SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 12/23/2019 Red Wings 1167461 Jakob Silfverberg’s absence vs. Rangers reminds Ducks 1167491 For , 5-2 loss to Coyotes just another of all he does for them night proving gap in talent 1167462 Ailing Ducks suffer lopsided loss to in 1167492 Detroit Red Wings' Anthony Mantha out at least a week last game before break after incident vs. Maple Leafs 1167493 Detroit Red Wings lose to Coyotes, 5-2: Game thread 1167463 Clayton Keller leads Coyotes past Red Wings as Taylor 1167494 Detroit Red Wings' says he talks 'every day' Hall nets first with 1167464 Coyotes knock out Red Wings behind Clayton Keller’s 1167495 Sinking Wings skate into break on four-game skid: 'It'll be 2-goal effort good to get away' 1167465 South Mountain Freeway a game-changer for Coyotes 1167496 Red Wings lose Anthony Mantha for at least a week as commuters — and one Coyotes writer injury woes continue 1167497 Red Wings lose fourth in row, falling to Coyotes Bruins 1167498 Red Wings’ Anthony Mantha out at least a week 1167466 Zdeno Chara needs follow-up surgery on jaw, out of 1167499 How to watch, listen and stream Detroit Red Wings vs. Bruins’ lineup Monday Arizona Coyotes 1167467 Karson Kuhlman is recovering from a broken leg but his 1167500 Zadina and Bertuzzi score, Wings fall to Coyotes 5-2 mind has been on his mother 1167468 Anders Bjork’s defensive game has been the biggest leap Oilers 1167469 Bruins notebook: Chara will miss Caps game with jaw 1167501 Mikko Koskinen giving Oilers what needed in goal procedure 1167502 JONES: Oilers coach should stick with Koskinen and keep 1167470 Zdeno Chara will miss Monday's game due to jaw dynamic duo together procedure 1167503 Lowetide: Should the Oilers pursue Lias Andersson in 1167471 : 'You can't just enjoy it when things are trade? good' 1167472 Bruins 'have to push through a little bit' amid subpar goaltender play 1167504 Despite 18 days between starts, Panthers’ backup goalie 1167473 Zdeno Chara to have surgery to address infection from shows no rust in win over Carolina final jaw injury 1167505 Huberdeau, Dreidger lift Panthers to 4-2 win over Hurricanes Flames 1167474 Lindholm, Tkachuk continue to build chemistry as Flames Kings win in Dallas 1167506 Since heart-to-heart with Kings coach, Matt Roy has 1167475 Flames forward Zac Rinaldo marks significant milestone walked the talk 1167476 GameDay: at 1167507 Kings face test from defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues 1167477 Canes’ Sebastian Aho becomes Raleigh’s most talked- about elf 1167508 Minnesota welcomes Calgary for Flames-Wild matchup 1167478 Forever the Optimus: Catching up with James Reimer 1167509 A year after fight, injury, Wild's Matt Dumba still not the about life in the NHL crease, as a Leaf and a Hurricane same 1167479 Bag of Jerks: The latest on Justin Williams, trade deadline 1167510 Wild-Calgary game preview talk and your favorite player’s favorite player 1167511 Wild star Matt Dumba not seeking revenge against Flames 1167512 A year after a promising season ended in a flash, it’s Blackhawks Dumba vs. Flames again 1167480 Blackhawks call up forward John Quenneville from Rockford to take Brandon Saad’s roster spot 1167481 ’This is for real’: How NHL journeyman Akim Aliu sparked 1167513 Stu Cowan: Canadiens enjoy a day off in balmy 'Winter- a reckoning in hockey peg' 1167482 Three months after Traverse City, Adam Boqvist and 1167514 Max Domi is scoring again, which the Canadiens need. Dennis Gilbert already NHL regulars They also need fewer ‘real bad decisions’ 1167483 Blackhawks recall John Quenneville from Rockford after placing Brandon Saad on IR 1167515 Why Devils’ hesitancy to shoot continues to be a problem 1167516 How Devils’ Gilles Senn approached 1st NHL start 1167484 Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon voted in as an NHL All-Star captain 1167485 “This is for real”: Akim Aliu sparks hockey reckoning 1167517 Andrew Ladd expected back in Islanders' lineup vs. Blue 1167486 Why the third period has been a problem lately for the Jackets Avalanche? 1167487 Columbus Blue Jackets’ injuries mount; Oliver Bjorkstrand out four to six weeks Dallas Stars 1167488 Special teams make the difference as Stars kill gives up three goals in loss to Flames 1167489 Stars show character in final period of loss to Panthers 1167490 Stars 20/20: Struggles continue for Dallas as the penalty kill gets torched by the Flames New York Rangers Maple Leafs 1167518 Chris Kreider scores twice as Rangers topple Ducks 1167555 Hockey’s moment of reckoning is personal for Sheldon 1167519 Rangers’ David Quinn calls out refs for Brendan Lemieux Keefe. A survivor of abuse, he opts to lead with positivi treatment 1167556 Defenceman Jake Gardiner returns to Toronto with eight 1167520 Lias Andersson and his unacceptable Rangers stunt won’t points in 36 games as a Hurricane. be missed 1167557 The knives were out for long before the 1167521 Rangers snap skid with convincing win over Ducks Leafs cut ties 1167522 Postgame analysis: Filip Chytil and Brett Howden step up 1167558 Game Day - Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes as NY Rangers beat the Ducks 1167559 'BLAST FROM THE PAST': Ex-Leaf Jake Gardiner returns 1167523 might start again in second game of to Toronto with Canes Rangers' back-to-back 1167560 LEAFS SNAPSHOTS: Coach Keefe drawing a line with 1167524 Rangers snap three-game losing streak with win over forwards Ducks 1167561 Forever the Optimus: Catching up with James Reimer 1167525 With Lias Andersson drama as a backdrop, Rangers put about life in the NHL crease, as a Leaf and a Hurricane on a show against the Ducks Canucks 1167576 Canucks prospects tracker: Podkolzin puts it in gear, 1167526 Florida looms as possible trade destination for Anderson Rafferty takes over 1167527 When does Pageau get an offer, Sabourin returns, 1167577 Canucks at 50: 'Sunny' memories of one Swede centre in Lajoie's confidence grows and measuring the of Sundstrom for Tanti the Eic 1167578 Canucks at 50: The night Sundstrom personally punishes 1167528 SENATORS PLAYERS CHRISTMAS POLL: Favourite 'pitiful' Penguins 7-5 gifts and time with family 1167579 J.T. Miller, Jake Virtanen score early power-play goals to 1167529 Anderson stressing the positives in life as he aims to spark past Penguins 4- return from injury 1167580 The Armies: The ‘maybe it’s just luck’ thing, J.T. Miller vs. 1167530 GAME DAY: Senators versus ‘HNIC’ and the ‘NBA 2K’ Christmas wish list 1167531 picks up scoring when Flyers need it 1167562 Golden Knights’ Fathers Trip fun, bittersweet for Marc- most Andre Fleury 1167532 Observations from Flyers’ shootout win at Ottawa 1167563 Golden Knights end Fathers Trip with victory over rival 1167533 Couturier scores shootout winner, Flyers beat Senators 5- Sharks 4 1167564 Giving by Raiders, Knights, Aces support Las Vegas 1167534 Flyers prospect WATCH: the World Junior Championship year-round participants 1167565 How to watch Golden Knights at Sharks 1167535 Penguins prospect Anthony Angello scoring more in 2nd 1167566 Nicklas Backstrom’s security with Caps makes negotiating pro season his own contract 'pretty cool’ 1167536 Penguins assign Blandisi, Di Pauli, Czuczman to Wilkes- 1167567 Alex Ovechkin named an All-Star Game captain but Barre/Scranton remains noncommittal about playing 1167537 Empty Thoughts: Canucks 4, Penguins 1 1167568 Ovechkin voted NHL All-Star captain for third straight year 1167538 Five stats that tell the story of the Penguins' first half 1167569 Third-period penalty kills help Capitals beat Lightning 1167539 Was there actually something to build on in Matt Murray’s 1167570 Capitals superfan Alex Luey passes away 10-save loss for the Penguins in Vancouver? 1167571 Alex Ovechkin is honored by All-Star vote, but noncommittal on his participation 1167572 ‘Three ?’ — Talk of Capitals’ dressing room is 1167540 Bah humbug! Fading Sharks go into Xmas break on losing the shrinking number of Canadians note 1167541 Sharks rookie earns kudos from after NHL Websites debut 1167581 The Athletic / Dreams and nightmares: Inside Akim Aliu’s 1167542 All-Decade: Our favorite Bay Area games included this troubled hockey past and his quest to change the game magical Game 7 performance 1167582 .ca / Can the WJC settle the questions 1167543 Takeaways: Another breakdown, another Sharks loss, but surrounding hockey’s top prospect? also some encouraging signs 1167583 Sportsnet.ca / Beyond Headlines: Capitals' halt on Holtby 1167544 Sharks takeaways: What we learned in familiar 3-1 loss to extension stirs 2020 market Golden Knights 1167584 Sportsnet.ca / Top three Calgary Flames moments of the 1167545 Sharks' lack of cohesion bites them in yet another past decade disappointing loss 1167585 Sportsnet.ca / Laviolette tests leaders in ‘Road to the 1167546 Sharks GM Doug Wilson details factors that led to Winter Classic’: Best of Ep. 1 coaching change 1167586 Sportsnet.ca / Canucks' Jake Virtanen embracing new career moment, NHL's physicality St Louis Blues 1167587 TSN.CA / Nico Daws receives the all-clear from the 1167547 Decade in review: St. Louis Blues medical staff, returns to practice 1167548 Blues have turned persistence into their latest winning streak Jets 1167549 Blues notebook: Berube goes up against a brawler from 1167573 Beaulieu-Kunin dust-up more than just a fight for Jets his past in San Jose 1167574 GAME DAY: Montreal Canadiens at 1167550 Allen back in goal for Blues vs. Sharks 1167575 ‘He’s a gifted player’: Reactions pour in after Blake 1167551 Blues notebook: Binnington rested and ready to go Wheeler becomes Jets’ all-time points leader 1167552 Preview: Blues at Kings

Tampa Bay Lightning SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1167553 Who are the Lightning’s best gift-givers? 1167554 Bourne: I still believe in the Lightning this season, and so should you 1167461 Anaheim Ducks

Jakob Silfverberg’s absence vs. Rangers reminds Ducks of all he does for them

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | PUBLISHED: December 22, 2019 at 4:52 | UPDATED: December 22, 2019 at 4:53 PM

NEW YORK — It’s not as if the Ducks take right wing Jakob Silfverberg for granted, but sometimes it takes a game like their 5-1 loss Sunday to the New York Rangers to fully appreciate all he does for them. Silfverberg couldn’t play after coming down with an illness.

Silfverberg co-leads the Ducks with 25 points, along with Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell, who also couldn’t play Sunday. Getzlaf was sidelined for the second game with an illness and Rakell suffered an upper-body injury during Saturday’s victory over the New York Islanders.

But there’s more to Silfverberg’s game than goals and assists, although they are a huge part of it, no question. Silfverberg is a master of the games within the games, making subtle plays on both sides of the puck that were largely absent from the Ducks’ game against the Rangers.

“That’s why he’s so important to us,” Ducks coach said of the 29-year-old Swede. “He may be one of the smartest forwards on our team. He knows the game, and if I was a forward in the league, I would watch everything Silfverberg does.

“He rarely makes a mistake. He can score. We rely on him on the penalty kill. We rely on him late in games. That is a 200-foot player. That’s what you want to be. Not having a guy like that in our lineup, along with a couple of others, it certainly doesn’t put you in a position of strength.”

Silfverberg could have come to the Ducks’ rescue when they scrambled defensively to cover the Rangers in the opening period, when they trailed 3-1 and couldn’t make simple plays with the puck that could have alleviated the pressure applied by New York’s speedy forwards.

“That’s the thing you have to realize as a player,” Eakins said. “Hey, I’m all for scoring goals. That’s the fun part of the game, but saving a goal and scoring a goal has the exact same effect on the scoreboard. Except when you save one, there’s no high-fives down the bench.

“It’s the work that has to be done.”

DESLAURIERS DOING WORK

Left wing Nicolas Deslauriers created a breakaway with his speed, a first- period chance that tested New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist when the game was still in doubt and a Ducks goal might have turned things in their favor. Temporarily, at least.

Deslauriers also fought the Rangers’ Michael Haley in a third-period bout, after New York had the game in hand but the Ducks didn’t wish to play the role of pushovers in their only visit to Madison Square Garden this season. Deslauriers gave as good as he got in the fight.

Ducks defenseman Michael Del Zotto marveled at his teammate’s ability to play two key roles. Del Zotto singled out Deslauriers without prompting when asked about the Ducks’ physical play in the second and third periods, in particular.

“Part of our identity is having that jam,” Del Zotto said. “You start with ‘Des,’ and I’ll try to chose my words wisely, but he’s an absolute animal. He’s fighting the toughest guys in the league every single night. I don’t know how many fights he has, but it starts with him, the energy he brings.

“As much as the game has evolved into a speed and skill game, he has the legs, but he makes the other team’s defense pay the price and there’s something to be said for that. It’s not fun going into the corner when you see No. 20 (Deslauriers) coming in.”

MILESTONE GAME

Defenseman Erik Gudbranson played in his 500th game in the NHL. He has two goals and there assists in 26 games with the Ducks since they acquired him Oct. 25 from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167462 Anaheim Ducks “It might not have won us the game, but we could have been a lot better in a lot of other areas.”

Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.23.2019 Ailing Ducks suffer lopsided loss to New York Rangers in last game before break

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD PUBLISHED: December 22, 2019 at 12:20 pm | UPDATED: December 22, 2019 at 1:52 PM

NEW YORK — Michael Del Zotto wasn’t angry, but he was disappointed. The same could be said of Dallas Eakins and Sam Steel after the injured and ailing Ducks dropped a 5-1 decision Sunday to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

The Ducks were without six of their top 12 forwards because of various ailments, a ready-made reason for the type of lopsided defeat they suffered at the hands of the opportunistic Rangers. The Ducks didn’t view it that way, though. It’s not their style.

“There’s no excuses,” said Del Zotto, a defenseman. “We had it (Saturday) and we beat one of the best teams in the league. If you play within that team structure and you do the little things, you give yourself a chance to win, and we didn’t do that (Sunday) and the result showed.”

Del Zotto referred to the Ducks’ 6-5 victory over the New York Islanders in a shootout Saturday, when they were without four of their top 12 forwards. After they showed off their perseverance by beating the Islanders, the Ducks’ ranks of the ill and injured grew by two additional players.

The Ducks couldn’t duplicate the effort Sunday against the Rangers.

The result was a disjointed loss in the Ducks’ final game before a much- needed four-day Christmas break. Steel scored the Ducks’ lone goal in the first period. Chris Kreider scored twice for New York, and Filip Chytil, Brett Howden and Mika Zibanejad also scored for the Rangers.

Henrik Lundqvist didn’t have a great deal of work as the Rangers outshot the Ducks by 41-20, but he made a handful of quality saves, including a stop on Nicolas Deslauriers on an early breakaway and another on Ondrej Kase on an odd-man rush later in the game.

“I thought out guys did their best,” said Eakins, the Ducks’ coach. “I thought we could have played a lot better. I thought we could have made some better decisions. That’s how the schedule lines up and we’re not going to make an excuses here.”

Ryan Getzlaf and Jakob Silfverberg couldn’t play because they were ill. Getzlaf also sat out Saturday against the Islanders, a game decided by Silfverberg’s third-round shootout winner. Rickard Rakell also couldn’t play Sunday because of an unspecified upper-body injury suffered Saturday.

Troy Terry (fractured leg) and Derek Grant (sprained shoulder) were already ruled out because of injuries suffered during the Ducks’ loss Tuesday to Philadelphia, the first game on their four-game march to the trainer’s room. Nick Ritchie (knee) also was out after he was hurt earlier this month.

Jacob Larsson returned to the lineup after sitting out the past two games because of an upper-body injury as Eakins iced a lineup that featured 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Korbinian Holzer started out as a forward and dropped back into his customary position as a defenseman.

What’s more, the Ducks recalled from their AHL team in San Diego to bolster their forward ranks. Sprong made his season debut with the Ducks after scoring 18 points, including seven goals, in 24 games with the Gulls. He was their leader in assists and their co-leader in points.

Sunday’s game represented a missed opportunity, as far as Steel was concerned. He centered an effective line with Kase and Max Jones skating on his wings and scored his third goal of the season by smacking home a lose puck from close-range. Kase earned the lone assist.

“We had some big guys out, but we don’t want to use any excuses,” Steel said. “We saw it as an opportunity and we missed out on an opportunity, I guess. We had some good shifts, some good opportunities and stuff, but only got one (goal). We had chances to get others. 1167463 Arizona Coyotes

Clayton Keller leads Coyotes past Red Wings as Taylor Hall nets first goal

Associated PressPublished 8:30 p.m. MT Dec. 22, 2019

DETROIT – Clayton Keller had two goals and an assist to lead the Arizona Coyotes past the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on Sunday night.

Carl Soderberg, Taylor Hall and Christian Dvorak also scored for Arizona. Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson had three assists and Nick Schmaltz added two.

Antti Raanta made 28 saves in Arizona’s first game since No. 1 goalie Darcy Kuemper sustained a lower-body injury Friday during an 8-5 loss to Minnesota.

Filip Zadina and Tyler Bertuzzi scored for Detroit. Jimmy Howard stopped 40 shots in his return after missing 10 games with a lower-body injury. He was recalled from a conditioning stint with Grand Rapids of the AHL earlier in the day.

Keller’s two goals in the first period gave the Coyotes a 2-0 lead.

Keller opened the scoring with 6:35 left in the first when put in a one- timer from the bottom of the right circle that Howard got a piece of. Keller’s second goal and 10th of the season came with 3:17 remaining in the period when his wrist shot from the top of the right circle beat Howard. Both goals came off the rush.

Soderberg made it 3-0 just 39 seconds into the second period when he put in Keller’s rebound after a turnover in front of his own net by Darren Helm. It was Soderberg’s 11th goal.

Hall got his seventh 5:41 into the third period.

Zadina thwarted Raanta’s shutout bid at 9:59 of the third with his third goal. Dvorak scored his ninth 27 seconds later.

Bertuzzi got his fourth goal in five games and 14th of the season with 4:29 left.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167464 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes knock out Red Wings behind Clayton Keller’s 2-goal effort

BY

DECEMBER 22, 2019 AT 8:45 PM

DETROIT (AP) — Clayton Keller had two goals and an assist to lead the Arizona Coyotes past the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on Sunday night.

Carl Soderberg, Taylor Hall and Christian Dvorak also scored for Arizona. Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson had three assists and Nick Schmaltz added two.

Antti Raanta made 28 saves in Arizona’s first game since No. 1 goalie Darcy Kuemper sustained a lower-body injury Friday during an 8-5 loss to Minnesota.

Filip Zadina and Tyler Bertuzzi scored for Detroit. Jimmy Howard stopped 40 shots in his return after missing 10 games with a lower-body injury. He was recalled from a conditioning stint with Grand Rapids of the AHL earlier in the day.

Keller’s two goals in the first period gave the Coyotes a 2-0 lead.

Keller opened the scoring with 6:35 left in the first when he put in a one- timer from the bottom of the right circle that Howard got a piece of. Keller’s second goal and 10th of the season came with 3:17 remaining in the period when his wrist shot from the top of the right circle beat Howard. Both goals came off the rush.

Soderberg made it 3-0 just 39 seconds into the second period when he put in Keller’s rebound after a turnover in front of his own net by Darren Helm. It was Soderberg’s 11th goal.

Hall got his seventh 5:41 into the third period.

Zadina thwarted Raanta’s shutout bid at 9:59 of the third with his third goal. Dvorak scored his ninth 27 seconds later.

Bertuzzi got his fourth goal in five games and 14th of the season with 4:29 left.

NOTES: Arizona D Jordan Gross made his NHL debut. … Coyotes D Jason Demers, who has missed six games with a lower-body injury, is skating with the team and could play later this week.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167465 Arizona Coyotes would have required at least an additional eight miles of freeway, of course, and the associated costs.

There are multiple surface streets in that area that I may try if the South Mountain Freeway a game-changer for Coyotes commuters — congestion is too great. Baseline Road, Broadway Road, Lower Buckeye and one Coyotes writer Road, Buckeye Road and Van Buren Street are all options. Hermann also noted that an alignment for the planned State Route 30, which will run east-west south of I-10, has gained approval with the completion of an ADOT environmental study, but the corridor has not been funded yet. By Craig Morgan 3h ago ADOT began work on the South Mountain Freeway in 2016. A public-

private partnership, allowed them to build it as one large project rather If I had to list the activities that have eaten up the largest chunks of my than several segments over eight or nine years. Hermann said that saved time over the past 15 years, working, sleeping and commuting to about three years of construction time and $100 million (the total cost Coyotes games and practices would probably comprise the top three. It’s was $1.7 billion). a 49-mile, one-way drive from my Gilbert home to Gila River Arena. It’s hard to say how much this freeway will impact attendance at Coyotes Without traffic, it takes about 55 minutes. For weekday, 7 p.m. starts, it games, but there is no doubt that it will make it easier to reach the arena, can take anywhere from an hour and 15 minutes to two hours, depending and that has long been a complaint of those living in my neck of the on the decision-making of my fellow commuters. desert. With traffic moving freely, it took me 38 minutes to reach Gila Sitting in soul-crushing, standstill traffic, I have experienced the full range River Arena from my house. And yes, that made me happy. of emotions on the ugliest segment of that highway — the stretch that “I don’t think I’m breaking news here when I tell you that our analytics begins at the soon-to-be-widened Broadway Curve and ends at the Loop reports show us — and have shown us for some time — that a significant 101 on the far west side: road rage, music-induced serenity, drone-like majority of Coyotes fans reside in the East Valley or central Phoenix,” detachment and gallows humor. Coyotes president and CEO Ahron Cohen said. “What the analytics also Not anymore. show is that we are not getting as much ticket participation from these folks as we should be getting, given their strong degree of Coyotes The Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway officially opened for traffic on affinity. Saturday, officially changing my life and potentially those of Coyotes fans living in the southeast Valley. The 22-mile, four-lane (three regular lanes; “The 202 should not only significantly decrease the travel time from the one HOV) stretch begins at the I-10-Santan Freeway interchange in southeast Valley, but it should also free up congestion on the 10 and Chandler, and runs south of Ahwatukee before bending northwest and make it easier for other areas of the East Valley. The data will ultimately then north through Laveen until it reconnects with the I-10 around 59th deliver the answer on this, but our strong hope is that the new 202 makes Ave. attending our games much easier and thereby enables a lot more Coyotes fans from around the Valley to fill Gila River Arena and support “This will give people going from east to west, to a Coyotes game or a this ascending team with so much positivity currently surrounding this Cardinals game or wherever else, with no reason to stop in the center of entire organization from top to bottom. We even launched a new ticket the city another option,” Arizona Department of Transportation public package to capitalize on this opening; the Freeway Fast Pass, which information officer Tom Hermann said. “It should save time based on includes tickets to all of the remaining weekend games.” congestion, and we think it will be a big boost for economic growth on the west side. Our traffic estimates suggest that by 2035, the typical driver ADOT projects that in 2020, about 117,000 vehicles will use the South will save about 25 minutes in each direction by using the South Mountain Mountain Freeway each day, compared with about 300,000 that pass Freeway.” through the Deck Park Tunnel in downtown Phoenix on I-10 on a daily basis. Depending on growth of the Phoenix metropolitan area, the daily I woke up early on Sunday morning to test that theory. It takes me only South Mountain Freeway projection increases to 190,000 vehicles a day four minutes (yes, I have clocked it) to hop on the Santan portion of the in 2035. Here’s a cool drone video that ADOT shot on Dec. 16 that offers Loop 202 freeway from my house. Once aboard, and with the South a more in-depth sense of the freeway. Mountain Freeway now open, it’s a straight shot all the way to that aforementioned 59th Ave. interchange. It’s no secret the Coyotes are looking for a new home elsewhere in the Valley, but there is no news on that front just yet. While they remain in “For a Coyotes fan in the East Valley, the drive on the South Mountain Glendale, it’s nice to know that getting there just got a little easier. Freeway is about 3 1/2 miles shorter than the drive on I-10 from Loop 202 to 59th Avenue,” Hermann said. “How much that will save in terms of The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 time is harder to estimate, but if the fan is traveling during the evening rush to arrive in time for a 7 p.m. puck drop, the time savings could be significant.”

There is an added bonus to this route. Instead of miles and miles of industrial or commercial complexes along the I-10 or the I-17 extension, the South Mountain Freeway offers panoramic views of the Gila River Indian Community to the south, South Mountain to the north and the Estrella Mountains to the west (in my opinion one of the two most beautiful mountain ranges in the Valley alongside the Superstitions). The freeway even includes a mountain pass through the western edge of the South Mountains. Nobody has named that pass that I am aware of, so I am calling it the Vee Quiva Pass because it occurs near the casino of the same name and the phrase is a combination of Pima and Maricopa words that means mountain west.

My old pal, Dave Vest, who no longer works for the Coyotes, once suggested I try a rural route that splits those same mountain ranges by using Riggs Road. I did that for a full season, but more and more commuters have discovered it so the beauty benefits were eventually outweighed by too much time spent on the road.

I still don’t know what the backup will look like once I hit the 59th Ave. interchange on a weekday. Once there, I’ll still have to endure four miles of the I-10’s glacial pace before reaching the Loop 101 that takes me to Gila River Arena. I asked Hermann if ADOT had considered taking the South Mountain Freeway even farther west and connecting with the 101 to avoid the congestion this interchange will create. They did not. That 1167466 looked shaky on a couple of goals Saturday night, setting the stage for Rask’s return. Rask, nearly unbeatable for the first two months of 2019- 20, is now 13-4-5.

Zdeno Chara needs follow-up surgery on jaw, out of Bruins’ lineup Forward thinking Monday Cassidy said he will make one change at forward, setting the stage for either or Joakim Nordstrom to draw back into the rotation. “We have to play our best checking game of the year against By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,Updated December 22, 2019, 7:45 Washington,” said Cassidy. “They’re a dangerous team.” Among the p.m. focus points: limiting the chances of blue liners delivering shots from the high slot and points. As of Sunday morning, John Carlson led all NHL

defensemen in points (13-34—47) and was tied with Florida winger Bruins captain Zdeno Chara will be out of the lineup Monday night at No. 7 in league scoring . . . Based on the against the Capitals, and instead will be right around the corner at workouts at , Cassidy probably will pair McAvoy with General Hospital, undergoing follow-up surgery related to Moore, which will leave Krug with Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk with the fractured jaw he sustained in June during the Stanley Cup Final. Connor Clifton, who tied Brett Ritchie Saturday with a game-high five hits. The Bruins are 12-1-8 on home ice. No other team in the league has According to Chara, 42, his jaw became infected in recent weeks, the suffered in OT/shootouts on home ice like the Bruins. The other 30 teams result of bacteria festering around the plates and screws used to piece have combined for 70 OT/shootout losses. The Devils, 30th in the the jaw back together months earlier. league’s overall standings, are 5-8-5 on home ice.

Doctors will remove all the hardware from Chara’s jaw, ideally returning Boston Globe LOADED: 12.23.2019 the defenseman to the lineup in full working order as early as Friday night in Buffalo. The Bruins begin a holiday break immediately after the Capitals visit and will be off until they board their charter flight to Buffalo on Friday.

“The area where the surgery was done got infected, which is kind of rare, but it does happen,” Chara said Sunday after participating in the club’s full 40-minute workout in Brighton. “The decision was made to avoid maybe further troubleshooting with that area, basically to remove all the plates and screws and clean it up.

Chara was felled in Game 4 of the Cup Final, the puck nailing him in the jaw at 3:07 of the second period. As Chara reached with his right arm and stick to disrupt Brayden Schenn’s sweeping wrist shot in the right- wing faceoff circle, the puck fired off Chara’s stick blade and cracked his jaw, the 6-foot-9-inch behemoth falling to the ice with blood pouring from his mouth area.

According to Chara then, doctors used two plates, wires, and screws to repair “multiple fractures” in his jaw. He returned to play in Game 5 and the remainder of the series.

Chara, though uncertain of some specifics related to the medical procedure, said Sunday the infection never caused a fever and he does not expect to have to remain overnight at the hospital following the surgery. Provided all goes as planned, he’ll be home in his downtown condominium with wife and children to celebrate Christmas.

“Obviously it’s going to be kind of challenging during Christmas time, especially with the kids,” said Chara. “We’ll see how sore or swelled up I’m going to be — that’s just the way it is. That’s kind of part of the job. We all accept that, so yeah, we’ll see.”

Has dad warned the kids he might not be looking his best when he comes home?

“No, I don’t talk about that,” said a smiling Chara. “They’ve already seen me enough in their short lives . . . to understand it’s just part of my job that you come home and you have these bruises and bumps.”

Provided the Bruins don’t reach down to Providence of the AHL, Chara’s absence will bring John Moore back into the back-line rotation. Moore was a healthy scratch Saturday when the Bruins lost in OT, 4-3, to Nashville at TD Garden.

It was Boston’s eighth loss in 11 games (3-4-4).

Chara on Saturday finished with 19 minutes 31 seconds in ice time, third among Boston blue liners, behind Charlie McAvoy (25:34) and (24:56).

A grand target

Chara on Saturday dressed for his 992nd regular-season game as a Bruin. Provided he misses only the Capitals game, he will play his 1,000th game in Black and Gold against the Islanders in Brooklyn Jan. 11. Chara played his first NHL game with the Islanders in the 1997-98 season . . . Tuukka Rask, 0-2-3 and with a .882 save percentage over his past five starts, will be in net vs. Washington. Bruins coach said Saturday that he might go with Jaroslav Halak, for what would be the backup’s first back-to-back starts of the season. Halak then 1167467 Boston Bruins In the meantime, Karson keeps his mind on getting back to full strength and challenging again for a spot on the Black and Gold varsity.

Desperate for secondary scoring, coach Bruce Cassidy is accepting Karson Kuhlman is recovering from a broken leg but his mind has been résumés from all applicants, particularly while he tries to find a bona fide on his mother solution at right wing on David Krejci’s No. 2 line — a spot Kuhlman held at times in the past, including in stretches of the playoffs last spring (he finished 1-2—3 in eight games).

By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,December 22, 2019, 7:42 p.m. Kuhlman will remain around Boston for the holiday. Meanwhile, his maternal grandmother and myriad aunts, uncles, and friends are headed

to London. Some of them will be there for Christmas, visiting with With Christmas almost here and Karson Kuhlman inching back toward Jennifer in the hospital, helping keep her mind off the frustrating process the Bruins lineup, his fractured tibia back in working order, his mom of waiting for bones to mend, flesh to heal, time to pass. remains in a United Kingdom hospital recovering from multiple surgeries “You know, nothing out of the ordinary,” said Karson, thinking back over related to a severe car accident outside London on Dec. 9. the last two weeks, the fragility of life underscored by it all. “But scary, for “She’s going in the right direction,” the ever-upbeat Bruins forward said sure, kind of puts everything in perspective.” early Sunday afternoon, following his first day back skating in team drills Boston Globe LOADED: 12.23.2019 since a shot fractured his leg Oct. 19 vs. the Maple Leafs. “We’re pretty lucky about that.”

Jennifer Kuhlman, assigned to the Mildenhall air base in Suffolk, England, for the US Air National Guard, was alone in her car the day of the accident, returning from work, according to Karson. Per a recent report in Kuhlman’s hometown newspaper, the Duluth (Minn.) News Tribune, she was driving her American-made car and was struck by another vehicle — a truck, according to Karson — on the right side.

Had Kuhlman’s been a typical UK-manufactured car, the News Tribune report noted, she would have been struck directly on the driver’s side, perhaps resulting in even more severe injuries. As it was, she sustained fractures to her pelvis, one foot, and suffered other serious internal injuries, leading to multiple operations.

“It’ll take time,” said Kuhlman, pausing at times as he chose his words. “As far as we know, no long-term effects as far as brain . . . but I mean, who knows, it’s going to be a long process. We’re just taking it one day at a time, and like I say, thankful it’s going in the right direction.”

It was Dean Kuhlman, Karson’s dad, who phoned him to deliver the somber news soon after the accident. Dean, who retired in the spring from the Air National Guard, moved to the UK with Jennifer over the summer for the start of her two-year hitch at RAF Mildenall, approximately 100 miles northeast of London.

“It was a handful of things . . . ,” said Karson, recalling the call from his dad. “. . . she got operated on. I don’t really want to get into the specifics of it. Because I don’t know all the medical details and terms. But, yeah, a couple of operations, and they went well.

“I think she was coherent after the accident, was talking and breathing . . . she was out of it, of course . . . but not touch-and-go. Nothing to that extreme, which is good. But scary — scary for sure.”

Kuhlman, who signed here as a free agent after four years at Minnesota- Duluth, was captain of the Bulldogs in 2017-18 when they won their first of back-to-back NCAA Frozen Four titles.

Patricia Samberg and Susan Perunovich, moms of current UMD players, just recently began a GoFundMe page for Jennifer Kuhlman, aimed at raising funds to help cover the costs related to her ongoing hospital stay and the ensuing long road to recovery.

According to the News Tribune, Jennifer Kuhlman has been covered by Great Britain’s National Health Service plan since her arrival over the summer. But there are always added costs, particularly with a long convalescence. Jennifer remains in the hospital and is expected to remain immobile for at least another six weeks, particularly while her pelvis mends. As of Sunday afternoon, the Jennifer Kuhlman Recovery Campaign stood at $13,305, only some $200 short of its initial goal.

“That’s been great,”said Karson. “We’re all very appreciative.”

Karson grew up in in Esko, Minn., outside Duluth, and the plan remains for his folks to move back there when Jennifer’s two-year UK hitch ends in the summer of 2021. Younger son Jack, a college senior, is scheduled to spend his final semester in Florence, Italy, and already has visited his mom while she recovers at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, England.

“It was pretty routine . . . I think a pretty routine night,” said Kuhlman, recounting what he knows of the accident. “She was coming home from work, if I understand everything correctly.” 1167468 Boston Bruins

Anders Bjork’s defensive game has been the biggest leap

By MARISA INGEMI PUBLISHED: December 22, 2019 at 7:30 pm | UPDATED: December 22, 2019 at 8:31 PM

Anders Bjork has evolved into one of the Bruins most reliable defensive forwards.

That’s likely not what they were expecting when they gave him his third crack at the NHL, but it’s what they’re getting, and it might be even more important than developing offensively.

He’s getting defensive zone faceoffs and being trusted on the penalty kill, and for Bjork, that confidence from the coaching staff is where his defensive ability made a leap.

“(The penalty kill) has almost given me more confidence defensively,” he said. “That’s the main part, and then you just feel more comfortable. Once you’re more comfortable on the PK you know you can feel real solid in the defensive zone on five-on-five.”

Bjork’s on-ice presence in his third attempt at the NHL has been a noticeably large leap, and the team’s confidence is noticeable as well. He’s getting time in almost every situation, and that he’s been built into the penalty kill says a lot about their belief in that part of his game.

It’s something he notes too, and it’s an even bigger motivator to keep improving at that area. Bjork was never highly touted as a defense-first type of forward, and he still projects to be a scorer, and that’s what the Bruins would like more than anything.

The defensive aspect, though, is earning him trust in more situations, and that only bodes well.

“It’s pretty good, I think it’s been very consistent, which is good,” said Bjork. “There’s still some areas to clean up, I want to continue blocking shots and getting more in alleys. It’s tough sometimes because guys shoot off the net and stuff too. But I think getting out there quicker will help me. I think I’m pleased with where it’s at I would say, but more like, pleased with where it’s trending.”

Bruins Bruce Cassidy has discussed the impact of pairing Bjork with on a line and letting Bjork develop and grow off of his game, which is heavy puck possession, and Coyle’s own penalty kill game has improved this season as well.

Getting to watch a veteran forward and play with him and build off of his game has helped Bjork, but being a part of the penalty kill with defensive- minded forwards like Patrice Bergeron has also been an influence for Bjork improving that part of his game.

“I think I try to watch those guys as close as I can, even during the games,” said Bjork. “Just feed off of what they’re doing in a lot of aspects. Bergy’s a center, Coyle’s a center, it’s a little different, but working with a guy like Bergy, he’s so good defensively, he helps a lot.”

The Bruins would love for Bjork to develop into that missing piece at forward, someone reliable who can score in the middle six, and maybe someday, in the top six.

For now, though, his overall development at the NHL is what’s important, and that his defensive game is building so naturally is a positive sign for his future in Boston.

Boston Herald LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167469 Boston Bruins

Bruins notebook: Chara will miss Caps game with jaw procedure

By MARISA INGEMI | December 22, 2019 at 7:00 PM

The Bruins have lost eight of nine, and they’ll have to try to face their most challenging opponent to date without their captain.

Zdeno Chara will miss Monday’s game with the Capitals to undergo a jaw procedure related to the broke jaw he suffered in the Stanley Cup Final last season.

He’s expected to be back when the Bruins head to Buffalo on Friday.

“It’s never going to be perfect (timing),” said Chara. “We tried to plan this and obviously we tried to make that decision ahead of time. That’s what it is. We tried to take advantage of that little break that we have coming up so it’s not too demanding on the body. It worked out to be the last game before the Christmas break.”

He picked the timing to be either before or after Christmas, using the break as a chance to limit how much time he will miss, which should just be the one game if all goes well in surgery on Monday.

With Chara out, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said he might pair John Moore with Chara’s usual defense partner Charlie McAvoy, or they could just move things around.

“There’s six healthy guys, so (Torey) Krug, (Brandon) Carlo stays together,” said Cassidy. “If we put Moore up with Charlie, that could be a matchup for bigger bodies. We’ve played (Matt Grzelcyk) with Charlie, so can Grz handle that with bigger lines or do I leave Grz and (Connor) Clifton alone? That will be a decision (Monday). (Sunday) we had Moore practicing with Charlie to get some reps.”

Chara said the area of his previous surgery was infected but he didn’t suffer any fever, just some discomfort in that spot.

“The area where the surgery was done got infected, which is kind of rare, but it does happen after six months,” said Chara. “The decision was made to avoid maybe further troubleshooting with that area to basically remove all the plates and screws and clean it up. Pretty much the same surgery, just instead of putting the plates in, it’s gonna be taking the plates out.”

The timing was never going to be perfect, as Chara said, but it’s unfortunate timing: The Bruins are facing a Capitals squad that could serve as a measuring stick game if the B’s hadn’t lost 16 of their last 17 against their Eastern Conference rival.

They’ll look to snap their current slide going into the holiday break, and their historic losing streak with the Capitals, sans their captain.

Forward change

Cassidy said there would be a forward change for Monday’s game but didn’t say what it would be, noting he hadn’t told players yet.

For Saturday’s game against the Predators, Par Lindholm and Brett Ritchie saw action after time off, which took David Backes and Joakim Nordstrom out of the lineup.

Lindholm scored and Ritchie assisted on that tally in the former’s first game since Dec. 7.

Every healthy forward practiced on Sunday, including injured Karson Kuhlman and Anton Blidh, who participated in red non-contact jerseys.

Boston Herald LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167470 Boston Bruins

Zdeno Chara will miss Monday's game due to jaw procedure

By Joe Haggerty December 22, 2019 2:57 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass – Zdeno Chara won’t be playing in Monday night’s final game ahead of the pre-Christmas holiday break due to a scheduled procedure related to his broken jaw suffered during last spring’s Stanley Cup Final.

The 42-year-old captain has suffered from some infection issues after wires and screws were surgically installed in his jaw during the healing process, so Chara is going to have all the hardware removed now that his mouth has healed up.

The hope and expectation is that there will be no more recurrence of the infection issues once all the medical paraphernalia has been removed from his jaw.

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The timing obviously isn’t ideal with the Bruins headed into a Monday night showdown with a Washington Capitals team that’s beaten them twice and with Boston having lost eight of their last nine games in their worst tailspin in a few seasons.

“It’s never going to be perfect. We tried to plan this and make the decision ahead of time, and that’s what it was. We tried to take advantage of the little break we have coming up so it wasn’t too demanding on the body,” said Chara, who hadn’t missed a single game yet this season while posting five goals and 13 points in 37 games along with a plus-18 rating this year. “The area where the surgery was done got infected, which is kind of rare. But it does happen. After the decision was made to remove all the plates and screws and clean it up. It’s pretty much the same [procedure] but instead of putting the plates in it will be taking the plates out.”

The good news is that Chara is expected to be good to go following the three-day holiday break and that means the B’s captain is expected to play against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night once regular season play resumes in the NHL. In his absence, the onus will be on young D-men like Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo to hold Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin in check with Boston’s defensive stopper taking a rare absence from the lineup for the procedure.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167471 Boston Bruins

Patrice Bergeron: 'You can't just enjoy it when things are good'

By Joe Haggerty December 22, 2019 11:41 AM

BOSTON – The Bruins are mired in their worst slump of the Bruce Cassidy era in Boston right now with eight losses in their last nine games, and lowered level of play that’s been going on for a month now. The latest transgression was a 4-3 overtime defeat at the hands of the on Saturday night where the Bruins were cruising with a 2-1 lead before giving up a pair of goals in 35 seconds in the third before once again losing in the extra session.

Cassidy took a rare timeout in the third period after the two goals allowed suddenly erased their one-goal lead, and gave a glimpse into the B’s current state of mind while explaining his message on the bench during a time of stress.

“I think our guys are sick of losing, to be honest with you, so I think they were going to push no matter what,” said Cassidy. “But we just wanted to make sure we just took a deep breath. Those are tough calls because we knew there was a game timeout coming and you want to save it, but I just felt that maybe we need to reset.

“I don’t see a negative in the room in terms of blaming each other or lack of effort in practice, lack of compete to come back. I don’t see that. But I just see that they’re getting frustrated with not being able to get into the winner’s circle. Especially with these overtimes and two one-goal games in Washington and Tampa, better efforts [from the team] haven’t resulted in wins.”

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Amazingly the Bruins still hold a nine- lead in their division despite the 2-4-4 record over their last 10 games, and the massive cushion they’d built up in the Atlantic Division is allowing them all sorts of time to sort things out.

So, there is no reason to panic for a Black and Gold group that’s basically led their division all season and was considered one of the NHL’s best all season before hitting their current roadblock.

That’s something Patrice Bergeron was preaching postgame after almost single-handedly willing the B’s to victory with a pair of goals in the OT loss, including a score in the final two minutes that tied the game with the goaltender pulled.

“You can’t just enjoy it when things are good and then when things are bad you jump ship. That’s too easy,” said Bergeron, who finished with the two goals, eight shot attempts and 16-of-27 face-off wins in 21:35 of ice time in the OT loss. “It’s a long season. Hopefully these things make you stronger. I think that’s when you have to be behind each other, support each other and find ways [to win].

“I wouldn’t want to do it with a different group. I enjoy coming to the rink every day and putting in the work. That’s the challenge that we’re facing. It’s the urgency we have to find and I wouldn’t change that is where we’re at. It’s a long season and we’ve got to look at the positives while looking at the challenge in front of us.”

The only thing that’s going to alleviate the frustration is getting a win no matter what the circumstances.

The Bruins have one more chance ahead of the three-day Christmas break with Monday night’s home date against the Washington Capitals. The Capitals have already dealt the B's a couple of losses this season and are the team's longtime kryptonite.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167472 Boston Bruins The good news is that both the Bruins positional players and their goaltenders are too good to struggle this way for much longer while saddled in this current slump, but obviously Saturday wasn’t the night for any of them to climb out of it. Bruins 'have to push through a little bit' amid subpar goaltender play Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.23.2019

By Joe Haggerty December 22, 2019 10:31 AM

BOSTON – The Bruins have been able to avoid prolonged slumps over the last few years in part because they have a talented roster, and because they are guided by some very strong coaching.

But the fact that the B’s also have the NHL’s best goaltending tandem has been perhaps the biggest factor in keeping the Bruins out of extended losing tailspins. However, that hasn’t been the case as much while the Black and Gold have been saddled with a slump that’s seen them lose eight of their last nine games.

The Bruins are tied for 21st in the NHL with an .893 save percentage during 11 games in the month of December, and sit 15th in the league with 2.91 goals against average. Those are pedestrian numbers given the kind of money that the Bruins shell out to employ Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak, and goaltending again was an issue in the Bruins 4-3 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators at TD Garden on Saturday night.

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Halak gave up three goals in regulation during the loss, including a pair of goals allowed in 35 seconds in the third period. And after the game, Bruce Cassidy termed each of them “save-able” goals in a decidedly frank assessment of his backup goalie.

“[Halak] made some good saves, but, listen, I’ve tried to be honest up here. I believe we have two No. 1 [goalies] in there, but those were three goals that were very saveable. [They were] pucks that probably shouldn’t end up in your net,” said Cassidy.

“A little bit of that is our goaltenders have to push through [some doldrums] right now. We’re not scoring that much, or we’ve got to start scoring more, finishing some plays to allow them to play out. It’s one or the other if you want to get in the win column.”

On balance, Halak has actually been better in December with a .908 save percentage and a 2-2-1 record while Tuukka Rask has gone in the tank along with the rest of the team to the tune of a 1-2-3 record along with an .897 save percentage and a 2.79 goals against average.

But Halak was pretty terrible in a Nashville loss where the Bruins held a 2-1 lead and looked pretty good heading into the third period.

Halak allowed a sloppy goal by the near post where Ryan Johansen somehow found daylight between the B’s goalie and the post after the puck hit a stick in front of the net. Then, Halak made a bad decision on a Roman Josi blocked shot that turned into a breakaway opportunity headed into the Boston end.

Halak charged way out beyond the face-off circle and won the race to the puck, but then Josi easily blocked his clearing attempt and then flipped the go-ahead goal into the vacant net to send the B’s reeling in 35 seconds of calamity in the third period.

“I was first to the puck. But it was one of those plays where the bounce went the other way and he was able to put it in,” said Halak, who allowed four goals on 29 shots. “It was maybe a simple mistake. It happens to everyone. When the goalie makes a mistake there is nobody that can cover for him most of the time.”

Bruce Cassidy immediately called a timeout to “make sure to keep [Halak’s] head in the game”, and Halak himself copped to his miscues following the game that also included a soft Josi backhander from the high slot that turned into Nashville’s first goal in the second period.

“Both goals in the third, the first one goes off the stick and the second one was a bad bounce,” said Halak. “The bounces didn’t go our way. Obviously that’s the way it is. I made [a mistake]. I’m glad for one point, but bottom line is that all of us in here have to find a way to get the two points. I was just trying to do my job, but obviously everybody makes mistakes.” 1167473 Boston Bruins

Zdeno Chara to have surgery to address infection from Stanley Cup final jaw injury

By Joe McDonald Dec 22, 2019

Bruins captain Zdeno Chara will have surgery Monday to remove the plates and screws in his jaw due to an infection. He will be out of the lineup against the Washington Capitals on Monday, but he’s expected to return to game action against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.

Chara suffered a broken jaw in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final against the St. Louis Blues last June but did not miss a game. He had surgery after the season and had screws and plates inserted.

He said he’s been feeling some sensitivity in the area since the original procedure and having it cleaned out a second time should avoid further infections.

“Yeah, but it’s never going to be perfect,” Chara said of the timing of the procedure. “You try to plan this, and we made the decision ahead of time. We tried to take advantage of the (Christmas) break coming up, so it’s not too demanding on the body. It just worked out to be the last game before the break.”

Chara said it should be a “fairly quick” procedure and doesn’t expect to have his jaw wired shut. It’s just a matter of replacing the hardware. He doesn’t believe he’ll have to remain in the hospital overnight.

“It’s going to be challenging during Christmas time, especially with the kids. We’ll see how sore, or swelled up I’m going to be. That’s just the way it is; part of the job.”

With Chara sidelined against the Capitals, coach Bruce Cassidy said John Moore will be in the lineup and paired with Charlie McAvoy. Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo will remain the second pair, while Matt Grzelcyk and Connor Clifton will stay the same.

“It is a good challenge,” Cassidy said about playing the Capitals without Chara in the lineup.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167474 Calgary Flames The Stars, however, equalized just 38 seconds later on a rush by Denis Gurianov.

The second period was especially problematic for the Flames during their Lindholm, Tkachuk continue to build chemistry as Flames win in Dallas three-game losing streak and a lot of fans were likely thinking ‘Here we go again’ when the hosts fired the first eight shots on net in the middle frame at American Airlines Center.

Wes Gilbertson The out-of-towners turned their fortunes with a pair of power-play tallies.

Published:December 22, 2019 First, Lindholm fired a quick pass from the goal-line to Tkachuk at the top of the right circle, where he stickhandled for a moment before roofing a Updated:December 22, 2019 9:16 PM MST wrister.

Less than two minutes later, with the Flames again on the man- DALLAS — The Calgary Flames might have found a new killer combo. advantage, Lindholm spied Tkachuk at the right-post, where he re-routed the puck to Monahan for a close-range one-timer. Step aside, Johnny and Mony … Right now, there’s no doubt the Flames’ most dangerous forward pair is the duo of Elias Lindholm and Matthew Mikael Backlund finally snapped out of an 18-game goal-scoring dry-spell Tkachuk. with another PP potting in the third, bulling his way toward the blue paint and cashing his own rebound. (In addition to a 27-save showing, Flames Those gents — ‘Lindy and Chucky’ doesn’t have the same rhyme-y puck-stopper David Rittich collected his first NHL assist on that appeal for the headline writers — combined for six points Sunday as the sequence.) crew from Calgary snapped out of a three-game winless skid with a 5-1 victory over the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. “I thought we played a pretty strong game overall,” Ward said afterward. “But the special-teams were huge for us tonight.” “They’re both smart — I think that’s the thing that stands out to me,” said Flames interim coach Geoff Ward of Lindholm and Tkachuk. “And they’re Lindholm, Tkachuk & Co. will wrap their pre-holiday slate with Monday’s able to get a feel now for where each other are going to be on the ice, matinee against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center (3 p.m. MT, and that comes with playing together. Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan).

“It’s just how smart they are with respect to using the ice, and how smart DEFENDING DUBE they are at being able to understand where that next play is. And they There was a lot of bah-humbug on social media when Flames fans found both protect the puck well, so they’re able to buy themselves some time out that forward Dillon Dube — the youngest dude on the roster — would in order to make the next play.” be scratched against the Stars. Right now, Ward is looking pretty darn smart for thinking of this That was one of a hat-trick of lineup tweaks in the Big D, with forwards productive partnership. Mark Jankowski and Zac Rinaldo and defenceman Michael Stone all Tkachuk and Lindholm — currently skating their five-on-five shifts with returning to action and Dube, Michael Frolik and Oliver Kylington each Andrew Mangiapane — hooked up for a pair of highlight-reel strikes taking a seat in the press box. during Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens at the The 21-year-old Dube has earned three goals, seven points and plenty of Saddledome, a hint that this chemistry experiment was starting to pay off. praise in 15 games since his latest recall from AHL Stockton. They factored on three more Sunday in the Big D — Mangiapane’s “Sometimes, you don’t make decisions based on what a guy is not doing. opening snipe, Tkachuk’s top-shelf laser on the power-play and then a Sometimes, you make a decision based on tailoring your lineup to the man-advantage marker by Sean Monahan. opposition,” Ward explained after Sunday’s morning skate. “For us, it’s All told, the Flames scored three times on the PP against the Stars, while more that in this case — more than anything else — we want to get a Derek Ryan sealed the result with a short-handed empty-netter. little bit of a bigger lineup in there, a little bit more of a physical presence in our lineup. So we made the switches that we feel are going to give us It shouldn’t come as a shocker that Lindholm — switched to centre under the opportunity to have that look. Ward’s watch — and Tkachuk have hit it off. “For Dillon, I think he gets a chance now to sit up top. He gets a chance One leads the team in goals. to watch some things, watch some guys play on both teams, and we’ll ask him questions between periods and after the game — what he The other leads the team in points. thinks, what he sees. For him, that is part of his education as a young Ward trusts them both in shutdown situations. player. But we’re happy with the way he’s playing.”

If they can continue to build their chemistry and with Johnny Gaudreau Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.23.2019 and Sean Monahan starting to on a more consistent basis … Look out.

“Obviously, we bring a little different things to the table,” Lindholm said after Sunday’s win in Dallas. “(Tkachuk) is strong on the puck and good around the net, and I’m more probably pass-first and he’s a good finisher. So I think, overall, we do a good job of helping each other out on the ice.”

Moments later, No. 19 was passing those compliments in the other direction.

“He’s an easy guy to play with,” Tkachuk said of Lindholm. “He starts in the defensive zone, but he’s exceptional offensively. He has a great shot, can score with the best of them and he can make some great plays, too.

“If he’s open, I’m going to pass to him every time — get it off my stick, get it on his. And I’m sure he feels the same way. Just use each other. And playing with Mang right now, it seems to be going well.”

It sure does.

The Flames put the first ink on Sunday’s scoresheet thanks to a tic-tac- toe passing play, with a quick back-and-forth between Lindholm and Tkachuk before No. 28 dished to Mangiapane in the slot for the finish. 1167475 Calgary Flames “I always believed, that’s why I’m here,” Rinaldo said. “I never doubted myself. Never. Not one day.

“Another 500, that’s what my goal is.” Flames forward Zac Rinaldo marks significant milestone Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.23.2019

Wes Gilbertson

Published:December 22, 2019

Updated:December 22, 2019 5:06 PM MST

DALLAS — Five hundred games in the professional-hockey biz.

Calgary Flames sparkplug Zac Rinaldo might be the only person who believed that milestone was within reach.

“Tonight? No sh–?” Rinaldo replied when informed he would hit that nice round number in Sunday’s road date against the Dallas Stars — a combination of 357 appearances in the NHL and 143 more in the minors. “See, I don’t even look at that stuff. But that’s a really, really nice accomplishment. I wasn’t even supposed to get one game, never mind 500. So 500 pro games, it’s an honour to be a part of.

“I’m not supposed to be here right now,” he added. “Not many players like myself who were drafted in the sixth round for their toughness stick around this long, especially in this day and age where the game is changing every day and every year.

“So I’ve had a lot of doubters throughout my whole career and a lot of people that didn’t believe in me. This game is for them, I guess.”

Milestones are typically tracked in just one specific league, but 500 pro appearances is worth recognizing for Rinaldo, a fiery and fearless forward who has plied his trade for the home team in Philadelphia, Boston, Arizona, Nashville and now Calgary, plus in the minor-league outposts of Adirondack, Providence, Milwaukee and Stockton.

Pugilists have mostly disappeared.

Rinaldo, who has spent upwards of 1,200 minutes — that’s 20-plus hours — in professional penalty boxes, has been one of the exceptions.

Why?

“My work ethic,” Rinaldo reasoned. “Hard work. My passion. My dedication. My heart.”

This fall, Rinaldo turned a training-camp tryout at the Saddledome into a one-year, two-way contract with the crew from Calgary.

The 29-year-old left-winger has suited up mostly on behalf of the AHL’s , but has also provided an injection of speed and intensity in his half-dozen outings with the big club.

His first goal and first scrap in the Flaming C came on the same evening — he scored on a wraparound-of-sorts against the before being tossed for fighting during a commercial break.

He was scratched for the next game. Such is life in a fourth-line role.

In his next twirl, Rinaldo scored the would-be game-winner and also collected an assist to lead the Flames past the Arizona Coyotes.

He’d been a spare part for four straight since then, including an overnight reassignment to the farm.

“Just try to pick up where I left off — on a real positive note,” Rinaldo said after Sunday’s morning skate in Dallas. “I know it wasn’t my play that took me out of the lineup. I think if it was my play, I would feel differently. But it wasn’t so I’m just rolling with the punches and respecting the team’s decisions on what they need to do to win games, and just capitalize on when I get my opportunity. Seize it, and make it harder on the organization and coaching staff to take me out of the lineup.”

That’s been a career quest for Rinaldo, who grew up idolizing Eric Lindros and and twice led the Hockey League in penalty minutes as a junior.

Five hundred times now, a coach has scribbled his name on a lineup sheet at the pro level. 1167476 Calgary Flames Forwards Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Mikael Backlund

Matthew Tkachuk – Elias Lindholm – Andrew Mangiapane GameDay: Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars – Derek Ryan – Dillon Dube

Sam Bennett – Tobias Rieder – Michael Frolik Wes Gilbertson Defence Published:December 22, 2019 Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie Updated:December 22, 2019 9:30 AM MST Noah Hanifin – Travis Hamonic

Oliver Kylington – Rasmus Andersson CALGARY FLAMES (18-14-5) at DALLAS STARS (20-13-4) Goaltenders Sunday, 5 p.m. MT, American Airlines Center David Rittich TV: Sportsnet, Radio: Sportsnet 960 The Fan Cam Talbot THE BIG MATCHUP STARS LINEUP Flames G David Rittich vs. Stars G Ben Bishop Forwards If they’re between the pipes Sunday, both Rittich and Bishop will be anxious to bounce back after rough outings. The 27-year-old Rittich Jamie Benn – Justin Dowling – Tyler Seguin racked up 39 saves — including several of the highlight-reel variety — in Calgary’s 4-3 overtime loss against the Montreal Canadiens on Mattias Janmark – Roope Hintz – Joe Pavelski Thursday, but also allowed a couple of stinkers. He won’t be thrilled Andrew Cogliano – Radek Faksa – Blake Comeau about that. The 33-year-old Bishop, meanwhile, was shelled for six goals on just 20 shots before getting an early hook Friday in his team’s 7-4 Denis Gurianov – Jason Dickinson – thumping from the Panthers in Florida. Beware the bristling backstops. Defence FIVE STORYLINES FOR THE GAME Andrej Sekera – John Klingberg STOCKING STUFFERS? Esa Lindell – Miro Heiskanen The Flames will wrap their pre-holiday slate with a gruelling back-to-back — a date with the Stars in Dallas on Sunday, and a matchup against the Jamie Oleksiak – Taylor Fedun Minnesota Wild on Monday in the State of Hockey. They will be home to Goaltenders finish their shopping on Christmas Eve. The Flames have dropped three straight, with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday Ben Bishop being the most fresh in their memories, and are aiming to get back on track before the break.

SECOND-PERIOD SWOONS INJURIES

In each of their three straight setbacks, the Flames have looked sharp in Flames — D Juuso Valimaki (knee) the early stages, only to lose all the momentum in a miserable middle Stars — RW Alexander Radulov (lower body) period. In fact, over their past three second stanzas, they have been outshot by a 50-23 margin and out-scored 6-0. Yikes. The Stars were SPECIAL TEAMS also awful in the second frame en route to a 7-4 loss in Florida on Friday, Power play (prior to Saturday’s action) with the Panthers scoring five times between the intermissions. Flames: 18.0% (20-for-111, 18th) THAT’S A WRAP Stars: 17.3% (18-for-104, 22nd) The game at American Airlines Center is the rubber-match in the three- game series between these Western Conference foes. The Flames Penalty kill (prior to Saturday’s action) notched a 3-2 shootout victory in the Big D in mid-October — their go-to goalie, David Rittich, won his first NHL skills competition that night — and Flames: 84.4% (5th) the Stars earned a slice of revenge with a 3-1 triumph on Saddledome Stars: 84.0% (7th) ice a month later. Both have made coaching changes since their last clash. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.23.2019 BOWNESS TIME

Rick Bowness is now running the bench for the Stars after the surprise firing of Jim Montgomery for inappropriate conduct. The 64-year-old Bowness, who has posted a 3-2-1 record so far as the interim head coach, was fuming after the shellacking in Sunrise, Fla., on Friday. “We got what was coming to us,” Bowness said. “Listen, this is a league that if you’re not ready to compete, they can embarrass you. And we got embarrassed tonight.”

THIS N’ THAT

Stars winger Alexander Radulov, second on the team scoring charts, missed the game Friday due to a lower-body injury and his status is uncertain … With defenceman Oliver Kylington scoring against the Habs, centre Mark Jankowski is the only skater on Calgary’s current roster without a goal this season … Stars forward Joe Pavelski, 35, joined the NHL’s silver-stick club in Florida, hitting the 1,000-game plateau.

FLAMES LINEUP 1167477 Carolina Hurricanes

Canes’ Sebastian Aho becomes Raleigh’s most talked-about elf

BY CHIP ALEXANDER

DECEMBER 22, 2019 04:27 PM

Sebastian Aho wasn’t the game’s first star Saturday as the Carolina Hurricanes faced the Florida Panthers at PNC Arena.

But Aho had a starring role.

The Canes center didn’t have a point or assist as the Canes lost 4-2. But he seemingly had everyone’s attention when the massive scoreboard showed “The Elf on the Shelf” Christmas production with, yes, Aho as the elf.

“You think the fans liked it?” Aho asked Sunday.

Told it might have been the highlight of the game for many in the near- sellout crowd, young and old, Aho beamed.

“If the fans liked it that’s the whole point of the video,” he said. “I’m happy it went over well.”

Talk about perfect casting. Aho looked the part and while he did not have a word of dialogue, his facial expressions were perfectly posed as he jotted down the names of those who were being naughty to report back to the North Pole — general manager , for example, for opening a Christmas gift too early.

Aho said the filming by a Hurricanes crew took him about a half-hour or so Friday and it was strictly one and done, with no second-takes. The rub: it came on the day after the Canes returned from their long, five- game road trip.

“They asked me about a month ahead of time to do it,” Aho said. “Then we get back and it was on an off-day for us. But it was fine. They had it all set up for me and it was a quick in and out.”

Aho said he did not remember being in any big plays or have any acting parts as a kid in Finland. This might have been his acting debut. If so, he nailed it.

Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said he did not get a glimpse of the Aho video during the game.

“Was it good?” Brind’Amour said. “I’m oblivious to that. Maybe I need to get more dialed in.”

Told he looked like an elf, Aho said, “Is that a good thing or bad?”

At Christmas, always a good thing.

“Then it was a good thing to do,” he said, smiling.

News Observer LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167478 Carolina Hurricanes Good. Yeah. Honestly Carolina’s been awesome. City’s great. It’s kind of our pace. Slower paced. And you know full of southern hospitality, so it’s been a really good place to live.

Forever the Optimus: Catching up with James Reimer about life in the What about in terms of on the ice? Your numbers are excellent so far this NHL crease, as a Leaf and a Hurricane year. Is there an explanation for the start you’re having so far?

Uh yeah. I don’t know. I mean like every summer you work hard and you tweak a few things and whatnot but I think it’s honestly just we have a By James Mirtle Dec 22, 2019 pretty solid team here and I don’t hate to use this word but I need to come up with a different word because I’m overusing it but you know I

think we have an honest team. So you play the game the right way every It was New Year’s Day, nine years ago, that James Reimer made his first night or if you take a period off – you know because you’re human – you NHL start for the Maple Leafs, a win in Ottawa. get back on it for the rest of the game. Guys’ work ethic is there every night. So, you know, when you’re playing the game the right way, usually The Leafs were then a team in turmoil, with their goaltending a mess, everybody looks good. and he was a long shot to be the solution. Yet somehow the 22-year-old kid from tiny Morweena, Manitoba, who was fourth or fifth on the So you went to Florida. You signed the five-year deal, with a different organizational depth chart, proved a lot of people wrong. management group in place. It didn’t really go down the path that you wanted it to. Was there some uncertainty for you last year about what He somehow took that team on a run that fell just shy of the postseason. was going to happen?

And his own personal run is still going, this time with the Carolina Yeah definitely. I mean towards the end of last year you didn’t know what Hurricanes, who he has a sparkling .927 save percentage with through was… I’m mean obviously I knew I wasn’t coming back but, I mean, you 14 appearances. didn’t know what was going to happen. If there was going to be a buyout or if you’re going to get traded or you know what was going to happen. It My guess is he’ll be in the crease come Monday afternoon in Toronto, was a weird summer of not knowing what was going to happen. It feels too, making a very rare start back where he got his start. like the goalie market is always super weird or volatile or whatever you James and I had a strong relationship when he played here, for whatever want to call it. Especially this summer with the cap not going up as much. reason. We had a lot of good conversations, and even when the team It made for a really interesting summer for a lot of guys. Yeah I mean we (and he) struggled, there was an understanding that we were both there just kind of sat around and just kept preparing like you’re going to do to do our jobs. Honestly, some of my favourite stories I wrote on the beat something in the fall. And then obviously when Carolina traded for me (in in the early years were about his improbable rise, from his origin story to late June), had some conversations with them and whatnot and it how his faith helped him play in the NHL. seemed like it would be a good fit. And so far things have gone well.

So when I knew Reimer was calling this week, I didn’t prepare a whole So you’re 31 now, you’re going to be 32 in March. Does it feel a lot bunch of canned questions like you might for some interviews. I knew different than earlier in your career? we’d land on an interesting topic. What I didn’t realize was we would talk Yes and no. I think so. I think you just have a better understanding about about getting old… but I guess that’s a good landing point for anyone how things play out. I get jealous of all the young guys on the team, how over 30 in the NHL these days. fresh they feel all the time. (Laughs). No, but I always joke (about it). Our conversation has been lightly edited. People sometimes ask ‘How does it feel?’ because I think I’m actually the oldest guy on the team by a few months. And so… So what’s new with James Reimer? Wow. Not much. Not much. Just hanging out. Got a bunch of kids now. Just trying to stay sane. Yeah who would have thought!? But I feel just as good as I did when I was 23 or 24 years old. But you’ve just got to work a little harder before How many’s a bunch? you get on the ice to get that feeling. Yeah no I feel in comparison pretty We’ve got two girls. much the same.

Hey, I’ve got two kids. I know what that’s about. So I’m looking it up (on HockeyDB). It says Brian Gibbons is older than you by about two weeks. You know the circus. How old are they? Oh yeah that’s right Gibby’s on the squad now! That’s right. (laughs) My son is almost 5 and he’s in kindergarten. Actually he’s singing in the Christmas play here in about a half hour. That’s what we’re getting ready There you go! for. As soon as we get off the phone, I’m running over to the school. And When he’s not around, I’m a couple months older than Jordo (Staal). my daughter’s a year and a half. We’re still in the thick of the craziness. What about you? I remember Nevaeh was born a few years ago. You’re six months older than Jordan. Well, it shows how young the NHL is now. It’s amazing. I remember going into the dressing room when I Yeah she’s almost 3. And the youngest is eight months old. Hope. started, 12 years ago or whatever, and it was way different. I felt young in That’s nice. there and I was, whatever, 26. And now, everybody’s so young. Now I’m closer in age to guys’ parents it feels like. Oh we’re elbows deep. Yeah, no, but it’s good. They play together. I know. It’s crazy. It’s crazy you know? But yeah I mean the skill level is Two’s enough for us. I’m getting old man. At least you had your kids crazy. I mean you see Svech the other night again (with the lacrosse pretty young. That’s good. goal). It’s just not even fair. So, you know. Good for them.

