manned it to heads continent-wide, is 3-22-25 in the past 17. Zibanejad before heading to the bench. Zibanejad broke two-on-one and set up Buchnevich for a birthday dunk. 1-0. Ryan Strome, Panarin’s complementary middleman, is 4-20-24 in his past 19. 3. Zibane-jectory: With the Rangers already on a power play, the Devils took a too-many-men penalty — Fox actually made the call before the Oh, and you also don’t get there without serious goaltending, and rookie officials — so the Rangers had 1:15 worth of five-on-three. A gigantic Igor Shesterkin, in his past 13 games, is 9-2-2, 2.15, .931, two shutouts. early opportunity. Zibanejad retrieved a Panarin rebound in the slot and, Which brings us to Buchnevich — yes, the consistently good, productive, with Kreider tying up two Devils in front, whipped it diagonally to Strome two-way winger whose game has grown tremendously in his three in the lower left circle. Strome one-timed it past Dell. 2-0. Panarin’s 300th seasons under Quinn. NHL assist.

Buchnevich has 12-8-20 in his past 18 games and leads the team with 19 4. Before the second portion of the power play expired, the second unit goals (on pace for 35 over an 82-game season). sent shot after shot at Dell. Buchnevich got to a Colin Blackwell rebound in the right circle, stepped away from the Devils defenders and into the Buchnevich was asked if a hat trick is the best birthday present. slot and put a rocket up under the crossbar to take the team lead in “Yeah, I guess,” he said, shrugging, “but it’s only one per year.” goals. 3-0.

The kid who was, at times, inconsistent in his effort, unwilling to shoot 5. See what happens when you shoot? “We’re really happy for that and arguably defensively deficient is now a complete player. power-play unit to do what they did,” Quinn said. “Not only did they get rewarded with a goal, but, boy, did they look good on that power play.” “I think for everybody (that’s normal),” Buchnevich said. “I started to understand my role better. Getting older and understanding hockey 6. Thirty-two seconds into the second period, Ryan Lindgren moved the better, what coaches want from me, understand my body better. I think puck from behind the icing line to Strome, who quickly sent Panarin up for every player it’s like that. It’s tough for a young player to start and pick on a right-wing break-in. The pass option to Blackwell was taken away, so Panarin fired it instead and beat Dell up high, off the glove. 4-0. 7. Shesterkin followed with a big stop on P.K. Subban, and the Rangers didn’t have a particularly impressive second period after that.

8. I don’t know where the term slew-foot comes from, but man, it’s back in vogue in the NHL and apparently stamped for approval by our fine, fine on-ice officials. Just a filthy, dangerous play. Play on!

9. Shesterkin’s shutout streak ended at 152:37 with 7:23 left in the second, when the Rangers ignored McLeod, who buried a cross-crease pass from Nathan Bastian. 4-1. Shesterkin had blanked the Devils for 199:33, the longest stretch ever by a Rangers goalie against one opponent.

10. Late in the period, Zibanejad sent Kreider flying in on a break, and Kreider clanged the crossbar … which is how it’s gone for him for a while now. Early in the third, Buchnevich set him up for a shank wide.

11. Shesterkin made a flurry of terrific saves as the Devils came on in the third, and when he was run over by Nathan Bastian and Kreider jumped him, it created a four-on-four. Zibanejad and Buchnevich lost battles behind their own net, and Jack Hughes got it to Subban, who had all day to waltz up into the slot and blast one off Shesterkin and in. 4-2.

12. Bang-bang, it came apart. Strome got caught backing in on a simple three-on-three break, allowing Yegor Sharangovich to rip a Hughes pass and beat Shesterkin again. 4-3. Two goals in 1:04, both during the four- on-four. Timeout, Rangers.

13. “They were winning too many one-on-one battles,” Quinn said. “That’s really all four-on-four is. It really was a reflection of where we were mentally. It was leading up. The four-on-four really exposed where we were mentally. Once we got up 4-0, I really thought that we disrespected the game and our opponent. Leading into it, I thought we were doing all the things we needed to do. And we’ve talked about this. You know, New Jersey, Buffalo, the teams that are out of it, they’re going to play their asses off, and if we think it’s ever going to be easy, we’re sadly, sadly mistaken.”

14. “I felt like they played hard the whole game,” Zibanejad said. “But we stopped playing and just made it way too easy for them. And they’re good enough to take advantage of their chances. That obviously wasn’t good. But I like the way we kind of stuck it out and got the win.”

15. Fortunately for the Rangers, they are experts at killing penalties. They faced, and killed, a critical third-period penalty to Blackwell. Kudos, in large part to Buchnevich and Zibanejad.

16. With Dell off for an extra skater, Lindgren, Zibanejad and Panarin won battles along the wall, and Buchnevich hit the empty net from long range. 5-3. He finished the game with seven shot attempts, five on goal. Then Quinn put Kreider out to get the second empty-netter, his first goal in 10 games. 6-3.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209458 Ottawa Senators the guys did such a good job of settling me down, reminding me it’s just hockey.” … The Canadiens had three shots on goal in the first period; they didn’t get the second until there were a bit less than three minutes remaining, following a 14-minute gap since the first shot. It’s not like it A BLANKING GOOD TIME: Matt Murray, Sens shut out Canadiens was a shooting gallery at the other end, either, as the Senators had just five shots in the period. Comparatively, the second period was a shotfest,

with Montreal getting 11 and Ottawa five … If the Senators finish in Tim Baines • Postmedia second-last place, they will have a 13.5 per cent chance of winning the first overall pick in the NHL draft lottery … Price now has just one win in Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021 five starts against Ottawa this season.

ICE CHIPS: Remember when Jonathan Drouin was the third overall pick of the 2013 draft behind only Nathan MacKinnon and Aleksander Senators 4, Canadiens 0 Barkov? Remember when Montreal traded defenceman Mikhail While the Ottawa Senators still seem far from being a team that’s ready Sergachev, drafted ninth overall in 2016, to Tampa to get Drouin? It’s to go on the “five-year run of unparalleled success” predicted by owner easy to give the Lightning a decisive win on that deal. Drouin had a Eugene Melnyk a couple of years ago, they show flashes of getting there. golden opportunity late in the first period after intercepting a Colin White pass near the net, but was pokechecked by Murray. Drouin, who hasn’t When you’re stuck near the bottom of the National Hockey League scored in 24 games, has just two goals and 23 points this season. standings, you’ve got a lot of work to do before you think about Sergachev had 25 points going into Saturday … Former Ottawa 67’s “unparalleled success.” But the Senators will take the learning winger Tyler Toffoli scored two goals Friday, but hasn’t done much experiences and the little victories. Saturday’s 4-0 win over the Montreal recently, having not scored in the previous six contests. Having said that, Canadiens (in a rare 4 p.m. start at the Bell Centre) was another good the soon-to-be-29-year-old has been a terrific free-agent find (four years, step ahead. $17 million) for Montreal, with 21 goals. His career best was 31 goals in It was the Senators’ first shutout win in two years — the last was March 2015-16 with Los Angeles. 26, 2019 — under head coach D.J. Smith. Drake Batherson scored twice (with an assist) and Artem Zub and Nikita Zaitsev each got a goal as the Senators got past an opponent that, coming off a Friday night game, Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.18.2021 looked as if it was napping at times.

“We had a lot of guys that did a lot of good things,” Smith said. “There were a lot of guys who contributed, especially the (Josh) Norris line (with Batherson and Brady Tkachuk) that goes against (Ben) Chiarot and (Shea) Weber and finds a way to get a couple. The third period, we gave up no odd-man rushes. We clogged it up, mostly it was on the outside. For a young team to be doing this, especially at this time of year, shows a lot of maturity.”

The game didn’t have much highlight-reel material, it wasn’t end-to-end hockey. But the Senators took care of their own side of the ice and took advantage of their scoring opportunities. Goalie Matt Murray, who hasn’t played well enough at times, was sharp when he needed to be on Saturday. Going into the game, Murray, who was making his second start after being on the sidelines for seven weeks with an “upper-body” injury, had a whopping 3.80 goals-against average. It was his first shutout since October 2019 (with the Pittsburgh Penguins).

“It feels great. It’s nice, for sure,” Murray said. “It says a lot about how well the team played. It was a defensive-style game. Everybody was clogging up the middle. That’s why, I think, it felt like a playoff game. We showed a lot of maturity, a lot of growth. You get rewarded for it. When you don’t give the other team freebies, that’s playoff-style hockey.”

“Matt made all the ones he had to,” Smith said. “We turned the puck over probably more than we’d like, but he was there every single time. It was his best effort of the year. He tracked pucks, he looked unbeatable. Especially late, with the shutout on the line, we gave up two or three Grade A chances. He just looked like it wasn’t going to go in tonight.”

A bit more than three minutes into the game, Zub snapped a wrist shot past Montreal goalie Carey Price. Batherson took a backhand pass from Brady Tkachuk and ripped it five-hole past Price, making it 2-0 for the Senators, at 13:12 of the second period. It was just Ottawa’s eighth shot of the game. Batherson also scored to make it 3-0 at 15:26 of the third period, and Zaitsev drifted a shot into the empty net 19 seconds later to seal Montreal’s fate.

“Some nights you get chances and they just don’t go in,” Batherson said. “Tonight, we buried our chances. We want to win, we’re all competitive guys. Even though there are 11 games left, we want to win every single one of them.”

SLAP SHOTS: Twenty-year-old centre Shane Pinto made his NHL debut with the Senators, getting an assist on Zaitsev’s empty-net goal after winning a draw. Asked about the first game for Pinto, the former University of North Dakota star, Smith said: “I’d liked to have gotten him a little more (ice time). But really good. You can see his hockey sense. He won important faceoffs, he gets himself an assist and he knows where to be on the ice. He’ll only continue to get better.” Asked about his first game, Pinto said: “The first one’s out of the way. It’s good to settle in and hopefully keep on getting better. The first shift, you’re a little nervous, but 1209459 Philadelphia Flyers Kevin Hayes fed the puck through the crease to Allison, who banged it in. “Not too many times you score your first goal,” Allison said quizzically. “I

have to go out and buy Hayesie a dinner because it doesn’t get much Flyers bullied by the Capitals again, 6-3 easier.”

It should have given the Flyers life, but instead woke up the Capitals, who responded with at least three scoring chances when Sheary made it by Ed Barkowitz 5-3 a little more than two minutes later.

Published Apr 17, 2021 Faceoffs were a problem for the Flyers, despite the stat sheet showing that they won 61%. Two of the Caps goals came directly off offensive

draws. T.J. Oshie beat Sean Couturier, which led to Ovechkin’s second Carter Hart’s disappointing season hit another bump when he was score. Lars Eller outdueled Hayes to set up Sheary’s goal. scratched just before the matinee start with a lower-body injury. The hockey world will watch if Ovechkin can make a run at Wayne Even worse, his coach said, not finding out until 90 minutes before face- Gretzky’s career record of 894 goals, a number once thought off put a wrench in his goaltending plans for the two games this weekend. unreachable. Ovechkin, with 730 goals, is in sixth place on that list, but second on another. Truth of the matter, however, is that even Bernie Parent in his prime wouldn’t have been able to save the disinterested Flyers from another Only Gretzky (402) has scored more goals on the road than Ovechkin pounding by Washington. This time, the first-place Caps besieged Alex (370). He has scored 31 goals at the Wells Fargo Center, and 42 in 63 Lyon with 40 shots on goal and beat the Flyers, 6-3. games overall against the Flyers. Lyon was the 147th goalie he’s scored against. “We put Alex in a real tough spot,” Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said. “We didn’t play real well in front of him. Obviously they’re a good team The Flyers are right back at it on Sunday when the Islanders come in for and they’re capable of making a lot of plays, but we spent far too much a visit. Elliott will start. It remains to be seen if Hart can serve as the time in our zone.” backup, but the Flyers might not want to risk it.

The Flyers have lost five games in a row to Washington, allowing 22 Shame, too. Hart was coming off his best game in weeks when he beat goals in the last four meetings. the Penguins on Thursday. If there’s one thing this year’s Flyers team has shown is an inability to sustain success. They are eight points out of the East Division’s final playoff spot, and they’re letting the Bruins AND Rangers get away from them. Point totals “I think ultimately, just consistency-wise as far as building off of things, through Saturday: Boston 54, New York 50, Flyers 46. The Flyers have we seem out of sync. I feel a lot of times ... ” said van Riemsdyk, 12 games remaining and haven’t won more than two in a row since the searching for a reason. “I don’t really have answer as to why that is, but end of February. that’s what it seems like to me.”

Lyon made his first NHL start in over 14 months. Throw in his four AHL Breakaways appearances and one in relief of Brian Elliott and it was Lyon’s sixth Nolan Patrick did not play Saturday after taking a puck to the head professional game of any kind in the last calendar year. Thursday night against Pittsburgh. Tanner Laczynski “tweaked He called getting the late notice “exceptionally difficult.” something” in the same game, and also did not play. It’s unclear if either will be available Sunday. Frank Alexander Welsh III, nature lover and Penn biochemistry professor emeritus, dies at 77 The line of Couturier-Jake Voracek-Travis Konecny each were -3.

“I really like my preparation, and I take pride in my preparation,” he said. The Flyers have lost their last four to the Islanders. Of the last three, two “But at the same time, that’s what I get paid to do. That’s my role on this were in a shootout, and another was in overtime. team. It just goes to the territory.”

The Capitals outshot the Flyers, 41-25. Washington had 19 shots in the Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.18.2021 second period, which was particularly disappointing since Ivan Provorov tied the game with one second left in the first period. Any momentum the Flyers might have had was left back in the locker room after the first intermission.

“Yeah, we should have been energized after that,” Vigneault said. “It usually gives your team a boost, but on the contrary. They had the push. They controlled most of the second period. We were second on everything. Second on pucks. Second on making plays. They were the far better team today.”

And Alex Ovechkin was the best player on the ice. He led the Capitals with two goals (both on the power-play), an assist, and drew two penalties.

The Flyers have allowed the Capitals to score on seven of their 14 power-play chances this season, and five of the eight they had in the two meetings this week.

“We know that’s a big part of the success of their team,” said James van Riemsdyk, who snapped a 17-game drought with a breakaway goal. “They obviously got a really good power play. When you have it built around probably the best goalscorer of this generation, it’s tough to stop.”

Both of Ovechkin’s goals came on one-timers from the left faceoff dot. Or, as the hockey folks refer to it, “his office.”

The score was much more cosmetic than the performance, though it was better than the 6-1 pasting the Capitals laid on the Flyers on Tuesday.

The Flyers hung around, making it 4-3 when Wade Allison scored his first career goal into a wide-open net on a power play that he was responsible for when he was tripped by Conor Sheary. 1209460 Philadelphia Flyers

Carter Hart out with a lower-body injury, Alex Lyon starting on Saturday

by Ed Barkowitz

Published Apr 17, 2021

Carter Hart did not start Saturday’s game because of a lower-body injury. He has been replaced by Alex Lyon.

Hart had been scheduled to be in net for the Capitals game with Brian Elliott getting the start against the Islanders on Sunday.

Lyon’s only appearance this season was in relief of Elliott in a 6-1 loss at Buffalo on March 31. He started two games last season and has made 10 starts in his NHL career (5-4-1, .893 save pct.).

Lyon led the team onto the ice for pregame warmups, a traditional honor held for the starter. Elliott is backing up.

It’s unclear when Hart was injured or the nature of his problem, He participated in Friday’s optional practice in Voorhees, N.J.

It has been a rocky season for Hart (9-11-5). His save percentage has dipped from .914 last year to .877 and his goals against average has risen from a steady 2.42 to an unsightly 3.67.

Hart snapped a personal seven-game losing streak when he allowed just one goal and made 31 saves against Pittsburgh on Thursday. It was his best game in more than a month.

After Sunday’s game, the Flyers will be off for three days before consecutive games in New York against the Rangers Thursday and Friday.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209461 Philadelphia Flyers has decreased, while Giroux’s has increased in the before/after comparison.)

Shayne Gostisbehere contracted the virus before the season and didn’t Did COVID-19 contribute to Flyers’ downfall? We may never know | Sam play until Game 7, and it took him a while to look like himself. The almost Carchidi 28-year-old defenseman had no goals and one assist in his first nine games. In his next 24 games, he had eight goals and six assists.

Here is a look at the Flyers who had the coronavirus during the season: Sam Carchidi Claude Giroux

Before COVID-19: 13 GP, 1 goal, 10 assists, 0.85 points per game. The Flyers don’t want to use the team’s COVID-19 outbreak in February as an excuse for their disappointing season. And they shouldn’t. Other After: 28 GP, 10 goals, 10 assists, 0.71 points per game. teams have been hit hard — Washington, Carolina, Colorado, and Travis Konecny Winnipeg come to mind -- and have rebounded and played extremely well. Before COVID-19: 12 GP, 5 goals, 3 assists, 0.67 points per game.

The Flyers, however, have never been the same since their season was After: 25 GP, 4 goals, 16 assists, 0.80 points per game. paused and they had 10 days between games as six of their regulars were on the league’s COVID-19 protocol list. Scott Laughton

They were 8-3-2, albeit some fortunate wins, and tied with East Division Before COVID-19: 13 GP, 4 goals, 5 assists, 0.69 points per game. leader Boston in points when their season was stalled. When they After: 27 GP, 3 goals, 5 assists, 0.30 points per game. returned Feb. 18, they looked out of sync, and that has lasted for two months. Oskar Lindblom

Heading into Saturday, the Flyers had dropped to sixth place and had Before COVID-19: 13 GP, 2 goals, 2 assists, 0.30 points per game. won just 12 of their last 30 games (12-14-4) since their COVID pause ended. After: 24 GP, 4 goals, 3 assists, 0.29 points per game.

“It sucks that we did get hit, but at the end of the day, it’s a non-factor,” Jake Voracek captain Claude Giroux said. Before COVID-19: 13 GP, 3 goals, 9 assists, 0.92 points per game.

That said, the Flyers have looked lethargic at times, and you wonder if it After: 27 GP, 5 goals, 16 assists, 0.78 points per game. had to do with a lack of desire or preparation, or if there are underlying aftereffects from the coronavirus. Justin Braun

We will probably never know, and that means we should put an asterisk Before COVID-19: 13 GP, 0 goals, 1 assist, plus-4. on the season and look ahead to the future. After: 27 GP, 0 goals, 2 assists, minus-2. That doesn’t mean this team isn’t flawed. It is, and it needs changes, Extenuating circumstances needs more grit and speed, needs a true sniper/finisher and a top-pairing defenseman. With Lindblom, of course, it’s difficult to read into how much COVID has affected him because his body had endured enough stress before he Give them a mulligan? came down with the virus. He battled a rare bone cancer last season, The truth is, we don’t know how difficult it was for the COVID sufferers to had some ribs removed. and underwent draining chemotherapy bounce back from a nasty disease while playing a physical, swift-moving treatments that left him exhausted and nauseous. game that taxes even the healthiest players. “It’s tough to say,” Lindblom said Friday when asked if he had any The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that while most lingering effects from COVID. “This season has been up and down for people with COVID-19 get better within weeks or months of the illness, me, so I can’t really tell if that’s from COVID or just the treatment I had some do not. The CDC and other experts are still studying the long-term last year. I still feel I have a lot to do here and a lot to get back to. Like I health effects. Among the possible lingering effects: fatigue, muscle pain, said, it’s up and down and I try to be positive and be better (on the ice). and difficulty concentrating. We only have 14 games left here and we need to push, and I need to help the team get some wins.” “It’s on an individual basis,” said forward Scott Laughton, referring to how people recover from the virus. “I know I had it and I feel OK. (But) just the Added Lindblom, whose attitude and drive are far beyond admirable: way the schedule has been set up it’s been a different year. It’s been “You can’t blame it on anything. You just have to keep going and push tough for us.” yourself.”

“The COVID reality is that our schedule was condensed prior to that, and it’s even more condensed now,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “That’s making it very challenging for everyone. The players who came back Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.18.2021 from COVID, and one practice and (back) in, and the rest of our group was stopped for five or six days and then one practice and back in. It’s been a challenge.”

Again, they weren’t using it as an alibi for a season gone bad. They were answering questions asked to try to figure out the aftereffects of COVID. Questions need to be asked because there’s not enough data (yet) on the virus’ aftereffects.

When looking at the performance of the six Flyers regulars who tested positive during the season, three have dipped a bit since they returned: Giroux (0.85 points per game before COVID to 0.71 points per game afterward); Laughton (0.69 points per game to 0.30); and Jake Voracek (0.92 points per game to 0.78).

Justin Braun and Oskar Lindblom have had similar production before and after COVID, and Travis Konecny’s play has improved (0.67 points per game to 0.81) since he returned. (Side note: Konecny’s goal-scoring rate 1209462 Philadelphia Flyers Well, May, June and July, too. You see, the Flyers Alumni objective to provide a bicycle for 5-year-old

special needs child Lucy Brooks of Springfield, Pa. for the holiday last Flyers’ roster moves could heat up this summer December was so popular and successful, the organization now plans to repeat the good deed on a regular basis.

The program is called “Every Child Deserves a Bike.’’ Wayne Fishflyingfishhockey.com Every month, the Alumni will donate a custom-built bicycle to a special- needs child in the Delaware Valley. Each bicycle costs roughly $5,000 to build. Philadelphia Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault in action during a game against the Buffalo Sabres, April 11, in Philadelphia. The Alumni are appealing to Flyers fans and corporate sponsorship partners alike to assist in offsetting the cost via donations. The Flyers could be in for some changes as the team tries to rebound from a disappointing season. “Every Child Deserves a Bike is a spin-off from the 12 Days of Christmas Giving program the Alumni do each holiday season,” Flyers Alumni The Flyers announced the club will host Hockey Fights Cancer Night president and former Flyers defenseman Brad Marsh said. presented by Toyota on Sunday when it hosts the New York Islanders. “This past year, we had an adaptive bike built for Lucy Brooks,’’ Marsh Summer marks ’s offseason – a time to take vacations, take said. “Joe Watson, Jimmy Watson and I delivered it to Lucy on Christmas up a new hobby or just take some time off. Eve Day. But when this year’s warm weather season arrives, the Flyers most likely “Seeing Lucy’s joy at getting her new bike and getting to know her family will spend time taking stock. — really nice people, and diehard Flyers fans to boot — inspired the Barring a miracle finish, the Flyers will continue their vexing trend of Alumni to start this new initiative.’’ making the playoffs one year, not making them the next. The motto of the new initiative is, “Building Bikes, Delivering Dreams.” It’s a trend that’s been in place since nearly a decade ago when they “Lucy has continued to ride since getting the bike, and she zooms around reached the postseason in 2010-11 and 2011-12. independently on it now,’’ Marsh said. “Every month we’ll have a brand At some point, there has to be accountability. new adaptive bike built and we’ll present it to a special needs child in the Delaware Valley. Due to costs, we’re going to need support from Flyers If you’re looking for it to come from the coaching ranks, you’re searching fans and sponsors to keep the program viable.” in the wrong place.

General manager Chuck Fletcher made it clear during Monday’s media call that head coach Alain Vigneault has nothing to worry about. Burlington County Times LOADED: 04.18.2021

On the other hand, any number of players do have something to fret.

Even though the Flyers came to within one win of reaching the Eastern Conference finals last year, that seems like a distant memory to a disgruntled fan base.

Where this season really went wrong is anybody’s guess.

Some blame it on COVID (the Flyers had their schedule disrupted by an outbreak in February), others on the retirement of Matt Niskanen and let’s not forget about the strange collapse of goaltender Carter Hart.

All that considered, the fact is the leadership core of this team is coming under fire again.

And Fletcher has to decide if he wants to make structural changes before the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign.

Would Flyers ownership really consider trying to move top-end players such as Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Sean Couturier or James van Riemsdyk?

Even if they could manage to dodge no-trade clauses and unbearably high contracts, would the Flyers be committed to a complete overhaul?

JVR is signed through the 2022-23 campaign and Voracek could be here until the end of 2023-24.

Throw in Kevin Hayes’ $7 million and you’re getting close to half of an approximate $80-million salary cap.

If ownership is as committed to a Stanley Cup as it says it is, CEO Dave Scott, Fletcher and Vigneault have to decide if this is the right cast of players moving forward.

Fletcher already made a statement by not bringing any new players on board at Monday’s trade deadline, coming right out and saying he didn’t want to diminish his assets – pretty much telling you he wants to save those resources for moves this summer.

It all comes down to whether the Flyers want to stay with this nucleus or move on.

So stock up on that iced tea and make sure the air conditioning is working. Things could get hot around here.

Christmas in April? 1209463 Philadelphia Flyers Though the Flyers tied the game twice on goals by Ivan Provorov and James van Riemsdyk, for the most part the team was a step slow and a foot from jamming up goalie Ilya Samsonov, who stopped 22 shots.

Grotz: As usual, Flyers problems start in goal “We put Alex in a real tough spot, and we didn’t play real well in front of him,” Vigneault said. “Obviously, they’re a good team and they’re capable of making a lot of plays. But we spent far too much time in our zone defending and we gave them a power play goal off a faceoff. We’re going By Bob Grotz [email protected] @BobGrotz on to have to re-energize, regroup and get ready for tomorrow’s game.”

Also unavailable for the Flyers Saturday was winger Nolan Patrick, hit in If you are what your goaltending is, the Flyers are a mess. the head with the puck Thursday. Vigneault said the trainer and Patrick felt it better to take another game off. Patrick’s availability for Sunday is Their first order of postseason business should be identifying who the uncertain. goaltender is going to be going forward, not which defenseman to pair with Ivan Provorov or how to get rid of high-priced veterans tactfully. Either way, the goalie issue remains. The Flyers have but 12 games remaining in what will be another non-playoff season. It would be the fifth It's going to take some outside consultants to help evaluate the time in nine years that happened. goaltending position properly because what happened Saturday at Wells Fargo Center was unacceptable on the part of Flyers management. Over that time and long before, through various management administrations, the Flyers’ mishandling and mis-evaluation of their Carter Hart, who was just finding his groove, “tweaked” a lower body goaltenders has underscored every season story. Typically, the Flyers injury he incurred late in the shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins won a playoff round last year with essentially the same team, and did Thursday. Thus, he was unable to play Saturday, per coach Alain very little to get better. Vigneault. Unless the Flyers anticipate a scorching finish this season (and if With Brian Elliott scheduled to play Sunday at home against the New somebody does, let them step forward now), with Hart ailing and Elliott York Islanders, Vigneault opted to start 28-year-old Phantoms goalie only productive when he has the proper rest between games, this would Alex Lyon, who played like he’d only had 10 career NHL starts and didn't be a good time to look at their option at Lehigh Valley. deserve an 11th in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals. Most of the goals Lyon allowed entered the net on his right side. Even if Lyon had What’s the problem with taking a longer, harder look at Felix Sandstrom, kept up with the scouting matchups, he was no match for Alex Ovechkin, the highly regarded draft pick? who drilled two shots past the overmatched goalie. Lyon got his chance. He did the best he could under the circumstances. “It was exceptionally difficult,” said Lyon, explaining that he typically He is who we thought he is. And that’s not good enough for Vigneault needs at least a day to get ready for a start. “I take pride in my and general manager Chuck Fletcher to put on the ice against Ovechkin. preparation, but at the same time, that’s what I get paid to do, and that’s my role on this team. So, it comes with the territory.” Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.18.2021 Let’s give Lyon credit for being transparent. Let’s also be honest. When you get your chance, you’ve got to get it done. And Lyon basically demonstrated why he’s a minor leaguer, with all due respect.

The Flyers didn’t exactly make it easy for Lyon or the rest of the team they keep urging to play hard. Injuries can worsen in a New York minute, as former Rangers coach Vigneault realizes. So, if Hart was feeling something following his Thursday start, why in the world wouldn’t you have Brian Elliott ready?

The 36-year-old Elliott was told to take Saturday off, that he would play Sunday, and thanks for everything you do. Well, Moose didn’t get the day off because Vigneault didn’t think the goalie situation through.

Elliott was basically yanked off his skates at the training complex in Voorhees and told to hustle over to the Center to back up Lyon. Elliott wasn’t available to talk about the experience, and Vigneault chose his words carefully.

“We were aware of it, he practiced yesterday and everything seemed fine,” Vigneault said of Hart. “But when he was warming up, he told (trainer Jim McCrossin) he couldn’t go. So, around 11 o’clock we told Alex he was coming in. We called back at the practice facility where Moose had just finished skating and told him to come back up.”

Instead of come back up, it should have been get in there and play. Wouldn't have mattered, though. Ovechkin buried two slapshots trailing smoke on the power play to lead the Caps to their fifth straight win in the series.

NHL goal No. 729 for Ovechkin sizzled off the left goalpost and pinballed around the net with 16:22 left in the first period. All Lyon saw was the red light.

Goal No. 730 for Ovechkin looked like a replay of the first goal. So impressed was Flyers rookie winger Wade Allison, who notched his first NHL goal, he proclaimed Ovechkin, “the greatest goal scorer ever.”

Time will tell on that. It also will show how good the surging Capitals really are. They didn't play their best yet answered every Flyers goal with one of their own. They burst out of the blocks to start each period. They were trading looks at the empty net down the homestretch. 1209464 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers Notebook: Hayes made Allison's first NHL goal an easy one

By Bob Grotz [email protected] @BobGrotz on Twitter

Wade Allison buried a sizzling cross ice pass from Kevin Hayes to record his first NHL goal Saturday, helping the Flyers close to within a goal early in the third period.

Before long, however, the visiting Washington Capitals would be marching off Wells Fargo Center ice with a 6-3 victory in tow as the Flyers made another positive step toward their NHL Draft Lottery fate.

Hayes relayed a perfect pass on the Claude Giroux to Allison, who looked like a seasoned veteran on the play. On a team that needs to look toward the future, Allison might eventually play a significant role.

“I’m going to have to go out and buy Hayesy a dinner,” said Allison, playing just his second NHL game. “Because it doesn’t get much easier than that one.”

Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom would love to share a little more of his survivor story to others stricken with cancer.

But with the season winding down, Lindblom knows the best he can do right now is stand front and center when the Flyers roll out their Hockey Fights Cancer tribute Sunday night at Wells Fargo Center.

From the collector player warmup jerseys and special edition sticks to be auctioned off, the proceeds benefiting local cancer initiatives to the towel giveaway and some words from Lindblom, the Flyers have it covered courageously and sensitively, as only they can do.

Even the opponent Sunday, the Islanders, will feel the emotion before they take the ice as it will be obvious how much the backing of the Flyers has helped Lindblom battle through to the other side.

“It meant everything, especially at the start,” said of the Flyers’ support. “I had a tough time to just live my normal life and stay positive. I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for me.

“As long as I can spread the word just a little bit and help some people, I’m happy to do it.”

Cindy Stutman, the senior vice president of business operations and executive director of Flyers Charities, can't wait for the ceremonies to begin.

“This year for sure, it’s a lot more personal,” Stutman said on a videoconference call. “Oskar has been successful in overcoming Ewing’s sarcoma and we’re real excited to make him a big part of the celebration because of the great news he’s gotten staying cancer free. It’s going to be a great night.”

Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209465 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers lose to Capitals, 6-3, with Alex Lyon starting in place of goalie Carter Hart

By Bob Grotz [email protected] @BobGrotz on Twitter

Flyers goalie Carter Hart, coming off a shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, is sidelined with a lower body injury according to general manager Chuck Fletcher.

Twenty-eight-year-old veteran Alex Lyon started his 11th career game when the Flyers opposed the Washington Capitals Saturday at Wells Fargo Center.

Unfortunately Alex Ovechkin scored two goals to spark the Caps to a 6-3 win over the Flyers, their fifth straight loss in the series. Lyon stopped 35 shots.

Hart is coming off his best game, and arguably best week of the season. After giving up a second-period goal to Sidney Crosby, Hart shutout the Penguins in the third period and overtime and stopped Kris Letang in the shootout Thursday to lift the Flyers to a 2-1 triumph over the Penguins.

Hart stopped 31 shots in the game.

Hart didn’t appear in the pre-game warmups for the Flyers.

Flyers coach Alain Vigneault revoked the day off he gave 36-year-old Brian Elliott, who suited up as the backup.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209466 Philadelphia Flyers A drastically different penalty kill this season after it was greatly improved in 2019-20.

• Alex Lyon had the unenvious assignment of having his number called Allison scores but Hart-less Flyers experience more struggles with late to face Ovechkin and the NHL's second-highest goal-scoring club. Capitals "It was exceptionally difficult," Lyon said of finding out around 11 a.m. that he would be starting instead of backing up. "I really like my preparation, I take pride in my preparation. But at the same time, that's BY JORDAN HALL what I get paid to do and that's my role on this team. It just goes with the territory."

