SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 01/21/19 Anaheim Ducks Dallas Stars 1127082 Islanders down Ducks 3-0 1127115 A mountain to climb awaits the Dallas Stars on the other 1127083 Ducks’ route to comeback attempt clogged up by side of the NHL All-Star break Islanders’ defensive play 1127084 Ducks end 5-game trip with a shutout loss to streaking Detroit Red Wings Islanders 1127116 Why Detroit Red Wings scratched rookie Dennis Cholowski on 'homecoming' Arizona Coyotes 1127117 Detroit Red Wings fizzle late - again - lose at Vancouver 1127085 Vinnie Hinostroza scores winner as Coyotes beat Canucks, 3-2 slumping Maple Leafs 1127118 Red Wings' Anthony Mantha could score 20 goals. Why it 1127086 Hinostroza scores winner, Coyotes beat slumping Maple matters Leafs 1127119 Detroit Red Wings lose to Vancouver Canucks, 3-2 1127087 Early return on Strome/Schmaltz trade is win-win for 1127120 Red Wings waste another third-period lead in 3-2 loss to Coyotes, Blackhawks Canucks 1127121 ‘Pretty tough so far': Filip Zadina learning but still long way Boston Bruins from Red Wings 1127088 Nine-day break gives Tuukka Rask a chance to recover 1127089 A look behind the scenes at a NESN Bruins broadcast Edmonton Oilers 1127090 No place like home for Bruins fourth-liner Chris Wagner 1127122 Oilers’ dreadful start does them in against Carolina 1127091 Bruins need to regain focus after stumbling into the bye Hurricanes week 1127123 JONES: Chiarelli or no Chiarelli? That is the question for 1127092 Bruins hope Tuukka Rask concussion 'settles itself quickly' the Edmonton Oilers after nasty hit 1127124 Hard lessons are a way of life for young Oilers 1127125 Edmonton Oilers impressed with McDavid’s blood-stained Calgary Flames response 1127093 Analyzing the deal of the 2018 NHL draft: Flames and 1127126 If the Oilers are sellers at the deadline, expect a Condo of Hurricanes Condors heading north 1127094 Hamilton laughs off character critiques, excited for return-trip to Calgary Florida Panthers 1127127 Preview: Sharks at Panthers, 7 p.m., Monday Carolina Hurricanes 1127128 Panthers finally end losing streak, look to enter All-Star 1127095 Two goals from both Niederreiter and Wallmark help lead break on a high Hurricanes past Oilers 7-4 Los Angeles Kings Chicago Blackhawks 1127129 Coach Willie Desjardins confident Kings will be ready to 1127096 Blackhawks' Henri Jokiharju a healthy scratch as Jeremy go in final game before break Colliton tries to find enough ice time to go around 1127130 What we learned from the Kings' 7-1 loss to the Avalanche 1127097 'I don't hold it against the city': Capitals' Devante Smith- 1127131 After latest ‘pathetic’ loss by Kings, will management Pelly starts in return to United Center after raci finally fully embrace a rebuild? 1127098 Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane team up to beat the 1127132 MUZZIN, MARTINEZ MAINTENANCE; FANTENBERG defending champion Capitals and snap the Blackhawks' BACK AFTER BREAK; COMPETITIVE PRACTICE 5-gam 1127133 WAKING UP WITH THE KINGS: JANUARY 20 1127099 Caps' Devante Smith-Pelly starts 1st game at United Center since racist taunts Minnesota Wild 1127100 Collin Delia makes wild saves, regrettable errors in 1127134 Wild-Vegas game preview Blackhawks' 8-5 win over Capitals 1127135 Look at the long view on why the Wild traded Nino 1127101 Jonathan Toews scores hat trick as Blackhawks bring Niederreiter for Victor Rask back old ways vs. Capitals 1127136 Wild's Charlie Coyle keeps an optimistic outlook after 1127102 Blackhawks finally offer some warmth in a brutally cold shifting back to wing season 1127137 Charlie Coyle switches positions again for Wild. What else 1127103 Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford seems intent on return is new? from concussion 1127104 Saad shows flashes of his old self in Blackhawks' win Montreal Canadiens 1127105 Toews scores hat trick, Kane adds 2 in Hawks' win 1127138 Canadiens Notebook: Jesperi Kotkaniemi dazzles fans 1127106 Four takeaways: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews put on with shootout move show as Blackhawks snap losing streak 1127139 Stu Cowan: Snowstorm doesn't stop Canadiens from 1127107 Blackhawks know development won’t be linear for Henri showing off skills Jokiharju 1127140 Melnick’s GBU: If you need a momentum swing against 1127108 Powers: Are the Blackhawks handling Henri Jokiharju’s the Canadiens, just take a penalty development properly? Nashville Predators Colorado Avalanche 1127141 Predators' Colton Sissons tries to stay away from numbers 1127109 Why Carl Soderberg, Avalanche’s oldest member, is game playing best hockey of NHL career 1127110 Why trading for Kevin Hayes seems like a bad idea – and New Jersey Devils almost certainly won’t happenAdrian Dater 1127142 5 things the NJ Devils want to see after the All-Star break 1127111 Avs tie franchise record with 6 goals in 2nd, rout Kings 7-1 Columbus Blue Jackets 1127112 Sergei Bobrovsky looks forward to downtime 1127113 Nick Foligno values time off with family 1127114 Wild 2, Blue Jackets 1: Five takeaways New York Islanders Vegas Golden Knights 1127143 Islanders breeze past Ducks behind shutout from Robin 1127172 Golden Knights show patience when top line struggles Lehner 1127173 Golden Knights plan shift to slower speed after wild win 1127144 First-place Islanders win fifth straight with shutout of 1127174 Why Reilly Smith is considered the Golden Knights’ best Ducks player in the dressing room 1127145 Remarkable turnaround for Robin Lehner in his first 1127175 Golden Knights Owner Foley Involved in Creative season with Islanders Development of New VGK Pregame Video, Used His Own 1127146 Islanders win fifth straight as Cal Clutterbuck scores twice, Helicopter Robin Lehner earns third shutout Washington Capitals New York Rangers 1127176 Capitals can’t rally against cellar-dwelling Blackhawks as 1127147 This is the exact week weary Rangers have been waiting losing streak reaches 5 games for 1127177 Defense optional as Caps handed 8-5 loss in Chicago 1127148 Rangers feeling good about themselves entering the break 1127178 Devante Smith-Pelly named a starter in return to Chicago after ugly racial taunts Ottawa Senators 1127179 What isn’t working for the Capitals as winless stretch 1127149 Chabot relishes life as a hockey star and hockey fan reaches five games Philadelphia Flyers Websites 1127150 Carter Hart, Flyers enter break with stars finally aligning 1127187 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs still looking for way to snap 1127151 Nolan Patrick scores twice; Flyers top Canadiens post-Christmas slide 1127152 Fish: How much change will Chuck Fletcher make as 1127188 Sportsnet.ca / Travis Dermott gives Maple Leafs a glimpse season winds down? of life after Jake Gardiner 1127153 Flyers' reward for spell of success is a week of rest 1127189 Sportsnet.ca / Healthy Canucks full of confidence as 1127154 Patrick scores twice, Flyers top Canadiens points keep piling up 1127155 The Flyers are starting to do some convincing with GM 1127190 Sportsnet.ca / Adam Larsson's struggles show how fragile Chuck Fletcher Oilers' roster depth is 1127156 Flyers 5, Canadiens 2: 10 things we learned from a 1127191 Sportsnet.ca / Dougie Hamilton addresses innuendo that positive lead-in to the bye week followed him out of Calgary 1127192 TSN.CA / Leafs' slump continues with loss to Coyotes Pittsburgh Penguins 1127193 TSN.CA / Jeff Paterson's Five Takeways: Red Wings @ 1127157 Penguins send newly acquired winger Joseph Blandisi to Canucks Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 1127194 TSN.CA / Leafs look to solve Coyotes' top-ranked penalty 1127158 Penguins head into break with nagging inconsistencies kill 1127159 Analysis: How the Penguins can rediscover their identity 1127195 TSN.CA / Slumping Nylander has new look and new line 1127160 Penguins reassign Joseph Blandisi to Wilkes- 1127196 TSN.CA / Pettersson expected back as Canucks host Red Barre/Scranton Wings 1127198 USA TODAY / Capitals make statement, start Devante San Jose Sharks Smith-Pelly in Chicago after 2018 racial taunts 1127161 Sharks recall defenseman after Erik Karlsson was late scratch vs. Lightning Winnipeg Jets 1127180 Jets are sitting pretty at all-star break despite occasional St Louis Blues poor outing 1127162 Preview: Blues at Kings 1127163 Blues must avoid dreaming in California SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 Tampa Bay Lightning 1127164 Lightning-Sharks: Rewinding Tampa Bay’s bounce back win Toronto Maple Leafs 1127165 Leafs fumble away another one with loss to mediocre Coyotes 1127166 Lost Leafs have gone to the dogs 1127167 Leafs lose Johnsson and game to Coyotes 1127168 Maple Leafs’ losses continue to mount as they fall Coyotes 1127169 Maple Leafs' Gardiner to miss Sunday's game because of back spasms 1127170 Leafs' Nylander on his struggles: 'I know I have to put the work in' 1127171 Leafs Report Cards: Game 48 versus Arizona Vancouver Canucks 1127181 Canucks Post Game: Green’s double day, Pettersson’s play, Markstrom’s message 1127182 Ed Willes: Finally healthy, Canucks show spunk, and possibilities, against Red Wings 1127183 Canucks 3 Red Wings 2: Pettersson, Markstrom best health plan in possible playoff push 1127184 Canucks prospect Jett Woo adding fancy passing highlights to his heavy hitting clips 1127185 Canucks Game Day: Red Wings looking to rev up motors for Pettersson’s return at Rogers 1127186 The Athletties: Why Roussel celebrated, EP’s return, a rebuild debate and what Hughes needs to do 1127082 Anaheim Ducks

Islanders down Ducks 3-0

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

JAN 20, 2019 | 4:15 PM

Islanders down Ducks 3-0

Cal Clutterbuck scored twice in the first period and Robin Lehner made 19 saves as the New York Islanders downed the Anaheim Ducks 3-0 on Sunday for their fifth straight win.

The victory was the 15th in 18 games for the Metropolitan Division- leading Islanders, who have surged past Washington and Columbus over the past month. The Islanders have one game remaining — Tuesday at Chicago — before the All-Star break.

Clutterbuck opened the scoring at 4:50 of the first with a power-play goal. The 31-year-old forward completed a slick passing sequence by whipping the puck from the slot past former Islanders goaltender Chad Johnson. It was the sixth straight game in which the Islanders scored first.

Josh Bailey and Anthony Beauviller assisted. Bailey moved past Bob Nystrom on the team's all-time assist list with 279 and into a tie with Pat LaFontaine for 12th place. Bailey, who is tied with captain Anders Lee for the team lead in points with 37, has three goals and three assists in last seven games.

Clutterbuck scored again from a nearly identical spot midway through the first for his sixth goal of the season.

Clutterbuck, in his sixth season with the Islanders, also scored in Friday's 2-0 win at Washington, which moved the Islanders past the Capitals into the division lead.

Leo Komarov scored his sixth this season with 29 seconds remaining in the second period.

The Islanders are 12-2-0 since rookie defenseman Devon Toews, who assisted on Komarov's goal, joined the lineup for the first time on Dec 23.

Lehner, who leads the league in goals-against average, won for the 11th time his last 12 games. The 27-year-old Swedish goalie has been a revelation since he signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Islanders last summer after he was let go by the Buffalo Sabres.

Lehner improved to 15-7-3 on the season and registered his third shutout.

The Islanders have allowed one goal or less 16 times this season, including each of their last four games. They have surrendered two goals or fewer in nine of their last 12.

The Islanders held the Capitals and Devils to less than 20 shots in their previous two wins, and then did it again against the Ducks, who came in with a two-game winning streak after losing their previous 12.

LA Times: LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127083 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks’ route to comeback attempt clogged up by Islanders’ defensive play

By Elliott Teaford

PUBLISHED: January 20, 2019 at 4:52 pm

UPDATED: January 20, 2019 at 4:52 PM

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Once they got a two-goal lead, the New York Islanders shifted into defense-first mode for the better part of the final two periods of an eventual 3-0 victory Sunday over the Ducks. When they needed to make a push an attempt to get back into the game, the Ducks couldn’t do it.

Coach Barry Trotz mastered that style of play for many seasons while coaching the Nashville Predators. He loosened the reins considerable while coaching the Washington Capitals, a far more offensively gifted team than either the Predators or Islanders, but the principles were the same:

Get a lead and lock down the opposition.

The Ducks skated into New York’s version of the 1-3-1, which used to be referred to as the neutral-zone trap, and couldn’t emerge with a goal let alone a victory. The Ducks managed only 19 shots on Robin Lehner’s net and the Islanders were never in serious jeopardy after taking a 2-0 lead.

Ducks goaltender Chad Johnson watched it unfold from his crease and felt for his frustrated teammates as they attempted to provide him with some offensive support in only his second start and third appearance since the team claimed him off waivers Dec. 11 from the St. Louis Blues.

“They’ll let you control the puck and cycle and go high to low, low to high, then they just take the (passing and shooting) lanes away,” Johnson said. “They just make you take shots from the outside and they can control the play from there.

“They were just comfortable on their heels, really, for the second half of the game. They were just sitting back with five guys in front of their net. It’s hard to play against. It’s frustrating. They really clogged the front of their net. You can’t get a shot through.”

Even during the Ducks’ lone power play, the Islanders retreated and formed a tight four-man box in front of Lehner. Most teams, especially in the Western Conference, have pressured the Ducks’ power-play units on the perimeter, forcing them to make quicker passes than they would like.

It was as if the Islanders parked a big blue bus in front of their net. The Ducks couldn’t generate anything while New York’s Casey Cizikas sat in the penalty box for two minutes for slashing in the closing minutes of the first period. A goal might have chanced the complexion of the game.

“They executed on some plays,” Johnson said. “We had opportunities. They just didn’t go in. Once they got the lead they’re pretty hard to play against. They’re pretty stingy with the puck. It’s hard to get inside. If you do get some shots, it’s hard because you don’t get many quality chances.”

THE DAY SHIFT

Ducks defenseman Josh Manson couldn’t remember ever playing afternoon games on consecutive days, as the Ducks did in defeating the New Jersey Devils on Saturday and losing to the Islanders on Sunday. Saturday’s game was at 1 p.m. local time and Sunday’s was at 3 p.m.

“It was weird,,” he said. “Just trying to adjust. What time you eat. What time you wake up. What time you do everything that you do in your pregame routine. At the end of the day, we’re professionals. We’re paid to do this. There’s no excuses. You can’t be using that as an excuse for why we came up short.”

Orange County Register: LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127084 Anaheim Ducks their fourth and final five-game trip of the season against the Winnipeg Jets.

Ducks end 5-game trip with a shutout loss to streaking Islanders Orange County Register: LOADED: 01.21.2019

By Elliott Teaford

PUBLISHED: January 20, 2019 at 2:40 pm

UPDATED: January 20, 2019 at 7:12 PM

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Two steps forward, one step back. The Ducks’ season-long inconsistency was on display once again Sunday during a 3- 0 loss to the New York Islanders at the arena formerly known as the Nassau Coliseum, ending their all-too-brief two-game winning streak.

Twenty-four hours after winning their second consecutive game, a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils, the Ducks played a throwback game. As in, throw it back on the slag heap and leave it there. They were in trouble from the opening minutes against the Islanders.

The Ducks were penalized for having too many men on the ice only 3:28 into the game and they paid the price by giving up the first of Cal Clutterbuck’s two goals in the opening period. The Ducks failed to clear a loose puck and then Clutterbuck beat goaltender Chad Johnson from the slot at 4:50.

John Gibson started 13 consecutive games, including Saturday’s win over the Devils, when he made 29 saves. Coach Randy Carlyle decided it was time to give Gibson a rest, though, and Johnson started for only the second time since he was claimed off waivers Dec. 11 from the St. Louis Blues.

The Ducks’ inability to handle the puck in their own end, whether by passing, skating or simply smacking it out of harm’s way, proved costly again a little more than five minutes later. Clutterbuck made it 2-0 with an even-strength goal at 9:56, after the Ducks failed to clear another loose puck.

“It just seemed they had more energy right off the bat,” Carlyle said. “Then we took a too many men on the ice penalty and opened the door for them. You know you’re going to have to weather a storm in most buildings coming off a back-to-back on a short turnaround.

“We knew they would come with some energy.”

The Ducks didn’t match it and ended their trip with a 2-2-1 record. They halted their franchise-record 12-game losing streak with a 3-0 victory Thursday over the Minnesota Wild and although they defeated the Devils their game regressed and it came unglued at the start against the Islanders.

“I don’t think we had the jump,” Ducks defenseman Josh Manson said. “They played a better game than we did. We had chances to score and turn the game around, and (Johnson) kept us in there late, but we didn’t. They just played a better game than us. They were forechecking harder than us.

“We did get chances and we did do some good things.”

Manson had one of two excellent scoring chances the Ducks generated in the opening minutes of the second period, but New York goalie Robin Lehner denied him on a breakaway attempt moments after Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk got his stick in the way of Ryan Getzlaf’s point-blank try.

After a credible second period in which they finally began to generate sustained pressure in the Islanders’ end, the Ducks gave up Leo Komorov’s deflection of Devon Toews’ perimeter shot at 19:31 that gave New York a commanding 3-0 lead entering the final period.

The Islanders clogged up the neutral zone in the third and settled into a defensive-oriented game that protected their three-goal lead and denied the Ducks opportunities to score. The Islanders limited the Ducks to 19 shots on goal one day after the Devils held them to 14.

New York has won 12 of 14 games; the Ducks have lost 13 of 15.

Next: The Ducks host the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, their final game before the All-Star break, which is coupled with their bye week. After facing the Blues, the Ducks are off until Feb. 2, when they begin 1127085 Arizona Coyotes

Vinnie Hinostroza scores winner as Coyotes beat slumping Maple Leafs

Arizona Republic staff

Published 8:00 p.m. MT Jan. 20, 2019

TORONTO – Vinnie Hinostroza scored in the third period and the Arizona Coyotes beat the slumping Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 on Sunday night.

Clayton Keller, Mario Kempe and Lawson Crouse also scored as Arizona won for the fifth time in the last seven games (5-1-1). Darcy Kuemper stopped 25 shots. The Coyotes improved to 8-0-1 in their last nine trips to Toronto.

John Tavares and Travis Dermott had the goals for Toronto, which has lost seven of its last 10 overall. The Maple Leafs dropped to 13-11-1 at home, including 1-6-0 in the last seven. Frederik Andersen finished with 27 saves.

Jan 20, 2019: Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller (9) celebrates with team mates at the bench after scoring against Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period at Scotiabank Arena.

After Toronto tied the score early in the third, the Coyotes came right back when Hinostroza tucked his fifth of the season shortside at 6:44 off a scramble with Andersen down and out.

Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly hit the post at the other end soon after on a shot that stayed out.

Playing their third game in four nights following Friday’s 3-1 loss at Florida, the Maple Leafs pushed for an equalizer, but Crouse iced it into an empty net with his eighth with under 40 seconds to play.

With his team in need of a spark down one through two periods, Tavares scored his 30th at 3:12 of the third when he fired a quick shot off Zach Hyman’s faceoff win that was helped along by Mitch Marner.

The Maple Leafs went up 1-0 at 11:45 of the first when Dermott took a pass from William Nylander and whipped a shot from the point through traffic for his third, and first since Dec. 8.

Kempe tied it at 2:16 of the second when he moved in alone on Andersen and deked to the forehand before depositing his third stickside. Toronto head coach Mike Babcock challenged for offside, but the play stood after video review.

Josh Archibald nearly put the Coyotes ahead later in the period when Andersen’s clearing attempt hit the forward in the face and nearly ricocheted in, but the Andersen recovered to kick out his right pad.

Keller eventually gave his team its first lead with 4:41 left in the period when he moved down the left side and ripped a shot shortside on Andersen from below the face-off dot for his 11th.

Marner had three early chances, including a partial breakaway and another sequence where he deked around Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun only to shovel the puck over Kuemper’s net.

Andersen had to be sharp as well, stopping Hinostroza with a nice toe save inside the game’s first 10 seconds before stoning Alex Galchenyuk late in the period with a save that elicited chants of “Freddie! Freddie!”

Arizona Republic LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127086 Arizona Coyotes Arizona Sports LOADED: 01.21.2019

Hinostroza scores winner, Coyotes beat slumping Maple Leafs

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

JANUARY 20, 2019 AT 8:15 PM

TORONTO (AP) — Vinnie Hinostroza scored in the third period and the Arizona Coyotes beat the slumping Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 on Sunday night.

Clayton Keller, Mario Kempe and Lawson Crouse also scored as Arizona won for the fifth time in the last seven games (5-1-1). Darcy Kuemper stopped 25 shots. The Coyotes improved to 8-0-1 in their last nine trips to Toronto.

John Tavares and Travis Dermott had the goals for Toronto, which has lost seven of its last 10 overall. The Maple Leafs dropped to 13-11-1 at home, including 1-6-0 in the last seven. Frederik Andersen finished with 27 saves.

After Toronto tied the score early in the third, the Coyotes came right back when Hinostroza tucked his fifth of the season shortside at 6:44 off a scramble with Andersen down and out.

Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly hit the post at the other end soon after on a shot that stayed out.

Playing their third game in four nights following Friday’s 3-1 loss at Florida, the Maple Leafs pushed for an equalizer, but Crouse iced it into an empty net with his eighth with under 40 seconds to play.

With his team in need of a spark down one through two periods, Tavares scored his 30th at 3:12 of the third when he fired a quick shot off Zach Hyman’s faceoff win that was helped along by Mitch Marner.

The Maple Leafs went up 1-0 at 11:45 of the first when Dermott took a pass from William Nylander and whipped a shot from the point through traffic for his third, and first since Dec. 8.

Kempe tied it at 2:16 of the second when he moved in alone on Andersen and deked to the forehand before depositing his third stickside. Toronto head coach Mike Babcock challenged for offside, but the play stood after video review.

Josh Archibald nearly put the Coyotes ahead later in the period when Andersen’s clearing attempt hit the forward in the face and nearly ricocheted in, but the Andersen recovered to kick out his right pad.

Keller eventually gave his team its first lead with 4:41 left in the period when he moved down the left side and ripped a shot shortside on Andersen from below the face-off dot for his 11th.

Marner had three early chances, including a partial breakaway and another sequence where he deked around Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun only to shovel the puck over Kuemper’s net.

Andersen had to be sharp as well, stopping Hinostroza with a nice toe save inside the game’s first 10 seconds before stoning Alex Galchenyuk late in the period with a save that elicited chants of “Freddie! Freddie!”

NOTES: Toronto lost F Andreas Johnsson to a concussion after he took a hit along the boards from Arizona D Niklas Hjalmarsson and tumbled to the ice. … Maple Leafs D Jake Gardiner sat out with back spasms. That opened the door for Dermott to move into Toronto’s top-4 on the blue line alongside Nikita Zaitsev, who like Gardiner has struggled in recent weeks. … Nylander, who came in with just one goal in 19 games since ending his contract impasse Dec. 1, was bumped to the fourth line. The assist on Dermott’s opener was Nylander’s first point since Jan. 3, snapping a stretch of seven games. Connor Brown was promoted to Nylander’s spot in the top-six forward group to start the evening alongside Johnsson and Auston Matthews.

UP NEXT

Coyotes: At Ottawa on Tuesday night.

Maple Leafs: Host Washington on Wednesday night.

1127087 Arizona Coyotes He struggled to crack the rotation at the NHL level and managed just 16 points in 48 games with the Coyotes.

Since the trade to Chicago, Strome has 16 points in just 25 games. Early return on Strome/Schmaltz trade is win-win for Coyotes, Blackhawks Sure, it helps he anchors a line with one of the NHL’s all-time best offensive assets in Patrick Kane and rising star/good friend Alex DeBrincat, but the Blackhawks are unlocking Strome’s offensive abilities.

BY DANNY SHAPIRO Strome looks comfortable in the open ice and with his 6-foot-3, 200- JANUARY 20, 2019 AT 5:51 PM pound frame, has found a place in front of the net.

UPDATED: JANUARY 20, 2019 AT 10:23 PM DYLAN STROME GOES TO THE NET. THATS MY GUY pic.twitter.com/xoTCkE0pKJ

— Chief (@BarstoolChief) November 28, 2018 It has been almost two months since the Arizona Coyotes traded two of their former first-round picks — Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini — to He’s got six multi-point games with the Blackhawks already, including a Chicago for center Nick Schmaltz. three-point game against the Washington Capitals on Sunday.

Despite the lack of elapsed time since the trade, there has already been Strome’s assist on a DeBrincat goal against the Capitals was pretty slick: a clear-cut return on investment for both teams.  + ⛈ = friendship & hockey #goals The Coyotes and Blackhawks have both benefited from the trade in the cc: @Brinksy97 and @stromer19 pic.twitter.com/e9jUiC9FCH short term and are positioned for long-term success with two of the players — Schmaltz and Strome — in line to become franchise — Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 20, 2019 cornerstones. Strome should continue to improve with experience, a win for a First, let’s break down Schmaltz’s instant impact on the Coyotes’ offense. Blackhawks team going through a hybrid rebuild.

Schmaltz, 22, came to Arizona with an already polished offensive The final part of the trade, forward Brendan Perlini, hasn’t panned out for resume, a need for a Coyotes team that has struggled to score at times the Blackhawks. this season. He’s got just four points in 23 games with Chicago and is a minus-16. He scored 21 goals and added 31 assists with the Blackhawks in 2017- Perlini hasn’t seen more than 11:55 of ice time in over a month. 18, his second season in the NHL. It’s possible the 22-year-old could regain his 2017-18 form, when he Those 52 points would have been third-best for the Coyotes last season scored 17 goals and had 30 points, but he hasn’t it so far. and his production didn’t drop off following the trade. If anything, Perlini’s absence, coupled with injuries, has allowed for guys Schmaltz scored five goals and added nine assists in just 17 games with like Conor Garland to get a shot with the Coyotes. the Coyotes before going down with a season-ending injury. Moving forward, it’ll be interesting to see how Schmaltz and Strome Even in the limited action, he proved a valuable asset on the power play. continue to develop with their respective teams.

Seven of Schmaltz’s 14 points came on the man advantage and as a But for now, it’s a trade that has looked good for the Coyotes and the right-handed forward, provided balance on the first-line power play unit Blackhawks. that included lefties Clayton Keller, Alex Galchenyuk, Jakob Chychrun and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Take this power-play goal against the Los Angeles Kings in early Arizona Sports LOADED: 01.21.2019 December as a glimpse into what Schmaltz will provide to the Coyotes in years to come:

What an addition Nick Schmaltz has been! 2-0 @ArizonaCoyotes. #OurPack pic.twitter.com/NceRtYoJK7

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) December 5, 2018

Also, Schmaltz proved to be a scorer despite his line mates.

He scored and assisted whether he was on a line with Keller, Galchenyuk, Richard Panik or whoever else.

Schmaltz’s final goal of the season was an overtime winner with Keller and Ekman-Larsson on the line with him:

#YOTES WIN! Schmaltz from Keller completes the @ArizonaCoyotes comeback in Anaheim. pic.twitter.com/PusJCIGPix

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) December 30, 2018

Schmaltz’s rookie contract is up after this season but as a restricted free agent, it’s likely the Coyotes will re-sign him in the offseason.

Next season, center could be a position of strength for the Coyotes with Schmaltz, Derek Stepan, Brad Richardson and Christian Dvorak.

“Nick is a dynamic forward with top line potential,” general manager John Chayka said in a statement following the trade. “We feel he can be a core player of our team now and into the future. He’s a good complement to our evolving forward group and a rare combination of speed, skill and creativity.”

Next, Strome’s impact in Chicago can’t be understated.

One of the 2015 No. 3 overall pick’s biggest knocks during his brief time in Arizona was his lack of offensive production. 1127088 Boston Bruins “I don’t want to be disrespectful to any team,” Cassidy said. “I think the Rangers are playing better hockey. If they have any intention of making the playoffs then they have to make up ground, so they have to be ready Nine-day break gives Tuukka Rask a chance to recover to go. Against the Flyers the other night, we got loose, so I’d like to think our guys believe we’re the better team in these games, but you have to play like it.

By Matt Porter “So, that’s another thing that needs to be addressed.

“Are we playing down to the level of competition or are we going to play to our standard? I think that the message from us as a coaching staff A few iced-over Bruins thoughts while contemplating a week on a tropical over the last two, three years is we need to play to our standard.’’ beach . . . “So, I guess that’s the message we have to get back to and start ■ The Bruins’ top line has been excellent, with Patrice Bergeron (12th), measuring ourselves against our best selves, so to speak.” David Pastrnak (20th), and Brad Marchand (27th) all top 30 in the league in points per game. The club is deep on defense. They play a speedy, ■ To keep his legs moving, Peter Cehlarik was assigned to Providence smart, tough game. on Sunday. The P-Bruins have three games scheduled (Monday, Friday, and Saturday, all at home). Though he and linemates Jake DeBrusk and For those reasons, it’s inaccurate to say their goaltending has carried the David Krejci were held scoreless over the weekend, Cehlarik made an Bruins. But the season-long quality results from Tuukka Rask and impression in his three-game debut. Jaroslav Halak are a major reason they entered the break sixth in the East (27-17-5). In that time, Cehlarik (two goals, one assist) has stratospherically good possession and offensive-generation numbers. In 36 minutes of five-on- Halak has played so-so of late. Rask has been mostly excellent. All the five time, he has a 74.07 Corsi For percentage (40 shot attempts for, 14 more reason for Boston to hope the concussion he sustained Saturday against). The Bruins are outshooting opponents, 20-9, when he’s on the will not keep him out longer than this nine-day break, which ends Jan. 29 ice at even strength, lead the scoring chance battle, 16-6, and have not against Winnipeg. allowed a goal. “I don’t want this to come out of context, but the timing is probably the Cehlarik has been on the ice for 22 faceoffs in the attacking zone, best it’s ever going to be, right?” coach Bruce Cassidy said Saturday. compared with eight in the neutral zone and four in the defensive zone. “But there is no good timing, having said that, because who knows how Playing on the opponents’ half of the rink helps. But that line has it’ll play out for him?” something going. The most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. “I’ve always been a smart player with a hockey IQ, so it’s fun to play with If Halak was injured Saturday, the Bruins would have produced an those guys,” Cehlarik said. “Jake has the speed. I’m trying to keep up, emergency goalie. But who? The Bruins did not dress a backup to Halak. but I feel better with my pace. With Krech it’s awesome. He just plays this The identity of the Bruins’ third netminder was unclear to Cassidy on style, I like it slowed down all the way through, we get the puck and it’s Saturday. fun. Key for me is winning the battles along the walls. Jake brings his speed. It all fits.” “There was a guy in there,” he said. “I did not even introduce myself. I was kind of looking at stuff between periods.” ■ Here’s something you don’t hear every day: Opposing players talking about how great it felt to win a draw from Bergeron. NESN analyst Andrew Raycroft was also busy at intermission — he was on TV — but the Bruins reportedly told him he would be next if Halak was Before Rangers center Mika Zibanejad redirected a puck past Jaroslav hobbled. According to The Athletic, the team sent a staffer to Raycroft’s Halak to put his team up, 2-1, in the second period, he was thrown out of house, 25 minutes from TD Garden, to pick up his goalie gear after the faceoff circle. It was probably for the best, since Zibanejad went 7 for Rask’s injury, with 1:28 left in the first period. 20 (35 percent) against Bergeron, long one of the league’s best at the dot. Winger Mats Zuccarello to the rescue. He has taken fewer draws this Raycroft, a Bruin from 2000-06, last played pro in 2013-14, in Sweden. season (24) than Bergeron averages in a game, but he stepped in and He is on the Bruins’ alumni team but doesn’t skate regularly. Jeff Gorton swiped the puck back to defenseman Brady Skjei, who found Zibanejad might have had a laugh if Raycroft suited up. In 2006, as Bruins interim for the goal. general manager, he dealt Raycroft to Toronto for the rights to the 19- year-old Rask. Gorton, now Rangers GM, was in the building Saturday. “I told [Zuccarello] it was almost disrespectful to win it that clean,” Zibanejad said. “Trying to battle him all night, and, yeah, he comes in and When both starter and backup goalie are injured in a game, other teams wins it that clean.” have filled the void with their own staffers (trainers, equipment managers, video coaches) and local players. Chicago beat the Jets last March with Bergeron, who finished 17 for 27 (63 percent) on Saturday, has ranked an assist to Scott Foster, an accountant, who stopped all seven shots he no lower than eighth in the NHL in faceoff percentage since 2009-10. In saw. When Rask took a leave of absence in November, the Bruins called that decade, he has the best success rate (58.6) of any player. on Massachusetts State Trooper Keith Segee to practice with the team.

When he coached AHL Providence, Cassidy said, an equipment Boston Globe LOADED: 01.21.2019 manager or rink worker was the EBUG (emergency backup goalie).

■ One slight concern about the Bruins: They have been nearly a .500 team against the clubs behind them in the standings.

As of Sunday afternoon, the Bruins were one of seven Eastern Conference teams between 60 and 58 points. Jockeying for position behind conference- and league-leading Tampa (76): the Islanders (62), Toronto (60); Boston, Columbus, Washington and Montreal, with 59; and Pittsburgh with 58. That represented the playoff picture in the East.

It’s encouraging Boston played Tampa well (3-2 loss on Dec. 6) on the road, while shorthanded . . . and seems to have Toronto figured out (3-1- 0), winning that season series convincingly. Against quote-unquote lesser competition, the Bruins have been iffy.

There were eight teams behind Boston in the East: Pittsburgh, Buffalo (54 points), Carolina and the Rangers (49 each); Florida (46); Philadelphia (44); and New Jersey, Ottawa, and Detroit (43 each). Against those teams, the Bruins are a middling 9-7-1, losing to every team but Ottawa. 1127089 Boston Bruins Sideline reporter Alex Kraemer interviews Bruin Chris Wagner between periods in a makeshift studio across the hall from the Bruins locker room. At right is Steve Tagarelis, NESN cameraman.

A look behind the scenes at a NESN Bruins broadcast Sideline reporter Alex Kraemer interviews Bruin Chris Wagner between periods in a makeshift studio across the hall from the Bruins locker room. At right is Steve Tagarelis, NESN cameraman. By Stan Grossfeld With Zechello, who serves as the traffic cop of the broadcast, they typically put in 12- to 15-hour days and travel on the road with the Bruins. Both have Stanley Cup rings. When Rose Mirakian-Wheeler says, “Get me Pasta,” into her headset microphone, she’s not calling for takeout from the North End. She’s Zechello’s background is equally eclectic. He grew up working as a ordering a NESN cameraman to get a tight shot of Bruins All-Star winger dishwasher, busboy, and waiter at Bobby Hackett’s Restaurant in David Pastrnak. Pembroke.

As NESN’s coordinating director for Bruins hockey, she selects “If you worked there on Thanksgiving Day, in that kitchen, and you saw everything that viewers see. She is currently the only woman directing the amount of food and the pressure and how fast everything went out, NHL games for television. it’s very similar to what we do here,” he says. “If you can work in a kitchen, you can work in a TV truck job.” During each home broadcast, she can be found in a mobile production truck parked behind TD Garden. For the last 21 years, she has been a The duo have certainly paid their dues. woman calmly giving orders in a mostly man’s world. But she doesn’t think of herself as a trailblazer. There was the University of Maine hockey game at Orono where the satellite dish was buried in a snowstorm. Zechello left the truck to shovel “If I’m an inspiration, then I’m happy about that,” she says. “I didn’t think, snow. ‘Oh, I’m going to be the only woman.’ I just wanted to do the job.” “But that’s part of learning,” he says, “because nothing really can rattle The inside of the truck looks like a set straight out of “Star Wars.” A long you after you’ve experienced those things.” wall of monitors can be divided up to offer 144 Images. There are hundreds of color-keyed buttons that activate cameras, replay machines, Mistakes, although rare, still happen. Earlier this season, Mirakian- and highlights packages. The truck is wired with nearly a mile of cable. Wheeler looked down for a fraction of a second and missed a Bruins goal against Dallas. The most recent sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. “You lose sleep over it,” she says. There are 16 people — producers, graphics operator, engineer, technical director, score box operator, tape operator, audio — working in tight Another time, an equipment malfunction resulted in off-color comments quarters. The walls and ceilings are padded for soundproofing. The lights being broadcast live on YouTube. are usually turned down low. But in 2011, they joyously held the Stanley Cup over their heads in “I like it really dark so the monitors pop out,” says Mirakian-Wheeler. Vancouver with NESN cameraman John Martin, who died last October after battling ALS. Although high-definition has made hockey easier to watch, Mirakian- Wheeler knows that it’s not like watching it in person with a 180-degree It’s nearing game time for an evening game against Buffalo, and view. She considers herself an artist; she loves to vary the point of view Mirakian-Wheeler and Zechello have been in the trailer since midday. and tries to not overuse the center ice camera. Game time is special, even after all these years.

“That’s very boring to me,” she says. “It’s an adrenaline rush,” says Zechello.

Mirakian-Wheeler works in synch with the producer, Brian Zechello, who Mirakian-Wheeler looks at the announcers on her monitor and makes a coordinates all content of the broadcast. During games, there are face. countdowns that sound like NASA launches. Mirakian-Wheeler has a lot to choose from, as there are more than 20 camera locations in the “Can you tighten up the shot for me, please?” she says. “Fix your hair Garden. Jack, please.”

For a newcomer, it can sound confusing, because each staffer’s headset “Oh, the voice of authority,” says Edwards with a laugh as he pats down can be set to hear the producer, the director, the video photographers, or his hair. the on-air talent (play-by-play man Jack Edwards and color analyst Andy Brickley). There also are 20 microphones to capture the sounds inside “Can we move Jack’s coffee, please?” she says. the Garden. The national anthem alone features 17 different cuts.

But Mirakian-Wheeler’s soothing voice easily stands out. For the next 2½ hours, it’s well-programmed mayhem.

“Rose is pretty laidback, and she’s just kind of right there with you,” says But that’s just between them. Even if there’s hell breaking loose in the Joseph Francazio, who operates a joystick under Loge Section 15 that truck, they make sure the booth doesn’t have to worry about it. can pan a robotic camera mounted in the penalty box. “Some guys take a real sort of authoritative point of view, like, ‘I’m in charge,’ but Rose, Usually Zechello and graphics editor Patrick White have the replays she’s great. She’s right there with you talking to you. She’s one of the ready before Brickley even asks for them. guys.’’ “It’s so much fun to work with these guys because all I have to do is my Her path to the director’s chair was unusual. She studied dance (and research and show up,” says Edwards. “I almost feel guilty.” television) at Emerson College and wanted to be a modern dancer. Edwards and Brickley broadcast six levels above the ice. Edwards does When that didn’t pan out, she waitressed and bartended before landing a play-by-play with a ton of information literally at his fingertips. He credits job as receptionist at a fledgling NESN in 1984, its first year on the air. his 13-year-old son Elijah for helping him build out a seventh-generation She answered the phones at the office above the old bowling alley at processor that is accessed by three touch-screen monitors directly in Fenway Park. She worked hard, stayed late, and tagged along on front of him and instantly updated by NESN statistician Scott Shore. assignments. The passionate Edwards stands for the entire broadcast. She worked college soccer games, lacrosse, and Hockey East. She was Brickley, the former Bruin who once scored a goal by having a Ray part of the NESN crew that broadcast Roger Clemens’s 20-strikeout Bourque slapshot ricochet off his nose, has adapted well to television. He game on April 29, 1986. says broadcasting is a lot easier than playing — “physically, mentally, “I sat and I watched games, and you know I did much to learn what I and emotionally.” could, and I think I gradually got better,” she says. “It’s very important that I have a real good rapport with the producer,” he says. “If he sees the game the way I see it, our replays will be tremendous.”

Sometimes, however, there are too many cooks in the kitchen. After David Backes’s game-winning goal, Brickley calmly says off air, “I got too many people talking to me at once. I can’t understand any of you.”

But for the TV audience, the goal, the replays, and the graphics are seamless.

And the Bruins win, which always makes the home crew happy.

After the game, Mirakian-Wheeler and Zechello are totally wired. Neither will sleep for hours.

“We all have fun,” she says. “It’s the best job, right?”

Boston Globe LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127090 Boston Bruins And as Wagner’s game has surged, he’s enjoyed playing at home, for both the fun times and the important ones.

“Back in Anaheim, I would count down the days to the break so I could No place like home for Bruins fourth-liner Chris Wagner see people I missed. But now that I see them all the time, it’s pretty cool,” said Wagner, whose parents Paul and Cindy come to every game at the Garden. “If I had extra tickets lying around, I can ask friends to go or my By STEVE CONROY extended family. That’s pretty cool. And even with my grandfather dying, being able to drive home after practice and being able to go to the wake, PUBLISHED: January 20, 2019 at 5:10 pm it means a lot just to be there. It eases your mind.” UPDATED: January 20, 2019 at 5:12 PM BRUINS NOTES

The team returned Peter Cehlarik to Providence, presumably for the Chris Wagner is living the life he dreamed when he signed with Bruins eight-day bye week and All-Star break. Cehlarik has been solid since last July. being recalled, with two goals, an assist and a plus-3 rating in three games. On Friday, the Walpole native got his hair cut – high and tight — at his favorite spot since childhood, Gus’s Barber Shop in Norwood. He was planning to hang out with a bunch of friends Sunday to watch the AFC Boston Herald LOADED: 01.21.2019 Championship Game, without a Patriots-hater in the bunch. And for the first time in his NHL career, he didn’t have to hop on a plane during the bye week to be with the people he loves.

On the ice, he’s settled nicely into a role on the B’s physical line with Sean Kuraly and Noel Acciari (David Backes has made an appearance there, too).

But Wagner is aware he’s one of the lucky locals. Not every homeboy who signs with the team he grew up watching has the same positive experience. Criticism can become magnified, distractions from well- meaning friends and family can mount, and the whole thing can become a big hassle.

While Wagner has embraced his time with the B’s, he’s always had a little trepidation in the back of his mind. Dorchester’s Jimmy Hayes had a rough go of it here. Even New Hampshire’s Tim Schaller, who had a good run as a fourth-liner last season, admitted recently he was glad to leave the trappings of home behind when he signed in Vancouver.

Playing at home is not for everyone.

“I’m good friends with Jimmy, and I asked him in July, I said, ‘What do you think?’ And he said, ‘Just do it,'” the 27-year-old Wagner said. “And obviously I think my style of play fits the city more. So even if I’m not scoring, I can still hit and be physical and all of that. I wasn’t going to pay attention to it anyways, even if it was going on. But it helps we’re doing well and the team’s coming along, so it’s been positive.”

While goals aren’t the biggest measuring stick for the physical Wagner’s game, he does have six at the break, one short of the career best he set with Anaheim and the Islanders last season. He’s on pace for double digits.

He was a scratched a few times earlier in the season, but he looks back to a couple of games that helped him get his footing here. The first was Dec. 8 in a blowout win against the Maple Leafs after Zach Hyman delivered a late, high hit on Charlie McAvoy, who had just returned to the lineup from a concussion. Before the game was finished, Wagner delivered what looked a hard but clean hit on Leafs star defenseman Morgan Rielly and then fought Ron Hainsey in response.

A few games later, he had a goal, an assist and nine shots on net in Pittsburgh.

“Having a hit like that in a situation where Charlie gets hurt, it gets your confidence up. And your teammates are obviously going,” Wagner said. “And that Pittsburgh game … that helps your confidence, too, just knowing you still have it and can still do it. From there, our line has obviously been great, Sean and Noel. We’ve built some chemistry, and I’m comfortable with them, so that helps a lot, too.”

He’s shown some offensive flashes as well. The bar-down shot in Pittsburgh was a beauty, as was the forehand-backhand-forehand game- winner against St. Louis last week.

“Yeah, that was probably the nicest goal I’ve scored in the NHL the other night,” the Xaverian product said. “But we’re all skill guys when we come here, and it’s a matter of finding your role, staying in the NHL, and that’s how I’ve stayed, being a checking forward and penalty-killing and all that. But deep down we still have some skill. Obviously the media is going to say you’re fourth line, and that is our job, but we still have some level of creativity deep down. And the more confident you get, I think it comes out more.” 1127091 Boston Bruins

Bruins need to regain focus after stumbling into the bye week

By Joe Haggerty

January 20, 2019 2:35 PM

BOSTON – It’s been a disappointing stretch for the Bruins headed into the bye week as recent losses to the Rangers, Flyers and Canadiens showed the B’s that they still have work to do when it comes to facing teams below them in the standings.

The mid-week loss to the Flyers in Philly was disappointing in that it didn’t feel like the Bruins fully showed up for the game, and that was again the case in a 3-2 loss to the Blueshirts on Saturday night at TD Garden.

It looked like a Bruins team that was worried about their vacation plans getting ruined by the snowstorm, and a Rangers team that decided to worry about that after last night's two points were in the bank.

The Bruins are pretty much fully healthy at this point and have even been buoyed by a strong first few games from rookie Peter Cehlarik, but their goaltending, their power play and their top line have been erratic after carrying them for the first half of the season.

Bruce Cassidy said it will all be a point of emphasis when the Bruins get back more than a week from now from a combination of their bye week and NHL All-Star weekend. Another point of emphasis: Keeping focused on the shift after the Bruins score, which has given way to opponent goals over the last few weeks.

The shift-to-shift focus has perhaps been lacking in recent weeks, and maybe a byproduct of the dog days of the season in January. The hope is that the bye week will take care of that malaise that even the B’s best players seemed to be suffering from when a Patrice Bergeron face-off loss in the defensive zone led to a very quick Rangers go-ahead goal in the second period.

“You have to be a self-motivator to be a successful player in this league. It can’t be up to the coach every night to rev you up. We give them information, we prepare them the day before, we do some stuff in the morning, but when that puck drops it’s the individuals job to be ready to play, energy-wise and focused on the task at hand,” said Bruce Cassidy. “We had a faceoff goal that the lining was wrong, and they scored on it, second goal. We were just not in the right spots, and part of that’s on our staff and part of that’s on our players to get it right.

“We get there late, and it’s in the net. So, some of those things crept into the game tonight. I was asked this morning would our focus be on – maybe it was on the break, but I don’t want to use that as a crutch because it’s happened to us how many games now - four, five, six where we’ve kind of let off the gas, got comfortable, maybe thought it was going to be an easy shift the next one and wanted to extend the lead but not playing the right way. There are a lot of those things that go into it. Yeah, we’ll address it, but you’re not a teacher to the student that listens, right? That’s kind of part of it. We have to buy in.”

So the Bruins will go into the bye week with a hold on third place in the Atlantic Division just a tick over the Montreal Canadiens, , and firmly in a playoff spot after battling through injuries and adversity in the first half of the season. But now it seems that leaving those tough times behind has allowed some comfort to creep into Boston’s game, and it showed with some disappointing defeats right ahead of the break.

It will be up to the Bruins to self-correct when they get going again more than a week from now as rested and recharged as they’ve been since the beginning of October. But these last few games are also a signal that the Bruins better get focused when they come back from their assorted vacations because the next few months are going to be a battle to protect their slim playoff cushion over Montreal, Pittsburgh and Buffalo.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127092 Boston Bruins

Bruins hope Tuukka Rask concussion 'settles itself quickly' after nasty hit

By Joe Haggerty

January 20, 2019 12:02 AM

BOSTON – Things turned quickly for Tuukka Rask in Saturday’s loss to the New York Rangers where it went from going for a historic win to not even being able to get out of the first period in one piece. Rask was knocked out of Boston’s 3-2 loss to the Rangers with a concussion after getting crushed by Rangers winger Filip Chytil on a power rush to the net that resulted in New York’s first goal.

Talking Points from the B's loss to the Rangers

Chytil was headed to the net with a head of steam, and went airborne when shoved by Charlie McAvoy in what ended with a violent collision at the net. Rask was spaghetti-legged as he left the ice with a concussion and Jaroslav Halak absorbed his fourth loss in his last five appearances while allowing two goals on 13 shots.

Now the Bruins are hoping that more than a week of rest time – thanks to the bye week and NHL All-Star weekend – will be enough to find Rask healthy and ready to resume his duties when the regular season resumes.

“He’s concussed. That’s all I know, so he’ll go into protocol. The best- case scenario for those is usually the next day if he’s doing well,” said Bruce Cassidy of Rask, who went into Saturday night with a 2.43 goals against average and a .920 save percentage while playing some of his best hockey of the season. “Then he’s up and running and it shouldn’t be too badly affected by it other than the immediate, today’s kind of pain and symptoms. If he’s not, then it’s one of those where you just keep your fingers crossed and hope it settles itself out quickly.

“I don’t want this to come out of context, but the timing is probably the best it’s ever going to be, right? If you’re going to have this injury because you do have nine days before you play again, so for any player. But there is no good timing, having said that, because who knows how it’ll play out for him. So it’s unfortunate.”

Cassidy was also quick to point that he didn’t think the collision was intentional on the part of Chytil, who definitely appeared to lose his balance once he made contact with McAvoy while going full speed at the Bruins net.

“I don’t think there’s intent to hit the goalie. I think that’s rare. There’s probably a player or two that tries not to get out of the way, for sure. I don’t think this kid tried to hit him. I think he did hit him. How much Charlie [McAvoy] affected that? The reaction is did the goal go in because he hit him or the puck went in first clearly, so it’s a good goal? I thought there are nights where it would’ve been called goalie interference after the goal and we would’ve been on the power play, not that tonight would’ve been the best night for that,” said Cassidy. “At the end of day, I’ve seen that call. He didn’t make it. He felt Charlie had something to do with the contact, and you move on.”

It’s the second documented concussion for Rask after he suffered one in Bruins practice a couple of years ago when Anders Bjork ran over him during a particularly lively practice drill, and ended up missing more than a week of action in his recovery.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127093 Calgary Flames “You never know how it’s going to go. I looked at the roster a couple years in Carolina, too, and thought we were going to make the playoffs, too, but it’s always tough. It’s a long, long season. You have to be dialed Analyzing the deal of the 2018 NHL draft: Flames and Hurricanes in 82 games.

“So I knew before I signed that we were going to have a good team here. And obviously it’s been better than I thought.” Kristen Anderson, When he looks back at it, Hanifin wasn’t certain a deal would materialize in the weeks leading up to the NHL draft, but wasn’t surprised when it did. Last summer, Brad Treliving scoffed at the notion. But the fact it was Calgary was a shocker. No, the Calgary Flames weren’t dangling Dougie Hamilton as a carrot on the National Hockey League trade market despite what rumours had “I had no idea Calgary was in the mix, at all,” said Hanifin who turns 22 been thrown around during the 2018 draft weekend at American Airlines on Friday. “It was surreal. You don’t really think about what it’ll feel like to Center in Dallas. get traded. But when I found out, it was definitely a shock. A new team. A new city. A whole different experience. “When I hear about that stuff, it usually comes out late at night when people have been into the red wine,” the Flames general manager had “But when I found out it was me and Lindholm together, that made it a joked to the media at a Dallas hotel, just a few days before the fireworks little easier.” began. The transition was even easier considering that Hanifin would be playing Whatever red wine consumed that night must have doubled as a truth for head coach Bill Peters, the defenceman’s former bench boss in serum because the scuttlebutt proved to be true (although this likely Carolina who had been hired by the Flames just a few weeks prior to the won’t be the last time an NHL GM keeps his cards close to his vest when trade. speaking to the media). And, during the NHL’s free agency period, the Flames added fellow As is often the case when taking a look back at how the events unfolded, Hurricanes teammate Derek Ryan to the mix. the dots are easy to connect. “That week was definitely pretty stressful,” said Hanifin, who also signed Treliving was under pressure to improve his NHL roster for the 2018-19 a six-year deal with the Flames this summer, worth $4.95 million per campaign and bounce back from a post-season absence (the team’s season. “It was crazy, talking to people and all of my buddies and family second in four years) along with an underwhelming 20th-place finish and everyone was asking about it and how I felt. It was a lot that week … despite a roster that looked capable of doing damage. but it’s been an unbelievable year. Obviously the team is doing so well and I’m so fortunate to play here and play with these guys. We have such Not only thinking about the coming season, there was long-term analysis a close locker-room. to maximize the prime years of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk, as well as capitalize on the potential of their core “Obviously, the success we’ve been having, it’s been a lot of fun.” (Mark Giordano, Mikael Backlund, TJ Brodie and Travis Hamonic). No one could have predicted the type of success the Flames have had The deal — and various incarnations of it — had been in the work for this season and the immediate impact of the Flames’ new additions. weeks, but Treliving pulled the trigger on what wound up being the Winning, of course, makes everything better and it has applied to the biggest trade of the day, sending Hamilton, physical left-winger Micheal analysis of the trade, which appears to have paid off more for Calgary Ferland and whip-smart blue-line prospect Adam Fox for right- than it has in Carolina. winger/centre Elias Lindholm and up-and-coming defenceman Noah Hanifin. Ferland, a fan favourite in this city, had been a suitable fit for the Flames’ top line, has been playing on Carolina’s top line with Sebastian Aho and “We’ve given up some pieces here,” Treliving admitted at the time. “But Teuvo Teravainen. Before Sunday’s game at Edmonton, Ferland had 13 as the season ended and the summer progressed, we wanted to look at goals and 12 assists in 40 games this season. changing the mix here. We did some things here that addressed some issues. We love the players coming in — we think they’re young, smart, Having been notoriously inconsistent in the last few years in Calgary, and they’ve got skill. Good players left us, but you have to give to get. plus a contract situation needing to be ironed out at the end of this season were factors in the trade. It wasn’t ideal to let go of a unique “Now we continue trying to keep getting better.” player like Ferland and, at the time, Treliving expressed how much the Flames would miss Ferland’s physicality, offensive gifts, skill and size. Fast forward seven months or so. Although he’s a fan favourite in Carolina, there’s a good chance that The Flames (32-13-5) are the second-best team in the NHL and have Ferland could be dealt at this year’s trade deadline by the Hurricanes, held onto the Western Conference lead since Jan. 2. At 10-1-2 since especially based on his asking price. Christmas, they’re poised to do something special. There was always concern about signing the right-shooting Fox, who is As for the trade pieces, it’s worked out better than Treliving could have playing for the Harvard Crimson and is a top-10 finalist for the Hobey predicted. Baker Award for the top player in the NCAA. Drafted 66th overall in the 2016 NHL, Fox seems destined for the NHL but not necessarily with Hanifin has fallen into a groove with Travis Hamonic as the team’s Carolina, and he could hit the market and make a decision to sign second defence pairing, which has allowed captain Mark Giordano to elsewhere when the time comes. return to an effective pairing with TJ Brodie. They’re a solid top-four group, comparable with the best in the NHL. Hamilton is manning the second power-play unit in Carolina and the offence — which was his calling card in his final season with the Flames To start the season, Lindholm was pencilled in with Johnny Gaudreau (17 goals and 27 assists last year in 82 games) — is slowly coming. and Sean Monahan on the top line and has been there, basically, ever Adjusting to his third new team since 2012-13, critics question about his since. He is enjoying a career season with 21 goals and 36 assists, utilization with the Hurricanes. which was good enough for 12th in NHL scoring (before Sunday’s NHL games). Lindholm also been a slam-dunk addition to their first power-play While the two teams are different markets with vastly different needs and unit, which is clicking at 24.1 per cent (the eighth-best man advantage in team philosophies but the players traded in Treliving’s blockbuster deal the NHL prior to Sunday’s action). have not had the immediate impact of Hanifin and Lindholm in Calgary.

Hindsight is always 20-20, but for Lindholm the choice to ink a long-term So, who was the winner of the trade? deal with the Flames was easy right from the start. Maybe Treliving will tell you over a glass of red wine… Yet, you’re never really sure of when team success will arrive … BY THE NUMBERS THIS SEASON “I looked at the roster before I signed and felt like we had something Calgary Flames good, and that’s why I wanted to sign for six years here,” said the 24- year-old, who’ll be around through 2023-24 at $4.85 million per season. RW/C Elias Lindholm 50 GP

21 goals

36 assists

57 points (21 power-play points)

1.14 points per game

12th in NHL scoring (Fourth in Flames scoring)

Face-offs: 54.4% (333/612)

+27 (T-2nd w/TJ Brodie)

16 PIMs

D Noah Hanifin

50 GP

4 goals

21 assists

25 points

76 shots on net

21:01 in ice time (fourth-most among Flames defencemen)

+11

10 PIMs

Carolina Hurricanes

D Dougie Hamilton

47 GP

6 goals

10 assists

16 points

148 shots on net (first among Hurricanes defencemen)

19:34 (third-most among Hurricanes defencemen)

-13

30 PIM

LW Micheal Ferland

40 GP

13 goals

12 assists

25 points (9 powerplay points)

0.63 points per game

4th in Hurricanes scoring (T-153rd in NHL scoring)

+6

31 PIMs

D Adam Fox (Harvard University)

17 GP

7 goals

17 assists

24 points

+6

10 PIM

(Top 10 nominee for Hobey Baker Award)

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127094 Calgary Flames The Flames are rolling along in top spot in the Western Conference standings.

“It was definitely weird not going back to Calgary in September and going Hamilton laughs off character critiques, excited for return-trip to Calgary to Raleigh and it being hot and sweaty,” Hamilton said. “I was excited about the opportunity to go to a team that gave up what they did to get me.” Wes Gilbertson Hamilton had just completed a workout and was watching coverage of the 2018 NHL Draft in June when news broke about a trade between the Flames and Hurricanes. EDMONTON — This rumour, apparently, followed defenceman Dougie Hamilton all the way to his new hockey home. He figured a move might be coming.

