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Home , Barclay Plager, Don Granato, Grind Line, Kaleigh Fratkin, Quinton Byfield, Shane Prince

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 3/28/2021 1206954 Ducks treating season as a character-building exercise 1206985 Are Artsy Avs too soft to win ? The Dark Knights are itching to find out. Arizona Coyotes 1206986 Avalanche extends points streak but loses in overtime to 1206955 Kessel's hat trick, Hill's shutout help Coyotes roll to win Vegas Golden Knights over Sharks 1206987 Chambers: Avalanche rich with NHL prospects in NCAA 1206956 Christian Dvorak scores twice, Coyotes beat Sharks Tournament 1206988 Avalanche gain a but stumble in 3-2 overtime loss to Vegas 1206957 Craig Smith’s late helps Bruins extend Sabres’ losing 1206989 Colorado Avalanche lose to Vegas, but still take three of streak to 17 games four points in series 1206958 NHL responded quickly to Tim Peel/hot microphone 1206990 begin scouting Avalanche for NHL episode Expansion Draft 1206959 Brad Marchand added to NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list 1206991 Bo Byram hurt again, likely from dirty hit 1206960 Smith scores late as Bruins survive scare from Sabres 1206992 The Avs have the chance to prove themselves today 1206961 Bruins Notebook: Brad Marchand placed on COVID protocol list Columbus Blue Jackets 1206962 Bruins extend Sabres' historic losing streak with 3-2 1206993 Blue Jackets' listless letdown in tops the comeback win takeaways from a stinging loss 1206963 Talking Points: Boston Bruins Pull Out 3rd Period Win Vs. 1206994 Blue Jackets fall flat in Detroit, lose 3-1 to struggling Red Buffalo Wings after listless start 1206964 Boston Bruins’ Moore Out For Season Following Hip 1206995 Michael Arace: A key point gained, a key point given away Surgery by the Blue Jackets 1206965 Game 30: Boston Bruins vs , Lines, 1206996 Blue Jackets in playoff hunt after critical Carolina series, Preview now focusing on finer details 1206966 The Boston Bruins Are Searching For Mental Balance 1206997 Calvin Pickard makes 21 stops as Red Wings beat Blue 1206967 Bruins need to find a right wing at the trade deadline: Jackets ‘What’s your 2nd line look like if you don’t?’ 1206998 Blue Jackets suffer worst loss of the season, hands down, at worst possible time Buffalo Sabres 1206968 Mike Harrington: Pegula's 70th comes on his team's 17th. Dallas Stars There's nothing happy about it 1206999 ‘You can’t ask for better scoring chances’: Stars squander 1206969 Sabres Notebook: Granato and Ellis behind bench after opportunities in OT loss to Panthers false positives, long rides 1207000 Stars’ inability to win consecutive games has Dallas 1206970 Mike Harrington's NHL power rankings hovering in mediocrity after OT loss to Panthers 1206971 The Wraparound: Streak hits 17 as late goal sinks Sabres in Boston 1206972 After false positives for Covid-19, Don Granato and Matt 1207002 Detroit Red Wings wake up early in 3-1 win over Ellis are back to face Bruins Columbus Blue Jackets 1207003 Game thread: Red Wings skate past Blue Jackets, 3-1 Calgary Flames 1207004 Red Wings' Pickard gets rewarded for dedication with 1206973 Calls for culture shift in hockey echo as WHL players victory in first start suspended over racist taunts 1207005 Red Wings' hard work pays off in 3-1 victory over Blue 1206974 Plucky Hitmen get solid efforts against 'world-class' Oil Jackets Kings 1207006 Red Wings hope ‘hardest practice’ helps right ship 1206975 LaBarbera impressed with Wolf's red-hot WHL start 1207007 Red Wings’ Bobby Ryan: Wife more anxious about trade deadline than me 1206976 Carolina Hurricanes fight past Tampa Bay Lightning in Central Division battle 1207008 Maple Leafs come back to haunt the Edmonton Oilers 1206977 The Hurricanes and the NHL Trade Deadline: How busy again will they be? 1207009 OILERS SNAPSHOTS: McDavid finally gets Saturday night in Toronto 1207010 Lowetide: Scouring the hockey world for a left for 1206978 Kirby Dach makes his season debut, but the Chicago the Oilers’ skill line Blackhawks stumble to a 3-1 home loss to the Nashville Pred Florida Panthers 1206979 Blackhawks’ ugly loss to Predators spoils Kirby Dach’s 1207011 Aaron Ekblad scores game-winner in OT — twice! — and surprise return Panthers snap 3-game losing streak 1206980 Blackhawks’ Kirby Dach returns from injury, will play 1207012 Ekblad scores two goals in OT — and one counts — as against Predators Panthers edge Dallas to end three-game pointless skid 1206981 Hawks fall to Preds, but Dach's return could be a boost 1207013 Greatest Honour denied in Florida Derby by Known down stretch Agenda 1206982 Blackhawks hope to get some fans in United Center soon 1207014 Carter Verhaeghe gets a hat trick as Panthers win in 1206983 10 observations: Blackhawks remain winless vs. Preds Dallas 1206984 Lazerus: What Kirby Dach’s surprisingly early return 1207015 Now on a losing streak, Panthers try to bounce back in means for the Blackhawks Dallas 1207016 Column: Kings say fans could be allowed to attend games 1207050 For Samuel Morin, a magical moment, one the Flyers at Staples Center soon hope turns around their uneven season 1207017 Kings acquire Brendan Lemieux from Rangers 1207051 Flyers’ Nolan Patrick contributes key goal and says he is 1207018 Kings add a ‘physical element’ to their forward group with getting ‘closer and closer’ to regaining form trade for Rangers’ Brendan Lemieux 1207052 Flyers outlast Rangers, 2-1, on Samuel Morin’s first NHL 1207019 NHL Trade Grades: Canadiens add ; Kings deal goal for Brendan Lemieux 1207053 Flyers goalie Hart still has the trust of GM Fletcher 1207020 KINGS ACQUIRE BRENDAN LEMIEUX FROM NYR FOR 1207054 Flyers Notebook: Morin's long-awaited moment in spotlight FOURTH-ROUND DRAFT PICK a winner for Flyers 1207021 PRACTICE NOTES, 3/27 – ANDERSON UPDATE, REST, 1207055 Morin writes a new story to tell later WORKING ON THE “SYMPTOMS”, VILARDI 1207056 A perfect partner for Ivan Provorov? Buy or sell at the 1207022 NOTES FROM LA KINGS STATE OF THE FRANCHISE deadline? Answers waiting in the AHL? Minnesota Wild Pittsburgh Penguins 1207023 Wild goaltender Cam Talbot reminding everyone who he is 1207057 Empty Thoughts: Penguins 6, Islanders 3 1207058 Minor league report: Nailers fall to Everblades 1207059 Patchwork Penguins seize opportunity, beat Islanders 1207024 Canadiens Notebook: Cole Caufield agrees to contract 1207060 Penguins forwards Mark Jankowski, Branton Tanev terms with Habs placed on NHL's covid-19 protocol list 1207025 Stu Cowan: Adding Eric Staal will make the Canadiens a 1207061 Penguins recall forward Drew O'Connor from taxi squad better team 1207062 Mark Madden's Hot Take: Goalie Carter Hart at heart of 1207026 By the numbers: Metrics show Canadiens better off with Flyers' struggles Price in net 1207063 Penguins blow out the NHL's stingiest team -- before the 1207027 Grading the grin: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin on Eric game was half over Staal, Cole Caufield and his next steps 1207064 Brandon Tanev, Mark Jankowski placed on NHL's COVID protocol list Nashville Predators 1207065 Penguins center Mark Jankowski placed on NHL's COVID 1207028 Nashville Predators' offense caught up with defense and protocol list now they're in the playoff hunt 1207066 Yohe’s 10 observations: There’s something special about 1207029 Nashville Predators GM David Poile surprised by these Penguins Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction announcement 1207067 Rust Nets Hat Trick! Depleted Penguins Explode for 6, Beat Islanders 6-3 1207068 Penguins Place Kasperi Kapanen on IR, Recall Drew 1207030 Fatigue finally catches up to Devils | 3 observations from O’Connor loss to Capitals 1207069 Penguins Injury Updates: Zucker Joins Team, Blueger 1207031 NHL’s referee problem goes way beyond Tim Peel Skates debacle 1207070 Real Tests Begin, Gm35: Penguins Lines, Notes & What to Watch vs. NYI Islanders 1207032 Islanders have no answers for Bryant Rust, Penguins San Jose Sharks 1207033 NHL’s referee problem goes way beyond Tim Peel 1207071 Sharks’ offense goes dormant, again, as Arizona Coyotes debacle complete sweep 1207034 Ilya Sorokin pulled as Islanders' three-game winning 1207072 NHL fines Coyotes’ Nick Schmaltz for hit on Radim Simek: streak ends in Pittsburgh “That’s a dangerous play” 1207035 With Michael Dal Colle injured, Kiefer Bellows back in 1207073 San Jose Sharks running into a new issue that’s not going Islanders' lineup away 1207036 Expect Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello to go for a rental at 1207074 Kessel hat trick lifts Coyotes past Sharks 4-0 trade deadline 1207075 Is the Sharks’ correct core in place, or is it time for a 1207037 Plus/Minus: Islanders Fall in Blowout to Penguins longer rebuild?: Mailbag 1207038 STEEL CITY SHOWDOWN: Islanders Lineup, Matchups 1207076 Sharks, Coyotes React to Gabriel Ejection and Game Notes vs. Penguins 1207077 Postgame Notes #33: Gabriel Tossed, Sharks Silenced in 1207039 Michael Dal Colle Sidelined with Lower-Body Injury Desert 4-0 1207078 Game Preview/Lines #33: Hertl Standing Up for His Teammates 1207040 Rangers ship Brendan Lemieux to Kings for fourth-round 1207079 Quick Thoughts: Sharks Keep Falling Apart pick 1207041 Rangers’ domination of Flyers comes to end Seattle Kraken 1207042 Rangers trade Brendan Lemieux to Kings for fourth-round 1207080 Kraken mailbag: Can Seattle collect top picks for the entry pick in 2021 draft draft? When will jerseys be unveiled? 1207043 With late goal, Flyers get some revenge on Rangers 1207044 Rangers proving they are legit contenders in the race for St Louis Blues the playoffs 1207081 Blues scoring struggles have hit everyone 1207045 Rangers make room for the kids, trading Brendan Lemieux 1207082 The night the Plager brothers all played on the same line to L.A. after one last costly mistake 1207046 NHL Trade Grades: Canadiens add Eric Staal; Kings deal Tampa Bay Lightning for Brendan Lemieux 1207083 -riddled Lightning drop second straight 1207047 Rangers struggle to grind out goals, lose in typical fashion to ‘hungry and desperate’ Flyers 1207048 If you're waiting for the Ottawa Senators to make a big deal at the deadline, don't get too excited 1207049 SNAPSHOTS: The Ottawa Senators have made themselves at home at the CTC ... Hogberg has a solid effort for Bell Toronto Maple Leafs 1207084 Matthews scores in OT, Leafs complete comeback to down Oilers 4-3 1207085 Comeback Leafs escape with a win over the Oilers in overtime 1207087 Captain Tavares turns it on 1207088 Matthews caps comeback as Maple Leafs beat Oilers in overtime 1207089 Campbell the man in Leafs net as Oilers set starts, Andersen's return 'not imminent' 1207090 Maple Leafs report cards: Auston Matthews caps comeback in overtime to beat Oilers yet again Vancouver Canucks 1207108 It’s back to the drawing board for the Vancouver Canucks Vegas Golden Knights 1207091 Doubters aside, Golden Knights impress in bounce-back win 1207092 Golden Knights fourth line makes impact in victory 1207093 Golden Knights back in first after OT win over Avalanche 1207094 Silver Knights forward co-authors children’s book on race, diversity 1207095 Golden Knights beat Avalanche in OT to keep hold of first place 1207096 In Battle Of The West, Golden Knights Bounce Back To Defeat Colorado, 3-2, In OT In Denver Saturday 1207097 No One Noticed Pete DeBoer and His Key Coaching Moves 1207098 Golden Knights Come From Behind, Win 3-2 OT Thriller 1207099 Vegas Golden Knights Look To Avoid Second Straight Embarrassment Washington Capitals 1207100 These Capitals might not be a dynasty, but they remain a juggernaut 1207101 Capitals dominate Devils to sweep back-to-back set 1207102 Samsonov is taking pressure off Caps as trade deadline nears 1207103 Capitals trade targets: 4 goalies they could acquire before the deadline Websites 1207109 .ca / Gaudreau rises to Sutter's challenge to help Flames snap four-game skid 1207110 Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: What Eric Staal's trade means for the Taylor Hall market 1207111 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' roster not yet set in stone, despite Bergevin's public stance 1207112 McDavid, Oilers have a point to prove in rematch against Leafs Winnipeg Jets 1207104 Jets' 3-game win streak ends with 4-2 loss to Flames 1207105 Flames get Sutter’s message, take advantage of Brossoit’s off night to beat Jets 1207106 JETS SNAPSHOTS: Jets two-headed monster of a power play causing big problems for North Division opponents 1207107 Looking for the Jets’ perfect dark horse trade candidate: Could Alex Goligoski be a match? SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1206954 Anaheim Ducks Where: Enterprise Center, St. Louis

TV: Prime

Ducks treating season as a character-building exercise Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.28.2021

In last place in the West, the struggling team views the mounting losses as humbling and lessons for the future

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | PUBLISHED: March 27, 2021 at 12:52 p.m. | UPDATED: March 27, 2021 at 4:37 p.m.

Losing stinks, as Ducks coach likes to say.

The Ducks have done plenty of losing this season, so you might think it would be something of a way of life for the rebuilding team, mired as it is in last place in the West Division with a 10-19-6 record after a 4-1 win Friday over the St. Louis Blues.

It’s not something they say they’ve accepted, though.

It’s been a humbling experience, naturally, but there’s also been a sense that all the losing will harden the youngest Ducks players for what comes next in their careers. It’s been a character-building exercise, according to 22-year-old left wing Max Comtois, the Ducks’ leader with 10 goals.

“At the end of the day, we always want to win and it’s hard on the morale when you lose,” Comtois said. “If we were winning every hockey game, we would think that playing in the NHL would be easy, so I think it’s good for us. We’re trying to rebuild here and trying to push forward.

“It’s only going to build our character. Now we know how the taste of losing is. We’re just trying to push back and play as hard as we can. In the future, it’s going to turn around and we’re going to start winning.”

At the moment, certainly from the outside, it seems like a leap of faith to believe the Ducks will be an elite team again. A return to the days when division championships and deep playoff runs were an annual rite of spring at Honda Center seems as far off as a trip to another galaxy.

Good times tend to follow bad ones, if you follow the right path, according to Eakins. Some might question whether the Ducks are on the right path, given their lowly standing in the NHL. Or on any path, for that matter. But that’s a subject for another day, another round of questions.

“Adversity reveals character,” Eakins said. “It reveals who you are and if you’re ready to dig in. In the same breath, it can build it. It’s the tough days in your life, the adversity in your life, climbing up that mountain rather than taking a walk around it, that’s what builds that grit, that character.”

Eakins said he sees better days ahead for the Ducks precisely because they have gone through some difficult times and he expects everyone to have learned great lessons from them. Giving up isn’t the answer. Nor is accepting one’s fate, even during a lost season like this one.

“Everyone thinks we’ve got choices to make on how to play or how to get fitter or how we’re going to go about our day,” Eakins said. “There’s no choice. There’s one. You do exactly what is required, and that’s it. So, yeah, I think Max is bang on. Once we get on the other side of this, we’re going to look back on this tough, tough time for our organization and I think we’re going to be glad we went through it.

“I know it’s hard on our fans and the people around us to go through it. But I do think it is necessary and one day we’re going to look back and actually be grateful that we did go through this to callous our brains.”

DRYSDALE UPDATE

Jamie Drysdale practiced Saturday with his teammates at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, one day after the rookie defenseman was forced from Friday’s game with an unspecified upper body injury. Drysdale left the ice after an awkward collision with the Blues’ Jacob de la Rose in the first period.

“He practiced with us this morning,” Eakins said. “I spoke to him before practice started, and he seemed fine and got through practice well. I’ll swing back with our medical guys and see what their take is. Any time you see a hit like that, we’re obviously going to be very cautious with it.”

Ducks at St. Louis

When: 2 p.m. PT Sunday 1206955 Arizona Coyotes The Coyotes and St. Louis Blues are both on 37 points and tied for fourth place, with the Blues having played one less game and were idle on Saturday.

Kessel's hat trick, Hill's shutout help Coyotes roll to win over Sharks Goal of the Game

Kessel got a natural hat trick, three straight goals with no teammate or Jose M. Romero opponent scoring between them. Here's all three:

Three Stars

Phil Kessel is on a roll, and with it, the Arizona Coyotes are on a bit of Third star: Keller. Earned his eighth career three-point game and first one themselves. more than a year. Took over the team lead in scoring with 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists). Kessel scored his seventh career hat trick to run his point streak to a season-long five games, with five goals in his last three games, and Second star: Hill. Big first period, and the second shutout for a goalie for goalie Adin Hill shut out the San Jose Sharks with 34 saves in Arizona's the Coyotes this season. 4-0 win Saturday night at Gila River Arena. First star: Kessel, who leads the team with nine third period goals this The Coyotes' fourth win in five games and third straight win overall lifted season. Twelve of his 14 goals this season have come at home. them into a tie for fourth place and a playoff spot in the West Division. 'Toc' Talk

"It was a blast, obviously it feels good. I had an empty netter and a lucky Inside the Arena one in front of the net, but I’ll take it," Kessel said. "It’s nice. When it's going in, it’s a good feeling. Hopefully it continues and we can keep The Coyotes wore the Reverse Retro purple jerseys and improved to 2- winning." 2-1 in those popular threads.

The win marked the second three-game winning streak of the season for Coyotes Faceoff the Coyotes (16-14-5), who got a goal and two assists from Clayton Keller. Up Next

Hill started in goal, the first back-to-back set of NHL games he has ever The Coyotes embark on a nine-game road trip that will take them to five started on consecutive days. He faced just 22 shots with 20 saves on different cities. First up, at Colorado Avalanche on March 31. Arizona is Friday, but stopped 17 shots in the first period alone on Saturday on his 2-3-1 this season against the Avalanche and has been outscored 21-14 way to his second career shutout. in those six games.

"I actually felt pretty good, my body felt good when I woke up (Saturday) Arizona Republic LOADED: 03.28.2021 morning," Hill said. "The guys had a great game (Friday) night which helped out for sure, but yeah, it felt good. ... It wasn't a big deal at all. I know my body can handle it."

The Sharks were faster to the puck, had more offensive zone time and outworked the Coyotes in the first period. But despite being outshot 34- 27 for the game, the Coyotes produced results with fewer opportunities.

In the second period, Keller — who has a point in five of his last six games — scored his 11th goal of the season on a 2-on-1 rush. He looked off a centering pass to Kessel and took the , giving the Coyotes a 1-0 lead.

Keller, who had two assists, surpassed Coyotes Rick Tocchet for 13th-most goals scored in Coyotes history.

Later in the second, after Lawson Crouse drew a holding penalty for a Coyotes power play, Kessel scored on the power play with assists from Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keller, and a helpful screen in the crease from Christian Fischer.

Ekman-Larsson, the Coyotes captain, picked up his 15th assist of the season and passed Jeremy Roenick and Laurie Boschman for the eighth-most points in franchise history at 379.

Kessel made it 3-0 with just under six minutes to play when he stuffed in a loose puck under Sharks goalie Devan Dubnyk's pads, and his hat trick came with Dubnyk out of the net and 2:32 to play in the game. Kessel has eight points in his last five games and his 14 goals lead the Coyotes.

"I just think it’s shooting the puck and getting people in front of the net, and I think it’s loosening people up," Tocchet said. "We still have to make sure we defend the puck, though. That’s still a work in progress with our team. That’s something that we have to get better at if we’re going to be in this thing, but it’s nice to know that we’re scoring some goals and don’t take it for granted."

Arizona lost center Johan Larsson to a head injury at the 12:58 mark of the third period, when he took a crunching hit away from the puck from San Jose's Kurtis Gabriel. The Sharks forward drew a five-minute major and a game misconduct. Larsson was helped off the ice and went back to the locker room for the duration of the game.

Tocchet said hopefully Larsson will be fine and able to play in the team's next game.

Defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who missed about half the third period with an unspecified injury on Friday, was back in the lineup on Saturday. 1206956 Arizona Coyotes

Christian Dvorak scores twice, Coyotes beat Sharks

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS MARCH 26, 2021 AT 10:25 PM

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Christian Dvorak scored twice to lift the Arizona Coyotes over the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Friday night.

Nick Schmaltz, Dryden Hunt and Phil Kessel also scored for Arizona, and Adin Hill stopped 20 shots. The win moved the Coyotes within two points of St. Louis for fourth place in the West Division.

Tomas Hertl and Patrick Marleau scored for San Jose. Marleau’s goal was the 564th of his career, tying him with Mats Sundin and Joe Nieuwendyk for 23rd in league history. Martin Jones stopped 23 shots,

The teams meet again Saturday night in Glendale.

Dvorak took over the team lead in goals with 11. He opened the scoring 6:20 into the game off a pass from Conor Garland — part of a period when the Coyotes outshot the Sharks 12-4.

Hertl’s short-handed goal tied it 1:54 into the second period. He went in alone on Hill just after Garland hit the post on Arizona’s power play, with San Jose’s Mario Ferraro in the penalty box for holding.

Schmaltz redirected Ilya Lyubushkin’s shot from the point to beat Jones with 1:16 remaining in the second period to put the Coyotes ahead 2-1. Dvorak made it 3-1 with an unassisted goal 7:48 into the third.

Kessel celebrated his 1,100th career game with a power-play goal midway through the third. San Jose was assessed a bench minor for delay of game when the Sharks appealed for goaltender interference on Hunt’s goal.

Marleau’s power-play goal, with Schmaltz off for boarding, came with 7:30 to play.

CONGRATULATIONS

Kessel became the 201st player to reach 1,100 career games. Well ahead of him on the list is Marleau, who can tie Mark Messier on Saturday for second place in most NHL games played with 1,756. That would put him within 11 of all-time leader Gordie Howe.

INJURY REPORT

Arizona placed its third player on injured reserve this week Thursday when center Tyler Pitlick went down with an undisclosed injury.

Pitlick, who last played Tuesday against Colorado, joins defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson and goalie Antti Raanta, who last played Monday. Arizona was already without its No. 1 goalie, Darcy Kuemper, who was injured last week.

The Sharks’ Logan Couture, who left San Jose’s game against Los Angeles on Wednesday night with an upper-body injury, started at center on Friday. Couture entered Friday tied with Evander Kane for the Sharks’ lead with 14 goals and has played in all 32 Sharks games this season.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206957 Boston Bruins With an extra attacker on the ice for Boston amid a delayed penalty, Grzelcyk curled high into the zone from the right wing wall and nailed in a 45-foot wrister, thanks in part to Charlie Coyle’s screen at the top of the Craig Smith’s late goal helps Bruins extend Sabres’ losing streak to 17 blue paint. Coyle is becoming a screen machine of late. He posted in the games slot to aid a pair of goals in Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the Islanders.

Smith’s goal was his second in three games, after going 10 straight without a strike. Parked off the top of the crease (net presence), he By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff ,Updated March 27, 2021, 5:15 p.m. popped home an easy forehander when the puck squibbed free off the efforts of David Krejci and Ritchie around the left post.

Next up: Devils at TD Garden on Sunday, 5:30 pm faceoff. Followed by The action will come fast and furious for the Bruins this week and won’t three more home games over five days: Tuesday, Thursday, and relent for the remainder of the season. The playoffs are on the horizon, Saturday. Spring has arrived, with plenty of harvesting to do. albeit with the April 12 trade deadline creeping up with the potential that the Black-and-Gold roster will change before the second season begins. Sending 'em home happy!

Meanwhile, there are points to harvest, and the Bruins stashed away 2 Smitty's winner late in the third period is your @JagermeisterUSA Shot of more Saturday afternoon with a 3-2 trimming of the hapless Sabres at TD the Game!#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/rmBq8gUUgT Garden, tucking Boston a little more comfortably into the No. 4 spot in the NHL East. — Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 27, 2021

Craig Smith snapped a 2-2 deadlock with 3:50 to go in regulation with his Boston Globe LOADED: 03.28.2021 sixth goal this season and Dan Vladar, making only his second career start in net, turned away 25 shots, with the Bruins outshooting the Sabres, 15-3, over the final 20 minutes.

The loss extended Buffalo’s winless steak to 17 games (0-15-2), leaving the disintegrating sons of Punch Imlach buried at the bottom of the league’s overall standings (6-23-4). The Sabres held a lead (2-1) after two periods for only the seventh time this season, only to fizzle on the launch pad yet again, barely able to advance the puck over the center ice red line for the entire third period.

It took the Bruins really until the third period to put significant pressure on the opposition’s net — a bugaboo of late — and the Sabres folded under the pressure.

“Obviously, I’m happy they got rewarded when you’re trying to preach something . . . every coach in the league probably talks about net presence,” said Bruins coach , who was peeved during a break in Friday’s practice when seeing a listless effort around the net. “When it happens for you, it’s a lot easier to back it up with your own eyes and through video that, ‘Hey, this is the way that goals are scored.’ ”

The Bruins finally pulled into a 2-2 tie on Nick Ritchie’s strike 5:22 into the third. Charlie McAvoy dishing in a short pass that ticked off a Rasmus Ristolainen skate blade before Ritchie made the short forehand putaway.

It was Ritchie’s first goal since March 5, and only his second since Feb. 25. But the goal was all McAvoy, the ex-BU defenseman twice whirling furiously around Buffalo’s cage while shopping for a pass or shot. He chose pass, intended for Smith, only to see it ricochet off Ristolainen and end up getting cashiered for Ritchie’s ninth of the season.

“Oftentimes when I play — this may sound dumb — but I’m not thinking, or overthinking,” said McAvoy, explaining his thought process on that attack. “I’m just trying to find space, find a play, and make it . . . There, I was looking for open space. When you get skating, it can create confusion. I’m playing off my instincts and trying to make a play.”

The Sabres carried the 2-1 lead into the third off goals from (PPG) and Kyle Okposo. Reinhart cashed in off a Bruins miscue only 2:01 into the first, as he was fed the puck directly by Vladar, who was behind the net and looking to deliver the biscuit into the Sabres’ right wing corner. Bruins rookie Jakub Zboril missed a chance to spear it, allowing Reinhart to grab it and then walk out front for the gimme.

“In fairness, it looked bad on [Vladar], but he fired the puck right by Zboril,” noted Cassidy. “You’ve got to be prepared to handle that. Now, on the penalty kill, maybe the defenseman thinks [Vladar] is going to rim it. But if that’s the case, then don’t present yourself [as an option]. That’s a shared responsibility.”

Vladar faced 26 more shots, stopped 25, and looked increasingly confident.

“I thought he responded well — you don’t know what the young guy will feel,” said Cassidy. “Would it get in his head or park it? I thought he did a good job parking it, made some good saves.”

The Bruins, their offense sputtering the last month, countered in the first two periods only with a Matt Grzelcyk goal that temporarily pulled the Black and Gold into a 1-1 tie 11:41 into the second. 1206958 Boston Bruins Bruins fans only have to flip the calendar back to March 5, the night at the Garden that Tom Wilson put a running shoulder into Brandon Carlo’s head at 18:30 of the first period. The referees, Dean Morton and Pierre NHL responded quickly to Tim Peel/hot microphone episode Lambert, made no call on the play, which had Wilson’s brutish right shoulder hammering Carlo’s head into the glass. No call. Not even a minor.

By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,Updated March 27, 2021, 12:59 p.m. Thankfully, the league’s Department of Player Safety caught up with Wilson the next day and ran him out of the rink for the next seven games.

None of which took the sting out of Carlo’s brain injury. Tim Peel was fired by the NHL after 20-plus years as a referee. In the moments leading up to the hit, Wilson twice tagged Trent Frederic The NHL, with a history of being slow to come around at critical times, with heavy hits along the wall. One or both could have been called, if proved this past week it is capable of bullet-train-like alacrity, bouncing either “Do Nothing” Morton or “Nothing Doing” Lambert had seized the veteran referee Tim Peel less than 24 hours after he self-immolated with moment and realized Wilson was operating with a hunting license. Then the help of a hot microphone. they missed his big pop on Carlo. In the span of about 10 seconds, they displayed no feel and no judgment. Tidy bit of work that. Thankfully, If only the league could be so forthright on a consistent basis — like, say, neither said anything egregious caught on tape. two years ago this April when referees Dan O’Halloran and Eric Furlatt gift-wrapped the Sharks a Game 7 playoff win over the Golden Knights Peel, whose 2019-20 season was cut short in December when he with an atrocious errant call against Vegas’s Cody Eakin. suffered a fractured ankle on the job, was due to call the final game of his career April 24. Instead, the league ran him off to the badlands Or, say, how league general managers, governors, and executive suits Wednesday morning. His faux pas in Nashville will be both footnote and painfully and negligently dragged their feet not for days, not for weeks, lasting embarrassment to his career. not for months, but for years in dealing with head shots. It took Matt Cooke’s running shoulder check to Marc Savard’s noggin in March 2010 “There is no justification for his comments,” noted director of hockey for the Lords of the Boards finally to legislate against targeted hits to the operations Colin Campbell in the league’s media release, “no matter the head. context or his intention, and the NHL will take any and all steps necessary to protect the integrity of our game.” The concussed Savard played only 32 more games before he was forced to call it quits. Cooke played another four-plus seasons before leaving Two years ago, after the botched call by O’Halloran and Furlatt, both the game at age 36, body and mind intact, with 1,135 penalty minutes continued their careers. Golden Knights GM George McPhee said the chiseled into his résumé. league quickly followed with an apology (believed to be from commissioner Gary Bettman). O’Halloran retired after one more season; Peel, 53, and with 20-plus years and some 1,350 games on the whistle, Furlatt remains on the job. on Tuesday night tagged Nashville’s Viktor Arvidsson with a two-minute minor for tripping Detroit’s Jon Merrill. It took years for his prolonged concussion symptoms to subside, but Savard is back in Ontario and enjoying retirement after spending last It was an unnecessary, ticky-tack call. Peel knew it. In fact, he admitted season as a member of the Blues’ coaching staff. it, out loud and into a microphone, and got himself sacked for it. Carlo, finally back skating this past week, hopes to return soon to the The only solace in it all is that words matter, which is something, in this Bruins’ lineup. high-tech audio age, that no doubt will derail the career paths of other on- ice officials, players, coaches, or anyone connected to the game who Hockey is a game full of emotions, snap decisions, missteps in judgment, unfurls a loose tongue in an unfortunate moment. and human error, mistakes of thought, deed, and word.

A reminder that the tape, both video and audio, is always rolling. Gotcha Peel didn’t get canned for a ticky-tack call, but rather his mistake in and gone. Peel, it should be noted, was failed by a member of the blurting it for all to hear. Otherwise, he submitted good time and game’s tech crew who didn’t mute his microphone. performed good work for more than a quarter-century. The league didn’t have to brand him a loser on the way out the door, especially when Less than three minutes after the call on Arvidsson, the Predators TV league bosses know how the game’s been called for decades. broadcast picked up Peel saying, “It wasn’t much (read: ticky-tack), but I wanted to get a [expletive] penalty against Nashville early.” By dismissing him so abruptly, at least let’s hope the league indeed has set a new standard, one that will have everyone, executive office That didn’t play well to anyone’s ear, obviously, because it painted Peel included, paying the price for bad calls, poor judgment, and willful potentially as a prejudiced, unfair arbiter. Here in the dawning age of pro negligence. Even in cases without incriminating audiotape. sports gambling, such words could trigger a riot. ON THE SKIDS Keep in mind, many of us (hand way, way up here) often criticize NHL referees, particularly those with little experience, for not using feel or Nothing doing in Buffalo instinct relative to the rulebook and their ability to manage games and The Sabres, in town for Saturday’s matinee setback, extended their keep play under control. mind-numbing skid to 17 games, an 0-15-2 stretch which dated to their Only Peel knows exactly what he was doing or how he felt in the last win, Feb. 23 vs. the Devils. The drubbing has included five shutouts moment. Maybe he does have some underlying grudge for Predators and a minus-44 goal differential (71-27). players or coaches. If so, then he was fired with appropriate cause. Case Come the end of Thursday night’s 4-0 whitewashing in Pittsburgh, Taylor closed. Next man up in stripes and whistle. Referees really are the only Hall was casually saying, sure, he’s up for a deadline deal if rookie GM people in the rink who can’t deal in grudges. Everywhere else, great, finds a taker. Ya think?! Even at $8 million for the season, because it feeds into the emotion we love. the former Hart Trophy winner must feel like a trapped in that lineup. It’s also quite possible, even likely, Peel was living to that unofficial Since winning the MVP (Hart) with the Devils in 2018, Hall collected 106 “game management” standard that so many of us demand, even expect, points in his 130 games leading to Saturday’s faceoff. Most Cup from the refereeing crew. Part of that unwritten code is for the referee, or contenders will kick tires, including the Bruins, who would drop Hall at referees, to make clear what will or won’t be called. When implemented David Krejci’s left wing and then figure out how the rest of the parts fit. under best intentions, it can be a referee’s way of dialing down a game’s temperature, or not allowing it to boil over into head shots, aggravated As for what the Sabres can expect in return, not a lot, unless one of the stick violations, or fights and injuries. top dogs in the hunt feels he can be the tipping point in winning 16 playoff games. The Oilers, Hall’s home for six seasons before Peter Some of the game’s great referees, Wally Harris and John McCauley Chiarelli wheeled him out for , lack scoring punch after the among them, controlled the game with feel the way Picasso worked a dynamic Connor McDavid-Leon Draisaitl duo. He’d make the Oilers canvas with brush. Refereeing done right is an art form. A ticky-tack call better, but by no means a favorite. here and there can be essential brush strokes. The Islanders have lost top left winger Anders Lee with a blown ACL. No “She happened to be, at the time, one of our best defensemen,” said chance he is back until next season. So Lou Lamoriello has the need and Kampfer. “It was great to see Rachel go on and do great things. And it’s the financial wiggle room. He is also a wise negotiator, which means he nice to see the girls back home now, who are family friends of ours that won’t overreach for Hall, who will hit the UFA market July 28 for a second are playing, doing great things, as well.” year in a row. Rask still waiting for No. 300 If the Oilers make a play, look for that to happen in the next few days rather than up against the April 12 trade deadline. Anyone entering Tuukka Rask is sitting on 299 career wins, but was injured on Thursday, Canada to join an NHL team must endure a two-week quarantine period, forcing him to sit out Saturday's game against the Sabres. leaving new arrivals a small window to fit into a lineup prior to the start of Injured again Thursday night, Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask was forced to the postseason (tentatively May 11). wait a little longer for his 300th career win. He’ll be the first Maple Leafs Meanwhile, the Sabres departed Causeway Street with only six wins draftee ever to reach the plateau and one of only 37 in NHL history to get through 33 games. But here’s the good news, as pointed out by Bob there. Waterman at the Elias Sports Bureau: In a 56-game season, they cannot The Bruins have yet to draft a goalie who has rung up 300 career wins, finish worse than a 10.7 percent win rate. but three came close: Dan Bouchard, No. 27/1970, 286 wins; Ken The expansion (1974-75) Washington Capitals, under GM Milt Schmidt, Dryden, No. 14/1964, 258 wins; Bill Ranford, No. 52/1985, 240 wins. finished 8-67-5, winning only 10 percent of their games. The Sabres can Of the three, only Ranford recorded any of his wins (52) with the Bruins. lose every game the rest of the way and the Capitals will hold serve at 10 percent. Rask, a Leafs first-round pick (No. 21), will be the third goalie in the 2005 draft class to reach 300 wins, joining Montreal’s Carey Price (No. 5, 358 ETC. wins), and Los Angeles’s Jonathan Quick (No. 72, 331 wins).

They’ve shared the ice before The three goalies with the most career wins are Martin Brodeur (691), Kaleigh Fratkin and the defeated the Toronto Six 6-2 in the Patrick Roy (551), and Roberto Luongo (489). semifinals on Friday night. The Bruins had no shot at drafting Brodeur, taken 20th by the Devils in The Bruins yielded some of their practice time at Warrior in recent days, 1990. Boston made the next pick, Bryan Smolinski. the Brighton arena playing host to the four women’s teams, including the In 1984, they made two picks, Dave Pasin (19) and Ray Podloski (41), Boston Pride, battling for the NWHL’s Isobel Cup. prior to the Canadiens picking off Roy at No. 51.

Bruins winger Charlie Coyle recalled Friday that former Harvard forward In 1997, selecting No. 1, they opted for Joe Thornton, who was followed Jillian Dempsey, captain of the Pride, was a regular at his practices in by Patrick Marleau (San Jose), Olli Jokinen (Los Angeles), and Luongo Weymouth as a young teen, and he’s often envied how well many of the (Islanders). women players skate. Loose pucks “Hockey’s for everyone, and they’re not an exception,” said Coyle, 29, whose sister Jess also grew up playing hockey in Weymouth. “I wish I The Bruins and Canadiens haven’t faced one another in more than 13 could skate like they do — they’re so smooth, and there’s some good months. David Pastrnak connected for a hat trick and skill.” scored once in the 4-1 win at the Garden Feb. 20, 2020. Nick Suzuki potted the lone goal for Claude Julien’s CH charges . . . Your faithful Coyle recalled his Weymouth mite team, some 20 years ago, was puck chronicler noted here recently, following a Rangers shellacking of backed by Kristen Conners, who later led Fontbonne Academy to a state the Flyers that had the Blueshirts up, 9-0, after 40 minutes, that it was title at TD Garden with four consecutive playoff shutouts. Bruce Cassidy’s Capitals who last held a 9-0 advantage in the second “She was best in the league,” said Coyle. “We won the championship that period: Jan. 11, 2003 vs. Mike Keenan’s Panthers. Jaromir Jagr scored a year, and it’s good times looking back. We didn’t think anything of it, you 3-4—7 bounty through two periods and then, per Cassidy, shut it down know, she was just one of the team members and played a big role and for the day, despite being in position to chase a mark that Cassidy could helped us.” not recall. It was likely Darryl Sittler’s 6-4—10 motherlode against the Bruins on Feb. 7, 1976. Sittler, with Dave Reece in the Boston net, In his middle-schools years, one of Coyle’s teammates was Dempsey’s slammed home hat tricks in the second and third periods at Maple Leaf brother, and they’d routinely accompany each other to practice on the Gardens. A little more than 45 years later, the 10-spot stands as the most boys’ team. points collected in a single game. Opposing netminder that night: Wayne Thomas . . . Marc Savard, by the way, is back home in the Kingston, “She’d come out there and show us up pretty much,” noted Coyle. “She Ontario area and spends some of his hours raising money for concussion competed with us, fit right in, if not better than most of us.” research. Check out his shopping website, p91shop.com, for details was rarely an option, or even a thought, for girls in about purchasing hats, hoodies, and T-shirts as a way of helping the Massachusetts through the 1970s and into the ’80s. Baby Boomers grew cause. up in the Bay State believing that hockey was exclusively a boys’ sport. Boston Globe LOADED: 03.28.2021 Girls, if they chose to skate, almost exclusively tooled around in standard white high-laced figures.

Thankfully, that’s all changed, perhaps underscored best in 1998 when the United States beat Canada for the Olympic gold at Nagano, the first time women’s hockey was part of the Games. A good number of those US women developed their games by playing on mixed-gender teams, or sometimes forcing their way onto boys’ teams.

Bruins defenseman Steven Kampfer, who made a point to give the Isobel contenders a shout-out this past week before a Zoom session with media members, grew up in Jackson, Mich., just west of Ann Arbor. When he began youth hockey in the mid-’90s, it was a given that boys and girls played on the same teams.

“At age 6-8, you’re not even thinking about it,” said Kampfer. “You’re getting dressed and playing hockey with your teammates. We talk all the time about hockey being for everybody, anybody can play, and it was fun. You make a lot of relationships through hockey and in sports.”

One of the top players in his age group, recalled Kampfer, was Rachel Davis, who went on to play defense for Ohio State about the same time he was playing at Michigan. 1206959 Boston Bruins since suffering a fractured hand in the Feb. 21 outdoor game at Lake Tahoe. He paired with Steve Kampfer and logged 18:32 in ice time.

Boston Globe LOADED: 03.28.2021 Brad Marchand added to NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list

By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff, Updated March 27, 2021, 5:50 p.m.

Brad Marchand was added to the Bruins' COVID-19 list Saturday.

The merry-go-round that is the Bruins’ roster had another sudden hiccup Saturday morning when veteran left winger Brad Marchand became a lineup scratch upon testing COVID-positive.

Marchand, the club’s leading scorer (12-22-34), immediately joined fellow wingers Sean Kuraly and Jake DeBrusk on the league’s protocol list and all three were unable to suit up for the 3-2 matinee win against the Sabres at TD Garden.

“I’ve got to tell you, if you’ve coached in the American [Hockey] League, which a lot of guys have in this league, you’re used to guys coming and going,” said coach Bruce Cassidy, whose lineup has been prey to injury and bad test results the first two-plus months of the season. “So you deal a little bit with those situations — so there is a little bit of history, you just get used to it, move on to the next player.”

Rookie winger Trent Frederic slotted into Marchand’s spot on the No. 1 line with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. The line generated 10 shots (two by Frederic); Bergeron and Pastrnak each had an assist.

No telling how long Marchand, 32, will be in protocol. In a number of cases across the league, players have returned after a one-day absence, when it was found that the initial positive test proved to be negative.

Kuraly and DeBrusk have not been so fortunate. Kuraly went on the list last Thursday and was joined the next day by DeBrusk, who was among three others also to be forced onto the “unavailable” list. The others — David Krejci, Craig Smith, and Pastrnak — all were back in the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Islanders and again were in action Saturday against the Sabres.

Krejci moved into Marchand’s spot on the right wing half-wall on the No. 1 power-play unit. And Frederic saw some time on the No. 2 unit, riding with Charlie Coyle and Smith. Chris Wagner picked up some time killing penalties, pairing with Bergeron.

“As I told the group today,” Cassidy said prior to the matinee puck drop, “ ‘Listen, on average, [Marchand] plays 19 minutes — that’s 19 minutes of opportunity for someone else . . . so step up and grab it.’ Every player in that room probably wants more responsibility. No one ever comes to me and says, ‘Play me less, coach.’ It’s always that they want more.”

Surgery ends Moore’s season

John Moore won’t return this season to the Bruins’ back line. The club announced late Saturday morning that Moore, 30, elected to undergo surgery to repair a torn hip labrum.

Moore, who signed as a free agent in 2018, underwent the arthroscopic surgery Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

Moore, a candidate to be left exposed for the Seattle expansion draft in July, has two years remaining on his deal with a $2.75 million salary-cap hit. He appeared in only five games this season and has played in only 90 regular-season games since his arrival.

Coaches go shorthanded

Assistant coach Kevin Dean, a fixture behind the bench with Cassidy, Joe Sacco, and Jay Pandolfo, was not on the job for the matinee. According to Cassidy, Dean came into close contact with someone who tested positive and also will not be with the club for Sunday’s tilt vs. the Devils. Sacco filled Dean’s role as caretaker over the six defensemen . . . Jaro Halak will be between the pipes vs. the Devils . . . Cassidy said Tuukka Rask was at TD Garden Saturday for treatment (injured lower back), and his readiness for play will be determined at Monday’s practice . . . Karson Kuhlman underwent an MRI Friday for an injured hand after he deflected a shot with his hand Thursday night. He checked out OK, and will be able to return once pain and swelling subside . . . Brandon Carlo (concussion), out since March 5, is expected to join Monday’s workout, but Cassidy has yet to provide a firm return date for the key back liner . . . Jeremy Lauzon was back in the lineup for the first time 1206960 Boston Bruins “In fairness, it looks bad on him, but he fires the puck right past Zboril. You’ve got to be prepared to handle that as well,” said Cassidy. “Now on the PK, it’s a little more difficult where maybe (Zboril) thinks the goalie’s Smith scores late as Bruins survive scare from Sabres going to rim it. But if that’s the case, don’t present yourself. … I thought (Vladar) responded well from that. With a young guy, you don’t know if it will get in his head or park it. I thought he did a good job of parking it.”

By STEVE CONROY | PUBLISHED: March 27, 2021 at 3:50 p.m. | Vladar made 25 saves to get his second victory in as many starts. UPDATED: March 27, 2021 at 5:38 p.m. The B’s did tie it up at 11:41 of the second. On a delayed call against the Sabres, Grzelcyk wheeled high in the zone and used a Coyle screen to beat Ullmark with a wrister. The Bruins passed “Go” and collected their two points from the lowly Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. But the B’s makeshift lineup had to sweat They could not maintain the momentum, however, and fell back down by for the win at the Garden, that’s for sure. a goal at 14:12 of the second. The Sabres kept the B’s hemmed in their zone until defenseman Henri Jokiharju flicked a wrister toward the net. Craig Smith gave the B’s their first lead of the game with 3:50 left in The fortuitous rebound bounced to the left side where Kyle Okposo was regulation when, after the B’s crashed the net, he buried a loose puck to there to knock it past Vladar’s outstretched stick and the B’s had their make it 3-2. That’s how it stayed, and the Sabres had suffered their 17th work cut out for them in the third. consecutive loss. And that breeze you may have felt in the late afternoon was perhaps the Bruins letting out a collective “Pheeeew!” The B’s, however, got the job done in the end.

The B’s played catch-up most of the game, with an early Buffalo goal Boston Herald LOADED: 03.28.2021 that, combined with the B’s agonizing futility in the scoring department, gave the Sabres a shred of belief that this just might be their day.

But as much as it looked like the Sabres might be willing to do enough things to finally get in the win column, the B’s turned up the heat and snatched the game away from them. The line of Smith, David Krejci and Nick Ritchie produced both third-period goals.

“I thought we were opportunistic,” said Smith. “Some of the focus was getting in front of the net and being a little more hungry around the net.”

Indeed, coach Bruce Cassidy briefly stopped practice on Friday and yelled, “Score some (bleeping) goals by going to the (bleeping) net!”

And all three goals the B’s scored had some semblance of net-front presence.

“Obviously I’m happy they got rewarded. When you’re trying to preach something … and it happens for you, then it’s a lot easier to back it up, with your own eyes and through video, that, ‘Hey, this is the way goals are scored,’ ” said Cassidy. “Obviously we’d like to be a better rush team and we’d like to be better functioning and more efficient on the power play (0-for-4 on Saturday). But in the meantime, five-on-five, we’ve got to get some traffic. Charlie Coyle again, right in front of the goaltender (on Matt Grzelcyk’s goal in the second period). And then the other goals were just a matter of people getting there and the puck arriving on time. I’m happy for the guys. It was a battle out there. No easy games in this league. But credit to us. We played winning hockey in the third period, at both ends of the ice.”

On the winner, Smith carried the puck into the offensive zone on the rush and zipped a pass over to Ritchie on the left wing. Ritchie’s original offering was blocked but he followed the puck behind the net and batted it out to Krejci in front. Krejci’s in-tight shot produced a fat rebound and Smith finished it off for his sixth of the year.

The B’s had gone into the third period trailing 2-1 and started the stanza turning over pucks left and right. But they kept at it and managed to tie it up at 5:32. Charlie McAvoy took not one but two round-the-world tours of the Sabres’ zone. On his second one, he lost the puck briefly, regained it and threw it in front. After it went off a Sabre, Ritchie swiped it past goalie Linus Ullmark from a couple of feet out.

After Smith scored the go-ahead goal, the Sabres pulled Ullmark for the extra skater, but their hopes of ending the run of ignominy were at last snuffed out when Rasmus Ristolainen took a penalty in front of the B’s net with 25 seconds left in the game.

The day started off rather ominously for the B’s when Cassidy announced in a pre-game press conference that Brad Marchand had been placed on the COVID protocol list.

Then things went from bad to worse when the game started. Connor Clifton went to the box for elbowing at 1:16 and, on the ensuing power play, the Sabres took a 1-0 lead on a Bruin gaffe. Dan Vladar, in his second NHL start, played the puck behind the net on a clear-in and had Jakub Zboril in front of him. He missed him and handed the puck right to Sam Reinhart, who simply had to step out in front and backhand the puck home for a 1-0 lead at 2:01.

There was shared responsibility on that one, said Cassidy. 1206961 Boston Bruins “He’s obviously got some issues holding the hockey stick right now so he’ll be listed as day-to-day,” said Cassidy.

Jeremy Lauzon made a surprise return to the lineup, his first game since Bruins Notebook: Brad Marchand placed on COVID protocol list breaking his hand in the Lake Tahoe game on Feb. 21. He played 18:32 Joins Kuraly, DeBrusk in protocol with a shot on net and three blocks. Cassidy had originally said on Friday that he was very close but would not play on Saturday.

“I talked with Lauzy afterward and he felt ready to play. Medically, he was By STEVE CONROY | PUBLISHED: March 27, 2021 at 12:26 p.m. | cleared to play but we didn’t know if he’d had enough practice time but UPDATED: March 27, 2021 at 6:40 p.m. we decided to go that route. So I gave you some misinformation there,” said Cassidy.

With the insertion of Lauzon, Jarred Tinordi came out of the lineup. The hits just keep coming for the Bruins. Jack Studnicka also returned to the lineup with the absence of Marchand, Before Saturday’s matinee against the Buffalo Sabres, B’s coach Bruce playing 7:04 with one shot on net. Cassidy announced that first-line left wing Brad Marchand entered the NHL’s COVID protocol list. Marchand joined Sean Kuraly and Jake Boston Herald LOADED: 03.28.2021 DeBrusk, both of whom have been out of action for over a week on the list.

“You’re always going to get thrown curve balls,” said Cassidy. “We have a deep roster and the other guys are ready to go. As I told the group today, Marchie plays on average 19 minutes. That’s 19 minutes (of opportunity) for somebody else, so step up and grab it. Every player in that room probably wants more responsibility. No player says, ‘Play me less, coach.’ So here’s a day that they’re going to get some of that.”

In dealing with the uncertainties of this season, Cassidy said he’s drawn on his experience coaching in the AHL, where players are constantly coming and going.

“You deal a little bit with those kinds of situations so there is a little bit of history there where you just get used to it and move on to the next player,” said Cassidy.

Trent Frederic got the biggest chance of his young NHL career, jumping up to play in Marchand’s spot with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak.

“(The message) to Frederic was play to your strengths,” said Cassidy. “You’ve got to shoot the puck on that line. Don’t automatically defer. We talked about that (Friday) in practice. Younger guys do it all the time. And he’s going to do it today. I know there’ll be a couple of times where he’ll look to make a play where it’s 50-50 whether he should shoot or pass. And when he comes back to the bench, we’ll have to say ‘Freddy, trust your instincts. It’s never a bad play to shoot the puck.’ Teammates don’t generally get on you when you shoot the puck, unless you’re missing an obvious play. These guys are all pros … and he still needs to be physical, get to the front of the net for those two.”

While the top line didn’t score in the 3-2 win, Frederic did not look completely out of place. He landed a couple shots on net and had a big hit early on. He also got in the face of Rasmus Ristolainen after the Sabre defenseman hit Pastrnak after the whistle.

Marchand wasn’t the only one sent to the protocol list. Assistant coach Kevin Dean landed there after having a close contact. He’ll be out through at least Sunday’s game against the Devils.

Moore undergoes season-ending surgery

The B’s also announced that defenseman John Moore, who has played sparingly the last two season, elected to undergo hip arthroscopy and labral repair on March 22. He will be out 5-6 months. The surgery was performed by Dr. Brian Kelly in New York.

It has been a rough go for Moore since he signed with the B’s as a free agent on July 1, 2018. He suffered a shoulder injury in his first season with the Bruins that required major offseason surgery that cut into his second season. He never got his footing under him last season and was replaced in the lineup. Moore played just 24 games last season and was limited to five games this season.

Moore has two more years left on his five-year deal that comes with a cap hit of $2.75 million.

Injuries, etc.

There was some good news on the injury front for a change with Karson Kuhlman, who blocked a shot with his hand/wrist area in Thursday’s OT loss to the Islanders. Cassidy said an MRI revealed that there was no structural damage to the area. 1206962 Boston Bruins

Bruins extend Sabres' historic losing streak with 3-2 comeback win

BY NICK GOSS

The Boston Bruins overcame two deficits Saturday afternoon to earn a 3- 2 comeback victory over the last-place Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden.

The result extends the Sabres' losing streak to 17 games (0-15-2), which is tied with the 1975 Washington Capitals and the 1993 San Jose Sharks for the second-longest in NHL history.

The Bruins were playing without leading scorer and top-line left winger Brad Marchand, who was placed on the league's COVID-19 protocols list earlier in the day. Boston's secondary scoring stepped up with goals from middle-six forwards Craig Smith and Nick Ritchie, as well as defenseman Matt Grzelcyk.

NHL trade deadline targets: 10 players Bruins should pursue to upgrade roster

Bruins goalie Dan Vladar made his second career NHL start and picked up another victory. He made 25 saves on 27 shots.

The B's are 2-0-0 against the Sabres this season and still have six more games against Buffalo remaining on the schedule.

FINAL SCORE: Bruins 3, Sabres 2

BOX SCORE

BRUINS RECORD: 17-8-5

HIGHLIGHTS

Bruins goalie Dan Vladar misplayed the puck behind his net and Sam Reinhart made him pay to open the scoring in the first period.

Reinhart with the tally!

We'll credit Vladar with the lone assist. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/7h3MDOEbdF— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 27, 2021

Matt Grzelcyk tied the score 1-1 at 11:41 in the second period when his shot from the point made its way past Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark.

Grizzy gets us even.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/gF16K7mvsK— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 27, 2021

The Sabres regained the lead just a couple minutes later when Kyle Okposo capitalized on a rebound.

Kyle Okposo off the rebound #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/DF2v06niDb— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 27, 2021

Nick Ritchie pounced on a loose puck in front of the net early in the third period to even the score at two goals apiece.

#NHLBruins | @CMcAvoy44 pic.twitter.com/DJrR5Vz49P— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 27, 2021

Craig Smith's fourth goal of the season proved to be the game-winner for Boston late in the third period.

Sending 'em home happy!

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206963 Boston Bruins

Talking Points: Boston Bruins Pull Out 3rd Period Win Vs. Buffalo

By Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – Here are the Talking Points from the Boston Bruins 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres that gives the B’s seven out of a possible eight points in their last four games.

GOLD STAR: Big Rig Nick Ritchie has been a player that’s earned a lot of accolades for his production on the power play this season, but the big power forward made his presence felt working around the net during 5- on-5 play on Saturday afternoon. Ritchie scored in the third period hammering home a goal at the net front after a nice play by Charlie McAvoy earlier in the period, and then both Ritchie and David Krejci were winning battles at the net-front on Craig Smith’s eventual game-winner late in the third period as well. It wasn’t just the two scoring plays for Ritchie, however, as he finished with five shots on net, eight shot attempts, four hits, a takeaway and a blocked shot in his 19 minutes of ice time. He teamed with Krejci and Smith to be extremely effective against Buffalo during 5-on-5 play ant that’s a good thing. What the Bruins need to see is those guys also doing it against the better teams in the league, which they haven’t been able to do consistently.

BLACK EYE: In a season where he’s been largely invisible, Taylor Hall was that once again for the Buffalo Sabres in a one-goal game. Hall finished with zero points, a couple of shots on net and wasn’t very noticeable for most of the game as Sam Reinhart and Kyle Okposo did the offensive damage for the Sabres. Hall now has two goals and 17 points and is a whopping minus-19 on the season and has value that’s dropping both at the trade deadline, and in free agency next season when he’s got to be hoping for a hot streak to help his numbers at this point. Perhaps a team desperate for offense like the Bruins will take a chance on him down the stretch this year, but he was for from good on Saturday afternoon.

TURNING POINT: The Boston Bruins were down 2-1 after 40 minutes of play and clearly decided that Saturday wasn’t going to be the day that they hit rock-bottom and lost to the Sabres. So, the Boston Bruins went out in the third period and outshot the Sabres by a 15-3 margin while crashing the net and providing the kind of unrelenting attack that we didn’t see in the opening two periods. That resulted in Nick Ritchie scoring at the net front earlier in the third period, and then the new-look second line of Ritchie, David Krejci and Craig Smith teaming up for the game-winning goal in the final four minutes of the third period.

HONORABLE MENTION: Craig Smith displayed his usual second-effort style and energy throughout the game at both ends of the ice and was eventually rewarded with the game-winning goal late in the third period. After winning battles all around the front of the Buffalo net after a couple of shots on Linus Ullmark, the puck bounced over to Smith wide-open for the chance he buried in the back of the net. Smith finished with three shots on net, four shot attempts and a plus-2 in 17:42 of ice time while keeping the Bruins from the embarrassing distinction of losing to the lowly Sabres. Plus, Smith’s Superman goal celebration afterward was also extremely on point, so he definitely has that going for him as well.

Craig Smith is a SnyderCut guy pic.twitter.com/bXTc48tt4i

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) March 27, 2021

BY THE NUMBERS: 17 – the winless streak for the Buffalo Sabres as it continues to carry on with an 0-15-2 record dating back to a Feb. 25 loss to the New Jersey Devils. So, the Sabres have gone over a full month without a win in the NHL. Ouch.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I just thought we were opportunistic. Some of the focus was put on getting to the front of the net and being a little hungrier around the net. It was creating havoc in front and getting a lucky puck bounce there.” –Boston Bruins winger Craig Smith on his game-winning goal in the third where Smith, David Krejci and Nick Ritchie were all winning battles and pounding at the front of the net.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206964 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins’ Moore Out For Season Following Hip Surgery

By Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – It looks like Boston Bruins defenseman John Moore’s season is over before it even began.

The veteran B’s defenseman underwent arthroscopic and labral tear hip surgery on March 22 by Dr. Bryan Kelly at The Hospital of Special Surgery in New York. The expected recovery time is approximately five to six months, which means he’s going to be done for this season with the Stanley Cup playoffs expected to wrap up in mid-July at the latest.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Moore appeared in five games with the Bruins this season when the injury bug hit and notched a pair of assists but struggled defensively with a minus-3 rating in 20:59 of ice time. The latest injury continues what’s been a very lackluster Boston Bruins experience for Moore since he signed a five-year, $13.75 million contract three years ago.

Moore’s best season for the Bruins was also his first year when he totaled four goals and 13 points in 64 games for the Black and Gold, played through a shoulder injury in the Stanley Cup playoffs that eventually required offseason surgery. Since then, Moore has played in exactly 29 games and has become an extra defenseman when he’s healthy on most nights as young D-men like Jeremy Lauzon, Conor Clifton, Jakub Zboril and Urho Vaakanainen have essentially supplanted him as top-4 options for the Bruins.

And Steve Kampfer has been a more consistent option as a seventh defenseman for the B’s capable of sitting for long periods of time, and then contributing at both ends when he does get back into the lineup.

It will be interesting to see if there comes a point when the Bruins might consider buying Moore out of the final two seasons of his contract, but there isn’t likely to be any movement with him until he recovers from this week’s hip surgery.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206965 Boston Bruins If all goes well Saturday morning, then Zach Senyshyn (upper-body) will draw into the lineup for Kuhlman.

Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (broken hand) remains on injured reserve Game 30: Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres, Lines, Preview and won’t play Saturday but Cassidy said he’s ‘very close’ to returning. Fellow rearguards Brandon Carlo (concussion), and Kevan Miller (knee) continue to skate and are ‘getting closer’, as is forward Ondrej Kase By Jimmy Murphy (concussion). Defenseman John Moore (undisclosed) is recovering from surgery and is out indefinitely.

Forwards Sean Kuraly and jake DeBrusk remain on the NHL COVID List. The Boston Bruins (16-8-5, 37 pts, .638 points percentage) are in dire straits these days, going 2-2-1 in their last five games but their game –The Bruins’ powerplay went 1-for-4 on Thursday night. They are now today against the Buffalo Sabres (6-22-4,16 pts, .250 points percentage) 22-for-88 on the man advantage this season. They’re 7th in the NHL with could be just what the doctor ordered. a 25-percent success rate.

The Bruins are coming off another disappointing loss as they blew a -The PK killed off the only Islanders powerplay Thursday and remains the third-period lead and lost to the for a fifth straight best in the NHL with an 89.5 percent success rate. They’ve killed off 85 time, 4-3 in overtime in their first game in front of fans at TD Garden this of 95 powerplay attempts against them this season. season. Following the game, head coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t pull any punches when telling the media why his team couldn’t hold on for an Sabres Notes extra point in the tight East Division standings. -Things are so bad for the Sabres this season, they’ve been shutout “They played winning hockey in the third period better than we did,” more times than they’ve won! Cassidy said bluntly. “Power play. It’s a bad change and we got The Buffalo Sabres have been shutout more times than they have won frustrated late in it. Guys we rely on and leaders that I’ve praised for pic.twitter.com/Jt6q9NfyWH years here. Disappointed in not just being able to grind it out and changing when you’re supposed to. You make the plays you’re supposed — TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 26, 2021 to. It might not go in, but you keep the momentum,” said Bruce Cassidy. “Obviously they’re going to get some juice from killing the penalty, but -Since the offseason, Eichel has been a constant in NHL Trade rumors, now they’ve killed the penalty and cut the deficit in half all in a quick and the more the Sabres lose, the more the rumors start to seem real. strike. Back in February I asked Sabres and Florida Panthers fans what they would think of an Eichel for Sasha Barkov trade and was basically They need to be better in that situation. I expect better. That to me gave scoffed and laughed at by fans of both teams, well now it seems that the Islanders some life that wasn’t necessary. We didn’t defend well could be a potential trade and by all accounts, Eichel can be had for the enough in front of our net. We had to switch goalies, so that was difficult right deal. on Jaro to go into a situation like that. They finished around the net. We could have been harder, and we could have used an extra stop.” -Along with Eichel, Sabres left winger Zemgus Girgensons is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury. Forwards Tobias Reider is day-to-day. To make matters worse, the Boston Bruins lost goalie Tuukka Rask after On the blue line, defensemen Will Borgen is out until mid-April with an just one period of play Thursday and now Rask will miss the next two arm injury, and Jake McCabe is gone for the season with a knee injury. games. That’s why they must absolutely come away with two points Between the pipes, Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark are both day-to-day today and if they play their game, that shouldn’t be difficult against one of with lower-body injuries. the worst teams in NHL history. -The Sabres powerplay is ranked 14th in the NHL with a 22.9 percent When the Boston Bruins played the Sabres nine days ago, the Sabres success rate. were playing in their first game since firing now-former head coach and replacing him with Don Granato. Like the Bruins, things -The Sabres penalty kill has a 76.5 percent success rate and is ranked haven’t gotten much better for the Sabres since then as they had that 20th in the NHL. game with the Bruins last Saturday postponed and then lost three more Boston Bruins Lines times while getting outscored 14-5. They now hold the longest winless streak in the salary cap era as no team since 2005-06 has gone this long Forwards: without a win. The Sabres also remain without captain who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and is mired in NHL Trade rumors. Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak

With Rask out, Jaro Halak (7-4-3, 2.25 GAA, .915 save percentage), is Nick Ritchie – David Krejci – Craig Smith expected to get the start at least today and tomorrow. Anders Bjork – Charlie Coyle – Zach Senyshyn/Jack Studnicka

Dustin Tokarski (0-3-0, 4.11 GAA, .890 save percentage) will get the nod Trent Frederic – Greg McKegg/Jack Studnicka – Chris Wagner for the Sabres. Defense: Bruins Notes Matt Grzelcyk – Charlie McAvoy -This is the second of eight games against the Sabres for the Boston Bruins. They play again on April 13 in Boston; April 22-23 in Buffalo, and Jakub Zboril – Connor Clifton April 29 and May 1 in Boston. Last season, the Bruins went 3-0-0 against their normal Atlantic Division rivals, winning two games at TD Garden Jarred Tinordi – Steven Kampfer and one at KeyBank Arena. Goalies:

-As mentioned above, Rask is out for at least the weekend. As for the Jaro Halak rest of the Bruins’ MASH Unit, forward Karson Kuhlman had an MRI Friday after blocking a shot in the loss to the Islanders on Thursday. Dan Vladar Kuhlman was not able to hold a stick on Friday morning. Buffalo Sabres Lines “[Kuhlman] is going to get an MRI,” Cassidy said after practice Friday. Forwards: “He obviously blocked a shot last night. I think everybody saw that and he couldn’t hold his stick today. So, he’s gone to get it looked at to make Taylor Hall-Dylan Cozens-San Reinhart sure there’s nothing [structural]. I think with those smaller bones you’ve got to take a closer look,” said Bruce Cassidy. “So, he won’t play [on Jeff Skinner-Curtis Lazar-Casey Mittelstadt Saturday]. If the MRI is negative or there’s no damage, then it becomes a Victor Olofsson-Riley Sheehan-Tage Thompson comfort thing with holding a stick and I’d only be speculating when that could be.” Rasmus Asplund/Matt Irwin-Cody Eakin-Kyle Okposo

Defense: Jacob Bryson-Ristolainen

Rasmus Dahlin-Colin Miller

Henri Jokiharju-Brandon Montour

Goalies:

Dustin Tokarski

Michael Houser

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206966 Boston Bruins energy where I can — maybe get a couple laughs from some guys, and just be an overall good guy.”

Still, as many of us can relate, we can try and stay as positive as we The Boston Bruins Are Searching For Mental Balance want but it’s simply not that easy these days. That mental battle can trickle into work performance and NHL players are no different.

By Jimmy Murphy “Yeah, it’s tough. I’m pretty hard on myself to begin with and then when we’re doing this COVID stuff,” said Wagner who has just two goals and two assists and is a minus 7 in 24 games.

No Boston Bruins fan or a fan of any struggling pro sports team wants to “I mean, everybody in the world is struggling with mental health. hear this right now but the Bruins and all pro athletes are human beings Sometimes I go home and you don’t really see anybody and you just just like us. think about what you could have done better or if you’re playing tomorrow Like all of us right now, they’re navigating and many times mentally and all that and it was getting to me, for sure. And I’m sure a lot of other struggling through this pandemic just like so many are off the ice or off guys are going through it in the whole league, really. So I think you got to the court or off the field. Sometimes as fans and media, it’s easy for us to have a little sympathy for yourself for what you’re going through.” forget this and the recent reaction to the ups and downs of this unique By no means, was Wagner trying to make excuses for his tough season 56-game 2021 Boston Bruins and NHL season has been a perfect or the way the team’s played recently. Yes, they just had a COVID pause example of that. and have been ravaged by injuries but he knows they have a job to do and they’re not doing it. Still, though, those variables and the rate they’ve “I deleted Twitter a couple of weeks ago,” Bruins winger and a usual been coming at the Bruins and other teams this season is something NO fan-favorite Chris Wagner said in an honest and candid conversation with NHLer has ever faced. the media Friday. “I think it’s bad for the brain right now. And Instagram, for that matter.” “Not to say, we’re still pros, we got to show up to the rink and play our The Boston Bruins blew another third-period lead to the New York game,” Wagner acknowledged. “But at the same time, you got to be Islanders Thursday and lost 4-3 in overtime to an Isles team they are yet aware of how you’re feeling day to day and kind of mentally check to beat in five tries this season. yourself so you can be the best you can be when you get to the rink.”

Thank God Wagner is off social media because, after that loss and the Cassidy has said on numerous times that it’s been hard for him to find a team’s recent play, Bruins Twitter went into a frothing at the mouth frenzy balance on when is the right time to criticize and when to accept that late Thursday night and throughout Friday. The sharks smell blood and things are just different for everyone this season? It was easy to see how are circling for instant change. Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy hard it was for him to call his team out last night but as Wagner pointed was almost just as blunt as the fans following the loss Thursday in a rant, out, they have a job to do. As a reporter, I’ve struggled with this as well, Wagner said he wasn’t aware of due to his social media hiatus. The but one thing I’m trying to do right now is to find that balance. reigning Jack Adams Award winner called out his leadership core for the The Bruins lackluster play and at times, obvious lack of effort can’t be second time in two weeks. ignored but what also can’t be ignored is that the Bruins, NHLers and all “They played winning hockey in the third period better than we did,” athletes are dealing with the same mental fatigue while trying to give us a distraction from our own mental struggles. Cassidy told reporters. “Power play. It’s a bad change and we got frustrated late in it. Guys we rely on and leaders that I’ve praised for Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 years here. Disappointed in not just being able to grind it out and changing when you’re supposed to. You make the plays you’re supposed to. It might not go in, but you keep the momentum.

Obviously, they’re going to get some juice from killing the penalty, but now they’ve killed the penalty and cut the deficit in half all in a quick strike. They need to be better in that situation. I expect better. That to me gave the Islanders some life that wasn’t necessary.”

The preseason favorite to win the new East Division in the realigned COVID NHL, Cassidy’s Bruins have looked like anything but a favorite in the month of March going 4-3-3 and just 2-2-1 in their last five games. Heading into action Friday night, the Bruins were starting to cling to the final playoff spot in the East, with surging New York Rangers on their tails, just three points behind.

Thankfully for the Boston Bruins (16-8-5, 37 pts) they’ve got four games in hand on the Rangers (15-13-4, 34 pts) and are also way ahead in points percentage, a stat fans should start paying attention to more often. With so many teams still having to make up games due to NHL COVID Protocol – the Bruins being one of them – there is an increasing chance that not all teams will end up playing 56 games and therefore points percentage would become the difference maker in the standings. Heading into game action today, the Bruins had a .638 points percentage compared to the Rangers at .531 percent. The Bruins have also played the least amount of games.

With the April 12 NHL Trade Deadline looming and rumors flying that only makes the temperature rise even more under the collective Bruins hot seat and on Friday, Wagner admitted, they’re feeling the heat a lot more thanks to the current climate of the world and life in general. Wagner has played in just two of the last six games. Prior to Thursday, his last game was March 13 vs Rangers as he’s been a healthy scratch in four of the team’s last six games. Used to being a go-to grind line member for Cassidy, he’s not used top riding the pine this much.

“You kind of have a negative mindset,” Wagner said. “But I think when we got on the road trip, I said enough’s enough. I just wanted to be positive. I was taking warmups in Pittsburgh and Buffalo for that matter. So just trying to be a really positive guy in the room. Bring some good 1206967 Boston Bruins and Buffalo. Just trying to be a really positive guy in the room. Bring some good energy where I can. Maybe get a couple laughs out of some guys. Just be an overall good guy.”

Bruins need to find a right wing at the trade deadline: ‘What’s your 2nd At one point during Friday’s practice, all of the Bruins had trouble scoring, line look like if you don’t?’ not just the right wings. Cassidy halted one drill to deliver a cutting message.

By Fluto Shinzawa Mar 27, 2021 “Score some fucking goals by going to the fucking net!” Cassidy yelled. “Quit looking for plays that aren’t fucking there!”

Kuhlman is the latest casualty. In Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the On Feb. 21, 2020, Don Sweeney believed he had solved short- and long- Islanders, he took a Ryan Pulock slap shot off one of his hands and did term deficiencies. That day, the Bruins general manager acquired Ondrej not return. He did not practice Friday because he could not hold his stick. Kase for a 2020 first-rounder, prospect Axel Andersson and David The Bruins await results from an MRI exam. Backes. “It doesn’t help,” Cassidy said of how injuries and underperformance Kase, who had scored 23 points in 49 games for Anaheim in his fourth have compromised offense. “I’d be speculating to say if we played every NHL season, projected to be David Krejci’s right wing for the rest of game with a full lineup, where we’d be five-on-five. We brought in Smitty 2019-20 and beyond. The ex-Duck, 24 at the time, was under contract for that reason — to help us with that part of the game. And Kase, for that through 2021. After that, he would be a restricted free agent under the reason. Ondrej just hasn’t been able to fight through the injury bug. It Bruins’ control, albeit with arbitration rights. It looked like the beginning of doesn’t help when you’re losing guys in that department.” a long-term relationship. Outside help Nothing has proceeded as expected. Kase had one assist in six games before last year’s shutdown. He was unavailable for the entirety of pre- The Bruins are looking for assistance on defense. They believe that with playoffs camp because of COVID-19 protocol. cleaner breakouts, more offense will come. Mattias Ekholm fits the profile. This season, Kase was last seen teetering off the bench on Jan. 16 after taking a high hit from Miles Wood. The closest he has come to the ice This still leaves them hunting for right-wing reinforcements. Kyle Palmieri since are solo skates, Friday’s being the latest. would be a leading candidate.

“You almost have to go forward assuming it’ll be gravy if he gets back The New Jersey right wing is having a down season: four five-on-five in,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said of Kase. “It’s been a long time since goals via a 7.41 shooting percentage. Historically, it appears to be a blip. the second game of the year.” Palmieri hit double digits in goals in each of his five previous seasons with the Devils. It leaves Sweeney in what has become his annual position: in pursuit of a top-nine right wing. This year, entering the April 12 trade deadline, the Palmieri has no-trade protection, but he lives in Massachusetts in the chase is more urgent than ever. offseason. He is close with Wagner and Charlie Coyle, two of his summer training partners. He is also on an expiring contract. It means “They need a forward,” said one NHL source. “For now and for the the Bruins would not have to protect him from Seattle. If interested, they future. What’s your second line look like if you don’t?” could extend Palmieri after the expansion draft.

Pressing need The Bruins still believe they can defend with anyone. Jeremy Lauzon is close to returning. Brandon Carlo could follow. This is Sweeney’s sixth trade deadline. He has acquired at least one right wing before each of the previous five: Lee Stempniak (2016), Drew But offense is another story. Help is very much wanted. Stafford (2017), Rick Nash and Tommy Wingels (2018), Marcus Johansson and Charlie Coyle (2019) and Kase (2020). The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021

The biggest one was Nash. Sweeney dealt his 2018 first-rounder along with Ryan Lindgren, Ryan Spooner, Matt Beleskey and a 2019 seventh- rounder to the Rangers for the power forward. Nash, 33 at the time, was unrestricted after that season. But the Bruins wanted to explore an extension with Nash. All of that went sideways after Nash suffered a concussion and ended his career after a five-point run in 12 playoff games.

The following year, Sweeney was at it again. He acquired Coyle, the natural center, partly because of his ability to play right wing. Sweeney landed Johansson intending to drop him on Krejci’s right side. But Johansson became a better fit at No. 3 left wing alongside Coyle and Danton Heinen.

In 2017-18, according to Natural Stat Trick, Bruins right wings scored 59 five-on-five goals (0.72 per game). In 2018-19, they scored 56 (0.68).

Last year, with Pastrnak leading the charge with 25 five-on-five goals, right wings scored 36 times (0.51).

This season, right-wing production is worse than ever.

Through 29 games, right wings have scored 14 five-on-five goals. Pastrnak has eight. Craig Smith, signed in free agency to be the No. 3 right wing, has four. Karson Kuhlman (one) and Chris Wagner (one) are the only other right wings to score. In sum, right wings are averaging 0.48 goals per game, the lowest rate of the past six seasons.

Wagner, in particular, has hit the skids. The Walpole native, who scored 10 five-on-five goals in 2018-19, was a healthy scratch for three straight games. Thursday was his first appearance since March 13.

“It kind of ruins your day,” Wagner said of not playing. “You kind of have a negative mindset. But when we got on the road trip, I said, ‘Enough’s enough.’ I just wanted to be positive. I was taking warmups in Pittsburgh 1206968 Buffalo Sabres into making sure they're not the team on the hook for ending Buffalo's winless streak.

Mike Harrington's NHL power rankings Mike Harrington: Pegula's 70th comes on his team's 17th. There's nothing happy about it Memo to the Islanders: Would a Taylor Hall model interest you?

The mutuels are these:

Mike Harrington • The Sabres are 6-23-4 and it's 17 and counting for their winless streak (0-15-2). The longest streak in franchise history is the second-longest in

the NHL over the last 25 seasons, surpassed only by Pittsburgh's pre- A News staffer since 1987, I'm a Baseball Hall of Fame voter, a 2013 Crosby 18-game skid in 2004. inductee into the Buffalo Baseball HOF and the Buffalo chapter chair of • The Sabres are 0-13-1 in March, a franchise record for regulation the Professional Hockey Writers Association. And I insist only Chicago & New York can come close to Buffalo pizza. losses in any month, and have dropped nine straight. In fact, if they lose without overtime or shootouts to Philadelphia here Monday and BOSTON – The latest bizarre day in Sabreland started at 7:30 Saturday Wednesday, they will tie the all-time NHL record for the worst month by morning. It was a simple tweet from the Sabres' official account wishing finishing with the same 0-15-1 mark Detroit did in March, 1977. owner a happy birthday. • Avert your eyes here: The Sabres are 32 points out of the East Division As you would imagine, the salutations to No. 70 for the owner did not go lead, 23 points out of a playoff berth, 12 points out of seventh place in over very well with the fan base. their division and 10 points out of 30th place in the NHL.

Pegula isn't a social media hound. You would hope his wife/team Interim coach Don Granato was clearly disappointed after this one, as he president, Kim, and his kids, who are Twitter regulars, skipped the should have been. He got his starting goalie back, and Linus Ullmark was replies. solid with 33 saves. The Sabres, remember, haven't won since Ullmark went down Feb. 25 – when the season was still in play at 6-8-2. Oh, the replies. But the Bruins pushed hard, the Sabres lost coverage in their zone like Happy birthday to our owner, Terry Pegula! they usually do and that was that. pic.twitter.com/ywvxUi4NO3 "They were hungry," Granato said of the Bruins. "There's a lot of things — Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 27, 2021 we can look at in the film and once again make the next step. And that's Someone posted a photo of the Feb. 23, 2011, edition of The Buffalo what you take from it. We were not as aggressive as we needed to be News, the one with the giant headline across the top that read collectively. ... They elevated their intensity. We didn't elevate as we "Destination: The Stanley Cup." Someone else noted, "He's aged 20 should have." years this season." One guy who looked sharp was Ullmark, who yielded nary a rebound. Another reply wondered, "What do you get a guy who has everything You would think/hope he would be able to steal a game here at some BUT wins?" That was quickly followed with, "A President of Hockey point to end this thing. Operations" and a tweet that said, "I hope your birthday is as enjoyable "It doesn't really matter how you lose the game. It's unfortunate that we as watching a Sabres game." got some unlucky bounces," Ullmark said. "You've got to go home, Memo to the Sabres' social media team: Read the room. Just a little. This recharge, and then come back stronger for the next one." might have been the year to skip the salute to the boss' birthday. "I didn't feel panic at all. I just was in disbelief," Granato said.

The Pegulas also own the Bills, and the Bills' social media team offered a Watching Ullmark was a pleasure. Watching things such as Dahlin and similar birthday message. While the replies were cheerier there, plenty of Colin Miller looking lost in their own zone gets old. Watching Jean- Sabres vitriol spilled over. Sebastian Dea start the game as the No. 1 center is the kind of thing that The Wraparound: Streak hits 17 as late goal sinks Sabres in Boston makes you wonder if anybody knows what they're doing.

The Wraparound: Streak hits 17 as late goal sinks Sabres in Boston At least Granato showed he hadn't completely lost his mind and got Dylan Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt plenty of time at center later on. The Sabres were 20 minutes away from snapping the winless streak that These games are free reps for them. Get them as many as you can. has stretched more than a month. Instead, they gave up two third-period goals and suffered a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. No more top-six roles for Jean-Sebastien Dea. Please.

There's nothing happy about this franchise right now, and saying On another dark day for Sabres, Terry and Kim Pegula don't offer a lot of anything remotely nice about ownership was just asking for trouble. real answers

Kind of like starting to think this hockey team might actually win a game. On another dark day for Sabres, Terry and Kim Pegula don't offer a lot of real answers You were waiting for bad things to happen Saturday, even after the Sabres put together two periods of good play. Sure enough, things As it turned out, Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula raised more turned sour. A 2-1 lead turned into a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in TD questions than they Garden, in a game decided by Craig Smith's goal with 3:50 left. Of course, logic isn't in big supply in an organization that has no hockey When the final buzzer ended, poor Rasmus Dahlin took his stick in one president and has gone nine months with a rookie general manager hand over his head and pounded it on the ice. He's "up" to minus-32 in operating without an assistant GM. At least it seems that trend will end 33 games. Taylor Hall was bent over at the waist and had to be thinking, soon. "When do I get my exit ticket?" Sam Reinhart, who scored the team's first Back in June, Pegula said the organization was going to get "leaner" as power-play goal all month – seriously – kicked at the ice. the Sabres purged 22 members of the front office and hockey operations. "Obviously, we have the weight of what's going on, but we shouldn't be Then he said "effective, efficient and economic." squeezing our sticks right now," said Kyle Okposo, whose second-period He didn't want to say "suffering," but that's what he meant. goal produced the 2-1 lead. "We should just be playing free, playing the right way but trying to make things happen." The lack of organizational structure and scouting depth has drawn guffaws across the hockey world. The winless streak has just brought the The Sabres played to lose in the third period as they got outshot 15-3. A mockery further out into the open. better team clearly said, "We can't lose at home to these guys," and took charge. That's one problem here now: The Sabres are never going to get "How the hell do they let a young, inexperienced GM start without an an off night from somebody. Opponents are going to be scared straight AGM? Or deciding just now that he needs help?" former NHLer Jeff O'Neill railed Friday on TSN 1050 in Toronto, one of Canada's most- listened to sports stations. "That's amateur hour, man. That's East Coast League garbage. Come on."

Come on, indeed. That's what most people say when watching this team further embarrass the now-tattered tradition of a once-proud franchise.

Happy birthday, Terry.

Buffalo News LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206969 Buffalo Sabres The Sabres have still not specified an outlook for goaltender Carter Hutton, who exited Monday's game in New York with what looked to be a serious injury to his left leg. In general, no word means the player is likely Sabres Notebook: Granato and Ellis behind bench after false positives, to return this season. The club has been immediately forthcoming with long rides injuries that are long-term, such as the season-ending ailments suffered by Zemgus Girgensons and Jake McCabe.

"No update on Carter other than lower body and we still we don't have a Mike Harrington Mar 27, 2021 timetable," Granato said. "So the update will be when we know the timetable for that."

Wisconsin out, Weissbach decision to come BOSTON – It was a false positive and nothing more. That's why Sabres interim coach Don Granato and interim assistant Matt Ellis were kept Linus Weissbach 'not really' focused on earning contract with Sabres isolated in their hotel rooms and missed Thursday night's game in Pittsburgh. The 22-year-old former seventh-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, who is a senior at the University of Wisconsin, was named the Hockey "We had to retest and we're grateful for how the retests came out and Commissioners Association's men’s hockey player of the month for we're right back at it," Granato said in his pregame briefing prior to November after leading the NCAA in goals (5) and points (10) in eight Saturday's game against the Boston Bruins. "I was vaccinated a month games. ago, had a second shot just over a week ago now. When I got the call to stay in your room that this happened, quite honestly I didn't believe it. I Granato's brother, former NHL player and current University of Wisconsin said, 'It's not right.' coach , was an upset victim in the NCAA hockey tournament. His top-seeded team was a 6-3 loser to No. 4 Bemijdi State The Wraparound: Streak hits 17 as late goal sinks Sabres in Boston on Friday.

The Sabres were 20 minutes away from snapping the winless streak that The game also marked the end of the college career of Wisconsin winger has stretched more than a month. Instead, they gave up two third-period Linus Weissbach, the Sabres' seventh round pick in 2017. Weissbach goals and suffered a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. posted career highs this year in goals, assists and points over 31 games (12-29-41). Speculation persists that Weissbach is not signing with the "It didn't feel right. The protocols that have been in place have given me Sabres and will pursue free agency now that he's finished his four years a level of confidence that I didn't believe it was the case." with the Badgers. Granato ran his pregame meetings Thursday morning and then learned University of Michigan goalie Erik Portillo, Buffalo's third-round pick in of the positive tests, so he and Ellis had to isolate in their hotel rooms, 2019, won't get a chance in the NCAAs as Michigan was shelved from rather than coach the game. Granato and Ellis could not register the the tournament due to Covid-19 protocols. Portillo went 4-1, 1.67/.935 in required number of negative tests in time for the team plane in the seven games for the Wolverines this season. evening after the 4-0 loss to the Penguins, so they returned to Buffalo. They then took a car service Friday to Boston because NHL protocols do Minnesota defenseman Ryan Johnson, the Sabres' second first-round not allow commercial air travel. pick in 2019, played his NCAA game for the Gophers late Saturday night against Omaha. Johnson had one goal, 11 assists and a plus-13 rating Granato, who was hospitalized for nearly two months in 2019 with for Minnesota in the regular season. pneumonia and a serious bacterial infection, said he's been careful to reduce his risks. Buffalo News LOADED: 03.28.2021 "I've had no anxiety coming to work at any point this year and it's because of the protocols that are in place and how serious people around our organization take it," Granato said. "So that's been very comforting for me."

As for the long car ride Friday that forced him to miss practice, Granato joked, "Heck of a day, but I got a lot of work time on the laptop."

Appert stays for game

Rochester coach Seth Appert, who ran practice Friday in Granato's absence, stayed here and was on the bench Saturday along with Granato, Ellis and interim assistant Dan Girardi.

Appert didn't need to rush back to Rochester, because the Amerks' game Sunday against Utica was postponed by Covid-19 protocols related to the Comets. Rochester's 4-3 overtime loss Friday to Syracuse was the only game the Amerks have played since March 10.

Former Sabres and current Rochester assistants Adam Mair and Mike Weber directed the Amerks on Friday.

Granato on Staal

Granato was philosophical on Friday's trade of Eric Staal to Montreal:

"Certainly we lost a great, great person and a great leader in the locker room," Granato said. "I watched his in-between period interview the other day and he looked exhausted and depleted. I can tell you, behind the scenes, he's the exact opposite. He was amazing. Keeping guys up on the bench through this adversity and challenge in the locker room, saying the right thing.

"So for me as a coach, certainly as a new coach, I could not have asked for a more supportive veteran, experienced player around."

Staal, who was traded for a third- and fifth-round pick in this year's draft, will wear No. 21 for the Habs. He is scheduled to speak to the Montreal media for the first time Sunday.