The 28-year-old Lyon made his first NHL start in 14 and a half months. FLYERS He converted 35 saves on 40 shots. he Flyers started Saturday's game without Carter Hart and ended it with Against the Flyers this season, Capitals netminder Ilya Samsonov is 5-0- more troubles against the Capitals.T 0 with 145 saves on 157 shots. Hart was scratched from his scheduled start because of a lower-body • James van Riemsdyk and Ivan Provorov scored the Flyers' other goals. injury and Washington was once again too much for the Flyers, who lost, 6-3, at the Wells Fargo Center. Van Riemsdyk had a heckler in his ear during the second period. A clearly audible "nice shift, JVR!" was shouted a few times. Not long after, The Flyers (20-18-6) dropped to 1-5-0 against the Capitals this season van Riemsdyk was back for another shift and knotted the game at 2-2. and have allowed them to score 4.83 goals per game. Last season, Washington lost track of van Riemsdyk, who took advantage of a including the round-robin matchup, the Flyers went 4-0-1 against breakaway to end his 17-game goalless skid. Washington and yielded only eight goals. Provorov tied the game at 1-1 with one second left in the first stanza. The Different team, different season. 24-year-old has 20 goals over the last two seasons. The Predators' The Flyers' faint postseason hopes continue to fade. Alain Vigneault's Roman Josi had 21 entering Saturday. club is in sixth place and eight points out of a playoff spot with 12 games • Nolan Patrick and Tanner Laczynski did not play. Patrick was hit in the remaining. head by a shot on Thursday and Laczynski has a lower-body injury. "We were second on everything — second on pucks, second on making • The Flyers are right back at it Sunday when they host the Islanders plays," Vigneault said. "They were the far better team." (6:30 p.m. ET/NBCSN). The Capitals (29-12-4), who had a good number of fans in the building, scored an empty-net goal to punctuate the victory. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.18.2021 • Alex Ovechkin's greatness was on full display. He blasted a pair of his patented slap shots for power play goals.

The first came under four minutes into the game.

The second came just after the Flyers had tied the game at 2-2 in the middle stanza. Nicolas Aube-Kubel put Washington on the power play with a hooking infraction, his 17th penalty this season; that's six more than any other Flyer and far too many for a fourth-liner. It very well could kick him back out of the lineup when the Flyers are healthy.

Ovechkin made Aube-Kubel pay by scoring four seconds into the power play opportunity.

The 35-year-old superstar has 730 career goals and is two away from passing Marcel Dionne for fifth on the NHL's all-time list.

Zdeno Chara, the towering 44-year-old defenseman, had a gutsy sequence in which he blocked a shot but stayed on the ice for the entirety of the Flyers' power play at the end of the middle frame. Chara was gassed and in pain as the second-period horn sounded. The Capitals killed off the penalty and held a 4-2 lead.

Two great players.

Chara has had a Matt Niskanen-like impact on Washington. Ovechkin had a three-point game, Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded a goal and two assists, while John Carlson finished with four helpers.

• In his second game and first at the Wells Fargo Center, Wade Allison scored goal No. 1 of his NHL career. Allison finished a pretty passing play by Claude Giroux and Kevin Hayes on the power play to draw the Flyers within 4-3 in the third period.

Allison let out a huge pump of his fist. He got a good look Saturday on the team's second line with Giroux and Joel Farabee. The 23-year-old power forward has done plenty to keep himself in the lineup.

"I have to go out and buy Hayesy a dinner because it doesn't get much easier than that one," Allison said.

But every time the Flyers made things hairy for the Capitals, Washington responded. Conor Sheary ballooned the Capitals' lead back to two only two minutes and 13 seconds after Allison's tally.

• The Flyers gave up 38 power play goals in 69 games last season.

They've given up 36 in 44 games this season. 1209467 Pittsburgh Penguins

Minor league report: Penguins dropped by Crunch

SETH RORABAUGH

Sunday, April 18, 2021 2:31 a.m.

Goaltender Alex D’Orio made 13 saves on 16 shots for the Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 4-1 road loss to the at the Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial in Syracuse, N.Y. on Saturday.

Forward Tim Schaller scored the only goal for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (7- 10-3-2).

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209468 Pittsburgh Penguins • The Penguins dominated shots, 41-30. • Matheson led the game with seven shots.

• Thompson led the Sabres with six shots. Empty Thoughts: Penguins 3, Sabres 2 • Penguins defenseman Kris Letang led the game with 24:20 of ice time

on 24 shifts. SETH RORABAUGH • Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin led the Sabres with 24:02 of ice time on Sunday, April 18, 2021 5:21 a.m. 22 shifts.

• The Sabres controlled faceoffs, 24-21 (53 %).

Observations from the Penguins’ 3-2 win against the Sabres: • Reinhart was 9 for 13 (69 %).

Jared McCann has scored some pretty goals this season. • Crosby was 12 for 24 (50 %).

The goal he scored on Saturday was not one of them. • Matheson and Sabres defenseman Colin Miller each led the game with three blocked shots. But it might have been the craftiest. • Jarry made 28 saves on 30 shots. Chasing down a rebound in the left corner of the offensive zone, McCann just whipped to the crease where it hit off of goaltender Dustin Tokarski’s • Tokarski made 38 saves on 41 shots. backside and deflected into the net (video below). Randomly speaking It wasn’t exactly a lucky goal. There was some level calculation to what • The best player in this game might have been Tokarski. He was under McCann did. But it’s fair to say there might have been more hope than duress most of the game as the Penguins controlled puck possession strategy in what McCann did. and just peppered him with shots. He was pretty stout most of the game. And considering his captain does it on a fairly regular basis, hopes can McCann’s goal notwithstanding, none of the goals Tokarski were all that spring eternal. weak.

“It’s a real heads-up play by Jared,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “It’s not • The new second line of McCann, Jeff Carter and Jason Zucker was something that we have a lot of discussion about but what I will say is pretty strong in its second game. According to Natural Stat Trick, that trio he’s watched Sid do it a number of times a year here for a number of dominated puck possession with 13 shots attempts for and four shot years. And what better example? Sid scores more goals from below the attempts against. They were on the ice for the Sabres’ first goal but that goal line than anyone that I can think of. It may look like happenstance. It was more of a byproduct of a bad pass from Jarry. If the Penguins ever may look like it’s a lucky play but it’s a real calculated play and it’s a get something resembling a healthy group of forwards, that trio might get heads-up play to try to take advantage of a goalie when he’s in that broken up. But if nothing else, the Penguins appear to have discovered a situation when he has some separation from his post and there’s some viable combination for future reference. light there. • Rodrigues was traded by the Sabres to the Penguins in February of “You can use the goalie himself to bank it off of him and put it in the net. I 2020 after Rodrigues requested a trade. Something went afoul between thought it was a real smart play on Jared’s part.” the team and player as he was a healthy scratch on a regular basis for a pretty bad squad. Ever since then, on the occasions he has scored What happened against the Sabres, including twice in his past three games against Buffalo, he celebrates as if it were personal. After the game, he mostly The Penguins took a lead 10:30 into regulation. Taking a pass at the right dismissed a question about there being any personal significance to point of the offensive zone, Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson beating the Sabres. But his body language suggests otherwise. pumped a slapper on net. Goaltender Dustin Tokarski fought off the puck, pushing a rebound to the left corner. McCann retrieved the puck • The Sabres’ second goal came of a pretty lousy penalty called against and shuffled it to the crease where it clunked off of Tokarski’s derriere Penguins forward Mark Jankowski. At 10:54 of the third period, and deflected into the net for McCann’s 12th goal of the season. Jankowski hounded Cozens for a puck in the Sabres zone and Cozens Matheson and defenseman Cody Ceci registered assists. grabbed Jankowski’s stick, pulling it into his body. Officials deemed that a holding infraction against Jankowski and put the Sabres on the power It became a 2-0 contest 5:57 into the second period when former Sabres play. forward Evan Rodrigues scored his sixth goal. Stealing a poor pass by Sabres rookie forward Dylan Cozens behind Buffalo’s net, Penguins • This game was nearly tied late in regulation at 17:39 of the third period. forward Teddy Blueger slid a backhand pass to the left circle for Dahlin chucked a wrister from center point of the offensive zone. Jarry Rodrigues who ripped a wrister past Tokarski’s glove on the far side. The made the initial save but the rebound struck off the left post and bounced lone assist went to Blueger. in the crease behind Jarry who sprawled backward to smother it before anyone could get a stick on it. The Sabres responded quickly at 6:41 of the second. After intercepting an errant pass attempt by Jarry from his own crease on the left wall, • The Penguins moved rookie forward Radim Zohorna back into the Sabres forward Tage Thompson ripped a wrister that was blocked by lineup on the fourth line and scratched forward Sam Lafferty. Zohorna McCann. The rebound bounced in the left circle and was reclaimed by had 7:23 of ice time on nine shifts and recorded two shots on two Thompson who then fired a wrister through goaltender Tristan Jarry’s five attempts. hole for his sixth goal. There were no assists. Historically speaking A power-play goal at 12:15 of the second restored a two-goal lead for the Penguins. Taking a pass above the right circle of the offensive zone, • Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin had a career-best six-game Penguins forward Jake Guentzel moved the puck to forward Sidney scoring streak snapped. Crosby above the opposite circle. Moving past the faceoff dot, Crosby • Rust (204 points) surpassed forward Paul Gardner (203) for 42nd place zipped a pass to the front of the crease where forward Bryan Rust on the franchise’s career scoring list. planted his stick on the ice and deflected the puck past Tokarski’s left skate for his 17th goal. Crosby and Guentzel collected assists. • The Sabres were officially eliminated from postseason contention for the 10th consecutive season. No fan base deserves such futility less than The Sabres pulled within one goal with a power-play score at 11:44 of Buffalo. This is a wonderful hockey market, probably the best in the the third period. From the right of the cage, Sabres defenseman Rasmus United States. Its only problem is the hockey team. Ristolainen slid a pass to the left circle for forward Casey Mittlestadt who leaned down and lifted a one-timer past Jarry’s glove hand on the far Publicly speaking side for his seventh goal. Assists went to Ristolainen and forward Sam Reinhart. • Rodrigues dismissed any personal significance in playing the Sabres:

Statistically speaking “It just seems to be finding me when we play these guys. I try to come into every game doing the same thing. But early in the past two games against these guys, the puck just seems to be getting to my stick. Luckily, I’ve been able to put a couple in the back of the net.”

• Sullivan isn’t happy with the penalty kill:

“It’s a number of things. It essentially boils down to details. We’ve got to be better on the kill. We recognize that. We’ve got to do a better job as coaches in helping these guys in these situations. We’ll continue to work at that as a coaching staff. We recognize that’s an area of our game that we need to improve on in order to continue to get consistent results. We’ve had our ups and downs this year with the kill. Lately, it hasn’t been quite as good. It boils down to details. We’re trying to introduce some new guys like Jeff Carter into it as well. So there’s going to be a learning curve there. … There’s no excuses. We’ve got to get better as a group. The coaching staff has got to do a better job in getting these guys on the same page.”

• Penguins defenseman Cody Ceci on the penalty kill:

“We started the season a little rough on the (penalty kill) then got on a little groove and started doing well. Lately, we’ve started to slide a little bit. We just need to get a little bit more consistent heading into the playoffs. We’ve got a lot of good (penalty) killers, a lot of guys that will block shots and are willing to learn. If we get rolling at the right time, I think it will be good for us but we need to figure that out before the end of the (regular) season.”

• McCann on Carter:

“We’ve been great offensively. We’re getting chances every single game. Jeff, he’s a guy who brings a level of confidence on the ice when you’re out there with him. You know you can trust him. He obviously has the speed still and can fly out there. You know you’re just trying to find him. He does the same with me, he just tries to find me. So it’s been good.”

• Sullivan on the McCann-Carter-Zucker line:

“His line was pretty good tonight. They’re talking to one another in between shifts. Jeff is still trying to learn our team concept and how we’re trying to play. But I thought his line was pretty good tonight. They had a number of scoring chances. They’re all a little bit different in how they play. But they’re complementary. As far as if we’re going to move them around, it all depends on who is available to us and what we think the lineup looks like. But right now, given the lineup that we have, we think this is the best combination that gives us the balance that we want and surrounds the right people with what they need to be successful. I thought Jeff had a good game in particular. His line was pretty good as well.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209469 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins notes: Forward Jared McCann scores from a bad angle

SETH RORABAUGH

Saturday, April 17, 2021 8:49 p.m.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jared McCann often is praised for having a “shoot-first” mentality.

Blessed with a heavy wrister, he rarely hesitates to put a puck on net on the occasions he has a clean look.

During Saturday’s 3-2 road win against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center, McCann collected his 12th goal of the season at 10 minutes, 30 seconds of the first period with nothing close to a clean look at the net. Or any kind of view of the front of it.

Collecting a rebound in the left corner of the offensive zone, McCann immediately shuffled the puck to the crease, where it struck former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Dustin Tokarski’s backside and deflected into the cage.

Such a tactic is hardly routine. And Penguins coaches don’t explicitly advocate it. But they certainly don’t discourage it. Especially because captain Sidney Crosby routinely plays puck into the crease from bad angles in hopes of getting an intentional (or fortunate) bounce.

“It’s a real heads-up play by Jared,” coach Mike Sullivan said via video conference. “It’s not something that we have a lot of discussions about, but what I will say is he’s watched Sid do it a number of times a year here for a number of years. And what better example? Sid scores more goals from below the goal line than anyone that I can think of. It may look like happenstance. It may look like it’s a lucky play, but it’s a real calculated play and it’s a heads-up play to try to take advantage of a goalie when he’s in that situation when he has some separation from his post and there’s some light there.

“You can use the goalie himself to bank it off of him and put it in the net. I thought it was a real smart play on Jared’s part.”

McCann primarily played on the left wing of the second line for the second consecutive game with newly acquired forward Jeff Carter at center and Jason Zucker, typically a left winger, on the right wing.

According to Natural Stat Trick, the trio dominated the underwhelming Sabres in terms of puck possession with 13 shots attempts while only allowing four shot attempts.

“(That) line was pretty good (Saturday),” Sullivan said. “They’re talking to one another in between shifts. Jeff is still trying to learn our team concept and how we’re trying to play. But I thought his line was pretty good tonight. They had a number of scoring chances. They’re all a little bit different in how they play. But they’re complementary.”

With normal second-liners Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen each sidelined because of injuries, McCann, Carter and Zucker largely were cobbled together after Carter was acquired in a trade with the Los Angles Kings on Monday.

“As far as if we’re going to move them around, it all depends on who is available to us and what we think the lineup looks like,” Sullivan said. “But right now, given the lineup that we have, we think this is the best combination that gives us the balance that we want and surrounds the right people with what they need to be successful. I thought Jeff had a good game in particular. His line was pretty good, as well.”

Ice chips

Defenseman Brian Dumoulin had his career-best six-game scoring streak snapped. … Rookie forward Radim Zohorna returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch during Thursday’s 2-1 home shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He recorded 7:23 of ice time on nine shifts and had two shots on two attempts.

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209470 Pittsburgh Penguins “We’re trying to win each game that we go into here,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “Every game is important. We haven’t accomplished a thing to this point, and we understand that.”

Penguins hold off Sabres, move into second place

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.18.2021

SETH RORABAUGH

Saturday, April 17, 2021 5:47 p.m.

Evan Rodrigues claimed ignorance when the subject was broached Saturday evening.

After his current team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, defeated his former team, the Buffalo Sabres, 3-2, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, the Penguins forward was asked if he was aware the ex-employer formally was eliminated from postseason contention for the 10th consecutive season.

“I didn’t even know that,” Rodrigues said. “I don’t think it was on anyone’s mind for us. We’re focused on where we are in the standings and trying to put ourselves in the best position moving forward into the playoffs.”

The Penguins are still a little ways away from securing a playoff berth for the 14th straight year, but Saturday’s victory against a beleaguered opponent inched them closer in that pursuit. If nothing else, it gave them sole possession of second place in the East Division with 59 points, one more than the idle New York Islanders.

The Washington Capitals sit in first place with 62 points.

Saturday’s contest against the Sabres was probably not as close as the score indicated. The Penguins largely controlled puck possession, at least for the first 40 minutes. Were it not for a spirited effort by Sabres goaltender Dustin Tokarski, who made 38 saves on 41 shots, the result would have been more lopsided.

A goal off of Tokarski’s backside gave the Penguins the game’s first lead 10 minutes, 30 seconds into regulation. Taking a pass at the right point of the offensive zone, Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson pumped a slapper on net. Tokarski fought off the puck, pushing a rebound to the left corner.

Penguins forward Jared McCann retrieved the puck and shuffled it to the crease, where it bounced off of the seat of Tokarski’s pants and deflected into the net for McCann’s 12th goal of the season.

Rodrigues got his sixth goal 5:57 into the second period. After Penguins forward Teddy Blueger swiped a pass behind the Sabres’ net, he slid a backhand pass to the left circle for Rodrigues, who ripped a wrister past Tokarski’s glove hand on the far side.

The Sabres responded quickly at 6:41 of the second. After stealing a pass attempt by Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry, Sabres forward Tage Thompson ripped a wrister from the slot for his sixth goal.

A power-play goal by Penguins forward Bryan Rust at 12:15 of the second restored a two-goal lead. Taking a pass above the right circle of the offensive zone, Penguins forward Jake Guentzel dished the puck to forward Sidney Crosby above the opposite circle. Moving past the faceoff dot, Crosby zipped a pass to the front of the crease, where Rust planted his stick on the ice and deflected the puck past Tokarski’s left skate for his 17th goal.

After going 0 for 3 with their power play during Thursday’s 2-1 home shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, the Penguins placed emphasis on being crisper with the man advantage versus the weak Sabres.

“Against (Philadelphia), we didn’t do that,” McCann said. “So we kind of stressed that (Saturday). And the power play got a big goal for us.”

It got a little bigger when Sabres forward Casey Mittlestadt collected his eighth goal on a power-play chance at 11:44 of the third period to make it a one-goal game.

A late surge by the Sabres was turned away by Jarry. He finished with 28 saves on 30 shots to improve his record to 18-8-3 while the Penguins improved their station in the East Division and got two points closer to the postseason. 1209471 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins to start Tristan Jarry against Sabres

SETH RORABAUGH

Saturday, April 17, 2021 11:20 a.m.

Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry is scheduled to start Saturday’s road game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center.

The team announced Jarry’s status via a statement on Saturday morning.

In 29 games this season, Jarry has a 17-8-3 record along with a 2.77 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.

The Sabres are expected to start former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Dustin Tokarski. In seven games this season, Tokarski has a 1-4-2 record along with a 3.32 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209472 Pittsburgh Penguins to play. They want to be in the lineup every night. So I think they’re anxious to get back in the lineup and help our team. But from a mindset standpoint, they’re in good spirits.”

Porous penalty kill leaves unit near bottom of league in April Kapanen, out since March 24 with a lower-body injury, maybe back at practice this upcoming week. The timeline to return is murkier for Malkin and Tanev.

MATT VENSEL Late-season ‘sprint’

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Saturday began a season-ending stretch for the Penguins that has them playing 13 games in 22 days. That includes two back-to-backs beyond APR 17, 2021 8:52 PM this weekend.

“We know it’s a sprint to the finish,” Jake Guentzel said Friday. “We’ve BUFFALO, N.Y. – During March, few penalty kills were stingier than got to make sure we’re at our best here and getting recovery off the ice Pittsburgh’s. that we need.”

Their timing while pressuring opponents on the perimeter was Around the boards impeccable. Their net-front was inaccessible. And their goalies were Brian Dumoulin’s career-best point streak ended after six games. … The impenetrable on the odd occasions they had breakdowns. Even with lone lineup change was rookie Radim Zohorna replacing Sam Lafferty. … Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev sidelined for stretches, the Penguins The Penguins teamed up with the Sabres for a joint Pride Game on killed 85.7% of the penalties they took. Saturday. Players wore special edition jerseys and many used rainbow- And then April arrived and the Penguins have reverted back to their old colored stick tape in warmups. form.

Starting with their blowout loss in Boston on April 3, they have Post Gazette LOADED: 04.18.2021 surrendered seven power-play goals in their last seven games. That included one in the third period of Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center, a rocket by Casey Mittelstadt that came nine seconds after a teammate drilled the post.

Pittsburgh Penguins Bryan Rust (17) Brian Dumoulin (8) and Tristan Jarry (35) celebrate a victory over the Buffalo Sabres following the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 17, 2021.

The Penguins have now killed just 68.4% of their penalties in April. Only five teams in the league had a worse percentage entering Saturday night’s action.

“It’s a number of things. It essentially boils down to details,” coach Mike Sullivan said Saturday, acknowledging their struggles with a nod. “We’ve got to be better on the kill and we recognize that. We’ve got to do a better job as coaches and helping these guys in these situations and we’ll continue to work at that.”

In Saturday’s win, one factor was the integration of Jeff Carter into the penalty kill. The Penguins, potentially preparing for Mark Jankowski to be out of their lineup once the playoffs begin, are trying to get Carter quickly up to speed.

He was the highest defender in their diamond formation when the Sabres scored. Carter, who has historically been capable inside his zone, took an overaggressive loop up top and pulled himself out of position. That allowed Mittelstadt to step into a one-timer in the slot after the Sabres worked the puck down low.

“There’s going to be a learning curve there,” Sullivan said of the 36-year- old.

Cody Ceci, who has become a regular on the penalty kill during his first year with Pittsburgh, expressed optimism that the Penguins will bounce back soon.

“I think we just need to get a little more consistent heading into playoffs,” the blue-liner said. “We’ve got a lot of good killers, a lot of guys that will block shots and are willing to learn. So I think if we get rolling at the right time it will be good for us in the playoffs. We’ve got to figure that out before the end of the season.”

Injured guys upbeat

The Penguins on Saturday were once again without the services of Evgeni Malkin, Kasperi Kapanen and Tanev as the three forwards continued to rehab their respective injuries. Malkin and Kapanen have been skating on an individual basis. Tanev, meanwhile, has not yet been cleared to get back on his skates.

Sullivan was asked Friday how those three were dealing mentally and emotionally with the longer-term injuries that have them stuck in street clothes.

“They’re all anxious to get back in the lineup. That’s just, I think, the nature of their competitiveness,” the coach said. “These guys, they want 1209473 Pittsburgh Penguins Sullivan agreed, saying that he thought their skill sets are “complementary.”

In coaching circles, there are two schools of thought about acclimating Jeff Carter's line gets on the scoreboard as Penguins beat Sabres yet deadline pick-ups such as Carter, who came over from Los Angeles on again Monday.

One argues that with such a short runway to the playoffs it’s best to let a player build chemistry with a couple of guys. The other is that the you- MATT VENSEL know-what will surely hit the fan at some point during the postseason, so it is beneficial to get a feel for how the new player would perform with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette various teammates. APR 17, 2021 7:11 PM Sullivan was asked Saturday what the plan is for Carter going forward.

“Are we going to move him around? It all depends on who’s available to BUFFALO, N.Y. – Saturday’s game at KeyBank Center, as expected, us and what the lineup looks like,” Sullivan said. “But right now, given the provided little intrigue. The Penguins once again handled the Buffalo lineup that we have, we think this is the best combination that gives us Sabres in a 3-2 win. the balance that we want and surrounds the right people with what they need to be successful.” Even as the Sabres made their last push, it never really seemed fathomable that they could actually beat the Penguins. Are they even If McCann, Carter and Zucker continue to click, the Penguins would allowed to do that? suddenly have a formidable third line with a two-time Stanley Cup-winner in Carter in the middle. And that would make filling out the lineup card a The sleepy afternoon matinee did give the Penguins another chance to lot easier for Sullivan. evaluate their new line of Jeff Carter and wingers Jared McCann and Jason Zucker. The top line of Jake Guentzel, Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust is one of the league’s best in terms of 200-foot impact. So that one should be set Two games are a small sample, especially when one was against a in cement. Sabres team that was icing a mix of fringe NHLers and underwhelming recent draft picks. But in the last three days, the Carter line has looked Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen, barring a setback as they work their like a potential playoff option. way back from their respective injuries, should be reunited on the second line. In this file photo, then-LA Kings center Jeff Carter (#77) controls the puck during the third period of an NHL game against the Colorado Avalanche Sullivan could then put Brandon Tanev or Evan Rodrigues on Malkin’s on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, in Los Angeles. left-wing and slot in the other guy alongside Teddy Blueger and Zach Aston-Reese. Coach Mike Sullivan said he liked what he has seen from those three so far. Rodrigues and Blueger teamed up for a goal in the second period Saturday. Both pressured Dylan Cozen in the corner, forcing the young “[Carter’s] line was pretty good again,” Sullivan said. “I think they’re Sabres center to try to flip a pass to his teammate. Blueger swatted that talking to one another in between shifts. Jeff’s still trying to learn our down, spun and spotted Rodrigues, who put his shot from the slot over team concept and how we’re trying to play. But I thought his line was the outstretched glove of Tokarski. pretty good [Saturday].” “Those two are awesome. They’re so easy to play with,” Rodrigues said That trio displayed instant chemistry Thursday in their first game of Blueger and Aston-Reese, a pair of shutdown forwards. “They’re both together, a 2-1 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter in really smart hockey players. They’re really easy to read off of. They’re particular came close on a couple of occasions during his Penguins two guys that just make the simple play, do the right thing. And we seem debut. But his line couldn’t quite score. to be jelling pretty quick.”

It didn’t take them long to light the lamp two days later at KeyBank After Rodrigues scored, the Sabres soon got a goal from Tage Center. Thompson after Tristan Jarry’s clearing attempt was thwarted. But Rust, on a power play, flicked a firm pass from Crosby past Tokarski’s left toe McCann gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead midway through the first period. to restore the two-goal lead. From the corner, he saw Dustin Tokarski scrambling back to his post and cleverly banked in a shot off the former Penguins farmhand for his Casey Mittelstadt scored on a power play with 8:16 left to pull the Sabres seventh goal in 11 games. back within a goal. Then they hit the post with under three minutes remaining. But the Penguins held on to improve to 5-0-0 against the The Penguins out-shot the Sabres, 9-4, when Carter was on the ice at 5- Sabres this season. on-5. And that line had a really strong shift with a few minutes remaining to help them bleed down the clock. They were out-chanced, 5-4, by their opposition, though. Post Gazette LOADED: 04.18.2021 Their line was on the ice for one goal in both games. To be fair, each one was a little fluky, coming on a scramble drill after a failed clearing attempt.

Jeff Carter's connections to Penguins go way back. But none quite like Kasperi Kapanen

But when it comes to the offensive end, McCann thinks the line has been “great.” Of course, he feels that way. The dude has put a dozen total shots on goal.

“We’re getting chances,” McCann said. “Jeff is a guy who kind of brings a level of confidence when you’re out on the ice with him. You can trust him. He obviously has the speed still and can fly out there. So you’re just trying to find him. He does the same with me, right? He’s trying to find me. So it’s been good.”

The line makes a lot of sense on paper. McCann’s speed and wrist shot are more useful on the wing. Carter skates well for a 6-foot-3 man and will battle in front of both nets. And Zucker, if the puck would actually start sticking to his blade again, is a one-time 30-goal scorer who has useful short-area playmaking skills. 1209474 Pittsburgh Penguins

McGuire Calls Sidney Crosby ‘Most Disrespected Player in Our Game’

Published 8 hours ago on April 17, 2021

By Dan Kingerski

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is not exactly Rodney Dangerfield, but sometimes Crosby can be downright disrespected, and we’re not talking about Philadelphia Flyers fans.

A couple of weeks ago, retired Columbus Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky, who seemed to delight in inflicting pain upon Crosby when the two squared off, disparaged Crosby’s on-ice presence and called him a whiner. Crosby took the high road and didn’t respond.

Crosby has won just two Hart trophies despite nearly 15 years of dominance. In his 16th season, Crosby is again in the top-10 of NHL scoring and has carried the Penguins as injuries have crumpled the lineup, including a significant injury to Evgeni Malkin.

On Saturday, NBC color analyst Pierre McGuire heaped praise on Crosby during the Penguins 3-2 win and chided his compadres across hockey.

“This guy’s career has been amazing, and not enough people show enough respect,” McGuire said during the first period of the broadcast. “He’s the most disrespected player in our game in terms of star power. I really believe it.”

McGuire’s broadcast partner , the Seattle Kraken play-by- play next season, also chimed in.

“You don’t want to say a superstar is taken for granted, but occassionally but Sidney may because of consistency and others who have emerged over time,” Forsland said.

Crosby has captained three Stanley Cup winners, won two gold medals, including scoring the Golden Goal for Team Canada in 2010, won the world championships, world junior championships, as well as a bevy of individual honors.

In 16 NHL seasons, Crosby has 1313 points in 1027 games after one assist on Saturday.

But let’s come back to the trophies. Crosby has only two Hart trophies, despite being arguably a top-five player in NHL history. That seems like a low total.

This season, Sidney Crosby has 50 points in 43 games, including 17 goals. He tied Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand for the top-scoring player in the East Division.

The broadcasters also hyped Crosby’s Hart trophy bonafides for this season. We won’t argue.

In Crosby fashion, teammate Jared McCann scored a goal that Crosby has made famous by shooting the puck off the goalie’s back from below the goal line.

Pittsburgh Hockey NowLOADED: 04.18.2021 1209475 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Report Card & Chalkboard: Dangerous Win vs. BUF | PHN+

Published 9 hours ago on April 17, 2021

By Dan Kingerski

The Pittsburgh Penguins easily handled the Buffalo Sabres for about 50 minutes. And then the Penguins nearly let a win escape their grasp, with a few turnovers and conservative play. Ultimately, goalie Tristan Jarry had to make a few big saves in the final minutes, and the Penguins survived the Buffalo Sabres push for a 3-2 win on Saturday at Key Bank Arena.

Buffalo really pushed, and the Penguins really hung for the win.

There were a handful of standout performances and a few players whose good stats didn’t necessarily match. The Penguins vaulted themselves into second place in the MassMutual East Division.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209476 Pittsburgh Penguins Brian Dumoulin’s six-game scoring streak ended. The Penguins have points in their last 15 games in Buffalo (13-0-2).

The Penguins claimed second place in the East Division with the win. Penguins 3 Stars & Recap: Whew, Pens Hang On, Beat Buffalo 3-2 They trail Washington by three points for first-place.

The loss officially eliminated the Buffalo Sabres from playoff contention. Published 12 hours ago on April 17, 2021 Pittsburgh Penguins 3 Stars (per PHN): By Dan Kingerski Sidney Crosby

The Penguins top line spent nearly the entire game in the Buffalo zone, The Pittsburgh Penguins started strong and stayed strong as they as Buffalo lacked anyone who could guard Crosby. Crosby finished with extended their points streak to five games (4-0-1) by beating the one assist and four shot attempts (two on the net) but was a dangerous rejuvenated Buffalo Sabres 3-2 at Key Bank Arena on Saturday presence. afternoon. Mike Matheson The Penguins otherwise dominated but failed to finish off Buffalo. Things Matheson pushed the offense. He also had one assist and led the got interesting midway through the third period when Casey Mittelstadt Penguins team with seven shots on net. Matheson is like an extra (8) snapped a power-play goal to pull Buffalo within 3-2. forward in the offensive zone and he didn’t lose his defensive With two minutes remaining, Buffalo’s Sam Reinhart hit the post with a responsibilities, either. rebound attempt. Jarry dove back to cover the puck and the Penguins Evan Rodrigues preserved their win. E-Rod may have been the best Pittsburgh Penguins forward in the first “We expected them to push. They have some good young players,” Cody 30 minutes. He had his A-game against his former team. With a hop in Ceci said. “They pushed…and (Tristan Jarry) made some big saves.” his skates, he tied for the lead among all Penguins forwards with five The Penguins swarmed Buffalo in the first period. The first 20 minutes shots (Jason Zucker, Bryan Rust also had five). He scored one goal and very much looked like a team with 27 wins and just three points out of nearly had a couple more. first place against one of the worst teams in the league. Buffalo was turnover-prone, but part of that was the Penguins puck pressure. Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021 In the middle of the first period, the Penguins finally cracked the scoreboard on a play that looked like a Sidney Crosby special but was, in fact, Jared McCann. Buffalo goalie Dustin Tokarski steered a Mike Matheson shot to the corner, but McCann (12) banked a shot off Tokarski.

“He’s watched Sid do it a number of times a year here for a couple of years. And what better example? I think Sid scores more goals from below the goal line than anyone that I can think of,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “It may look like happenstance. It may look like it’s a lucky play, but it’s a real calculated play and it’s a heads-up play.”

It was also Matheson’s 10th assist this season. He has 14 points in 36 games.

The Penguins outshot Buffalo 12-4, and that shot clock looks close compared to the optics.

Early in the second period, Evan Rodrigues continued his energetic play. Penguins center Teddy Blueger intercepted a couple of outlet passes and clearing attempts behind the Buffalo net. Blueger fed Rodrigues (6) in the slot, and Rodrigues snapped it past Tokarski.

However, this time Buffalo answered 44 seconds later. A blocked shot, a failed clear by Jason Zucker led to a Tage Thompson (6) wrist shot from the slot.

The Penguins power play, which has reached top-10 status, converted in the middle of the second period. After extended zone time and puck movement, Bryan Rust (17) neatly deflected Sidney Crosby’s pass past Tokarski.

The Penguins had six shots on two power-play chances.

The Penguins did not thoroughly dominate the second period as they did the first, but the Penguins still flexed their superiority with a 13-8 shot advantage and extended territorial possession. The only Penguins line which failed to establish a significant advantage on shots and shot attempts was the Penguins fourth line with Mark Jankowski, Colton Sceviour and Radim Zohorna had an ugly 25% shot attempt rate (which means when they were on the ice, 75% of the shots were against them).

Thompson and Rodrigues led all players with five shots after two periods.

Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry was not often challenged, but when he was, Jarry was very good, including one sprawling save in the early moments of the second period. Jarry stopped 28 of 30 including a half dozen in the final two minutes.