“I’ve gotten some free passes to some museums in Raleigh now,” he “It’s not my choice,” Hamilton said Sunday, asked about whispers he quipped. wanted out of town after last season. “I had a six-year deal with Calgary, and it’s not like I’m a free-agent and my choice to leave. A lot of NHLers will insist that they don’t pay an ounce of attention to what is said or written about them, sometimes even claiming that they’re “At the end of the day, it comes down to management. I enjoyed my time blissfully unaware. in Calgary and I’m enjoying a new chapter here. It’s been fun to experience something new.” With Sunday’s well-played wisecrack, the 25-year-old didn’t bother. The question now is how long will the experience last? When the Calgary Flames traded Hamilton to the Carolina Hurricanes in a draft-day doozy, there were reports and rumblings that the smooth- Heading into Sunday’s action, Hamilton had posted six goals, 10 assists skating blue-liner wasn’t a fit in the locker-room, that chemistry — or a and a minus-13 rating in 47 loggings with the Hurricanes. lack of it — was chief among the reasons a goal-starved team was willing to ship out one of the NHL’s most productive point-men. His name is, once again, being floated in the rumour mill.

Just moments after the swap, during a live radio hit on Calgary-based Ditto for Ferland, who had notched 13 goals and a dozen assists when Sportsnet 960 The Fan, one national analyst famously suggested that he arrived at Rogers Place and could be poised for a big payday as an when his Flames teammates would meet up for meals, Hamilton might unrestricted free-agent in July. prefer a trip to a museum. “I think I’ve been in trade rumours for I don’t know how many years now, That comment took on a life of its own. so doesn’t really matter to me,” Hamilton said. “You just play. You can’t control any of that stuff.” Prior to Sunday’s matchup with the Oilers in Edmonton, his final stop before his first visit back to the Saddledome, Hamilton was thoughtful Can’t control Tuesday’s reception, either. when asked if he was insulted by the summer swirlings and character He recalls that he was “booed there pretty bad” when returning to Boston critiques. for the first time after being traded by the Bruins to the Flames.

“For me, I know the truth behind everything,” replied Hamilton, who was “Looking forward to it,” he said of strolling into the Saddledome again, the NHL’s leading marksman among rearguards with 17 goals last this time through the visitors’ gates. “I think it’ll be fun. I mean, their team season and then the focal point of a five-piece swap that landed defender is doing great obviously, so it’s going to be a tough game. Hopefully, we Noah Hanifin and winger Elias Lindholm in Calgary. (The Flames also can play a good game against them.” parted with bruising forward Micheal Ferland and highly-touted collegiate prospect Adam Fox.)

“I know what you guys have to do in the media, especially in Canada. I Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.21.2019 don’t know if I was hurt. It’s just a thing that’s out there with, I guess, the museums.”

He then mentioned the offers to check out archives and galleries in Carolina, chuckling.

A handful of reporters howled too.

It was, after all, a good line.

“I think it’s not true,” Hamilton continued. “So I just try to laugh at it and believe in myself and who I am as a person.”

If you figured Hamilton would be dreading his return to the Saddledome for Tuesday’s clash against the Flames (7 p.m., Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan), it sure didn’t seem that way in a seven- minute chat with reporters after Sunday’s morning skate in Edmonton.

“A lot of good memories. Just a lot of good feelings, when you think about it,” Hamilton said, reminiscing about his three winters in Calgary. “Lived my childhood dream of playing with my brother (Freddie) in the NHL. Played with a lot of great players. Made a lot of good friendships, in the dressing room and outside the dressing room with just regular people in the city and the hospitals and stuff like that.

“So just a lot of good memories. It’s always interesting going back and different stuff comes back into your head. So it’s going to be cool.”

There should be no hard feelings in Calgary, where that summer swap with the Hurricanes has paid instant dividends.

The 24-year-old Lindholm has been a fantastic fit alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan on the Flames’ first line.

Hanifin has been sturdy on the second pairing, while TJ Brodie looks like his old self since being reunited with captain Mark Giordano on the top tandem. That duo was separated when Hamilton arrived on scene. 1127095 Carolina Hurricanes UP NEXT Hurricanes: At Calgary on Tuesday night. Two goals from both Niederreiter and Wallmark help lead Hurricanes Oilers: Host Detroit on Tuesday night. past Oilers 7-4

News Observer LOADED: 01.21.2019 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS JANUARY 21, 2019 01:32 AM

It didn’t take long for Nino Niederreiter to fit in with the Carolina Hurricanes. Niederreiter and Lucas Wallmark each scored twice to lead the Hurricanes to a 7-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night. Acquired from Minnesota on Friday, Niederreiter got his first goals with Carolina. “It’s always nice if you get a chance to score a goal, but more importantly we got the win we needed,” he said. “The last home game, we definitely didn’t play the way we wanted, so it’s a big win for us tonight.” Andrei Svechnikov had a goal and two assists, and Brock McGinn and Jordan Martinook also scored as the Hurricanes snapped a two-game skid. Sebastian Aho and Jaccob Slavin each had three assists, and Petr Mrazek stopped 17 shots. Carolina led 3-0 in the first period, and pushed the lead to 6-1 in the second. “The start was obviously what we talked about doing and it couldn’t have went really any better,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “You have to give the guys credit, it was a 60-minute effort for the most part. The effort level was high and we deserved that game.” Leon Draisaitl had two goals, and Brandon Manning and Zack Kassian also scored for the Oilers, who have lost two straight. Cam Talbot gave up three goals on 15 shots over the first 11:02 before he was replaced by Mikko Koskinen, who had 15 saves. “We have to get through this, we have no choice,” Draisaitl said. “It is frustrating. We take two steps ahead and then we take two back. One ahead, and then one back. We go up and then we go down. We have to figure it out.” Carolina wasted no time getting on the board, scoring on the first shot of the game just 28 seconds in when Niederreiter beat Talbot with a quick wrist shot for his 10th. The Hurricanes doubled the lead 6 1/2 minutes into the first with the Oilers scrambling in their own zone on a point shot by Slavin that was tipped in by Svechnikov. Carolina was outshooting Edmonton 8-0 at the time. Carolina kept it coming with another goal 11 minutes into the opening period as Niederreiter muscled his way out from behind the goal line and beat Talbot for his second of the game on his team’s 15th shot. Koskinen then replaced Talbot. The Oilers finally showed some signs of life with 51 seconds left in the first when Connor McDavid passed in front for Manning, who beat Mrazek. Carolina made it 4-1 on McGinn’s shot two minutes into the second and then made pushed the lead to four a couple of minutes later on the power play on a breakaway goal by Wallmark. The Hurricanes made it 6-1 late in the second on a perfect feed from Warren Foegele to Martinook for his 10th. The Oilers pulled within four with 19 seconds left in the period on Draisaitl’s 25th of the season and 100th in his career. Kassian’s tip to start the third made it 6-3 and Edmonton pulled within two seven minutes into the final frame on the power play on Draisaitl’s second of the game. Wallmark scored again into an empty net to seal the win. NOTES: Carolina improved to 17-4-2 when scoring first and 18-1-2 when leading after two periods. ... Niederreiter played in his 500th regular season game. Hurricanes F Greg McKegg played in his 100th. ... The teams concluded their two-game season series Feb. 15 at Carolina. ... Edmonton is 3-18-1 when trailing after two periods. ... Draisaitl leads the Oilers with eight power-play goals. 1127096 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks' Henri Jokiharju a healthy scratch as Jeremy Colliton tries to find enough ice time to go around

Jimmy Greenfield

Blackhawks rookie defenseman Henri Jokiharju was a healthy scratch for the third time this season Sunday, and it might not be the last time. Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton wants to get ice time for seven defensemen, and while he hasn't ruled out dressing seven again, it didn't work out when he tried it against the Devils last week. “(Henri) doesn’t need to play every game, just like other guys don’t need to play every game,” Colliton said. “We may end up with a rotation where it’s not necessarily performance, specifically, why they’re coming out. But we can get them extra, whether it’s off-ice training or video or maybe a little practice work so we continue to develop them.” Gustav Forsling is close to returning from an upper-torso injury and would give the Hawks an eighth defenseman unless somebody is sent to Rockford. Newly acquired Slater Koekkoek, who started against the Capitals, is likely to join Jokiharju and Forsling as part of the rotating group of blue liners. Third wheel: Drake Caggiula was elevated to the top line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in his seventh game with the Hawks since being acquired from the Oilers for Brandon Manning on Dec. 30. Although Caggiula didn’t make the scoresheet, Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton said he was very pleased with how he played. “I think Caggiula, he didn’t get any points, but he was all over that performance as far as getting pucks back and going to the net and winning 50-50 (battles) and running people over,” Colliton said. “That line had the puck all night. So that was definitely a nice boost for the team.” One-timers: Over their last 82 games, the Hawks are 26-44-12. ... The Hawks have scored a power-play goal in eight straight games. ... Sunday’s game marked the 90th time Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane scored in the same game during their careers. The Hawks are 79-6-5 in those games.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127097 Chicago Blackhawks

'I don't hold it against the city': Capitals' Devante Smith-Pelly starts in return to United Center after racist taunts

Jay Cohen

Washington Capitals coach Todd Reirden wanted to show his support for Devante Smith-Pelly. So he sent his line out to center ice for the opening faceoff. Smith-Pelly got the start Sunday in his first game in Chicago since the black forward heard chants of "basketball, basketball, basketball" while he was sitting in the penalty box during the third period of a 7-1 loss last February. The fans were promptly ejected, and then banned from Chicago's home games. "For me it was really something that was important to do," Reirden said. "What happened with him last year in this building and where we are today in our world. Some of the things he's done in our community this year, just having a family out not long ago to our game, that to me is fighting a bigger fight than we even know about, that Devante has to go through." The 26-year-old Smith-Pelly and defenseman John Carlson recently hosted a Maryland youth team after one of its players heard racist taunts during a tournament. Smith-Pelly said he appreciated Reirden giving him the start in his return to the United Center. "That was cool," Smith-Pelly said after Washington's 8-5 loss. "I love the national anthem here." Smith-Pelly was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct in the second period, but he said he had no trouble with any fans. "I said it the day after and I probably repeated it. It's just a couple of people," Smith-Pelly said. "I don't hold it against the city. I wasn't excited or nervous to come back here. It's just another game."

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127098 Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane team up to beat the defending champion Capitals and snap the Blackhawks' 5-game skid

Jimmy Greenfield

For a little bit there it seemed the Blackhawks might have a laugher on their hands. Then the Capitals started to fight back and tried to wipe the smile off the Hawks’ faces. Jonathan Toews wouldn’t let that happen. The Hawks captain scored his sixth career hat trick — including two goals during the third period — to secure an 8-5 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champions in a Sunday matinee at the United Center. Toews also had two assists and newly installed linemate Patrick Kane also had five points (two goals, three assists). “I know what he likes and how he likes to play,” Toews said. “And vice versa. We can complement each other well. Obviously, Kaner’s been playing with a ton of confidence, so it was just go out there and make his life easier.” Toews’ third goal of the game — and 21st of the season — came on a brilliant individual effort with five minutes left after the Capitals had pulled to within 6-5. He turned around defenseman Dmitry Orlov, skating past him and beating goalie Pheonix Copley. Dylan Strome added an empty- netter for the final margin. Toews was credited with his first goal in the first period after Orlov accidentally batted the puck into his own net. “One of those nights where pucks were going in,” Toews said. “After tonight no one will be asking about how that goal went in.” The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Hawks, who have one game left before the start of the the All-Star break and week off. The Capitals lost their fifth straight. “It’s never fun to give up five,” Kane said. “But we know we have seven days off coming, so let’s try to be good for one more. And get some momentum going into the break.” The Hawks’ top four goal scorers each added to his total in the first 40 minutes as they took a 4-2 lead. Brandon Saad, Kane and Toews scored in the first period, and Alex DeBrincat added one in the second. Saad’s goal came when he picked up the puck inside his blue line and blew past the Capitals defense before putting a shot over the right shoulder of goalie Braden Holtby, who was pulled after allowing four goals on 11 shots. Saad has a goal in three straight games. “Terrific individual effort (by Saad),” Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. “Just one of those things you build momentum off. Nice for him. He’s done that a few times this year, just holds a guy off and puts a guy on his back and carries him to the net. Hopefully he can gain some confidence from that.” Collin Delia might have had his best and worst games of the season at the same time. He made many great saves, including an incredible acrobatic save on a Tom Wilson shot from the slot in the second period. But he also let in a couple of soft ones and gave up a season-high five goals. “It was a fun game,” Kane said. “Kind of like a playoff-type atmosphere, playoff-type game. It was back and forth, it seemed like no matter how big our lead, we couldn’t make it big enough to feel comfortable. It was a good win for us.”

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127099 Chicago Blackhawks

Caps' Devante Smith-Pelly starts 1st game at United Center since racist taunts

By Satchel Priceemail 01/20/2019, 11:57PM

Devante Smith-Pelly, the Capitals forward who was the target of racist taunts during a game at the United Center last year, found himself in the starting lineup for the team’s return to Chicago to face the Blackhawks on Sunday. The move gave Smith-Pelly, one of the few black players in the NHL, a chance to stand on the ice alongside Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom for the national anthem. After the game, Capitals coach Todd Reirden said that his goal was to show the forward how much he’s welcomed and appreciated in the hockey world. “For me, it was really something that was important to do,” Reirden said, via ESPN. “What happened to him last year in this building, and where we are today in our world, and some of the things that he’s done in our community this year – just having another family out, not too long ago to our game. “To me, that is fighting a bigger fight than we even know about, that Devante has to go through. So I thought it was a way to show our backing and our support for him, and that’s why I wanted to start him in the game tonight.” Last February, four fans at the United Center were ejected and subsequently banned for shouting racist taunts at Smith-Pelly during a game. A Capitals spokesperson said at the time that the fans chanted “basketball, basketball, basketball” at the forward. Afterwards, then- coach Barry Trotz called the incident “disgusting” and said it left Smith- Pelly “a little bit upset.” Less than five months later, the Capitals and Smith-Pelly won the Stanley Cup. Smith-Pelly has since gone on to use his experience to help others in the hockey community. Last week, Smith-Pelly and his teammate, John Carlson, welcomed a youth hockey team to a Capitals game after one of its players had been the victim of racist slurs from an opposing team, which led his teammates to come to his defense.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127100 Chicago Blackhawks

Collin Delia makes wild saves, regrettable errors in Blackhawks' 8-5 win over Capitals

By Jason Lieseremail

Blackhawks goalie Collin Delia prides himself on staying calm in all scenarios, but this was a time to embrace the chaos. He thrashed in the net late in the second period Sunday, lunging and flopping as he tracked one skater curving behind him and another in front, waiting for a one-timer at close range. He dove from right post to left, landed on his hip, then popped up and stopped the shot by Tom Wilson with his shoulder. “I just kind of black out a little bit,” he joked as he tried to replay the sequence in his mind. “You’re trying to find the puck at any cost. That’s all I really remember. The last thing I thought was, ‘Try to be big.’ ” The United Center broke into a well-deserved standing ovation for Delia’s biggest play of a wild Blackhawks win over the Capitals. There were blunders, too, but he gave the Hawks enough to survive 8-5 and snap their five-game losing streak. It was a rough game on paper, with 34 saves on 39 shots, and it’ll be a grimace-worthy film session for Delia. He called it a “polar” performance. About a minute after his acrobatic exploits to thwart that one-timer by Wilson, he let in an easy one from Dmitry Orlov. The Capitals got another soft goal in the first period when Brooks Orpik floated one between Delia’s right arm and torso before he could tighten up. “It’s a good learning experience at this level,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “Certainly there’s a couple he probably would like back, but he also made some terrific saves. . . . He hung in there and got us a win.” Delia’s five goals allowed and .872 save percentage were season worsts, but he has reached a point where he can get over a game like this. When he thought back to the hectic save on Wilson, he knew it wasn’t as impressive as it looked and said, “You want to be cleaner than that.” He was equally dispassionate about the “couple squeakers” that got past him. “That’s the way it goes sometimes,” he said. “I just focus on making the next big save and keeping the team in it. What difference can I make to keep the team in it? Sometimes you have these 8-5 games. Sometimes it’s 1-0. Your demeanor and approach can’t waver.” Delia is unusually mature for a rookie and often talks about the job more like a been-there-done-that veteran than a 24-year-old. That’s partly the influence of Cam Ward and Corey Crawford nearby, but it’s also just how Delia is wired. He’s good at seeing each play for what it is, and has a similarly clear view of where he stands with the team. The Hawks are going to let him work through some choppiness — the Capitals yanked starter Braden Holtby after four goals, by the way — and he doesn’t feel the pressure of playing to keep his job. “It’s beyond that right now,” Delia said. “Once you’ve been through the ups and downs and a little adversity . . . I don’t really need to focus on that. I just play as hard as I can until they tell me they don’t need me anymore.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127101 Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews scores hat trick as Blackhawks bring back old ways vs. Capitals

By Madeline Kenney

Jonathan Toews didn’t need any help with this one. He crossed a Capitals defender, went top shelf to score, then delivered an emphatic fist pump as hats rained from the seats. The United Center roared, “Chelsea Dagger” blared and Blackhawks teammates mobbed Toews at the boards to celebrate his first hat trick in months. In the middle of a miserable season, Toews looked as good Sunday as he did during the Hawks’ Stanley Cup seasons in an 8-5 victory against the defending champion Capitals. Toews’ three goals and two assists boosted his season total to 21 goals and 47 points. With 32 games left, he already has surpassed last season’s 20 goals. “He’s been a big producer for us ever since he came in the league,” Patrick Kane said. “We’d be lying if we said it’s surprising. Just kind of used to it from Johnny.” Kane joined Toews in giving fans a blast from the past. He got a pair of goals, his 28th and 29th of the season, and extended his point streak to eight games. And he took it upon himself to keep the Hawks (17-24-9) above water. When the momentum seemed to slide — with the Capitals (27-16-5) narrowing the deficit to 4-3 early in the third period on a goal by John Carlson — Kane responded 36 seconds later, scoring on the power play. “We’ve been in that position this year where we’ve been up and kind of sat back in the third, so we wanted to keep playing,” Kane said. “[We got] in their end, held onto the puck, we drew a penalty, got a power play and scored on the power play. That was a big difference right there.” The Hawks’ defense also looked somewhat revived — at least for the first two periods, when it was breaking up passes. “The biggest thing is we created a lot of offense from our defense,” Kane said. “Kind of played strong, made some quick plays in our end, and next thing you know, we got an odd-man rush or one-on-one or you’re coming up the ice with speed.” The Hawks gave up three goals in the final period, but their defensive lapses didn’t lead to their demise for a change. With the offense carrying them through, they snapped a five-game losing streak. Although it’s not realistic for the Hawks to consistently go out there and score eight goals on a good team, coach Jeremy Colliton believes they can just do a better job at controlling the puck. “When you’re controlling things, you want to get something out of it, whether it’s goals or drawing penalties or generating pressure, and when they have their moments when they’re controlling things, you’ve got to survive,” Colliton said. “You’ve got to find a way to keep the puck out of your net. Get pucks out, win lines.” Toews also doesn’t expect the Hawks to do this every game, but he believes the victory gives them a much-needed boost as they head into their final game before the All-Star break. Even if it was just for an afternoon, the Hawks were fun again. “It gives our team confidence when you see goals go in,” Toews said. “We played the way we played tonight in front of our fans — we heard the horn and the fans responding. It’s nice to play an exciting game in front of them and get a little something to cheer for.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127102 Chicago Blackhawks OK, enough. He’s not dead. He’s 30 and having his best season in about three years. Maybe someday the franchise will give him a team worthy of him again. Blackhawks finally offer some warmth in a brutally cold season There was more good news beyond a victory over one of the league’s best teams. Goalie Corey Crawford took part in drills Saturday. He has been out since suffering a concussion in a game Dec. 16. He played in By Rick Morrissey only 28 games last season because of another concussion. If you watched Delia on Sunday, you know that the Hawks could use Crawford and about four decent defensemen. Good saves were followed What do you do when the Bears are not playing in the NFC by painful goals. Championship Game, when you thought they would be? How do you fill that void and avoid the reminder that the team you thought was good But forgot about that for the moment. The Blackhawks finally prevailed. enough to be there is most certainly not? Toews and Kane were back riding high. And it’s hard to complain about the team’s offensive output Sunday: Eight goals and a Cody Parkey slap There are options. You can clean out the lint trap in your dryer. You can shot off the crossbar. catch up on the changes to the federal tax code. You can arrange your dog’s sweaters by color and fabric. I really need to let it go. Or you can go to the United Center and watch the struggling Blackhawks. The Hawks held off the Caps in an up-and-down game. Unfortunately, it lasted only two hours, 36 minutes. I could only drag out the writing for so Hmmm. long. It meant there was still time to catch most of the NFC title game. Darn it. I ended up choosing the Hawks, who had an 11:30 a.m. game against the defending Stanley Cup-champion Capitals on Sunday. The Rams- Saints game started at 2:05 p.m., so if the Hawks obliged with an illicit six-overtime game, there was a chance I’d miss a football game that Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 didn’t include Khalil Mack. Fingers were crossed! The Hawks have fallen on hard times, the fall having been so hard that they’re in the franchise concussion protocol, a little-known category. Coming into Sunday’s game, they had the fewest points (41) in the NHL. Their goal differential was minus-38, the worst in the league. They were on a five-game losing streak. It occurred to me that I had traded in the memory of the Bears’ brutal playoff loss to the Eagles in favor of the reminder that the Hawks are miles from the era in which they won three Stanley Cups in six seasons. It meant that escape from the Chicago sports scene was impossible in mid-January. And yet, for one day, the UC offered refuge from the bitter cold of a rough season. The Hawks beat the Capitals 8-5, Jonathan Toews had a hat trick and Patrick Kane scored two goals. It all looked vaguely familiar, like the remains of a bachelor party. Remember when times were good like that? “For sure,’’ Toews said. “I know what (Kane) likes and how he likes to play and vice versa. I think we can complement each other well. I’ve seen that Kane has been playing with a ton of confidence, so for me, it was just to go out there and make his life easier and get him the puck and get to open areas.’’ In search of more scoring, Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton had decided to put Kane and Toews on the same line Sunday. It’s something Colliton’s predecessor, Joel Quenneville, used to do when a lightning bolt of obviousness told him, “Hey, my two best players are pretty good together!” And it worked Sunday. Already leading 1-0 on a beautiful effort by Brandon Saad, Kane took a pass from Toews and whipped a wrist shot past Caps goalie Braden Holtby in the first period. But then Hawks goalie Collin Delia gave up a goal that a Caution Wet Floor bathroom sign could have stopped. The thought crept in that this is what happens to bad teams and that doom was probably right around the corner. But in a stunning upset, the opposite happened. Lady Luck, who had stood up the Hawks all season, made an appearance. Washington defenseman Dmitry Orlov inadvertently knocked a puck out of the air and past his own goalie. Toews, who had been battling in front of the net, was credited with the goal. “After (today), nobody will be asking how that goal went in,’’ he said, smiling. It’s hard to watch Toews go through the misery of this season. He’s so associated with greatness, with those great Stanley Cup teams, that to see him mucking around in the slop of a bottom-dwelling club is tough. He has absorbed his fair share of criticism the past few seasons, but a lot of that criticism has been unfair. He isn’t the kind of player to make a bad team good. He doesn’t have that kind of supreme talent, never has. But he can make a good team great. That has always been his strength. 1127103 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford seems intent on return from concussion

By Jason Lieseremail

There’s no timeline for his return, but Corey Crawford is working toward rejoining the Blackhawks. Crawford was on the ice at the practice facility Saturday as he recovers from a concussion, and coach Jeremy Colliton reiterated this morning that the plan is to play him once he’s healthy. “We want to get him a full 100 percent, feeling great, and obviously he’ll play in that situation,” Colliton said before Sunday’s game against the Capitals. “But we’re not there yet. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” Crawford went down Dec. 16 when a collision at the net caused him to hit the back of his head on a goal post. He’s been on Injured Reserve since, and the Hawks have gone with Collin Delia and Cam Ward in his absence. The concussion was especially alarming because Crawford missed 47 games with one last season. It’s logical to wonder whether this injury would prompt him to retire — he’s 34, played 12 years and won two Stanley Cups — but the last two days were full of signals he’s not ready to concede his career. Colliton, whose NHL career ended at 26 because of concussion-related issues, has mostly been evasive when asked about Crawford over the past month and said he isn’t checking on him much. He did not see him skate or speak with him Saturday. When they have talked, their conversations have been positive. “Well, I don’t think he’s enjoying his current situation, but considering the circumstances he’s doing well,” Colliton said. He declined a question on whether the Hawks would bother bringing Crawford back from IR if they’re out of it at that point. They went into Sunday’s game with the fewest points in the league. Crawford’s return would create a roster complication that could force the team to carry three goaltenders, which is unconventional. Delia, a rookie, has been the team’s primary goalie and started against Washington. Ward has been a spot starter, as he was when Crawford was active. If Crawford comes back this season, the team wouldn’t want to send Delia to Rockford and has to deal with Ward’s no-movement clause. The Hawks can’t trade Ward without his consent and wouldn’t be able to let him go unless they agree to a buyout. They would likely need to keep three goalies on the active roster and make one of them a healthy scratch each game.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127104 Chicago Blackhawks

Saad shows flashes of his old self in Blackhawks' win

John Dietz Updated 1/20/2019 4:22 PM

It was a goal for the ages. Or, more accurately, a goal of ages past for Brandon Saad. Saad opened the scoring in Sunday's 8-5 Blackhawks victory over Washington with a bulldozing, you're-not-taking-the-puck-from-me rush that left mouths agape across the United Center. Saad's sensational individual effort began when he deftly avoided Tom Wilson in the neutral zone. Gathering speed, he split the defense of Madison Bowey and Lars Eller, then kept Bowey at bay with his left hand while controlling the puck with his right. With Bowey in his wake and nobody but goaltender Braden Holtby in front of him, Saad pulled the puck to his forehand, snapped it off and sent it sailing into the net at 6:36 of the first period. "WHAT AN EFFORT!" screamed NBC play-by-play man Mike "Doc" Emrick. Coach Jeremy Colliton concurred, saying: "He has that. He's done that a few times this year. He just kind of holds a guy off, puts a guy on his back and carries him in the net. So hopefully he can gain some confidence from that." The play was vintage Saad -- as in 2013, '14, '15 Saad. The Saad fans came to love and adore during two Stanley Cup title runs. That Saad has been missing over long stretches since he returned in a trade with Columbus, but he clearly still has the skill, speed, power and sniping ability to be a difference-maker more often. "Every shift. That'd be great," Colliton said. "But that's not the game. (We'd like to see him) do it more -- put yourself in that position more. Obviously we don't want him going 1-on-3 because that's not going to pay off over time. "But he does have the capability to create offense by himself. He's so strong and he's skilled and he's willing to take the puck to the net." Saad now has 15 goals on the season and 6 in his last 11 games. Jokiharju sits: Coach Jeremy Colliton elected to make rookie defenseman Henri Jokiharju a healthy scratch for the third time this season. Slater Koekkoek took Jokiharju's place, doling out 6 hits and blocking 2 shots in 16½ minutes. Colliton wants Jokiharju to develop properly and sitting him can be part of that process. "It's a tough league," Colliton said. "We want to prepare these guys the best they can to be great players. Not just this year, but next year and the year after and the year after that. "Part of that is getting the right base, so that's our focus right now." Slap shots: The Hawks scored a power-play goal for an eighth straight game Sunday when Patrick Kane connected at 3:45 of the third period. … Collin Delia allowed 5 goals on 39 shots but snapped his six-game losing streak. … Saturday's victory was the first time the Hawks won when allowing 5 or more goals since a 7-5 win at Arizona on Dec. 29, 2015. Andrew Desjardins scored twice. … Brent Seabrook had an assist, was a plus-2, had 4 shots on goal, 5 hits and 3 blocked shots in 17:28 of ice time vs. Washington.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127105 Chicago Blackhawks "That's what good teams do. You can't play a perfect 60, but when things start going against you, there's a stopper that comes through and makes a play for you." Toews scores hat trick, Kane adds 2 in Hawks' win Carlson scored twice for the defending-champion Capitals, who have lost five straight and fell to 27-16-5 overall. John Dietz Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 When they were just a couple of brash, confident kids breaking into the NHL, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane played together all the time. Combining Kane's speed and playmaking ability with Toews's defensive prowess and solid offensive skills created a lethal duo that opponents had a tough time dealing with on a nightly basis. As time went on, Joel Quenneville broke his stars up to balance things out, but when the time called for it, the coach never hesitated to put Kane and Toews back together. The move became known as the Nuclear Option, and new coach Jeremy Colliton found out just how explosive it can be during a wild, action- packed 8-5 victory Sunday over the Washington Capitals at the United Center. "The top line there," Colliton grinned, "they were pretty good." Toews registered the fifth hat trick of his career and added 2 assists, and Kane scored twice and also had 3 assists. On 4 of their 5 goals, it was Toews assisting Kane or Kane assisting Toews. "I know what he likes and how he likes to play," Toews said. "And vice versa. We can complement each other well." The Hawks' other goals came from Brandon Saad, Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome. Toews, who now has 21 goals, joined Kane and Alex Ovechkin as the only players to compile 12 straight 20-goal seasons. Kane 29 goals and is on pace for 48. The Hawks are 4-2-2 this season when Kane and Toews have started on a line together. "Obviously, Kaner's been playing with a ton of confidence, so for me it was just go out there and make his life easier and get him the puck and get to open areas," Toews said. "If we are together for a little bit longer this time around then we'll look to try and continue that." Toews' first goal, which gave the Hawks a 3-1 lead, came courtesy of the Capitals' Dmitry Orlov at 14:53 of the first period. As the two players battled in front of Braden Holtby, the puck popped up, and Orlov batted it over Holtby and into the net. "Definitely had a couple (in my career) that are questionable," said a smiling Toews. "Hang around the net and sometimes you chop away at it and that's what happened. … After tonight no one will be asking about how that goal went in." The most encouraging sign for the Hawks was they that didn't go into a funk after Washington cut the lead to 4-3 on a John Carlson goal at 3:09 of the third period and 6-5 on a Matt Niskanen tally at 13:55 of the third. Both times, the Hawks had a response. The first came when Kane jumped on the ice after Carlson's goal and immediately pushed the pace in the offensive zone. Seconds later, Niklas Backstrom was called for a hooking penalty, and Kane proceeded to score a power-play goal at 3:45. Toews' third goal was an absolute beauty and gave the Hawks a 7-5 lead at 14:57. Toews gathered the puck at center ice and -- as he entered the offensive zone -- actually passed it to himself by advancing it under a retreating Orlov's stick. After zipping past Orlov, Toews caught up to the puck and snapped a shot past backup goaltender Pheonix Copley. "It's tough to protect a one-goal lead when you got that much time on the clock," Toews said. "I think we did a good job of trying to turn it around and keep that momentum in the third period." The Hawks (17-24-9) still had their lapses and 2 of the goals Delia allowed came from bad angles, but overall Colliton was happy with how his team kept their focus. "We had someone (come) through for us," Colliton said. "Whether it was a big save or a big goal or just a play -- just start in 'D' zone and end in the offensive zone -- and we were able to get things back under control. 1127106 Chicago Blackhawks also. Entertaining game. Hopefully the fans got their money's worth, but they still get to get home at a decent time."

4. Save of the Year? Four takeaways: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews put on show as Blackhawks snap losing streak Collin Delia was solid for the Blackhawks. He gave up a few goals from low-danger areas that he certainly would've loved to have back, but he made up for that by making the big stops from high-danger areas and at By Charlie Roumeliotis key times. January 20, 2019 3:10 PM Most notably, Delia provided hockey fans with the potential Save of the Year candidate when he made an acrobatic stop on Wilson, which drew a standing ovation from the United Center crowd: Here are four takeaways from the Blackhawks' 8-5 win over the "Just trying to get something in front of the net, keep the puck out of the Washington Capitals at the United Center on Sunday: net at whatever cost," Delia said. "Just trying to fill space, quite honestly. I think it was a shot, guy wrapped it and I thought he was going to try to 1. Dueling five-point games by 19 and 88 tuck it, so I just made a desperation [save] and then I had to somehow get to my feet or get to my knees again to seal the bottom of the ice." When you play the defending Stanley Cup champions, your top guys need to play like it. And the Blackhawks' did just that. Reunited on the top line as the nuclear option, Patrick Kane and Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.21.2019 Jonathan Toews each registsered five-point outings, with Kane having two goals and three assists and Toews netting a hat trick and two assists. Toews also became the third active player to score at least 20 goals in his first 12 NHL seasons, joining Kane and Alex Ovechkin. "We can play together for a long time and might not always get games like that, obviously," Toews said. "I think today the chances that we did get we converted and he was doing a good job in his own end chipping pucks out and their D men really pressuring, so we got some odd-man rushes. Drake [Caggiula] did a great job of going to the net and creating space. The two of us, Drake and I, know that it's kind of our game to go play puck possession and try to give it to Kaner when he has time and space. It was nice to see a bunch go in for us." 2. A whacky first period We hope you didn't oversleep because there was a whole lot of action from the moment the puck dropped during NBC's Game of the Week. The Blackhawks and Capitals combined for four goals in the first period, three of which were credited to Chicago but one that received a major assist from Washington after Dmitri Orlov swatted the puck into his own net. There was even a disallowed goal in there with Chris Kunitz scoring from underneath the net when the moorings were off, but it was reviewed and waved off. The Blackhawks had three goals on five shots at one point for a shooting percentage of 60, and took a 3-1 lead into first intermission. The Capitals finished with one goal on 15 shots in the opening frame. "It was a fun game," Kane said. "Kind of like a playoff-type atmosphere, playoff-type game. It was back and forth, it seemed like no matter how big our lead, we couldn't make it big enough to feel comfortable. Overall I think it was a good win for us." 3. A crazier second period The first period was highly entertaining. But that was just a warm-up to what the second period offered. Because things got chippy. Kane and Ovechkin were seen jawing at each other near center ice, which led to an exchange shortly after. Kane whacked Ovechkin, who responded by shoving Kane's helmet off. It eventually led to a larger scrum at the end of the shift, with Connor Murphy and Ovechkin getting penalized for roughing. Less than one minute later, Tom Wilson laid a hit on Duncan Keith, which prompted longtime partner Brent Seabrook to come to his defense. That's when things went off the rails. Four penalties were assessed on the play, and each of them fell under a different category: roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct, hooking and slashing. At one point the Blackhawks had four skaters in the box before it was determined that Seabrook was not part of it. Everybody knows the real party is in the penalty box. pic.twitter.com/Blz9Fz1KE0 — Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) January 20, 2019 In total, seven penalties were assessed in the second period and six of them came within a 39-second span. It had an old-time hockey feel to it. "Yeah, there was a lot happening," coach Jeremy Colliton said. "But I think there was a lot happening the whole game, it just wasn't wasn't the second period. That third period pucks were going in the net like crazy 1127107 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks know development won’t be linear for Henri Jokiharju

By Charlie Roumeliotis January 20, 2019 9:45 AM

The Blackhawks couldn't have been more pleased with how Henri Jokiharju performed at the 2019 World Juniors. He was one of Finland's best and most reliable players, and played a crucial leadership role for his country that won gold. But he hasn't been as effective on the blue line as he was before he left. In four games since returning to the Blackhawks, Jokiharju has one assist, two shots on goal, a minus-3 rating and is averaging only 14:47 of ice time. He averaged exactly 20:00 minutes of ice time per game in his first 32 contests and was among the top Chicago skaters in 5-on-5 ice time. On Sunday against the Washington Capitals, he was a healthy scratch. "I think as a 19-year-old, we're pleased with his progression," coach Jeremy Colliton said. "It's not going to happen overnight where he becomes a dominant player at this level. There's going to be ups and downs, and that's part of the journey as a young player. You got to go through some adversity, and it's not going to be perfect and that's fine. It's up to us to give us to give him the feedback he needs to continue to improve and up to him to work as hard as he can." To be fair, Jokiharju hasn't exactly been put in the best positions to succeed as of late. In one of the games, he was moved to the left side as an experiment for the Blackhawks, who organizationally have a surplus of right-handed shot defensemen. In another, the team rolled with seven defensemen, which makes it difficult for any defender to get in a groove. The other part of the equation is that the Blackhawks are currently at seven defensemen, and have another on the way when Gustav Forsling returns from his upper-torso injury. Somebody needs to come out. Two guys, actually. The Blackhawks aren’t looking at this stretch for Jokiharju as a setback. They know player developments aren’t linear, especially with young defensemen. So they’ll be patient with him and make sure he’s growing into the player they all want him to become at his own pace, even if it means cutting back his ice time. "I'm not sure the way to go is to play them until they drown," Colliton said. "I think we try to give them what they can handle and sometimes maybe give them less than they can handle while giving them feedback, whether it's off-ice work or video work or extra practice time. That can be part of the picture. We could end up with a rotation on defense with some of the young guys we have. That wouldn't be a bad thing either. We have some young players. It's tough to play 82 games at this level against top competition night in and night out. It could be an option to lighten the load somewhat."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127108 Chicago Blackhawks happens is they sometimes feel like well I’m just going to dominate the game and I’m going to try to do everything by myself.

“I thought Henri, he played about half the game in all the games I Powers: Are the Blackhawks handling Henri Jokiharju’s development watched because he pretty much played every other shift, but he just properly? played like it was an NHL game. He didn’t try to go end to end. He just made the play that was there, confident. He was defensively aware. He made breakout plays. He made good plays at the offensive blue line. I By Scott Powers was most proud of the way he approached it. He approached it like a pro would approach it. It was like he was playing a game in the NHL, but he Jan 20, 2019 was playing in the World Juniors, and that’s why his game translated so well. For him, it was exactly what we hoped would happen.”

Since Jokiharju’s return, the Blackhawks have been implementing a new Whatever slim grasp of hope the Blackhawks had of making the playoffs plan for his development. In his first four games back, he played some on disappeared during their latest losing streak. the left side, which is his off side, and had his ice time cut. Two of those Before the Blackhawks’ 8-5 win over the Washington Capitals on games were among his three lowest ice-time totals of the season, and Sunday, they sat at the bottom of the NHL in points and points the two other games were among his top-nine lowest totals. percentage. Twenty-eight points separated them from the top of the Colliton said Saturday not to read too much into the numbers. Western Conference and 10 points from the final playoff spot. “I’m not sure the numbers exactly like how much it’s down,” Colliton said. More than ever, the Blackhawks’ season is now about two things: “But I think as a 19-year-old, we’re pleased with his progression. I think planning for the future and development. it’s not going to happen overnight where he becomes a dominant player We should get a better sense of GM Stan Bowman’s plan for the future at this level. There’s going to be ups and downs, and I think that’s part of over the next month as the Feb. 25 trade deadline approaches. It would the journey as a young player. You got to go through some adversity, be surprising if the Blackhawks weren’t actively trying to sell off some and it’s not going to be perfect and that’s fine. It’s up to us to give us to players in order to acquire prospects, draft picks and most importantly, give him the feedback he needs to continue to improve and up to him to cap and roster space. work as hard as he can.” With that in mind, let’s discuss development, which is occurring in Colliton hinted Saturday he could start rotating his more inexperienced Chicago and elsewhere. Away from Chicago, the Hawks need Adam defensemen, and he followed through with that the following day by Boqvist to live up to being an eighth-overall pick and become a healthy scratching Jokiharju (the second of his young career). Colliton difference-making defenseman sooner than later. The organization is explained his reasoning before the game. putting a lot of resources into ensuring that happens. The development of “I think he doesn’t need to play every game just like other guys don’t defenseman prospects Nicolas Beaudin and Ian Mitchell would be next need to play every game,” Colliton said. “Kind of touched on it yesterday, on their priority list. Dylan Sikura and a few others in Rockford follow we got some young players, 82-game season, it’s hard to keep that level them. night in and night out, so we may end up with a rotation. It’s not Development is also essential at the NHL level. With 12 roster players 24 necessarily performance specifically why they’re coming out, but we can years old or younger, the Blackhawks have to be hopeful some players get them extra off-ice training or video or maybe a little more practice can still take steps forward. They could certainly use more players work so we continue to develop them.” progressing like Alex DeBrincat has in his first two seasons. Colliton was asked whether he thought those other areas could be more That brings us to 19-year-old defenseman Henri Jokiharju. No current impactful than actual NHL game experience. Blackhawk’s development is more essential. He’s their youngest player. “I think it’s the total picture,” Colliton said. “Again, it’s a tough league, and He’s their only first-round pick since 2007 (Patrick Kane) on the roster. we want to prepare these guys as best we can to be great players and He’s their best shot at developing a drafted player into a top-4 not just this year but next year and the year after.” defenseman since Niklas Hjalmarsson, a 2005 draft pick. According to someone familiar with the decision, the Blackhawks have The Blackhawks need Jokiharju to get better and better and better for been concerned with Jokiharju getting burned out, and they plan on their near future — who knows when the other defenseman prospects minimizing that by not playing him in every game for the remainder of the will be ready — and for the long-term. They can’t ride Duncan Keith season. The source said Jokiharju does understand their intention. forever. If the Blackhawks are going to get back into the playoffs anytime soon, Jokiharju has to factor largely into that. Colliton also spoke Saturday about preferring to lighten Jokiharju’s load rather than putting too much on him. So far, Jokiharju has come along quicker than the Blackhawks could have hoped. He made significant strides last season and was one of the “Yeah, I’m not sure the way to go is to play them until they drowned,” best defensemen in the Western Hockey League. He carried that Colliton said. “I don’t think that’s the way to go. I think we try to give them confidence and play into training camp and stole a roster spot. Given that what they can handle and sometimes maybe give them less than they he was a late first-round pick, it was no given Jokiharju would come can handle while giving them feedback whether it’s off-ice work or video around so quickly. He’s the only player taken outside the top 25 in the work or extra practice time. That can be part of the picture.” 2017 draft to play 30-plus NHL games so far. One league executive thought the Blackhawks were taking the right How good was Jokiharju early in the season? Joel Quenneville likely approach with Jokiharju. knew he was coaching for his job, and he still had faith in Jokiharju to put him on the top pairing with Keith and play Jokiharju 20-plus minutes on “I am fine with it, it’s the (Steven) Stamkos program,” the league source most nights. Jokiharju and Keith thrived as a pairing and remain the said. “He needs to get stronger.” Blackhawks’ second-best pairing this season with a 53.32 Corsi percentage (min. 50 minutes), according to Corsica. The best pairing Jokiharju’s strength and willingness/ability to absorb physical play has happens to be Jokiharju and Erik Gustafsson with a 54.46 Corsi been an issue scouts have noticed this season. After a Winnipeg Jets percentage. game earlier this season, a scout said, “He looked shit-scared to me. He got hit early and wanted no part of the puck after that.” Under Jeremy Colliton, Jokiharju’s ice time and role has fluctuated. His play has been up and down. That’s not a surprise for a teenage Colliton said there hadn’t been any discussion of sending Jokiharju to the defenseman who has also been handed different partners and played Rockford IceHogs, even if it’s just for the upcoming bye week. various amounts. The Blackhawks have tried to best navigate him Confidence hasn’t been an issue for Jokiharju much of the season, and through all that. Their goal is to prepare him for the long haul, especially Colliton wasn’t worried sitting him would have a negative effect of as the playoffs became less likely. Jokiharju either. With that in mind, the Blackhawks decided to loan Jokiharju to Finland for “No, I think it’s up to us to give him feedback on where he is and what we the World Junior Championship. Jokiharju wasn’t exactly happy with that want out of him and why we’re doing it,” Colliton said. “I don’t see it being decision, but he came to terms with it, especially as Finland won the an issue.” gold. The Blackhawks were pleased too. And that’s fair. Jokiharju and the Blackhawks have to be on the same “What a confidence booster for Henri to go back,” Bowman said earlier page with this. He has to buy into how they’re selling him on his this month. “He played great, I thought. The hard thing to do as a player development. Because ultimately the Blackhawks need him to be further who has been in the NHL going back doesn’t happen a lot but the times it along a year from now. A year from now, they need him to be a permanent top-four defenseman to succeed.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127109 Colorado Avalanche

Why Carl Soderberg, Avalanche’s oldest member, is playing best hockey of NHL career

By KYLE FREDRICKSON PUBLISHED: January 20, 2019 at 3:49 pm UPDATED: January 20, 2019 at 4:02 PM

There is a reason 33-year-old Carl Soderberg is playing the best hockey of his NHL career. The Avalanche second-line center tipped the puck past Los Angelesw Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick in the first period Saturday. It opened the floodgates for a 7-1 victory and notched Soderberg’s 16th goal of the season, tying a career high set last year. Soderberg now has 34 more games to extend it starting Monday against the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center. Soderberg, the Avs’ oldest player, is a decade-plus ahead of teammates like defenseman Sam Girard (20) and winger Mikko Rantanen (22). You could never tell that watching Soderberg skate, since the calendar turned to January with seven points — five goals and two assists — over his past six outings. “I don’t have that many years left (in the NHL),” Soderberg said, “so I try to enjoy every game.” The Blues drafted Soderberg in 2004 in the second round, but he didn’t debut in the NHL until 2013 at age 27 with the Bruins. The Avs acquired Soderberg via trade three years later, and he amassed a career-high 51 points for Colorado in the 2015-16 season. But Soderberg’s signature moment arrived last week in Toronto when he recorded his first NHL hat trick. “All season he’s been producing, but especially the last handful of weeks,” winger Gabe Landeskog said. “He’s been one of our most consistent players and stepping up big when we need it.” Soderberg’s impact extends well beyond scoring. He sparked a second- period breakaway Saturday and made a lead pass to streaking defenseman Colin Wilson for the Avs’ seventh score of the afternoon. And, with a 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, Soderberg can be an intimidating presence on the ice. “His intensity has been awesome,” defenseman Tyson Barrie said. “He’s been skating well, and he’s been a big driving force for us the last little bit. We’ve got to kind of build off his energy. He’s been one of the guys who has been bringing it every night. That’s been awesome. Hopefully we can all rally, get everybody going and be a dangerous team.” Added coach Jared Bednar, on Soderberg: “He’s winning races, and he’s winning battles. So that allows him to play on the right side of the puck a lot.” The flip side to Soderberg’s recent surge is a humble media presence. Don’t expect the Sweden native to boast. He’ll admit these past two seasons in Colorado have been the best of his career, but it’s a single- game focus with the Avs fighting to remain in the playoff picture. “I think I’ve been playing pretty well lately,” Soderberg said. “I’ll just try to keep that up.” Injury update. Rantanen and defenseman Erik Johnson left the Kings game Saturday with injuries. Johnson suffered a concussion in the first period, Bednar told reporters Sunday, and is hopeful to return after the all-star break. Rantanen, who dealt with a minor lower-body injury in the third period, returned to practice Sunday and is expected to play against the Predators.

Denver Post: LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127110 Colorado Avalanche still building for the future, a team with some significant young assets on the way soon.

Maybe “very poor” is a bit strong, but Kevin Hayes is not going to turn the Why trading for Kevin Hayes seems like a bad idea – and almost Avs into a legit Stanley Cup threat this year. He had a huge senior certainly won’t happenAdrian Dater season at BC because he played on the same line as Johnny Gaudreau. He hasn’t been a true impact player in the NHL since. A nice player? Sure, at times. But not a guy you part with significant assets to get as a ByAdrian Dater short-term rental. Posted on January 20, 2019 Not at all. Plenty of Rangers fans I queried described him as too inconsistent, a bit too slow. You hear that a bit from scouts, too.

So, forget about those hot and heavy Kevin Hayes trade rumors. If, There is no question that the New York Rangers want to make some somehow, the Avs could sign him to an extension and if the Rangers deals before the Feb. 25 NHL trade deadline, and one of the teams they don’t expect a Makar or that Ottawa pick or even their own first-rounder have been heavily following of late is the Colorado Avalanche. They have for him, maybe there’s a chance a deal could happen. had two scouts following them everywhere lately – including Colorado Eagles games. But I doubt it. I know Avs fans want to win big right now. But this is still a process, folks. More help is on the way. Better to play the long game still, The Rangers are a mediocre-to-poor team with a big, bloated payroll, a I think. team that is on the hook to pay 36-year-old goalie Henrik Lundqvist $8.5 million for the next two seasons and free-agent disappointment Kevin OTHER STUFF Shattenkirk $6.65 million for the next two. They also are a team with a couple of forwards on expiring contracts who can be unrestricted free OK, the news from practice today: Erik Johnson in the concussion agents next year – Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello. protocol after taking that puck to the face yesterday. Almost certainly won’t play before the all-star break, but I think he’ll be back right after. Of the two, Hayes is the more attractive of the two as a potential Anton Lindholm and Dominic Toninato were recalled by the Avs today acquisition. He’s 26, while Zuccarello is 31. He’s a big center, while from the Eagles. Zuccarello is a small winger. What do the Avs, arguably, need the most right now in their drive to the playoffs? A No. 2 center. (I said “arguably”, About Conor Timmins: things are looking up. After the all-star break, we as Carl Soderberg has been a very good No. 2 of late). should see Timmins try to pass the final tests he needs to pass before he plays real hockey again for the first time since May. What are those But there is almost no chance the Avs will trade for Kevin Hayes by Feb. tests? Three things, really. 25, and here’s why: The Avs are simply not going to give away top prospects or top draft picks for any short-term help this season. If Kevin He needs to show he can play in front of a lot of noise from a big crowd. Hayes had three or four years left on his contract, at his current salary One of the recurring symptoms from concussions is sensitivity to noise. ($5.175 million), they might consider moving a nice pick and/or prospect Another is sensitivity to light. Can he play in front of a big crowd in a for him. bright arena? Avs might have to simulate that, but it can be done. But a guy who could get away for nothing as a UFA? No chance at all the Obviously, the other thing he needs to prove is that he can take a hit and Avs will give up anything they deem as a part of their future for a guy like not have immediate symptoms. That is a big one, and we just won’t know that. None. This is not the Avs of 1995-2005, folks. Those Avs teams until he takes real contact again. could afford to give away draft picks and prospects for short-term help. But everything is positive right now. He’s practicing on a daily basis and They have two Stanley Cup banners hanging from the rafters of the not having big symptoms. He has gotten the majority of his care from Dr. Pepsi Center because of that. Jeffrey Kutcher, a neurologist based in Michigan. He’s a leading expert in The Avs by this time next year should have the following three players on the treatment of concussions/brain injury in the nation. their roster: If those tests are passed after the break, I expect to see Timmins in a Cale Makar, who is having a phenomenal sophomore season with Colorado Eagles uniform no later than February. UMass-Amherst. That does it for today, but before I go, have you heard about our sale that Conor Timmins, who seems to have finally overcome his concussion ends tonight – and about our new Mikko Rantanen “Finnisher” t-shirt you symptoms and should start playing again soon (more on him later in this can get for half off as part of a subscription deal? piece) and Well, now you have. Hit that subscribe button up top. Get on the BSN A top-10 (and likely top 5, and maybe the No. 1) pick from this summer’s bandwagon. If you already are, tell a friend. NHL draft. Plus, they’ll have their own first-round pick. Plus, they almost certainly will go out and sign a nice free agent or two BSN DENVER LOADED: 01.21.2019 this summer, as they will have pretty good cap space. So, while Hayes’ name is popping up in published trade rumors involving the Avs right now – and I might have helped stoke the rumors with a couple tweets yesterday asking Rangers fans to assess him as a player – there is zero chance Hayes will become an Av by Feb. 25. Well, unless they could sign him to an extension after the trade. That’s the only way a trade for Hayes would make any sense. The Avs have liked Hayes before. They were one of the teams that really pursued him when he became a UFA in 2014 out of Boston College, when he became a UFA after being unable to come to agreement on a contract with the team that originally drafted in the first round, the Chicago Blackhawks. Hayes wound up choosing the Rangers. In 349 games as a Ranger, Hayes has scored 83 goals and 207 points. In 34 playoff games, he has two goals and 10 points. Does this sound like a guy the Avs should give up a lot to get in a trade? The offensive numbers certainly don’t suggest it. He’s considered a pretty good defensive center, but the Avs need a guy who can reliably score on that second line. His numbers this season look pretty good – 33 points in 39 games, a plus-6, pretty good puck-possession numbers. Have I mentioned he’s in a contract year? Kevin Hayes has proven himself to be a 40-50 point guy in the NHL, arguably a sufficient No. 2 C. That might make him an attractive guy to sign this summer as a free agent, but it makes him a very poor deadline-deal choice for an Avs team 1127111 Colorado Avalanche NOTES: Quick had a 2.15 goals-against mark against Colorado going into Saturday. … The contest was part of a doubleheader with the NBA’s Denver Nuggets playing at night. It’s the first Avalanche-Nuggets Avs tie franchise record with 6 goals in 2nd, rout Kings 7-1 doubleheader at Pepsi Center since April 8, 2006. … Colorado kicked off a five-game homestand that’s interrupted by the NHL All-Star Game and the team’s bye week. By PAT GRAHAM, January 20, 20197 LOADED: 01.21.2019

DENVER | The success on the ice quickly returned and so will Mikko Rantanen. Another score — along with a big exhale — for the struggling Colorado Avalanche. Rantanen scored two of Colorado’s franchise record-tying six second- period goals, Semyon Varlamov stopped 30 shots and the Avalanche routed the Los Angeles Kings 7-1 on Saturday. Rantanen was sidelined in the third period with a lower-body injury. He’s among the NHL’s scoring leaders with 73 points. “He’s all right,” captain Gabriel Landeskog confirmed. “It was a 7-0 game (when he left).” Colorado had six goals in a period for the first time since March 3, 1999, at Florida. In addition to Rantanen, Landeskog, Tyson Barrie, Sheldon Dries and Colin Wilson also scored during the decisive period. Dries’ short-handed goal made it 5-0 and chased goalie Jonathan Quick. Carl Soderberg got things rolling with a goal in the first period as Colorado returned home in fine fashion following a 1-4 trip. “We know how bad we’ve been lately, and that’s unacceptable for this group,” Barrie said. “We’re a team that has a lot of pride. We had a lot to prove tonight and I think we did that.” Varlamov was on top of his game and cruising toward a shutout before Ilya Kovalchuk ended the bid with a power-play goal in the final period. “He just looked steady and calm,” coach Jared Bednar said. It wasn’t all positive for the Avalanche with veteran defenseman Erik Johnson taking a puck off his jaw early in the first period. He went to the locker room for treatment and was later ruled out. Bednar had no update after the game. Everything was going Colorado’s way in the second, including a disallowed goal late when it was ruled that Los Angeles defenseman Derek Forbort kicked in the puck with his skate. The Avalanche had a short-handed goal in the second after Matt Calvert grabbed a loose puck and raced in on Quick, who deflected the puck into the air. Dries was trailing on the play and batted it in with his stick. Los Angeles challenged the call for goaltender interference as Calvert landed on top of Quick. But the call was upheld. Quick gave way to Jack Campbell. Campbell allowed goals to Rantanen and Wilson. It was the ninth time in Avalanche/Nordiques history the team has scored six goals in a period. “It was just a pathetic second period,” Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said. “I really don’t even know what to say. Yeah, they played well. We just played poor. We left our goalies out to dry again. We’re sick of doing that. When we win games, we leave them out to dry. When we lose games, we leave them out to dry. It’s about time we play for them.” Kings coach Willie Desjardins didn’t see this kind of performance coming. Well, maybe for the other side. “If there was anything, Colorado was due,” said Desjardins, whose team went 1-1-1 on their three-game trip. “They hadn’t been on top of their game and they were going to come hard. They got a shorty, power play, so kind of everything that could go wrong with our team went wrong tonight.” It was a productive afternoon for Barrie, Calvert and Nathan MacKinnon, who each had two assists. Colorado improved to 2-0-1 this season against the King and has outscored them 16-7. Despite their recent slump, the Avs remain in the thick of playoff contention. Bednar considers that “miraculously” fortunate. The Avs are 3-8-2 over their last 13 games. “We should be extremely fortunate,” Bednar said. “Count your blessings and roll up your sleeves and get to work and take advantage of it.” 1127112 Columbus Blue Jackets “I think it’s been a struggle of ours all year long,” he said. “The best pass in hockey is a rebound, getting it on goal. We wasted a great effort by Bob, and it’s mind-boggling what we do when we get near that net and how many pucks we shoot wide or over-handle.” Sergei Bobrovsky looks forward to downtime Tortorella singled out several players for their failed attempts in

Minnesota, including Anthony Duclair — who otherwise played a strong Brian Hedger game. “That Duclair, looks like a million bucks ... every shift, looks like a threat,” Tortorella said. “Get to the goal, shot wide, stickhandle in the corner. It’s Sergei Bobrovsky’s vacation began toward the end of his postgame just so aggravating. Duke’s just on my mind because I thought he played interview Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center. really well, but ... you look like a million bucks getting to the net and it just explodes. He has got to slow himself down and we might have something Following the Blue Jackets’ 2-1 loss against the Minnesota Wild, the two- there.” time Vezina Trophy winner gave an answer that made you wonder whether he was serious or just trolling his audience of reporters — Sun, fun and workouts standard fare for goalies. Bobrovsky isn’t the only goalie soaking in some sunshine this week. “I feel good,” he said, when asked whether he felt sharper than a week Korpisalo is headed off to a small resort town in Mexico. earlier in the Jackets’ 7-5 win against the New York Rangers. “I had that time to practice, to train a little bit off ice, on ice, so it sharpened my It won’t be all beach chairs, sunscreen and cocktails though. game. The puck is still the same, you know? It’s the same size, same “Not for the whole five days,” Koripisalo said, grinning. “Maybe a couple color. So, I felt pretty good.” days, but we’ve got to work out. Just keep your body going.” Indeed, the puck the Wild shot past him, twice, was still a small, black Prior to their departures for the week, players were given a sheet of disk. It was the answer of a guy who knew his next flight wasn’t back to suggested workouts to perform during the break, courtesy of Nelson Columbus. Ayotte, the team’s director of high performance. Instead, Bobrovsky headed off for the warm weather of Miami during the “He gave us a sheet of recommendations,” Korpisalo said. “It keeps your Blue Jackets’ mandated off week, which folds nicely this season — for body on top of it.” players, anyway — into the NHL’s All-Star festivities next weekend in San Jose, California. Between the back-to-back breaks, the Jackets will Back to school not have a full practice until next Sunday afternoon, and won’t play again until Jan. 29 against the Buffalo Sabres. Nick Foligno said his 5-year old daughter, Milana, returned to school Friday. She had surgery Dec. 31 in Boston for an issue related to a Until that first practice back, it’s up to each player to bide his downtime. congenital heart condition. Like Bobrovsky, most have already scrambled off to warmer climates. Unlike Bobrovsky, most don’t have as much reason to reset and recharge. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.21.2019 It’s been a tumultuous two-week span for Bobrovsky, who was pulled in two of his previous four starts, including Jan. 8 in Tampa, when his “emotional” reaction to being taken out led to him missing a game Jan. 10 against the Nashville Predators. If anybody on the Blue Jackets needs to get away for a little bit, it’s him. And he’s looking forward to it, too, just as he did a year ago. “I think it helps,” Bobrovsky said. “Personally, I think it helps a lot to have a break. It’s a long season. It’s a tough season. Tough (mentally), tough (physically). It’s good to have some time off in the middle of the season.” Last season, Bobrovsky struggled coming out of the week off, going 1-3- 1 in his first five starts. After that, he quickly returned to form and was fantastic in his final 21 starts — going 15-4-2 with a 2.24 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. He won seven in a row during the Jackets’ season-high 10-game winning streak and led the way down the stretch in a push that resulted in the franchise’s first playoff appearance in consecutive seasons. “That break is huge,” Bobrovsky said. “The games will be more intense, (tighter), so the interesting hockey is coming up.” This year, another interesting twist will be how coach John Tortorella handles the Jackets’ net in the final 35 games. Joonas Korpisalo is coming off an impressive run prior to the break, while Bobrovsky has alternated between struggling and thriving. “I don’t think about (that),” he said. “It’s not my job. I’ve got to prepare myself to do my best when I have a chance to play.” Missing the mark Tortorella went into the break confounded by the Blue Jackets’ struggles to hit the net. They missed the net 11 times and had seven blocked in a 4-1 loss Friday to the Montreal Canadiens, then missed 16 times and had 15 blocked against Minnesota. According to NHL.com, Columbus has missed the net 592 times on its 2,689 total attempts through the first 48 games (22 percent), with an additional 569 blocked (21.2 percent). For context, the New York Islanders — current leaders of the Metropolitan Division — have missed the net just 501 times on 2,496 shots (20.1 percent) but have had more attempts blocked (636, 25.5 percent). The Jackets’ overall numbers don’t seem abnormally high, but it’s still happening too much for Tortorella’s liking. 1127113 Columbus Blue Jackets

Nick Foligno values time off with family

Brian Hedger Posted Jan 20, 2019 at 7:50 PM Updated Jan 20, 2019 at 7:50 PM

As his teammates jetted off to various locales, eager for a week of fun in the sun, Nick Foligno couldn’t wait to get back to Columbus. The Blue Jackets’ captain has big plans of his own during the team’s mandated “bye” week, which began Sunday and runs through the NHL’s All-Star festivities next weekend in San Jose, California. “We’re staying at home,” Foligno said of his family, which includes his wife, Janelle, and their three kids. “My wife and I are going to sleep. We’re both coming down with (colds), so I’m going to sleep for a week straight here and just let the kids run themselves.” The fact he could even joke about that last part, the kids, is a big reason the Folignos can sleep soundly. Emotionally drained, it’s time for mom and dad to recharge now that Milana, 5, is on the mend after her second surgery for a congenital heart condition, performed Dec. 31 in Boston. “It’s been a roller-coaster year, on and off the ice, but you know what? That’s life,” Foligno said. “Things can always be worse. I’ve kept that motto for a long time now, where you’ve just got to keep going forward and realize how lucky you are.” In his case, the fortunes far outweigh the tough stuff. He’s the first to say it, too. “I’ve got three beautiful kids and a great family, and I’m lucky to do what I do on the ice here with this team — and leading this team,” Foligno said. “I’m not going to complain about what’s gone on around me.” The Blue Jackets feel the same. Aside from leading the charge within their locker room, where Foligno provides the emotional heartbeat, he’s also making a dent statistically. After spending the bulk of last season at center, filling a need at an unfamiliar position, his numbers have rebounded since returning to left wing. Despite missing five games for family obligations, including four for Milana’s surgery, Foligno has 12 goals, 10 assists and 22 points. He’s on pace for 22 goals, 18 assists and 40 points, which would surpass his numbers last season in all three categories. “I played center last year, quite a bit, and that’s just a whole different ballgame,” Foligno said. “But, just for me, I wasn’t happy with last year. So, you just have a little extra pep in your step, where you’re trying to make sure you’re contributing the way you know how.” The biggest difference from last season, aside from the position switch, is what happened in his personal life. Despite the unexpected stress, Foligno has managed to put together quite a season thus far — as both a hockey player and dad. “At the end of the day, this is the place where I get to (take) my mind off it,” he said of the Blue Jackets. “I’ve got a great group of guys to lead and I have an incredible wife at home that allows me to do that. I give her more credit than anyone. Also, I’ve got some pretty incredible kids. My daughter fought like hell so I could do my job, so it goes hand-in-hand. I’m a pretty lucky guy.” One who’s earned a midseason vacation right here at home.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127114 Columbus Blue Jackets The Blue Jackets went 1-for-4 on power plays, with Panarin’s goal the lone tally.