No timetable for Hutton 1206970 Buffalo Sabres 23. Calgary Flames. Four-game skid ends early rush of Sutter hiring. (18)

24. Los Angeles Kings. Eden's Iafallo at eight goals, 21 points through 31 games. (21) Mike Harrington's NHL power rankings 25. Dallas Stars. NHL-worst 1-5 mark in shootouts. (24)

26. San Jose Sharks. Cup window closed, rebuild imminent. (25) Mike Harrington Mar 27, 2021 27. New Jersey Devils. Entered weekend 12 points ahead of Sabres. Enough said. (27)

Through Friday's games. Last week's rankings in parentheses. 28. Anaheim Ducks. Gibson helped them grind tough win in St. Louis. 1. Tampa Bay Lightning. Vasilevskiy's 12-game winning streak snapped (29) in Dallas. (1) 29. Ottawa Senators. GM Dorion goes viral with drink toss after Leafs OT 2. Washington Capitals. Six goals in five games gets Ovechkin to 723 winner. (30) and counting. (3) Sens GM Pierre Dorion chucks his drink after Toronto wins it in OT. Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) is heating up in the goals department... pic.twitter.com/yNMJxbPHEB pic.twitter.com/PwQm0BW2Q4 — TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 26, 2021 — NHL (@NHL) March 26, 2021 30. Detroit Red Wings. Would be hideous hockey if they played Sabres. 3. New York Islanders. Kevyn Adams calling: Can we interest you in a (30) Taylor Hall model? (6) 31. Seattle Kraken. They stay in until Sabres win. (31)

4. Carolina Hurricanes. Are 10-1-2 in last 13. (5) 32. Buffalo Sabres. There's no way the Kraken ever lose this many in a 5. Vegas Golden Knights. Key two-game set coming up with this week row. (32) with Wild. (2) Buffalo News LOADED: 03.28.2021 6. Colorado Avalanche. Impressive thrashing of Vegas got them even with first in West. (8)

7. Toronto Maple Leafs. Is Campbell or Andersen the No. 1 goalie? (7)

8. Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby & Co. toyed with Sabres. (13)

1,300 career points for ! With his assist on Jake Guentzel's goal, Crosby becomes the eighth-fastest player in NHL history to record 1,300 points (1,017 GP). pic.twitter.com/0BuGhwQxwY

— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) March 26, 2021

9. Winnipeg Jets. Host Leafs for pair starting Wednesday. (10)

10. Florida Panthers. Dropped three straight, fell six points out in Central. (4)

11. Minnesota Wild. Ran franchise-record home winning streak to 11 games. (12)

12. Edmonton Oilers. Triple postponement in Montreal stunted their momentum. (9)

13. Boston Bruins. Games in hand but ground to make up in East. (11)

14. St. Louis Blues. Wonderful tributes to sudden passing of legendary captain . (14)

Play for Bobby. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/trpDP68kQX

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 26, 2021

15. Montreal Canadiens. Acquisition of Staal is a low-risk, decent-reward move. (15)

16. Chicago Blackhawks. Getting Dach back would be akin to a major trade. (19)

17. Vancouver Canucks. No threat in playoff hunt because Habs have six games in hand on them. (16)

18. New York Rangers. Zibanejad burns Flyers again: First player in history with consecutive six-point games vs. same team. (22)

19. Arizona Coyotes. Rang up four goals plus three shootout goals in ex- Sabre Johansson's first Colorado start. (23)

20. Columbus Blue Jackets. Valuable points dropped with eight OT/SO losses. (20)

21. Philadelphia Flyers. Sabres might actually score on them when they hit town Monday. (17)

22. Nashville Predators. Quick streak may now delay selloff and rebuild. (26) 1206971 Buffalo Sabres Second-period blues: The Sabres have been outscored 32-9 in the second period during the 17-game skid. They were even at 1-1 in this game.

The Wraparound: Streak hits 17 as late goal sinks Sabres in Boston Rarely in front: The Sabres' leads after the first and second periods were just the seventh time in 33 games this season that they've led after each frame. Reinhart's goal marked only the 10th time they opened the Mike Harrington Mar 27, 2021 scoring.

In the house: The Bruins welcomes a socially-distanced crowd of 2,191, about 12 percent of a normal sellout of 17,000+. They were noticeable, BOSTON – The misery continues. And for the Buffalo Sabres, this one particularly during the third-period rendition of Dropkick Murphys probably hurt more than any other game during the most horrific stretch "Shipping up to Boston" that's a staple of games here. of hockey in franchise history. Next: The Sabres are off Sunday and play their next four games in The Sabres were 20 minutes away from snapping the winless streak that KeyBank Center against Philadelphia and the New York Rangers. They has stretched more than a month. Instead, they gave up two third-period start the stretch by meeting the the struggling Flyers on Monday and goals and suffered a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Craig Smith's goal Wednesday. with 3:50 to play in TD Garden. Buffalo News LOADED: 03.28.2021 Smith took a David Krejci feed to the slot and tapped the puck past Linus Ullmark to extend Buffalo's winless streak to 17 games (0-15-2). The franchise-record run is the longest in the NHL since 2003. The Sabres have lost nine straight in regulation.

The Sabres had a 2-1 lead through two periods, but the Bruins got even on Nick Ritchie's goal at 5:22 of the third. Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy kept possession for several seconds in the Buffalo end, skating a couple of wide circles before finally trying to pass the puck to the goalmouth.

It hit the skate of Rasmus Ristolainen and dropped in the crease, giving Ritchie an easy tap-in.

The Buffalo Sabres’ overhaul has begun, with the spiraling team trading veteran center Eric Staal to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.

The loss spoiled a solid effort by Ullmark, who made 33 saves in his first game since suffering a leg injury Feb. 25. The Bruins outshot the Sabres 15-3 in the third period and 36-27 for the game.

Surprise absence: The Bruins played without star winger Brad Marchand as coach Bruce Cassidy announced 90 minutes before faceoff that one of the NHL's chief pests had landed on the Covid-19 protocol list. Marchand is second on the team with 12 goals and is the leader in assists (22) and points (34).

In 46 career games against Buffalo, Marchand has 20 goals and 43 points.

"You’re always going to get thrown curve balls,” Cassidy said. “'Marchie' plays on average 19 minutes. That’s 19 minutes for somebody else, so step up and grab it. Every player in that room probably wants more responsibility. No player says ‘Play me less, coach.’ So here’s a day that they’re going to get some of that.”

Trent Frederic took Marchand's spot on Boston's top line at left wing with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak.

Memo to the Islanders: Would a Taylor Hall model interest you?

Thanks very much: Sam Reinhart opened the scoring on a power play at 2:01 of the first period, intercepting a pass from Boston goalie Dan Vladar and backhanding the puck into an empty net before the Boston goalie could scramble back into place.

The 6-foot-6 Vladar, a Czech who was Boston's third-round pick in 2015, was playing his second NHL game. He won his first one March 16 over Pittsburgh by making 34 saves.

Power play drought ends: The Reinhart goal snapped Buffalo's skid with the man advantage at 28 straight scoreless attempts. Buffalo was 0 for 22 in March and had not scored on the power play since Reinhart's game-tying tally in the third period of the Feb. 25 overtime loss to New Jersey.

Getting even: Boston tied the game 1-1 on defenseman Matt Grzelcyk's screened wrist shot at 11:41 of the second period. It came after a 20- second possession with the Bruins at 6-on-5 after a Rasmus Dahlin turnover led to Dahlin taking a hooking penalty. The Bruins got Vladar out of the net and kept the pressure on in the Buffalo end before Grzelcyk, a Boston University teammate of Jack Eichel, got the goal. 1206972 Buffalo Sabres Goal differential by period: Minus-12, Minus-19, Minus-16

Power play last 15 games: 0 for 28

After false positives for Covid-19, Don Granato and Matt Ellis are back to Power play in March: 0 for 22 face Bruins Happy birthday? That's what the Sabres' social media accounts tweeted today to owner Terry Pegula as he turns 70. A 17th straight loss might put a wee bit of a damper on the day. Mike Harrington Mar 27, 2021 Happy birthday to our owner, Terry Pegula! pic.twitter.com/ywvxUi4NO3 BOSTON – Buffalo Sabres interim coach Don Granato and interim — Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 27, 2021 assistant Matt Ellis received false positive tests for Covid-19 and had to sit out Thursday's game in Pittsburgh. They'll both be in TD Garden for Buffalo News LOADED: 03.28.2021 Saturday's matinee against the Boston Bruins – after a lot of driving to get here.

After learning of the positive tests Thursday afternoon and isolating in their hotel rooms, Granato and Ellis could not register the required number of negative tests in time for the team plane in the evening following the 4-0 loss against the Penguins, so they returned to Buffalo. They then took a car service Friday to Boston because NHL protocols do not allow commercial air travel.

"We had to retest and we're grateful for how the retests came out and we're right back at it," Granato said in his pregame briefing Saturday. "I was vaccinated a month ago, had a second shot just over a week ago now. When I got the call to stay in your room that this happened, quite honestly I didn't believe it. I said, 'It's not right.' It didn't feel right. The protocols that have been in place have given me a level of confidence that I didn't feel panic at all. I just was in disbelief. I didn't believe it was the case."

As for the long car ride Friday that forced him to miss practice, Granato joked, "Heck of a day but I got a lot of work time on the laptop. Obviously got to see our team from a different vantage point and looking forward to being back with them today."

As for Saturday's game, Linus Ullmark will return to start in goal for the first time since he was injured Feb. 25 against New Jersey. That was the first game of the Sabres' current 16-game winless streak. Kyle Okposo and Jean-Sebastian Dea will both be in the lineup (Dea skated at center in practice Friday in place of the departed Eric Staal). Tage Thompson (illness) will again sit.

This just in from the Bruins: Star winger Brad Marchand has entered Covid protocol, coach Bruce Cassidy announced at his briefing an hour before faceoff. The Bruins, of course, just came back Thursday after a three-game break necessitated when five players were on the list. Jake DeBrusk and Sean Kuraly remain on the list and are still out of the lineup.

Third-string goalie David Valadar will make his second NHL start today against the Sabres with Tuukka Rask (upper body) out for the weekend and Jaroslav Halak starting here Sunday against New Jersey.

Granato on the departing Eric Staal: "Certainly we lost a great, great person and a great leader in the locker room. I watched his in-between periods interview the other day and he looked exhausted and depleted. I can tell you behind the scenes he's the exact opposite. He was amazing keeping guys up on the bench through this adversity and challenge, in the locker room saying the right things.

"Certainly as a new coach, I could not have asked for a more supportive veteran, experienced player around. ... Sad to see him go but I'm excited for him to have that opportunity. He's given us what he could here."

By the numbers: There really doesn't need to be a lot of narrative here. The stat sheet tells the story on the Sabres' lack of pushback.

The Sabres have scored first only nine times in 32 games, going 4-3-2 in them. When they've given up the first goal? There's 2-19-2.

Current winless streak: 16 (0-14-2)

GF/GA in the streak: 25/64

Current road winlees streak: 9 (0-8-1)

GF/GA: 19/40

March overall record: 0-12-1

Season record trailing after one period: 2-13-0

Trailing after two periods: 0-20-1 1206973 Calgary Flames “If they’re not inclusive, be it gender, be it special needs, be it race, there’s way more options for young people to choose and for parents to

consider. To me, they have an opportunity to lead the way and be the Calls for culture shift in hockey echo as WHL players suspended over beacon, or they can let themselves ignore this stuff. It will be a fairly rapid racist taunts decline, I would think, if their number one sole focus isn’t on inclusivity.”

Hockey has been slower to adapt than other sports, according to Courtney Szto, assistant professor at Queen’s University’s School of Sammy Hudes Kinesiology and Health Studies.

“Whenever an athlete steps up to say their truth, it creates space for A racist taunting incident that led to two Western Hockey League players other athletes to do the same, which is exactly what we saw when Akim suspended for the remainder of the season underscores the pressing Aliu came out,” she said, referencing the former NHL player’s 2019 need for hockey culture to become more welcoming and inclusive, allegations of racist language by his coach Bill Peters nine years earlier. advocates say. “A lot of BIPOC athletes have grown up as the only one on their team, The two players, a 17-year-old from Alberta and an 18-year-old from the only one in their association. They genuinely didn’t know if other B.C., were removed from the Seattle Thunderbirds roster following a people experienced the same thing.” report they made “inappropriate racial comments and actions towards a Szto was one of the co-authors of a 2020 policy paper advocating for third player in the team locker room” a few days before the team’s March anti-racism policies in hockey. Among its calls to action, the paper 19 season opener, the WHL squad said in a Thursday statement. identified ways for governing bodies like Hockey Canada to proactively The Seattle Times reported that one of those players waved a banana at work to eliminate racism in the sport. a teammate, who is Black, last week. A further investigation revealed the It called on Hockey Canada to institute a “duty to report” in relation to player had been taunting that teammate with racist slurs since last incidents of suspected racism, to track those incidents over time, to season. collect race-based data on participation in hockey programs, and to WHL commissioner Ron Robison declined to identify the offending allocate funds to support Indigenous hockey initiatives. players involved. He said the WHL became aware when the The policy paper also called on the federal government to create an Thunderbirds contacted the league “shortly after the incident occurred.” external oversight body to receive and investigate incidents of Robison said the players are only prohibited from playing in the WHL for discrimination. Szto said victims have nowhere to report such incidents, the balance of the current season. They’ll be eligible to return next other than through their own teams and leagues. season after they’ve received additional diversity and inclusion training. Robison said the WHL recently established a diversity and inclusion He added the league plans to provide the victimized player with whatever committee that’s reviewing the league’s policies. He said the WHL is “support necessary.” working to build “additional programming in this area,” but didn’t specify “It’s obviously disappointing. We have a zero-tolerance policy for any what that might look like. form of abuse,” Robison said. “We’re dealing with players who are of young age,” Robison said. “They “Certainly racism and any comments of this nature are not tolerated. need further education, more training. They need to understand the We have extensive education programs that we conduct each season.” sensitivities to all this and how it resonates with not only their teammates, but their opponents.” All Thunderbirds players had recently completed their Respect in Hockey and Respect in Sport certification programming, which addresses issues Szto said the sustainability and growth of hockey in Canada depend on of racism and diversity. making it more inclusive to people of all backgrounds. But she said organizations must focus on more than just education. The program, made mandatory by the WHL, includes conversations about discrimination, systemic racism, unconscious biases and micro- “The question that we haven’t been able to answer as researchers yet aggressions, as well as issues related to gender equity and LGBTQ+ is, ‘How many athletes have we lost to the system because they just inclusiveness, said Wayne McNeil, co-founder of the Respect Group. decided they didn’t want to endure the abuse that they were taking?'” Szto said. Burden to Bear: Racism in Calgary (special three-part series) “We need to focus on the coaching staffs, administration, rink EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 01: Mathew Dumba of the technicians and things like that. It’s everything that supports the game Minnesota Wild speaks before the game between the Edmonton Oilers that needs to change, and can change, a lot faster. We can let the player and the Chicago Blackhawks in Game One of the Eastern Conference pool develop once we’ve created a support system that says, ‘Yeah, Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at you’re welcome here.’” Rogers Place on August 01, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. Dumba spoke about the NHL's commitment to ending racism. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 03.28.2021

Work just beginning in face of racism, says Dumba's parents

W. Brett Wilson listens to council during debate at City Council Tuesday, July 30, 2019.

Nashville Predators say part-owner W. Brett Wilson's 'race card' tweet doesn't reflect organization

“This, to me, highlights the fact we’ve got more work to do and there’s maybe some more things we can be doing differently, more constructively, around getting these kids on the right page,” said McNeil, whose organization strives to prevent bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination in sport.

“It’s not surprising. I don’t think we’re going to move the bar that quickly when it comes to racism in sport or in society in general.”

McNeil said hockey, like many sports, needs a “culture change.”

“If hockey doesn’t keep pace with the social issues that are cropping up, parents won’t be signing their kids up to play,” he said. 1206974 Calgary Flames down button-down game. Because in a track-meet, I don’t think we can get to five or six goals before they can.”

For the Hitmen, Tyson Galloway is out week to week with what the club Plucky Hitmen get solid efforts against 'world-class' Oil Kings is calling a lower-body injury, while fellow defenceman Prokop left Saturday’s game in the middle frame.

Todd Saelhof Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.28.2021

They knew the task at hand would be difficult.

After all, the Edmonton Oil Kings are perfect so far in this COVID- shortened Western Hockey League season.

Perhaps, then, this three-games-in-three-days series isn’t so much of a measuring stick for the inexperienced Calgary Hitmen but more of a chance just to gauge what a few plucky efforts might mean for them?

“I don’t fault the guys’ effort — not one bit,” said Hitmen head coach Steve Hamilton after Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the visiting Oil Kings at Tsuu T’ina Nation’s Seven Chiefs Sportsplex.

“That’s a championship-calibre hockey club — let’s be honest,” continued Hamilton of the dynamic Oil Kings. “No one’s been able to put a dent in their loss column so far … for good reason. Their top guys are world-class juniors and very impactful on the game. Dylan Guenther has a chance to be a top-10, top-five NHL pick. Those are the guys that stir the drink for them. But beyond that, there’s a lot of unheralded guys in their group that really push the pace for them.”

The green Hitmen did a solid job of keeping up Saturday, just as they did in Friday’s 4-3 loss in Edmonton.

Enough, in fact, to give them a confidence boost heading into Sunday afternoon’s affair in the Alberta capital (4 p.m. watch.CHL.ca) — and beyond.

“One hundred percent,” said Hitmen talent Sean Tschigerl, whose short-handed goal Saturday put the home-side back in the game after the Oil Kings got goals from NHL prospect Guenther and NHL draft-pick Jake Neighbours as part of three-point outings for both stars.

“(Friday) night’s game was close,” Tschigerl continued. “Then (Saturday), there were moments when it was a 2-1 game into the third period. Obviously we’re there with them. We have the ability to beat them — I know that for a fact. We just have to show up (Sunday) — win the little battles, go to the net and want it more.”

For now, the Oil Kings own a much-deserving 9-0 mark on the year.

And with Saturday’s victory, the Oil Kings have left their mark in enemy territory at all four of their rivals’ rinks in the WHL’s Alberta-only Central Division.

But the 4-5-1 Hitmen didn’t make it easy for them. Neither did they a night earlier, scoring the most goals any opponents have counted so far this year on the host Oil Kings at Downtown Community Arena.

“I thought we got a pretty good eye-opener in the first period (Friday night by getting out-scored 3-1), but we stood pretty firm,” Hamilton said. “(Saturday), we never quite got the throttle fully open — part of that is our game, and part of that is what they do to put you in tough spots.”

Riley Stotts’ goal in the third period cut into the Edmonton side’s 4-1 lead after Neighbours’ second marker of the matinee and a follow-up by captain Scott Atkinson early in the final frame. But Kaid Oliver’s insurance goal iced the game at Seven Chiefs, with Oil Kings goalie Sebastian Cossa stopping 29-of-31 shots for the win. Hitmen counterpart Brayden Peters made 40 saves on 45 shots.

On Friday, the Oil Kings opened up a 4-1 lead in the second period before a gutsy comeback — on second-period goals by veterans Orca Wiesblatt and Luke Prokop — made for a fight, with the Hitmen threatening to wreck their enemy’s perfect start. Connor Gabrush had the first-period goal for the visitors and goalie Jack McNaughton made 27 stops in that one, while Jalen Luypen had two counters for the Oil Kings in Cossa’s 26-save victory.

“We’ve gotta get timely scoring,” added Hamilton of playing the Oil Kings. “We need good goaltending. Our power play has been bone-dry. We’re not overly confident at times. We have to pretty much play a lock- 1206975 Calgary Flames “His skating ability is elite,” LaBarbera said. “He gives himself a chance to make saves because of his skating. For a smaller guy, he’s patient, he

doesn’t take himself out of position. His patience allows him to make LaBarbera impressed with Wolf's red-hot WHL start saves — he isn’t one of those guys who slides around and takes himself out of position. He’s got a pretty good base, a good structure to his game and he’s able to read the play well, obviously, and track pucks well.”

Daniel Austin Calgary Sun: LOADED: 03.28.2021

The morning after the U.S. beat Canada to win gold at the IIHF World Juniors in January, Jason Labarbera had to get to Calgary to start his new job as the Flames’ new goaltending coach.

It was a job he’d been working already for the Canadian junior team, and there was understandably some disappointment at falling short of gold.

In the passenger seat for LaBarbera’s drive from Edmonton to Calgary, though, was young Flames goaltending prospect Dustin Wolf, who happened to be on top of the world after winning the ultimate prize at the tournament with the American team.

“He wore his gold medal the whole ride back,” LaBarbera said with a laugh. “The dynamic was a little funny, just in the sense that they beat us in the final. He’s 19 — from his perspective, you’re obviously super excited because you just won a gold medal at the world juniors. For me, obviously, not so excited.”

LaBarbera had no hard feelings towards Wolf for revelling in a moment that only comes around once-in-a-lifetime for even the rarest of hockey talents.

This has been a year of big moments for Wolf.

He made his professional debut last month, for example. The delay to the WHL season meant Wolf had the chance to make three starts for the AHL’s Stockton Heat. He won two, posting a .954 save percentage in those games.

The WHL’s restart meant he had to return to the Everett Silvertips after that, though. We’ll get to his astounding start to the junior season in a second, but LaBarbera said that even making the move from pro back to junior is more impressive than more people might realize.

“He’s had a heck of a career in Everett, and to be able to go back and build off the little bit of time he had here (with the Heat), that’s pretty good,” LaBarbera said. “It’s not easy doing that when you’ve had some success at the pro level, to go back to junior. To do that is a pretty good testament to him.

“To get those few games in with the Heat and then to have to go back to junior, that’s a tough one. It’s a little bit slower, the execution level isn’t as high, the skill level’s not as high. To make that adjustment both ways is pretty good.”

Wolf hasn’t just adjusted to the junior game. He’s thrived.

Wolf entered the season six shutouts back of the WHL’s all-time record. In a normal year, that might have seemed achievable. With the Silvertips playing only a 24-game schedule, though, it looked pretty impossible.

Well, maybe not.

Wolf started off his WHL campaign with three straight shutouts, and while he did allow a goal in Friday night’s 2-0 overtime win over the Portland Winterhawks, Wolf set a franchise record for longest time in net without allowing a goal, going 216 minutes and 27 seconds.

Now, he needs three more shutouts to equal the WHL record. What once seemed impossible now looks entirely doable.

“Obviously, it would be awesome to be able to do that,” Wolf said. “But in a shortened season, it’s just my job to go out there and stop as many pucks as I can. If it ends up working out, great. If not, I mean, that’s the way things go. So just go out there and give my team a chance to win each and every night and take it day by day and see what happens.”

Whether Wolf breaks the WHL record or not, it’s been a memorable year for the Flames’ seventh round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

A gold medal at the World Juniors is a pretty nice start to 2021. Posting shutouts in three straight games to start the WHL season is a great way to keep the good times going. Winning your first game as a pro goaltender isn’t bad, either. 1206976 Carolina Hurricanes he’s out there, because whenever he does get the green light he can probably get right into it. That’s the good news. But I can’t tell you when that might be.”

Carolina Hurricanes fight past Tampa Bay Lightning in Central Division Forward Teuvo Teravainen (concussion) did some skating on his own battle Saturday. Petr Mrazek took part in the morning skate as the third goalie.

Brind’Amour said with the loss of Teravainen and Trocheck the Canes BY CHIP ALEXANDER are missing “two huge parts” of the team.

“That doesn’t get talked about enough, for me,” he added. “That’s a big huge hole that’s there,” The Carolina Hurricanes would like to play the Tampa Bay Lightning again at PNC Arena this season, and the only way that’s happening is if News Observer LOADED: 03.28.2021 they meet in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

That would be something to see, especially if it was like Saturday’s intense, hard-fought game.

The Canes and Lightning matched up for their final regular-season game at PNC Arena as the two Central Division leaders went at it for 60 minutes. The Canes emerged with a 4-3 comeback victory before an announced crowd of 4,433, moving to within one point of the Lightning for the division lead.

Martin Necas, quickly becoming an emerging star in the league, was at his flashy best against the 2020 Stanley Cup champions. The winger had two goals and two assists, twice scoring on power plays and giving the Canes (23-7-3) a 4-3 lead at 16:07 of the third with a blast from the right circle.

“He stepped up for us tonight, for sure,” Canes center Sebastian Aho said.

Aho did the same with a goal and assist. Cedric Paquette scored for the second straight game for Carolina and his second this season against his former team. His early second-period breakaway and score on Andrei Vasilevskiy got the Canes started.

The Canes took a 3-2 lead into the third, but the Lightning (24-8-2) scored 22 seconds into the third to tie it on a Mathieu Joseph goal. But Necas’ second power-play goal was the winner as defenseman Dougie Hamilton extended his point streak to 14 games with an assist.

“Coming out for the third with the lead and right away they get a goal, that could have been deflating, but these guys just keep playing,” Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said.

Brind’Amour said this week that nothing seems to faze his team. It didn’t Saturday, even after the Lightning bolted to a 2-0 lead early in the first period on goals by Blake Coleman and Pat Maroon.

The Canes’ response? Paquette scored against his former team again, and Aho scored his 15th of the season. Necas had his goal and both assists in the second period as Carolina took a 3-2 lead.

“Shift after shift we played our own game and we competed hard,” Aho said. “It was a good game by us even if the start wasn’t ideal. How we responded was a great team effort.”

Canes goalie James Reimer was beaten on a Coleman redirection and then allowed a soft goal to Maroon when he couldn’t glove a slow-moving puck in the crease.

Reimer steadied after the first two goals. Joseph beat him with a quick, top-shelf shot but Reimer had 19 saves. It also helped that the Canes limited the Lightning’s chances, limiting Tampa Bay to 11 shots in the final two periods — four in the third.

With COVID restrictions eased by Gov. Roy Cooper, the Canes were able to bring in more fans for Saturday’s game.

“Right away when we first came out I felt like, ‘Wow, we’ve got a hockey game here.’ There was a lot of energy,” Brind’Amour said.

INJURY UPDATE

Center Vincent Trocheck took part in the morning skate Saturday at PNC Arena, at times jumping into line rushes. But Brind’Amour said Trocheck, who has been sidelined with an upper-body injury, would miss an eighth straight game, saying he did not know when Trocheck would return to the lineup.

“That’s a medical question and you’ve got to pass a bunch of tests and hurdles and things,” Brind’Amour said. “Right now it’s encouraging that 1206977 Carolina Hurricanes “We passed on it,” Waddell said.

A name that intrigued some Canes fans was Eric Staal. The center helped the Canes win the Stanley Cup in 2006 and later succeeded The Hurricanes and the NHL Trade Deadline: How busy will they be? Brind’Amour as team captain. His brother, Jordan, is the Canes’ captain now. But the Eric Staal speculation, whether baseless or not, ended Friday when the Sabres traded him to the Montreal Canadiens. BY CHIP ALEXANDER But Waddell has several options. With three goalies soon to be on the active roster, he might use one as part of a deal.

The Carolina Hurricanes have been winning. A lot. To Brind’Amour, a key factor is when and if Trocheck (upper-body injury) and Teravainen (concussion) will come back. They could be a Stanley Cup contender, though there’s still a lot of work to be done and games to be won. “I don’t know why you would tinker too much more if you know we’re The Canes have put together a 22-7-3 record with goalie Petr Mrazek getting them back,” Brind’Amour said Saturday. “If they’re not coming missing nearly all of the season, forward Teuvo Teravainen missing a big back that’s a whole different story, but I think our group’s fine. I’d love to chunk of it and center Vincent Trocheck recently out with an injury. just keep it the way it is.”

“We know to take that next step, we’re going to need all these guys CANADIAN QUARANTINE A FACTOR back and playing at the level needed and expected of them,” Don It’s a different year and Canada’s 14-day coronavirus quarantine for Waddell, the Canes’ president and general manager, said in a recent those entering the country changed the equation for the North Division interview with the News & Observer. teams looking to make trades. Canada on Friday reduced the quarantine period to seven days, buying more time for Canadian teams to consider What to do at the NHL’s April 12 trade deadline? and structure moves — in essence, moving back the unofficial deadline The Canes could look to add some depth — many teams do that if they before the official deadline. believe they can make a deep playoff run. But this season, with all the “ challenges of the pandemic, has created new and different challenges, There are some impediments with the flat cap and teams may not want and severe financial strains that have assured the NHL salary cap isn’t to take on money, and going across the border is another impediment,” moving higher. Hradek said. “It’s always hard to turn big-ticket items at the deadline. If you’re trying to move a high-end player I would think you wait until you “There are a lot of things that will probably keep it from being a crazy have 30 other suitors rather than one or two because of cap issues.” day, but there are a bunch of teams that have a chance to win the The Canes were busy at the deadline last year. With Hamilton and Stanley Cup this year and they’ll be trying to do things to help their teams defenseman Brett Pesce injured, Waddell, with an eye to the playoffs, be successful,” E.J. Hradek, senior reporter for the NHL Network, said traded for defensemen Brady Skjei of the New York Rangers and Sami Friday in an N&O interview. “With that said, I expect there to be Vatanen of the New Jersey Devils. In a move that took many by surprise, movement, but I don’t expect there to be 33 trades or anything.” Waddell also acquired Trocheck from the Florida Panthers. Waddell said he has spent some time talking with other general Hradek said his understanding was the Canes were close to making a managers. “You’re always actively looking for players but ...” he said. deal to obtain goalie Henrik Lundqvist from the Rangers last year at the Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell says he is actively deadline, before the league shut down during the pandemic. Talk about a looking for ways to improve his team heading up to the NHL trade shocker. deadline on April 12. Steven Senne AP Hradek, in closing, noted he was talking on March 26 with the trade The salary cap will be staying flat next season. The Canes must arrange deadline still a few weeks away. new contracts for defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who is due to become “ an unrestricted free agent, and forward Andrei Svechnikov, who turned It seems like it’s right around the corner, which is true because it is 21 on Friday and comes off his entry-level contract this season. April 12,” he said. “But the picture could change dramatically from today to, say, April 10. That will impact things, as well, as far as how teams see While contract talks with the players will be prolonged, Waddell is closer themselves.” to signing coach Rod Brind’Amour to a new deal and bring his salary more in line with other NHL head coaches. News Observer LOADED: 03.28.2021

“It’s not a concern,” Waddell said of the talks. “Rod wants to coach hockey. It’s been a busy time. It’s a matter of time before it’s all worked out.”

Brind’Amour, in talking about the team makeup, has said he likes its chemistry this season, saying a “winning element” is always “when guys play hard for each other.” The Canes have done that this season, he said, and have been winning at times — Thursday at Columbus, the most recent example — when not playing at their best.

“For sure there’s always another level we’re trying to get to and we’re striving for that,” he said recently.

WHO’S ON THE RADAR?

Waddell has mentioned looking to possibly add a right-shot defenseman. One intriguing name that surfaced was Slava Voynov, who won two Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings when Justin Williams was a teammate.

Voynov, a right-shot defenseman, has not played in the NHL since being suspended by the league in October 2014 following his arrest for domestic violence charges involving his wife. The Russian later pleaded no contest to a charge and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years probation, leaving in 2015 to play in Russia’s KHL.

Waddell said Voynov was, indeed, discussed and Williams, now an advisor to Waddell, weighed in during the discussion. 1206978 Chicago Blackhawks Dach wasted no time creating a highlight moment, speeding up the ice on a one-man rush and putting a toe-drag deke between defenseman Ben Harpur’s leg to get a clean shot at Saros for the Hawks’ first shot on Kirby Dach makes his season debut, but the Chicago Blackhawks goal but couldn’t find an opening. stumble to a 3-1 home loss to the Nashville Predators Dach, the No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft, had eight goals and 15 assists in 64 games last season.

By PHIL THOMPSON Chicago Tribune LOADED: 03.28.2021

Kirby Dach made his season debut Saturday, looking fully recovered from a broken right wrist, but the big center couldn’t help the Chicago Blackhawks overcome a slow start and a couple of costly defensive mistakes during a 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators at the United Center.

“It felt good,” Dach said of his return. “Obviously there’s still some things that I’d like to get better at, but that doesn’t include what’s going on with my wrist and injury-wise. . It’s good to get back in the swing of things.

The Hawks entered the game riding high after two consecutive wins over the Florida Panthers, and seeing a familiar No. 77 in a red sweater had to be a huge emotional lift too.

But the Predators jumped to a 1-0 lead on Ryan Johansen’s goal 5 minutes, 10 seconds into the game.

“They outskated us in the first period,” Pius Suter said. “We didn’t win many battles — couldn’t get in battles because they were a bit quicker. We were on our heels.”

The Predators pulled off some slick maneuvers, with Eeli Tolvanen rimming a pass along the boards to Viktor Arvidsson, who backhanded a pass from the goal line to Johansen for a short-range one-timer through Kevin Lankinen’s legs.

Rocco Grimaldi padded the lead with a wrister with 7:02 left in the second period. His goal came after Luke Kunin picked off a David Kampf clearing pass, and the puck dribbled to Grimaldi in the high slot.

Suter scored for a third straight game, punching in a rebound of a Patrick Kane shot with 2:27 left in the second for his 11th goal of the season.

Any hope for a rally suffered a setback early in the third period when Kunin intercepted Calvin de Haan’s clearing attempt up the slot and connected with Mikael Granlund on a redirect goal to put the Predators up 3-1.

“You don’t want to turn the puck over ever,” coach said. “If you do it in your own end, it’s tough to recover.”

Suter nearly put in a second goal on a rebound, but it bounced around the goal line before Saros knocked it out of danger. Saros had 29 saves while Lankinen made 31.

With the win, the Predators’ 35 points put them within two of the Hawks in the Central Division. The Hawks have 21 games left.

Colliton said the Hawks can played better than they showed Saturday.

“Second and third was closer to at least the work ethic we want to have,” he said. “Maybe the execution wasn’t quite there either. But I thought they were better than us tonight.

“The good news tonight is we get a chance to come back tomorrow and respond.”

For now, the Hawks can focus on the boost Dach will provide as well as salvaging as much time as possible for his development.

Dach, 20, missed the first 34 games while recovering from surgery. He suffered the injury while playing for Canada during a world junior tournament in late December.

On Saturday, Dach played 20 minutes, 9 seconds over 18 shifts and went 4-for-6 on faceoffs. He manned the first-unit power play with Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Carl Soderberg and Adam Boqvist. The power play went 0-for-2.

“(He) was aggressive and won some races and made some plays, and obviously you can see he’s going to help us,” Colliton said. 1206979 Chicago Blackhawks Nicolas Beaudin entered the lineup in Mitchell’s stead. Defensemen Wyatt Kalynuk and Lucas Carlsson and forwards Reese Johnson and MacKenzie Entwistle were all sent down.

Blackhawks’ ugly loss to Predators spoils Kirby Dach’s surprise return Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.28.2021 Dach made his season debut after recovering from wrist surgery, playing nearly 20 minutes while centering the third line. But the Hawks struggled in a 3-1 loss.

By Ben Pope Mar 27, 2021, 9:31pm CDT

The NHL trade deadline remains two weeks away, but Saturday the Blackhawks debuted their biggest midseason addition: Kirby Dach.

Dach returned from his right wrist injury more than a month ahead of schedule in the Hawks’ 3-1 loss to the Predators.

“I never had doubts in my mind that I was going to play [this season],” Dach said. “I just put my head down and went to work that way. [It] feels good to be back, but at the same time, the feeling is a little bit moot because we lost.”

Eased back into action as the third-line center between Mattias Janmark and Dylan Strome, Dach played 19 minutes, 58 seconds with no points but four shot attempts. He also took Brandon Hagel’s spot on the first power-play unit.

He had missed the first 34 games of the season recovering from surgery in late December. Coach Jeremy Colliton said the organization initially thought it would only get Dach back for the final few games of the year. Now the Hawks can use him for their 22-game stretch run.

“We wanted to be careful not to play him too early, but ... he’s ready to go,” Colliton said. “[That’s] great for our team, but great for him individually to get in and continue his progression that’s been so fun to watch.”

The Hawks’ poor effort took much of the buzz out of Dach’s big night.

The surging Predators, 6-1 in their last seven games entering Sunday’s rematch, were on the front foot throughout. They overpowered the Hawks with a physical, hard, direct style that forced lots of turnovers and immediately sent those turned-over pucks toward Kevin Lankinen’s net.

Inexcusable defensive-zone giveaways by David Kampf and Calvin de Haan directly led to the Preds’ second and third goals.

“[The Predators] were working extremely hard,” Colliton said. “They were aggressive all over the ice. They beat us to a lot of loose pucks. They beat us at our own game tonight.”

The game gradually shifted as it went along — scoring chances were 18- 7 Preds in the first period, tied 11-11 in the second period and 11-4 Hawks in the third period — but the Preds’ lead never felt threatened.

“We didn’t win many battles — couldn’t get in battles — because they were a bit quicker,” said Pius Suter, who scored the Hawks’ lone goal. “We were on our heels.”

Dach’s return will greatly improve the Hawks’ forward depth. He’s arguably the centerpiece of the Hawks’ future core and has all the tools to be a first-line center.

It didn’t take him long — four minutes, exactly — to showcase some of those skills when he raced powerfully down the ice, deked defenseman Ben Harpur, and nearly scored a highlight-reel goal.

“I’m not going to change anything from the way I played before,” Dach said. “I’m still going to play hard and do those types of things. I’m not going to shy away from contact.”

Mitchell sent to AHL

With the Rockford IceHogs also playing back-to-back games this weekend, the Hawks got playing time for the players who otherwise would have been scratched by sending them down Saturday. Rookie defenseman Ian Mitchell was the surprise inclusion in the group.

“He wasn’t going to be in tonight, so we wanted him to play a bunch of minutes in Rockford,” Colliton said. 1206980 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks’ Kirby Dach returns from injury, will play against Predators

Dach missed the first 34 games of the season recovering from wrist surgery, but his return will have a huge impact on the Hawks.

By Ben Pope Mar 27, 2021, 6:57pm CDT

Kirby Dach is back.

The centerpiece of the Blackhawks’ future core was activated off long- term injured reserve Saturday and officially returned to the lineup against the Predators.

Dach had missed the first 34 games of the season recovering from wrist surgery in December after a freak injury in the World Junior Championships.

But he was initially expected to miss four-to-five months, putting his return optimistically in late April, so he ultimately recovered drastically ahead of schedule. He’d been practicing with the Hawks, ramping up his conditioning and physical contact, since March 8.

Dach centered a new third line with Mattias Janmark and Dylan Strome in warmups before puck drop against the Predators. He’ll be eased into action but likely move up the depth chart soon, usurping current first-line center Pius Suter and second-line center David Kampf.

The 20-year-old forward, the third overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft, demonstrated tremendous growth during his 2019-20 rookie season.

In the fall, he began training with Ian Mack, building up his muscle mass to be able to handle a 20-minutes-per-night role. He won’t be tasked with that much playing time immediately this spring, but he may well finish the season receiving it.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206981 Chicago Blackhawks Daily Herald Times LOADED: 03.28.2021

Hawks fall to Preds, but Dach's return could be a boost down stretch

John Dietz

Remind everyone in that Blackhawks locker room to never sit down at a poker table with Jeremy Colliton.

He could be sitting there with a full house or high-card 9 and his steely expression would never change.

Is he bluffing? Is he stacked?

Who knows.

With that in mind, it's no surprise Colliton never let on that Kirby Dach was going to destroy his 4-5 month timeline to return from a broken wrist by 30 days. Dach made his season debut during a 3-1 loss to the Predators at the United Center on Saturday and was perhaps Colliton's best player all night.

"We can play much better," said Colliton, who watched Nashville put 30 shots on goal through 40 minutes.

The Hawks were actually within 2-1 thanks to a Pius Suter goal at 17:33 of the second period, but an early third-period turnover by Calvin de Haan in front of the Hawks net proved costly. Mikael Granlund made it 3- 1 at 51 seconds after tapping in a perfect pass from Luke Kunin, who had snared de Haan's ill-advised clearing attempt.

The loss could be a costly one for the Hawks (16-14-5), but Dach's return is the bigger story for now.

"He did well. Skated well," Colliton said. "Was aggressive and won some races and made some plays and obviously you can see he's going to help us. And he'll keep getting better.

"So happy for him."

Colliton eased Dach in by starting him at third-line center with Mattias Janmark and Dylan Strome as his wingers. Dach kept moving up the depth chart, though, as it became clear he was outplaying nearly all of his teammates.

The second-year forward, who was also on the top power-play unit, saw more than 20 minutes of ice time. His best moment came on his second shift when he nearly scored on an end-to-end rush on Jusse Saros.

"It felt good," he said. "Obviously I have some things I'd like to get better at. There's still another level that I can take my game to to help the team win here."

Dach fractured his wrist playing for Team Canada in World Juniors in December. It was originally thought that he may play in only a handful of games, so his return is a bonus on a couple of levels.

• It figures to boost the Hawks' playoff chances as they attempt to beat out the Predators, Blue Jackets and Stars for the fourth seed in the Central Division.

• It will certainly help with his development. Getting 20-plus games in is obviously a lot better than 5-6.

"When he got hurt, we thought maybe we could get him for a few games at the end," Colliton said. "But he's worked hard at it. We wanted to be careful not to play him too early, but at the same time, he's ready to go.

"Great for our team, but great for him individually to get in and continue his progression that's been so fun to watch."

Dach never doubted he'd be back this season. He knew what he had to do, put his "head down and went to work." The loss muted the excitement level a bit, but the way his teammates welcomed him back is something he'll never forget.

"Those are your teammates, your brotherhood in that room, so any time you're losing a player to an injury it's never fun to see and you're always happy to see them back," Dach said. "I was welcomed back with some jokes and stuff like that. It was good to be on the team again." 1206982 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks hope to get some fans in United Center soon

John Dietz

There are rumblings that before the season is over the Blackhawks and Bulls will be able to allowed to have fans at the United Center.

If it happens, the Hawks would join a host of other United States-based franchises allowing fans in limited capacity. One of those teams is Nashville, which played at the United Center on Saturday. The Predators are allowing 15% of their 17,500-seat facility to be filled.

Dallas (30%) and Arizona, Florida and Columbus (25%) have the highest percentage of their stadiums full. According to novacapsfans.com, the Avs will start hosting fans April 2 and the Wild on April 5.

"Hopefully they can get some fans in the building like other buildings," said Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith. "It'd be nice. See how that goes. You definitely notice a drop in the building's energy when there's no fans.

"Even if there's only 2,000 or 5,000 or whatever it is, it makes a difference. For sure."

The Cubs and White Sox will welcome fans when their seasons begin this week. Each team can fill 20% of their stadium.

Two issues exist for the Bulls and Hawks, one of which is obviously that they play indoors. The other is that many of the UC parking lots are currently being used as COVID vaccination sites.

No matter what happens, Keith just hopes the UC can be filled to capacity next fall.

"Well I hope everything's back to normal for next season," Keith said. "It'd be nice to get back to normalcy sooner than later, for sure."

Mitchell sent to Rockford:

Ian Mitchell, who had 2 goals and 2 assists in 32 games for the Hawks, was assigned to Rockford on Saturday. Nicolas Beaudin took Mitchell's place in the Hawks' lineup during a 3-1 loss to Nashville. Mitchell, meanwhile, played in Rockford's 6-3 loss to the in Hoffman Estates.

"He's a young player," Colliton said of Mitchell. "He's getting better, but we also have a couple other young defensemen we'd like to get in too. So he's had a pretty good run. He's played most nights with us.

"But playing in Rockford is a good situation as well to keep gaining confidence. We'll take it a day at a time."

Lucas Carlsson, Wyatt Kalynuk, Reese Johnson and MacKenzie Entwistle were also reassigned to the IceHogs. Johnson scored the IceHogs' final goal against the Wolves. Brandon Pirri, Mikael Hakkarainen and D-man Alec Regula were reassigned to the taxi squad.

Slap shots:

Filipp Forsberg, Nashville's leading scorer, did not play Saturday. He's out with an upper-body injury. ... Pius Suter, who scored the Hawks' only goal against Nashville, has scored in three straight games. The rookie has 11 goals on the season.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206983 Chicago Blackhawks

10 observations: Blackhawks remain winless vs. Preds

BY CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS

The Blackhawks fell to the Nashville Predators 3-1 on Saturday at the United Center.

Here are 10 observations from the loss:

1. Kirby Dach returned to the lineup after missing the first 34 games of the season because of a right wrist injury he suffered in Team Canada's lone exhibition game at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. He started as the third-line center alongside Mattias Janmark and Dylan Strome and recorded four shot attempts (one on goal), one takeaway, one blocked shot and won four of 10 faceoffs in 20:08 of ice time.

2. This was not a great defensive performance by the Blackhawks. They gave up 46 shot attempts, 30 shots on goal, 28 even-strength scoring chances and nine even-strength high-danger chances through two periods, according to Natural Stat Trick.

3. Rocco Grimaldi put the Predators in front 2-0 at the 12:58 mark of the second period. It was his fifth goal in two games; for comparison, he had only 23 goals in 181 career games prior to these last two contests. He's got a hot stick.

4. Pius Suter scored in his third straight game for his 11th of the season, which tied Kirill Kaprizov for the NHL rookie lead. Ten of his 11 goals this season have come at the United Center.

5. The Blackhawks had a rough first period and it set the tone for the game. At even strength, the Predators dominated in shot attempts (25- 11), shots on goal (14-5), scoring chances (17-4) and high-danger chances (7-2).

6. The Blackhawks made a push in the third period, leading in shot attempts (23-9), shots on goal (13-4), scoring chances (11-4) and high- danger chances (6-2) but they couldn't find the back of the net. It was too little, too late.

7. It was a physical battle between two teams who don't throw their bodies a lot. The Blackhawks rank 23rd in hits per 60 minutes at 19.4 but recorded 22 of them on Saturday while the Predators rank 26th in hits per 60 minutes at 17.4 and registered 27.

8. The Blackhawks had two power-play opportunities but easily could've had more — a pair of two-many-men penalties that went uncalled in the second period and a knee-on-knee collision with Dach in the neutral zone. They didn't score on any of their two chances. The Predators, oddly, had zero power plays.

9. The Predators were without leading goal scorer and point-getter Filip Forsberg, who was sidelined with an upper-body injury. Luke Kunin, who had two assists, took his spot in the lineup after missing the 13 games with a lower-body injury.

10. The Predators improved to 3-0-0 against the Blackhawks this season and have pulled within two points of a playoff spot.. They're the only team in the Central Division that hasn't lost to Chicago yet.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206984 Chicago Blackhawks “We didn’t know,” Colliton said. “When he got hurt, we thought maybe we could get him for a few games at the end (of the season). He’s

worked hard at it. We wanted to be careful not to play him too early, but Lazerus: What Kirby Dach’s surprisingly early return means for the at the same time, he’s ready to go. Great for our team, great for him Blackhawks individually to continue his progression that’s been so fun to watch.”

That progression’s logical endpoint is to be Toews’ heir apparent. To be Kane’s and Alex DeBrincat’s center for the next five to 10 years. To be By Mark Lazerus Mar 27, 2021 the next face of the franchise. Dach is the great hope of all Blackhawks fans, the only youngster on the roster who looks like a sure thing. Ian

Mitchell, despite hitting the rookie wall and heading to Rockford this The funny thing is, Kirby Dach really hasn’t done a whole heck of a lot at weekend, looks like he’ll be a solid NHL player. Adam Boqvist’s all- the NHL level. In 64 games as a rookie, he scored eight goals, tied for around game has improved significantly, and maybe there’s still a top- 278th in the league with the likes of David Kampf and someone named pairing defenseman to be unearthed there. Brandon Hagel is a Max Jones. He had 23 points, tied for 298th with Sami Vatanen and Esa relentless, scoring-chance machine, an instant fan favorite. Lukas Lindell. Reichel? Well, we’ll see.

To be fair, simply playing in the NHL at age 18 is a massive But Dach is the centerpiece, the star. At least, he can be. He should be. achievement, and posting 23 points in a limited role on a bad team as a He has the size, he has the skating ability, he has the preternatural rookie is pretty impressive. But it’s not like he had anything close to a defensive awareness, and he has that air about him. You could sense it Connor McDavid rookie season, an Auston Matthews rookie season, a from the moment he first walked into the Blackhawks dressing room, Patrick Kane or rookie season. calmly stating as fact what most saw as fantasy — that he’d stay in Chicago as an 18-year-old rather than head back to juniors. On paper, Dach’s return to the Blackhawks lineup Saturday night was a nice little boost, some needed depth down the middle, a net positive. Dach doesn’t think he’ll be a star in the NHL. He knows he’ll be a star in Hardly a Passover miracle. the NHL. True stars always do.

But if you really watched Dach last season — particularly as the season None of that was lost when he broke his wrist in an exhibition game while wore on, particularly in training camp before the Edmonton bubble, wearing the “C” for Team Canada at the World Juniors. It was just particularly in the postseason itself — you felt the seismic shift that delayed. Presumably until next year, given the four-five month prognosis. accompanied his first step on the United Center ice for warmups. It Yet here he was, barely three months after the injury, back in the lineup wasn’t exactly Moses coming down from Mount Sinai, steely-eyed and at the United Center. He returned even before fans could. Ahead of headed for Egypt, but it was close. schedule, once again.

If you watched him dart and dance through the neutral zone at top speed Dach’s return is massive for the Blackhawks in both the short and long last season, you understood what this meant. If you watched him defend term. He instantly makes the Blackhawks better as they hit the in his own end and kill off penalties against the all-time Oilers power play, homestretch of a playoff race against Nashville, Dallas and Columbus. If you understood what this meant. You saw the steady progress, the the Blackhawks managed to hold on to fourth place without their top two growing confidence, the burgeoning arrogance, a young man at the point centers in Toews and Dach (three, if you count Dylan Strome, who of the graph where the gradual hill shoots up exponentially into a near- recently returned from a month in concussion protocol), then what are vertical plane. You know what comes next, and you can’t wait to see it. they capable of with Dach? Colliton tried to ease him back into action Saturday, putting him on the third line with Mattias Janmark and Strome. And sure enough, on Dach’s first shift, he casually won two puck battles. But it’s only a matter of time before Dach takes his rightful place as the On his second shift, he picked up the puck deep in his own end, left No. 1 center, forming a line with staggering potential with DeBrincat and Rocco Grimaldi in his wake, flew through the neutral zone and then Kane. Pius Suter has done good work as a stopgap and scored again undressed Nashville defenseman Ben Harpur on his way to the net. He Saturday, but he’ll be more valuable in the middle six. The entire lineup didn’t score, but he sent a clear message: He’s back. shakes out better with Dach in the mix. The power play looks better. The That the Blackhawks played a mostly miserable game in a 3-1 loss to the penalty kill looks better. The Blackhawks look better. Predators really should do little to diminish the excitement and And in the long term — still the overarching focus for a team in an openly significance of Dach’s early return. Luke Kunin turned two brutal declared rebuild that was never supposed to contend for the playoffs this Blackhawks turnovers — one by Kampf, another by Calvin de Haan — season — Dach’s return is even bigger. What looked like a lost season into primary assists on the Predators’ second and third goals, and the suddenly isn’t. Dach will get up to 21 games, plus a possible playoff Blackhawks were generally lifeless and punchless on their way to being series. That’s invaluable considering he’s still just 20 years old, still badly outshot, out-attempted and out-chanced until the Predators sat developing, still waiting to make that exponential leap on the depth chart. back and score effects kicked in during the third period. It was an Now that he’s back, he doesn’t have to start from scratch next season. important game in a playoff race, so the loss shouldn’t just be ignored. He’s been practicing with the Blackhawks for more than two weeks. But at the same time, it’s one game. Dach’s debut — and all the games And he’ll be playing with them for at least seven more. that he’ll suddenly, surprisingly play — is the bigger story by far. “I think there’s still another level that I can take my game to to help the Dach was indisputably one of the best Blackhawks on the ice Saturday team win here,” Dach said. night — an admittedly low bar, but still noteworthy — with a couple of excellent scoring chances, a steady presence in front of Predators goalie Based on the leaps he took last season and last summer, it’s tantalizing Juuse Saros, and his usual strength on the puck. At one point late in the to think what he can be now. What he’ll be in October. And beyond. Once second period, he had both Mattias Ekholm and Mikael Granlund all but again, after a three-month delay, the future is now. sitting on him behind the Predators net. He barely needed to shrug to win the puck battle and send it along the boards to a teammate. By the start The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 of the third period, he was already on Kane’s line as Jeremy Colliton searched for a spark and a couple of goals. He played 19 minutes and 58 seconds, was on the top power-play unit and was on the ice for the last- gasp effort at the end of the game.

“Felt good,” Dach said. “Worked on (the wrist) a little before, warmed it up. So it felt good. We’ll monitor as we go forward here and make sure we’re doing all the things before the games and after the games to help me play.”

That he’d play at all this season — let alone in March — would have seemed almost inconceivable in the immediate aftermath of his injury. While Dach said Saturday that he had no doubt he’d play this season, Colliton was, like everyone else, far less certain. 1206985 Colorado Avalanche has done a splendid job as the architect of the Avs. Is it fair, however, to wonder if Super Joe has overlooked the fact it’s nearly impossible to win 16 playoff games without getting down and dirty when Are Artsy Avs too soft to win Stanley Cup? The Dark Knights are itching a hard-fought series inevitably gets chippy? to find out. At some point, almost every champ needs the particular type of ornery Why Colorado and Las Vegas could become the playoff rivalry we’ve brought by Ian Cole or the bone-rattling thump delivered by Nikita been missing since the blood feud years with Detroit Zadorov. Let’s hope Sakic doesn’t regret removing that sandpaper and hammer from his burgundy-and-blue tool box.

Bednar insists the physicality of Vegas “doesn’t intimidate our team.” By MARK KISZLA | March 27, 2021 at 7:27 p.m. No argument here, coach. Captain Gabe Landeskog won’t back down from a tussle. And Colorado never plays scared.

Is the Avalanche too soft to win the Stanley Cup? Kiszla: On final night of his CU basketball career, all point guard McKinley Wright IV could think was: “Some coward went in and shot up a Them’s fightin’ words. Yes, they are. King Soopers.” No professional athlete, particulary one that laces up his skates and Lunch Special: Live Denver sports chat with Mark Kiszla plays a sport as relentlessly physical as hockey, takes kindly to any suggestion he isn’t tough enough to be a champion. Kiszla: Here’s CU Buffs’ big chance to tell all those snarkmeisters who think Pac-12 basketball stinks to stuff it But just as there’s no getting around Vegas forward Ryan Reaves without a fight, there’s no denying the in-your-grill challenge punctuated with “We try to use our speed and relentless puck pursuit,” Bednar said. every heavy forecheck during Colorado’s 3-2 overtime loss to the meanest team in the West. It’s an identity the Avalanche tries to establish every time it takes the ice. But it’s that very identity Vegas will try to lean on heavily, until the Dark “We were not physical enough,” Avalanche winger Joonas Donskoi said Knights not only take away all the open ice Colorado craves, but put the Saturday. squeeze on every breath the Avs take.

In Las Vegas, the Knights are golden, beloved by fans. But this big and There is no guarantee Colorado and Vegas will bump into each other in physical team brings a Darth Vader vibe everywhere else it travels in the the playoffs. But it would be a pity if they don’t escalate these delicious league. And these Dark Knights are itching to find out: Is Colorado too hostilities with the NHL’s special brand of postseason passion. soft to win the Cup? There isn’t a blood feud between the most artistic skaters and most “They bang bodies pretty good,” said Colorado coach , disagreeable bullies in the West. quick to note he respects Vegas as much for deft stick-handling as Well, at least not yet. Give it time. bruising hip checks. Your Artsy Avs and the Dark Knights seem made for each other as A festering rivalry between Colorado and Las Vegas is just what this playoff foils who would foster old-time hockey hate from the opening puck hockey town needs. Not to get all nostalgic, but am I the only one around drop to the handshake line after Game 7, with a beautifully brutal noise here who misses the old blood feud between the Avs and Red Wings? only the best of NHL enemies can make. Remember? In Game 6 of the 1996 Western Conference finals, Denver Post: LOADED: 03.28.2021 Colorado’s Claude Lemieux checked from behind, causing the jaw of the Detroit center to shatter against the boards. The Avs won the series, but didn’t exactly bury the hatchet. “I can’t believe I shook this guy’s friggin’ hand,” Dino Ciccarelli said of Lemieux.

And a blood feud was born.

From the don’t-blink blur that is Nathan MacKinnon with the puck glued to his stick and the ginsu-knife-edge cuts of Cale Makar, the Avs play a beautiful game that makes them Wizards of Awe’s. Colorado can elevate hockey to an art form. But is that the best way to raise the Cup?

This is not to suggest that the Dark Knights are dirty, although forward Aex Tuch once told the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “I’d rather get hit by a pickup truck than fight Ryan Reaves.”

And a reasonable person with 20/20 eyesight might disagree with my generous assessment of how Vegas plays hockey, especially after reviewing videotape of a nasty hit Keegan Kolesar delivered by leaving his skates and injuring young defenseman Bo Byram during the Avs’ freewheeling 5-1 victory Thursday against the toughest team in the West.

“We had a lot to prove after getting spanked in the last game,” said Vegas forward Max Pacioretty, who scored the game-winner in overtime by crashing hard to the net after an extremely untimely and bad break of Colorado defenseman Devon Toews’ broken stick preventing him from clearing a loose puck in front of the Avalanche goal.

Don’t get it twisted. Colorado doesn’t fear Vegas. Kudos for end-of-the- bench defenseman Dan Renouf for dropping his gloves and trading punches with Kolesar fewer than 90 seconds into the opening period to remind the Dark Knights that trying to bully Byram would not be tolerated.

That Darth Vader sense of dread, however, in unrelenting. With a face-off in front of Avs goalie Philipp Grubauer, Vegas coach Pete DeBoer will sometimes send out Reaves and his gritty mates on the fourth line, in order to flex what Bednar acknowledges as “some juice and some jam.” 1206986 Colorado Avalanche Footnotes. The Avs will take Sunday off ahead of Monday’s game against the visiting Anaheim Ducks. … Former NHL forward Stu Grimson, now a scout for the Seattle Kraken, attended the game. The Avalanche extends points streak but loses in overtime to Vegas Golden Avs will lose one good player in the offseason expansion draft. Knights Denver Post: LOADED: 03.28.2021 Vegas outshot the Avs 34-24

By MIKE CHAMBERS | PUBLISHED: March 27, 2021 at 3:55 p.m. | UPDATED: March 27, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.

A more physical and combative game unfolded Saturday as the Vegas Golden Knights and Avalanche concluded a two-game set between West Division giants at Ball Arena.

The Knights ultimately won the fight, but the Avs won the two-day war and still managed to extend their points streak to 10 games (8-0-2).

Max Pacioretty took advantage of a broken stick to Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews and scored 1:56 into overtime to give Vegas a 3-2 victory to avenge Thursday’s 5-1 loss. Colorado, which was outshot for the first time in more than a month and saw its seven-game home winning streak end, collected three-of-four points in the series and is 3-2- 1 on the season against the Knights.

Big-and-tough Vegas (23-8-1), however, is now a point ahead of the Avalanche (21-8-4) for the lead in the West Division standings, with a game in hand. The Knights, who had surrendered six consecutive goals from Thursday into the first period Saturday, outhit the Avs 18-8 and blocked 18 shots to Colorado’s 11 in the finale.

The Avs were expecting a fight.

“Whichever game any team wants to play, we’re just going to play our game,” Toews said. “That’s just the way it’s going to be.”

He added: “We had more to give. I don’t think it was a bad game from our team but it wasn’t our game. We set a standard for ourselves in how we play and the level we compete at. (Today) was just one of those (days) where we’re a little bit behind or lacking in a couple different areas. I don’t think we’ve been outshot in a while. Just getting pucks on net — that’s been a recipe of success for us over the last three, four weeks. We’ll look at the tape and we’ll get better.”

Colorado probably should have had a power play in OT, but referees didn’t call a trip on a Vegas defender who sent Nathan MacKinnon to the ice and crashing into the sideboards in Vegas’ end. The Knights went on a 3-on-1 on the play but goalie Philipp Grubauer made a splendid save to thwart the attack.

A minute later, Pacioretty tapped in a loose puck in the crease after Toews failed to clear it because his stick broke. Grubauer suffered his first loss in nine games and failed to secure his 100th career win.

Vegas outshot the Avs 34-24. It marked the first time Colorado didn’t produce 30 shots since Feb. 26 at Arizona (15 games) and the first time it was out-shot since Feb. 16 at Vegas (19 games).

“I thought it was a hard-fought game,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “We get into overtime and I didn’t like the non-call on MacKinnon getting tripped over there on the sideboards. It sets up a 3-on-1. But we gotta be better too on the last play. We had a little tough luck on that, too. We get back on the rush pretty good. The puck lies there after Toews deflects it and breaks his stick so he misses on the clear and they put it in the back of the net.”

The Avs scored on the game’s first shot. It came from winger Joonas Donskoi, who carried the puck in from the right circle, toe-dragged around the first defender and used the second for a screen as his wrist shot beat goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

Vegas tied it 1-1 on its first power play late in the first period. Defenseman Alex Martinez’s one-time slap shot nicked off the stick of the Avs’ Ryan Graves and past Grubauer. But the Avs regained the lead shortly thereafter when Toews and MacKinnon worked a give-and-go and Toews scored on the shot.

The Knights tied it again when William Carrier redirected Shea Theodore’s shot from the point, and it stood 2-2 to begin the third frame. 1206987 Colorado Avalanche

Chambers: Avalanche rich with NHL prospects in NCAA Tournament

By MIKE CHAMBERS | March 27, 2021 at 5:45 a.m.

Before COVID protocol reared its ugly head, there were 106 NHL draft picks scheduled to participate in the NCAA Tournament. And, the Avalanche originally had an NHL-most eight prospects in the 16-team field — including 2019 first-round draft pick Alex Newhook of Boston College.

COVID protocol trimmed that list to five Avs prospects after Notre Dame was forced to withdraw from its regional opener on Saturday against BC in Albany, N.Y. Fighting Irish junior defensemen Nate Clurman and Nick Leivermann and freshman forward Ryder Rolston were late-round draft picks by the Avs in 2016, 2017 and 2020, respectively. Clurman, from Boulder, is Notre Dame’s co-captain.

Newhook and the Eagles — who feature two other Avs draftees in defenseman Drew Helleson and forward Colby Ambrosio — get a free pass to the regional final on Sunday and will play the St. Cloud State- Boston University winner.

Michigan also withdrew from the tournament on Friday because of COVID, sending Minnesota-Duluth to the regional final in Fargo, N.D.

Back to Newhook, the elite 19-year-old forward who could conceivably sign his NHL entry-level contract with the Avs the day after the Eagles are eliminated or win the national title. Colorado is rich with top-six scoring forwards and doesn’t need its top prospect to help it win games this season.

But the Avs might want Newhook to come in next month, play a limited number of games to prevent him from burning the first year of his ELC, and replace pending unrestricted free agent Brandon Saad next season. The Avs are paying the 28-year-old Saad $5 million this season, and if Newhook steps in his cap hit will be around $900,000.

That savings could help Colorado re-sign left wing Gabe Landeskog and goalie Philipp Grubauer, both pending UFAs, and defenseman Cale Makar, a restricted free agent.

Newhook was originally among 12 first-round draft picks in the NCAA Tournament, and among the three playing for BC. Eagles forward Matt Boldy and goalie Spencer Knight are top prospects for the Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers, respectively.

The Avalanche’s main scouting interest this weekend is probably in Loveland at the Budweiser Events Center, where the top-seeded Minnesota Golden Gophers open against Nebraska-Omaha. Minnesota’s leading scorer Sampo Ranta, a 20-year-old junior forward, was selected by the Avs in the third round (78th overall) in 2018. And Colorado chose Mavericks junior forward Tyler Weiss in the fourth round (109th overall) in the same draft.

Ranta’s 18 goals are tied for second nationally behind Wisconsin sophomore Cole Caufield, the likely Hobey Baker Award winner. Ranta, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, will undoubtedly make a joint decision with the Avs on where he should play next season — the Gophers or the AHL’s Colorado Eagles in Loveland.

Avs coach Jared Bednar said Friday that general manager Joe Sakic and assistant GM Chris MacFarland plan on attending the Minnesota-Omaha game.

“Certainly wishing our guys luck,” Bednar said of all the Avs’ prospects. “I know Newhook is having a real good season and I’ve seen quite a few highlights on Sampo Ranta.”

Denver Post: LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206988 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche gain a point but stumble in 3-2 overtime loss to Vegas

By Aarif Deen - March 27, 2021

An opportunity to take sole possession of first place in the West Division slipped past the Avalanche on Saturday and coach Jared Bednar was unhappy with how it ended.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty scored 1:56 into overtime for a 3-2 victory at Ball Arena. Colorado, however, extended its point streak to 10 games (8-0-2).

On the play before Vegas’ game-winning tally, Avs superstar Nathan MacKinnon was tripped up in the offensive zone by a Knights player. There was no call on the play and Vegas had a 3-on-1 the other way but goaltender Philipp Grubauer made a big save.

“I didn’t like the non-call on MacKinnon,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “Especially when it puts them on a 3-on-1. Like if that puck is squirting back out to our point man and they feel like they didn’t see it clear, fine. But to give them that opportunity to win the hockey game. Grubi makes a huge save on that and keeps us in and we mess up a little later but that could’ve been an opportunity for us to go on the 4-on-3 for sure.”

Grubauer’s eight-game winning streak came to an end. He made 31 saves.

On the overtime goal, Avs defenseman Devon Toews blocked the initial opportunity, which then hit the post and set the Knights up for a rebound. But before Pacioretty scored, Toews had an opportunity to clear the puck out of the crease but the blade of his stick snapped.

“It was sitting there and I was trying to play it with my stick,” Toews said. “Next thing I know my blade is in the corner. I thought I had the leverage on it. I thought I had the play but unfortunately the stick let me down a little bit there.”

The Knights outhit the Avs 18-8 and were stronger on the forecheck after the first period. Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all 14 shots he faced after the first. The Avalanche were outshot 34-24.

“We had a little bit more to give,” Toews said. “I don’t think it was a bad game but it wasn’t our game. We’ve set a standard for ourselves, how we play, and the level we compete at. I don’t think we’ve been outshot in a while.”

Colorado’s 46 points is one behind Vegas, which also has a game in hand. The two teams will meet for one more regular-season two-game series next month at T-Mobile Arena.

The Avalanche led 1-0 and 2-1 thanks to goals from forward Joonas Donskoi and Toews.

Donskoi opened the scoring at 1:16. He entered the Vegas zone, toe- dragged the puck around defenseman Brayden McNabb and used Vegas’ Dylan Coghlan and Colorado’s Samuel Girard as screens to fire a shot over Fleury.

Donskoi’s fourth goal in four games and 12th of the season, which trails only Mikko Rantanen (19), gave the Avs the first goal of the game for the 23rd time, which leads the NHL.

Toews put the Avs back ahead 1:03 after the Knights tied the game late in the first. He passed the puck to MacKinnon at the half-wall before getting it back on a well-executed give-and-go play to score his sixth of the year.

Vegas answered back early in the second and the game stood 2-2 until overtime.

Byram out: Defenseman Bowen Byram was scratched and replaced by Dan Renouf. Bednar said post-game that Byram was dealing with an upper-body injury after taking a hit from Vegas’ Keegan Kolesar. Byram is day-to-day. milehighsports.com LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206989 Colorado Avalanche Dan Renouf played in place of Byram and fought Kolesar early in the game.

Overall, it was a little too quiet of a series for the Avs’ second line of Colorado Avalanche lose to Vegas, but still take three of four points in Brandon Saad, Kadri and Andre Burakovsky. They were blanked again series today.

By Adrian Dater Colorado hockey now LOADED: 03.28.2021

Devon Toews got the shaft.

The Avalanche defenseman threw his stick, what was remaining of it anyway, hard against the ice in frustration before heading for the Avalanche dressing room after Saturday’s 3-2 Avs overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. His blade was back at the other end of the ice, having just been separated from the rest of the stick, a useless appendage when Toews needed it most.

Toews’ loss of the blade left him with little to use on a loose puck in the crease, which Vegas veteran Max Pacioretty took advantage of with the game-winner at 1:56 of OT. The Golden Knights thus retain rights to first place in the Honda West Division, one point ahead of the Avs. Colorado still took three of four points from the Golden Knights in the two-game series, and several other battles with them remain before the playoffs.

“My stick let me down a little there,” said a still-peeved Toews after the game.

That’s kind of the day it was for the Avs. It seemed like it might be another easy game against Vegas, especially after Jonas Donskoi scored early and the Avs had a 10-2 shot advantage. But too many penalties allowed Vegas to regroup on the power play, tie the game up and from there they used their size and forechecking to good advantage. The Avs had a 2-1 lead from a Toews slap shot goal, but Vegas tied it up again early in the third, and things went to OT.

The Avs won the opening faceoff and Nathan MacKinnon burst into the Vegas zone, but had a shot blocked, then he was blatantly tripped. But the Avs got no call. Vegas was foiled on a 3-on-1 break after the non-call, with Philipp Grubauer flashing some serious leather on a Shea Theodore shot.

But the game was lost when, after Gabe Landeskog got pinned with the puck in the corner of the Vegas zone and lost possession, Vegas came back down the ice in an outnumbered situation. Toews probably would have cleared the loose puck if he’d had his blade, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“We’ll learn from this,” Toews said. “We haven’t been outshot in a while. Just didn’t quite play our game. I think we had a little bit more to give tonight.”

The Masters

“We spent a little too much time in our zone,” said Donskoi, who had another strong game.

Jared Bednar was ticked off his team didn’t get a tripping call when MacKinnon went down. Otherwise, he said, “I thought both teams played hard. It was a relatively tight-checking game. I didn’t love our third period. It seemed like their checking ramped up a little.”

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

Bednar said Bo Byram (upper body) is considered day-to-day right now. He said Byram was hurt on the unpenalized Lambeau Leap hit from Keegan Kolesar in Thursday’s game.

No question, the Avs also got the shaft from the referees in this game, in my opinion. Not only did MacKinnon not get a tripping call when he clearly was, he was called for a phantom tripping minor in the third period. The Avs got two power plays on the day, none in the final 50 minutes of regulation. The fact that Kolesar got nothing for a blatantly dangerous hit on Byram says it all how the series was officiated. Want proof?

The spirit of Tim Peel was alive and well today. pic.twitter.com/qgDBn03kFG

— Joey Suyeishi (@avrilanche) March 27, 2021

Nazem Kadri and Ryan Reaves did a lot of jawing at each other after the first period ended. 1206990 Colorado Avalanche

Seattle Kraken begin scouting Avalanche for NHL Expansion Draft

By Adrian Dater

The Seattle Kraken, who will join the NHL as an expansion team next season, have begun scouting the Avalanche for the Expansion Draft.

Kraken pro scout Stu Barnes was at both Avalanche-Vegas games this week and was busily writing notes the whole time. The Avalanche will have to surrender one player to the Kraken when the Expansion Draft is held July 21.

Teams can protect seven forwards and three defensemen, or teams can protect any combination of eight skaters. Teams must protect players with no-movement clauses in their contracts, unless the player elects to waive the clause. They do not have to protect players with only no-trade clauses. All first- and second-year NHL players, and all unsigned draft choices are exempt from the draft. They do not count toward a team’s protected list. Of a team’s defensemen exposed, at least one must be under contract in 2021-22 and have played at least 40 NHL games the prior season, or played in at least 70 NHL games in the prior two seasons.

Players with potential career-ending injuries who have missed more than the previous 60 consecutive games may be exempt from being selected with league approval.

The Masters

Teams usually do the 7-3-1 (including a goalie) protection list, though I personally believe the Avs might be better suited doing the eight skater list. You can only lose one player. I’ll get into more expansion-list stuff in the off-season, but I just really would hate to lose a Ryan Graves to expansion, if you only protect three defensemen. I expect the Avs to do the 7-3-1 thing, but if that’s the case I think you can probably kiss Graves goodbye.

The seven forwards I’d protect? Tough question. Probably MacK, Rantanen, Landy, Kadri, Burakovsky, Nichushkin and Donskoi. That would expose Jost and Compher and Saad. If the Avs want Saad back and could re-sign him, then I probably protect Saad over Donskoi. The Avs are going to lose a good player no matter what. That’s life.

The Golden Knights, by the way, don’t have to expose anyone in the Expansion Draft. It was a nice little perk they got from the NHL when they came into the league a few years ago.

Colorado hockey now LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206991 Colorado Avalanche

Bo Byram hurt again, likely from dirty hit

By Adrian Dater

Bo Byram will miss today’s game for the Avalanche against Vegas because of an upper-body injury, and the worry is that it’s concussion- related. That’s the worry anyway.

Byram was likely hurt on this hit from Vegas’ Keegan Kolesar in Thursday’s game, in which Kolesar leapt off his feet. I wholeheartedly agree with Altitude’s Mark Rycroft, wondering why this didn’t result in either a fine or a suspension?

Can someone tell me how Keegan Kolesar is not suspended for this hit on Bowen Byram who is now not playing this afternoon? @NHLPlayerSafety pic.twitter.com/EAkFl6xbUx

— Mark Rycroft (@RycroftMark) March 27, 2021

The Masters

It wasn’t even a penalty on Kolesar. Jared Bednar was highly critical of the hit Thursday. This won’t do anything to dispel the conspiracy theorists that Vegas gets preferential treatment from the NHL in matters like these.

Colorado hockey now LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206992 Colorado Avalanche Saad-Kadri-Burakovsky

Nichushkin-Jost-Donskoi

The Avs have the chance to prove themselves today Compher-Bellemare-O’Connor

Defense:

By Scott MacDonald Toews-Makar

Girard-Graves

The Avs have a chance to prove themselves this afternoon against the Byram-Renouf* Vegas Golden Knights. Grubauer A win against Vegas today would thrust the Avalanche into sole possession of first place in the West Division, while giving Colorado a *Jacob MacDonald, who would usually slot in on Dan Renouf’s spot, is commanding 4-2 series lead against the Golden Knights. questionable for today’s matinee against Vegas, according to coach Bednar. A win would be the Avs ninth in 10 games. Puck drop from Ball Arena is set for 1 p.m. MST. A win would be the Avs’ 22nd in 33 games—one win better than where Colorado stood at the 33-game mark last season. Colorado hockey now LOADED: 03.28.2021

A win would further cement Philipp Grubauer‘s nomination bid as a legitimate Vezina Trophy candidate with his league-tying 21st win, along with his uber-impressive NHL-leading 1.69 goals-against average, and his equally-impressive .931 save percentage (minimum six games played).

But above all, a win would prove to the West—and the NHL at large— that the Avs mean business, re-casting their bid to be the favorites…or whatever. The Avs are expected to compete in the Western Conference Finals with this Vegas Golden Knights team, a team they made look silly on Thursday night. A second straight W against the Knights would make a statement.

There’s something to be said about this Colorado Avalanche team. I, along with a few of my other media cohorts, had written these guys off early on. They looked like a different team. They looked like they didn’t have it in them, and maybe the pressures of being the favorites got to them.

I noted their (in)consistency issues, their inability to finish, their lack of depth scoring, the lying-back-on-their-heels all too often.

They weren’t playing like the Avs that were expected to compete—and hoist—the Stanley Cup this summer. They weren’t playing to their identity. They just looked…off.

But now they really do look different—in the best way possible.

This new and improved (and healthy) team looks…scary. They’re playing like the dominant team we’ve seen in the recent past. The top line is once again proving they are the best in the league. The team’s depth is firing on all cylinders and chipping in. Everyone’s competing hard in all three zones. They’re hard on pucks. They have arguably the best goaltender in the league. The list goes on:

They have the third-most wins in the NHL.

They’ve scored the fourth-most goals in the league, while allowing the second-fewest.

The second-best goals-per-game average.

The second-best goals-against-per-game average.

They’re second in the penalty kill department.

They’re firing the most shots on net per game and allowing the fewest shots to reach their goalie.

The list goes on.

The Masters

A win could presumably move some of these “second bests” into “league-leading,” further cementing their spot on the NHL’s throne.

A win against the big, bad West-leading Vegas this afternoon would joust the Knights right off their high-horse.

This Avalanche team looks like the real deal, and today they have the chance to prove once and for all that they really are.

Projected Lineup against Vegas:

Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen 1206993 Columbus Blue Jackets he also had to stay alert and ready most of the game with how often the Red Wings pinned the puck in the Columbus zone.

Merzlikins, coming off a bout with a “non-COVID illness,” will likely start Blue Jackets' listless letdown in Detroit tops the takeaways from a Sunday, as well. His co-No. 1 starter, Joonas Korpisalo, was unable to stinging loss handle the backup role Saturday because of a lower-body injury that was Other takeaways include a horrendous first period, Elvis' busy day, termed “day-to-day.” Texier's return and two interesting lineup switches. Cam Johnson was the backup for Merzlikins, who had a high workload.

“That’s the thing that made me tired, most (likely), because there Brian Hedger (weren’t) 50 shots,” Merzlikins said. “It’s just about the position. I had to go, all the time, up and down. That’s what made me tired. But they put us under pressure, they did a great job on that side. We just had to defend and that’s about it. (Sunday) is a new day and we have to get better.” DETROIT – This was not supposed to happen. Texier returns The Blue Jackets didn’t even talk about guarding against a letdown against the worst team in the Central Division on Saturday because Tortorella said Friday that if Texier played in this game, he wanted to see they’re really not in any kind of shape to be letting down against anybody. the young center play with the kind of confidence and drive he showed to They’re supposed to be fighting for a playoff spot – the final one of four begin this season. within the division – against three others teams not named “The Detroit Red Wings.” Texier’s confidence eroded during an extended stretch without producing much offensively and he was assigned to the taxi squad after a bout with The Jackets had just come out of a tough four-game series against the a “non-COVID illness” prevented him from traveling to Carolina for the Carolina Hurricanes with a 2-1-1 record and they had every right to feel first two games of the four-game set against the Hurricanes. things were heading in the right direction after a turbulent, tumultuous start to this 56-game season. They weren’t supposed to have a Texier returned to his former spot at center of the third line and had a pair “letdown” game against the Red Wings, but that’s exactly what happened of veterans on his wings, Boone Jenner and Foligno. The three combined in a stinging 3-1 loss Saturday at Little Caesar’s Arena. to produce the Jackets’ lone goal, which pulled them to within 2-1 at 11:43 of the second period. Jenner worked the puck to Texier behind the They didn’t even mention the possibility of it happening after practice net and the second-year forward hit Foligno with a nice wraparound pass Friday and coach John Tortorella was incredulous at even the prospect through the crease to Foligno at the left post. of doing so. Change-up “Why wouldn’t we?” he said. “We’re a .500 hockey club. Why would we Tortorella made a pair of lineup swaps for the game that were both called even … why does that even come into our thinking? I didn’t mention one “coaching decisions.” word about it, because we have no right to even think that way.” He scratched veteran center Riley Nash to make room for Texier’s return, And yet it happened. And it was ugly. And, once again, the Blue Jackets keeping his newfound fourth line together, and Gabriel Carlsson replaced are face first on the canvas with the challenge of picking themselves Dean Kukan on the third defense pairing. back up Sunday in a rematch on the same ice. Nash was the one that raised some eyebrows, but it makes sense when “Unacceptable, but what good is it for me to sit here and start saying all juxtaposed with the recent play of the fourth line – which is currently these things?” captain Nick Foligno, who had a lot to say after a shocking comprised of Stefan Matteau, Ryan MacInnis and Eric Robinson. They’ve game in which the Red Wings dominated the Blue Jackets in a brutal first provided energy to several games the past week and Tortorella has period. “We just have an opportunity (Sunday) to rectify that and learn lauded their effort. Somebody had to come out for Texier to return and from it and know that we gave one away today, which better (tick) some Nash was the odd man out, even though he provides a steady veteran guys off in that room, because we don’t have any games to give away. presence himself. We don’t have any cushion right now.” Kukan had played the past seven games, while Carlsson had been Here are some additional takeaways: scratched in the past six. Horrendous start Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.28.2021 How bad was it for the Blue Jackets to start out?

Well, Seth Jones got a shot on goal against Calvin Pickard 13 seconds into the game and that was basically the highlight of the period for the visitors from Columbus.

The Red Wings quickly took control with a relentless puck-possession and forechecking effort that appeared to catch the Jackets off-guard. Detroit took a 2-0 lead on goals 29 seconds apart by Adam Erne and Robby Fabbri a little more than eight minutes into it, but it could’ve been much worse had and Vladislav Namestnikov not missed the net outside the left post on two wide-open looks earlier.

The Red Wings finished the period with a 16-5 edge in shots and the margin was much wider in attempted shots (32-7). Subtracting out Detroit’s back-to-back power plays, the Wings’ edge in shot attempts was still 24-7 at even strength in a dominating performance that left the Blue Jackets reeling.

“The hunger, what you need to do to have success, how you need to play … they just got to that game before we could and we just didn’t have an answer for it,” captain Nick Foligno said. “Sometimes a team can have a good shift, but you come right back and answer with one. It just seemed like they kept rolling (it) over and then they get some power plays, and now they’re feeling it … that’s why starts are so crucial.”

Rest up, Elvis

Elvis Merzlikins got the start and made 31 saves on the 34 shots he faced. That doesn’t quite tell the entire story for him, however, because 1206994 Columbus Blue Jackets “That was brutal,” Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said during an interview on Fox Sports Ohio during the first intermission. “We didn’t

start on time at all and they just simply outworked us. We have to be Blue Jackets fall flat in Detroit, lose 3-1 to struggling Red Wings after better. It’s not Xs or Os. It’s work ethic … we just got outworked. We listless start have to be better.”

Terrible start against the Central Division's worst team starts key road trip They weren’t though. At least, not until Foligno's goal at 11:43 of the off on a sour note. Coach John Tortorella: 'This has nothing to do with Xs second. and Os.' Prior to a stretch leading up that point, Detroit continued controlling the puck and pinned it inside the Columbus zone. Merzlikins was forced to make seven saves to keep the Jackets in the game, which led up to their Brian Hedger lone goal.

Foligno's sixth goal of the season cut it to 2-1 off a nice feed from Texier, DETROIT – Prior to leaving Columbus, John Tortorella left no doubt who found him with a wraparound pass through the crease, and it was about the importance of the road trip his Blue Jackets started Saturday at one of the first times the Blue Jackets put the Red Wings on the Little Caesar's Arena. defensive.

"Time's up, guys," he said to reporters on a video conference, when The Blue Jackets outshot the Red Wings 5-1 in the remaining 8:17 of the asked if Alexandre Texier might get back into the lineup against the second, finally gaining a little traction, but Foligno’s goal was the only one Detroit Red Wings. "Time's up. This is a very important trip for us, so I’ve they got past Pickard in that period. got to make decisions to see if I give him an opportunity.” “We’re never going to think we’re out of it," Foligno said. "It’s just two Well, Texier did play against the Red Wings on Saturday and his assist goals and things can change quickly. It was just one of those games, on captain Nick Foligno's goal in the second period was a nice play. The where we get one and we just couldn’t find a way to get another one." problem is that it was the lone highlight for the Blue Jackets in a 3-1 loss Detroit eventually pushed its lead to 3-1 in the third on Mantha's goal, to a team 10 points back in the standings and dead in the Central which was scored at 4:42 with a quick redirection past Merzlikins off Division. Larkin's pass from the slot. That was enough to polish off the victory. “ I told you before the trip started, you’re going to find out a lot about It also sent the Blue Jackets back to their locker room, where they had a who we are ... as individuals, as a team, as we go on this trip," Tortorella postgame conversation before players and Tortorella met with reporters said. "I saw some terrific things out of certain people today. I saw some on a video conference. things that worry me terribly with others.” “This isn’t Xs and Os," Tortorella said. "This has nothing to do with Xs It was that kind of day for the Blue Jackets (13-14-8), who get another and Os. I talked about this prior to the trip. It’s going to be an important crack at the Red Wings (11-20-4) on Sunday in Detroit before heading trip for this organization, not only now, as far as what type of gumption down to Florida for a pair of two-game sets against the Tampa Bay we have, but also projecting what your team is going to be in the future.” Lightning and Florida Panthers. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.28.2021 Their effort level and skating had better improve quickly if they have any shot at coming out of the next five games still contending for a playoff spot. They were listless out of the gate Saturday, despite coming off an encouraging 2-1-1 showing in four straight games against the Carolina Hurricanes.

"A loss is no points," Foligno said. "We’re trying like crazy to get back in the playoff picture here, so that’s just the position you put yourself in. That’s where we’re at. I don’t know how else to say it. We need wins. It’s no secret. And there’s a recipe to get ’em in this league, in how you have to play, and early-on (in this game) that wasn’t it."

Detroit absolutely dominated the first period, which also led to them outplaying the Blue Jackets in parts of the next two periods too.

Adam Erne, Robbi Fabbri and Anthony Mantha scored the goals for the Red Wings, while Calvin Pickard earned the win in a surprise start for Detroit. Pickard, who made his first start of the season and third appearance, hadn't gotten a win in the NHL since Nov. 23, 2018 two seasons prior.

The Red Wings made sure this one turned out better for him, building a 2-0 lead on a 16-5 edge in shots in the first period and them helping him make it stand up.

Detroit was embarrassed in a 7-1 loss to the Nashville Predators on Thursday, addressing the issues with a spirited practice Friday, but the Wings still went into this game as a heavy underdog. They played like the team in contention for a playoff spot and traded places with the Blue Jackets.

After allowing Seth Jones' shot on Pickard 13 seconds into the game, Detroit hounded Columbus for the next 15-plus minutes.

The Red Wings began generating scoring chances, including one for Dylan Larkin off a 2-on-1 rush, but he and Vladislav Namestnikov missed the net on open shots from close range. It didn’t stay 0-0 much longer, though.

Erne and Fabbri scored 29 seconds apart at 8:29 and 8:58 to give Detroit a 2-0 lead, Erne tipping a long shot by Filip Hronek past Merzlikins (31 saves) for the first goal and Fabbri scoring the second one from the bottom of the right circle from Larkin. 1206995 Columbus Blue Jackets As the Predators tweaked their identity they lost their firm grasp of it. The Jackets, who’ve moved out big forwards Josh Anderson and Pierre-Luc Dubois, and rejiggered their defense to a degree, have that same feel to Michael Arace: A key point gained, a key point given away by the Blue them. I often think about guys like Ian Cole. Remember the other Jackets Lumberjack? Was the cost to re-sign him really too much? And while on the subject, wherefore Ryan Murray?

On the bright side, the Jackets summoned their resolve in what was a Michael Arace solid, four-game series against an excellent Carolina team. The Jackets played three or four of their best periods of the season. They did not quit

at the top of what will be a furious, 22-game homestretch. They still The Blue Jackets gained a valuable point Thursday when they scored believe. late in regulation to force overtime against Carolina, but did they give up Can they catch Chicago and hold off Nashville and Dallas? That is a an important point in OT by not hustling to prevent Sebastian Aho's goal question that has been posed repeatedly in this space. Who will win the past Joonas Korpisalo and Zach Werenski? four-team race for fourth place? The Blue Jackets on Thursday night wrapped up a four-game series Chicago is hanging in there. Look out now, but Nashville is heating up against the Carolina Hurricanes, a team that has established itself as a rapidly. Dallas, a Cup finalist last year, might be getting top-line center genuine contender for the Stanley Cup. This was an important series for Tyler Seguin and goaltender Ben Bishop back from injury sometime next the Jackets. It was a test of their quality, and their resolve, at a critical month. All three of these teams are stronger than the Jackets down the juncture of their season. middle. The Jackets went 2-1-1 in their eight-day skirmish with the Canes. They I’m looking at the schedule and I’m thinking Dallas — but, who knows? took five out of eight points. Game 2, tied by Seth Jones late in regulation Anybody can beat anybody this year. The Jackets just took five points in and won by Oliver Bjorkstrand in a shootout, was remarkable. Game 4, four games from Carolina. tied by Bjorkstrand late in regulation and lost in overtime, was almost as good. But not quite. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.28.2021 The second point would have been huge and the Jackets gave it away Thursday. This not only hurt them in the standings — as they chase Chicago for fourth playoff spot in the NHL's Central Division, and try to hold off Nashville and Dallas — but it exposed, once again, their razor- thin margin for error.

Two contrasting plays gave a picture.