I don’t know. Yeah it’s good. It’s funny – I don’t know about you, but you Did you learn something about watching Luongo play into his late 30s always wonder how many kids you want to have and all of a sudden you that maybe you can take with you in your career? have a couple and it’s like ‘Well, you know what… two might be good enough!’ Uhmm you know honestly just the preparation I think. Honestly I learned a lot of things (from him). I could talk a long time about the way he played I tell you, the people that have four, you wonder, what’s happening? and prepared and whatnot, but just everyday was Groundhog Day, in a What is your life? I don’t understand. I don’t understand how you’re doing really good way. You know what I mean? He just brought a high level of this? preparation and play/compete every day. In a way, it’s kind of funny, only in the last year or two would, as a young guy you think you’re invincible Do you hate yourself? You’re signing up for this. This is your fault. Are and you don’t really have to warm up or whatever before you get on the you crazy? But no. It’s good. ice. If you’re on the road or something and guys want to get out early it’s How’s Carolina? like okay I’ll just jump out early, you don’t have to worry about pulling a groin or getting warmed up or whatever. And as you get older, you’ve just got to take care of your body better and better to keep playing at a high level. What I learned from him is what I said earlier. You’re more you can be. Because even if you play for 15 years, it’s a short career, so cognizant and aware of what you need to do to be at your best and so you’ve got to try to make the most of it. that was something that he did really well. He had his routines that he did on the ice and whatnot and obviously when you’re a goalie late in the Do you know how many career NHL games you’ve played now? years like he was it’s even more important. He stuck with it and was the I want to say like 340-ish. That’s my guess. ultimate pro. That’s one thing I took for myself. Yeah so your last game was 350. That was kind of like a milestone I’m just looking here… have you played a game at the Air Centre game. 400’s coming for you. I remember when you started, the year you recently? You haven’t had a start there in quite a while now. made the Leafs, you were like fourth or fifth in their system, no one in the Not for a while. I think it was my second year in Florida… organization was talking about you, and you were a fourth-round pick. And then you get called up and you play as well as you do and, well, Looks like ’16-17. you’ve had a really unique, remarkable journey in hockey since then. Does it feel that way to you? Really? I thought was one… I got schmucked in my head my last start there. I came out halfway through the second. I don’t know what year that Yeah. I mean it feels like, yeah, maybe unique is the best way to put it. was. Obviously, I feel like every year, it’s another experience. Whether it’s a high or a low or whatnot. It’s just another treat, another gift. Another gift Anyway, it’s been a long time. When you come to Toronto, is there still… from the Good Lord, right? It’s been a very interesting career and some how does that feel for you? Is there a lot of nostalgia? really cool experiences. It’s funny. When you’re coming up through junior Yeah. I mean it’s funny you know, as the years go on, it’s time passes or even playing in the Coast and the AHL, it’s, you always have this, for and things get less and less (that way). But still you land and you’re myself, this deep-down belief, that you can do it. I don’t know where that driving and you see where I lived – I lived right off the Gardiner comes from. But it’s deep down. Yet superficially you’re always like I (Expressway) for most of my time there – and then you walk into the rink, don’t know. It just seems so far away. The NHL seems so far away. It there’s a lot of memories. There’s still some of the same support staff seemed like it was impossible. But you just stuck with it and believed like there and you definitely get that nostalgia. But I think also what lessens it I said deep down and lucky for me things worked out. It’s been a fun a lot, too, is there’s been so much turnover of guys. I think Rielly might be career so far. the only guy left there? You know. And so I think also changes a lot of I’ve got a few Carolina questions. What’s it been like playing for Rod things, too. You see the and it’s a totally different Brind’Amour? team than the one you suited up for. There’s nostalgia when you play against guys that are now on different teams that you played with during Great. Really good. I talk about the identity of our team and we’ve got a that era, too. Whether it’s JVR or Bozak or Gards – now he’s on our bunch of great guys who work hard and have a lot of integrity and team. A lot of those feelings are connected to the players you played honesty and approach the game the right way and that stems down from with. But the other half is obviously the city and the fans and the rink his leadership. The way he approaches the game. The way he carries itself. himself. You can tell the way he coaches and the way he treats us is just the way he lives his life so there’s nothing fake. There’s nothing dressed Do you still run into Leafs fans around the league? Do you still get them up. It’s just straight from the heart. For that reason, makes it pretty easy coming up and talking to you about those years? to get behind him.

Yeah. I would say so. Even in the summer. Honestly Leafs fans are What’s it been like playing on a team with Jake Gardiner again? Do you everywhere. They’ve got a massive following, right? You still run into the guys ever talk about your days with the Leafs together? odd fan here and there. The good ol’ days? Do they still call you Optimus Reim? In some ways. Yeah some of them do! Thanks to them. That’s a nickname that’s stuck with me. It’s given me a theme for my masks for my career. No, we reminisce for sure. We talk about back in the day, guys we played with, coaches, scenarios, situations, whatnot. It’s fun. Often it’s funny too You still have that on your mask? because the young guys will ask us because they hear the stories or they Yeah. Still every mask has some form of Optimus Reim on there. play against Toronto and they ask what was it like? This and that. It’s been fun playing with him. So that’s like the beginning of your career sticking with you. I mean it’s been almost 10 years since you broke into the league. Hard to believe. Jake says it’s night and day, Toronto and Carolina, just like a lot of it. It’s completely different. Yeah I know time flies. It’s crazy. It’s funny seeing him in that scenario. I mean I was him three years ago What are some of your goals for this season and for your career going when I went to Florida. Obviously I had a short stopover in San Jose, forward? How are you looking at things? which was a lot of fun and learnt a lot. That kind of was maybe a nice in- between. But definitely night and day. It’s interesting when you play for a Obviously the ultimate goal is to win a Cup right? That’s pretty standard. non-hockey market team. It’s good. You’re just playing hockey. You’re You know, I think just win. Honestly, you look at my career, and when going out with the guys, having fun playing hockey. Even still the fans in you’re just starting off, the world’s your oyster. All things are possible. Carolina are awesome. It’s loud in our rink. It’s been a really fun place to And as you play longer and longer, the window to win, it shortens. So to play. have a team like the ‘Canes, I think we have a great chance to do some damage. In the playoffs, every team is dangerous. So it’s by no means a Does Svechnikov do that move in practice? Do you ever have to try and given or nothing like that, but I think we have the group to be able to stop that? come together and do something special. That doesn’t come around very often. For me, it’s do my part and try to win games when I get the nod Yeah. The funny thing is that it doesn’t work in practice. But it works in and give these guys the best chance. games.

Do you still feel like you have something to prove? You have a tough It doesn’t work? year in Florida and… it must be as a goalie that you’ve got to prove I don’t know why. Maybe there’s too much snow on the ice or whatnot. yourself every year unless you’re or something? It’s all But usually it doesn’t work in practice. But it works in games, so that’s all based on your last start and your last month and all of that. It feels like that matters. it’s never-ending pressure being a goalie. Would you have a plan for that move if it came to it and you had to stop Yeah. I mean there is no taking your foot off the gas. It’s what have you that? What are you supposed to do – like stand up if you see that done for me lately? How are your last five starts? The league’s too good. happening? Goalies are too good. Players are too good to sit back and pat yourself on the back. When the season’s over, then you can take a couple Yeah I don’t know. I don’t know if I want to say. Maybe people will know months to congratulate yourself – or the opposite – but yeah no. It’s then! Honestly I think you do what Helly did (earlier in the week against every year. You’re pushing yourself and trying to make yourself the best the Jets) – you try and meet it with your hand. And it just found a way in. But I think the main thing is you have to see it coming and if you see it coming then you maybe kind of prepare for it. But yeah I mean it’s one of those things where it’s obviously just a high talent, high skill move. And hopefully you have what it takes to stop it.

The kids in the league are just incredible now aren’t they? We see it with Marner and Matthews – the puck skills that guys have is just unreal.

Yeah. And you know what it is, too, that I find? These kids – I don’t know, whatever – they just love playing the game. Svech is always the last guy off the ice with our team. He’s always just playing with the puck and playing little games after practice and always just working on different things. Same with Turbo (Teravainen). He’s always just playing around. Just having fun after practice and it maybe doesn’t look like much when you’re just watching then all of a sudden you see him doing some of that stuff in games and it just translates. When you’re having fun then the game’s maybe a little easier.

What was it like reading Steve Dangle’s book?

Uhhh… well you know what. I… hmmmmm.

There’s that picture of you reading it on the dock and he sends it out all the time.

(laughing) Yeah I know.

OPTIMUS REIM SUPPORTS BUMBLE-STEVE  ⁦@STEVE_DANGLE⁩ PIC.TWITTER.COM/WNIHEVGJEQ

— APRIL REIMER (@APRIL_REIMER) JULY 26, 2019

Is that just a photoshoot! You didn’t actually read the book?

(laughs) I have yet to read the book.

All right. The secret’s out.

It’s still on my list of books to read. (The photo) is to help the good fellow out. But I am actually a bookworm so it’s not false in that way. I do intend to read it.

I’m sure in the summer you don’t want to read about hockey and Toronto and stuff like that.

No, you know, I’ve got that book and Cujo’s book…

Cujo’s book is apparently amazing. His back story and everything.

Yeah that one’s on my list. On my stack at home to read. And I’ve got another book, too, what’s his face, the guy that got cut by a skate, how come I can’t remember his name…

Malarchuk.

Malarchuk!

My guy Dan wrote that. He did a great job.

Oh nice. That book was given to me, too. Those three books are on my list of must reads.

My guess is you don’t know about starting Monday (in Toronto) yet, but are you hoping that you do? For old time’s sake that you’re in there.

Yeah. Yeah it’d be fun. I mean every game’s an opportunity. Every game’s fun so yeah, no, it’d be good to play. And both these next games, against Florida and Toronto, so both of them against old teams. (Petr Mrazek started in a loss to Florida on Saturday.)

Well, like you said, always something on the line.

Yeap. Every day. Every darn day.

Well, thanks for taking the time out to talk to me. Appreciate it. Maybe I’ll see you at the rink on Monday.

For sure. That’d be great. And have fun at the Christmas concert tonight.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167479 Carolina Hurricanes “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

Bag of Jerks: The latest on Justin Williams, trade deadline talk and your What, if anything, do you see the Canes doing prior to the deadline? favorite player’s favorite player (Besides adding one (1) Justin Williams)?

As you said, it depends on if they can add one (1) Williams, but my gut says there’s one trade made for a little help up front. By Sara Civian Dec 22, 2019 Cats can have little a salami, as a treat.

Canes can have a little help up front, as a treat. The Hurricanes just snagged nine of 10 possible points for the first time in franchise history on a road trip that lasted roughly 14 years and How many All-Stars do you think the Canes will have this year? How featured a detour in Banff National Park. many SHOULD they have this year? (Feel like these are two different answers). They played their most convincing hockey of the season. There was a James Reimer shutout. There was another Svechnikov lacrosse goal. You’re probably right. Have to remember the Metro is stacked and There was a hilariously good penalty kill. certain players with name recognition will always get the invite based on entertainment value alone — can’t really hate on the NHL for that. They’ll As always, y’all had a lot of questions. probably also want to invite more Blues players (when in Rome, play “Gloria” etc.). Let’s dive right in. I think Andrei Svechnikov and Hamilton will get in. Sebastian Aho is sure Is there any more information regarding Justin William’s possible return? making a late push but three from the Canes could be a stretch in reality. Let’s get the question of the hour out of the way. In last month’s Bag of Honestly, I just hope Laila Anderson has fun. Jerks, I said it’s more probable than not that he’d return, and that he’d started skating on his own. Who is the Canes MVP so far this season?

Since then, I’m basically on the same page with colleague Pierre LeBrun. (Insert Svechnikov screaming ‘LET’S GO DOOOOOOOGIE’ here) He confirmed last week Williams has been skating, and tweeted this: “Still no decision but possibility he comes back. Carolina obviously the Who is the most fun person in the Canes organization that no one knows front-runner but ‘Canes cap situation also makes it a tight fit… other about? teams may poke around…” That would be Registered Massage Therapist Tristan Simmons. He’s My sources seem slightly more confident that he will come back, but as always up to something. He’s the guy trusted with the post-game playlist LeBrun mentioned there’s much to work out. — he’s behind all those funny/timely songs and certified jams that come on after the player of the evening gets to pick his tune. MUCH TO THINK ABOUT. PIC.TWITTER.COM/8ER6A0QANY hand delivers him and the rest of the medical staff — BILLY RAY CYRUS (@BILLYRAYCYRUS) JUNE 9, 2015 a crossword puzzle most mornings.

Williams once said that Storm Surges work in mysterious ways, and so The most interesting man in the world. does he. My sense is that if he does return, the Hurricanes obviously want to work it out and are willing to move certain things around to some One day I will thank him for all the viral tweets. degree to do so. Ten Canes who aren’t going anywhere, anytime soon? I need a jersey. Who sits when he returns? Right now I’d assume it’s more about health. Ten? Erik Haula claimed Saturday that he’s back for good, he’s not looking back and there’s no plan to play a few games then take a few off, but you *Gestures toward GM Don Waddell’s bold trade history* never know with the nature of the injury he has. It seems it’d be a game- by-game call on the lineup. Legally Aho can’t go anywhere, and he’s also decent at hockey so that’s a safe bet. Svechnikov and Jaccob Slavin are two more you can be Where he fits, how it works and the nitty-gritty warrant an article of their confident in. own. Look out for that in the coming weeks. If it were me, I’d probably just buy a Rod Brind’Amour jersey. I think it’s I’m sure there have been times when people/players have attempted to cool he was a Hurricanes legend as a player and is already trending that make you feel not as accepted in the sports reporting industry because way as a coach. you’re female. Name a player who caused you to feel the exact opposite of that. Best thing you ate and drank (that wasn’t White Claw) during this most recent roadie? Actually, (disclaimer: I can only speak for my experience) I’ve never felt disrespected by a player — ever. And I love that when I ask a stupid First of all, no White Claw (#sponsored) in Canada. They have something question I get the same hard time as any of my counterparts would. called Nutrl, and since inquiring minds want to know, it isn’t even in the That’s real equality to me. Call me out on my bad moments so I can get same atmosphere as White Claw (#sponsored). But it’ll get the job done, better. and frankly, you don’t need much more than that out of a spiked seltzer.

Trolls on Twitter and the occasional eye-rolling experience with male Best thing I ate was elk in Banff, no question. If I’m being honest it was journalists are one thing, but it’s always helpful to remind myself the anywhere from 45-50 percent of the reason I made the trip. I literally ate people who actually matter show nothing but respect. it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was elk drunk. I was tweeting at PETA. I probably have rabies. I loved the positive spin on this question. To reiterate, everyone just treats me normal. But I would say Williams, Dougie Hamilton and Calvin It was worth it. de Haan are three who really stick out as players who have gone out of Do you think the Hurricanes extend Erik Haula or let him walk? their way in completely different ways to make me feel like I belong. It depends on several things and it’s still too early to know for sure, I’d Oh, and on the first day Nino Niederreiter arrived in Raleigh, I kept say, but he’s going to rightfully ask for a lot after his start to the season. getting cut off in the scrum. It’s no one’s fault when this happens, I’m like Is Williams coming back? How long? How much will Svechnikov get? four feet tall and we’re all just trying to get our question in. But Nino remembered, and at the end of the scrum looked at me and said As great as Haula’s been — Brind’Amour described his presence as something like “Your turn.” allowing the rest of the puzzle to fit together — it might just not be possible with the cap situation.

Which player gives the best/most fun interviews on a regular basis? Anytime Brett Pesce is available he’s a must-interview for me. I wouldn’t Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk. say “most fun,” but he’s really informative. He’s willing to talk to me about systems and all that, and I usually walk away learning something. I played defense but I always secretly wished I had, like, literally any skill or I was at least fun to watch. I would just get a penalty anytime I tried to Most fun these days is Reimer. Honest, funny, puts some thought into his do anything fancy. answers, self-aware and easy to talk to. The rumors are true! Pettersson has the rare combination of elite skill and hilarious, GIFable How freaking good is Jaccob Slavin? Am I biased as a Canes fan or is he facial expressions. DeBrusk is an electric factory. just a flat-out star? What’s your favorite NHL city to be in if you have a few days to spare? Three of Slavin’s four goals this season are game-winners. He’s No. 3 among NHL defensemen in plus/minus at plus-19 (Hamilton leads the Vegas is a boring answer but I love it because I’m not the kind of person league at plus-23) — all while averaging more than 22 minutes TOI and that would ever go there if it wasn’t part of the NHL circuit, so I just walk taking few penalties (only two of the Hurricanes’ million so far this around laughing the entire time like ‘Wow, I’m seriously in Las Vegas season). right now in my finest grandma sweater.’

He proved he could step up in the big moments for the Hurricanes in his Real answer: Vancouver and Detroit are two places I’d live. playoff debut with 11 points in 15 games last season. Sara, did you and/or the Canes visit The Roxy when in Vancouver?

He’s your favorite player’s favorite player. Mentally I’m always at The Roxy.

He’s the type of defenseman you don’t always think about during a game If you were in charge of the sound system what would you play as a song because you’re pretty sure he won’t mess up, but at the same time he to announce the start of a Canes power play? turns any run-of-the-mill two-on-one pass breakup into a highlight reel event, and he doesn’t cost the team a penalty in his process. “At Last” by Etta James.

He sees the ice like a quarterback and he knows how to slow things The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 down when his teammates clearly need it.

One panelist told The Athletic “Slavin is fucking unbelievable.”

Slavin has never uttered a swear in his life, so I’m not sure he appreciates that, but to answer your question he’s a flat-out star.

Could Reimer win the Masterton?

For sure.

What’s the one thing you miss from Hockey Valley?

Funny you should say that, because the Hurricanes are probably the only NHL franchise that boasts everything I love about Hockey Valley, right down to the tailgating. There are college hockey-esque chants at games, there’s a real community feel — especially tight bonds with the so-called early adapters, there are other sports in the area that take some of the spotlight so it still feels like your own thing and most importantly there are downright good guys on the team.

Penn State ruined college hockey. The Hurricanes are a Bunch of Jerks.

I clearly have a thing for an underdog story … and fast teams that take 1,000 shots a night.

There’s even a Gardiner brother here! (Jake’s brother, Max, played at Penn State when I was there).

I was chasing the feeling I found covering Penn State when I came to Raleigh.

I found it.

If the Canes could improve one single aspect of their team game, what would it be?

I get that the penalty kill is on fire, but cool it with the stick infractions. Currently second in the league in penalty minutes behind the Sharks, who have .

Is there a legitimate rivalry between Carolina and Washington?

You can always tell there’s a legitimate rivalry brewing between two teams when fans furiously deny it.

Like, why so mad if you don’t care?

The emergence of the bad blood between these two has been fascinating because it’s equal parts digital-age Twitter chirping (stay classy, carolina), vintage on-ice beef and timeless damn good hockey.

Is it a full-fledged rivalry yet? No.

Did I have to ask Warren Foegele about a former adult film star wishing him erectile dysfunction? Yes.

Favorite NHL players outside of Carolina?

Is this allowed? No one got mad at me when I tweeted about loving Elias Pettersson so here we go. 1167480

Blackhawks call up forward John Quenneville from Rockford to take Brandon Saad’s roster spot

By JIMMY GREENFIELD

DEC 22, 2019 | 11:35 AM

The Blackhawks called up forward John Quenneville from Rockford Sunday, a day after placing Brandon Saad on injured reserve with a right ankle injury.

Quenneville, 23, has 13 points in 19 games for the IceHogs but has been hot recently. He has four goals and four assists in his last five games.

In 33 career games over the last three seasons, Quenneville has two goals and three assists. The Hawks acquired him last June from the Devils for forward John Hayden, who has one assist in 12 games this season.

The Hawks now have 13 forwards with the addition of Quenneville, a cousin of former Hawks coach . Saad will be out for at least two weeks, and forwards (concussion) and Caggiula (concussion) remain sidelined with no timetable for their return.

The Hawks have struggled to find a useful 12th forward. Matthew Highmore, Dylan Sikura and have combined to play 16 games and haven’t registered a point.

Sikura played just six minutes, 57 seconds in Saturday’s 4-3 win against the Avalanche, the first time he was in the lineup since Dec. 10.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167481 Chicago Blackhawks Aliu's timing turned out to be perfect in sparking a much-needed discussion about issues long suppressed amid lingering nostalgia for the sport's rough and tumble, and sometimes hateful, past.

’This is for real’: How NHL journeyman Akim Aliu sparked a reckoning in "My parents have always told me that things happen at the time they're hockey supposed to happen, not when you hope they would happen," Aliu said. "I kind of dealt with both of those things. So I kind of combined them. And I feel like I have a voice because of that."

By JOHN WAWROW NHL Commissioner has used the uproar to call for change in a sport long made up of mostly white players and one always eager to ASSOCIATED PRESS | diversify and grow. . DEC 22, 2019 | 9:36 AM "The world is changing for the better," Bettman said following a recent board of governors meeting in . "This is an opportunity and a moment for positive change, and this evolution should be expedited for There was no breaking point or seminal moment that prompted Akim Aliu the benefit of everyone associated with the game we love." to post two tweets less than a minute apart that would rock the NHL in a matter of hours. But is it truly a reckoning in a sport that has fewer than three dozen black players and banned a handful of fans for racist taunts less than two years Aliu was scrolling through the timeline on his phone when he saw a ago? report of how just-fired Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock had mistreated Mitch Marner, his prized rookie forward. "It seems different," said Anson Carter, a former player and broadcaster. "It really does because it has the NHL's attention." "It was a spur of the moment kind of thing," Aliu explained during an interview this past week at a gym near Toronto. A few highway exits from "Is it going to change overnight? No," added Carter, who is black. "Are his home, this is where the 30-year-old works out to stay in shape in case we going to totally, completely eliminate it 100%? No. It exists in society. some team gives him one more shot at playing. We would be ignorant to think that there wouldn't be some instances that might pop up." "I sent it out and didn't even think anything of it, and just went into the steam room for 20 minutes," he said. "I did a couple of hot-cold rounds in The discussion has prompted varying degrees of reflection among the shower and when I came out it was crazy." coaches.

The tweets went viral, and missed calls and text messages were piling up "I don't think I'm going to sit here and worry about every little word I say when Aliu returned. and things like that," St. Louis Blue coach said. "I treat my players with respect. That's how I view it, just like they treat me." "I was like, `Woah, like this is for real,'" he said. Akim Aliu, the No. 56 overall pick in the 2007 NHL draft by the Chicago The posts sent Nov. 25 were thunder claps heard around hockey, Blackhawks, poses for a photo. alleging coach had directed racist slurs at him when the two were in the minors a decade ago and then tried to make sure he’d be Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said he's on board. demoted. "We're tough at times, but we're fair. We want to hold them accountable, Racism is of course not unheard of in hockey, but Aliu was taking aim at but not in the manner of what guys have gotten let go for," Cassidy said. a veteran coach. And it was an extraordinary public accusation in "I think coaches have to be a little more respectful with the stories coming perhaps the most private of professional sports in North America, where out. Hopefully, that's what happens." the idea that dirty laundry is always best kept behind closed doors is It took until now for Aliu to find the courage to speak out about racism. sacrosanct. Born in Nigeria, raised in and a Canadian resident since he was Almost overnight, Aliu's allegations proved true and prompted Peters' 7, he had learned to stay quiet amid the slurs, slights and demotions for resignation as coach of the Calgary Flames. Over the past month, other fear of being branded a dissenter — as he believes he was in 2005. claims have cropped up and the NHL has swiftly moved to strengthen its That was during Aliu's rookie season with the 's personal conduct policies regarding racism and bullying; it put every and he spoke out after a hazing incident in which he team official — from president to equipment manager — on notice that and three other rookies were stripped naked and jammed in a team bus any similar incident must immediately be reported to league bathroom following a preseason game. headquarters. Aliu's complaints led to the team being fined $35,000, coach and GM Suddenly, Aliu was no longer just a long-forgotten defenseman who's Moe Mantha being suspended and a teammate he had brawled with, played for 21 teams in seven leagues and six countries over the past 10 , eventually being traded, along with Aliu. years. He was an agent of change coming hard on the heels of two incidents that hover, still, over the first half of the NHL season. Aliu felt he was the one who was punished the most for speaking out. His Team Canada invites dried up and a player with first-round hopes fell to Long-time Canadian broadcaster Don Cherry was let go last month after the second round of the 2007 draft, where he was picked by Chicago. calling immigrants "you people" during his segment. Then came Babcock's firing and word he had embarrassed "I defended myself for it and I was the villain," Aliu said. "And the guy that Marner by revealing a list he asked the player to write that ranked Leafs was the head of it, Steve Downie, goes on to play in the world juniors, players by work ethic. Team Canada, plays in the NHL."

With hockey already buzzing, Aliu kicked things up a notch by accusing If it sounds like sour grapes, Aliu noted, he compiled 167 points in 205 Peters, a Babcock protoge, of openly using the `N word' in questioning career OHL games as a defenseman. And he continued to produce at Aliu's choice of music in a locker room all those years ago. It was later the minor-league level only to constantly be demoted. revealed Peters had kicked and punched his own players during his four years as coach in Carolina. Aliu acknowledged he rebelled against Peters, but he believes the N- word incident led to one of those demotions and further tarnished his Aliu's allegations also led to Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Marc reputation. Crawford being suspended for physically and verbally abusing his players at past stops as a head coach. Crawford will return Jan. 2 after Aliu thought he had finally caught a break when the Blackhawks traded an investigation found he sought counseling in 2010 and continues to him to Atlanta during the 2010-11 season. He said then-GM Rick Dudley undergo therapy. had promised to give him an NHL shot, but those plans changed when the team was sold and relocated to Winnipeg and Kevin Cheveldayoff Blackhawks decide to retain assistant coach after was named Jets general manager. concluding investigation into allegations of abuse » Aliu noted Cheveldayoff was a former Blackhawks assistant GM and oversaw the Rockford team when the Peters' confrontation occurred. Aliu said he hoped to clear the air with Cheveldayoff as the Jets opened their first training camp.

"We go in his office and talk, and I go: `Chevy, whatever happened in Chicago happened. What can I do to prove to you that I can help your organization,'" Aliu said. "And he said, `Nothing. We don't have any plans for you whatsoever.'"

Aliu was eventually demoted to ECHL Colorado, where a minor league equipment manager wore blackface at a Halloween party in 2011. Aliu demanded a trade, though he has since accepted the manager's apology and requested he not be fired.

Former Blackhawks prospect Akim Aliu calls Flames coach’s apology for alleged racial slur ‘misleading, insincere’ »

Aliu said he never told Cheveldayoff the blackface incident was the reason he wanted a trade. In a statement, the Jets said: “We were disturbed to learn about the reprehensible situations Mr. Aliu described with the Rockford IceHogs and .”

The Jets added: "We had no previous knowledge of these incidents prior to their public disclosure and, as such, they had no effect on any player personnel decisions involving Mr. Aliu."

Aliu hasn't given up on playing, even though he's been out of hockey since scoring four goals and adding seven assists in 14 games for ECHL Orlando last season.

"I don't think I've ever felt any better," Aliu said. "Every day I go to bed thinking, 'Hey, I might get an opportunity here, you never know.' Are those chances likely? I mean, I don't know."

His NHL career was limited to scoring two goals and an assist in seven games with the Flames, the last in the 2012-13 season. Aliu isn't sure what happened to his dream of playing with the best players in the world.

"I'd maybe call it a nightmare in a lot of cases. There were a lot of sleepless nights. A lot of soul-searching," he said.

"If I knew this was going to happen, I probably would have hung them up a long time ago," Aliu said. "But at the end of the day, I think you're put in situations that you're uncomfortable with. I think God only gives fights to the people that can handle the fight.

“If I can be a help to the next generation, I think it would all be worth it, to be honest.”

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167482 Chicago Blackhawks

Three months after Traverse City, Adam Boqvist and Dennis Gilbert already NHL regulars

By Ben Pope Dec 22, 2019, 7:55am CST

DENVER — Dennis Gilbert glanced to his left in the visitors’ locker room Saturday at the Pepsi Center and didn’t have to look far to find his de facto co-captain of the Blackhawks’ new-generation defense.

Adam Boqvist was sitting in the locker next to him.

In September, Gilbert and Boqvist were the Hawks’ top defensive pairing at the prospects tournament in Traverse City, . They were playing against fellow youngsters, preparing for a season they figured would be spent primarily with Rockford of the .

They were side-by-side again Saturday against the Avalanche, each playing his 13th NHL game of the season with the midway point still a couple of weeks away.

‘‘It’s a little ironic to say that we’re back here together, doing it here now,’’ Gilbert said after the morning skate. ‘‘But it started there. Us doing a good job there is probably a factor in that, too.’’

The defensemen, however, took drastically different routes to this day.

Boqvist, 19, was a top-10 pick from Sweden, a guy penciled in as the Hawks’ next defensive stud from the day he was selected. Gilbert, 23, was a third-round pick who took the college-hockey route at Notre Dame, flying under the radar until this season.

But now, far sooner than anyone expected, they’re together and leading a youth revolution on the Hawks’ blue line.

It has gained so much steam that coach was driven to scratch veteran Brent Seabrook last week to keep Gilbert (averaging just under 16 minutes per game) and Boqvist (averaging about 15 minutes) in the lineup.

‘‘If we’re going to improve, we need young players to be a big part of it,’’ Colliton said. ‘‘They’ve earned the opportunity, so then we gave it. . . . They’re different players, which is great for us going forward. We’ve just got to keep challenging them to improve every day and not take it for granted that they’re here.’’

Boqvist is undersized and has hit some bumps in the road while adjusting to defending at the NHL level, but he boasts dynamic upside as a playmaker, even if it hasn’t shown in his stats much yet.

‘‘I can do more offensively,’’ Boqvist said. ‘‘I don’t think I’ve done anything yet there. When I play good, it’s going to come, so I’ve got to just play my best hockey.’’

‘‘He’s showing he’s trying to do what we’re asking him to do, as far as working hard to box out and stay on the ‘D’ side and using his skating to have a good gap,’’ Colliton said. ‘‘We know he’s going to make plays for us. If he can put himself in the position to have the puck and make those plays and jump in, he’s going to be a great player.’’

Gilbert, meanwhile, has provided a physical presence and intimidation factor, with 51 hits and 21 blocked shots in his first 13 games.

‘‘We have a little bit of a lack in physical presence compared to some heavier teams in our division, so I’m going to be willing to bring even more of that to help balance it out,’’ Gilbert said.

Injuries to and Calvin de Haan initially opened the door for both prospects to begin their second NHL stints of the season, but it’s the fast transitions they have made into solid NHL defensemen that account for their continued presence on the roster.

Colliton insisted he isn’t surprised this has become reality this quickly: ‘‘We were hoping that they would take another step,’’ he said.

If so, however, he’s the only one.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167483 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks recall John Quenneville from Rockford after placing Brandon Saad on IR

By Charlie Roumeliotis December 22, 2019 11:00 AM

The Blackhawks have recalled forward John Quenneville from the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League, the team announced Sunday. No corresponding transaction was made because a roster spot opened Saturday after Brandon Saad was placed on injured reserve with a right ankle injury, retroactive to Dec. 19.

The move gives the Blackhawks an extra forward going into Monday's game against the New Jersey Devils before the NHL's three-day Christmas break. Saad is eligible to return on Dec. 27, but he's not expected to return until the new year.

Quenneville has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 19 games with the IceHogs this season. His eight goals are tied for third on the team and he's currently riding a four-game point streak. The 23-year-old forward has appeared in 33 career NHL games across three seasons but has yet to appear in one this season.

Quenneville was drafted by the Devils in the first round (No. 30 overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft and was traded to Chicago last June for forward John Hayden. Quenneville's season debut could come against his former team on Monday. He is the cousin of former Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167484 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon voted in as an NHL All-Star captain

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PUBLISHED: December 22, 2019 at 1:40 pm | UPDATED: December 22, 2019 at 1:41 PM

NEW YORK — Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, Boston’s David Pastrnak, Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid were voted NHL All-Star captains.

Ovechkin was voted by fans to captain the Metropolitan Division, Pastrnak the Atlantic, MacKinnon the Central and McDavid the Pacific. McDavid was voted into All-Star Weekend for a fourth season in a row and Ovechkin a third in a row.

“It’s always nice to be a captain on the All-Star team,” Ovechkin said Saturday night. “Thanks fans for voting me (in). It’s a huge honor for me, for this organization and this team.”

This is set to be Ovechkin’s eighth All-Star appearance in his 15th season, if he goes. His 22 goals rank third in the league, trailing Pastrnak by six.

“We’ll see,” Ovechkin said. “It’s lots of games to play. I’m going to do the best for my health and for the playoffs and I have to be healthy for the most important games moving forward.”

McDavid leads the NHL with 59 points and should be joined by Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl, who’s second with 58 points.

The defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues host All-Star Weekend in January. The skills competition is Friday, Jan. 24 and the 3- on-3 tournament is Saturday, Jan. 25.

Denver Post: LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167485 Colorado Avalanche “I kind of dealt with both of those things. So I kind of combined them. And I feel like I have a voice because of that.”

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has used the uproar to call for change “This is for real”: Akim Aliu sparks hockey reckoning in a sport long made up of mostly white players and one always eager to diversify and grow. .

“The world is changing for the better,” Bettman said following a recent By JOHN WAWROW | The Associated Press board of governors meeting in California. “This is an opportunity and a moment for positive change, and this evolution should be expedited for PUBLISHED: December 22, 2019 at 1:05 pm | UPDATED: December 22, the benefit of everyone associated with the game we love.” 2019 at 1:18 PM But is it truly a reckoning in a sport that has fewer than three dozen black

players and banned a handful of fans for racist taunts less than two years VAUGHAN, Ontario — There was no breaking point or seminal moment ago? that prompted Akim Aliu to post two tweets less than a minute apart that “It seems different,” said Anson Carter, a former player and broadcaster. would rock the NHL in a matter of hours. “It really does because it has the NHL’s attention.” Aliu was scrolling through the timeline on his phone when he saw a “Is it going to change overnight? No,” added Carter, who is black. “Are report of how just-fired Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock had we going to totally, completely eliminate it 100%? No. It exists in society. mistreated Mitch Marner, his prized rookie forward. We would be ignorant to think that there wouldn’t be some instances that “It was a spur of the moment kind of thing,” Aliu explained during an might pop up.” interview this past week at a gym near Toronto. A few highway exits from The discussion has prompted varying degrees of reflection among his home, this is where the 30-year-old works out to stay in shape in case coaches. some team gives him one more shot at playing. “I don’t think I’m going to sit here and worry about every little word I say “I sent it out and didn’t even think anything of it, and just went into the and things like that,” St. Louis Blue coach Craig Berube said. “I treat my steam room for 20 minutes,” he said. “I did a couple of hot-cold rounds in players with respect. That’s how I view it, just like they treat me.” the shower and when I came out it was crazy.” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said he’s on board. The tweets went viral, and missed calls and text messages were piling up when Aliu returned. “We’re tough at times, but we’re fair. We want to hold them accountable, but not in the manner of what guys have gotten let go for,” Cassidy said. “I was like, `Woah, like this is for real,'” he said. “I think coaches have to be a little more respectful with the stories coming The posts sent Nov. 25 were thunder claps heard around hockey, out. Hopefully, that’s what happens.” alleging coach Bill Peters had directed racist slurs at him when the two It took until now for Aliu to find the courage to speak out about racism. were in the minors a decade ago and then tried to make sure he’d be Born in Nigeria, raised in Ukraine and a Canadian resident since he was demoted. 7, he had learned to stay quiet amid the slurs, slights and demotions for Racism is of course not unheard of in hockey, but Aliu was taking aim at fear of being branded a dissenter — as he believes he was in 2005. a veteran coach. And it was an extraordinary public accusation in That was during Aliu’s rookie season with the Ontario Hockey League’s perhaps the most private of professional sports in North America, where Windsor Spitfires and he spoke out after a hazing incident in which he the idea that dirty laundry is always best kept behind closed doors is and three other rookies were stripped naked and jammed in a team bus sacrosanct. bathroom following a preseason game. Almost overnight, Aliu’s allegations proved true and prompted Peters’ Aliu’s complaints led to the team being fined $35,000, coach and GM resignation as coach of the Calgary Flames. Over the past month, other Moe Mantha being suspended and a teammate he had brawled with, claims have cropped up and the NHL has swiftly moved to strengthen its Steve Downie, eventually being traded, along with Aliu. personal conduct policies regarding racism and bullying; it put every team official — from president to equipment manager — on notice that Aliu felt he was the one who was punished the most for speaking out. His any similar incident must immediately be reported to league Team Canada invites dried up and a player with first-round hopes fell to headquarters. the second round of the 2007 draft, where he was picked by Chicago.

Suddenly, Aliu was no longer just a long-forgotten defenseman who’s “I defended myself for it and I was the villain,” Aliu said. “And the guy that played for 21 teams in seven leagues and six countries over the past 10 was the head of it, Steve Downie, goes on to play in the world juniors, years. He was an agent of change coming hard on the heels of two Team Canada, plays in the NHL.” incidents that hover, still, over the first half of the NHL season. If it sounds like sour grapes, Aliu noted, he compiled 167 points in 205 Long-time Canadian broadcaster Don Cherry was let go last month after career OHL games as a defenseman. And he continued to produce at calling immigrants “you people” during his Hockey Night in Canada the minor-league level only to constantly be demoted. segment. Then came Babcock’s firing and word he had embarrassed Marner by revealing a list he asked the player to write that ranked Leafs Aliu acknowledged he rebelled against Peters, but he believes the N- players by work ethic. word incident led to one of those demotions and further tarnished his reputation. With hockey already buzzing, Aliu kicked things up a notch by accusing Peters, a Babcock protoge, of openly using the `N word’ in questioning Aliu thought he had finally caught a break when the Blackhawks traded Aliu’s choice of music in a locker room all those years ago. It was later him to Atlanta during the 2010-11 season. He said then-GM Rick Dudley revealed Peters had kicked and punched his own players during his four had promised to give him an NHL shot, but those plans changed when years as coach in Carolina. the team was sold and relocated to Winnipeg and Kevin Cheveldayoff was named Jets general manager. Aliu’s allegations also led to Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Marc Crawford being suspended for physically and verbally abusing his Aliu noted Cheveldayoff was a former Blackhawks assistant GM and players at past stops as a head coach. Crawford will return Jan. 2 after oversaw the Rockford team when the Peters’ confrontation occurred. Aliu an investigation found he sought counseling in 2010 and continues to said he hoped to clear the air with Cheveldayoff as the Jets opened their undergo therapy. first training camp.

Aliu’s timing turned out to be perfect in sparking a much-needed “We go in his office and talk, and I go: `Chevy, whatever happened in discussion about issues long suppressed amid lingering nostalgia for the Chicago happened. What can I do to prove to you that I can help your sport’s rough and tumble, and sometimes hateful, past. organization,'” Aliu said. “And he said, `Nothing. We don’t have any plans for you whatsoever.'” “My parents have always told me that things happen at the time they’re supposed to happen, not when you hope they would happen,” Aliu said. Aliu was eventually demoted to ECHL Colorado, where a minor league equipment manager wore blackface at a Halloween party in 2011. Aliu demanded a trade, though he has since accepted the manager’s apology and requested he not be fired.

Aliu said he never told Cheveldayoff the blackface incident was the reason he wanted a trade. In a statement, the Jets said: “We were disturbed to learn about the reprehensible situations Mr. Aliu described with the Rockford IceHogs and Colorado Eagles.”

The Jets added: “We had no previous knowledge of these incidents prior to their public disclosure and, as such, they had no effect on any player personnel decisions involving Mr. Aliu.”

Aliu hasn’t given up on playing, even though he’s been out of hockey since scoring four goals and adding seven assists in 14 games for ECHL Orlando last season.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt any better,” Aliu said. “Every day I go to bed thinking, ‘Hey, I might get an opportunity here, you never know.’ Are those chances likely? I mean, I don’t know.”

His NHL career was limited to scoring two goals and an assist in seven games with the Flames, the last in the 2012-13 season. Aliu isn’t sure what happened to his dream of playing with the best players in the world.

“I’d maybe call it a nightmare in a lot of cases. There were a lot of sleepless nights. A lot of soul-searching,” he said.

“If I knew this was going to happen, I probably would have hung them up a long time ago,” Aliu said. “But at the end of the day, I think you’re put in situations that you’re uncomfortable with. I think God only gives fights to the people that can handle the fight.

“If I can be a help to the next generation, I think it would all be worth it, to be honest.”

AP Hockey Writers Larry Lage and Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.

Denver Post: LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167486 Colorado Avalanche puck at a moment when four Avalanche skaters surrounded him yet an extra stride meant he had Dach to his right with Ian Cole being placed in a semi-odd-man rush.

Why the third period has been a problem lately for the Avalanche? Gustafsson slid a cross-ice pass to Dach. The 18-year-old used every bit of his 6-foot-4 frame to get a bit more separation against J.T. Compher. By that point, Grubauer was out of position trying to move from side to side, which gave Dach an open net to score and parlay what was once a By Ryan S. Clark Dec 22, 2019 two-goal deficit into a tie contest.

The eventual game-winning goal was a product of the Blackhawks Every team is prone to losing third-period leads. But when it happens cycling in the zone and using a low-to-high pass that allowed twice? In one week? On back-to-back games? At a point in the season defenseman Dennis Gilbert to throw a shot on goal that made its way when you are considered one of the NHL’s elite teams? behind the net.

It’s fair to suggest there are going to be questions. And right now? This is It led to Toews regaining possession and surveying the situation. Kane one of the primary concerns surrounding the Colorado Avalanche at a went from the right flank to being in Toews’ line of sight as he drove on stage in the regular season with more than 45 games remaining. The net. Even then? He was just one of two options. Toews’ feed went by sum is greater than the whole of its parts with the grand plan revealing Kane and actually found Kubalik. He was trailing having found space and his team are still in an enviable position compared to between Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen before firing a quick shot to most. beat Grubauer for a 4-3 lead.

But when the slightest thing goes wrong — even if it is for two straight Bednar was asked when he started those breakdowns have an impact. games — it creates a referendum. Especially when it comes to how the “Same as last game,” he said. “Last five minutes of the period.” Avalanche have relied upon the third period to secure victories over opponents by outscoring them by nine goals prior to their last two The fourth-year Avalanche coach compared what happened against the contests. Furthermore, the Avs had allowed 13 goals in the final frame at Hurricanes and Blackhawks. He said the Thursday game saw his team Pepsi Center but that figure now stands at 20, which means they are get caught with three players in the opposing team’s zone while on the actually being outscored in Denver with the margin being a single tally. rush. Saturday was different. He said there were four players above the puck with the deciding factor being the Avs “did not finish the job” going This is what comes with being a Stanley Cup contender: Either you to their net. constantly slap opponents or get slapped by them. Whereas the Blackhawks, however, completed those routes. “We talked about learning from our mistakes and we didn’t,” Avalanche center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare said after the team’s 5-3 defeat “And then the D-zone coverage at the end,” Bednar said. “We have five Saturday to the Chicago Blackhawks. “They came out, they competed guys standing in the house and they put it right into the one guy that’s in the whole night and we didn’t get the break and they out-competed us at there and nobody gets a stick on him.” times and they out-competed us in the third period.” One more correlation between their last two games and what happened Conversations about the Avalanche’s current conundrum started against the Panthers earlier in the season is how the Avs struggled for Thursday after surrendering a third-period lead in the final three minutes scoring chances in the third period. They were held to six shots on goals to the Carolina Hurricanes only to lose a two-goal advantage against the while only generating two high-danger compared to the Panthers’ five, Blackhawks just days later. It was just the third time this season the Avs according to Natural Stat Trick. lost their grasp on a third-period lead with the first occurrence coming Oct. 30 in a 4-3 overtime defeat to the Florida Panthers. The Hurricanes contained the Avalanche to just four shots and two high- danger scoring chances despite logging 24 shots and 10 high-danger Losing a two-goal lead to the Panthers at the time was repeatedly scoring chances in the first two periods. The Blackhawks found similar deemed as “unacceptable” by defenseman Mark Barberio. It was also the results by holding the Avs to nine shots but a single high-danger scoring Avs’ third defeat over their last four contests while being the second chance to close out the game. game they dropped in what eventually turned into a season-worst five- game losing streak. “We got a little stubborn with the puck in the third period,” Bednar said. “Actually? We got stubborn with the puck in the second period. If you Since then, the Avalanche have gone 14-6-1 to compile the NHL’s look at our best scoring chances of the night, they came off the cycle. second-best record in that time. Box them in the third period. Grinding down low below the goal line. Getting pucks back up top to our D. Pounding pucks to the net. Jumping It just so happens the Avalanche have coincidently lost three out of their on rebounds. We had a couple good shifts at the end of the second. … last four games in a week which could have seen them capture a trio of We just didn’t do it enough. We got stubborn.” victories instead. Avs goaltender Philipp Grubauer, who was in net for both losses against the Blackhawks and Hurricanes, said there were a lot Knowing the Avalanche have struggled to both defend goals or score of similarities when it came to what happened in the third period. them in the final frame led to Bednar being asked if he feels their recent issues are either defensive, offensive or a combination of the two. “The breakdowns that happened. It’s not just like a breakdown in the zone, it’s like a breakdown that happens on the other end of the ice,” His response? Grubauer said. “It’s a tough pill to swallow for sure on the last one and in this game. We have a lot of work to do. This is not acceptable.” “Rush coverage for sure,” he said. “The commitment from our forwards to come help our D on the rush. They’re down. So they are putting four and Blackhawks captain played a pass to Dominik Kubalik five on the rush every time. That’s not a D-man’s job to take care of that that allowed the winger access into the Avalanche’s zone only to rush. It’s a five-man unit’s job to care of the rush.” immediately give the puck to . The Avs had two defensemen in their territory but the superstar winger got the edge on Ryan Graves The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 and found a seam that left him out of reach for a backchecking .

Kane kept roaming for space before finding an open lane for a shot on goal that appeared to have slightly deflected off Grubauer’s blocker before going in to cut the Avalanche lead to 3-2 with 8:38 remaining.

Chicago’s game-tying goal was a series of passing sequences that caught Colorado out of position.

Rookie center Kirby Dach, who grew up playing on the same lake with Avalanche forward Tyson Jost, carried the puck before playing a diagonal-ice pass to forward Ryan Carpenter. He then issued possession to defenseman Erik Gustafsson. That is when Gustafsson received the 1167487 Columbus Blue Jackets It’s similar to what the Pittsburgh Penguins did when they beat the Jackets 1-0 in overtime Dec. 12 at PPG Paints Arena, winning without , Evgeni Malkin and three others.

Columbus Blue Jackets’ injuries mount; Oliver Bjorkstrand out four to six “They probably worked as hard as a group of 20 guys have worked weeks against us all year and earned what they got,” Shaw said. “I think that was a great lesson for us, for the guys that went through that. I know it was for me … that work is still important.”

Brian Hedger Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 12.23.2019 Dec 22, 2019 at 7:31 PM

The Blue Jackets held a practice last week at Nationwide Arena that was sparsely attended and not exactly a bubbling cauldron of energy.

There were as many guys unable to skate as there were healthy, and those who did skate were gasping for air after pulling off a 4-3 comeback victory in overtime against the Los Angeles Kings the night before.

“We were talking, some of the guys, like, ‘Boy, they sure looked tired ,’ and Bjorky’s name came up,” assistant coach Brad Shaw said, referring to right winger Oliver Bjorkstrand. “And I go, ‘Well, every time I looked, he was on the ice. What did he play?’ And I looked and was like, ‘Holy smokes.’”

Turns out there was a good reason Bjorkstrand was gassed.

As Shaw discovered, the Bjorkstrand had logged a career-high 23 minutes, 35 seconds of ice time against the Kings — partly because he’s been red hot offensively and partly because Cam Atkinson left with a lower-body injury in the second period. (Atkinson was the ninth Blue Jackets player to sit out, and eighth in a two-week span.)

Now, Bjorkstrand is out an estimated four to six weeks with a rib/cartilage contusion and oblique strain that happened in the third period of the Jackets’ 5-1 victory Saturday over New Jersey.

Bjorkstrand, who scored two goals in the first period and has scored five goals in the past three games, will miss his first game of the season Monday night when the Blue Jackets play the New York Islanders at the Nassau County Memorial Coliseum.

The injury occurred with 11:17 left in the third period, with the Blue Jackets ahead 3-1 and looking to extend the lead on a power play. Bjorkstrand crossed the Devils’ blue line and was crosschecked by defenseman Damon Severson in the upper right side of his back — similar to how rookie forward Emil Bemstrom sustained a rib injury Dec. 7 at Florida.

The Jackets will now face the Islanders, who are second in the Metropolitan Division, without Bjorkstrand, Atkinson, Josh Anderson (shoulder) and Bemstrom — their top four right wingers — and might be without four injured defensemen — Ryan Murray (lower body), Markus Nutivaara (upper body), Andrew Peeke (fractured finger) and David Savard (illness).

Their replacements are a mixture of NHL players like defenseman Scott Harrington and emergency call-ups from the , including Nathan Gerbe on Sunday night.

Forward Sonny Milano (upper body) and Savard both made the trip and could play, but even if they do, there will be ice time to earn.

“It’s weird to see this many different lineups night to night,” said Shaw, who couldn’t believe his eyes when he looked up Bjorkstrand’s ice time against the Kings. “Bjorky played 23-and-a-half minutes (Thursday) night. His career average is 14. I checked it.”

That was 1:58 longer than his previous high, which was set five days earlier at Ottawa — the game when this rash of injuries kicked into high gear with Milano, Anderson and Murray going down.

Through all of it, the Blue Jackets (16-14-6) are somehow back on solid footing. They have a season-high four-game winning streak, plus a season-high point streak of seven games (5-0-2) still active.

“We’re down guys, but it’s no excuse in the NHL,” said defenseman Zach Werenski, who was one of the injured until returning early from a shoulder sprain last week. “Teams go through injuries, and you’ve got to find a way to win at the end of the day.” 1167488 Dallas Stars Mattias Janmark left the game near the end of the first period after a big shot block. He went straight down the tunnel favoring his leg, putting little weight on it and assisted by the Stars’ training staff. His status is considered day-to-day at this point. Special teams make the difference as Stars penalty kill gives up three goals in loss to Flames Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.23.2019

By Taylor Baird

3:40 AM on Dec 23, 2019

Over the course of an 82-game NHL season, there are going to be ebbs and flows. For the Dallas Stars, those ebbs and flows have been in sharp relief this season.

First, there was the 1-7-1 start, a big let down after the team went into the season as a dark horse Stanley Cup favorite. On the heels of that, they went on a 14-1-1 stretch as one of the hottest teams in the league. The following 10 games had less connectivity from game to game, with some wins and some losses but not much of a streak in either direction.

Nothing in those first 33 games looked like the back-to-back set the team played in Florida this past weekend. The team was outplayed by the and the Florida Panthers. The only reason they managed two points out of the short east coast swing was because of the heroics of Antoin Khudobin, who put on a 45-save show to backstop the team to a comeback overtime win in the first half of the weekend set.

After getting outworked and outplayed the last two games, the Stars had an opportunity to go into the holiday break on a more positive note by setting a different tone when the Calgary Flames came to town Sunday night.

“This league is all about harsh reminders,” interim head coach said prior to the game. “That if you’re not ready to compete and the other team is, there’s not a team in this league that can’t beat you, and make you look bad.”

Unfortunately, an uncharacteristically weak penalty kill outing over a two- minute stretch in the second period served as another reminder for the Stars: in a league of parity, special teams are often the difference maker. The Flames had it this particular night, and the Stars did not.

It’s especially important to have a good penalty kill when the Stars average nearly one penalty kill more per game than their opposition does. The Stars have the second worst penalty differential in the league, with 21 more penalty minutes taken when compared to the penalty minutes taken by their opponents.

The Flames opened the scoring on a deflection in front of Ben Bishop in a first period that was fairly evenly played between the two teams. The very next shift, Denis Gurianov took the puck from the neutral zone, bulldozed his way to the front of David Rittich’s net, and put the puck over the Flames netminder to tie the game up immediately.

What the Stars lacked in the second frame after allowing the go-ahead goal on the penalty kill was a similar aggressive offensive push. Instead, they looked as though they had played three games in four nights, and heavy legs tend to result in penalties against. The Stars took a second penalty immediately after the first penalty in the period. Tired penalty killers that got pinned into their own zone just minutes before were put to work again, and the Flames struck to go up 3-1 with six minutes left in the second period.

A third power play goal scored in the third period for the Flames put this one out of reach for the Stars. In all, the penalty kill was 2-for-5 in the game, a stat line not regularly seen on a team that sports the sixth best killing unit in the league.

Though the scoreboard says the Stars lost this game, one positive can be taken from it: they were not completely outplayed at even strength, unlike the preceding two games. Take out the penalty trouble and this was a very winnable game for the Stars. That’s something that can be built on after the league’s holiday break.

INJURY REPORT

Alexander Radulov missed a second straight game with a lower body injury. Bowness classified his injury as day-to-day. The Stars do not play again until Saturday, December 28th when the Colorado Avalanche come to town. 1167489 Dallas Stars

Stars show character in final period of loss to Panthers

By Matthew DeFranks

12:49 AM on Dec 22, 2019

The Stars entered the final period in Sunrise down 7-2. The game was decided, but the final 20 minutes remained. Before the third period, the Stars aimed to carry some sort of momentum into Sunday’s game against Calgary, the final game before Christmas break.

The Stars outscored the Panthers 2-0 in the third period and were even in shots on goal with nine.

“We used that third to try to get our game back because there’s another game before break and it was 20 minutes to try to get us skating and try to get our minds in the right spot and go from there,” Pavelski said.

“Our goal was to have a character period, and I thought we did that,” Benn said.

A final score of 7-4 is easier to swallow than a 7-2 drubbing, even if it did not factor into the outcome of the game. Bowness said he was proud of how the Stars battled back, but stopped short of claiming a moral victory.

“You say that, but they’re up 7-1 [at one point],” Bowness said. “Yeah, it was nice, we win in the third period. They stopped playing. They stopped playing to the level they were playing at for 40 minutes. We’re not going to pat ourselves in the back.”

Bishop struggles: For the third time as a Dallas Star and the sixth time in his career, Bishop allowed six goals on Friday night in Florida. It was the first time since a 7-4 loss to Toronto on Oct. 9, 2018.

Across his last three games (given that a six-goal trouncing will inflate the numbers), Bishop owns a .863 save percentage and 4.52 goals against average. His overall numbers (.927 and 2.29) are behind backup Anton Khudobin’s stats (.929 and 2.32).

“Ben Bishop is the least of our worries, trust me,” Bowness said.

“When it gets to be 3-1, you’ve got to come up with a save and keep your team in it and give them a chance to fight back there,” Bishop said. “Tonight, I wasn’t able to do it and they were able to get three more. Not a good night by me, kind of left the guys out to dry there. I’ve got to come up with a save to keep the guys in it.”

Young guns: Before the game, Bowness elaborated on young forward Roope Hintz and Denis Gurianov and why their ice time was reduced in the overtime win over Tampa. Gurianov responded with his seventh goal of the season, a shot on a pretty feed from Corey Perry.

Bowness on Gurianov: “He can be a little better in our zone, there’s no question. We want him using his speed. You don’t like to see when they’re driving down the wing and pull up. Just keep skating. They’re tough to defend. It’s not only their speed, but their powerful, they’re strong. We just have to get all those assets working together.”

Bowness on Hintz: “He needs ice time, so you’re caught there. You’ve got to play better to get ice time, you’re always caught with that. Tonight, I’ve got to give him more ice time, regardless. We’ve got to get him back. He’s too big an asset, too big, an important part of our team.

“We’ve got to give more minutes, and we’ve got to get him more engaged in the game. You can’t play this game strictly being a great skater. There’s other parts of the game that get you involved and help your team win. We just need him to stay engaged in shifts, stay engaged in the moment, use his speed in the right ways.”

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167490 Dallas Stars 6. The Stars are now 3-3-1 since Jim Montgomery was suddenly fired on Dec. 10.

Changing coaches was never going to be easy, but the first seven games Stars 20/20: Struggles continue for Dallas as the penalty kill gets torched have started to expose some flaws and bring up some other, more by the Flames serious questions. For instance, this one:

Is Bowness a good head coach?

By Sean Shapiro Dec 22, 2019 His résumé and performance as an assistant coach are unassailable, but there’s a big difference between being the assistant running the defense and being in complete control as the head coach.

DALLAS — The Dallas Stars lost their final game before the NHL’s The areas he used to run, the penalty kill and the defense, have slipped holiday break, falling 5-1 to the Calgary Flames. since the change and since he passed those responsibilities to John Stevens. Bowness has since run the forwards, and aside from the 1. Things have not gone well for the Stars lately. checking line, there seems to be a disconnect on how to best get things They’ve been outplayed in four consecutive games, and if not for Anton moving with that group. Khudobin’s showing in Tampa, they’d be staring at a four-game losing Perhaps Bowness should have kept running the defense on the bench streak. and had Stevens or or Derek Laxdal handle the forwards. This isn’t the low point of the season; remember, the team was 1-7-1 The Stars had something that was working. Perhaps by moving the roles after nine games. But it’s a concerning trend for a team that’s forcing of coaches, they created more issues than they needed to. itself once again to have to overcome adversity. There is time for Bowness to prove these thoughts wrong, but thus far he The most concerning thing about this stretch of foul play is that typical hasn’t shown he was ready to be elevated from an assistant to a head strengths have turned into areas of concern. coach’s job.

2. The penalty kill has gone from one of the NHL’s best to one of its 7. We also have to remember the circumstances that led to Bowness’ worst. promotion.

On Sunday, the Flames scored three power-play goals. The Stars have The Stars didn’t have a choice in promoting someone because they now allowed seven goals while short-handed in the past four games. If weren’t going to hire someone from outside the organization with such you include Noel Acciari’s penalty shot Friday, the Stars have allowed short-term notice. Any outside head coaching candidates aren’t readily eight goals that came with direct correlations to Dallas penalties. available in December, and the Stars wanted to create some level of continuity. Before this streak, the Stars had only allowed multiple power-play goals in three games. It’s happened twice in the past three games, and I will pose this one passing thought: Laxdal was the only other person opposing power plays have clicked at a 50 percent (6 for 12) rate during interviewed when Montgomery got the job in Dallas. that time. Should the Stars have used this opportunity to promote the AHL head 3. So what was wrong with the penalty kill Sunday? coach to the NHL top gig?

“Listen, our penalty kill has won us a lot. It cost us the game tonight, and 8. It wasn’t nearly as bad as the first period in Tampa or Sunrise, but the we’ll fix it,” Stars interim coach Rick Bowness said. “We’re just out of string of listless first periods continued. sync … the first two, we had total control of the puck, we don’t ice it. Dallas didn’t register a shot for nearly eight minutes, and the Stars looked Faceoff is in our zone, we lost it, ends up in the net. The second one, we like they were sleepwalking before finally being woken up by Andrew won the faceoff clean and we don’t get it down and it ends up in our net. Mangiapane’s goal that gave Calgary a 1-0 lead. Those were issues that were in our control (that) we let slip away.” “How do you fix the slow starts?” has been a constant question for the 4. The fact that the Stars spend more time in the box than their Stars in the past two seasons. I suppose this really shouldn’t surprise us. opponents hasn’t helped. 9. Denis Gurianov at least kept things even on the scoreboard and On Sunday, the Flames had a 5-3 edge in power plays. scored his eighth goal of the season 38 seconds after Mangiapane “We’ve been playing a lot in our zone lately,” Corey Perry said. “And you struck. are going to take penalties if you are playing in your own zone, you are Gurianov stepped into high gear, blew past a defender and deftly flipped going to get tired quicker. That’s the reality of hockey.” the puck past David Rittich for the smooth finish. I’m typically not one to blame the refs for being unfair to either side, but Gurianov has played quite well lately and has scored goals in back-to- the Stars do have a legit case in questioning the power play that led to back games, even if his minutes have been limited since the coaching Mikael Backlund’s goal in the third period and made it 4-1. change. That goal came after a scrum that prompted a two-minute minor for Bowness said earlier this week that he needed to get Gurianov more Rasmus Andersson for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct. Radek minutes, and on Sunday he had 17:29 in ice time — his second-highest Faksa was whistled for roughing, while Andrew Cogliano got two minutes total of the season. for slashing. After the game, Gurianov declined to talk about his own performance Somehow, Sean Monahan, who sparked the whole scrum with a because it’s a team game. It’s a smart, team-first answer from Gurianov, crosscheck on Cogliano, skated away scot-free. while the smart, team-first decision in the future is to keep giving him 5. Dallas challenged the goal by Backlund, claiming goalie interference, more ice time. and lost. 10. The penalty kill was the big story, but the Stars scored only one goal. The challenge felt like a Hail Mary in a 3-1 game, especially when the You don’t win many games with one goal. replay showed a clean goal. 11. Alexander Radulov missed his second consecutive game with a “Listen, I trust our coaches, they said (to) challenge it. We challenged it,” lower-body injury. Bowness said. “So I’ll go with their word all day. If it was wrong, we’re Radulov didn’t partake in the morning skate and was walking around the wrong. So I know it’s a big gamble at that point in the game. It’s 4-1 — arena without a walking boot, which he had on his left foot in Florida on you’ve got nothing to lose.” Friday. After the game, he walked out of the arena with the walking boot It was the Stars’ second lost challenge of the season and the first since on. the coaching change. Bowness said Radulov was day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He then added, while laughing, “We can be vague as we want.” The Stars have missed Radulov quite a bit in the past two games, particularly early on, when they could have used his energy.

12. Dallas rolled out this lineup:

Roope Hintz – Joe Pavelski – Tyler Seguin

Andrew Cogliano – Radek Faksa – Blake Comeau

Jamie Benn – Jason Dickinson – Corey Perry

Denis Gurianov – Justin Dowling – Mattias Janmark

Esa Lindell – John Klingberg

Jamie Oleksiak – Miro Heiskanen

Andrej Sekera – Roman Polak

Calgary countered like this:

Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Mikael Backlund

Matthew Tkachuk – Elias Lindholm – Andrew Mangiapane

Milan Lucic – Derek Ryan – Sam Bennett

Zac Rinaldo – Mark Jankowski – Tobias Rieder

Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie

Noah Hanifin – Travis Hamonic

Mark Stone – Rasmus Andersson

13. Janmark blocked a shot by Hamonic late in the first period and didn’t return.

After the game, Bowness said Janmark was day-to-day.

14. The Stars went back to Ben Bishop in goal after he was yanked in Florida on Friday.

The move was meant to restore any lost confidence in the starter. Bishop was better than he’d been Friday but not nearly as good as he’s been in the past.

Bishop allowed four goals on 29 shots. It’s not his fault Dallas lost, but he also didn’t do anything to give his team a chance to steal this one.

15. The Stars’ lack of a fourth defenseman who can move the puck has been noticeable lately, particularly on the third pair, where Polak and Sekera have struggled to muster anything that resembles a transition game.

Taylor Fedun was a healthy scratch Sunday. In my view, he has a skill set the Stars are missing on the bottom pairing. The problem is, to really make both this reporter and the Stars coaches happy, you need someone who is big and can move the puck, and that player is not currently healthy on the roster.

16. While the team has struggled, I feel Perry has played some of his better games in the past week.

17. Stars goalie prospect Jake Oettinger posted a 32-save shutout for the Texas Stars against the on Sunday afternoon.

18. Let’s check in on Stars top prospect Thomas Harley and how the of the game are celebrated in Mississauga, Ontario.

19. On a programming note, the first episode of the “Road to the Winter Classic” series airs Monday night on NBCSN.

It is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. ET, or immediately after the Rangers- Flyers game.

20. The Christmas break comes at a good time for the Stars.

The players are going to use it as a “breather,” as Perry said, while the coaching staff can use it as a chance to diagnose how they are running things.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167491 Detroit Red Wings

For Detroit Red Wings, 5-2 loss to Coyotes just another night proving gap in talent

Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressPublished 9:48 p.m. ET Dec. 22, 2019

The disparity in talent was in evidence again as the Detroit Red Wings were overmatched by another opponent.

The Arizona Coyotes built four-goal leads twice Sunday at en route to a 5-2 victory that left the Wings 2-14-2 in their past 18 games. They head into the Christmas break with a 9-26-3 record.

The Wings didn’t have anything to celebrate until midway through the third period, when FIlip Zadina, the sixth overall pick in 2018, stepped into the slot and tapped a loose puck into Arizona’s net for his third goal in six games. Tyler Bertuzzi scored for the third time in three games to reach 14 goals this season.

It didn’t even take the Coyotes a minute to restore a four-goal buffer after Zadina scored, though, as Christian Dvorak tipped Oliver Ekman- Larsson’s shot. For a second straight night, the Wings were unable to counter a lineup far more skilled than their own.

In Toronto on Saturday, Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews had two goals and an assist in the third period. On Sunday, it was Coyotes forward Clayton Keller who scored twice in the first period and set up a goal in the opening minute of the second.

Taylor Hall, the former first overall pick and 2018 Hart Memorial Trophy winner, scored 5:41 into the third period on what was Arizona’s 35th shot on net. The Wings had 17 shots at the time.

Howard returns

Goalie Jimmy Howard returned from a two-game conditioning stint in the minors to play for the Wings for the first time since suffering a strained groin Nov. 27. He made 13 saves in the first period, but had no answer for Keller.

Keller made it 1-0 at 13:25 when he one-timed a pass from Nick Schmaltz, and the two paired up again at 16:43 to make it 2-0. Keller took a pass and angled toward Detroit’s net, firing a shot that went between Wings defenders Filip Hronek and Trevor Daley and behind Howard.

Howard did make a nice stop on Jordan Oesterle during a Wings power play in the third period.

Sums up the season

The Coyotes’ third goal about summed up how the first half of the season has gone for the Wings. Arizona forward Carl Soderberg threw the puck on net, and Howard accidentally knocked it in himself, unable to corral the puck as it slid across the goal line. It was a bad bounce, one of many the Wings have endured while they’ve had very little puck luck of their own.

Lines adjusted

With Anthony Mantha sidelined by an upper-body injury and Adam Erne unavailable for undisclosed reasons, lines were scrambled. Bertuzzi was put back on a line with , and Luke Glendening played in Mantha’s spot.

Valtteri Filppula centered Darren Helm and Zadina. Robby Fabbri was put on a line with Frans Nielsen in an effort to get Nielsen going (two assists entering the game) and Christoffer Ehn centered Justin Abdelkader and Brendan Perlini.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167492 Detroit Red Wings and as a team is, you can’t worry about what you don’t have. You worry about what you have.

"The extent that you miss guys just depends on how well other guys play. Detroit Red Wings' Anthony Mantha out at least a week after incident vs. It is a good opportunity for a lot of other guys. If Anthony is there, he is Maple Leafs filling huge roles on the power play, top line. Other guys are going to get those opportunities and now they need to make sure they play great hockey.”

Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressPublished 6:19 p.m. ET Dec. 22, Detroit Free Press LOADED: 12.23.2019 2019

The Detroit Red Wings will be without one of their best players for at least a week.

Anthony Mantha was still undergoing tests Sunday afternoon, but coach Jeff Blashill said Mantha was placed on the injured reserve list, which means the earliest he is eligible to return is Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Blashill declined to specify Mantha’s injury, but he looked groggy after being slammed to the ice Saturday and left with his right shoulder in a sling. , The Wings, fortunately, start their Christmas break Monday and don’t play again until Saturday against the Panthers in Florida.

“I think he is going to take a couple days to just rest,” he said. “When we get back, I’ll have more in terms of where he’s at that way.”

Detroit Red Wings right wing Anthony Mantha (39) is escorted off the ice by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Patrik Nemeth (22) and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Madison Bowey (74) during the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

Mantha was injured late in the 4-1 loss at Toronto when he engaged Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin after he hit Wings defenseman Madison Bowey. Muzzin locked his right arm over Mantha’s left shoulder and forced him backward. Mantha hit the ice hard, and looked woozy as he was helped off the ice.

Dylan Larkin called Muzzin’s action “a wresting move” after the game and said it doesn’t belong in the league. The NHL department of player safety, however, did not discipline Muzzin.

Blashill said someone from the department spoke with general manager Steve Yzerman, but did not share details of the league’s reasoning.

Mantha was four games into a comeback from a knee injury. Now he faces another disruption to his season.

“I didn’t think he was quite going yet,” Blashill said. “This is what happens a little bit when you go in and you go out because of injury, you start to lose the rhythm of your game a little bit. He definitely wasn’t as good this time coming back yet. He was still trying to find his legs, find his rhythm. So that’s the concern.”

This is the second straight season Mantha has been injured defending a teammate. Last season he missed a month after injuring a hand fighting Patrik Nemeth (who is now a teammate, but was with Colorado) after Nemeth hit Larkin.

The Wings want to be a team of players who stick up for one another, but losing a player of Mantha’s significance — a top-line winger and power- play regular — is a blow to a team that already is so depleted of talent, it sits in 31st place.

More: Detroit Red Wings' Jeff Blashill says he talks 'every day' with Steve Yzerman

“You don’t want anybody getting hurt,” Blashill said. “It’s a really hard thing to say to guys, you can’t look after each other. Those guys have to make those decisions in real time. We want to be smart. I’ve talked to Mo about, we don’t need him fighting lots, that shouldn’t be his main role. But again, they are going to look after each other.”

Entering Sunday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes, the Wings had lost 145 man-games to injury. Danny DeKeyser, the team’s best defenseman, played eight games before suffering a season-ending back injury Oct. 22. Both goaltenders, Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier, have battled injuries.

“It’s certainly been challenging,” Blashill said. “When you lose guys that are real important to your team and if you’re not super deep with NHL- proven players, then it gets more challenging. Now, the thing as a coach 1167493 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings lose to Arizona Coyotes, 5-2: Game thread

Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free PressPublished 6:00 p.m. ET Dec. 22, 2019 | Updated 9:33 p.m. ET Dec. 22, 2019

Detroit Red Wings (9-25-3, 21 points) vs. Arizona Coyotes (20-13-4, 44 points)

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Little Caesars Arena.

TV: Fox Sports Detroit.

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1; other radio affiliates).

Game notes: It's the second game of a back-to-back for the Wings. On Saturday in Toronto, Detroit not only lost the game, but lost Anthony Mantha to an apparent head injury that left the Wings a bit salty.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167494 Detroit Red Wings Yzerman placed veteran defenseman Jonathan Ericsson on waivers in October.