It was the second time in the past three games Columbus has scored a Wild 2, Blue Jackets 1: Five takeaways power-play goal and fourth time in six games since the Jackets went 11 straight without one. Brian Hedger They’re 5-of-19 in the past six games, which works out to a solid success rate of 26.3 percent.

4) ‘That Duclair ...’ ST. PAUL, Minn. — They missed the mark, figuratively and literally. The tantalizing raw ability of Anthony Duclair rubbed raw on Tortorella in After stringing together four straight wins, winning 12 of 16 games from this game, simply because it didn’t really lead anywhere except out of the the middle of December to the middle of last week, the Blue Jackets are offensive zone. heading into their “bye” week on a two-game skid. Dubois, who’d been scratched against Montreal on Friday, was all over Biggest reason? the puck in Minnesota. Allow coach John Tortorella to explain, while peering down at the final He gained the offensive zone with it, blowing past defenders. He stole it scoresheet after the Jackets’ 2-1 loss Saturday at the Minnesota Wild. off sticks in the Wild’s zone, poking it away and getting to it first. He tried to cut into the net, behind defenders who’d just been roasted with speed “We had 20 shots on net,” the irritated coach said, pointing down at the bursts. What he didn’t do with the puck was score any goals, which drove event summary page. “Thirty-one either blocked or wide. It is absolutely Tortorella nuts afterward. ridiculous.” “That Duclair,” Tortorella said. “Looks like a million bucks, every shift ... If you want to get technical, it can be broken down even more. Fifteen of looks like a threat. Get to the goal, shot wide. Stickhandle in the corner. those 31 attempts were blocked by the Wild before they even got to It’s just so frustrating.” goalie Devan Dubnyk – which the Wild should be commended for – but 16 missed the net entirely. Duclair played with an energy generated by his own frustrations, which included being scratched against the Canadiens. Asked if he had more And by the sound of his postgame press conference, Tortorella is entirely jump in his legs than usual, Duclair snapped a quick reply. fed up with it – calling his team’s off-kilter aim a season-long epidemic. “Yeah, I mean, I should,” he said. “I sat out (Friday) night, so I should What happened 24 hours earlier wasn’t exactly a balm either, after have jump.” Columbus missed the net 11 times and had seven blocked in a 4-1 loss Friday to the Montreal Canadiens. He just didn’t have enough finish. “I think it’s been a struggle of ours all year long,” Tortorella said. “It’s the 5) Fightin′ Folignos? best pass in hockey is a rebound, getting it on goal ... we at least have to get the puck to the net.” It almost happened. Well, sort of anyway. The Blue Jackets didn’t do it enough Saturday night, paid the price with a Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno and Wild forward Marcus Foligno – second straight loss and now head into a stretch of nine days between a.k.a. the younger brother – got a couple shoves in against each other in games with a bitter taste. the first period. Here are five takeaways from the Blue Jackets’ loss in Minnesota: It happened right between the benches in the neutral zone, when the Jackets’ Foligno went to break up a scrum and wound up nearly giving 1) ‘Bob’ bounced back his younger brother a facewash. Nick always speaks highly of Marcus each time he’s asked about his younger sibling and Saturday was no He allowed two quick goals near the end of the first period and that was exception at the Jackets’ optional morning skate. all it took for Sergei Bobrovsky to take the loss. That’s the down side. The upside is that Bobrovsky played his best overall game since coming “I’m not going to lie to anyone, I want to see my brother do well,” Nick out of the Christmas break. said. “I care about him, so I want to see him do well, but it’s always nice to stick it to him when we play ... it’d just be fun to maybe one day play He also began to erase the cloud that’s shrouded him since the Blue together.” Jackets suspended him – without calling it a suspension - Jan. 10 against Nashville, the aftermath of Bobrovsky’s actions during a 4-0 loss two days prior in Tampa. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.21.2019 He looked like himself again, especially in the two periods following goals by Jordan Greenway and Zach Parise late in the first. Bobrovsky stopped the next 21 shots – not allowing another shot to beat him. He went 15- for-15 in the second period and stopped all four he faced in the third, including a flurry during the Wild’s first shift. Bobrovsky now heads off to Miami to recharge, getting himself ready for the final 35 games of the regular season. Last year, he went 16-8-3 with a 2.41 goals-against average and .921 save percentage after the “bye” week, helping lead a playoff push. “That break is huge,” Bobrovsky said. ”(You put) the first half behind you and prepare yourself for the second part, for the most important part. The games will be more intense, (tighter), so the interesting hockey is coming up.” 2) Bread box The Blue Jackets had 10 guys miss the net, but Artemi Panarin wasn’t one of them. The high-octane Russian dynamo put both of his shot attempts on goal and sent one into the net with a great wrister from the left circle. Panarin capped a power play at 3:07 of the second period, pulling the Blue Jackets within 2-1, by firing the puck over goalie Devan Dubnyk’s shoulder. It ripped into the net about six inches inside the left post and just under the crossbar. The goal was Panarin’s 19th of the season and 53rd point, which leads the team in scoring. 3) Power play progressing 1127115 Dallas Stars

A mountain to climb awaits the Dallas Stars on the other side of the NHL All-Star break

Matthew DeFranks

Perhaps the Stars have discovered who they really are. After 49 games, Dallas enters its bye week and the All-Star break after one of its best wins of the season, a 4-2 win over Winnipeg on Saturday night. The Stars looked fast and aggressive against the Central Division's first-place team, a stark contrast to the lethargic efforts against bad teams that populated their four-game losing streak. That bodes well for the Stars, who have teetered on the edge of the Western Conference playoff picture for most of the season. They've looked elite at times, with among the league's best top lines and sturdy goaltending that has stolen games. Other times, the offense has been invisible and the possession lacking. That's the mountain the Stars face in a crowded Western Conference: finding the consistency needed to reach the postseason for the first time since 2015-16. "That's been our challenge all year," coach Jim Montgomery said. "That's been our biggest challenge." The Stars are 24-21-4 with 52 points, just one point inside the playoff picture. Last year after 49 games, Dallas was 28-17-4 with 60 points, three points clear of the ninth-place team. The Stars are in a similar spot as a year ago, which should remind them that one bad stretch can ruin a season spent in playoff position. This year's Stars were once decimated by injuries on the blue line and have played 12 defensemen. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin endured a slow start and a public bashing. The Stars weathered two four-game losing streaks in the last six weeks to remain in the hunt. But that lessens their cushion for later. "I think the thing that we can control is how hard we work and how smart we play," captain Jamie Benn said. "I think that's what we need to replicate every night, and remind ourselves that this league, it's tough, but if you come to play hard and give it your best, we can live with that." After Saturday's game, Benn said the Stars simplified their game as their offense sputtered against Philadelphia, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles. They got pucks in and out, and forechecked heavily to open up space for their speed to take hold. "We really didn't do anything special out there," Benn said. "We just put it in the corners and tried to hit guys and worked our butts off. When you do that, good things happen." Understanding who they are is a step in the right direction. They don't have the skill or the firepower to rely on talent alone. The Stars are the third-worst offense in the NHL at 2.57 goals per game, an offense in need of a boost before next month's trade deadline. They are an above-average defensive team that is allowing an NHL-third-best 2.61 goals per game, led by a dynamite goaltending duo. In December, after a loss to Colorado, Montgomery said he didn't know who the Stars were or what kind of team would show up. Last week, general manager Jim Nill said the Stars needed to figure out their identity. It seems like they have, but now they must do it across the next 33 games. "When we're not a good hockey team, our attention to detail is very poor," Montgomery said. "Unfortunately, we've seen that too much lately."

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127116 Detroit Red Wings

Why Detroit Red Wings scratched rookie Dennis Cholowski on 'homecoming'

Helene St. James,

Published 8:41 p.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Had the Detroit Red Wings been healthier, Dennis Cholowski would have been a healthy scratch sooner.

That was the message from coach Jeff Blashill after Cholowski sat out Sunday’s matinee against the Vancouver Canucks, a spectator at Rogers Arena as the Wings lost, 3-2.

“This isn’t a one-day decision,” Blashill said. “This has been coming for a while. Part of the learning process for any player is, at times, sitting. People talk about development and they think it’s playing, well, sometimes it’s sitting. Sometimes you have to learn both from a chance to take a breather and watch a game, but just as importantly to understand that you have to correct certain things.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler blocks a shot by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Dennis Cholowski in the first period Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019,

“His defensive game, he’s had way too many times where we’ve been digging it out of the net and he has to continue to learn and get better at those things.”

More on Wings: Dylan Larkin is 'going to be a superstar'

The Wings couldn't sit Cholowski earlier because of injuries. Veteran defenseman Mike Green returned to the lineup Jan. 11, and Danny DeKeyser on Tuesday.

It would have been a homecoming for Cholowski, who is from Langley, British Columbia. Fellow rookie defenseman Filip Hronek drew into the lineup in place of Cholowski. Hronek was on the ice when the Canucks scored their first and third goals.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127117 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings fizzle late - again - lose at Vancouver Canucks, 3-2

Helene St. James

Published 6:56 p.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Detroit Red Wings carried play through two periods, but couldn’t close out their opponent.

They blew a lead in the third period Sunday at Rogers Arena and lost another close game, falling 3-2 to the Vancouver Canucks.

It was a disappointing end after a dominating start. The Wings salted pucks at Jacob Markstrom but didn’t break him until halfway through, when Frans Nielsen contributed his eight goal of the season. Nielsen picked up his second point of the game when he set up Thomas Vanek’s 10th goal of the season. That was also Vanek’s second point of the game.

More: Anthony Mantha could score 20 goals. Why it matters

The good story the Wings had going was spoiled in the third period, as the Canucks scored twice. The Wings finished with a 37-31 edge in shots.

Pettersson nets another

The Wings had the better jump to start the game, carrying play through the first 10-12 minutes. A power play at the 3:23 mark had Dylan Larkin’s unit generate several good chances, numbering a slap shot by Anthony Mantha and a tip-in attempt from Vanek. There were five shots on Markstrom total during the stretch. The Canucks got the first goal, though, thanks to the hand-eye coordination of their rookie phenom, Elias Pettersson. Brock Boeser fired a shot from the right point that Pettersson deflected in the air, picking up his 23rd goal of the season.

Wings mailbag: What to expect at trade deadline

Mantha, Vanek heating up

The Wings had 11 shots on net after the first period, and 10 more before the midpoint of the second period. Pettersson turned the puck over in Detroit’s zone, and Larkin’s line turned that into a two scoring chances. They finally broke through at 8:34, when Nielsen one-timed Mantha’s pass from the right circle. That was the Wings’ 22nd shot on net. It was Mantha’s fourth point in five games. The Wings turned another Pettersson turnover into a lead, with Nielsen finding Danny DeKeyser, who fired a shot on net that Vanek tipped, at 14:24 of the second period. That was Vanek’s sixth point the last four games.

Vanek set up Mantha in the third period, but Mantha couldn’t get much on his shot.

Special teams

The Wings lost their previous game because they lost the special teams battle to Calgary. They went on their third power play at Vancouver soon after Bo Horvat tied the game at 7:27 of the third period. Unlike their first two power plays, where they created chances, this one saw them unable to get a shot on Markstrom. Not only that, but Bernier had to make a stop on Antoine Roussel as he came out of the penalty box and took possession of the puck. Roussel put the Canucks up, 3-2, at 13:13 after Nielsen failed to cover him.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127118 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings' Anthony Mantha could score 20 goals. Why it matters

Helene St. James

Published 7:00 a.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Since returning from injury, Anthony Mantha has scored three goals and spun himself a little point streak.

While their hopes of riding a second-half surge to the playoffs continue to flounder, it is encouraging for the future of the Detroit Red Wings that Mantha still could reach 20 goals this season. Hope at the start of the season was he’d reach 30, but a 15-game absence nursing a hand injury ate into that possibility.

Twenty, though? That’s still feasible. Mantha has a goal in two straight games headed into Sunday’s matinee at the Vancouver Canucks.

“When he skates and moves his feet, he is an absolute force,” coach Jeff Blashill said after Saturday’s practice. “There are very few guys that skate as well as him that are as big as him with the set of hands that he has.”

Mantha scored on a power play Friday at Calgary. The previous game, against Anaheim, Dylan Larkin helped set up Mantha’s goal that sparked a rally.

“He’s an explosive scorer,” Larkin said. “When he is hot, he is one of the hottest goal scorers I’ve seen.”

More: Detroit Red Wings' Dylan Larkin is 'going to be a superstar'

The Wings haven’t had a 30-goal scorer since Marian Hossa, Johan Franzen, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg all reached the marker in 2008-09. Mantha has 12 goals in 34 games, a .35 goals-per-game average that would total 29 in 82 games.

Perhaps most encouraging for the Wings is that after a slow in the first three weeks this season, Mantha, 24, has improved on a regular basis.

More: Detroit Red Wings mailbag: What to expect at trade deadline

“I think he’s been much more consistent from that home Dallas game on,” Blashill said. “He’s had moments where he’s been elite.

“The thing I talk to him about is, I don’t want him to be a good player, I want him to be an elite player. And I’m going to keep pushing hard on him so that he gets to that level. He has the ability. I think if you extrapolate the numbers out, he’d be close to 30 right now if he played a full 82 games. So he is on his way, and I still think there’s more.”

One thing that hasn’t changed about Mantha is the push to shoot the puck more, and he knows it.

“I still need to step it up and I need to shoot more,” Mantha said. “I need to be a threat of scoring more goals.”

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127119 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings lose to Vancouver Canucks, 3-2

Helene St. James,

Published 5:58 a.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019

Updated 6:41 p.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019

Detroit Red Wings (18-24-7, 43 points) at Vancouver Canucks (22-21-6, 50 points)

Second sighting: When the teams met Nov. 6 in Detroit, the Wings won 3-2 in a shootout and began a four-game winning streak. The Wings are looking to spark another winning streak today after self-destructing Friday at Calgary. The Wings have been playing well overall since New Year’s Eve, and have been finding ways to score the last three games, outscoring opponents 12-9 during the stretch.

Sizing up the opponent: The Canucks average 2.88 goals per game and allow an average of 3.08. Their power play clocks in at 17.2 percent and their penalty kill at 78.6 percent. Elias Petterson (knee) is probable to play after practicing Saturday. He leads the Canucks with 22 goals and 42 points. Jacob Markstrom is scheduled to start.

Winged wheel WATCH: Jonathan Bernier is scheduled to start. Filip Hronek is back in the lineup, and Dennis Cholowski is out. .. Everyone who played Friday is available, so lines are expected to feature Dylan Larkin with Tyler Bertuzzi and Gustav Nyquist, Frans Nielsen with Thomas Vanek and Anthony Mantha, and Luke Glendening with Andreas Athanasiou and Darren Helm. The fourth line is expected to be Jacob de la Rose (he did not practice Saturday) with Justin Abdelkader and Christoffer Ehn. … Forward Michael Rasmussen (hamstring) and defensemen Trevor Daley (foot) are out.

When: 4 p.m. today.

Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia.

TV: Fox Sports Detroit.

Radio: 97.1 FM.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127120 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings waste another third-period lead in 3-2 loss to Canucks

Ted Kulfan,

Published 6:51 p.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019

Updated 7:44 p.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019

The bye week, the All-Star weekend, that time away from the regular season schedule can’t get here quick enough for the Red Wings.

With just one more game remaining before a nine-day break between games, the Wings could use the time off.

They lost a third-period lead for the second consecutive game Sunday, letting Vancouver score twice as the Canucks rallied for a 3-2 victory.

Antoine Roussel scored a deflected goal at 13 minutes, 13 seconds of the third period, breaking a 2-2 tie, after Vancouver’s Bo Horvat tied the game at 7:27 off a scramble, as the Canucks erased a 2-1 deficit entering the final 20 minutes.

Thomas Vanek scored a goal (his 10th) and set up Frans Nielsen (Nielsen’s 8th), both in the second period, as the Wings took the lead.

But, just as Calgary game Friday, the Wings couldn’t close out the game.

Star rookie Elias Pettersson scored for Vancouver in the first period.

Goaltender Jonathan Bernier stopped 28 shots, but was victimized by those two third-period goals, as his hard-luck season continues.

With their second consecutive loss, the Wings (18-25-7) remained last in the Eastern Conference.

► Detroit's goals: Nielsen opened the Wings’ scoring at 8:34 of the second period, one-timing a pass from Anthony Mantha near the dot, as the Wings capitalized on a bad Vancouver change. Vanek put the Wings ahead 2-1, tapping a pass from Danny DeKeyser at the post.

► Second-line stars: The line of Vanek, Nielsen and Mantha accounted for both goals and were dangerous the entire game. The Wings had been searching for secondary scoring behind Dylan Larkin’s line, so this was a needed development.

► Remember me? Vanek starred with the Canucks last season — one of the eight teams he’s played with in his career — before being dealt to Columbus at the trade deadline. Vanek tied with Larkin for a team-high six shots on net, and had a plus-1 rating in 17:51 of ice time.

► Vancouver goals: Pettersson opened the scoring with a deflection in the first period, his rookie-leading 23rd goal. Horvat scored his 18th in the third period, tying the game off a faceoff scramble. Roussel broke the tie with his fifth goal, redirecting a shot from Jake Virtanen from the top of the slot.

► Rookie sensation: Pettersson returned to the lineup after missing the last five games with a knee sprain. In 15:36, Pettersson made an immediate impact with his deflection for a goal, and having a puck go off him and land on Horvat’s stick for the tying goal. Pettersson leads all NHL rookies with 23 goals, 21 assists and 44 points (in 39 games).

► Lineup switch: It was an unhappy homecoming for rookie defenseman Dennis Cholowski, who was a healthy scratch. The Vancouver native sat in favor of rookie Filip Hronek, who had two shots, and minus-1, in 14:45.

► Next: The Wings look to salvage one victory on this three-game western Canada trip Tuesday in Edmonton (9 p.m./NBCSN/97.1).

Detroit News LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127121 Detroit Red Wings Zadina knows Wings fans are eager to see him in Detroit. He saw the excitement and media coverage around him at the development camp in June at Little Caesars Arena.

‘Pretty tough so far': Filip Zadina learning but still long way from Red But as much as Zadina wanted to make the NHL right out of training Wings camp, he was realistic about his chances.

More: Niklas Kronwall plays it straight about rebuilding Red Wings, future

Ted Kulfan, The Wings don’t rush young players. Even now during an organizational Published 1:50 p.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019 rebuild, when that has been somewhat loosened – Dylan Larkin, Michael Rasmussen, Filip Hronek, Dennis Cholowski moved quickly, or didn’t Updated 6:19 p.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019 play in the AHL at all – a special talent like Zadina is going to be taught pro hockey.

“I’ve seen so many guys, they didn’t play in Detroit the first year after Grand Rapids – Filip Zadina’s education as a professional hockey player they were drafted,” said Zadina. “I was just trying my best (in camp) and continues. to get to the NHL but it didn’t happen. They sent me down here, so I Most often, those lessons come on the ice. Occasionally, though, they accepted it and I’m trying to play here and waiting for my chance.” occur off the ice, such as after Friday’s game in Rockford, Illinois. There was disappointment, for sure. The Grand Rapids Griffins played there, won, then returned to west “Everyone would be disappointed,” Zadina said. “Being drafted, now Michigan around 5:30 a.m. because of the snowstorm that hit the thinking about the NHL and they said, ‘No, you have to wait and play in Midwest. the AHL’. (But) it’s hockey and I knew it could happen. So I have to figure The lesson: Be ready for anything. This is the American Hockey League. out a way to get to the NHL as soon as possible.” And you’re going to have another game in hours. The Wings hoped Zadina would gain considerable confidence from “I got home around 6 a.m.,” said Zadina, in an empty Griffin’s locker room playing in the recent world junior tournament, a tournament he dominated after Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Milwaukee at Van Andel Arena. “I last year (seven goals in seven games). wanted to go straight to bed. I tried to fall asleep right away but I couldn’t. It didn’t happen. Zadina didn’t score, he had one point in five games (an I woke up around 11 (a.m.) – couldn’t sleep. assist) and was minus-3, in a forgettable two weeks for himself and his More: Red Wings’ Justin Abdelkader hopes to inspire kids with his book Czech Republic teammates.

“So I slept about five hours, and we played a tough game tonight. “It’s hockey – sometimes you’ll have an amazing tournament like I had last year and now … I was trying to score, trying compete for the team, “But it’s life in hockey. Sometimes it happens. Those kind of trips are part but I just couldn’t score,” said Zadina. “I had pretty good chances. I had a of hockey.” lot of chances. But I just couldn’t put the puck in the net.”

Life in the AHL isn’t always easy, and hasn’t been this season, as Next chapter Zadina, just 19, is learning. Simon didn’t watch much the tournament; life in the AHL demands you Filip Zadina on what he has to do to reach the Red Wings The Detroit are either preparing for a game that day, or one that’s one coming News shortly. But Simon felt it was good for Zadina to the close the chapter on his junior career – and fully concentrate on getting to the NHL. Zadina, the Red Wings’ first-round draft pick, No. 6 overall in 2018, didn’t register a point Saturday, the fourth consecutive game he’s gone “You’re not playing against men. You’re playing against good players for pointless since scoring twice (and adding an assist) in Belleville Jan. 11. sure – it’s the top players in that age division,” said Simon of the junior tournament. “I’ve played in that world junior a couple of years and it’s In 33 games, Zadina has 10 goals and 10 assists (20 points) with a team- phenomenal. But then you compare that to pro hockey and it’s different, worst minus-15 rating. it’s very different. “It’s pretty tough, so far, to play here,” said Zadina of his adjustment to “More structured here, the players are bigger, stronger, faster. This is pro hockey. “But it can make me a better player, so I have to learn down how people are feeding their families. It’s not a joke. It’s what these guys here.” do for a living. It’s not just a fun tournament to represent your country, He has so many things to learn. which is an honor, a great honor, and it’s a passionate tournament. But at the end of the day, this is someone’s livelihood. There’s a lot on the line To use his linemates, and not try to do it all himself. To play within the at this level.” system coach Ben Simon wants. To be accountable defensively. To be ready to play every game in a league where you can’t get away with stuff Simon acknowledges Zadina’s talent but knows he isn’t ready for the you were able to in junior hockey. NHL yet.

“He’s not ready for the NHL yet,” Simon said. “If he was ready, then he’d “Inconsistent,” Simon said. “He was phenomenal (in Belleville), and I be going up. But right now, he’s not ready. He has things to work on in thought maybe he thought that success would be sustainable by just his game, and he’ll put in the time and commitment in it to get better.” showing up and relying on his skill. He has to realize he has to be structured in his game and more disciplined in the system we’re playing.” Valuable lessons Whether Zadina gets a taste of the NHL this season remains to be seen. Zadina has heard that message often from Simon, the rest of the Griffins’ With another expansion draft looming in 2021, if Zadina plays nine NHL coaching staff, and from the Red Wings’ front office personnel who watch games or less this season he’ll be exempt from that draft. If he plays the Griffins. more than nine he burns a year of pro eligibility and the Wings would have to protect him in the expansion draft or potentially lose him to It is sinking in, and Zadina is understanding what they want from him. But Seattle. for a teenager taken high in the draft, with the hype and expectations from media and fans swirling around him, patience can be just as “I think I’m playing well, but it’s up to them, if they will give me a chance challenging as a typical game in the AHL. to try the NHL at some point,” Zadina said. “If not, I’ll try to play a little better. Skate, compete, shoot the puck, do whatever the coaching staff There are lessons to be learned, remember. wants.” “Keep the puck a little more and create a play,” said Zadina of one part of Simon loves Zadina’s work ethic and desire for accountability, and his game that needs attention. “It’s pretty tough to just go and dump the believes those characteristics will help him in his climb to the NHL. puck and get the puck back sometimes. You have to keep it and create chances and then you can do anything on the ice.

“But if you’re chasing the puck, it’s probably not the way we want to play.” “Filip cares; he’s willing to put in the time to learn,” Simon said. “There’s no issue there. Every day he comes to the rink to get better. He puts the onus on himself to improve on a daily basis.

“Because of that, he’ll be successful. It’s just a matter of time to find some consistency and making sure the confidence doesn’t get too low or high, and if there’s an opportunity to take the next step, that he’s ready to slide up there and stay up there.

“The lows, right now, aren’t as low, and the consistency is a little more level. But there are things we have to continue to harp on. I have to keep reminding people he’s 19.”

Detroit News LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127122 Edmonton Oilers They were outshot 19-10 and lost 15 of 22 face-offs. Hitchcock did not say he could have played like his counterpart, Rod Brind’Amour, mind you, who fired a shot at his team after a crappy loss to Ottawa Friday. Oilers’ dreadful start does them in against Carolina Hurricanes Brind’Amour has been retired for eight years.

MASSAGE TIME?

Jim Matheson, Kassian spilled Edmonton product Jordin Martinook into the Oilers bench early in the second.

Then, for good message, worked him over, shoving the Carolina forward Yeah, there was big, bright full moon outside Rogers Place Sunday night. down three times as he tried to get back to his feet beside Milan Lucic.

How else you explain the Carolina Hurricanes scoring the first three It made for good theatre and it showed Kassian was seriously ticked, but goals in the opening 11 minutes on Edmonton Oilers starter Cam Talbot, unless the rules of engagement have changed, you’re not allowed to then the first three in the second on reliever Mikko Koskinen? keep a player inside your bench trying to keep his feet away from skate blades. But the Oilers were still seriously hanging on at game’s end after turning a 6-1 hole into a 7-4 loss against a shaky ‘Canes goalie Petr Mrazek, Martinook got some payback late in the second, finishing off a rush to getting close enough to pull Koskinen for an extra skater. make it 6-1.

In the end, not showing up for the first 40 minutes was too much as the This ’n’ that: Draisaitl’s first goal late in the second was No. 100, but Oilers, who have only won five times in their last 16 games, had a when you’re down 6-1, there were no high fives … Ty Rattie, who half a desultory result — much like the one in Todd McLellan’s last game as cup of coffee with Carolina two years ago, was a healthy scratch, as was Oilers head coach. Ryan Spooner. Both for the third straight game … Defenceman Alex Petrovic (concussion) missed his sixth in a row, and when he comes off The last time they looked this inept and inert for large stretches before injured reserve, a defenceman will likely be going to Bakersfield, because their home crowd, they fell 6-3 to Vegas and general manager Peter they’ll have 24 healthy bodies, one over the max allowed … The Chiarelli went home, couldn’t sleep and decided in the morning he was Hurricanes didn’t have one of the better unrestricted free agents firing McLellan – if Ken Hitchcock would take over. available, Micheal Ferland, who was injured last game against Ottawa. He did, of course, because this has always been his dream job.

That was two months ago. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.21.2019 Now, you have to wonder if the Oilers president Bob Nicholson goes home Sunday, has the same fitful night and decides in the morning to fire his GM, who got a respite from the losing for awhile under the third- winningest coach of all time Hitchcock.

The new messenger had his team on the right course with an 8-2-1 run at one stretch. But the honeymoon period ended and they’ve fallen farther behind in the scuffle for a wildcard spot.

This is Chiarelli’s team and it isn’t good enough.

Nino Niederreiter, acquired a few days ago from Minnesota for Victor Rask, had two goals for Carolina, as did Lucas Wallmark, including an empty netter. Brock McGinn, Andrei Svechnikov and Jordin Martinook got the others for the Hurricanes, who had lost 6-2 to the Rangers and 4- 1 to Ottawa before this one.

Leon Draisaitl had two for the Oilers, with Zack Kassian, who showed more emotion than many of his teammates, and Brandon Manning getting the others.

SUING FOR NON-SUPPORT

Niederreiter beat Talbot with the game’s first shot 28 seconds in, when he was allowed to sashay into the high slot with the Oilers defence completely backing in on their goalie. When Talbot stopped a 55-footer from Aho a few seconds later, he got a Bronx cheer from a section of the fans, proving it’s a what-have-you-done-for-us lately crowd.

Two years ago, when Oilers had 103 points, Talbot was probably the second most popular player in town, after McDavid and his No. 97 jersey.

MATH IN ACTION

The whole building rose to cheer the Oilers first shot of the game, nine and a half minutes in by Matt Benning after Carolina already took the first 11 on Talbot.

And when Niederreiter got his second goal of the night stealing the puck off Adam Larsson and shovelling it under the Oilers goalie, Hitchcock gave him the mercy hook for Koskinen with the shots 15-3. Talbot never broke stride when he got to the bench, walking down the runway to cool off in private before returning with a ball cap.

HOW ‘BOUT A REFUND?

It was a dreadful start with Niederreiter’s two and another by Andrei Svechnikov.

If Talbot hadn’t made three fine stops in the blue-paint, Carolina might have had six goals. 1127123 Edmonton Oilers Saturday night’s loss by the Oilers resulted in the other turtles gaining ground. All five other teams that went into the weekend within two points of each other for the final three playoff spots in the West — Vancouver, JONES: Chiarelli or no Chiarelli? That is the question for the Edmonton Anaheim, Colorado, Minnesota and Dallas — all won. Oilers Sunday, Vancouver came back to beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 but Anaheim lost 3-0 to the New York Islanders before the Oilers took the ice. Terry Jones Still, with the lack of luck on the out-of-town scoreboard, all the Edmonton turtle had to do was have a bounce back game against the Hurricanes and get a win of their own. It was the kind of putrid performance, the kind of ghastly game and the kind of empty effort that results in people being fired and players being If they’d done that, this is how it looks at the end of the weekend: traded the next morning. Colorado 52, Dallas 52, Vancouver 52, Minnesota 51, Anaheim 51 and Edmonton 51. Paging Peter Chiarelli: Kindly pick up a green courtesy telephone in the concourse for an important message. Instead, they remain with 49 and in danger of dropping out of the Great Race to Save Face. The idea for the Edmonton Oilers was to climb back up off the ice from a 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames the night before and get back in the Great Suddenly, Edmonton is 3-3 on the seven-game stretch that was Turtle Race of 2018. supposed to slingshot them into the scramble with Detroit up on Tuesday, and it’s your move Daryl Katz and Bob Nicholson. Instead, the Oilers fell flat on their face. Is today the day they give Chiarelli a cigarette and a blindfold? The Oilers were so pathetic, so miserable, so deplorable to start the game they might as well have stayed in the dressing room to watch the I don’t think they have much choice. He’s a lame duck general manager finish of the NFL overtime playoff game between the New England nobody trusts to make his next move. And after that performance, there Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. are moves that must be made.

How many goals has Cam Talbot and this team given up on the first shot in the first minute? Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.21.2019 This time, it took 27 seconds.

Six minutes and 35 seconds in, and the shots on goal had reached 8-0 and the scoreboard read 2-0 for the Carolina Hurricanes

At 11:02, Nino Neiderreiter scored his second goal of the game to make it 3-0 with the shots at 15-3, the fans booing and Talbot on his way to the bench to be replaced by Mikko Koskinen.

The six-foot-seven goaltender made a save that led to Connor McDavid setting up Brandon Manning for a goal to make it 3-1 just before the end of the period, but the Oilers came out with nothing again in the second period, gave up a couple of more and only managed five shots in the first 10 minutes with the score quickly reaching 5-1.

It was 6-2 by the end of the second period.

It ended up 7-4 after Draisaitl scored to earn his 100th point to bring Edmonton within two, only to have Carolina put it away with an empty netter.

At that point, you had to wonder if Charelli, who has clearly lost the confidence of the customers and most of the media, had become a dead general manager walking with the convenient timing of a 10-day break in the schedule after Tuesday’s final game prior to the All-Star Game.

And with the number of no shows combined with the number of passengers the night before in the 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames, you have to wonder who might be having a change of address in the next 48 hours.

Something has to happen. You don’t just play a game like that in a situation like that and have a result like that and sweep it under the Zamboni.

“You just deal with the next day,” he said, reminding everybody it’s the seven-game segment prior to the All-Star Game — six at home and all but the Flames game against teams not currently in possession of a playoff position, which was what this stretch was all about.

“Our record is 3-2 in these seven games. We have two games left. We can have a winning record and put ourselves in a good spot with a winning record and put ourselves in a good spot when we come back from the break. Today is over. It was a tough loss, an emotional loss, but we’ll move forward.”

Climb up off the ice and get back in the Great Turtle Race.

That’s what the Oilers had to do against a Hurricanes team that came to the game with the same 49-points in the Eastern Conference standings, but were nine points out of a playoff position, as opposed to the two- points back the Oilers were when they got up in the morning in the Turtle Derby in the West. 1127124 Edmonton Oilers

Hard lessons are a way of life for young Oilers

Robert Tychkowski

Many people believe that youth is wasted on the young. Just as many people believe that ice time is wasted on them, as well.

But Oilers coach Ken Hitchcock is standing by his philosophy of having Edmonton’s youngest players learn under live fire in the NHL.

It can result in some hard nights, like when 21-year-old defenceman Caleb Jones turned the puck over for Calgary’s fourth goal on Saturday, the back-breaking marker in a 5-2 loss. But that’s how you learn.

“When you’re teaching younger players, no matter what you tell them, they have to go through the walls,” said Hitchcock. “He’s learning those lessons. He’s having to go through those walls. He’s going to be a better player because of it.

“The easy thing with younger players like that would be to sit them out and not play them. We prefer to go the other way. We’re going to hammer through the same way we did with Jesse (Puljujarvi). We see the end game with these good players and we want to help them get there.”

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127125 Edmonton Oilers Does that mean it’s open season on McDavid and he just has to accept it?

Not quite. When the threat of nuclear weapons is no longer a deterrent, Edmonton Oilers impressed with McDavid’s blood-stained response sometimes you just have to launch, and when the situation truly calls for it, Hitchcock says the Oilers will.

Robert Tychkowski “It’s also on us to make sure that he’s protected. If we feel there’s an absolute attempt to injure, we have to take matters into our own hands. We can’t expect the league to cover that part. That’s on his teammates and that’s on the coaching staff. There’s a trigger mechanism that’s in It was with equal parts admiration and frustration that the Edmonton place to recognize that. Oilers watched their blood-stained captain fight his way through the Battle of Alberta Saturday. “But hard play is hard play. It was hard play Saturday on both sides on top players and, quite frankly, both top players answered the bell.” They loved seeing the best player in the world prove his mettle when the game turned a little greasy, refusing to turn away or back down from True. After the Hathaway incident, the Oilers responded by making life anything the Calgary Flames threw at him. hard on Calgary’s best players, like when Milan Lucic buried a cross check into Johnny Gaudreau’s side in the third period. On the other hand, Connor McDavid is the biggest star in hockey and they hate seeing him cut up, roughed up and abused like he was stuck in “We got our licks in,” said Hitchcock. “Their top player, we got our licks in some kind of garage league, as Mario Lemieux once described the NHL. there, too. And he fought through, also. Both players know what was at stake and they both fought hard. But I really like what Connor tried to “His battle level is second to none,” said Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot. drag out of our hockey club, it was very impressive.” “He’s bloodied, face pushed into the ground, gets right back up and still tries to make plays out there. He’s not one who’s going to shy away from that stuff. That’s the kind of leader he is. He’s never going to be the one to complain.” Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.21.2019

It has become standard operating procedure for opponents to go well over the line in playing against McDavid because: A) It’s effective. B) The NHL isn’t as concerned about letting star players shine as the NBA and NFL are, so it lets most of it go.

The result is a frustrating nightly struggle between a superstar who’s better than everyone else and opponents who realize the best way to slow him down is with the same blueprint they used on Lemieux.

“The way that he battles through it is great,” said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. “He doesn’t let them get in his head, either, that’s the big thing. He just keeps playing his game.

“When you’re a player like Connor, you’re going to draw a lot of attention to yourself, obviously. He fights through it a lot and also does push back when he needs to.”

Though a lot of people have been complaining on his behalf, McDavid hasn’t said one word about the treatment on Saturday. It’s his policy to never speak about officiating and he’s sticking to it.

“I’m not going to talk about the referees,” he said before Sunday’s game with Carolina. “They’re human and they’re going to call what they see. That’s all there is to it.”

But the policy isn’t exactly working, is it?

At some point, does he need to go Full Mario on this thing and call out the NHL? McDavid’s voice carries a lot of weight, and there’s nothing the league hates more than being embarrassed in the U.S., so would a well- place rant on ESPN spark change?

We might never know.

“There’s times on the ice where it would be appropriate to go up and talk about a certain play and see what he saw and share what you think,” said McDavid.

“Some refs are willing to listen to that and some aren’t. It’s good to have that conversation, but it doesn’t need to be done in the media.”

Head coach Ken Hitchcock, who complained loudly earlier in the season after a particularly ridiculous game in Vancouver, says he doesn’t have a problem with what happened against Calgary, for the most part.

The sequence when two referees watched Garnet Hathaway grind a stick over McDavid’s face, cutting him above the eye, and didn’t make a call was a bit much, but otherwise it was what he expected from these two teams

“We had both officials talk to us yesterday and say they missed a call on him,” said Hitchcock. “It was good on them. It was very professional.

“But I loved his game. I love the way he competed. He gave it to people, he got it. He fought through things. I really like the way he played. I like the fact he played through a lot of tough stuff.” 1127126 Edmonton Oilers Use some as trade bait or sweeteners at the deadline.

Recall one or more at the deadline if a selloff occurs in Edmonton.

If the Oilers are sellers at the deadline, expect a Condo of Condors Among forwards, Marody would appear to be the most likely man heading north recalled. It’s possible he’ll be an option to replace Kailer Yamamoto if he struggles to find the offensive range in the NHL. If Hitchcock views Marody as a winger, that might be the next step. Gambardella’s possible By Allan Mitchell NHL role would seem to be as a fourth-line winger and penalty killer. If Edmonton offloads Tobias Rieder, Gambardella might get some of Jan 20, 2019 Rieder’s playing time if he can prove himself in the role.

Benson is the most compelling in the group, but a recall isn’t guaranteed. He spent so much of his junior career injured it’s likely Edmonton A year ago, I examined the Oilers farm team and its entry-level contracts, management wants to see him play a lot in all kinds of situations. If he while comparing the Bakersfield Condors to the Calgary Flames feeder does see a recall, I suspect Benson might get a push, meaning he could club. I was looking for players who were NHL-ready, or at least close to spend time with one of Edmonton’s stunning NHL centres. the window of opportunity for NHL games. My conclusion? Depth and balance were required, and Edmonton was a long way from either. Hebig is a wild card. He’s a righty with a good shot, and he can score Twelve months later, there are encouraging signs, and for Oilers fans, goals in the AHL. It’s a very specific skill and one the Oilers don’t have in that could mean Condors flying north in the coming weeks (should the abundance. A recall after a trade might see him get some of Ty Rattie’s team decide to sell at the deadline). minutes.

Last January, the AHL forwards under the Oilers umbrella (I’m looking at The coming days entry deals) didn’t offer much in the way of promise. History teaches us that fans should not expect future NHL 40-goal scorers from the AHL Based on every action shown by the organization at this time, the team is population, but rather effective two-way types who can chip in enough a buyer. The standings will dictate a course of action, and we might see offensively to remain in the big league lineup. A year ago, things looked movement as buyers or sellers come late February. Edmonton has real like this for Condors forwards: quality in the minors and is approaching those two words mentioned as vital one year ago (depth and balance). We don’t know what the long- This is a short list of entry deals and doesn’t offer much in the way of term future holds, but the short term might involve some auditions for offence. In the months that followed, Russell and Gambardella played first-time NHL players. The quality is higher than one year ago. well enough to end their seasons in Bakersfield on a high note. Both men have played in the NHL this (2018-19) season, moving up the depth chart and getting a first NHL look. This year, the pool of available players is The Athletic LOADED: 01.21.2019 much stronger.

Marked improvement year over year. The group at the top (Marody, Gambardella, Benson, Hebig) has at least some claim to being on a possible recall list.

Marody was in the NHL when Ken Hitchcock took over (played two games, 4:59 and 3:19, under the new coach before being sent to Bakersfield). A guess about his handling would be that Hitch doesn’t see him as a centre (took 18 faceoffs under Todd McLellan in the Nov. 18 game against Vegas, just four total in the two games Nov. 20 and 23). We might see him recalled as a right winger in the coming days. Gambardella saw his first four NHL games New Year’s Eve through Jan. 10.

Benson and Hebig are spending their first pro seasons in Bakersfield and have shown well. Benson ranks No. 5 among rookies in AHL points, while Hebig is in the top-20 rookie goal-scorers so far in 2018-19.

The Condors defence a year ago (entry-level deals) was more promising than the forward group. Several positives came after the January look, with Ethan Bear (18, 1-3-4 -11) getting NHL time in 2017-18 and Caleb Jones getting the call this year (16, 1-5-6 -9). Here’s a look at the defence one year ago:

Bear and Jones have seen the NHL, Mantha (who looked strong before the injury) is in professional hockey limbo trying to recover from an eye injury. With two first-year pro players already seeing some NHL action, the defence as a group looks to be one year ahead of the forwards.

All three defencemen have established themselves as AHL regulars in their time in Bakersfield. Lagesson, who played in the SHL last season, has impressed with his speed and defensive acumen, as well as chipping in more than expected offensively. Bear had some injury issues early in the season but has settled in (six assists in his last 10 games) as a puck- moving defender.

Additionally, there are three goalies in Bakersfield who are prospects and finding their way in pro hockey. Shane Starrett (18, 2.63 .906) won the starting job and has been playing well. He spent most of last season in Wichita and is 24. Stuart Skinner (3, 2.69 .884) and Dylan Wells (9, 3,01 .902) are having some success in the early days of their entry deals.

Options

This is a much stronger prospect group than one year ago. Three goalies, three defencemen and seven forwards in entry deals, most of them showing enough skill to be considered bonafide. There are two options for the Oilers organization when it comes to this group: 1127127 Florida Panthers

Preview: Sharks at Panthers, 7 p.m., Monday

Wells Dusenbury

Sharks at Panthers

When/where: 7 p.m./BB&T Center, Sunrise

TV: Fox Sports Florida; Radio: 560-AM; 640-AM (Palm Beach)

Scouting report: The Panthers have won two straight games after losing seven in a row to start 2019. ... Florida is coming off a 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Saturday. … Monday’s game versus the Sharks will be the team’s last game before the NHL All-Star break. … The Panthers (19-20-8) are 12 points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. … The Sharks (28-15-7) are coming off a 6-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. … Brent Burns leads San Jose with 52 points (nine goals, 43 assists), while Logan Couture (17 goals, 26 assists) and Erik Karlsson (three goals, 40 assist) each have 43 points.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127128 Florida Panthers “It felt like I played 40,” he said, adding that his ankle feels good although the rest of his body felt the stress of not “playing in a little over two months. It’ll take a little bit of adjusting, but the adrenaline took over.”

Panthers finally end losing streak, look to enter All-Star break on a high Trocheck has had an obvious impact on the Panthers this weekend and gave Boughner some additional flexibility in his lines.

By George Richards Boughner put Trocheck back centering the second line and slid his other centers down. Henrik Borgstrom is now on three, Jared McCann on the Jan 20, 2019 fourth and Juho Lammikko back in the minors.

In his two games back, Trocheck assisted on what became the game- winning goal over Toronto on Friday to earn the top star of the game. SUNRISE, Fla. — Three weeks into January, most folks have stopped wishing one another a Happy New Year. Saturday, he fed Ekblad for the opening goal in Nashville then drove in to score on a breakaway to make it 3-0 early in the second. It was For the Panthers, this has not been a month of celebration. Trocheck’s first goal since October. Until Friday night. “We were all excited to see him back. You could feel it in the room,” said After opening 2019 with seven consecutive losses, the Panthers finally Jonathan Huberdeau, who knows what Trocheck went through, as he cranked up the music to commemorate their first victory of the new year came back from a serious injury two seasons ago. “It has shown on the as a 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs at BB&T Center lifted the constant fog ice.” of losing. Panthers center Vincent Trocheck scores past Predators goaltender Then came Saturday. Juuse Saros during the second period of Florida’s win Saturday night in Nashville. (Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today) “It’s all systems go for us right now,” Aaron Ekblad said after Florida traveled to Nashville and beat the Predators 4-2 for its second Strong in net consecutive win. “You can feel the fun in this room.” Reimer was as good as he has been all season Saturday as he turned Coach Bob Boughner brought his team home from a winless five-game away all 20 shots he faced in the second period and ended up with 37 road trip and talked about simplifying things. A better forecheck, fewer saves total in the win at Nashville. mistakes deep in their own zone. “He saved the game for us,” Trocheck said. In these past two games, the Panthers have looked like a different team. The Preds scored two quick goals in the third period to make it a game, “You get tired of losing,” Boughner said. but Reimer made nine saves in the final period to help Florida get a nice road win on a back-to-back. With the 10-day All-Star break coming up, Boughner looked at those last three games as a chance to be at their best. “For me, it was his best game of the year, easily,” Boughner said. “I thought that he was seeing the puck, he was moving, he was aggressive, Florida has already beaten two playoff teams in Toronto and Nashville, he was at the top of his crease and his rebound control was good. and with the Sharks visiting Sunrise on Monday, the Panthers now have an opportunity to enter the hiatus on a little roll. “I thought he really fought hard for everything and looked good in there.”

“We want to go into the break on a high, feel good about ourselves a little Luongo also gave the Panthers a big game Friday night, making 20 bit with a couple of wins,” Boughner said. saves in the 3-1 win over the Leafs.

Getting Vincent Trocheck back in the lineup has been an obvious boost. Toronto scored on its first shot Friday but didn’t get another one through.

The strong play of goalies Roberto Luongo and James Reimer has been Juho sent down, will return welcome, as well. Without their two netminders playing as well as they Lammikko is expected to be back with the Panthers after their upcoming did, the losing streak might still be going. break, although the decision has yet to be made on exactly when that will Despite the victories, the Panthers remain 12 points back of a playoff be. spot with 35 games remaining. Boughner said he likes the lineup as it stands right now, and Lammikko They won 25 of their final 35 games last year to reach 96 points and get will get a chance at plenty of ice time in Springfield. back in the playoff conversation — before narrowly missing out. “We told him that he has done everything we have asked, and he has They’ll probably need to do even more this year if they want to make it. gained my trust,” Boughner said. “He’s a guy we can depend on with the penalty kill (and) in the last minute of a game. He’s going down there To reach the 96-point mark, they’ll need to get 50 of the final 70 potential because we have a break coming up and we want to make sure he gets points down the stretch. some playing time right now.

That’s a lot of points. But they got 52 of the final 70 last year. “This is not a demotion. We needed to activate Trocheck, and they have four games coming up in Springfield.” “Things haven’t been going our way,” Colton Sceviour said, “and we just needed a win to get us going. We beat a really good team, and that Elsewhere, defenseman Josh Brown was called up — with MacKenzie builds confidence. We’re playing a strong team game right now, rolling Weegar out with a concussion — and made his NHL debut Friday night. four lines.” Florida kept him in the lineup Saturday.

Said Trocheck: “Obviously we had a rough go the first half of the season. “It was really cool,” Brown said. We have the personnel in here to win a lot of hockey games and I think we showed that last year. Now it’s just a matter of getting this confidence In his two games, Brown has averaged 10:55 of ice time and has two back and playing the way that we know how to play.” blocked shots.

The Trocheck effect

The Panthers didn’t expect to see Trocheck back in the lineup until The Athletic LOADED: 01.21.2019 February, but he returned Friday night, less than two months after fracturing his ankle.

Trocheck played 18 minutes in his first game back. 1127129 Los Angeles Kings Petersen’s first shutout and goals by Anze Kopitar and Matt Luff, his first in the NHL.

Coach Willie Desjardins confident Kings will be ready to go in final game before break LA Times: LOADED: 01.21.2019

By CURTIS ZUPKE

JAN 20, 2019 | 3:45 PM

Coach Willie Desjardins confident Kings will be ready to go in final game before break

On the surface, the Kings’ final game before they take an 11-day break seems like a letdown waiting to happen.

Players, generally, are looking ahead to mental and physical rest. Some have already made getaway plans for the hiatus. The Kings will play their 50th game in 109 days on Monday.

But none of that applies to a team that just took a 7-1 loss in which the final score was no mirage.

“No one should be tired from the last game, the way we played,” Carl Hagelin said. “You’ve got make sure you’re playing close to your max. Not enough guys on the team are doing it right now. I don’t know if anyone’s doing it other than our goalies.”

Hagelin was one of the last players off the ice in a purposeful practice Sunday as the Kings re-grouped from a shameful showing against the Colorado Avalanche. The have one chance to make up for it in a nationally televised game against the St. Louis Blues before they enter a combined bye week and All-Star weekend.

Coach Willie Desjardins said he’s not preoccupied with his players being distracted going into extended time off. Saturday’s rout, their worst since an 8-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in 2011, hits that point home.

“I can’t believe they’d be half-checked out,” Desjardins said. “For a lot of guys, it is frustrating to lose. That is tough. That part can make it hard. But saying that, the reason you’re here is because you love to play and you love to find ways to win. That’s why you’re here. I just can’t imagine that guys wouldn’t be ready for that.”

That hasn’t been the case consistently in regards to day games for the Kings. They are 3-4 in matinees this season, and that counts 5-1 losses to the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres in October in which they admitted the interest was absent. On last year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day afternoon game, the Kings lost, 4-1, at home to the San Jose Sharks.

It’s a different routine to play earlier but “it shouldn’t be an excuse,” Nate Thompson said. “You come to play. We’re all professionals and should be ready to go.”

The Kings have shown some responses. They were beaten 6-2 by the Tampa Bay Lightning and won two days later against the Edmonton Oilers, 4-0, a few weeks back.

“This team does have some resilience,” Desjardins said. “It does come at times when you wonder what’s going to happen. [Monday’s] a big one for us.”

Injury updates

Oscar Fantenberg “probably won’t make it” for Monday, Desjardins said, because of an upper-body injury.

Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez were given rest days. Trevor Lewis is expected to start skating soon in his recovery from a broken foot.

UP NEXT

VS. ST. LOUIS

When: Monday, 1 p.m.

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

Update: St. Louis on Saturday broke up its top line of Jaden Schwartz, Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko with David Perron out with an upper-body injury. The Kings beat the Blues 2-0 on Nov.19, behind Cal 1127130 Los Angeles Kings

What we learned from the Kings' 7-1 loss to the Avalanche

By CURTIS ZUPKE

JAN 20, 2019 | 8:00 AM

It would be easy to call it a low in the Mile High City. This really isn’t anything new, though, for the Kings.

Their season is defined by disconcerting blowout games. A 7-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche was the ninth time they’ve allowed five or more goals, and the fifth time they’ve been beaten by four goals. They felt ready going into Saturday and knew that Colorado was revved up to get out of one of the worst parts of its season.

And yet the Kings seemed helpless in getting steamrolled in a six-goal second period that was the most goals they’ve allowed in a period since the New York Rangers scored six in the first period of an 8-3 defeat in 1999.

Here’s what we learned:

The clock is ticking to the trade deadline. Given the profundity of the loss and how loudly their problems reverberate off it, the urgency for change seems to be picking up with the Feb. 25 trade deadline drawing closer.

General manager Rob Blake isn’t inclined to comment on his strategy, but the Kings are among the more interesting sellers. Jake Muzzin, Alec Martinez and Jeff Carter are the reported assets, and Jonathan Quick’s name has also surfaced.

The Kings are on their way to one of the worst seasons in franchise history, and it’s time to transition to the future by securing prospects or draft picks. In the interim, the Kings are stuck with themselves and more inevitable embarrassing losses.

Where would the Kings be without their goalies? Quick went into Saturday having allowed seven goals in his last three games. His goals- against average was 2.80. Jack Campbell owns the NHL’s best save percentage at .932.

Their performances, set against the lack of scoring in front of them, makes this season all the more wasted. Campbell was thrown into a 5-0 game Saturday and the Kings didn’t bother to clean up their game for him.

“He comes in and has to take … two-on-ones and three-on-ones,” Drew Doughty said. “It’s just a pathetic game for us.”

Muzzin is OK. He left the game following a shot by Gabriel Landeskog that he blocked with his hand, but he returned and finished the game.

Muzzin has been playing hurt for some time. He needed maintenance days last week and, at Game 49, is feeling the wear of a season but playing through it.

If the 29-year-old is moved, whoever gets him will get a rugged defender ideal for the rigors of playoff hockey. Muzzin has not missed a game this season.