One: The Jackets trailed 3-2 and had their goalie pulled for an extra attacker when Jones turned the puck over to Carolina forward Warren Foegele, who had a clear breakaway at an open net. Jones pivoted and went after Foegele in what appeared to be an exercise in futility. Somehow, Jones got the blade of his stick into Foegele’s hands and his shot, suddenly rushed, went wide of the gaping net.

Moments later, Bjorkstrand scored to tie it with 15.1 seconds remaining in regulation.

Two: Jack Roslovic had a pass intercepted by Martin Necas and it gave Necas a giant swath of ice to rush at the Jackets’ net. Zach Werenski hustled back and managed a couple of stick checks. Joonas Korpisalo was pulled out of his goal. The puck was loose — and ultimately tipped out front to Sebastian Aho, who had a gaping net and scored the winner.

Aho had the luxury of waiting at the top of the crease. He was entirely unmolested for about two seconds. Why? Because Roslovic did not hustle back. He was somewhere near the top of the slot, and gliding, when Aho knocked in his gimme with 3:34 remaining in overtime.

“Really good stuff from us tonight,” Jackets coach John Tortorella said. “But we end the game by giving them something free. And those are things we’ve got to have more value in, in making sure we don’t give things for free.

“That’s how we get completely over the hump as far as stringing some wins together. It’s the only way we’re going to strings some wins together, if we value some of the small things, too. The details of the game. We’re still in the process of trying to learn that.”

In sum: The Jackets are averaging 3.15 goals against (23rd in the league) and 2.56 goals for (24th); they are no longer the stingy team they once were and they haven’t developed the offense to compensate; their penalty killing (25th) and power play (26th) are equally poor and it all adds up to a nightly tightrope walk.

Every game is a grind and the Jackets aren’t the grinders they used to be.

One might be reminded of the recent transition of the Nashville Predators, who were well-established as one of the stingiest teams in the league when they made it to the Stanley Cup final in 2017. The Predators made a concerted effort to upgrade their offense with the idea of getting over the final hump. They’ve won one playoff series since. 1206996 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets in playoff hunt after critical Carolina series, now focusing on finer details

Jacob Myers

Four straight games against the Carolina Hurricanes could have put the Blue Jackets into a playoff spot by a narrow margin, at best, or decimated hopes of contending for a spot with 22 games remaining.

It wasn’t hard to envision the Jackets losing four in a row to a Carolina team that, at times, dominated them in previous games. Instead, the Jackets proved their competence against one of the top teams in the NHL by grabbing five of eight possible points (2-1-1), ending in an overtime loss Thursday after a late tying goal by Oliver Bjorkstrand.

"I think we did some great things in this series,” said Cam Atkinson, who scored a tying goal in the third period Thursday night. “It just goes to show that we can play with any single team on any given night, so we have to continue to play like that but do it on more of a consistent basis and we'll have a lot of success."

There were still stretches of games — mostly in Monday’s 3-0 loss — when the Jackets looked lost and lacked any type of positive identity. But in the other three games the Jackets looked like a team capable of grinding out points and wins consistently.

“I think we'd been playing better before the Carolina four games,” coach John Tortorella said. “I think our game has come along. We have for a number of weeks now had some great improvement as far as our coverages, as far as how many chances we're giving up and also developing more forechecking and creating scoring chances."

Tortorella has said several times this season that he wanted something good to happen for his team to latch onto. The number of odd-man rushes and breakaways, and a penalty kill that allowed one goal in nine short-handed times against the Hurricanes were all signs of a team trending in the right direction.

But there are still a number of finer details that decide whether this team is playing beyond the 56-game schedule.

Not only do the breakaway chances have to be goals, but Tortorella mentioned Jack Roslovic’s pass in overtime that was deflected and led to Carolina’s winning goal, as well as Roslovic having a blown assignment that resulted in a tying goal 45 seconds after the Jackets took the lead 1- 0 in the second period.

“This is where some of the guys have to continue to progress and learn that there is a tremendous value to small little things in a game when you're not scoring four or five goals a game,” Tortorella said. “When you're scoring two and sometimes three in a game, you better do the other things right. That's the part of the game that I think has got to really shine when we get on this road trip.”

Atkinson said the team has even talked about its play now determining whether or not the Jackets are buyers or sellers by the April 12 trade deadline.

Though the Jackets (13-13-8, 34 pts.) gained only one point on the fourth-place Chicago Blackhawks and actually lost three points ahead of the sixth-place Nashville Predators through the course of the Carolina series, they remain very much alive entering a six-game road stand beginning Saturday in Detroit.

“Every team is fighting for their playoff lives," Atkinson said. “As an athlete and a competitor, you want to play in these games and you want to make a difference every single day.”

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206997 Columbus Blue Jackets

Calvin Pickard makes 21 stops as Red Wings beat Blue Jackets

AP

DETROIT (AP) — Adam Erne and Robby Fabbri scored 29 seconds apart in the first period and Calvin Pickard made 21 saves in his first start of the season, helping the Detroit Red Wings beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Saturday.

Anthony Mantha also scored for the last-place Red Wings, who were coming off an embarrassing 7-1 loss at Nashville on Thursday night. Dylan Larkin had two assists.

Detroit had 15 of the game’s first 17 shots and capitalized twice while stopping a three-game losing streak.

Pickard earned his first NHL win in more than two years. He had came on twice in relief this year, including Thursday.

Erne deflected a Filip Hronek shot from the point past Elvis Merzlikins to open the scoring. Danny DeKeyser also assisted on Erne’s sixth goal.

Fabbri’s goal came after a pretty combination from Filip Zadina to Larkin, with Fabbri finishing for his team-leading 10th goal at 8:58.

Columbus got on the board midway through the second period. Nick Foligno finished a wraparound pass through the crease by Alexandre Texier for his sixth goal. Boone Jenner also got an assist for his eighth straight game against Detroit with a point.

Mantha gave Detroit a 3-1 lead 4:42 into the third, finishing a pass from Larkin after Patrick Nemeth found Larkin alone on the doorstep.

Merzlikins made 31 saves for the Blue Jackets, who have lost three straight.

WINNING WAY

It was Pickard’s first NHL win since Nov. 23, 2018. That night, Pickard made 31 saves to lift the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-0 win against the New York Rangers.

Saturday was Pickard’s 13th NHL game since then.

INSTANT IMPACT

Texier was called up from the Columbus taxi squad on Friday. Center Mikhail Grigorenko was added to the taxi squad as the corresponding move.

MARCHING ON

Erne’s goal was his fourth in March after scoring twice in the first 16 games of the season. It’s a career high for goals in a month, breaking his previous high of three in November 2018 for Tampa Bay.

UP NEXT

The teams play again Sunday. foxsportsohio.com LOADED: 03.28.2021 1206998 Columbus Blue Jackets But the Blue Jackets barely tested him. He made 21 saves, allowing only Foligno’s tap-in off an Alexandre Texier feed at 11:43 of the second.

Tortorella was predictably furious. Blue Jackets suffer worst loss of the season, hands down, at worst possible time “I told you before this trip started that you’re going to find out a lot about who we are as individuals, as a team,” Tortorella said. “I saw some

terrific things out of certain people. I saw some things that worried me By Aaron Portzline Mar 27, 2021 terribly about the team. It has nothing to do with X’s and O’s.

“I’m not going to name names. You guys watched the game; you guys write your stories. It’s a very important trip for this organization — not COLUMBUS, Ohio — Before the Blue Jackets departed on Friday to only now, as far as what type of gumption we have, but also in projecting begin an all-important six-game road trip, coach John Tortorella made what your team is going to be like in the future.” two issues abundantly clear. The suggestion that the Blue Jackets, after a spirited four-game series First, the Blue Jackets need their top players to start playing like top with Carolina, might take the last-place Red Wings for granted was players. (Paging Patrik Laine.) And second, they need somebody — particularly appalling for Tortorella. anybody! — to lead the way with passion and purpose. “We’re a .500 hockey club,” Tortorella said. “Why does that even come “ Someone has to put their hand up — maybe both hands up — and into our thinking? I didn’t mention one word about it because we have no say, ‘Follow me,'” Tortorella said. “If you’re going to make a stand and right to even think that way.” you’re going to help this team win and you’re one of the top players on the team, it’s staring you right in the face when we get on that plane.” Foligno echoed that, saying the Blue Jackets didn’t even address the issue of avoiding a letdown leading up to the game. It stared them right in the face, all right. But not a single Blue Jacket put up a hand on Saturday, at least not until it was too late. “How can there be a letdown when you’re in the playoff picture?” Foligno said. “It’s not like we’re a first-place team playing against the last- The Blue Jackets, in desperate need of points to stay in the playoff race place team. That’s still a very good team over there. They’re playing for in the Central Division, got jumped by last-place Detroit in the first period pride as well. That shouldn’t have to be talked about.” and could never recover, losing 3-1 to the Red Wings in . It took longer than usual for Blue Jackets players to sit for their postgame Zoom sessions with reporters. They had a brief closed-door meeting. “We gave one away today, which better piss guys off in that room,” Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno said. “We don’t have any games to give “We talked for a second,” Zach Werenski said. “Nothing I’m going to away. We don’t have any cushion. We’re trying to climb.” share, but one of those things where we know the position we’re in. We know we’re on the outside looking in right now. BEAUTIFUL. #LGRW PIC.TWITTER.COM/WJHZTPNDDE “The games are so important. We’re not going to win every single — DETROIT RED WINGS (@DETROITREDWINGS) MARCH 27, 2021 hockey game, but we have to have a better work ethic for a full 60 The Blue Jackets knew the Red Wings would have extra energy early. minutes.” Detroit was coming off an embarrassing 7-1 loss to Nashville on Snacks Thursday, and they were “bag skated” by coach on Friday. • Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo is day to day, the Blue Jackets said, with But the idea that a lottery club could find a deeper reservoir for pride at a lower-body injury. Cam Johnson was recalled from the taxi squad to this point in the season should be alarming for the Blue Jackets. serve as Elvis Merzlikins’ backup on Saturday. The Red Wings led 2-0 after the first period, scoring two goals only 29 seconds apart. But it could easily have been 5-0 or worse. Dylan Larkin • Forward Riley Nash was a healthy scratch, continuing his strange twice hit posts with close-range shots, and Detroit swirled around the odyssey of a season. He started the season on the fourth line, then Blue Jackets’ cage with impunity. moved to third-line center, third-line right wing, second-line right wing and eventually first-line center between Laine and Bjorkstrand. He was then It would have reminded longtime Columbus fans of some long-ago supplanted by Kevin Stenlund on the No. 1 line over the weekend and games in , when , Sergei Fedorov, now finds himself out of the lineup. , Nicklas Lidstrom and company used to toy with the Blue Jackets like they had the puck on a string. • Texier missed two games with an injury and two more games as a member of the taxi squad, but he was activated Friday and put back into The ugly numbers: The Red Wings outshot the Blue Jackets 16-5 in the the lineup Saturday. He centered the third line, with Foligno and Boone first period and had a stunning 32-7 advantage in shot attempts. Yes, Jenner on his flanks, and played 16:16. Texier led the Blue Jackets with Detroit had more shots blocked (nine) and missed more shots (seven) four hits. than Columbus put on net. • Atkinson played only 14:10, and Laine only 14:45. “Shocking,” Foligno said. “We haven’t played like that in a long time.” • Defenseman Dean Kukan was a healthy scratch, while Gabriel ADAM ERNE! #LGRW PİC.TWİTTER.COM/LFAH0SKL4D Carlsson came into the lineup on the third pair with Michael Del Zotto.

— DETROIT RED WINGS (@DETROITREDWINGS) MARCH 27, 2021 The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 The last two periods were more competitive, but only slightly. The Blue Jackets still looked completely confused offensively.

Laine did something he’s done only 15 times in 331 NHL games: He went the entire game without a shot on goal. (Three of those games have occurred since he joined the Blue Jackets earlier this season.)

Cam Atkinson had one shot on goal. Max Domi and Oliver Bjorkstrand had zero.

What makes that more galling is who was in the Red Wings’ net. Calvin Pickard was making his first start in more than a year (Nov. 29, 2019). He hadn’t won a game since Nov. 23, 2018 — that was two teams ago, by the way — going 0-7-0 with an .854 save percentage and 4.55 goals- against average since. 1206999 Dallas Stars

‘You can’t ask for better scoring chances’: Stars squander opportunities in OT loss to Panthers

By Matthew DeFranks11:58 PM on Mar 27, 2021 CDT — Updated at 12:00 AM on Mar 28, 2021 CDT

John Klingberg had his chance to win the game for the Stars on Saturday night. After Sergei Bobrovsky made the save and Aaron Ekblad scored the game-winner in overtime, Klingberg fell on his sword, taking the blame for a 4-3 Stars loss.

Klingberg was caught diving towards the puck in the offensive zone towards Ekblad, but did not stop him from leaving the zone cleanly. As a result, Ekblad and Jonathan Huberdeau led a 2 on 1 the other way, finishing with another Stars loss.

“It’s a pretty bad read there by me,” Klingberg said. “I’m gambling there to try and get the puck from Ekblad, trying to surprise him. Obviously, he saw me and they got a 2 on 1 the other way.”

Klingberg scored a goal and led the Stars with five shots on goal and 11 shot attempts during his 26:32 of ice time. He was stoned by Bobrvosky moments after Miro Heiskanen was denied on a post to post sprawling save.

“We had the looks, we just can’t score a goal,” Klingberg said. “I had looks in overtime and I just can’t bury it. I feel like we had a lot of Grade- A chances as a team in the overtime. We’re just going to have to bear down there then.”

The Stars are now 2-9 in games that go to overtime or a shootout. They have not won a game in 3 on 3 overtime since Jan. 26, the third game of the season against Detroit.

“Look at the Grade-As we had,” Stars coach said. “You can’t ask for better scoring chances than we had in overtime. You just can’t. They don’t get any better than that. Two guys all alone in front of the net, they don’t get any better than that.”

Hanley’s helpers: Joel Hanley had two assists on Saturday night, just the third multi-point game of his NHL career and first since March 2016.

He picked up the secondary assist on Denis Gurianov’s first-period goal and the primary one on Joel L’Esperance’s in the third period. Hanley also set up Rhett Gardner for a scoring chance with a between the legs drop pass around the net.

“I think tonight was just one of those nights that I was feeling good and feeling confident,” Hanley said. “Every night brings its own battles. Just taking it day by day and game by game right now.”

Hanley has played nine straight games for Dallas, and has surpassed Mark Pysyk on the defensive depth chart. With 25 games remaining, Hanley has already played more games this season (19) than any previous season in his career (previous high was 16 in 2018-19 in Dallas).

“He’s an underrated player,” Hanley said. “Go back and think of all of the games that he’s played for us, and find a couple of mistakes. You’re not going to. I think there is more confidence with the puck. Joel makes the right play with the puck, he does. He doesn’t throw it away. If there is nothing there, he plays high-percentage hockey. Tonight, playing high- percentage hockey for him resulted in a couple of assists.”

Gurianov’s goal: Gurianov scored for the second time in the last 24 games on a pretty feed from Stars captain Jamie Benn. It was an encouraging sign from both Benn and Gurianov, who seem to have cobbled together some chemistry together on the same line.

“Just trying to do my best and play for my team,” Gurianov said. “Try to do something good in every game because we’re fighting for playoffs.”

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207000 Dallas Stars The Panthers got the big saves from Bobrovsky. They got the finish from Ekblad. The Stars have been missing those all year (perhaps having Ben Bishop and Tyler Seguin out of the lineup contributes to that, too). Stars’ inability to win consecutive games has Dallas hovering in “We’re going to have to go on a run here pretty soon,” Klingberg said. mediocrity after OT loss to Panthers “It’s frustrating for sure.”

Injury updates: Roope Hintz missed Saturday’s game with a nagging By Matthew DeFranks10:33 PM on Mar 27, 2021 CDT — Updated at lower-body injury that has made him a game-time decision for most of 10:35 PM on Mar 27, 2021 CDT the season. Hintz has not played three straight games since he played nine in a row from Jan. 30-Feb. 22.

Stars coach Rick Bowness said Alexander Radulov would “hopefully” Before the Stars’ 4-3 overtime loss over the Florida Panthers on play Sunday evening against the Panthers. Saturday was Radulov’s fifth Saturday night, a pair of dubious distinctions presented themselves for straight missed game because of a lower-body injury that also kept him Dallas to extinguish. out for 15 games previously.

The Stars had not won consecutive games since Jan. 26, when they Bowness also said Joel Kiviranta will not play for a week. Kiviranta is on completed a perfect four-game home stand to begin the regular season. injured reserve with a lower-body injury suffered Sunday vs. Nashville. And they had not been over .500 since Feb. 27, hovering in Central Division mediocrity for the past month. Seeing stripes: The topic of game management has been in the news around the sport this week thanks to the removal of referee Tim Peel Both marks still stand. because of comments during a Nashville-Detroit game about make-up calls. Florida’s Aaron Ekblad scored the game-winning goal with 9.3 seconds remaining in overtime, tucking a finish past Anton Khudobin on one of Bowness has been around professional hockey for almost 50 years, so many Panthers 2 on 1 rushes in the extra period. Ekblad appeared to win how has he seen officials manage the game during that time? the game for Florida with 44.2 seconds remaining in overtime on a one- timer on the rush, but the goal was disallowed after a video review ruled “The game is much, much faster today,” Bowness said. “It’s younger, him offside. it’s faster. So it’s a tough job for the officials. They do the best job they can. The older officials, they let a little bit more go, and they have a good The Stars are now 2-9 in games that extend past regulation. feel because it was easier to manage because of the speed of the game [years ago]. The speed of the game makes the officials’ job that much “It’s close, it’s going to be close every game,” John Klingberg said. “It is more difficult today.” a one-goal game every game here. It’s frustrating that we can’t keep winning and get on a run. We’ve got games to do it. So it’s a new game Dallas Morning News LOADED: 03.28.2021 tomorrow. It’s been the same the whole season. We’re just going to have to move on. It’s the only thing we can do is focus on what we can do.”

Carter Verhaeghe led the Panthers by scoring a hat trick — one goal at even strength, one on the power play and one short-handed. Verhaeghe capitalized on Stars errors on each of the three goals, most notably Miro Heiskanen’s turnover on the power play in the second period.

Denis Gurianov, Klingberg and Joel L’Esperance scored for the Stars, who still have points in 10 of the last 13 games despite yet another overtime or shootout loss. Khudobin made 24 saves in the loss, which ended with him slamming his goal stick on the post after Ekblad’s goal.

Gurianov’s first-period goal was an encouraging sign for the Stars, who have badly missed goals from their goal-scoring Russian winger. After Jamie Benn eluded Gustav Forsling behind the net, he fed Gurianov at the edge of the crease to snap a seven-game goal-less drought for Gurianov.

Klingberg blasted a one-timer past Sergei Bobrovsky later in the first period, following a great shift in the offensive zone from Dallas’ checking line. L’Esperance tied the game at 3 in the third period by redirecting a shot-pass from Joel Hanley at the blue line.

Bobrovsky came up huge in the final minute, stoning both Heiskanen and Klingberg with massive saves that sprung Ekblad for the game-winner.

Winning consecutive games should not be this hard for the Stars, not for a team that went to the Stanley Cup Final six months ago.

But since they’ve won only seven of their last 26 games, the odds of two in a row happening have been long. This is a team that thrived in overtime and one-goal games last season. This year, both have been brought constant struggles.

No team has lost more than Dallas’ nine overtime or shootout games. Only one team has more than Dallas’ 14 one-goal losses. The combination of faulty finishing and goaltending have foiled the Stars in tight games.

“We’re just staying positive,” Gurianov said. “We got the one point, and that’s an important point for us. We’re battling for a playoff spot, and we’ll work hard to get the two points tomorrow.”

If the Stars were simply average in overtime and shootouts — say a 5-6 record — they would be just three points behind Chicago with four games in hand, a much more enviable position than they currently find themselves in. 1207001 Dallas Stars But the Blue Jackets barely tested him. He made 21 saves, allowing only Foligno’s tap-in off an Alexandre Texier feed at 11:43 of the second.

Tortorella was predictably furious. Blue Jackets suffer worst loss of the season, hands down, at worst possible time “I told you before this trip started that you’re going to find out a lot about who we are as individuals, as a team,” Tortorella said. “I saw some

terrific things out of certain people. I saw some things that worried me By Aaron Portzline Mar 27, 2021 terribly about the team. It has nothing to do with X’s and O’s.

“I’m not going to name names. You guys watched the game; you guys write your stories. It’s a very important trip for this organization — not COLUMBUS, Ohio — Before the Blue Jackets departed on Friday to only now, as far as what type of gumption we have, but also in projecting begin an all-important six-game road trip, coach John Tortorella made what your team is going to be like in the future.” two issues abundantly clear. The suggestion that the Blue Jackets, after a spirited four-game series First, the Blue Jackets need their top players to start playing like top with Carolina, might take the last-place Red Wings for granted was players. (Paging Patrik Laine.) And second, they need somebody — particularly appalling for Tortorella. anybody! — to lead the way with passion and purpose. “We’re a .500 hockey club,” Tortorella said. “Why does that even come “ Someone has to put their hand up — maybe both hands up — and into our thinking? I didn’t mention one word about it because we have no say, ‘Follow me,'” Tortorella said. “If you’re going to make a stand and right to even think that way.” you’re going to help this team win and you’re one of the top players on the team, it’s staring you right in the face when we get on that plane.” Foligno echoed that, saying the Blue Jackets didn’t even address the issue of avoiding a letdown leading up to the game. It stared them right in the face, all right. But not a single Blue Jacket put up a hand on Saturday, at least not until it was too late. “How can there be a letdown when you’re in the playoff picture?” Foligno said. “It’s not like we’re a first-place team playing against the last- The Blue Jackets, in desperate need of points to stay in the playoff race place team. That’s still a very good team over there. They’re playing for in the Central Division, got jumped by last-place Detroit in the first period pride as well. That shouldn’t have to be talked about.” and could never recover, losing 3-1 to the Red Wings in Little Caesars Arena. It took longer than usual for Blue Jackets players to sit for their postgame Zoom sessions with reporters. They had a brief closed-door meeting. “We gave one away today, which better piss guys off in that room,” Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno said. “We don’t have any games to give “We talked for a second,” Zach Werenski said. “Nothing I’m going to away. We don’t have any cushion. We’re trying to climb.” share, but one of those things where we know the position we’re in. We know we’re on the outside looking in right now. BEAUTIFUL. #LGRW PIC.TWITTER.COM/WJHZTPNDDE “The games are so important. We’re not going to win every single — DETROIT RED WINGS (@DETROITREDWINGS) MARCH 27, 2021 hockey game, but we have to have a better work ethic for a full 60 The Blue Jackets knew the Red Wings would have extra energy early. minutes.” Detroit was coming off an embarrassing 7-1 loss to Nashville on Snacks Thursday, and they were “bag skated” by coach Jeff Blashill on Friday. • Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo is day to day, the Blue Jackets said, with But the idea that a lottery club could find a deeper reservoir for pride at a lower-body injury. Cam Johnson was recalled from the taxi squad to this point in the season should be alarming for the Blue Jackets. serve as Elvis Merzlikins’ backup on Saturday. The Red Wings led 2-0 after the first period, scoring two goals only 29 seconds apart. But it could easily have been 5-0 or worse. Dylan Larkin • Forward Riley Nash was a healthy scratch, continuing his strange twice hit posts with close-range shots, and Detroit swirled around the odyssey of a season. He started the season on the fourth line, then Blue Jackets’ cage with impunity. moved to third-line center, third-line right wing, second-line right wing and eventually first-line center between Laine and Bjorkstrand. He was then It would have reminded longtime Columbus fans of some long-ago supplanted by Kevin Stenlund on the No. 1 line over the weekend and games in Joe Louis Arena, when Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov, now finds himself out of the lineup. Brendan Shanahan, Nicklas Lidstrom and company used to toy with the Blue Jackets like they had the puck on a string. • Texier missed two games with an injury and two more games as a member of the taxi squad, but he was activated Friday and put back into The ugly numbers: The Red Wings outshot the Blue Jackets 16-5 in the the lineup Saturday. He centered the third line, with Foligno and Boone first period and had a stunning 32-7 advantage in shot attempts. Yes, Jenner on his flanks, and played 16:16. Texier led the Blue Jackets with Detroit had more shots blocked (nine) and missed more shots (seven) four hits. than Columbus put on net. • Atkinson played only 14:10, and Laine only 14:45. “Shocking,” Foligno said. “We haven’t played like that in a long time.” • Defenseman Dean Kukan was a healthy scratch, while Gabriel ADAM ERNE! #LGRW PİC.TWİTTER.COM/LFAH0SKL4D Carlsson came into the lineup on the third pair with Michael Del Zotto.

— DETROIT RED WINGS (@DETROITREDWINGS) MARCH 27, 2021 The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021

The last two periods were more competitive, but only slightly. The Blue Jackets still looked completely confused offensively.

Laine did something he’s done only 15 times in 331 NHL games: He went the entire game without a shot on goal. (Three of those games have occurred since he joined the Blue Jackets earlier this season.)

Cam Atkinson had one shot on goal. Max Domi and Oliver Bjorkstrand had zero.

What makes that more galling is who was in the Red Wings’ net. Calvin Pickard was making his first start in more than a year (Nov. 29, 2019). He hadn’t won a game since Nov. 23, 2018 — that was two teams ago, by the way — going 0-7-0 with an .854 save percentage and 4.55 goals- against average since. 1207002 Detroit Red Wings “It’s never easy, not playing, but you have to stay as sharp as possible,” he said.

Pickard never checked out mentally despite his inactivity. Detroit Red Wings wake up early in 3-1 win over Columbus Blue Jackets “There’s days he’s been on the ice for upwards of three hours (during practice days),” Blashill said. “That’s the commitment you have to have and you can’t let it slip. You don’t know when your chance is coming. You Dana Gauruder | Special to Detroit Free Press have to be ready to jump through that window of opportunity when you get it.”

Mantha ends personal drought Calvin Pickard has done a lot of watching and waiting this season as the Detroit Red Wings’ third-string goaltender. Anthony Mantha scored his first goal in six games at 4:42 of the third period, giving the Wings a 3-1 lead. He was in the same position during the first period against Columbus on Saturday but only because most of the activity was in the Blue Jackets’ Larkin served as the playmaker once again on Mantha’s ninth goal this zone. season. Larkin dished the puck from the slot to Mantha in front for the tap-in. “It was nice to sit back and watch an absolute clinic in the first period,” he said. Larkin’s two assists Saturday increased his season total to 12.

The Wings discovered some offense in an early burst and snapped a Hard practice leads to stronger play three-game losing streak. Blashill said his team was “embarrassed” by Thursday’s six-goal loss and Adam Erne and Robby Fabbri scored 29 seconds apart in the opening came into practice on Friday determined to end the streak. period and the Wings hung on for a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jackets at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday afternoon. “Our guys showed up yesterday to work and compete,” he said. “They showed up today to work and compete. We better do it again tomorrow.” The Wings generated just one goal during their slide, as the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators recorded shutouts against them and the Pickard sensed his teammates wouldn’t let his first start turn into another Predators pounded them 7-1 on Thursday. debacle.

RECOVERING FROM NASHVILLE: Wings trying to pick themselves up “It started in practice yesterday,” he said. “We had a hard-nosed practice after 'totally unacceptable' loss and coming to the rink today, it was all business. We wanted to bounce back.” REF SPEAK: Wings on hot-mic ref: For most part, officials do really good job Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.28.2021

MARCH (AND APRIL) MADNESS: Wings see themselves as spoilers as NHL playoffs approach

Pickard got his first start in goal this season and notched his first NHL victory in over two seasons. He made 21 saves.

The Blue Jackets will stay in town for a Sunday matinee.

An unusually stellar start

The first period was one of the Wings’ best this season. They kept steady pressure on goalie Elvis Merzlikins and got rewarded.

The Wings squandered a 2-on-1 breakaway in the opening minutes when Dylan Larkin hit the side of the net with his shot.

Fortunately, that didn’t turn into an omen. Erne’s sixth goal came at the 8:29 mark, as he redirected Filip Hronek’s shot from the point. Danny DeKeyser was also credited with an assist.

Fabbri’s team-high 10th goal was set up by Larkin, who whistled a pass across the crease. Fabbri fired the puck into the net before Merzlikins had a chance to recover. Filip Zadina notched the second assist.

Detroit had 16 shots on goal during the first 20 minutes and another nine blocked by Columbus defenders.

The first line of Larkin, Fabbri and Zadina generated 13 shots on goal during the game.

“When they’re playing their best, they should be dangerous,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “All three of them were playing with some good jump tonight.”

Pickard gets chance to shine

Thomas Greiss was pulled midway through the first period on Thursday after surrendering three goals. With Jonathan Bernier sidelined by a lower-body injury, coach Blashill turned to Pickard.

He only faced five shots on goal in the opening period. After Pickard made a nice glove save against Cam Atkinson eight minutes into the second period, Columbus got on the board at 11:43 of the period. Alexandre Texier made a wraparound pass to an uncovered Nick Foligno, who scored his sixth goal.

Pickard’s last victory came on Nov. 23, 2018, when he shut out the New York Rangers while playing for Philadelphia. He was making his third appearance of the season. He entered in relief of Greiss on Thursday. 1207003 Detroit Red Wings

Game thread: Red Wings skate past Blue Jackets, 3-1

TYLER J. DAVIS

Detroit Red Wings (10-20-4) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (13-13-8)

When: 3 p.m.

Where: Little Caesars Arena.

TV: Fox Sports Detroit.

Radio: 97.1 FM (Red Wings radio affiliates).

Game notes: The Wings look to get back on track after being embarrassed by the Nashville Predators, 7-1, on Thursday. Bobby Ryan scored the lone goal for Detroit and he now has seven on the season. ... The Blue Jackets are 2-1 vs. the Wings this year and have gone to overtime or shootout in six of their last seven games.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207004 Detroit Red Wings Adam Erne opened the Wings' scoring Saturday, his sixth goal, and has now tripled his goal total from the 2019-20 season, while doubling his point total (10 points) from last season in only 27 games.

Red Wings' Pickard gets rewarded for dedication with victory in first start ... Robby Fabbri became the first Red Wing to reach double-digit goals (10), while continuing to lead Detroit in goals-per-game (0.38) and points- per-game (0.65). Fabbri also notched his fourth winning goal in the team’s last eight games and has a team-best eight winning goals since TED KULFAN | The Detroit News joining the team in November 2019.

... The goals by Erne and Fabbri were scored 29 seconds apart, marking Detroit — NHL teams are carrying three goalies this season because of the fastest consecutive goals this season by the Wings. the pandemic, and it's not an easy position. Blue Jackets at Red Wings You rarely play, you do practice a lot, and staying sharp isn't easy. Faceoff: 3 p.m. Sunday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit Calvin Pickard has been in that role most of this season for the Red TV/radio: FSD/97.1 Wings, and Saturday he was rewarded for his effort. Outlook: The Red Wings (11-20-4) and Blue Jackets (13-14-8) conclude Pickard stopped 21 shots while helping the Wings stop a three-game a back-to-back series at LCA. … The Wings are 2-2-0 against Columbus losing streak with a 3-1 victory over Columbus. this season, with three games later this season, all in Columbus. Watching the Wings on the ice afterward, you couldn't tell who was Detroit News LOADED: 03.28.2021 happier — Pickard (whose last NHL victory was in 2018 as a Philadelphia Flyer) or his teammates.

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"Our guys really like him," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said.

Pickard, 28, played in Austria (Vienna Capitals) in the autumn as the NHL continued to be shelved by the pandemic.

Pickard returned to the Wings in January and has spent the majority of the season on the taxi squad. Pickard had one start, March 17, in Grand Rapids and relieved Thomas Greiss in the first period Thursday in Nashville.

That's been it for game action until Saturday's start.

"Just be ready," Pickard said of his mindset. "I've played games in this league, it's been few and far between the last few years, but I know what I'm capable of and I know I can step in and give these guys a good start.

"I'm thankful our team came out flying today and made it a lot easier for me."

Pickard didn't want to overthink Saturday, while getting his first start.

"Just go in there and do your thing and don't try to think too much and let the chips fall where they may," Pickard said. "Our first period (the Wings outshot Columbus (16-5) I got a few shots but I got my feet under me."

It's been a different type of season for Pickard, but he's relishing the opportunity he has.

"It's never easy, obviously you're a competitor and you want to play," Pickard said. "Coming into the season every team is carrying three goalies. I was slated to be in that role, and it's a good group to be around. There are always opportunities throughout the year when the third guy is going to play, so you have to be ready for it.

"It's never easy not playing but you stay as sharp as possible."

Blashill felt Pickard going to Europe to play was a huge benefit, and Pickard has handled the role as well as could be expected.

"He went over to Europe and that allowed him to get games in," Blashill said. "That was a great decision by him. He had to leave his family and go over and play and that's a commitment. I'm glad he was able to get a game in Grand Rapids.

"The inner drive and work ethic he showed during these last couple of months when he hasn't played, to make sure he's getting the extra work, 45-minute sessions on top of the practice that might take place, there are days he's been on the ice upward of three hours.

"That's the level of commitment you have to have. You have to stay as sharp as you can and a lot of times it doesn't look like you're going to get the opportunity and some guys don't stay as sharp. They get down.

"He didn't do that, made sure he was ready, and did a good job."

Ice chips 1207005 Detroit Red Wings The Wings (11-20-4) and Columbus (13-14-8) conclude the two-game series with another 3 p.m. start Sunday at LCA.

Nick Foligno scored for the Blue Jackets, who are winless in three games Red Wings' hard work pays off in 3-1 victory over Blue Jackets (0-2-1), and desperately need points to stay in the playoff chase.

Detroit News LOADED: 03.28.2021

TED KULFAN | The Detroit News

Detroit — This was a different looking Red Wings team Saturday afternoon and, ultimately, a better one.

Particularly better than the past seven days, as the Wings defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1, ending a three-game losing streak.

Particularly after Thursday’s ugly loss in Nashville, the Wings were intent on out-working, then outplaying the Blue Jackets and that’s what the Wings did.

"I like our group of guys, our guys care," coach Jeff Blashill said. "They were embarrassed in Nashville and they showed up yesterday (Friday) and worked their tails off and showed up today and worked their tails off and we have to show up tomorrow and work our tails off."

The Wings dominated the first period, outshooting Columbus 16-5, and taking a 2-0 lead when Adam Erne and Robby Fabbri scored 29 seconds apart midway in the first period.

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Anthony Mantha made it 3-1 at 4:42 of the third period, giving the Wings insurance.

Goaltender Calvin Pickard, getting the start in place of Thomas Greiss (and injured Jonathan Bernier), earned his first victory as a Red Wing with 21 saves and first win in the NHL since Nov. 23, 2018 (when Pickard was with the Philadelphia Flyers).

"We weren't too thrilled with our game in Nashville and we had a hard practice yesterday," said Pickard, who has spent the majority of this season on the taxi squad as the third goalie. "Everybody wanted to bounce back today and we came out flying.

"We had a great first period that set the tone and played real well for a full 60 (minutes)."

Pickard noticed the Wings' resolve and determination during Friday's intense practice, which was a candidate for the Wings' toughest of the season.

The intensity carried over to Saturday's game.

"It started with practice, we had a hard-nosed practice Friday and got to the rink today and it was all business," Pickard said. "We wanted to bounce back and start to finish we did it."

Pickard appeared to gain confidence as the game progressed and had several key saves in the third period, including steering away a Seth Jones one-timer with just under seven minutes left, to maintain the Wings' two-goal lead.

"Picks played well, he did a real good job," Blashill said. "Our guys really like him. He's one of the better guys I've been around in my career. He's a great guy, worked real hard in a difficult situation being the third goalie most of the year. Guys have a lot of respect for him."

The Wings dominated the opening 20 minutes and took control of the game early. They clearly looked like the hungrier and more desperate team, and it proved beneficial.

Pickard only had to make five saves in the period, as the Wings seemingly had the puck all the time, but enjoyed the view.

"Every goalie has played those types of periods," Pickard said. "You have to stay in it, and I play the puck so that keeps me into it a little more. You just have to navigate through it, you're going to be called upon at any moment and you have to make sure you're ready for it.

"It was nice to sit back and watch an absolute clinic in the first period. It was fun to watch."

BOX SCORE: Red Wings 3, Blue Jackets 1 1207006 Detroit Red Wings Thomas Greiss (2-14-4) is expected to make his fourth consecutive start in place of Jonathan Bernier, who has not practiced since suffering a lower-body injury on March 18.

Red Wings hope ‘hardest practice’ helps right ship Michigan Live LOADED: 03.28.2021

By Ansar Khan

DETROIT – A dreadful performance Thursday by the Detroit Red Wings led to what Bobby Ryan called the hardest practice of the year on Friday.

That needs to translate into a much better effort Saturday when the Columbus Blue Jackets visit Little Caesars Arena for the first of back-to- back weekend matinee games (3 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

After a 7-1 loss at Nashville, Ryan said the team focused on battle drills and compete level.

“We didn’t have that (Thursday); we put it into play (Friday),” Ryan said. “Those are games you need some kind of response from. I think we had that today in practice. You want to come in and flush it, ramp up the intensity today and get ready to go.”

The Red Wings (10-20-4) have lost three in a row, getting outscored 12- 1.

“We were embarrassed, so we should have had an intense practice and I’d be shocked if we didn’t start the game intense,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “Now, the question is, when things go good for you or bad for you (Saturday), how do you react? I think we’ll start with a deserved chip on our shoulder. We’re out to prove we’re a better team than how we’ve played in the last little bit. But if goes the wrong way, do you dig in or do you fold? The other night I thought we folded, big-time.

“We’re going to get tested. They’re a good team, they’re super-hungry for points.”

The Blue Jackets (13-13-8) are coming off four games in a row against Carolina, going 2-1-1. They are three points behind Chicago for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division.

“That’s a good, physical test,” Ryan said. “They play the game hard. It’ll be a good test if we can get back to the brand we were putting out a week-and-a-half ago as opposed to the last three games. That’ll be very telling.”

Despite their offensive struggles, Ryan said they must focus on playing sound defense to bounce back.

“Sometimes when you are struggling for offense you cheat because you’re trying so hard to create something from nothing, and that compounds other issues,” Ryan said. “You break the mold of what you’re supposed to be doing to try to win. That’s almost never the recipe. When we do score, they’re generally blue-collar goals, with guys driving the middle lane, pushing defensemen back, finding second and third layers of offense.”

Blashill changed a winger on three lines in Friday’s practice. These were the lines:

Robby Fabbri-Dylan Larkin-Filip Zadina

Bobby Ryan-Vladislav Namestnikov-Anthony Mantha

Evgeny Svechnikov-Michael Rasmussen-Sam Gagner

Darren Helm-Luke Glendening-Adam Erne

Mathias Brome-Valtteri Filppula-Frans Nielsen (anticipated scratches)

On defense:

Danny DeKeyser-Filip Hronek

Jon Merrill-Troy Stecher

Patrik Nemeth-Christian Djoos

Dennis Cholowski-Alex Biega

If they opt to continue dressing 11 forwards and seven defensemen, Svechnikov might be scratched again and Cholowski likely will play in place of Marc Staal, who is out with an upper-body injury. 1207007 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings’ Bobby Ryan: Wife more anxious about trade deadline than me

By Ansar Khan

DETROIT – The NHL trade deadline is less than three weeks away and Bobby Ryan is getting anxious, but not as much as his wife.

“She’s trying to figure out where she might be moving to, what she’s going to do with the kids and extracurricular activities,” Ryan said. “My wife is probably more anxious about it than I am.”

When Ryan, 34, signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings less than one hour after the start of free agency on Oct. 9 he knew he would likely be moved for a draft pick by the April 12 deadline.

The Red Wings have several impending unrestricted free agents. Some have little or no trade value. But general manager Steve Yzerman should receive offers for Ryan because of his scoring ability (he has seven goals and 14 points in 31 games) and dirt-cheap contract.

At 10-20-4, losers of three in a row and well out of the playoff chase, the Red Wings are certain to be sellers for the fifth consecutive season.

“When things are going the way they are now it gets compounded and talked about a touch more,” Ryan said. “For me, not being a guy that’s too involved in reading the articles and stuff, it’s still making its way through. My wife is asking me about it. I hear it and understand what’s going on. This is the first time I’ve been through it where I think I’m probably more likely to be traded than not.”

Ryan said earlier this season that he would strongly consider re-signing with the Red Wings in the offseason even if he is traded. He has enjoyed his brief time in Detroit and laments not only the team’s record but also being deprived of the experience of playing in a full Little Caesars Arena due to COVID-19 restrictions on attendance.

“I feel like I’ve gotten robbed because I haven’t been able to play in front of them nearly enough in the grand scheme of things,” Ryan said. “I said it when I first started that it’s not lost on me what the winged wheel has meant for the game of hockey, the history of it. It’s overwhelming. You’re in the room, you see the plaques. Just incredible. I feel very lucky that I’ve got to wear it as long as I have.”

In addition to Ryan, the list of UFAs the Red Wings might be able to move for picks includes forward Sam Gagner and defensemen Marc Staal and Jon Merrill. Yzerman could get offers for goaltender Jonathan Bernier and center Luke Glendening but might be hesitant to move either.

Michigan Live LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207008 Edmonton Oilers But the Oilers got it back on Darnell Nurse’s 11th of the season just 2:33 later.

The assist extended McDavid’s points streak to 10 games — every one Maple Leafs come back to haunt the Edmonton Oilers again since the Leafs sweep. He has seven goals and 15 assists in that span.

The team that has tormented them so badly in recent games rose up and And from there, the Oilers found another gear. Well, McDavid did, did it again anyway. The Oilers captain won a race to a loose puck (duh), stormed into the Leafs zone, drew all the Toronto defenders toward him like magnets and slid a no-look, cross ice pass to a wide open Draisaitl for a one-timer that gave Edmonton its first lead over Toronto since January. Robert Tychkowski Barrie made it 3-1 when the took a behind-the-back pass from Draisaitl

and sniped his fifth goals and 31st point of the season from close range After a month of waiting to get even for that infamous three-game, 13-1 at 18:06. shellacking, including a week of stewing in their hotel rooms after The goals were things of beauty. From there, it was just a matter of the COVID-19 scrubbed their series in Montreal, the Edmonton Oilers Oilers closing the deal. couldn’t wait to unleash their pent-up emotion and energy on the Toronto Maple Leafs. That would prove difficult. The Leafs pressed hard and finally broke through when John Tavares scored at 12:21, leaving plenty of time for And that’s exactly what they did, storming out to a 3-1 lead just eight Toronto to fully close the gap. minutes away from the finish line. They didn’t need all of it, though, as William Nylander squared it with Vengeance was theirs. 3:22 left in regulation. The Matthews winner was another lucky one that But the team that has tormented them so badly in recent games rose up bounced off a leg, but they all count, and the Oilers never should have and did it again, scoring twice down the stretch and again in the first been in overtime in the first place. minute of overtime to hand the Oilers a stunning 4-3 defeat at Scotiabank “As a group, we can play better,” said head coach . “We Arena. didn’t play well enough to win the game. We gave up too many chances, “I thought we played fairly solid for the most part, leading by two with didn’t execute well enough. There are things that we can do a lot better eight minutes to go, but you have to get that into the last minute and shut as a team.” it down,” said Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl. “It’s on us. Things like tonight Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.28.2021 shouldn’t happen again.”

Auston Matthews got credit for the final dagger, a double-banker that handed Edmonton just its second loss in 18 games when leading after 40 minutes.

“Just not a good third period by us,” said defenceman Tyson Barrie. “We’ve been in tight games where we had the lead and we’ve done a good job of closing them out. That certainly wasn’t the case tonight.

“They obviously wanted it more and they kind of had their way at the end of the game. We didn’t make it near hard enough.”

Any time you blow a two-goal third-period lead it hurts, but blowing it to the Leafs, on Hockey Night in Canada, after what happened earlier this month, is a killer.

“They beat us three straight in Edmonton last time,” said Barrie. “We remembered that, it stung, so we wanted to get this one. It was a disappointing end.”

Connor McDavid and Draisaitl, held to just one assist in Toronto’s three- game sweep, were front and in this one, delivering five points in spectacular fashion to help stake the 3-1 lead.

And, on the whole, Edmonton turned in a strong performance, scoring three straight goals in the second period after Toronto went up 1-0, but those final eight minutes washed everything away but the loser point.

“We did a lot of good things, there’s no question about it, but obviously it’s about winning,” said Draisaitl. “It’s not all bad, but there are things we need to do better.”

Concern that the Leafs are a Boogeyman that holds some kind of spell over the Oilers grew a little stronger in the wake of this, but the Oilers are having none of it.

“Of course we can beat that team, there’s no question about it,” said Draisaitl. “That’s a good team, we’re a really good team, it’s always tight games. There is no questioning in our heads that we can beat them.”

The Oilers got off to the sluggish start most people expected after an unexpected bye week, they were outshot 10-4 in the first period, with Jessie Puljujarvi posting three of the shots, but escaped with a scoreless tie thanks to a couple of big-time saves from 39-year-old Mike Smith.

The Leafs took the lead after a chip shot off a scramble floated up in the air, bounced off the top of Smith’s head, hit the back of his glove hand and wound up in the net — in case you were wondering how this series has gone recently. 1207009 Edmonton Oilers that where you don’t play your best hockey, you want to come out and respond and that’s what we expect.”

CONTENDING WITH DYNAMIC DUO OILERS SNAPSHOTS: McDavid finally gets Saturday night in Toronto Together or on separate lines, the Maple Leafs knew they were going to It seems odd the best player in the NHL, who hails from the Greater have their hands full dealing with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Toronto Area, had to wait this long to play on a primetime night against Despite smothering the pair in a three-game sweep earlier this month, the Maple Leafs the Leafs knew it was unlikely to happen again, especially if they ended up on the same line.

Derek Van Diest “They’re pretty deadly together, they know where each other are going to be,” said Leafs forward Mitch Marner. “So you have to be ready, you have to make sure that when you think a pass can’t be made, they’re pretty good at finding a way to get it there. You just have to make sure Connor McDavid, in his sixth season with the Edmonton Oilers, had you stay dialed in the whole time when they’re on the ice and just try to never played on a Saturday night in Toronto until now. do your part.” It seems odd the best player in the NHL, who hails from the Greater Since being shut out in the three games against the Maple Leafs, Toronto Area, had to wait this long to play on a primetime night against McDavid put together a nine-game point streak, scoring seven goal and the Maple Leafs. collecting 20 points in that span. Draisaitl had eight goals and 15 points Granted, the Oilers played in Toronto just once a year prior to this year, since being limited to one point in the three games against Toronto. but it still seems like a missed opportunity the previous five seasons. “Obviously, they are two dangerous players, both on their own and when “The league likes to try and sneak us through here on a Monday or a they’re playing together,” said Rielly. “I don’t think it changes a lot for our Wednesday night, so for us to get a Saturday night game is exciting,” approach. You have to be aware when they’re out there, play the McDavid said prior to the contest. “As a kid, you obviously watch structure, play as a group. It’s not going to be one guy doing the job, it’s Saturday night hockey and growing up in the Toronto area, that was going to be the group at all times. I don’t think it changes too much, we always the Leafs. So, it’s great to be able to play here on Saturday, it’s just have to be focused on that task at hand, play our structure and we’ll my first time.” be fine.”

McDavid and the Oilers were well-rested heading into the game after Notes … According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Oilers prospect being idle for a week following the postponement of a three-game series Dylan Holloway played with a broken thumb in the University of against the Montreal Canadiens due to COVID-19 concerns. Wisconsin’s upset loss to Bemidji State at the NCAAA men’s hockey tournament. Holloway, 19, was selected 14th overall by the Oilers in the The Canadiens had two players, Joel Armia and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, 2020 NHL Entry Draft. It has been speculated Holloway would leave placed on the league’s COVID protocol list prior to the opening game of school and sign with the Oilers at the conclusion of his U.S. college the series Monday, which had been postponed a few hours prior to puck season. drop. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 03.28.2021 The rest of the series was scrubbed the next day as a precaution. The Oilers stayed in Montreal before flying to Toronto on Thursday in preparation for the primetime stage.

Originally, the game against the Maple Leafs would have been the Oilers’ fourth in a week, but instead they arrived in Toronto a well-rested group.

“Obviously, it’s been a strange week,” McDavid said. “It’s been boring, I think. Honestly, that’s the first word that comes to mind. It’s almost been like a little bit of a bye week. We should be rested, guys should have legs, guys should have energy.

“When you come off a bit of a delay like this, sometimes the attention to detail and the little things can be missed, so I think for us it’s important to dial that in right away and work our way back into the swing of things.”

LONG MEMORIES

The Oilers have not forgotten the beating they took in a three-game series against the Maple Leafs at Rogers Place at the beginning of the month.

The Maple Leafs won all three games, outscoring the Oilers 13-1 and, in the process, keeping McDavid from registering a point. The Oilers have gone 7-2-0 since then, but still felt they had something to prove against the Maple Leafs heading into the final two games of the season series.

“They came into Edmonton and did what they did and we have to show, not only to them but to ourselves, that we can play with these guys and we can beat these guys,” McDavid said. “We’ve done it before. I think it was a combination of two things that happened in Edmonton, they played some amazing hockey and we played below where we should have been and the combination of those two things just didn’t add up well for us.”

While the Oilers surged after the series, the Maple Leafs stumbled. While many in Toronto were planning out the parade route, the Maple Leafs went on to lose six of their next seven. They’ve since bounced back with two straight wins heading in against the Oilers, knocking off the Calgary Flames at home and edging out an overtime victory against the Ottawa Senators.

“Obviously, after the last games that we played against them in Edmonton, they’re going to be a motivated group,” said Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly. “With any team, when you go on a stint like 1207010 Edmonton Oilers significant progress over his 2019-20 campaign (9-14-23 in 59 games). His size is a drawback, but speed and goal-scoring ability (plus his age, 22) make him an attractive option.

Lowetide: Scouring the hockey world for a left winger for the Oilers’ skill Mike Hardman is a first-shot scorer who has 22 goals in two seasons line with Boston College. He spent part of his time with the Eagles playing on a line with Alex Newhook and Oilers draft pick Aapeli Rasanen. He is a volume shooter (21 shots in five games since Feb. 20) and would be a good fit for Edmonton’s needs. By Allan Mitchell Mar 27, 2021 Jordan Kawaguchi is finishing his fine four-year career at North Dakota

this spring. He is small (5-9, 188) but has a dynamic skill set and the Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland has a great memory and career numbers to match. He has scored 39-86-125 during 135 NCAA shops the world for useful hockey players. When he arrived in Edmonton games, 32 of those goals at even strength. He has a career 13.6 in spring 2019, one of the areas of need was a right-handed centre to shooting percentage in college and is also an excellent passer. play on the bottom two lines. Holland remembered Gaetan Haas, who Konstantin Okulov shoots left and plays right wing in the KHL, but NHL had a strong run at the 2018 World Championship in Denmark (he teams move wingers over for handedness when they’re coming from scored the winner against Canada in the semifinal) and reached out to Europe. He is 26 and a very talented shooter, scoring 18 goals and 49 sign the veteran of 10 seasons with Bern in the Swiss league. points in 55 games for CSKA Moscow. He took 129 shots and could have Holland has signed several players from Europe who weren’t on the free- a major impact on an NHL team. Okulov is 26, so his time is now. agency radar, including Haas, Joakim Nygard and, most recently, SHL Shane Prince played in 128 NHL games last decade for the Ottawa defenceman Theodor Lennstrom. Senators and New York Islanders, and his assets included speed and This summer, we’re likely to see a great deal of turnover at the left-wing creativity with the puck. He washed out of the NHL a few years ago and position on the Edmonton roster. The Oilers are too small at the position has been building his career back in the Swiss league and the KHL. He and can boast only intermittent offence. Buying out James Neal and scored 25 goals this year (fourth overall in the KHL) for Dynamo Minsk walking free agents like Dominik Kahun, Tyler Ennis and Joakim Nygard and was easily the most productive offensive player on the team (184 could be on the agenda if the organization wants to improve in 2021-22. shots). There may be a window of opportunity for him to return to the NHL. That would leave Leon Draisaitl, plus Tyler Benson from the Bakersfield Condors, as the top options, meaning an almost complete overhaul at the Patriks Zabusovs is 19 and technically eligible for the 2021 draft, but position. College phenom Dylan Holloway might also be in the picture if there’s been zero buzz about him beyond Red Line Report. There’s a lot he signs with the NHL team. to like based on the numbers, as he is a solid contributor in the MHL (Russia’s top junior league). His 35 goals in 114 games in junior suggest Holland will have free-agent dollars to spend, but much of that cap room he has scoring ability. He is 6-1, 170 and has a substantial skill set (fine might be gone if management chooses to retain Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, skater, great passer, plus shot). He’s a longer-term investment than the Tyson Barrie and Adam Larsson, expensive veterans who now fill vital other men on this list, but there’s plenty to like about him. roles on the team. What does it all mean? Edmonton might once again be on the lookout for under-the-radar options in Europe, and Holland’s long memory and endless contacts may The Oilers enter the trade deadline with a left-wing depth chart of be put to use. As European and NCAA seasons draw to a close and Draisaitl, Kahun, Ennis, Neal and Nygard. Benson is the obvious player another pool of talent reaches free agency, here’s a look at some of the from the minors to push, and Holloway’s size and speed will make him an talent that might be available for the left-wing position. attractive option if he’s at camp in the fall.

Shopping the world For the Oilers this season, left wing has some size, skill and speed issues after Draisaitl. A good guess would have the team being able to Rodrigo Abols is a fairly obscure player with a fascinating resume. afford re-signing Kahun, but additional options will be needed from the Drafted by the Vancouver Canucks late in the 2016 draft, he was signed Holland bargain pool. by the Florida Panthers in spring 2019. He is 6-foot-3, 205 pounds and posted a solid if unspectacular rookie season in the AHL 2019-20 (36 The team needs a speedster who can get into the lineup more often than games, 7-16-23). Abols spent all of this year with Orebro of the SHL. He Nygard. Coach Dave Tippett also needs more size than Ennis can posted solid numbers (19-15-34 in 45 games), but in January the provide and more scoring than Neal has delivered. Panthers (via PuckPedia) designated him via waivers. He posted a Draisaitl and Kahun at the top end, with Benson and Holloway pushing is strong SHL season, and with his contract status up in the air, Abols might a good start. Oilers fans would love to see an established 30-goal winger be an astute free-agent signing. for the No. 2 line, but money will be tight if the organization decides to Denis Alexeyev is a right-handed centre who has been a regular in the bring back all of the expensive incumbents. KHL for several seasons. At 23, he’s at a perfect age to come to the NHL Holland is good at thrifting. He may need to be when shopping the world and will have a large number of suitors. Alexeyev is a fine playmaker, for left wingers this summer. posting 23 assists (and 14 goals) in 58 games for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in 2020-21. He is solid in the dot, posting a 57.6 percentage in 632 faceoffs. The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 His shooting percentage (16.9) was higher than his career average by three points, so his actual goal-scoring may be shy of what his totals this year imply. Although he plays centre, Alexeyev’s presence on the roster might allow the club to run Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins (should he sign) on the left side.

Jackson Cates is a left-handed centre who was named USHL Forward of the Year in 2018 and has performed well in his three NCAA seasons with Minnesota-Duluth. He has a range of skills (money on the power play, 13 of his 26 goals coming on the man advantage), and his career shot total of 256 in 94 games (2.72 per game) suggests he has been involved in the offence during his time with the Bulldogs. His offensive skills and intelligent play make him an attractive option for the Oilers, although he is from Minnesota and that usually gives American teams the advantage with players who choose to sign a pro contract. Cates has the option of returning for his senior season, but the offers will be there.

Igor Geraskin is a small, fast left winger (5-7, 163) who scored 11 goals on 110 shots in 57 games this season in the KHL. Ten of his goals were at even strength, and he added 21 assists in a season that represented 1207011 Florida Panthers The Stars (11-11-9) answered back with two goals in the period to take a 2-1 lead before Verhaeghe scored on a power play to tie the game at 2-2 at the end of the first. Again, Acciari chipped in an assist.

Aaron Ekblad scores game-winner in OT — twice! — and Panthers snap With two important power-play contributors out, Acciari found a spot on 3-game losing streak the Panthers’ second unit. He came on to the ice for the last 27 seconds of the power play and rushed to the net after right wing Frank Vatrano shot from outside. He poked at a loose puck and jarred it away from Khudobin, and Verhaeghe pounced to score his second and tie the game BY DAVID WILSON at 2-2. After the period, he headed into the dressing room to get six or seven stitches above his left eye after his helmet cut into his eyebrow.

The depression of the Florida Panthers’ longest losing streak of the At the end of the second period, Verhaeghe pushed Florida ahead again. season hung even harder on Aaron Ekblad when he skated back onto The Panthers were trying to kill another penalty and Verhaeghe was the the ice for the final 47.8 seconds of overtime. His apparent game-winning lone forward forechecking the Stars. He perched himself at the blue line goal was no more, wiped away because he had just barely been offsides. and waited for Dallas defenseman Miro Heiskanen to get careless with He had less than a minute to redeem himself or face the stress of a the puck. He snatched away possession, skated into open space and shootout. sniped a go-ahead goal into the top right corner of the net.

The Dallas Stars raced on the attack first and Sergei Bobrovsky made “We were trying to put as many shots as we could on them,” Verhaeghe two game-saving stops. The second, a diving kick save with his right pad, said. “I was just happy it went in.” let the Panthers charge in the other direction and, of course, give Ekblad Florida, though, coughed up the lead again with 17 minutes remaining. a chance at redemption. With 9.3 seconds to go, he delivered the game- The third period became about survival, as the Panthers managed to put winning goal for a 4-3 victory — for real, this time. just four shots on net in the final 20 minutes of regulation. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen somebody score two overtime goals in the Bobrovsky kept them afloat, making 31 saves on 34 shots, and finally same game,” coach said, “so that can go down as one Ekblad was able to take advantage of more open ice. He learned his of the better moves that we’ve seen.” lesson when the first goal got called back. He made sure his final attempt The defenseman dashed to the front of the net and gathered a pass from would count. All-Star left wing Jonathan Huberdeau as the final seconds ticked away. “I guess,” Verhaeghe said, “Ek made up for himself.” He deked to his right and shifted the puck back to his left, flipping a backhand goal over Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin to snap Florida’s Miami Herald LOADED: 03.28.2021 season-worst three-game losing streak in Dallas.

EK REALLY SAID "OK I'LL JUST DO IT AGAIN!" pic.twitter.com/eMDy9K7rgZ

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 28, 2021

The most frustrating week of the Panthers’ season nearly ended with another devastating result before Ekblad finally lifted the them back into the win column despite another spotty effort.

“It’s a big deal,” Ekblad said. “There’s like a depression when you go through these things. Three games doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a lot in this league and it’s really important, in terms of seeding and positioning, for us to win.”

Florida, which was playing without two of its top three forwards, managed just 25 shots and needed a hat trick from forward Carter Verhaeghe just to get to overtime in front of 4,209 at the American Airlines Center.

Verhaeghe, who scored 13 points as a rookie last year with the Tampa Bay Lightning, now has 27 and leads the Panthers (21-9-4) with 15 goals. On Saturday, he scored at even-strength in the opening minute, on the power play with 3:00 left in the first period and on the penalty kill late in the second.

While most of his success this year has come while playing with Aleksander Barkov, Verhaeghe’s best game yet came with the star center sidelined.

On Tuesday, Florida scratched Barkov during warm-ups ahead of a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. The forward is dealing with a lower-body injury and Quenneville said it’s “doubtful” he plays at all this weekend. On Thursday, the Panthers lost their second straight without Barkov and star right wing Patric Hornqvist went down with an undisclosed injury. He’ll be out for about a week, Quenneville said. Florida desperately needed a secondary contributor to step up.

Verhaeghe did so in less than 30 seconds.

“Everyone had to step up tonight,” Verhaeghe said.

Quenneville moved Noel Acciari into Barkov’s spot at center on the top line and the defensive-minded gave the grouping a different identity in between Verhaeghe and winger Anthony Duclair.

He started by blocking a shot and turned it into a transition opportunity. The forward fed a cross-ice pass to Verhaeghe on the left side of the rink and he beat Khudobin just 24 seconds into the game to give Florida a 1-0 lead. 1207012 Florida Panthers games decided in overtime. … Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle played in his 900th consecutive game, the longest current streak and third-longest in NHL history, and the longest among defensemen. … Barkov (lower-body injury) is doubtful to return Sunday, and Hornqvist Ekblad scores two goals in OT — and one counts — as Panthers edge (undisclosed injury) is expected to miss a week. … Roope Hintz, second Dallas to end three-game pointless skid on the Stars with 10 goals, missed his eighth game in the last 18 with a nagging lower-body injury. … Joel Hanley had two assists for Dallas, his

first multi-point game of the season. ASSOCIATED PRESS | MAR 28, 2021 AT 12:47 AM UP NEXT

Sunday’s game will be the fourth of a five-game homestand for the Stars DALLAS — Aaron Ekblad scored with 9.3 seconds left in overtime after and the fourth of a five-game road trip for the Panthers. his apparent winner moments earlier was wiped out by a replay review, Sun Sentinel LOADED: 03.28.2021 and the Florida Panthers beat the Dallas Stars 4-3 on Saturday night.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone score two overtime goals in the same game,” Florida coach Joel Quenneville said.

Carter Verhaeghe got the Panthers to overtime with a hat trick and they snapped a three-game losing streak that marked their longest of the season. Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves in the first of back-to-back games between the teams in Dallas.

Ekblad scored on a backhand on a 2-on-1 after being denied a goal with 47.8 seconds remaining in the extra period when a video review determined he was offside.

“I was very discouraged,” said Ekblad, whose 11 goals this season tied him for the most among NHL defensemen. “It hurt, but right after, they put me right back out and I was given the opportunity.”

“Made up for being offside,” Verhaeghe said.

Denis Gurianov, John Klingberg and Joel L’Esperance scored for the Stars, who haven’t won consecutive games since opening the season 4- 0-0. They were coming off Thursday’s victory over NHL-leading Tampa Bay.

Anton Khudobin stopped 24 shots in his third straight loss (0-1-2).

“We need to win games,” Klingberg said, with the Stars six points out of the last playoff berth in the Central Division after playing in last season’s Stanley Cup Final. “We’re going to have to go on a run here pretty soon.”

Verhaeghe took the team lead with 15 goals with his second career hat trick and picked up the scoring slack as Florida played without two of its most productive forwards because of injury: captain Aleksander Barkov (13 goals, 37 points) and Patric Hornqvist (12 goals, 25 points).

With the Panthers coming off a shutout loss Thursday in Chicago, Verhaeghe scored 24 seconds in on the game’s first shot on goal. He added his second late in first period on the power play after Gurianov and Klingberg had given Dallas a 2-1 lead.

Verhaeghe stole the puck from defenseman Miro Heiskanen in Dallas’ defensive zone while killing a penalty and whistled a wrist shot from the left circle to the upper far corner at 17:40 of the second period.

VERHAEGHE’S BIG NIGHT

The second-year forward who signed as a free agent last fall following a season with Tampa Bay scored 5-on-5, on the power play and short- handed.

“I was hoping he’d get an empty-netter,” Quenneville said, “but we’re dreaming a little bit there in color.”

Verhaeghe also took some stitches – six or seven by his count – on an eyebrow during the first intermission.

“I think it was my helmet,” he said. “I went into the boards hard.”

AT THE OTHER END

Between Ekblad’s offside goal and his game-winner, Bobrovsky made point-blank saves on Heiskanen and Klingberg.

“You can’t ask for better scoring chances than we had in overtime,” Dallas coach Rick Bowness said. “Two guys all alone in front of the net. You give their goalie credit.”

ICE CHIPS

The Panthers are 14-0-1 when leading after two periods and 11-5-1 on the road. The Stars are 0-9-7 when trailing after two periods and 2-9 in 1207013 Florida Panthers

Greatest Honour denied in Florida Derby by Known Agenda

By TOM JICHA

HALLANDALE BEACH — Known Agenda, the last horse to defeat overwhelming favorite Greatest Honour, did it again Saturday in the $750,000 Florida Derby.

Greatest Honour, who came into the race on a three-race winning streak, was sent away as the 4-5 public choice but could manage only to get up for a non-threatening third after a difficult trip. Soup and Sandwich,, who was prominent throughout, held the place.

Irad Ortiz Jr. bided his time with Known Agenda, a 5-1 shot, rating him in mid-pack early. He picked up the pace along the inside going up the backstretch, which concerned trainer Todd Pletcher, who said he feels his colt prefers racing in the clear outside horses. Ortiz, however, said his mount was “going great” so he stayed put.

Known Agenda appeared to be in a bit of a box around the run as pace- makers Nova Rags and Soup and Sandwich continued to duel. An opportunity presented itself for Known Agenda near the top of the stretch and Ortiz asked for his best. Known Agenda accelerated as if put into overdrive. By the time the leaders hit the run for home, Known Agenda had cleared the other two and the only question was would Greatest Honour’s stretch move be strong enough to make a race of it.

But the favorite was no match for the winner, who got under the wire 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Soup and Sandwich and almost six lengths to the better of Greatest Honour, who had taken the Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth.

Known Agenda completed a mile and an eighth in 1:49.45, well off the stakes record of 1:46 4/5 set in 1957 by General Duke.

The victory was a milestone for Ortiz who established a record for wins in a Gulfstream winter meeting with his 138th victory. Luis Saez had the previous high, 137, in 2017-18. Ortiz equaled that mark earlier in the card when he guided Sweet Bye and Bye to the winner’s circle in the Sand Springs Stakes. He said the record is secondary to having a legitimate Derby contender. “I kept telling Mr. Pletcher to get me one and he did.”

The victory was the fifth in Gulfstream’s signature event for Pletcher, who has won his 17th Gulfstream training title in 18 years. Pletcher’s 2017 Florida Derby winner, Always Dreaming, doubled up in the Kentucky Derby, the next stop for Known Agenda. “It’s certainly the hope,” Pletcher said.

Vinnie Viola, owner of the Florida Panthers, was part of the ownership team of Always Dreaming and shares ownership in Known Agenda. After a couple of disappointing performances at Aqueduct and Tampa Bay Downs, he said he was worried Known Agenda wouldn’t be up to taking on a field as strong as the Florida Derby’s. “If it was up to me, I would have put him on a plane to California for the Santa Anita Derby.”

After an 11-length win in a Gulfstream allowance, Pletcher decided the horse had turned a corner and was ready for Gulfstream’s signature race. One of the turning points was when he equipped Known Agenda with blinkers for the allowance race. Pletcher said John Velazquez, who had ridden Known Agenda twice, recommended the equipment change. When Velazquez had out of town commitments, he lost the mount to Ortiz, who now has the Derby horse he has been looking for all winter.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207014 Florida Panthers ”It’s a big deal,” Ekblad said, “There’s a depression when you go through these things. Three games doesn’t sound like much but it is a big deal in this league.”

Carter Verhaeghe gets a hat trick as Panthers win in Dallas Said Verhaeghe: “We had lost a couple straight here and everyone had to step up tonight.”

FIRST PERIOD HIGHLIGHTS By George Richards Things could not have started off any better for the shorthanded Panthers as Florida won the opening faceoff, got the puck into the zone and quickly made it 1-0. When he scored just 24 seconds into the game, you kind of knew it would be that kind of a night for Carter Verhaeghe as the Panthers Acciari led Verhaeghe and he jumped all over it, beating Khudobin for the played in Dallas. initial lead.

Verhaeghe not only scored his first power play goal of the season, but he After that, the Panthers were a bit shaky on both sides of the ice with got his first shorthanded goal as well en route to a hat trick and a 4-3 Dallas scoring twice within a span of 1:56 to take a 2-1 lead. overtime win against the host Stars. Florida ended up tying things in the waning moments of its first power Aaron Ekblad was the only other Florida player to score as he got the OT play chance as Verhaeghe hammered a rebound off an Acciari shot with winner to snap the team’s three-game losing streak. three minutes left in the period.

Ekblad had apparently scored the winner moments before but was ruled The Panthers outshot Dallas 9-8 in the opening period. offside. ”It was a great win across the board,” Quenneville said. ”I was discouraged, very discouraged. That one hurt,” Ekblad said. “Right after, (Ulf Samuelson) put me back out there and gave me the SECOND PERIOD HIGHLIGHTS opportunity. Bob made a great blocker save and that’s the only reason Dallas got two power plays in the second, but NHL-leader Joe Pavelski we were able to go and do that.” did not score — but Verhaghe did again. The second one, with just 10 seconds left, counted. The Panthers’ winger got his second career hat trick at 17:40 of the ”You’re thinking ‘what a chance’ and it’s over and then it is offside,” Joel second as he picked off a loose puck, drove in and snapped one through Quenneville said. from the left circle.

“I don’t think I have ever seen anyone score two goals in an overtime Florida played a very solid second period and had numerous chances game. So that can go down as one of the better moves we have seen.” including nice looks from Gus Forsling and Acciari.

To say Verhaeghe has been a huge lift to the Panthers this season would The Panthers outshot Dallas, despite the power play disadvantage, 10-7 definitely be an understatement. in the period.

And, the shorthanded Panthers definitely needed him this night. THIRD PERIOD HIGHLIGHTS

With three goals on Saturday night, Verhaeghe now leads the Panthers Dallas tied the score three minutes into the period on a goal from Joel — a team playing without leading scorers Sasha Barkov and Patric L’Esperance. Hornqvist — in goals with 15. Florida offered up a few chances but appeared to be playing it safe to He also suffered a cut above his left eye which needed half-a-dozen force OT and at least snare a point out of Dallas. stitches. Nice souvenir. They got it and more thanks to Ekblad and Bobrovsky. ”Right on my eyebrow,” he said. ”It is one of those things that happened so quick,” Bobrovsky said. “But The Panthers had a 3-2 lead going into the third thanks to Verhaeghe’s you stay focused, you know? We celebrated twice. It was a big two first three goals, but the Stars battled back, tying the score three minutes points. We are happy.” into the period. Said Verhaghe: “Bob made two massive saves in overtime. We thought it Florida held out hope that at least one of Barkov or Hornqvist could play was over and he dialed back in and made two massive saves. It was in Dallas but Quenneville publicly quashed that in the morning as both awesome. Huge win for our team.” were ruled out. GEORGE’S THREE STARS OF THE GAME But lined up with Noel Acciari and Anthony Duclair, Verhaeghe got the 1. F Carter Verhaeghe, Florida Panthers off and running. 2. D Aaron Ekblad, Florida ”Huge step up game for Verhaeghe,” Ekblad said. “He is having a huge year and for him to get those three goals and lift us to that win is 3. F Noel Acciari, Florida amazing.” ON DECK: PANTHERS AT STARS Acciari set the first two goals up — first off a pass then on a power play late in the first off a shot. When: Sunday, 6 p.m.

In the second, Verhaeghe broke out on a penalty kill and snapped a Where: AmericanAirlines Center, Dallas pretty wrist shot from the left circle to give Florida a lead. Season series: Florida leads 3-1

In OT, the Panthers were all over Anton Khudobin but only Ekblad put TV/Radio: FSF/560-AM one (two) in the back of the net. Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 Ekblad’s first OT goal came with 47.9 seconds remaining. Play resumed, Sergei Bobrovsky (31 saves) made another big stop and Florida was back the other way.

The two teams wrap up their quick weekend series Sunday at 6.

Florida is just happy its only losing streak this season, regardless of how short it was, is now over. 1207015 Florida Panthers Patric Hornqvist, who was seen favoring his left side as he was helped off the ice in the third period Thursday, is out for a week per Quenneville.

The Panthers will again dress seven defenseman (Riley Stillman is Now on a losing streak, Panthers try to bounce back in Dallas coming up from the taxi squad) with Brett Connolly back in the lineup and likely getting a bigger role.

It will be difficult for Florida Panthers to replace an injured Patric By George Richards Hornqvist

— The Panthers placed Anton Stralman on waivers Friday and he cleared and will remain with the team. It took more than half the season, but the Florida Panthers are on their first losing streak as they limp into Dallas to face the Stars this Quenneville said Stralman is still “part of the group” although he will be weekend. moved to the taxi squad on Saturday allowing Stillman to come up.

Over the course of the franchise’s checkered history, a three-game slide Florida Panthers place veteran defenseman Anton Stralman on waivers has sometimes come in a season’s first week. Do not be surprised to see Stralman back in his spot on the second With the possibility that star center Sasha Barkov will return Saturday pairing with Gus Forsling on Saturday, but he could be scratched or even after missing the past two games, the Panthers have hope that the streak sent to the taxi squad for the time being. will not hit four. Florida Panthers at Dallas Stars Dallas, however, is no pushover — and is in a fight for its playoff lives. When: Saturday, 8 p.m. Florida meanwhile, will be shorthanded — missing two of their top scorers in Sasha Barkov and Patric Hornqvist. Where: AmericanAirlines Center, Dallas

Due to Covid-19 shutdowns, the Stars have only played 30 games so TV/Radio: FSF/560-AM their spot near the bottom of the Central Division is not as bad as it looks Records (standings): Florida 20-9-4, 44 points (3rd in Central); Dallas 11- at first glance. 11-8, 30 points (7th) The Panthers now have a seven-point lead on fourth-place Chicago after All-time series: Chicago leads 26-15-3 (2 ties) the Blackhawks took all four available points this week and Florida got none. Season series: Dallas leads 19-15-7

The main competition for the final playoff spot in the Central does not Last season: Florida won 1-0 involve the Panthers, at least not directly right now. Up next: Florida at Dallas; Sunday 6 Dallas, which has four games in hand over Chicago, trail the Blackhawks for that final spot by seven points. Previous game: Blackhawks 3, Panthers 0

So, if the Stars were to win all of those games, that is eight points right Panthers This Week — Sunday: Tampa Bay 5, Florida 3; Tuesday: there. Chicago 3, Florida 2; Thursday: Chicago 3, Florida 0; Saturday: Florida at Dallas, 8; Sunday, April 27: Florida at Dallas, 6 The Stars are, remember, the reigning Western Conference champs and are desperate to get back into the playoffs. PROJECTED FLORIDA PANTHERS LINES

In this case, the Panthers will have a say in who gets that fourth spot in FLORIDA FORWARDS the division. 91 Anthony Duclair — 23 Carter Verhaeghe — 10 Brett Connolly

Saturday is the fourth of an eight-game season series between Dallas 11 Jonathan Huberdeau — 21 Alex Wennberg — 19 Mason Marchment and Florida with the Panthers taking two of the first three. 77 Frank Vatrano — 27 Eetu Luostarinen — 74 Owen Tippett If Dallas is going to get back into this thing, having some success agains the Panthers will be an incredible help. 61 Riley Stillman — 83 Juho Lammikko — 55 Noel Acciari

On the flip side, Florida can continue to pad its lead and further cement FLORIDA DEFENSEMEN its playoff spot. 52 MacKenzie Weegar — 5 Aaron Ekblad A win or two this weekend would not only end the Panthers’ first losing streak of 2021, but get them back in the hunt for the top spot in the 42 Gus Forsling — 65 Markus Nutivaara Central. 3 Keith Yandle — 7 Radko Gudas

Dallas helped keep the Panthers within shouting distance of the Lightning FLORIDA GOALIES with its win Thursday night. 72 Sergei Bobrovsky The Panthers are now six points behind Tampa Bay for first and three back of Carolina for second. 60 Chris Driedger

Florida is in a much different race than the Stars are — but with three Scratches: F Vinnie Hinostroza, F Ryan Lomberg consecutive losses, need to be the more desperate team come Saturday. Injured: F Patric Hornqvist (lower body), F Sasha Barkov (lower body) It is way too early to start worrying about the Panthers right now; they Loaned to AHL Syracuse (conditioning): D Noah Juulsen (UBI) played 1 1/2 good games in Chicago and, with a bounce or two, could have gotten three or four points out of the trip. Taxi squad: D Kevin Connauton, D Anton Stralman, G Philippe Instead, they got none. Desrosiers

BARKOV, HORNQVIST OUT Florida power play (26/106 24.5% — 9th in NHL) Florida penalty kill (81/101 80.2% — 13th in NHL) Joel Quenneville said Thursday that Barkov could return in Dallas this weekend after he left warmups early Tuesday and did not play in either PP1: Alex Wennberg, Jonathan Huberdeau, Brett Connolly, Aaron Chicago game. Ekblad, Keith Yandle

Saturday, he said Barkov would not play later that night and was doubtful PP2: Noel Acciari, Frank Vatrano, Anthony Duclair, Carter Verhaeghe, for Sunday’s game. Gus Forsling PROJECTED DALLAS STARS LINES

DALLAS STARS FORWARDS

21 Jason Robertson — 24 Roope Hintz — 16 Joe Pavelski

14 Jamie Benn — 18 Jason Dickinson — 34 Denis Gurianov

11 Andrew Cogliano — 12 Radek Faksa — 15 Blake Comeau

49 Rhett Gardner — 37 Justin Dowling — 38 Joel L’Esperance

DALLAS STARS DEFENSEMEN

23 Esa Lindell — 3 John Klingberg

2 Jamie Oleksiak — 4 Miro Heiskanen

44 Joel Hanley — 13 Mark Pysyk

DALLAS STARS GOALIES

35 Anton Khudobin

29 Jake Oettinger

Dallas power play (24/101, 23.8% — 12th in NHL)

Dallas penalty kill (71/92 77.2% — 18th in NHL)

PP1: Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, John Klingberg, Miro Heiskanen

PP2: Radek Faksa, Justin Dowling, Jamie Benn, Esa Lindell, Denis Gurianov

Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207016 Los Angeles Kings A playoff spot is still a long shot, but the Kings’ progress has been real. “Between the veteran leadership and the young players integrating real quick, things have gone fairly well for us,” McLellan said. “We’d still prefer to have a better record, but the belief system is still there that we can Column: Kings say fans could be allowed to attend games at Staples continue to push and fight for one of those playoff spots as the year goes Center soon on.”

Even if the Kings don’t get one of the four West Division berths, the experience of playing close games and being in the playoff scramble By HELENE ELLIOTT MARCH 27, 2021 6:30 AM PT should benefit their younger players. “We wanted to make sure we’re competitive all along,” general manager said. “Todd talked integration [of] some of the younger players and the resilience and The Kings remain on course to take the next step in their rebuilding compete level of some of our older players. They’ve led the way all year.” process — and club executives are optimistic that fans will soon be able to witness the team’s evolution in person at Staples Center or via seven The Kings have nearly $10 million in projected salary cap space, games that will be broadcast on over-the-air TV. according to the website capfriendly.com, and Blake was asked whether that will allow him to sign a scorer or defenseman in the next phase of his Because of state and county health restrictions put in place during the rebuilding plan. Spending big bucks on a big scorer might not make COVID-19 pandemic, the Kings have played in front of empty seats this much sense as a primary strategy before the April 12 trade deadline — season. As conditions have changed around the country, more than half one player isn’t likely to put the Kings over the top and turn them into of the NHL’s teams have allowed spectators to attend games. Kelly Stanley Cup contenders this season — but it’s a pleasant and Cheeseman, chief executive officer of AEG Sports — the Kings’ parent reasonable future option Blake will soon be able to consider. company — said it’s possible fans will be allowed into Staples Center soon. “There’s lots of discussion, and we’re involved in any discussion that shows that we can actually improve our team,” Blake said. “So we’ll “We’re getting closer,” Cheeseman said Friday during a state-of-the- continue to do that.” franchise event held virtually for season-ticket holders. “We’re having continued, ongoing dialogue about fans coming back here indoors in a The Anaheim Ducks walk the tunnel prior to a game against the number of weeks. I don’t have an exact date yet, but we’re hopeful in the Minnesota Wild. next few weeks we’re going to get an opportunity to bring some fans It gets complicated, though, because the gate-dependent NHL has back before the season ends. experienced enormous revenue losses that will keep the salary cap from “In all things COVID there’s no guarantees, but we’re hopeful that in the rising much, if at all, over the next few years. But the Kings can benefit next few weeks we can get some people in. It’s going to look like it’s from that by swooping in when other teams must trade high-salaried been in other venues across the league. We’re going to have a small players to stay under the cap. The Kings have young players and draft percentage first, and that will be our first step.” picks to offer in return.

Fans would be grouped in pods of one to six tickets, and the pods would “We’ve got to keep adding, and we’ve got to strive to make the team be at least six feet apart. Social distancing rules would be in effect in the better. I think we put that stage, after the deadline last year, we put that building and masks will be required. “Just an opportunity to get fans in foot forward,” Blake said. here soon is something we welcome,” he said. “As far as cap space, obviously with the projections of a flat cap for Those who can’t attend games will get a bigger chance to watch some another four to five years, we will look at a lot of different options where games on TV. Six games were moved to Ch. 13, and one game, on May teams may have to shed or move cap space. We will have that ability 1, was shifted to KDOC because of scheduling conflicts on Fox Sports going forward. ... We project usually probably three to five years out on West with other local teams. Fans who have cut their cable cords and the cap situation knowing there will be free agency, but there will also be rely on streaming services have had difficulty watching games because opportunities to acquire players from some teams that will have to make many streaming services stopped carrying Fox Sports West. The first of different moves according to the cap. So we’re exploring, looking at all those shifted games is next Friday. those options.”

“We definitely see this as an opportunity to showcase our team to people Adding size on defense is on his wish list, though he said he likes the that might have not had the opportunity to see our team before,” team current group’s competitiveness. Size will be important against teams like President Luc Robitaille said. “We don’t control the situation but at the West Division-leading Vegas. “The bigger guys, they’re hard to find that same time we’re going to try to take full advantage of the situation.” are very mobile and can do all things,” Blake said.

Anyone who hasn’t seen the Kings in a while will notice improvement in McLellan said Vegas and Colorado are “head and shoulders above the many areas. They’ve been more competitive this season than they were rest of the teams” in the Kings’ division but added that Colorado is a good in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, which was Todd McLellan’s example of how patience and relying on young talent can fuel a team’s first as their coach. Familiarity with McLellan and his system has helped rise from the depths to the top. “They were where we are. They were elevate their special-teams play, and the progress of some of the young rebuilding a few years ago, and they’ve done a really good job of drafting players they’ve stockpiled has given them much more energy and and developing and we respect what they’ve done,” he said. “It’s fun to considerably more skill. The resurgence of veterans Anze Kopitar, Drew play against them, but we’ve still got a ways to go to catch up to them.” Doughty, Jonathan Quick, Dustin Brown and Jeff Carter has provided At least the Kings’ chase of the league’s top teams is worth watching good balance and direction to a team that hasn’t made the playoffs the now. And soon it will be even easier to watch in person or on TV. last two seasons and three of the last four. LA Times: LOADED: 03.28.2021 Kings are swept by Sharks with 4-2 loss

“I go back to training camp. We had a few goals that we wanted to establish,” McLellan said. “We wanted to reestablish structure. We wanted to reestablish our habits real quick. We hadn’t played in nine months. And for the most part, I think we got that done. We gave away some games early in the year where we had two-goal leads and that got away on us a little bit. We weren’t quite as polished as we needed to be.

“But I think we got up and running as quick as any team in the league and that helped us off to a good start. What’s gone well for us is the veteran leadership. The five players that have won Stanley Cups have been tremendous this season. They’ve come in and led and sacrificed and done all the things that true leaders need to do. And when you have good leaders, you should have good followers, and the rest of the group has done their thing.” 1207017 Los Angeles Kings

Kings acquire Brendan Lemieux from Rangers

By ANDREW KNOLL |PUBLISHED: March 27, 2021 at 6:13 p.m. | UPDATED: March 27, 2021 at 6:14 p.m.

The Kings acquired winger Brendan Lemieux from the New York Rangers Saturday in exchange for a 2021 fourth-round draft pick.

Lemieux, 25, previously played for the Rangers and Winnipeg Jets, totaling 43 points and 299 penalty minutes in 161 career games. His current contract runs through 2022 with a cap hit of $1.55 million.

He is the son of Claude Lemieux, who was one of the most despised players in the league but also one of the most clutch. His teams made the playoffs in all but one year of his career and he won three Stanley Cups with three different franchises–Montreal, New Jersey and Colorado–contributing critical goals and crushing hits along the way.

The younger Lemieux also has a reputation as both a physical player and an agitator, but has not had chances to prove his mettle in the postseason. He has made just one postseason appearance, whereas his father played in 234 playoff games, good for the fifth most all time.

Lemieux was born in Denver when his family was playing for the Colorado Avalanche. He has also lived in Newport Beach.

He has posted two goals, five assists and 59 penalty minutes in 31 games with the Rangers this season. He has also racked up three fighting majors, including one Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207018 Los Angeles Kings

Kings add a ‘physical element’ to their forward group with trade for Rangers’ Brendan Lemieux

By Lisa Dillman Mar 27, 2021

In the end, it was a small price for the Kings to pay to add an element of edginess to their group of bottom-six forwards.

The Kings acquired fourth-line winger Brendan Lemieux from the New York Rangers on Saturday for a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft.

The role of instigator is practically part and parcel of the Lemieux family business for Brendan, who is the son of former NHLer Claude Lemieux, a legendary pest and a four-time Stanley Cup champion, who is now a prominent player agent.

Incidentally, Claude wrapped up his NHL career playing 18 games with the San Jose Sharks in 2008-09, briefly as a teammate of Kings general manager Rob Blake. None other than current Kings coach Todd McLellan was their coach in San Jose.

“(He) will bring our group a physical element — on the forecheck,” Blake told The Athletic. “An in-your-face style of play.”

That is underscored by 299 penalty minutes in 162 career NHL games, split between the Rangers and the Winnipeg Jets. In other words, it’s a good thing the Kings’ penalty-kill unit is ranked third in the NHL.

Lemieux has seven points (two goals, five assists) and 59 penalty minutes in 31 games this season. He signed a two-year contract with the Rangers (with an AAV of $1.55 million) in November, avoiding arbitration.

VIA @HOCKEYVIZ, LEMIEUX'S IMPACT WASN'T GREAT IN EITHER END AT 5V5 THIS YEAR. DIDN'T HAVE MUCH OF A SPECIAL TEAMS ROLE, EITHER. ICE TIME TICKED DOWN THIS YEAR #NYR PIC.TWITTER.COM/A6FLIH5NJL

— SHAYNA (@HAYYYSHAYYY) MARCH 27, 2021

The Kings did have two fourth-round selections in the upcoming draft, but it is important to note that this is their pick, not the draft choice they received from the Calgary Flames in the Derek Forbort deal last season.

Having multiple picks in a round is draft capital and enabled the Kings to make a move like this one, rather than wait to move up or down at the draft or make a trade at the draft.

In fact, the last deal the Kings made before Saturday was with the Rangers on the second day of last year’s draft, acquiring Lias Andersson, a first-round draft choice in 2017, for a second-round pick.

This relatively minor trade was at the other end of the spectrum compared to the multiplayer blockbuster in 2015 involving Lemieux before he even played an NHL game. The Jets acquired Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia and Lemieux from the Buffalo Sabres for Zach Bogosian, Evander Kane and Jason Kasdorf. Lemieux was a second- round draft pick (No. 31) by the Sabres in 2014.

There may be more deals like this one coming in the NHL, rather than moves involving bigger names and multiplayer transactions. Even though the Canadian government this week approved a shorter quarantine period — seven days instead of 14 — for players traded to Canada from U.S.-based teams, it still might serve as an obstacle. Teams might hold off until the summer, which is a more active period, anyway.