Yzerman has shown no indication he will make a coaching change this Detroit Red Wings' Jeff Blashill says he talks 'every day' with Steve season. He regularly watches practice from the family room at Little Yzerman Caesars Arena and visits the coaches’ offices inside the locker room complex.

“Steve and I talk every day,” Blashill said. “We talk about a lot of different Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressPublished 6:00 a.m. ET Dec. 22, things. He’s at a lot of our practices, so a lot of times I will ask him what 2019 he thought and he’ll tell me what he thought. I think he’s a great resource that way. Same thing as we go through the year.

“His message to me this summer is similar to his message to me today – TORONTO — Through months so bleak the Detroit Red Wings have make sure our guys are getting better every day, especially our young plummeted to last place in the NHL, the message from general manager guys are getting better, that we are holding them accountable and they’re Steve Yzerman has not changed. getting better every day. That was his message this summer – it really The Wings are in a rebuild, their lineup too depleted of talent to be didn’t deal with wins and losses, it was more about the individual tagged as a contender. That is tough on the personnel on the bench, improvement of players and that’s what I’ll continue to do. And I believe if where the spotlight shines most brightly on the head coach. your guys getting better through the course of the season, you’re a better team at the end. So we are facing this thing head on and we are going to This is Jeff Blashill’s fifth year behind the Wings’ bench, and in an continue to do that every day.” interview before the Wings’ Saturday game against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena, Blashill talked extensively about the first half of the Detroit Free Press LOADED: 12.23.2019 2019-20 season and his relationship with his immediate boss.

“It’s been as big a challenge as anything I’ve faced in my professional career,” Blashill said. “The record says that. I think it’s a great challenge, though. It’s easy to have great character when things are going awesome. When you go through these types of struggles, it’s a great opportunity for me to make sure I’m leading the right way.

“A big piece of that for us has been making sure that we have a short memory, making sure that we are attacking today. There is not one thing we can do about yesterday except for learn from it. We’ve tried to do that. We’ve tried not to let frustration creep in, even though that’s a human emotion – it’s going to, but we’ve tried to block it out as much as we can.”

After starting the season 3-1, the Wings lost the next eight (0-7-1). They won one game, then lost four. A three-game winning streak spiraled into an 0-10-2 stretch that threatened the franchise record 14-game losing streak. That added up to 9-24-3 entering the Toronto game, the worst start the Wings have had under Blashill. At Dec. 21 of previous seasons, the Wings were 17-9-7 in 2015, 14-15-4 in 2016, 13-14-7 in 2017, and 15-16-5 in 2018.

"The four years of experience prior to this has really, really trained me well to handle a season like this,” Blashill said. “I would not want to go through this my first year in the league. To be honest with you, my confidence hasn’t faltered one bit because I’ve focused on drawing from previous experiences and then also focusing on doing everything the best that I can do. I can’t control everything. I can control my attitude and I can control doing the very best I can and I’ve done that.”

About the only positive is that the right players – Tyler Bertuzzi, Anthony Mantha, Dylan Larkin and Filip Hronek – are leading the team. They are key rebuilding blocks.

“When times are tough, true character comes out,” Blashill said. “Some guys certainly have shown they want to be a big-time part of the solution and some guys are maybe the opposite. My job is, as this continues to be real tough, to try to make sure I’m playing the ones that want to part of the solution.”

The Wings’ goal differential was at minus-62 after 36 games. They have lacked steady goaltending, the defense corps is patched with AHL call- ups, and the forward group is littered with underperforming veterans. Occasionally the Wings have played fast and had fun, but for the most part, they’ve looked fragile.

More on Wings: Justin Abdelkader benched. Was it a one-time thing, or the new normal?

“One thing for us right now is we’ve got to play with more confidence,” Blashill said. “We can’t be afraid to make mistakes. We can’t go out and be afraid to get scored on.

“Really, we don’t have much to lose. Let’s go out and play like we don’t have much to lose. Let’s go out and play without fear. Not careless, but without fear. That’s what we’ve tried to get across to our guys.”

Since being named general manager April 19, Yzerman has made minor changes to the roster, signing Valtteri Filppula and Patrik Nemeth and trading for Robby Fabbri, Brendan Perlini, Adam Erne and Alex Biega. 1167495 Detroit Red Wings “We have to continue to find ways to not let that bother us.” The last thing the Wings needed to open the second period was fall

behind further quickly. But sure enough, Soderberg snapped a shot that Sinking Wings skate into break on four-game skid: 'It'll be good to get appeared to deflect off a body or two, then squirm past Howard, who was away' off balance and couldn't smother it, just 39 seconds into the period.

The Coyotes pushed it to 4-0 on Hall's first goal as a Coyote — his seventh of the season — a bomb from the hashmarks. Ted Kulfan, The Detroit NewsPublished 9:44 p.m. ET Dec. 22, 2019 | Updated 11:12 p.m. ET Dec. 22, 2019 Zadina created something for Wings to cheer about in the third period with his goal.

Just as a Wings' power play expired, with the Coyotes scrambling and Detroit — Here’s something to be thankful for if you’re a Red Wings fan. Raanta without his blocker and not set, Zadina got a loose puck and calmly skated to the hashmarks before snapping a shot past Raanta. The Wings are beginning their holiday break Monday morning. So no games until this weekend, no chance to watch and get frustrated — or “We had good momentum and the puck bounced right to my skate,” simply turn the channel. Zadina said. “I just tried to fake it and kind of pull him to the side. It was great, unfortunately, we didn’t score earlier in the game.” Regardless, it’s probably a good time to forget about the hockey for a few days, with Sunday’s 5-2 loss to Arizona an appropriate way to skate into Detroit News LOADED: 12.23.2019 the break given the way this season has gone.

“Getting away from it a little bit, and thinking about something else, and being with the family,” said forward Frans Nielsen, “hopefully we can recharge the batteries a little bit.

“We have to look better than this coming back from this break.”

BOX SCORE: Coyotes 5, Red Wings 2

The chance to escape from this difficult season, said coach Jeff Blashill, if even for a few days, could help.

“We have a longer break than normal, which probably for us, we need right now,” Blashill said. “It’ll be good to get away and let’s come back after the break a little fresh and continue to build to be a better hockey team.”

Filip Zadina scored his third goal midway in the third period to at least get the Wings on the scoreboard, and Tyler Bertuzzi scored his team-leading 14th goal with just under six minutes to go.

Clayton Keller had two goals and Carl Soderberg, newly acquired Taylor Hall, and Christian Dvorak had the others, while Coyotes (21-13-4) goalie Antti Raanta stopped 28 shots.

The Wings (9-26-3) go into the break on a four-game losing streak and have now lost a staggering 16 of their last 18 games (2-14-2).

Goaltender Jimmy Howard returned to the Wings lineup for the first time since Nov. 27 — he’s been out with an undisclosed injury — and lost his eighth consecutive decision while stopping 40 shots.

“Felt fine, I had fun being back there,” Howard said. “They were just quicker to pucks, quicker in every aspect.

“It’ll be good for everyone to just get away for a couple of days and be with their families and really not think about hockey.”

Coyotes center Carl Soderberg (34) and Red Wings defenseman Filip Hronek (17) battle for the puck during the second period on Sunday.

Howard actually appeared to get sharper as the game went along, making several nice saves in the third period as the Coyotes continued to press and get odd-man rushes against the defenseless Wings.

“Jimmy was ready, but we have to be tighter defensively as a group,” Blashill said. “That’s just something we’ll be working at, finding ways to make sure we’re eliminating scoring opportunities.”

The Wings were also without forward Anthony Mantha (upper body), who was hurt in Saturday's loss in Toronto.

Keller opened the scoring at 13:25 of the first period, one-timing a pass from Nick Schmaltz from near the dot.

Shortly afterward, Keller scored his 10th goal, with Schmaltz and Oliver Ekman-Larsson assisting — as the pair did on the first goal, as well.

This time, Schmaltz left a drop pass for Keller entering the zone, and Keller whistled a shot past Howard from inside the circle at 16:43.

“Our start was good, until they scored a goal,” Blashill said. “Right now we’re letting goals weigh us down and that’s something we’ve talked about at different times. We have to have a short memory. 1167496 Detroit Red Wings Goaltender Jonathan Bernier (groin) and forward Adam Erne (undisclosed) were both injured Saturday and were not in the lineup against the Coyotes.

Red Wings lose Anthony Mantha for at least a week as injury woes Goaltender Jimmy Howard was activated before Sunday's game and got continue the start.

Blashill wasn't sure when Bernier would be ready to play.

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit NewsPublished 6:36 p.m. ET Dec. 22, 2019 "We didn't put him on IR," Blashill said. "Whether he's available that first game after the break, I don't know yet. We'll see how the healing process goes."

Detroit – The news regarding Anthony Mantha could have been a lot Erne was replaced by Justin Abdelkader, who had been a healthy worse. scratch the last two games.

The Wings placed Mantha on injured reserve Sunday after Mantha was "I don't think it's anything huge but he's (Erne) out for tonight," Blashill hurt late in Saturday night’s loss in Toronto. Mantha suffered some sort said. "He's played pretty good hockey the last little bit. Adam's trended up of upper-body injury. Shoulder? Concussion? and he's played pretty good hockey."

Mantha could return Dec. 29 in Tampa, but judging from coach Jeff Frans Nielsen, who was out due to illness Saturday, also played, Blashill’s comments before Sunday's game against Arizona, Mantha is essentially replacing Mantha. still undergoing some evaluation and a timetable for a return is unclear. "It's been interesting, it certainly has been challenging," said Blashill of “He’s not available tonight (Sunday), he’s not available for the first game the injuries. "When you lose guys that are real important to your team after the break (Saturday in Florida), and past that, I don’t know,” Blashill and if you're not super deep with NHL proven players, it gets more said. “Right now, we’ll just leave it at that. challenging.

"I don't think it'll be anything long-term. I don't want to speak on "Now the thing is as a coach and as a team, you can't worry about what something I don't have exact specifics on; we don't know the specifics you don't have. You worry about what you have and those guys have go yet. We're all going on break here. He's going to take a couple of days to out and play great. rest and then when we get back (Friday), I'll have more on where he's at." "The extent that you miss guys just depends on how well other guys play. So it is good opportunity for other guys" Mantha confronted Toronto defenseman Jake Muzzin late in Saturday’s game, after Muzzin hit defenseman Madison Bowey hard along the Detroit News LOADED: 12.23.2019 boards.

Muzzin dragged Mantha to the ice, hooking Mantha’s leg, causing Mantha to slam his head and shoulder area to the ice.

Mantha lay on the ice not moving, momentarily, but gradually got up and was helped off the ice. Several observers said Mantha left the arena with a shoulder sling.

There was immediate speculation as to whether Muzzin would be handed down discipline from the NHL. But Blashill said the NHL looked into the play, and informed general manager Steve Yzerman no suspensions would be handed out for the incident.

This is the third time in Mantha’s short career he has gotten hurt while coming to the aid of a teammate.

Though Blashill doesn't want Mantha to fight extensively, the coach wants to continue to see players stand up for teammates.

“Obviously you don’t want anyone to get hurt,” Blashill said. “It’s a real hard thing to say to guys you can’t look out for each other. Guys have to make that decision in real time. We want to be smart. I’ve talked to Mo about that we don’t need him fighting lots; that shouldn’t have to be his main role.

“But you’d rather have guys that look after each other than guys not looking after each other. That’s just the reality of sports.”

OctoPulse podcast: Luc Robitaille revisits 2002 Cup, NHL's new code of conduct

Mantha has 12 goals and 12 assists in 29 games with a minus-9 rating. He had just returned for four games, after being out with a knee injury suffered Nov. 30.

Now Mantha will have to come back, again, from injury, and attempt to catch up to the level he was at the beginning of the season.

"I didn't think he was quite going yet, either," Blashill said. "It's hard when this happens, when you go in and go out, because of injury, you kind of lose the rhythm in your game.

"He was still trying to find his legs and rhythm, and that's the concern when you put somebody back in the lineup. It'll be a challenge Anthony has to conquer."

Bernier, Erne out 1167497 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings lose fourth in row, falling to Coyotes

Updated 12:52 AM;Today 9:34 PM

By Ansar Khan

DETROIT – Filip Zadina scored, so that was a bright spot of the Detroit Red Wings.

It was one of the few positives for this team to take from Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Little Caesars Arena.

The Red Wings (9-26-3) take a four-game losing streak into the Christmas break. They’ll be off the ice for four days before returning to practice Friday and traveling to face the Florida Panthers on Saturday.

Clayton Keller scored two goals and assisted on another for the Coyotes (21-13-4).

The Coyotes outshot the Red Wings 45-30.

It was Jimmy Howard’s first NHL game since Nov. 27, when he suffered a groin injury during a 6-0 loss to Toronto. Howard played two games this week for the in a conditioning stint.

Zadina scored his third goal in 13 games with Detroit at 9:59 of the third period, beating Antti Raanta from the slot area.

Tyler Bertuzzi scored his team-leading 14th goal with 4:29 remaining.

Keller scored twice in the first period.

He opened the scoring at 13:25, firing in a one-timer on a pass from Nick Schmaltz. The play began at the other end of the ice, after Frans Nielsen fell at the blue line and lost the puck. During the Coyotes’ counterattack, Filip Zadina was left to defend, and Schmaltz easily avoided him to set up Keller.

Keller scored again at 16:43, finishing off a crisp passing sequence by burying a wrist shot from the top of the faceoff circle.

Keller made his team’s third goal possible by stealing the puck from Darren Helm in front of the Red Wings’ net and getting a shot off. Carl Soderberg chipped in the rebound on the backhand 39 seconds into the second period.

Newly acquired Taylor Hall scored his first goal in three games with the Coyotes at 5:41 of the third, after Arizona controlled the puck in the offensive zone like it was on a power play.

Radek Dvorak put Arizona ahead 5-1 at 10:29 of the third by tipping in a point shot by Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Michigan Live LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167498 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings’ Anthony Mantha out at least a week

Updated Dec 22, 2019;Posted Dec 22, 2019

By Ansar Khan

DETROIT – Just when Anthony Mantha was trying to regain his footing following an extended absence due to a knee injury, he’ll need to start all over again when he returns.

Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill doesn’t have precise time frame on how long Mantha will be out after being driven to the ice by Toronto’s Jake Muzzin on Saturday, but he didn’t think it would be real long-term.

Mantha left the game with his right shoulder in a sling. Blashill declined to reveal the injury or say whether Mantha suffered a concussion when his head hit the ice.

The Red Wings placed Mantha on injured reserve, so he’ll be out through at least Saturday’s game in Florida, but likely longer.

“I don’t think it’ll be anything (real long term), but he’s still going through some testing,” Blashill said prior to Sunday’s game against Arizona. “I don’t want to speak on something I don’t have exact specifics on.”

He added: “We’re all going on break here (Monday through Thursday). He’s going to take a couple days to just rest and then when we get back, I’ll have more in terms of where he’s at.”

The NHL reviewed the incident and did not discipline Muzzin, who received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in addition to off-setting roughing calls with Mantha. Blashill declined to reveal the league’s rationale for the decision, saying general manager Steve Yzerman spoke with the NHL.

This is the third time in four seasons Mantha has been injured in a fight. He broke his finger scuffling with Tampa Bay’s Luke Witkowski and missed the final five games of 2016-17. He suffered ligament damage to his finger and missed a month last season in a scrap with Colorado’s Patrik Nemeth.

Ironically, Witkowski and Nemeth signed with the Red Wings as free agents the following off-seasons.

The Red Wings would prefer one of their top players not fight. But Blashill said he’s not going to instruct anyone not to stick up for a teammate. Mantha took exception to Muzzin’s hit on Madison Bowey.

“It’s a really hard thing to say to guys you can’t look after each other,” Blashill said. “Those guys got to make those decisions in real time. We want to be smart. I’ve talked to Mo about we don’t need him fighting, that shouldn’t be his main role, but again they’re going to look after each other. I’d rather have guys look after each other than guys not look after each other. That’s just the reality of sports.”

Mantha had played in four games (no goals, one assist) since returning from a knee injury that idled him for eight games.

“I didn’t think he was quite going yet,” Blashill said. “This is what happens a little bit when you go in and go out because of injury. You start to lose the rhythm of your game a little bit. He was still trying to find his legs.

“It’ll be a challenge that Anthony is going to have to conquer (when he returns).”

Mantha is second to Tyler Bertuzzi on the team in goals (12) and points (24).

Bernier day to day

Blashill said goaltender Jonathan Bernier (groin), who wasn’t placed on IR, is day to day.

“Whether he’s available that first game after the break, I don’t know yet,” Blashill said. “We’ll see how the healing process goes.”

Michigan Live LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167499 Detroit Red Wings

How to watch, listen and stream Detroit Red Wings vs. Arizona Coyotes

Posted Dec 22, 2019

By Lauren Williams

The Detroit Red Wings have hit another rough after dropping their last three games. They’re back in action on Sunday night against the Arizona Coyotes, who currently lead the Pacific Division and are looking to rebound from a tough loss against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.

Both the Red Wings and the Coyotes have been dealt significant blows with big injuries. The Coyotes goalie Darcy Kuemper could miss significant time after being injured on Thursday night. The Red Wings lost Jonathan Bernier in the first period. While Red Wings Anthony Mantha had to be helped off the ice after getting slammed into it.

Detroit (9-25-3) looks to snap their three-game losing streak as they face off against Arizona (20-13-4) at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22 at Little Caesars Arena.

Michigan Live LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167500 Detroit Red Wings

Zadina and Bertuzzi score, Wings fall to Coyotes 5-2

By PAUL HARRIS Associated Press 6 hrs ago

DETROIT (AP) — Clayton Keller had two goals and an assist to lead the Arizona Coyotes past the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on Sunday night.

Carl Soderberg, Taylor Hall and Christian Dvorak also scored for Arizona. Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson had three assists and Nick Schmaltz added two.

Antti Raanta made 28 saves in Arizona’s first game since No. 1 goalie Darcy Kuemper sustained a lower-body injury Friday during an 8-5 loss to Minnesota.

Filip Zadina and Tyler Bertuzzi scored for Detroit. Jimmy Howard stopped 40 shots in his return after missing 10 games with a lower-body injury. He was recalled from a conditioning stint with Grand Rapids of the AHL earlier in the day.

Keller’s two goals in the first period gave the Coyotes a 2-0 lead.

Keller opened the scoring with 6:35 left in the first when put in a one- timer from the bottom of the right circle that Howard got a piece of. Keller’s second goal and 10th of the season came with 3:17 remaining in the period when his wrist shot from the top of the right circle beat Howard. Both goals came off the rush.

Soderberg made it 3-0 just 39 seconds into the second period when he put in Keller’s rebound after a turnover in front of his own net by Darren Helm. It was Soderberg’s 11th goal.

Hall got his seventh 5:41 into the third period.

Zadina thwarted Raanta’s shutout bid at 9:59 of the third with his third goal. Dvorak scored his ninth 27 seconds later.

Bertuzzi got his fourth goal in five games and 14th of the season with 4:29 left.

NOTES

Arizona D Jordan Gross made his NHL debut. … Coyotes D Jason Demers, who has missed six games with a lower-body injury, is skating with the team and could play later this week. … Detroit forward Robby Fabbri was fined the maximum $2,419.35 for spearing Toronto forward Alexander Kerfoot in a 4-1 loss Saturday night. … Red Wings RW Anthony Mantha did not play after sustaining an upper-body injury Saturday when he was thrown to the ice — on his head and face — by Maple Leafs D Jake Muzzin.

Macomb Daily LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167501 “Most of the nights I’ve played to the level I wanted. Last year was more up and down,” he said. “I’ve had more of a stable game most nights. That’s what I’m happiest with but there’s lots of things I could do better but it’s such a balance, the line is so tough (to straddle). It’s a one-goal Mikko Koskinen giving Oilers what needed in goal game pretty much every night,” he said.

Has the game slowed down in his second NHL season.

Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal “I know now that if players are shooting from bad angles that I don’t have to do anything extra. I’m trusting my size a bit more, maybe that’s why it’s Published:December 22, 2019 getting a bit easier. That said, it might be tougher on Monday Updated:December 22, 2019 5:04 PM MST (Vancouver),” said Koskinen, who has had very few bad starts.

“I think my Ottawa start (5-2 loss) was the worst. The Carolina game, I know it was six goals and that looks bad but they scored three back door. One of Mike Smith’s kids walked through the Edmonton Oilers dressing Of course the last goal was from centre (Dougie Hamilton), not good. I room Saturday night, looked at Mikko Koskinen and shouted; “good job.” thought he was going to rip the puck for a hard-rim (boards) and I was over there and he faked it really well and it put it top corner. I was too far Nice gesture. But Koskinen thought he was just OK, yet a win is a win is away to reach or it, but that was the last goal and it didn’t matter. a win. “You’re going to let bad goals in and I would rather they come when the And a goal is a goal is a … well, not really that close. games are over. My Ottawa game was my worst. I let a couple of soft Koskinen channelled his goalie partner in the last minute Saturday, ones in and changed the momentum. But other than that, I’ve been pretty stopping a shot, then lofted the puck over everybody and the puck stable.” wobbled down the ice like a mouse on valium. Needing a left-turn after it Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.23.2019 hit the ice, the puck eventually slid about 10 feet wide of Carey Price’s Montreal net.

Koskinen, who was one shot better than Price to go to 13-6-2 on the season, swore he wasn’t trying to make any highlight reels.

“Honestly, that was my first clear in the NHL. I was just hoping the puck would fly over the first forechecker,” said Koskinen. “I could see it wasn’t going to go in, maybe a second I thought I could score. But my goal wasn’t a goal, it was to get over everybody.”

Isn’t there a tendency with every goalie to think “ah, I’d love to score a goal?”

“Not for me,” said Koskinen. “Never scored a goal, not in Russia, it’s not my thing. I started back in Finland as a skater so, yes, I was scoring goals but for the last 20 years I’m trying to keep the puck out of the net.”

Koskinen has started 14 of the last 22. With a light schedule with no back-to-backs until an Oilers’ home game against St Louis Jan. 31, and a road game Feb. 1 in Calgary, with just 11 games over a 36-day span from Dec. 27 through January, he could get the bulk of the work as long as his stats remain good. He has a .918 save percentage to Smith’s .893. And Smith is 7-9-2.

Koskinen will be starting in Vancouver Monday night too but he only gave the Canadiens’ game a C on his report card.

“Not the best game. The first goal I thought I had it and the shot hit my glove (Jeff Petry). Sometimes those happen. The second one (Phillip Danault tip) there was nothing I could do. The third (Max Domi) happened quickly, he made a nice play (by the glove). We’re just happy to get the win,” he said. “Sometimes you can play really well (St. Louis) and you don’t win, and sometimes you play. OK and you do. I’ll take 100 per cent this one than the loss in St. Louis.

“This win was a huge confidence boost. We’ve been saying all year that we have keep building wins but we haven’t done it. Now one game before Christmas, and hopefully we put everything into that one.”

Koskinen, who has started 21 games to Smith’s 18 as Tippett didn’t overwork either goalie for the first two months, will keep getting starts as long as he wins.

“Everyone is asking me if I’m tired but I don’t feel that at all. But I guess that’s how last year ended but there were many other reasons why it went that way. It wasn’t all the games (in a row). I remember a season where I played 80 games (including playoffs),” he said. “There wasn’t any time (with all the games) to get any practices last year.”

Koskinen won’t turn down start after start in the next month, if that’s how it breaks down.

“That’s up to the coach. You can’t schedule in the NHL the whole month (starts). You have to live by the day, game-by-game. You can’t start looking too far ahead, have to live in the moment,” he said.

Koskinen is happier with his play this season as the halfway point draws near than last. 1167502 Edmonton Oilers It was a goal starting goalie Koskinen ‘would like to have back’ as the TV guys put it so they don’t have to come right out and say ‘He sure blew that one!’

JONES: Oilers coach should stick with Koskinen and keep dynamic duo The Oilers didn’t get a shot in the first nine-plus minutes of the second together period and the Canadiens came back to tie it up. But the Oilers instead of having never been ahead, as had been the case in most other recent games, had never been behind when Draisaitl set up McDavid for his 21st of the year on a power play late in the second period. Terry Jones The game went to 3-3 in the third before Sheahan scored what turned Published:December 22, 2019 out to be the winner to give the Oilers a record of 13-0-1 when leading Updated:December 22, 2019 11:37 AM MST after two, a stat considering the number of slow starts to games they’ve had this year, you’d think they’d take note of.

Koskinen was hardly perfect. At least two of them were iffy. But he won. Put your left hand on the Bible and please repeat after me. And he keeps on winning and proving people who were highly critical of giving him a $4 million-plus-a-year new contract. “I , being of otherwise relatively sound mind, hereby swear I will not break up the Dynamic Duo again this season. The thing about the Oilers going forward from this one is that they only have 13 games in the next 41 days. There’s no need to alternate “Furthermore, I hereby swear I will not start Mike Smith in goal until goaltenders. maybe sometime in February.” So put your hand on the Bible and … Who knows how big the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on a festive holiday and hockey night with outstanding Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.23.2019 atmosphere in the building will turn out to be.

While there were refreshing supporting stars like Josh Archibald and Riley Sheahan contributing to the mix, it was a win inspired by Tippett waving the white flag and putting Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid back together again.

And as expected, for the second game of a back-to-back set, this one only 19 hours after the game the night before ended, with the Canadiens already sitting in Edmonton, Mikko Koskinen was back in goal to pick up the win and extend his record to 13-6-2.

It was a win that ended the latest Oilers losing streak at two. And maybe it won’t mean much. The last time they were in this situation, after having kept all previous losing streaks to either one or two through the first two months of the season, Edmonton lost four straight and had pretty much squandered their sensational 7-1 start to the season by managing to win only two of 11 since Grey Cup Sunday.

It’s totally understandable why a coach would want to separate the two superstar centres on a team in which there’s not enough talent to put together three decent lines much less four.

But the truth is you can check Draisaitl and force him into making mistakes and turning the puck over. And you can surround McDavid with five guys and say ‘Go ahead and beat us.’

But when they’re together McDavid and Draisaitl are going to produce their points. And that’s what they did last night.

They both scored a goal and an assist to extend their league-topping totals to 61 and 60 points respectively.

They now also rank first and second with 18 and 17 multi-point games respectively.

After separating McDavid and Draisaitl for a stretch with the result the night before being the 25th game in their history that the Oilers lost when neither managed to produce a point, the new Edmonton head coach, had little choice but to put them back together again Saturday.

Not long into their first shift, McDavid and Draisaitl broke in on a two-on- one to beat Carey Price.

Draisaitl scored his 22nd goal of the year.

The night before, Tippett started Smith (7-9-2 with a .893 save percentage) in goal and he gave up a super soft, exceptionally stinky goal to the Pittsburgh Penguins and the air came out of this fragile group that never put themselves totally together again as they stretched their skid to six losses in their last seven games.

Instead of chasing another game, the Oilers expanded it into a 2-0 lead.

OK, later in the period Draisaitl and McDavid did stay out for an entire power play and gave up a shorthanded goal to former Oiler Jeff Petry, the second star of the game behind No. 1 McDavid. 1167503 Edmonton Oilers Andersson as an NHL player Andersson has played in 66 NHL games, scoring three goals and nine

points, all at even strength except for a shorthanded goal last season. He Lowetide: Should the Oilers pursue Lias Andersson in trade? has won 44.3 percent of his faceoffs, and his career scoring per 60 with the Rangers is 0.77. His most common linemates during his time with the team were Ryan Strome and Jimmy Vesey, and Andersson was deployed far more often on the penalty kill (64 minutes) than power play By Allan Mitchell Dec 22, 2019 (4 minutes) over three seasons.

The Puck IQ data shows Andersson played sparingly (less than 150 One of the more interesting NHL news items this weekend pertained to minutes, about 23 percent of overall time) against elites. While he was on young New York Rangers centre Lias Andersson. Drafted No. 7 overall the ice against the league’s best, New York was outscored 17-5, all by the Rangers in 2017, it took Andersson less than a year to reach the occurring in five-on-five situations. His performance against mid-level NHL. That might be the highlight of his career, as it has been a rocky talent (just over 250 minutes) is much better, with the goal differential road since then. being 8-6. Against lower-level competition (about 225 minutes), the Broadway Blueshirts were outscored 11-4 while Andersson was on the Fans from the other 30 NHL teams have been pondering which teams ice. All of his NHL numbers suffer from a lack of sample size, so we must might be interested in acquiring Andersson, and in Edmonton, it has temper our opinions. been the subject of conversation for hours. Should the Oilers make a pitch for Andersson? Would a trade involving Jesse Puljujarvi make What to make of the opportunity? sense for Edmonton? Let’s have a look. Andersson was a former top-10 overall selection not too long ago. The LIAS ANDERSSON HAS BEEN SUSPENDED BY RANGERS AFTER Rangers mishandled him, placing him in the NHL less than a calendar LEAVING WOLF PACK FOLLOWING TRADE REQUEST. NHL year after he was drafted. I believe that’s where Andersson’s similarity ROSTER FREEZE IN EFFECT THROUGH 12/27. with Puljujarvi ends, meaning the two players are not a trade match.

— LARRY BROOKS (@NYP_BROOKSIE) DECEMBER 22, 2019 The next question regards Andersson’s value as a trade acquisition, and I do think you can argue he’s worth the risk. Oilers fans will remember When evaluating a player from another organization, it’s wise to find Glen Sather’s attempts to acquire undervalued talent (Don Murdoch, someone who analyzes the league’s young players and find out what that former Rangers winger, being a famous example) and in this case, person thinks. From his 2018 evaluation of the New York system, Corey Andersson could easily eclipse his trade value at this time. Pronman of The Athletic ranked Andersson No. 3 and valued him as a “legit NHL prospect” for the future: “His two best traits are his hockey Edmonton needs young forwards who can play. Andersson won’t be sense and work ethic,” Pronman wrote. “He’s the kind of player who will eligible for waivers until fall 2021, according to CapFriendly, and the go through a wall to win a puck. He’s also a very smart playmaker who asset cost is likely to be less than it would have been before the trade understands how to create offense. Skill-wise he’s above-average, request. showing the occasional great flash. His skating is very average and may On the one hand, Andersson is not a fast centre, and the Oilers are limit his offensive potential in the NHL.” looking to increase speed and pace. It’s also possible the Rangers’ price Andersson as an AHL player will be a draft pick, and Edmonton likely wants to keep the rest of its 2020 draft stock. Oilers fans immediately considered the team possibly dealing winger Jesse Puljujarvi to the Rangers for Andersson, a convenient and an easy Andersson is an interesting trade option, but if the Oilers are hesitant to connection. It isn’t necessarily a good hockey fit though, with the Oilers deploy Cooper Marody as an NHL centre (and that does appear to be the probably looking for a more dynamic offensive player in exchange for the case), Andersson’s speed might make the idea of a deal a non-starter rambunctious Puljujarvi. Here are the AHL stats for the two players since from the Edmonton perspective. I expect Andersson’s second NHL stop arriving in North America: will be elsewhere.

While playing for the Bakersfield Condors in 2016-17, Puljujarvi’s centre The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 was often Anton Lander, who was an impact player in the AHL at that time and would have been an ideal mentor. Andersson’s first games were spent with other youngsters such as Ryan Gropp, Adam Chapie and Gabriel Fontaine. Even considering quality of linemates, it’s fairly easy to conclude, offensively, Puljujarvi was clearly a better player at the AHL level.

Andersson does show some offensive potential. His even-strength scoring during his entry deal suggests he might be able to bring enough offence to the NHL as a bottom-six forward. Remember, his scouting report (via Pronman) highlighted his intelligence and work ethic. He has a nice range of skills in the toolkit.

I like to focus on offence for players during their age-20 season. When Anderson was 20, he was in his second season in North America and second AHL campaign. Here are the players age 20 who scored in the same range as Andersson since 2015-16 in the AHL:

• Samuel Blais 2016-17: 75 games 26-17-43 (.57)

• Oliver Bjorkstrand 2015-16: 51 games, 17-12-29 (.57)

• Lias Andersson 2017-18: 25 games, 5-9-14 (.56)

• Rasmus Asplund 2018-19: 75 games, 10-31-41 (.55)

• Michael Dal Colle 2016-17: 75 games, 15-26-41 (.55)

• Jayce Hawryluk 2016-17: 47 games, 9-17-26 (.55)

This is an interesting list filled with players who are either establishing themselves or working toward an NHL career. It places New York’s unhappy prospect in a good light. Coupled with his other traits, Andersson is (as Pronman described) a legit NHL prospect. 1167504 Florida Panthers

Despite 18 days between starts, Panthers’ backup goalie shows no rust in win over Carolina

BY JORDAN MCPHERSON

DECEMBER 22, 2019 03:55 PM

Chris Driedger showed no rust as he manned the Florida Panthers’ net on Saturday night.

Forget the fact that he had gone 18 days without playing as Sergei Bobrovsky started seven consecutive games to close out the Panthers’ homestand.

Driedger stopped 42 of 44 shots against him to lead the Panthers to a 4- 2 road win over the Carolina Hurricanes. It’s Florida’s third consecutive victory dating back to Monday.

“Over the course of the season you get some goalie wins,” Panthers coach Joel Quenneville said. “That was one of them.”

Evgenii Dadonov, , Jonathan Huberdeau and Noel Acciari scored goals for the Panthers (18-12-5), who are back in the third spot of the Atlantic Division as they prepare to play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.

But Driedger’s calm presence in net during his first career road start made the difference.

In addition to the 44 shots on goal, the Hurricanes (22-12-2) had another 23 shot attempts blocked by the Panthers, including a game-high four by Acciari.

He had a shutout through two periods before Carolina’s Nino Niederreiter scored on a close-up wrist shot with 10:44 left in regulation. Lucas Wallmark added a goal of his own with 7:01 left to play.

“They had a lot of shots through traffic, but our guys did a great job of blocking shots,” Driedger told postgame. “We just kind of built our game from there. By the time they turned it on in the third, we had a sizeable lead and their push just wasn’t enough.”

Driedger is now 2-1-0 in his three starts with the Panthers this season. The 25-year-old posted a 27-save shutout in his first career NHL start to lead the Panthers to a 3-0 win over the Nashville Predators on Nov. 30. He gave up three goals on 25 shots one game later in a loss to the Minnesota Wild.

And now, 42 stops on Saturday.

“I know my game,” Driedger said. “When I play well and I don’t think about outside factors, things tend to go better than if I do think about those things. I just try to play my game, keep things simple, slow my game down and try to give the guys the best chance to win.”

The offense gave him room to work, too. They had a 3-0 lead less than 30 seconds into the third period before Carolina could squeeze in its first goal of the game. Acciari added an insurance goal between the two Hurricanes scores.

The Panthers have now outscored opponents 17-7 over their past three games. And they have done so despite recording just 86 shots on goal.

Put another way: Florida is scoring a goal about every five shots over its past three wins.

“The ability and the talent we have on this team offensively has never been in question,” Boyle said.

Miami Herald LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167505 Florida Panthers NOTES: Hurricanes C Erik Haula returned to the lineup for the first time since Nov. 16. He had missed 19 of the previous 21 games with a knee injury. Haula opened the season with seven goals in the first nine games but only has one since. ... The win snaps a five-game losing streak to the Huberdeau, Dreidger lift Panthers to 4-2 win over Hurricanes Hurricanes for the Panthers. Carolina has a 9-2-1 record against the Panthers in the past 12 meetings. ... Acciari has seven goals in the past

three games for the Panthers. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Miami Herald LOADED: 12.23.2019 DECEMBER 22, 2019 07:00 AM

Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville gave all the credit for his team’s latest win to backup goalie Chris Dreidger.

Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and an assist in the third period, Dreidger stopped 42 shots, and the Panthers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 Saturday night.

“Over the course of the season, you get some goalie wins,” Quennevile said. “That was one of them.”

Brian Boyle, Evgenii Dadanov, and Noel Acciari also scored for the Panthers, who won their third straight. Driedger helped Florida end five- game losing streak to the Hurricanes and get its first win at Carolina since 2015.

Dreidger, the backup to Sergei Bobrovsky, won for the second time in three starts this season.

“I just try to play my game, keep things simple, try to slow the game down and give the guys the best chance to win,” he said.

The Hurricanes swarmed Driedger in the opening minutes of the game but he stopped all 13 shots he faced in the opening period, including a key save on Warren Foegele.

Dreidger needed a refresher about that big save.

“Which one was that?” asked Driedger, who has spent the bulk of his career in the minors.

Driedger stopped Foegele’s backhand attempt just 5 minutes in with his blocker and then cleared it away with his paddle.

“Oh, yeah,” Driedger said. “Geez. Well, that’s a lucky one, for sure.”

Nino Niederreiter and Lucas Wallmark scored for Carolina, which lost in regulation for the first time in eight games. Petr Mrazek finished with 18 saves.

The Panthers’ defense also helped out their goalie with 23 blocked shots.

“Their goalie was great,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “I give him credit. I give (them) credit for blocking a lot of shots. They were sacrificing and doing the things necessary to win a game.”

Boyle tipped in Aaron Ekblad’s shot on a power play with 8:26 left in the second period to extend the Panthers’ lead to 2-0.

He set up Dadanov at 7:07 in the first period for the Panthers’ first goal after a turnover by Carolina defenseman Jake Gardiner led to a breakaway.

“When you get out of the first with a lead on the road, that’s a win right there,” Driedger said.

The Hurricanes returned home after a 5-0-1 road trip against Western Conference teams. They had 13 goals in the past three games.

The Panthers were on the road for the first time since Nov. 27. They went 5-4-0 during a franchise-record nine-game homestand.

Huberdeau scored 26 seconds into the third period to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead.

The Hurricanes scored twice in the third while firing 20 shots at Dreidger.

“We gave (Driedger) more work than we wanted to but he was awesome,” Boyle said.

Niederreiter tipped in a shot to cut Florida’s lead to 3-1 at 9:16 but Acciari, with an assist from Huberdeau, answered 1:25 later.

The Hurricanes pulled within two again on a power-play goal by Wallmark, assisted by Niederreiter, with 7:01 left. 1167506 Los Angeles Kings Nelson Emerson, the Kings’ director of player personnel, agreed. He remembers how Roy, during summer prospect camps, would sneak away after the mandatory workouts to spend extra time working on his shot, perfecting stick-handling and building strength. Since heart-to-heart with Kings coach, Matt Roy has walked the talk “Obviously, you hope all your draft picks turn out to be NHLers, but the analytics show which players generally make it,” Emerson said. “The fact that Matty was drafted in the seventh round in 2015, and now he’s doing By JACK HARRIS what he is — this is excellent.” DEC. 22, 2019 9:56 AM Roy recognizes this, reflecting earnestly on his college career — the years of working and waiting between his draft day and first extended NHL stint. Todd McLellan didn’t wait long to sit Matt Roy down in his office early this season. Three games were all the first-year Kings coach needed to see. “Everyone is different, but for me it worked out perfectly the way it did,” His young defenseman was in need of a blunt assessment. he said. “I definitely needed those years in college, and I needed my time in the minor leagues too. For me, it helped out a lot.” “That first road trip, I made some pretty bad mistakes,” Roy said. “He let me know they were unacceptable.” He knows his game — a two-way defenseman with an underrated shot — better now and has a fuller understanding of the league too. Added McLellan: “We had a heart-to-heart. … I was pretty straightforward.” “You get into a routine,” he said. “You pick up the game, the pace. You get to know the guys. It doesn’t get easier, but you become more Both men would rather keep the details of that day to themselves. The familiar.” exact wording doesn’t matter much anymore. The message was received: Play better, or someone else will play in your place. In that familiarity, Roy has flourished, especially of late. On Dec. 15, in his first NHL game in his home state, he recorded an assist in the Kings’ “It was a really big wake-up call for me,” Roy said. 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. On Tuesday, he scored a game- tying goal late in the third period of the team’s eventual 4-3 overtime win The results have been worth relishing for the Kings. Roy has 13 points in in Boston. 38 games, the third most among defensemen on the team. The Kings are 4-1-2 in their last seven games, during which time Roy has had six Steadily, Roy and fellow rookie Sean Walker (an undrafted acquisition by points. the Kings) have stabilized the right side of the defense pairings behind Drew Doughty. His plus-five rating is tied for best on the team, while his expected plus/minus (an advanced analytic that accounts for shot location when a “Nothing’s been given to them,” Emerson said. “They have to work for player is on the ice) tops the roster. For a franchise in the process of everything. Down the line, it helps them become better players.” identifying its next generation, Roy’s future is looking increasingly brighter. Roy’s play has dramatically improved since the early-season hiccup. If his sit-down with McLellan was the spark, the coach hasn’t had to say “I think I can play like that all the time,” Roy said last week, his soft voice anything else since. barely rising above the buzz of the Kings’ locker room. “It’s just a matter of staying consistent, having faith in myself. I always knew I could play “We haven’t even chatted, really,” McLellan said. “He just plays. He does like this.” his thing.”

Roy, 24, is something of a late bloomer. The Michigan native was drafted LA Times: LOADED: 12.23.2019 by the Kings in the seventh round in 2015 and spent his next two seasons playing at Michigan Tech. His first full pro season in 2017-18 was spent with the club’s minor-league affiliate, the Ontario Reign.

Last year, he split time between the Kings and the Reign, recording six points in 25 NHL games.

After surviving a preseason spent on the roster bubble, his first three games this campaign put his future in doubt. McLellan made sure he was aware.

“It’s nice that he’s upfront about it all instead of holding everything in,” said Roy, who was a minus-four in those three games. “It gave me a chance to refocus and hunker down. It was a good meeting — even though I didn’t like what was said.”

It was a fork-in-the-road moment for Roy. He was not a high-round draft pick, nor a high-profile prospect. Reaching the NHL had never been a guarantee, and his chances of staying long-term looked slim.

But when his moment of truth came, he had a convincing response. His development process had left him ready to handle adversity. In the next two games after talking with McLellan, Roy was a plus-four.

Unlike some teenage rookies the Kings will soon have to break in, Roy has had a wealth of experience, across several levels of the sport, to lean on.

Kings defenseman Matt Roy (3) celebrates his goal the Blackhawks on Nov. 2.

“Eighteen [years old] to 24 is a dramatic difference,” said McLellan, likening Roy’s growth to the maturation of McLellan’s two college-age sons.

“Socially, physically, emotionally, his extra years certainly helped him. I don’t know where he would be if he played juniors and came out and tried to do this at 19.” 1167507 Los Angeles Kings

Kings face test from defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues

By ANDREW KNOLL |PUBLISHED: December 22, 2019 at 2:05 pm | UPDATED: December 22, 2019 at 2:05 PM

After seeing their six-game point streak snapped in Buffalo, the Kings head home for a test against the West’s top team and the defending Stanley Cup champions, the St. Louis Blues.

The Kings doubled their previous high for a point streak this season. They also increased their road win total for the season from two to five with a 3-2-1 trip that ended with a bit of a whimper against the Sabres.

The second period proved pivotal in their 3-2 loss. The Sabres took the lead off a shot going well wide of the net that caromed in off defenseman Drew Doughty’s leg. Then a buzzer-beating backhand bid from center Anze Kopitar was thwarted by the swift glove of Buffalo goalie Linus Ullmark.

“They got a break that went off Doughty’s pad and into the net, and we didn’t earn one of those,” Kings coach Todd McLellan told reporters, noting that both teams hit the post with shots as well. “But the trip as a whole has been a pretty successful one for us.”

Doughty said that while the group was aware of the relative improvement in the results they produced — they had earned points in just three road games all season but did so in five contests during this swing — he also felt the team still had considerable room to improve. They saw let-downs later in games and, against Columbus in the previous game, they blew a second-intermission lead for the first time all season.

“I would have liked to see two points in a couple of the other games and I would’ve liked to see two points tonight,” Doughty told reporters in Buffalo, urging greater intensity and a sense of desperation from his Kings.

They now return home for a single game against the Blues, whose 52 points give them a comfortable lead over second-place Colorado (47) in the Western Conference and Central Division. The Blues sat dead last in the league on Jan. 3 last season, but were invigorated by the promotion of coach Craig Berube and the call-up of goalie Jordan Binnington.

This season they have hummed along, even after losing their most dangerous offensive weapon, right wing Vladimir Tarasenko. He sustained a shoulder injury in their 5-2 victory over the Kings when the teams met previously on Oct. 24 in St. Louis. He underwent surgery and has not played since, with a projected return in the final month of the season.

Versatile forward leads the Blues in scoring with 35 points. He’s followed closely by Ryan O’Reilly, who won both the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason’s Most Valuable Player last season. Captain and No. 1 defenseman Alex Pietrangelo continues to excel with strong play at both ends of the ice. Binnington has stabilized what had long been a volatile situation in goal for St. Louis, which has the fifth-best goals-against average among NHL teams.

St. Louis at Kings

When: 7 p.m. Monday

Where: Staples Center

TV/Radio: Fox Sports West/iHeartRadio/KWKW 1330 AM (Spanish)

Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167508 Minnesota Wild

Minnesota welcomes Calgary for Flames-Wild matchup

By The Associated Press DECEMBER 23, 2019 — 2:25AM

Calgary Flames (19-14-5, fourth in the Pacific Division) vs. Minnesota Wild (17-15-5, sixth in the Central Division)

St. Paul, Minnesota; Monday, 5 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Wild host the Calgary Flames.

The Wild are 9-11-2 in Western Conference games. Minnesota is fourth in the league shooting 10.8% and averaging 3.1 goals on 28.6 shots per game.

The Flames are 9-9-3 in Western Conference play. Calgary averages 9.3 penalty minutes per game, the eighth-most in the league. Milan Lucic leads the team serving 34 total minutes.

The matchup Monday is the first meeting this season for the two teams.

TOP PERFORMERS: leads the Wild with 14 goals and has recorded 22 points. Eric Staal has scored five goals over the last 10 games for Minnesota.

Elias Lindholm leads the Flames with 15 goals and has recorded 28 points. Sean Monahan has scored five goals over the last 10 games for Calgary.

LAST 10 GAMES: Flames: 7-2-1, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.9 assists, 3.6 penalties and 9.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game with a .925 save percentage.

Wild: 5-4-1, averaging 3.6 goals, 6.1 assists, 3.8 penalties and 8.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.7 goals per game with a .888 save percentage.

INJURIES: Wild: Jason Zucker: out (lower body).

Flames: None listed.

Star Tribune LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167509 Minnesota Wild Two nights before in Chicago, after he was on the ice for the Blackhawks’ winning goal and finished a minus-3, Dumba called his struggles “a mental battle” and a slump he’d never experienced.

A year after fight, injury, Wild's Matt Dumba still not the same This, however, isn’t the first time Dumba has had to persevere.

Actually, that’s how he spent most of the past year.

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune DECEMBER 22, 2019 — 10:57PM “I’ll get through it,” Dumba said. “I’ll be fine.”

Star Tribune LOADED: 12.23.2019

More than a year has passed since the fight and injury, a punch thrown by Matt Dumba that missed its intended target in the Flames’ Matthew Tkachuk but still dealt a blow — tearing the Wild defenseman’s right pectoral muscle.

Yet the incident still crosses Dumba’s mind regularly.

“It’s something that’s part of my daily routine, warming up my pec,” Dumba said. “So I think about it each day. It put me through a lot.”

After surgery and months of recovery, Dumba reported for training camp ready to play and has been in the Wild’s lineup for every game this season.

But he still is facing adversity.

Dumba, 25, is trying to recalibrate his game amid a rocky patch, and he’ll have one more chance to make strides before the Wild pauses for the three-day holiday break — a Monday matinee with Calgary at Xcel Energy Center that’ll be Dumba’s first game against the Flames since he was sidelined.

“You try to quiet those feelings [of frustration] by working hard and doing the little things and trying to be a good team guy,” he said. “Just do whatever I can for my teammates.”

Dumba played arguably the best hockey of his NHL career last season. He was a lightning rod for offense, scoring 12 goals and racking up 22 points in 32 games, and skated mostly on the Wild’s top defensive pairing.

Until Dec. 15.

That’s when he fought Tkachuk, an encounter that was retaliation for a heavy but legal hit Dumba laid on the Flames’ Mikael Backlund in the previous matchup.

“I know injuries are inevitable in this game,” said Dumba, who missed the final 50 games of the Wild’s season. “You have to work through that. It’s early in my career, so hopefully I can still have a good, long career and have longevity and battle through it.”

Asked if he still feels the injury, Dumba said, “No, I don’t think so. I try not to have any hesitation or stuff like that. I guess sometimes that happens with an injury of that extent. That’s part of it.”

Since returning, though, Dumba hasn’t rediscovered his rhythm. Through 37 games, he has scored just three times and has 10 points. Only four of those points have come on the power play, where he was a specialist in 2018-19.

His minus-11 standing is among the worst on the team, and once Jared Spurgeon returned last week from injury, Dumba was bumped from the first defensive unit but not back to his previous home on the second pairing. He was demoted to the third trio.

The switch indicates how well Jonas Brodin and Carson Soucy are playing together as the second pair, but it’s also a move designed to grow Dumba’s confidence by giving him different matchups.

“Matt will tell you it’s not exactly where he wants it to be,” coach Bruce Boudreau said of Dumba’s play. “But I thought the last two games, you look at it in Phoenix he was [plus-1], which is a real positive thing. He wasn’t on for any [goals] against [Saturday vs. Winnipeg]. He’s starting to calm it down, and I think it’s just a matter of time before we get him back to where he was.”

Dumba hasn’t scored since Nov. 12 in Los Angeles, a goalless skid of 19 games, but an assist Tuesday at Vegas stopped a 14-game pointless rut. He’s had chances, tallying 26 shots this month — including a team-high five in the 6-0 loss to the Jets on Saturday. Perhaps his best chance came against the Golden Knights, when his shot rolled wide of an empty net. 1167510 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Calgary game preview

DECEMBER 22, 2019 — 11:13PM

SARAH MCLELLAN

4 P.M. VS. CALGARY • XCEL ENERGY CENTER • FSN, 100.3-FM

Eriksson Ek set to return

Preview: The Wild plays host to the Flames in its final game before the three-day holiday break. A 6-0 loss to the Jets Saturday afternoon at Xcel Energy Center snapped the team’s 12-game point streak on home ice. Overall, the Wild has dropped three of its past four games. C Joel Eriksson Ek, who has missed the past four games because of an upper- body injury, was activated from injured reserve and is expected to return; the Wild reassigned C Luke Johnson to the American Hockey League. Calgary played Sunday, taking on the Stars in Dallas.

Players to WATCH: Flames LW Johnny Gaudreau had three assists against the Wild in 2018-19. D Mark Giordano had four points (three assists). … Wild D Jonas Brodin has seven assists in his past 10 games. LW Zach Parise had six shot attempts Saturday.

Numbers: The Wild went 1-2 vs. the Flames last season. It’s 7-3-1 against the Pacific Division. Calgary is 2-3 in the second half of a back- to-back. The Flames outscored the Wild 6-5 last season.

Injuries: Wild D Greg Pateryn (lower body), C Mikko Koivu (lower body) and Jason Zucker (fractured fibula) are out.

Star Tribune LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167511 Minnesota Wild just eager to put up a good game against those guys. Maybe this is a game where he gets back into it and feels good and gets some confidence going.”

Wild star Matt Dumba not seeking revenge against Flames BRIEFLY

Joel Eriksson Ek returned to practice Sunday morning and is expected to play on Monday night. As for Mikko Koivu, he skated alone, and while By DANE MIZUTANI | December 22, 2019 at 10:04 PM he’s getting closer, he’s not ready to return to the lineup.

Pioneer Press LOADED: 12.23.2019 After horrific accident, longtime educator and advocate says ‘Appreciate everything’

Wild star Matt Dumba said all the right things for about five minutes Sunday afternoon, answering every question thrown his way with an acute sense of political correctness.

He promised that the game against the Calgary Flames on Monday night didn’t hold any extra weight despite the fact that team singlehandedly derailed a promising campaign last season.

“We want the two points so we can have a good Christmas,” Dumba said. “Just get the two points and I’ll be happy.”

As composed as Dumba was, his answers were laced with nuance to anyone reading between the lines. He talked at length about how he still thinks about the injury and how the road to recovery afterward tested his mental toughness.

Let’s take a look back at the sequence of events so everyone is on the same page.

After laying a clean hit on winger Mikael Backlund, which left Backlund concussed, during the Wild-Flames on Dec. 6 in Calgary, Dumba knew he was going to have to answer when the Wild and Flames met again nine days later.

Sure enough, winger Matthew Tkachuk challenged him, and while there was no clear winner in the battle, Dumba unequivocally lost the war by tearing his pectoral muscle.

“The guy should’ve kept his head up,” Dumba said, reflecting on his hit on Backlund. “Plus, I got jumped at the end of that game. I didn’t see the guy at all and he jumped up. I wanted to fight that next game, too.”

In other words, Dumba doesn’t regret the fight but doesn’t necessarily think it was merited.

“It is what it is,” Dumba said. “I know injuries are inevitable in this game. You have to work through that. It’s early in my career so hopefully I can still have a long career and have longevity and battle through it.”

The injury kept Dumba out for the remainder of last season, and he has struggled to regain his form in the aftermath. He was recently demoted to the bottom pairing on the blue line.

“He’s starting to calm it down, and I think it’s just a matter of time before we get him back to where he was,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. “Listen, he had some great opportunities to score. I think confidence is a big thing with Matt. Even despite a 6-0 loss (to the Winnipeg Jets), I thought he did a lot of good things (on Saturday night) so hopefully it starts to come pretty soon.”

That’s something Dumba is counting on. He expressed frustration with his play last week and vowed to work his way out of his current slump as quickly as possible.

“You try to quiet those feelings by working hard and doing the little things and trying to be a good team guy,” Dumba said. “Just do whatever I can for my teammates.”

Asked whether the injury has affected his play, Dumba did his best to deflect the question.

“I try not to have any hesitation or stuff like that,” Dumba said. “I guess sometimes that happens with an injury of that extent. That’s part of it. Sometimes I feel good. Sometimes I don’t. There’s no guide on this. I’m just working through it.”

Perhaps the game against the Flames can be a jumping off point.

“I’m sure he wants to come back and put up points against that team,” winger Marcus Foligno said. “I don’t think there will be any (extra) physicality side of it that he’s wanting to get back into it. He’s probably 1167512 Minnesota Wild Through 37 games this season he is minus-11 with just three goals and 10 points. With Carson Soucy blossoming as a serious impact player on the blue line, Dumba has been demoted to the third defensive pairing alongside Brad Hunt. A year after a promising season ended in a flash, it’s Dumba vs. Flames again “Matt will tell you it’s not exactly where he wants it to be,” Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said. “But I thought the last two games, you look at it in Phoenix (on Dec. 14) he was plus-2, which is a real positive thing. He wasn’t on for any against (Winnipeg on Saturday). He’s starting to calm it By Jessi Pierce Dec 22, 2019 down, and I think it’s just a matter of time before we get him back to where he was.

Matt Dumba’s right pectoral muscle requires daily warm-ups. “Listen, he had some great opportunities to score. Like in Chicago, he had two open nets, and if you remember, one he went down on his knee. Despite that, the Wild defenseman remains adamant that the muscle has The other he hit the guy in the butt with a shot. But he had open looks fully healed after the Dec. 26 surgery to repair the tear he suffered early (Saturday). So they’re getting there. My dad always used to say as long last December at the hands of Calgary Flames forward Matthew as you’re getting the opportunities, then eventually things are going to go Tkachuk, an injury that ended what had been a very promising season. well. It’s when you get no opportunities to score that you start wondering According to the 25-year-old, there are no lingering effects from the injury whether you’re doing the right things.” contributing to his struggling start to the season — which includes a scoreless drought spanning 19 games. Heading into Monday’s game, Dumba remains focused on righting his own game and not on retribution. But with each arm swing, the aftermath of the fight that resulted in the season-ending injury weighs heavy on Dumba’s mind. “I’ll get through it. I’ll be fine,” he said. “I think we want the two points so we can have a good Christmas. Just get the two points and I’ll be happy. “It put me through a lot,” Dumba said after practice Sunday morning. “I don’t know what to say, I guess. There’s no guide on this. I’m just Ek returns, Koivu still on the mend working through it. Joel Eriksson Ek returned to practice and Boudreau confirmed he will “It is what it is. I know injuries are inevitable in this game. You have to rejoin the lineup after missing the past four games with an upper-body work through that. It’s early in my career, so hopefully, I can still have a injury suffered in the Wild’s 5-3 loss at the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. good long career and have longevity and battle through it.” 15.

Forty seconds into that Dec. 15 game against the Flames, Dumba Koivu skated alone ahead of team practice, but Boudreau still didn’t have answered the bell from the previous teams’ meeting with Tkachuk, who a timetable for his return. had taken exception to a perceived bad hit Dumba laid on Flames “The word I get is, ‘How did it feel, Mikko?’ ‘Better.’ So where ‘better’ alternate captain Mikael Backlund during the Wild’s 2-0 loss nine days lands, I don’t know,” Boudreau quipped. earlier. Forward lines “I don’t know. The guy should’ve kept his head up, and I got jumped at the end of that game,” Dumba recalled. “I didn’t see the guy at all and he Zach Parise – Eric Staal – Mats Zuccarello jumped up. I figured I was fine. I wanted to fight that game, too. It is what it is.” Ryan Donato – Joel Eriksson Ek – Kevin Fiala

Tkachuk saw it differently. Jordan Greenway – Nico Sturm – Luke Kunin

“I don’t think anybody on our team really liked the hit because it put Marcus Foligno – Victor Rask – Ryan Hartman (Backlund) out for four games,” he said. “I don’t know. Sometimes that Defensive pairings means there’s a fight. But sometimes it doesn’t mean that. I think it kind of just happened.” Ryan Suter – Jared Spurgeon

The Wild have since met once and settled the score with Calgary, a 4-2 Jonas Brodin – Carson Soucy win at the Scotiabank Saddledome on March 2. Nick Seeler/Brad Hunt – Matt Dumba But Dumba, of course, didn’t play in that game, so this is his first crack at the Flames since the injury. All three of Minnesota’s games against The Athletic’s Scott Cruickshank contributed to this story. Calgary this season come in the next three weeks. The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 Is there still bad blood boiling as the teams prepare to meet at Xcel Energy Center on Monday afternoon?

“I really don’t think so,” Wild forward Marcus Foligno said. “I think it’s been so long with his injury that the main thing was just getting back and playing a game. I don’t think he has to mark the calendar or anything like that. I’m sure he wants to come back and put up points against that team. But I don’t think there will be any physicality side of it that he’s wanting to get back into it. He’s probably just eager to put up a good game against those guys.”

While the Wild locker room looks to temper the tension, it’s hard not to see the glaring turning point that injury had on the 2018-19 season.

It had been an excellent start for Dumba, who at the time of the injury led NHL defenseman with 12 goals. Things were also looking promising overall for the Wild, who had compiled a 17-12-2 record and the league’s seventh-best power-play unit (25.3 percent; 25 for 99), thanks in large part to Dumba’s cannon.

The fight marked a downward spiral for Minnesota, which lost five straight beginning with that 2-1 loss to Calgary, then later traded away key players Nino Niederreiter, Charlie Coyle and Mikael Granlund and ultimately missed the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.

Beyond that, Dumba’s play has suffered since. 1167513 MontrealCanadiens Mark Scheifele between Kyle Connor and Patrick Laine. That trio has combined for 44 goals and 103 points in 36 games.

Chiarot is happy with the way the Canadiens have played so far on this Stu Cowan: Canadiens enjoy a day off in balmy 'Winter-peg' road trip.

“I like for the most part what we’re doing,” he said after Saturday’s game. “Tonight, obviously we gave up too many chances. But the way we’re STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Updated: December 22, 2019 playing, the resiliency we play with and how hard we play and how hard we work bodes well for us in the future.”

The Canadiens only visit Winnipeg once a year and they lucked out WINNIPEG — Winnipeg wouldn’t be anywhere near the top of NHL cities weather-wise on Sunday when the temperature was plus 4 in a place where players would most want to spend a day off, but that’s where the often called “Winter-peg”. Canadiens were on Sunday. “We got a sold-out building … I’m pretty sure that all goes into hockey- Two seasons ago, San Jose Sharks players Tomas Hertl, Justin Braun related revenues and everybody cashes their cheque,” Maurice said after and Tim Heed expressed in an online video their dislike for Winnipeg. the Sharks criticized Winnipeg. “If the thread count at your hotel isn’t right Hertl said Winnipeg was his least-favourite NHL city because “it’s cold or your frappuccino isn’t frothed right — I don’t even know what a and dark there”, while Braun said: “I don’t know if they have WiFi there frappuccino is. But my point being, we got nothing to complain about. yet.” Pretty good life. Every day. Every city’s pretty darn good.” That prompted this classic response from Jets coach : “I Amen. heard it’s cold and dark. Well, that happens in Canada, occasionally. Pretty regularly every winter. It’s dark at night, yeah. That happens pretty Montreal Gazette LOADED: 12.23.2019 much around the world. I don’t think any coach, any player, trainer, referee should ever complain about a day in the .”

Maurice was absolutely correct.

Canadiens defenceman Ben Chiarot spent five seasons with with the Jets before signing a three-year, US$10.5-million free-agent contract with the Canadiens. The Canadiens posted a video on their website and Twitter account on Sunday with Chiarot talking about what he likes about Winnipeg along with some suggestions for a day off here. The Canadiens will wrap up their Western Canada road trip when they play the Jets Monday at Bell MTS Place (8 p.m., TSN2, TSN3, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

“The first place I would bring someone coming to visit me in Winnipeg would be to a Jets game,” Chiarot said in the video. “That’s the biggest show in town and probably the most exciting thing to do there. Outside of the Jets game, the zoo there is actually pretty cool. They have a really cool polar-bear exhibit where you can walk in these tunnels underneath where the polar bears are swimming. So that’s pretty fun. Those are two staples that whenever we had visitors we would make sure we did those things.”

Chiarot said the best place to eat in Winnipeg is the Hermanos Restaurant & Wine Bar.

“They have a paella there, a seafood paella, that was my favourite thing to eat anywhere of any place I’ve ever been,” the 6-foot-3, 225-pound defenceman said.

Chiarot added Winnipeg is also a great place to get a tailored suit.

“There’s a tailor there and his name is Tam (from Tam Custom Tailor),” Chiarot said. “A lot of the guys took our stuff there. He’s done — and you would never expect it, he’s just got a hole-in-the wall place — he’s tailored suits for movie stars like Samuel L. Jackson, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Whenever they’ve done movies in Manitoba they go and see him to get their suits done. So he’s cut a bunch of suits for me and he’s got pictures of all the stars that he’s done on the wall. So he was a good guy to go to.”

After the Canadiens’ 4-3 loss to the Oilers Saturday night in Edmonton, Chiarot said it was good timing for a day off with no practice.

“It’s a long road trip, especially we’ve been playing every other day for a while now, even going back before the road trip,” he said. “So get a good day off and go into a fun building in Winnipeg. It’s where I started my career. Had some really formative years of my life there and have a lot of good friends there, so it will be fun.”

Heading into this four-game Western Canada road trip, the Canadiens probably would have been happy to return with a .500 record — something they’ve already guaranteed with wins over the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames. But to return home with a 3-1-0 record would be a very nice way to head into the Christmas break.

That won’t be easy against a Jets team that is coming off a 6-0 road win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday and has an explosive top line of 1167514 MontrealCanadiens But on this trip, he has been guilty of stickhandling maximalism where a minimalist approach would suffice. Maybe it’s a triumph of optimism.

Anyway, watch 13 in white on the Oilers’ winning goal, also scored by the Max Domi is scoring again, which the Canadiens need. They also need fourth line. fewer ‘real bad decisions’ Hmm, that looks familiar.

Oh, right. The same thing happened on Thursday. By Sean Gordon Dec 22, 2019 Again, the point is not to rag on Domi, who of course scored the overtime winner in Calgary. He is paid to produce offence and has done that on the trip, scoring four points. He has also looked far more incisive in the EDMONTON — His Canadiens had just given away a hockey game to offensive zone, taking the puck to the middle of the ice more often. the Oilers, so forgive Claude Julien for not having metabolized his frustration to the point where silver linings had become perceptible. But the Canadiens are not a team that can afford to have their second line finish underwater in the possession battle with regularity, which is Asked by a reporter whether he was encouraged by the fact his team had what’s been happening. mounted a pair of comebacks, including roaring back from two goals down, he narrowed his eyes. In Vancouver, the line of Domi, Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Armia controlled 47 percent of the shot share at even strength, according to “I don’t know which game you were watching, but I’m disappointed,” he NaturalStatTrick.com. That was actually the highest on the team. said. “I felt, or we felt, that we beat ourselves. Some really bad penalties in the offensive zone at bad times, and some real bad decisions, two two- In Calgary, they were caved in by the opposition, ending with a 35 on-one goals. I didn’t think we were sharp tonight, simple as that.” percent share; no other unit was below 55 percent. Against Edmonton, they ended the evening at 39 percent, the only line to have a negative The 4-3 setback at the hands of the Oilers was the first loss of the possession differential. Canadiens’ Western swing. Julien is right, it was mainly self-inflicted. It has to be particularly galling for the coaches when a top line is Not to pick on the man, because his season has been enough of a trial victimized by the opposition’s role players. After the game, Julien was as it is, but Max Domi’s night offered a pretty succinct encapsulation of mostly circumspect about Domi’s play. how the Canadiens can and cannot afford to play. “You don’t want that player to be a 50-50 player, you want a player who Like his team, Domi is terrific, even world-class, at some parts of the is on the positive side of things, but you see lots of good things and, game and, well, prone to hideous gaffes in other facets. To continue on again, we’re working on the other aspects of his game,” Julien said. with the analogy, or perhaps stretch it to the breaking point, both individual and team are competitive, feisty, and at their best when they The goal in Calgary was Domi’s first in 12 games and earlier this month stay within themselves. he was candid in speaking about finding the offensive consistency that has mostly eluded him this season. Occasionally, as Yeats put it, sometimes the centre cannot hold and mere anarchy is loosed upon the world. Or in this case, Connor McDavid “All you can really do is keep trusting it, and try to work on other aspects and Leon Draisaitl. of the game like defensive zone play,” he said on Dec. 9. “Claude’s wanted that from me, to be better, and I think putting an effort around that Returning to Julien’s postgame remarks, the coach hasn’t been afraid to obviously helps the team out, and that’s all that matters to me is trying to criticize the officiating this season but said each of his team’s six help the team win. If that’s being better defensively, putting the puck in penalties against Edmonton were obvious, correct calls. Edmonton the net is just a bonus. I’ve got to be responsible out there and take care scored on one of its power plays, Montreal scored shorthanded on of both sides of the rink.” another (and added a power-play goal of its own), it was a factor in the game, but not the factor. Domi led the team in scoring last season, and he has started piling up points and goals again. That’s good. Now the trick is to find the balance One of the two-on-one goals involved McDavid doing McDavid things. between continuing to do so and what he said is his focus as recently as The other, more costly one, was an avoidable mistake. two weeks ago.

So let’s talk about “real bad decisions.” In fact, let’s talk about two of In Vancouver earlier this week, general manager Marc Bergevin was them in particular and a third decision that involved at least part of the asked how he plans to approach the upcoming contract negotiation with same thought process. Domi, who will be eligible for arbitration next summer and presumably will be seeking a substantial raise from the $3.15 million he’s earning this With the Canadiens already down one, Domi’s line was out against year. Edmonton’s fourth line. They were clearly looking to push the play, after Cale Fleury grabbed a wayward dump-in, Domi took a great route to “I’m not getting into that,” he said, “we have 50 or so games to play, swing low in the defensive zone and make himself available for an outlet. there’s lots of time before we start talking contract.” And then everything went downhill fast. It appears management is going to rag the puck as long as it can, or as There’s a lot to pick apart there. The obvious starting point is Domi’s cut- Bergevin put it, they’re going to control what they can control. back at his own blue line. But there’s also Mike Reilly’s decision to fly up the left flank, Domi’s ill-advised decision toward the boards rather than Human nature suggests Domi has to be at least partly preoccupied with the middle after the initial shot attempt, thus losing his defensive his next deal, right? bearings, and finally Reilly’s inability to get his stick on the puck as it lay “Well, you wouldn’t know unless you’ve been there, honestly,” he told a in the crease. questioner last month. “You just have to not think about it at all because it Anyway, the Canadiens were suddenly down two. really doesn’t matter. It’s totally irrelevant, all we’re focused on is making the playoffs. That’s where my mindset’s at, really helping the team any It is a fact of life that with offensively minded players you have to take the way possible.” bad with the good. And Domi followed up his bungle with something very, very good in the first minute of the third period. Domi has 24 points in 36 games, which is far from terrible. But it is some considerable distance off his 72-point pace from a year ago, about a It worked in this case, but Domi made essentially the same decision as quarter-point per game. he did on the first play. The result was an unmistakable success, but in analyzing these things it’s generally helpful to consider the process, not As the Canadiens put together their contract offer for Domi, they’ll have just outcomes. to decide whether he is the player they saw in 2018-19, or the one they see this season, and who is closer to the player Arizona gave up on. On balance, it’s a good thing Domi feels confident enough to take on two, three, even four opponents when he has the puck on his stick; he’s a Bergevin is right that there’s lots of hockey to be played. And there have terrific handler, and forcing the issue often pays off. been clear indications on the current four-game road trip that Domi’s game has turned a corner. But on nights like this one in Edmonton, it’s safe to wonder if he hasn’t cost himself some money.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167515 New Jersey Devils

Why Devils’ hesitancy to shoot continues to be a problem

Posted Dec 22, 2019

By Chris Ryan

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Devils don’t shoot enough.