LA Times: LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127131 Los Angeles Kings Losses of this nature often cause a reaction – beyond a few hours of criticism on social media – and another shoe to drop. The Kings trade of significance this season came less than 24 hours after their second loss After latest ‘pathetic’ loss by Kings, will management finally fully embrace to the Maple Leafs when Tanner Pearson was sent to the Pittsburgh a rebuild? Penguins for Carl Hagelin. But that was on Nov. 14, two months ago.

Since then, there were a couple of waiver claims on back-to-back days.

By Lisa Dillman The lack of action by Kings’ management has become noticeable, especially with the other general manager in Southern California, the Jan 20, 2019 Ducks’ Bob Murray, making deals at a dizzying pace, including four this past week.

And he’s probably not done yet. At least not as long as the Penguins GM DENVER – Maybe it is time for The Letter. Jim Rutherford has a phone nearby. Not quite a year ago, the New York Rangers took the unusual step of Kings general manager Rob Blake and team president Luc Robitaille sending a letter to season-tickets holders from team president Glen have an open invitation from local media to speak about what is going on Sather and general manager Jeff Gorton, spelling out a general plan for and what their plan will be going forward. the struggling team’s future. The frustrated Kings fanbase is looking for some semblance of a plan. If For sure, it was corporate-speak at its finest. I re-read the letter on not through the media, then that letter to season-ticket holders might be Saturday and noticed that the word, ‘rebuild,’ wasn’t used. Instead, they the another route. opted to say ‘process of reshaping.’ Surely this subject line would get the point across: (That sounds like something you do in a pottery class but that’s a minor quibble.) Embrace the Lottery.

But the letter was well-crafted. It praised the fans (good) and thanked By the Numbers them for their support (better) and acknowledged that losing familiar faces would not be easy (even better). 6 – The last time the Kings allowed six goals in period was the first period of an 8-3 loss at the Rangers on Dec. 15, 1999. The Kings would be well-advised to try something similar after hitting a new rock bottom here in Denver, in a season full of rock bottoms. Several executives in the current Kings front office and development staffers played in that loss, including Blake, Glen Murray, Craig Johnson Did they fall even lower? and Sean O’Donnell. They actually trailed 8-0 before scoring the three goals in the third period. Well, yes. 17 – Kempe’s goal-scoring drought hit 17 games. His most recent goal They did just that after goaltender Jonathan Quick kept them in it through was at Buffalo in a 4-3 overtime loss on Dec. 11. one period against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center, trailing only 1-0. 7 – The Kings have given up seven goals three times this season, twice in losses to the Avalanche and once to the Islanders. Then the walls caved in on them in the second period with the Avalanche scoring six goals on their way to a 7-1 win on Saturday afternoon, Summing it Up converting twice on the power play and adding a shorthanded goal for good measure. Doughty: “We had a chance to have a great trip and get five of six points. We were really hungry before this game. We felt good. To just go out “It was just a pathetic second period,” Kings defenseman Drew Doughty there and play like crap, sucks.” said. “I really don’t even know what to say.”

Quick was pulled for backup Jack Campbell after fourth-liner Sheldon Dries scored shorthanded at 8:34 of the second period to make it 5-0. The Athletic LOADED: 01.21.2019

“We’ve relied on him a little too much, overall, but also in this building too,” Campbell said. “You put those guys on the power play. They’ve got a pretty good unit. You can’t be doing that.”

Captain Anze Kopitar had little to offer in his brief post-game interview, but Doughty had plenty to say, especially in reference to Quick and Campbell.

The Avalanche’s speed gave the old and young fits all afternoon. Kings veteran defenseman Dion Phaneuf and rookie Sean Walker were a combined minus-six. Forward Adrian Kempe was also a minus-three.

“We left our goalies out to dry again,” Doughty said. “We’re sick of doing that. When we win games, we’ve had games where we hung them out to dry. When we lose games, we’ve hung them out to dry. So it’s about time we play for them. If we get our goalie pulled, that’s on the players in front of him.

“We just obviously feel terrible about that. And then we just played like crap in front of Soupy. He comes in and he has to take fucking two-on- ones and three-on-ones. That was just a pathetic game for us.”

So much about the Kings dismal season has been perplexing. This latest clunker came after a better stretch (relatively speaking) of recent play, 3- 2-1 since Jan. 5.

Afternoon games have often been their Kryptonite. This was another example of a soul-crushing loss.

But so was Ottawa (twice). And Toronto (twice). And the New York Islanders. And Tampa Bay.

Colorado, also, on Nov. 21. 1127132 Los Angeles Kings because he’s not an easy guy to go through.” Desjardins also relayed Brown not being satisfied and always wanting to show more in his game, “and that just shows what kind of a guy he is.”

MUZZIN, MARTINEZ MAINTENANCE; FANTENBERG BACK AFTER –Monday’s game will be broadcast nationally on NBCSN by Alex Faust BREAK; COMPETITIVE PRACTICE and Darren Pang. Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans will drive the limo on the LA Kings Audio Network.

JON ROSEN Willie Desjardins, on whether he recalibrates practice plans after results like Saturday’s: JANUARY 20, 20190 For sure. You go back lots. You have to always look at your results, and then kind of fine tune what you’re doing. You have a plan, where you want to go, all the things you want to work on and that, but then after News, notes and quotes from Sunday’s LA Kings practice in El Segundo: every game you’ll look at it, and then you’ll adjust accordingly. –Jake Muzzin, Alec Martinez and Oscar Fantenberg did not take part. It Desjardins, on matinee games: was a maintenance day for both Muzzin and Martinez, while Fantenberg was ruled out for the final game before the 11-day bye week and All-Star It is a different game, but it is the same for both teams. If you play good break. He’s still dealing with a lower-body injury. “I thought it might be you can say you won and if you play bad you can say, ‘well, it didn’t quicker than that, but it’s not,” Willie Desjardins said. “He’ll be good after work.’ It’s the same for both teams. We just have to play good. We’ve the break, though.” played some pretty good afternoon games. We have. We got on a bad roll the other night, and things just got away on us. Our specialty teams Trevor Lewis had not yet taken the ice as of Saturday afternoon, though got away. It happens. It should never happen, but it does sometimes. word from hockey operations was that he was “getting close to going on ice by himself.”

–The way you wanted to see the team hustle and compete against LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 01.21.2019 Colorado? That work ethic was there one day later in a battle-heavy practice with drills designed to boost finishing ability and offensive zone playmaking along with the type of two-on-two and three-on-three drills that that can get highly competitive.

“I think that’s the way we need to practice, with more pace,” Carl Hagelin said. “We’re not a team that’s first in the standings and can just let the games do the work. We need to put in work because we’ve got a lot of steps to climb. We’ve got to be physical, we’ve got to be intense in practice, and today was a good step in the right direction.”

The high-intensity practice, of course, followed a blowout loss, so there were plenty of areas to refine in advance of the final game of the schedule before the extended break.

“I think it was just time for us to have a good practice, no matter what happened yesterday,” Hagelin said. “We’re obviously not where we want to be in the standings, and I think there’s not many players that are playing close to their max right now, so I think it starts with having good habits, working hard, and all of a sudden the games become a lot easier.”

That extra edge and focus represented the response that Desjardins advocated.

“Well, it should have been. The game wasn’t the game we wanted. The guys had to be disappointed in it,” he said. “The one thing we talked about in the room was just consistency. We’ve shown at times that we’re not a bad team. That road trip, there were moments in that trip we were pretty good. For us, it’s how can we be that way all the time? The best way to get that way all the time is be consistent, and it starts in practice, and that was kind of the message.”

–A matinee, ahoy. And not just any matinee, but one preceding a break. The Kings were actually dialed in during the Christmas break bookends, winning in Vegas in overtime and then at home against Arizona on December 23 and 27. But given that this is the longest in-season break since the 2014 Olympic hiatus, and these types of games around breaks might not capture a team’s full attention, regardless of record – conference-winning Nashville, for one example, looked guilty of this at home against Los Angeles prior to the Christmas, 2016 break – is there any concern that the team might be “half-checked out?”

“I can’t believe they’d be half-checked out,” Desjardins said “I think for a lot of guys, it is frustrating to lose, and it is tough. That part can make it hard, but saying that, the reason you’re here is because you love to play and you love to find ways to win. That’s why you’re here, so I just can’t imagine that guys wouldn’t be ready for that.”

–Desjardins was asked a question about Dustin Brown and responded with an interesting take on his sturdy game: “He’s a big, heavy guy. Him and Kopi play well together. And I always believe that there are certain guys on your team that to beat us, you have to go through ‘em, and I always think Brownie’s one of those guys. Brownie, he’ll never give the game to you. He won’t give it to you. If you’re going to beat him, you’ve got to go through him. And I like it if people have to go through him, 1127133 Los Angeles Kings

WAKING UP WITH THE KINGS: JANUARY 20

JON ROSEN

JANUARY 20, 20190

GAME STORY

On the verge of moves that would reshape the roster and subtract contributing players from the greatest era in franchise history, the image of Jonathan Quick swinging his stick at the goalpost and shouting at referee Jean Hebert after an unsuccessful challenge during a six-goal loss served as a sad representation of the depths to which such a proud and accomplished group has fallen this season. Good on Quick for showing that kind of emotion, and ditto for Dion Phaneuf. There is an issue with this team’s sustained emotional involvement, but try telling that to Alec Martinez, who blocked two shots on a five-on-three when the game was 7-1. Jake Muzzin blocked four shots in this game, one that forced him into the X-ray room. Jack Campbell offered his customary stick taps to his defensemen’s backsides. Nothing else went right in this game, one in which Jonathan Quick kept from getting out of hand early; the one-goal deficit after one period was flattering. Knowing these players, what they’ve been capable of in the past, these results serve as such a sad and shocking epilogue to an era in which such depths would’ve seemed so farfetched four years ago.

One of every seven games this season has been a loss by at least four goals. Any of the morning-after assessments of the previous six applies here, even if the names and faces change from game to game. On Saturday, the wheel of misfortune landed on Dustin Brown, whose puck over the glass with two seconds remaining in the first period afforded Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and the sixth- ranked power play an opportunity to stretch their legs and get some good work in. From there, the Avalanche – let’s not forget there are two teams on the ice – put on a dazzling display of puck movement, player movement, speed, skill and playmaking that served as a resolute response to a disappointing road trip towards the tail end of a disappointing pre-break stretch. “It’s three playoff games,” Rantanen said of the Avalanche’s three-game home stand to the Denver Post, and all credit goes to their top line for backing it up with a dominating performance. But there still has to be more pride from this Kings team than to let a game get away in the second period to a degree that hadn’t been equaled in nearly 20 years. Sometimes games get ugly because of the emotional response, and sometimes it’s based more in tactics and the shift to push for offense. “It was definitely a little bit of both cases,” Anze Kopitar said.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127134 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Vegas game preview

JANUARY 20, 2019 — 11:36PM RACHEL BLOUNT

5 p.m. at Vegas • FSN, 100.3-FM Preview: With an eight-day break in the schedule beginning Thursday, this week’s two road games loom large for the Wild. After Monday’s game at defending Western Conference champion Vegas, which is 8-2 in its past 10 games, the Wild plays at Colorado before the All-Star break and an NHL-mandated break that ends Jan. 31. Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said the next three games — including Feb. 1 at Dallas, when the schedule resumes — are “pretty vital’’ to the Wild’s playoff push. Players to WATCH: Golden Knights D Nate Schmidt, a former Gophers player from St. Cloud, is averaging a team-high 22 minutes, 22 seconds per game since making his season debut Nov. 18 following a 20-game suspension for a violation of the NHL’s performance-enhancing substance policy. Wild F Zach Parise has 13 points in his past 13 games and leads the team with 20 goals, reaching that milestone for the ninth time in 14 NHL seasons. Numbers: The Wild is 3-0-1 all-time against Vegas and has won four of its past six road games. Vegas G Marc-Andre Fleury leads the NHL with 27 victories and six shutouts. Injuries: Wild F Eric Fehr (lower body) is day-to-day, and D Matt Dumba (torn pectoral muscle) is out. Vegas F Erik Haula (knee), F Reilly Smith (lower body), F William Carrier (illness) and G Malcolm Subban (illness) are out. RACHEL BLOUNT

Star Tribune LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127135 Minnesota Wild

Look at the long view on why the Wild traded Nino Niederreiter for Victor Rask

By Michael Rand JANUARY 21, 2019 — 1:11AM

Victor Rask had an encouraging debut for the Wild on Saturday, collecting an assist and hitting the post in a 2-1 victory over Columbus. It was probably more what Wild General Manager Paul Fenton had in mind in terms of response when he said Thursday — after trading the popular Nino Niederreiter for Rask, but before the Wild lost 3-0 to Anaheim without Rask — that he was trying to put players on “alert.” Overall, though, the trade probably should be viewed like this: While nobody should be giving up on this season given the Wild is still in the playoff mix, Fenton is and should be keeping at least one eye on 2019-20 and beyond. Trading a wing with just nine goals in 46 games is hardly a give-up move, but a one-for-one swap for Rask does seem like a head-scratcher if we only evaluate it in the short-term. Both players are about the same age and their play has declined since signing long-term contracts, but Rask’s drop is particularly acute both in terms of ice time (12 minutes a game) and production (one goal) this season before the trade. And Rask is a center — a spot at which the Wild has reasonable depth at the moment with Eric Staal, Mikko Koivu, Charlie Coyle and Joel Eriksson Ek. But Staal is notable as the only relatively high-priced Wild player ($3.5 million) whose contract expires after this season. Rask is a built-in replacement, and it doesn’t hurt that his $4 million cap hit is $1.25 million less than Niederreiter’s for each of the next three seasons. Per Cap Friendly, the Wild already has $68 million committed to next year’s salary cap — and that’s before spending on a backup goalie (Alex Stalock is a free agent) or adding depth at forward and defense, let alone spending on impact players. Commissioner Gary Bettman recently said he expects the cap to be around $83 million next season (a $3.5 million increase from this year). Not having to shop for an impact center — as long as Rask is still that — and saving more than a million dollars on the cap will help next season and beyond. And after next season, Koivu will be a free agent — along with Coyle, Mikael Granlund and Jared Spurgeon, among high-impact players. Without Rask, that center depth suddenly could be pretty thin depending on how Fenton values those longtime Wild players. • Much has been made about Kirk Cousins’ fully guaranteed three-year, $84 million deal signed with the Vikings last offseason and whether he proved worthy of that big deal this season. Value is relative, but in a couple of years the total amount of the contract probably won’t seem so absurd. Case in point: An ESPN report suggested Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes could be in line for a $200 million contract when he becomes eligible in 2020. • The Twins’ free agent acquisition of pitcher Martin Perez, even on a one-year contract, was a bit of a head-scratcher. Even at his best, he’s a low-strikeout pitcher who allows a lot of baserunners. • It wasn’t pretty, but the Gophers men’s basketball team’s 65-64 win over Penn State on Saturday was important. Five of Minnesota’s next nine games are against ranked Big Ten opponents, starting with Tuesday at No. 2 Michigan. That’s a daunting challenge or an opportunity, depending on how you look at it. Either way, starting it with a 4-3 conference record and a little confidence is a lot nicer than 3-4 after two bad losses.

Star Tribune LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127136 Minnesota Wild • The Wild announced that Minneapolis will play host to next year’s edition of Hockey Day Minnesota, with outdoor games held at Parade Stadium. Wild's Charlie Coyle keeps an optimistic outlook after shifting back to wing Star Tribune LOADED: 01.21.2019

By Rachel Blount JANUARY 21, 2019 — 1:11AM

Charlie Coyle hasn’t kept count, but he offered a rough estimate Sunday of the number of times he has moved between center and wing. “Probably a million,” the Wild forward said. “It’s nothing new.” Though he’s become accustomed to plugging in wherever the Wild needs him, Coyle’s latest position shift comes at an inopportune time. He has flourished at center for the past six weeks, a stint that ended Friday when the Wild acquired center Victor Rask from Carolina. That bumped Coyle back to wing on a line with Eric Staal and Jordan Greenway for Saturday night’s 2-1 victory over Columbus, a combination that will remain intact for Monday’s game at Vegas. The move could have been frustrating for Coyle, who believes that staying in one position would help him build consistency in his game. But rejoining linemates he knows well, and focusing on the skills that serve him best at wing, make him optimistic that his recent surge will survive another switch. “Going back to wing, I think what I do best is getting in there on the forecheck and winning wall battles, and I think that’s going to be big for our line,” said Coyle, who logged three goals and seven assists in 19 games at center. “Me and Greenway have played together on and off, and we know each other pretty well off the ice, which helps. And two years ago, me and Staal played together for a pretty good chunk. “It’s not going to be too hard of an adjustment. I think we’re going to be really good together. It’s just up to us to make sure we bring it every game.” Coyle started the season at wing, then moved to center in early December when Mikko Koivu was sidelined briefly because of a knee injury. Most recently, he centered a line with Zach Parise and Luke Kunin, a combination that sparked an outstanding stretch by Coyle in early January. In a position that makes full use of his mobility and speed, Coyle lifted the Wild with smart, physical play at both ends of the ice. Coach Bruce Boudreau — who admitted he has “probably moved [Coyle] around more than I’d like to” — rewarded him with more ice time. Boudreau said that for Coyle to be at his best, he has to keep skating. It can be harder to do that on the wing, where the responsibilities are different. But even after the switch, Boudreau is urging Coyle to stay in motion as much as possible to remain effective. “He’s just got to move,” Boudreau said. “He’s got a big body. When he moves, and he’s bumping into people, good things usually happen. It’s when he’s standing still and not doing much, that’s when he doesn’t look as good as he should.” Saturday, in the Wild’s last home game until Feb. 2, Rask centered a line with Parise and new winger Pontus Aberg. Boudreau said he liked all of his line combinations in that game and is not inclined to break up any of them, including Coyle’s new trio. Back at wing, Coyle plans to concentrate on winning battles along the boards, getting into shooting lanes and contributing to the forecheck. He finds it easier to move from center to wing than the other way around, and he knows Staal’s and Greenway’s tendencies well, giving him confidence that it will be a smooth transition. “I just have to make sure I do the things that make me successful on the wing,” he said. “Move my feet. Just bring that physical presence. I think I can bring a little more on the wing and play hard on the boards, which helps my game and will help my linemates, too.” Notes • Injured fourth-line center Eric Fehr practiced with the Wild on Sunday and could return to the lineup sooner than anticipated. He will go on the trip to Las Vegas, and Boudreau said “there’s a chance” Fehr could play in one of the Wild’s two remaining games before the All-Star break. The forward was injured in a Jan. 7 victory over Montreal when he struck his head on the top of the boards after a late hit. Fehr has missed seven games. 1127137 Minnesota Wild

Charlie Coyle switches positions again for Wild. What else is new?

By Dane Mizutani January 20, 2019 at 8:04 PM

Well, so much for Charlie Coyle finding a new home. Not even 10 days after after talking about how he had grown comfortable playing center for the Wild on a regular basis, Coyle was switched back to wing with the arrival of two-way center Victor Rask. He played alongside Eric Staal and opposite Jordan Greenway during Saturday’s win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, and while he’s pretty much become the team’s version of a nomad, bouncing from place to place, don’t expect Coyle to complain. “Anything can be frustrating if I let it,” Coyle said. “We got a good player in Rask, and think he’s going to fit nicely. He’s a good player down that middle. As far as me going back to wing, I think what I do best is getting in on the forecheck and winning wall battles. That’s going to be big for our line. That’s what I’m trying to do.” It always seems to go back to Coyle being versatile, which has been a blessing and a curse throughout his career. He hasn’t ever really found an established role simply because he can play both forward positions. “If we look at it, we’re not going to move Eric Staal, we’re not going to move Mikko Koivu, and Eric Fehr when he comes back is a much better center,” coach Bruce Boudreau explained. “So Charlie has been the one who has moved back and forth (because) he feels equally comfortable. When he’s good at center, he’s really good. He’s had his moments on the wing, too.” As much as Coyle has moved around throughout his career, switching positions has become almost second nature for him. He can seamlessly change the way he thinks, relearning the nuances of each position quickly. “It should be easy now,” Coyle said. “It’s been a million times. It’s nothing new. Just translate the brain over and play hard. That’s all.” While the Greenway-Staal-Coyle trio will need to prove it can produce consistently, early indications are there is potential there. “I think Charlie works really well with us,” Greenway said. “He can do it all, really. I think when Eric and I are together we like puck below the circles and Charlie does great down there. He fit right in with us. He did a lot of good things for us. He was a great addition.” Now if only Coyle could stay in one spot for the foreseeable future. “There’s definitley potential there,” Coyle said. “Some good practice time is obviously what we need to build the chemistry and all that. We just have to talk a lot. I think we’re going to be really good together. It’s there for us. It’s just up to us to make sure we bring that every game.” FEHR RETURNS After missing the past couple of weeks with an undisclosed injury, it appears Fehr is closer to returning than originally thought. He participated fully in Sunday’s practice, and the coaching staff wouldn’t rule out the possibility that he returns to the lineup on a two-game road trip. “There’s a chance,” Boudreau said. “He’s looking better than we anticipated that he would. He’s going on the trip with us. Let’s put it that way.” BELPEDIO IMPRESSES Louie Belpedio logged 13 minutes, 35 seconds of ice time during Saturday’s win, spending most of his time alongside Jonas Brodin. While he didn’t match the production of his two-point NHL debut last season, Belpedio did enough to impress the coaching staff. “It was adequate,” Boudreau said. “It’s a tough thing coming into his first home game. For a young guy, I thought he handled himself quite well.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127138 Montreal Canadiens Michael Chaput, 3-for-4 Brendan Gallagher, 2-for-4 Canadiens Notebook: Jesperi Kotkaniemi dazzles fans with shootout Kenny Agostino, 1-for-4 move Charles Hudon, 0-for-4

LONG-DISTANCE SHOOTING ACCURACY STU COWAN, (Shooting at a variety of targets) Updated: January 20, 2019 Joel Armia, 8 points

Max Domi, 7 points There were a lot of kids among the more than 10,000 fans in attendance for the Canadiens’ Skills Competition on Sunday morning at the Bell Phillip Danault, 7 points Centre. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, 7 points None of them had a bigger smile than Jesperi Kotkaniemi, which Artturi Lehkonen, 7 points shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who have watched the Canadiens rookie play this season. The 18-year-old looked like he was having a Jonathan Drouin, 5 points blast while skating around wearing a Canadiens tuque. Y avait-il un vraiment un doute sur l'identité du gagnant de l'épreuve du “It was fun,” Kotkaniemi said afterward in the Canadiens’ locker room. “It tir le plus puissant au concours d'habiletés @RONAinc?  was nice to spend time with the boys.” Was there any doubt who would win the Hardest Shot event at the RONA Kotkaniemi took part in the long-distance shooting competition, losing by Skills Competition? #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/VSMFIaQW5u— one point to fellow Finn Joel Armia. But Kotkaniemi dazzled the fans with Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 20, 2019 a move he used during a shootout competition as his Red Team lost 9-8 to the White team. Oh, the weather outside is frightful Kotkaniemi skated into the slot before scooping the puck up with his stick It was an impressive fan turnout for the Skills Competition since there and then spinning around and firing the puck backhanded into the top was a snowstorm going on outside and the temperature was around corner of the net. minus-18C. How many times has he practised that move? Jesperi Kotkaniemi is lucky because he lives downtown, near the Bell Centre, unlike many of his teammates who live on the South Shore and “I don’t know,” Kotkaniemi said. “Not many times. It’s actually a pretty had a tricky commute. easy one.” “This weather is terrible,” Kotkaniemi said. “I haven’t seen that before. Really? There’s just rain in Finland … sometimes a little bit of snow, but not like that. That’s pretty crazy.” “I’m not good in shootouts, though,” Kotkaniemi added with a smile. Tomas Tatar, who lives downtown, said he was impressed by the fan WOW! @taikinajalka pic.twitter.com/l5AaS4yUgz— Kotkaniminti turnout during the snowstorm. (@HabsCorner) January 20, 2019 “We really appreciate the fans finding a way to come,” he said. “I woke Skills Competition winners up this morning and looked outside and it was just a disaster. I wasn’t There were four events in the Skills Competition and the winners were really sure if this was going to be happening or not. But, obviously, the Paul Byron (fastest skater), Shea Weber (hardest shot), Tomas Tatar fans are standing behind us. They found a way to come here and it was (shooting accuracy) and Joel Armia (long-distance shooting accuracy). amazing.” Here are the final results: Tomas Tatar démontre tout son talent lors de l'épreuve du tir de précision au concours d'habiletés @RONAinc. @TomasTatar90 put on a clinic FASTEST SKATER during the Accuracy Shooting event at Sunday's RONA Skills (One lap around rink) Competition. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/qyLXNKYPea— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 20, 2019 Paul Byron, 13.68 seconds Tough day for Hudon Matthew Peca, 14.062 This has been a tough season for Charles Hudon, who has been a Victor Mete, 14.175 regular healthy scratch, and he struggled Sunday in the shooting accuracy event, finishing last after going 0-for-4. But Paul Byron Brett Kulak, 14.891 defended his teammate afterward. Près de 12 000 partisans ont bravé la météo pour assister au Concours “I noticed he was like four or five feet behind everybody else,” Byron said d’habiletés aujourd’hui. 17 000 billets avaient été émis. about Hudon, who shot first. “Each guy moved up and went a little bit closer. So I think the trick in that one was to go last and shoot from the Close to 12,000 fans braved the weather and showed up for today’s top of the crease. Skills Competition. 17,000 tickets had been distributed for the event. “It’s tough when there’s pressure on you, you got to go first,” Byron Merci! pic.twitter.com/If2EmjvJrR— Canadiens Montréal added. “I think a lot of them were hitting the bar or just under the bar. The (@CanadiensMTL) January 20, 2019 target certainly looks big, but when you’re shooting at it it looks like this HARDEST SHOT tiny little thing that you have to hit. So it’s hard going first.” Shea Weber, 103 mph Carey Price also tried the shooting accuracy event and went 3-for-4 while using his goalie stick. Backup goalie Antti Niemi also tried it but went 0- Jeff Petry, 102 mph for-4. Karl Alzner, 97 mph Ne clignez pas des yeux, vous allez le manquer! Revivez le tour gagnant de @jpbyron89 lors du Concours d'habiletés @RONAinc. Mike Reilly, 94 mph Blink and you'll miss him! Check out Paul Byron's winning lap from the Nicolas Deslauriers, 92 mph RONA Skills Competition. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/UOBtDXqUmi— Jordie Benn, 91 mph Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 20, 2019 SHOOTING ACCURACY Deslauriers has bandaged hand (Trying to hit four targets in corners of net within 15 seconds) When Nicolas Deslauriers met with the media in the locker room after the Skills Competition, his left hand was wrapped in a red bandage, which he Tomas Tatar, 4-for-4 (8.4 seconds) said was protecting some cuts and scrapes from his fight with the Bruins’ Kevan Miller during a 3-2 OT win last Monday in Boston. “That’s part of the job,” Deslauriers said. “That’s one thing, I think I have a magnet to hit the helmet a lot. It’s hard to miss, but it’s all fine now.” Deslauriers’ fight with Millar was a wild one with both players throwing big punches. “It was fun to be in it,” Deslauriers said. “It was two guys squaring off. I felt like it was the right time for me to do it and the guys responded well and made me look a little bit better.” Deslauriers missed the first six games this season after suffering a facial fracture during a pre-season fight with the New Jersey Devils’ Brandon Baddock. Deslauriers said he has put that behind him and hasn’t hesitated to drop the gloves again since. “I think you can see in that fight (with Miller) I wasn’t thinking about it at all,” he said. “My first good test was in Minny when I fought (Nick) Seeler. I don’t think the doc is pretty happy with it. But I’ve said from the start it’s not going to stop me.” Deslauriers’s wife, Joanie, gave birth to their third child last month and his family joined him at the Bell Centre for the Skills Competition. “It takes your head off of everything,” he said about the event. “It’s all about the fans. I’ve never experienced one of those things and to have the family close and have them on the bench, it’s fun. It was fun for the whole family.” “Just playing here is something special,” Deslauriers added. “You can see how much this hockey town loves hockey.” Byron turns suspension into a teaching tool Paul Byron will serve the final game of his three-game suspension Wednesday night when the Arizona Coyotes visit the Bell Centre (7:30 p.m., SN1, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). Byron was suspended for delivering a blow to the head of Florida defenceman MacKenzie Weegar during last Tuesday night’s 5-1 win over the Panthers at the Bell Centre. Byron’s young son has started to play hockey and Byron has used his suspension as a parental teaching tool for his son and daughter about how their actions have consequences. “They know that I had a bad penalty and I didn’t do what I was supposed to do,” Byron said. “They know I’m at the game watching now. I tell him all the time when he’s playing to be careful with your stick, be careful what you do against other players. You got to play the right way. “You got to take the positive out of it and use it as a moment to teach, for sure,” Byron added. “Hockey is an emotional game. There’s a lot going on and you got to find a way to control yourself, control your body. That’s unfortunate. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did and you got to move forward with it.” What’s next? After Sunday’s Skills Competition, the Canadiens announced Monday’s scheduled practice in Brossard has been cancelled. The Canadiens will practise at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Brossard as they prepare to play the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday night at the Bell Centre (7:30 p.m., SN1, RDS, TSN 609 Radio). After that, the Canadiens will enjoy the all-star break, followed by a bye week in the schedule and they won’t play again until their annual back-to- back Super Bowl weekend matinee games at the Bell Centre against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, Feb. 2 (2 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio) and the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, Feb. 3 (2 p.m., SN, RDS, TSN 690 Radio).

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127139 Montreal Canadiens Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Artturi Lehkonen, who all had seven points, while Jonathan Drouin finished last with five points.

Not surprisingly, the Canadiens players had some friendly wagers on Stu Cowan: Snowstorm doesn't stop Canadiens from showing off skills who would win the events. “Not for the fastest skater,” Byron said with a grin. “No one wanted that STU COWAN, one. But I know for the hardest shot there might have been some internal betting on it. I’m not quite aware what the terms were (most likely who Updated: January 20, 2019 would finish second), but I know they were all pretty curious to see who would win aside from Shea.”

Ne clignez pas des yeux, vous allez le manquer! Revivez le tour gagnant The Canadiens held their Skills Competition on Sunday morning at the de @jpbyron89 lors du Concours d'habiletés @RONAinc. Bell Centre, and the first winter skill was just getting there. Blink and you'll miss him! Check out Paul Byron's winning lap from the On a day when Montreal’s Fête des neiges events at Jean-Drapeau Park RONA Skills Competition. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/UOBtDXqUmi— were cancelled because of neige, the Canadiens players and more than Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 20, 2019 10,000 fans made their way to the Bell Centre through a snowstorm and temperatures around minus-18C for the skills event. Deslauriers was smiling in the dressing room afterward, boasting that all his picks ended up being winners. Deslauriers said he wasn’t nervous Paul Byron, who lives on the South Shore and grew up in Ottawa, after Petry posted his 102-mph shot, which Weber was only able to tie on handled the snowstorm like a true Canadian, packing his family into his his first of two attempts before delivering his winning blast. SUV and leaving early for the drive to the Bell Centre before winning the fastest-skater competition. The other event winners were Tomas Tatar “We knew Petey had a bomb, but Shea only needed 102.1 to win,” for shooting accuracy, Shea Weber for hardest shot and Joel Armia for Deslauriers said with a smile. “So he got enough at 103.” long-distance shooting accuracy. Quite a few of the players had their children sitting on the bench during “It wasn’t too bad,” Byron said about the drive to the Bell Centre, adding the Skills Competition and Byron’s two young kids were in the dressing he left home around 9 a.m. for the 11 a.m. Skills Competition. “Drove my room with him afterward when the media entered. car in four-by-four, went slow, took my time. I certainly doubled up the time compared to normal, but you kind of knew that this morning. Just “It was cool,” Byron said. “It’s a good day to spend with your family. You grabbed a coffee, put on some good music and just relaxed. I got a big get in the grind of the season, there’s a lot of days when you don’t see SUV for the family with snow tires, so I wasn’t too worried today.” them when you’re on the road, you’re playing games. To share that experience, have them on the bench, they get to see me skate as fast as Byron admitted he was a little worried about the fastest-skater event, I can. It was pretty cool.” facing the pressure of being a huge favourite. Byron won with a lap around the ice timed in 13.68 seconds, beating Matthew Peca (14.062), Nothing a Montreal snowstorm was going to stop. Victor Mete (14.175) and Brett Kulak (14.891). Day after tomorrow out there ❄️❄️❄️… still pack the place! Thank you Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.21.2019 Habs fans! You guys are the best. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/OhOS3FmCMU— Max Domi (@max_domi) January 20, 2019 “I was pretty heavily favoured there,” Byron said. “I don’t know what the Vegas odds were for me, but when I saw the times I said: Oh, I better get going here. It was my first time ever doing a lap like that. I wasn’t sure how to take the corners, but it went pretty well otherwise.” Things went very well for Tatar in the shooting-accuracy event — in fact, he was perfect. Players had 15 seconds to shoot at targets in the four corners of the net, and Tatar needed only four shots and 8.4 seconds to get the job done, beating out Michael Chaput (3-for-4), Brendan Gallagher (2-for-4), Kenny Agostino (1-for-4) and Charles Hudon (0-for- 4). Tomas Tatar démontre tout son talent lors de l'épreuve du tir de précision au concours d'habiletés @RONAinc. @TomasTatar90 put on a clinic during the Accuracy Shooting event at Sunday's RONA Skills Competition. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/qyLXNKYPea— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 20, 2019 “I’ve never tried it before,” Tatar said about the event. “It was the first time for me. I was pretty nervous what was going to happen out there. It’s not easy. I wasn’t really sure if I was going to be making it, but I was fortunate enough.” Weber was the heavy favourite in the hardest-shot competition and didn’t disappoint, winning with a blast of 103 miles per hour. But it wasn’t as easy as expected for Weber, who barely edged out Jeff Petry’s 102-mph blast. Other players in the event were Karl Alzner (97 mph), Mike Reilly (94 mph), Nicolas Deslauriers (92 mph) and Jordie Benn (91 mph). Y avait-il un vraiment un doute sur l'identité du gagnant de l'épreuve du tir le plus puissant au concours d'habiletés @RONAinc?  Was there any doubt who would win the Hardest Shot event at the RONA Skills Competition? #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/VSMFIaQW5u— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 20, 2019 “Yes and no,” Byron said when asked if he was surprised by Petry’s performance. “You’ve seen him shoot pretty hard in the game. He can really rip it and in those competitions you always got to hit the right spot to get a good time and 102 is certainly pretty hard, and to get it that close to Shea is pretty impressive.” Armia was impressive in the long-distance shooting-accuracy event, winning with a total of eight points on shots at a variety of targets on and off the ice. Armia was able to edge out Max Domi, Phillip Danault, 1127140 Montreal Canadiens · Brett Kulak: His goal with just four minutes to play gave Montreal some brief hope for a dramatic comeback, especially after they pulled Niemi a minute later and controlled the puck inside the Flyers zone for a stretch Melnick’s GBU: If you need a momentum swing against the Canadiens, before Michael Raffl scored into the empty Montreal net. Kulak has been just take a penalty one of the best under-the-radar acquisitions in the NHL this season. There was no shame in being unable to crack the blue line depth in Calgary. His goal was his third of the season, in just 26 games. Last season with the Flames, Kulak scored two goals in 71 games. Or, to put By Mitch Melnick it another way – Jan 20, 2019 Marc Dumont Yes, we know who will likely get the last laugh. But again, in the meantime, I find it all so amusing. In the end, it was too much to ask of the Canadiens to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers and move past Toronto and Boston into second place THE BAD in the Atlantic Division behind Tampa Bay. (While we’re at it, might as well put an ‘X’ next to the Lightning in the standings.) · Fourth Line: Other than a brief moment late in the first period when Kenny Agostino smartly set up Michael Chaput who was denied his first I suppose there’s still a chance it might happen at some point, as unlikely goal as a Hab by a well-positioned Hart, the trio of Chaput, Agostino and a scenario as it appears to be, but it sure is entertaining from this Nicolas Deslauriers didn’t contribute and they got caught on the ice after vantage point to feel the stress level in Leafs Land move past “we’ve got a bad pinch by Mike Reilly led to the first of two goals by Nolan Patrick this under control” mode. (who has scored five of his nine goals in Philadelphia’s last two games). And the fact is, the deeper into the season they go, the darker their While Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas tries to figure out how to numbers get. Chaput is up to 28 games without a goal. Agostino, even bring in an impact defenceman without having to part with Kasperi with power play time, has two goals in 35 games and is scoreless in his Kapanen, Montreal GM Marc Bergevin can look at a bigger picture after last 11. Deslauriers has two goals and just three points in 36 games and 50 games and feel proud of his clean up job. But a quick glance at the just one point in his last 26. And yet Hudon and Matthew Peca remain on standings also tells him that once his team gets a healthy Andrew Shaw the outside looking in. When the suspended Paul Byron returns for Super back (the harder part is for Shaw to stay healthy) then one of the best 5- Bowl weekend, and perhaps Shaw as well, that will add talent to the line. on-5 teams in the NHL should get even better. So you know what that But then who’s to say some other forward won’t get hurt? The Habs need leaves. some scoring depth up front. There is nobody in Laval who is ready to Watching an otherwise very good team like Montreal on the power play is help. It’s an area that Bergevin needs to address. And not some variation like watching the vehicle pull event in a Strongman competition. But the of the Dwight King/Steve Ott combo he landed at the trade deadline two Canadiens can’t even get to the starting line. seasons ago. The Habs power play sucked the life right out of their game and · Victor Mete, Artturi Lehkonen and Jonathan Drouin: Two of these transferred all of their positive energy directly to the Flyers. It was like skaters are playing well. But none of them are scoring. Mete skated miles watching a blood transfusion in real time. Or whatever it is that keeps but is still in search of his first career goal. Lehkonen continues to Keith Richards alive. contribute in other ways, but his lengthy goal-scoring blackouts are as predictable as frigid temperatures in January. His latest funk has reached A better than expected first period that saw the Canadiens almost literally 12 games. But it’s not his longest goalless streak of the season. He had fly past the Flyers – before slowing down around the Philadelphia net – one of 17 games after connecting on opening night in Toronto. Last after an emotional win Friday night in Columbus, gave way to a season he had goal outages of 11 games to start the season and another recharged Philly team that is finally getting consistent, quality one of 24 games – or three full months – which many explained by goaltending. It’s taken the emergence of 20-year old rookie Carter Hart to suggesting that he was playing while injured. And in his rookie season, provide it. When Travis Konecny fired a rebound past Antti Niemi late in he had a 17-game drought that lasted well over a month. There’s an the second period, it clearly indicated a momentum swing that was obvious pattern here. He’s still young enough to grow out of it. And he already underway once the Habs turned the Bell Centre ice surface into has always finished strong. But anyone who was counting on Lehkonen quicksand during a Jakub Voracek interference penalty on Jesperi to be a top line producer (that includes his GM who said as much to Kotkaniemi. TSN’s Bob McKenzie prior to the start of last season) must be ready to re-evaluate. And Drouin? Like several of his teammates, including Mete, In the shift that followed the Konecny goal, the Habs sagged, like the Domi, Joel Armia, Jeff Petry and even Hudon, he had plenty of jump to stretched earlobes of people who think the practice passes for some kind start the game but couldn’t turn it into a goal. He’s gone nine games of defining counter culture statement. without scoring and has just one non-empty net goal since Dec. 15. It took about 90 seconds for the Flyers to predictably score their second That’s a span of 17 games. goal on a James van Riemsdyk deflection. · Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Not a strong back-to-back performance with a total And just like that, a very promising start (the Flyers’ lone shot on goal in of one shot on goal in the two games. Don’t blame Scotty Bowman. the first period was a clearing shot off the boards from deep in their own THE UGLY zone by defenceman Travis Sanheim) to what could have been a dramatic move-up-the-standings-ladder kind of night, turned as sour as · Power Play: It’s so bad it makes me think of Jeffrey Loria. I’m not going the look on Darryl Sutter’s face the last time we saw him behind the to get into the entire back story of the death of the Expos – I can do that bench of the Los Angeles Kings. when they return – but one of the real issues beyond “the carpetbagger” tag on Loria was the zero local English radio revenue game he walked All because of a gosh-awful power play. Or, with a nod to the kindly ol’ into when he bought the franchise. There were no rights fees involved. coach, let’s call it the Montreal sour play. Fellow MLB owners were tired of sharing revenue with a franchise that THE GOOD couldn’t generate anything locally. Loria needed to see some real money, not some cozy, antiquated barter system. As one popular radio host told · Max Domi: Of course he scored again, in his second straight game, me after a fruitless negotiation that failed to move the needle, “They need after going 17 games without a goal. That’s how it works. And besides, us more than we need them.” To which I replied, “But they have the there’s an unwritten rule that says you have to score when it’s your franchise.” Loria liked to say that out of 30 teams in baseball, the Expos bobble head doll night. Now just two goals shy of his career high of 18 ranked closer to 40th in local revenue. In other words, there were Triple- that he set when he was a rookie with Arizona. And here come those A franchises that likely earned more from local radio packages than what Coyotes and the return of Alex Galchenyuk on Wednesday. he was offered. You know the rest. So yeah, we have discovered that even though the Canadiens have been last in power play percentage for · Brendan Gallagher: How many times have we seen a young rookie some time now, they apparently have yet to hit rock bottom. Maybe, in a goaltender or a back up goalie in his first appearance at the Bell Centre twist on what we heard in 2001, they’re closer to 40th than they are to get a comfortable warm up welcome by the Habs? At least Gallagher 30th. Claude Julien called the game-turning second period sour play a aimed high with a couple of his game-high eight shots on goal. Carter “dead” one. Shea Weber, as exasperated by it as anybody, didn’t have might have flinched a bit, but he never appeared to be in trouble when an answer and in typical Weber-like fashion, he apologized for it. The the Habs controlled the vast majority of the first half of the game. But to lack of an explanation that is, not the actual power play. Maybe that’s be accurate, their best early scoring chance came from behind the net on next. When Drouin was asked about it in French, he bristled and took a Charles Hudon wraparound that was blocked by Harter’s left pad. “A exception to the premise that it was the turning point in the game. The little too much (time spent) on the perimeter,” is how Domi described the left winger doth protest too much, methinks Habs’ early burst.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127141 Nashville Predators Tennessean LOADED: 01.21.2019 Predators' Colton Sissons tries to stay away from numbers game

Paul Skrbina, Published 4:35 p.m. CT Jan. 20, 2019 Updated 4:42 p.m. CT Jan. 20, 2019

Colton Sissons methodically pushed a shopping cart through an area Walmart a couple of months back. The Predators center wasn't looking at the numbers on the price tags as he picked out Christmas gifts for a team charity event. Sissons was paying closer attention to detail, like which video game a kid might want or which color coat a mother might like. His approach is the same when he's playing hockey. His numbers this season – a career-high 10 goals to go with 12 assists – suggest he's having good year. But the 25-year-old doesn't spend much time obsessing over some digits on a screen. "I'm aware of them. But I'm not a guy that’s constantly just pressing myself to find more points," Sissons said. "I don’t really get too worried about it. "If I have a couple of games without one, I trust in my game that I'm doing other things to help us win." Woes never be gone Sissons recorded his second career hat trick Nov. 7 at Denver, where the team is headed for a Monday matinee (2 p.m., Fox TN). Sissons had zero goals and one assist in the 13 previous games. The two-plus months that have passed since that hat-trick game, when the team set a franchise record with its seventh straight road victory to start the season, have introduced some extreme ebbs and some subtle flows. Sissons had zero goals and four assist in the 13 games that followed. He also missed seven games in December while nursing a sore foot. He then had three goals and three assists during a recent five-game stretch. As woes go, though, Sissons isn't quite sure anybody knows the whys. "There's ways you can limit slumps and limit times you're not feeling so good about your game just by going out there a little early, shooting some more pucks, getting to the net in games more. "Everyone goes through it. You see talented guys all over the league going through it. It's hard on you, but you have to learn to deal with it to be a good professional." Numbers don't lie The numbers on Sissons' paycheck are likely to increase by a healthy margin after this season, when he'll be a restricted free agent. A raise from the $625,000 minimum he's making is inevitable. "He does everything so well," teammate Austin Watson said. "Defensively, he's hard to play against. He's always in the right spots. He's such a good faceoff man. He has tons of offensive ability. He's always on the puck; he's always doing the right thing." Or at least trying to, even during the times when the numbers on the stat sheet might suggest otherwise. And when he makes mistakes, which also are inevitable, don't expect Sissons to change much in his approach. "I don't think that’s a great way to go into a game, trying to minimize mistakes," Sissons said. "No one does that. You're telling yourself the same positive thoughts. "Some nights it goes the other way; we’ve all been there. If you're doing those things consistently you're going to be all right at the end of the night." No matter what the numbers say. 1127142 New Jersey Devils Brett Seney and Brian Boyle have been bright spots on the fourth line and Drew Stafford has come in and played well recently. Losing Joey Anderson hurt but what has hurt the Devils here the most is the lack of 5 things the NJ Devils want to see after the All-Star break organizational depth. Hynes has liked what he’s seen from forwards Nathan Bastian and Kevin Rooney over the last week, saying Bastian made a big impact on the Abbey Mastracco game against Anaheim. But can they make an impact nightly? Published 6:52 a.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019 Consistent power play Oct 18, 2018; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Will Butcher (8) controls the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the NEWARK -- The Devils ended the first half of the season the opposite of second period at Prudential Center. the way they started it, losing three straight to skid to the bye week and the NHL All-Star Break. It wasn’t what was expected of a team that The Devils had two extra-man opportunities to crack Anaheim’s John snapped a five-year playoff drought last season, but it’s pointless to Gibson on Saturday but they failed to do so. They had a big power play rehash the old narrative and look back on the summer. at the end of the game but the Ducks’ goalie almost singlehandedly killed it off and New Jersey ran out of time in a 3-2 loss. Jan 19, 2019; Newark, NJ, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Daniel Sprong (11) scores goal past New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Putting aside the net-front issues the Devils have had in recent games, it Blackwood (29) as defenseman Will Butcher (8) defends during the first magnified the issues the team has had on the power play all season. period at Prudential Center. “It’s inconsistent,” Hynes said. “I think it’s come up big for us at times but The only thing New Jersey can do now is look ahead. Here are five I think it’s been very inconsistent. It’s something we’ll take a look at as things the Devils would like to see moving forward into the second half of coaches and see if we can become more consistent and be much more the 2018-19 season. attacking than we have been.” A heavier game Consistency overall This is a team built for speed and skill and one of those skills isn’t a right December 6, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New Jersey Devils hook. But that doesn’t mean the Devils can’t be more aggressive in defenseman Andy Greene (6) moves the puck against the Los Angeles certain areas of the ice. They can finish their checks, be harder on pucks Kings during the second period at Staples Center. and throw a hit instead of trying to finesse their way through games as they have at times. Win one, lose three. Win three, lose three. The inability to put together a consistent winning streak has been the downfall of the team all season. “For sure,” coach John Hynes said. “We have to be grittier along the wall And they haven’t been able to put together that streak because of the and with our board play in the corners and along the wall, be grittier and inconsistencies in their game on a nightly basis. harder at the net-front and with 50-50 puck battles.” The Devils always seem to take one step forward only to take three big When knocked off their game and forced to dump the puck in and chase steps backward. it, the Devils have wilted instead of making the necessary adjustments. “I think it’s pretty much that we have to play better and more consistent,” “When we’ve really seen them struggle this year, it’s when there are captain Andy Greene said. “We can’t have a good game here and then teams that drag you into competitive battles we’ve had too many two games where it turns the other way. It’s getting our game to a place passengers. You can be speedy and you can be quick and you can have where we know what we’re getting every single night.” skill but when it comes time to battle in the hard areas of the game, we don’t have enough consistency in that area.” Mental toughness Bergen Record LOADED: 01.21.2019 New Jersey Devils head coach John Hynes watches play during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Road play has been horrendous and there’s no sugarcoating that. New Jersey has only five road wins this season. The 17 losses and three overtime/shootout losses have ranged from blowouts in Tampa to one- goal losses in Dallas. The Devils haven’t been able to steal any road games and they often spiral early in trips. Luckily, they only have two trips with three or more games left on the schedule. The toughest part of the road slate is behind them. But in order to win on the road, the Devils need to display more mental toughness. “There is a hardness that you have to have from your team,” Hynes said. “A mental toughness, a hardness that is needed to play in those environments in the first half. We didn’t have it. We need to build it more.” The Devils have lacked the mental fortitude needed to win in hostile buildings. “When you look at our team, we do lots of good things,” Hynes said. “But when push comes to shove, we get shoved.” Contributions from the bottom six Jan 17, 2019; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) and New Jersey Devils left wing Blake Pietila (56) battle for the puck during the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Last season, the Devils relied heavily on Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri and Nico Hischier to generate offense. The team is just as top-heavy this season, with the members of the top line having the three highest point totals on the team. New Jersey was counting on John Quenneville to be ready to produce offensively in the NHL every day and Pavel Zacha to take a big step forward in his offensive playmaking. Instead, Zacha is focusing on using his shot more and Quenneville has been back and forth from Binghamton of the American Hockey League all season. 1127143 New York Islanders

Islanders breeze past Ducks behind shutout from Robin Lehner

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS JAN 20, 2019 | 6:10 PM

The Islanders are dominating opponents with smothering defense and timely scoring. They executed that winning formula to perfection on Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks. Cal Clutterbuck scored twice in the first period and Robin Lehner made 19 saves for this third shutout this season as the Islanders downed the Ducks 3-0 for their fifth straight win. The victory was the 15th in 18 games for the Metropolitan Division- leading Islanders, who have surged past Washington and Columbus over the past month. The Islanders have one game remaining — Tuesday at Chicago — before the All-Star break. "We came out with a lot of energy. We work hard and frustrate the other team," said Lehner, who continued his sterling comeback season, improving to 15-7-2. "You have to set the tone and there's no reason to deviate now. We are playing our game." Clutterbuck opened the scoring at 4:50 of the first with a power-play goal. The 31-year-old forward completed a slick passing sequence by whipping the puck from the slot past former Islanders goaltender Chad Johnson. It was the sixth straight game in which the Islanders scored first as they improved to 5-1-1 this season at their former full-time home, Nassau Coliseum. Josh Bailey and Anthony Beauviller assisted. Bailey moved past Bob Nystrom on the team's all-time assist list with 279 and into a tie with Pat LaFontaine for 12th place. Bailey, who is tied with captain Anders Lee for the team lead in points with 37, has three goals and three assists in the last seven games. Clutterbuck scored again from a nearly identical spot midway through the first for his sixth goal of the season. "There's a lot of confidence in the way we are playing and it's nice to get a couple," Clutterbuck said. "It's an affirmation that the style we have and the work we've been putting in is a winning structure." Clutterbuck, in his sixth season with the Islanders, also scored in Friday's 2-0 win at Washington, which moved the Islanders past the Capitals into the division lead. The Islanders are also 25-2-1 when scoring three or more goals this season. "It's fun right now," Clutterbuck said, "but there's still a long way to go." Leo Komarov scored his sixth this season with 29 seconds remaining in the second period. The Islanders are 12-2-0 since rookie defenseman Devon Toews, who assisted on Komarov's goal, joined the lineup for the first time on Dec 23. Lehner, who leads the league in goals-against average, won for the 11th time in his last 12 games. The 27-year-old Swede has been a revelation since he signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Islanders last summer after he was let go by the Buffalo Sabres. "The defense is just helping me out and working hard," he said. The Islanders have allowed one goal or fewer 16 times this season, including each of their last four games. They have surrendered two goals or fewer in nine of their last 12. "The last three games have been amazing — Jersey, Washington, we have really suffocated them," Lehner said. The Islanders held the Capitals and Devils to fewer than 20 shots in their previous two wins, and then did it again against the Ducks, who came in with a two-game winning streak after losing their previous 12. "We did some good things but we didn't do a lot of generating off the rush," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "We were trying to force things and we lacked execution."

New York Daily News LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127144 New York Islanders

First-place Islanders win fifth straight with shutout of Ducks

By Associated Press January 20, 2019 | 11:58PM

The Islanders are dominating opponents with smothering defense and timely scoring. They executed that winning formula to perfection on Sunday against the Ducks. Cal Clutterbuck scored twice in the first period and Robin Lehner made 19 saves for this third shutout this season as the Islanders downed the Ducks 3-0 on Sunday for their fifth straight win. The victory was the 15th in 18 games for the Metropolitan Division- leading Islanders, who have surged past Washington and Columbus over the past month. The Islanders have one game remaining — Tuesday at Chicago — before the All-Star break. “We came out with a lot of energy. We work hard and frustrate the other team,” said Lehner, who continued his sterling comeback season, improving to 15-7-2. “You have to set the tone and there’s no reason to deviate now. We are playing our game.” Clutterbuck opened the scoring at 4:50 of the first with a power-play goal. The 31-year-old forward completed a slick passing sequence by whipping the puck from the slot past former Islanders goaltender Chad Johnson. It was the sixth straight game in which the Islanders scored first as they improved to 5-1-1 this season at their former full-time home, Nassau Coliseum. Josh Bailey and Anthony Beauviller assisted. Bailey moved past Bob Nystrom on the team’s all-time assist list with 279 and into a tie with Pat LaFontaine for 12th place. Bailey, who is tied with captain Anders Lee for the team lead in points with 37, has three goals and three assists in his last seven games. Clutterbuck scored again from a nearly identical spot midway through the first for his sixth goal of the season. “There’s a lot of confidence in the way we are playing and it’s nice to get a couple,” Clutterbuck said. “It’s an affirmation that the style we have and the work we’ve been putting in is a winning structure.” Clutterbuck, in his sixth season with the Islanders, also scored in Friday’s 2-0 win at Washington, which moved the Islanders past the Capitals into the division lead. The Islanders are also 25-2-1 when scoring three or more goals this season. “It’s fun right now,” Clutterbuck said, “but there’s still a long way to go.” Leo Komarov scored his sixth this season with 29 seconds remaining in the second period. The Islanders are 12-2-0 since rookie defenseman Devon Toews, who assisted on Komarov’s goal, joined the lineup for the first time on Dec 23. Lehner, who leads the league in goals-against average, won for the 11th time his last 12 games. The 27-year-old Swede has been a revelation since he signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Islanders last summer after he was let go by the Sabres. “The defense is just helping me out and working hard,” he said. The Islanders have allowed one goal or less 16 times this season, including each of their last four games. They have surrendered two goals or fewer in nine of their last 12. “The last three games have been amazing — Jersey, Washington, we have really suffocated them,” Lehner said.

New York Post LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127145 New York Islanders

Remarkable turnaround for Robin Lehner in his first season with Islanders

By Andrew Gross Updated January 20, 2019 9:19 PM

Robin Lehner never doubted he still could play hockey despite his battles with addiction and mental health issues. But he never envisioned his first season with the Islanders going this smoothly for him and so successfully for the team. “No, I was in a very dark place,” said Lehner, nearly 10 months sober, after making 19 saves for his third shutout in a 3-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday afternoon at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum. “I didn’t see much in the future at one point. My family, my wife, my kids, this organization, everybody is helping me.” Lehner, 27, who signed a one-year, $1.5-million deal after three seasons with the Sabres, improved to 15-7-3 and lowered his NHL-best goals- against average to 2.02. His save percentage of .930 is second in the league. He went 14-26-9 with a 3.01 GAA and a .908 save percentage last season. His personal demons and the Sabres’ shaky defensive play torpedoed his strong start. “The whole thing of my story, it happened and it was very unfortunate,” Lehner said. “I’m very lucky to be where I am now. We were struggling in Buffalo as a team. I was struggling, obviously, personally. But if you take away the last month and a half, which is all on me crashing, I think I played well. I did the best with what I had. “I said, coming into this season, I know I can play hockey, I know I’m a good goalie. I’ll keep working with this organization, keep working as a person, keep growing as a person within this group. It’s tremendous.” Lehner was upfront with the Islanders about his personal problems before signing with them and detailed them publicly on the first day of training camp. He said the help he’s received from the NHL’s substance abuse and behavioral health program can’t be overlooked. “The league is amazing,” he said. “People don’t talk about what the league does. They’re going to be with me the rest of my career and after my career. They do all the necessary things to help me with my journey.”