Notes: 1209477 Pittsburgh Penguins BetMGM Sportsbook States: NJ, PA, IN, CO, MI, VA, WV

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Bets We Like With a Sabres Win Published 16 hours ago on April 17, 2021 Sabres to win (+225, DraftKings) By Kyle Laskowski This one is pretty simple. If you believe in the Sabres turnaround over

their last nine games, and you think there’s a chance they catch the Pens The Pittsburgh Penguins missed an opportunity to gain more ground on napping in an afternoon road game, then simply picking the Sabres to first-place Washington with a frustrating 2-1 shootout setback against win should bring a great return on investment. Philadelphia on home ice on Thursday night. They will look to rebound This is the first of five straight home games for the Sabres against today against one of the NHL’s worst teams in the Buffalo Sabres. Pittsburgh and Boston, and home underdogs have been a nice play, Let’s take a look at this matchup, the fifth of eight between the teams this especially in the first of back-to-backs this season. Don’t make it a big season, from a betting perspective in our Sabres vs. Penguins betting bet, but something palatable with a chance to more than double that preview with odds, picks and predictions. money is worth a small investment.

DraftKings Sportsbook Bets We Like Independent of Outcome

States: PA, NJ, IN, IL, CO, MI, TN, VA, WV OVER 6 goals (-117, DraftKings)

Despite their overtime setback, the Penguins picked up a point and are This looks too easy. We outlined the Penguins’ recent offensive prowess now within three points of the first-place Washington Capitals. The above (the Flyers loss aside). We also mentioned the Sabres are now Penguins have a game in hand. The Sabres’ hopes to contend ended turning to a third-string goalie while noting Buffalo’s recently improved long ago in the midst of a stunning 18-game winless streak. scoring attack. This one could reach the six-goal mark by the second period. However, Buffalo has been playing spirited hockey since that streak, going 5-2-2 over its last nine contests. That stretch includes a 5-2 upset Penguins vs. Sabres Prediction win in Washington earlier this week. Pittsburgh is the better team with more riding on this outcome than Sabres vs. Penguins Betting Pick Buffalo, but the Sabres have been playing plucky hockey lately. It’s possible they could match the Penguins chance-for-chance for a little Pittsburgh’s offense was rolling the game against the Flyers. With the while. addition of Jeff Carter at the trade deadline, conventional wisdom suggested that it would be even better. But Philadelphia goalie Carter We already told you we like the over in this spot, even at 6 goals, but Hart had a superb game to deny the Penguins. maybe consider bumping the total down to 5.5 and parlay it with a Penguins victory to get the odds in your favor (+116, DraftKings). Make it Still, they have scored 30 goals in just seven games this month and beat Penguins 5, Sabres 3. the Sabres badly all four times they have faced them this season, outscoring Buffalo by a 17-4 margin.

Meanwhile, Buffalo’s offense is dreadful. They rank 29th in the NHL, Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021 scoring with just 2.37 goals per game. However, in this nine-game stretch since their winless streak, the Sabres have outscored their opponents by a 34-27 margin, averaging 3.78 goals per game.

The problem for Buffalo today, and moving forward, is starting goalie Linus Ullmark was hurt earlier this week, and latest reports suggest he could be done for the season, meaning the Sabres will now have to rely on the well-traveled Dustin Tokarski in goal on most nights.

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Sabres vs. Penguins Odds

Here are the odds for Penguins vs. Sabres at DraftKings Sportsbook:

Spread: Penguins (-1.5 -110), Sabres (+1.5 -108)

Moneyline: Penguins (-275); Sabres (+225)

Over/Under: Over 6 (-117)/Under 6 (-104)

Bets We Like With a Penguins Win

Sidney Crosby 2+ points (+150, DraftKings)

Crosby has been red-hot in April for the Penguins. He has three goals and seven assists for 10 points, meaning he’s accounted for scoring in exactly one-third of the Penguins’ goals this month. He also has two goals and five assists for seven points in just four games against the Sabres this season, good for nearly two points per game.

With the odds in your favor, take a chance that Crosby gets on the scoresheet twice, especially with the Pens being a heavy favorite as they face an AHL goalie. 1209478 Pittsburgh Penguins *The Penguins have points in 23 of its last 25 games against Buffalo (20- 2-3) dating back to Oct. 5, 2013. During that span, the Penguins have outscored the Sabres by a 95-46 margin.

Pride Day, Gm 44: Penguins Lines, Notes & What to Watch vs. Sabres *The Penguins have an active 14-game point streak versus the Sabres in Buffalo (12-0-2).

*The Penguins and Buffalo play back-to-back games. This season, the Published 18 hours ago on April 17, 2021 Penguins are 9-2-1 in back-to-backs (6-0-0 the first night; 3-2-1 the second night) By Dan Kingerski *Tristan Jarry is 9-1-2 in his last 13 games with a 2.30 goals-against

average and a .923 save percentage. The Pittsburgh Penguins (27-13-3) game against and Buffalo Sabres will *Jake Guentzel is tied with Arizona’s Phil Kessel for the most third period be unique. The teams will co-host and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community goals (11) in the NHL. on Saturday with a Pride Game at Key Bank Arena at 3 p.m. The Penguins can claim second place in the East Division with a win, but *Sidney Crosby ranks second in the East Division with 49 points (17g, Buffalo has played much better since their recent 18-game winless 32a). Boston’s Brad Marchand has 50 points. streak. *Brian Dumoulin has a career-high six-game points streak (2g, 4a). Buffalo has been playing better and faster.

“I think speed is a great asset for them, and I think that’s something we got to watch out for. I think their system game is really good,” Penguins Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021 defenseman Marcus Pettersson said of Buffalo under interim coach Don Granato. “When they create turnovers at their own blue line, they like to the translation really quick, and that’s kind of a staple of their team.”

Buffalo is 2-0-1 in their last three games, including a surprising 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

The Penguins were a little rusty and admittedly not sharp on Thursday after their first three-day layoff since January. Head coach Mike Sullivan said the coaching staff was concerned about the effects of the layoff but seemed otherwise tolerant of the Penguins’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

“Our coaching staff was a little bit concerned about that. We do think in the big picture, it’s really good for our team to give our guys an opportunity to recover,” Sullivan said.

Tristan Jarry will start in goal for the Penguins. Dustin Tokarski is the likely starter for the Buffalo Sabres.

What to Watch

Can and will the Pittsburgh Penguins put away the Buffalo Sabres? Buffalo is playing loose and free. There’s no pressure for Buffalo, and things have been so dark, their recent success, albeit moderate, has been a rising tide.

It should be a speed game with similar styles. The depleted Penguins lineup is still a bit more talented than Buffalo, especially as Buffalo traded away Taylor Hall on Monday. Buffalo also traded defenseman Brandon Montour, who roughed up Sidney Crosby in their previous two meetings.

Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen also dished a few bone- crunching hits.

The Penguins will need to be sharper than they were on Thursday. More tape-to-tape passes, but also more aggression near the net in the offensive zone.

This could be a fun game to watch as the speed level hits the red lines and the physicality follows.

Pittsburgh Penguins Game Notes

INJURIES Position, Player (Consecutive Games Missed, Total Games Missed)

D Mark Friedman (21 consecutive, 21 total)

F Evgeni Malkin (14 consecutive, 14 total)

F Kasperi Kapanen (10 consecutive, 10 total)

F Brandon Tanev (5 consecutive, 11 total)

F Frederick Gaudreau (1 consecutive, 1 total)

2020-21 Total Regular-Season Man-Games Lost: 227

Mike Sullivan updated the Penguins injury and rehab progress on Friday. 1209479 Pittsburgh Penguins road, most guys are going off into different directions for dinner in smaller groups and things like that,” Penguins defenseman Mike Matheson said. “This year, we’ve been lucky enough to have a little lounge or a common room or something like that at the hotel when we’re playing on the road. Penguins Chemistry Set: GM Keeps It, Players Enjoying It, Will Fans? Everybody’s just been hanging out there through the day and then ordering dinner together, eating dinner together. So it’s I think it’s been

great in that sense.” Published 21 hours ago on April 17, 2021 Hanging out. Hanging together. Chirping each other in the media. Those By Dan Kingerski things are nice, but winning is the required result, or all of the bromances in the world won’t matter. This season, the Penguins have earned the Ws in part because of their chemistry. Hextall wouldn’t mess with it. Sullivan sees it. The players are enjoying it. The Pittsburgh Penguins remained completely intact this week. As their rivals shipped away prime players at the NHL trade deadline, like Jakub Maybe, just maybe, fans will get to enjoy it this summer, too. Vrana from Washington to Detroit, and valuable assets like first-round picks and young NHL players, the Penguins swapped a couple of mid- round picks to add one player because they believe they already have Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021 part of the magic formula.

The Penguins believe they have a special chemistry.

From the general manager to the head coach, to the new players who have spent just 43 games in a Penguins sweater, the refrain was the words to the same song.

“The word chemistry is a big part of all this. And the chemistry that this group has right now, and has had the entire year, is special,” GM Ron Hextall said. “…I really like our chemistry. You can argue five of our top forwards have been out and for extended periods of time. And we’ve just kept winning games and guys are stepping up.”

Frederick Gaudreau, Radim Zohorna, and even Colton Sceviour have recently put a few pucks in the net. Sceviour was waived last Saturday. He cleared waivers on Sunday. Then netted his first two-goal game since 2017.

Their chemistry was a protected asset at the NHL trade deadline.

Who’s to argue? Hextall has a Stanley Cup ring from his work in Los Angeles, in which he was largely responsible for the wealth of young talent that put LA over the top in 2012. That same young talent carried LA to another Cup after Hextall got the Philadelphia Flyers GM gig in 2014.

Those LA teams dethroned the Chicago Blackhawks, who themselves won three Stanley Cups. The Philadelphia transplants, Hextall, Jeff Carter, and Mike Richards, were part of a tight group that also relied heavily on depth and young players.

Head coach Mike Sullivan has a pair of Stanley Cup rings, and it was arguably his handiwork to remold the mentally soft Pittsburgh Penguins and redevelop their chemistry in 2016 and 2017.

Sullivan sees it too.

“(At the trade deadline), we talked about what we felt the team needs were and how we could improve the group. We talked at length about the chemistry of the group and the importance of that. We really like how the group has come together this year, Sullivan said. “We think we’ve got really good chemistry in our dressing room. And we’ve all been cognizant of the fact that we don’t want to be disruptive to that. So that’s an important aspect, I think, of becoming a team in a true sense of the word.”

Before Thursday night, the Penguins scored four or more goals in six straight games. The franchise record was seven set from Dec. 1-14, 2016. The Penguins lost Thursday 2-1 in a shootout after a three-day layoff, which was admittedly a factor.

That 2016-17 Pittsburgh Penguins team was an experienced Stanley Cup winner that began to recover from their Stanley Cup hangover. At the 2017 NHL trade deadline, those Penguins uncharacteristically stayed quiet, too. As questions about the 2017 team’s fitness for a repeat Stanley Cup mounted, they flexed their muscle long enough to remind everyone the road to the Stanley Cup still ran through Pittsburgh.

The 2020-21 team is in a much different spot. Battered not by physical opponents but by injuries, the team has rallied around each other.

Come full circle to chemistry.

“I think the one benefit of us being in our own bubble here, whether it’s at home or on the road, I think it’s brought us even closer together than a regular-season would have … (In normal seasons), when you’re on the 1209480 San Jose Sharks

Barracuda Vaccinated Last Week; Sommer on Chekhovich, Chmelevski’s Slow Starts | SJHN+

Published 3 hours ago on April 17, 2021

By Brian Truong

The Barracuda have put together three straight wins, their longest streak of the season, with a 4-2 victory against the Texas Stars Saturday.

After a scoreless first period, the Stars (12-14-2-0) broke the ice with a power play goal early in the second period and scored again three minutes later for a 2-0 lead.

Despite trailing 16-12 in shots on goal through two periods, the Barracuda (12-9-4-2) scored a flurry of goals within 78 seconds to take the lead. Scott Reedy started things by tipping in Ryan Merkley’s shot for a power play goal. Reedy has a pair of goals for the season, while Merkley has assists in back-to-back games.

A minute later, the Barracuda’s fourth line connected for their third goal in the last two games, as Steenn Pasichnuk chipped in a backhand shot from down low. Zach Gallant and Lean Bergmann earned assists.

Then, Ivan Chekhovich capitalized on a turnover and wristed in his second goal of the season to give San Jose the 3-2 lead.

At the end of the game, Evan Weinger scored on the empty net for his third goal of the season. Alexei Melnichuk (4-5-3) made 24 saves in the 4-2 win.

San Jose plays another pair of back-to-back games against the San Diego Gulls (19-12-0-0) Tuesday and Wednesday at SAP Center.

SOMMER TALKS KEY PROSPECTS

Reedy seems to be making the most of his amateur tryout with the Barracuda, recording four points in his last five games.

Reedy played his first four games on the right wing, but is now back to his regular position at center. He’s currently on the second line with fellow rookies Brandon Coe and Jake McGrew.

“I like the way [Reedy] controls himself in traffic,” head coach Roy Sommer told San Jose Hockey Now Saturday. “He’s got kind of a heavy stick, he’s hard to get the puck off. What he brings is that he’s got a really good shot. He can get it away from everywhere.”

Reedy’s two-year entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks begins next season. He’s not the only prospect that Sommer is seeing good things from — he’s pleased with Chekhovich and Chmelevski’s recent play. He also commented on Brandon Coe’s emergence and gave an Alexander Barabanov update.

San Jose Hockey NowLOADED: 04.18.2021 1209481 San Jose Sharks San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021

Postgame Notes #44: Patty Ties Gordie, But Sharks Fall Apart in 5-2 Loss

Published 7 hours ago on April 17, 2021

By Sheng Peng

PERIOD 1

9 left: Fantastic save by Jones, after 4 Wild go along wall to deny a Sharks exit there. Then Hartman slips a pass through Karlsson to Fiala back door. Good goaltending means so much, San Jose turns right around and scores.

Burns goal: Full credit to Tomas Hertl, who chips it to himself, then holds off two Wild before Balcers comes to support.

LOL I had just finished clipping the #SJSharks goal when #MNWild scored 3 in 1:12.

Zuccarello goal: Maybe Simek can use a game off, get a reset. He looked gutted in his media availability after the last loss. Not a good decision there, still short-handed, to chase one Wild there just as Zuccarello filling in net front. Overzealous.

Eriksson Ek goal: Karlsson gets beat up the ice, but as he’s up digging for the 50-50 puck, Meier turns to offense right when the Wild win the puck. It’ll be popular to kill EK65 on this, but if he, Gambrell, and Sorensen are battling along the wall, Meier has to be thinking more defense and covering his teammate.

Parise goal:

Interesting SPORTLOGiQ stat: Minnesota 20-6 Controlled Entries, All Situations. Granted, Wild had the PPs, but also a statement on how little offense the San Jose Sharks created in the opening frame.

PERIOD 2

Vlasic can’t get it out; Kaprizov gets a stick on it. Nice play from a rookie, at the end of what was about to be a perhaps momentum-changing San Jose Sharks PK (they killed off a long 3v5). Wild come right back, Kaprizov one-times it. Vlasic doesn’t get a stick on Kaprizov’s blade. Fiala also slips behind Sharks’ team defense in what can be characterized as a team falling apart.

Ah, this explains why Vlasic couldn’t handle the Burns pass there for what should’ve been an easy clear:

Gregor has moved up with Couture-Kane; second line remains intact, the line that most deserves that; Donato is up with Gambrell-Sorensen; and Labanc and Meier are flanking Kellman. That’s a message being sent to Labanc and Meier.

Sturm goal: It looks like a lack of trust. Jones has to trust that Karlsson can cut off the near side from Sturm (which he does) and be prepared to cover the far side. Instead, Jones bites hard for some reason, and yes, Sturm contacts him, but Jones is well out when he doesn’t need to be. It’s not Karlsson’s job to cover both sides of the net there. And I understand Jones’s doubt there – Karlsson has been beat wide a lot this year – but Jones has to be better there.

Who knows where the San Jose Sharks go from here? Forwards, defense, and goaltending are all disheveled. Not to put it all on Jones – he was terrible tonight, but he wasn’t the only one – but it tells you how much good goaltending means in this league. When he was on top of the world two weeks ago, it felt like Jones was stapling together this entire Sharks squad – and he was. Now he’s come back to earth, everything has fallen apart.

Welcome to your new home for San Jose Sharks breaking news, analysis and opinion. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and don't forget to subscribe to SJHN+ for all of our members-only content from Sheng Peng and the National Hockey Now network plus an ad-free browsing experience.

1209482 San Jose Sharks In my mind, these are mostly excuses – fatigue, he’s not being pushed by another starting-caliber goalie anymore – he’s either good enough to still be a No. 1 or he’s not. Even the shoddy team defense – which is Jones’s most legitimate cover for not performing, in my opinion – is Playoff Watch/Lines #44: Jones Is Probably Boughner’s Best Option something that other goalies could probably better overcome. Right Now An aside about the narrative that Jones doesn’t perform unless he’s pushed by another potential starter: From 2016-18, Jones was perfectly fine with career back-up Aaron Dell behind him. Published 10 hours ago on April 17, 2021 In short, toss out the excuses: I’m simply not convinced that Jones is a By Sheng Peng No. 1 goalie anymore, but the San Jose Sharks don’t have a clear better option either. If the conclusion is, based on the current roster, that Jones still gives San Jose the best chance to win, I can’t really argue with that. The sixth-place San Jose Sharks are four points behind St. Louis for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West. But after the Sharks’ loss last What’s a coach to do when he’s trying to reach the post-season? night to the Wild, the Blues now have a game in hand on San Jose. St. And indeed, four points back, nine of your last 13 games against Vegas, Louis is at fifth-place Arizona tonight. Colorado, and Minnesota, I’m definitely not betting on San Jose. On the SAN JOSE SHARKS (18-21-4) other hand, the talent disparity between the Sharks and say the Golden Knights isn’t 1980 USA-USSR. San Jose definitely can compete with Things we know about today's #SJSharks game: Vegas and Colorado – they have this season – they just need a couple bounces. If they get them over the next month? Kellman and Gregor draw in. Anyway, Boughner’s job is to make the playoffs. Until that becomes Jones is in net. mathematically impossible, I’d expect him to do his best to win. Patrick Marleau ties Gordie Howe's most games played. You can say that, by the way, about any of his line-up decisions, be it Follow for all things Sharks—>https://t.co/wmyWBR90aU sitting rookie John Leonard or playing 41-year-old Patrick Marleau. pic.twitter.com/LaV1UzNgUq

— Locked on Karlsson's Apple (@LockedOnSharks) April 17, 2021 San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021 MINNESOTA WILD (26-13-3)

Kirill Kaprizov — Victor Rask — Mats Zuccarello

Kevin Fiala — Ryan Hartman — Marcus Johansson

Jordan Greenway — Joel Eriksson Ek — Marcus Foligno

Zach Parise — Nico Sturm — Nick Bonino

Ryan Suter — Jared Spurgeon

Jonas Brodin — Matt Dumba

Ian Cole — Carson Soucy

Kaapo Kahkonen

WHERE TO WATCH

Puck drop is 5 PM PT at Xcel Energy Center. Watch it on NBC Sports Bay Area, , or NHL.tv.

MORNING SKATE

This morning’s Bob Boughner comment, about going with Martin Jones again after last night’s 15-of-18 shots stopped performance, drew some ire:

I’m not sure why: Four points out, the odds are against the San Jose Sharks making the playoffs – they also have a tough schedule going forward – but as long as there’s a reasonable chance, what do you expect Boughner to do when choosing between his starter and a completely green Josef Korenar?

Let’s not forget too, Korenar did not exactly light the world on fire in his first NHL start either and he’s not the most highly-touted young netminder.

Point is, Jones is probably Boughner’s best option — despite his .899 Save % — and that’s not on the coach.

Quick Thoughts: Kane Living Up to Contract, Jones Is Back

For what it’s worth, per Sportradar, Jones has a solid record when starting consecutive games, going 11-4-3 over his career. I’m not saying that’s a reason to start him back-to-back, but it’s a plus – better 11-4-3 than 4-11-3.

There’s also the argument that Jones is being overplayed, you have to rest him more, but to be honest, I’ve always found that narrative to be overblown. This isn’t an NCAA goalie transitioning from playing 20-or-so games a year to the NHL – Jones is an elite athlete who has been training to handle a 60-game workload for the last six seasons. 1209483 San Jose Sharks It wouldn’t last, but Jones stayed hot, and a week later, he was back above .900.

This is amazing: Martin Jones’s Save % rose to .903 after Friday’s Quick Thoughts: Kane Living Up to Contract, Jones Is Back shutout. It's now up to .905.

It’s the 1st time his Save % has been above .900 after consecutive games SINCE JAN. 2019. Published 17 hours ago on April 17, 2021 And after six starts, Jones kept his head above the still .900 water – that By Sheng Peng is, until last night, when the netminder stopped just 15 of 18 shots. He’s at .899 now.

Remarkably, over the last three years, this two-week, six-start stretch is Logan Couture has scored one goal in his last 20 games. Timo Meier is Jones’s longest with a Save % above .900, besting Dec. 2019’s four on a full-season 16-goal pace. Tomas Hertl endured a nine-game stretch starts over 11 days. early in the season with zero goals and three assists. Kevin Labanc has suffered nine-game and 10-game goalless droughts. But unfortunately for the San Jose Sharks’ playoff push, it looks like the Jones that we’ve seen for most of the past three seasons is back: Luckily for the San Jose Sharks, this has been the most consistent goalscoring campaign of Evander Kane’s career.

Kane’s short-handed strike last night ended a five-game slump, his San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 04.18.2021 longest of the season. This also added to his team-high 17 goals.

If five games is Kane’s longest slump this year, it would be the finest season in that regard for the historically streaky scorer:

2019-20: Longest slump was 8 games without a goal

2018-19: 11 games

2017-18: 14 games

2016-17: 12 games

2015-16: 9 games

2014-15: 6 games

2013-14: 11 games

2012-13: 8 games

2011-12: 11 games

2010-11: 8 games

2009-10: 12 games

Also to Kane’s credit: There’s a lot of frustration about the San Jose Sharks’ big-money contracts, but the winger, perhaps more than any other expensive Shark, has lived up to his pact, which began in 2018-19.

Brent Burns (2017-18) enjoyed a couple Norris-caliber seasons during the first two years of his contract but hasn’t been nearly as productive since. Timo Meier (2019-20) has struggled since his new contract kicked in. Logan Couture (2019-20) has combined strong stretches with protracted slumps in the first two years of his new deal.

Let’s not get started on Erik Karlsson (2019-20), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (2018-19), and Martin Jones’s (2018-19) sharp declines.

On the other hand, Kane potted 30 goals in 2018-19, led the San Jose Sharks with 26 markers last season, and is on a full-season 69-point pace right now, which would be a career-high. He’s not a perfect player, by any stretch — his penchant for taking penalties, for example, is well- documented — but he’s been a relative rock for the Sharks.

“He’s a guy that always seems to have legs and brings that every night,” Bob Boughner offered, “he plays fast.”

As a value proposition, Kane’s only competition among San Jose’s significant contracts is Hertl (2018-19), who averaged a Point Per Game in 2018-19, earned his first All-Star selection last year, and save for his early-season slump, has been a consistent performer this year.

The question for Kane, as usual, is can he keep it up? History suggests that he’s due for a slow-down soon, but time might be in his favor with the San Jose Sharks down to 13 games left in their regular season.

JONES IS BACK

It was nice while it lasted.

On Mar. 24, Martin Jones’s Save % topped .900 for the first time this season since opening night. 1209484 San Jose Sharks each of their two-game series against both teams on their recently completed homestand.

“It’s great obviously to get guys coming over and shaking hands and fans Minnesota Wild honors Patrick Marleau, then flattens San Jose Sharks cheering,” Marleau said. “Those are those are things that are very humbling, and I appreciate the all the support over the years, for sure.”

By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.18.2021

PUBLISHED: April 17, 2021 at 7:32 p.m. | UPDATED: April 17, 2021 at 9:14 p.m.

The Minnesota Wild recognized Patrick Marleau on Saturday for joining Gordie Howe atop the NHL’s career games played list, taking time during a stoppage in play in the first period to honor the Sharks’ great for playing in his 1,767th NHL game.

Otherwise, the Wild played rude hosts, scoring five unanswered goals in the first and second periods in a 5-2 drubbing of the Sharks at Xcel Energy Center, handing San Jose its fifth straight loss.

Brent Burns gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead at the 12:02 mark of the first period, but it was all Wild from there. Mats Zuccarello, Joel Eriksson Ek and Zach Parise all scored in a 72-second span as Minnesota took a 3-1 lead by the 15:47 mark of the opening period.

Zuccarello’s goal came as he redirected a puck toward the Sharks net that went off Burns’ skate and past goalie Martin Jones. Eriksson Ek’s goal came as a puck bounced off his chest and in the net and Parise’s goal was just a simple shot from a sharp angle that slid through Jones’ pads.

For a fragile team that has scored more than two goals just once in the last seven games, it was game, set and match.

“We just lose confidence as a team right now and I think that’s exactly what happened,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. “So now you’re down 3-1 and you’re chasing the game, and that seems to be the pattern, the goals against in succession.

“They’re happening too quick, back-to-back together and instead of regrouping and holding them to just that one.”

The Sharks also allowed goals to Kirill Kaprizov and Nico Sturm in the second period, as Jones allowed five goals on 24 shots. Josef Korenar replaced Jones at the start of the third period.

Joel Kellman also scored for the Sharks with 2:15 left in regulation time.

“The difference is very small, so when there’s little things that are off, execution is not there, sometimes it looks a lot worse than the difference between the teams,” Burns said. “Our team, we have to play an extremely detailed, hard working game every game to be in it and win those games.

“If it’s a little bit off that, it’s going to look and feel like that.”

As his achievement was being announced by the public address announcer in the first period, Marleau received a standing ovation from the roughly 3,000 fans in attendance, as well as stick taps from his teammates and the Wild players.

“One of the most respected guys in the league,” Parise said of Marleau. “I don’t know if that’s a record that’s going to be broken again. At least it’s going to be there for a long time.”

The usually stoic Marleau appreciated the gesture, catching himself, perhaps, before he became emotional.

“When you get recognized like that — not only your team’s standing up for you, but the other building’s fans cheering for you, and another team doing it — yeah, it hits home,” Marleau said. “It’s definitely humbling to for them to show their support for me.”

Marleau, 41, is set to become the sole owner of the NHL record for games played on Monday when the Sharks play the Vegas Golden Knights.

After the game, several Wild players remained on the ice congratulate Marleau. Players and coaches for both the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks did the same thing for Marleau when the Sharks finished 1209485 San Jose Sharks ice, deked Jones out of position and scored on a wraparound into the open net.

Meanwhile, Kahkonen was steady in his first appearance since a 9-1 loss Balanced attack leads Wild over Sharks 5-2 at St. Louis on April 9.

“A couple times there, I felt like I was doing almost too much trying to battle, but I think that was the way for me to come back from that PATRICK DONNELLY, embarrassment last time in St. Louis — just try to battle and fight for every single puck,” Kahkonen said. Associated Press As for the Sharks, their fifth straight loss left them five points out of the April 17, 2021 final playoff spot in the West Division. Updated: April 17, 2021 9:29 p.m. “I think our team, we have to play an extremely detailed, hard-working game every game to be in them and win those games,” Burns said. “If it’s a little bit off, it’s going to look and feel like that.” ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist, and the Minnesota Wild stayed hot at home by downing the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Saturday. San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 04.18.2021 Joel Eriksson Ek, Zach Parise, Kirill Kaprizov and Nico Sturm also scored on a night when 12 different Wild players had at least one point. Kaapo Kahkonen made 26 saves as Minnesota won its third straight and improved to 17-4-0 at home this season.

Brent Burns and Joel Kellman scored for San Jose, and Martin Jones made 19 saves on 24 shots before being replaced by Josef Korenar in the third period.

Sharks forward Patrick Marleau tied Gordie Howe’s NHL record by playing in his 1,767th game. He is set to break the mark on Monday in Las Vegas.

The game was stopped during the first period to announce Marleau's record, and he received an extended ovation from both teams and the Xcel Energy Center crowd.

“When you get recognized like that, not only your team standing up for you but the other building’s fans cheering for you, the other team doing it, it hits home,” Marleau said. “It’s definitely humbling.”

Minnesota Wild center Nico Sturm makes a wraparound shot for goal against the San Jose Sharks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 17, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn.

San Jose opened the scoring midway through the first period when Burns beat Kahkonen with a wrist shot from the blue line for his sixth goal of the season.

The Sharks’ lead lasted less than 2 1/2 minutes. The Wild grabbed control by scoring three times in a span of 72 seconds.

First, in the final seconds of a power play, Marcus Johansson made a backhand pass from behind the net into the slot. Zuccarello’s shot was off target but it hit Burns’ skate and trickled into the net. It was Zuccarello’s 10th goal of the year and fourth in the last three games.

Just 36 seconds later, Jones stopped Jordan Greenway’s slap shot, but the rebound hit Eriksson Ek in the chest and dropped into the net.

“We caught a few (breaks) for sure tonight, but we thought we worked for a lot of our opportunities as well,” Wild coach Dean Evason said.

Then 36 seconds after Eriksson Ek's goal, Parise beat Jones between the legs with a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle. Parise’s third goal in as many games gave him 400 points in a Wild uniform. He has been thriving of late playing on a line with Sturm and Nick Bonino, with the trio combining for 12 points in the last three games.

“I think our line is getting good chances,” Parise said. We are getting hardworking chances and rush chances. We've been playing really well without the puck. We aren’t spending a lot of time in our zone, and that makes the game a lot easier and all three of us are benefitting from that."

Kaprizov made it 4-1 early in the second with his 17th of the season, tops among NHL rookies. He started the play by stealing the puck as the Sharks were trying to break out of their zone.

Kaprizov passed it to Zuccarello, who tried to set up Kevin Fiala in the slot. Fiala whiffed on his shot, but the puck found Kaprizov trailing the play, and he rocketed a shot over Jones’ shoulder.

Sturm extended the Wild lead to 5-1 with less than a minute left in the second. He picked up the puck in his own zone, skated the length of the 1209486 San Jose Sharks

Why Marleau was inspired by NHL legend Howe growing up

BY ALEX DIDION

SHARKS atrick Marleau will tie Gordie Howe's incredible games played record on Saturday night, but the veteran Sharks forward grew up admiring the NHL legend and fellow Saskatchewan native.P

“For me, growing up in Saskatchewan, one of the first things you do is look to see what players from Saskatchewan are in the NHL,” Marleau told The Los Angeles Times' Helene Elliott. “Obviously Gordie comes to the top of that list and Bryan Trottier, Mark Lamb and players like that grew up around my area and made it. It gives you hope, maybe that could be me one day playing in the NHL since these guys before me did it coming from small farming communities in Saskatchewan.”

Marleau will tie Howe's remarkable 1,767 career NHL games played record when the Sharks take the ice in Minnesota on Saturday night against the Wild.

Originally the Sharks' No. 2 overall pick back in the 1997 NHL Draft, Marleau has played 1,594 of his career games in a San Jose uniform.

Marleau will have the opportunity to break Howe's record on Monday night, when the Sharks take on the rival Golden Knights in Vegas.

Even as he is amid his 23rd NHL season, Marleau still is chasing a Stanley Cup. He and the Sharks appeared to be out of the race entirely just a few weeks ago, but some hot play from goaltender Martin Jones has San Jose on the edge of the playoff picture in the Honda West Division.

The Sharks are four points out of the fourth spot in the West, but still have 13 games including Saturday night's contest to climb back up the standings.

Although most Sharks fans won't get to see Marleau's record-breaking game in person, the organization did announce on Friday that fans would be permitted at the team's final seven home games of the 2021 season, beginning April 26.

It will be a limited capacity crowd, but it's hard to imagine there won't be a monster roar for Marleau the first time he takes the ice again in front of a home crowd at the SAP Center.

Monday night's game will be a memorable one for all of the people of Saskatchewan, as they see one native son pass another for one of hockey's most impressive records.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209487 San Jose Sharks

Kane 'staying within himself' is giving Sharks a boost

APR 17, 2021

BY ALI THANAWALLA

SHARKS here have been very few bright spots for the Sharks this season, but Evander Kane is having an especially strong 2021 campaign.T

The 29-year-old scored his team-leading 17th goal in the Sharks' 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on Friday night.

Dating back to the start of the 2019-20 season, Kane leads all Sharks players with 43 goals in 107 games. Logan Couture and Timo Meier are the next closest, each having scored 30 goals since the beginning of last season.

But it's improvements in Kane's on-ice discipline that have led to his success this season.

"Kaner's had a good year for us and he's a guy who always seems to have legs and brings it every night," coach Bob Boughner told reporters on a video conference call after Friday's game. "He plays fast and I think that's a big advantage for him. I thought tonight he got involved in the game physically and I had a talk with him yesterday about making sure that's part of his game. We've clean up their area, the discipline, the after-the-whistle stuff, but being a little harder to play against and he did that tonight and I think he was ready to play. He was good all night."

This season, month by month, Kane has reduced his penalty minutes and allowed himself to be on the ice more.

In January, Kane spent 20 minutes in a sin bin. He cut that down to 10 minutes in February and six minutes in 17 March games. He stayed out of the box Friday and has just four penalty minutes in eight April games.

Those early-season penalty minutes were becoming a problem, but Boughner is happy Kane was able to clean up that part of his game.

"It's helped him a lot. It was a bit of a distraction," Boughner said. "He's such a good player that if you're expending your energy and constantly having to be in the middle of all the antics and everything, I think it's just, he goes, he plays hard, he kills penalties, he's on the power play, he's playing against the top lines.