That’s nothing new at this point of the 2019-20 season, and Saturday’s 5- 1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena provided another example of it.

The Devils had 26 shot attempts and just 13 scoring chances in 40:28 of 5-on-5 time, compared to the 43 attempts and 22 scoring chances generated by Columbus.

Part of those numbers have to do with possession. If opponents have the puck more often, they’re going to generate higher shot totals. But even when the Devils did have the puck, players have displayed some of the same hesitancy that has been with the team all season.

“It’s always the same thing. We don’t have an attacking mentality enough, passing up shots," Devils interim coach Alain Nasreddine said. "Give them credit, (Columbus) defended well. But to score goals in this league, you have to be hungry, you gotta be willing to get through the net. You gotta be able to go to the hard areas. And tonight, some guys had it. Some other guys didn’t, and we just didn’t generate enough.”

Only three teams — the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Rangers — generate fewer 5-on-5 shot attempts per 60 minutes than the Devils’ 51.2 this season.

And that number hasn’t changed much in three weeks under Nasreddine. Since the Devils’ coaching change, they’ve been averaging 51.12 attempts per 60 minutes.

Across the NHL, 17 teams average more than three goals per game. Since Thanksgiving, the Devils have scored three or fewer goals in all but two games.

For a team that has had its biggest struggles on the defensive end and in net, the offense hasn’t provided nearly enough support to mask the issues.

“It’s not really a switch. Every forward, every (defenseman), they know how to generate," Nasreddine said. "You get the puck on your stick, it’s just a mindset. At the same time, you got to work. Those guys, they were fresh. We were coming in on a back-to-back. You could tell they they came after us in all three zones. It’s just, we didn’t have enough to beat their pressure, to get to the hard areas to generate.

"There’s no special secret to generate and score goals. You gotta shoot, you gotta get to the net. You gotta create opportunities for yourself, so you gotta when your 50-50 puck battles. You got to compete and we just didn’t have enough.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167516 New Jersey Devils

How Devils’ Gilles Senn approached 1st NHL start

Posted Dec 22, 2019

By Chris Ryan

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Gilles Senn didn’t feel the nerves he expected. A relief appearance in goal less than 24 hours earlier helped ease some of the tension of his first NHL start.

The 23-year-old goalie went through his usual pregame routine before the Devils visited the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. And just 26 seconds into the game, Senn was greeted with the realities of NHL competition, with Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand connected on a one-timer past him.

“I tried to track the puck, saw it go to the middle. In (Binghamton) I have more time,” Senn said. “It’s something to learn now. Not that I wasn’t ready, it’s just getting faster.”

Senn’s night improved from there, and he was one of the main reasons the Devils stayed in the game as long as they did. He saved 35 of the 38 shots he faced before a pair of empty-net goals pushed the Blue Jackets to a 5-1 win over the Devils on Saturday.

So the majority of Senn’s first full NHL outing was spent trailing on the scoreboard, and the Blue Jackets’ domination in possession kept him plenty busy.

“That’s on us. We don’t let him get a chance to feel the puck or get his feet wet. We lose a battle there that pops out and it’s basically a one- timer at the top the circles," Devils captain said. "Obviously he got some action (Friday) but it’s his first start, first time thinking about it all day and going like that. We have to be way better than that and give him a chance to get a feel for the game.”

Senn’s finest moments came during a third=period penalty kill, where the Devils played at least one man down for more than five consecutive minutes. Among his handful of saves in that stretch, a glove snag that helped prevent the Blue Jackets from converting on a brief 5-on-3 advantage.

Goalie Louis Domingue is getting closer to returning from his lower body injury that prompted Senn’s recall from the AHL in the first place, so Senn’s days with the big club appear to be currently numbered.

In the NHL with the Devils, Senn has had the benefit of having two fellow Switzerland natives — Nico Hischier and Mirco Mueller — in the same locker room.

Hischier smiled and joked to Senn while the goalie sat for his first interview back in New Jersey following his call-up. Hischier and Mueller have also provided familiar voices for the rookie goalie.

“Of course it helps. Some different stuff, like what you have to take on the road trips, what’s happening behind the scenes or something,” Senn said. “I can ask them in my language so I’m sure all the time what they’re saying to me. And they help me pretty good.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167517 New York Islanders

Andrew Ladd expected back in Islanders' lineup vs. Blue Jackets

By Andrew Gross

Updated December 23, 2019 1:42 AM

The Islanders needed to find out two things when they reassigned Andrew Ladd to their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. The first was whether the left wing was healthy coming off injuries to both knees last season. The second was whether he still could be a viable NHL player.

“I think that was probably the order,” Islanders coach said Sunday after practice in East Meadow, Ladd’s first with the team since being recalled Saturday with out indefinitely. “You’ve got to, A, go down there and get your confidence being healthy. Then the next process is how productive you are at that level and see if you can do it at this level.”

Trotz said Ladd needs to play fearless hockey.

“He got hurt last year, both times being fearless, but his game was the Andrew Ladd game that’s going to keep him in the NHL,” he said. “Anybody who’s had any kind of injury, especially major injuries, yes, they’re healthy. They’re excited to get back. But are they fearless? They’re probably cautious. It’s just human nature. You have to get over that barrier. Once you do, you get back to probably as close as you’re going to get after an injury.”

Ladd likely will return to the Islanders’ lineup Monday night at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum against the Blue Jackets, the last game before the NHL’s three-day holiday break.

The 34-year-old, in the fourth season of a seven-year, $38.5 million deal, played only 26 games last season and had three goals and eight assists. He missed 44 games because of an injured right knee, then had surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on March 24.

The Islanders initially sent Ladd to Bridgeport on Nov. 2 for a conditioning assignment. His initial five games did not prove to the organization that he was ready for the NHL, so he was placed on waivers Nov. 14 in order to be reassigned to the Sound Tigers.

In all, Ladd had seven goals and two assists in 19 games for Bridgeport, including two goals in his last game Wednesday.

“I feel great,” said Ladd, who practiced on Derick Brassard’s third line with Tom Kuhnhackl. “Especially the last five games, everything is starting to come together. Being a little more comfortable and holding on to the puck and getting to the net. Being more physical. It’s probably a little slower than I wanted to. But I was really confident the last five games in how I played.”

The Islanders’ third and fourth lines are in flux because of Clutterbuck’s injury. He required surgery to repair tendons on Friday after his left wrist was slashed by Patrice Bergeron’s skate blade in Thursday night’s 3-2 shootout win in Boston.

Ladd could be one solution, provided he can be mobile enough.

Notes & quotes: Michael Dal Colle (upper body), who has missed three games, resumed skating with his teammates, but he and Matt Martin appeared to be the extra forwards at practice.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167518 New York Rangers "We're not going to take anything laying down, that's for sure," Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. "That's a testament to our dressing room, high- character guys."

Chris Kreider scores twice as Rangers topple Ducks Zibanejad increased New York's lead to 5-1 just over a minute into the third period, beating Miller from a tight angle during a Ducks power play. It was his third short-handed goal of the season, tying Carolina's Sebastian Aho and Ottawa's Jean-Gabriel Pageau for most in the NHL. By MICHAEL DOMINSKI "We controlled the game," Brady Skjei said. "It was good to see. This ASSOCIATED PRESS | was a huge two points for us." DEC 22, 2019 | 4:31 PM Micheal Haley and Nicolas Deslauriers dropped the gloves early in the third. Anaheim and New York entered Sunday each having taken 15 major penalties this season, tied for most in the league. The Rangers took advantage of a weary and injury-depleted Ducks team. Chytil appeared to injure his knee after losing his balance and falling into Chris Kreider scored twice, and New York beat Anaheim 5-1 on Sunday, the boards during the third period, but returned to the game. ending a three-game skid.. NOTES: Daniel Sprong was recalled from the San Diego Gulls of the "If we can continue to do that and be hard to play against, especially American Hockey League and made his season debut for Anaheim. ... down low in front of net, we will have success," Kreider said. "We're Kaapo Kakko did not play after blocking a shot off his skate laces during building more of an identity as a group." Friday's game against Toronto. ... Haley was in the lineup, while Howden moved to the wing despite primarily playing as a center. Mika Zibanejad had a goal and an assist, while Filip Chytil and Brett Howden also scored for the Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist made 19 saves. UP NEXT

"We did a lot of good things," Lundqvist said. "We had a good start and Ducks: Christmas Break, then the host Vegas Golden Knights on Friday our focus was better." night.

Sam Steel scored for the Ducks, who were playing the finale of a four- Rangers: At the Philadelphia Flyers Monday night. game trip, and Ryan Miller made 36 saves. New York Daily News LOADED: 12.23.2019 Anaheim was missing its three leading scorers, with Rickard Rakell (upper-body injury), Ryan Getzlaf (flu), and Jakob Silfverberg (flu) all sitting out.

When these teams faced each other last Saturday in Anaheim, the Ducks rallied from 2-0 and 3-2 down to win 4-3 in a shootout.

Defenseman Korbinian Holzer, playing out of position as a forward because of the Ducks' depleted lineup, committed the game's first penalty, high-sticking just 1:33 into the first period. Pavel Buchnevich had the Rangers' best chance on the ensuing power play, but was unable to find the net with a backhand.

Chytil opened the scoring for the Rangers, beating Miller with a backhand shot from the right side 7:14 into the first. Howden doubled New York's lead 91 seconds later, firing the rebound of Tony DeAngelo's shot into an open net. Both Chytil (10 games) and Howden (15) ended significant goal droughts.

"I like the pace of our game," Rangers coach David Quinn said. "We weren't slowed down. We had to set the tone. And we were shooting pucks, that was helpful."

The Ducks made it 2-1 just before the midpoint of the first. Ondrej Kase's shot was saved by Lundqvist, but Steel batted the rebound out of the air and into the net.

Kreider restored the Rangers’ two-goal lead a few minutes later. With the teams playing 4-on-4 after matching roughing penalties to Max Comtois and Ryan Lindgren, Kreider beat Josh Manson on a breakaway and went around Miller for his seventh point in his past seven games.

Ducks goaltender Ryan Miller, l deflects a shot b Rangers left wing Chris Kreider.

Erik Gudbranson, playing in his 500th game, was sent to the penalty box for tripping near the end of the first period, but the Rangers were again unable to convert their power play. New York finished 0-for-5 on the man advantage, leaving it without a power-play goal in four games.

Kreider scored his second goal of the game with just under four minutes remaining in the second period. Zibanejad picked up an assist, extending his point streak to five games.

"Kreider has elevated his game for sure," Quinn said.

The game turned physical in the second period. The teams took another set of matching roughing penalties as well as a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Gudbranson and Brendan Lemieux were both given 10-minute misconducts. Gudbranson earned his after dropping his gloves in an attempt to fight Lemieux, but at 4 inches shorter, Lemieux declined to join him. By the time the second period ended, 36 total penalty minutes had been handed out. 1167519 New York Rangers

Rangers’ David Quinn calls out refs for Brendan Lemieux treatment

By Mollie WalkerDecember 23, 2019 | 12:16am

Rangers coach David Quinn isn’t happy with the way referees have treated Brendan Lemieux lately.

At the conclusion of Sunday’s second period, Lemieux was handed a 10- minute misconduct for a scuffle with Ducks forward Carter Rowney. It wasn’t the first tussle Lemieux experienced in the Rangers’ 5-1 win at the Garden, and it certainly wasn’t the first this season.

But Quinn made a point to say he didn’t think referees have been calling physical plays involving Lemieux fairly.

“I would like for him to avoid putting himself in that position,” Quinn said when he was asked about the 10-minute misconduct. “He’s a very important player for us, he plays a hard game, he plays with an edge and we miss him when he’s not out there. I just wish he would’ve avoided that situation.

“With that being said, I know officiating is difficult, but I just wish he’d get treated a little bit differently than he has lately. I just want all of our players to be treated equal. Sometimes it doesn’t seem that way with him.”

It was a physical game, with both teams combining for 17 penalties. Lemieux even turned down a fight in the second period, when Erik Gudbranson dropped his gloves only to have the gritty winger skate away from him. Both teams were still penalized.

The hard-nosed Lemieux, who finished with an assist and three shots on goal, has collected a team-high 95 penalty minutes through 34 games this season.

Quinn said he hadn’t made a decision on who will start in net against the Flyers, but admitted he was tempted to give Lundqvist the nod given how he performed Sunday and his history with back-to-back starts.

The Rangers have gone 16 straight power plays without a goal.

An 0-for-5 performance on the man-advantage Sunday kept that streak alive, dropping the Rangers’ power-play percentage to 18.5 percent. But Chris Kreider didn’t seem too concerned with the drought.

“Power play comes in flows, we did the right things today,” Kreider said. “I thought we did a better job of getting pucks to the net. [We need to] continue to do that, results might not be there but it doesn’t mean that we’ll change what we’re doing.”

The Rangers recalled forward Phillip Di Giuseppe from AHL-Hartford, following the win.

Di Giuseppe skated in a combined 24 games last season with the Hurricanes and Predators. The Rangers signed Di Giuseppe, who was drafted No. 38 overall by the Hurricanes in 2012, as a free agent this offseason.

New York Post LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167520 New York Rangers “That was a sick move,” Lundqvist said of Chytil’s dash down the right that toasted Adam Henrique and singed Miller. “He’s skilled. He’s so skilled. And I think this year he is taking a big step as a player.

Lias Andersson and his unacceptable Rangers stunt won’t be missed “He’s just stronger on the puck, more confident, he’s making plays and he can also make a play like that. He’s grown into a big player for us here. Going in the right direction.”

By Larry BrooksDecember 22, 2019 | 7:47pm | Updated And he is saving the Rangers’ first round of the 2017 draft.

New York Post LOADED: 12.23.2019 The mistake the Rangers made with Lias Andersson was not so much the way they deployed the Swedish center but in drafting him seventh overall in 2017.

That, less than three years into Andersson’s pro career, would be the Original Sin.

The young man renowned for his leadership ability more than any singular on-ice skill did not only request a trade out of the organization, a reasonable ask, but also simply picked up and left the AHL Wolf Pack following that appeal.

That’s quite a display of leadership, even for a frustrated 21-year-old, who is now under suspension by the Rangers. You can quibble about the amount of ice time he received and his bottom-six usage through his 66 NHL career games in which he averaged 10:33 per game while posting nine points (three goals, six assists), but you cannot quibble with the nature of Andersson’s unacceptable flight of fancy out of Hartford.

Do you — and did he and his camp — not think that general manager Jeff Gorton has been seeking a deal for Andersson since his Nov. 17 assignment to Hartford? Do you think Andersson’s trade value, at a low ebb anyway, was helped over his last 10 AHL games in which he recorded only three points, with the two goals and one assist coming in the same game on Dec. 7?

What do you think the market is for a player who lacks speed and explosiveness, is not particularly creative with the puck, and who walked out on his organization a day after the Dec. 19-27 NHL holiday trade moratorium kicked in?

Regardless, the Andersson selection — a surprise at the time after the Blueshirts acquired that selection plus Tony DeAngelo from the Coyotes in exchange for Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta that has since been endlessly inspected — has turned into a dark hole.

Indeed, much as with Dylan McIlrath at 10th-overall in 2010, Al Montoya sixth in 2004, Hugh Jessiman 12th in 2003 and even fourth and Jamie Lundmark ninth in 1999, the Rangers seem to have swung and missed like Casey of the Mudville nine.

But at least the Blueshirts did not come away empty from the draft floor in Chicago. No, they did not. Because with their own 21st-overall pick, the Rangers selected Filip Chytil, who serendipitously ended a 10-game goal drought on Sunday with a beauty that gave his team a 1-0 lead at 7:14 of the first period in what became a 5-1 rout of the Ducks.

A rebuild season that has stayed above water largely because of the dynamic offense provided by and Mika Zibanejad and the superior goaltending tandem of Henrik Lundqvist (for this one) and Alexandar Georgiev needed an injection from the kids, certainly in light of the disquieting exit by Andersson.

Chytil provided that with a burst down the right side before beating Ryan Miller with a backhand. Then, 91 seconds later, Brett Howden built on that by jumping on a long rebound and firing it in from the left circle to end his own 15-game drought.

Andersson gone. Chtyil and Howden, not.

Howden has been a flash point this season simply because he earned the time from David Quinn that Andersson did not. But Howden was and has been the more effective player. Let’s remember, though, that this 21- year-old is regarded as a bottom-sixer, rather than a centerpiece of the rebuild.

Chytil, on the other hand, is a top-six skills player with size, speed, hands and attitude. A centerpiece. When he was demoted to the Wolf Pack following a disappointing camp, he did not sulk. Rather, he worked on his game. And here he is, with nine goals in 26 games, and apparently fine physically after surviving a crash into the wall after seeming to catch his skate in a rut early in the third period. 1167521 New York Rangers

Rangers snap skid with convincing win over Ducks

By Mollie WalkerDecember 22, 2019 | 3:27pm | Updated

It looked like the Rangers weren’t going to accept a fourth straight loss.

No matter what was thrown at them, the Rangers never wavered, earning a convincing 5-1 win over the Ducks on Sunday at Madison Square Garden to snap a three-game losing skid.

Outshooting a depleted Ducks team 41-20, the Rangers dictated the pace of play from puck drop. Henrik Lundqvist, who made his first start in over a week, stopped 19 of the 20 shots he faced, and did his part to stop the bleeding.

“I think coming off of last game against Toronto, everybody was determined,” Lundqvist said of the Rangers’ 6-3 loss Friday. “We needed a big performance here from everyone and we needed a win. And knowing what we were facing, a team with a few top guys out, you need to get a good start, get a good first period, where you get the speed going. They’re a pretty heavy team, but when you bring up the speed, I thought we put them in a tough spot and created a lot of chances.”

It was one of the Rangers’ strongest first periods in a while. Filip Chytil netted his first goal since Nov. 29 in Boston roughly seven minutes into the game, taking a pass from Brendan Lemieux on transition and backhanding the puck over backup Ryan Miller’s left shoulder. Just over 1 ½ minutes later, Brett Howden — who was bumped up to the third line in place of an injured Kaapo Kakko — wristed a long rebound into the back of the net for the 2-0 score at 8:45.

Sam Steel got the Ducks on the board at 9:58, but the Rangers tightened things up and dominated possession for almost the rest of the opening period. Chris Kreider then stripped the puck from Josh Manson just outside of the Rangers’ zone and capitalized on the breakaway with a strong move across the crease, backhanding the puck into the open net to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead.

“I just liked the pace of our game,” coach David Quinn said. “I thought, you look at some of our goals tonight, they were all going north. We weren’t slowing down to go east-west, and I’m not saying you can’t make cross-ice passes in some plays, you have to do that in this day and age. But I think what you have to do, is you have to set a tone that you have to play fast.”

Anaheim came out of the first intermission looking more collected, but back-to-back saves from Lundqvist maintained the Rangers’ two-goal lead and took away some momentum. As the teams grew testy with one another through the second period, combining for seven penalties in the middle frame, Kreider broke through again and tapped home his second of the day off a spot-on pass from Mika Zibanejad in the corner, giving the Rangers a 4-1 lead at 16:09 of the second.

“It’s something we were talking about this week, just driving to the net, trying to get there, trying to get pucks to the net,” Kreider said. “I thought we did a better job of that, but I think we can continue to build on that.”

With the Rangers starting the third on the penalty kill, Zibanejad managed to squeeze the puck past Miller 1:16 into the period for his second point of the day to cap off a statement win in the locker room.

Quinn stressed how important the Rangers’ game is Monday, when they travel to Philadelphia for a division matchup, mentioning how deeper into the season, this stretch of games could make or break their playoff chances.

“It’s big, and we can’t hide from how big this game is,” he said.

New York Post LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167522 New York Rangers to come up with a couple of big saves, and that’ll be enough. Most nights, it's more than that, so I'll take it. It's nice to just feel solid."

More takeaways from Vin Postgame analysis: Filip Chytil and Brett Howden step up as NY Rangers To be fair, the Ducks were depleted. Ryan Getzlaf, Jakob Silfverberg and beat the Ducks Rickard Rakell were all out and they had just gone to a shootout with the Islanders on Saturday. But you know what? That's the type of situation the Rangers need to take advantage of. "I think today we just had a little Vincent Z. Mercogliano, Published 3:09 p.m. ET Dec. 22, 2019 | Updated bit of feistiness to us," Howden said. "We weren't happy with the last 9:42 p.m. ET Dec. 22, 2019 game (a loss to Toronto on Friday). We all knew that coming into today and we had something to prove. These two games are important before

the break. I think we just had a good mindset going into the game and NEW YORK - Less than 24 hours after Lias Andersson requested a really wanted to attack the opponent." trade, two other young forwards helped the Rangers snap a three-game In the first period alone, the Rangers outshot Anaheim, 18-6. The energy winless streak. level was high, the forecheck was stronger than usual and the Rangers Filip Chytil and Brett Howden will always be linked with Andersson. All limited the turnovers and defensive miscues. A lot of guys looked like three were first-round picks — Howden in 2016; Andersson and Chytil in they had it going. Kreider, Chytil, Howden and Zibanejad will get the 2017 — and were touted as the next wave of Blueshirts' centers. headlines for the goals, but I also thought Pavel Buchnevich, Brady Skjei and Ryan Lindgren, in particular, stood out. It's been a bumpy ride, for sure. And while the Andersson situation has gone from bad to worse, the Rangers can take solace in what was an Here's Quinn on why he thought the Rangers were successful. "I liked encouraging performance from Chytil and Howden in Sunday's 5-1 win the pace of our game," he said. "I thought, you look at some of our goals over the visiting Anaheim Ducks. tonight, they were all going north. We weren’t slowing down to go east- west. And I'm not saying you can't make cross-ice passes and seam Both scored goals to set the tone in what was a dominant first period for plays. You have to do that in this day and age, but I think what you have the Rangers (17-14-4). to do is you have to set a tone that you're going to play fast and you’re going to go north. And from that you can create some space for yourself "It's really nice to get that goal, but I think just the way we (were) playing, going east-west. We get into trouble when we get the puck and we look everybody felt good about their game today," Howden said. "We had a to go east-west before we're moving and playing at a pace." good mindset going into the game and we played well for 60 full minutes." Both Howden and Chytil — especially Howden — hadn't contributed much offensively of late. Getting them involved early was a good sign, 'It was a sick move' and with this being Howden's first game on the wing, I think it was It was his ninth goal in 26 games since the highly-skilled Chytil was important for him to have something to feel good about. "Listen, I can sit recalled from AHL Hartford on Oct. 29. here and talk about backchecking and zone coverage and all those things," Quinn said. "But at the end of the day, guys want to score. We "It was a sick move," Henrik Lundqvist said of Chytil. "He’s skilled — so want them to score, so it's good to see those guys get rewarded." skilled. I think this year, he's taken a big step as a player. He’s just stronger on the puck, more confident and he's making a lot of good plays. Here's Quinn on Chytil. "He’s a much harder player than he was last But he can also just personally take it to the net and make a play like year," he said. "He’s harder on pucks, he’s above the puck when he that, so he's grown into a big, big player for us." should be, he’s below it when he should be — there’s just more of a complete game for him. I think his intentions are in a different area. He’s About a minute and a half later, it was Howden's turn. got obviously the great skill set, and he can really skate. And when he In his first game since being moved from center to right wing, the 21- comes through the neutral zone, he can keep people on their heels. But year-old followed a rebound off a shot from Tony DeAngelo and put it the thing we really like is he’s done a much better job of battling around home for his fourth goal of the year. pucks."

"Late change coming off and the play was going up, so I just tried to get Kreider has been red-hot of late. He's notched eight points (four goals up and join the rush," Howden said. "(Artemi Panarin) made a great play, and four assists) in his last seven games, including the two goals obviously, and then Tony made a play towards the net. Luckily enough, Sunday. He's using his speed and physicality to do what Quinn has been the puck just came right to me and I had a wide-open net. I just tried to asking of the entire team — going north-south and driving to the net. The follow the play up." trade rumors are beginning to swirl around Kreider, but he sounds like a guy who's very much focused on the here and now. When I asked him Entering Sunday's game, Howden had just one point in his last 13 games about the importance of getting secondary scoring beyond Panarin and and hadn't scored a goal since Nov. 20 — a 15-game drought. Zibanejad, he said, "I know you guys like talking about that, but I’m just concerned with winning the game and getting the two points," he said. "I liked a lot of his game," Quinn said of Howden. "He played with a lot of "The only thing we’re really looking at is the standings, and we’ve got a energy and I thought, in all three zones, he did a lot of good things." big one tomorrow night."

The Rangers kept rolling from there. Speaking of tomorrow night, I asked Quinn if he's tempted to start Chris Kreider stole a puck near center-ice and deked Miller for a Lundqvist for Monday's 7 p.m. game in Philadelphia against the Flyers. backhand goal of his own to make it 3-0 before 10 minutes had elapsed. "Yes, I am tempted," he said. "I haven’t made that decision yet. It’s certainly on the table." Kreider continued his strong play of late and added his second of the game (10th of the season) in the second period on an assist from Mika An odd set of circumstances resulted in a 10-minute misconduct for Zibanejad. Lemieux at the end of the second period. It looked like he was ready to fight Erik Gudbranson, but when Gudbranson dropped his gloves, "I know the results might not have been there recently — at least for the Lemieux skated away. He seemed to be showing some restraint to avoid last three — but our process has been so much better," Kreider said. "It's what has become a trend of penalties for him. But the refs still stuck him not win one, play well, and then the next game kind of fall apart. I think in the box for "unsportsmanlike conduct," and right after he was released, we're building more of an identity as a group. We’re doing a better job of he ends up in a tussle with Carter Rowney. Lemieux has a knack for getting pucks to the net." getting himself into trouble, but the referees are keeping an especially close eye on him. "I wish he would have avoided that situation," Quinn The Rangers' fifth and final goal came in a shorthanded situation in the said. "But that being said, I know officiating is difficult — but I just wish he third period, with Zibanejad netting his 12th of the season. would get treated a little bit differently than he has been lately. I just want Lundqvist made 19 saves and earned his first win since Nov. 27. The all our players to be treated equal, and sometimes it doesn’t seem that Rangers outshot the Ducks, 41-20. way with him."

"It was not a lot, but it's nice," Lundqvist said of his workload. "I haven't Back to Monday's game in Philly, Quinn didn't hold back when asked seen a lot of these games where there's a few moments where you have about the importance of their final game before Christmas. The Flyers are currently seven points ahead of the Rangers for a playoff spot. "It's big," Quinn said. "And we can't hide from how big this game is. We want to make the playoffs. We're talking about setting goals for ourselves and making the playoffs. This is a big game. It’s a four-point game in this situation. We were reeling a little bit before tonight. Three days off after this one, it's a big game. Any time you play division opponents, it’s a big game. But now you're getting deeper into the season and these points are more valuable."

UPDATE, 5:15 p.m.: The Rangers announced that they're recalling forward Phillip Di Giuseppe from Hartford. They've only been carrying 22 players, so they have the room to add a 23rd without a corresponding move. It's a depth move in case they need Di Giuseppe after Chytil slid hard into the boards and banged his knee during the third period. He was clearly in pain and came off for a stretch, but he has able to finish the game. Quinn said, "I think Fil's going to be fine." The Rangers were without Kaapo Kakko for Sunday's game after he was hit by a shot Friday, with Quinn calling him day-to-day. If either one can't play Monday — or if the Rangers are looking to replace Micheal Haley in the lineup — Di Giuseppe will provide insurance. The 26-year-old has skated in 31 games with the Wolf Pack this season, registering 17 points (nine goals and eight assists) and a plus-nine rating.

Bergen Record LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167523 New York Rangers

Henrik Lundqvist might start again in second game of Rangers' back-to- back

By Colin Stephenson

Updated December 23, 2019 1:39 AM

Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t tested often, seeing only 20 shots in the Rangers’ 5-1 win over the Ducks on Sunday. He did have to be sharp at times, though, such as when he stopped a third-period breakaway by Ondrej Kase. The save had the crowd chanting “Henrik! Henrik!’’

“I haven’t seen a lot of these games where — there’s a few moments where you have to come up with a couple big saves and that will be enough,’’ Lundqvist said. “Most nights it’s more [required] than that. And so I’ll take it. It’s nice to just feel solid.’’

Coach David Quinn was asked if Lundqvist might start back-to- back games, given that he wasn’t overly taxed against the Ducks and Monday’s game in Philadelphia is a night game after a day game.

“I am tempted,’’ Quinn said. “I haven’t made that decision yet, though. It’s certainly on the table.’’

Blue notes

Filip Chytil appeared to injure his left knee in a third-period crash into the boards but returned to the game later in the period. He was limping slightly in the locker room after the game, but Quinn said he will be “fine.’’ However, the Rangers called up forward Phil Di Giuseppe from AHL Hartford in case either Chytil or Kaapo Kakko — who missed Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury — is unable to play in Philadelphia . . . Brendan Lemieux, who walked away from a fight with Erik Gudbranson late in the second period, was given a roughing penalty and a 10-minute misconduct at the end of the second period. “I wish he would have avoided that situation,” Quinn said. “But that being said, I mean, I know officiating is difficult, but I just wish he’d get treated a little bit differently than he has been lately. You know, I just want all players to be treated equal. And sometimes it doesn’t seem that way with him.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167524 New York Rangers

Rangers snap three-game losing streak with win over Ducks

By Colin Stephenson

Updated December 23, 2019 1:36 AM

The Rangers were coming off a game in which they hung their heads afterward and admitted they’d played terrible hockey. So they didn’t care that the Anaheim Ducks were missing their top three scorers because of injury or illness on Sunday and had played an overtime game a day earlier on Long Island.

“No, it’s all about us, we feel like,’’ defenseman Brady Skjei said after the Rangers dispatched the Ducks, 5-1, at Madison Square Garden. “We played a bad game last game [a 6-3 loss to Toronto on Friday], and today we were hungry and you know we wanted to, obviously, put forward a good effort.’’

And they did, outshooting Anaheim 41-20 while ending their losing streak at three games.

Chris Kreider scored twice, Mika Zibanejad had a shorthanded goal and Filip Chytil, 20, and Brett Howden, 21, also scored.

“Obviously, [the Ducks were] depleted . . . They played yesterday, and they played hard,’’ Rangers coach David Quinn said. “It’s just one of those nights where we were in a situation where we seemed to have a lot of energy and we were a little bit [upset] about what happened against Toronto. And I thought we came with a purpose tonight, right from the get-go. I really liked how we managed the game as the game evolved.’’

Chytil opened the scoring at 7:14 of the first period with his ninth goal, a brilliant backhander over the glove of goaltender Ryan Miller on a breakaway.

The speed Chytil displayed on the goal seemed to lift the Rangers, who brought a 3-1 lead and an 18-6 shots-on-goal advantage into the first intermission.

“That was a sick move,’’ said goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who had 19 saves in his first win since Nov. 27. “He’s skilled. He’s so skilled, and I think this year, he’s taken a big step as a player, and just stronger on the puck, more confident, and he’s making a lot of good plays. But he can also just personally take it to the net and make a play like that. So he’s growing into a big, big player for us here.’’

Howden, liberated from the fourth line because of the lower-body injury that forced Kaapo Kakko out of the lineup, made it 2-0 at 8:45 with his fourth goal, banging in the rebound of Tony DeAngelo’s shot.

“It’s really nice to get that goal, but I think just the way we were playing, everybody felt good about their game today,’’ Howden said. “There was just a good mindset going into the game, and you know we played well for 60 full minutes.’’

Anaheim, which played without its entire first line of Ryan Getzlaf, Jacob Silfverberg and Rickard Rakell (all tied for the team lead with 25 points), got on the board on Sam Steel’s goal at 9:58. That pulled the Ducks within 2-1.

Kreider scored his first in a four-on-four situation with Ryan Lindgren and Anaheim’s Max Comtois off for coincidental roughing penalties. Kreider stole the puck from Josh Manson at the Rangers’ blue line and powered his way into a breakaway before scoring on a backhander at 12:16 to make it 3-1.

His second goal, a redirection of Zibanejad’s feed at 16:09 of the second period, made it 4-1.

Zibanejad added a shorthanded goal, firing a shot off Miller from a sharp angle at 1:16 of the third period with Brendan Lemieux in the penalty box for roughing.

The Rangers will close out the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule Monday night against the Flyers in Philadelphia.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167525 New York Rangers “I think that to send a 20-year-old to the American Hockey League and have it (be) a big deal, is alarming,” Quinn said that night in Bridgeport.

They went in different directions, by the way, Chytil going down and With Lias Andersson drama as a backdrop, Rangers put on a show working his tail off to get back here, Kravtsov, like Andersson, pouting, against the Ducks exercising his escape clause to return to Russia, then eventually back to North America, and setting himself back several months, if not longer.

The caveat to the Hartford thing — and I can see it with Kakko and Brett By Rick Carpiniello Dec 22, 2019 Howden and some of the other kids — is that they might actually be better off here with Quinn and his staff, getting the hands-on coaching

and teaching and developing for which they were hired. It probably varies NEW YORK — Before we get to the Rangers’ game against Anaheim, from case to case whether that benefit outweighs the positives that might there’s a lot going on behind the scenes, and none of it is good for come from an AHL stint. anybody involved. Kakko, one source said, would be in the minors if he were with 28 or 30 Lias Andersson, the Rangers’ first-round draft pick (seventh overall) in other teams — teams that aren’t all-out rebuilding. 2017 has asked to be traded and left the . He is “The NHL has really put people like Lias Andersson in a tough situation suspended while Rangers GM Jeff Gorton tries to find a partner for a because this kid’s going to be 21 and he’s already — in his mind — gone trade. Good luck with that. through an organization and is ready to move on,” a source said. When the Rangers’ rebuild began — long before the letter, when they He does have deficiencies. He’s not a quick thinker, which was originally traded Derek Stepan to Arizona for the Coyotes’ first-round pick used on thought to be a strength — that he came with innate hockey IQ. He Andersson (now Tony DeAngelo is the prime piece of that deal. Well, that didn’t. He seems to understand the 200-foot game, but he hasn’t and getting rid of Stepan’s contract before his no-move clause kicked in) executed it quickly enough, smartly enough or with enough pace. — I was saying that the Rangers and Gorton and his staff would have to hit some home runs. One source close to the situation said Andersson thinks he’s better than he actually is. He thought he had a great camp, and it was decent, but I also warned repeatedly that some of their stockpile of picks would be certainly not great. And he also thinks he’s better than Howden, and the whiffs because of the nature of the draft as a crapshoot. Nobody bats Rangers don’t. As Quinn explained after practice Saturday, “I think 1.000. Really, nobody bats .500 or anywhere close to that. Because (Howden) has been a little bit inconsistent, but I think he always plays more picks miss than hit, even in the first round. Sometimes the No. 1 with the right intentions. And we continue to work with him and have overall pick bombs out. patience with him. As I’ve said before, there are different reasons with a But the fact is now the Rangers have a whiff on their hands, with their young player why one may get chances and another guy may not, and to first pick of the rebuild. me it’s all about your intentions. What are your intentions? Is your effort in the right area? Are you trying to do the right thing? And if that’s the I didn’t think Andersson at No. 7 was a terrible pick in a weak draft, one case and you make mistakes, that’s part of growing. But there are certain in which not a lot of top-notch players (so far) went after Andersson. things that are not acceptable if you’re struggling. … You never question Casey Mittlestadt was the next pick at No. 8, and he’s in the minors, too. his effort or his intentions.” That, he added, is why Howden gets more It’s not as if the Rangers passed on anybody obvious. They certainly had leash than some others. Howden was also getting a turn on the wing Cale Makar and Elias Pettersson at the top of their list but never had a Sunday. chance of either falling to 7. When Andersson was demoted to Hartford, after not earning much more The Andersson thing is complicated and it won’t be good for him or for than fourth-line minutes with the Rangers, he sulked there. He blamed the Rangers, at least not in the near future. Quinn. And by the way, this idea the coach doesn’t like him, or any player, is completely absurd. Andersson is hurting the Rangers’ front office here because his value is so low. They’re in a bad spot. He’s not doing himself any professional Be assured Quinn doesn’t hate, or even dislike, Andersson. favors, either, having added all this baggage to the silver-medal tossing incident in the World Junior Championship, which I thought was I still maintain that if they were flipped, if Chytil went at 7 and Andersson immature and disrespectful. Which I thought was the outlier. Now this. at 21, it would be a completely different narrative. Though Andersson would probably still have gone through this, and would probably still be I first met Andersson, now 21, in Hartford in the second half of ’17-18, on his way out the door. and we’ve had a ton of talks since then. He always seemed like a good kid who wants to get better. It seemed his focus was good, seemed his Andersson had four goals and an assist in 13 games in Hartford, work ethic was good. including a 2-1-3 game. He was without a point in his last six games and minus-6 in his last three. But he hasn’t handled this well at all. Now he pulls this. Just not a good look for him, not helping him. Not So what happened? helping the organization.

Some in the Rangers organization believed — recently, but not then, That’s not to doom his career. I still think he has a chance to be a good obviously — that the only problem with Andersson was that he was taken NHL player, maybe have a long NHL career. But the part of it here in too early in the draft, knowing of course that there was nobody sitting New York is apparently over. right behind him on the draft board. The Rangers can’t make a deal during the holiday roster freeze, and I Some people pretty high in hockey circles think that Andersson is, in part, would think it’s unlikely they’ll make a deal soon. It doesn’t hurt them a victim of today’s NHL where it’s taboo to send a prospect to the AHL for much to wait it out, either, to leave Andersson suspended and hope a year or two or whatever it takes. One said that Andersson, among eventually another team is willing to take a chance on him. many others, shouldn’t have this “preconceived notion” that he’d go directly into the NHL, if not quickly. Thoughts

Indeed, to a large degree, a similar phenomenon might be hurting the 1. By the way, about that thing I wrote regarding the kids hitting the wall? Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko, who at 18 would probably benefit from some Never mind. time in Hartford. Such a move would cause fans to burn down the The Rangers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over a Garden, figuratively, of course, though social media would break. There’s depleted Anaheim team Sunday. The kids were awfully good in this one. no way the Rangers could send down Kakko without it being a huge deal. Quinn said the Rangers were “pissed off” after their loss to Toronto on And I remember what David Quinn said in September when the Friday. possibilities of Vitali Kravtsov and Filip Chytil starting the season in the “I thought we had a little bit of feistiness,” added Howden. “We weren’t AHL were raised. happy about the last game. We had something to prove.” 2. Henrik Lundqvist smiled and giggled when he was asked whether it 14. Buchnevich set up Strome with an empty side at the left post, but the would be good for him to get the back-to-backs. “It’s always good to get a pass was just a tad too hard and Strome couldn’t handle it. Panarin drew start. It’s about winning games as a group, as a team, whether you’re a another penalty, and during the delay the Rangers played keep away, goalie or a player, your personal interests come second. First is team. … Buchnevich passing up a shot to try to cross-crease pass. During the But I’m pretty well rested. It wasn’t a very intense game for me and I power play Adam Fox set up Panarin for a one-timer, but he chose to haven’t played in weeks so if they tell me to go, I’m ready.” pass it, and it was broken up, Buchnevich had another chance to fire, and passed for Zibanejad … which never got there. So some things Quinn said he’s certainly considering playing Lundqvist again in Philly. To never change, despite prosperity. repeat: He’s played both ends of back-to-backs 85 times. He’s 54-23-8, 2.12, .928 with nine shutouts in the second games of those sets. 15. Lemieux nearly had a short-hander when he stole the puck from Cam Fowler during a Greg McKegg penalty. The Rangers were given a third 3. The Rangers got a scare in the third when Chytil went hard into the power play and a third chance to add to the lead, and got, well, very end wall and stayed down for a while, clutching his left knee. He was fancy. And got nothing. Back at even strength, Miller robbed McKegg helped off, remained on the bench, took a twirl during a TV timeout, and from Fox. Howden had a little tussle with ex-Ranger Michael Del Zotto, spent more time on the bench before eventually returning. He said he and frankly, I think a little nasty needs to be added to Howden’s game. It was fine after the game. But while I was thinking it might be serious, I certainly would make him more effective. A bit later, Buchnevich danced also thought what an opportunity that could possibly have been for to the slot, didn’t shoot, lost the puck, before tangling with Holzer. Andersson … if he weren’t suspended. Anyway, the Rangers recalled forward Phil Di Giuseppe from Hartford for Monday’s game. 16. Off a banked pass from Kreider, Zibanejad swooped wide of the right circle and hooked a pass back to the net front, where Kreider arrived to 4. Kakko-Meter: He blocked a shot in the first period Friday and limped tap it in. 4-1. His 10th. And he’s back on pace for his usual high-20s in off and didn’t practice Saturday. Probably/possibly a good thing for him to goals. sit one out anyway, his confidence being what it is. 17. So today’s hilarious “make it up as you go” refereeing. Lemieux and 5. The Ducks were less than Mighty, too, missing Ryan Getzlaf, Jakob Erik Gudbranson came together a couple of times in front of Miller. Then Silfverberg and Rickard Rakell … and using Daniel Sprong, whom many Gubrandson axed Lemieux to the ice from behind. Lemieux thought of you wanted the Rangers to claim off waivers, but who couldn’t buy his about going with him and suckered Gudbrandson to toss his gloves, with way out of the minors until this rash of injuries/illnesses. a little extra mustard, throwing one way up in the air. Makes no sense tor “It was a different team,” Lundqvist said. “Our focus was maybe a little bit Lemieux to fight there, up 4-1. He skated away. Somehow they both got better, but it was a different team and that’s important to remember going unsportsmanlike conduct penalties from referee Jean Hebert, though into (Monday’s) game (in Philadelphia), that they allowed us to hold on to Gubrandson got an additional misconduct. Just asinine officiating. So, pucks and feel pretty good about ourselves, but it’s a different test (in does Hebert think it would have been much better for the game if Philly).” Lemieux had tossed the mitts and fought? Apparently. By the way, referee Frederick L’Ecuyer was right there, a foot away from Lemieux 6. Early first, Ryan Strome to Artemi Panarin to Pavel Buchnevich for a and Gudbranson throughout. He didn’t call anything. Extraordinary. shot and a really good chance on which Ryan Miller made a save. Panarin then drew a penalty to Korbinian Holzer. On the power play, 18. At the second-period buzzer, Lemieux got into it with Carter Rowney. Panarin fed Buchnevich in the slot and he launched a back-hander over A crowd gathered, and Manson twice swung his stick past Lemieux’s the crossbar. Miller then stopped Mika Zibanejad on the rush, with a head and upper body. The penalties: Lemieux two for roughing and a 10- slapper from the right dot. Lundqvist had to stop a tough short-handed minute misconduct. So he’d sit the first 12 minutes of the third. Imagine if back-hander by Max Jones, and that was that. or were held to the same standards. Are there different rulebooks? 7. Lundqvist stopped a breakaway off a Buchnevich turnover just inside the offensive zone, looking for the trailer Panarin … which was only 19. Quinn wasn’t happy that Lemieux put himself in that situation — he’s exactly the kind of play Quinn lamented after the awful loss to Toronto on too valuable to take gratuitous misconducts — but added, “I know Friday. officiating’s difficult but I just wish he’d get treated a little bit differently than he has been lately. I just want all of our players to be treated equally 8. Off an outlet by Brady Skjei, a little pass by Brendan Lemieux sent and sometimes it just doesn’t seem that way.” I also saw Gorton having Chytil into the zone, and with a burst, he was in alone. Chytil cleanly beat an animated “chat” with one of the NHL’s officials supervisors, Paul Miller with a back-hander up under the crossbar. 1-0. His ninth of the Devorski, between periods. season but first goal (and second point) in 11 games. 20. To open the third, Zibanejad went down the left wall and threw the 9. “Yeah, that was a sick move,” Lundqvist said. “He’s skilled. He’s so puck on net, where Trouba was crashing the back door. It went in off of skilled. And I think this year he’s taken a big step as a player. Just Miller, though, and might have hit one of the Ducks as well. A short- stronger on the puck and more confident and he’s making a lot of good handed goal. 5-1. See what happens when you get the puck to the net? plays but he can also personally make a play and take it to the net like Will that be a lesson learned? No. Zibanejad has three short-handed that. So he’s growing into a big player for us here, in the right direction.” goals, two short-handed assists, despite missing 13 games.

10. Just 1:31 later, Panarin carried into the zone as Buchnevich went for 21. Lundqvist followed soon with a stop on Kase on a breakaway, and a change. Howden, converted to the right wing for this game, jumped on another when Kase corralled his own rebound. and drove to the net to convert a long Tony DeAngelo rebound. It was Howden’s first goal in 16 games, his first point in eight. 2-0. 22. Micheal Haley had a spirited bout with Nicolas Deslauriers — yes, part of the crowd was chanting “Haley, Haley” when it was over. And 11. Daily Bread: Panarin’s assist extended his point streak to seven man, that can’t be easy having a prolonged fight with a bigger opponent games (7-4-11), and yes, it seems he’s starting to look to pass rather when you don’t play a lot. Then Chytil got tripped up by Holzer’s skates than shoot more than he was earlier. He’s got 20 goals, 25 assists before and stick — it looked inadvertent — and stayed down for a while holding Christmas (with one game left). Pretty good. his left knee.

12. The Rangers gave one back 1:13 later, a turnover by the fourth line in 23. Advanced stats: Quinn said the Rangers’ staff keeps a stat of actual the defensive zone, and Skjei unable to handle a bouncing puck. Jacob time of possession in the offensive (and therefore defensive) zones. Trouba was all over Sam Steel, who still bunted home Ondrej Kase’s Which I would find useful. He laughed that it works because “we have rebound on Anaheim’s third shot against Lundqvist (the Rangers had 12 people doing it instead of machines.” by then). 2-1. 24. Festivus in Philadelphia! Let the “airing of grievances” begin! Before 13. Following a little dustup between Ryan Lindgren and Max Comtois, the three-day holiday break. “It’s big, and we can’t hide from how big this Chris Kreider stole the puck from Josh Manson at the defensive blue line game is,” Quinn said. “I mean, we want to make the playoffs. We’ve and sped away. He waited out Miller, went wide to avoid Miller’s poke talked about setting goals for ourselves and making the playoffs. This is a check, and slid it into the empty right side. 3-1. Kreider’s been really good big game. These are four-point games … we were reeling a little bit for a while now … and the Rangers need him to be good for now, and for before (Sunday) … and it’s a big game.” the trade deadline value they hope he has later. My Three Rangers Stars

Chris Kreider Mika Zibanejad

Ryan Lindgren

The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019

1167526 Ottawa Senators

Florida looms as possible trade destination for Anderson

Ken Warren

December 22, 2019 10:01 PM EST

Craig Anderson is going home to Florida for the holidays, but it’s not a stretch to suggest he could end the season there, too.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Florida Panthers could very well emerge as front-runners in the quest to add Anderson.

There are some natural fits here.

Anderson’s home — where his wife and two sons live — is a mere 15 minutes away from the BB & T Center where the Panthers call home.

Anderson has some Panthers history, too, playing parts of three seasons in South Florida as he was establishing himself as a full-time NHL goaltender.

At this point, former Senators prospect Chris Driedger is serving as a back-up to number one Sergei Bobrovsky. Driedger has two NHL wins.

Anderson, meanwhile, has posted 283 wins during his big-league career.

At this point, the Panthers are only $900,000 under the NHL’s salary cap. Anderson has a salary cap hit of $4.5 million this season, with a 2019-20 salary of $4 million.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167527 Ottawa Senators opening weeks last season, finishing with seven goals and eight assists in 56 games.

The role has changed considerably. When does Pageau get an offer, Sabourin returns, Lajoie's confidence “We’re defencemen first,” said Lajoie. “That’s really important to (Smith) grows and measuring the impact of the Eichel Tower and it’s important for me to (improve my defence). There are a couple of things with my skating and a couple of things in the defensive zone to work on. The better I am in the defensive zone, the more ice time I will Ken Warren get and the more chances I will get offensively.”

December 22, 2019 10:01 PM EST EICHEL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS: When the Senators last saw the Sabres, it was Jack Eichel who cut them to shreds. He added a feature to

his hat trick, ending up with all four goals in Buffalo’s 4-2 win on Nov. 16. As pre-Christmas most valuable candidates go, Jean-Gabriel Pageau is “I don’t know who, in a race, is faster, him or (Edmonton’s Connor) surely near the top of the list for the Ottawa Senators. McDavid,” Smith said, recalling the effect The Eichel Tower had on the With 16 goals and 10 assists in 37 games, all while maintaining the game. “But I will tell you, when he went by our bench in that game in defensive presence to match-up against top opposition lines, he has Buffalo, how fast he is and how well he shoots the puck.” become coach D.J. Smith’s only real choice to serve as a number one PUTTING CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS ON HOLD: According to centre. Smith’s research, visiting teams have an inherent advantage in games According to a report in Le Droit, however, there have yet to be any talks played on Dec. 23. “We went through that (Sunday),” he said. “I don’t with the Senators about a possible contract extension. know what the exact odds are, but the home team last year, I think, won only one of the games on Dec. 23. Part of it is your family is in town, It’s pure speculation of course, but as a pending unrestricted free agent, you’re getting Christmas gifts and the NHL is such a hard league that if the Gatineau native could likely secure a four-year deal in the $18 million you drop your guard by one inch, you lose. – $20 million range based on his offensive instincts and his ability to shut down opponents defensively. “I have no doubt our team is going to come out and play hard (Monday). That’s a really good team in Buffalo. They’re fighting for a playoff spot. At the same time, he would be an intriguing option for any team seeking We would like to get ourselves at least into the pack (of contenders) with a third-line checking centre before the trade deadline, possibly allowing a win.” general manager to play interested teams against each other in a bid to drive up the asking price.

SABOURIN RETURNS: Rugged winger Scott Sabourin insists he is over Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.23.2019 any possible mental hurdles stemming from the nasty collision with David Backes at Boston Nov. 2 that caused him to miss seven weeks.

“I’ve been throwing myself into the end wall out there and getting into a few battles, so I’m confident that I’m where I need to be,” said Sabourin, who is expected to return to the lineup Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. “I’m feeling great. I’m ready to play some hockey.”

Sabourin will step onto the fourth line and Smith says his ice time could be limited.

“I think we will give us a lot of energy going into the (Christmas) break and bang some people. He will give us a little more room, I think.” … A few Sunday morning alarm bells went off at Canadian Tire Centre when Brady Tkachuk was not on the ice for practice. Not to worry, says Smith. It was a simply a maintenance day for the 20-year-old winger, who will be in the lineup against Buffalo … Senators general manager Pierre Dorion has to at least explore how much it would cost to acquire Lias Andersson in a trade. Andersson, perhaps best known for throwing his silver medal into the crowd after losing with Sweden in the 2018 world junior final, has requested a trade away from the New York Rangers. For what it’s worth, Andersson and Senators rookie defenceman Erik Brannstrom are good friends.

WHO COMES OUT? With Sabourin coming back in, Smith says he will wait until Monday to announce who is coming out of the lineup to make room for Sabourin.

In combing over the game sheet from Saturday’s 5-4 shootout loss to Philadelphia, the lowest ice time totals belonged to J.C. Beaudin (6:28) and Logan Brown (8:03).

LAJOIE DO VIVRE: After playing 10:39 against Philadelphia, defenceman Max Lajoie is hoping he has taken a step in the right direction in what was a wacky week.

Lajoie was a healthy scratch in the Senators’ 6-1 loss to Florida and 4-3 defeat to Tampa Bay Tuesday. After being re-assigned to Belleville and playing Wednesday against Utica, he was summoned back to Ottawa Friday when Ron Hainsey joined Dylan DeMelo and Nikita Zaitsev on the injury list.

“I’m gaining a little more confidence and I’m playing a bit more,” said Lajoie, who played primarily with Andreas Englund against Philadelphia.

It has been a bumpy opening to the season for Lajoie, who has slipped down the depth chart after spending much of the 2018-19 season as part of the Senators top four on defence. He was an offensive star in the 1167528 Ottawa Senators folks, Christmas Day with my family, and then head back here Boxing Day at some point.”

Is there anything you want under the tree? SENATORS PLAYERS CHRISTMAS POLL: Favourite gifts and time with “No, we’re very fortunate to do what we do and to play a game we love family as a job. For me, health for my family and myself is all I ever want.”

Your favourite Christmas song? Bruce Garrioch “I like them all. That’s a tough question. Rudolph the Red Nosed December 22, 2019 10:01 PM EST Reindeer is pretty fun, and you can kind of throw in your words there as well.”

Your favourite Christmas movie? In recent weeks, we polled Senators players to see how and where they’ll spend the holidays, along with other Christmas-themed questions. “There’s so many, but I’m a big Home Alone guy. I was actually watching it with my wife while we were putting the tree up and they had all three of Home for Christmas. them on TV. We watched the first and the second, so the tree took a lot longer because we ended up watching most of the movie. Home Alone is The National Hockey League calendar often looks as if it’s non-stop, but, fun.” after the final buzzer sounds for Monday night’s home game against the Buffalo Sabres, the Ottawa Senators will head their separate ways for a NO. 13 NICK PAUL, FORWARD three-day break before gather together again Friday and preparing for next Sunday’s matchup with the New Jersey Devils. Where are you spending Christmas?

Not everybody will have an opportunity to go home for the holidays. It’s “At my parents house, in Mississauga.” simply too difficult for players from overseas to get there and back in As a kid, what was your favourite gift? time. “I got a snowboard one time. I was really into snowboarding after that. I The three-day break was negotiated into the collective agreement always watched it on TV.” between the NHL and the players’ association back when the league was still toying with the idea of playing on Christmas Day. What would you like to see under tree this year?

In recent weeks, Postmedia hockey writers Bruce Garrioch and Ken “I don’t know about under the tree, but just spending time with my family. Warren have polled Senators players to see how and where they’ll spend Playing away from home, sometimes we’re close, but we’re still far. Just the holidays, along with other Christmas-themed questions. Here’s a look having family together is more important for me.” at some of the responses. Favourite Christmas song? NO. 74 MARK BOROWIECKI, DEFENCEMAN “Probably Mariah Carey … Michael Buble … I don’t know if I have a Your favourite Christmas gift as a kid? favorite song, but just those singers in general. But, when you overplay it, though, and start playing it on Dec. 1, that’s when I get a little annoyed, “My very first one that I can remember, that I’ve got pictures of, my but around Christmas it’s nice. parents got me pair of gloves. They’re Easton and they’re the Gretzky model. That was pretty sweet. I was young … I must have been three or Favourite Christmas movie four. There’s still a picture of it at my grandparents old house in Alta Vista, rocking those gloves.” “Ooh, there’s been some good ones. Is it called Jack Frost … the dad is a snowman or son plays hockey. I watched that one all the time when I How will you spend your Christmas this year? was young.”

“I will be staying home. My wife will be 35 weeks (pregnant), so we won’t NO. 7 BRADY TKACHUK, FORWARD be doing much. The break is good to just reset, rest and, with my family here, it’s awesome. There’s no stress of travelling or anything like that. Where are you spending Christmas Just relax and get some good family time.” In St. Louis, with family.

Anything you want under the tree? Favourite gift as a kid?

“I asked my wife for a couple of things and … you know what this sounds “I mean, not one that stands out, I’ve been pretty fortunate. We spent cheesy … but we’ve been on the road a lot this month, we’ve got our first Christmas in Hawaii one year. That was definitely a highlight, for sure.” child coming and it’s sucked being away from her. I’m really looking forward to kind of relaxing her. I’ve been stockpiling (baby stuff). My What would you like to see under Christmas tree this year? suitcase was jammed coming home from Vancouver. We’re both enjoying it. We’ve waited a long time. “Maybe get some new ties. My suit game is getting better, but it’s not great. A couple of new ties would help.” Your favourite Christmas song? Favourite Christmas song? “My mom used to love George Michael, so any stuff of his is sentimental.” Honestly, I don’t know the name of it, but it’s at the end of Daddy’s Home 2. You’re going to have to do some research (We looked up the Your favourite Christmas movie? soundtrack for the movie. The tunes included “Do They Know It’s Christmas” and “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays”) “The Claymation one about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” Favourite Christmas movie? NO. 2 DYLAN DEMELO, DEFENCEMAN Fred Claus. Your favourite Christmas gift as a kid? NO. 31 ANDERS NILSSON, GOALTENDER “Anything hockey related for me. When you’re a kid, you get mini-sticks and that was always fun. I had a mini-stick net, some mini-sticks, and I Where will you spend Christmas? played with my buddies when we were kids. Anything to do with hockey would get me excited.” “Here, in Ottawa. My wife’s sister and her kids are coming from Sweden. There will be a lot of kids.” How will you spend your Christmas this year? Favourite gift as a kid? “I’ll be back home in London with my family. We play Dec. 23 against Buffalo. I’m going to leave after the game, stop at a hotel and then do the “What I always got was the new NHL video game. I liked Dominik Hasek rest of the drive the next day. We’ll spend Christmas Eve with my wife’s when I was really young and I had a poster of him, too.” What do you want to see under Christmas tree this year? “Home Alone. That’s a classic. All of them are good.”

“I hope nothing, to be honest. My wife and I have an agreement that NO. 58 MAX LAJOIE, DEFENCEMAN we’re not going to give gifts this year, so hopefully she follows the rule and not put anything. Other than that, maybe a nice painting from the Where are you spending Christmas? kids or something.” “Probably go back home to Calgary.”

Favourite Christmas song? What was your best gift as a kid?

“Some Swedish one. Nobody here would know it. The other classic is “Probably hockey sticks. That was probably the thing I got every year.” that Mariah Carey one.” What would you like under Christmas tree this year? Favourite Christmas movie? “Nothing really. Just being happy to be home. Being home would be a ice “Also a Swedish one, but nobody would know it, either. Home Alone, change.” either the first or second one. When I was younger, I was really scared of the bad guys. Now I like watching it with the kids.” Favourite Christmas song?

NO. 49, SCOTT SABOURIN, FORWARD “Probably Mistletoe, by Justin Bieber”

Where are you spending Christmas? Favourite Christmas movie?

“At my parents’ place in Orléans.” “Elf. Yup. For Sure.”

Favourite gift as a kid? NO. 72 THOMAS CHABOT, DEFENCEMAN

“The one year I got the Buzz Lightyear action figure.” How will you spend Christmas?

What would like to see under Christmas tree this year? “I’m going to go home (near Quebec City) to my family on Dec. 24-25 and see everybody. It’s important and it makes you forget a little bit about “It’s just nice to get together with the family and spend some time with hockey to have some time with people your close too and have a good them. I think I’m past the point of big gifts.” time.”

Favourite Christmas Song? What was your favourite Christmas gift as a kid?

“Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer was a classic as a kid.” “If we want to get away from hockey a little bit I think it was the time my Favourite Christmas Movie:? brother (Felix-Antoine) and I begged for two years to have an X-Box, to finally be able to play some video games and play NHL on there. It took ““Elf. Will Ferrell nailed it there. Hopefully, there are some new Christmas one or two Christmas’ before we got it.” comedies coming out soon.” Is there anything you want for Christmas? NO. 36 COLIN WHITE, FORWARD “I don’t really need anything right now, just the fact I get to go home and Where are you spending Christmas? see my cousins that I don’t get to see very much during the year. Just to be there to enjoy it with them is going to be fun.” “With family in Boston.” Favourite Christmas song? Favourite gift as a kid? “Jingle Bells. Any kind of Christmas that brings you the spirit is always “Anytime I got a hockey stick was pretty special for me, but sometimes fun.” the goalie gear, too. My cousin would strap the pads on, or I would put them on, and it would be fun. We would just go down to the basement Favourite Christmas movie? and play around.” “Home Alone is by far my favourite movie. I must have watched about What would you like to see under Christmas tree this year? 200 times. It’s kind of nuts. My mom bought me the CD when I was kid and I’d play it over and over.” “I didn’t ask for anything. My mom keeps asking, but I don’t know what to tell her. I guess I’ll ask for ties. That’s what I need. I wear the same time NO. 86 CHRISTIAN WOLANIN, DEFENCEMAN every game.” How will you spend Christmas? Favourite Christmas song? “I’m going to go home to Rochester, Michigan, and spend some time with “Santa Claus is coming to town.” family. We usually go to my grandmother’s house, but this year we’re going to host Dec. 24-25.” Favourite Christmas movie? What was your favourite Christmas gift as a kid? Home Alone, for sure … or Elf … probably Home Alone.” “My dad and I were talking about that the other day. We didn’t really do NO. 44 JEAN-GABRIEL PAGEAU, FORWARD anything like that at Christmas. There were kind of just little gifts Where are you spending Christmas? throughout the year. Christmas was a chance to have a good dinner and spend time with family and be thankful.” “At home on the 24th, with my wife’s family in Montreal, and the 25th here in Gatineau with my parents and sisters.” Is there anything you want for Christmas?

Best gift as a kid? “A healthy left shoulder … Nothing at this stage. I really don’t want my parents to get me anything anymore.” “Probably healthy, I was healthy and I was happy, too. Once I got a football with the Philadelphia Eagles (logo) on it. That was my team when Favourite Christmas song? I was younger.” “My favourite Christmas artist is Mariah Carey.”

What would you like as a gift this year” Favourite Christmas movie?

“A shovel. Winters are pretty long and I need a new shovel.” “I’ll go with Elf.”

What is favourite Christmas song? NO. 41 CRAIG ANDERSON, GOALTENDER

“None. Unfortunately.” How will you spend Christmas? Favourite Christmas movie? “Going to go home (to Florida) for a couple of days. Will take an early flight from Montreal Tuesday morning, wait for Santa Claus to deliver the gifts and then come back here on Dec. 26 for practice on Dec. 27. My family is coming up for a couple of weeks while the kids are out of school.”

What was your favourite Christmas gift as a kid?

“Sega Genesis. I had been begging for one for a long time and they were like $150 maybe. I remember sneaking into my parent’s closet and seeing it hidden behind some clothes and I had to wait a month knowing it was up there. It was the first thing I opened. Straight to the basement to start playing it and it didn’t even matter.”

Is there anything you want for Christmas?

“Just good health. At this point, we’ve been through so much as a family, we just want to make sure everyone is healthy and to spend some quality time together. As a kid, you want that certain item, but as adults we’re in a position where we have every opportunity to have what we want, so it’s not a possession thing, it’s about spending time together.”

Favourite Christmas song?

“No, not really. Some would say ‘All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth’ and that would be a good one right now.”

Favourite Christmas movie?

“Probably Home Alone. The kids are into that, too, so it’s a joint venture for all of us.”

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167529 Ottawa Senators “You try to slow it down, get whistles, talk to them and communicate,” he said. “The more you talk, the more it eases them. You want to let them know what the plays are or whether they’re going to get hit. You want to give them a sense of security.” Anderson stressing the positives in life as he aims to return from injury

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.23.2019 Ken Warren

December 22, 2019 10:00 PM EST

As much as it has been a funky, stop-and-start season for Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson due to a pair of lower body injuries, he’s doing his best to remain a mentor.

The last thing the 38-year-old wants to do is bring a negative vibe into the dressing room.

“I’m just kind of going with the moment,” said Anderson, who could be back in the net Monday against the Buffalo Sabres, for the first time since suffering an apparent knee injury only seven minutes into a Dec. 7 game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“My mentality is don’t stress over anything. Play loose. Be loose. Don’t take anything home with you, in terms of good play or bad play.

“We’re fortunate enough to play the game and I’m fortunate to have played as long as I have. You’ve definitely got to enjoy the moment and not be the old Grinch.”

Sticking with the Christmas theme, Anderson is hoping to get another game under his belt before heading home to wife, Nicholle, and sons Jake and Levi, in Florida on Tuesday.

So far this season, he has sported a 5-8 record, with a 3.01 goals against average and .901 save percentage. Before the injuries — he has played only twice since Nov. 25 — he was splitting the net with Anders Nilsson.

With Nilsson now sidelined due to a concussion, Marcus Hogburg has started the past three games, registering a 1-0-2 mark, including Saturday’s 5-4 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

“I’m working hard towards getting back in there,” Anderson said following Sunday’s brief workout at Canadian Tire Centre. “I definitely want to get back in there and give my team a chance to win the game and feel like I’m part of it again. You practice and you practice and you practice and it’s not the same as being in there (for a game).”

After Sunday’s practice, coach D.J. Smith wasn’t quite ready to guarantee Anderson would get the start against Buffalo. He says he wanted to talk with goaltending coach Pierre Groulx before committing to a starter.

While Anderson remains a competitor on the ice, he has become more philosophical when he’s not stopping pucks.

Much of that, of course, stems from watching his wife battle, and ultimately prevail, in her fight with a rare throat cancer during the 2016-17 season.

Playing in the last year of his contract, Anderson will almost assuredly be on the move before the trade deadline if general manager Pierre Dorion can find a team looking for an experienced netminder who can serve as a back-up for a playoff run.

At this point in what is most likely his last season, Anderson has fully accepted what the rebuild under coach D.J. Smith is all about.

“It’s easier this year maybe (from) the last couple of years to not stress as much,” he said. “When you go through life changing moments, that changes your perspective about things. You have to enjoy the moment. There are bigger things in life. Playing hockey is just a short period in your life and you have to make the most of it.”

Anderson says he has seen growth, especially when it comes to how hard the Senators compete.

But with the club trying to find Band-Aids to cover all the wounds on defence — Nikita Zaitsev, Dylan DeMelo and Ron Hainsey will remain out against the Sabres Monday — Anderson believes he can do his part in helping the relatively inexperienced replacements who are now playing in front of him. 1167530 Ottawa Senators

GAME DAY: Senators versus Buffalo Sabres

Ken Warren

December 22, 2019 10:00 PM EST

Five Keys To The Game:

1. Logging big ice time: During the past three games, Thomas Chabot has played 37:50, 33:49 and 33:49, doing everything he can do make up for the injury losses of Nikita Zaitsev, Dylan DeMelo and Ron Hainsey.

2. Advantage, Ottawa? After a season-long slump, the Senators power play has finally found its scoring touch in the past two games, going 3- for-8.

3. Zeroing in on Eichel: Easier said than done of course, but shutting down the Sabres star centre is vital to any success the Senators might hope to have.

4. Anderson or Hogberg?: There were no guarantees Sunday, but Craig Anderson could be back in the net for the first time since suffering a lower body injury against Philadelphia on Dec. 7. Anderson has seen action only twice since Nov. 25.

5. Rejoicing in the (holiday) season: Considering all the demands and stresses leading up to Christmas, it’s often a bigger challenge for the home team to simply focus on hockey.

Jack Eichel versus Anthony Duclair:

Eichel’s four-goal outburst against the Senators on Nov. 16 represented the start of his current 18-game point scoring streak. During that brilliant run, he has scored 16 goals and 16 assists. He is as dominant as any player in the NHL right now.

The task for the Senators is made that much difficult because of the absence of regular defencemen Nikita Zaitsev, Dylan DeMelo and Ron Hainsey.

Duclair, meanwhile, has already established a career high with 21 goals. He enters Monday’s game on a three-game goal scoring streak. He has six goals in his past four games and has netted 11 goals and four assists in 10 games during December.

If he keeps up anything close to the pace for the rest of the season, he’s in line for NHL comeback player of the year honours.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167531 Philadelphia Flyers the sale of the Lindblom shirts. Yes, the hockey community is a tightknit group. ... Heading into Sunday, Phil Myers led NHL rookies -- and was tied for eighth in the NHL -- with a plus-17 rating.

James van Riemsdyk picks up scoring when Flyers need it most

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.23.2019 by Sam Carchidi

James van Riemsdyk has regained his scoring touch at a perfect time for the Flyers.

With left wingers Oskar Lindblom (Ewing’s sarcoma) and Scott Laughton (groin injury) sidelined, the Flyers needed someone to step to the forefront. And van Riemsdyk, who struggled in the first two months of the season, has been that player.

After being demoted to the fourth line for nine games, van Riemsdyk has moved up in the lineup and scored six goals over his last five games.