Although Lemieux is moving within the United States, he probably will have to quarantine for seven days once he arrives in Los Angeles. That could be subject to change, but Blake said it was the most likely scenario.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207019 Los Angeles Kings Luszczyszyn: I like this gamble for Montreal given Staal isn’t far removed from being an impact player. Last season for the Wild he scored at a 58- point pace and had a solid 52.8 percent expected goals rate. That’s decent for a second-line center, and if Staal can get back to that range, NHL Trade Grades: Canadiens add Eric Staal; Kings deal for Brendan he really bolsters the Canadiens down the middle. With the team already Lemieux having a trifecta of Nick Suzuki, Phillip Danault and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Staal is a real luxury addition. Of course, that all depends on him getting

back to his Wild days. If his play with Buffalo is any indication, there’s a By Corey Pronman, Dom Luszczyszyn and more Mar 27, 2021 chance the 36-year-old veteran is already in a steep decline, unlikely to move the needle much for the Canadiens. He’s been a below replacement level player this season (who hasn’t on Buffalo?) putting up a 47.7 percent expected goals rate, while unable to generate any Corey Pronman, Dom Luszczyszyn and Craig Custance grade the semblance of actual offense. Staal has just 10 points in 32 games, and notable NHL trades of the season. the Sabres scored 1.12 goals-per-60 with him on the ice. The trade: Then again, his expected goals for per 60 was the second-highest on the The Los Angeles Kings acquire forward Brendan Lemieux. team, and Montreal may be able to count on positive regression when Staal joins the team. His on-ice shooting percentage of 3.8 percent is The New York Rangers acquire a 2021 fourth-round pick. well below his career norm and nearly three times lower than where he Pronman: Lemieux is a competitive, physical winger with some skill. He was last season. If that reverts, Staal can instantly become much more has had stretches over his pro career that make you think he has more productive. Couple that with a better ability to drive play further down the offense but never consistently, and he frustrates scouts as a result. His lineup and Staal becomes a very interesting depth piece for the primary issue is he lacks true NHL level foot speed, which isn’t great Canadiens. I’m not sure it’ll work, but it’s absolutely worth a shot, given he’s not dynamic with the puck. I still see enough to think he can especially at the price. He seems like a great fit for how the team is built be an above replacement level player at the tail-end of an NHL lineup. too.

The Rangers move a contract that has another full season on it as their Grade: B 2018 first-round pick Vitali Kravtsov enters the picture following the Buffalo Sabres conclusion of his KHL season. The logic for moving a piece is sound, but Lemieux is an NHL player, even if not a great one, and the chances of a Custance: This isn’t a bad return for Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams, who fourth-round pick playing games is low. certainly has his work cut out for him. An absolute home run for Staal is a second-round pick and that just wasn’t going to happen with his Los Angeles did a decent job leveraging the situation to get an NHL production level, even with his league-wide respect. asset for a mid-tier future asset. To get two picks was about as good as it was going to get. Los Angeles grade: B+ “Seems like a lot to give up,” texted an Eastern Conference executive of New York grade: B- the price Montreal paid. “Obviously under pressure in Montreal.”

The trade: Not to overanalyze the inclusion of the fifth-round pick (that’s what we do The Montreal Canadiens acquire veteran forward Eric Staal. here!) but there were two schools of thought on how it ended up in this deal. The Buffalo Sabres acquire a third-round and fifth-round draft pick. They also retain $1.625 million of Staal’s salary. One source suggested that it was the price of salary retention. Montreal is squeezed against the cap. Enough so that GM Marc Bergevin Montreal Canadiens suggested his deals would need to be dollar in, dollar out at this point.

Custance: Give the Canadiens credit for striking relatively quickly here, “(I’m) assuming the 50 percent retention was the fifth-round pick add,” especially after the quarantine rules adjustment. Every additional game texted an executive. teams can get out of their trade deadline additions is going to be really beneficial. But they paid a premium to make it happen, which we’ll get to Another thought was that it was the price of doing business this far out in a second. from the deadline.

The first question is this: What does Eric Staal have left in the tank? “If this deal was done on (April) 11th or 12th, you’re looking at a third- rounder,” said an executive. As one source pointed out, like most Sabres, his good games haven’t been frequent enough. But that’s not a great situation in Buffalo right Grade: B now, and it’s quite possible that the switch to a playoff race will up the Luszczyszyn: It’s a real shame Buffalo’s season has turned out the way it engagement level. has because it’s sullied any trade value for its best assets. Staal was still “Speed is obviously an issue,” said a talent evaluator. “He’s still heavy. a decently valuable player when the Sabres acquired him in the On a second power play, he can be that net-front guy.” offseason, coming off a year where he scored 47 points in 66 games, while being a positive possession driver. He’s been anything but this year Added an NHL coach via text: “Still a good player. Not what he once was, and that’s reflected in his trade return. At Montreal’s range that would but he can still play… He skates well, strong on the puck and good equate to roughly 0.7 wins (over the pick’s first seven years) for the third instincts. And obviously, a high-character person who has won.” and 0.2 wins for the fifth. That’s a fine haul for what Staal is now, but fairly light for what he could be given his past value. A better season in The exec pointed out that the value of this deal may boil down to the Buffalo could’ve put him in second-round pick range, especially with how team Montreal faces in the playoffs. If it’s a team loaded with speed, it thin the center market is. could be problematic. Grade: C “But if they played Winnipeg, he’s more of a fit for that series,” he said. Lightning clear cap space by trading Alexander Volkov to Ducks It was also noted that the Canadiens have a lot of draft picks so they were dealing from a position of strength here. Even with the deal, they The trade: have 12 picks in the 2021 draft, according to CapFriendly. That’s still a ton. Maybe too much. The Anaheim Ducks acquired forward Alexander Volkov.

It’s a fairly low-risk proposition for the Canadiens. The Tampa Bay Lightning received forward prospect Antoine Morand and a seventh-round draft pick. “I think there is something left in the tank but close to the end,” texted one exec about Staal. Tampa Bay Lightning: B-

Grade: C Morand is a great skater with some puck game who can kill penalties, but his offense has proven to be quite limited at the pro level. The skating and compete are NHL quality but given his lack of size and ability to “They didn’t have the difference-maker skill guy — the Crosby, the create with the puck, it’s hard to see him play in the NHL. Kane,” said an NHL executive on Saturday after the deal. “When they had (Artemi) Panarin, he drove the whole offense. They needed that The value to Tampa is in the roster and cap flexibility this move provides dynamic.” and that Volkov is on an expiring contract. On a cap strapped team, I can get why he’s a luxury that Tampa could afford to lose even as he looked The Blue Jackets get an edge here because of the upside this trade promising for years coming up through its system. provides, even in giving up one of the hardest things in hockey to get, a top-line center. Laine has a rare skillset with an incredible shot and Anaheim Ducks: B+ incredible release, and we still haven’t seen his ceiling in terms of goal- Volkov has NHL quality skating, puck skills and size, which is why he scoring. Jack Roslovic is probably a third-line forward. But maybe not. was a second-round pick in 2017. He’s been a productive AHLer and “I watched Roslovic when he played for Manitoba and he was a better showed in the minors he could be a solid two-way forward. player than (Kyle) Connor in the ,” said an NHL With Volkov the question is what role does he fill in the NHL? He works talent evaluator. “The guy is really skilled, can make plays. The Blue hard but he isn’t an elite off-the-puck type, he has skill but I wouldn’t call Jackets need a center. He’s going to get every opportunity in the world to him a great playmaker at the NHL level. He’s also been pinned in his own go in there and shine.” end this season, with a Corsi percentage of 40 when he’s on the ice Said a scout of Roslovic: “I would project him as a third-line center, if I’m despite playing on a good team with cushy zone starts. betting on it.”

I could see him as an OK bottom-six forward in the NHL, even if he There are still questions that need to be answered for this trade to be a hasn’t shown he can be that consistently at age 23. For that reason I like win for the Blue Jackets. Most notably, what does Laine’s next contract this trade a bit more for Anaheim since they at least got a guy with a look like? Getting star players to stay in the market has been a problem chance to help an NHL team. for the Blue Jackets, but a league source suggested that GM Jarmo -Corey Pronman Kekalainen doesn’t make this trade if he wasn’t absolutely confident he can lock in Laine long-term. Blue Jackets send seventh-round pick to Canes for Gregory Hofmann’s rights The other question is pretty simple: Who is going to get him the puck? As much as this trade fills a hole for Columbus, it creates one too. The trade: “I don’t know how this will work out for Columbus,” said another The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired the rights to forward Gregory executive. “Does Columbus have a (Mark) Scheifele for (Laine) to play Hofmann. with? This may be a challenge for them.”

The Carolina Hurricanes acquired a 2022 seventh-round pick. Grade: A-

Pronman: Prospect fans will remember Hofmann coming up periodically LUSZCZYSZYN: Laine is an extremely intriguing player and it’ll be very in the last 10 years, such as when he had a decent world juniors in 2012 interesting to see how he fits with the Blue Jackets — and what version or strong appearances at the world championships in more recent years. of him the team gets. The one from the last couple of seasons isn’t Now 28, Hofmann is considered a solid NHL prospect by NHL scouts enough and it’s why Winnipeg probably wins the trade for now as Laine’s after being great in the top Swiss league. star has fallen. That Laine is worth around 1.7 wins, can put up points but not do much else, while being an extreme liability on defense. Being one After being picked by the Hurricanes in the fourth round in 2011, his of the league’s worst defensive players takes a lot away from his rights remained with Carolina all this time because Switzerland, like offensive value. Laine’s contract is also up after this season and he has Russia, does not have a transfer agreement with the NHL. Sources one less year of team control, too. That plays a role in the trade around the league think the Hurricanes and Hofmann were unable to evaluation. agree to terms in recent years so that is why he stayed in Switzerland; the reasons for that are unknown. Columbus was in an untenable situation with Dubois, and considering those circumstances, it’s difficult to hate the return here even if Laine isn’t Hofmann is a skilled forward with great offensive instincts. He makes a the player he was in his first two seasons. The hope is that he can get lot of plays and does so with pace. Typically when you sign a 28-year-old back to that level and that’s not difficult to imagine in a new situation, European scorer, you’re getting a guy with average size and skating, but even if it is under Columbus coach John Tortorella. Hofmann is different in that he’s not undersized and he’s a very good skater, above-average for the NHL, which is why I think his game will The Blue Jackets desperately need a pure goal-scorer and that’s where translate to the NHL. He’s not great off the puck and won’t be a penalty things get interesting with Laine. He’ll surely be a very strong asset on killer in the NHL, but I think the skating and skill combination is good the power play, but is he a guy who can create goals on his own or does enough to take a regular shift at even strength and be a useful he need help at five-on-five? His weak play-driving numbers suggest he contributor in the bottom six. needs help and while he won’t have nearly as much in Columbus, I can see him fitting well next to Max Domi, one of the game’s most underrated Hofmann is 28 and has never played at a club level higher than the passers. That duo will need some serious defensive help though. Swiss league. He’s not so talented that he’s a sure thing, and Columbus has to get him to sign on the dotted line, but for a seventh-round pick, I don’t rate Roslovic very highly with his value being just barely above the this is a nice gamble. Carolina recoups a later pick in the 2022 draft for a third-round pick going the other way, but he’s an interesting flier given his player. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline says Hofmann could join Columbus pedigree. He needs to prove more at five-on-five, but maybe just needs in the near future. to play with better players. Being stuck in Winnipeg’s bottom-six likely hasn’t helped showcase his ability, though I’m not sure that’s going to Columbus grade: B change in Columbus. Carolina grade: D Grade: B Jets and Blue Jackets swap stars Patrik Laine and Pierre-Luc Dubois PRONMAN: Laine is a divisive figure in the scouting community. Scouts The trade: don’t like his compete level, they don’t like his skating, describing both as poor, and typically wingers who play like that aren’t viewed as elite NHL The Winnipeg Jets receive center Pierre-Luc Dubois and a 2022 third- assets. On the other hand, some scouts love him because he is 6-foot-4, round pick. he has elite skill and he has one of the best shots you will ever see. While known as a goal-scorer, he has high hockey IQ and is a great The Columbus Blue Jackets receive winger Patrik Laine and center Jack passer. Laine has put up massive numbers over his career at various Roslovic. The Jets retain 26 percent of Laine’s salary. levels. Grading the Blue Jackets According to Hockey Reference, the most NHL points by a player CUSTANCE: In Patrik Laine, the Blue Jackets get the exact type of through their age-21 season since 1990 have been: player they need. And have needed for a long time. Sidney Crosby: 397 Steven Stamkos: 329 points-per-60 to Laine’s 0.8 and 1.68 respectively. Laine did have the edge last season, but there’s also a big difference in producing offense in Jaromir Jagr: 319 Winnipeg and Columbus considering the offensive supporting casts on Connor McDavid: 256 each team. Dubois should have much more help in Winnipeg, which should increase his point totals. Mats Sundin: 249 I am a bit surprised the Blue Jackets were the ones who had to add the Patrik Laine: 247 pick (well, not really, but I don’t think they should’ve), though a third isn’t much with a projected value of 0.7 wins over seven years. Either way, it’s : 242 a nice sweetener for the Jets who were arguably already getting the top Patrick Kane: 230 player.

Hockey Reference uses a January cutoff so Connor McDavid lost his Grade: A- final season in the data. Regardless, Laine is in good company. PRONMAN: The first thing any scout I talk to about Dubois will mention is I do get the concerns on Laine. He will have stretches where he causes his playoff run from last summer where he was a true standout for some headaches, and when the game gets faster and harder, it’s Columbus. Hockey is a unique sport in that the rules implicitly change reasonable to wonder if he can be an impact player at that level, although from the regular season to the playoffs. Players who are viewed as being he does have 16 points in 24 NHL playoff games. able to play a harder style are viewed as more valuable in the postseason. Dubois, who is a 6-foot-2 center and competes at a high With that said, he is a game-breaking offensive player, and he is a player level with great skill and hockey sense, is viewed as a premium asset in I think will regularly be among the top goal and point scorers in the NHL. the highest leverage environments. When I recently evaluated the best U23 players in the league, I assessed Laine as the No. 5 player, someone who was on the bubble between one Do I necessarily agree with that sentiment? I think it’s very credible, but I of the best players in the league and an all-star. I stand by that have my hesitations. I don’t think you want to overreact too much to a 10- assessment despite his warts. I think Columbus gets the best player in game run. I don’t view Dubois’ skating as a strong point or think his skill this deal in Laine. level is elite, so you have to balance all that information. I also think it’s fair to criticize a player known for his compete and strong character being Roslovic is also worth noting. He is an excellent skater with some skill. involved in the drama of recent weeks. He’s not close to the caliber of the other two players moved in this deal, but he could be an effective middle-six forward in the NHL. After digging into Dubois the last week and talking to a bunch of sources, I probably was a little too harsh in my most recent evaluation of him in my Grade: B+ U23 ranking. I categorized him in the “bubble of NHL all-star and top of lineup player,” when he should have been in the NHL all-star category. Grading the Jets I’ve moved him up after being swayed by what he did in the postseason CUSTANCE: Ignoring the iso-cam that featured Dubois mailing in a and upgrading his puck skills grade. recent shift, we’re only a few months removed from the 22-year-old I would still prefer Laine just because I see some exceptional elements in center blowing everybody away with his performance in the bubble. On a his game that I don’t in Dubois, but I think it’s reasonable to prefer one championship team, he’s maybe a No. 2 center. And with Mark Scheifele over the other given the latter is more well-rounded and plays a more in Winnipeg, he gets to play that role. premium position. In our recent Player Tiers package, he was in the Top 100. Laine was I view Dubois as a star No. 1 center in the NHL. Playing with Scheifele not. People in the game really like Dubois, even if his reputation might will give the Jets one of the best 1-2 punches down the middle in the have taken a slight hit in the recent weeks. In debating Dubois versus league. other great players for that piece, one executive made this conclusion: “I’m taking Dubois’ next five years over (Steven) Stamkos’.” Grade: B-

Successful teams build down the middle and one scout pointed out that The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 the Jets now have the center depth to compete with other teams in the Canadian division.

“In that Canadian group, there were teams better down the middle than them,” said the scout. “Now, there are not.”

Dubois fills a need but the Jets have to be completely confident they’re getting the player who helped upset the Maple Leafs and not the player we’ve seen this season.

“He’s the total package,” said a scout of Dubois. “His game is driven off hockey sense, power in tight areas, making quick plays. … He’s really good in traffic. If his legs aren’t moving and he’s trying to play stationary, he can look how it looked the other night.”

Grade: B+

LUSZCZYSZYN: Based on my Twitter mentions from this morning, it’s apparently a little spicy to say the Jets got the best player in the deal in Dubois. Laine is obviously the flashier player, a guy who can fill the net with pucks. But Dubois is a much more complete player at a more valuable position. There’s a reason Dubois made our top 100 player tiers and Laine didn’t.

Dubois can drive play well at both ends of the ice, is a terrific playmaker and an excellent puck-carrier. The Blue Jackets’ expected goal differential has been 0.2 per 60 better with Dubois on the ice since the 2018-19, a solid mark for a player with strong two-way upside. There’s a reason his best comp is Aleksander Barkov, and it wouldn’t be a shock at all to see Dubois grow into one of the league’s best centers. By GSVA, Dubois is currently projected to be worth about 2.2 wins, assuming he gets the bigger role he’s looking for.

It’s also worth noting that at five-on-five Dubois has actually had better production over the last two seasons, scoring 0.97 goals-per-60 and 2.07 1207020 Los Angeles Kings

KINGS ACQUIRE BRENDAN LEMIEUX FROM NYR FOR FOURTH- ROUND DRAFT PICK

BY ZACH DOOLEY

The LA Kings have acquired forward Brendan Lemieux from the New York Rangers, in exchange for a 2021 fourth-round draft pick.

Lemieux has seven points (2-5-7) from 31 games played this season with the Rangers and leads the NHL with 59 penalty minutes. The 25-year-old forward has totaled 43 points (21-22-43) and 299 penalty minutes from 162 games played in his NHL career with Winnipeg and New York.

Coming off of a career year at the NHL level, in which he set NHL career highs in games played, assists and points, Lemieux signed a two-year contract extension this offseason with the Rangers, which keeps him under contract, now with the Kings, through the end of next season, at a cap hit of $1,550,000. At the expiration of the contract, Lemieux will be a restricted free agent, with arbitration rights.

The Denver, CO native has spent the bulk of his time with the Rangers in the bottom six, playing mostly as a fourth-line winger. Lemieux was junior teammates with both Gabriel Vilardi and Andreas Athanasiou, and is the son of former NHL forward, and four-time Stanley Cup champion, Claude Lemieux.

Lemieux doesn’t have particularly effective puck possession figures, but he brings a sandpaper element to the lineup that perhaps the Kings were lacking up-front. Lemieux plays with an edge and has shown a willingness to go to the dirty areas on the ice, some of those old-school hockey terms that still have their place in the game, in the right context.

Kings General Manager Rob Blake told Lisa Dillman of The Athletic that Lemieux brings a “physical element on the forecheck” and an “in-your- face style of play.”

Since the 2018-19 season, Lemieux ranks fifth in the NHL in penalties drawn (80), which paints the profile of a hard-working agitator. Despite also ranking second in the league in penalty minutes during that span, Lemieux is still +10 in terms of penalties drawn versus taken. In terms of penalties drawn per 60 minutes, Lemieux leads all skaters with at least 100 games played at 2.92.

Blake also believed, per Dillman, that Lemieux is likely to have to quarantine for 7 days upon arrival to Los Angeles, but that was not confirmed per the article.

From the official Kings release –

LOS ANGELES (March 27, 2021) – The LA Kings have acquired forward Brendan Lemieux from the New York Rangers in exchange for the Kings fourth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, according to Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake.

Lemieux, 25, has posted seven points (2-5=7) and 59 penalty minutes in 31 games this season for the Rangers. Since making his NHL debut during the 2017-18 season, the 6-1, 213-pound forward has appeared in 162 games with the Rangers and the Winnipeg Jets, posting 43 points (21-22=43) and 299 penalty minutes.

Selected 31st overall in the 2014 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, the Denver, Colo. native has also played in 117 AHL games since making his professional debut during the 2015-16 season. He registered 65 points (33-32=65) and 306 penalty minutes during that time.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207021 Los Angeles Kings the rush, in those seven games, so we had to address that, take a look at it video-wise and create a practice around it.”

McLellan mentioned defending off of the rush today, and it was PRACTICE NOTES, 3/27 – ANDERSON UPDATE, REST, WORKING something that he was disappointed in after Wednesday’s loss in San ON THE “SYMPTOMS”, VILARDI Jose. McLellan said that the Kings were as poor at defending off the rush in that game as they have been, and three of the four goals stemmed from odd-man rushes.

BY ZACH DOOLEY FOR LAKING Looking at today, there are two different types of breakdowns off the rush, those as a team and those that are strictly down to individual

execution. McLellan acknowledged both as areas for improvement, and it The LA Kings hit the ice this afternoon at Toyota Sports Performance was a point of emphasis for the group today. Center in El Segundo, following two team off-days. “The first thing we have to do is look at the cause…the symptom of the The Kings had a hefty stretch of games, and added an additional practice outnumbered rush, or the long attack by the opposition, and why are we into that slate following the problematic trip to Colorado, and needed to in this situation more often than not lately,” McLellan said. “The second make up that off day. As such, the team did not skate each of the last two part is how do we defend it properly, where do we need to go, what do days. we need to do. We addressed both of them. Sometimes, it’s a team thing, there’s other times when it’s flat out on an individual for not playing Back on the ice this morning, here’s how the group lined up – it properly, and everyone pays the price. That’s the way it goes for anyone that plays team sports.” Gray: Athanasiou, Brown, Carter, Iafallo, Kopitar, Rymsha, Vilardi, The Kings are scheduled to skate tomorrow at TSPC at 11 AM, before White: Anderson-Dolan, Grundstrom, Kempe, Lizotte, Luff, Moore, traveling to Vegas immediately thereafter. The next media availability will Wagner be Monday, after morning skate at T-Mobile Arena. Red: Frk Rookie-Year Reflections Defensemen: Bjornfot, Brickley, Doughty, MacDermid, Roy, Walker, “I’ve got to try and play better. If I’m not playing good, I’m going to get Goaltenders: Grosenick, Petersen, Quick shifted down in the lineup. I’ve got to play better.”

Not Skating: Anderson That was from the ever-hard on-himself Gabriel Vilardi after today’s practice. Missing from today’s skate were defensemen Mikey Anderson and Olli Maatta. Maatta’s absence was not surprising, as the defenseman Vilardi has certainly had his ups, as he started off the year with a strong suffered an injury on March 21, and has not skated with the team since. offensive game, that seemed to grow and blossom as the Kings got their Anderson’s absence was less expected. McLellan described Anderson’s legs under them after an early-season losing streak. situation as “just not feeling good, not COVID-related at all”. McLellan The downs have come more recently, with an extended stretch without a added that he will see where his young defenseman is at tomorrow. goal, though Vilardi’s play over the last three games has been praised by Skating with the team was forward Martin Frk, in a non-contract red McLellan, after he was moved to the wing, his first real stint on the wing jersey. It was great to see him back on the ice, as he works his way back since his draft year. from a groin injury setback, suffered in Vegas in early-February. As the Kings have gotten into an extremely congested part of the The Kings are in the midst of what is shaping up to be their only schedule, it’s presented a new challenge for Vilardi and some of the remaining extended time off of the season from games. The Kings have other younger players, who have never experienced anything quite like four days in between Wednesday’s game in San Jose, and Monday’s this in their careers. game in Vegas. Remaining on the calendar? One stretch of two days off “It’s different, it’s really different,” Vilardi said of the schedule here. in between games, and no more than one day in between games from “Especially with this year, we’re playing every other day almost, it’s nice here on out, with a game versus St. Louis to still be made up. we had two days off here, it’s really, really nice. Just kind of let go of the What it shakes out to is 23 games in 41 days, with that one extra game to game a little bit and relax. It’s hard, but at the end of the day, it’s what I be added on at some point down the road. It’ll be an aggressive, hectic want to be doing. I’m happy, because I get to do it.” and frantic fight to the finish, and this small break in the action was I think it’s fair to say that ups and downs will come during anyone’s rookie important for the Kings as a group. season. When you think of a player who hasn’t played a full season, at “It was important, we needed to rest a little bit and then we needed to any level, in four years, I think it’s to be expected. Developing game-in, have the type of practice that we had today,” McLellan said this game-out consistency is one of the most difficult things for a younger afternoon. “Tomorrow won’t be as physical, it won’t be as demanding, it’ll player to work on and improve. be a little bit quicker, a lot of special teams work. The last time we had a That doesn’t lower the burden that Vilardi carries though. He believes he good hour and 10 minute practice like today was…I don’t know when, I has more to give and through the feedback he’s received from the staff can’t even think of the day. The odds of having this type of skate again here, he has first and foremost put the onus on improving his play moving forward are quite rare. Between the four CBA required days off, defensively. and the schedule that we have, the travel, the fatigue factor, there won’t be many like this.” “I think it’s all-encompassing,” Vilardi said. “I think, ultimately, my d-zone needs to come first, that’s something the coaches have been focusing McLellan and his staff used the time off from games to their advantage with me on…I think that’s the first thing. Obviously, I’d like to contribute as well. points-wise, which I haven’t been doing as much as I would have like, but He said that they looked specifically at the last seven games – two in I think, ultimately, the d-zone comes first.” Colorado, one versus St. Louis, two versus Vegas and two in San Jose – It’s easy to forget sometimes that Vilardi has played less than 50 career to identify what types of chances the Kings were giving up, and the root NHL games, isn’t it? His impressive sample at the end of last season of the cause of those chances. made him the front-runner to assume the role as the number two center He believes it’s about finding those causes first and foremost, and he for the Kings. It even made him a trendy pick for the Calder Trophy, tried to address them as such with today’s skate. considering his abilities and opportunity.

“We went seven games back, starting with the Colorado series, and we Vilardi has shown the skill and playmaking ability that make you believe took a look at the type of chances we were giving up, who was involved he is the man for that role in the long-term. As he continues to develop in them, why they were happening,” McLellan said. “There’s causes and consistency, and works on rounding out his overall game, the hope here symptoms, and then there’s the execution in trying to prevent, or recover is that it will shine through on a more regular basis. Stay the from the mistakes. We tried to address the symptoms, then address the course….stay the course. execution of how we cover up on those. We haven’t been very good off Defenseman Matt Roy also spoke with the media this afternoon, and we’ll have a more extended look into his new contract with the Kings here on LAKI tomorrow!

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207022 Los Angeles Kings reasons for the turnaround this season, with those improvements starting in January of last season and carrying on through.

– To the “play the kids” crowd – Many of the kids are already playing, as NOTES FROM LA KINGS STATE OF THE FRANCHISE Blake pointed out. Cited Mikey Anderson and Tobias Bjornfot, who entered the season with a combined total of 9 NHL games, as two guys playing Top 4 minutes at young ages. Also noted that players like Roy and Walker entered the season with less than 100 NHL games, while BY ZACH DOOLEY McLellan mentioned Jaret Anderson-Dolan as well. Also of note was that of the forwards in Ontario, 7-8 are in their first professional season in North America, and it takes some time to settle into the pro game. Good Morning Insiders, and happy Saturday! – Who has stood out amongst those in Ontario this season? Emerson Last night, the Kings held a State of the Franchise call, featuring highlighted Rasmus Kupari and Samuel Fagemo specifically. Emerson President Luc Robitaille, Vice President & General Manager Rob Blake, pointed to the fact that both had pro experience, in good leagues, coming Chief Operating Officer Kelly Cheeseman, Director of Player Personnel in, which benefitted them. Talked about Kupari taking the next step from Nelson Emerson and Head Coach Todd McLellan. The live video of this where he was last year, and Fagemo coming in and excelling. was exclusive to season-ticket holders and other ticket-package holders, but we’re able to recap some of the key points here on LAKI. Looking Ahead

The five guests answered several questions relevant to the 2021 Kings, – Blake discussed how, moving forward, the strategy for the Kings is to the future of the franchise and the league, and a variety of other topics. add moving forward. Any potential deals he is looking at making would Recapping the event with a focus on some key points below – make the team better at this stage. After last season’s deadline, where the Kings moved out some veterans for future assets, he believes they Dates & Logistics have now put that foot forward, to add to the core in place. He said there have been numerous discussions so far, but those discussions support – Robitaille indicated that one of the league’s top goals is to make sure improving the Kings. Pointed to the flat cap in the coming seasons, that the 2021-22 season starts on time. He called that a “big priority” right Seattle expansion this summer and COVID Protocols as things that make now, and with that in mind, current expectations are to see the 2021-22 this season’s trade deadline unique. season begin in October. – Blake also added that there is a possibility of using the team’s cap – The NHL Draft is slated to be held in July, as opposed to being pushed space to its advantage. Looking around the league, and the expectation back. Blake said that there had been discussions about pushing it back, of a flat cap, he said that the team does have that option to explore. He as far as even into December 2021 to give teams time to do additional said that with the natural flow of his team’s contracts, plus an influx of scouting, but the draft will likely be held just a few weeks later than usual, potential entry-level deals coming in, the Kings should have some currently scheduled for July 23 & 24. He added that all teams are on a flexibility moving forward. level playing field at this stage, there are no advantages regarding scouting. – One specific question asked related to “size” on the blueline, which Blake said is something the Kings are mindful of, with a need to get – Robitaille also indicated there could be a week added onto the regular bigger. Called the current group “competitive”, led by Drew Doughty, season for teams to make up games, and that is where the Kings/Blues trending throughout the group. Pointed out guys like Matt Roy who aren’t game, postponed earlier this month, is likely to fall, though that is the biggest, but play a physical game, and also spoke to Kurtis unconfirmed right now. Looking at the upcoming Kings schedule, it’s hard MacDermid’s physical presence when he plays. Added that it’s hard to to find anywhere else to slot it in. find that bigger player who can do all of the other things that he wants – Two notes on the TV Front: from a defenseman, including mobility and making plays.

1. The Kings shifted several games to Channel 13, KCOP. This was – Regarding potentially trading veteran players – Blake said that those done for a couple of reasons. It gives more fans the access to watch players have earned the respect of having a conversation about their Kings games down the stretch, while also being done to accommodate future. They have earned talking about their own plans, the team’s plans, the change in schedule this season, which has all four of the Fox Sports etc, and reinforced that point several times, and that any potential move West Teams (Kings, Ducks, Angels, Clippers) playing at once. This that could be made wouldn’t be made without that conversation first change is not permanent, but a one-off for this unique season. occurring. Said they will take place “at the appropriate time”, as the situations arise. 2. There was a general excitement for the NHL/ESPN partnership. ESPN’s distribution and early success with ESPN+ were cited, as well as – Emerson and Blake, several times, pointed to the uncertainty of the Robitaille pointing out how widely ESPN is shown in bars, restaurants, OHL, regarding the future plans for Quinton Byfield and Arthur Kaliyev. etc, which gives the team more visibility in the market. From the way they described the situation, it’s likely to be status quo until we see a firm plan regarding those two players. Emerson did say Al Bello / Allsport however that having those two players in Southern California this season The Here & Now has been “such a positive” for the organization, and for their development, though he also expressed a hope that those in the OHL – Cheeseman addressed the possibility of getting fans back to STAPLES who currently have been unable to play, are able to return and get a Center before the end of the season. Was no guarantee, but seeing season in. recent progress in the area is encouraging, with outdoor sports getting guidelines yesterday on having fans back. Fans would likely be in “pods”, – Lastly, building off of the theme of adding to the team, Blake discussed similar to what you’ve seen in other places, and said that is what the the natural next step in the plan. The Kings have established the base AEG-owned LA Galaxy will be doing for the upcoming MLS season. He is and have been competitive so far this season. Heading into next season, hoping to get some guidance over the next couple of weeks. it should just be a refresher course to get the base back, and then it’s about building and taking that next step. He said they will be looking at – He added that Toyota Sports Performance Center will likely remain roster construction, and ways to improve upon what is currently in place. closed to the public for practices through the end of the season. Guidelines are different at TSPC, and with the percentages allowed in, LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 03.28.2021 adding more than the players, coaches and staff, at this time, is not doable.

– As readers of LAKI, there wasn’t anything that McLellan said that you haven’t read, heard or watched here in the past. He once again preached the leadership and strong tone that the “Veteran 5” have set, and talked about the younger group coming up and supporting that group. Said that it started in training camp, carried on through. The success of Kings on special teams was lauded several times on the call as one of the biggest 1207023 Minnesota Wild

Wild goaltender Cam Talbot reminding everyone who he is

By DANE MIZUTANI | PUBLISHED: March 27, 2021 at 3:04 p.m. | UPDATED: March 27, 2021 at 8:37 p.m.

Remember a few weeks ago when Wild Twitter wanted goaltender Cam Talbot relegated to a backup role? It’s laughable in hindsight.

Just as that narrative started to take form with rookie goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen playing out of his mind, Talbot responded with arguably his best stretch of the season. He steered the Wild to a couple of wins over the lowly Anaheim Ducks last week, then followed it up with a 37-save shutout in a win over the St. Louis Blues.

It’s the type of performance general manager Bill Guerin envisioned when he signed Talbot to be the No. 1 goaltender this offseason. It’s also the type of performance Talbot knew he could provide if a team trusted him to be the No. 1 goaltender.

“I think I was able to showcase myself last year (with the Calgary Flames) when I was given the opportunity,” Talbot said. “Obviously caught the eye of the Wild here. Just trying to reward their confidence in me over the summer.”

It’s been a perfect match as Talbot has been a calming presence between the pipes as well as an incredible teammate in the locker room. As coach put it, “Not only a quality, quality goaltender but a quality, quality person.”

“It doesn’t seem like he’s like, ‘Oh I have to be the No.1 guy,” ” Evason added. “He wants to give his hockey club a chance to win every night, and when Kahkonen is in there, he supports him, and is positive and a professional. He’s doing everything that management knew what we were going to do.”

As good as Talbot has been for the Wild this season, it took him some time for him to get going. He suffered a lower-body injury a couple of months ago that forced him to miss some time, then tested positive for COVID shortly after returning to the lineup.

Fortunately for Talbot, he’s been able to move past both situations, and he’s finally gaining some traction with a 9-5-1 record, a 2.34 goals against average, and a .925 save percentage.

“Just getting back in the groove here has been has been nice,” Talbot said. “Hopefully, there’s no more hiccups and I can continue to stay healthy and continue to roll.”

If he can continue to roll, the Wild will be in a good spot heading into the final 24 games of the regular season. In the meantime, though, Talbot admitted after his most recent win that he was very much looking forward to the three-day break.

“We are definitely in need of these days off,” he said. “Take a couple days to regroup here and come back on Sunday ready to practice and put the work boots back on.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207024 Montreal Canadiens When Bergevin spoke with the media on a video conference Thursday he talked about how he was up tight against the NHL salary cap and didn’t expect to make any moves before the April 12 trade deadline.

Canadiens Notebook: Cole Caufield agrees to contract terms with Habs The next day, Bergevin acquired veteran centre Eric Staal from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick at GM Marc Bergevin says trade with Sabres for veteran centre Eric Staal this year’s NHL Draft. happened fast. “When I talked to you guys on Thursday I was being up-front and honest,” Bergevin said during another video conference Saturday. “But, again, I don’t think it’s the best interest of the Montreal Canadiens to sit in Stu Cowan Montreal Gazette Publishing date:Mar 27, 2021 front of the camera and lay out everything I’m trying to do. I think it would be putting our team to a disadvantage because I know for a fact there was two other teams after Eric Staal. In 31 games this season with the University of Wisconsin Badgers, Cole Caufield posted 30-22-52 totals to lead the NCAA in goals and points. “So when I talk to you guys there’s other people around the league that are listening, so I have to be very careful,” the GM added. “I’m trying to Article content be as transparent a I can, but there’s times where I cannot be and that was the case. But, also, I didn’t have anything in the mix when I talked to GM Marc Bergevin announced Saturday night that the Canadiens have you. It happened, honestly, very fast. I did have conversations with agreed to terms on a three-year, NHL entry-level contract with Cole Buffalo a while back and I know the 14 days (quarantine) became an Caufield. issue. But then when that was lifted it made it a lot easier to make the The contract will pay Caufield US$700,000 at the NHL level this season trade.” and US$832,500 in each of the next two seasons. The 20-year-old will Bergevin confirmed Saturday that the federal government has reduced its earn US$70,000 per season if he plays for the AHL’s Laval Rocket. mandatory 14-day quarantine period for players acquired by Canadian Caufield will also receive a US$92,500 signing bonus in all three seasons NHL teams from U.S. clubs to seven days. and the deal contains performance bonuses up to a maximum of US$300,000 in 2021-22 and US$850,000 in 2022-23. “Some trades take a long time, some are quicker,” Bergevin said. “That one came really fast. What I said (Thursday) was true at the time. Not I The Canadiens selected Caufield in the first round (15th overall) of the wasn’t looking, but I didn’t think it was going to happen. The main reason 2019 NHL Draft. was I needed cap space.” In 31 games this season with the University of Wisconsin Badgers, the 5- A look at the #Habs current salary-cap situation from foot-7, 165-pound right-winger posted 30-22-52 totals to lead the NCAA https://t.co/ZjtSPJbb5E: pic.twitter.com/PNyueou5Dr in goals and points. The Badgers were eliminated Friday following a 6-3 loss to the Bemidji State Beavers in the first round of the Bridgeport — Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) March 27, 2021 Regional, which is part of the NCAA Tournament. The Sabres helped Bergevin’s cap situation when they agreed to retain Caufield is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award that goes to the top $1.625 million of Staal’s US$3.25-million salary. According to player in U.S. college hockey. CapFriendly.com, the Canadiens had $1.421 million of current cap space on Saturday. What a kid. ❤ #OnWisconsin You have to think the Canadiens’ plan is to have Staal replace Jake Stay tuned #GoHabsGo fans for a message to you at the end. Evans as the fourth-line centre with the possibility of having the veteran IG | @colecaufield pic.twitter.com/J3AX3kRxXf move up the lineup as needed. Bergevin said he had spoken briefly with head coach Dominique Ducharme about how Staal will be used after he — Here's Your Replay (@HeresYourReplay) March 28, 2021 completes his seven-day quarantine.

When Bergevin was asked during a video conference Saturday morning “(Ducharme) will hopefully talk to you guys on Monday and I will leave whether he thought Caufield’s next stop would be the Canadiens or that to him to tell you how he sees his lineup,” Bergevin said. “But, again, Laval, the GM smiled and said: “Let me think and I’ll get back to you in a Eric will not be available right away. You don’t make decisions on lineup couple of days.” until you have to. In the meantime, you could have injuries next week where the decision becomes a lot easier where he fits in and how Dom It was only hours later that Bergevin signed Caufield to his entry-level wants to use him. So until then I think we’re only going to speculate contract. where he’s going to fit and where he’s going to play. But, again, players Bergevin noted earlier Saturday that Caufield is an exceptional talent but with their performance they’ll tell you where they should be playing and added that it’s still a big jump from the NCAA to the NHL. how much ice time they should get.”

As a freshman with the Badgers in 2019-20, Caufield had 19-17-36 totals Staal is expected to do a video conference with the media on Sunday. in 36 games. In 32 games this season with a terrible Sabres team, Staal had 3-7-10 In 2018-19, the native of Stevens Point, Wisc., posted 72-28-100 totals in totals and was minus-20. 64 games with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s “Looking at the way our team was performing, the centre position was a U-18 team. Caufield’s 72 goals broke the previous record of 55 for the U- little bit vulnerable in terms of experience,” Bergevin said. “Being able to 18 team that was set by Auston Matthews, now with the Toronto Maple get a player like Eric Staal, he isn’t the same player he was when he was Leafs. Caufield scored 126 goals in 123 career games with the U-18 25, but he has a lot of experience. Things were tough for everybody in team, breaking the previous record of 104 set by Phil Kessel, now with Buffalo, but if you look at last year, he still had 47 points in 66 games with the Arizona Coyotes. the Minnesota Wild. He brings a lot to the table. He’s excited to come to “I’ve watched games where his game without the puck, his commitment Montreal. He’s a Stanley Cup winner as well. It’s no accident that we’ve without the puck, took the biggest step for me,” Bergevin said this month brought in players who’ve won Cups in the past. With all the picks we when asked about Caufield’s development this season. “He’s always have in the Draft, it was a price we were ready to pay.” been a goal-scorer. … Those type of players where they need just that The Sabres, without Staal, lost 3-2 to the Boston Bruins on Saturday one chance and it’s in the back of the net. So that’s always been there. afternoon. The Sabres have a 6-23-4 record and are winless in their last “I remember watching him (in a game) and they lost the puck at the blue 17 games (0-15-2). line,” Bergevin added. “He was the first guy back and he lifted the guy’s Eric Staal portera le numéro 21! stick. I think his game without the puck has improved a lot.” Eric Staal will wear No. 21!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/KUtydSIZaf Staal trade happened fast — Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 27, 2021

New number for Staal Staal has worn No. 12 throughout his NHL career, but can’t wear that The Canadiens are hoping to practise Monday at the Bell Sports number with the Canadiens. Complex in Brossard.

No. 12 was retired by the Canadiens in honour of Hall of Famers Yvan Bergevin said it’s unlikely Toffoli will play in the Canadiens’ first game Cournoyer and Dickie Moore. back after being sidelined with a lower-body injury, adding one practice might not be enough for the winger to be ready to go. Bergevin added Instead, Staal will become the 37th player in Canadiens history to wear that he expects Ben Chiarot to return to the lineup “a bit quicker than we No. 21 and the first since Nick Cousins last season. thought” after the defenceman had surgery on his fractured right hand on Staal is a member of the , having won a Stanley Cup March 15. Chiarot was originally expected to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks. with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, an IIHF world championship with When asked if this week off could help the Canadiens, Bergevin said: “To Team Canada in 2007 and an Olympic gold medal at the 2010 a degree yes. I you look at getting the players rested, the few players we Vancouver Olympics. have who had minor injuries, yes. But then having to start right away with You can add Eric Staal's name to this https://t.co/WIsDDmAgSo list of very little practise and then having more games in less time … so it’s like #Habs players who have worn No. 21 #HabsIO: this, one way good and one way bad. You pick which one.” pic.twitter.com/wn3to4US6J MORE ON THIS TOPIC

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) March 27, 2021 Eric Staal is a member of the Triple Gold Club, having won a Stanley Salary-cap issues Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, a gold medal at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in 2007 with Team Canada and a gold medal at Bergevin said he doesn’t expect to make any more moves before the the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. NHL trade deadline, noting again that he’s up tight against the cap. Stu Cowan: Adding Eric Staal will make the Canadiens a better team You can take that with a grain — or a full shaker — of salt. Emergency-room doctor Drew Reid, who used to play hockey at McGill When asked if he was working to free up some cap space, Bergevin said: University, in Montreal on Thursday, March 25, 2021. “No.” Stu Cowan: Emergency-room doctor sheds light on Habs' COVID But the GM did say there were other NHL teams willing to take on situation unwanted salaries in trades. Still in fourth place “I know there’s teams who do have cap space that are willing to take on cap space,” Bergevin said. “So if you want to buy cap space that’s Heading into Saturday’s games, the Canadiens were still sitting in fourth available, but there’s a price to pay for that. And depending on the place in the North Division with a 14-8-9 record, two points ahead of the amount you’re trying to buy then the price becomes steeper. So, like in a fifth-place Vancouver Canucks and four points ahead of the sixth-place way a three-way deal where a team takes on the player and then retains Calgary Flames. The Canadiens held six games in hand on Vancouver money and then ship him to the other place. So that’s all there, but I’m and four games in hand on Calgary. not going to go into detail what are the teams that are doing that or trying “Games in hand are only good if you win them,” Bergevin said. “It’s nice to do that. But that’s also a possibility.” to have them, but we have to win those games. Our schedule will be a When Bergevin was asked Thursday about being up tight against the little tougher now because of the week off. We have to control our destiny cap, he said: “You’re not against the cap and you get criticized for not and we have to win our games and not going in back door. So I expect being against the cap. And then you go against the cap and then you get our team to be ready to play when we start again.” criticized because you can’t do anything. So you do, you don’t. One of Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.28.2021 the last (offseason) moves we made was Tyler Toffoli and we knew by making that move we were really against the cap and I think we did the right thing by getting Ty.

“Honestly, I’m not worried about it,” Bergevin added about his cap situation. “I like our team.”

He likes it more now with the addition of Staal and possibly Caufield.

Bon samedi à tous!

Happy Saturday, everyone!

@catbtoffoli#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/qEHlBjDAyV

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 27, 2021

Schedule up in the air

The Canadiens are expected to play their next game Tuesday night after having four games postponed when Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia were both placed on the NHL’s COVID Protocol Related Absences list last Monday. One of the two players, who Bergevin wouldn’t name, tested positive for a variant of the coronavirus, while the second had close contact.

The Canadiens were originally scheduled to play the Senators Tuesday night in Ottawa, but Bergevin noted the schedule might change as the NHL reworks the schedule in the all-Canadian North Division to fit in the four postponed games. There’s a possibility the Canadiens could instead play the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday night at the Bell Centre.

The players and staff continue to be tested daily for COVID-19 and Kotkaniemi and Armia remained the only two Canadiens on the NHL’s updated COVID-related absences list on Saturday.

“There’s always a chance that something could come up today or tomorrow,” Bergevin said about the testing. “But every day that goes by I feel more confident that we’re going to start early next week.” 1207025 Montreal Canadiens million of his US$3.25-million salary. This is the final season of Staal’s two-year, US$6.5-million contract.

“Those are good picks,” Bergevin said about the draft picks he sent to Stu Cowan: Adding Eric Staal will make the Canadiens a better team Buffalo. “There’s players in every round. But we still have two thirds and two fifths and we picked a lot last year, so I felt comfortable to giving up Veteran with a Stanley Cup ring will bring some much-needed these two assets to acquire Eric.” experience at the centre position and is an upgrade on fourth-liner Jake Evans. The Canadiens had eight picks at last year’s draft and 10 the year before. They still have 12 picks at this year’s draft, so this was a trade Bergevin could afford to make.

Stu Cowan Publishing date: Mar 27, 2021 Bergevin knows Staal has lost a step with age and realizes the NHL is a fast league, adding you can’t have 16 players with no speed. But the GM

said the Canadiens have speed on the wings and added you can have a Eric Staal is a member of the Triple Gold Club, having won a Stanley fast player with no hockey sense who goes to the wrong places on the Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, a gold medal at the IIHF World ice quickly. Staal hasn’t lost his hockey sense and Bergevin is hoping the Hockey Championship in 2007 with Team Canada and a gold medal at veteran centre can have a similar impact on the Canadiens as 35-year- the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. old winger has this season with 6-6-12 totals in 24 games after starting the year on the taxi squad. Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin confirmed Saturday that the federal government has reduced its mandatory 14-day quarantine period for Like Perry, Staal can play on the fourth line and move up the lineup when players acquired by Canadian NHL teams from U.S. clubs to seven days. needed while helping out young centres Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi both on and off the ice. That’s great news for the Canadiens and Eric Staal, who was driving to Montreal from Buffalo on Saturday after being acquired from the Buffalo Staal becomes the fifth player with a Stanley Cup ring Bergevin has Sabres on Friday. added to the roster this season — joining Perry, Tyler Toffoli, Joel Edmundson and Jake Allen — and the GM said that’s not by accident. The Canadiens had four games postponed after Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Staal also gives the Canadiens four players with Olympic gold medals Joel Armia were placed on the NHL’s COVID Protocol Related Absences from Team Canada, joining Perry, Carey Price and Shea Weber. list on Monday. One of the players, who Bergevin wouldn’t identify, tested positive for a variant of the coronavirus, while the other had close Phillip Danault is the Canadiens’ most experienced centre, but he has contact. Pending the results of daily COVID-19 tests, the Canadiens are only played in 16 post-season games during his career. Staal has played scheduled to practise Monday at the Bell Sports Complex and return to in 62 playoff games. action on Tuesday. There’s no doubt in my opinion that Staal will make the Canadiens a Originally, the Canadiens were scheduled to play the Senators Tuesday better team. We’ll find out just how much better after he finishes his night in Ottawa, but during a video conference Saturday Bergevin said quarantine. the schedule could be changed and there’s a possibility the Canadiens Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.28.2021 will play the Edmonton Oilers at the Bell Centre instead. Three of the four Canadiens games that were postponed were against the Oilers.

“I know what’s going on, but I’m not allowed to share,” Bergevin said when asked about the schedule. “I’m going to leave that to the league. That’s who handles the scheduling and they’re on their own time frame as far as letting people know.”

The Canadiens have 25 games remaining in this condensed 56-game season and the NHL will have to remake the remainder of the schedule in the all-Canadian North Division to fit in the four postponed games.

Eric Staal portera le numéro 21!

Eric Staal will wear No. 21!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/KUtydSIZaf

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 27, 2021

Staal will make the Canadiens a better team once he is able to join them. While the 36-year-old only had 3-7-10 totals and was minus-20 on a terrible Sabres team this season, he will bring some much-needed experience at the centre position and is an upgrade on fourth-liner Jake Evans, who has 2-3-5 totals in 29 games and hasn’t scored a goal in his last 24 games with only three assists during that span.

“He’s got size, he’s got experience,” Bergevin said about the 6-foot-4, 195-pound Staal. “As a centre there’s always a premium on centremen and defencemen down the stretch.”

Bergevin noted that Staal isn’t 25 anymore and he’s definitely not the same player who was selected second overall by Carolina at the 2003 NHL Draft or the one who posted 45-55-100 totals with the Hurricanes in 2005-06 when they won the Stanley Cup. But Staal did post 42-34-76 totals three seasons ago with Minnesota and had very respectable 19- 28-47 totals in 66 games last season with the Wild. Tomas Tatar, with 22-39-61 totals, was the only Canadiens player who had more points than Staal last season.

The Sabres have become a dysfunctional franchise and getting out of Buffalo should be a breath of fresh air for Staal. Bergevin said Staal was excited about coming to Montreal and should be energized, adding he tried to acquire the veteran centre last season but wasn’t able to. Bergevin gave Buffalo a third-round and a fifth-round pick at this year’s NHL Draft to acquire Staal on Friday, while the Sabres will retain $1.625 1207026 Montreal Canadiens Vancouver Canucks centre Brandon Sutter shoots on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen during the first period at the Bell Centre on March 19, 2021.

By the numbers: Metrics show Canadiens better off with Price in net The answer might be to look at what goaltending metrics are best at predicting future performance. Save percentage on special teams is While Jake Allen has been excellent this season and Carey Price has notoriously variable, and while Price has been piled on for most of the struggled, especially on the PK, he remains top-10 in stopping tough season while short-handed, that could flip with a minor adjustment. So shots. which metrics persist the most over time, and predict where overall save percentage will trend in the future?

The answer statisticians have found is that high-danger save percentage Andrew Berkshire Special to the Montreal Gazette at 5-vs-5 has the most predictive value. Among the 52 NHL goaltenders with 400-plus minutes played this season, Price ranks 11th in that category with an .856 save percentage, according to naturalstattrick.com. Though it might seem like the 2021 NHL season just started, more than Allen meanwhile, ranks 38th of 52, stopping 80 per cent of the high- half the campaign is in the rear-view mirror. With 25 scheduled games danger shots he faces. left in the Canadiens’ season, Carey Price is still rocking an underwhelming .903 save percentage and it’s not surprising that some That tips the scales considerably in Price’s favour and aligns with the eye believe Jake Allen should be starting more games. test that while he was struggling, he was making the tough saves but letting in shots he should be stopping. In all situations, Price has been Before the Canadiens were sidelined by COVID-19, Price was coming off stopping the toughest shots at a rate commensurate with a top-10 two straight poor performances, neither of which were really his fault. But goaltender in the NHL. those two games nearly erased the progress he’d made during in the last few weeks recovering his stats from the gutter they were in before Allen provides stability the team hasn’t had for years but, based on the Dominique Ducharme took over as head coach. underlying numbers, if the Canadiens were to go to him routinely, we might see him differently. Price is still the guy. Before the last two games though, Price was playing brilliantly, keeping the Canadiens in games they didn’t really deserve to be in as they’ve Montreal Gazette LOADED: 03.28.2021 adjusted to system tweaks. Before the coaching change, Price’s play was highly scrutinized for good reason. Most of his struggles were not in 5-on- 5 play, but on the penalty kill, where the Canadiens were being vastly outplayed.

It’s interesting to note that during Price’s six-game stretch of dominant play March 2-15, his performance outside of 5-vs-5 never really ticked up above average. Using Evolving-Hockey’s expected goals model, we can compare a goaltender’s expected goals against with their actual goals against, and create a running tally of how much better or worse they’ve been than an average goaltender would be while facing those same shots.

As with all expected goals models, it’s not a perfect measure. Shot locations, shot types, and shot angle are relatively easy to account for, but passes preceding shots can change things significantly, and aren’t tracked in most public expected goals models. So there is a grain of salt with which to take all publicly accessible goaltending data.

So we’ll compare Allen with Price game by game on a cumulative scale (see chart).

In limited action, Allen has been excellent this season, and it’s interesting to note that while Price has been torn to shreds away from 5-vs-5 play, Allen hasn’t. The gap between the two players is almost entirely on special teams, where Allen has been almost two goals better than expectations based on the shots he has faced, and Price has been over eight goals below expected.

If Price had even been breaking even this season on special teams, he would be sporting a .917 save percentage, and probably not facing much scrutiny.

If you look closely at the red line, Price’s performance in 5-vs-5 play was skyrocketing after the coaching change, while his performance on special teams was close to a flat line. He had stopped the bleeding, but he wasn’t going beyond the expectations of an average goaltender during that time, except where he was already doing well.

Allen, meanwhile, has remained steady through the 11 games he’s played, but is benefiting a little bit from his hot start to the season and fewer games played at this point, as he’s only been about average during his last five starts. So while Allen’s overall numbers are significantly better than Price’s, he hasn’t been as strong lately as you might think. He hasn’t been struggling, but he’s not crushing it, either.

With a shortened season, it’s more difficult than ever to divine signal from noise in goaltending performance. And with every game being worth so much more because they’re only playing teams in the North Division, the Canadiens are going to want to put their best foot forward every night. So what makes the most sense? Do they keep going to Price and hope his recent hot run was a sign of things to come, or does Jake Allen get more opportunities because he has been exceptionally consistent? 1207027 Montreal Canadiens tell you behind the scenes he’s the exact opposite. He was amazing keeping guys up on the bench through this adversity and challenge, in the locker room saying the right thing.

Grading the grin: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin on Eric Staal, Cole “So for me as a coach, certainly as a new coach, I could not have asked Caufield and his next steps for a more supportive veteran and experienced player around. … That’s sad to see him go, but I’m excited for him to have that opportunity because he’s given us what he could here.”

By Arpon Basu Mar 27, 2021 Staal is definitely not the player he once was, but there is reason to believe what happened in Buffalo this season has more to do with the

Sabres than it does Staal. Bergevin pointed out Staal’s production last Marc Bergevin could barely contain his smile as he spoke, but it was season with the Minnesota Wild, where he put up 19 goals and 47 points nonetheless a tell. in 66 games. This season, Staal had three goals and 10 points in 32 games and hasn’t scored since Jan. 30. Asked Saturday whether he has any financial wiggle room to make another move after acquiring Eric Staal from the Buffalo Sabres a day But when looking at Staal’s isolated impact, according to Micah Blake earlier, the Canadiens’ general manager let out a sly grin and gave his McCurdy’s invaluable HockeyViz, you could conclude not much has response. changed with Staal from last season to this one, at least offensively.

What is clear is you should not take this response the least bit seriously. The Sabres’ shooting percentage at five-on-five when Staal was on the ice this season was 3.98 percent, compared with 11.16 percent with the “No, not at all,” Bergevin said. “We have nothing left, we have no money, Wild last season, which was the second-highest on-ice shooting we’re maxed out on the cap.” percentage of Staal’s career.

It was a tacit acknowledgment from Bergevin that you need to take It would be prudent not to expect that to happen again, but 3.98 percent everything he says right now with a massive block of salt, something he is also by far the lowest on-ice shooting percentage of Staal’s career. explicitly acknowledged not long afterwards when he made the most Expecting that number to climb on a better team with better linemates honest statement he’s given in weeks, or maybe ever. and a better environment would not be all that unreasonable.

Bergevin was challenged on the veracity of his previous comment on his “I know there’s teams that do have cap space that are willing to take on trade capabilities in the coming weeks, and he came clean. cap space, so if you want to buy cap space, that’s available, but there’s a price to pay for that. Depending on the amount you’re trying to buy, then “Anything’s possible,” Bergevin said. “When I talked to you guys on the price becomes steeper. Like in a three-way deal where a team takes Thursday, I was being upfront and honest. But again, I don’t think it’s in on the player and then retains money and then ships him to the other the best interests of the Montreal Canadiens to sit in front of a camera place. So, that’s out there, but again I’m not going to go into details about and lay out everything I’m trying to do. I think we’d be putting our team at which teams are doing that or trying to do that, but that’s also a a disadvantage because I know for a fact there were two other teams possibility.” going after Eric Staal. So when I talk to you guys, there are other people around the league that are listening, so I have to be very careful. I’m This was very transparent on Bergevin’s part. There is a market out there trying to be as transparent as I can, but there are times where I cannot to either create cap space or use a cap-space broker, if you will, but it be, and that was the case. obviously comes at a cost. This answer, however, came moments after the following exchange took place: “But I also didn’t have anything in the mix when I talked to you. It happened honestly very fast. I did have conversations with Buffalo a Q: “Are you currently looking to free up some cap space so you can while back and I know the 14 days (mandatory quarantine in Canada) make further moves between now and the 12th?” became an issue, but then when that was lifted (and replaced by a seven-day quarantine) that made it a lot easier to make the trade.” A: “No.”

All of that is totally fair. There is no general manager in the NHL, or any There were reports Friday evening that Bergevin was indeed attempting league for that matter, who is completely transparent. At least Bergevin is to do just that. But the word “currently” might have given Bergevin an out willing to admit it, and also admit he is cognizant other general managers there. In my eyes, what he said about the teams with cap space being are listening to what he is saying publicly. What is not explicitly admitted willing to loan it out is of greater interest. is Bergevin is therefore communicating to those other general managers The teams most likely to be in a position to try to capitalize on their as much as he is to the public, which is something we’ve already abundance of cap space are the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, outlined. New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings, who are all projected by Cap What this means is that Bergevin’s public words need to be somewhat Friendly to have more than $8 million in space at the end of the season. interpreted, or even deciphered, to get some hints as to what he is The Senators have only six picks in the 2021 draft, the Devils have eight. actually thinking. So let’s try to identify Bergevin’s moments of true transparency Saturday and the moments that were perhaps a bit less The Canadiens have 12. Just saying. transparent but nonetheless might have revealed what the Canadiens could do between now and the April 12 trade deadline. None of those four teams has a very realistic shot of reaching the playoffs, though the Kings are on the fringe of the West Division race. So Let’s start with the most transparent and move down to the least. if there is a trade out there Bergevin would like to make, perhaps to shore up his defence, maybe he would be willing to pay up to use one of those “In watching our team perform, I saw a position that was a bit vulnerable four teams as a facilitator to get it done. in terms of experience, and that was centre.” Bergevin was asked how his defence has been doing since Ben Chiarot “It’s no accident that we’re bringing in players who have won a Stanley was lost March 10 after fracturing his hand in a fight, and he basically Cup.” gave the defence a passing grade. He has liked Edmundson taking over These two statements perfectly encapsulate why Bergevin acquired from Chiarot as Shea Weber’s partner and Brett Kulak playing with Jeff Staal. Not much interpretation necessary. Petry, but he didn’t exactly give a glowing endorsement to Victor Mete and Xavier Ouellet’s work on the third pair with Alexander Romanov. Staal becomes the sixth former Stanley Cup winner to join the Canadiens However, if he considered the centre position to be “vulnerable” it would since last season ended, following Jake Allen, Joel Edmundson, Tyler not be unreasonable to say that word would also describe his defence. Toffoli, Michael Frolik and Corey Perry. He also provides immediate experience at centre, where Jesperi Kotkaniemi — at age 20 — was the Bergevin said he hopes to get Chiarot back a bit sooner than originally second-most experienced player before Staal’s arrival. expected. The earliest he was supposed to be back was around April 26, or six weeks after his surgery March 15. Even if he were to come back a “We lost a great, great person and a great leader in the locker room,” week early, that’s still pretty far away. Sabres interim coach Don Granato said. “I watched his in-between- period interview the other day. He looked exhausted and depleted. I can On the other hand, the Canadiens have managed to create some separation from the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames for the final playoff spot in the division without playing any games. They hold six games in hand on the Canucks and still hold a two-point lead on them. The gap is four points with the Flames, who have played four more games.

“The games in hand are only good when you win them,” Bergevin said.

That is true. But the fact the Canucks and Flames have not capitalized on the time away for the Canadiens, coupled with how well Chiarot’s recovery is apparently going, might have lessened Bergevin’s sense of urgency to address his defence.

“Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you in a couple of days.”

This was Bergevin’s answer to a question about what the best next step would be for Cole Caufield after his season ended with the University of Wisconsin on Friday.

It was also a case in which Bergevin could not be totally transparent because there are obviously contract negotiations ongoing. He had a sly grin on his face as he said it. If Bergevin accepts what he says right now is open to interpretation, then that grin would suggest Caufield signing his contract with the Canadiens is a foregone conclusion.

(Screengrab via Canadiens Zoom)

“Hmmm, Cole Caufield, with the bonuses, uhh, it’s going to be tight,” Bergevin said when asked whether he has the cap space to accommodate Caufield’s entry-level contract.

And then he grinned again before continuing.

“But we still have some time before the 12th, there’s no doubt we’re always working to improve the team,” he said, “but we’ll see over the next few days or weeks what will happen with Cole and we’ll evaluate the situation.”

A few hours later, the Canadiens announced Caufield had agreed to terms on his entry level contract. Bergevin is clearly intrigued by Caufield and the possibilities he offers. It could be argued the Canadiens don’t have someone with Caufield’s finishing skills right now, and Bergevin was pretty open about what impresses him about the No. 15 pick in the 2019 draft.

“He’s an exceptional player,” Bergevin said. “Even (Friday), I watched the game and his second goal, it was an (Alex) Ovechkin type of goal. The puck arrives, it’s bouncing a bit and bang, it’s gone. He has an exceptional talent for that. But we’re going to take our time, we’re going to evaluate him, and we’ll see what happens in the next stretch of time.”

It’s not quite clear how Bergevin and his cap specialist John Sedgwick would make the money work, but Bergevin also has no obligation to tell us that. Caufield will begin with the Laval Rocket, but based on everything Bergevin said and did, it would be fair to infer that Caufield wearing a Canadiens uniform at some point this season is something we can expect to see.

The grin gave it away.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207028 Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators' offense caught up with defense and now they're in the playoff hunt

Mike Organ

The momentum the Nashville Predators have picked up over the last two weeks can no longer be attributed solely to the play of their overall defense and more specifically the goalies.

After knocking off the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 Saturday night at the United Center the Predators remained one of the hottest teams in the NHL having won six of their last seven games and four in a row.

While some of the wins which came as the Predators started to gain momentum were a direct result of excellent goalie play by Juuse Saros and Pekka Rinne, a rejuvenated offense of late has kept them on a roll and thrust them into the thick of the playoff race.

"Some of it is confidence on offense, but a lot of it is we're doing a really good job without the puck," said Mikael Granlund, who scored on a lay- up in the third period for Nashville's last goal against the Blackhawks.

"We're tracking pucks, we're causing turnovers and that's how we get a lot of those chances," he said. "We are really tight as a unit all the time and we've been getting a lot of good chances and obviously trying to put the other team on their heels. When you do that, it all comes down to making good plays."

The Predators have scored 16 goals in the last four games.

They have moved in the Central Division standings to within two points of the fourth-place Blackhawks, who they play again Sunday (7 p.m.).

The Predators' shot quality has improvement drastically because they are playing better on offense while continuing to apply pressure defensively.

"A lot of it is commitment to get into that (scoring) area of the ice and we've done a pretty good job in the offensive zone where we've been a lot harder on the puck," coach said.

The defense continues to provde some of those scoring opportunities.

"We've been able to create turnovers high in the zone, which then result in real quality scoring chances," Hynes said. "So it's the work away from the puck and when you're able to create those turnovers you wind up in situations where you may have a slight odd-man rush situation. That also generates high-quality chances."

Keeping the offense headed in the right direction was a challenge Saturday. The Predators were without Filip Forsberg, one of the franchises' all-time leading scorers, who was sidelined with an upper- body injury.

Luke Kunin, who had missed the previous 13 games with a lower body injury, replaced Forsberg in the lineup and did his part in helping the offense continue to play well.

Kunin assisted on Granlund's goal and a goal by Rocco Grimaldi in the second period.

Kunin said he noticed early the Predators are playing much better than they were when he was sidelined at early in March.

"We're just doing the little things; playing the right way that will help us have success," Kunin said. "Not trying to do too much. Everyone's buying in and doing the right things. Everyone through the lineup has been doing that."

Forsberg's status is listed as day-to-day.

While the offense has come around, Surros has continued to play well. He had 29 saves.

Tennessean LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207029 Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators GM David Poile surprised by Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction announcement

Mike Organ

Predators general manager David Poile was surprised during a Zoom call Thursday when he was told he would be included in the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame 2021 class.

Several of Poile's family members and co-workers were on the call.

The Zoom was replayed during Saturday night's broadcast of the game against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first intermission.

Poile is in his 39th season as an NHL GM and 24th for Nashville.

He will become only the second member of the Predators organization to be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, joining Preds broadcaster Terry Crisp, who was inducted in 2020.

Poile is the only general manager in NHL history to lead two different clubs for more than 1,000 games and 500 victories (also with Washington), and on March 1, 2018, against Edmonton, Poile won his 1,320th game, making him the all-time winningest GM in league history.

Going into Saturday's game Poile had 1,431 victories.

He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.

Tennessean LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207030 New Jersey Devils opponents. When Mikhail Maltsev turned the puck over in the third period, leading to the Capitals’ third goal, he sat for nearly 10 minutes, getting only two more shifts in the final portion of the game.

Fatigue finally catches up to Devils | 3 observations from loss to Capitals After playing just 1:27 in the first period, Hughes saw his normal ice time for the remainder of the game, skating 11:48 total. When Ruff makes a move like that, he’s interested in how individual players rebound.

By Chris Ryan “I decided to not play (Hughes), and the hope there is to see what response I would get,” Ruff said. “I got the response I was looking for in a

second period. I thought he played a lot better period. I think if you asked The Devils failed to score a goal in a game for the first time this season him, he would be pretty disappointed in the start of the game, and it’s a when the Washington Capitals handed them a 4-0 loss on Friday at learning experience. You take that, you got to move forward, you got to Capital One Arena in Washington. understand that when there’s fatigue in your game, don’t put high risk in your game.” The two teams won’t play in that building again this season after the Capitals won all four meetings in D.C., where the Devils went 0-3-1. The Why Jesper Boqvist got another shot in the lineup Devils and Capitals will wrap up their season series next weekend in The Devils made one lineup change on Friday, electing to put Jesper Newark. Boqvist in for Nick Merkley for some additional fresh legs after the tough Sign up for Devils Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes stretch. It was Boqvist’s first NHL game since Jan. 31 — the day before observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers the Devils’ COVID-19 shutdown.

Here are some takeaways from Friday’s game. Boqvist appeared in eight games with the Binghamton Devils during his hiatus, posting two goals and five assists, so it was just a matter of time The schedule may have caught up to the Devils before he got another NHL chance.

Since returning from their COVID-19 pause in the middle of February, the Boqvist had one of the Devils’ best opportunities to score on Friday when Devils have played four games each week, with them occurring on a seam pass found him in he right circle on a second-period power play. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Instead of one-timing the shot, Boqvist quickly settled the puck and released it, but that brief hesitation gave Caps goalie Ilya Samsonov This was the first Friday game the Devils have played since resuming enough time to slide over for a glove save. their schedule, and it marked their fifth game in seven days. On an already condensed schedule, that was as busy as one team can get. “You’ve got a split second to get that away,” Ruff said. “For me, it was fairly similar to (Jesper) Bratt’s goal (on Thursday) where Bratt one-timed And after a playing some solid hockey over the past two weeks, Friday’s it. Today we caught it, stick handled for a second and the goalie was result wasn’t a major shock. sitting there for the save. So that’s part of the learning experience.” “It was a lot of different things (that factored into the loss),” Devils head Star Ledger LOADED: 03.28.2021 coach said. “But when you play five games in seven nights, I really believe you can see some bad hockey.”

Scoring chances and shot attempts were about even between the two teams on Friday night, but mistakes by the Devils and lack of finish on their opportunities were more than enough to give the Capitals the edge.

After such a busy week of games and travel, the Devils expected the need to dig a little deeper to find the energy for Friday’s game, and their play needed to reflect that.

“Days like that, you just gotta make sure your execution is high so you’re not wasting energy chasing pucks or battling when you don’t have to,” Travis Zajac said. “It’s not like we played bad. I think if we get one in the first — we had some chances — or even in the second when we had a few good looks, it maybe ends up different. But give them credit, they’re a veteran team. They know how to win games, they make it tough.”

Playing Washington again on Friday probably didn’t help matters. The Capitals have now won all six meetings between the teams this season.

“When a team’s kind of got your number, you can kind of scare yourself before you go into a game,” Zajac said. “But I think we talked about just playing our game. We’ve seen it work against them when we get to our speed and we’re executing and we’re playing fast. We’re a dangerous team, we create chances when we track hard. We don’t give up much, and I don’t know if we gave up too much, but the chances we did, they got guys that know how to put the puck in the back of the net.”

The Devils have a day off on Saturday before playing games on Sunday and Tuesday against the Boston Bruins, When they don’t have games on Wednesday and Thursday next week, it will mark their only two-day stretch without a game for the remainder of the season.

Why Jack Hughes was benched in the first period

Jack Hughes played three shifts in the opening period. On his first, he turned the puck over at the offensive blue line, leading to a Capitals breakaway and a shot off the post.

On his next two shifts, the Capitals scored on both.

After the Capitals went up 2-0 at the 8:10 mark of the first period, Hughes didn’t see the ice for the rest of the frame.

Ruff hasn’t been shy about sitting players for stretches this season following defensive miscues or lapses that lead to opportunities for 1207031 New Jersey Devils If the Jackets cannot get pending free agent Nick Foligno to sign an extension before the April 12 trade deadline, then, A) Doesn’t Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen owe it to the franchise’s future to move the team captain rather than keep him for a playoff drive; and, B) Doesn’t Foligno NHL’s referee problem goes way beyond Tim Peel debacle fit perfectly into the mold of a Lou Lamoriello- player?

Foligno is also the exact type of player the Rangers should be seeking to add this offseason, even if at age 33 he might not be the right guy. Zach By Larry Brooks March 27, 2021 | 3:00pm | Updated Hyman, the pending free agent out of Toronto who will be 29 when next season begins, has a similar profile.

Let me know when the NHL fires vice president and director of officiating But someone might want to explain to me how the Blueshirts are going to Stephen Walkom instead of referee Tim Peel, and I’ll believe the league make room for a grit-type winger on the side where Artemi Panarin, Chris is onto something. Kreider and Alexis Lafreniere reside.

Peel, of course, was fired posthaste after a hot-mic clip caught the Of course, Hyman is a righty and can play the right side. Which is the referee saying he “wanted to get” an “early” penalty against the Predators province of Pavel Buchnevich, Kaapo Kakko and, perhaps, Vitali after he made a marginal tripping call 4:46 into the second period of their Kravtsov. game against the Red Wings on Tuesday. No organization in pro sports would benefit from John Tortorella’s boot- There’d been only one prior penalty assessed against Detroit, so the camp mentality as much as the Sabres. And Tortorella, of course, does desire to even things up at that juncture seems odd, but then again, not have a contract that goes beyond this season in Columbus. that’s Peel, who had long before announced his intention to retire at the But though half the Sabres — and that probably includes management — end of the season. might not survive Tortorella, the larger question is: At this stage of his life, The NHL, which acted shocked, shocked we’ll say, that such a thing would Tortorella survive the Sabres? would exist in its universe, though the league, both before and Kyle Palmieri to the B’s makes all kinds of sense, but not if the exchange throughout Walkom’s tenure at the top of the officiating food chain, has simply brings back another prospect or draft choice or two. countenanced its officials managing games for decades. The Devils need to move beyond that phase of their endless construction Before introduction of the hard cap in 2005-06, the league permitted, if project — one playoff appearance and one playoff game victory since not encouraged, low-payroll teams to engage in blatant obstruction and 2012 under three different regimes fronted by Lamoriello then Ray Shero interference in order to even the scales against clubs with higher payrolls and now Tom Fitzgerald — and add an established top-sixer or two to and, thus, more talented squads. take some of the weight off Jack Hughes. How on earth do you think the Panthers were able to defeat both the Finally, with the 2022 Olympic Games just over 10 months away, it is Legion of Doom Flyers and the Mario Lemieux-Jaromir Jagr Penguins en appropriate to dig out that napkin on which Leo McGarry wrote: “FOX route to the 1996 Cup finals, in which they were swept by the Avalanche? FOR AMERICA.” It is all about keeping it close in the NHL. That is the purpose of the New York Post LOADED: 03.28.2021 losers’ point. That is the purpose of even-up, arbitrary calls — and, just as importantly, non-calls — that dot the landscape on a nightly basis.

Then, of course, come the playoffs, where officials willfully ignore the rule book and permit mayhem after almost every whistle under the guise of “allowing the boys to play.” Of course, this skews the tournament results in favor of brawn every time. One way for 82 games (or, in the alternative, 56) and another way for the games that count the most.

Talent is showcased through the regular season. Sandpaper takes the stage in the playoffs. The tournament is managed, too.

Now, is it likely that Walkom operates independently from the wishes of Sixth Avenue? Not in the least. But that does not excuse the widespread incompetence and inefficiency on display across the continent on a regular basis, and that does not excuse the lack of public accountability from his department.

If there is to be change in the way games are officiated, there must be a change at the top of the department. Wake me when that happens.

By the way, this notion that the NHL reacted so quickly to Peel saying the quiet part out loud in order to assuage its corporate gambling partners might make some sense if the league’s injury policy was not so opaque and it prodded coaches to name starting goaltenders more than a half- hour in advance of game-time.

Imagine if the league reacted to email leaks from its executives regarding concussions and “little fake artists” the way it did to a hot-mic leak.

There was this time about two years after Peel was disciplined by the league for having a photo posted online of him having a drink with a reporter that the referee happened into a hotel lobby bar in Glendale, Ariz., at which I was imbibing following a Rangers-Coyotes match.

The ref pulled up a seat, signaled the bartender to provide me with another round and said: “You’re not going to write about this, are you?” A few more rounds flowed.

In recognition of Mika Zibanejad, the NHL’s all-time top five No. 93s: 1. Doug Gilmour; 2. Zibanejad; 3. Petr Nedved; 4. Jakub Voracek; 5. Keith Yandle. Honorable Mention: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Mention: Nikolay Zherdev (in Philadelphia). 1207032 New York Islanders

Islanders have no answers for Bryant Rust, Penguins

By Associated Press March 27, 2021 | 9:57pm | Updated

PITTSBURGH — The Islanders were starting to creep closer, but this was Bryan Rust’s night.

Rust sat in the penalty box as the Islanders trimmed a three-goal deficit to two, then flirted with cutting it to one as the clock ticked down.

When the Pittsburgh Penguins forward hopped out, however, he found another friendly bounce in a night full of them, pouncing on a clearing attempt and racing down the ice to finish off his fourth career hat trick as the Penguins cooled off the Islanders 6-3 on Saturday night.

“There was a wide array of emotions in the box there,” Rust said.

The only ones he felt afterward were a mixture of jubilation and relief after the Penguins pulled within two points of New York and Washington for the top spot in the crowded East Division. Pittsburgh has won 10 of 13 despite a series of injuries that have decimated its forward group.

The Penguins have kept plugging away anyway. Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist, Evan Rodrigues added his fourth and Frederick Gaudreau scored for the first time in more than two years as Pittsburgh improved to 5-2 against the Islanders.

Bryan Rust celebrates with teammates after scoring one of his three goals in the Islanders’ 6-3 loss to the Penguins.

“That was a really big win for us because that’s who we’re chasing in the standings,” forward Sam Lafferty said.

The Penguins can catch New York with another win when the teams meet again Monday for the eighth and final time during the regular season.

Mathew Barzal ended a 10-game goal drought by picking up his 10th of the season. Anthony Beauvillier and Jordan Eberle also scored for New York, but the Penguins needed just 26 minutes to Ilya Sorokin on their way to building a 5-0 lead.

The 25-year-old rookie had been unbeaten since mid-February, but his eight-game run — one of them a 2-0 shutout win over the Penguins on Feb. 28 — came to an abrupt end after giving up four goals on nine shots before being replaced by Semyon Varlamov.

“I didn’t see enough from anybody, Ilya included,” New York coach Barry Trotz said. “Ilya and the rest of the team. It just wasn’t enough. So change it up. Maybe Varly could stabilize us, and maybe we can crawl back in the game.”

The Islanders scored three straight, eventually pulling within two on Eberle’s sixth of the season with 2:27 remaining. The Islanders had several chances to get closer thanks to the penalty on Rust. Jarry made a series of quality stops to keep the Islanders at bay, though Barzal liked the way the Islanders tilted the ice in the third.

“We didn’t shrink,” Barzal said. “We tried to push. We had a great push at the end.”

New York Post LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207033 New York Islanders If the Jackets cannot get pending free agent Nick Foligno to sign an extension before the April 12 trade deadline, then, A) Doesn’t Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen owe it to the franchise’s future to move the team captain rather than keep him for a playoff drive; and, B) Doesn’t Foligno NHL’s referee problem goes way beyond Tim Peel debacle fit perfectly into the mold of a Lou Lamoriello-Barry Trotz player?

Foligno is also the exact type of player the Rangers should be seeking to add this offseason, even if at age 33 he might not be the right guy. Zach By Larry Brooks March 27, 2021 | 3:00pm | Updated Hyman, the pending free agent out of Toronto who will be 29 when next season begins, has a similar profile.

Let me know when the NHL fires vice president and director of officiating But someone might want to explain to me how the Blueshirts are going to Stephen Walkom instead of referee Tim Peel, and I’ll believe the league make room for a grit-type winger on the side where Artemi Panarin, Chris is onto something. Kreider and Alexis Lafreniere reside.

Peel, of course, was fired posthaste after a hot-mic clip caught the Of course, Hyman is a righty and can play the right side. Which is the referee saying he “wanted to get” an “early” penalty against the Predators province of Pavel Buchnevich, Kaapo Kakko and, perhaps, Vitali after he made a marginal tripping call 4:46 into the second period of their Kravtsov. game against the Red Wings on Tuesday. No organization in pro sports would benefit from John Tortorella’s boot- There’d been only one prior penalty assessed against Detroit, so the camp mentality as much as the Sabres. And Tortorella, of course, does desire to even things up at that juncture seems odd, but then again, not have a contract that goes beyond this season in Columbus. that’s Peel, who had long before announced his intention to retire at the But though half the Sabres — and that probably includes management — end of the season. might not survive Tortorella, the larger question is: At this stage of his life, The NHL, which acted shocked, shocked we’ll say, that such a thing would Tortorella survive the Sabres? would exist in its universe, though the league, both before and Kyle Palmieri to the B’s makes all kinds of sense, but not if the exchange throughout Walkom’s tenure at the top of the officiating food chain, has simply brings back another prospect or draft choice or two. countenanced its officials managing games for decades. The Devils need to move beyond that phase of their endless construction Before introduction of the hard cap in 2005-06, the league permitted, if project — one playoff appearance and one playoff game victory since not encouraged, low-payroll teams to engage in blatant obstruction and 2012 under three different regimes fronted by Lamoriello then Ray Shero interference in order to even the scales against clubs with higher payrolls and now Tom Fitzgerald — and add an established top-sixer or two to and, thus, more talented squads. take some of the weight off Jack Hughes. How on earth do you think the Panthers were able to defeat both the Finally, with the 2022 Olympic Games just over 10 months away, it is Legion of Doom Flyers and the Mario Lemieux-Jaromir Jagr Penguins en appropriate to dig out that napkin on which Leo McGarry wrote: “FOX route to the 1996 Cup finals, in which they were swept by the Avalanche? FOR AMERICA.” It is all about keeping it close in the NHL. That is the purpose of the New York Post LOADED: 03.28.2021 losers’ point. That is the purpose of even-up, arbitrary calls — and, just as importantly, non-calls — that dot the landscape on a nightly basis.

Then, of course, come the playoffs, where officials willfully ignore the rule book and permit mayhem after almost every whistle under the guise of “allowing the boys to play.” Of course, this skews the tournament results in favor of brawn every time. One way for 82 games (or, in the alternative, 56) and another way for the games that count the most.

Talent is showcased through the regular season. Sandpaper takes the stage in the playoffs. The tournament is managed, too.

Now, is it likely that Walkom operates independently from the wishes of Sixth Avenue? Not in the least. But that does not excuse the widespread incompetence and inefficiency on display across the continent on a regular basis, and that does not excuse the lack of public accountability from his department.

If there is to be change in the way games are officiated, there must be a change at the top of the department. Wake me when that happens.

By the way, this notion that the NHL reacted so quickly to Peel saying the quiet part out loud in order to assuage its corporate gambling partners might make some sense if the league’s injury policy was not so opaque and it prodded coaches to name starting goaltenders more than a half- hour in advance of game-time.

Imagine if the league reacted to email leaks from its executives regarding concussions and “little fake artists” the way it did to a hot-mic leak.

There was this time about two years after Peel was disciplined by the league for having a photo posted online of him having a drink with a reporter that the referee happened into a hotel lobby bar in Glendale, Ariz., at which I was imbibing following a Rangers-Coyotes match.

The ref pulled up a seat, signaled the bartender to provide me with another round and said: “You’re not going to write about this, are you?” A few more rounds flowed.

In recognition of Mika Zibanejad, the NHL’s all-time top five No. 93s: 1. Doug Gilmour; 2. Zibanejad; 3. Petr Nedved; 4. Jakub Voracek; 5. Keith Yandle. Honorable Mention: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Mention: Nikolay Zherdev (in Philadelphia). 1207034 New York Islanders Crosby’s power-play backhander made it 3-0 at 4:26 of the second period with Nick Leddy off for slashing Lafferty.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.28.2021 Ilya Sorokin pulled as Islanders' three-game winning streak ends in Pittsburgh

By Andrew Gross

The Penguins dominated the Islanders on Saturday night.

But the Islanders also beat themselves in a 6-3 loss before a crowd of 2,800 at PPG Paints Arena with ill-timed penalties, loose defensive play and subpar goaltending as they spotted the Penguins a five-goal lead.

"We weren’t good enough," coach Barry Trotz said. "We had too many passengers. We needed a timely save, we took unnecessary penalties. When you do that against Pittsburgh, you’re not going to have any success."

Ilya Sorokin was pulled after allowing four goals on nine shots. His personal eight-game winning streak — a team record for rookie goalies — was snapped.

The Islanders (22-9-4) had their three-game winning streak snapped to start a two-game series in Pittsburgh. The teams will meet for the eighth and final time on Monday night.

The Islanders are 2-3-2 against the Penguins, who got a hat trick from Bryan Rust and have won three straight.

"Honestly, I didn’t see enough from anybody," Trotz said, adding that he felt he had "five players going tonight . . . Ilya and the rest of the team, it just wasn’t enough."

It marked the third time on this four-game road trip that the Islanders have played without the lead.

They rallied for a 2-1 overtime win over the Flyers on Monday and a 4-3 overtime win over the Bruins on Thursday.

"We always want to be playing with a lead and get that first goal," said Mathew Barzal, who got to the crease to beat Tristan Jarry (29 saves) for his first goal in 11 games to make it 5-1 at 10:47 of the second period. "I think this team is pretty resilient. We were pushing. But it stinks being down. It is draining."

"You get down by that many, it’s too hard to come back in this league," said Jordan Eberle, who made it 5-3 at 17:33 of the third period with the teams skating four-on-four but with Semyon Varlamov (10 saves) pulled for an extra skater.

Eberle then hit the post on the ensuing power play before Rust completed his hat trick by exiting the penalty box and scoring an empty- netter with 41.1 seconds remaining.

"There were some defensive breakdowns by us," Eberle said. "They’re a good team over there. The biggest thing is we’re just trying to build momentum for the game after you get down by five. We’ve got these guys in a couple of days and we just want to get a foot in the door."

The teams had met six times in a 23-day span in February, and four of those were one-goal games. Sorokin made 20 saves in a 2-0 win over the Penguins at Nassau Coliseum on Feb. 28. But he was pulled after Rust’s power-play goal at 6:18 of the second period, with defenseman Scott Mayfield off for crosschecking Sam Lafferty, made it 4-0.

Sidney Crosby gave a quick feed to Rust, who beat Sorokin through his pads as the goalie came far out of his crease.

Rust also made it 5-0 at 8:21 of the second period on the Penguins’ first shot against Varlamov, getting free at the crease to dig out the rebound of defenseman Kris Letang’s initial shot.

The Penguins scored on their first two shots against Sorokin.

Frederick Gaudreau completed a two-on-one rush to make it 1-0 at 5:48 after Lafferty was able to get his feed around defenseman Thomas Hickey.

Evan Rodrigues made it 2-0 at 10:07 with a screened shot from above the left circle. 1207035 New York Islanders

With Michael Dal Colle injured, Kiefer Bellows back in Islanders' lineup

By Andrew Gross

With Michael Dal Colle out with a lower-body injury, Barry Trotz changed his Islanders lineup by necessity in Saturday night’s 6-3 road loss to the Penguins.

Rookie Kieffer Bellows, inserted into Dal Colle’s spot the previous three games on Brock Nelson’s second line with Josh Bailey, logged 11:54 and was a minus-1 after a three-game absence.

Bellows has three goals in 13 games, with all three scores coming in the first two games of a four-game audition on top-line center Mathew Barzal’s left wing (Anders Lee is out for the season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament).

Trotz said Bellows brought the energy and "grunt work" needed for that line in his first two games but couldn’t sustain it.

"I thought he failed a little bit in the last two. He didn’t have that same energy, that same sort of bite that has to drive that line," Trotz said.

Trotz said Dal Colle, who had been in the lineup for 12 of the previous 15 games, also will miss Monday night’s game in Pittsburgh.

"He’s a player getting some traction," Trotz said. "It’s unfortunate he got injured. That takes a little momentum from the player."

Isles files

Josh Bailey logged 18:13 with an assist as he played in his 900th career game. He tied Bobby Nystrom for third on the Islanders’ all-time list of games played behind Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier (1,123) and Denis Potvin (1,060) . . . Anthony Beauvillier extended his goal streak to four games as he lifted a rebound at the crease to bring the Islanders within 5-2 at 5:23 of the third period . . . Barzal’s assist on Beauvillier’s goal gave him his first multi-point effort in 11 games and his sixth of the season . . . Defenseman Ryan Pulock took a game-high seven shots . . . The Islanders were 0-for-4 on the power play with six shots.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207036 New York Islanders Beauvillier claimed he got "lucky" but it took instant recognition to commit to the attempt.