"He's been a good player for us all year. He's still involved and he's still trash-talking a little bit and he's still throwing a body around, but he's staying within himself and I think that's helped his 5-on-5 game for sure."

Following Friday's loss, the Sharks sit in sixth place in the West Division with an 18-21-4 record and have 13 regular-season games remaining.

The path to the Stanley Cup Playoffs looks bleak for the Sharks, but if they find a way to climb into the top four in the division, it largely will because Kane is leading the way on offense.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209488 San Jose Sharks probably be around the same ballpark figure. Balcers will undoubtedly get a raise from his $735,000 salary in what will likely be a multi-year contract, and Gambrell ($700,000) probably will, too, even though I’m still not convinced he’s worthy of being in the Sharks’ long-term plans. Change on the way? An early look at the Sharks’ 2021 offseason storylines Everyone else here other than those three still has some proving to do when it comes to a one-way NHL contract, although Viel and Gregor are probably the closest. The rest can potentially serve as depth guys on the Barracuda who can be recalled if necessary. By Kevin Kurz Seattle expansion draft (July 21) Apr 17, 2021 So where do the Sharks sit after the trade deadline in terms of the

expansion draft? The benefit of this shortened season for hockey fans (perhaps the only It’s still difficult to predict whether the Sharks will protect all of their core, one) is that teams missing the playoffs won’t have quite as long of an high-salaried players, or if they believe they might be better off trying to offseason as usual. When the Sharks’ season almost certainly concludes entice the Kraken to take someone significant off their current roster, May 10, it will be about the equivalent of losing in the second round of such as Brent Burns or Evander Kane. the Stanley Cup playoffs. The wait for training camp to begin for the 2021-22 season will be less than four months. Still, keep the expansion draft in mind when it comes to any future transactions or signings. For example, the Sharks will have to expose What might the Sharks’ offseason look like? As with every summer two forwards who have played at least 27 games this season or 54 break, some changes are inevitably coming. combined in each of the past two seasons, and they must be under Let’s take a first look at some of the offseason storylines that will be contract for 2021-22. That makes them more likely to sign guys such as coming down the pipeline sooner than later, of which we’ll dive into a bit Gambrell and Nieto to extensions in order to satisfy that requirement, deeper in the weeks and months to come. particularly if they go the route of protecting seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie (as opposed to eight skaters and one Pending unrestricted free agents goalie).

Eight unrestricted free agents are in the organization: Marcus Sorensen, If the Sharks protect all of their core players and re-sign Gambrell and Patrick Marleau, Matt Nieto, Kurtis Gabriel, Greg Pateryn, Fredrik Nieto, the Kraken could end up choosing either one of those two Handemark, Max Letunov and Alexander Barabanov. forwards or defenseman Radim Simek. But that’s certainly not set in stone. Could, for example, Doug Wilson ask Marc-Edouard Vlasic to As is always the case, some or maybe even all won’t be back for 2021- waive his no-trade clause and entice the Kraken to take either him or 22. Martin Jones? It’s unlikely, but don’t rule anything out for a team in Sorensen has just one goal and five points in 28 games, and the two- transition. It could get interesting. year, $3 million contract extension he signed in early 2019 will end up NHL Entry Draft (July 23-24) looking like a massive overpayment. I don’t see any way Sorensen, a frequent healthy scratch this season, returns to the organization. I’d be Wilson and staff did an admirable job at the trade deadline by pocketing mildly surprised if he’s on an opening-day NHL roster at all next season. three more draft picks, including fourth- and fifth-round selections in the 2021 draft. That leaves them with eight total — a first-round pick, a third- Nieto is an interesting case. Had he remained healthy, he could and round pick, two fourth-round picks, two fifth-round picks, and a sixth- probably would have been dangled as trade bait to a team looking for a rounder and a seventh-round pick. Wilson suggested after the trade depth player at wing who can eat up minutes on the penalty kill. Now, deadline that the Sharks could acquire a couple of more selections though, I could see the 28-year-old returning. Part of the reason the between now and the draft, so we’ll wait and see how he actually Sharks signed Nieto in the first place was that they knew he was well- achieves that. liked in the dressing room and would be good for the overall culture they’ve been trying to repair. As long as he’s not asking for a huge raise Clearly, the Sharks are not going to trade their first-round pick. For a from his $700,000 salary this season, I’d consider bringing Nieto back. likely lottery team, it could end up being fairly high with a little luck. As a bonus, maybe we could get a Holiday Sweater sequel this Christmas. More draft picks also means more of an ability to jump around in the draft, something that scouting director Doug Wilson Jr. likes to do since Marleau has said he would like to prolong what will become the longest he’s taken over running it. I could see the Sharks trying to move up and career in the history of the NHL on Monday, but at this point, it probably acquire a second-round pick at the expense of moving down in the later doesn’t make sense for the organization or the player, who still wants to rounds, like they did in the most recent draft. chase a Stanley Cup. After Marleau’s season, though, will any contending team be interested? There weren’t any at the trade deadline. Free agency (July 28)

Gabriel has been surpassed on the depth chart by Jeffrey Viel, but I There’s a good chance that after the expansion draft and the entry draft wouldn’t rule out another two-way contract for the agitating forward. the Sharks will have some holes to fill — it’s just impossible to predict Pateryn was acquired in the Devan Dubnyk trade, and I don’t see him how much money they’ll have to play with. If they keep the current core being in the team’s plans. Handemark hasn’t made much of an impact in of Kane, Burns, Vlasic, Jones, Logan Couture, Timo Meier, Tomas Hertl, the eight games he’s played, with just one point (a goal). To be fair to Kevin Labanc and Erik Karlsson intact, that’s $63.6 million committed to him, the abbreviated training camp surely didn’t do him any favors. Still, just nine players with an $81.5 million cap, not including the likely new Joel Kellman is signed to a one-way contract next season, so this could multi-year deals for Donato and Balcers. I have a difficult time seeing just be a one-and-done NHL experience for the veteran Swede. Letunov how they could make that work and be any better than they’ve been the hasn’t appeared in an NHL game this season and at age 25 has probably past two seasons. reached his ceiling. I don’t see much point in bringing him back to the As I’ve reported previously, I do anticipate the Sharks trying to upgrade in Barracuda. Barabanov was acquired from Toronto at the deadline for goal. Even if Jones returns next season, still the likelier outcome, the club Antti Suomela, so we’ll see how he does in the AHL for the next few will be on the lookout for an established veteran netminder who can play weeks. No. 1 minutes. Whether that happens via trade or free agency is up in the Pending restricted free agents air, but a number of pending unrestricted-free-agent goaltenders are set to hit the market this summer. This is a much more interesting list. It includes Viel, Ryan Donato, Noah Gregor, Rudolfs Balcers, Dylan Gambrell, Christian Jaros, Josef Korenar, Will anyone be fired? Alex True, Joachim Blichfeld and Nicolas Meloche. Here’s what I would love to see happen: After the season, Sharks owner I could actually see the Sharks retaining all of these guys, as long as they Hasso Plattner holds a Zoom call with the local media to discuss can come to contractual agreements that make sense. The more everything and anything related to the team he funds. interesting question will be how much each of them costs. Donato makes $1.9 million this season, and I would guess that a contract extension will Here’s what I expect will happen: Shortly after the season ends in about three weeks, Plattner will issue a brief statement through the team’s public relations department either announcing his commitment to Wilson or, after another season of underwhelming hockey, that it’s time to make some changes.

If Wilson returns, coach Bob Boughner and his staff are safe, especially considering the coach signed a three-year contract in September. If Plattner decides to tear it all down, though, all bets are off.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209489 Seattle Kraken Sorokin and an older one in unrestricted free agent Casey Cizikas, with little cap space. They also have pricey veterans the Kraken could be prompted by a side deal to take on, such as forward Josh Bailey, 31, with three years remaining at $5 million per, and defenseman Nick Leddy, 29, Kraken mailbag: Which teams might make expansion draft side deals? who has one year left at $5.5 million. What players are worth a free-agent splurge? The Washington Capitals were also forced to work salary cap magic at the deadline. They have Mount Vernon native T.J. Oshie, a fan favorite in D.C. and still a productive forward at age 34, albeit owed four more years April 17, 2021 at 6:00 am Updated April 17, 2021 at 4:34 pm at a $5.75 million cap hit annually. If the Caps take the PR hit by not By Geoff Baker protecting Oshie, it’s only because they badly need his salary purged. And that’s where Francis can exert pressure for more incentives because Seattle Times staff reporter — productive or not — players in their mid-30s are always a risk.

Q: @caribouwho asked: Have the divisional alignments been set yet?

Quite a busy week in the NHL, given the trade deadline, the aborted A: I’ve been asked this quite a bit lately. Yes, they have been set, and the Vancouver Canucks restart and the continued climb of onetime Seattle Kraken will play in the Pacific Division alongside Vancouver, Edmonton, Thunderbirds forward Patrick Marleau toward Gordie Howe’s all-time Calgary, Vegas, San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim. Arizona moves to NHL games played record of 1,767. the Central Division.

On the Canucks, the NHL announced they’ve been given two more days Previously, there had been only seven teams in the Central, so this additional preparation before resuming their COVID-19-impacted balances out all four divisions with eight. This season, there’s been a schedule Sunday. Canucks winger J.T. Miller had questioned the onetime realignment into an all-Canadian North Division and three intelligence of a planned Friday restart after just a lone workout ahead of regionally grouped U.S. divisions because of COVID-19 border playing 19 games in 31 days following a three-week layoff. shutdowns, but the hope is to revert this fall.

As for Marleau, 41, the San Jose Sharks veteran from Saskatchewan Q: @Goodall_10 asked: The Kraken could end up with a lot of available passed Mark Messier for No. 2 on the league’s games-played list and cap space depending on how the exp draft goes. Are there any high-end should surpass Howe by Monday in Vegas. Marleau, who had 83 goals players (free agents or trades) you see them going after with that cap and 116 assists over two seasons with the T-birds — going to the space to be top-end guys to supplement the guys taken in the exp draft? Western Hockey League Final in 1996-97 — has had an unusually quiet march toward Howe’s mark. A: The big contracts for players such as P.K. Subban, Brent Burns and Phil Kessel would generally work best in the expansion draft to burn the One reason: Detroit Red Wings legend Howe from 1973-79 played an $48.9 million minimum required to be spent on picks. For post-draft additional 419 games for the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers moves, pending unrestricted free agent Taylor Hall remains intriguing if of a World Hockey Association (WHA) many considered a major he revives his career this spring and Boston won’t extend him. professional league. He returned for one final NHL season at age 52. He’s only 29 and was league MVP just three years ago. Sure, Hall won’t Marleau won’t match those 2,186 combined games. Nor Messier’s six come cheap and has had his competitiveness questioned. But this is why Stanley Cups captaining two teams, nor Howe’s four with Detroit. teams pay scouts to figure out stuff ahead of time. If he reverts more to 2018 form, you’ll get upside that expansion teams rarely see right away. “That’s what I’m chasing,’’ Marleau, who made the 2016 finals with San Jose but has never won a Cup, told reporters. “It’s definitely Another unrestricted free-agent target could be offensive-minded disappointing that I haven’t won it in my career, but that’s what’s kept me defenseman Dougie Hamilton, 27, of the Carolina Hurricanes. He’ll likely going all these years, is trying to win that Stanley Cup.” command about $8 million annually over multiple years, but his offensive talents as a right-handed shot make him a valued commodity in a league So, both factors likely kept this a quieter pursuit. Still, with 566 goals over that skews left-handed. If the Canes don’t re-sign him as expected, he’d 23 seasons, Marleau has had quite a career and deserves the kudos be worth a look. headed his way. Nashville defenseman Mattias Ekholm, 30, wasn’t traded at the deadline, OK, let’s get to your mailbag questions. and GM David Poile afterward vowed he wouldn’t lose him in the Q: @rjarnold asked: Now that the dust has settled from the trade expansion draft. But Poile also said he’d meet with Ekholm to discuss his deadline, which teams do you think are most likely for side deals due to future beyond next season’s remaining $5 million cap hit. Which salary cap or player protection issues? suggests, if Ekholm won’t sign long-term, he could still be traded. The Kraken could offer up some draft-day bounty to get in on an elite A: A year ago, talk was about general managers avoiding side deals so defender. they wouldn’t get fleeced by the Kraken. But COVID-19 and the $81.5 million flat salary cap changed everything, creating leverage out of thin Also, the Kraken is expected to take Montreal Canadiens backup goalie air for Kraken GM Ron Francis even he never really saw coming. Jake Allen in the draft. But free agent Canadiens centerman Phillip Danault, 28, would make for a nice post-draft addition at a valuable “Everybody was thinking about the cap moving up,’’ Francis told me position. He has been in a somewhat inexplicable slump that should keep Tuesday during a conference call with reporters. “So I think when you get his market value palatable. into a situation where you have a flat cap it certainly presents a few more challenges for teams that were projecting it to go up.” Q: @CelestialMosh asked: Assuming that you’ll be able to travel for away games at some point, which trips are you looking forward to the most? He added: “A lot of teams have some really good young players whose And which ones are you least looking forward to? contracts are coming up, and it’s a challenge to find money to make sure you pay those guys.” A: Honestly, I’m most anticipating Canadian cities. I lived in Toronto for eight years and have been back only a few times in recent years. Obvious candidates are contending teams that twisted themselves into Montreal was my birthplace and home for 29 years, but both my parents knots freeing up cap space at Monday’s trade deadline. The Tampa Bay have passed away and my brother lives in Vancouver, so I haven’t been Lightning come to mind with its Stanley Cup-winning core being held back since June 2019. I was last in Edmonton for the 2002 Grey Cup, thinly together by a brilliant GM in Julien BriseBois. Calgary for the 2000 Grey Cup and Winnipeg in 1996 covering a CFL Spokane native Tyler Johnson, 30, lags behind stars there but could game. make a solid fit with a fledgling Seattle team. The Kraken taking his On the U.S. side, I’ve never been to North Carolina, Columbus, or San remaining three contract years at $5 million per annum would help Jose and am excited about all three. I also owned a condominium in BriseBois, but he’d likely have to sweeten things in a side deal. Left wing Glendale, Arizona, directly across from where the Coyotes play but sold it Ondrej Palat, 30, comes at a similar $5.3 million cap hit for only next the summer of 2016 and haven’t been back. So, looking forward to season. The Kraken could help with him as well. hanging out at the Westgate complex again. The New York Islanders have several young players to sign this summer, such as restricted free agents Anthony Beavillier, Adam Pelech and Ilya Places I’m not looking forward to? Well, I haven’t been to Ottawa, a nice capital city, since having a successful Toronto Star baseball job interview there in 1998. But the Senators play in the suburb of Kanata, so I’m hoping Sens’ senior vice president P.J. Loyello, who I knew during his Florida Marlins front office days, can guide me to some better dining spots.

Seattle Times LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209490 Seattle Kraken John Carlson D

Dmitry Orlov Capitals post-trade-deadline expansion draft outlook: Is T.J. Oshie still a top Kraken target? D

Justin Schultz

By Tarik El-Bashir and Ryan S. Clark G

Apr 17, 2021 Ilya Samsonov

* The Caps won’t need to protect Ovechkin if he does not sign an extension before the expansion draft. (More on this later.) In the four months since we last examined the impact the Seattle expansion draft could have on the Capitals’ roster, much has changed in Forwards (7) Washington. Anthony Mantha was acquired from the Red Wings in exchange for Jakub Vrana and Richard Panik. (Vrana and Panik Alex Ovechkin, LW appeared on our December mock protected list.) If Ovechkin is under contract, the Caps are obviously going to protect Jonas Siegenthaler was dealt to the Devils. (We previously projected their captain and the face of the franchise. In addition to everything that Siegenthaler as a player the Caps could lose.) he means to the organization and the city, can you fathom how much attention — and money — his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals Meantime, Conor Sheary and Trevor van Riemsdyk signed two-year record is going to garner as he closes in? He’s going to re-sign; the only extensions. (In December, Sheary and van Riemsdyk were pending question, it seems, is when exactly. unrestricted free agents and did not factor into the discussion.) Ovechkin has been eligible to re-up since July. Yet it hasn’t happened. As a result, the possibilities for the Caps’ protected list are different. So, too, is our projection. “It’s status quo,” MacLellan said this week of the negotiations, which are being handled directly between Ovechkin and management/ownership. Before we get to the players Caps GM Brian MacLellan might opt to “We’re both talking, and we’ll work it out when we can work it out.” protect and the ones Kraken GM Ron Francis could select, let’s go over the draft rules again: The timing, of course, has implications for the Kraken. Why? Because if Ovechkin is not under contract, the Caps won’t need to protect him and, • Teams can protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie thus, can protect another forward — a player like fourth-line center Nic or eight skaters and one goalie. Dowd, who has overperformed his $750,000 cap charge — and then re- sign Ovechkin after the expansion draft. The Kraken won’t waste a pick • Players with no-movement clauses must be protected, unless the player on a player who could just turn around and leave in free agency. agrees to waive it. There is a precedent for this strategy. In 2017, Washington exposed T.J. • First- and second-year NHL players (prospects such as Connor Oshie — then a pending unrestricted free agent — in the Las Vegas McMichael and Martin Fehervary) and unsigned draft choices are expansion draft. The Golden Knights did not select Oshie, and Oshie exempt. inked an eight-year, $46 million extension with the Caps a couple of days • Teams must make available a defenseman and two forwards who are later. under contract in 2021-22 and played at least 40 games the previous Nicklas Backstrom, C season or 70 combined games the previous two seasons. The 33-year-old alternate captain is in the first season of a five-year, $46 • One goaltender who is under contract in 2021-22 must be made million extension that features a no-movement clause, so he must be available. protected. He also leads the team in points this season with 45 (14 goals, We’re pretty sure the Caps will choose the 7-3-1 option for a couple of 31 assists) and just became the second player in franchise history to reasons: Their roster features a deeper pool of forwards and, of course, reach the 1,000-games plateau, joining Ovechkin. because it allows for more players to be protected. Evgeny Kuznetsov, C Now for our latest protected list: Kuznetsov, 28, has endured a tough year. He was sidelined nearly a Washington Capitals (7-3-1) month because of a nasty bout with COVID-19 and missed two other games due to an upper-body injury. As frustrating as his inconsistency F can be at times, he remains an integral piece to the Caps’ puzzle.

Alex Ovechkin* Anthony Mantha, LW

F The newest member of the Caps wasted no time ingratiating himself to his teammates and the fan base. The 26-year-old not only recorded a Nicklas Backstrom goal and an assist in his debut but also scored in his second game. F Mantha is under contract through 2023-24.

Evgeny Kuznetsov Tom Wilson, RW

F Easily the most polarizing figure in the game, Wilson is reviled by the other 30 fan bases and revered in Washington for the unique set of skills Anthony Mantha he brings to the Caps’ lineup. Indeed, the 27-year-old is a unicorn due to his size, speed and scoring touch. He’s not going anywhere, either. F Lars Eller, C Tom Wilson One of the best third-line centers in the game, Eller is invaluable for his F ability to step in for Backstrom or Kuznetsov when necessary. The 31- Lars Eller year-old has missed a dozen games this season because of injuries, but there’s been no indication that it’s more than a blip for a reliable player. F Conor Sheary, LW Conor Sheary A last-minute addition to the roster in December, Sheary earned a two- D year, $3 million extension this week. The 28-year-old has been used up and down the lineup and on both wings. He’s also been remarkably efficient, scoring 11 goals in 40 games despite ranking 19th in average Kraken find someone else who can meet those needs at a younger age time on ice (13:10). and/or a cheaper cap hit.

Defense (3) 4. Nick Jensen, RHD

John Carlson, RHD Jensen is another defenseman who can be used on the penalty kill and operate in a top-six capacity. He has a team-friendly contract, worth $2.5 The 31-year-old alternate captain and Norris Trophy finalist in 2020 is million annually, for two more years. So what would prevent the Kraken third in points among all blueliners with 38 (10 goals, 28 assists). He’s from taking Jensen? A few things. The first being the idea that between also averaging 23:47 of ice per game — almost four minutes more than someone like Jake Allen and Vanecek, they could have a goaltending second-place Ovechkin — and is the only Capital signed through the tandem that will cost a combined $3.59 million. Another being the options 2025-26 season. that exist. Someone like Wild defenseman Carson Soucy is one example. Dmitry Orlov, LHD Soucy makes $2.75 million, but he is also four years younger than Jensen. After a rough start to the season that included a 10-day stint on the COVID-19 protocol list, Orlov has rediscovered his game at both ends 5. Carl Hagelin, LW under first-year coach Peter Laviolette. The 29-year-old has 12 points Bottom-six forwards will also be available in great supply throughout the (five goals and seven assists) in the past 21 games — that after expansion draft. If Hagelin were elsewhere, then, the two-way winger registering just one point in his first 18 contests. would presumably check all the boxes. There is a chance he still could. It Something to consider: Orlov carries a $5.1 million cap hit for two just comes back to the fact the Kraken are going to have options when it seasons after this one, and the Caps need to re-sign Ovechkin and Ilya comes to the Capitals in addition to the fact the market for bottom-six Samsonov and will have limited cap space with which to do it. Also, forwards could allow them to find someone who makes less than Hagelin Washington has a couple of touted left-shot prospects — Fehervary and at $2.75 million over the next two years. Alex Alexeyev — who’ll eventually need somewhere to play. Could that make him expendable? Perhaps. We’re protecting him based on how solidly he’s performed over the past month-plus. The Athletic LOADED: 04.18.2021

Justin Schultz, RHD

Schultz has been a pleasant surprise after a couple of injury-plagued seasons in Pittsburgh. The 30-year-old has been a good fit for Laviolette’s system, which puts a premium on defensemen who possess offensive instincts and good wheels, and he ranks second on the Caps in points by a defenseman with 22 (three goals, 19 assists). Brenden Dillon occupied this spot four months ago.

Goalie (1)

Ilya Samsonov

It’s been a tough year for Samsonov. First, there was last summer’s ATV accident that resulted in neck and shoulder injuries. Then came an early- season bout with COVID-19 that cost him a month. Vitek Vanecek’s numbers are better — a .911 save percentage vs. Samsonov’s .899 — but the 2015 first-round pick makes our list based on pedigree and potential. He appears to possess the higher upside, and the Caps can protect only one of them.

Now, the top five candidates to be selected:

1. Vitek Vanecek, G

Some franchises struggle with developing and drafting goaltenders. The Capitals are not one of them, as evidenced by Philipp Grubauer, Braden Holtby, Semyon Varlamov and Samsonov. It appears Vanecek is the latest name to join that list, and he could be a tempting choice for the Kraken. His performances this season have vaulted him into a discussion, as has the fact the Kraken could nab a 25-year-old goaltender who will make $716,667 for one more season until he becomes a restricted free agent.

2. T.J. Oshie, RW

How Oshie has been deployed this season means the Kraken could look at using him down the middle or on the wing. It’s a versatility that has served the Capitals throughout what has become an injury-riddled campaign at times. Where it gets complicated is the fact that Oshie will turn 35 in December and will make $5.75 million over the next four seasons. The financial impact alone is something the Kraken — or any team — must consider in this new flat-cap environment. It is also another reason the Kraken could seek extra compensation, such as a draft pick or a prospect, to take on Oshie’s contract.

3. Brenden Dillon, LHD

One of the items that makes Dillion a candidate is one of the reasons the Capitals wanted him in the first place: He does a lot. At 6-foot-4, he offers size. He averages a little more than 19 minutes per game and has shown he can handle more. Furthermore, his defensive metrics reveal he can be trusted on the penalty kill and in even-strength play. He turns 31 in December and would have three more years remaining at $3.9 million. That appears to be a manageable sum. It just comes down to if the 1209491 St Louis Blues — playing with O’Reilly and David Perron, the team’s top two point producers this season and last.

On Saturday, Blais took a pass from Perron and beat Coyotes goalie Blues squander 2-0 lead, fall out of playoff spot in 3-2 loss to Coyotes Darcy Kuemper stick side with a wrist shot. Later in the period, Blais drew a slashing penalty on a scoring opportunity net front and Tyler Bozak made it 2-0 with a rebound of his own shot with six seconds left on the power play. Jim Thomas Kuemper, out since March 8 with a lower-body injury, looked rusty.

End highlight reel. GLENDALE, Ariz. — With a 2-0 lead after a strong first period, the Blues had a crucial victory and a firmer grasp on fourth place and the playoffs “Still, a tie game going into the third period on the road. It’s never a bad in their sights. spot to be in,” Bozak said. “Obviously, when you have a two-goal lead you want to hold it, but things like that happen.” Instead, the 2-0 lead vanished in the second period at Gila River Arena, and by the time the game ended, so did fourth place in a 3-2 loss to the It hasn’t happened much to the Blues this season. It’s just the third time Arizona Coyotes. they have lost a game when leading by two goals or more, and they at least got a point on the two other occasions — overtime losses to Los What is with this team in the second period? Angeles on March 6 and Anaheim on March 28. “I don’t know,” coach Craig Berube said. “We were prepared for the With just 13 games left to play the Blues are on the outside looking in, game. We started the game off really well I thought the first period. Get having backed themselves into a corner of mediocrity. They still have two the 2-0 lead and then it seems like we go out the second period, we’re games in hand with the Coyotes, but have 10 of their remaining games not aggressive anymore. against West Division heavyweights Colorado, Vegas and Minnesota. “We sit back, let teams come at us. Get on our heels. Next thing you At 19-18-6, they stayed at 44 points. Arizona improved to 20-20-5 for 45 know, they score right away. Fragile.” points. The Blues still lead in winning percentage - .512 to .500, by virtue After Alex Goligoski and St. Louis product Clayton Keller scored to tie the of those two games in hand. But that only comes into play if teams don't game at 2-2 in the second period, the Blues have been outscored 53-36 play the full 56-game schedule. in the second this season. That’s minus-17. Only Columbus (minus-20), Bozak chose to accentuate the positive. Ottawa (minus-19), Philadelphia (minus-19) and Nashville (minus-18) are worse in the second period in the NHL. “It’s going to be fun,” he said. “All of us love to play the important games, the meaningful games, the games that matter the most. So we’re excited By way of comparison, the Blues are on the plus side in both the first for the challenge and opportunity.” (plus-5) and third (plus-1) periods. Anyone who glanced at the Blues bench in the third period saw a group Jordan Binnington, who fell to 12-13-5, has given up more goals in the that didn’t look excited and didn’t look like they were having fun. second period (41) than in the first and third periods combined (39). “There’s guys that are doing good things and are working,” Berube said. Captain Ryan O’Reilly had no answer for the second-period Blues, either. “But in the end it’s not enough out there. We don’t have enough guys that “It’s tough to explain,” O’Reilly said. “I don’t think we really know what’s are helping the team win. There’s not enough of ‘em. We need more.” going on. If we did, we’d change it. But it’s definitely an issue. Before it’s too late. “We have a great start. We know they’re gonna make a push but it’s just we don’t turn up the aggression and gain the momentum back. You could just see we stopped playing. Every single one of us. It’s the issue. And it St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.18.2021 killed us tonight.”

The Blues never did get the aggression back. After getting outscored 2-0 and outshot 10-4 in the second period, they yielded what turned out to be the game-winning goal just four minutes into the third.

Kyle Clifford was brought to St. Louis in free agency during the offseason to provide muscle, but Michael Bunting got position on him net-front for a tip-in of a Jakob Chychrun blast from the point to break the 2-2 tie.

“I thought we did a little bit better in the third,” Berube said, unconvincingly. “But not good enough. Not good enough.”

The Blues did manage four shots on goal over the final four minutes of the game, as they finally mustered some desperation. Before that, they were outshot 9-3 in the first 16 minutes of the third. Hardly what you’d call a push.

“You think we could tilt the ice a bit and go,” O’Reilly said. “You could just see it wasn’t connected. ... It just wasn’t tight enough. Obviously, I don’t want to say too much. But it’s not what we need. It’s not what we need this time of year. Every single one of us have got to be better.”

Things looked oh-so-promising early.

Between a two-game suspension, an upper-body injury, and some time as a healthy scratch when Berube said he wasn’t playing with enough passion, it’s been a rough season for Sammy Blais. And let’s not forget the game he missed due to a COVID false positive — Feb. 20 against San Jose.

But Blais has kept plugging. He reaped the benefits Saturday, scoring the Blues’ first goal just 83 seconds in. It was his sixth goal of the season, matching his career high, and his third goal in five games. Blais routinely plays up and down the lineup, but lately he’s been in the high-rent district 1209492 St Louis Blues Forward Nikita Alexandrov’s season ended Friday in Finland’s Liiga, despite KooKoo’s 3-2 win over Ilves. The two-game wild-card series was decided by goal differential and KooKoo was outscored 6-4 in the two games. Blues notebook: Coyotes line keeps Blues on short leash Alexandrov had been scheduled to play in the American Hockey League this season, but with the AHL’s delayed start, he was loaned to the Liiga — Finland’s top pro league — in the middle of the season. He played in Jim Thomas 28 regular-season games, with three goals and six assists. He averaged 13 minutes of ice time per game and finished the regular season at minus-2. GLENDALE, Ariz. — Just in time for the Blues, the Arizona Coyotes reunited their “Short Leash” line for Saturday’s game at Gila River Arena. He had no goals or assists and was minus-1 in KooKoo’s two playoff games. They were given that nickname early in the season by Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet because of their defensive liabilities. As a result, they were Alexandrov, 20, was the first player selected by the Blues in 2019 draft — on a short leash the coach said. No. 62 overall, in the second round.

The line showed no liabilities when it wreaked havoc during that unprecedented seven-game series against the Blues in February. Nick St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.18.2021 Schmaltz, Conor Garland and St. Louis area product Clayton Keller combined for nine goals, 11 assists and were plus-12 over those seven games.

Keller had two game-winners plus a regulation goal with 7/10ths of one second left to force overtime in what became a shootout win for the Coyotes.

“They’re a quick line obviously; they’ve got good speed,” coach Craig Berube said prior to Saturday’s contest. “They’re tough to contain because they’re quick, they can cut back. They’re competitive. Going back to that series we had with those guys, seven in a row, it was tough. They played well against us.

“So we gotta be hard on ‘em. Physical. Our forwards gotta to a good job of helping our D out. It’s gonna take five guys out there to defend these guys

Schmaltz added injury to insult when his tripping penalty against Robert Thomas on Feb. 6 resulted in a broken thumb that sidelined Thomas for 19 games.

Things weren’t much different Saturday. Schmaltz and Garland had assists on Arizona’s first goal. And then Keller scored the Coyotes’ second goal on a second-period power play to tie the game 2-2 in what became a 3-2 Coyotes victory.

Another late scratch

The Blues have had more than their share of late lineup changes this year, and Saturday was one of those nights. After taking part in pregame warmups and line rushes, Jordan Kyrou was a late scratch with a stomach virus. According to the team, the illness was not COVID related.

Nathan Walker, who practiced with the “varsity” Friday and accompanied the team to Phoenix, was promoted from the taxi squad and replaced Kyrou in the lineup. It marked Walker’s first game since March 20 and just his eighth of the season. It’s not unusual for an extra skater or two to be on the ice for pregame, and Walker warmed up with the rest of the team.

For Kyrou, it marked the first game he has missed all season. In fact, Berube had planned to move him up to the third line with Tyler Bozak and Mike Hoffman — from the fourth line — in an effort to create more offense. Instead, Zach Sanford moved up to the third line and Walker played on the fourth with Kyle Clifford and Ivan Barbashev.

Schedule havoc

Barring a last-minute scheduling addition, Saturday’s contest with Arizona will be the Blues’ only game over an eight-day stretch. And that’s assuming their next scheduled game — Thursday against Colorado — goes on as a scheduled.

“Of course, you want to play games,” Berube said. “But it is what it is, so we’ll have to get some work in in practice. Get a couple really competitive practices in there to keep ourselves sharp.”

Tuesday’s scheduled home game with the Avalanche was postponed after a third Colorado player — forward Joonas Donskoi — showed up on the NHL’s COVID list Friday. The list remained at three Colorado players on Saturday’s COVID list: Donskoi, goalie Philipp Grubauer and defenseman Bowen Byram.

Prospect update 1209493 St Louis Blues Bozak made it 2-0 midway through the first, lifting a rebound of his own shot over Kuemper's left shoulder on a power play.

The Coyotes needed less than two minutes of the second period to get Kuemper sharp in return, Coyotes rally to beat Blues 3-2 back in it, pulling within 2-1 when Goligoski one-timed a pass from behind the net by Nick Schmaltz.

Keller tied it on a power play midway through the second, beating BY JOHN MARSHALL AP SPORTS WRITER Binnington to the glove side with a wrist shot from the right circle.

APRIL 17, 2021 08:56 PM Binnington made some tough saves to close out the second period, but Bunting beat him in early in third on a redirect of a shot by Jakob

Chychrun. GLENDALE, ARIZ. “We were prepared. We started the first period off well, a 2-0 lead, and The Arizona Coyotes spent the minutes before their first game after a we go out in the second period and we’re not aggressive anymore,” long road trip fighting back tears. Blues coach Craig Berube said. “We sit back and let teams come at us, get on our heels and next thing you know, they score right away. Fragile.” The emotion of watching Leighton Accardo get inducted into the team's ring of honor seemed to take a toll on the ice during a sluggish first BUNTING'S BOOST period. Bunting has played well when he's been with the Tucson Roadrunners, Once they shook it off, the Coyotes leaned on some of the tenacity the 9- leading the Coyotes' AHL affiliate in all-time goals, points and games. year-old showed in her fight against cancer to pull out a much-needed The left wing had a chance to prove himself in the NHL in 2018-19, but win. lasted just five games. Darcy Kuemper stopped 20 shots in his return to the lineup and the The 25-year-old has been stellar since being called up this season, Coyotes fought through an emotional afternoon, rallying from a two-goal scoring seven goals in 10 games. deficit to beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Saturday.