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127146 New York Islanders 1982-83: 6, 15, 5 2018-19: 5 (Oct. 27-Nov. 3), 6 (Dec. 23-Jan. 5), 5 (Jan. 13-20) Islanders win fifth straight as Cal Clutterbuck scores twice, Robin Lehner earns third shutout Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.21.2019

By Andrew Gross Updated January 20, 2019 8:51 PM

The third-period chants by the sellout crowd of 13,917 at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on Sunday afternoon neatly summed up the current state of the Islanders. “First-place Islanders!” “Robin Lehner!” and “Barry Trotz!” chants alternated as the Islanders wrapped up a 3-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Fourth-line right wing Cal Clutterbuck scored twice in the first period as the Isles extended their Metropolitan Division lead to three points over the Capitals and Blue Jackets. The Islanders, who have won five straight and 15 of 18, notched back-to- back shutouts for the first time this season. They showed no loss of focus after an emotional 2-0 win over the Capitals on Friday night in Trotz’s first return to Washington since leading the Caps to the Stanley Cup last June. “This is a very special building,” said goalie Robin Lehner, who followed Thomas Greiss’ 19-save performance by making 19 mostly stress-free saves for his third shutout and winning for the 11th time in 12 decisions. “You definitely hear it. It makes you happy to play and gives you some confidence. “The first-place chant? I don’t know about that. We haven’t done anything yet. We’re just fighting for the playoffs.” The Islanders (29-15-4), who have not made the playoffs since 2016, will conclude a grueling stretch of nine games in 15 days on Tuesday night in Chicago before entering the All-Star break and then their bye week. “This is a special group of guys,” said Clutterbuck, who has three goals in two games and four in five games. “I think people are seeing a little bit of what we’re capable of.” His reaction to the “first- place” chants mirrored Lehner’s, though. “It’s nice, but it’s still January,” Clutterbuck said. “It’s just an affirmation of the style we have. The structure is a winning structure.” The Islanders have allowed three goals in their five-game winning streak and have held their last three opponents to fewer than 20 shots. Their 119 goals against are the fewest in the NHL. They allowed a league-high 293 last season, the most in the NHL since 2007. “It’s not really fun playing track-meet games,” defenseman Johnny Boychuk said. “It doesn’t help you win and it doesn’t move you up in the standings. If we don’t [play defensively sound], we’re going to end up out of the playoffs. I think we realize that.” Judging by the crowd’s chants, Trotz is receiving the bulk of the credit for the Islanders’ defensive turnaround, but he was quick to credit the rest of his coaching staff and the players for the team’s success. “We’re all Islanders,” Trotz said. “Trust me, it’s us. I’m the beautiful face you have to look at each day and talk to. But you can see the passion at this rink, the passion on the Island.” Clutterbuck opened the scoring with a power-play goal from the slot at 4:50 of the first period and made it 2-0 from nearly the same spot at 9:56. Leo Komarov’s deflection of defenseman Devon Toews’ point shot made it 3-0 with 28.1 seconds to go in the second period. Former Islander Chad Johnson made 25 saves for the Ducks (21-20-9). Notes & quotes: The Islanders, who have a shutout streak of 132:53, have three winning streaks of at least five games for the third time in team history and the first time since 1982-83 . . . The Isles are 5-1-1 at the Coliseum, which had its fourth sellout . . . Lehner has allowed one or fewer goals in eight of his last 12 appearances . . . This was Clutterbuck’s sixth two-goal game in 11 seasons. He does not have a hat trick. This is the third time in the 47-season history of the franchise that the Islanders have put together three win streaks of five games or longer in the same season: 1978-79: 5, 7, 5 1127147 New York Rangers

This is the exact week weary Rangers have been waiting for

By Brett Cyrgalis January 20, 2019 | 8:25PM

The Rangers needed a break. This has been an arduous first 48 games for the Blueshirts. It’s not unexpected they’re at a middling 21-20-7 as their bye week begins and segues right into All-Star weekend, culminating in nine days off before they return for a Jan. 29 Garden match against the Flyers. But it has been trying in the fact that there have been large stretches of good that got some a bit starry-eyed for the postseason, and large stretches of bad that got some thinking about intentionally losing to better their chance at projected top draft pick Jack Hughes. The emotional ups and down have taken their toll, both on the veterans who haven’t been through something quite like this before and on the swath of young players who are just trying to figure their way around this league. Of course, first-year head coach David Quinn has also seemed to take every win and loss personally, which won’t be good for his health or his hairline. “I’m just really proud of the way we played the last week,” Quinn said after his team finished off a three-game winning streak with a 3-2 road win over the Bruins on Saturday night. “You see a nine-day break and you could get distracted. Your mind could be in different places. But we did a heck of a job in these three games in the last six days of really being dialed in and wanting to finish on a high note. And we did it.” Quinn has had quite a few issues to deal with in his first few months on the job, which includes figuring out how to teach the way he’s used to with such limited practice time. But he has implemented a revitalized sense of accountability. He has scratched rookies and veterans with just about the same frequency, based on their performances. The same can be said about players earning ice time based on how they’re playing. This season was always going to be about development, even if there were some thoughts of a potential playoff push when they went 9-1-1 leading into Thanksgiving. But they came out after that holiday with a brutal stretch of hockey, coming to a head with a five-game losing streak that was snapped on Jan. 12 with the team’s first-ever win over the Islanders in Brooklyn. But if they felt good about that win, they followed it up the next night with arguably their worst performance of the season in Columbus, a 7-5 loss when Quinn was so mad he called the team’s effort “just ridiculous” and “a joke.” But then they got the soft underbelly of the schedule, beating up on their own personal Washington Generals when the Hurricanes came in on Tuesday to lose their 16th straight on Broadway, followed Thursday by the 30th-overall Blackhawks and minor league goalie Collin Delia making a second win not incredibly difficult. Yet the victory in Boston was different. It was a terrific game as both sides played with a perceptible knowledge it was their final game before a long break. The Rangers were far from perfect, but were perfectly happy with being good enough. “It’s been a grind, for different reasons, up and down,” said goalie Henrik Lundqvist, now sixth on the all-time wins list and the team’s lone representative at the All-Star Game in San Jose this weekend. “I think it’s good to get a break and also reflect on why did we have a really good week here. I hope we all do that and understand how focused [we were] and how we paid attention to all the details in our game this week. That’s why we’ve been winning. Just that focus on the details, that’s what wins you games in this league. It’s very important that we understand that. “Maybe we can do that on the beach somewhere, then come back recharged. We can’t look at the big picture. Can we get in? Are we still in the race? We just have to take it week-by-week here and continue to improve as a group.” And when asked if he wished the team could keep playing with the way it has been going, Lundqvist gave a hearty laugh and shake of the head. “I’ve been waiting for this week,” he said.

New York Post LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127148 New York Rangers

Rangers feeling good about themselves entering the break

By Colin Stephenson Updated January 20, 2019 8:19 PM

All things considered, the Rangers left Boston on Saturday night feeling pretty satisfied with the way they are playing. Mika Zibanejad’s two goals and a 5-for-5 performance by their penalty-killing unit led to a 3-2 win over the Bruins. The Rangers (21-20-7) have won three straight and four of five entering their All-Star break. Beginning with a 2-1 loss to the Islanders on Jan. 10, they have played five solid games in their last six. They are nine points out of a playoff spot, but they have turned it around after starting 2019 with five straight losses. “I’m just really proud of the way we played the last week, understanding that you see a nine-day break and you could get distracted,’’ coach David Quinn said after returning to Boston for the first time since leaving Boston University last May to join the Rangers. “Your mind could be in different places. But we did a heck of a job over the last three games, these last six games, of being dialed in and wanting to finish on a high note. We did it.’’ Henrik Lundqvist, who was in goal for each of the last three wins, made 27 saves against Boston and moved into sole possession of sixth place on the all-time goaltender wins list with 446. He said he was happy “for many reasons’’ Saturday night. Lundqvist was happy to win for Quinn and _defenseman Adam McQuaid, a former Bruin who returned to Boston for the first time since being traded to the Rangers in September, but also because of how well the Rangers played entering the break. “I think it’s good to get a break and also reflect on why did we have a good week here,’’ said Lundqvist, who will represent the Rangers at the All-Star Game in San Jose, California, on Saturday. “[We] really paid attention to all the details in our game this week. And that’s why we’ve been winning. Special teams have been really good. But just that focus on the details, that’s what wins you games in this league, and it’s very important that we understand that. “Maybe we can do that on the beach somewhere and come back recharged.’’ When the Rangers return from the break, they’ll start with games against the Flyers at home Jan. 29 and against the Devils in Newark on Jan. 31. Both teams are behind them in the standings, and they’ll get the Flyers on the second night of a back-to-back. So there is an opportunity to keep their winning streak going. Lundqvist said the Rangers can’t afford to look too far ahead when they return. “We can’t look at the big picture — can we get in [to the playoffs]? Are we still in the race?’’ he said. “We’ve just got to take it week by week here and continue to improve as a group.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127149 Ottawa Senators playing better lately, too, and then you get more bounces,” said Paajarvi. “So, it all adds up.”…Nick Paul’s game-opening goal Saturday was his first since Dec. 29, 2017. Chabot relishes life as a hockey star and hockey fan Ottawa Sun LOADED: 01.21.2019

Ken Warren

ST. LOUIS — Before and after the longest injury break in his hockey career, Ottawa Senators defenceman Thomas Chabot has left no doubt that he’s one of the NHL’s brightest young stars. Yet once he gets started talking about the enthusiasm of attending next week’s All-Star Game in San Jose, he sounds more like a genuine fan than one of the stars himself. “It’s going to be really exciting, but I don’t really know what to expect,” said Chabot. “To go out there and meet some new players you don’t know and top players on other teams…I’m really looking forward to it.” Chabot has now played 18:20, 24:25 and 26:17 since returning from his eight-game absence due to a shoulder injury. The latter two games came on back-to-back nights, a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes Friday and a 3-2 defeat to the St. Louis Blues Saturday, illustrating that he hasn’t lost any step to his stride. It has already been a month to remember for Chabot and his father, Francois, who took part in the Fathers’ Day road trip on the weekend. It’s only going to get better from here. Chabot’s father and mother will be joining him for the all-star festivities in California. “I was talking to my Dad about that,” Chabot said, when asked about all the perks that come with the party. “I guess there will be a few T-shirts and jerseys that I can hand out to my family and friends, but it will be a bit of a surprise. We’re lucky to get so many free things and we’ll be well taken care of. “I would like to get all the guys on (The Atlantic Team) together. My brother asked me if I could get a jersey signed by everyone on the team.” All this for a guy who turns 22 on Jan. 30. The hockey world is his oyster. Chabot has scored 10 goals and 29 assists in 41 games and if there were any concerns about him re-discovering his groove after the shoulder injury, they disappeared quickly in his first game back, a 5-2 win over Colorado last Wednesday. He displayed some skating and passing magic throughout. “I thought the first period was a little slower, I was a little rusty, because nothing (at practice) is like playing a game,” he said. “But after that, I got the legs and head going, trying to be the same person as I was before.” Senators coach Guy Boucher marvels at how quickly Chabot re- established himself at the top of his game. “I would say it took him one period, (while) it takes some guys three games,” Boucher said. “That’s just the quality of the player and individual. He pays attention to details. He gets ready for practices and games and he got ready before he came in. “He also has easy speed and his mobility gets him out of trouble when his timing is off a little bit. That helped him get going quickly.” Chabot did some homework while rehabilitating his shoulder. While watching from the press box as the Senators lost 5-4 to Carolina on Jan. 6 – “it looks so easy, because it looks so slow from up there” — Chabot says he spotted some tendencies in how the Hurricanes approached different parts of the game. That knowledge paid off Friday, when the Senators were able to end their miserable losing streak at the PNC Arena. “I like watching the guys on our team and on other teams, I like to see the plays they make,” said Chabot. “There are some situations where you don’t think you have time, but whenever you get back into the game, you remember what you see. “I remember watching Carolina in Ottawa, their forecheck, how they were playing. I remembered where we had more room (on the ice) and I tried to bring that into our game.” PAARJARVI FINDS HIS GROOVE: Perhaps the presence of Gunnar Svensson, Magnus Paajarvi’s father, is a good luck charm. Paajarvi has scored in consecutive games, bringing his season total to five. Before scoring the game-opening goal against Carolina Friday, he had gone 18 games without a goal. “I’m getting a few more bounces, but I’ve been 1127150 Philadelphia Flyers Andrew MacDonald was credited with seven blocked shots in Saturday’s in, while Travis Sanheim was down for five. As a team, the Flyers were credited with 23 blocked shots. … Konecny’s second-period goal was his Carter Hart, Flyers enter break with stars finally aligning 100th career point. ... The Flyers have the next week off. They play again next Monday, Jan. 28, at home against Winnipeg.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.21.2019 by Sam Donnellon,

MONTREAL – Carter Hart got robbed Saturday night. Not in the game. That played out wonderfully, the Flyers' 20-year-old rookie stopping 33 shots -- including 12 in a scoreless first period -- as the Flyers extended their winning streak to three games with a 5-2 victory over the Canadiens. The steal came afterwards, when Hart was awarded only the game’s third star, behind first star Nolan Patrick (two goals) and second star Travis Konecny (goal, assist). Instead of receiving five points in the Flyers Toyota Cup race, Hart received one. Instead of closing to within seven points of Cup leader and perennial champ Claude Giroux (31 points), Hart’s lead over Patrick shrunk to one, 20-19. Konecny is in seventh place with 13. It’s a bit amazing and no doubt revealing that Hart, who has played in just a dozen games since being summoned from Lehigh Valley on Dec. 17, is bearing down on Giroux, the team’s lone All-Star. It’s also revealing that Patrick, who struggled for much of this season before a recent production surge, is sitting right behind him. Other than Giroux, there haven’t been too many Flyers worthy of postgame recognition for much of this season. But Hart’s arrival, which coincided with interim coach Scott Gordon’s arrival, has flipped that equation. The Flyers' recent victories have been notable for the range of contributors, for their resilience, and for who their opponents have been. Minnesota, Boston, and Montreal are all bubble playoff teams that could not afford to forfeit the two points the Flyers were habitually providing. ``That first period Carter gave us a chance to be even,’’ Gordon said after Saturday’s victory. Montreal outshot the Flyers 12-1 in that period and Hart’s acrobatics wowed even the hostile Bell Centre crowd. ``In the first period, they were the better team," Gordon said. "Wasn’t even close.’’ Hart is 4-2 over his last six games with a 2.54 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. In their three consecutive victories last week, the Flyers were outshot 115-70 yet outscored teams 16-9. On the other hand, maybe it’s better off the kid doesn’t get his just desserts, doesn’t track down and surpass Giroux over the team’s final 34 games. The first goalie to win the Toyota Cup was Roman Cechmanek, in its initial season of 2000-01. And no one, but no one, is interested in Hart becoming the next Roman Cechmanek. He is far from that, of course. He is selfless, supportive, deflects credit to his teammates as well as he deflects pucks, and has, in a short time, developed a devotion from them that has induced a refreshing, selling- out attitude despite their place in the standings. If he stays healthy, that position is likely to change. Patrick would have made Flyers history Saturday night if the other shot he took in the game had found the back of the net. They have never recorded hat tricks in three consecutive games. Sean Couturier had a hat trick in the 4-3 victory over the Bruins Wednesday and James van Riemsdyk had a hat trick in last Monday’s 7-4 victory over Minnesota. Patrick had two goals in that win. Patrick posted his third career two-goal game, his second of the week. He registered three shots on goal. Had one more crossed the goal line, it would have made Flyers history. Gordon referred to ``tip of the iceberg’’ in describing Patrick’s improved play this week. He has spoken to the second overall pick in the 2017 draft of maintaining a high pace throughout the game rather than in spots. Patrick was asked about that after Saturday night’s victory in Montreal. ``I think I’m capable of much more,’’ he said. ``Obviously, I’m not a guy who stepped into the league and lit it up right away. But I think that’s something that’s going to make me a better player in the long run.’’ Breakaways 1127151 Philadelphia Flyers

Nolan Patrick scores twice; Flyers top Canadiens

By The Associated Press Posted Jan 19, 2019 at 10:29 PM

MONTREAL — Nolan Patrick scored twice in the third period and the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 on Saturday night to extend their winning streak to three games. Travis Konecny and James van Riemsdyk also had goals and Michael Raffl scored an empty-netter, and Shayne Gostisbehere had two assists. Carter Hart stopped 33 shots while making his fifth consecutive start. Max Domi and Brett Kulak scored for the Canadiens, whose season-best four-game winning streak was snapped. It was the first of three meetings this season between the Canadiens and Flyers, who have now beaten Montreal in five straight games dating to the 2016-17 season. The Canadiens dropped to 3-5-0 in the second game of a back-to-back series after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 on Friday night on the road. It was also the fourth game in six nights for Montreal, while the well-rested Flyers had not played since Wednesday. But it was the Canadiens who came out flying, outshooting Philly 12-1 in the first period. Philadelphia’s only shot was a clearing attempt, though Wayne Simmonds did hit the post. Montreal was outshooting Philly 16-1 early in the second period, but that’s when the Flyers got things started on the scoreboard by scoring twice in a 1:33 span. Konecny broke the scoreless deadlock at 17:01 for his 12th goal of the season, cashing in a rebound after Antti Niemi made the save on Gostisbehere’s initial shot. With an assist on the goal, Sean Couturier extended his points streak to six games. Van Riemsdyk made it 2-0 at 18:34 when he deflected defenseman Robert Hagg’s point shot past Niemi. Patrick got his first goal at 7:06 of the third period on a 2-on-1 with Simmonds that put the Flyers up 3-0. The Canadiens answered back just 30 seconds later when Domi sent a wrist shot off the post. Patrick restored Philadelphia’s three-goal lead with his second goal of the game at 9:32 with a shot in the roof of the net after a nifty dangle to avoid Brendan Gallagher’s stick check. Kulak got one back for the Canadiens with four minutes left, jumping on a loose puck in the slot for his third of the season before Raffl scored the empty-netter with 58 seconds left. NOTES: Montreal’s Paul Byron was serving the second game of his three-game suspension. ... Domi extended his points streak to four games. ... Philly snapped a six-game losing streak on the road. Burlington County Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127152 Philadelphia Flyers eight-year, $66-million contract makes him a tough player to trade, so Fletcher probably has to go the free-agent route (such as James van Riemsdyk last summer) and hope that his potential top-end draft pick can Fish: How much change will Chuck Fletcher make as season winds make an impact if the Flyers want to return to contention in a hurry. down? Will Fletcher be bold in free agency? Well, he once signed both Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to free-agent contracts in Minnesota totaling 13 years and $98 million each. Now that’s bold. The Flyers won’t have By Wayne Fish / www.flyingfishhockey.com anywhere near that much salary cap space but you get the idea. Posted Jan 19, 2019 at 1:34 PM There are so many factors involved here but this much we do know: With a few creative moves, like the ones made in 2007, a team can get back into contention and it doesn’t have to take a whole lot of time if everything falls into place. The Flyers’ GM could choose to make more trades by the Feb. 25 deadline, with moving veteran Wayne Simmonds one possibility. Injury updates While this season doesn’t look like it will turn out quite as badly as the Fletcher updated four Flyers who are on the mend: franchise’s worst in 2006-07, there are some similarities. Elliott, G, (lower-body injury): “Brian is progressing nicely and continuing In both campaigns, the general manager and coaching positions with his rehab. He’s back on the ice but there really is no timetable set for changed hands. his return.″ Both teams found creative ways to lose games, be it poor special teams, Corban Knight, C, (broken collarbone): “He is progressing very well and inconsistent goaltending and/or massive amounts of turnovers fueled by hopefully we get the green light for Corban (who saw the doctor on mental mistakes. Friday) to advance on and off the ice.″ When the ice chips settled in the spring of 2007, the Flyers had the Samuel Morin, D, (ACL surgery): “Sam saw the doctor on Wednesday. lowest point total in the NHL and the fewest in team history. The game plan for Sam is to get his body ready to go back and play NHL hockey. We’re looking at another month before he’s ready to do that.″ Early in the 2006-07 season, coach Ken Hitchcock was fired and general manager Bob Clarke resigned. Neuvirth, G, (lower-body injury): “Michal is doing well. He was evaluated on Thursday. His timetable has not been set. We’re hoping to get him It was left to new general manager Paul Holmgren to get things fixed. back on the ice late next week.″ He went about it by making some clever trades, obtaining the rights to Burlington County Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 Nashville’s Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell and then signing free agent Danny Briere to an eight-year, $52-million contract. Things turned around quickly. The Flyers were back in the playoffs the following year and under new coach John Stevens made it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals. Now, 12 years later, the same task would appear to be falling on new GM Chuck Fletcher, who has succeeded Ron Hextall in the driver’s seat. It’s Fletcher’s mandate to see if he can finish what Hextall started, namely a patient rebuild while at the same time remaining in contending position. Which brings us to the NHL trade deadline, coming up on Feb. 25. Fletcher has already made some minor transactions, sending Jordan Weal to Arizona, putting Dale Weise on waivers (although he’s still with the team for the time being) and sending prospect Taylor Leier to Buffalo for another project, Justin Bailey. But when things start to heat up, Fletcher has to decide how much work has to be done to get the Flyers back on track again. He has a number of questions to answer, not only at the trade deadline but all the way into the offseason. Such as: Is Carter Hart already in position to make all the other Flyers’ goaltenders expendable? So far, in a small 11-game sample of work, it sure looks that way. With the contracts of veterans Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth about to run out, Hart looks like the favorite to be the No. 1 heading into the 2019-20 season. Can defense hotshots Ivan Provorov and Shayne Gostisbehere regain the form of a year ago? Both are going through “tough″ (that’s putting it mildly) seasons. Provorov says he’s not bothered by lack of progress in negotiations toward a new contract but it sure looks like he’s distracted. Fletcher has to decide how much the Russian is worth and whether he figures into the team’s long-term plans. Would the Flyers consider trading potential unrestricted free agent Wayne Simmonds at the deadline as a rental to a contending team, then try to sign him back this summer? That would maximize his value. Only thing is, Simmonds doesn’t sound too happy that players like Sean Couturier, Jake Voracek, Claude Giroux and Gostisbehere were handed big contract extensions and he wasn’t. Maybe he wouldn’t want to come back. Is it too late for 30-year-olds like Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds to still be a factor when the Flyers’ cast of up-and-coming prospects do potentially lead them back into serious contention? And if it is too late, is it time to move on and consider a reconstruction of the leadership group? Giroux has a no-movement clause in his contract and Voracek’s similar 1127153 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers' reward for spell of success is a week of rest

By Rob Parent [email protected] @ReluctantSE on Twitter 4 hrs ago Comments

For the past couple of years, the NHL, which is headed for another labor lockout in the near future, so maybe the issue will be addressed then, has had a ridiculous "bye" week for its pampered players. A full week off for every team. One might wonder ... why? But that's a question that never warrants an answer in the world's most puzzling professional sports league. Not that the players or their players union would question it, but this year's bye for the Flyers is coming along just as they have finally begun to look different, and just when they are trying to convince themselves that maybe there's hope at the end of this regular season tunnel after all. With an all-around solid performance in Montreal, the Flyers won 5-2 Saturday night. That was win No. 3 in a row, and the fourth in their last five games. This little run of success comes on the heels of an eight- game losing streak which at midseason seemed to confirm the conclusion that Flyers coach Paul Holmgren had reached weeks before: That this team needed a change in direction. That will continue to play out this winter and spring. Meanwhile, all this little run has done is get the Flyers out of last place. At 19-23-6 and 44 points, they moved ahead of the New Jersey Devils at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. By a point. While slogging through their bye week, then, the Flyers can feel good about the streak. But they can't feel great about sitting there while the Eastern Conference playoff contenders pull farther away. Entering games Sunday night, the Flyers were 14 points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were slotted at No. 8 and as the second wild card team in the conference. As it is, replacement general manager Chuck Fletcher has seen a couple of his young players step up, particularly rookie goaltender Carter Hart, who has really started to show why he's been the most hyped Flyers goalie prospect in more than 30 years. Up front, James van Riemsdyk has shaken off a forgettable first half and is paying the kind of dividends top free agent signees are supposed to offer. And Wayne Simmonds, clearly getting healthier after offseason surgery, has finally found a third-line connection with sophomore Nolan Patrick, who has scored two goals in two of his last three games. This after perhaps foretelling his team's immediate fortunes. "I think we're all just trying to stick together and turn the page and get out of this slump," Patrick said just prior to this little turnaround. "Obviously nobody wants to go through times like this. It's not what we had in mind for the team. I think you kind of see everyone's true colors when you start going through stretches like this. "No one in here is turning on each other. That's good to see. We're going to turn it around and get some wins." So far so good with this January upgrade in performance, but ahead there likely lies too steep a climb in too short a time for any postseason hopes. Doesn't hurt to try, of course. And for fans intrigued by the Flyers' pending stretch drive, their interest might be better focused on one late-winter date, that of Feb. 25. That's the day of the NHL trade deadline, and it would figure that Fletcher would at least be somewhat down the path to rebuilding or at least tweaking his team. Delaware County Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127154 Philadelphia Flyers "It was all too little too late," said Kulak, who has three goals this season. "We didn't play our absolute best in the first, but we thought we played well enough to establish a lead — which didn't happen." Patrick scores twice, Flyers top Canadiens NOTES: Montreal's Paul Byron was serving the second game of his three-game suspension. ... Domi extended his points streak to four games. ... Philly snapped a six-game losing streak on the road. MONTREAL (AP) — The Philadelphia Flyers got off to a sluggish start, and Carter Hart kept things scoreless with some solid goaltending. UP NEXT They finally broke through on the scoreboard late in the second period — Flyers: vs. Winnipeg on Jan. 28. and then kept going. Canadiens: vs. Arizona on Wednesday night. Nolan Patrick scored twice in the third and the Flyers defeated the Delaware County Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 Montreal Canadiens 5-2 on Saturday night to extend their winning streak to three games. "First period, obviously Carter gave us a chance to be even," Flyers coach Scott Gordon said. "That was a huge part of the game." Travis Konecny and James van Riemsdyk also had goals and Michael Raffl scored an empty-netter, and Shayne Gostisbehere had two assists. Hart stopped 33 shots while making his fifth consecutive start. "They were the better team in the first period," Gordon said. "It wasn't close. We got better as the game went on. We didn't have a whole lot going and we picked it up afterward." Max Domi and Brett Kulak scored for the Canadiens, whose season-best four-game winning streak was snapped. It was the first of three meetings this season between the Canadiens and Flyers, who have now beaten Montreal in five straight games dating to the 2016-17 season. The Canadiens dropped to 3-5-0 in the second game of a back-to-back series after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 on Friday night on the road. It was also the fourth game in six nights for Montreal, while the well-rested Flyers had not played since Wednesday. But it was the Canadiens who came out flying, outshooting Philly 12-1 in the first period. Philadelphia's only shot was a clearing attempt, though Wayne Simmonds did hit the post. Montreal was outshooting Philly 16-1 early in the second period, but that's when the Flyers got things started on the scoreboard by scoring twice in a 1:33 span. Konecny broke the scoreless deadlock at 17:01 for his 12th goal of the season, cashing in a rebound after Antti Niemi made the save on Gostisbehere's initial shot. With an assist on the goal, Sean Couturier extended his points streak to six games. Van Riemsdyk made it 2-0 at 18:34 when he deflected defenseman Robert Hagg's point shot past Niemi. The Canadiens were outshooting the Flyers 21-9 when Philadelphia's Jakub Voracek was called for interference on rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi at 13:33 of the second period. Montreal fired just one shot on net with the man advantage, though, a harmless wrist shot by Jonathan Drouin. The Canadiens have scored two goals on their last 27 power-play opportunities. They had an 0-for-25 stretch earlier this season. "The question's been asked of the players and they don't seem to have the answer," coach Claude Julien said. "We keep working at trying to find the answer. It's hard to explain because we're a better 5-on-5 team with those same players than we are 5-on-4. Something there has to get better. The decision-making and the choices of plays have to get better. We're not a threat at all on the power play. Tonight was one power play and it was a dead one. "It's not easy when your power play generates absolutely nothing. Things seemed to turn from that point on." Patrick got his first goal at 7:06 of the third period on a 2-on-1 with Simmonds that put the Flyers up 3-0. The Canadiens answered back just 30 seconds later when Domi sent a wrist shot off the post. Patrick restored Philadelphia's three-goal lead with his second goal of the game at 9:32 with a shot in the roof of the net after a nifty dangle to avoid Brendan Gallagher's stick check. Kulak got one back for the Canadiens with four minutes left, jumping on a loose puck in the slot for his third of the season before Raffl scored the empty-netter with 58 seconds left. 1127155 Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers are starting to do some convincing with GM Chuck Fletcher

By Jordan Hall January 20, 2019 4:00 AM

There is something to be said for the Flyers playing better hockey. Everyone begged and waited for progress. Finally, the Flyers are obliging. They've won three straight games for just the second time this season, scoring 16 goals over the streak. They've won four of their last five after plodding through an eight-game losing skid in which they netted only 15 goals. For the first time since New Year's Day, the Flyers are no longer in last place of the Metropolitan Division, thanks to a 5-2 win Saturday night over the Canadiens (see observations). Rather inconveniently, the bye week is now here followed by the All-Star break, creating an eight-day hiatus for the Flyers. Which means general manager Chuck Fletcher will have ample time to sit on these good vibes and mull the bigger decisions ahead. The problem for the Flyers, though, is this is not like years past. It's considerably too late and a small sample size of improvement won't change Fletcher's mind on 2018-19. Last season, the Flyers needed 98 points to squeak into the playoffs at Game 82. Over their final 34 games of this season, a 23-5-6 record (.765 points percentage) would get them to only 96 points. If the Flyers can make anything of 2018-19, they'll be proving just about everyone wrong. What the Flyers can convince Fletcher on is next season — how drastically to retool and how quickly things can turn around. Upper management certainly isn't on board with a massive rebuild or restart. Flyers president Paul Holmgren and Comcast Spectacor chairman and CEO Dave Scott have already been through a process that became too stagnant for their liking. Fletcher was brought in for progress. While this season spiraled into a lost cause, you can expect Fletcher is eyeing ways to make 2019-20 productive and meaningful, not another step back. "We talked about the process and we think — all three of us believe — that this is a playoff team, a quality team," Fletcher said Dec. 5 at his introductory press conference, sitting between Holmgren and Scott. "We have to push it and get better immediately. But there's also the long term. You're trying to win in the present, you're trying to win in the long term. "There are obviously certain assets you're not going to sacrifice to win three extra games in one season. So, I think you have to be prudent about it, but they've given me full autonomy to make the hockey decisions I see fit. We talked about philosophy, and again, we all agree this is a good hockey team." Fletcher is starting to see what could be next season, what can be used moving forward. Claude Giroux is still Claude Giroux. Travis Konecny is beginning to find the back of the net like he did last season. James van Riemsdyk has six markers in his last five games, playing like the 30-goal scorer the Flyers signed to a five-year, $35 million deal last July. Nolan Patrick has looked like a No. 2 overall pick over his past three games, with highlight-reel skill, four goals and six points. Shayne Gostisbehere is starting to display his offensive ability again. And Carter Hart, at just 20 years old, is showing he can be the franchise goalie you build around. For Fletcher, these developments are a positive. If only they came before the clock struck midnight on 2018-19, a season he had little chance to save. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127156 Philadelphia Flyers this season. Even with Hart providing strong goaltending, the chances of the Flyers turning into the best team in hockey over the final 10 weeks of the season seem about as slim as Michal Neuvirth receiving a contract Flyers 5, Canadiens 2: 10 things we learned from a positive lead-in to the extension. bye week Yet Hart’s emergence positions the Flyers well for next season, and beyond. Whether Hart becomes a truly great goalie in the vein of his idol Carey Price (who had a front row seat last night for his acolyte’s work) By Charlie O'Connor Jan 20, 2019 21 remains to be seen. But he certainly looks like a good one. Suddenly, the position that impacts the outcome of an individual game more than any other in hockey appears solidified, which should allow general manager Chuck Fletcher to utilize his best “prospects, picks and cap space” assets With a bye week and the All-Star break looming, the Philadelphia Flyers to fill other holes rather than blowing them on a veteran netminder. made sure that their eight-day vacation wouldn’t be spent stewing over the kinds of losses that have made this 2018-19 season such a 3: Perception vs. reality and why goalies drive everything disappointment for all involved with the club. Back in November and early December, even before the Flyers truly Led by yet another strong performance by 20-year-old netminder Carter bottomed out on the road trip that resulted in the firing of Dave Hakstol, Hart, the Flyers never trailed in Montreal, jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the consensus within the fanbase seemed to be that the team was a before cruising to a 5-2 triumph over the Canadiens on Saturday disaster. Losses were frequent, winning streaks were nonexistent and evening. Nolan Patrick scored two goals, and James van Riemsdyk, the team certainly wasn’t taking the promised “step forward.” Travis Konecny and Michael Raffl chipped in with tallies of their own. Hart stopped 33 Montreal shots to earn the victory, while his goalie Interestingly enough, however, the underlying foundations of counterpart Antti Niemi allowed four goals on 23 shots in defeat. Philadelphia’s play during that period were steady. Throughout that stretch, the Flyers were generating about 52 percent of the raw shot Note: This article will reference advanced hockey stats. If you’re looking attempts at 5-on-5, and between 54 and 55 percent of the quality- to better understand any of the referenced metrics, please read this adjusted Expected Goals. Why was the team losing so much then, to the primer, which explains the concepts behind them. point where Hextall received the ax? What it really boiled down to was the fact that after Brian Elliott went down, the team couldn’t buy a save. 1: This is what it feels like to have a great goalie Everything seems bad when a team is receiving the worst goaltending in It’s not fair to say that the Flyers have lacked above-average netminding hockey; vets aren’t trying hard enough, rookies aren’t developing fast every season since the tragic death of Pelle Lindbergh back in 1985. Ron enough, coaches aren’t doing enough. The flip side of that, of course, is Hextall delivered his fair share of great years. Roman Cechmanek was that when a team has strong netminding, everything is great! Suddenly, legitimately fantastic in the regular season. Martin Biron was fine for a Jakub Voracek isn’t getting ripped on social media for a perceived lack of few years. Even Steve Mason oscillated between good and great, aside effort. People aren’t fretting that the young talent on the roster is actually from his final season in Philadelphia. But it’s been years, decades even, bad. “Trade Giroux!” cries aren’t irrationally popping up. Yet even as the since the Flyers had a netminder who inspired the kind of confidence that Flyers are winning games now on the back of Hart, their underlying play has fans thinking before a game even starts, “Our guy in net could steal is dipping. They’re winning, but aside from Hart, the team isn’t playing all this one for us.” that well. In fact, it’s fairly easy to make the case that at least at 5-on-5, Carter Hart is sure looking more and more like that guy. they’re playing some of their worst hockey of the year. The Flyers didn’t play a complete game last night. For the first twenty Over the past five games, the Flyers are hovering at around a 43% Corsi minutes, they let Montreal run roughshod over them, as Philadelphia For Percentage and are below 40% in terms of their share of Expected produced just one shot on goal while spending the bulk of the stanza Goals. But Hart is standing on his head, so the narrative is that stuck in their own zone. And while the final 40 minutes were more back- Philadelphia has finally figured things out, that they’re “learning how to and-forth, they didn’t bounce back enough to make this game look pretty win.” Whereas in reality, they’re just getting very good goaltending and by advanced metrics (42.75% Corsi and 30.17% xG at 5v5, 1.65 to 2.60 finally finishing on the scoring chances that they’ve been generating all all-situations xG deficit). Hart easily made up the difference, though, season long but previously weren’t cashing in. stopping all 12 Canadiens shots in the opening stanza and maintaining 4: Patrick’s confidence clearly is coming around that level of play throughout. Over the past week, Patrick’s on-ice play seemed to be coming around. It Did Hart “steal” the game? The Flyers did score four non-empty net started with an impressive end-to-end rush last Thursday versus the goals, so that’s not a truly accurate statement. But on the whole, they Dallas Stars, a brief glimpse of the player who locked down the second- weren’t the better team in this one. They just had the better goalie, who line center role in the second half of 2017-18 as a 19-year-old. Two gave them the ability to survive flailing around for a third of the contest nights later, he delivered an impact first period before fading. Then came yet never once trail in it. For some teams in some cities, goalie his four-point explosion on Monday, followed by another “just fine” game performances like this are common; fans know that the team can pull out versus the Boston Bruins. It wasn’t a steady, “every game he’s a little bit a win even if the skaters deliver a C+ performance because the man better” trajectory, but the trend line was clear. Patrick was finally, between the pipes very well could be on his A+ game. Last night, mercifully figuring things out. Philadelphia fans felt that way because of Hart. Saturday night felt different from the other games over the past ten days, 2: Hart’s play the biggest positive entering the bye however — even when compared to his two-goal, two-assist showing on The Flyers enter the bye week on a three-game winning streak and Monday. It wasn’t just the fact that Patrick drove play better than any having won four out of their last five, with Hart the key reason for the Flyers player last night and scored twice versus Montreal; it was how he semi-resurgence of the club. It helps to take a step back and evaluate scored. Specifically, how he scored his second goal of the evening, just how well he’s playing by the numbers, and do so with the knowledge dangling through Brendan Gallagher in the offensive zone before that Hart is just 20 years old and nowhere near his peak as a goaltender. launching a howitzer of a short-side wrister past a startled Niemi. It was a As it turns out, the stats match the eyes — he’s playing great hockey. goal that exuded confidence. In 12 appearances, Hart has a strong 0.918 save percentage, a rate More than anything, that’s what Patrick’s game has seemingly lacked this higher than the performance of the Flyers’ top goalie on their depth chart year. He missed the assertiveness and directness that allowed him to in nine out of the last ten seasons. He’s +0.67 in 5-on-5 Goals Saved turnstile Olli Maatta in the playoffs last year, to score like a second liner Above Average (per Corsica), and just barely negative (-0.83) in all while still a teenager, and to drive play at 5-on-5 like a legitimate top- situations. In addition, all of those numbers are skewed by the poor game sixer. That’s always been the issue with the theory that Patrick simply in Carolina — knock that out of the equation, and we’re talking about a isn’t that good — he was that good in the second half of his rookie goalie with a 0.924 save percentage and easily plus in both 5-on-5 and season, or at least was on a clear path to being that good. It’s impossible all-situations GSAA. In the seven games since that rough night, he’s to know exactly why that Nolan Patrick didn’t show up to start the 2018- sporting a cool 0.927 save percentage. 19 season, but it sure looks like he’s here now. Obviously, receiving the type of goaltending that Hart has provided for 5: Konecny makes an impact as well the past few weeks is going to make it easier for the team in front of him Konecny’s issues this season have been different from those of his to win games. But this season is likely a lost cause — to reach the 97- buddy Patrick. While Patrick has struggled to have much of an impact on point threshold that the final Eastern Conference playoff seed hit in 2017- games, Konecny is, objectively speaking, doing lots of “stuff.” He’s still 18, the Flyers would have to earn 77.9 percent of the available standings flying around the ice creating chances, he’s holding a career-high Corsi points over the final 34 games of this year. For reference, the 37-10-2 For Percentage, and his 1.95 Points/60 rate at 5-on-5 is borderline first- Tampa Bay Lightning have earned 77.5 percent of their possible points liner level. Yet entering last night’s game, Konecny’s overall point players have the skill sets that allow them to make creative plays at top production was down year over year, and despite the strong even- speed, up and down the lineup. But Montreal? The fact that they are able strength scoring rates, it certainly felt like he was regularly struggling to to operate at such a breakneck velocity (and rank in the NHL top six in finish on opportunities, that he somehow should have more points than both 5-on-5 Corsi and xG in the process) is extremely impressive. his total of 24. You have to credit Claude Julien first and foremost for Montreal’s ability That perceived problem reared its head again on Saturday; Konecny to operate in this manner. Julien has long been able to produce clubs easily could have scored a hat trick had he finished on two golden with strong underlying metrics, but in Boston, he had the benefit of opportunities near the Montreal net. But the 21-year-old was simply players like Patrice Bergeron to help him do so. In Montreal, he’s leaning involved in so many dangerous plays last night that, eventually, the goals heavily on players like Armia and Phillip Danault, and helping them to came. In a span of 93 seconds late in the second period, Konecny fooled produce similar results as his Bruins clubs. He’s a heck of a coach. Niemi with a quick wrister and then helped to set up van Riemsdyk’s deflection tally with good work down low. He was a huge reason why the 9: Scoring pace of key forwards fine Flyers turned the game. For a team that clearly hasn’t met expectations, the Flyers sure do have Just as Patrick did, Konecny showcased in the second half of 2017-18 most of their forwards essentially producing their expected level of that he possesses impact-player upside. And it’s not like he’s been bad scoring production. Claude Giroux didn’t have a point on Saturday, but this year — he just hasn’t taken the leap toward that upside that some he has 52 in 48 games, a near 89-point pace over 82 games (which expected he would. Yes, PP2’s ineptitude has been a big part of would be his third-best full-season total). Couturier broke the 40-point Konecny’s scoring regression, but he’s supposed to be part of the threshold with his two assists against the Canadiens, and now he’s on solution on that unit, not part of the problem. Konecny has the ability to pace for nearly 34 goals and 71 points in a full slate. Van Riemsdyk is be a first-line winger at the NHL level, a player who can be counted on pacing for over 30 goals. Even Voracek is tracking for a 66-point season, for 60+ points a year easily. Last night served as a reminder that he which is basically right in line with his normal down years (62 points in possesses the skills to achieve that outcome. 2013-14, 61 in 2016-17). 6: Gostisbehere’s work on Konecny’s goal what the team needs from him Of course, this isn’t a complete way to look at all of their contributions, with the exception of Giroux. Couturier, by his own admission, didn’t play Speaking of players in desperate need of an infusion of confidence, well for the first month and change of the season. JvR missed six weeks Shayne Gostisbehere certainly falls into that category when it comes to due to injury, so his eventual totals won’t end up anywhere close to his the offensive side of his game. His work without the puck has largely pace. And Voracek’s on-ice metrics have been surprisingly poor, even as remained steady — not fantastic, but up to his usual standards. There’s a the raw goal/assist totals remain fine. Plus, scoring is up overall this year reason why his play-driving metrics — 50.08% adjusted Corsi, 51.88% in the NHL, so previously impressive offensive rates are a bit less so this adjusted xG — have remained largely fine, if unspectacular. But his point time around. Still, it is interesting that the big-name forwards on the roster production has fallen off a cliff. With 19 points in 48 games, Ghost is on are basically living up to reasonable expectations even as the team as a pace for only 32 points, easily a career low. whole continues to languish in the league basement. Presumably as a result of the struggles, Gostisbehere’s willingness to 10: Leier trade not moving the needle attack in the offensive zone has dropped off dramatically. He’s still generating controlled zone exits in his own end, and moving the puck On Thursday, Fletcher made his second trade as GM of the Flyers, through the middle of the ice, but in the attacking third, he’s shooting less swapping 24-year-old forward Taylor Leier for 23-year-old forward Justin and not activating down low nearly as often as he did last year. That’s Bailey. The move sent Leier to Buffalo, but both players involved were why it was reassuring to see him do both to help set up Konecny’s quickly assigned to their new organizations’ respective AHL clubs. This second-period goal. was, at its core, a minor league deal. It wasn’t a flashy play; Ghost runs a give-and-go with Sean Couturier, Of course, Leier’s presence on the Flyers roster for the entire 2017-18 then carries the puck deep into the offensive zone before taking a sharp- season makes the trade feel heavier than a mere AHLer-for-AHLer swap. angle shot with the goal of creating a rebound. But it’s the type of activity But Leier’s chances of earning his way back on to the NHL roster with the that has been lacking in Gostisbehere’s game over the past few weeks. Flyers seemed slim. He never showed that he could score with the big club — seven points in 55 NHL games — and while his speed and That’s not to say that Ghost is completely fixed. Early in the third period, forechecking ability were always impressive, he failed to establish himself he passed up on a quality opportunity to shoot the puck on a power play as a plus penalty killer in Philadelphia, a necessity for a fourth liner not rush that he engineered, instead choosing to try and force a pass to a bringing much offense to the table. teammate in a less dangerous spot on the ice. But plays like the one that resulted in Konecny’s goal will hopefully get Gostisbehere back thinking Most likely, Leier is a quad-A player; a forward capable of racking up like his old self, reflexively attacking and creating rather than hesitating points and excelling in the AHL, but who can’t quite do enough to lock and overthinking. down a full-time NHL role. With players like Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Mikhail Vorobyev having obviously jumped Leier on the depth chart when 7: Provorov not turning a corner it came to the “prospects that likely top out as very good bottom-sixers” list, and even more players like that coming through the pipeline in the It wasn’t all positive on Saturday for the key members of the Flyers’ coming years, there just wasn’t a real spot for Leier anymore. Fletcher young core. While Hart, Patrick, Konecny and Gostisbehere all at least essentially did Leier a favor by letting him get a fresh start with a new showed flashes of reaching the level that the team so desperately needs organization, where hopefully he can change the current trajectory of his them to hit in order to ensure that this disappointing 2018-19 is just a career. As for Bailey, he’s an intriguing size/speed project, but one who one-off clunker, Ivan Provorov continues to be mired in the muck that has has yet to take full advantage of his physical gifts to become a full-time engulfed his work this season. NHLer. He’s a worthwhile lottery ticket player, but most likely, he’ll end up It’s not that Provorov is ever flat-out awful. He still makes plays with the being viewed just like Leier was by the end — a forward best suited to puck — particularly in terms of generating zone exits — appears to have helping the Phantoms rather than pushing for a spot on the big club. his usual mobility, and holds up well in defensive zone coverage. But The Athletic LOADED: 01.21.2019 lapses like the ones above, usually related to puck handling, just keep happening. They’re the biggest reason why all too often this year, Provorov has delivered 5-on-5 metrics like what he had on Saturday (33.33% Corsi, 28.28% xG). He’s just making too many odd mistakes to truly drive play at even strength. 8: Credit Montreal for their pace Take a look at the Canadiens on paper, and they don’t seem to be an especially frightening team. Sure, every team wishes they had a Brendan Gallagher, both Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin have serious offensive skill, Shea Weber’s still a great defenseman, and they have Carey Price as well. But top-to-bottom, this isn’t a club stocked with high-end talent. It’s a team that gave Joel Armia — a useful player to be sure but one used as a fourth liner on Winnipeg last year — the fifth-most minutes among forwards last night. They’re far from overwhelming in theory. Yet Montreal played on Saturday like a club teeming with talent. Their pace was relentless, particularly in the first half of the contest. It’s easy to understand how a team like the Lightning plays as fast as they do — their 1127157 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins send newly acquired winger Joseph Blandisi to Wilkes- Barre/Scranton

Jonathan Bombulie

As they begin a weeklong midseason break, the Pittsburgh Penguins assigned newly acquired winger Joseph Blandisi to Wilkes- Barre/Scranton of the AHL on Sunday. Blandisi, 24, was acquired from Anaheim for center Derek Grant early Thursday morning. He made his Penguins debut Friday in Arizona, going without a point in about seven minutes of ice time, then was a healthy scratch Saturday at Vegas when Patric Hornqvist returned from a concussion. Blandisi was able to be sent to the AHL without going through waivers. That wouldn’t have been the case for Grant, which was perhaps the primary reason general manager Jim Rutherford made the trade in the first place. With Blandisi down and Zach Aston-Reese out with a hand injury, the Penguins have 12 healthy forwards on the roster, including call-up Garrett Wilson on the fourth line. It’s likely they will call a 13th forward back up when the break ends next Sunday. Jonathan Bombulie Tribune Review LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127158 Pittsburgh Penguins There was nothing wrong with the changes in a vacuum. Kessel and Simon both scored goals. In the big picture, though, they show the Penguins have found no consistency in the middle six. Penguins head into break with nagging inconsistencies Whether the answers are found internally or externally before the Feb. 25 trade deadline, they need to get the puzzle pieces to fit together better. Jonathan Bombulie Follow the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long. Jonathan Bombulie As they watched goalie Casey DeSmith try to fend off breakaway after Tribune Review LOADED: 01.21.2019 breakaway throughout a 7-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins were faced with a harsh reality. It’s not that they’re a bumbling bunch whose championship window is closing. That’s way too dramatic. The .604 winning percentage they’ve managed through the first 48 games of the season is a perfectly fine pace to get them into the playoffs relatively comfortably. No, the harsh reality is that they’re a team capable of transitioning from an eight-game winning streak to a 2-3-0 western road trip in a matter of days. They’re capable of erasing a 3-1 deficit like it’s nothing, like they did in the second period against Vegas, then immediately following that up by allowing four unanswered goals. Consistency is the hallmark of a Cup-caliber club, and the Penguins sure haven’t found it yet this season. “We’ve got to make sure that we play a brand of hockey that’s playoff ready that gives us a chance to win night in and night out,” coach Mike Sullivan said. After the loss, the Penguins were set to scatter across North America for a week-long midseason break. Sullivan said he wants his team to enjoy the time off. “I think it will be good for all of us to get away from the game a little bit,” he said. He also said he expects to see playoff-caliber consistency when the break is over. “When we come back, we’ve got to be focused and determined on playing our best hockey,” Sullivan said. “The most important thing from my standpoint, and this is what I said to them after the game, is that we have to find a way to become a team that has a clear identity of what it is and how we’re going to play and then everybody’s got to buy into it. Everyone, to a man, has got to buy into it.” Here are three things we learned from Saturday night’s game. 1. Turning point It wasn’t hard to pick out the turning point. With the score tied 3-3 in the second period, an Evgeni Malkin power-play goal was waved off when he kicked the puck into the net. Seconds later, Marc-Andre Fleury did the splits to stop a Phil Kessel backdoor chance. Minutes after that, a stickhandling misadventure by DeSmith led to a Jonathan Marchessault goal that gave the Golden Knights the lead for good. In general, Fleury was excellent as he made 34 saves to improve to 2-1 against his old team. DeSmith made some remarkable stops among his 28 saves, including four on breakaways, but the Marchessault goal was a killer. He’s dropped three straight starts. 2. Scheduled loss Saturday night’s game may have been the most difficult circumstances the Penguins will face all season. They were playing on consecutive nights after flying in from Arizona while the Golden Knights had been off since Tuesday. On top of that, their last game before a long break was played in the most distracting city in the league. Human nature suggests they would lack focus, and they did. 3. Middle-six woes Sullivan continued to shuffle up personnel on the second and third lines. Kessel spent most of the game in an unfamiliar position on the left wing with Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist. Dominik Simon and Bryan Rust swapped places midgame. 1127159 Pittsburgh Penguins Eight is barely tenable. Nine is impossible. There’s not enough reps to go around, and the Penguins general manager would be wasting a potential asset. Which is why you can expect Rutherford to do something. Analysis: How the Penguins can rediscover their identity What is that? It depends. There are a couple of routes Rutherford could go. JASON MACKEY He could angle for picks and prospects and try to restock that cabinet, however small the return. Or Rutherford could address a need on the JAN 20, 2019 12:06 PM NHL club, which would likely involve a depth forward and/or a little bit of a different personality to shake things up in the room.

At any rate, Rutherford has options. LAS VEGAS — Penguins coach Mike Sullivan paused for a second and took a breath, seemingly aware of the platform he has and how what was 4. This might relate to the previous topic, but the Penguins have made about to come out of his mouth might be received, by fans and players little progress with Derick Brassard and the third line. alike. That group — Brassard between Tanner Pearson and Dominik Simon — It was late Saturday night, after a 7-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights was good Friday in Arizona but didn’t make it to the halfway mark of the at T-Mobile Arena, and Sullivan was asked about his message for the Vegas game before Sullivan changed his lines. Penguins as they begin a five-day “bye week” that takes them into the three-day All-Star break. Not saying the Penguins should build their team around Brassard’s wishes, but sooner or later, if they’re going to keep him, they likely need “I think the most important thing from my standpoint — and this is what I to find a situation that works for him and stick with it. Or trade him. said to them after the game — is that we have to … we have to find a way to become a team that has a clear identity of what it is and how If they’re going to form an identity, part of that is having more than two we’re going to play,” Sullivan said. “Then everybody’s got to buy into it. lines that can score, and so much switching and swapping seemingly has Everyone, to a man, has to buy into it. had a negative effect on Brassard’s game. “We have to be harder to play against. We have to make better decisions 5. Speaking of lines, the Penguins could use some balance on the other with the puck. We’ve got to make sure that we play a brand of hockey three. that’s playoff-ready and gives us a chance to win night in and night out. With Patric Hornqvist back, it might make sense to revisit playing him “I think to this particular juncture in the season we’ve done it at times, alongside Crosby and Jake Guentzel, for a variety of reasons. but not nearly consistently enough to become the team we’re capable of One, believe it or not, involves Malkin. The Penguins need to get Malkin becoming.” straightened out and find him some confidence. The most reasonable So, the Penguins want to work on their identity, feeling there’s work to way of doing that is likely with Phil Kessel; Hornqvist has produced with do. That’s reasonable. They are, after all, 26-16-6, good enough for 58 Malkin in the past, but Malkin’s stellar play was the engine driving that points and fourth place in the Metropolitan Division entering Sunday. line. They had a four-point lead over the Buffalo Sabres for the second wild- For as many line combinations as Sullivan has shuffled through, one he card spot in the Eastern Conference. hasn’t tried much of now is available: Malkin and Kessel with Bryan Rust. While Sullivan mentioned a few things in his answer, it wasn’t a Before, Carl Hagelin was there, and Rust was slumping. Lately, Rust has comprehensive list. been too good with Crosby and Guentzel to consider moving. But with Here’s a more detailed look at what the Penguins must do to rediscover Rust’s production normalizing a bit — and Sullivan seemingly OK now and crystallize their identity. moving him — why not Rust, Malkin and Kessel? 1. They need to tamp down the number of unforced errors. Yes, hockey An element that has been missing with Malkin and Kessel together — is a game of mistakes, and all 31 NHL clubs have bad nights. But some even though they were very good in Arizona — is speed, which is why of the stuff the Penguins have done … man, let’s just say they’ve gotten Hagelin fit so well. Rust is the best available option, and it would allow their money’s worth. No screwing up small here. Brassard to return with Pearson and Simon. Poor and ill-timed pinches, as evidenced by what Olli Maatta did Riley Sheahan, who was at second-line left wing, could re-assume Saturday on Oscar Lindberg’s goal. Turnovers by Evgeni Malkin and Kris fourth-line duties with Matt Cullen and either Garrett Wilson or Zach Letang on the first two games of the trip, which led to short-handed Aston-Reese. goals. Derick Brassard and Malkin losing Vegas forwards in front. 6. The Penguins need to make sure their defense pairs are equally as It’s a sloppiness and lack of attention to detail generally not associated balanced. When Schultz comes back, with whom does he play? Likely with teams you expect to make a Stanley Cup run. Or escape the first Olli Maatta, but that’s not a given. round of the playoffs. It’s also somewhat worrisome what happened to the No. 3 pairing of “We generated some good [chances],” Sidney Crosby said after the Marcus Pettersson and Jack Johnson out West. So good until the road Vegas loss. “We had more than enough to score goals, more than trip, things came unglued. enough to win a game. We didn’t defend well enough as a group.” Pettersson was on the ice for eight five-on-five goals against in five 2. The Penguins would be wise to play Matt Murray as much as his body games — twice as many as his first 18 games with the Penguins. will allow. Johnson, meanwhile, was on for 12 of the 23 goals the Penguins allowed on the trip (all situations). Don’t run him into the ground, mind you, but there’s a pretty large gap right now between the exemplary work being turned in by Murray and Brian Dumoulin and Kris Letang aren’t going anywhere, but how Sullivan that of Casey DeSmith, who has allowed 14 goals over his past three constructs his second and third pairs could impact how easily the starts, all of them losses. Penguins rediscover the defensive part of that identity. Murray is 10-1 since returning from a lower-body injury Dec. 15, with a 7. This sort of ties into No. 1, but the Penguins lately have been prone to goals-against average (1.81) and save percentage (.944) that both rank lapses that have really hurt their chances of winning games. second among regular NHL netminders in that stretch. Short-handed goals, sure, but also a penalty-filled start in Arizona, then With only one set of back-to-backs from now until March 1-2, it’s the taking their foot off the gas in the third. Early deficits against Anaheim perfect time to let Murray do his thing. and Los Angeles. Getting outworked by San Jose. Blowing 2-1 and 3-2 leads against Chicago. 3. Speaking of doing his thing, Jim Rutherford, you’re up. Sullivan wants the Penguins to be resilient, something he often has Justin Schultz should rejoin the team soon after the break, and he’s preached when the word identity comes up. A better option, obviously, is slated to return to game action around the middle of February, if not a not needing to come back in the first place. A more consistent effort will little before. When that happens the Penguins will have nine NHL help in that regard. defensemen. “We just have to find our identity,” Hornqvist said. “We can’t play one good period a night. We have to find a way to play a hard 60 minutes. This group has been through a lot. I have no doubt in this group.” Jason Mackey Post Gazette LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127160 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins reassign Joseph Blandisi to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

LAS VEGAS — The Penguins on Sunday reassigned forward Joseph Blandisi to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. Blandisi, who was acquired for Derek Grant on Jan. 17, played one game for the NHL club and had two shots on goal in 6:47 during Friday's 3-2 overtime win at Arizona. With the Penguins on their bye week, and the fact that they don’t play against until Monday, Jan. 28 because of the All-Star break, it’s likely the Penguins wanted Blandisi to get some games. The Baby Penguins play Monday, Wednesday and Saturday of this week. Jason Mackey Post Gazette LOADED: 01.21.2019

1127161 San Jose Sharks

Sharks recall defenseman after Erik Karlsson was late scratch vs. Lightning

By Marcus White January 20, 2019 11:18 AM

One day after All-Star defenseman Erik Karlsson was a late scratch against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Sharks placed another important blueliner on injured reserve. Marc-Edouard Vlasic headed to IR, and the Sharks recalled defenseman Jacob Middleton to take his place on the active roster. Vlasic practiced with the team Friday, but now will not play in San Jose's final two games before the All-Star break. Middleton's presence indicates Karlsson might not be good to go, either. The Sharks have carried eight defenseman on their roster all season, and Middleton's recall gives San Jose two healthy defenseman who can take Karlsson's place in the lineup. Joakim Ryan did so in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Karlsson's undisclosed injury also might place his status for Saturday's NHL All-Star Game in San Jose in doubt, assuming he does not play Monday against the Florida Panthers and/or Tuesday against the Washington Capitals. He did not play in the final six-and-a-half minutes of the Sharks' win over the Pittsburgh Penguins last Tuesday, and reportedly was limping after their loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday. Vlasic has not played since Jan. 2, when he left in the final 10 minutes of the Sharks' 5-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche. San Jose coach Peter DeBoer told reporters Friday that Vlasic was getting closer to a return, but the team did not want to risk further injury. “We’re not going to put him out there and get him reinjured,” DeBoer said at the time. “Especially with the 10-day break on the horizon. But if he can help us and get in there, then he will.” Middleton made his NHL debut on Jan. 5 against the Lightning. He had just 5:02 of ice time in that game, and played three games with the AHL San Jose Barracuda after the Sharks activated defenseman Justin Braun from IR. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127162 St Louis Blues

Preview: Blues at Kings

By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch 5 hrs ago

BLUES AT KINGS When, where • 3 p.m. Monday, Staples Center TV, radio • NBCSN, KMOX (1120 AM) About the Kings • Just over two months ago, the Kings shut out the Blues 2-0 at Enterprise Center. Mike Yeo was fired about 90 minutes after that Nov. 19 game. The Kings were last in the NHL standings at that time and remain last, with a record of 19-26-4 and 42 points. LA is coming off a 7-1 debacle Saturday in Colorado, a game in which the Kings allowed six goals in the second period. The Kings are last in the league in scoring at 2.22 goals a game and have scored two goals or less in 31 of 49 games. Anze Kopitar has a team-high 13 goals; Dustin Brown has 12. Special teams are an issue as well: The Kings rank 26th on the power play (15.2 percent) and 30th in penalty killing (74.7 percent). Jim Thomas St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127163 St Louis Blues Other than Perron, the Blues took all their injured players — Tyler Bozak, Robert Thomas, Zach Sanford — on the trip, suggesting that at least one of them could get back in the lineup. (Sanford just went on injured Blues must avoid dreaming in California reserve, so he can’t.) When the Blues return to action, they will have a busy schedule of games. The 28 days of February will see 14 games, with three sets of By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch 5 hrs ago back-to-backs. Plus, looming Feb. 25 is the trade deadline. A year ago, the Blues were in the thick of the race for a playoff spot and still dealt free-agent-to-be center Paul Stastny. If they did that last season, this year’s impending unrestricted free agents had better keep change-of- LOS ANGELES • The Blues’ season has come together gradually. Very address forms handy. gradually. Probably too gradually for their liking. “We’ve got two more games and then a break,” defenseman Carl It took them more than half the season to win three games in a row. Gunnarsson said. “We just have to try to win them. Where we are in the Vladimir Tarasenko’s scoring finally seems to have clicked in. The standings, we just have to focus on right now.” goaltending has become more dependable since the arrival of Jordan Binnington, which has given the Blues a somewhat viable home-road St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 01.21.2019 platoon system. The team is playing better at five-on-five, playing well at both ends of the ice, even if the power play isn’t what it once was. Penalties are down. Probably the first thing the team figured out in the process of more consistent play was how to win on the road, something that came together in early December. Starting with the team’s 1-0 win over Winnipeg on Dec. 7, the Blues have gone 6-2-1 on the road, one of the few optimistic numbers of the season. If this team is to find salvation, it will come on the road, and if the team is to spend its All-Star break, and the off week that follows, thinking warm, sunny and optimistic thoughts, that will come in Southern California. The Blues close the first half of their season with road games vs. the Kings on Monday and the Ducks on Wednesday, before going dark — no practices, no nothing — until Feb. 1, when they reconvene before a road game at Columbus. Coming up on eight days off is enough of a distraction, but coming up on those in Southern California, where it will be warm and sunny and not cold and snowy, one could easily find oneself looking ahead. Throw in that the Kings have one of the worst records in the league and the temptations only rise. But that is something the Blues can’t afford. For a team still on the outside looking in, distractions are the last thing they need. This team is in no position to be wasting any opportunity. “It’s important that we stay focused and not think ahead about the break and things like that,” Blues interim coach Craig Berube said. “We’ve got LA that did not have a good outing (Saturday, losing to Colorado 7-1), so they’re going to be a hungry team, and they’re a strong team. They’re big, it’s going to be a hard game, so we have to be ready. Anaheim’s fighting, too (one point out of the last wild card spot), so they’re going to be tough games, both of them. They always are out here, they’re big, heavy teams and we’re going to have to play really well.” “Yeah, it’s two tough teams, and anytime you go out to Cali, they’re heavy teams,” center Ryan O’Reilly said. “They’re teams that have gone far in years prior, they know how to play a heavy game. So we’ve got to take it one at a time, but be ready. It’s going to be a dogfight.” Everything is a dogfight nowadays for the Blues, who are five points out of the last wild-card spot in the West though, it should be noted, that can be said of almost everyone in the conference other than Chicago and Los Angeles. It’s a tightly packed group, with essentially eight teams vying for three spots. In the short term — and with only two games to go before the break, everything is the short term — the Blues will be without winger David Perron, who is tied for the team lead in goals with 17 but isn’t on the trip because of an upper-body injury. On Saturday, his linemate O’Reilly was teamed with Tarasenko and Pat Maroon, and the group had an effective night, combining for 14 of the team’s 60 shot attempts, and one of the three goals. “I thought we did really well,” O’Reilly said. “I thought Patty was outstanding. He held on to the puck and was making plays. And Vladi, again with a massive goal, doing his thing. We were a line that generated a lot. Obviously missing DP, it’s a tough hole to fill, but we were able to get the win, which is huge.” Tarasenko has five goals in his past eight games — his five goals before that were spread over 27 games, so this would be considered better — and with 16 on the season is one behind Perron and O’Reilly. A 30-goal season is once again within reach. “He’s shooting it quicker and he looks a lot more confident right now,” Berube said. “He’s got the puck a lot, hanging on to it, he’s being strong with it. He looks like a threat a lot of times he’s out there now.” 1127164 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning-Sharks: Rewinding Tampa Bay’s bounce back win The Lightning improved to 11-1 after a loss. Mathieu Joseph second among rookies. How the goals were scored.