"It’s one of those instincts plays," Beauvillier said. "It just happens and Expect Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello to go for a rental at trade deadline you kind of hope for the best. You go behind the net and you see the goalie is not really there and you go for it. I was fortunate, it hit his skate and went in the net. It’s one of those plays where you just do it when it happens and sometimes you get lucky with it." By Andrew Gross Leddy rising

Nick Leddy had his fourth multi-point game of the season – and second Lou Lamoriello has made six trades as the Islanders president and in four games – with two assists on Thursday against the Bruins. That general manager and figures to add to that total before the April 12 moved Leddy into fourth place on the Islanders’ all-time list of multi-point deadline. games by defensemen: Scoring depth up front is needed with Anders Lee out for the season with 1. Denis Potvin (1973-88) – 281 a torn right anterior cruciate ligament and Lamoriello has $7 million in wiggle room above the $81.5 million salary-cap ceiling with his captain on 2. Stefan Persson (1977-86) – 80 long-term injured reserve. 3. Tomas Jonsson (1981-89) – 63 Lamoriello can afford the Sabres’ Taylor Hall, though it’s uncertain the Islanders are considering the former Hart Trophy winner. He can afford 4. Nick Leddy (2014-present) – 44 the Devils’ Kyle Palmieri, though Palmieri and the Devils may still work 5. Jeff Norton (1988-93) – 43 out an extension. Ditto for Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno, who may not be moved as coach John Tortorella keeps yet another season afloat Andrew Gross poses for a portrait on March in Columbus. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.28.2021 Whatever Lamoriello does, it will be near impossible to top last season’s trade deadline acquisition of Jean-Gabriel Pageau, not to mention his earlier deal for ex-Devils captain Andy Greene.

Both have been integral components this season and, in Pageau’s case after he was immediately signed to a six-year, $30 million extension, part of the Islanders’ long-term future. The versatile Pageau has clearly become one of coach Barry Trotz’s favorite players. More on that shortly.

So, don’t compare what Lamoriello eventually does this season to last season. It’s likely apples to oranges. This time, Lamoriello is almost certainly targeting rentals, not a core piece like Pageau.

Not that the pressure on Lamoriello to improve his club is any less.

Even without Lee, the Islanders can win the East Division. They should be considered Stanley Cup contenders, even if getting past the Capitals and/or Bruins and/or Penguins in the first two rounds of the playoffs and into the NHL’s final four for a second straight season will be extremely difficult.

But Lee’s linemates Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle have struggled in his absence and it behooves Lamoriello to get that top line more productive again. Leo Komarov is fine in certain spots. A long-term role on that line is not one of them.

Ex-Islander Derick Brassard, now with the Coyotes, and the Sharks’ Matt Nieto and Marcus Sorensen are all cheaper alternatives that could be moved. Any could be plugged onto Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s line, allowing speedy Anthony Beauvillier to be reunited with Barzal. Pageau’s versatile game allows him to be productive with almost anybody.

"One of the reasons we got Pager is we saw his intellect as a player," Trotz said. "We saw his competitiveness as a player. He loves the battle. If he’s got an assignment or if he’s going against a top guy, I think he has a switch that he turns on and makes it personal. He’s a really easy guy to move around the lineup and also a really easy guy to play with because he does so many things right.

"You trust him in every situation against top opponents. You don’t even blink an eye. You know that he’s going to get the job done. That’s the biggest compliment you can give any player: When the game is on the line, can I put you on the ice and can you get the job done? I have zero reservation because I have that trust in him."

Lamoriello set a high, trade-deadline bar, indeed.

Going on instinct

Anthony Beauvillier scored back-to-back overtime winners in Monday’s 2- 1 victory in Philadelphia and Thursday’s 4-3 win in Boston. The latter was an easy one, just knocking in a loose puck that Bruins goalie Jaroslav Halak could not control and was trickling through the crease.

But his wraparound goal against the Flyers was a skillful one as Beauvillier accelerated behind the crease and beat goalie Brian Elliott to the left post. 1207037 New York Islanders percentage. These are the games the Islanders need Barzal to have again.

Varlamov’s relief Plus/Minus: Islanders Fall in Blowout to Penguins It didn’t get off to the best start, but Varlamov coming in during a drubbing and playing the final period and a half was needed as Sorokin just didn’t have his best Saturday. By Andrew Battifarano To his credit, Varlamov did his part after the goal and stopped all but one of the 11 shots he faced over the night.

It was a bad start and only marginally got better as the game went on for NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 the New York Islanders.

New York yielded the first five goals of the game and fell, 6-3, on the road to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The loss snapped the Islanders’ three-game winning streak as they’re tied with Washington at the top of the East with 48 points, though the Islanders have played two more games.

Let’s take a look at the bad and good from this loss.

Minus

Ugly second period

Already down 2-0 after one, the Islanders didn’t have a better effort in the ensuing 20 minutes. Pittsburgh rattled off three goals, the second of which knocked Ilya Sorokin out of the game.

It wasn’t much better for Semyon Varlamov, who gave up a goal on just the second shot he faced. Sidney Crosby scored one and Bryan Rust added two (and later ended with a hat trick) as the game was put out of reach well before the third period began.

Pittsburgh held 59 percent of the attempts at 5-on-5 in the second and really controlled the pace of play in the period.

“Our first period was fine, didn’t give up much, I know we out-chanced them in the first,” Barry Trotz said. “Second period we took an early penalty, they capitalized on a couple of unnecessary penalties. And then we got loose in front of our net.”

For the game, Pittsburgh went 2-for-4 on the power play.

Sorokin gets pulled

While it’s hard to place blame on the rookie netminder for the early mess, there had to be some change to try and get a spark going and that usually means switching goalies.

In terms of pure stats, it probably was Sorokin’s worst performance since his first game against the New York Rangers. Before getting yanked from the game, he only stopped 5-of-9 shots.

“Honestly I didn’t see enough from anybody — Ilya included. Trotz said. “Ilya and the rest of the team, it wasn’t enough.”

Not capitalizing in the first period

The Islanders did control most of the possession in the period and probably should’ve had more to show for it than what the scoreboard said at the end of the first 20.

But Pittsburgh was opportunistic and scored twice while the Islanders played from behind virtually all night. It set the tone in what was another struggled of a game against Pittsburgh, which has been a them this year.

Plus

Barzal gets going again

The Islanders did pull within 5-3 at a point, and Mathew Barzal was a big reason for that. He’s been struggling offensively since Anders Lee was sidelined for the year, but he broke through with his 10th goal of the second.

“I mean it’s nice to score but it wasn’t a game-winner, game-breaker goal,” Barzal said. “It was nice to get a little energy on the bench to pull it to four. … I prefer to score when it counts, I guess.”

He added and assist on Anthony Beauvillier’s goal for his first multi-point night since March 6 against Buffalo, which was the last game he scored a goal. Possession-wise, he had a solid game with a 57.69 Corsi For while he was on the ice at 5-on-5 with an 82.29 expected goals 1207038 New York Islanders PITTSBURGH PENGUINS LINEUP (PROJECTED) Jake Guentzel — Sidney Crosby — Bryan Rust

Zach Aston-Reese — Jared McCann — Evan Rodrigues STEEL CITY SHOWDOWN: Islanders Lineup, Matchups and Game Notes vs. Penguins Radim Zohorna — Mark Jankowski — Sam Lafferty

Colton Sceviour — Frederick Gaudreau — Anthony Angello

By Christian Arnold Brian Dumoulin — Kris Letang

Mike Matheson — Cody Ceci

The New York Islanders will look to win their fourth consecutive game Marcus Pettersson — John Marino tonight when they face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Steel City, but they’ll have to do so with a slight change to their lineup. Tristan Jarry

A day after Barry Trotz spoke about the confidence he had in his current Casey DeSmith lineup, he had to announce that Michael Dal Colle will miss tonight and GAME NOTES Monday with a lower-body injury. That opens the door for Ross Johnston, Kieffer Bellows or Austin Czarnik to get back into the Islanders’ lineup. Jake Guentzel leads Pittsburgh in goals this season with 14 and is riding a five-game point streak (three goals, three assists). Guentzel also has Bellows would make the most sense since Trotz indicated that he would points in nine of his last 10 games (seven goals, four assists). … like to keep the lineup as intact as possible to start. Dal Colle had been Frederick Gaudreau ranks second among Pittsburgh forwards in playing on the second line and Bellows could play in that spot or switch shorthanded ice-time over the last three games. He has been averaging places with Anthony Beauvillier and play on the third line. 2:49 on the penalty kill and Pittsburgh has gone a perfect 13-for-13 on Trotz Pregame Availability pic.twitter.com/8bnpCfPQ4o the PK during that span. … Pittsburgh is in the middle of a five-game homestand. … Josh Bailey will play in his 900th career game tonight. He — New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 27, 2021 will tie Bobby Nystrom for third on the Islanders all-time list. … Oliver Wahlstrom has a five-game point streak (four goals, two assists). He “It’s probably to start with minimal change and then if it’s not going the ranks third among all NHL rookies in goals this season with nine. … Nick way you want then you start moving things around,” Trotz said. “I think Leddy leads all Islanders in assists with 22 and that ranks him second you try and keep it as seamless as you can to start and then you react off among defensemen in the East, and sixth among all NHL defensemen. of how the game is going or how the lines are going.” HOW TO WATCH The Islanders are facing a Pittsburgh team that is banged up as well, but that is also coming off a pair of wins over the Buffalo Sabres. Pittsburgh Tonight’s game will air on MSG+ and stream on MSG Go or on NHL.TV has also had the Islanders number in their previous six games. outside of the New York market. On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN Radio, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News The New York Islanders are 2-2-2 against Pittsburgh in that span. Radio. “They’ve given us some fits,” Cal Clutterbuck said this morning. “Their NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 top-end talent seems to be reinvigorated and really producing. (Sidney) Crosby is always dangerous. He’s been the best player in the game for a long time now. You have to keep that in check and you have to keep them off the power play. You have to make sure you limit their rush opportunities.”

Pittsburgh’s power play has been strong, but it hasn’t found much success against the Islanders this season. They are 2-for-13 on the man- advantage in six games against New York.

Clutterbuck said that part of shutting down the Pittsburgh power play is just anticipating what they’re going to do.

Clutterbuck Pregame Availability pic.twitter.com/bAikv0ofG3

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 27, 2021

“It’s up to you as a group of penalty killers, four guys, to be able to make a read with what they’re going to try to do,” Clutterbuck added. “Then you try to make a read on where the other three guys that you’re playing with on the ice are. So that you can anticipate and try and get there before the puck gets there.”

Trotz did not say who would be in net tonight when the puck drops, but it will likely be Semyon Varlamov back in goal. Tristan Jarry will be between the pipes for Pittsburgh.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Leo Komarov — Mathew Barzal — Jordan Eberle

Kieffer Bellows — Brock Nelson — Josh Bailey

Anthony Beauvillier — Jean-Gabriel Pageau — Oliver Wahlstrom

Cal Clutterbuck — Casey Cizikas — Matt Martin

Adam Pelech — Ryan Pulock

Nick Leddy — Andy Greene

Thomas Hickey — Scott Mayfield

Semyon Varlamov

Ilya Sorokin 1207039 New York Islanders

Michael Dal Colle Sidelined with Lower-Body Injury

By Christian Arnold

next two games, head coach Barry Trotz revealed on Saturday morning. Dal Colle is dealing with a lower-body injury.

The revelation came a day after Dal Colle had missed practice with what the team categorized as a maintenance day. Trotz didn’t appear concerned that Dal Colle would miss any games when he spoke with reporters on Friday in Pittsburgh.

Now the Islanders, who are already without Anders Lee (ACL Injury) and Noah Dobson, are down one more player. Trotz named several players that could get a shot in Dal Colle’s absence, which included Kieffer Bellows, Austin Czarnik and Ross Johnston. All three have played in at least three games this season.

The loss of Michael Dal Colle is a tough one for the Islanders, who have seen him become a big contributor this season in various roles in the lineup.

“DC’s last game, I think he’s been driving a lot of that line,” Trotz said. “I’ll say he’s a player that’s getting some traction. It’s unfortunate he got injured. That takes away a little momentum for a player. But you know what? It’s an opportunity for someone. They get in and they make a point that they can take a permanent spot in the lineup. … We want players when they’re going good and obviously, I thought DC was going pretty good.”

Michael Dal Colle has played in 20 games this season and has a goal and four assists in that span. While his offensive numbers don’t necessarily jump off the stat sheet, his ability to play a good two-way game and create chances for his linemates have made him an asset this season.

The Islanders play Pittsburgh over the next two games as they wrap up a four-game road trip.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207040 New York Rangers

Rangers ship Brendan Lemieux to Kings for fourth-round pick

By Mollie Walker March 27, 2021 | 8:00pm | Updated

The Rangers traded forward Brendan Lemieux to the Kings in exchange for a 2021 fourth-round draft pick, the team announced Saturday night.

Lemieux, who has one year remaining after this season on the two-year, $3.1 million contract he signed with the Rangers last November, finishes his Blueshirts career with 11 goals, 20 assists and 214 penalty minutes. With the addition of the Kings’ pick, the Rangers now have nine selections in the 2021 NHL Draft, including six in the first four rounds.

The 25-year-old Lemieux primarily played the role of a fourth-line agitator during his tenure with the Rangers. He was one of the few players on the roster who brought an element of physicality.

It appears the organization was looking to open a spot in the lineup, presumably to accommodate Vitali Kravtsov, who recently joined the team after a stellar KHL season.

Lemieux, who has seven points and 59 penalty minutes in 31 games this season, came to the Rangers in the 2019 trade-deadline deal that sent Kevin Hayes to the Jets. In 162 NHL games, Lemieux has recorded 21 goals and 43 points split between the Jets and Rangers.

Brendan Lemieux

The Rangers’ 2-1 loss in Philadelphia Saturday marked the sixth straight game without head coach David Quinn, who has been in COVID-19 protocol since March 17.

The Blueshirts, who will be traveling to Washington on Sunday for the second of back-to-back road games this weekend, are still unsure who will be behind the bench against the Capitals.

“We haven’t made any decisions, that hasn’t been confirmed yet,” acting head coach Kris Knoblauch said Saturday afternoon.

Assistant coaches Jacques Martin and Greg Brown were cleared to rejoin the team on Thursday, but Quinn and assistant David Oliver are still in the protocol. Martin was back down at ice level Thursday and Saturday with Knoblauch, while Brown stayed upstairs for both games. Associate general manager Chris Drury has been assisting with coaching responsibilities since March 17.

Under Knoblauch, the AHL Wolf Pack’s head coach, the Rangers have a 4-2 record.

The coaching staff isn’t the only thing up in the air for the Rangers heading into Sunday’s matinee. Knoblauch said the team is still unsure who will start in goal. Considering Igor Shesterkin made back-to-back starts in the last two games in Philadelphia, expect to see either Alexandar Georgiev or Keith Kinkaid between the pipes.

“No we have not decided [who will be in net Sunday],” Knoblauch said. “When we get to Washington, talk to the coaching staff, with everyone, then we’ll make that decision. But right now we haven’t.”

With his power-play goal in the first period Saturday, Mika Zibanejad has now recorded goals in four of the Rangers’ past six games and extended his point streak to four games.

Zibanejad tied for a team-high three shots on net in the loss, while also registering three blocked shots and three hits in 22:58 of ice time. Zibanejad has tallied seven goals and six assists for 13 points in the last three matchup against the Flyers this season. He has scored more goals against the Flyers than he has against any other opponent in his NHL career (13).

In six games against the Flyers this season, Zibanejad has recorded 15 points (seven goals, eight assists), which has tied him with Jaromir Jagr (2005-06) for the most a Ranger has accumulated against Philadelphia in one season in franchise history.

New York Post LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207041 New York Rangers be hard coming back from injuries and time off but with Shesty, that’d never surprise me.”

New York Post LOADED: 03.28.2021 Rangers’ domination of Flyers comes to end

By Mollie Walker March 27, 2021 | 3:56pm | Updated

There are several side effects that come with facing the same opponent eight times in a single — and shortened — season. The Rangers have played the Flyers four times this month, and after extremely lopsided wins over Philadelphia in the previous two games, they had a vengeful group on their hands Saturday afternoon.

The Flyers buckled down and pulled out a 2-1 win to redeem themselves after they had been outscored 17-3 in their past two meetings with the Rangers, ending a four-game skid.

“I think it was our matchup against them the last two games, but also think it’s how they’ve been playing lately,” acting Rangers head coach Kris Knoblauch said following the loss, which dropped the Blueshirts to 15-14-4. “They’re a good hockey team [that] wants to turn things around so we knew their intensity and their compete levels would be very high and it was.”

Despite the loss, if there were any concerns regarding Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin’s recovery from the groin strain that sidelined him for 10 games, he put those to rest.

The Rangers fell to the Flyers today.

In his second start in the past three days (his only starts since March 4), Shesterkin kept the Rangers competitive with 35 saves on 37 shots. He was sharp, keen in his positioning and quick with his glove.

But a defensive breakdown in front of the Rangers’ net at 15:33 of the third period led to the Flyers’ game-winning goal. Samuel Morin blasted the puck from the top of the zone through a bit of traffic and past Shesterkin.

Nevertheless, Shesterkin gave Philadelphia fits. With the game tied 1-1, Flyers center Scott Laughton jumped out on a breakaway 5 ½ minutes into the third period, but Shesterkin stifled his backhander to keep the Rangers’ chances alive.

And in the opening minutes of the second period, Shesterkin made four clutch saves. That included back-to-back robberies on Nicolas Aube- Kubel and Shayne Gostisbehere, in which the 25-year-old Russian truly pushed his recovering groin to the limit with a long stretch of his right leg to preserve the 1-0 lead the Rangers held until midway through the second period.

It was another tremendous outing for Shesterkin following his return in Thursday’s 8-3 victory over the Flyers, when he made 41 saves.

“He’s looked great,” defenseman Jacob Trouba said. “Definitely made a lot of big saves and made the saves you need a goalie to make to win the game.”

The Flyers opened up with the expected desperation of a team that was looking to turn the tide, but Shesterkin came up with eight saves in the first five minutes of the game on the way to a 17-save first-period.

Mika Zibanejad continued his tear against Philadelphia at 9:29 of the first on the power play, when he banged home a pinpoint pass from Ryan Strome into a wide-open net for his seventh goal against the Flyers in their past three meetings.

But the Rangers found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-on-3 opportunity halfway through the second period, which pumped some life back into Philadelphia. Shesterkin came up with two big saves while his team was down two players, but Flyers center Nolan Patrick redirected a point shot from Sean Couturier in the final seconds of the power play to tie it up 1-1.

Asked if he was surprised at how well Shesterkin has been playing despite such a long hiatus, Knoblauch made it clear he wasn’t fazed.

“Absolutely not,” he said. “I had some time with him in Hartford, I know how good Igor can be, I saw him last year. I know that sometimes it can 1207042 New York Rangers

Rangers trade Brendan Lemieux to Kings for fourth-round pick in 2021 draft

By Colin Stephenson

The Rangers traded left wing Brendan Lemieux to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft.

Lemieux, 25, was acquired from Winnipeg in the Kevin Hayes deal before the 2019 trade deadline. The Rangers had hopes that Lemieux, the son of Claude Lemieux, would provide the physical, agitating presence the team lacked, but he never was able to establish himself in the top three lines.

Lemieux played 109 games for the Rangers over parts of three seasons, and had 11 goals, 20 assists and 214 penalty minutes. This season he played in 31 games and had two goals, five assists and 59 penalty minutes.

With Vitali Kravtsov coming over from Russia, someone was going to have to be moved off the roster to make room for him. Kravtsov’s impending arrival has forced Colin Blackwell to the fourth line, creating a logjam with Lemieux, Blackwell, Kevin Rooney, Phil DiGiuseppe and Brett Howden — when he comes off the team’s COVID-19 list — vying for spots.

Report: Quinn to return Sunday

Coach David Quinn, who missed six games while on the COVID-19 protocol list, is expected to return Sunday when the team plays the Capitals in Washington, according to reports.

Kris Knoblauch, the head coach of the Rangers’ Hartford Wolf Pack farm team, filled in for Quinn after he and the Rangers’ entire bench staff — assistant coaches Jacques Martin, Greg Brown and David Oliver – were declared unavailable March 17. Martin and Brown returned Thursday.

"It’s been a great ride for me, something that was definitely unexpected,’’ Knoblauch said of his time with the parent club. "It’s nice being here in the NHL and having that experienced great group of guys."

The Rangers went 4-2 under Knoblauch’s guidance (though the wins and losses officially go on Quinn’s record).

Blue notes

Knoblauch could not, or would not say who will be in goal Sunday. Igor Shesterkin started the last two games and made 75 saves on 80 shots. Keith Kinkaid last played Monday against Buffalo (a 5-3 win) and Alexandar Georgiev last played Mar. 19, a 2-1 road loss to the Caps… DiGiuseppe, who came off the team's COVID-19 protocol list Thursday, and D Anthony Bitetto were the scratches. Howden missed his third game while on the protocol list.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207043 New York Rangers

With late goal, Flyers get some revenge on Rangers

By Colin Stephenson

Just when it seemed the Rangers and Mika Zibanejad had taken complete ownership of the Philadelphia Flyers, the Orange and Black struck back on Saturday.

Zibanejad scored his seventh goal in his last three games against the Flyers in the first period, but Nolan Patrick’s goal in the second tied it and defenseman Samuel Morin scored his first NHL goal with 4:27 left to give the Flyers a 2-1 victory that ended the Rangers’ winning streak at three games.

In his previous two games against the Flyers, Zibanejad had recorded three goals and three assists in both the 8-3 win on Thursday and the 9-0 win on St. Patrick’s Day (when he had all six points in the second period).

"That was a hungry and desperate team, obviously,’’ he said. "They come out hot at the beginning, and I thought they were throwing pucks on net, they were spreading us [out]in our own zone . . . We didn’t do a good enough job to get the pucks behind them and try to work them. I mean, they were good today, and we didn’t really come up to our level of play.’’

The win gave the Flyers a split of the two-game series and put Philadelphia (16-13-4) back in front of the Rangers (15-14-4) and in sole possession of fifth place in the East Division.

With Boston rallying for a 3-2 win over hapless Buffalo, the Rangers fell five points behind the fourth-place Bruins in the chase for the final playoff spot in the division.

The Flyers began aggressively, pounding shots at Igor Shesterkin, who started his second consecutive game after coming back from a groin injury that kept him out for 10 games. The Flyers outshot the Rangers 17- 8 in the first period, but Shesterkin (35 saves) was sharp.

"They came out hard,’’ Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba said. "I think their forecheck was pretty good, they were on the ‘D’ pretty hard . . . It was tough to really get a handle on the puck and make a good quality breakout.’’

The Flyers were outshooting the Rangers 11-2 when Travis Konecny took down Zibanejad at 9:29 of the opening period. Zibanejad made Konecny and the Flyers pay when he converted a sweet cross-ice pass from Ryan Strome to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 10:54.

The goal was Zibanejad’s eighth in the last six games and his 50th on the power play since becoming a Ranger in 2016. The assist extended Strome’s point-scoring streak to eight games. Adam Fox, who also earned an assist on the play, extended his assist/point streak to six games.

The Flyers tied it in the second period on a power-play goal by Patrick right after the Rangers killed off a five-on-three disadvantage for 1:17. Chris Kreider was serving a tripping penalty when Kevin Rooney also was sent off for tripping at 10:55.

With Zibanejad and defenseman Ryan Lindgren playing the entire time on the five-on-three, the Rangers killed it. But three seconds before the penalty to Rooney was to expire, Shayne Gostisbehere fired a long shot that Patrick tipped in at 12:52.

Rangers acting coach Kris Knoblauch said the Flyers, who are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and have been giving up goals by the bucketful, gained life from that goal.

"They were obviously very excited to score that goal where we’d been defending so well and Shesty playing so well in net,’’ Knoblauch said. "Once they get one by, it gave them a lot of energy.’’

Morin, who was fined the maximum $3,017.24 by the NHL on Friday for his hair-pulling act on Brendan Lemieux in Thursday’s game, then scored the winner.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207044 New York Rangers Having Shesterkin back, behind an Adam Fox-led defense that has been simply tremendous, means the Rangers are going to be tough to score against. Having Zibanejad and Panarin clicking — along with their pals Buchnevich, Strome and Kreider — means they’re going to tough to keep Rangers proving they are legit contenders in the race for the playoffs off the scoresheet at the other end.

They’re 1-3-2 against Pittsburgh, and 1-2 against the Islanders. But they’ve basically held their own against Boston (2-3-1) and done well (3- Updated March 27, 2021 3:49 PM 1) against Washington. And they’re whole now.

So yes, they have a real chance to make the playoffs. Skeptics will ask, if The schedule has certainly helped. A game against hapless Buffalo, and the Rangers are going to make the playoffs, which of the top four teams a couple of blowout wins over the suddenly struggling Flyers, and just is going to be out? The simple answer to that would be that isn’t the like that, the Rangers are back in the playoff hunt. Rangers’ problem.

But are they legit? Is this sustainable? Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 03.28.2021

Well, if Mika Zibanejad really is back to being himself, and if Igor Shesterkin is going to be healthy the rest of the way, then yes, the Rangers are for real. And they are a legitimate threat to finish in the top four of the rugged East Division and earn a playoff spot.

"I think they're very committed,’’ acting coach Kris Knoblauch said following last Saturday’s win over Washington, whom the Rangers face again in D.C. Sunday. "I think they feel that they have an opportunity to make the playoffs, and they need to play well throughout the final stretch. And I think there's also some belief they can play like they did last year the second half the year, where they went on quite a roll.’’

The Rangers were one of the NHL’s hottest teams in the second half of the 2019-20 season, going 18-10-1 over their final 29 games before the season came to an abrupt end in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

And the two biggest reasons for that breakout second half were Zibanejad, who finished on an absolute tear with 23 goals in his final 22 games, and Shesterkin, who went 10-2, with a .932 save percentage after being called up from the minor leagues right after New Year’s.

So, if the 27-year-old Zibanejad, after a hellacious struggle the first half of this season, is back to being the player he has been for the past two or three years, and the 25-year-old Shesterkin being healthy and ready to be spectacular in the goal, that sets the Rangers up for a furious finish over the final 23 games.

In the five games prior to Saturday, Zibanejad had two six-point games (and two hat tricks) against the Flyers, and a total of seven goals, eight assists and 15 points. That bumped his season statistics up to 10-16-26 in 32 games, which is much more like it for him. He had managed just two goals and five assists in the first 20 games, and he endured a 19- game stretch where he scored just one goal — into an empty net.

He was even benched for a while by coach David Quinn during the second period of a game in New Jersey on March 4.

But after sitting out the first 11 minutes of the second period in that game, Zibanejad began to show signs he was coming back to life. He got an assist late in that game, got his third goal of the season two games later in Pittsburgh, and three games after that, had two assists in the 4-0 win over Boston that closed out a six-game road trip.

Artemi Panarin returning from his nine-game leave of absence was the headline for that game, but those two Zibanejad assists were a major development, too. Suddenly, with Panarin back, and Zibanejad back to being himself, the Rangers once again had two lines who would threaten opposing teams.

"I think everyone's playing with confidence,’’ Knoblauch said after Monday’s win over Buffalo. "I think they're playing good defensively. But I think the biggest reason why the offense is coming was Zibanejad. Now you have that line playing like they did last year, and they're going to contribute. And I think [Ryan] Strome, Panarin, throughout the year, (have been) pretty consistent. But now with Zibanejad playing as well as he is, with [Chris] Kreider and [Pavel Buchnevich], they're one of the best lines in the league right now. So I think that's the biggest turnaround.’’

It's not the only factor that makes them a playoff contender. Shesterkin, who was injured in that same March 4 game in which Zibanejad was benched, made 40 saves in his return to the lineup Thursday, the 8-3 win over the Flyers. He missed 10 games with a strained groin and the Rangers went 5-4-1 with Alexandar Georgiev and Keith Kinkaid splitting time in net. 1207045 New York Rangers trade. The Rangers do not have a second-round pick, having dealt theirs to Detroit to get rid of Marc Staal’s contract.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 Rangers make room for the kids, trading Brendan Lemieux to L.A. after one last costly mistake

By Rick Carpiniello Mar 27, 2021

The New York Rangers will miss Brendan Lemieux’s fists and willingness to use them, at times, and they might miss the games when he played on the correct side of that “edge” he always straddled.

But the big picture on Lemieux is that he’s a fourth-line player who had enough negatives in his game to make him expendable.

On Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia, Lemieux’s ability to negatively impact a game was evident, as he was at least partly responsible for, if not fully guilty of, a bad change on the winning Flyers goal late in the third period. And later in the day, Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton showed Lemieux’s expendability, dealing the 25-year-old left winger to Los Angeles for a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

No, the bad change isn’t why he was traded. But it ushered him out of town with a reminder of why he’s not part of this team’s future when so many are focused on that future’s imminent arrival — most notably in the form of 2018 first-round pick Vitali Kravtsov and, soon enough, Morgan Barron, the big winger/center who is impressing in Hartford.

Add those two to Phillip Di Giuseppe, who is now off the NHL’s COVID- 19 protocol list, and Brett Howden, who is currently on it, and the other 11 forwards who played Saturday and it’s a bit of a logjam up front.

Kravtsov is currently with the team but not yet on the active roster, having completed a terrific season and playoffs for Traktor in the KHL.

His immediate future should come more into focus now that Rangers head coach David Quinn is set to rejoin the team and be on the bench Sunday in Washington after missing six games on the COVID-19 protocol list. Quinn will want to see Kravtsov get some full-squad practices and then determine how, when and where he will make his NHL debut. With the back-to-back games, the Rangers are unlikely to practice Monday, making it unlikely Kravtsov will be in the lineup by Tuesday’s home game against Washington.

Lemieux certainly provided the Rangers with toughness and an edge since being acquired in 2019 along with a first-round pick from Winnipeg for Kevin Hayes and a conditional fourth. But Lemieux didn’t provide enough else to play more than fourth-line duties, and he was involved in a few too-many-men penalties to boot.

At times, Lemieux went over the edge, including the suspension from a completely unnecessary and selfish hit on Colorado’s Joonas Donskoi late in the final game before the pause last season. The two-game suspension carried into the postseason play-in series against Carolina.

Lemieux also carries a $1.55 million cap hit this season and next, having avoided arbitration last summer with the two-year deal, so the Rangers will get some relief when he is replaced by an entry-level contract player.

It’s difficult to say where the Rangers will turn when games get ugly (which rarely happens these days). They obviously feel they now have better options — and in the future, if not the near future, will have even better options — but somebody else might have to answer when Tom Wilson comes challenging, for example, Sunday.

Lemieux had three fighting majors this season — the latest against Samuel Morin of Philadelphia on Thursday — and five last season. He has had 19 in his career, including exhibition games, according to Hockey Fights.

The Rangers don’t have that player and, like many clubs, don’t believe they need one.

The rebuilding Kings can surely use a young, hard-nosed forward, and it remains possible that they will flip him to a contender at the deadline.

The Rangers have nine picks in the upcoming draft, including three in the fourth round. They own Ottawa’s fourth-rounder from the Vlad Namestnikov trade and Buffalo’s third-rounder from the Jimmy Vesey 1207046 New York Rangers point pace and had a solid 52.8 percent expected goals rate. That’s decent for a second-line center, and if Staal can get back to that range, he really bolsters the Canadiens down the middle. With the team already having a trifecta of Nick Suzuki, Phillip Danault and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, NHL Trade Grades: Canadiens add Eric Staal; Kings deal for Brendan Staal is a real luxury addition. Of course, that all depends on him getting Lemieux back to his Wild days. If his play with Buffalo is any indication, there’s a chance the 36-year-old veteran is already in a steep decline, unlikely to

move the needle much for the Canadiens. He’s been a below By Corey Pronman, Dom Luszczyszyn and more Mar 27, 2021 replacement level player this season (who hasn’t on Buffalo?) putting up a 47.7 percent expected goals rate, while unable to generate any semblance of actual offense. Staal has just 10 points in 32 games, and the Sabres scored 1.12 goals-per-60 with him on the ice. The trade: Then again, his expected goals for per 60 was the second-highest on the The Los Angeles Kings acquire forward Brendan Lemieux. team, and Montreal may be able to count on positive regression when The New York Rangers acquire a 2021 fourth-round pick. Staal joins the team. His on-ice shooting percentage of 3.8 percent is well below his career norm and nearly three times lower than where he Pronman: Lemieux is a competitive, physical winger with some skill. He was last season. If that reverts, Staal can instantly become much more has had stretches over his pro career that make you think he has more productive. Couple that with a better ability to drive play further down the offense but never consistently, and he frustrates scouts as a result. His lineup and Staal becomes a very interesting depth piece for the primary issue is he lacks true NHL level foot speed, which isn’t great Canadiens. I’m not sure it’ll work, but it’s absolutely worth a shot, given he’s not dynamic with the puck. I still see enough to think he can especially at the price. He seems like a great fit for how the team is built be an above replacement level player at the tail-end of an NHL lineup. too.

The Rangers move a contract that has another full season on it as their Grade: B 2018 first-round pick Vitali Kravtsov enters the picture following the conclusion of his KHL season. The logic for moving a piece is sound, but Buffalo Sabres Lemieux is an NHL player, even if not a great one, and the chances of a Custance: This isn’t a bad return for Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams, who fourth-round pick playing games is low. certainly has his work cut out for him. An absolute home run for Staal is a Los Angeles did a decent job leveraging the situation to get an NHL second-round pick and that just wasn’t going to happen with his asset for a mid-tier future asset. production level, even with his league-wide respect.

Los Angeles grade: B+ To get two picks was about as good as it was going to get.

New York grade: B- “Seems like a lot to give up,” texted an Eastern Conference executive of the price Montreal paid. “Obviously under pressure in Montreal.” The trade: Not to overanalyze the inclusion of the fifth-round pick (that’s what we do The Montreal Canadiens acquire veteran forward Eric Staal. here!) but there were two schools of thought on how it ended up in this The Buffalo Sabres acquire a third-round and fifth-round draft pick. They deal. also retain $1.625 million of Staal’s salary. One source suggested that it was the price of salary retention. Montreal Montreal Canadiens is squeezed against the cap. Enough so that GM Marc Bergevin suggested his deals would need to be dollar in, dollar out at this point. Custance: Give the Canadiens credit for striking relatively quickly here, especially after the quarantine rules adjustment. Every additional game “(I’m) assuming the 50 percent retention was the fifth-round pick add,” teams can get out of their trade deadline additions is going to be really texted an executive. beneficial. But they paid a premium to make it happen, which we’ll get to Another thought was that it was the price of doing business this far out in a second. from the deadline.

The first question is this: What does Eric Staal have left in the tank? “If this deal was done on (April) 11th or 12th, you’re looking at a third- As one source pointed out, like most Sabres, his good games haven’t rounder,” said an executive. been frequent enough. But that’s not a great situation in Buffalo right Grade: B now, and it’s quite possible that the switch to a playoff race will up the engagement level. Luszczyszyn: It’s a real shame Buffalo’s season has turned out the way it has because it’s sullied any trade value for its best assets. Staal was still “Speed is obviously an issue,” said a talent evaluator. “He’s still heavy. a decently valuable player when the Sabres acquired him in the On a second power play, he can be that net-front guy.” offseason, coming off a year where he scored 47 points in 66 games, Added an NHL coach via text: “Still a good player. Not what he once was, while being a positive possession driver. He’s been anything but this year but he can still play… He skates well, strong on the puck and good and that’s reflected in his trade return. At Montreal’s range that would instincts. And obviously, a high-character person who has won.” equate to roughly 0.7 wins (over the pick’s first seven years) for the third and 0.2 wins for the fifth. That’s a fine haul for what Staal is now, but The exec pointed out that the value of this deal may boil down to the fairly light for what he could be given his past value. A better season in team Montreal faces in the playoffs. If it’s a team loaded with speed, it Buffalo could’ve put him in second-round pick range, especially with how could be problematic. thin the center market is.

“But if they played Winnipeg, he’s more of a fit for that series,” he said. Grade: C

It was also noted that the Canadiens have a lot of draft picks so they Lightning clear cap space by trading Alexander Volkov to Ducks were dealing from a position of strength here. Even with the deal, they have 12 picks in the 2021 draft, according to CapFriendly. That’s still a The trade: ton. Maybe too much. The Anaheim Ducks acquired forward Alexander Volkov.

It’s a fairly low-risk proposition for the Canadiens. The Tampa Bay Lightning received forward prospect Antoine Morand “I think there is something left in the tank but close to the end,” texted and a seventh-round draft pick. one exec about Staal. Tampa Bay Lightning: B-

Grade: C Morand is a great skater with some puck game who can kill penalties, but Luszczyszyn: I like this gamble for Montreal given Staal isn’t far removed his offense has proven to be quite limited at the pro level. The skating from being an impact player. Last season for the Wild he scored at a 58- and compete are NHL quality but given his lack of size and ability to create with the puck, it’s hard to see him play in the NHL. The value to Tampa is in the roster and cap flexibility this move provides had (Artemi) Panarin, he drove the whole offense. They needed that and that Volkov is on an expiring contract. On a cap strapped team, I can dynamic.” get why he’s a luxury that Tampa could afford to lose even as he looked promising for years coming up through its system. The Blue Jackets get an edge here because of the upside this trade provides, even in giving up one of the hardest things in hockey to get, a Anaheim Ducks: B+ top-line center. Laine has a rare skillset with an incredible shot and incredible release, and we still haven’t seen his ceiling in terms of goal- Volkov has NHL quality skating, puck skills and size, which is why he scoring. Jack Roslovic is probably a third-line forward. But maybe not. was a second-round pick in 2017. He’s been a productive AHLer and showed in the minors he could be a solid two-way forward. “I watched Roslovic when he played for Manitoba and he was a better player than (Kyle) Connor in the American Hockey League,” said an NHL With Volkov the question is what role does he fill in the NHL? He works talent evaluator. “The guy is really skilled, can make plays. The Blue hard but he isn’t an elite off-the-puck type, he has skill but I wouldn’t call Jackets need a center. He’s going to get every opportunity in the world to him a great playmaker at the NHL level. He’s also been pinned in his own go in there and shine.” end this season, with a Corsi percentage of 40 when he’s on the ice despite playing on a good team with cushy zone starts. Said a scout of Roslovic: “I would project him as a third-line center, if I’m betting on it.” I could see him as an OK bottom-six forward in the NHL, even if he hasn’t shown he can be that consistently at age 23. For that reason I like There are still questions that need to be answered for this trade to be a this trade a bit more for Anaheim since they at least got a guy with a win for the Blue Jackets. Most notably, what does Laine’s next contract chance to help an NHL team. look like? Getting star players to stay in the market has been a problem for the Blue Jackets, but a league source suggested that GM Jarmo -Corey Pronman Kekalainen doesn’t make this trade if he wasn’t absolutely confident he Blue Jackets send seventh-round pick to Canes for Gregory Hofmann’s can lock in Laine long-term. rights The other question is pretty simple: Who is going to get him the puck? As The trade: much as this trade fills a hole for Columbus, it creates one too.

The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired the rights to forward Gregory “I don’t know how this will work out for Columbus,” said another Hofmann. executive. “Does Columbus have a (Mark) Scheifele for (Laine) to play with? This may be a challenge for them.” The Carolina Hurricanes acquired a 2022 seventh-round pick. Grade: A- Pronman: Prospect fans will remember Hofmann coming up periodically in the last 10 years, such as when he had a decent world juniors in 2012 LUSZCZYSZYN: Laine is an extremely intriguing player and it’ll be very or strong appearances at the world championships in more recent years. interesting to see how he fits with the Blue Jackets — and what version Now 28, Hofmann is considered a solid NHL prospect by NHL scouts of him the team gets. The one from the last couple of seasons isn’t after being great in the top Swiss league. enough and it’s why Winnipeg probably wins the trade for now as Laine’s star has fallen. That Laine is worth around 1.7 wins, can put up points but After being picked by the Hurricanes in the fourth round in 2011, his not do much else, while being an extreme liability on defense. Being one rights remained with Carolina all this time because Switzerland, like of the league’s worst defensive players takes a lot away from his Russia, does not have a transfer agreement with the NHL. Sources offensive value. Laine’s contract is also up after this season and he has around the league think the Hurricanes and Hofmann were unable to one less year of team control, too. That plays a role in the trade agree to terms in recent years so that is why he stayed in Switzerland; evaluation. the reasons for that are unknown. Columbus was in an untenable situation with Dubois, and considering Hofmann is a skilled forward with great offensive instincts. He makes a those circumstances, it’s difficult to hate the return here even if Laine isn’t lot of plays and does so with pace. Typically when you sign a 28-year-old the player he was in his first two seasons. The hope is that he can get European scorer, you’re getting a guy with average size and skating, but back to that level and that’s not difficult to imagine in a new situation, Hofmann is different in that he’s not undersized and he’s a very good even if it is under Columbus coach John Tortorella. skater, above-average for the NHL, which is why I think his game will translate to the NHL. He’s not great off the puck and won’t be a penalty The Blue Jackets desperately need a pure goal-scorer and that’s where killer in the NHL, but I think the skating and skill combination is good things get interesting with Laine. He’ll surely be a very strong asset on enough to take a regular shift at even strength and be a useful the power play, but is he a guy who can create goals on his own or does contributor in the bottom six. he need help at five-on-five? His weak play-driving numbers suggest he needs help and while he won’t have nearly as much in Columbus, I can Hofmann is 28 and has never played at a club level higher than the see him fitting well next to Max Domi, one of the game’s most underrated Swiss league. He’s not so talented that he’s a sure thing, and Columbus passers. That duo will need some serious defensive help though. has to get him to sign on the dotted line, but for a seventh-round pick, this is a nice gamble. Carolina recoups a later pick in the 2022 draft for a I don’t rate Roslovic very highly with his value being just barely above the player. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline says Hofmann could join Columbus third-round pick going the other way, but he’s an interesting flier given his in the near future. pedigree. He needs to prove more at five-on-five, but maybe just needs to play with better players. Being stuck in Winnipeg’s bottom-six likely Columbus grade: B hasn’t helped showcase his ability, though I’m not sure that’s going to change in Columbus. Carolina grade: D Grade: B Jets and Blue Jackets swap stars Patrik Laine and Pierre-Luc Dubois PRONMAN: Laine is a divisive figure in the scouting community. Scouts The trade: don’t like his compete level, they don’t like his skating, describing both as The Winnipeg Jets receive center Pierre-Luc Dubois and a 2022 third- poor, and typically wingers who play like that aren’t viewed as elite NHL round pick. assets. On the other hand, some scouts love him because he is 6-foot-4, he has elite skill and he has one of the best shots you will ever see. The Columbus Blue Jackets receive winger Patrik Laine and center Jack While known as a goal-scorer, he has high hockey IQ and is a great Roslovic. The Jets retain 26 percent of Laine’s salary. passer. Laine has put up massive numbers over his career at various levels. Grading the Blue Jackets According to Hockey Reference, the most NHL points by a player CUSTANCE: In Patrik Laine, the Blue Jackets get the exact type of through their age-21 season since 1990 have been: player they need. And have needed for a long time. Sidney Crosby: 397 “They didn’t have the difference-maker skill guy — the Crosby, the Kane,” said an NHL executive on Saturday after the deal. “When they Steven Stamkos: 329 Jaromir Jagr: 319 Winnipeg and Columbus considering the offensive supporting casts on each team. Dubois should have much more help in Winnipeg, which Connor McDavid: 256 should increase his point totals.

Mats Sundin: 249 I am a bit surprised the Blue Jackets were the ones who had to add the Patrik Laine: 247 pick (well, not really, but I don’t think they should’ve), though a third isn’t much with a projected value of 0.7 wins over seven years. Either way, it’s Eric Lindros: 242 a nice sweetener for the Jets who were arguably already getting the top player. Patrick Kane: 230 Grade: A- Hockey Reference uses a January cutoff so Connor McDavid lost his final season in the data. Regardless, Laine is in good company. PRONMAN: The first thing any scout I talk to about Dubois will mention is his playoff run from last summer where he was a true standout for I do get the concerns on Laine. He will have stretches where he causes Columbus. Hockey is a unique sport in that the rules implicitly change some headaches, and when the game gets faster and harder, it’s from the regular season to the playoffs. Players who are viewed as being reasonable to wonder if he can be an impact player at that level, although able to play a harder style are viewed as more valuable in the he does have 16 points in 24 NHL playoff games. postseason. Dubois, who is a 6-foot-2 center and competes at a high With that said, he is a game-breaking offensive player, and he is a player level with great skill and hockey sense, is viewed as a premium asset in I think will regularly be among the top goal and point scorers in the NHL. the highest leverage environments. When I recently evaluated the best U23 players in the league, I assessed Do I necessarily agree with that sentiment? I think it’s very credible, but I Laine as the No. 5 player, someone who was on the bubble between one have my hesitations. I don’t think you want to overreact too much to a 10- of the best players in the league and an all-star. I stand by that game run. I don’t view Dubois’ skating as a strong point or think his skill assessment despite his warts. I think Columbus gets the best player in level is elite, so you have to balance all that information. I also think it’s this deal in Laine. fair to criticize a player known for his compete and strong character being Roslovic is also worth noting. He is an excellent skater with some skill. involved in the drama of recent weeks. He’s not close to the caliber of the other two players moved in this deal, After digging into Dubois the last week and talking to a bunch of sources, but he could be an effective middle-six forward in the NHL. I probably was a little too harsh in my most recent evaluation of him in my Grade: B+ U23 ranking. I categorized him in the “bubble of NHL all-star and top of lineup player,” when he should have been in the NHL all-star category. Grading the Jets I’ve moved him up after being swayed by what he did in the postseason and upgrading his puck skills grade. CUSTANCE: Ignoring the iso-cam that featured Dubois mailing in a recent shift, we’re only a few months removed from the 22-year-old I would still prefer Laine just because I see some exceptional elements in center blowing everybody away with his performance in the bubble. On a his game that I don’t in Dubois, but I think it’s reasonable to prefer one championship team, he’s maybe a No. 2 center. And with Mark Scheifele over the other given the latter is more well-rounded and plays a more in Winnipeg, he gets to play that role. premium position.

In our recent Player Tiers package, he was in the Top 100. Laine was I view Dubois as a star No. 1 center in the NHL. Playing with Scheifele not. People in the game really like Dubois, even if his reputation might will give the Jets one of the best 1-2 punches down the middle in the have taken a slight hit in the recent weeks. In debating Dubois versus league. other great players for that piece, one executive made this conclusion: “I’m taking Dubois’ next five years over (Steven) Stamkos’.” Grade: B-

Successful teams build down the middle and one scout pointed out that The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 the Jets now have the center depth to compete with other teams in the Canadian division.

“In that Canadian group, there were teams better down the middle than them,” said the scout. “Now, there are not.”

Dubois fills a need but the Jets have to be completely confident they’re getting the player who helped upset the Maple Leafs and not the player we’ve seen this season.

“He’s the total package,” said a scout of Dubois. “His game is driven off hockey sense, power in tight areas, making quick plays. … He’s really good in traffic. If his legs aren’t moving and he’s trying to play stationary, he can look how it looked the other night.”

Grade: B+

LUSZCZYSZYN: Based on my Twitter mentions from this morning, it’s apparently a little spicy to say the Jets got the best player in the deal in Dubois. Laine is obviously the flashier player, a guy who can fill the net with pucks. But Dubois is a much more complete player at a more valuable position. There’s a reason Dubois made our top 100 player tiers and Laine didn’t.

Dubois can drive play well at both ends of the ice, is a terrific playmaker and an excellent puck-carrier. The Blue Jackets’ expected goal differential has been 0.2 per 60 better with Dubois on the ice since the 2018-19, a solid mark for a player with strong two-way upside. There’s a reason his best comp is Aleksander Barkov, and it wouldn’t be a shock at all to see Dubois grow into one of the league’s best centers. By GSVA, Dubois is currently projected to be worth about 2.2 wins, assuming he gets the bigger role he’s looking for.

It’s also worth noting that at five-on-five Dubois has actually had better production over the last two seasons, scoring 0.97 goals-per-60 and 2.07 points-per-60 to Laine’s 0.8 and 1.68 respectively. Laine did have the edge last season, but there’s also a big difference in producing offense in 1207047 New York Rangers spreading us in our own zone. We didn’t really have the opportunity to get down there, and we didn’t do a good enough job to get the pucks behind them and try to work them. They were good today, and we didn’t really come up to our level of play.” Rangers struggle to grind out goals, lose in typical fashion to ‘hungry and desperate’ Flyers No, they didn’t.

Shesterkin, at least, provided a glimmer of hope for a team that needs more than “most” of the routine saves and a lot of difficult ones, too. In By Rick Carpiniello Mar 27, 2021 his second game back from a groin injury, he faced 37 shots, including a few high-danger chances. (He saw 44 Thursday, but the Rangers really

let the Flyers back up after taking a 6-0 lead.) There was nothing horrible about the Rangers’ 2-1 loss to the Flyers on “There are some teams that are high-quality (shooters),” Knoblauch said. Saturday, other than A) they really needed a win in their playoff-hopeful “I certainly know with the Rangers, we’re not a high-volume shooting races against Philadelphia and Boston and B) they lost it in such typical team. We are definitely looking more for quality over quantity. Right now I fashion. don’t see the shot totals being a concern.” And by that — apologies if you’ve read this before over the years — I But Shesterkin didn’t give up the softy, the backbreaker, which earlier in mean the Rangers got fancy. Just forgot all the things they’d been doing the season was a problem and which also has the Rangers facing a offensively the past couple of weeks that led to a three-game winning decision on whether to play Alexandar Georgiev or Keith Kinkaid in the streak and rolls of 4-1 (all under acting coach Kris Knoblauch) and 5-1-1, back-to-backs Sunday … and going forward. which really was whiskers from being 7-0. “Igor made a lot of big saves and gave us a chance to win that game,” They got away from the hardworking play in the offensive zone, and yes, Trouba said. “They threw a lot of pucks at the net from off angles, which I Philadelphia had something to do with that, deciding for a change to pay guess can add up on the shot total. We gave them probably a couple too more than zero attention to playing defense. many Grade-A chances as well. The Rangers defended, as they have all season — despite the stat- “He’s looked great. He made a lot of big saves and made the saves you /chart-padding by the Flyers’ shoot-from-everywhere mentality, throwing need the goalie to make to win the game, so he did his job.” pucks at the net as if they were the Hurricanes. Thoughts They killed penalties, including a long five-on-three, even though they gave up a power-play goal with three seconds left on a penalty. They did 1. Speaking of doing the job, if this was it for Knoblauch, with Quinn some good things and some not-so-good things on their own power play. returning, well, he sure earned some stars under some unusual And they got some of the best goaltending they’ve gotten this season circumstances. from Igor Shesterkin. “It’s been a great ride for me,” Knoblauch said. “It was something that But they failed to get multiple goals, and in the end, they got what they was definitely unexpected. But, you know, I think the coaching staff has deserved. done a great job laying everything out for us, and that goes for the five- on-five play, the PK before Jacques (Martin) came back … and the The Rangers’ last loss was 2-1 to Washington. The one before that, in power play. So it was nice being here in the NHL and having that regulation, was 4-0 to Boston. The one before that was 4-2 to Pittsburgh. experience. A great group of guys. You know, this is the youngest team The one before that was 5-1 to Pittsburgh. The one before that was 4-1 in the league, and it’s nice to see the possibilities of where this team’s to Boston. You see the pattern here? going.” Yeah, it’s all gravy and kudos when a team — as the Flyers did twice, 2. Shesterkin made an early save on Nicolas Aube-Kubel alone in the and Buffalo too — gets out of the way and lets you have an offensive slot. Not a good start for the team — very fancy forcing passes and not at carnival. But when it’s time to grind out goals? Well, that has been a all careful near the defensive blue line or in the neutral zone — but a Rangers problem. And what has been a problem forever is the Rangers solid start for the keeper. The fanciness is probably to be expected after having some offensive explosions and becoming satisfied with playing having the Flyers just get out of their way for two games. The Rangers’ that fancy game. Since, what? The Mats Zuccarello era? Jaromir Jagr? fourth line finally spent part of a shift in the offensive zone, and the Longer? Zibanejad line followed with another. Anyway, head coach David Quinn is set to return to the bench for 3. Zibane-jectory: Travis Konecny took an asinine post-whistle, offensive- Sunday’s noon matinee in Washington, having missed six games zone, slew-foot penalty against Zibanejad, and the Rangers went to the because of COVID-19 protocols, and the Rangers are going to face a power play with a chance to get jump-started. Sure enough, Zibanejad team that is time zones better than the Flyers and against which they’d dunked a great cross-crease pass from Ryan Strome, another assist by better be willing to grind out some offensive-zone time. Or heaven help Adam Fox. 1-0. It was Zibanejad’s seventh goal in the previous six them. periods against the Flyers. Just idiotic for a Flyers team that is so Not only did the Rangers fail to make the Flyers defend much, but they desperate and fragile. also wasted away a point or two again in the third period. Not the first 4. I don’t know when Konecny turned into a tough guy, but I think it was time. The Rangers are 2-3-2 when tied after two, as they were Saturday; this weekend. Of course, our fine, fine NHL officials didn’t recognize the 0-9-0 trailing after two; and 13-2-2 leading after two, which looks good slew foot but gave Konecny a roughing penalty. but really isn’t. (The Flyers, for instance, are 8-0-2 in those situations.) The two regulation losses and two overtime/shootout losses in those MIKA HAS BEEN UNSTOPPABLE! @MIKAZIBANEJAD games equal six points. PIC.TWITTER.COM/XIGCXDCOBY

Those six points might look good in the standings right now, especially — NHL GIFS (@NHLGIFS) MARCH 27, 2021 after Boston came back to beat Buffalo on Saturday and now leads the Rangers by five with three games in hand. And yes, Philly jumped back 5. By the way, Fox tied Sidney Crosby for the most assists in the Eastern over the Rangers, too, by two. Division (24) before the Penguins’ Saturday night game. Strome extended his point streak to eight games (2-11-13). “They came out hard,” Jacob Trouba said. “I think their forecheck was pretty good. They were on us, on the D, pretty hard, taking away the 6. The shots were 17-8 in the first, hardly indicative of the play. In fact, walls. It was tough to really get the handle on the puck and make a good, not at all. But the Rangers got a few really strong saves from Shesterkin. quality breakout. So there were a lot of grinding breakouts, not a lot of 7. The Rangers’ fourth line was pinned in the defensive zone and tape-to-tape breakouts, which obviously we prefer to do.” Shesterkin made three fabulous saves, but K’Andre Miller was forced to Mika Zibanejad, who scored the only Rangers goal, on the power play, take a tripping penalty. During the kill, Pavel Buchnevich stole the puck and has eight goals and six points in his previous six games, agreed. and sent out Fox for a short-handed two-on-one shot. Goalie Brian Elliott got a piece of it. When it expired, Fox drew a penalty to Michael Raffl. “That was a hungry and desperate team, obviously,” he said. “They came out hot at the beginning, and they were throwing pucks at the net and 8. Konecny tried to dig out a Shesterkin save, again after a whistle, and 2. Mika Zibanejad when Strome shoved him away, he pulled an embarrassing backward dive trying to draw a penalty call. Artemi Panarin laughed right at him. 3. Adam Fox Couldn’t even fool our fine, fine NHL officials. The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021

#NYR VS. FLYERS AT 5V5 PIC.TWITTER.COM/ACCY9RRCCZ — SHAYNA (@HAYYYSHAYYY) MARCH 27, 2021

9. Chris Kreider went off for tripping, and during the kill, Kevin Rooney took another and the Flyers had 1:17 worth of five-on-three. The turning point? Shesterkin robbed Claude Giroux from Jakub Voracek and covered it, then gloved an Ivan Provorov shot from the high slot. Off a faceoff loss, Colin Blackwell recovered and cleared it, and the Rangers survived the two-man advantage. But with three seconds left in the five- on-four, Shayne Gostisbehere kept it in and shot it off James’ nephew Nolan Patrick’s leg and in. 1-1.

10. Kakk-O-Meter: The Rangers, meanwhile, were back to fancy-boy hockey offensively. Remember, these Flyers goalies can’t stop a basketball. But Kaapo Kakko had a chance from point-blank and tried, instead, to force a pass across the crease to Strome, who hadn’t yet arrived. It was a wasted opportunity to at least force Elliott to make a save, and he sure, to that point, hadn’t made a lot of them at five-on-five.

11. Laf-Track: Philippe Myers took another donkey of a penalty, punching Alexis Lafrenière in the face in the offensive zone, but the Rangers’ power play flailed, rinse-repeating the forced pass to Zibanejad in the high slot from the left side, which at best turns into a 20-foot redirection because he’s on his offside and can’t one-time it from there. If Zibanejad is going to be the target on that play, it has to come from the right side and Strome, not the left side and Panarin. Or Panarin has to do something else with the puck — like, shoot it? So it remained 1-1 into the third.

12. Five minutes into a careful period, Trouba took a gamble and lost, resulting in a breakaway for Scott Laughton, who was stopped by Shesterkin’s quick glove. How many times this season have the Rangers not gotten that save?

“He was great last game and today as well,” Zibanejad said. “He gives us a chance to win the game, and he really keeps us in it. It’s unfortunate we can’t get the win for him and for our team.”

13. Daily Bread: In the middle of the third, Ryan Lindgren carried up the left wall and got the puck to Strome, who found Panarin driving to the net. Laughton was forced to take him down and the Rangers got another chance to score what would be an enormous power-play goal at a big moment. Another one wasted.

14. With 4:27 left, the Rangers got caught with parts of their fourth-line and third D-pair on the ice during a bad change (by Lemieux, who was then traded to Los Angeles for a fourth-round pick after the game). Rooney had a chance to clear and missed, Brendan Smith and Libor Hajek went to the same side, and Samuel Morin — in the lineup for one reason, and only by the good graces of the always-forgiving NHL Department of Player Safety — slapped it through traffic and past Shesterkin for his first NHL point. 2-1 Flyers, and the Rangers were getting what they deserved.

15. Morin, in case you missed it, received a couch-change fine ($3,017.24, for a guy making $700,000 per) for pulling Lemieux’s hair and, with that handful, slamming Lemieux’s head into the ice. This after clearly instigating a fight, which also wasn’t called. As John Giannone said, “Don’t forget the 50-minute lecture.” Lemieux, had he done what Morin did, would have gotten a gross misconduct, an instigator and a suspension. There’s not even a little doubt in my mind about that. None.

16. Zibanejad, with a chance to tie on his magic stick, stole the puck near the Flyers’ net and put it on goal. But it hit Elliott.

WHO KNEW THE @NYRANGERS HAD SO MANY GOALIES? PIC.TWITTER.COM/TL31N1HHO4

— NHL GIFS (@NHLGIFS) MARCH 27, 2021

17. With just over a minute left, Lemieux, Lafrenière and Filip Chytil were on the ice. And Smith. Just, wow. Fox then spectacularly stopped two Flyers shots at the empty net and Buchnevich stopped one, but the Rangers couldn’t get the puck into the offensive zone. Of course.

My 3 Rangers stars

1. Igor Shesterkin 1207048 Ottawa Senators school? That’s something Sanderson will have to discuss with advice from his family. His father is former NHLer Geoff Sanderson.

Sanderson, the No. 5 overall pick in the draft, may not be ready to play in If you're waiting for the Ottawa Senators to make a big deal at the the NHL next season but he could push for spot and if he’s in Belleville deadline, don't get too excited then he’s only a quick call away form making his debut here.

Senators left-winger Ryan Dzingel tries to corral the bouncing puck in the first period. Bruce Garrioch As for Dzingel, it would be surprising to see him get moved. He’s been a Publishing date: Mar 27, 2021 good fit here since he arrived back with four goals in 10 games and he has played well in a fourth-line role. It’s clear that there’s a comfort zone

here for Dzingel and maybe the two sides can find common ground in the Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg seeks out the location of the puck summer to keep him here in next season in a similar role. while looking past teammate Braydon Coburn and the Maple Leafs' Alex Another area teams shopping around at the deadline may look at is Kerfoot in the second period. Ottawa’s net. Article content Suddenly, the club also has depth in goal with Anton Forsberg arriving off The NHL trade deadline is just over two weeks away and all is quiet on waivers and making 28 stops in the club’s 3-2 overtime loss to the the Ottawa Senators front. Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night. He’s made stops in Edmonton, Carolina and Winnipeg before arriving here so you have to think a team Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin got ahead of the wanting an insurance policy will make a call to Dorion. pack by acquiring forward Eric Staal from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for two picks Friday afternoon. Given the fact Matt Murray remains week-to-week with an upper body injury and Marcus Hogberg is only just returning from a undisclosed But, does this mean we’re going to see a flurry of activity around the lower body injury that has kept him out over a month, the Senators may league before the Apr. 12 deadline at 3 p.m. ET? At this point, it’s want to keep the 28-year-old Forsberg here until the end of the season. doubtful. This NHL trade deadline will be fascinating to watch because there’s very The landscape in the NHL has changed with every team in Canada little anticipation of deals. But, let’s say a contender like the Toronto playing in empty rinks while those in the United States that do have fans Maple Leafs decides to load up that may make another GM or two feel are limited at best, which means money is a factor in every market. like they have to do something. Not all the cards have been put on the table yet but we’ll see how it all unfolds. There’s still a lot of talk amongst GM’s but there’s been little in the way of action.

Nobody has made more deals in the last 14 months than Ottawa general Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.28.2021 manager Pierre Dorion, but it’s hard to tell if he’ll be busy this time around. The club has nine unrestricted free agents, however, this isn’t like any other deadline because the landscape has changed because of COVID-19.

The decision by the Canadian government to allow NHL players who come into the country to quarantine for seven days with regular testing for the novel coronavirus may help movement a little bit. It means the teams in the all-Canadian division might not be as concerned about making a deal with a counterpart based in the United States.

The Senators do have pieces that could help a team headed for the Stanley Cup playoffs and maybe there will be more traction as we get closer to the deadline. But, as we sit here today, it doesn’t feel like the Senators will be doing much in the next 17 days unless teams determine they’re willing to do so something.

The most attractive options the Senators have for unrestricted free agents are defencemen Mike Reilly, Erik Gudbranson and Braydon Coburn along with forward Ryan Dzingel. Blueliner Christian Wolanin cleared waivers Friday but that doesn’t mean he won’t be dealt because often that process brings more expressions of interest.

Reilly might garner some interest. The 27-year-old came into the league as an offensive blueliner, but he’s done a great job in Ottawa working on the defensive part of his game. If there haven’t been talks already, Reilly will likely be offered the opportunity to stay on a short-term deal with the Senators but the club does have defensive prospects coming.

Ottawa Senators defenceman Mike Reilly.

The 27-year-old has 14 assists this season and is minus-2 playing mostly with Artem Zub. As for the 36-year-old Coburn, he won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning and he’s another guy who could be good to have around on a taxi squad in case a team runs into injury trouble in the post-season.

While he was moved to the taxi squad Saturday morning, Erik Brannstrom could be back with the Belleville Senators next week for their lengthy road trip but he should be ready to play in the NHL next year. Jacob Bernard-Docker will leave North Dakota after the NCAA season wraps up and he’ll either join Ottawa or Belleville.

A decision has to be made on blueliner Jake Sanderson but he’ll be offered the opportunity to come out of school. If he wins a national championship with UND then what incentive does he have to return to 1207049 Ottawa Senators Instead, Belleville dressed defenceman Christian Wolanin, who cleared NHL waivers Friday. This will give the 26-year-old Wolanin a chance to play and get his confidence back while waiting to see what the organization’s next move will be. SNAPSHOTS: The Ottawa Senators have made themselves at home at the CTC ... Hogberg has a solid effort for Belleville “There’s no indication on how long (Wolanin) will be in Belleville,” Mann told David Foot of Quinte News before the game.

WAITING ON A SCHEDULE Bruce Garrioch Smith rewarded Ottawa players with two full days off after Thursday’s Publishing date: Mar 27, 2021 loss to the Leafs.

Like everybody else, the Senators aren’t sure what’s going to unfold in the next week, but they’re 99 per cent certain they won’t be facing the There are no fans in the seats, but being at the Canadian Tire Centre has Canadiens at home on Tuesday night, as originally scheduled. meant a lot to the Ottawa Senators this season. The Edmonton Oilers must make up three games with the Habs after With the Senators returning to the ice Sunday, one place they’ve played having them postponed because of COVID-19 concerns for Montreal, well this season is at home and their record in the last month has and it’s expected they’ll play Tuesday at the Bell Centre. improved. Montreal GM Marc Bergevin told reporters on a Zoom call Saturday that The Senators are 8-6-4 at home this season, but just 4-14-0 on the road. the Canadiens would have to wait for the league to update the schedule, They’re currently on a six-game point streak with a 3-0-3 record, but he did expect his team to return to practice in Brossard on Monday. including Thursday’s overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and 7-1-3 He said the club hoped to be back playing this coming week. in the past 11 games here. “There’s always a chance that something could come up today or So, what’s the difference? tomorrow, but every day I feel more confident that we’re going to start “Confidence for the young guys here and goaltending,” Senators head early next week,” Bergevin said. coach D.J. Smith said following Thursday’s loss. “Our goaltending has Asked about reports the Canadiens would face the Oilers on Tuesday, been exceptional here, and, when you get it, you get a chance every Bergevin remained coy. night. And then, ultimately, you get last change, so you can get your faceoff guy out there on a particular side, you can get your matchup “I know what’s going on, but I’m not allowed to share,” Bergevin said. defencemen, and you can get the centre that’s playing the best out “That’s up to the league because that’s who handles the scheduling. against their best players. They’re on their own time frame as far as letting people know, and I’m sure you can find out from (TV networks) because they may know before “So, that helps us for sure, but we play more confident here. Young I do.” teams lose a lot on the road and we’ve got to find a way here to win more games on the road.” THE LAST WORDS

Of course, when Smith speaks about goaltending, he’s talking about the Belleville lost 7-1 to Stockton on Saturday. efforts of the injured JoeyDaccord along with Filip Gustavsson and Anton Forsberg, who made 28 saves Thursday. Only Logan Shaw scored for the Senators. Starting goalie Kevin Mandolese was pulled after giving up five goals on 23 shots only 8:56 Even though it’s not the same, there appears to be a comfort zone with into the second period. Former 67’s goalie Cédrick Andrée took over and being at home, even in the . gave up two goals on 17 shots.

“Anytime we come back home, we know it’s our building and we don’t Belleville starts an eight-game road trip next Saturday against the want to give anything easy to the other teams coming in,” alternate Toronto Marlies. Then the AHL Senators head to Western Canada to captain Thomas Chabot said. “We’ve seen it in the last few games that face the Manitoba Moose in Winnipeg and Stockton at the Scotiabank we’ve been in that we’re always in the game. Whether we were down a Saddledome in Calgary. goal or up a goal, we found a way to come back or play solid defence to try to get the win.

“We’ve had some really really good goaltending from guys like Ottawa Sun LOADED: 03.28.2021 Gustavsson and Forsberg. Overall, just as a team, we’ve been playing great for sure.”

Goaltender Marcus Hogberg suited up for the Senators’ American Hockey League affiliate Friday and delivered a standout effort.

Making his first start since he left a game Feb. 18 against the Maple Leafs because of injury, Hogberg made 30 stops in the Belleville Senators’ 2-1 victory over the Stockton Heat at the Canadian Tire Centre. He was selected the first star of the game, while winger Vitaly Abramov had a goal and assist.

Playing his first game since being injured in mid-February, Marcus Hogberg was first star for the Belleville Senators against the Stockton Heat on Friday evening.

“(Hogberg) made some big saves, he was certainly sharp and that’s great for the organization,” Belleville coach Trent Mann said.

Hogberg should be ready to at least backup for Ottawa against the Montreal Canadiens at home on Thursday.

There was no update on No. 1 goaltender Matt Murray beyond saying he was skating again.

The Senators opted to give defenceman Erik Brannstrom the afternoon off Saturday against the Heat. He was moved to the taxi squad for the day. Winger Alex Formenton, who suited up for two games with Ottawa this past week, also moved to the Belleville roster for the day so he could play against Stockton. 1207050 Philadelphia Flyers Konecny said when you’ve had “so many injuries and repeat injuries on the knees, I don’t know how many you can take. It’s a matter of keeping healthy and your life after. .. Not playing for almost three years, too, it’s really, really, really hard on you. Kudos to him, he’s been a trooper.” For Samuel Morin, a magical moment, one the Flyers hope turns around their uneven season Morin said he briefly thought about quitting, but conversations with his teammates and management quickly steered him back toward a hockey career.

Sam Carchidi ‘I love the game’

“It was probably a couple of hours after that, I was like, ‘I’ve got to get back to this,’“ Morin said after Saturday’s win. “I love the game. I didn’t For one day, the courageous Oskar Lindblom had to relinquish his really care where I was — AHL, East Coast, anywhere in Europe. I was unofficial title as the most popular person in the Flyers’ locker room. just ready for anything. Obviously I thought about [quitting], but I’ve got a Lindblom, of course, has overcome a life-threatening bone cancer and lot of support here with the Flyers. ... I worked hard and now I’m there, has become the NHL’s top contender for the Masterton Trophy. trying to stay in the lineup.”

If he keeps up his inspiring play, Flyers defenseman Samuel Morin — He returned from an AHL stay and, in his first NHL game this season on whose first NHL goal Saturday beat the New York Rangers, 2-1, and may defense, was one of the few Flyers who played well in Thursday’s 8-3 be the momentum-builder this fragile team needed — might get a few loss. He gave the Rangers something to think about by pounding votes. Brendan Lemieux in a late-game fight that night.

Like Lindblom, Morin has become the definition of perseverance. He played another solid defensive game Saturday. Not only did the win come against a Rangers team that had embarrassed the Flyers in the Like Lindblom, Morin somehow managed to keep a perpetual smile on previous two games, but it gave them a pulse. his face even after life threw him a curveball. “A big W for us,” said Morin, a first-round draft selection in 2013. “It was a Oh, there were tears in private. Tears and doubts. But they were short- big moment for me. I’m going to enjoy it and reset. We’ve got a big game lived because of the support they received from teammates, friends, and against Buffalo [on Monday]. We can’t be too high. Just enjoy the family members. moment and go after it.”

And because of the belief they had in themselves. If this team finds a way to get into the East Division playoffs and cause some damage, maybe, just maybe, they will look back at Saturday, at Injuries galore The Morin Moment, as the turning point. Morin’s comeback has seen him overcome several obstacles — two torn

ACLs in the same right knee and a handful of other injuries — that would have sent a lot of players into early retirement. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.28.2021 Before he underwent another surgery and another grueling rehab, Morin broke down. He sat in his truck and cried minutes after a doctor confirmed the ACL had indeed been torn again.

“I said to myself, ‘I think I’m done,’“ he recalled before this season.

His parents, his agent and his teammates calmed him down, put him in the right frame of mind.

Through all the injuries and a brief and ill-advised position switch to left wing earlier this season, Morin, 25, has maintained his wickedly dry humor and his upbeat attitude. He kept believing his day would come.

It arrived Saturday afternoon.

After all those setbacks, all those roadblocks, Morin’s late heroics gave the Flyers a much-needed win over a Rangers team that had trounced them in their previous two meetings, 9-0 and 8-3.

“Best moment of my life,” Morin said of his game-winning goal.

It was made extra special by his teammates, who seemed just as excited as Morin for what he had accomplished. They mobbed him on the ice after the late goal. They gave him a beer shower in the locker room after the game.

“It’s pretty special,” goalie Brian Elliott said after the hard-earned victory. “This guy’s been through a lot in the organization. A lot of injuries and surgeries and he’s always come back with a smile on his face. Every day, ready to work, and can’t wait to get back on the ice with the guys. I think that’s why everybody is so happy. When you work so hard, and guys can see it, and you bring his energy every day, no matter if he is in the lineup or not in the lineup, it’s something special and just rubs off on the guys and we’re so happy for him.”

Because of all the injuries, Morin played in just 28 games — eight with the Flyers, 20 with the AHL’s Phantoms — over the previous three seasons.

“He’s had a lot of bumps and it’s just been crazy hearing conversations with him you [wonder] whether it’s worth continuing with the injuries and pursuing the hockey career,” Travis Konecny said, “and for him to battle and not play that many games for that long and stay as positive as he has ... always smiling, always pumping up the team. Whether he is just practicing with us and doing reps on the ice, he’s always working hard.” 1207051 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers’ Nolan Patrick contributes key goal and says he is getting ‘closer and closer’ to regaining form

Sam Carchidi

It has taken a few months, but Flyers center Nolan Patrick is starting to get his game in order.

Patrick missed last season because of a migraine disorder and has been in a battle this year to regain his form.

Flyers center Sean Couturier goes after the puck against Rangers center Ryan Strome.

He has been playing much better lately, though it hadn’t shown in the stats before he deflected home just his second goal in the last 26 games Saturday, aiding the Flyers’ 2-1 win over the Rangers.

Coach said it has been challenging for players like Patrick, Oskar Lindblom, and Samuel Morin to get back in the swing after long layoffs.

“It’s hard for those guys. They’ve missed a lot of time,” Vigneault said after the Flyers ended a four-game losing streak. “They’re stepping in, pressure moments. Every time a player is on the ice right now, he can decide the outcome of the game. I like the way Nolan is trending. Hopefully for him and hopefully for our team, he keeps trending the right way.”

A resurgent Patrick is needed if the Flyers are going to sneak into the playoffs.

“Obviously missing the amount of time I did, it’s not easy, and I knew it was going to be a tough year coming back with the schedule we have,” Patrick said. “It’s obviously taking a little longer than I hoped to find my game. I feel like I’m getting closer and closer.”

Then again, there are no guarantees for the Flyers these days. No gimmes. Not even a Buffalo team that has lost 17 straight (0-15-2), the longest streak since the shootout era started in 2005-06 and eliminated ties. It is also the longest skid in the NHL since Pittsburgh lost 18 in a row early in 2004.

The Winnipeg Jets hold the NHL record for most consecutive games without a win; they played 30 straight without a victory (0-23 with seven ties) from Oct. 19-Dec. 20, 1980.

The Flyers are 4-1 against the Sabres this season, including three straight shutouts before a 5-4 shootout win on March 9. The teams will meet Monday and Wednesday in Buffalo.

Breakaways

Ivan Prorovov had six shots, three blocks, and three hits Saturday in 26:06. … The Flyers’ 17 first-period shots were the most they have had in an opening period this season. … Travis Konecny was credited with five hits. ... The Flyers were 35-for-53 (66%) on faceoffs. Sean Couturier was 15-for-19 (78.9%) and Claude Giroux was 8-for-13 (61.5%).

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207052 Philadelphia Flyers The goal came after a frustrating five-on-three power play, one in which the Flyers were reluctant to shoot and allowed the Rangers to make three clears.

Flyers outlast Rangers, 2-1, on Samuel Morin’s first NHL goal But Gostisbehere made a deft move at the blue line to get free for a shot that Patrick tipped past Shesterkin while the Flyers were on a five-on-four power play.

Sam Carchidi It was Patrick’s first point in eight games, his first power-play point since opening night, and just his second goal in the last 26 contests.

The Rangers resembled the Harlem Globetrotters on skates in their The Flyers, outscored by a ridiculous 17-3 margin in their previous two previous two games against the Washington Generals, uh, Flyers. games against the New York Rangers, finally had some pushback Saturday afternoon against the Blueshirts. There were no-look passes, slam-dunks in front of the net, wide-open one-timers, and a mind-boggling, basketball-like run — 15 straight goals Leading the way was Samuel Morin, the 6-foot-7, 230-pound over a two-game stretch. defenseman who scored his first NHL goal and sparked a 2-1 Flyers victory over the Rangers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mika Zibanejad had another slam-dunk in Saturday’s first period, getting behind defenseman Phil Myers, taking a crossing feed from Ryan Recalled from the AHL’s Phantoms earlier in the week, Morin scored on Strome, and jamming the puck into an open net. The Rangers were on a a point blast with 4 minutes, 27 seconds remaining to snap a 1-1 tie and power play because of Travis Konecny’s roughing penalty against enable the Flyers to end a four-game losing streak. Zibanejad. Flyers center Sean Couturier goes after the puck against Rangers center It gave Zibanejad 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in six games this Ryan Strome. year against the Flyers. That equaled the most points ever scored by a Michael Raffl set a screen in front on Morin’s game-winning drive, then Ranger against the Flyers in a season, matching Jaromir Jagr in 2005-06 joined his teammates in mobbing the likable defenseman, who has been (9-6 in eight games). a story of perseverance as he has overcome two knee surgeries and In his last three games against the Flyers, Zibanejad has seven goals other injuries that caused him to miss most of three seasons. and 13 points. He has 15 of his 27 points this season against the Flyers. “It was crazy. It’s been a long road for me,” Morin said. “Probably the But Morin took the spotlight away from him as the Flyers ended their best moment of my life.” longest losing streak since midway through last season. The Flyers moved ahead of the Rangers and into fifth place in the East “That was a hungry and desperate team, obviously,” Zibanejad said Division. about the Flyers. The Flyers outshot the Rangers, 37-25, and had their forecheck working and had much better defensive gaps than in recent games against the Rangers. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 03.28.2021 Brian Elliott, who appears to be the Flyers’ new No. 1 goaltender, made 24 saves to register his first win in his last seven starts.

“Right from the get-go, I think our sticks were really good,” Elliott said. “We were blocking lanes and just had that good positioning. I think we’ve talked on it a lot, and we worked on it in practice.”

Because of a crowded schedule, Friday was the Flyers’ first full practice in 12 days.

“Just putting those things together, and guys coming back hard for each other, it makes it hard to make plays out there for the other team,” Elliott said, adding that in previous games opponents’ passes were “getting through.”

Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba said the Flyers’ forecheck made a difference.

“They were on us on the D pretty hard, taking away the walls,” he said. “It was tough to really get a handle on the puck and make a good, quality breakout.”

Scott Laughton, sent in on a breakaway by Nic Aube-Kubel, had his backhander gloved by Igor Shesterkin (35 saves) with 14:24 left in regulation, keeping the score tied at 1.

The Rangers, who weren’t trailing only because of Shesterkin’s dominating performance, got a power play midway through the third, but the Flyers had a strong penalty kill and the game remained deadlocked.

Elliott kept it at 1-1 as he stopped Filip Chytil’s close-range shot with his mask with about 7½ minutes to go.

The Flyers had tied the game at 1-1 on Nolan Patrick’s second-period goal.

Patrick, who missed last season because of a migraine disorder, has played much better lately, but it hadn’t shown on the score sheet.

Until Saturday.

With three seconds left on a power play, Patrick redirected home Shayne Gostisbehere’s point shot to knot the score at 1 with 7:08 remaining in the second. 1207053 Philadelphia Flyers Elliott’s backup that night against the Islanders so Hart could get in a full session with Dillabaugh that morning.

“I know Kim Dillabaugh and Carter are working hard every day," Fletcher Flyers goalie Hart still has the trust of GM Fletcher said. “I thought he played pretty well (Tuesday) night. He battled, he made some big saves to keep that game close enough where we could try to make a comeback. I do think you can make some adjustments in- season. Wayne Fishflyingfishhockey.com “Clearly the lack of practice time when you’re struggling is not a benefit. I

think specialty teams, goaltending, your defensive zone coverage, there’s Chuck Fletcher points out goalies such as Vezina Trophy winners Carey a lot of areas that if you’re not on top of your game, obviously the lack of Price and Eddie Hellebuyck plus two-time Stanley Cup champion Matt practice time doesn’t help. But every team is dealing with that. I do think Murray all had something in common with current Flyers netminder Carter’s working hard with ‘Dilly’ every day. Personally I’ve seen some Carter Hart. improvements and I do think he can get it back during the season."

That is, they have all had to go through rough patches early in their Flyers goalie Carter Hart plays against the New Jersey Devils on careers. Tuesday, March 23, 2021, in Philadelphia.

Fletcher, the Flyers’ GM with experience around the NHL for the better Lindblom, Patrick making progress part of three decades, has seen goalies with all levels of talent come and Fletcher gives the impression he’s satisfied with the progress of both go. Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick, each coming off serious illnesses. He states, in so many words, that the trouble the 22-year-old Hart has “I think both Oskar and Nolan are getting better," Fletcher said. “Oskar experienced in this rocky 2020-21 campaign is nothing out of the went through a very difficult process with chemo and battling cancer. I ordinary. think he’s getting better and better. He’s getting his timing back. I think In fact, it would seem rather unique if Hart didn’t endure the maturing with another full summer, I think he will be even better next year. process so many stoppers have. “We’ve seen a lot of progress with Oskar. Same with Nolan. It hasn’t So during a Wednesday media Zoom call, Fletcher preached patience been reflected in the stats necessarily, but I really liked his game with Hart, whose numbers (8-8-3, 3.85 goals-against average, .875 save recently. I thought he played really well on Monday night. I thought he percentage prior to Thursday action) continue to plummet. created some chances. (Tuesday) night, I thought he was on pucks. He was skating and he was working. I think both of them are getting better." Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher says the struggles goalie Carter Hart has been having this season are nothing out of the ordinary. Upgrading defense not so easy

Has it become a confidence thing with Hart? The Flyers tried to find reinforcements for the retirement of Matt Niskanen during the offseason but it wasn’t easy. “Confidence is a funny thing," Fletcher said. “It’s a results business. Sometimes you are not getting the results, it’s hard to feel you are on top “Certainly our cap situation was not helpful for adding significant dollars of your game. without moving significant dollars," Fletcher said. “We looked at a lot of different things, and this (Erik Gustafsson) is what we ended up with. “Carter is a young guy. He had some success last year. This year, he hasn’t played at the same level. There’s no question that he’s struggled, “It’s a flat-cap era, and most teams are not looking to take on any money particularly this month." or any term right now. To add a player with dollars, you have to subtract the same amount. Those types of trades are a little more difficult to Going into March, Hart’s numbers were closer to what he posted his first make." two seasons when he went a combined 40-26-4 with a goals-against average in the 2.60 range with a .916 save percentage.

Maybe the NHL shooters have caught up to Hart’s style, exploited a Burlington County Times LOADED: 03.28.2021 weakness or two and now the Edmonton native might have to make some adjustments of his own.

“This month, both goaltenders have struggled in my opinion," Fletcher said. “You look back at a young Carey Price at the age of 22, Connor Hellebuyck, Marc-Andre Fleury, just going through some names. All of those great goaltenders had some ups and downs early in their career and had some tough seasons.

“It’s a hard position. I believe in Carter. I believe in his talent and I believe he will be a very good goalie for this franchise for a very long time. Clearly right now, he’s not on top of his game.

Obviously the pandemic has to have some influence on the situation. Young guys on their own might have a tougher time than some of the established players.

“I think all those young single guys who live alone have had to deal with different issues like all of us have during this, but I don’t know that I want to get into naming names or singling out just from a privacy standpoint," Fletcher said.

“Clearly I think the married guys have had it a little bit easier than the single guys that, like a lot of people in society, are stuck … you get stuck a little bit, there’s no question."

If this were a normal year, Hart would have more time to work on his game in practice with goalie coach Kim Dillabaugh. But with the compressed schedule, the Flyers were just ending a 12-day stretch without one full-length practice.

Time is so tight that coach Alain Vigneault placed Hart in a full practice mode on game day this past Monday, opting to dress Alex Lyon as Brian 1207054 Philadelphia Flyers play goal, Elliott stopped the other 24 Rangers shots on goal. It had been a while that a Flyers goalie had turned in an effort like this.

"We obviously have talked about that and getting some saves," Vigneault Flyers Notebook: Morin's long-awaited moment in spotlight a winner for said. "Moose (Elliott) had to make a couple real big saves and Flyers

Delaware County Times LOADED: 03.28.2021 By Rob Parent [email protected] @ReluctantSE

He's a defenseman ... usually, anyway.

He's also more shover than shooter, and despite being a first-round pick it doesn't surprise that Sam Morin strikes you as more minor league blue line than lengthy NHL talent.

Morin, 25, was playing in just his 11th NHL game Saturday. Yet the reaction along the Flyers bench was one of collective joy when Morin scored his first career big-league goal, and not only because it would stand up as a surprising game-winner in a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers at Wells Fargo Center.

"It was absolutely crazy," Morin recounted later. "I’m really happy. It’s the best moment in my life. I don’t score a lot of goals. It was a big one. A big W for us. It was a big moment for me."

The Flyers, still painfully cognizant that they were playing the same team that rolled up 15 straight goals against them over the course of two blowout victories the past couple of weeks, were simply enjoying the moment because they were still in the game late in the third period.

True to seasonal form, the scoring had started with Mika Zibanejad scoring a power play goal 10:54 into the first. He'd scored a natural hat trick in each of those two recent Ranger blowout wins. What was different this time is it wouldn't lead to a complete loss of composure by the Flyers.

They fought back, playing dominating hockey at times. Then finally got the game tied when Nolan Patrick tipped home a Shayne Gostisbehere power play serve at 12:52 of the second. Back and forth it went, with Morin biding his time between third-pair defensive turns. Then came the magical moment, one-timing a pass from Nic Aube-Kubel far out on the left point.

It ricocheted off the far post and in with 4:37 left in regulation for a lead he would help his team protect.

Morin had waited so long for this, through so much pain, so much work...

A No. 11 overall pick in 2013, he had a long way to go, but was on a proper development track after recovering from a core muscle injury during the 2017-18 season with the AHL's Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Morin was back for the postseason that season but was injured during a playoff game in May, and would soon undergo his first ACL surgery.

Just 18 months later, he tore the same ACL a second time.

Morin remembers being on crutches at a Flyers game shortly after his second surgery and realizing he still wanted to be a part of it all, believing he could indeed make another comeback.

"I remember (Patrick) talked to me and all the guys had great words for me," Morin said. "I was really not depressed, but I was really down. It was probably a couple of hours after that, I was like ‘I've got to get back to this.’"

Patrick, a No. 2 overall first-round pick in 2017, has been through his share of layoff woes, too. He missed all of 2019-20 with migraine issues, but has been healthy this season while trying to free his rusty game.

"Sam’s been through more than anyone the last couple of years," Patrick said. "He came out on the other side of it. To see him score was pretty cool in that fashion. Everyone was extremely happy for him. It was great moment for him."

Added coach Alain Vigneault: "Anyone that’s gotten to know Sam over the years, he’s a good, big, young Frenchman. He’s fraocom the farm. Just a wholesome young man that everybody that’s gotten to know him, really likes. There’s no doubt there was a lot of joy for him and the team tonight. And we needed this win."

Goalie Brian Elliott, more or less a de facto No. 1 goalie with the club, buckled down and kept the Flyers afloat. Other than Zibanejad's power 1207055 Philadelphia Flyers

Morin writes a new story to tell later

by Jordan Hall

Back on March 27, 2019, Samuel Morin was taken off guard in the morning at Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone. He was told he'd be entering the lineup to play his first game since an arduous recovery from a torn ACL and dealing with several other lower-body injuries. Morin had gone 16 months without playing an NHL game.

"My road to recovery has been pretty weird," Morin said then. "It'll be a story to tell later. Just don't give up."