“I don’t want to be cheesy, but I will say there was something there,” Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said. “We went down 2-0, but I thought we Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 04.18.2021 were still playing good hockey and guys had some juice from the night. I think there was something there with Leighton.”

The Coyotes formed a strong bond with Leighton over the past couple years, feeding off the inspiration of the bubbly girl with the tenacity of a hockey player.

Leighton died on Nov. 24 and the team took an extraordinary step on Saturday, making her the first person in NHL history who wasn't a player, coach, general manager or broadcaster to be inducted into a team's ring of honor.

The emotions still swirling, the Coyotes were caught flat-footed into their first home game in three weeks, falling into a 2-0 hole in the first period.

Arizona regrouped during the intermission and revved up the pressure in the second, tying it on power-play goals by Alex Goligoski and Clayton Keller. Michael Bunting scored early in the third, and Kuemper was sharp after the early goals in his first game since missing 19 with a lower-body injury.

The Coyotes ended a five-game losing streak and moved a point ahead of the Blues in the race for the West Division's final playoff spot.

“She inspired us in so many ways and we really didn’t need to talk about it because everybody knew who we were playing for tonight,” Kuemper said. “Sometimes the games, even as important is this one is, it’s a little bit bigger than hockey. We just wanted to go out and make her proud.”

St. Louis was plagued by another shaky second period to lose its hold on fourth place in the West.

Sammy Blais and Tyler Bozak scored in the first period, but the Blues spent most of the second on their heels.

Jordan Binnington stopped 26 shots for St. Louis, which has been outscored by 18 in the second period this season.

“It's tough to explain. I don't think we really know what's going on, but it's definitely an issue,” Blues center Ryan O'Reilly said. "We have a great start, they made a push and we don't turn up the aggression and gain the momentum back.

The Coyotes and Blues played what had the feeling of an in-season playoff series in February.

Due to COVID-19 postponements, Arizona and St. Louis played an NHL- first seven straight regular-season games that grew with intensity each time they met. The Coyotes won the series with a 1-0 win in “Game 7.”

The Blues had the early jump in the season series finale, scoring 1:23 in when Blais beat Kuemper to the stick side from the top of the circles. 1209494 Tampa Bay Lightning Despite their recent struggles, the Lightning see reason for optimism. “(The result) can be frustrating, for sure,” Point said. “But I think just the

fact that we were generating, we were skating, and I just liked our team’s, Lightning lose at home to Panthers our group’s confidence. I thought we were better with the puck tonight ... and we were much more responsible with our guys, too.”

Panthers 3-1-1—5 By Mari Faiello Lightning 1-1-1—3 Published Yesterday First Period—1, Florida, Montour 6 (Bennett), 8:41. 2, Florida, Hornqvist Updated 5 hours ago 14 (Gusev, Barkov), 12:31 (pp). 3, Tampa Bay, Point 18 (Palat, Sergachev), 13:40. 4, Florida, Huberdeau 15 (Bennett, Nutivaara), 19:52.

Penalties—Montour, FLA (High Sticking), 4:57; Barkov, FLA (Hooking), TAMPA — Another slow start for the Lightning put them in a rut coming 9:32; Tampa Bay bench, served by Maroon (Too Many Men on the Ice), out of the first period Saturday night against the Panthers at Amalie 11:47. Arena. Second Period—5, Florida, Vatrano 15, 17:34. 6, Tampa Bay, Cernak 3 And it was a rut the Lightning could not fully escape, falling 5-3. That (Hedman, Coleman), 19:15. Penalties—Johnson, TB (Hooking), 9:14; result, combined with the Hurricanes’ win over the Predators, rearranged Johnson, TB (Hooking), 15:01. the top three spots in the Central Division. Tampa Bay (60 points) fell to Third Period—7, Tampa Bay, Joseph 11 (Point, Hedman), 1:53. 8, third, one point behind second-place Florida and two behind first-place Florida, Duclair 6 (Gudas), 19:10 (en). Penalties—None. Carolina. Shots on Goal—Florida 11-11-10_32. Tampa Bay 15-7-9_31. Power-play Lightning coach Jon Cooper said the chances were there for his team, opportunities—Florida 1 of 3; Tampa Bay 0 of 2. Goalies—Florida, much like they have been lately. And he thought it played better than in Bobrovsky 15-7-2 (31 shots-28 saves). Tampa Bay, Vasilevskiy 26-6-1 Thursday’s 3-2 overtime win against Florida. (31-27). T—2:23. Referees—Peter MacDougall, Furman South. But, he warned, just because the team “took a step forward,” that doesn’t Linesmen—Shandor Alphonso, Jonny Murray. mean all is well.

“We just shot ourselves in the foot,” Cooper said after the loss. “We did a Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.18.2021 lot of good things, but we still gave up four and the empty net is five. So you really can’t equate that to playing a good game. It was a step forward, and we did a lot of good things, but in the end, you can’t be giving those chances up, and you can’t be giving those goals up.”

Tampa Bay logged 31 shots on goal to Florida’s 32. The Lightning won 57 percent (31 of 54) of the faceoffs, something Cooper said they would need to improve on with the absence of injured captain Steven Stamkos (he’s five behind Yanni Gourde’s team-leading 238 faceoff wins).

“I thought we didn’t spend a whole lot of time in our D-zone,” center Brayden Point said. “I thought there were stretches where we controlled the game. Passes were on the tape, guys looked more confident tonight making plays, and that’s what we need. It’s a step in the right direction. Obviously you want to win games, but I think overall we were better than we have been the past couple of games.”

The Panthers scored 8:41 into the first on a deflection from defenseman Brandon Montour. They scored again four minutes later when right wing Patric Hornqvist capitalized on their first power play, finding an open net past Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Point cut it to 2-1 after the puck deflected off his skate past Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. But that momentum was stifled when Panthers center Jonathan Huberdeau made it 3-1 with eight seconds remaining.

Center Frank Vatrano scored late in the second to extend the Panthers’ lead, but Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak answered less than two minutes later with a goal from the right faceoff circle, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

The momentum continued into the third as right wing Mathieu Joseph brought the Lightning within one, scoring just 1:53 into the period. But Florida left wing Anthony Duclair ended any drama with an empty-netter with 50 seconds left.

In the past 10 games, the Lightning are 5-5. Against Florida, they’re 3-3 and end the regular season with two games at Sunrise, May 8 and 10.

“They’re a really good team,” Cooper said. “They have a Hall of Fame coach (Joel Quenneville), and their team’s completely turned over. And the other thing is I think their best players are playing their best hockey. ... They’re a deeper team. They’ve got some skill, and they’re well- coached. There’s a reason why they’re up in the standings, and they deserve to be.”

Centers Alex Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau have 45 points each to lead the Panthers. Hornqvist is fourth with 30, behind former Lightning center Carter Verhaeghe (35), who is week to week with an upper-body injury. 1209495 Tampa Bay Lightning

Steven Stamkos’ injury not related to last year’s core surgeries, Lightning say

By Eduardo A. Encina

Published Yesterday

TAMPA — The injury that landed Steven Stamkos on long-term injured reserve is not related to the core muscle surgeries he had last year, the Lightning said Saturday.

Coach Jon Cooper expects Stamkos to return to the ice within seven to 10 days and reiterated that the captain should be ready to play when he’s first eligible, on May 5. The Lightning host the Stars that night.

“I think we’re extremely optimistic after he comes off the required time amount that he’ll be in really good shape to continue playing for us,” Cooper said. “Let’s see how he rests and his body mends a little bit.”

Stamkos left the April 8 game at Columbus in the third period after he spun around to pass the puck up the ice and then hunched over. He was put on long-term injured reserved Thursday retroactive to April 9.

Given that Stamkos was coming off two 2020 core muscle surgeries entering this season and that the latest injury seemed to happen without contact, there was concern that Stamkos had reaggravated the core muscle problem.

Stamkos had the first surgery last year March 2. He then suffered a leg injury during voluntary workouts before training camp began in July after the season’s coronavirus shutdown. At the time he described that injury as “part of the ebbs and flows of going through rehab.”

In the postseason, he played just 2:47 in the first period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final against Dallas. Stamkos had a second core muscle surgery in October. He was a full participant when training camp started in January and played in 38 of the Lightning’s first 40 games.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209496 Toronto Maple Leafs puck, so I think it’s something he does well for us. It will be nice to have that back.”

Keefe had rookie Nick Robertson skating with Nylander and John The Maple Leafs might have William Nylander and Auston Matthews Tavares on the second line during Saturday’s practice. back to face the recovering Canucks “He’s playing with lots of confidence with and without the puck,” Keefe said of Robertson. “He’s skating hard, he’s looking to make a difference. He doesn’t look overwhelmed by any means. I think he’s getting more By Mark ZwolinskiSports Reporter and more comfortable with the NHL.”

Sat., April 17, 2021

Toronto Star LOADED: 04.18.2021 William Nylander has a sense of what the Vancouver Canucks have been going through.

The Maple Leafs forward is returning from COVID-19 protocols — and might play Sunday in Vancouver — just as the Canucks are coming back after a three-week teamwide ordeal with the virus.

“I mean, I just worried about maybe me getting it and giving it to the guys, which is something I obviously didn’t want to happen,” Nylander, out since April 7 following contact with a COVID case outside the organization, said Saturday as the Leafs practised in Vancouver.

“So over those few days where I was getting tested every day, I was pretty nervous. But thank God nobody got it. That was the number one thing I was worried about.”

Nylander wrapped up nine days of isolation when the Leafs left for Vancouver on Friday. The Canucks still have three players in isolation from among the 25 players and staff who were infected.

“We got back from the road and I met somebody who tested positive for COVID the next day, so I had to isolate for nine days and had nine nights of tests,” Nylander said of his own experience. “I was able to skate (Friday and Saturday), and now we’re here.”

The Canucks have been hit the hardest by far among Canadian teams. Captain Bo Horvat told reporters Friday that he was deeply concerned when he inadvertently infected his wife, adding that their infant son Gunnar had yet to be tested.

“I’m not going to lie, it was tough to know my family got it from me,” Horvat said.

After discussions with the Canucks and the players’ association, the NHL bumped two games between the Leafs and Canucks from Saturday and Monday to Sunday and Tuesday. Vancouver’s J.T. Miller was among those opposed to playing any earlier after what would have been just one full practice.

The Canucks closed practices to the media the past two days, which the local chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association objected to. In response, Vancouver GM Jim Benning said: “Some players haven’t been on the ice for three weeks. We don’t want them to be judged.”

Horvat said his symptoms were mild compared to some teammates.

As for Nylander, none of his tests came back positive over the nine days and he said he was able to exercise.

“I had a bike in my room. I feel pretty good,” he said. “I skated (the past two days), so it’s a matter of getting back into games. We’ll see if I play (Sunday) and go from there.”

Also back on the ice Saturday was top-line centre Auston Matthews, who missed Thursday’s game with a wrist injury. Both Matthews and Nylander will be game-time decisions for Sunday, coach Sheldon Keefe said.

Keefe said Nylander’s absence has been felt on offence and in particular on the power play, which is in a 1-for-42 slump.

“Obviously (Nylander’s) skill and production are things he brings to us a lot ... five-on-five and power play, he gives a boost in those areas,” the coach said, adding that Jack Campbell will start in goal Sunday. “The time we’ve played without (Nylander) … some areas of our game has slowed down.

“It’s been apparent when you take someone like Will out — his strengths, how he brings pucks up the ice, how he brings puck through the neutral zone, how he attacks the offensive blue line ... those are all areas where our offence has dried up. We haven’t had nearly as much control of the 1209497 Toronto Maple Leafs Keefe gave the power play lots of attention on Saturday, its awful 1-for- 41 slump weighing on team confidence. If the Canucks have to hook, hold and interfere to keep up after being out so long, perhaps Toronto can break its awful cycle. Nylander back with Maple Leafs after COVID scare There was a bit of a new look Saturday, Nylander on the first unit with Matthews, Mitch Marner, , and Rielly at the point, while Wayne Simmonds was the net front presence for the second unit with Lance Hornby fellow forwards Jason Spezza, Joe Thornton and Alex Galchenyuk. With Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021 Zach Hyman re-assigned Jake Muzzin remains on the point.

Ex-Leaf Patrick Marleau will beat Gordie Howe’s NHL longevity record in his 1,768th regular season game Monday. After tying Howe Saturday William Nylander didn’t want to be the one who disrupted a great season when his San Jose Sharks played Minnesota, the 41-year-old Marleau is and put teammates and their families at risk. set to make history Monday in Vegas.

So when Nylander came in contact with a COVID-19 case, he went right “Pretty incredible,” Rielly said. “He’s a great person, who really cares to club officials, then nine days of quarantine. That lasted until Friday about treating people with respect. A great Dad and husband (Marleau’s when he was allowed to join the Maple Leafs on their flight to Vancouver four sons were frequently hanging with the young Leafs) and I feel for his planned return to game action Sunday. fortunate to have played with him. The accomplishment speaks for itself.

“We’d got back from the road (April 6 after a trip to Calgary) and I met “I got a bottle of wine that he signed for me. That’s pretty special.” somebody who tested positive the next day,” Nylander explained in his first comments since being pulled. “I had to isolate for nine days with nine LOOSE LEAFS days of tests.” The Leafs lost their first post-trade-deadline game 4-2 to Montreal, then He was yanked after the morning skate April 7 against Montreal and kept in overtime to the Flames before three quick Winnipeg goals sank them mostly in isolation, other than medical people, killing time watching the Thursday. They haven’t lost four straight all season and never since Leafs on TV and riding a stationary bike that was moved to his residence. Keefe replaced Mike Babcock … With the Marlies idle, the Leafs took defenceman Rasmus Sandin with them to continue practising. He was on “I was worried about me getting (COVID-19) and giving it to the guys. the verge of returning from a foot injury when the Marlies closed their Over those few days, I was pretty nervous, but thank god nobody got it. facility until at least this Tuesday … Hyman was fined $5,000 by the That was the No. 1 thing I was worried about.” league after Thursday’s slashing exchange with Neal Pionk of Winnipeg.

The shadow of the virus now covers the entire NHL, with the Canucks emerging from three weeks of a team-wide outbreak for their first game Sunday. Their lineup is sure to be out of game shape, facing 19 games in Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.18.2021 under five weeks to make up.

Recently acquired Leafs Nick Foligno and Ben Hutton remain in Toronto until their seven-day quarantines are up in a couple of days after they crossed the Canadian border, yet it’s unclear if they can come on this road trip next week.Toronto’s AHL farm team, the Marlies, had three games this past week postponed by a COVID-19 protocol scare.

Nylander skated Friday and Saturday and so far says he feels good for the 4 p.m. local start. Coach Sheldon Keefe won’t yet confirm if he and leading scorer Auston Matthews (sore wrist) will be back, though both were full participants Saturday at Rogers Arena.

Jack Campbell will start in net on Sunday after two sub-par outings.

PLUCKY CANUCKS

Keefe and the Leafs can’t help admiring the Canucks, who made a public stand earlier in the week when they felt they were being rushed by the league into a return Friday against the Oilers with many still unfit. They successfully had that game moved and the first of two against the Leafs delayed a day.

Many wives and children were laid low, too, after March 24, their last game before their facility closed. Not all players will be in the lineup or 100% on Sunday, while coach Travis Green looked and sounded sapped on Saturday’s Zoom call. Goalie Thatcher Demko, defenceman Nate Schmidt and forward Jake Virtanen are among five regulars unable to play the Leafs.

“They’ve had tough circumstances, but we have to get back on track ourselves,” defenceman Morgan Riellysaid of Toronto’s three-game losing streak. “We have a lot to improve upon.”

Canucks winger Brandon Sutter said it didn’t matter if his team was facing the first-place Leafs or a bottom feeder from elsewhere in the league. The rust will be evident, but he vowed his team is going in expecting to win, which they’ll have to do a lot of if they hope to brighten a dim playoff picture.

“Playing the Leafs anytime is tough; it doesn’t matter if you’re coming off a long break,” Sutter said. “So, might as well get right back into the fire.”

“They are a gritty, resilient group that before this situation was playing as good hockey as anyone in the division,” Keefe said. “I’m expecting them to get back to their identity right away. That’s all we can prepare for.”

WILLY POWERS UP 1209498 Toronto Maple Leafs “He said he didn’t understand a word I was saying,” MacKinnon said with a laugh. “He was being polite.”

They all laughed at the table. David Rittich: The Maple Leafs new mischievous, fiery, old-school “He’s always had a bit of a mischievous side,” said MacKinnon. insurance policy in net Rittich arrived in Stockton for the 2016-17 season as the second

goaltender on the AHL roster behind Jon Gillies, a prospect who had By Sean Fitz-Gerald been taken in the third round of the NHL draft four years earlier, ahead of Matt Murray (Pittsburgh, 83rd), Frederik Andersen (Anaheim, 87th) and Apr 17, 2021 Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg, 130th).

“We really threw him into a pool,” said MacKinnon. “He was signed, but nobody ever gave him anything. He was behind everybody, almost up It was scoreless after the first period of an elimination playoff game, and until his last year in the AHL … It’s a credit to David, coming over and Colin Zulianello was heading toward the dressing room when someone doing that.” pulled him aside with an unusual message. It was the starting goalie, they said, and it did not look good. Mike Angelidis was the captain in Stockton and, at 31, he was the oldest player on the roster. Several of them lived in an apartment complex just Zulianello was the goaltending coach with the Stockton Heat, the AHL north of town. There was an outdoor pool and a hot tub, and it emerged affiliate of the Calgary Flames, and they were in the decisive Game 5 of as a social hub. Rittich lived there, too. their first-round series with the . Until that moment, he had no idea anything was wrong with his starter, David Rittich, who They would host barbecues when they had the day off from the rink. And looked strong in net. Angelidis invited teammates over just after the AHL all-star break to celebrate his son’s second birthday. Rittich arrived bearing gifts, and he He did not look strong when Zulianello walked into the medical room. spent a significant portion of the party happily helping the toddler learn to Rittich was sitting on the table, looking deathly ill. He had tried to keep play with his new toys. his symptoms under wraps, and he stopped all 15 shots that he faced in the first 20 minutes, but now he was clearly too sick to continue. “He had the language barrier, but he wasn’t shy to come in and say hi to everybody,” said Angelidis. “He went out of his way to come in and say hi “Our trainer said, basically, ‘you can’t play,’” said Zulianello. “He was to my little guy, say hi to my daughter.” apologetic to the point where he was almost in tears that he couldn’t continue to go out there and battle with his teammates.” Kostka, the former Leafs defenceman who recently graduated with a master’s degree in mental performance from the University of Ottawa, “That just goes to show what he’s willing to do,” said Stockton teammate joined Stockton at the trade deadline that year. He appeared in only 15 Brandon Bollig. regular-season games with the Heat. That was still enough time for “He was a gamer, you know?” said Michael Kostka, a defenceman on the Rittich to make an impression. team. Rittich enjoyed dressing room pranks, he said. More than once, Kostka Rittich arrived in Stockton as an undrafted, unrefined 24-year-old project said he saw the goaltender take the top off a teammate’s composite from the Czech Republic who could barely speak a word of English as a stick, then fill the open shaft with water. He would replace the top, then rookie. The Flames found him almost by accident. And while they gave skitter away before his teammate grabbed a stick that suddenly weighed him a contract, they offered him no guarantee of moving up the several pounds more. organizational depth chart. “It was so clearly obvious it was him,” Kostka said with a laugh. “And he By the end of that season, though, and with the playoffs on the line, the just kept denying it. He definitely liked to have some fun around the rink.” coaching staff put him in net ahead of a drafted prospect. Rittich had It was different on the ice, where teammates found a goalie who seemed proven to be a quick study, with a voracious appetite for studying game to treat every practice like it was a regular-season game. There were film and a fiery competitiveness that burned hot even during practice. poke checks and chirps, and there was never a shot he seemed to give He became a regular in the NHL the next season, and joined the Maple up on. Leafs on trade deadline day as an insurance policy in a season loaded “There are other goalies who will get annoyed by a drill in practice, and with expectation. Those who know him, or know people close to him, do they’ll kind of turn it off and they’ll be like, ‘This isn’t a goalie drill,’” said not doubt his ability to adapt quickly. Kostka. “In his case, I think he enjoyed it being a game and was hyper- Derek MacKinnon was the Flames official who discovered Rittich in competitive.” Europe, even though he was in the arena to watch another prospect. It Zulianello, the goalie coach, said Rittich was a student of game film. He was not exactly a goaltending duel — MacKinnon said the final score would be critical of himself and would not shy away from watching might have been 7-4, with two empty-net goals — but he was drawn to highlights of shots that snuck behind him. the unknown goaltender. “He was, like, visibly mad,” Zulianello said with a chuckle. He seemed quick and explosive. It was in Stockton where Rittich also discovered an unusual pre-game “And I sort of like fiery, myself,” said MacKinnon, who is director of pro ritual that has reportedly made it all the way to Toronto. personnel with Calgary. And it arrived, like his own discovery back in the Czech Republic, by MacKinnon and Rittich were scheduled to meet and sign a contract in the accident. lobby of a Marriott hotel in Prague before the world championships in 2016. Rittich’s Czech-speaking agent texted MacKinnon to say he would Zulianello was warming Rittich up with low-speed shots from near the top be a minute or two late, but that his client would be there on time. of the faceoff circle before a game when one got away from him. It hit Rittich in the head. The two of them laughed, and the routine continued. MacKinnon met Rittich, and the two found a spot in the hotel cafe. MacKinnon had a coffee, Rittich had water. Rittich said hello, and he Then another one got away from Zulianello. seemed engaged as he nodded along with the opening small talk, so MacKinnon offered a bit of an explanation about the franchise’s interest “Try a different curve,” Rittich yelled to him. and the plans for him. That night, he earned a shutout in net. The agent arrived a few minutes later and apologized for being late. Soon, he requested Zulianello to hit him in the head with at least two “No problem,” MacKinnon said. “David and I were having a great gentle shots before they left the ice before every game. The practice conversation.” continued in Calgary and was, reportedly, employed again before Rittich made his Toronto debut earlier this week. Rittich leaned over to his agent. “Anytime he goes to a new team, it becomes a new thing,” said Zulianello. “Because the goalie coach is always … ‘like, what?’”

Rittich appeared in 130 regular-season games with the Flames over parts of five seasons, with stretches where he seemed close to taking the starting reins entirely. His upward mobility with the team was blunted in October, though, when Calgary signed unrestricted free agent Jacob Markstrom to a six-year, $36 million deal.

Rittich is in the final year of a two-year deal worth $5.5 million.

Steve McKichan, a former Leafs goaltending coach who has scouted Rittich, suggested part of the appeal for Rittich in Toronto is that he has shown an ability to slide in and out as a starter with minimal dressing room friction. He suggested Rittich had “an old soul,” given how he relates to teammates and to changing circumstances in net.

“For the most part, he’s old school, where he’s not a predictable slave to robotic movement,” McKichan said. “He’s more elbows and assholes, where he’ll find a way to put something in front of the puck. It might not be orthodox, but he’s just going to find a way to stop the puck.”

Rittich did not let any pucks get past him in the first period of that AHL playoff game in San Jose four years ago. Gillies, the third-round NHL draft pick, was named the game’s third star for his work in relief, but he allowed one goal in the third period and another in overtime as Stockton fell 2-1.

Zulianello said Rittich will still text during the season, but not necessarily to ask about hockey. He asks about Zulianello’s wife and children, and how life is going with the family living in Thunder Bay.

“There’s a lot about the person Dave that you don’t see on the ice,” the goalie coach said.

“I’m pumped, I’m excited for him,” said Angelidis, the former Stockton captain, who now resides in the greater Toronto area. “It’d be nice if maybe we can get together after they win the Cup. We can have a beer together. He can come over for dinner. I haven’t seen him since the end of that year.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.18.2021

1209499 Vegas Golden Knights

Robin Lehner finds calmness in net during recent hot streak

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

April 17, 2021 - 6:17 PM

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Dylan Coghlan, left knocks the puck out of the air as goaltende ...

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The numbers show this to be one of the best stretches of Robin Lehner’s career, rivaling the goalie’s memorable run with the New York Islanders in 2018-19.

He posted his first shutout of the season in the Golden Knights’ 4-0 victory over Anaheim in Friday’s series opener and has won seven of his past eight starts.

But the results aren’t how Lehner judges his performance. He remains focused on the process and ensuring his “calculated cheating” style of play is sharp ahead of the postseason.

“It’s kind of hard to pinpoint why people think I’m playing good right now,” Lehner said Saturday. “I think the team is playing fantastic, scoring a lot of goals. We are playing good structurally, so it’s given me the opportunity to calm down even more and get back to my game even quicker.”

Lehner improved to 10-1-2 overall with his 16-save effort against the Ducks and hasn’t lost in regulation since Jan. 22.

In eight appearances after returning from a concussion, Lehner has stopped 192 of 205 shots (.937 save percentage) to go with a 1.68 goals- against average. He’s allowed two or fewer goals in seven of those eight starts since March 19 after missing more than a month.

Lehner had a similar hot streak with the Islanders two seasons ago when he won eight straight and 11 of 12.

“Every time he makes a save he makes it look easy,” captain Mark Stone said. “I think that’s when you know your goalie’s in control. He makes saves. He’s in the right spots. He knows exactly what he’s doing right now.”

Lehner underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason and admitted he didn’t skate as much as he would have liked leading into the abbreviated training camp in January.

With no exhibition games to work out the kinks, Lehner battled through his first five starts before he was injured.

Unlike some goalies who rely more on quickness and reflexes, Lehner’s success is based on reading the play, anticipation and using his 6-foot-4- inch, 250-pound frame to gobble up space.

That “calculated cheating,” as Lehner calls it, is becoming more dialed in with each of his starts. In Lehner’s past two outings against Anaheim and Los Angeles, his economy of movement allowed him to make a handful of difficult saves look easy.

“I’m definitely getting closer and closer to where I want to be,” Lehner said. “I just want to get to my calmness and my game and the way I read the plays. That’s when I feel good.”

The Knights have 13 games remaining in the regular season, including Sunday’s rematch with the Ducks. As it stands, coach Pete DeBoer will have a difficult choice between Lehner and Marc-Andre Fleury to start the postseason.

“I think his play is at a different level now than it was early in the season,” DeBoer said of Lehner. “Starting to look really, really sharp both in practice and in games.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209500 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights in West Division showdown with Colorado

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal

April 17, 2021 - 3:16 PM

The stakes are clear for the final stretch of the Golden Knights season. They sit two points behind the Colorado Avalanche in the West Division standings with 13 games remaining for both sides.

Whoever comes out on top will get home ice advantage for at least the first two rounds and will open the postseason against one of the underwhelming teams fighting for fourth. The fourth- through eighth-place teams in the West all have a minus-10 goal differential or worse.

The second-place team will likely face the Minnesota Wild, who are seven points behind the Knights but 11 clear of the rest of the pack.

Finishing first clearly provides a more favorable path. And the Knights will get a chance to set the pace in the chase for that spot with Colorado on a COVID-19 hiatus.

Of the Avalanche, center William Karlsson said, “They’ve played really, really well lately. We have to be on top of our toes every game.”

The Avalanche have been in first most of the last two weeks, taking charge of the division thanks to an absolutely scorching stretch. Colorado, since March 10, is 17-1-2. That the Knights remain only two points behind is no small feat.

“I give our group credit,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “The fact we’re still hanging around I think is a testament to our resilience here to stay in the fight and win the games we need to win.”

The Avalanche won’t be able to build on that streak for a bit. The team has three players in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols — No. 1 goaltender Philipp Grubauer, forward Joonas Donskoi and rookie defenseman Bowen Byram — so the league postponed three of its games Friday.

Colorado is expected to return to action April 22 against St. Louis. The Knights have three games in that time, giving them a chance to take the lead and put pressure on the Avalanche.

That could set them up well for their final regular-season series against Colorado on April 26 and 28 at T-Mobile Arena.

“I think we realize it’s probably going to come down to those two games against them,” captain Mark Stone said. “We want those two games against them to be the difference. We want to have an opportunity to try and get first place.”

The Knights have switched up their top two defensive pairs the last game and a half.

Alec Martinez is skating with Alex Pietrangelo, and Shea Theodore is playing with Brayden McNabb. Theodore-Martinez and Pietrangelo- McNabb have been the defensive pairs almost the entire season when healthy.

DeBoer called it “a little bit of information gathering” and “a little bit of mixing things up.” He doesn’t want to be auditioning new pairs in the postseason.

“That’s not the time of year to be trying out and hoping what combinations look like up front or on the back end,” DeBoer said.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209501 Vegas Golden Knights

How the Silver Knights are trying to unlock Jack Dugan’s game

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal

April 17, 2021 - 11:40 am

Jack Dugan has had the same approach when joining a hockey team since he was 5 years old.

Don’t be the guy that doesn’t pass the puck.

It takes time for the Golden Knights forward prospect to get comfortable enough to be selfish and shoot when needed. It doesn’t help that he’s an impressive playmaker, either.

But the Silver Knights coaches have been on Dugan recently to use his shot when he’s open. The 23-year-old responded with his first two-goal game of the year April 9 on a season-high four shots on goal.

The team hopes that’s just the beginning.

“If he does that, it opens up other areas of his game like his passing, which is one of the strongest areas,” coach Manny Viveiros said. “He’s got to continue to keep doing that to be a double threat. Not just a passer but a shooter.”

Dugan’s passing ability has long been the hallmark of his game. The 2017 fifth-round pick led Division I college hockey in assists last season at Providence with 42 in 34 games. He had eight more than the next- closest player. He is second among American Hockey League rookies in assists this year with 17 in 24 games and is tied for fourth overall.

That pass-first mentality can be a double-edged sword, however, especially on the power play. Defenders aren’t going to get close to him if they don’t think he’s a threat to shoot. That affects the spacing for the Silver Knights and makes it harder for Dugan to find passing lanes.

Him being a willing shooter forces opponents to come to him and opens up other areas of the ice. In other words, shooting more will likely make him a better passer.

“I always kind of revert to passing first,” Dugan said Tuesday. “Now I think (23) games in I feel more comfortable and am more comfortable shooting the puck. I think I have a good shot, and I think my teammates want me to use it as well.”

Dugan’s been effective when he shoots. He ranks eighth on the Silver Knights in shots on goal (32) but has five goals for a shooting percentage of 15.6. He likely won’t be able to keep up that pace if he keeps putting pucks on net.

But his team will gladly live with the potential trade-offs.

“Teams are starting to know he’s not going to shoot so they kind of take it away,” Viveiros said. “We’ve got him to shoot a few times so now they have to respect that.”

Compact stretch run

The pace of the Silver Knights schedule picks up the final month of the season.

The team played its first 24 games over 63 days. It will play its final 15 over 32 days.

“It’s an exciting challenge for us,” center Jake Leschyshyn said. “We haven’t really seen a schedule like this this year. But we all want to play in the NHL, and if you look at any of their schedules right now, it looks pretty much like that the whole year. You have to be able to adapt to more and more games.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209502 Vegas Golden Knights Stephenson was awarded the Knights’ first penalty shot of the season when Gibson threw his stick at the puck to thwart a scoring chance. Stephenson attempted to beat Gibson five-hole, but the goalie’s right pad caught enough of the puck to trap it. Knights’ William Karlsson gives Ducks reason to be regretful It was the seventh penalty shot in the Knights’ history, and the fourth unsuccessful attempt. It was also the second penalty shot of Stephenson’s career. He had one against Minnesota when he was with By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal the Washington Capitals in 2017, but didn’t score. April 17, 2021 - 7:00 am 3. Road power-play woes

The Knights’ power play has been a sore spot all season. Vegas Golden Knights' William Karlsson in action during the first period The team went 0-for-4 against the Ducks and is ranked 24th (17.1 of an NHL hockey game ... percent) on the man advantage. Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) celebrates with The Knights are even worse on the road. They have converted just 12.9 teammates after he scored a ... percent of their power-play opportunities away from home, the 28th-best The last time the Golden Knights were at Honda Center, center William rate in the NHL. They have scored a power-play goal in seven road Karlsson said he and defenseman Shea Theodore — both Anaheim draft games and failed to get one in their other 14. picks — reminded each other that the Ducks didn’t want them.

Karlsson was more diplomatic when the Knights returned there Friday. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.18.2021 But actions speak louder than words.

Karlsson scored the game-winning goal in his team’s 4-0 victory over the Ducks. He has four goals in six games against his former team, and seven goals in 37 games against everyone else.

“It’s a good feeling like any other team,” Karlsson said. “It’s been a long time since I was here … At this point it’s just become any other team.”

Karlsson was drafted in the second round, 53rd overall, by Anaheim in 2011. He played 18 games for the Ducks before being traded to Columbus in 2015. He spent two full seasons with the Blue Jackets and then was selected by the Knights in the 2017 expansion draft.

Karlsson hasn’t let his former teams forget him since blossoming into a top-six center on one of the NHL’s best teams. He has 12 goals in 18 games against the Ducks since joining the Knights. In his 18 games with Anaheim, he had only two.

His latest goal gave the Knights a 1-0 lead nine seconds into the second period Friday they never relinquished. They executed a set play after Karlsson won the opening faceoff. Right wing Reilly Smith got the puck just outside the offensive blue line and cut from the right wing to the front of the net.