By Times Staff Writer

TAMPA – The Lightning needed to make a statement coming off a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs just two days ago. The statement didn't need to be flashy or anything of the like, but it needed to show once again why this team is the best in the league (and on pace for the coveted Cup). Yet a flashy statement it left as the Lightning took away a 6-3 win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night. Here are some odds and ends from the win: Preventing back-to-back losses. The Lightning avoided back-to-back losses with the win over the Sharks. The team now moves to an 11-1 record following a loss. Tampa Bay had lost two of its last three games for the third time this season before Saturday's game. Taking the first lead. It took less than four minutes for RW Mathieu Joseph to make a scene at Amalie Arena Saturday night. The rookie stole a rebound off of center Anthony Cirelli and found the back of the net, bringing up the Lightning 1-0. Joseph continues to impress. Joseph is now second among all NHL rookies in goals scored with 12. His first-period score against San Jose Saturday night broke a four-way deadlock with Ottawa's Colin White and Brady Tkachuk and Carolina's Andrei Svechnikov. Vancouver's Elias Pettersson leads all rookies with 22 goals and 42 points. Killorn in for the kill. LW Alex Killorn saw an opportunity as center Brayden Point got turned around on a in front of San Jose's net late in the first period. Point lost control of the puck, Killorn grabbed it and scored. The Gourde-goal drought has ended. C Yanni Gourde scored his first goal in nine games in Saturday's game against the Sharks. It also marked his second goal in 20 games. Despite the lack in scoring, he has contributed to the team in other ways bringing up 29 points overall so far this season. Hedman strikes again. D Victor Hedman has recorded multiple points in consecutive games. In Saturday's win he scored the game-winning goal off an assist from RW Nikita Kucherov. Double Stamkos? No problem. C Steven Stamkos registered two goals in Saturday's contest marking his sixth multi-goal gamer this season and the 71st of his career. Good against the Lightning. Sharks' LW Evander Kane stole most of the spotlight for his team logging two out of the three goals against the Lightning Saturday night. Kane also scored two goals in San Jose's 5-2 win against Tampa Bay on Jan. 5. Kucherov, Kucherov everywhere. Kucherov has a point in 38 of 49 games this season, and has led the league in scoring since Dec. 28. He had two more points on Saturday night, assisting Hedman and Stamkos. Happy Gasparilla! The Lightning got in the spirit with pirate-themed graphics all night, including a treasure chest and team flags on the scoreboard and a wooden bolt instead of the usual white one to lead into replays. No Sergachev this time. D Mikhail Sergachev scored his first goal of the season on Jan. 5 against San Jose, but didn't get a chance to try for his third on Saturday. It was his turn to sit out as part of the defenseman rotation. LW Danick Martel also sat out among forwards. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127165 Toronto Maple Leafs But it was the fourth line that produced the first goal, which was a bit of a fluke, thanks to a strong shift by William Nylander, Frederik Gauthier and Par Lindholm. Gauthier and Nylander kept the puck in the Arizona zone Leafs fumble away another one with loss to mediocre Coyotes with Nylander feeding Dermott at the point. The defenceman’s wobbly shot found the top corner on goaltender Darcy Kuemper at 11:45.

That was as good as it got for the Leafs, as their play declined through DAVID SHOALTS the second period when the Coyotes outshot them 11-5. Typical of the disjointed play was an odd scoring chance for the Coyotes midway through the period. As Leafs defenceman Ron Hainsey took his It is still not clear where bottom is but the Toronto Maple Leafs took a time getting back, Coyotes forward Josh Archibald moved past him and couple more steps down to it Sunday night. followed a high lob pass to the net. The puck actually got to Andersen first and he fired it straight back out. But the puck hit Archibald flush on They let a strong start dribble away to another feeble effort and a 4-2 loss the face and rebounded right at Andersen, who had to make the save to the mediocre Arizona Coyotes. It was the Leafs’ fourth consecutive while Archibald slid to the boards, writhing in pain. loss at home and sixth in their last seven games in front of their own fans who, oddly enough, did not seem unduly distressed by the lack of fire. Globe And Mail LOADED: 01.21.2019 There were no complaints until the final seconds when a few boos were heard. Perhaps that was because the Leafs still sit second in the NHL’s Atlantic Division with a 29-17-2 record and 60 points. But the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens have been hovering for weeks thanks to the Leafs’ ineptitude and both are one point behind them. The Leafs players and head coach Mike Babcock were in agreement with the fans. They thought they put up quite the effort against the Coyotes, who have won five of their last seven games but sport an overall record of 22-22-4. “There were a lot of good things,” said centre John Tavares, who scored his 30th goal of the season. “We controlled a lot of the play. I think, really, other than them having four power plays and probably two or three shifts after we tied it in the third, they had some momentum. “The rest of the game we did some really good things. I thought we were staying with it, skating well and getting on pucks. Another game we didn’t get much room. I counted three posts … I don’t know if it was more than that. Obviously it’s a game of inches, small fractions here and there.” While it certainly appeared the Leafs let a good start slip away over the second period, Babcock, too, declared himself satisfied with the effort. He noted the Coyotes, who outshot the Leafs 31-27, blocked 30 shots. “I thought we had the puck a lot,” he said. “I didn't think we had a lot of puck-luck, to be honest with you. We had lots of attempts, the puck is lying there and we never got it to the net as much as we could have off those rebounds and pucks laying there. “I liked a lot of the things we did. It appeared to me - I haven't watched the game [on video] - but it appeared to me live that we had the puck an absolute ton and, in the end, we didn't win the game. You're going to have some of those.” The Leafs did score the first goal of the game on a long shot from defenceman Travis Dermott, who moved up to the second pair after Jake Gardiner was unable to play because of back spasms. However, the Leafs slowly slid downhill from there. It was as if the rare Sunday night game had them as out of sorts as the fans, who did not seem overly enthused either. By the end of the second period, the Coyotes led 2-1 on goals from Mario Kempe and Clayton Keller. The Leafs got the fans excited early in the third period when Tavares’ goal tied the score. But they coughed up a goal to Vinnie Hinostroza a few minutes later and that stood up as the winner. The Leafs pulled goaltender Frederik Andersen with two minutes left in the third period for an extra skater but could not produce much in the way of scoring chances. Lawson Crouse scored an empty-net goal for Arizona. To add to the Leafs’ woes, left winger Andreas Johnsson was lost late in the second period. He sustained a concussion in a collision with the boards and did not return to the game. Babcock said he will not play in Wednesday’s game against the Washington Capitals, which means Johnsson is out until the Leafs return from their all-star and five-day breaks on Feb. 1 against the Detroit Red Wings. Gardiner, who had been playing through his back spasms for a while, is also unlikely to play Wednesday. It was actually Mitch Marner who came out flying the highest for the Leafs. He dangled his way to three shots on goal and seven shot attempts in the first period, which included at least three tremendous scoring chances. 1127166 Toronto Maple Leafs To which I would ask: The $7-million man or the $6-million man? The 22-year-old player into his third season as a Maple Leaf or the 55- year-old coach into his fourth season as bench boss of the Maple Leafs? Lost Leafs have gone to the dogs Which of the two carries the greater burden for the bust that William Nylander has been since he returned to the team on Dec. 6? By ROSIE DIMANNO Only one of them is indisputably not going anywhere: Mike Babcock. Star Columnist Clearly the player is most directly responsible for what he does, or Sun., Jan. 20, 2019 doesn’t do, on the ice. Yet all of that is incumbent on how he’s deployed, on what the coach can pull out of him, on Babcock’s ability to crank up Nylander’s give-a-game meter. Man, these are some haggard Maple Leafs. It took Babcock 18 games to admit that his whole strategy may have been off. Nylander did not benefit from playing alongside highly skilled Scrawny and scuffling. Lost all the roses in their cheeks from a couple of linemates. He may be conditioning fit now, but his performance hasn’t months ago. Starting to look haunted, ashen. kept pace with his privileges. Collars tightening with Sunday night’s raggedy 4-2 submission to the On Thursday in Sunset, Fla. and again Sunday night against the Coyotes Coyotes, yet another opponent Toronto should have had for breakfast. — until a concussion suffered by Andreas Johnsson threw all the lines a- jumble — Babcock demoted his flailing winger to the fourth line, with a What in blazes is happening? Because there’s definitely little fire in the pair of muckers in Frederik Gauthier and Par Lindholm. belly of this gang, through just about all of 2019. It’s arguable whether downshifting Nylander can possibly have its And, shiver down the spine, even Freddie Andersen flickered on and off intended effect. But whither-whether Nylander has become a kind of Sunday night, surrendering one cheesy goal on an acute angle while mania. turning to look over the wrong shoulder on another that caromed off some piece of his body, side of the pad or backside. This is the first existential hockey challenge Babcock has faced since arriving in Toronto as a coaching messiah. It is a test of his mettle, not This is a full funk now, staggering along with a 3-7-0 record since Dec. only fixing Nylander — thus far a big fail — but hauling a team of which 29. so much was expected out of their mid-season doldrums. Maybe, just Endlessly claiming they’re about to come out of the collective fug; too maybe, Babcock’s system — the stretch passes, only one forward back good for these recent mewling efforts, save for a magisterial performance to help protect the puck in the D-zone as wingers burst up ice, a shrug-off against league-leading Tampa Bay last week. of completing checks in the apparent belief that only takes a player out of the flow, carry the puck rather than dump and chase — is a factor. Auston Matthews, stuck on his one goal in 13 games schneid, so hopeful for a breakthrough against his hometown club. Nylander sticks out as a bunion, but Toronto’s recent fall from grace is certainly not all down to him. “I don’t know. I think we’re going through some adversity as a team. Obviously we want to get out of this as soon as possible. Hopefully in the Babcock asserts that relegating Nylander isn’t a punishment. long run, this is something good for us and we learn from it. “When I talk to Willy, he knows he’s getting in his own way now,” the “It just seems night after night these little things that are costing us goals, coach had said earlier in the day. “So we’re going to take the heat off ending up costing us important points.’’ him. A wasteland of points, squandered. Thank heavens for all those points “He knows — he told me — exactly what he’s got to do. He wants to do racked up through autumn. well, and it’s not going as good. And he hasn’t been able to handle as good as he could. So now we’ve got to help him out.” John Tavares, who fleetingly knotted it at twos in the third period with his 30th of the season — his first goal in four games, after he got kicked out Babcock bristled when asked if, in retrospect, he’d mishandled Nylander of the faceoff circle, Zach Hyman turning a nice cameo on the dot — by throwing him into the fray, alongside top drawer linemates. counselled staying the course, even “embracing’’ these helter-skelter “Hindsight’s the beauty … that’s the good thing about your job, you get to days. look at it in hindsight. I don’t get to do that. We tried to do what we could, to get him going the best we could, and it didn’t go, so here we’re at.’’ “We had a great stretch for a couple of months. Obviously now it doesn’t seem like it’s going our way. We have to just keep pushing forward, The view from here, for the Leafs, isn’t pretty. doing a lot of the good things we did tonight, cleaning up obviously the Rosie DiManno mistakes in some of the areas where we weren’t at our best. Toronto Star LOADED: 01.21.2019 Tavares, like his coach, claimed to see positive glimpses in the defeat, a better work ethic and territorial control. Some of us didn’t see that, truthfully. “After we tied it in the third, they had the momentum the rest of the game,” continued Tavares. “They blocked a lot of shots, we missed the net at times. But I like the approach of the team, the patience, the positive attitude.’’ Three posts the Leafs hit. So there’s that. An exceedingly tight game this was, no denying. But it’s been a long time — that defeat of the Lightning an exception — since the Leafs have looked in command of a game. The Scotiabank Arena crowd booed them off the ice, a collective shake of the fist. No Jake to kick around this team, spasmed out of the lineup with back woes. Though, with a few Martin Marincin bungles, it was almost like having Gardiner right there. The outcome also overtook what had been the bolder face narrative hours earlier — William Nylander as a fixture on the fourth line. Almost made Mike Babcock look like a genius, for the blink of an eye, Nylander securing a point — one point! — for the assist on Travis Dermott’s goal, which opening the scoring in the first. First point since Dec. 11 for the newly clean-shaven Nylander. And oh, he’d been getting an earful of castigation. You know, that crazy generous new contract and all, with nothing but a pipsqueak goal to show for it. 1127167 Toronto Maple Leafs Kevin McGran Toronto Star LOADED: 01.21.2019 Leafs lose Johnsson and game to Coyotes

By KEVIN MCGRAN Sports Reporter Sun., Jan. 20, 2019

“So here we are.” Those were Mike Babcock’s words on Sunday morning when he was trying to sum up all that was wrong with William Nylander, playing so poorly that he had to be moved to the fourth line. After Toronto’s 4-2 loss Sunday to the Arizona Coyotes, those words — and that sentiment — aptly describe the doldrums the Maple Leafs find themselves in. So, where are they? Booed off the ice and holding on — but only barely — to the second seed in the Atlantic Division, with a 3-7-0 record in their last 10 games. It’s not that they weren’t working on Sunday night. They just weren’t clicking. Passes that were crisp and tape-to-tape in the first 30 games of the season are now just a little off. Shots that used to find the net are instead finding the netting over the glass. Other teams — like the Coyotes on Sunday, and Panthers on Friday – find the Leafs’ power play predictable and are getting in the way of passes, removing any threat of a Leaf one-timer. Johnsson hurt: Andreas Johnsson left the game in the second period and was diagnosed with a concussion. He was hit hard into the boards by Niklas Hjalmarsson. As a result, Nylander saw ice time in Johnsson’s spot on the left wing with Auston Matthews and Connor Brown. Nylander had been on the fourth line, to the consternation of his fans. For the Leafs: Travis Dermott scored. He was paired with Nikita Zaitsev, after Jake Gardiner was scratched with back spasms. It was a terrific goal to open the scoring and came with Nylander — yes, on the fourth line — having a good shift. Nylander and Frederik Gauthier picked up assists on the play … John Tavares scored early in the second, a set play off a draw won by Zach Hyman. Marner tipped it to Tavares for the one-timer that tied the game 2-2. It was Tavares’s 30th goal of the season. For the Coyotes: Mario Kempe scored to tie the game 1-1 early in the second on a breakaway, a goal that withstood a Leaf challenge that the play had been offside. The Leafs took a minor for delay of game as a result … Clayton Keller scored on a wicked shot with less than five minutes to go in the second period to give Arizona a 2-1 lead. At his best, Keller has Mitch Marner-like shots and moves and a Matthews-like shot … Vinnie Hinostroza’s second effort paid off at 13:16 of the third, beating Frederik Andersen for a 3-2 Arizona lead … Lawson Crouse scored into the empty net. Nylander WATCH: His hair was cut, his beard was shaved. It was as if Lou Lamoriello was back in charge, and Nylander played like he did when Lamoriello was in charge — moving the puck up ice in limited ice time. On his recent sub-par play, Nylander said: “It affects you. You want to perform. That’s why you’re here. When you’re not (producing), it bothers you. Once you get out of it, you’ll feel better. Got to put the work in and then it’s going to come. Got to work hard to get out of it.” Matthews WATCH: The Leafs’ star centre hasn’t registered a point in three games and has not scored a goal in seven. He has just one goal since Dec. 22, a span of 13 games. “It’s pretty important to work through that stuff. It’s not going good for some of us. As a team we haven’t played as consistently as we wanted to since the new year.” A ring to it: Coyotes goalie Calvin Pickard picked up the Calder Cup championship ring he earned with the Toronto Marlies last season. “It fits. It’s beautiful,” said Pickard shortly after Leafs GM Kyle Dubas presented it. “It’s definitely nice to have something like that in memory of that special team. It’s so hard to win. Thirty AHL teams and you’re playing in the middle of June and it’s a game of inches and we went the distance, seven games in the final, but it was all so worth it. So much fun, the ride and the highs and the lows. Something I will never forget.” Ice chips: Martin Marincin got a rare start with Gardiner out. ... Raptors shooting guard Danny Green and new Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo took in the game … Calle Rosen played his 100th game with the Marlies, a 5-0 win over Charlotte on Sunday. The Marlies are 2-0-0 to start a five-game road trip that takes them next to Cleveland. Up next: The Washington Capitals come to town on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. start. 1127168 Toronto Maple Leafs “Just keep working thorough it. It’s not easy at times, but this is a great challenge of character and just a great opportunity to figure it out, solve that puzzle of getting where we need to get to.” Maple Leafs’ losses continue to mount as they fall Coyotes Nylander started on the fourth line with Frederik Gauthier and Par Lindholm, but moved up to skate with Matthews and Connor Brown when Johnsson was injured. Terry Koshan NYLANDER, HONESTLY

Nylander took a long look in the mirror during a Sunday morning scrum The all-star break and bye week can’t come soon enough for the Maple with the media. Leafs. “I know that I have to put the work in and then it’s going to come,” Whether they deserve to collectively put up their feet and chill is another Nylander said of his struggles. “It can’t keep going like this much longer. I matter. know that myself, just have to work hard to get out of it.” The cold-as-ice Leafs on Sunday night lost for the seventh time in their Enough time has lapsed that Nylander, who had no points in his previous past 10 games, falling 4-2 against the Arizona Coyotes at Scotiabank seven games, should be making a greater impact. And the 22-year-old Arena. knows it. All that remains for the Leafs before they scatter on Thursday is a home “That was maybe a part of it for a little while there,” Nylander said of date with the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals on trying to catch up with his teammates after missing the first two months Wednesday. And that the Caps are struggling with five losses in a row because of the contract dispute. “But now it’s the small things. You get likely will mean little for a Leafs team that hasn’t been doing much right frustrated and away from your game and try to do too much. (There are) for several weeks. small things you can do to adjust and hopefully get to where you want to be.” Extend the Leafs’ record past 10 games, and it’s not pretty. After winning five in a row, the Leafs have gone 9-9-2 in their past 20 games. And though Nylander often keeps his cards close to the chest, he acknowledged the lack of production from his end has been weighing on “We’re going through some adversity and we want to get out of this as him when he departs the rink. soon as possible, but hopefully in the long run this is something good for us and we learn from it,” said Auston Matthews, who has one goal in his “It affects you,” Nylander said. “You want to perform. It’s why you’re here. past 13 games. It’s what you love doing and when you’re not, it bothers you. Once you get out of it, you will be feeling way better and you will be even stronger.” “Just seems like night after night, little things are costing us goals and ending up costing us important points. We need to be consistent for a full Babcock and Nylander met on Sunday morning. 60 minutes. It seems like when stuff is going good, we maybe get a little too loose and then we make a mistake and they’re heading down our “He knows he is getting in his own way now,” Babcock said. “We’re just way and putting the puck in our net. We have to do a better job.” going to take the heat off him. Going to play him where he is playing (with Gauthier and Lindholm) and play him all over and give him an opportunity No argument there. The Leafs have been saying the right things for a that way. while, but they’re not executing. They’re better than they have shown, but how many more examples must come before they start to fall in the “But he knows. We went through it. He told me exactly what he has to do. Eastern Conference standings? He is a good kid and a good player and a good person and he wants to do well. It’s not going as good and he has not been able to handle it as And there’s injury trouble to endure. Winger Andreas Johnsson suffered good as he could, so now we have we have to help him out.” a concussion when he fell awkwardly in the second period and will be out until after the break, coach Mike Babcock said. There’s truth there. Nylander didn’t record 61 points in each of his past two seasons with the Leafs by accident. He didn’t forget how to play Defenceman Jake Gardiner has been playing through back spasms for hockey while he was waiting to sign a contract. the past week or so, and the condition got bad enough that Gardiner did not play and was replaced in the lineup by Martin Marincin. Gardiner will “I think he just thought things were going to come easier, and then when not practise on Monday, and it would not be a surprise if Gardiner did not it didn’t come and then you’re pressing and then you press some more,” play against Washington. Babcock said. “Normally he is a dominant player, shoots the puck, carries the puck, wins battles, good with the puck, and that hasn’t been Babcock indicated winger Trevor Moore will be recalled from the Toronto the case. Marlies. “It’s not like he’s not trying and it’s not like we’re not trying to help him. Toronto got some life early in the third period when John Tavares, with We’re doing all that. It just isn’t going as good for him. But ideally this his 30th goal in his 48th game in a Leafs uniform, beat Coyotes (fourth-line role) will allow him to take some heat off himself and just get goaltender Darcy Kuemper to tie the game after Zach Hyman beat playing.” Jordan Weal on the draw. PICKARD RETURNS Vinnie Hinostroza popped a loose puck past Frederik Andersen for the winner at 6:44 after the Leafs failed to clear the zone and in the final Goaltender Calvin Pickard hasn’t been able to sit still this season — not minute, Lawson Crouse scored into an empty net. by his own doing — but on Sunday morning received a wonderful reminder of the ending to his 2017-18 season with the Marlies. Travis Dermott, pushed into the top four with Gardiner out, opened the scoring in the first period. The Coyotes tied the game early in the second Pickard, now backing up with the Coyotes as Antti Raanta nurses a period on a goal by Mario Kempe and went ahead 2-1 when Clayton lower-body injury, was presented with his Calder Cup championship ring Keller scored with less than four minutes to play in the second. by Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas. Assisting on the Dermott goal was William Nylander, giving the slumping “It’s definitely nice to have something like that in memory of that special winger his fourth point in 20 games since signing a six-year, $45-million team,” Pickard said. “It fits. It’s beautiful. Toronto is a first-class US contract on Dec. 1 and returning to the lineup five days later. organization and they treated the players so well. It was a lot of fun and something I will remember for the rest of my life.” Before a crowd of 19,165, the Leafs had 70 shot attempts to the Coyotes’ 41 when the teams played five on five, but it wasn’t close to being As much as Johnsson was crucial for the Marlies in their Cup run, enough. Pickard was just as impressed by Moore. The latter recently scored his first NHL goal during a six-game stint with the Leafs and Pickard expects “I liked the approach of the team and the patience and the positive Moore to be a full-time Leaf in the near future. attitude on the bench,” Tavares said. “It’s a game of inches, small fractions here and there, but there was a lot of good things. “No doubt,” Pickard said. “Mooresy is a stud. Last year, there was a lot of players I didn’t know, coming to the Marlies. He was one that really “We need the results, there is no question about that. If we stay with it, I caught my eye. He is so quick, such a good player, so good for us in the like where we’re going. You have to embrace it. It’s not what we want, it’s playoffs. He will be making the jump smoothly for sure.” not the results we want, but we have a quality team. We have proven that the majority of this season and we just have to stay with it. Pickard was claimed off waivers by the Coyotes on Nov. 29, this after the Philadelphia Flyers plucked him from the Leafs on Oct. 1. “I didn’t expect to make the Leafs this year, but going on waivers, you never really think much can escalate from that, so I figured I was going to be back with the Marlies and playing quite a bit,” Pickard said. “It changes in the blink of an eye. I was back on waivers and anything can happen. I could have came back here, could have went down to the minors (in Philadelphia) and this came up (with Arizona).” LOOSE LEAFS The Marlies got goals from Josh Jooris, Adam Brooks, Jeremy Bracco, Pierre Engvall and Sam Jardine, as well as 22 saves from Kasimir Kaskisuo, to blank the Charlotte Checkers 5-0 on the road on Sunday … Pickard on the play of former Marlies teammate Garret Sparks this season: “He is winning more than he is losing, so it’s good to see. I had a front-row seat to a lot of his games last year and he is a special goalie.” … A good line uttered by Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet after the morning skate, as his club faced the Leafs after back-to-back home games against the San Jose Sharks (a Coyotes win) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (a Coyotes loss in overtime), neither easy outs: “It’s like the Bermuda Triangle,” Tocchet said. “There is no relief.” FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED Little killers John Tavares is right — the little things are hurting the Leafs. An inability to clear the puck led to the winning goal. Clayton Keller beating Morgan Rielly along the boards for another. Martin Marincin and Igor Ozhiganov getting mixed up on another. The mistakes add up. Stop those Most of the time this season when required, Frederik Andersen has bailed his teammates out, but that did not happen on Sunday night (see above). Each Leaf could be sharper to make the negative differences in outcomes disappear, and that includes Andersen. Give it up That the Coyotes were missing a number of regulars to injury didn’t take away their determination. In fact, it might have been increased. The Leafs were forced into 14 turnovers, while Arizona committed just nine. Block party The Coyotes managed to get in the way of 30 Leafs shots, and Toronto didn’t help its cause by missing the net 19 times. Greater Leafs concentration, one would think, could help solve these issues. Ditto for the posts that the Leafs manage to find with frequency. Weak power The Leafs had one power play, bringing their NHL-low total to 121 (10 fewer than the No. 30 Dallas Stars, who have 131). With the way that players such as Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews often control the puck, it’s a wonder the Leafs don’t draw more penalties. Beyond head- scratching. Toronto Sun LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127169 Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs' Gardiner to miss Sunday's game because of back spasms

Terry Koshan

Jake Gardiner won’t be in the Maple Leafs lineup on Sunday night. The Leafs announced Sunday afternoon that the defenceman will miss the game at Scotiabank Arena against the Arizona Coyotes because of back spasms. Gardiner, one of 11 Leafs to play in each of the team’s first 47 games of 2918-19, is listed as day to day, the club said. One of Martin Marincin or Justin Holl will be summoned to take Gardiner’s spot in the lineup. The 28-year-old Gardiner has been a symbol of durability during his tenure with the Leafs and has not missed a game since the 2015-16 season. In Toronto’s most recent home game, against the Colorado Avalanche last Monday, Gardiner was booed after a lackadaisical check on the Avs’ Carl Soderberg helped lead to a shorthanded goal in a 6-3 Colorado win. After the game and in the days that followed, Gardiner was defended by teammates and coach Mike Babcock. Marincin has not played since Dec. 22; Holl’s previous game came on Dec. 23. Toronto Sun LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127170 Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Sun LOADED: 01.21.2019

Leafs' Nylander on his struggles: 'I know I have to put the work in'

Terry Koshan

William Nylander doesn’t need to be told. For the Maple Leafs winger, who will be on the club’s fourth line when Toronto plays host to the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday night, there is a simple way to end his drought. “I know that I have to put the work in and then it’s going to come,” Nylander said after the morning skate. “It can’t keep going like this much longer. I know that myself, just have to work hard to get out of it.” Nylander has one goal and two assists in 19 games since signing a six- year, $45-million US contract on Dec. 1 and returning to the Toronto lineup five days later. Enough time has lapsed that Nylander, who has no points in his past seven games, should be making a greater impact. And the 22-year-old knows it. “That was maybe a part of it for a little while there,” Nylander said of trying to catch up with his teammates after missing the first two months because of the contract dispute. “But now it’s the small things. You get frustrated and away from your game and try to do too much. (There are) small things you can do to adjust and hopefully get to where you want to be.” Coach Mike Babcock and Nylander met on Sunday morning. “He knows he is getting in his own way now,” Babcock said. “We’re just going to take the heat off him. Going to play him where he is playing (with centre Frederik Gauthier and Par Lindholm) and play him all over and give him an opportunity that way. “But he knows. We went through it and he knows. He told me exactly what he has to do. He is a good kid and a good player and a good person and he wants to do well. It’s not going as good and he has not been able to handle it as good as he could, so now we have we have to help him out.” There’s truth there. Nylander didn’t record 61 points in each of his past two seasons with the Leafs by accident. He didn’t forget how to play hockey while he was waiting to sign a contract. “I think he just thought things were going to come easier, and then when it didn’t come and then you’re pressing and then you press some more,” Babcock said. “Normally he is a dominant player, shoots the puck, carries the puck, wins battles, good with the puck, and that hasn’t been the case. “It’s not like he’s not trying and it’s not like we’re not trying to help him. We’re doing all that. It just isn’t going as good for him. But ideally this (fourth-line role) will allow him to take some heat off himself and just get playing.” The Leafs as a whole have been playing uneven hockey for several weeks. Since beating Columbus on Dec. 28, their first game after Christmas, the Leafs are 3-6-0 in their past nine games. Babcock’s desire is that the Leafs play like they did in Tampa on Thursday night, when they beat the No. 1 Lightning 4-2. Though Toronto allowed 38 shots on goal, it held the Lightning at bay for the most part. The Coyotes, beset by several injuries, start a three-game trip that continues to Ottawa and Montreal. In their past two games, both at home, the Coyotes lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime after beating the San Jose Sharks. “It’s like the Bermuda Triangle,” Coyotes coach Rich Tocchet said of now facing the Leafs. “There is no relief … we have to be diligent on our details. If we’re not a detailed team tonight, it could get ugly.” Other Leafs lines will include John Tavares between Zach Hyman and Mitch Marner; Auston Matthews centring Andreas Johnsson and Connor Brown; and Nazem Kadri between Patrick Marleau and Kasperi Kapanen. Frederik Andersen will start in goal for the Leafs. Darcy Kuemper will be in the Coyotes net. 1127171 Toronto Maple Leafs which tends to hurt your team in the long run). There weren’t too many positives from this game, but I really liked the feel of the Dermott-Zaitsev

pairing. My heart is hoping that this leads to a Gardiner-Rielly first Leafs Report Cards: Game 48 versus Arizona pairing, but my brain knows that we don’t deserve happiness.

Zach Hyman — 18.6 minutes, 1 assist, 3 scoring chances, 1 ridiculous backcheck By Ian Tulloch 4h ago 28 His backcheck to prevent a two-on-one in the first period should be worth four stars alone.

After another frustrating loss (this time 4-2 at the hands of the Coyotes), It’s one of those things that isn’t going to show up in the numbers, but we’re going to try our best to go through these report cards objectively. I that kind of defensive positioning and effort helps negate scoring know there’s been a lot of tension in Leafs nation over the past week or opportunities. It’s one of the reasons Mike Babcock is such a fan of two, but let’s try our best to put emotions aside and evaluate the team’s Hyman, and honestly, I can’t blame him. Hyman also did well in other performance rationally. … All right, now that 90 percent of Leafs fans parts of the game (winning puck battles in the offensive zone), and as have probably stopped reading, let’s dive into this one! always, was a non-factor when he got the puck in the slot.

One or two words to describe how the team looked He is what he is at this point, but I thought he did a solid job tonight.

Better than you think? — What’s weird is that I didn’t think the Leafs Auston Matthews — 18.9 minutes, 8 scoring chances (team lead), 3 played terribly tonight, but they couldn’t seem to buy a goal in the shots on net, 0 in the net offensive zone. Whether they were hitting posts or missing the net by a few inches, Toronto just couldn’t seem to bury their chances. That should I’ve been critical of Matthews over the past few games for not impacting turn around in time, but what’s more concerning is that their power play the game significantly at even strength, but I thought he looked much hasn’t looked very dangerous for a few weeks now. better tonight. He generated tons of chances offensively, but wasn’t able to convert. I feel like he’s been having a tougher time getting his shot Now, I’ve heard a few fans complaining that they’d like to see a few more through traffic and on net since returning from the injury, which was opportunities with the man advantage. For what it’s worth, I can another issue tonight (only hitting the net three times despite taking 10 understand the frustration (penalty calls were 4-1 Arizona tonight), but shot attempts, eight of which were from the slot). I’m sure the goals will I’m never a big fan of blaming a loss on the officials. The Leafs could come if he keeps getting chances like he did tonight. have played better tonight against a weak Coyotes team, and more importantly, they need to figure out how to get things going on the power John Tavares — 18.1 minutes of beautiful edge-work; oh, yeah, and a play moving forward. goal

Gotta hear both sides Tavares is one of those players who’s made me rethink what a “good skater” is. His top-end speed is nothing to write home about, and he Glass half-full: The Leafs outshot and out-chanced the opposition despite doesn’t even have the greatest acceleration, but his shiftiness in small playing their third game in four nights. spaces is so fun to watch. There were multiple occasions tonight when he had nowhere to go in the offensive zone (essentially boxed in by two Glass half-empty: They lost to the Arizona Coyotes. defenders), but then he’d shoulder-fake one way, use his edges to turn Player reports his body one way, then stop on a dime and pivot the other way into wide open space. It’s hard to describe exactly what I mean with words, so just 䈏䈏䈏䈏䈏 watch this clip and smile.

Best player on the ice: Travis Dermott — 21.1 minutes, 1 goal, +7 scoring No, he didn’t do exactly that tonight, but he used that type of skating chance differential, all the zone exits ability in all three zones to move the puck up the ice and generate offence. Surprisingly, I haven’t actually given this award to Dermott yet this season, but he absolutely deserved it tonight. Playing his first game in 䈏䈏䈏 Toronto’s top four, he looked dynamic in transition. He did a great job of making smart plays under pressure in the defensive zone, using his legs Frederik Andersen — Saved 3 of 30 shots to buy time and space to get the puck up the ice. Unfortunately, I wasn’t This was your typical “solid” game from a goaltender. Andersen didn’t tracking controlled zone exits or zone entries tonight, but just from steal Toronto the game, but he didn’t take them out of it either. The watching the game I would imagine he led Leafs defencemen in both numbers suggest that Arizona “should” have scored 3.11 goals (based categories. Here’s hoping we get to see more of Dermott in a top four on MoneyPuck.com’s Expected Goals model), so tonight was about what role. you’d expect from an NHL goaltender, which matches the eye test. 䈏䈏䈏䈏 Morgan Rielly — Great offensively, not great defensively, all right in Mitch Marner — 20.8 minutes, 1 assist, 6 scoring chances, 3 shots on transition net, +7 shot differential This wasn’t Rielly’s greatest game defensively or in transition, but I Marner looked incredible to start the game (generating tons of dangerous thought he had an impressive game offensively. There were multiple chances from in tight), but tailed off a bit after that. He was still impacting times tonight when he’d receive a pass at the blueline, skate down the things in transition, getting the puck from the defensive zone to the wall and then around the net to look for passing options in the slot. He offensive zone, but he wasn’t able to whip any of those cross-ice passes also had a few dangerous scoring opportunities himself (one that hit The to John Tavares that we’re so used to seeing. With that being said, I still Post), but the counterargument is that he gave up quite a bit on the other thought he was one of the Leafs’ best forwards on the ice tonight. end. I’d say it was a decent game altogether, but I’d like to see him move the puck better in transition and do a better job of taking away space Nikita Zaitsev — 18.1 minutes, 3 blocked shots, 1 new partner (whom I from opposing forwards in the defensive zone. think he likes) William Nylander — Elite Fourth Liner™ This was an up-and-down game for Zaitsev, but I thought the pros outweighed the cons. Yes, he made a few poor passes with the puck (I As we all know, Nylander started on the fourth line tonight, but he earned think we need to accept that he just isn’t a good breakout passer at this his way back to the first line by the end of the game. He looked confident point), but he did a great job separating opposing players from the puck with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone, using his skill to maintain in the defensive zone to help regain puck possession. From there, he possession on the perimeter (much like Marner does). There were times and Dermott were doing a great job of playing off of each other to move it felt like the ice wasn’t agreeing with him, with the puck bobbling on him the puck up the ice. For example: a few times (the ACC … sorry, “Scotiabank Arena” ice has been terrible for years now and I feel like we never talk about it). I’d like to see him I’d love to see more of this from Zaitsev. He has the physical tools to be look more dominant in transition, but I still thought he had a pretty solid an effective top four defenceman, but he’s always seemed hesitant to game. use them (much like Kris Russell, preferring to make the “safe” play, Kasperi Kapanen — Inconsistent … but fun! Worst player on the ice: Frederik Gauthier — As the president of the Frederik Gauthier Fan Club, even I have to admit that I didn’t see him This was a weird game for Kapanen. There were some shifts he was touch the puck on Dermott’s goal (which was one of the weirdest flying and didn’t look like he was going to be stopped, and others when I sequences of events leading to a goal if we’re being honest with legitimately didn’t notice him. Part of that might be part of playing his third ourselves). I’m not sure whether he touched the puck at all in this game, game in four nights, but I’d like to see him impact the game a bit more but I do know one thing: consistently. I’d also like to see him get more minutes than Par Lindholm on the penalty kill, but that’s another story for another day. The numbers don’t lie.

䈏䈏 Please give this man an opportunity to prove himself in the top four. He’s so good in transition. Ron Hainsey — Poor Hainsey. I feel bad having to criticize him in these postgame report cards because it’s not his fault that he’s getting top Final thoughts from the game: D for Dermott pairing minutes against the opposition’s best players. With that being This was a frustrating game for Leafs fans. It was the team’s seventh said, his foot speed gets exploited in the offensive zone (ill-advised pinch loss in their last eight games at home, the team’s been coming off of a almost leading to an odd-man rush), the neutral zone (getting beat wide few embarrassing losses and they’re starting to slide down the standings. multiple times for clean entries) and even in the defensive zone. With that being said, I think we need to keep things in perspective here. I really like Ron Hainsey the person, and believe he could have value in a Draglikepull sheltered role as a PK specialist. When it comes to the way he’s been used this year, though … can we just end this madness? (For his sake!) @draglikepull

Igor Ozhiganov — A Martin Marincin-Ozhiganov pairing isn’t exactly what Leafs are at 53% adjusted Corsi and 55% adjusted scoring chances I would call ideal (both players have obvious mobility issues), but I have since getting Matthews and Nylander back. They've played 18 games to admit it went a lot better than I expected. Other than a poor line with that lineup now. That's a big enough sample size that it looks like a change when the two got caught for a breakaway (which is arguably not real improvement and not just a temporary blip. necessarily their fault), I thought they did an all-right job of driving play despite their flaws. Much like Hainsey, Ozhiganov’s foot speed got 62 exploited a few times, but otherwise he was doing a decent job of moving 9:29 AM - Jan 18, 2019 the puck. Twitter Ads info and privacy Martin Marincin — This was the most Martin Marincin Game you could think of. There were a few times when the puck bobbled on him, other See Draglikepull's other Tweets times when it looked like he’d never handled a hockey puck, and other times when he made a crisp exit out of the zone. He did a great job of This was tweeted before the Arizona game, but the Leafs controlled 61 using his length to deny zone entries and take away passing lanes in the percent of the shot attempts and 55 percent of the chances at five-on- defensive zone, but man, he was a bit of an adventure with the puck. I’m five tonight, which is on par with what they’ve been doing lately. The sure most fans think he should be in the one-star category, but his pucks obviously haven’t been going in lately, but the team has been pairing managed to out-chance the opposition while he was on the ice. playing much better at even strength. The difference is that the power Also, this happened: play hasn’t been clicking, going 7 for 53 since Dec. 1 (13.3 percent). In time, that should rise and this team will begin winning again.

The Leafs have three strong lines at even strength, and with the Forgive me, but I’m going to give Air Mar-Mar two-stars for his #elite emergence of Dermott in the top four, could have a few strong defence athleticism. pairings in the near future (especially if they can add another right- handed defenceman at the deadline), not to mention a top 10 goaltender. Nazem Kadri — Kadri had a few moments (shifty little zone entries), but I I can definitely understand the frustration, but let’s try not to get too found myself quite underwhelmed with his game. He wasn’t generating worked up over a poor stretch of play. This is still a good team … actually nearly as much offence as we’re used to seeing, and I’m not talking good, some might even say. about goals. You can usually pencil him in for a few scoring chances and a bunch of nice passes in the offensive zone that help create some What did you think of this story? quality scoring opportunities, but I felt like we didn’t see any of that tonight. MEH

Andreas Johnsson — Unfortunately, Johnsson had to leave the game SOLID early for concussion protocol after going hard into the boards in the AWESOME second period. We’re all hoping he recovers quickly, but if I’m objectively evaluating his performance in this game, I didn’t think he was playing Ian Tulloch very well leading up to the collision. Matthews felt like a one-man show in the offensive zone, with neither Johnsson nor Connor Brown providing The Athletic LOADED: 01.21.2019 much support. That’s not like Johnsson (he’s been a very effective complementary player over the past few weeks), so I’d imagine this is more of an off game than anything.

Connor Brown — #ActuallyGood on the fourth line

I wish I could say it was an off-game for Brown, too, but this has been about what we can expect from him this season; solid defensive play, limited impact in transition, and little to no value in the offensive zone. I’ve always rooted for him and hope he’s able to turn things around soon, but realistically, I think we might need to accept that this is what Brown is at this point.

Did they even play tonight or am I blind?

Par Lindholm and Patrick Marleau — Dom and I tend to joke that we find it hard to make comments about these two in the report cards, but I legitimately can’t think of any plays either made throughout this game. For Lindholm, that’s probably a good thing (fourth-liner playing low event minutes and not getting killed), but for the guy making $6.25 million next season … it’s a bit less ideal.

䈏 1127172 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights show patience when top line struggles

By David Schoen / Las Vegas Review-Journal

Had the recent scoring slump endured by William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault coincided with a Golden Knights losing streak, maybe their frustration level would have been higher. Perhaps if they played for a different club, Karlsson and Marchessault would have been burdened by the pressure to produce. “Our whole team and our coaches have been patient with us,” Marchessault said Sunday. “You go in a market like Toronto or Montreal or something like that, you’re just going to get hammered and you’re going to hear about it. “It’s just awesome that they give us the chance to get back out there and show what we can do. I think they believe in us, and it boosts your confidence.” The Knights’ leading scorers from last season suffered through a rough patch this month, combining for one point since the calendar flipped to 2019. But Karlsson and Marchessault broke out offensively against Pittsburgh on Saturday and will try to build on that performance against the Minnesota Wild on Monday at T-Mobile Arena. “I think we’ve been getting chances, we just haven’t capitalized on them,” Karlsson said. “That’s all you can do really is create chances. Sooner or later they’re going to go in. It’s when you don’t create anything when you should be worried. “Of course it’s frustrating to not produce, because you want to be a guy that produces. For sure (Saturday) night was kind of a relief.” Karlsson, last season’s top scorer with 43 goals and 78 points, finished with a goal and an assist against the Penguins to end a skid of eight straight games without a point. His longest scoreless stretch with the Knights previously was four games (Oct. 6 to Oct. 13, 2017). Karlsson had not scored since Dec. 29 against Los Angeles and produced one point in his previous 11 games when the Knights went 8-2- 1. “It would have been a lot worse if we were not winning and (I was) playing like crap. That’s helped a lot,” Karlsson said. “It’s been a little frustrating, of course. It takes a little toll on your confidence, too. But if you keep working hard and you get the chances, eventually they’ve got to come. I think (Saturday) was finally our day. It bounced our way.” Marchessault notched his second career hat trick in the victory over the Penguins after scoring one goal in his previous 11 games. Since Dec. 17, he had four points (two goals, two assists) and was critical of his play, as well. “Sometimes when you watch some tape you see some tendencies that I don’t like from my game,” Marchessault said. “It’s just going back to basics, too. Not overthink the game and just go out there and play and work hard as much as you can. If you do that with the type of team we have, I think you’ll get rewarded.” Karlsson and Marchessault have missed injured right wing Reilly Smith, who hasn’t played the past five games. Coach Gerard Gallant noted that despite their scoring drought, Karlsson and Marchessault were taking care of their own zone. He matched up them against Pittsburgh’s top line that features Sidney Crosby, and Karlsson, Marchessault and linemate Brandon Pirri emerged with a combined plus-four rating. “We’ve played pretty good hockey, and those guys, even though they weren’t scoring, they were playing good, solid, defensive hockey. And that’s what’s important for us,” Gallant said. “I know they’re going to score. I know they want to score every game, and hopefully we’re going to see a lot more games in the future what they did (Saturday) night because they’re good hockey players and they get confidence off of that.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127173 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights plan shift to slower speed after wild win

By Adam Hill / Las Vegas Review-Journal

Forward Alex Tuch slept real well Saturday night after the Golden Knights beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-3 in a wild game at T-Mobile Arena that featured a steady stream of breakaways and odd-man rushes. “It was so tiring,” Tuch said with a laugh. “Oh my God, I was gassed. Try getting two full ice breakaways and let me know how that works out for you.” Tuch joked it was the kind of game coaches and goalies hate. Knights coach Gerard Gallant was able to enjoy it at least a little because his team won. Gallant felt it was the kind of game that was much more common back when he played. He was actually quick to credit both goalies for not allowing the score to be even higher. “It very easily could have been a 9-7 or 8-6 type of game last night,” Gallant said. “I think we had five breakaways and didn’t score on any of them.” Tuch doesn’t think it represents a new style for the Knights, however. “That’s not our game,” he said. “It was fun, but it was stressful. I don’t think we like playing those run-and-gun games too much. We got the upper hand and capitalized a little bit more, but the back-and-forth and all the breaks, that’s not us. We won’t make that a habit. We’re always a defense-first team. That’s our mentality. We’ll clean it up for sure.” Tuch believes Minnesota’s style will also help keep Monday’s game a bit more under control. Fleury gets offensive Marc-Andre Fleury earned his second assist of the season Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a pass that helped set up Jonathan Marchessault’s empty-net goal. But Fleury wanted more. The goaltender also took a long shot at an empty net, but Penguins center Evgeni Malkin knocked it out of the air. Fleury didn’t think he would’ve scored anyway. “I think it was a little wide to the right,” a smiling Fleury said. He added that while the assist was nice, he liked his save from close range on former teammate Sidney Crosby even more. “I like to stop him more but the puck rolled on him so he didn’t get the best shot that he wanted, I think,” Fleury said. Miller faces early test The Knights didn’t take it easy on Colin Miller in his first game since Dec. 17. Gerard Gallant matched the defenseman, who missed the previous 13 games with an upper-body injury, and partner Nick Holden against the Penguins’ second line of Evegeni Malkin, Patric Hornqvist and Phil Kessel for most of the game in 5-on-5 situations. It was a display of faith in Miller, since he was on the ice for two Kessel breakaway goals the last time the teams met Oct. 11. “Yeah it was definitely a challenge, I mean Phil Kessel made me look pretty stupid last time we were in Pittsburgh,” Miller said. “I think it was nice. We knew it was going to be a tough test. I think Shea Theodore and Deryk Engelland normally get that second line, but for whatever reason we were getting them a little bit more.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127174 Vegas Golden Knights Prior to that, in the four games without Smith, Karlsson had zero points and didn’t even record a shot on goal in two of the games. Marchessault had one goal and no assists during that span and was a minus-4. Why Reilly Smith is considered the Golden Knights’ best player in the “He just makes everybody look better out there,” Marchessault said. dressing room “He’s a gifted player, and we’re lucky to be able to play with him. Obviously, me and Karly are not producing as much, but we are really lucky to play with a guy like Pirri who is doing so well. By Jesse Granger Jan 20, 2019 3 “Our forward group takes a lot of pride in playing well defensively, but guys like me and Karly definitely need to step up offensively.” Who is the best player on the Golden Knights? Saturday night was a huge step in that direction, as they went toe to toe with one of the most skilled offensive teams in the NHL and came out on Outside of the obvious answer — their Hall of Fame-bound goaltender, top, and by a lot. The line remains one of the best forechecking squads in Marc-Andre Fleury — most people would probably answer last year’s the league and has held its own defensively. leading scorer, William Karlsson, All-Star runner-up Jonathan Marchessault (who is fresh off a hat trick) or perhaps this year’s points “They’re not getting as many chances as they did in the past, but they’re leader, Alex Tuch. working hard and we’re winning tight games for the most part, so I’m not going to complain because they’re not scoring,” coach Gerard Gallant Ask the Golden Knights players themselves, and the answer will probably said prior to Saturday night’s outburst. “I wish they would score every surprise you. game, and they’d like to score because that’s how they are, but they’re working hard and we’re winning so that’s what’s important.” “Reilly Smith is a great player,” Marchessault said. “He’s probably … well not probably. He is our best offensive player overall.” There’s currently no timetable for Smith’s return, and the team hasn’t disclosed what the injury is, but he clearly injured his leg in the final The comment surprised me, so I asked around the dressing room and seconds of the second period against New Jersey. He attempted to play got the same answer from every player. to start the third period but immediately left the ice and didn’t return. “I think he’s our best player for sure,” forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare Gallant said on Jan. 10 he doesn’t believe the injury is long term. Smith said. “There’s no doubting it; he’s our most complete player. There are a has skated with the team a couple times since the injury but hasn’t lot of small, little tiny things that you don’t see on the stat sheet, but as a practiced at all this week, so he’s not on the verge of a return. hockey player you know when you have a guy on your team that does that because he makes the entire line look better.” But this without a doubt shows Smith’s importance. It allows the rest of the hockey world to see what players inside the Golden Knights’ dressing Among the players I talked to, it was unanimous — Smith is the Golden room have known for a while. Knights’ best player. “I think when you look around the league at the best players on every When Smith left the Jan. 6 game against the Devils with a leg injury, it team, I think his name is one that should be in that conversation,” seemed to slide under the radar. It certainly didn’t attract the attention of Theodore said. “He’s a very underrated player.” Max Pacioretty’s injuries earlier in the season. But Smith’s importance to this team is vastly underestimated, as is the perceived effect of his The Athletic LOADED: 01.21.2019 absence. “It’s been big,” defenseman Shea Theodore said. “I think he’s by far one of the most underrated players in the league. He’s a great two-way player who wins a lot of battles in the defensive zone. He’s a big guy on the penalty kill as well. When you look at that, and look behind his numbers, I think it’s been a huge loss for us.” Smith’s absence from the top line shows up drastically in nearly every metric. The line exploded for four goals in Saturday night’s 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins to end a slump they couldn’t seem to shake since Smith left the lineup. The trio of Karlsson, Marchessault and Smith have a solid Corsi for per 60 minutes of 63.69 this season. But with anyone other than Smith, the stat for the first line drops to 56.87. Their scoring chances per 60 minutes also drops from 30.27 to 28.43 without Smith. Not bad, but a small drop- off nonetheless. Where Smith’s vacancy is really felt is on the defensive end. With him, the line averages a Corsi against per 60 minutes of only 52.94, but that skyrockets to 70.22 without him. The same thing happens to scoring chances against, which goes from 22.9 with him to 33.17 without him, and high danger chances more than doubles from 7.83 to 15.94 when Smith isn’t playing. He’s one of the most tenacious forecheckers in the NHL, a nightmare for opposing defensemen. Smith uses his speed and positioning to make smooth breakouts nearly impossible and forces turnovers that lead to instant offense the other way. “Obviously, he’s one of our top guys, and you never want any players to be out,” Bellemare said. “It’s not easy when you lose one of your key pieces and insert someone new because the magic doesn’t start in one day. It’s not easy for the player coming up and trying to replace or do their job.” The Golden Knights have substituted Pacioretty and Brandon Pirri to fill in on the top line, and both are fantastic players, but they don’t create for others the way Smith does. Marchessault snapped a major drought Saturday night. After only one goal in his previous 11 games, he netted the third hat trick in Golden Knights history. Karlsson also snapped his eight-game pointless streak with a goal and an assist in the win. 1127175 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Owner Foley Involved in Creative Development of New VGK Pregame Video, Used His Own Helicopter in Vid

By ALAN SNEL

Bill Foley has appeared in Vegas Golden Knights videos before. But Saturday night, not only was the Golden Knights owner in a new VGK pregame video but his own helicopter made a cameo in the video that re-introduced the sword-in-stone feature that Foley likes so much. A 1967 West Point graduate from Texas, Foley also played a creative role in the making of the military-themed video, working with the team’s VP for events and entertainment, Jonny Greco. Golden Knights owner Bill Foley. “Bill was involved with the creative dialogue,” VGK president Kerry Bubolz told LVSportsBiz.com Sunday. “Fans deserve an active and engaged owner and that’s what we have with Bill.” Owner Bill Foley in video. With the season about half over, the Golden Knights officials thought it was a good time to freshen up the pregame show that has been a national attention-grabber for an NHL team because the presentation and style are so over-the-top, and so Vegas. In the two-minute video, Nellis Air Force Base chipped in with the military jeeps as military-looking personnel recover the stone-in-sword in the Nevada desert as Foley plays a commander chatting on a radio. A military character in the video tells Foley, “Jackpot, we found them.” Foley responds, “Good job.” Foley’s is smitten with his concept of the sword-in-stone ceremony, coming up with the idea well before the NHL ever approved the hockey franchise for Las Vegas. The Knights literally rolled it out again Saturday night when the Pittsburgh Penguins came to T-Mobile Arena after it was a popular pregame rite during the inaugural season. It’s back — the sword in the stone pregame. Bubolz said Foley worked on the video by brainstorming with Greco, who oversees the Golden Knights’ much-heralded in-game entertainment production. The team will continue to tweak the pregame show and keep it evolving, he said. “We want it to be entertaining,” Bubolz said. “It’s not going to make perfect sense.” VGK Prez Kerry Bubolz And that’s Las Vegas for you. Take a look at the updated VGK pregame show, which started with the Foley video. This YouTube item was posted by Sports Adrenalin in Las Vegas. Foley has appeared in previous Golden Knights videos, including the funny “Mean Tweets” video that highlighted some of the Tweets posted after the team unveiled Chance the mascot during season one. LVSportsBiz.com will be returning to T-Mobile Arena Monday, when the Golden Knights host the Minnesota Wild for a game that starts at 3 p.m. on Martin Luther King Day. LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127176 Washington Capitals second goal of the game just 13 seconds into the power play, putting the Blackhawks up 5-3.