“Any time you bring a bunch of new players in and you have a new coaching staff, they’re trying to figure out the best way to use all the puzzle pieces,” the 30-year-old left winger said after scoring two goals in his second straight game, sparking Saturday’s 5-4 shootout win in Ottawa. “And you’re trying to figure out what their expectations are for you and the different things they want to see from you.”

No longer is he in coach ’s doghouse. Van Riemsdyk’s recent surge has made him the Flyers’ top goal scorer with 12.

“You’d like it to be seamless … but sometimes it’s a process, and I’d like to think I’ve gotten better and better as the year has gone on,” van Riemsdyk said.

The Central Jersey native moved to the third line for three games after Lindblom’s illness was discovered, then was placed on the second line, centered by Kevin Hayes, for three games after Laughton was injured.

All told, he has eight goals over his last 11 games. Some of the goals were the result of fortuitous bounces, helping to make up for the bad luck he had earlier in the season when goalies made a slew of impressive saves on his golden scoring chances.

“Sometimes, that’s just how it goes,” said van Riemsdyk, whose team hosts the New York Rangers on Monday. “When you throw it at the net and you’re at the net, you get some good bounces. I’m just trying to do my thing and I think our line’s been really playing well. We complement each other with our different styles.”

In the last three games, van Riemsdyk has been on a line with Hayes and rookie right winger Nic Aube-Kubel. Hayes is a 200-foot player who is strong at both ends of the ice. Aube-Kubel is a straight-line player who supplies tough, hard-nosed play, and he had 6 hits, 5 shot attempts, 3 blocked shots, and an assist against Ottawa.

“In the last month, he’s skating much better,” Vigneault said about van Riemsdyk, “and that skating has permitted him to get real good opportunities. Our fourth goal [Saturday] was him using his speed and getting behind the D.”

With van Riemsdyk leading the way, the Flyers have scored a total of 14 goals over their last three games.

The Flyers, winners of three straight overall, are 12-2-4 at the Wells Fargo Center. On Monday, they will face a Rangers team that ended a three-game losing streak Sunday with a 5-1 win over Anaheim.

Breakaways

Rookie right winger Joel Farabee (11 points in 27 games) will return from a three-game suspension Monday. … The Flyers are hoping to get Matt Niskanen back in the lineup Monday after he missed Saturday’s game with the flu. “He’s been one of our most consistent defensemen, no doubt,” Vigneault said. … Carter Hart (2.33 goals-against average, .912 save percentage) is expected to face the Rangers. Hart is 10-1-2 with 1.53 GAA and .944 save percentage at home this season … To keep Lindblom in their thoughts, the Flyers are wearing Oskar Strong T-shirts under their jerseys the rest of the season. Six Rangers will also do that on Monday, a movement started by the Blueshirts’ Mika Zibanejad, who, like Lindblom, is from Sweden. The Minnesota Wild players are also ordering the Oskar Strong shirts from biscuittees.com, which has donated over $100,000 to the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative thanks to 1167532 Philadelphia Flyers

Observations from Flyers’ shootout win at Ottawa

by Ed Barkowitz

KANATA, Ont. — The Flyers have hit the 20-win mark before Christmas for the just the second time in the last seven years. Their 5-4 win on Saturday night wasn’t always pretty, but teams in the past might have rolled over after turning a 2-0 lead into a 3-2 deficit. Not saying they’ll win the Stanley Cup, but this team has shown some mental fortitude in the first half of Alain Vigneault’s first season as the head coach.

Some other thoughts from Ottawa.

Moose was tight. made 30 saves and then stopped two in the shootout. Anthony Duclair’s attempt hit the post, which was a bit of good fortune for the Flyers goalie. The duo of Elliott and Carter Hart is a welcomed sight from a year ago when the Flyers used six goalies through the first 38 games. Can you name them? Answer below.

Power Five. Vigneault said following the game that “the power-play got some real good looks.” Boy, I dunno. The Flyers had five shots in five power-play opportunities covering 8:06. The goal they scored came off a wonderful stretch pass from Jake Voracek to Kevin Hayes. Ottawa, which was missing three of its top defensemen, kept them on the perimeter quite often and managed to generate three shorthanded chances. But to be fair, they are now 5 for 13 on the PP in the last four games.

Keep yer gloves on. There was some bad blood between the two teams after the game two weeks ago when Ottawa’s Mark Borowiecki knocked Travis Konecny out with a clean mid-ice body check. The Flyers sent diminutive rookie David Kase down to the AHL and activated enforcer Chris Stewart for Saturday’s game. Stewart was chirping with Borowiecki during warmups, and it appeared as if the referees warned both benches. This led to a mostly tame 65 minutes of play. Too bad.

Misha in action. Did you notice Misha Vorobyev took two faceoffs late in the third period and won them both?

Ghost busted. Ottawa took that 3-2 lead on a power-play goal after Shayne Gostisbehere got caught flatfooted by Colin White during an awkward line change. “It was just a miscommunication. [The coaches] wanted me to go. I got on there and the puck came around [to White],” Gostisbehere said. “I had to take a penalty on that one. They scored. It sucks. But you’ve got to play the odds there.”

Answer, man. The six goalies the Flyers used through 36 games last season were Brian Elliott, Calvin Pickard, Anthony Stolarz, Michal Neuvirth, Carter Hart and Alex Lyon.

Looking ahead. The Flyers host the Rangers on Monday where they’ll try to get win No. 21 in their final game before the holiday break. Look for Carter Hart to start in net (that’s an educated guess) and for Joel Farabee to get a warm ovation in his first game back from a three-game suspension.

Claude Giroux led the #Flyers with five shots on goal and 11 total attempts. He was 12-for-18 (66.7 pct) on faceoffs.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167533 Philadelphia Flyers

Couturier scores shootout winner, Flyers beat Senators 5-4

Staff Report

Dec 21, 2019

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — The Philadelphia Flyers had plenty of chances to put away Ottawa. It took to complete the task.

Couturier scored the shootout winner and the Flyers beat the Senators 5- 4 on Saturday night.

James van Riemsdyk led the Flyers (20-11-5) with two goals. Kevin Hayes and Jakub Voracek also scored. Brian Elliott made 30 saves.

“It was an entertaining game, a lot of chances from both sides, some great saves and a lot of goals,” Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said. “In the three-on-three (overtime), we had plenty of opportunities to put them away, we didn’t, their goaltender was outstanding and we found a way to get one done in the shootout."

Van Riemsdyk was happy to contribute, but felt that overall the Flyers could have played a much better game.

“We just didn’t execute at a good enough level early on,” said van Riemsdyk. “I think we weren’t as dialed in as we should have been, but we were able to find a way to get the two points which is all that counts, but definitely not one of our better games.”

Tyler Ennis scored twice and Mark Borowiecki and Anthony Duclair added goals for the Senators (15-18-4). Marcus Hogberg stopped 34 shots in his third straight start. Anders Nilsson missed his second game with a concussion and Craig Anderson was not ready to return from a knee injury, but he did serve as the backup.

The 25-year-old Hogberg was most impressive in overtime, making a number of saves to keep the game going. He made a big stop in the final minutes of regulation with the Senators short-handed.

“He was great,” coach D.J. Smith said. “He’s been very good coming up from Belleville. He gave us every chance to win in Calgary, he was outstanding in Tampa, the game he won was probably an average game, and then he gave us every opportunity to win in the third period, made a save when it counts…I think the kid has been outstanding.”

Tied 3-3 to start the third, the Flyers went ahead when van Riemsdyk scored his second of the game, beating Hogberg through the legs.

Midway through the period, Ennis scored his second of the game, on a rebound of a shot by Duclair, tying the score at 4-all.

The Flyers had a great opportunity to seal the win late in the period after the Senators took their second bench minor for too many men. But Philly failed to capitalize.

Philadelphia had seized to an early 2-0 lead in the second when van Riemsdyk’s cross ice pass deflected off Cody Goloubef’s skate and found the net.

The Senators then scored twice in a span of 24 seconds to tie the game.

Ennis scored Ottawa’s first goal, picking up a loose puck by the crease and pushing it in. Borowiecki tied it with a shot from the point for his fourth of the season, a new career high.

At 18:21 of the second period, Ottawa took its first lead of the game when Duclair scored a power-play goal. He has 11 goals and four assists in his last 11 games.

The lead was shortlived as the Flyers tied the game less than a minute later when Voracek beat a sprawled Hogberg.

Philadelphia grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first period as Hayes scored past Hogberg’s right pad.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167534 Philadelphia Flyers The skinny: The freshman at Denver University is known as a goal scorer. Fans pined for Cole Caufield on draft night, the University of Wisconsin product ended up getting picked by Montreal, and the Flyers traded up for Brink in the second round. He’ll take a bit longer than Flyers prospect WATCH: the World Junior Championship participants Caufield before turning pro, but the payoff might not be much different in the end. Now on the same roster for the WJC, it’s a chance to see both

Brink and Caufield at once. Dave Isaac, NHL writer Button’s take: “Here’s what Bobby is: if you’re interested in winning, you Published 1:56 p.m. ET Dec. 22, 2019 want him on your team. He’s not the same player but has a similar mentality in terms of how he plays to Travis Konecny. It’s like, ‘Oh yeah? You’re gonna stop me? Good luck. Stop me, because I’m not stopping myself.’ He’s a competitor, he’s smart, he’s great with the puck. You hear It all starts the day after Christmas. a lot of times ‘immeasurables, immeasurables.’ All I know is this: the kid In Canada it may as well be the reason for the national holiday. They call has the puck on his stick and the kid makes plays. He’s around the net. Dec. 26 “Boxing Day” north of the border, when government offices and He wins battles. In the NHL, there’s no marks for artistic merit. Bobby banks are closed and it’s the country’s largest shopping day. It’s also the might not get the artistic merit points but he’s getting points for helping start of the World Junior Championship, an international tournament with your team be competitive. I say the mentality of a Travis Konecny, ‘you’re hockey players younger than 20, and renews a big rivalry this year: the not stopping me. I’m in the hunt. I’m in the battle’ Brendan Gallagher (of maple leaf vs. the stars and stripes. the Montreal Canadiens) has a similar type approach. That’s how I see Bobby. I think the Flyers are absolutely lucky to get him in the second Flyers captain has remarked on childhood memories of round. I think he should have been picked much sooner than they got watching the international tournament on television that he ended up him. I love the kid.” playing in 12 years ago. This season the Flyers have no Canadians in the tournament, but a pair of Americans will face Canada on Thursday. Adam Ginning

Bobby Brink and Cam York, a pair of picks from the 2019 draft, headline Age: 19 a class of four Flyers prospects in the tournament. Russian defenseman Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 205 pounds Yegor Zamula and Swedish blueliner Adam Ginning are in there as well. Finland took home gold last year with the U.S. having to settle for silver. Acquired: 2018 second-round pick (50th overall)

“We should have won that game,” Joel Farabee, who was on that team This season: 17 games, 0 goals, 4 assists last year, said earlier this month. The skinny: Ginning has been named captain of Sweden’s World Junior Farabee, although still eligible at age 19, is in the NHL now so the Flyers squad and has played for his country in international tournaments each would rather have him with them than over in the Czech Republic playing of the last four years. Now he will be asked to lead this group, which was for gold a second time. It’s a prestigious tournament and for some, it’s ousted by Switzerland in the quarterfinals last year. This season he’s the first chance they’ll have to play for their country. spent most of his time in Sweden’s minor league to get him more ice time. It’s the last season of his contract in Sweden so it’s possible, if not Here’s a look at all four prospects competing, with insights from TSN’s likely, that he comes overseas and starts his North American career next director of scouting, Craig Button. season. Not an analytics darling, Ginning is a stay-at-home defenseman. *all statistics through Saturday, December 21. Button’s take: “Here’s the example I use and I use it all the time: I go Cam York back to football. If you have a really, really good quarterback and really good wide receivers and a really good running back and you don’t have Age: 18 an offensive line, you’re not gonna win. If you have a really good Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 174 pounds offensive line and your quarterback’s no good and you don’t have good wide receivers or you don’t have a running back, you won’t be any good Acquired: 2019 first-round pick (14th overall) either. What you need is balance. This idea that Adam Ginning, who’s an excellent skater, an excellent competitor, he’s smart, knows how to close This season: 14 games, 4 goals, 5 assists the play, knows how to take opponents off the puck so you have to spend The skinny: Sidelined multiple times by injuries this season, York has less time without the puck…I think the gap between the best puck- been very good when in the lineup. He plays a ton for the Wolverines and possession teams and the worst puck-possession teams is something there was thought at one point earlier this season that Chuck Fletcher like seven points. That means you’re spending 40 percent of the game and Brent Flahr’s first pick for the Flyers could be a one-and-done and go without the puck. So you better have players that know how to take the pro after his freshman season. The second half of the NCAA season will puck back, who know how to take players off the puck and know how to probably be the biggest factor in that decision. defend at the front of your net and know how to defend off the rush and deny entry into the zone. There’s a lot of different areas of analytics and Button’s take: “He’s an excellent skater. He’s that dynamic offensive a lot of different areas of the game that are just as essential and Adam defenseman. It doesn’t always have to be points but the way they get the Ginning provides them. He’s never going to be a point producer and if he puck out of their zone, the way they transition, then when he is in the was a point producer he would have gone in the first 15 picks.” offensive zone, he’s really good. It’s fascinating to me. When I watch (Vancouver’s) Quinn Hughes and (Colorado’s) Cale Makar play, they Yegor Zamula played two years in college. I think he needs two years. I think if he Age: 19 leaves after a year, it’s a mistake. Quinn and Cale both dominated their second year of college hockey. Now they’re in the NHL dominating. I Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 176 pounds think Cam has the same capability, but he needs the requisite time. He’s terrific. The skating, the ability to make plays with the puck everywhere Acquired: signed as undrafted free agent Sept. 20, 2018 on the ice…you can’t trap him defensively and he can get the puck to the This season: 28 games, 7 goals, 21 assists right places at the right times. Those types of defensemen are really, really valuable.” The skinny: Two seasons ago, Zamula played for Russia in the U-18 World Junior Championship. It was his first season in North America and Bobby Brink the Flyers were impressed. The ensuing September, after not getting Age: 18 drafted that summer, they signed him to an entry-level contract and it’s looking like a good call. His offensive game has taken off since then and Height/weight: 5-foot-8, 164 pounds next year he’ll turn pro and likely start that phase of his career with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Poise with the puck is Zamula’s strongest Acquired: 2019 second-round pick (34th overall) asset. The fact that he needs to put on weight (even a year after the This season: 18 games, 7 goals, 6 assists Flyers signed him) is probably the reason he didn’t get drafted in the first place. Button’s take: “He’s an excellent skater. He’s confident with the puck. He’s the type of player that can just chew up the ice really quick. He gets the puck and he’s going. He shoots the puck well. He’s good in the offensive zone in terms of generating chances and he’ll jump up in the attack. He’s very different than Adam Ginning. Adam Ginning isn’t going to jump up in the attack. He’s gonna pinch and keep the play alive, but Zamula’s gonna be in on the attack. The Flyers signed Philippe Myers as an undrafted free agent and he’s turned out to be a really solid find for them. I think Zamula’s got the chance to be similar.”

Courier-Post LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167535 Pittsburgh Penguins Tribune Review LOADED: 12.23.2019

Penguins prospect Anthony Angello scoring more in 2nd pro season

SETH RORABAUGH

Sunday, December 22, 2019 5:07 p.m.

WILKES-BARRE — The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ offense has been limited as of late. After all, they’ve been shut out in three of their past five games.

But it’s not just the volume of their scoring that has been restricted. It’s also the sources.

Of the four goals they’ve recorded over the past five games, three have been registered by power forward Anthony Angello.

Through 31 games, Angello, 23, has 11 points (nine goals, two assists). His goal total is already past the halfway mark of the 16 he scored in his first full professional season of 2018-19.

“As of late, he’s been one of our top forwards,” said Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins coach and general manager Mike Vellucci. “And not because he’s scoring goals. But because he’s skating every shift. He’s finishing his checks. His attention to detail is really good. I had a good hard talk with him three weeks to a month ago. He expressed some things, I expressed some things and we came out of there with a gameplan. From that point on one, he’s been really, really good. It’s not points. It’s the way he’s competing every shift and every game. He’s not taken a shift off, and that’s huge.”

“The biggest difference from last year and this year is consistency,” Angello said. “Last year, I would have some really good games and some not so good games. It was inconsistent. A lot more of a rocky road. This year, I think I’ve been a lot more consistent. That’s what it takes to be a pro. You’ve got to be at your best at all times and find ways to help your team contribute.”

Angello said he is stressing other parts of his game than just his base offensive numbers.

“I don’t try to focus on that too much,” he said. “As long as I go out there and work hard and compete and move my feet and play big and create scoring opportunities, I know the goals will come.”

Most of his goals tend to come near the crease, given his dimensions. With a 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame, he’s a power forward just by genetics.

“With my God-given size, I have to use it,” Angello said. “It would be a shame if I didn’t. Whether it’s running guys over, taking pucks to the net, possessing pucks, being down in the corners, holding on to them, fending guys off, creating plays, outmuscling guys in front of the net, all of the things of that nature are things I focus on and take pride in doing.”

That role involves occasionally dropping the gloves. Last season, Angello, who played three seasons at Cornell, recorded three fighting majors but has yet to scrap this season.

“Last year, I had a few of them just to kind of get them out of the way, do it,” Angello said. “You’re obviously not allowed to fight in college. But that’s not something I focus on. I worked with a guy this summer, a (mixed martial arts trainer), and it was more so just to be ready if I need to. Because the way I play, I’m going to make guys angry. Someone is going to have to step up for someone or step up for themselves. I have to know how to protect myself. I’m not out there just looking to beat guys up, but I’m out there to play a hard game.”

A fifth-round pick of the Penguins in 2014, Angello is taking the long route to the NHL. Having seen Teddy Blueger go nearly seven years between being drafted in 2012 and making his NHL debut earlier this calendar year, Angello is assured there is a process he has to follow to get to the next level.

“That’s something I embrace,” Angello said. “You do things right day-in and day-out and control what you can control and let the rest take care of itself. I know if I keep doing things the right way, I will get a shot with Pittsburgh one of these days.” 1167536 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins assign Blandisi, Di Pauli, Czuczman to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

SETH RORABAUGH

Sunday, December 22, 2019 12:25 p.m.

The Penguins assigned forwards Joseph Blandisi and Thomas Di Pauli as well as defenseman Kevin Czuczman to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

Blandisi has appeared in 16 NHL games this season and has four points (two goals, two assists). He has been recalled from Wilkes- Barre/Scranton on five separate occasions this season. In 13 AHL games this season, he has seven points (three goals, four assists).

Di Pauli and Czuczman were recalled on Friday and were healthy scratches for games in Edmonton on Friday as well as in Vancouver on Saturday. Neither player has appeared in an NHL game this season.

In 19 AHL games this season, Di Pauli has nine points (four goals, five assists). Czuczman has played in 21 AHL games this season and has eight points (one goal, seven assists).

Due to the NHL’s holiday break, the Penguins will not practice or play until they travel to Nashville to face the Predators on Friday.

Tribune Review LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167537 Pittsburgh Penguins later. Miller pushed the puck up the right wing, pulled up at the half wall, fended off a check from Penguins defenseman John Marino and fed a pass to the right point where Myers fired a one-timer. Murray made the save but allowed a rebound. Canucks forward Elias Pettersson fought off Empty Thoughts: Canucks 4, Penguins 1 Marcus Pettersson – no relation – tracked down the rebound in the right circle and fired a wrister past Murray’s glove hand on the near side.

Myers and Miller had assists. SETH RORABAUGH The Canucks put the Penguins away for good at 14:31 of the third period. Sunday, December 22, 2019 6:49 a.m. Penguins defenseman Juuso Riikola tried to clear a puck out of his own zone from the right corner but failed to get the puck past Canucks forward Brock Boeser on the half wall. Boeser fed the puck low to Elias Pettersson to the right of the net. Allowing the play to develop for a Observations from the Penguins’ 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks: moment, Pettersson fed a slick backhand pass past a kneeling Riikola to This was a strange game. Maybe it was because it was a late start on the the right circle where Boeser leaned down and ripped a wrister past West Coast and the Penguins were on the second game on back-to-back Murray’s left shoulder on the far side. Pettersson had the lone assist. nights. Additionally, they looked like a group about to embark on a Statistically speaking lengthy holiday break, which they were. But this was just an odd 60 minutes of hockey. • The Penguins led in shots, 29-14.

The Canucks actually led the first period with five shots in the first period • Guentzel and Penguins forward Bryan Rust each led the game with five while keeping the Penguins to zeros shots. But then the Penguins shots. dominated the final two periods, 29-9. That led to a 29-14 advantage in shots despite the lopsided nature in favor of the Canucks in the first • Boeser led the Canucks with three shots. period. • Penguins defenseman led the game with 26:09 of ice time That first period was slanted as much as it was because the Penguins on 28 shifts. took three penalties within a span of 1:27 which led to a lot of five-on- • Myers led the Canucks with 23:38 of ice time on 25 shifts. three power-play time in the opening frame. While one of the penalties, a double minor to forward Dominik Simon for high sticking, was dubious, • The Canucks dominated faceoffs, 39-21 (65 percent). the Penguins just weren’t disciplined in that period. Overall, they took four penalties in the game. Over their previous six games, they had taken • Miller was 8 for 9 (89 percent). only 11 penalties, an average of 1.8 per contest. • Malkin was 9 for 15 (38 percent). Then there’s Matt Murray. He stole a few goals early on but could only do • Canucks forward Bo Horvat led the game with six blocks. so much under that duress. In the final two periods, he was ordinary, to be kind. His game is clearly not in a good place. Presumably, some time • Marino led the Penguins with three blocks. off from the rink could allow him to clear his head and reset. Historically speaking In the end, the Penguins lost a strange game which they deserved to. • How unique was that first period? It was only the second time in “I don’t know that I’ve ever been a part of period like that,” coach Mike franchise history the Penguins went without a shot in a period in a regular Sullivan said of the first period. “It was bizarre. I don’t think we had a lot season game: of jump early on. Obviously, the penalties put us in a difficult spot. … It’s tough. We’re using guys to try to kill those penalties. We’re taking other • Sullivan appeared in his 500th career game as a coach. guys out of the game because we can’t get them on the ice. But I really • Roussel recorded his 100th career assist. liked our fight in the second period.” • Boeser continues to rip up the penguins. In six career games against What happened them, he now has nine points (seven goals, two assists).

The Canucks struck first at 15:10 of the first period. Working on a Randomly speaking prolonged five-on-three power-play sequence, Canucks forward Antoine Roussel retrieved a puck in the Penguins’ left corner and fed a pass to • The Canucks seemingly scored a goal earlier than Virtanen’s score defenseman Tyler Myers at the left point. Sauntering to the high slot, when Miller put one past Murray earlier in a five-on-three sequence from Myers allowed forward Jake Virtanen to skate in of the bench and set up the right of the cage but the Penguins issued a coach’s challenging shot high in the left circle. Myers then fed a perfect pass for Virtanen to claiming Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes was offside on the chop for a one-timer which toasted Penguins goaltender Matt Murray’s sequence. The challenge was successful and it wiped out the goal. But it glove hand on the far side. Assists went to Myers and Roussel. restored over a minute of ice time – and the five-on-three power play sequence – back on the clock. Then on the ensuing faceoff in the neutral They made it a 2-0 game only 1:50 later with a five-on-four power-play zone, Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson tripped up Boeser to dig the goal. Canucks forward J.T. Miller, a Coraopolis native, beat Penguins hole even deeper. forward Jared McCann cleanly on a draw in the Penguins’ right circle and got the puck back to defenseman Chris Tanev at the right point. Tanev Even in the small victories the Penguins had in this game, they took then fed a pass to defenseman Oscar Fantenberg at the left point. some losses. Slinking up to the left half wall, Fantenberg and snapped off a wrister towards the cage. Miller, now positioned in the slot, reached into the • The first shot on net by either team was not recorded until 10:24 into inside of the right circle and deflected the puck with his backhand past regulation. Like we said, strange game. Murray’s glove hand to the far side. Fantenberg and Tanev netted • Just when you think Murray might have turned a corner with a 5-3 road assists. win against the Red Wings on Dec. 7, he underwhelms as he did on The Penguins got to work with their own power play and cashed in at Saturday. It’s difficult to fairly evaluate him on this game alone. Honestly, 15:28 of the second period. Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson what’s he supposed to do facing that much five-on-three power-play time controlled the puck at the right point and fed it to forward Evgeni Malkin in the first period while his teammates fail to get even one shot on net? At on a criss-cross. As Malkin moved to the high slot, he distributed a the same time, he can easily make a better save on the rebound which forehand pass to McCann in the right circle and McCann clapped a one- led to Elias Pettersson’s game. timer which goaltender Jacob Markstrom allowed, but not without a Regardless, he needs to be better. Over his past six games, he has a 1- rebound. Forward Jake Guentzel was floating above the crease where he 2-2 record along with a 4.40 goals against average and an .832 save fended off Tanev and cleaned up the garbage for his 18th goal of the percentage. season. McCann and Malkin were credited with assists. • Brandon Tanev took two penalties for the first time this season. For a Any notion of the Penguins posing a treat to tie the game was quickly guy whose value partial rests in his ability to draw penalties and put his extinguished, however, as the Canucks took a 3-1 lead on 44 seconds team on the power play, that was not ideal. • Miller always showed off his talent when he was with the Rangers and the Lightning but he looks like a difference maker with the Canucks. He’s come a long way since his early struggles as first-round pick with the Rangers in 2011.

Publicly speaking

• Sullivan was diplomatic when asked about Murray’s play:

“I think it’s a tough game to really assess. There weren’t a lot of shots, there weren’t a lot of scoring opportunities. But the ones they got were high quality and they converted. It’s not an easy one to evaluate. I don’t think we should overthink it.”

• Rust was asked about the Penguins going from no shots to 20 shots in the second period:

“Just started playing harder. It’s as simple as that. We started playing more as a team out there. We didn’t have isolated effort. We had five- man group getting on the forecheck, playing hard together and we were able to get offense.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167538 Pittsburgh Penguins There are any number of stats to choose from when it comes to Pittsburgh’s offense. After scoring 40 goals last year, Jake Guentzel leads the Penguins in points (37) and goals (18). Bryan Rust is on pace for his best goal-scoring season after finding the back of the net 13 times Five stats that tell the story of the Penguins' first half in just 22 games. But of all the offensive players, none is more important to Pittsburgh’s continued success than Malkin. After a 2018-19 season

that Malkin admitted was not his best, he’s said and done all the right BY MIKE DEFABO things this year. Since returning from a lower-body injury that kept him out about a month in October, he’s been the Penguins’ most productive Pittsburgh Post-Gazette player on a per-game basis. His 1.35 points per game rank seventh in the league. If he continues to produce on this level when Crosby comes DEC 22, 2019 8:06 PM back, Pittsburgh will once again have one of the best one-two punches at center in the league.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – After a sprint through the first 36 games of the season – a stretch that featured seven sets of back-to-back Post Gazette LOADED: 12.23.2019 games, competitions on both coasts and road trips to two countries – it’s time for the Penguins to take a break… or at least a breath.

Pittsburgh will be off for five days before resuming action on Dec. 27 in Nashville. While it’s not exactly the middle of the season, it is a natural time to take a step back and look at the big picture.

As of Sunday afternoon, the Penguins (21-11-4) sit tied for third place in the Metropolitan Division with the Carolina Hurricanes, who also have 46 points. If you’ve been spending your fall watching some guy named Duck throw a football, you may be asking: How did we get here?

Well, here are five stats that tell the story of the Penguins first half.

139 - Man-games lost to injury:

Injuries and illnesses are part of sports. But in the first half of the season, medical misfortune took center stage in Pittsburgh. The 139 man-games lost to injury ranks second behind only the Detroit Red Wings. Sidney Crosby (sports hernia surgery), Nick Bjugstad (core muscle), Patric Hornqvist (lower body), Justin Schultz (lower body) and Brian Dumoulin (ankle surgery) are all currently injured. Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Bryan Rust, Alex Galchenyuk and Jared McCann have also each missed multiple games this season. Pittsburgh has found a way to stay on a playoff pace without some of its key players. Can they get those stars back in time to make a push into the postseason or will injuries continue to keep Pittsburgh from reaching its full potential?

1.86/ .939 – Tristan Jarry’s goals-against average and save percentage:

Entering this season, it was fair to wonder if Jarry would make the team out of camp. Now the question becomes: Is he the new No. 1 goalie? The Penguins have certainly treated him as such recently. He started in all but two games so far in December, a stretch that included five consecutive starts and 8 in 10 games before Matt Murray earned the nod on Saturday. And why not? Jarry currently is riding the NHL’s hottest streak to wrestle much of the playing time from Murray. Is this just a small sample size or is Jarry’s electric start sustainable?

18 – Power play goals scored:

For years, the Penguins featured one of the league’s most high-powered power plays. Coming into this season, there was bound to be change with longtime mainstay Phil Kessel gone. All the injuries have added to the turnover, as power play contributors Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Schultz, Galchenyuk, Bjugstad and Hornqvist have all missed time. Partially as a result, the Penguins power play is among the league’s worst. It has scored just 18 goals this season. Only five teams in the league have scored fewer times with the man-advantage. Is this an issue that will linger or will Crosby’s return give the Penguins the shot-in-the-arm they need on the man-advantage?

96 – Goals-against:

Watch the games and it’s clear the Penguins are playing a more disciplined, structured brand of hockey that’s limited the opponents’ opportunities. There are a number of stats to choose from here. The Penguins have given up just 44 odd-man rushes against this year, an average of 1.2 per game. Compare that with last season when Murray faced 1.76 rush attempts per game, by far the most of any goaltender in the NHL. At the same time, Pittsburgh has given up just 252 high-danger shots against, according to Natural Stat Trick, the third-fewest in the league. All that is contributing to just 96 goals-against, the seventh best total in the league.

1.35 – Malkin points per game 1167539 Pittsburgh Penguins game. And if the other goals Murray allowed — including to Canucks forward Elias Pettersson only 44 seconds after winger Jake Guentzel’s 18th goal had pulled the Penguins to within 2-1 — bothered anybody around the Penguins on Saturday night, none of them were saying as Was there actually something to build on in Matt Murray’s 10-save loss much. for the Penguins in Vancouver? That included Murray.

“It for sure felt a little weird,” Murray said. “It’s felt like forever since I’ve By Rob Rossi played. Like I’ve said, it is what it is.

Dec 22, 2019 “I thought we got a little bit unlucky there in the first period with some of those calls. I mean, that’s a tough situation to be in: taking all those

penalties. But we did our best to try and battle through it. VANCOUVER — After one of the Penguins’ earliest training-camp “If we’d have had a better first period, I think we would have had a better practices, Matt Murray sat at his locker and cooly brushed aside chance.” questions about his long-term future in Pittsburgh. He claimed not to be thinking about playing on the final year of his contract or that general Indeed, the loss probably had more to do with the Penguins’ run of manager Jim Rutherford opted not to begin negotiations for a new one. penalties midway through the opening period than it did Murray allowing four goals, the penalty kill allowing a couple and the power play “It’s not really something I think about at all, to be honest with you,” capitalizing on only one of its five opportunities. And given all they’ve Murray said. been through since the final preseason game, when winger Bryan Rust’s That was then. hand injury set off a course of events that has forced the Penguins to play only two periods with their full roster intact, a bad period or even a A lot has happened since then. bad game is probably no reason for concern.

What is Murray thinking about now? It’s just, the Penguins weren’t really bad for the entirety of their game in Vancouver. The Natural Stat Trick website tallied the Penguins a plus-17 He has unofficially become a backup goalie as the Penguins begin their in scoring chances and plus-6 in high-danger chances, meaning they portion of the NHL’s Christmas break. Murray’s start against the mostly dominated the final 40 minutes. Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Saturday night was his first of a Western Canada trip, the second of December and only eighth since “The toughest part is we shot ourselves in the foot there in the first appearing in 14 of 17 games to begin the season. period,” defenseman Jack Johnson said, noting his tripping penalty that followed a holding penalty by winger Branden Tanev and a double-minor And it says a lot about how this season has gone for Murray that coach for a high stick by forward Dominik Simon. Mike Sullivan carefully opted not to read into his two-time Stanley Cup goalie’s 10-save performance in the Penguins’ 4-1 loss to the Canucks. “I thought we played pretty well in the second and third to give ourselves a chance. We’e got to find a way to score more than one goal.” “I think it’s a tough game to really assess because, you know, there weren’t a lot of shots, weren’t a lot of scoring opportunities — but the Notice what was going on inside and outside the visitors’ dressing room ones they got were high quality, and they converted,” Sullivan said. at Rogers Arena on Saturday night. When questions about Murray were asked of them, veterans with the Penguins — Sullivan, Johnson and “It’s not an easy one to evaluate. I don’t think we should overthink it.” Rust to name a few — steered conversations to other topics and in their Sullivan is as sharp a communicator as the NHL has behind a bench. He own way tried to have Murray’s back. constructed that response to the question “How do you assess Matt’s That is what Sullivan did when he warned not to “overthink it.” Likewise, play (Saturday night)?” — and at no point did Sullivan offer praise or Johnson offered a line typically heard in NHL dressing rooms, that “every condemnation of Murray. Instead, he took the question as an opportunity good team in this league has great goaltending — it’s the most important to give Murray a pass. position in the game.” With his next breath, Johnson offered “we have all That seemed fair. the confidence in both of them, it doesn’t matter who’s in the net.”

The situation Murray found himself in Saturday night was not the fairest Uh, it kind of does. of spots. He had not experienced game action for 13 days. Many of his Tristan Jarry leads the league in save percentage and goals-against teammates were not planning a return to Pittsburgh on the team charter average. He has stopped 254 of 258 combined middle- and low-danger Sunday, instead opting to depart from Vancouver for their various shots — or 98.4 percent, compared to 92.5 percent from Murray (285 of Christmas-break travels. The Penguins had won in Calgary and 308). Edmonton to guarantee themselves a winning swing through Alberta and British Columbia — and they knew that captain Sidney Crosby’s return At nearly 6 percentage points, Jarry and Murray are far apart when it from a sports hernia surgery might be the late Christmas present that comes to making the saves goalies are expected to make in the NHL. At would be cause for an early New Year’s celebration. least, that is how the first half of this season is shaping up for these goalies. Basically, the first period in Vancouver was likely to be a challenge for whoever took the blue-painted crease for the Penguins. Jarry is also stopping high-danger shots at an 84.3 percent rate. Murray is at only 81 percent on those chances. So, when that challenge went according to nobody’s plan — neither the Penguins nor Canucks registered a shot in the opening 10 minutes, and A lot has been made by how Jarry — an athletic goalie — can generate the Penguins played most of the next 10 minutes either short-handed or momentum by making timely saves, perhaps ones that he shouldn’t. on the power play — Murray’s task took on an extra degree of difficulty. However, perhaps not enough has been made about Murray’s regression this season on low-danger shots. When that period wrapped with the Canucks ahead 2-0, Murray having surrendered two goals on five shots was nowhere near the Penguins’ top Consider this breakdown of Murray’s goals allowed the previous four concern. seasons.

They had been held without a shot in a period for only the second time in Compare that breakdown to this one of Murray’s goals allowed this franchise history. They had been out-chanced 4-0. They had been season. seeming to skate as though the artificial ice was quicksand. Four years is a large enough sample size to trust that Murray is merely Sullivan conceded he had never quite experienced a period like the slumping of late instead of falling off a cliff. Though November was Penguins’ first in Vancouver. He also hadn’t liked all of the calls that went arguably the worst month of his career, Murray’s three other measurably against his club. poor months were each followed by him returning to levels more befitting a No. 1 goalie, if not a franchise goalie. But if Sullivan didn’t like either of the goals given up that period by Murray, he resisted even dropping a hint of dissatisfaction after the Is he still a franchise goalie? Rutherford said when the Penguins were in Edmonton that nothing so far this season has changed his plan for dealing with Murray, whose rights the Penguins will own for next season. “We’re fortunate we have good goaltending, and we have depth,” Rutherford said. “We’ve got flexibility.

“You know, it’s hard to find good goaltending. When you find it, and it’s young goaltending, it can play to a real advantage in many ways.”

Murray is 25. Jarry is 24. Casey DeSmith, who was the Penguins’ backup last season but is playing this season in the AHL, is 28. Was each of three on the roster, they would only count only about $200,000 more than injured defenseman Justin Schultz.

For three goalies who have each held down the fort at least once the past couple of seasons, the Penguins are not committed to a hefty combined salary-cap tag. That tag should increase if, as could be expected, Murray and Jarry each receive raises to return next season — the bumps in their pays shouldn’t be significant.

Next season is a long way away. The offseason isn’t all that close, either.

Christmas break has arrived for the Penguins, and with it at least a goaltending conversation, if not a controversy.

And here is something to keep in mind about Murray: he’s as loathe to get stuck in a moment as he is to think about the future. He also is the rare athlete who can find something from what looks like nothing.

He only made 10 saves in Vancouver, but …

“You know, I didn’t feel all that bad,” he said. “I know the numbers don’t back it up. But considering how long it’s been, I felt pretty smooth for the most part, timing felt good for the most part. I just needed to make a couple more saves.”

The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167540 San Jose Sharks

Bah humbug! Fading Sharks go into Xmas break on losing note

By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: December 22, 2019 at 9:36 pm | UPDATED: December 22, 2019 at 10:53 PM

SAN JOSE — Aaron Dell could only do so much Sunday night.

Dell was mostly spectacular as he made his third start in the last four games, but couldn’t stop a wrist shot by Shea Theodore at the 8:05 mark of the third period as the Sharks went on to lose 3-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights in their final game before the Christmas break.

Logan Couture scored off a handsome feed from at the 3:04 mark of the third period to tie the game 1-1. But after the Golden Knights established some pressure inside the Sharks’ zone, Theodore took a pass from William Karlsson and beat Dell from near the faceoff dot for his fifth goal of the season.

Jonathan Marchessault added an insurance goal with 3:25 left in regulation time for the Golden Knights, who took the season series with the Sharks three games to one.

“I thought positive things were going to come out of it,” Sharks associate head coach Roy Sommer said of the game when it was tied 1-1. “But it’s kind of like you’re waiting for the other shoe to fall off, and sure enough, that’s what happened.”

Paul Stastny also scored for Vegas, with his goal at the 17:31 mark of the second period opening the scoring. The Golden Knights (20-13-6) have now won four of five and are tied with the Arizona Coyotes for the Pacific Division lead.

The loss was the Sharks’ third straight and their ninth in 10 games this month. At 16-20-2, they now begin their four-day Christmas break nine points out of a Western Conference wild card spot. The Sharks’ next game is Friday at home against the Los Angeles Kings.

“Don’t think it’s ever been this bad, where we’ve gone this many games without points,” Couture said. “We’re not finding ways to get out of losing streaks. That’s what good teams do.”

The boo birds inside SAP Center came out after the Sharks managed just one shot on goal on a power play chance in the second period.

Dell turned those into cheers by early in the third period, as he turned away chances by William Carrier, Alex Tuch and Brayden McNabb. Dell had stopped 22 shots in the first two periods.

The Sharks, though, finished 0 for 2 with the man advantage, as Vegas goalie Malcolm Subban finished with 37 saves to improve his record this year to 6-5-3 in 14 games.

Sharks relive playoff series with Blues: “I don’t think we got any favors toward the end”

“We were solid. Especially the first half of the game, I really liked our game,” Vegas coach said. “We didn’t give them a whole lot. They had a push at the end, which you knew they were going to and they had a lot of opportunities, but that’s when (Subban) really made some key saves.”

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167541 San Jose Sharks Sharks relive playoff series with Blues: “I don’t think we got any favors toward the end”

“I’m more concerned about when the puck flips over,” Boughner said. Sharks rookie earns kudos from Logan Couture after NHL debut “That line has got to play against the Stone line for most of the night. Those guys are hot, so you’ve got to at least play those guys even up.”

By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 12.23.2019

PUBLISHED: December 22, 2019 at 6:31 pm | UPDATED: December 22, 2019 at 6:37 PM

SAN JOSE — Joel Kellman says he patterns his game after Sharks captain Logan Couture.

So it came as high praise to Kellman, 25, when Couture paid the rookie centerman a complement after he made his NHL debut.

“Kellman played well for his first game.” Couture said Saturday after the Sharks lost 5-2 to the St. Louis Blues. “Steady, smart player. Thinks the game at, I believe, an NHL level. I thought he had a good camp, too. Kind of a guy that does a lot of things well.

“Nothing that’s going to wow you, I guess you could say. But I think he showed he can play in his league.”

That would certainly be welcome news for the Sharks, whose fourth line has struggled for most of the season to create chances and spend time in the other team’s end.

Kellman, recalled Thursday from the Barracuda, will be back in the Sharks’ lineup Sunday for their game with the Vegas Golden Knights, their last before a four-day Christmas break.

Against the Blues, Kellman, who played four full seasons in the before he signed with the Sharks in April, had just under 10 minutes of ice time and won five of 11 draws.

For complete Sharks coverage

“I was impressed,” Sharks interim coach said Sunday afternoon. “He has some experience, playing professional over there and he’s a little bit of an older guy. I think that showed last night.

“His first shift or two, he looked a little nervous and then he settled into the game. The little details to his game were there.”

Kellman and linemates Stefan Noesen and Melker Karlsson, per naturalstattrick.com, created six scoring chances and allowed just one.

“We didn’t have the ending we wanted, but I thought we were able to get pucks deep and establish a forecheck,” Kellman said Sunday afternoon. “Those guys helped me out and made me feel comfortable.”

Boughner anticipates playing his fourth line a little more against the Golden Knights than he did against the Blues. At even strength Saturday, Noesen had 10:15 of ice time and Karlsson had 9:29. The Golden Knights fourth line featured William Carrier, Ryan Reaves and Tomas Nosek.

MARLEAU’S STRUGGLES: Winger Patrick Marleau entered Sunday on a 10-game point drought, the longest of his 22-year NHL career.

Marleau, who has 11 points in 33 games this season, was back on the Sharks’ top line with Couture and Evander Kane for the start of Sunday’s game.

Saturday, Marleau had three shots on goal in 15:35 of ice time, but that line was victimized on the Blues’ winning goal. All three forwards were caught deep as the Blues broke out and created an odd-man rush, with Alex Pietrangelo scoring at the 11:07 mark of the third period to give St. Louis a 3-2 lead.

“I liked his game. The separation speed was there and I thought he had some chances on net,” Boughner said of Marleau. “That line hasn’t really clicked as of yet, but they had some chances.”

The task wasn’t going to get easier Sunday, as Marleau, Couture and Kane were likely going to be matched up quite often against the Vegas line of Max Pacioretty, Mark Stone and Chandler Stephenson, who combined for eight goals and 13 assists in their last five games before Sunday. 1167542 San Jose Sharks displays of offensive firepower the likes of which the NBA had never seen. But even his NBA-record night of hitting 14 3-pointers in Chicago last season and a 60-point night in Oakland in 2017 while touching the ball for 90 seconds and dribbling it 11 times took a backseat to what he All-Decade: Our favorite Bay Area games included this magical Game 7 did in 2015. performance On a cold January night, Thompson provided the ultimate heat check while smashing the NBA’s record by scoring 37 points in the third quarter of a 126-101 victory. He broke the old mark of 33 points in a single By JON BECKER | Bay Area News Group quarter by George Gervin and Carmelo Anthony. Thompson was literally PUBLISHED: December 22, 2019 at 5:45 am | UPDATED: December 22, perfect, hitting all 13 of his shots in the period. He also set an NBA record 2019 at 3:17 PM with nine 3-pointers.

7. 49ers march past Saints, 36-32, in playoff classic (2012)

Bay Area sports fans shouldn’t allow the end of the Warriors and Giants As aesthetically pleasing as this month’s 49ers-Saints game was, their dynasties to serve as a whitewashing that cleanses their minds of how showdown seven years ago in the NFC Divisional playoff game at much greatness they’ve witnessed over the past 10 years. Candlestick provided even more thrills. In all, there were four touchdowns scored in the game’s last five minutes and the lead changed hands four No one who has ever lived in this region has seen a decade in which the times. local teams made more playoff appearances (29), advanced to more championships (10) or won more world titles (6). And, just like this year’s showdown, back then the 49ers relied heavily on their star tight end — Vernon Davis had a breakout game, catching Bay Area fans have been bathing in so much reflective glory since 2010 seven passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns, including the game- we had an impossible time picking out the decade’s 10 best games. winner on a 14-yard post play with nine seconds left.

Think we’re exaggerating? We couldn’t even find room on our Top 10 list In 49ers lore their quarterbacks have authored iconic plays such as “The for a pair of perfect games (don’t @ me, Dallas Braden or Matt Cain) or Catch” with Joe Montana, “The Catch II” with Steve Young to Terrell the Warriors’ record-breaking 73rd win in 2016. The Warriors’ three title- Owens and, in the 2012 playoff game played right after the 30-year clinching wins? Not on the list. anniversary of “The Catch,” Alex Smith delivered what Davis would call simply “The Grab.” And the Raiders’ signature moment of the past 10 years — 2016’s season-opening victory in New Orleans made possible by Jack Del Rio’s 6. Unlikely hero Ishikawa’s homer sends Giants to World Series (2014) decision to go for two points? Not quite good enough for this list. Little-known Travis Ishikawa felt the need to watch a replay “a hundred Frankly, we could have included nothing but Warriors and Giants games, times” of his walk-off homer that sent the Giants to the World Series in but we strived for an adequate representation from as many of our six 2014 to prove to himself he did it. That should be all you need to know pro teams as possible. about this storybook ending.

With apologies to many, many worthy and memorable games around From starting the year as a 30-year-old unemployed baseball player here from the 2010s, here’s what we came up with as the best games: contemplating retirement to a National League Championship Series hero is about as sappy an ending as there can be. From Cody Ross in 10. A’s miraculous last-day comeback to win AL West title (2012) 2010 to Marco Scutaro in 2012, Ishikawa, the man who platooned in left Did you know the A’s finished the decade with more wins than the Giants field with Juan Perez, completed the trifecta of reclamation projects- (839 to 821), more trips to the postseason than San Francisco (5-4) and turned-Giants postseason stars. the same number of division titles (2)? Probably not. But everyone knows Ishikawa’s 3-run home run at then-AT&T Park capped a superb series for the Giants won three titles since 2010, including one in 2012 that him — he batted .385 with seven RBIs in the NLCS. Ordinarily, he would overshadowed Oakland’s magical season. have earned MVP honors. But, Madison Bumgarner was otherworldly The last game of the regular season epitomized how the underdog A’s back then. More on him a little later. battled. Oakland, with the league’s lowest payroll of $59.5 million, was 5. ‘Bang! Bang!’ Steph Curry shoots down OKC (2016) the consensus pick for the AL West cellar. Armed with an all-rookie starting rotation by season’s end, the A’s overcame a five-game deficit to Who can forget TV announcer Mike Breen’s call on Steph Curry’s Texas with just nine games left to set up a winner-take-all season finale. buzzer-beating, game-winning shot in Oklahoma City in 2016?

After falling behind 5-1, a raucous Coliseum crowd watched in delirium Curry’s 38-foot shot from near halfcourt to send Kevin Durant and the as Oakland scored six runs in the fourth — fueled by a dropped pop fly Thunder to an overtime loss didn’t bring the Warriors a championship. by Texas’ Josh Hamilton — on its way to victory. But it sure added to his legend. For our money, it remains the most memorable shot a Warrior made during the team’s incredible five-year 9. 49ers beat Saints, 48-46, in New Orleans thriller (2019) run of NBA Finals appearances. Recency bias has nothing to do with this choice. No one who watched Curry wound up with 46 points on 14-for-24 shooting while also tying the the epic showdown two weeks ago thought of the game as anything but then-NBA record with 12 3-pointers (he missed just four). This game had epic. everything — including two Andre Iguodala free throws with 0.7 seconds The battle for NFC supremacy featured nearly 100 points and 1,000 left to send the game into OT, a scary Curry ankle injury that sent him to yards of offense while becoming an instant classic. the locker room and a legendary postgame argument between Draymond Green and Steve Kerr. Robbie Gould’s 30-yard field goal at the gun provided the winning points, but All-Pro tight end George Kittle did the dirty work. Marshawn Lynch In the end, we were just witnesses to another illustrious chapter of may be retired, but Kittle showed “Beast Mode” is still alive … it’s just Curry’s career. moved a few miles south. Anybody else miss watching this guy play? Kittle’s memorable stampede began with a fourth-and-2 play with less 4. A power play for the ages gives Sharks epic Game 7 win (2019) than 30 seconds to go and the 49ers on the verge of a crushing loss. Kittle, though, snuck out in the flat where Jimmy Garoppolo hit him for the Something always seemed to doom the Sharks during their two-decade first down. But he wasn’t done. He broke tackles and pulled away from run as one of the NHL’s best teams. Then something magical happened Saints defenders grabbing at his facemask while gaining 20 more yards last year while they were on their way to a 3-0 loss in Game 7 of the to help make Gould a hero. Western Conference’s first-round series against Vegas.

8. Klay Thompson sets NBA record with 37-point quarter (2015) They got a break.

You don’t win three titles in four years without dabbling a lot in the A controversial five-minute major penalty was called on Vegas for a spectacular. Witness Klay Thompson of the Warriors, who turned in three cross-check that sent Joe Pavelski’s head bouncing off the ice. The Sharks’ power play netted a whopping four goals during the power play while the crowd at SAP Center went absolutely crazy with excitement. The insanity reached a crescendo when Kevin Labanc wristed a shot past the Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to give the Sharks a 4-3 lead just four minutes after the penalty.

While the Golden Knights did tie the game to send it to overtime — see, we told you things always seem to go awry in San Jose — this time the Sharks prevailed on Barclay Goodrow’s stirring series-winning goal.

3. 49ers lose an unforgettable Super Bowl to Ravens (2013)

The game was billed as “The Harbaugh Bowl” as the 49ers’ Jim Harbaugh and brother John of the Ravens became the first brothers to coach against one another in a Super Bowl. Around these parts it’s remembered as a missed opportunity for the 49ers to win their sixth Super Bowl.

The 49ers’ 34-31 loss in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans is also noteworthy for a bizarre 34-minute delay when the power went out in the Superdome. The game also stands out because Colin Kaepernick — remember him? — came this close to leading San Francisco back from a 28-6 deficit to a Super Bowl title against the Joe Flacco-led Ravens.

The 49ers ran four plays inside the 10-yard line in the final minutes with a chance for victory. But Kaepernick couldn’t connect on his final three passes intended for Michael Crabtree, including a fourth-down play that looked suspiciously like a holding penalty could have been called on Baltimore.

Seven years later, maybe the 49ers’ luck could change against Lamar Jackson’s Ravens in Miami in a couple of months.

2. #Game6Klay wills Warriors to unforgettable win at OKC (2016)

We failed to mention one other criteria for our honor roll. If a lasting, viral hashtag is borne out of the performance, it’s on the list. We see you, #Game6Klay.

Klay Thompson will forever be loved in the Bay Area not only for his unique personality, but for the unbelievable things he has done on the basketball floor. In Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference finals, he flat-out refused to allow the Warriors to lose to Kevin Durant and the Thunder. Down 3-1 in the series before winning at home, the Warriors seemed doomed in Game 6 while trailing most of the game.

Then Klay happened. He set an NBA record with 11 3-pointers in a postseason game while scoring 41 points and breaking the Thunder’s spirit all the while gaining a little immortality.

All Durant could say about Thompson’s Game 6 showing after the series was it was “like the hand of God touched Klay.”

1. Game 7 of ‘The Madison Bumgarner World Series’ (2014)

Drama. A super-human feat. An awkward postgame MVP presentation. The Giants’ Game 7 of the 2014 World Series had it all.

Madison Bumgarner helped the Giants win two World Series before likely paving a path to Cooperstown on a cool October night in Kansas City while singlehandedly leading them to a third trophy.

After already starting and winning two games in the series, Bumgarner summoned the strength to come out of the bullpen and throw five shutout innings in Game 7. After a misplay in the outfield put the Royals’ Alex Gordon on third base as the tying run in the bottom of the ninth inning, Bumgarner induced Salvador Perez to pop out to Pablo Sandoval in foul territory and “Panda” flopped on his backside as the celebration began.

Bumgarner wound up throwing 14 shutout innings within four days against Kansas City. He allowed just one run in the entire series over his 21 innings — for a 0.43 ERA that actually raised his career World Series ERA a bit to 0.25 in 36 overall innings, which remains a clear-cut record.

Thanks to MadBum, the Giants became the first World Series road team to win a Game 7 since 1979. Also thanks to the big lefty, San Francisco enjoyed its third World Series parade later that week on Halloween night.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167543 San Jose Sharks bit of that in the third period with that one big breakdown. We didn’t give them much and then we give them a big chance, a big breakdown. Those are the things you’ve got to eliminate from your game.

Takeaways: Another breakdown, another Sharks loss, but also some “We gave them an opportunity and they took advantage of it. We had our encouraging signs chances. We didn’t find a way to bury ours.”

2. A fourth line to believe in: Noesen made an immediate impact with his goal, center Joel Kellman was impressive in his NHL debut and Melker By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay Karlsson was his usual steady self. Area News Group Add it up and the Sharks finally had a fourth line that was dependable PUBLISHED: December 22, 2019 at 5:31 am | UPDATED: December 22, and consistently playing in the offensive zone. The trio had a combined 2019 at 11:36 am five shots on goal and a Corsi-for percentage of 71.43.

“I think that’s the best our fourth line has played all season,” Boughner said. SAN JOSE — Bob Boughner has been on the job as the Sharks’ interim coach for a little more than a week. He already sounds a bit exasperated. “I thought we brought energy,” Noesen said. “That was something that (Boughner) talked to me about before, that we need some energy when “I feel like a little bit of a broken record sitting up here,” Boughner said the fourth line got out there. That’s kind of part of my game, just getting after the Sharks’ 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. “It’s a lot of on the forecheck, having a good stick, being a physical presence. From the same. Again, results are what matter and we need the points.” our first shift to the very end, I thought we did that and looked good.” Do they ever. 3. Jones’ night: This was Jones’ first start since Dec. 12. Jordan Kyrou’s With the loss, their eighth in nine games this month, the Sharks remained backhand shot from in close found the five hole and he didn’t have much stuck at 34 points and entered Sunday in a three-way tie for 13th, and of a chance on the Blues’ second goal, a tap-in by Schwartz, who gave last, place in the Western Conference. himself some separation from Erik Karlsson before he took a pass from Brayden Schenn. The Sharks have one last chance to at least head into the Christmas break on a positive note, as they host the rival Vegas Golden Knights on Jones made some key saves early in the third period when the Blues Sunday. began to find a rhythm. He finished with 23 saves, although the Pietrangelo goal stung. “I think we deserved better,” said Sharks forward Stefan Noesen, who scored in his first game with the Sharks since he was claimed off waivers Sharks relive playoff series with Blues: “I don’t think we got any favors on Thursday. “Kind of seems that’s the running trend right now, but once toward the end” we find a way to close one out, it’s only going to get better. It’s just “The game gets tougher when it’s tight in the third period,” Jones said. getting that first one and getting going.” “We just kind of made some mistakes that we shouldn’t be making late in Takeaways from Saturday night. the game. It costs us and when you do that, you need a save, and we’re not getting that, either.” 1. A solid effort goes to waste: Boughner had a simple yet encouraging message for the Sharks between the second and third periods Saturday. “We ask our goalies not to try to have to win us a game, just give us a chance,” Boughner said. “I thought he gave us a chance tonight.” “I came out and I said, ‘We don’t have to change much,'” Boughner said. “‘We really don’t have to change much. Keep doing what we’re doing. We’re on top of pucks. We’re squeezing them off. We’re not giving them San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 12.23.2019 off entries.'”

Then?

“That one big mistake hurt us,” Boughner said.

With the game 2-2, three Sharks players were caught below the goal line as the Blues began a breakout the other way. With four St. Louis players charging up the ice, Erik Karlsson was caught flat-footed as Jaden Schwartz found Alex Pietrangelo with an outlet pass.

With Ivan Barbashev blowing past Karlsson to create a 2 on 1, Pietrangelo skated into the faceoff circle to the right of the Sharks net and fired a wrist shot past Martin Jones. The goal gave the Blues a 3-2 lead, and the Sharks never recovered.

“It’s easy to say you can’t let them score but I thought we held them down pretty good there,” said Brent Burns, who ended a 16-game goal drought with a second period power play goal. “I don’t know. I thought we had chances to put that away. We didn’t. You can’t lose those games, you’ve got to win them.

“We’re in a spot where we’ve got to win. It doesn’t really matter. You’ve just got to figure out a way to get two points out of that game. We haven’t been able to do it.”

Perhaps the most discouraging part was that the Sharks spent ample time before Saturday talking about the need to play smart and simple. Instead, the Sharks pressed too hard in a tie game against a team that’s so far this season has been the best in the Western Conference.

Including a pair of Blues empty net goals in the final 68 seconds, the Sharks have now been outscored 13-5 in the third period over the last nine games on manned nets. They also allowed a late goal in the third period of Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to Arizona.

“That composure that you need for 60 minute to beat … especially a team like the St. Louis Blues,” Boughner said. “I thought we lacked a little 1167544 San Jose Sharks

Sharks takeaways: What we learned in familiar 3-1 loss to Golden Knights

By Chelena Goldman

December 22, 2019 9:50 PM

SAN JOSE -- Games between the Sharks and Golden Knights tend to be highly entertaining. And the division rivals didn't disappoint in their fourth and final meeting of the regular season at SAP Center on Sunday night.

Unfortunately for the Sharks, they weren't able to cap off the season series with a victory, falling to Vegas 3-1.

Here are three takeaways from the Sharks' last game before the holiday break.

More third-period woes

Not to sound like a broken record, but the Sharks haven't played well in third periods over their last several games. So, when they entered the third frame Sunday in a 1-0 hole and tied the game up on a Logan Couture goal, it looked like an improvement.

But that improvement was overshadowed by San Jose having another defensive breakdown that gave up a go-ahead goal -- and then some. If the Sharks are going to turn their season around, their third-period play has to change.

Dell continues to shine

Okay, you can give the goalpost credit for stopping Nicolas Hague from scoring his first NHL goal three times in the first period. But overall, Aaron Dell looked solid in his return to the crease. He was especially good on San Jose's penalty kill in the first and second periods.

It's unfortunate that Dell didn't get enough help in the third period to earn a tie, or possibly a victory.

The Sharks play a back-to-back when they return from the holiday break, and it's highly likely that Dell and Martin Jones will split starting responsibilities for that weekend series. However, given how well Dell has been playing, one wonders if he'll be getting more starts down the stretch.

Fourth line stands out again

Just like in Saturday's loss to the Blues, the Sharks' fourth line looked as good as it has all season Sunday against the Golden Knights. Recent additions Stefan Noesen and Joel Kellman, along with Melker Karlsson, helped generate considerable momentum for San Jose.

Now, the rest of the team needs to follow suit. Even with the bottom six performing better, San Jose still is not rolling four lines on a nightly basis. If the Sharks can't get all four lines rolling, they're going to have a hard time stringing any wins together.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167545 San Jose Sharks

Sharks' lack of cohesion bites them in yet another disappointing loss

By Chelena Goldman

December 22, 2019 9:40 AM

SAN JOSE -- The Sharks certainly seem frustrated as a group that they have only won once in December.

Even so, interim coach Bob Boughner has expressed concern that not everyone on the ice is buying into San Jose's philosophy -- especially after another disappointing defeat in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

As many Sharks players expressed earlier in the season when wins were hard to come by, a long string of losses can sometimes cause players to play a more individual game. "Freelancing" was how defenseman Marc- Edouard Vlasic characterized it back on Nov. 12.

That habit of not sticking to the collective gameplan appears to be creeping back in, and it's keeping the Sharks from closing games out this month.

"We can't have anyone taking a night off," Boughner said Saturday morning, hours before the Sharks' loss. "To beat St. Louis and Vegas and these teams ahead of us [in the standings], we have to have 20 onboard. I think for the most part we're getting good compete, we're getting a good effort. But there's still one or two guys missing a night. We're not that kind of a team -- we have to get everybody going."

After yet another third-period letdown and another loss Saturday, the Sharks' bench boss said he saw some of that same behavior. He didn't point fingers or call anyone out, but Boughner acknowledged that the message isn't quite getting across to everyone on a nightly basis.

"I think there are certain guys who have to take it upon themselves," Boughner said after the loss. " ... We talk about it and I think the leadership group's got to hold some guys accountable. Teammates have to hold each other accountable."

Once again, the Sharks generated a lot of chances but didn't have much to show for it. San Jose and St. Louis were tied 2-2 going into the third period, and the Sharks were doing enough good things to potentially pull out a win over the conference-leading Blues. They scored a power-play goal and the fourth line chipped in, too, with Stefan Noesen scoring in his San Jose debut.

All it took was a couple of Sharks mistakes for the Blues to take the lead and then add to it.

"After the first two periods, I came out and said, 'We don't really need to change much,'" Boughner said. "And that one big mistake hurt us."

The Sharks don't have much time to fix their habit of making late, game- breaking mistakes if they want to turn their fortunes around. They are currently sitting at 34 points, barely avoiding last place in the Pacific Division because they have played fewer games than the Los Angeles Kings.

If the Sharks are going to dig back out of yet another hole, everyone has to be on board.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167546 San Jose Sharks will take care of themselves if you play the right way for longer periods of time. That's what we need and that's what we're looking for."

Sharks GM Doug Wilson details factors that led to coaching change Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.23.2019

By Brian Witt

December 22, 2019 8:33 PM

It doesn't take a mind reader to know that general manager Doug Wilson hasn't been pleased with the Sharks' season thus far.

Amid the multiple extended losing streaks and frustrating play, San Jose has fallen well outside of playoff position, and the team's recent performances haven't exactly given the impression that it is about to turn the corner.

Through 37 games, the Sharks have the worst goal differential in the league and have allowed the most goals in the conference. One of the few bright spots has been the penalty kill, which ranks as the best in the NHL, but that has made San Jose's 5-on-5 struggles so difficult for Wilson to comprehend.

"It's tough to find an answer to it," Wilson told NBC Sports California's Jamie Baker ahead of San Jose's game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. "I think it's partially attitudinal, desperation. Partly tactical, but it doesn't make sense. I mean, here we are, not being able to defend 5-on-5, yet we're the No. 1 [penalty-killing] team in the league. So it's been something we've been working at, we've talked a lot about, but I think a lot it comes from the mindset ... the desperation to kill a penalty so the other team doesn't score you'd like to see transferred over to 5-on- 5. So, you're battling that hard to get the puck back, because that really is the foundation of everything that we do in this game is by defending well."

The dissonance between the Sharks' penalty kill and 5-on-5 play undoubtedly had a significant impact on Wilson's move to fire Peter DeBoer and replace him with interim head coach Bob Boughner less than two weeks ago. It was a decision Wilson didn't take lightly.

"It was one of the most difficult things I've done since I've been a GM," Wilson explained. "Pete and his staff I think did an outstanding job. Unfortunately, sometimes the message is not being heard or whatever -- the results were not there. So we thank them for everything that they did."

While it wasn't easy for Wilson to make the switch, he prioritized certain characteristics in the new additions to the coaching staff.

"The fact that we brought in ... people that we all know that know our players and bleed teal was something that we felt this team needed," Wilson added. "Again, the consistency, the lack of 5-on-5 game. Our goal differential I think is minus-30 now. You just have no chance of winning in this league when it's that way. So, change was needed, unfortunately, and it takes time to make changes, too. So we're trying to integrate some changes both tactically and personnel-wise, and that takes a lot of work and a little extra time."

The Sharks have made several roster moves since the coaching change, including the addition of forward Stefan Noesen, who was acquired of waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Wilson took notice of Noesen due to his effort level, and it paid off when the 26-year-old scored in his first game with San Jose.

"He plays the game the right way," Wilson described Noesen. "And what we're trying to do is establish playing the game the right way for 60 minutes. And it is a mindset, it's contagious. You've got players that individually can do it, but you need it done collectively. We're getting there, we're making some progress, but we're not quite there yet."

Beginning Sunday night against the rival Golden Knights, the Sharks enter a critical stretch that likely will determine whether or not they qualify for the postseason. Wilson hopes the team will follow Noesen's lead.

"To play the right way," Wilson said of what he's looking for from San Jose over this crucial stretch. "I think the last couple of games, there was key moments in the third period that cost us games, and I think what happens when you're trying to make change, you just have to stay with it. You've got to avoid the frustration of not getting the results. The results 1167547 St Louis Blues one of the team's top forwards. A week earlier, Armstrong had dealt for goalie Jaroslov Halak, showing that he would aggressively move to improve the team.

Decade in review: St. Louis Blues 7. BROUWER'S GOAL POINTS BLUES TO CONFERENCE FINALS

St. Louis Blues v Chicago Blackhawks Game 7

Nov 23, 2018 0 Few things were as indicative of the Blues struggles as their inability to get out of the first round of the playoffs. The Blues had lost four BY TOM TIMMERMANN • Post-Dispatch Hockey Writer consecutive playoff series going into the 2016 tournament, where they faced nemesis Chicago in the first round. The Blues went up 3-1 in the

series, lost game 5 in double overtime, lost Game 6 in Chicago and then The Blues decade in review shapes up like this: 2018-19 and then came home for Game 7. everything else. In the third period of a tie game, Robby Fabbri passed to Troy Brouwer, When you finally win the Stanley Cup for the first time since the team's who redirected the puck off the post, the puck came back to him, he inception in 1967-68, everything else pales by comparison. If you sliced it missed and then while falling down put it and the Blues won 3-2. They thinly enough, the 10 biggest Blues stories of the decade all happened in beat Dallas in the second round and went to the conference finals for the the window that began on July 1, 2018, the start of the 2018-19 NHL first time since 2001. They lost there to San Jose, but the dark clouds business year. that had loomed over them finally seemed to be breaking.

The franchise's life, and the lives of many diehard and even non-diehard 6. THE PARADE Blues fans changed on that day. No team in NHL history had ever gone Scenes from Blues Stanley Victory Parade as long from its inception without winning a Stanley Cup. Few teams in other sports, be it MLB, NFL or NBA, had gone as long without winning Everyone expected that when the Blues finally won the Stanley Cup, the one. The Blues had defied the odds in doing it. Chances were a halfway celebration would be like nothing the city had ever seen, and they were decent team — and the Blues were often more than half-decent in those right. Rather than a sedate parade with players waving from fire engines, years — would stumble into a title. The Blues never did. pickup trucks and convertibles, the Blues took the celebration to the people, leaving their vehicles to run into the crowd, drink beer with them, Instead, they crammed all sorts of juicy storylines into one season: Team exchange high fives and fist bumps and selfies and hugs. goes from worst to first; team fires coach, wins with interim coach; goalie called up from minor leagues leads team; key goal scored by kid from St. The Blues redefined what a victory celebration should be. Louis. Throw in a young girl fighting cancer and a victory song inspired by a bar visit in Philadelphia and you had a season no one had ever seen The parade, three days after the win, stopped for long stretches because the likes of. everyone was just having too much fun. Estimates on the size of the crowd along the route and for the celebration under the Arch varied, but Here's a look at the top 10 moments from the past decade of Blues somewhere approaching half a million seems likely. hockey: 5. BIG DEALS 10. WINTER CLASSIC Game 7 Stanley Cup Final On a cold and foggy Jan. 2, 2017, the Blues put on a show, with a sold- out crowd of 46,556 — obviously the largest hockey crowd in St. Louis On the first day of NHL free agency in 2018, the Blues signed forward history —at Busch Stadium for the NHL's annual Winter Classic, where David Perron and veteran center . So began Perron's third the Blues beat the Blackhawks 4-1 in a temporary ice rink in the middle tour with the team. (Strange fact: in Perron's 13-season career, the only of the baseball field. There was some rain in the first period, but it team he has ever signed a contract with is the Blues.) stopped and didn't come back until 30 minutes after the game ended. Neither move would address the team's biggest needs, but that night, the The Blues unveiled their new Winter Classic jerseys on that day, a Blues got the player they needed. Ryan O'Reilly had grown tired of all the powder-blue look that has become the team's third jersey. losing in Buffalo, and the GM there decided he wasn't right for the team any more. Blues GM Doug Armstrong jumped at the chance, acquiring “I've been to baseball games here and it's an awesome atmosphere,” O'Reilly for players who didn't fit with the Blues: Patrik Berglund, whose said veteran defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. “To be able to experience it agent had missed a deadline for submitting names for his modified no- on the field, or on the ice, it's pretty cool.” trade clause, a struggling Vladimir Sobotka and prospect , along with a draft pick. 9. TOM STILLMAN BUYS THE TEAM O'Reilly turned out to be the most consistent Blue over the course of the Tom Stillman, who made his fortune in the beer business, bought the season and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. team from a group headed by Dave Checketts, which had never been able to break through, or make money, with the team on May 9, 2012 for 4. BINNINGTON TAKES OVER an estimated $130 million. It's all or nothing for the Blues in Game 7 Stillman, who grew up playing hockey in Minnesota and had been a minority owner under Checketts, put together a local ownership group How high were the Blues on Jordan Binnington in 2018? The year that persevered after the team spent two years on the market. Stillman before, the team tried to send him to the ECHL, the second tier of the gave the team local ownership and stability and despite not having deep minor leagues, because the Blues didn't have their own farm team and pockets or a big market, the group allowed Armstrong to spend to the they couldn't get him any ice time in the AHL. That season, he wasn't salary cap to put a winning team on the ice. even the Blues No. 3 goalie. But that player, Ville Husso, was injured and struggling, so when the Blues decided to dump veteran backup Chad 8. BIG DRAFT SETS BLUES' PATH Johnson, they called up their No. 4, Binnington, and were so high on him that they played Jake Allen for 14 straight games and Binnington only got Game 7 Stanley Cup Final in when the team had back-to-back games and didn't have a choice. Doug Armstrong was just about to take over from Larry Pleau as general Then in his first game, he shut out Philadelphia on Jan. 7, and a legend manager when he made a move that would set the team on the path to was born. the success that would follow. The Blues, in their last draft under scouting director Jarmo Kekalainen, took Jaden Schwartz with their pick, Setting records left and right for rookie goalies and amusing fans with his the 14th in the first round. Armstrong then traded their previous season's dry demeanor — "Do I look nervous?" — he single-handedly changed first-round pick, defenseman David Rundblad, to Ottawa for the 16th the course of the season. pick, with which they chose Vladimir Tarasenko. 3. BERUBE REPLACES YEO Rundblad would play five seasons in the NHL, with Ottawa, Chicago and Phoenix, with four goals and 21 assists in 113 games, while Tarasenko The Blues and Coyotes tangle at the Enterprise Center became one of the top goalscorers in the league and Schwartz became After the summer's activities had built high expectations, the Blues stumbled out of the gate. They weren't bad, but they had a series of lopsided losses and never could string wins together. The team dwelled at the bottom of the Central Division standings and couldn't get any traction, despite all the talent. So on the night of Nov. 19, after a shutout loss to the Kings, the Blues fired in what would have been just his second full season.