Smith drew two defenders, so an uncovered Karlsson picked up the puck as it came loose near the top of the crease and scored his 11th goal of the season.

It was all the Knights needed to do to win Friday. And it was yet another reminder from Karlsson to the Ducks that they made a pretty good draft pick nearly a decade ago. They just didn’t see it through.

“I mean, it’s a great start to a period,” Karlsson said. “It’s a bit of a boost. Everyone wants to get going out there and score. I think that second period we played really well.”

Here are three more takeaways from the win:

1. McNabb gets aggressive

Friday featured a rare offensive performance from defenseman Brayden McNabb.

The rugged blue liner, who typically plays a shutdown role, had a season-high five shots on goal against the Ducks. He also scored his second goal of the season in the third period.

“It’s just how it goes sometimes,” McNabb said. “The puck finds your stick more often than not. Tonight it was finding me. It was nice to finally get one by (goaltender John Gibson).”

McNabb had four shots on goal in the first period, which tied his previous high in a game for the Knights. He has had six shots on goal once in his career and five two other times.

2. Stephenson’s penalty shot

Center Chandler Stephenson scored his 10th goal in the second period, one off his career high, and nearly got another in the third. 1209503 Vegas Golden Knights

Reflective and Thoughtful, Golden Knights’ Goalie Lehner Offers Intense, Real Answers

April 17, 2021

By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com

In the sports cliche landscape of “playing one game at a time,” there’s Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner who answers with deep, reflective answers during Zoom media sessions.

If there’s a word that means the opposite of cliche, it would be a word that describes Lehner’s answers.

Let’s just say Lehner keeps it as real as you get when he answers media questions.

Bear witness to Lehner’s response to a question posed Saturday by the Golden Knights in-house rink-side reporter, Stormy Buonantony, who asked the big goalie about his recovery from shoulder and concussion issues this season.

Here’s Lehner in his own words. He covers a lot of ground in an answer that lasts nearly 2 1/2 minutes, which is a lot longer than the usual fare you hear at these Zoom player sessions.

Before Lehner spoke, VGK coach Pete DeBoer was asked about Lehner and fellow Knights netminder Marc-Andre Fleury. Last season, DeBoer picked Lehner as the primary goalie in the postseason bubble in Edmonton. This year, both Fleury and Lehner are on the top of their games and there’s little separation between the two VGK goalies, DeBoer said.

It’s Vegas vs Anaheim for a 1 PM matinee game Sunday from Orange County, California. Then, the Golden Knights turn around and play San Jose at T-Mobile Arena Monday night.

LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209504 Washington Capitals

Mantha continues hot streak in Caps 6-3 win

BY ANDREW GILLIS

When Anthony Mantha arrived in Washington the common refrain among players, coaches and management was nearly identical.

He was a big body presence that could play well in the offensive zone. He had a good shot that he wasn’t afraid to use. His skillset blended well with the Capitals’ style. He could help the team in the playoffs, when the games tighten up and more goals are scored from close to the net.

And through three games, not only has Mantha delivered on that description, he’s delivered on the scoresheet.

In a 6-3 win over the Flyers on Saturday, Mantha tallied the empty-net goal to put the final stamp on an excellent bounce-back performance from the Capitals after a disappointing loss Thursday. It was his third goal in as many games since being traded from the Red Wings.

“He's obviously a big body, he can skate,” said T.J. Oshie, who has played on the opposite wing of Mantha for three games now. “You can tell he can score. I don't think he's gone a game without scoring for us yet. He's so good for us on the walls and on our breakouts and in the offensive zone, using his body around the net or in the corners to keep puck possession and give us more O-zone time.”

After he put up 11 goals and 10 assists in Detroit this season, Mantha already has three goals and an assist in Washington in his first three games. Mantha has only skated as the second line left wing alongside Nicklas Backstrom and Oshie, but he hasn't had to move anywhere else just yet. That trio has dominated possession since the time they were put together.

Saturday in Philadelphia, while the entire Capitals lineup controlled possession, Mantha and Oshie were the two best skaters in terms of five- on-five possession (Mantha had a shot attempt, or Corsi-For, percentage of 84.21 and Oshie had a percentage of 78.95) according to Natural Stat Trick.

As a line, in just eight-and-a-half minutes of time together at even strength, they put seven shots on the Flyers’ net and allowed zero.

“I think that's something that we've been focusing on as a team,” Oshie said. “My lines haven't been great this year maintaining O-zone time and he seems to really help with that. It's been awesome playing with him. He meshes in really well with the guys and obviously he's pretty hot right now so we'll try to keep him that way.”

While the Capitals dominated possession when the second line trio was on the ice, an additional bonus was on the other end of the ice, they kept pressure away from their own netminder. Ilya Samsonov allowed three goals on 25 shots in the win.

The domination by Mantha and his line hasn't simply been a result of just one game, either.

In 32:27 of five-on-five play together this season, the second line has a 62 percent shot attempt percentage, has outshot its opponents 23-10 and carries an expected goals percentage of 72.42 percent, all according to Natural Stat Trick. In layman’s terms, they’re not only controlling the puck in the offensive end, they’re getting to the key scoring areas too.

While unreasonable to expect a goal-per-game from Mantha, the first few games in Washington have gone about as well as possible for the newest Capital and his new linemates.

“He’s a big body out there,” coach Peter Laviolette said of Mantha. “He uses his size really well, I think, to protect pucks and to hang on to pucks in the offensive zone. He’s got gears with regard to speed, he can really crank it up, and he’s playing with a couple of good players, so it’s a tough line to match up against and play against.

"But early on, I like it.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209505 Washington Capitals John Carlson D

Dmitry Orlov Capitals post-trade-deadline expansion draft outlook: Is T.J. Oshie still a top Kraken target? D

Justin Schultz

By Tarik El-Bashir and Ryan S. Clark G

Apr 17, 2021 Ilya Samsonov

* The Caps won’t need to protect Ovechkin if he does not sign an extension before the expansion draft. (More on this later.) In the four months since we last examined the impact the Seattle expansion draft could have on the Capitals’ roster, much has changed in Forwards (7) Washington. Anthony Mantha was acquired from the Red Wings in exchange for Jakub Vrana and Richard Panik. (Vrana and Panik Alex Ovechkin, LW appeared on our December mock protected list.) If Ovechkin is under contract, the Caps are obviously going to protect Jonas Siegenthaler was dealt to the Devils. (We previously projected their captain and the face of the franchise. In addition to everything that Siegenthaler as a player the Caps could lose.) he means to the organization and the city, can you fathom how much attention — and money — his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals Meantime, Conor Sheary and Trevor van Riemsdyk signed two-year record is going to garner as he closes in? He’s going to re-sign; the only extensions. (In December, Sheary and van Riemsdyk were pending question, it seems, is when exactly. unrestricted free agents and did not factor into the discussion.) Ovechkin has been eligible to re-up since July. Yet it hasn’t happened. As a result, the possibilities for the Caps’ protected list are different. So, too, is our projection. “It’s status quo,” MacLellan said this week of the negotiations, which are being handled directly between Ovechkin and management/ownership. Before we get to the players Caps GM Brian MacLellan might opt to “We’re both talking, and we’ll work it out when we can work it out.” protect and the ones Kraken GM Ron Francis could select, let’s go over the draft rules again: The timing, of course, has implications for the Kraken. Why? Because if Ovechkin is not under contract, the Caps won’t need to protect him and, • Teams can protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie thus, can protect another forward — a player like fourth-line center Nic or eight skaters and one goalie. Dowd, who has overperformed his $750,000 cap charge — and then re- sign Ovechkin after the expansion draft. The Kraken won’t waste a pick • Players with no-movement clauses must be protected, unless the player on a player who could just turn around and leave in free agency. agrees to waive it. There is a precedent for this strategy. In 2017, Washington exposed T.J. • First- and second-year NHL players (prospects such as Connor Oshie — then a pending unrestricted free agent — in the Las Vegas McMichael and Martin Fehervary) and unsigned draft choices are expansion draft. The Golden Knights did not select Oshie, and Oshie exempt. inked an eight-year, $46 million extension with the Caps a couple of days • Teams must make available a defenseman and two forwards who are later. under contract in 2021-22 and played at least 40 games the previous Nicklas Backstrom, C season or 70 combined games the previous two seasons. The 33-year-old alternate captain is in the first season of a five-year, $46 • One goaltender who is under contract in 2021-22 must be made million extension that features a no-movement clause, so he must be available. protected. He also leads the team in points this season with 45 (14 goals, We’re pretty sure the Caps will choose the 7-3-1 option for a couple of 31 assists) and just became the second player in franchise history to reasons: Their roster features a deeper pool of forwards and, of course, reach the 1,000-games plateau, joining Ovechkin. because it allows for more players to be protected. Evgeny Kuznetsov, C Now for our latest protected list: Kuznetsov, 28, has endured a tough year. He was sidelined nearly a Washington Capitals (7-3-1) month because of a nasty bout with COVID-19 and missed two other games due to an upper-body injury. As frustrating as his inconsistency F can be at times, he remains an integral piece to the Caps’ puzzle.

Alex Ovechkin* Anthony Mantha, LW

F The newest member of the Caps wasted no time ingratiating himself to his teammates and the fan base. The 26-year-old not only recorded a Nicklas Backstrom goal and an assist in his debut but also scored in his second game. F Mantha is under contract through 2023-24.

Evgeny Kuznetsov Tom Wilson, RW

F Easily the most polarizing figure in the game, Wilson is reviled by the other 30 fan bases and revered in Washington for the unique set of skills Anthony Mantha he brings to the Caps’ lineup. Indeed, the 27-year-old is a unicorn due to his size, speed and scoring touch. He’s not going anywhere, either. F Lars Eller, C Tom Wilson One of the best third-line centers in the game, Eller is invaluable for his F ability to step in for Backstrom or Kuznetsov when necessary. The 31- Lars Eller year-old has missed a dozen games this season because of injuries, but there’s been no indication that it’s more than a blip for a reliable player. F Conor Sheary, LW Conor Sheary A last-minute addition to the roster in December, Sheary earned a two- D year, $3 million extension this week. The 28-year-old has been used up and down the lineup and on both wings. He’s also been remarkably efficient, scoring 11 goals in 40 games despite ranking 19th in average Kraken find someone else who can meet those needs at a younger age time on ice (13:10). and/or a cheaper cap hit.

Defense (3) 4. Nick Jensen, RHD

John Carlson, RHD Jensen is another defenseman who can be used on the penalty kill and operate in a top-six capacity. He has a team-friendly contract, worth $2.5 The 31-year-old alternate captain and Norris Trophy finalist in 2020 is million annually, for two more years. So what would prevent the Kraken third in points among all blueliners with 38 (10 goals, 28 assists). He’s from taking Jensen? A few things. The first being the idea that between also averaging 23:47 of ice per game — almost four minutes more than someone like Jake Allen and Vanecek, they could have a goaltending second-place Ovechkin — and is the only Capital signed through the tandem that will cost a combined $3.59 million. Another being the options 2025-26 season. that exist. Someone like Wild defenseman Carson Soucy is one example. Dmitry Orlov, LHD Soucy makes $2.75 million, but he is also four years younger than Jensen. After a rough start to the season that included a 10-day stint on the COVID-19 protocol list, Orlov has rediscovered his game at both ends 5. Carl Hagelin, LW under first-year coach Peter Laviolette. The 29-year-old has 12 points Bottom-six forwards will also be available in great supply throughout the (five goals and seven assists) in the past 21 games — that after expansion draft. If Hagelin were elsewhere, then, the two-way winger registering just one point in his first 18 contests. would presumably check all the boxes. There is a chance he still could. It Something to consider: Orlov carries a $5.1 million cap hit for two just comes back to the fact the Kraken are going to have options when it seasons after this one, and the Caps need to re-sign Ovechkin and Ilya comes to the Capitals in addition to the fact the market for bottom-six Samsonov and will have limited cap space with which to do it. Also, forwards could allow them to find someone who makes less than Hagelin Washington has a couple of touted left-shot prospects — Fehervary and at $2.75 million over the next two years. Alex Alexeyev — who’ll eventually need somewhere to play. Could that make him expendable? Perhaps. We’re protecting him based on how solidly he’s performed over the past month-plus. The Athletic LOADED: 04.18.2021

Justin Schultz, RHD

Schultz has been a pleasant surprise after a couple of injury-plagued seasons in Pittsburgh. The 30-year-old has been a good fit for Laviolette’s system, which puts a premium on defensemen who possess offensive instincts and good wheels, and he ranks second on the Caps in points by a defenseman with 22 (three goals, 19 assists). Brenden Dillon occupied this spot four months ago.

Goalie (1)

Ilya Samsonov

It’s been a tough year for Samsonov. First, there was last summer’s ATV accident that resulted in neck and shoulder injuries. Then came an early- season bout with COVID-19 that cost him a month. Vitek Vanecek’s numbers are better — a .911 save percentage vs. Samsonov’s .899 — but the 2015 first-round pick makes our list based on pedigree and potential. He appears to possess the higher upside, and the Caps can protect only one of them.

Now, the top five candidates to be selected:

1. Vitek Vanecek, G

Some franchises struggle with developing and drafting goaltenders. The Capitals are not one of them, as evidenced by Philipp Grubauer, Braden Holtby, Semyon Varlamov and Samsonov. It appears Vanecek is the latest name to join that list, and he could be a tempting choice for the Kraken. His performances this season have vaulted him into a discussion, as has the fact the Kraken could nab a 25-year-old goaltender who will make $716,667 for one more season until he becomes a restricted free agent.

2. T.J. Oshie, RW

How Oshie has been deployed this season means the Kraken could look at using him down the middle or on the wing. It’s a versatility that has served the Capitals throughout what has become an injury-riddled campaign at times. Where it gets complicated is the fact that Oshie will turn 35 in December and will make $5.75 million over the next four seasons. The financial impact alone is something the Kraken — or any team — must consider in this new flat-cap environment. It is also another reason the Kraken could seek extra compensation, such as a draft pick or a prospect, to take on Oshie’s contract.

3. Brenden Dillon, LHD

One of the items that makes Dillion a candidate is one of the reasons the Capitals wanted him in the first place: He does a lot. At 6-foot-4, he offers size. He averages a little more than 19 minutes per game and has shown he can handle more. Furthermore, his defensive metrics reveal he can be trusted on the penalty kill and in even-strength play. He turns 31 in December and would have three more years remaining at $3.9 million. That appears to be a manageable sum. It just comes down to if the 1209506 Winnipeg Jets "Good-structured team and they looked pretty tight in their own end tonight. I don’t think we were where we needed to be to test them as well as we’d like to test them," Jets coach Paul Maurice said. "I didn’t think we had a lot going on up front offensively, but it wasn’t a brand new team Oilers' power play sinks Jets that we saw tonight. They’ve got some things that they’re good at."

With such a close race near the top of the standings, it’s looking more and more likely the Jets and Oilers are destined to finish second and Jeff Hamilton third in the Division, which would mean a first-round meeting between the 9-12 minutes 4/18/2021 two clubs.

The Jets fared well against the Oilers early in the season, taking two of the first three games, with the lone loss a result of a last-second goal by It wasn’t the homecoming the Winnipeg Jets were hoping for, nor were the Oilers. The Jets scored a combined 15 goals in those games. their guests all that generous on this evening. It has been all Edmonton since, with the Oilers winning four straight The Jets returned to Bell MTS Place following an impressive five-game games against Winnipeg, all coming in regulation. What’s worse, the road trip, on which they won four games, including a convincing 5-2 Jets, who are usually capable of filling the net on any given night, have victory over the first-place Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday to cap off the just five goals in those four losses. trip. Whatever momentum had been earned came to a screeching halt Saturday, as the visiting Edmonton Oilers blanked the Jets 3-0. "I think the games are going to get tighter. I think that’s what’s gone on. We come in off the first one back to back and then go into that, the March Tyson Barrie broke up a scoreless game in the second period, while run there that we had, and I liked our games in there. They were tight but Jesse Puljujarvi and Alex Chiasson added goals in the third period to I liked our game. I thought we had jump," Maurice said. round out the scoring. Connor McDavid continued his scorching pace against the Jets, recording two primary assists, and now has at least two "Where I thought the game turned tonight was we end up six minutes in points in each of the seven games against the Jets this season. Leon the penalty box and we do a good job on the kill but we’re running those Draisaitl also finished with a pair of assists. guys… like Lowry’s line did a great job tonight. I thought we spent a fair amount coming into this so I didn’t think we had that sharpness off It was the second time this season the Jets have been shut out, with the transition to get into holes to make plays. They played a good, hard other a 4-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Mar. 1, also at home. Mike game. They looked rested, they looked focused. I didn’t feel they Smith recorded 26 saves for his third shutout in 2021. generated anywhere near the offence they had against us in the previous low-scoring games. But we’re going to get to a point in the season here, "When you give them the power-play opportunities and let them work that and it’s coming soon, where offence is not easy and you’ve got to be a puck around, especially with McDavid and Draisaitl there, they’re going to good defensive team. make you pay," Jets centre Mark Scheifele said after the game. "So it’s one of those nights. You can’t dwell on it too much. We’ve got a little bit "I’m not going to spend a lot of time over the next two or three days trying of a break here to get our bodies feeling good so we’ve got to use this to get ready for the next Edmonton (game). We will get ready for Toronto time to our advantage." coming in here. We’ll get a couple of days of practice, Blake (Wheeler) comes back in, play with our lines a little bit more and then use these The Jets dropped to 27-15-3 with the loss, snapping a two-game win next five games to really ramp up." streak in the process. They don’t return to game action until Thursday when they welcome the Maple Leafs to town for the first of back-to-back games. The Oilers improve to 26-15-2 with the victory, and are now three points behind the Jets for second place in the North Division, with one Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.18.2021 game in hand.

The Oilers seemed to have a distinct advantage heading into the game, given they were coming off six days of rest and were likely still had a chip on their shoulder after losing 5-0 to provincial rival Calgary Flames last Saturday. As for the Jets, they had Friday off following five games in the previous eight nights.

Such is life in the NHL, especially in a condensed schedule this season owing to COVID-19. It’s the same for all teams.

"You can’t blame anything on that. Obviously it’s tough coming off long road trips and finding your legs, but I thought early on we had some good jump. They did a good job neutralizing it, playing tight defensively and we weren’t able to capitalize on our chances," Jets centre Adam Lowry said. "They ended up scoring a big power-play goal and that seemed to give them a little more life and take a little bit of wind out of our sails. Obviously they had their legs but I don’t think it’s one that you can blame our effort on being tired or anything like that."

The Jets did come out with a jump, but that energy developed into few scoring opportunities. In fact, according to Natural Stat Trick, the Jets only had one high-danger scoring chance compared to 14 for the Oilers.

After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Barrie converted a one-timer slap shot off a pass from McDavid that beat a screened Connor Hellebuyck low at the 12-minute mark of the second period. The goal came on the third straight power play for the Oilers, this time with Neal Pionk in the penalty box for hooking.

Puljujarvi made it a 2-0 game 6:37 into the third period, after he found himself wide open in front of the net. McDavid fed him a pass and Puljujarvi made no mistake, firing a shot top shelf over the glove of Hellebuyck for his 10th of the season.

The Oilers put the game away a short time later, scoring again on the man-advantage, with Chiasson redirecting a shot from Barrie to make it 3-0. Hellebuyck, who finished with 22 saves, had little chance. 1209507 Winnipeg Jets Of course, the Jets didn’t score at all and you’re not going to win that way.

You almost have to wonder if McDavid and Draisaitl are in their heads to Rested Oilers make it look easy with win over lifeless Jets in possible the point where the Jets aren’t playing their own game. playoff preview Jets coach Paul Maurice doesn’t think that is the case. What he does think is that the Oilers are playing the style of hockey that’s going to be successful down the stretch and in the playoffs and the Jets are going to Ted Wyman have to match that.

Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021 “I think the games are going to get tighter,” he said. “I think that’s what’s gone on already.

“They played a good, hard game. They looked rested, they looked If this was a first-round playoff preview, the Winnipeg Jets have plenty of focused. I didn’t feel they generated anywhere near the offence they had reason to be concerned. against us in the previous low-scoring games. So I’m more comfortable The Jets dropped a 3-0 decision to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday about what we gave up in the game, we just didn’t get a whole lot going. night at Bell MTS Place in a listless performance that came in the “We’re going to get to a point in the series here, and it’s coming soon, dreaded first game back from a five-game road trip. where offence is not easy and you’ve got to be a good defensive team While the Jets wanted no part of an excuse, it’s a fact that they were and it’s going to turn on a penalty that you take, it will turn on a blocked playing their fourth game of the week, while the Oilers were coming off a shot. It will be a tight-event game. I thought tonight we moved toward it.” six-day break between games. The Jets now have a four-day stretch before their next game, against the “Obviously they had their legs but I don’t think it’s one that you can blame first-place Toronto Maple Leafs, at Bell MTS Place, on Thursday. They our effort on being tired or anything like that,” Jets centre Adam Lowry plan to rest for a couple days and practice for a couple days. said. After playing the Leafs again next Saturday, they’ll host the Oilers on the But if their tired legs — and the Oilers’ fresh ones — weren’t part of the following Monday and Wednesday and then play at fourth-place Montreal reason for this loss, the Jets could be looking at trouble when the post- on Friday, April 30. The Jets should have captain Blake Wheeler back for season arrives. all of those games, after he missed six with a concussion.

It was Edmonton’s third straight win over Winnipeg and the Oilers have a “Blake comes back in, we’ll play with our lines a little bit more and then 5-2 record overall against the Jets on the season. use these next five games to really ramp up,” Maurice said.

Winnipeg (27-15-3) still sits second in the North Division with 57 points, “I’m not going to spend a lot of time over the next two or three days trying but the Oilers (26-15-2) are only three back, with two games in hand, and to get ready for the next Edmonton (game). We will get ready for Toronto a first-round playoff matchup is looking more and more likely. coming in here.”

Not only will the Jets have to deal with NHL leading scorer Connor At some point, sooner or later, they’re going to have to be ready for McDavid and league No. 2 Leon Draisaitl, but they’re also having trouble Edmonton, the only team in the division they’ve had consistent trouble finding their own offence against an Edmonton team that has tightened with. things up considerably. The Jets have scored just three goals, combined, in their last three games against the Oilers. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.18.2021 “Maybe they’ve tightened up a little bit,” Lowry said. “They’re moving the puck effectively through the neutral zone. It’s one of those things I think we’re just a little off tonight. You have to give them credit, they’re doing a good job making it tough to get around their net. (Goalie Mike) Smith made some big saves for them. And they clear the puck when they get their opportunities.”

No doubt Smith has been good. He stopped 26 shots for his third shutout of the season. It was just the second time this year that the Jets have been shut out.

And no doubt the Jets didn’t have the same jump as the Oilers, who got power play goals from Tyson Barrie and Alex Chiasson and an even- strength marker from Jesse Puljujarvi. Two of the goals were set up by McDavid, who now has 71 points, and Draisaitl also had two assists.

“They’re good,” Jets centre Mark Scheifele said. “When you give them the power-play opportunities and let them work that puck around, especially with McDavid and Draisaitl there, they’re going to make you pay. So it’s one of those nights. You can’t dwell on it too much. We’ve got a little bit of a break here to get our bodies feeling good so we’ve got to use this time to our advantage.”

The only real positive for a flat Jets team on Saturday was the first-period play of goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who finished the night with 22 saves. Early on, he made three glorious stops on Grade A chances by the Oilers to keep the game from being an absolute runaway.

That left the Jets with a chance to stay in it until the third period, trailing just 1-0.

Scheifele had a chance to tie the game on a late second-period breakaway, and Kyle Connor fanned on a perfect opportunity from the slot after taking a great feed from Scheifele.

“It had a weird flow to the game,” Scheifele said. “Anything could have happened.” 1209508 Winnipeg Jets Lowry, 28, is having a career year. Along with being dependable defensively and a strong physical presence, he also has eight goals and 12 assists in 44 games. If you were to look at those numbers in terms of a regular 82-game season, he’d be on pace for 15 goals and a career- JETS SNAPSHOTS: Jets players, coaches joyful over Lowry’s long-term high 37 points. contract He’s also playing for the team that employs his father, Dave, as an assistant coach.

Ted Wyman “I’m really happy,” Maurice said. “He’s such an incredible character guy. He likes playing here, he likes his role here and he’s good at it. He sees Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021 a place that he could spend a career. We’re really pleased to have him back in for a long time.”

VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 22: Adam Lowry #17 of the Winnipeg Jets Jets captain Blake Wheeler has been cleared to return to action after celebrates after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during missing five games with a concussion. the third period of NHL action at Rogers Arena on March 22, 2021 in He has been skating for several days and was a full participant in Vancouver, Canada. Saturday’s game-day skate at Bell MTS Place. It’s pretty clear that Adam Lowry is a well-liked man — by his teammates, However, Maurice decided to hold Wheeler out for one more game, his coaches, fans of the Winnipeg Jets and members of the media, who which will give him four more days to prepare. The Jets’ next game is respect his thoughtfulness and courteous nature. Thursday, at home, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. So it’s no surprise that there was plenty of joy around the Jets Saturday, That game was moved from Wednesday to Thursday as part of the a day after Lowry signed a five-year, $16.25 million contract extension, overall league schedule restructuring made necessary by the COVID-19 forgoing a chance to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the outbreak in Vancouver. season. “He’s feeling great, he’s passed his tests,” Maurice said. “He potentially In a place like Winnipeg, which doesn’t have all the perks of many other could have been available for (Saturday), but it didn’t make much sense NHL locales — and has winter weather that could freeze lava — it means for me to do that, especially with the change that we’ve just had in our something when a player wants to stay long-term and wants to remain schedule. part of the only organization he’s ever known as a pro. “We can get two more days of working out and he can get two full “I’m really happy for him,” said Andrew Copp, a Jets winger and longtime practices with the team. We’re 100% sure, as far as we can be, with Lowry linemate. “He told me after the game in Toronto and you could just where we are medically to diagnose these things. He feels great, says see how happy he was to be staying, to get the term that he wanted and he’s 100%, doctors say he’s good to go. to be in a situation that he loves being in. “We’re not going to put him in until we can get him in a couple practices “It was awesome to see that and for the team it’s great because he’s and then we won’t think about it again.” such a cornerstone piece of our team and part of the core. Great in the room, great on the ice, provides an element that is kind of unique on our Wheeler has 10 goals and 32 points in 39 games this season. He has team. Really, really happy for him and to get him locked in for five years missed as many games (six) due to this injury as he previously missed in is great for us going forward.” his entire 10 season-run with the Jets.

The Jets were preparing for a Saturday night game against Connor Next up on general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s list of chores will be McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, a team they could well face in the first re-signing players who can become restricted free agents in the off- round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. season. Those players include Copp, who is having a monster season, defenceman Neal Pionk, arguably the team’s most consistent blue-liner, Coming off a five-game Eastern road trip, during which they put up four and promising rookie Logan Stanley. wins, the team was wary of a return-home letdown, but also seemed to be getting a bit of an energy boost from the Lowry signing. Copp, who went through salary arbitration in negotiating his last contract, was asked Saturday if Lowry’s signing would spur him to sign long-term “There’s general excitement for sure,” defenceman Josh Morrissey said. as well. “First of all, for him. He’s a tremendous guy. I’ve known him now for a “I’m just trying to worry about trying to get better in my game and long time and have become pretty good friends with him and I just know continuing to try to push to get home ice in the playoffs and have a good how hard he works every day.” close-out to the season and a good playoffs,” said Copp, who has career For a player like Morrissey, who is just starting an eight-year deal with highs in goals (14) and points (34) already this season. the Jets, this is another piece in the long-term puzzle that everyone “Not really thinking about my contract situation right now, or trying not to. hopes will one day be completed with a championship. I’m just kind of worried about getting better each game and playing to the Lowry joins Morrissey, goalie Connor Hellebuyck, centre Mark Scheifele best of my ability. All that will take care of itself in the off-season.” and wingers Blake Wheeler, Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor as core players with long-term deals. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.18.2021 “He’s earned that contract,” Morrissey said. “And obviously as a team, as well, what he brings to the table night in night out — at practice, everything he does — he’s just a consummate pro. Such a great teammate and we’ll battle beside him any day.”

Jets coach Paul Maurice, who trusts Lowry in all situations and often puts him on the ice against the opposition’s top centre, said the impact of the Lowry signing goes well beyond on-ice performance.

“It’s just great news in terms of trying to keep that core together and that structure,” Maurice said. “Especially when you’ve developed it. You’ve put that time and effort into bringing young players along.

“They get to the age of Adam, where they have the opportunity to hit free agency, those 6-foot-5, physical centremen would be at an absolute premium. So to have him commit early, to commit to Winnipeg, to the town, the fans, the team, the players in the room, it’s great for us.” 1209509 Vancouver Canucks “Pretty proud of us as a group and the NHL to make changes,” he said. “It’s something that we needed. … The extra two days we got is huge. Everyone feels way more comfortable now than we did two days ago.”

Canucks: 'You don't want to get this' — Travis Green on his battle with The Canucks’ COVID-19 protocol list is down to just two names — Jake COVID-19 Virtanen and Nate Schmidt, who were the last two members of the team to test positive for COVID-19 — but Green said Tyler Motte, Thatcher Demko and Olli Juolevi have not recovered enough and would not be options to play when the team returns Sunday. Patrick Johnston Tanner Pearson was likely part of that group, but it’s uncertain whether Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021 he’ll be healthy enough to return to action on Sunday. He injured his leg March 17 against the Ottawa Senators but said earlier this week he is ready to return to the ice. The list of people relieved to see Travis Green on the ice on Saturday and later on Zoom probably can’t be counted. Elias Pettersson, on the other hand, remains out with an upper-body injury, believed to be his hand or wrist. It’s been a difficult few weeks for the Vancouver Canucks’ head coach. Like most of his players, he caught the coronavirus that causes COVID- General manager Jim Benning said Friday that Pettersson was still being 19 earlier this month. Unlike most of his charges, he had a rough go. treated by a specialist and didn’t give a timeline for his return.

“You don’t want to get this, I want to say that personally. It wasn’t easy at times and it’s not a joke,” Green said Saturday. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.18.2021 Green and his players dealt with the variant first identified in Brazil (P.1), which is about 2.5 times more contagious, the team confirmed this week.

“There was a point where I was worried about our players a lot, and then I was pretty sick, and worried more about getting through each day. Selfishly, my focus turned to myself a bit, and (I was) getting a little bit worried,” he said of dealing with his infection alone in his Olympic Village condo as his family lives year-round in Southern California.

Green also took a moment to urge the public to buckle down on wearing a mask and adhere to social distancing rules.

“Listen to the health authorities. I know we’re getting into this pretty long now. It’s not time to loosen things up yet. You don’t want to get this. I can say that personally. It wasn’t easy. It’s not a joke.”

Green was feeling poorly enough earlier this week that he wasn’t sure he’d be able to coach this weekend.

“It was important for me personally (to be back). There’s a lot of people that have gone through a lot and are coming back to play, I wanted to make sure I was there,” Green said, his voice noticeably raspy. “The last few weeks have been trying, for sure.”

“It’s been real important to have these extra days of practice. We’ve needed it physically and mentally. The human side of this is the most important part. … You worry about the players and their families.

“From personal experience going through this, you’ve got a lot of people that aren’t around you that are worried about you.”

Green also made a point of thanking Jon Sanderson, the team’s director of medical services, Dr. Jim Bovard, the team physician, and two specialists: Dr. John Yee, a thoracic surgeon, and Dr. Chris Carlsten, who treats respiratory diseases.

Brandon Sutter said it was good to have his coach back.

“It was good to see him back out there yelling at us,” he joked.

Sutter was one of the players who struggled with the virus, but said he is feeling much better.

“If I moved I felt light-headed. I pretty much had 10 different symptoms. It’s a crazy thing I’ve never felt before. I’m thankful my kids and wife are getting through it now. It’s a worldwide pandemic that got hold of us,” Sutter said.

His wife, who is pregnant, and his two children, ages two and four, all tested positive.

“When you test positive, your fear and stress sets in that they’re going to get it,” Sutter said. “Luckily, I had it the worst of the four of us.”

Sutter said it was important that J.T. Miller spoke on behalf of his teammates the way he did on Wednesday. As players were slowing getting back on the ice, they were realizing how behind the 8-ball they were.

“There was a lot of, ‘Guys, I don’t know about this,'” Sutter said. They collaboratively made their voices heard. 1209510 Vancouver Canucks “There were times he definitely would laugh and set you in your place, and make you realize you were being a bit nuts,” Ronning said. “He was great at making you realize you just needed to play, that no matter what things you fiddled with, it came down to your ability.” Canucks: Legendary equipment man Pat O'Neill finally now Mr. 3000 Canucks head coach Travis Green spoke in similar terms when asked about O’Neill’s achievement.

Patrick Johnston “It’s amazing,” he said. “He’s worked all star games, world cups … It tells you how good he’s been at his job. You’ve really got to be an amazing Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021 person. He might be a better person than he is a trainer.”