After another Toews tally, goals from Carlson (at 10:38) and Matt Capitals can’t rally against cellar-dwelling Blackhawks as losing streak Niskanen (at 13:55) brought the Capitals back within one — and meant reaches 5 games that all five of their goals had been scored by defensemen. But it took the Blackhawks just 62 seconds to halt that comeback bid. Toews stickhandled around Orlov to lift Chicago to a 7-5 lead with his third goal, By Isabelle Khurshudyan January 20 at 5:07 PM prompting hats to hit the ice in celebration. Dylan Strome’s empty-netter gave the Blackhawks eight goals, the most Washington has allowed this season. CHICAGO — For the first time this season, the doors to the Washington “The execution just isn’t there,” Carlson said. “It’s not like we changed Capitals’ dressing room stayed shut for just a little longer after the game, everything up and don’t know what we’re doing or are adapting. It’s all on the players inside asking for more time to talk through their issues us really. However you want to look at it — what phase of our game is following their fifth straight loss. A team meeting such as this one not clicking the most right now is subjective — but there’s enough areas probably would have happened earlier any other year, but with the that some nights we clean up one thing and then we get worse at a Capitals still basking in their franchise-first Stanley Cup win last season, couple others. We can’t seem to find that consistent balance.” maybe the depths of this losing streak didn’t feel so low until Sunday afternoon. The Capitals started talking about repeating just days after they won the Stanley Cup in June, and all the while, they’ve acknowledged how “We’ve been leaning back on the fact that, you know, what we went difficult that would be. Sunday was another reminder — and perhaps the through last year or whatever,” goaltender Braden Holtby said. “It’s time first time the Capitals could feel their bid starting to slip. to really move on. We realize if we want to do this again, it’s going to take more hard work than last year.” “It’s a tough time right now,” captain Alex Ovechkin said. “We just have to get over it and get a win and move forward. It doesn’t matter how we With Sunday’s 8-5 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, who entered the play, where we play; we just need to get a win. It’s just mental for us.” game with the worst record in the NHL, Washington is on its first five- game skid in nearly five years. Coach Todd Reirden has shuffled his Washington Post LOADED: 01.21.2019 lineup every which way after each of these defeats, to no avail; the Capitals' play has remained sloppy. Players took responsibility once the dressing room opened, and while Holtby rejected the notion that the team might be fatigued from last year’s long playoff run, he said it’s time to move on mentally. “Our biggest battle is going to be making sure we’re not complacent,” Holtby said. “It’s one of those things that’s going to be hard, getting over the fact that last year is last year. You move on. We have to figure out a way to be the best we can be this year, because every year the game gets harder. We’re going to need more than last year to have the success we want. Obviously, things aren’t going well right now, but if we use it to our advantage, then maybe it’s a good wake-up call to make sure we’re pushing in the right direction to improve our team, to make us better in the long run.” [Kuznetsov demoted to third line amid offensive drought] Holtby took ownership of the Blackhawks’ first goal, when Brandon Saad easily maneuvered around defenseman Madison Bowey for a shot from the slot at point-blank range 6:36 into the first period. Holtby was screened on Chicago’s next goal, from Patrick Kane 80 seconds later. Fitting for an 11:30 a.m. puck drop, the Capitals had come out sleepy, lacking the urgency they should have felt after losing their previous four games. “I think we’re expecting things to come a little easier for us, and they’re not,” forward T.J. Oshie said. “Things are coming pretty hard right now.” Perhaps no moment better illustrated the Capitals’ funk than what happened next. Washington entered Sunday with just one five-on-five goal in its previous four games, and some much-needed even-strength offense finally came from a surprising source. Defenseman Brooks Orpik, who entered the game with 17 goals in his 16-season career, beat Blackhawks goaltender Collin Delia with a clean shot from the left faceoff circle at 14:25. It seemed like the sort of development that could energize the Capitals, but any momentum disappeared after a devastating bounce. Twenty- eight seconds after Orpik’s goal, Washington defenseman Dmitry Orlov was standing in front of Holtby, and in an effort to bat down the puck after it had bounced up in the air, he swatted it into the net, restoring Chicago’s lead to two. Jonathan Toews was credited with the goal, and the Blackhawks took a 3-1 edge into the first intermission. Alex DeBrincat scored 2:30 into the second period, a tally that prompted Reirden to pull Holtby for backup Pheonix Copley. “We’re making mistakes that are leading to greater scoring chances,” Oshie said. “A lot of times before, we’d make mistakes and then guys would respond and cover for guys and, if anything, it could maybe be a shot on net. But now we’re making mistakes and that’s multiplied by another mistake, and all of a sudden guys are getting breakaways and that’s just not the way we play.” From there, the Capitals twice managed to slice the Blackhawks’ lead to one, but each time they allowed Chicago to restore its cushion shortly after. Orlov scored late in the second period. In the third, a John Carlson one-timer at 3:09 had Washington within 4-3, but then center Nicklas Backstrom was called for hooking 23 seconds later. Kane scored his 1127177 Washington Capitals

Defense optional as Caps handed 8-5 loss in Chicago

By J.J. Regan January 20, 2019 3:18 PM

The Chicago Blackhawks handed the Capitals their fifth straight loss on Sunday in an ugly 8-5 defeat. All five of Washington's goals came from defensemen as the team's top forwards continued to struggle. Here are five reasons the Caps lost. Missed early opportunities The game got off to a great start. Tom Wilson fed Jakub Vrana in the middle for a great early opportunity and Lars Eller had another shot with the rebound. Washington also got a power play less than two minutes into the game and was brilliant with the setup, keeping the puck in the zone for the full two minutes and getting a number of high-quality opportunities. But they didn’t score and that soon loomed very large. Brandon Saad put Chicago on the board 6:36 into the first and Patrick Kane scored 80 seconds later to make it 2-0, thus erasing the Caps’ strong start. The goals have been hard to come by for the Caps so when they had the opportunity to take the early lead, they absolutely had to finish. They didn’t and the game got away from them as a result. A bad play by Madison Bowey Bowey will be cringing at the replay of the Saad goal for a while. Saad broke the puck out of the defensive zone and carried it into the neutral zone. Bowey had a bead on him until Saad cut to the center. Suddenly Bowey was caught flat footed. He reached for Saad with a weak stick check which Saad easily fought through with no real resistance and he was in on net. He finished the play with the game’s first goal. An own-goal This was really the moment when you realized this was not going to be a good day for Washington. Down 2-0, Brooks Orpik managed to sneak a softy through goalie Colin Delia to make it 2-1. Just 28 seconds later, however, bad luck struck the Caps yet again. Dmitry Orlov and Jonathan Toews battled for the puck right in front of the crease and it bounced into he air. Orlov swiped at it with his glove to try to clear it from danger, but instead knocked it right over Holtby and into the net. The own goal made it 3-1 and signaled that Washington was in for a long day. An ill-advised penalty This game felt like it quickly was getting out of hand. Somehow, however, the Caps managed to keep things close. Dmitry Orlov snuck another squeaker through Delia in the second and John Carlson fired a one-timer early in the third to make the score 4-3. All of a sudden, the Caps had signs of life. With all the momentum on their side, however, Nicklas Backstrom was whistled for hooking Toews just 23 seconds later. You could tell what was about to happen. Sure enough, Kane scored 13 seconds into the power play to restore the Blackhawks’ two-goal lead. The Toews hat trick Once again, Washington tried to battle back. Matt Niskanen scored with just over six minutes remaining in the game, the fifth goal from a Caps’ defenseman, to pull the score to 6-5. Toews provided the coffin nail just over a minute later with an absolutely brutal play on Orlov. Toews entered the offensive zone and Orlov took an awful approach. Toews finessed the puck right in front of Orlov which he should have been able to easily sweep away. Instead, he whiffed completely allowing Toews to regain the puck, step past Orlov and fired it under the pad and into the net. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127178 Washington Capitals

Devante Smith-Pelly named a starter in return to Chicago after ugly racial taunts

By J.J. Regan January 20, 2019 1:19 PM

The top line for the Capitals on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks is Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie, but the starting lineup is Ovechkin, Backstrom and Devante Smith-Pelly. Why the change? It all has to do with the last time the Caps visited Chicago nearly a year ago. On Feb. 17, 2018, Washington went into the United Center and were obliterated by the Blackhawks 7-1. But that wasn’t the ugliest thing to happen that night. While sitting in the penalty box, Devante Smith-Pelly faced racial taunts from some Chicago fans who began chanting “basketball, basketball” at him. In the wake of the incident, Smith-Pelly handled himself about as gracefully as one could. So, in the team’s return to Chicago Sunday, head coach Todd Reirden felt he should be on the ice for the national anthem. According to Pierre McGuire during the game broadcast, the idea came from Oshie himself, who advocated that Smith-Pelly start in his place. After the incident that occurred here in Chicago during #Caps' last visit 11 months ago, Todd Reirden felt it was appropriate for Devante Smith- Pelly to be on ice for national anthem. So he is in starting lineup with Ovechkin/Backstrom, but Oshie will play on that line after. — Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) January 20, 2019 The starters traditionally stand on the ice for the anthem while the rest of the players stand at the bench. Smith-Pelly has remained active against racism in the sport. He and teammate John Carlson invited a youth hockey team whose lone African- American player had faced racial taunts during a game to the Caps’ game on Monday. Sunday’s move by Reirden is a classy tribute to Smith-Pelly who handled an ugly situation about as well as one could. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127179 Washington Capitals “We’re not as physical, and I’m not sure if that’s a fatigue thing or just a mentality thing,” Oshie said. “A lot of guys in this room … pretty much everyone we have here takes care of themselves and works hard away What isn’t working for the Capitals as winless stretch reaches five games off the ice, so I don’t think we can blame fatigue. The mistakes we’re making aren’t because of our energy level or because of how prepared we are mentally.” By Chris Kuc Jan 20, 2019 11 The upcoming extended time off thanks to the All-Star Game festivities and then the team’s mandated five-day break will be a welcome sight for the Capitals, but not everyone is buying the fatigue factor, including Braden Holtby. The goaltender brought up perhaps an even more CHICAGO — Just when it appeared the Capitals were going to avoid the potentially disturbing reason for the current slump that wouldn’t be healed dreaded Stanley Cup hangover, it appears as if it has come on with a by rest. vengeance. “I think right now our greatest battle is going to be making sure we’re not After a strong start to the season that saw them race to the top of the complacent,” Holtby said. “One of those things that’s going to be hard is Metropolitan Division standings, the defending Cup champions are now getting over the fact that last year is last year. You move on. We have to staggering toward the All-Star break having lost five consecutive games figure out a way to be the best we can be this year because every year for the first time since Oct. 25-Nov. 4, 2014. the game gets harder. We’re going to need more than last year to have The latest defeat came in the form of an 8-5 debacle at the hands of the the success we want. Obviously, things aren’t going well right now. But if struggling Blackhawks on Sunday, and afterward the Capitals held a we use it to our advantage, maybe it’s a good wake-up call to make sure players-only meeting in the visitors’ dressing room at the United Center. we keep pushing the right direction and improving our team to make us better in the long run.” “It was time for a little talk,” captain Alex Ovechkin said. The big question is whether this skid is a hiccup or a time to panic. There was a lot to discuss. “I don’t panic,” Carlson said. “But the more you address it (is good), and The Capitals are in disarray at both ends of the ice. And while calling it a then you’ve got to hold each other accountable. It’s on the players.” Cup hangover might be overstating things, it’s not a leap to pin at least some of the issues on the amount of hockey the team has played over That explains why the dressing room was closed a little bit longer than the course of a season-and-a-half. Winning a Cup takes a toll both usual following Sunday’s loss. mentally and physically on a team, and it sure looks like the Capitals are “It was our first kind of players’ meeting of the year, which usually doesn’t dragging at the 48-game mark. happen this late in the season,” Holtby said. “We’ve kind of been leaning “Maybe, but you can’t be thinking about that,” Ovechkin said. “I think it’s back on the fact of what we went through last year. I think it’s time to all about us. It’s all about mentality. When we play smart, when we play really move on and realize if we want to do this again it’s going to take simple at both ends of the ice, you can see we can play very nice even more hard work than it was last year. That’s on us, the veteran hockey.” guys. Start from your goaltending on out. Adversity can make you stronger if you use it the right way.” The hockey has been anything but nice of late. The Capitals have been outscored 23-9 during the 0-4-1 stretch and currently stand in third place The Athletic LOADED: 01.21.2019 in the division, trailing the Islanders and Blue Jackets. The Capitals host the Sharks on Tuesday night before traveling to Toronto to face the Maple Leafs on Wednesday night. The Capitals then have an eight-day break before hosting the Flames on Feb. 1. First, though, is attempting to pinpoint what isn’t working for the Capitals. Pick a zone, any zone. “However you want to look at it, what phase of our game is kind of not clicking the most right now is subjective, but there are enough areas that some nights we clean up one thing and then we get worse at a couple others,” defenseman John Carlson said. “We can’t seem to find that consistent balance.” If there is one area to spotlight on the difference between the Capitals now and when they were reeling off victories in 16 of 19 games Nov. 16- Dec. 29 — and even back to last season — it is their checking, especially during 5-on-5 play. When committed to it, the Capitals are arguably the strongest checking team in the NHL. And that not only hampers opponents from scoring, it leads to opportunities in the offensive zone. “We’re making too many plays in front of their ‘D,’ we’re not being physical enough on the forecheck (and) we’re not getting guys to the net,” winger T.J. Oshie said. “I don’t think we’re backchecking hard enough to create turnovers that lead to odd-man rushes, and those are most of the ways that 5-on-5 goals are going to come from a forward.” The group of forwards needs to do something. During the Capitals’ five- game skid, Ovechkin has a goal and two assists, Brett Connolly one assist, Jakub Vrana one assist, Nicklas Backstrom a goal and one assist, Lars Eller one assist, Tom Wilson no points, and Oshie one goal and two assists. Carlson concurred that an improved forecheck would go a long way to turning things around. “As a defenseman, it’s hard to break the puck out against hard pressure with the speed and size of a lot of these guys around the league,” Carlson said. “Then you get thinking, ‘OK, I’m going back every time, I better start getting on my horse,’ and then a lot of those plays open up. The ‘D’ starts sagging. It happens to everyone. There’s no perfect defenseman out there. We just need to commit to that a little bit more because when we do that, that’s a major key to our success.” Along with coughing up pucks at inopportune times — a common occurrence of late — one area that a tired team often lets slide is the physical aspect of the game, including checking. 1127180 Winnipeg Jets The Jets are first in their division, second in their conference behind only Calgary and third in the entire NHL, behind only Tampa and Calgary.

They’ve played fewer games than all the other teams in the top-five Jets are sitting pretty at all-star break despite occasional poor outing overall. Wheeler made sure people remembered that after Saturday’s loss, Ted Wyman saying the thing he’s going to remember during the bye week and all-star break is that the Jets are in first place.

Hellebuyck echoed that comment, suggesting Jets fans should be They headed off on vacation with a pretty good grip on first place and a thankful for what they have — a very good hockey team that is getting mindset that this will be their last good rest before a stretch run they hope the job done to this point in the season. extends well into June. I’d have to agree with them. The Winnipeg Jets began their bye week Sunday, with players going their separate ways to sunny climes in order to recharge for the final two No team is perfect and every team has off nights. months of the marathon known as an NHL season. People have incredibly high expectations of this team and rightly so They did so with a 31-15-2 record, good for 64 points, which leaves them because the Jets are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. four points up on second-place Nashville, with two games in hand. Even if they make that happen in June, there will be bumps along the Yes, they lost their last game in Dallas Saturday night, looking tired and way. sluggish for two periods and unable to recover despite a hard push in the It doesn’t make the Jets exempt from criticism, but sometimes a little third. perspective is necessary. That loss doesn’t change the fact that this Jets team has become well As Hellebuyck said, people should enjoy this good thing while they can. balanced and consistent. It wins considerably more often than it loses, even with key players like Dustin Byfuglien and Nikolaj Ehlers out of the [email protected] lineup with injuries. Twitter.com/Ted_Wyman The Jets have top-level scoring talent in all-star players Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler, strong, minute-munching defencemen in Byfuglien JETS AT THE BYE WEEK — who should return from an ankle injury shortly after the all-star break Where the Jets stand after 48 games this season — Jacob Trouba, Josh Morrissey and Tyler Myers and decent goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck and Laurent Brossoit. Total Rank They’ve got a great checking line made up of Adam Lowry, Brandon Wins 31 3rd Tanev and Mathieu Perreault and an emerging fourth line made up of Andrew Copp, Brendan Lemieux and Mason Appleton, which has been ROW 30 3rd producing regularly as of late. Losses 15 T3rd Their special teams units are in the upper echelon of the league (power Points 64 3rd play 3rd, 26%, penalty kill 11th, 81.2%) they have an excellent goal differential (3rd, +33) and they are generally a strong possession team Win% .667 3rd (14th at 50.25 Corsi for). Goals for 166 T5th They beat both the Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights — two possible playoff opponents — this week before stumbling against Goals against 133 T5th Dallas. Goal diff. +33 3rd Many people will read what’s just been said here and think “What’s not to like?” Power play% 26.0 3rd Well, there’s always something. Penalty kill% 81.2 11th It’s mostly been a miserable season for third-year winger Patrik Laine, Shots/GP 32 13th who is playing like a rookie and has not been able to find his scoring SA/GP 32.8 26th touch on most nights since the beginning of December. Faceoff % 50.7 11th He scored an astounding 18 times in November but has just seven goals in the other three months of the season. Home wins 18 2nd Laine has scored at an elite level in his three seasons but he clearly has Road wins 13 T8th a long way to go to become a complete player. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.21.2019 Jets fans expect a lot from him — that’s what happens when you score 100 goals before your 21st birthday — but need to have some patience. He’s still only 20 and is not a player anyone should give up on. Hellebuyck hasn’t been great either. The 2018 Vezina Trophy runner up has pedestrian numbers this year, has allowed a fair number of soft goals and has been pushed hard by the outstanding play of backup Brossoit. Hellebuyck hasn’t looked like a goalie who can carry a team on a long playoff run this year, though he repeatedly says that’s the way it should be. He’s aiming to peak in April and May, not right now. Another area of concern recently has been the Jets power play, now 0- for-11 in the last three games. It’s not clicking the way it was earlier in the season, possibly because other teams have figured out a way to slow it down, possibly because it misses point-man Byfuglien and possibly because the coaches have been tinkering with it too much when it didn’t need tinkering. Then there’s the fact that the Jets have taken 17 minor penalties in the last three games. Didn’t this consistent lack of discipline pass a couple of years ago? Of course, all this is nit picking. 1127181 Vancouver Canucks The one endearing aspect of Pettersson’s game is a dedication to being diligent in all three zones. It was on full display after the Canucks got off to a sluggish start and were trailing 6-0 on the shot clock. Canucks Post Game: Green’s double day, Pettersson’s play, Pettersson was falling to the ice in the offensive zone but still managed to Markstrom’s message feather a flip pass to Josh Leivo to keep the play alive. In the second period, he was foiled on a wrap-around attempt. He then attempted a toe-drag at the offensive blueline that was turned over, but bolted all the Ben Kuzma way back into his own zone to deny Gustav Nyquist from making a pass. He then did a goalie impersonation with a two-pad stack to keep Andreas Athanasiou from scoring off the rebound. Points to ponder as the healthy Canucks found a way to rebound from another slow start — and being outshot 15-3 at one point in the second However, there was still some rust. period — to rally for a 3-2 victory over the Red Wings on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Arena to keep that playoff pursuit conversation Pettersson hesitated for a moment on a second-period power-play shot going: from his sweet spot. He then had two more man-advantage chances on the same shift. He put a slapper into the pads of Jonathan Bernier and Green Day: ‘I don’t know whether to get mad or feel sorry for you guys’ then put a wrist into his crest instead of the top corner. Sometimes as a coach, you’re not quite sure what to say. However, Pettersson then executed a perfect slap-pass to Bo Horvat at the far post on a third-period power play. And when Horvat ended an 11- Your club is being out-shot and out-played and it looks like a favourable game goal drought by sweeping home the typing goal after Boeser’s shot home-based schedule with a lot of days off is actually working against hit Pettersson, the rookie put it in interesting perspective. you. The Canucks had to weather a five-shot power play before six minutes elapsed. Their first shot didn’t come until 7:21, a 35-foot wrist “I was just trying to get out of the way and he (Boeser) hit me in the air shot by Brandon Sutter. (ankle) and it (puck) just dropped down to Bo,” said Pettersson. “A blocked shot for me and an assist — it was creative.” “I don’t know why we haven’t been sharp,” Travis Green said of being outshot 11-3 at one stage of the first period and in danger of letting the Markstrom keeps cool, keeps club in it game slip away. “I’ll take the wins, but we don’t have a lot of jump at the start of the games. The Canucks were nursing a 1-0 lead in the second period when Justin Abdelkader went hard to the net and got his stick under the mask of “In the second period, we were sloppy wth the puck and it didn’t seem Jacob Markstrom. like we could make a pass or put a pass on the tape. We were late getting places and we were lucky that they didn’t score more in the It seemed like an accidental-on-purpose foray by the agitating winger second. I’ll say it again. Our goalie was great. We weren’t very good and because the starter’s mask went flying and he had every right to be we switched D parings and rolled the dice to get anything going.” agitated — especially with no penalty on the play. It also came at the end of a sequence when it looked like it was going to take something special So, how do you motivate a group that can’t find its way? to get to get a puck past Markstrom. “To be honest, I more or less told them I don’t know whether to get mad “It’s hockey and that stuff happens,” shrugged Markstrom who finished or feel sorry for you guys and I just said we’ve got a chance to win,” with 35 saves. “I’m 99 per cent sure he didn’t do it on purpose — he was added Green. “Give them credit because when a team responds, you’re going around the net and his stick got caught under my mask. proud of them. They weren’t trying not to play well.” “It’s a hockey play and you’ve got to keep on playing. It would have Antoine Roussel perked up on the bench before the third period started. been nice to get a penalty. It’s tough for the ref to see because Guddy He had taken a pair of minors but was bent on winning. His deflection of (Erik Gudbranson) was right there, too. You just keep playing and we’ve a Jake Virtanen shot at 13:13 snapped a 2-2 tie. got to play better.” “It was fitting,” added Green. “I talked to him on the bench at the start of Markstrom made a trio of saves during a first-period power play off the third to just get his thoughts on our game. He said: ‘Don’t worry. Anthony Mantha, Dylan Larkin and Mike Green before the Canucks We’re going to be there in the third.’” would manage their first shot at 7:21 off the stick of Brandon Sutter. Larkin would finish with six shots and 10 attempts. Said Roussel: “It’s a good sign we’re still winning, but we’ve got to play better. We have to play energized. I felt like I let the team down with two A perfectly placed Frans Nielsen shot to the stick off a cross-ice feed and questionable (penalties) and I wasn’t happy. And then I was happy to Thomas Vanek re-direct at side of the net in the second period put the score. Especially after missing a chance on the breakaway (coming out onus on Markstrom, who went into Sunday with just three regulation of penalty box).” losses in his previous 15 starts in which he sported a 2.11 goals-against average and .926 saves percentage, to be the difference. He was. The Canucks are in a stretch of six games in a 14-day span and maybe that has something to do with all this. They’re not accustomed to two Horvat finally ends frustrating scoring slump days off between games and there have been three in this stretch. Two plays in the third period looked like Horvat wouldn’t have to talk “Could the schedule have something to do with it? Maybe,” said Green. about his scoring slump hitting a dozen games. “We’ve been practising fast and sharp and we come out in the last few games and just look lethargic. It sounds silly, but as a player, you get into There was that Pettersson feed at side of the net on the power play and a groove and are used to a routine.” then a bull rush to break in for a chance that went over the net. Then the Canucks loaded up a line with Horvat with Pettersson and Boeser and Pettersson’s Plan: ‘I’ve got to play it simple and learn when it’s not going the centre managed to spin in the face-off circle and sweep home his as well as I want it.’ 18th goal. After missing five games with a mild MCL (medial collateral ligament) “Funny how it works,” said Horvat, who had six shots and won 61 per sprain of his right knee, the Calder Trophy front-runner cited conditioning cent of his draws. “You get all these Grade A chances that should have and timing as obstacles he would have to overcome. gone in and that one goes in. Definitely happy to get that one for sure.” And just when it looked like Pettersson might need more than a few shifts Horvat logged a more manageable 18:24 Sunday and benefitted from the to find his rhythm — he had trouble finding pucks in his skates and Canucks being totally healthy down the middle. The ice time was a far getting his feet under him — the centre did what he has done all season. cry from the 24:35 he logged Jan.10 against Florida. His deft deflection in the slot of a Brock Boeser point at 10:16 of the first period to open scoring proved that his hand-eye coordination are as good “Tonight in the third he was a horse — he stepped up,” said Green. “I as anyone in the league. know he’s been feeling the (scoring) frustration and I can see it creeping in and I don’t blame him. We were running him hot and it might have had “First I thought (Troy) Stecher was going to put the puck behind the net an affect on him.” and then I saw Boeser getting the puck and thought I better get to the net,” said Pettersson, who had three shots and seven attempts in his Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.21.2019 two-point night. “He made a good shot and it was an easy tip-in.” Then there’s the other stuff. Pick a zone. Any zone. 1127182 Vancouver Canucks carry the team by himself. They’re just asking them to do their fricking jobs.

Throw in another standout performance by Jacob Markstrom and a huge Ed Willes: Finally healthy, Canucks show spunk, and possibilities, game from the Alex Edler-Chris Tanev defensive pairing and there against Red Wings appears to be a formula in place for this team. “We’re been injured pretty much all year,” said Horvat. “To finally have Ed Willes our full team back and to get some chemistry is big for us.” Horvat’s goal, as it happened, ended an 11-game drought in which he’d done everything but score. Of course, the tying marker came off a holy “We’re been injured pretty much all year,” said Bo Horvat. “To finally roller after he fired one into Jonathan Bernier’s pad from point-blank have our full team back and to get some chemistry is big for us.” range and just missed on another clean look. Elias Pettersson returned to the lineup Sunday and that was a notable But the more interesting aspect of that goal was the line that Green sent development for the Vancouver Canucks on about 83 different levels. out, a combination that hasn’t been available to the Canucks too often this season. There was the obvious. Ten minutes into the first period, and with the Canucks looking deader than Luca Brasi, Pettersson scored on a “Tried it a couple of times tonight, part of it because we were searching deflection that gave the home side an ill-deserved lead. for something,” said Green. “We weren’t very good. We were going to roll the dice and try anything to get them going.” There’s the subtle. Early in the third period, with the Canucks trailing 2-1 and coming off a failed power play, coach Travis Green sent Pettersson But the point is he had that option and, suddenly, some other interesting out with Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser for an offensive-zone faceoff. That possibilities await for his team. line produced the tying goal in the Canucks’ 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.21.2019 OK, we might have trouble coming up with 80 others, but this one we can tell you about and it might be the most significant of the bunch. Sunday’s tilt with the Wings marked the first time this season that the Canucks have had their full complement of forwards available. That’s Pettersson, that’s Josh Leivo, that’s Brandon Sutter, Sven Baertschi and Boeser; all those players who, for some reason or another, have missed significant playing time this season. The Canucks now find themselves back in the eighth and final playoff spot in the West, but this is the more important development for this franchise. After Wednesday’s home game against Carolina they get a nine-day break before they start their stretch drive with their team intact. We’ll find out a lot about this group over the last two months of the season. Mostly, we’ll learn if this team is for real or they’re just playing their part. “It’s like we haven’t had a full lineup for a long time,” said the irrepressible Antoine Roussel. “It’s an adjustment, Guys gets hurt. They come back. Lines are scrambled. For myself I’ve played with almost everybody on this team. “It’s like the start of the season when you’re fresh. But for us, that’s like now. We’re still finding our way. We’re not there yet. But it’s coming.” Roussel, the excitable winger, scored the winner with just under seven minutes left in the third period, capping a Canucks’ comeback from a dreadful second period and, truth be told, a flat performance all the way around. The win gave the locals eight points out of a possible 10 in their current home stand, a stretch in which they’ve barged into the playoff conversation in the West. But, coming out of the all-star break, stuff’s going to get real for Green’s men. Thus far this season they’ve relied on superior goaltending, Pettersson’s scoring and an emerging team game to make them relevant. Now, they have all their pieces in place, or should if the hockey gods finally give them a break in the injury department, and Green is as interested as anyone to see what his best lineup can accomplish. “Knock on wood we stay healthy,” Green said. “It’s going to put pressure on guys to play well. We’ve been searching for some lines, but you’re not going to get consistent lines unless you’re playing well.” He then paused. “It was nice to see all four centremen tonight,” he said to no one in particular. That was also the take-away from Sunday afternoon. Look at the Canucks’ lineup and there was reason, order and balance to all four lines, starting with a legitimate first line with Pettersson, Boeser and Baertschi, and a decent second line with Horvat and Leivo. Sutter, Jake Virtanen and Markus Granlund formed the third line, and Jay Beagle centred a fourth line with Tyler Motte and Loui Eriksson, which played over 14 minutes. OK, it isn’t the ’87 Oilers, but for the first time in forever you can look at the Canucks’ lineup and see players slotted in appropriate roles. They’re not asking Virtanen to be a 30-goal scorer. They’re not asking Boeser to 1127183 Vancouver Canucks Markstrom keeps cool The Canucks were nursing a 1-0 lead in the second period and outshot 15-3 at one point in the frame when Justin Abdelkader went hard to the Canucks 3 Red Wings 2: Pettersson, Markstrom best health plan in net and got his stick under the mask of Jacob Markstrom. possible playoff push It seemed like an accidental-on-purpose foray by the agitating winger because the starter’s mask went flying and he had every right to be Ben Kuzma agitated — especially with no penalty on the play. It also came at the end of a sequence when it looked like it was going to take something special to get a puck past Markstrom. Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson (40) celebrates his goal past He made a trio of saves during a first-period power play off Anthony Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier (45) during first period Mantha, Dylan Larkin and Mike Green before the Canucks would NHL action in Vancouver, Sunday, Jan 20, 2019. manage their first shot at 7:21 off the stick of Brandon Sutter. Jacob Markstrom stops 35 shots as Canucks improve to 3-0-2 on A perfectly placed Frans Nielsen shot to the stick off a cross-ice feed and homestand a Vanek re-direct at side of the net in the second period put the onus on Markstrom, who went into Sunday with just three regulation losses in his The provincial health-care system ensures eligible B.C. residents have previous 15 starts in which he sported a 2.11 goals-against average and access to services. .926 saves percentage, to be the difference. The Vancouver Canucks’ health-care system ensures the NHL club could Horvat ends scoring slump remain in Western Conference playoff contention with the services of sensational rookie Elias Pettersson. Even when their overall offence Two plays in the third period looked like Horvat wouldn’t have to talk looked to be ailing and too many players were ailing with prolonged about his scoring slump hitting a dozen games. scoring slumps. There was that Pettersson feed at side of the net on the power play and After Pettersson missed five games with a mild MCL (medial collateral then a bull rush to break in for a chance that went over the net. Then the ligament) sprain of his right knee, the Calder Trophy front-runner cited Canucks loaded up a line with Horvat with Pettersson and Boeser and conditioning and timing as obstacles he would have to overcome as the the centre managed to spin in the faceoff circle and sweep home his 18th Canucks returned to healthy roster status Sunday afternoon against the goal. Detroit Red Wings. “Funny how it works,” said Horvat, who had six shots and won 61 per And just when it looked like Pettersson might need more than a few shifts cent of his draws. “You get all these Grade A chances that should have to find his rhythm — he had trouble finding pucks in his skates and gone in and that one goes in. Definitely happy to get that one for sure.” getting his feet under him — the centre did what he has done all season. His deft deflection in the slot of a Brock Boeser point at 10:16 of the first Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.21.2019 period to open scoring proved that his hand-eye co-ordination are as good as anyone in the league. Here’s what we learned as Bo Horvat ended an 11-game goal drought in the third period to draw the Canucks even at 2-2 before Antoine Roussel deflected a Jake Virtanen shot as the Canucks eked out a 3-2 win: Pettersson zones in on complete game Pick a zone. Any zone. The one endearing aspect of Pettersson’s game is a dedication to being diligent in all three zones. It was on full display after the Canucks got off to a sluggish start and were trailing 6-0 on the shot clock. Pettersson got into position in the high slot and the deflection of Boeser’s shot for his 23rd goal of the season seemed to be a sign that his game was intact. “First I thought (Troy) Stecher was going to put the puck behind the net and then I saw Boeser getting the puck and thought I better get to the net,” said Pettersson, who had three shots and seven attempts. “He made a good shot and it was an easy tip-in.” Further evidence came later in the opening period when Pettersson was falling to the ice in the offensive zone but still managed to feather a flip pass to Josh Leivo to keep the play alive. In the second period, Pettersson was foiled on a wraparound attempt. He then attempted a toe-drag at the offensive blueline that was turned over, but bolted all the way back into his own zone to deny Gustav Nyquist from making a pass. He then did a two-pad stack to keep Andreas Athanasiou from scoring off the rebound. “A little bit off,” added Pettersson, who had a pair of uncharacteristic give- aways. “I felt I lost the puck a few times and made some bad decisions and bad turnovers. I’ve got to play it simple and learn when it’s not going as well as I want it. Just play it simple. It was mostly that I lost the puck a few times and it led to turnovers. I’ve just got to get better.” There was even some rust when Pettersson shot. He hesitated for a moment on a second-period power-play shot from his sweet spot. He then had two more man-advantage chances on the same shift. He put a slapper into the pads of Jonathan Bernier and then a wrist into his crest instead of the top corner. However, Pettersson then executed a perfect slap-pass to Horvat at the far post on a third-period power play. What will upset Pettersson more than the offensive chance is being on the ice for the first two Detroit goals, including the failure to get the puck out of the zone on the Thomas Vanek goal. 1127184 Vancouver Canucks Tristen Nielsen caused a turnover along the side boards in the Warrior zone.

There was a certain playoff feel to the game, with neither side giving up Canucks prospect Jett Woo adding fancy passing highlights to his heavy very much. It was calculated, cautious. The Giants, now winners in six hitting clips straight, had played Friday in Spokane and spent the evening in Everett before coming home. It was also the fourth game in five nights for Moose Jaw. Steve Ewen “I thought it was a real good performance,” said Dyck. “We knew it was going to be a tough one, based on our schedule. At the same time, we didn’t want to use any excuses. “I’m trying to round out my whole game. I think every player wants to do that," says Canucks' prospect Jett Woo “We didn’t have the start that we wanted to. The third period was our best period and that’s when we needed to be the best.” Jett Woo’s adding some refinement to his game. Vancouver defenceman Bowen Byram, who paired with Woo for Team The Vancouver Canucks prospect isn’t playing with a pinky sticking out, WHL in the CIBC Canada Russia series in November that Hockey like he’s drinking afternoon tea. The 18-year-old Winnipeg native, who’s Canada uses to pick its world junior tryout camp roster, had Vancouver’s been characterized as a hard-nosed, stay-at-home defenceman since the goal in regulation. It was his 16th of the season. Canucks used a second-round draft pick on him last June, is showing off more of an offensive upside this season with the Moose Jaw Warriors, Neither Byram nor Woo were invited to the selection camp. including helping run their power play. Byram, 17, who’s projected as an early pick in June’s NHL Draft at Woo looked comfortable at the top of Moose Jaw’s 1-3-1 first-unit Rogers Arena, led all defencemen in the country in goals as of Sunday formation in Saturday night’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Vancouver Giants morning. The OHL leader had 14, the QMJHL leader had 12. And they’re at the Langley Events Centre. He also scored Moose Jaw’s goal at even both 20 year olds. strength, sneaking a screened shot from the right faceoff circle past Vancouver netminder Trent Miner in the first period. Byram is fifth in points amongst defencemen in the WHL with 44. He’s second on the Giants in scoring, following Koch’s 47 points. It was his ninth marker of the campaign, which left tied him for the fourth- best output among WHL blue liners. He’s seventh in points among Koch’s goal was also his 16th and upped his points scoring streak to six defenceman with 38 in 39 games. games. He has 14 points (5-9) in that time. Maybe most telling, his 18 power play assists tied him for the second- Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.21.2019 best total among rearguards, behind the 22 put forth by Calen Addison of the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Addison is a smaller, puck-moving type. Woo is a 6-foot, 203 pounder known more for putting his shoulder into opponents rather than putting his passes into the one-timer wheelhouse of teammates. “We’ve got a lot of guys who could be on the first power play here. It’s a lot of fun being on it and being able to make plays,” said Woo. Woo has had four Hockey Canada stints so far, including playing with the national Under-16 team that went to the Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway in 2016. Giants coach Michael Dyck was part of that coaching staff and says Woo, “was one of one our top defensive guys. He blocked a lot of shots and played a physical game.” “Since that time,” Dyck added, “he has improved his offensive game considerably.” This will never get old. I hope Woo makes the team next year just for the Ric Flair gifs — Leonard Washington (@RealLeonardWA) January 20, 2019 Moose Jaw went 0-for-6 with man advantage against the Giants, but that was more of a testament to Miner and the way Vancouver shut down lanes than it was to what Moose Jaw was doing. Vancouver has the league’s third-best penalty kill, working at 85.3 per cent (27 goals against, 184 times short-handed). Moose Jaw has the league’s fourth-best power play, clicking at 25.6 per cent (40-for-156). Their first unit also features Team Canada defenceman and Montreal Canadiens prospect Josh Brook, 36-goal over-ager Tristin Langan, Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Justin Almeida and 17-year-old up-and-comer Brayden Tracey. Moose Jaw (24-1-6-2) had the league’s seventh-best record after Saturday’s loss. Vancouver (29-12-2-0) was fourth. Woo has one power play goal to date this season. He had two power play goals and six assists with the man advantage in an injury-shortened 44 games last season, on his way to nine goals and 25 points. He says that all his power play time last season came early in the campaign. “I’m trying to round out my whole game. I think every player wants to do that,” said Woo. “I’m trying to not rush it. I’m trying to learn the right things at the right times. “I’m just trying to develop the right way.” There wasn’t the big, bruising bodycheck Saturday that has been a frequent of Woo’s game the past couple of years. He was on the ice for the game winner, a Davis Koch tap in off a crafty feed from Dylan Plouffe at 2:58 of the extra session. Moose Jaw got caught running around after 1127185 Vancouver Canucks Tyler Bertuzzi — Dylan Larkin — Gustav Nyquist Thomas Vanek — Frans Nielsen — Anthony Mantha Canucks Game Day: Red Wings looking to rev up motors for Darren Helm — Luke Glendening — Andreas Athanasiou Pettersson’s return at Rogers Justin Abdelkader — Christoffer Ehn — Martin Frk

Defence pairings Patrick Johnston Niklas Kronwall — Mike Green

Dan DeKeyser — Nick Jensen The Canucks will have their full lineup on the ice for the first time all season. Jonathan Ericsson — Dennis Cholowski NEXT GAME: SUNDAY Goalie: Jimmy Howard, Jonathan Bernier Detroit Red Wings at Vancouver Canucks SICK BAY 1 p.m., Rogers Arena, TV: Sportsnet Pacific, Radio: Sportsnet 650 AM Canucks: All healthy Red Wings: Trevor Daley (broken foot), Michael Rasmussen (hamstring) THE BIG MATCHUP SPECIAL TEAMS Elias Pettersson vs. expectations Power play The return of Vancouver’s best player comes just as the Canucks find Canucks: 17.2% (21st); Red Wings: 16.9% (23rd) themselves in the thick of a playoff fight. The rookie has been a Penalty kill sensation and his scoring touch puts him in the league’s elite. He was playing some of his best hockey of the season before getting injured in Canucks: 78.6% (21st); Red Wings: 76.9% (25th) Montreal. Can he get back on the same horse? Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.21.2019 FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME 1. Defensive structure Coach Travis Green was honest about his team’s defensive play in Friday’s 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres: The Canucks simply weren’t good enough. Even against the struggling Red Wings he’ll be demanding a much better performance. 2. Leave it to Leivo The winger put in his best performance of the season for the Canucks Friday and finds himself back with Pettersson. He skates well, carries the puck well, shoots well and passes well. He’s been an excellent pickup for the Canucks. 3. Good health For the first time all season, the Canucks will have nobody on the injured- reserve list when the game starts. It will also be just the seventh game of the season that the Canucks will have their four top centres dressed at the same time. 4. Return of Tommy Gun Former Canuck Thomas Vanek celebrated his 35th birthday Saturday. He scored 41 points in 61 games for the Canucks in 2017-18. He signed with the Wings last summer but has just 21 points in 41 games so far this year. 5. Rasmussen ready? The hometown kid is on injured reserve with a hamstring problem. He skated with his mates on Saturday, so if he’s declared healthy for today’s game, he’ll skate in Vancouver for the first time as a Red Wing. CANUCKS’ LINES LW – C – RW Josh Leivo — Elias Pettersson — Brock Boeser Sven Baertschi — Bo Horvat — Markus Granlund Antoine Roussel — Brandon Sutter — Jake Virtanen Loui Eriksson — Jay Beagle — Tyler Motte Defence pairings Alex Edler — Chris Tanev Ben Hutton — Troy Stecher Derrick Pouliot — Erik Gudbranson Goalies: Jacob Markstrom, Thatcher Demko RED WINGS’ LINES LW – C – RW 1127186 Vancouver Canucks BEST QUOTE This Roussel quote is something else. The Athletties: Why Roussel celebrated, EP’s return, a rebuild debate ROUSSEL: “If we win the next couple of games, we maybe show we are and what Hughes needs to do in the chase to be buyers (at the deadline). “We might need another winger. We might need another D. Or some depth. By Jason Botchford Jan 20, 2019 34 “I’m excited for that.”

You may be. BIGGEST LAUGH I’m not sure, however, that this market is equipped to handle a take like Antoine Roussel has been missed. this. Maybe not him exactly, but the organizations sure as hell have missed BEST RETURN someone like him. Let’s see, Pettersson scored a goal on a beautiful tip, added an assist, On a Canucks list of questionable, and regrettable, free-agent decisions, nearly scored on a wraparound, energized the Canucks’ power play and Roussel was always among the most defensible. was third on the team in controlling shot attempts (46.88 differential) in With a hint of Alex Burrows regularly twinkling from him, he has energy what was a pretty brutal game despite the win. that can give the Canucks both attitude and passion. Pettersson may not have had it, but he had enough magic to produce two Yes, he gets called for penalties, like Burrows did, and by that I mean points and seven shot attempts, and he didn’t even get to 16 minutes in often unfairly. ice time. But he is among the best players in the league at drawing them, and with “It’s huge, and to understand how huge just look at our power play with 16 of those he ranks ninth in the NHL, tied with Elias Pettersson. him,” Roussel said. If you’re wondering, and I know you are, Connor McDavid has 12. “It reminds me of Chicago. You take Patrick Kane off and they don’t have that same creativity. Roussel is often a lifeblood for this group, so it doesn’t surprise me at all that Travis Green went up to him at the start of the third and asked him “For us, having him back it makes everything for the other team tougher. for a temperature read of his squad. It makes it tougher for them to match up against us. The conversation followed an intermission where the coach “It is pretty exciting, but we still have to find our identity.” acknowledged he didn’t know whether to yell at his guys or feel sorry for EP’s tip was “The Eye” play the Canucks have been working on in them because they were that bad against a terrible collection of Red practice for some time. Wings. It was designed to be one of the plays to help improve an offence that Roussel assured Green he had nothing to worry about. He was right. has scored the fewest goals in the NHL in the three seasons leading up But it was some ride getting there. to this one. Roussel would go on to get the game-winning goal, but only after he GREEN: “It feels like there was so much talk at the start of the year about missed a chance on a breakaway. us not being able to score. For that, the Wings let him have it. The Canucks listened as Detroit “We’ve gone to work on that (tip play). To see them get rewarded, that’s openly mocked Roussel. They laughed at his attempt, which they called part of it. “a muffin.” They told him he had pathetically blown his chance at winning “You try to install certain things on your team. If it doesn’t pay off, then it’s the game. not as effective. It wouldn’t be The Athletties if we didn’t have some of this in a GIF. “It was good tonight for sure.” Tyler Bertuzzi and Andreas Athanasiou made sure Roussel knew how The tip was great. The fist bump that followed it was even better. funny they thought it was just after his breakaway miss. Hard not to like this: I’m pretty sure at this point Roussel wanted to slash their knees off. BEST DEFENCE He showed his restraint first and got the last laugh later. Why do players respect Pettersson so much? And when he tipped in the winner, he let Detroit have it with his over-the- top celly. Because he lays out like this in the slot: From what I heard, the Wings weren’t too pleased with that one. He also defends net front better than most of their defencemen. But, hey, the Canucks essentially let them skate around for two periods BEST IMAGERY like Detroit was icing a team with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in their prime. If the Wings still couldn’t win this game, and they didn’t, they Hard to beat Bo Horvat spitting blood after a game in which he had six have serious problems. shots on net, scoring a goal. And they do. Since the start of November, Horvat has averaged 21:34 a game, which is 11th among NHL forwards. BEST PLAY Call him Bull. Call him captain. He’s been a warrior. This play wasn’t designed to be devious. It just looks that way. But have the minutes been too much? Frans Nielsen came for Jake Virtanen, but it was JV18 who sent the Wings centre for a waterski tour of his crease. It’s possible. Virtanen bullied Nielsen into the ice with a cross-check, after getting one GREEN: “I was worried we were running him hot for a while there, and it first. Nielsen never recovered and had a better chance of locating a may have had an effect on him. Pettersson jersey in the stands than finding the puck and Roussel. “His minutes have been cut back here lately. VIRTANEN: “He gave me the first cross-check and I gave him one back “What was it? Nineteen tonight? (18:24). to let him know I was there. “(Being healthy) will allow us to not play him so many minutes. “And then we scored. It was a nice ending for that sequence. “We ran him so hard there for a while, it may have had an effect. “It definitely helped that goal. And it gave me extra time and space so it was nice to see.” “But as coaches, sometimes you think now and react later and see how it goes.” BEST COACHING Or the same as Ben Hutton. I know people are worked up about the Nikolay Goldobin scratches, and I Pettersson has 44 in 39. have a lot of time for them even if his numbers with Horvat are beyond awful this season. HOTTEST TAKE 3.0 Are there players still in the lineup whom Goldy is better than? ELIAS PETTERSSON WILL WIN MORE HART TROPHIES THAN CONNOR MCDAVID. @BOTCHFORD Uh, yes. There sure are. — CHRIS CONTE (@CHRISCONTE79) JANUARY 20, 2019 Does it appear — sometimes — that there are different rules for him? Someone needs to drop this one on Boat Capn’s show. It can feel that way. BEST NEVER FORGET Like these times: Kelly Hrudey laughed when the idea was presented Pettersson was @BOTCHFORD HOW MANY GAMES WOULD GOLDY HAVE TO SIT having a season worthy of Hart consideration. IF HE JUST DID WHAT MOTTE DID AT THE BLUE LINE. WONDER HOW MANY MOTTE WILL SIT. He said, “maybe in three years.” — DM37 (@DMACGREG37) JANUARY 20, 2019 You sure it’s going to take that long? I’m no expert on what gets Goldy scratched, but it seems like this would BIGGEST WTF be the type of play that would make Green’s list if it were him. ⁦@BOTCHFORD⁩ THIS DUDE LOST A BET 4 SURE!! We’ll see how Green handles all of this moving forward because the PIC.TWITTER.COM/3XMGW1M8WZ Canucks keep telling people they haven’t given up on Goldobin. — CHAD HEDRICK (@AGASSIZCHAD) JANUARY 20, 2019 But with this regime, it’s usually the healthy scratches they try to move on BEST BILL TO BE POSTED from. BEST COMPARISON I do think Green has proven adaptable. The past two games, he’s got Gudbraonson down to the 14-minute range. RASMUSSEN, 19, IS 6-FOOT-6, 221 POUNDS, BUT JUST 13 POINTS He’s been playing him like a No. 6, and I promise y0u there are still — HARMAN DAYAL (@HARMANDAYAL2) JANUARY 20, 2019 general managers who think he can be the difference between living and dying, so the chance is there to, in short, do this thing that needs to be BEST EL-OH-EL done. BEST FIND Plus, needing offence, Green also put together a Brock Boeser, Horvat @BOTCHFORD @THESTANCHION GUDDY JERSEY ON FERRY and Pettersson line, and I’m here for that. OVER FROM VIC. WONDER WHAT MORE REGRETFUL, THIS GUY BEST POLL BUYING THE JERSEY OR BENNNING GIVING GUDDY 3X$4M? #OBSCUREJERSEY PIC.TWITTER.COM/SZEQX0AJAR BETTER WEAPON? — BRENDAN CLIFF (@CLIFFBRENDAN) JANUARY 20, 2019 — JASON BOTCHFORD (@BOTCHFORD) JANUARY 20, 2019 BEST IDEA BIGGEST DILEMMA @BOTCHFORD OH MAN. ADD A ZERO AND CALL HIM PETEY MAN. I DON’T WANT THE CANUCKS TO WIN, BUT I DON’T IIKE PIC.TWITTER.COM/AJSYAP4ZYW WHEN WE LOSE EITHER  — MW (@CANUCKS_WILSON) JANUARY 20, 2019 WHAT A LIFE. BEST QUESTION — AAROWNEEUS (@AARONDENGIS) JANUARY 20, 2019 Zack MacEwen is 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds. BEST WAIT WHAT? He is scoring in the AHL at a 0.36-goals-per-game rate. WAIT … THIS IS LEGIT LOOKING LIKE THE GAME PLAN NOW LOL He is big, has improved skating and is able to do things like this: — WARREN HALES (@WARRENHALES) JANUARY 20, 2019 A STEAL AND A SWIPE FROM @ZMACEWEN11 AND IT'S 2-0 BIGGEST SHOWDOWN COMETS!#BELVSUTI PIC.TWITTER.COM/WWVZWR5OP7 Yes, that’s right, Svech is coming to town. — UTICA COMETS (@UTICACOMETS) JANUARY 19, 2019 @BOTCHFORD I BET YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE IS ALREADY As Comets Cory pointed out, “It’s not even just the goal, though it’s a PREPARING FOR THE HUGE ROOKIE BATTLE ON WEDNESDAY! nice snipe. #SVECH #EP40 #CALDERRACE “It’s the awareness to jump in that outlet pass and the confidence to just — RUSS BULLOCK (@RUSS_BULLOCK) JANUARY 21, 2019 dance in like that. HOTTEST TAKE 1.0 “He is right on the cusp. They have been feeding him a lot more PK time in his last half dozen or so games. He’s a regular on the PK now, and It certainly is bold. that’s something they did with Goldy last year right before they brought Pettersson has 23 goals in 39 games. him up.” Kotkaniemi has six in 50. He has the potential, if any of this is transferable, to be exactly the type of player the Canucks need. HOTTEST TAKE 2.0 How long will they really wait to find out? IF HE SAW PLAY AND MINUTES WITH EITHER 91 OR 86 HE’D BE GIVING ELIAS PETERSON A STRONG CHALLENGE FOR CALDER BEST COUNTER-ARGUMENT TROPHY I’m still a big fan of The Province even when they refuse to say my name — DAN HERREJON (@DANHERREJON) JANUARY 20, 2019 out loud when bringing me up on their podcasts. He’s talking about Tampa’s Mathieu Joseph. I’m a fan of their sports department, notably Ed. Guy, you cover Tampa. The team is incredible. But I can’t help but feel the need to respond to this one: Do you have to have everything? It includes this: Joseph has 17 points in 41 games. This is a fairly common conclusion reached by many Hockey Men. At its core is this thought: “There are no guarantees with getting high “I think the biggest thing is, to be a team that’s in the playoffs, you have picks. Nothing is absolutely certain. Therefore, everything is equal.” to have elite players. If building through the draft is the only real way to get a contender, and it “Can some of our young guys become elite? is, what exactly is the alternative to high draft picks? “The quicker they can become elite, the quicker we’re back in the mix. If high picks don’t work, what does? “I think a guy like Dylan Larkin on a night-by-night basis is an elite player. Low draft picks? “I think on the Canucks, Boeser and Pettersson, I would say the same You don’t really see this in other sports. thing. People don’t say, “Look at the Cleveland Browns, high picks didn’t work “You probably have to get to three (elite players) to be a playoff team. for them. It’s a cautionary tale.” “You probably have to get to four or five to be a real Stanley Cup No. They say, “Look at the Cleveland Browns. They were dumb. Don’t be contender.” dumb.” I’m not going to go through every team, but look at the one at the top. As someone said to me about this Sabres take: Tampa has Stamkos, Point, Kucherov and Hedman as elite players and “This is literally the anti-vaccination argument. then maybe five or six players at the Horvat level. “Don’t need to vaccinate our kids because there’s some kid out there I’m not sure where Boeser would slot in on that team, but you can debate who still got sick.” whether he’d be included as elite or not. The answer to any rebuilding question can’t be “high picks don’t work.” The Canucks do have Quinn Hughes, and he has the potential to be elite. Decades of evidence that show definitively in all sports better players are taken earlier in drafts. BEST HOPE There’s just no getting around this fact. Quinn Hughes is Vancouver’s next big thing. So instead of looking at where the Sabres picked, why not look at their Watching reviews come in after his performance at the World Junior scouting? Championship was like watching Chayka try to rebuild the Coyotes. Why not focus on why they missed and why they whiffed? It was all over the planet. Maybe get better scouts? A better tracking and data system? Stop using Some told me he was too small. Some told me him he was going to be a Stathletes? (OK, that last one is only a joke, Meghan.) turnover machine in the NHL and would take years to develop. Others, however, gushed about his skating and controlled transition game. I find all of it troubling in Vancouver because where the Canucks sit now and how they look going forward has been re-shaped by one Elias To them, he is ideal for the modern NHL and a style the Canucks’ woeful Pettersson. defence could use, a point that was really brought home by a report that the Canucks thought about trying to sign him this month after the WJC. He is an elite player. Full stop. The Canucks got him by tanking. Full stop. If he were to play 11 games for Vancouver this year, he becomes a player the Canucks need to protect in the next expansion draft. So for In the 2017 season, the Canucks traded veterans and they shut down them, consideration that it could be worth it to risk that and sign him now veterans who would have played if the team was any good. They added says everything about where the Canucks stand and what they think of kids. They let Willie Desjardins do whatever he wanted, including playing both Hughes and their current defence. the shit out of Chaput and Megna, and he did that when they needed goals and no one cared. The size thing is fascinating because we just went through this with Pettersson and the hive mind concluded not that long ago that he would The team tanked. There was literally nothing more they could have done be too small to play centre in the Pacific Division. to be worse. They were the worst team in hockey. They went 4-14-2 after the deadline and finished the season with eight consecutive losses. (It brings the lulz now.) They finished with 69 points. Two teams ahead of them had 70. There I asked Stecher what he thought about this and what he would tell was also Vegas in the mix. One more win and they could have dropped Hughes. two spots. “I would tell him not to engage in battles,” Stecher said. “At the end of the They had the second-worst record in hockey. day, he’s not going to out-muscle a lot of guys, so there’s not much point to confrontation. What do people say? “Using his stick to take away time and space, or pushing players into an You need high picks, and you need luck, too. area you know you’re going to have more success is something that you It’s well known by now the Canucks would not have taken the so-called definitely learn about quickly in this league. big two at the 2017 draft because the Canucks admitted it. “In college and in juniors, the higher-end players can do things that you LINDEN SAID CANUCKS WOULDN'T HAVE PICKED HISCHIER OR won’t get away with at this level. PATRICK 1ST OA HAD THEY WON THE LOTTERY #WOW “Positional defence is something I’ve learned a lot about since I got to the — RD (@BUCKFOSTON_) AUGUST 25, 2017 NHL, and I think my numbers have started to reflect that.” There is one player who they may have taken ahead of Pettersson, and Stecher said Hughes can learn from trial and error but also from watching it’s Makar. other undersized NHL defencemen. But the draft fell their way. They lost the lottery and still had a top-five “I watched Spurgeon a lot in Minnesota. He and I do defend differently on pick. the boards and in open ice. Everyone says you need to bad and lucky. They were both. It was a “But net front, I’ve taken a lot of his tendencies. tanker’s dream come true. “It’s the same thing I was telling you, and this may sound counter- Without Pettersson, the rebuild is dead in the water, over before it really productive, but you let the guy get set and then when the puck comes, started. they’re so focused on tipping it they forget about their ground. He is that kind of difference-maker. “That’s when you can get leverage and move them. Without him, I could easily see the Canucks getting to the point where “It’s little details like that you can pick up on.” they’d have to consider trading Horvat to re-start things. As an aside, there’s honestly not much better in this line of work than Interestingly, Blashill was asked yesterday about the stage the Wings are talking hockey with Stecher. What a great sounding board he’s going to in during this rebuild cycle and he said this: be for Hughes. Whatever the Canucks do, they cannot trade this guy. Beacher has spent a lot of time watching Hughes play and this is his take: “Sometimes, he is going to do too much or force something and cause a turnover that looks really bad. “On the flip side, he is a player that will make 10 great plays throughout the course of the game but we’ll all remember that bad turnover that cost the game. “Look no further than the game against Sweden at the World Juniors — he makes a subtle play that creates so much space for his forward, he threads a perfect pass and Cates hits the side of the net. “But a few moments later, he is stripped of the puck in his zone on a retrieval and Sweden scores. “It’s going to be a delicate balance through his development that will need to limit those turnovers but still allowing him to do what he does so positively. “The high-end upside to be a dynamic power-play quarterback is there but there will be risk every time he does his rushes. “When he is on his game — he is ridiculous. (The game at LEC vs. Czech as an example.) “To suggest that he is a turnover machine is too extreme simply because the turnovers look bad and you’ll remember them and it’s not fair to expect him to come in and make a major impact in all situations right away. “But Hughes is exactly what the Canucks so desperately need and what the NHL is all about, so you can’t smash that creativity out of his game.” Preach. The Athletic LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127187 Websites They are in the mud, results-wise, but it doesn’t look the process is overly flawed. And there certainly isn’t a sense of panic inside the dressing room. Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs still looking for way to snap post-Christmas “I think we’re going through some adversity as a team,” said Matthews. slide “It just seems like night after night these little things are costing us, costing us goals and end up costing us important points.” Chris Johnston | @reporterchris January 20, 2019, 9:49 PM “If we can stay with it, I like where we’re going,” added Tavares. “You’ve just got to embrace it. Obviously, it’s not what we want, it’s not the results we want, but we’ve got a quality team. We’ve proven that already the majority of the season.” TORONTO — It all depends on what you want to believe. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.21.2019 Either the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t quite the contender they’ve been made out to be — going a pedestrian 9-9-2 since William Nylander rejoined the lineup on Dec. 6 — or they’ve run into a patch of bad luck here and are just a few bounces away from turning back into an offensive juggernaut. There’s no doubt where the players and head coach Mike Babcock stand in this discussion. They kept a stiff upper lip in the face of Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes, the sixth time in the last seven outings at Scotiabank Arena where the Leafs were beaten. “Tonight we played hard, I thought we had the puck a lot,” said Babcock. “I didn’t think we had a lot of puck luck, to be honest with you. We had lots of attempts. I liked a lot of the things we did.” “I think we controlled a lot of the play,” added John Tavares. “I liked the approach of the team; the patience, the positive attitude on the bench. I thought we were just kind of staying with it. I mean I counted three posts — I don’t know if there was more than that — so obviously it’s a game of inches, it’s small fractions here and there.” It was a game where the Leafs controlled wide swaths of play, particularly in a first period where they out-attempted Arizona 26-10 at even strength. Only a lack of finish and some solid goaltending from Darcy Kuemper kept Toronto’s lead to 1-0. There has been a running theme to that, with Nylander sitting at one goal in his 20 games, and Auston Matthews only having one to show for his last 13, and Nazem Kadri and Patrick Marleau weathering their own dry spells as well. Matthews finished with another 10 shot attempts against his hometown Coyotes, but couldn’t get one past Kuemper. “We generated some chances,” said Matthews. “He made some good saves and, at the same time, they made some good plays by boxing out guys and keeping us away.” Mitch Marner, who has done nothing but score goals for the past month, had three high-quality looks in the first period alone. He was dancing on his edges and finding the high-danger areas. The Coyotes showed some determination, too, pulling ahead in the second period and responding quickly after Tavares scored his 30th early in the third to bring it back to 2-2. Vinnie Hinostroza found a rebound and snuck it behind Frederik Andersen for the winner, with Lawson Crouse adding an empty-netter. Truth be told, it was one of those games that wouldn’t raise much alarm at all in these parts if it could be removed from the context of the recent stretch. Sometimes you play pretty well and fall one shot short, right? “I think tonight more than some other nights over the past couple weeks there was a lot of good things,” Tavares reasoned. “I think we controlled a lot of the play, really other than them having four power plays and then probably two or three shifts after we tied it in the third [where] they had the momentum.” The days ahead could still be a challenge, with only Wednesday’s visit from Washington to play before an extended all-star break. There are some frayed nerves in the city after the Leafs set a high bar through the first two months before starting to stumble. They are missing Jake Gardiner, who is out with back spasms, and Andreas Johnsson, who suffered a concussion on a heavy hit from Coyotes defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson during Sunday’s game. Logic suggests the power play will eventually kick back into gear given all of the offensive talent on the roster. The Leafs have the NHL’s fifth-best score-adjusted Corsi since Dec. 6, according to naturalstattrick.com, and are just days removed from beating the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning on the road. 1127188 Websites defensively, so you know what’s going on, so you don’t get caught on the wrong side, you know when to go and when not to go.