Morin didn't give up, even after suffering a second torn ACL in the same right knee during November 2019. On Saturday afternoon, March 27, 2021, Morin wrote a story he'll tell later. He scored his first career NHL goal. It was the game-winning goal in the third period of the Flyers' 2-1 victory over the Rangers at the Wells Fargo Center.

Exactly two years after that first game back from the initial torn ACL.

"It’s pretty special," Brian Elliott said. "This guy’s been through a lot within the organization. A lot of injuries and surgeries and he’s always come back with a smile on his face. Every day, ready to work, can’t wait to get back on the ice with the guys. I think that’s why everybody's so happy."

Morin suffered the two torn ACLs in a span of 19 months. After the second, he was fighting for his career.

"I love the game," Morin said. "I didn’t really care where I was — AHL, East Coast, anywhere in Europe — I was just ready for anything. I thought about it, but I got a lot of support here with the Flyers — good teammates and good family. I worked hard and now I’m there and trying to stay in the lineup."

On top of overcoming the injuries ahead of 2020-21, the 25-year-old started a transition from defenseman to left winger, an idea head coach Alain Vigneault and the Flyers approached him about in the offseason. The Flyers felt they could use more size up front and, with his injuries, Morin had dropped down the organizational depth chart on defense.

"He hasn’t played a lot of hockey, he wants to do whatever he can to play," Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said in December. "I think if this was an opportunity for him to get ice time and be with our club, then he was excited about it."

Recently with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, Morin started playing defense again because the Phantoms needed help on the back end. With the big club's defense in flux, the Flyers have also called upon Morin to play his natural position over the last two games.

"It was pretty hard," Morin said. "It’s hard when you’re a defensive defenseman and trying to go to forward. I was a bit lost out there, I think anyone can tell. I tried my best. I went down there and played defense, played defense good. Got the call-up. Chuck told me that I’m a D-man now, I’m going to play defense for the rest of the year. That’s kind of what I wanted and I’m extremely happy about that. I’m a D-man, for sure, I’m a D-man."

As a defenseman Saturday, he was scoring a game-winning goal for the Flyers, who had lost four straight and desperately needed a victory before a two-game road set against the Sabres.

"It was absolutely crazy," Morin said of the celebration after his goal that came with under five minutes left in regulation. "I just saw [Michael Raffl] put his hand in the air and screaming, and [Shayne Gostisbehere] flying on me. I’m really happy, it’s the best moment in my life. I don’t score a lot of goals. It was a big one, a big W for us. It was just a big moment for me and I’m going to enjoy it and reset for tomorrow. We've got a big game against Buffalo in two days, we can’t be too high. Enjoy the moment and go after it."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207056 Philadelphia Flyers Now for traditional selling. Personally, I see the value in bringing back Scott Laughton, so I wouldn’t look to dump him. But if I crunched the cap numbers and determined that it was impossible to make the necessary addition on defense and re-sign Laughton, I’d put him on the market. A perfect partner for Ivan Provorov? Buy or sell at the deadline? Answers He’d have takers as a rental, to be sure. Michael Raffl has been a good waiting in the AHL? soldier, but he’s an expiring contract with declining underlying numbers and prospects coming up behind him; if there’s a market for him, I’d

move him for a pick. Put Erik Gustafsson out there as well, in case By Charlie O'Connor anyone is looking for a cheap offensive defenseman.

Mar 27, 2021 And in truth, I wouldn’t even be entirely opposed to a cheap buy of a decent veteran defenseman on an expiring contract, just in case the team figures it out in April and goes on a run. If it costs a fifth-round pick to get a solid third-pair defenseman for the rest of the season and that The only reason to hesitate in calling this “rock bottom” for the keeps Gustafsson and Nate Prosser out of the lineup, that’s fine. They Philadelphia Flyers is that it’s impossible to know for sure that the 2020- may have dug themselves too deep of a hole to make the playoffs at this 21 season won’t get worse. point, but stranger things have happened. I’m not totally opposed to After falling 9-0 to the Rangers last week, the Flyers should have hit the doing some bargain shopping just in case. ice for Thursday’s rematch primed for vengeance. Instead, they were What do you think of bringing a guy like David Savard in, like we did with losing 6-0 after just 23 minutes of play, en route to another ugly loss, this Cam Talbot, to possibly court pre-free agency (assuming we would give time 8-3. The club is 4-9-1 in March, remains three points out of a playoff him a handshake deal to avoid expansion issues)? Also, obviously there spot — even with Boston stuck in a COVID-19-driven pause — and is on have been a ton of rumors, and one I’ve seen that is interesting is John the verge of being left in the dust not only by the top four teams in the Klingberg. Do you like that fit? — Conor F. East Division but also those same Rangers, who now sit with an identical 15-13-4 record. I’ve liked David Savard for a long time, going back to 2016-17, which I will always remember because Savard pulled off a feat that I had In other words, things are real bad. previously thought to be impossible: He carried Jack Johnson to the point So what comes next for the Flyers? How should they approach the where he actually put up good play-driving metrics. Savard deserved looming trade deadline? Which types of pieces should they target? Do stealth Norris consideration for that achievement alone. He’s a good opinions of the Flyers’ key young players need to be completely changed player, and he would have been the perfect fit if Provorov had followed to account for their underwhelming seasons? This month’s Flyers up his strong 2019-20 by taking the next step into looking like a true No. mailbag tackles it all. 1.

Buy or sell? — James H. Unfortunately, Provorov didn’t take that step, and as a result, I lean more toward the Flyers adding a true difference-maker on the blueline. That’s First off, they certainly can’t take up the mentality of a traditional not Savard, who profiles more as a better version of Justin Braun. I’m not aggressive trade deadline buyer who thinks it has a real chance at opposed to kicking the tires on Savard, but the Flyers need more than winning the Stanley Cup this season. But that doesn’t mean that I would him to really solve this. rule out “buying” at the deadline altogether, in the sense of bringing in new players. Klingberg is far more up my alley. Back in the summer of 2019, The Athletic did a “contraction draft” where the NHL was cut down to 12 The Flyers have a lot of issues right now, but their biggest long-term hole teams and the vast majority of players were tossed into an open pool to is another top-pair-quality defenseman, preferably a veteran. They don’t be drafted by the remaining clubs. I grabbed Klingberg, in large part have to rule out the possibility that Ivan Provorov will develop into that because I felt he’d be a great fit next to Provorov long-term. Klingberg is no-doubt-about-it No. 1 guy at some point, but this season — in addition righthanded, incredibly talented and a proven top-pair quality to his complete track record — says that he’s not there. So, if they want defenseman. Plus, if you do a deep dive into Provorov’s underlying to construct a truly formidable blueline corps, they need to get someone metrics, he’s never had much trouble at suppressing chances. His who is. problem at five-on-five has long been on the offensive impact side, which The manner in which this season has fallen apart has cut down on short- tells me that he could really benefit from a high-end puck mover who can term urgency for that. And while people may not want to hear it, the also play consistent, strong defense as well. That’s what Matt Niskanen expansion draft does complicate any add for a defenseman with term left was last year; it’s even what Shayne Gostisbehere was in 2017-18. I like on his contract. If they still want to protect Provorov, Travis Sanheim and the idea of Provorov’s long-term partner having real offensive creativity, Philippe Myers — and I still believe they should, in spite of the trio’s and Klingberg certainly does. struggles this season — there’s an extra acquisition cost in getting that With how everyone on defense has looked, you guys in media will have a defenseman now that would have to be paid to Seattle. Maybe it would tough time selecting the Barry Ashbee Trophy winner this year. Who do come in the form of losing Oskar Lindblom or Nolan Patrick for nothing to you think should win it with what we’ve seen so far? — Brian M. the Kraken after protecting eight skaters. Maybe it would come at the price of another first-round pick and/or top prospect to push Seattle to Hoo boy, this is a tough question. Over the season’s first four weeks, I take another player that the Flyers mind losing less. But that extra price probably would have gone with Sanheim, regardless of how much hate would be paid, in any case. he was receiving from segments of the fan base for perceived soft play. Occasionally defensive lapses aside, he was skating with confidence and That said, those factors wouldn’t necessarily stop me from adding a top- positively impacting the Flyers’ ability to move up ice and control play. pair defenseman at the deadline, and it’s for a simple reason. Part of why Since returning from the team’s COVID-19 pause, however, Sanheim’s a team like Nashville has been motivated to move a Mattias Ekholm (or play has regressed significantly, to the point where I can’t in good faith even a Ryan Ellis) is that it has its own expansion draft concerns. Once advocate for him as the team’s most effective defenseman on the whole. the expansion draft has passed, yes, the Flyers no longer have to worry about losing a key player for nothing, but neither would the current So who is it? It’s definitely not Gustafsson. Myers’ game has fallen off a sellers. cliff to the point where he’s been scratched twice by Alain Vigneault. Gostisbehere also has dropped off defensively post-COVID pause, which If I’m the Flyers’ GM and I don’t have another impact defenseman by the earned him a three-game sitdown. So that leaves Provorov — who end of the summer, I’ve failed miserably. It’s an obvious need, and they certainly hasn’t been great but is still this defense’s horse, for better or have the assets to get one. And if my read of the situation is that it will worse — and Braun. I honestly think I’d go Braun at this point. He has become more difficult to add a top-pair defenseman post-expansion draft, the best even-strength metrics on the defense, and to my eyes, he’s I’m striking now. been their best all-around blueliner (59.43 percent Expected Goals For Once that player has been identified, the question becomes how to fit Percentage since Feb. 18) for about a month now. him under the cap long-term. That could involve moving a piece or two Of course, this speaks to the Flyers’ problem. Braun is a solid out, whether in the trade itself or in a side deal. I’d look to get a jump on complementary piece, but if he has a real case to be considered the that now, if possible, but there aren’t many teams with cap space team’s best defenseman, things have really gone off the rails. banked, so it might have to wait until the summer. Keep all options open. I know expansion draft questions suck, and I usually hate them too. But I see this as a relatively new phenomenon, and there are a couple of Bill on BSH Radio keeps mentioning that he supports trading for a non- factors at play. When there were no fans in the stands, many players — rental defenseman before the summer because he doesn’t think Phil James van Riemsdyk certainly appeared to be one — just didn’t Myers merits protection. Is this pretty different from the front office’s celebrate as much as they normally do. It seemed obvious to me that evaluation of Myers? I wonder how the fan base and front office view of some players feed off the emotions of the arena, and as someone who his potential compares to the rest of the league’s opinion. — Justin E. covered those early-season games, I can confirm that there was essentially no energy in the building that the players themselves weren’t Yes, it’s extremely different from the front office’s view of Myers. creating. A few players still did celebrate demonstratively — Joel Look: Myers is struggling right now in a big way. Since the team returned Farabee stood out — but many kept it more low-key. from the pause, he has the lowest five-on-five xG For Percentage (44.55 In recent weeks, however, the lack of showy celebrations has probably percent) on the defense of anyone not named Nate Prosser, and the been more due to on-ice results. A large portion of the goals they’ve Flyers have been outscored 26-8 with him on the ice. That’s not just bad; scored have come while trailing, often by significant margins. Those it’s “should this guy even be playing right now?” levels of awful. He’s not goals probably lead more to a feeling of “finally” than true exuberance. I using his size, he’s turning the puck over too much, and he’s essentially imagine if the team does start to play better, celebrations will be more had zero offensive impact. Over the past few weeks, basically every noticeable. Right now, however, no one is really in the mood. single area of his game has regressed. How have your thoughts on Ivan Provorov changed this season? Are That said, he’s still a 24-year-old defenseman with exceptional talent and there any underlying numbers that should make fans more optimistic physical gifts, and in the second half of last season and into the playoffs, about his play moving forward? — Bobby H. he showed he can put it all together to an above-average NHL level. And here’s the thing: Even if he never rebounds and ultimately becomes The evaluation process of a player should always remain fluid and nothing more than a tools-only, frustrating mess, it’s still a bad move to adaptable given new evidence. These 32 games certainly count as new leave him unprotected. Why? Because players with his unique set of evidence in the case of Provorov, so it’s only right to adjust one’s opinion skills — 6-foot-5, right-handed, incredible skating — are always going to based on current performance. have value around the league. Just look at Tyler Myers, who turned a few strong seasons before a career mostly as a decent No. 4/5 defenseman All the same, it’s not time to bury Provorov. This season was a big one into a $30 million contract at age 29. for him, especially coming off a very strong 2019-20. With an above- average, first-pair-quality partner that season, Provorov performed like an If you have given up on Philippe Myers, the thing to advocate for is the above-average, first-pair-quality defenseman, despite taking on the Flyers to trade him for a haul and cash in on the fact that teams dream of eighth-largest per-game workload in the NHL. This season, the Flyers the player he theoretically can be. The Flyers still believe in him as at gave him the opportunity to show he could continue to do so without that least a solid second-pair defenseman long-term, and frankly, I do too. quality of partner. Through 32 games, he hasn’t. He’s not someone I’d want to lose to Seattle for nothing. This doesn’t mean that Provorov is a bad defenseman! It just means that What is the identity of this team that management is hoping to project? I realistic expectations for him might need to be recalibrated, and the team remember Hextall had a bit of a cop-out answer (i.e., he said “hard- needs to get him help if it wants the best version of him. Provorov looks working” when asked). I thought it would be the young nucleus of less like a true No. 1 than a workhorse No. 2. And that’s really not the defensemen, but clearly they have lots of growing pains and aren’t a end of the world long-term. After all, his $6.75 million cap hit is right in finished product. What would Fletcher’s response to the question be? — line with high-end No. 2s. Chris R. As for Provorov’s underlying metrics, they’re surprisingly not terrible. He’s It’s an interesting question, and Fletcher was asked a variant of it a few at a 48.94 percent Expected Goals For Percentage at five-on-five (after weeks back, when the possibility that the Flyers might need to play with adjusting for score effects) and has had a slightly negative but very close more physicality was broached. His answer was telling. to break-even impact (-0.019) on his team’s xG differential at even strength, per Evolving-Hockey’s RAPM model. That’s not great, but it’s “I think there’s times we need to play a more physical brand of hockey,” also not disastrous. For comparison’s sake, Myers is down at -0.068, and he acknowledged. “I think our game (Jan. 31) against the Islanders was Gustafsson is way back at -0.153. probably the most physical game we’ve had all year. I thought we were able to establish the forecheck.” If you had to guess, who would be the first guy up from Lehigh Valley? Zayde Wisdom has been their best player, but he’s 18. After him their He later continued down a similar rhetorical road. strongest players have all been guys on AHL deals, Ryan Fitzgerald & “I guess when you say physical, to me, it’s about winning those 50-50 Max Willman. — Dean H. battles and about putting pucks in the right spot to make the other team I’m not holding my breath on a Wisdom call-up. But some of the older have to turn and go back and defend,” he elaborated. “There’s been guys might not be far away. Fletcher said as much Wednesday, noting times last year that we were very successful playing that way. I think that quite a few prospects dealt with injuries to start the year and are just Sunday night was the first game I’ve seen our team be able to have now getting regular games. some success playing that way. That would be encouraging, and I think we’re going to have to be able to do that more often, particularly when “Maybe in the next week or two, some of those kids will get a chance to you play teams like the Bruins and the Capitals. They’re big, heavy play up here,” he said. teams. If you don’t want to defend them, you better make them defend.” So who would those players be? I would think Tanner Laczynski would What Fletcher seems to be getting at here is that he thinks the Flyers are be right up at the top of the list. Per Phancy Stats, Laczynski’s play- best when they play with an identity of relentlessness. That fits with their driving metrics have been off the charts since the start (64.00 percent xG forecheck-heavy strategy — basically, they envision the best version of For, 57.22 percent Corsi For) and now the offense is finally starting to themselves to be a club that is constantly hounding the puck, forcing come around, as well (seven points in six games). I suspect he’s not far opponents into mistakes and then capitalizing on them with their skill. It’s away. Wade Allison is finally back too, and he has three points (two clear that this team isn’t a brute-force club, capable of intimidating goals, one assist) with solid underlying metrics in his first four AHL opponents. I think they see their ideal identity as one of perpetual puck games. Ideally, you’d want to give him a little bit more time to adjust to pressure and puck possession, combined with the skill to take advantage the pro level given his long history of injury issues in college, but from a of it. Obviously, that hasn’t even been close to what they’ve delivered physical strength standpoint, he’s ready as well. over the past month. And you mentioned Max Willman. He actually now does have an NHL A less gloomy question: Why don’t the players typically show more contract. He was signed to his two-year entry-level deal Wednesday, celebration after scoring goals? This might be selection bias from though it doesn’t kick in until the start of the 2021-22 season. In any watching mostly Flyers games, but it seems that relative to other teams case, it was a big moment for Willman, who started his career in the they aren’t as jubilant/expressive. Not an issue, just genuinely curious. — Flyers organization down in the ECHL and basically turned an AHL tryout Timo M. contract into his first NHL deal. As a 26-year-old, he’s not exactly a “prospect,” but he’s the type of player certainly worthy of support and It’s still a pretty gloomy question! cheers.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207057 Pittsburgh Penguins speed, lost it momentarily, then regained it in the slot. Settling play for a moment, McCann fed a pass above the left circle for forward Evan Rodrigues who chucked a knuckler of a wrister past Sorokin’s blocker on the near side for his fourth goal of the season. Assists went to McCann Empty Thoughts: Penguins 6, Islanders 3 and Ceci.

Two consecutive power-play goals in the second period gave them a 4-0 lead. SETH RORABAUGH First, 4:26 into the second period, forward Sidney Crosby collected his Sunday, March 28, 2021 14th goal. Settling a puck at the right point of the offensive zone, defenseman Kris Letang backpedaled to the center point and teed up a slapper that struck Penguins forward Jake Guentzel just to the right of Note: CCPA compliance requires embedded widgets like Facebook, the crease. During the ensuing goalmouth scramble, Crosby snuck in Twitter and inline videos be disabled in stories. undetected from the right circle, collected the loose puck and lifting a backhander through the legs of Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield. Observations from the Penguins 6-3 win against the Islanders: Guentzel and Letang were credited with assists. Hockey doesn’t always make sense. That was followed up by Rust scoring his 12th goal less than two minutes Take the Penguins’ power play for instance. later at the 6:18 mark. Taking a pass at the left point of the offensive zone, McCann fed it low in the near circle for Crosby who one-touched it One would think it would be worse off minus the abilities of franchise to the slot where Rust ripped a wrister through Sorokin’s five hole. center Evgeni Malkin, currently on injured reserve. Assists were recorded by Crosby and McCann.

And surely, it wouldn’t get better when his replacement, a slick and The Islanders pulled Sorokin in favor of Semyon Varlamov but that did skilled winger such as Kasperi Kapanen, also landed on injured reserve. little to stymie the Penguins or Rust who scored again, in an even- So when Jared McCann, a sturdy but inconsistent forward, steps in, strength situation, just over two minutes later at 8:21. there’s no way the Penguins’ sputtering power play will ever gain traction, On a forecheck, Guentzel hounded Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech right? into a turnover behind New York’s net, claimed the puck and banked a Right? pass off the right wall to the right point for Letang who golfed a one-timer. Varlamov made the initial save but allowed a rebound above the crease Riiiiighhttt? that Rust corralled and lifted into the net, past Valramov’s blocker, with a backhander. Letang and Guentzel netted assists. Two games into using McCann on the top power-play unit, the Penguins have scored four goals and have multiple power-play goals in The Islanders got on the scoreboard at 10:47 of the second period. consecutive games for the first time in over a year. After going 2 for 4 Guentzel took a wrister from the left half wall of the offensive zone that during a 4-0 home win against the admittedly woeful Buffalo Sabres on went wide on the far side and struck the glass in the right corner. After Thursday, they were once again 2 for 4 against the New York Islanders Crosby failed to collect the rebound on the right half wall, it became a on Saturday. breakout for Islanders forward Mathew Barzal. Taking advantage of a poor line change by the Penguins, Barzal zipped up the left wing, surged For McCann, after scoring both power-play goals against the Sabres, he past a lethargic Letang and attacked the net, lifted a wrister past helped set up forward Bryan Rust for the game-winning goal on the goaltender Tristan Jarry’s glove for his 10th goal. Mayfield had the only power play against the Islanders. assist.

“I’ve got to have a shoot-first mentality,” McCann said via video Barzal’s talents led to another goal 5:23 into the third period. Skating up conference. “I’ve got a decent shot. I’ve got to look to use it a little bit the left wing into the offensive zone, Barzal danced around a poke check more here. But if (forwards Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Rust or from Pettersson and attacked the net. After Jarry denied Barzal’s defenseman Kris Letang) are open, I’m going to try to find them. I’m forehand shot, Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier followed up on the going to keep my head up and try to find them.” sequence and fired in the rebound with a forehand shot for his sixth goal. At some point, McCann will lose this gig. Malkin will be healthy once Barzal and defenseman Nick Leddy tallied assists. again and he’ll pose a threat few others in the NHL can offer with that The Islanders made it a 5-3 games at 17:33 of the third. During a four-on- thunderclap of a one-timer from the right circle. four sequence, they pulled Varlamov for an extra attacker and it paid off. But for the time being, the Penguins appear to find something with an Controlling the puck on the right half wall of the offensive zone, Islanders imperfect fit in McCann. forward Josh Bailey dealt a pass to forward Brock Nelson on the end boards. From there, Nelson distributed the puck to the right circle for “He brings a little bit of a different dimension,” coach Mike Sullivan said. forward Jordan Eberle who got his seemingly obligatory goal against the “He’s very good at coming off that strong-side wall, just getting off the Penguins by whipping a wrister over Jarry’s left shoulder on the near side wall, getting inside the dots. And he’s such a threat with his shooting for his 11th goal. Nelson and Bailey had assists. ability and his ability to score goals. It presents a different look for our power play. He’s a real good power-play guy. That’s one of Jared’s An empty-net goal by Rust completed the hat trick at 19:18 of the third strengths. We’ve used him there on occasion over the last couple of period. The score was unassisted. years since we’ve had him depending on who we’ve had in our lineup. Statistically speaking But that is certainly one of Jared’s strengths and I just think it changes the look a little bit from a threat standpoint.” • The Islanders controlled shots, 32-21.

What happened • Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock led the game with seven shots.

The Penguins took a 1-0 lead 5:48 into regulation. From his own right • Rust led the game with five shots. corner, Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson pushed a pass up to the defensive blue line for forward Colton Sceviour who one-touched it to • Letang led the game with 23:55 of ice time on 25 shifts. forward Sam Lafferty, rushing through the neutral zone. Gaining the • Barzal led the game with 19:58 of ice time on 22 shifts. offensive zone on the left wing, Lafferty created a two-on-one rush with forward Frederick Gaudreau against Islanders defenseman Thomas • The Penguins controlled faceoffs, 29-24 (55 %). Hickey. Drawing Hickey into the left circle, Lafferty fed a forehand pass to • Crosby was 15 for 24 (63 %). the slot for Gaudreau who lifted a wrister past the glove of goaltender Ilya Sorokin for his first goal as a member of the Penguins. Lafferty and • Islanders forward Casey Cizikas was 9 for 13 (69 %). Sceviour collected assists. • Pulock and Islanders defenseman Andy Greene each led the game with They made it a 2-0 advantage at 10:07 of the first period. Off a neutral three blocked shots. zone turnover by the Islanders, McCann gained the offensive zone with • None of the Penguins had more than one blocked shot. • Jarry made 29 saves on 32 shots. some of the guys that are in the lineup I think have brought us a certain level of enthusiasm that has helped the whole group. • Sorokin recorded the loss after making five saves on nine shots. “Freddy Gaudreau comes to mind, (forward Radim) Zohorna comes to • Varlamov made 10 saves on 11 shots. mind, (forward) Anthony Angello. Some of these guys that we have put in Randomly speaking the lineup, they’re excited to be there. They want to prove that they belong here. So they bring a certain level of urgency to their game. And • There was a time that when Rust would score a goal, it was a kind of that can be contagious through our bench. These guys right now are novelty. It didn’t happen all the time, but when it did, it was nice. Today, having a positive impact on our team.” it’s kind of normal or customary when he racks up goals in bunches. Almost ho-hum. • Lafferty talked about the feel of the team with so many younger players in the lineup: His entire game has grown with time, but the way he’s added to his scoring touch throughout his career is something to marvel. He used to “There’s a little bit more urgency than usual. Everyone knows we’ve got just chuck pucks on net and hope they went in. Now, he’s a bit more to step up and contribute here. I think we went through it a little bit here calculating with how he shoots. last year. So I got a little bit of a taste of that where we had a lot of guys hurt and different guys were stepping up each night. It’s something that • Lafferty has pieced together a handful of solid games in the past week. we’ve got to continue if we’re going to keep winning here.” In particular, his passing to set up goals as of late has been impressive. • Gaudreau is grateful to be back in the NHL: His second NHL season has been kind of up and down, to be kind. Inconsistent, to be blunt. Either way, he’s needed a few nice games to “It’s been awesome just to step in the lineup. I haven’t played, obviously balance things out for him. for a long time in the NHL before that first game in (New) Jersey (on March 18). Since I didn’t play, that was all I worked for, to come back into • Gaudreau got his first NHL goal in more than two years. He genuinely this league. To be able to come back and feel good on the ice and feel seems grateful just to be in the NHL. So for him to piece together a three- the trust from my coaches and teammates, that felt really good. It’s been game scoring streak, a first in his career, has to be especially profound. great.”

• With forward Mark Jankowski (as well as Brandon Tanev) being added • Islanders coach Barry Trotz really tore into his team after the game: to the NHL’s list of absences related to covid-19 protocol, the Penguins recalled rookie forward Drew O’Connor from the taxi squad and he “Tonight, quite honestly I felt had about five players going today. After the played his first NHL game since Feb. 25. It would be a stretch to say he second period, I just said ‘Listen, they’ve got everybody going for them. stood out while playing on the fourth line. He logged 6:24 of ice time on All 20 players seem to be going for the Penguins.’ I went around the 11 shifts and had one shot on three attempts. room and I basically counted in my head … I felt like there was like five or six guys that were only going. You can’t beat good teams when you • The Penguins’ penalty kill is on a bit of a heater. It has been perfect (17 don’t have that many guys going. Tonight, it was one of those games for 17) over the past five games. And the Penguins have been without where we didn’t have a lot of the A games from our group.” the services of three of their most regular penalty-killing forwards as of late in forward Teddy Blueger as well as Jankowski and Tanev.

• Jarry took a high-sticking penalty in the first period. That was his Tribune Review LOADED: 03.28.2021 second penalty of the season. He is now tied with Darcy Kuemper of the Arizona Coyotes for penalty minutes among goaltenders this season with four.

• The way Barzal tried to carry the Islanders’ offense in this game should serve as a reminder of how talented he is. In terms of pure puck skills, he is probably one of the NHL’s top five players.

• If the Islanders had even average play from Sorokin to open this game, this might have been a very different contest.

Historically speaking

• Gaudreau became the 542nd player to score a regular season goal for the Penguins.

• Gaudreau scored his first goal at the NHL level since Dec. 31, 2018. As a member of the Nashville Predators, Gaudreau scored the winning goal in a 6-3 road win against the Washington Capitals.

• Rust recorded the Penguins’ first hat trick of the season. He had their only hat trick of last season, recording three goals in a 7-3 home win against the Ottawa Senators on March 3, 2020.

• The Penguins went just over eight years between hat tricks against the Islanders. Forward Chris Kunitz racked up three goals in a 6-1 home win, March 10, 2013.

• Rust (198 points) surpassed forward George Ferguson (195) for 43rd place on the franchise’s career scoring list.

• Crosby (1,302 points) surpassed forward Jarome Iginla (1,300), an ex- teammate, for 35th place on the NHL’s career scoring list.

• Crosby now has 122 career points (39 goals, 83 assists) in 74 games against the Islanders.

Publicly speaking

• Sullivan spoke about dressing a lineup full of so many players trying to prove their place in the NHL:

“These guys that have an opportunity to play at the NHL level, they bring a certain level of urgency and a compete level and an enthusiasm that can be contagious. When you look at the roster that we have right now, 1207058 Pittsburgh Penguins

Minor league report: Nailers fall to Everblades

SETH RORABAUGH

Saturday, March 27, 2021 10:59 p.m.

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Goaltender Shane Starrett made 22 saves on 26 shots for the Wheeling Nailers in a 5-2 road loss to the Florida Everblades at Hertz Arena in Estero, Fla. on Saturday.

Defenseman Patrick McNally and forward Cody Sylvester each had a goal and an assist for Wheeling (10-23-5-0).

Highlights:

The Nailers’ next game is a home contest against the Jacksonville Icemen on Thursday, 7:10 p.m.

Tribune Review LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207059 Pittsburgh Penguins Tristan Jarry made 29 saves on 32 shots as the Penguins seized their opportunity to narrow the gap between them and the Islanders.

“That was a really big win for us because, obviously, we’re chasing them Patchwork Penguins seize opportunity, beat Islanders in the standings,” Lafferty said. “They’re a really good team. They play the game hard. They defend hard. You don’t get many odd-man rushes against them. We know every game against the Islanders is going to be a battle.” SETH RORABAUGH

Saturday, March 27, 2021 9:40 p.m. Tribune Review LOADED: 03.28.2021

“Opportunity” — as an idea and as an idiom — is big for Mike Sullivan.

No matter if he is directing a lineup of future Hall of Famers or all-stars for a ho-hum midweek regular-season contest or Game 7 of a playoff series, he views that game as opportunity.

So even if the Pittsburgh Penguins coach was forced to deploy nearly two lines full of misfit forwards who have been waived or spent time in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, there was only one way for him to describe Saturday’s confrontation with the New York Islanders, a team they are chasing in the East Division.

“Every night is an opportunity,” Sullivan preached via video conference after the morning skate. “Every game is an opportunity for us to establish ourselves in a playoff position, and that’s how we have to look at it. This is a big game, this is an important game.

“But every night, regardless of who your opponent is, is an opportunity for us.”

The Penguins took full advantage of that opportunity. Scoring five goals on their first 11 shots, they beat the Islanders, 6-3, at PPG Paints Arena.

The victory gave the Penguins 46 points, two short of the second-place Islanders.

That tabulation was not overlooked by the Penguins following the game.

“They’re a team that we’re chasing in the standings,” said forward Bryan Rust, who recorded the Penguins’ first hat trick of the season. “They’re a team that plays hard defensively, plays hard all over the ice. We knew it wasn’t going to easy.”

It certainly looked easy at the start as the Penguins took a 1-0 lead 5 minutes, 48 seconds into regulation. Off a two-on-one rush, Penguins forward Sam Lafferty fed a pass from the left circle to the slot for forward Frederick Gaudreau who lifted a wrister for his first goal as a member of the team.

They made it a 2-0 advantage at 10:07 of the first period. Taking a pass above the left circle, forward Evan Rodrigues chucked a knuckler of a wrister past the blocker of goaltender Ilya Sorokin on the near side for his fourth goal of the season.

Consecutive power-play goals in the second period gave them a 4-0 lead.

First, 4:26 into the middle frame, forward Sidney Crosby collected his 14th goal with a backhander off a goalmouth scramble.

That was followed by Rust scoring his 12th less than two minutes later at the 6:18 mark. Off some precision passing, Rust ripped a wrister from the slot through Sorokin’s legs.

Sorokin was pulled in favor of Semyon Varlamov, but that did little to stymie the Penguins — or Rust, who scored at even strength about two minutes later at 8:21.

After Varlamov denied a one-timer by defenseman Kris Letang from the right point, Rust cleaned up the rebound above the crease with a backhander.

The Islanders made the game competitive with three consecutive goals.

First, forward Mathew Barzal broke through with a dazzling effort off the left wing and attacked the net, scoring his 10th goal with a wrister.

Third-period goals by Islanders forwards Anthony Beauvillier — his sixth on a rebound at the 5:23 mark — and Jordan Eberle, in a four-on-four sequence, at 17:33, made it a two-score game.

Rust completed his hat trick and secured victory at 19:18 of the third with an empty-net goal. 1207060 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins forwards Mark Jankowski, Branton Tanev placed on NHL's covid-19 protocol list

SETH RORABAUGH

Saturday, March 27, 2021 5:57 p.m.

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Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Mark Jankowski and Brandon Tanev were placed on the NHL’s list of players unavailable because of covid-19 protocol.

By league rules, the Penguins are not permitted to comment on their statuses.

Jankowski was absent from Saturday’s morning skate at PPG Paints Arena in advance of a game against the New York Islanders.

According to coach Mike Sullivan, Tanev worked out on the ice prior to the morning skate with forward Teddy Blueger as well as skating and skills development coach Ty Hennes.

Tanev is currently on injured reserve because of an undisclosed ailment.

The Penguins have had six players be placed on the list this season. Previously, forwards Sidney Crosby, Kasperi Kapanen, Colton Sceviour and defenseman John Marino have been on the list.

Assistant coach Todd Reirden also has gone through the league’s covid- 19 protocols.

Being placed on the list does not necessarily indicate a player has tested positive for covid-19. Something seemingly as mundane as secondary contact with an individual who has tested positive can land a player on the list.

Tribune Review LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207061 Pittsburgh Penguins Tribune Review LOADED: 03.28.2021

Penguins recall forward Drew O'Connor from taxi squad

SETH RORABAUGH

Saturday, March 27, 2021 5:19 p.m.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled rookie forward Drew O’Connor from their taxi squad.

A first-year professional, O’Connor has played in nine NHL games this season and has one assist.

The 22-year-old has played in six American Hockey League (AHL) games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season and has five points (three goals, two assists).

Notes:

• In a corresponding transaction, forward Kasperi Kapanen was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Wednesday.

During a 5-2 home win against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, Kapanen’s left foot or ankle appeared to be struck by a puck during the second period.

Coach Mike Sullivan has termed his recovery as “week to week.”

Kapanen is the team’s seventh-leading scorer with 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 30 games.

• Forward Jason Zucker participated in Saturday’s morning skate and skated beforehand with the taxi squad but remained sidelined. He has not played since suffering a suspected left leg injury on Feb. 23.

Currently on long-term injured reserve, Zucker has played in 17 games this season and has seven points (four goals, three assists.

Sullivan described his recovery as “really encouraging.”

Forwards Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev each worked out with Saturday morning with skating and skills development coach Ty Hennes. Each player is on injured reserve with undisclosed ailments.

Sidelined since March 15, Blueger has played in 28 games this season and has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists).

Injured on March 18, Tanev has scored 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 30 games.

Kapanen is the team’s seventh-leading scorer with 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 30 games.

Defenseman Mark Friedman skated with the taxi squad. He remains on injured reserve due to a suspected head injury.

In two games with the Penguins this season, Friedman has two points (one goal, one assist).

• Forwards Jordy Bellerive and Josh Currie were recalled from Wilkes- Barre/Scranton and assigned to the taxi squad.

Bellerive, 21, is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s third-leading scorer with nine points (three goals, six assists) in 12 games this season.

The 28-year-old Currie, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s captain, has played in nine AHL games this season and has seven points (four goals, three assists). He also has played in one NHL game this season, with no points.

• The Penguins are scheduled to start goaltender Tristan Jarry. In 23 games this season, he has a 13-8-2 record along with a 2.82 goals- against average and a .909 save percentage.

• Islanders forward Michael Dal Colle is scheduled to miss the next two games, each against the Penguins, because of an undisclosed injury. In 20 games this season, Dal Colle has four points (one goal, three assists).

1207062 Pittsburgh Penguins

Mark Madden's Hot Take: Goalie Carter Hart at heart of Flyers' struggles

MARK MADDEN

Saturday, March 27, 2021

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Remember when a member of the Philadelphia hockey media said Sidney Crosby had passed the torch as hockey’s best player to the Flyers’ Claude Giroux?

That was in 2012.

In the interim, Crosby has 691 points to Giroux’s 596.

Crosby has also won two Stanley Cups since — and two playoff MVPs, one regular-season MVP, one scoring championship and one goal- scoring title. Giroux has none of the above.

Crosby currently has 37 points, Giroux 25. Crosby helped the Penguins eliminate the Flyers in the ‘18 playoffs. Crosby’s Penguins never allowed 15 straight goals to the New York Rangers.

It’s starting to look like Crosby is still better than Giroux, and maybe still better than everyone but Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, who trails Crosby by three Stanley Cups to none.

Giroux was never hockey’s best player. Not for one second. Was Giroux ever in the top 10? Maybe he was. But you’d have missed it if you blinked.

That brings us to another haphazard christening: “The Flyers finally have a great goaltender in Carter Hart.”

They don’t. Hart stinks.

Penguins GM Ron Hextall got excoriated when he had the same job in Philadelphia because he didn’t want to rush Hart to the NHL. Hextall’s mistake might have been not suggesting a new line of work, because Hart is the NHL’s worst goalie.

Hart’s goals-against average is 4.02, his save percentage .869. Those stats are a throwback to when nobody played defense, systems were optional, goaltenders wore half the equipment and blocking every shot wasn’t a blood oath.

His recent form is even worse: Hart has lost four of five. His goals- against average in those games is 5.69, his save percentage .803.

The Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad has six goals against Hart. He has 10 on the season.

Hart has been pulled four times. That includes twice against Buffalo, the NHL’s dregs.

Hart is only 22 years old. He’s got lots of time to get worse.

But that’s hard to imagine, because Hart is flunking the eye test, too. He’s visibly shaken, drowning in an ocean of self-doubt. Each goal seems worse that the last.

Hart had two solid seasons before this one. Perhaps he’ll bounce back. Or maybe he’ll disappear for keeps like Jim Carey, Washington’s net defective. Remember him? Me, neither.

What’s the point of this column? Well, I just find all this hilarious.

Have you ever seen the Flyers win the Cup?

Tribune Review LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207063 Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Scott Mayfield to make it 3-0. Less than two minutes later, Rust scored from the slot.

Sorokin made five saves on nine shots before being pulled for Semyon Penguins blow out the NHL's stingiest team -- before the game was half Varlamov. Rust welcomed Varlamov to the game moments later by over roofing a rebound.

Those three goals in a span of four minutes, 29 seconds gave them a 5-0 lead. Matt Vensel Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier chipped away at it and Jordan Eberle scored with the goalie pulled to add a little late suspense. But Rust burst out of the penalty box to bury an empty-netter and put an end The Penguins were bracing for a battle Saturday night at PPG Paints to the comeback bid. Arena. “He’s a guy that likes when the stakes are high. He likes to make a The New York Islanders were on a roll after flattening the Penguins a difference,” Kris Letang said of Rust. “It’s fun to see him get rewarded month ago. Their starting goalie hadn’t lost since January. And the home with a hat trick.” team had to plug in yet another call-up after a sixth forward went on one of the inactive lists. Jarry made 29 saves to earn his 12th win in 17 starts since Valentine’s Day. A regulation loss would drop the Penguins six points back from first place. The Penguins were without Mark Jankowski, who was placed on the NHL’s COVID protocol list prior to the game. That meant that three of “They’re a team we’re chasing in the standings. They’re a team that … their top four centers were unavailable against the Islanders. Slotting in plays hard all over the ice,” Bryan Rust said. “So we knew it wasn’t going at center behind Crosby on Saturday were Jared McCann, Gaudreau and to be easy.” rookie Radim Zohorna. And yet, somehow, the Penguins made their 6-3 win look like a During their three-game winning streak, the Penguins got goals from cakewalk. surprising sources. Zohorna. Zach Aston-Reese. Gaudreau. And a pair Before it even reached its midway point, the Penguins had run up the from Rodrigues. score on the NHL’s stingiest club and sent Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin Letang, while praising the fill-ins for their contributions in recent games, to the showers. briefly spaced out on Anthony Angello’s name. The alternate captain Five Penguins players tallied multiple points in the runaway win, including quickly corrected himself, but it spoke volumes about the constant Rust, whose fourth career hat trick extended his point streak to six personnel churn this season. games. “We knew we had a lot of depth coming into the season, with a guy like When the final buzzer blared, the Penguins were within two points of the Gaudreau or [Drew] O’Connor that comes up,” he said. “We have two big Islanders and the Washington Capitals, who are tied atop the East guys that can throw the body around with Zohorna and… Sorry, I had a Division standings. blank. Um, Angello.”

Considering the opponent, the stakes and the depleted lineup the Their power play also continued to click, even with Kasperi Kapanen Penguins were forced to ice due to injuries, this was arguably their joining Evgeni Malkin on injured reserve. The Penguins went 2-for-4 biggest win of the season. against a strong Islanders penalty kill and have converted 27.9% of their opportunities in March. “When your team goes through adversity from an injury standpoint, it can be a bit of a rallying cry. It has the tendency to create camaraderie. The With the victory, the Penguins improved to 5-2-0 against the Islanders team becomes the priority,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “It’s a fun dynamic this season. The Islanders are 20-6-2 against other opponents in the because guys are playing hard for one another because they understand stacked East Division. the circumstances, as well.” The Penguins and Islanders will face off again Monday at PPG Paints The Islanders were one of the league’s hottest teams since beating the Arena. That is the last of their eight games against each other during the Penguins, 2-0, Feb. 28 on Long Island, starting a stretch in which they regular season. won 12 of 14.

Sorokin took an eight-game winning streak with him into the Islanders Post Gazette LOADED: 03.28.2021 crease Saturday. He had permitted just 11 goals over that span while posting a .944 save percentage, including that 20-save shutout of the Penguins on Feb. 28.

On this night, the Penguins beat Sorokin on their first shot. Then their second.

Freddy Gaudreau, who over the last week has provided a spark amid the myriad injuries up front, scored his first goal with the Penguins nearly six minutes in.

It happened after a beautiful breakout for the Penguins. Tristan Jarry stopped the puck behind the net then zipped it over to Marcus Pettersson. He sent it up the left wall to Colton Sceviour, whose perfect chip pass into the neutral zone allowed Sam Lafferty, who got the primary assist, and Gaudreau to attack with speed.

“Unbelievable play on the wall by Scevs,” Lafferty said. “That’s an incredibly hard play to make as a winger and he couldn’t have put it in a better spot. He made my job pretty easy. I just had to get it over to Freddy and he did the rest.”

A few minutes later, an innocent Evan Rodrigues wrister from the left dot fooled Sorokin. The goalie glanced at the bench but coach Barry Trotz kept him in.

The Penguins would chase the Russian with a pair of power-play goals early in the second period. Sidney Crosby backhanded a shot in off of 1207064 Pittsburgh Penguins

Brandon Tanev, Mark Jankowski placed on NHL's COVID protocol list

Mike DeFabo Post-Gazette

Mar 28, 2021 12:09 AM

The Penguins depleted forward corps will be forced to weather even more adversity, this time due to the ongoing pandemic.

Forwards Brandon Tanev and Mark Jankowski were placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list on Saturday. The protocol is not only for players who test positive for the virus, but also for those who experience a high- risk close contact or an initial positive test that remains unconfirmed.

Jankowski was absent from the Penguins’ game-day skate on Saturday. Tanev, meanwhile, is recovering from an upper-body injury that the team is still classifying as day-to-day. He skated with skills coach Ty Hennes and injured third-line center Teddy Blueger on Saturday morning. It remains to be seen how his addition to the protocol will impact Tanev's timeline.

The COVID-19 related absences, coupled with a long list of injuries, forced the Penguins to play the Islanders without half of their 12 regular forwards. The entire second line is wiped out and five of the top-eight forwards are out.

The center depth, in particular, is being tested with Evgeni Malkin and Blueger also sidelined with injuries. Jared McCann has already been forced to show his versatility by skating in the middle of the second line.

“We’ve kind of got a mentality like the next-man up,” McCann said. “We’ve had some guys who have come in and been awesome. [Zohorna] scored last game in his first NHL game [on Thursday]. He was great for us. Tonight, we’re looking for the same thing from everybody.”

Now, in Jankowski’s his absence, Frederick Gaudreau moved up to fill the hole in the middle as the third-line center. He skated between Colton Sceviour and Sam Lafferty to start Saturday night’s game.

Radim Zohorna, who scored his first NHL goal on his first NHL shot on Thursday, centered the fourth line.

The missing forwards also re-opened the door for Drew O’Connor. He was promoted off the taxi squad and stepped into the lineup to play left wing on the fourth line.

This is O’Connor’s first NHL game since Feb. 25. The 22-year-old O’Connor has split time between the NHL, the taxi squad and Wilkes- Barre/Scranton during his first professional season out of Dartmouth. In six AHL games, he scored three goals and two assists, perhaps regaining his scoring touch and confidence along the way.

Post Gazette LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207065 Pittsburgh Penguins Sullivan is fond of saying that injuries create opportunities. McCann certainly made the most of his on Thursday.

Kasperi Kapanen’s lower-body injury thrust McCann into a role on the top Penguins center Mark Jankowski placed on NHL's COVID protocol list power play unit. He cashed in twice with the man-advantage during last week’s win over the Buffalo Sabres, showing off a wrist shot that might be one of the team’s best. On a power play full of playmakers who might sometimes take more satisfaction in a pretty assist than a goal of their Mike DeFabo own, McCann brings a needed grip-it-and-rip-it mentality.

“When you get a chance to play with [Kris Letang] and Sid [Crosby] and As if the Penguins' depth at the center position hadn’t been tested Jake [Guentzel] and [Bryan] Rust, it kind of comes a little bit easy to be enough over recent games with Evgeni Malkin and Teddy Blueger out of honest with you,” McCann said. “They’re so skilled that it opens up space the lineup, the club will now have to dig even deeper into its reserves. for a lot of guys. You’ve got to respect them when they’ve got the puck. I feel like I’m getting a lot better at finding myself in an open spot.” Mark Jankowski was absent from the team’s morning skate on Saturday. He has been placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list. The protocol is Injury updates not only for players who test positive for the virus, but also for those who Brandon Tanev missed his fifth-consecutive game on Saturday as he experience a high-risk close contact or an initial positive that remains recovers from an upper-body injury. He was initially injured during a unconfirmed. March 18 game against the Devils. He warmed up for a game in New The Penguins will be forced to play the Islanders without their second, Jersey two days later but was scratched and has not played since. The third and fourth-line centers. In total, half of the 12 forwards are now out. team is still officially calling his status day-to-day.

Jankowski initially joined the Penguins this offseason when he signed a Tanev and Blueger, who is out longer-term, both skated with skills coach one-year, $700,000 contract as a free agent. He came out of the gate Ty Hennes. strong, tallying three points in his first two games. However, in the Meanwhile, in more encouraging news, left winger Jason Zucker skated subsequent 29 games he played, the 6-4, 212-pound centeri has just one with the taxi squad and then stuck around to skate with the main game goal and one assist and a minus-3 rating while playing mostly in group on Saturday. He has not played since Feb. 23, when he sustained defensive-oriented situations and on the penalty kill. a lower-body injury the team said would keep him out longer-term. In his absence, Frederick Gaudreau moved up to fill the hole in the Sullivan said he’s “making really encouraging progress.” middle as the third-line center. He skated between Colton Sceviour and Defenseman Mark Friedman also skated with the taxi squad as he works Sam Lafferty to start Saturday night’s game. back from an upper-body injury. Radim Zohorna, who scored his first NHL goal on his first NHL shot on The Penguins have been forced to dig deep into the organization to find Thursday, centered the fourth line. Anthony Angello played on one of healthy bodies. Earlier this year, they were missing all four of their top Zohorna’s wings. Drew O’Connor, who was promoted off the taxi squad, left-handed defensemen from the Game 1 roster. Now, with Jankowski stepped into the lineup to play left wing on the fourth line. sidelined, the Penguins will be without six of their 12 forwards from Game This is O’Connor’s first NHL game since Feb. 25. The 22-year-old 1. O’Connor has split time among the NHL, the taxi squad and Wilkes- “I’ve had to learn a lot of names this year,” McCann joked. “We’ve kind of Barre/Scranton during his first professional season out of Dartmouth. In got a mentality like the next-man up. We’ve had some guys who have six AHL games, he scored three goals and two assists, perhaps come in and been awesome. [Zohorna] scored last game in his first NHL regaining his scoring touch and confidence along the way. game. He was great for us. Tonight, we’re looking for the same thing Gaudreau savoring his moment back in the NHL from everybody.”

Though he has played in fewer than 100 NHL games, Gaudreau has tasted almost everything the league has to offer. Post Gazette LOADED: 03.28.2021 He’s scored goals. He’s appeared in playoff games with the Nashville Predators. And, during the 2017 playoffs, came within a few wins of hoisting the Stanley Cup.

But after playing in all of his 55 games in the 2018-19 season with the Predators, the Canadian forward was forced to take a step back. Last season, he spent all 42 with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL.

“My previous years in Nashville, it was a little bit hard on the confidence level,” Gaudreau said. “To get back to where I wanted to be as a hockey player and the confidence level and to feel the game, I had to go through a year like last year. It was great. I wanted to be there to build back up to come here.”

The 27-year-old righty signed with the Penguins this offseason. He split time between the AHL and the taxi squad this season before finally cracking the lineup on March 18 against the New Jersey Devils.

In his first five games with the Penguins, he notched a pair of assists. Both of those points came in the last two games, including his beautiful play to set up Zach Aston-Reese for a short-handed goal during Wednesday’s win.

Coach Mike Sullivan praised Gaudreau’s courageous attitude on the penalty kill, his intelligence and his willingness to block shots.

“It’s been awesome just to step in the lineup,” Gaudreau said. “That’s all I worked for [in the AHL], to come back in this league and to be able to come back and feel good on the ice and feel the trust from my coaches and my teammates. That’s been great.”

McCann brings his big shot to the power play 1207066 Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup teams need players who, at worst, can contribute for a few weeks, here and there, when injuries rear their ugly heads. Gaudreau is doing that much. I’m not so sure that he isn’t capable of doing more. Given the lack of depth in the organization, this has been a most Yohe’s 10 observations: There’s something special about these pleasant surprise. Penguins • Then there is Evan Rodrigues. I’m still not sure what he is, but over the past week, he’s been mighty valuable. He didn’t look great in top-six appearances earlier this season, but he’s pretty much forced into that By Josh Yohe role at the moment, and he’s thriving. Mar 27, 2021 This is the most confidence in which we’ve seen Rodrigues display since joining the Penguins more than a year ago. He’s thinking a lot less and reacting a lot more. It’s why he’s playing the game so much faster. Make no mistake, this won’t continue forever. The lineup the Penguins are currently deploying is staggeringly thin at forward and, eventually, The word on him in Buffalo was that he had talent but simply wasn’t able reinforcements will be required. to fit into the Sabres’ lineup in previous seasons. I still don’t know where he fits into the Penguins’ lineup, but the talent is starting to show up. But that’s the thing. The reinforcements will return at some point, and the There is value in this player right now. work their replacements are doing is nothing short of special. Showcasing a lineup with a handful of forwards that would ordinarily be • The star of the night was Bryan Rust, of course. He recorded a hat trick playing in the American Hockey League, the Penguins made easy work and now has 14 goals on the season. It would be fun to break down all of of the typically indomitable Islanders, rolling to a 6-3 victory at PPG those goals, as Rust has emerged as a legitimate NHL sniper during the Paints Arena on Saturday. past two seasons. He literally gets better every season.

Six of the 12 regular Penguins’ forwards — Evgeni Malkin, Jason Zucker, With Rust, however, what I marvel at is how hard he works every shift. Kasperi Kapanen, Teddy Blueger, Brandon Tanev and Mark Jankowski The guy never stops. It’s as though someone said to Rust when he was a — are currently out of the lineup. Jankowski was the latest player to child, “The secret to being a great hockey player is working hard on every depart the lineup as the center found himself on the COVID-19 list shift, Bryan.” Saturday. He just never stopped listening to that advice. Playing against the first-place Islanders didn’t initially seem like a recipe The guy’s motor never stops. In the third period of a game that was for success. Sure, the Penguins made easy work of the Sabres on two essentially a blowout, Rust was killing penalties as though his life occasions earlier in the week, but that was against the NHL’s worst team. depended on it. He was outworking New York defensemen in the The Islanders are among the NHL’s best teams, and yet, before the offensive zone, consistently winning puck battles and earning body game was halfway over, the Penguins led 5-0. position throughout the evening. How this season will unfold is anybody’s guess, but the Penguins have All of which brings the question: What do you do with Rust this summer? something special brewing. They’re 4-1-1 without Malkin. They’re 11-3-1 He has one year left on his contract, and he’s due for a profound raise. in March. They’re 5-2 this season against the Islanders, who are in a Rust, who makes $3.5 million per season, is one of hockey’s most first-place tie with the Capitals. They’re 4-2 against the Capitals. They’re underpaid people. He turns 29 in May and is very much in his prime — 17-6-1 since Brian Burke and Ron Hextall were hired to reshape the and one of the Penguins’ most valuable players. He’s been good on the franchise and subsequently maintain its status as a Stanley Cup power play. Sidney Crosby and Malkin love playing with him, and for contender. good reason. He was a franchise postseason icon at 25 because of his There’s not much doubt that this is a Stanley Cup contender. All of those knack for scoring huge goals. impressive numbers the Penguins have produced have come while they What a player Rust has become. How high will his price be? The currently have dealt with the second-most man games lost in the NHL. Penguins pretty much have to match it, don’t they? Oh, the Penguins have much to prove. This is the franchise that has lost • I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The Penguins go as Malkin and nine of its past 10 postseason games, most of them in impotent fashion. Kris Letang go. Malkin isn’t in the lineup so, simply put, they’re going as No matter how they play now, the road through Eastern Division Letang goes right now. And right now, he’s exceptionally good. He was stalwarts like the Islanders will be brutal. And, for whatever reason, this is caught flat-footed on the Islanders’ first goal, which Mathew Barzal a team that often doesn’t play its best hockey when completely healthy, finished on a breakaway, but that goal was born of a bad line change something that remains baffling. between Brian Dumoulin and Mike Matheson. Still, what the Penguins are doing right now is worthy of exceptional Letang had two more assists in this contest. He has played in 14 games praise. It also is serving as a signal to the remainder of the NHL that the during March. Letang’s produced two goals and 13 points in those games Penguins very much remain a factor in a league that supposedly has and is a plus-13. He wasn’t ready for the start of the season. Something passed them by. was wrong, and he played some of the worst hockey of his career. 10 postgame observations Methodically, Letang started playing better. He’s now at the top of his • We’ll get to the big names in a moment, but we can’t ignore who scored game, and the Penguins are a much, much better team for it. What a for the Penguins during a first period that saw them snatch a 2-0 lead. striking turnaround. Frederick Gaudreau started the scoring for the Penguins, and he’s been • The Penguins are 14-4-2 with Brian Dumoulin in the lineup this season something of a sensation this week. A fringe NHL player who has and 8-7-0 without him. Do you think this is a coincidence? experienced many a bus ride in his minor-league career, Gaudreau has been a huge part of the Penguins’ success, and I’m not so sure that there Me neither. isn’t a place for him on the fourth line even when this team is healthy. • I suspect the Hart Trophy race will play out between Connor McDavid He scored his first goal with the Penguins early in the first period, roofing and Auston Matthews. Patrick Kane is having a great season. Nathan a shot after receiving a pretty pass from Sam Lafferty on an odd-man MacKinnon can’t be ignored. Lots of great players out there, even though rush. Earlier this week, Gaudreau made one of the plays of the season in the numbers in the all-Canadian division are so out of whack that I think setting up Zach Aston-Reese’s short-handed goal. voters need to at least consider giving others some love.

More than anything, though, I’m struck by what a smart player Gaudreau What about Crosby? What if he carries the Penguins to a division is. He’s an impeccable decision-maker. He’s not the biggest guy in the championship with Malkin missing a big chunk of the season and the world, and perhaps this is merely a hot streak. We’ll see. But this is a Penguins deploying a bunch of AHL players? player who stood out in training camp and whose skating is very much high caliber, even at the NHL level. He has been excellent since joining He had a goal and an assist against the Islanders. He was a two-way the Penguins, and his progress is worth monitoring. monster, again. He’s got 39 points in 34 games, good for sixth in the NHL in scoring. In March, he’s produced seven goals and 21 points in 14 games. And yeah, he gets to play against the Sabres eight times. But he also must contend with the Islanders, Bruins and Capitals in 24 of his 56 scheduled games this season. No one from this division was going to compete for the scoring title.

I don’t know if Crosby will make his way into the MVP picture, but he’s moving in that direction. He’s been a minus player only four times in his past 24 games, despite competing with teams that are completely focused on him, especially with Malkin out of the lineup. Crosby has recorded at least one point in 12 of his past 14 games.

This is seriously high-level stuff we are watching from him.

• Speaking of high-caliber hockey, Jared McCann is doing a lot of good things right now. He had two more points in this game, and I see a player whose overall game is really expanding.

So, what do you do with him when the Penguins get healthy? Third-line center? Back to Malkin’s left wing? Somewhere else?

I have no idea. But I do know that he’s an important player for the Penguins and that they need this version of him to keep showing up. He’s proved a very valuable player as the Penguins’ No. 2 center when Crosby or Malkin are injured. He needs to figure out a way to contribute when they’re healthy.

• Might be time to give Mike Sullivan some credit, don’t you think? The Penguins are playing some outstanding systematic hockey right now. The odd-man rushes are way down. Good decisions are being made.

Sullivan is receiving absolutely no coach of the year buzz, which is probably because the winner of that award typically coaches up-and- coming teams or surprise teams. The Penguins have been around for a long time, and Sullivan has two Stanley Cup rings. Oddly, this essentially disqualifies him from consideration, which is kind of a shame. I’m not so sure that he isn’t doing his finest work this season.

• The Islanders made a bit of a push in the third period and pulled within 5-3 in the third period. This wasn’t a huge deal. If you were coaching that group and had a 5-0 lead, you’d go into the prevent defense, too.

They did what they had to do. Tristan Jarry stopped 29 of 32 shots, and the Penguins’ defensemen — with the exception of Matheson, whose game I didn’t like — were very good. They handled the lead perfectly well.

One does get the feeling that Monday’s rematch with the Islanders won’t be a walk in the park for this roster. Maybe Tanev will be available, but that’s a maybe. This lineup is going to struggle to keep compiling victories. Still, they handled the early success in this game well. Getting a split is a good outcome for the Penguins in this two-game set, given the injuries. Mission accomplished.

• The battle for first place in the East is a three-team race between the Islanders (48 points), the Capitals (48 points) and the Penguins (46 points).

Only five NHL teams currently have more points than the Penguins, who also own the league’s eighth-best goal differential (plus-22). They’ve got the NHL’s third-best home record at 15-3-1.

There’s a long road ahead of these Penguins. The Stanley Cup is miles and miles away. But they are authoring quite a story at the moment, and Saturday was just another improbable chapter of a victory that seemed against all odds but that wasn’t a fluke at all.

That’s because the Penguins are simply a very good team, far better than most expected.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207067 Pittsburgh Penguins Mark Jankowski joined the list of Penguins centers out of the lineup as he was added to the COVID protocols. Brandon Tanev, who skated Saturday morning with Skills Coach Ty Hennes, was also listed in the protocol. Rust Nets Hat Trick! Depleted Penguins Explode for 6, Beat Islanders 6- 3 Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry stopped 29 of 32.

Varlamov made 10 saves and allowed one goal after he relieved Sorokin.

Published 7 hours ago on March 27, 2021 Gold Stars:

By Dan Kingerski Frederick Gaudreau

Sir Freddy was flying in the first period and burnished his credentials for an extended NHL stay. To see a fourth-line Penguins center flying up Bryan Rust capped a hat trick with an empty-net goal, and the Pittsburgh and down the ice and finishing chances hasn’t happened since a senior Penguins (22-11-2) pulled to within two points of the New York Islanders fellow named Matt Cullen. and Washington Capitals atop the MassMutual East Division with a 6-3 win over New York on Saturday night at PPG Paints Arena. In fairness, Gaudreau played third-line center on Saturday because of Jankowski’s absence. He also had two takeaways. Rust was the star of the show as hats hit the ice from the 2800 fans. Bryan Rust The Penguins lineup beset by injuries included rookie Radim Zohorna as the fourth-line center but looked like the same depth-scoring team that Has there been a more reliable offensive producer this season beyond beat the Buffalo Sabres twice this week. They dodged the New York Sidney Crosby than Rust? The Penguins gritty, speedy, and now defensive structure for a pair of first-period goals. offensively gifted winger not only scored a pair of goals, but he also created those chances. Five minutes into the game, the Penguins makeshift third line centered by recent AHL recall Frederick Gaudreau did its best impersonation of “…He’s a clutch guy. He’s a guy that likes when the stakes are high,” Kris the Russian Red Army with a lighting fast end-to-end rush on three Letang said. “He likes to get out there and make a difference. So it’s fun. passes begun by winger Colton Sceviour. After Sam Lafferty raced past It’s fun to see and it’s fun to see him getting rewarded…” the New York traffic cones, Frederick Gaudreau(1) one-timed Lafferty’s Rust opened the ice for the Crosby line and finished the chances. saucer pass. Sidney Crosby “Unbelievable play on the wall by (Sceviour). That’s an incredible hard play to make,” Lafferty said. “He couldn’t have put it in a better spot for The Pittsburgh Penguins need their captain, and he’s coming through. me. He made my job pretty easy. I just had to get it over to Freddy, and He was irrepressible on Saturday. Crosby and Rust allowed the rest of he did the rest.” the lineup to settle into new roles without pressure.

Later in the first period, Jared McCann ignored the stop signs and charged into the New York zone one-on-five. Amazingly, McCann lost the puck, but it caromed back to him. He laid a soft pass for Evan Rodrigues, Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 who trailed the play. Rodrigues (4) whipped a wrister past Ilya Sorokin. 2- 0.

The Penguins offensive madness didn’t stop after the first period, either. They added three more goals in the middle period and chased Sorokin, who gave up the first four goals on just nine shots.

Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist in the second period. About five minutes into the second period, the Penguins power play scored their first of two goals. Jake Guentzel created some havoc in front of Sorokin, Kris Letang faked one shot before creating a shot lane with a nifty moonwalk on the blue line, and Crosby (14) chipped the rebound home. 3-0.

In the six games since Evgeni Malkin suffered a lower-body injury, Crosby has 11 points (3g, 8a).

A couple of minutes later, Rust scored two goals 2:03 apart.

“We were definitely opportunistic there in the first. We made some really good plays for some goals,” Rust said. “…I think in the second we were on our toes a little bit more, played a little bit more in the o-zone and drew some penalties. We got some big goals on the powerplays and I think we just had to the puck a lot more.”

First, Rust scored a power-play goal. Crosby set up Rust (12) in the slot, and the Penguins winger zipped it through Sorokin’s five-hole for a four- goal lead.

Two minutes later, Rust (14) got a couple of whacks at a rebound in the crease. The second one lit the lamp and essentially put the dagger through the Islanders heart. 5-0.

New York top-line center Mathew Barzal did break the shutout later in the second period. As the Penguins changed, Barzal (10) scooped a loose puck out of the defensive zone and blew past changing Penguins defenders for a breakaway goal.

Anthony Beauvillier (6) pulled the Islanders within three when he buried Barzal’s rebound early in the third period. With the goalie pulled, Jordan Eberle (11) scored a garbage-time goal with a couple of minutes remaining to make the score a more respectable 5-3.

Then Rust (15) scored the empty netter. 1207068 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Place Kasperi Kapanen on IR, Recall Drew O’Connor

Published 11 hours ago on March 27, 2021

By Dan Kingerski

The Pittsburgh Penguins did some late afternoon paperwork on Saturday. The team placed winger Kasperi Kapanen on IR retroactive to March 24, when Kapanen was injured by absorbing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour’s clearing attempt.

To fill Kapanen’s spot, the Penguins recalled rookie forward Drew O’Connor from the taxi squad. They promoted Jordy Bellerive and Josh Currie to the taxi squad from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

This season, Kapanen has burst into the Penguins lineup after the team acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old winger has 21 points (7g, 14a) in 30 games. He and fellow IR inhabitant Evgeni Malkin were on a hot streak before both were injured one game apart.

Currie has 22 games of NHL experience, including one game this season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

O’Connor was an undrafted free agent the Penguins signed from Dartmouth University. He played nine NHL games before being demoted and scored one-assist. He has not yet scored his first NHL goal. O’Connor played six games with the WBS Penguins and scored five points, including three goals.

Bellerive was also an undrafted free agent. He played junior hockey for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and was a teammate of former Penguins second-round pick Calen Addison. Bellerive earned a contract after an impressive rookie camp in 2017.

He made his professional debut with WBS in 2018-19. This season, Bellerive has nine points (6g, 3a) in 12 games. He also has 30 PIMs.

The Pittsburgh Penguins face the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena Saturday at 7 p.m. Get the PHN game preview and Penguins lines. The Penguins games on Saturday and Monday are the final two this season against the Islanders. The Penguins are 4-2-0 against New York.

Also, you can get the new PHN betting previews provided to us by gambling experts from across the country. Our betting previews also include coupon codes and free goodies for Penguins betting knowledge.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207069 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Injury Updates: Zucker Joins Team, Blueger Skates

Published 15 hours ago on March 27, 2021

By Dan Kingerski

The Pittsburgh Penguins injury list is not getting shorter, at least not yet. Penguins center Mark Jankowski was absent from the morning skate on Saturday morning before the Penguins face the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday night.

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan addressed the litany of injuries and Jankowski’s absence. According to the Penguins coach, the team will know more about Jankowski on Saturday afternoon.

Though it should be noted Sullivan did not specifically say Jankowski is injured.

Penguins winger Jason Zucker skated with the team in a non-contact jersey on Saturday morning.

“Zuck skated with the team. He skated with the taxi squad before,” Sullivan said. “He’s making really encouraging progress. He’s that much closer to a return to play.”

This season, Zucker has seven points (4g, 3a) in 17 games.

However, Brandon Tanev, who was a game-time decision last week, skated with Skills Coach Ty Hennes on Saturday morning.

Penguins center Teddy Blueger is also making progress, too. Blueger skated with Tanev and Hennes on Saturday morning. It marks a step forward in Blueger’s recovery. The Penguins listed Blueger as out “longer term.”

“Those guys are making progress,” Sullivan said. “(Tanev) will not play (Saturday).”

Penguins defenseman Mark Friedman skated with the taxi squad on Tuesday. The Penguins acquired Friedman off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers last month. Friedman scored his first NHL goal against the Flyers on March 4. He played only two games with the Penguins and suffered injuries in the same game in which he scored.

“Jankowski did not skate this morning. He was unavailable,” Sullivan said. “We’ll have more on his status this afternoon.”

Jankowski would be the third Penguins center out of the Penguins lineup as Blueger and Evgeni Malkin are out of the lineup. Both Malkin and Blueger were injured last week against the Boston Bruins.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207070 Pittsburgh Penguins F Kasperi Kapanen (1 consecutive, 1 total) 2020-21 Total Regular-Season Man-Games Lost: 181

*The Penguins have points in 10 of their last 12 games against New York Real Tests Begin, Gm35: Penguins Lines, Notes & What to Watch vs. (7-2-3), and are 10-4-3 over its last 17 games versus the Islanders. NYI *The Penguins have earned points in 10 of their last 12 games overall (9-

2-1). Published 16 hours ago on March 27, 2021 *With Frederick Gaudreau in the lineup, the Penguins are 13-for-13 By Dan Kingerski (100%) on the penalty kill.

*Jake Guentzel has points in nine of his last 10 games (7g, 4a)

To steal the phrase from Pittsburgh Penguins PA announcer Ryan Mill, *Radim Zohorna scored his first NHL goal in his NHL debut on Thursday and here we go. The Penguins (21-11-2) won two straight over the against Buffalo. Zohorna is the third Penguins player to score his first Buffalo Sabres without centers Evgeni Malkin and Teddy Blueger. But NHL goal this season, joining P.O Joseph (Feb. 6 at New York Islanders) the Penguins game was largely unchallenged against the lowly, lowly and Mark Friedman (Mar. 4 vs. Philadelphia). Buffalo Sabres on a 16-game winless streak. Now the real tests begin *Sidney Crosby had three assists on Thursday. He is now one of three against the toughest teams in the MassMutual East Division. active players with 1,300+ points (Joe Thornton, 1,521; Alex Ovechkin, The Penguins face the first-place New York Islanders (22-8-4) on 1,305) and is the eighth-fastest player in NHL history to 1,300 points. Saturday night at 7 p.m. The Islanders currently have the best odds to *Since Feb. 1, no team in the NHL has a better combined save win the East Division. percentage than the Penguins duo of Casey DeSmith and Tristan Jarry The Penguins game by game lineup continues to be a patchwork quilt (.928). The Islanders are second (.927). with more holes than grandma’s moth-eaten blanket. In addition to Malkin and Blueger, the Penguins will be without Jason Zucker, Kasperi Kapanen, and Brandon Tanev. Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 Update: Mark Jankowski missed the morning skate. The Penguins will have more information this afternoon.

This season, the Penguins are 4-2-0 against New York, but New York is 2-2-2 against the Penguins after a pair of extra-time games.

The Penguins playoff prospects have not only received a boost from winning nine of their last 12 (9-2-1), but also because of the Philadelphia Flyers implosion over the last 10 games (3-6-1). The Penguins have a 10-point lead over Philadelphia and the New York Rangers for the final playoff spot in the East.

The Penguins are a 68.4% bet to make the playoffs.

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan will start Tristan Jarry in net. Jarry is 13-8-2 with a .909 save percentage and 2.82 GAA.

The New York Islanders will likely counter with Semyon Varlamov in net. Varlamov is 14-6-3 with a 2.20 GAA and a .923 save percentage.

What to Watch

The Islanders are a team that specializes in taking away what opponents do well. They are structurally rigid and well-coached by Barry Trotz, but the Penguins also found ways to get to them this season. Each team has two regulation wins against the other.

The Penguins game is not to play on the rush, at least not without Evgeni Malkin and Teddy Blueger in the middle. So, the Penguins did a good job of getting pucks deep and retrieving them against Buffalo. However, doing it against the New York Islanders will be a more difficult task.

The Islanders could cede the neutral zone in exchange for extra bodies to take away the Penguins possession down low.

Then what?

How will the Penguins manufacture offense against a good team and a good goalie? The Penguins didn’t score so well against New Jersey last week.

The game will be decided upon the Penguins’ ability to get to three goals. Or, they must hope Tristan Jarry is a wizard in goal.

Pittsburgh Penguins Game Notes

Position, Player (Consecutive Games Missed, Total Games Missed)

F Jason Zucker (17 consecutive, 17 total)

D Mark Friedman (12 consecutive, 12 total)

F Teddy Blueger (6 consecutive, 6 total)

F Evgeni Malkin (5 consecutive, 5 total)

F Brandon Tanev (4 consecutive, 4 total) 1207071 San Jose Sharks The Sharks had just 22 shots on goal in Friday’s 5-2 loss to the Coyotes, a total they almost equaled through 20 minutes in Saturday’s game as they kept testing Arizona goalie Adin Hill

Sharks’ offense goes dormant, again, as Arizona Coyotes complete Sharks coach was displeased with his team’s work ethic sweep in Friday’s game, sparing almost no one in his postgame evaluation after San Jose swept a two-game series with Los Angeles earlier this week.

“We just didn’t have it as a team tonight,” Boughner said. “There wasn’t By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay one line that I could say was good or set of (defensemen). I think we Area News Group made too many mistakes, too many mental errors. It looked like maybe there was some fatigue in our game, our legs weren’t great. We’ve got to PUBLISHED: March 27, 2021 at 9:37 p.m. | UPDATED: March 27, 2021 find a way to regroup here (Saturday).” at 10:25 p.m. Dubnyk was making his first start in a week after Martin Jones had

seized the net for the last three games, going 2-1-0. Dubnyk’s last win The San Jose Sharks arrived in Arizona with some renewed hope that came March 12, a 34-save shutout against the Anaheim Ducks. In his they get back into the playoff picture after two wins at home earlier in the next three games, Dubnyk was 0-3-0 with a .882 save percentage. week. SECOND TO ONE: Patrick Marleau dressed in his 1,756th career NHL Saturday night, as the Sharks depart the Valley of the Sun, they find game Saturday night, tying him with Mark Messier for the second-most themselves pretty much in the same spot they were a week ago. games played in league history.

The Sharks allowed two goals on five shots in the second period and Barring anything unforeseen, Marleau will pass Messier on Monday when could not beat goalie Adin Hill at the other end despite 34 shots in a 4-0 the Sharks host the Minnesota Wild. Marleau will then be just 10 games loss to the Coyotes at Gila River Arena. behind Gordie Howe, who holds the league record with 1,767 games played over a 26-season NHL career. Goalie Devan Dubnyk finished with 23 saves as the Sharks were swept in a two-game series for the third time in four tries. Their next games are In his own 25-year NHL career, Messier, 60, won the Stanley Cup six Monday and Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. times, was a two-time Hart Trophy winner as the league’s MVP, and is third all-time in league history with 1,887 points. Messier was an NHL all- “We created chances and just couldn’t find the rebounds around the net,” star five times, and has a league award for leadership is named in his Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. “Just couldn’t solve (Hill) early honor. He is the only player in league history to be captain of two teams enough. If we got one in the first period, it would have been a different that won the Stanley Cup (Edmonton Oilers, 1990; New York Rangers, game.” 1994).

Phil Kessel had a hat trick and Clayton Keller also scored for the Messier began his NHL career in 1979 and retired in 2005, and likely Coyotes, who won Friday’s game with San Jose 5-2. The Sharks are now would have passed Howe on the all-time games played list had there not 2-5-1 in their last eight games, as they are now seven points back of both been NHL work stoppages in 1994 and the duration of the 2004-05 Arizona and St. Louis for the fourth and final playoff spot. season.

“Even coming in here (Saturday) and get splitting a split, it would have LINEUP CHANGES: The Sharks scratched Marcus Sorensen for been three out of four (wins for the week) and you feel good about Saturday’s game in favor of Kurtis Gabriel, who had been scratched for yourself going home,” Boughner said. the previous two games after he was fined by the NHL on Tuesday for a pregame altercation the day before against the Los Angeles Kings. “But there was a lot of work that remains, a lot of games. Yeah, it’s little bit of a blow, but there’s nothing we can change now. We’ve got to go home and concentrate on trying to win a couple of home games against a pretty good hockey club.” San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.28.2021

The Sharks have now scored two or fewer goals in five of their last six games.

“Guys are definitely gripping their sticks a little too tight,” Sharks winger Kevin Labanc said. “One way to kind of get out of that situation is to just keep working hard. Next thing you know, you get a puck bounce off you and it goes in the net, you feel good and you’re off to the races and everything you shoot goes in the net.”

The Sharks took five penalties in the third period and nine for the game. The biggest one was a five-minute major at the 7:02 mark to Kurtis Gabriel, who crushed an unsuspecting Johan Larsson with a hit from the side well away from the puck. Gabriel was also given a game misconduct.

The Coyotes went 1-for-6 with the man advantage.

The Sharks were nine points back of a playoff spot a week ago. But catching either the Blues or the Coyotes seems like a pipe dream considering what happened in Arizona.

The Coyotes opened the scoring at the 5:49 mark of the second period.

Timo Meier carried the puck into the Arizona end and tried to find Dylan Gambrell with a pass to the middle of the ice. Instead, the puck skipped past Gambrell and a pinching Marc-Edouard Vlasic to set up a 2-on-1 for the Coyotes. Keller came down with Kessel, and fired a wrist shot between Dubnyk’s pads for the game’s first goal.

Kessel would score later in the second period for a 2-0 Coyotes lead. With Rudolfs Balcers in the box for holding, Kessel fired a shot past Dubnyk for his 12th of the season. 1207072 San Jose Sharks

NHL fines Coyotes’ Nick Schmaltz for hit on Radim Simek: “That’s a dangerous play”

By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: March 27, 2021 at 11:24 a.m. | UPDATED: March 27, 2021 at 7:50 p.m.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Radim Simek dressed for Saturday night’s game with Arizona, avoiding a more serious injury on what coach Bob Boughner thought was a reckless play by Coyotes forward Nick Schmaltz.

Simek was injured midway through the third period of Friday’s game as he was pushed from behind into the end boards by Schmaltz. Simek went shoulder-first into the wall, left the ice, and did not return in what turned into a 5-2 Sharks loss to the Coyotes at Gila River Arena.

For the hit, Schmaltz was given a two-minute minor for boarding and on Saturday, fined $5,000 by the NHL, the maximum allowable under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

“I didn’t like the hit,” Boughner said Saturday morning. “I’m glad the league stepped up there. I think that it was more of a hit but a push, and when a guy is in a vulnerable position. Now we have a player today who may not play tonight, who’s pretty stiff after that. I think that’s a dangerous, dangerous play.”

Simek has played in 27 of the Sharks 33 games so far this season. He missed two games at the start of the season with knee issues, and missed four games last month with an upper-body injury after a bodycheck from Jonathan Marchessault of the Vegas Golden Knights on Feb. 13.

Simek came into Saturday with four points, averaging 14 minutes and 26 seconds of ice time per game.

SECOND TO ONE: Patrick Marleau dressed in his 1,756th career NHL game Saturday night, tying him with Mark Messier for the second-most games played in league history.

Barring anything unforeseen, Marleau will pass Messier on Monday when the Sharks host the Minnesota Wild. Marleau will then be just 10 games behind Gordie Howe, who holds the league record with 1,767 games played over a 26-season NHL career.

In his own 25-year NHL career, Messier, 60, won the Stanley Cup six times, was a two-time Hart Trophy winner as the league’s MVP, and is third all-time in league history with 1,887 points.

Messier was an NHL all-star five times, and has a league award for leadership is named in his honor. He is the only player in league history to be captain of two teams that won the Stanley Cup (Edmonton Oilers, 1990; New York Rangers, 1994).

Messier began his NHL career in 1979 and retired in 2005, and likely would have passed Howe on the all-time games played list had there not been NHL work stoppages in 1994 and the duration of the 2004-05 season.

“I just remember how strong he was on his skates. He had that freakish kind of strength on the puck, protecting the puck,” Boughner said of Messier. “He could go toe-to-toe with you when it came to the physical play. Just a hard guy to play against. I played against him towards the end of his career and he was still, as one of the older guys in the league, was one of the stronger guys I’ve ever played against on the puck.”

LINEUP CHANGES: The Sharks scratched Marcus Sorensen for Saturday’s game in favor of Kurtis Gabriel, who had been scratched for the previous two games after he was fined by the NHL on Tuesday for a pregame altercation the day before against the Los Angeles Kings.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207073 San Jose Sharks Burns and Karlsson were on the ice for a combined four even-strength goals by the Coyotes on Friday, with Burns’ giveaway directly leading to an unassisted goal by Christian Dvorak at the 7:48 mark of the third period and a 3-1 Arizona lead. San Jose Sharks running into a new issue that’s not going away “A little sluggish and slow, but those are the nights where you’ve got to dig deep and really compete and win 1-on-1 battles, even if your legs aren’t with you,” Couture said. “They won more of those battles, and we By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay got what we deserved.” Area News Group As well as Jones was playing until that point, Dvorak’s goal was a March 27, 2021 at 7:01 a.m. backbreaker for the Sharks, which then allowed goals by Dryden Hunt and Phil Kessel 51 seconds apart to fall behind 5-1.

The Sharks were originally scheduled to hold a practice in San Jose Patrick Marleau scored with 7:30 left in regulation time, but it was too before they arrived in the Phoenix area for their two-game series with the deep of a hole to climb out of Friday. Arizona Coyotes. But in an effort to help his team save some energy for “I didn’t like our compete in the offensive zone. I didn’t like our compete Friday’s first game, coach Bob Boughner decided to cancel the skate at all over the ice, to be honest with you,” Boughner said. “I didn’t think was their home rink. good enough for a game like this. “We decided instead of bringing (the players) in Thursday, that we would “We weren’t physical enough, we didn’t stop them. We didn’t stop their just make everybody meet at the plane,” Boughner said Friday morning. feet. Didn’t spend enough grind time, I call it. We were just one-and-done “It’s just an opportunity to let the guys stay at home for a few hours and in the offensive zone.” get a little more rest.” With Logan Couture in tow, Sharks head to Arizona looking to re-enter It didn’t work as well as Boughner had hoped. NHL playoff picture The Sharks looked both physically and mentally fatigued in their series Now it’s a matter of finding some more energy overnight to come up with opener against the Coyotes, getting off to a slow start and making too a crisper, cleaner effort Saturday to keep some semblance of playoff many errors in what became a 5-2 loss to Arizona at Gila River Arena. aspirations alive. The Sharks (13-15-4) remain seven points back of the The Sharks were flat-footed almost from the start as they were outshot St. Louis Blues for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West Division. 12-4 in the first period. Only the solid play of Martin Jones kept Arizona “Nights like this are going to happen when you’re not feeling your best,” from having a larger lead than 1-0 after 20 minutes. Karlsson said. “That doesn’t mean that just because we didn’t feel that “They had a lot of good looks in that first and we were flat, didn’t have today, we’re not going to feel it tomorrow. We’re fortunate that we get any energy, which is disappointing because we had the day off yesterday another crack at it right away, we don’t have too much time to think about and I figured we’d come out with a little bit more,” Sharks captain Logan it, we just got to go out there tomorrow and try and find a way to win a Couture said. “Just one of those nights.” game with what we have and what we’re going to bring.”

The Sharks will try to bounce back against the Coyotes on Saturday night, but the fatigue issue isn’t going away anytime soon. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 03.28.2021 The second game of the series will be San Jose’s fourth in six days and eighth in 13 days. The Sharks play four games in six days next week as well, and will have 16 games total in 30 days next month. The one saving grace, perhaps, is nine of the games in April will be at home, which obviously cuts down on travel.

In all, starting Saturday, the Sharks will play 24 games in 43 days until the end of the regular season on May 8.

Other teams in the West Division will be just as busy. Those teams, though, aren’t trying to claw their way back from seventh place into a playoff position.

With that in mind, Boughner and his staff aren’t making any plans too far in advance. They’re scheduled to have an optional skate this morning and will likely be off Sunday before they face the Minnesota Wild at home on Monday.

Beyond that, other than the scheduled games, Boughner will try to adapt as he and the Sharks go.

Right now, that involves improving the work ethic.

“We’ve got to answer the ball (Saturday) and so we’ve got to put this one behind us, forget about it, learn from it,” Boughner said. “We’ll be watching it tonight, we’ll come up with some X’s and O’s, but all that doesn’t matter if you’re not ready to get out there and work and outwork the other team, and I thought that we didn’t check that box tonight, and that’s what you get.”

Potentially adding to the fatigue issue for the Sharks is how much they’ve relied on their top players this season.

Before Friday’s game, Couture had averaged 19 minutes and 34 seconds of ice time per game, up from 17:36 just four years ago and 18:32 last season.

Couture is ninth in ice time among all forwards in the division. Evander Kane (19:51) is seventh and Tomas Hertl (19:03) is 10th. Defensemen Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson, used to playing heavy minutes, are averaging 26:28 and 23:45 per game, respectively. 1207074 San Jose Sharks The NHL fined Arizona center Nick Schmaltz $500 for a hit in Friday’s game. He was penalized for boarding against Simek in the third period in that game.

Kessel hat trick lifts Coyotes past Sharks 4-0 SORRY, COACH

Keller’s goal was his 65th as a member of the Coyotes, passing Tocchet for 13th in team history. JACK THOMPSON,

Associated Press San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 03.28.2021 March 27, 2021

Updated: March 27, 2021 11:19 p.m.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Phil Kessel scored three goals for his seventh career hat trick and Adin Hill made 34 saves for his second career shutout to lead the Arizona Coyotes to their third straight victory, 4-0 over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.

“It was a blast, obviously it feels good,” Kessel said. “I had an empty- netter and a lucky one in front of the net, but, hey, I’ll take it.”

Kessel now has 14 goals, tops on the team, after having that many all last season.

“I’m a little luckier than last year," he said. “I haven’t changed."

Clayton Keller had a goal and two assists for the Coyotes, who tied St. Louis for fourth place in the West Division with 37 points. They take their three-game winning streak with them on a three-week road trip.

“Sometimes those long trips define your season,” Kessel said. “We've got to battle through it.”

Kessel scored on a power play, with Christian Fischer screening Sharks goalie Devan Dubnyk, in the second period to make it 2-0.

Arizona Coyotes right wing Phil Kessel (81) celebrates with teammates after scoring his third goal of the night against the San Jose Sharks, duirng the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 27, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz.

The Coyotes had a 5-minute power play in the third when Kurtis Gabriel was called for a major for interference, plus a game misconduct, after taking down Arizona’s Johan Larsson.

Arizona didn’t score on that opportunity despite seven shots on goal, nor on a subsequent delay-of-game minor on San Jose’s Radim Simek. But Kessel jammed home a rebound shortly after the second penalty ended. The veteran added an empty-net goal with 2:28 remaining.

Before Kessel took over, Hill kept the Coyotes in the game with 17 saves in the first period. He stopped 17 more the rest of the way to complete his shutout. Hill has played the last three games since Antti Raanta joined No. 1 goalie Darcy Kuemper on the injured list.

“The first was kind of a dangerous period,” Arizona coach Rick Tocchet said. “They carried the play. I liked the response after that.

“We’re in a game-to-game situation. We've got a big road trip. You can’t worry about the playoffs. Just go day to day.”

Hill only faced 20 shots in Friday night’s 5-2 win over the Sharks.

“I felt pretty good,” Hill said. “The guys had a great game last night and that helped out a lot.”

Keller opened the scoring with an unassisted goal 5:49 into the game, beating Dubnyk to the stick side. He leads Arizona with 28 points.

DURABILITY

Patrick Marleau played in his 1,756th career game Saturday night, tying Mark Messier for second place in NHL history. Marleau, in his 23rd NHL season, is 11 games behind Gordie Howe for the top spot.

Marleau has played in 887 consecutive games, a streak that dates to 2009. Kessel, who reached 1,100 career games on Friday, has played in 878 straight games through Saturday. Both veterans scored goals in Friday night’s game.

FINED 1207075 San Jose Sharks As long as Wilson is in charge, my sense is that Boughner and the coaching staff are safe. Wilson made it clear that he believes the staff has done a good job this season through difficult circumstances. If Wilson is the general manager in 2021-22, Boughner will be the coach. Is the Sharks’ correct core in place, or is it time for a longer rebuild?: Mailbag But, does this team need a new voice in the front office? It sure seems like it to me. They’ve just misfired on too many aspects of team management in recent years, whether it be poor drafting in the mid- 2010s, long-term contracts with built-in trade restrictions that haven’t By Kevin Kurz aged well, overvaluing young players in the system and failing to handle Mar 27, 2021 the team’s woeful goaltending.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Wilson will get fired. One solution could be to elevate Wilson — who still deserves credit for icing a competitive Thanks, as always, for your many Sharks mailbag submissions. team for the majority of his tenure — to something like a director of Questions have been lightly edited for clarity, as necessary. hockey operations role, which is a position many teams have these days. Wilson could then be mandated by Plattner to bring in a new general Let’s get to it! manager from outside of the organization who would have autonomy I have liked Ryan Donato’s play as a Shark, and don’t really understand over the day-to-day operations and player personnel, while leaning on why he is down on the fourth line right now. Can you give me some Wilson for guidance. clarity? If we are developing our young guys, he is 24, so shouldn’t he be The articles about Evander Kane’s bankruptcy proceedings mention that up on the second line instead of (Patrick) Marleau? — David R. it is a possibility is that the Sharks and Kane mutually agree to terminate It’s safe to say that the Sharks organization probably didn’t envision Ryan his current contract. I think this benefits Kane in that any new contract he Donato as a fourth-line winger when they acquired him from Minnesota in signs is protected from creditors. Why would the Sharks agree to this? the offseason, but Friday’s 5-2 loss in Arizona was the third straight in Does EK become an unrestricted free agent if this happens? — David M. which he started there. That’s the sort of thing that happens when you’re I’ve seen some confusion about this, so let me make it clear — the counted on to score, and you go 20 straight games without a goal despite Sharks are really not involved in any of these legal proceedings. Initially, getting power-play time. before the story on March 10 first ran, they chose not to comment to my It’s been an odd season for Donato. I thought that in the first few weeks colleague, Dan Kaplan. Then they circled back to Dan and I with a of the season, he actually was the Sharks’ best forward, but then he statement a few hours after it dropped. They are not trying to get out of began to struggle. Lately, he seems to be a little more impactful again, Kane’s contract, which has four seasons left after this one. Again, they finally ending his goal drought on March 19 and registering 18 shots over are not involved when it comes to what’s happening in the courts. Just the last six games, second only to Evander Kane (21). like everyone else, they’re waiting to see what all transpires.