Associate head coach Craig Berube, who had coached the Flyers previously and then become the Blues minor-league coach, was named interim coach, and life after the interim tag seemed very unlikely. But the team rallied behind Berube, who focused on getting better and got the team believing in itself. The fear of disaster that used to hang over the Blues went away.

2. PAT MAROON SCORES

Blues, Stars in deciding Game 7

Pat Maroon, right, celebrates with Tyler Bozak, left, and Robert Thomas after scoring the winning goal in double overtime of Game 7 of a playoff series against Dallas on May 7, 2019. (Robert Cohen, rcohen@post- dispatch.com)

The Blues had won Game 6 in Dallas to force a decisive Game 7 in St. Louis in the second round of the playoffs. Both teams scored with 2½ minutes of each other in the first period and then settled in for a long battle. No one scored in the second or third period, so the game went to sudden-death overtime. No one scored in the first 20 minutes, and then early in the second overtime, Tyler Bozak won a faceoff, rookie Robert Thomas took a shot that hit the bar and off the back of goalie Ben Bishop, who grew up in St. Louis, but the puck didn't go in.

There was Pat Maroon, the Oakville kid who had taken a pay cut to sign with his hometown team so he could spend more time with his young son, to sweep in and knock the puck into the net, ending the game after 85 minutes, 55 seconds, and sending the Blues to the conference final.

1. BLUES WIN STANLEY CUP

It's all or nothing for the Blues in Game 7

On June 12, 2019, the Blues did it. Ryan O'Reilly scored to give the Blues the lead and Alex Pietrangelo scored with eight seconds to go in the first period to make it 2-0 and give the Blues some breathing room. They protected the lead through the second period and then Brayden Schenn scored midway through the third and all of a sudden, it looked like this would really happen.

Zach Sanford, who grew up nearby and was a lifelong Bruins fan, scored with 4:38 to play to make it 4-0, that did it. Fate would, for once, smile on the Blues. Even a late goal by the Bruins couldn't change things.

With large crowds watching back home at Enterprise Center and Busch Stadium, the clock went to zero and the Blues, playing on enemy turf, went wild. It was a fitting place for a finish: The Blues had played better on the road than at home throughout the playoffs, and in the Final, they won three of their four games on the road.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167548 St Louis Blues “I think we’re patient with the game,” he said. “We’re used to being in tight games. We mentioned going through the process last year. Even this year, there doesn’t seem to be any panic in our game. I think we stayed patient with the game and we found our legs and played better.” Blues have turned persistence into their latest winning streak The Blues have not lost in regulation in any of the 19 games this season in which they scored first, and that’s definitely the preferred way of doing business. When the Blues score first, they’re much better at controlling Tom Timmermann the tempo. That’s another way they’re better than they were at the start of last season.

LOS ANGELES — A Stanley Cup championship such as the Blues had “The beginning of last season seemed like we were giving games away,” last season is its own reward. Anything else you pick up along the way is Bouwmeester said. “It was the opposite, we’d be up in games and then a nice bonus, but definitely an ancillary benefit. allow teams to get back in it. I think that our second half and the way things went, a lot of the same team is back, so the lessons you learned Along with the hardware they got, the Blues learned a valuable lesson from that I think we’ve been able to hold on to. We’ve proved to that has carried into this season: ourselves if we stick with it and do all the little things and the things we should, you’re not going to guarantee you come back every time but you “They know how to win,” coach Craig Berube said. can make it close and give it a good run.” That clearly has been the case this season, because time and again, the The Blues are one of four teams in the league still in single digits in Blues have had games in which they shouldn’t have won but have losses in regulation, so they’ve been able to make the most of staying in prevailed, as evidenced by the fact they have the most points in the games. And Berube points to one more lesson his team has learned: Western Conference —and the second-most in the NHL — despite being what you’ve done in the past is no indication you’ll do something again sixth in goal difference and 14th in goals scored. just because you have. Somehow, the Blues continue to find a way. Fall behind? Catching up is “You have to stay with it,” he said. “It’s a day-to-day thing. It’s a game-to- not a problem. In 14 of the Blues’ 23 wins this season they have trailed. game thing. We’ve got to stay with it, got to be mentally tough. We talked “They definitely know how to win and know that it’s character and a lot about mental toughness last year and I think our guys have gotten a leadership,” Berube said. “They know how to hang in there and then, lot stronger in that area. But you’ve got to keep going, you’ve got to keep when the time comes, they push and they win games. We have 14 come- working on it. It’s a never-ending process.” from-behind victories; that’s a lot. We’re not always going to have our best stuff and it’s important that you find ways to win those games.” St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.23.2019 Many of the comebacks have been simple ones, with the team falling behind by one goal early. But the Blues have won four times after trailing going into the third period, and their .333 win percentage in that situation is second-best in the league.

They have a .444 winning percentage when trailing after the first period (fifth best) and their eight wins after giving up the first goal is tied for fourth best. Both those numbers are improvements over last season: last season they were at .327 when trailing after the first and were 17th when giving up the first goal.

Their 5-2 win Saturday in San Jose was the Blues’ fifth in a row, and they have trailed in four of them. In three of them, including the San Jose game, they never trailed by more than one goal. But in the recent Chicago game, they came back from three goals down to win 4-3 — the first time the team had done that in regulation in a regular-season game.

Coming from behind, of course, is a dangerous way to live because teams that are behind tend to lose a lot more than teams that are ahead. But the Blues seem to have figured something out for turning negatives into positives.

“I think we have confidence to let the process play out,” defenseman Jay Bouwmeester said. “I think as long as there’s time left in the game, nobody’s panicking. We feel confident that if we play the way we can, in the end we’ll be able to score the goals and come back.”

And that dates to lessons learned in their rags-to-riches run last season, in which the Blues needed to find any way to win to stay alive.

“The situation we were in, in January and February, we were pretty desperate,” Berube said. “We had to win a lot of games to get in the playoffs, and (there were) nights when you had to come from behind to win games. That’s just the way it is.

“It’s a mental thing. It’s sticking with it and keep going. (It’s) not getting too down because we’re down in a game, just keep playing. Things change. It’s just mental more than anything.”

On Saturday, the Blues played two subpar periods. But thanks to the play of Jake Allen in net, they kept the game even until they finally found their game in the third period and won.

“That’s a good example,” Bouwmeester said. “The first two periods weren’t very good but we were still in the game. Jake made some good saves. That’s part of it. You’re not out of the games usually when your goalie keeps you in it. . . . He gave us the opportunity to come back in the game.”

Forward David Perron said the team is experienced in such situations. 1167549 St Louis Blues The remaining 10 players in each division will be chosen by the league’s Hockey Operations Department. The coach of each division will be determined by which team has the highest points percentage at the halfway point of the regular season. Berube currently leads the Central. Blues notebook: Berube goes up against a brawler from his past in San Jose NOTES

Ryan MacInnis, son of former Blue and current senior advisor to the general manager Al MacInnis, became the latest St. Louis hockey Tom Timmermann product to reach the NHL, making his debut on Saturday night for the Columbus Blue Jackets against New Jersey. MacInnis, who had three

goals and 12 assists with the Blue Jackets’ Cleveland farm team, was an SAN JOSE, CALIF. — Blues coach Craig Berube and Sharks interim emergency callup as injuries beset Columbus. His father was on hand for coach Bob Boughner went head to head on Saturday night, though this the game. … meeting was a lot more tame than some of their previous meetings. The Vegas Golden Knights play the Sharks on Sunday and flew to San Berube and Boughner were both prolific fighters during their playing Jose from a game in Vancouver on Thursday, which allowed Paul careers, and, according to hockeyfights.com, fought each other five Stastny to catch up with some of his former teammates outside the Blues times. That puts Boughner high on Berube’s list: only five players fought dressing room after the morning skate. … Berube more in his NHL career: Paul Laus (seven) and Jeff Beukeboom, , Troy Brouwer and Niko Mikkola were healthy scratches for Bob Probert and Tie Domi (all with six). For Boughner, Berube was at the the Blues. … top of his dance card. To clarify, Brayden Schenn said it was actually ’s playlist “We went at it a few times and then played together and were pretty good that was used during Thursday’s skill session in practice, but they were friends,” Berube said Saturday. “It’s a tough situation for him, stepping in running it through Schenn’s phone. for his good friend Pete. I’m glad to see him get another opportunity to be a head coach. It’s a tough business. Boogie and I go back a long way.”

The head-to-head meeting on Saturday almost didn’t happen. Boughner, St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.23.2019 who was fired by Florida after last season so they could bring in Joel Quenneville, was named interim coach of the Sharks on Dec. 11 when Pete DeBoer was fired. He had been an assistant coach.

Berube is six years older than Boughner, so he was an established brawler by the time Boughner came up.

“I remember in Buffalo one night, I didn’t know who he was because he was a young guy and I was in the league for a while,” Berube said. “I think and I were going at it a little bit, it was during the play and all of a sudden I get a tap on the back like that (here, Berube reached and whacked a reporter’s arm) and I turned around and it was Bob Boughner and he said, ‘I’ve got you tonight big boy if you want to go.’ I started laughing. Who’s this guy? Because I didn’t know who he was. He was a young guy. It was pretty funny though.”

Berube, who took over the Blues in a similar situation last season, said he thought Boughner’s style would soon sink in with San Jose.

“Definitely,” he said. “All teams seem to take on the coach’s personality at some point, what the coach is preaching, his philosophy, how he wants his team to be looked at and play. It takes a little bit of time but he’s definitely going to put his stamp on that team at some point.”

And players like Berube have a certain view of the game that it’s hard for others to match.

“I think a lot of it has to do with that we were always assessing the game, watching it a lot,” he said. “Guys like myself, I didn’t play a whole lot. I was watching a lot and learned and tried to always improve, to become a better player. I had to prove myself almost every year I played in the NHL or else I wouldn’t have played. That’s just the way it was. I think we just kind of understood how the game was played, I guess, what was successful and what was not.”

ROOM WITH NO VIEW

Tyler Bozak was back in the lineup after missing one game with what he termed a nasty case of food poisoning.

Asked about watching the Blues-Edmonton game on television from home while he couldn’t be at the rink, Bozak said he didn’t see much of it.

“I don’t have a TV in my bathroom so I missed quite a bit of the game,” he said.

ALL-STAR PICKS

The four divisional captains for the NHL All-Star Game, coming to Enterprise Center on Jan. 24-25, were named Saturday. Based on fan voting, Nathan MacKinnon of Colorado will captain the Central, Connor McDavid of Edmonton the Pacific, David Pastrnak of Boston the Atlantic and Alex Ovechkin of Washington the Metropolitan. 1167550 St Louis Blues

Allen back in goal for Blues vs. Sharks

Tom Timmermann

Dec 21, 2019

SAN JOSE, CALIF. -- Jake Allen will start in goal for the Blues on Saturday night against the Sharks, marking rare back-to-back starts for him.

The last time Allen make consecutive starts was March 7 and 9 of last season, on another West Coast trip, and before that it was Jan. 3 and 5, right before the dawn of Jordan Binnington and when the Blues' world changed. Allen did get in consecutive games earlier this season, when he came in for Binnington in the first period against Toronto on Dec. 7 and then started at Buffalo on Dec. 10.

Coach Craig Berube said the team had scheduled this game for Allen and it wasn't based on his play against Edmonton, where Allen stopped 35 of 36 shots he faced in a 2-1 win.

"It's based on our schedule with our goalies," Berube said, "I think Binner got a lot of work early on in the season, it's been a busy schedule so the plan was to use Jake a lot more in this area."

If Binnington gets the start at Los Angeles on Monday, he will have gone a week since his previous start against Colorado, which will be a long layoff for Binnington.

"For sure, it has been," Berube said. "It will be good for him."

Binnington started 26 of the Blues' first 35 games this season.

THEY'RE BACK

After missing two games with an upper-body injury, Ivan Barbashev will be back in the lineup for the Blues tonight. Also back with be Tyler Bozak, who missed the Edmonton game with food poisoning and Mackenzie MacEachern, who didn't skate on Thursday.

"He's been a good player," Berube said of Barbashev. "We used him in a lot of different areas, spots, he's produced offensively for us, played a heavy hard game every night, kills penalties. He's done a good job. He's been really consistently."

THEY MEET AGAIN

The last time the Blues were here was for Game 5 of the Western Conference final. The Blues, as you might recall, won that game and went to win the conference title in Game 6 at Enterprise Center. The Blues have won three in a row against the Sharks.

The Sharks have won just one of their past eight games and Pete DeBoer got fired as coach. This will the fourth game for interim coach Bob Boughner.

"I don't think it's that much of a difference (from last season's team), to be honest with you," Berube said. "They've got a lot of good players over there, they're a good team. They're just trying to find their way right now. We talked to our guys, this is a tough game tonight, it's a tough building, going back to the playoffs last season. We've got to be ready to go. We've got to take this game as serious as we've taken any game this year."

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Blues notebook: Binnington rested and ready to go

Tom Timmermann

LOS ANGELES — It only seems like it’s been forever since Jordan Binnington played in goal for the Blues. If he’s in the net as expected on Monday night against the Kings, it will be one week since his previous game. That will be his longest in-season break since he ascended to the No. 1 role in January.

Jake Allen has started the past two games. Since Binnington’s last start he skipped one practice and made only cameo appearances in two others. Binnington was on the ice for the full practice on Sunday at the Kings’ facility in El Segundo, his first in more than a week.

“It’s been good,” he said. “I feel good (with) a little active rest this last week. It’s good. The boys are playing well, so it’s good to see and looking forward to getting back at it.

“When you’re on the ice you go hard and you’re efficient and when you’re off the ice you’re getting your rest and recovery and taking care of yourself and all the same old things.”

Coach Craig Berube has talked of needing to give Binnington more rest after the extensive work he got last season as the Blues made their rush to the Stanley Cup. Binnington has made 26 starts this season, and even after taking a week off he’s still in the top 10 in games played.

Binnington would like to play every game, though he can see the benefit of time off.

“I think I understand it,” he said. “It’s a lot of hockey we’ve played and you pick your spots in the schedule that work well and Jake’s playing great and the team’s rolling. We’re all playing well, so hopefully we stick with that and keep building as the year goes and keep adapting as the season comes along.”

How ready was he to get back in a game?

“It should be fun,” he said.

Alex Pietrangelo’s two goals on Saturday gave him nine for the season. At his current pace, he’s on track for 20 goals; his career high is 15.

At this point, double figures is pretty much a gimme.

“Hopefully,” he said. “That’s the goal. We always talk about our ‘D’ needing to create offense. I’s just how we play and we’re better like that. You look at our ‘D’ and maybe if we’re not scoring, me and (Justin Faulk) had, what, 20 shot attempts last game? It was just a matter of time. When we’re creating offense like that we’re tough to handle.”

“He’s been awesome for us,” forward Jaden Schwartz said said. “He’s a motivated guy. He’s smart at jumping into plays, he’s got a good shot. We all know how good he is with his stick defensively, too, so he’s good in all situations and no one’s really surprised with how good he’s doing. He’s been playing great for us. It’s fun to watch.”

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Preview: Blues at Kings

Jim Thomas

Kopitar scores in OT, Kings beat Bruins 4-3

Charles Krupa

When, were: 9 p.m. Monday, Staples Center, Los Angeles.

TV, radio: FSM, WXOS (101.1 FM).

About the Kings: After finishing 30th in the NHL last season, the effort to transition to a younger, faster team hasn’t borne much fruit. At 15-19-4 for 34 points, only New Jersey and Detroit have fewer points this season. But the Kings have been better lately. They are 4-1-2 over their past seven games, the last six contests on the road. In six of those games, Los Angeles allowed three goals or less. The Kings are tied for the most road losses (13), but have been good at home (10-6-1).

LA is 28th in scoring (2.58 goals per game) and has only two players with 10 or more goals — Anze Kopitar (14) and Jeff Carter (11). The Kings have the league’s 30th-ranked power player (12.7 percent) and are even worse at home — ranking 31st (last), at 10.0 percent.

In their only meeting so far this season, the Blues won 5-2 on Oct. 24 in St. Louis and scored a season-high three power-play goals.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167553 Tampa Bay Lightning three, already up 8-3 on the Islanders. Trotz said the following: “Everybody has their own way of doing it. I wouldn’t have done it that way. Tells me a lot about him.” Sorry, Trotz, but it doesn’t work that way in professional sports. In high school, I’m with you, at a certain point you Who are the Lightning’s best gift-givers? don’t put your best players out there. Even in the NHL, it might be the better move not to put out your best players, but you can’t really complain

when someone does, not at this level. By Diana C. Nearhos Three-on-three Published Yesterday Best one-timers in the league: 3. David Pastrnak, Bruins ……(large Updated Earlier today gap)…… 2. , Lighting. 1. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals.

Last defensemen to reach 100 points: 3. Al MacInnis, Flames, 90-91, 103. 2. Brian Leetch, Rangers, 91-92, 102. 1. John Carlson, 2019-20, Lightning defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk already knows he’s nailed at Washington, 107 and counting (based on current pace) least one Christmas present this year. His mother’s gift is a week with her five-month-old grandson. Last year, they had it easy too. His wife Best ways to enjoy hockey without the NHL at Christmas: 3. Street Deanna presented his mother with an album from their wedding. hockey. 2. Mini-sticks (preferably in an unfinished basement, with a lot of noise) 1. Outdoor skating/Pond hockey Christmas gifts aren’t always so easy, though. Questions for the Lightning In that way, NHL players are just like the rest of us. Some have fun discovering what family and friends really want. Others ask for a list. How many too many men penalties have the Lightning taken this season and why can’t they learn to count yet? “I’m a terrible gift-giver,” Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn said. “I don’t know if there’s been any time I’ve felt that I nailed it. I adhere to Technically, this question wasn’t asked of me, but @ChristineLRM put it give me some ideas and I go buy all the ideas.” out to the Twitter-verse and it’s a very fair inquiry. The Lightning have taken seven too-many-men penalties, having added another Saturday in “Tell me what you want and I’ll get it” is a popular approach in the a 3-1 loss at Washington. That’s not the most in the league — Ottawa Lightning dressing room. Backup goalie Curtis McElhinney takes the took two on Saturday and now has nine. Before you laugh at the surprise out of it because he doesn’t want to disappoint anyone. Senators, remember the Lightning took two in their Oct. 26 loss to the Predators. There’s really no reason for this many too-man-men penalties. Winger Ondrej Palat enjoys giving gifts, but he doesn’t like shopping so It should be the easiest penalty to avoid, yet the Lightning keep doing it. he leaves that to his wife, Barbora. Defenseman Victor Hedman’s wife, They need to focus on what they’re doing, even when it’s something as Sanna, also does a lot of their shopping, but Hedman enjoys coming up simple as timing the jump over the boards. (Shoutout to IcyData for the with gift ideas, too. stats!) “I’m usually pretty good at coming up with stuff myself,” he said. “I don’t Why did pull the goalie on the power play Saturday? need a list. Maybe pick up something they say during the year.” This is another one I pulled off Twitter, asked by multiple people who Defenseman Jan Rutta calls that being a spy. He prides himself on giving were definitely not happy with the decision. The Lightning trailed 2-1 good gifts, trying to get information about what his family wants without when they got a power play with 3:48 to play. Cooper pulled Curtis them knowing that’s what he’s doing. McElhinney, giving the Lightning a six-on-four. Whether it’s a Quick hits with Mikhail Sergachev conventional five-on-three or the six-on-four, there’s a huge difference between one more skater and two more skaters. It looks like a bad call Most used emoji: Sergachev’s uses a lot of the laughing crying emoji. because the Capitals scored a shorthanded empty-netter, but that’s He’s probably not alone on this one; it’s a rather popular one (and my where you count on your two-man advantage to keep the puck in the own most used as well). zone. Giving his team the bigger differential in players was the best way Go-to coffee shop order: Sergachev drinks a latte with coconut milk. to create a chance to score. It just didn’t work.

What would you bring to a desert island: First, Sergachev said he’d bring water, very practical. Then he amended the answer to bringing his Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 12.23.2019 girlfriend, which is definitely less lonely.

So, I had a thought

· Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is not playing up to his standards. His numbers through 25 starts are career lows: .906 save percentage and 2.88 goals against. They’re not awful, but they aren’t Vasielvskiy numbers. He knows it, and the Lightning know it. His teammates, however, aren’t going to say that.

Alex Killorn quickly stopped that line of questioning after Thursday’s loss to Dallas, saying Vasilevskiy has been very good for them for a long time. No one likes talking about bad goaltending because it singles one person out, unlike talking about scoring or the penalty kill.

For three games last week, Vasilevskiy looked more like himself. But allowing four goals on 20 shots does not fall in that category. In a game when the Lightning limited chances and ran into a brick wall at the other end, Vasilevskiy didn’t secure the win.

· Boston defenseman Torey Krug had some strong comments for the Bruins after they lost to the Islanders, 3-2, in a shootout Thursday: “I think we really have to hate to lose more. The more you hate to lose, the more you don’t accept these outcomes. You don’t accept the way that you’re playing. Everyone has a big role. Let’s get back to it.” That thought could also apply to the Lightning. It’s not quite the same, because the Lighting is playing pretty well with some holes. But if they hate to lose more than anything, they’ll find ways to plug those holes more often.

· I hate to disagree with Islanders coach Barry Trotz. But I do, adamantly. played Nashville’s top power-play unit in a late five-on- 1167554 Tampa Bay Lightning There’s not a line there that I don’t like, that I don’t consider plus against league average. Tyler Johnson as a fourth-line center is a big advantage. The not-quite-household names — Cirelli and Gourde and even Vergaeghe — are extremely effective talents. Bourne: I still believe in the Lightning this season, and so should you Their third pair (or 2B, however you classify them) is Sergachev and Shattenkirk. They have a recent Norris winner on the top pair. There are plenty of NHL teams with middling rosters that start well and make By Justin Bourne pundits go “How are they doing it, what a job by [list of overachieving Dec 22, 2019 players].” Being a legitimate elite team in the NHL means having the ability to maintain that success though, as only the best can over the marathon-long seasons. When you’ve shown to be capable of that in the past, there becomes reason to believe you can do it again. Norris, Vezina The talk around the Tampa Bay Lightning, at least the talk I’ve come and Hart Trophies — not to mention a team-achieved Presidents’ Trophy across, has been mostly centered on a pretty general (and pretty fair) — give us reason to believe these guys are big-picture good and that we question: What the heck is going on there? shouldn’t expect their lulls to last. If you were to sort the Atlantic Division standings on Dec. 22 for points — • Speaking of “proving it,” all Jon Cooper did on his way to the NHL was which are fairly important to a team! — you’d see the Lightning in sixth prove it. He won and he won and he won at every level, then he took place, ahead of just the Detroit Red Wings and the Ottawa Senators. The over the Lightning, and they got better and better until … well, until they latter team there, the Sens, just took them to overtime on Tuesday, lost four straight games to Columbus between April 10, 2019, and April though the Bolts did manage to grab both points. They weren’t so lucky 16, 2019. That’s a single week of hockey. While it’s bonafide baggage, I Thursday, when they lost in OT to the Stars. Then they lost to the league- don’t believe that seven-day stretch is a better reflection of Cooper’s leading Capitals on Saturday night, which leaves them with a 5-6-2 coaching ability than everything else he’s done. I believe he’s capable of record over their past 13 games. navigating this team out of troubled (mildly choppy?) waters. There’s a lot of reasons, and a lot of ways to look at the Bolts’ season I should note too, Lightning players have mentioned that facing a little and wonder what’s going on there — it’s an exercise that’s been adversity here and having to find their way out of it might be a good thing endeavored upon numerous times by our own Joe Smith, and I’ve for a team that coasted by so easily last season. That stunning dabbled a bit there too. Last season, they won the Presidents’ Trophy, postseason loss should serve as the butt-kicking reminder that nothing is and their roster didn’t change much, yet here they are. Yes, they moved to be taken for granted. on from JT Miller, but they brought in Kevin Shattenkirk (and Pat Maroon), and their mostly young core got another year deeper into their • According to ESPN’s “strength of schedule” metric (SOS), the Lightning primes. Sixth in the division (and 22nd in the league) was obviously not have faced the toughest competition in the NHL to date. That softens the expectation nearly halfway through the season, just a breath from over the rest of the season. I feel like I should bold this point, but that Christmas 2019. would look weird, so please, bold it in your brain. It’s a biggy.

Further, they’ve played 18 games at home and 16 away, so they can’t • The “fancy” stats still really like them. They’re a top-five team by really blame a lopsided travel schedule. The defending Hart Trophy expected goals, they’re top five in scoring chance percentage, they’re the winner, Nikita Kucherov, was recently stapled to the bench by their coach sixth-best team in the league by simple shot-attempt percentage. They’re for bad turnovers. The defending Vezina Trophy winner, Andrei a talented team that gets more looks than its opponents, and that’s been Vasilevskiy, might need a little time there himself. He’s posted a .906 against — as I just mentioned — good teams. So … you want to bet save percentage after years of .925, .920 and .917. against them?

Despite all that, I’m here to report I still think the Lightning are one of the Really, the point I’m making here isn’t rocket science. It’s much more five best teams in the NHL, that they’re just fine, a force to be reckoned unlikely that the Lightning have become a below-average team — and it with even, and that the longer they struggle, the more likely it is that would be a much bigger story — than if this is just the team we expected some top seed is gonna see a great season send them careening into a them to be, and they’ve just gotten off to a slow start. first-round wood-chipper. As they catch up in games played here, and head into the meaty middle Here’s why: of the season, I expect the Bolts to find their stride. Of all the teams that might feel like panicking at this point of the season, I say it’s not their • Let’s start with the obvious. They trail in games played, and by points time just yet. percentage (points earned against points available to them so far), they’re actually fourth in the division, and a win on Monday over Florida could move them all the way up to second (coupled with a Leafs loss). The point is, they’re right there in that points-percentage pocket to be a The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 postseason home-ice advantage team with very little changing. Even with as many losses as wins, they’re a +8 goal-differential team, which I always believe to be as telling as a team’s record, sometimes more so. Those are some decent reasons to keep hands off any panic buttons just yet. It’s also worth a mention that they’ve played well in some of the games they’ve lost lately. They dominated in their recent loss to the Stars, for example.

• When you come across information that implies that Kucherov isn’t going as well as he has in the past, or that Vasilevskiy isn’t having a great year, do you believe A) They’ve fallen off at ages 26 and 25, or do you think B) That’s probably a sign they’ll be better going forward and the Lightning will see big gains from that? (Guess which one I think.)

“PDO” is simply a team’s shooting percentage combined with its save percentage, as both tend to regress back to league average (expressed as 1.00) when they get extreme. The Bolts, as you can see in that tweet above, have had a bad run of shooting percentage and goaltending. Since I think they have well-above-average shooting and goaltending — a theory supported by them having the highest PDO in the league last season — I expect a major bounce back in those categories. If Vasilevskiy can get himself halfway sorted here, look out.

• Have an eye-test look at their roster. 1167555 Toronto Maple Leafs cleaves to the Leafs’ strengths, with a marquee netminder in Freddie Andersen as the final bulwark.

“One of the primary things that I’ve known with the team for some time, Hockey’s moment of reckoning is personal for . A survivor having worked with the team through training camp, through summers of abuse, he opts to lead with positivity, empathy and in my role with the Marlies, is just the way the team defends and what it gives up in the middle of the ice. The high-end scoring chances that Freddie has to face. My priority coming in was to fix that, try to change the way in which chances and shots come at the goaltender.” By Rosie DiManno The premise, Keefe expounds, is curtailing opposition shots from high- Star Columnist danger areas, trusting that Andersen will handle most of the toughies. “I Sun., Dec. 22, 2019 believe there’s a level of confidence that comes with that, so that when the breakdowns do happen (Andersen) is going to be sharp. It hasn’t been perfect, but we’ve seen some progress in that area. We’ve had to give up different things in terms of the pressure that we have on the There was a coach, once upon a Mike Babcock time, who spoke often of puck, or the time we may spend in our zone, but trying to limit what we’re moulding hockey players into better men. giving up in the middle of the ice and getting our players to value that That’s not the job, of course. The job is to win. space.”

When Babcock couldn’t do it with these Maple Leafs, he was fired in It has been, philosophically and tactically, a meeting of the minds what felt like the blink of an eye. And that job passed to Sheldon Keefe. between Dubas and Keefe — Boy Genius and The Professor, as the latter was known even in his junior playing days. Because he’s always What kind of man is he? Should we even ask? Does it matter? thought the game.

Young, articulate, a breath of fresh air that immediately dispelled the “The vision that we’ve had on the teams where we’ve been together, heaviness which had enveloped the team, as if the players had been starting in the Soo and then coming here, has always been a work in caught in a trough of low barometric pressure, the kind that makes the progress, adapting and changing,” says Dubas. “But I thought from the head throb and the nerve endings zap. Infused with a passion for hockey, very first time when I met with Sheldon that the general foundations of for coaching, for positivity over haranguing negativity. The psychic uplift our philosophy were close enough that it would be a good relationship was instant. where we had alignment.

And Keefe is much more one of them, in age proximity and character. “I was very young in my career and inexperienced. I knew 100 per cent In a post-Babcock era, the Leafs — for all their chronic defects — have how we wanted to play and the type of players that we needed. I wouldn’t responded with enthusiasm, rebooted conviction and reignited moxie. It say that I had 100 per cent conviction in that quite yet. It began to really is not trite to say, with fun. There’d been precious little of that through the solidify — my philosophy about the game.” struggles of October and most of November as players and coach wore Keefe had previously worn all hats with the : on each other. Babcock begged his players to grind, but instead he owner, GM, coach. It didn’t take long to go all in with his rather ground on them. revolutionary manager.

Keefe has possibly never used that word — grind — since assuming the “I don’t necessarily think, when I joined him in Sault St. Marie, that I had reins. Rather, he’s encouraged them to fly. To become more the slick that philosophy. But what I had was an open mind and a willingness to creative team envisioned by his boss, general manager , who learn. I’ve really only ever worked with Kyle, whether the Soo or the constructed a team which embodied that doctrine. Marlies and now here.”

The transformation has been manifest and manifold. But the man now It was, he acknowledges, a dramatic shift from the traditional approach to behind the bench is himself an avatar of transformative reinvention. hockey, though Keefe had also expanded his perspective under the As not much more than a boy, Keefe fell in thrall to a terrible human aegis of Hockey Canada, attending coaching seminars and immersing being: David Frost. It’s a subject scarcely mentioned these days and himself in psychology — particularly examining the nature of Keefe is long removed from the manipulated, compliant — also cocky interpersonal relationships. and stroppy — adolescent he was, caught up in the bizarre cult of Frost Unlike Babcock, he isn’t detail-obsessed. “Details are important, that’s that included, most notoriously, Mike Danton. Mesmerized by and in how you win. But I’m not one to get hung up on detail so much, because I mental bondage to a toxic Svengali-agent who gnawed at the bones of recognize there’s a high level of randomness that happens in this sport. his impressionable acolytes. The game is very unpredictable and very dynamic. You need to have The question is asked: Has Frost contacted Keefe since he was named dynamic thinkers. So there has to be a certain level of freedom and trust the 40th head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs? that the players are going to be able to adjust on the fly.”

“No. Never.” Overstructure, he suggests, can be stultifying.

We’ll set that aside for now and return to it later. Because, to be fair, the “Take away some of those freedoms and you take away the skills that measure of Keefe will be drawn from how he acquits himself in his got these players here. That’s an important piece of what we’re trying to current position, what defines The Sheldon Way of doing hockey. A do: allow the players to make decisions on the ice and give them syllabus refined through 13 seasons in junior A, major junior and with the guidance to create frameworks in the decision-making process on the Marlies — seven of them as coach on Dubas-managed teams. ice. But recognizing that things happen really fast. We have to trust that they’re going to do the right things.” “There’s the on-ice side and the off-ice side,’’ Keefe explained in a sit- down interview this past week. “Off the ice, first of all, we’re trying to put Unlike, say, Babcock, Keefe has known failure. While a points production together a program that celebrates the positives in people. Also, league leader in the OHL, his NHL resumé is patchy and mediocre from pinpointing and working on the areas where we need to grow. While six seasons with Tampa Bay, bouncing back and forth from the minors, staying positive and showing us at our best, still being realistic about and finally out for good with a shredded knee. But because he’s always where we need to go and what we’re capable of. been a keen observer, Keefe watched and learned from the early travails of teammate Martin St. Louis in Tampa and the gaining of wisdom by “Then, on the ice, reflecting that in a style of play that fits the group and Vincent Lecavalier, made Lightning captain at just 20 years old. And, of the talent level that we have, and a structure that will help us put players course, enduring a sometimes turbulent relationship with John Tortorella. in positions to succeed. Then also trying to plug the holes, if you will, defensively that have held the team back, in my opinion.’’ “Those are things that stayed with me forever. Despite my pro career being short, I went through a lot of things that really gave me a In the opinion of many, frankly, alarmed by the shortcomings of a foundation when I started coaching.” defensively sketchy D-crew and the frequent disinterest by forwards in playing without the puck. Shortcomings baked into Dubas’ More recently, he’s observed the purported moment of reckoning in unconventional blueprint. Keefe counters that his incarnation of structure hockey as former players have come forward with disturbing stories about mistreatment, mental and physical abuse by coaches, and the In speaking about Frost now, in late December of 2019, Keefe’s destructive mind games some have utilized. comments become terser, more guarded. How often must he finger the entrails of a sordid past? He’s obviously not that person anymore. “It’s a moment in time that brings attention to the way things were,” he says. “But it’s also a moment to reflect and see where the game has And yet, Keefe adopts an almost passive tone about Frost, a whispering grown. I really believe there are substantial changes that have been echo of ties that once bound, as if the creepy puppet master could still made in terms of how coaches deal with players. I know it’s a priority for yank at strings if he chose. me. I’ve gone outside of hockey to develop these skills, to learn how to deal with people, manage people. Since I started to coach professionally, “The one piece that I’m grateful for is that he has allowed me, really since I’ve put a priority on positivity, a priority on empathy, a priority on the I started coaching, to just live my life, unaware of what’s happening with well-being of players and staff.” him. He’s allowed me to just coach.”

For Keefe, it’s been a deeply personal awakening. He was abused, Allowed. mentally and emotionally, by Frost, who was very effective at ostracizing teenage players from their families. Keefe spent years as an eager pupil of Frost’s harmful dictates. That was the Keefe who was loathed by Toronto Star LOADED: 12.23.2019 teammates outside the clique of Frost disciples on the Quinte Hawks, the St. Michael’s Majors and the , among others. The Keefe who basically disregarded his coaches while being signalled from the stands by Frost. The Keefe who memorably refused to shake the hand of OHL commissioner David Branch at the 2000 opening ceremony. The Keefe who was a witness at Frost’s 2008 trial on four counts of sexually exploiting young hockey players. (Frost was acquitted. Keefe’s testimony remains under a publication ban.)

Frost had also punched a player on the bench during a phase when he coached the Hawks, for which he was arrested, pleading guilty and receiving a conditional discharge. Perhaps most revolting was a photo that surfaced in 2001 of Danton’s then-13-year-old brother wearing only underwear and taped to a chair. Frost and Keefe were present.

None of it turned Keefe off Frost back then. Now he has a different perspective.

“I recognize that I was put in a tough spot, in that I was a developing hockey player being coached by someone who was making me a better player, and had the trust of my family in order to do so. You’re feeling like this is just how it is.

“I was a young person being influenced by a situation that, if I were to look back on it and had more control over things, I wouldn’t put myself in that situation. I wouldn’t want to put my kids in that situation. That was not a good situation and certainly not one that I would ever want to recreate as a coach and as a leader now. As an adult, I’m smart enough to know what’s right and what’s wrong, and would help guide anyone that’s having those negative influences in their life.

“The changes that society has made and the sport has made to weed out people like that, in terms of what’s acceptable, benefits everybody. I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of that change.”

His well-documented background, though, required Keefe to beg for redemption and sell himself as a fundamentally altered man to the citizens of Pembroke when he bought the Lumber Kings.

“I had to spend time with very influential people, to reassure them, get to know my character. Ask them for a chance to earn their trust, their respect.” He vowed that no Frost-like individual would ever be allowed near the team.

There was no definitive snapping of his ties with Frost, more a gradual distancing by Keefe.

“It was very clear that I had reached a point in my life where there had to be a clear separation if I was going to have any success (coaching). Creating that situation was step one.”

Again, when Dubas fired and replaced him on the Greyhounds with Keefe, who was by then married and starting a family, Dubas dug deep for character appraisals. “I knew when we made the hire that it was going to be met with … some blowback,’’ says Dubas. “We did an exhaustive job in learning about who he was and who he had become.” Extraordinarily positive feedback. And later, a much less controversial segue to the Marlies. Hardly a peep about darker days either when elevated to the Leafs.

“He’s been a part of the Leafs organization for five years,” continues Dubas. “In regards of who he is and the quality of character, what he’s become as an adult and a professional, a husband and a father, I have no apprehensions about him being anything but the most solid character and person.” 1167556 Toronto Maple Leafs like our team — so we’ve got to make sure we make the right plays, take care of that puck.”

Defenceman Jake Gardiner returns to Toronto with eight points in 36 Toronto Star LOADED: 12.23.2019 games as a Hurricane.

By Mark Zwolinski

Sports Reporter

Sun., Dec. 22, 2019

It will be interesting to see how Maple Leafs fans react on Monday afternoon when defenceman Jake Gardiner steps onto the ice at Scotiabank Arena as a Carolina Hurricane for the first time.

The 29-year-old Gardiner had plenty of success over eight seasons as a regular on the Toronto blue line, but two ugly playoff moments often overshadowed it.

“He was a great teammate,” Leafs centre Auston Matthews said of Gardiner after Saturday’s win over the Red Wings. “Great guy, super popular, loved to be with his teammates and we loved to be around him … It will be awesome to see him.”

Gardiner — who tested free agency and signed a four-year deal with the Hurricanes, worth $16.2 million (U.S.) — has made a career as a puck- moving defenceman with elite passing skills. He was blessed with skating edges that even the Leafs’ instructors felt they couldn’t improve.

He appeared in 551 games as a Leaf — 10th most in franchise history among defencemen — while his 45 goals and 245 points rank 28th.

Beyond the numbers, he was as well liked in the dressing room as any Leaf in recent memory. Gardiner roomed with Morgan Rielly during his early years and played a significant role in Rielly’s development into an all-star calibre defenceman.

Despite his contributions to the Leafs’ progression toward the puck possession style that today’s NHL demands, many fans only remember two Game 7 failures against the Boston Bruins: in 2013, when a Gardiner giveaway led to Patrice Bergeron’s series winner in overtime; and 2018, when Gardiner went minus-5 in the deciding game.

Those moments have been hard to live down. Gardiner said as much before joining the Hurricanes.

“That’s just the way it is: If you’re winning, you’re the best player on earth. If you’re losing, you suck,” Gardiner said. “Toronto will always hold a special place in my heart.”

His play was under a microscope every game last season. The Leafs scored 60.5 per cent of their five-on-five goals with Gardiner on the ice in 2018-19, a remarkable stat, but his accomplishments were often mentioned alongside references to those playoff nightmares.

In his first season as a Hurricane, he has found the fan base in Carolina to be a bit different. At a charity golf event during training camp, for example, a fan came up and asked for a picture. Gardiner prepared to pose for one with the fan, as he had done many times as a Leaf, but was asked instead to take the picture while the fan posed with the team mascot.

In his second game with Carolina, Gardiner scored the game-winning goal in overtime to beat the Washington Capitals. It’s been a struggle since then, however. He went 26 games without a goal, ending the drought Dec. 5 against the Sharks, and has just eight points while his plus-minus has plummeted to minus-19.

Whatever the numbers suggest, Gardiner’s former teammates know what he’ll bring to the table on Monday — when another ex-Leaf, James Reimer, might get the start in goal for the Hurricanes.

“He was a big part of the team through my time here, and I’m still a close friend with him,” Leaf Mitch Marner said of Gardiner. “Their team is hot right now (7-2-1 in their last 10 games), so we’ve got to make sure we come ready to play.

“He loves it down there in Carolina. He’s out of the condo and into a house now, so he’s loving that … They have a lot of offensive defencemen, guys who can make a lot of plays in the offensive zone — 1167557 Toronto Maple Leafs Timashov, Pierre Engvall, Nic Petan, Michael Hutchinson, Pontus Aberg and others. So, chemistry has been an issue.

To be sure, injuries took a toll at the start of this season, starting with The knives were out for Mike Babcock long before the Leafs cut ties and . , Marner, Kerfoot, Trevor Moore and Andreas Johnsson also missed considerable time.

The Leafs went 29-27-10 in 66 games from Jan. 1 to Nov. 20, when By Kevin McGran Babcock was fired. That was the 22nd-best record in the NHL over that time. Not good enough. Sports Reporter Backup goaltending became their Achilles heel. One point from a Sun., Dec. 22, 2019 possible 12 with the backup in net is all Babcock’s Leafs got to start the season. If that had been even four or five points, perhaps it would have been harder to justify firing Babcock. The Leafs would have been in a The words hung there as if few believed what they’d actually heard. playoff position and perhaps played with more confidence as a result.

It was April 25, just a few days after the Maple Leafs were eliminated by But there was something deeper at play: There was no jump in their the Boston Bruins in the first round of the , and a game, no joy on their faces. They appeared to be tuning out the coach. softball question to general manager Kyle Dubas about Mike Babcock’s job security received a hardball answer. Why? The tipping point might have been the very first game of this season when Spezza, the hometown veteran who took a pay cut to sign “With how fluid the situation is,” Dubas said that day, “I wouldn’t give any with the Leafs, was a healthy scratch with friends and family on hand — guarantee to anybody in our whole organization, starting with me. We’ll a game against the Ottawa Senators, no less, the team he started out do what we think is best, and we’ll let you know when we know. That’s with and played for in his prime. my expectation.” Babcock said Spezza needed more time to work on the penalty kill. It was probably more of a shock than it should have been: Babcock’s job Spezza played the second game without even practising the penalty kill was on the line. That he’d guided the Leafs to the playoffs three times in in between. Babcock was laying down the law: He was in charge. a row — after they had missed the post-season in 12 of the previous 13 years — was not enough. Even Babcock’s hardcore defenders had trouble with that one. When he was fired, that story resonated with former NHL defenceman Mike It stands as the bellwether moment of 2019 for the Maple Leafs, the point Commodore piling on — reminding the world that Babcock, then at which the tables began to turn on hockey’s most celebrated coach. coaching the Red Wings, once scratched him and Mike Modano, denying Modano a chance to reach 1,500 games. Modano retired stuck at 1,499. When Babcock was hired, it was groundbreaking. He was the highest- paid coach in the NHL: eight years, $50 million (U.S.). Other coaches Soon after, the story broke about a mind game Babcock had played on have him to thank for raising the bar on salaries. And under his guidance, Marner in his rookie season — urging the young winger to rate his the Leafs went from laughingstock to contender. teammates based on work ethic, then reading the list to the players. That resonated even louder, especially at a time of increased awareness But when he was fired, the ground shook even more. Hockey’s culture about mental health. came under attack with the power structure of teams, mental health of players and abusive conduct under the microscope. On and on they came, stories about Babcock abusing Johan Franzen in Detroit, and about other coaches mistreating players under their charge. It would take a while to get to the firing, but it was perhaps inevitable. There were already questions about line deployment, ice time for top Babcock’s hiring changed the Leafs; Babcock’s firing changed hockey. players, using grinders instead of skilled players, and goaltending: from playing Frederik Andersen too much, to using him too little. Without him, the Leafs and the league are very different indeed.

So on May 6, when Dubas said he was “all in” on Babcock keeping his job, few believed him. The knives were out. It was more or less a waiting Toronto Star LOADED: 12.23.2019 game. And the game may have been rigged, with a slow start to the season the excuse Dubas needed to make the change.

The Star has subsequently learned that Dubas had wanted Sheldon Keefe to coach the Leafs for some time, and even suggested Keefe to club president before Babcock was hired in 2015.

Dubas had hired Keefe in 2012 to coach the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, and in 2015 to handle the AHL’s Marlies.

Dubas and Keefe clearly see the game the same way: Let highly skilled players be creative. Mix and match lines. Play Morgan Rielly and Tyson Barrie together? Oh my.

Babcock was stubborn and had his own ideas: He loved to grind out wins. He needed stay-at-home types, guys who’d be tough along the wall and in front of the net.

Despite a very public disparity between how Dubas wants a team built and how Babcock likes a team to play, Babcock kept his job to start the season. But suddenly the world the Leafs inhabited was no longer calm and predictable, as it had been under .

In Dubas’s time as GM — he’s now into his second full season — there has been massive change.

There’s a new salary structure with four players earning half the salary cap.

Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner and Ron Hainsey were let go or traded to make room for the fourth of those players, Mitch Marner, to hit the jackpot.

There has been a lot of change throughout the roster with the additions of Barrie, Cody Ceci, Ilya Mikheyev, Alex Kerfoot, , Dmytro 1167558 Toronto Maple Leafs

Game Day - Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes

Lance Hornby

December 22, 2019 10:35 PM EST

THE BIG MATCH-UP

D Jake Gardiner vs. D Tyson Barrie

The most offensive blueliner the Leafs have had in the past decade makes his return, going head-to-head against his replacement. Both men have had adjustment issues with their new teams, but Barrie has found his game under new Leaf coach Sheldon Keefe and been given the quarterback duties on the first power play unit, which is hot of late. Both teams also have other defencemen who like to step in the rush.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. RAISING CANE ON THE ROAD

Carolina just had a successful five-game trip, nine of a 10 possible points, before a stinker at home against Florida and are the only team not to have lost in regulation when leading, either after the the first period (11-0-1) or second (15-0-0).

Put that record up against the Leafs scoring first in their past seven games, with six of those victories, though it took Toronto awhile to get rolling on Saturday against last place Detroit.

2. THE FRED FACTOR

Frederik Andersen, about the NHL’s busiest goalie, needed a day off with this weekend’s compressed schedule and Michael Hutchinson took the heat off with a win on Saturday. Now it’s back to Andersen with a record of 6-3-0 against Carolina. That’s the team that originally drafted Andersen, a seventh rounder in 2010, but he didn’t sign.

3. ATTACK MODE

The Leafs will be peppering either Petr Mrazek or James Reimer (Reimer is usually the Canes’ go-to road goaltender), but coach Rod Brind’Amour has a bend-but-don’t-break team. The Canes have a record of 12-2-1 when outshot and are good in transition. Early Sunday, Carolina was the only NHL team this season with four skaters who have each have at least 34 points.

4. THAT’S A SVECH

Andrei Svechnikov’s inventive lacrosse style back door goals this year inspired Auston Matthews to try one Saturday, but too much snow was on his blade for the puck to stick. Svechnikov might try one for the young audience of this game, but expect some stick work on him by Toronto defencemen who don’t intend to get embarrassed.

5. CROWDED ROSTER

It’s just not enough for the Leafs botton six forwards to have a great game here and there. It has to be consistent now that Trevor Moore is back and Andreas Johnsson is expected to return in a couple of weeks. Salary issues are going to mean few if any spares will be kept on the roster.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167559 Toronto Maple Leafs “He was a great teammate for three years and an awesome guy,” Matthews said. “We’re extremely happy for him that he’s in the position he is in Carolina and enjoying it.”

'BLAST FROM THE PAST': Ex-Leaf Jake Gardiner returns to Toronto “I’ve talked to him a couple of times,” Marner added. “He’s loving it down with Canes there, he’s out of the condo and into a house.”

He’s still wearing No. 51 and it will be awhile before anyone in Toronto identifies that with any other Leaf. Lance Hornby

December 22, 2019 8:13 PM EST Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.23.2019

Good Jake, bad Jake, cheer Jake, boo Jake.

The Maple Leafs, their coaches, managers and fans wrestled with all of that through Jake Gardiner’s eight seasons in Toronto, which put the defenceman on a stage many NHLers would crave. Yet a few times Gardiner must have felt like jumping in the orchestra pit.

“That’s just the way it is,” the sanguine Gardiner said of exiting Toronto. “If you’re winning, you’re the best player on earth, if you’re losing, you suck. You just have to deal with it, whether it’s fans ripping you or media, it’s part of pro sports. You’ve got to get through it.”

Gardiner is enjoying the lower profile hockey life, though it will be quite emotional to return Monday afternoon to Scotiabank for the first time with the Carolina Hurricanes. Gardiner, who is turning 30 next year, will likely get a timeout video tribute, when even those districts of Leafs Nation who for a time took to mocking him every time he touched the puck will recognize the 11th longest serving blueliner in franchise history.

“I’ve been here a long time, through the ups and downs,” Gardiner said in what was his last locker clean-out day in April. “When I first came, the team was not great. I’ll be pretty proud of what we’ve done here and the way we brought this organization to a team that we can be proud of.

“The playoffs didn’t go the way we wanted to (Gardiner’s minus-5 in a Game 7 loss in Boston in 2017 is seared in the memory of many fans among him being in three such defeats to the B’s), but this team has a real bright future ahead of them.”

A powerful skater, who usually made up for any turnovers or blown coverage with a few quick strides to get back in play, had a career-best 52 points in ’17-18. When he missed a chunk of the second half last year with a worrisome back problem and Toronto struggled to get the puck out, suddenly people started to miss him. Then-coach Mike Babcock warned the boo-birds that simply dumping Gardiner on another team ran the risk of Toronto repeating its error with Larry Murphy, a fan whipping boy who ended up winning two Cups in Detroit.

Despite some of the harsher treatment, Gardiner hung in through almost 600 games and would not sign elsewhere last summer until he knew the Leafs had exhausted all financial resources, the last of their cap allocation finally going to holdout Mitch Marner after training camp opened.

Even Gardiner’s worst critics in Toronto might note he turned down rival Montreal’s higher bid than Carolina, three years at $15.75 million US in early July, in part because joining the Leafs oldest rival just didn’t seem right to him. Gardiner, wife Lucy and young son Henry went to Raleigh, for four years and $16.2 million.

He has eight points in 36 games this far and a minus-2 against Florida on Saturday leaves him a team-worst negative 19. Yet he’s valued by coach Rod Brind’Amour, who has chalked up Gardiner’s poor numbers to date to unfamiliarity with the Canes’ system that encourages more touches than he’s used to.

Carolina remains four points ahead of Toronto, which has had its own issues on defence. One Leaf who benefitted from Gardiner’s roster spot opening up, along with that of Nikita Zaitsev and Ron Hainsey, is fellow Minnesotan Justin Holl.

“It will be a blast from the past,” Holl said of Monday’s game. “I’ll be on the same flight home with him (for the Christmas holidays) afterwards and it will be great catching up.”

Marner and Auston Matthews were close to Gardiner, too, as they got comfortable in the league. 1167560 Toronto Maple Leafs Now that he has his first win of the season to his credit, Michael Hutchinson can look at a likely start in New Jersey on Friday with a chance to breathe. Rather than the Leafs simply out-scoring Detroit out of the gate to end his streak at six defeats, Hutchinson had to be sharp LEAFS SNAPSHOTS: Coach Keefe drawing a line with forwards from puck drop, stopping a Dylan Larkin breakaway and keeping the Leafs in until they found some holes for goals on Calvin Pickard.

“There’s a lot of people you can talk to in the Leafs and the Marlies to get Lance Hornby back in that good head space,” Hutchinson said of not getting down on December 22, 2019 6:48 PM EST himself the past three months. “With the team we have, once we get a bit of momemntum going, we’re tough to stop.”

LOOSE LEAFS Sheldon Keefe didn’t mean it to sound like a threat to his players. Keefe liked Trevor Moore’s return on Saturday, playing right wing with But when you have the offensive weaponry of the Maple Leafs, and the Gauthier at centre and Timashov on the left. “We showed a couple of shock and awe isn’t there on a given night, some bombers and fighter clips to the team between the second and third period and one was that jets can expect to be grounded for other war birds. line doing a good job of getting through the neutral zone and playing in the offensive zone. I thought it cued us up well to play in the third” … “I’ve got a number of things in the back of my mind all the time,” said Centre/winger Jason Spezza sat the end of the back-to-back, but is due Keefe, who held back and Kasperi Kapanen at times to return … was a winner in his first game coaching the late in Saturday’s win over Detroit, in favour of using their centre, Auston Marlies as Keefe’s replacement. During the farm team’s 6-3 victory in Matthews, between Zach Hyman and Mitch Marner. “I just felt I needed Belleville on Saturday, Pontus Aberg scored 26 seconds in as part of his to mix it up a little bit, try to spark something. That line didn’t get much two-point night. Nic Petan had the game winner on the power play to cap going offensively and I liked how other lines were moving. I wanted to a three-point evening and centre Kalle Kossila, in his first game since an give Matthews a chance to get going.” early season injury, had an assist. What could have been an upset loss to the last-place Red Wings turned into a 4-1 rout by the end, eight points from that re-configured line when power play produce was included. Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.23.2019 Keefe could just as easily come back with Saturday’s original flight plan on Monday afternoon when the Carolina Hurricanes visit. While Kapanen would like to get off his 10-game goal schneid, Nylander had played well Friday in New York before looking sluggish defensively versus Detroit.

“It’s the way it goes, part of an 82-game season,” Keefe said of any hurt feelings among forwards. “We’ll mix up back and forth.”

Keefe has done some other shuffling the course of winning 10 of his first 14 games as Mike Babcock’s replacement.

AFTERNOON DELIGHT

When there are so many former Marlies on the Leafs, including Keefe, a 2 p.m. start is not such a big change in routine.

Defenceman Justin Holl, forwards Hyman, Nylander, Frederik Gauthier, Dmytro Timashov, Pierre Engvall, Trevor Moore and others all had a few 11 a.m. ‘school day’ matches at Coca-Cola Coliseum through the years, start times designed to bring in younger AHL fans. Monday is Toronto’s third annual ‘Next Generation’ game, where ticket-holders are encouraged to bring kids.

“I love the afternoon games,” Holl said. “You don’t have to wait around all day to play. You wake up and go.”

With Sunday a day off, Keefe also reckoned it was ideal for Toronto to step into action before any rust set in.

“That is the beauty of the afternoon game: Wake up, get a meal, get to the rink and when the game’s over, you still have time to do your thing. It’s a good time for guys to scatter, too (for Christmas holidays).”

It will be the Leafs’ last game before a three-day break, resuming the schedule Friday in New Jersey.

CALL OF THE WILD

The Leafs are eighth in the league in fewest penalties taken, but seven minors, majors and misconducts were assessed in the third period on Saturday between themselves and the Wings. Jake Muzzin received roughing and unsportsmanlike calls, Travis Dermott 10 minutes for lipping off to the referees and later Holl took exception to an Andreas Athanasiou knee on Leaf Alex Kerfoot and wrestled the former to the ice.

Until recently, the Leafs had been the only NHL team without a fighting major this season.

“Some things happened out there that we don’t entirely agree with,” said Holl. “You always just have to be ready to step up for your teammates. It got a little chippy at the end, but I thought we did a good job of sticking together.”

MIKE LIKED HIS NIGHT 1167561 Toronto Maple Leafs Good. Yeah. Honestly Carolina’s been awesome. City’s great. It’s kind of our pace. Slower paced. And you know full of southern hospitality, so it’s been a really good place to live.

Forever the Optimus: Catching up with James Reimer about life in the What about in terms of on the ice? Your numbers are excellent so far this NHL crease, as a Leaf and a Hurricane year. Is there an explanation for the start you’re having so far?

Uh yeah. I don’t know. I mean like every summer you work hard and you tweak a few things and whatnot but I think it’s honestly just we have a By James Mirtle pretty solid team here and I don’t hate to use this word but I need to come up with a different word because I’m overusing it but you know I Dec 22, 2019 think we have an honest team. So you play the game the right way every night or if you take a period off – you know because you’re human – you get back on it for the rest of the game. Guys’ work ethic is there every It was New Year’s Day, nine years ago, that James Reimer made his first night. So, you know, when you’re playing the game the right way, usually NHL start for the Maple Leafs, a win in Ottawa. everybody looks good.

The Leafs were then a team in turmoil, with their goaltending a mess, So you went to Florida. You signed the five-year deal, with a different and he was a long shot to be the solution. Yet somehow the 22-year-old management group in place. It didn’t really go down the path that you kid from tiny Morweena, Manitoba, who was fourth or fifth on the wanted it to. Was there some uncertainty for you last year about what organizational depth chart, proved a lot of people wrong. was going to happen?

He somehow took that team on a run that fell just shy of the postseason. Yeah definitely. I mean towards the end of last year you didn’t know what was… I’m mean obviously I knew I wasn’t coming back but, I mean, you And his own personal run is still going, this time with the Carolina didn’t know what was going to happen. If there was going to be a buyout Hurricanes, who he has a sparkling .927 save percentage with through or if you’re going to get traded or you know what was going to happen. It 14 appearances. was a weird summer of not knowing what was going to happen. It feels My guess is he’ll be in the crease come Monday afternoon in Toronto, like the goalie market is always super weird or volatile or whatever you too, making a very rare start back where he got his start. want to call it. Especially this summer with the cap not going up as much. It made for a really interesting summer for a lot of guys. Yeah I mean we James and I had a strong relationship when he played here, for whatever just kind of sat around and just kept preparing like you’re going to do reason. We had a lot of good conversations, and even when the team something in the fall. And then obviously when Carolina traded for me (in (and he) struggled, there was an understanding that we were both there late June), had some conversations with them and whatnot and it to do our jobs. Honestly, some of my favourite stories I wrote on the beat seemed like it would be a good fit. And so far things have gone well. in the early years were about his improbable rise, from his origin story to how his faith helped him play in the NHL. So you’re 31 now, you’re going to be 32 in March. Does it feel a lot different than earlier in your career? So when I knew Reimer was calling this week, I didn’t prepare a whole bunch of canned questions like you might for some interviews. I knew Yes and no. I think so. I think you just have a better understanding about we’d land on an interesting topic. What I didn’t realize was we would talk how things play out. I get jealous of all the young guys on the team, how about getting old… but I guess that’s a good landing point for anyone fresh they feel all the time. (Laughs). No, but I always joke (about it). over 30 in the NHL these days. People sometimes ask ‘How does it feel?’ because I think I’m actually the oldest guy on the team by a few months. And so… Our conversation has been lightly edited. Wow. So what’s new with James Reimer? Yeah who would have thought!? But I feel just as good as I did when I Not much. Not much. Just hanging out. Got a bunch of kids now. Just was 23 or 24 years old. But you’ve just got to work a little harder before trying to stay sane. you get on the ice to get that feeling. Yeah no I feel in comparison pretty How many’s a bunch? much the same.

We’ve got two girls. So I’m looking it up (on HockeyDB). It says Brian Gibbons is older than you by about two weeks. Hey, I’ve got two kids. I know what that’s about. Oh yeah that’s right Gibby’s on the squad now! That’s right. (laughs) You know the circus. How old are they? There you go! My son is almost 5 and he’s in kindergarten. Actually he’s singing in the Christmas play here in about a half hour. That’s what we’re getting ready When he’s not around, I’m a couple months older than Jordo (Staal). for. As soon as we get off the phone, I’m running over to the school. And You’re six months older than Jordan. Well, it shows how young the NHL my daughter’s a year and a half. We’re still in the thick of the craziness. is now. It’s amazing. I remember going into the dressing room when I What about you? I remember Nevaeh was born a few years ago. started, 12 years ago or whatever, and it was way different. I felt young in Yeah she’s almost 3. And the youngest is eight months old. Hope. there and I was, whatever, 26. And now, everybody’s so young. Now I’m closer in age to guys’ parents it feels like. That’s nice. I know. It’s crazy. It’s crazy you know? But yeah I mean the skill level is Oh we’re elbows deep. Yeah, no, but it’s good. They play together. crazy. I mean you see Svech the other night again (with the lacrosse goal). It’s just not even fair. So, you know. Good for them. Two’s enough for us. I’m getting old man. At least you had your kids pretty young. That’s good. Did you learn something about watching Luongo play into his late 30s that maybe you can take with you in your career? I don’t know. Yeah it’s good. It’s funny – I don’t know about you, but you always wonder how many kids you want to have and all of a sudden you Uhmm you know honestly just the preparation I think. Honestly I learned have a couple and it’s like ‘Well, you know what… two might be good a lot of things (from him). I could talk a long time about the way he played enough!’ and prepared and whatnot, but just everyday was Groundhog Day, in a really good way. You know what I mean? He just brought a high level of I tell you, the people that have four, you wonder, what’s happening? preparation and play/compete every day. In a way, it’s kind of funny, only What is your life? I don’t understand. I don’t understand how you’re doing in the last year or two would, as a young guy you think you’re invincible this? and you don’t really have to warm up or whatever before you get on the Do you hate yourself? You’re signing up for this. This is your fault. Are ice. If you’re on the road or something and guys want to get out early it’s you crazy? But no. It’s good. like okay I’ll just jump out early, you don’t have to worry about pulling a groin or getting warmed up or whatever. And as you get older, you’ve just How’s Carolina? got to take care of your body better and better to keep playing at a high level. What I learned from him is what I said earlier. You’re more you can be. Because even if you play for 15 years, it’s a short career, so cognizant and aware of what you need to do to be at your best and so you’ve got to try to make the most of it. that was something that he did really well. He had his routines that he did on the ice and whatnot and obviously when you’re a goalie late in the Do you know how many career NHL games you’ve played now? years like he was it’s even more important. He stuck with it and was the I want to say like 340-ish. That’s my guess. ultimate pro. That’s one thing I took for myself. Yeah so your last game was 350. That was kind of like a milestone I’m just looking here… have you played a game at the Air Canada Centre game. 400’s coming for you. I remember when you started, the year you recently? You haven’t had a start there in quite a while now. made the Leafs, you were like fourth or fifth in their system, no one in the Not for a while. I think it was my second year in Florida… organization was talking about you, and you were a fourth-round pick. And then you get called up and you play as well as you do and, well, Looks like ’16-17. you’ve had a really unique, remarkable journey in hockey since then. Does it feel that way to you? Really? I thought was one… I got schmucked in my head my last start there. I came out halfway through the second. I don’t know what year that Yeah. I mean it feels like, yeah, maybe unique is the best way to put it. was. Obviously, I feel like every year, it’s another experience. Whether it’s a high or a low or whatnot. It’s just another treat, another gift. Another gift Anyway, it’s been a long time. When you come to Toronto, is there still… from the Good Lord, right? It’s been a very interesting career and some how does that feel for you? Is there a lot of nostalgia? really cool experiences. It’s funny. When you’re coming up through junior Yeah. I mean it’s funny you know, as the years go on, it’s time passes or even playing in the Coast and the AHL, it’s, you always have this, for and things get less and less (that way). But still you land and you’re myself, this deep-down belief, that you can do it. I don’t know where that driving and you see where I lived – I lived right off the Gardiner comes from. But it’s deep down. Yet superficially you’re always like I (Expressway) for most of my time there – and then you walk into the rink, don’t know. It just seems so far away. The NHL seems so far away. It there’s a lot of memories. There’s still some of the same support staff seemed like it was impossible. But you just stuck with it and believed like there and you definitely get that nostalgia. But I think also what lessens it I said deep down and lucky for me things worked out. It’s been a fun a lot, too, is there’s been so much turnover of guys. I think Rielly might be career so far. the only guy left there? You know. And so I think also changes a lot of I’ve got a few Carolina questions. What’s it been like playing for Rod things, too. You see the Toronto Maple Leafs and it’s a totally different Brind’Amour? team than the one you suited up for. There’s nostalgia when you play against guys that are now on different teams that you played with during Great. Really good. I talk about the identity of our team and we’ve got a that era, too. Whether it’s JVR or Bozak or Gards – now he’s on our bunch of great guys who work hard and have a lot of integrity and team. A lot of those feelings are connected to the players you played honesty and approach the game the right way and that stems down from with. But the other half is obviously the city and the fans and the rink his leadership. The way he approaches the game. The way he carries itself. himself. You can tell the way he coaches and the way he treats us is just the way he lives his life so there’s nothing fake. There’s nothing dressed Do you still run into Leafs fans around the league? Do you still get them up. It’s just straight from the heart. For that reason, makes it pretty easy coming up and talking to you about those years? to get behind him.

Yeah. I would say so. Even in the summer. Honestly Leafs fans are What’s it been like playing on a team with Jake Gardiner again? Do you everywhere. They’ve got a massive following, right? You still run into the guys ever talk about your days with the Leafs together? odd fan here and there. The good ol’ days? Do they still call you Optimus Reim? In some ways. Yeah some of them do! Thanks to them. That’s a nickname that’s stuck with me. It’s given me a theme for my masks for my career. No, we reminisce for sure. We talk about back in the day, guys we played with, coaches, scenarios, situations, whatnot. It’s fun. Often it’s funny too You still have that on your mask? because the young guys will ask us because they hear the stories or they Yeah. Still every mask has some form of Optimus Reim on there. play against Toronto and they ask what was it like? This and that. It’s been fun playing with him. So that’s like the beginning of your career sticking with you. I mean it’s been almost 10 years since you broke into the league. Hard to believe. Jake says it’s night and day, Toronto and Carolina, just like a lot of it. It’s completely different. Yeah I know time flies. It’s crazy. It’s funny seeing him in that scenario. I mean I was him three years ago What are some of your goals for this season and for your career going when I went to Florida. Obviously I had a short stopover in San Jose, forward? How are you looking at things? which was a lot of fun and learnt a lot. That kind of was maybe a nice in- between. But definitely night and day. It’s interesting when you play for a Obviously the ultimate goal is to win a Cup right? That’s pretty standard. non-hockey market team. It’s good. You’re just playing hockey. You’re You know, I think just win. Honestly, you look at my career, and when going out with the guys, having fun playing hockey. Even still the fans in you’re just starting off, the world’s your oyster. All things are possible. Carolina are awesome. It’s loud in our rink. It’s been a really fun place to And as you play longer and longer, the window to win, it shortens. So to play. have a team like the ‘Canes, I think we have a great chance to do some damage. In the playoffs, every team is dangerous. So it’s by no means a Does Svechnikov do that move in practice? Do you ever have to try and given or nothing like that, but I think we have the group to be able to stop that? come together and do something special. That doesn’t come around very often. For me, it’s do my part and try to win games when I get the nod Yeah. The funny thing is that it doesn’t work in practice. But it works in and give these guys the best chance. games.