O’Neill, who is the first to arrive at the rink just about every day and is Pat O'Neill will hit 3,000 games in the NHL when the Vancouver Canucks usually the last to leave, really was born to do this job. Before he started face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. working for his hometown Winnipeg Jets, he worked at his dad’s sporting goods store in Winnipeg. Article content “I learned how to do all this stuff, repairs, sharpenings,” he said. When you’ve worked in the National Hockey League for 41 years, you’d think the answer to the question of “quirkiest player you’ve ever dealt Vancouver Canucks dressing room attendant Ferdie De Guzman (left), with” would take a moment. assistant equipment manager Brian Hamilton (middle) and equipment manager Pat O’Neill (holding sticks) on the bench before a game at For Pat O’Neill, now in his 33rd season as equipment manager for the Rogers Arena. Vancouver Canucks, the only reason the answer isn’t instant is because he had to laugh first. Of course, when he started, it was just him and a medical trainer and a third guy who would be a jack of all trades behind the scenes. Now he’s “Cliff Ronning,” he replied three weeks ago, a few days ahead of what got a staff working alongside him, keeping skate blades sharp, sweaters, was supposed to be his 3,000th career NHL game. “He was probably the pants and socks looking sharp and sticks, helmets and gloves ready to most superstitious person to ever play the game.” go — and of course they’re busier than ever.

Emphasis on “the most.” “The basics, 75 per cent of the job is probably the basics,” O’Neill said. “But there’s way more things to deal with. Two guys wouldn’t be able to Vancouver Canucks equipment manager Pat O'Neill (left) and assistant do the job. There’s that much detail. Everything is busier. Everything is equpment manager Brian Hamilton before a game against the Ottawa amped up, so you have to have well educated, organized staff to make it Senators at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Jan. 27, 2021. happen in a proper manner.” J.T. Miller gets his skate worked on by Canucks equipment manager Pat Facilities have come a long way, too. O'Neill before playing Ottawa on Jan. 27, 2021. “(The Coliseum) was like being in your parents’ basement. The (dressing Goalie Eddie Lack gets a stick from equipment manager Pat O'Neill while room ceiling) was a little low. I mean, at that time it was good and it was relieving Roberto Luongo during a game against the Winnipeg Jets on functional, but nowadays it would be completely, not even close to being Dec. 22, 2013. what you need.” Equipment manager Pat O'Neill (keft) and medical trainer Mike Burnstein Being able to stay in his job for as long as he has is down to how helped design the Vancouver Canucks' new dressing room at then-GM O’Neill’s been able to connect with player after player after player. The Place in September 2009. equipment managers often double as a counsellor, ready to dole out He then proceeded to tell the story about the time during the 1991 advice on life, both on ice and off. Stanley Cup playoffs when Geoff Courtnall had the number of the parking “We know better what they need and want than they do, because we’re spot Ronning had started to use outside Pacific Coliseum repainted from so in tune with what they’re doing. We can read them like a book, for the seven — Ronning’s sweater number — to 13. most part,” O’Neill said. “At the end of the day, we make sure that players Through the first five games of the Smythe Division semifinal against the have everything they need to play the game with the best of their Los Angeles Kings, Ronning had six goals. The parking spot was his abilities.” good-luck charm, he figured. Griffiths, who sold the team in the mid-1990s, has kept in touch with The problem was, O’Neill pointed out, that spot wasn’t in the area O’Neill over the years. designated for the players. In fact, it was team owner Arthur Griffiths’ “I can’t ever remember him complaining or saying, ‘I need this, I need spot. that,'” Griffiths said. “He’s just ‘get ‘er done.’ He hasn’t changed a bit. His All week, a security guard had been asking the players who was parking way of talking. His view of hockey, of himself. He’s not tired. Not cranky. in Griffiths’ spot. Ahead of Game 6, Courtnall went to O’Neill to help him Same outlook.” track down the arena’s painter. “I can’t help but think of the commitment to the characters he’s looked The seven became a 13. after over the years. And keeping on top of the evolution of equipment.”

“You’d almost rip the transmission out, he reversed so fast when (Ronning) saw what he was driving over,” O’Neill said. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.18.2021 “He never parked there again,” Courtnall laughed.

“It’s funny because it’s still there,” O’Neill added.

Ronning laughed when he was reminded of the story last month, then said he was delighted to hear that his old friend stands on the edge of a milestone.

“I’ve dealt with a lot of training staffs and Patty was first class,” said Ronning, who played for seven NHL teams — five seasons in Vancouver — amassing 1,137 career games played.

“For a trainer to be doing that for 3,000 games, you’ve gotta take your hat off. He’s dealt with 20 individuals every year who have their little needs, differences,” he added.

What makes O’Neill so good at his job is that he’s always there to help, but he’s also able to tell what a player didn’t need. 1209511 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks' AHL affiliate may move from Utica

Patrick Johnston

Publishing date: Apr 17, 2021

It’s not a done deal, but there’s a chance the may not be affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks in 2021-22.

Comets president registered “Utica Devils” as a trademark with the U.S. government’s Trademark and Patent Office earlier this month, a step that suggests he’s preparing for the possibility his Utica, N.Y.-based team will change NHL parent clubs ahead of next season.

“I’m not aware of any information regarding this,” a spokesperson for the Utica Comets said in an email.

Saturday morning, the Binghamton (N.Y.) Devils confirmed to WBNG-TV that their NHL parent club, the New Jersey Devils, would be moving their AHL team to a new city ahead of the 2021-22 season.

B-Devils VP of Operations Tom Mitchell tells me the NJ Devils informed him earlier this week the AHL team will be relocated.

The Canucks’ current six-year deal with the Comets, which began with the 2019-20 season, features an opt-out clause after the current season. The Canucks would have to exercise the option to leave Utica for the Devils to take over.

The AHL’s board of governors would have final say on a relocation but it’s unlikely they would turn down a move. And while far-flung teams like the St. John’s Growlers once subsidized opposing teams to travel to play them — St. John’s and Charlotte were the last two teams to do so — that practice has been prohibited by the AHL board.

The Comets have been a dual affiliation this season between the Canucks and the St. Louis Blues, due to COVID-19 border controls. The Canucks kept a number of players on their taxi squad who would normally be assigned outright to the AHL and also loaned several players to Canadian-based AHL teams so they wouldn’t have to quarantine as long if they were to be recalled.

Since first joining up in the 2013-14 season, the Canucks have taken care of player and coach salaries, while Esche’s Mohawk Valley Garden Inc. pays for the rest. The Canucks own the actual AHL franchise but the physical team belongs to Esche and his partners, who pay the Canucks an annual fee to operate the franchise.

Whether the Canucks would simply switch affiliations to Binghamton, which is about two hours south of Utica, isn’t known and a comment from the Canucks wasn’t yet available.

Canucks ownership has expressed interest in using the Abbotsford Centre, which was formerly home to the AHL’s , as a base for their AHL team in the past. A number of NHL teams, including the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, have moved their AHL teams to California in recent years.

They also might look at the Pacific Coliseum.

Robert Esche’s trademark registration for “Utica Devils” from US government’s trademark registry. (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office)

The New Jersey Devils based their AHL affiliate in Utica from 1987 to 1993 and that team was called the Utica Devils.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209512 Vancouver Canucks Even if those protocols weren’t 100 percent adhered to as stringently as they might’ve been, which has been suggested, the underlying facts — only one support staffer and no injured players contracted the virus, which strongly indicates that the principal source of transmission How the Canucks COVID-19 outbreak hit Brandon Sutter — and his occurred on the ice surface — suggests that’s beside the point anyway. family: ‘It just wipes you out’ Ultimately, Vancouver’s game on Wednesday, March 31, against the Calgary Flames was postponed one hour before the warmup skate after an additional Canucks defender and coach tested positive for COVID-19. By Thomas Drance Over the next few days, 22 other members of the organization, including Apr 17, 2021 Sutter, tested positive.

Sutter spent those early days of the outbreak in uncertainty, leaving the house only to drive into Rogers Arena every morning to get a drive- It was on the back half of his recovery from COVID-19 that the fatigue through COVID-19 test. and breathlessness set in for Vancouver Canucks forward Brandon Sutter. As more of his teammates and coaches tested positive, Sutter’s first positive was initially unconfirmed that Friday. After the unconfirmed test, “I’d go up a flight of stairs,” Sutter told The Athletic in an extended he moved into the basement, leaving wife Giselle — who is 23 weeks telephone interview Saturday. “I’d get up there and you can’t get a deep pregnant — to look after his young daughter, Lakeloi, and his young son, breath you’re just like …” Sutter mimicked taking a deep, urgent breath. Cal.

“It’s like you’re having a hard time catching your breath. You’d feel, like, “I ended up having to do an extra day on the protocol,” Sutter recalled, light-headed and your chest would be so full of air, but it’s not. “because I was an unconfirmed positive and then the next day, I had to go test again to make sure. And it was a positive. By Saturday, I was full- “I never felt like I was at risk of anything really bad — or any of my family on confirmed.” were at risk of anything really bad — but I 100 percent understand how what we had would pose a serious risk to someone that’s older or who is “Because it’s COVID and because it’s a pandemic, it’s this crazy virus higher-risk. and it’s ultimately taken some people’s lives, so you get that anxiety, once you do get it, you’re scared a bit,” Sutter said of his reaction to “Once you have it, you really understand why this is such a big deal, testing positive in early April. “Knowing that you’re not high risk or because of how much it affects people.” whatever … it was more the stress and anxiety of the whole situation and The thought of a professional athlete — a 32-year-old, 6-foot-3, nearly obviously fearing that I’d give it to my family. 200-pound penalty-killing specialist centre — being out of breath and “And at that point, it was already too late anyway.” struggling to catch wind at the top of a flight of stairs is harrowing. Like his teammates, Sutter’s experience with the P.1 COVID-19 variant was The very next day, Lakeloi, 2, tested positive. never close to sending him to the hospital, but that it so profoundly affected a young, healthy professional athlete is a reminder of the stakes. “I just moved downstairs and all day Saturday and all day Sunday I was separate from my family,” Sutter said. “I just felt so bad for my wife.” It also reinforces the role we all still have to play, regardless of age, health and fitness level, in safeguarding the more vulnerable among us “On Sunday evening, we found out my daughter was positive, at which during this third COVID-19 wave. point I then went back into the house. Once my daughter tested positive, we spoke with local health authorities and they said once two family “Getting it didn’t change my perspective on the virus,” Sutter said, members get it you’re no longer required to fully isolate. She’s almost 3 “because my view was always that it was less about me and more about years old, so we have to parent. … It actually was easier for everyone the people in our communities that need the help. once I got back upstairs.

“My perspective all the way through — my wife, too — has been that we “And the next day my wife and son tested positive.” understood that we weren’t high-risk. I don’t think I was personally scared to get the virus, but we were always really aware that we could give it to Family transmission has been a big part of the story of the Canucks our parents, or grandparents, or someone that is higher-risk. And that outbreak. Sutter’s teammate Tanner Pearson, also a young father, would be the worst. brought up a teammate’s pregnant wife having contracted the virus unprompted during an availability last week. It was a detail that had “Now having got it, you really understand why it’s become such an issue, understandably resonated particularly hard with Pearson. because it just wipes you out and grabs a hold of you. It’s a tricky, scary thing.” “That was the thing that everybody was worried about the most,” Sutter said of Giselle testing positive while pregnant. “Luckily, after talking with On Tuesday, March 30, a single Vancouver Canucks forward — Adam the doctor and everybody, they weren’t the least bit concerned about the Gaudette, who has since been traded — stepped onto the ice for practice pregnancy situation. while shedding virus. Twenty minutes into the practice, he was pulled off the ice, his test result having come back positive. “She had some symptoms, head cold, the fatigue and she lost her taste and smell. … It was the fatigue feeling, though, when you’re pregnant, Over the ensuing four days, an overwhelming majority of those Canucks you’re often tired anyway, and the fatigue was a lot. By midday, one in players and coaches who took the ice for that practice on Tuesday and a the afternoon, my wife and I would be completely knocked down. It morning skate the next day tested positive for COVID-19. It’s since been wasn’t completely miserable, but you were just knocked down.” confirmed that they specifically contracted the more transmissible P.1 variant, which is now spreading rapidly in British Columbia. Isolating at home with their young children, the Sutters had to find some way to keep the kids occupied and burn their energy. Sutter and his wife “It was this crazy, super-contagious variant,” Sutter said, reflecting on perused Amazon for a solution. what he and his teammates have been through. “I’m not a scientist, so I don’t know what I’m talking about, but there’s no question that it was just “We ordered a blow-up indoor jumping castle for the kids, because we so contagious. Because you think about being in the weight room and on don’t have much of a yard,” Sutter said. “For the kids for 10 days of the ice skating together, clearly this thing got into the air and got nothing, I mean, they had to get something. So they got a jumping castle everybody. I’m not sure what you could do to avoid that, once it’s in. to burn some energy, while my wife and I could lay on the couch upstairs.” “It just ripped through everybody that was anywhere close to it. It’s pretty crazy.” As the 10 days of quarantine and isolation lapsed, Sutter and his wife watched “Yellowstone” and tried to find some comfort in the fact that they The variant took down one of the highest-profile workspaces in British were able to be together. Sutter feels fortunate for that, at least, and Columbia, spreading like wildfire despite the organization’s massive PPE empathizes with his younger teammates who have spent much of the budget, a daily testing regimen and the strict NHL protocols that were in past few weeks sick, stressed-out and alone. place. “There were some guys on their own the whole time. That’s a hard part of this thing, when you have to do it on your own,” Sutter said. “The first couple of days when you feel like crap, you’re not going to leave your bed anyways. It’s Day 9 or Day 10 where you still have a few days to go and start feeling better, but you still have four or five days to go but you can’t see anybody or be with anybody, that’s the challenge for our young guys that were on their own. I really felt for them there.”

As Sutter dealt with anxiety while battling COVID-19, he was at least confident he wouldn’t be traded, a rarity for a veteran player on an expiring contract on a probable non-playoff team. Canucks general manager Jim Benning specifically assured him of that a week before the trade deadline.

“Jim called me the third or fourth day of the whole thing, asked how I was doing and how the family was doing,” Sutter recalled. “He just called to check in.

“Regardless of any reports out there, he told me he didn’t plan on trading me, unless there was something (I wanted). I told him, ‘No, no, I want to play here. This is where I want to be.’

“So that was kind of the end of it. I know he talked to a couple of us like that, guys in similar situations. It was nice to hear that leading up to the deadline, because you’re always worried about it.”

On Sunday at 4 p.m. local time, 15 days after he tested positive for COVID-19, Sutter will be in the lineup as the Canucks return to action and play the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s among a small group of Canucks players who have been on the ice since Wednesday, and while he’s not exactly in midseason form just yet, he’s felt better than he expected to since returning to the ice.

“When I returned to the ice, it was actually better than I thought,” Sutter said. “The way my lungs had felt the previous few days, being unable to catch a deep breath, I was surprised when I got on the ice and got my heart rate up. I was worried my lungs would feel like they were burning or on fire and really uncomfortable, but I just felt tired.

“It wasn’t as much a lung issue after the 10 days as I thought, which was a relief, because after Day 8 my lungs felt terrible.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209513 Websites That reputation is why larger companies have tried to partner with Lefevre to build their goalie pads, while Lefevre has remained largely behind the scenes to avoid the marketing and licensing costs that would come with attacking the larger market. The Athletic / Why 37 NHL goalies changed pads this year: Inside the high-stakes game of hockey equipment branding Brands that appear in NHL games pay the league a licensing fee of $125,000 per category, according to a True spokesperson.

Goalie pads and gloves fall under the same category, while players’ By Sean Shapiro sticks, skates, helmets, and gloves also cost a brand $125,000 to have licensed within an NHL game. A company that operates as a full head-to- Apr 17, 2021 toe equipment provider in the NHL represents more than $600,000 in revenue to the league per season.

One season after winning the Vezina Trophy, Connor Hellebuyck did The NHL, through a spokesperson, declined to comment or confirm the something unexpected for a goalie at the top of his game: He switched cost of licensing fees. his pads. If a company hasn’t paid the licensing fees the gear can still be used in After using CCM-branded gear for the first five years of his NHL career, the NHL, but it has to come with blank branding. That’s what Lefevre did the Winnipeg Jets goalie is now wearing pads from True Hockey. He’s during the 2020 NHL playoffs, when they were between partners and 10 not alone. In something of a major shift in the goaltending world, the NHL goalies took completely blank pads into Toronto or Edmonton. previously little known company seemingly grabbed a large market share Lefevre and Sport Maska Inc., the parent company for CCM, had a 10- overnight. Thirty-seven goalies on NHL rosters or taxi squads are year-agreement that expired on Dec. 31, 2019. During that time CCM wearing True pads this season, many of them switching from CCM. pads would say they were powered by Lefevre, while the companies Why did so many goalies switch? agreed to exchange ideas and best practices about creating goalie gear.

The truth is the pads didn’t change at all. Near the end of the deal, Lefevre was informed CCM was no longer interested in working with them and would start to make their own pads Hellebuyck’s pads, just like they’ve been since 2010, were handcrafted for NHL goalies. It was a somewhat amicable split until Lefevre watched just outside of Montreal by Lefevre Inc., a goalie equipment manufacturer the 2020 world juniors and felt CCM was continuing to make similar pads that used to be partnered with CCM and was bought by True in 2020. using Lefevre designs.

It’s an important deal in the hockey world and sheds light on the battle for A suit was filed on Jan. 9, 2020 in Quebec Superior Court that alleged market share in the hockey equipment business and how marketing and that CCM was continuing to make similar pads using Lefevre technology branding play a role in shaping the competition. after their 10-year partnership had come to a close on Dec. 31, 2019. Lefevre shared designs and innovations with CCM during that In the whimsical world of goaltending, the Lefebvre family is the partnership, but according to the suit, those designs would remain equivalent of Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmannuel Lefevre property after the deal expired. Ambroise Diggs in “The Wizard of Oz.” Evidence was presented showing photos comparing Lefevre product and The Lefebvres — Patrick, Véronic and Michel — are behind the curtain, CCM product produced outside the partnership, and the suit was pulling and sewing the strings, while their public presence has always dismissed by Justice Fréderic Bachand, who said the photo wasn’t been behind a marketing giant, such as Reebok or CCM, and now True. enough to grant an emergency injunction. Lefevre and True both Pads made by Lefevre (the company name dropped the B from Lefebvre) declined to comment on what happened after that suit was dismissed, have been a fixture in the NHL since 1987. The five all-time winningest while Jean-Luc Couture, the lawyer for Lefevre, wrote in an email to The goalies — , Patrick Roy, Roberto Luongo, Ed Belfour, and Athletic, “We do not have any comments to make on this case at the Marc-Andre Fleury — all used Lefevre pads during their careers. present time.”

Roy was the first to popularize Lefevre pads, which were Koho-branded At this same time, Lefevre had turned to Instagram to help launch the pads in the late 1980s. The craftsmanship of those initial pads, combined business while working in the background on a potential sale to True. with Roy’s success, turned Lefevre into a fixture for NHL goaltenders, Instagram postings caught the attention of both Carter Hart and Sergei particularly those from Quebec in the early 1990s. Bobrovsky, who reached out to Lefevre about continuing to use their pads even after the relationship with CCM had ended. While Lefevre would work directly with goalies on the pads, their hands- on approach was a selling point to NHL goalie customers, they left “The time we were without a partner and the fact we had goalies branding and marketing and mass production to a larger partner reaching out to work with us, that was really encouraging and I think company. spoke to our product” Lefebvre said. “That I think helped us even further and proved we were a company that someone like True would be “We’ve always been focused on the product first, that’s the most interested in.” important thing,” Patrick Lefebvre told The Athletic. “We are pad makers, not marketers, for us it was always about making the best thing for True used to be like Lefevre. goalies and working with the goalies. They know who we are, the goalies It was a company that focused only on top-tier clients, and worked in do.” partnership with larger brands, before an ownership change in 2011 led Hellebuyck got his first pair of custom-made Lefevre pads, then branded to re-shifting its focus and trying to grab larger market share and as Reebok, in 2010 when he was a senior at Walled Lake High School in branding. Michigan. The pad changed his style, helped him become the more self- In the hockey world, True wants to compete with more established described “boring” goalie in his stance, and it was part of the groundwork brands at both the professional and minor league levels. for an eventual NHL career. The Jets goaltender has tried other pads in practice before, just to see what else is on the market, but said nothing It started in golf, where True Sports went from producing golf shafts for has been able to compare to the fit he gets from Lefevre and more other companies, to moving into the public space with more consumer- importantly the ability to call Patrick directly and discuss potential tweaks facing products. True has had sticks in the NHL since 2000, but they to equipment. were branded under other company names, while True Hockey was launched as a consumer-facing brand in 2014 with a one-piece stick. “Goalies are going to have lots of opinions on equipment and how pads should or shouldn’t do something,” Hellebuyck said. “Something they do, In the seven years since the brand has grown and turned into a head-to- which I think is great, is take all of that and are able to figure out what toe outfitter for players, and now with the acquisition of Lefevre, goalies feedback actually makes sense to use in pad performance. For example, as well. Dave McNally, Senior Director of Global Sales and Marketing at a couple of years ago I was worried about consistency in a glove, so Pat True Sports Inc., said True has had an eye on the goalie space since tried on every one of my gloves personally before they were sent out. 2016, when it acquired VH Footwear in 2016, which already had large What other company is going to do that for their client?” market share amongst NHL goalies when it came to skates. Hellebuyck, for example, reached out to True and became their first sponsored goaltender after the company bought VH Footwear.

Fifty-seven NHL goalies currently use True skates, according to Gear Geek that represents 64.8 percent of NHL goalies, but skates aren’t a flashy billboard for a brand like pads and gloves.

Getting “TRUE” emblazoned on pads, the largest billboard for an equipment advertiser on a player’s person, was the next step and crucial to attacking the consumer space. As this became a priority for True, the long-term partnership between Lefevre and CCM was coming to an end.

McNally called it the opportunity of a lifetime for True when Lefevre informed them it was interested in discussing a potential sale.

“It was a turnkey operation, they had NHL exposure and the technology and the ability to scale that technology,” McNally said. “They checked a lot of boxes and when it kind of fell on our lap, it just made so much sense that it was hard for us to not jump all of this opportunity.”

Now, True has the launching pad to attack the consumer space. True and Lefevre are launching a custom line for consumers that aren’t NHL goalies, in April with plans to have mass-produced pads on the shelves in 2022.

Those mass-produced pads won’t be made in Montreal by Lefevre, but will have the ability to use the Lefevre name when it comes to design. It’s a similar approach to what CCM and Reebok had done prior when partnering with the Lefevre, a consumer can buy pads that look like an NHL goalie’s, but it’s not made by Lefevre unless ordering something custom.

In the end it’s the ideal setup for Lefevre, who gets to continue focusing on custom, hand-made products for NHL goalies and other custom clients, while True is able to flood the consumer market place with pads, while still being able to use NHL goalies as an active, living billboard.

“It allows both of us to specialize in what we are best at,” Lefebvre said. “We have always been about the goalies first and working with them closely, we can now keep doing that for a long time.”

On a whole, True’s strides within the hockey equipment world haven’t gone unnoticed, and as the brand has pushed into the goalie space it’s becoming more of a competitor for some of the more established names like CCM and Bauer.

Zachary Jarom is an operations specialist and photographer for Pro Stock Hockey, which sells overstocked and used professional equipment. Pro Stock Hockey currently works with 27 of the 31 NHL teams, essentially buying gear from equipment managers, while also working closely with AHL and ECHL franchises.

“They aren’t top three, they have a ways to go before catching Bauer or CCM,” Jarom said. “But they are coming, they are doing the right things to make the best quality possible and we’ve seen a demand and people are looking for True gear.”

Jarom said True’s push into the market is similar to how Warrior came into the market, but it seems more nuanced and patient.

“True, I don’t get the feeling they’ve rushed anything, they’ve taken their time, and each time they do get into a space they’ve delivered,” Jarom said. “That they’ve gotten one of the go-to brands in goalies now (Lefevre), they are poising themselves to be one of the best equipment brands in the long run.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209514 Websites would be. I'm thankful that I've been able to come and be at the rink the last few days and get on the ice today and it will be good to coach tomorrow.

Sportsnet.ca / Canucks' Green opens up about battle with COVID-19, “I had flu-like symptoms, I wasn't feeling great for four or five days. I return to the ice thought I was coming out of it, and then it got a lot worse, probably for another five, six days. And at that point, I was a little worried. The physical part is hard, but also the mental part is hard when you're going through this as well. I'm thankful that I've had some people that helped Iain MacIntyre@imacSportsnet me and also a lot of support from a lot of people in the hockey world, April 17, 2021, 6:59 PM which is amazingly small. The people that have reached out to me, I really appreciated it.”

Green said starting goalie Thatcher Demko, winger Tyler Motte and VANCOUVER — Travis Green probably knew he was in trouble when he rookie defenceman Olli Juolevi, among the 21 players who tested had to stop worrying about his players in order to start worrying about positive for the coronavirus, aren’t yet healthy enough to play. himself. Winger Jake Virtanen and defencemen Nate Schmidt, the last to go into The Vancouver Canucks’ coach, one of the most severely stricken quarantine, still haven’t been cleared from the NHL COVID Protocol List. members of the National Hockey League team during its P.1-variant Forward Matthew Highmore and defenceman Madison Bowey, acquired COVID-19 outbreak, finally returned to the ice Saturday to run a full at the NHL trade deadline on Monday, are still serving their one-week practice at Rogers Arena. He plans to coach Sunday when the Canucks travel quarantines but may be available to play against the Maple Leafs emerge from the most serious health crisis of the NHL season with a on Tuesday. home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver’s first game since March 24. Still, the Canucks will have a full NHL lineup on Sunday, something that would have been impossible had Vancouver players not pushed the Only a couple of days ago, Green said, he wasn’t sure he could do it. league and its Players’ Association to delay the team’s return from Friday’s scheduled re-start. “There was a point where I think I was worried about our players a lot,” he told reporters in his first Zoom call since the Canucks’ crisis began The Canucks will play their final 19 games over 32 days, finishing its March 31. “And then I was pretty sick, and worried just to get through season on May 19 more than a week after most of the NHL completes each day. Selfishly, maybe my focus turned to myself a little bit, and the 56-game regular season getting a little bit worried. But I think when you play on a team everyone's worried about everyone. “I think it has been real important that we've had the extra days of practice for our team,” Green said. “Obviously, they've gone through a lot "We've got a few guys that are still out that you really feel for because I in the last few weeks. But I think they've needed (more time) physically... have a bit of an idea of how they're feeling. You know when you coach a but maybe more importantly mentally. Just to get through a few more team and you care about your players so much, it's almost like your kids. days and feel good about themselves and get through a practice where You want to make them feel better, and you can't.” you're not struggling to get through practice, I think that's been vital for our group. The seriousness of Green’s condition was apparent in the medical team he thanked on Saturday. These included Canucks physician Dr. Jim “As far as expectations... there's been a lot to talk, you know, how can Bovard and head medical trainer Jon Sanderson, but also doctors John you expect to do this or that? Hey, we're here to win tomorrow. That's our Yee and Chris Carsten. mindset, that's how our group feels, and I wouldn't want it any other way.”

Dr. Carsten is head of respiratory medicine at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Yee is head of thoracic surgery, and surgical director of lung transplantation at Vancouver General Hospital. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.18.2021

“There's been a lot of people that had a lot of support for our group,” said Green, 50, explaining the raspiness of his voice as a post-practice condition. “I want to just take a moment to thank them. As far as the virus itself, I don't want to dive into it too deeply, into my situation personally. But if I could tell the people of BC: Continue to do the right things. Listen to the health authorities. We're not quite through this yet. And you don't want to get this.

"I can say that personally. It wasn't easy at times and it's not a joke. Don't let your guard down, even though it's hard. I urge people to do that because you don't want to get it, you don't want other people to get it, you don't want loved ones to get it.”

Outside of medical-team visits, Green fought the coronavirus alone. His family spends hockey season at home in Orange County, where Travis and Sheree Green’s youngest son, Brody, who has autism, benefits from routine and support at school.

That physical separation was probably both a blessing and a curse the last two weeks. A few Canucks players, including Brandon Sutter on Saturday, have talked about the anguish of passing COVID-19 on to family members. But Sutter also mentioned the benefit of being with his wife, who is 23 weeks pregnant, and young children and being able to support his family as it battled the virus together.

Green was alone. He can see Rogers Arena from his Olympic Village neighbourhood, but didn’t return to his workplace until mid-week.

He said it was important to him that he be back for his players and their return to competition on Sunday.

“There's been a lot of people that have gone through a lot and are coming back to play, and I wanted to make sure that I was there,” Green said. “If I didn't feel like I could do it, though, I wouldn't do it. There was a time, probably just a couple days ago, where I really didn't believe I 1209515 Websites This was coming from the same guy who, when asked about Caufield on Friday morning, said, “From everything I hear, he can put the puck in the net. That’s important for our team, especially right now. And if he can do that to help us, that’s perfect.” Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' need for Caufield even clearer after listless loss to Senators That’s up to the GM.

If it were up to Ducharme, it might have already happened, with the Canadiens having created the cap flexibility to bring Caufield into the Eric Engels@EricEngels lineup in placing both Xavier Ouellet and goaltender Cayden Primeau on the team’s taxi squad prior to Saturday’s game, in which starting April 17, 2021, 9:21 PM goaltender Carey Price returned from a lower-body injury.

The coach appeared beyond frustrated when he was asked after the MONTREAL—This isn’t some kind of Sophie’s choice for Marc Bergevin. game about potential lineup changes moving forward, after he had twice At least not now, after having watched his Montreal Canadiens lose 4-0 repeated over the last 36 hours that his hands were tied. to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. “It’s going to be the third time I’ve said I can’t make changes,” Ducharme They couldn’t muster more than eight quality scoring chances—three of started, with a tone that suggested he’d love to if he could. them came with the game out of reach—against a competitive but Maybe he’d be opting for Evans, but Caufield is the obvious choice. defensively porous team, and they were shut out for the second Saturday in a row. The Canadiens have scored just 14 goals in their last eight He’s been an elite scorer at every level. He shattered Auston Matthews’s games, with four of them coming in a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs single-season record with the United States National Development on Monday, and they’re in desperate need of a spark only Bergevin can Program Team before he was drafted 15th overall by the Canadiens in facilitate. 2019, and then he went on to earn Big-10 Rookie of the Year honours with the Wisconsin Badgers in 2020. That's because Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme currently doesn’t have the authority to make a change to his lineup right now, but Bergevin This past season, Caufield was decorated in world junior gold with Team does. As general manager, he and he alone makes the final decision on USA in January and he was awarded the Hobey Baker Award in April as whom the team can use with its last of four non-emergency recalls post- the NCAA’s best player. trade deadline, and if he was previously reticent about using Cole Caufield, he shouldn’t be anymore. He scored 30 goals and 52 points in 31 games and authored one of the greatest seasons ever seen at that level. It’s not just offence the Canadiens need, it’s a shakeup, and doing nothing and expecting things to change seems like a bigger risk than It’s a big jump to this one, and it’s a tough decision for Bergevin to heap bringing in Caufield at this point. the pressure onto Caufield that comes with it.

And, in reality, bringing Jake Evans back into the fold instead of inserting Still, no one expects the kid to singlehandedly supplant what Gallagher Caufield isn’t likely to provide offence or a shakeup. brings. That responsibility belongs to every Canadiens player from here to the end of the regular season, with the feisty winger nursing a Not to detract from what Evans has brought in his 36 games this season, fractured right thumb until at least then. but he’s got two goals and seven points. The rookie doesn’t fit higher up than the fourth-line role he’s played for all but a few periods as a stop- “That’s everyone’s job,” Ducharme said. “When one guy’s missing, it’s gap solution in Brendan Gallagher’s absence. He’s also not an option for everyone’s job to pick up the slack. And it’s not only just his goals, but his the Canadiens’ power play, which went 0-for-4 against the Senators and energy. So, we need all the guys to put a little of Gally’s spice into their has scored just two goals in its last 31 attempts. game.”

But Caufield, a top-six talent who is made for the power play, is. And if It’s up to Bergevin to make Caufield one of those guys. using him means leaving Evans on the sidelines until the team suffers two injuries and can once again use the emergency designation for a call-up, or until the playoffs begin, so be it. We understand it’s a lot to put Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.18.2021 on a 20-year-old fresh out of college who only has two games of professional experience and has never played one in the NHL, but Evans has played only 55 at this level, including the six he dressed for in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last August.

Even from a comfortable position with 14 games to go, the Canadiens are going to be in tough to make the playoffs this May if Bergevin doesn’t give Ducharme the flexibility to change his lineup. And the coach needs that flexibility—especially after his team played so listlessly and lost its fourth game of this six-game home stand.

The Canadiens couldn’t conjure an ounce of emotion before Drake Batherson scored to make it 2-0 Senators in the 14th minute of the second period. And, even after that, they did so little to put themselves in position to tie the game.

And it’s not like this was some new phenomenon. It’s been happening for over a month, as Ben Chiarot attested to after the game, since he had watched the Canadiens play this way while he was recovering from a fracture to his right hand.

Chiarot noted that, from his vantage on the bench and on the ice, not much had changed over the two games he played in this weekend.

“I think we need to create more chances around the net,” Chiarot said. “It doesn’t seem like we get very many dangerous chances. Before I came back in the lineup, being upstairs, you get to watch kind of from a different angle, and that’s something I noticed is we need to generate some more offence and more high-dangerous chances and get the puck to the slot a little more. So, that’s something we need to do to put the puck in the net a little more. You’re not going to win many games scoring one or two goals, so that’s going to be key for us.” 1209516 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Nylander gears up for Maple Leafs return: “I was pretty nervous'

Luke Fox@lukefoxjukebox

April 17, 2021, 8:11 PM

The return of William Nylander is imminent.