I asked Bob Boughner before the morning skate on Friday where he sees Kane deserves credit for playing well during a time when he must have a Donato right now. huge weight on his shoulders. He’s flat-out been the Sharks’ best player for the past six weeks, and now leads the team with 29 points. He has “We want to make sure that it’s not a mismatch on our fourth line,” been much more disciplined in terms of staying out of the penalty box or Boughner said. “When he gets out there, he does add that offense. It’s getting caught up in unnecessary extra-curricular activity, too. I was better matchups for him. He’s still on the first or second power play pretty blunt in my criticism of his play and his selfishness after the home depending on what look we’re going for. I definitely want to get his opener on Feb. 13, but since then he’s been a different guy. minutes a little higher than they have been. I think his game is better now detail-wise than it has been all year. I’m happy with the way he’s playing.” What in the world has happened to (Marc-Edouard) Vlasic? Got his big payday and took his foot off of the gas? — Evan S. As for Marleau, his getting a chance with Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier could very well be a showcase to make him more attractive to potential I don’t think that’s quite fair. Vlasic signed his eight-year, $56 million deal trade suitors, although in the third period of Friday’s game, he ended up on July 1, 2017, but it didn’t kick in for another year. In 2017-18 he was on what I would call the third line with Meier and center Dylan Gambrell. excellent, posting 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 82 games and even Everything the Sharks do over the next few weeks should be viewed getting some Norris Trophy votes, finishing in 11th place. through the prism of the approaching trade deadline on April 12. I know This question, though, did bring me back to a discussion I had with the team is playing a bit better lately, but they are still going to be sellers Sharks scout and former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti in January, when I — if anyone wants the players who are up for sale, that is. was working on my story about the “Sharks Code.” Colletti obviously I’d be curious to know what position and possibly which players you’d like knows a thing or two about athletes and the risk of signing them to to see targeted at the draft. — Jess C. lucrative, long-term contracts, and the Sharks have many of them, including Vlasic. The 2021 draft is thought to be heavy on defensemen. Keep in mind that in his media availability a couple of weeks ago, Doug Wilson said the Colletti, who, to be clear, was not speaking about any player or team decision to use this season as a “reset” was made prior to the 2020 draft specifically, said: “I’ve spent more years on this topic in my head than (I actually think it was much earlier than that). Regardless, they were any topic — how do you continue to motivate when you’ve taken away obviously aware that this season was not likely to end with a playoff the hunger of finance?” berth. The Sharks used all of their nine picks in the 2020 draft to take One way is fostering good team chemistry and an environment in which forwards, perhaps realizing that they would use what could be an early everyone wants to play for one another, something that’s especially first-round pick this year on a blueliner with high-end potential. important in hockey and can’t be measured on any spreadsheet. That’s Still, considering the middling state of their prospect system, they should perhaps the biggest reason the Sharks have focused so much on fixing probably just go with the best player available, regardless of where they that aspect of their organization. are drafting. Colletti also said: “(Sports) is a hard profession to play at the highest What are your predictions for changes in the front office after this level against the best in the world. It’s hard. (If you’re making) $15 season? Clearly, it’s been a disappointment, so is Doug Wilson gone? million, $20 million a year, and you’re tired and you’re beat up, what’s the Boughner? — Kassi M. worst that’s going to happen to you if you’re of that mindset? You go home. Do you work as hard? Do people work as hard as when they’re When it comes to Wilson, it’s still difficult to get a sense of how hot his trying to attain something as they do when they’ve attained it? seat is, considering team owner Hasso Plattner remains behind a curtain. Still, what we haven’t seen this season is a statement of support from “There’s been so many advancements in unions, and salary, and comfort Plattner, like we got last January when the team was near the bottom of level, that it does challenge those that are not up to the task of playing the standings. I would be surprised if we heard anything from the owner regardless of what they make, how they work, the comfort level. To me, until after this season ends, likely in about six more weeks. that’s one of the biggest challenges any organization has.” What would you do if you were GM? Are we completely screwed the next Is it exhausting coming up with storylines for this team and knowing that five years? — Derrick S. you’ll have to do it for a while, given they won’t be competitive for a long time? — Nathan C. Well, my views don’t line up with those of the current management, at least in regard to what has been stated publicly, that they believe in the What I routinely tell people who might not be completely aware of the current core. I don’t think the current core is good enough. For one thing, nature of my job is that I truly do not care if the team wins or loses — I most of them are over 30, so it’s not like anyone is all of a sudden going just want them to be interesting. While no one wants to watch crappy to improve — just the opposite. And in that situation, you need some hockey for 82 games, if there’s enough going on, it’s never too difficult to young players to come up and be the true game-breakers, and I don’t come up with story ideas that are compelling. see enough there, either. Meier and Hertl can impact games on a regular basis, but is either of them someone to build a franchise around? This year’s Sharks team isn’t particularly good, and it isn’t particularly Probably not. And who will be the goalie moving forward? Not Martin interesting, frankly, compared to some recent versions. Has it been a bit Jones. Not Devan Dubnyk. Alexei Melnichuk? Maybe, but he’s in just his more challenging to come up with story ideas in a season like this, and first pro season in North America. There probably aren’t any potential when media access is mostly limited to Zoom calls? Yes, it has, but I’m franchise players in the system at the moment, either. just trying to embrace the professional challenge and I’m pleased with the content we’ve put out so far this season. So all that said, if I ran the team, I’d do everything in my power to shed salary over the next couple of years while attempting to acquire as many Over the next few weeks, we’re not going to be focused as much on the draft picks and young assets as possible. That could mean trading Brent day-to-day game-related happenings unless the team somehow works its Burns, or exposing Burns or someone like Kane to the Kraken in the way back into the playoff picture. But conversely, that allows me to dig expansion draft. As strong as the 29-year-old Kane has been lately, he, into some other topics that I might not otherwise have had enough time too, could be past his prime by the time the team is ready to contend for, if the team was in a playoff race. You’re going to see one of those again. I’d also be preparing to buy out Jones, because I’ve seen more stories, which was a blast for me to work on, dropping in the middle of than enough to decide he’s not worthy of being a No. 1 anymore, and next week. keeping him around as a No. 2 makes no sense either. A goalie shouldn’t only play well when he’s on the verge of losing his roster spot, which is what has seemed to be the case with Jones for the past few seasons. The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021

I don’t know that it will take five years to contend again, but all signs point toward a multi-year rebuild. I’m sure this will be a topic we will dive into deeper once we get closer to the offseason.

With the new system they installed (at SAP Center), have you heard anything from the players (whether) there is a noticeable improvement (in the ice)? — Rich W.

Good question! Let’s ask Logan Couture.

“It started out pretty good. The last few games it hasn’t been as good,” Couture said on Friday morning. “I think that’s probably (due to) the temperature outside. But for the first little while the ice was really, really good. We’re hoping it gets back to that.”

Who on the Barracuda would you most be interested in seeing be given an extended look after the deadline? — George R.

One guy I’d like to see more of is Sasha Chmelevski, because I think he’s done some good things in the two games he’s played, in limited time. I’ve always gotten the impression that the organization loves this guy, but he’s managed just three points (two goals, one assist) in eight games with the Barracuda this season.

One aspect of Chmelevski’s game that everyone seems to rave about — including Roy Sommer recently — is his hockey sense. I wonder if Chmelevski is the kind of guy who has more success at the NHL level rather than in the minors just because of the better structure and smarter players.

The core of the Sharks problem starts in goal. Seattle is not taking Jones and he probably won’t be bought out. Dubnyk was a half-measure. What is the path to finding a fix to this problem for next season? — Kenneth F.

I agree that Seattle will not take Jones, but as I mentioned earlier, I would not close the book on a potential buyout.

My prediction, and what I would argue should be done, is that we’ll see the team add a veteran goalie in the offseason while letting Melnichuk and Josef Korenar (a pending restricted free agent) battle it out for the backup spot. One name worth keeping an eye on is Dallas’ Anton Khudobin, who is splitting time lately with rookie Jake Oettinger and is signed for two more seasons at $3.33 million (the Stars also have the currently injured Ben Bishop signed through 2022-23). Khudobin, who led the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final last season, has a relationship with Evgeni Nabokov and might be someone who can mentor Melnichuk if the Sharks believe the Moscow native is their goalie of the future.

Some notable pending free agent goalies include Tuukka Rask, Jaroslav Halak, Philipp Grubauer, James Reimer, Pekka Rinne, Antti Raanta, Frederik Andersen and Chris Driedger. The Sharks should have options here. 1207076 San Jose Sharks

Sharks, Coyotes React to Gabriel Ejection

Published 3 hours ago on March 27, 2021

By Sheng Peng

Kurtis Gabriel was ejected from the San Jose Sharks’ 4-0 loss to the Coyotes for this hit on Johan Larsson.

The initial call on the ice was an interference major, which the officiating crew upheld after review.

Down 2-0 with 12:58 left, this Gabriel hit put a nail into the San Jose Sharks’ coffin. Larsson went into the locker room and didn’t return.

“Any time you have a heavy hit to your head, it’s dangerous,” Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet said post-game. “[The trainer] went to talk to him. He wasn’t that bad, but you never know with these things. Any time you get hit in the head, things happen 24 hours later.”

Bob Boughner, however, saw things differently: “I saw what went down last night with a hit from behind by Schmaltz, a two-minute penalty, putting a guy head first into the boards. I saw this hit, it doesn’t look as near dangerous. I think because it’s Gabes, you didn’t get the benefit of the doubt. I was surprised by the five. It definitely was a penalty for interference, I would think at most.”

For what it’s worth, Boughner said this right after the game. At this time, he had only seen the hit live.

The San Jose Sharks bench boss was referring to this Nick Schmaltz hit on Radim Simek last night:

“I asked [the referee] what the difference was,” Boughner shared, “and he said it was interference and he said there’s a call in the book that you can call a major on an interference.”

“I was surprised when they reviewed that it was five,” Devan Dubnyk said.

Kurtis Gabriel did not speak post-game.

San Jose Hockey NowLOADED: 03.28.2021 1207077 San Jose Sharks

Postgame Notes #33: Gabriel Tossed, Sharks Silenced in Desert 4-0

Published 4 hours ago on March 27, 2021

By Sheng Peng

PERIOD 1

3 minutes in: San Jose Sharks are forcing it. Labanc, falling, at point, decides to throw it into slot. It works, great play, but low-percentage bid. Turnover, feeds Arizona counterattack.

10 minutes in, nice job by Leonard to draw in defenseman, give it to Balcers for breakaway. More impressive offensive patience from the rookie.

Following shift, Karlsson has the license to make that pass up the middle, but he better execute. He doesn’t there, bad turnover in a dangerous place. Dubnyk bails out Karlsson. Same goes, by the way, for Burns last night and the breakout pass that led to Coyotes 3-1 lead. No problem, in theory, with live by the sword, die by the sword, but the positives from Karlsson/Burns haven’t outweighed the negatives like they have in previous seasons.

4 minutes in: Balcers forecheck keeps puck alive as Demers tries to skate up. What a shift by Balcers: Doesn’t get a shot off, but constant forechecking and offensive threat.

3 minutes in, Marleau jumps on Ekman-Larsson, intercepts, feeds Meier in slot. Good bit of forechecking from the San Jose Sharks vet.

PERIOD 2

Comedy of errors there: Meier pass back eludes not one, but two San Jose Sharks players, leads to Coyotes 2-on-1. Simek plays pass, leaving puck carrier (Keller) with one-on-one. Keller beats Dubnyk.

7 minutes in: Good turn and patience by Burns, looks like he’s going to fire hard him, leads Garland to wall, hits easy breakout up middle to Labanc.

9 minutes in: Always dangerous to dive in defensive zone, but Leonard on backcheck times it well, intercepts Coyotes pass to point.

6 minutes left: Good read by Karlsson to jump up, attack net. Labanc shoots for rebound, Karlsson gets a crack, but no dice.

3 minutes left: Gorgeous Karlsson set-up of Leonard, but pass too hard or Leonard not ready. But Karlsson playing chess, not checkers there. Great vision, execution.

Honestly, this is what not-very-good teams do. Both Karlsson and Vlasic, thinking offense, forget about Crouse jumping onto ice behind them. Unacceptable breakaway to allow.

PERIOD 3

2 minutes in: Fast and strong, Meier attacks, creates chance for Simek.

3 minutes in, Balcers has to keep his feet going after that being whistled down, like it or not. Play is still going.

6 minutes in: Nifty indirect pass from Marleau to spring Balcers. Nothing doing though.

Late hit by Gabriel: On re-watch, however, I don’t think it was as bad as it initially looked. Hope Larsson okay though, he was clearly shaken up. It was blindside, so there was option to let up. It just wasn’t that late, in my opinion.

San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207078 San Jose Sharks Hertl got sent to the box for roughing, a punishment that he’s happy to take down three goals with just five minutes left.

“We should be the guys hitting,” Hertl said post-game about sending a Game Preview/Lines #33: Hertl Standing Up for His Teammates message to the Coyotes. “Show them at least we’re coming tomorrow.”

Published 10 hours ago on March 27, 2021 San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021

By Sheng Peng

Bob Boughner said there were a few health question marks for the San Jose Sharks this morning.

Right now, the only confirmed change is Devan Dubnyk coming in for Martin Jones. I also asked Timo Meier if he knew who he was lining up with tonight – Meier moved down with Gambrell last night – but he said he didn’t know. Boughner also noted yesterday morning that Matt Nieto was a possibility tonight, though not likely.

Pure guess: After Nick Schmaltz boarded Radim Simek last night, there was renewed talk about the San Jose Sharks needing to add some physicality. So I’d guess Kurtis Gabriel slides in for Antti Suomela. Boughner sounded tentative about Simek coming back tonight – Boughner said Simek would go out and skate this afternoon to “try it out” – in that case, Boughner did say that he wanted to see Christian Jaros in action. Jaros is also a right-hander, so it could be a smoother transition to pair with lefty Marc-Edouard Vlasic, as opposed to left-hander Fredrik Claesson.

So will we see these lines?

Kane-Couture-Labanc

Marleau-Hertl-Meier

Balcers-Gambrell-Sorensen

Leonard-Donato-Gabriel

Ferraro-Burns

Knyzhov-Karlsson

Vlasic-Jaros

Dubnyk

It wouldn’t surprise me if there are more shake-ups beyond this – the San Jose Sharks were clearly lacking on 5-on-5 offense last night. Obviously, adding Gabriel won’t be a big help there, but elevating Balcers could be.

Nick Schmaltz was fined $5,000 for this hit on Radim Simek last night.

“I didn’t like the hit. I’m glad the league stepped up there,” San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner volunteered. “It was more of a push when a guy’s in a vulnerable position. Now we have a player today who may not play tonight, pretty stiff after that. I think that’s a dangerous, dangerous play.”

Simek left the game and didn’t return. His status tonight is questionable.

“We’re thankful that Simmer is okay,” Mario Ferraro said. “We gotta be harder on these guys and let them know we’re there, they can’t be doing stuff like that or get away with it.”

Shades of Jonathan Marchessault cross-checking Simek last month? The lack of San Jose response to that extracurricular drew Boughner’s ire then.

Boughner wasn’t as incensed this time around: “It’s easy to say after the fact. We’ve talked about that as an organization as a team before and you know, we’ve addressed or done a good job.”

One interesting trend to emerge from all this? A more demonstrative Tomas Hertl.

Hertl was on the ice when Marchessault cross-checked Simek in February. To his chagrin, he didn’t step up then, but he’s made up for it since, getting into his first career NHL fight against Mark Stone in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago. This was in response to Stone hitting Timo Meier a little high.

This wasn’t quite Hertl-Stone, but when Dryden Hunt (28) took an extra shot at Marcus Sorensen (20), Hertl (48) was right there. 1207079 San Jose Sharks you got to manage your game better. Whether that’s shorter shifts, whether that’s making better puck decisions, just simplifying your game a little bit in those situations.”

Quick Thoughts: Sharks Keep Falling Apart Erik Karlsson offered an alternate take: “We kind of fall in the trap of getting a little bit too safe, maybe, when we let one in because we don’t want to let that other one in. But we end up doing it anyway.”

Published 13 hours ago on March 27, 2021 Regardless, no frills or full of flash, the San Jose Sharks needed somebody to step up. By Sheng Peng Boughner also said on Monday: “We felt really good about our game, up

until the point where things went bad on us. At those point in times is “We talked about just being a team that needs to be more composed, where you need someone to step up and you need your leadership group that handles the adversity you get through the game.” to settle things down and be composed.”

That’s what Bob Boughner said on Monday. That doesn’t appear to be And like so many times this season, no stars emerged for the San Jose what happened last night in the San Jose Sharks’ 5-2 loss to Arizona. Sharks. This, instead, is what we got, the first of three goals against in 2:11: Down 2-1 in the final frame, San Jose surrendered three goals against in 2:11. This has been a theme this season, giving up goals in bunches. “Sometimes, when you stand back there and you can tell that the legs aren’t great and you’re losing battles, sometimes, you got to simplify your This was the 20th time this season that San Jose has allowed two game. We didn’t do that. We didn’t adjust,” Boughner said. “You could unanswered goals in under five minutes or three-or-more straight goals in see, we turned pucks over, we were trying to make the hard plays, we under 10 minutes. were trying to put pucks through people.”

• 2 goals against in 3:26 @ Arizona on Jan. 14 It’s not to lay everything on Brent Burns. Logan Couture, for one, admitted, “I didn’t play well. Felt a little sluggish and slow. But those are • 2 goals against in 2:10, 2 goals against in 3:43 @ Arizona on Jan. 16 the nights where you’ve got to dig deep and really, really compete, win • 2 goals against in 1:33, 2 goals against in 4:43 @ St. Louis on Jan. 18 your one-on-one battles, even if your legs aren’t with you. Tonight, they won more of those battles and we got what we deserved.” • 5 goals against in 9:33, 2 goals against in 1:31 @ Colorado on Jan. 26 Boughner summed it up: “There wasn’t one line that I could say was • 3 goals against in 8:59 @ Colorado on Jan. 28 good or a set of D.”

• 3 goals against in 8:19 @ Anaheim on Feb. 5 So once again, the San Jose Sharks got what they deserved. This star- • 3 goals against in 9:55, 3 goals against in 2:05 @ Los Angeles on Feb. studded roster is 13-15-4 – spoiler alert – for a reason. They’re not that 11 good and their stars may not be stars anymore.

• 2 goals against in 4:20 @ St. Louis on Feb. 18 “A lot of games, we’ve even been leading and we give up easy goals,” Tomas Hertl admitted, “It’s especially frustrating when you’re looking for • 2 goals against in 3:11 @ St. Louis on Feb. 20 every point.”

• 2 goals against in 0:11 vs. Minnesota on Feb. 22

• 2 goals against in 3:02 vs. St. Louis on Feb. 27 San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021

• 3 goals against in 9:05 vs. Colorado on Mar. 3

• 2 goals against in 3:04 vs. Vegas on Mar. 5

• 4 goals against in 8:03 @ Vegas on Mar. 17

• 2 goals against in 3:13 vs. St. Louis on Mar. 20

• 3 goals against in 2:11 @ Arizona on Mar. 26

This is 20 times against nine times that the Sharks have returned the favor to their opponent.

• 2 goals for in 4:08 @ Arizona on Jan. 14

• 2 goals for in 2:40 @ St. Louis on Jan. 18

• 3 goals for in 9:24 @ Minnesota on Jan. 24

• 3 goals for in 7:25 @ Anaheim on Feb. 5

• 2 goals for in 2:46 @ St. Louis on Feb. 20

• 3 goals for in 5:54 vs. Colorado on Mar. 1

• 4 goals for in 9:05 @ Anaheim on Mar. 12

• 3 goals for in 8:46 @ Vegas on Mar. 17

• 2 goals for in 1:22 vs. Los Angeles on Mar. 24

That’s not a winning ratio.

All that said, Boughner did not blame last night’s collapse on composure.

“I don’t know if it necessarily was composure,” Boughner said. “We just didn’t have it as a team tonight.”

So if not composure, what?

Boughner also said this on Monday: “Especially with the schedule, when you are fatigued, and you’re one of the guys that plays a lot of minutes, 1207080 Seattle Kraken shedding Grabovski’s $5 million salary — and to protect young players such as Brock Nelson, Calvin de Haan and Ryan Strome.

Brannstrom was flipped by the Knights in 2019 to Ottawa in a package Kraken mailbag: Can Seattle collect top picks for the entry draft? When for Mark Stone. Considering Stone and Pacioretti are now Nos. 1 and 2 will jerseys be unveiled? in scoring for the contending Knights, the 2017 draft keeps paying dividends.

Ultimately, I don’t see Francis landing three first-rounders. I think GMs March 27, 2021 at 6:00 am Updated March 27, 2021 at 4:16 PM learned their lessons from 2017 and will be more willing to absorb losing one good player over packaging multiple guys and top picks. By Geoff Baker Q: From @CHWorldTour: Being a new team, Are the Kraken likely to Seattle Times staff reporter dish out any big contracts right from the beginning?

A: Yes, by design. Remember, the salary cap is frozen at $81.5 million Just when you thought the NHL was out of COVID-19 trouble came news due to the pandemic, and teams that previously assumed they’d have this past week when the Montreal Canadiens had a player test positive more cap space will be dumping contracts. Unlike all other teams, the for a variant, sidelining the team at least a week and causing Kraken’s payroll balance sheet stands at zero. consternation throughout a North Division relatively unscathed by NHL rules require the Kraken to take cap hits totaling at least 60% of the pandemic postponements until now. $81.5 million limit with its 30 expansion draft players chosen. That’s at The Buffalo Sabres also had interim coach Don Granato, brother of Hall least $48.9 million spread 30 ways, averaging $1.63 million annually per of Famer and Kraken pro scout , placed in COVID-19 player. But remember, that’s just the average. Some players taken will be protocol along with assistant Matt Ellis — forcing general manager Kevyn well below that figure, and more expensive ones needed to reach $48.9 Adams behind the bench. million.

This is why I’m hesitant to respond to questions about the Kraken Also, pending unrestricted free agents can count as a team’s opening their arena fully to fans next fall. Sure, the Mariners have their relinquished draft pick. Those left unprotected have a 48-hour window reduced 9,000-capacity home opener April 1 at T-Mobile Park, and things ahead of the draft to negotiate with the Kraken. If a deal is done, it counts generally seem more optimistic. But as long as variant strains remain, as as that team’s relinquished pick. do troublesome case trends in parts of Washington and elsewhere, I’ll I’d expect the Kraken to spend bigger on such free agents. The team has resist proclaiming anything. money, needs to spend it as per the rules, and opponents pushing cap It’s best that everyone keep masking up and avoiding close, unnecessary limits will be looking to shed payroll with talented players. Just going the contact with others until we get a better handle on things as a state and cost-effective route won’t get you to the minimum and would likely yield country. That’s the surest way to help Climate Pledge Arena fully open in just a bunch of average players and a boring team. October. Q: From @NicfromO: Seriously when can I get an official NHL Seattle Now, on to your mailbag questions. Kraken jersey? I have been looking for months and months. It’s all I think about Q: From @CelestialMosh: For us dummies, would you mind expanding on how the Golden Knights ended up with multiple 1st round picks in the A: I’m concerned this is all you think about, but I suppose the pandemic entry draft? And is there a chance the Kraken may end up with a few has us all a bit restless. Some days all I think about is buying hockey picks as well?? cards online. Anyway, you’ll hopefully have your COVID-19 vaccine before the team sells jerseys, as I’m told the plan is to reveal them this A: Well, the Kraken has at least one entry draft first-rounder no lower summer about two months before the season opener. So likely in August. than No. 5 overall. Will it manage three first-round choices like the Golden Knights in 2017? Depends on any possible side deals by Kraken You’ve already seen team renderings of what jerseys could look like. I’m general manager Ron Francis. told the actual jerseys should look similar. And we’re just talking home and away jerseys right now. Alternates won’t happen until at least the Though the Golden Knights fared poorly in their draft lottery and picked a team’s second or third season — considering everything released in worst-possible sixth overall — taking still-developing center Cody Glass August will be “alternate” to what currently exists, which, as you’ve — they also landed two more first-rounders through side deals for the lamented, is absolutely nothing. No. 13 and No. 15 selections. Q: From @rjarnoldsafe: With the Tim Peel situation this week, what are The No. 13 pick — used on center Nick Suzuki — came from the your thoughts on refs calling the game strictly by the rules vs managing Winnipeg Jets in a deal that saw the Knights agree not to select Toby the game flow a bit? Enstrom or Marko Dano in the expansion draft and instead take pending free agent Chris Thorburn. The Knights also got a third-rounder in 2019 Yeah, the Peel firing after being caught on a hot mic admitting to a and gave Winnipeg a 24th overall selection in 2017 acquired from “makeup” call is a big problem. Look, everyone knows NHL referees Columbus in a deal. have played by unwritten rules forever when calling and not calling penalties. Used to be you’d pretty much have to hospitalize somebody to That Columbus deal, incidentally, saw Vegas land not only that pick, but get called in the final 10 minutes of a game, or third period of a playoff also stud center William Karlsson and a second-rounder in 2019. All so contest. Fortunately, the league has largely eradicated that by mandating Vegas wouldn’t take winger Josh Anderson or other key players such as officials make calls the same way regardless of the game’s juncture. defenseman Jack Johnson and goalie Joonas Korpisalo. Korpisalo emerged as the Blue Jackets’ top netminder, but Anderson now plays for And the outcome is probably more legit now. I showed a video of a Montreal and Johnson for the New York Rangers. classic Islanders-Rangers decisive playoff game from 1984 in this space two weeks ago — considered some of the greatest overtime action in The deal is still considered among the bigger fleece jobs Vegas pulled NHL history — in which Isles grinder John Tonelli blatantly trips Rangers off. defenseman as he tries to clear the puck out of his zone. The puck stayed in and, two shots later, the defending champion As for Suzuki, he was traded to Montreal by Vegas a year later with Islanders had a series-clinching goal by Ken Morrow. The trip likely gets Tomas Tatar and a second-round 2019 pick for Canadiens captain Max called today. Pacioretti. The other problem of “makeup” calls by refs, which got Peel in trouble, The No. 15 pick from 2017 was used on Swedish defenseman Erik has been around just as long as late-game “whistle in the pocket” issues. Brannstrom and acquired previously from the New York Islanders. Vegas Sure, there’s a level of fairness to it. But it’s too arbitrary. With the NHL agreed to take expendable Islanders goalie Jean-Francois Berube in the now partnering with sports-gambling interests, there’s even more expansion draft while receiving the No. 15 pick, a second-rounder in responsibility to protect the game’s integrity. 2019, defensive prospect Jake Bischoff and veteran Mikhail Grabovski. Islanders GM Garth Snow made the deal for salary-cap reasons — We went through this 14 years ago with NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who admitted to betting on games he’d worked and served 15 months in prison for accepting money for providing gamblers inside information. It was never proven Donaghy actually “fixed” games, though an ESPN investigative story two years ago heavily suggested it.

No one has accused Peel of anything gambling-related. But as with Donaghy, he’s another reminder that referees have absolute control. Though a hockey penalty might not result in a power-play goal, it certainly can shift momentum. And when you’re dealing with point spreads, even a subtle momentum swing that causes a team to win by just a goal instead of two can have huge implications.

You asked about “flow” of games. Well, the Islanders-Rangers overtime sure had flow, which I’ll always prefer to incessant stoppages. But a classic game ended because of a non-called penalty. You hate to see that.

But I don’t want cheap penalties stopping play, either. The Peel call was a cheapie — admittedly invented out of nowhere. There’s a happy medium someplace that involves the world’s best officials figuring out how to properly call the obvious stuff without looking for everything on the fringes.

Seattle Times LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207081 St Louis Blues “It’s a pretty cliché answer of getting guys to the net,” Schenn said, “but usually when that happens good things do happen. You get a bounce here or two. At times we’re doing it definitely but probably not enough.”

Blues scoring struggles have hit everyone This, of course, is nothing new. Coach has been preaching this and stressing it in practice for months. He’s still waiting for the message to get through but isn’t giving up on it.

Tom Timmermann “Keep telling them, show them,” he said. “Put guys in that will go to the net.”

The Anaheim loss was proof of how narrow the margins of error are for Brayden Schenn, tied for the Blues lead in goals with 12, has gone eight the Blues right now. Krug’s turnover in the Blues end that put the Blues games without a goal, and has just one point in that span. David Perron, down 2-0 was devastating. The Blues didn’t make many mistakes, but the other Blue with 12 goals, has one goal in the past seven games. with so few goals being scored, anything that causes them to need one Jaden Schwartz has yet to score in his five games since returning from more is a big deal. an injury. “It’s tight out there,” Berube said. “That’s a mental mistake for me, that Jordan Kyrou has two goals in the past 12 games, and they both came in goal at the end of the period. That’s mental and that’s what we’ve got to the same game. Mike Hoffman has one goal in the past 10 games. get rid of is the mental mistakes out of our game. It is tight, I get it. We’re Vladimir Tarasenko has one goal in his 10 games since coming back not scoring a lot of goals. They get that goal at the end of the period, but from shoulder surgery. When Ryan O’Reilly scored on Friday night, it give our guys credit, they came out in the third and pushed and they was his second goal in four games, which counts as on fire for the Blues. don’t quit. There’s no quit here. This team’s not going to quit. They’ve got But he’s also got two goals in seven games. The only other Blues with good, character people, good leadership. We’ll fight through it.” more than one goal since March 13 are Kyrou and defenseman Vince Dunn. The battle is getting serious.

All of these players have scored goals, more or less consistently, throughout their careers, but right now, they can’t. Schenn admitted the problem was puzzling. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.28.2021

“There’s only a couple guys putting it in the back of the net,” Schenn said. “I’ve gone dry. Gotta do a better job personally and help our team produce. I’ve been put in a situation to succeed offensively, and I gotta get back to doing that.

“So I won’t talk about other guys, I’ll talk about myself.”

The Blues aren’t scoring, so they aren’t winning, and if they can’t win, they can’t go to the playoffs. Their hold on the fourth and final playoff spot in the West Division is becoming increasingly tenuous. They have just one win in regulation in their past 11 games — and while the responsibility for those struggles once fell on both the offense and the defense, the onus now sits squarely on the shoulders of the offense.

The team’s defense has put them squarely in position to win four of their past five games, but they’ve won only two, largely because they have scored more than one goal only once in their past seven games. And losses to teams like Anaheim on Friday, one of the Blues’ few games with a clearly beatable opponent, was even more concerning. With four games left against Vegas, six against Colorado and seven against Minnesota, it’s those other games that are the only dependable avenues to gain points.

One thing that hasn’t changed for the Blues is they aren’t getting goals inside, or even causing some chaos inside. They are well below the league average on shot attempts from within 15 feet of the goal, per hockeyviz.com, and their expected goals per game are in the lower half of the league, per moneypuck.com. So while the Blues may have 71 shots on goal in their past two games, the opportunities haven’t been abundant, and the team’s finishing around the net, when they do have good chances, has been subpar.

“It’s one thing to got shots all the time,” Schenn said, “but at some point we need to start putting them in the back of the net.”

“You’re not going to beat a goaltender clean in this league,” said defenseman Torey Krug, who has one goal this season in 34 games, “so we don’t have much traffic there. It’s pretty clear the last two games. Yeah, we may have outplayed the other team in zone time and held onto the puck on the perimeter, but these goalies are making easy saves. It’s not hard on them. We’ve got to make life more difficult on — not only other teams’ defense — but their goalies as well. It’s just too easy for them. The goalies are too good now.

“I think we have to earn our ice out there. It’s no secret, a lot of the goals in this league are scored around the crease, and six inches around that crease goes a long way. We’ve just got to bear down and commit to scoring. You’ve got to go to the net with a purpose, and you know that it’s going to hurt. It hurts to score goals in this league. It hurt to win. We need a little bit more.” 1207082 St Louis Blues

The night the Plager brothers all played on the same line

Wally Cross

On March 1, 1969, Blues coach put the three Plager brothers, all defensemen, in the starting lineup at forward and played them on the same line together in a game against the Montreal Canadiens.

"I remember Scotty saying the lineup in the dressing room," Bobby Plager once told the Post-Dispatch. "Barclay Plager, center ice. Bob Plager, left wing. Billy Plager, right wing."

Here is our original coverage of that game.

MONTREAL - Montreal's fire-wagon Canadiens retained their lead in the National Hockey League's East Division here tonight by blanking the St. Louis Blues, their counterparts in the West, 3-0, before a capacity Forum crowd of 17,819.

The victory, in addition to keeping Montreal two points ahead of the hard- charging Boston Bruins, stretched the Canadiens' unbeaten streak against St. Louis to 13 games, including last season's Stanley Cup finals.

The best the Blues have been able to manage over that span is two ties.

Lorne (Gump) Worsley, the Canadiens's roly-poly goalkeeper, made sure there would be no tie this time by kicking out everything the Blues fired at him to gain his fourth shutout of the season. The veteran net-minder handled 26 shots, 11 in the final period. St. Louis's Glenn Hall also stopped 26.

The Blues, who maintained their 21-point lead in the West despite the defeat, left by plane for New York immediately after the contest. They'll meet the Rangers there Sunday night and then play in Pittsburgh Wednesday before returnin home for a meeting with the Oakland Seals next Saturday.

Montreal wasted little time getting on the scoreboard first. Only 2 minutes 3 seconds had elapsed in the opening period when defenseman Jean Calude Tremblay rifled a 25-foot bullet past goalie Glenn Hall in the St. Louis cage.

Defenseman Bob Plager of the Blues, back in action again after missing more than two months because of a knee injury, was serving a holding penalty at the time.

St. Louis coach Scotty Bowman started the game with five defensemen on the ice. He used Barclay Plager at center between his two younger brothers, Bob and Billy, and backed them up with Al Arbour and Doug Harvey.

The Plager line stayed together for only one shift, then Bowman moved the brothers back to their regular defensive positions.

The Bentley boys Max, Doug and Reg were the last three-brother combination to play together in the National Hockey League. They toiled for the Chicago Black Hawks in the late forties. However, Reg played less than a dozen games in the big time before he was returned to the minors.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207083 Tampa Bay Lightning The Lightning completed a stretch of eight games in 13 days that included two trips to Dallas with a 5-3 record.

“I think some of our errors are being magnified, and I think we’ve played Penalty-riddled Lightning drop second straight a boatload of games in a short amount of time … and a bunch of different cities,” Cooper said. “And I don’t care how good your team is, it’s going to catch up to you, and it might be catching up to us.”

By Eduardo A. Encina Hurricanes 0-3-1—4

Published Yesterday Lightning 2-0-1—3

Updated 4 hours ago First Period—1, Tampa Bay, Coleman 7 (Goodrow, Rutta), 3:12. 2, Tampa Bay, Maroon 4 (Colton), 5:41. Penalties—Paquette, CAR (High

Sticking), 0:17; Hamilton, CAR (Interference), 5:51; Borgman, TB The Lightning are one of the most penalized teams in the NHL. On (Elbowing), 12:01. Saturday night, forcing their penalty kill on the ice for more than nine Second Period—3, Carolina, Paquette 4 (Necas, Pesce), 2:24. 4, minutes proved too much against the league power-play leader. Carolina, Aho 15 (Necas, Niederreiter), 3:26. 5, Carolina, Necas 8 Tampa Bay allowed two power-play goals to Carolina forward Martin (Svechnikov, Aho), 15:44 (pp). Penalties—Sergachev, TB (Cross Necas, including what ended up being the winner with 3:53 left in the Checking), 8:20; Niederreiter, CAR (Roughing), 10:03; Coleman, TB third period, in a 4-3 loss at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 10:03; Carolina bench, served by Lorentz (Slashing), 10:03; Coleman, TB (Roughing), 14:41. “We’re obviously doing things that are contributing to us losing. Penalties are one of them,” coach said after the Lightning’s second Third Period—6, Tampa Bay, Joseph 9 (Maroon), 0:22. 7, Carolina, straight loss. “There’s no doubt about that. You can’t take some of the Necas 9 (Staal, Hamilton), 16:07 (pp). Penalties—Palat, TB (Slashing), dumb penalties we’re taking. You give a team like that six power plays, 3:01; Killorn, TB (Boarding), 10:08; Borgman, TB (Tripping), 15:39; Fast, it’s going to be trouble for you.” CAR (Tripping), 17:35.

Lately, the number of penalties called against the Lightning has been SOG—TB 11-7-4_22. Carolina 12-14-14_40. PP opps—TB 0 of 4; lopsided, and following Thursday’s 4-3 loss at Dallas — in which Tampa Carolina 2 of 6. Goalies—TB, Vasilevskiy 21-5-1 (40 shots-36 saves). Bay had no power plays to Dallas’ three — frustration hit. It continued Carolina, Reimer 13-4-1 (22-19). A—4,433 (18,680). T—2:31. Saturday, especially after the Lightning’s third-period momentum was Referees—Jake Brenk, Garrett Rank. Linesmen—Devin Berg, Jonny halted. Murray.

The Lightning’s fourth line got its second goal of the game when Mathieu Joseph tied the score at 3 on the first shift of the third period. The line Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 03.28.2021 almost had its third goal with 4:28 left when Joseph made a cross-crease pass from the left circle to Pat Maroon, whose shot went just wide of the far post. Maroon said he believed he was high-sticked on the play, but no call was made.

Seven seconds later, Lightning defenseman Andreas Borgman was called for tripping, and 28 seconds after that, Necas beat Andrei Vasilevskiy for the winner.

“Absolutely, it’s frustrating,” Maroon said. “That’s a Grade A scoring chance, and a stick comes right to my face, and there’s no call, and (the official is) right there. And then, obviously, (Borgman) pinches, and a guy steps on a stick, and it’s a penalty.

“You can’t blame officiating. They’re just doing their job. Are we hard on them? Yes. Do we get frustrated with them? Yes. But that comes down to us and how we manage a game.”

Over the past two games, the Lightning (24-8-2) have had a pair of early two-goal leads disappear while allowing a combined three power-play goals, all that either tied the score or gave the opponent the lead. In Thursday’s loss — the Stars scored the winner with 1:21 left — the Lightning did not draw one penalty for the first time this season. On Saturday, they were 0-for-4 on the power play. Over those two games, 11 penalties were called against the Lightning and six against their opponents.

“Look, has reffing been in the news in our league for the last little while? Yes it has,” Cooper said. Referee Tim Peel was fired last week after being caught on a live microphone saying he wanted to call a penalty against the Predators during their game Tuesday against the Red Wings.

“Do I have a close scrutiny on the way the last two games that we’ve played have been officiated? I have. And I’m wondering what’s going on at times, I’ll be honest. But do not take that as complaining because that’s not complaining. We could have won the last two games 5-0 and I’d still be thinking the same thing. We didn’t win (Saturday) because we got outworked.”

For the second straight game, Vasilevskiy faced at least 40 shots, but he kept Tampa Bay in the game.

Carolina scored twice in the first 3:26 of the second, then took the lead on Necas’ power-play goal with 4:16 left in the period. He also assisted on his team’s first two goals, both coming on odd-man rushes that Vasilevskiy had little chance against. 1207084 Toronto Maple Leafs the period when he took a no-look feed from Draisaitl in front to roof his fifth on Campbell, who made a third straight start with Frederik Andersen still dealing with a lower-body injury.

Matthews scores in OT, Leafs complete comeback to down Oilers 4-3 A Toronto power play on an ugly 1-for-21 run got a chance early in the third, but Smith robbed Matthews on a one-timer before Tavares hit his second post of the night.

JOSHUA CLIPPERTON Then with his team back at even strength, Smith made another terrific stop on Leafs winger Mitch Marner for Toronto exploded late to force OT. TORONTO In a game featuring four of the NHL’s top-eight scorers — McDavid (first), THE CANADIAN PRESS Draisaitl (second), Marner (third) and Matthews (eighth) — entering PUBLISHED 7 HOURS AGO Saturday, the opening period didn’t offer much in the way of action.

UPDATED MARCH 27, 2021 Tavares fired off the post shortside five minutes in, while Campbell had to scramble to shut the door at the side of his net later in the first.

Smith had to stretch to stop Jason Spezza, who had scored in three Auston Matthews scored 54 seconds into overtime as the Toronto Maple straight, on a one-timer off a pass from Galchenyuk. Leafs defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 on Saturday.

William Nylander, with a goal and an assist, John Tavares and Pierre Engvall replied for Toronto (22-10-2), extending its winning streak to Globe And Mail LOADED: 03.28.2021 three games. Jack Campbell made 17 saves. Alex Galchenyuk added two assists. Matthews also had an assist.

Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two assists for Edmonton (21-13-1), while Tyson Barrie, with a goal and an assist against his former team, and Darnell Nurse also scored for the Oilers. Mike Smith made 27 saves in a battle of North Division heavyweights.

Connor McDavid, who tops the NHL scoring race with 62 points, added two assists.

The teams will play their ninth and final meeting of the regular season Monday back at Scotiabank Arena.

On the winner, Matthews fired a puck towards the net that went off Nurse and got past Smith for the star centre’s league-leading 22nd goal of the season.

The Oilers saw live action for the first time in a week after their three- game series in Montreal was postponed when two members of the Canadiens were added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list Monday.

The Leafs were also fairly well-rested, having played just four times in the last 13 days coming into Saturday, including Thursday’s 3-2 overtime victory in Ottawa against the Senators.

The Leafs entered 5-1-1 against the Oilers, including a resounding three- game sweep that saw Toronto boss Edmonton by a combined 13-1 scoreline and hold McDavid without a point the last times the teams met.

Edmonton has rebounded nicely off those disappointing performances, going 7-2-1 since thanks in large part to McDavid’s seven goals and 15 assists over that span.

Down 3-1 in the third period, Tavares got the home side within one with 7:39 left in regulation when he took a between-the-legs feed from Galchenyuk and snapped his 10th past Smith.

Nylander then fired home his 13th with 3:22 remaining to tie it.

Toronto grabbed a 1-0 lead at 4:14 of the second on a strange sequence. Engvall scooped a shot towards the Edmonton net in tight, tried to swipe at it with his glove and saw the puck bounce off Smith’s helmet and in for his third goal of the season.

The play was initially ruled a goal, then waived off after the officials judged Engvall touched the puck with his hand before finally being reversed a final time after review.

Edmonton got that one back at 6:47 when Nurse joined the rush, took a pass from McDavid and beat Campbell through the five-hole for the defenceman’s career-high 11th of the campaign.

Matthews then hit his league-leading eighth post of the year on a wicked shot that beat Smith clean.

The Oilers took their first lead with 5:55 left in the period when McDavid raced down the left side on Leafs defenceman Justin Holl before finding a late arriving Draisaitl to bury his 19th.

Barrie, who had a one forgettable season with Toronto in 2019-20 prior to signing with Edmonton in free agency, made it 3-1 with 1:54 remaining in 1207085 Toronto Maple Leafs Leafs outshot Edmonton 31-20), so that was very encouraging for us, especially against a team like that.”

Power-play outage: The Leafs went 0-2 with the man advantage and Comeback Leafs escape with a win over the Oilers in overtime have scored just one power-play goal in their last 22 chances. Toronto has now gone 4-6-0 since sweeping Edmonton, while the Oilers lost for the third time in their last 10 games.

By Mark Zwolinski Sports Reporter “I thought (the power play) was the best it’s been in a long time,” Keefe said. “If it looks like that consistently, we’d be happy with that. Our Sat., March 27, 2021 process was good. I think … to focus on this being a long stretch where it hasn’t gone in for us … is a useless activity. We have to focus on each power play we get, and not what’s happened in the past.” The big-time players did what big-time players do in the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 overtime win over Edmonton Saturday night. Seeing rewards: Alex Galchenyuk was moved to a line with Jason Spezza and Alex Kerfoot, but picked up assists on the Tavares and These two teams possess some of the top offensive players in the NHL Nylander goals in what was his best offensive performance as a Leaf. — Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, Mitch Marner, Leon Draisaitl, Morgan Rielly, Darnell Nurse, Tyson Barrie, and others — and they Galchenyuk told a story after the game about skating with Matthews in delivered in an entertaining, North Division tilt. The difference was that Arizona in the off-season. “It was me, Auston, my dad and (a personal the Leafs’ stars delivered in the clutch after Edmonton’s big guns coach),” said Galchenyuk, who played with Arizona in 2018-19. “It was a dominated the second period. bit of a private thing there. We skated for a few weeks and I definitely learned a few things, how hard (Matthews) works. When I got traded Matthews, who had no goals in his previous five games, scored the here, we talked about it … it’s nice to see it pay off.” winner 54 seconds into overtime. He led all skaters with seven shots but it looked like his drought was going to continue until his puck luck Heads up: Pierre Engvall scored the opening goal for the Leafs, his third changed in an instant, with the final goal bouncing in off two Oilers. of the season. The puck seemed to bounce off the top of Smith’s mask, and was quickly dubbed the “head” goal on social media. Back in “I’ll take that, for sure,” said Matthews, who moved one ahead of December 2013, while tending goal with Arizona, Smith had a puck stuck McDavid for the NHL goal lead, with 22. “It’s frustrating when the puck in his goalie pants. He didn’t realize it, and carried the puck into his own isn’t going in, but I try to stay positive, shoot the puck … That wasn’t the net. It was dubbed the “butt” goal. way I usually (score), but I’ll take that one, for sure.”

Toronto, down 3-1 in the third, tied the game when John Tavares scored with 7:29 to go in the third and William Nylander popped in a wrist shot Toronto Star LOADED: 03.28.2021 with 3:22 left.

Tavares’s goal brought some relief for the team captain, who has been leading the team in its commitment to two-way play while dropping off offensively.

“It’s nice to get one,” said Tavares, who had three goals in his previous 15 games. “It’s a big part of my game but, this year, it's not as consistent as I’d like it to be. I was able to capitalize on a couple of great plays and it was nice to get this win.”

The victory gave the Leafs a two-point lead over Winnipeg atop the North Division, with the Oilers another point back. Edmonton and Toronto go at it again at Scotiabank Arena on Monday.

It appeared the Oilers were on their way to a solid win before Tavares started Toronto’s comeback. Nurse and Barrie, two of the top-scoring defenceman in the NHL, scored highlight-reel goals as Edmonton scored three straight in the second period. Draisaitl was part of all three goals and McDavid, who was held without a point in the Leafs’ three-game sweep in Edmonton, was in on two of them.

Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell might have wanted the Nurse goal back — he didn’t close his pads on time — but he had no chance on the other two. They were just so well set up.

Campbell allowed three goals for the first time in six games this season.

“I’m not going to sugar-coat it, I didn’t like my game one bit,” said Campbell, who is always gracious in praising his teammates and often hard on himself. “But that’s what a good team does, and the boys picked me up tonight. They kept battling and we came up with two huge points.”

All Campbell, for now: The Leafs’ net is Campbell’s for the immediate future. Leafs coach painted an uncertain picture for Frederik Andersen at the morning skate Saturday, saying the team’s No. 1 goalie remains sidelined for the near term with a lower-body injury.

“No update here yet, but one should be coming,” Keefe said. “He’s having different examinations, getting looked at … he has not been on the ice (since March 19), so his return is not imminent here yet.”

Keefe concurred with Campbell in saying it wasn’t the goalie’s best game.

“I don’t think he was that sharp, for sure, but that’s the way it goes,” Keefe said. “As you start to play more games, it’s more challenging to have your best stuff all the time. I thought in the first and third periods, his teammates helped him out. And I think we stayed under 20 shots (the 1207086 Toronto Maple Leafs “It’s a big part of my game,” Tavares said of contributing offensively. “This year it hasn’t been as consistent as I’d like.

“Nice to get it and help the team get back in it.” Matthews scores in OT, Leafs complete comeback to down Oilers 4-3 This top-billing doctor — who charged the province for performing a procedure at a rate experts said was medically impossible — has had his licence suspended for four months By Joshua Clipperton The Canadian Press This top-billing doctor — who charged the province for performing a Sat., March 27, 2021 procedure at a rate experts said was medically impossible — has had his licence suspended for four months

Nylander then fired home his 13th with 3:22 remaining off another feed TORONTO - Auston Matthews has seen shots clank off the post and from Galchenyuk to tie it before Matthews made the decisive play in OT. others seemingly destined for the back of the net plucked out of mid-air time and again in recent weeks. “I’m feeling better and better,” said Galchenyuk, the No. 3 pick in the 2012 draft now with his seventh organization since 2018. “The more you So, the NHL’s leading goal scorer can be excused for feeling he was play, the more comfortable you get. owed a bounce. “I’m happy with the progress I’m making.” Matthews scored on a double deflection 54 seconds into overtime Saturday as the Maple Leafs roared back from a 3-1 deficit with under Toronto grabbed a 1-0 lead at 4:14 of the second on a strange sequence. eight minutes to go in the third period to defeat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3. Engvall scooped a shot towards the Edmonton net in tight, tried to swipe at it with his glove and saw the puck bounce off Smith’s helmet and in for The star centre took a pass from Morgan Rielly in the extra period and his third of the campaign. fired a shot that hit the stick of Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl before bouncing in off defenceman Darnell Nurse’s skate for his 22nd goal of The play was initially ruled a goal, then waived off after the officials the season. judged Engvall touched the puck with his hand before the call was finally reversed a final time following a video review. Matthews, who had scored just three times on 46 shots in his last 12 games coming into the showdown of North Division heavyweights, hit his Edmonton got that one back at 6:47 when Nurse joined the rush, took a league-high eighth post in the second period and had six other attempts pass from McDavid and beat Campbell through the five-hole for the denied by Oilers netminder Mike Smith before finally connecting. defenceman’s career-high 11th goal.

“I’m going to take that, for sure,” said Matthews, who also had an assist. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it,” said Campbell, who improved to 6-0-0 this “It’s frustrating when the puck’s not going in, but as long as I’m getting season. “I just didn’t have it tonight. That’s what a really great team does chances I just try to stay positive and continue to push and shoot the — they pick guys up. puck and continue to think, ‘The next one’s going in, the next one’s going in.’ “They picked me up tonight.”

“Not really how I drew it up or ever envisioned it, but I’ll take that.” Matthews then hit that league-leading eighth post on a wicked shot that beat Smith clean. William Nylander, with a goal and an assist, John Tavares and Pierre Engvall also scored for Toronto (22-10-2), which extended its winning The Oilers took their first lead with 5:55 left in the period when McDavid streak to three games. Jack Campbell made 17 saves, while Alex raced down the left side against Leafs defenceman Justin Holl before Galchenyuk added two assists in another strong performance as the finding a late-arriving Draisaitl to bury his 19th. Leafs improved to 6-1-1 against the Oilers this season. Barrie, who had a one forgettable season with Toronto in 2019-20 prior to “Resiliency,” Matthews said of what stood out about his group. “We just signing with Edmonton in free agency, made it 3-1 with 1:54 remaining in stuck with it.” the period when he took a no-look feed from Draisaitl in front and roofed his fifth on Campbell, who made a third straight start with Frederik Draisaitl had a goal and two assists for Edmonton (21-13-1), while Tyson Andersen still dealing with a lower-body injury. Barrie, with a goal and an assist against his former team, and Nurse also scored for the Oilers. Mike Smith made 27 saves. Connor McDavid, who “We stopped playing,” Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe of his team’s tops the NHL scoring race with 62 points, including 21 goals, added two second period. “We got the goal and we just lost our legs from there. We assists. stopped skating, we fought the puck, didn’t get through the neutral zone very well. “It’s a good team,” Draisaitl said. “We’re a really good team. It’s always tight games.” “We had, at 5 on 5, nearly nothing happening around the net.”

The Leafs and Oilers will play their ninth and final meeting of the regular A Toronto power play on an ugly 1-for-21 run got a chance early in the season Monday back at Scotiabank Arena. third, but Smith robbed Matthews on a one-timer and Tavares hit his second post before the late fireworks. Edmonton saw live action for the first time in a week after their three- game series in Montreal was postponed when two members of the “The second period, we definitely didn’t play our best hockey,” Matthews Canadiens were added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list Monday. said. “But in the third period we just clawed our way back.”

“Our energy was all right,” Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said. “Our “Not really how we drew it up in overtime, but a fortunate bounce and execution was poor.” we’ll take that any day of the week.”

Toronto swept Edmonton three straight in a series that saw the Leafs boss proceedings by a combined 13-1 scoreline and hold McDavid Toronto Star LOADED: 03.28.2021 without a point the last times the teams met.

The Oilers have rebounded nicely since that troubling stretch, going 7-2- 1 to close the gap in the division thanks in large part to McDavid’s seven goals and 15 assists over that span. Toronto, meanwhile, improved to 4- 6-0 since that series at Rogers Place.

Down 3-1 in the third, Tavares got the home side within one with 7:39 left in regulation when he took a between-the-legs feed from Galchenyuk, who returned to Toronto’s second line after starting the game on the fourth unit, and snapped his 10th past Smith. 1207087 Toronto Maple Leafs That said, it’s always a nervous time of year as chatter of who’s-going- where around the league picks up.

“Not really too much now, but as it approaches, the media coverage goes Captain Tavares turns it on up,” said alternate captain Morgan Rielly. “Right now, we’re focused on what we need to do and if you look at the standings we have plenty of things to talk about and have on our mind considering how tight everything is.” Lance Hornby NICK’S TIME COMING Publishing date:Mar 27, 2021 Nick Robertson was added to the Leafs taxi squad on Saturday, and

though Keefe said not to read too much into it, it will at least get the teen John Tavares nearly tore the mesh with his third-period goal, unleashing winger close to his goal of rejoining the NHL roster. a lot of frustration. Robertson’s oblique muscle injury, incurred during his time with the While his coach Sheldon Keefe has assured him and an impatient public Marlies, has improved, though not to the point where he can play. that his role in team defence has alleviated a drop in his points, Tavares Keefe said the move was made in large part to have him closer to the made his career and his much-discussed mega-contract pumping out Leafs’ medical staff for daily attention and consultation. Robertson, who goals and assists, not preventing them. would be with the Leafs through next week’s long trip through western Keying Saturday’s 4-3 comeback overtime win over Edmonton with his Canada, had a lower-body injury in his only Leaf game this season and 10th of the year was more like it. the latest injury has sidelined him close to a month.

“It’s a big part of my game and this year it hast been as consistent as I’d Whenever he’s back in action, Robertson has a tough act to follow with like,” the Leafs’ captain said. brother Jason’s fine season in Dallas. Linemates with Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski on last year’s Stanley Cup finalists, the elder Robertson has “I’m just trying to stay with it. I’m still trying to figure some things out. It’s 20 points in 25 games. not a perfect science. Also coming back up to the Leafs from the Marlies on Saturday was “Some of the (chances), I have to bear down, find ways to get to the defenceman Timothy Liljegren, switching practice places with Kristians middle of the ice. I want to be good in all facets and be relied upon as an Rubins, though Mac Hollowell remains with the Leafs for now, too. The elite player. Hopefully, you’re able to connect those two parts of the Marlies don’t play again until Monday at home against Stockton. game.” DOT DOT DOTS He now has 29 points in 34 games. Jason Spezza was busy getting in more faceoff work with assistant “It’s just recognizing when it’s time to play offence and when it’s time to coach Manny Malhotra in the morning, already at 58% efficiency in his defend,” Keefe said. “A lot of our players last year hung around too long 300 draws, putting him top 10 in the league. He then won six of seven on on the offensive side and when it was time to defend, they delayed. We Saturday night. needed to shorten that. I think he’s done a terrific job of that. “He’s been really handy, especially being a right-handed shot on that dot, “I think John would like to have more goals five-on-five, he’s had a lot of given all our centres are left-handed,” Keefe said. “That’s been a big opportunity to score those and it hasn’t gone in. factor on penalty kills. We utilized that a bit last season (Spezza’s first as a Leaf), but we talked before camp about taking a bigger step in that “While we have high expectations as he does of himself, you look around regard.” the league and he’s still in a pretty good place. On a lot of teams he’d be top two in scoring. With Spezza tied with Kirk Muller for 101st in NHL scoring at 959 points, a look at a few other ex-Leafs reaching milestones around the league. “So he’s done a lot of really good things, he’s a big reason of where we Patrick Marleau now has 564 career goals, tying two other Toronto stars, are in the standings.” Joe Nieuwendyk and Mats Sundin, for 23rd on the NHL’s all-time list. OUR PAL GAL Marleau recently passed Steve Larmer for fourth place in consecutive games, now at 886, while Phil Kessel is within six of Larmer. A few Leafs were singing the praises of Alex Galchenyuk after two impressive assists.

“Obviously talented and he was drafted really high (third overall) for a Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.28.2021 reason,” Tavares said of the team’s late season addition. “He just plays extremely hard, puts pressure on the opponent.”

Galchenyuk said “everyone” on the team has been welcoming and the more he plays, the more comfortable he gets.

He also revealed he was in Arizona with Auston Matthews in the summer for workouts that helped him break the ice when he arrived in Toronto.

TRADE TALK ON MUTE

An intense fight for first place in a shortened season — three Northern teams separated by two points before Saturday’s puck drop — might contain a psychological benefit for the Buds.

With about two weeks to the trade deadline, there’s no real distraction or sense of a major shake-up as is often the case in the NHL’s most rumour-ravaged city. Yes, general manager Kyle Dubas seeks to fine tune the roster before April 12. He and his peers did receive an assist from the federal government, which decided that regimented twice-daily COVID-19 testing of NHLers should require one less week of Canadian quarantine if they cross the border.

But with Dubas having some prospects in the system if there is affordable help on the wing or on defence, there’s less concern in the room that a current roster player would have to uproot. 1207088 Toronto Maple Leafs Campbell had to deal with just 20 shots, and though the goals by Draisaitl and Barrie were sharp, the netminder was critical of himself.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it: I just didn’t have it,” Campbell said. “That’s Matthews caps comeback as Maple Leafs beat Oilers in overtime what a really great team does, is pick guys up. They never gave up and kept battling, and we came away with a huge two points.

“I didn’t like my game one bit.” Terry Koshan Count on Campbell, now 6-0-0, to rebound. He won’t have any choice, as Publishing date: Mar 27, 2021 the Leafs’ net will be his for the foreseeable future.

Frederik Andersen hasn’t been on the ice since last Friday night, when he allowed four goals on 18 shots in a loss against Calgary. Connor McDavid got his points against the Maple Leafs on Saturday night. A lower-body injury has sidelined Andersen.

That didn’t change the outcome versus Toronto. “He has had some different examinations and different things he has had looked at,” Keefe said. “His return is not imminent. I expect we’ll have an Four weeks after keeping the Edmonton Oilers superstar off the update in the coming days. scoresheet in a three-game sweep in Alberta, the Leafs beat the Oilers again, this time capping an enthralling comeback to register a 4-3 “I didn’t find (Campbell) was as sharp tonight. But these kinds of things overtime decision at Scotiabank Arena. happen as you start to play more games.

Auston Matthews got the winner at 54 seconds of the extra period when “We don’t like that we gave them a point but love how we fought our way his shot pin-balled off the Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse and back and got the win for Soupy.” past goaltender Mike Smith.

The goal was Matthews’ first in six games and 22nd of the season, moving him one ahead of McDavid for the National Hockey League lead. Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.28.2021

“I’m going to take that, for sure,” said Matthews, who had a Leafs-high seven shots on goal. “Not quite how we drew it up. It’s frustrating when the puck is not going in, but I just try to stay positive and continue to push and shoot the puck and continue to think the next one is going in.

“Resiliency, we just stuck with it. We clawed our way back.”

The Leafs trailed 3-1 entering the third period, down a couple of goals thanks to a pair of McDavid assists. Toronto, in the opener of the two- game set between the clubs, scored twice in a span of four minutes 17 seconds to tie the game.

Both goals came from the reunited trio of John Tavares between Alex Galchenyuk and William Nylander, put back together by coach Sheldon Keefe after Wayne Simmonds started the game on the line in place of Galchenyuk.

Nylander scored the tying goal at 16:38 when he blasted a shot past Smith off a scramble. That came after Tavares scored on a pass from Galchenyuk, who also assisted on the Nylander goal, at 12:21.

“We didn’t have much happening for us on any of the lines in the second period, so I needed to change some things,” Keefe said. “Galchenyuk hadn’t done anything to come off (the Tavares) line. He had played quite well.

“To see the line get rewarded, for John to get a huge goal and then followed up by Will, it’s really good and you can’t ignore Galchenyuk’s contributions.”

The Leafs’ 46 points put them back in sole possession of first place in the North Division, two up on Winnipeg (who played later on Saturday in Calgary) and three ahead of Edmonton.

The Leafs continue to struggle on the power play and have gone 18 in a row without scoring. They failed to score on two power plays on Saturday, but Keefe said he liked the process and expects goals to start coming.

After Pierre Engvall put the Leafs up 1-0 early in the second, the Oilers scored three.

Nurse scored on a stoppable shot at 6:47 after taking a pass from McDavid, and we hope you caught a replay of the second Oilers goal if you didn’t see it as it happened.

McDavid beat defenceman Justin Holl in a race for the puck, and then passed across the ice, enabling Draisaitl to one-time a shot past Jack Campbell. McDavid might have been the only person in the building who had an idea Draisaitl was going to be in the right spot. That goal came at 14:05.

Ex-Leaf Tyson Barrie scored the Oilers’ third goal after a fine feed from Draisaitl. 1207089 Toronto Maple Leafs Only the HEM line of Pierre Engvall between Zach Hyman and Ilya Mikheyev remains intact.

“I’ve been wanting to get Simmonds back with Tavares and Nylander,” Campbell the man in Leafs net as Oilers set starts, Andersen's return 'not Keefe said. “When Wayne left our lineup with his injury (on Feb. 6), that imminent' line was really just starting to get going.

“Galchenyuk, we’ve got him in a good place and I like a lot of what he has done. There’s nothing against what he has brought to that line, but I Terry Koshan wanted to get Wayne in that space.

Publishing date: Mar 27, 2021 “Joe has played really good hockey against the Oilers this season defensively, especially.”

The Leafs reassigned forward Nick Robertson and defenceman Timothy The Maple Leafs’ net belongs to Jack Campbell. Liljegren to the taxi squad, while reassigning defenceman Kristians And not only on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena against the Rubins to the Toronto Marlies. Edmonton Oilers, but from what coach Sheldon Keefe indicated, well into Robertson has been out since March 3 as he recovers from an the foreseeable future. abdominal injury. Keefe said it would be beneficial to have Robertson Frederik Andersen hasn’t been on the ice since last Friday night, when work with the Leafs’ medical staff. he allowed four goals on 18 shots in a 4-3 Leafs loss against the Calgary “I wouldn’t read too much into (Robertson’s addition to the taxi squad, Flames. otherwise),” Keefe said. A lower-body injury has kept Andersen on the sideline.

“He has had some different examinations and different things he has had Toronto Sun LOADED: 03.28.2021 looked at,” Keefe said on Saturday morning. “His return is not imminent. I expect we’ll have an update in the coming days.”

This development, which was not entirely unexpected, shouldn’t send Leafs Nation into a panic.

Campbell has been sharp in his five starts this season, going 5-0-0 with a .958 save percentage and two shutouts. There will be a large concern, of course, if Campbell’s lower-body issues flare up and the Leafs would have to turn to Michael Hutchinson on a regular basis.

The Leafs’ primary focus heading into a two-game set versus the Oilers is getting back to the kind of hockey they were playing when they swept Edmonton in a three-game set in Alberta four weeks ago. Toronto outscored Edmonton 13-1, keeping Connor McDavid off the scoresheet and limiting Leon Draisaitl to one assist.

The Leafs have won their past two games, but since that sweep are 3-6- 0; the Oilers, who haven’t played since last Saturday because their three games against the Montreal Canadiens were postponed for COVID-19 reasons, are 7-2-0 since the Leafs embarrassed them.

The Leafs and Winnipeg Jets, who play in Calgary on Saturday night, started the day tied atop the North Division with 44 points. The Oilers are in second with 42, five ahead of fourth-place Montreal.

“We didn’t allow too many odd-man rushes,” Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly said, recalling his team’s effective ways in Edmonton. “We played to our structure, we made it tough for them going through the neutral zone, clogged it up.

“We’re going to have to replicate that tonight. We’ve talked about what we did in those games to be successful and what has happened recently that has caused a little bit of a slide.

“We know what we have to do. It’s important that we look back on those games and we bring that attitude here tonight, that we’re going to be good defensively and capitalize when we get chances.”

Mike Smith will start in goal for the Oilers. Edmonton coach Dave Tippett said the unplanned week off was “a concern,” considering his club was in a rhythm when the postponements came.

McDavid, who has seven goals and 13 assists since the Leafs sweep and leads the NHL with 60 points in 34 games, called it a “strange week.”

“It has been boring, that’s the first word that comes to mind,” McDavid said. “We should be rested. Guys should have legs, guys should have energy. When you’re coming off a bit of a delay like this, sometimes the attention to detail or the little things can be missed, so it’s important to dial that in right away.”

Keefe is making some line changes, putting Joe Thornton back with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner; Wayne Simmonds with John Tavares and William Nylander; and inserting Alex Galchenyuk on the fourth line with Alex Kerfoot and Jason Spezza. 1207090 Toronto Maple Leafs I know I referenced this in the last report cards, but Nylander has to shoot more off the rush instead of looking for the highlight-reel pass, if only to create a rebound. But when he’s scoring the tying goal late in the third and adding an assist, this version of William Nylander is probably all like, Maple Leafs report cards: Auston Matthews caps comeback in overtime “Chill, Kloke, I got this.” to beat Oilers yet again Morgan Rielly (LD, No. 44): To my eyes, Rielly is playing some of his more composed and effective hockey of the season. He had the assist on Matthews’ overtime winner but also made pass after pass that just put By Joshua Kloke the Leafs forwards in optimal positions to change the game. I thought Mar 27, 2021 Rielly made really good decisions when determining whether to move the puck or skate through the open ice ahead of him.

A- The top two teams in the North Division, led by some of the best offensive players in the NHL, going up against each other in a Saturday Joe Thornton (LW, No. 97): Some smart, quick puck movement and night game that featured end-to-end action and eventually went to stickwork to keep the Leafs out of danger. Early on, Thornton looked overtime? He kept making those creative passes that very few players can and Even if the Leafs didn’t exactly play the kind of controlling, defensively made up for his lack of speed by using his frame and his stick to make an structured game as they did during that three-game winning streak impact defensively. He might not have logged a point, but his 17:41 TOI against the Edmonton Oilers in late February and early March, they still was a serious bump from his recent numbers and was his third-highest showed some serious mettle to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the third total of the season. period that made for an entertaining finish and a 4-3 overtime win. They Mitch Marner (RW, No. 16): I thought Marner’s defensive stickwork was outshot the Oilers and owned the majority of the possession, five-on-five excellent, and his efforts to circulate the puck in the offensive zone were expected goals and high danger chances. Still no debate who is the best typically strong. Four shots, one assist and a team-high 26:10 TOI. team in the division and, perhaps the most important stat from the night: The win keeps the Leafs atop the division standings. B+

On to the observations! Jake Muzzin (LD, No. 8): In general, Muzzin played with patience against Connor McDavid’s line, making simple breakout passes under pressure Player reports and doing the defensive work that he often does so well. First star: John Tavares (C, No. 91): I thought Tavares, as he has lately, I get that he was focused on McDavid thinking he was going to fly by played well with the puck Saturday night. I understand he’s been in the Justin Holl and head to the net on the second goal, and his turnover crosshairs on Leafs Twitter right now and draws some anger in the down low on the Oilers’ third goal hurts. But Muzzin still did a lot of little comments section of these report cards, but it’s clear he still has a nose things well and McDavid probably could have had even more chances for the net, as evidenced by his drive to the goal in the first period, his than he did were it not for Muzzin’s defensive presence. collection of his own rebound afterward to maintain possession and, of course, his third-period goal. B-

He had jump all game while some of his teammates appeared to fade at Wayne Simmonds (LW, No. 24): I really liked how well he connected with times, and won all eight of his faceoffs. He balanced his defensive Tavares by corralling the puck along the boards and trying to find responsibilities and his clear intent on creating offence really well. It was Tavares in more dangerous areas of the ice. clear he was frustrated after he sent a shot off the post, but the veteran stuck with it and got rewarded. Pierre Engvall (C, No. 47): Lots to discuss here.

Second star: Alex Galchenyuk (LW, No. 12): Admit it, very few of you Engvall was buzzing on his first few shifts, making deft touches to dear readers thought the Alex Galchenyuk experiment would turn out as maintain pressure and recovering well in the defensive zone when well as it has for the Leafs so far. He’s looking more and more composed needed. His confidence looked boosted after his goal, as evidenced by with each shift, controlling the puck well to evade pressure and getting his smooth, heads-up movement through the neutral zone. But as the involved on the defensive side of things. It’s easy to see why Sheldon game wore on, Engvall made some questionable decisions, from taking Keefe has been raving about his play as of late. an unnecessary penalty to, in my eyes, missing an assignment on Tyson Barrie’s goal. As well as he connected with Jason Spezza, wouldn’t you know it, he showed some natural chemistry with Tavares, too. His skill with the puck Earlier this week, Keefe essentially described Engvall as a work in continues to be evident, and his two third-period assists made a huge progress, and that was evident Saturday. difference for the Leafs in the win. To do all this in just 10:16 of ice time, But hey, the curse of Engvall scoring in losses is over, and for that, Leafs second lowest on the team? Impressive stuff. Nation should rejoice. Third star: Auston Matthews (C, No. 34): I haven’t seen Matthews this C+ determined over the past few games not just to score, but also to make a difference at both ends of the ice. I had a lot of time for how effective he Jason Spezza (RW, No. 19): Spezza and Galchenyuk really connected was on and off the puck in tight areas, and how physical he played. Dude well on a new line together with some decent give-and-go passing, no? was dialed in. I liked how engaged Spezza was with his stick, but his lack of foot speed There’s been a lot of chatter about the fact he hadn’t scored in five burned the Leafs a few times. games heading into Saturday night’s game, which I understand can feel like an eternity. He fired shots off the post, was robbed multiple times by Jack Campbell (G, No. 36): First, your daily dose of “Jack Campbell Mike Smith and, just when it looked like that goal-less stretch would hit might be the most genuine human on the planet:” six games, his continued determination paid off as his overtime winner Campbell definitely wasn’t as in control of his net as he has been at his bounced off a body and in. Not necessarily the type of goal you’d expect best this season and allowed three goals on 20 shots. But the Oilers did him to score, but: well Saturday night to get the puck to dangerous positions to shoot. He Matthews still leads the NHL in goals for a reason. did make some key stops in the third period to allow the Leafs to keep momentum on their side and deserves credit for that. Most importantly, A the Leafs are 6-0 in his six starts this season.

William Nylander (RW, No. 88): A lot of people replying to my Twitter T.J. Brodie (RD, No. 78): Brodie got faked out by McDavid on the Darnell callout for their three stars had Nylander high on their list, and for that I Nurse goal, but, I mean, the list of defencemen who’ve been beaten by am thankful. He took some time to get into the game alongside Tavares, McDavid is not a short one. That play notwithstanding, this was still not but once he got active, he was creating turnovers really well and moving one of Brodie’s better games as a Leaf, as he failed to put the puck in the puck with purpose in the offensive zone. good positions throughout the game. Justin Holl (RD, No. 3): Holl shook his head in frustration on the bench after McDavid’s no-look pass to Leon Draisaitl on the second goal, but, man, you’ve got to empathize with him after a play like this:

Holl’s done a decent job throughout his career of matching up against McDavid, and he still logged 69 percent five-on-five expected goals, which is a nice little feather in his cap.

Travis Dermott (LD, No. 23): Though he didn’t make the kind of plays that leaped off the page, his puck movement was smart enough and helped the Leafs get in good positions. His 82 percent five-on-five expected goals rate was second among all Leafs.

Zach Hyman (LW, No. 11): Hyman played well, but not great. He fired four shots on goal, but given how well Thornton played, you could make the case his move to the top line wasn’t completely necessary. Maybe the bar has just been raised so high for him as of late.

D+

Alex Kerfoot (C, No. 15): I’ve been a fan of Kerfoot’s play this season, but over these past two games, he’s lacked the energy he typically brings. His 45 percent five-on-five expected goals rate was the lowest among all Leafs.

Nothing to see here

Ilya Mikheyev (RW, No. 65): After a decent start to the game, Mikheyev wasn’t nearly as impactful as he has been as of late. His 9:51 TOI was the lowest total of his NHL career so far.

Zach Bogosian (RD, No. 22): Outside of a few hits, Bogosian wasn’t especially noticeable, and when he did make plays with the puck, they weren’t all that strong either.

Game Score

Game Score is a metric developed by The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn to quickly measure a player’s performance in a single game.

Heat map

Natural Stat Trick helps us out with a snapshot of where the shots were coming from Saturday:

Final grade: B+

I definitely had a draft written up about how the Leafs are having difficulty scoring right now, with their lone goal in the first two periods not exactly one you’d file in the “snipe” category. Their power play is still struggling to produce as of late, too. But big picture: The Leafs’ work to get back into the game late, brought on by some goals by players who really needed them, is worth commending. They were a complete force in the third period, owning 85 percent of the five-on-five expected goals.

Stay ready squad: Alex Barabanov, Mac Hollowell, Nick Robertson, Timothy Liljegren, Ian Scott

What to watch for Monday versus Edmonton: There was some typical line juggling from Keefe on Saturday, with Galchenyuk starting on the fourth line and eventually moving back up to the second line with positive results. Will Keefe stick with Thornton on the top line after a strong game from him, and Galchenyuk on the second line? Good problems to have, I suppose.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021

1207091 Vegas Golden Knights This one might have been the most memorable given the beat-down Thursday.

Detailed. Focused. Structured. The Knights were all of it Saturday. Doubters aside, Golden Knights impress in bounce-back win They were the better team this time.

Nobody should doubt that. By Ed Graney Las Vegas Review-Journal

March 27, 2021 LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.28.2021

I’m not sure who would be doubting a team that has won as much as the Golden Knights. But if that perceived slight gives you the motivation to get a significant road split, who’s to argue?

It’s not just that the Knights defeated Colorado 3-2 in overtime Saturday. It’s how they won. Playing their way.

We saw Thursday what happens when they don’t against this specific side. It’s not pretty.

Responding to a 5-1 loss in which they were dominated two days earlier, the Knights remained atop the Honda West Division because they refused to get caught up in another track meet.

They can’t beat Colorado that way. Patience isn’t just a key against the Avalanche. It’s the only way to succeed. You either limit transition rushes or you lose.

What doubters?

“I thought for the believers out there, thanks for sticking with us,” said Knights coach Pete DeBoer. “I know there were some doubters out there after the last game, but I knew our group would respond with a real good effort.

“These guys read and see it way more than I do. I don’t look at a lot of that stuff, but players do and you hear them talking. There was a lot of motivation in that room tonight to throw a good game at them.”

I assume he is referring to social media chatter — I mean, what else would it be? — of which any professional athlete should understand can unearth the lowest of spineless dregs.

But much like the myth that is momentum in sports, so too can manufactured motivation be wholly overvalued for its importance. If the Knights needed anything beyond the film of Thursday’s loss to inspire such an impressive response, the fault is theirs and not any external source.

It’s beyond a stretch — and somewhat laughable — for the Knights to ever play the lack-of-respect narrative, at least for those who have watched their meteoric rise to one of the NHL’s best franchises the last four years. Everyone knows how good they are. It’s as much a secret as Nathan MacKinnon being fast.

There is also no such thing as a must-win matchup when you’re playing No. 32 of 56 regular-season games. But when the tea leaves are fairly obvious regarding a likely playoff encounter between the two Acuras of the division, countering defeat by sending your own message is never a bad thing.

“We knew we had a lot to prove after getting spanked in the last game,” said Knights forward Max Pacioretty, who won it with his league-leading fourth overtime goal. “But we knew that it also wouldn’t come with just playing well for one period. We knew that we had to stick with it for 60- plus. We never really got away from our game there.”

The fourth line was the team’s best Sunday, forechecking and grinding and having William Carrier score to tie things at 2-2 in the second period.

It might, for at least for 24 hours or so, calm those ongoing suggestions that the Knights need to add bottom six depth at the impending trade deadline or perhaps pay for it dearly when the post-season commences.

They should still strongly consider it, by the way, if management can discover a way to navigate around what is the salary cap space of a thimble. Other contenders for the Stanley Cup are deeper. Some considerably so.

The Knights are now 7-1 under DeBoer when coming off a loss by at least two goals. They don’t just rebound. They storm back. In the seven wins, their goal differential is plus-15. 1207092 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights fourth line makes impact in victory

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

March 27, 2021 - 5:43 PM

DENVER — Colorado’s formidable depth at forward was a deciding factor in the opener of the series, as the Avalanche’s fourth line was on the ice for three of their five goals.

The Golden Knights’ fourth line flipped the script and made a difference in Saturday’s finale.

William Carrier notched the tying goal early in the second period to help the Knights grab a 3-2 overtime victory at Ball Arena.

”That was a real look at what it’s going to be like two months from now in the middle of the playoffs,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “You’re going to need that depth scoring. It’s always the difference in the teams that keep advancing. We got it tonight. I thought those guys were real good.”

The Knights produced 75 percent of the shot attempts with Carrier, center Tomas Nosek and right wing Ryan Reaves on the ice at five-on- five, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.

Carrier’s goal was his second in the past five games after he didn’t score in the opening 27 games.

Nosek found Theodore at the point, and his wrist shot was tipped in by Carrier, who was parked in front of Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer.

The Knights’ fourth line has scored in four of the past six games.

“When they’re at their best, I think the lines that they’re playing against and the defenders they’re playing against are looking over their shoulders a lot, and that was the case (Saturday),” left wing Max Pacioretty said. “We really want to be a four-line team, so I think when they’re rolling like that, it really gives us a lot of confidence that teams are going to think twice about going to get pucks in the corner.”

Trading punches

Keegan Kolesar hooked up with Avalanche defenseman Dan Renouf in a spirited bout 1:22 into the first period.

Colorado was unhappy with Kolesar for his heavy hit on rookie defenseman Bowen Byram during the third period of Thursday’s series opener. Coach Jared Bednar said Byram missed Saturday’s game as a result of the check and is day to day.

Kolesar has four fights this season, tied for second in the league. His 28 penalty minutes in 27 games trails Jonathan Marchessault for the team lead.

Face first

Nosek was fortunate to avoid a serious injury early in the third period when he smacked his face on the skate of Grubauer. Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon was assessed a tripping penalty on the play.

Nosek briefly went to the locker room but returned soon after and played seven shifts in the third period.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207093 Vegas Golden Knights really important for us to bounce back. I’m proud of the way the guys handled it. That’s not an easy thing to do.”

Golden Knights back in first after OT win over Avalanche LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.28.2021

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

March 27, 2021 - 2:41 PM

Updated March 27, 2021 - 4:39 PM

DENVER — Had Max Pacioretty not jammed in his own rebound during overtime and the result turned out differently Saturday, the Golden Knights still would have walked out of Ball Arena proud of their effort.

After taking a beating in the series opener, the Knights showed they have an answer for the powerful Colorado Avalanche.

Backed by a strong defensive effort and a balanced offense, the Knights moved back into sole possession of first place in the West Division with a 3-2 victory.

“That’s how you beat a good team on the road,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “I thought for the believers out there, thanks for sticking with us. I know there were some doubters out there after the last game, but I knew our group would respond with a real good effort. We did that.”

The Knights (23-8-1, 47 points) won for the second time in Denver and followed a similar script to their previous victories over Colorado, holding the Avalanche’s top line in check and ratcheting up the physical play on the forecheck.

The result was an 18-8 advantage in hits and a 34-24 edge in shots on goal, as Colorado was held to fewer than 30 shots on goal for the first time since Feb. 26.

Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was handed his second straight start and bounced back with a strong performance after allowing five goals in Thursday’s loss.

Fleury was beaten by Joonas Donskoi on the first shot he saw, but finished with 22 stops to end a personal two-game losing skid. He made two key saves in the third period against Avalanche forward Brandon Saad and earned his 483rd career victory, one shy of tying Ed Belfour for fourth on the all-time list.

“He was real solid,” DeBoer said. “He’s carried us here the last month and a half. He deserved to start the two most important games of the year so far. It was a pretty easy decision.”

Pacioretty notched his team-leading 18th goal and 298th of his career at 1:56 of the overtime on a bit of a broken play.

Alex Tuch carried the puck through the neutral zone. Pacioretty tried to hit him with a return pass in front of the net, but it was deflected by Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews. The puck went off the post, and Pacioretty was able to poke it in before Toews could react for his fourth overtime goal and fifth game-winner.

Since the 2010-11 season, Pacioretty is tied for second in the NHL with 16 overtime goals.

“We knew we had a lot to prove after getting spanked in the last game,” Pacioretty said. “But at the end of the day I thought we really stepped on the gas as the game went on in the third period. Created a lot of opportunities and drew a lot of penalties. I think that momentum carried over.”

Defenseman Alec Martinez converted on a first-period power play for the Knights, and William Carrier deflected in a shot at 3:40 of the second period to tie the score at 2.

Toews also scored for Colorado (21-8-4, 46 points), which extended its points streak to 10 games.

The teams close out the season series April 26 and 28 at T-Mobile Arena.

“Obviously we weren’t happy with our last game, especially against a team we’ve really battled with this year,” Martinez said. “I think it was 1207094 Vegas Golden Knights

Silver Knights forward co-authors children’s book on race, diversity

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

March 27, 2021 - 9:10 am

Jermaine Loewen accumulated enough experiences during his first 23 years to eventually fill a novel.

Before he does that, the Silver Knights winger started by writing something a little shorter.

Loewen co-authored an illustrated children’s book during the offseason that centers on the themes of racial differences, inclusion and kindness.

“It was actually my agent’s idea,” Loewen said. “He wanted to write a book and I thought it would be cool to be involved in something like that. Definitely a new and unique experience.”

The book called “Ari’s Awful Day/Mainer’s Move” is co-authored and illustrated by Thom Van Dycke. Without giving away too much, Mainer the black bear is new in town and hopes to meet new friends at the hockey rink but is rejected by Ari the lion.

Eventually, the main characters meet in the middle of the book and learn to embrace their differences to become friends. There is an accompanying website (arithelion.com), with additional educational resources for parents, teachers and kids.

Loewen said the project was heavily influenced by the Black Lives Matter movement that gained recognition during the summer.

“We started writing a book and the whole BLM thing was going on and we just decided to adjust the book based upon that a little bit,” Loewen said. “It’s about some of the circumstances and things I went through in my life. I just kind of put them in a book.”

Loewen was born in Mandeville, Jamaica, and lived in a children’s home until he was adopted at age 5 by Stan and Tara Loewen of Arborg, Manitoba.

He started skating when he was 6 and played his first organized hockey game at 10. He progressed enough to become the first Jamaican-born player selected in the NHL draft when Dallas took him in the seventh round in 2018.

Loewen didn’t sign with the Stars after his career in junior and earned a deal with the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League after being invited to Golden Knights training camp.

He played 31 games for the Golden Knights top minor league affiliate and appeared in 19 games for Fort Wayne of the ECHL, posting six points (four goals, two assists) and 85 penalty minutes combined.

This season, Loewen has appeared in 10 games for the Silver Knights with one assist and nine penalty minutes.

Forward Danny O’Regan assisted on the Silver Knights’ first goal in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to Colorado for his 200th career point in the AHL.

O’Regan, who also had an assist in Friday’s win over Colorado, now has 72 goals and 129 assists in 261 career AHL games with the Silver Knights, Hartford, Rochester and San Jose.

He leads the team with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists).

Patera debuts

Goalie Jiri Patera stopped 31 shots to earn the victory in his first AHL game Friday. Patera, 22, was a sixth-round pick in 2017 and opened the season on injured reserve.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207095 Vegas Golden Knights acquired Robin Lehner last year that both goalies were healthy in the regular season and one played consecutive games.

"It was an easy decision," DeBoer said. "He's carried us here the last Golden Knights beat Avalanche in OT to keep hold of first place month and a half and he deserved to start the two most important games of the year so far."

Vegas led in shots on goal 34-24. The Golden Knights and Avalanche By Justin Emerson (contact) have split their six meetings this season, with two more set for April 26 and April 28 in Las Vegas. Published Saturday, March 27, 2021 | 2:47 p.m.

Updated Saturday, March 27, 2021 | 3:22 p.m. LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 03.28.2021

The Golden Knights lost sole possession of first place in the West Division for the first time in more than a month on Thursday with a defeat at Colorado.

Two days later, they climbed back into the top spot with a thrilling victory in overtime.

Alex Tuch's initial shot in overtime hit the post, but the puck trickled back into the crease and Max Pacioretty was there to poke it home for a 3-2 Vegas victory.

"We know that first place is on the line against a team that would have jumped us and that's kind of a measuring-stick team around the league that everyone talks about," Pacioretty said. "We want to show that we can play with a team like that and I thought tonight, especially as the game went on, we were able to show that. That's more so what creeps into our minds more than the overall standings."

Vegas had another great chance early in overtime on a 3-to-1, but Shea Theodore was denied by a Philipp Grubauer glove save.

Vegas was better in overtime, but almost didn't need it. The Golden Knights had back-to-back power plays in the third period, going to the man advantage at the 4:39 and 9:02 marks. They fired five combined shots, but couldn’t score.

Vegas controlled the third period, in part because of the power plays but also because of strong 5-on-5 play. In the final 20 minutes of regulation, the Golden Knights led in shots (10-4) and scoring chances (14-4), according to stats website Natural Stat Trick.

All it did was set up another Pacioretty overtime winner. His team-best 18th goal of the year was also his fourth in overtime. The rest of the team combined has two overtime goals.

"I think goal-scorers have that innate ability to find holes and ramp things up at the right time," coach Pete DeBoer said. "He was at the end of his shift and a lot of guys might not have followed that play up, might have headed to the bench, but he sniffed a goal and that's an ability that's hard to teach."

Like the Golden Knights did on Thursday, the Avalanche scored early on Saturday when Joonas Donskoi scored on the first shot of the game at the 1:16 mark of the second period.

The Avalanche dominated much of the first period, but a power-play later in the frame opened the door for the Golden Knights and they took it. With six remaining on Gabriel Landeskog’s cross-checking minor, Chandler Stephenson slid the puck over Alec Martinez, who blasted it into the net to tie the game 1-1 with 3:28 left to go in the first.