Do you still feel like you have something to prove? You have a tough It doesn’t work? year in Florida and… it must be as a goalie that you’ve got to prove I don’t know why. Maybe there’s too much snow on the ice or whatnot. yourself every year unless you’re Carey Price or something? It’s all But usually it doesn’t work in practice. But it works in games, so that’s all based on your last start and your last month and all of that. It feels like that matters. it’s never-ending pressure being a goalie. Would you have a plan for that move if it came to it and you had to stop Yeah. I mean there is no taking your foot off the gas. It’s what have you that? What are you supposed to do – like stand up if you see that done for me lately? How are your last five starts? The league’s too good. happening? Goalies are too good. Players are too good to sit back and pat yourself on the back. When the season’s over, then you can take a couple Yeah I don’t know. I don’t know if I want to say. Maybe people will know months to congratulate yourself – or the opposite – but yeah no. It’s then! Honestly I think you do what Helly did (earlier in the week against every year. You’re pushing yourself and trying to make yourself the best the Jets) – you try and meet it with your hand. And it just found a way in. But I think the main thing is you have to see it coming and if you see it coming then you maybe kind of prepare for it. But yeah I mean it’s one of those things where it’s obviously just a high talent, high skill move. And hopefully you have what it takes to stop it.

The kids in the league are just incredible now aren’t they? We see it with Marner and Matthews – the puck skills that guys have is just unreal.

Yeah. And you know what it is, too, that I find? These kids – I don’t know, whatever – they just love playing the game. Svech is always the last guy off the ice with our team. He’s always just playing with the puck and playing little games after practice and always just working on different things. Same with Turbo (Teravainen). He’s always just playing around. Just having fun after practice and it maybe doesn’t look like much when you’re just watching then all of a sudden you see him doing some of that stuff in games and it just translates. When you’re having fun then the game’s maybe a little easier.

What was it like reading Steve Dangle’s book?

Uhhh… well you know what. I… hmmmmm.

There’s that picture of you reading it on the dock and he sends it out all the time.

(laughing) Yeah I know.

Is that just a photoshoot! You didn’t actually read the book?

(laughs) I have yet to read the book.

All right. The secret’s out.

I’m sure in the summer you don’t want to read about hockey and Toronto and stuff like that.

No, you know, I’ve got that book and Cujo’s book…

Cujo’s book is apparently amazing. His back story and everything.

Yeah that one’s on my list. On my stack at home to read. And I’ve got another book, too, what’s his face, the guy that got cut by a skate, how come I can’t remember his name…

Malarchuk.

Malarchuk!

My guy Dan wrote that. He did a great job.

Oh nice. That book was given to me, too. Those three books are on my list of must reads.

My guess is you don’t know about starting Monday (in Toronto) yet, but are you hoping that you do? For old time’s sake that you’re in there.

Yeah. Yeah it’d be fun. I mean every game’s an opportunity. Every game’s fun so yeah, no, it’d be good to play. And both these next games, against Florida and Toronto, so both of them against old teams. (Petr Mrazek started in a loss to Florida on Saturday.)

Well, like you said, always something on the line.

Yeap. Every day. Every darn day.

Well, thanks for taking the time out to talk to me. Appreciate it. Maybe I’ll see you at the rink on Monday.

For sure. That’d be great. And have fun at the Christmas concert tonight.

The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167562 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ Fathers Trip fun, bittersweet for Marc-Andre Fleury

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

December 22, 2019 - 10:00 PM

Updated December 22, 2019 - 10:09 PM

SAN JOSE, Calif. — When the Golden Knights made public the dates for their yearly Fathers Trip, there was an immediate outpouring of concern for Marc-Andre Fleury.

The goaltender admitted it was a bittersweet week without his father, Andre, who died Nov. 27 at age 63.

“Everybody has had kind words for me, very supportive, all the dads and stuff,” Fleury said. “For sure sometimes you get a little emotional seeing stuff. But I guess it’s part of it.”

Fleury was more upset about his performance against Vancouver on Thursday, when he matched his season-high for goals allowed in a 5-4 overtime loss.

By his own admission, he wasn’t sharp in the first period when the Canucks jumped out to a 3-1 lead.

“It was obviously too many goals and some fluky ones that I should have played better,” Fleury said. “You dig yourself a hole there, and I wish I would have done a better job of keeping it a closer game and give us the time in the game to come back and win it.”

Fleury did not play Sunday against the Sharks to conclude the Fathers Trip and is scheduled to start the second game of the back-to-back Monday when the Knights host Colorado at T-Mobile Arena.

The dads had a busy week, which included dinner at one of Vancouver’s finest restaurants, a day trip to wine country in Northern California and the Rams-49ers football game on Saturday night. That it came at holiday time was an added benefit.

“It’s good just to get that one-on-one time, whether you’re on the plane or just out to dinner,” defenseman Shea Theodore said. “Over the past couple years, we’ve got busy schedules and we’re busy pretty much throughout the year. Just to be able to hang out for a couple days is always nice.”

Bye, for now

The Knights and Sharks finished their four-game season series, an odd development since it’s not even Christmas and the Knights have played one game each against division foes Anaheim and Edmonton.

Sunday was the rivals’ 13th meeting since April, including the playoffs and preseason, and Fleury is fine with not playing San Jose again.

“I feel like we’ve played them so much lately in a short period of time, so I think it’s OK if we don’t see them for a while,” he said.

Last look at legends?

With the Sharks near the Pacific Division cellar and in danger of missing the playoffs, this could be the last time the Knights see San Jose’s 40- year-old stalwarts and Patrick Marleau.

Both players signed one-year deals in the summer and their future is up in the air. Thornton had no goals in 37 games entering Sunday, while Marleau had six goals and 11 points in 33 games.

“I remember playing him in video games when I was younger,” defenseman Nate Schmidt said of Thornton. “It’s just something you don’t really appreciate sometimes until it’s over. When he’s done playing you’re like, ‘Man, I played against Jumbo.’ You cherish these types of things.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167563 Vegas Golden Knights Theodore put the Knights ahead 2-1 at 8:05 of the third period with his fifth goal. He leads Knights defensemen in scoring and is on pace for a career-high 42 points.

Golden Knights end Fathers Trip with victory over rival Sharks “I’ve just been trying to join a little bit more and try to create more opportunities,” Theodore said. “It was a great drop pass by (William Karlsson) on that play, and it’s good to see them go in.”

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal 3. Sharks schadenfreude

December 22, 2019 - 9:38 PM The loss sent San Jose into a tie with Los Angeles for last place in the Western Conference and left the organization facing some difficult Updated December 22, 2019 - 11:21 PM questions heading into the holiday break.

Do the Sharks wave the white flag and break up a group that was SAN JOSE, Calif. — Malcolm Subban treated himself to a late birthday supposed to be a Stanley Cup contender? Is Bob Boughner the long- present Sunday. The fact it came with his father, Karl, in attendance term answer as coach? made it even sweeter. Ottawa fans are certainly rooting against San Jose. The Senators own Subban turned away 37 of 38 shots a day after he turned 26, and the the Sharks’ 2020 first-round pick as a condition of the Erik Karlsson Golden Knights pulled away from rival San Jose in the third period for a trade. 3-1 victory at SAP Center in the final game of the season series.

“Just trying to give my team a chance to win every night and do what I LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 12.23.2019 can,” Subban said. “It was a great birthday present, obviously, and dad’s trip. A good way to end the trip for sure.”

Shea Theodore and Jonathan Marchessault scored in the third period to help the Knights extended their point streak to five games (4-0-1) and keep pace with first-place Arizona in the Pacific Division. Each team has 46 points.

The Knights finished with three of four points on the Fathers Trip and are 5-0-1 all time with the dads in tow.

They play Colorado in the second game of a back-to-back before the start of the three-day holiday break.

Paul Stastny scored his first goal since Nov. 27 when he converted Alex Tuch’s pass with 2:29 remaining in the second period to put the Knights ahead 1-0. The assist was Tuch’s 100th career NHL point.

San Jose’s Logan Couture buried a pass from Brent Burns at 3:54 of the third period to tie the score at 1, but Subban made 19 stops in the third and outdueled San Jose counterpart Aaron Dell.

Subban is 6-2-1 with a 2.52 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in nine appearances since Nov. 25.

“We played real well, especially the first half of the game. I really liked our game. We didn’t give them a whole lot,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “They had a push at the end, which you knew they were going to and they had a lot of opportunities, but that’s when (Subban) really made some key saves.”

Here’s what stood out from the Knights’ win:

1. Postman rings three times

Defenseman Nic Hague must have had a magnet in his hockey pants during the first period, as the rookie couldn’t avoid metal in search of his first career goal.

First, Hague swooped in to collect a rebound off William Carrier’s deflection and his shot skimmed off the crossbar with 6:26 remaining in the period.

Less than two minutes later, he moved in from the right point and beat Dell only to see the puck go off both goal posts and stay out.

Hague and defenseman Jon Merrill remain the only players on the active roster yet to score.

“I think he’s been preparing a big (celebration) for a long time,” Theodore said of Hague. “I think we might get maybe a Tiger Williams stick ride all the way down the ice or something.”

2. Theodore heats up

After a slow start offensively, Theodore has points in five straight games (two goals, six assists), which is the second-longest point streak by a defenseman in franchise history. Colin Miller had a six-game streak Oct. 17-31, 2017, according to the NHL. 1167564 Vegas Golden Knights Community Relations and Raiders Foundation programming totalling more than $2 million.

Raiders representatives who support these causes include former and Giving by Raiders, Knights, Aces support Las Vegas year-round current players, coaches, staff, Raiderettes and Raider Rusher, a “youth ambassador.” Alumni have represented the Raiders at over 100 events in Southern Nevada.

Staff Report Not surprisingly, the Raiders have supported youth football, donating equipment, cleats and other materials to programs here, in Washoe December 22, 2019 - 2:17 PM County and in Oakland.

The city’s big-league teams aren’t just giving during the Christmas One of the big stories of 2019 has been the influence of major-league season — it’s a year-round mission. sports on Las Vegas. It’s one more way big-league sports are changing Southern Nevada. Hardly a month has gone by without some organization presenting a speaker or panel discussion about the economic impact of our three current and future big-league franchises — the Vegas Golden Knights, LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 12.23.2019 the Las Vegas Aces and, next year, the Las Vegas Raiders.

Little is said about how much these teams donate, possibly because they are a little modest about that.

Plenty has been said and written about how game days have drawn more tourists to the city, because pairing an appearance by a favorite team with a long weekend stay in the Entertainment Capital of the World is a natural fit. Hotels, restaurants, shows and other attractions, as well as their suppliers, have benefitted from the phenomenon.

Anyone who has gone to a Knights game has seen dozens of fans wearing the sweaters of the rival team. Sure, some of those people are transplants who still support the team they grew up with. But many more people from Calgary, Winnipeg, New York, Boston, Chicago and elsewhere have circled the date those teams are in Las Vegas, purchased airfare and made reservations for a memorable time here.

There’s another benefit to having these teams in town that many forget about except around this time of year, when the holidays bring out our spirit of giving.

Every major-league team has a philanthropic branch, a foundation that takes up community causes that improve the quality of life in our city.

Foundations are nonprofit organizations that enjoy tax benefits, but they also support causes that are important to us.

The Golden Knights Foundation, for example, supports initiatives that are funded through corporate sponsorships, ticket sales, signature events, in- game programs and merchandise sales. At every home game, the Knights have a 51-49 raffle — kind of a gambling joke about the odds being better than 50-50 — with one lucky winner getting 51 percent of the pot at the end of the night.

But the reality is that Las Vegas wins because 49 percent goes to the foundation that supports youth programs, health and wellness, K-12 public school programs, Las Vegas military and first-responder families and programs battling hunger and homelessness.

The Aces, which made the WNBA playoffs this year, are in their offseason now. But you wouldn’t know it by the list of team activities and public appearances in December alone.

One of the star players, A’ja Wilson, surprised winners of the Nike Game Growers competition with an appearance at Pinecrest Academy St. Rose. She also served as the grand marshal of the Las Vegas Great Santa Run supporting Opportunity Village.

Just last week, current player Jackie Young and retired player Rushia Brown put on a basketball clinic for Henderson Therapeutic Rec and Inclusion Services for teens and adults with disabilities. Young also served as a celebrity coach for a charity basketball game at the Doolittle Community Center.

And then there are the Raiders. The team hasn’t even moved to Las Vegas, but you wouldn’t know it by its philanthropy. Since 2017, when the Raiders announced their plan to move to Southern Nevada, they have been involved in or supported over 400 events here. That’s in addition to charitable activities in Oakland, California, where the team played its last home game this month.

Charitable events don’t get as much attention as Derek Carr’s stat line, and the Raiders haven’t won as much on the field as they would have liked this year. But they’re winning the hearts of the local community, with 1167565 Vegas Golden Knights

How to watch Golden Knights at Sharks

Staff Report

The Associated Press

December 22, 2019 - 8:39 am

GAME DAY

Who: Golden Knights (19-13-6) at Sharks (16-19-2)

When: 7 p.m. Sunday

TV: AT&T SportsNet (Cox 313/1313, DirecTV 684, CenturyLink 760/1760, U-verse 757/1757, Dish 414/5414)

Radio: KRLV (98.9 FM, 1340 AM)

Line: Knights -140: total 6

BOTTOM LINE

The Sharks are 8-6-0 against division opponents. San Jose averages 11.9 penalty minutes per game, the second-most in the league. Evander Kane leads the team serving 79 total minutes.

The Golden Knights are 8-3-2 against division opponents. Vegas has allowed 21 power-play goals, stopping 83.1% of opponent opportunities.

San Jose took down Vegas 2-1 in the last meeting between these teams on Nov. 21.

TOP PERFORMERS

Tomas Hertl leads the Sharks with 14 goals and has collected 29 points. Erik Karlsson has recorded seven assists over the last 10 games for San Jose.

Max Pacioretty has recorded 36 total points while scoring 15 goals and totaling 21 assists for the Golden Knights. Mark Stone has collected two goals and nine assists over the last 10 games for Vegas.

LAST 10 GAMES

Golden Knights: 6-2-2, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.8 assists, 3.8 penalties and 8.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game with a .903 save percentage.

Sharks: 2-7-1, averaging 2.2 goals, 3.5 assists, 4.4 penalties and 12.5 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game with a .879 save percentage.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167566 Washington Capitals Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty also negotiated his own contract in 2018, an eight-year, $88 million extension. This month, Doughty applauded Backstrom’s decision and encouraged more players to follow suit. The 2016 Norris Trophy winner recognized that not all Nicklas Backstrom’s security with Caps makes negotiating his own players are as fortunate as him and Backstrom, whom Doughty contract 'pretty cool’ described as “a veteran player in this league who year after year shows how good he is and how key he is to the Washington Capitals.”

When a player is in such a position, Doughty stressed, he believes self- Samantha Pell representation is helpful. Players still need lawyers to look over the December 22, 2019 at 8:00 AM EST contract and can seek outside advice. “I wasn’t just doing it on my own," Doughty said, "but I didn’t have to pay anyone.”

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is the other widely known Capital to have Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is inherently curious and negotiated his own deal; he signed his 13-year, $124 million contract thoughtful. He is quick-witted and highly knowledgeable after soaking in extension in 2008. every facet of the game over the course of his 13-year NHL career. These traits influenced the 32-year-old Swede to negotiate his next “Good on him,” Doughty said of Backstrom. “Those guys, the agents, contract on his own. they obviously do a good job for you. But once you get to a certain age and you are old enough to negotiate your own contract, it is pretty easy “It is not just about saving money,” said Backstrom, who is playing in the and you save a lot of money. I know we make a lot of money, so saving final year of a 10-year, $67 million deal. “I want to do it. I’m interested in money kind of sounds, I don’t know, it doesn’t sound great. But at the it. I want to know what is going on, like, behind the scenes. When you end of the day, you are saving millions of dollars not using an agent.” have an agent, you only hear what the numbers are. I just wanted to see how people react and stuff. That is what I think is pretty cool.”

Backstrom decided he wanted to negotiate his own contract during the Washington Post LOADED: 12.23.2019 summer and shortly thereafter let go his longtime agent, Mark Levine. Backstrom’s father, Anders, knows his son is capable of getting a deal on his own. Nicklas was always asking questions when he was younger, Anders said, and he has become “a little bit wiser.”

“He knows what he is doing,” Anders said. “He is confident with the organization, owners, the GM and stuff like that, and, yeah, I think he’s a stable, calm guy, so I know it is what he wants. So we are satisfied with that.”

When asked whether he had looked at contract terms for comparable players around the league, Nicklas Backstrom said he hadn’t done a lot of market research.

“I feel like I don’t need to go in there and be specific,” Backstrom said. “We can just have a normal conversation, and that is what we are having. So that’s it.”

The sticking point in negotiations is contract length, not money, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Backstrom is meeting directly with General Manager Brian MacLellan to negotiate, and both parties have made it clear they want Backstrom to stay in Washington.

From the Capitals’ perspective, a three-year deal makes sense because it would extend through the season when Backstrom turns 35, the age at which data shows players’ production begins to fall.

Backstrom wants to avoid another negotiation in the near future so would prefer a five-year deal. His résumé is stellar, including 900 points in 924 games, a key role in the run to the Stanley Cup in 2018 and a secure reputation as one of the best players in franchise history. Backstrom would prefer it if the next time he talked about his contract situation was to announce a new agreement.

“Either it is going to be done or they will be going the other direction, I don’t know,” said Backstrom, who has 27 points (eight goals, 19 assists) in 29 games this season.

Contracts for NHL players over 35 could offer clues to how Backstrom’s deal could be constructed. Joe Thornton signed a three-year extension with the San Jose Sharks in 2014, when he was 34. Since that deal expired, he has returned each season on a one-year deal.

Backstrom’s reasoning for wanting to negotiate his own contract was similar to that of countryman Nicklas Lidstrom, who starred for the Detroit Red Wings.

Widely considered to be one of the best defensemen to play in the NHL, Lidstrom was the first Swedish player to negotiate his own NHL contract and ended up signing a one-year, $6.2 million deal in 2010. During the 2010-11 season, he became the first NHL defenseman to record 60 points at the age of 40.

“I wanted to gain the experience of negotiating my own deal late in my career,” Lidstrom said in a text message. “It was a good experience, and having had Ken Holland as my GM for a lot of years helped. … We’ve had a good working relationship.” 1167567 Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin named an All-Star Game captain but remains noncommittal about playing

Samantha Pell

December 22, 2019 at 7:00 AM EST

Alex Ovechkin was named a captain for the 2020 NHL All-Star Game in St. Louis on Jan. 25 after receiving the most fan votes of any player in the Metropolitan Division. However, the Washington Capitals’ 34-year-old captain remains noncommittal on whether he will play in the league’s annual contest.

Last year, Ovechkin opted to not play, deciding he was better off using that January break to recharge for the season’s second half. Addressing his 2020 all-star selection Saturday night after the Capitals’ 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ovechkin said his health will take top priority in his decision.

“We’ll see," said Ovechkin, who has 35 points (22 goals, 13 assists) this season. "It’s lots of games to play. I’m going to do the best for my health and for the playoffs, and I have to be healthy for the most important games moving forward.”

Ovechkin was selected to the All-Star Game for the 11th time in his 15- year NHL career. He has played in seven All-Star Games (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2018) and was voted captain of the Metropolitan Division for the third consecutive year and fourth time overall.

“It’s always nice to be a captain on the all-star team," he said. "Thanks to the fans for voting me. It’s a huge honor for me, for this organization and this team.”

The all-star format will be a four-team, three-on-three competition. Each team will be made up of 11 players (six forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders) from their respective division. The other captains are Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (Atlantic), Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (Central) and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (Pacific).

Ovechkin isn’t likely to be Washington’s only all-star. Norris Trophy candidate John Carlson is sure to be in consideration, and Coach Todd Reirden is the head of the league’s best team after 37 games. Carlson and Reirden were selected to their first All-Star Game last season.

Carlson has 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) and leads all defensemen in points and assists. He is tied for first in goals with Nashville’s Roman Josi. Capitals goaltender also has been selected to four- straight All-Star Games.

The head coach of the team with the highest points percentage (points earned divided by total possible points) in each of the four divisions at the halfway point of the regular season will guide the respective all-star squads.

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Ovechkin voted NHL All-Star captain for third straight year

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin was voted one of four captains for the 2020 NHL All-Star Weekend, taking place Jan. 24-25.

Ovechkin led all Metropolitan Division players in fan voting, giving him the captaincy. It’s the third year in a row and fourth time overall that Ovechkin was named captain of the Metropolitan team.

The other captains will be David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins for the Atlantic Division; Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers for the Pacific Division; and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche for the Central Division.

This year marks the ninth time Ovechkin, 34, has been named an All- Star, but last year he turned some heads by opting not to participate. In accordance with league rules, Ovechkin served a one-game suspension from the NHL for skipping All-Star festivities.

It’s unclear whether he’ll choose the same route this season. Last year, Ovechkin cited needing a true break from hockey to allow his body some recovery time. At the time the Capitals were just seven months removed from their Stanley Cup championship, and the shorter (and more celebratory) offseason that followed it.

Ovechkin leads Washington and is tied for fourth in the NHL in goals with 22.

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Third-period penalty kills help Capitals beat Lightning

By Stephen Whyno - Associated Press

Sunday, December 22, 2019

It looked like curtains for the Washington Capitals when Lars Eller went to the penalty box with the score tied and the Tampa Bay Lightning’s NHL-best power play given more than a minute of 5-on-3 time.

Instead, goaltender Braden Holtby and Washington’s penalty killers were at their best. The Capitals killed off that Lightning power play and several others to come away with a 3-1 victory Saturday night.

“We stuck with our game plan,” Holtby said. “They’re going to get looks. They’re too skilled not to. It’s just a matter of when they get them, don’t get running around after, and we did a great job of that.”

Holtby turned aside two quality shots by Tyler Johnson and another by Victor Hedman, the three biggest saves of 26 during the game. Tom Wilson also blocked a shot during the 1:26 of 5-on-3 penalty killing time in a crucial part of the game, and Dmitry Orlov scored the go-ahead goal soon after.

“It was a big moment there,” penalty-killer Nic Dowd said. “We had a chance from going down a goal to potentially being on the kill again to getting out of it, and we gave ourselves the opportunity to score and win the game.”

The Lightning’s power play went 0 for 7 as they lost for the second game in a row and third time in their last four.

“We’re a proud group and we’re not happy about our performance on the power play tonight,” Hedman said. “We take it upon us to go out there and get us goals and get us momentum, and we didn’t do that today and that’s on us.”

Led by their penalty kill, the NHL-leading Capitals improved to 5-0-1 in the second half of back-to-backs this season. They were the better team for a large portion of the game against a rested opponent even after playing at New Jersey on Friday.

“The maturity of the team speaks for itself,” said defenseman Radko Gudas, who scored his first goal of the season. “We’re playing smart hockey in these back-to-backs. We’re playing simple and we don’t make it overly hard on ourselves with unnecessary turnovers.”

Curtis McIlhenney got a surprise nod over regular Lightning starter Andrei Vasilevskiy, who was not on the bench for the entire game. He made 32 saves, but the Lightning lost their second in a row.

“I can’t sit here and say we played very well,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said.

The NHL-leading Capitals swept the three-game season series against the Lightning, who are outside a playoff position after being a popular preseason pick as Stanley Cup champions.

“Obviously we don’t view them as what their record is,” Holtby said. “They’re a good hockey team. I think our group really gets excited to play good hockey teams. All the games were good. We just did that little extra to come out on top.”

The Capitals got a scare in the second when winger T.J. Oshie crashed head-first into Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and looked to be in distress lying on the ice. Oshie, who has had five documented concussions in 12 NHL seasons, skated off and went straight down the tunnel but returned later in the period.

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Capitals superfan Alex Luey passes away

By Mike DePrisco

December 22, 2019 1:32 PM

Capitals superfan and inspiration to Alex Ovechkin, Alex Luey, passed away Sunday after a three-year battle with cancer.

Luey developed a special bond with Ovechkin over the last two years. in 2017, Luey got to read the Caps' starting lineup. Ovechkin promised him he'd score for him and proceeded to go off for a hat trick.

Ovechkin shared a tweet about Luey on Sunday afternoon.

Our Caps family heartbroken...so sad to hear Alex Luey pass away today. Such a great kid. He inspire me and our team with his strength. My family will pray for him and his mom and dad. Love you bro. I will miss seeing you in Toronto. Rest In Peace. ❤️ #LueyStrong pic.twitter.com/Plb7CXUsEs

— Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) December 22, 2019

Tom Wilson also shared his condolences.

One of the kindest and bravest kids I’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the years. We will miss you. #LueyStrong pic.twitter.com/MCy7aqB7A7

— Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) December 22, 2019

Luey was the team's good luck charm when he returned to see his favorite team play in October.

In that game, Ovechkin scored two goals, one of them a game-winner, so the Caps gave Luey the player of the game helmet after a win in Toronto.

Player of the Game Helmet for Alex Luey!

Keep up the fight, Alex!!#ALLCAPS | #LEUYSTRONG pic.twitter.com/6q04MzyRew

— Washington ☃️ Capitals (@Capitals) October 30, 2019

Luey was 13 years old.

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Alex Ovechkin is honored by All-Star vote, but noncommittal on his participation

By J.J. Regan

December 22, 2019 9:20 AM

WASHINGTON -- The NHL announced on Saturday that Alex Ovechkin had been voted captain of the Metropolitan Division for the NHL All-Star Game, but that is certainly no guarantee that the Capitals captain will participate.

This is the fourth time Ovechkin has been voted a captain and the third straight year. If he participates, it will be his eighth appearance in the All- Star Game.

The keyword there is "if."

Ovechkin chose to sit out of last year's All-Star Game, and received a league-mandated one-game suspension. On Saturday after Washington's 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning he was noncommittal on whether he would participate in this year's festivities and at the very least left open the possibility that he may not be going.

“We’ll see," he said when asked if he would go. "It’s lots of games to play. I’m going to do the best for my health and for the playoffs and I have to be healthy for the most important games moving forward.”

All-Star weekend is set for Jan. 24-25. Should Ovechkin choose not to attend, he will receive a one-game suspension. Last season, he and the team had the choice of whether he would miss the game before or after the break. That would mean Ovechkin would miss either the Jan. 18 game against the New York Islanders or the Jan. 27 game against the Montreal Canadiens, both on the road. Again, Ovechkin would miss one of those games only if he does not participate in All-Star weekend.

While he made it clear his health for the playoffs was his main concern, Ovechkin did stress that it was an honor to be voted captain by the fans.

"It’s always nice to be a captain on the All-Star team," Ovechkin said. "Thanks fans for voting me. It’s a huge honor for me, for this organization and this team.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167572 Washington Capitals “I mean, I can’t think of a time or a team that I’ve been on,” Holtby said. “Three Canadians? It’s just … it’s hard to think of. Even just less than half North Americans is, you don’t see that very often.”

‘Three Canadians?’ — Talk of Capitals’ dressing room is the shrinking After a pause to collect his thoughts, Holtby steered the conversation in number of Canadians another direction. As weird as it is to see fewer Canadians in the room, he said, he considers the Caps’ diversity of nationalities to be a strength.

“It’s different but we make it work,” Holtby said. “It’s forced us to get rid of By Tarik El-Bashir cliques a little bit more. A group of us from North America hang out with the Czech guys all the time. It’s pretty unique that way.” Dec 22, 2019 On the current roster, there are players from eight different countries:

United States (6), Russia (4), Canada (3), Czech Republic (3), Sweden WASHINGTON – When Chandler Stephenson was traded away on Dec. (2), Denmark, Slovakia and Switzerland. 2, it signaled more than just the departure of a teammate and close friend Coach Todd Reirden called the makeup of this year’s roster “a little bit for a handful of Capitals. random.” It also marked the departure of another Canadian. “It’s not by design, by any means,” said Reirden, who is from Illinois. “It As the NHL-leading Caps near the midpoint of the 2019-20 campaign, just seems that’s where we’re at right now. That could change next year. the team’s roster features only three players born in the Great White It could be seven or eight (Canadians) or whatever. It’s not something we North: Braden Holtby, Tom Wilson and Brendan Leipsic. Canada, of spend a lot of time thinking about. We think we have a good enough course, is the birthplace of hockey, home to seven of the NHL’s 31 culture established where it doesn’t matter what nationality a player is. franchises and it still sends more players to the league than any other We just want guys that want to play and want to be Capitals.” country, though its share has been declining for decades. Wilson agreed with Reirden and Holtby. Soon after Stephenson said his goodbyes, the dwindling number of “We talk about it but it’s not a thing you really look at,” Wilson said. “With Canucks on the Caps’ roster became a topic of conversation in the room our team, it’s never really feels like that because everyone is so close. It following the morning skate in Anaheim. doesn’t really matter where you come from. It’s actually cool when you “We were talking about it, obviously,” Holtby told The Athletic. “We stop and look it. Some of your best buddies on the team are Swedes or assume it’s the lowest in the league and it could be the lowest ever.” Czechs or whatever.”

“It’s strange,” the goalie added. “Really strange.” Wilson noted how he and his father, Keven, went to lunch last week with Michal Kempny, Jakub Vrana, Radko Gudas and Richard Panik. Holtby’s suspicions were correct, according to the NHL. “They didn’t speak one word of Czech the entire time,” Wilson said. “It Although Washington has boasted an increasingly international lineup was cool.” during the Alex Ovechkin era, the Caps currently feature the fewest Canadians among the NHL’s clubs. Boston is next with five, then Arizona Wilson said he’s had the same experience on the ice. and the New York Rangers each have six. “I’ve played on a line with Ovi and Kuzy,” Wilson said, referring to Furthermore, the Caps have never had three or fewer Canadians on their Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. “Sometimes, they’d come off speaking roster at any time prior to this season, according to league records. Russian for a little bit. Then they’d tell me what they were saying in (Three other Canadians – Michael Sgarbossa, Beck Malenstyn and Tyler English. It’s just a cool dynamic we have around here.” Lewington – have suited up for the Caps this season but are currently Leipsic said he also has taken note of how the European players often go playing for Washington’s minor league affiliate in Hershey, Pa.) out of the way to speak English in the presence of the North Americans. The fewest Canadians the Caps have ever had on their roster before “It’s good they are making the effort to keep us included now,” he said now was four, which occurred for 20 games last season. with a chuckle. “As it started getting thinner and thinner, we were aware of it,” Wilson Asked for his thoughts on Canada’s shrinking footprint in the Caps’ room, said. “Then it was, ‘Oh, another one’s gone.'” Ovechkin shrugged. “And now,” he continued, “you’re left with three.” “The guys who came to the league are good players, so it doesn’t matter Leipsic, who’s in his first season with the Caps but has suited up for four where you are from – Russia, Czech, Sweden, Canada, America,” he other organizations over the past five seasons, said it’s “weird” and “odd” said. “If you made the team, you made the team. I don’t think anyone is and unlike anything he’s experienced at any level. looking at passports. It’s not how it used to be. The world has changed. The league has changed. The hockey game has changed. It doesn’t “You look at Vegas,” said the Winnipeg native, who spent the 2017-18 matter who you are, you play your game and that’s it.” season with the Golden Knights, “there’s four Winnipegers on one team alone (Cody Eakin, Ryan Reaves, Cody Glass and Mark Stone). And here there’s just three Canadians. The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 “It’s totally different.”

In Washington, the transformation has unfolded over time but it has accelerated over the past couple of years. Consider:

In Ovechkin’s rookie season of 2005-06, 13 of the top 20 Capitals players in games played were products of Canada.

Fast forward to Wilson’s rookie year of 2013-14, 12 of the top 20 in games played hailed from Canada.

By 2017-18, the Caps’ championship season, only eight of the top 20 in games played came from Canada.

Jay Beagle left via free agency soon after winning it all. Eventually, Alex Chiasson, Madison Bowey, Devante Smith-Pelly and Brett Connolly followed Beagle out of the door. And then Stephenson was dealt. 1167573 Winnipeg Jets when you start to gel as a team, special things happen and I think we’re seeing it.”

The Jets are seeing something special, if only that they’re defying what Beaulieu-Kunin dust-up more than just a fight for Jets and where the analytics say they are and where they should be.

Hint: it shouldn’t be fighting for the top spot in a division or even a playoff spot for that matter. But there they are. Scott Billeck For Bitetto, it draws parallels to the Nashville Predators team he was on December 22, 2019 4:25 PM CST when they went to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017.

“This team has got a lot of that chemistry right now,” he said. “It’s a long year. We got a long way (to go). Those are great things. When a team is It wasn’t spoken of after the game, at least not in front of the assembled starting to come together like that… those are special times and we take media. pride in that.” If not for a long-standing post-game ritual where a Winnipeg Jets player In the NHL, the most important thing that can happen with a team is hands out a fighter pilot helmet to another, one that’s symbolic of an when the room — the assembled collective that occupies each stall important contribution or contributor on a given night — and one that has inside it — begins to take on a life of its own, according to head coach been made public this year via social media — we’d have no knowledge Paul Maurice. of it at all. “(Gabriel Bourque) blocks a shot, we’re on the power play, and so does “We take care of each other,” Jets captain Blake Wheeler said as he Adam Lowry, in a 6-0 game because they want Connor Hellebuyck to get began making his way across the Xcel Energy Center dressing room to that shutout,” Maurice said. “The awareness for each other, and there’s Nathan Beaulieu. not a lot of fighting, but you go back to what Adam Lowry kind of had to The recipient of the bucket from the team’s last triumph three games do in Vegas and then look at the change in our group. earlier, Wheeler’s message was followed by a directive of sorts. “What I believe we have here now, and it’s been built, is a respect for “Remember that, boys,” he said, proceeding to slap hands with the third- each other and not just the guys who score or just the points guys. pairing blueliner before handing over the lid. Everybody’s individual role on this team, the guys who are there to block shots, the guys who eventually have to, sometimes, police the game a There was no shortage of deserving candidates for the in-room award little bit, there’s a great respect being built for that.” following a 6-0 demolition of their Central Division rival in the Minnesota Wild. The significant part of all of that, Maurice said, is that it has nothing to do with the coaching staff. The game was significant in several ways, with positional jockeying in the standings being chief among them, along with the importance of “It’s players doing it,” he said. “How they treat each other, we feel, is stemming the bleeding following two tough losses on the trot. probably the most important thing that happens in the Winnipeg Jets locker room. How they respect each other and then they do more for Wheeler, who earned the helmet from Adam Lowry in Winnipeg’s 7-3 win each other on the ice. The bench is a good place for us right now… they against the Philadelphia Flyers last week, was enticed to keep the helmet say the right things. to himself. Wheeler recorded points No. 615 and No. 616 in the game, first tying ’s all-time franchise mark and then eclipsing it to “More importantly, they mean them.” set the new standard.

Patrik Laine scored twice in the game. Josh Morrissey had three assists. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 12.23.2019 Anthony Bitetto, not often on the scoresheet, contributed two. Connor Hellebuyck, the team’s saviour and clear-cut MVP this season, made 31 saves for his third shutout of the season.

Beaulieu’s lone shot and the three shots he threw his body in front of wouldn’t have normally catapulted him to the top of the list.

And they, alone, didn’t.

Instead, it was an unsettled score not shown on the scoreboard sitting high above centre ice in St. Paul. The only evidence on the scoresheet was a No. 5 under the ‘PIM’ column.

The exact moment Wheeler decided to give Beaulieu the helmet is unknown, but the first time the thought would have crossed his mind came at 12:34 of the third period.

It was then that Beaulieu threw a hit on Wild centre Luke Kunin and both dropped the gloves. For Kunin, it was an answer to the proverbial bell nearly three months in the making after Kunin put Bryan Little out of the lineup with a concussion in Winnipeg’s final preseason game at the tail end of September. Beaulieu, after all this time, proposed the question.

“I was talking to Wheels about this the other day, but a lot of teams I have been on, we’ve preached culture everywhere you go, but I feel this is the first team I’ve really been on where we really practice it,” Beaulieu said. “This is a very, very tight night group in here and we take care of each other. I think that’s why we’ve had such success since the beginning of the year. It’s like a family in here.”

Bitetto agrees.

Partners in crime on the blue line together, Bitetto didn’t doubt Beaulieu would step up for his teammates when the time was right.

“I think the biggest thing is that I feel every guy in the room is going to do that for each other,” Bitetto said. “When you start to build that chemistry, 1167574 Winnipeg Jets

GAME DAY: Montreal Canadiens at Winnipeg Jets

Scott Billeck

December 22, 2019 4:15 PM CST

THE BIG MATCHUP

Mark Scheifele vs Canadiens’ plan to stop him

Blake Wheeler has chased history and Patrik Laine has his shot calibrated once again, but it’s Mark Scheifele who’s been a nightmare for opposing teams lately. In his past nine games, Scheifele has scored eight times and contributed five helpers while playing on a line with Kyle Connor and Laine who are sent out against the other team’s best on a nightly basis. The Chicago Blackhawks are the only team in the past nine games to have held Scheifele without a point. Montreal will have its hands full trying to emulate that.

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

Build off win

The Jets did a lot of good in their 6-0 win against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, which was a welcomed change for the team that had done a lot of not so good in the two games (both losses) prior. Speed helped. Goaltending was on point, as it normally is in a shutout. The penalty kill didn’t give up anything and the power play worked. Many of these things need to be clicking together if the Jets are going to win games. They got back to that on Saturday and need to keep it that way against a solid Canadiens team.

Laine lift off

Much has been made about all the assists that are piling up for Patrik Laine, but he’s beginning to put the puck in the back of the net with the type of ease seen in the past. Over the past 15 games for the Jets, as near as makes no difference a calendar month, Laine has scored nine times. He has five goals in his past six games and four in his past four. Perhaps most importantly, most of these goals are coming at five-on-five, with 13 of those 15 coming with both teams at full strength.

Brossoit’s turn?

If Paul Maurice wanted to give Connor Hellebuyck a rest for Christmas, he could certainly consider starting Laurent Brossoit on Monday. The move would give Hellebuyck a full week off from game action, where he’d return this Friday against the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. Winnipeg’s schedule gets busy again after the Christmas break with two meetings with St. Louis and one with the Colorado Avalanche on deck before the New Year. The time is now if you’re wanting to rest your No. 1.

Stop the bleeding

For the first time in six games, the Jets penalty killers didn’t surrender a goal on Saturday. Prior to going 3-for-3 down a man in their 6-0 win, the Jets had stopped just three of their opponent’s past nine chances on the power play. That’s an incredibly poor stretch that needed fixing immediately. The question now is, can they keep the damn from bursting again?

Keeping the focus

Monday will mark two more sleeps until Santa descends down chimneys across the world. It’s also the last game for the Jets before getting three days of rest before returning to the practice ice on Dec. 27. There’s still a job to do, however. There’s plenty of time for a stiff Christmas drink or four later.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 12.23.2019 1167575 Winnipeg Jets Then, on the assist, Wheeler showed patience and precision, waiting for the opportune time before sliding the puck over into the wheelhouse of Laine.

‘He’s a gifted player’: Reactions pour in after Blake Wheeler becomes One of Wheeler’s longtime linemates was more than happy to weigh in Jets’ all-time points leader on the road to the landmark achievement.

“I know it will mean a lot to him,” New York Islanders winger and former Jets captain Andrew Ladd said in a telephone interview. “I know the By Ken Wiebe amount of work that he puts in away from the rink, on the ice, in the summers and his training and every aspect of the game that he thinks Dec 22, 2019 about and how he can get better.”

Ladd was asked what comes to mind when he thinks of Wheeler. You can count Rick Dudley among the least surprised at what Blake “The first thing I think of is how underrated he is. He’s a superstar in the Wheeler has been able to accomplish since joining the Winnipeg Jets league,” Ladd said. “He’s played at such a high level for such a long time franchise. and never seemed to get the recognition that he really deserves as an The man who orchestrated the trade that brought Wheeler and elite player in this league. defenceman Mark Stuart from the Boston Bruins to the “Sometimes, playing with people you get a bit more of a hands-on on Feb. 18, 2011, for forward Rich Peverley and defenceman Boris experience about the little plays they make and really what makes them Valabik had high hopes for the skilled forward. tick. He’s a guy that can drive his line and drive a team, really. His “I don’t think it’s surprising that Blake has done that, he’s a gifted player,” playmaking ability, he’s one of the top guys I’ve played with, with what he Dudley, the former general manager of the Thrashers, said in a sees and how he puts the puck on people’s sticks in good spots. He was telephone interview of Wheeler, who passed Ilya Kovalchuk to become a lot of fun to play with.” the Jets’ all-time points leader Saturday. “He wasn’t playing a key role Jets head coach Paul Maurice and Wheeler share a special bond. with Boston, but in those times every once in a while, he would show what he was capable of. To me, he needed a change of scenery.” In many ways, they’ve brought out the best in each other, and there’s definitely a mutual admiration society when Wheeler speaks about An interesting twist to the plot is that the trade almost didn’t happen. Maurice and vice versa. “I had seen Wheeler many times, and we had a little bit of a “For a guy that works that hard every day, you deserve to have good disagreement about whether we should make the trade or not. At the end things happen,” Maurice told reports in St. Paul on Saturday afternoon. of the day, I used an executive decision and said we’re going to make the “To become the all-time leader in a big game for us, but in his home state trade,” said Dudley, senior vice president of hockey operations for the and to have his mom and dad here, that is fantastic for him and he’s Carolina Hurricanes. “He didn’t play a key role in Boston at the time. The earned it.” good news, for us, is that they were looking for a piece to help them win a Stanley Cup, and they grabbed it (in Peverley). Even though Blake There’s no disputing the impact Maurice had on Wheeler’s evolution as a Wheeler has turned out to be a wonderful hockey player, one of the best player, but Dudley believes Thrashers bench boss Craig Ramsay started players over the I don’t know how many years. But (the Bruins) won the the process of unlocking that potential back in 2011. Stanley Cup (in 2011). “I have a tendency to look good in that trade (with the Bruins), but Craig “For me, it was a fairly easy trade to do. I thought there was a lot more made me look good,” Dudley said. “From the moment he got Craig there (in Wheeler’s skill set).” Ramsay, Blake became a confident, assertive player. It seems like almost overnight, he became a star. Craig was an inordinately bright guy Although there is always room for debate, it’s probably the most and he recognized what he had (in Wheeler). He found a coach who important deal in franchise history for the Jets. liked the assets he brought to the game. Obviously, that’s continued on in Wheeler has blossomed into a bona fide power forward, one who is Winnipeg.” among the best passers in the NHL. Wheeler made a strong impression on Ladd and Co. “He had a little bit of everything,” Dudley said. “Obviously, he had size “He fit in right off the hop,” Ladd said. “You knew that (Dudley) had made and the shot. He was a very good skater, and he had a level of tenacity a pretty good deal, and we got a really good player and he kept evolving that I liked. You could tell he was not a confident player at the time and ever since then.” he may not be playing as intense as he could because he was just trying to survive. When that’s the case, they (rarely) display the skills that they Ladd had won Stanley Cups with the Carolina Hurricanes (2006) and can. But every once in a while, you would see them in a relaxed state Chicago Blackhawks (2010) before joining the Thrashers. and they would show the capacity that they have. In many ways, they lived parallel lives as their respective roles were “When he was playing and not thinking so much about his situation, he enhanced after being traded. would let go and become a really top forechecker. There was just a lot more there than maybe statistics would show at the time.” “We both came from really good teams, teams that had a lot of depth and you kind of get slotted into certain roles,” Ladd said. “That’s a big part of Wheeler arrived on the scene with the Thrashers, and he recorded an learning what it takes to win. We also knew that it was nice to get an assist in his first game with his new franchise. opportunity with a new team and to get a chance to be top-line players. I don’t know if we ever really had any conversations about it, but you know It didn’t take long for him to shift from being a third-line checker to a first- as a player when you have a chance to run with it. Both of us knew it was liner who was counted on to produce offensively. a great opportunity. We were in a leadership spot, and we needed to lead “When Blake came to Atlanta, all the stars aligned for him,” Dudley said. the way too. We both put a lot of stock in that and tried to set a good “He matured and he became an important piece of our puzzle.” example for our teammates as well.”

On Saturday afternoon at Xcel Energy Center, playing against the Wild goalie Alex Stalock has been playing against Wheeler since high Minnesota Wild, Wheeler made his way to the top of an impressive school in Minnesota, and he’s seen the Jets captain continue to get franchise record for points recorded. better.

Wheeler scored a short-handed goal to tie Ilya Kovalchuk, then took sole “He’s developed into a good leader in this league. Obviously, he wears a possession of the top spot by setting up Patrik Laine for a power-play (captain’s) letter over there, and he’s been with this organization for a marker. while and where they’ve been to where they now are, they’re a dominant team in the league,” Stalock told reporters in Minnesota on Saturday. The two plays were somewhat symbolic of Wheeler’s time with the “They’re always there at the end of the year making an impact. He’s organization. effective. He kills penalties, he’s the quarterback on their power play and I’m sure he’s good in the room.” On the goal, Wheeler drove hard to the net and buried his shot. Wheeler isn’t just good in the room. He remains an impact player on the ice.

Not only has he handled the responsibility of shifting to centre after the injury to Bryan Little, but his offensive totals have been on the rise as well.

After a slow start to the season by his standards, averaging 0.5 points per game, Wheeler is up to 10 goals and 30 points in 36 games — including five goals and 22 points in 20 games since the position change.

And while Wheeler was true to form in heaping praise on others when it comes to this individual achievement, becoming the franchise leader in points is something he’s going to be incredibly proud of down the road.

“It’s not something I’ve set out to do or thought about,” Wheeler said in Minnesota. “I really feel like the product of some good teams and I’ve played on some really good lines. I play a lot of minutes, so I just feel fortunate for the opportunities I’ve had here and the guys I get to play with every night. It’s not going to be long before one of these guys on this team passes me, and that will be a good moment, too.

“But it’s a reflection of taking advantage of your opportunities and playing with a lot of really good guys.”

The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167576 Vancouver Canucks Hoglander, 18, has six goals, three assists and a minus-three rating in 19 games this season with Rogle BK.

Sweden starts their tournament on Boxing Day against Finland, which Canucks prospects tracker: Podkolzin puts it in gear, Rafferty takes over will have Canucks defensive prospect Toni Utunen in their lineup for a second year in a row.

Utunen, 19, has three assists in 16 games for Tappara in the Finnish SM- MIKE RAPTIS Liiga. The 2018 fifth-rounder, coming off an injury which hampered the start to his season, has also played in seven games for Finland’s U20 December 22, 2019 8:49 PM PST team, where he has two goals and two assists in a leadership role.

Sidelined with injuries for most of last season — and much of this one — It’s his time to shine. Juolevi hadn’t scored a goal with the Comets since October 17, 2018.

Bereft of playing time in the KHL and buried in the untilled soil of the That changed this past Saturday in a 4-3 win at Rochester, as the Supreme Hockey League, Podkolzin has emerged from parts unknown to Canucks’ 2016 first-rounder potted a dramatic late winner against the put his stamp on Team Russia ahead of the 2020 World Junior Americans. Championship tournament. Juolevi’s goal wasn’t a result of a big slap shot or a well-placed wrister. It The Canucks’ 2019 first-rounder was a menace in a tune-up win against was a goal borne out of his ability to read the play and capitalize. Kazakhstan on Saturday, getting three assists and making several high- With just under two minutes left in the third period, Juolevi, patrolling the quality plays on and off the puck. left point, spotted forward Seamus Malone gearing up for a shot from the This is footage from #Canucks Vasily Podkolzin's WJC Tune up game right sideboards. The Finnish defenceman then turned on the jets, against Kazakhstan on Dec 21st. He recorded 3A. At 0:55, with thee shoving a defender out of the way and popping a rebound into the net. players converging on him, he fakes once way and turns, sending a pass The goal is bound to work wonders for Juolevi’s confidence. to the left point. Marchenko scores. Great line chemistry. Upstaged by the play of D-man Brogan Rafferty and under scrutiny by Podkolzin was placed on Russia’s top line with Vegas Golden Knights restless Canucks fans, something had to give for the gifted 21-year-old, prospect Ivan Morozov (2018, second-round) and Columbus Blue who didn’t have a particularly good week in Utica’s other two wins this Jackets prospect Kirill Marchenko (2018, second-round). Morozov is past week. Podkolzin’s linemate with SKA-Neva in the VHL and also played on his line in the recent Canada-Russia series — so there’s chemistry there. In Wednesday’s 4-3 triumph against the Belleville Senators, Juolevi had two shots on net and an even plus-minus rating. In Friday’s 5-3 win The trio was dominant against an overmatched Kazakhstani side. How against the Laval Rocket, Juolevi netted zeroes across the board and a they’ll fare at the world juniors remains to be seen, but TSN hockey minus-one rating. analyst Craig Button told TSN 1040 on Thursday that he considers Podkolzin and the Russians to be tournament favourites, alongside Team Then Saturday came and the prized prospect turned it up a notch. Canada. Aside from the game-winner, Juolevi had a strong sixty minutes, sending Button was also glowing in his praise of Podkolzin, calling him a Kole Lind in on a breakaway with a nice stretch pass and even blocking a “difference-maker.” shot with his helmet. He finished the game with one shot, a plus-one rating and was named the first star of the game. “He’s got a desire to make a difference, he’s got great hands, he’s got a great mind,” Button said. “I don’t have any question that Podkolzin will be The AHL rookie has one goal, eight assists and a minus-11 rating in 23 able to provide significant, significant abilities to help the offence.” games this season.

Button said not to put stock into the 18-year-old’s inability to score in the The Comets have won five out of their last seven games and are in third KHL, as there’s not a lot of scoring in that league and even less place in the North Division with a record of 18-10-1-2. opportunity for a teenager like Podkolzin. Nobody expected this. Not even Rafferty himself. “Will he be an 80-point guy? No. But will he be a player who can really help a team and help players produce offence? I have no question about The Comets’ rookie defenceman continued to put up gaudy point totals that.” this past week, taking over the top spot for scoring among all AHL D-men and making an impact in each of Utica’s three wins. Team Russia kicks off its World Junior schedule on Boxing Day in a match-up against the host Czech Republic, who will have fellow Canucks The 24-year-old had two assists in a second-star performance in prospect Karel Plasek (2019, sixth-round) in the lineup. Belleville on Wednesday, another two assists to take third-star honours in Saturday’s win at Rochester and a game-busting goal and two assists in Podkolzin has three goals, five assists and a plus-four rating in 13 VHL Friday’s win against Laval. games this season. He has gone without a point playing spot duty in 13 KHL games. Rafferty’s goal was scored on an absolute bomb of a shot, blowing the puck past the Rocket goaltender from the left face-off circle. Nils Hoglander The undrafted NCAA signee was named the game’s first star for his three If Sweden’s tune-up games this past week were any indication, point, plus-two performance. Hoglander is set to soar at the WJC. Afterwards, Rafferty gave some insight into his spectacular start. The Canucks’ flashy 2019 second-rounder scored twice against the Czechs in a 5-1 win on Friday and added a primary assist against Team “I would say I surprised myself with it, but I also had a good summer and USA in a 6-4 loss on Sunday. put the work in. I don’t think anyone expected this,” he told the media. “When we’re clicking, I would put us up against anyone in the league.” Sweden beat the Czechs 5-1 in a #WJC tuneup. Hear from Head Coach Trent Cull and @brogan_rafferty after tonight's “I’m expecting a big world championship from him,” Swedish Hockey win! pic.twitter.com/nYQLG0VkpT— (@UticaComets) League analyst Mike Zanier told TSN 1040 on Wednesday. “He’s scored December 21, 2019 some highlight-reel goals. He’s getting better as the season goes on — exactly the same as Elias (Pettersson) was a few years ago.” After 31 games, the Illinois native has four goal, 25 assists and an impressive plus-17 rating. He’s first among all AHL defencemen in points, But Zanier also said that Hoglander, in his second SHL season, still leads the league in plus-minus and is tied for second among D-men in needs time to learn how to be a professional. shots on goal with 60.

“Is he ready for next year? I don’t think so. He’s probably going to need Not since Somali pirates took over Tom Hanks’ ship in Captain Philips another year or two.” has such an unknown risen in the ranks so rapidly. Even without the ‘C’ on his chest, Rafferty is the captain now. Lind’s progression to becoming a productive professional continued this past week with another couple of goals for the Comets.

In Wednesday’s win, the 2017 second-rounder scored on a rebound and added an assist.

Then on Friday, the 21-year-old was the benefactor of a great play by Rafferty, who intercepted a pass in the offensive zone, dangled his way to the goal-line then fed Lind in front for a one-timer goal. Lind had three shots on goal and a plus-one rating in the win.

Don’t look now, but Lind continues to creep up the AHL’s scoring chart. He’s tied for 21st in the league with 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 31 games. He’s also a minus-two overall.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.23.2019 1167577 Vancouver Canucks “The biggest complaint with Patrik was the coaches were telling him to shoot more,” Tanti continued, laughing.

“I would have liked him to shoot more … but I’m glad he passed it a lot.” Canucks at 50: 'Sunny' memories of one Swede centre in Sundstrom for Sundstrom’s signature moment with Vancouver came on Feb. 29, 1984, Tanti on the road in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ old Igloo — a barn that was always an inhospitable place for the Canucks, even if that Pens team finished with just 16 wins and the worst record in the NHL. J.J. ADAMS With the game tied 1-1 midway through the first period, the Swedish December 22, 2019 12:00 PM PST playmaker went to work. He assisted on Vancouver’s next six goals, including two from Tanti, before scoring in the third period, the icing on a

9-5 victory cake. Patrik Sundstrom was one of the quietest Canucks ever. His outward His seven points remains a single-season Canucks record to this day, impression of a cloistered monk concealed a self-deprecating sense of and he’s one of just three NHLers to ever record six assists in a road humour, both surprising character traits for one of the most offensively game (Billy Taylor, ). skilled NHLers of the time. “I remember that game,” said Tanti. “One goal, six assists, and I’m It wasn’t that they spoke softly, but that they barely spoke at all. surprised he got a goal. What can I say? That’s just who he was.” Patrik Sundstrom and were taciturn by choice. The former, Tanti would go on to lead the team in goal-scoring for five straight quiet by nature. The latter was as well, though his verbal reticence was seasons. Sundstrom averaged 70 points for the next three years, topping also born out of respect for his status as a wet-behind-the-ears rookie in the team in points twice. a 1982-83 Vancouver Canucks locker-room coming off a appearance the season before. The duo scored, and scored often. But only on the ice.

“At that time, as a rookie, you needed to just keep quiet and not say Off of it, despite it being the lascivious ’80s — a decade fuelled by much, and that’s what I did,” Tanti chuckled when reached by phone cocaine and hedonism — the two embraced their introverted natures, earlier this month. actively avoiding the limelight that came with their status as young, handsome, celebrity athletes. “(Sundstrom) was quiet — but not to me. We got along incredibly. It’s not that he was aloof, he’s just a very shy and quiet person. … Some people Tony Tanti looks on from the bench, with Paul Lawless (briefly a Canuck) might take him the wrong way, but with me he was totally open. He was behind him, during a 1987-88 NHL season game in Vancouver. ‘We had like Opie on The Andy Griffith Show (Ron Howard’s character — the chemistry,’ Tanti recalls of his partnership with centre Patrik Sundstrom. young, wide-eyed son). He was American Pie. He didn’t do anything ‘He was a passer and I was a shooter. It worked out tremendously.’ PNG wrong.” files

Sundstrom remains one of the greatest draftees in team history. The The high point of road trips were movies. During homestands, the golf Canucks took eight players ahead of him in the 1980 NHL draft, with course. names like Rick Lanz (7th overall), Marc Crawford (70th) and Doug Lidster (133rd) going off the board before the Swede was picked in the It led former Vancouver Sun scribe Archie McDonald pronouncing them ninth round, 175th overall. “the two dullest and handsomest young bachelors in the NHL.”

He and his twin brother Peter — yes, they were the original Swedish NHL They didn’t stay single for long, with both getting engaged during their twins — stuck it out with IF Bjorkloven, before Patrik was finally lured Canucks tenure — Sundstrom to Karen, Tanti to Christina, his wife of 31 over by Canucks general manager Jake Milford for the start of the 1982- years — with their fiancees becoming fast friends as well. 83 season. (Peter would join the New York Rangers in 1983-84.) The perfect partnership ended in 1987 when Sundstrom was shipped off Later that season, Tanti came to Vancouver via trade from Chicago (for to the New Jersey Devils. His production would be missed — he went on rugged winger ). The Blackhawks had drafted Tanti 12th to set a still-unbeaten NHL playoff that season, scoring three goals and overall in 1981, but he saw just three games with the NHL club, spending dishing out five assists in a 10-4 win over Washington — but Vancouver most of the time in junior playing for the OHL’s , where got two players who could become franchise legends in goaltender Kirk he had smashed Wayne Gretzky’s rookie scoring record with 81 goals. McLean and winger Greg (Gus) Adams.

Canucks centre Patrik Sundstrom breaks free of a fallen, unidentified “Besides rooming on the road, we were at each other’s places two or Minnesota North Star while evading the pursuit of North Stars three times a week,” a young and devastated Tanti told the Sun after the defenceman Brad Maxwell during a 1983-84 NHL season game at the trade. Pacific Coliseum. Ian Lindsay / PNG files “We played golf. When we were away, Sunny’s wife, Karen, and my Their playing styles meshed perfectly. The six-foot Sundstrom was a fiancé, Chris, would keep each other company. It’s like losing my best superb passer, big for a centre at that time and strong on his skates. The friend or brother or something. Actually, it’s going to be as hard on Chris comparisons to Bryan Trottier inevitable and frequent. Tanti was a slick, as me.” fast and lethal sniper.

In the final game of their first full season on a line together — March 30, Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.23.2019 1984 — Sundstrom had a goal and assist to finish with 91 points, a record that would stand until Pavel Bure broke it in 1993. Tanti scored his 45th of the season, another team record until the first of Bure’s back-to- back 60-goal seasons in 1992-93.

Of Tanti’s 45 goals, Sundstrom assisted on 25 of them.

“Patrik was, no question, the perfect centreman for the style of my game,” said Tanti. “When I got into the league, it was instant that we had chemistry. He was a passer and I was a shooter. It worked out tremendously.

“He was big, strong, could skate, stickhandle … all I had needed to do, really, was be open, and I knew (the puck) was going to be there.

The Province’s story on that big night for centre Patrik Sundstrom, with one goal and six assists, in Pittsburgh against the Penguins. PNG files 1167578 Vancouver Canucks “We got caught up in the fun of scoring but we didn’t play nearly as well as we did in Washington,” said associate coach Ron Smith. “We gave up seven three-on-twos and six or seven two-on-ones, but the night was a nice change.” Canucks at 50: The night Sundstrom personally punishes 'pitiful' Penguins 7-5 The Canucks called a time out in the last two minutes so Sundstrom could get one last power play shift to try and tie the record.

“It was nice of them to send me out, but I was tired,” said Sundstrom. ” I STAFF REPORTER thought to myself, ‘what am I doing here?’ Finally I waved Lars Molin on.”

December 22, 2019 11:55 AM PST When Gary Rissling fought Garrett in the third period, Rick Lanz and Jiri Bubla didn’t jump in because the goalie yelled at them not to.

didn’t hear him and took the game misconduct for being the third man in PITTSBURGH — It may have been snowing here last night but it was a a fight. “It was a stupid thing to do,” said Lupul, although Neale Sunny day for the Vancouver Canucks. disagreed.

Sunny is the nickname pinned on the bashful Swedish heartthrob Patrik Sundstrom, by his mates, partly because of his name and partly because Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.23.2019 of the wide smile he substitutes for words.

But Sundstrom, who turned every rush into a threat, didn’t have to say much after his goal and six assists, which led the Canucks to a 9-5 victory over the pitiful Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sundstrom became the third player in NHL history to get six or more assists in a road game — Toronto’s Billy Taylor, in 1947, and Boston’s Bobby Orr, in 1973 in Vancouver were the others — blowing to shreds earlier criticism he didn’t perform as well away as he does at home.

Further, this seven points tied him with seven others for monst points in an away game, one short of the record set by Peter and Anton Stasny three years ago in Washington. Sundstrom’s 80 points on the season vaults him past Tony Tanti (79) and into the top 15 in league scoring, eight short of ’s club record.

“I felt best about the pass to Taylor Hall because it was an important goal in the game and it was his first (NHL) goal,” said Sundstrom. “I’ve never done anything like this before. Maybe six is the most points I’ve ever had in a game in junior. Everything went in tonight.”

The Province’s story on that big night for centre Patrik Sundstrom, with one goal and six assists, in Pittsburgh against the Penguins. PNG files

Hall’s first goal gave Vancouver a 3-1 lead in the first period and sent the Canucks away to the races. Cam Neely had his best night as a pro with two goals and two assists, and Tanti came out of his scoring slump with his 38th and 39th goals, making him the highest goal scoring right winger in club history.

“I was thinking if I had played all the games this year I might be near 30 goals,” said the 18-year-old Neely. “Playing with Sunny and Tony was a bit strange at first because they had been together all season and I was lost. But now we’ve had a few practices together. I guess Sunny has some idea of where I’m going to be.”

The line has an average age of 20, and should , Darcy Rota and Smyl ever get the lead out, the Canucks may not be the butt of so many jokes.

For a while it looked like Vancouver would need all nine goals the way John Garrett was whiffing in goal. but the brutal performance didn’t stop him from chirping up the club’s four-game unbeaten string.

“That Marty McSorley has one of the hardest shots in the league,” Garrett announced facetiously after knocking his high shot into the net with his glove.

Canucks rookie Cam Neely, getting squeezed by a pair of New Jersey Devils during the 1983-84 season, had his best night as a pro (to date) on Patrik Sundstrom’s seven-point night, with two goals and a pair of assists himself against the Penguins. ‘Playing with Sunny and Tony was a bit strange at first because they had been together all season and I was lost,’ said Neely. ‘But now we’ve had a few practices together. I guess Sunny has some idea of where I’m going to be.’ PNG files

“We’ve always known Patrik had that kind of talent, but his intensity level was lacking last year,” said Harry Neale, a .500 coach after 20 games. “This year he’s had far fewer games like that. If he wants to be one of the best players in the league, he can be. And it looks like he has that in mind.”

The Canucks play New Jersey tomorrow, but they’ll have to tighten up defensively if they don’t want the humiliation of a Devil’s victory. 1167579 Vancouver Canucks Globe And Mail LOADED: 12.23.2019

J.T. Miller, Jake Virtanen score early power-play goals to spark Vancouver Canucks past Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1

CAROL SCHRAM

The game was decided before the opposition got its first shot on goal.

The Vancouver Canucks outshot the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-0 in the first period and scored two power-play goals as they cruised to a 4-1 win on Saturday at Rogers Arena.

“We came out, feeling good going into this game,” said Canucks winger J.T. Miller, who tallied the game winner with three minutes left in the opening frame. “I thought we had the right start.

“Obviously, they didn’t get a shot in the first period, so you can’t get a better start than that.”

“First period was great,” said goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who made 28 saves in the game’s final 40 minutes. “We had some power plays and scored two goals and didn’t let one shot on net and kept them outside through the first period.”

Jake Virtanen, Miller, Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser scored for the Canucks (18-15-4), and Tyler Myers had two assists. Jake Guentzel replied for the Penguins (21-11-4).

The game got off to a sluggish start, with 10:24 elapsing in the first period before Antoine Roussel recorded the game’s first shot on goal.

Soon after, the Canucks earned a long 5-on-3 power play. Dominik Simon received a double-minor for high-sticking Adam Gaudette, before Brandon Tanev was whistled for holding 29 seconds later.

Miller appeared to give the Canucks the lead, but the goal was called back due to a coach’s challenge for offside.

Jake Virtanen eventually opened the scoring with 4:50 left in the first, on a slap shot from the left boards that beat Murray high to the glove side. With the Canucks still on the power play, Miller doubled Vancouver’s lead just 1:50 later, picking up his 14th of the year by tipping an Oscar Fantenberg shot over Murray’s glove.

It was his first goal in seven games, his longest drought since joining the Canucks this season.

“When they disallowed (the first goal), I was like, `Oh this is just not my month,’ said Miller. “It’s nice to see one go in, for sure.”

In his first start since December 7, Murray made 10 saves on the night for Pittsburgh.

“It feels like forever since I played but like I said, it is what it is,” Murray said. “I thought we got a little bit unlucky there in the first period with some of those calls. That’s a tough situation to be in, taking all those penalties, but we did our best and we tried to battle through it. If we had a better first period, I think we would have had a better chance.”

In the second, the Penguins dominated play, outshooting Vancouver 20- 6. Guentzel’s goal came off a rebound with 4:32 left to play, while Gaudette was serving a high-sticking double minor.

Less than a minute later, the Canucks replied, with Pettersson roofing a rebound high over Murray’s glove after a shot by Tyler Myers. It was Pettersson’s 17th goal of the year and his fifth in his last six games.

In the third, the teams traded power-play chances before Boeser recorded his 13th of the year, converting a feed from Pettersson from behind the net. “I dumped the puck and I tried to forecheck,” said Pettersson. “They cleared it, but Brock made a good glove save, passed it down to me and I just tried to create space for Brock to be able to shoot the puck.”

The goal was Boeser’s second in the last four games.

Vancouver finished the night 2-for-5 with the man advantage, while Pittsburgh was 1-for-5.

1167580 Vancouver Canucks “I was just trying to stay in the shooting lane,” Motte said of the play. “We knew we were going to have to kill off a few penalties. Obviously, the end of the first, it was going to be a big momentum swing one way or the other. They had a bit of a different setup going, they didn’t really have The Armies: The ‘maybe it’s just luck’ thing, J.T. Miller vs. ‘HNIC’ and the anyone in the middle, so I was just trying to take a passing lane away ‘NBA 2K’ Christmas wish list and just stay in Letang’s shot lane as well. He shoots the puck pretty hard, gets it off quick. I was just in the right spot.”

This, by the way, was only the second time in Penguins history that the By Harman Dayal and Thomas Drance club has been held to zero shots in a period of a regular-season game: Dec 22, 2019 Best Drance prediction, part two

The Canucks managed to draw three penalties, including a double minor, It’s Christmastime, not Halloween. in the opening 370 seconds of the first period.

And yet these past two holiday Vancouver Canucks home games have You don’t need to be Sir Isaac Newton getting struck in the melon by an almost felt like an exorcism (with apologies to ). apple to know that when the officiating benefits one team to that extent — even if the calls weren’t particularly soft, though Penguins coach (and With the noxious tone of the conversation that lingered around this team former Canucks interim head coach) Mike Sullivan was furious about the as the week opened, it could’ve been Krampus time. high-sticking call postgame — that a three-ply-soft, phantom call is going to be made the other way. Especially when you consider the big bads they faced, and defeated, on Thursday and Saturday. It would’ve been hard to pick two tougher And so it was that Tanner Pearson was penalized. Nominally, it was an opponents for the Canucks to face while reeling. interference call. In fact, he might as well have been penalized for breathing. A Vegas Golden Knights squad that has owned the Canucks historically. And this Jared McCann-powered Pittsburgh Penguins team that authored And so the call went out to the VIPs: the meltdown in Steeltown in late November. It was suggested that the makeup call was more about evening out a Granted, this was a Penguins team that looked miles off their best in the recent trade: second of back-to-back games, and they absolutely thrashed the Canucks for the majority of the second period. With the way the Canucks Or that Pearson’s Star Wars takes are J.D. Burke-level dubious: coughed up the lead in the 8-6 loss in Pittsburgh less than a month ago, Some speculated that the officials were influenced by Sullivan’s temper: Saturday’s 4-1 win felt like a big one. Or that they were offended by Pearson’s rugged handsomeness: You know it’s a day that ends with “y” because Quinn Hughes is out there making forecheckers look like Tyronn Lue defending Allen Iverson. Was it in reaction to a bad Christmas present?