"Ideally, we’re hoping just like what happened to Gardiner and Rielly and Sportsnet.ca / Travis Dermott gives Maple Leafs a glimpse of life after those types of guys, that his game continues to grow and he can work his Jake Gardiner way into being a top-four D-man." Yes, it was just one lonely night against the Coyotes, a night they lost, Luke Fox | @lukefoxjukebox January 21, 2019, 12:07 AM but Dermott didn’t look the least bit out of place a little farther up the card. Some smart pinches, a few bursts, a red lamp, and a sign of more 20- minute nights to come. TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs were given a sneak peek of what "Each night there’s a couple of different leagues," Babcock says. life after Jake Gardiner could look like, and in the words of coach Mike "There’s the guys who play against the top-six every night, and there’s Babcock, it involves fewer plays. the guys who don’t — and it’s different." That is not to say smooth-skating rookie Travis Dermott didn’t impress As a 536-game veteran, Gardiner is used to a steady diet of top-six filling in for the top-four fixture to the left of Nikita Zaitsev during Sunday’s forwards. Dermott is a fine choice to mature into that role, but life without 4-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes. Gardiner will be different. To the contrary. Dermott opened the scoring when he buzzed a wrister Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.21.2019 from the point through a net-front cluster, helped tilt the ice to the visitors’ end with a 61 per cent Corsi rating, contributed to both special teams, and proved himself a one-man breakout machine with rushes like this: The man can wheel, and certainly looked inspired seeing his ice time elevated to 21-plus minutes. "Everyone wants more minutes, everyone wants more opportunity," Dermott, 22, said when it was relayed to him that his coach envisions him evolving into a top-four NHL defender. "[Zaitsev] helped me through that pretty nicely, made it easy on me, talking a lot. It seemed pretty seamless, but kudos to the guys around me for making it easy." The uneasy truth is that Gardiner only sticks around beyond this spring if GM Kyle Dubas can pull a rabbit out of his salary cap, or if a talented forward gets traded, or if the Minnesotan, an impending unrestricted free agent, takes a significant "hometown" discount to continue to play for a fan base (or, at least, a vocal minority) that has taken to booing him in shaky times. Babcock was pleased with Dermott’s game, but elevating the skilled half of the Leafs’ sheltered third pairing leaves a duo of rookie Igor Ozhiganov and seldom-used Martin Marincin to white-knuckle through shifts and remind everyone just how thin Toronto’s D corps gets. And why it’s the focal point heading toward February’s trade deadline. "I would have liked to have Jake because we would have had more plays, and the more plays you can have from the back, the more chances you have for clean looks offensively," said Babcock. The coach took his strongest stance against the Gardiner haters Friday in Florida, when the subject of Gardiner’s razzing was brought up yet again. “I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of a guy named Larry Murphy? We better be careful who we’re booing," Babcock said. "The reality is, Gardiner’s a 50-point D-man. I think he’s plus-17. He’s a real player. We need him." For the first time in three-and-a-half years, they didn’t have him Sunday. The snapping of Gardiner’s pristine attendance record, which dates back to Oct. 30, 2015, coincided with his first home game since the booing. Babcock said post-game Gardiner has been skating through back spasms for "a week or 10 days." He participated in the morning skate but wasn’t healthy enough to go. Gardiner will skip Monday’s practice, too, and is questionable for Wednesday versus Washington, the Leafs’ final game before they disperse for the all-star break. More opportunity rests on the horizon for Dermott, who’s put up 14 points without the benefit of power-play reps but ranks last on the club in with a minus-10. "The puck can’t go in the net when you’re a D-man. That’s your job," Babcock said recently, discussing Dermott’s progression. "Dermy is a good player and has an opportunity to be a real good player. He’s got to continue to learn the game, read the game. The better he does at that, the more he’s going to play and the more efficient he’s going to be for us." Still on his entry-level deal for a season beyond this one, Dermott is the natural, affordable playmaking successor to skate behind Morgan Rielly on the left side. "I just think his biggest thing is his quick twitch, his ability to execute offensively with the puck," Babcock said. "His biggest on the other side is learning the game so you’re not a minus, so you can sort it out 1127189 Websites Canucks leader Bo Horvat, who had gone 11 games and 41 shots without scoring, tied the game 2-2 at 7:27 of the third period on one of the least-promising scoring chances of his drought. Sportsnet.ca / Healthy Canucks full of confidence as points keep piling With his back to the goal, Horvat fooled Red Wings netminder Jonathan up Bernier by reaching towards a loose puck and hooking it on target. "Relief. Excitement," Horvat said. "I’ve had Grade-A chances, open nets, Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet January 20, 2019, 6:57 PM and of course that one goes in right along the ice." Pettersson’s deflection of Brock Boeser’s point shot gave the Canucks a 1-0 lead before Frans Nielsen’s one-timer and ex-Canuck Thomas VANCOUVER – When he spoke to his players in the second Vanek’s conversion of Danny DeKeyser’s slap-pass put the Red Wings intermission, wondering if they’d forgotten how to skate and pass, ahead in the second period. Vancouver Canucks coach Travis Green admitted to conflicting emotions. "I like our team, like our group," Markstrom said after finishing with 35 saves. "It’s a tight group in the locker room. We play for each other. We "To be honest, tonight I more or less told them I didn’t know whether to can beat any team any night. But we’ve got to be a little better for 60 get mad or feel sorry for them (because) the guys were playing that bad," minutes and have those even performances day in and day out." Green admitted. "I just said: ‘We’ve got a chance to win. We haven’t been good tonight. Look in the mirror.’ And give them credit; they did." The victory moved the Canucks past the Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Ducks and back into the second wildcard spot in the Western Badly outskated, outshot and outplayed Sunday by the Detroit Red Conference. Wings through two periods, saved only by Vancouver goalie Jacob Markstrom, the Canucks scored a pair of opportunistic goals in the third With 32 games to go, are the Canucks watching the standings? period to win 3-2 and move back into a National Hockey League playoff "You kidding me?" Roussel said. "You’ve got to watch the standing and spot. know where you’re at. To know where you’re going, you’ve got to know With only Wednesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes remaining where you’re at. We know exactly where we’re at." before a nine-day schedule break, the Canucks are 3-0-2 in their Hopefully, they do. homestand and two games above NHL-.500 (23-21-6) for the first time since Nov. 15. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.21.2019 Super rookie Elias Pettersson scored Sunday in his return to the lineup after missing five games with a sprained knee, and Vancouver finished the game fully healthy for the first time this season. The Canucks are a feel-good story. But they’d feel a lot worse if they were 0-3-2 on this homestand, which wouldn’t be unfair considering how poorly Vancouver has played in the first half of their last three games. The Red Wings outshot the Canucks 24-12 through 30 minutes on Sunday and easily could have led by more than 2-1 going into the final period. On Friday, the Canucks were outshot 18-8 by the Buffalo Sabres in the first half of a game Vancouver won 4-3. Two nights before that, the Canucks clung to the Edmonton Oilers while being outshot 16-6 and eventually left with one point from a 3-2 shootout loss. These opponents weren’t titans. If the Canucks play any worse, maybe they’ll win the Stanley Cup. "I’ll take the wins," Green said. "I don’t know why we haven’t been sharp. We’re just not sharp, we don’t have a lot of jump at the start of the game. Could the schedule have something to do with it? Maybe. "Our team hasn’t been used to having days between games, really. Man, we’ve been practising fast and sharp, but we come out the last few games and we just look a little lethargic. It sounds silly; I know that. But as a player, you get in a groove and you’re used to a routine." Only the Vegas Golden Knights played as many games – and as many on the road – as the Canucks had when they returned to Vancouver on Jan. 6 after their third six-game eastern road trip in three months. Since then, the Canucks have played just five times in 15 days at home, with plenty of time off and several hard practice days, which were rare in November and December when Vancouver played 24 times in 47 nights. "We played every second night for three months," winger Antoine Roussel said after deflecting in the winning goal against the Wings with 6:47 remaining. "You kind of lose your rhythm, I feel like. You play one game, two days off. One game, three days off. It feels like you don’t know what to do with yourself on those days off." This is an incredibly fortunate problem for the Canucks to have: so much time off that they’ve gotten stale while surging up the standings by taking eight of 10 available points on their homestand. They may have lost their rhythm, but not their mojo. And certainly not their confidence, which is boiling over now that Pettersson and everyone else is healthy. "I feel like we have that early-season scramble where you’re trying to – not find your role – but get along with everyone you’re playing with," Roussel said of the big, healthy group. "Sometimes it takes time. For most teams, that’s early in the season. But for us, this is the first time everybody is healthy. It’s a good sign we’re still winning, but obviously we have to play better." 1127190 Websites Hitchcock can’t say to the media that he doesn’t have enough good players to win with, and he loves to say that all things are fixable. But the players are telling us, once again this season, what they think of their Sportsnet.ca / Adam Larsson's struggles show how fragile Oilers' roster chances. depth is And the coach, one of the best in the business who came aboard when they fired another coach who was one of the best in the business, is starting to figure things out here as well. Mark Spector | @sportsnetspec January 21, 2019, 1:30 AM "We’re a .500 team because we fix the problem and it comes back, and we fix the problem and it comes back," Hitchcock said. EDMONTON — For an Edmonton hockey writer, Adam Larsson is Groundhog Day? nothing less than a stand-up, go-to guy at times like these. And in these parts, like clockwork, a time like this tends to arrive. Hitch? Down 3-0 just 11:02 into the game, and trailing 5-1 before the 25-minute You’re saying it’s starting to feel like Groundhog Day? mark, the Edmonton Oilers had just lost 7-4 to an average Eastern Really… Conference team — at home — in a game that featured 35 minutes of garbage time. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.21.2019 All of this after having lost the night before to Calgary, the kind of game that should light a fire under a team. Rather, it extinguished theirs. "How does that happen?" we ask Larsson. "I can’t even look at team play right now," he said. "I’ve got my own game to focus on. It’s so bad right now. I’ve got to fix that first, before I look left or right." Like so many Oilers players on this ill-built, capped out roster, Larsson has been asked nightly to play more minutes against tougher competition that he likely should be facing. And when he had Oscar Klefbom as a partner, they pulled it off, often enough. But with Klefbom injured since Dec. 13, Larsson’s game has deteriorated, tangible evidence of a shallow roster that can’t handle any injury. Like a poorly constructed house, one beam shifts and the entire thing falls in on top of itself. "I’m passive, I’m not skating… Nothing is going my way. It’s up to me to get out of it. I’m not even close right now," lamented Larsson, after back- to-back minus-three outings this weekend. "This is as bad as it has been. It is as bad as it will be." His head coach, Ken Hitchcock, can’t disagree. "I think it’s been going on a little while," Hitchcock said of Larsson. "You know, we had a good pair there. And one part of the pair went missing, and there’s a lot of hesitation with Larss. There is a lot of hesitation with a lot of (defencemen). "We don’t transition the puck. We’re vey slow, very methodical. When you don’t transition the puck, you don’t play well five-on-five." In 14 games since Dec. 20, the Oilers have generated 522 five-on-five shot attempts. That is the worst in the NHL. They’ve been outshot in 17 of their past 20 games. In what has become an annual exercise here, the Oilers players are taking on the look of a group that realizes it has fatal flaws. Jesse Puljujarvi is deployed on a top line with Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and the trio are on for two goals inside 12 minutes on Sunday evening. Not only because the young Puljujarvi is unable to play an NHL game at anywhere close McDavid’s level, but because McDavid offered up one of his most mortal periods of the season. Perhaps a response to being made to baby sit an AHL player? Who knows. They play McDavid with Jujhar Khaira one night, Puljujarvi the next, and then replace the big Finn with another 20-year-old in Kailer Yamamoto. All because GM Peter Chiarelli’s lineup is so thin, he can’t afford to develop 20-year-olds in the AHL the way other clubs would. "Our five-on-five play isn’t good enough. It’s not close to (the level required) to be successful in the National Hockey League," Hitchcock said. "We give up too many quality chances; too many pucks come back at us. "Our transition game is so slow right now, so deliberate… Between goals against, and scoring chances, and shots on goal — it’s just too high. We’re just not built for the track meet. And today was just another track meet. We pay for it all the time." It wasn’t a track meet, really, during the 25 minutes that this game was actually being contested by the Hurricanes. It was one team with some fire, will and execution against another that is playing like it knows the end is near. As if on cue. 1127191 Websites "Then the phone started ringing. I had no idea what was going to happen before that."

The way the Flames’ fortunes have turned since the trade, it’s easy to Sportsnet.ca / Dougie Hamilton addresses innuendo that followed him suggest the Flames wound up winning the deal. out of Calgary Lindholm has helped bolster the top line to elite status, raise Johnny Gaudreau’s game to Hart-levels and lift the Flames to tops in the west. Eric Francis | @EricFrancis January 20, 2019, 4:18 PM Hanifin’s youth, competency and upside are tantalizing, while T.J. Brodie has seamlessly replaced Hamilton on the top duo. EDMONTON – Dougie Hamilton wants to set the record straight. Both are locked in at sub-$5 million cap hits for six years. He’s not a huge fan of museums. A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. New episodes every Thursday. "Not really," chuckled the Hurricanes defenceman following Sunday morning skate in Edmonton. In terms of statistics, the Flames lead the deal in goals (25-19) assists (47-22) points (72-41) and plus minus (plus-38 to minus-7). Too bad, as the 25-year-old was welcomed to Raleigh last summer with invites to several galleries. The ‘Canes are happy with Ferland’s grit and offensive contributions on the top line, but are in tough to sign the pending free agent who may Making his return to Alberta for the first time since the summer have priced himself out of Raleigh. blockbuster that saw him traded by Calgary to Carolina, Hamilton knows he’ll be the focal point Monday when his squad practices in Calgary. Hamilton is ninth in team scoring with six goals and 16 points, posting a minus-13 rating. However, on Sunday the towering Toronto native respectfully addressed questions surrounding a swap dripping in innuendo over his conduct as a Trade rumours, which have surrounded him the bulk of his career, are reclusive teammate and questioning his character. swirling once again as his club lags behind in the wild card race. As one broadcaster famously suggested when asked about Hamilton "Well, they’re still there so…it is what it is," said Hamilton of the endless being a bit of an outlier: while teammates went to lunch, he went to the chatter linking him to various destinations. museum. "I think I’ve been in trade rumours for I don’t know how many years now, "For me I know the truth behind everything," said Hamilton, exhibiting so it doesn’t really matter to me. You just play. You can’t control any of tremendous poise and class while answering questions he’d likely that stuff." expected for months. Hamilton said he wasn’t hurt or angry by the June trade out of Calgary. "I know what you guys have to do in the media, especially in Canada. "Whenever there’s change you’ve got to look at the bright side, and look "I don’t know if I was hurt. It’s just a thing that’s out there with, I guess, forward to something new and be positive about it," said Hamilton. the museums. I’ve gotten some free passes to some museums in "I think it’s tough if you’re going to be upset about what happened. Just Raleigh now, so, ya. know it’s going to be a big change and you’ve got to find new places to "It is what it is. It’s not true, so I just try to laugh at it and believe in myself be in a new city and teammates and everything. and who I am as a person." "For me it was middle of summer so I had time to digest it. He can chuckle about it now, as time heals. "It was definitely weird not going back to Calgary in September and going But as a voracious reader, it would have been understandable if Hamilton to Raleigh and it being hot and sweaty. I was excited about the chose to blow off a pair of enquiring minds from Calgary, much like he opportunity to go to a team that gave up what they did to get me." did out of frustration when his brother/teammate Freddie was waived by After all, he has been through all of it before when he was traded at age the Flames. 21 by a Boston club that drafted him ninth overall in 2011. Hamilton continues to grow. "It’s a little different, I think I’m older now and kind of been through some Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, stuff, been through a trade and stuff like that," said Hamilton, still unsure blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown what to expect when he hits the Saddledome ice Tuesday. Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley "I got booed (in Boston) pretty bad the first game back. We came on a Cup Playoffs and more. back-to-back so I didn’t have too much time to see anyone. We got in Given how hard goals were to come by in Calgary last season, many late and then played that day. So it’s kind of unique that we’ll have a found it hard to come to grips with including Hamilton as the centerpiece practice in Calgary and see some guys (Monday). in the five-player trade that included Micheal Ferland and prospect Adam "It’s definitely a weird feeling but I’m looking forward to it. I think it’ll be Fox for Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin. fun. I mean, the team is doing great obviously, so it’s going to be a tough His 17 goals led all NHL blueliners last season, prompting puzzled fans game." to easily buy in to a narrative that suggested he was bad for chemistry in His head is sure to be swirling with reminders of a productive three-year the room or that he wanted out. stint in which his offence improved every season. On Sunday, Hamilton said he didn’t, despite reports he skipped season- "Just a lot of good feelings, when you think about it," he said of Calgary. ending exit meetings. "I lived my childhood dream of playing with my brother in the NHL. "It’s not my choice – I had a six-year deal with Calgary and it’s not like I’m Played with a lot of great players. Made a lot of good friendships, in the a free agent and my choice to leave," said the soft-spoken Hamilton, four dressing room and outside the dressing room with just regular people in years into a six-year, $34.5 million deal. the city and the hospitals and stuff like that. Just a lot of good memories. "At the end of the day it comes down to management. It’s going to be cool." I enjoyed my time in Calgary and I’m enjoying a new chapter here. It’s Much cooler than museums. been fun to experience something new." Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.21.2019 Was he expecting to be traded? "I mean, I was in a lot of rumours – I think they just built up and built up, so as it was coming down to it it was starting to become probable with all the rumours and stuff," said the six-foot-six, 210-pound gentle giant. "I had no idea where I was going to go. I just found out watching on TV. I came home from a workout on the second day of the draft, turned the TV on and saw the two teams pop up and thought ‘maybe this is me.’ "And it was. 1127192 Websites At least in this instance, it wasn’t for lack of will to win that doomed the Leafs' chances of getting one. Although they do have to figure that part out, quickly. TSN.CA / Leafs' slump continues with loss to Coyotes “We had the puck a ton, the puck didn’t go in for us,” Babcock said. “We did a lot of good things. You can always want more, but I thought we stayed the course, I didn’t think we gave up that much. Thought we did a Kristen Shilton pretty good job.” Takeaways TORONTO – There hasn’t been much to be happy about this New Year Gardiner out, Dermott up for the Maple Leafs, and Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes only made things worse. Prior to puck drop of Sunday’s contest, the Leafs announced Jake Gardiner was dealing with back spasms and wouldn’t be available, This was Toronto’s fourth defeat in their last five games, putting them at opening the door for Martin Marincin to step back into the lineup. In doing 3-6-0 since Jan. 1. But in the face of those struggles, the Leafs remain so, Marincin took Dermott’s spot on Toronto’s third pairing, while Dermott outwardly relaxed, eschewing panic in favour of positivity about what moved onto the second pairing with Nikita Zaitsev. good this adversity can bring. It was a show of confidence in the 22-year-old blueliner, who’s had an up “We’re right in these hockey games,” insisted John Tavares, who scored and down season to date. Now in his second NHL season, Dermott is still one of Toronto’s goals. “It’s one shot here or there that can change the learning to process the game at full speed and react accordingly in his hockey game. So keep working through it. It’s not easy at times, but this own end, but in his last few games Dermott has shown good strides and is a great challenge of character and a great opportunity to find a way to earned the opportunity for more ice time in Gardiner’s absence. figure it out, and solve that puzzle of getting where we need to get to.” Not only did Dermott score his third goal of the year to get Toronto Now 48 games into their season, the Leafs remain well-positioned started offensively, but he took the promotion seriously in how overall, sitting in seventh place with the fourth-most regulation/overtime aggressively and intelligently he played defensively. There was one wins in the NHL. Their success has just been more uneven lately - it was standout play in particular where Dermott battled to hold the blue line to only three days ago Toronto topped the league-leading Tampa Bay keep play alive on a great fourth line shift. Lightning, and then promptly lost to the 25th-place Florida Panthers, and now the 23rd-place Coyotes. With Gardiner’s status up in the air for Wednesday’s game, and Babcock decently pleased with how Dermott performed, the uptick in responsibility The problem has been with familiar, careless errors piling up, often could continue even longer. Dermott finished with 21:05 time on ice with feeding an opponent’s transition and frequently ending up in the Leafs' one goal and two shots. net. Average night for Andersen Another glaring issue of late has been a lack of overall goal production. In 11 games since returning from Christmas break, the Leafs offence has At times this season, Andersen has been practically super human for the dried up considerably, to the point defenceman Igor Ozhiganov is tied Leafs. He was solid again on Sunday overall, but tripped up by the with Andreas Johnsson as the team’s third-leading scorers with two goals quality one-on-one chances Arizona generated. apiece in that stretch, while star forwards Auston Matthews and William The game started out well enough, with Andersen making a flurry of Nylander have combined for two. sharp saves at the end of the first period to preserve Toronto’s one-goal Toronto did manage the first goal against Arizona, off a seeing-eye shot lead going into the second period. from Travis Dermott that fooled Darcy Kuemper. While early this season In that frame, Kempe beat Andersen straight on off the breakaway, and they were unbeatable when scoring first, the Leafs have now dropped then Keller picked his spot perfectly behind Andersen to put Arizona out two games in a row where they’ve netted the opening goal. front. The Coyotes nearly scored again in the period, but when Josh “It seems like when stuff is going good, maybe we get a little too loose Archibald came charging in for a loose puck on Andersen’s doorstep, the and then we make a mistake and they’re heading down our way and goalie inadvertently whipped the puck into Archibald’s face and then had putting the puck in our net,” lamented Matthews. “We did a lot of good to make a dangerous save again as it fired back at him. things tonight; there is no doubt about it. We have to definitely clean Andersen did give the Leafs good opportunity to hold onto a tie in the some things up and make sure we’re playing a full 60 minutes.” third period and get back the lead, making a series of stops before When the Leafs have slipped up, it’s been in glaring ways. Like on Mario Hinostroza’s go-ahead goal, but after Mitch Marner sent an errant pass Kempe’s goal that tied the game 1-1 for Arizona in the second period, a up the slot right to the Coyotes, Andersen was out of luck. He finished breakaway chance he earned by going undetected behind Toronto’s with 27 saves and .900 save percentage. defence and beating Frederik Andersen one-on-one. Toronto did Matthews (still) can’t finish challenge the goal for being offside, but the call was upheld upon review. When Matthews was on the ice, it was hard to argue any player wanted Arizona then took the lead off a terrific shortside snipe by Clayton Keller the puck more than him. Mired in a low-production stretch of one goal in on Andersen in the second, and forced Toronto to rally with a set-play off 13 games, his worst scoring slump since going 13 games without a goal a face-off from Zach Hyman to Tavares, who buried his 30th of the in his rookie campaign, Matthews was hounding for any scent of loose season. change, and pressing to put anything he could find on net. All the momentum had swung back in Toronto's favour with a 2-2 tie in That generated a few really solid scoring chances for him from in tight the third, and then once again, they got careless in their own end, and on Kuemper in the second period, but the goalie got just enough of both Vinnie Hinostroza turned their giveaways into the game-winner. Lawson to keep Matthews off the board. Crouse added the empty-net dagger. As has been the case for the last several games, Matthews’ chances As frustrating as it was to not be on the winning side, Tavares wasn’t were abundant, but what is perhaps a sign of his growing frustration is disappointed in how the Leafs kept responding, especially after Johnsson how the centre is often ripping his shots high or wide of the net instead of left the game with a concussion in the second period and Toronto was on the goalie. He still finished with four shots, and 60 per cent down to 11 forwards for the duration. possession, but was without a point in his third straight game. “I liked the approach of the team and the patience, the positive attitude Trusting the process on the bench,” he said. “It was tight; we didn’t get much room. We need the results, there’s no question about that. We’ve done some better Babcock’s stated goal in moving Nylander to the fourth line for Sunday’s things, so if we can stay with it I think the way we’re going. You have to game was to try and relieve some of the pressure the winger’s putting on embrace it. It’s not what we want…but we have a quality team, we’ve himself to get out of a scoring slump that’s produced one goal in 20 proven that already a majority of the season.” games. And from the outset against Arizona, Nylander took his new assignment seriously, skating hard chasing down pucks, and spying Mike Babcock has repeatedly called for more urgency and work from his Dermott on the wing for the game’s opening goal. That marked group in the last three weeks, and felt strongly both were present on Nylander’s first assist since Dec. 11, and just his third of the season. Sunday. Toronto won the possession battle at 63 per cent, and had more high-quality scoring chances (12 vs. 10). It was a small step forward, but a step none the less, for Nylander’s confidence, which has been significantly rattled by his struggles thus far. He found fine chemistry with linemates Frederik Gauthier and Par Lindholm, and had a real eagerness to his game. The injury to Johnsson moved Nylander back into a top-nine role by the end of the second period, and that’s when he immediately looked more jittery handling the puck, evidence that Babcock may have right to take some of the pressure off him with a demotion. But with Johnsson definitely missing Wednesday’s game (and possibly more time after the All-Star Break), the Leafs may not have the luxury of giving Nylander that fourth line spot any longer. He finished the game with an assist and two shots in 12:05 time on ice. Blue and White Trending Tracking Leafs’ trends all season long After earning just one power play in Sunday’s game, the Leafs have drawn the fewest penalties in the NHL this season, with just 141 in 48 games. That’s nine less than the next closest team, the Detroit Red Wings (150). Next up Toronto welcomes in the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Open Mike “It appeared to me that we had the puck an absolute ton, and in the end, we didn’t win the game. You’re going to have some of those. I liked our energy here today. Just keep grinding, we’ll work our way out.” TSN.CA LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127193 Websites against the Canucks on December 4th at Rogers Arena, the Canucks have allowed only the McDavid PPG in their last 11 home games. The flip side of the discussion is the power play which went 0 for 2 on Sunday TSN.CA / Jeff Paterson's Five Takeways: Red Wings @ Canucks against Detroit and is now 1 for its last 19 in the past seven games. Brandon Sutter scored a PPG on Wednesday against Edmonton otherwise the well has run dry with the man-advantage. With Sutter on the second unit, the Canucks top power play guns have not produced Jeff Paterson since a two-goal effort in Ottawa on January 2nd. They're getting by without power play production these days and one of the reasons is

because their penalty kill is holding up its end of the bargain. The last JEFF PATERSON'S FIVE TAKEAWAYS eight goals the Canucks have scored have been at even-strength. 1) The Canucks are putting the old adage 'it's not how you start, it's how 5) Now that the Canucks are completely healthy, it's going to be you finish' to the test these days at Rogers Arena. For the third straight interesting to monitor the ice time of their centres. On Sunday, Bo Horvat game, they have been slow out of the gates, but it really hasn't hurt them logged 18:24 (15:22 at evens), followed by Brandon Sutter at 18:13 as they improved to 3-0-2 on this current six game homestand with a 3-2 (13:10), Elias Pettersson 15:36 (12:44) and Jay Beagle 14:10 (11:56). win over Detroit. It's just the second time in a month the Canucks have Pettersson barely played once the Canucks tied the game 2-2. He had strung back to back wins together after beating Buffalo on Friday night. two shifts over the final 12:33 of the hockey game and only one shift over Like recent games against the Oilers and Sabres, the Canucks fell the final eight and a half minutes. Travis Green elected to leave behind early on the shot clock, but unlike those games they opened the Pettersson on the bench down the stretch in his first game in two weeks scoring on Sunday when Elias Pettersson netted his 23rd goal of the and turn the defensive responsibilities over to the three other pivots who season 10:16 into the first period. At that point, the shots were 6-2 in were able to see the result across the finish line. In his first season in the favour of the visitors, but it was the home team with the lead. With nearly league, Pettersson has shown he is already one of the more responsible 16 minutes gone in the period, Detroit had upped its lead on the shot defensive players in the Canucks line-up. So moving forward, he's not clock to 11-3, but the Canucks managed to escape the opening frame likely to sit late in games -- especially if the Canucks are tied or trailing with a 1-0 advantage. After falling behind 2-1 through 40 minutes, the and need an offensive boost. On Sunday, the circumstances were Canucks clawed their way back with the only goals of the third period to understandable to see the coach go with the other three. But Pettersson secure the win. It's just the third time this season the Canucks won when will surely earn his spot in the late game rotation as the schedule trailing after two periods. It's also the third straight game the Canucks advances and it will be interesting to see how the ice time is doled out in have not allowed a third period goal. They played Edmonton to a those situations. This much we know about Pettersson -- he's just too scoreless third before falling in a shootout and outscored Buffalo 1-0 on good not to be playing even in -- and perhaps especially in -- crunch Friday night for the win. On Sunday, Bo Horvat and Antoine Roussel time. provided the offense that allowed the Canucks to come from behind to TSN.CA LOADED: 01.21.2019 collect two more points in the standings. 2) Antoine Roussel had an eventful afternoon on Sunday. After taking an early tripping penalty three minutes into the game and then returning to the penalty box after a high-sticking call midway through the third period, the veteran winger had twice put his team in jeopardy in a tied hockey game. But when he stepped out of the box the second time, he picked up a loose puck at the Detroit blue line and went in all alone against Jonathan Bernier. Roussel was denied on the breakaway and probably thought his chance to play hero had come and gone. However, two minutes later he redirected a long Jake Virtanen shot past Bernier to put the Canucks in front with what turned out to be his first game-winning goal of the season. With his two penalties, Roussel is now tied for second in the NHL in minor penalties taken this season with 23 -- just one behind St. Louis defenseman Joel Edmundson. So, on that level, he's come as advertised as a guy who plays hard and frequently finds himself stepping over the line in the eyes of referees. But with five goals and 14 assists, he's up to 19 points in 45 games played which is one behind Loui Eriksson, tied with Jake Virtanen and more than Markus Granlund -- with far less ice time than those three. Twice a 29-point producer in his six seasons in Dallas, Roussel is on pace to crack 30 points for the first time in his career. That's not bad for a guy who's season got off to a slow start with a serious concussion that prevented him from taking part in training camp and the preseason. He provides a spark few others in the Canuck line-up can match and has quickly become a favourite of his teammates and his head coach. 3) Even if there are still lulls in almost every one of their games, the Canucks deserve credit for finding ways to pick up points along the way. They are 3-0-2 in the five games on this homestand and are now 6-3-2 in 11 games since Christmas (five and a half of them without their leading scorer). Track it back even further and the Canucks have secured at least a point in 15 of their last 20 games going 12-5-3 starting with a December 6th home ice win over Nashville. The common element in almost all those results is goaltending and, once again Sunday, Jacob Markstrom provided the kind of netminding needed to produce victories. His 35 saves on Sunday were the second-most he has made in a victory this season (he stopped 37 in an October 29th win over Minnesota). In his last 16 games, Markstrom is now 11-3-2 and has held his opponents to two goals or fewer in a dozen of them. He looks confident every time he's between the pipes these days and the team in front of him seems to sense that and feeds off it. 4) The Canucks special teams are a study in contrast these days. The penalty kill was perfect in three opportunities on Sunday continuing a trend that mirrors the team's solid run of play over the past six weeks. In the past seven games, Connor McDavid is the only player to score a power play goal against the Canucks and from the research I've done, he appears to be pretty good. In that stretch, the Canucks have successfully killed off 14 of the last 15 times they've been short-handed. In the past 10 games, the New Jersey Devils are the only team to torch the Canucks more than once on the power play scoring a pair of PPG on New Year's Eve in Newark. Since the Minnesota Wild went 3 for 3 on the power play 1127194 Websites never went more than three games without registering a point in the previous two seasons.

"It affects you," he admitted. "You obviously want to perform. I mean, TSN.CA / Leafs look to solve Coyotes' top-ranked penalty kill that's why you're here and that’s what you love doing and when you’re no t (producing) it bothers you. But once you get out of it you’ll be feeling way better and you’ll be feeling way stronger; that’s the way you got to Mark Masters look at it." The drought has gotten so bad that even a goal at the morning skate is reason to celebrate. After he put a puck past Garret Sparks in the How can the Toronto Maple Leafs solve the Arizona Coyotes' top-ranked opening drill on Sunday, he received a couple head taps from seventh penalty kill? defenceman Martin Marincin and Gauthier. "We spent quite a bit of time on that," said Leafs head coach Mike "I think he just thought things were going to come easier," said Babcock, Babcock. "They're the best in the league in-zone and doing a real nice "and then when it didn’t come, then you’re pressing and then you press job. We're going to really have to move the puck to have success." some more. But, in fairness to the kid, he hasn’t been, you know, the way he normally is. Normally he’s a dominant player. He shoots the puck, Arizona has killed off 87.1% of power plays against this season, scoring carries the puck, wins battles, good with the puck and that hasn't been 12 shorthanded goals in the process, although injuries to Michael the case." Grabner and Brad Richardson have set them back a bit of late. Nylander has been watching video of some of his better plays over the "Move it quick," said Auston Matthews, who leads Toronto with seven last two NHL seasons, when he posted 61 points in each campaign, to power-play goals. "They get on top of you pretty quick in zone and try and boost his confidence. What's he seeing when he watches the they’re not afraid to come at you and go the other way for a shorthanded clips? goal so just moving the puck quick, not letting them get set up and pressure you." "Scoring goals and getting that picture back in your head and making plays and back-checking and stripping pucks and then in the O-zone A reporter suggested that simply getting a power play may be a key. being heavy and stuff like that." "That’d be a good start for us," Matthews said with a chuckle, "get a Babcock on Nylander's demotion: 'He's getting in his own way now' power play and then we’ll go from there. That’s probably step No. 1 for us tonight is to draw a penalty." Mike Babcock and the Maple Leafs have tried plenty of different strategies to get William Nylander out of his slump, but nothing has Despite all their speed and skill, the Leafs have drawn the fewest worked. With no light at the end of the tunnel, Babcock bumped Nylander penalties this season. Toronto has had 120 power-play chances, which is to the Leafs' fourth line in hopes that Nylander can work his way out of 10 fewer than 30th place Detroit. And that trend continued on Friday with his struggles. Toronto getting just one power play against the struggling Panthers. --- "We're just hoping we'll work hard enough tonight that we'll draw some penalties," said Babcock. "We thought we drew a few last game and Nylander has missed the net (26 missed shots) almost as much as he’s didn't get any so the bottom line is we've got to find a way to get on the hit the net (33 shots) so far this season and he struggles to explain why. power play a little bit." "I don't know," he said. "You want to score and maybe bearing down too The Leafs have just seven power plays in the last seven games hard and missing the net. You just got to hit the net and they’ll go in." converting once in that stretch. Toronto's once potent power play has been struggling to find a rhythm of late and a lack of opportunities "It's not like he’s not trying," said Babcock, "and it’s not like we’re not certainly doesn't help. trying to help him. We’re doing all that. It just isn’t going as well for him and ideally this will allow him to take some heat off himself and just get Sunday's NHL Referees and Linesmen for 1/20/19 playing." https://t.co/s81srtUTrp pic.twitter.com/TnowpIN3vp But the coach also noted, "As much as we can all try and help him, you — Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) January 20, 2019 have to help yourself." --- Amid slump Nylander focuses on hitting the net: 'It can't keep going like this much longer' William Nylander arrived at the Leafs' morning skate on Sunday sporting a new, clean-shaven look. But the winger insists he's not superstitious Despite his slump and his demotion to the fourth line, William Nylander is and the decision to shave off his beard – much like his decision a few trying to keep a positive mindset. His chances are coming and it's weeks back to trim his long hair – has nothing to do with his slump on the become a matter of finishing, something he believes will eventually ice. change. Mark Masters has more. "It was getting a little out of place so just wanted to get it off," he said with --- a smile. The Leafs have lost five of their last six in Toronto, making this the worst Nylander has looked out of place most of the season and will certainly stretch at home during the Babcock era. Overall, the team has lost six of look a little out of place tonight as he starts the game against the Arizona nine, but the coach is taking a glass-half-full approach to the latest Coyotes skating on a line with Par Lindholm (one goal in 47 games this stretch. After all, the Leafs posted an impressive win in Tampa on season) and Frederik Gauthier (two goals in 38 games). It was during the Thursday against the NHL's best team before faltering in the second half second period of a lacklustre performance on Friday in Florida that of the back-to-back set. Nylander was initially demoted to the fourth line. He had no shots in 12:15 of ice time and was on for all three Panthers goals while posting "We played one of our best games two games ago," Babcock pointed the worst possession numbers on the team (17% CorsiFor). out. "Then, the next night, the rested team had more energy than us. We still didn't give up a ton [of scoring chances], we didn't get a ton." "He’s getting in his own way now so we're just going to take the heat off him," head coach Mike Babcock explained. "He's a good kid and a good Babcock is well aware that fans are getting a bit restless and the tone of player and a good person and he wants to do well and it’s not going as the coverage around the team has darkened a bit. good and he hasn't been able to handle it as good as he could and so now we got to help him out." "I'm not going to do what you're doing," he told reporters. "I think what we've done is we just played one of our best games and I'm building off Slumping Nylander shaves beard, but insists he's not superstitious that best game." Ahead of their game against the Coyotes, the Maple Leafs' William Sunday's tilt seems a bit one-sided if you look at the standings, but Nylander showed up to the pre-game skate without a beard for the first Arizona is actually the hotter team having gone on a 4-1-1 run. They beat time this season. While many players try to change things up when San Jose earlier this week and pushed the Penguins to overtime on they're in a slump like Nylander's, he insists it has nothing to do with Friday. superstition. "We had San Jose, Pittsburgh and now Toronto so it's like the Bermuda After the game on Friday night, Nylander referred to this as the worst Triangle," said Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet. "There's no relief. Star slump of his life. He's produced just one goal and two assists in 19 players that you have to make sure you have work ethic and stay above games since signing that big six-year, $45-million contract. Nylander them and stay diligent with your details. If we're not a detailed team tonight it could get ugly." --- Lines at Leafs morning skate: Hyman-Tavares-Marner Johnsson-Matthews-Brown Marleau-Kadri-Kapanen Lindholm-Gauthier-Nylander Rielly-Hainsey Gardiner-Zaittsev Dermott-Ozhiganov Marincin-Holl Andersen starts Sparks Power play units at Leafs morning skate: Rielly Kapanen/Matthews-Kadri-Marner Tavares Gardiner Matthews/Kapanen-Johnsson-Nylander Marleau TSN.CA LOADED: 01.21.2019 1127195 Websites “It’s not going good for some of us,” conceded Matthews. “As a team we haven’t played as consistently as we’ve wanted to since the New Year. Tonight is a good night to get back on track, play similar to how we did TSN.CA / Slumping Nylander has new look and new line against Tampa. Get back on track, get back in the win column and hopefully start a little run of our own.”

Maple Leafs projected lines vs. Arizona: Kristen Shilton Hyman-Tavares-Marner

Johnsson-Matthews-Brown TORONTO – Two days after William Nylander admitted to being in the worst slump of his life, the Toronto Maple Leafs winger arrived for Marleau-Kadri-Kapanen Sunday’s morning skate newly clean shaven, and on a new line. Lindholm-Gauthier-Nylander Picking up where he ended Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, Rielly-Hainsey Nylander was slotted onto Toronto’s fourth line with Frederik Gauthier and Par Lindholm. Through 19 games this year in a top-nine role, Gardiner-Zaitsev Nylander has produced only three points, and it’s been over a month since he last registered an assist. Dermott-Ozhiganov The longer his point drought has stretched (it’s at seven games now), the Andersen starts harder it’s been for Nylander to bear. He sheared off his long hair, and Sparks then his beard, relieving himself of their burdens. A demotion to the fourth line could help do the same. TSN.CA LOADED: 01.21.2019 “He’s getting in his own way. He thought things were going to come easier, and when it didn’t come, you’re pressing and then you press some more,” explained head coach Mike Babcock ahead of the Leafs’ matchup Sunday night against the Arizona Coyotes. “It’s not like he’s not trying, and it’s not like we’re not trying to help him. We’re doing all that; it’s just not going as good for him. Ideally this will allow him to take some heat off himself and get playing.” As Babcock noted, Nylander is used to being a dominant player, one who shoots the puck with confidence and can skate through an opponent’s defence with ease. Since he returned to the Leafs’ lineup on Dec. 6 after settling a contract dispute, Nylander has been the opposite of that, and hasn't been on track to improve. In his last four games, the 22-year-old has a minus-seven rating, with six shots on goal, but just generating opportunity alone isn’t enough to make Nylander feel positive. “I feel like the chances are there, [if I could just] put those in, hit the net on a few of them. I’ve been missing the net a lot too,” he lamented. “Maybe bearing down too hard and missing the net. Just have to hit the net and they’ll go in.” Even in matching 61-point seasons the last two years, Nylander wasn't unfamiliar with the odd dry spell, even ones that saw him similarly sent down to the fourth line. In the 2016-17 season, Nylander tallied two goals over 18 games mid-season, and then in the 2017-18 season endured an early-season spell with only one goal in 18 games, but he still added seven assists in that stretch. This time around, Nylander has made every effort off the ice to turn the tide, including extra video work, but without results to hang his hat on. “I’ve been watching clips of scoring goals, getting that picture back in [my] head now,” he said. “[See myself] making plays and backchecking, stripping pucks and being heavy in the o-zone. I think [on the fourth line] I’ll be able to make some plays and hopefully we can keep the puck in their zone, play heavily, and dominate the game.” The Leafs wanted Nylander to do just that as soon as possible, which is why they rushed him back into the lineup right after that six-year, $45 million deal was signed on Dec. 1. Nylander didn’t even get one full practice in before making his season debut, a decision that may not have prevented his current spiral, but that doesn’t reflect well on the Leafs in hindsight. “We tried to give him every opportunity to get going as quick as we could,” defended Babcock. “But it didn’t work. I don’t get [the benefit of hindsight]. We tried to do what we could to get him going the best we could, it didn’t go. So here we’re at.” Perhaps the situation would feel less dire if Nylander weren’t the Leafs’ only star forward struggling, or if the team itself hadn’t been in a skid since Christmas. Nylander’s sometimes-linemate Auston Matthews has scored only one goal in his last 12 games, and holds no more answers than Nylander as to why he can’t capitalize. Meanwhile, the Leafs are 4- 6-0 in their last 10 games, precariously holding a one-point lead on second place in the Atlantic Division. And yet, in the midst of all that, Toronto played arguably its best game of the season only three days ago, topping the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2. Rather than focus their energy on what can’t be undone now, the Leafs are pouring their attention into building on that victory, and turning it into a few more. 1127196 Websites Former Canuck Thomas Vanek, who turned 35 yesterday, has nine goals and 12 assists in 41 games in his second stint in Motown. He is sixth on the Wings in scoring this season. Vanek appeared in his 1,000th NHL TSN.CA / Pettersson expected back as Canucks host Red Wings game on January 4 in Nashville and also scored that night. The Red Wings overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Canucks 3-2 in a shootout on November 6 at Little Caesars Arena. The Canucks posted Jeff Paterson 42 shots in that game – one of two occasions this season the team has crested the 40-shot mark.

Probable lines vs. Red Wings VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Canucks (22-21-6) are expected to get a boost this afternoon as scoring leader Elias Pettersson is likely to return Leivo-Pettersson-Boeser to the line-up against the Detroit Red Wings (18-24-7) at Rogers Arena. Baertschi-Horvat-Granlund The 20-year-old has missed five games with a knee sprain suffered early in the second period of a game against the Montreal Canadiens January Roussel-Sutter-Virtanen 3. Pettersson practiced with the Canucks at 8-Rinks in Burnaby Eriksson-Beagle-Motte yesterday and indicated there was a ‘good chance’ he would play today. More proof of that was the fact he spent practice skating on a line with Edler-Tanev Brock Boeser and Josh Leivo and took part in first unit power play drills as well. The Canucks were 2-2-1 during Pettersson’s most recent injury Hutton-Stecher and have gone 5-4-2 in the 11-games he has been out of action all Pouliot-Gudbranson season. Markstrom In order to activate Pettersson from the injured list, the Canucks will have to re-assign centre Tanner Kero to Utica. When Pettersson is placed on Red Wings’ probable lines vs. Canucks the active roster, the Canucks will be completely healthy for just the second time this season. They had no injuries to report heading into an Bertuzzi-Larkin-Nyquist October 13 game in Florida. Vanek-Nielsen-Mantha The Canucks get back to work after a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Helm-Glendenning-Athanasiou Friday night. Alex Edler, Sven Baertschi, Boeser, and Loui Eriksson had the Canucks’ goals while Thatcher Demko made 36 saves in his season Abdelkader-Ehn-Frk debut in goal. Demko is likely to watch from the bench today as Jacob Markstrom returns to the net. Markstrom is 10-3-2 in his past 15 starts Kronwall-Green with a 2.11 GAA and 92.6% save percentage during that stretch. DeKeyser-Jensen As a team, the Canucks are 2-0-2 through the first four games of a six- game homestand that wraps up Wednesday against Carolina. They are Ericsson-Cholowski 5-3-2 in 10 games since Christmas and have picked up at least one point Howard/Bernier in 14 of 19 games (11-5-3) since early December. TSN.CA LOADED: 01.21.2019 Edler’s goal on Friday was his fifth of the season and matches Ben Hutton for the team lead for goals by a defenceman. Eriksson has now scored in two of his past three games after opening the scoring against the Florida Panthers last Sunday. Baertschi has three goals in his past four games and has a team-high four goals in the club’s past eight games. Bo Horvat had a pair of assists against Buffalo giving him 200 points for his NHL career, but has gone 11 games without a goal while Jake Virtanen has gone 11 games without a point. The return of Pettersson should help the Canucks power play, which is 1/17 (5.9%) in the past six games. The Red Wings return to action following a 6-4 loss in Calgary on Friday night. Special teams were a struggle for Detroit as the Flames went 3-for- 3 on the power play and also scored a short-handed goal in the victory. Dylan Larkin scored twice to reach the 20-goal mark for the second time in his NHL career while Anthony Mantha and Mike Green also scored for Detroit. Jimmy Howard stopped 30 shots in the loss. The Red Wings had four separate one-goal leads in the game, including a 4-3 lead with six minutes to play, before the Flames scored the final three goals of the night. Detroit was actually on the power play with six minutes remaining when Calgary scored short-handed to start their comeback. The loss snapped a two-game win streak leaving the Wings 3-6-1 in their past 10 games and 4-11-3 in their past 18 outings. Only the Chicago Blackhawks have fewer wins on the season and only four teams in the league have given up more goals than Detroit. Larkin sits fifth in the league with 185 shots on goal this season. He enters play today with two goals and four assists in a three-game point streak. He leads the Wings with 20 goals and 47 points while Gustav Nyquist is the Wings’ top set-up man with 31 assists and is second on the team in scoring with 42 points. Langley native Dennis Cholowski will play at Rogers Arena for the first time in his NHL career this afternoon. The 20-year-old defenseman leads Detroit with four power play goals and has seven goals and nine assists in 47 games in his first season in the league. Surrey’s Michael Rasmussen will have to wait to play an NHL game in his hometown. He practised with the team Saturday and is nearing a return, but will miss a seventh straight game with a hamstring injury. 1127197 Websites against the Canucks on December 4th at Rogers Arena, the Canucks have allowed only the McDavid PPG in their last 11 home games. The flip side of the discussion is the power play which went 0 for 2 on Sunday TSN.CA / Jeff Paterson's Five Takeways: Red Wings @ Canucks against Detroit and is now 1 for its last 19 in the past seven games. Brandon Sutter scored a PPG on Wednesday against Edmonton otherwise the well has run dry with the man-advantage. With Sutter on the second unit, the Canucks top power play guns have not produced Jeff Paterson since a two-goal effort in Ottawa on January 2nd. They're getting by without power play production these days and one of the reasons is

because their penalty kill is holding up its end of the bargain. The last JEFF PATERSON'S FIVE TAKEAWAYS eight goals the Canucks have scored have been at even-strength. 1) The Canucks are putting the old adage 'it's not how you start, it's how 5) Now that the Canucks are completely healthy, it's going to be you finish' to the test these days at Rogers Arena. For the third straight interesting to monitor the ice time of their centres. On Sunday, Bo Horvat game, they have been slow out of the gates, but it really hasn't hurt them logged 18:24 (15:22 at evens), followed by Brandon Sutter at 18:13 as they improved to 3-0-2 on this current six game homestand with a 3-2 (13:10), Elias Pettersson 15:36 (12:44) and Jay Beagle 14:10 (11:56). win over Detroit. It's just the second time in a month the Canucks have Pettersson barely played once the Canucks tied the game 2-2. He had strung back to back wins together after beating Buffalo on Friday night. two shifts over the final 12:33 of the hockey game and only one shift over Like recent games against the Oilers and Sabres, the Canucks fell the final eight and a half minutes. Travis Green elected to leave behind early on the shot clock, but unlike those games they opened the Pettersson on the bench down the stretch in his first game in two weeks scoring on Sunday when Elias Pettersson netted his 23rd goal of the and turn the defensive responsibilities over to the three other pivots who season 10:16 into the first period. At that point, the shots were 6-2 in were able to see the result across the finish line. In his first season in the favour of the visitors, but it was the home team with the lead. With nearly league, Pettersson has shown he is already one of the more responsible 16 minutes gone in the period, Detroit had upped its lead on the shot defensive players in the Canucks line-up. So moving forward, he's not clock to 11-3, but the Canucks managed to escape the opening frame likely to sit late in games -- especially if the Canucks are tied or trailing with a 1-0 advantage. After falling behind 2-1 through 40 minutes, the and need an offensive boost. On Sunday, the circumstances were Canucks clawed their way back with the only goals of the third period to understandable to see the coach go with the other three. But Pettersson secure the win. It's just the third time this season the Canucks won when will surely earn his spot in the late game rotation as the schedule trailing after two periods. It's also the third straight game the Canucks advances and it will be interesting to see how the ice time is doled out in have not allowed a third period goal. They played Edmonton to a those situations. This much we know about Pettersson -- he's just too scoreless third before falling in a shootout and outscored Buffalo 1-0 on good not to be playing even in -- and perhaps especially in -- crunch Friday night for the win. On Sunday, Bo Horvat and Antoine Roussel time. provided the offense that allowed the Canucks to come from behind to TSN.CA LOADED: 01.21.2019 collect two more points in the standings. 2) Antoine Roussel had an eventful afternoon on Sunday. After taking an early tripping penalty three minutes into the game and then returning to the penalty box after a high-sticking call midway through the third period, the veteran winger had twice put his team in jeopardy in a tied hockey game. But when he stepped out of the box the second time, he picked up a loose puck at the Detroit blue line and went in all alone against Jonathan Bernier. Roussel was denied on the breakaway and probably thought his chance to play hero had come and gone. However, two minutes later he redirected a long Jake Virtanen shot past Bernier to put the Canucks in front with what turned out to be his first game-winning goal of the season. With his two penalties, Roussel is now tied for second in the NHL in minor penalties taken this season with 23 -- just one behind St. Louis defenseman Joel Edmundson. So, on that level, he's come as advertised as a guy who plays hard and frequently finds himself stepping over the line in the eyes of referees. But with five goals and 14 assists, he's up to 19 points in 45 games played which is one behind Loui Eriksson, tied with Jake Virtanen and more than Markus Granlund -- with far less ice time than those three. Twice a 29-point producer in his six seasons in Dallas, Roussel is on pace to crack 30 points for the first time in his career. That's not bad for a guy who's season got off to a slow start with a serious concussion that prevented him from taking part in training camp and the preseason. He provides a spark few others in the Canuck line-up can match and has quickly become a favourite of his teammates and his head coach. 3) Even if there are still lulls in almost every one of their games, the Canucks deserve credit for finding ways to pick up points along the way. They are 3-0-2 in the five games on this homestand and are now 6-3-2 in 11 games since Christmas (five and a half of them without their leading scorer). Track it back even further and the Canucks have secured at least a point in 15 of their last 20 games going 12-5-3 starting with a December 6th home ice win over Nashville. The common element in almost all those results is goaltending and, once again Sunday, Jacob Markstrom provided the kind of netminding needed to produce victories. His 35 saves on Sunday were the second-most he has made in a victory this season (he stopped 37 in an October 29th win over Minnesota). In his last 16 games, Markstrom is now 11-3-2 and has held his opponents to two goals or fewer in a dozen of them. He looks confident every time he's between the pipes these days and the team in front of him seems to sense that and feeds off it. 4) The Canucks special teams are a study in contrast these days. The penalty kill was perfect in three opportunities on Sunday continuing a trend that mirrors the team's solid run of play over the past six weeks. In the past seven games, Connor McDavid is the only player to score a power play goal against the Canucks and from the research I've done, he appears to be pretty good. In that stretch, the Canucks have successfully killed off 14 of the last 15 times they've been short-handed. In the past 10 games, the New Jersey Devils are the only team to torch the Canucks more than once on the power play scoring a pair of PPG on New Year's Eve in Newark. Since the Minnesota Wild went 3 for 3 on the power play 1127198 Websites

USA TODAY / Capitals make statement, start Devante Smith-Pelly in Chicago after 2018 racial taunts

Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Published 5:35 p.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019 | Updated 5:46 p.m. ET Jan. 20, 2019

Nearly a year ago, Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly was sitting in the penalty box at Chicago's United Center when a small group of fans began a racial taunt. Smith-Pelly, who is black, was visibly upset when the fans chanted, "Basketball, basketball," and walked over to talk to them. Four fans were ejected from that February 2018 game -- and they were also barred from home games. Capitals coach Todd Reirden made a statement on Sunday afternoon when he put Smith-Pelly in the starting lineup with stars Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin in Washington's first trip to United Center since that incident. "That, for me, was really something important to do (with) what happened with him last year in this building and where we are today in the world," Reirden said after the 8-5 loss. Smith-Pelly said he appreciated Reirden giving him the start. "That was cool," said Smith-Pelly. "I love the national anthem here." Smith-Pelly, who went back to his usual line after that shift, has used last year's incident to help others. Last week, he invited the Odenton, Maryland-based Metro Maple Leafs youth hockey team to a home game, providing 60 lower-bowl tickets, after they stood up against racism. The teammates had worn anti-racism stickers to support Divyne Apollon II, 13, who is black and was subjected to racial taunts in a tournament. "To me, that is fighting a bigger fight than we even know about that Devante has to go through," Reirden said of Smith-Pelly's community outreach. "I thought (starting him) was a way to show our backing and our support for him." USA TODAY LOADED: 01.21.2019