After submitting nine consecutive negative COVID-19 tests over nine days in isolation, Nylander was given the green light to rejoin the Toronto Maple Leafs this weekend for their trip to Vancouver.

Provided the winger responds well to practising Friday and Saturday, expect Nylander to return to the lineup Sunday versus the Canucks.

Nylander had piled up four points over two games in Calgary April 4 and 5, giving him 30 in 39 games on the season.

Upon returning to Toronto earlier this month, he had met up with someone who later tested positive for the virus and informed the Leafs.

Nylander never broke protocol, and coach Sheldon Keefe praised the player for being proactive in informing the organization about his potential risk.

"I was worried about maybe me getting it and giving it to the guys, which is something that I really didn't want to happen,” Nylander said Saturday evening after a team practice.

“I was pretty nervous. Thank God, nobody got it. That was the probably the No. 1 thing."

Nylander had use of an exercise bike while serving quarantine and took reps net-front on the Leafs’ top power-play unit Saturday.

"We're very happy to have him back,” defenceman Morgan Rielly said. “He did his thing with the protocol, and he says he's feeling good. So, I think he'll be flying tomorrow."

More positive news: Auston Matthews, who was sidelined for Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, also participated in a full practice Saturday.

Keefe stopped short of committing them to Sunday’s lineup, saying he’d wait to see how his stars respond to the morning skate.

The coach has rewarded engaged rookie Nick Robertson by promoting him to the top six, alongside Nylander and captain John Tavares.

"He's a fast guy,” T.J. Brodie said of the 19-year-old winger. “You know, the little guys are hard to hit sometimes, and he uses that to his advantage down low and along the wall."

Jack Campbell, who was chased in the first period of Thursday’s loss, will start in net Sunday.

With the idle due to COVID-19 precautions, Toronto brought Rasmus Sandin on this five-game road trip. Keefe says Sandin is not game-ready quite yet, but the coach would like to get him some NHL action before the season wraps.

While Rielly acknowledged that the COVID-riddled Canucks — preparing to play their first game in 25 days — have overcome a lot the past few weeks, he expects them to be a tough test.

Toronto is looking to snuff out a three-game losing skid and remedy its slumping power play.

"We have to get ourselves back in track," Reilly said.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209517 Websites With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (concussion) on the shelf, Tippett stayed with McDavid and Draisaitl on the same line. They rewarded him with a gritty defensive effort, and some tough offensive minutes. Not to mention two power-play goals and an even-strength winner. Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' growth an extension of McDavid, Draisaitl's own on- ice transformation They’re maturing and improving, both one-two atop the scoring race and 200-foot players.

“You have to recognize that it’s going to be hard,” Tippett said. “Winning Mark Spector@sportsnetspec in the playoffs is hard. To get a playoff spot is hard. It’s not going to be all pretty passes and breakaways. You have to work for your goals. April 18, 2021, 12:15 AM “Our whole team’s mindset was there, and they’re the leaders of that.”

On Saturday, the Oilers took a vulnerable Jets team and never gave Mike Smith has been through these playoff runs before, backstopping them a breath. The Oilers' effort wasn’t perfect, but you won’t come much how many teams over the last 15 season down how many stretch runs? closer than this. He’s seen every version of a contender there is, and the one he’s playing behind now played like a serious one on Saturday night in Winnipeg. “There’s no such thing as a perfect game,” said Smith, now 15-4-2, with a save percentage that just jumped to .922. All three of his shutouts this “We’re building something here. Building for something more important year were 3-0 road wins. “Tonight we did so many good things that it than a regular-season game,” Smith said after a 3-0 win, an Oilers made up for the mistakes that we made. And the ones we did make? performance that was rock solid from the goal line out. They were covered up by other players. Edmonton played 60 minutes in Winnipeg Saturday and likely won more “That’s one thing we’ve been talking about, playing a playoff style of than 50 of them, grinding past a Jets team that simply could not muster game that can withstand getting into the deep rounds where it really what it would have taken to beat a determined Oilers side playing matters. It’s not something you just flick on and off. It’s something that’s perhaps its most complete game of the season. built, and the team put out a tremendous amount of hard work this week.” “It’s a massive win,” Connor McDavid said, his Oilers now three points back of Winnipeg with two games in hand. “You’re coming down the stretch playing teams ahead of you, you want to beat them.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.18.2021 This was your classic meeting between a team playing its first game at home after a gruelling 22-game stretch in 42 days — 17 of those on the road — against an Oilers club that hadn’t played in a week. Instead, the Oilers went to school, cramming daily as the coaching staff drove home the principles of how they must play to win playoff rounds.

“Our guys, I’ll give them credit. They worked hard this week,” head coach Dave Tippett said. “We had 14 games left before tonight to earn a playoff spot, and make sure of we get that spot that we’re playing well going in. Tonight was a good first step.”

The Jets are now 1-1 in their six-game run of games against either Toronto or Edmonton. Of their final 13 games, Edmonton has five against Vancouver, four against Montreal and two each against Winnipeg and Calgary.

Sitting six back of North-leading Toronto with a game in hand, the Division title may be a reach for the Oilers. But being the team playing its best hockey when the playoffs start?

That’s a definite possibility.

Edmonton is the best team in the North since Jan. 3, playing .700 hockey (23-9-2), while the Oilers power play has quietly climbed up to the third spot in the NHL with their 10th multi-goal effort Saturday. No other team has more than nine.

Also, Edmonton’s penalty kill has allowed just one goal in its last 22 attempts. That’s the best in the NHL since March 27.

“Very connected,” was how Smith reviewed his team’s work in front of his Saturday. “We’ve been talking about that this last week. It’s nice when it gets talked about, you practice it, and it carries over into the game. What we’re building here is something worth noting. Guys have really grasped on to playing important hockey games.”

Tyson Barrie blasted one through an Alex Chiasson screen to break a scoreless tie at 12:00 of the second period, and Chiasson deflected home a Barrie shot to ice the game late — both power play goals. In between, Jesse Puljujarvi proved a perfect complement to linemates McDavid and Leon Draisaitl when he found the soft spot to bury a McDavid pass, after the two superstars had ground out a shift along the wall in their best impersonation of the Sedin twins.

It was a turnover producing, wall-working shift for McDavid and Draisaitl (two assists each). The kind of shift they didn’t always produce, but now an example of just how complete their games have become.

“You’ve got to battle out there,” McDavid said. “A lot of times, you get into the offensive zone, you take your foot off the gas and you think it’s going to be easy. You’ve got to outwork guys sometimes. Work for your chances.” 1209518 Websites "So, I'm not sure how it will play out in playoffs. This is a unique year. But regardless, we want to be playing good hockey heading down the stretch.”

Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: The mysterious value of finishing No. 1 in Canada Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.18.2021

Luke Fox@lukefoxjukebox

April 17, 2021, 10:53 AM

A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. Nikita Kucherov will go down as the best trade deadline acquisition of 2021.

1. The funny thing about the race for the No. 1 seed in Canada is, be careful what you wish for.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have held pole position for three months now and essentially could run the 56-game sprint/marathon wire to wire. But they're a better road team (14-5-1) than they are a home team (14-7-3).

And we're not sure the hard-checking, defensively stauch Montreal Canadiens (the presumed 4 seed) would provide a more favourable matchup for the Leafs than the Edmonton Oilers (the likely 3 seed), whom Toronto has already beat six times.

The only NHL team with more road wins than Toronto?

The Winnipeg Jets, who rolls home to host the Oilers after amassing a 16-8-1 away record.

“I'd take that," Jets coach Paul Maurice said Thursday, when it was suggested his group performs better outside of Manitoba. "The road game is the game that's played in the playoffs."

Smart. Hard. Patient. Low-scoring. Opportunistic on special teams.

Multiple times Maurice has brought up that the Jets have been dished 17 road games in a 22-game span. Someone told the coach no club has been dealt such a schedule since 1980.

"Everybody's a little edgy right now. It's 17 in 22. We don't have a road game in our time zone," Maurice said, after his latest road win.

Maurice keeps bringing it up because he wants outsiders -- fans, critics, media -- to appreciate his players' grind, their accomplishment.

The Jets are within striking distance and, frankly, could swipe that No. 1 spot from Toronto with three home games against the Leafs next week.

Ironic: two elite road warriors battling to play at home.

What's more, Edmonton has earned just as many points on the road as it has at home (26), and Montreal has gained more ground skating away from the Bell Centre.

Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe wonders if the value of home ice may be "overblown" this May.

On one hand, holding last change can give the home coach some advantage when it comes to line matchups. But on the other: "I think there's also some advantages to being on the road and just rolling your lines and forcing your opposition to adjust to you," Keefe said.

"All of that said... you're competing to put yourself in the best position possible. And for us, we've been in first for a good portion of the season, and that's something we've wanted because it shows we're doing good things."

The question remains: How much is the top seed even worth in a pandemic? In a country stuck in various states of lockdown?

“I'm not sure anybody can give you an answer that has any substance to it, because nobody knows. There's no fans. There's no people in the building," Leafs veteran Jason Spezza says.

"Most importantly, we just want to win games just to be feeling good about ourselves and also be playing the right way with good habits. If you have good habits and you play the right way, the results follow. If we're playing the right way, it's important. 1209519 Websites Miller’s comments reverberated around the hockey world, led to a virtual team meeting that night with the NHLPA and schedule revisions Thursday and Friday.

Sportsnet.ca / Canucks emerge from COVID-19 outbreak looking to Horvat made it clear Friday that Miller spoke for everyone on the team. finish disastrous season “We were collectively talking about it and just, obviously, reaching out to our teammates to see how they were feeling. . . and if they felt like they were going to be ready to go on Friday,” Horvat said. “And a lot of guys, Iain MacIntyre@imacSportsnet obviously, were feeling the same way as J.T. was. He expressed how he felt and basically he spoke on behalf of the team about how we all felt. I April 16, 2021, 10:00 PM think it was needed and kind of got the ball rolling.”

Without identifying them, Benning said Friday there are still three players VANCOUVER — Given two more days to prepare for the worst month of sick enough to be ruled out of the Canucks’ return. The only ones their hockey careers, the Vancouver Canucks will have a full lineup when remaining on the NHL’s COVID Protocol List, which is based on the they end an unprecedented 24-day layoff Sunday against the Toronto timing but not severity of the illness, are winger Jake Virtanen and Maple Leafs. defenceman Nate Schmidt.

They don’t know who will be coaching (bench boss Travis Green was But numerous players are still struggling with their health, and all will among the hardest hit by the organization’s COVID-19 outbreak) or who need to regain full fitness, making it impossible to accurately project the will be playing (except injured star Elias Pettersson won’t), but at least Canucks’ lineup. Some who play Sunday may be unable to play Tuesday the Canucks will have a team. They wouldn’t have had one Friday had in the rematch against Toronto. the NHL not revised Vancouver’s schedule a second time and pushed The Canucks on Friday recalled defencemen Ashton Sautner and back its re-entry into the stretch drive for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Brogan Rafferty on an emergency basis. Another blue-liner, Jack With 19 games in 32 days, the Canucks may well finish a regular season Rathbone, has been summoned from the Utica Comets but must fulfill a that has been officially declared a disaster while the top four teams in the seven-day travel quarantine. Winger Matthew Highmore and defenceman Canadian division are playing playoff games. Madison Bowey are still serving their travel quarantines after being acquired by the Canucks at Monday’s trade deadline. After a year in which the NHL thought it had seen everything, it turned out nobody had seen anything like the Canucks’ COVID-19 outbreak, Winger Tanner Pearson is expected to return from the injured list, but which was made exceptional – and especially dangerous – because it Pettersson, out since March 2 with a reported wrist injury, may be gone was driven by the aggressive P.1 variant. for the season after seeing a specialist on Wednesday.

None of the league’s earlier outbreaks, including those similar in scope “He's going to continue to rehab, but we don't have a timeline yet as to and duration to the Canucks’ crisis, were caused by any of the when he's going to be back — if he's going to be back at all,” Benning coronavirus variants that have built a gigantic third wave in Canada. said.

A Canucks' official described it this week like this: 10 days into the NHL’s It was more bad news in a season full of it for the Canucks. earlier major outbreaks, nearly all the players involved had recovered “These are world-class athletes that we're talking about and some of enough to resume training; 10 days into the P.1 variant outbreak in them were buckled getting through this virus,” Benning said. “A lot of the Vancouver, not only were a lot of players still sick but a few were actually family members, wives and kids ended up testing positive through all getting worse. this. For the players to get it was one thing, but then when they're dealing Green still has not returned to Rogers Arena, but general manager Jim with family members, too, it just made it really hard. We've tried to Benning said Friday that Green might be able to run practice on support the players and their families through all of this and get them Saturday. We may never know because the Canucks have closed their through all this and I'm hoping now that we're kind of on the other side of practices to the media, although Benning and captain Bo Horvat were it and we can keep moving forward.” available to reporters Friday on Zoom calls.

Benning used a toned-down version of the 10-day coronavirus Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.18.2021 comparison during his press conference.

“It's something that obviously the NHL has never seen before and, I guess. . . the world has really never seen it before either,” Horvat said of P.1, which originated in Brazil and was rare in North America when the NHL season began but has lately turned Metro Vancouver into a global hot spot for the variant. “It's going to take some time to get the right protocols in place to deal with stuff like this.

“I've had the flu before and a lot of people have on this team, and it doesn't hit you like a normal flu. I'm just being honest and, obviously, speaking from personal experience. It's not something you want to get, and it's not something that you want to see your family go through either.”

Despite self-isolating in the basement of his home, Horvat said he passed the virus on to his wife, Holly. The couple’s nine-month-old son, Gunnar, has not been tested, Bo said.

“The thing with this virus is that it affects everybody so differently, and you're not sure how it's going to affect you on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “I think mentally it's draining that way because one day you feel better and the next day you don't, and you're back to square one again. It was taxing on a lot of guys, especially when families started getting it.”

It was partly out of concern for family that Canucks winger J.T. Miller spoke out Wednesday about the “dangerous” schedule the NHL – with support from the NHL Players’ Association – had given the Canucks, saying five games in seven nights starting with back-to-backs Friday and Saturday were not safe for players. 1209520 Websites saying five games in seven nights starting with back-to-backs Friday and Saturday were not safe for players.

Miller’s comments reverberated around the hockey world, led to a virtual Sportsnet.ca / Canucks emerge from COVID-19 outbreak looking to team meeting that night with the NHLPA and schedule revisions finish disastrous season Thursday and Friday.

Horvat made it clear Friday that Miller spoke for everyone on the team.

Iain MacIntyre@imacSportsnet “We were collectively talking about it and just, obviously, reaching out to our teammates to see how they were feeling. . . and if they felt like they April 16, 2021, 10:00 PM were going to be ready to go on Friday,” Horvat said. “And a lot of guys, obviously, were feeling the same way as J.T. was. He expressed how he

felt and basically he spoke on behalf of the team about how we all felt. I VANCOUVER — Given two more days to prepare for the worst month of think it was needed and kind of got the ball rolling.” their hockey careers, the Vancouver Canucks will have a full lineup when Without identifying them, Benning said Friday there are still three players they end an unprecedented 24-day layoff Sunday against the Toronto sick enough to be ruled out of the Canucks’ return. The only ones Maple Leafs. remaining on the NHL’s COVID Protocol List, which is based on the They don’t know who will be coaching (bench boss Travis Green was timing but not severity of the illness, are winger Jake Virtanen and among the hardest hit by the organization’s COVID-19 outbreak) or who defenceman Nate Schmidt. will be playing (except injured star Elias Pettersson won’t), but at least But numerous players are still struggling with their health, and all will the Canucks will have a team. They wouldn’t have had one Friday had need to regain full fitness, making it impossible to accurately project the the NHL not revised Vancouver’s schedule a second time and pushed Canucks’ lineup. Some who play Sunday may be unable to play Tuesday back its re-entry into the stretch drive for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. in the rematch against Toronto. With 19 games in 32 days, the Canucks may well finish a regular season The Canucks on Friday recalled defencemen Ashton Sautner and that has been officially declared a disaster while the top four teams in the Brogan Rafferty on an emergency basis. Another blue-liner, Jack Canadian division are playing playoff games. Rathbone, has been summoned from the Utica Comets but must fulfill a After a year in which the NHL thought it had seen everything, it turned seven-day travel quarantine. Winger Matthew Highmore and defenceman out nobody had seen anything like the Canucks’ COVID-19 outbreak, Madison Bowey are still serving their travel quarantines after being which was made exceptional – and especially dangerous – because it acquired by the Canucks at Monday’s trade deadline. was driven by the aggressive P.1 variant. Winger Tanner Pearson is expected to return from the injured list, but None of the league’s earlier outbreaks, including those similar in scope Pettersson, out since March 2 with a reported wrist injury, may be gone and duration to the Canucks’ crisis, were caused by any of the for the season after seeing a specialist on Wednesday. coronavirus variants that have built a gigantic third wave in Canada. “He's going to continue to rehab, but we don't have a timeline yet as to A Canucks' official described it this week like this: 10 days into the NHL’s when he's going to be back — if he's going to be back at all,” Benning earlier major outbreaks, nearly all the players involved had recovered said. enough to resume training; 10 days into the P.1 variant outbreak in It was more bad news in a season full of it for the Canucks. Vancouver, not only were a lot of players still sick but a few were actually getting worse. “These are world-class athletes that we're talking about and some of them were buckled getting through this virus,” Benning said. “A lot of the Green still has not returned to Rogers Arena, but general manager Jim family members, wives and kids ended up testing positive through all Benning said Friday that Green might be able to run practice on this. For the players to get it was one thing, but then when they're dealing Saturday. We may never know because the Canucks have closed their with family members, too, it just made it really hard. We've tried to practices to the media, although Benning and captain Bo Horvat were support the players and their families through all of this and get them available to reporters Friday on Zoom calls. through all this and I'm hoping now that we're kind of on the other side of Benning used a toned-down version of the 10-day coronavirus it and we can keep moving forward.” comparison during his press conference.

“It's something that obviously the NHL has never seen before and, I Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.18.2021 guess. . . the world has really never seen it before either,” Horvat said of P.1, which originated in Brazil and was rare in North America when the NHL season began but has lately turned Metro Vancouver into a global hot spot for the variant. “It's going to take some time to get the right protocols in place to deal with stuff like this.

“I've had the flu before and a lot of people have on this team, and it doesn't hit you like a normal flu. I'm just being honest and, obviously, speaking from personal experience. It's not something you want to get, and it's not something that you want to see your family go through either.”

Remaining Time -0:31

Horvat says postponing Canucks - Oilers tilt was 'what we needed to do'

Despite self-isolating in the basement of his home, Horvat said he passed the virus on to his wife, Holly. The couple’s nine-month-old son, Gunnar, has not been tested, Bo said.

“The thing with this virus is that it affects everybody so differently, and you're not sure how it's going to affect you on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “I think mentally it's draining that way because one day you feel better and the next day you don't, and you're back to square one again. It was taxing on a lot of guys, especially when families started getting it.”

It was partly out of concern for family that Canucks winger J.T. Miller spoke out Wednesday about the “dangerous” schedule the NHL – with support from the NHL Players’ Association – had given the Canucks, 1209521 Websites "I feel good," he said. "I had a bike in the room so I feel pretty good." The Leafs have lost three straight (0-2-1) and have missed the smooth-

skating Nylander. With confidence rising, 'hard to hit' Robertson earns look in Leafs' top six "How he brings the puck up the ice, how he gets through the neutral zone, how he attacks the offensive blue line, those are all areas [where] our offence has really dried up," Keefe said. "We haven't had nearly as By Mark Masters much control of the puck so that's something that he does very well for us and it will be nice to have that back."

"He says he's feeling good," Rielly noted. "So, I think he'll be flying The Maple Leafs practised in Vancouver on Saturday afternoon. tomorrow. It's just nice to see him back around the boys." Nick Robertson has earned a look in Toronto's top six. The 19-year-old If Matthews and Nylander return to the lineup on Sunday, Pierre Engvall skated on the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander at and Adam Brooks are expected to be scratches after they skated as Saturday’s practice. extras at practice. "The way he works is tremendous," noted Nylander. "He can complement Engvall has played in 31 straight games dating back to Feb. 11, but the us and we can give him the puck and get some good scoring Swede is still adjusting to the centre position. He has produced just one opportunities." assist in 10 games and was benched for part of Monday's game in Robertson played a career-high 14 minutes and 19 seconds against the Montreal. Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, producing his first assist in the National Matthews, Nylander look good in practice, but status for Sunday is Hockey League. uncertain "He's played with lots of confidence with the puck and without the puck," William Nylander provided an update on how he's feeling ahead of his observed coach Sheldon Keefe. "He's skating hard. He's out there possible return game tomorrow night, and Sheldon Keefe and Morgan looking to make a difference. He doesn't look overwhelmed by any Rielly explained what Nylander brings to the lineup. means. He's getting more and more comfortable in the NHL. When he gets the puck, he's looking to make something happen. He's working and Nylander earned praise from Keefe for immediately alerting the team competing and he's been good defensively so lots of really good things." about his situation on April 7 as the Leafs prepared to host the Montreal Canadiens. Robertson was Toronto's top pick in the 2019 draft (53rd overall) and made his debut with the team in the playoff bubble last summer dressing "We got back from the road [trip on April 6] and I met somebody that in four games against Columbus and scoring one goal. tested positive for COVID the next day," Nylander recalled. "I had to isolate for nine days and had nine negative tests." But Robertson has been plagued by injuries this year and Thursday was only his fourth game with the Leafs. He has suited up in 14 games in the It was a stressful situation for the 24-year-old winger, who had skated American Hockey League. with teammates only hours before learning about the issue.

"He played a little bit in the bubble last year so I'm sure his expectations "I was worried about maybe me getting it and giving it to the guys, which were high, but those things happen," said centre Alex Kerfoot, who is something that I obviously really didn't want to happen," Nylander said. played on a line with Robertson in Tuesday's game. "He's still got the "Over those [first] few days where I was getting tested every day I was same energy and attitude that he's always had. You can tell when he pretty nervous, but thank God nobody got it." gets out on the ice and has the puck on his stick that he can make things happen." 'Thank God nobody got it': Nylander reflects on stressful quarantine experience Robertson, who scored 55 goals in 46 games last season, is small in stature, but the 5-foot-9 winger owns an incredible William Nylander explains what it was like being quarantined away from engine. the team, and what he did during the experience to stay in shape.

"He's a fast guy," said defenceman T.J. Brodie. "The little guys are hard Nylander's return is leading to a shake up of Toronto's slumping power to hit sometimes and he uses that to his advantage down low and along play. At Sunday's practice, the team reunited the group that had so much the wall." success together last season: Nylander, Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Rielly. Robertson was among the last players on the ice Saturday staying out long after practice ended. "We probably would've gone to it sooner had we not lost Will," Keefe explained. "We've been talking about this look and going back with it for "The first thing that jumps out is just how hard he works," said a while now, but that got disrupted. The timing is right now. The fact that defenceman Morgan Rielly. "He wants to get better. He wants to put in we had yesterday to get some rest and a practice day today, it’s a good the time and work hard." opportunity for us to just get refreshed and start anew if you will."

Rising in confidence, 'hard to hit' Robertson earns extended look on With Nylander playing down low and around the net, the Leafs had an Tavares line amazing run on the power play last season. The team converted on 26.5 per cent of chances in 47 games after Keefe took over behind the bench, Nick Robertson has been playing with a lot of confidence lately according which ranked second in the NHL behind only the Oilers. to Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe and his effort on both ends of the ice hasn't gone unnoticed. Morgan Rielly has also been aware of how This season the team started with a more balanced approach featuring hard Robertson has worked and his teammates spoke about what he Matthews and Marner on one group and Tavares and Nylander on the brings to the team. other. It worked really well at first with Toronto sitting second overall in power play efficiently in early March at 32.5 per cent. After missing Thursday's game, Auston Matthews was back in his usual spot at practice on the top line with Alex Galchenyuk and Mitch Marner. But over the last 17 games, the power play has fallen off a cliff with just one goal in 42 attempts and three shorthanded goals allowed. "In regards to Auston and Will, we'll have to see how they feel after skating today," said Keefe. "They got through the practice well today so "We talk about it every single day," acknowledged Rielly. "We talk about that's obviously very positive, but we won't know their official status for the structure. We talk about what we need to do better. It's just a matter the game until we see how they are through the remainder of the day and of us grinding. It's obviously not very enjoyable, but we're going to work how they wake up tomorrow." through it and breakthrough eventually and it's going to feel really good."

Matthews is dealing with a similar injury to the wrist/hand ailment that 'It's not very enjoyable': Leafs power play will 'start anew' with loaded-up forced him to miss time earlier this season. unit

Nylander has missed the last five games while on the league's COVID The Maple Leafs' power play has not found the back of the net in the past protocol list. He skated on Friday as well. five games, with the past three being losses, and based on practice, Sheldon Keefe looks to be loading up his top power play unit because 'the timing is right' according to the head coach.

---

After playing in 375 games over five NHL seasons, Ben Hutton is eager to make his playoff debut.

"That's every kid’s dream," said the 27-year-old defenceman. "Growing up in Ontario, I always dreamed of playing playoff hockey or scoring that big goal in the playoffs. That's what everyone dreams about and now to get a chance to do that I'm super excited. I can't wait."

Hutton posted one goal and four assists in 34 games with the Ducks this season before being traded to the Leafs ahead of Monday's deadline.

"This year I haven't produced as many points as I'd like to," Hutton admitted. "The Leafs are a pretty offensive team so I’m hoping I can jump onto that wave and help out a little offensively. I want to be a strong PKer. I'm a defenceman and my first job is to keep the puck out of our end."

The native of Brockville, Ont. has spent his entire NHL career out west with stays in Vancouver, Los Angeles and Anaheim.

"Finally get to come back east so it's not as late for my parents to stay up and watch the games so that’s exciting," Hutton said. "The last [few] days, I've been getting texts from a lot of happy campers at home, a lot of Leafs fans. Even family members and friends who aren't Leafs fans are pumped up because they know the position the Leafs are in."

'Excited' Hutton eager to play for Maple Leafs and 'crazy Canadian fans'

Ben Hutton is now a Maple Leaf after being dealt by the Ducks and he spoke with James Duthie about his excitement to play in Toronto.

TSN.CA LOADED: 04.18.2021 1209522 Websites and Auston. I think the timing is right here now, and the fact that we had both yesterday to get some rest and a practice day today, it's a good opportunity for us to just get refreshed and start anew.”

Nylander reflects on quarantine experience as he rejoins Maple Leafs That search for more offence all over the ice also influenced Keefe’s decision to elevate Robertson. The 19-year-old has been plagued by injuries and only skated in four games for Toronto this season, notching one assist. But with the Leafs getting outscored 12-6 in their last three By Kristen Shilton games, Keefe is fanning any kind of spark he can find.

“He's out there looking to make a difference,” Keefe said of Robertson. TORONTO — It wasn’t William Nylander’s own well-being that "He's doesn't look overwhelmed by any means and he's just getting more concerned him most after being placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols and more comfortable in the NHL. When he gets the puck, he's looking to 10 days ago. It was what a potentially positive diagnosis might mean for make something happen and he's working and competing, he's been the rest of his Maple Leafs teammates. good defensively. Lots of really good things that I've seen from him.”

That led to some difficult days and nights for Nylander, who unknowingly came in contact with an infected person on April 6. Before learning of his TSN.CA LOADED: 04.18.2021 proximity to the positive case, Nylander participated in the Leafs’ morning skate ahead of their game against Montreal on April 7. He informed the team around lunchtime about the issue and was immediately placed in quarantine.

Nylander returned negative tests for nine days thereafter, and was subsequently allowed to rejoin the Leafs yesterday on their road trip to Vancouver.

“Those [first] few days where I was being tested every day, I was pretty nervous,” Nylander said on Saturday after his first practice in over a week. “But thank God nobody got it. That was the probably the number one thing that I was worried about, [that] maybe [I’d] get it and give it to the guys, which is something that I really didn't want to happen.”

That worst-case scenario never came to pass as Nylander endured his long stint in isolation. Toronto got Nylander an exercise bike and he used it to distract himself while attempting to stay in game shape. He skated for the first time on Friday before the Leafs’ flight out west, and got through their practice fine, but couldn’t say whether he’d be ready to face the Canucks on Sunday after a five-game absence.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said. “[The challenge] is just getting back into games. We’ll see if I play tomorrow and we'll go from there.”

Also returning to practice for the Leafs on Saturday was Auston Matthews. The NHL’s top goal-scorer sat out Thursday’s 5-2 loss to Winnipeg with an undisclosed injury and is considered day-to-day. In Vancouver, Matthews was back at his usual perch on Toronto’s top line with Mitch Marner and Alex Galchenyuk, and will be a game-time decision for Sunday.

Elsewhere in the Leafs’ lineup, coach Sheldon Keefe was shaking things up. Toronto is currently mired in a three-game winless streak (0-2-1), so for Saturday’s session Keefe moved rookie Nick Robertson onto Toronto’s second line with Nylander and John Tavares.

Keefe still called Nylander a game-time decision for Sunday as well, but identified a number of ways the winger’s return to that unit would make a difference.

“This time we've played without him, some areas of our game have really slowed down,” Keefe said. “When you take someone like Will and his strengths [out], with how he brings the puck up the ice, how he gets to the neutral zone, how he attacks the offensive blue line, I think those are all areas that our offence has really dried up, and we haven't had nearly as much control of the puck. That's something he does very well for us and it'll be nice to have that back.”

“He's a big part of our team. He plays with a lot of speed, a lot of skill,” said Morgan Rielly. "And he's obviously crucial to his linemates and on the powerplay, so we're very happy to have him back. He did his thing with the protocol and he says he's feeling good, so I think he'll be flying tomorrow [if he plays] and it's just nice to see him back around the guys.”

Having Nylander and Matthews slotting in would also be the Leafs’ best hope of getting their abysmal power play back on track. Toronto is 1-for- 42 in its last 17 games with the extra man, and on Saturday Keefe has reunited his original top unit of Tavares, Nylander, Matthews, Marner and Rielly.

“As we've gone through this stretch here, we’ve tried a little bit of everything, including having those guys together and it didn't work for us,” Keefe said. “But we've looked at a number of different things, and we think that we probably would have gone to it sooner had we not lost Will 1209523 Websites “It’s been a grind of year for everybody. We waited a long time to put this jersey back on, to be together,” said Coyne Schofield.

“The last world championship that was played was in 2019. That was a Coyne Schofield discusses USA coach Corkum stepping down very long time ago. These are new rosters for everyone. It will take some time, but based on my experience, the world championship the year before the Olympic Games is always the best, always the most competitive. So while it might be a slow start, it might be a little rusty for a By Meaghen Johnson lot of the countries, I expect this to be the best one yet since the [2018] Olympics.”

With the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship less than three weeks away, the five-time reigning gold medalists sent shockwaves throughout TSN.CA LOADED: 04.18.2021 the hockey world with an abrupt coaching change.

On Friday, USA Hockey announced that Bob Corkum, head coach of the U.S. women’s hockey team, would be stepping down, and Joel Johnson was named interim head coach.

The 2021 world championship gets underway on May 6 in Halifax and Truro, N.S. The Americans begin their gold medal defence against Switzerland, which can be seen live on TSN.

Corkum had been the American head coach since the 2018-19 season. He led the team to a fifth straight gold medal at the 2019 world championship.

“While it was coach Corkum’s personal decision to step away, he leaves a legacy,” forward told TSN. “He came into this program right after the 2018 Olympics and he’s really built a lot over the last two years with us. But we’re really excited. Our goal, our mission doesn’t change. We’re really excited for Joel Johnson as our new interim head coach.”

The players found out about the coaching change upon arrival in Portland, Maine, where the team is currently training before they travel to Halifax on Thursday.

“Bob put his heart and soul into continuing to build on the legacy of our women’s national team program over the past three seasons and we’re grateful for all he did,” Katie Million, director of women’s national team programs for USA Hockey, said in a statement. “While he’s stepping away, he’ll always be a big part of the USA Hockey family and we’ll certainly miss him.”

Johnson has been involved with the USA Hockey since 2015. As head coach of the women’s Under-18 team, he led the American squad to four straight gold medals at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship from 2015 to 2018.

He has also been an associate head coach of the women’s hockey team at the University of Minnesota for the last 16 seasons, helping to mentor current U.S. players like forward and defenceman Megan Bozek.

He joined the senior U.S. team as an assistant coach for the 2018-19 season, and with the familiarity, Coyne Schofield said there shouldn’t be any issues for the players to adapt to the change.

“He’s been with us since after the 2018 Olympics,” she said. “He’s been with our U18 program as well for a long time. He’s a familiar face. He knows us very well. When coach Corkum and [assistant coach Brian] Pothier came in, Joel Johnson was the familiar face for a lot us players because we have seen him as we’ve come up through this program, whether it was with the U18s or the University of Minnesota. So it’ll be a seamless transition for sure.”

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone like Joel to step in and guide our team at the world championship,” Million said. “He’s been an important part of our program and is well positioned to help build on the success we’ve enjoyed.”

Also behind the bench is Allison Coomey, an associate head coach with Penn State, who Coyne Schofield said has had a “phenomenal year.” Pothier, who joined the staff after the 2018 Olympics, stays on as an assistant.

It’s already been a tumultuous year for the U.S. team and women’s hockey. The 2020 world championship was cancelled due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, and many players have seen limited ice time. The Americans haven’t played together since Feb. 2020, when they wrapped up the Rivalry Series against the Canadians.