The Avalanche though, used what little time they had left in the period to restore their lead. Mark Stone turned the puck over near his own net to Nathan MacKinnon, who made Vegas pay. He fed a streaking Devon Toews as he pinched from the blue line and Toews made it 2-1 just 1:03 after Martinez had tied the game.

The second period was the Golden Knights’ best at 5-on-5 in the two- game series. It was a change of pace from Thursday, where they were skated out of the building in the second, and this time scored the only goal.

That was William Carrier’s second of the season on a deflection from a Shea Theodore point shot. It was the cherry on top of a strong game from the fourth line, as Carrier, Tomas Nosek and Ryan Reaves combined for multiple scoring chances in the third period as well.

Marc-Andre Fleury started in net for Vegas and made 22 saves. It was his second start in a row and the first time since the Golden Knights 1207096 Vegas Golden Knights

In Battle Of The West, Golden Knights Bounce Back To Defeat Colorado, 3-2, In OT In Denver Saturday

March 27, 2021

By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com

Before the Vegas Golden Knights’ inaugural season started, there was some anxiety about whether there would be a TV cable deal in time to have a regional sports broadcaster to televise VGK games.

Back in the good ol’ days of 2017, the Golden Knights picked AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain as their regional television rightsholder. At the time, Golden Knights majority owner Bill Foley wanted the Golden Knights to be the Rocky Mountains market dominant hockey brand with the VGK televised in Montana and Utah besides Nevada.

But there was only one issue with Foley’s goal — there was already an NHL team in the Rocky Mountains. Namely, the Colorado Avalanche, which are broadcast on the Altitude Sports and Entertainment regional sports network.

During normal, pre-pandemic times, the Golden Knights/Avalanche battle for Rocky Mountains supremacy was not overly dramatic.

But my how things have changed now that a COVID-19 novel coronavirus has prompted NHL executives to re-align divisions for travel purposes and lumped the Avalanche in the West Division with the four- year-old Vegas franchise in 2021.

The National Hockey League marketing folks who line up teams to play in non-arena outdoor settings like stadiums and along scenic lakes matched up Colorado and Vegas for a Lake Tahoe outdoor game in North Nevada Feb. 20.

Under this pandemic season’s 56-game schedule, teams play games only inside their divisions, which means the Knights and Avs clash eight times this year.

The Avalanche’s team speed, mobile defensemen and skilled players like Nathan MacKinnon (one of the best five players in the NHL) give the Golden Knights a tough foe to cope with. Colorado’s netminder is Philipp Grubauer, one of the best goalies in the league this season along with the VGK’s Marc-Andre Fleury.

The two teams fought to a 2-2 tie after three periods in Denver Saturday afternoon, with the Knights relying on the unlikely goal scorers of defenseman Alec Martinez (4th goal of the season) in the first period and forward William Carrier (2nd goal of the season) in the second period.

The Golden Knights struggled to generate much energy and pressure in these two games in Denver Thursday and Saturday, but the VGK turned up the juice in the third period today and in the three-on-three overtime session when Max Pacioretty poked in the game-winning goal with his fourth OT winning goal this season to give the Knights the 3-2 OT win.

“It takes crazy bounces like that,” VGK forward Alex Tuch said of Pacioretty’s game-winner after the Avalanche led 1-0 ands 2-1 through the first two periods.

Source: ESPN

After six games this season, the Golden Knights and Avalanche have won three games apiece. The Knights leave Denver still in first place in the West Division.

LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207097 Vegas Golden Knights That’s why they pay coaches the big bucks. Pete DeBoer earned his check Saturday.

No One Noticed Pete DeBoer and His Key Coaching Moves Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021

Published 10 hours ago on March 27, 2021

By Tom Callahan

It was a few small moments early in the game. If you blinked, you might have missed it. But Vegas Golden Knights head coach Pete DeBoer buttressed his team at an important time in Saturday’s overtime win.

Just 1:16 into the first period Saturday the Golden Knights found themselves down 1-0 to a team that DeBoer said had given them “an old- fashioned ass-kicking” just two days prior.

It was not a good start.

Lesser teams would fold. Players would get down, or be tempted to think “here we go again”. Instead Keegan Kolesar fought Dan Renouf six seconds after the goal was scored. Kolesar appeared to win the bout in a split-decision, and that lifted some heads.

Then DeBoer took over a short time later.

After an icing call exactly two minutes into the game, DeBoer pulled his mask down and began yelling at the referees, perhaps indicating he felt there was a missed penalty on a previous play or even arguing the icing call. His beet red face was wrinkled in disgust. Then he held up a single finger as if he were counting one or saying “that’s one” or “one time”. By then the mask was back on so lips were not read, but it appeared he was telling the officials he was keeping track of something and was tired of it already.

DeBoer didn’t field any questions after the game about it. No one really seemed to notice, but the anger and emotion was clear. A good coach knows when to step into the breach and take or generate the heat. That’s exactly what DeBoer did here.

Then, after the icing faceoff DeBoer made another small switch that paid big, immediate dividends. DeBoer called Alex Tuch off the ice after he dumped the puck in, replacing him with Ryan Reaves. Reaves was now out with Will Carrier and Tomas Nosek while Kolesar was in the penalty box. They delivered an impressive shift, dominating possession and generating a few dangerous scoring chances.

The curse was broken.

While Vegas wouldn’t score for another 13 minutes yet, DeBoer quickly grabbed his team and yanked it up by the bootstraps. Yelling at the referees is a time-honored misdirection. Sometimes a coach yells at the ref because he can’t yell at the players. Sometimes because he’s just angry. Sometimes there’s a legitimate gripe.

What Pete DeBoer did here was stir the emotional pot and direct attention away from giving up that early goal. It didn’t last long and barely warranted a mention on the broadcast, but the results showed immediately on the ice afterwards.

“The goal (today) was to play the way we’re capable, execute the way we’re capable,” DeBoer said. “To be honest if we had lost in OT I would have been really happy with the response anyway.”

The Golden Knights did respond, getting better as the game went along and dominating the third period while out-shooting the Avalanche 10-4.

“Thanks to believers for sticking with us. I know there were some doubters out there after the last game but I knew our group would respond with a real good effort.”

One other decision was made by DeBoer before the game even started – starting Marc-Andre Fleury for the second straight game.

“It was an easy decision. He’s carried us here the last month-and-a-half, he deserved to start the two most important games of the year so far. It was a pretty easy decision.”

Fleury responded by making 22 saves and playing solid the entire game, keeping the Golden Knights in it until they were able to win it on Max Pacioretty’s overtime goal. 1207098 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Come From Behind, Win 3-2 OT Thriller

Published 11 hours ago on March 27, 2021

By Tom Callahan

Max Pacioretty scored his NHL-leading fourth overtime goal as the Vegas Golden Knights came from behind twice to beat the Colorado Avalanche by a 3-2 score on Saturday afternoon.

The game resembled a classic heavyweight matchup, with each team trading punches throughout regulation. In a game that featured strength vs. strength at every turn, it didn’t disappoint anyone who tuned in.

Twice Colorado took the lead, and twice Vegas clawed back to tie it up. At times the Golden Knights controlled the play, at other times it was the Avalanche.

Particularly key in this one was the second and third period swings. Thursday night the Golden Knights were blown away by the Avs in the middle frame, out-scored 4-0 in a 5-1 loss. Today things were different as the VGK came in trailing by a goal and tied it on Will Carrier’s second of the season on a fantastic tip in front of Philipp Grubauer.

And in what has been the strongest VGK period all season, Vegas dominated in the third but were thwarted by Grubauer on several high caliber chances and the game headed to overtime.

The other sore spot for the Golden Knights this year has been the start, and while Vegas did fall behind just 1:16 into the game, they did come back instead of having a massive letdown.

“Coming out of here with a split is good, but we know we have room for improvement,” said Pacioretty.

Certainly today’s game will feel better and allows them to leave Denver with a Rocky Mountain high as the extra point in OT keeps them ahead of the Avalanche by one point.

The Takeaways:

A key early moment in the game was when Vegas was down 1-0 and head coach Pete DeBoer absolutely ripped into the officials. Keegan Kolesar had just had a scrap trying to change the momentum, and DeBoer felt there was a missed penalty. DeBoer exploded from the bench, laying into the officials and in the process waking up the bench. Don’t look past this moment in the game. Afterwards heads were up and there was chatter despite being down 1-0 early. Sometimes coaching isn’t about X’s and O’s, it’s about motivation and momentum.

Vegas is now 6-0 in overtime this season.

Max Pacioretty leads the NHL with four OT GWGs.

Marc-Andre Fleury started for the second straight game and made 22 saves.

Importantly, the Golden Knights generated more power plays than they gave up this game, and Alec Martinez scored with the man advantage to get the VGK on the board in the first period.

As the VGK dominated the third period, they only allowed four total shots for the Avalanche while taking 10 on Grubauer.

Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207099 Vegas Golden Knights Colorado is 16-0-1 when leading after two periods, but surprisingly 0-5-0 when trailing after two.

Vegas’ strongest period this season has been the third, with a +18 goal Vegas Golden Knights Look To Avoid Second Straight Embarrassment differential. The Avalanche tend to dominate in the second period, with a +19 rating.

Unfortunately for the VGK, the second period is the team’s weakest with Published 15 hours ago on March 27, 2021 a minus-7 goal differential.

By Tom Callahan Philipp Grubauer’s win was his 20th in his 27th start, making him the fastest goaltender in franchise history to reach the mark.

Jared Bednar is now the third-winningest coach in Avalanche/Nordiques The theme didn’t change on Friday after the Vegas Golden Knights history with 166 wins, passing Marc Crawford (165). practice. The talk was still about how embarrassed the Golden Knights were by Thursday’s effort. How the lack of forecheck pressure on the Colorado Avalanche defense led to opportunities and odd-man rushes against the VGK. Today the Golden Knights have a chance to flip the Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 03.28.2021 script in a matinee rematch with the Avs.

This has been a back-and-forth series the entire season. Both teams have looked fantastic, both have also looked bad. Vegas has shut out the Avalanche twice in their two wins. Colorado has scored at least three goals against the Golden Knights in each victory. The key difference lies not with the Avalanche, but with the Golden Knights.

For Colorado the attack starts from the defensive zone with several gifted puck-moving defensemen who can skate or make a great outlet pass. Hockey coaches teach kids from a young age that no player can skate as fast as you can pass the puck, so moving that outlet to the neutral zone quickly creates more opportunity and more speed on the rush. When the attack is moving quickly, you make the opposing defenders pivot (turn and skate back towards their own goal instead of skating backwards and keeping an eye on the attack). It’s much harder for them to defend, and now even more scoring chances can happen off the rush.

The best way to kill the momentum is to nip it in the bud at the source: the first touch in the Colorado Avalanche defensive zone. Cue the Vegas Golden Knights forecheck.

Watch for several small but important factors as the VGK approach the Colorado blue line. First, when they dump the puck in that they’re hitting the offensive zone with speed already. Second, that they put the puck in an area where the goalie can’t make a quick play on it to turn the momentum. Third, that they are immediately engaging the defenseman in a puck battle before he has a chance to make a move with it. Fourth, the second forward into the zone (commonly referred to as F2) must support the battle puck side high. Puck side high means his body is between the battle and the blue line. That way if the puck moves towards exiting the zone, F2 is there to cut it off and increase the chances of maintaining time in the offensive zone.

It’s a lot of moving parts, but that’s why the coordination and timing of the effort is so critical. If one of these things is off, the forecheck often fails unless the other team makes a mistake. This will be the difference in today’s game.

The entire forward group. Not only the Mark Stone line, but all four lines must get it going right off the opening faceoff. In particular, the fourth line could prove to be a game-changer if they’re able to pin the Avalanche back with their blend of aggression and speed. It wouldn’t hurt to throw a few big hits early and rattle some cages. Vegas has to show that they are interested and engaged from the start.

Colorado Avalanche

Samuel Girard often gets overlooked because of Cale Makar’s spectacular play, but Girard has been a nice find for the Avalanche along with Devon Toews. Girard comes into the game with 25 points, leading all Colorado defensemen (although Makar has played 10 fewer games due to injury). He’s not big but he can skate, move the puck and has good vision in all zones. There’s a tendency to fixate on Makar, but keep an eye on Girard. He always seems to be in the middle of things somehow.

TOM’S NOTES:

Thursday’s game marked the first time this season that the VGK have scored the first goal of the game and lost in regulation (18-1-1).

The game was also the first time Vegas led after the first period and lost (14-1-0) 1207100 Washington Capitals wins, including this year, through Friday: Pittsburgh with 619, Washington with 618. Most points: Washington 1,355, Pittsburgh 1,340. Fewest regulation losses: Washington 315, Boston 320.

These Capitals might not be a dynasty, but they remain a juggernaut I have to admit: There were a couple of times — maybe more than a couple — when I didn’t believe this kind of success was sustainable. Think about that devastating 2017 loss to Pittsburgh in Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs, when you knew they couldn’t afford to keep By Barry Svrluga everyone — and they lost Justin Williams via free agency, Nate Schmidt Sports columnist through the expansion draft and Marcus Johansson by trade. Or even last summer, when Trotz — who won the 2018 Stanley Cup here, then March 27, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. UTC left for the Islanders — ran circles around his successor, Todd Reirden, in a five-game first-round loss, the second time in Reirden’s two years

they were booted in the first round. It is by now a springtime ritual. Just as the cherry blossoms are popping It felt like their time as contenders had ended. Instead, it has been and the baseball season is opening, the Washington Capitals are extended. pushing toward the playoffs, and ferociously. Yes, the pandemic has punted the NHL’s annual tournament back a month, to starting in May. “It’s challenging,” MacLellan said, and he had to make the difficult But here are the Caps where they always are: on a perch and ready to decisions. The splashiest, and most obvious, offseason pivot: firing pounce. Reirden and hiring Laviolette, who had taken three franchises to the Stanley Cup finals, winning with Carolina in 2006. The veteran coach There’s a lot of season left, 23 games of a shortened 56-game schedule, entered a situation that needed a restoration, not an overhaul. and the Capitals are still level with the formidable New York Islanders — who ousted them from last year’s playoffs and have a familiar scowling “Not the playoffs that they were looking for the last couple years,” face behind the bench — atop the revamped East Division. Laviolette said by phone this week, “and so you know you’re coming into a situation where you know you’ve got a team that has been successful But even with lots of hockey left, the Caps’ position — with nine wins in in the regular season, some success in the playoffs and wants to get their past 10 games — is notable because of the travails of this team, back to that. To me, that’s a really exciting opportunity, and I felt which take some time to tell. They introduced a new coach to install a fortunate to be offered the job.” new system with zero preseason games and limited in-person meetings because of the pandemic. Their expected veteran presence in goal was Think about that: An established, championship-level coach felt fortunate lost for the season on the eve of camp. Their captain and a top center, to be offered Washington’s job. This isn’t the choking-dog franchise of along with a top-four defenseman and their next-in-line goalie, were the 1980s and ’90s, nor is it the outfit that — five consecutive times this shelved by a coronavirus outbreak. Their top-line right wing missed a century — handed its roster to first-time coaches. It’s a potential crucial stretch of seven games because of a (questionable) suspension. juggernaut that has stumbled in more playoffs than it has succeeded in — but has the ability to push through in any given year. Evgeny Kuznetsov asked for more responsibility. He’s getting it — and producing. So, then, why not a deep run this year? After a start that produced both lots of wins and inconsistent play, Laviolette has the Capitals playing a Those are the stories specific to this season, and they matter in telling durable style of defense and a structured offense that is sustainable in what these Capitals have overcome and how and why these Capitals are the postseason. No team averages more goals in five-on-five play, which succeeding. But the step-back picture — looking at more than a dozen feels so different from those Caps teams earlier in this era, which relied seasons — is kind of stunning. so heavily on the power play. Plus, the new coach was able to install At some point almost annually dating back to when Alex Ovechkin and both his system and some confidence even when newly signed goalie Nicklas Backstrom first pushed this franchise to the playoffs, there was a Henrik Lundqvist announced he would miss the season with a heart time to write about the red-hot Capitals shooting to the top of the division ailment, even when Ovechkin and three teammates had to enter the while eyeing the playoffs. That was true 10 years ago, five years ago, covid quarantine protocols, even when stalwart right winger Tom Wilson three years ago, whenever. was suspended for seven games.

Now, it’s not that they’re doing it under Coach , who has What Laviolette has found: The leadership core — loosely defined as restored a sense of accountability and installed a responsible team Ovechkin, Backstrom, Wilson, forward T.J. Oshie and defenseman John defensive philosophy in his first season in Washington. Rather, it’s that Carlson — might be getting older, but that doesn’t mean they are so dug they’re always doing it — regardless of the coach, regardless of who’s in on their methods that they’re intractable. injured, regardless of whom they lost over the summer, regardless of “Those guys have been extremely open and receptive,” Laviolette said. who stepped in as replacements. “There’s no pushback. There’s no ‘We used to do it this way and we had “Every year, you’re trying to address something that’s gone on that you success.’ There’s been none of that. They’re extremely open to a plan, to need to improve on,” Brian MacLellan, in his seventh year as general an idea. Those guys have been on the front of the rope making sure manager, said by phone this week. “ ‘What do we need this year? How we’re trying our best to play to that identity.” do we fill that hole? What do we have to work with?’ Constantly, every The Capitals’ identity, now more than a decade in the making: a regular year, you’re trying to maximize your lineup. season powerhouse. Just when you think that period might be winding “I want Nick and Ovi, every year, to be like, ‘Hey, we’ve got a good team; down, a new version of it is just winding up. let’s get it going.’ I think it’s our job to do that.”

It’s amazing how consistently MacLellan and his top charges — and Washington Post LOADED: 03.28.2021 before that, George McPhee and his staff, which included MacLellan as an assistant — have put this team in position to contend. It hasn’t always worked out. There have been plenty of painful springs. Still, check out the numbers.

In their first 32 years of existence, the Capitals won three division titles. Since 2007-08, they have won 10. That’s not just a new standard for the franchise. That’s the standard for the league. Runner-up for most division championships in that same 13-season span: Boston, Vancouver and Anaheim — with five apiece.

Tick off the boxes. In those 13 seasons, only Pittsburgh has made more playoff appearances — all 13 years, as opposed to 12 for the Caps, who missed in 2014, a development that led to the dismissal of McPhee and then-coach Adam Oates; the elevation of MacLellan in the front office; and the hiring of Barry Trotz behind the bench. Go down the list. Most 1207101 Washington Capitals It was only a two-goal deficit heading into the third period, but at no time during that final frame did it feel as if the Devils were actually in the game.

Capitals dominate Devils to sweep back-to-back set

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.28.2021 by J.J. Regan

The Capitals dominated the New Jersey Devils on Friday for the second time in as many nights, cruising to a 4-0 win to sweep the back-to-back set. Ilya Samsonov recorded his second career shutout in the effort while Alex Ovechkin stayed hot with two goals.

Washington is now 6-0-0 on the season against the Devils and has won nine of its last 10 games overall.

Here is how it happened.

Ilya Samsonov

Just 12 minutes into the game, the Caps led 2-0, but this game could have started off very differently if not for the efforts of Ilya Samsonov.

Samsonov was tested right away as Travis Zajac fired a slap shot on the rush forcing a difficult save just 29 seconds into the game. New Jersey recorded four shots on goal in the opening 5:01 of the game before Washington could muster any. But Samsonov stood tall allowing the rest of his teammates time to get their legs.

The Devils had the first four shots on goal of the game. By the time it was 4-4, Washington led 2-0.

Beyond just the start, Samsonov had an impressive performance overall. This looked like his most confident game of the season with a few emphatic glove saves as he turned aside all 24 shots he faced in the shutout performance.

The win improves Samsonov's record to 7-1-1 on the season.

Open passing lanes

Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom provided the two first period goals for Washington and both were real pretty.

Ovechkin dropped puck off to Evgeny Kuznetsov when he entered the offensive zone. Kuznetsov took the puck around the traffic to the left while Ovechkin cut to the far-right. Daniel Sprong crashed deep into the crease forcing a defenseman down with him and creating a lane for the pass from Kuznetsov to Ovechkin. Ovechkin had skated around Devils forward Jack Hughes who should have been aware of Ovechkin heading towards the back post and stepped-up to cut off the passing lane. Instead, Kuznetsov found Ovechkin for the goal.

Later in the first, Conor Sheary collected a puck behind the goal line in the offensive zone. He fed Tom Wilson in the faceoff circle who looked for Nicklas Backstrom on the back post. Once again, New Jersey failed to cut off the passing lane to a forward on the back post. Defenseman Ty Smith looked like he was in decent position, but Backstrom just managed to get a step on him to get to the puck for the goal.

For the season, Backstrom has 13 goals in 33 games. He managed only 12 goals in 61 games last season.

The 3rd period

Even during this current hot streak, one issue the team has faced has been giving up third period leads and allowing comebacks. That did not happen on Friday as Washington just completely shut the door on the Devils in the final 20 minutes.

Despite being up by two, Washington outshot New Jersey 17-5. Sheary provided the knockout punch with his seventh goal of the season. Devils forward Mikhail Maltsev tried a drop pass behind his own blue line in the face of pressure from the Caps' forecheckers. The puck was turned over and picked up by Wilson who fed Sheary. Sheary sniped a shot off the far goal post and into the top-shelf to make it 3-0.

Later in the third, Ovechkin would add his second goal of the night to make it 4-0 as he one-timed a pass from Kuznetsov. With two goals, Ovechkin now has nine in his last eight games. 1207102 Washington Capitals Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.28.2021

Samsonov is taking pressure off Caps as trade deadline nears

by J.J. Regan

The final score read 4-0 for the Capitals, but Friday's game against the New Jersey Devils could have gone very differently if not for the great start by goalie Ilya Samsonov. Just 29 seconds in, Travis Zajac fired a slap shot off the rush forcing a big save from Samsonov.

“Yeah that was a funny play," Tom Wilson said. "I think [Dmitry Orlov] got hit in the face and obviously when a d-man is out of it they got some guys behind us. That was a huge save. The first goal is big in this league, if you can get out to a good start and roll from there."

That was the first of 24 saves Samsonov would make on the night in the second shutout of this career and a big save that allowed the team time to find its legs before taking over the game.

With a record of 7-1-1 on the season, Friday was just the latest example of how Samsonov continues to improve with every passing game.

No team wants to give up a scoring chance in the first 30 seconds, but Samsonov's save on Zajac certainly seemed to contribute to his big performance, giving him a massive dose of confidence early on.

"Any time you get some early couple good saves, you feel more comfortable and stay in the game," Samsonov said. "I like it. ... I think every goalie like it."

From there, Samsonov looked unbeatable. He was especially strong with the glove with a number saves that reflected the confidence in which he played the game with.

Samsonov has certainly come a long way from his shaky start to the season. He did not register a save percentage above .900 in either of his first two starts before testing positive for the coronavirus. He would not return to action for over a month and, though he won in his first game back on Feb. 28 against New Jersey, he allowed two shaky goals in the process.

With every passing game, however, Samsonov has been playing with visibly more confidence and now looks like the No. 1 goalie the team envisioned him being in the offseason.

Samsonov's continued improvement is especially important less than a month before the NHL trade deadline.

The Caps' goalie tandem consists of the 24-year-old Samsonov and the 25-year-old Vitek Vanecek. Though both have contributed to Washington's high place in the standings, goaltending looks like a position of need for a Washington team hoping to compete for the Stanley Cup this season. Thinking ahead to the playoffs, having such a young goalie tandem is a gamble.

Though it would be hard for general manager Brian MacLellan to make any significant addition at the trade deadline, it is feeling more and more as if the Caps may not need to make a move to pick an additional goalie just to find some veteran experience. There seems to be a growing sense that the team is just fine with what it's got.

“Both of our goalies have been unbelievable," Wilson said. "They are poised back there. For being young guys, it is second to none and they look awesome. I think in this league you have to have good goaltending to win games and they’ve given us a chance every night.”

"We don't even think about it anymore," head coach Peter Laviolette said. "That's not really looked at like that anymore. At the beginning of the year, we've got a couple young guys that have to prove themselves. You can give somebody an opportunity, it's up to them to make the most of the opportunity and I think they have. They're both playing really well. I know that they're considered rookies, but inside of our room it's more like they're just considered part of the team."

Performance's like Saturday are the reason why.

"Whole team played hard tonight," Samsonov said. "I feel comfortable. A good shutout, and thank you, my team. Thank you, everyone." 1207103 Washington Capitals As of this writing, Calgary was in sixth place in the North Division, four points behind fourth-place Montreal. And as long as the Flames are loitering on the periphery of the playoff race, it’s hard to imagine they’ll part with Rittich. Earlier this month, though, The Athletic’s well-connected Capitals trade targets: 4 goalies they could acquire before the deadline columnist Pierre LeBrun wrote he sees a match between the Caps and Rittich, fueling speculation. One concern that stands out: Rittich has

appeared in just one playoff game. It was a brief appearance against By Tarik El-Bashir Dallas in August, and it did not go well as he yielded three goals on nine shots. Mar 27, 2021 Pekka Rinne

This one seems unlikely, at best. Rinne is a lifelong Predator, recently Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said earlier this month that expressed his desire to retire in Nashville and has a 10-team no-trade he’d be watching the team’s goaltenders closely before the April 12 trade clause. Predators general manager David Poile has also said he does deadline. not intend to trade Rinne, who’s had a couple of tough seasons after a long run as one of the league’s better netminders. It’s a fair question to What has he seen? ask how much he has left. It’s also fair to wonder whether the allure of He’s witnessed two young netminders — Ilya Samsonov, 24, and Vitek reuniting with Peter Laviolette and taking another hack at winning it all Vanecek, 25 — who have been playing well and winning, though maybe could change his mind. not stealing games on the regular. As you can see, the market for rentals, which could also feature That could lead to some tough choices in the coming days and weeks. Arizona’s Antti Raanta, isn’t exactly robust. There’s always the chance MacLellan will take aim at a goalie with term remaining, but that presents Samsonov, in particular, is not making MacLellan’s decision any easier. a whole new set of challenges given the team’s tight salary cap and the He earned his second career shutout Friday in a 4-0 win over New looming expansion draft. Jersey, is 6-1-0 since returning from a nasty bout with COVID-19 and now sports a .917 save percentage and a 2.22 goals-against average, MacLellan, of course, has more time to evaluate the situation — in his which ranks eighth among all goalies who’ve appeared in 10 games own team’s crease as well as with potential trade targets. (entering Saturday). It’s also possible Samsonov and Vanecek will do enough between now Vanecek, meantime, has a .910 save percentage and a 2.67 goals- and the deadline to quell any concerns he might have. against average after a mixed performance in Thursday night’s 4-3 win “They’ve been really good. We don’t even think about it anymore,” over the Devils. His 14 wins lead all rookies. Laviolette said Friday, asked about the inexperience of Samsonov and Adding a player at any position doesn’t figure to be easy considering the Vanecek. “That’s not really looked at like that anymore.” Caps’ salary-cap constraints, which I recently detailed here and here. But “At the beginning of the year,” he added, “we’ve got a couple young guys it’s not impossible, either. that have to prove themselves. You can give somebody an opportunity, Among questions MacLellan figures to be asking himself as he weighs it’s up to them to make the most of the opportunity, and I think they have. cost vs. benefit: They’re both playing really well. I know that they’re considered rookies, but inside of our room it’s more like they’re just considered part of the • Do any of the potential rentals represent a significant upgrade? team and they’ve played really well.”

• How much of a concern is the lack of postseason experience for Considering their recent performances, it’s hard to argue otherwise. But Samsonov and Vanecek? what’s not up for debate is this: Alex Ovechkin and company aren’t • What is Henrik Lundqvist’s status? A return this season from open-heart getting any younger, the championship window is closing, and the Caps surgery has always felt like a long shot, but more is expected to be have to get this right. known soon.

• Does it make sense to stand pat in net and instead focus on center The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 depth? Indeed, it’s become an emerging worry exposed by Lars Eller’s shoulder and leg injuries.

If MacLellan does, however, deem the risk of rolling with Samsonov and Vanecek to be too steep, a handful of 30-somethings might warrant a look.

Let’s take a closer look at four of them.

Jonathan Bernier

A veteran of five organizations and 13 seasons, Bernier is enjoying his strongest campaign since 2013-14, his first as a starter in Toronto. And he’s doing it while playing behind the league’s second-worst team. In fact, he leads the league in quality starts percentage (.750) among goalies with more than five starts, per Hockey Reference. But there are concerns if you’re MacLellan. First and foremost, Bernier remains day to day with a soft-tissue lower-body injury he suffered in a game March 18. There’s also the matter of his postseason history; it’s neither extensive (five starts) nor impressive (.885 save percentage).

Devan Dubnyk

The three-time All-Star (2016, ’17 and ’19) is in the midst of a meh season on a scuffling Sharks team. Dubnyk has had some good games, but when presented with an opportunity to beat out Martin Jones for the No. 1 job he was unable to lock it down. A member of the Wild from 2014 to 2020, Dubnyk has more postseason experience than Bernier but has never won a game beyond the first round.

David Rittich 1207104 Winnipeg Jets "It’s a pretty good feeling to get that one. Something you dream of as a kid, playing your first NHL game and scoring a goal in the NHL. Obviously, that was pretty cool," Stanley said. "I would have liked a better result for the team, but we will come back Monday with another good Jets' 3-game win streak ends with 4-2 loss to Flames game."

That set up what should have been an entertaining third period, only to have the Flames steal momentum built up by the Jets. Jeff Hamilton And they didn't wait long. Andrew Mangiapane scored just 46 seconds

into the third period, letting go an innocent shot that was deflected by The Winnipeg Jets run to the top of the mountain took a brief stumble Tucker Poolman on the way through Brossoit's legs. Calgary made in 4-2 Saturday in Cowtown following a 4-2 loss to the Calgary Flames at at the 7:48 mark of the period, with a goal Brossoit will surely want back. Scotiabank Saddledome. Sam Bennett snapped a 14-game goalless drought with a weak shot that was going wide, only to deflect off the stick of Brossoit and in. After opening a current season-high seven-game road trip with a pair of losses to the Edmonton Oilers late last week, the Jets had the chance to The Jets would come alive after they pulled Brossoit for an extra extend their win streak to four games over the lowly Flames. Instead, the attacker. But action around the net would be for nothing, as Rittich closed loss dropped them to 21-12-2 on the season. the door to earn a 22-save win.

That keeps Winnipeg in second place in the Canadian division, one point "I don’t know if this is the fact, but it feels like we’re, if not the best, one of up on the Edmonton Oilers and two back of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the best third period teams in the NHL. So our goal after the first period who still have a game in hand after defeating the Oilers in overtime was to win the second and give ourselves a chance, because we are a earlier in the night. A win would have put Winnipeg in a tie with the Leafs good third period team. And, yeah, it just wasn’t the night tonight." for top spot, with a chance to eclipse Toronto in the standings when they The third and final game of the mini-series between these two clubs meet next week. resumes Monday, before returning home for a pair of games between the "They played hard and they collapsed well. We didn’t get many to the Leafs. net," Jets captain Blake Wheeler said after the game. "They blocked a lot of shots. But we played them just as hard defensively. It was a pretty even game." Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.28.2021 The victory was much needed for the Flames, who are desperately holding onto their playoff lives after losing five of their previous six games. Calgary improved to 16-17-3 with the win, and is now two points back of the Montreal Canadiens for the final playoff spot. The Canadiens, however, have five games in hand.

The Jets seemed fatigued throughout the night, highlighted by a scoreless effort from their two top forward lines. Not even Winnipeg’s red-hot power play made a mark, going 0-for-2 on the man advantage. They didn’t get the kind of game they’ve come to expect from backup goalie Laurent Brossoit, who finished with 29 saves but allowed a couple odd shots sneak past him to earn his third loss in eight starts.

"I didn’t mind our game – I liked a big chunk of that first period. You know they were going to come with a really heavy push, and they did, but I thought we handled it really well," Jets head coach said. "First (goal) is a little greasy, got a bad break on the second and then kind of answered when we came back in the second period. A couple unusual bounces in the third and that’s it."

After falling to the Jets on home ice the previous night in a close affair, 3- 2, it wasn't much of a surprise to see the Flames come hot out of the gate. The Jets almost left the frame unscathed, too, only to catch a couple snags near the end of the period, resulting in the visitors falling behind 2-0 at the break.

Josh Leivo opened the scoring 17:13 into the period. Hovering around during a goalmouth scramble, Leivo took a couple whacks at the puck at the side of the net, with his second chance going high over the pad for a 1-0 lead.

A short time later Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo was addressed a holding penalty on Joakim Nordstrom. With a tired penalty unit running out of gas from a long shift, Mark Giordano fired a shot from the point that was redirected off Mason Appleton and past Brossoit to double the Flames' lead.

The Jets, as they've often done this season, clawed their way back, evening the game before the seven-minute mark of the second period.

It would be Appleton that would get things started for Winnipeg, besting David Rittich a mere 34 seconds into the frame. Appleton now has nine goals on the season, one short of becoming the seventh player on the Jets to register double-digit goals this season.

Logan Stanley evened the game minutes later with his first career NHL goal. Stanley had gotten close to finding mesh in recent action, including ringing a puck off the crossbar Friday. The 6-7 blue liner made no mistake this time, corralling the puck near the right faceoff dot before using every inch of his tall frame to rifle a shot high over Rittich's glove. 1207105 Winnipeg Jets “Well, they came ready to play, that’s for sure,” Stanley said of the Flames. “It felt like a playoff game. They played heavy and got pucks to the net and finished a lot of checks. We’ll expect another playoff-type game on Monday night.” Flames get Sutter’s message, take advantage of Brossoit’s off night to beat Jets Even if Brossoit had been on top of his game, the Jets were the second- best team in this game. They were badly outshot to the tune of 33-23 and Calgary had a wide edge in puck possession and quality scoring chances. Ted Wyman The Jets best offensive players — Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Paul Publishing date: Mar 28, 2021 Stastny, Nikolaj Ehlers, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Kyle Connor — were all quiet, although Connor did pick up the one assist on Stanley’s goal.

Darryl Sutter’s messages were received and clearly understood by the Wheeler was happy for the rookie, even if his team’s overall performance Calgary Flames. was somewhat substandard.

A night after coach Sutter called his team “dopey” in a 3-2 loss to the “It was just a matter of time (for Stanley),” Wheeler said. “He gets so Winnipeg Jets, the Flames came out with much more life and handed the many pucks through, he’s got such a heavy shot. Stan’s probably been visitors their first loss in four games. our biggest pleasant surprise this year. We couldn’t be happier with him, so it was great to see him get rewarded tonight.” Calgary scored two first-period goals and got two weak ones on Jets backup goaltender Laurent Brossoit — who was the “dopey” one this Brossoit finished the night with 29 saves, while Rittich stopped 21 for the time — in the third period on their way to a 4-2 victory Saturday at the win. Saddledome. The two teams wrap up their three-game series on Monday night at the “I didn’t mind our game,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said. “You knew (the Saddledome. Flames) were gonna come with a really heavy push, but I thought we The Jets, who looked a little tired at times Saturday, will have to get back handled it really well. The first goal was greasy, we got a bad break on to what was working well in a three-game winning streak during the the second, and we answered when we came back in the second. A week. Jets’ centre Adam Lowry gave the Flames credit for turning the couple of unusual bounces in the third and that’s it.” tide in the second half of a back-to-back. Sutter sent several messages to his team prior to the game, taking “I think they had good back pressure,” Lowry said. “They were a winger Dillon Dube and defenceman Juuso Valimaki out of the lineup and desperate team, they came out fast. They did a good job of not allowing replacing them with gritty winger Brett Ritchie and Winnipeg-born blue- too much space between their D and forwards. Good gap. They played a liner Michael Stone, playing his first NHL game in over a year. real tight, kind of as a five-man unit in their own end. They broke pucks He also let scoring star Johnny Gaudreau know how he felt about his out well. They made it tough for us to get to the front of the net. They performance in Friday night’s 3-2 loss to the Jets. made it tough for us to get second chance opportunities.”

Asked for a comment on Gaudreau playing his 500th NHL game Saturday night, Sutter said “Hopefully he has more energy than in his Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.28.2021 499th game.”

The response was immediate from the Flames, who got first-period goals from Josh Leivo and Mark Giardano and third-period markers from Andrew Mangiapane and Sam Bennett on their way to the win. Gaudreau had an assist and played one of his better games of the last month.

It didn’t hurt the Flames that Brossoit had an off night, allowing Mangiapane’s weak shot to get under him 47 seconds into the third and then giving up and even worse goal to Bennett seven minutes later.

Bennett’s long shot was not even on goal, but Brossoit reached out with his stick and knocked it into his own net.

What does a coach even say to his goalie after a period like that?

“You learn over time that these guys are really proud professional athletes, so you wouldn’t say anything to anybody after a game like that,” Maurice said. “You’d wait, slap him on the pads the next time you’re on the ice and have a chuckle about it and move on.”

The Jets got the only two goals of the second period to tie the game at 2- 2. The first came off the stick of third-liner Mason Appleton, who banked a shot off Flames forward Milan Lucic 34 seconds into the frame.

The second was the first NHL goal for towering defenceman Logan Stanley, who buried a wrist-shot bar down past Flames goalie David Rittich after taking a feed from winger Kyle Connor.

“It’s a pretty good feeling to get that one,” Stanley said. “It’s something you dream of as a kid, playing your first NHL game and scoring a goal in the NHL. Obviously, that was pretty cool. I would have liked a better result for the team, but we will come back Monday with another good game.”

The Flames prevented the Jets (21-12-2) from moving back into a first- place tie in the North Division with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who beat the Edmonton Oilers in overtime Saturday.

Calgary moved to within nine points of the Jets, as they try to stay in the hunt for one of four playoff spots in the Canadian division. 1207106 Winnipeg Jets When Wheeler got his 10th goal of the season Friday night, it gave the Jets six players in double digits, tying them with the Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche for the league lead.

JETS SNAPSHOTS: Jets two-headed monster of a power play causing Connor led the team with 17 goals, heading into Saturday’s game, while big problems for North Division opponents Ehlers had 15, Scheifele 13, Stastny 11 and Copp and Wheeler 10 apiece.

If this were an 82-game season, instead of a condensed 56-gamer, Ted Wyman Connor would be on pace for 41 goals, Ehlers for 36, Scheifele for 31, Stastny for 26, and Wheeler and Copp each for 24. Publishing date: Mar 27, 2021 Third-line winger Mason Appleton, who has eight goals, is on pace for 19

in an 82-game season, while Adam Lowry and Perreault are both on When members of the Winnipeg Jets’ power-play units gather for pace for 16. meetings, there’s usually a little good-natured trash talk going on. Then there’s Dubois, who has five goals in 19 appearances, which would It only makes sense, when you consider how much of a contribution both put him at a 22-goal pace. units have been making lately. It seems possible that if this team stays healthy all year, it could have as The Jets entered Saturday night’s game in Calgary with the fourth best many as 10 players who are on pace for at least 20 goals over an 82- power play in the NHL (27.4%) and it can be attributed to getting goals game season. from both the No. 1 unit, centred by Mark Scheifele, and the No. 2 group, No one has seen that kind of balanced production around these parts centred by Andrew Copp. since the 1984-85 season, when the Jets 1.0 had six 30-goal scorers and In the month of March, the Jets have scored 12 power-play goals, with eight 20-goal scorers. A year earlier, the Jets had nine 20-goal scorers. six coming from Team Scheifele and six coming from Team Copp. That was a different era however, an era when Wayne Gretzky scored It’s a rare balance in the NHL and it’s kind of incredible, given that the over 200 points in a season. second unit gets only about one third of the power-play ice time. In 1984-85, there were nine NHL players with at least 50 goals, and 23 “It’s a healthy and respectful competition between the two (power play) with at least 40 goals. units,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said. “They each have an identity. It’s fair to say this is one of the more potent Jets teams we’ve seen in a There’s an awful lot of good ribbing that goes on in the power play long time. meetings, between the two, deciding which is the first unit and which is the second.”

In Friday night’s game, the Scheifele unit did the damage, as the Jets Winnipeg Sun LOADED 03.28.2021 went 2-for-6 and got goals from Blake Wheeler and in a 3-2 win over the Flames.

Last Wednesday in Vancouver, the Jets went 2-for-3, with Copp scoring both power play markers, as part of his four-goal night.

Overall, the first unit has eight power play goals from Kyle Connor, three from Scheifele, three from Wheeler, two from Stastny and none from defenceman Josh Morrissey.

The second unit has five goals from Copp, four from Nikolaj Ehlers, one each from Neal Pionk and Mathieu Perreault and none from centre Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Overall, it’s 16-11 for Team Scheifele, although the five players on that unit have an average of 104 power play minutes this season, while the five players on Unit 2 have an average of 49.70 minutes.

Essentially, the top power play unit is scoring once in every 6.5 minutes of man advantage time, while the second unit is scoring once in every 4.5 minutes.

“It’s internal competition,” said Stastny, whose 11th goal of the season stood as the game winner on Friday.

“We were kind of pissed off with ourselves, at least our unit was, because we weren’t doing anything the last four or five games, like we weren’t even creating momentum. The other unit was scoring, which obviously was huge for us. It was the difference in a couple games. That makes it nice when you can rely on different units. It’s a healthy competition and I think you need that. Defending us is tough because it’s two different units, two different looks. As an opposing team, it’s difficult cause you’ve got to prepare for both.”

Stastny was quick to credit the second unit with helping the first unit find success on Friday night.

“Sometimes we watch what they’re doing and sometimes they simplify and that’s what makes them successful,” Stastny said. “As a unit of five, we talk about it. And even if they’re not scoring, they’re creating a lot of chances. They’re creating a lot of momentum and that’s what you’ve got to do. And it’s been good. It’s good to see, it’s good to learn from, and it’s good to feed off each other like that.”

The power play is not the only area where the 21-11-2 Jets have had great scoring balance. 1207107 Winnipeg Jets standstill. With 48 percent of shot attempts and 48 percent of expected goals, the pairing isn’t dominating its opposition. They’ve been outscored 18-16. With the context we have, and on a team that’s posted the 28th- worst offence in terms of goals per game, those numbers aren’t an Looking for the Jets’ perfect dark horse trade candidate: Could Alex indictment. Goligoski be a match? Sites like Evolving-Hockey and Hockey Viz show Goligoski to be more of a break-even player.

By Murat Ates Rest assured, Goligoski can still finish when the opportunity presents itself. Mar 27, 2021 Back to the data: Our own Dom Luszczyszyn sees a bottom-pair

defenceman while acknowledging Goligoski’s usage makes him look When the Winnipeg Jets acquired Pierre-Luc Dubois on Jan. 23, they worse than he is. were made to wait until Feb. 9 before Dubois’ first game. The Canadian In Dom’s trade deadline preview, he wrote: “He plays very tough minutes quarantine rules delayed his debut until well after Jack Roslovic (Jan. 28) for the Coyotes and though his expected goals rate is below 50 percent, and Patrik Laine (Feb. 2) were able to play for the Blue Jackets. it’s higher than the team average. That’s decent for his role and it’s By the time the Jets make their next move, that disparity is expected to possible that he could show more in a more sheltered role. That’s sort of be gone. As first reported by CBC’s David Cochrane, it is believed that what the Islanders banked on last year with Andy Greene and that’s players arriving in Canada from the United States — Eric Staal, for worked out tremendously for them. Goligoski could provide similar value.” example, after being traded to Montreal from Buffalo on Friday — will Sneaky good value from a veteran is exactly the play I have in mind for only need to quarantine for one week before joining their new team. Winnipeg. The new regulations mean it’s open season ahead of the trade deadline Goligoski certainly checks all of the boxes on the Jets’ typical shopping April 12. For the Jets, who are looking for a defenceman to upgrade their list. playoff-bound roster, a deal with Vancouver, Calgary or Ottawa is no longer any more desirable than one made with Nashville, Columbus or He’s well liked around the league. He’s also a former University of Arizona. Minnesota teammate of Jets captain Blake Wheeler. The two won the 2007 WCHA championship together. Wait. Most importantly, he can still play. Goligoski can still have an impact on Arizona? the game, whether his role in Winnipeg would be to provide a veteran, That’s not where Mattias Ekholm or David Savard play. third-pairing left-handed defenceman with expertise on both special teams or a minute-munching, tough-competition playing partner for It’s true Ekholm and Savard are the two shiniest defencemen widely Morrissey. He’s already sawed off top-pairing minutes on his off-hand reported to be available. They’re ranked first and seventh on The side with Chychrun; one suspects Goligoski could reprise that role or Athletic’s trade board for a reason. exploit lesser minutes while chipping in on special teams.

It is also true Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has done his Earlier this week, when asked to describe himself before reaching the best work at recent trade deadlines by finding players outside the rumour 900-game milestone, Goligoski said, “I just want to be a reliable player mill. Whether it was Paul Stastny in 2018 or Dylan DeMelo in 2020, and just be a good teammate.” Cheveldayoff has found helpful players no one seemed to be talking about before they became Jets. Arizona’s head coach Rick Tocchet followed up on those words with a ringing endorsement. That’s where pending UFA Alex Goligoski and the Arizona Coyotes come in. “At the end of the day, when you retire (and) a player you see 10 years from now says ‘I played with Alex Goligoski and he was a really reliable Goligoski may be a unique opportunity for Winnipeg to upgrade its blue guy. I could count on him every night.’ That, to me, speaks a volume line with a veteran, puck-moving defenceman without giving up high-end about a player. That’s a really good thing for Goose to say because it’s futures like Dylan Samberg. true.”

After a 14-year career spent producing nearly half a point per game, It’s exactly that dependability Winnipeg is looking for right now. including 32 points in 70 games last season, Goligoski is sitting on just four points through 34 games this season. Say what you will about the Jets’ in-zone coverage or their bottom-tier shots, shot attempts or expected goals numbers at five-on-five. The Jets’ On first glance, that production drop might hint Goligoski’s age has forward group is simply too good and Connor Hellebuyck too spectacular caught up to him. He’s 35 years old and recently passed the 900-game for Winnipeg to waste by entering the playoffs without upgrading its mark in the NHL. defence.

But zoom in and study the changes to his role in Arizona, and what’s left Top-tier prospects like Cole Perfetti, Ville Heinola and Samberg should is a good teammate adapting to new responsibilities. be a no-fly zone for the Jets. They’re looking to compete from now right through the end of Hellebuyck, Wheeler and Mark Scheifele’s contracts Goligoski has traded his power-play minutes for a top-pairing in 2023-24. assignment, serving as a mentor for 22-year-old star-to-be Jacob Chychrun. Goligoski has served in this role while playing on the right side How do you upgrade the foundation without mortgaging the future? of the ice, despite being left-handed — a difficult shift for most (but not all) defenders who try it. One way would be to turn away from star power like Ekholm and look for good players in tough spots like Goligoski is right now. In Winnipeg, we recently watched the left-handed Josh Morrissey struggle playing on the right side so that Nathan Beaulieu could play on Working against Goligoski as a dark horse acquisition? the top pair. Two seasons ago, we watched as the Jets tried to play the At 5-foot-11, it’s easy to believe the Jets would look at their existing blue right-handed Tyler Myers on the left side. line and think Goligoski is too small for playoff hockey (despite his 21- As discussed in that Myers piece, research by New Jersey Devils director point, 43-game playoff pedigree). of hockey analytics Matt Cane suggests pairings with one player on their There’s also the possibility Arizona, which is only two points back of the weak side usually fare about 1-2 percent worse than when both players fourth-place Blues in the West, doesn’t end up selling at the deadline. are in their natural positions. Moreover, his $5.475 million cap hit is a lot for the Jets and their $3.5 That’s exactly what’s happening to Goligoski right now. million LTIR pool to absorb. He also has an eight-team no-trade clause He and Chychrun play top-pairing minutes against the West Division’s and would have to sign off on the deal as Stastny did in the offseason. toughest matchups at even strength and very nearly play them to a But consider this. If the trade is as small as Sami Niku ($725,000 AAV) plus a draft pick, and if the Jets follow the move by sending waivers-exempt Logan Stanley to the taxi squad, then the Jets are within $150,000 of being able to afford Goligoski straight across. That would not be a lot of money for the Coyotes to retain.

And if Winnipeg is able to move a contract as big as Beaulieu’s $1.25 million instead of Niku, then the deal needs no additional cap acrobatics.

No, Goligoski would not be a home run swing.

In fact, that’s precisely the point of this exercise.

A low-cost, low-risk trade is precisely the type of gamble a good but flawed Jets team should look for, especially because the team doesn’t want to give up on young defencemen like Stanley, Samberg and Heinola.

Thus Goligoski could be a veteran upgrade to the Jets’ blue line who costs much less by trade than either Ekholm or Savard does. And, given he’s a pending UFA, Goligoski would not create any additional expansion draft concerns.

Finally, it should be noted Jets scout Danny Richmond took in a Coyotes game against Colorado earlier this week.

Could there be something here?

Cheveldayoff has found value shopping for good veteran teammates in the bargain bin before. For that reason, Goligoski may be a player to watch.

The Athletic LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207108 Vancouver Canucks The Canucks’ lack of defensive structure has punished them far too often this season, as goalie Thatcher Demko and defencemen Nate Schmidt and Tyler Myers can attest here after a goal by Montreal’s Josh Anderson. It’s back to the drawing board for the Vancouver Canucks Five things we’ve learned

1. Overpaying for depth players in free agency isn’t worth it. The Patrick Johnston acquisitions of Jimmy Vesey and Travis Boyd are a reminder that you can find role players on cheap contracts quite easily. You don’t have to Publishing date: Mar 27, 2021 break the bank for them.

2. Thatcher Demko really does have a good-looking future. His Barring a miracle, the Vancouver Canucks’ 2020-21 season is a clear remarkable March wasn’t going to last forever, but in that stretch he step back. They’re not going to make the playoffs, a disappointment after showed he can be the goalie the Canucks need if they’re going to evolve last summer’s startling run — recall the four-month-plus pandemic into a contender in the next few seasons. postponement? — to the Stanley Cup quarter-finals. One definite bright spot has been the confirmation of Thatcher Demko as The time has come for a return to the drawing board. If this team is going the Canucks’ goalie of the present and future. to be a truly great one, a new plan is needed. 3. Practice matters. The Canucks’ early-season struggles were as much The Canucks’ payroll was cut from 2019-20, sinking to the bottom third in about their lack of cohesion as anything. They made mistakes and never the league from near the top. That’s had an impact on the on-ice product. had a chance to correct them in a practice, such was the pace of their They started badly and never really got back into the playoff race, though schedule. Once they finally did get time together to go over what wasn’t the standings may have offered an illusion they were for a time because working, they started playing better. Funny that. they had played several games more than their opponents. 4. You need scoring from your bottom two lines. The Canucks haven’t With the season entering its final third, let us consider the campaign received much of that from the likes of Antoine Roussel, Adam Gaudette that’s been and what is to come. and Brandon Sutter.

How did we get here? 5. The Canucks still need to be better defensively. For all their improvements in February, they returned to giving up far too many shots All right, so you’ve been living under a rock. in March. Whatever the solution to that problem is — better defencemen, a different overall approach, what have you — they need to figure it out, Here’s what you missed: otherwise they’ll forever be a middle-of-the-pack team at best. • A global pandemic began in March 2020, completely resetting the Five questions yet to be answered global economy and forcing professional sports leagues the world over into a pause. NHL teams didn’t have fans in the building for the rest of 1. What happens with ? He has no contract beyond this the year (and American teams have only just been authorized to start season. Will he test the market, one that could have Rick Tocchet, Rod having limited crowds in their buildings). Brind’amour and Jeff Blashill also chasing deals?

• In the wake of this, Vancouver Canucks ownership chose to dial back 2. What happens with Jim Benning? The Canucks will have made the on spending in all parts of the business, terminating more than three- playoffs just twice in seven years with him at the helm, assuming the rest quarters of the staff and moving to cut payroll on the hockey team. On of the season plays out as we expect and the Canucks don’t somehow the salary cap they’re at the limit, but in actual dollars (according to the reel off 15 wins in 19 games to make the postseason. How can guys under the hood at CapFriendly.com), the Canucks are just 21st this ownership stand for that? season — roughly $50.5 million — in real-dollars salary expenditure. That’s a far cry from the big spenders they’ve been in the past. Canucks general manager Jim Benning (right), who has got his club into the playoffs just twice during his tenure, should be under at least as Defenceman Tyler Myers cuts a lonely figure in the penalty box during a much scrutiny as coach Travis Green. no-fans game at Rogers Arena, a staple of this unique, pandemic- influenced NHL season. 3. Can Quinn Hughes rediscover the two-way excellence he displayed as a rookie? He’s had some bad nights in his own end this season. He was • Among the decisions made to get down to this figure was walking away battling something early in the season but has apparently been healthy from Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev, Troy Stecher and Tyler Toffoli. Now, for at least a month now. But unlike Cale Makar in Colorado, to whom he there were hockey cases to be made in seeing Tanev and Markstrom lost the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top freshman last season, he’s depart, but Stecher was willing to return for a cheap contract and Toffoli’s looked nothing like the thrilling sensation he was as a rookie. Makar, on contract in Montreal would have been easily manageable for the the other hand, is already in the Norris Trophy discussion as the league’s Canucks to figure out under the cap by not re-signing Jake Virtanen — best defenceman. there were trade offers for him at the 2020 draft — and probably buying out Brandon Sutter. But here we are. 4. How bad is Elias Pettersson’s injury? We believe he first hurt his wrist March 1. His last game was March 2. Will he even return this season? • The Canucks’ schedule in January and early February was punishing, playing 16 games in 27 days. With three new defencemen in the lineup 5. Will the Canucks find a way to be active sellers at the trade deadline? on any given night to start — Travis Hamonic, Nate Schmidt and Olli They should do everything they can to seize that role. Juolevi or Jalen Chatfield — the team struggled to execute its system Five players to trade and had no practice time to figure out what was going wrong. The Canucks’ record suffered and they’ve never been able to climb out of the The Canucks must shift into seller mode. With the federal government hole they dug for themselves. now approving a seven-day quarantine for NHLers arriving from U.S. teams — on condition they’re tested daily — making trades should be • The team started playing a lot better as a unit in February, once they easier this season. With the trade deadline just over two weeks away, got some practice time in. But their goaltending struggled. time’s a crackin’. • Then in March, the Canucks started to struggle with their systems — Even adding a handful of draft picks to flip later for interesting players and they lost Elias Pettersson to a suspected wrist injury — but reeled off ahead of this coming summer’s Seattle expansion draft is a worthwhile a series of wins on the back of some incredible goaltending by Thatcher endeavour. The Carolina Hurricanes, for instance, are going to have to Demko. But even winning eight of 10 games wasn’t enough to really get leave a couple of good defencemen exposed and would surely like to them back in the playoff hunt, and now there’s just not enough time left to recoup something for at least one. make up the ground they’ve already lost; making the playoffs is nearly impossible at this point. HockeyViz.com projects their chances of Here are five candidates for a trade: qualifying at six per cent. It’s time to move on from Jake Virtanen, despite his draft pedigree (sixth overall in 2014, GM Jim Benning’s first selection with the Canucks organization).

Jake Virtanen: It’s time to move on from the 2014 first-round pick, if only for the player’s own sake. He’s got just four goals this season and no assists, despite repeated runs in the top six. And before you scream about Cam Neely, Virtanen has played with far better centres in Vancouver than Neely ever did. Neely was asked to be a third- and fourth-line thug, not a goal scorer.

His first season in Boston, where his scoring took off immediately, saw Neely finally play with Thomas Gradin, who moved to Boston as a free agent that same summer. They were rarely linemates in Vancouver. Virtanen has played plenty with Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat and J.T. Miller this season.

Alex Edler: The veteran defenceman has a no-move clause and could block a trade, but after seven mostly hard years in Vancouver, you’ve got to believe he’d be interested in another shot at a Stanley Cup.

He’s limited in his ability to defend the rush now, but his steadiness on the puck and his positional smarts remain strengths. He’d be handy for a team to add to their third pairing.

Brandon Sutter: He’s clearly banged up, but is a capable face-off man and penalty killer. Like Edler, adding him as a fourth-liner or a 13th forward would appeal to a team looking to add depth to make a run.

Brandon Sutter, capable in the faceoff circle and as a penalty killer, should be traded if at all possible.

Tanner Pearson: Obviously he’s still on the shelf for at least another three weeks or so with an ankle or knee injury. But he’s a solid two-way presence, even if his scoring touch had gone cold in the weeks before his injury. He’d slot in fine on another team’s third or fourth line.

Jordie Benn: His first season in Vancouver was uneven. It’s been more even this year, though it’s hard to tell given the team’s overall struggles. He’s shown this year how he can play both sides, a rare skill. He’s not going to step into another team’s top six, but he’s fine as a No. 7 or even 8 on a contender.

What’s ahead

The Canucks are on a six-day break. They practise Saturday but otherwise are off until next Tuesday.

Other than the Montreal Canadiens, the rest of the division will continue to play games and everyone has games in hand on the Canucks. Once the Habs are back in action following their COVID-19 pause, they’ll have six games in hand on the Canucks, which renders the two-point edge Montreal presently has a total illusion.

The Canucks have 19 games left in the season. Their last game is currently scheduled for May 8. It’s going to be a long six weeks.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 03.28.2021 1207109 Websites Give him credit, as a gifted playmaker who has accrued the bulk of his 472 points from the perimeter, he seems focused on trying to satisfy the coach in ways he hasn’t before.

Sportsnet.ca / Gaudreau rises to Sutter's challenge to help Flames snap “All coaches are different — whether you tell me personally or the way I four-game skid heard it tonight, I take a lot out of my game,” said Gaudreau.

“I look at it and try to play as hard as I can each night. I’m an offensive guy and sometimes the numbers aren’t there and that looks bad on me. Eric Francis@EricFrancis But I try to be smart defensively. I try to do the right things and I feel like I’ve been getting better at that throughout my years here. Tonight was a March 28, 2021, 2:04 AM big win for us and that’s what I can take out of it.”

Where the relationship goes from here is anyone’s guess, as Sutter has Many believed the hiring of would mark the beginning of the a long track record of being unrelenting on his top players, forever end for Johnny Gaudreau as a Calgary Flame. insisting they need to give more.

On Saturday, the new coach added credence to that theory. How Gaudreau responds may play a role in his fate this summer.

Or did he? But then, it might not.

Hours before the 27-year-old Flames winger was slated to suit up for his When asked after the game about his pre-game suggestion Gaudreau 500th NHL game, Sutter was asked for a cursory quote on the struggling lacked energy his last outing, Sutter doubled down. star’s milestone. “I didn’t suggest it – it was a fact,” said Sutter, who regularly lit similar “If you’re just basing it on his 500th game tonight, hopefully he has more fires under Jarome Iginla. energy than in his 499th game,” said Sutter. “He was much better tonight. His pace was better. Quite honestly it was Remaining Time -0:30 his best game he’s played since I joined the team. He’s an elite-level player in this league, so he has to try to have his best game every game Sutter on Gaudreau's 500th game: 'Hopefully he has more energy than in for us.” his 499th' Message received. Next question. Response delivered. In terms of background, it must be pointed out that Sutter has long used the media as a tool to take regular shots like that to try firing up players. Midway through the first period, Gaudreau earned stick taps from his teammates as the undersized fourth-round pick was saluted on the This one felt cheap though. Jumbotron for a half-century of games that have him sitting tenth in NHL scoring since the Hobey Baker winner joined the Flames in 2014 with a Unnecessary. goal on his very first shot. So much so the Flames omitted it when rebroadcasting the coach’s His victim? Jacob Markstrom, for you trivia buffs. Zoom call on their website. He’s since had 30 game-winners, posted a 99-point season, won a Lady It wasn’t a good look. Byng and proved countless doubters wrong. But, pardon me for asking, did it work? It certainly seemed he deserved better than to have his accomplishments By night’s end, Gaudreau had his first assist (he had a second one taken brushed aside Saturday morning by a coach whose only focus was away after the game) since Sutter joined the team ten games ago. getting the most out of his marquee man.

He drew a penalty, set linemate Brett Ritchie up for two great scoring Or was it exactly what he needed? chances and looked like his old, freewheeling self as the game progressed and the Flames broke a 2-2 tie to snap a four-game losing skid with a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.28.2021 While he would never come out and say the coach’s comment motivated him, he certainly admitted it caught his attention.

“Ya, I heard it — didn’t think much of it,” shrugged an unusually talkative Gaudreau, clearly proud of his game log.

“I’ve been playing hockey for 24, 25 years now, and I know when I haven’t played well and when I have played well. Personally, I’ve been going up and down throughout the season and obviously not finding the net sometimes. I try to work as hard as I can each night for the 23 guys in that locker room. I played for a long time with a lot of those guys in that locker room and I’m sure a lot of them are really happy for me after tonight. It was a special night. It was a great night to win, playing my 500th game."

It’s no secret the struggles Gaudreau has had this season and last have been compounded by Sutter’s arrival.

The growing pains were inevitable given Sutter’s demand for defensive details and dreaded dump-ins.

He’s taken just as many hellacious hits (two, thanks to Neal Pionk and Justin Holl) as he has scored goals since Sutter was hired, albeit in three minutes less ice time nightly than Geoff Ward afforded him.

The coach has urged him to shoot it more, which has proven to be troublesome in a tighter defensive system the five-foot-nine, 165-pound winger has been uncomfortable adapting to.

He admitted as much last week while being a good soldier by adding that regardless of his obvious adjustment period, the coach’s word is gospel. 1207110 Websites Ideally, they’d avoid overreaction early and create a flow to the action. Players changing on the fly and picking themselves up after receiving hard hits. Fewer stoppages means fewer opportunities to scrum and bicker and seek retribution. Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: What Eric Staal's trade means for the Taylor Hall market Keefe highlighted an important fact: That hockey is the only major team sport where each penalty has an effect on the game clock. An excess of penalties could effect the fan experience and the entertainment value. “That’s at the root of our sport,” Keefe said. Luke Fox@lukefoxjukebox Game management and make-up calls, however, are not the same thing. March 27, 2021 And if the more talented side deserves to draw seven penalties, that shouldn’t mean the other gets five ticky-tack power-plays just so the ledger looks more balanced. A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. This is just a makeup column for “The best way I feel about it is keeping the standard as consistent as botching the last one. possible, at least from start to finish. Some nights, a little more gets let go. Sometimes it's a little tighter. But when the standards change in- 1. “Yeah, for sure,” Taylor Hall says, he’d be willing to waive his no-trade game so significantly, that's when it can get frustrating as a player,” Leafs clause. And escape the disaster that is the Buffalo Sabres in 2021. captain John Tavares says.

Rare to see a player so bluntly honest, but we’re past sugarcoating here. “But I don't think anyone wants to see important games, important points be decided by a faceoff violation in the last two minutes of a great hockey It’s sad to watch the deterioration of the Sabres, who have been shut out game that's got a lot on the line and may be even a playoff game.” in more games (seven) than they’ve won (six). And who have now traded one of their major off-season acquisitions, Eric Staal, to Montreal — a The NHL had to come down hard on Peel, especially as it drives to be a team originally on Staal’s no-trade list — 17 days in advance of the trade larger player in the gambling space. But there is some measure of deadline. sympathy for a mic’d-up scapegoat who, Fraser says, was urged to delay retirement and call one more season and help mentor younger stripes on That an inexperienced Kevyn Adams must now execute more critical the craft. rental deals in the next two weeks (when he’s not forced behind the bench himself) only adds to the drama. “I always liked Tim Peel,” Arizona Coyotes defenceman Jason Demers tweeted. “There’s a flow in NHL games that refs have to manage that The trick will be maximizing his return on Hall after yielding just a third- might be tough to notice. They are human, and make mistakes, and and a fifth-round pick for Staal, plus retaining half his salary. sometimes get caught up in keeping that flow. Might be excessive [shrug How much is that paltry return for a middle-six centreman the fault of emojis].” Adams versus selling guys with poor stat lines in a buyer’s market? If hunting for makeup calls disappears as a result of the hot mic, The asking price for Hall begins with a first-round pick, according to fantastic. Pierre LeBrun. But those who expect every infraction to trigger a whistle should be Six players were traded at the 2020 deadline for return packages that careful what they wish for. included a first-rounder: Brady Skjei, Barclay Goodrow, Jean-Gabriel Luke Fox Pageau, Ondrej Kase, Blake Coleman, and Jason Zucker. 3. Here’s a Tim Peel ripple effect. All but Pageau had term on their deals, ensuring the acquiring team multiple runs. And the Pageau deal only went through because he put Referee Eric Furlatt made a point to clasp his hand over his collar mic pen to paper on an extension with the Islanders immediately after. during this discussion with Wayne Simmonds Friday night. Why take the risk of anyone getting exposed for saying something reprimandable? In other words, none were a pure rental like Hall. 4. Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs fans will both get some Even if he retains half of Hall’s exorbitant $8-million cap hit, Adams’ price insight into Nazem Kadri if they check out his candid interview on the will have to drop. While a reduced Canadian quarantine could open a Spittin’ Chiclets podcast this week. couple options, Hall’s full no-move clause could also limit his GM's trade partners. Kadri, 30, dives into the differences between the markets and recalls the weird feeling of getting undressed postgame in Denver and no reporters The funny thing is, the Staal trade — hardly a windfall — may have just even approaching him. He was used to deep scrums, waves of helped set the market against Buffalo’s favour. questions, and front-page treatment as a Leaf. 2. Retired referee Kerry Fraser recalls a nugget of advice passed down “The privacy aspect in Denver — nobody’s bugging you,” Kadri marvels. from his own mentor, John McCauley. Kadri goes over his nixed trade to Calgary, confirms some of the other “The very most successful referee is a guy that allows the game to be organizations on his no-trade list, and admits to initial bitterness over controlled in bedlam,” Fraser relayed during an appearance on Lead Off, being traded to the Avs. following the Tim Peel debacle. “I knew I was gonna get better, and I wanted to provide more for the “No referee wants to impose himself in a game. He wants to drop the [Leafs]. They decided to go in a different direction, and I’m OK with that,” puck and say, ‘Bring it back to me at the end.’ Let’s play. It’s great for the said Kadri, now embracing his important role on a U.S. contender. fans. It’s great for the players.” Kadri also acknowledges the role his back-to-back playoff suspensions McCauley, Fraser, Peel, none of them called the rulebook like a against the Bruins played in his ouster. But is confident he’d learned his pointdexter. lesson. Do that, as Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe noted this week, and you’d “Bit of a s––––– thing for me to go through. But you can’t think I was be whistling 50 infractions a night. gonna do that again for a third time, did ya?” Kadri smiled. “Two’s “There’s an art to officiating. It’s not just enforce the rules,” Fraser enough.” argues. “You have to learn your trade.” 5. Despite their rebuilding year, and a ridiculous string of goalie injuries, Fraser donned the stripes for some 30 NHL years and found himself in the young Senators deserve props for not wilting. The overall results his own share of controversies. Once the league installed its two-ref aren’t there, but effort is never questioned. system, he’d review the two teams with his partner before puck drop and “As the season has worn on, they've gotten a lot more comfortable with say: “Let’s not take the heartbeat out of the game here.” how it is they want to play and need to play,” Sheldon Keefe observes. “We felt that, really, right from the start of the season, they're a difficult team to play against. I think they've had a lot of nights where the game gets away on them early and they've had some difficulty getting saves, GM Brad Treliving is on his fifth head coach. Time to look at the skaters. but anytime they've gotten those saves and they've stayed in games and hung around, they're either winning games or they're an extremely Derek Ryan, Josh Leivo, Brett Ritchie, Joakim Nordstrom, Zac Rinaldo, difficult team to beat. Nikita Nesterov, and backup goalie David Rittich are all pending UFAs. Depth pieces. “Just to focus on the last 20 games, they're really as good as any team in the division in that sense. It's a team that, because of their start, perhaps If you’re Treliving, do you sell for a small return — or do you hold your a lot of people overlook them. But you watch the games and focus on cards and hope Darryl Sutter can get the group on a run? Probably the them, they're doing a lot of things. Obviously, haven't lost the regulation latter. in [six] games here now. They're a confident team, and certainly they've As we brace ourselves for a seventh round of Johnny Gaudreau trade played probably their best hockey against us.” rumours this summer, the big question is whether the core must be D.J. Smith deserves credit for keeping his players motivated without a dismantled? It’s been a long time since the Flames looked like a playoff spot to grasp. consistent force.

“He's got lots of energy,” says Keefe, who coached against Smith in the Gaudreau and simply aren’t generating enough even- OHL and worked with him in Toronto. “He's got lots of personality to him strength offence in a division dominated by elite top-end talent. (Just and communicates well with the players and does a really good job of peek at the top-six production of Canada’s top three teams — Toronto, getting the group to play together as a unit and towards one goal and Edmonton and Winnipeg.) have one focus there.” More than half (11) of Gaudreau and Monahan’s 20 combined goals 6. “You don’t often get to celebrate with the bench,” Zach Hyman said have come on the power-play. last Saturday, after breaking protocol. 10. The Philadelphia Flyers’ shot at saving their season and scrambling Typically, you score a big goal, party with the other four teammates on for a post-season berth isn’t much better: 6.2 per cent. the ice, then glide to the bench for fist bumps, but after wheeling around Philly’s issue is plain. Pretty difficult to win with a league-worst .875 save the Flames net to give himself some space, the momentum of Hyman’s percentage, an indictment on Carter Hart but also the defenders in front fadeaway shot carried him right into the Leafs bench. of him.

Hyman pointed out that it was only possible in the second period Hart is in a contract year and will be restricted after the season. What because the home bench is closer to the O-zone. once looked like a situation where the team should try to lock up a No. 1 “Wayne Simmonds was there so it was fun to celebrate with him,” Hyman goalie for as long as possible has morphed into a situation where a said. bridge deal might be the best course for both sides.

Left hanging, however, was William Nylander — who was also ready for Hot take: Should Alain Vigneault try dressing his goalies in Puffy coats? some palm slapping. GM Chuck Fletcher had originally planned to be a buyer but must switch “Next time I'll let them know that I'm ready for a high five,” Nylander tacks. (Side thought: How sweet must it be for Ron Hextall to see his smiled. “All good.” Penguins on the rise right now?)

7. Quote of the Week. Like Treliving, Fletcher doesn’t have a ton of impact pieces to consider selling. We’re looking at depth pieces like Scott Laughton, Michael Raffl, David Pastrnak, asked how he stayed in shape stuck in COVID protocol: Erik Gustafsson and Samuel Morin. "I did a couple pushups with one hand." 11. Ladies and gentlemen, the fake lacrosse goal: Pastrnak is the Jack Palance of hockey. In a USPHL game between the Charlotte Rush and Northern Cyclones, 8. is enjoying a pinch-me moment as he hops the 19-year-old C.J. Zezima executed this brilliant sell job of the Michigan boards with icons Joe Thornton and Jason Spezza. move, pretending to scoop the puck onto his blade behind the net but instead leaving it for teammate Zach Dill. “It's just watching their habits every day. I mean, you see Jumbo. He doesn't take any days off. Same with Spezz. They're always in the gym, All the Cyclones bite, giving Dill an easy wraparound. Beautiful. trying to do something every day to get a little bit better on the ice. They're always staying after, working on things,” Kerfoot explains. 12. “I got my parade!” Bob Plager, the Original Blue, told a giddy throng of St. Louisans partying in the summer of 2019. “Jumbo has kind of taken both of us and ran us through a couple of drills that I had never really done before. I never had a line just get together A sad day in the hockey world Wednesday, learning that the 78-year-old and do our own little drills, but Jumbo just wanted us all to be on the Plager had been killed in a car crash. The outpouring of love for Plager same page.” has provided some comfort.

The extra work is paying off, as the 37-year-old Spezza will take a three- "He's the reason why I love St. Louis so much. Everyone keeps saying, game goal streak into Saturday’s game versus Edmonton. 'Why do you keep coming back?' It's for that type of guy right there,” David Perron said. “Lots of confidence. He’s feeling it. He’s shooting the puck. He’s hanging onto it in the offensive zone. He was really one of the only guys that was T.J. Oshie, a Blue for seven seasons, tweeted: “I can still see the little winning faceoffs for us here today, which earns him more ice time,” smirk as Bobby would walk up to me to tell a couple jokes. Almost as if Sheldon Keefe said, following the Leafs’ 3-2 OT win in Ottawa Friday. he had already said it in his head and was holding back the laugh. I’ll always cherish those little moments with him. Rest In Peace #5.” Coach Keefe seems to have found a fourth line that works. Timely contributions have been critical with the Leafs’ power play in an 0-for-16 Plager was either a player, coach or executive for nearly all of the Blues' slump and super sniper Auston Matthews enduring a five-game drought. existence since 1967 until his death. On skates, he repped the Blues in the final twice but had to wait until ’19 to hoist the Stanley Cup. “Right now our top guys are fighting it around the net a little bit, and it isn’t falling for them. We need to get those goals from other guys. Get Prior to that final series against Boston, Ryan O’Reilly had promised one from that line and one from [Ilya] Mikheyev there and that line. That’s Plager they’d get him his parade. And we’ll never forget Plager’s obviously very important for us,” Keefe said. presence during that final two springs ago. He was always around the rink, always smiling, always available. “It wasn’t just that one that went in for them, but they had some good shifts and sequences coming out of O-zone faceoffs earlier in the game Like the host of the greatest party a hockey lifer could be invited to. Rest too.” in peace.

9. After getting their lunch fed to them by the Senators, the Calgary Flames have a .471 points percentage, a minus-14 goal differential, and Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.28.2021 a 4.9 per cent chance of making the North Division playoffs (per SportsClubStats.com). 1207111 Websites a lot, he’s excited to come to Montreal. And he’s also a Stanley Cup winner, and it’s not by accident that we’re bringing Stanley Cup winners to Montreal.”

Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' roster not yet set in stone, despite Bergevin's Remaining Time -0:56 public stance Bergevin explains how Canadiens were able to acquire Staal

No, it certainly isn’t. Because the only thing the GM has repeated more of Eric Engels@EricEngels late than having his hands tied by the salary cap is how much he believes in his team, and that’s the part we shouldn’t take with any salt. March 27, 2021 Bergevin, who played close to 20 years in the NHL, knows what it feels like to be on a deep team and have a player of Staal’s pedigree — a Triple Gold Club member and participant in over 1,300 NHL games MONTREAL — Forget a grain of salt, take most of what Marc Bergevin (regular season and playoffs combined) — added to the room prior to said on Saturday with a rock of it. trade deadline. Because when the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens stated, “As a player, you feel like your management believes in the team and just one sleep after acquiring Eric Staal at half-price and for a couple of they want the team to have success,” Bergevin said. “Players don’t feel mid-range draft picks from the Buffalo Sabres, that he’s “not at all” eyeing like, ‘Oh my god, now he’s going to (take my job).’ It’s not like that. It’s other deals ahead of the April 12 trade deadline, it was at least in part like, ‘Wow, we’re getting some help that’s going to help us, and we feel because, as he put it, “I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the Montreal like management is trying to make us better.’ Canadiens to sit in front of the camera and lay out everything I’m trying to do.” “That’s how I felt, anyway.”

Of course, it is absolutely true the Canadiens are up against the cap, The Canadiens, who are 14-8-9 through 31 games, must feel the same. which makes doing more extremely challenging. If anything they’ve underachieved so far, but they’re also sitting comfortably in a playoff spot—two points up on the Vancouver Canucks But when Bergevin was asked about trying to move out roster players to (37 games) and four points up on the Calgary Flames (35 games)—so create some much-needed cap space in order to continue adding to the they have to be feeling like Staal will only help them reach their potential. team, he was visibly trying to suppress a wry smile in responding “no.” And the GM was flat out laughing when he said, “Let me think about it “Games in hand are only good if you win them,” Bergevin reminded. “So, and I’ll get back to you in a couple of days,” in response to a question it’s nice to have them but we have to win those games. about getting highly-touted prospect Cole Caufield signed to an entry- level deal. "Our schedule will be a little tougher because of the week off (due to being shut down after two players were placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 We laughed, too, because we didn't believe for even a millisecond that Protocol list last Monday), so we have to control our destiny and we have Bergevin was going to sit on his hands instead of doing everything to win our games and not go in (to the playoffs) backdoor. So, I expect possible to take advantage of the opportunity he has to continue making our team to be ready to play when we start again.” the Canadiens better over the next three weeks. And before the end of Saturday night, Caufield had put pen to paper, agreeing to a three-year Bergevin also expects his team to be bolstered by the return of leading deal. scorer Toffoli, who will be unavailable for what should be Montreal’s first game back from this unscheduled break on Tuesday but will be back in But about that opportunity… it remains a huge one, with the Canadiens short order. He said, while knocking on wood, that defenceman Ben owning 12 picks in the 2021 Draft, a huge pool of prospects that won’t Chiarot, who fractured his right hand in a fight on March 10 and had suffer much damage by being dipped into and players who can easily surgery to repair it March 15, is ahead of the six-to-eight week recovery move off the margins of the roster to clear space. timeline.

Bergevin repeated for a third time in two weeks he wasn’t looking to do And, obviously, some banged up Canadiens got some extra healing time that and, as we noted, it’s probably best he say that while they’re still ahead of having to play the remaining games over roughly 40 days. here. Staal arrives later on Saturday and will serve his mandatory quarantine But Bergevin also said this on Saturday: “I know there’s teams who do for a week before lacing up his skates and pulling a bleu, blanc et rouge have cap space that are willing to take on cap space. So, if you want to jersey over his head for the first time. buy cap space, that’s available. But there’s a price to pay for that. And depending on the amount you’re trying to buy, the price becomes We don’t believe for a second he’ll be the last player to enjoy that steeper. Like a three-way deal where a team takes on a player and then experience this season. Caufield, who scored 30 goals and 52 points in retains money and then ships him to the other place — that’s out there, 31 games before his Wisconsin Badgers were eliminated from the NCAA but I’m not going to go into detail what are the teams that are doing that Frozen Four tournament Friday, will probably do it at least once between or trying to do that. But that’s also a possibility.” now and May 10. And we’d bet that, over the coming weeks, at least one player will wear that Canadiens jersey for the last time this season before Yeah, we’d call it the most intriguing possibility imaginable for a team someone else — probably a defenceman — is given one. “maxed out on the cap,” as Bergevin put it. A team playing exclusively in an up-for-grabs North Division up until the Stanley Cup semifinals and “Anything’s possible,” Bergevin said. one that realistically has to create some room just to fit Caufield’s deal in, Even if 55-year-old started by saying he’s done, we’re just waiting to see let alone those of other players the GM might want to acquire. what he’ll do next. And Bergevin should have his eye on at least a few, because he’s already done so much that there’s no point in stopping now. Bringing in Staal for 2021 third- and fifth-round picks was just the latest in a long line Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 03.28.2021 of moves to turn the Canadiens into contenders — with Cup winners Jake Allen, Joel Edmundson, Tyler Toffoli, Josh Anderson, Corey Perry and Michael Frolik added in the off-season and coaching changes made midstream just to keep the Canadiens moving towards their intended destination — and it’s a strong one, regardless of Staal’s bad half-season in Buffalo.

“A position that was a bit vulnerable, in terms of experience, was centre,” Bergevin said. “To be able to get (36-year-old) Eric Staal… he’s not the same player he was when he was 25, but he has lots of experience.

“It was difficult for everyone in Buffalo but, if you look just to last year, he still had over 40 points in 66 games with the Wild in Minnesota. He brings 1207112 Websites "Absolutely," McDavid said. "The league likes to try to sneak us through here on a Monday, Wednesday night so for us to get a Saturday night game is exciting. As a kid, obviously, you watch Saturday night hockey and growing up in the Toronto area that was always the Leafs so it's McDavid, Oilers have a point to prove in rematch against Leafs exciting to be able to play here on a Saturday."

Oilers discuss 'strange' week: It's been boring as ever

Mark Masters With Edmonton getting an unforeseen week off due to their games against the Canadiens being postponed, the Oilers say they should be SPORTSCENTRE Reporter rested and have lots of energy against the Leafs tonight.

McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have looked great while playing on the same TSN Toronto Reporter Mark Masters reports on the Maple Leafs and line of late, which is something the Leafs didn't see consistently during Edmonton Oilers (optional), who held skates at Scotiabank Arena on the three-game sweep. Saturday. "He passes the puck so well," McDavid said of the reigning Hart Trophy A lot has changed since the Leafs outscored the Oilers 13-1 while winner. "We think a lot alike. We've been playing together for a long time sweeping three games in late February and early March. Toronto has just now and kind of understand what each other is thinking and what we'll be one regulation win in nine games since then (3-6-0). The Oilers, doing. Obviously, a special player and always fun to get the chance to meanwhile, have won seven of nine to creep to within two points of the line up beside him." division leaders. "They're pretty deadly together," noted Marner. "They know where each And yet that three-game set in Edmonton remains fresh in the mind of other is going to be. You got to be ready. When you think a pass can't be figures on both sides of this rivalry. made, they're pretty good at finding a way to get it there."

"We played as good as we have and I don't think we got the best that McDavid and Draisaitl skated on the same line at Friday’s practice, but Edmonton has," said coach Sheldon Keefe. "I expect here now, with the Dave Tippett was noncommittal when asked about playing them together week off and how things went the last time, that Edmonton is going to be in Toronto. at their very best and we have to find our way back to what we looked "It's just a tool that we use," the coach said on Saturday. "They play a lot like out there. It's a good opportunity for us to do that. It's a great together during the game whether it's power play or certain shifts here challenge. They're back playing extremely well and back confident once and there and then there are times when we want to play them together again and motivation won't be lacking for them." all the time. It just gives a different dimension to our team. They're both Connor McDavid was held without a point in the three previous games top, top players and the individual skill-set they bring is immense so you against his hometown team. Since then, he's been on the scoresheet put them together and you're just doubling that." nine straight times with 20 total points. 'We think a lot alike': McDavid, Draisaitl can create double trouble for "We have to show not only to them, but to ourselves that we can play Leafs with these guys and we can beat these guys," McDavid said. "We've Connor McDavid explains what he likes about playing on a line with Leon done it before." Draisaitl, while Mitch Marner says the duo is 'pretty deadly together'. The Leafs and Oilers had split the first four games of the season series Keefe shuffled his lines this morning, moving Joe Thornton back to the before the domination in Edmonton. top line with Auston Matthews and Marner. Wayne Simmonds moved to "Any time you get whacked around for three games at home, you know, it the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander. leaves a bitter taste in your mouth," said Mike Smith, who gets the start "I've wanted to get Simmonds back with Tavares and Nylander," Keefe for the Oilers. "I feel like tonight we have no excuse but to come out with explained. "That line, to me, when Wayne left our lineup, was just starting our best game and hopefully that’s good enough to get a win." to get going. I thought it's the best trio we've had there. Those guys were Mitch Marner says that Toronto is looking to replicate "as much as really going and had a lot of opportunities and Wayne was bringing a lot possible" from that last series against Edmonton. The recipe for success to the line so I've been wanting to go back with that." against the high-octane Oilers is clear. Simmonds played a couple games with Tavares and Nylander before "Make sure we're staying above [them] and not giving up too many odd- breaking his wrist on Feb. 6 and missing six weeks. He has played the man rushes," Marner outlined. "We know they're a deadly team off the last two games with Matthews and Marner. rush so just got to make sure everyone is doing their part, being smart Matthews and Marner, meanwhile, are likely to see a lot of Edmonton's out there, and not diving in too much." top line tonight and Keefe likes how his No. 97 has handled things when "We're prepared for them to make a push and play hard and be a on the ice against the Oilers No. 97. motivated bunch," said defenceman Morgan Rielly. "We didn't allow too "Joe has played really good hockey against the Edmonton Oilers this many odd-man rushes and we played to our structure. We made it tough season," Keefe said. "Defensively, especially, with what he's brought to for them coming through the neutral zone, clogged it up pretty good, and those guys and how he's played against Edmonton's best players. He's we’re going to have to replicate that." done a really good job. Very conscious of when they’re out there and Leafs aim to replicate game from Oilers sweep earlier this season how he needs to play so wanted to get that back."

In early March, the Maple Leafs swept the Oilers in a three-game mini- Newcomer Alex Galchenyuk, who had been with Tavares and Nylander, series, outscoring them 13-1 in the process. The team explains what they moved to the fourth line with Alex Kerfoot and Jason Spezza. want to replicate from that series ahead of two games against Edmonton. "Galchenyuk, getting him a good opportunity early was important," Keefe The first three games of the Oilers road trip were postponed due to the said. "We got him in a good place here now and I like a lot about what Canadiens' COVID situation. he's done. It's nothing against what he brought to that line, but I have wanted to get Wayne in that place." "A strange week," said McDavid. "It's been boring, honestly. That's the first word that comes to mind. It's almost been a little bit of a bye week, I Keefe also stressed it was important to keep the third line together. The guess. We should be rested. Guys should have legs. Guys should have trio of Pierre Engvall between Ilya Mikheyev and Zach Hyman had a energy. Sometimes when you’re coming off a delay like this the attention coming-out party of sorts against the Oilers producing a goal in each to detail or the little things can be missed so it's important to dial that in game of the sweep. And Hyman really seemed to get under the skin of right away." Smith in the final game of the series.

During his six seasons in the National Hockey League, McDavid's played Leafs Ice Chips: Thornton promoted to top line; Simmonds with Tavares six games in Toronto. He has played here on a Monday, Tuesday, twice Head coach Sheldon Keefe juggled his lines ahead of the Leafs' on a Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. So, is there any extra meaning to Saturday night matchup against the Oilers. Joe Thornton is being playing in Toronto on a Saturday? promoted back to the top line, while Wayne Simmonds moves to the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander. Mark Masters has more.

Kailer Yamamoto returns to the Oilers lineup for the first time since March 17.

"He's just got to get back to playing how he was," said Tippett. "He's great on the forecheck. He keeps pucks alive. He's got good skill to make plays. Smart defensive player. So, he just has to get his game back up and going again. It was an injury that kept him out a little longer than expected and now with the break that we had he's back and 100 per cent healthy."

Yamamoto skated on the second line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Dominik Kahun at Friday’s practice.

"He brings a lot of work," McDavid said. "He works his tail off and works [to get] pucks back. He's a good little player when he's got the puck. Sometimes he defers a little bit too much, but that can happen with a young guy. When he's confident, there's not many wingers better to play with than that guy. He works as hard as I've seen anyone. He's a guy that brings a lot of energy."

Jack Campbell, who posted a shutout against the Oilers on Feb. 27, makes a third straight start for the Leafs. He’s vowing to be better with his puck touches after a pair of botched handles ended up in the net on Thursday in Ottawa.

"Those types of goals just can't go in," Campbell said. "Those are 100 percent on me, of course."

Keefe said that Campbell made the right decision to play the puck both times, but could've been more assertive. The fact he's only played five games this season makes it hard to get in a rhythm when it comes to moments like that, the coach noted.

Frederik Andersen still isn't back on the ice. Toronto's No. 1 goalie hasn't skated since losing to the Flames on March 19.

"No real update yet," said Keefe. "He's had some different examinations and different things he's had looked at ... his return is not imminent. I expect we'll have an update in the coming days."

How will Campbell stack up against Oilers?

Jack Campbell improved his record to 5-0 on the season and he hasn't given up more than two goals in a single game this season but with a huge test against the Oilers on the horizon this weekend, is he ready for the challenge? That's Hockey discusses.

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