Best Elias Pettersson impersonation And the winner, a VIP who rather perfectly surmised that the on-ice officials were just out to protect our old pal DK (who even chimed in to Jake Virtanen has earned second-unit power-play time, and he confirm he’s not in the most dangerous™ city in North America): capitalized with full force — unloading a one-time rocket that Sputnicked past Matt Murray and went bar down emphatically: The Miller hit piece

Tyler Myers begins the play with a no-look feed that draws the penalty On Saturday night, as the result of a missed offside, 62 seconds of killer toward the middle and opens the space for Virtanen to shoot — his withering offensive pressure and a J.T. Miller power-play goal marker landing as the 10th goal for the second power-play unit in its past disappeared into a 18 games. Ultimately, Vancouver’s first unit didn’t convert a five-on-three goal, but “His game’s slowly progressing to where he’s starting to get power-play they looked insanely dangerous throughout. time now, and it’s nice to see, happy for him,” Canucks coach said. Or at least we thought so. On “Hockey Night in Canada,” viewers were treated to a different take from Kelly Hrudey, who was critical of Miller’s Best update decision-making:

Miller also has more goals than any forward on the Lightning. “He’s a great player for them, right? This is a really nice addition for the Vancouver Canucks, but his game, he scored, but he had some It’s unclear precisely why makes Vancouver’s fourth line so problems in this game,” Hrudey began. formidable, but his impact is undeniable. Even Travis Green can’t quite put his finger on it: The broadcast spotlighted this sequence, noting only the iffy pass — and not what’s more interesting, which is how Miller rotated up to the point: “He just kind of brings them together for some reason,” Green said. “When he was out, I’m not saying anyone played bad, but that line just “I’m looking at this pass for Pettersson, and that’s just not a very good seems to click better. It’s funny, when we put Motter on that line, it’s just pass, it’s not in the wheelhouse for Pettersson,” Hrudey continued. “He a better line, the chemistry there.” had another bad pass on the power play. And then the bump back, and this is a two-man advantage, and he needs to make a better decision With Motte using his speed to pester opponents, Vancouver’s fourth line than that — he can’t try to weave right through the middle.” has performed like a high-end shutdown unit that changes the complexion of the entire team. “You’ve got to love this guy. Here’s the other bad pass, to Pettersson, and that’s even worse. … I’m not sure if it really bothered him,” Hrudey On Saturday night, Jay Beagle — a proxy for Vancouver’s fourth line — said as the broadcast showed this pass: was matched up against Pittsburgh’s top six for 7:40 at five-on-five on Saturday, and in those 7:40, the Penguins managed only two shots on Finally, Hrudey concluded his analysis. goal. “The good news is that he provides so much for the Canucks, there’s a “We just enjoy doing what we do, in all honesty,” Motte said postgame. beautiful redirect and he has his 14th goal. So yeah, love him, but he “There’s a lot of skill guys in this group; we know they’re going to produce could’ve been a little sharper on the two-man advantage.” offensively. We know that’s not our role, though hopefully we can chip in a bit more. We just enjoy the kind of ugly parts of the game almost.” In a vacuum, those highlights aren’t flattering. Here’s the thing, though: Miller is usually at the net front in Vancouver’s 1-3-1 formation of its five- In addition to their stellar play at five-on-five, Vancouver’s fourth-liners on-four setup, and he typically doesn’t get a high-volume of power-play logged a ton of ice short-handed in holding a lethal Penguins power play touches. to just one goal in five opportunities. And on a first-period power play, Motte had a signature moment: a big, painful-looking shot block on Kris Watch back to the full 62-second shift leading up to Vancouver’s goal, Letang that sealed zero shots for the Penguins in the opening 20: though, and you’ll notice that when Vancouver has a two-man advantage, he seems to rotate a lot, even spending a fair bit of time on stuff that’s easy to wear every day coming to the rink or walking around the point. the city.”

At five-on-three, Miller gets touches more frequently than Tej from “The Just as high on the wish list, however, is something that may surprise LarschCast” uses that stupid Shaq dancing GIF on Twitter. you.

Because of the frequency with which plays run through Miller at five-on- “I play a lot of ‘NBA 2K’ right now, so maybe some VC, some points to three, he also has more opportunities for passes that aren’t quite perfect. make my guy in the game better,” said Chatfield, laughing. Which provides additional fodder to criticize if you’re keen to cherry-pick. VC stands for “virtual currency” in “NBA 2K19” and can be spent in The way Miller executed during Vancouver’s extended five-on-three on various game modes, but it’s most prominent in the MyCareer mode. In Saturday shouldn’t be seen as problematic. It’s actually a testament to MyCareer mode, you create your own player and go through the path of his versatility as a weapon, and it worked — even if his goal didn’t remain playing as a prospect, getting drafted and then eventually making it into on the board. the NBA. You can use the VC to upgrade your created player’s skills, deck them out with cool tattoos, haircuts, sleeves and kicks, and you can Fall away J also unlock new types of dunks.

Pettersson is showing he can adapt. Opposing teams are squeezing all Chatfield predominantly plays with his created player online with Jonah his time and space, and yet it’s been his ability to battle for the puck in Gadjovich and a couple of his junior teammates from the Windsor the toughest areas of the ice that’s contributed to even-strength goals Spitfires, including Aaron Luchuk and Sean Day, whom he plays in three- over the past few games, including the ever-so-crucial third Canucks goal on-three streetball mode — Chatfield lining up as his squad’s centre. that restored the two-goal lead. A lot of Chatfield’s free time is spent gaming. Mike DiPietro once invited “I always wanna work hard and be a leader in my own way,” Pettersson him out for dinner only to get no reply because Chatfield had his phone said of his work on the forecheck and greasy areas of the ice. “If you’re off while playing “2K.” not working hard, it’s hard to be good in this league, and when I’m working hard chances come, and that’s what happened.” “Honestly, it’s so sick. It’s like a movie now,” Chatfield said of the storylines in MyCareer mode. Miller has seen that up close, riding shotgun on Pettersson’s left wing, and he suggested after the game that the Lotto line — and the Canucks “Sometimes it’s a little too much for people because you gotta go through in general — is at its best when things get a bit greasy. all the storylines before you can play in the neighbourhood. But this year, your guy gets hurt in college and they take his scholarship away and then “We talk about that all the time; we want to play like that,” Miller added. you walk away from your team, and you can even be the captain and all “We don’t want to play like a skilled line. I think when we play well and that. break other teams down, then the skill takes over and things start to open up. When we’re skating and creating turnovers, it’s a contagious thing. “I think it’s pretty realistic with the path of pro athletes,” said Chatfield. That’s kind of our team’s identity.” “You work your way up from the bottom, and it can be realistic because everybody makes it to the league in a different way — there’s probably Best goalie hundreds of different ways guys had to go through obstacles.”

I’m not sure if we’re looking at a graph of Saturday’s game or Milan Brock Boeser either owns all the four-leaf clovers in North America or Lucic’s aging curve, but either way, the Canucks were dominated for he’s a good hockey player who scores goals. Ask Matt Murray and he’d much of the game after coming out of the gates strong in the first period probably bet on the former. — outshot 29-9 in all situations after the first intermission.

Jacob Markstrom is the backbone of the Canucks and was at his best once again against the Penguins, stopping 28 of 29 shots. The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019

There were a lot of great saves, but Markstrom’s best sequence was when he moved faster laterally than a luxury sports car in Vancouver with an “N” on it changing lanes to rob Guentzel with a toe save after Bo Horvat turned the puck over.

“First, I wasn’t really sure what position our D had,” said Markstrom when asked about that rush. “I kinda took a little bit too much ice (on the strong side), and I think Malkin was trying to go for the breakaway, but he waited for Guentzel, and then I think our D did a great job. It wasn’t that hard of a shot after he passed it across, so he bought me time to get back and stop it.”

The man responsible for coming back and making an excellent defensive effort was none other than Loui Eriksson.

“It’s huge. Great play,” Markstrom said of Eriksson’s backcheck.

This Capitals fan is about as lost as Michael Del Zotto in his own zone.

Best wish list

The joy of Christmas morning as a kid is unlike any other feeling in the world, and it’s still special — even if you’re an NHL player.

“It’s my favourite time of the year, my favourite holiday,” said Troy Stecher. “Once Thanksgiving is over, decorations go up right away.”

The Canucks did a Secret Santa last year, and while they’re not carrying it over to this Christmas, there are still things that some of the players have on their wish lists.

“I’m a big Lego guy, and they came out with a Central Perk coffee shop set based off the show “Friends,” so probably that,” said Stecher.

Jalen Chatfield, on the other hand, has a few things on his wish list, beginning with a few new outfits.

“Nothing too serious. Maybe some Gucci or something,” Chatfield said with a wry smile. “Maybe some Lulu (Lululemon), something comfortable, 1167581 Websites bus stop. It was an hour-and-a-half ride in rush hour — two buses and a subway ride — to the office building where his father worked security. Then they’d drive to hockey practice.

The Athletic / Dreams and nightmares: Inside Akim Aliu’s troubled He made the trip several times a week. He had learned the game only a hockey past and his quest to change the game year earlier. They played it with sticks and balls in his church basement. They played it at his school, where a new friend named Brandon invited him to play.

By Dan Robson Aliu had found a pair of used skates for $8 at a garage sale down the street. They were several sizes too big. He tied them tight at an outdoor

rink in a nearby park alone in the cold moonlight and shovelled off the Akim Aliu is contorted in directions most humans aren’t capable of snow with his heavy wooden stick. He begged his parents to let him join stretching. His right leg extends in front of him and his left reaches a local house league in Toronto’s Parkdale community. They struggled to behind — suspended by straps in the splits several feet off the ground. pay the fee. His father — with a master’s degree in geology — would He holds his body up on a parallel bar and twists his torso to the side. He cycle into snowy nights to deliver pizzas to supplement his day job. His sneers in pain. mother worked all hours cleaning luxury hotel rooms.

It seems like some form of medieval torture, but for Aliu it’s routine. After They did everything they could for him to be able to play. So he would a morning on the ice, he’s at this gym north of Toronto for a couple of put on his garage sale gear and walk several blocks to every practice hours every day. It’s the kind of regime a pro athlete might run through and game. He wore a blank Washington Capitals sweater that his during the offseason. But Aliu hasn’t played a hockey game since a brief parents got him for Christmas because they couldn’t afford the official stint in the ECHL last year. He doesn’t have an expensive trainer. He Eric Lindros one he asked for. He tried to hide disappointed tears and gets ice time through an old friend. Sometimes he takes over one end of smiled as he opened it. And he wore that sweater with pride. the rink at public shinny and runs through drills himself. He didn’t take any lessons. They couldn’t afford those either. So he His NHL career has spanned a total of seven games. He has two goals learned the hard way: The more you fall, the more you learn how to and one assist. He insists he has more in him. stand.

“When I’m on the ice, it’s the only time I’m at peace,” he says. “That’s my Those same $8 skates would sit beside him on the bus after he rose from sanctuary. That’s my happy place.” house league in Parkdale to the AAA North York Rangers in a little over a year. Coach Martin Ross — who everyone calls Chico — saw him play But for all the peace the game has given him, it’s tormented him plenty, by chance in a tournament. He knew the kid had potential and found a too. It’s a relationship filled with ups and downs — from a kid who viewed spot for him at the highest level he could play. ice time as a way to find acceptance in a new community, to a young man who was shaken violently from the comfort zone he’d built at the Nearly two hours after his journey across the city began, Akim Aliu would rink, to now: the somewhat reluctant heart of a movement that could hop out of his father’s car at North York Centennial Arena, which was change the game forever. soon after renamed in honour of Herb Carnegie.

At 30 years old, Aliu is the most famous man in hockey still trying to He’d walk into a locker room where the other boys called him Dreamer. prove that he can play. He doesn’t have millions of dollars or kids Because his real name sounds like Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon — clamouring for his autograph. He won’t make the Hall of Fame. But he’s the basketball star who is from Nigeria, too. arguably done more to change the culture of the game than any other Akim the Dream… player in his generation. The Dream… Nearly 15 years ago, Aliu stood up to bullying when he was a rookie in the OHL — forcing drastic changes in the practice of hazing on junior Dreamer… hockey teams. One day it would be written on his own custom skates and down the Last month, he sent a tweet that shook a hockey world already grappling shaft of his expensive stick. One day it would be printed across the back with hard questions. His account of a racist incident involving then- of a hockey sweater. Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters sparked an investigation. Peters resigned. The NHL met with Aliu and implemented changes it says will For several years after he started to play, Aliu found acceptance in the combat bullying and systemic racism in the game. game. It was a change, but so much of his young life had been spent as an outcast. Since his meeting with the league, Aliu has opened up about further racism he faced as a pro hockey player — incidents he carried in silence In Okene, Nigeria, where he was born, he was different because his for years. Other players have spoken out, too, about cultural issues in mother was white. In Kiev, where his parents met and where he went to hockey dressing rooms. More coaches have faced accusations that their school, he was different because his father was black. behaviour crossed the line. More investigations have been opened. More And in that first decade of his life, he knew what different meant. He questions are being asked. watched his father get stopped by police and strip-searched in Russia. But this wasn’t what he set out to do. He saw him come home robbed and beaten. He saw cabs roll past his mother, with two black kids beside her. On a recent day spent with Aliu, he reflected on what brought him to this point, viewed as both a hero and a pariah. His parents decided there was no future as a mixed-race family in either place they’d called home. But even when he arrived in Toronto as a 7 In the gym, Aliu lays out his arms flat to show the words tattooed across year old, Aliu remained an outsider. He didn’t speak English and the kids his wrists — “family” on one, “faith” on the other. The forearm of his left at his new school mocked him for that. arm has his parent’s signatures, connected by an infinity logo. And on his right forearm a verse, from Romans 12:12: “Joyful in hope, patient in “There’s no worse feeling than not knowing what people around you are tribulation…” saying,” he says.

“It describes my life. Being joyful in hope — believing in something I can’t Learning hockey helped him belong. After a couple of seasons playing see,” he says. “Patient in tribulation, that’s my life. Especially in hockey. for Chico with the North York Rangers, where he skated alongside P.K. There’s been a lot of dark days, and a lot of tears shed — but being Subban, Aliu was recruited to play for the — a patient in those times when things are really rough, that’s where prestigious leap for a kid who’d only recently taught himself to skate. Aliu character is built.” met some of his best friends on the Marlies, like team captain Bryan Cameron who he met in summer hockey — and whose family helped Aliu and his older brother Edward, as boys on a farm in Russia. subsidize the cost of playing. (Courtesy Akim Aliu) The team won three consecutive championships and only lost four As a 10-year-old, Akim Aliu would carry his hockey bag several blocks games in four years. through the snow, from his family’s rented single-room apartment to a Five of those Marlies were drafted in the top 10 in the 2005 OHL draft: That’s the question that keeps coming up. Everyone wants to know why it John Tavares, Sam Gagner, Brendan Smith, Cameron, and Aliu— who took Aliu a decade to disclose the racist language Bill Peters used in the went sixth overall to the Windsor Spitfires. locker room, and again in his office when he was a member of the Rockford Icehogs in 2009. “I’m biased, but I like to say we were the best minor hockey team of all time,” he says. The room went silent after Peters made racially charged comments about Aliu’s choice of dressing-room music. Peters was confronted by the Aliu was on the verge of achieving something he hadn’t imagined when team’s captain — but doubled down, using the word again when he he first stumbled on ice in those old oversized skates, before he had a called Aliu in to discuss it. TV to watch an NHL game. He was one of the best young players in the country. And that was it, then. Nothing else was said. Aliu smiled less. He avoided Peters as much as possible. Aliu’s time with the Marlies would be his happiest days in the game. But soon he was buried alive. “People say ‘why didn’t you say anything?’ ” Aliu says. “Well, this whole thing would have happened then. This whole media storm. This whole Aliu is in the gym everyday. He has never given up his pursuit of playing wave would have happened then. And then where would I have gone to in the NHL. (Thomas Skrlj) play?

Aliu does sets of a 425-pound trapbar deadlift followed by 48-inch box “Whenever you speak up, they bury you even more. It happened in jumps, over and over again in a near-empty gym. He hasn’t had a Windsor. Look at the way that turned out for me. … I got shunned from personal trainer for a long time. He works better alone. He says he’s in literally everything.” the best shape of his life. He’s game ready if they call. Simply put, there was too much to lose. He was a rookie in the AHL. He It’s a painful, exhausting routine, but it’s nowhere near the worst thing could have been sent anywhere. He had no power. he’s felt. At least he can move. “All I was trying to do was make it,” he says. In a way, he’s lifting because of the one time he couldn’t. For years — beyond the organization — only Aliu’s family knew what had “It was like being in a casket,” he says. happened. He didn’t even tell his closest friends. Just the people he had He can still feel it. been through it with before: his mother, father and brother.

He’s standing in an upright coffin, packed with three other bodies, each “You’re helpless,” Aliu says. “There’s nothing you can do.” well over six feet tall. He can barely shift. His heart pounds. His breath is The sweater read “Dreamer,” embroidered in big white letters, worn by a short. The air disappears. He is naked and scared. Someone vomits. white man who painted his face black.

They’ve cranked the heat and are laughing just beyond the locked door. Aliu had just arrived in Colorado, having been sent directly to the ECHL There are adults at the front of the bus. They don’t stop it. He’s barely affiliate of the brand new Winnipeg Jets a couple of days into NHL able to move his arm to hammer the door. He screams for them to open training camp in 2011. it. He pushes with all his strength. He is panicking and they are laughing. He’d already played for five different teams in the minors, his rights He is helpless — for five more minutes until they think he’ll break down traded from the Blackhawks to the Atlanta Thrashers, which became the the door. It opens, and he falls out into the light and laughter. But he’s Jets. He’s kept the game sheets of matches where he played zero told to get back inside, rookie. His time’s not done. minutes, despite decent stats overall. He already felt like an outcast.

Like hell, it’s not. Then he showed up to a family party for the Colorado Eagles, and the “There’s nothing you could have done. I would have fought the whole team’s equipment manager was dressed in blackface. They put Aliu’s team,” Aliu says. “I would have fought everyone there.” nickname on the back of a sweater. He’d been with the team for only a short time. But he fought only the veteran who got in his face and threw a punch. His older brother told him to never back down, and he never does. There were wives and kids there. He was blindsided. He was furious. But he was a 22-year-old in the ECHL. What was he going to do? There was The next practice, Aliu made a mistake. And the same player chirped a baby on the floor a few feet away. The man asked Aliu to pose for a him. Aliu fired back. He skated away and felt a tap on the shoulder. He photo. He didn’t snap. He obliged but didn’t smile. No one seemed to turned into a cross-check to the face. They took Aliu off the ice. He realize what was happening. No one cared how it made him feel. looked in the mirror to see the missing front row of teeth. He had just gotten his braces off. “I went ape shit,” he says. He rushed to the ice to Aliu called his brother, Edward. He was the only one who could find the player. The local news camera caught the infamous brawl. It understand. became national news. The fights, the hazing, it all spilled out. He was breaking down. Again, he felt helpless. He played a handful of Everyone was watching now, and they all agreed — it was terrible and games with the Eagles, but couldn’t keep going. Aliu left the team and something needed to change. flew home to stay with his family.

Aliu was 16 years old, living away from home for the first time. He hadn’t He requested a trade. But, again, he didn’t mention what had happened. even played a regular-season game in the OHL yet, but he’d put a “How many times can you speak up about something and you get spotlight on decades of institutionalized bullying and hazing. buried,” he says.

Now others wouldn’t face the same. He kept quiet about the sleepless nights, too.

He was a hero, some said. To others, he was a problem. No one knew about the anxiety that hit every time he laid down. How his And that’s what Aliu believes caused his stock to slide ahead of the NHL heart would pound so fast it felt like it might burst out of his chest. He draft, despite the fact he became a point-a-game player, on both defence couldn’t keep his eyes closed, he couldn’t make his thoughts stop. and forward — with undeniable size and toughness. He was traded from “I might be done here. … What am I going to do?” he thought. “I’m 22. I the Spitfires before Christmas his rookie year and finished his OHL don’t have an education. What’s the other outcome?” career with the and . Aliu’s insomnia kept him awake four to five days at a time. “I didn’t get under-17 looks, I didn’t get world junior looks. Hockey Canada had completely written me off,” Aliu says. “I couldn’t function,” he says. “It was a dark place.”

He was told it was because he had a bad reputation. His agent would ask He spent several days in the hospital, undergoing a series of tests. He why, he says — but the word was out. Aliu was trouble. was prescribed Ambien to help him sleep.

Why didn’t you say something sooner? The Colorado Eagles’ equipment manager wore blackface with a sweater with Aliu’s nickname “Dreamer.” (Courtesy Akim Aliu) Aliu still struggles with insomnia. It’s not as bad now, but it’s still there. drag more hockey to Oakville. We don’t need more hockey in Aurora. But He’ll lay awake and never sleep, at least a couple of times a month. that’s what’s pushing, that’s what’s driving the conversation — the money in these places. We need to get into grassroots for people who can’t But lately, he’s felt at peace. He’s let go of something he’d carried in afford to play the game and figure out a way for them to play it.” private for too long. Aliu is fired up now. Maybe, he says, he’ll help create a program that Several weeks ago, Aliu had just finished his daily workout and was does just that. One day. Marginalized kids need more coaches and role sitting next to his locker when he typed out a tweet recounting the models who they identify with, he says. They need to see that they incident with Peters when he was with the IceHogs. belong.

He put his phone back in his locker. He sat in the steam room for about “At the end of the day, you want somebody that you look up to and say 20 minutes, unaware of the storm he had set off. When he picked up his ‘He came here with nothing, he found a way to make it. We have hope,’” phone again, it felt like it was going to explode with hundreds of he says. “That’s what I have tattooed on me. Faith, hope — those are the messages from people trying to reach him all at once. things we need to have and need to believe. But also, not everybody is “There was no planning that went into that,” he says. “Zero.” strong enough to have that looking into a black tunnel. You have to see some light at the end of the tunnel.” The account was quickly confirmed by some of Aliu’s former teammates with the Icehogs. Four days later, Peters resigned as the Flames head And in the end, maybe a tweet that took more than a decade to write coach. The NHL met with Aliu and announced a series of reforms meant landed when it needed to. And maybe the changes the NHL has vowed to address systematic bullying and racism in the league. to implement will actually make a difference.

A couple of weeks later, Aliu shared photos of the blackface incident in Aliu climbs out of his Jeep and grabs a stick and a small bag from the Colorado. The reaction was swift again. The team reached out with an back seat. Inside on a small ice pad, his old peewee coach is running apology. The equipment manager who wore blackface spoke to Aliu and skating drills for a dozen kids. apologized. He accepted and asked the organization to allow the man to Chico waves. keep his job. Aliu is tired. It’s been a long journey, and it ends in a rink, as always. “All I wanted was an apology,” Aliu says. He sits on a chair and opens his bag, pulling out his custom-moulded As our day north of Toronto winds toward its end, Aliu drives his grey skates that fit so snug he struggles to get his feet in. Each is labelled Jeep through a frozen night. He’s spent several hours at the gym and is “Dream.” Chico bangs on the glass and waves for Aliu to hurry. The kids late for a skills clinic where he helps his old minor hockey coach, Chico are excited to see him. Ross, five nights a week at a tiny twin-pad rink tucked in the back of an industrial complex. He picks up the stick beside him, the one with his name stamped on the shaft. Dreamer opens the gate and finds his place out on the ice. He is thinking about the past.

“I remember landing here,” he says. “It was September 7, 1996. It was raining. … My mom didn’t speak a word of English. My dad didn’t have The Athletic LOADED: 12.23.2019 anything. They just came here with two suitcases and two young kids.”

He remembers the one-room apartment they rented on the top floor of a house and the welfare package with bananas and toothpaste inside.

He remembers what it was like before he could speak the same language as the other students in his new class, when everyone around him viewed him as an outsider.

He remembers the garage sale gear and snowy outdoor rinks. He remembers that blank Capitals sweater; he’s never worn one with more pride. He remembers the comments about needing to cut his hair and the racist words he tried to ignore as he played, even as a teen.

“That’s what was hard for me with all this stuff with hockey,” he says. “We came here for a better life, and then we had to start dealing with that. … It starts early. Parents saying it, kids saying it.”

He remembers his dad in the stands, after working all day — cheering and beating a drum as loud as he could, filling that Toronto rink with his rhythm — and then going home to study all night to become a software engineer, because his first master’s degree in geology didn’t apply here.

And it still hurts that his mother missed his first NHL game with the Flames because she couldn’t miss her shift cleaning rooms at the Westin. It hurt she hasn’t had more opportunities to watch him play.

And that perfect life he planned to give back to his family is still just a fleeting dream.

There’s still time, he says. He won’t let that dream stop. He can’t.

But he’s thinking about the future, too.

Recently Aliu attended a program for kids from refugee families learning how to play hockey. He met a young boy who fled his home in Syria and now lives in Toronto. The kid wobbled on his skates like Aliu once did.

He knows that, beyond that clinic, there will be few opportunities for that boy to find belonging in the game. It took an enormous sacrifice from his parents just to let him play house league in Parkdale. It’s even harder for low-income families now.

“We need to get into the inner cities. We need grassroots programs,” Aliu says. “We need to get into places like Jane and Finch. We need to get to Malvern and Scarborough. That’s where we need to go. We don’t need to 1167582 Websites reasonable expectation of playing a prominent role, being a leader for this Canadian team, even the leader. Lafrenière’s first trip to the world junior tournament was an ultimately rocky ride over the holidays, but this time it will be all business. Even though most of the elite prospects are Sportsnet.ca / Can the WJC settle the questions surrounding hockey’s already drafted, the WJC is appointment viewing for NHL scouts and top prospect? executives. Draft-eligibles who perform well in the tournament can greatly increase their stock — and those who don’t can leave a bad taste in

people’s mouths. It’s a situation Lafrenière must be keenly aware of, both by Sam Cosentino because of his performance last year and because all of his chief rivals for No. 1 — as many as six players in the projected top 10 of the 2020 NHL Draft — will be in the Czech Republic. The current frontrunner to go first overall, Lafrenière’s personal stakes are raised further by the fact Heading into the World Junior Championship with a chance to cement his that he’s playing to lock down that status as the best-in-class. place atop the 2020 draft class, projected No. 1 pick Alexis Lafrenière is ready to do anything to help Team Canada win gold — even switch The world juniors offer Lafrenière a chance to distinguish himself in truly positions elite company: the tournament will boast as many as six of the 2020 NHL Draft's projected top-10 players Last November, late in the month when the cold had descended on Rimouski, Que., Alexis Lafrenière was at his billets’ home getting ready Though Alexis Lafrenière’s default mode is sincere understatement, he to walk the block or so to his high school when his cellphone rang. The inspires overstatement that can border on the reckless. Consider the screen showed a number he did not recognize. It turned out be Hockey opinion of Wayne Gretzky at the 2018 world summer under-18s: “He Canada officials breaking good news: They were inviting him to reminds me of Gilbert Perreault,” Gretzky told Sportsnet’s Mark Spector. evaluation camp for the 2019 world junior team; a chance to wear the “He can skate, handle the puck. He’s just around the puck so much. maple leaf in the highest-profile tournament not waged by pros. When you have that much puck sense, that much speed, I can see him being a centreman at the next level.” Making a world junior team has been and will ever be a goal for elite teenage prospects in Canada. It was a goal for Lafrenière, but one he Gretzky might not have been in the front rank as a coach or GM but his thought he’d have to wait another year to achieve, at least. He made a scout’s eye for talent has proven pretty good. (In your Book of Modern round of calls and shared the news with his team in Rimouski, his NHL Lore, see “Crosby, Sidney.”) So No. 99’s words pack some weight, parents and friends in the Montreal suburb of Saint-Eustache and his and yet they also hint at the multi-million-dollar question still hanging out agent. He left messages for his billets at their workplaces. there: Lafrenière is an obvious and shining talent, but what position should he play at the next level? Sports is the realm of inauthentic surprise. Has there ever been a GM on draft day who admitted that he fully expected a prospect to be there Lafrenière isn’t a dead lock to go No. 1 in 2020. Others have played when his team’s turn came at the mic? Nonetheless, Lafrenière was themselves into the conversation, most notably Sudbury Wolves centre explicably blindsided. “I wasn’t thinking about it,” he says, sounding as if Quinton Byfield, who’ll also be in the Canadian juniors’ lineup this trip. still in disbelief. “There was no warning. I hadn’t gone to the [under-20] That Lafreniere and Byfield will be wearing the same sweaters and summer camp. I didn’t hear any talk. I wanted to play for the team possibly playing alongside each other makes for a fascinating game someday, but I didn’t think it would be then.” within a game — easy comparison shopping for NHL scouts. Byfield can make his bid to move to the top of the list, but the kid who goes into his All could have been forgiven if those in Lafreniere’s inner circle had draft season as the projected first-overall pick is generally the first one to tempered expectations after the excitement around the invitation itself leave his seat and head to the stage in June. If history is any indicator died down. They knew the numbers worked against him. Nineteen and scouting reports can be trusted: Lafrenière, the frontrunner, will forwards in camp would be auditioning for 13 spots on the roster, and his probably go first. birthdate, Oct. 11, 2001, made him all of 17. The last 17-year-old to make the roster had been Connor McDavid, who had clearly put himself on the And therein lies the rub: Over the past 12 drafts, eight centres, two radar, having been granted exceptional-player status by the CHL before defenceman and two wingers have been taken first overall — a recent winning MVP honors and leading Canada to gold at the IIHF under-18s history that points to a remarkable positional bias. That one of those two the spring before his invitation. wingers, Nail Yakupov, washed out as an NHL player after being the top pick in 2012, only underlines the point. Not that any of that weighed too heavily on Lafrenière’s mind. If the invitation amounted to nothing more than a chance to skate with the Though Gretzky compared Lafrenière to Perreault and Mark Messier, a national junior team in practice and intra-squad games, a week’s worth of pair of Hall-of-Fame centres, and though one scout name-dropped Mario experience that might pay off later, that was fine by him. “I wanted to play Lemieux and another Peter Forsberg, Lafrenière has always played left well and give myself a chance to play for the team, but I didn’t put any wing in Rimouski and did likewise with the world junior team last trip. pressure on myself,” he says. He knew the realities going in: Rarely do fans or executives of lottery-winning teams say they’re a Traditionally, the WJC was thought of as a tournament for 19-year-olds. winger away from being a contender. Most of the hindmost teams are Even if Hockey Canada had cracked the door open slightly, management either consistently out-matched by opponents’ centres (Detroit, Ottawa, favoured players a year or two out from their NHL drafts; players who Minnesota and the Rangers) or, looking forward, needing to replace had the benefit of at least one, and usually two, NHL training camps. ageing future Hall of Famers at the position (Jonathan Toews in Chicago, Lafrenière was 80 or so major junior games removed from midget AAA Anze Kopitar in Los Angeles or Ryan Getzlaf in Anaheim). If Lafrenière is hockey in Montreal. going to be the No. 1 pick next June, does he in fact have to be a centre? A teenager could easily be discomfited by any mention in the same “When you have that much puck sense, that much speed, I can see him sentence as legends who have gone before him, but even more so by being a centreman at the next level.” every projection that shifts him out of his comfort zone. Others, though — including Hockey Canada’s brain trust — were ready A young player moving from centre to wing at the NHL level is far more to push him. Lafrenière was again pleasantly surprised when he made common than vice-versa. The conventional wisdom holds that the the cut — even more so when he started the tournament on the demands on centres without the puck and in retreat on defence are far Canadian team’s second line. It wound up being a disappointment, more daunting than the back-checking expected of wingers. Said one though, for Lafreniere personally, eventually relegated to the bench, and veteran scout: “You’d be asking a lot of a player to learn the NHL game for Canada as a host team that watched the semifinals from the at the same time that he’s being moved into the middle.” sidelines. That said, a select and famous few have done just that. Gretzky cited Contrast those scenes and emotions with the ones he’s experiencing a Mark Messier, but he could have added Mats Sundin into the mix — he year later: His outlook is a complete counterpoint. Lafrenière knew he had played at least as much right wing as centre. And Claude Giroux was was getting the call this time. He was waiting for it. He has thought about a winger with Gatineau in the QMJHL and drafted as such by the 2020 tournament ever since he unlaced his skates in Vancouver last Philadelphia in 2006, but fairly seamlessly moved into the role of first-line January. centre for several seasons. Fair or not, the perception persists: Wingers A little more than two months after his 18th birthday, he goes in not as a are the needed complements, with centres serving as the foundational wild card, but as the reigning CHL Player of the Year and with the players. Making last year's under-20 team was a pleasant surprise for Lafrenière, Another contributing factor: Though he’s listed at six-foot-one these days, just 17 at the time, but the 2019 tournament was ultimately a he was maybe not even average height as a middle schooler. “He had disappointment — his ice time was slashed and Canada watched the this growth spurt around bantam age, three or four inches in a year, and semis from the sidelines with nothing like the awkward stuff that usually goes with that,” one Montreal minor-hockey coach said. “The exact opposite really … it was By now Lafrenière is used to being mentioned alongside a couple of like his body caught up to his game.” centres who landed as No. 1 picks: namely Vincent Lecavalier and Sidney Crosby. In fairness, he resembles neither the long, lanky Many elite teenagers, including Lecavalier and Crosby in their days, Lecavalier or the powerful and intuitive Crosby. But the three do have at move away from home at age 14 or 15 to play at prep school-slash- least one thing in common: they all skated for the Rimouski Oceanic in hockey hothouses, while others move in search of stiffer age-group the QMJHL; premiere talents who opted to commit to a team in one of competition, like when Patrick Kane left Buffalo to play in Detroit. Yet major junior’s smaller markets. Like Lecavalier and Crosby, Lafrenière Lafrenière stayed at home. “I didn’t have to leave because [minor could have wielded clout and let the team know in advance that he would hockey] is really strong in Montreal,” he says. prefer to play elsewhere, someplace closer to home. Like Lecavalier and Crosby, he didn’t. Because of his October birthday, Lafrenière played his first month or so in Rimouski at the age of 15 and the step-up came as a bit of a shock: Though Rimouski had less than a one-in-five chance of winning the 2017 “There were 19- and 20-year-olds … men,” he says. “It was a tough time QMJHL draft lottery, Lafrenière’s father, Hugo, told people for weeks figuring that out … thrown into it right away and, for me, it’s the first time before that he thought the Oceanic’s ping-pong ball would be the one to away from home.” fall out of the tumbler. It was not the most convenient turn of events for the family, and has meant hundreds of hours driving down the south While it might have seemed tough, Lafrenière started his major junior shore of the St. Lawrence on Highway 20. But it could’ve been worse: career with a flourish, scoring five points in his first six games with other teams are even farther flung. “The important thing was [that] my Rimouski. He maintained that sort of production through the balance of parents can come see most of the games at home on weekends,” he the season, winning the CHL’s Rookie of the Year Award with 42 goals says. “It’s a long drive from Montreal, so they don’t go to all road games, and 80 points in 60 games. not even all the ones closer to Montreal. After a lot of times [on the road], Lafrenière’s performance won him an invitation as an under-ager to the we might only have 10 minutes to talk [to our parents] before we have to spring under-18 world championships and then to the summer under-18s get back on the bus. It’s a long way to go for 10 minutes. You know, where, as the youngest player on the roster, he not only served as a they’ve made big sacrifices for me to get this far. I appreciate that, but at captain but scored two goals in the gold-medal game against Sweden, some point, it’s enough. We talk every day. We text. They know things including the game-winner. In short, Lafrenière had skated many miles are fine.” before he hit his first patch of bad ice, that being what came after that Lafrenière did have one superstar’s endorsement of Rimouski. “I had phone call last November: the 2019 world juniors. never spoken to Vincent or Sid, but I knew that coming here was good for Memory can play tricks, and just as Lafrenière remembers a “tough time” them,” he said in the season-ticket holders’ lounge at the Colisée in his dominating first weeks in the Q, his description of his trip to B.C. for Financière Sun Life, which is decorated with photos from the days that the world juniors as “an amazing time” and even “a dream” also seems Lecavalier wore the Oceanic’s No. 4 and Crosby his signature No. 87. “I out of touch with reality. You’d imagine a quarter-final elimination at did talk to [who led the Oceanic to the Memorial Cup in home would have come as a crushing disappointment to most players on 2000] and he said that Rimouski is a great place to play … has the Canadian roster, and maybe to Lafrenière most of all. everything you need and lets you focus on what you really need to focus on to play in the NHL.” At the start of the tournament, he was skating on Canada’s second line — with the exception of perhaps only McDavid, the underagers who Any teenage prospect’s head might start swimming with far less on the make the world junior team haven’t been trusted with so prominent a line. For Lafrenière, potential distractions just go with the territory. He’s role. Coach Tim Hunter second-guessed the decision, however, and in still a year away from the NHL but he has an exclusive deal in place to be short tournaments patience is measured in shifts. The coach spared no a “spokesperson” with Upper Deck, whose client list reads like a sports- one’s ego in his assessments of the Canadian team’s play — Lafreniere page pantheon: Gretzky, McDavid, Tiger Woods, Serena Williams and took the worst of it. Most coaches would choose their words LeBron James, among others. “Upper Deck is very methodical in diplomatically, at least in front of the media, and especially with a analyzing athletes who will be influential, and the company identified younger player, but Hunter described Lafrenière’s performance in a 14–0 Alexis early on,” says Émilie Castonguay, Lafreniere’s agent with victory over Denmark in which he had zero points as “a free skate.” The Momentum Sports. “Being a spokesperson there is the highest coach didn’t stop there in his complaints about Lafrenière’s lack of designation. Each one of them gets a room with their name. When they urgency. “He had lot of circles in his game and we weren’t happy about flew Alexis out to California to meet with them, [the Upper Deck that,” Hunter said. “I told him, at the start of the game, ‘You’re going to executives] showed him the room they’re doing for him, right next to show me if you’ve understood this or not. And if you don’t, we’re going to Serena’s.” limit your ice time.’”

And yet, despite this heady company with Upper Deck, Lafrenière leads Hunter judged Lafrenière harshly but was as good as his word. The a quiet and by comparison even cloistered life. His high school and the coach dropped his ice time. By the end, the brightest talent in his draft arena are both less than a two-minute walk from his billet house, so close class was stuck on the bench, giving way to the older players. A that he goes back there for lunch in the middle of his school day. He has tournament that offered a promised preview of the prospective No. 1 his run of the house a fair bit, living solo with a pair of empty nesters — ultimately delivered not much more than a glimpse. And yet, Lafrenière she a teacher and he a bank worker. While other Upper Deck seems sincere when he says he looks back on the tournament as a spokespeople are trying to claw back a little normalcy from the paparazzi, learning experience to build on, to take back to Rimouski and to the 2020 Lafrenière’s idea of a big time is a weekend when he’s not riding the bus world juniors and beyond. “[The tournament] is different than playing here and his parents drive up from Montreal to take him for dinner. in Rimouski or even playoff hockey,” he says. “We all know that the “He reminds me of Peter Forsberg with all the strength he has on the tournament can come or go on one shift. So you can’t be selfish. You cycle — the same reverse check, the toughness.” have to be willing to help any way, do it for your teammates. If you are the 13th forward, if you kill penalties but aren’t on the power play … you And that quiet seems to suit him. In part because Lafrenière’s route to do it and you don’t ask questions. I play on the left side but if they want Rimouski was marked by caution. Hockey Canada’s fast-tracking him to me to play on the right [side] or at centre, it’s what you have to do for the world junior team last winter broke from a close-to-the-vest career your team and for your teammates, no questions. I think it’s not just the path. Yes, he scored 30 goals and racked up 83 points in only 36 regular- best talent, the most skill, that wins the tournament but the team with the season games with the Saint-Eustache Vikings in midget AAA and best chemistry.” wound up as the first-overall pick in the QMJHL draft, but at no point was his development accelerated. In age-group hockey, Lafrenière never So now, in his second and likely last world junior tournament, Lafrenière “played up” — he always skated with others his age. “Playing in my [birth comes back wiser and better by his reckoning. At just over 200 pounds, year] was enough of a push,” he says. “Being a late birthday, it’s a little he’s 20 pounds heavier and proportionally stronger than he was in his like playing up, especially in atom or peewee, when other kids are nine or rookie season in Rimouski. He says it’s a matter of off-season work and 10 months older. And really, I wanted to play with my friends, people I the trip from adolescence to manhood. “I can feel the difference in what knew outside the team or from school.” I’m able to do out there,” he says. “I’m stronger on the puck on the cycle. like to be. I’ve always been a winger, every team that I played for. I think My first step is better, better speed.” it’s where I can help a team most.”

It would be hard to imagine that the CHL Player of the Year would be a At the world juniors and in the NHL, coaches will have to strike a balance candidate for the most improved teenager in junior hockey, but you can between their position of need and Lafrenière’s best position to succeed. mount a good case with the numbers alone: last season, 37 goals and These games in the days ahead offer Lafreniere a shot at redemption 105 points in 61 games; this season before heading to the Czech after the collective and individual disappointments of a year ago. They Republic, 23 goals and 70 points in 32 games — better than two points a might also offer more than a glimpse of the touted prospect’s ability to night. His teammates offer anecdotal back-up. Says Lafrenière’s centre drive play from what he considers his natural and best role. Gretzky and Cédric Paré: “I think Alexis came back from world junior on a mission. He others have offered up their opinions but Alexis Lafrenière will have to saw what it’s like at another level of the game — he skated with pros back up his position with his play. Wherever and however he plays, we’ll before, but to play with so many top players, he used that as motivation. know a lot more about how teams feel about him in just a few short Then when he came to training camp in August, I saw that he was so weeks. much faster and stronger on the puck, so dangerous on the forecheck.”

In the past, naysayers might’ve claimed that Lafrenière was running up numbers in the weakest major junior league. Today, it doesn’t square Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.23.2019 with the facts. The competition in the Q hasn’t been easy, with as many as six players on the circuit figuring to go in the first round after Lafrenière is selected.

Having added 20 pounds to his six-foot-one frame since last season, Lafrenière says he can "feel the difference in what I'm able to do out there"

Going into this world junior tournament, there are two big questions still surrounding Lafrenière: Can he overcome past performance and the pressure to turn in a showing better than those also vying to be the first- overall pick come June? And, part and parcel with the first, does he give you the best chance to win at centre, rather than left wing?

One school of thought holds that a move to centre would be not only what’s best for the team that drafts Lafrenière but also, in the long run, the best match for his set of skills. His game is best when the puck is on his stick, so why not put him at the position where the puck will be on his stick most often? “He reminds me of Peter Forsberg with all the strength he has on the cycle … the same reverse check, the toughness,” one scout says. “He has great vision and incredible hockey sense, so he can be in play all the time at centre. He’s a great talent for sure, but you might be stifling it if you don’t at least try to use him down the middle.”

Another school of thought maintains that you don’t mess with a good thing. Said another scout who has watched Lafrenière 20 times: “Even in junior he’s not playing [centre] and the NHL is a tough place to learn another position — easier going from one wing to the other than from either wing to centre. He sees the game best on the left side. Put him in a position to succeed. When Chicago drafted Patrick Kane, they had the idea that maybe his playmaking and puck skills would fit as a centre, but he’s spent all those years processing things from one side of the ice. The player knows his game better than anybody. If it’s comfort zone, then he knows.”

One scout who sees Lafrenière up close on a nightly basis believes he doesn’t need to move to centre to drive play. An import from Omsk, Russia, Dmitry Zavgorodniy, was installed on right wing across from Lafrenière and beside Paré last season, and it’s understandable that he doesn’t want to upset the mix. A seventh-round pick of the Calgary Flames in 2018, Zavgorodniy had 16 goals and 43 points in 23 games before suffering a broken collarbone in November. “Alexis makes plays and finds you with the puck all the time,” he says. “He sees everything from his side and makes plays no one else sees. We have the rest of the ice to skate into … lots of room. Without the puck, you have to be ready for a pass from him even if you don’t know how he’s going to do it. Alexis can play anywhere on the powerplay and [the Oceanic] move him around, but I think he’s hard to play against [on left wing]. He makes Cédric and me better players. He does the same for anybody he plays with [from left wing]. That’s the place [for him] I think.”

And for some it’s not a black-and-white proposition. Lafrenière’s minor- hockey coach back in Saint-Eustache, Martin Daoust, sees Lafrenière starting out in the NHL on left wing but maybe moving to centre later on. “At 18, on the wing, Alexis can be creative in the pros without all the defensive responsibilities that go with playing centre,” Daoust says. “Hopefully [as an NHL rookie] he gets an experienced centre — 24, 25 years old — who can get him the puck and play the 200-foot game. What he does after that, he’ll figure it out when it’s time. His temperament is never to look too far ahead … in the arena, he lives in the moment.”

Lafrenière doesn’t equivocate … much. “I’ll do whatever they ask me [at the world juniors or in the NHL], but I’ve always been a winger. I’m comfortable there. I watch Patrick Kane videos. I’ll see what he does during a game and the next day I try it at practice. He’s the player that I’d 1167583 Websites But the most concerning number hanging over a season that will go down as one of the worst in franchise history is this one: 18.5.

That’s the percentage chance Detroit will have at securing the top pick in Sportsnet.ca / Beyond Headlines: Capitals' halt on Holtby extension stirs the draft lottery if it finishes 31st overall. In fact, the odds are slightly 2020 market better that the NHL’s worst team will drop to the No. 4 pick (50.6 per cent) than land one inside the top-three (49.4 per cent).

History shows that there’s likely to be a big difference in the quality of Chris Johnston | @reporterchris player that a team lands with each of those spots.

December 22, 2019, 12:42 PM Over the years, the NHL has continually watered down the draft-lottery odds to take away any incentive for an organization to tank. Where this

gets problematic for a team like Detroit is that there’s no doubt about its Auston Matthews perked up when told that Andrei Svechnikov had pulled intentions. The Red Wings are merely paying the tab for a quarter- off another lacrosse-style goal — his second in a matter of weeks and century of unparalleled success — a period where they had the odds the second in NHL history. stacked against them in the entry draft more than any other franchise.

Matthews was playing on Tuesday night when Svechnikov flipped the It’s been nearly 30 years since Detroit owned a top-3 pick in the draft … puck on his stick blade behind the net and lifted it over Connor dating back to when it selected Keith Primeau at No. 3 in 1990. Hellebuyck’s shoulder in one smooth motion. (Primeau’s son, Cayden, recently made his NHL debut for Montreal).

Told afterwards what Svechnikov had done in Winnipeg, Matthews This season is already a complete write-off for the Red Wings, which seemed surprised: “Did he???” means that the most stressful night ahead for fans and the front office is the draft lottery. They’re going to be an underdog then, too. The Toronto Maple Leafs star had tried it himself a couple times earlier in the season and appeared to take another shot during Saturday’s game AWARDS SZN against Detroit before having the puck roll off his stick. No official end-of-season awards ballots will be cast until late March or Here’s guessing it won’t be his last attempt. early April. The landscape is going to change dramatically between then and now. And he certainly won’t be the only other player taking his shot at it. Purely for fun — in other words, don’t @ me — here’s a quick look at Tyler Ennis gave it a go on Thursday night in Ottawa. how I see some of the major awards shaping up through 44 per cent of the regular-season schedule. And Svechnikov, the Carolina Hurricanes super sophomore, told reporters that he’s not stopping at two successful attempts: “When I get Hart: 1. Nathan MacKinnon, 2. Jack Eichel, 3. Connor McDavid. room, I can score [on] that move because I practise it a lot. If I start behind the net and I’ve got room I’m always going to try that.” Norris: 1. John Carlson, 2. Roman Josi, 3. Dougie Hamilton.

In fact, it would not be the least bit surprising if we saw a small flood of Calder: 1. Cale Makar, 2. Quinn Hughes, 3. Victor Olofsson. similar goals that could become known as “The Svech.” The NHL is Vezina: 1. Connor Hellebuyck, 2. Darcy Kuemper, 3. Frederik Andersen. brimming with fearless skill right now and there’s only so much a goaltender can do if a player gets control of the puck on his stick like that. OF NOTE

Plus the dam has been broken. • The Vancouver Canucks are facing the possibility of a sizeable salary- cap overage in 2020-21 because of rookie bonuses. Quinn Hughes and Not unlike Roger Bannister smashing through the four-minute mile in Elias Pettersson look like locks to max out their $850,000 “Schedule A” 1954 — a milestone runners had chased for decades, and then achieved bonuses, and Pettersson can claim an addition $2-million “Schedule B” in bunches once Bannister proved it possible — Svechnikov may have bonus by finishing top-10 among NHL players in either goals, assists, opened the floodgates. points or points per game (He’s 14th, 19th, 13th and 20th entering play We know beyond doubt that it can be successfully executed under the Sunday). When you factor in the potential that Adam Gaudette hits entry- high-speed conditions of the NHL game. Svechnikov has done it at both level bonuses, the Canucks could carry more than $4-million in dead home and on the road, against big, quality goaltenders in Hellebuyck and money total. Calgary’s David Rittich. • Jonathan Huberdeau is quietly following last year’s breakout campaign It’s landed him on highlight reels across the continent and T-shirts at with another monster season in Florida. He’s got 47 points in 35 games PNC Arena in Raleigh: and is doing it on a high-value $5.9-million contract.

“The Svech” requires elite hand-eye and the right sense of timing. It’s fun • I loved Patrik Laine’s interview with Sportsnet’s Sean Reynolds on and it’s different. Other players are paying attention and looking for their Saturday afternoon in Minnesota. A touch of honesty mixed in with own opportunity to strike. Laine’s dry sense of humour made for an entertaining cocktail.

FREE-AGENT WATCH • Bless the NHL for its three-day holiday break that starts Tuesday. We’ll all miss the games, but it’s a wonderful opportunity to spend time with My compadre Elliotte Friedman reported on Headlines that pending UFA family. All the best to you and yours. Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals have decided to put off contract talks until after the season.

This news comes after teams involved in the Taylor Hall trade talks were Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.23.2019 told that there wouldn’t be any chance to speak with his agent about a potential extension as part of that process.

Now, much can change before July 1, but this leaves open the possibility that there’ll be a former Vezina Trophy winner and Hart Trophy winner testing the market this summer.

When you couple that with the possibility that St. Louis Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo joins them, the 2020 free-agent class is shaping up to have some high-end options.

HURTIN’ WINGS

The last-place Detroit Red Wings have just nine wins and an ugly minus- 65 goal differential. 1167584 Websites “It was an out of body feeling,” said Stajan of the emotional scene. “Pointing was an instinct. I was thinking about him and it was so fresh.

You’re trying to push forward and grieve and the first thing I thought of Sportsnet.ca / Top three Calgary Flames moments of the past decade was to point to the sky. Feeling the love from my teammates on the bench was a special feeling, and showed what a family you are in a dressing room.”

Eric Francis | @EricFrancis Stajan wound up with four of his 33 points that night.

December 22, 2019, 11:22 AM “Everything aligned – even the penalty shot wasn’t a clear cut call,” said Stajan, who took two weeks off hockey following Emerson’s passing and

had only played a few games before his magical moment. The last decade for the Calgary Flames featured significant milestones “I believe in things happening for a reason, and that moment I feel was a for Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff before both waved goodbye to the sign for me and my family and my teammates after what my family and club and the game. team went through.” While both icons provided plenty of memories for Flames fans along the As special as the goal was on national TV, his embrace with wife Katie way, neither was involved in the club’s top three moments of the last ten upon his return much later that night was unforgettable too. years: “She waited up until I got home from Edmonton – she was standing at Home of the Flames the front door and I don’t think you even need words to explain it,” he Stream all 82 Flames games this season with Sportsnet NOW. Get over said. 500 NHL games, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, all “It was just a big hug and we didn’t let go of each other for a long time. It outdoor games, the All-Star Game, 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. was one of those moments you share. Such a great memory for us to 3. The Brawl remember Emerson.”

Jan. 18, 2014 1. The Decade’s Only Series Clincher

It had been a long time since the NHL has seen ten guys squaring off at Apr. 25, 2015 once, but that’s exactly what happened two seconds into the Predicted by many to challenge for the basement of the Pacific in 2014- Flames/Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Jan. 18, 2014. 2015, the Flames shocked many by earning a first-round playoff date Flames coach started a fourth line that included Brian with division-winning Vancouver. McGrattan and , prompting John Tortorella to counter Devoid of a playoff series win since the Flames’ 2004 run, few believed a with his only nuclear weapon, Tom Sestito, and some fourth-line ruffians. team rebuilding after the departures of Iginla and Kiprusoff could beat As soon as the puck was dropped it was go-time all around. their Rocky Mountain rivals.

Eight of the ten players involved were tossed from the game in a period Stajan had other designs. that finished with 188 penalty minutes. At the tail end of a physical series in which newbies Sam Bennett and Infuriated by the Flames’ tactics, Tortorella was screaming at Hartley Micheal Ferland injected plenty of emotion, the host Flames found from the Canucks bench and was seen on Hockey Night in Canada’s themselves down 3-0 midway through the first period of Game 6. cameras trying to get at the Flames coach in the hallway to the Flames A Ferland goal started the comeback in a game the Flames tied 3-3, and dressing room after the period. then 4-4 before Stajan collected a rebound in the deep slot with four Hartley played dumb, suggesting his muckers were being rewarded for minutes left in a see-saw affair. solid play of late, and that the Canucks could have avoided it all by “(Linemate) David Jones drove the net, Ferlie missed the rebound and I starting the Sedins – something Tortorella felt he needed to protect them was in late and the puck was rolling a little bit and I waited a second to let from. it settle and I saw a little space in the top right corner and luckily it went “They got a goal last game,” said Hartley of the Flames fourth line. in,” said Stajan. “We’re not scoring many goals. We had zero intentions there. As far as I “You felt it coming as the game went – it was an incredible feeling. It was know they were the home team. They had the luxury to put whoever they as loud as I’ve ever heard the Saddledome. It was crazy. Just an wanted on the ice.” incredible game.” Right. Stajan called it the biggest goal of his career, which was followed by two The players and fans loved it, leaving the Flames bench so barren more late Flames markers in a 7-4 series-clinching victory. Dennis Wideman played a franchise-record 38:05 minutes. “The feeling you felt in the whole city was emotional,” said Stajan, who The Canucks won the game 3-2 in a shootout, but Tortorella was had three points that night. suspended 15 days for “embarrassing the league” and Hartley fined “When you have a decade where it was, for the most part, a rebuild and $25,000. some tough times early on, winning that series is the highlight of the Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey decade.” world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what It stands as the only series win for the franchise since the 2004 playoffs. they think about it.

2. Emerson’s Goal Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.23.2019 Mar. 22, 2014

Less than three weeks after him and his wife lost their first child, Emerson, shortly after birth, lined up at Rexall Place for a penalty shot.

Mind swirling and heart racing, he managed to lift a backhand under the arm of Oilers netminder Viktor Fasth for a goal that meant more to him than any other.

As he rounded the corner he let out a scream and pointed skyward in tribute to his son. High fives on the bench were replaced by hugs as a Hockey Night in Canada audience got goosebumps. 1167585 Websites Laviolette challenges Predators’ core during tough loss The NHL schedule-makers typically (and smartly) cue up a Winter

Classic preview match a couple weeks out from the real deal. Sportsnet.ca / Laviolette tests leaders in ‘Road to the Winter Classic’: In an intense divisional game between the Stars and Predators on Dec. Best of Ep. 1 14, we’re granted a peek into the Preds’ dressing room after Dallas exploded for four goals in the second frame.

Luke Fox | @lukefoxjukebox Laviolette — whose job must be considered something less than secure if Nashville (17-12-6) fails to make the playoffs — challenges his group December 22, 2019, 9:57 AM for a response, focusing his attention on his big guns.

“It’s gotta come from the leaders of this team,” the coach demanded.

Every week we will recap the most interesting things we learned from Matt Duchene finished that game minus-3. So did captain Roman Josi. Road to the Winter Classic, our televised countdown to the New Year’s Johansen, Filip Forsberg, Kyle Turris and Ryan Ellis were all dash-2. Day outdoor showdown between the Dallas Stars and Nashville None registered a point a critical 4-1 loss. Predators at the Cotton Bowl.

Interim coach likes his chances Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.23.2019 Road to the Winter Classic opens with Stars general manager Jim Nill at a podium announcing the firing of head coach Jim Montgomery, and unfortunately for those seeking insight into the decision, that’s where the exploration ends.

The three-episode program — although shot crisply and capturing the on-ice action in salivating slow-mo — isn’t designed for investigative reporting. It’s an annual NHL-produced promotional vehicle for the Winter Classic, “The premier game on the schedule,” as noted by Predators defenceman Dan Hamhuis.

So, while we’d love Nill’s news conference to trigger a deeper look into the behind-the-scenes upheaval of a midseason coaching change, the page flips quickly to interim boss Rick Bowness.

It all feels a little too tidy.

That said, we are given a sense of what this opportunity means for the second-oldest coach in the league, as the cameras track Bowness on his drive to work and capture him breaking down his favourite stat.

Bowness tells the players that he’ll be tracking chances for and chances against and posting the results for everyone to look at. Naturally, the former defence and penalty-kill coach’s main objective is to chop down the Stars’ chances against.

Following Nashville’s 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 10, we are granted access into the winning dressing room.

“Who’s got the hat?” coach Peter Laviolette asks.

Winning goaltender Juuse Saros is then presented with a mesh-back Preds trucker cap affixed with a blond mullet wig. The Finn giddily pulls it on, extending his flow by a good 18 inches. Party in the back.

Hockey needs more silliness.

Seguin chirps the coach

An eight-year, $78.8-million contract affords a hockey player a particular level of comfort.

So when Tyler Seguin beats his boss to the office garage one morning, the Stars stud is not afraid to fire a friendly chirp Bowness’s way.

“I went by you going in reverse,” Seguin smiles.

“You got five. I got one,” Bowness replies, referring to Seguin’s fleet of cars.

“I’ll let you borrow one,” Seguin snaps back.

Fun stuff.

Ryan Johansen treats his properties like a 12-year-old who won the lottery.

When the centreman lived in Columbus, he built this sick backyard ball hockey rink/basketball court in Blue Jackets colours.

Since being traded to Nashville, he’s constructed a slick little pitch-and- putt hole off his back deck, complete with a bunker.

The crew catches up with Johansen and fellow B.C. boys Colton Sissons and Dante Fabbro as they work on their short game at night.

So jealous. 1167586 Websites “It’s fun to see the fans get involved and I like seeing that,” he said. “I’ll be walking down the street, just on a casual day, and people will be driving by and will yell out of their cars ‘Shotgun Jake,’ so it’s fun, I really enjoy it.” Sportsnet.ca / Canucks' Jake Virtanen embracing new career moment, NHL's physicality Virtanen hasn’t joined the movement himself. He’s still waiting for a special occasion.

“I’m hoping if I hit my 20-goal mark I’ll do that.” Julia Kreuz | @juliackreuz

December 22, 2019, 11:45 AM Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 12.23.2019

Jake Virtanen has finally fostered the confidence of a pro.

With four goals and five points in his last five games, the 23-year-old Vancouver Canucks winger seems to have put his shaky career start — which included a season in the AHL — behind him.

Virtanen is on pace for what would be his first 20-goal season in the NHL, and his power-play blast over Matt Murray in the Canucks’ 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night is just the latest illustration of the forward’s increased comfort level on the main stage.

“I’ve been taking my game to the next level in the last couple of games,” Virtanen said Saturday during After Hours on Hockey Night in Canada. “I think I’ve just got to keep on doing that and playing really hard.”

But all that confidence doesn’t exclusively show up through the scoring uptick. The six-foot-one, 220-pound Virtanen has 60 hits in 37 games this season, a trait he deeply values in his game. In games where Virtanen has been physical from the start, his offence has immediately come through, and the winger sees a direct correlation between that and his improved numbers.

“If I get myself engaged at the beginning of the game and throughout the game, getting hits, I’m a little more involved and it makes me play a lot better,” he said. “I embrace it, I try to do it the best I can. I don’t want to be running around and out of place to make those hits, but when they’re there, I have to take them.”

Virtanen’s an old-school hitter. A high-school rugby player, he grew up watching highlights of big men like Hall of Famer Eric Lindros and acquiring an appreciation for that brand of hockey. The piling number of penalties he got for hitting in Atom (ages 9 and 10) is proof, since junior- hockey players aren’t allowed to hit until the Peewee level (ages 11 and 12).

Lindros’s influence, in any case, is visible through Virtanen’s shoulder-to- shoulder, clean-contact style of hitting.

“I was so into the hitting,” Virtanen said about his childhood days. “The hitting back in the day was a little bit more vicious, but I loved being physical.”

He wasn’t always this comfortable in the NHL, though.

During his first season, in 2015, it didn’t take long for the 2014 sixth- overall pick to experience the pressure and expectations that come with playing in Vancouver. After a 13-point campaign in 55 games his rookie year, and just one point through ten games to start the following season, Virtanen was sent down to the AHL’s Utica Comets, where he first worked with Vancouver’s current head coach, Travis Green.

“I’ve never been, really, cut from a team. So that was a big step for me, to go down to Utica, learn the game and learn how to be a pro,” said Virtanen. “I think the coaching staff did a really good job and it’s gotten me to where I am now.

“Your first time ever being cut from a team, you’re a little upset and you get down on yourself a little bit. But, coming back after the season in Utica, I had a fresh mindset and I just wanted to start fresh, and I think I’ve done well since.”

What’s as notable as Virtanen’s on-ice performance is the distinct and playful way Canucks fans have found to show appreciation for their hometown winger. Each time the Langley, B.C., native has scored this season, the term “#ShotgunJake” has instantly trended on Twitter. It’s a simple premise: Every time Virtanen scores a goal, Vancouver fans shotgun a beer.

Though Virtanen acknowledges it’s a running joke, he also thinks there’s a level of motivation to be drawn from the tradition. 1167587 Websites tournaments and he’s handled it with flying colours. I've been super impressed with him."

Goaltender Nico Daws didn't expect to be celebrating his 19th birthday TSN.CA / Nico Daws receives the all-clear from the medical staff, returns with Team Canada but there is no place he would rather be. At practice to practice his teammates serenaded him by singing 'Happy Birthday' after testing him in a shootout, where he and goalie coach Jason LaBarbera made adjustments following the game against Team Switzerland.

Mark Masters Daws has been working in a new pair of red pads during the last few practices.

"I love the dark base," he said with a big smile. "I don't get to do that in Consider this the latest chapter in the Nico Daws fairytale season. Guelph. I try to keep it white, because white makes you look bigger in the After leaving practice on Saturday with an undisclosed issue, the Guelph net, but a short tournament like this I kind of went a little crazy, had some Storm goalie received the all-clear from the medical staff returning to the fun with it. I love it, though. I love it." ice on Sunday. "I love it," agreed LaBarbera. "Actually reminds me of the gear I had in "Just a little bit of uncomfortableness," Daws explained, "and didn’t want Phoenix, the all red. Usually, now, guys wear a lot of white to make their to push anything too hard so decided to rest it and feel great today." pads look bigger. I kind of dig the red. You don't see that too much anymore." At the end of a lengthy, 90-minute practice, the goalies chatted with their positional coach Jason LaBarbera while the rest of the players gathered After playing well in a Canada-Russia series game in November, Daws on the other side of the ice. Then the goalies were called over and got to work on a design "just in case" he made Team Canada. Daws everyone started singing the birthday song to Daws, who turned 19 on estimates he spent around five hours on the labour of love. Sunday. "It's so much fun," he said. "I'm such a goalie nerd and I love playing "I wasn't expecting that at all," the Burlington, Ont. native said with a around with pads and pad colours. I design pads all the time even when I laugh. "I thought they'd be chirping the goalies about ripping us apart in don't need pads." the shootouts, but they started singing and that was a nice surprise." 'I kind of went a little crazy': Daws unveils special World Junior pads The whole season has been a nice surprise for Daws, who went from Team Canada hasn't officially announced who will play on Monday underwhelming back-up to Team Canada's roster at the World Juniors in against Finland, but Nico Daws indicated he'll be in and he'll be wearing just a few months. His .939 save percentage leads the OHL. a new set of pads made especially for the World Juniors. The Burlington, "I definitely wasn't expecting to be here for my birthday," Daws admits, Ontario native says he spent five hours working on the design. Mark "but I'll take it. No place I’d rather be." Masters reports.

Daws cut down on the snacks and dropped 25 pounds in the summer as Team Canada's all-WHL defensive pair of Lethbridge's Calen Addison part of his dramatic turnaround. and Vancouver's Bowen Byram is building chemistry on and off the ice.

"I'll get into a little dessert, but not too much," Daws said of his birthday "He’s one of my best buddies," said Addison, "and we just have that dinner plans. "We got a game tomorrow." connection with our skill and offensive mindedness. The way we can make plays and get the puck moving north is pretty special." While Team Canada hasn't officially announced, which goalies will play in Monday's pre-tournament finale against the Finns, Daws is expecting to Byram, the fourth overall pick by Colorado in June's draft, led the WHL suit up. playoffs in scoring last season with 26 points in 22 games. Addison, a second round pick by the Penguins in 2018, is tied for third among "I played pretty well last game, saw the puck pretty well in the half I defencemen in WHL scoring this season with 29 points in 31 games. played so want to carry it over to tomorrow," he said. "I can't wait to get back in there. Fired up." "He's really fun to play with," said Byram, who scored Canada's third goal against the Swiss. "I started playing with him at one of the WHL Russia Daws split Thursday's shutout with Portland's Joel Hofer, who has a .937 series games and we kind of clicked and we've been together ever since. save percentage in the WHL this season. I just seem to know where he’s going to move the puck and same for him and it's been really fun." "It's definitely nerve-wracking," Hofer said of the goalie competition. "All three of us want to be the starter. If I do get the call I'll be ready for it." Addison and Byram only met last year, but have been spending more and more time together as they go through this World Junior process. The only hiccup for either goalie on Thursday came in the shootout (the teams agreed to hold a shootout regardless of the result in regulation) as "We're hanging out every day," Addison said, "and it kind of seems like Daws allowed three goals. He has worked with LaBarbera over the last we're best friends so I think we have that connection off the ice and it few days to improve. leads to our similar play on the ice."

"Just make myself more comfortable in the net," Daws said, "and kind of Their style of play seems to fit well with the push-the-pace system Dale know where I am. It's worked out well all week until today, the shooters Hunter has implemented. decided to do a lot of video before they came out so, kind of cheating but, no, it’s been a lot better this week." "I kind of fit hand-in-hand with that style of game," Byram observed. "I try to move the puck quick and use my legs to get up in the play." Team Canada has worked on shootouts at every practice, but on Sunday, for the first time, the players headed off to do a video session The key for the Addison-Byram pairing will be balancing their offensive beforehand while the ice was resurfaced. tendencies, which have allowed them to post crooked numbers in the WHL, with the need to avoid breakdowns in a faster, more structured "Timing and depth," LaBarbera said of the focus for Daws, "just being a setting. little more patient with coming out of our net, and then being more patient with guys that get wide and then come back to the middle of the ice so "It's just about being more aware out there and closing on guys quicker just holding your edges, little tweaks like that." defensively," Addison said. "My offensive abilities speak for themselves out there and I have confidence in that, but the biggest thing for me is Moncton's Olivier Rodrigue is the third goalie in camp. He didn't dress on defending hard and jumping on guys. The wider ice makes it harder to Thursday and wasn't involved in the shootout drills on Sunday. defend, you have to be careful stepping outside the dots so just being tighter all over the ice." Daws had never played for Canada before this camp, but seems unfazed by the pressure thus far. Pushing the pace from the back end fits 'hand-in-hand' with Byram's game "He's been comfortable and confident right from the get-go," LaBarbera said. "There's a lot of stuff that comes at you when you come to these Team Canada defenceman Bowen Byram discusses what he liked about the team's performance in their first game together, how his game integrates well with Dale Hunter's philosophy to have defencemen push the pace, and more.

Canada went 0/4 on the power play against Switzerland, but generated good pressure.

"There were no results there for us, but I really liked our puck movement," said assistant coach Mitch Love. "We had lots of shots, there were some looks, (Barrett) Hayton hit the pipe in the second period so that was nice to see. We're starting to build a little bit of chemistry."

Sunday's practice featured plenty of special teams work. The top power play unit, quarterbacked by Addison, would go through a rep and then gather around a laptop at the bench area to review the video with Love.

Addison is being urged to shoot more, which can be tough when you're surrounded by elite scorers like Hayton and Alexis Lafreniere on the flanks, Joe Veleno in the middle/bumper spot and Dylan Cozens down low.

"Those two guys on the halfway are pretty insane," Addison noted. "You're always thinking to maybe pass first just because they are so skilled, so elite, but I have to focus on shooting more to open up the half walls and other options."

Cozens and Quinton Byfield play the net-front role on the two units. Neither guy plays that spot with their CHL club so there's an adjustment period.

"It was bit of a learning curve at the beginning," Byfield said. "But still get a lot of puck touches down low and I’m used to it at the Hlinka."

Byfield did fill the net-front role at August's Hlinka Gretzky Cup when Cole Perfetti and Hendrix Lapierre were on the flanks.

Sunday's practice also featured some face-off work with the forward lines taking turns going up against each other. The final showdown was between the white line – Byfield-Hayton-Cozens – and the red line – Lafreniere-Veleno-Nolan Foote. It was Hayton's group getting the win leading to big celebration.

"He has quick hands," Byfield, who plays for Sudbury in the OHL, noted of Hayton. "You really see that on the ice. He’s super strong ... really strong down low and he gets low on draws and reads the other guys so well."

Canada Ice Chips: Hayton declared king of the dot in face-off competition

Team Canada worked on a number of different things at practice including face-offs and it was an internal competition on which line was the best in that particular drill. Ultimately, Barrett Hayton and his line- mates came on top and were determined the 'King of the Dot'.

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